Midnights of the Drowsy Owl

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<<set $chapter to "Prologue">> <center><h2>Prologue</h2></center> <center><b>Location:</b> <i>Buchanest</i></center> <center><<button "Prologue">> <<goto "prologue1">> <</button>></center>

Buchanest City! A word full of envy and desire. At every corner, people strut in sleek outfits from the latest collections. Pompous, so-called bougie, fedora and vintage hats—like a revival of the Roaring 20’s is the go-to. Streets, having seen better days with occasional rats by the suburb areas, glow like gold by uptown, whether it be morning or night. The nightlights keep it rich. Skyrise buildings tear dreams apart, sometimes filling the pockets of those who know the right people. There is not one person who doesn’t yearn for a spot in one of these prestigious companies; you were the same. Covered in tinted glass top to bottom, the skyscraper is known by everyone, strange if someone doesn’t know. At the heart of the city, it pierces the sky as if proclaiming its rightful place. From the outside to the inside, everything is in place. Pasty dark walls are styled according to the pearl white tiles, just like a tailored suit for a person—methodical. With a ridiculously huge table in the middle of the bright room overlooking a city from the highest office floor, dressed with suits and ties, dress shirts, and pencil skirts, people sit with pens in their hands: proud and all the more competitive. "Yana will be in charge of..." Your hand slides from your chin to your cheek, shoulders slumped to one side. "...Jackson...design..." A heavy breath blows past your lips, eyes fluttering every second, softly like dying petals. You don't know how long it has been since your eyes closed, maybe for the little bit you wanted, or maybe a little much, perhaps none of those at all. "You over there! WAKE UP!" Right then, you bolt up, and a loud bang rattles across the room. Pens and books crash to the floor; a sharp pain shoots through your knee. Scattering through the clean and pristine floors are growing puddles of ice americano, cappuccinos, and frappes—thick paper in folders and piles sprawled and stained with brown spots. That's when you knew—you ducked up. Eyes shoot towards you like a sniper gun. You feel so far, and still, those glares, laced with the harshest contempt, are a decisive blow with a pull of the trigger. "$name. You," a sharp and cutting tone pierced your head.. You stare at the front, your knee still throbbing as you stand as straight as a pole. Your boss, the guy who made all your efforts feel vain. There is no way to predict what he is going to say. Volatile and temperamental in every way, you hold your tongue and your hands to your side. "Get out. Just get out of here. Now." There is nothing to fight against. All of those eyes, glazed in disgust, noses scrunched. There is no place for you here at all. No one wanted you here. Swallowing down the needles in your dry throat, you pick up your papers. The sleepless nights, the endless tears and blood that went into this—pathetic mess. You bite the flesh of your lip and your hand tightens over the papers, the folders, and the bag. As you turn your back towards the elites of the table, a voice strikes, "Pack everything in the office. You will be compensated for the contract. Just leave." You stop at the threshold of the door. <hr> [[(no route availble) Sigh, tousling your hair. "God, what a fucking asshole." (Sarcastic charmer)|prologue2.1][$personality to "charm"]] <<link "<i>I’m bigger than this. I don’t have a reason to fight back.</i> (Taciturn fool)" "prologue2.2">><<set $personality to "fool">><</link>> [[Bite your lower lip. Fighting back is the last thing you want, but hearing those heartless words, as if you didn’t give years to the company, tore something in your chest. You take a deep breath, steadying yourself as you try your best to control your emotions. (Loveable airhead)|prologue2.3][$personality to "air"]]

"What," his cruel voice echoed. The same words he kept saying to you over the years. You swivel on your heel. "I don't need your damn money. So”—you lift your hand, folding all your fingers into your palm, except for one tall, middle gesture—”fuck off.” You click your tongue, eyes dead set on the reddening face of the man across the room. “Damn boss.” "$name!" [[Continue|prologue2]]

But it was hard to admit it—considering everything he did. Everything this hell of a company did to you, to every single one of the people who quit with broken spirits. Taking in a deep breath, you straighten your back. If you have to leave, you will leave with a bit of dignity that you have left after giving everything to this company. Your back turns away from the stale gray room. And a final click of the door. [[Continue|prologue2]]

You take a step forward. Just as your toes reach the threshold of the door, something inside you snaps, like a rolling stone that has no breaks. No, I’m not going to cry…I’m tired of it. I’m not… Like coal streaked a line across your cheeks, you bite back small sobs. You immediately walk out the doors, unwilling to look back to the room, the cold and unfeeling room. [[Continue|prologue2]]

