DarkSpirited

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<span class="title">Dark Spirited</span> <span class="author">by <a href="https://tentimes-if.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Ten Cooper</a></span>

<<nobr>> <li>[[profile]]</li> <li>[[archives]]</li> <li>[[relationships]]</li> <li><<link "credits">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Credits"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("credits").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</link>></li> <</nobr>>

<img src="https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzg5NjkwOTUucG5n/original/wHSGiR.png" alt="Dark Spirited" width="800" height="270"> <<set $chapter to "Intro">><<if visited() is 1>><<if settings.notifications>><<notify 5s>>Notifications active!<</notify>><</if>><</if>><center>//Dark Spirited// is a character and relationship driven interactive story, allowing you to decide, to a degree, how you'd like to interact with other characters, and how you can encourage other characters to interact with each other. The story of //Dark Spirited// follows you - A new recruit to the Havertou Surveillance Taskforce, who has followed in the footsteps of their late father. You're fresh from the academy, and heading over to Headquarters for your assignment, after which you find yourself uniquely situated to uncover the secrets of your father, your new friends, and even yourself.</center> Would you like to see the content warnings? <<link "Yes">><<set $warning to true>><<update>><</link>><<set $warning to false>> <<liveblock>><<if $warning is true>>*Descriptions of blood *Mentioned Death *Swearing<<else>><</if>> <</liveblock>> <span class="next"><<button "Next" "2">><</button>></span>

/* define your story variables here */

/* custom widgets go in here */ <<widget "are">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>are<<case false>>is<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "were">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>were<<case false>>was<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "s">><<switch $plural>><<case true>><<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "es">><<switch $plural>><<case true>><<case false>>es<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "re">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>re<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "ve">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>ve<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>

<<set $statone to 50>><<set $stattwo to 50>>\ !Stats <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Stat One $statone%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Stat Two $stattwo%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="statone-stat"></div> </div></div>\ Make sure to tag the stats page (& any similar pages) with 'noreturn' and include a return link like the one below to avoid an infinite loop! <<button "Return" $return>><</button>> /* or <<link "Return" $return>><</link>> */

Another page to do whatever you want with! I really just wanted another page to fill out the footer menu<3 ---- !Heading 1 !!Heading 2 !!!Heading 3 <<cycle "$cycling" autoselect>> <<option "Cycling link 1">> <<option "Cycling link 2">> <<option "Cycling link 3">> <</cycle>> <<textbox "$textbox" "Type here...">><<button "Submit">><</button>> * List item 1 * List item 2 * List item 3 <<button "Return" $return>><</button>>

[[Sugarcube 2 Documentation|https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs]] [[OpenDyslexic Font by Abbie Gonzalez|https://opendyslexic.org]] [[Notify Macro by Chapel|https://github.com/ChapelR/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2]] [[Live Update Macro by Cycy|https://github.com/cyrusfirheir/cycy-wrote-custom-macros]]

<center>You are $name "$nickname" Walsh, a graduate of Elkarta Falls Academy, $child of William and $mom, who uses $they/$them pronouns. You have a <<cycle "$freckle">><<option "freckled">><<option "clear">><</cycle>> <<cycle "$complexion">><<option "umber">><<option "bronze">><<option "chestnut">><<option "sienna">><<option "beige">><<option "fawn">><<option "porcelain">><<option "alabaster">><</cycle>> complexion, paired with <<cycle "$length">><<option "waist-length">><<option "mid-back length">><<option "shoulder length">><<option "collar length">><<option "chin-length">><<option "cropped">><<option "shaved">><</cycle>> <<cycle "$hair">><<option "black">><<option "dark brown">><<option "brown">><<option "auburn">><<option "copper">><<option "strawberry blond">><<option "blond">><<option "ash blond">><</cycle>> hair, a similar shade to your mother's that is naturally <<cycle "$texture">><<option "curly">><<option "wavy">><<option "coily">><<option "straight">><</cycle>>. Like your father, your eyes are a lovely shade of <<cycle "$eyes">><<option "obsidian">><<option "copper">><<option "amber">><<option "sapphire">><<option "cerulean">><<option "emerald">><<option "jade">><<option "silver">><</cycle>>. At Elkarta Falls Academy, you were a stellar student, excelling in most, if not all, of your classes. However, which position were you hoping to be assigned to following graduation; <<button "Navigator">><<set $spec to "nav">><<set $coraspec to "tech">><<set $lydspec to "combat">><<update>><</button>> <<button "Tech Specialist">><<set $spec to "tech">><<set $coraspec to "nav">><<set $lydspec to "combat">><<update>><</button>> <<button "Combat Specialist">><<set $spec to "combat">><<set $coraspec to "nav">><<set $lydspec to "tech">><<update>><</button>> <<liveblock>> <<if $spec is "nav">>As the Navigator, you are in charge of transportation, and are often at the forefront of tracking energy signatures. You will often work in junction with the Tech Specialist, and during patrols you'll tag high energy areas on the map for prominent Divinus Activity.<<elseif $spec is "tech">>As Tech Specialist, you are in charge of maintaining communications with Headquarters. You'll work closely with the Taskforce's Research and Development, and keep the squad's tech and gagdets up to date and functional.<<elseif $spec is "combat">>As Combat Specialist, you are in charge of diffusing and/or ending the more violent of Divinus related altercations. You are expected to put yourself in the middle of scuffles between humans and Divinus to de-escalate the situation, regardless of the guilty party.<</if>> <</liveblock>> </center> <span class="next"><<button "Complete Registration Now" "4">><</button>></span>

