<<if $talk > 0 && $talk < 888 && $talk != 64 && $return != -1&& $talk != 31 && $talk != 40 && $talk != 44>>[[<|$char][$talk = $return]]<<endif>><<if $talk == 0>>[[Yourself|$char][$talk = 1]][[Spooks|$char][$talk = 2]][[Food|$char][$talk = 3]]<<if $hgf == 0>>[[Be Ghostfriends?|$char][$talk = 31]]<<else>>[[Ghostfriends|$char][$talk = 311]]<<endif>>[[Leave?|$char][$talk = 4]]<<elseif $talk == 1>><<set $return = 0>>[[Story|$char][$talk = 5; $h5 = 1]][[Life|$char][$talk = 6]][[Death|$char][$talk = 7]]<<if $h5 > 0>>[[Career|$char][$talk = 8]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 8>><<set $return = 1>>[[Films|$char][$talk = 16]][[Theatre|$char][$talk = 17]][[People|$char][$talk = 18]]<<if $c63 > 0>>[[Extra?|$char][$talk = 64]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 16>><<set $return = 8>>[[Love Them!|$char][$talk = 36]][[Hate Them!|$char][$talk = 37]][[Haven't Seen Them|$char][$talk = 38]]<<elseif $talk == 36>><<set $return = 8>><<if $k44 == 0>>[[The Hydra|$char][$talk = 41]]<<else>>[[Cassandra's Dream|$char][$talk = 56]]<<endif>><<if $hcath == 0>>[[A Chimneysweep's Lament|$char][$talk = 42]][[One Flew Over The Fat Man's Chest|$char][$talk = 43]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 17>><<set $return = 8>>[[Acting|$char][$talk = 39]]<<if $k20 > 0>>[[Writing|$char][$talk = 40]]<<endif>><<if $k52 > 0>>[[Ghost Theatre|$char][$talk = 63]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 40>><<set $return = -1>>[[I'd Love To|$char][$talk = 52; $return = 17]][[I Don't Want To|$char][$talk = 53; $return = 17]]<<elseif $talk == 18>><<set $return = 8>>[[Aubrey Hepbum|$char][$talk = 57]][[Frank Chrysler Chapel|$char][$talk = 58]]<<elseif $talk == 64>><<set $return = -1>>[[I Believe You|$char][$talk = 59; $return = 1]][[I Don't Believe You|$char][$talk = 60; $return = 1]]<<elseif $talk == 2>><<set $return = 0>><<if $init1 > 0>>[[Corsair|$char][$talk = 10]]<<endif>><<if $init3 > 0>>[[Kal|$char][$talk = 11]]<<endif>><<if $init4 > 0>>[[Soul|$char][$talk = 12]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 10>><<set $return = 2>>[[Selfish?|$char][$talk = 19]][[Deeds?|$char][$talk = 20]][[Collections?|$char][$talk = 21]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 23]]<<if $s69 > 0>>[[Invited You?|$char][$talk = 24]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 19>><<set $return = 10>>[[Upbringing?|$char][$talk = 61; $h61 = 1]]<<elseif $talk == 23>><<set $return = 10>>[[Inferiority Complex?|$char][$talk = 44]]<<elseif $talk == 44>><<set $return = -1>>[[Haha!|$char][$talk = 49]][[Ouch!|$char][$talk = 50]]<<elseif $talk == 24>><<set $return = 10>>[[He Likes You|$char][$talk = 46]][[He Hates You|$char][$talk = 47]]<<elseif $talk == 11>><<set $return = 2>>[[Games?|$char][$talk = 25]][[Theatre?|$char][$talk = 26]]<<if $h26 > 0>>[[Improv?|$char][$talk = 62]]<<endif>>[[Personal?|$char][$talk = 27]]<<elseif $talk == 27>><<set $return = 11>>[[Sad Story?|$char][$talk = 48]]<<elseif $talk == 12>><<set $return = 2>>[[Sweet?|$char][$talk = 28]][[Quiet?|$char][$talk = 29]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 51]]<<elseif $talk == 3>><<set $return = 0>>[[Me|$char][$talk = 13]][[Annabel|$char][$talk = 14]][[Others?|$char][$talk = 15]]<<elseif $talk == 13>><<set $return = 3>><<if $h5 > 0>>[[I'm An Ac-tor|$char][$talk = 30]]<<endif>>[[Let Me Go|$char][$talk = 32]][[Eat Me|$char][$talk = 33]]<<elseif $talk == 31>><<set $return = -1>><<if $h31 != 2>>[[Yes|$char][$talk = 54]][[No|$char][$talk = 55]]<<else>>[[I'm Serious|$char][$talk = 54]][[I'm Rehearsing|$char][$talk = 55]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 14>><<set $return = 3>>[[Eat Her|$char][$talk = 34]][[Let Her Go|$char][$talk = 35]]/% BASE TALK%/<<elseif $talk == 991>>[[.......|dining][$char = "dining"; $talk = 0; $resetchar = 1]]<<elseif $talk == 999>>[[Restart Ghost Party...|Start][$restarted = 1]]<<endif>><<if $engage == 0 && $talk < 888 && $return > -1>>[[>|dining][$char = "dining"; $resetchar = 1; $talk = 0]]<<endif>>

<img class=img1 src="images/corsair.jpg">

<<if $kalhide == 1 && $kaltime == 0>><<display 'Kal'>><<else>><div class="mytext"><<if $kaltime > 0>><<set $kaltime -= 1>><<endif>><<if $resetchar == 1>><<set $resetchar = 0; $char = "Annabel"; $talk = 0; $return = 0>><<endif>><<display 'imgannabel'>><<if $prog == 0>><<if $talk == 0>>Annabel: Good evening, I’m Annabel. I take it, like myself, you are a guest at this chateau?\nMe: It’s a pleasure. \n\n//I seat myself on the opposite end of the table//\n\nMe: I guess the others haven’t arrived yet. It is funny, but you know I could have sworn I heard a man’s voice.\nAnnabel: ... You do know what is happening here, right?<<elseif $talk == 1>>Me: Why, just as the letter said, I expect this will be a lively get together of certain acquaintances we haven’t seen in quite some time.\nAnnabel: If this is what you think then you were duped. Tricked! Bamboozled, even! Same as I was, I’m afraid. This house-- it is full of ghosts. I don’t believe this will be a party either one of us will be enjoying very much.\nMe: Oh, Annabel. I think you and I will become great friends.<<elseif $talk == 2>>Me: Why, free food and drinks, of course. I wouldn’t dream of leaving my home without at least a promise of that.\nAnnabel: There is wine, yes. It’s aged quite a bit, not a bad vintage at all, I must say. However... the ghosts. This house-- it is full of ghosts! I don’t believe this will be a party either one of us will be enjoying very much.\nMe: Oh, Annabel. I think you and I will become great friends.<<elseif $talk == 3>>Me: You mean to frighten me? I suppose we’ll be dining with the departed former residents of this estate, who have come to live together as a family of GHOSTS! Hahaha! I hope you don’t think me too macabre.\nAnnabel: Though you may jest, this house is indeed haunted! It is //full// of ghosts, in fact! I don’t believe this will be a party either one of us will be enjoying very much.\nMe: Oh, Annabel. I think you and I will become great friends.<<elseif $talk == 4>>//???: Huhahahaha…\n??!: Fnyaou, fnyaou, fnyaou…\n?!?: Shee-shee-shee-sha-sha-sha…\n!! !??: Baha! Bah! Baha.//\n\nMe: Wha... what was that?! ...... Oh.<<endif>><<else>><<if $talk == 0>><<if $init5 == 0>><<set $init5 = 1>><<if $gameend == 0>>Annabel: So you didn't believe me when I told you there were ghosts, but look. Not one, two, or three... there's four of them, and they're all hungry.<<else>>Annabel: All the ghosts... they disappeared. Is-- is it safe now?<<endif>><<else>><<if $gameend == 1>>Annabel: All the ghosts... they disappeared. Is-- is it safe now?<<elseif $avar == 1>>Annabel: Can I actually eat these things? The environment here is so ambiguous.<<elseif $avar == 2>>Annabel: I see you're still uneaten so... that's something.<<elseif $avar == 3>>Annabel: Do //you// want to be //ghostfriends// with //me//?... no, not like that, Annabel. Gotta be more casual.<<elseif $avar == 4>>Annabel: My grandfather was an exorcist. He'd know what to do...<<else>>Annabel: Did the little one try to bite you yet? He got ghost drool all over me. It disappeared instantly, but it was still extremely unpleasant.<<set $avar = 0>><<endif>><<set $avar += 1>><<endif>><<elseif $talk == 1>><<if $gameend == 0>>Me: Could you tell me about yourself?\nAnnabel: My name is Annabel, I own a small art gallery in Belleville. I thought what luck I should be invited here tonight. Perhaps I made the right impression on a dashing young man, I thought... Instead, I'm the main course at a dinner for phantoms!<<else>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: We're safe now, Annabel. The ghosts are gone.\nAnnabel: My, I was so frightened I could hardly move! I can breathe a bit easier now.<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 2>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: I'm usually fairly good at dealing with odd situations like this.\nAnnabel: Really?\nMe: Of course... Well, perhaps not quite like this, it certainly is a particularly odd pickle we find ourselves in, isn’t it?\nAnnabel: I should say so.\n<<elseif $talk == 3>>Me: Can we talk about the spooks?\nAnnabel: <<if ($cgf + $sgf + $kgf + $hgf) > 1>>You've been making friends with them, haven't you? Maybe they'll tell you something they wouldn't tell me.<<else>>They see me as food. What is there to talk about?<<endif>><<if $init1 == 0 && $init2 == 0 && $init3 == 0 && $init4 == 0>>\nMe: Actually, I don't even know what they're called yet...<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 4>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: So what kind people do you usually like to eat?\nAnnabel: What?... Good lord! I'm still alive here, remember?!\nMe: Oh! Right. I apologize… force of habit.\n<<elseif $talk == 5>><<if $gameend == 0>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: You should leave, Annabel.\nAnnabel: Believe me, I would love nothing better, but how could I with all these hungry ghosts around?\nMe: ……<<if ($ca + $ha + $ka + $sa) > 1>> Well I have been trying to persuade them to let you go.\nAnnabel: Really? Why, thank you. That means a lot. No one has ever tried to save me from being eaten before.<<endif>><<else>><<set $return = -1>>Me: You can go now, Annabel. I managed to persuade the spooks we're not worth eating.\nAnnabel: What? Really? Oh my, you are just wonderful! //Wonderful//! I can't thank you enough! Why, I could just hug you!<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 6>>Me: Fret not, Annabel. I shall save us both from this predicament. Incidentally, if you had any thoughts to help me... save us, now would be a fine time to enlighten me.\nAnnabel: Well, I've been trying my darnedest to make them like me. I thought you can't eat someone you like, right? And some of them seem reasonable enough<<if $a6 == 2>>, but even you said you would //eat// me! Oh, the horror…<<else>>. I mean I try to be good company, you wouldn't eat me would you?<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 7>><<set $talk = 991>>Me: I'm sorry, Annabel, I just don't see a way to get out of this. These ghosts seem very determined.\nAnnabel: Woe is me! My mother warned me it would end this way. I didn't listen. I just had to be the smart, independent, self-reliant and career-driven young woman I've become.\nMe: Don't blame yourself. It's clear now that we can unwittingly become ghost food without any forewarning... You //almost// lived a long and fulfilling life, right?\nAnnabel: Oh! No-hohoho...\nMe: Did I say something wrong?\n \n//She needed a moment.//\n<<elseif $talk == 8>>Me: <<if $a6 == 2>>Do forgive me. That was just a bit of gallows humour, I’m afraid. Eat a<<else>>Of course not! A<<endif>> lovely lady like you? I wouldn't dream of it.\nAnnabel: Thank you. I... I wouldn't eat you, too.<<set $talk = 991; $a6 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 9>>Me: Well, if I had to eat anyone, I should say I would certainly be glad if it were you.\nAnnabel: .......\nMe: That was a compliment.\nAnnabel: Oh, god! What have I gotten myself into...\n\n//She needed a moment.//<<set $talk = 991; $a6 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 10>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: What can you tell me about Corsair?\nAnnabel: He makes a big show of everything, doesn't he? Still, if he owned this chateau, colour me impressed. I've been trying to win his favour by telling him how wonderful his... hobbies are.\n<<elseif $talk == 11>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: What can you tell me about Halle?\nAnnabel: She's lovely. I think we'd be friends… were it not for the fact she'd like to eat me.\n<<elseif $talk == 12>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: What do you have to say about Kal?\nAnnabel: What a brat! He tried to bite me without even an introduction. Buy a lady a drink first, you know? And I cannot understand a single thing he says, really I can not.\n<<elseif $talk == 13>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: What can you tell me about Soul?\nAnnabel: She's fairly quiet isn't she? Though, I have noticed her eyeing me… as though she were measuring my girth. Makes me rather uncomfortable, indeed.\nMe: I’m sorry to hear that.\n<<elseif $talk == 14>>Me: I could accept a hug...\nAnnabel: Oh, haha! You're having a laugh at me. Of course if we hugged, you'd go right through me.\nMe: ........\nAnnabel: ... because you're a ghost, like the others...\n<<elseif $talk == 15>>Me: Oh, a good deed is its own reward, Annabel. You should go home now and enjoy your life.\nAnnabel: Thank you so much, dear friend. I will not forget you, you are a truly good and kind ghost.\n<<elseif $talk == 16>><<set $talk = 888>>Me: I... I didn't realize I've been a ghost all this time.\nAnnabel: What do you mean?...... Oh, dear me. I just thought... you seemed to be getting along so well with the others, I thought this was your home, too.\nMe: ... It's alright. I-- I think maybe it can be.\nAnnabel: ......\nMe: Well, Miss Annabel, you have the rest of your life to find. And I believe I have a play to catch. Good evening to you and merry fortunes.\nAnnabel: … Good evening.\n\n//She left the chateau, but others would come, and next time they may have five hungry ghosts to contend with.//\n<<elseif $talk == 17>><<set $talk = 888>>Me: Ha! Why, of course. Naturally, I was only joking. It truly has been wonderful meeting you, Annabel.\nAnnabel: And you as well. Thank you so much.\nMe: Well, I should say you now have the rest of your life to find. And I believe I have a play to catch. Farewell, Annabel.\nAnnabel: Farewell...\n\n//She left the chateau, but others would come, and next time they may have five hungry ghosts to contend with.//\n<<elseif $talk == 18>><<set $talk = 888>>Me: Ah! Of course, I couldn't just sit by and let the others //eat// you. It really has been wonderful meeting you, Annabel.\nAnnabel: And you as well. Thank you so much.\nMe: Well, I should say you now have the rest of your life to find. And I believe I have a play to catch. Farewell, Annabel.\nAnnabel: Farewell...\n\n//She left the chateau, but others would come, and next time they may have five hungry ghosts to contend with.///% TALK BASE %/<<endif>><<endif>></div>\n<div id=navbar><<display 'annabelopts'>></div><<endif>>

