Social Lycanthropy Disorder

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<<link "Toggle Dark Mode">> <<set $dark = ! $dark>> <<run Engine.show()>> <</link>>

<<if $dark == true>> <<addclass "#passages" "dark">> <<addclass ".passage" "dark">> <<addclass "a" "dark">> <<else>> <<removeclass "#passages" "dark">> <<removeclass ".passage" "dark">> <<removeclass "a" "dark">> <</if>>

<<run Config.ui.stowBarInitially = true;>> <<set $dark to false>> <<set $timeVar to 0>> <<set $guestSuspicion = 0>> <<set $convDir to 0>> <<set $tarotRead to false>> <<set $ateSnacks to false>> <<set $rockBand to false>> <<set $playedWerewolf to false>> <<set $bobbedApples to false>> <<set $transition1 to false>> <<set $transition2 to false>> <<set $fromObservation to false>> <<set $gintonic to false>> <<set $RachelConvVar to false>> <<set $talkedRachel to 0>> <<set $alcoholLevel to 1>> <<set $eventsSeen to 0>> <<set $talkedRed to false>> <<set $talkedRoger to false>> <<set $talkedGeorge to false>> <<set $talkedMorgan to false>> <<set $talkedCassie to false>> <<set $talkedBowman to false>> <<set $talkedTaylor to false>> <<set $marduk to false>> <<set $warlords to false>> <<set $donut to false>> <<set $archaeology to false>> <<set $history to false>> <<set $upstairs to true>> <<set $danagoss to false>> <<set $snacks to 0>> <<set $snackfirst to false>> <<set $water to false>> <<set $fruit to false>> <<set $chips to false>> <<set $couch to false>> <<set $bars to false>> <<set $chair to false>> <<set $shelf to false>> <<set $fridge to false>> <<set $fridge2 to false>> <<set $partyEvents to [ "SeeCat", "SameCostume", "InflatableCostume", "DanaConv", "SnackTime", "DrinkSpill", "GeorgeConv", "MorganEvent", "GlassBreak", "PetCat", "CardTricks", "PlayDarts", "BedsheetGhost" ]>> <<set $basementEvents to [ "SmithsSong", "SecretSanta", "DrumsFight", "PieFight", "SingAlong", "UnsexyCostume", "OverhearGame" ]>> <<run Config.passages.nobr = true;>>

<center>@@font-size:xx-large;Social Lycanthropy Disorder@@ [[Play|StartingPassage]] [[About]] <<if State.metadata.has('completedonce')>>[[Endings and Achievements|Endings]]<</if>></center>

Social Lycanthropy Disorder is a game by E. Joyce for Ectocomp 2020, with concept design and playtesting by N. Cormier. Layout loosely based on the Simple Box style from <a href="https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/5163">Glorious Trainwrecks</a>. Scratch mark image by <a href="https://www.vecteezy.com/members/danielcampos">Daniel Campos</a>. <<return>>

So there you are, walking into your friend Jen's Halloween party, thinking, like some kind of idiot, that this is going to be fun! You'll chat with some people, have a few drinks, eat some mini candy bars, good times will be had by all. But then, //just// as you get in the door, you feel a prickling at the back of your neck. Oh. Oh, //fuck//. You know what that means. [[Tonight is a full moon, and in a little over an hour and a half, you're going to turn into a wolf.|Intro2]]

It wouldn't be //dangerous// for you to transform here, exactly. You retain enough of your human intellect that you're not going to go on a rampage and devour anything, except maybe the contents of the snack table. But boy, would it be mortifying. You could, of course, leave the party immediately, but the thing is, that would be weird. Also, rude. But mostly weird. It would provoke questions. "Oh, hi, Jen, I know I just got here, but I have to leave. Why? Uh, I have an appointment. That I forgot about. Yes, on a Saturday night. What do you mean, that doesn't make sense?" No. No, for propriety's sake, you have to stay, oh, maybe... thirty minutes? That's the minimum socially acceptable amount of time to stay at a party, right? You have to spend at least thirty minutes not acting visibly weird, and then you have to extricate yourself without arousing suspicion. That's not so hard. [[Is it?|Jen]]