<center><h2>Complete Registration to Continue</h2></center> <<textbox "$name" "Enter First Name">> <<textbox "$nickname" "Enter Nickname">> <center><<button "She/Her">><<set $they = "she">><<set $them = "her">><<set $their = "her">><<set $theirs = "hers">><<set $themself = "herself">><<set $child = "daughter">><<set $capthey = "She">><<set $capthem = "Her">><<set $captheir = "Her">><<set $captheirs = "Hers">><<set $capthemself = "Herself">><<set $kid to "girl">><</button>> <<button "He/Him">><<set $they = "he">><<set $them = "him">><<set $their = "his">><<set $theirs = "his">><<set $themself = "himself">><<set $child = "son">><<set $capthey = "He">><<set $capthem = "Him">><<set $captheir = "His">><<set $captheirs = "His">><<set $capthemself = "Himself">><<set $kid to "boy">><</button>> <<button "They/Them">><<set $they = "they">><<set $them = "them">><<set $their = "their">><<set $theirs = "theirs">><<set $themself = "themself">><<set $child = "child">><<set $capthey = "They">><<set $capthem = "Them">><<set $captheir = "Their">><<set $captheirs = "Theirs">><<set $capthemself = "Themself">><<set $kid to "kid">><</button>></center> What is your mother's name? <<textbox "$mom" "Enter Name Here">> <span class="next"><<button "Confirm" "3">><</button>></span>

<center><h1>William</h1></center> <center>Northern Havertou was always blanketed in snow and frost, with bone chilling, abrupt gusts of wind. William’s boots sunk into the snow as he trudged further and further from the truck, he should’ve been on his way home to his wife, some hot cocoa and his four-year-old $child, but instead… He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets as the winds picked up and it began to flurry. //Should’ve let someone else answer the alert,// William thought to himself, with a sigh before shaking his head and reminding himself he was the closest. The alert itself was nothing out of the ordinary, just some local claiming to have seen some suspicious behavior in the area. Whether or not a Divinus was involved was up for debate. His $eyes eyes swept over the frost covered treeline, noting how even in the moonlight the shadows seemed to shift, but he had been an agent in the Taskforce for years now, and it always felt different seeing shadows twist and turn at the will of a Divinus. “Walsh?” William jolted at the sudden voice over his comms. Tiredly, he pulled one hand out of his pocket and tapped his ear piece. “Moreau. Didn’t know you were in the area.” More often then not, William operated as a solo agent for the Taskforce, as the survey squad he’d once been apart of had fallen to pieces and he didn’t care to join a different squad. But on occasion, he’d pair off with other solo agents, like Alice Moreau. “Don’t you remember what //you// taught me about buddy systems?” [[She huffed and he could hear the crunch of snow under her boots and the slamming of a car door on her end.|6]]</center>

<center><h1>Prologue</h1> <span class="chapter"><h3><u><<link "Pardon The Scars" "5">><</link>></u></h3></span></center>

