pygmalion

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:: Story Init Note: Some of these aren't in use or are outdated. My goal is to clean this up toward the end of the semester. :-) <<set _bgm = "fx/futureloop_brandonmorris.wav">> <<cacheaudio "house" _bgm>> // TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------ [1.0] Player [1.5] Allies [2.0] Widgets [3.0] Control & Flags [4.0] Meta // [1.0] Player ------------------------------------ // Personality <<set $recap = false>> <<set $corrupted = "self">> <<set $hiddenTags to []>> <<set $clues = []>> <<set $drowning = false>> // identity <<set $identity to "unknown">> <<set $title to "statue">> <<set $gender to "person">> <<set $they to "They">> <<set $their to "their">> <<set $them to "them">> // [1.5] Allies ------------------------------------ // Partner <<set $p_gender = "man">> <<set $p_name = "Elias">> <<set $p_nick = "Eli">> <<set $p_he to "he">> <<set $p_his to "his">> <<set $p_him to "him">> <<set $p_rel to 50>> <<set $playerCorrupt = 0>> <<set $partnerCorrupt = 0>> <<set $p_affinity = 0>> // [2.0] Widgets ----------------------------------- STATS PAGE <<widget stats>><hr> Map of the Soul <hr> <<if $tags.length == 0>><i>Tabula Rasa.</i> Your soul is a complete mystery, for now.<<else>><<for _i to 0; _i lt $clues.length; _i++>> <<print $clues[_i]>> <</for>> <</if>> <hr> <</widget>> DISPLAY FOR IMAGES <<set _src = "default">> <<set _alt = "default">> <<widget viewport>><div class="viewport"><img @src="_src" @alt="_alt"/></div><</widget>> FOOTNOTE GENERATION <<widget footnote>><span class="fake-link"><<click _foot>> <<set $footnote = _footnote>> <<replace "#footnote" t8n>>$footnote <<if $unlock2am == true>><hr><</if>><</replace>> <</click>></span><</widget>> CLEAR FOOTNOTE <<widget clearfootnote>><<replace "#footnote" t8n>><</replace>><</widget>> TAG APPEND <<widget update>><span class="systemtext"><i>Clue Found: _clue</i></span><</widget>> // [3.0] Control & Flags --------------------------- # In menu or not <<set $inmenu = false>> # Dialogue Control <<set $count = 0>> <<set $choice = 0>> <<set $choices = []>> <<set $flavor = "">> <<set $reaction = "">> // [4.0] Meta --------------------------- // Menu and Mechanics <<set $footnote = "">> <<set $musicStatus = 1>> <<set $dest = "mansion_triclinium">> <<set $destname = "The Triclinium">> <<set $previous = "mansion_triclinium">> // Time Related <<set $interviewcount = 0>> <<set $interviewpres = false>> <<set $interviewceo = false>> <<set $interviewstar == false>> <<set $interviewjoint == false>> <<set $exploretimer = 0>> <<set $explorecount = 0>> <<set $houseround = 0>> <<set $suspect = "President">> // Rooms & Room States SELF NOTE: Remember that the for loop can't use $rooms.length, so this has to be updated with every (new) room. <<set $rooms to { 0: { name: "The Grounds", code: "mansion_grounds", visit: "false" }, 1: { name: "The Stables", code: "mansion_stables", visit: "false" }, 2: { name: "The Foyer", code: "mansion_foyer", visit: "false" }, 3: { name: "The Triclinium", code: "mansion_triclinium", visit: "false" }, 4: { name: "The Stateroom", code: "mansion_stateroom", visit: "false" }, 5: { name: "The Study", code: "mansion_study", visit: "false" }, 6: { name: "The Terrace", code: "mansion_terrace", visit: "false" }, 7: { name: "The Conservatory", code: "mansion_conservatory", visit: "false" } }>>

<hr> MAIN CREDITS: <hr> Creator: [REDACTED] As Advised by: <a href="https://selfloud.net/">Anastasia Salter</a> Committee: <ul> <li><a href="http://kentonhoward.com/">Taylor Howard</a></li> <li><a href="http://mosher.art/">Matthew Mosher</a></li> </ul> <hr> Additional guidance & inspiration from: <hr> Tutorials > The Twine Cookbook: See <a href="https://twinery.org/cookbook/">Here</a> > Daniel Cox's Tutorials: See <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTWJzxNdsIDHiYzGh-2Fd1w">Here</a> > HiEv's Sample Code: See <a href="https://qjzhvmqlzvoo5lqnrvuhmg-on.drv.tw/UInv/Sample_Code.html">Here</a> Games > Galatea by Emily Short: See <a href="https://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=urxrv27t7qtu52lb">Here</a> > Horse Master by Tom McHenry: See <a href="https://tommchenry.itch.io/horse-master">Here</a> > The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo by Ztul: <a href="https://ztul.itch.io/the-uncle-who-works-for-nintendo">Here</a> > Hotel Dusk by Cing: See <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Dusk:_Room_215">Here</a> Books > Videogames for Humans: Twine Authors in Conversation by Imogen Binnie, Zoe Quinn, and merritt k

<<silently>> <<if $footnote != "">> <<set $footnote = "">> <<replace "#footnote" t8n>>$footnote<</replace>> <</if>> <<set _current = passage()>> <</silently>> <span id="footnote">$footnote</span><<if $unlock2am == true && $inmenu == false && tags().includes("dialogue") == false && tags().includes("action") == false && tags().includes("special") == false && tags().includes("ending") == false>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="menu-bar"><<if $unlock3am == true>><<click "Explore">><<goto "map">><<set $current_passage=passage()>><</click>> <<if _current != "mansion_triclinium">>[[Companion|talktoanimateur]] <</if>><</if>><<link "Save | Load">><<script>>UI.saves()<</script>><</link>> </div></div></div> <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set $previous = previous()>> <<set $inmenu = true>> <</silently>> <<for _i to 0; _i lt 8; _i++>> <<nobr>><<set _link to $rooms[_i]["name"]>> <<set _dest to $rooms[_i]["code"]>> <<set _destname to $rooms[_i]["name"]>> <<capture _link;_dest>> <<link _link _dest>><<set $inmenu = false>><<set $dest=_dest>><<set $destname = _destname>><<set $exploretimer += 1>><</link>> <</capture _link>> <</nobr>> <</for>> <<back>>

<<if tags().includes("special") == false>><<if tags().includes("accusation") ==false>>[PYG]MALION* <hr><</if>><</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro.png">> <<set _alt ="Somewhere in Space, past CD−56 4504">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<timed .5s t8n>> <div id="content">Death is, <<timed 1s t8n>>apparently,<<timed 1.2s t8n>> quite a spectacle.<</timed>><</timed>></div><</timed>><<timed 4s t8n>> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Granted, yours is a little different because the natural laws of growth and decay don’t really apply to Gods.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Usually.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "intro_carride">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span><</timed>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_console.png">> <<set _alt ="Elias' Car">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "vessel">> <<set _footnote = "A knock-off of Michelangelo's, you believe.">> <</silently>><<timed .4s t8n>><<viewport>><<timed .6s t8n>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">An obnoxious ding pulls you from a haze of reflection, and your eyes slide to the center console with a dull scrape of stone.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You’re trying your best to get used to the new <<footnote>>, but every movement produces an unkind sound, and it makes you all too keenly aware of being bound.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>A phone rests in an old-fashioned cup holder nearby, the screen glowing faintly amongst a small pile of coins.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Your eyes briefly settle on it and then rise.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Elias sits behind the wheel and dutifully maintains <<cycle "$p_gender" autoselect>> <<option "his">> <<option "her">> <</cycle>> attention on the road.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "intro_carride2">> <</switch>> <<replace "#footnote">><</replace>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div><</timed>><</timed>>

<<silently>> <<set _alt ="Elias at Wheel">> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "his">> <<set $p_nick = "Eli">> <<set $p_gender = "man">> <<set $p_he to "he">> <<set $p_his to "his">> <<set $p_him to "him">> <<set _src = "extras/intro_mdrive.png">> <<case "her">> <<set $p_nick = "Ellie">> <<set $p_gender = "woman">> <<set $p_he to "she">> <<set $p_his to "her">> <<set $p_him to "her">> <<set _src = "extras/intro_fdrive.png">> <<default>> <<set $p_nick = "Eli">> <<set $p_gender = "man">> <<set $p_he to "he">> <<set $p_his to "his">> <<set $p_him to "him">> <<set _src = "extras/intro_mdrive.png">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=$p_he>>'s as silent as $p_he was yesterday, but you can’t really blame $p_him given the harrowing circumstances. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Quietly turn on the radio|intro_radio]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Try and talk to "+$p_him+" anyway"|intro_talk]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Pick up "+$p_his+" phone nonchalantly"|intro_phone]]</div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_radio.png">> <<set _alt ="The Radio">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _hiddenTag = "well-versed">> <<set $hiddenTags.pushUnique(_hiddenTag)>> <<set _newsSet = ["THE CONCURRENT STEPS DOWN AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OF POWER... IT PLANS TO STEP BACK UP IN SPRING ONCE THE ACCUSER MYSTERIOUSLY PERISHES IN A CAR FIRE...", "THE PRESIDENT OF THE 4TH DIMENSION... UNVEILS NEW BILL OF RIGHTS. INTERLOPING NOW PUNISHABLE BY DEATH... SLEEPING WHILST ON THE CLOCK NOW PUNISHABLE BY DEATH...", "THE CEO... NOW THE RICHEST ENTITY ALIVE... BOUGHT RIGHTS TO THE WORD RICH... IT IS NOW FORBIDDEN TO SAY WITHOUT PROPER LICENSING... GOODBYE HANNIGAN..."]>> <<set _news = _newsSet.random()>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You lean forward and haphazardly guide a finger toward the stereo controls. Your motorskills lack a certain sync, but you manage after a few misguided jabs.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The old radio crinkles. <i><<=_news>></i><</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Elias scowls.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "intro_perimeter">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $p_affinity += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_phone.png">> <<set _alt ="Elias' Phone">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _hiddenTag = "ubiquitous">> <<set $hiddenTags.pushUnique(_hiddenTag)>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Out of the corner of your eye, you see a brow arch, but you ignore it as you scoop up the phone from the console.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It’s locked by a pin system, and you wonder whether it’s that security or your unique situation that lends itself to $p_his willingness.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#footnote" t8n>><</replace>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You lightly press the power button-- the flat ones don't register your fingers-- and the screen lights up again.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Your eyes first focus on the multiple work notifications and the time, noting it's a bit off.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>But after that, they are more-so drawn to the vibrant wallpaper that looks back: a huge black & white grinning dog.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You ask for a name.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “Oreo,” Elias replies steadily.<</append>> <<case 6>> <<goto "intro_perimeter">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _alt ="Talking to Elias">> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _src = "extras/intro_mdrive.png">> <<case "woman">> <<set _src = "extras/intro_fdrive.png">> <<default>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_mdrive.png">> <</switch>> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _hiddenTag = "mystical">> <<set $hiddenTags.pushUnique(_hiddenTag)>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You open your mouth to ask about Elias <<=$p_him>>self--</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<append "#content" t8n>> And close it.<</append>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Instead, you settle on an easier topic: how much time you have left.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>A silence follows, of course, and when it lasts more than several seconds, you shift in your seat, shedding chalk and assuming your attempt is in vain.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Till the end of the next Witching Hour,” Elias finally answers.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<append "#content" t8n>> You stare at $p_him, the information meaning nothing to you.<</append>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“A little after 4,” $p_he clarifies.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<goto "intro_perimeter">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_perim.png">> <<set _alt ="Mansion on a Hill">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The surrounding clouds begin to clear from the car's windows, and you see a long perimeter of iron fencing pierce the veil.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Beyond it, you see a garden with floating crystals and exotic plants that can only grow in the 4th and 5th dimensions.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Even further-- a large manor resting beneath flashing static and curling stars.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>This is where you died.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Well,<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<append "#content" t8n>> this is where you were killed.<</append>> <<case 5>> <<goto "intro_memories">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_inanimate.png">> <<set _alt ="When You Were Young">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">The surge of-- no, the lack of memories is overwhelming, and you become momentarily frozen. Inanimate.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Yesterday morning, you were something else. Something more. A presence that can never truly be captured through words.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You were... a <<cycle "$gender" autoselect>> <<option "God">> <<option "Goddess">> <<option "Goddex">> <</cycle>>.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Or. So you've been told.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<set _foot = "response">> <<set _footnote = "You'd go insane if you remembered.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Your memories of that life are just as foggy as those regarding your demise, and while Elias had informed you that it is a common <<footnote>> to death... it is frustrating.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>But perhaps none of that matters anymore.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Today you are just a hellenistic statue setting out to solve what should have been an impossible murder in the first place.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<goto "intro_gate">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_perim.png">> <<set _alt ="Driving To the Mansion">> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch $gender>> <<case "God">> <<set $gender = "man">> <<case "Goddess">> <<set $gender = "woman">> <<case "Goddex">> <<set $gender = "person">> <<default>> <<set $gender = "person">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Tuesdays,” says Elias passively as $p_he drives the car up to a small outpost.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Digging through $p_his dark coat, $p_he pulls out $p_his wallet and flashes something at the approaching, <span class="danger">red-eyed</span> creature.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Its glowing eyes slowly drift to you, and the toothy smile that follows is far too wide for the face that carries it.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The gates retract and not a moment too soon.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "intro_arrival">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_obelisk.png">> <<set _alt ="The Obelisk">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "animateur">> <<set _footnote = "The polite term for a sanctioned necromancer">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Elias follows a circular road and parks the car near a tall, black obelisk featuring silver trim and twisting chains.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Water cascades down its sides and flushes into an intimidating pattern of hexagon plates. It's the kind of fountain no one would dare toss a coin into.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The engine quiets, and your <<footnote>> looks at you.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Ground rules,” $p_he starts with a commanding tone. One that is perhaps too casual for a former deity.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "intro_groundrules">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $fonttoggle = 1>> ▄▀▄▀▀▀▀▄▀▄░░░░░░░░░ ░█░░░░░░░░▀▄░░░░░░▄░ █░░▀░░▀░░░░░▀▄▄░░█░█ █░▄░█▀░▄░░░░░░░▀▀░░█ █░░▀▀▀▀░░░░░░░░░░░░█ █░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█ █░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█ ░█░░▄▄░░▄▄▄▄░░▄▄░░█░ ░█░▄▀█░▄▀░░█░▄▀█░▄▀░ ░░▀░░░▀░░░░░▀░░░▀░░░ Dedicated to my personal Do-It-For-Her bean-dog, Minnie. Because frankly, I don't know how I would've made it through grad school without her. :) <</silently>><h2>[PYG]MALION*</h2> <div id="bigcontent">A story about You-- The Murdered God-- and the attempt to solve your death's mystery in places beyond. <span class="smaller-text italic">CW: Allusions to Dysphoria/Dysmorphia, references to alchohol use, both narrative and mechanic content that may inspire helplessness</span> <<click "New Game">> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>From this point on, you can use the "d" key or space bar in order to advance the story. With that in mind, please note some choices early on require cycling links, and use of the spacebar may skip these / cycle these unintentionally. <span class="button continue">[[>|intro_death]]</span> <</replace>> <</click>> <<link "Load Game">><<script>>UI.saves()<</script>><</link>> [[Skip Intro|skipintro]] <<link "Toggle Font">> fonttoggle = fonttoggle * -1 <<if $fonttoggle == 1>> <<replace "#justanote">><span class="smaller-text">Note: Some capitalization is incorrect for this font mode.</span><</replace>> <<script>> document.body.style.setProperty('font-family','Arial'); document.body.style.setProperty('font-size','1.5em'); <</script>> <<set $fonttoggle = -1>> <<else>> <<replace "#justanote">><</replace>> <<set $fonttoggle = 1>> <<script>> document.body.style.setProperty('font-family','Nintendoid1'); document.body.style.setProperty('font-size','1em'); <</script>> <</if>> <</link>> <span id="justanote"></span> </div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Title">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $title = "Victim">> <<set _names = ["Victim","Statue","Animated","Deceased"]>> <<set _suggestName = _names[0]>> <<if visited("intro_name") == 1>> <<set _flavor ="<q>What will be your Title?</q> $p_he inquires.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="<q>Then, what would you prefer?</q> $p_he asks again.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr> The <span id="text"><<textbox "$username" _suggestName>></span> <span class="button link"><<click "↺">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<set _suggestName = _names[1]>> <<case 1>> <<set _suggestName = _names[2]>> <<case 2>> <<set _suggestName = _names[3]>> <<case 3>> <<set _suggestName = _names[0]>> <<set _count = -1>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <<replace "#text">><<textbox "$title" _suggestName>><</replace>><</click>></span> <span class="button link">[[Engrave It|intro_namecheck]]</span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Title">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You fall into an odd trance as Elias scatters the dust once more, and an equally strange weight settles just above your non-existent larynx.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It is not quite as unpleasant as the Binding was, however, and you snap out of it shortly thereafter.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Elias explains: “Your title will give you some protection to talk to and interact with The Suspects."<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<set _foot ="state">> <<set _footnote ="Tabula Rasa, $p_he called it.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“But it isn’t a complete solution. You’re still in a volatile <<footnote>>, and any external stimulus-- words, actions-- can cause... problems.”<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>With a dull expression, $p_he waves a hand foward, both at the mansion ahead and those that dwell within.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“They will try and take advantage of this.” $p_he declares. A question of when, not if.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<goto "intro_questions">> <</switch>> <<replace "#footnote">><</replace>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _alt ="Talking to Elias">> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <<case "woman">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_fzoom.png">> <<default>> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">An uncomfortable silence falls after that.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Elias’ frown clearly deepens, caught in a thought, but $p_he doesn't say anything more on the subject.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>$p_his pair of yellow eyes drift back to you from the glow of the mansion, but when you return the stare, $p_he abruptly falls back into $p_his seat with a sigh.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>"Questions?" Elias asks while setting an alarm on $p_his phone. <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[ask about the Suspects|intro_qsus]] <span class="button link">></span> [[ask about the House|intro_qhouse]] <span class="button link">></span> [[ask about our Contract|intro_qcontract]] <span class="button link">></span> [[shake your head|intro_preduel]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> Display one of suspects at random <<set _sources = [ "extras/sus_pres.png", "extras/sus_ceo.png", "extras/sus_con.png", "extras/sus_chant.png", "extras/sus_star.png" ]>> <<set _src = _sources.random()>> <<set _alt ="A Suspect">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">$p_his eyes harden.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"Powerful. Influential... Even revered," $p_he says. $p_he then looks at you again...<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<append "#content" t8n>> But ultimately shakes $p_his head.<</append>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"You'll meet them soon enough."<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "intro_questions2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_obelisk.png">> <<set _alt ="The Obelisk">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "Santorini">> <<set _footnote = "$p_his hair was shorter then.">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Elias glances at you, eyes just a fraction wider than before.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“This is the House of Seven Pools. It is a vacation home belonging to the President of the 4th Dimension, though...”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>$p_he presses a thumb to the crook of $p_his bottom lip.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I’ve heard there was some controversy over ownership a few centuries ago. I couldn’t tell you the specifics; I was investigating something in <<footnote>> at the time.”<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Briefly, you wonder if that’s where $p_he obtained this vessel.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "intro_questions2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_contract.png">> <<set _alt ="The Contract">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot ="reply">> <<set _footnote ="$p_he can't.">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">$p_he frowns.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “What else is there to say?”<</append>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Looking nowhere in particular, you try and remember yesterday’s binding and the subsequent explanations.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Contract is... protocol. After Kennedy was revived and assassinated again, the Senate ruled that all spectres are to be bound on arrival.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Apparently, it is for their own protection, but you remember Elias saying this in a somewhat sarcastic tone.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Can it be broken?” You ask, realizing it was the only thing never discussed.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<append "#content" t8n>> Elias does not <<footnote>>.<</append>> <<case 6>> <<goto "intro_questions2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<h1><<click "2AM">> <<goto "enterfoyer">> <</click>></h1> <<silently>> I'm debating if I'll implement this, but if player rewinds to this time, have to reset these here <<set $interviewcount = 0>> <<set $exploretimer = 0>> <</silently>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Title">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">"The <<=$title>>," Elias tests for good measure. "Is that correct?" <hr> <span class="button link">></span> <<link "Nod agreeably">><<goto "intro_groundrules2">><</link>> <span class="button link">></span> <<link "Shake your head">><<goto "intro_name">><</link>> </div></div>