<<silently>><<if $timeVar gte 90>><<goto "TransformBadEnd">><</if>> <<if $guestSuspicion gte 40>><<goto "LeaveBad">><</if>> <<if $alcoholLevel is 3>><<goto "TooDrunkEnd">><</if>><</silently>> You survey the party and consider your options. A lot of people are clearly in the middle of something already, but there are a few other guests you could approach. <<if $timeVar lt 30>> <<if $talkedRed is false>>[[Dana|Dana and her boyfriend]], a friendly acquaintance, and her boyfriend (whom you've never been able to get a good read on) are standing around, drinks in their hands. <</if>> <<if $talkedGeorge is false>>[[George]], who is an old friend of Jen's and a dedicated alcohol nerd, is standing behind a makeshift bar (really just a folding table with a cheap Halloween-themed tablecloth on it). <</if>> <<if $talkedMorgan is false>>[[Morgan|MorganConvo]], a fellow attendee of Jen's weekly board game nights, is leaning against a wall, eating a cupcake. <</if>> <<if $ateSnacks is false>>You could kill some time at the [[snack table]]. <</if>> <<elseif $timeVar gte 30 and $timeVar lt 60>> <<if $talkedGeorge is false>>[[George]] is standing behind a makeshift bar (really just a folding table with a cheap Halloween-themed tablecloth on it). <</if>> <<if $talkedCassie is false>>[[Cassie]], who comes to game night only occasionally but rarely misses a party, is working her way around the room complimenting everyone on their costumes. She has a glass of punch in her hand. <</if>> <<if $talkedBowman is false>>You could take a moment to admire Jen's table full of [[jack-o-lanterns]]. <</if>> <<if $ateSnacks is false>>You're getting a bit hungry; you could check out the [[snack table|Snacks2]]. <</if>> <<elseif $timeVar gte 60 and $timeVar lt 90>> <<if $tarotRead is false>>Morgan<<if $talkedMorgan is true>>, who is probably a witch,<</if>> is sitting at a little table with her [[tarot cards|tarot readings]]. <</if>> <<if $talkedCassie is false>>[[Cassie]] is still at it with the compliments and the punch. <</if>> <<if $RachelConvVar is false and $talkedRachel is 2>>[[Rachel]] is standing near the snack table eating a cookie partly wrapped in a paper napkin. <</if>> <<if $ateSnacks is false>>You could see if there's anything new at the [[snack table|Snacks3]]. <</if>> <</if>> You could go <<link [[downstairs]]>><<set $upstairs to false>><</link>> and see what people are up to in the basement. And there's always the option of standing in the corner for a bit, to <<if $eventsSeen lt 3>><<link "observe.">><<set $eventsSeen += 1>><<set _passage to either($partyEvents)>><<goto _passage>><</link>><<else>>[[observe]].<</if>> <<if $timeVar gte 30 and $timeVar lt 50>>You could [[leave]] now--you've done the bare minimum.<<elseif $timeVar gte 50 and $timeVar lt 75>>You could [[leave]] now--you've stuck around for a good amount of time.<<elseif $timeVar gte 75>>You could [[leave]] now--you're starting to cut it pretty close.<</if>>

As you walk in the door, Jen spots you. She's dressed in the flapper costume that you remember her wearing to a 1920s-themed murder mystery party last month, but she puts so much effort into every other aspect of her parties that you can't really blame her for cutting corners on the costume. "Hey, Mia!" Jen says. "Glad you could make it!" You consider for a moment whether telling her you're going to leave early would make it less weird to leave early. It probably would, right? [['"Thanks! But I probably can\'t stay long..."'|Jen1]] <<if State.metadata.has('completedonce')>> <<link [[Dodge Jen and head straight into the party.|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><<set $guestSuspicion += 5>><</link>><</if>>