<center>William chuckled, peering through the falling snow to find his colleague. In the distance he saw her waving from where she parked her car near his. “Yes, I know. Safety in numbers.” He admitted, “I figured it’d be a quick look. Peace of mind type of thing.” William paused, turning back to look into the shadow swathed trees. “How’d you know I was here?” “Marc let me know.” She said, her tone light. “He worries.” The man grinned at the thought of his best friend forwarding his location to Agent Moreau, “He always has.” Marc had been his best friend since his days in the academy, and not much has changed since. Even following the loss of their shared squad. It’s not so surprising to William that the man had gone out of his way to watch his back. “So,” Alice prodded, voice cracking over the comms as she stomped her way through the knee-high snow to him. “What are we looking for?” “Any sort of Divinus activity, or energy signature.” Bracing himself against the frigid wind, William pulled his other hand free of his pocket and tapped the screen of his holo-watch. “I haven’t picked up anything that would warrant surveillance of this area.” //To be fair,// he thought, //the scanners don’t have much reach. There’s nothing to do, but search further.// “We’ll do a quick and discreet search. Once we confirm - if we confirm - Divinus activity, we leave and report it in.” “Understood.” Alice nodded, now only a few feet away from him. “I’ll take south.” She said with a nod towards a wooded area on one end of the clearing. “Then I’ve got north.” William agreed, turning to make his way towards the other shadowed and frost covered trees. “Gimme a yell if you need help.” [[“Back at you, Walsh.” Alice called over her shoulder.|7]]</center>

<center>William clicked his tongue, pulling the flashlight off his belt as he approached the treeline. Cautiously, he kept an eye on the path he’d come from as he ventured further into the dark woods. With each step he took the temperature seemed to drop, causing him to shrink into his collar as a particularly icy gust of wind hit him, flecks of snow catching in his lashes and the hair not covered by his hat. William shivered, the beam of his flashlight sweeping through the shadowed trees. Before the light passed over a tree in the distance he saw something move. With a furrowed brow he took a careful step in the direction of the movement. “Hello?” He didn’t make it more than a few feet before his watch let out a low beep. William’s $eyes eyes widened as he looked at the scanner projected from his watch, which revealed a steady hum of energy from roughly the area he had been heading. He lifted his eyes towards where he’d been sure he saw something as he slowly began to back away. A small girl whimpered, peering around the trunk of a tree just within the beam of the flashlight, and William froze. She was young. Maybe seven, or eight. She wore a light jacket, but no gloves, and no hat, which he saw after she cautiously stepped fully into the light, revealing long curly hair covered in snow. The child hesitantly looked behind her, and tensed against the wind before turning her shimmering copper eyes back on him. She curled in on herself, and William felt a pang in his heart, flinching at the cold as he unravelled his scarf from around him. But when he stepped forward to offer it to the child, she scrambled backwards. “Hey,” He said softly, dropping into a crouch, fingers clenching around his scarf. “It’s okay. You’re okay, now. I’m not gonna hurt you.” The glow in her copper eyes dimmed a little as she searched his face. She seemed to relax, but only a little, as she shook snow out of her curls. “My name is Aurora.” Her voice was small, and a bit hoarse. “Are you….” She shivered, glancing around them. “With the taskforce?” William’s eyes widened slightly, wondering if Aurora’s caution of shadows surrounding them meant another Divinus was near by. “Yes.” He nodded, giving the girl a small smile. “I’m an agent, but you can call me William.” Aurora shuddered again before rushing forward, pushing at the man’s shoulders, hurriedly whispering for him to stand up. As soon as she got close enough, William swiftly wrapped her in his scarf. She stared at him, wide eyed, before resuming her pushing. “You have to go.” She said, frustration bleeding into her voice. “When he finds me the other’s will hurt you.” Aurora looked relieved when he stood, darting around him, beckoning him to follow her back the way he came. [[“When who finds you?” William questioned.|8]] </center>

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<center>Aurora stumbled to a stop, fingers moving to pick at the end of the scarf now wrapped around her. “My friend. He listens to the others, but…” She shook her head. “You have to leave, or you’ll get hurt.” William frowned, catching up to her and placing a hand on her shoulder. “You aren’t safe here, either, are you, Aurora? I can’t leave you behind, knowing you could be in danger.” The girl glared at him, eyes that had dimmed to a deep brown blazing copper once more as she shrugged out of his grasp. “I’m a Divinus.” She scowled, and when she spoke next her voice held a sadness that no child should have. “And the Legion isn’t in the habit of killing their own.” As she looked away, William noticed how the darkness around them seemed to shift and ripple. Like fog, wisps of shadow crept along the forest floor, settling around his and Aurora’s feet. “Aurora, we -” He didn’t get the words out before Aurora had cut him off, pinpricks of moonlight around them shining and growing. The light sliced through the shadows, overtaking them and settling around William like a barrier. The air around him hummed with warmth, chasing away the chill of early December. Aurora didn’t move, even as darkness settled around her and her hands trembled, even as the light enveloping William forced him back, pushing him away as a figure not much taller than the little girl appeared in the darkest of the shadows. “Rora?” William struggled against the force of the light dragging him from the forest, as he heard a boy call out. “There you are.” He didn’t hear Aurora’s response, or even if the other kid continued talking, as he tumbled into the snow of the clearing, light and warmth fading from around him. William frowned, mind muddled with the thoughts of running right back into the forest, Aurora’s frustrated and worried words following them. He clenched his jaw, pushing to his feet in the thick snow. “I’ll help you, Aurora. I promise.” William murmured, marking the location he read Aurora’s signature on his holo-watch. With a sigh, he tapped his earpiece, “Moreau, get back to your car.” The reply was instant, “You found something? On my way.” “We have confirmed presence of the Legion of Power,” He informed her, making his way across the clearing toward the road as quickly as he could. He heard Alice gasp over the comms. “We leave as soon as possible. I’ll file the reports.” [[“Yes, sir.” She replied, breath heavy in her rush.|9]] </center>