Title: The <<textbox "$title" "Victim">> Your Gender: <<cycle "$gender" autoselect>> <<option "God">> <<option "Goddess">> <<option "Goddex">> <</cycle>> Partner's Gender: <<cycle "$p_gender" autoselect>> <<option "man">> <<option "woman">> <</cycle>> Do you want a recap of the introduction? <hr> [[Yes|skipintro2][$recap=true]] [[No|skipintro2][$recap=false]]

<<silently>> <<set $unlock2am to true>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <<set _count = 0 >> <<set $count = 0 >> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">In the foyer, you find yourself surrounded by exotic plants and marble statues that are not so different from your current form.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You walk past them slowly, and your feet scrape along black & white waxed tiles.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>At the end of the room, just before an archway quarantined by yellow tape, the Animateur engages <span class="danger">The Doorman</span>, quietly announcing your party's arrival. <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[Look around while you wait|foyer_explore]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Join your companion|foyer_chat]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<if $count >= 2>> <<goto "foyer_enterpres">> <</if>> <<if visited("foyer_explore")==1>> <<set _flavor = "To the left is a winding staircase that leads to the second floor. Up ahead is an archway lined by doric columns, but the tape blocks the way.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur turns away from <span class='danger'>the Doorman</span>. Still waiting on the host, but free for now.">> <</if>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <<if visited("foyer_explore")==1>> <<set _temp ="Look around the foyer">> <<set _flavor2 ="Not wanting to wander off too far, you poke around for anything of interest.">> <<else>> <<set _temp ="Look around the foyer some more">> <<set _flavor2 = "The Animateur turns away from <span class='danger'>the Doorman</span>. Still waiting on the host, it seems.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><<=_flavor2>> <hr> <span class="button link">></span> <<click _temp>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>><<=_flavor>> <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[Examine the flora|foyer_plants]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Swing by a Statue|foyer_statues]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Look at... the floor|foyer_tiling]] <</replace>> <</click>> <span class="button link">></span> [[Stealthily climb the staircase|staircase_explore]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Change your mind; join The Animateur|foyer_chat]] </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $p_affinity += 1>> <<set _alt ="Talking to Elias">> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <<case "woman">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_fzoom.png">> <<default>> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <</switch>> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You sidle up to The Animateur, and though $p_he tries to be discreet, you catch $p_him irritably rubbing an eye as $p_he leans against a nearby archway. <hr><span class="button link">></span> [["Ask if "+$p_he+"'s feeling alright"|foyer_chat2][$choice=1]] <span class="button link">></span> [['Try to lighten the mood with a joke'|foyer_chat2][$choice=2]] <span class="button link">></span> [["Just look at "+$p_him +" incredulously"|foyer_chat2][$choice=3]] </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _alt ="Talking to Elias">> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <<case "woman">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_fzoom.png">> <<default>> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <</switch>> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _temp ="And">> <<switch $choice>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "A small smile slips onto $p_his face, but $p_he buries it almost immediately.">> <<set _flavor2 = "You ask if $p_he will be ok to investigate.">> <<set _flavor3 ="<q>I'll be fine,</q> He squares $p_his shoulders.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "It is difficult to project concern as a living, breathing statue, but you try your best.">> <<set _flavor2 = "You ask if $p_he will be ok to investigate.">> <<set _flavor3 ="<q>I'll be fine,</q> He squares $p_his shoulders.">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor = "You make an offhand comment about the bourgeoisie. $p_he snorts-- unimpressed-- but you notice $p_his mouth twitch in a small victory.">> <<set _flavor2 = "In an attempt to make $p_him laugh, you bring up the fact it's Tuesday again.">> <<set _flavor3 ="<q>... They are the worst,</q> $p_he nods and relaxes $p_his shoulders.">> <<case 3>> <<set _flavor = "<q>It's nothing,</q> $p_he disregards you impassively, but you continue to stare, to force the issue.">> <<set _flavor2 = "You decide to pry and ask why one would take a job here in light of said condition.">> <<set _flavor3 = "$p_he does not answer.">> <<set _temp = "And">>> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<set _foot = "incompatible">> <<set _footnote = "$p_his kind aren't welcome here.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_temp>> after a beat, The Animateur relents. “I’m from the 3rd Dimension,” $p_he says. “The atmosphere and I are... physiologically <<footnote>>.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor2>><</replace>> <<case 2>> <<append "#content" t8n>> <<=_flavor3>><</append>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“More importantly," The Animateur turns to face you. "Have you remembered anything? Or felt something? Usually spirits have strong reactions to their place of death.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You look inward, questioningly.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Though there isn’t anything too obvious, you do notice a chill has settled in the back of your mind. Something cold and coiling.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<append "#content" t8n>> You relay as such to your partner.<</append>> <<case 7>> <<set _clue = "Touched by the Void">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"It's a start." $p_he hums.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<goto "foyer_enterpres">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> Cue boss theme here tbh. <<set $corrupted = "partner">> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "The President of the 4th Dimension">> <<set _footnote ="The self-appointed King of the Void.">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">All of a sudden, a voice booms from above.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><h1><q class="president">Here at last!</q></h1><</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Both You & The Animateur turn to see a man in a deep purple waistcoat at the top of the stairs, resting nonchalantly on the second-floor railing.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He pulls away and starts down the stairs. “It’s not a very good mystery without a Detective, now is it?” He smiles coyly.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur sniffs. "I'm not a Detective," He squints.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Yet here you are,” counters the man as he waves a finger. "Detective-ing."<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He walks off the last step with a flourish, and a butler silently appears at his side. As the man’s figure starts to shift like it's not really there, you put two and two together.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>This must be <<footnote>>.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#footnote" t8n>><</replace>> <<replace "#content" t8n>> And The First Suspect, as it were.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<goto "foyer_enterpres2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“By the Gods, a terrible affair!” The President exclaims, tossing his hands in the air. “A divine murdered in my own manor-- it’s enough to make a grown man...! To make a grown man...?”</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>His brow furrows, and he looks over at his nearby assistant.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “Cry, sir?”<</append>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“To make a grown man cry, I say!” He slaps a hand to his forehead.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He falls onto the nearby railing theatrically, to which the Assistant walks over and offers both a timely glass of champagne and a purple handkerchief.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<set _foot = "smiles">> <<set _footnote = "If he had eyes, it wouldn't reach them.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Do forgive me," He <<footnote>> after taking a sip. "I have had the <i>worst</i> memory as of late, but for what it’s worth, you have my condolences.”<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#footnote" t8n>><</replace>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>He stands up, smoothing his waistcoat and offering a hand. <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[I shake it|foyer_enterpres3]] <span class="button link">></span> <<linkreplace "I don't shake it" t8n>>[[I shake it|foyer_enterpres3]]<</linkreplace>> <span class="button link">></span> <<linkreplace "I pretend to fumble" t8n>>[[I shake it|foyer_enterpres3]]<</linkreplace>> <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $touchedbythevoid = false>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">In a motion too smooth for someone so new to corporealism</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<append "#content" t8n>>, your hand rises to meet his, compelled by forces you can’t see or begin to understand.<</append>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>At the last second,<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<append "#content">> The Animateur’ hand knocks yours aside and takes the President’s.<</append>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Salutations,” $p_he says dryly. “During the investigation, I’ll be known as the Animateur. My associate, as The $title. I’d appreciate if you let everyone know as soon as possible.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“My, my,” The President grins, dangerously entertained.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He waves off his assistant with said instructions and settles in a more relaxed stance with one arm raised, thumb and index rubbing together thoughtfully.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Well, go ahead.” He wiggles his fingers. “Ask me to see the crime scene.”<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You half expect The Animateur to leave, but instead, $p_his face smooths imperceptibly.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<set _foot ="forecast">> <<set _footnote ="Visions of a death's probability.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Did your people even leave anything?” $p_he scans ahead with feigned disinterest.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<replace "#footnote" t8n>><</replace>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The President lets out a barking laugh.<</replace>> <<case 10>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>“Follow me,” He spins on a heel, walking purposefully toward the yellow tape. <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[Quietly thank The Animateur|tocrimescene][$choice=0]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Scoff at the idea of dying in a pool|tocrimescene][$choice=1]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Just ask if the President killed you|tocrimescene][$choice=2]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Say nothing and take in your surroundings|tocrimescene][$choice=3]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _temp = "necromancien">> <<case "woman">> <<set _temp = "necromancienne">> <<case "person">> <<set _temp = "necromancienn">> <</switch>> <<switch previous()>> <<case "stair_enterpres3">> <<set _temp2 ="bitterly">> <<case "foyer_enterpres3">> <<set _temp2 ="simply">> <<default>> <<set _temp2 ="simply">> <</switch>> <<switch $choice>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "You take a step closer so as not to be overheard.">> <<set _flavor2 = "In response, The Animateur just dips $p_his chin solemnly, eyes trained the back of the President’s head.">> <<set _flavor3 ="<q>It's my end of the bargain,</q> $p_he says _temp2.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "<q>It’s a Frigidarium,</q> corrects The President as he puts a hand over his heart. <q>An indoor pool, in a summer retreat? What kind of monster do you think I am?</q>">> <<set _flavor2 = "The Animateur idly adjusts $p_his lapels.">> <<set _flavor3 ="<q>Oh, come on,</q> The President sneers. <q>I gave you the perfect setup.</q>">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor = "<q>Of course not,</q> The President says without missing a beat. He puts on a face of mock offense, <q>I would never kill someone in one of my own houses.</q>">> <<set _flavor2 = "<q>But you would kill someone?</q> The Animateur supplies.">> <<set _flavor3 = "<q>Careful,</q> The President tuts. <q>My lawyers would have a field day with you, <i>_temp</i>.</q>">> <<case 3>> <<set _flavor = "You ignore the two in favor of scrutinizing your surroundings.">> <<set _flavor2 = "As you walk, you notice that it's taking much longer than it should to cross the hallway, as if time and space are distorted here.">> <<set _flavor3 = "A common occurrence in the 4th, a distant memory tells you.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor2>><</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor3>><</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "tocrimescene2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="The Foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You are not exactly the picture of subtlety—each movement drawing forth a grainy sigh-- but neither The Animateur nor The Doorman stop you from slipping away.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>> In fact, The Doorman gives you a small but considerably eerie smile as you wander up the steps.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You finish the ascent, and reach the second floor.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Again, the rooms are wastefully spacious but well-stacked with more decorative foliage and various marble effigies.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You pause at a new junction marked by a thick, lavender tapestry.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "stair_tapestry">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_plants1.png">> <<set _alt ="Some Plants">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count += 1>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You walk over to one of the larger pots, one filled to the brim with a fanning cypress.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>On closer inspection, you realize it is actually a fusion of organic material and silver machinery. The leaves glow unnaturally so, veins filled with some kind of iridescent ichor.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It's odd.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<set _clue = "The Silver Blood">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You recognize it, and yet you don’t know what it is.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "foyer_explore">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count += 1>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You walk over to one of the nearest statues, one that guards the entryway with a lance or spear.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Standing contrapposto, as is most appropriate, it appears to depict a large man with a fur mantle. <</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He has a stately manner about him like that of a king or a leader, but when placed in these halls, he looks rather...<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<append "#content" t8n>> forlorn?<</append>> <<case 3>> <<set _clue = "The Heart of Stone">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You hear a distinctly familiar pulsing from within.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "foyer_explore">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Perhaps others would scoff at the idea of investigating the floor, but you are not them.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>With a careful eye, you circle the room in an attempt to understand the mosaic spread beneath your bare stone feet.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It isn’t until you climb up a step of the stairs and look down that you notice it isn’t a checkerboard, but rather an intricate, meaningful pattern depicting a creature of sorts.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<set _clue = "The Stage Whisper">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>As if on cue, a hush of whispers invades the back of your mind, and you decide it best to quit for now.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "foyer_explore">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_space.png">> <<set _alt ="Somewhere in Space">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">It is the original flag of the 4th Dimension, you realize on closer inspection.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The twin moons are a stark white contrast to the main tone they sit upon, but that’s not the most interesting trivia regarding this piece.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Before the 4th Dimension became a secular republic, there were a great number of nobles who worshipped The Void as a governing entity.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And, consequently, there were a great number of nobles who ritually sacrificed citizens to sustain its influence.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>This flag, with the smaller moon left as an outline, is a relic of said time period. It has since been banned in all official capacity.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<set _clue = "The Old Flag">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And yet, here it is. <</replace>> <<case 5>> <<goto "stairs_enterpres">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> Cue boss theme here tbh. <<set $corrupted = "self">> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "The President of the 4th Dimension">> <<set _footnote ="The self-appointed King of the Void.">> Change bridging based on which path player took. Originally had more door explorations here <<if visited("stair_tapestry") == true>> <<set _flavor = "<q>What are we without our history?</q> says a voice.">> <<set _flavor2 = "You whip around, almost knocking over a nearby vase of roses. Standing nearby, with arms held casually behind his back, is a man in a deep purple waistcoat.">> <<set _flavor3 = "<q>I mean, we must know it in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes,</q> He clarifies.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor2>><</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor3>><</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Moments later, a butler silently appears at his side, and as the man’s figure shifts like it's not really there, you put two and two together.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>This must be <<footnote>>.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And the first suspect, as it were.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<goto "stair_enterpres2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> Cue boss theme here tbh. <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“By the Gods, a terrible affair!” The President exclaims, raising his arms toward you in an extravagant greeting. “A divine murdered in my own manor—- it’s enough to make a grown man...! To make a grown man...?”</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><</replace>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>His brow furrows, and he looks over at his nearby assistant.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “Cry, sir?”<</append>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“To make a grown man cry, I say!” He slaps a hand to his forehead.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He falls onto the nearby railing theatrically, and you notice The Animateur appear at the bottom of the staircase, no doubt drawn by the noise.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Meanwhile, the Assistant walks over and offers both a timely glass of champagne and a purple handkerchief.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<set _foot = "smiles">> <<set _footnote = "If he had eyes, it wouldn't reach them.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Do forgive me," He <<footnote>> after taking a sip. "I have had the <i>worst</i> memory as of late, but for what it’s worth, you have my condolences.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>He stands up straight, fixing his rolled-up sleeves, and offers a hand. <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[I shake it|stair_enterpres3]] <span class="button link">></span> <<linkreplace "I don't shake it" t8n>>[[I shake it|stair_enterpres3]]<</linkreplace>> <span class="button link">></span> <<linkreplace "I pretend to fumble" t8n>>[[I shake it|stair_enterpres3]]<</linkreplace>> <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $touchedbythevoid = true>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">In a motion too smooth for someone so new to corporealism</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<append "#content" t8n>>, your hand rises to meet his, compelled by forces you can’t see or begin to understand.<</append>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He takes your arm by the wrist, and you by his. It is the proper form of greeting in the 4th Dimension-- one that denotes goodwill between both parties.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Now, there is nothing wrong with this moment, per say, but when your arms pull apart, you can’t shake the odd sensation of ink spilling across a canvas. The canvas, being your arm.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur bristles.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “We don’t have time for pleasantries,” He scowls as you all descend the spiraling staircase.<</append>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Oh, come off it,” The President flashes a lazy smile, hand tracing the railing. “You can’t fault me for being polite, detective.”<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I’m <i>not</i> a detective,” The Animateur’ scowl deepens.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And during the investigation, I’ll be known as the Animateur. My associate, as The $title. I’d appreciate if you let everyone know. Immediately.”<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“My, my,” The President’s smile only grows, and he sends off the assistant with a wave of his hand.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Once you are all on the ground floor, he settles in a relaxed stance with one arm raised, thumb and index rubbing together thoughtfully.<</replace>> <<case 10>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Well, go ahead.” He wiggles his fingers. “Ask me to see the crime scene.”<</replace>> <<case 11>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Silence.<</replace>> <<case 12>> <<append "#content">> The President lets out a barking laugh.<</append>> <<case 13>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>“Follow me,” He spins on a heel, walking purposefully toward the room blocked off by yellow tape. <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[Quietly thank The Animateur|tocrimescene][$choice=0]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Scoff at the idea of dying in a pool|tocrimescene][$choice=1]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Just ask if the President killed you|tocrimescene][$choice=2]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Say nothing and take in your surroundings|tocrimescene][$choice=3]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_obelisk.png">> <<set _alt ="The Obelisk">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("intro_questions2") != 0>> <<set _temp = "Alas, ">> <<else>> <<set _temp = "">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_temp>>you can only postpone the inevitable for so long.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Steeling yourself for the night ahead, you slowly press onward with the knowledge that no matter what you do tonight, you'll still be dead come sunrise.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>A car door shuts.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<append"#content" t8n>> Then another.<</append>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And through heavy doors,<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<append "#content" t8n>> you enter The House of Seven Pools.<</append>> <<case 5>> <<goto "transition1">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div> <<silently>>IF DUELING REMOVED: You can only postpone the inevitable for so long. A car door shuts. Then another. And then you enter The Unrequited House of Seven Pools. ELSE IF DUELING STAYS IN: (IF EXCEED COUNT) You pick your brain in an attempt to foster new questions, but by the time you have some, The Animateur is halfway out the car and you’re forced to follow. (IF NOT EXCEED COUNT) Followed by the shutting of car doors, you and The Animateur step out into the cold, night air. Steeling yourself for the night ahead, you slowly march toward the House with the knowledge that no matter what you do tonight, nothing will really change. Even if you are—were—a God, there is no cure for mortality. When you reach the doors, you pause. The Animateur is not with you. Looking back, you see $p_him standing near the fountain, head slightly cocked as he looks it over. He slowly turns to you, pulling $p_his hands from $p_his pockets and removing a glove from the left. “Last thing,” $p_he says and scuffs the ground with a pointed shoe. Your eyes unconsciously lock on $p_his hand, marred by a collection of scars, runes, and humming ink. “You need to know how to Duel.” <<click "go">><<goto "intro_duel">><</click>> <</silently>>