<<silently>> <<if $timeVar gte 90>><<goto "TransformBadEnd">><</if>> <<if $guestSuspicion gte 40>><<goto "LeaveBad">><</if>> <<if $alcoholLevel is 3>><<goto "TooDrunkEnd">><</if>><</silently>> You look around the basement. <<if $timeVar lt 30>> <<if $talkedRoger is false>> [[Roger]], a fellow game-night regular whom you're vaguely friendly with, is sitting on the couch, looking tired. <</if>> <<if $RachelConvVar is false>>[[Rachel]], an occasional game-night participant on whom you have a huge crush, is standing around down here. <</if>> <<if $bobbedApples is false>> A tub of water with apples floating in it sits on a tarp. No one's [[bobbing for apples]] yet, but it looks like they're thinking about it. <</if>> <<if $rockBand is false>> In one corner, some party-goers are playing [[Rockin' Out!|Rock Band]] <</if>> <<elseif $timeVar gte 30 and $timeVar lt 60>> <<if $RachelConvVar is false and $talkedRachel is 1>> [[Rachel]] is sitting on the couch, watching people play <<if $rockBand is false>>[[Rockin' Out!|Rock Band]] <<else>>Rockin' Out! <</if>> <<elseif $RachelConvVar is true and $rockBand is false>> A bunch of people are still playing [[Rockin' Out!|Rock Band]] <<elseif $RachelConvVar is false and $talkedRachel is 0 and $rockBand is false>> A bunch of people are still playing [[Rockin' Out!|Rock Band]] <</if>> <<if $talkedTaylor is false>> [[Taylor]], a friend of Jen's whom you don't know that well, is examining Jen's board game collection. <</if>> <<if $bobbedApples is false>> You could take a shot at [[bobbing for apples]]. <</if>> <<elseif $timeVar gte 60 and $timeVar lt 90>> <<if $talkedTaylor is false>>[[Taylor]] is still examining Jen's board game collection. <</if>> <<if $bobbedApples is false>>You could take a shot at [[bobbing for apples]]. <</if>> <<if $rockBand is false>>In one corner, some party-goers are playing [[Rockin' Out!|Rock Band]] <</if>> <</if>> <<if $playedWerewolf is false>>Some people are sitting around a card table playing some sort of [[party game]]. <</if>> You could go <<link [[back upstairs|PartyMain]]>><<set $upstairs to true>><</link>>. And of course you could always stand in a corner and <<if $eventsSeen lt 3>><<link "observe">><<set $eventsSeen += 1>><<set _passage to either($basementEvents)>><<goto _passage>><</link>><<else>>[[observe]]<</if>> the action.

<<if passage() is not "Title Screen" and passage() is not "Endings">> <<if tags().includes("snack")>> ''<<time12h>>'' ''Snacks: $snacks/5'' <<else>> ''<<time12h>>'' ''Discomfort: $guestSuspicion/20'' <</if>> <</if>>

<<if $talkedMorgan is false>><<include "MorganIntro">> <</if>> Morgan is idly shuffling her cards. Seeing you looking at her, she waves. "Hey! Want a reading?" <<link [['"Sure, sounds great."'|Tarot1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"No thanks, it's not really my thing."'|Tarot1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh, maybe later?"'|Tarot1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>>

The snack table is full of goodies--some Halloween-themed, some just regular party food. It's all very enticing; you're having a tough time deciding. <<set $ateSnacks to true>> "I recommend the pumpkin pie," says a voice behind you. You turn to see that Elena (who is dressed as a vampire) has come up behind you. "Of course," she adds, "I made it, so I'm biased." You do like pumpkin pie, so you reach for it, but then you realize that Jen has brought out her fancy silver cake server (she really goes all out for parties). <<link [['"Would you mind cutting me a slice?"'|S1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (4 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not really feeling pie right now, sorry."'|S1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [[Try to pick the cake server up using your sleeve.|S1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [[Wipe off the knife from the cheese board and cut the pie with that.|S1]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

You look down at your phone to check the time and swear silently, because, one, it's 9:30 PM, and, two, you can see hair growing to cover the backs of your hands. You hastily make your excuses, leave Jen's house, and walk down the street, not really heading toward anything in particular, just trying to get as far away as possible. About a block down, there's an apartment building with a convenient dumpster in its parking lot; you barely manage to get behind it before the transformation takes hold. So, okay, at least you don't have to figure out how to explain anything to anybody, but this still sucks. You have to walk all the way home, because you don't think they'd let a wolf ride the bus, even if you were carrying your bus pass in your mouth. Speaking of which, you manage to drag your bag home with you, but you can't figure out how to handle the clothes, so you just have to leave them there behind the dumpster. The cat ears and tail are whatever, but you were also wearing just a regular black shirt and pants, and you //liked// those pants. Oh well. You guess this is a valuable lesson about not pushing this kind of thing too far, or something. ''[[END|Endings]]'' <<run State.metadata.set('transformend', true);>><<run State.metadata.set('completedonce', true);>>

