Out Of The Blue

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<<chapter "Chapter One" "Something wicked this way comes">> The distinct sounds of London city filter through the open window of your room as you sit by your desk, laptop open in front of you. It's a repetitive mix of honking cars and distant blaring sirens cutting through the occasional chatter from people walking by on the street below. At times, the noise can be invigorating, helping you focus on your studies, like you’re channeling the very vigour of a city that’s teeming with activity as millions of people go about their lives. Other times, it can be as distracting as a fly buzzing relentlessly against the window. On this day, it seems to be the latter. You keep getting distracted from your work, your attention drawn to anything other than the blank page on your laptop. Normally you would just shut the window, try to minimise the noise, but summer has arrived in the city, with clear blue skies and soaring temperatures, which might have been a welcome delight, if you weren't forced to spend it inside your flat with no air conditioning. Alas, the slight breeze flittering through the room from the open window is the only reprieve from the scorching heat, which means you're stuck with the noise. To be fair though, it is a lot less noisy than it normally is during the summer months. On a regular summer day, the streets would be teeming with activity, as tourists flood to the famous city to shop and see the sights, not to mention how all the native Londoners flock to the streets to make the most of the summer months after a long, bleak winter. However, this year is anything but normal. The deadly virus that’s spreading through the world like wildfire has rendered society a shell of what it used to be, as governments encourage people to stay inside, quarantined, to avoid unnecessary spread. Although many Londoners seem intent on ignoring the warnings, going about their days as usual, some people, like yourself, have taken the warning to heart. You yourself have been in self-imposed quarantine for weeks already, ever since your University closed and switched over to online lectures. <<nobr>> <ul> <li>[[It suits you just fine actually, you prefer working by yourself.|introvert_studies]] </li> <li><<link "Online studies has been //rough//, you definitely prefer being around people." "extrovert_studies">><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

<<nobr>> <div class="info"> <img src="" id="journal-silhouette-image"> <div class="info-content"> <p><b>Name:</b> $firstname <span id="nickname">"$nickname"</span> $lastname</p> <p><b>Gender:</b> <span style="text-transform: capitalize;">$gender</span> </p> <p><b>Pronouns:</b> $they/$them </p> <p><b>Studies:</b> <span style="text-transform: capitalize;">$study</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="description"> You are $height with $skincolour skin that is speckled with $skin. Your eyes are $eyecolour, while your hair is <span id="dyedHair" style="text-transform: lowercase;">dyed $dyedhaircolour, but is normally </span> $haircolour. It is naturally $hairtype and you keep it $hairlength. </div> <div class="stat-bar-group"> <h3>Personality</h3> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Sarcastic $sarcastic%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Sincere $sincere%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="sarcastic-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Friendly $friendly%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Stoic $stoic%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="friendly-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Bold $bold%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Shy $shy%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="bold-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Serious $serious%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Playful $playful%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="bold-stat"> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="stat-bar-group"> <h3>Traits</h3> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Emotional $emotional%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Rational $rational%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="emotional-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Easygoing $easygoing%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Panicked $panicked%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="easygoing-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Credible $credible%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Suspicious $suspicious%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="credible-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Optimistic $optimistic%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Pessimistic $pessimistic%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="optimistic-stat"> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Mental Health $mentalhealth%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="mentalhealth-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Reputation $reputation%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="reputation-stat"> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="stat-bar-group"> <h3>Knowledge</h3> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">History $history%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="history-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Literature $literature%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="literature-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Music $music%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="music-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">People $people%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="people-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Art $art%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="art-stat"> </div> </div> </div> <</nobr>>

<<nobr>> <<set $showProfile = false>> <<set $showRelationships = false>> /* PERSONALITY VARIABLES */ <<set $sarcastic = 50>> <<set $sincere = 50>> <<set $friendly = 50>> <<set $stoic = 50>> <<set $bold = 50>> <<set $shy = 50>> <<set $serious = 50>> <<set $playful = 50>> /* TRAITS VARIABLES */ <<set $emotional = 50>> <<set $rational = 50>> <<set $easygoing = 50>> <<set $panicked = 50>> <<set $credible = 50>> <<set $suspicious = 50>> <<set $optimistic = 50>> <<set $pessimistic = 50>> */ MISC VARIABLES */ <<set $mentalhealth = 100>> <<set $reputation = 100>> /* KNOWLEDGE VARIABLES */ <<set $history = 20>> <<set $english = 20>> <<set $psychology = 20>> <<set $art = 10>> <<set $music = 10>> /* RELATIONSHIP VARIABLES */ <<set $isobel = 0>> <<set $max = 0>> <<set $clara = 0>> <<set $richard = 0>> <<set $william = 0>> /* TATTOO VARIABLES */ <<set $rainbowtattoo = false>> <<set $equalitytattoo = false>> <<set $yesicantattoo = false>> <<set $butterflytattoo = false>> <<set $elephanttattoo = false>> <<set $fingerscrossedtattoo = false>> <<set $musicalnotetattoo = false>> <<set $semicolontattoo = false>> <<set $editpiaftattoo = false>> <<set $moonphasestattoo = false>> <<set $solarsystemtattoo = false>> <<set $creationofadamtattoo = false>> <<set $inlibraslibertastattoo = false>> <<set $tempusneminemmanettattoo = false>> <<set $starrynighttattoo = false>> <<set $recordplayertattoo = false>> <<set $pyramidtattoo = false>> <<set $ankletattoo = false>> <<set $wristtattoo = false>> <<set $forearmtattoo = false>> <<set $upperarmtattoo = false>> <<set $ribcagetattoo = false>> <<set $necktattoo = false>> <<set $behindeartattoo = false>> <</nobr>>

<<nobr>> <div class="stat-bar-group"> <h3>Relationships</h3> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Isobel $isobel%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="isobel-stat"></div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Max $max%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="max-stat"></div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Clara $clara%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="clara-stat"></div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Richard $richard%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="richard-stat"></div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">William $william%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="william-stat"></div> </div> </div> <</nobr>>

.. and your skin is.. <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Pale|skinmarks][$skincolour = "pale"]]</li> <li>[[Fair|skinmarks][$skincolour = "fair"]]</li> <li>[[Sandy beige|skinmarks][$skincolour = "sandy beige"]]</li> <li>[[Golden beige|skinmarks][$skincolour = "golden beige"]]</li> <li>[[Olive brown|skinmarks][$skincolour = "olive brown"]]</li> <li>[[Golden brown|skinmarks][$skincolour = "golden brown"]]</li> <li>[[Cool brown|skinmarks][$skincolour = "cool brown"]]</li> <li>[[Warm black|skinmarks][$skincolour = "warm black"]]</li> <li>[[Cool black|skinmarks][$skincolour = "cool black"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

<<nobr>><<if $dyedhair == true>>Although your hair is dyed $dyedhaircolour, your natural hair colour is.. <<else>> Your hair is... <</if>><</nobr>> <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Light blonde|hairtype][$haircolour = "light blonde"]]</li> <li>[[Dark blonde|hairtype][$haircolour = "dark blonde"]]</li> <li>[[Strawberry blonde|hairtype][$haircolour = "strawberry blonde"]]</li> <li>[[Copper red|hairtype][$haircolour = "copper red"]]</li> <li>[[Auburn|hairtype][$haircolour = "auburn"]]</li> <li>[[Light brown|hairtype][$haircolour = "light brown"]]</li> <li>[[Medium brown|hairtype][$haircolour = "medium brown"]]</li> <li>[[Dark brown|hairtype][$haircolour = "dark brown"]]</li> <li>[[Raven black|hairtype][$haircolour = "raven black"]]</li> <li>[[Jet black|hairtype][$haircolour = "jet black"]]</li> <<if $dyedhair == true>> <span style="display: none"> <li>[[dyed|dyedhair][$dyedhair = true]]</li> </span> <<else>><li>[[Dyed|dyedhair][$dyedhair = true]]</li> <</if>></ul> <</nobr>>

.. and your hair is naturally.. <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Straight|hairlength][$hairtype = "straight"]]</li> <li>[[Wavy|hairlength][$hairtype = "wavy"]]</li> <li>[[Curly|hairlength][$hairtype = "curly"]]</li> <li>[[Coiled|hairlength][$hairtype = "coiled"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

You usually keep your hair... <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Shaved|eyecolour][$hairlength = "shaved"]]</li> <li>[[Short|eyecolour][$hairlength = "short"]]</li> <li>[[Ear-length|eyecolour][$hairlength = "ear-length"]]</li> <li>[[Shoulder-length|eyecolour][$hairlength = "shoulder-length"]]</li> <li>[[Chest-length|eyecolour][$hairlength = "chest-length"]]</li> <li>[[Waist-length|eyecolour][$hairlength = "waist-length"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

Your $skincolour skin and <<nobr>> <<if $dyedhair == true>>$dyedhaircolour <<else>>$haircolour <</if>><</nobr>> hair contrasts nicely with your eyes, which are.. <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Grey|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "grey"]]</li> <li>[[Light blue|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "light blue"]]</li> <li>[[Dark blue|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "dark blue"]]</li> <li>[[Light green|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "light green"]]</li> <li>[[Dark green|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "dark green"]]</li> <li>[[Hazel|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "hazel"]]</li> <li>[[Light brown|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "light brown"]]</li> <li>[[Dark brown|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "dark brown"]]</li> <li>[[Black|facial_hair][$eyecolour = "black"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

<div id="ui-bar" class=""> <div id="ui-bar-tray"> <div id="ui-bar-mobile-decor"> <img src="images/smol-flower.png"> </div> <div id="ui-bar-mobile-title">Out Of The Blue</div> <button id="ui-bar-toggle" tabindex="0" title="Toggle the UI bar" aria-label="Toggle the UI bar" type="button"> <span class="lnr lnr-menu"></span> </button> </div> <div id="ui-bar-body"> <header id="title" role="banner"> <div id="story-banner"> <img id="ui-bar-logo" src="images/logo-new.png" title="Out of the Blue"> </div> <h1 id="story-title">Out Of The Blue</h1> <div id="story-subtitle"></div> <div id="story-title-separator"></div> <p id="story-author">by <a href="https://vahnyawrites.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Vahnya</a></p> </header> <nav id="menu" role="navigation"> <ul id="menu-story"> <li id="journal-toggle" data-passage="storyMenu"></li> <li><a id="relationships-toggle">Relationships</a></li> </ul> <ul id="menu-core"> <li id="menu-item-saves"> <a tabindex="0" id="saves-button"> <span class="lnr lnr-download"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Save</span> </a> </li> <li id="menu-item-settings"> <a tabindex="0" id="settings-button"> <span class="lnr lnr-cog"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Settings</span> </a> </li> <li id="menu-item-restart"> <a tabindex="0" id="restart-button"> <span class="lnr lnr-redo"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Restart</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav id="menu-social-media"> <p>Social media</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://instagram.com/vahnyawrites" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-instagram-square"></i></a></li> <li><a href="https://no.pinterest.com/vahnyawrites/" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-pinterest"></i></a></li> <li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/dj5wa5inkw0al93rpzo9u3c4p?si=3195646c22ae42b1" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-spotify"></i></a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/9EyykTnnKA" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-discord"></i></a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div id="story" role="main"> <div id="passages"> </div> </div>

Your first name is $firstname, and your last name..? <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Lewis|Nickname?][$lastname = "Lewis"]]</li> <li>[[Rossi|Nickname?][$lastname = "Rossi"]]</li> <li>[[Vargas|Nickname?][$lastname = "Vargas"]]</li> <li>[[Evans|Nickname?][$lastname = "Evans"]]</li> <li>[[Ainsworth|Nickname?][$lastname = "Ainsworth"]]</li> <li>[[Edwards|Nickname?][$lastname = "Edwards"]]</li> <li>[[Wang|Nickname?][$lastname = "Wang"]]</li> <li>[[Something else..|Type Lastname]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

<<nobr>><<if $hasnickname == true>>Although you usually go by $nickname, you can hardly use that in your essay. Instead, you've typed out your full given name, as decorum demands.<</if>><</nobr>> You glare at the digital letters spelling out your name, willing the letters to expand into words and paragraphs, as if you could make things happen with your mind. If you could, you’d make this damned paper write itself. But of course, nothing happens. Your brain, sadly, is as ordinary as any other. No magic wand to swish and flick to make your life easier. You’re not Matilda or Harry Potter, you’re just $firstname $lastname, ordinary human with ordinary problems. You force your eyes to read over the title of your page, hoping to find some inspiration in the few written words. Your title reads... <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Myths and Facts On The Gender Issue in British Literary Materials|Why Struggling?][$study = "english"; $english = 50; $art = 25; $history = 25]] (studying English)</li> <li>[[False Memories and How They Can Impact Our Lives|Why Struggling?][$study = "psychology"; $people = 70; $history = 20; $communication = 20]] (studying Psychology)</li> <li>[[Why Myriads of Women Were Diagnosed With Mental Illness In The 19th Century|Why Struggling?][$study = "history"; $history = 70; $people = 30; $art = 40; $music = 10]] (studying History)</li> <li>[[Embodiments of Life and Death Through Art|Why Struggling?][$study = "art"; $art = 70; $history = 25; $music = 20; $people = 20]] (studying Art)</li> <li>[[Music As a Commodity, From Sheet Music to Streaming|Why Struggling?][$study = "music"; $music = 70; $art = 10; $history = 20]] (studying Music)</li> </ul><</nobr>>

Please type in your surname... <<textbox "$lastname" "" autofocus>> <<link "Go">> <<set $lastname to $lastname.trim()>> <<if $lastname == "">> <<replace "#lastname-error">>Please enter a surname..<</replace>> <<elseif /[^A-Z]/i.test($lastname)>> <<replace "#lastname-error">>Surnames may only contain letters.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#lastname-error">><</replace>> <<goto "Nickname?">> <</if>> <</link>> <span id="lastname-error" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.9rem;"></span> /*[[Nickname?]]*/

You scoff. “Wrinkles are the least of my worries right now.” Theo purses his lips giving you an exaggerated look of appraisal. “Hmm, if you say so, sweetie.” You narrow your eyes at him. “Are you subtly trying to tell me I look like shit?” “Honey, when am I ever subtle?” You resist the urge to scoff again, but can’t help the way your lips quirk up in amusement. You know better than to take Theo seriously, but you can agree that you probably don’t look your best right now, having spent the whole day in front of your laptop, figuratively pulling your hair and rubbing your face out of frustration. “Fine,” you say, getting to your feet. “I can take a hint. I’m gonna go take a shower.” “Excellent idea,” Theo retorts, already leaning back to return his attention to the TV. “Maybe you’ll find some inspiration in there." “I highly doubt that,” you mutter dejectedly as you walk away. <<button "Next" "shower_gender">><</button>> /*[[shower_gender]]*/

You huff, but smile, grateful for the interruption. You kind of were spiralling. “Thanks, Theo.” Theo waves his hand. “Don’t worry, honey, I got you.” “What would I do without you?” Theo sighs, dramatically. “I honestly don’t know.” He purses his lip as he gives you an appraising look. “But it is my duty as your best friend to inform you that you look like shit right now.” You gape at him, mock affronted. “I beg your pardon?” “Like I said,” Theo grins. “Just serving you the hard truths.” You laugh, knowing better than to take him seriously, though you can probably agree that you don’t look your best right now, having spent the whole day in front of your laptop, figuratively pulling your hair and rubbing your face out of frustration. “Fine, fine,” you say as you get up on your feet. “I can take a hint. I’m gonna take a shower.” “A marvelous idea,” Theo retorts, already leaning back to return his attention to the TV. “Maybe you’ll even find some inspiration in there.” “Yeah, fingers crossed!” You try to force some cheer into your voice as you walk away. <<button "Next" "shower_gender">><</button>> /*[[shower_gender]]*/

You laugh. “Right, gotta get my priorities straight.” “Exactly,” Theo affirms. “You may not have a degree at the end of this, but at least you can have your looks.” “Sure, sure," you chime in. "If all else fails, I can always resort to a career in modelling." Theo purses his lips, appraising you. “Honey, the way you look right now, that hardly seems like a possibility.” You gasp, clutching your chest feigning offence. “I beg your pardon?” “Like I said,” Theo grins. “Just serving you the hard truths.” You laugh, knowing better than to take him seriously, though you can probably agree that you don’t look your best right now, having spent the whole day in front of your laptop, figuratively pulling your hair and rubbing your face out of frustration. “Fine, fine,” you say as you get up on your feet. “I can take a hint. I’m gonna take a shower.” “An inspired idea,” Theo retorts, already leaning back to return his attention to the TV. “Maybe you’ll even find some inspiration in there.” “Well, they do say a shower is the best place for inspiration!" You call jovially over your shoulder as you walk away, though you're not feeling particularly convinced yourself. <<button "Next" "shower_gender">><</button>> /*[[shower_gender]]*/