And just like that, the seasons changed, and the flowers began to bloom, and delicate scents blossomed in every corner—streets littered with people who held each other's arms, some holding chocolates and others with plushies. Nothing quite changes in this stagnant urban city of Buchanest. In a dull room, lit by a small table lamp on an oaken desk, the droning of the laptop fills the silent space with a little life. With boxes at each square foot, there is little leg room to walk around. By the desk at the corner of the room, you stretch your head forward, earphones plugged in. “$name, so have you thought about it?" You stare at the email on your laptop, glued to one word. "Hello?" Immediately letting out an awkward laugh, you reply, "Sorry, sorry. I was just a bit...I was thinking." You read through it again. Again... "Caersolvita." "Yes. From the records and will, your grandfather may have left it to you. Although, it has been years since. It's isolated from the mainland, but if you wish to claim the land—" What other choice did you have? After being let off from your job, which you thought was your dream, you thoroughly looked at your surroundings: your apartment, the piles of paper at the corner, and countless takeout food. Once a colorful life somehow turned dull. "I'll take it." Without hesitation, the person on the line replies, "Very well, then... [[Miss (woman)|prologue2.1.1][$Miss to "Miss"]] [[Mister (man)|prologue2.1.1][$Miss to "Mister"]] [[Mx (nonbinary)|prologue2.1.1][$Miss to "Mx"]]

"$Miss $name. It will take a few days to process, but you will receive a confirmation mail when it is done and have to claim it at the office." "Thank you very much," you beam. Right after, the call dropped. "Hah," a deep sigh that seems to release the weight of your shoulders pushes out your lungs, and you close your eyes. Dangling your arm off your chair, you hang your head back. Nothing else is left—no family to rely on, no friends, no job. Your grandparents, who lived with you in the city in your early years, moving away to Caersolvita as soon as you finished high school, were your only connections to a family. There are no phones, internet, or planes to take beloved messages, only letter-to-letter. The stuff they said about the place seemed like a magical wonderland. From the highland sheep, golden wheat and grain farmers, rainbows of flowers and trees. Still… <hr> [[It is exciting. New people, a new world, and a change of life. Disconnected from the binds of modern times where the internet and technology were essential, you couldn't help but feel bubbles of joy and wonder.|prologue3]] [[It is scary. Something about going somewhere so far away from life—this life that you've grown so used to, where time moved fast and days were like seconds—scared you.|prologue3]] [[There is nothing much you felt about it. What should you think about it? It was just a place that had a different culture and lifestyle from modernism and a place that your late grandparents glorified.|prologue3]]

"Whatever. It doesn't matter anyway. I ain't got a place to stay next month so I might as well move. I packed everything anyway," you grumble. The end of the month drew closer, and slowly, the light boxes in your small apartment grew fewer. The room seems emptier, like significant gaps had swallowed the things that were there, obvious to the eye at this point. By the last morning, you walk around the place, devoid of any comfort or furniture. The place where all your papers were was still there. Many things seemed out of their spot; it is also a new sign of life. You sigh and open the old, yellow book in your hand. Herbs of all kinds written in it, stories of the cliffside town—having never seen it before, you could only imagine. As you swipe through the pages, at the very end, a pressed electric cerulean blue flower sits neatly, like time hadn't passed for it. You pick up the dried stem like a fragile butterfly, taking in the unusual shape, color, and structure. Unlike the other flowers you've seen, you heard it was a special gift from Caersolvita. Perhaps endemic to the area. You put it neatly between the pages again, slapping the book closed. With a travel bag in one hand and a book in the other, you head to the door, taking one last look at your apartment before leaving. <hr> [["Well…charming as you may be—guess that's it, city life."|prologue4]] [[“To be honest…” You smile wryly. “I’m gonna miss this place a bit. Haha…”|prologue4]] [[Turning away from the apartment you called home for a few years left little sadness for you, given that you rarely care for such sentimental things. A bit taciturn of a person you are. |prologue4]]