<<if (State.metadata.size > 15)>><center>''Bonus Story Unlocked: <<link [[Werewolf Snack Quest]]>><<addhours 2>><</link>>''</center><</if>> <center>''Bad Endings'' </center> 1. <<if State.metadata.has ('transformend')>> Left the party too late <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Lose track of time.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 2. <<if State.metadata.has ('leavebadend')>> Made things too weird. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Who cares about stuff like "manners" and "not acting like a total loony"?<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 3. <<if State.metadata.has ('drunkend')>> Had too much to drink and spilled your secrets. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Try a little social lubricant. No, a little more than that.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 4. <<if State.metadata.has ('morganend')>>Allowed Morgan to find out you're a werewolf. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Be a little less convincing when you talk to Morgan.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 5. <<if State.metadata.has ('taylorend')>>Got roped into playing a too-long board game. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>One of Taylor's board games won't be done by 9:30...<</linkreplace>> <</if>> <center>''Less Bad Endings'' </center> 1. <<if State.metadata.has ('normalend')>>Had an okay time at the party and went home before you transformed. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Leave before 9:30 and with less than 20 Discomfort.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 2. <<if State.metadata.has ('goodend')>>All of the above //and// you made a date with Rachel. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Take every opportunity to talk to Rachel.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> <center>''Achievements'' </center> 1. <<if State.metadata.has ('dana')>>Got through talking to Dana in the least awkward way possible. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Sometimes, asking an awkward question is less awkward than the alternative.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 2. <<if State.metadata.has ('george')>>Made George's night by letting him make you a fancy (but not too strong) cocktail. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Whether or not you drink alcohol, you can let George have some fun.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 3. <<if State.metadata.has ('bowman')>>Made plans to hang out with Bowman. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Maybe you should take a closer look at those jack-o-lanterns.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 4. <<if State.metadata.has ('morgan')>>Convinced Morgan that you're not a werewolf. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Lead Morgan down the wrong track at 8-8:30.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 5. <<if State.metadata.has ('isabela')>>Apologized to Isabela <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Have you tried eating a snack between 8:30 and 9?<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 6. <<if State.metadata.has ('taylor')>>Maybe made friends (or at least friendly acquaintances?) with Taylor. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Taylor wants someone to play a board game with.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 7. <<if State.metadata.has ('cassie')>>Made plans with Cassie to learn about costuming. <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Don't put yourself down so much when you're talking to Cassie.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> 8. <<if State.metadata.has ('roger')>>Helped Roger do some networking <<else>>//Locked// <<linkreplace "Hint">>Do what you can to help Roger, instead of just talking about yourself.<</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<button "Play again">> <<run Engine.restart()>> <</button>>

Rockin' Out! is a rhythm game in which one person is essentially singing karaoke and everyone else is button-mashing on controllers shaped like various instruments, so that you can feel like you're good at actual music. Yolanda, who's holding the guitar-shaped controller, waves you over. "Wanna play?" she asks. "We still need a vocalist." <<link [['"Sure, what\'s the song?"'|Rock1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh, I don\'t really sing."'|Rock1a]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe later."'|Rock1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

You wander over to the party-game people and ask what they're playing. "Werewolf," says Sebastian. You stare blankly at him. How did he...? "You know, the game where most people are villagers and a couple are werewolves, and the villagers try to figure out who the werewolves are before the werewolves eat them all?" "Oh. Right. Of course," you say. "Want to play? We haven't really started yet," he says. <<link [['"I\'m not really into the social-deception stuff."'|Werewolf1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'ll give it a shot, but I\'m warning you now that I\'m a lousy liar."'|Werewolf1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Werewolves don\'t actually eat people, you know."'|Werewolf1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe next round."'|Werewolf1]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><</link>>

