story 1

hello. ''[[hi.]]'' (set: $color to (either: "green", "blue", "purple", "pink", "yellow", "red", "orange", "grey", "white", "black", "bronze", "golden", "silver")) (set: $color1 to (either: "seafoam green", "dark green", "light blue", "dark blue", "teal", "bright red", "dark red", "light pink", "fuscia", "pale purple", "deep purple", "pastel yellow", "mustard yellow", "pastel orange", "deep orange")) (set: $color2 to (either: "alabaster", "snow white", "frosty white", "eggshell white", "amber", "tawny", "rusted brown", "silver", "platinum grey", "golden", "dark grey", "slate grey", "charcoal black", "soot black", "pewter grey")) (set: $color3 to (either: "tangerine", "butterscotch", "crimson", "mahogany", "coral", "magenta", "wine", "violet", "lavender", "sangria", "navy", "turquoise", "teal", "cerulean", "chartreuse", "mint", "juniper", "umber", "cobalt", "azure")) (set: $name2 to (either: "runner", "walker", "waker", "marrow", "maker", "ling", "keeper", "glow", "stepper", "wander", "hold", "crafter", "bright", "glare", "less", "carver", "duster", "reaper", "marker", "healer", "writer", "seer", "speaker", "breaker", "sleeper", "killer", "breather", "slaver", "-eater", "stalker", "crawler", "watcher", "crook", "fall", "hollow", "cinder", "razer", "giver", "dancer", "racer", "foster", "guilder", "primer", "cipher", "saunter", "farer", "wither", "caster", "founder", "sever", "wrangler", "chaser", "hunter", "shatter", "simmer", "spinner", "stagger", "trader", "cleaver", "border", "lander", "after", "strider", "ledger", "preacher", "prayer", "scatter", "seeker", "sinker", "rider", "gather", "linger", "render", "skipper", "wonder", "temper", "clover", "painter", "ever", "player", "singer", "reader", "asker", "aster", "biter", "bower", "briar", "cager", "comber", "dozer", "corer", "-ember", "-ether", "fleer", "flier", "idler", "lacer", "miler", "muser", "pacer", "roper", "rover", "taker", "tamer", "umber", "waver", "antler", "archer", "barker", "border", "booker", "bracer", "burner", "-elder", "caller", "reacher", "chaser", "canter", "bringer", "leaper", "thief", "trekker", "tailer", "mercer", "finder", "backer", "arker", "creek", "dagger", "darter", "-etcher", "faller", "falter", "feller", "fetter", "fowler", "forager", "forger", "gilder", "garner", "glower", "graver", "gunner", "holler", "reaver", "howler", "lasher", "looker", "lurker", "marker", "mender", "merger", "raider", "ranger", "roamer", "sifter", "teller", "trader", "voider", "warder", "waster", "weaver", "welder", "sider", "drifter", "seether", "scaper", "scrapper"))

you are here. ''[[am i?]]''

(if: $myVar1 is 1)[again.](else:)[let's begin.] you are composed of the elements. ''[[the light of my eyes is captured dust of the stars.]]'' ''[[my bones are ossified remnants of the cosmos.]]'' ''[[my blood is strung with the ghosts of my forebearers.]]'' ''[[my heart breathes heavy the fumes of the fire.]]''

what moon claims you? ''[[the moon of roses. beautiful. sharp. painful.]]'' ''[[the moon of falling leaves. colorful. easy-going. brittle.]]'' ''[[the moon of hunger. resourceful. stoic. desperate.]]'' ''[[(set: $myVar1 to 1)my moon is not in the sky tonight.|am i?]]''

what moon claims you? ''[[the moon of planting. patient. determined. starved.]]'' ''[[the moon of hunting. intelligent. quiet. macabre.]]'' ''[[the moon of snow. bright. placid. cold.]]'' ''[[(set: $myVar1 to 1)my moon is not in the sky tonight.|am i?]]''

