Archival Dreams

{} {(set: $firstclass to (either: "History of the Conventicle", "History of the Old Domain", "Religion Studies", "War and Magic", "Lost and Found Linguistics", "Rise of Civilizations", "Mysteries of the Lost Texts", "Thaumatology", "Different Names for the Same Deities"))} Today, you have your $firstclass class. (click: $firstclass)[ {(if: $firstclass is "History of the Conventicle")[The conventicle is where it all started. The first conventicle was how Singaph spread his teachings across the globe, emphasizing the importance of preserving what could otherwise be lost. His disciples took up his cause after he ascended, which directly led to archival becoming it's own school of magic. To learn the history is to learn why archival is just a pivotal job for this new domain.] (else-if: $firstclass is "History of the Old Domain")[Because whether or not you've brushed up on the history beforehand, a simple summary could not do this study justice. Of all the subjects in modern-day academia, history is easily the most esteemed.] (else-if: $firstclass is "Religion Studies")[Religions of past and present are just one of the core subjects you're required to study extensively in order to be an archivist. It had an especially profound impact of the Old Domain's history, leading to vicious wars and mass proscecution. You're not sure if religious studies is guarenteed to show up in actual archivist work, but maybe they just wanted to cover all bases.] (else-if: $firstclass is "War and Magic")[You're not quite sure why a course on the tactical usage of wartime magic is a requirement, but it certainly makes for an interesting class. Sometimes, it's fascinating and even fun to learn about. Othertimes, it's two straight hours of the darkest, most harrowing subject matter you've ever learned about. If there's anything you've learned so far, it's that the cruelty of allkind knows no bounds, and also war is hell. Thankfully, you heard the school offers therapy.] (else-if: $firstclass is "Lost and Found Linguistics")[The restoration of lost cultural practices and values is a crucial part of your curriculumn, and that includes the usage of languages. Initially, it felt more like a revision of the Commontongue Linguistics class you took last semester, but now focus has shifted over towards the evolution of what languages remained and current findings of what languages were lost."] (else-if: $firstclass is "Rise of Civilizations")[It's a fascinating course about how new civilizations are formed, and how different factors shape it's culture. It's not just a history lesson, but it gives insight on how modern-day civilizations came to be. But there's still very few of them out there compared to the old world; apparently, the New Domain is surprisingly young.] (else-if: $firstclass is "Mysteries of the Lost Texts")[Despite the efforts of Oavus Eldridge and other modern-day founders, there was so much loss in the Great Wipe. So much information permanently lost to time, so much that could've been preserved still... The class is meant to educate on the works of fallen empires and subjects forgotten over time. Yet half the time, it feels like the professor is either beating you over the head with the importance of archival study or he's trying to scare you with a whole bunch of whatif-isms. Gods, it's such a dismal course. You don't even care for history, yet you //still// dread going to that classroom every day.] (else-if: $firstclass is "Thaumatology")[It sounds like such a simple course on paper... Of course you know about magic. Who //doesn't// know about magic!? But no, it's not nearly as simple as that. This course doesn't just talk about magic; it forces you to unravel an intricate web of key principles and all kinds of metaphysical nonsense in order to grasp the profound complexity of magic at its core. It's a struggle just trying to understand the important takeaways from this course, and half the shit the professor says just seems to go against everything you've understood about reality. Oh, //and// there's a Advanced Thaumatology class you're required to take next year. Marvellous.] (else-if: $firstclass is "Different Names for the Same Deities")[Despite how silly the names kinda sounds, this is a class that you find particularly enlightening. Learning that every deity that's worshipped today is really just a different manifestation of a greater god has profoundly reshaped how you see the divine and their pantheon. The weight of this knowledge is staggering, and the relevation was a bit uncomfortable at first, but every lecture you come to leaves you feeling a bit more enlightened. Now the name of every deity, especially your own, just leaves a bittersweet taste on your tongue. It feels like a cradle of comfort and faith just became a reflection of something more grand and elusive, as grand as the universe. It's humbling, to say the least.]} ] After that, you have about 20 minutes to (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $reputation1, "relax", "study", "get some coffee") before you have to go and take your (set: $secondclass to (either: "Academic Writing Standards", "Social Studies II", "Science and Magic", "Anthropology", "Herbalism and Botany", "Quantitative Reasoning and Logic", "Philosophy of Arcane Schools", "Geomancy and Gaia Studies", "Art History", "Othertongues", "Physical Computing", "Magitechk", "Languages of Activation")) class. [[Take your classes->afterclass]]

Fair warning: it's a long read. But as a student, you should already have a good idea of our history, yes? [ [[I do, yeah. Just let me look at myself once again->Character Creation]]]<straighttocreate| [ [[I could use a refresher->metaphysics]]]<knowyourstuff| (link: "I'm so confused.")[(show: ?stupidhead)] |stupidhead)[(hide:?straighttocreate)(hide:?knowyourstuff) Looks like your history lesson is mandatory then. [[NOW LISTEN UP->metaphysics]]]

https://postimg.cc/gallery/z8yL03K/13a001e4 SKIN IMG LINKS STORED HERE  Inspiring Cinematic Ambient - Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay (History) Ethereal (Instrumental) - Music by Alana Jordan from Pixabay (Character Creation) Lost in Dreams - Music by Alexander Shulgin from Pixabay My Little Garden of Eden - Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay (Terrace) The Place We Dreamed of - Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay (Brewery) Enigmatic and Alluring - Music by Universfield from Pixabay Smooth Deep Emotional Instrumental - Music by Rockot from Pixabay (Talking with Anemone) Tokyo Cafe - Music by TVARI from Pixabay (Tap)

{ (track: 'create', 'loop', true) (track: 'create', 'play') } Let's re-establish who you are. What is your name? First: (input-box: bind $name, "X=", 1, "Soren") Last: (input-box: bind $surname, "X=", 1, "Sans-sterling") ^^(What you see is the default character name. You can change it to anything you want.) ^^ [[This is my name->charcreate1]]

By the end of the day, you began to experience severe abdominal pain. Unluckily for you, what would've been dismissed as a bad case of gastroenteritis turned out to be a fatal condition for you. Your lack of regard for your health causes you to die from organ failure about a week later. [[I told you NOT to take the risk!! The school even provides vegan options! But nooOoOoO, you just HAD to eat that and look where it led you!->stupid death]] (masteraudio: 'stopall')

(if: $morningroutine1 is "bright and early")[Your roommate is already awake, of course, and almost out the door. In spite of their tendency to stay up well past some ungodly twilight hour—or even returning to the dorm at 3 in the morning—they're somehow always up early. Perhaps, on weekends, they just //really// make use of those hours sleeping until well past noon? Or perhaps they're a crepuscular who is just really good adapting to their self-imposed schedule? Even after living with them for about a year, Anemone Sou remains largely a mystery to you. And also 90% of the student body.] You crawl out of your too-comfortable bed and get yourself awake. As you go through the motions of your daily routine, you pause and take a moment to take at yourself in the full-length floor mirror (your roommate had carved some sort of sigil there, but they assured you it'd only work for themselves and you've seen no proof of the contrary). Wow, you look (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: "like shit", "good", "hot")! Okay, let's go get breakfast. Breakfast is very important. You know this because they wouldn't stop drilling into your head the importance of [[breakfast]].

Welcome back! (text-colour:#0aadff)[Blue] links move you to the next passage. (text-colour:#fe9afe)[Pink] links will change when you click them. Use pink links to make changes if you so desire. |convo>[The text will change slightly when you enter a conversation.] This game has audio. If you come across issues regarding audio, please click the arrow to your left to change volume or even mute it entirely. Before we begin, shall we dive into another [[history lesson-> historywarning]] or should we jump straight into living another day in this [[life->Character Creation]]?