<<switch $talkedRachel>> <<case 0>> <<set $RachelConvVar to true>> You don't know Rachel that well, but you'd like to. She's really cute. You've never gotten to talk to her that much at the board game nights, but maybe this is your chance? Then again, maybe it's a bad idea tonight. She is dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. It's unbearably adorable. (You might've had a childhood crush on Belle, not that you'd admit it.) Oh, what the hell. You might as well try, right? <<link [['"Hi, how\'s it going?"'|Rach1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Hey, nice costume."'|Rach1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Enjoying the party?"'|Rach1]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> <<set $RachelConvVar to true>> Rachel sees you looking her direction and gives a little wave. At some point since you last talked to her, she's acquired one of those rings with a giant plastic spider on it. "Hi again!" she says. <<link [['"Hey, I\'d love to finish that conversation from earlier..."'|Rach1a]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"How have you been for the last, uh, half hour or so?"'|Rach1a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> <<set $RachelConvVar to true>> Rachel spots you and waves. She looks happy to see you, even though she's already talked to you twice tonight. You're overjoyed about this, but also, why would someone who's actually cool be that happy to talk to //you//? Also, as much as you're excited to talk to her again, you're running out of conversational openers. <<link [['"Hey! Uh, how\'s the cookie?"'|Rach1b]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Still having a good time?"'|Rach1b]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<if $fromObservation is true>>Dana drags you over to her boyfriend, who has apparently been waiting for her and holding both their drinks. She takes hers back from him. <</if>> You know Dana and her boyfriend from the weekly board game meetup that Jen hosts. (In fact, this is true of most of the people here that you're familiar with.) Dana is pretty cool, if kind of a lot sometimes, but her boyfriend just kind of follows her around and doesn't talk much. You're not even sure what his name is. Jason or Jake or something like that? Tonight, Dana's dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and Jason/Jake/whatever is the Big Bad Wolf. <<if $fromObservation is false>>Dana sees you looking her way and says "Oh, hey, Mia!" so now you're obligated to talk to her. <<else>>"So," says Dana, "how are you doing?" "Fine," you say, and then grope for some way to continue the conversation. <</if>> <<set $talkedRed to true>> <<link [['"Uh, nice costumes."'|D1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"How, uh, how's it going?"'|D1]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Actually I have to, uh... go. Somewhere."'|D1]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>>

<<if $guestSuspicion gte 20>> <<goto "LeaveBad">> <<elseif $guestSuspicion lt 20 and $talkedRachel is 3>> <<goto "GoodEnd">> <<elseif $guestSuspicion lt 20 and $talkedRachel lt 3>> <<goto "LeaveNormal">> <</if>>

You say goodbye to Jen, wave to a couple of other people, and head out to catch the bus home. You feel good about your odds of making it back in time to transform in the comfort of your own home. This wasn't so bad, honestly! You were really on edge there at first, and you had some awkward moments, but you did have some nice conversations. If you could do tonight over, you're not sure if you would put yourself through all this stress again, but you survived, and even got a thing or two out of it. Now you can go home, relax, turn into a wolf, and eat all the food in your kitchen. Although... you do wish <<if $talkedRachel is 0>>you'd gotten up the nerve to talk to Rachel<<else>>you'd had the chance to talk to Rachel more<</if>>. ''[[END|Endings]]'' <<run State.metadata.set('normalend', true);>><<run State.metadata.set('completedonce', true);>>

Your phone buzzes. Looking at it, you see that Jen has sent you a text. //Hey, are you ok? People are saying you've been acting really weird tonight.// A sick feeling of mortification washes over you. You tell yourself that people thinking you're really weird is better than people thinking you're a werewolf, but you're not sure yourself believes you. You say goodbye to Jen, making some excuse about not feeling well, and head home. You're not sure you're going to be able to face these people at game night next week. ''[[END|Endings]]'' <<run State.metadata.set('leavebadend', true);>><<run State.metadata.set('completedonce', true);>>

