For Granted

Enter your name: (set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", "") ) $name When you're ready, click [[here]].

Your name is "$name". [[yes]] [[no]]

The dangerous city of X has my heart pounding out of my chest. The building structures and color scheme are all so dark, broken, and dirty, you would think the point of making the city was for isolation. And yet I, $name, am here in search of a rare metal. It's a mixture of Titanium and Carbon Steel. It doesn't have a name yet, but hopefully I'll get the chance to after I make my armor. What I should be worrying about, however, is my heart rate. Being this scared, especially in this gloomy city, can’t be healthy. I turn into an alleyway, but stand at the wall instead of going further in. I don’t need to know what’s down there, and I don’t want to. I reach into my insulated bag and pull out a pizza box. “Ow,” I exclaim, releasing my box, and letting it fall into my lap. “This thing is still hot?” I should’ve been slightly more careful when buying a bag nicknamed “Impossible Insulator,” but I thought it was a silly nickname. Advertisers exaggerate all the time! It was then, when I saw the movement from the shadows. I froze instantly, not knowing if it was just a small rat, or a raccoon with rabies. Luckily, I had brought Masamune, my light sword, but I didn’t want to attack anything that happened to be harmless. “Not to mention I don’t have Annihilator with me,” I whispered to myself. Annihilator was my other sword, except much bigger than Masamune, so it was more of a defensive weapon. My light sword was too small to block any sudden attacks, unless I was able to injure… whatever was in there. [[Move away]] [[Be on your guard]]

No worries. We'll send you back to [[Name Input]].

I sat still for about a minute, but whatever movement I saw before didn’t happen again. Perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on me. My mind was still racing due to the dark aura surrounding everything I looked at. “It doesn’t seem to be around anymore,” I thought to myself. In the short amount of time I managed to convince myself that I was alone, I opened the pizza box in front of me. Then, I saw it again. This time, however, it was moving closer. In my state of shock, my hand shot straight to the handle of Masamune. I didn’t know if I was going to attack, or have to try a very risky defense, but I knew for a fact that I was not dying. Or, that’s what I kept telling myself, but the shape of my opponent kept growing, until I realized that I was dealing with a person, rather than a small scavenger. Which meant that murder was definitely out of the question. I know I didn’t want to, but it would’ve felt slightly better having that as a last resort. As the person emerged out of the shadows, however, I slowly started to let my guard down. The first thing I noticed was her hair, which was an unnaturally dirty blonde. Her eyes were both blue, yet gray at the same time, with a scar over the left one. Her shirt was a bright pink, making an obvious focus point from everything else in the dark alley, until I noticed her jeans, blackened and ripped. As for shoes… she didn’t have any. I was stuck wondering how a girl could go outside with such a large and tattered clothing contrast, until I realized that I was about to be robbed. My eyes looked straight at her right arm, which was holding her left arm, in a zombie-like posture. I thought maybe she was injured, until I looked at her left sleeve and saw nothing coming out of it. “What kind of parents let a child like this out on their own,” I asked myself. I didn’t mean a very young child, however, as she seemed to be my age. A 16 year old in this state, however, definitely was not living the best life. She finally looked up after a while, and immediately started to back away, possibly because of Masamune. I guess that was reasonable, since I was about ready to cut her in half just a minute ago. I didn’t want to let my guard down, but she seemed so weak and helpless. Anything is possible, they say, and yet I wondered how much a teenager with one arm could actually do in an empty alleyway. [[Leave the alley]] [[Talk to the girl]]

There was no way I was gonna let myself be attacked now. I put the pizza box back into the bag. Whatever was in there, I was not going to take a chance. Rabies or not, this way, neither of us get hurt. I stood up and walked to the shop. I could eat later. [[End 01]]