After class, you make a mental note to study for your (either: "Ethics of Archival", "Proper Handling of Dangerous Works", "Standards of Metadata", "Aura Interpretation and Energy Handling", "History of the Print", "Cataloging and Documentation", "Natural Preservation vs. Digitization", "Principles of Record Management", "Palaeography", "Oral History Methods") exam tomorrow. At least you get to look forward to your (either: "Archival Expedition Techniques", "Song Medicine and Musical Culture", "Energy Sciences and Biological Differences", "The Art of Reconstructive Scribing", "Timewalking and Firsthand Observations", "Tactile Magic", "Astronomy II") class after that. Some classes can be really fun! [[Time for dinner->dinnerdecide]]

You have dinner. You don't have to take your Community Lab class until Friday. And thank your god, because that's probably the most stressful class of them all! It's not even it's difficulty, but rather how complex and multifaceted the whole class is, making you look into different aspects of archiving and getting hands-on experience with each of it. It gets more and more difficult with each year. And as you learned, the professors teaching this lab become less forgiving with time as well. It's an essential class, and you need to be at the top of your grade to pass this one every year. Being a student can be tiring and stressful, but it's not all bad. (click: "bad")[There's designated places for kitchen magic, sparring, stargazing, practicing all kinds of spellwork, and even more. You have professional witchcraft practitioners who are more than happy to show you how to bake or brew some amazing stuff. The school doesn't just teach you how to become an archivist worthy of the site itself, it grants other possibilities to contribute meaningful to allkind.] The surrounding city area is pretty nice as well. (click: "nice")[There's bohemian shops, experimental restaurants, and underground nightlife scenes when you manage to get some free time (or you're on school break). You even heard rumors about wild bacchanalia thrown in these secret nightclubs, though you probably wouldn't attend one anytime soon. Sometimes there's holiday festivals and seasonal town square parties too. Singaph's City is surprisingly rich in culture for such a high-strung, guarded area] So how will you spend your time today? (link: "Study")[(set: $timespent to "study")(goto: "dayend")] (link: "Explore the campus")[(set: $timespent to "campus")(goto: "campusexploration")] (link: "Do something in the city")[(set: $timespent to "city")(goto: "cityexploration")] (link: "Devote some time to your deity")[(set: $timespent to "piety")(goto: "dayend")] (link: "Cleanse the dorm room")[(set: $timespent to "protection")(goto: "dayend")] (link: "Go to bed early")[(set: $timespent to "zzzz")(goto: "dayend")] (Important note: The top and bottom three options will peacefully end the day, and therefore the story.)

{ (set: $visits to it + 1) } The terrace is gorgeous, especially when it's just starting to grow dark. Since it's cold out, the elegant balustrades were lined with a few frosted-rimed bushes. (if: $visits < 2)[(click: "bushes")[In the warmer months, they decorate the bushes with different flowers depending on each season. Sometimes, you get fun displays of verdanturgy here during the holidays.]] Antique brass lanterns hang over your head from shiny chains, each with it's own oily sheen. Every lantern held a mythical orb of light that dazzles the mind with it's many hues. The way the colors dance and harmonize was unique in each lantern too, some geometric while others swirl like a rich blend of liquid paint. You could stand there and watch these orbs all day if you wanted. It can be a pretty romantic spot, you've heard, but most students wouldn't appreciate PDA when they're trying to relax (yourself included). Even if the orbs didn't capture your attention, the view of the outside world was... well, you're not sure if you can call it stunning. (if: $visits < 2)[(click: "stunning")[It's more surreal than anything else, a landscape entrenched with vivid dreams and nightmare fuel in a vicious dance. Gazing out into these lands of unknown, with it's meadows of malachite grass and sacramento dew, you can also feel the static-like ripple of a protomagoi's hum, and smell an inherent curiousity rising up from the dance of foreign energies. You glance away, worried about where your mind could potentially wander. You're safe here.]](else:)[It's pretty uncanny, actually.] { (if: $visits > 3)[(set: $rosalilocation to "gone")She's gone now. (if: $rosaliaffection < 3 and $rosalispoke is true)[You have no idea where she could've went but you hope you'll (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: "never", "get to") see her again.]] (unless: $rosalilocation is "gone")[ (if: $rosalispoke is not true)[There is a beautiful redhead lounging here, whose long mane of hair flows to her waist in a cloud of thick curls. You (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $rosalivar, "know her pretty well", "barely know her").] (if: $rosalispoke is true) [(if: $rosaliaffection < 3)[Rosalie is ignoring you.] (else-if: $rosaliaffection >= 3)[Rosali bats her lashes at you when your eyes meet.]]] } (if: $rosalispoke is not true and $rosalilocation is not "gone")[[[Talk to the woman.->begin convo with rosali]]] [[Go back->campusexploration]] (track: 'terrace', 'loop', true) (track: 'terrace', 'play')

You walk into the dining hall, sensing a frevent energy fizzling in the air like the foam of freshly-poured soda. That's how you know you're well into the semester; the relaxed energy of the year's start begins to dissipiate, cafe witches begin cooking up new ideas for tea potions in preparation for exams, and several students start dropping out once they decide surviving in the real world is preferred over this. It gets all the freshmen in a nervous tizzy, but you've survived your first year already, so you're at least familiar with the motions of academia life by now. You head towards the canteen. The staff serving the students is just as uniquely diverse. (click: "diverse")[Some of them are nuns with warm smiles and gentle magic, some of them are apprentices of the clerics and priests within the Temple Square working for some income, some are dropouts resigned to a mediocre yet safer life of minimum pay, and some are just... random folks who were (somewhat) fortunate enough to be born into the city and not exhiled in their adulthood, allowed to work low-skill jobs offered to them to get by. It really does give you a glimpse of what life would entail for non-students. You try not to think about it too much.] [[What are you ordering?->breakfastdecide]]

{(if: $species2 is "orcish")[Naturally, every meal you take must be a hearty one. Your family is always pushing you to consume a lot of protein, as it's more important for those with orc blood than anything else. You're a bit skeptical about that, (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: "since you're not a huge fan of meat", "but you DO love meat").] (else-if: $species2 is "dwarven")[Naturally, every meal you take must be a hearty one. You found your more preferal to salted and/or picked foods.] (else-if: $species2 is "elven")[You're not sure if it's just you or if it's your elvish blood, but you're quite picky about what you eat. You just can't stand bland or poorly-cooked food at all! Fortunately, the food here is always pretty good, though every now and then you get a rookie at the kitchen who doesn't know how to cook a goddamn salmon.] (else-if: $species2 is "a dog" or "a cat" or "a lupine" or "a vulpine")[Remember to get at some form of protein on your plate. And stay away from the chocolates, lest you end up like some other beastfolk who had to be hospitalized.] (else-if: $species2 is "a rabbit" or "a rodent" or "a satyr")[You're tempted to have one of the bacon dishes, but too much meat will cause a whole bunch of gastrointestinal issues that just aren't worth it—best case scenario, you'd have some painful bowel movement. At worse, it can kill you. But //man//, it's so unfair, isn't it? Why is bacon so //good!?//] } You decided to get (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $protein1, "some spiced pork sausage", "a bunch of bacon", "honey-glazed seitan", "mushrooms", "eggs", "breakfast potatoes", "tofu steak", "quesadillas") with some (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $side1, "pancakes", "jammy toast", "taro—fried and seasoned", "avocado", "rice", "porridge", "morning-glory muffins", "fresh fruit", "yogurt"), and (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $drink1, "a hot cup of coffee", "a cup of morning tea", "a smoothie", "a glass of water", "a glass of milk", "some lassi", "an energy drink"). You pick up your breakfast and [[sit down to eat->breakfastresults]]. (event: when time > 10s)[^^(Please don't take too long deciding. Other people need to eat.)^^] (if: $diet is "herbivore" and ($protein1 is "some spiced pork sausage" or $protein1 is "a bunch of bacon"))[(set: $deathflag to true)]

