What a strange turn of events that brought you here. You look down, and move some gravel around with the toe of your shoe in the short path from the road to the front porch of the Adit Home for Widows and Orphans. You look around, the brisk autumn wind tosses your hair slightly, and you pull your jacket in closer.
The trees are painted in beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows. You're standing on the tallest hill around for quite some distance, and the small town of Adit lies in the valley just below you. Its brick and sandstone buildings line the streets, which curve gently and follow the general form of the land.
Behind you, the Home seems to loom a bit, pressing on your awareness and a sense of unease drapes itself about you like a heavy cloak.
//What am I doing here?// you mentally ask. You do, however already know the answer.
An attractive path bends off towards the side of a house.
Will you:
[[Quit stalling and get about your business->Porch]]
or
[[Continue to enjoy the scenery.->Walkway]]
You take a deep breath, square your shoulder and ascend the three stairs of the front porch(if: $PennyTake)[ confidently.](else:)[ with a confidence you do not feel.] You look around, and note the quality of the construction. The old brick house is nearly a mansion with a wrap-around, covered wooden porch that surrounds about three-quarters of the home.
The oaken front doors are dark, and their color has shifted with generations of hands pressing it open and closed. There is glass set into the doors, leaded like stained glass without the color. A motif of leaves and geometric shapes is quite lovely. The whole ensemble is a bit of an anachronism: a paragon of an earlier time where even the smallest thing was done with attention to detail and quality of both materials and workmanship that simply isn't found today.
Will you:
[[Knock on the door and wait->Foyer]]
or
[[Pull open the door and enter->Inside the Foyer]] The pressing duty which brought you here today weighs too heavily on your mind, and you cannot bear to enter just quite yet. You take a deep breath of the crisp air and take in the grounds.
The grass is well manicured, and it's clear a great deal of attention has been spent on the yard. Flowers and small bushes grow in front of the porch, and what looks to be maybe fifteen different rhododenren trees have been planted that are visible from your current post.
Off to the side, you see a very old well. It has a small roof that has been tiled in handcut wooden shingles. The majority of them are a very dark brown, but some are lighter, suggesting they've recently been replaced and that someone cares about such things.
This is all the more interesting, as it doesn't appear as if the well is in current use, as a water spigot and pipe is clearly visible on a small cement pad nearby.
While you inspect the small curiousity of the well, you notice a sound from the front porch. A woman stands there, middle aged and slightly round with the signs of occasionally over-indulgence.
"(print: $name), is that you, dearie? Please, please! Come inside, you'll catch cold!"
She beckons you to come towards her.
Will you:
[[//She can wait,// Go investigate the well->The old well]]
or
[[Respond and follow her in->Inside the Foyer]]
You knock, and wait politely. Someone did a good job in training you early in life.
A woman comes to the front door, and without question, charge, or challenge swings open one of the great wooden planks and beckons you enter.
[[You follow along inside->Inside the Foyer]] "Ah, welcome (print: $name), we've been expecting you," the kindly woman announces.
The foyer is floored in good hardwood. A staircase is on your left, and leads to the second floor. Immediately to your right is a formal sitting room, and is empty of people.
//This must be where prospective parents meet the children,// you think to yourself.
Some motion catches your eye, and you see a mischeivious face peeking at you from between the bannisters at the top of the stairs.
You become aware of the fact that the woman, you've forgotten her name, is standing expectantly, waiting.
"I'm sorry, ma'am..." you sputter. "But I didn't catch that."
She rolls her eyes, "You're as bad as the little ones. I said, 'I'm Auntie Constance, and this is the Adit Home for Widows and Orphans. Can I get you a drink or somthing to nibble on?'"
She continues, "We got the letter from your employer last week, and were told to expect your visit. I don't quite understand all the details, but it seems like we have been awarded a grant?"
Your stomach does a flippety-floppety maneuver, and your consciounce gets all prickly. There is a grant, and you know for a fact the Adit Home isn't getting it.
Will you:
[[Tell her the truth.->Laying it all out]]
or
[[Lie.->Playing for time]](set: $WellVist to true)
The well is old. Very old.
