Awaken, The Watcher

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<<fadein 1s>> <div id="start-title">Awaken, The Watcher</div> <div id="start-subtitle">by //Leo Schmidt//</div> <<nobr>><div id="start-menu"> <<button "New Game" "p_00">><<set $chapter to "">><</button>> <<button "Load Game">><<run UI.saves();>><</button>> <<button "Settings">><<run UI.settings();>><</button>> <<button "Credits">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("credits","credits"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("credits").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</button>> </div><</nobr>> <</fadein>>

<h2>Credits</h2> <li>Sugarcube 2 <a href="https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs/" target="_blank">Documentation</a></li> <li>Custom macros by <a href="https://github.com/ChapelR/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2" target="_blank">//Chapel//</a></li> <li>Template by <a href="https://losingface.itch.io/" target="_blank">//becky//</a></li>

For many centuries, there was <<linkappend "darkness." t8n>> Pitch-black void spreads out before you. You see it ripple, feel the cold it emanates—and yet it’s not your skin that reacts. There are strange sounds all around: quiet shuffling and slithering and hissing and crunching of something unknown. Whispers overlapping each other in a language you don’t know—but you can tell their tones carry a sick anticipation. Something inside you thrums with anxious energy in turn, but it doesn’t belong to you. “//Freedom. Soon//”, flickers a thought. Unbidden. It feeds the flames of dark excitement that feels too intense, too wild. And then everything happens all at once. A loud snap. A flash of light right in front of you so bright but you can’t bring yourself to look away. The void starts tearing at the seams, everywhere around cracks are starting to form, light seeping into the previously dark void. Whispers are no more. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[Only strange screeching|p_01]]<<set $chapter to "<blur>''//Watcher...//''</blur>">></div> </div><</nobr>><</linkappend>>

<<linkappend "You can see them now." t8n>> Big and small, but all equally strange and horrible and wrong. Many-legged. Many-eyed. Shiny shells snap and crack with every move. Massive translucent wings buzz. You know it should terrify you. You, instead, feel only dark glee—alien and unstoppable. You take a step forward to the biggest, brightest gash. Then another. And another... Ancient beings quiet down and part around you, letting you take the lead, obediently falling back. You hear them follow as you slowly march forward, your clear steps echoing in the darkness. Their legs click almost soundlessly. The light blinds you. Still, you smile wide and break into sprint, charging straight towards the ever-widening crack. And somewhere beneath that smile, you are watching. Buried. Struggling. Entirely powerless. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_02]]<<set $chapter to "<blur>''//Wake up, Watcher...//''</blur>">></div> </div><</nobr>><</linkappend>>

<<if settings.notifs>><<if tags().includes('autosave')>><<notify 3.5s>>Saving...<</notify>><</if>><</if>> /* autosaving -- the autosave notif needs to be 'present' at all times so is stored in the passageheader, only popping up when you add the [autosave] tag onto one of your passages. this is mainly for aesthetics as the autosave function is currently set up to save on EVERY passage. this can be changed in the javascript settings, e.g. you could configure it to only autosave on passages with the [autosave] tag notify is also a ChapelR macro, not a default sugarcube macro, so make sure to familiarise yourself with the documentation!*/ <script> var myDiv = document.getElementById('passages'); myDiv.scrollTop = 0; </script> /* scroll top -- this script makes the page scroll back to the top every time you move on to the next passage -- do not delete it! */

<<set $chapter = "">> <<set $name = "">> /* GENERAL STUFF */ <<set $gender to "">> <<set $horrors to "">> <<set $p_gender to "">> <<set $v_gender to "">> <<set $relstatus to "single">> <<set $clues to "0">> <<set $VicDyn to "">> <<set $VicRom to "">>

<div id="title-container"> <i class="fa-regular fa-eye"></i><span class="title-item">Awaken, The Watcher</span> <span class="chapter-item">$chapter</span> </div>

<<link '<i class="fa-solid fa-chevron-left" alt="return"></i>'>><<run Engine.backward();>><</link>> <<link '<i class="fa-solid fa-gear" alt="settings"></i>'>><<run UI.settings();>><</link>> <<link '<i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-from-bracket" alt="saves"></i>'>><<run UI.saves();>><</link>> <<link '<i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-rotate-left" alt="restart"></i>'>><<run UI.restart();>><</link>>

<<fadein 2s>><blur>"I know you can hear me, you annoying pest. You shall pay for what you've done to me. ''Soon.''"</blur> //Through the thick veil a voice calls out to you, though not by name, which is...// <<textbox "$name" "">> \ <<button "Confirm">> <<if $name is "">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>Please enter a name. Here are a few suggestions (just click one to proceed): ○ <<link "Ryan">><<set $name to "Ryan">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Charles">><<set $name to "Charles">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Kenneth">><<set $name to "Kenneth">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Sonia">><<set $name to "Sonia">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Luna">><<set $name to "Luna">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Edith">><<set $name to "Edith">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Hayden">><<set $name to "Hayden">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Ainsley">><<set $name to "Ainsley">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>; ○ <<link "Peyton">><<set $name to "Peyton">><<goto "p_03">><</link>>.<</replace>> <<elseif /[^A-Z]/i.test($name)>> <<replace "#textbox-error">>Names may only contain letters.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><</replace>> <<goto "p_03">> <</if>> <</button>> <span id="textbox-error"></span><<set $name to $name.trim()>><</fadein>>