(if: $drink1 is "an energy drink")[Most people think you are weird for enjoying energy drinks, given it's volatile chemical composition makes it nigh-impossible to safely brew with. But you vastly prefer it's sharp flavor over the blander taste of most teas.] (if: $deathflag is true)[(link-reveal-goto: "Mmm, that must've been a tasty meal.", "DEATH BY meat")[(dialog:"I just hope that meal was worth it.", "uhhhh....")]] (else:)[Delicious!] [[Time for class! -> firstclass]]

The brewery maintains a cozy ambiance, the area softly lit by warm lantern glows and manatic fairy lights draped across the ceiling. The earthy fragance of miscellaneous herbs and flora hangs thick in the air, promising visitors a wide variety of options for their tea. As usual, the area is packed with students. You sense that same frevent energy that was present in the dining hall this morning, reminding you why this place is so crowded; when you can (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: "replicate the main effects of a coffee without any of those unpleasant side-effects", "make a soothing beverage for your study session to enhance focus", "reduce most anxieties with just a cup", "relieve whatever is causing your next bout of insomnia"), infusiology becomes a lifesaver. (click: "infusiology")[(You do know that some people use coffee as a base for their brews to achieve more powerful effects. Yet for most beginners and casual practitioners, coffee is just too volatile to work with, and recipes can get complicated quickly. With simple, undiluted water as your only base, the progress comes much simpler, making tea infusiology a hobby anyone could pick up.)] (unless: $incompletestuff is true)[[[Create your own custom brew ->prebrewing]]] [[Request a special brew from a sommelier -> ordering tea]] [[Check out the community garden! -> garden]] [[Go back->cityexploration]] { (track: 'brewery', 'loop', true) (track: 'brewery', 'play') }

(if: turns > 30)[You've been out for a while. It's getting late...] You go to the [[student lounge]], the [[terrace]], or the casual-use [[observatory]]. You can also visit the [[city->cityexploration]] Or you could just [[end the day->dayend]] (masteraudio: 'stopall')

You've heard some unsavory things about how the academic environment gets more intense the further you delve into your studies. You've read in the circulumn that students need to take Debate courses starting in their 4th year, and those debates center around all the key ethical considerations that go into archiving. Given the intensity of your future work field, it just sounds like a heap of stress. (text-style:"subscript","blur","fidget")[(You wonder if it's even worth all the stress to become an archivist. After all, you're mainly doing this to make a good living in this world—one where you don't need to stress about survival every day. But this new life is better than your old one... right?)]

And what do you identify as? (link: "Male")[(set: $gender to "male")(goto: "charcreate2")] (link: "Female")[(set: $gender to "female")(goto: "charcreate2")] (link: "Neither")[(set: $gender to "nb")(goto: "charcreate2")]

(if: $gender is "male") [Greetings once again, Mr. $surname!] (if: $gender is "female") [Greetings once again, Miss $surname!] (if: $gender is "nb") [Greetings once again, Mx. $surname!] Why don't you establish your physical appearance? For example, your eyes are (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $eyes, "blue", "brown", "green", "red", "gold"). And your hair is (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $hair, "black", "brown", "blonde", "red", "white", "multiple colors", "some other color"). [[Isn't that right?->charcreate3]]

You are also... (link: "A human")[(set: $species to "human")(goto: "charcreate4")] (link: "A halfling")[(set: $species to "halfling")(goto: "charcreate4")] (link: "An elnari")[(set: $species to "elnari")(goto: "charcreatexxtra")] (link: "Beastfolk")[(set: $species to "beastfolk")(goto: "charcreatexxtra")] (link: "You honestly have no idea")[(set: $species to "unknown")(goto: "charcreatexxtra")] (link: "Wait, what the heck is an elnari!?")[(show: ?elnarilore)] |elnarilore)[Elnari is an umbrella term for a humanoid species with parentage from one or more other species. If you want to know a bit here, click [[here->charcreateEXTRAEXTRA]] (For the sake of simplicity and my sanity, you can only establish ancestry from one species)]

(if: $species is "halfling") [Halflings are one of the few humanoid species out there that //haven't// been breeding like rabbits with the humans or any other species, so there's a surprising amount of pure halflings out there. Yourself included.] (else-if: $species is "elnari") [With how small the Earth's population had started out after the Great Reset, the spike of elnari birth rates are the primary reason it was able to re-grow. Your kind now makes up a vast majority of the Domain's population, leading to major civilizations like Singaph's City celebrating diversity as part of it's culture. You heard that other places aren't as receptive to this, with whispers of "pure blood" making their way into these walls, but you've closed yourself off to the rest of the world and it's constant brainfuck-fluxery, so who gives a shit?] (else-if: $species is "beastfolk") [With such a diverse mix of interspecies heritage in the student body, diversity has become a celebrated cornerstone of this university's culture. You heard that other places aren't as receptive to this, with whispers of "pure blood" making their way into these walls, but you've closed yourself off to the rest of the world and it's constant brainfuck-fluxery, so who gives a shit?] What does your skin look like? |skinoptions>[ [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/GtqS1Nby/MST-1.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/xjRZHkL1/MST-2.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/yYprQwQq/MST-3.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/ZK5MLTLF/MST-4.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/52HKZnTX/MST-5.png">->charcreate5]] [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/NjWCYRvp/MST-6.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/N0mJ0LgY/MST-7.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/V6FKjTrV/MST-8.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/3RhL07RG/MST-9.png">->charcreate5]]   [[<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/gjkN4D3k/MST-10.png">->charcreate5]] ] (link: "None of these, actually. I don't have a humanoid skin color.")[(show: ?actualskin)] |actualskin)[(hide:?skinoptions) Oh? Okay, give me the closest approximation of your skin color then. My skin is (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $skintone2, "red", "pink", "blue", "light grey", "dark grey", "green", "purple", "pure white", "bright yellow") with (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $markingspresent, "markings", "no markings"). [[That should be enough, right?->charcreate5]]] (if: $species2 is "a rabbit" or "a rodent" or "a satyr")[(set: $diet to "herbivore")] (else-if: $species2 is "a dog" or "a cat" or "a lupine" or "a vulpine")[(set: $diet to "carnivore")(set: $canteatchocolate to true)] (else:) [(set: $diet to "omnivore")]

Finally, I'd like to know your zodiac chart. Since you are in your second year now, your Introduction to Astrology classes would have allowed you to determine your moon sign by now, although what you choose to do with this information is up to you. Just remember: The idea that zodiac signs determine your person is just a myth. They simply bring energy and influence to specific aspects. It is your //actions// are what determine you as a person. Nothing else. Your sun sign, as we all know, is your birthday. Your sun sign is: (link: "Aries:")[(set: $sunsign to "aries")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] March 21–April 19 (link: "Taurus:")[(set: $sunsign to "taurus")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] April 20–May 20 (link: "Gemini:")[(set: $sunsign to "gemini")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] May 21–June 21 (link: "Cancer:")[(set: $sunsign to "cancer")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] June 22–July 22 (link: "Leo: ")[(set: $sunsign to "leo")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] July 23–August 22 (link: "Virgo: ")[(set: $sunsign to "virgo")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] August 23–September 22 (link: "Libra: ")[(set: $sunsign to "libra")(goto: "charcreate5v2")]September 23–October 23 (link: "Scorpio: ")[(set: $sunsign to "scorp")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] October 24–November 21 (link: "Sagittarius: ")[(set: $sunsign to "sag")(goto: "charcreate5v2")]November 22–December 21 (link: "Capricorn: ")[(set: $sunsign to "capri")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] December 22–January 19 (link: "Aquarius: ")[(set: $sunsign to "aqua")(goto: "charcreate5v2")] January 20–February 18 (link: "Pisces:")[(set: $sunsign to "pisces")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] February 19–March 20 (link: "That is absolutely none of your business.")[(set: $sunsign to "unknown")(set: $moonsign to "unknown")(goto: "charcreatefinal")]

