Confessing to a Witch

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So… Today’s the day. You’re finally going to do it. [[You’re finally going to confess to Juniper.]] <img src="images/forest.jpg" alt="A dirt path surrounded by trees in autumn" /> <<audio mainsong loop play>> <<audio wind volume 0.25 fadeoverto 10 0.75>>

Today is definitely the day. You can feel it. You can also feel the hundreds of butterflies currently careening around your stomach, but that’s [[fine]]. <img src="images/forest.jpg" alt="A dirt path surrounded by trees in autumn" />

It’s normal right? To be nervous about telling your friend you have feelings for them? Especially when they’re a talented witch with a bright future ahead of them and you’re just…well… [[You]]. <img src="images/forest.jpg" alt="A dirt path surrounded by trees in autumn" />

Little Miss Boring, whiling away your days at your grandfather’s flower shop. What would a girl like [[her]] see in you, anyway? <img src="images/forest.jpg" alt="A dirt path surrounded by trees in autumn" />

Juniper Merryweather, with her bright, auburn hair always tied back in her signature braided ponytails. Juniper, always elbow deep in a project with a smile on her face. Juni, your only friend in this quiet town in the middle of nowhere. [[Juniper…]] <img src="images/forest.jpg" alt="A dirt path surrounded by trees in autumn" />

Your footsteps feel heavy and awkward as you cross the aged wooden bridge, the gurgle of the creek below almost mocking your approach to her front door. The floral scent is a welcome distraction as you marvel - as always - at [[the old cottage nestled amongst the alder trees]]. <img src="images/bridge.jpg" alt="A wooden bridge crossing a creek with trees on the other side" /> <<audio river volume 0.5 play>> <<audio steps volume 0.5 fadeout>>

The ordinary, one-storey building concealed its extraordinary secret - it was bigger on the inside than its modest timber frame would suggest. “It keeps me from prying eyes.” Juniper had explained to you the first time you’d been invited over. To your knowledge, no one else in the village had ever set foot inside. It filled you with a certain warmth to know that she trusted you enough to [[welcome you in]]. <img src="images/cottage.jpg" alt="A wooden cottage with a thatched roof surrounded by trees and flowers." /> <<audio river stop>> <<audio birds volume 0.25 loop play>>

You’d even suggested some aesthetic tweaks to the exterior to make it more pleasing while adhering to her desire for privacy, and now the north-facing walls burned a soft orange with Virginia Creeper and glistened with the emerald of Hedera Helix. Around the west-facing door bloomed ‘Gloire de Versailles’ and Honeysuckle, and you could always hear the happy hum of bees in the spring as a [[result.]] <img src="images/cottage.jpg" alt="A wooden cottage with a thatched roof surrounded by trees and flowers." />

Is this really it? Are you really going to risk everything to tell her how you feel? You squeeze your eyes shut, unable to meet the gaze of the golden fox head in front of you, its weathered look almost daring you to [[knock]]. <img src="images/door.jpg" alt="An old wooden door with a fox brass knocker" /> <<audio blackbird volume 0.25 play>>

You quickly knock on the door. As you hold your breath, you swear you see the knocker wink at you and twitch its ears. Then…[[nothing happens]]. <img src="images/door.jpg" alt="An old wooden door with a fox brass knocker" /> <<audio knock play>>

You knock again, taking care to be louder this time in case Juniper is busy in her workshop upstairs, but nothing happens. You push down your growing anxiety and lean gently on the door. To your surprise, it swings open without resistance. “Juni…?” you call into the empty hallway, now definitely worried. It’s not like her to leave the door [[unlocked]]. <img src="images/hallway.jpg" alt="A long hallway" /> <<audio knock play>> <<audio door play>>

You carefully step across the threshold, gripping the flowers tighter in your hand. Juniper was usually in her workshop at this time, so you begin to tiptoe up the stairs. Maybe she’s just fallen asleep at her desk again? But she was expecting you, and Juniper never forgot to prepare for anything, much less your arrival. Sometimes you’d be barely across the bridge when she’d appear at the door, waving at you with her huge grin and soft, azure [[eyes.]] <img src="images/hallway.jpg" alt="A long hallway" /> <<audio wind stop>> <<audio birds stop>> <<audio blackbird stop>> <<audio walk time 13 play>>

Overturned chairs. Upended tables. Books and pages littered everywhere. The cauldron in the centre wobbles at an awkward angle, whatever contents it once had now staining the hardwood floor. And no sign of [[Juniper]]. <img src="images/mess.jpg" alt="A messy room with an overturned cauldron." /> <<audio mainsong stop>> <<audio chaossong loop play>>