<<silently>> <<set _dialogueLoop = visited("intro_questions2")>> <<if _dialogueLoop == 3>><<goto "intro_preduel">><</if>> <<set _alt ="Talking to Elias">> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <<case "woman">> <<set _src = "extras/elias_fzoom.png">> <<default>> <<set _src = "extras/elias_mzoom.png">> <</switch>> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch _dialogueLoop>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur adjusts $p_his gloves quietly.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur drums $p_his fingers on the windowsill.">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur puts a hand on the car door.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr><<if hasVisited("intro_qsus") == false>><span class="button link">></span> [[ask about the Suspects|intro_qsus]] <</if>><<if hasVisited("intro_qhouse") == false>><span class="button link">></span> [[ask about the House|intro_qhouse]] <</if>><<if hasVisited("intro_qcontract") == false>><span class="button link">></span> [[ask about our Contract|intro_qcontract]] <</if>><span class="button link">></span> [[shake my head|intro_preduel]]</div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_tri.png">> <<set _alt ="The Triclinium">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("tri_talk") > 0>> <<if visited("map") != 0>> <<set _temp = "some more">> <<else>> <<set _temp = "">> <</if>> <<else>> <<set _temp = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("tri_ley") > 0>> <<set _temp2 = "again">> <<else>> <<set _temp2 = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("tri_chill") > 0>> <<set _temp3 = "again">> <<else>> <<set _temp3 = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("mansion_triclinium")==1>> <<set _flavor = "The Leyline's access point hums faintly. It could amost be considered comforting, if not for the 4th's eerie ambience.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="The Leyline's access point hums faintly.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [["Talk to The Animateur "+_temp+""|tri_talk]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Check on the Leyline "+_temp2+""|tri_ley]]<<if visited("map") != 0>> <span class="button continue">></span> [["Take a seat "+_temp3+""|tri_chill]]<<if $interviewcount >= 4 || $houseround >= 1>> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Skip to the final accusation|transition3]]<</if>> <</if>></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="The Foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _text = [ "A few more stray stones float in from the broken remnants of the frigidarium.", "One of the President's thralls passes through, carrying a tray of wine glasses.", "You companion walks over to one of the room's statues and frowns." ]>> <<if visited("mansion_foyer")==1>> <<set _flavor = "The room has a stillness about it. No one has come or gone for awhile, you think.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr> <<if visited("foyer_tiling")==0 && visited("foy_tiling")==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Examine the tiling|foy_tiling]] <<else>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Examine the tiling again|foy_tiling2]] <</if>><<if visited("foyer_statue")==0 && visited("foy_statue")==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[View one of the Statues|foy_statue]] <<else>><span class="button continue">></span> [[View a different Statue|foy_statue2]] <</if>><<if visited("foyer_plants")==0 && visited("foy_plant")==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Investigate the plants|foy_plant]] <<else>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Investigate the plants again|foy_plant2]] <</if>></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_study.png">> <<set _alt ="The Study">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count = 0>> <<if previous() == "stu_books">> <<set _clue = "Memorabilia">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<if $choice == 1>> <<set _flavor= "An obsession with something that never existed. <br><br>You read as much as you can before shelving the material once more.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="An obsession with an ideal that never was. <br><br>You read as much as you can before shelving the material once more.">> <</if>> <<else>> <<set _flavor = "Aside from the scritching of a quill, the room is now quiet.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>><<if $rooms[5]["visit"] == "false">> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">True to his word, the door to the President’s office is left ajar, and the soft orange glow of a shaded lamp leaks through the archway.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You and The Animateur step inside.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The room is lined with tall bookshelves that curve into ornate spiral decor at the top, and on each shelf rests a myriad of mismatched books with thick bindings.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>In the center of the room, working off a dark rosewood desk, sits the President of the 4th Dimension. <</replace>> <<case 3>> <<set $rooms[5]["visit"] = "true">> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>He brushes aside a loose hair as he notices your party’s arrival. A small, calculating smile grows on his face. <hr><<if $interviewpres == false>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Greet the President|interview_president]] <<else>><<if visited("interview_president_end")==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Question the President|interview_president_wheel]] <</if>><</if>><<if visited("stu_books") == 0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Examine the Books|stu_books]]<<else>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Examine the Books again|stu_books2]] <</if>><<if visited("interview_president_end") == 1 && visited("stu_butler") == 0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Approach the Butler|stu_butler]]<</if>><</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div><<else>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <hr><<if $interviewpres == false>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Greet the President|interview_president]] <<else>><<if visited("interview_president_end")==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Question the President|interview_president_wheel]] <</if>><</if>><<if visited("stu_books") == 0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Examine the Books|stu_books]]<<else>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Examine the Books again|stu_books2]] <</if>><<if visited("stu_butler") == 0 && visited("interview_president_end") == 1>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Approach the Butler|stu_butler]] <</if>></div></div><</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_grounds.png">> <<set _alt ="The Grounds">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("gro_explore")==0>> <<set _temp ="">> <<else>> <<set _temp ="again">> <</if>> <<if visited("gro_obelisk")==0>> <<set _temp2 ="Study the Obelisk">> <<else>> <<set _temp2 ="Visit the Obelisk again">> <</if>> <<set _text = [ "You can hear the faint sound of shears snipping away at the foliage.", "In the distance, a collection of tall, cumulonimbus clouds flash silently overhead.", "It isn't a windy night, but a perpetual breeze blows in from the east." ]>> <<if visited("mansion_grounds") == 1>> <<set _flavor ="It feels a bit anticlimatic, but you step outside the mansion to investigate. In the process, you find a few staff members tending to the hedges.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [["Investigate the grounds "+_temp+""|gro_explore]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[""+_temp2+""|gro_obelisk]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Revisit the car|gro_car]]</div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_stables.png">> <<set _alt ="The Stables">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("sta_horses") > 0>> <<set _temp = "again">> <<else>> <<set _temp = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("sta_static") > 0>> <<set _temp2 = "again">> <<else>> <<set _temp2 = "">> <</if>> <<set _text = [ "A thoroughbred dashes alongside the corral, kicking up dirt in its tracks.", "A thrall with an enormous sunhat spreads a haybale with a rusted pitchfork.", "The Athlete looks up as one of the horses howls." ]>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <<set _foot = "The Impendantic Allstar">> <<set _footnote = "A Small Town Legend. The Man of the People.">> <</silently>><<viewport>><<if $rooms[1]["visit"] == "false">> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The further you travel along the dirt path that leads to the stables, the heavier the air’s static grows.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Soon enough, you reach them, and you also happen to find the source.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Half-seated on the corral fencing, you see <<footnote>> looking somewhat thoughtful.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<clearfootnote>> <<set $rooms[1]["visit"] = "true">> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>> He fiddles with a thick, gold band as a couple of Thoroughbreds race around. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> <<if $interviewstar == false>>[[Greet the Allstar|interview_allstar]]<<else>>[[Question the Allstar|interview_allstar_wheel]]<</if>> <span class="button continue">></span> [["Look at the horses "+_temp+""|sta_horses]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Examine the Static Shroud "+_temp2+""|sta_static]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div><<else>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> <<if $interviewstar == false>>[[Greet the Allstar|interview_allstar]]<<else>>[[Question the Allstar|interview_allstar_wheel]]<</if>> <span class="button continue">></span> [["Look at the horses "+_temp+""|sta_horses]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Examine the Static Shroud "+_temp2+""|sta_static]] </div></div><</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_stateroom.png">> <<set _alt ="The Stateroom">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("sta_portraits") > 0>> <<set _temp = " again">> <<else>> <<set _temp = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("sta_grammy") > 0>> <<set _temp2 = " some more">> <<else>> <<set _temp2 = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("interview_joint_argument") == 0>> <<set _flavor = "Having been changed by the Chanteuse, the gramophone produces a new, more melodic tune.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="Having been turned off by the Chanteuse, the silent gramophone leaves the room in a much quieter state.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>><<if $rooms[4]["visit"] == "false">> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">You pass along the eastern halls, and as you do, you hear a jarring, clicking arrangement barked out by an old gramophone that makes you uneasy.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Similarly, you also hear two individuals arguing from that very same room.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur lets you walk ahead.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I’m telling you, I was here first! if you touch the record one more time, I’m gonna shove your stupid screens up your stupid a—"<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“An unfortunate fallacy. I was here since the beginning of the hour. Before The Ethereal One, I might add.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You step inside. <</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It’s a lounge of sorts, one filled with high class furniture and decoration.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Heavy rugs are scattered across the floor, and at the far end of the room, you see a fireplace framed by a curation of family portraits.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<set _foot = "The Concurrent">> <<set _footnote ="The omniscient Watcher of the Metaverse.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Seated in an armchair on the left, <<footnote>>’s several screens whirl about its central interface.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<clearfootnote>> <<set _foot = "The Chanteuse of the Ethereal Plane">> <<set _footnote ="The charismatic songstress who tops the charts every year.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Standing adjacent, <<footnote>> shines so brightly that she is, in fact, difficult to look at.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<clearfootnote>> <<set $rooms[4]["visit"] = "true">> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>They don't stop talking exactly, but they do quiet some upon noticing your arrival. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> <<if $interviewjoint == false>>[[Greet the Entities|interview_joint]] <<else>>[[Question the Entities|interview_joint_wheel]] <</if>><span class="button continue">></span> [["Examine the Portraits"+_temp+""|sta_portraits]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Listen to the Gramophone"+_temp2+""|sta_grammy]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div><<else>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> <<if $interviewjoint == false>>[[Greet the Entities|interview_joint]] <<else>>[[Question the Entities|interview_joint_wheel]] <</if>><span class="button continue">></span> [["Examine the Portraits"+_temp+""|sta_portraits]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Check the Gramophone"+_temp2+""|sta_grammy]] </div></div><</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_conservatory.png">> <<set _alt ="The Conservatory">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("con_garden") > 0>> <<set _temp = " again">> <<else>> <<set _temp = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("mansion_conservatory") == 1>> <<set _flavor ="Wandering through the east wing, you eventually come upon the conservatory is all its glory.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="It's difficult to see the glass paneling through all the plants.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <hr><span class="button continue">></span> [["Walk through the conservatory"+_temp+""|con_garden]]<<if visited("con_butter") == 0>> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Check out the Butterfly Garden|con_butter]]<<else>> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Check out the Butterfly Garden again|con_butteralive]]<</if>> </div></div>