And your moon sign? { (link: "//What does that entail again?//")[(show: ?moonzodiaclore)] |moonzodiaclore)[^^(Your moon sign is linked to your subconscious. While the sun sign correlates to the energies of the self and the outter world, the moon sign brings what lays hidden to light.)^^] } (link: "Aries")[(set: $moonsign to "aries")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Taurus")[(set: $moonsign to "taurus")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Gemini")[(set: $moonsign to "gemini")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Cancer")[(set: $moonsign to "cancer")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Leo")[(set: $moonsign to "leo")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Virgo")[(set: $moonsign to "virgo")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Libra")[(set: $moonsign to "libra")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Scorpio")[(set: $moonsign to "scorp")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Sagittarius")[(set: $moonsign to "sag")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Capricorn")[(set: $moonsign to "capri")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Aquarius ")[(set: $moonsign to "aqua")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "Pisces")[(set: $moonsign to "pisces")(goto: "charcreatefinal")] (link: "This feels a bit invasive...")[(set: $moonsign to "unknown")(goto: "charcreatefinal")]

Because the old Domain's population was pre-dominantly human, pure non-human species like elves and goblins are extremely rare, even in the new Domain. Nowadays, they're typically either living underground or living in an entirely different domain. However, there has been a staggering number of mixed-species people over the last few decades (best not ask why). So much so that there's even some new humanoid species officially registered out there, due to the sheer difference between an offspring's biology and both parents'! Different-specied ancestry can potentially go /very/ far back for some individuals, so things can get complicated quickly. Since it'd be next to impossible to categorize mixed-raced beings, or even account for all the possible ways people can be mixed, mixed-race people are simply referred to as "elnari". And don't worry, if you're confused, you'll have the opportunity to know more about domains too. That's the point of some of your classes. [[Back to character creation->charcreate3]]

(if: $sunsign is "unknown")[So you're perfectly willing to share all that information, but NOT your zodiac sign? You're weird. The zodiac chart is more important than you might think. Well, the academy would have both signs registered by now anyways, so we'll just move on.] (else-if: $moonsign is "unknown" and $sunsign is not "unknown")[Ah, my apologies. Your sun sign is good enough for me. Both signs are registered within the academy records anyways, so your moon sign stays between you and the school.] Thank you for answering. Now it's time to (t8n-depart: "dissolve")[[start the day->daystart]]

(if: $species is "elnari") [You never got to meet your human (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $absentparent, "mother", "father"), but your other parent was pretty cool. You inherited their (cycling-link: bind $species2, "elven", "orcish", "dwarven", "goblin", "tiefling", "fae-like", "merfolk", "gnomish") traits and learned to take pride in this.] (else-if: $species is "beastfolk") [You are (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $species2, "a dog", "a cat", "a lupine", "a vulpine", "an aarakocra (bird)", "a rabbit", "a rodent", "a reptile", "a hadozee (monkey)", "a satyr"), just like your (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $presentparent, "mother", "father").] (else-if: $species is "unknown") [I'm sorry. This must be a difficult thing for you. One would say you're probably another elnari, but sometimes biology manifests in strange ways that doesn't match up with any established species. Perhaps (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $whyunknown, "your ancestry traces back to a little-known species on the brink of extinction?", "neither of your parents figured out about their own ancestry either? Ancestry kits are extremely difficult to obtain, after all.", "you had no known biological parents as a frame of reference to learn from?", "you exhibit so many traits from a wide variety of different species that it's impossible to make sense of your ancestry?") It's a depressingly common phemenom nowadays, with how the Global Wipe has permanently impacted the new Domain. Either way, just know you're not alone. There are plenty of other students and staff who have no knowledge of their own species or ancestry.] (else:)[^^(If you see nothing here, just [[come back->charcreate3]]). ^^] [[Continue->charcreate4]]

You can go to the [[brewery]], or wander around [[campus->campusexploration]] You can also simply [[end the day->dayend]] (set: $timespent to "city") (masteraudio: 'stopall')

{(if: $timespent is "study") [Good idea! Considering your exam tomorrow, that seems to be the most imprudent option.] (else-if: $timespent is "campus" or "city") [Hopefully, you had a nice time out there.] (else-if: $timespent is "brew") [You're getting better at this.] (else-if: $timespent is "piety") [I did not take you for the pious type, but I admire it nonetheless. Faith can be a very powerful thing.] (else-if: $timespent is "protection") [You do a ritual to cleanse away any negative energies and ward the area with an infused sigil. This will surely improve your ability to study more efficiently! You also feel safer. Even though you probably didn't piss off anyone recently, better safe than sorry.]} (if: $timespent is not "campus" and $timespent is not "city") [Afterwards, you go to bed. (event: when time > 2s)[ [[End game->THE END]] ] ] (else-if: $timespent is "zzzz")[You DO need to catch up on your beauty sleep. Goodnight! (event: when time > 2s)[ [[End game->THE END]] ] ] (if: $timespent is "campus" or $timespent is "city") [You do your nightly rituals and head to bed. (event: when time > 2s)[ [[End game->THE END]] ] ] (if: $sickflag is true and ($timespent is empty))[Your fish dinner ends up giving you digestive issues. You'll live, but you spend several hours in the bathroom afterwards and go to bed early to rest. Goodnight, and I hope you've learned your lesson. (event: when time > 2s)[ [[End game->THE END]] ] ]

{ (track: 'create', 'stop') } You wake up (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $morningroutine1, "bright and early", "waaay too late") to Monday's morning light streaming through your window. Your dormmate insists on leaving the curtains open on the weekdays and they refuse to compromise on that. Apparently, morning sunlight is crucial for them to maintain their rigid schedule. [[Get out of bed]].

(enchant: ?page, (background: (gradient: 180, 0.1, #010011, 0.9, black))) And yet, your body betrays you. A hollow, desperate rasp rips from your throat. The darkness creeps in... (text-style:,"fidget")[ .... //Just before you lose yourself into total oblivion, you dwell on what you just learned. You feel the magnitude of the world's secrets suffocating you. It feels like a cruel taunt, like you deserve this fate. A few people here may grieve you, but you knew the archive will make use of your fate as a mere warning. They'll sing their rites and use the great Earth to plaster over your knowledge-ridden corpse like drywall. They'll treat the sad remnants of your existence as little more than a insect's whisper lost to the wind. Life will continue as normal, and you'll eventually be forgotten. Nobody else outside the higher-ups may learn what you learned without permanent erasure to keep their mouths shut. Your death will be another meaningless integer, a statistic. Perhaps you deserve this... ... What happens when you die? You heard of many afterlives, of infinite potential for the soul, with all the planes out there that house the deceased. Perhaps every afterlife you've read about in your mythology texts truly exist, every single one of them, and you'll go to one of those afterlives in one of those planes? Perhaps you'll find a brand new reality antithetical to what you're used to? Perhaps you'll even be happier this way? But even if the vast peace of death drowns away the horror that came with your discovery, it does not change for the living. They'll just keep their secrets. Out of fear, out of selfishness, out of a desire to protect mortalkind from an insurmountable truth about their existence, it doesn't matter. Nobody else may learn what you have learned. Who is to say there won't be another Great Wipe?//] ... Your consciousness dissolves into nothing. (text-size:1.5)[(link:"$name is dead, so this life is over for you. Would you like to go for another ending?")[(restart:)]]