<center><h1>Aurora</h1></center> <center>“Rora,” A familiar voice called from the dark, moving closer and closer. “There you are.” Remi was swathed in the shadows of the forest, darkness rolling off of him, the unnatural burning gold of his eyes out of place in his seemingly effortless show of Ombria power. Aurora didn’t reply. Didn’t move as her friend draped a thicker jacket around her shoulders, even going as far as pulling the hood up over her head. Remi didn’t miss the unfamiliar scarf, but he didn’t mention it, just like he didn’t question the light behind her dark brown eyes. Remi gave her a disapproving look, the mostly scarred diagonal cut from his nose to his left cheek wrinkling. “We are more resilient than humans, but we can still get very sick in this weather.” Aurora gave him a sheepish smile, if he had noticed the Taskforce man, it didn’t look like he was willing to scold her or rat her out for it. “It didn’t feel so cold before.” She said, softly, shifting to slip her arms into the jacket he’d brought. Remi’s face softened, he was a few years older than Aurora and felt responsible and protective of her since she was taken by the Legion. “You can’t keep running, Rora.” His voice was barely above a whisper. She flinched, ducking her head away from the glow of his usually hazel eyes. When she replied, her voice was as quiet as his. “I hate it here.” “They’ll always find you… They’ll always make me find you.” Aurora didn’t see his expression, but looked up in time to see him stiffen. His shadows reached out, latching onto her, the flash of panic didn’t make it out her mouth as she was swiftly pulled behind him. And then a sharp feeling of unease flooded Aurora’s nerves. Different from the chill down her spine she felt when Remi was near. “What have we here?” A cold voice purred. A tall woman shimmered into view, spotty moonlight flickering as she walked towards the two kids. Before she could say anything else, Remi spoke, words fast, his shadows curling protectively around Aurora. “It’s my fault,” He lied, dipping his head apologetically. “Rora just thought we were playing hide and seek, like usual.” Aurora trembled, peeking around her friends arm to look up at Wren. Remi didn’t have to explain any further, the woman scrutinizing them with frozen gray eyes. “Let’s stick to training during normal hours from now on. Understood.” “Yes, ma’am.” The two kids said in unison. When Wren beckoned them to follow with a nod of her head, they listened. [[Aurora spared a glance at Remi, who offered a look of reassurance before looking ahead.|10]] </center>