what moon claims you? ''[[the moon of heat. confident. changeable. stifling.]]'' ''[[the moon of rivers. passionate. wild. tactless.]]'' ''[[the moon of crows. selfless. quick. strange.]]'' ''[[(set: $myVar1 to 1)my moon is not in the sky tonight.|am i?]]''

what moon claims you? ''[[the moon of grass. vibrant. open. greedy.]]'' ''[[the moon of thunder. powerful. vociferous. intolerant.]]'' ''[[the moon of night. serene. mindful. stagnant.]]'' ''[[(set: $myVar1 to 1)my moon is not in the sky tonight.|am i?]]''

pretty thing. child of Mercury. smile bright as the sun. do you believe in life after death? ''[[i don't fear it.|1]]'' ''[[i am terrified.|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Field", "Star", "Sea", "Mid", "Kind", "New", "Truth", "Fate", "End", "Pride", "East", "Day", "Soar", "Breeze", "Time")) (set: $month to "June") (set: $color4 to "chrome")

plucky thing. child of Venus. smile so warm it glows. how have you not broken? ''[[how should i know?|1]]'' ''[[have i not already?|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Autumn", "Ghost", "Spine", "Lore", "Spook", "Stir", "Shadow", "Spirit", "Fight", "Scar", "Flame", "Oak", "Fang", "Grin", "Rib")) (set: $month to "October") (set: $color4 to "ivory")

clever thing. child of Uranus. smile glinting like diamonds. do you fear God? ''[[i fear death.|1]]'' ''[[i fear life.|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Grey", "Winter", "Hail", "Numb", "World", "Cry", "Shallow", "Bleak", "Hill", "Death", "Trace", "Wraith", "Weep", "Scale", "South")) (set: $month to "February") (set: $color4 to "plastic white")

you were once known by a name. letters, not words. something like Nicholas, or Jennifer, or Johnathan, or Elizabeth. it no longer matters. it is the second of $month. yesterday was your Twenty-Year Ritual. you are no longer a child. you have no need for a name. you now have a title, granted by the Eldest. (set: $title to $name1+$name2) (if: $title is "Skywalker" or "Windwaker" or "Skyhold" or "Bonemarrow" or "Lightbright" or "Lightglare" or "Ghostwriter" or "Skyfall" or "Winterfall" or "Autumnfall" or "Springfall" or "Summerfall" or "Summersimmer" or "Sparkcinder" or "Songwriter" or "Skylander" or "Stormthunder" or "Songsinger" or "Old-elder" or "Flightflier" or "Thornbriar" or "Hallowhollow" or "Bladedagger" or "Daytrader" or "Guardwarder" or "Flareglare" or "Tracetracer" or "Burnburner")[(set: $title to $name+" One")] you are [[the $title.|3]] (set: $acce1 to (either: "velvet antlers", "bony antlers", "curled antlers", "spiral horns", "bullish horns", "devilish horns", "bright $color halo", "dim $color halo", "glowing third eye", "glowing $color eyes")) (if: $acce1 is "velvet antlers" or "bony antlers" or "curled antlers" or "spiral horns" or "bullish horns" or "devilish horns" or "glowing $color eyes")[(set: $glint to "glint")] (if: $acce1 is "bright $color halo" or "dim $color halo" or "glowing third eye")[(set: $glint to "glints")] (if: $acce1 is "velvet antlers" or "bony antlers" or "curled antlers")[(set: $ad1 to "antlers")(set: $ad2 to "antler")(set: $isare to "are")(set: $theyit to "they")(set: $they to "they’re")(set: $themit to "them")] (if: $acce1 is "spiral horns" or "bullish horns" or "devilish horns")[(set: $ad1 to "horns")(set: $ad2 to "horn")(set: $isare to "are")(set: $theyit to "they")(set: $they to "they’re")(set: $themit to "them")] (if: $acce1 is "bright $color halo" or "dim $color halo")[(set: $ad1 to "halo")(set: $ad2 to "halo")(set: $isare to "is")(set: $theyit to "it")(set: $they to "it’s")(set: $themit to "it")] (if: $acce1 is "glowing third eye")[(set: $ad1 to "eye")(set: $ad2 to "eye")(set: $isare to "is")(set: $theyit to "it")(set: $they to "it’s")(set: $themit to "it")] (if: $acce1 is "glowing $color eyes")[(set: $ad1 to "eyes")(set: $ad1 to "eye")(set: $isare to "are")(set: $theyit to "they")(set: $they to "they’re")(set: $themit to "them")]