{ (enchant: ?page, (background: (gradient: 180, 0.1, #030032, 0.9, black))) } [//This can't be it.// You think to yourself in your final moments. ''//This can't be it.//'' You were supposed to graduate from this place with a pthelora of wonderful memories. You were supposed to live it up and enjoy what this existence has to offer, just as your ancestors had before the Global Wipe. You were supposed to be free from fear and desolation and starvation. ''You were supposed to enjoy being alive!'' (click: "alive")[(text-rotate-z:1)[(text-style:"blur","fidget")+(opacity: 0.7)[^^please please please no i dont want to die i want to live no no no no I cant die yet i dont want to die im not ready i dont want to die please no please please please i dont want to die im not ready please i still have so much to live for im not ready to die yet please please please dont let it happen dont let this happen i cant die i havent graduated yet please im so sorry im so so sorry i wont do this again^^] ^^please!^^ (text-style:"blur")+(opacity:0.5)[^^please...^^] (text-style:"blur","expand","fidget")[//dont let me (text-colour:#d64343)[[[die->deadending]]]...//] ] ] { (track: 'deadend', 'loop', true) (track: 'deadend', 'play') }

worldhistory: ./aaaudio/history.mp3 create: ./aaaudio/create.mp3 oops: ./aaaudio/oopsie.mp3 deadend: ./aaaudio/sorrow.mp3 terrace: ./aaaudio/eden.mp3 brewery: ./aaaudio/toykocafe.mp3

Sorry, you wanted a history lesson, not a metaphysics lesson. Let's keep it more brief and talk about the ''Global Wipe'' (text-style:"subscript")[(aka Final World War, the Dividing Holocaust, and the Nuclear Wipeout)] It was a shocking recent event—recent enough to be remembered vividly by longer-lived species. The Global Wipe was a global conflict in the First Domain that ended in such a massive tragedy that the world was forced to "reset' itself. What began as aggressive military takeover from the wealthiest nations turned into a sweeping revolution started by a disenfranchised lower class, whose resources were seized in the name of conquest. By that point, most sovereignties had smaller governments protected by powerful figures (mainly archmages or those descended from more powerful species in other domains), but the people were many and the numbers overwhelmed even the strongest of mages. The war was bloody and horrific, a dire reflection of the sheer extent to which one could cross moral boundaries into unimaginable depths of cruelty. Entire countries were nuked with fire and plague, government officials were brutally assassined worldwide, entire ecosystems were burnt to the ground, power corrupted even the most pious of men, the corpses of the greatest sorcerers to live were re-animated, only to spread pestilence everywhere they went. The toll was so high that most of the global population was killed, if not from warfare, then the [[aftermath.->history2]]

It is unclear what happened between the end of the war and the rebirth of the Domain, but all the accounts obtained led the archive officials to belive the sheer amount of death and worldly devastion rewoke the consciousness of the protomagoi, forcing it to reset the Earth in one last attempt to maintain life within it. What remained of mortalkind there was left scattered across the reborn globe. But as a result of a new Earth forged from the ashes of destruction, the protomagoi had a much larger presence and reality manifested in a state that those from before the rebirth would see as bizzare. (But most of you here were born after the globe, and even though the older archivists bear the psychological wounds of their parents who "migrated", you had no sense of what normalcy in the old Domain was like. It was simply your own [[reality.->history3]]

One thing that was brought over from the old Domain was Singaph's Archives, the oldest and largest archive to exist on Earth—and after that, Singaph's City. Before the Global Wipe had erased everything, the council created a web-based archive where millions of works were preserved. When the sole two survivors migrated, they re-built the archival site and recruited pious mages and lost nomads seeking new purpose and communirt. They utilized state-of-the-art technomagic to emulate physical copies of these works as precisely as possible, and began to rebuild the archival site back to it's former glory. With so much history and artifiact permanently wiped away in transtition, the study of archival arcana of has become more important than ever. Quite recently, maybe 10-15 years ago, Singaph's City re-established it's university, inviting mortalkind from across the globe to study archival magic and help preserve crucial works of history. As new civilizations rise from the ashes of war and collective allkind gradually begin to reconnect with each other, the world slowly began to heal. Re-invention of essentials, trade, new discoveries, new facilities, and new means of cross-region long distance communication gave more opportunities for good living and new purposes. As word spread far and wide of a land that will accomodate strangers in exchange for meaningful labor and lifelong intellectual contribution, the archival city rapidly grew in population, until the city itself became a cornerstone of society. It became the land of not just preservating ancient truths and lost cultures, but a symbol of hope, new knowledge, and [[perseverence. ->history4]]

{ (track: 'worldhistory', 'loop', true) (track: 'worldhistory', 'stop') } And that's where you (yes, YOU!) come in. You've been enrolled in the university as an aspiring archivist, devoting the rest of your life to preserving historical records and artifacts. Isn't that exciting!? It's hard enough being able to reach the archival site in the first place, let alone get accepted. [[Now we just need to learn more about you before we begin->Character Creation]]

//Long before the birth of gods and the emergence of the cosmos, before concepts and abstract were given tangible form, before life itself breathed it's first, there was no existence and no creation. Everything to ever exist yesterday, today, tomorrow, is a consequence of primordial omnipresence—everything that ever was, is, and will be existing simultaneously, a timeless force predating the universe itself. Primordial omnipresence permeates an ever-expanding universe in every little quark, gradually weaving together time and space from the void to shape all that is, was, and will be. From the infinite void, a nascent energy unfurls and births dichotomy with it's light, the fresh efflorescence of beginning surges throughout the infinite nothing in ripples of hue, its very essence revebrating throughout celestial realms unformed. An exhale without inhale, the first breath of existence, it simply was—present and internal. This energy became what is known to us as the ''protomagoi''. It is natural cosmic energy in it's rawest form, and it has shaped godkind as we know it. From primordial onnipresence came creation. From creation, existence. From existence, the universe. And in the universe, infinite realities manifest through further creation. Creation becomes infinite in every size of every scale. Infinite realities are manifested, over and over, constantly shifting, constantly changing, born anew each time. With each cycle, the universe continues to expand, and the protomagoi grows stronger. Beneath it's cosmic blanket, everything we know—past, present, and future—exists in perpetual manifestation, back then and now and forever. All these realities interwine in an endless dance, and the results were so unfanthomably vast, so beautiful, so terrifying, that it threatens the very essence of these realities. There lays many mysteries between all these realities, blanks begging to be filled, burning questions laying foundation for what's to come for us all. // [[Or at least that's what your textbooks say->history1]] { (track: 'worldhistory', 'loop', true) (track: 'worldhistory', 'play') }

The student lounge is especially designed to give students a quiet place to relax, study, or work. The area is spacious, with more than a few quiet corners for those who would rather keep to themselves. Casting major spells, playing music out loud, and all other disruptive activities are strictly forbidden. There's a stack of newsletters in one bin, next to where the kitchenette offers small, cheap snacks for those who might need the energy. You pick up the smell of coffee as you walk in. (if: $studied is not true)[|studier>[(link: "Study")[(show: ?studious)(set: $studied to true)]] |studious)[You find a quiet place to study.] ] [[Go back->campusexploration]]

(enchant: ?page, (background: #c50052)) Way to go, idiot!! You died a stupid and entirely preventable death in one of the safest places you could live in!!!!!! I'm very ashamed of you. (link:"Let's try this again.")[(restart:)] { (track: 'oops', 'play') }

You decided to get a (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $meal2, "edamame stir fry", "quesadilla", "potato stew", "shakshuka", "cauliflower fried rice", "smoked silverfin salmon", "grilled steak", "forest strider drumstick", "dumpling soup", "yaki udon") meal with some (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $drink2, "calming tea", "energizing tea", "fruit lemonade", "water", "milk", "soda", "cranberry juice", "alcohol"). You pick up your dinner and [[sit down to eat->dinnerresults]]. (if: $diet is "herbivore" and ($meal2 is "grilled steak" or $meal2 is "forest strider drumstick"))[(set: $deathflag to true)] (else-if: $diet is "herbivore" and ($meal2 is "smoked silverfin salmon"))[(set: $sickflag to true)] (if: $diet is "carnivore" and ($protein1 is not "some spiced pork sausage" and $protein1 is not "a bunch of bacon") and ($meal2 is not "forest strider drumstick" and $meal2 is not "a bunch of bacon"))[(set: $healthwarning to true)]