<<silently>> // Double unlock here in case user is skipping intro. <<set $unlock2am = true>> <<set $unlock3am = true>> // If player rewinds to this time, have to reset these here // Self note: Don't reset room encounters, but do reset interviews maybe? // Actually, maybe just figure out how to reset game and goto passage, but for now: <<set $interviewcount = 0>> <<set $exploretimer = 0>> <<set $interviewpres = false>> <<set $interviewceo = false>> <<set $interviewstar = false>> <<set $interviewjoint = false>> <</silently>><h1><<click "3AM">> <<goto "mansion_triclinium">> <</click>></h1>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_frig.png">> <<set _alt ="The Foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count = 0>> <<set _temp = "a">> <<if visited("foyer_explore") >= 1>> <<set _temp ="the">> <<else>> <<set _temp ="a">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Passing <<=_temp>> pair of doric columns, you walk down a hallway that opens up into a grand sunroom.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The walls are lined with windows, and in the center, it houses a large, circular pool replenished by several waterfalls around the perimeter.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Oh, I suppose I should warn you,” The President starts, but it comes too late.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You cross the last archway--<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And both you and the room shatter.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "fragment_hercule">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_frig.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“My apologies for the mess,” says The President as you all leave the... room.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>His many forms fuse as his shoes hit the ground, and the once more singular man bows with a hand to his chest.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Truly, I am embarrassed. My family line, shamed."<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Your companion ignores him.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“We need a base of operations, and access to the Leyline,” The Animateur bites back a tired sigh. “As the property owner, I assume you have the key.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Of course,” The President smiles. You hadn’t noticed his butler's return, and-- still mildly woozy-- and you hardly register his leave.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<set _foot ="triclinium">> <<set _footnote ="Gods forbid it only has two chairs.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"I've instructed my staff to prepare a nearby <<footnote>> to work out of," He continues.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"It’s near the center of the House, so it should suit your purposes for tonight's investigation. It also has my best couches, if you were worried."<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur opens $p_his mouth to interrupt, but instead swats your hand as you absent-mindedly reach for your new scar.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Naturally, I have also cleared my schedule of any and all engagements," The President takes out his cloth and smiles behind it.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"And I have asked my guests to do the same," He gestures upstairs. "We will be wholly available for as long as the investigation requi...”<</replace>> <<case 10>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He pauses.<</replace>> <<case 11>> <<goto "exitingcrimescene4">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Several bits of floating debris escape the Crime Scene, and upon passing the twin columns,</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<append "#content" t8n>> plunk to the ground in a somewhat tantalizing sound, like pebbles on a window.<</append>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Looking past, you see that the frigidarium now appears as it actually is, its false glamor destroyed by the venture.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“For as long as the investigation requires,” The President pockets the cloth, facing the vacuum with an unreadable expression. <</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“That being said," a tidy smile, "you’ll have to pardon me for being a poor host."<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"I’ll be confined to my study for the rest of the night, most likely vetoing what other garbage makes its way to my desk,” He yawns.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The three of you return to the foyer, stopping by a particular doorway where, sure enough, you can see a basic sitting room inside. <</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur walks straight in and taps into the Leyline, both abruptly and effectively exiting the conversation.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The President chuckles.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<goto "exitingcrimescene5">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Should you require any directions or have any further questions, please ask any of my staff," He offers.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<set _foot ="thrall">> <<set _footnote = "An empty, sullen expression on its face.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"They should be more than willing to assist with such endeavors during your stay," He says and motions toward a nearby <<footnote>>.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Otherwise,” He walks to the bottom of the staircase, "You know where... Where? Hm, the concept-- what is that one saying you 3rds always..."<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>> "Ah!" He snaps his fingers.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “You know where to find me!”<</append>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And with that, the President ascends the staircase, leaving you in the hall with the uniformed creature.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>When its face stretches into that same, peculiar smile, you quickly step inside.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Self-preservation seems silly at this point, but apparently even you still have something to lose in this most unusual place.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "unlockexploration">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $exploretimer += 5>> <<set $interviewcount += 1>> <<set $interviewceo = true>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">You wave aside the CEO in order to speak with her.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>As you approach, you notice she seems ... distracted. She stares into a point in space without really looking there, and her glass of wine is still full.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“The Dearly Departed and... Detective,” She slowly acknowledges you both.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur clenches $p_his jaw. “I’m not a detective,” $p_he says.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“My apologies,” She bows her head, and an otherworldly mist begins to creep around her. Her outline phases in and out, as if struggling to project. <</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>She doesn't say anything else. Apparently, you’ll have to be the one to fill the silence. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask how's business|interview_ceo_business]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask what's on her mind|interview_ceo_mind]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $exploretimer += 5>> <<set $interviewcount += 1>> <<set $interviewpres = true>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count = 0>> <<set _foot = "Detective and CO">> <<set _footnote ="The Animateur groans.">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The President offers you the seat in front of his desk, while The Animateur remains standing near one of the room’s several end tables.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>As you sit, he continues to work on the paperwork in front of him, though...<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You can’t help but feel your every move is now being evaluated.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Just then, he addresses you.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Well, well,” He sets down the pen and props his head up on the desk. “Good evening again, <<footnote>>. Any leads on finding the one who killed you?”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Ignoring his more obvious jab, there’s something here you find interesting. He’s assuming you’re bad at your new pseudo-job and would share case details. <</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>Then again, maybe you would in your past life. Maybe you would in this one. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Suggest that's why you're here|interview_president_point]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Evade his questioning with an excuse|interview_president_excuse]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $exploretimer += 5>> <<set $interviewcount += 1>> <<set $interviewstar = true>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count = 0>> <<switch $gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _temp = "God">> <<case "woman">> <<set _temp = "Goddess">> <<case "person">> <<set _temp = "Goddex">> <<default>> <<set _temp = "Goddex">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">Unaffected by the electricity, you approach the Allstar.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He notices your arrival and swings his legs over the fence, facing you. Then, noticing the Animateur, he parts the worst of his shroud so that your companion can join as well.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Sorry,” He apologizes in a mild, familiar accent. “It’s, uh, always worse when I'm tired or have a stomachache, and today I'm dealing with both.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You can’t see anything past the reflective helmet he wears, but you get the sense that he’s almost as new to these lands as The Animateur is.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>His mannerisms, his speech, the way he holds himself. It appears he's from the 3rd Dimension. <</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And yet, there is a stiffness that betrays him. <</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Perhaps it is because you were a _temp, or perhaps it is because the deceased aren't worth the effort.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>But you sense that the helmet he wears is only one part of a greater masquerade. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask about the gold ring|interview_allstar_pressure]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask what brings him to the 4th|interview_allstar_move]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> WIP: gender img switch here <<set _src = "extras/elias_talk.png">> <<set _alt ="Talking to Elias">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _actions = [ "The Animateur scuffs the ground with a shoe.", "The Animateur puts a hand on $p_his chin.", "The Animateur considers you for a moment."]>> <<set _text = [ "We don't have much time, so we should focus on gathering information.", "You should keep an eye out for anything that... resonates with you. You'll know what I mean."]>> <<set _action = _actions.random()>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <<if $interviewcount < 4>> <<set _flavor ="I'd rather not, but talking to the suspects some more might help.">> <</if>> <<if visited("map") == 0 && visited("tri_chill") < 1>> <<set _action = "Halfway out the door, The Animateur looks at you in surprise.">> <<set _flavor = "We should go talk to people and see what we can dig up.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_action>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><q><<=_flavor>></q> $p_he says.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<goto "mansion_triclinium">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> wip change this for house rounds, updates with second accusation on third, it's accessible. need to hint at repairs more? somehow <<set _src = "extras/mansion_tri.png">> <<set _alt ="The Triclinium">> <<switch visited("map")>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "The repair job is nowhere near completion.">> <<default>> <<set _flavor = "The Archives are slowly assembling.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_tri.png">> <<set _alt ="The Triclinium">> // If not first sit, add 4 points (otherwise only add default(1pt)) // Basically, sitting is a means to advance time for those that don't really want to explore or want to skip to accusation <<if visited("tri_chill")!=1>> <<set $exploretimer += 4>> <</if>> <<set _sat = visited("tri_chill")>> <<switch _sat>> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur gives you a look, but what's the point of a sitting room if you can't sit?">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor = "In a powerful display of calisthenics, you take a seat again. The Animateur scowls, but leans against the nearby wall.">> <<case 3>> <<set _flavor ="This time, you cross one leg over the other. It's difficult with your inflexible shins, but marble makes everything look graceful, doesn't it?">> <<default>> <<set _flavor = "You sit down again, and with a sigh, The Animateur sits on an opposing chair and begins jotting notes in a small, black notebook.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $corrupted = "self">> <<switch $gender>> <<case "God">> <<set $gender = "man">> <<case "Goddess">> <<set $gender = "woman">> <<case "Goddex">> <<set $gender = "person">> <<default>> <<set $gender = "person">> <</switch>> <<switch $p_gender>> <<case "man">> <<set $p_nick = "Eli">> <<set $p_gender = "man">> <<set $p_he to "he">> <<set $p_his to "his">> <<set $p_him to "him">> <<set _src = "extras/intromdriving.png">> <<case "woman">> <<set $p_nick = "Ellie">> <<set $p_gender = "woman">> <<set $p_he to "she">> <<set $p_his to "hers">> <<set $p_him to "her">> <<set _src = "extras/introfdriving.png">> <<default>> <<set $p_nick = "Eli">> <<set $p_gender = "man">> <<set $p_he to "he">> <<set $p_his to "his">> <<set $p_him to "him">> <<set _src = "extras/intromdriving.png">> <</switch>> <<if $recap == false>> <<goto "transition2">> <</if>> <</silently>> You are The Murdered God, a recently deceased divine now stuck in the form of a marble statue. Alongside Elias-- a former Necromancer turned sanctioned Animateur-- you enter the House of Seven Pools in an attempt to solve the mystery of your very own murder. But the Suspects are powerful. The crime scene, in shambles. With so little time and so little information, the weight on your chest grows heavier and heavier. Will you be able to solve the murder? Can you? <span class="button continue"><<click ">">><<goto "transition2">><</click>></span>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/elias_talk.png">> <<set _alt ="Talking to Elias">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _actions = [ "The Animateur scuffs the ground with a shoe.", "The Animateur puts a hand on $p_his chin.", "The Animateur considers you for a moment."]>> <<set _text = [ "We don't have much time, so we should focus on gathering information.", "I'd rather not, but talking to the suspects some more might help.", "We could always look at the crime scene again."]>> <<set _action = _actions.random()>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_action>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><q><<=_flavor>></q> $p_he says.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<goto "mansion_triclinium">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_stables.png">> <<set _alt ="The Stables">> <<if visited("sta_horses") == 1>> <<set _flavor = "A small colt bounds about jovially but otherwise stays very close to its Mother.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = "A stallion digs into a chained carcass's flesh, causing quite the sounds as it gnaws on one of the ribs.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <<set _clue = "De-prying eyes">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<if visited("sta_static")==1>> <<set _flavor = "The static shoots out from the Allstar erratically, and given such irregularity, you wonder if he can even control it himself.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = "The shroud flickers dangerously close to the mansion, as if shielding it from prying eyes.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/elias_talk.png">> <<set _alt ="Chit-chatting to avoid Responsibilities">> <<set _text = [ "<q>We don't have much time, so we should focus on gathering information.</q> The Animateur suggests.", "<q>I'd rather not, but talking to the suspects some more might help.</q> The Animateur admits.", "<q>We could always look at the crime scene again.</q> $p_he looks off in the distance.", "The Animateur yawns, pocketed hands pushing out $p_his coat." ]>> <<set _prev = previous()>> <<switch _prev>> <<case "mansion_grounds">> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur rubs $p_his arms, providing a moment's respite from the cold night air.">> <<case "mansion_stables">> <<set _flavor ="The Animateur keeps a particular distance from the horses, looking all the while rather uncomfortable.">> <<case "mansion_foyer">> <<set _flavor ="<q>Tacky,</q> The Animateur says as $p_he walks along the tile, but if $p_his pacing is anything to go by, $p_he seems to like the way $p_his shoes sound on it.">> <<case "mansion_conservatory">> <<set _flavor = "Though $p_he tries to hide it, The Animateur's eyes keep returning to the room's tallest batch of sunflowers, and you even catch $p_him rubbing a petal between $p_his fingers at one point.">> <<case "mansion_study">> <<set _flavor = "With a bitter expression, the Animateur lingers by one of the bookshelves. The one with a focus on mythology, you believe.">> <<case "mansion_terrace">> <<set _flavor = "<q>Imagine you were in this,</q> The Animateur remarks, tapping the bottom of the sculpture with a shoe.">> <<case "mansion_stateroom">> <<if $burnt == true>> <<set _flavor ="The Animateur eyes The Chanteuse warily. $p_he's not interested in another bonfire tonight.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="The Animateur glances around the room, eyes settling on the gramophone. $p_he watches it with a peculiar expression.">> <</if>> <<default>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_butterfly.png">> <<set _alt ="Butterfly on Hydrangea">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">A thoas swallowtail drifts pleasantly overhead, unconcerned by the contrite affairs of mortal-kind.</div><hr><span class="button continue">></span> [[Try to Catch It|con_butter2][$choice=0;$butteralive=false]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Stay very still|con_butter2][$choice=1;$butteralive=true]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Leave it Be|con_butter2][$choice=2;$butteralive=true]] </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_butterfly.png">> <<set _alt ="Butterfly on Hydrangea">> <<switch $choice>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "The fragile creature crumbles in your hands, and you're confronted by its colorless blood and viscera. The Animateur winces nearby.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "Doing your best impersonation of a lawn flamingo, you settle between a palm and a monstera. The swallow comes close, but remains ever out of reach.">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor = "You leave the swallowtail to live its life, however long that may be.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<goto "mansion_conservatory">> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_plants2.png">> <<set _alt ="Some Plants">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("con_garden")== 2>> <<set _flavor ="You walk through the garden again and The Animateur trails just behind. For a moment, you find peace in an odd sense of deja vu.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="You shuffle around the gardens, careful not to crush any of the stalks that stretch onto the pathing.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <<if visited("con_garden")==true>><<if visited("foyer_plants") == 0 && visited("foy_plant") == 0>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You and The Animateur wander through the botanical garden, looking around for anything of interest.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Coming close to a particularly bright tree with oozing sap, you realize it is actually a fusion of organic material and silver machinery.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The leaves glow unnaturally so, veins filled with some kind of iridescent ichor.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<set _clue = "The Silver Blood">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It shouldn't be here, you somehow know.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "mansion_conservatory">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div> <<else>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You and The Animateur wander through the botanical garden, looking around for anything of interest.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>While you don't find anything new or exciting, you do confirm that the plants here are similar to those in the foyer.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<goto "mansion_conservatory">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> <</if>><<else>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div> <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_butterfly.png">> <<set _alt ="Butterfly on Hydrangea">> <<if $butteralive == true>> <<set _flavor ="A few butterflies flit overhead, but the swallow is nowhere to be seen.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="Funny that. You didn't think butterflies were very intelligent, but you get the sense that the rest of them are now purposefully avoiding you.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> Pool of Knowledge! <<set _src = "extras/mansion_study.png">> <<set _alt ="The Study">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The President pays you no mind as you investigate the collection.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Most of them are... satire, in nature. Relics of the 3rd Dimension that have been newly translated for those of the 4th. The usual 19th century essays.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>But you also find an interesting number of books dedicated to the rise and fall of Rome. Some poetry regarding Atlantis.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>“Feel free to read anything that catches your eye,” The President says without looking up. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Read A Book|mansion_study][$choice=0]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Read A Poem|mansion_study][$choice=1]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_terrace.png">> <<set _alt ="The Terrace">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "The CEO from the Mists">> <<set _footnote = "Rumors say she could buy the universe, if she wanted.">> <<if visited("ter_sculpt") > 0>> <<set _temp = "once more">> <<else>> <<set _temp = "">> <</if>> <<if visited("ter_prom") > 0>> <<set _temp2 = "again">> <<else>> <<set _temp2 = "">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>><<if $rooms[6]["visit"] == "false">> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">Walking along the western corridor, you spy the balcony door along an expansive stretch of windows. </div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The twin moonlight of the 4th Dimension spills through, but rather than relief, the light only fills you with a sense of dread.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>As soon as you step out onto the veranda, a cool, chilling mist envelops both you and The Animateur.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<set $rooms[6]["visit"] = "true">> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>The <<footnote>> stands just shy of an abstract sculpture, swirling a pearlescent glass of red wine. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> <<if $interviewceo == false>>[[Greet the CEO|interview_ceo]] <<else>>[[Question the CEO|interview_ceo_wheel]] <</if>><span class="button continue">></span> [["Examine the Sculpture "+_temp+""|ter_sculpt]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Look out over the Promenade "+_temp2+""|ter_prom]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div><<else>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">The night air is refreshing, but you don't dare look too far into the darkness. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> <<if $interviewceo == false>>[[Greet the CEO|interview_ceo]] <<else>>[[Question the CEO|interview_ceo_wheel]] <</if>><span class="button continue">></span> [["Examine the Sculpture "+_temp+""|ter_sculpt]] <span class="button continue">></span> [["Look out over the Promenade "+_temp2+""|ter_prom]] </div></div> <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The President makes a faux gasp-- his arm dropping beneath his face-- but he can hardly contain a toothy grin.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“That’s not promising at all!” He exclaims. <</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Grabbing his pen, he holds it up and makes a show as it phases through his palm. “If I don't concentrate, I’m terribly ineffective at anything tangible.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He pauses with a frown. Several seconds pass, and he leans forward quietly.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And at any rate, I’d wager I was the only one working to protect your Grace from... darker influences, as they say.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>You re-adjust in your seat unconsciously. Given the night’s events and the almost inhospitable state of the crime scene... <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Is he suggesting The Void itself?|interview_president_p_void]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Is he suggesting it was a suicide? |interview_president_p_suicide]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The President drops back in his seat, the chair spitting out a proper woosh.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I don’t know whether to be disappointed you don’t trust me, or happy to hear such a cliche line,” He tuts with a wry smile. <</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“But my feelings aside,” He motions a hand in your direction, “I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now. What with your... passing and all that."<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He stops there, but far from concern, he watches with acute curiosity.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I thought Gods were supposed to be immortal," He massages a shoulder. "What with Ambrosia and all that... Really."<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>"It makes you wonder who could have possibly done this," He smiles, and this time it makes you hold your breath unconciously. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask who or what he suspects|interview_president_gossip]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask what he knows about Gods|interview_president_gods]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The President’s smile quirks, his eyes squinting with heightened fascination. His voice grows strangely fond.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Remarkable, isn’t it? Our dearest neighbor.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He leans to one side of his chair, clasping his hands. “It’s not... unthinkable to assume that The Void killed you. I’m sure it’s consumed millions, just this year.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"And yet. As its closest neighbor. As the master of the house and as the current President of the 4th Dimension..."<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"I can say with the utmost certainty: it did not," He smiles.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "mansion_study">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The President of the 4th Dimension blinks once, then twice, and then laughs as if completely caught off guard. For a moment, your memories betray you, and you feel ensnared by a foreign doubt.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur crosses $p_his arms. “It was murder,” $p_he says in a lilt-less monotone.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>At your distance, you can just make out a slight shake to $p_his frame, originating from $p_his clenched hands.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The President taps his fingers down on the desk in a light, rhythmic drumming.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I never said it wasn’t,” His loose smile persists.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "mansion_study">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<if visited("interview_president_wheel")==1>> <<set $exploretimer += 1>> <</if>> <<if $count >= 2>> <<goto "interview_president_end">> <</if>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch $count>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "The President's visage flickers, hints of his true form slipping through the spaces.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "The President glances out a near window and purposefully sighs, as if to show how deeply troubled he is by the current state of affairs.">> <<default>> <<set _flavor ="Making a face of concentration, the President picks up his pen and twirls it between his fingers.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr><span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the time of the murder|interview_president_wheel1]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask if he’s noticed anything strange|interview_president_wheel2]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the state of the crime scene|interview_president_wheel3]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Be excused for now|mansion_study]] </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">"Not quite, but I have been told my definition of strange is rather... unreasonable for citizens of the 3rd," he answers with twinkling eyes. <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">A knock on the doorframe draws the attention of everyone in the room. The Butler stands there with a envelope in his hand.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Oh dear,” The President waves him in and tsks. “One moment you think you've got a grip on things and the next, quelle surprise, you're drowning.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He puts on an apologetic face, exchanging a glance at both you and the Animateur.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“You’re welcome to lay around, but I’m afraid this is a bit of a priority. It appears I am ever... bound by the principles of this damn office.”<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"I'm sure you understand," He titters.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>With time as precious a resource as ever, you follow The Animateur back to the triclinium for now.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<goto "mansion_triclinium">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">"I'm afraid I was cooped up here all day and night," he says with sad eyes. "Ask any of my staff; they should be able to confirm as much." <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">The President visibly cringes. "You have no idea how mortified I am! I haven't the faintest idea how this happened." <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_study.png">> <<set _alt ="The Study">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _clue = "The Incomplete">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">The Butler flat out ignores you, eyes trained on the lamplight. In fact, it's like he doesn't register your presence at all.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"You'll have to forgive him," The President interjects. "He's hasn't quite picked up the etiquette that the others have."<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Butler bows, and almost knocks into you.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "mansion_study">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> WIP: Add unique img here if time allows <<set _src = "extras/mansion_terrace.png">> <<set _alt ="The Terrace">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _clue = "The Philosopher's Stone">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<if $animateurGone == false>> <<set _flavor = "<q>Or dead,</q> The Animateur suggests, circling around it.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = "Or dead, you think as you circle around it.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<if visited("ter_sculpt") == 1>><div id="content">It is difficult to say what exactly the sculpture depicts, but when you check its plaque, it reads something along the lines of, “Everest.”</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The artist is either unknown or not credited.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Or dead,” The Animateur suggests, circling around it.