you were once known by a name. letters, not words. something like Nicholas, or Jennifer, or Johnathan, or Elizabeth. it no longer matters. it is the second of $month. yesterday was your Twenty-Year Ritual. you are no longer a child. you have no need for a name. you now have a title, granted by the Eldest. (set: $title to $name1+$name2) you are [[the $title.|3]] (set: $acce1 to (either: "feathered wings", "scaled wings", "skin-and-fur wings", "overbite fangs", "underbite fangs", "double-bite fangs", "glowing $color crystal", "jagged $color scales", "smooth $color scales")) (if: $acce1 is "feathered wings" or "scaled wings" or "skin-and-fur wings" or "overbite fangs" or "underbite fangs" or "double-bite fangs" or "jagged $color scales" or "smooth $color scales")[(set: $glint to "glint")] (if: $acce1 is "glowing $color crystal")[(set: $glint to "glints")] (if: $acce1 is "feathered wings" or "scaled wings" or "skin-and-fur wings")[(set: $ad1 to "wings")(set: $ad2 to "wing")(set: $isare to "are")(set: $theyit to "they")(set: $they to "they’re")(set: $themit to "them")] (if: $acce1 is "overbite fangs" or "underbite fangs" or "double-bite fangs")[(set: $ad1 to "fangs")(set: $ad2 to "fang")(set: $isare to "are")(set: $theyit to "they")(set: $they to "they’re")(set: $themit to "them")] (if: $acce1 is "glowing $color crystal")[(set: $ad1 to "crystal")(set: $ad2 to "crystal")(set: $isare to "is")(set: $theyit to "it")(set: $they to "it’s")(set: $themit to "it")] (if: $acce1 is "jagged $color scales" or "smooth $color scales")[(set: $ad1 to "scales")(set: $ad2 to "scale")(set: $isare to "are")(set: $theyit to "they")(set: $they to "they’re")(set: $themit to "them")]

lovely thing. child of Venus. eyes open to the sky. do you dream about death? ''[[i’ve never died.|1]]'' ''[[i’ve never dreamt.|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Spring", "Lung", "Bone", "Earth", "Young", "Shiva", "Fore", "Life", "Rune", "Hallow", "Riot", "Fae", "Soul", "Mute", "Ache")) (set: $month to "May") (set: $color4 to "ebony")

odd little thing. child of Mercury. eyes gleaming bright. is there a God? ''[[what more are blessings?|1]]'' ''[[what more are curses?|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Glass", "Space", "Cloud", "Ivy", "Phantom", "Leaf", "Shine", "Deaf", "Branch", "Saint", "Spark", "Song", "Flare", "Wisp", "Lie")) (set: $month to "September") (set: $color4 to "rose gold")

gentle thing. child of Saturn. eyes like sunshine. why did you cry yourself to sleep last night? ''[[they don’t love me.|1]]'' ''[[i don’t love me.|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Cave", "Close", "Silver", "Flesh", "Dawn", "Year", "Wood", "Blind", "Cliff", "Pine", "Dust", "Thread", "Pain", "Shade", "Great")) (set: $month to "January") (set: $color4 to "silver")

bright thing. child of the moon. heart of a lion. do you believe in miracles? ''[[i believe in chance.|2]]'' ''[[i believe in fate.|1]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Sun", "Summer", "Blood", "Kin", "Wild", "War", "Hell", "Red", "Fury", "Chaos", "Fade", "Veil", "Rage", "Vine", "Trial")) (set: $month to "July") (set: $color4 to "gold")