<<set /* This must be set to whatever the initial game date/time should be. */ $gameDate to new Date("2020-10-31T20:00Z"); /* Must use UTC time. */ >> <<set window.GameDays to [ "Sun", "Mon", "Tue", "Wed", "Thu", "Fri", "Sat" ]; window.GameMonths to [ "Jan", "Feb", "Mar", "Apr", "May", "Jun", "Jul", "Aug", "Sep", "Oct", "Nov", "Dec" ]; >> /* Date & Time Advancement Widget Definitions */ /* Adds the specified number of minutes. */ <<widget "addmins">>\ <<run $gameDate.setUTCMinutes($gameDate.getUTCMinutes() + $args[0])>>\ <</widget>> /* Adds the specified number of hours. */ <<widget "addhours">>\ <<run $gameDate.setUTCHours($gameDate.getUTCHours() + $args[0])>>\ <</widget>> /* Adds the specified number of days. */ <<widget "adddays">>\ <<run $gameDate.setUTCHours($gameDate.getUTCHours() + $args[0] * 24)>>\ <</widget>> /* Date & Time Printing Widget Definitions */ /* Prints the current date ("{weekday} {month} {day}, {year}"). */ <<widget "date">>\ <<print String.format("{0} {1} {2}, {3}", GameDays[$gameDate.getDay()], GameMonths[$gameDate.getMonth()], $gameDate.getDate(), $gameDate.getFullYear() )>>\ <</widget>> /* Prints the current time (12H). */ <<widget "time12h">>\ <<if $gameDate.getUTCHours() eq 0>>\ 12\ <<elseif $gameDate.getUTCHours() gt 12>>\ <<print $gameDate.getUTCHours() - 12>>\ <<else>>\ <<print $gameDate.getUTCHours()>>\ <</if>>:\ <<if $gameDate.getUTCMinutes() lt 10>>0<</if>><<print $gameDate.getUTCMinutes()>> \ <<if $gameDate.getUTCHours() gte 12>>PM<<else>>AM<</if>>\ <</widget>> /* Prints the current time (24H). */ <<widget "time24h">>\ <<if $gameDate.getUTCHours() lt 10>>0<</if>><<print $gameDate.getUTCHours()>>:\ <<if $gameDate.getUTCMinutes() lt 10>>0<</if>><<print $gameDate.getUTCMinutes()>>\ <</widget>> /* Prints the current date and time (12H). */ <<widget "datetime">><<date>> <<time12h>><</widget>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Thanks! Yours is cute, too." She's probably just saying that to be nice; you threw this cat costume together at the last minute and it shows. "Anyway," she says, "wanna know what I found out the other day?" <<link [['"Uh... sure?"'|D2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Like a fun fact, or...?"'|D2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t know..."'|D2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Pretty good!" says Dana. (Jamie/Joe/whatever doesn't say anything.) "Hey, you wanna hear something really juicy?" <<link [['"Uh... sure?"'|D2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Like juicy how?"'|D2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t know..."'|D2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Oh," she says. "Well... sorry to have bothered you?" Jack/Jonathan/whatever sips his drink and looks annoyed, you think, but maybe that's just his resting facial expression. <<link [['"Yeah, no problem, I\'m just, uh, on my way to the bathroom. Later!"'|transitiontransition]]>> <<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>> <<set $convDir to 0>> <<set $convVar to 0>> <<set $timeVar += 5>> <<addmins 5>> <</link>> <</switch>>