From the time when the sun was way up till the moon was there, you don't remember how you reached the faraway land from your home city. There are many turns, mountains, new lakes, and places you'd never seen or heard of. Tumbling clouds across sunkissed skies, alight in the night are stars you'd never seen and in such bright glitters. At one point, a journey comes to an end like this. You exhale, staring at a large quarry gate like the 14th-century historical sites from stories. Tall and intimidating, you stare into the entrance where a narrow dirt road follows the patches of verdant green grass—a narrow pass like a hook-shaped island. The pathway was not so vast, and a cliff to the ocean on both sides. Grass crumbles under your feet, leaving behind a bold footprint like the history recorded in the very soils of Caersolvita. You take another step forward and approach the entrance. Just as you draw closer, the symphony of crashing waves yearning to be louder, a figure as prominent as a tree emerges from behind the quarry gate. Immediately, you stop at your step. Hooded and concealed by the black clothes, the person...too tall to be a person, far too tall, folded their arms. With a deep and stern voice, they say, "Who are you? Only the people of Caersolvita can enter at will—" "$name Floarea." The guardsman donned in black goes quiet and, without a word, steps aside. You stare at the man, taking a second before walking past him. Saliva rolls down your throat as the prickly gaze follows you through the gate. You can’t see him, but the mere presence and intensity of his gaze is obvious. If you haven't read it in the book that you hold in your hand, there is no way to have known that your name was all you needed— "Grandfather must've been known around here since his surname is pretty known..." Just as you pass the gates, the very breath of ocean air rushes through your clothes and hair. Chills run shivers through you. Just then, you look out to the west side. Like a sea pearl, the moon hung as a darling of the sky, so proud, illuminating the murky depths below. So far, yet so close, the silver giant runs its light at the body of water, and the cliffside vegetation harmonizes with the night's glitters. You walk along the narrow ground, never straying from the night view. Each step is a crunch of soft sand and grass under the foot. Unaware of the world around you, you only realized that you had already reached the cottages and petite buildings arranged far from each other, and further up the hook-like land, uphill, a plaza of a glittering fountain glowing blue under the moonlight was circled by other buildings the color of cream and oak. There are many odd shops, from the old dress fashion store, shoe stores that never seemed to age a century ago, and a bakery that was empty and likely full by dawn. Your heel clicks with each step on the bricked pathways. You purse your lips. "None of them..." Each store is dark, and there is no sign of life. After all, it is the dead of night. It would be strange to see a lively township at this hour. But that isn’t what you needed. You walk around the place to see if you had a chance of finding one thing—a job. You shake your head and give up. When the sun begins to rise, there is a higher chance of finding out. For now, you walk away from the central plaza to the lower half of Caersolvita, where buildings are sparsely separated. You freeze. A hum carried by the wind brushes past your ear. Like the songs of children that your grandfather sang for you as a child. As light as feather, yet as decadent as wine, the deep tone floats along the night breeze, singing: “Mărie, dragă Mărie Hai, hai , dragă Mărie Mărie , dragă Mărie Hai, hai , dragă Mărie De te-ar da maică-ta mie Hai, hai, maică-ta mie…” Such a lively song turned somber and graceful is something new that you haven’t heard before. Yet, the voice that carried the words holds to it an exquisite tone and cadence, like a songbird. It is as if an opera house is brought right to the countryside of Caersolvita. As you flow with the tunes, you slowly return back to reality, as the voice disappears like the blink of a light. Just then—"Wait." You immediately remove the book between your arms, flipping to the middle of a page. "$name. If you are reading this, I presume you have found your way to Caersolvita. As my last gift, follow these instructions." You read the words of your late grandfather as carefully as one would, feeling a slight prickling in your chest. Pushing those away, you continue: "To find your abode, go to the lower half of Caersolvita, and as you pass the three buildings that are in a group, painted red, blue, and yellow, you will find a place right after, nestled in the rose bushes and trees. Go inside, and you will be home." Like an ancient script, you try to follow through the words again, walking down the pathway as you read. "One building. Hedges..." You walk down further, and the bricked ground turns to a sand road. "Three buildings. Yellow. Red! Aha!" you exclaim, expectations and anxiety bubbling in your chest. You feel your steps faster and lighter as you pass the triplet buildings. Still, the pounding in your heart grows so loud that you can no longer hear the waves and the bugs in the night or the howling wind. Your walk turns to a trot, then to running. "Building. Trees, rose bushes." Your face immediately falls. The paint on the walls is chipping and discolored, with exposed bricks at the top and bottom. The door is scratched along every side, windows stained by old age, and a cracked wooden signboard in the front. "Looking to hire!" You grimace. You are looking to find work, just not quite in such a rundown, shoddy place. The darkness doesn’t help it either. Feeling as though you read it wrong, you pick up the book again, about to read it. Just then— The building ignites like a lamppost in a dark street. Beads of light fall like stardust through the coffee-scented building. No one knows about it, and even if they did, they cannot find it. When midnight strikes, it all changes. Down the bricked pathway of the town, life clicks into light, and the twinkles of windchimes carry a bitter fragrance. It is all so sudden, a bit mystical in the way that it lets its presence known. At the very top, now alight, is written in bold: The Drowsy Owl. You swallow and take a step forward, but when you do, the door bursts open. <hr> [["Oh, damn!" you shout out, stepping back. "That gave me a fright, mama."|prologue5]] [[“Kyah!” You shield your face. Hands over your bosom, a leg lifted like a pampered lady in distress.|prologue5]] [[Your body flinches at the sudden noise, and you snap your head to the side, glaring with murderous intent. |prologue5]]