restless thing. child of Pluto. heart of a wolf. are you afraid to die? ''[[more afraid to never live.|1]]'' ''[[yes. yes. yes.|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Night", "Ash", "Dark", "Wind", "Web", "Crest", "Sharp", "Rose", "Lake", "Flight", "Dread", "Lone", "Sleet", "Nettle", "Noise")) (set: $month to "November") (set: $color4 to "alabaster white")

witty thing. child of Neptune. heart of a king. who would you trust to this? ''[[no one.|2]]'' ''[[everyone.|1]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Light", "Tree", "Bark", "Edge", "Snap", "Claw", "Lost", "Home", "Wise", "Far", "Free", "Down", "North", "Talon", "Cedar")) (set: $month to "March") (set: $color4 to "platinum")

eager thing. child of Mars. soul of the flame. is life worthwhile anymore? ''[[how would i know?|2]]'' ''[[how would you know?|1]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Sky", "Storm", "Blade", "Glade", "Mountain", "Atlas", "West", "Fern", "Flood", "Thorn", "Mist", "Dew", "Beam", "Gaze", "Static")) (set: $month to "April") (set: $color4 to "alabaster white")

wild thing. child of the sun. soul of the wind. don’t you wish the world were kinder? ''[[the world does not like me.|2]]'' ''[[i don’t like the world.|1]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Dune", "Fire", "Stone", "Heart", "Age", "Heaven", "Skin", "Sand", "Gold", "Deep", "Horizon", "Guard", "Spite", "Gust", "Burn")) (set: $month to "August") (set: $color4 to "metallic grey")

quiet thing. child of Jupiter. soul of the hearth. why do we die? ''[[to be happy to live.|1]]'' ''[[there is no reason.|2]]'' (set: $name1 to (either: "Dusk", "Cold", "Sage", "River", "Old", "Moon", "Fog", "Wave", "Death", "Snow", "Ice", "God", "Rain", "Chill", "Copper")) (set: $month to "December") (set: $color4 to "bronze")

i’m curious, $title. what do you think of your new eponym? ''[[i like it.|4]]'' ''[[it’s weird.|5]]'' ''[[it doesn’t make sense.|6]]''

that’s good. you’ll have it for a while. do you know why the Eldest would choose this title for you? ''[[yes.|7]]'' ''[[no.|8]]'' ''[[maybe.|9]]''

well, it wasn't for you to decide, was it? do you know why the Eldest would choose this title for you? ''[[yes.|7]]'' ''[[no.|8]]'' ''[[maybe.|9]]''

it doesn't have to make sense, i suppose. do you know why the Eldest would choose this title for you? ''[[yes.|7]]'' ''[[no.|8]]'' ''[[maybe.|9]]''

is it you? ''[[yes.|10]]'' ''[[no.|11]]'' ''[[what?]]'' (set: $clothes to "scarf")

is it you? ''[[yes.|10]]'' ''[[no.|11]]'' ''[[what?]]'' (set: $clothes to "cloak")

is it you? ''[[yes.|10]]'' ''[[no.|11]]'' ''[[what?]]'' (set: $clothes to "cape")

no, it's not. you rise in the morning and look in the mirror. your reflection is marred by a vicious crack cutting down the center of the glass, thin snaps branching from the root like a lightning bolt. do you remember how it cracked? ''[[i threw something. rage.|15]]'' ''[[i dropped it. clumsy.|16]]'' ''[[it came like that. broke.|17]]'' (set: $desc1 to (either: "fancifully", "artistically"))

how would you know? you rise in the morning and look in the mirror. your reflection is marred by a vicious crack cutting down the center of the glass, thin snaps branching from the root like a lightning bolt. do you remember how it cracked? ''[[i threw something. rage.|15]]'' ''[[i dropped it. clumsy.|16]]'' ''[[it came like that. broke.|17]]'' (set: $desc1 to (either: "minimalistically", "rustically"))

is it //you?// ''[[yes.|12]]'' ''[[no.|13]]'' ''[[i don't know what you mean.|14]]''