What is your first name? Type your first name here: <<textbox "$firstname" "">> <<link "Go">> <<set $firstname to $firstname.trim()>> <<if $firstname == "">> <<replace "#firstname-error">>Please enter a first name..<</replace>> <<elseif /[^A-Z]/i.test($firstname)>> <<replace "#firstname-error">>Names may only contain letters.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#firstname-error">><</replace>> <<goto "Set Surname">> <</if>> <</link>> <span id="firstname-error" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.9rem;"></span> or pick from a list of suggestions: <<nobr>> <div class="tooltip-button" id="feminine-names-link"> <i class="fas fa-venus"></i> <span class="tooltip-text">Conventionally feminine names</span> </div> <div class="tooltip-button" id="masculine-names-link"> <i class="fas fa-mars"></i> <span class="tooltip-text">Conventionally masculine names</span> </div> <div class="tooltip-button" id="androgynous-names-link"> <i class="fas fa-mars-stroke-h"></i> <span class="tooltip-text">Potential androgynous names</span> </div> <br><br> <ul id="feminine-names" class="display-none" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> <li>[[Aurora|Set Surname][$firstname = "Aurora"]]</li> <li>[[Diana|Set Surname][$firstname = "Diana"]]</li> <li>[[Emma|Set Surname][$firstname = "Emma"]]</li> <li>[[Freya|Set Surname][$firstname = "Freya"]]</li> <li>[[Maja|Set Surname][$firstname = "Maja"]]</li> <li>[[Olivia|Set Surname][$firstname = "Olivia"]]</li> <li>[[Selma|Set Surname][$firstname = "Selma"]]</li> <li>[[Vienna|Set Surname][$firstname = "Vienna"]]</li> </ul> <ul id="masculine-names" class="display-none" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> <li>[[Alarick|Set Surname][$firstname = "Alarick"]]</li> <li>[[Axel|Set Surname][$firstname = "Axel"]]</li> <li>[[Charles|Set Surname][$firstname = "Charles"]]</li> <li>[[George|Set Surname][$firstname = "George"]]</li> <li>[[Henry|Set Surname][$firstname = "Henry"]]</li> <li>[[Oscar|Set Surname][$firstname = "Oscar"]]</li> <li>[[Ruben|Set Surname][$firstname = "Ruben"]]</li> <li>[[Vincent|Set Surname][$firstname = "Vincent"]]</li> </ul> <ul id="androgynous-names" class="display-none" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> <li>[[Riley|Set Surname][$firstname = "Riley"]]</li> <li>[[Darcy|Set Surname][$firstname = "Darcy"]]</li> <li>[[Emery|Set Surname][$firstname = "Emery"]]</li> <li>[[Regan|Set Surname][$firstname = "Regan"]]</li> <li>[[Fern|Set Surname][$firstname = "Fern"]]</li> <li>[[Cameron|Set Surname][$firstname = "Cameron"]]</li> <li>[[Sydney|Set Surname][$firstname = "Sydney"]]</li> <li>[[Billie|Set Surname][$firstname = "Billie"]]</li> </ul> <</nobr>>/*[[Set Surname]]*/

After a long shower, you actually feel a lot better. It always helps to let the running water wash away all your negativity. You step out of the shower smelling the pleasant aroma of your soaps and you feel like a new person, ready to tackle the world. As you stand in front of the mirror in your towel, you inspect your appearance, letting your eyes glide over your form. You identify as.. <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[female, though you were assigned male at birth|pronouns][$gender = "female"; $trans = true; $person = "woman"]]</li> <li>[[female|pronouns][$gender = "female"; $person = "woman"]]</li> <li>[[male, though you were assigned female at birth|pronouns][$gender = "male"; $trans = true; $person = "man"]]</li> <li>[[male|pronouns][$gender = "male"; $person = "man"]]</li> <li>[[non-binary|pronouns][$gender = "non-binary"; $person = "person"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

<<nobr>> <<notify 5000>>Journal now available<</notify>> You let your fingers graze over your <<if $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "shaved">>freshly shaved chin <<elseif $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "full beard">>full beard, neatly trimmed, <<elseif $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "sideburns">>neatly trimmed sideburns, <<elseif $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "moustache">>moustache <<else>>smooth, clear chin, <</if>><</nobr>> satisfied that you're now as fresh and clean as you can possibly get. An unexpected movement in the mirror makes you whirl around to survey the bathroom behind you, eyes scanning the room intently. But there's nothing there. Wary, you turn back, narrowing your eyes as you study the reflective surface for any more sudden movements, but nothing happens. It’s just you and the familiar backdrop of your bathroom. You frown, thoughts racing. You could have sworn you saw something there. You could have more easily dismissed it, if this had been the first time this had happened to you. But it's not. Over the past few months you’ve been seeing strange flickers of movements and shadows in the mirrors every now and then, but every time you turn to look… there’s nothing there. At first you dismissed it as nothing more than stress, or your brain playing tricks on you, but the more it happens, the more you begin to wonder.. You’re either going certifiably insane, or you’ve got a very annoying, but tactfully shy poltergeist haunting your apartment’s mirrors. Neither of which are particularly comforting. ... Or maybe you just need to get your eyes checked. You sigh, for what seems to be the hundreth time that day. Most likely you're just tired, and have been tired for weeks, from the massive workload of your studies at the end of the semester. You give the mirror another speculative glance, shaking your head as you leave the bathroom, and make a mental note to book an appointment with your doctor to get your eyes checked. Just in case. <<button "A couple of weeks later..." "picking_outfit">><</button>>/*[[picking_outfit]]*/

A couple of weeks later, the morning of your deadline arrives at last, and you rise with extra energy and cheer knowing that there's only one more day of school before summer break. You set about getting ready for the day, which seems redundant when you know you won't be leaving your flat, and the only person you'll encounter is your flatmate. Nevertheless, you have found that getting ready helps kickstart your morning, symbolising the start of your work day. If you stay in your loungewear all day, you'll get nothing done. Besides, there was some talk about a Zoom call with your friends later that evening. Apparently one of your Scandinavian friends was keen to celebrate Midsummer, even though you're not allowed to meet up in person, so there is <i>some</i> chance of social interaction, if you can truly call it that. With that in mind, you pick out an outfit for the day. For such a riveting occasion, you settle on wearing something... <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Grunge - Denim jean shorts, black belt and boots, graphic tee and a plaid shirt on top|breakfast][$outfit = "grunge"]]</li> <li>[[Punk - Black skater skirt, fishnet stockings, knee-high socks, black mesh top, and black boots|breakfast][$outfit = "punk skirt"]]</li> <li>[[Punk - Black trousers, black t-shirt, and black boots paired with leather jacket|breakfast][$outfit = "punk trousers"]]</li> <li>[[Boho - A loose, floral maxi dress paired with white sneakers|breakfast][$outfit = "boho dress"]]</li> <li>[[Boho - Laced, cropped top, mini skirt with tassels, and sneakers|breakfast][$outfit = "boho skirt"]]</li> <li>[[Girly - A thin-strapped bodycon mini dress with lace trims paired with white sneakers|breakfast][$outfit = "girly"]]</li> <li>[[Formal - Straight pants, button-up shirt and blazer, paired with loafers|breakfast][$outfit = "formal"]]</li> <li>[[Casual - Jeans, t-shirt and sneakers|breakfast][$outfit = "casual jeans"]]</li> <li>[[Casual - Chinos-shorts, t-shirt and sneakers|breakfast][$outfit = "casual shorts"]]</li> <li>[[Sporty - Biker shorts, top and sneakers|breakfast][$outfit = "sporty short"]]</li> <li>[[Sporty - Sweatpants, t-shirt and sneakers|breakfast][$outfit = "sporty pants"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

In terms of appearance, you are.. <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Very short (150cm/4'11" - 160cm/5'3")|skincolour][$height = "very short"]] </li> <li>[[Short (160cm/5'3" - 170cm/5'7")|skincolour][$height = "short"]]</li> <li>[[Of average height (170cm/5'7" - 180cm/5'11")|skincolour][$height = "of average height"]] </li> <li>[[Tall (180cm/5'11" - 185cm/6'1")|skincolour][$height = "tall"]]</li> <li>[[Very tall (185cm/6'1" - 195cm/6'5")|skincolour][$height = "very tall"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

You identify as $gender<<nobr>> <<if $trans == true && $gender == "female">>, though you were assigned male at birth <<elseif $trans == true && $gender == "male">>, though you were assigned female at birth <</if>> <</nobr>>, and you prefer the pronouns.. <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[she/her|height][$they = "she";$them = "her";$their = "her";$theirs = "hers";$themself = "herself"]]</li> <li>[[he/him|height][$they = "he";$them = "him";$their = "his";$theirs = "his";$themself = "himself"]]</li> <li>[[they/them|height][$they = "they";$them = "them";$their = "their";$theirs = "theirs";$themself = "themself"]]</li> <li>[[it/its|height][$they = "it";$them = "it";$their = "its";$theirs = "its";$themself = "itself"]]</li> <li>[[xe/xem|height][$they = "xe";$them = "xem";$their = "xyr";$theirs = "xyrs";$themself = "xemself"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

<<nobr>> <<if $whystudy == "to be a teacher">>You thought you might like to be a teacher after you graduated, help educate people on your favourite subject. It sounded so rewarding to be able to spread the knowledge, whether it be to younger kids or young adults at University level. And not only would you be able to influence people academically, but you'd be in a position to help people as well. Be a rolemodel of sorts. That's what you wanted to do with your life. <<elseif $whystudy == "to be a writer">>You thought you might like to be a writer after you graduated, and maybe write your own works of literature. It would be so rewarding to have your own works lining the shelves, knowing that people were reading and enjoying it. To be able to make money from creating and telling stories. The power that books and stories have to not only entertain people, but to influence them, to teach them something. To let them escape their own lives for a little while to explore worlds unknown. That's what you wanted to do with your life. <<elseif $whystudy == "to be a journalist">>You thought you might like to be a journalist after you graduated. You wanted to report on news around the globe, and bring the knowledge and information out to people. To make a difference in the world. Make sure that no stone was left unturned and that people were aware of the things that were happening around them and out in the big world. You could think of little more rewarding. <<elseif $whystudy == "not sure">>You really had no idea what to do with your degree once you graduate, there were so many possibilities. So many things you could use it for. You thought for sure you would figure it out by the end of your studies though. Gleam some inspiration as you make your way through your degree. <</if>> <</nobr>> But first you have to actually get through the degree. Or better yet, get through the first semester. And you're not off to a great start. You tap your fingers against the desk as you stare despondently at your laptop screen for a few agonising moments, before you let out another sigh and break your gaze away, pushing your chair back from your desk in defeat. You're clearly not getting anywhere today. <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "You try to quell the rising sense of panic. What if you don't finish on time?" "Panicked Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $panicked 10 $easygoing 10>> <<set $panicked = $plus; $easygoing = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 5 $optimistic 5>> <<set $pessimistic = $plus; $optimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "It's fine. You still have time. You just gotta take a step back, break it down into manageable steps. Make a plan." "Rational Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $rational 10 $emotional 10>> <<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 5 $pessimistic 5>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "Eh, you're not too worried. There's still time. You usually work best under pressure anyway." "Accepting Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $easygoing 10 $panicked 10>> <<set $easygoing = $plus; $panicked = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 10 $pessimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "You blink back tears as you feel hopelessness overwhelm you. You're never going to finish it. //Why// are you like this?" "Emotional Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $emotional 10 $rational 10>> <<set $emotional = $plus; $rational = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 10 $optimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <<decrease $mentalhealth 10>> <<set $mentalhealth = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Panicked Meeting Theo]][[Rational Meeting Theo]][[Accepting Meeting Theo]][[Emotional Meeting Theo]]*/

<<nobr>> <<if $whystudy == "to be a therapist">>You thought you might like to be a tharpist after you graduated, to help people better their lives and mental health. You feel so compassionate for people who are struggling, and you just want to help. Or try to help at the very least, to make sure that people felt heard and seen. To prevent people from feeling so alone and overwhelmed with their struggles. <<if $whystruggling == "fatigued" || $whystruggling == "stressed" || $whystruggling == "can't focus">>You have some idea of what it's like to struggle with your own mind, which is why you feel extra empathetic towards others going through the same. Things that aren't necessarily visible to the eye, but still validly difficult to deal with. <<else>>You've seen so many people who struggle, and your heart goes out to them. It can't be easy<</if>> <<elseif $whystudy == "to do research">>You thought you might like to go into research after you graduated, try to discover newfound knowledge about the psyche and how it works, and maybe even come up with new treatments. What could be more rewarding than to discover new things about the brain and how it functions, whilst also being able to help people in the process. <<elseif $whystudy == "to help yourself">>You wanted to study psychology to better understand yourself, not to mention be able to <i>help</i> yourself. <<if $whystruggling == "fatigued">>Being someone who struggles with negative thought patterns yourself, you thought it might be beneficial to learn more about it, and hopefully be able to use that knowledge to make your life easier for yourself. To be better equipped to deal with it on your own. <<elseif $whystruggling == "stressed">>Being someone who struggles with stress and anxiety yourself you thought it might be beneficial to learn more about it, and hopefully be able to use that knowledge to make your life easier for yourself. To be better equipped to deal with it on your own. <<elseif $whystruggling == "can't focus">>Being someone who struggles with focus and attention span yourself, you thought it might be beneficial to learn more about it, and hopefully be able to use that knowledge to make your life easier for yourself. To be better equipped to deal with it on your own. <<else>>Having a better understanding of your own mind and how to best navigate your own emotions certainly couldn't hurt. You were always very interested in self-help and self-growth, and studying Psychology would no doubt be beneficial on that journey. <</if>> <<elseif $whystudy == "not sure">>You really have no idea what to do with your degree once you graduate, you just find psychology fascinating. There are so many possibilities, and knowing about people and how they tick is no doubt going to be valuable no matter what career you end up in. <</if>> <</nobr>> But first you have to actually get through the degree. Or better yet, get through the first semester. And you're not off to a great start. You tap your fingers against the desk as you stare despondently at your laptop screen for a few agonising moments, before you let out another sigh and break your gaze away, pushing your chair back from your desk in defeat. You're clearly not getting anywhere today. <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "You try to quell the rising sense of panic. What if you don't finish on time?" "Panicked Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $panicked 10 $easygoing 10>> <<set $panicked = $plus; $easygoing = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 5 $optimistic 5>> <<set $pessimistic = $plus; $optimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "It's fine. You still have time. You just gotta take a step back, break it down into manageable steps. Make a plan." "Rational Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $rational 10 $emotional 10>> <<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 5 $pessimistic 5>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "Eh, you're not too worried. There's still time. You usually work best under pressure anyway." "Accepting Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $easygoing 10 $panicked 10>> <<set $easygoing = $plus; $panicked = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 10 $pessimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "You blink back tears as you feel hopelessness overwhelm you. You're never going to finish it. //Why// are you like this?" "Emotional Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $emotional 10 $rational 10>> <<set $emotional = $plus; $rational = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 10 $optimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <<decrease $mentalhealth 10>> <<set $mentalhealth = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Panicked Meeting Theo]][[Rational Meeting Theo]][[Accepting Meeting Theo]][[Emotional Meeting Theo]]*/

<<nobr>> <<if $whystudy == "to be a teacher">>You thought you might like to be a teacher after you graduated, help educate people on your favourite subject. It sounded so rewarding to be able to spread the knowledge, whether it be to younger kids, or young adults at University level. And not only would you be able to influence people academically, but you'd be in a position to help people as well. Be a rolemodel of sorts. <<elseif $whystudy == "to do research">>You thought you might like to go into research when you graduated. There's so much of history that hasn't been explored, and is not yet properly understood, you wanted to be a part of discovering new knowledge and publish it for others to revel in. To further advance society and your understanding of your world and ancestors. <<elseif $whystudy == "to be an archeologist">>You thought you might like to be an archeologist some day, you could think of nothing more exciting than digging out old historical sights never before studied, and discovering newfound information about the people and cultures that came before you. There was so many things yet to discover. <<elseif $whystudy == "not sure">>You really have no idea what to do with your degree once you graduate, you just find history fascinating, and there are so many possibilities afterwards. No matter which career you end up it, having historical knowledge would always be beneficial, surely? <</if>> <</nobr>> But first you have to actually get through the degree. Or better yet, get through the first semester. And you're not off to a great start. You tap your fingers against the desk as you stare despondently at your laptop screen for a few agonising moments, before you let out another sigh and break your gaze away, pushing your chair back from your desk in defeat. You're clearly not getting anywhere today. <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "You try to quell the rising sense of panic. What if you don't finish on time?" "Panicked Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $panicked 10 $easygoing 10>> <<set $panicked = $plus; $easygoing = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 5 $optimistic 5>> <<set $pessimistic = $plus; $optimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "It's fine. You still have time. You just gotta take a step back, break it down into manageable steps. Make a plan." "Rational Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $rational 10 $emotional 10>> <<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 5 $pessimistic 5>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "Eh, you're not too worried. There's still time. You usually work best under pressure anyway." "Accepting Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $easygoing 10 $panicked 10>> <<set $easygoing = $plus; $panicked = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 10 $pessimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "You blink back tears as you feel hopelessness overwhelm you. You're never going to finish it. //Why// are you like this?" "Emotional Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $emotional 10 $rational 10>> <<set $emotional = $plus; $rational = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 10 $optimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <<decrease $mentalhealth 10>> <<set $mentalhealth = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Panicked Meeting Theo]][[Rational Meeting Theo]][[Accepting Meeting Theo]][[Emotional Meeting Theo]]*/