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "mansion_terrace">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span><<else>><<if visited("ter_sculpt")==2>>The sculpture’s shape seems to change; an illusion continually shifting in the moonlight. <<else>>The sculpture stills, as if the stone shies from your gaze. <</if>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span><</if>> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_prom.png">> <<set _alt ="The Twin Moons">> <<set _text = [ "The twin moons are keenly visible in the sky overhead, but the lack of stars makes for poor stargazing.", "You spy a gardener far below, shearing the hedges with an almost comically large pair of scissors.", "You can hardly see past the static shroud, but the faint scent of chlorine blows in from somewhere below." ]>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Perhaps others would scoff at the idea of investigating the floor, but you are not them.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>With a careful eye, you circle the room in an attempt to understand the mosaic spread beneath your bare stone feet.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It isn’t until you climb up a step of the stairs and look down that you notice it isn’t the common checkerboard you had presumed, but rather an intricate, meaningful pattern that depicts a creature of sorts.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<set _clue = "The Stage Whisper">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>As if on cue, a hush of whispers invades the back of your mind, and you decide it best to quit for now<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "mansion_foyer">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You walk over to one of the large statues, one that guards the entryway with a lance or spear.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Standing contrapposto, as is most appropriate, it appears to depict a large man with a fur mantle. <</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He has a stately manner about him, like that of a king or a leader, but when placed in these halls, he looks rather...<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<append "#content" t8n>> forlorn?<</append>> <<case 3>> <<set _clue = "The Heart of Stone">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You hear a distinctly familiar pulsing from within.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "mansion_foyer">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_plants1.png">> <<set _alt ="Some Plants">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You walk over to one of the larger pots, one filled to the brim with a fanning cypress.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>On closer inspection, you realize it is actually a fusion of organic material and silver machinery. The leaves glow unnaturally so, veins filled with some kind of iridescent ichor.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It's odd.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<set _clue = "The Silver Blood">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You recognize it, and yet you don’t know what it is.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "mansion_foyer">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The CEO stares at you relentlessly, and you think this must be a common question she hears.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“As it should be,” She answers and takes a sip of her drink. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Which should come of a relief, you suppose, but markets don’t mean much to a living statue. Furthermore, you wonder if anything you buy today would even follow you to whatever awaits a dying God.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Still, for the sake of the investigation, you carry the conversation and ask where she would be.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Firing my board,” The CEO replies dryly. “Or being fired myself if they dared. You’d think after running the company for this long, they’d know better than to try.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>She looks out over the railing, and the veiled threat seems suddenly not-so-veiled. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask how long she's run the Company|interview_ceo_ownership]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask what troubles she’s had before|interview_ceo_trouble]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The CEO examines you for a moment, and you feel a hum of energy in the air.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"The truth is, I'm not sure,” She says and reaches up to her pearl necklace, twiddling it between her thumb and index.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Her other hand swirls her drink. "The last time a God was killed, it was chaos," She paces in thought. "But tonight...”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>There’s a pause as a breeze flushes through. The CEO points her drink at you.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“It’s quiet, wouldn’t you say? Unnaturally so, for a death such as yours," she says.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>You take a moment to consider how you yourself feel about your untimely end. The lack of memories somehow separates you from the intensity, but... <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Consider it to be natural|interview_ceo_m_nat]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Consider it to be an omen|interview_ceo_m_om]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">Everything dies someday.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The CEO does not precisely frown, but she does give you a look that suggests disapproval. Or disinterest. She partially fades into her mists.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Perhaps you are right,” She echoes from a veil. “Perhaps this is all just... par the course.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>She shifts back and invites you to join her at the edge of the terrace. The walk over is surprisingly unsettling; maybe you <i>would</i> care if you fell from such a high place and shattered.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“My dear,” She holds the wine up to her face. “What do you think the markets will be like, come tomorrow?”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Before you can answer, she clinks the glass on your shoulder, and tosses the empty crystal over the railing.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“My condolences,” She says with a blank expression.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<goto "mansion_terrace">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">Things will only get worse now.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Yes, it’s unfortunate, isn’t it?” The CEO says in a voice that sounds far away. You join her as she walks toward the near sculpture, tracing a hand on its more prominent features.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“You almost sound upset,” The Animateur remarks.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The CEO almost smiles; instead, she makes a face that is similar to something one makes when discussing philosophy with a starving man.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“It may surprise you to hear this,” She begins, “but I considered the Gods to be my... inspiration. My rivals, even. They drove me forward.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>To this, the Animateur barely responds, but $p_his nod is more than enough for the CEO to go on.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“What do you think I would require to sell this?” She asks, in regard to the statue.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>She pours the rest of her drink on it—the gray stone soaking it up and darkening. The Animateur flinches, as if Mona Lisa is burning and $p_he is the suspect.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Emotion,” The CEO answers, barely acknowledging the thrall who collects her empty glass.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<goto "mansion_terrace">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<if visited("interview_ceo_wheel")==1>> <<set $exploretimer += 1>> <</if>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _text = [ "The CEO drags a finger through the air, as she does, the mists twirl around it with a particular accuracy.", "The CEO looks in the sky, watching the twisting moons. Maybe she'll build there, someday.", "The CEO examines the nearby sculpture appraisingly, but nothing on her face betrays an opinion." ]>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr> <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the time of the murder|interview_ceo_wheel1]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask if she’s noticed anything strange|interview_ceo_wheel2]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the state of the crime scene|interview_ceo_wheel3]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Be excused for now|mansion_terrace]]</div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">“I couldn't tell you anything," She replies dully. "I had a virtual press conference all morning. My secretary has all the finer details, wherever she is.” <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">“Beyond the usual?” She sighs, running a hand along her shaw. “Reconnaissance is not my strong suit, I prefer to leave that to my researchers.” <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">She almost laughs-- a short, airy sound. “The President really dropped the ball, didn’t he? It was fine when I arrived yesterday, if that means anything to you.” <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The Allstar snaps out of his stupor and holds it up with a snarkish laugh.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I won it at last week’s poker game,” He says. “Now that sounds pretty storybook, but you should know that the folks here who almost never bluff.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You lean forward to examine it.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It looks like a commemorative piece, one with the carving of a six-petaled flower. It must be something given to a club member when they’ve reached a certain level of membership.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Win anything else?” The Animateur eyes it with a surprising level of interest.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“No,” The Allstar snorts. “Almost lost my helmet actually.”<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<goto "mansion_stables">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("foyer_chat") == 1>> <<set _foot = "Like the Animateur">> <<set _footnote= "$p_his discomfort is still visible.">> <<else>> <<set _foot ="Memories aside">> <<set _footnote = "Some things you can't forget.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content"><<footnote>>, you know that folks of the 3rd dimension can't and don't really visit the 4th.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“You seem at home,” The Animateur says, picking up on your line of questioning. The Allstar rubs his forearm awkwardly.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I actually... live in the 4th,” He admits. “But I spend most of my time in the 3rd for work, and anyway, I only really come here to see family, you know?”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>So he says, but any memories of your family are lost for the comparison. Without that knowledge, you don’t even have the innate sense to frown. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Discuss his public image|interview_allstar_childhood]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Discuss his sponsorship|interview_allstar_sponsor]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The Allstar hesitates. It seems you’ve ventured to a topic he doesn’t want to go.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Well,” He draws the word out, thinking. “I’ve had sponsorship from the CEO for awhile. Nothing too crazy, just some commercials and stuff.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur blinks in recollection. “You have been on TV more lately.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Yeah, it, uh, helps with the funding,” says the Allstar, his fingers intertwining. “My team gets a cut of it, and the rest goes into training production. Hiring help and stuff.”<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He shifts in place before continuing.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And last year, the President reached out,” He sniffs, clearing his sinuses. “You’d be surprised how many 4ths like watching what we do in the 3rd.”<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur scowls.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<goto "mansion_stables">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<if visited("interview_allstar_wheel")==1>> <<set $exploretimer += 1>> <</if>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _text = [ "The Allstar slides the gold ring onto his right middle finger, and as he does, the static becomes ever so slightly more dense.", "The Allstar digs a heel into one of the lower posts, shaving off a patch of clumping dirt from his shoe.", "The Allstar takes hold of the bottom of his helmet, and as he adjusts it, the reflections in the eyeshield scatter." ]>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr><span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the time of the murder|interview_allstar_wheel1]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask if he’s noticed anything strange|interview_allstar_wheel2]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the state of the crime scene|interview_allstar_wheel3]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Be excused for now|mansion_stables]]</div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">“I was kinda passed out all yesterday,” The Allstar admits sheepishly. He clarifies, “I, uh, partied a little too hard with some of the guys the night before.” <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">“Oh <i>God</i>, everything's strange here,” He rolls his neck. Realizing his blunder, The Allstar tosses his hands up. “Sorry. But, to be honest, I haven't really noticed anything.” <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">"I never really went there," He shrugs, and lightning shoots off his shoulders. “Water and me don't mix well.” <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_obelisk.png">> <<set _alt ="The Obelisk">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("car_change")==1>> <<set _temp = "Pour it all in">> <<else>> <<if visited("obe_coin") == 0>> <<set _temp = "Ask for a coin">> <<else>> <<set _temp = "Ask for another coin">> <</if>> <</if>> <<if visited("obe_coin2") == 1>> <<set _flavor = "The flow of water will always be steady.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = "The flow of water is still steady.">> <</if>> <<set _clue = "The Dancing Plates">> <<set $clues.pushUnique(_clue)>> <</silently>><<viewport>><<if visited("gro_obelisk") == 1>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">You didn’t really get to look at it when you first arrived, so who can blame you for returning?</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur joins you for the trip, shoes and stone feet alike kicking up loose gravel on the way.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Now that you’re up close and personal, you get a much better view of the design and its materials.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The silver trim you saw earlier is actually composed of tightly wound wiring.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And similarly, the geometric plates, ones you assumed were just different static heights, are actually rising and falling with an unusual vitality.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>The flow of water is steady.<hr><<if visited("obe_coin2") ==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[""+_temp+""|obe_coin]] <</if>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Leave it Be|mansion_grounds]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div><<else>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>></div><hr><<if visited("obe_coin2") ==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[""+_temp+""|obe_coin]] <</if>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Leave it Be|mansion_grounds]] </div></div><</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_grounds.png">> <<set _alt ="The Grounds">> <<if visited("gro_explore") == 1>> <<set _flavor = "You try to explore the grounds the best you can, but-- surprise, surprise-- mazes aren't built in a challenger's favor.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor = "You look over the tall hedges with disdain, feeling rather spurned by your previous attempt. You quickly stop when a pair of glowing <span class='danger'>red</span> eyes catch you over the shaved topiary.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_obelisk.png">> <<set _alt ="The Obelisk">> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch visited("obe_coin")>> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur fishes through $p_his pockets for a moment before producing a penny. You toss it in and together you watch, transfixed, as it harmlessly bounces around the plates.">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor = "The Animateur looks at you like you've grown a second head, but $p_he pulls out a dime anyway. You flip it in, so others know the first was no mistake.">> <<default>> <<set _flavor ="<q>I don't have any more change,</q> The Animateur says. $p_he pauses, eyes switching between you and the obelisk. <q>I might have some more in...</q> But $p_he stops halfway, held back by some sense of responsibility.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <<if visited("car_change") == 1 && visited("obe_coin") > 3>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">After handing you the fistful of coins, The Animateur hangs back, watching your form as you fumble with the uneven mess.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You toss a penny. Then a dime.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Then you fall into a meditative stance as you toss every single coin, piece by piece.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Somewhere along, the Animateur takes a seat on one of the raised edges, taking in a deep breath and exhaling it while looking at the mansion solemnly.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It’s a waste of money the people will say, but even if you saved every drop, this small fortune would never amount to anything. Not anymore.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>You reach your last coin, and Washington’s face looks up at you. Stoic. Unchanging. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Toss it in|obe_coin2][$choice=1]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Hand it over|obe_coin2][$choice=2]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div><<else>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue">[[>|mansion_grounds]]</span> </div></div><</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_obelisk.png">> <<set _alt ="The Obelisk">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if $choice == 1>> <<set _flavor ="You let your hand go limp, and the quarter plummets into the depths. You watch its descent with a garnered poise, the same way one salutes a ship on its final voyage.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="The Animateur takes it with a gentle hand and examines it deeply, eyes tracing the various curvatures. Then, with a flick of $p_his thumb, $p_he also tosses it in.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Now naturally, the fountain’s waters still flow just the same. You didn't really do anything noteworthy, but...<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>There it is, dancing between the alternating geometry.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>A commemoration of your ever so finite existence.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>A brief joy before your time is truly spent.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "mansion_grounds">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_console.png">> <<set _alt ="Back in the Car">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Bingo.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>In the center console, you spy the small, but plentiful bounty of coins you saw earlier.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You hand them over to The Animateur for safe-keeping. Being the only one with pockets, and all.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "gro_car">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $exploretimer += 5>> <<set $interviewcount += 1>> <<set $interviewjoint = true>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_chant.png">> <<set _alt ="The Chanteuse">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $count = 0>> <<set _foot = "Detectives">> <<set _footnote = "And It would know.">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“Howdy ho,” The Chanteuse smiles, but then a look of concern crosses her face. "Is it time for questioning? I thought these things were private."</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent holds a hand to its primary screen and you hear an electronic yawn pass through.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Irrelevant assumption,” Its voices chime. “Neither of the interlopers are <<footnote>>.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>To that, The Chanteuse huffs, but rather than irritation, it sounds like a laugh-- like catching onto a joke between friends.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>She plops down on a lounge nearby, and the Concurrent’s screens turn to her, waiting.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Fine, fine, introductions, then,” She smiles up at you again, face cupped by bright neon nails.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Not to sound like I'm married to my job, but I’m called The Chanteuse by friends, family, interlopers, and, on the rare occasion... statues, it seems.” She winks.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent shifts. “The interlopers are already aware of our titles,” It counters, and The Chanteuse huffs once more.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The two entities settle their attention on you, and for once, despite your strange new vessel, you feel as though someone can actually see you.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>Which is not as comforting or benign as it sounds. <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask what brings them here|interview_joint_here]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask about their argument|interview_joint_argument]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_con.png">> <<set _alt ="The Concurrent">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“Here?” The Chanteuse’s head tilts. “I mean... I’m just. Relaxing before bed, I s’pose?”</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“The $title is asking why The Ethereal takes refuge among Voidwalkers,” The Concurrent clarifies, though you don't know by how much.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Oh, why I’m hangin’ with the Prezzie?” The Chanteuse’s hand leaves her face. “I’m actually taking a break from my tour, and this is the best place to put your feet up.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>A beat passes in silence. “Er, putting aside the whole murder thing,” She cringes.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Grabbing one of the smaller round cushions, she tosses it at the Concurrent. “Hey screens, lend me a hand here.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent hardly flinches as it's struck, and the cushion falls to the floor. In a very mechanical sort of motion, it leans over and picks it up with metal hands.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“The Ethereal is here for publicity,” The screens chuckle, and one of their higher viewports tilts down at you.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And I am visiting the President as per prior arrangement," It explains. "Dinner, as is called by those with metabolisms.”<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“There you have it,” The Chanteuse snorts. “The consensus says I’m a sellout.”<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>“Self-warped misconception,” says the Concurrent. “I am incapable of judgement." <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Focus on the Concurrent's visit|interview_joint_arrange]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Focus on The Chanteuse's Visit|interview_joint_visit]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_con.png">> <<set _alt ="The Concurrent">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $gramoff = true>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“Ugh,” The Chanteuse fixes the sleeves of her blouse, pulling on the cuffs.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Screens here keeps trying to mess with the gramophone,” She coughs. “And let me say that its taste is not what you want to hear for the rest of the night.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>If the Concurrent is offended, it doesn’t show it. Instead, it clasps its hands as it considers everyone in the room. The power of majority, most likely.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Fair assessment,” it decides. “But with the introduction of the interlopers, I would feel comfortable admitting that I was not changing the song, but merely silencing it.”<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Chanteuse’s jaw drops.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“You don’t like my music?” She stares in disbelief.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I... enjoy it,” The Concurrent soothes. “But I have listened to the opening song approximately 1,275,455,675 times through proxy.”<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Oh,” The Chanteuse settles on the edge of a nearby lounge. "That's fair," She adds as the gramophone falls silent.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "mansion_stateroom">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_chant.png">> <<set _alt ="The Chanteuse">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set $burnt = true>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The Chanteuse crosses her arms, but rather than looking angry or annoyed, she smiles winningly.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“The President throws dinner for friends every so often,” She tells you with a slight laugh. “I had to skip quite a few last year, and I was really beginning to miss this place.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent laughs, and it once again crackles through some kind of hidden stereo.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Yes,” It begins, “this visit has everything to do with sentimentalities and nothing to do with the scandal past the border.”<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The fireplace almost explodes, and the room itself is instantly infernalized by the outshoot of sputtering flames.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Fortunately, this degree of fire doesn’t affect you, and the Animateur dodges the worst of it at the cost of a singed sleeve.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Unnecessary hostility,” The Concurrent chuckles again. “The $title is not responsible for the leak.”<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“You'd know,” The Chanteuse smiles with sharp eyes. She stands up again, walks over to the fireplace, and jabs the remains of a broken log with an iron prod.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "mansion_stateroom">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_con.png">> <<set _alt ="The Concurrent">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“You don’t even eat,” The Chanteuse points out, her tone reaching exasperation. "I saw what you did to that steak yesterday."</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent waves her off, unbothered.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Everything requires sustenance,” It says matter-of-factly. “Whereas you consume calories to ignite, the perpetuation of my existence requires... information.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Or to be more precise, the consumption of information,” It explains.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>How one goes about finding and eating such a thing is beyond any of you, but no one is willing to push the topic lest one learns something one can't forget.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“That doesn't sound kosher,” The Chanteuse remarks to end the topic.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“It is not,” The Concurrent nods.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<goto "mansion_stateroom">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<if visited("interview_joint_wheel")==1>> <<set $exploretimer += 1>> <</if>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_stateroom.png">> <<set _alt ="The Stateroom">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if $burnt == true>> <<set _flavor ="The Concurrent's fans kick up, no doubt triggered by The Chanteuse's influence over the fireplace.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="The fireplace flickers gently, lighting the faces of the nearby portraits.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <hr><span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the time of the murder|interview_joint_wheel1]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask if they noticed anything strange|interview_joint_wheel2]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Ask about the state of the crime scene|interview_joint_wheel3]] <span class="button link">></span> [[Be excused for now|mansion_stateroom]]</div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_chant.png">> <<set _alt ="The Chanteuse">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Wasn’t it *super* early yesterday?” The Chanteuse posits.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent starts to list every single event for every single dimension for that hour, and it becomes quite difficult to keep up.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<goto "interview_joint_wheel">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_con.png">> <<set _alt ="The Concurrent">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("obe_coin") ==1>> <<set _temp ="<q>Isn't it?</q> A big eye on one screen looks at you.">> <<else>> <<set _temp ="<q>Because it always is,</q> A big eye on one screen blinks.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“There are many irregularities,” The Concurrent assents.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Before our friend here goes wild,” The Chanteuse cuts in, “Lemme say it considers a penny on the ground an ‘irregularity.’”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Because it always is,” One screen blinks.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "interview_joint_wheel">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $count += 1>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_con.png">> <<set _alt ="The Concurrent">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Nope,” The Chanteuse waves a hand dramatically. “That’s the President’s mess, not mine.”</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“The Void has created a vortex,” The Concurrent confirms. You feel a chill as all its screens lock on you.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<goto "interview_joint_wheel">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/stateroom.png">> <<set _alt ="The Stateroom">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>><<if visited("sta_portraits")==1>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">As expected, the portraits depict none other than the President’s heritage.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>That said, portraits are an odd thing to have when none of your family has eyes, and you also note that some of them, from say, a few millenia ago, don’t show humanoid figures so much as red abstract imagery.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Voidwalkers did not materialise until the Reconfiguration,” The Concurrent notes.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You know these words should mean something to you, but they do not.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Even worse, the Chanteuse makes a boxish shape with her hands and holds it over one eye like that will clear everything up.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<set _foot ="converged">> <<set _footnote ="Resulting in the events of Flatland, more or less.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur hops in.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “When the dimensions <<footnote>>,” $p_he says.<</append>> <<case 6>> <<goto "mansion_stateroom">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div><<else>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">The President's portrait continually shifts, both clothing and colors changing over time. <span class = "button continue">[[>|mansion_stateroom]]</span> </div></div><</if>>