"Greetings, $name," my butler greets me as he closes the door. "Have you obtained the metal you wanted." "Hey, Bruce. I did. Though I'm never going during nigthtime again." I sigh as I walk into the living room. The scheme still had me unsettled. "I can't believe anyone could actually live in a place like that." "There are quite a few people who have no choice," Bruce replies. "It's the cheapest around here." "Seems like a ghost town," I sigh. It's a good thing I live a little distance away. Bruce looks at me in confusion. "Did you not encounter anyone?" "Besides the cashier? Completely empty." I open my bag and hand him the pizza box. "I'm going to go upstairs and make the armor. Bruce opens the box. His expression turns to one similar to disappointment. I stop at the edge of the stairs. "Something wrong?" "No, I'm quite alright." I raise an eyebrow, but head upstairs. What was up with him? End 01: Never Met Play again? [[Name Input]]

Whoever this was, I definitely scared her. Staying any longer would probably make it worse, and it didn't seem worth gambling whether the girl was harmless or not. "Sorry to bother you." I quickly stood up and started walking away. A light, squeak-like noise came from behind me, but I didn't stop to see what it was. There were probably a lot of mice in the alley, and that was the last thing I wanted to see. [[End 02]]

My questions only grew as the seconds passed, and I couldn’t stay silent any longer. “You alone,” I asked the girl, slowly moving my hand down from my weapon. The girl looked into the seemingly endless alleyway, then looked down, but did not respond. My assumption was that there could be another person down there, but she was protecting them from the stranger in a dreadful city. “It’s not safe out here.” I wasn’t completely sure why I was trying to get a response from her, but I didn’t have much else to do. The girl looked up at me as if trying to analyze me. I didn’t think I said anything that surprising. But she looked back into the darkness again. “Home.” A sudden state of shock overtook me when I realized that she had spoken, but was quickly interrupted by confusion. In a pitiful looking city like this, she was right out in the open. Of course, the darkness covered most everything, but as soon as the first dawn broke, they would easily be exposed. “You don’t have anyone to help you?” I refrained from asking the direct question that was in my head, but it had the same meaning, to an extent. Curiosity and formality do not always mix, and I didn’t feel like jumping in too fast right after I had made progress. The girl was looking at me, but not my face. I realized that the pizza I had planned to eat was just losing heat after being out of the insulated bag. “Too busy.” I looked up at the girl, but she quickly shifted her gaze back to the alleyway. I realized that we were in the same boat. My misfortunes, however, left me with a mansion and the family swords, and she didn’t have anything. I looked down at the pizza box, then at the girl. I’ve gotten acquainted with people over pizza before, but this was next level. Would it be insulting if I gave her something out of pity? “Do you have a name?” Yes, it was pathetic, but stalling for time is a specialty of mine, especially when I need to think. To think a charity would give out food immediately, and here I was, hesitating. “Not important enough.” She was eyeing the pizza box, but more subtly, as if afraid it would grow legs and run away if she made it obvious. Or perhaps she was worried about myself leaving, since I was the one who had it in the first place. I, however, was thinking about her response. “Not important” would mean that they did not want to tell you, which I could pass by. But it was that last word: “Enough.” To say something is not enough would be to imply that it was thrown to the side or ignored until one felt satisfied. Which by that logic would mean she couldn’t tell me, possibly because she didn’t have one. At this point, I realized that I was here to eat, so I can continue searching for Titanium Steel. Also that I had way more questions than answers. “Does that mean I just leave,” I wondered to myself. The store was about to close soon, and I really wanted to get out of this place, but this pizza sitting out in the open probably wasn’t good for it. The girl seemed to notice it as well. She was staring it down, and for a second I thought she was going to lunge at it. [[Get out of there]] [[Give her pizza]]

I've taken up too much time as it is. I get up, holding the pizza box. The girl visibly deflates and turns to head back into the alley. I stop for a second. She definitely wanted food, judging by her reaction. Still, I shake my head and start walking. Going back would definitely be too awkward. As I exit, I think I hear "sorry," but I keep walking to the store, hoping to make it on time. Someone else will do what I failed to, surely. [[End 03]]