"What's this?" a silky voice, charming and orderly, muses. With waist-length shiny midnight hair, eyes as red as ruby, skin so pale yet not pallid—a person, unable to differentiate as woman or man—stands in front with a light brown apron of an owl and a blue flower. Their hair in a loose ponytail, and the initial neutrality blooms into a lovely smile. A gaze sharp like the talons of a bird of prey, slim nose, and upturned lips, they tilt their heads to the side. Beautiful, devastatingly gorgeous—they stood up straight, leaning their hand on the door handle. "Hello there. Are you looking for a job?" They flash an endearing grin, the canines a bit sharper than an average person; their appearance is nothing of ordinary beauty, a bit too eerily bizarre for an average person. When you look at the cafe, then back to the dark pathway, you imagine that darkness in a city that never slept. Your lips go taut, and you wondered to yourself, there would be no harm, right? You definitely feel like you made a mistake. As you hear the ticking of the wall clock, the lingering smell of rustic wood, although varnished and coated to protect it against the ocean winds—you couldn’t help but think back on what you are going to have to expect. The beautiful stranger, Thana, from what they said, led you to your late grandfather’s house; they gave you the key to the house; they gave you the job. As if they knew you would be coming. Did grandfather know I would one day be tired of city life? Not only that. You stare at the envelope by the bedside table, sealed with a beautiful blue flower you’ve never quite seen before. You prop your body up with your arms. An urge to open and read it rushes through you, but you remember something Thana said, to only open it when it feels right. You did wonder, though, what that meant. <center><h2>Choose your route…</h2></center> [[Mature and always ready to smile: Thana|Chapter1_Thana][$ROroute to "Thana"]] Cute and full of life: Ylfa (tbd) Stoic with a bit of an awkward streak: Idris (tbd) Venomous and beautiful: Shaylah (tbd)

An expanse of bright green fields and mountainous humps stretch through the entirety of Caersolvita as you walk through the bricked streets that received tender care and had almost no algae or plants between the grout. From the way up to the northern side of the town, speckles of white wooly dots pass by like beads of dust, and they follow a figure too far to be seen, in a laced dress. The shepherdess most likely. Mellow moonlight taps its fingers across the town, a bit playful and bit loving in the way it draws a shadow to the cottages and rounded buildings like something right out of a cottagecore aesthetic: rose pink walls, creamy mint, yam roofs, and all the little slates in perfect slant. Further down the downhill path, wild flowers blossom through the summer breeze of the scarp—the home of this faraway haven. Just near the edge of the bricked road, a quaint building blinks into life, golden light through the windows and the little sign flipped to open. The chimes of bells come with it, too, and a pale face whose black hair swayed along the puff of air sung by the night. The beautiful face with deathly pale skin and eyes as red as rubies look to the road. A smile. To you. “Little $name, are you scared to start working? Come on in.” [[Heat rises to your cheeks, a quick glance away.|ch1TA_1]] [[Pouting, you shout back, “O-of course, I’m not scared!”|ch1TA_2]] [[Uhh, sorry! I’ll be there right away!” You run with untied shoelaces.|ch1TA_3]]

Thana seems to have noticed your obvious fluster, their eyes in a half-moon amusement. With a shake of their head, they lean against the door frame. What a pretty person, you think to yourself, though a tad bit annoying with that cheeky dimpled smile. <i>What’s so funny about standing outside?!</i> You puff your cheeks. Thana watches you stomp down the pathway, snickering behind their lovely pale hand, finger adorned with a golden ring, golden necklace flitting to sea breezes, cheeks dusted red from this time of year. [[continue|ch1TA_text1]]

Thana snickers into their hand, loud enough that even you could hear it from however far you are. They are deliberately doing it to let you hear, but being the airhead you are, you of course that barely clicks to your head. You are a feisty little loveable airhead, and you don’t stand down and glare with all the might of now-gone sun. You run down the pathway, hoping the evening sun would trick you into thinking that the warmth across your face was not from the unassuming cafe owner, who already is two steps ahead of your thinking. “Don’t run too fast, $name!” Thana laughs. “What if you trip and hurt yourself?” <i>So unbearably annoying!</i> You gather your strength and shout, “I won’t! I’m not some kid!” Your ears turn red when you hear more snickering. [[continue|ch1TA_text2]]

Thana gives a thumbs up with their signature smile. “Careful not to—” “Uwah!” an ugly grunt and a loud thud echo. Head straight to the ground, arms splayed out, you are a starfish out of water amongst a weeded road, and Thana a quiet observer whose lips twitch with the twinkle of their eyes. “I was going to say ‘trip,’ but—alas, maybe a bit too late.” That hurts so bad! You cry out in your head, unable to shed a single tear to the pulsing concussion, sprinkled with teeny stars in your sight. Your head lifts up and you see a smiling Thana waving their hands and a thumbs up right after. You sniffle and whine, tears right by the corner of your eyes. It’s not that you want to cry, but your body just has to cry from the pain. “There, there! Don’t you cry! Come over quickly so we can give you some medicine and start working,” Thana’s voice echoes over to you. You hold a whimper and your head in your hands. “Haha, take your time then. Don’t trip over your shoes again.” You pout and turn your head away. “Shush it! It hurts so much like I slipped a banana peel!” “Oh?” A slight giggle. “You’ve slipped on a banana peel before?” Thana’s voice trembles at the words. You take a deep breath and release from the top of your lungs, “WHEN I WAS SEVEN!” You stand up without a care in the world, Thana’s word a final push of strength. “Aww, that must’ve hurt. I’ll be sure to give you medicine from Sol’s Medicine Shop.” [[continue|ch1TA_text3]]