<<silently>> wip ideally, I wanted to have alternate tracks here that let player change the bg music. Fun fact: The epic itself refers to the Epic of Zektbach. <<set _src = "extras/misc_grammy.png">> <<set _alt ="The Gramophone">> <<set _count = 0>> <<if visited("interview_joint_argument")==0>> <<set _flavor="Reaching the end of its duration, The Chanteuse stands up and resets the record.">> <<else>> <<set _flavor ="But the gramophone sits silently, the needle gently tucked away.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>><<if visited("sta_grammy")==1 && visited("interview_joint_argument") == 0>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">One of the Chanteuse’s songs plays from a fine, vinyl record.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It lacks any real lyrics, but still manages to illustrate a surreal, grandiose epic through a mix of digital and analog sounds.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It... makes you feel something.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Nostalgia?<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<append "#content" t8n>> But for what?<</append>> <<case 4>> <<goto "mansion_stateroom">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div><<else>><div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>> <span class = "button continue">[[>|mansion_stateroom]]</span> </div></div><</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">You give the tiling another look, but whatever entity was contacting you has since moved on. <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="mansion_foyer">> <<set _text = [ "Near the west hall entrance stands a woman thrusting a scale into the air. Sadly, her offering is hardly visible thanks to the poor lighting in this area.", "Seated in similarly carved chair, a stone woman sits with a kind of bird on her lap. She watches the surroundings with a falcon's set of eyes.", "Just shy of the crime scene tape, you find a broken statue missing a head. Due to its lack of clothes, it is almost impossible to identify.", ]>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_plants1.png">> <<set _alt ="Some Plants">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox">You revisit the plants, but even with the Animateur's help, you can't seem to identify the liquid. <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_console.png">> <<set _alt ="Back in the Car">> <<switch visited("gro_car")>> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "To say you are happy to see it again is perhaps giving the 2000 worn-down model a bit too much credit.">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor = "The car looks woefully... small next to the mansion it finds itself a neighbor to. Sad, even.">> <<default>> <<set _flavor = "As you open the car door and look inside once again, you spy the Animateur touch the hood with the lightest of palms.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <hr><<if visited("car_leave")==0>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Consider leaving|car_leave]] <</if>><<if visited("car_change")==0 && visited("obe_coin") >= 3>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Look for change|car_change]] <</if>><span class="button continue">></span> [[Leave it be|mansion_grounds]] </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_console.png">> <<set _alt ="Back in the Car">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You climb into the passenger seat and look at the Animateur expectantly.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>$p_he looks at the ground and sighs, unable to look you directly in the eye.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You climb out the car.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "mansion_grounds">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“For as long as I could,” The CEO replies easily.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>When neither you nor the Animateur walk away, she begins to pace throughout the veranda herself, a hand glued to the bright pearl necklace around her neck.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I relieved my mother of it when I was... twenty-five in your years,” She explains. “Before that, I was studying abroad in the 4th dimension, as one does.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur folds $p_his arms.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I thought the company was stationed in the 5th dimension,” $p_he comments. “Where you’re from,” $p_he adds. <</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Most do,” The CEO drawls. With said affirmation, she passes off the wine glass to a thrall, as if losing the taste for it. <</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And when my mother was at the helm, it was."<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<goto "mansion_terrace">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_ceo.png">> <<set _alt ="The CEO">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Corporate espionage, the occasional scandal-- the usual,” The CEO describes. “But really, I don’t have to worry as much anymore.”</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>She adjusts her shawl, less out of apparent need and more for perpetuating an image. It is this CEO who is the face of the multi-dimensional corporation. The one in front of the cameras and mics.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“The longer you hold a position, the easier it gets,” She says. “My customers are happy, and as a result, my company thrives. The rest is just management... of press or otherwise.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And now you understand the strange feeling that’s bugging you.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You would think that present circumstances would have some kind of effect on trade. That being a suspect in such a case would mean something. That there’d be... some kind of inconvenience. <</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“As I said earlier,” The CEO finishes her drink. “I wouldn’t be here if all wasn’t as it should be.” <</replace>> <<case 5>> <<goto "mansion_terrace">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_star.png">> <<set _alt ="The Allstar">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">The Allstar rolls the ring between his hands.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“It’s not like I’ve gone around telling people I’m 3rd born and raised,” His shoulders fall. “The tabloids just started printing it one day after I got first string.”<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“But you haven’t corrected them,” The Animateur’s eyes sharpen and the Allstar sighs.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>> “Everyone loves a story,” He pockets the ring, and as he runs a hand along the fence, his tone becomes increasingly indignant.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Is it really so bad if it inspires people in the long run?” He looks down toward the Animateur.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Reality isn't so kind,” The Animateur counters.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "mansion_stables">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Title">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "sand">> <<set _footnote = "The same used to brighten tombstones.">> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“From this point on, names are forbidden," Elias says and produces a pale, gold <<footnote>>.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"The people here are only known as their titles, and as asinine as that is, we have to do the same or risk breaching our visitation rights," $p_he adds in a bitter tone.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Taking $p_his free hand, Elias traces a shape in the air. Then, $p_he crushes it with the other, the edges of sand scattering wildly.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>When $p_his fingers uncurl, the grains now glow like each tiny speck houses an equally tiny light.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<goto "intro_name">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">“Ohhhh,” The President sings. “I’d say my knowledge is... adequate.”</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He spins back and forth in his chair, but though the motion turns his body, his attention remains keenly invested in you.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“We have no Gods in the 4th,” He starts, ”but I’ve read more than enough of the 3rd’s literature to get an idea for them. Fantastic stuff, really, the origin stories are my favorite.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“But what exactly do you know?” The Animateur takes a step forward.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The President ignores $p_him and laughs. “Imagine giving birth to an all-burning Sun. To falling in love with yourself and becoming a flower? The drama, really.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“But what do you know?” The Animateur's volume rises, and The 4th's smile drops completely.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Enough,” The President says in a quiet voice that arrives from several realities. For a second it’s like the room's borders divide, and you feel a sickness take hold.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I know enough,” His smile returns and the feeling fades.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "mansion_study">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/sus_pres.png">> <<set _alt ="The President">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“You’d ask me to indulge in the hypotheticals of my peers?” The President grins from ear to ear.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“To take part of a little modern witch hunt?” His smile tugs to one side.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You feel a qualm of shame, like one does when being chided by a parent, guardian, or teacher. As if you are the one in the wrong for coming here and suspecting these people of murder.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>But the President switches tune as easily as before.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“The good CEO always benefits from a good upset,” He taps his desk. “Whereas The Allstar and The Chanteuse have never been fond of foresight. They don’t really want to be *seen*, if you can imagine that.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And as for my most esteemed friend, The Concurrent simply wants to watch,” He rubs his chin with pride. “You really don’t know the extent of that one’s voyeuristic tendencies.”<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur sighs.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And what about you in this hypothetical?” $p_he asks, but it’s clear $p_he’s already heard enough.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“What? Me?” The President blinks innocently. “Obviously I'm just the 4th Dimension's interpretation of Narcissus."<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<goto "mansion_study">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_space.png">> <<set _alt ="Somewhere in Space">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "bleeding out">> <<set _footnote = "again.">> <<switch $choice>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor ="It is difficult to comprehend the words when part of you is still lost to visions of a dying city.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "It is difficult to comprehend the words when part of you is still fighting so desparately not to see what was and what could have been.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<timed .5s t8n>><<viewport>><<timed .8s>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You are violently pulled out of a dislocated waterfall, a gloved hand wrapped around your wrist.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur, now standing upside down on a loose chunk of ceiling, bares $p_his teeth with a curse.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"We can't stay here," $p_he calls from above.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor>><</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Also, you are <<footnote>>.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Your once immaculate chest has a large crack on the left side, and a thick, gold liquid pours from it without remorse.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur attempts to patch it up; $p_his magic solidifies the liquid until all that is left is a large, diagonal cross.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Unable to watch without feeling sick, you look over and see the house's owner-- except he is now split into several neon entities.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"That's a lovely band-aid," He puts three hands to three chins.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"We can't stay," The Animateur repeats.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>As they do when greeted by a feast, the Void's living shadows begin to stare, and you are forced to evacuate the remnants of the Frigidarium.<</replace>> <<case 10>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Forced to abandon a part of yourself once again.<</replace>> <<case 11>> <<goto "exitingcrimescene">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div><</timed>><</timed>>