I sighed. I wasn’t doing anything, except making myself feel more pity. I grabbed two slices of pizza, closed the box, and stood up. The disappointment on the girl's face was obvious, and she looked like she was going back into the alley. “Hey, hold on now.” She froze in her attempt to turn around, and met my gaze. “I have to thank you for actually responding.” I held up the pizza box in her direction. The girl, however, seemed slightly thrown off, as she just stared at it. “It… doesn’t attack.” I tried easing her up, but at the mention of the word “attack,” her right arm went straight to her left sleeve. It gave me insight into what happened to her arm, but it seems I took a step backwards. “Oh, um…” My mind seemed to stop working after making such a mistake. “I… you… can have…. um… here.” In an attempt to end my awkwardness, I moved the box closer to her. She was very hesitant in taking it, and I found it weird that it was hard to get the hopes up of someone who was easily put down by a misunderstood gesture. She finally took the box with the one arm she had. After staring at it for a few more seconds, she leaned on the closest wall, and slid down to the ground. I had taken enough time to help her, but I feel like I hadn’t made enough of an effort. Of course, not having parents had me lacking experience, but I tried with what I think she needed. “I’m going to call you Andrea.” She froze mid-staredown with her first slice, and met my gaze again. Except this time she looked at me like I had just done something impossible. I wanted to go on. I wanted to tell her that she was important, and that I could help her see it. Still, I had to go. Not every store is open at 9:45 PM. Although maybe going to find water for her wasn’t too time consuming. “What about a male?” A male? At first I was afraid I had gotten her gender wrong, but I remember her looking into the alleyway when I asked if she was alone. So she had some sort of companion after all, which she also wanted me to give an identity to. This task seemed so heavily important, especially when it sounds like something only God himself should determine. As I’ve just figured out, however, I’m weak to the wills of the less fortunate. “Andrew. That sounds like Andrea, right?” With that, I exit for the rare metal and water, wondering if I’ve made the right decisions. [[End 04]]

"Greetings, $name," my butler greets me as he closes the door. "Have you obtained the metal you wanted." "Hey, Bruce. I did. Though I'm never going during nigthtime again." I sigh as I walk into the living room. The scheme still had me unsettled. "I can't believe anyone could actually live in a place like that." "There are quite a few people who have no choice," Bruce replies. "It's the cheapest around here." "Seems like a ghost town," I sigh. It's a good thing I live a little distance away. Bruce looks at me in confusion. "Did you not encounter anyone?" I think for a moment while taking the pizza box out of my bag. "There was one girl. She was an alley and was missing an arm." Bruce's expression turned to one of slight excitement. "You talked to her? Is she doing okay?" "Um..." That's not the reaction I was expecting. "Well, I actually freaked her out, so I just left. It seemed like the better choice." Bruce visibly deflates. "I see. Let me take that for you." He grabs the pizza box and moves to the kitchen. I tilt my head in confusion. Did he know her? End 02 - Misplaced Chivalry Play again? [[Name Input]]