<<nobr>> <<if $whystudy == "to be an architect">>You thought you might like to be an architect after you graduated. You've always loved to draw, and the intricacies and details of designing houses always sounded appealing to you. How incredible it would be to not only see something you created be built, but to be able to fulfil people's customised fantasies and help them make their dream house a reality. <<elseif $whystudy == "to be a fashion designer">>You thought you might like to become a fashion designer once you graduated. You always loved fashion and design, and could think of nothing more exciting than coming up with your own collection of clothes, and then see people wearing them. <<elseif $whystudy == "to sell art">>You thought you might like to make a living of your own art someday. It would be a dream to be able to sell your own drawings and paintings, whether it be custom made orders by customers, or just letting your own fantasy let loose. <<elseif $whystudy == "not sure">>You really have no idea what to do with your degree once you graduate, you just know you love art, and there are so many possibilities. So many things to use it for. <</if>> <</nobr>> But first you have to actually get through the degree. Or better yet, get through the first semester. And you're not off to a great start. You tap your fingers against the desk as you stare despondently at your laptop screen for a few agonising moments, before you let out another sigh and break your gaze away, pushing your chair back from your desk in defeat. You're clearly not getting anywhere today. <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "You try to quell the rising sense of panic. What if you don't finish on time?" "Panicked Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $panicked 10 $easygoing 10>> <<set $panicked = $plus; $easygoing = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 5 $optimistic 5>> <<set $pessimistic = $plus; $optimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "It's fine. You still have time. You just gotta take a step back, break it down into manageable steps. Make a plan." "Rational Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $rational 10 $emotional 10>> <<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 5 $pessimistic 5>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "Eh, you're not too worried. There's still time. You usually work best under pressure anyway." "Accepting Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $easygoing 10 $panicked 10>> <<set $easygoing = $plus; $panicked = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 10 $pessimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "You blink back tears as you feel hopelessness overwhelm you. You're never going to finish it. //Why// are you like this?" "Emotional Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $emotional 10 $rational 10>> <<set $emotional = $plus; $rational = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 10 $optimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <<decrease $mentalhealth 10>> <<set $mentalhealth = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Panicked Meeting Theo]][[Rational Meeting Theo]][[Accepting Meeting Theo]][[Emotional Meeting Theo]]*/

<<nobr>> <<if $whystudy == "to be a singer">>You thought you might like to be a singer after you graduated, which is why you chose to specialise in performance and vocals. You always loved to sing, and you could think of no greater thrill than to be able to perform in front of thousands of people. <<elseif $whystudy == "to be a musician">>You thought you might like to become a musician after you graduated, to be able to perform with your $instrument on stage in front of thousands of people. What a thrill and privilege it would be. <<elseif $whystudy == "to be a songwriter">>You thought you might like to go into songwriting after you graduate, to combine your love for music with your love for writing, and produce songs for other artists to sing. How exciting it would be to hear something you wrote be performed by famous artists. <<elseif $whystudy == "musicprodigy">>You're interested in all aspects of music. You love to sing. You love to play. You love to write music. And you would love nothing more than to be able to utilise all those skills in a future career. <<elseif $whystudy == "not sure">>You really have no idea what to do with your degree once you graduate, you just know you love music, and there are so many possibilities. So many ways to use the knowledge. <</if>> <</nobr>> But first you have to actually get through the degree. Or better yet, get through the first semester. And you're not off to a great start. You tap your fingers against the desk as you stare despondently at your laptop screen for a few agonising moments, before you let out another sigh and break your gaze away, pushing your chair back from your desk in defeat. You're clearly not getting anywhere today. <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "You try to quell the rising sense of panic. What if you don't finish on time?" "Panicked Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $panicked 10 $easygoing 10>> <<set $panicked = $plus; $easygoing = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 5 $optimistic 5>> <<set $pessimistic = $plus; $optimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "It's fine. You still have time. You just gotta take a step back, break it down into manageable steps. Make a plan." "Rational Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $rational 10 $emotional 10>> <<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 5 $pessimistic 5>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "Eh, you're not too worried. There's still time. You usually work best under pressure anyway." "Accepting Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $easygoing 10 $panicked 10>> <<set $easygoing = $plus; $panicked = $minus>> <<fairmath $optimistic 10 $pessimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link "You blink back tears as you feel hopelessness overwhelm you. You're never going to finish it. //Why// are you like this?" "Emotional Meeting Theo">> <<fairmath $emotional 10 $rational 10>> <<set $emotional = $plus; $rational = $minus>> <<fairmath $pessimistic 10 $optimistic 10>> <<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>> <<decrease $mentalhealth 10>> <<set $mentalhealth = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Panicked Meeting Theo]][[Rational Meeting Theo]][[Accepting Meeting Theo]][[Emotional Meeting Theo]]*/

<<nobr>><<if $whystudy == "musicprodigy">>You love to sing and write songs, and also decided to further study the... <<else>>You play the... <</if>><</nobr>> <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Guitar|music][$instrument = "guitar"]]</li> <li>[[Piano|music][$instrument = "piano"]]</li> <li>[[Harp|music][$instrument = "harp"]]</li> <li>[[Violin|music][$instrument = "violin"]] </li> </ul><</nobr>>

You give him a deadpan look, not even deigning to reply to that. Theo holds his hands up appeasingly, grin still in place. "Just trying to be a good friend." "Uh huh." You raise one eyebrow sceptically, but can't help how your lip quirks up in amusement. "And while we're on the subject of being a good friend," Theo continues. "It is my sworn duty to inform you that you look like shit right now." You flip him your middle finger. "Like I said," he singsongs. "Just serving you the hard truths." You roll your eyes, knowing better than to take him seriously. Well, he probably is serious about you looking like shit, but you know there's nothing callous behind the words. “Fine,” you say as you get up on your feet. “I can take a hint. I’m gonna take a shower.” “Great idea,” Theo retorts, already leaning back to return his attention to the TV. “Maybe you’ll even find some inspiration in there.” You grunt as you walk away. "That hardly seems like my kind of luck." <<button "Next" "shower_gender">><</button>> /*[[shower_gender]]*/

You rise to stretch your limbs, stiff from sitting in the same position for so long, as you try to quell the rising panic in your chest. You <i>need</i> to write this paper, why is it so difficult? Days are quickly dwindling down and you haven't even <i>started</i>, what if you don't finish on time? The thought makes you want to hyperventilate, and you shake your head, deciding you're in desperate need of a distraction. Making your way out of your room, you follow the hallway and enter the living room where you find your flatmate, Theo, lounging on the sofa watching some reality show. You fling yourself facedown on the other side of the sofa with a groan. "How's the paper coming?" He asks, and you can tell without looking that he hasn't taken his eyes off the screen. "It's not." Your reply is muffled by the pillow you've currently pressed your face into, and you make the effort of rolling onto your back before you run out of oxygen. "Tell me again why I decided to go to University?" "Because you want to secure a good job with decent wages so you can slave away at a 9 to 5 job, get married, produce a gaggle of kids, buy a minivan and a house, then end up lying on your death bed with regrets of not doing anything even remotely exciting?" He replies without missing a beat, eyes still glued to the TV. You throw your pillow, hitting him dab smack in the face. "Oumph!" "Not helpful, Theo." He grins. "Just serving you the hard truths." You roll your eyes, but a part of you wonders if he's right. Is that the future you're headed towards? Is that what you want? You don't know. It's hard to picture where you'll be in a few years, once your degree is completed, if you can even make it that far. Fuck. You're not old enough for all this responsibility. All this pressure. You wish you could go back to the good old days of secondary school. You can't believe you ever thought things were difficult back then and looked forward to Uni. Those days were a breeze compared to this. You're jerked out of your reverie as you're hit in the face by the same pillow you just threw. "Hey!" "You were spiralling, babe," Theo tuts disapprovingly. "You need to stop overthinking so much, or you'll get premature wrinkles." <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link 'You scoff. "Wrinkles are the least of my worries right now."' 'Answering Theo Sarcastic'>> <<fairmath $sarcastic 5 $sincere 5>> <<set $sarcastic = $plus; $sincere = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You huff, but smile, grateful. "You\'re right. Thanks, Theo."' 'Answering Theo Sincere'>> <<fairmath $sincere 5 $sarcastic 5>> <<set $sincere = $plus; $sarcastic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You laugh, tapping your temple. "Right, gotta get my priorities straight."' 'Answering Theo Playful'>> <<fairmath $playful 5 $serious 5>> <<set $playful = $plus; $serious = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You give him a deadpan look, not even deigning to reply to that' 'Answering Theo Stoic'>> <<fairmath $stoic 5 $friendly 5>> <<set $stoic = $plus; $friendly = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Answering Theo Sarcastic]][[Answering Theo Sincere]][[Answering Theo Playful]][[Answering Theo Stoic]]*/

You rise to stretch your limbs, stiff from sitting in the same position for so long. You're not too stressed about the paper. Sure, you <i>need</i> to finish it at some point, but there's still time. You'll get there in the end. You usually work best under pressure anyway. Knowing there's no point in forcing it, you decide you'll do something else for a while. Making your way out of your room, you follow the hallway and enter the living room where you find your flatmate, Theo, lounging on the sofa watching some reality show. You fling yourself facedown on the other side of the sofa. "How's the paper coming?" He asks, and you can tell without looking that he hasn't taken his eyes off the screen. "It's not." Your reply is muffled by the pillow you've currently pressed your face into, and you make the effort of rolling onto your back before you run out of oxygen. "Tell me again why I decided to go to University?" "Because you want to secure a good job with decent wages so you can slave away at a 9 to 5 job, get married, produce a gaggle of kids, buy a minivan and a house, then end up lying on your death bed with regrets of not doing anything even remotely exciting?" He replies without missing a beat, eyes still glued to the TV. You throw your pillow, hitting him dab smack in the face. "Oumph!" "Not helpful, Theo." He grins. "Just serving you the hard truths." You roll your eyes, but a part of you wonders if he's right. Is that the future you're headed towards? Is that what you want? You don't know. It's hard to picture where you'll be in a few years, once your degree is completed, if you can even make it that far. Are you even cut out for school? Maybe you're too young. You're not grown up enough to deal with all this responsibility. You're jerked out of your reverie as you're hit in the face by the same pillow you just threw. "Hey!" "You were spiralling, babe," Theo tuts disapprovingly. "You need to stop overthinking so much, or you'll get premature wrinkles." <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link 'You scoff. "Wrinkles are the least of my worries right now."' 'Answering Theo Sarcastic'>> <<fairmath $sarcastic 5 $sincere 5>> <<set $sarcastic = $plus; $sincere = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You huff, but smile, grateful. "You\'re right. Thanks, Theo."' 'Answering Theo Sincere'>> <<fairmath $sincere 5 $sarcastic 5>> <<set $sincere = $plus; $sarcastic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You laugh, tapping your temple. "Right, gotta get my priorities straight."' 'Answering Theo Playful'>> <<fairmath $playful 5 $serious 5>> <<set $playful = $plus; $serious = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You give him a deadpan look, not even deigning to reply to that' 'Answering Theo Stoic'>> <<fairmath $stoic 5 $friendly 5>> <<set $stoic = $plus; $friendly = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Answering Theo Sarcastic]][[Answering Theo Sincere]][[Answering Theo Playful]][[Answering Theo Stoic]]*/

.. your hair is dyed a.. <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Cool blonde|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "cool blonde"]]</li> <li>[[Golden blonde|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "golden blonde"]]</li> <li>[[Strawberry blonde|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "strawberry blonde"]]</li> <li>[[Copper red|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "copper red"]]</li> <li>[[Auburn colour|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "auburn"]]</li> <li>[[Light brown|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "light brown"]]</li> <li>[[Medium brown|haircolor][dyed$haircolour = "medium brown"]]</li> <li>[[Dark brown|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "dark brown"]]</li> <li>[[Raven black|haircolor][dyed$haircolour = "raven black"]]</li> <li>[[Jet black|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "jet black"]]</li> <br> <li>[[Pastel pink|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "pastel pink"]]</li> <li>[[Pastel purple|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "pastel purple"]]</li> <li>[[Pastel blue|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "pastel blue"]]</li> <li>[[Pastel green|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "pastel green"]]</li> <li>[[Pastel peach|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "pastel peach"]]</li> <li>[[Pink|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "pastel pink"]]</li> <li>[[Purple|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "lavender"]]</li> <li>[[Blue|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "blue"]]</li> <li>[[Teal|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "teal"]]</li> <li>[[Green|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "green"]]</li> <li>[[Peach|haircolor][$dyedhaircolour = "peach"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

You spend hours in front of your laptop laughing and chatting with your friends. Everyone is equally relieved that it's finally summer break, but also equally discouraged by the state of the world and not being able to live a normal life. Still, you're all determined to stay positive about the whole situation, and make the best out of it that you can. There's really nothing else to do. By the time you finish up your zoom call with your friends, it's almost 3am, and you remain sitting at your desk for a moment, leaning forward on your desk as you rest your chin in your hands and gaze out the window. It's dark — or as dark as it gets during the summer months — and your eyes are immediately drawn to the glowing, silvery moon that hangs above the buildings of your block. You think it must be a full moon, and you swear it even looks bigger than normal. Like it's somehow... closer to earth than it usually is. You're not sure if that's even possible, but it certainly looks magnificent. There is something about gazing up at the night sky that always brings about a pensive mood in you, however cliche it may sound. The stars and the moon have a way of really bringing you down to earth. Of grounding you in reality. Nothing quite brings into perspective how insignificant your troubles are in the grand scheme of things like looking up at the endless night sky. It's a nice reminder, and your troubles feel a little less heavy as you gaze up at the ancient glowing rock. With that dreaded paper out of the way, and no pressure hanging over your shoulders, your immediate future suddenly looks a lot more inviting. You're so happy to be able to take a break from it all. But first you need to sleep. You're so tired that you're just about ready to drop into bed fully clothed, and the thought of sleep is made even more inviting knowing that you get to sleep in for as long as you like. You get up from your desk, still contemplating whether you can be bothered to do your nightly routine, when a movement in your peripheral vision freezes you in place, your eyes drawn to the floor-length mirror leaning against the wall in your bedroom. You eyebrows draw together in confusion. <i>What..?</i> You step closer, apprehensively watching the reflective surface while your heart races in your chest, half-expecting to see some gruesome ghostly apparition forming any moment. You swear you saw something move in corner of your eye, but now there's nothing there. At least, you bloody <i>hope</i> there's nothing there. You bite your lip nervously, as your brain works in overdrive to find a rational explanation for this strange phenomenon that keeps happening to you, and you're suddenly keenly aware of the fact that you're all alone in the flat, with Theo at work. It's dark, it's 3am, and you've seen enough horror movies to know about the so-called "witching hour", when the supernatural is supposedly at their most powerful. You want to laugh it off. To brush it aside, and go to bed, but you can't seem to take your eyes off the mirror. Your gaze is glued to it with some sort of morbid fascination. Or irrational fear. You can't help but think that the moment you look away, something is going to jump out at you. You definitely need to stop watching so many horror movies. Or at least try to put a serious stopper in your imagination. Ghosts aren't real... Right? <<button "Next" "Sucked In">><</button>> /*[[Sucked In]]*/

You can only stare morbidly at your own reflection in the mirror as you move closer, helplessly regarding the horror-struck look on your face as your arm lifts of its own accord, one finger raised to touch the surface of the mirror. Somewhere in the back of your mind you're reminded of that scene from Sleeping Beauty when she's about to touch the spindle, and if you weren't so terrified you might have found it funny. As your finger approaches against your will, you try one last time to shake off this trance. To pull your finger back before it's too late. You're not sure what's about to happen, but it can't be anything good. But it's no use. Your eyes widen with shock as your finger touches the surface, but instead of stopping, it goes straight through it, like there's nothing there but air. The very moment it crosses, you feel something close around it and yank you forward, and you let out a scream, squeezing your eyes shut as you fall headlong into the unknown. Everything is dark, and you can't tell if your eyes are open or shut. You're not even sure if you can feel your body anymore, but you can still somehow feel a pressure squeezing in on you from all sides. It threatens to suffocate you, and you feel a wild panic bubbling in your chest as you feel yourself slipping away. The very last cohesive thought you have before everything goes black is the distinct notion of hearing, or feeling, or <i>sensing</i> yourself calling out something unintelligeble into the void. You can't quite make it out, but you're overwhelmed by a sense of regret as your consciousness inevitably fades. <<button "End of demo" "Chapter Two Preface">><</button>> /*[[Chapter Two Preface]]*/

Your given name is $firstname $lastname, is that correct? <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Yep, that's correct.|Choose Study]]</li> <li>[[Yes, but I'm usually referred to by my nickname..|Nickname]]</li> <li>[[No, my name is something else|Set Firstname]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