<center><h1>$name</h1></center> <h3 align="right">7 years, 1 month later</h3> <center>The street running down the center of Acerin was flooded with people, strung with lights and crowded with various stalls. The town was alight with celebration of the New Year. The event was one of your favorites, in part because it was so close to your birthday. You were just days away from turning twelve. Familiar faces smiled at you as you expertly navigated through the crowd, grateful that the streets and sidewalks had been salted and cleared of slush, snow and ice in preparation of Acerin’s annual Winter Festival. After a handful of rushed greetings, you finally made it to the stall you’d wanted. It was right there, as it always was, in the middle of a large traffic circle, in front of the frozen over fountain at the center of it. It was ran by an old woman, who’s graying curls didn’t fit under her beanie and warm brown skin wrinkled as she smiled. “Do my eyes deceive me, or is that an almost birthday $kid I see?” For years, without fail, you and your parents would walk through and enjoy the festival. And every year this little pre-birthday tradition began with hot cocoa from Ms. Harper at this very stall. As the years went by, they gave you free rein, allowing you to spend the celebration with friends, with other neighborhood kids. But the hot cocoa? That was always a Walsh thing. A wide grin that matched the woman’s spread across your face. Though you’d been sent for the drinks on your own, you had hope that this didn’t mean the tradition was over. “Happy new years, Ms. Harper!” “And happy new years to you, sweetie.” Ms. Harper busied herself behind the table, “That’s three hot cocoa’s for you?” “Yes, the usual.” You pulled out and counted the money you’d been sent off with, holding it out for the woman after she’d retrieved the disposable cups. Patiently, you waited as she filled each cup, the steam blowing up into her face, and then as she topped the cocoa off with a little whipped cream, giving one a little extra. Ms. Harper situated two of the cups on a small cardboard tray, and handed you the third - the one with the most whipped cream. “Happy birthday, $name.” She said with a discreet wink. Almost like you knew she was there, you turned from the table - hot cocoa balanced precariously in your free hand - to face your mother. To your hidden dismay, she was alone. Your father no where in sight. But when she smiled at you, taking the drink tray from you, you didn’t say anything. William Walsh was an agent for the Havertou Surveillance Taskforce. Which meant, mostly, he was often very busy. And sometimes in danger. But when he //was// home, not much could distract him from quality time. So much so, that he never really talked about work. Though, by the barely disguised looks of worry you’ve seen on your mother’s face as you entered a room they had been talking in, that only applied to you. “Don’t worry,” Your mother put a hand on your back, guiding you to a bench. “He’ll only be a few minutes.” “He’s not working?” Your mother shook her head, “No,” She smiled conspiratorially, nudging you as she sat, taking a drink of her cocoa. “I don’t think I can say much more though. Top secret.” With narrowed eyes you followed suit, drinking. The two of you didn’t say much as you waited, taking in the sight of the festival around you. You were watching a pair of Divinus parade between the stalls creating streaks of light resembling shooting stars, when you a familiar voice call out; “$nickname!” *<<link "Your head turned in her direction as she ran up, ducking through the crowd." "11">><<set $soy to "girl">><<set $xe to "she">><<set $xem to "her">><<set $xyr to "her">><<set $capxe to "She">><<set $capxem to "Her">><<set $plural to false>><</link>> *<<link "Your head turned in his direction as he ran up, ducking through the crowd." "11">><<set $soy to "boy">><<set $xe to "he">><<set $xem to "him">><<set $xyr to "his">><<set $capxe to "He">><<set $capxem to "His">><<set $plural to false>><</link>> *<<link "Your head turned in their direction as they ran up, ducking through the crowd." "11">><<set $soy to "enby">><<set $xe to "they">><<set $xem to "them">><<set $xyr to "their">><<set $capxe to "They">><<set $capxem to "Their">><<set $plural to true>><</link>> </center>

<center> Sawyer braced $xyr arms outward as $xe nearly slid on the icy pavement, coming to a stop in front of you and your mother. Once sure $xe wouldn’t fall, $xe beamed, short rosy brown curls falling messily around $xyr face. “Found you.” $capxe sat on an adjacent bench, fixing $xyr scarf around $xyr neck. “Do you wanna go see Allora and Skylar’s light show later?” You straightened, holding your hot cocoa close as you leaned over the arm rail of the bench towards your friend, your $eyes eyes darting back towards the two Divinus grinning and passing out fliers. “They’re actually doing it this year?” Sawyer nodded excitedly, gray-ish eyes twinkling, “I heard they finally got clearance.” $capxe sighed dramatically, “Though my parents kept talking about how they’ll probably have Taskforce agents watching over it.” $mom, your mother, hummed, “Sadly, that’s how things are right now.” She chimed in, “No matter how they’d like use them, or even if they don’t use them at all, there are some people who will feel a certain way about the Divinus.” You pursed your lips, looking to your mother and then back to Sawyer. “Allora and Skylar are nice though. Being a Divinus doesn’t make a person awful. Right?” At Sawyer’s eager nod, you turn to address your mother - “That’s right, $nickname,” Your father wore a proud smile as he approached, giving his wife’s shoulder a squeeze before accepting his hot cocoa from her. “There are plenty Divinus who are unaffiliated, and just as many who truly mean no harm. But because of the Legion, all Divinus get a bad rap.” He and your mother share a look, “One day, I hope that will change.” “Mr. Walsh,” Sawyer hopped to $xyr feet, “Are you gonna be overseeing the light show?” Finally, as he spoke for the first time, you took note of the man who had arrived with your father. He was tall, dark skinned, and had a wide grin. “No, unfortunately, Agent Walsh is off duty for the week. We’ve got someone else looking out.” William shook his head, but smiled, "Elaine, you probably don't remember, but this is Marc Baker." "An old colleague of your dad's." Marc nodded, offering a friendly wave, which you returned. "Nice to meet you," You said, right as your mom scoffed. $mom set her drink aside, folding her arms in that way she did that always let you know you weren't getting out of being scolded. //Luckily,// you thought, //it isn't directed at me.// "//An old colleague//? Marc, you are practically family and you know it." You and Sawyer shared a look and hid a snort as the man smiled sheepishly. William gave his friend a pat on the back before directing his attention to you and your friend. "I think we should take a look at what they've got." He gestured towards the stalls with raised brows. [[A smile came to your face, and with a glance to Sawyer, you nodded.|12]] </center>