In fact, it may be older than the Home which stands behind you. The home had been here for over 100 years, but this well looks like it would have seemed ancient when the first corner stone was laid.
The portion above ground has been much repaired, and the signs of new stones fitted to old is clear upon close inspection. It has been done carefully, and in the same style as the old stones, however. Inside, the curved walls dive into the gloom. The wet, round stones neatly fitted together with precision is almost dizzying.
Whoa.... in fact it //is// dizzying. You wobble on your feet, and reach out a hand involuntarily. You grasp an upright which lifts the wooden shingled roof over the well and your hand.
You shake your head from side to side, a slight vertigo, or sense of drunkenness washes over you.
As you stand here, getting your bearings, you note a glint in the well. Something shiny seems to be catching the light. Which is weird, since the light doesn't penetrate down very far.
Nonetheless... there it is. That glint again.
Will you:
[[Haul up the bucket to see what's what->Ratcheting up the bucket]]
or
[[Head back to the path->Porch]]
You begin turnuing the handle on the rudementary winch which lifts the bucket from the depths. It takes a second for everything to start moving, but once all the parts are in motion, it comes up quiet easily. Someone has oiled and wound the rope well, and the creak of rope and leather strap is pleasant as you wind the handle 'round.
The bucket begins to rise into view: wooden and built much like a barrle with trapazoidal staves. A rope handle, presumably to avoid rust contamination arches gracefully over it.
You pull the bucket to the side with one hand, resting it on the edge of stonework. Inside, you see the cause of the glint.
A 1905 indian head penny.
Is surface shines and catches the light. It looks like it was just minted today, and tossed into this well.
"But that can't be... that was over a hundred years ago.."
Nevertheless, there it is.
Will you:
(link: "Toss it back into the well")[(set: $PennyTake to false)(goto: "The wishing well")]
or
(link: "Pocket the coin")[(set: $PennyTake to true)(goto: "The wishing well")]
(if: $PennyTake)[You stick the penny in your jacket pocket, thinking //this is for luck//.](else:)[For some reason, you remember being a child and standing at some other fountain long ago. But in someway, you know this: it is the same fountain. You close your eyes, make a wish, and toss the penny back into the depths.
You wait, but never hear the spalash. //Oh well...//]
You turn around, and look back at the Home. Somehow, your mind has changed, and you [[begin to march towards the porch.->Porch]]{
(set: $PlayLie to false)
(set: $PennyTake to false)
(set: $NameChange to false)
(set: $WellVisit to false)
(set: $PennyLie to false)
(set: $PennyState to false)
(set: $ExamineTest to false)
(set: $name to (prompt: "`Welcome to Adit, WV.' a kindly internet robot says. 'If you would please be so kind as to provide a name which we may call you for the duration of your stay?'
'Does it have to be my real name?' you ask a touch nervously.
'Dear me, no.' The kindly robot warbles. 'Of course not. Just something between us to keep who's who straight, eh? What say you, friend:
What is your name?'", ""))
}
"Ah, thank you. I think I heard you say '(print: $name),' is that correct?"
(link: "'Actually, no. Sorry, that's not my name.'")[(set: $NameChange to true)(set: $name to (prompt: "Okay then, what is your name?`", ""))]
[['Yes, let's get started.'->In front of the Adit Home for Widows and Orphans]]"If I'm honest, Ma'am..." you begin, hesitantly
"Always be honest, Dearie.(if: $PlayLie is true)["](else:)[ And call me Auntie, all the children do."]
"Yes.. okay." You struggle to find the proper place to start, and then realize that you should probably tell her why you're here. "I'm here on behalf of Consolidex Worldwide. Are you familiar with the company?"
"I can't say that I am," Auntie replies.
"It's a development company." You say with finality.
Some time passes. It's a bit awkward. You struggle to fill the silence, "Land development."
"Ah, I see, I see. So, what kind of grant are we getting?" she asks inquisitively.
"I don't think you'll be getting a grant at all, ma'am."
"Auntie."
"Yes, Auntie," you allow. "I don't think there's any money for the Home."
"I ... see. So, then, $name, why //are// you here?"
//Damn, that's a good question.//
Why are you here?