What is your nickname? <<textbox "$nickname" "">> <<link "Go">> <<set $nickname to $nickname.trim()>> <<if $nickname == "">> <<replace "#nickname-error">>Please enter a nickname..<</replace>> <<elseif /[^A-Z]/i.test($nickname)>> <<replace "#nickname-error">>Nicknames may only contain letters.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#nickname-error">><</replace>> <<set $hasnickname = true>> <<goto "Choose Study">> <</if>> <</link>> <span id="nickname-error" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.9rem;"></span> /*[[Choose Study]]*/

<<chapter "Chapter Two" "Down the Rabbit Hole">> You're dying. You're sure of it. Your head pounds, your entire body aches. Muscles... joints... bones... even your <i>teeth</i> hurt. It feels as though you've been squeezed through an impossibly tight tube, your body compressed to half its size, only to pop out on the other side where it is now trying to readjust. Your pulse rushes in your ears, making it difficult to hear. The ground you're lying on feels... soft... strange... Feeling disoriented, you attempt to open your eyes, but immediately pinch them shut as blinding light sends a sharp pain through your head. Even without looking you can tell that the world is spinning uncontrollably, leaving you nauseous, your stomach churning warningly. You squeeze your eyes tighter as you try to focus on controlling your breathing, panic beginning to well up in your chest. <i>What is happening to me…?</i> You think absently. <i>Am I... sick?</i> You try to reach back in your memory to figure out where you are and how you got here, and why you’re feeling so god awful, but the effort causes another stab of pain behind your eyes, and you let it go, concentrating instead on breathing in and out. Somewhere in the distance, through the rushing of your blood, you hear the faraway sound of a dog barking, and you try to open your mouth to call for help, but no words come out. Your mouth feels dry and useless. You can't <i>move</i>. You feel like you're cut off from your body, even though you can painstakingly feel every square inch of it. Like the connection ist lost between your brain and your muscles. You don't think you're in any state to help yourself. You can only hope that the barks means that <i>someone</i> is headed your way. Feel your mind growing heavier and heavier as your consciousness begin to fade, you claw at the recesses of your mind, desperately trying to stay afloat. Somewhere in the vicinity a voice calls out, and you want to call back, garner their attention somehow, but you feel yourself being pulled down, down, down… and then... You’re gone again. <<button "Next" "Waking up in Sterlington Hall">><</button>> /* [[Waking up in Sterlington Hall]] */

The second time you wake up, your eyes open slowly, blinking to adjust to the dimness of the room. The pain that accosted you previously is gone, leaving behind nothing but a dull headache and a foggy brain. Nothing you can’t handle. Your brows crinkle in confusion as your eyes glance about the room and start to make out its details. Given the pain and discomfort you distinctly recall suffering from moments ago, you might have expected waking up in the hospital. But this is definitely not a hospital room. The walls and ceiling of the room are white, decorated with the typical ornamental carvings you would see in old british homes. There’s one window to your left where the remnants of golden hues lets you know that the sun is well and truly setting, which means you must have been passed out for quite some time. The furniture in the room is antique and largely wooden. All in all, you might have found it rather cosy if it weren’t for one slightly concering detail. This is not your room. In fact, you’re pretty sure you’ve never set foot in this room your entire life. Which only begs the question… where on gods green earth <i>are</i> you? Shifting the covers off your body, your swing your feet over the side of the bed and hop down, wincing slightly as your bare feet hit the cold floor. <i>Bare feet…?</i> Alarm begins to set in as you glance down, but you let out a sigh of relief upon finding that you’re still wearing your clothes. Someone has simply taken the liberty of removing your shoes. Making your way to the the single window in the room, you peer out, hoping to get some idea of which part of London you currently find yourself in. But as you glance out the window, you find none of the familiar brick buildings of London city. Instead, your eyes settle on a massive front yard, paved with gravel, not a single stone out of place. And beyond that? Nothing but fields and trees as far as the eye can see. Frowning, you fish your phone out of your pocket, blissfully still intact and functioning. Your display lights up, showing you the time and date. <div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">19:07 Tuesday, 21 June</div> Okay, so you've been out a whole day. That's a little concering.. You unlock your phone, opening your map app, hoping it might clear up your location. A message instantly pops up on your screen. <i>Could not connect.</i> You purse your lips as you glance up at the top of your screen. No service. <i>Shit.</i> You draw back from the window as your thoughts begin to race. The last thing you remember is being in your bathroom with your mirror acting… strange. Then… Your eyes widen, heartbeat speeding up as you recall the sensation of your finger going through the mirror like it was made of nothing but air, and being pulled forward by some invisible force. Had that been... real? <<link "There's no way. You must have hit your head." "Rational Reaction to Mirror Incident">> <<fairmath $rational 5 $emotional 5>> <<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>> <</link>> <<link "It definitely felt real.. You shrug. Maybe you discovered a new door to Narnia or something?" "Accepting Reaction to Mirror Incident">> <<fairmath $accepting 5 $panicked 5>> <<set $accepting = $plus; $panicked = $minus>> <</link>> <<link "It definitely felt real. Too real. Your chest tightens as your anxiety flares." "Panicked Reaction to Mirror Incident">> <<fairmath $panicked 5 $accepting 5>> <<set $panicked = $plus; $accepting = $minus>> <<fairmath $emotional 5 $rational 5>> <<set $emotional = $plus; $rational = $minus>> <</link>><<nobr>> /*[[Rational Reaction to Mirror Incident]] [[Accepting Reaction to Mirror Incident]] [[Panicked Reaction to Mirror Incident]]*/ <</nobr>>

Angling your ear towards the door, you can clearly make out the voices from the other side. “Eleanor, please, be reasonable,” a male voice urges, frustration bleeding through in their voice. “Do you think it wise to house a stranger from the streets? Particularly someone looking like <i>that</i>.” A woman huffs, and you assume this must be Eleanor. “And what would you have done, Richard? Leave the poor soul on the doorstep to fend for themselves? They were clearly indisposed.” The male voice — Richard, apparently — grumbles. “Of course not, but surely there are other alternatives available. Something a little less precarious.” “You worry too much, Richard.” “I do not—,” the man begins to argue, but is cut off by another male voice joining in. “Please, Richard, settle down. I don’t see the harm in housing them for one night, until we can find out who they are and where they came from.” “My sentiments exactly.” Eleanor chimes in. “My conscience won’t allow me to turn them away.” “Well, I certainly hope your <i>conscience</i> won’t be the death of you.” Richard mutters grimly. “Oh, come now,” Eleanor laughs. “Their appearance was not half as alarming as you make it out to be. Certainly, they looked a little… out of place, but I dare say they will turn out to be completely harmless.” <<nobr>>/* REVEALING, TATTOOS SHOWING */ <<if $outfit != "grunge" && $outfit != "punk trousers" && $outfit != "formal" && $tattoos == true>><<set _firstImpression = "criminal">> “Harmless?” Richard barks. “Did you see the clothing? Or rather.. The lack thereof? Not to mention the <i>markings</i> on their skin? They are likely nothing but a common criminal!” <br><br> “Indeed I did see them.” She counters. “I dare say someone's appearance alone cannot reasonably be sufficient grounds for judgement. If anything, <i>I</i> worry that they may have suffered some sort of misfortune...” She trails off, sounding concerned, but then she quickly picks up again. “Besides, Richard. I’ve heard that marking your skin is quite the fad these days amongst sailors in The Royal Navy, I dare say you would not be so quick to judge your fellow shipmen.” /* REVEALING, NO TATTOOS */ <<elseif $outfit != "grunge" && $outfit != "punk trousers" && $outfit != "formal" && $tattoos == false>><<set _firstImpression = "beggar">> "Harmless?" Richard barks. "Did you see the clothing? Or rather.. The lack thereof? They are likely nothing more than a common beggar!" <br><br> "Indeed I did see them." She counters. “I dare say someone's appearance alone cannot reasonably be sufficient grounds for judgement. If anything, <i>I</i> worry that they may have suffered some sort of misfortune...” She trails off, sounding concerned, but then she quickly picks up again. "In any case, if they are, all the more reason for us to offer them aid. Really Richard, I never knew you to be ungenerous. Would you turn away a beggar at your door?" <<else>><<set _firstImpression = "nutter">> "Harmless?" Richard barks. "Did you see the peculiarity of their clothing? Their general appearance? They clearly do not belong to these parts, they may very well be a complete nutter!" <br><br> "Richard!" Eleanor scolds. "I dare say someone's appearance alone cannot possible be sufficient grounds for such harsh judgement. Really, I've never known you to be callous! What would you have us do? Ship them off to Bedlam?" <</if>> <</nobr>> “Of course not, that is not what I—” Richard abruptly stops and lets out a sigh, seemingly realising the futility of carrying on the argument. “Very well, Eleanor.” He finally relents. “This is your home after all, and I am nought but your guest. In any case, we shall come to discover their true nature on the morrow.” “Oh, come now, Richard,” her voice takes on a softer, chiding tone. “We are family. That makes this your home as much as it is ours.” She too lets out a small sigh. “You know I always value your opinion, and I am well aware you are simply looking out for our well being. I appreciate it. I am sorry if I tease you too much.” You draw back from the door, your thoughts racing more than ever with everything you've just overheard. Clearly, they’re talking about you, but they way they speak and their mannerism seems very… old-fashioned, and overly formal. Even if they do turn out to be some sort of gentry, as the house suggests, you didn’t think anyone spoke <i>like that</i> any more. The nobility sounds posh, to be sure, but this sounds like something straight out of a Period Drama. Besides, what is this Richard guy's problem? You glance down at your outfit with a frown. You may not be dressed quite like royalty, but you're hardly dressed in any way that should immediately label you a _firstImpression? You creep a little closer to the door, hoping to peer through the opening to get a look at them, curiousity getting the better of you. Judging by their conversation they don’t seem to intend you any harm, if anything, it seems as though this Richard guy is more alarmed by your presence amongst them. As if you were somehow dangerous to them. The thought makes you want to laugh. It doesn’t quite explain how you ended up here, but their conversation seems to suggest they found you and took you in. Hopefully that means you can scratch out kidnapping and all the other nefarious ideas your mind conjured up before. Still, best to be careful all the same. You don’t know these people. It could all be an elaborate trap. You’re just about to lean forward when someone clears their voice behind you and you jump. [[Fuck!|Caught by The Butler][$swearword = "fuck"]] [[Shit!|Caught by The Butler][$swearword = "shit"]] [[Bloody hell!|Caught by The Butler][$swearword = "bloody hell"]] [[Crikey!|Caught by The Butler][$swearword = "crikey"]]

"<span style="text-transform: capitalize;">$swearword!</span>" You exclaim as you spin around and come face to face with a somewhat stern looking old man. The blood pounds in your ears as you clutch at your chest, willing it to settle. “You scared me!” His brows shoot up at your exclamation, but he quickly composes himself.<<nobr>> <<if $hairlength != "shaved" && $hairlength != "short" && $hairlength != "ear-length" && $facialhair == true>>“Ah, begging your pardon..." He pauses and frowns, studying you uncertainly. <br><br> "Oh, right!" You say, catching on to his dilemma. "My name is $firstname." <br><br> He looks bewildered, mouth opening and closing without a sound, and you can't help but think the expression looks somewhat comical given the formal outfit he’s donning and the ramrod straightness of his back. He looks like the sort of person who isn't used to being caught unawares, and likes it even less. <br><br> "Ah, that's not—," he begins, but is interrupted as the door behind you opens and golden light floods into the hallway, illuminating you both. <br><br> <<elseif $hairlength != "waist-length" && $hairlength != "chest-length" && $hairlength != "shoulder-length" && $gender != "male">>“Ah, begging your pardon..." He pauses and frowns studying you uncertainly. <br><br> "Oh, right!" You say, catching on to his dilemma. "My name is $firstname." <br><br> He looks bewildered, mouth opening and closing without a sound, and you can't help but think the expression looks somewhat comical given the formal outfit he’s donning and the ramrod straightness of his back. He looks like the sort of person who isn't used to being caught unawares, and likes it even less. <br><br> "Ah, that's not—," he begins, but is interrupted as the door behind you opens and golden light floods into the hallway, illuminating you both. <<elseif $gender == "non-binary">>“Ah, begging your pardon..." He pauses and frowns studying you uncertainly. <br><br> "Oh, right!" You say, catching on to his dilemma. "My name is $firstname." <br><br> He looks bewildered, mouth opening and closing without a sound, and you can't help but think the expression looks somewhat comical given the formal outfit he’s donning and the ramrod straightness of his back. He looks like the sort of person who isn't used to being caught unawares, and likes it even less. <br><br> "Ah, that's not—," he begins, but is interrupted as the door behind you opens and golden light floods into the hallway, illuminating you both. <<elseif $gender == "female">>"Ah, begging your pardon, maam. It was not my intention to—," he begins, but is interrupted as the door behind you opens and golden light floods into the hallway, illuminating you both. <<elseif $gender == "male">>"Ah, begging your pardon, sir. It was not my intention to—," he begins, but is interrupted as the door behind you opens and golden light floods into the hallway, illuminating you both. <</if>><</nobr>> You turn to find an elegant looking woman standing in the doorway, pale-skinned with dark, brown hair swept up into an elaborate up-do. You can only assume this is the Eleanor you overheard speaking before. You're eyes are immediately drawn to the startling outfit she's wearing; a light green, floor-length dress with short sleaves that is cinched just underneath the bust and gently flares out from there. <<nobr>> <<if $history > 40>>It's a typical dress from Regency Era England, and a very good replica at that <<else>>It's clearly from some other era, the likes of which you'd find in a Period Drama, and a great one at that <</if>><</nobr>> , albeit a little odd to be wearing on a random evening in June? It's lovely to be sure, and far be it from you to judge someone's fashion choices, but still... “Ah, I thought I heard voices out here." She lets her eyes stray over to you, curious and pensive. "I see our guest is awake at last, we have been eagerly waiting.” She offers you a kind smile, before she turns back to address the butler. “Mr. Lewis? Is something amiss?” “Not at all, Mrs. Winfield, I simply encountered our guest out here in the hallway, and…” He pauses, giving you a scornful look loaded with warning, and you're reminded that he caught you eavesdropping before. Clearly it didn't go unnoticed. “… they appear to be lost, madam.” <<link "You flush a little, embarrassed at being caught." "Embarrassed: Eavesdropping">> <<fairmath $shy 5 $bold 5>> <<set $shy = $plus; $bold = $minus>> <</link>> <<link "You mentally shrug, a little eavesdropping never hurt anybody?" "Unconcerned: Eavesdropping">> <<fairmath $bold 5 $shy 5>> <<set $bold = $plus; $shy = $minus>> <</link>>

You feel your cheeks flushing, embarrassed to be caught. You know eavesdropping is frowned upon, but surely you can be excused given the circumstances? The butler studies you for another moment through narrowed eyes, but appears satisfied with your reaction, as he makes no mention of it, to your great relief. Eleanor turns back to address you. “We were concerned about you, dear, but you do seem well enough now, seeing as you are up and about. Why don’t you come inside?” She takes a step back and gestures for you to enter the room. Feeling slightly nervous, but mostly curious, you step forward into the room. <<button "Next" "Meeting the Winfields">><</button>> /* [[Meeting the Winfields]] */

You raise an eyebrow, meeting his gaze evenly. A little eavesdropping never hurt anybody. Sure, you know it's frowned upon, but you can be excused given the circumstances, right? The butler studies you for another moment through narrowed eyes, but makes no mention of it, simply giving you one last warning look as if to say <i>I'm watching you</i>, before reverting back to glance expectantly at Eleanor. Eleanor's lips twitch in amusement as she watches, but she composes herself as she turns back to address you. “Ah, I do apologise for leaving you unattended, dear. We thought you might sleep through the night, but you do seem well enough now, seeing as you are up and about. Why don’t you come inside?” She takes a step back and gestures for you to enter the room. Feeling slightly nervous, but mostly curious, you step forward into the room. <<button "Next" "Meeting the Winfields">><</button>> /* [[Meeting the Winfields]] */