you don't know yourself. you rise in the morning and look in the mirror. your reflection is marred by a vicious crack cutting down the center of the glass, thin snaps branching from the root like a lightning bolt. do you remember how it cracked? ''[[i threw something. rage.|15]]'' ''[[i dropped it. clumsy.|16]]'' ''[[it came like that. broke.|17]]'' (set: $desc1 to "geometrically")

this isn’t a game of reality. your understanding isn’t necessary. you rise in the morning and look in the mirror. your reflection is marred by a vicious crack cutting down the center of the glass, thin snaps branching from the root like a lightning bolt. do you remember how it cracked? ''[[i threw something. rage.|15]]'' ''[[i dropped it. clumsy.|16]]'' ''[[it came like that. broke.|17]]'' (set: $desc1 to "artistically")

that was when you were 18 years old. if the superstition is to be believed, you have five years left of bad luck. ''[[i don’t believe much in superstition.|18]]'' ''[[i don’t need luck.|19]]'' ''[[i’m dreading my demise.|20]]'' (set: $desc2 to "threaded with a $color2 border")

your belief won’t stop the superstition if it’s truth. past the crack of the mirror, you see the other you. you are dressed in the $color1 $clothes given upon your Entitlement, $desc1 patterned, the edges $desc2. your $acce1 $glint in the overhead light. your face is a morphing mess of expressions you can’t place, emotions too muddled to identify. three items were given to you on your Twenty-Year Ritual: your title, your garment, and your mask. the title serves as your new name. your garment serves as your prize from the Ritual. your mask serves as your new face. leaving the home without it is not permitted. it must always be worn in the presence of children. the only adult allowed to see your face is the one you marry. all others will never see what lies beneath the mask. you can’t help but wonder. ''[[why?]]'' (set: $belief to 1)

confident, are you? i would wish you luck, but apparently, you’re fine on your own. past the crack of the mirror, you see the other you. you are dressed in the $color1 $clothes given upon your Entitlement, $desc1 patterned, the edges $desc2. your $acce1 $glint in the overhead light. your face is a morphing mess of expressions you can’t place, emotions too muddled to identify. three items were given to you on your Twenty-Year Ritual: your title, your garment, and your mask. the title serves as your new name. your garment serves as your prize from the Ritual. your mask serves as your new face. leaving the home without it is not permitted. it must always be worn in the presence of children. the only adult allowed to see your face is the one you marry. all others will never see what lies beneath the mask. you can’t help but wonder. ''[[why?]]'' (set: $belief to 2)

that’s no way to live, but it’s how you’ve been living. past the crack of the mirror, you see the other you. you are dressed in the $color1 $clothes given upon your Entitlement, $desc1 patterned, the edges $desc2. your $acce1 $glint in the overhead light. your face is a morphing mess of expressions you can’t place, emotions too muddled to identify. three items were given to you on your Twenty-Year Ritual: your title, your garment, and your mask. the title serves as your new name. your garment serves as your prize from the Ritual. your mask serves as your new face. leaving the home without it is not permitted. it must always be worn in the presence of children. the only adult allowed to see your face is the one you marry. all others will never see what lies beneath the mask. you can’t help but wonder. ''[[why?]]'' (set: $belief to 3)

you’ve never seen your parent’s real faces. you’ve seen their smiles, yes, but never the crinkle of their eyes or the furrow of their brows. you’ve asked them why they wear the masks, but they simply tell you that it’s the way it’s always been. in your world, tradition is an honor to uphold. there’s a reason your ancestors survived. there’s a reason you’re still here. you still don’t see how that relates to [[the masks.]]