"Oh, why not?" Jen says. Crap. You didn't consider the possibility of a follow-up question. You've got to think of a lie, fast. <<link [['"I have to get up early tomorrow."'|Jen2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion +=5>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not feeling well."'|Jen2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += 3>><</link>> <<link [['"I have to feed my dog."'|Jen2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += 7>><</link>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> <<set $tarotRead to true>> "I'll just do a simple three-card spread," she says. "The first card is the situation you need help with, second is your main obstacle, third is advice on what to do about it." She turns over the first card. It's the Moon, which feels a bit on the nose. It's even got a wolf on it. "Hmm," she says. "Deception and fear. You're hiding something, and it's making you extremely anxious." <<link [['"Yeah, my dark secret is I hate superhero movies."'|Tarot2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, half the people here still think I'm a grad student."'|Tarot2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I have no idea what you're talking about."'|Tarot2]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Suit yourself," she says. "I'll be here til 9:30 if you change your mind." [[Return|PartyMain]] <<case 2>> "That's fine, I'll be here til 9:30," she says. [[Return|PartyMain]] <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Werewolves of London," Yolanda says. <<set $rockBand to true>> <<link [[Welp. You've committed now, you have no choice.|Rock2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Can we do a different song?"'|Rock2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Actually, I don\'t think I want to do this."'|Rock1]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Okay, sure, come back whenever you're ready." [[You scan the basement for something else to do.|transitiontransition]]>> <<case 2>> "Aw, that's too bad," Yolanda says. "See you later, then!" <<link [[You scan the basement for something else to do.|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> <<set $playedWerewolf to true>> "Oh, okay," says Sebastian. "Well, enjoy the party!" <<link [['"Uh, yeah, you too."'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>> <<case 1>> <<set $playedWerewolf to true>> <<set $guestSuspicion += (4 * $alcoholLevel)>> You play a round, but the thing is, even though you're a villager, you can't help flinching a little whenever anyone accuses you of being a werewolf. It makes you look suspicious in the game, and it's doing a number on your nerves. <<link [[You're very relieved when the game ends.|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<case 2>> <<set $playedWerewolf to true>> Obviously, this is a really dumb thing to say, but for a moment you're too filled with chagrin to care. "Uh, right," says Sebastian, "because they're... not real?" <<link [['"Haha, yeah, I\'m just gonna, uh, go, now."'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Sure," says Sebastian, "feel free to come back whenever. We'll probably be at it for a while." [[Return|downstairs]] <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> Jen looks a little concerned about this. "Don't worry," you add hastily, "it's not contagious. It's, uh, a chronic condition." This is technically not true; it is contagious. But you'd have to bite someone while in wolf form, which you're not planning on doing. "Aw, I'm sorry," she says. "It was sweet of you to come anyway, but don't overdo it." <<link [['"So anyway, how are you doing?"'|Jen3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks! So, uh, I\'m going to... go, now. To do party stuff, I mean. Not like, go home."'|PartyMain]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <<case 1>> "On a Sunday?" she says. "That's rough. What are you up to?" Great, //another// follow-up question that you forgot to consider. <<link [['"Helping a friend move?"'|Jen3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += 5>><</link>> <<link [['"Visiting my grandmother?"'|Jen3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, just... stuff."'|Jen3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += 7>><</link>> <<case 2>> This is a total fabrication. Well, maybe not //total//. You will be a canine and you will probably eat something, so from a certain point of view that's feeding a dog, right? But it's very misleading. "I didn't know you had a dog!" says Jen. "Do you have pictures? Please tell me you have pictures." "Uh, no, I don't." "Seriously? What kind of dog owner are you?" You must look pretty stricken at that, because then she adds, "Sorry, it was just a joke." <<link [['"So anyway, how are you doing?"'|Jen3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, yeah, no worries. So, uh, I\'m going to... go, now. To do party stuff, I mean. Not like, go home."'|PartyMain]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> The music starts, and you sing. It's actually kind of fun, once you get into it. At the end the game gives you a score of four out of five stars, although no one is really paying attention to that. You hand the mike back to Yolanda. "That was great!" she says. "You really did well on the howling parts." "Uh, thanks," you say. You're not sure if this is a compliment you're happy to have, under the circumstances. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "It already took us a whole five minutes to agree on this one," she says. "Are you in or not?" <<link [['"I\'m in."'|Rock2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not."'|Rock1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

"Aww, come on," Yolanda says. "You don't actually have to be //good// at singing. That's not the point." <<link [['"Okay, okay, I\'ll give it a try. What\'s the song?"'|Rock1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Sorry, I would really rather not."'|Rock1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>>