<<set $chapter to "">><<notify 7s>>Something deep inside you stirs. It's not enough. Not yet.<</notify>>With a gasp, you sit up in bed. You clutch at the duvet that had almost completely slipped off to the floor, your breath laboured. Your vision swims, eyes sting as if you had just stared straight at the sun. Blood rushes loudly in your ears as you recover from your nightmare. For a moment you squeeze your eyes shut, rubbing your face with a bit more force that intended. “Oh, $name. You're up. Good, good," sudden voice makes you flinch, but the panic that arises disappears almost immediately. You recognise this voice—of course you do, you’d be able to pick up your older brother’s light, cheery voice out of millions of others. “Your alarm went off ten minutes ago, but you didn't come out of the room. Dad sent me to check on you.” You take a deep breath, eyes sleepily fluttering open. A quiet groan tumbles from your lips as you tap the screen of your phone. Sure enough, it's been a bit over ten minutes since your usual alarm. “Must've turned it off in my sleep... Thanks for checking, though. My first lecture is history... You know how Professor Moore is.” Sebastian, now fully entering your room, plops down on the edge of your bed. “No problem. Wouldn't want you to get in trouble at college,” he chuckles before looking you over. Energetic spark lighting his clear grey eyes extinguishes in an instant, giving way to concern. “Nightmare?” You nod mutely, glancing down at your hands. Only now you release your grip on the sheet, sighing as you reach for the glass of water on your nightstand. You’re parched, you realise as you greedily gulp up half of the glass. Remnants of the nightmare cling to you like a silent warning of something unknown. <<linkreplace "You don’t quite remember what it was that you saw." t8n>><<set $clues to "1">> Well, now that you've thought about it for a moment... You can recall darkness, then blinding light... And huge insectoid things, for some reason. Maybe agreeing to watch Infestation with Bash last night wasn’t such a good idea, and you tell him as much. He raises an eyebrow, a bit wary for a reason you can’t understand yet. “Oh. So, it really left that much of an impression on you, huh...” It makes you pause. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[Sure, you’re easily scared... But the horrors never followed you into dreams before, so vivid too|p_03_1]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[You don’t feel any particular way about horrors. Never once you saw a nightmare quite like this one before|p_03_2]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[You’re surprised. You’re as much of a horror fan as your brother, if not more|p_03_3]]</div> </div><</nobr>><</linkreplace>>

<<set $horrors to "scaredycat">>You aren’t ashamed to admit that you were a bit of a tender child... It’s how it always was for you. You still get glimpses of people drowning in some green goo from a film you accidentally saw in your childhood when Bash went away for a bathroom break. You also remember dad chiding him for leaving you alone in front of the screen with his “creepy stuff” on while simultaneously trying to console you. You don’t even know the name of the film, but you hate it and fear it to this day. “Yeah...” “More than the goo?” Sebastian asks, his smile is half-joking and half-apologetic. “More than the goo,” you confirm gruffly, glancing away as the image of mysterious goo swallowing a whole person up resurfaces in your mind once more. The fear is still too fresh for your liking. And you always bring it up when Bash offers to join him on Saturday evening marathons. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_04]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $horrors to "neutral">>Horrors don’t faze you in normal circumstances. Sure, maybe you’ve had a few nightmares about zombies when you were much younger... Though they weren’t by any means intense. Most of what you remember is your now long-gone cat had turned into one, but even that your child brain found a bit comedic at the time. “I honestly don’t know...” “No zombie-cats living with us this time around?” Bash chuckles softly. “Dang. Not your style.” You snort, shaking your head. Of course, he instantly thinks of that one, too. “Shut up.” <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_04]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $horrors to "fan">>Cheap jumpscares and ghouls and murderers have your blood pumping in the best ways possible. Dad was sceptical about letting you binge scary movies with Sebastian for a long time when you were little, but then realised he had nothing to worry about. You knew it was mostly made-up stuff. Being cuddled up under the blanket, pointing out obvious flaws and giggling about stupidity of the characters along with your family was your favourite past-time well into your pre-teens. By this point, you’ve seen it all, and yet none of the movies you watched with your brother over the years affected you as much as your nightmare did. “It’s... Unnatural.” “Heck, if it scared even you, I don’t know if I would be able to survive it,” Sebastian confesses, frowning. “What a nice way to tell me that I’m a little freak,” you roll your eyes half-heartedly. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_04]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

“Well, take your time,” Sebastian sighs, standing up. “I’ll go make sure dad doesn’t get lost in his thoughts and burn our breakfast.” That makes you sigh as well, and Bash leaves your room as quietly as he entered. Yes, maybe letting your dad cook with no supervision wasn’t such a good idea... Your morning fully starts off with a usual routine. Bathroom, then shower, then making sure your hair looks presentable, then dressing up and looking around the room to see if you’d forgotten to put anything in your bag... Going through familiar motions helps ease the foreboding feeling that clings to you. By the time you step out of the room, the scent of fresh toast—maybe just slightly burned—greets you, and you set out to follow it to the kitchen, already hearing your family’s mumbling. The hallway connecting master bedroom, your brother’s room and your room is narrow and dim, but you can clearly see silhouettes of many pictures hanging on the walls around you. <<linkappend "You don’t need to take a closer look to know—they are of your dad, Sebastian and you. Or do you?" t8n>><<set $clues to "2">> Even though you know their contents well, something urges you to get at least a peek, and you step closer to one of the frames. In this one, Sebastian is no more than five. A charming gentleman even in his younger years, though that smooth suit and bowtie are not exactly his style anymore—he’d much rather wear a button up, some black jeans... Occasionally he adds a thin tie with a clip to his image if he knows he’s going to be reporting on camera. Here though, little Bash is half-sitting, half-laying in the cushy old chair of your father’s home office, looking up at the one taking picture with a bright grin, two or three teeth missing. You turn your attention to the next one. It’s your father, considerably younger and thinner than he is now, holding what you assume is a copy of the first book he’d ever published... You can’t discern the cover, so you’re not entirely sure. He doesn’t look accomplished, in fact, his stormy eyes (although giving off a reddish glint in the old photo) are gazing somewhere over the camera, guilty and raw with desperation. Looking at something that isn’t there for you to see. Sebastian is beside him. Your brother is older here than in the first one, about ten years or so, and he doesn’t really pay attention to the camera, instead it seems like he can’t stand still at all—his fingers are fiddling with the string of his blue hoodie, his head a blur of motion. But even like this, you can tell he’s frowning. Displeased and fidgety. There’s only one person in the world who can make your older brother feel like this... There aren’t any pictures of her, probably because your mother is a sore topic for your family. And... There are no pictures of you. It makes you pause. Then blink. Then frown as you briefly look over a few more frames. //Why aren’t there any photos of you? You could’ve sworn you were in quite a few of them, there, right beside Bash—// Although the thought initially makes you shiver, you try to physically shake it out of your head. No, that can’t be right. You know there are photos of you. You just happened to skip over them now. Yeah. That’s... That’s exactly what it is. Hurriedly you move on.<</linkappend>> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_05]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