most masks are Colombina, masquerade-style cuts, covering the nose, forehead, and upper cheeks. the more distinctive or revered a member of society, the more adornments or patterns are added to the mask. some cover the entirety of the face, designed with an individual flair or peculiar expression: these are for those who have earned a title beyond their Ritual, such as the Eldest, the leader of your township. those who have committed crimes not severe enough to warrant exile or who have disgraced their names in another way are made to wear plain black masks with nothing but two circular eyeholes and a small slit for speech. these haunting visages are enough to dissuade most from acting out, but they don’t persuade all. (if: $belief is 1)[you’ve been admonished with the threat of the black mask a few times in childhood, but the warnings were empty.](if: $belief is 2)[you’ve had some close calls with the threat of the black mask. it’s a good thing your elders are forgiving.](if: $belief is 3)[you’ve never come close to the black mask, but that hasn’t stopped you from fearing it.] you’re not sure how to feel about [[your mask.]]

it’s the typical Colombina; $color4, with (if: $belief is 1)[$color folklore runes](if: $belief is 2)[$color war paint patterns](if: $belief is 3)[soft $color embellishments] etched along its shape. the (either: "angled", "wide", "rounded", "thin") eyes of the mask (if: $acce1 is "glowing $color eyes")[are shielded with a thin, translucent visor, allowing the glow of your eyes to remain visible while obscuring the rest of your physical features.](else:)[are an inky black, manipulated to obscure your eyes through the visor yet allow you crystal clear sight.](if: $ad1 is "antlers" or "horns")[ it’s specifically shaped to accommodate the $ad1 sprouting from your temples, leaving two (either: "large", "thin") divots along the hairline edge.](if: $ad1 is "eye")[ a third cut was made to accommodate the third eye above your brow, the hole shielded with a thin, translucent visor that allowed the glow of your eye to remain visible while hiding the rest of your physical features.](if: $ad1 is "scales")[ a small divot was cut into the corner edge to accommodate for the (either: "small", "mismatched") scales running up your (either: "left", "right") cheek, reaching down the side of your neck and onto your shoulder.](if: $ad1 is "crystal")[ a third cut was made to accommodate the jutted crystal above your brow.] it’s a mask anyone would be contented to wear: not particularly spectacular, but nothing close to shameful or ugly. this is how your people see you now. this is who you are. you were hoping the mask would make you seem [[normal.]]

your $ad1 $isare an abnormality. you seemed ordinary at birth: smooth skin, two eyes, no lumps or bumps or anything of concern. sometime around your tenth year, (if: $ad1 is "eye" or "crystal")[the crest of your skull began to throb painfully, skin and bone morphing day by day as the $ad1 grew.](if: $ad1 is "antlers" or "horns")[the points of your temples began to throb painfully, skin and bone morphing day by day as the $ad1 grew.](if: $ad1 is "scales")[you broke out in a violent rash, the scales slowly growing in day by day.](if: $ad1 is "wings")[the points of your shoulder blades began to ache painfully, skin and bone morphing day by day as the wings sprouted.](if: $ad1 is "fangs")[your teeth began to ache, your canines slowly growing and jaw relocating to accommodate your fangs.](if: $ad1 is "eyes")[your eyes grew red and irritated, irises slowly fading from their natural color to the vibrant glow.](if: $ad1 is "halo")[your head began to throb painfully, a soft glow manifesting around your skull until it formed a halo.] odd features like these aren’t unheard of, but they’re far from common. you went from ordinary to outlandish in a matter of weeks. what do you think of your $ad1, $title? (if: $they is "they’re")[''[[they help to make me who i am.|21]]''](else:)[''[[it helps to make me who i am.|21]]''] ''[[$they only one part of me. $theyit don’t define me.|22]]'' ''[[$they (either: "ridiculous", "hideous", "obnoxious"). i just want to be normal.|23]]''