<<if $ccath == 1 && $cgf == 1 && $hcath == 1 && $hgf == 1 && $kcath == 1 && $kgf == 1 && $scath == 1 && $sgf == 1>><<display 'CorsEnd'>><<else>><<if $kalhide == 1 && $kaltime == 0>><<display 'Kal'>><<else>><div class="mytext"><<if $kaltime > 0>><<set $kaltime -= 1>><<endif>><<if $resetchar == 1>><<set $resetchar = 0; $char = "Halle"; $talk = 0; $return = 0>><<endif>><<display 'imghalle'>>/% TALK %/<<if $talk == 0>><<if $init2 == 0>><<set $init2 = 1>>Halle: Oh, darling. You do know where the party is. Yes, I am //the// Dame Halle. Let me guess, you've seen me in everything I've ever done.<<else>><<if $hvar == 1>>Halle: Back again darling? Don't tell me, you've fallen in l-o-v-e.<<elseif $hvar == 2>>//Halle bats her eyes and pats my shoulder, instead her hand goes through my arm and shivers run down my spine.//\n\nHalle: Ooh! I think we just had a real connection there. Teehee.<<elseif $hvar == 3>><<elseif $hvar == 4>>Halle: I certainly hope what happened to the others doesn't happen to you... Oh! did I say that?<<else>>Halle: I would live to see you smile, sweetheart... were I only alive.<<set $hvar = 0>><<endif>><<set $hvar += 1>><<endif>><<elseif $talk == 1>><<if $h4 == 0>><<set $h4 = 1>>Me: Miss Halle, may I ask you about yourself?\nHalle: Of course, dear. I always have time for my fans.<<else>>Me: Do you mind if we talked about you some more?\nHalle: Of course not, dear. I always have time for my fans.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 2>>Me: Can I ask you about your ghost buddies?\nHalle: What about them?<<if $init1 == 0 && $init3 == 0 && $init4 == 0>>\nMe: Umm… I actually don't even know their names.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 3>>Me: Can we talk about… food?\n<<if $hgf == 0>>Halle: Well, you look mighty good to me.<<else>>Halle: When food keeps talking to you, how can you possibly eat it?<<endif>>\nMe: ……\n<<elseif $talk == 4>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: So, maybe I will take my leave now? Of course, I'll come visit and everything…\n<<if $hleave == 0>><<if $hgf == 0>>Halle: You can leave after dinner, dear.\nMe: But I'm the food…\nHalle: And?<<elseif $hcath == 0>>Halle: Surely, you can't leave yet. We have so much more to discuss.\nMe: Oh, of course.<<else>><<set $hleave = 1>>Halle: But you will miss our play…\nMe: I shall have to come back for it.\nHalle: Oh, well... I suppose if the others are fine with it, it's okay by me.\nMe: Thank you.<<endif>><<else>>Halle: Like I said, if you must leave I don't mind. But do come visit, dear.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 5>><<if $h5 == 0>><<set $h5 = 1>><<endif>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: Could you tell me about some of the things you've done, Miss Halle?\nHalle: Well, I was swept up by the tumultuous tempest of the theatric world as an adolescent. I appeared in many a film and play, and schmoozed with a good number of highly acclaimed individuals.\n<<elseif $talk == 6>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: Can you tell me what your life was like?\nHalle: My life is all about… Flair! Drama! Bold fashion! Elegance above all else! When you're me, everything moves so fast, and everyone wants to meet you, spend time with you… be with you. It has been a wild ride, darling, let me tell you.\n<<elseif $talk == 7>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: I couldn't help but wonder how a talented lady such as yourself became a ghost…\nHalle: Oh, dear me… You know how these things can happen. One moment you're filming a picture by none other than world famous director Frank Chrysler Chapel, the next you're being strangled in your dressing room by the most mysterious gentleman.\nMe: ……\nHalle: I'm not bitter. I left the stage at the peak of my career. My fans love and mourn me like none other. It couldn't be more poetic.\n<<elseif $talk == 8>>Me: May I ask you about your career, Miss Halle?\nHalle: Frankly, I'd be shocked if you didn't.<<elseif $talk == 10>>Me: What can you tell me about Corsair?\nHalle: Outrageous fortune! Must I recount this person's doings and goings about to you? A selfish fiend he is! Ever fixated on being recognized for what petty deeds he does and accumulating things to show off to others.\n<<elseif $talk == 11>>Me: What can you tell me about Kal?\nHalle: A child wonder, that boy. So energetic and fun-loving. He will play all day if you let him, and you couldn't stop him if you wanted to most days. Unless of course you were me and you were putting together one of my famous productions. Heehee.\n<<elseif $talk == 12>>Me: What can you tell me about Soul?\nHalle: Soul is a sweet, quiet child. You would never hear any complaints about her, Kal is the troublemaker.\n<<elseif $talk == 13>>Me: How do you feel about me?\nHalle: <<if $hgf == 1>>You're a true ghost friend, dear.<<elseif $hfeel < 2>>You seem like a dish best served warm.<<else>>I feel I can get along with you.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 14>>Me: What can you tell me about Annabel?\n<<if $aeaten == 0>>Halle: A bit of an inconspicuous mouse, isn't she? If I had to guess, I'd say she's speechless from this fine company we have here. But she looks tasty enough.<<else>><<set $talk = 3>>Halle: She was rather filling, in fact. I shan't be overdoing it like that again anytime soon.\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 15>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: So, what kinds of people do you usually like to eat?\nHalle: Well, I'm mostly vegetarian, but some people are like vegetables anyway. Still, I'll try anything once.\n<<elseif $talk == 16>>Me: Can you tell me <<if $h16 > 0>>more <<endif>>about some of the films you've been in?\nHalle: Well, I'm sure you've seen most of them. They always play them on the tube. I have 26 films to my name, that's nearly as many as Grace Kelly you know? <<if $h16 == 3>>But you said you haven't seen them, have you?<<else>>You have seen them, haven't you?<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 17>>Me: Tell me about the theatre.\nHalle: Ooooh! I got chills just thinking about the stage, the feeling of being up there is nothing short of exhilarating. The sound of the cheering crowd, being beneath the bright lights, an audience of three hundred watching your every move, listening to your every word. What could be more fulfilling? I have toured all across Europe and the States with different productions.\n<<elseif $talk == 18>>Me: Can you tell me about some of the famous people you've… schmoozed with, as you put it?\nHalle: Oh, you know how things are. It's a small industry, we're all good friends, we all attend the same parties. I'll have you know I've been propositioned by both Donald Northerland //and// Oliver Laurence on the same night! Another time by Aubrey Hepbum. Boy, she is something.\nMe: ……\nHalle: And of course Frank Chrysler Chapel, who hosted many of these parties, directed my last two pictures.\n<<elseif $talk == 19>>Me: Did you say he was… selfish?\nHalle: My! You need but speak with him a moment to see it. Self-obsessed. Self-centred. A self-professed gift to mankind, that man is. Watch him endlessly toot his own horn, blowing all his achievements out of proportion. Terrible upbringing, never had a chance really, it always starts there.\n<<elseif $talk == 20>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: What kind of deeds did Corsair do?\nHalle: Ask him yourself, I am sure he'll tell you all about the parties he hosted and people he met as though they were heroic feats.\n<<elseif $talk == 21>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: You mentioned collections he has?\nHalle: When it comes to his collections, there are only two factors to his criteria: Is it old? Is it expensive? You can listen to him go on about his artwork, and much of it is quite good, but could he tell you why? I think not.\n<<elseif $talk == 23>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about Corsair?\n<<if $hgf == 0>><<set $talk = 10>>Halle: Haven't I told you enough? Who are you to stick your nose so deep into ghost affairs, anyway?\nMe: I just thought we were really bonding…\nHalle: The world's a stage dear, and we're all players.<<else>><<if $h23 == 0>><<set $h23 = 1>>Halle: Well… oh, no I couldn't tell you about that. He'd be furious! Oh, maybe just a little…\nMe: What is it about?\nHalle: Well, I'm not sure if you noticed this, but Corsair tends to lay it on thick. That's a bit of an issue with his secret 'inferiority complex', you see?<<else>>Halle: I don't know what else I might mention, beyond his secret 'inferiority complex'.<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 24>><<if $h24 == 0>><<set $corsinv += 1>>Me: Halle, did Corsair invite you to stay here?<<else>>Me: Halle, you said Corsair invited you to stay here…<<endif>>\nHalle: Why, yes, he did… I was passing through the grounds here one August afternoon, on my way to the Campton estate. Corsair stopped me and welcomed me to join him for some refreshments. He said I could stay, since the estate is so large, and put on plays whenever I wanted.\n<<elseif $talk == 25>><<set $talk = 11>>Me: What kinds of games does Kal like?\nHalle: Oh, you know. The same any boy does, really. Tag, climbing trees, chasing birds.\n<<elseif $talk == 26>><<set $talk = 11; $h26 = 1>>Me: You say that Kal likes the theatre?\nHalle: I have taken it as my personal mission to teach the boy some culture, and it has not been an easy task. But he has really grown to appreciate the fine art of theatre, he truly loves it now, even dreams of becoming an actor. And he is just a natural at improv!\n<<elseif $talk == 27>>Me: Perhaps you could tell me something a little more personal about Kal?\n<<if $hgf == 0>><<set $talk = 11>>Halle: Who are you to stick your nose so deep in ghost affairs, anyway?\nMe: I just thought we were really bonding…\nHalle: The world's a stage dear, and we're all players.<<else>>Halle: Ohh… no, it is too sad to speak about.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 28>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: You said soul was sweet?\nHalle: Of course! She is always so focused on her hobbies, just off in her own little world. It's absolutely charming.\n<<elseif $talk == 29>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: You mentioned Soul was quiet?\nHalle: Why yes, until you talk to her, that is. She likes to do her own little things and not involve other people. Except when they're together with Corsair, that man will talk anyone's ear off. I wish she wouldn't spend quite so much time with him, but somehow they seem to enjoy each other.\n<<elseif $talk == 30>><<set $talk = 13>>Me: You know, I'm an //'ac-tor'// as well…\nHalle: Really?\nMe: Yes, I was in a stage production of //Dogs//… I was one of the dogs.\nHalle: Well, that's something, dear.\n<<elseif $talk == 31>>Me: Halle, I knew the moment I gazed upon you that you were more than a spook, you're a very special and talented lady.\nHalle: <<if $h31 != 2>>Why, thank you.<<else>>……<<endif>>\nMe: I know this is happening fast, but would you be my ghostfriend?\n<<if $hfeel > 2 && $h16 == 1 && $h42 != 2>><<if $h31 != 2>>Halle: My! I had no idea you felt this way… do you really mean that?<<else>>Halle: Still rehearsing that play, dear? Could use a little work.<<endif>><<else>><<set $talk = 0>>Halle: Please, why should I ghost befriend my meal? That's just silly.\nMe: Oh, right. Good point.<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 311>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: Look at us, we are such good ghostfriends, aren't we?\nHalle: Oh, yes. I didn't think it could be so easy to be ghostfriends this late in life. You know how difficult it can be to make ghostfriends.\nMe: I'm happy I met you, too.<<elseif $talk == 32>><<set $talk = 13>>Me: How would you feel about letting me go?\n<<if $hleave == 0>><<if $hgf == 0>>Halle: Hungry, mostly.\nMe: Oh, okay.<<elseif $hcath == 0>>Halle: Like you should stay instead.\nMe: Oh, alright.<<else>><<set $hleave = 1>>Halle: You wouldn't go without coming to see our play, would you? \nMe: But if I had to leave…\nHalle: … I suppose if you had to go, it would be alright by me.\nMe: Thank you.<<endif>><<else>>Halle: Like I said, if you must leave I don't mind. But do come visit, dear.\nMe: Of course, I will.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 33>><<set $talk = 999>>Me: You should just eat me, the anticipation is excruciating.\nHalle: Alright, dear, it will be my pleasure.\n\n<<display 'Eaten'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 34>><<set $talk = 3; $ha = 0>>Me: You should just eat her, she won't be missed.\nHalle: Of course, you're right, dear. That's why she's here, but there's no great hurry.\n<<elseif $talk == 35>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: She's absolutely petrified! You should let her go.\n<<if $hgf == 0 || $hcath == 0>>Halle: Oh dear, has she the stage frights?\nMe: ……<<else>><<set $ha = 1>>Halle: You're… asking me as your ghostfriend, aren't you?\nMe: Yes, Halle.\nHalle: Oof! Well, fine. Let her live a little longer then.\nMe: Thank you, you're a true ghostfriend.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 36>>Me: Of course<<if $h16 == 3>> I have! I was only kidding earlier<<endif>>! I love all your movies. I'm a big fan, if you couldn't tell.\nHalle: I knew that, darling. So which one is your favourite then?\nMe: Oh! Uhh…<<if $h16 != 1>><<set $h16 = 1; $hfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 37>>Me: Oh, I've seen them alright. What a load of trash, the lot of it.\nHalle: I-- I beg your pardon?\nMe: Your films are the vilest, most superficial, empty-headed, boring waste of good people's money I ever did see.\nHalle: Why! I never…\nMe: And honestly, so are you.\n\n<<set $h16 = 2; $talk = 999>>//Halle stares in anger, then without another word //<<display 'Eaten'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 38>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: I've been meaning to watch them, really. I just haven't gotten around to them yet. \nHalle: <<if $h16 == 1>>But I thought you said you watched them. For shame, t<<else>>Tsk, tsk. T<<endif>>o think someone hasn't seen my cinematic masterpieces. Such a pity.\nMe: Yeah…<<if $h16 == 1>><<set $hfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $h16 = 3>>\n<<elseif $talk == 39>><<set $talk = 17>>Me: What was it like acting on a live stage?\nHalle: Oh… RIVETING!! The tears I shed on stage were the real tears of passion, of suffering for my craft. And the joy you saw was of the pure ecstasy of being beloved by my fans, who came to watch me each night.\n<<elseif $talk == 40>>Me: Kal told me you were writing a play of your own?\nHalle: I have written a few in my day, but in fact yes, I have just finished my latest treasure. I call it //'Once Upon A Willowfield'//. It is the story of two people's love of dance and song in a willow forest, at a time when such expressions of joy are frowned upon. Kal and I will be performing after dinner. You could come watch as well, if you liked.\n<<elseif $talk == 41>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: I really liked //'The Hydra'//. Isn't that the one where you were fighting the many-headed snake monster?\nHalle: … That certainly doesn't sound like one of my pictures.\nMe: Oh, my mistake.\n<<elseif $talk == 42>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: My favourite would have to be //'A Chimneysweep's Lament'//, in which you saved a sad young boy from a life of poverty and took him under your wing.\nHalle: .. That wasn't me dear, but I think I may have had a small role in that film.\n<<elseif $talk == 43>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: I think it was called //'One Flew Over The Fat Man's Chest'//, it's about uhh--\nHalle: Please. Please stop there.\n<<elseif $talk == 44>><<if $h44 == 0>>Me: What would Corsair's 'inferiority complex' be related to?\nHalle: … Well, you must promise never to tell anyone where you learned this, but… <<$corsname>>, as he would say, is not in fact his real name. His real name is…. //Periwinkle//. Yes, you heard me right.<<else>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: Remind me again, what was the nature of Corsair's inferiority complex?\nHalle: … You forgot already? His name, of course! His //real// name, it's Periwinkle.\nMe: Ah! Of course. <<if $h44 == 1>>Still funny. Haha!\nHalle: Please!\nMe: Forgive me.<<else>>Just terrible.\nHalle: Remember, not a word.\nMe: Of course.<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 46>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: <<if $h24 == 2>>If I think about it, h<<else>>H<<endif>>e wanted you to stay here with him, Halle. I think he really likes you<<if $h24 ==2>> after all<<endif>>.\nHalle: Oh, nonsense... as if that birdbrain could…\nMe: Yet, he has given you a stage. And he has given you an audience, hasn't he?\nHalle: ……<<set $h24 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 47>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: <<if $h24 == 1>>Actually I just spoke with him, and I'm fairly certain he hates you, after all.<<else>>I'm fairly certain he hates you, though.<<endif>>\nHalle: If that were the case then rest assured, the feeling would be mutual, dear.<<set $h24 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 48>><<set $talk = 11; $h48 = 1>>Me: What is Kal's sad story…\nHalle: No! Please... please do not make me speak of it. You'll have to ask someone else.\nMe: Forgive me.\n<<elseif $talk == 49>><<set $talk = 10; $h44 = 1; $return = 2>>Me: What?! Hahahaha!! That's amazing!\nHalle: Please, please! He'll kill you, then beat you some more with your own limbs. You mustn't tell him this.\nMe: Of course.\n<<elseif $talk == 50>><<set $talk = 10; $h44 = 2; $return = 2>>Me: Wow, that must have really hurt for someone like him to grow up with a name like that.\nHalle: Yes, just the way you will be hurting if you should think to mention this to him.\nMe: Of course.\n<<elseif $talk == 51>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about Soul?\n<<if $hgf == 0>>Halle: Who are you to stick your nose so deep into ghost affairs, anyway?\nMe: I just thought we were really bonding here…\nHalle: The world's a stage dear, and we're all players.<<else>>Halle: There really isn't anything else I could tell you about her. She's a pleasant ghost to have around.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 52>><<set $talk = 17>>Me: <<if $h40 == 2>>You know, on second thought, <<endif>>I would love that. To watch you perform live would be a dream.\nHalle: You will know it, dear. The more the merrier, you are more than welcome to join us.\nMe: Thank you.<<if $h40 != 1>><<set $h40 = 1; $hfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 53>><<set $talk = 17>>Me: I would, but <<if $h40 == 1>>now that I think about it, <<endif>>I don't want to.\nHalle: Oh. Alright. It's no trouble, we'll just enjoy it all for ourselves.\nMe: I'm sure you will.<<if $h40 == 1>><<set $hfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $h40 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 54>><<set $talk = 991; $hgf = 1>><<if $h31 != 2>>Me: Of course!<<else>>Me: No, I really mean it now.<<endif>> Please be my ghost friend, Halle.\nHalle: <<if $h31 == 2>>… <<endif>>Well, I suppose the answer can only be… yes. I would be glad to be your ghostfriend, dear.\nMe: Thank you.<<set $h31 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 55>><<set $talk = 0>><<if $h31 != 2>>Me: Oh, you thought…\nHalle: ……\nMe: I'm so sorry, I was just rehearsing a piece from Carlo Gozzi.\nHalle: Of course, I-- I knew that. It's a good one.<<else>>Me: Thank you. I really appreciate your input, Halle.\nHalle: No problem, any time.<<endif>><<set $h31 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 56>>Me: //'Cassandra's Dream'//!\n<<if $hcath == 0>><<set $hcath = 1; $talk = 991>>Halle: What?<<else>><<set $talk = 8>>Halle: ……<<endif>>\nMe: Without a doubt, the best film I have ever seen. Miss Halle, you were just wonderful in it. I wasn't going to say this, but that film proves that you are one of the greatest screen actresses of our age.\nHalle: Oh, my… Thank you, dear. Thank you. That really means a lot to me.\n\n//She sat there in silence for a while.//\n<<elseif $talk == 57>><<set $talk = 18>>Me: About Aubrey Hepbum…\nHalle: She is such a dish, isn't she? She is the only woman I could ever forgive for taking my role in //'Lunch at the Tiffanson's'//. She comes to visit me sometimes, you know?\n<<elseif $talk == 58>><<set $talk = 18>>Me: Frank Chrysler Chapel directed your films? That is impressive. I have seen some of his work.\nHalle: He was a good man. He was in love with me for well over a year, you know. Heehee. Nothing ever happened, but I'll tell you I had him wrapped around my... little... finger. Teehee.\n<<elseif $talk == 59>><<set $talk = 8>><<if $h42 == 2>>Me: I do believe you… I mean, I believe you now. I don't know how I missed it before, but you are without doubt the genuine article.<<else>>Me: Of course I believe you! I knew you were the genuine article the moment I saw you.<<endif>>\nHalle: Thank you for saying so, dear. You really must come watch our play later.<<if $h42 != 1>><<set $h42 = 1; $hfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 60>><<set $talk = 8>><<if $h42 == 1>>Me: … I'm not sure anymore. I thought I did, but y<<else>>Me: How could I believe you? Y<<endif>>ou were pretending to be something you're not this whole time, weren't you?\nHalle: It's alright if you don't believe me, dear. I am sad, but your opinion doesn't change things.<<if $h42 == 1>><<set $hfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $h42 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 61>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: What was wrong with Corsair's upbringing?\nHalle: First of all, his grandfather raised him. That man was certifiable. I cannot imagine he wasn't severely beaten as a child. If only his grandfather were here today…\nMe: That sounds awful.\n<<elseif $talk == 62>><<set $talk = 11>>Me: Did you say 'improv'?\nHalle: Improvised comedy, darling. It requires a quick wit and imagination, and you'd find it difficult to find someone with more imagination than that dear child.\n<<elseif $talk == 63>><<set $talk = 17>>Me: Kal mentioned something about 'ghost theatre'…\nHalle: Of course! Ghosts love entertainment just as much as the living, dear. Kal and I will go on tour once we're ready to bring our show to the people… well, ghosts.\nMe: That sounds lovely.\n<<elseif $talk == 64>><<if $h42 == 0>>Me: I'm not sure I should be asking this, but were you an extra in your motion pictures?<<else>>Me: About having been an extra in motion pictures…<<endif>>\nHalle: ……\nMe: I mean--\nHalle: I know what you mean, hon. I'm afraid it is how we all start, isn't it? There are dreams, and there are //dreams//. No one instantly has it all, we have to work our way up from nothing. A dream becomes desire, and desire becomes passion, it's up to us to grow the way we wish. It's true, I may have been an extra, but I had my time in the spotlight as well. <<if $h42 == 2>>I know you don't believe me, but it's the truth.<<else>>You believe me, don't you?<<endif>>/% TALK BASE %/<<endif>>\n<<display 'ghosttest'>></div><<endif>><<endif>>\n<<if $char == "Halle">><div id=navbar><<display 'halleopts'>></div><<endif>></div>