Dad flinches at the sound of your voice and turns to face you with a sheepish smile. “I was just... You know. Cooking for you guys for once. I thought it could be nice?” It is. Would be, if your dad’s cooking was at least partially edible, and it was most often not... It’s the thought that counts, you suppose. You mostly find it amusing. Your dad, although a bit absent at times due to his writing jobs when he prefers to be left alone and in silence, always tries to make up for lack of communication for long periods of time. Be it a week, a month or even a few—he'll come out of his room, tired but feeling accomplished and ready to finally be a parent instead of a full-time novelist. “Yet another genius feat from our resident writer,” Sebastian groans. You can almost imagine that he’d just rolled his eyes. “I know I say this a lot whenever you start cooking... But maybe let me handle the stove? Stick to the salads, coffee and other stuff that can’t be burned?” Dad glances away for a moment. “Uhm... Is Vic coming around this morning?” he switches the topic away from his cooking skills, or rather the lack of thereof. “Been a while. How’s that new bartending gig treating <<cycle "$v_them">> <<option "him">> <<option "her">> <</cycle>>?” <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[Bash shrugs|p_06]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

Dad flinches at the sound of your voice and turns to face you with a guilty expression. “I was just… You know. Cooking for you guys for once. I thought it could be nice?” You don't know why he tries so hard sometimes. He's never been good at this. If not for Sebastian, you would probably have died of starvation when you were younger. Your interactions with him were a bit tense ever since you were little. Perhaps, it was because he was absent most of your life, even if not too far away. Sebastian was the one who took care of you whenever your dad holed up in his room for weeks at a time, never coming out until his work was finished. You've grown up knowing that Howard Ravenstorm was a full-time novelist, and almost never a dad. There were exceptions, of course. Like today. “Yet another genius feat from our resident writer,” Sebastian groans. You can almost imagine that he’d just rolled his eyes. “I know I say this a lot whenever you start cooking… But maybe let me handle the stove? Stick to the salads, coffee and other stuff that can’t be burned?” Dad glances away for a moment. “Uhm... Is Vic coming around this morning?” he switches the topic away from his cooking skills, or rather the lack of thereof. “Been a while. How’s that new bartending gig treating <<cycle "$v_them">> <<option "him">> <<option "her">> <</cycle>>?” <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[Bash shrugs|p_06]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<if $clues is "2">><<notify 7s>>Are you as human as you think you are, “$name”?<</notify>><<else>><</if>>What you are met with is both hilarious and exasperating. Half-burned toasts stacked on a plate already sit at the table. Your dad, armed with a spatula and salt shaker, is standing in front of the stove. You can feel the nervousness rolling off of him in waves, shoulders hunched up. There are eggs sizzling in the pan. Too many for that small pan, as you can tell. Sebastian, with an expression of pure concentration and a big wooden spoon, tries to salvage what dad has started. “Are you planning to feed a whole army here? Holy smokes, why are there so many of them,” he grumbles, a bit frustrated as he rearranges the eggs to his best ability. “I was hungry... Thought that, maybe, you guys were too,” dad answers, pursing his lips as he watches your older brother work. “Can you fix this?” “I wouldn’t have to fix anything if you fried eggs in two separate batches,” Bash nudges him further away to take over the stove completely. Dad doesn't protest. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[“A truly wonderful morning for the Ravenstorm family, I see,” you chime in with a slight grin|p_05_1]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[“Morning,” you sigh. This is a disaster, but he is your family. For better or worse|p_05_2]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<if $v_them is "him">><<set $v_gender to "male", $v_name to "Victor", $v_they to "he", $v_them to "him", $v_their to "his", $v_theirs to "his", $v_themself to "himself", $v_kid to "boy", $v_person to "man">><<else>><<set $v_gender to "female", $v_name to "Victoria", $v_they to "she", $v_them to "her", $v_their to "her", $v_theirs to "hers", $v_themself to "herself", $v_kid to "girl", $v_person to "woman">><</if>>You tilt your head, glancing at your brother, curious, as you take a toast from the plate and nibble on it silently. Vic—$v_name Major, Sebastian’s best friend. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> was around fairly often, and there’s little point in those inquires beyond simple desire to talk about something else. “Yeah, $v_they texted me, like, twenty minutes ago that $v_they wants to hang out before work,” Bash clearly doesn’t want press the issue much further either, content. “<<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>>’s helping out Danny. You know, at that small teahouse down the street.” Dad perks up at that, smiling. “Huh... Dan has a nice place! Not many people around, but so cosy. Hope Vic likes it there.” Before any of you can say anything else, there’s a knock on the front door. You get up and shuffle over to open. “Speak of the devil. Now you can ask $v_them yourself,” you hear Sebastian let out an amused chuckle. And, indeed, when you pull the front door open, you are greeted by a very familiar, very blond, and very anxious sight. Soft waves are looking a little more windswept today than usual, falling a little past small, pointed ears void of piercings. Expressive dark blue pools eternally elude eye contact and are framed by delicate long lashes, their slightly downturned shape is something you found made $v_them look kind. Almost innocent, even. $v_name’s thin lips immediately turn up at the corners into a small smile as you murmur a greeting, although today $v_their gaze stays locked with yours for much longer than usual, focused and studying, as if seeing you for the first time. There’s a slight tautness in between $v_their rounded eyebrows, and it’s gone the second you take notice. “Ah. Um. Good morning, $name,” as if suddenly realising how long $v_they has been staring at you $v_they tips his head down, elegant fingers idly fiddling with a big button on the sleeve of $v_their beige trench coat. “How are you doing today? Is Bash still home?” You nod, stepping to the side to let $v_them in. Your attitude towards $v_name is mostly... <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[Protective. You know that Vic is a tender being, and gets embarrassed very easily|p_06_1]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[Relaxed. Vic is a nice person, even if needlessly polite|p_06_2]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[Teasing. The