Your footsteps click into place right in front of Thana, who nods their head and leads their arm towards the café. “Go ahead first.” For a second, you catch their gaze, like a crimson rose of morning dew. All of sudden, heat flushes your cheeks again. How is that a person can be so pretty, and something in the way they smile is awfully charming. Almost like Thana is not human. With long black hair in a low ponytail over their shoulder, Thana glides across the floor with you closely behind them, with an occasional glance to you, you stuck along whilst they watched as you strapped the apron. [[You start the first night...|ch1TA.2]]

You freeze just at the threshold when Thana moves their leg right across the other side. “Do you want me to get some medication for you?” Their downturned gaze at your knees pin your feet right in place, and you couldn’t find the strength to move one bit. Maybe it’s from how serious their expression seems, or from how their signature smile is not there. Thana huffs and whips out a bandage and tiny flask from their pockets. “Take this.” A slight tremor in your chest and ringing in your ear make you dazed, but you manage to push it aside and take it, brushing against their cold hand just to feel like it was all for nothing when they give that smile. With long black hair in a low ponytail over their shoulder, Thana glides across the floor with you closely behind them, with an occasional glance to you, you stuck along whilst they watched as you strapped the apron. [[You start the first night...|ch1TA.2]]

A screech from the steamer whistles through the quaint café atmosphere to die down into a bubble, and the clatter of dessert plates beat in rhythm to the lo-fi background music chosen by yours truly Thana. Their music taste was mostly of the obscure kind: mostly from bizarre fusion of music which goes from ballads and metal. You observe them under the orange light shining from the back, their lovely red eyes like rubies under the sun. Even their mundane actions when they wipe an ogre-faced mug is classy. Suddenly, you notice their gaze was towards you. “$name,” a smooth voice like a shot of espresso calls out to you. “Did you rest well? Your eyes seem a bit puffy. Would you like some iced americano?” For a while, you didn’t hear their question, focused on their appearance, but when their smile deepened and mischievous glint in their eyes, you suddenly froze and pretended to look at the wall clock, marveling at nothing. “$name.” You freeze when an all-too-ominous sound of your name is called out, just for Thana to be leaning against the counter. They call you over like they would a puppy with their hand. You don’t want to guess what they would do if you don’t listen so you leave the broom and walk over, right in front of them. [[Thana watches you.|ch1TA.3]]

“Heh.” Thana smiles. “I was wondering for a while since you met me. Do you think I’m pretty?” Is that even a question, you wondered to yourself. “I—I think anyone would think that?” “Hmm.” They lean forward, hand against their glossy skin, red lips upturned. “Do you like me?” You feel all sense numb, before a bout of heat flashes over you. “Wh—who are you kidding?! I just met you!” An obvious fake smile crosses their face. “I was just kidding, of course.” The smile returns. “Many people think I’m either a man or a woman, unable to tell. Can you tell?” They are indeed beautiful. You are sure of that, but their androgyny is beyond that. You really couldn’t tell, but you’d also not guess—still, that look of absolute curiosity is undeniable… [[“Are you a woman?”|ch1TA_4][$tgen to "female", $Madame to "Madame", $hethan to "she", $histhan to "hers", $himthan to "her"]] [["Are you a man?"|ch1TA_4][$tgen to "male", $Madame to "Mister", $hethan to "he", $histhan to "his", $himthan to "him"]] [[“Just curious, but is being identified as either important to you? If it is, you can tell me, of course!|ch1TA_5][$tgen to "nonbinary", $hethan to "they", $histhan to "theirs", $himthan to "them", $theirthan to "theirs"]]

To your words, Thana’s smile deepens. “Am I now? Let me know, what would you like me to be?” “Eh?” Your blinked at Thana's words. “I don't understand.” Thana stands up straight but immediately leans straight forward to you, noses just barely apart as they gazed into your eyes, lashes set against your own. “Would you like me to be that?” You feel their breath against your cheek, but before you lose all your senses, they pull back and snicker with the flick of their hair and a sassy smirk. A pout reaches your lips and you look away. You were always easily flustered, and since you met Thana, you dearly hoped they wouldn't find out—but someone like your new boss is too quick to tell. or a moment, you consider it before looking up. “I. uhm, want you to be who you want to be. I don't know how else to phrase it.” Thana’s smile drops, eyes as wide and as bright as the stars. They remain in that position before a helpless smile appears. “That is a first. Very well, call me your very own $Madame. Now then” —they sidestepped and led their arm to the backside of the counter— “why not start your training, Barista $name? I have a feeling that we will have plenty of fun working together.” You would normally blush at Thana’s—no, $histhan words, but this time, nothing much, except a warm, fuzzy feeling and the desire of the future you are yet to start.