"Greetings, $name," my butler greets me as he closes the door. "Have you obtained the metal you wanted." "Hey, Bruce. Unfortunately, I ran out of time. Though I'm never going during nigthtime again." I sigh as I walk into the living room. The scheme still had me unsettled. "I can't believe anyone could actually live in a place like that." "There are quite a few people who have no choice," Bruce replies. "It's the cheapest around here." "Seems like a ghost town," I sigh. It's a good thing I live a little distance away. Bruce looks at me in confusion. "Did you not encounter anyone?" I think for a moment while taking the metal out of my bag. "There was one girl. She was an alley and was missing an arm." Bruce's expression turned to one of slight excitement. "You talked to her? Is she doing okay?" "Um..." That's not the reaction I was expecting. "Well... I did. She called the alley her home and said she didn't have a name. IHer expressions were hard to read, so I couldn't tell if she was... um... okay?" Even saying a homeless person is 'okay' sounds weird though. "I see. I'll take the pizza box from you." "Oh, that? Um... I kinda gave it to the girl." His expression turns to surprise. "You did?" "Yeah... she looked like she needed it." Bruce's expression slowly turns to relief. "How did it feel?" "What?.. Awkward. I mean, I tried to tell her the pizza was safe, but I think I used a trigger word..." Bruce slowly nods. "Well, the important thing is she gets to live another day." "Yeah... though I was hoping I could do that //and// get the metal." "Would you like to go back tomorrow to get the metal?" "Tomorrow at daytime, hopefully?" "Of course, $name." With that, Bruce headed to the kitchen. //Next Day, 12:00// We were heading in the direction of the shop. I should've taken the car yesterday, as it was quite a distance from home. The store still should have the metal, as I purchased it in advance. There's just one thing I don't understand... "Bruce, why did we bring pizza?" "There's someone we have to see," he answers. I didn't get anything other than that. My confusion only grows as we park next to an alleyway. It was definitely not the store's. Bruce gets out the car. He stops for a second, then runs into the alley. "Is he okay?!?" "...Bruce?" I get out the car and follow him. Down the alley, I see the girl from yesterday standing in front of a boy. She looks at Bruce in fear as he steps back. "I'm sorry, scaring you was not my intention," he says, though the girl doesn't seem to be put at ease by this statement.I guess I should start calling her Andrea, seeing as I named her an all. "Andrea?" Andrea turns to me in surprise, then her expression slowly softens, though she doesn't move away from the boy. Seeing her reaction, Bruce starts to walk back. "I'm calling the hospital, $name. Calm her down." "Wait, what- how?" Bruce, however, is already dialing the emergency number. I look back at Andrea, then at the boy behind her. "...Is this Andrew?" Andrea looks back at the boy. Clothing wise, he's in the same state. He's in a wheelchair, however, and looks much weaker than his... sister? His bones are visible through his flesh in certain areas. I'm guessing some of the pizza from yesterday went to him. I'm glad to have helped, though I'm wondering if that was the best choice... Andrew looks up at me, as much as he can. "Hey Andrew." His arm seems to slightly move, but it's hard to tell. Though I assume Andrea told him the name I have him. "Has Andrea been taking care of you?" A slight head movement this time, though it's more like trying harder to look up at me. Maybe I shouldn't push it. I turn to Andrea. "He's gonna live, Andrea." She looks at me in confusion. "People are gonna take him to the hos-" Andrea quickly shakes her head before I can finish. "He stays with me." "Andrea, he won't get better if-" "He stays with me." She staggers slightly as she says this with a little more force." I step forward in case she falls, but she manages to barely hold herself upright. I didn't think she would oppose to this. Doesn't she want to see him get better? Though I guess living in an alley with no one to help you makes one cautious. Still, there's no way Andrea can keep this lifestyle with him up for long. "You can go with him." She looks at me again. It doesn't seem that she objects to this, or at least as much as people taking him away. "They're gonna put him in a truck, and you can ride next to them." Andrea looks at Andrew. I sort of wish Andrew could say something to help me out, but that seems to be beyond his ability. I can barely tell what he's thinking anyway. "He'll stay in a room for a while, and give him food every day. Then, um..." I stall as I try to think of anything else to say, but at that moment, I see red and blue lights faintly reflecting off the wheelchair. "Over there," I hear Bruce call out as people approach the alley. Andrea, thrown off by the amount of people, stands in front of Andrew again. And just like that, we took a step backwards. Luckily, the group seems to notice this, and most hang back as two people step forward with a stretcher. "Hello, miss," one says, addressing Andrea. "We're here to help your brother." "Sir, can you step back," the other says, looking at me. "Uh, okay." I didn't think it was a good idea to leave Andrea, but hopefully they can calm her down. As I step forward, however, something brushes against my hand. Turning back, I see Andrea reaching for me, but she looks back at Andrew. At my distance, she'd have to step away from Andrew to get to me, and she appears to be conflicted. Eventually, she puts her arm down, deciding to stay in front of Andrew, but still stares at me. My eyes dart to the people pushing the stretcher. The one that commanded me sighs. "...Sir, could you, uh... help us with the boy?" "Right..." I slowly get behind Andrew, in case Andrea suddenly blocks me. Though her face expresses hesitance, she doesn't, and I hold up the chair slightly for the two to pick Andrew up. Andrea moves next to the stretcher as they walk with him to the vehicle. I try to keep pace with them, but stay behind them so I don't get in the way. When they start pulling him into the truck, Andrea freezes at the entrance. This might be moving a little fast for her. I get in the truck and hold out my hand to her. "It'll be okay." She stares at my hand for a second, then slowly reaches for it. I pull her into the truck next to Andrew. End 04: Pizza Hero? Play again? [[Name Input]]