<<silently>> <<switch $gender>> <<case "man">> <<set _flavor ="brother">> <<case "woman">> <<set _flavor = "sister">> <<case "person">> <<set _flavor = "sibling">> <<default>> <<set _flavor = "sibling">> <</switch>> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content"><<timed .5s t8n>>Suddenly, you stand in a quaint, little, seaside village.<</timed>></div><<timed 1s t8n>> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It is one of the towns that isn't talked about as much. The uninspiring <<=_flavor>>.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Maybe you chose it because it reminded you of yourself. Or maybe you chose it because it reminded you of home.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Of the gold sands torn asunder and rendered inhospitable by the inevitable desiccation.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You stand in this town presently to survive-- to escape the war, to escape the end-- but even when they hide in the company of mortals, Gods have some extent of foresight.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You know what will happen to this place.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<append "#content" t8n>> You know what will happen to you.<</append>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>Distracted by the smoking mountain in the distance, you almost forget yourself, and the remaining villagers holding council grow hesitant. You clear your throat. [[“We have to leave.”|fragment_hercule2]] [[“We should have already left.”|fragment_hercule2]] [[“We shouldn't have come here.”|fragment_hercule2]] <</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span><</timed>></div>

<<silently>> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">Though your words weren't entirely meant for them, the villagers look at you with a mix of nervous eyes and belligerent scowls.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The only people left in this town are those who can't afford to leave. The only people who will die here are those that never had the choice.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Voices call for sacrifice and appeasement and prayers to the Gods, but it all fades as your eyes search the aftermath of the most recent quake.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You look toward the coast.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>To the home that no longer exists.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And maybe, you find yourself thinking...<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>Maybe it never did? <<timed 1s t8n>> <span class = "button continue">></span> [[Lose Yourself|crimescene_timeout][$choice = 0;$drowning=true]] <span class = "button continue">></span> [[Look Away|crimescene_timeout][$choice = 1;$drowning=false]]<</timed>><</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span></div>

<<silently>> This physically hurts me to look at. Basically: Just check title to make sure one is set and it's not one of the names in use in game. Currently not working as it should, but let it be known I t r i e d. <<set _hasName = true>> <<set _title = $title.toLowerCase()>> <<switch _title>> <<case "">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "president">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "president of the 4th dimension">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "ceo">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "ceo of the mists">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "allstar">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "impendantic allstar">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "concurrent">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "chanteuse">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "ethereal">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "animateur">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<case "elias">> <<set _flavor = "Connection Failed: Error 404">> <<set _hasName = false>> <<default>> <<set _hasName = true>> <</switch>> <<if _hasName == true>> <<goto "intro_namecheck_confirm">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> [[Seek a new Identity|intro_name]] </div></div>

// If was in room and chose action, pass time <<if tags().includes("action") == true && tags($previous).includes("mansion") == true>> <<set $exploretimer += 1>> <</if>> // If attempting to travel, check timer and trigger the events passage // Do not trigger on first visit because some passages have intro // Check if event has already been triggered, otherwise trigger it // Need to experiment with balancing here still <<if previous() == "map">> <<if $exploretimer >= 5>> <<if visited("timecheck1") == 0>> <<goto "timecheck1">> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $exploretimer >= 30>> <<if visited("timecheck2") == 0>> <<goto "timecheck2">> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $exploretimer >= 50>> <<if visited("timecheck3") == 0>> <<goto "timecheck3">> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $exploretimer >= 65>> <<if visited("timecheck4") == 0>> <<goto "timecheck4">> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>>

<h1><<click "4AM">> <<goto "inspectortime">> <</click>></h1> <<silently>> Disable controls because the accusations are meaningful in terms of gameplay progression, not the accusations themselves. You have to go through the process twice before the game actually proceeds, which I'm afraid saves might mess up somehow. <<set $unlock2am = false>> <<set $unlock3am = false>> <</silently>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Sigil">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Throughout the mansion, you hear the tell-tale signs of the next hour’s arrival. </div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Similarly, you can no longer ignore the dissonance between your thoughts and your vessel’s estranged, sluggish movements.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The binding has decayed, and as a bright sheen draws your eye, you look down only to see your wound festering once again.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Animateur abruptly drags you back to the Triclinium.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It is time to make the final accusation.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto "transition3">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<if visited("accuse_pre")!=1>> Who will you accuse? [[The President of the 4th Dimension|accuse_confirm][$choice = 0]] [[The Chief Executive Officer from the Mists|accuse_confirm][$choice = 1]] [[The Chanteuse of the Ethereal Plane|accuse_confirm][$choice = 2]] [[The Omniscient Concurrent Protocol|accuse_confirm][$choice = 3]] [[The Impendantic Allstar|accuse_confirm][$choice = 4]] <<else>> <<timed .5s t8n>>Who will you accuse?<</timed>> <<timed 1.5s t8n>>[[The President of the 4th Dimension|accuse_confirm][$choice = 0]]<</timed>> <<timed 2s t8n>>[[The Chief Executive Officer from the Mists|accuse_confirm][$choice = 1]]<</timed>> <<timed 2.5s t8n>>[[The Chanteuse of the Ethereal Plane|accuse_confirm][$choice = 2]]<</timed>> <<timed 3s t8n>>[[The Omniscient Concurrent Protocol|accuse_confirm][$choice = 3]]<</timed>> <<timed 3.5s t8n>>[[The Impendantic Allstar|accuse_confirm][$choice = 4]]<</timed>> <</if>>

<<silently>> <<switch $choice>> <<case 0>> <<set $suspect = "President">> <<set _temp = "The President of the 4th Dimension">> <<case 1>> <<set $suspect = "CEO">> <<set _temp = "The CEO from the Mists">> <<case 2>> <<set $suspect = "Chanteuse">> <<set _temp = "The Chanteuse of the Ethereal Plane">> <<case 3>> <<set $suspect = "Concurrent">> <<set _temp = "The Concurrent Protocol">> <<case 4>> <<set $suspect = "Allstar">> <<set _temp = "The Impendantic Allstar">> <</switch>> <</silently>> Are you sure you want to accuse <<=_temp>>? [[yes|accuse_forward]] [[no|accuse_pre]]