maybe that’s part of the reason you became an outsider. (if: $belief is 1)[a good number of your old friends began avoiding you, but you never lost your faithful best friend.(set: $friend to "best friend")](if: $belief is 2)[you didn’t really have a lot of friends to begin with, but after the change, you were completely alone, save for your sister.(set: $friend to "sister")](if: $belief is 3)[you didn’t have many close friends in the first place, but after the change, you were completely alone, save for your brother.(set: $friend to "brother")] the bullying was a challenge, but (if: $friend is "sister")[she was](if: $friend is "brother")[he was](if: $friend is "best friend")[they were] always there for you: brushing off the comments, holding you (if: $belief is 2)[back from the fights](else:)[when you cried], (if: $belief is 1)[cleaning you off from the occasional beating](if: $belief is 2)[cleaning you off after every beating](if: $belief is 3)[defending you when the assholes tried to get physical]. as you grew, the mockery waned and you made new friends, but none could compare to your $friend. (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $shes to "she’s")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $shes to "he’s")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $shes to "they’re")] $shes the only one who’s stuck by your side through thick and thin. $shes the only one who really understands you. (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $her to "her")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $her to "him")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $her to "them")] you remember: you promised you'd meet $her to spend your first titled day with $her. you slip the mask over your face and [[walk out the door.]] (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $she to "she")(set: $shed to "she’d")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $she to "he")(set: $shed to "he’d")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $she to "they")(set: $shed to "they’d")]

but that didn’t stop $themit from making you an outsider. (if: $belief is 1)[a good number of your old friends began avoiding you, but you never lost your faithful best friend.(set: $friend to "best friend")](if: $belief is 2)[you didn’t really have a lot of friends to begin with, but after the change, you were completely alone, save for your sister.(set: $friend to "sister")](if: $belief is 3)[you didn’t have many close friends in the first place, but after the change, you were completely alone, save for your brother.(set: $friend to "brother")] the bullying was a challenge, but (if: $friend is "sister")[she was](if: $friend is "brother")[he was](if: $friend is "best friend")[they were] always there for you: brushing off the comments, holding you (if: $belief is 2)[back from the fights](else:)[when you cried], (if: $belief is 1)[cleaning you off from the occasional beating](if: $belief is 2)[cleaning you off after every beating](if: $belief is 3)[defending you when the assholes tried to get physical]. as you grew, the mockery waned and you made new friends, but none could compare to your $friend. (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $shes to "she’s")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $shes to "he’s")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $shes to "they’re")] $shes the only one who’s stuck by your side through thick and thin. $shes the only one who really understands you. (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $her to "her")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $her to "him")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $her to "them")] you remember: you promised you'd meet $her to spend your first titled day with $her. you slip the mask over your face and [[walk out the door.]] (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $she to "she")(set: $shed to "she’d")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $she to "he")(set: $shed to "he’d")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $she to "they")(set: $shed to "they’d")]

everyone else thought the same of $themit. (if: $belief is 1)[a good number of your old friends began avoiding you, but you never lost your faithful best friend.(set: $friend to "best friend")](if: $belief is 2)[you didn’t really have a lot of friends to begin with, but after the change, you were completely alone, save for your sister.(set: $friend to "sister")](if: $belief is 3)[you didn’t have many close friends in the first place, but after the change, you were completely alone, save for your brother.(set: $friend to "brother")] the bullying was a challenge, but (if: $friend is "sister")[she was](if: $friend is "brother")[he was](if: $friend is "best friend")[they were] always there for you: brushing off the comments, holding you (if: $belief is 2)[back from the fights](else:)[when you cried], (if: $belief is 1)[cleaning you off from the occasional beating](if: $belief is 2)[cleaning you off after every beating](if: $belief is 3)[defending you when the assholes tried to get physical]. as you grew, the mockery waned and you made new friends, but none could compare to your $friend. (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $shes to "she’s")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $shes to "he’s")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $shes to "they’re")] $shes the only one who’s stuck by your side through thick and thin. $shes the only one who really understands you. (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $her to "her")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $her to "him")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $her to "them")] you remember: you promised you'd meet $her to spend your first titled day with $her. you slip the mask over your face and [[walk out the door.]] (if: $friend is "sister")[(set: $she to "she")(set: $shed to "she’d")](if: $friend is "brother")[(set: $she to "he")(set: $shed to "he’d")](if: $friend is "best friend")[(set: $she to "they")(set: $shed to "they’d")]

to be continued. maybe.