As you make your way into the room, you sneak your phone back in your pocket, just in case they turn out not to have your best interest at heart, you don’t want to let them know you’re carrying it. Might come in handy. The room you enter into is equally as grand as what you have seen from the rest of the house. The ceiling is beige, with more ornamental carvings, and a massive chandelier suspended from the middle. The wallpaper <<nobr>> <<if $study == "history" || $study == "art">>mint green with a detailed damask design, typical for Victorian Era England, if you recall correct from your studies, beautifully complimenting the beige of the ceilings and doorways. <<else>>mint green and in the same ornamental design you’ve seen in countless historical houses in England. It’s pretty, you deduce, and looks like it’s well kept. The wooden furniture seems almost authentic.<</if>><</nobr>> You’re pulled from your musings as someone clears their throat, and you turn to face the three occupants now left in the room. The butler seems to have taken their leave already, leaving only the woman from before — Eleanor, you correct yourself — and two men. <<nobr>> <<if $height == "very short" || $height == "short" || $height == "averagely tall">>The two men are relatively tall compared to you, <<elseif $height == "tall" || $height == "very tall">>The two men are tall, like you, <</if>> <</nobr>>and look similar with their tawny brown skin and black hair. They both have the same narrow, hooded eyes with irises of a dark colour that you can’t quite make out in the candlelight, and you briefly wonder if they’re related. They may look similar in appearance, however, they certainly differ greatly in their expressions. While one of them is looking at you pensively, a slight frown on his face, the other looks distinctly unhappy, scowling openly at you with a distrusting gaze. But the most startling thing about both of them is their outfits. <<nobr>> <<if $study == "history">>The men are dressed in fitted tailcoats with waistcoats underneath, knee-high boots over loose trousers and sporting cravats around their necks, looking like they stepped straight out of a Regency Fair. <<else>>The men are dressed in fancy, old-fashioned coats with high boots and neckties, and just like Eleanor, look like they've stepped straight out of a Period Drama set.<</if>> <</nobr>> <i>Are they... cosplaying or something?</i> You're not quite sure what to make of their outfits. “I do hope you won't take offence," Eleanor says, interrupting your thoughts, "but since there is no one here to introduce us, I'll take it upon myself to make introductions." "My name is Eleanor Winfield," she begins, and your eyes widen as she drops down into an actual <i>curtsy</i>. "And this," she gestures to the kinder looking of the two men, "is my husband, Admiral John Winfield, and his brother, Captain Richard Winfield." You blink as both men bend forward to greet you with the same formality as Eleanor's curtsy, and your eyes flicker between the three of them as your brain begins to throb from the effort of trying to make sense of it all. Admiral? Captain? Do people really go around announcing those titles? “I’m sorry, but... can somebody please tell me where I am, and how I ended up here? I’m very confused.” They share a glance, and Eleanor takes a step towards you, looking concerned. “Can you not remember?” Your brows draw together into a frown. “The last thing I remember is lying... <i>somewhere</i>, body aching and head spinning, unable to even open my eyes, and then… nothing.” You try to think back, hoping to wrench more details from your tired brain, but you come up short. “I assume I must have fainted, and then I woke up here.” You glance around uncertainly. “Wherever <i>here</i> is.” Your eyes peer out the window where the sky is darkening, twilight setting in after the sun set, and you reach up to rub at your temples, feeling a headache coming in. “To tell you the truth, I’m not even sure what <i>day</i> it is.” You suddenly remember the voice you heard in the distance right before you passed out. “I do remember a voice calling out to me though, before I fainted. I assume that was one of you?” You let your eyes flicker between the two men. “I’m afraid not,” Admiral Winfield replies. “One of the local farmers found you and brought you here this morning.” Eleanor frowns in sympathy. “I’m afraid I cannot tell you where you came from, dear, that is a mystery to all of us, but I can clear up a few things for you. The date is June 21st, 1816, and the house you currently find yourself in, is our newly rented home, Sterlington Hall. You may have heard of it…?” She gazes expectantly at you, but you merely blink. “… Or perhaps not.” She concedes. “Nevertheless it is—,” “I’m sorry,” you interrupt, mind reeling as your brain finally computes what she said before. “Did you say June 21st, <i>1816</i>…?” Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Indeed,” she replies slowly. “The year is 1816. Does that... not sound right to you?” [["Haha, very funny," you deadpan. "You're joking, right?"|Stoic: I'm in fucking Regency?? Reaction: stoic]] [["Haha, very funny!" You force out an oliging laugh.|Friendly: I'm in fucking Regency??]]

"Haha, very funny!" You force out an indulgent laugh, but it comes out rather forced as you stare between the three of them, expecting to find some mirth in their eyes at the obvious prank. "You're joking... right?" Eleanor sends a disconcerted look to the others, while Captain Winfield crosses his arms and sends her a look that clearly says <i>I told you so, they are obviously insane.</i> Eleanor ignores him, settling instead on clearing her throat as she turns back to you. “I’m afraid I’m not… joking, dear.” Her eyes glance about the room and land on the newspaper folded on a table in front of the fire. “Ah,” she says, eyes lighting up. “Here is today’s paper, if you’re truly doubtful.” She collects the paper and brings it over, holding it out to you expectantly. You stare at her for a moment, trying to gauge whether she’s serious or not, but upon finding no trace of amusement or duplicity on her face, you slowly reach out to take the paper from her, hesitantly glancing down at the front page. <center> <span style="font-size: 27px;">The Times</span> <span style="font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 1px;">FOR JUNE 21ST, 1816</span> </center> You blink down at the letters in front of you. It doesn’t really prove anything, a paper can be photoshopped, but if this is indeed a hoax, it’s certainly a very elaborate one. You keep waiting for someone to jump out with a camera, screaming “HA! You’ve been pranked!”, but the seconds pass and all you hear is the ticking of a clock somewhere in the room while your mind races. You can’t help but recall the mirror and all the strangeness that happened with it. Could it be possible that you’ve… time traveled? Surely not. The idea is… preposterous. Insane. Impossible. And yet… Someone clears their throat again and you look up at Eleanor, who is considering you with a worried expression. “You never did tell us your name, dear?” You hesitate. Your name is obviously a small thing to divulge, but beyond that? If you have indeed time traveled, which still seems like a ludicrous idea to you, but if that <i>is</i> the case.. You can hardly tell them the truth, can you? If you tell them you’re from 200 years in the future, they’ll likely have you locked up for insanity. Or burnt at the stake. “Ah,” she interrupt again, realisation dawning on her face. “You said you cannot remember. If you don’t recall your name, dear, do not trouble yourself.” You blink at her for a moment, an idea taking form. They think you’ve lost all your memories. You bite your lip, weighing your options. Feigning amnesia seems like a reasonable course of action until you can figure out for sure what is going on here. They seem to have bought it already, so what's the harm? “No, I—“ You wet your lips, feeling somewhat nervous that they’ll catch you in the lie. “I do recall my name. It’s $firstname $lastname.” You shift form one foot to another. “That’s… all I seem to recall though.” <<button "Next" "First night in Regency">><</button>> /*[[Coming to terms]]*/

Eleanor's face falls, and the Admiral's frown deepens, though Captain Winfield seems less convinced as he regards you through narrowed eyes. You attempt to school your face into a look of helplessness "I am so sorry to hear it, dear," Eleanor's voice takes on a softer edge as she peers at you compassionately. "We will call for the surgeon again first thing in the morning. He will know what to do, I'm sure." She gives her husband a beseeching look, and a silent conversation seems to play out between then, before the Admiral clears his throat pointedly. "In the meantime," he says. "You are more than welcome here, of course, as our guest." The Captain looks like he wants to protest, but he says nothing, merely pressing his lips together as he regards you warily. You try to ignore him, settling instead on offering a grateful smile to the others, as you wrap your arms around yourself, swallowing back the sudden tightness in your throat. "Thank you," you offer sincerely. You may not be sure of much about this situation, but these two seem <i>kind</i>, and their willingness to help you feels like a balm to your frayed nerves. Suddenly, you feel exhausted, as all the shocking events of the day begin to catch up with you. You may have slept all day due to your fainting, but you feel dead on your feet, wanting nothing more than to curl up in a bed and sleep. Eleanor seems to notice your fatigue. "You must be exhausted, dear. Let me call for Mr. Lewis so he can escort you back to your room." You nod. "I would appreciate that." /* [[First night in Regency]] */

The butler promptly returns to escort you to your room, and you follow him. He doesn't speak at all on the way, for which you're grateful. He comes to a stop in front of a door. "Your room for you<<nobr>> <<if $gender == "female">>, miss <<elseif $gender == "male">>, sir <<elseif $gender == "non-binary">>... As you

Online studies suits you just fine as you prefer working by yourself in a quiet atmosphere. Being around too many people tends to drain you, making it difficult to focus. Far better be it for you to study by yourself, where you can concentrate. Another added bonus of online schooling is not having to hustle through the crazy morning rush on the tube to get to the university, not to mention being able to study whenever you want, rather than having to stick to strict schedules. All in all, every indicator points to the fact that you should be enjoying online studies. But as it turns out, it's been surprisingly difficult to stay motivated within the confines of your own flat. Your eyes are drawn to the window, where the sunset inching its way down the horizon has painted your city street in an idyllic orange glow. It’s the kind of magical sunset that only ever seems to come about during the summer season, almost like the universe is offering a comforting gesture to the people for enduring the cold and gloomy winter months. You can’t help but stare longingly out the window, wishing you were out there enjoying the nice weather instead of sitting inside, toiling in front of your laptop. You sigh as you glance down at the open document on your screen, blank page staring back at you, mocking you with its emptiness. If only you could write this damned paper, then you’d be free to do whatever you pleased. It's the final paper to be submitted before summer break, and it really shouldn't be this difficult, but you keep getting distracted. Your body feels restless, like you just want to go out and do... something. Anything. Anything other than writing this infernal paper that seems so pointless in the grand scheme of things. You've spent days trying to get started, and yet you haven't written a single word beyond the title. Well, except your own name... <<button "Next" "Set Firstname">><</button>> /*[[Set Firstname]]*/

Online studies has been rough for you so far. You prefer to be around other people. Draw energy from socialisation, then channel that energy into your studies. You work so much better when you're surrounded by people and activity. Being confined to your flat, stuck with only your own brain as company... Needless to say, it hasn't been ideal. The only benefit to online studies you've found so far is not having to brave the morning rush on the tube to get to the university. You had thought that you might enjoy being able to study whenever you wanted, rather than having to stick to strict schedules, but as it turns out, it's been pretty difficult to stay motivated within the confines of your own flat. Your eyes are drawn to the window, where the sunset inching its way down the horizon has painted your city block in an idyllic orange glow. It’s the kind of magical sunset that only ever seems to come about during the summer season, almost like the universe is offering a comforting gesture to the people for enduring the cold and gloomy winter months. You can’t help but stare longingly out the window, wishing you were out there enjoying the nice weather instead of sitting inside, toiling in front of your laptop. You sigh as you glance down at the open document on your screen, blank page staring back at you, mocking you with its emptiness. If only you could write this damned paper, then you’d be free to do whatever you pleased. It's the final paper to be submitted before summer break, and it really shouldn't be this difficult, but you keep getting distracted. Your body feels restless, like you just want to go out and do... something. Anything. Anything other than writing this infernal paper that seems so pointless in the grand scheme of things. You've spent days trying to get started, and yet you haven't written a single word beyond the title. Well, except your own name... <<button "Next" "Set Firstname">><</button>> /*[[Set Firstname]]*/

Glancing at yourself in the floor-length mirror of your bedroom, you inspect your reflection, pleased with the way your <<nobr>> <<if $outfit == "grunge">>denim jean shorts, graphic tee and plaid shirt <<elseif $outfit == "punk skirt">>black skater skirt, fishnet stockings and black mesh top <<elseif $outfit == "punk trousers">>black trousers, t-shirt and leather jacket <<elseif $outfit == "boho dress">>loose, floral maxi dress <<elseif $outfit == "boho skirt">>cropped top and mini skirt <<elseif $outfit == "girly">>bodycon mini dress <<elseif $outfit == "formal">>straight pants, button-up shirt and blazer <<elseif $outfit == "casual jeans">>jeans and t-shirt <<elseif $outfit == "casual shorts">>shorts and t-shirt <<elseif $outfit == "sporty shorts">>biker shorts and top <<elseif $outfit == "sporty pants">>sweatpants and t-shirt <<else>>outfit <</if>><</nobr>> looks on you. Feeling put together, you make your way out of your room and head to the kitchen. The flat is quiet as you move through it. Theo is clearly still asleep, which isn't unusual for him this early in the morning. He rarely gets up before noon, preferring to sleep in after his night shifts at the bar. You try to keep quiet so you don't wake him as you set about making... <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "Coffee — You absolutely //must// have coffee in the morning" "Finishing Paper">><<set $morninglifeline = "coffee">><</link>></li> <li>[[Tea — You always take tea in the morning, like any true Brit|Finishing Paper][$morninglifeline = "tea"]]</li> <li><<link "Coffee and breakfast — you need energy //and// sustenance" "Cook?">><<set $morninglifeline = "coffee and breakfast">><</link>></li> <li>[[Tea and breakfast — the perfect morning combo|Cook?][$morninglifeline = "tea and breakfast"]]</li> </ul> <</nobr>>

Your skin is $skincolour and it is speckled with... <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Tattoos|tattoos][$tattoos = true; $skin = "tattoos"]]</li> <li>[[Freckles|haircolor][$skin = "freckles"]]</li> <li>[[Beauty marks|haircolor][$skin = "beauty marks"]]</li> <li>[[Hair|haircolor][$skin = "hair"]]</li> <li>[[Nothing remarkable..|haircolor][$skin = "nothing remarkable"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

<<if $ankletattoo == true && $wristtattoo == true && $forearmtattoo == true && $upperarmtattoo == true && $ribcagetattoo == true && $necktattoo == true && $behindeartattoo == true>>That's all the tattoos you can fit on your body, please proceed. <<else>>You have a tattoo of... <i>(You can select more than one)</i> <b>Smaller tattoos:</b> <<nobr>><ul> <<if $equalitytattoo == false>><li>[[Equality sign|equalitytattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $rainbowtattoo == false>><li>[[Rainbow|rainbowtattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $yesicantattoo == false>><li>[['YES, I CAN'|yesicantattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $butterflytattoo == false>><li>[[Butterfly|butterflytattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $elephanttattoo == false>><li>[[Elephant|elephanttattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $fingerscrossedtattoo == false>><li>[[Fingers crossed|fingerscrossedtattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $musicalnotetattoo == false>><li>[[A musical note|musicalnotetattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $semicolontattoo == false>><li>[[Semi-colon|semicolontattoo]]</li><</if>> </ul><</nobr>> <b>Medium tattoos:</b> <<nobr>><ul> <<if $editpiaftattoo == false>><li>[['non, je ne regrette rien'|editpiaftattoo]] - <i>no, I regret nothing</i></li><</if>> <<if $moonphasestattoo == false>><li>[[The Moon's phases|moonphasestattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $solarsystemtattoo == false>><li>[[The planets of the solar system|solarsystemtattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $creationofadamtattoo == false>><li>[[The Creation of Adam fingers|creationofadamtattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $inlibraslibertastattoo == false>><li>[['in libras libertas'|inlibraslibertastattoo]] - <i>in books, freedom</i></li><</if>> <<if $tempusneminemmanettattoo == false>><li>[['tempus neminem manet'|tempusneminemmanettattoo]] - <i>time waits for no one</i></li><</if>> <<if $starrynighttattoo == false>><li>[[The Starry Night painting by van Gogh|starrynighttattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $recordplayertattoo == false>><li>[[A vintage record player|recordplayertattoo]]</li><</if>> <<if $pyramidtattoo == false>><li>[[Three pyramids|pyramidtattoos]]</li><</if>> </ul><</nobr>> <</if>> <<nobr>> <<if $ankletattoo == false && $wristtattoo == false && $forearmtattoo == false && $upperarmtattoo == false && $ribcagetattoo == false && $necktattoo == false && $behindeartattoo == false>> <<button "Next" "no tattoos?">><</button>> <<else>> <<button "Next" "haircolor">><</button>> /* [[haircolor]] */ /* [[no tattoos?]]*/ <</if>> <</nobr>>