[[You're here to warn her->A timely warning]]
or
[[You're here to close the Adit Home->An offer she can't refuse]](set: $PlayLie to true)
"Potentially awarded a grant, Ma'am. But you're in the running, that's for sure."
//God, what's wrong with me,// you think. //How did I get to where I have to work for these people?!//
"Oh, Dearie, call me Auntie Constance. All the children do."
"Oh, okay. Right." you state, swallng down the lump in your throat. "Auntie, I'm here to inspect the premises and see if the Adit Home qualifies for our grant. We expect everything is copacetic, but you know. We have to inspect before we award such a large amount. You understand."
Wow, you've got this morally bankrupt delivery down pat. You'll be CFO or CEO or COO in now time.
"Oh may!" She says, the excitement plain in her voice. "Just uh, between you and me, how much we talkin' here?" She asks, her shoulders hunched and left eyebrow raised conspiratorily."
Tell her:
[[Actually, ma'am. It's not clear.->Laying it all out]]
or
[[$170,000 for facilities and $800,000 for programs.->All in]]"Auntie, I'm sorry to say it, but Consolidex is going to take the Home. They're very powerful, unbelievably rich, and the don't care a wink for anything that gets in their way." You say this hurriedly, all in one breath. It's the longest utterance you've made since arriving.
"I see..." she says, pensively. She seems nonplussed.
What do you say:
[[Aren't you upset?]]
[[Where will you go?]]
[[You're not surprised, are you?]]
or
[[I'm sorry...]]"Auntie, Consolodex sent me here to find out what they need to know to shut this place down. They'll stop at nothing. DHHR, Department of Education, hell the EPA and PETA if they need to.
"They're coming for this place. They want it, badly. I don't really undestand why..."
"Then," the old woman interjected. "Don't you think you'd better start asking questions?"
What do you say?
[["I'm not asking, I'm telling."->Argue]]
or
[["Well, do you have a better idea?->A plan]](if: $PennyTake is true)[You suddenly feel a bit of heat in your jacket pocket, and upon checking, find the indian head penny. It feels ... warm.
Are you sure this is the path you want to take?
[[No, no it is not.->Laying it all out]]
or
[[To hell with her and the kids->To hell with you]]](else:)[//Bah, everyone's out for number one,// you think.
So what else can you do, you need this job!
[[To hell with her and the kids->To hell with you]]]
This is it, then. The last sliver of wonder in your life is gone. You had several (honestly, many) chances to turn this around. But it happens that in your heart of hearts, you're an Autumn Person: and all the magic is gone for you.
=><=
(text-style: "shadow")[Game over, and boy did you lose.]
==>
[[Restart->Welcome!]]"How can you just stand there like that?" you ask in a huff.
The old woman looks at you, and it seems that she is appraising something in you... and finding it lacking. You've seen people look at meet, or good cars with a less discerning eye. You squirm uncomfortably under her gaze.
"We'll solve that after. It's about dinner time."
//What?// you think to yourself. //Dinner?//
Yes, dinner. So, how about it?
Will you:
[[Stay for dinner->Dinner]]
or
[[Have an argument only one of you wants->Argue]]"Auntie, you can't stay, you're going to have to leave this place, you understand that, rigth?!" You squeek in a nearly hysterical fit of nervousness. "Consolidex always gets what they want, and they want something here very, very badly."
The old woman squints one eye, turning her head slightly. "Ah, but they don't know everything, do they? Or else why send you?"
"I... uh. Guess that's true?" You stammer, suddenly off kilter.
What do you say:
[[So... you're not leaving?->Hunkering Down]]
[[I don't even know why I am here.->Why I'm here]]
or
[[What's next?]]You pause, take in her stance and face. The realization hits you like a truck.
"You knew..." is all you can lamely mumble.
She smiles, not unkindly. "Yes, child. I knew. Now, what will you do? Will you side with them, or us?"
What will do
[[Pick the lost cause.->A plan]]
or
[[Pick your job.->An offer she can't refuse]]"Look, Auntie. I hate to be the one to bring you this news. You seem nice, like you're doing a lot of good here..."