way Vic lowers the head and continuously avoids eye contact is adorable|p_06_3]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[Indifferent. It’s just your brother’s best friend, after all|p_06_4]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicDyn to "protective">>At this point, it’s almost natural how easily you switch into caretaker mode around $v_name. Yes, $v_they’s older than you... By three years, just like Bash, which is not much, but still. Yet $v_their awkwardness and hesitance are the things that have your protective instinct flaring. You wish you could just wrap $v_them up in bubble wrap and keep at home, away from stress of the cruel outside world. “I’m quite good, actually. And yes, he hasn’t left yet. We were about to have breakfast,” you hum with a calming smile as you pull the door closed after $v_them. “How are you?” “Ah, great! I’m feeling well today, thank you. Came for work early, so... Decided to check in on you guys while it’s not time to go yet,” $v_they grins in response. Something about $v_their usual smile seems even more hesitant. Tense, even. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> almost brushes against your arm as $v_they goes to take $v_their shoes and trench off, but there’s no contact. You didn’t expect one. Where others wouldn’t mind accidental physical contact, Vic takes it very seriously. You could push past $v_them, press against $v_their side on the couch when there’s not enough space, place a hand on $v_their shoulder—anything, really—and $v_they wouldn’t mind much. <<print $v_their.toUpperFirst()>> own touches are different. Full of purpose. Like when $v_they rubs Sebastian’s back comfortingly after one of the heated rants about an insufferable rival colleague. Or when $v_they gives you a satisfied low-five after winning a match of Mario Kart against your brother and dad. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> takes great care not to cause any discomfort in general, and that’s just how $v_they is wired, you think. Sometimes, you realise Vic has stayed the night at your house only the morning after. You usually find $v_them in the kitchen dressed in pyjamas then, standing over the coffee machine and looking through Bash’s collection of ground beans to figure out what kind of brew $v_they wants to drink. Rarely picks anything adventurous, but Sebastian once told you that Vic just likes having options to ponder. It’s how $v_they keeps $v_themself occupied. And... <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[...your feelings towards Vic have never gone far out of the ‘safe’ zone. A complication-free relationship|p_07_1]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...you had a huge crush when you were younger. Thankfully you grew out of that phase before it could make any significant impact on your relationship|p_07_2]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. So what? No way in hell you will ever admit it to anyone, let alone to Vic|p_07_3]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. Really, how could you not? Polite, adorable, mindful. Very much spouse material, if you say so yourself|p_07_4]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicDyn to "relaxed">>Maybe $v_they’s a little quirky and overly sensitive at times, but does it matter? To you, it doesn’t. You never minded $v_their antics in the past, and you certainly don’t mind them now. Vic is definitely a good $v_person and that was always enough for you to treat $v_them like a friend of your own. “Yeah, he’s home. We’re having breakfast,” you shrug, closing the door behind $v_them. “I’m fine, I suppose. And you?” “Ah, great! I’m feeling well today, thank you. Came for work early, so... Decided to check in on you guys while it’s not time to go yet,” $v_they grins in response. Something about $v_their usual smile seems even more hesitant. Tense, even. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> almost brushes against your arm as $v_they goes to take $v_their shoes and trench off, but there’s no contact. You didn’t expect one. Where others wouldn’t mind accidental physical contact, Vic takes it very seriously. You could push past $v_them, press against $v_their side on the couch when there’s not enough space, place a hand on $v_their shoulder—anything, really—and $v_they wouldn’t mind much. <<print $v_their.toUpperFirst()>> own touches are different. Full of purpose. Like when $v_they rubs Sebastian’s back comfortingly after one of the heated rants about an insufferable rival colleague. Or when $v_they gives you a satisfied low-five after winning a match of Mario Kart against your brother and dad. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> takes great care not to cause any discomfort in general, and that’s just how $v_they is wired, you think. Sometimes, you realise Vic has stayed the night at your house only the morning after. You usually find $v_them in the kitchen dressed in pyjamas then, standing over the coffee machine and looking through Bash’s collection of ground beans to figure out what kind of brew $v_they wants to drink. Rarely picks anything adventurous, but Sebastian once told you that Vic just likes having options to ponder. It’s how $v_they keeps $v_themself occupied. And... <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[...your feelings towards Vic have never gone far out of the ‘safe’ zone. A complication-free relationship|p_07_1]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...you had a huge crush when you were younger. Thankfully you grew out of that phase before it could make any significant impact on your relationship|p_07_2]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. So what? No way in hell you will ever admit it to anyone, let alone to Vic|p_07_3]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. Really, how could you not? Polite, adorable, mindful. Very much spouse material, if you say so yourself|p_07_4]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicDyn to "teasing">>Now, there exists two things that never fail to make your day. First is food, obviously. You’re cranky when hungry. And second is //teasing Vic//. Making $v_them squirm is an art form at this point because $v_their reactions are priceless. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> gets all huffy and pouty when you start, and it’s so endearing that you can’t help yourself with the jokes until $v_they’s but a mumbling mess with a red face hidden behind $v_their hands. But it’s too early of a morning for your usual routine and $v_they might just flee if you overwhelm $v_them, you think as you close the door behind $v_them. “Yeah, he hasn’t left for work yet. Doing good... And you?” “Ah, great! I’m feeling well today, thank you. Came for work early, so... Decided to check in on you guys while it’s not time to go yet,” $v_they grins in response. Something about $v_their usual smile seems even more hesitant. Tense, even. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> almost brushes against your arm as $v_they goes to take $v_their shoes and trench off, but there’s no contact. You didn’t expect one. Where others wouldn’t mind accidental physical contact, Vic takes it very seriously. You could push past $v_them, press against $v_their side on the couch when there’s not enough space, place a hand on $v_their shoulder—anything, really—and $v_they wouldn’t mind much. <<print $v_their.toUpperFirst()>> own touches are different. Full of purpose. Like when $v_they rubs Sebastian’s back comfortingly after one of the heated rants about an insufferable rival colleague. Or when $v_they gives you a satisfied low-five after winning a match of Mario Kart against your brother and dad. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> takes great care not to cause any discomfort in general, and that’s just how $v_they is wired, you think. Sometimes, you realise Vic has stayed the night at your house only the morning after. You usually find $v_them in the kitchen dressed in pyjamas then, standing over the coffee machine and looking through Bash’s collection of ground beans to figure out what kind of brew $v_they wants to drink. Rarely picks anything adventurous, but Sebastian once told you that Vic just likes having options to ponder. It’s how $v_they keeps $v_themself occupied. And... <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[...your feelings towards Vic have never gone far out of the ‘safe’ zone. A complication-free relationship|p_07_1]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...you had a huge crush when you were younger. Thankfully you grew out of that phase before it could make any significant impact on your relationship|p_07_2]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. So what? No way in hell you will ever admit it to anyone, let alone to Vic|p_07_3]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. Really, how could you not? Polite, adorable, mindful. Very much spouse material, if you say so yourself|p_07_4]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicDyn to "indifferent">>You have little interest in Vic. Your brother coddles $v_them, your dad flees conversation every time Vic is overwhelmed because he feels awkwardness vividly through Vic... And you, well, $v_they doesn’t bother you. You don’t mind $v_their polite cliché’s either. “Yeah, he's inside,” you nod, closing the door up behind $v_them. “I’m well, and you?” “Ah, great! I’m feeling well today too, thank you. Came for work early, so... Decided to check in on you guys while it’s not time to go yet,” $v_they grins in response. Something about $v_their usual smile seems even more hesitant. Tense, even. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> almost brushes against your arm as $v_they goes to take $v_their shoes and trench off, but there’s no contact. You didn’t expect one. Where others wouldn’t mind accidental physical contact, Vic takes it very seriously. You could push past $v_them, press against $v_their side on the couch when there’s not enough space, place a hand on $v_their shoulder—anything, really—and $v_they wouldn’t mind much. <<print $v_their.toUpperFirst()>> own touches are different. Full of purpose. Like when $v_they rubs Sebastian’s back comfortingly after one of the heated rants about an insufferable rival colleague. Or when $v_they gives you a satisfied low-five after winning a match of Mario Kart against your brother and dad. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> takes great care not to cause any discomfort in general, and that’s just how $v_they is wired, you think. Sometimes, you realise Vic has stayed the night at your house only the morning after. You usually find $v_them in the kitchen dressed in pyjamas then, standing over the coffee machine and looking through Bash’s collection of ground beans to figure out what kind of brew $v_they wants to drink. Rarely picks anything adventurous, but Sebastian once told you that Vic just likes having options to ponder. It’s how $v_they keeps $v_themself occupied. And... <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[...your feelings towards Vic have never gone far out of the ‘safe’ zone. A complication-free relationship|p_07_1]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...you had a huge crush when you were younger. Thankfully you grew out of that phase before it could make any significant impact on your relationship|p_07_2]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. So what? No way in hell you will ever admit it to anyone, let alone to Vic|p_07_3]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...maybe you do have a crush. Really, how could you not? Polite, adorable, mindful. Very much spouse material, if you say so yourself|p_07_4]]</div> <div class="choice-item">[[...you don’t care. Definitely. Ignore that fluttering in your chest. It means nothing|p_07_5]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicRom to "no">>Even though Vic makes it dangerously easy to fall for $v_their sheepish charm, you stood firm. No way you were going to think about your brother’s best friend in that way. That just... Feels wrong, for some reason. And, as far as you’re concerned, Vic doesn’t hold tender feelings towards you either, so... It’s a smooth relationship where neither party expects anything from each other. You like it that way. As soon as you and Vic sit down at the table, Bash finishes up with breakfast preparations and places a plate in front of you. He launches straight into his plans at the office for today, familiar droning in your ears as you eat. Warmth spreads throughout your body when you, not for the first time, realise you find comfort in being surrounded by family and friends. It’s by no means perfect. Your dad keeps quiet, his gaze far-away, probably pondering his screenplay while he chews on the toast. Sebastian is filling the silence with idle conversation even as he sips on coffee. Vic is nodding along and chuckling, commenting where $v_they thinks appropriate. Soon, you’ll have to hurry to the college, and Bash and Vic will have to go to work, and your dad will go back to his office... It’s not perfect at all, you think. It never truly was. All you know that it’s enough for you to enjoy this moment nevertheless. Enough to chase away the remaining shadows lingering in your mind. One moment you’re mindlessly listening to Bash’s voice, the next you’re already looking out of the window of the half-empty bus, backpack slung over your shoulders and music softly playing in one earpiece. The ride is short, and in just fifteen minutes you drop your bag onto your usual seat. Your friends are already around, that you can tell from the familiar bags laying on their respective seats even though two curly-haired siblings are currently absent. You settle into your own seat, pull out a pen and an old notebook just as the professor steps into spacious auditorium, steely eyes narrowing on you for a long moment before <<cycle "$p_they">> <<option "he">> <<option "she">> <</cycle>>moves to place folders onto the desk. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_07]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicRom to "had a crush">>Yes, Vic is a candy in many ways, both appearance- and personality-wise, and even your timid teen heart wasn’t immune to $v_them. Whether $v_they was aware or not you have no idea, and not like it matters much now. It’s over, you’re a bit glad it is, and that’s that. As soon as you and Vic sit down at the table, Bash finishes up with breakfast preparations and places a plate in front of you. He launches straight into his plans at the office for today, familiar droning in your ears as you eat. Warmth spreads throughout your body when you, not for the first time, realise you find comfort in being surrounded by family and friends. It’s by no means perfect. Your dad keeps quiet, his gaze far-away, probably pondering his screenplay while he chews on the toast. Sebastian is filling the silence with idle conversation even as he sips on coffee. Vic is nodding along and chuckling, commenting where $v_they thinks appropriate. Soon, you’ll have to hurry to the college, and Bash and Vic will have to go to work, and your dad will go back to his office... It’s not perfect at all, you think. It never truly was. All you know that it’s enough for you to enjoy this moment nevertheless. Enough to chase away the remaining shadows lingering in your mind. One moment you’re mindlessly listening to Bash’s voice, the next you’re already looking out of the window of the half-empty bus, backpack slung over your shoulders and music softly playing in one earpiece. The ride is short, and in just fifteen minutes you drop your bag onto your usual seat. Your friends are already around, that you can tell from the familiar bags laying on their respective seats even though two curly-haired siblings are currently absent. You settle into your own seat, pull out a pen and an old notebook just as the professor steps into spacious auditorium, steely eyes narrowing on you for a long moment before <<cycle "$p_they">> <<option "he">> <<option "she">> <</cycle>>moves to place folders onto the desk. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_07]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicRom to "yes, quiet">>Yes, $v_they makes your heart beat out of your chest whenever $v_they as much as looks at you, or sits by your side, or talks to you in that smooth, calm voice of $v_theirs. <<print $v_their.toUpperFirst()>> easy laughter, sometimes with quiet hiccups if $v_they’s almost on the verge of crying from laughing so hard, is addictive and makes you smile. The way $v_they seems to lean towards you when you talk makes you feel like $v_they’s giving you $v_their full attention. And $v_their touch, oh, you think about $v_their touch every night while clinging to a pillow, trying to figure out what purpose was behind a pat on your head, or a private warm smile when Bash wasn’t looking... You’re down bad, you know it, although you are content with being the only one knowing. Voicing it feels intimidating. Like it has potential of ruining this fragile connection between the two of you. You are only $v_their best friend’s younger sibling... And yet, you find yourself wondering if $v_they thinks of you often. Because you think of $v_them a lot, to the point of forcefully having to shake $v_them out of your thoughts. As soon as you and Vic sit down at the table, Bash finishes up with breakfast preparations and places a plate in front of you. He launches straight into his plans at the office for today, familiar droning in your ears as you eat. Warmth spreads throughout your body when you, not for the first time, realise you find comfort in being surrounded by family and friends. It’s by no means perfect. Your dad keeps quiet, his gaze far-away, probably pondering his screenplay while he chews on the toast. Sebastian is filling the silence with idle conversation even as he sips on coffee. Vic is nodding along and chuckling, commenting where $v_they thinks appropriate. Soon, you’ll have to hurry to the college, and Bash and Vic will have to go to work, and your dad will go back to his office... It’s not perfect at all, you think. It never truly was. All you know that it’s enough for you to enjoy this moment nevertheless. Enough to chase away the remaining shadows lingering in your mind. One moment you’re mindlessly listening to Bash’s voice, the next you’re already looking out of the window of the half-empty bus, backpack slung over your shoulders and music softly playing in one earpiece. The ride is short, and in just fifteen minutes you drop your bag onto your usual seat. Your friends are already around, that you can tell from the familiar bags laying on their respective seats even though two curly-haired siblings are currently absent. You settle into your own seat, pull out a pen and an old notebook just as the professor steps into spacious auditorium, steely eyes narrowing on you for a long moment before <<cycle "$p_they">> <<option "he">> <<option "she">> <</cycle>>moves to place folders onto the desk. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_07]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicRom to "yes, outspoken">>Yes, $v_they makes your heart beat out of your chest whenever $v_they as much as looks at you, or sits by your side, or talks to you in that smooth, calm voice of $v_theirs. <<print $v_their.toUpperFirst()>> easy laughter, sometimes with quiet hiccups if $v_they’s almost on the verge of crying from laughing so hard, is addictive and makes you smile. The way $v_they seems to lean towards you when you talk makes you feel like $v_they’s giving you $v_their full attention. And $v_their touch, oh, you think about $v_their touch every night while clinging to a pillow, trying to figure out what purpose was behind a pat on your head, or a private warm smile when Bash wasn’t looking... You’re down bad, you know it... But the question is, if Vic can tell. Sure enough, you’ve left subtle hints that point towards your infatuation, but perhaps $v_they’s been uncertain on how to approach you? Or just extremely oblivious for some reason? It definitely wouldn’t be the first time when flirtation flies right over Vic’s head completely. Or maybe $v_they just didn’t see you that way and was too awkward to tell you... You couldn’t know. As soon as you and Vic sit down at the table, Bash finishes up with breakfast preparations and places a plate in front of you. He launches straight into his plans at the office for today, familiar droning in your ears as you eat. Warmth spreads throughout your body when you, not for the first time, realise you find comfort in being surrounded by family and friends. It’s by no means perfect. Your dad keeps quiet, his gaze far-away, probably pondering his screenplay while he chews on the toast. Sebastian is filling the silence with idle conversation even as he sips on coffee. Vic is nodding along and chuckling, commenting where $v_they thinks appropriate. Soon, you’ll have to hurry to the college, and Bash and Vic will have to go to work, and your dad will go back to his office... It’s not perfect at all, you think. It never truly was. All you know that it’s enough for you to enjoy this moment nevertheless. Enough to chase away the remaining shadows lingering in your mind. One moment you’re mindlessly listening to Bash’s voice, the next you’re already looking out of the window of the half-empty bus, backpack slung over your shoulders and music softly playing in one earpiece. The ride is short, and in just fifteen minutes you drop your bag onto your usual seat. Your friends are already around, that you can tell from the familiar bags laying on their respective seats even though two curly-haired siblings are currently absent. You settle into your own seat, pull out a pen and an old notebook just as the professor steps into spacious auditorium, steely eyes narrowing on you for a long moment before <<cycle "$p_they">> <<option "he">> <<option "she">> <</cycle>>moves to place folders onto the desk. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_07]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $VicRom to "yes, tsundere">>So, Vic is good-looking. And funny. Adorable, too. You know that. Knew for ages. It shouldn’t matter. You shouldn’t pay attention to $v_them bumping into doorframes by accident and apologising on instinct. It’s stupid. And $v_their smiles—you do think those are stupid as well—that seem to be enough to give you heart palpitations. How can you not mention those stupid noises $v_they makes whenever Sebastian manages to scare $v_them? Quite ridiculous, too. <<print $v_they.toUpperFirst()>> is ridiculous. You shouldn’t, and the truth is that you pay attention to every little thing, and you hate yourself for it. You think of $v_them when you idle around, almost on some kind of instinct. It annoys the hell out of you. It’s like $v_they’s living in your head rent-free! As soon as you and Vic sit down at the table, Bash finishes up with breakfast preparations and places a plate in front of you. He launches straight into his plans at the office for today, familiar droning in your ears as you eat. Warmth spreads throughout your body when you, not for the first time, realise you find comfort in being surrounded by family and friends. It’s by no means perfect. Your dad keeps quiet, his gaze far-away, probably pondering his screenplay while he chews on the toast. Sebastian is filling the silence with idle conversation even as he sips on coffee. Vic is nodding along and chuckling, commenting where $v_they thinks appropriate. Soon, you’ll have to hurry to the college, and Bash and Vic will have to go to work, and your dad will go back to his office... It’s not perfect at all, you think. It never truly was. All you know that it’s enough for you to enjoy this moment nevertheless. Enough to chase away the remaining shadows lingering in your mind. One moment you’re mindlessly listening to Bash’s voice, the next you’re already looking out of the window of the half-empty bus, backpack slung over your shoulders and music softly playing in one earpiece. The ride is short, and in just fifteen minutes you drop your bag onto your usual seat. Your friends are already around, that you can tell from the familiar bags laying on their respective seats even though two curly-haired siblings are currently absent. You settle into your own seat, pull out a pen and an old notebook just as the professor steps into spacious auditorium, steely eyes narrowing on you for a long moment before <<cycle "$p_they">> <<option "he">> <<option "she">> <</cycle>>moves to place folders onto the desk. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_07]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<if $p_they is "he">><<set $p_gender to "male", $p_name to "Phillip", $p_they to "he", $p_them to "him", $p_their to "his", $p_theirs to "his", $p_themself to "himself", $p_kid to "boy", $p_person to "man">><<else>><<set $p_gender to "female", $p_name to "Phillys", $p_they to "she", $p_them to "her", $p_their to "her", $p_theirs to "hers", $p_themself to "herself", $p_kid to "girl", $p_person to "woman">><</if>>$p_name Moore, or simply Phil—at least that’s how the students of your college grew to call this strict History prof behind $p_their back. Youthful features, well-kept thick brows are always drawn in a permanent frown. <<print $p_their.toUpperFirst()>> short hair shiny, thick and almost seems darker than any night... Although $p_their sharp, monolid eyes are much darker than that. It’s almost impossible to see $p_their pupils unless the light shines directly at them—then those pitch-black irises ignite with mystifying, almost unnatural amber that threatens to bring destruction upon whoever gets too close. “Ravenstorm. Found your essay from last week,” Phil's voice carries over to you as $p_they fishes a piece of paper from one of the folders, waving it to summon you closer. You approach, and you can see a bright red “96/100” graded at the very bottom before $p_they passes it to you gingerly. “Sorry for the delay. There’s way too many of you guys—anyway. Already put it down into the journal.” You take the paper, your fingers brushing $p_theirs in the process. They are cold as you expected, and almost callous despite being nicely manicured. You examine your work thoughtfully for a moment. The grumbled apology is what you get from Phil for the stress you’ve felt after $p_they told you that you didn’t hand in your essay. It’s definitely more than usual... You might even say $p_they’s being uncharacteristically talkative for a $p_person who wants to seem unapproachable. When you look up at $p_them, you find $p_them already watching you, thin lips parted as if $p_they’s about to say something. Then $p_their brow twitches, and $p_they promptly closes $p_their mouth. //What's with all the staring today? First $v_name, now $p_name... Do you look that different today, or something?// “Good job. Now go,” $p_they tersely follows up with hesitance you’ve never witnessed before, shooing you back to your seat. That’s as much of a praise as you’re going to get, so you move back to your seat just as your friends file in. After exchanging greetings and smiles, three of you sit down, softly discussing homework, which café to go for lunch and other lectures you have today... You promptly quiet down after Phil begins. <<print $p_their.toUpperFirst()>> voice is the same hypnotic deep murmur as always, and it has Noah beside you covering his mouth to hide yawns. His sister already laid her head down, set to sleep the lecture through. You can’t blame them—your own eyes are drooping. Something about the way Phil speaks nearly soothes people to slumber. But as your eyes fall closed, a nagging feeling from this morning returns tenfold. Darkness. Endless eyes. Malicious clicking. It’s close. Phil’s voice disappears, although you can’t tell if $p_they made a pause or you just blocked the noise out. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_08]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