(if: $healthwarning is true)[I really think you should add more meat to your diet. You ARE a carnivore, after all.] (if: $drink2 is "alcohol")[Heeey, are you even allowed to drink legally!? (link: "Yeah?")[(show: ?SHOTSSHOTSSHOTS)] |SHOTSSHOTSSHOTS)[Yeah, I'm just messing with you lol. All students need to be 18+—or their species' equivalant of an adult—to even be enrolled here anyways. Still, I don't recommend drinking until the weekend.] ] (if: $deathflag is true)[(link-reveal-goto: "Mmm, that must've been a tasty meal.", "DEATH BY meat")[(dialog:"I just hope that meal was worth it.", "uhhhh....")]] (else-if: $sickflag is true)[(link-reveal-goto: "I don't think you should be eating fish...", "dayend")] (else:)[Delicious!] [[Now you have free time!->afterschool]]

The school has two observatories; a modern-day restoration of the Jantar Mantar (reserved for geoscience classes), and a smaller-scale observatory for both casual and academic use. You climb up the stairs and feel the ripple of it's protective magic barrier as you enter. The observatory resembles a large balcony—big enough to hold an observatory dome with ample space left over—surrounded by an elegant paraphet. The architecture used here kind of reminds you of Æsthenis's buildings. (click: "Æsthenis's buildings")[(text-style:"superscript")[(it's pronounced EH-thee-nez)] (You've never visited the city-state yourself, but you've seen photos both online and in textbooks. It's a beautiful place, absolutely teeming with luxury, so magnificant that no photo can truly capture it's essence (presumably). You're certain there's at least a few students from there who gained admission through their high-class privilege.] There are two bar tables opposite from the dome for your stuff, and a couple of extra seats. As usual, they are all occupied, as well as the dome. For preventative measures, a student will need written permission from an astrology professor or a deacon to use the dome. (click: "deacon")[(That'll likely be you when you graduate!) (click: "graduate")[^^(That is, assuming you don't decide to become a professor instead. That's another option.)^^]] {(if: $usedtelescope is not true)[ At least there's one telescope that's free to use. [[Study the night sky->nightsky]] [(link-reveal-goto: "Jump off!", "DEATH BY fall")[(dialog:"You do realize you're not going to survive that fall, right?", "Don't care!")]] ] (else:)[All the telescopes are in use now.]} [[Go back->campusexploration]]

Beautiful. {(link: "Pray to a celestial deity")[(show: ?celestialprayer)]} |celestialprayer)[The celestial god, like most higher gods, goes under many names, as you've learned from your (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $religionsource, "caretaker", "mentor", "different names for the same deities class"). Under each individual name, the god is said to manifest as a separate deity depending on the religion that worships them. But while these deities can greatly differ, they are all the same god nonetheless, emerging from Gaia's womb.] (click: "womb") [(if: $religionsource is "caretaker" or "mentor")[You yourself personally refer to her as (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: "Asteria", "Ishtar", "Baltis", "Tala", "Nut", "the Qilak").] (else:)[Pretty cool.]] [[Back to the campus->campusexploration]] (set: $usedtelescope to true)

You casually climb over the paraphet and jump off the roof like a FUCKING IDIOT, convinced that somehow you'll be able to survive this little stunt because gravity forgot to exist or something and land safely on your feet. The broken neck and shattered bones you got from crashing into the ground prove otherwise. [[I don't even know what to say anymore.->stupid death]] (masteraudio: 'stopall')

Looks like the garden is closed. [[Aw, peas.->brewery]]

You head over to the interactive brewing stations. Even with how many they offer, all of them are still occupied. You go on the shortest line available and wait patiently for your turn. Finally, once you secure a station for yourself. It's time to get [[brewing]]!

You decide it's better to purchase a brew from one of the baristas. Sure, it's more expensive this way, but you're pretty much guarenteed better results. Besides, since there's some herbs the staff won't let customers use, you'll have more options that way. After waiting in line for a while, you're greeted by the serpetine person at a counter (perhaps a beastkin). She dons a pastel-pink hijab and a sweet smile, her kindly apperance making for a good distraction from that yellow-eyed, slit-pupil, menacing snake gaze. (link: "You know this girl.")[(set: $knowslaila to true)(goto: "ordering tea2")] (link: "She's a complete stranger to you.")[(set: $knowslaila to false)(goto: "ordering tea2")] (link: "You know this girl, but you had no idea she works here.")[(set: $knowslaila to true)(set: $extraconvolaila to true)(goto: "ordering tea2")]

All the energies of the herbs offered in your station have been sufficiently roused. You grab a spoon and channel your magic... And then realize you're not confident enough in your tea-brewing skills to do this. (If you do this wrong, this could kill you. But also, I didn't have enough time to implement this uhhh sorry) [[Go back->brewery]] (set: $incompletestuff to true)

{(if: $knowslaila is true and $extraconvolaila is true)[|convo>["I didn't know you work here,"] You say, a hint of inquiry in her voice. Laila giggles. |convo>["Is that so surprising? I've been practicing infusiology since I was little, so I figured this was the perfect place to get some extra gold on the side. I'm so blessed to get a job here! Everyone is super friendly and—" "Doesn't it get stressful? Juggling academia and work?" "A little bit... But this place is so soothing, and they give us a free herb satchels every week. I really don't mind spending my free time here. Plus, I get to know everyone."] As usual, she sounds so chipper and self-assured. You knew from the first conversation that she could handle anything thrown in her path. Laila just has that natural optimism you can't help but to admire. You just know she'll survive being a student here. (You're not quite sure about yourself. But hey, you made it a whole year!)] } (else-if: $knowslaila is true and $extraconvolaila is not true)[ Laila Al-Ma’arifi is a 3rd year who is fairly well-known amongst a good chunk of the student body, yourself included. She seems scary on the surface, but she's absolutely adorable; //ridiculously// nice, loves all plants, and is oddly protective of younger students. Despite the irony of her being more obligately carnivorous than most (and being very fond of meat), she likes to work and brew with all kinds of herbs. |convo>["Hi, Laila." "Hi! So good to see you again, $name! What are you ordering?]] (if: $knowslaila is false)[The barista gives you a smile. |convo>["Hello! What will it be?"] ] You order yourself a (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: bind $tea, "chamomile-hibiscus", "peach-caramel", "bombay chai", "citrus-mint", "cherry cosmo", "blackberry-currant", "apple spice", "rose-cardamom", "lemon-catnip", "dandelion", "spicy", "lights out") blend. [[Next->tea results]]

So. What is your takeaway on this? How do you feel about the information you've just learned? (force-input: bind $finalthought "Something's behind me...")

{(if:$rosalivar is "know her pretty well")[(set: $knowsrosali to true)] (else-if: $rosalivar is "barely know her")[(set: $knowsrosali to false)]} {(if: $knowsrosali is true)[Her name is Rosali Sanquinn and you know she's in her 2nd year, just like you. You both attend the same Song Medicine and Musical Culture class. She introduced herself as an elnari, but her enchanting aura would have one believe she's actually a succubus. Rosali has a bit of a reputation; you've heard whispers of her being a tease, a slut, a heretic... and sometimes the rumors can get downright nasty. If she knows about the rumors, she doesn't seem too bothered by them.] } You head on over to sir next to Rosali, who briefly looks over at your direction before turning away dismissively. There's a sensuous energy to that woman, amplified by the smell of cinnamon and cedar. It's feels inviting, drawing you in like a moth to a flame, but at the same time, you're left feeling a bit disconcerted... In a sense, maybe it's a good thing that she's not interested in you? {(click: "energy")[(It reminds you of new succubi, birthed from the old species that offered themselves to the eldritch. Infernal beauties that feed off heartbreak and emotional vulnerability...)]} { [[["Hey, Rosali."->rosali route 1a]] [["You look beautiful today... as usual."->rosali route 1b]]] } (else:) [[["Hey..."->rosali route1c]]] (set:$rosalispoke to true)