You stare in disbelief at the mess, worry gnawing at your heart. It almost looks like there was a [[struggle]]. <img src="images/mess.jpg" alt="A messy room with an overturned cauldron." />

“JUNI?!” you shout, but the house is silent. That is, [[until-]] <img src="images/mess.jpg" alt="A messy room with an overturned cauldron." />

-a small, ginger cat peeks its head from underneath an overturned stack of notes. Mrreow? It drawls sleepily, gazing up at you. “You must be Juni’s [[familiar]].” you sigh thankfully, and hold out your hand to the cat. <img src="images/cat.jpg" alt="A ginger cat with piercing blue eyes." /> <<audio meow play>>

Juniper had been talking about getting a familiar for a while now to keep her company, and it looks like she finally did. Maybe that’s why she invited you over today? “What’s your name sweetie?” you coo as the tabby rubs its head against your palm, purring happily. Unfortunately you don’t speak cat, so you’ll have to find Juniper to answer that question. [[Juniper… |where are you]] <img src="images/cat.jpg" alt="A ginger cat with piercing blue eyes." /> <<audio purr time 28 play>>

You absentmindedly bite your lip, the gravity of the situation starting to sink in. Juniper is missing, and there are signs that something bad might have happened to her. Where do you even start to [[look?]] <img src="images/mess.jpg" alt="A messy room with an overturned cauldron." /> <<audio purr stop>>

It appears to be a page torn out of a spellbook. Most of the page is stained with whatever liquid must have fallen out of the cauldron, but a few runes are visible as well as some faded words: <img src="images/note_read.png" alt="A note that reads: Should thou wish to reverse thy spell, Heed these words and heed them well: A cup of water, a pinch of salt, A candle wick and a lightning bolt, A slice of lemon, the softest purr, Combine together with a vigorous stir. Bring to a gentle simmer on a medium heat for 5 minutes. Serve with cilantro (optional)." /> … Does this have something to do with [[what Juniper was working on?]]

You know that she sometimes deals with volatile spells. Maybe something went wrong and she ended up... who-knows-where. A quick glance at the other scattered papers offers no other clues to what could have happened, so this seems to be your best [[lead.]] <img src="images/mess.jpg" alt="A messy room with an overturned cauldron." />

Thank you so much for checkin out the demo for 'Confessing to a Witch'! I didn't have time to finish the game for the Spring Thing festival BUT I'm planning on releasing the full game on itch.io at a later date. The rest of the game will be a text-based adventure where you search Juniper's house for clues! (plus there'll be actual art, not just free-to-use images and shoddy photoshop ♪~ ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ) You can check that out (when it's done) and see my other projects on itch <a href="https://heckinrobin.itch.io/">here</a> and my other content <a href="https://linktr.ee/HeckinRobin">here</a>. Hope you have a nice day! <img src="images/robin.png" alt="A pixel art robin holding a big heart." />

With a deep breath, you stand up and dust off your breeches. The tabby winds itself around your ankles, purring contentedly. “I suppose you’re coming with me, then?” you [[chuckle.]] <img src="images/mess.jpg" alt="A messy room with an overturned cauldron." /> <<audio purr time 28 play>>

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Resting your hand on the old wooden door, you stare at the brass knocker and [[collect yourself]] <img src="images/door.jpg" alt="An old wooden door with a fox brass knocker" />

Focusing on the chattering of the blackbirds and woodlarks, you steady your breathing and open your eyes to the bouquet in your hand that you’d spent hours putting together: Apple Blossoms for preference, Carnations for fascination, Gardenias for loveliness, Lilys-of-the-Valley for sweetness, and sprigs of Arborvitae and Fern for unchanging friendship and magic, respectively. [[You had to do this]]. <img src="images/flowers.jpg" alt="A bouquet of pink and white flowers" />

At the top of the stairs, you freeze as you see the door to the workshop ajar, a mess of papers and furniture visible through the gap. You rush inside and are met with… [[Chaos]]. <img src="images/door_ajar.jpg" alt="A door ajar" /> <<audio mainsong stop>>

You’re broken out of your reverie by a small mew. The cat has a piece of paper in its mouth, its sapphire eyes looking at you expectantly. [[What’s this…?]] <img src="images/note.png" alt="A small note." /> <<audio meow play>>

At this point, there’s no harm in trying this reversal spell. Juniper must have these ingredients somewhere in her house, so you should start looking around. Who knows, time might be of the essence… [[I'm coming, Juni.]] <img src="images/mess.jpg" alt="A messy room with an overturned cauldron." />