The old woman interupts you, "But you're here nonetheless! So, what were you supposed to tell me, why are you //really// here?" she demands of you.
You stand silently for a moment. Your brain feels like it's working on overdrive, but with very little production.
What will you say:
[[You'll need a plan.->A plan]]
or
[[You can't fight this->An offer she can't refuse]]
Auntie Constances walks over to a large bell, and gives it three sharp rings.
|BellRing)[=><=
(text-style: "shudder")["CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"] ]
{(live: 2s)[
(show: ?BellRing)
(stop:)
]}
<==
|narrative)[You hear the thunder of small feet upstairs. The sounds moves, as do the vibrations you can feel in the floor, to the stairs, and then the hall. Sudenly,five children ranging in age from 5 to 15 present themselves in a line, an Appalachian parody of the von Trapp family.
"This is the dinner crew for this week," Auntie informs you. Turning to the assembled work squad: "Hands, please!"
The children show up-turned palms, and Auntie walks down the line. She sends two back to the washroom for extra attention.
"Set an extra place for our guest, $name."
Will you:
[[Throw in and help out->Help]]
or
[[Get out of the way]]]
{(live: 5s)[
(show: ?narrative)
(stop:)
]}"Look Auntie, I know you love this place..."
"You don't know shit from Shinola, child." she interupts.
(if: $PennyTake is true)[You suddenly feel a bit of heat in your jacket pocket, and upon checking, find the indian head penny. It feels ... warm.
Choose your words carefully:
[["Maybe... Fine, then let's figure something out.->A plan]]
or
[[Damnit, Auntie: listen to reason!->Thrown out]]](else:)[This stubborn old woman's never going to budge.
[[You say, "Damnit, Auntie: listen to reason!"->Thrown out]]]"I take it that you're not leaving then?" you ask.
"Leaving?! Lord no. Why would I leave?" she asks, genuine confusion written all over face.
"Why? Because this is the most powerful company in the state. It may not make it in the news, but that in and of itself should tell you something! Hell, they might be the most powerful company in the country.
"They're owned by some giant mega-corp with more money than God, and no qualms or morals. Auntie: they're coming for the Home, and you're in their way."
The old woman pauses, and gives serious consideration to what you've said.
"All right," she says, "so what now?"
What do you say?
[[We've got to work something out.->A plan]]
or
[[Auntie, you've can't win.->Argue]]"Auntie," you begin. "This is hard. I... I don't like it, but there's nothing I can do. And there's nothing you can do. I don't know why I'm even here."
"Child, child..." she murmus sweetly, "you're here for a purpose. You're going to find something. Something about this place maybe, but something about yourself beyond a doubt."
"What do you mean?" you ask, nearly begging.
"You've got a choice to make. You've gotta pick. So what's it going to be, us or them?"
What will do
[[Pick the lost cause.->A plan]]
or
[[Pick your job.->An offer she can't refuse]]"First things first." She states matter of factly. "Dinner."
[[Stay for dinner->Dinner]]"Auntie..." you begin, but the old woman raises a hand. She has a surprising sense of command, a regal bearing that belies her first appearance.
"Dinner first, child."
[[Stay for dinner->Dinner]](if: $PennyLie is true)[](else:)["Now, $name. I've heard just about as much as I will. I've been patient. I've been tolerant. I've let you have your say in my home. But no more.]
"Get out. Now."
You start to open your mouth, but Auntie interupts: "No. Not a word. Out. Now."
You close your mouth, turn on your heel, and [[walk out of the home.->To hell with you]]The kids take off and head for their respective duty stations.
"Is there anything I can do?" you ask.
"No, dearier," Auntie says with a solemn shake of the head, "feeding time is quite the evolution here. It's best if you just [[steer clear.->Get out of the way]].
//That's a good idea,// you think to yourself. //There's a lot of moving parts around here.//
You take up a post at the table, Auntie directs you to a chair on her left. She sits at the head of the table, the //materfamilias.// "My husband should be along shortly. He's working with Mark, our grounskeeper today," she informs the room.
(if: $WellVisit is true)["I noticed the grounds are in remarkable condition. That well is really something," you attempt by way of small talk.