{ (set: $rosaliaffection to it + 1) } |convo>["Hm?" She looks back and raises an eyebrow, "Oh. You're $name from that Song Medicine and Music class we have on (either: "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday")."] {|1a>[<q>(link: (either: "Yeah.", "Mhm.", "That's me."))[(show: ?rosaliresponse1a)(hide: ?1bb)]]</q> |rosaliresponse1a)[(set: $rosaliaffection to it + 1) |convo>["What do you think of that class anyways? The subject, I mean."] [["It's such a cool class! I love music, so it's awesome getting to learn it's practical uses as well!->rosali route 2a]] [["I think it's boring. Why should I care about it?"->rosali route 2end]] [["Music isn't my thing, but it's a big part of my family's culture, so it's cool getting to learn more about why that is."->rosali route 2alt]] ]} |1bb>[[["I'm surprised you even know who I am->rosali route 1c-alt]]]

|convo>["Oh, I know that,"] She giggles, brushing a thick red curl over her shoulder, |convo>["But it's nice to be reminded. I wouldn't mind you staying here so long as you'll keep telling me how pretty I am."] [[Keep telling her how pretty she is.->rosali route 2b]] [["...Yeah, no, I'm not doing that."->UNO REVERSE CARD!!!!!!]] (set: $rosaliaffection to it + 2)

She turns to give you another look, and it's clear she's unimpressed with what she sees. |convo>["Can I help you?"] {|copcoutC>[(link: "<q>Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... N-Nevermind...</q>")[(show: ?FOOL)(hide: ?1c)(hide: ?2c)(hide: ?3c)]] |FOOL)[(t8n-arrive: "instant")[[(You blew it, man!!!!)->terrace]] (masteraudio: 'stopall')] } {|1c>[(link: "<q>Just wanted to say hi...</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse1c)(hide: ?2c)(hide: ?3c)(hide: ?copcoutC)]] |rosaliresponse1c)[|convo>["Okay...? Well you just said it, soooo... Bye!"] She turns away, clearly not interested in conversation. ...That could've gone much better. (t8n-arrive: "instant")[[Aw man.->terrace]] (masteraudio: 'stopall') ]} {|2c>[(link: "<q>I believe you were in my Song Medicine class?</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse2c)(hide: ?1c)(hide: ?3c)(hide: ?copcoutC)]] |rosaliresponse2c)[|convo>["You mean the one on (either: "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday") evenings...? Oh, yeah, your name was $name, right?] [["That's me."->rosali route 2c]] ]} {|3c>[(link: "<q>Ah, I just wanted to chill here.</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse3c)(hide: ?1c)(hide: ?2c)(hide: ?copcoutC)]] |rosaliresponse3c)[|convo>["...'kay."] She shrugs and turns her gaze back up at the night sky. (masteraudio: 'stopall') (event: when time > 3s)[[[Okay, you're done chilling.->campusexploration]]] ] }

|convo>[What do you think of that class anyways? The subject, I mean.] [["It's such a cool class! I love music, so it's awesome getting to learn it's practical uses as well!->rosali route 2a]] [["I think it's boring. Why should I care about music? What good will it do for my career?"->rosali route 2end]] [["Music isn't my thing, but it's big in my family's culture, so it's cool getting to learn more about why that is."->rosali route 2alt]] (set: $rosaliaffection to it + 1)

Rosali actually seems taken off guard at that. And you feel your opinion of her lessen once her shock turns to frustation. It's really not worth trying to talk to her if that pretty face belongs to a conceited brat. [[Stay in the terrace.->terrace]] [[Leave->campusexploration]] (masteraudio: 'stopall') (set: $rosaliaffection to it - 1)

You spend a good 10 minutes trying to think of different ways to compliment her appearance, all while she preens and giggles at every sentence. Finally, she grips your shoulders, gazes deep in your eyes, and gives you a sly, vulpine grin. The sultry fragance of her perfume seems to |fab>[enchant] you at this very moment. "Hey, you seem like a sweet (if: $gender is not "female")[guy] (else-if: $gender is "female")[gal]. Someone I can vibe with enough to invite to a secret club. Waaaaaanna check out the nightlife here?" [[Yes please!->rosali's crazy ending]] [[No thanks, I have stuff I need to do -> rosali's ending averted]] (set: $rosaliaffection to it + 1)

And so ends another day in the life of $name $surname! I hope you enjoyed the experience here! (link:"Let's do it again!")[(restart:)] (masteraudio: 'stopall')

Later on, Rosali excitedly drags you to a section of the city where the stagnant air and crumbling structures belie a strange new energy. Sure enough, she unearths a hidden slot from behind a curtain of ivy and inserts some sort of cryptic, neon token. A fragment of this apparent illusion breaks off before your eyes, only revealing the entrance to this hidden club. The two of you head inside and traverse down a dark corridor, where the air throbs and pulses with the heavy bass of nearby nexawave beats. |convo>["It's no Neon Hollow club, but it's still great. You're gonna love it."] As those bumping tunes grow louder, you slowly realize what you've just gotten yourself into. (click: "into")[You enter the club. The neon dancefloor and the frevent motion of it's partygoer crowd is the last scene you can remember. The rest of the night becomes a blur, with only a kaleidoscope of different sensations and tastes to give you any context. Rosali's mane of bouncy red curls and vixen smile are the only constants that linger in your memory. You swore there was more than just that you saw. If only you could just remember... Whatever plans you had for today were spent on debauchery instead. You wake up the next morning on a foreign feather bed with five different strangers and Rosali nibbling your wrist. [[Better find a shower and figure out how you're getting to class on time.->THE END]].] (masteraudio: 'stopall')

She pouts, seemingly disappointed, but respects your answer and pulls away. "Alright. Most people don't turn me down, but if you're busy, you're busy. I'll keep the offer open later if you're still down to clown." ^^(You've heard rumors about the type of afterparties Rosali attends during her freetime. You're not quite true if you're interested in attending one though.)^^ She stands up and takes a moment to stretch. "I'm out. Later, $name." [["See ya!"->terrace]] (set: $rosalilocation to "gone")

|convo>["Right!? The professor's so nice too! And she looks pretty good for her age. Kinda gives off GILF vibes, don't you think?"] Uhhhhhhhhhh... Fortunately, she doesn't let you answer. |convo>["I'm honestly kind of thinking about making music my specialty when I become a decacon. I'm not super into the whole 'archivist' thing, but maybe I can get something out of it!"] [[Share your own ambitions->rosali route 3a]] [[Let her talk more.->rosali route 3a]] (set: $rosaliaffection to it + 1)

(if: $species2 is "elven")[She examines you closely for a moment, then smiles gently. It looks a more geniune than what you're used to seeing. |convo>["It's 'cause of your elven ancestry? Am I right?"] "I guess so?" (click: "I guess so?")[ |convo>["I can tell. You got the features. And the ears too."] Rosali then brushes back some of her curls to expose her left ear, revealing that it's pointed, just like yours, |convo>[I'd know. I have elvish ancestry too. My dad makes a big deal out of that, but I think it's dumb. Nobody cares //that// much anymore, considering most of elvenkind probably faded into obscurity by now. Anyways, tell me more!]] [[Tell her->rosali route 3a]] ] (else:)[She seems geniunely interested all of a sudden. |convo>["Oh yeah, I heard about that. Not just from the class, no, my family comes from a species that also treasures music. My dad in particular has this weird obsession with our elven ancestry and goes on and on about 'trying to keep the bloodline as pure as possible', whatever the hell that means,"] She grimaces, |convo>["He even demanded I use stergylphs until marriage, it's ridiculous. Thank gods I got away from that creep."] ...You're very taken off guard by how casually she said that. You can't be the only person who finds this deeply creepy. And //stergylphs//!? You knew professionally-crafted hormone shifting gylphs were crazy expensive and hard to obtain. Her family had to be loaded to make that demand. Rosali seems to have noticed something in your expression, for she changes topic. "Tell me more about your music culture. I wanna hear it!" [[Tell her->rosali route 3a]]]