<<silently>> This passage is never displayed but rather updates stats and acts as a waypost for the the fake endings. <<switch $suspect>> <<case "President">> <<set _link= "fake_pres">> <<case "CEO">> <<set _link= "fake_ceo">> <<case "Chanteuse">> <<set _link= "fake_chant">> <<case "Concurrent">> <<set _link= "fake_con">> <<case "Allstar">> <<set _link= "fake_star">> <</switch>> <</silently>>In your last dying moments, you accuse The $suspect. <span class="button continue"><<link ">" _link>><</link>></span>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_study.png">> <<set _alt ="The Study">> <<set _text = [ "You pull a spine randomly and flip through a few pages. This book in particular showcases the genetic makeup and diversity of the 3rd Dimension's plants.", "You grab one of the larger compendiums. It's a dense read, but you make out one section dedicated to the use of theatre in critical thinking and revolution.", "The more you dig through the collection, the more you find regarding mythology and the thematic application in modern literature." ]>> <<set _flavor = _text.random()>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><<=_flavor>> <span class="button continue"><<return ">">></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="The Foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">In a grand show of respect for his own theatrics, the President of the 4th Dimension summons all suspects and related parties to the foyer.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>There, thralls enter and leave in sluggish enthusiasm, each bringing a chair or refreshment for those within.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>While you and the Animateur stand just shy of the crime scene, the suspects loiter around the hall in various manners.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Impendantic Allstar, with crossed arms and flickering static, stands near one of the larger statues.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The CEO from the Mists sits on a couch borrowed from the Triclinium. Behind her usual veil, she surveys the room with evident boredom.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Once again exchanging a variety of cutting remarks, the Chanteuse, and the Concurrent place themselves in a pair of plush red armchairs.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And of course, at the helm of it all, The President of the 4th Dimension leans against one of the doric columns, not so far from you and your companion.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>For the entire time the room is being prepared, his smile never once leaves his face.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And as for you...<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<goto "inspectortime2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="The Foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">Growing weaker with each passing minute, you don’t know whether it’s that or some misplaced survival instinct, but...</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>> having these powerful people together in such close proximity makes you want to hide. To get away from it all.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>At last, the thralls finish and settle either at their original posts or outside the room to make up for the new lack of space.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "inspectortime3">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_foyer.png">> <<set _alt ="The Foyer">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Soooo...” The Chanteuse clasps her hands over a raised knee.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “It is time,” The Concurrent buzzes, and all faces turn to you.<</append>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Time for a bit of Arthur Conan Doyle?” The President grins. “Or are you approaching this as Victor Hugo’s Javert?”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Don’t drag this charade on any longer,” The CEO scoffs, and the Allstar simply rubs his neck in silent agreement.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Releasing the deepish sigh <<=$p_he>>’s probably ever held, The Animateur holds up a hand and, from it, a familiar gold sigil transcends.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The room and its habitants quiet as $p_he stalls your inevitable inanimacy one last time.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<goto "accuse_pre">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Sigil">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">Just as you begin to make your way, a shrill, jarring alarm stops both you and the Animateur dead in your tracks.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>$p_he hurriedly draws forth $p_his phone in an attempt to silence it.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>“Sorry,” The Animateur coughs and pockets the device again. “I forgot to delete this one.” <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask for the time|timecheck1_b][$choice=0]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Ask about the alarm|timecheck1_b][$choice=1]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Sigil">> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch $choice>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "With your anxiety now fully charged, you wonder how much time you've lost-- how much time you have left.">> <<set _flavor2 = "<q>No, it’s just a little after 3 still,</q> $p_he replies somewhat casually.">> <<set _flavor3 = "Trying not to deflate, you carry on.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "You know it’s nothing related to you or the case; there’s no way it’s already that close to sunrise, after all.">> <<set _flavor2 = "<q>Time zone difference from the 3rd,</q> $p_he replies somewhat casually. <q>The joys of a 9-7 follow you everywhere.</q>">> <<set _flavor3 = "Somewhat thankful you don’t have to work anymore, you carry on.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor2>><</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor3>><</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto $dest>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Sigil">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="bigcontent"><div id="content">En route to <<=$destname>>, you are unexpectedly hit by a strange wave of nausea and forced to rest a moment.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Even stranger, it seems to originate in your spine, or more accurately, the stretch that rests between your neck and chest. <</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It reminds you of earlier, when you shattered, and judging by the Animateur’s face, that’s not too far off the mark.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>$p_he checks $p_his phone again, and you catch a brief grimace.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#bigcontent" t8n>>“It’s almost 3:30,” $p_he informs. “How are you feeling?” <hr> <span class="button continue">></span> [[Insist you're fine|timecheck2_b][$choice=0]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Deflect with some humor|timecheck2_b][$choice=1]] <span class="button continue">></span> [[Gruffly shake off the concern|timecheck2_b][$choice=2]]<</replace>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Sigil">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">You take a step--</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<goto "timecheck3_b">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Sigil">> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch $choice>> <<case 0>> <<set _flavor = "Ignoring how your spine seems to pulse, you flex your vessel’s fingers a few times...">> <<set _flavor2 = "And tell your companion you can manage well enough.">> <<set _flavor3 = "Of course, said companion does not buy it remotely, but $p_he also doesn’t press the issue.">> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor = "Rolling your shoulders-- and producing a sound akin to a marble rolling down a funnel in the process--">> <<set _flavor2 ="You make a joke about... something regarding statues, their sturdiness, and an Achilles’s heel.">> <<set _flavor3 = "In response, the Animateur purses $p_his lips, but, to your surprise, remains at your side, waiting.">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor ="Giving the Animateur a literal cold shoulder, you turn and force your eyes to look at anything else in the vicinity.">> <<set _flavor2 ="To that, your companion walks a fair distance away—just far enough to give you the apparent space you need but also close enough so that the contract doesn’t start burning either of your lungs.">> <<set _flavor3 ="Proverbial or otherwise.">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content"><<=_flavor>></div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor2>><</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor3>><</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Perhaps this choice is made out of kindness, or perhaps it’s because time is now growing short.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Once you recover, you press on.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto $dest>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<div id="content">And your knee hits the ground.</div> <<timed 2s t8n>><span class="button continue">[[>|timecheck3_c]]</span><</timed>>

<<silently>> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><div id="content">Specks of gold spit out onto a broken tile, where your now cracked knee has shattered it beyond repair.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>> For a moment, it does not concern you, however. You are elsewhere; you are above.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The thing you are looking at no longer binds you, but at the same time, unknown hands seem to grab and jerk at your consciousness, tugging you to some place far beneath it all.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<goto "timecheck3_d">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/intro_sigil.png">> <<set _alt ="The Sigil">> <<set _count = 0>> <<set _foot = "glove">> <<set _footnote= "Skin marked by scars, ink, and glowing runes.">> <</silently>><<timed .4s t8n>><<viewport>><<timed .7s t8n>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">A searing sensation drags you back, and you are immediately confronted by the pain of not only your prior wound, but also something else. Something worse.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Your chest gushes, and this time the Animateur is forced to remove a <<footnote>> to properly seal it.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“We don’t have much time left,” $p_he says plainly. “Prioritize what you think is best, but we need to end this soon.”<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>You nod in what may be agreement, but it is mostly because your head now naturally droops without your input.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It seems your visit here is almost over.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<goto $dest>> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div><</timed>><</timed>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_space.png">> <<set _alt ="Welcome to Hell">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">And what a scandal it has caused.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>To the average witness, the natural highborns of the Void are... just that. They dwell on another tier of existence all-together.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>To claim one is less than such— less than perfection— is absurd. Preposterous. Irrevocable.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And to make matters worse...<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<append "#content" t8n>> The President takes your accusation in stride. Takes it with a smile. <</append>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Which, of course, only serves to bolster his support against both your claim and your memory itself.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>To $p_his credit, the Animateur tries everything: trial after trial, testimony after testimony; $p_he leaves no stone unturned in some kind of anxious obsession you’ll never see. <</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>But of course— $p_his efforts fail.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "fake_pres2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_space.png">> <<set _alt ="Welcome to Hell">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">It goes without saying her crimes are innumerous.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Anyone on the street could venture a guess. Tax evasion, fraud, a few skeletons in one of several closets—to climb the entrepreneurial mountain is no small feat, and to do so with clean hands?<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Idealistic.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Unfortunately, though these crimes are almost common knowledge and rather easy to define, the evidence that binds them to existence is...<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<append "#content" t8n>> only just.<</append>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>After all, when you have more than enough money to buy the universe, it's just barely a trifle to bury the long list of accidents that got you there.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Even the most recent one.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<goto "fake_ceo2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_space.png">> <<set _alt ="Welcome to Hell">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">And almost everyone watches with interest.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Chanteuse is merely a personality, an entertainer— compared to the others, what could she have possibly done to lead to your death?<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Better yet, How could an all-powerful God be killed by such a <i>person</i>?<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It’s impossible, most decide from the start.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<append "#content" t8n>> And it doesn’t help that she is an Ethereal.<</append>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Like others born in the 5th, she is just naturally above and beyond.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Conveniently, as a paper trail is uncovered and abruptly swept under a rug, The Chanteuse takes a sudden vacation under the guise of recording her next album.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It isn’t her first scandal, and it won’t be her last.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "fake_chant2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_space.png">> <<set _alt ="Welcome to Hell">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">And the backlash is immediate.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent is merely a consensus; it is all-knowing, all-seeing, and all-existing based on the first feedback loops and the history that binds them. <</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It is incapable of individual thoughts or actions and as such, it is the Ideal.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>How could you accuse the Ideal?<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>In a show of compliance, the Concurrent steps down from its position and expresses its deepest regrets through glitched imagery and large Helvetica engravings. <</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>A signature slideshow played across its several screens.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Naturally, it re-accepts the position once both you and the scandal have long since expired.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Like most of the dealings in the 4th, it is only a matter of time.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "fake_con2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/misc_space.png">> <<set _alt ="Welcome to Hell">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to connect his electrical shroud to the veil that envelops the mansion.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Naturally, its purpose-- to hide away all indiscretions from prying eyes-- is just as clear.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>But taking down a man of the people? <</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Taking down an icon who knows another win will clear any… misgivings regarding underground rings and secret societies?<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>To his credit, he takes a few games off.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Then the rest of the season.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Then, when the team’s ratings begin to fall and the owners begin to lose money, the Allstar returns to the field with an even stronger shroud.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>one that not only cloaks the drifting spaces around him but also the people within those spaces.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He’s such a team player, fans of the sport agree.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<goto "fake_star2">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_study.png">> <<set _alt ="The Study">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Really, one has to wonder what they expected,” The President remarks one day while looking out his window.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He clasps his hands behind his back, smiling at what he considers beautiful weather— a beautiful shroud around a beautiful manor.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He sighs contentedly before turning to a statue on his left, a new one nestled between the bookshelves. <</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It isn’t easy to convince the Necromancers to give up their hand-crafted vessels, but then again, it is much harder for them to resist once they’ve been reconfigured.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Re-purposed.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The President pulls out a non-descript stone from one of the drawers of his desk, holding it up to the dim lighting and exposing a porous nature.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Such a shame,” He tuts, putting it down as a <span class="danger">red-eyed</span> thrall approaches with several envelopes.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Such a shame, He smiles as he takes them.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<goto "fake_end">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_obelisk.png">> <<set _alt ="The Obelisk">> <<set _count = 0>> <<switch visited("obe_coins")>> <<case 1>> <<set _flavor ="Seated on the obelisk’s edge, she leans over and scoops out a coin, rolling it between her fingers with quiet reverence.">> <<case 2>> <<set _flavor ="Seated on the obelisk’s edge, she leans over and scoops out a collection of coins, placing them flat one by one on the dry stone.">> <<default>> <<set _flavor ="Seated on the obelisk’s edge, she leans over and runs a hand through its cooling waters, her mists settling on the surface.">> <</if>> <<if visited("obe_coin") >= 3>> <<set _flavor ="Seated on the obelisk’s edge, she leans over and scoops out a collection of coins, placing them flat one by one on the dry stone.">> <</if>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“And they call me cruel,” The President adjusts his scarf, tucking it into the lapels of his coat. He makes a show of tugging on the lengthier fringe, giving the CEO a look of fright.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<set _foot ="newspaper">> <<set _footnote = "$p_he's just a statistic now.">> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I’d argue you’ve always lacked a certain level of imgination," The CEO counters and sets down her <<footnote>>.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<clearfootnote>> <<replace "#content" t8n>><<=_flavor>><</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“And you have a bad habit of playing with your food,” She scowls, flicking the water from her hand.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I have more important things to do than clean up every single mess you make.”<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I say,” The President holds his arms up in surrender before producing a thicker envelope and sliding it onto the ledge with great care.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“It’s always rather tit for tat with you, isn’t it?" He sniffs. "And here I thought we were friends after everything we've been through together.”<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The CEO opens the envelope,<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<append "#content" t8n>> stares,<</append>> <<case 8>> <<append "#content">> and laughs darkly.<</append>> <<case 9>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Perhaps we are,” She says. <<case 10>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And tucks the envelope away.<</replace>> <<case 11>> <<goto "fake_end">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set $houseround += 1>> <<switch $suspect>> <<case "President">> <<set _end ="Ending #1:">> <<set _flavor = "Kosmos">> <<case "CEO">> <<set _end ="Ending #2:">> <<set _flavor = "Agora">> <<case "Chanteuse">> <<set _end ="Ending #3:">> <<set _flavor = "Anthemoessa">> <<case "Concurrent">> <<set _end ="Ending #4:">> <<set _flavor = "Panoptes">> <<case "Allstar">> <<set _end ="Ending #5:">> <<set _flavor = "Aletheia">> <</switch>> <</silently>><<timed 1s t8n>><<=_end>><</timed>> <<timed 1.3s t8n>><<=_flavor>><</timed>> <<timed 2s t8n>><<link "DESCEND">><<run UI.restart()>><</link>><</timed>> <<timed 2.5s t8n>>[[Credits|Author Notes]]<</timed>>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_grounds.png">> <<set _alt ="The Grounds">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“What about that one?" The Chanteuse points in the near distance.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Delphinium,” The Concurrent checks its internal archives and replies.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Usually the gardens in the 4th fall dormant around this time of year, but usually almost never applies to the word anymore...<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<append "#content" t8n>> anymore.<</append>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Whereas the conservatory used to be the only respite for flora, now all the estate’s flowers bloom anytime, anywhere, evermore.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I guess you are good for something,” The Chanteuse admits with great pain. <</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>She looks around the garden once more before nodding at her companion in due respect; it is no secret to the mansion’s true visitors as to what— or rather who-- is responsible for this growth.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Concurrent cannot smile, but it does produce a clipped, electronic chirping that could almost pass as a certain kind of smugness.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“But why couldn't you just make roses?” The Chanteuse quickly withdraws the compliment. “Everyone loves roses.”<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“It is an acquired taste,” The Concurrent continues to chirp.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<append "#content" t8n>> “One that I’m waiting for you to acquire.”<</append>> <<case 10>> <<goto "fake_end">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_stateroom.png">> <<set _alt ="The Stateroom">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“I’m... surprised,” The CEO notes.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Sitting cross-legged on a couch, she takes a paper from her secretary, and begins dragging a red pen across it. Her secretary visibly slouches.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“That’s not a compliment; why is everyone saying that?” The Chanteuse flips over a record.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>As it spins, it reflects her light around the room like an old zoetrope running seamlessly.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Finally, she places the disc on the gramophone and adjusts the needle and a few seconds later, the lead song of her newest album plays.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Like the other songs she’s written, it is more experimental in genre-- a series of whispers sung from behind a velvet rope— and, just so, it has more purpose than entertainment.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>It has things it must accomplish.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Because, pardon my humor, you’ve always preferred the unsung work,” says the CEO with a smile.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>She sends her secretary out of the room just as their eyes begin to redden. Just as a smile creeps on their face.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"It just seems rather... antithetical to your shine," The CEO comments. "To your record," She adds.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“Well," The Chanteuse hesitates. Buying time, she pulls back the curtain on a nearby window to let in the eternal glow from the twins.<</replace>> <<case 10>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"We all have our methods," She finally replies, running a thumb across the paint of another finger. <<case 11>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The CEO slowly sets down her pen, her mists fading.<</replace>> <<case 12>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>"I see," She hides a small smile.<</replace>> <<case 13>> <<goto "fake_end">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>

<<silently>> <<set _src = "extras/mansion_tri.png">> <<set _alt ="The Triclinium">> <<set _count = 0>> <</silently>><<viewport>> <div class="textbox-border"><div class="textbox"><div id="content">“Go fish,” The President says, sliding a card between his fingers.</div> <span class="button continue"><<click ">">> <<switch _count>> <<case 0>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“You don’t ‘go fish’ in poker,” The Allstar’s head cocks.<</replace>> <<case 1>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>His grip on his cards tightens ever so slightly, but when the President raises a brow, the athlete simply does as he’s told.<</replace>> <<case 2>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>House rules it is-- because the Allstar is no fool.<</replace>> <<case 3>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He knows that the game is rigged, and that it has been rigged every time the President not so subtly swaps cards when he shuffles the deck.<</replace>> <<case 4>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>And, actually, it’s become a point of curiosity for the Allstar because a game for prizes without stakes seems… safe.<</replace>> <<case 5>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>Which is not a word normally paired with the President’s usual entertainment.<</replace>> <<case 6>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>He reaches for his drink to process the thought, and The President, watching as the canned beverage briefly disappears under the helmet, puts his cards face down on the table.<</replace>> <<case 7>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I still wonder where you got that,” The 4th props his arms up. “Amongst other things,” He waves at hand at the static that heavily clouds the room.<</replace>> <<case 8>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>The Allstar taps the bottom of the can on the table a few times, producing a few sparks with each contact.<</replace>> <<case 9>> <<replace "#content" t8n>>“I still wonder where you got this house,” He adjusts his eyeshield.<</replace>> <<case 10>> <<goto "fake_end">> <</switch>> <<set _count += 1>> <</click>></span> </div></div>