Where do you have your equality sign tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "equality sign"; $equalitytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "equality sign"; $equalitytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "equality sign"; $equalitytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "equality sign"; $equalitytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "equality sign"; $equalitytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "equality sign"; $equalitytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "equality sign"; $equalitytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your rainbow tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "rainbow"; $rainbowtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "rainbow"; $rainbowtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "rainbow"; $rainbowtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "rainbow"; $rainbowtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "rainbow"; $rainbowtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "rainbow"; $rainbowtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "rainbow"; $rainbowtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your 'YES, I CAN' tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "yes i can"; $yesicantattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "yes i can"; $yesicantattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "yes i can"; $yesicantattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "yes i can"; $yesicantattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "yes i can"; $yesicantattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "yes i can"; $yesicantattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "yes i can"; $yesicantattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your butterfly tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "butterfly"; $butterflytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "butterfly"; $butterflytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "butterfly"; $butterflytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "butterfly"; $butterflytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "butterfly"; $butterflytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "butterfly"; $butterflytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "butterfly"; $butterflytattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your elephant tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "elephant"; $elephanttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "elephant"; $elephanttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "elephant"; $elephanttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "elephant"; $elephanttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "elephant"; $elephanttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "elephant"; $elephanttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "elephant"; $elephanttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your fingers crossed tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "fingers crossed"; $fingerscrossedtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "fingers crossed"; $fingerscrossedtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "fingers crossed"; $fingerscrossedtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "fingers crossed"; $fingerscrossedtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "fingers crossed"; $fingerscrossedtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "fingers crossed"; $fingerscrossedtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "fingers crossed"; $fingerscrossedtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your musical note tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "musical note"; $musicalnotetattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "musical note"; $musicalnotetattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "musical note"; $musicalnotetattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "musical note"; $musicalnotetattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "musical note"; $musicalnotetattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "musical note"; $musicalnotetattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "musical note"; $musicalnotetattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your semi-colon tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "semi-colon"; $semicolontattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "semi-colon"; $semicolontattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "semi-colon"; $semicolontattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "semi-colon"; $semicolontattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "semi-colon"; $semicolontattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "semi-colon"; $semicolontattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "semi-colon"; $semicolontattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your 'non, je ne regrette rien' tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "non je ne regrette rien"; $editpiaftattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "non je ne regrette rien"; $editpiaftattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "non je ne regrette rien"; $editpiaftattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "non je ne regrette rien"; $editpiaftattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "non je ne regrette rien"; $editpiaftattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "non je ne regrette rien"; $editpiaftattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "non je ne regrette rien"; $editpiaftattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your moon phases tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "moon phases"; $moonphasestattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "moon phases"; $moonphasestattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "moon phases"; $moonphasestattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "moon phases"; $moonphasestattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "moon phases"; $moonphasestattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "moon phases"; $moonphasestattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "moon phases"; $moonphasestattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your Creation of Adam tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "creation of adam"; $creationofadamtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "creation of adam"; $creationofadamtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "creation of adam"; $creationofadamtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "creation of adam"; $creationofadamtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "creation of adam"; $creationofadamtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "creation of adam"; $creationofadamtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "creation of adam"; $creationofadamtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your 'in libras libertas' tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "in libras libertas"; $inlibraslibertastattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "in libras libertas"; $inlibraslibertastattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "in libras libertas"; $inlibraslibertastattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "in libras libertas"; $inlibraslibertastattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "in libras libertas"; $inlibraslibertastattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "in libras libertas"; $inlibraslibertastattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "in libras libertas"; $inlibraslibertastattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your 'tempus neminem manet' tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "tempus neminem manet"; $tempusneminemmanettattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "tempus neminem manet"; $tempusneminemmanettattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "tempus neminem manet"; $tempusneminemmanettattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "tempus neminem manet"; $tempusneminemmanettattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "tempus neminem manet"; $tempusneminemmanettattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "tempus neminem manet"; $tempusneminemmanettattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "tempus neminem manet"; $tempusneminemmanettattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your The Starry Night tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "starry night"; $starrynighttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "starry night"; $starrynighttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "starry night"; $starrynighttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "starry night"; $starrynighttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "starry night"; $starrynighttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "starry night"; $starrynighttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "starry night"; $starrynighttattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your vintage record player tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "record player"; $recordplayertattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "record player"; $recordplayertattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "record player"; $recordplayertattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "record player"; $recordplayertattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "record player"; $recordplayertattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "record player"; $recordplayertattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "record player"; $recordplayertattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your pyramids tattoo? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "pyramids"; $pyramidtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "pyramids"; $pyramidtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "pyramids"; $pyramidtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "pyramids"; $pyramidtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "pyramids"; $pyramidtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "pyramids"; $pyramidtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "pyramids"; $pyramidtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

Where do you have your solar system tattoos? <<nobr>><ul> <li><<if $ankletattoo == false>>[[Your ankle|tattoos][$ankletattoo = true; $ankletattoois = "solar system"; $solarsystemtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $wristtattoo == false>>[[Your wrist|tattoos][$wristtattoo = true; $wristtattoois = "solar system"; $solarsystemtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $forearmtattoo == false>>[[Your forearm|tattoos][$forearmtattoo = true; $forearmtattoois = "solar system"; $solarsystemtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $upperarmtattoo == false>>[[Your upper arm|tattoos][$upperarmtattoo = true; $upperarmtattoois = "solar system"; $solarsystemtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $ribcagetattoo == false>>[[Your ribcage|tattoos][$ribcagetattoo = true; $ribcagetattoois = "solar system"; $solarsystemtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $necktattoo == false>>[[Your neck|tattoos][$necktattoo = true; $necktattoois = "solar system"; $solarsystemtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> <li><<if $behindeartattoo == false>>[[Behind your ear|tattoos][$behindeartattoo = true; $behindeartattoois = "solar system"; $solarsystemtattoo = true]]<</if>></li> </ul><</nobr>>

As you lean in to take a closer look at your face, you note that your eyes are looking a little bloodshot, no doubt from the hours spent in front of your laptop. You let your fingers graze over your... <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[Smooth, clear skin|shower_mirror]] (No facial hair)</li> <li>[[Clean shaven skin|shower_mirror][$facialhair = true; $facialhairis = "shaved"]]</li> <li>[[Full beard|shower_mirror][$facialhair = true; $facialhairis = "full beard"]]</li> <li>[[Sideburns|shower_mirror][$facialhair = true; $facialhairis = "sideburns"]]</li> <li>[[Moustache|shower_mirror][$facialhair = true; $facialhairis = "moustache"]]</li> </ul><</nobr>> <<set $showProfile = true>>

You haven't selected any tattoos... <<nobr>><ul> <li>[[My bad, take me back to tattoo selection|tattoos]]</li> <li>[[I've decided I don't want tattoos after all|skinmarks][$tattoos = false]]</li> </ul><</nobr>>

<<widget "fairmath">> <<set $plus to Math.round($args[0]+((100-$args[0])*($args[1]/100))) >> <<set $minus to Math.round($args[2]-($args[2]*($args[3]/100) )) >> <</widget>> <<widget "increase">> <<set $plus to Math.round($args[0]+((100-$args[0])*($args[1]/100))) >> <</widget>> <<widget "decrease">> <<set $minus to Math.round($args[0]-($args[0]*($args[1]/100) )) >> <</widget>>

You shake your head. There is no way. You may not be a rocket scientist, but you know very well that mirrors don't work like that. They <i>can't</i> work like that. It's not possible. The only explanation you can think of is that you must have hit your head or something. That would definitely explain the headache and nausea you felt before. Reaching up, you tentatively feel around your head for a bump, or some kind of tender area, but you find none. Ok, so maybe you didn't hit your head? Maybe it's some other medical condition. This isn't the first time your brain has been playing tricks on you recently. You think back to all the strange movements you've been seeing in the mirrors and you freeze, struck by a terrible thought. Do you have like... a brain tumor or something? That could explain it, right? Or maybe you were drugged? You think back to the voice you heard right before you lost consciousness and you frown, glancing around the room with narrowed eyes. The fact that <i>someone</i> brought you to this strange room instead of a hospital is rather odd, not to mention concerning. And the dizzyness and nausea you experienced before could definitely be explained by being drugged. Isn't this precisely how half the episodes of Criminal Minds begin? You feel a growing sense of urgency as your eyes dart to the door, and you quickly make your way over to feel the handle, needing to make sure it’s not locked. The door swings open easily, and your body slumps in relief. You shake your head, feeling a little foolish as you peer into the hallway outside your room, anxiously scanning it for any movements, but it seems to be deserted. The hallway is dark, illuminated only by the candles lining the walls, which only adds further creepyness to the situation. Feeling a little daunted at the idea of venturing into the house on your own, you fish your phone out of your pocket and dial the emergency phone number, just in case. As you walk through the hallway, you note that it is a lot more extensive than you thought it would be, and even more beautifully decorated than your bedroom. Clearly, this is a big house, and a lush one at that. It seems to be deserted though. You don’t encounter a single person as you make your way down the staircase and end up in a vast and magnificent entry hall. You glance around curiously at the old paintings lining the walls, surrounded by embellished golden frames. From what you’ve seen so far, you deduce that this must be some sort of… mansion. Or castle. The kind that the nobility of England lives in. You stiffen, stopping your tracks as you hear voices coming from a door that stands ajar across the hall, orange glow of candlelight escaping into the corridor through the crack. <i>Seriously</i>, you think to yourself as you make your way towards it. <i>What’s with the candles? Don’t these people have electricity?</i> You creep up on your tiptoes, not wanting to alert them to your presence until you can figure out what your situation really is here, and whether or not you need to make your escape into the night, Get Out style. <<button "Next" "Eavesdropping">><</button>> /* [[Eavesdropping]]*/

It definitely felt real. Too real. You distinctly remember being tugged forward <i>into</i> the mirror, but after that there's nothing... you can't recall anything until you woke up feeling dizzy and nauseaus, unable to ascertain your location. Your chest tightens as your anxiety kicks into overdrive. What happend to you? How did you get here? Did someone bring you here? What to they want with you? You think back to the voice you heard right before you lost consciousness and you freeze in place. Is it possible... Could you have been drugged? You glance around the room with wide, panicked eyes. The fact that <i>someone</i> brought you to this strange room instead of a hospital is rather concerning, isn't it? And the dizzyness and nausea you experienced before could definitely be explained by being drugged. Your hands begin to shake and you feel a growing sense of urgency as your eyes dart to the door, and you all but sprint over to feel the handle, needing to make sure it’s not locked. The door swings open easily, and your body slumps in relief. You shake your head, feeling a little foolish, and the impeding panic attack begins to subside. Surely, if they had ill intentions towards you, they wouldn't leave the door unlocked, right? You peer into the hallway outside your room, anxiously scanning it for any movements, but it seems to be deserted. The hallway is dark, illuminated only by the candles lining the walls, which only adds further creepyness to the situation. Feeling a little daunted at the idea of venturing into the house on your own, you fish your phone out of your pocket and dial the emergency phone number, just in case. As you walk through the hallway, you note that it is a lot more extensive than you thought it would be, and even more beautifully decorated than your bedroom. Clearly, this is a big house, and a lush one at that. It seems to be deserted though. You don’t encounter a single person as you make your way down the staircase and end up in a vast and magnificent entry hall. You glance around curiously at the old paintings lining the walls, surrounded by embellished golden frames. From what you’ve seen so far, you deduce that this must be some sort of… mansion. Or castle. The kind that the nobility of England lives in. You stiffen, stopping your tracks as you hear voices coming from a door that stands ajar across the hall, orange glow of candlelight escaping into the corridor through the crack. <i>Seriously</i>, you think to yourself as you make your way towards it. <i>What’s with the candles? Don’t these people have electricity?</i> You creep up on your tiptoes, not wanting to alert them to your presence until you can figure out what your situation really is here, and whether or not you need to make your escape into the night, Get Out style. <<button "Next" "Eavesdropping">><</button>> /* [[Eavesdropping]]*/

It definitely felt real. You distinctly recall the sensation of being pulled forward <i>into</i> the mirror. Very curious. You're no scientist, but you're pretty sure that's not supposed to happen with mirrors. You shrug to yourself. Perhaps you've found a new door to Narnia or something? You glance around the room, one eyebrow raised. It doesn't look like Narnia. In fact, it looks like a regular, albeit posh and rather antique, bedroom in an old british house. If you did indeed travel through a magic mirror, the destination is somewhat... underwhelming. So maybe it was a dream after all? But a dream doesn't explain how you ended up in this foreign place, with London nowhere in sight. You know you didn't sleepwalk all the way out of London and to the countryside on your own, which can only mean that someone brought you here. <i>Here</i>, and not a hospital room. That's definitely a little suspect, right? You think back to the voice you heard right before you lost consciousness and you frown, glancing around the room with narrowed eyes. Isn't this exactly how half the episodes of Criminal Minds begin? Waking up in a strange room with no recollection of how you got there or where you are? You freeze up as a disturbing idea enters your brain. Were you... drugged? That would definitely explain the dizzyness and nausea you experienced before, not to mention having no memory of how you got there. Feeling a growing sense of urgency, your eyes dart to the door, and you quickly make your way over to feel the handle, needing to make sure it’s not locked. The door swings open easily, and your body slumps in relief. You shake your head, feeling a little foolish as you peer into the hallway outside your room, anxiously scanning it for any movements, but it seems to be deserted. The hallway is dark, illuminated only by the candles lining the walls, which only adds further creepyness to the situation. Feeling a little daunted at the idea of venturing into the house on your own, you fish your phone out of your pocket and dial the emergency phone number, just in case. As you walk through the hallway, you note that it is a lot more extensive than you thought it would be, and even more beautifully decorated than your bedroom. Clearly, this is a big house, and a lush one at that. It seems to be deserted though. You don’t encounter a single person as you make your way down the staircase and end up in a vast and magnificent entry hall. You glance around curiously at the old paintings lining the walls, surrounded by embellished golden frames. From what you’ve seen so far, you deduce that this must be some sort of… mansion. Or castle. The kind that the nobility of England lives in. You stiffen, stopping your tracks as you hear voices coming from a door that stands ajar across the hall, orange glow of candlelight escaping into the corridor through the crack. <i>Seriously</i>, you think to yourself as you make your way towards it. <i>What’s with the candles? Don’t these people have electricity?</i> You creep up on your tiptoes, not wanting to alert them to your presence until you can figure out what your situation really is here, and whether or not you need to make your escape into the night, Get Out style. <<button "Next" "Eavesdropping">><</button>> /* [[Eavesdropping]]*/

Double-click this passage to edit it.

<<widget "chapter">><div class="chapter-header"><div class="chapter-title"><div></div><h1>$args[0]</h1><div></div></div><h2>$args[1]</h2></div> <</widget>>

You bring your $morninglifeline to your room, and settle down by your desk as you fire up your laptop, <<nobr>><<if $morninglifeline == "coffee" || $morninglifeline == "tea">>sipping carefully on your hot beverage <<else>>quietly working your way through your <<if $vegan == true>>vegan pancakes and hot beverage<<elseif $vegetarian == true>>pancakes and hot beverage<<elseif $cookingskills == "not great">>toast and hot beverage<<elseif $cookingskills == "adequate">>scrambled eggs on toast and hot beverage<</if>> <</if>> <</nobr>> as you go through your paper, pinpointing all the parts that need to be finished before you can hand it in. There's not <i>too</i> much work left to be done, thankfully, <<nobr>><<if $whystruggling == "fatigued">>and your tired brain is just about ready for this to be over so you can take a well deserved nap. Preferably for a week. <<elseif $whystruggling == "stressed">>and your mega stressed brain is just about ready for this to be over so you can take a step back and catch your breath. Let your pulse settle down for the first time in weeks. <<elseif $whystruggling == "can't focus">>and your scattered brain is just about ready for this to be over so you can let your attention wander to more pleasant things without the added stress and guilt. <<elseif $whystruggling == "wrong degree">>and you can't help but wonder if this excessive gratitute and longing to finish the paper is just further proof that you're in the wrong lane with this degree. <<elseif $whystruggling == "no fun">>and you can't wait to be done with it and go on to do something that actually gives you some serotonin instead. <<elseif $whystruggling == "unmotivated and uncertain">>and you can't wait to hit that submit button so you can take a step back and get some much needed perspective on things. Maybe recover some of that motivation and sense of purpose that is severely lacking at the moment. <<elseif $whystruggling == "not struggling">>and you'll be well pleased when you finish and you can take a much needed break from your studies. Try to find back that passion that seems to have gotten lost somewhere. <</if>><</nobr>> You gotta hand it to yourself though. There was a time when you weren't sure if you were going to finish on time, but you actually pulled through. Pat on the back for you. Granted, you had been fortunate enough to get an extended deadline for your delivery, due to some technical difficulties, which definitely helped a lot. It may have been nice to have finished at the original deadline, as you would have already been on summer break in that case, but all in all you're just happy to be completing it at all. <<button "Next" "Submitting Paper">><</button>> /*[[Submitting Paper]]*/

Yeah, you definitely have to look. What if you forgot something? Did you even set the correct font size?? If you don't check now, you won't be able to rest, you'll just spend the rest of the day fretting over it. There's still time left, so you set about scrutinising the text, scanning every paragraph for spelling errors or missing content, until you're absolutely sure that the entire paper is immaculate. Then, and only then, do you upload the paper and hit submit. You feel a great sense of relief afterwards, though it's still mixed with some trepidation. You always feel gnawing worry whenever you hand in an assignment, but the deed is done, and there's no point in thinking about it any further. The paper is delivered, which means... you're <i>finally</i> on summer break! You take great delight in exiting out all the tabs in your browser that have remained open while you worked on the paper, and you can't contain the joyous grin that spreads across your face as you shut your laptop. As you get up from your desk, you feel lighter than you have in weeks. No more looming deadlines. No more citing and sources. And no more responsibilities weighing you down. Well, beyond paying rent, obviously. You're determined to make the most of your newfound freedom, and make sure you enjoy every minute of your break. The first thing you're going to do though, is... <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "Take a nap" "Napping Celebration">><<increase $mentalhealth 5>><<set $mentalhealth = $plus>><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go for a run" "Running Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Pull out some snacks and watch your favourite TV-series" "TV Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go create some art" "Painting Celebration">><<increase $art 10>><<set $art = $plus>><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Napping Celebration]][[Running Celebration]][[TV Celebration]][[Painting Celebration]]*/