Thana freezes, face as still as a painting. Full of vigor, mischievous intent, you were expecting a witty rebuttal or a sassy remark, but neither. A perfectly solemn expression as beautiful as a still-life photograph is the simple but true expression of Thana. You wonder if this is their first time hearing something like this. Just as you are about to call out, a spout of laughter is followed by a stream of jubilance. “Goodness, I did not expect that at all.” They wiped a tear from their eye. “$name, that was the first time anyone said that to me. Thank you for that. Why should we let ourselves be defined into mere narrow constructs, although we find comfort in it, too. Can we not find comfort in something else besides being a woman or a man?” You grin too, feeling a bit too happy from the usually cool-headed Thana. “So, is there anything you want me to refer to you by?” Thana shakes their head. “No, not exactly. I like this, too—this ambiguity. I’m fine with being a woman or man too. Sometimes, though, I wouldn’t mind a non-linear part of it all.” They flick their hair back and gesture to the back of the counter. “Why not join me, $name? Let’s begin your training, trainees barista.” You would normally blush at Thana’s—no, $his words, but this time, nothing much, except a warm, fuzzy feeling and the desire of the future you are yet to start.

An expanse of bright green fields and mountainous humps stretch through the entirety of Caersolvita as you walk through the bricked streets that received tender care and had almost no algae or plants between the grout. From the way up to the northern side of the town, speckles of white wooly dots pass by like beads of dust, and they follow a figure too far to be seen, in a laced dress. The shepherdess most likely. Mellow moonlight taps its fingers across the town, a bit playful and bit loving in the way it draws a shadow to the cottages and rounded buildings like something right out of a cottagecore aesthetic: rose pink walls, creamy mint, yam roofs, and all the little slates in perfect slant. Further down the downhill path, wild flowers blossom through the summer breeze of the scarp—the home of this faraway haven. Just near the edge of the bricked road, a quaint building blinks into life, golden light through the windows and the little sign flipped to open. The chimes of bells come with it, too, and a pale face whose black hair swayed along the puff of air sung by the night. The beautiful face with deathly pale skin and eyes as red as rubies look to the road. A smile. To you. “Lovely $name, are you scared to start working? Come on in.” [[You sigh and nod, uncaring of what Thana says.|ch1TF_1]] [[You give a slight smile and speed up.|ch1TF_2]] [[“Alright,” you grumble and glare at Thana.|ch1TF_3]]

As you continue down the pathway to the little cafe, the cold breeze nips your skin. You snuggle into your warm jacket and pull the scarf closer to your face. Living the city life kept you warmer in its all too modern skyscrapers, high-tech homes insulated from inside out. You once couldn’t imagine a life outside of that comfort, but out here in the open cliffside town, the tallest building you would find is a barn deep in the forest to the east. Thana calls out again, “$name, aren’t you feeling cold? I wouldn’t want my new trainee to freeze to death now.” The voice is different from what you hear in the city life: full of emotions and gentle remarks. You look up to see a radiant smile, as bright as the sun during the golden hour. Thana’s skin glistens like diamond under the orange rays, black hair like opal, and eyes like ruby. Back in the city, you would’ve never been able to see such bright light. Laughter fills the air the closer you get, and you see the wind undid Thana’s hair from the ponytail, black locks fluttering to the wind. You stare for a little too long before looking away, but you could still feel their gaze on you. [[continue|ch1TF_text1]]

Thana’s smile softens. With their body relaxed against the doorframe, arms crossed against their chest, they wince and close their eyes to the wind, red lips taut as if it would usher away the gale. You also cringe back, gathering your jacket into your body, the scarf tight around your neck. You’d rather choke to death anyway before allowing a bit of cold air. The sound of laughter flits to your ears, and you raise your head just enough to catch a glimpse of reddened cheeks, soft smile, with a gaze one can only call the classic ethereal gaze you would find in movies. When you gaze at what is nothing less than a daydream haze, you wonder if Thana is aware just how beautiful they are. You almost cringe at your thought. Of course someone like Thana would know that. As if Thana could read your mind, their face lights up in mischievous curiosity, something that is far too easily told. A chill runs through you, and you kindly remind yourself: Thana was and has been a bit too playful from the beginning. With this in mind, you keep a watchful gaze. [[continue|ch1TF_text2]]

You didn’t understand why they were so cheerful. “What was that?” Thana voices out, their playful tone like bells in the wind. A rush of cold brings you to shivers, maybe it was the slight feeling of a sadistic undertone to Thana’s voice. As you gather the jacket and scarf, and hug yourself like a couple of baby owls, the howling wind nearly knocks you off your feet. You nearly curse and begin to speed up. It’s just a cold and equally hot day. The evening sun does little to ocean winds but does its best to make you sweat under the thick coat and wooly scarf. You look up, wondering how Thana fares to the gale, just to see a lovely smile and rosy cheeks, like starlight under golden sun rays. As you look on, Thana laughs, gesturing you to hurry up. “Come on, you’re going to turn into a snowball, $name.” [[continue|ch1TF_text3]]