<div class="mytext">\n!!//Ghosts Are Good Hosts by Leonid Pilchin//\n<<if $restarted == 1>>//I had the oddest dream last night. I dreamt there were these ghastly phantoms at a dinner party, and I was the main course. Of course that's all nonsense, why should ghosts need to eat people?//\n\nAt any rate,<<endif>>I received the most curious letter not two weeks past. It said I was missed at the Chateau de Carnelle just outside of Paris, France, and must attend an important reunion of friends. Strangely, I don’t recall ever having visited the chateau. Nevertheless, not one to miss a gathering among friends, I saved the date and have now arrived at the very place...</div>\n\n\n<div id=navbar>[[Ring Doorbell|Enter]] [[View Credits|Credits][]]</div>\n<<set $char = ""; $resetchar = 1; $talk = 0; $engage = 0; $return = 0; $prog = 0; $restarted = 0; $corsname = "His Highness The Duke Corsair Yggdrasil The Fourth">><<set $init1 = 0; $init2 = 0; $init3 = 0; $init4 = 0; $init5 = 0>><<set $cfeel = 0; $hfeel = 0; $kfeel = 0; $sfeel = 0; $afeel = 0>><<set $cleave = 0; $hleave = 0; $kleave = 0; $sleave = 0>><<set $ca = 0; $ha = 0; $ka = 0; $sa = 0>><<set $cvar = 0; $hvar = 0; $kvar = 0; $svar = 0; $avar = 0>><<set $kalhide = 0; $kaltime = 0; $corsinv = 0; $cortaste = 0; $correset = 0; $aeaten = 0; $soulphil = 0; $soulphd = 0; $soulreset = 0; $gameend = 0>><<set $c1 = 0; $c3 = 0; $c5 = 0; $c16; $c17; $c18 = 0; $c20 = 0; $c22 = 0; $c28 = 0; $c29 = 0; $c50 = 0; $c63 = 0; $c64 = 0; $66 = 0; $c69 = 0; $h3 = 0; $h4 = 0; $h5 = 0; $h16 = 0; $h23 = 0; $h24 = 0; $h26 = 0; $h31 = 0; $h40 = 0; $h42 = 0; $h44 = 0; $h48 = 0; $h61 = 0; $k3 = 0; $k11 = 0; $k16 = 0; $k20 = 0; $k21 = 0; $k24 = 0; $k29 = 0; $k32 = 0; $k37 = 0; $k40 = 0; $k44 = 0; $k47 = 0; $k52 = 0; $k61 = 0;$s3 = 0; $s5 = 0; $s9 = 0; $s11 = 0; $s16 = 0; $s19 = 0; $s20 = 0; $s21 = 0; $s22 = 0; $s23 = 0; $s24 = 0; $s30 = 0; $s33 = 0; $s41 = 0; $s45 = 0; $s49 = 0; $s52 = 0; $s54 = 0; $s69 = 0; $a6 = 0>><<set $cgf = 0; $hgf = 0; $kgf = 0; $sgf = 0; $ccath = 0; $hcath = 0; $kcath = 0; $scath = 0>>

<div class="mytext"><<if $aeaten == 1>>With the ghosts gone, I was finally free. The overwhelming weight lifted from my shoulders, I took my leave as quickly and quietly as I dared, never again to return to the Chateau de Carnelle.\n\nI was both victim and survivor, but Annabel... it was my fault she was eaten. I would spend many years thereafter feeling lost and wandering the countryside aimlessly, looking for purpose. I am looking still.\n\nThe End<<else>>So, I've been a ghost all along, and the spooks still wanted to eat me. I suppose I've had so many things on my mind the past while I was too busy to notice I've been dead. I couldn't answer when it was last that I had a real, proper conversation with another person. For how long have I drifted, before finding that letter? How much longer would have I, if Annabel hadn't told me? I suppose we'll believe about ourselves what we want to for as long as possible, until someone shows us our reflection in the mirror.\n\nI would stay for the play that evening, and many years thereafter. All of us spooks would make great friends, and I would even play a small role with Halle and Kal on their Ghost Theatre tour, which is every bit as entertaining as one would imagine.\n\nThe End<<endif>>\n<div id=navbar>[[.......|Credits]]</div></div>

<img class=img1 src="images/halle.jpg">

<<if $talk > 0 && $talk < 888 && $return != -1 && $talk != 32 && $talk != 37>>[[<|$char][$talk = $return]]<<endif>><<if $talk == 0>>[[Yourself|$char][$talk = 1]][[Spooks|$char][$talk = 2]][[Food|$char][$talk = 3]]<<if $kgf == 0>>[[Be Ghostfriends?|$char][$talk = 32]]<<else>>[[Ghostfriends|$char][$talk = 321]]<<endif>>[[Leave?|$char][$talk = 4]]<<elseif $talk == 1>><<set $return = 0>>[[Story|$char][$talk = 5]][[Life|$char][$talk = 6]][[Death|$char][$talk = 7]][[Games|$char][$talk = 8]]<<if $h26 > 0>>[[Theatre?|$char][$talk = 9]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 5>><<set $return = 1>>[[Pogs?|$char][$talk = 56]][[Insects?|$char][$talk = 57]]<<elseif $talk == 7>><<set $return = 1>>[[Brother...|$char][$talk = 37]]<<elseif $talk == 37>><<set $return = -1>>[[He Loved You|$char][$talk = 38]][[He Hated You|$char][$talk = 39]]<<elseif $talk == 8>><<set $return = 1>>[[Pranks|$char][$talk = 16; $return = -1]][[Tag|$char][$talk = 17]]<<if $s30 > 0>>[[Hide & Seek|$char][$talk = 18]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 16>>[[I Like Pranks|$char][$talk = 48; $return = 8]][[I Hate Pranks|$char][$talk = 49; $return = 8]]<<elseif $talk == 17>><<set $return = 8>>[[Let's Play|$char][$talk = 50]][[Maybe Later|$char][$talk = 51]]<<elseif $talk == 18>><<set $return = 8>>[[Let's Play!|$char][$talk = 40]][[Maybe Later|$char][$talk = 41]]<<if $k40 > 0>>[[Forgive Me...|$char][$talk = 61]]<<endif>><<if $s54 > 0>>[[Brother...|$char][$talk = 37]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 9>><<set $return = 1>>[[Acting|$char][$talk = 20; $k20 = 1]][[Ghost Theatre|$char][$talk = 52]]<<if $k20 > 0>>[[A Play?|$char][$talk = 21]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 21>><<set $return = 9>>[[Of Course!|$char][$talk = 58]][[No|$char][$talk = 59]]<<elseif $talk == 2>><<set $return = 0>><<if $init1 == 1>>[[Corsair|$char][$talk = 10]]<<endif>><<if $init2 == 1>>[[Halle|$char][$talk = 11]]<<endif>><<if $init4 == 1>>[[Soul|$char][$talk = 12]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 10>><<set $return = 2>>[[Serious?|$char][$talk = 22]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 23]]<<if $s69 > 0>>[[Invited You?|$char][$talk = 24]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 11>><<set $return = 2>>[[Famous?|$char][$talk = 25; $k11 = 1]][[Games?|$char][$talk = 26]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 27]]<<elseif $talk == 25>><<set $return = 11>>[[Films|$char][$talk = 42]][[Plays?|$char][$talk = 43]]<<elseif $talk == 27>><<set $return = 11>>[[Cassandra's Dream?|$char][$talk = 44]]<<elseif $talk == 12>><<set $return = 2>>[[Boring?|$char][$talk = 28]][[Teasing?|$char][$talk = 29]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 30]]<<elseif $talk == 29>><<set $return = 12>>[[You Like Her|$char][$talk = 45]][[You Hate Her|$char][$talk = 46]]<<elseif $talk == 30>><<set $return = 12>>[[Bullying?|$char][$talk = 47]]<<elseif $talk == 3>><<set $return = 0>>[[Me|$char][$talk = 13]][[Annabel|$char][$talk = 14]][[Others?|$char][$talk = 15]]<<elseif $talk == 13>><<set $return = 3>>[[I Like Games|$char][$talk = 31]][[Let Me Go|$char][$talk = 33]][[Eat Me|$char][$talk = 34]]<<elseif $talk == 32>><<set $return = -1>><<if $k32 != 2>>[[Yes|$char][$talk = 54]][[No|$char][$talk = 55]]<<else>>[[I Mean It|$char][$talk = 54]][[It's A Prank|$char][$talk = 55]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 14>><<set $return = 3>>[[Eat Her|$char][$talk = 35]][[Let Her Go|$char][$talk = 36]]/% BASE TALK%/<<elseif $talk == 991>>[[.......|dining][$char = "dining"; $talk = 0; $resetchar = 1]]<<elseif $talk == 999>>[[Restart Ghost Party...|Start][$restarted = 1]]<<endif>><<if $engage == 0 && $talk < 888 && $return > -1>>[[>|dining][$char = "dining"; $resetchar = 1; $talk = 0]]<<endif>>

<img class="img1" src="images/annabel.jpg">

<img class=img1 src="images/soul.jpg">

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<img class=img1 src="images/kal.jpg">