[[Ask about the well]]](else:)[ "What sort of work are the doing today?" you ask.
[[Ask about projects]]]
(if: $WellVisit is true)["It really is. It's rumored to be more than 260 years old. ](else:)["Did you see the well on your way in? No? Ah, Dearier it's a sight.]
"Supposedly it's one of the first wells west of the Alleghenies. I don't know if it's true, but it sure is something. Imagine all the hopes and dreams the first well must have represented to those folks..." Auntie eyes seem unfocused as she imagines the rugged pioneers first settling this area.
(if: $PennyTake is true)["I ... get the feeling that you know something about the well. Did you happen to ... take... a piece of it?" Auntie asks you directly.
What do you say?
[["Me? No, I didn't take anything. (lie)->No penny here]]
[["Take something? How do you take a well->Hedge your bet]]
or
[[Actually, I got this penny from it.->Show her the penny]]](else:)["Where were we now? Oh, we were talking about Mark and my husband.
[[Ask her about the projects->Ask about projects]] ]"Hmm?" she says, her attention having momentarily drifted. "Oh, Walter and Mark? I'm not quite sure, they were out in the woods working on something or other.
"The property extends quite a ways, basically the entire hill. The Home was built by a Fraternal Order with matching state funds more than 100 years ago. The leeward forest, as we call it, is quite large. It's all fo the back of the hill, and wraps around to meet the road on the front towards Adit."
"How large is it, exactly?" You ask, genuinely intersted in this strange place.
"Oh, I'd have to check paperwork. I remember Walter saying the leeward must be at least 150 acres. And that's probably conservative. Just across the river there, on the other side, is state presrve land, so the visual impact of the forest is that it's even larger than that."
"What kind of work do they do in the forest? I can see someone pays a lot of attention to the grounds. It's beautiful here." You prompt.
"Oh, thank you! That's Mark's touch. He's been with us for over 20 years now. It's his passion. We get a lot of deadfall from the forest. We heat with the wood, and Mark also rips and planes some of it into lumbar for projects and repairs. 150 acres is a lot of deadfall every year. We heat the Home for free in the winters on it."
The door from the solarium opens, and two men enter the dining room, a touch dirty.
Will you:
(link: "Examine the dark skinned man.")[(set: $ExamineTest to false)(goto: "Examine the men")]
or
(link: "Examine the lighter skinned man.")[(set: $ExamineTest to true)(goto: "Examine the men")](set: $PennyLie to true)
"No, I didn't take anything."
Auntie squints her eyes at you. "You sure?"
(if: $PennyTake is true)[You suddenly feel a bit of heat in your jacket pocket, and upon checking, find the indian head penny. It feels ... warm.
Choose your words carefully: What do you say?
[[Double down on the lie]]
or
[[Fess up->Show her the penny]]
"How do you take a well?" you ask, a little nervously.
The old woman squints her eyes at you a bit. "Not the well, something //from// the well. So, what is it? Did you or didn't you?"
(if: $PennyTake is true)[You suddenly feel a bit of heat in your jacket pocket, and upon checking, find the indian head penny. It feels ... warm.
Choose your words carefully: What do you say?
[[Double down on the lie]]
or
[[Fess up->Show her the penny]]
"Well, actually. I did take this," you say, extracting the indian head penny from your jacket. It rests heavily in the hand, seeming to weight much more than it's mere tenth of an ounce. The penny is warm. Warmer than merely being in your pocket would suggest. It seems to be heated of its own accord.
Auntie leans in, and peers at the coing.
"Ah, this. Now this is something." She pulls a set of tiny glasse, curved on the bottom and flat on top, off of her head and sets them on her nose. Looking down, she examines it closely.
"Looks like it right off the press, doesn't it?" She asks you.
What do you say:
(link: "I mean, lots of pennies looks new.")[(set: $PennyState to false)(goto: "Penny")]
(link: "Yeah, it does. Isn't that weird?")[(set: $PennyState to true)(goto: "Penny")]"Sorry, Auntie. I don't know what you mean. I didn't take anything."
(if: $PennyTake is true)[You suddenly feel a bit of heat in your jacket pocket, and upon checking, find the indian head penny. It feels ... warm, but now grows cold.