“Hm.” Thana chuckles. “Go ahead first.” For a second, you catch their gaze, like a crimson rose of morning dew. You wonder for a moment, lost in the deep red that shone like rubies. There is something so captivating about Thana that you can’t quite put your finger on. It isn’t like you haven’t seen beautiful people before; Buchanest city is a for the fairest of them all, and the streets are swarmed with celebrities from all lists. With long black hair in a low ponytail over their shoulder, Thana glides across the floor with you closely behind them, with an occasional glance to you, you stuck along whilst they watched as you strapped the apron. [[You start the first night...|ch1TF.2]]

Just shy of a hand away from Thana, they do a quick sidestep from your line of steps as if you are a ticking time bomb. “Your beautiful eyes shouldn’t stare so angrily at me, $name.” Thana says those words as they lean forward only for their face to be a few inches apart from yours. Like a flare of the sun snapped right to your face, it feels like a fire came alight, and all you could see is the amused smile on Thana’s face. With long black hair in a low ponytail over their shoulder, Thana glides across the floor with you closely behind them, with an occasional glance to you, you stuck along whilst they watched as you strapped the apron. [[You start the first night...|ch1TF.2]]

A screech from the steamer whistles through the quaint café atmosphere to die down into a bubble, and the clatter of dessert plates beat in rhythm to the lo-fi background music chosen by yours truly Thana. Their music taste was mostly of the obscure kind: mostly from bizarre fusion of music which goes from ballads and metal. You observe them under the orange light shining from the back, their lovely red eyes like rubies under the sun. Even their mundane actions when they wipe an ogre-faced mug is classy. Suddenly, you notice their gaze was towards you. “$name,” a smooth voice like a shot of espresso calls out to you. “Did you rest well? Your eyes seem a bit puffy. Would you like some iced americano?” For a while, you didn’t hear their question, focused on their appearance, but when their smile deepened and mischievous glint in their eyes, you suddenly froze. You never quite had the experience with an overly friendly boss, and they were a unique one. “$name.” You freeze when an all-too-ominous sound of your name is called out, just for Thana to be leaning against the counter. They call you over like they would a puppy with their hand. You don’t want to guess what they would do if you don’t listen, so you leave the broom and walk over, right in front of them. [[Thana watches you.|ch1TF.3]]

“Heh.” Thana smiles. “I was wondering for a while since you met me. Do you think I’m pretty?” You raise your eyebrow at the question. “Yes. Anyone would think so.” “I love how serious you are. Hmm.” They lean forward, hand against their glossy skin, red lips upturned. “What do you think of me?” “What do you mean by that?” A cheeky grin reveals their incredibly sharp canines. “Are you charmed by me?” You feel all sense numb, before a bout of heat flashes over you. “I just met you…!” An obvious fake smile crosses their face, something even a fool like you could tell. “I was just kidding, of course. Many people think I’m either a man or a woman, unable to tell. Can you tell?” They are indeed beautiful. You are sure of that, but their androgyny is beyond that. You really couldn’t tell, but you’d also not guess—still, that look of absolute curiosity is undeniable… [[“Are you a woman?”|ch1TF_4][$tgen to "female", $Madame to "Madame", $hethan to "she", $histhan to "hers", $himthan to "her"]] [["Are you a man?"|ch1TF_4][$tgen to "male", $Madame to "Mister", $hethan to "he", $histhan to "his", $himthan to "him"]] [[“Just curious, but is being identified as either important to you? If it is, you can tell me, of course!|ch1TF_5][$tgen to "nonbinary", $hethan to "they", $histhan to "theirs", $himthan to "them", $theirthan to "theirs"]]

To your words, Thana’s smile deepens. “Am I now? Let me know, what would you like me to be?” Your eyebrows furrowed at Thana’s words. “Like you to be?” Thana stands up straight but immediately leans straight forward to you, noses just barely apart as they gazed into your eyes, lashes set against your own. “Would you like me to be that?” You feel their breath against your cheek, but before you lose all your senses, they pull back and snicker with the flick of their hair and a sassy smirk. A pout reaches your lips and you look away. Their question is a bit odd, and that is putting it lightly. For a moment, you consider it before looking up. “I want you to be who you want to be.” Thana’s smile drops, eyes as wide and as bright as the stars. They remain in that position before a helpless smile appears. “That is a first. Very well, call me your very own $Madame. Now then” —they sidestepped and led their arm to the backside of the counter— “why not start your training, barista $name? I have a feeling that we will have plenty of fun working together.” You would normally sigh at Thana’s—no, $his words, but this time, nothing much, except a warm, fuzzy feeling and the desire of the future you are yet to start.