You cautiously pry your eyes open... Only to find the auditorium empty. Not a sound could be heard, even from the outside world. You look towards the window, and see... What you only can explain is a raven frozen in time, its beak opened in the middle of a screech. But it’s not just that—the leaves, young and healthy green, aren’t moving. There’s no wind. Your heart stutters in your chest, ringing gets louder in your ears as you glance towards the clock above the blackboard. It’s all the confirmation you need. The time has stopped. You’re dreaming, surely. This isn’t real. It can’t be. Unease grows, and you can almost hear something besides your wildly pounding heart now... Clicking. Hissing. Buzzing. It’s faint enough, but you’ve heard this sound before—and it’s closing in //fast//. ''Then, the world literally tilts.'' Glass breaks, sending a million shards inward, catching morning sunlight while suspended in the air. What you’re looking at... You can’t even start describing it. It’s enormous. Almost caterpillar-like and void black. Endless red dots blink hungrily as it glares at you with an intensity that makes your blood run cold. You want to run. You can’t move. Can’t look away. Frozen along with time as the thing slithers inside, closer to you, its many legs moving with menacing clicks, its shell glinting. “It’s been a while since I saw a Hunter... Let alone one that size,” Phil’s voice somewhere near breaks you out of the terrified trance. But when you snap your gaze to $p_them, what you see is not the professor you’ve come to know, although it’s undeniably $p_them. There are smooth black horns protruding from $p_their short hair. Eyes are bright, burning golden with a vertical pupil, glaring with visible contempt at the creature—Hunter, as $p_they called it. It paused, switching its attention to $p_them instead. “That’s one way to confirm my suspicions, I suppose.” “Wha—//What is going on//?” you manage to push out the words, giving in to a full body tremble without really meaning to. You feel unnatural ache all over. Like your bones suddenly don’t fit inside your skin. “Stay back. Let me handle it, //Your Grace//,” the way $p_they addresses you makes you blink in confusion. There’s an underlying hint of sarcasm in $p_their monotone statement. <<print $p_their.toUpperFirst()>> pointy tail, divided in two, flicks once and $p_they readily launches at the Hunter, claws out, fangs bared. <<print $p_they.toUpperFirst()>> has done this before. Clearly knows where to aim, what to expect from the creature as it crashed down towards $p_them menacingly, ready to strike, to devour. The pressure in behind your eyes grows and grows as your human mind is trying and failing to process things around you. It’s too much for you, too confusing to comprehend, and hurts in the way you’ve never felt before. Terrifying, shocking, but most of all familiar in the most haunting way. A horrifying crack sounds just as your vision blacks. You fall. The back of your head hits something on your way down... <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_09]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $chapter to "//''The Hermit''//">>“Fuck,” Phil growls through gritted fangs, both the Hunter and the Watcher down—latter one simply blacked out, the former very much dead, torn in half and dissipating into ash. <<print $p_they.toUpperFirst()>> shakes the gooey mucus of the Hunter’s blood off $p_their claws, and stalks up to $p_their unconscious student. Tails twitch in a barely suppressed irritation as $p_they crouches to study their face closer. “You... I can’t believe it. You’ve been hiding right here while our world was decaying...” What a coward. Not that $p_they is much better, having abandoned the Undercity in favour of entering Aether’s celestial army long ago, then, after death of the Chaos, abandoning Aether to roam the Earth instead. <<print $p_they.toUpperFirst()>> can’t blame them for running away from duty, for that is exactly what $p_they did $p_themself. The kid doesn’t look like the Watcher $p_they saw in $p_their youth at all, Phil thinks to $p_themself with a curious tilt of the head. They’re brittle, feeble, unassuming, less than impressive. In one word, human. <<print $p_they.toUpperFirst()>> wouldn’t have assumed the mighty, all-knowing Watcher to be contained in them of all people. The energy steadily emanating from them in soothing waves with every beat of their heart, however, is not of human origin for sure, and the Hunter targeting them swept all of $p_their doubts away. It’s ancient. Steadfast. And it lights a warm spark in $p_their chest, something that’s been gone for centuries of $p_their aimless wandering—hope. <<print $p_they.toUpperFirst()>> dared not to place $p_their hopes into anything, or anyone, until now. Well, now $p_they needs to pull them both out of the mirrored dimension somehow. Dragging an unconscious deity over the Veil to stuff them back into human body... How troublesome. Warmth extinguishes, trading places with a spike of frustration once more. “Just my luck. The things I do for you, Your Grace...” <<print $p_they.toUpperFirst()>> reaches out to haul the Watcher away. “Don’t,” another voice cuts in. A soft voice that has Phil snarling as $p_they snaps $p_their gaze to the newcomer. “I’ll handle it. Your method might be, ah... A bit destructive for their mind.” “If it isn’t Justice showing $v_their stupid face,” Phil frowns, looking the celestial over. “You’ve changed, Vangelis. For worse. More mellow than I remember.” $v_name—Vangelis tries for a smile but it looks strained, feathers covering $v_their ears twitch uncomfortably. “Long time no see, Ren...” <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <div class="choice-item">[[. . .|p_10]]</div> </div><</nobr>>

<<set $chapter to "//TO BE CONTINUED...//">>Aaand that brings us to the end of current demo! Thank you for taking the time to read it, I hope you enjoyed it. Expect two more acts in the future, I’ll post about the releases beforehand on my <a href="https://echorev.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> (where I //sometimes// post my art and answer asks...yes, I do, indeed). I don't promise to be quick with them because, now that I was hired as an Inspector at the med university's deanery, I’m being swamped with clueless foreign students and tons of useless paperwork :D Hopefully, I'll see you soon to continue the story, //''Watcher''//. Fare thee well...