<<if $ccath == 1 && $cgf == 1 && $hcath == 1 && $hgf == 1 && $kcath == 1 && $kgf == 1 && $scath == 1 && $sgf == 1>><<display 'CorsEnd'>><<else>><div class="mytext"><<if $kalhide == 1 && $kaltime == 0>>!!!Kal: YOU SUCK!!<<set $kalhide = 2; $char = "Kal">><<display 'imgkal'>>\nMe: Uhh......\nKal: You didn't even try to look for me, did you?! And you said you wanted to play... That stinks!\nMe: ... Forgive me.<<set $talk = 991>><<else>><<if $resetchar == 1>><<set $resetchar = 0; $char = "Kal"; $talk = 0; $return = 0>><<endif>><<display 'imgkal'>><<if $talk == 0>><<if $init3 == 0>><<set $init3 = 1>>Kal: Hey chump. I'm Kal, ya know? It's nice to eat you... I mean meet you.<<else>><<if $kvar == 1>>Kal: Hey again! I found a tooth earlier, is it one of yours?<<elseif $kvar == 2>>Kal: Back for more? I don't mind, there's plenty of Kal to go around.<<elseif $kvar == 3>>//Kal grins at me... it is not necessarily comforting.//<<elseif $kvar == 4>>Kal: Would you like to hold one of my kidneys?<<else>>Kal: Soul smells. I mean, I know that none of us really smell anymore, but she still smells the most.<<set $kvar = 0>><<endif>><<set $kvar += 1>><<endif>><<elseif $talk == 1>>Me: Hi Kal. Let's talk about you.\nKal: Do you mind if I'm upside down while we talk?\n<<elseif $talk == 2>>Me: Can you tell me about your spooky friends?\nKal: Which/what?<<if $init1 == 0 && $init2 == 0 && $init4 == 0>>\nMe: Umm… What can you tell me about that one?\nKal: Which one?<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 3>>Me: Let's talk about food…\n<<if $kgf == 0>>Kal: You're food, right? That's what I heard.<<else>>Kal: Well you're sort of food… right?<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 4>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: Kal, you wouldn't mind if I left, would you? I'll come visit, of course.\n<<if $kleave == 1>>Kal: Yeah, we talked about that. I'm cool with it.<<else>><<if $kgf == 0>>Kal: You mean after we eat you?\nMe: ……<<elseif $kcath == 0>>Kal: No way! We were just getting to know each other.\nMe: Oh, alright.<<else>><<set $kleave = 1>>Kal: You mean… before dinner? Like… like if you weren't food?\nMe: Yes, somewhat like that.\nKal: Well, I guess it's alright with me.\nMe: Thank you.<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 5>>Me: So, what kinds of things do you like to do?\nKal: Sometimes I like to float upside down. Sometimes I like to float sideways. I like games, pogs, frogs, big trees, and little insects.\n<<elseif $talk == 6>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: Can you tell me about how you lived?\nKal: About the same as now.\nMe: So…\nKal: Playing games, pulling pranks, the usual stuff.\n<<elseif $talk == 7>><<if $s54 == 0>><<set $talk = 1>><<endif>>Me: If you don't mind me asking, how did you die?\nKal: Not sure, suddenly I could float around and move through trees if I wanted to. \n<<elseif $talk == 8>>Me: What kinds of games do you like to play?\nKal: Tag, flying around, insect games, or just pranking others.\n<<elseif $talk == 9>>Me: Halle mentioned you had dreams of joining the theatre… Can you tell me about your dreams?\nKal: Sometimes I dream of spinny things, sometimes wavy. Lots of animals running around, and the spooks usually ignore me.\nMe: Uhh… I mean what do you dream of doing?\nKal: Oh, you know… Having fun, acting in ghost theatre, things like that. \n<<elseif $talk == 10>>Me: What can you tell me about Corsair?\nKal: Umm… He's an important person. That's what he always says. He takes things really seriously. And he spends a lot of time with Soul… I don't think his fancy friends would be impressed with her.\n<<elseif $talk == 11>>Me: What can you tell me about Halle?\nKal: Halle is the funest spook you'll find. She is a famous actress, you know? She is really talented! Been in over twenty films! I haven't even been in one. She's really nice, we play a lot together. Why do you ask?\n<<elseif $talk == 12>>Me: What can you tell me about Soul?\nKal: There's not much to tell. She's a pretty boring person. Surprisingly easy to tease, though.\n<<elseif $talk == 13>>Me: What do you think about me, Kal?\nKal: <<if $k37 == 2>>You're a big fat meanie and I don't like you!\nMe: ……<<elseif $kfeel < 2>>I think you're alright, but I want ice cream too!<<elseif $kgf == 0>>You're okay for a random stranger.<<else>>You're pretty fun.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 14>>Me: What can you tell me about Annabel?\n<<if $aeaten == 0>>Kal: I think she's afraid of me. I tried biting her earlier, but the others said I should wait a while longer.<<else>><<set $talk = 3>>Kal: I think she was pretty delicious.\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 15>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: What kinds of other people do you like to eat?\nKal: I like Japanese and Italian food best.\nMe: …… Okay.\n<<elseif $talk == 16>>Me: What kind of pranks have you played on others?\nKal: I put all the furniture in Soul's room on the ceiling one time. But then she just kept it there. She's no fun. I put glue inside Corsair's gloves another time, but I think it dried out before he put them on. That would have been so good! <<if $k16 == 2>>But you don't like pranks…<<else>>Do you like pranks?<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 17>><<if $k17 == 0>><<set $k17 = 1>>Me: You like tag, do you?<<else>> Me: So you like tag…<<endif>>\nKal: Of course! It's fun. But none of the other spooks ever want to play with me. They couldn't catch me, anyway!\n<<elseif $talk == 18>><<if $k40 == 0>>Me: Soul mentioned you like to play hide and seek.\nKal: … yeah.<<else>>Me: Umm… about hide and seek.\nKal: …… yeah?<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 20>><<set $k20 = 1; $talk = 9>>Me: You want to be an actor like Halle?\nKal: It's fun! What's more fun than playing in a play? Halle just wrote a new play we're putting on after dinner today. She says I'm really good, and we'll go on tour when I'm ready!\nMe: My, that's exciting.\n<<elseif $talk == 21>>Me: You said Halle wrote a play?\nKal: Yup! It's a good one, there's singing and dancing and really big trees! You want to come watch?\n<<elseif $talk == 22>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: You said Mister Corsair was very serious?\nKal: Yeah, you couldn't do something fun with him. You'd have to listen to him go on about things for hours. And if you tried to play a prank on him, he wouldn't like it.\n<<elseif $talk == 23>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about Mister Corsair…\n<<if $kgf == 0>>Kal: Nah, why?\nMe: Well, I thought we were bonding here…\nKal: You mean like I bonded one of your spoons to the table?\nMe: ……<<else>>Kal: Umm… I don't know anything too personal about him. He likes expensive things and important people, I guess. Or was it important things and expensive people?<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 24>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: Did Corsair invite you to stay here?\n<<if $kgf == 1>><<if $k24 == 0>><<set $corsinv += 1; $k24 = 1; $talk = 991>><<endif>>Kal: Oh, sure.\nMe: How did that happen?\nKal: Well, I was flying around one of his trees one day, chasing the birds, when he saw me. I thought he was going to run me off the grounds, but instead he showed me a few other trees I could chase birds at. He said I could stay with him and Halle if I wanted, and play wherever I liked.<<else>>Kal: You sure like asking personal things, but I don't feel like answering you right now.\nMe: … Oh. Alright.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 25>>Me: You said Halle was a famous actress?\nKal: Yeah, she has been in many films and plays. She gets mail from her fans and sometimes has people visit her. There was this really pretty lady who came one time.\n<<elseif $talk == 26>><<set $talk = 11>>Me: You play games with Halle?\nKal: We play ghost theatre! Pretend to be other people, talk and act like they would. You know… ghost theatre.\nMe: … Of course.\n<<elseif $talk == 27>>Me: Could you maybe tell me something a little more personal about Halle?\n<<if $kgf == 0>><<set $talk = 11>>Kal: Nah, why?\nMe: Well, I thought we were bonding here…\nKal: You mean like I bonded one of your spoons to the table?\nMe: ……<<else>><<if $k44 == 0>>Kal: Well… there is that thing she keeps thinking about. How was it called now? Ah! //'Cassandra's Dream'//. What a strange name, right?<<else>>Kal: Well, the thing I mentioned… //'Cassandra's Dream'//. Strange name, right?<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 28>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: Why is Soul boring?\nKal: Ah! All she ever does is read her books, or stare off somewhere, or knit or something. If you ask her to play, she always says she has more important things to do. And if you ask her something, she'll act like she knows so much and is so much smarter.\nMe: I see.\nKal: So annoying…\n<<elseif $talk == 29>>Me: How do you tease her<<if $k29 > 0>>, again<<endif>>?\nKal: Sometimes I'll sneak up behind and go through her when she's reading or sitting there. She hates that! Or I'll keep asking her questions until she can't answer anymore. Things like that.\n<<elseif $talk == 30>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about Soul?\n<<if $kgf == 0>><<set $talk = 12>>Kal: Personal? I don't know. Why do you want to know these things, aren't you just food?\nMe: Yeah, but I thought we were bonding here…\nKal: You mean like I bonded one of your spoons to the table?\nMe: ……<<else>>Kal: <<if $k47 == 0>>Well… I guess she sort of had issues with bullying in the past.<<else>>She was bullied in the past… I guess it's a sore spot for her.<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 31>><<set $talk = 13>>Me: You know, I like games.\n<<if $k40 == 0>>Kal: Me too! We should play later!\nMe: For sure.<<else>>Kal: Yeah, right! You didn't even know how to look for me when we played hide and seek before.\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 32>>Me: Hey, Kal… I've given this some thought, and I think you should be my ghostfriend.\n<<if $k37 == 2>><<set $talk = 0>>Kal: What? You're a meanie! Why would I be ghostfriends with someone like you?\nMe: Uhh…<<elseif $k16 == 1 && $k21 > 0 && $k61 > 0>><<if $k32 != 2>>Kal: …… You really want me to be your ghostfriend?<<else>>Kal: Oh! Haha! Another one of your pranks.<<endif>><<else>><<set $talk = 0>>Kal: …… What? I thought that's something only grownups did.\nMe: It's just a friendship where one or more entities happen to be ghosts. Anyone can be ghostfriends, really.\nKal: But you're food, so let's just be normal friends until then.\nMe: Oh… okay.<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 321>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: It's nice being ghostfriends with you, Kal.\nKal: … Yeah, it's nice being ghostfriends with you, too.<<elseif $talk == 33>><<set $talk = 13>>Me: What do you think about letting me go?\n<<if $kleave == 1>>Kal: Yeah, we talked about that. I'm cool with it.<<else>><<if $kgf == 0>>Kal: I don't usually think about those things, why?\nMe: Oh, I just thought maybe… nevermind.\nKal: I won't.<<elseif $kcath == 0>>Kal: No way! We were just getting to know each other.\nMe: Oh, alright.<<else>><<set $kleave = 1>>Kal: You mean… not eating you?\nMe: Well, we probably couldn't be as good ghostfriends if you ate me, right?\nKal: I guess so... Okay, you can go if you promise to come back and visit.\nMe: Of course.<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 34>><<set $talk = 999>>Me: Alright, Kal. I want it to be you. Just eat me, eat me now while no one else is looking.\nKal: You don't have to ask me twice! Here I go…\n\n<<display 'Eaten'>><<elseif $talk == 35>><<set $talk = 991; $ka = 0; $aeaten = 1>>Me: I think you acted understandably, Kal. You should just eat her, I mean that's what she's here for right?\nKal: Yeah, you're right! Here I go…\n\nKal proceeds to consume every ounce of Annabel's being, and the others soon join in.... It doesn't look as horrible as I thought.\n... Was this technically my fault?<<elseif $talk == 36>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: You should let her go!\nKal: Okay.\nMe: I mean it, she's been through enough!\nKal: Okay.<<if $kgf == 1 && $kcath == 1>><<set $ka = 1>>... I probably couldn't eat a friend of my ghostfriend, anyway.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 37>>Me: Kal, <<if $k37 == 0>>I heard about the story with<<else>>about<<endif>> your brother…\nKal: ……\nMe: You guys were playing hide and seek, and he didn't find you, did he?\nKal: <<if $k37 > 0>>Like I said<<endif>>… I hid in a hollow in a tree and got stuck there. It hurt. I cried, but no one came. Then it didn't hurt anymore, and I could fly around like this.\n<<elseif $talk == 38>><<set $talk = 991; $kcath = 1>>Me: <<if $k37 == 2>>I didn't mean what I said before… I'm sure y<<else>>Y<<endif>>our brother loved you, Kal. He must have spent all night looking for you. I'm sure he even asked the others to come help, but you had hidden so well, it was impossible for them to find you.\nKal: ……\nMe: I'm sorry, Kal.\nKal: … yeah.<<set $k37 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 39>><<set $talk = 991; $kcath = 0>>Me: <<if $k37 == 1>>I changed my mind after thinking about it some more… y<<else>>Y<<endif>>our brother hated you. You were probably always annoying him with your pranks, he was glad you disappeared.\nKal: That's-- that's really mean.\nMe: And now he doesn't have to deal with you anymore.\nKal: ……<<set $k37 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 40>>Me: I like hide and seek! Come on, let's play!\n<<if $k40 == 0>><<set $k40 = 1; $talk = 991; $kalhide = 1; $kaltime = 10; $kfeel -= 1>>Kal: … Okay! I'll go hide.\nMe: ……\n//He flew up through the ceiling.//<<else>><<set $talk = 18>>Kal: No way! I'm not playing with you again. You probably don't even know what //seek// means.\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 41>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: Maybe we could play later.\nKal: Yeah, that's what they all say.<<elseif $talk == 42>><<set $talk = 25>>Me: What kinds of films has she been in?\nKal: Some romantic ones, I guess. One mystery film. I haven't seen any of them yet.\n<<elseif $talk == 43>><<set $talk = 25>>Me: What can you tell me about Halle's plays?\nKal: Oh, she is so good at acting like other people! We play many games like this. We're putting on one of her plays after dinner if you want to come see.\n<<elseif $talk == 44>><<if $k44 == 0>>Me: What is //'Cassandra's Dream'//?<<else>>Me: What was //'Cassandra's Dream'//, again?<<endif>>\nKal: It was a film she starred in. I think it was her first big role… she was worried people wouldn't see it.\nMe: <<if $k44 == 0>>… I understand.<<else>>Oh. Right!<<endif>><<set $k44 = 1; $talk = 11>>\n<<elseif $talk == 45>><<if $k29 == 0>>Me: Might I float a theory by you…<<elseif $k29 == 2>>Me: You know, I changed my mind…<<else>>Me: Yeah… I think I know what's really going on here.<<endif>>\nKal: Whach'ya talking about?\nMe: I think you like Soul.\nKal: Psha! Yeah right! She's… she's only good as an audience sometimes. Otherwise, she's lame.<<set $talk = 12; $k29 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 46>>Me: So I guess you hate her<<if $k29 != 2>> after all<<endif>>…\nKal: That's what I've been saying.\nMe: ……\nKal: Well, maybe not hate, but being annoyed by.<<set $talk = 12; $k29 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 47>><<if $k47 == 0>><<set $k47 = 1>>Me: Soul was being bullied?<<else>>Me: You mentioned Soul was being bullied…?<<endif>>\nKal: Yeah, well. She is different from most others her age, you know? Of course people are going to bully her if she stands out so much.\nMe: I see, that's sad.\nKal: … Yeah.<<set $talk = 12>>\n<<elseif $talk == 48>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: Of course I do! <<if $k16 == 2>>I know I said I didn't earlier, but in fact <<endif>>I often got into trouble myself for pulling pranks on my siblings.\nKal: <<if $k16 == 2>>… <<endif>>What pranks did you play on them?\nMe: One time I pretended my sister's pet ferret was being cooked in the Shepherd's Pie. She wouldn't forgive me for weeks.\nKal: Hahaha! That's a nice one!<<if $k16 != 1>><<set $k16 = 1; $kfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 49>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: Pranks are stupid and I hate them.\nKal: But… <<if $k16 == 1>>you just said you liked them…<<else>>they're fun.<<endif>>\nMe: <<if $k16 == 1>>I was just testing you. <<endif>>Shame on you.\nKal: ……<<if $k16 == 1>><<set $kfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $k16 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 50>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: I could play tag with you. Would you like to?\nKal: Nah! You could never tag me, I'm too swooshy. Swoosh! Swoosh! See?\nMe: I suppose you're right.\n<<elseif $talk == 51>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: Maybe we could play later.\nKal: Yeah, that's what they all say.\n<<elseif $talk == 52>><<set $talk = 9; $k52 = 1>>\nMe: What is ghost theatre?\nKal: It's theatre... for ghosts.\nMe: … Oh.\n<<elseif $talk == 54>>Me: Of course! You're a very nice spook, Kal.\nKal: Ah, shucks… Well, alright. Why not? Haha.\nMe: Thank you.<<set $k32 = 1; $kgf = 1; $talk = 991>>\n<<elseif $talk == 55>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: Hahaha! <<if $k32 != 2>>I<<else>>Yeah, i<<endif>>t was just a prank. You know pranks…\nKal: Ah! Haha… yeah. I know pranks.<<set $k32 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 56>><<set $talk = 5>>Me: Pogs? What is a pog?\nKal: They're these little circular things. You collect them, you flip them, slam them. They have pictures of skulls and stuff, you know?\nMe: I see.\nKal: I also collect used toothpicks.\n<<elseif $talk == 57>><<set $talk = 5>>Me: What do you do with your insects?\nKal: Watch them crawl around, poke them, flip them upside down, take them from one spot and put them in another. Then when they crawl away, put them back. It confuses them so much!\nMe: Intriguing.\n<<elseif $talk == 58>><<set $talk = 9>>Me: Of course! It sounds excellent, I wouldn't miss it.\nKal: Great! You'll see, it's really good.<<if $k21 != 1>><<set $k21 = 1; $kfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 59>><<set $talk = 9>>Me: Oh, theatre isn't really my thing…\nKal: Okay, your loss.<<if $k21 == 1>><<set $kfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $k21 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 61>><<if $k61 == 0>><<set $k61 = 1; $kfeel += 2>>Me: I'm sorry I didn't go look for you earlier… It was just a prank, you know? I thought you liked pranks…\nKal: Oh… Well, yeah… I like pranks and stuff.\n<<endif>>Me: So you forgive me?\nKal: Yeah. I guess so.\nMe: Thank you.<<set $talk = 8>>/% if talk = 1, etc... %/<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<display 'ghosttest'>></div><<endif>>\n<<if $char == "Kal">><div id=navbar><<display 'kalopts'>></div><<endif>>

<<if $talk > 0 && $talk < 888 && $talk != 45 && $return > -1 && $engage == 0 && $talk != 22 && $talk != 79>>[[<|$char][$talk = $return]]<<endif>><<if $talk == 0>>[[Yourself|$char][$talk = 1]][[Spooks|$char][$talk = 2]][[Food|$char][$talk = 3]]<<if $cgf == 0>>[[Be Ghostfriends?|$char][$talk = 45]]<<else>>[[Ghostfriends|$char][$talk = 451]]<<endif>><<if $s69 > 0>>[[Invited...?|$char][$talk = 52]]<<endif>>[[Leave?|$char][$talk = 4]]<<elseif $talk == 1>><<set $return = 0>>[[Story|$char][$talk = 5; $c5 = 1]][[Life|$char][$talk = 6]][[Death|$char][$talk = 7]]<<if $c5 > 0>>[[Accomplishments|$char][$talk = 8]][[Ownership|$char][$talk = 9]]<<endif>><<if $h44 > 0>>[[Periwinkle?|$char][$talk = 22; $engage = 1]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 2>><<set $return = 0>><<if $init2 > 0>>[[Halle|$char][$talk = 10]]<<endif>><<if $init3 > 0>>[[Kal|$char][$talk = 11]]<<endif>><<if $init4 > 0>>[[Soul|$char][$talk = 12]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 3>><<set $return = 0>>[[Me|$char][$talk = 13]][[Annabel|$char][$talk = 14]][[Others?|$char][$talk = 15]]<<elseif $talk == 6>><<set $return = 1>>[[Grandfather|$char][$talk = 67]][[Parents|$char][$talk = 68]]<<if $h61 > 0>>[[Abuse?|$char][$talk = 69]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 69>>[[That's Normal|$char][$talk = 74]][[That's Horrible!|$char][$talk = 75]]<<elseif $talk == 8>><<set $return = 1>>[[Parties|$char][$talk = 16]][[Important People|$char][$talk = 17]]<<if $s24 > 0>>[[Charity?|$char][$talk = 18]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 16>><<set $return = 8>>[[Sounds Great|$char][$talk = 70]][[Sounds Excessive|$char][$talk = 71]]<<elseif $talk == 17>><<set $return = 8>>[[I'm Important|$char][$talk = 23]][[I'm Not Important|$char][$talk = 24]]<<elseif $talk == 18>><<set $return = 8>>[[That's Good|$char][$talk = 25]][[That's Not Charity|$char][$talk = 26]]<<elseif $talk == 9>><<set $return = 1>>[[Estates?|$char][$talk = 19]][[Collections?|$char][$talk = 20]]<<elseif $talk == 19>><<set $return = 9>>[[Chateau de Carnelle|$char][$talk = 27]][[Others?|$char][$talk = 28]]<<elseif $talk == 27>><<set $return = 19>>[[How Much?|$char][$talk = 50]][[How Long?|$char][$talk = 51]]<<elseif $talk == 50>>[[Too Much!|$char][$talk = 53]][[Good Price!|$char][$talk = 54]]<<elseif $talk == 52>><<set $return = 0>>[[Everyone!|$char][$talk = 79]]<<elseif $talk == 79>><<set $return = -1>>[[You Like Them|$char][$talk = 55]][[You Need Them|$char][$talk = 56]]<<elseif $talk == 28>><<set $return = 19>>[[Impressed|$char][$talk = 72]][[Not Impressed|$char][$talk = 73]]<<elseif $talk == 20>><<if $c29 == 0>>[[Art?|$char][$talk = 29; $return = -1]]<<endif>><<if $c30 == 0>>[[Wine?|$char][$talk = 30; $return = -1]]<<endif>><<if $c31 == 0>>[[Books?|$char][$talk = 31; $return = -1]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 29>><<set $return = -1>>[[Expensive Better|$char][$talk = 76]][[Older Better|$char][$talk = 57]][[Quality Better|$char][$talk = 58]]<<elseif $talk == 30>>[[Older Better|$char][$talk = 59]][[Quality Better|$char][$talk = 60]][[Newer Better|$char][$talk = 78]]<<elseif $talk == 31>>[[Newer Better|$char][$talk = 77]][[Older Better|$char][$talk = 61]][[Writing Is Important|$char][$talk = 62]]<<elseif $talk == 22>><<set $return = -1>>[[It's Hilarious!|$char][$talk = 34]][[I Like It|$char][$talk = 35]]<<elseif $talk == 35>>[[Of Course!|$char][$talk = 32; $return = 0]][[Never!|$char][$talk = 33; $return = 0]]<<elseif $talk == 10>><<set $return = 2>><<if $h16 > 0>>[[Famous?|$char][$talk = 36]]<<endif>><<if $k11 > 0 || $s11 > 0>>[[Talent...?|$char][$talk = 37]]<<endif>>[[Personal?|$char][$talk = 38]]<<elseif $talk == 38>><<set $return = 10>>[[Extra?|$char][$talk = 63]]<<elseif $talk == 11>><<set $return = 2>>[[Pranks|$char][$talk = 39]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 40]]<<elseif $talk == 12>><<set $return = 2>>[[Interesting Outlook?|$char][$talk = 41]][[Kind?|$char][$talk = 42]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 43]]<<elseif $talk == 43>><<set $return = 12>>[[Philosophy...|$char][$talk = 64]]<<elseif $talk == 13>><<set $return = 3>><<if $c5 > 0>>[[I'm Important|$char][$talk = 44]]<<endif>>[[Let Me Go|$char][$talk = 46]][[Eat Me|$char][$talk = 47]]<<elseif $talk == 45>><<set $return = -1>><<if $c66 != 2>>[[Yes|$char][$talk = 65]][[No|$char][$talk = 66]]<<else>>[[I Do!|$char][$talk = 65]][[I Do Not|$char][$talk = 66]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 14>><<set $return = 3>>[[Eat Her|$char][$talk = 48]][[Let Her Go|$char][$talk = 49]]/% BASE TALK%/<<elseif $talk == 991>>[[.......|dining][$char = "dining"; $talk = 0; $resetchar = 1]]<<elseif $talk == 999>>[[Restart Ghost Party...|Start][$restarted = 1]]<<endif>><<if $engage == 0 && $talk < 888 && $return != -1>>[[>|dining][$char = "dining"; $resetchar = 1; $talk = 0]]<<endif>>

<div id=credits>\n!<b>Writing/Art/Programming</b>\n\n[[Leonid Pilchin|http://www.twitter.com/LeonDaydreamer]]\n\n!!<b>CSS Magic</b>\n!!Mike Osovetsky\n<<if $gameend == 0>>\nThis game was built on the Twine: SugarCane platform, powered by TiddlyWiki.\nCopyright (C) Leonid Pilchin, 2015.\n\n<<else>>\n<<if $aeaten == 0>>!!<u>Ghosts Are Good Hosts</u>\n"If you drove from coast to coast, \nA ghost would still be just a ghost,\nNot sure which I liked most,\nEach in turn was a fine host."\n-Annabel-<<else>>!!<u>Ghosts Are Good Hosts</u>\n"Don't forget me."\n-Annabel-\n<<endif>>\n!!!Thank you for playing!\n!!!Now go enjoy your life. You could play tag. Or poke bugs. Or practice improv. Or drink fine wine. Or read another story. Or even write one.<<endif>>\n<<if $gameend == 0>>[[Start Game...|Start]]<<else>>[[Restart Ghost Party...|Start][$restarted = 1]]<<endif>></div>

<<set $talk = 999>>//<<if $h16 != 2>><<$char>><<endif>> proceeds to consume every ounce of my being, and the others soon join in. Like they expected, I taste really good.\n\n *crunch* *munch* *munch*\n\nIt's surprisingly satisfying and everyone is happy (except me).//