"That's two lies, $name. And I won't have it in the Home. No in front of the children, and not at my table." Auntie says, rising to her feet.
[["But Auntie, you say feebly...->Thrown out]]
(if: $PennyState is true)["You see it too, then. There's a bit of magic here.](else:)["Come on now, you know as well as I do that 1905 was some time ago, and a well certainly isn't dry. There's something going on here. Something... magical."]
"I'd keep that on you, nonetheless. It'll bring you luck, and maybe you need a bit of luck these days, eh?" Auntie opines.
"Anyway," she pivots the conversation. "I wonder where Walter and Mark have gotten off to?
[["What were they working on today?"->Ask about projects]](if: $ExamineTest is true)[Before you stands an older man, with a wrinkled face and scruffy white hair that is beginning to thin. A pointed nose, small chin, and promnent cheek bones lend a goblin-like cast to the man's face. The only thing which partially mitigates this slightly disturning effect are his tiny ears, and of course his constant amiable smile.
He stands erect, square and with good posture that makes him seem taller than he might actually be. He exudes a sense of calmness, and serenity which is quite nice.
The man must be Mark, the groundskeeper. You him.](else:)[The kindly black smiles at you, not at all disconcerted by your staring. He is clearly the husband of Constance, and the sense of safety and caring about him is palpable.
His face is lined by smiles, and troubles too. It hasn't always been an easy life, but it has been a good one.
]
(link: "Examine the other one.")[
(set: $ExamineTest to not $ExamineTest)
(go-to: "Examine the men")
]
[[Return your attention to the room.->The dining room table]]
Auntie Constance tells both of the men to washup, and get ready for dinner. Walkter does an exagerated bow, and says "Yes'm, right away, ma'am!" Constance shoots him a look that could wither crops, but you see that it's all an act, and this is simply their way.
You feel a tug at your sleeve, and in turning find yourself face to face with a grimy little nose.
"I'm Bug," Bug informs you.
What do you do?
[[Say "Nice to meet you, Bug."->Introduce]]
or
[[Ignore her and worry about "Auntie."->You can't ignore Bug]]
"Bug," Auntie interjects, "Don't bother $name."
Bug is not at all concered with the admonisition. "Is your name really $name?" she asks.
What do you say?
[["Well, my friends call me that."->Nick Name]]
or
[["Yup, all my life!"->Name]]Bug throws a lip in a serious pout, crosses her arms, and glares mightily
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
[["Fine," you say, turning to look at the little urchin.->Introduce]]"Ooooo, a secret name. Like a spy?" Bug asks, her interest seriously piqued.
"More like a nick name," you reply.
"Bug's not my real name either. But I don't want to talk about it," she informs you in a no-nonsense sort of way.
If the situation got awkward, it didn't stay that way for long.
"Hey, $name!" Bug starts with a jump, "Would you like a snack before dinner?" Bug pulls out what looks to be a Hershey's kiss from some pocket or other. "They're real good."
What do you do?
[[Take the candy.->Accept]]
or
[[Say, "No thanks."->Pass]]"Ah, well that's okay. Secret names are fun, but not everyone gets one..." She winks at you conspiratorily, "Not like me."
"Hey, $name!" Bug starts with a jump, "Would you like a snack before dinner?" Bug pulls out what looks to be a Hershey's kiss from some pocket or other. "They're real good."
What do you do?
[[Take the candy.->Accept]]
or
[[Say, "No thanks."->Pass]]You take the candy from the grubby little hand, and say "Thank you." Bug smiles.
"You //are// going to be my friend." she announces. There's a tinge to her voice that you can't quite name, it's a strange emotion one you're not too familiar with.
//Playfulness// some part of your memory informs you.
Right as you pop the candy into your mouth, Walter and Mark return. They both utter identical "Uh oh"s and Bug yells "Jynx! You owe me a Coke!"
You swallow reflexively, wondering what these two know that you don't.
But you don't wonder for long.
[[Take a look around.]]"No thank you," you state preemptorily.
Bug's shoulders slump, and she starts tracing a little circle on the floor with the toe of her shoe.