<center>Your dad trailed dutifully behind you as you and Sawyer weaved through the crowd, this time, though, you each paid close attention to the stalls you passed. What seemed to catch your eyes were cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, and several nonedible art stations. But William paused at stall a few feet away from where you and your friend headed, eyes the same color as yours flitting over the items laid out across the table. From household items, to books and art supplies, a variety of things filled the silent auction table. Out the corner of your eye you saw him tap something out on the tablet the stall's vender offered him.<<set $a to true>> <<liveblock>>Once he was done, he joined you and Sawyer<<if $a is true>> *<<link "Sugar Cookie Decorating">><<update>><<set $a to 1>><</link>> *<<link "Gingerbread Houses">><<update>><<set $a to 2>><</link>> *<<link "Arts & Crafts">><<update>><<set $a to 3>><</link>><<elseif $a is 1>> under the large awning as a young woman animatedly pointed out all the options we could choose from, from cookie shape to frosting and sprinkle color. The three of you spent the next few minutes choosing cookies and loading them with frosting, you snorted as Sawyer covered $xyr four snowman cookies in hot pink sprinkles.<<elseif $a is 2>> at a table where an old man passed over gingerbread pieces to make a miniature house. Both the adults chuckling as you and Sawyer argued over the use of marshmallows and gumdrops.<<elseif $a is 3>> at a table with tons of colored paper, glitter and glue. He gave an uncertain look as Sawyer gleefully picked up a pair of scissors. You laughed snatching up a few pieces of paper, folding them down into triangles and cutting them into snowflakes.<</if>> <</liveblock>><<set $a1 to false>> <<liveblock>><<if $a1 is false>><<link "...">><<update>><<set $a1 to true>><</link>><<else>> You don’t know why you turned away from the activities. But you did, finding your attention drawn back to the silent auction table just a little ways down the street. The vendor was gone, stepped out for a moment, you assume. But in front of the table was an unfamiliar teen. Tall, dressed in dark colors, with auburn hair peeking out of his hood. He stood oddly still, fingers tracing over what looked to be an art set. As if sensing your stare, he straightened and shifted. Head turning towards you. For a second you thought you saw glowing golden eyes - “$nickname?” Your dad called for your attention, following your gaze right before you faced him. “Yes?” You answered, noticing the tension in his face before he forced a tight smile. “Sawyer thinks $xe can make a better snowman than you.” He said, glancing over his shoulders as the rosy-haired thirteen-year-old gaped at the accusation. Sawyer eventually shook off the surprise, a smug gleam in $xyr eyes. “I mean, I can.” You almost laughed, eyes darting to where the mysterious teenager had stood, only to find him gone, though you still had the uncomfortable feeling that you were being watched. *<<link "Tell your father what you saw." "13">><<set $caution to 20>><<set $anxiety to 25>><<set $scene to 1>><</link>> *<<link "Go with Sawyer to build snowman." "13">><<set $caution to 10>><<set $scene to 2>><<set $soy_buddy to 50>><</link>> <</if>> <</liveblock>> </center>