Ghosts Are Good Hosts

<<if $char == "Corsair">><<if $correset == 1>><<if $c29 > 0 && $c30 > 0 && $c31 > 0>>\n<<set $c29 = 0; $c30 = 0; $c31 = 0; $correset = 0; $talk = 9; $engage = 0; $return = 1>>\nCorsair: <<if $cortaste == 2>>I daresay you have a ways to go to truly appreciate the finer things in this world.<<elseif $cortaste == 3>>You and I are so much alike, it's almost frightening.\nMe: ... Thank you, I guess.<<else>>If your thoughts on my collections are any indication of your tastes, I could not feign being impressed.<<endif>><<endif>><<else>><<set $correset = 1>><<endif>><<elseif $char == "Soul">><<set $talk = 9>><<if $soulreset == 1>><<if $s19 > 0 && $s20 > 0 && $s21 > 0>><<set $s19 = 0; $s20 = 0; $s21 = 0; $soulreset = 0; $talk = 1; $engage = 0; $return = 0; $talk = 0>>\n\nSoul: <<if $soulphil == 21>><<set $soulphd = 1>>I think you may have opened my eyes to things I haven't thought about before. Thank you.\nMe: Thank you, too.<<elseif $soulphil > 13>>You mentioned two interesting things, but maybe there is more to think about.<<elseif $soulphil > 6>>Your ideas are fine and generally inoffensive to me. At least you brought up one interesting issue.<<else>>Maybe your thinking needs a little more thinking. You didn't really tell me anything I haven't thought of before.\nMe: ......<<endif>><<endif>><<else>><<set $soulreset = 1>><<endif>><<endif>>

<<if $talk > 0 && $talk < 888 && $return != -1 && $talk != 33 && $talk != 22>>[[<|$char][$talk = $return]]<<endif>><<if $talk == 0>>[[Yourself|$char][$talk = 1]][[Spooks|$char][$talk = 2]][[Food|$char][$talk = 3]]<<if $sgf == 0>><<if $c64 > 0>>[[Philosophy?|$char][$talk = 9]]<<endif>>[[Be Ghostfriends?|$char][$talk = 33]]<<else>>[[Ghostfriends|$char][$talk = 331]]<<endif>>[[Leave?|$char][$talk = 4]]<<elseif $talk == 1>><<set $return = 0>>[[Story|$char][$talk = 5]][[Life|$char][$talk = 6]][[Death|$char][$talk = 7]]<<if $s5 > 0>>[[Hobbies|$char][$talk = 8]]<<endif>><<if $k47 > 0>>[[Bullying?|$char][$talk = 22]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 8>><<set $return = 1>>[[Reading|$char][$talk = 16]][[Writing|$char][$talk = 64]][[Knitting|$char][$talk = 17]][[Thinking|$char][$talk = 18]]<<elseif $talk == 16>><<set $return = 8>>[[I Like Reading|$char][$talk = 38]][[Reading Is Boring|$char][$talk = 39]][[Reading Is Scary!|$char][$talk = 40]]<<elseif $talk == 9>><<if $s19 == 0>>[[Life|$char][$talk = 19]]<<endif>><<if $s20 == 0>>[[People|$char][$talk = 20]]<<endif>><<if $s21 == 0>>[[The World|$char][$talk = 21]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 19>>[[Life Is Freedom|$char][$talk = 41]][[Life Is A Prison|$char][$talk = 42]][[Life Is Unimportant|$char][$talk = 43]]<<elseif $talk == 41>>[[Happiness|$char][$talk = 57]][[Love|$char][$talk = 58]][[Hope|$char][$talk = 59]][[Procreation|$char][$talk = 60]]<<elseif $talk == 20>>[[People Are Good|$char][$talk = 44]][[People Are Evil|$char][$talk = 45]][[People Are Unimportant|$char][$talk = 46]]<<elseif $talk == 45>>[[Greed|$char][$talk = 63]][[Colonialism|$char][$talk = 61]][[War|$char][$talk = 62]]<<elseif $talk == 21>>[[Divine Love|$char][$talk = 47]][[Hates Us|$char][$talk = 48]][[Doesn't Care|$char][$talk = 49]]<<elseif $talk == 49>>[[Not Humans|$char][$talk = 65]][[Not Ghosts|$char][$talk = 66]][[Not Possible|$char][$talk = 67]]<<elseif $talk == 22>><<set $return = -1>>[[They're Right|$char][$talk = 50]][[They Don't Deserve You|$char][$talk = 51]][[They're Jealous|$char][$talk = 68]]<<elseif $talk == 2>><<set $return = 0>><<if $init1 == 1>>[[Corsair|$char][$talk = 10]]<<endif>><<if $init2 == 1>>[[Halle|$char][$talk = 11; $k11 = 1]]<<endif>><<if $init3 == 1>>[[Kal|$char][$talk = 12]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 10>><<set $return = 2>>[[Important?|$char][$talk = 23; $s23 = 1]]<<if $s23 > 0>>[[Charity?|$char][$talk = 24]]<<endif>>[[Personal?|$char][$talk = 25]]<<elseif $talk == 25>><<set $return = 10>>[[Chateau...|$char][$talk = 52; $s52 = 1]]<<if $s52 > 0>>[[Invited You?|$char][$talk = 69]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 11>><<set $return = 2>>[[Classy?|$char][$talk = 26]][[Talent?|$char][$talk = 27]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 28]]<<elseif $talk == 12>><<set $return = 2>>[[Stupid?|$char][$talk = 29]][[Games?|$char][$talk = 30]][[Personal?|$char][$talk = 31]]<<if $h48 > 0>>[[Sad Story?|$char][$talk = 70]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 70>>[[Brother...|$char][$talk = 54]]<<elseif $talk == 3>><<set $return = 0>>[[Me|$char][$talk = 13]][[Annabel|$char][$talk = 14]][[Others?|$char][$talk = 15]]<<elseif $talk == 13>><<set $return = 3>><<if $s5 > 0>>[[I Like Thinking|$char][$talk = 32]]<<endif>>[[Let Me Go|$char][$talk = 34]][[Eat Me|$char][$talk = 35]]<<elseif $talk == 33>><<set $return = -1>><<if $s33 != 2>>[[Yes|$char][$talk = 55]][[No|$char][$talk = 56]]<<else>>[[I Mean It!|$char][$talk = 55]][[Sorry...|$char][$talk = 56]]<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 14>><<set $return = 3>>[[Eat Her|$char][$talk = 36]][[Let Her Go|$char][$talk = 37]]/% BASE TALK%/<<elseif $talk == 991>>[[.......|dining][$char = "dining"; $talk = 0; $resetchar = 1]]<<elseif $talk == 999>>[[Restart Ghost Party...|Start][$restarted = 1]]<<set $engage = 1>><<endif>><<if $engage == 0 && $talk < 888 && $return > -1>>[[>|dining][$char = "dining"; $resetchar = 1; $talk = 0]]<<endif>>

<<if $ccath == 1 && $cgf == 1 && $hcath == 1 && $hgf == 1 && $kcath == 1 && $kgf == 1 && $scath == 1 && $sgf == 1>><<display 'CorsEnd'>><<else>><<if $kalhide == 1 && $kaltime == 0>><<display 'Kal'>><<else>><div class="mytext"><<if $kaltime > 0>><<set $kaltime -= 1>><<endif>><<if $resetchar == 1>><<set $resetchar = 0; $char = "Soul"; $talk = 0; $return = 0>><<endif>><<display 'imgsoul'>>/% TALK BASE %/<<if $talk == 0>><<if $init4 == 0>><<set $init4 = 1>>Soul: I'm Soul. You know... you look positively scrumptious! Has anyone ever told you?\nMe: ......<<else>><<if $svar == 1>>Soul: I made this necklace, you can have it if you want.<<elseif $svar == 2>>Soul: I'm starting to get hungry, how about you?<<elseif $svar == 3>>Soul: Thinking.... thinking.... thinking. Hm?<<elseif $svar == 4>>Soul: Kal makes us spooks look bad... well, worse anyway.<<else>>Soul: How do you feel about ectoplasm?<<set $svar = 0>><<endif>><<set $svar += 1>><<endif>><<elseif $talk == 1>>Me: Hi Soul, let's talk about you.\nSoul: Which me are we talking about?\n<<elseif $talk == 2>>Me: Let's talk about your spooky friends.\nSoul: What about them?<<if $init1 == 0 && $init2 == 0 && $init3 == 0>>\nMe: Uhh… I actually don't even know their names.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 3>>Me: Let's talk about food.\n<<if $sgf == 0>>Soul: Like you?\nMe: … certainly.<<else>>Soul: I love food!<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 4>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: Perhaps I'll go now. I'll certainly come back to visit, though…\n<<if $sleave == 0>><<if $sgf == 0>>Soul: Not yet, you're dinner. You can leave when we've finished you.\nMe: Oh.\n<<elseif $scath == 0>>Soul: Oh, but why? We were just getting to know each other.\nMe: Of course.<<else>>Soul: You mean like if you weren't our dinner?\nMe: Yes, somehow like that.\nSoul: … Well, if the others are alright with that, I suppose it's okay with me.\nMe: Thank you.<<set $talk = 991; $sleave = 1>><<endif>><<else>>Soul: Like I said, it's okay with me.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 5>><<set $talk = 1; $s5 = 1>>Me: What's your story?\nSoul: Maybe I'll read it to you sometime, but for now I'm still writing it.\nMe: … I meant, what are some things you've done?\nSoul: Writing my story, then reading it, correcting, revising. Like everyone else, right?\nMe: ……\n<<elseif $talk == 6>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: What was your life like?\nSoul: Pretty quiet. Sometimes I'd read and think, other times I'd knit and think. Sometimes I'd write down what I was thinking about.\n<<elseif $talk == 7>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: If you don't mind me asking, how did you die?\nSoul: … I was taken ill with a high fever one day. It didn't go away, and then I felt myself drifting.\nMe: I'm sorry to hear that. \nSoul: It's fine. What is death after all? I have no boundaries, I can go anywhere I want, do anything I like. Meatheads can't even pass through a wall. Maybe they're the ones who're dead.\n<<elseif $talk == 8>>Me: Tell me about your hobbies.\nSoul: I like reading, writing, knitting, thinking.\n<<elseif $talk == 9>><<if $s9 == 0>><<set $s9 = 1>>Me: I heard you like philosophy, would you like to talk about that?<<else>>Me: Let's talk about philosophical issues some more.<<endif>>\nSoul: <<if $s9 == 0>>Sure. What would you like to discuss?<<elseif $soulreset == 1>>What would you like to discuss?<<elseif $soulphil == 21>>Alright, maybe I'll learn something from you. You really gave me some new things to think about last time.<<elseif $soulphil >= 6>>Sure, you seem to take an academic interest in it.<<if $soulphil > 13>> You gave me two new things to think about last time.<<else>>You mentioned one thing last time I hadn't thought about before.<<endif>><<else>>Alright, we might learn something… though you didn't mention anything new to me last time.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 10>>Me: What can you tell me about Mister Corsair?\nSoul: I think Mister Corsair is often misunderstood. He's an important person and as such focuses on the bigger issues. We talk about many such things.\n<<elseif $talk == 11>>Me: What can you tell me about Halle?\nSoul: Oh, Lady Halle is very classy. I think Mister Corsair can be a bit unfair to her. She is very talented, if you ever watched her perform you would know.\n<<elseif $talk == 12>>Me: What can you tell me about Kal?\nSoul: … Why do you want to know about him?\nMe: I was just curious to hear your thoughts.\nSoul: There's not much to say about him, he's pretty stupid with all his childish pranks and games.\n<<elseif $talk == 13>>Me: How do you feel about me?\n<<if $s16 == 1>>Soul: You're terrible. Are you going to call me names now?\nMe: .......<<elseif $sgf == 1>>You're an interesting ghost friend.<<elseif $soulphil > 13>>I don't know, you have some good ideas...<<else>>Soul: You look really yummy.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 14>>Me: What do you think of Annabel?\n<<if $aeaten == 0>>Soul: She looks really tasty. I can tell.<<else>><<set $talk = 3>>Soul: Oh, she was delightful. The taste, the texture, it was all really nice.\nMe: …….<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 15>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: So what kinds of people do you usually like to eat?\nSoul: Everyone's yummy, but I wouldn't want to eat anyone too interesting... That's just wasteful.\n<<elseif $talk == 16>>Me: What do you like to read<<if $s16 > 0>> again<<endif>>?\nSoul: The classics, poetry, things that make me think.\n<<elseif $talk == 17>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: What kinds of things do you knit?\nSoul: Scarves, gloves, hats, socks. I'm thinking of doing a sweater, but that's a bigger commitment.\n<<elseif $talk == 18>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: Is thinking really a hobby?\nSoul: Of course. How much time do you spend thinking?\nMe: I suppose it depends on the day. What do you think about?\nSoul: I think all the time. I think about things, about people.\n<<elseif $talk == 19>><<if $soulreset == 0>><<set $soulphil = 0; $soulreset = 1; $return = -1; $engage = 1>><<endif>>Me: Shall we talk about life?\nSoul: Is life still a big mystery for you? What do you think about life?\n<<elseif $talk == 20>><<if $soulreset == 0>><<set $soulphil = 0; $soulreset = 1; $return = -1; $engage = 1>><<endif>>Me: Let's talk about people.\nSoul: What about people?\n<<elseif $talk == 21>><<if $soulreset == 0>><<set $soulphil = 0; $soulreset = 1; $return = -1; $engage = 1>><<endif>>Me: Let's talk about our world.\nSoul: Of course. What do you think about our world?\n<<elseif $talk == 22>><<if $s22 == 0>>Me: Hey Soul… I heard you were bullied<<else>>Me: About you having been bullied…<<endif>>\nSoul: ……\nMe: Do you want to talk about it?\nSoul: What is there to talk about? Others don't like me, because I always have my nose buried in a book and don't want to discuss boys or other stupid things. They say I'm weird because I actually think about things before speaking.<<if $s22 == 1>> And you're just like the rest!<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 23>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: You said Mister Corsair was an important person?\nSoul: That's how he would put it. He's hosted many large parties and spoken with lots of rich and powerful people. And he's given his own wealth to charity as well.\n<<elseif $talk == 24>><<set $s24 = 1; $talk = 10>>Me: You said Mister Corsair was a charitable person?\nSoul: My, yes! He would often buy things at auctions and even hold fundraisers for charity.\nMe: I wouldn't have thought.\nSoul: There is more to him than most people guess.\n<<elseif $talk == 25>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about Mister Corsair?\n<<if $sgf == 0>><<set $talk = 10>>Soul: I don't know if I should go that far, my mom always taught me not to play with my food.\nMe: Oh… I understand.<<else>>Soul: … Well, you know the Chateau de Carnelle is his favourite place in the world, right?\nMe: I didn't know that.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 26>><<set $talk = 11>> Me: You said Lady Halle was classy?\nSoul: Very much so, she has confidence, charisma, and a great taste in fashion. She's also really nice.\nMe: I see.\n<<elseif $talk == 27>><<set $talk = 11>>Me: You mentioned Lady Halle's talent…\nSoul: She is a very good actress. She puts on regular performances for us, you know? They're fun, even if Kal is in them too… she spends a lot of time with him, being around weirdos must be good for her craft.\n<<elseif $talk == 28>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about her…\n<<set $talk = 11>><<if $sgf == 0>>Soul: I don't know if I should go that far, my mom always taught me not to play with my food.\nMe: Oh… I understand.<<else>>Soul: Not sure what else I can tell you about her. She writes like I do, but her work is fiction, mine is more observational.\nMe: Of course.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 29>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: I believe you said Kal was… stupid?\nSoul: He will never grow up. He spends all day entertaining himself with nonsense, often at my expense. Hardly a day goes by he doesn't jump through me by surprise. He is so annoying.\nMe: I see.\n<<elseif $talk == 30>><<set $s30 = 1; $talk = 12>>Me: Kal likes playing games?\nSoul: Sure, but most of his friends are insects. He's always asking me to play hide and seek or something. That's his favourite.\nMe: Do you play together?\nSoul: Not very much, no. I have other things I'm interested in.\n<<elseif $talk == 31>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about Kal…\n<<if $sgf == 0>>Soul: I don't see why if I should go that far, my mom always taught me not to play with my food.\nMe: Oh… I understand.<<else>>Soul: Well… I think he eats bugs sometimes.\nMe: Ah…<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 32>><<set $talk = 13>>Me: You know, I like thinking…\nSoul: Do you now?\nMe: … yes.\nSoul: That's good.\n<<elseif $talk == 33>>Me: Soul, I know we haven't known each other very long, but I thought maybe you would consider… being my ghostfriend?\n<<if $s22 == 1>><<set $talk = 0>>Soul: I wouldn't be ghostfriends with a meanie like you.\nMe: Oh… alright.<<elseif $soulphd < 1 || $s16 < 1>><<set $talk = 0>>Soul: What? I can't just be ghostfriends with my food… that's like naming your chicken before chopping it up and eating it.\nMe: Yes, that's a good point.<<else>>Soul: … <<if $s33 != 2>>You really want me to be your ghostfriend?<<else>>Please end the pranks. They're not funny.<<endif>><<endif>><<elseif $talk == 331>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: It's quite nice having a ghostfriend like you, Soul.\nSoul: … Thank you. I'm happy, too.<<elseif $talk == 34>><<set $talk = 13>>Me: I was wondering, how would you feel about letting me go?\n<<if $sleave == 0>><<if $sgf == 0>>Soul: Like I'd want to eat you a bit first, why?\nMe: Oh. No reason, just curious.<<elseif $scath == 0>>Soul: Why? We were just getting to know each other.\nMe: Oh, no reason.<<else>><<set $sleave = 1; $talk = 991>>Soul: You mean like if you weren't our dinner?\nMe: Yes, somehow like that.\nSoul: … Well, if the others are alright with it, I suppose it's okay with me.\nMe: Thank you.<<endif>><<else>>Soul: Like I said, it's okay with me.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 35>>Me: Soul, I'm ready to be eaten now. You may have me first.\nSoul: Ooh! Thanks, don't mind if I do.\n\n<<display 'Eaten'>><<elseif $talk == 36>><<set $sa = 0>>Me: You should eat her, you know?\nSoul: <<if $sa == 0>>Yeah, I know.<<else>>Oh, I can eat her again? That's good.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 37>>Me: You should let her go, she feels very anxious here.\n<<if $sgf == 0 || $scath == 0>>Soul: Does she? I didn't know that.\nMe: So…\nSoul: So what?<<else>><<set $sa = 1; $talk = 3>>Soul: Well… maybe I'm not as hungry as I thought I was after all.\nMe: So…\nSoul: I guess I don't need to eat her right now.\nMe: Thank you, Soul.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 38>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: You know, I like reading too.<<if $s16 == 2>>… Even if it can be boring.<<elseif $s16 == 3>>… Even if it can be scary.<<endif>>\nSoul: Oh, have you ever read Sarah Orne Jewett?\nMe: Uhh…\nSoul: That's alright not everyone knows her.<<set $s16 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 39>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: Reading is boring.<<if $s16 == 1>> I know I said I liked it before, but I actually do not.<<endif>>\nSoul: Maybe you just aren't reading the right things for you.<<set $s16 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 40>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: <<if $s16 == 1 || $s16 == 2>>I wasn't going say this, but the truth is that r<<else>>R<<endif>>eading is scary!\nSoul: … Explain.\nMe: Well, sometimes I just feel like my whole life exists solely as a series of choice written paragraphs, and I only live, breathe, feel, because someone up there continues to read my story. But what will happen to me as soon as they stop reading? How will I live then?\nSoul: …… You're weird.<<set $s16 = 3>>\n<<elseif $talk == 41>>Me: Life is freedom, I can think, I can feel, I can relate to others, or not. I choose my path and I can stray from it at any turn if I wish.\nSoul: But look at me. I am not alive, and I can do all these things just as well, if not better. What freedom am I missing in my life?\n<<elseif $talk == 42>><<set $s19 = 2; $soulphil += 1>>Me: Life is a prison, to live is to suffer the human condition. Yes, we may experience the joys, but must also feel the pains. Why must we be trapped in these bodies, able to do only so little, when our spirits are limitless, infinite even.\nSoul: I agree. Life is overrated.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 43>><<set $s19 = 3>>Me: Life is just not very important. The world goes on just fine without being observed. I could take it or leave it, really.\nSoul: It's for the best you feel this way. You probably don't mind being eaten at all.\nMe: ……<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 44>><<set $s20 = 1; $soulphil += 1>>Me: People are good by nature. They want to love and respect each other, and care for our world. No one likes seeing pain or destruction, and the foundation of our laws is based on punishing those that would oppose these ideals.\nSoul: I generally agree. Of course, the first laws were barbaric, and didn't treat women and children much better than property.\nMe: … Is that a fact?\nSoul: Yup. The Code of King Hammurabi, look it up.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 45>>Me: People are evil by nature. Everyone wants to have theirs, and as much of it as possible. We, the many are but puppets at the mercy of those on top whom will sacrifice any number of us to get what they desire, and if we could be them, we would.\nSoul: How can you say this, when people have created so much beauty in this world?… We have art, music, language, science, literature. The world is full of beauty.\nMe: Sure, but then how do you explain…\n<<elseif $talk == 46>><<set $s20 = 3>>Me: People are not important. We are not the greatest, most powerful creatures, certainly not the most beautiful, we just are. Like mice or gulls, we just survive the way we can. There is nothing special about us.\nSoul: I cannot agree with that, we have an understanding about ourselves and our place in this world, in this universe, like none others on Earth. What's more, we only continue to achieve greater things, building on top of our history. People are very important.\nMe: Oh… well… if you put it like that.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 47>><<set $s21 = 1; $soulphil += 1>>Me: The world is best described as, well, divine love.\nSoul: Divine love? Go on…\nMe: Our Earth nurtures and cares for all life, like a mother for her children. Yet, it is more than that. What perfection it is for our planet to support life, it is not too hot, not too cold. Just perfect. Almost like it was planned this way.\nSoul: That sounds nice.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 48>><<set $s21 = 2>>Me: Well, bluntly put, the world hates us. Look at all the natural disasters, volcanoes, floods, earthquakes, storms, the poisonous plants and animals. Life is so precarious, everything seems to want to kill us.\nSoul: But I don't hate you, even if I might be in some way responsible for eating you. Things just have a way of being, and it's not their fault if they hurt you. They just are, like you are. And life itself is a miracle. Why should it exist at all? That you are here speaking with me, even though there are things that can kill you shows the balance is more than adequate.\nMe: ……<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 49>>Me: The world doesn't care about us at all. It has existed long before humans appeared and shall continue to do so long after we have gone.\nSoul: Ah! But, for the first time a species exists on this planet with the ability to understand the nature of this world. Maybe even to prevent our own destruction.\n<<elseif $talk == 50>><<set $talk=991; $scath = 0>>Me: <<if $s22 == 2>>They may not deserve you, but they<<elseif $s22 == 3>>You know, they<<else>>They<<endif>>'re right, you are really weird and unlikeable.\nSoul: ... what?\nMe: It's true. I tried to like you, but you just alienate me like you do with everyone else around you. And in the end, you're really only alienating yourself.\nSoul: That's… not true.\nMe: Isn't it?\nSoul: ……<<set $s22 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 51>><<set $talk = 991; $scath = 1>><<if $s22 == 1>>Me: Uhh… forget what I said before. I didn't mean any of that! The truth is<<else>>Me: Well, I'll tell you,<<endif>> they don't deserve to know you. Speaking with you, I have come to see what a unique, mature, and smart individual you are. This intimidates other people, because they expect you to be a certain way. When they realize you aren't, they aren't sure how to relate to you. It's not your fault, it's theirs. They don't want to try to understand you, that's why they mistreat you, call you weird. But you're not weird, you're different. You are special.\nSoul: ……\nMe: Trust me.\nSoul: … Thank you.<<set $s22 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 52>><<set $s52 = 1; $talk = 25>>Me: What is it about this chateau that Mister Corsair loves so much?\nSoul: I think it's because he spent all his life buying other people's things and properties, but this is the only thing he built himself. It is his and no other's. And… well…\nMe: Well…\nSoul: Well, I guess it's sort of all of ours now… Since he invited us to come and live here.\n<<elseif $talk == 54>><<set $talk = 991>>Me: What is the story with Kal's brother<<if $s54 > 0>>, again<<else>><<set $s54 = 1>><<endif>>?\nSoul: … Kal and he were playing hide and seek…\nMe: ... You can tell me, Soul.\nSoul: Kal chose to hide in a place his brother would never find him… but then he became trapped there and couldn't get out. His brother never found him.\nMe: Oh, no. Poor Kal.\n<<elseif $talk == 55>><<set $sgf = 1>>Me: <<if $s33 != 2>>Of course I do!<<else>>No, I really mean it this time.<<endif>> You're very smart, I've never known a spook like you.\nSoul: <<if $s33 == 2>>Really? … well, alright.<<else>>Well… alright.<<endif>>\nMe: I thank you for your ghostfriendship, Soul.<<set $s33 = 1; $talk = 991>>\n<<elseif $talk == 56>><<if $s33 != 2>>Me: Actually, Kal made me ask you that.\nSoul: ……\n<<endif>>Me: I apologize.\nSoul: Kal is such a little creep.<<set $s33 = 2; $talk = 0>>\n<<elseif $talk == 57>><<set $s41 = 1; $s19 = 1>>Me: Well, happiness, to be blunt. Isn't being dead an altogether depressing bit of business?\nSoul: I'm perfectly happy when I'm reading or writing, or just thinking to myself. I don't need to be stopped by every solid object to feel happy. It's strange that anyone would.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 58>><<set $s41 = 2; $s19 = 1>>Me: Love, of course. Can you feel the warmth in your heart when you feel fondness for another?\nSoul: I love many things, I love my books, I love discussing ideas.\nMe: But what about loving people?\nSoul: They cab be good for discussing things with, but I was never that into people.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 59>><<set $s41 = 3; $s19 = 1>>Me: Hope, naturally. For ones living, every step taken is full of optimism or uncertainty, but always hopeful of having stepped in the right direction. What else is there to hope for after one has died, but to be remembered?\nSoul: Well, I hope you taste good.\nMe: ……<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 60>><<set $s41 = 4; $s19 = 1; $soulphil += 7>>Me: Well, how about the freedom to carry out one of life's greater purposes, that of bearing children.\nSoul: … That's true. As a ghost, I guess I can't have this experience. I do wonder what that would be like.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 61>><<set $s45 = 1; $s20 = 2; $soulphil += 7>>Me: … Colonialism? Any one with power wants to subjugate others and take advantage of them as much as possible. One of the first things Christopher Columbus would remark upon when he landed in the New World would be how easily the Natives could be made servants and how well they would perform such duties.\nSoul: That is true, colonialism has been a terrible thing. But, in theory if your civilization is enjoying a golden age, is it not unselfish to spread the seeds of your knowledge and ingenuity to others? Is it really a sin to explore beyond your borders?\nMe: I suppose it depends on the purpose.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 62>><<set $s45 = 2; $s20 = 2; $soulphil += 7>>Me: … War? What other creature disgraces itself to such a degree as to take pride in the invasion and slaughter of others of its kind? Often millions of people pay the price for very minor disagreements or transgressions, which ought to easily be resolved diplomatically.\nSoul: … I couldn't argue with you on that point. It's true, the only other creature that kills itself on our scale is the ant. And that's not a very high standard for us to be living up to, is it?\nMe: Certainly, we should do better.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 63>><<set $s45 = 3; $s20 = 2>>Me: … Greed? People are never satisfied and always demand more. They're selfish. You give someone happiness for a moment, and the next they'll be wondering what else they can have.\nSoul: I disagree. Of course we see these things in people, but show me a creature that doesn't look after its own interests first. It's primal instinct. However, with humans, I also see the consideration we have for each other. We feel good about being kind and generous, these are virtues we hold highly.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 64>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: What do you write?\nSoul: My thoughts, mostly.\n<<elseif $talk == 65>><<set $s21 = 3; $s49 = 1>>Me: Humans? Not a chance! They are too busy playing their petty games to see the bigger picture. We use every opportunity we have to hate and divide ourselves from each other.\nSoul: I disagree. I think if people are faced with a threat bigger than all their differences, they will naturally unite to resolve the problem together.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 66>><<set $s21 = 3; $s49 = 2; $soulphil += 7>>Me: Not ghosts. Ghosts can't help this world.\nSoul: ……\nMe: Only the living now still have both such an awareness about the world and the capacity to do something about it, don't you think?\nSoul: … You're right, there are no ghost world leaders I'm aware of. That is something ghosts can't do, so it is up to the living to help themselves.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 67>><<set $s21 = 3; $s49 = 3>>Me: That's not possible. Every creature has an expiration date, if we don't destroy ourselves with all the weapons we've been creating, or succumb to a horrible plague, then surely consuming our resources, pollution and drastic changes to the environment will do the duty for us.\nSoul: I think the wisdom of humans speaks for itself. Things may get worse before they get better, but in the end they will come up with a solution.\nMe: I disagree.\nSoul: That's okay.<<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 68>><<set $talk=991; $scath = 1>><<if $s22 == 1>>Me: Maybe they're just jealous of you…\nSoul: … You said they were right and that I was unlikeable…\nMe: Ah! I didn't mean any of that! I think everyone just wishes<<else>>Me: They're just jealous of you, you know? They wish<<endif>> they could be smart like you, but they can't so all they can do is act out against you.\nSoul: … No, that's not it at all. They don't even like me, why would they want to be like me?\nMe: ……\nSoul: The truth is, I wish I could be more like them…\nMe: Yeah… I understand.<<set $s22 = 3>>\n<<elseif $talk == 69>>Me: Did you say Mister Corsair invited you to live here?\nSoul: Of course, it's his place after all.\nMe: How did that happen<<if $s69 == 0>><<set $s69 = 1; $corsinv += 1; $talk = 991>><<else>> again<<set $talk = 10>><<endif>>?\nSoul: He found me reading in his library one day. Instead of chasing me away like all the others, he recommended a few other titles. He said I could stay here, and I was welcome to read all of his books if I wanted. That made me happy.\nMe: I see.\n<<elseif $talk == 70>>Me: Halle mentioned there was a sad story in Kal's past…\n<<if $sgf == 0>><<set $talk = 12>>Soul: … I don't see why if I should tell you about that, I hardly know you at all.<<else>>Soul: Oh… you must mean the one about his brother.\nMe: ……<<endif>>/% if talk is 1... %/<<endif>>\n<<display 'ghosttest'>></div><<endif>><<endif>><<if $char == "Soul">><div id=navbar><<display 'soulopts'>></div><<endif>></div>