You purse your lips as you stare at the document, eyes narrowed in contemplation as you mull it over for a few seconds, but then you shake your head and hit save. You really can't be bothered, it's probably fine. You're honestly not too preoccupied with the grade at this point, you're just happy to have finished it. Besides, you're fairly sure there aren't any <i>glaring</i> errors. You feel only relief and a sense of accomplishment as you upload the paper and hit submit. There. It is done. The paper is delivered, and you are <i>officially</i> on summer break! You take great delight in exiting out all the tabs in your browser that have remained open while you worked on the paper, and you can't contain the joyous grin that spreads across your face as you shut your laptop. As you get up from your desk, you feel lighter than you have in weeks. No more looming deadlines. No more citing and sources. And no more responsibilities weighing you down. Well, beyond paying rent, obviously. You're determined to make the most of your newfound freedom, and make sure you enjoy every minute of your break. In fact, the first thing you're going to do though, is... <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "Take a nap" "Napping Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go for a run" "Running Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Pull out some snacks and watch your favourite TV-series" "TV Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go create some art" "Painting Celebration">><<increase $art 10>><<set $art = $plus>><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Napping Celebration]][[Running Celebration]][[TV Celebration]]*/

You <i>really</i> should look over it, but the thought alone makes you want to cry, you're so fucking tired of the whole thing. At this point you don't even care that much about the results or the grade, you just want it to be over with. You desperately need a break from it all. To get some distance from everything school related. Closing your eyes, you grit your teeth as you mull it over, but in the end you just hit save and upload the file without another look. You're pretty sure you won't fail at the very least, and right now that's all you care about. You ignore the gnawing sense of guilt as you hit submit. There. It is done. The paper is delivered, and you are <i>officially</i> on summer break. You find a massive relief in exiting out all the tabs in your browser that have remained open while you worked on the paper, and you can't contain the eased smile that spreads across your face as you shut your laptop. As you get up from your desk, you actually feel lighter than you have in weeks. No more looming deadlines. No more citing and sources. And no more responsibilities weighing you down. Well, beyond paying rent, obviously. You're determined to make the most of your newfound freedom, and make sure you enjoy every minute of your break. In fact, the first thing you're going to do though, is... <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "Take a nap" "Napping Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go for a run" "Running Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Pull out some snacks and watch your favourite TV-series" "TV Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go create some art" "Painting Celebration">><<increase $art 10>><<set $art = $plus>><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Napping Celebration]][[Running Celebration]][[TV Celebration]]*/

You don't have to look, you feel pretty confident that there are no errors. You've been working on this paper for days now, you highly doubt any glaring errors would have escaped your notice, so you simply hit save and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as you upload the paper and hit submit. There. It is done. The paper is delivered, and you are <i>officially</i> on summer break. You take great delight in exiting out all the tabs in your browser that have remained open while you worked on the paper, and you can't contain the joyous grin that spreads across your face as you shut your laptop. As you get up from your desk, you feel lighter than you have in weeks. No more looming deadlines. No more citing and sources. And no more responsibilities weighing you down. Well, beyond paying rent, obviously. You're determined to make the most of your newfound freedom, and make sure you enjoy every minute of your break. In fact, the first thing you're going to do though, is... <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "Take a nap" "Napping Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go for a run" "Running Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Pull out some snacks and watch your favourite TV-series" "TV Celebration">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Go create some art" "Painting Celebration">><<increase $art 10>><<set $art = $plus>><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Napping Celebration]][[Running Celebration]][[TV Celebration]]*/

<<nobr>><center><i> <<if $study == "english">>Myths and Facts On The Gender Issue in British Literary Materials <<elseif $study == "psychology">>False Memories and How They Can Impact Our Lives <<elseif $study == "history">>Why Myriads of Women Were Diagnosed With Mental Illness In The 19th Century <<elseif $study == "art">>Embodiments of Life and Death Through Art <<elseif $study == "music">>Music As a Commodity, From Sheet Music to Streaming <</if>></i> <br>Written by $firstname $lastname </center><</nobr>> Unfortunately, the title doesn't inspire any insights into the subject. You’ve got tabs lined up on your browser with research and sources, but your brains keeps pulling your attention towards other things. Your phone, your laptop, the street outside. You just can't seem to focus on what needs to be done. You think back to a time before university when you used to be passionate about <span style="text-transform: capitalize;">$study</span>. <<nobr>><<if $study == "english">>It was always your favourite subject in school, and you knew you wanted to pursue it further. There was something about the intricate language, the rich history and all the beautiful works of art that just pulled you in. Learning about famous writers and their works, all the dedication and passion that went into their creations. Discovering how literature changed over the course of the years, what influenced the writings, and all the ways literature helped shape society. You wanted nothing more than to immerse yourself into it further. <<elseif $study == "psychology">>There was something about people that always had you so fascinated. You loved to ponder why people did the things they did or behaved the way they behaved. What made people tick? Why did some people struggle in certain situations, while others thrived? And all the people battling against various mental health issues, what could be done to help them? So little was known about the psyche and the way the brain worked, you wanted to be a part of figuring it out. <<elseif $study == "history">>You were always fascinated by history, all the choices and events that led the world to where you are today. Learning about how humanity evolved, how your ancestors lived and what they valued in their lives. History held such a wealth of knowledge that you wanted to devour, to help understand and make sense of your surroundings. But still with everything discovered, there was still so much left to uncover. So many mysteries still left unsolved. You wanted to be a part of unearthing them. <<elseif $study == "art">>You always loved to draw and paint. Being able to use your sense of aesthetic, your designing abilities to produce beautiful works of art gave you such pleasure and happiness. You loved the creative process, and you loved even more to study and admire the end results, both of your own work, and that of others. There was something so satisfying in seeing the steady progression in your skill level over the years. How much you had learned already, and how far you had come, yet there always seemed to be more ways to improve your work. You wanted nothing more than to keep exploring that side of yourself. <<elseif $study == "music">>You always loved music and its power to touch people, making them feel emotions through clever and relatable lyrics, not to mention the compelling and artful melodies that accompanied them. The stories that could be told with just a few thoughtful lines of text, the emotions that it could invoke in less than four minutes, it was truly astonishing. The way that a single song could hold such vivid memories, bringing them back years later as if they had only happened yesterday. You wanted nothing more than to immerse yourself further into the study of it. <</if>><</nobr>> But that passion seems to have faded since you began studying the subject at University. <<nobr>><ul> /* Can't focus */ <li><<link "You find it so hard to focus.. to sit still, to get organised. Your mind always wanders to other things, and you never seem to catch up on everything that needs to be done. You think you'll catch up on the weekend, or the next holiday, but you never do" "Why study?">><<set $whystruggling = "can't focus">><<decrease $mentalhealth 30>><<set $mentalhealth = $minus>><</link>></li> /* Tired and fatigued */ <li><<link "You're just //so tired// all the time. Drained. Everything seems overwhelmingly difficult, and you're constantly wrecked with guilt for not doing enough. For failing. It feels hopeless. You just want to sleep, all day." "Why study?">><<set $whystruggling = "fatigued">><<decrease $mentalhealth 40>><<set $mentalhealth = $minus>><</link>></li> /* Stressed */ <li><<link "You're just so stressed. Overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. Panicked at the idea of not doing things well enough. Are you even any good at this? So many worries racing in your brain at all times, you just want to cry or run away" "Why study?">><<set $whystruggling = "stressed">><<fairmath $panicked 40 $easygoing 40>><<set $panicked = $plus; $easygoing = $minus>><<decrease $mentalhealth 40>><<set $mentahealth = $minus>><</link>></li> /* UNMOTIVATED / UNCERTAINTY */ <li><<link "It's just hard to stay motivated with all the uncertainty in the world at the moment. You've no idea what life and society will even look like after the pandemic. Will there even be jobs available? Is there even any point in studying?" "Why study?">><<set $whystruggling = "unmotivated and uncertain">><<fairmath $pessimistic 5 $optimistic 5>><<set $pessimistic = $plus; $optimistic = $minus>><<decrease $mentalhealth 10>><</link>></li> /* WRONG DEGREE */ <li><<link "Honestly, you're not sure you've chosen the right degree.. You're starting to doubt whether you really want to be doing this for the rest of your life." "Why study?">><<set $whystruggling = "wrong degree">><</link>></li> /* NO FUN */ <li><<link "You love the subject, and you love learning, you just feel like the systematic teachings of University education sucks all the fun out of it" "Why study?">><<set $whystruggling = "no fun">><</link>></li> /* NOT STRUGGLING */ <li><<link "You're not really struggling that much, you're just tired at the end of the semester. After summer break you'll be good as new." "Why study?">><<set $whystruggling = "not struggling">><<fairmath $optimistic 20 $pessimistic 20>><<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>><<fairmath $easygoing $10 $panicked $10>><<set $easygoing = $plus; $panicked = $minus>><<fairmath $rational 10 $emotional 10>><<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>>/*[[Why study?]]*/

<<nobr>><div class="preface-logo" id="preface-logo"></div> <div class="preface-summary"> <b>Out of the Blue</b> is a low fantasy love story set in Regency Era England where you play as a struggling University student who suddenly find yourself transported back in time, with no idea how you got there, nor how to get back. Given the probability of being classified insane if you reveal your true origins, you decide to feign amnesia. Lucky for you, a wealthy couple decides to take pity on you and take you in. <br><br> Will you be able to keep your secret hidden from your new friends, or risk ending up in an asylum? Will you conform to the expectations of regency society, or show regency society what a modern person is like? And most importantly... Will you solve the mystery of how you ended up there and find your way back home, or perhaps decide that you’d much rather stay? </div> <br> <b>This story is a work in progress, and as such may be prone to alterations throughout the process. New chapters will be added periodically, and you will find any updates on <a class="link-internal" href="https://vahnya.itch.io/out-of-the-blue">itch.io</a> or on the <a href="hhtps://vahnyawrites.tumblr.com" class="link-internal">blog</a>.</b> <br><br> <b>Warning:</b> The game is rated 16+ as it will contain strong language, sexually suggestive content, and potentially heavy subject matter such as depression/suicide, though this is optional. In the future the game will likely contain explicit (18+) sexual content, but this is also optional. <div class="divider"></div> <b>Feedback:</b> As this is my first time writing interactive fiction and a character as ambiguous as the playable character, I'm very happy to receive feedback and suggestions for improvement/added content. Specifically, but not exclusively, I would love to know if: <ul class="padded-ul"> <li>MC comes across as too feminine, cis or white, as I, the author, am a cisgendered white female</li> <li>You would like to see added choices to better represent your MC, whether it's physical customisation, dialogue or actions/reactions</li> <li>You find any spelling errors, awkward phrasing, continuity errors, etc.</li> <li>Find anything to be offensive or ignorant</li> </ul> <br> <b>Quick reminder:</b> There are three different themes to choose from should you find the original theme too bright. You can find them under <<link "settings">><<= UI.settings();>><</link>> in the sidebar, and you can also change the font and font size. <br><br> Aight, enough rambling from me. Hope you enjoy! <</nobr>><<button "Begin game" "Chapter One">><</button>> /*[[Chapter One]]*/

<<nobr>><<if $whystruggling == "fatigued">>You're just so tired all the time. Drained. Everything seems overwhelmingly difficult, and you're finding it hard to motivate yourself for anything. Sometimes it's hard to even get out of bed in the morning. You keep procrastinating the things that need to be done, electing instead to do anything else, leaving you constantly wrecked with guilt for not doing enough. You feel like a complete failure most of the days, and you can't help but wonder why you're like this. Why can't you do even the bare minimum? It feels hopeless. All you want to do is sleep. All day preferably. <<elseif $whystruggling == "stressed">>You're just so stressed all the time. Overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done, all the tasks lined up in front of you. And the pressure of performing well, of not doing things well enough, is almost too much sometimes. Are you even any good at this? And if you're not the absolute best at what you do, then what's the point? So many thoughts race in your brain at all times, it makes you want to cry, or just run away from all your responsibilities. <<elseif $whystruggling == "can't focus">>You just find it so hard to focus.. You can't seem to sit still the way others to, and you struggle to get your work organised. To sort out everything that needs to be done and get it done. Your mind is always wandering to other things, thousands of ideas popping up in your brain all at once, and you never seem to be able to catch up on all your work. You keep telling yourself that it's fine, you'll just catch up on the weekend, or during the next holiday, but you never do. And the work keeps piling up. <<elseif $whystruggling == "wrong degree">>Honestly, you're not sure you've chosen the right degree.. You're starting to doubt whether you really want to be doing this for the rest of your life. Sure, it's interesting enough, and you certainly used to have a lot of enthusiasm for it. But is it really the right path for you? Is it really something you want to be working with everyday for the forseeable future. How can you be sure that you've made the right choice? <<elseif $whystruggling == "no fun">>You love the subject of your study, and you love learning, you just feel like the systematic teachings of University education sucks all the fun out of it. Maybe it's all the theory involved that seems so pointless when you'd rather be learning hands on. Or the endless lectures where Professors drone on about a particular subject that could be interesting, but they just make it sounds so... dull. Or perhaps it's the chore of churning out essay after essay with all the strict requirements of sources and formatting that sucks all the enjoyment out of it. You're not sure, but something about it definitely makes it tedious. <<elseif $whystruggling == "unmotivated and uncertain">>It's just so hard to stay motivated with all the uncertainty in the world at the moment. You've no idea what life and society will even look like after the pandemic. Will there even be jobs available? How much is going to change? How long is it going to last? Is there even any point in studying? Sometimes it seems like the world is just falling apart around you, and you're just one bad event away from armageddon. Wouldn't it be just your luck if you spent the best parts of your young years studying relentlessly for a masters degree only for aliens to invade at the end of it and all of it was for naught. <<elseif $whystrugglin == "not struggling">>Honestly, you're not really struggling that much, you're just tired at the end of the semester and feeling a tad bit dramatic and sorry for yourself. You'll be fine. After summer break you'll be good as new, and back to studying with motivation and vigour. Hopefully. It's just hard to remember why you would willingly put yourself through this pain sometimes. <</if>><</nobr>> Why did you even decide to study <span style="text-transform: capitalize">$study</span>? <<nobr>><ul><<if $study == "english">> <li>[[To be a teacher|english][$whystudy = "to be a teacher"]]</li> <li>[[To be a writer|english][$whystudy = "to be a writer"]]</li> <li>[[To be a journalist|english][$whystudy = "to be a journalist"]]</li> <li>[[You're not sure, you just love the english language and history|english][$whystudy = "not sure"]]</li> <<elseif $study == "psychology">> <li>[[To be a therapist|psychology][$whystudy = "to be a therapist"]]</li> <li>[[To do research|psychology][$whystudy = "to do research"]]</li> <li>[[To help yourself|psychology][$whystudy = "to help yourself"]]</li> <li>[[You're not sure, you just find psychology fascinating|psychology][$whystudy = "not sure"]]</li> <<elseif $study == "history">> <li>[[To be a teacher|history][$whystudy = "to be a teacher"]]</li> <li>[[To do research|history][$whystudy = "to do research"]]</li> <li>[[To be an archeologist|history][$whystudy = "to be an archeologist"]]</li> <li>[[You're not sure, you just find history fascinating|history][$whystudy = "not sure"]]</li> <<elseif $study == "art">> <li>[[To be an architect|art][$whystudy = "to be an architect"]]</li> <li>[[To be a fashion designer|art][$whystudy = "to be a fashion designer"]]</li> <li>[[You hope to make a living of your drawings/paintings|art][$whystudy = "to sell art"]]</li> <li>[[You're not sure, you just love making art|art][$whystudy = "not sure"]]</li> <<elseif $study == "music">> <li>[[To be a singer|music][$whystudy = "to be a singer"]]</li> <li>[[To be a musician|instrument][$whystudy = "to be a musician"]]</li> <li>[[To be a songwriter|music][$whystudy = "to be a songwriter"]]</li> <li>[[All of the above|instrument][$whystudy = "musicprodigy"]]</li> <li>[[To be a teacher|music][$whystudy = "to be a teacher"]]</li> <li>[[You're not sure, you just love music|music][$whystudy = "not sure"]]</li> <</if>></ul><</nobr>>