"Okay. I just thought you would be my new friend, and we could go on adventures and stuff. But ... I guess I was wrong. Again."
(if: $PennyTake is true)[You suddenly feel a bit of heat in your jacket pocket, and upon checking, find the indian head penny. It feels ... warm.
It thrums with energy.
Choose your next words carefully.
[["Well, okay,"you say.->Accept]]
or
[["I don't want to spoil dinner," you say.->A quiet night]]](else:)[You sure?
What do you say?
[["Well, okay,"you say.->Accept]]
or
[["I don't want to spoil dinner," you say.->A quiet night]]]The rest of the evening passes uneventfully, boringly really. This wasn't the ending we were hoping for. It's certainly better than some, even most. But it's just ... missing something.
You go back to work on Monday with Consolidex, and spend the next few decades pushing paper, never rising to any great heights. You're a fixture of the company, like an chair in a basement. Furniture, but a piece that gives a little character to the place and reminds folks of older, simpler times.
=><=
(text-style: "shadow")[Game (sadly) over.]
==>
[[Restart->Welcome!]]
Something is a little (text-style: "rumble")[strange]...
[[Check your pockets]]That's weird, they're a little hard to (text-style: "mirror")[find]...
[[No, no your jacket pocket]]oh yeah, you put that (text-style: "upside-down")[penny] in here...
[[Take out the 1905 indian head penny]]The (text-style: "smear")[penny] glows with a golden light.
"Oh, Bug. What have you done?" You hear the kindly old man Walter ask.
[[Look up at Walter]]Walter looks pretty normal. But Mark does not.
Standing where the man you knew as Mark used to be is something else. This ...thing as hair made of fine twigs, like the papery barck or birch trees. His face is lined, and appears to be carved from wood. He stands there, looking back at you.
A tug on your sleeve reminds you to close your mouth. You look down into the face of Bug. She is now sporting cute little horns on the corners of her forehead, and appears (from the shorts down) to have goat legs.
"What the hell..." you begin.
[[What the hell, indeed.]]"What's going on here?" Auntie asks, genuinely confused. "What's this young man on about?"
"Wait," you begin, "You don't see..."
"No!" The-creature-that-used-to-be-Mark-and-now-is-some-kind-of-tree-goblin interupts. "No she doesn't see how someone could even think of having a chocolate before dinner. Do you, ma'am."
"Well..." she says frumpily. "It'll spoiler your dinner, that's all."
"Right you are, Mum," Walter swiftly steps into the conversation. You look at Walter, he looks the same, except you see his eyes have thing ring of bright gold around the pupil, and again at the edges of the iris.
"It's fascinatint," you state, "like the rings of trees."
Walter helps you to your feet, a bit bruskly. "You now, Mum, I think we could use a third hand for one quick, chore. Then we'll all be back for dinner. Bug! You too, come along. Mark, let's go!"
Walter escorts the lot of you, but you specifically are being half dragged.
"Sorry about all this, $name. I didn't realize that Bug was carrying around any Dross. And I see you've already got a piece." You look down.
The penny is glowing through your pocket. "Holy shit."
Mark replies, "Yeah, for all intents and purposes, that's true. Practically holy."
Bug begins to jump and down excitedly, her hooves making little clop-clop sounds on the landing. "A new friend, a new friend!" she chants.
[["I don't understand..."->The real beginning]] you say awkwardly.You suddenly notice that the Adit Home for Widows and Orphans has ... moved. No longer is it perched atop a hill overlook the sleepy town of Adit. It now commands the heights of a high cliff, the view stretching for hundreds of miles. No cliff has ever been this large.
The leeward forest has grown, its trees hundreds of feet of tall, and so wide that twenty people couldn't link arms around them.Giant pillars of quartz are scattered over the landscape, you scan see maybe twenty acorss the hundred mile plain below.
"It will take some time." Walter begins.
"And more than a little explaination." Mark follows.
"But it will be one //hell// of an adventure!" Bug ends.
=><=
(text-style: "shadow")[Welcome to Changeling the Dremaing.
You've won, but your story is just begining.
Game over.]
==>
[[Restart->Welcome!]]