<div class="mytext"><<set $char = "CorsEnd">><<set $gameend = 1>><<display 'imgcorsair'>>Corsair: Alright, looking around the table I can see that dinner has been thoroughly ruined. Shall we proceed to the park for our evening's play then?\n\nHalle: I think that is a wonderful idea, Corsair.\nCorsair: Hm, yes.\nKal: Yeah, let's go! I'm ready!\nSoul: I guess I'll join you.\n\n//The ghosts floated away through the far wall, leaving only <<if $aeaten == 0>>Annabel and <<endif>>myself.//\n<div id=navbar><<if $aeaten == 0>>[[.......|dining][$char = "dining"; $resetchar = 1]]<<else>>[[.......|End]]<<endif>></div></div>

<<if $kalhide == 1 && $kaltime == 0>><<else>><<if $char == "Corsair">><<if $cgf == 1>><<if $cfeel < 4 || $cortaste < 3>><<set $cgf = 0; $cleave = 0; $ca = 0>>\nCorsair: Look, I've gotten bored of you now. Not sure I want to be ghostfriends with you anymore.<<endif>><<endif>><<elseif $char == "Halle">><<if $hgf == 1>><<if $h16 != 1 || $h40 != 1 || $h42 != 1>><<set $hgf = 0; $hleave = 0; $ha = 0>>\nHalle: You know, I thought you were a fan, but suddenly I'm not so sure. Perhaps it's early for us to be ghostfriends.<<endif>><<endif>><<elseif $char == "Kal">><<if $kgf == 1>><<if $kfeel < 3 || $k37 == 2>><<set $kgf = 0; $kleave = 0; $ka = 0>>Kal: <<if $k37 != 2>>\n... You know, you're not as fun as I thought you were. <<endif>>I don't think I want to be ghostfriends anymore.<<endif>><<endif>><<elseif $char == "Soul">><<if $sgf == 1>><<if $soulphil < 5 || $s22 == 1>><<set $sgf = 0; $sleave = 0; $sa = 0>>\nSoul: Anyway, I should really get back to my thinking. And my first thought is I can't be ghostfriends with you right now.<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>

<div class="mytext">The door creaks open and a voice calls me to join the others in the dining hall.\n\n<<if $talk == 1>>//Run away? Moi? For heaven's sake why? I've only just arrived after coming this long way, and yet to even sample the wine.//<<endif>></div>\n\n\n<div id=navbar>[[Enter Dining Hall|dining][$talk = 0; $resetchar = 1; $char = "dining"]] [[Run Away|Enter][$talk = 1]]</div>

<<if $talk > 0 && $talk < 888 && $return != -1 && $talk != 6 && $prog > 0 && $gameend == 0>>[[<|$char][$talk = $return]]<<endif>><<if $prog == 0>><<if $talk == 0>>[[Friendly Gathering?|$char][$talk = 1]] [[Free Food?|$char][$talk = 2]] [[Ghost Party?|$char][$talk = 3]]<<elseif $talk < 4>>[[.......|$char][$talk = 4]]<<elseif $talk == 4>>[[.......|dining][$char = "dining"; $talk = 0; $resetchar = 1; $prog = 1]]<<endif>><<else>><<if $gameend == 0>><<if $talk == 0>>[[Yourself|$char][$talk = 1]][[Me|$char][$talk = 2]][[Spooks|$char][$talk = 3]]<<if ($c3 + $h3 + $k3 + $s3) > 2>>[[Food?|$char][$talk = 4]]<<endif>>[[Leave...|$char][$talk = 5]]<<elseif $talk == 1>>[[I'll Save Us|$char][$talk = 6]][[It's Hopeless|$char][$talk = 7]]<<elseif $talk == 6>>[[No|$char][$talk = 8]][[Yes...|$char][$talk = 9]]<<elseif $talk == 3>><<if $init1 == 1>>[[Corsair|$char][$talk = 10]]<<endif>><<if $init2 == 1>>[[Halle|$char][$talk = 11]]<<endif>><<if $init3 == 1>>[[Kal|$char][$talk = 12]]<<endif>><<if $init4 == 1>>[[Soul|$char][$talk = 13]]<<endif>>/% BASE TALK%/<<elseif $talk == 991>>[[.......|dining][$char = "dining"; $talk = 0; $resetchar = 1]]<<elseif $talk == 999>>[[Restart Ghost Party...|Start][$restarted = 1]]<<set $engage = 1>><<endif>><<else>><<if $talk == 0>>[[We're Safe Now|$char][$talk = 1]][[Leave...|$char][$talk = 5]]<<elseif $talk == 5>>[[Hug...|$char][$talk = 14]][[No Thanks Necessary|$char][$talk = 15]]<<elseif $talk == 14>>[[I Am?!|$char][$talk = 16]][[Of Course!|$char][$talk = 17]]<<elseif $talk == 15>>[[I Am?!|$char][$talk = 16]][[Of Course!|$char][$talk = 18]]<<elseif $talk == 888>>[[.......|End]]/% Talk 2 %/<<endif>><<endif>><<if $return > -1 && $talk < 888 && $talk != 6>>[[>|dining][$char = "dining"; $resetchar = 1; $talk = 0]]<<endif>><<endif>>

<<if $prog == 0 || $gameend == 1>><html><div class="bg-container init">\n\t<div class="bg-container-aspect"></div>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Annabel")' class="ghost-button annabel"></a></div></html><<elseif $prog > 0>><<if $aeaten == 0>><<if $kalhide != 1>><html><div class="bg-container base">\n\t<div class="bg-container-aspect"></div>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Kal")' class="ghost-button kal"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Corsair")'class="ghost-button corsair"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Annabel")' class="ghost-button annabel"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Halle")' class="ghost-button halle"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Soul")' class="ghost-button soul"></a>\n</div></html><<else>><html><div class="bg-container kalhide">\n\t<div class="bg-container-aspect"></div>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Corsair")' class="ghost-button corsair"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Annabel")' class="ghost-button annabel"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Halle")' class="ghost-button halle"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Soul")' class="ghost-button soul"></a>\n</div></html><<endif>><<else>><<if $kalhide != 1>><html><div class="bg-container anneat">\n\t<div class="bg-container-aspect"></div>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Kal")' class="ghost-button kal"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Corsair")' class="ghost-button corsair"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Halle")' class="ghost-button halle"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Soul")' class="ghost-button soul"></a>\n</div></html><<else>><html><div class="bg-container anneatkal">\n\t<div class="bg-container-aspect"></div>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Corsair")' class="ghost-button corsair"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Halle")' class="ghost-button halle"></a>\n\t<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='state.display("Soul")' class="ghost-button soul"></a>\n</div></html><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>