It's fine. You still have time to finish it. You just gotta take a step back, take a break to reassess. All you have to do is break it down into manageable steps and make a plan for how to move forward. All it takes is a little logic, and a lot of focus. Right? You got this. Still, there's no use in forcing it, you need a break. You rise to stretch your limbs, stiff from sitting in the same position for so long, and make your way out of your room. Following the hallway to the living room, you enter to find your flatmate, Theo, lounging on the sofa watching some reality show. You fling yourself facedown on the other side of the sofa with a groan. "How's the paper coming?" He asks, and you can tell without looking that he hasn't taken his eyes off the screen. "It's not." Your reply is muffled by the pillow you've currently pressed your face into, and you make the effort of rolling onto your back before you run out of oxygen. "Tell me again why I decided to go to University?" "Because you want to secure a good job with decent wages so you can slave away at a 9 to 5 job, get married, produce a gaggle of kids, buy a minivan and a house, then end up lying on your death bed with regrets of not doing anything even remotely exciting?" He replies without missing a beat, eyes still glued to the TV. You throw your pillow, hitting him dab smack in the face. "Oumph!" "Not helpful, Theo." He grins. "Just serving you the hard truths." You roll your eyes, but a part of you wonders if he's right. Is that the future you're headed towards? Is that what you want? You don't know. It's hard to picture where you'll be in a few years, once your degree is completed, if you can even make it that far. Fuck. You're not old enough for all this responsibility. All this pressure. You wish you could go back to the good old days of secondary school. You can't believe you ever thought things were difficult back then and looked forward to Uni. Those days were a breeze compared to this. You're jerked out of your reverie as you're hit in the face by the same pillow you just threw. "Hey!" "You were spiralling, babe," Theo tuts disapprovingly. "You need to stop overthinking so much, or you'll get premature wrinkles." <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link 'You scoff. "Wrinkles are the least of my worries right now."' 'Answering Theo Sarcastic'>> <<fairmath $sarcastic 5 $sincere 5>> <<set $sarcastic = $plus; $sincere = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You huff, but smile, grateful. "You\'re right. Thanks, Theo."' 'Answering Theo Sincere'>> <<fairmath $sincere 5 $sarcastic 5>> <<set $sincere = $plus; $sarcastic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You laugh, tapping your temple. "Right, gotta get my priorities straight."' 'Answering Theo Playful'>> <<fairmath $playful 5 $serious 5>> <<set $playful = $plus; $serious = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You give him a deadpan look, not even deigning to reply to that' 'Answering Theo Stoic'>> <<fairmath $stoic 5 $friendly 5>> <<set $stoic = $plus; $friendly = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Answering Theo Sarcastic]][[Answering Theo Sincere]][[Answering Theo Playful]][[Answering Theo Stoic]]*/

You blink back the tears that threaten to well up in your eyes as you're overwhelmed by the hopelessness of it all. You're never going to finish this essay. Fuck. Why are you like this? Why can't you just get things done. Why does it have to be so difficult. Days are quickly dwindling down, and if you don't finish on time you'll likely fail the semester. You shake your head and shove the thought away. You don't want to think about that right now. You need a break — a distraction from it all. Making your way out of the room, you follow the hallway and enter the living room where you find your flatmate, Theo, lounging on the sofa watching some reality show. <<nobr>><<if $firstname == "Theo">>You still can't believe the two of you have the same fucking name. What are the odds.<</if>><</nobr>> You fling yourself facedown on the other side of the sofa with a groan. "How's the paper coming?" He asks, and you can tell without looking that he hasn't taken his eyes off the screen. "It's not." Your reply is muffled by the pillow you've currently pressed your face into, and you make the effort of rolling onto your back before you run out of oxygen. "Tell me again why I decided to go to University?" "Because you want to secure a good job with decent wages so you can slave away at a 9 to 5 job, get married, produce a gaggle of kids, buy a minivan and a house, then end up lying on your death bed with regrets of not doing anything even remotely exciting?" He replies without missing a beat, eyes still glued to the TV. You throw your pillow, hitting him dab smack in the face. "Oumph!" "Not helpful, Theo." He grins. "Just serving you the hard truths, $firstname." You roll your eyes, but a part of you wonders if he's right. Is that the future you're headed towards? Is that what you want? You don't know. It's hard to picture where you'll be in a few years, once your degree is completed, if you can even make it that far. Fuck. You're not old enough for all this responsibility. All this pressure. You wish you could go back to the good old days of secondary school. You can't believe you ever thought things were difficult back then and looked forward to Uni. Those days were a breeze compared to this. You're jerked out of your reverie as you're hit in the face by the same pillow you just threw. "Hey!" "You were spiralling, babe," Theo tuts disapprovingly. "You need to stop overthinking so much, or you'll get premature wrinkles." <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link 'You scoff. "Wrinkles are the least of my worries right now."' 'Answering Theo Sarcastic'>> <<fairmath $sarcastic 5 $sincere 5>> <<set $sarcastic = $plus; $sincere = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You huff, but smile, grateful. "You\'re right. Thanks, Theo."' 'Answering Theo Sincere'>> <<fairmath $sincere 5 $sarcastic 5>> <<set $sincere = $plus; $sarcastic = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You laugh, tapping your temple. "Right, gotta get my priorities straight."' 'Answering Theo Playful'>> <<fairmath $playful 5 $serious 5>> <<set $playful = $plus; $serious = $minus>> <</link>></li> <li><<link 'You give him a deadpan look, not even deigning to reply to that' 'Answering Theo Stoic'>> <<fairmath $stoic 5 $friendly 5>> <<set $stoic = $plus; $friendly = $minus>> <</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Answering Theo Sarcastic]][[Answering Theo Sincere]][[Answering Theo Playful]][[Answering Theo Stoic]]*/

<b style="font-size: 1.5rem;">End of current demo!</b> Thank you so much for playing! I hope you enjoyed what you've read so far. I know it's short, and a little.. rushed perhaps? I might go back and add in more later, but I just want to push forward into chapter two and actual regency era where the <i>fun</i> begins, so bear with me. My brain doesn't work in a linear fashion, unfortunately. Please don't hesitate to send me any feedback, whether on <a href="https://vahnyawrites.tumblr.com" target="_blank" class="link-internal">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://discord.gg/Wht3TEJTyA" class="link-internal" target="_blank">Discord</a> or <a href="https://instagram.com/vahnyawrites" target="_blank" class="link-internal">Instagram</a>, if you have something to say, or if you find any errors. I very much appreciate it! ♥ Stay tuned for <b>Chapter Two: Down The Rabbit Hole</b>. I've already written a chunk of it, so we're well on the way, and I'm so excited for you to finally meet the ROs and everyone else! <b>And don't forget to save here if you don't want to go through all the customisations again</b>. Thanks again xx - Vahnya <<link "Play again">><<= UI.restart()>><</link>> | <<link "Save game">><<= UI.saves();>><</link>>

<<nobr>> <div class="journal"> <div class="title"> <h1>this journal belongs to</h1> <h2>$firstname <<if $hasnickname == true>>"$nickname"<</if>> $lastname</h2> </div> <div class="info"> <img src="" id="journal-silhouette-image"> <div class="info-content"> <p><b>Gender:</b> <span style="text-transform: capitalize;">$gender</span> </p> <p><b>Pronouns:</b> $they/$them </p> <p><b>Studies:</b> <span style="text-transform: capitalize;">$study</span></p> <p><b>Goal:</b> <<if $whystudy == "musicprodigy">>To sing, play & write music <<else>><<print $whystudy.toUpperFirst()>><</if>></p> </div> </div> <div class="description"> You are $height with $skincolour skin<<if $tattoos == true>> decorated with tattoos <<elseif $skin == "freckles" || $skin == "beauty marks" || $skin == "hair">> speckled with $skin<</if>>. Your eyes are $eyecolour, and your <<if $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "full beard">>face sports a full beard <<elseif $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "sideburns">>face sports sideburns on each side <<elseif $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "moustache">>face sports a moustache <<elseif $facialhair == true && $facialhairis == "shaved">>face is shaved <<else>>face is smooth and clear<</if>>, while your hair is<<if $dyedhair == true>> dyed $dyedhaircolour, but is normally<</if>> $haircolour. Your hair is naturally $hairtype and you keep it $hairlength. </div> <div class="stat-bar-group"> <h3>Personality</h3> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Sarcastic $sarcastic%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Sincere $sincere%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="sarcastic-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Friendly $friendly%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Stoic $stoic%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="friendly-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Bold $bold%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Shy $shy%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="bold-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Serious $serious%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Playful $playful%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="bold-stat"> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="stat-bar-group"> <h3>Traits</h3> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Emotional $emotional%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Rational $rational%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="emotional-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Easygoing $easygoing%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Panicked $panicked%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="easygoing-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Credible $credible%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Suspicious $suspicious%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="credible-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Optimistic $optimistic%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Pessimistic $pessimistic%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="optimistic-stat"> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Mental Health $mentalhealth%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="mentalhealth-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Reputation $reputation%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="reputation-stat"> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="stat-bar-group"> <h3>Knowledge</h3> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">History $history%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="history-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">English $english%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="english-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Music $music%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="music-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Psychology $psychology%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="psychology-stat"> </div> </div> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Art $art%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="art-stat"> </div> </div> </div> <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center> </div> <</nobr>>

[[Journal]]

You move closer to the mirror, your heartbeat drumming in your ears as you scan the surface, waiting, watching, with bated breath, but the mirror is still. Nothing moves across the surface. Still, you just can't shake the unsettling feeling that something is... off. Something feels wrong. Unnatural. You feel a prickling sensation on your skin, and goosebumps rise in the wake. It's the unmistakable sensation of being <i>watched</i>. Like someone, or some<i>thing</i> is present in the room with you. You just can't see it. You try to tell yourself that it's absurd. That there's nothing there. Nothing but your overactive imagination. But the instinct is so strong, so unnerving, it sends a shiver down your spine, and you wrap your arms around yourself as you feel the sudden urge to flee. To get out of the room as quickly as you can and <i>not</i> look back over your shoulder. As soon as the thought of leaving enters your brain though, you belatedly realise that you <i>can't</i>. Your legs are taking you towards the mirror without any conscious input from you, and they simply won't move in any other direction. It's like you're drawn in by some invisible force. You try to stop, to turn around and <i>leave</i>, but your limbs are shifting of their own accord, the movements jerky as you try with all your might to resist. You try to speak, to scream, to do anything, but nothing happens... It's like your body is no longer your own. Like it's enthralled. You squeeze your eyes shut. <i>Okay, <<nobr>><<if $hasnickname == true>>$nickname <<else>>$firstname<</if>><</nobr>> time to wake up now!</i> You vehemently think to yourself, wishing you could reach out and pinch your skin. Instead you settle for squeezing your eyes harder together, praying that once you open them back up, everything will be back to normal. But it doesn't. You open your eyes, and the mirror is looming closer and closer. You dimly wonder if you're really about to walk straight into it. <<button "Next" "Falling Through The Portal">><</button>> /*[[Falling Through The Portal]]*/

By the time 4pm comes around, you've finally typed out the last letter of your concluding paragraph and you lean back in your chair with a sigh of relief as you stare at the full document in front of you. Your paper is completed at last. You glance up at the clock on your desktop, chewing on your lip as you consider whether or not you should look over it one last time to make sure everything is in order. You still have until midnight to deliver. You probably should utilise all the time you can.. <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "Yeah, you //definitely// have to look. What if you forgot something? Did you even set the correct font size?" "Look for errors">><<fairmath $panicked 10 $easygoing 10>><<set $panicked = $plus; $easygoing = $minus>><<fairmath $emotional 5 $rational 5>><<set $emotional = $plus; $rational = $minus>><</link>></li> <li><<link "Nah, you can't be bothered, it's probably fine. Summer break here you come!" "Just hand it in">><<fairmath $easygoing 10 $panicked 10>><<set $easygoing = $plus; $panicked = $minus>><<fairmath $optimistic 5 $pessimistic 5>><<set $optimistic = $plus; $pessimistic = $minus>><</link>></li> <li><<link "Actually, you don't have to look. You're pretty confident that there are no errors." "Confident Delivery">><<fairmath $rational 10 $emotional 10>><<set $rational = $plus; $emotional = $minus>><</link>></li> <li><<link "You //really// should, but the thought of working on the paper one more minute makes you want to cry, you're so fucking sick of it." "Too depressed to check">><<decrease $mentalhealth 10>><<set $mentalhealth = $minus>><<fairmath $pessimistic 5 $optimistic 5>><<set $pessimistc = $plus; $optimistic = $minus>><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>>/*[[Look for errors]][[Just hand it in]][[Too depressed to check]][[Confident Delivery]]*/

You figure you're in desperate need of a nap, so you curl yourself up like a burrito in your bed and let your head rest gently against the pillow. A contented sigh of relief escapes you, and you allow your brain to shove all the thoughts of deadlines and responsibilities to the recesses of your mind, and succumb to the deep sleep you've been craving all day. It takes a little while for your brain to shut off, but eventually you drift off. When you wake up, you fumble for your phone on your nightstand to check the time, and find that it's been two hours. Your entire being feels pleasantly tranquil from the rest, and your mind still and placid. You're a little loathe to get out of the warm and comforting home you've made of your blankets, but you know that you need to get ready if you want to participate in the Zoom call with your friends. You force yourself out of bed and find that, for the first time in weeks, you actually feel excited to boot up your laptop again. You're happy to celebrate the start of summer break by spending some quality time with your friends, even if it is only through the internet. In fact, you feel good. Life is looking up. <<button "Next" "3am">><</button>> /*[[3am]]*/

You've been cooped up in your flat for so long, spending so many hours sat in front of your laptop, you're in desperate need of some exercise. To go out and draw some fresh air into your lungs and get your body moving. You get changed into your workout clothes, and pull on your sneakers and mask, before heading out the door. You decide to make your way to Kensington Gardens where you can, hopefully, remove your mask and be able to run without fear of getting too close to anyone. It's not the end of the world to wear a mask, but it does get a little uncomfortable when you're running. Besides, you wanted to get some fresh air, and the air feels anything but fresh when you're wearing a mask. You relish in the feeling of the sun on your skin as you jog through the park, following one of the many trails. It's warm, but there's a breeze riffling through the trees that ensures that it doesn't get too uncomfortable. As you make your way through your workout, you make sure to take the time to admire your surroundings and really get a glimpse of the colourful flowers of the gardens around you. By the time you get back, you're just in time to shower and get ready for that Zoom call with your friends. Your run helped you reset your brain and push all the thoughts of deadlines and responsibilities to the back of your mind, and left your body feeling pleasantly mellow. And for the first time in weeks, you actually feel excited to boot up your laptop again, knowing you get to spend some quality time with your friends, even if it is only through the internet. In fact, you feel good. Life is looking up. <<button "Next" "3am">><</button>> /*[[3am]]*/

After so many hours toiling away on your laptop, wrecking your brain to fill up the wordcount of your paper, you're in desperate need of some simple, easy entertainment to bring up your serotonin levels. You make your way to the living room and fling yourself down on the sofa, letting out a contented sigh as you pick up the remote to fire up the TV. Flicking through the options on your streaming service, you eventually settle on your favourite TV-series. Once you've settled on something suitable to watch, you go ahead and ransack the kitchen cupboards for snacks, bringing them over to the coffee table and laying it out like a feast of celebration for yourself, before making yourself comfortable on the cushions. As you snuggle into the sofa, you allow your brain to shove all the thoughts of deadlines and responsibilities to the far recesses of your mind, and instead lose yourself in the intrigues of your favourite fictional characters for a few hours. You're almost reluctant to break your series marathon, but eventually you do get up and start getting ready for your Zoom call with your friends. Unwinding with a bit of TV really helped you relax, and for the first time in weeks, you actually feel excited to boot up your laptop again, knowing you get to spend some quality time with your friends, even if it is only through the internet. In fact, you feel good. Life is looking up. <<button "Next" "3am">><</button>> /*[[3am]]*/

<<button "Next" "3am">><</button>> /*[[3am]]*/

<<nobr>><<if $study == "art">>You'd think that after hours upon hours of churning out art theory for your paper, you'd be in need of a little break from art, but creating art has always been your passion and a great source of comfort and relaxation for you. Especially when you're able to create whatever you want without any pressure or expectations for the end result. Just allowing your creativity to flow freely, like you did when you were a child. That's what art is all about for you. <<else>>Even if you didn't elect to study art at University, you do still enjoy getting creative with art as a hobby. It can be such a relaxing and comforting activity, especially when you can just create without any pressure or expectations for the end results. Just let your creativity flow freely, like you did when you were a child. That is what art is really all about at the end of the day. <</if>><</nobr>> On this particular day, you feel called to pull out your watercolour set, to really bring it back to the basics, and let your inner child out to play. You spend the next couple of hours losing yourself in the gentle brush strokes and pastel colours, as you allow your brain to disconnect from all the stress and frustration you've been experiencing over the last few weeks. Sometimes making art can be both infuriating and discouraging, but this time it's only blissfully soothing. Almost like a meditation. By the time you finish your little art piece, and you lean back to admire your handywork, it's almost time for the Zoom call with your friends, so you happily pack away your art supplies and leave your painting to dry as you go to get ready. For the first time in a long while, you actually feel excited to boot your laptop up again, knowing that you get to spend some quality time with your friends, even if it is only through the internet. <<button "Next" "3am">><</button>> /*[[3am]]*/

<<button "Next" "3am">><</button>> /*[[3am]]*/

For breakfast you decide to have... <<nobr>><ul> <li><<link "Toast - simple and easy, you're not the best cook" "Finishing Paper">><<set $cookingskills = "not great">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Scrambled eggs and toast - you're an adequate cook" "Finishing Paper">><<set $cookingskills = "adequate">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Pancakes and bacon – you're a pretty good cook" "Finishing Paper">><<set $cookingskills = "great">><</link>></li> <li><<link "Pancakes and \"facon\" - you're a pretty good cook, and a vegetarian" "Finishing Paper">><<set $cookingskills = "great"; $vegetarian = true>><</link>></li> <li><<link "Vegan pancakes and \"facon\" - you're a pretty good cook, and on a vegan diet" "Finishing Paper">><<set $cookingskills = "great"; $vegan = true>><</link>></li> </ul><</nobr>> /*[[Finishing Paper]]*/