Thana freezes, face as still as a painting. Full of vigor, mischievous intent, you were expecting a witty rebuttal or a sassy remark, but neither. A perfectly solemn expression as beautiful as a still-life photograph is the simple but true expression of Thana. You wonder if this is their first time hearing something like this. Just as you are about to call out, a spout of laughter is followed by a stream of jubilance. “Goodness, I did not expect that at all.” They wiped a tear from their eye. “$name, that was the first time anyone said that to me. Thank you for that. Why should we let ourselves be defined into mere narrow constructs, although we find comfort in it, too. Can we not find comfort in something else besides being a woman or a man?” You nod your head, the infectious joy from the usual cool-headed Thana getting to you. “So, is there anything you want me to refer to you by?” Thana shakes their head. “No, not exactly. I like this, too—this ambiguity. I’m fine with being a woman or man too. Sometimes, though, I wouldn’t mind a non-linear part of it all.” They flick their hair back and gesture to the back of the counter. “Why not join me, $name? Let’s begin your training, trainees barista.” You would normally sigh at Thana’s—no, $his words, but this time, nothing much, except a warm, fuzzy feeling and the desire of the future you are yet to start.

<<set $chapter to "Chap1Thana">> <center><h2>Chapter 1: Thana</h2></center> <center><b>Location:</b> <i>The Drowsy Owl</i></center> <center><<button "Welcome to The Drowsy Owl, $name…">> <<if $personality is "air">><<goto "ch1TA">> <<elseif $personality is "fool">><<goto "ch1TF">> <<else>><<goto "ch1TC">> <</if>> <</button>></center>

<center><<button "----NEW GAME----" "CharacterCreation">><</button>></center> <center><<button "--RESUME GAME--">><<run Save.autosave.load()>><</button>></center> <center><<button "----LOAD GAME----">><<run UI.saves();>><</button>></center> <center><<button "----SETTINGS----">><<run UI.settings();>><</button>></center> <center><<button "Content Warnings">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Content Warnings"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Content Warnings").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</button>></center>

<<run UIBar.unstow();>> Welcome to Midnights in the Drowsy Owl! Before you continue into the establishment, please give us your name for verification. <<textbox "$name" $name>> <<button "Confirm">> <<set $name to $name.trim(), $name to $name.toUpperFirst()>>>> <<if $name is "" || $name is "undefined">> <<replace "#name-error">>Please enter a name.<</replace>> <<elseif $name is "Kanri" || $name is "Buns">> <<replace "#name-error">>Haha, real funny...<</replace>> <<elseif $name is "Thana" || $name is "Ylfa" || $name is "Idris" || $name is "Shaylah">> <<replace "#name-error">>This is one of the main ROs' names.<</replace>> <<else>> <<goto "prologueintro">> <</if>> <</button>> <span id="name-error"></span>

<<set $response to false>> <<set $text to "">> <<set $chapter to "Beginning">> /*Who MC Is*/ <<set $name = "">> <<set $mcgender = "female">> <<set $boy = "girl">> <<set $brother = "sister">> <<set $son = "daughter">> <<set $he = "she">> <<set $his = "her">> <<set $his_p = "hers">> <<set $him = "her">> <<set $man = "woman">> <<set $eye = "blue">> <<set $hair = "black">> <<set $skin = "olive">> <<set $hairtype = "curly">> <<set $length = "short">> <<set $height = "smol">> <<set $scar = "none">> <<set $clothing = "feminine">> /* MC Personality */ <<set $personality to "none">> <<set $mcgen = "male">> <<set $Miss = "Mister">> /* Characters */ /* Thana */ <<set $tgen = "nonbinary">> <<set $Madame = "Mister">> <<set $hethan = "they">> <<set $histhan = "their">> <<set $himthan = "them">> <<set $theirthan = "theirs">> /* Relationships */ <<set $authorlove to 20>> <<set $ROroute = "none">> <<set $love to 0>> /*Codex*/ <<set $prologue = false>>

<span class="author">by <a href="https://redbeanbunsworld.tumblr.com//" target="_blank">redbeanbuns</a> & <a href="https://redbeanbunsworld.tumblr.com//" target="_blank">Ace</a></span>

<<link "Character">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Character"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Character").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</link>> <<link "Relationships">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Relationships"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Relationships").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</link>> <<link "Credits">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Credits"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Credits").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</link>> </span>

[[Twine/Sugarcube 2 Template by a.w. morgan|https://awmorgan.itch.io/twine-sugarcube-template]] [[Sugarcube 2 Documentation|https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs]] [[OpenDyslexic Font by Abbie Gonzalez|https://opendyslexic.org]] [[Notify Macro by Chapel|https://github.com/ChapelR/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2]] [[Live Update Macro by Cycy|https://github.com/cyrusfirheir/cycy-wrote-custom-macros]]

<<button "You">> <<replace "#passage" t8n>> <<include MC>> <</replace>> <</button>> <<button "Thana">> <<replace "#passage" t8n>> <<include Thana>> <</replace>> <</button>> <span id="passage"> <<include MC>> </span>

You are $personality

The interesting owner...

Please