<center><<if $scene is 1>>"I’ll meet you over in the park," You sent as steady a smile as you could manage to your friend, who tipped $xyr head to the side curiously, but ultimately nodded, taking what $xe had made at the stall and tucking it carefully in the messenger bag slung over $xyr shoulder. When Sawyer was gone, you turned to your dad, finding eyes so similar to yours searching. //He’s used to looking for things in the dark,// you think, skin tingling with anxiety. “Dad?” He blinked, eyes landing on you, focused and sharp. “$name, are you okay?” The words caught in your throat, voice dropping to a low whisper, “I saw someone. They had…” You sighed, your next words coming out as barely a breath. “Their eyes glowed.” William’s face pinched, but he quickly smoothed it out into a reassuring smile. “Hey, I won’t let anything happen to you. Promise.” He squeezed your shoulders before directing you down the street. “Now, what do you say we go find your mom, and Marc, and then go meet up with Sawyer?” He kept a hand on your shoulder as the two of you navigated the crowd, when he spoke next, his voice took on a joking tone. “I can’t promise impartiality on my or your mom’s part, but Marc? He tends to judge things fairly.” You found it in yourself to laugh, a small smile curving your lips as you ignored the dulling unease crawling along your skin. It didn’t take long to find your mother, who walked with her lips pursed and brow furrowed, offering polite smiles to neighbors who greeted her as she passed. She wore a neutral expression as you approached, “Oh, there you are. Where’d Sawyer run off to?” You, too distracted from answering, looking curiously at your mother, were saved from answering. “$capxe <<are>> getting a bit of a headstart in a snowman building contest with $name,” William supplied, and $mom’s face brightened. “I figured Marc would be the most unbiased judge.” Your dad frowned, “Where is Marc?” Your mom straightened, sharing a look with him, “He had to take a call.” You frowned, looking between your parents as your dad gave a slow nod. He turned a soft smile on you, “I’ll be back soon. You go with Mom and have fun, okay?” “You’re coming to. Right?” The words slipped out before you could stop them. “I am.” His smiled widened, “Gotta grab Marc, though. Give Sawyer a fair chance, you know.” He dropped into a crouch, giving you a tight hug. “I will be right back. [[You won’t even know I was gone.|14]]”<<elseif $scene is 2>>Sawyer put $xyr hands on $xyr hips, leaning forward and scrutinizing your dad with narrowed eyes, “If both $name and I make a snowman would you judge fairly?” You rolled your shoulders, trying to get rid the unease in your bones. When you looked to how your friend was staring down your father, you snorted. “No, I think he’ll be biased. Mom’ll be less biased.” The rosy-haired teen humming, tapping a finger against $xyr lips, “Not impartial enough.” $capxem face brightened. “What about your friend?” William raised his brows, “Marc? Yes. He’ll be unbiased.” Sawyer carefully slipped $xyr things from the stall into the messenger bag slung over $xyr shoulder before linking $xyr arm through yours. “Find him, we’ll be at the park.” With that, $xe began tugging you along, to your father’s surprise and amusement. “Stay out of trouble!” He called after them. The only thing keeping you on your feet as the two of you ran through town, making your way towards the snow covered park, was Sawyer’s grip on your arm. Seconds after feeling your heart drop as your boot slipped on a particularly icy patch of pavement you’d feel $xem keeping you upright. You counted yourself lucky that $xe hadn’t been the one to slip. Finally, you made it, snow crunching under your boots. You went to start collecting snow for your creating, but Sawyer didn’t release your arm. $capxe smiled, but $xyr dark eyes were worried. “You looked like you’d seen a ghost back there.” Though the sense of unease and anxiety had left you in rush of Sawyer dragging you along, it felt like the cool air around you was seeping into your skin. Despite this you pulled your arm free and flopped down in the snow. Your best friend quickly followed suit, snow catching in $xyr curls. “I saw a Divinus. I think.” You swallowed, looking up at the starry sky, “It scared me. I don’t know why.” Sawyer shrugged, tipping $xyr head to look at you, “Don’t feel bad. People aren’t always rational.” $capxe sat up, shifting to sit criss cross in the snow. “It’s like Mr. Walsh said, there are Divinus who mean no harm. But there are also Divinus who do.” “I guess you’re right,” You muttered, but didn’t move. While you knew your dad’s job was dangerous, you’d never really been afraid of the Divinus you’ve met. Allora and Skylar were each very kind, and made an effort to show how approachable they were. This Divinus, though, the one with golden eyes, seemed different. You were about to sit up when Sawyer flicked snow in your face. “Get out of your head, $nickname.” “Pfft,” You glared up at $xem, but when $xe laughed it was infectious. “Let your dad worry about Divinus, and we’ll worry about snowmen.” [[With a smile, you agreed.|14]] <</if>></center>