"Why should you care? By Pan's hairy ass, haven't you ever heard good music!? It's not even about just good music either, it's..." She grimaces, clearly struggling to find an explaination, before tossing her head, "Whatever. You obviously have no class, so why should I care about your opinion?" You're taken off-guard by how angry she got at your answer. Was music that important to her? {|2aaa>[(link: "Try to apologize.")[(show: ?rosaliresponse2enda)(hide: ?2bbb)(hide: ?2ccc)]] |rosaliresponse2enda)[|convo>["Hey, I didn't mean to—"] |convo>["I know you didn't mean to insult me. If you think it's lame, you think it's lame..."] She shrugs and turns her gaze back up at the night sky. Her brief anger was quelled, but she no longer seems interested in keeping this conversation going. ]} {|2bbb>[(link: "<q>What the hell!? I was just being honest!</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse2endb)(hide: ?2aaa)(hide: ?2ccc)]] |rosaliresponse2endb)[|convo>["Well, so was I."] She sighs and turns away with clear dismal, |convo>["Look, I don't feel like talking anymore. Just leave, or do whatever."] ]} {|2ccc>[(link: "<q>Wait, no! I didn't mean that!</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse2endc)(hide: ?2aaa)(hide: ?2bbb)]] |rosaliresponse2endc)[She looks at you for a long moment, and then laughs. It's a harsh, bitter sound that makes you feel hot with shame. ~~Since when did this become a dating sim?~~ (set: $rosaliaffection to it - 1) |convo>["Sure. You didn't mean it. At least you were honest before."] She turns away, tossing her hair with haughty deliberance, |convo>["Get lost, bozo."] ]} [[Leave her be.->terrace]] (masteraudio: 'stopall') (set: $rosaliaffection to it - 1)

She rolls her eyes, |convo>["Is it really that shocking that I can remember people's names? Don't let it go to your head, you're not that important. So, what do you want? We're not exactly //friends// just because we have the same class.."] {|1c>[(link: "<q>Just wanted to say hi...</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse1c)]] |rosaliresponse1c)[|convo>["Okay...? Well you just said it, soooo... Bye!"] She turns away, clearly not interested in conversation. ...That could've gone much better. (t8n-arrive: "instant")[[Aw man.->terrace]] (masteraudio: 'stopall') ]} |1d>[[["I just wanted to say you're really pretty..."->rosali route 1b]]]

The two of you have a pleasant conversation about music, which turned out suprisingly imformative too. Apparently, Rosali knows a lot about music—new, old, and ancient—and enjoys sharing what she knows. Apparently, it's a major part of Æsthenian culture. |convo>["Oooh, you know Eadgyð Gassion? She's this French siren whose songs became the go-to for Aphroditian spells, you know? I love her songs! They're so old, but they're so important to me, you know? I should give you a copy. You want MP3 or record?] {|3a>[(link: "<q>MP3.</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse3a)(hide: ?3b)]] |rosaliresponse3a)[|convo>["MP3 it is. Here, give me your number and I'll send it over. Maybe we can go clubbing sometime this weekend?"] You exchange numbers. Afterwards, she stands up and stretches, |convo>["I should get going. Later, $name!"] [[Leave as well->campusexploration]] [[Stay here for a little longer->terrace]] ]} |3b>[(link: "<q>Record.</q>")[(show: ?rosaliresponse3b)(hide: ?3a)]] |rosaliresponse3b)[|convo>["Casual spell practitioner too, huh? 'Kay, just gimmie a couple of days. Gimmie your phone number so I can reach out when it's ready. Maybe we can go clubbing sometime weekend?"] You exchange numbers. Afterwards, she stands up and stretches, |convo>["I should get going. Later, $name!"] [[Leave as well->campusexploration]] [[Stay here for a little longer->terrace]] ] (set: $rosaliaffection to it + 1) (set: $rosalilocation to "gone")

(if: $knowslaila is true)[Laila] (else:)[The barista] prepares your cup with a level of skill that puts you at ease. You pay for your beverage and find a comfortable place to sit. {(if: $tea is "chamomile-hibiscus")[You feel your whole body calm after just a few sips. Not only is it sweet, it's so relaxing to drink.] (else-if: $tea is "citrus-mint")[Your tea tastes nothing like coffee and it doesn't give you the same warm feeling as a cup of joe in the morning, but the effects are exactly the same once you finish. Let's take on the world!] (else-if: $tea is "blackberry-currant")[You can already feel the inspiration start to flow into your brain as you take your first sip. This should help you write that essay!] (else-if: $tea is "dandelion")[You then drink your tea in peace. This is nice... Perhaps if you pray before bed, your deity might send you an informative dream tonight.] (else-if: $tea is "lemon-catnip")[(if: $species2 is "a cat")[You seem to have forgotten the effects catnip could have on cat beastfolk. The herb-combination hits you like a shot of cocaine. You don't even finish your cup before the zoomies take over. Setting it on the table, you run out of the restaurant and spend a few blissful minutes just running around like a child during recess. [[You probably made a spectacle out there too. Oops.->cityexploration]]] (else:)[The tea makes you feel a little sleepy. But not too much. That's what the Lights Out blend is for.]] (else-if: $tea is "spicy")[Despite the name, it's not spicy in the way you'd think. Rather, the combination of ginger and cinnamon seems to warm up your body from the inside-out. It feels (text-colour:#fe9afe)(cycling-link: "pleasant.", "kinda tingly...", "like your mouth is on fire wHY DID I ORDER THIS!?!? WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?????????????")] (else-if: $tea is "apple spice")[Mmm, tastes just like autumn. It makes you want to go to a Mabon festival, or go ritual-dancing in the woods with some of the more nature-attuned students. (click: "ritual-dancing")[...You're probably never going to do the latter. Most ritual-dances are done in the nude, and you're just not brave enough to do that.]] (else-if: $tea is "rose-cardamom")[Drinking the tea fills you with a surge of confidence you've never felt before. You feel good about yourself, like you could have anyone in the world... (if: $knowslaila is true)[Maybe you should ask Laila out? She's pretty cute. [[Maybe I should!->laila's silly ending]] |realarostuff>[(link: "Absolutely not.")[(show: ?arostuff)] ] |arostuff)[Ah, right, you're not into Laila like that.] ]] (else-if: $tea is "lights out")[Your barista has placed it in a disposable cup. It's meant to aid with insomina, so you should probably refrain from drinking it when you head to the dorm room. |bruuuh>[[[Drink it now, actually.->DEATH BY bad time to drink tea]]] |pragmatictea>[(link: "You'll just hold onto it until you return to your dorm..")[(show: ?prag)(hide: ?bruuuh)]] |prag)[That's a valid option. It might not taste as good later on, but there's ways to heat tea in the dorm.] ] (else:)[The tea doesn't offer much in terms of effects, but the taste makes up for it. It's absolutely delicious!] } [[Leave the brewery->cityexploration]]

After finishing your cup, you smoothly approach Laila and ask her out on a date. She seems flustered, but eagerly agrees. You set up a date... (event: when time > 3s)[and have a really nice time! Two weeks later, the two of you made things official. Now you have a cute infusologist snakekin girlfriend! Way to go, $name! [[lol what a dumb ending just end the game->THE END]]]

You leave the brewery while sipping your tea. You're barely out the door when it hits you; your eyelids immediately feel heavy and a fog wraps around your brain. You try to stumble your way back into the dormitories, but the effect is so strong, you don't even make it to the building until you pass out. (event: when time > 2s)[You don't wake up after that. There's no telling what happened, and I'm not going to tell you because you should've just taken my advice. [[...Seriously!?->stupid death]] ] (masteraudio: 'stopall')