/* Your story will use the CSS in this passage to style the page.\nGive this passage more tags, and it will only affect passages with those tags.\nExample selectors: */\n\n#sidebar {\n display:none;\n}\n\nbody {\n font-size: 11px!important;\n margin: 0;\n padding: 0;\n color: #d0d0d0;\n font-weight: bold;\n left: 0px;\n -webkit-touch-callout: none;\n -webkit-user-select: none;\n -khtml-user-select: none;\n -moz-user-select: none;\n -ms-user-select: none;\n user-select: none;\n}\n\n\nbody .transition-in {\n\tposition:fixed;\n\topacity:100;\n}\nbody .passage {\n\ttransition:0s;\n\t-webkit-transition: 0s;\n}\nbody .transition-out {\n\tposition:fixed;\n\topacity:100;\n}\n\n/*.passage:not(.transition-out) {\n\ttransition:0s;\n\t-webkit-transition: 0s;\n}\n\n.transition-in {\n\topacity: 0;\n\tdisplay: none !important;\n}\n.transition-out {\n\topacity: 100;\n\tdisplay: none !important;\n}*/\n\n\n.bg-container {width: 80%; margin: 0 auto; position: relative; background-size: contain;}\n.bg-container.init {background-image: url('images/bg_ann.jpg')}\n.bg-container.base {background-image: url('images/bg_full.jpg')}\n.bg-container.kalhide {background-image: url('images/bg_kal.jpg')}\n.bg-container.anneat {background-image: url('images/bg_noann.jpg')}\n.bg-container.anneatkal {background-image: url('images/bg_noannkal.jpg')}\n\n.bg-container-aspect {padding-top: 56.25%;}\n\n.ghost-button {display: block; position: absolute; z-index: 1;}\n\n.ghost-button.kal {z-index: 2; left: 10.6%; top: 56.6%; width: 19.5%; height: 43.9%;}\n\n.ghost-button.corsair {left: 19.6%; top: 23.4%; width: 21%; height: 48.1%;}\n\n.ghost-button.annabel {left: 40.6%; top: 11.3%; width: 18.8%; height: 36.4%;}\n\n.ghost-button.halle {left: 59.3%; top: 25.2%; width: 18.3%; height: 42.5%;}\n\n.ghost-button.soul {z-index: 2; left: 68.5%; top: 56.4%; width: 20.4%; height: 43.6%;}\n\n#passages {\n\tmargin: 0;\n\tborder: 0;\n\tpadding: 0!important;\n}\n\n.passage {\n\tposition: fixed;\n\tmargin: 0px auto;\n\tborder: 0px;\n\theight: 100%;\n\twidth: 100%;\n\ttop: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;\n\toverflow-y: auto;\n\t/* This only affects passages */\n}\n\n.passage a {\n\tfont-family: Verdana;\n\tfont-weight: strong;\n\ttext-align: center;\n\tvertical-align: middle;\n}\n.passage a:hover {\n\ttext-decoration: none;\n\tcolor: #ecfbfd;\n}\n\n#fullpass {\n\tdisplay: block;\n\tposition: fixed;\n\tbackground-image: url("images/parchment.jpg");\n\twidth: 60%;\n\tmin-width: 300px;\n\theight: 340px;\n\tleft: 20%;\n\ttop: 15%;\n\tpadding: 20px;\n\tborder-radius: 15px;\n\tborder-style: double;\n\tborder-width: 6px;\n\tborder-color: #563E23;\n\tz-index: 1;\n}\n\nimg.img1 {\n\tposition: relative;\n\tfloat: right;\n\twidth: 30%;\n\theight: 30%;\n}\n\n.mytext {\n\tmargin: 0 auto;\n\tpadding: 0;\n\tpadding-top: 20px;\n\tpadding-bottom: 30px;\n\twidth: 80%;\n\toverflow: hidden;\n}\n\n#navbar {\n\t/*background-image: url("images/navbar.png");*/\n\ttext-align: center;\n\twidth: 80%;\n\tclear: both;\n\tmargin: 0 auto;\n\tz-index: 4;\n}\n\n#navbar a {\n\tdisplay: inline-block;\n\tcolor: #dedcb6;\n\theight: 26px;\n\tfont-size: 22px;\n\tfont-family: Verdana;\n\tfont-weight: strong;\n\ttext-align: center;\n\tpadding: 6px 30px 6px 30px;\n\tborder-radius: 12px;\n\tborder: 5px ridge #115367;\n\tmargin: 8px 8px;\n\tbackground: #2e98a7; \n}\n\n#navbar a:link {\n\tcolor: #dedcb6;\n}\n\n#navbar a:hover { \n\ttext-decoration: none;\n\tcolor: #cfe994;\n}\n\n#credits {text-align: center;}\n#credits a {\n\tdisplay: inline-block;\n\tcolor: #dedcb6;\n\theight: 26px;\n\tfont-size: 22px;\n\tfont-family: Verdana;\n\tfont-weight: strong;\n\ttext-align: center;\n\tpadding: 6px 30px 6px 30px;\n\tborder-radius: 12px;\n\tborder: 5px ridge #115367;\n\tmargin: 8px 20px;\n\tbackground: #2e98a7; \n}\n\n#credits a:link {\n\tcolor: #dedcb6;\n}\n\n#credits a:hover { \n\ttext-decoration: none;\n\tcolor: #cfe994;\n}\n\n\n@media (max-width: 800px) {\n\t.bg-container { width: 100%; }\n\n\tbody {font-size: 12px}\n\n\t#navbar {\n\t\tposition: static;\n\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\theight: 30%;\n\t}\n\n\t.mytext {\n\t\tmin-height: none;\n\t\tpadding: 15px;\n\t\tpadding-bottom: 0px;\n\t\twidth: 90%;\n\t}\n\n\t#navbar a {\n\t\tfont-size: 16px;\n\t\tfont-family: Verdana;\n\t\tfont-weight: strong;\n\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\tpadding: 2px 8px 2px;\n\t\tborder-radius: 8px;\n\t\tborder: 4px ridge #1a637d;\n\t\tmargin: 4px 7px;\n\t}\n}