<h3 align="right">10 years, 6 months later</h3> <center>“Do you have everything?" Your mom accompanied you to the train station, casting concerned glances your way as you walked in tandem. A light smile curved on your face, you nodded towards the bag on your shoulder. "I've got my bag, everything else is being sent ahead to where I'll be assigned." You shifted as you walked, twisting to face her. It felt like ever since you'd enrolled in Elkarta Falls Academy, she'd been giving you this tight smile, laced with worry and concern. She was proud, you knew. There was no question. But your father's death must have been lingering in her mind. It lingered in yours. The emptiness you had thought was gone blossomed at the thought of him. It'd been a little over five years now, when Alice Moreau came to the house, sharing the news and her condolences. You came to a stop before the gates to your platform, on instinct your lips pulled into a reassuring smile, “I’ll miss you.” $mom’s tight smile, full of worry, softened. “I’ll miss you, too, sweetie.” She paused, pulling you into one of her surprisingly tight hugs. “Promise me you’ll be -” She broke off, and you knew she wanted to say //safe//. She clicked her tongue as you hugged her tight, trying to return the force she often put in her hugs. “Careful.” “I promise. I will be careful.” With that, you adjusted the strap of your bag and headed off. Just before you were out of earshot, you heard your mom call out; “And call me when you get there.” You glanced over your shoulder and waved in acknowledge as you went through the turnstile and boarded your train to Blue Haven. The last time you were in the city of Blue Haven, home of the Havertou Surveillance Taskforce’s main headquarters, you were almost seventeen and you stood between your mom and Marc. Your father’s name being etched into a blank space in the marble memorial. The Taskforce’s way of honoring the lives of their fallen officers, showcasing two hundred years worth of names. You tried to recall more about the city, but the only thing from your brief visit that stuck was the cold, your body no longer acclimated to the weather north of the frostline, after years in your mother’s hometown of Elkarta Falls. Shaking off the feelings, you sat yourself in a booth, taking a window seat. <<set $a2 to false>> <<liveblock>>As you waited for the train to start moving<<if $a2 is false>> <<link "Wristwatch">><<update>><<set $a2 to 1>><<set $token to "watch">><</link>> | <<link "Silver Locket">><<update>><<set $a2 to 2>><<set $token to "locket">><</link>><<elseif $a2 is 1>> your eyes dropped to the watch on your wrist. It had been given to you so many years ago, a birthday present from your parents. It was analog, old fashioned and so different from your father’s holo-watch, which you envied. But you always wore it. You watched as the second hand ticked, and for a moment the gentle ticking was all you could hear. <<elseif $a2 is 2>> your fingers found and held the locket hanging at the end of the chain around your neck. Your parents had given it to you for your twelfth birthday. You could imagine the picture inside without even opening it, there was you swaddled in blankets, tucked into your mom’s arms as she beamed down at you. Your dad sitting precariously on the arm of her chair, his arm around her as he, too, beamed down at you.<</if>><</liveblock>><<set $a3 to false>> <<liveblock>><<if $a3 is false>><<link "...">><<update>><<set $a3 to true>><</link>><<else>>Your were broken from your thoughts when someone unceremoniously dropped into the seat across from you, one leg folded under them, their bag sitting in the next seat, a travel mug in their free hand. Coralie Thomas cocked her head to the side, silky black hair swaying, as if actually asking the question that came out of their mouth. “You don’t mind, right?” <<link "Rolling your eyes was inevitable." "15">><<set $cora_friend to "no">><</link>> <<link "A friendly smile formed as you shook your head." "15">><<set $cora_friend to "yes">><</link>> <</if>><</liveblock>> </center>

<center><<if $cora_friend is "no">>You rolled your eyes, folding your arms over your chest, “Why would me minding do anything? You’re gonna sit there whether I want you to or not.” Your fellow graduate smirked, “Now, Walsh, I was only being polite.” Coralie had been a nuisance since high school, when you only barely knew her by word of mouth. Having several of the same classes with her throughout your time at the academy? It didn’t lessen her pain-in-the-ass, overly competitive qualities. It worsened them, you might say. Shaking your head you looked out the window, watching the train station begin to slide by as you departed from your home of nine years. “You clearly wouldn’t know polite-ness if it hit you in the face.” Coralie grinned, drinking from her travel mug. “Be sure to save some jabs for later, wouldn’t want to get bored on such a long trip.” Once again, you rolled your eyes, not that it was noticeable as you watched the city pass by your window. “This will be painless.” You muttered. <<else>>“Oh, Cora, hey,” You said jokingly, leaning forward and propping your elbows up on your knees, “Of course, sit down, make yourself comfortable.” Your friend gave you a half-hearted glare, rich brown eyes gleaming. “I’ll have you know, I almost didn’t make it.” Coralie’s glare sharpened when you snorted. “Sorry, all I heard was I beat you here.” Given the tales of her hyper competitive nature you had heard through high school, you were wary of Coralie when you first met and were assigned to a number of the same classes. But the pair of you had grown to be close friends over your time in the academy. Time around her, however, has nurtured your competitive nature. After a few moments of staring each other down Coralie grabbed a tablet out of the bag beside her, “Wanna play a game?” “Uh, yeah.” You laughed, “This is an hours long trip. Anything to fill the time.”<</if>> <span class="next"><<button "Complete Prologue" "16">><</button>></span> </center>

Thank you for reading, that is all for now.