<<if $ccath == 1 && $cgf == 1 && $hcath == 1 && $hgf == 1 && $kcath == 1 && $kgf == 1 && $scath == 1 && $sgf == 1>><<display 'CorsEnd'>><<else>><<if $kalhide == 1 && $kaltime == 0>><<display 'Kal'>><<else>><div class="mytext"><<if $kaltime > 0>><<set $kaltime -= 1>><<endif>><<if $resetchar == 1>><<set $resetchar = 0; $char = "Corsair"; $talk = 0; $return = 0>><<endif>><<display 'imgcorsair'>>/% TALK BASE %/<<if $talk == 0>><<if $init1 == 0>><<set $init1 = 1>><<if $init2 == 1 && $init3 == 1 && $init4 == 1>>Corsair: Why, you come to my home and dare speak to all the other spooks before introducing yourself to me? Do you not know who I am?! Do you not see you are in the presence of the magnificent <<$corsname>>? Hah! I never...<<elseif $init2 == 0 && $init3 == 0 && $init4 == 0>>Corsair: Bravo, good show. Naturally you would come to speak to <<$corsname>>, whom is I, //first//. My reputation precedes me of course, I'm sure this is a great honour for you.<<else>>Corsair: Oh, look who made it to the party. Salutations, salutations.<<endif>><<else>><<if $cvar == 1>>Corsair: Hello again. Look at you... you look so whole.<<elseif $cvar == 2>>Corsair: Back so soon? Of course, it's only natural you find me fascinating in a je sais quoi sort of way...<<elseif $cvar == 3>>Corsair: You know John Wilkes Booth was an actor, don't you? I'm just saying, maybe they're not the best sort...<<elseif $cvar == 4>>Corsair: //Magnificent//! Oh-- did you say anything? I was just thinking about myself.<<else>>Corsair: Where are the other ghosts? You send these invitations months in advance and... Bah!<<set $cvar = 0>><<endif>><<set $cvar += 1>><<endif>><<elseif $talk == 1>><<if $c1 == 0>><<set $c1 = 1>>Me: Good evening, Mister Corsair. Perhaps you could tell me a little bit about yourself? \nCorsair: OF COURSE! I welcome your interest. I am <<$corsname>>, you may call me Your Highness, Great One, or just Corsair for short.<<else>>Me: Can we talk about you some more, Mister Corsair?\nCorsair: OF COURSE! I welcome your interest.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 2>>Me: Can I ask you about some of your spook buddies?\nCorsair: 'Spook buddies'? //Please//…<<if $init2 == 0 && $init3 == 0 && $init4 == 0>>\nMe: Umm… I don't even know their names, actually.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 3>>Me: So… what do you like to eat?\n<<if $cgf == 0>>Corsair: You mean besides you?\nMe: ……<<else>>Corsair: Unimportant people mostly. But then you are what you eat, so perhaps not.\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 4>><<set $talk = 0>><<if $cleave == 0>><<if $cgf == 1 && $ccath == 1>><<set $cleave = 1>>Me: Somehow we've come a long way haven't we?\nCorsair: … I suppose we have.\nMe: I thought maybe I could go now… I promise to come visit.\nCorsair: Oh... I suppose you might want some more time for yourself before being eaten?\nMe: That would be a gift, really.\nCorsair: Well, it's alright by me if it's alright with the others.\nMe: Thank you, Mister Corsair.\n<<elseif $cgf == 0>>Me: So maybe I could go now? I promise I'll come visit…\nCorsair: No, you may not go. You do realize you are food, right?\nMe: I guess. I try not to think about it too much.\nCorsair: That's fine.<<else>>Me: So maybe I could go now? I promise I'll come visit…\nCorsair: What? Now? You've only just become interesting to me.\nMe: Oh, alright then… thanks.<<endif>><<else>>Me: Have we spoken about not eating me and letting me go instead?\nCorsair: Yes, yes, yes… You do go on about not wishing to be eaten, don't you?\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 5>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: I was hoping to hear more about your past experiences.\nCorsair: Naturally, naturally. Mine is a tale of bliss among the fortunate. As all great men, I have always striven for perfectionism. To that aim, in my life I have accomplished a great many things, met many important people, and amassed a vast collection of priceless, or at least supremely expensive, items.\n<<elseif $talk == 6>>Me: Could you tell me about your life?\nCorsair: Certainly! Mine is a life lived fully, a life lived well. My grandfather taught me the values I hold to this day, to appreciate the finer things, respect the respectable, and to always either be loved or feared, but no matter what, be thoroughly understood. Every noteworthy man, woman, and child in this province knows the name <<$corsname>>.\nMe: … Impressive.\n<<elseif $talk == 7>><<set $talk = 1>>Me: I don't mean to pry, but could you tell me how you died?\nCorsair: Died? Me, died? Why, that's rubbish. I am now a better, smarter, more powerful man than I ever was when I had physical form. If that is called death, then I say sign me up for another.\nMe: ……\n<<elseif $talk == 8>>Me: You mentioned some of your accomplishments…\nCorsair: <<$corsname>> is no stranger to a great many accomplishments. I have been host at the most luxurious, more specifically expensive parties, featuring a who's who of the most important people in the country; NO, the world!\n<<elseif $talk == 9>>Me: You said you collected a great many //expensive things//?\nCorsair: Look around, you are standing in one such //expensive thing// as we speak. This is one of the many estates I own, and as you see it is filled with a good deal of tasteful art and antique furniture I have acquired over the years.\n<<elseif $talk == 10>>Me: What can you tell me about Halle?\nCorsair: Why ask //me// about that wench? She is a talentless hack, claims to be an //'AC-TOR'//. Hah! Understudy worthy performer at best, if you care for my opinion.\n<<elseif $talk == 11>>Me: What can you tell me about the spook named Kal?\nCorsair: Eh, a bit on the feebleminded side, if you asked me. He enjoys tormenting poor Soul on occasion, but is generally in good spirits.\n<<elseif $talk == 12>>Me: What can you tell me about Soul?\nCorsair: Soul is a kind spirit, I could never deny her anything. She has an interesting outlook on things and enjoys a quieter moment on her own.\n<<elseif $talk == 13>>Me: What do you think about me?\nCorsair: <<if $cgf > 0>>You're a fine ghostfriend.<<elseif $cfeel > 2>>You're okay in my books.<<else>>I really do not.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 14>>Me: What can you tell me about Annabel?\n<<if $aeaten == 0>>Corsair: She is food<<if $cgf == 0>>, like you<<endif>>.<<else>><<set $talk = 3>>Corsair: She was a tad spicy somehow, but certainly not bad.\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 15>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: What kinds of people do you usually like to eat?\nCorsair: I appreciate variety, I'd like to try someone from every part of the world if possible. So far my favourite dish is Uzbekistani.\nMe: … I see.\n<<elseif $talk == 16>>Me: Tell me about your parties<<if $c16 > 0>> again<<endif>>...\nCorsair: Infamous! Look around and you shall have but a glimpse. Imagine a hall of thirty tables, each served with three courses of only the finest cuts of meat in the most delectable sauces, a dazzling cornucopia of desserts, and the richest, most expensive wines money and patience can acquire.\n<<elseif $talk == 17>><<if $c17 == 0>>Me: What kind of important people have you met?<<else>>Me: Who were those important people you mentioned before?<<endif>>\nCorsair: Only the richest, most famous, most powerful make it to my parties. I have hosted nobles, corporate honchos, beautiful celebrities. You name them, I sat at a table with them, possibly spilled a drink on them.\nMe: … I see.\nCorsair: What woe it is to live on this Earth and not even be known. Your reputation is your one true value, if the people don't see your importance then you may as well not exist.\n<<elseif $talk == 18>><<if $c18 == 0>>Me: Soul mentioned you've done some charitable work?<<else>>Me: Tell me once more of your charitable work, won't you?<<endif>>\nCorsair: <<if $c18 == 0>>Lord, yes. <<else>>Why, <<endif>>I hosted so many affairs, it's but a matter of course to raise funds for notable causes when you welcome the rich and famous into your home. One time we gathered money to have the Vichy Bridge Club painted green, then another time to have it painted brown again. My fundraisers were so popular, on several occasions I raised funds to finance future fundraisers.\n<<elseif $talk == 19>>Me: Tell me about your estates.\nCorsair: I have villas all across Europe, and various other exceptional marvels of architecture scattered around the globe. However, my first love is this chateau right here, the Chateau de Carnelle. No other place feels quite like home.\n<<elseif $talk == 20>>Me: Can you tell me about some of your collections<<if $c20 > 0>>… again<<endif>>?\n<<if $c20 == 0>><<set $c20 = 1>>Corsair: Certainly, I have vast collections of fine art, fine wine, and fine books. If it is fine, I am fine with paying for it.<<elseif $correset == 1>>Corsair: I have vast collections of fine art, fine wine, and fine books. If it is fine, I am fine with paying for it.<<elseif $cortaste < 2>>Corsair: Again? If you insist, but I don't believe your tastes are refined enough to appreciate my collections of fine art, fine wine, or fine books.<<elseif $cortaste == 2>>Corsair: Oh, alright. I suppose you may benefit from further exposure to some culture. As I mentioned, I have a vast collection of fine art, fine wine, and fine books. If it is fine, I am fine with paying for it.<<elseif $cortaste == 3>>Corsair: Certainly. You do seem keen, and I quite approve of your tastes.\nMe: Why, thank you.\nCorsair: So, as you know I have a vast collection of fine art, fine wine, and fine books. If it is fine, I am fine with paying for it.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 22>><<if $c22 == 0>>Me: So, I heard that you are not actually <<$corsname>>, but that your real name was… Periwinkle.\nCorsair: AH! Infernal fiend! HOW DARE YOU?! I should have your head for this slander. I am Corsair! CORSAIR! Not this…… name you call me!<<else>><<set $talk = 1; $engage = 0>>Me: So… about your real name…\nCorsair: I thought we agreed we would never speak of this again.\nMe: Oh… of course.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 23>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: Well, I'm important. <<if $c17 == 2>>I know I said I wasn't earlier, but I really just wanted to test your reaction. <<endif>>My mother always told me I was special.\nCorsair: …… Why, of course! Why else would you be here? <<if $c17 != 1>><<set $c17 = 1; $cfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 24>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: I'm actually not very important<<if $c17 == 1>>. I know I said I was, but I just wanted to test your reaction… So<<endif>>, why was I invited here?\nCorsair: Surely, some invitations are sent out by accident. Important people like //myself// do not have the time to oversee every little affair. One time I had to endure the Duke of Earl at my table. He was not, in fact, an actual duke.<<if $c17 == 1>><<set $cfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $c17 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 25>><<set $talk = 8>><<if $c18 == 2>>Me: Well, when you put it like that, that does sound <<else>>Me: That sure sounds <<endif>>charitable, indeed. And not at all like an exercise in self-congratulatory pandering to one's own ego.\nCorsair: I try to help however I can.<<if $c18 != 1>><<set $c18 = 1; $cfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 26>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: That is not charity!<<if $c18 == 1>> Forget what I said earlier!<<endif>> Charity is about helping the poor, the disenfranchised, those that don't have what you and your fancy friends have. It's not about helping yourselves!\nCorsair: Well, that's just your opinion, <<if $c17 == 2>>but you already said you weren't very important, so how much does that matter?\nMe: Why, I……<<elseif $c17 == 1>>and though you say you are an important person, I would now put that to question.\nMe: What is the question?\nCorsair: Are you indeed an important person?\nMe: … Yes. And that is not charity.<<else>>and who knows anything about you at all, really?\nMe: Why, I……<<endif>><<if $c18 == 1>><<set $cfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $c18 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 27>>Me: It really is a beautiful chateau. You managed to keep it in rather good condition, even whilst not being alive.\nCorsair: Why, thank you.\n<<elseif $talk == 28>>Me: What other estates do you own besides this chateau?\nCorsair: Oh, I have a Swiss chalet in Switzerland, an alchemy museum in Prague, beachfront property in Valencia, a pagoda in Japan, one and a half derelict Buddhist temples in Thailand, and a mansion in New York, among others.\n<<elseif $talk == 29>><<if $correset == 0>><<set $cortaste = 0; $correset = 1; $engage = 1>><<endif>>Me: I enjoy fine art, won't you tell me about your collection?\nCorsair: A fellow connoisseur, I see. Well, the first thing I look at when purchasing artwork is, of course, the price. The more expensive the better, yes? Art only gets more expensive with time, and owning expensive things is the best way to remind others of your riches. You can't lose.\n<<elseif $talk == 30>><<if $correset == 0>><<set $cortaste = 0; $correset = 1; $engage = 1>><<endif>>Me: I adore wine. Won't you tell me about your collection?\nCorsair: Well, the most prized bottle among my collection is a 1787 Chateau Margaux. The only one known in existence. In wine, age makes all the difference, the bottle I buy becomes an even more expensive historic artifact. Most importantly, an object of envy.\n<<elseif $talk == 31>><<if $correset == 0>><<set $cortaste = 0; $correset = 1; $engage = 1>><<endif>>Me: I would love to take a glance at your book collection, can you tell me about it?\nCorsair: Surely. I own over four thousand books, including hand painted manuscripts from the Middle Ages, various hand crafted single and limited first editions. The more work that goes into a book, the older it is, and the more religious interest it holds, the greater the value. So, you must always keep note of the oldest things you find at a book shop.\n<<elseif $talk == 32>>Me: Of course, Mister Corsair. I have no intention of offending you.\nCorsair: Thank you… and don't tell the others.\nMe: I shall not.<<set $talk = 1; $c22 = 1; $engage = 0>>\n<<elseif $talk == 33>>Me: Never! Just as I was born I, a Periwinkle is born a Periwinkle! You may call yourself a Corsair, but you were never meant to be a Corsair. You were supposed to have the life of a Periwinkle, to be more humble and understanding of other people's struggles and weaknesses. But you shed what little humility you were given and spent your entire life hiding behind this facade.\nCorsair: …….\nMe: Periwinkle! You are Periwinkle! You will always be Periwinkle!\n\n//Speechless with fury and overcome with hatred, //<<display 'Eaten'>><<set $talk = 999>>\n<<elseif $talk == 34>>Me: I mean someone actually named you Periwinkle. I couldn't stop laughing when I first heard! It's absolutely hilarious. And the way you behave and carry yourself, it's like poetic irony! Hahahaha!!\nCorsair: …….\nMe: Hahahahahahahahaha!\n\n//Speechless with fury and overcome with hatred, //<<display 'Eaten'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 35>>Me: I actually rather like it. It's different, unexpected. I'm not sure how things were back in your day, but people like names that stand out nowadays.\nCorsair: ……\nMe: I'm sure everyone would accept you if you told them your real name. It's quite refreshing.\nCorsair: Look here... I, <<$corsname>>, have a reputation I have spent over a century perfecting and upholding. You can take a Periwinkle seriously only so little, at the end of the day you could never win an argument as a Periwinkle, because you are after all but //Periwinkle//. Who cares what //Periwinkle// has to say? But //Corsair//. You will listen to //Corsair//, you will fear getting on Corsair's bad side, and by god, you will //remember// Corsair! There is only one name I will accept, and that is the name I chose for myself, <<$corsname>>. I would ask you to respect this.\n<<elseif $talk == 36>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: Halle said she is a famous actress with many films and plays to her credit…\nCorsair: Hah! Hahah! Famous, did she say? Don't make me laugh. I am famous, I who have had kings, dukes, princesses come to visit my renowned parties. I, who own some of the most valuable wines and art in the world, am famous.\nMe: But she is an actress. It's a different kind of fame… people like her.\nCorsair: …… \n<<elseif $talk == 37>><<set $talk = 10>>Me: The other spooks say Halle is quite a good actress.\nCorsair: Oh, please. Perhaps for a d-list actress who is… not entirely attractive. I'll watch her do her little theatre, but only because there is little else to do around here.\n<<elseif $talk == 38>>Me: Maybe you can tell me something a little more personal about Halle…\n<<if $cgf == 0>><<set $talk = 10>>Corsair: Why on Earth would I do that?\nMe: I thought we were getting along…\nCorsair: You thought wrong.<<else>>Corsair: Well… I suppose I might mention about her extra work if you really wanted to know.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 39>><<set $talk = 11>>Me: What do you think of his pranks?\nCorsair: He changed my ghost slippers to a smaller size of ghost slippers one time. I was hardly amused, but they actually fit better, so perhaps I should thank him.\n<<elseif $talk == 40>><<set $talk = 11>>Me: Can you tell me something a little more personal about him?\n<<if $cgf == 0>>Corsair: Why on Earth would I do that?\nMe: I thought we were getting along…\nCorsair: You thought wrong.<<else>>Corsair: There really isn't anything in particular I know of the child. He likes to play, that is all. We do not spend much time together.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 41>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: An interesting outlook, you say?\nCorsair: Certainly, you only need to spend a short while speaking to her to see that she puts a lot of thought into what she says.\n<<elseif $talk == 42>><<set $talk = 12>>Me: You said she was kind…\nCorsair: Of course, she is the type of spook that would rather spend the day lying in a field of flowers, writing down her thoughts, than running wild chasing squirrels, like the other one. \n<<elseif $talk == 43>>Me: Maybe you could tell me something a little more personal about Soul…\n<<if $cgf == 0>><<set $talk = 12>>Corsair: Why are you so inquisitive all of a sudden?\nMe: Come on, what's a little gossip between friends… I thought we were getting along…\nCorsair: You thought wrong.<<else>>Corsair: Well, it's hardly a secret, but the girl enjoys philosophy.<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 44>><<set $talk = 13>>Me: Did I mention I was important?\n<<if $c17 == 1>>Corsair: You did.\nMe: Just making sure.<<elseif $c17 == 2>>Corsair: No, in fact last time you told me you were not very important at all.\nMe: Oh… Well I'm revising my statement now. I really am important…\nCorsair: Alright.<<else>>Corsair: Are you? That's good.\nMe: It is.<<endif>><<if $c17 != 1>><<set $c17 = 1; $cfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 45>>Me: I know it's really soon, but I can't help the way I feel…\nCorsair: … what are you trying to say?\nMe: Will you be my ghostfriend?\n<<if $cfeel > 3 && $cortaste == 3 && $c17 == 1>><<if $c66 != 2>>Corsair: You-- you mean that, don't you?<<else>>Corsair: More of Kal's humour? Of course, you couldn't mean that.<<endif>><<else>><<set $talk = 0>>Corsair: What the devil? You were invited here as food. Why would I be your ghostfriend?\nMe: … Okay. I understand.<<endif>><<elseif $talk == 451>><<set $talk = 0>>Me: How would you rate our ghostfriendship?\nCorsair: Umm… above average? I don't know, how do they rate ghostfriendships these days?\nMe: I would rate ours auspicious, how does that sound?\nCorsair: If you insist.<<elseif $talk == 46>><<set $talk = 13>><<if $cleave == 0>><<if $cgf == 0>>Me: You know, I'm really not that tasty. I went on this high-carb, low-fat diet and there's hardly anything left worth eating at all. You should just let me go.\nCorsair: That's alright, I can't taste your carb or… fat anyway. I can only taste your spiritual essence.\nMe: … Oh.<<elseif $ccath == 0>>Me: So maybe I could go now? I promise I'll come visit…\nCorsair: What? Now? You've only just become interesting to me.\nMe: Oh, alright then… thanks.<<else>><<set $cleave = 1>>Me: You know, I thought perhaps I might be permitted to take my leave…\nCorsair: Well, I suppose I don't //have// to eat you tonight.\nMe: Thank you.<<endif>><<else>>Me: Have we spoken about not eating me and letting me go instead?\nCorsair: Yes, yes, yes… You do go on about not wishing to be eaten, don't you?\nMe: ……<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 47>>Me: You can eat me now, I'm ready.\nCorsair: I thought you would never ask.\n\n<<display 'Eaten'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 48>><<set $talk = 3>>Me: You should eat her, I mean what are you waiting for?\nCorsair: Oh, I will. Us spooks have all the time in the world, you see, there's really no need to rush. We like to take it slow and savour the experience.\nMe: Okay.\n<<elseif $talk == 49>><<set $talk = 3>><<if $cgf == 1 && $ccath == 1>><<set $ca = 1>>Corsair: Blast it! Why, why should I let her go?\nMe: It's the right thing to do.\nCorsair: … Bah! Fine, she may leave without any objection from me.<<else>>Me: You should let her go, she's been through enough.\nCorsair: … No? Yes, no. I will go with //no// on that one. But your concern is noted.\nMe: Alright.\n<<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 50>><<if $c50 == 0>>Me: How much was this place, if you don't mind me asking?<<else>>Me: Remind me, how much was this chateau?<<endif>>\nCorsair: <<if $c50 == 0>>That's a good question. <<endif>>With the land, building the chateau, all the art and decoration. Probably around fifteen million francs.\n<<elseif $talk == 51>><<set $talk = 27>>Me: So, how long have you lived here?\nCorsair: Would you believe that I have lost track of the time? Years and years, to be sure, but what matter does it make? I have nowhere else to be.\n<<elseif $talk == 52>>Me: If I may be so bold as to inquire about the other spooks who have come to live here…\nCorsair: What of them?\nMe: Well, Mister Corsair, and correct me if I'm wrong, but you invited them here, didn't you?\nCorsair: //Invite//? //I//? Not at all! They infest this place like the rats. Let them do as they want… Who said I invited them anyway?\nMe: Well…<<if $corsinv < 3>><<set $talk = 0>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 53>><<set $talk = 27>>Me: That's way too much (probably)!<<if $c50 == 2>> I know I said it was a fair price before, but… so much has changed in the last few moments.<<endif>>\nCorsair: The goal is perfection, and if this is the price you must pay for perfection, how can you not?<<if $c50 == 2>><<set $cfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $c50 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 54>><<set $talk = 27>>Me: That's really good for a chateau this size and this luxurious!<<if $c50 == 1>> I know I said it wasn't, but I hadn't taken everything into consideration, you see?<<endif>>\nCorsair: Of course, but the cost is not what matters. It is the feeling this chateau impresses upon one's spirit.\nMe: Oh… most certainly.<<if $c50 != 2>><<set $cfeel += 1>><<endif>><<set $c50 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 55>><<set $talk = 991; $ccath = 0>>Me: You like having them around, don't you? They bring a glimmer of life back into… your life.\nCorsair: … Poppycock. They arrived by chance over the years. It's spacious enough here for all of us to feel comfortable, so why not let them stay a while?\nMe: … I suppose.\n<<elseif $talk == 56>><<set $talk = 991; $ccath = 1>>Me: You need them around, don't you? You need others to //know// you, to respect and appreciate you. You created a little family here, and that is what really makes you //important// now.\nCorsair: ……\nMe: Otherwise, who would know you?<<if $c17 > 0>> You may as well not exist, isn't that what you said?<<endif>>\nCorsair: This is… pure … rubbish…… Don't tell the others, though.\nMe: I shall not.\n<<elseif $talk == 57>>Me: I disagree-- \nCorsair: Let me stop you there.\nMe: ……<<set $c29 = 2; $talk = 20>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 58>>Me: But not all artwork is of the same grace. There are important pieces of historic artistic significance that may be valued on par with modern works, but can the two even be compared?\nCorsair: Buy them both, I say.<<set $c29 = 3; $talk = 20>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 59>>Me: Of course, for a good wine, the older it is the better. Assuming it has been properly stored over the years.\nCorsair: We are in agreement. It becomes a crime against nature to drink a bottle of fine wine after a certain age. Yet, I confess I often dream of having the Chateau Margaux all to myself. Perhaps one day.\nMe: You're a ghost.\nCorsair: Still not too late.<<set $c30 = 1; $talk = 20; $cortaste += 1>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 60>>Me: But you can just as well purchase a more contemporary and lesser expensive wine of good character, and allow it to age and increase in value while in your possession.\nCorsair: Why, surely... If you have that sort of time on your hands.<<set $c30 = 2; $talk = 20>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 61>>Me: You are correct, if you are looking at books as an investment. They just don't produce books as they used to, the painstaking handcraftsmanship cannot be replaced.\nCorsair: Even if it could, you would still have something modern, which is altogether icky in comparison to something centuries old.<<set $c31 = 2; $talk = 20; $cortaste += 1>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 62>>Me: What about the quality of the content? You know, the writing…\nCorsair: Writing? Why, that's just script. Of course it always looks better in a more expensive book, does it not?\nMe: ……<<set $c31 = 3; $talk = 20>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 63>><<set $talk = 10>><<set $c63 = 1>>Me: Extra work? You mean additional work she's done?\nCorsair: Her films, working as an extra. Just a figure in the background, no dialogue, just walking across the screen, not even in focus.\nMe: You mean…\nCorsair: Ask her yourself if you dare, she was but an extra in all her films. Famous, indeed.\n<<elseif $talk == 64>><<set $c64 = 1; $talk = 991>>Me: You said Soul likes philosophy?\nCorsair: Surely she does, we spend many hours a week discussing our views about various things. She listens to my stories, and I enjoy her unique point of view.\n<<elseif $talk == 65>><<set $cgf = 1; $talk = 991; $c66 = 1>>Me: More than anything!\nCorsair: Really? Well… alright. We can try a ghostfriendship. But if this is some sort of trick, you shall regret it.\nMe: I'm happy you would accept my friendship, Mister Corsair.\nCorsair: ……\n<<elseif $talk == 66>><<set $talk = 0>><<if $c66 != 2>>Me: Actually I was just kidding.<<if $init3 == 1>> It was Kal's idea.<<endif>>\nCorsair: … Oh.<<endif>><<if $init3 == 1>>\nMe: He seems to be influencing me today.\nCorsair: Indeed.<<endif>><<set $c66 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 67>><<set $talk = 6>>Me: What kind of man was your grandfather?\nCorsair: My grandfather was an industrious railroad tycoon. With my parents lost in the war, he singlehandedly raised me from youth with traditional values, strength, discipline. He taught me the importance of money, buying happiness, the importance of importance, reputation, respect. Of course, he died a very miserable man, never spent a penny he didn't have to later in life. Still, he left it all to me and I never had to work a day in mine.\n<<elseif $talk == 68>><<set $talk = 6>>Me: What about your parents?\nCorsair: Oh, I really haven't the foggiest about them. I was far too young when they disappeared. However, my grandfather frequently declared them timid and thrifty.\n<<elseif $talk == 69>><<if $c69 == 0>>Me: Did your grandfather perhaps mistreat you growing up?\nCorsair: Not at all. <<else>>Me: Tell me again about how your grandfather raise you.\nCorsair: <<endif>>He instilled discipline in me, the value of richness, and the fear of being unknown. I remember every instructional beating and thumbscrew session, I would not be the man I am today were it not for my grandfather's care.\nMe: …… \n<<elseif $talk == 70>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: <<if $c16 == 2>>You know, t<<else>>T<<endif>>hat does sound quite good, indeed.\nMe: OF COURSE! Were you to attend one of my great galas, why you should think you've died and gone to heaven!<<if $c16 != 1>><<set $c16 = 1; $cfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 71>><<set $talk = 8>>Me: <<if $c16 == 1>>On second thought, t<<else>>T<<endif>>hat seems a tad on the excessive side. We always try to do more with less in my family.\nCorsair: …Yes. Quite.<<if $c16 == 1>><<set $cfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $c16 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 72>><<set $talk = 19>>Me: <<if $c28 == 2>>I may have come off as unimpressed earlier, but still that's<<else>>That's<<endif>> quite a collection. I'd love to visit you at one of your other locations.\nCorsair: <<if $c28 ==2>>Don't sweat it, I'm hardly ever impressed at all. Though <<endif>>I would surely welcome you there, <<if $c28 ==2>>but <<endif>>alas I have come to enjoy spending time here so much that I don't often venture out to my other properties.<<if $c28 != 1>><<set $c28 = 1; $cfeel += 1>><<endif>>\n<<elseif $talk == 73>><<set $talk = 19>>Me: <<if $c28 == 1>>Now that I think of it, that's not much at all, is it? <<else>>Is that all? <<endif>>My father owned a zoo in the Netherlands, the Egyptian wing of the British Museum, most of the catacombs in Rome, a little house on the prairie outside Saint Petersburg, a house-making house in Indonesia, and two stylish mansions in Scarborough. He also invested in some property on the moon, but that really dropped in value.\nCorsair: Hah! I own two craters on the moon. I own a zinc mine as well, but I don't intend to live there, either. Your father sounds like a fair chap, though.<<if $c28 == 1>><<set $cfeel -= 1>><<endif>><<set $c28 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 74>><<set $talk = 6>>Me: <<if $c69 == 2>>On second thought,<<else>>Oh, well<<endif>> that sounds about standard. What world would it be were we not subjected to… thumbscrews, was it? … at an early age. We must be kept grounded in reality one way or another, must we not?\nCorsair: I should think so.<<set $c69 = 1>>\n<<elseif $talk == 75>><<set $talk = 6>>Me: Dear lord! <<if $c69 == 1>>… You //were// joking, were you not?<<else>>You must be joking.<<endif>>\nCorsair: … I <<if $c69 == 1>>was<<else>>am<<endif>> assuredly not. If I were telling a joke, I should preface it with //'here is a joke'//.\nMe: Oh, but that is horrid! You were subjected to torture by your brute of a grandfather! Surely you realize this, do you not?\nCorsair: Listening to the Duke of Earl speak at length about something he described as a 'groovy situation' was torture, my grandfather's discipline was business as usual.<<set $c69 = 2>>\n<<elseif $talk == 76>>Me: Of course, if you have the money there is no reason not to invest in the best and priciest.\nCorsair: We are in agreement.<<set $c29 = 1; $talk = 20; $cortaste += 1>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 77>>Me: I disagree-- \nCorsair: Let me stop you there.\nMe: ……<<set $c31 = 1; $talk = 20>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 78>>Me: I disagree-- \nCorsair: Let me stop you there.\nMe: ……<<set $c30 = 3; $talk = 20>><<display 'Re_collect'>>\n<<elseif $talk == 79>>Me: Actually, I've spoken to all the spooks, and regardless of anything else they had to say, they all credit you with welcoming them to come and stay here with you. They are all grateful to you for that.\nCorsair: Why ………/% TALK BASE %/<<endif>>\n<<display 'ghosttest'>></div><<endif>><<endif>>\n<<if $char == "Corsair">><div id=navbar><<display 'corsairopts'>></div><<endif>></div>

Leonid Pilchin (@LeonDaydreamer)