<<set $danagoss to true>> <<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Aw, you don't have to sound so unenthusiastic about it," she says. "Sorry," you say. "Anyway, here it is: I found out what Bowman's first name is," she says. Bowman (who indeed has never told you his first name) is another member of the board game group, although both he and his boyfriend Derek have been absent for the last couple of weeks. "Oh?" you say, because you're not really sure what else to say to that. "It's //Augustus//," she says, with obvious relish. "Oh, also, he and Derek just broke up." <<link [['"What?"'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Aw, that\'s too bad."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Is that, like... related to the name thing?"'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, uh, cool. Anyway, I have to go now."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Like a fun fact about Bowman," she says. (Bowman is another member of the board game group, although both he and his boyfriend Derek have been absent for the last couple of weeks.) "You know how he never tells anyone what his first name is?" Dana goes on. "Well... it's //Augustus//." "Oh," you say. "I see." "Also, he and Derek just broke up." <<link [['"What?"'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Aw, that\'s too bad."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Is that, like... related to the name thing?"'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, uh, cool. Anyway, I have to go now."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Oh, c'mon, of course you do," she says. You're about to ask whether she means you do know or you do want to hear it, but before you can get any words out, she says, "You know how Bowman never tells anyone what his first name is?" Bowman is another member of the board game group, although both he and his boyfriend Derek have been absent for the last couple of weeks. You have indeed noticed that he only ever uses the one name. "Well," Dana continues, "I found out--it's Augustus." "Okay?" you say. "Also, he and Derek just broke up." <<link [['"What?"'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Aw, that\'s too bad."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Is that, like... related to the name thing?"'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, uh, cool. Anyway, I have to go now."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "I know, I totally didn't see it coming either," she says. "And the kicker is, they're both here tonight. Bowman doesn't do Facebook, so neither of them knew the other was coming, and Jen didn't know they'd broken up, so she couldn't warn them." Jaden/Jeremy/whatever still hasn't said anything this entire conversation, which is starting to weird you out. <<link [['"That sucks."'|D4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Wow, awkward. Anyway, how are you guys doing?"'|D4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks for telling me, but I, uh, have to go now."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I know, I really thought they were in it for the long haul," she says. "And the kicker is, they're both here tonight. Bowman doesn't do Facebook, so neither of them knew the other was coming, and Jen didn't know they'd broken up, so she couldn't warn them." Jaden/Jeremy/whatever still hasn't said anything this entire conversation, which is starting to weird you out. <<link [['"That sucks."'|D4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Wow, awkward. Anyway, how are you guys doing?"'|D4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks for telling me, but I, uh, have to go now."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Not really, just some of us took him out to drown his sorrows and I saw his driver's license." "Ah," you say. You're really running through your stock of one-word answers in this conversation. "Anyway, the //really// awkward thing is, they're both here tonight. Bowman doesn't do Facebook, so neither of them knew the other was coming, and Jen didn't know they'd broken up, so she couldn't warn them." Jaden/Jeremy/whatever still hasn't said anything this entire conversation, which is starting to weird you out. <<link [['"That sucks."'|D4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Wow, awkward. Anyway, how are you guys doing?"'|D4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks for telling me, but I, uh, have to go now."'|D3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Okay, then," Dana says, giving you kind of a weird look. Jaden/Jeremy/whatever might be giving you a weird look too, or maybe that's just his face. <<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>> [[You scan the room for something else to do.|transitiontransition]] <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Not bad, not bad," she says. "Nothing really exciting going on, though. How about you?" <<link [['"Oh, you know, nothing exciting either."'|Jen4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Mostly just work. It\'s a busy time at the museum."'|Jen4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh, okay," she says. "Well, have fun! Unless your grandmother's not the fun kind." "She's pretty fun," you say, which is true. She also lives in Florida, but Jen doesn't need to know that. <<link [['"So anyway, how are you doing?"'|Jen3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, I\'m going to go enjoy the party now."'|Jen4]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Anyone I know?" she asks. "No," you say. Jen looks at you, clearly waiting for you to elaborate, but you don't. "Well, uh... enjoy the party," she says finally. <<link [['"Thanks!"'|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Right," Jen says, clearly confused by this response. "Well, uh, enjoy the party!" <<link [['"Thanks!"'|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

You don't know for sure what Morgan's deal is, but there's always this sort of charge in the air around her, a frisson of... something... that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. You never noticed this before you became a werewolf, and as far as you can tell, no one else seems to feel it, so you imagine it must be some kind of... supernatural resonance thing? She is dressed as a witch, with a pointy black hat secured to her curls by an impressive number of bobby pins. It occurs to you that there may be some layers of irony going on with this costume choice. She is also wearing a necklace with a pendant that has some kind of elaborate design on it that you can't quite make out. It appears to be silver.

<<silently>><<set $ateSnacks to false>> <<set $RachelConvVar to false>> <<set $eventsSeen to 0>> <<set $transition1 to true>> <<run $partyEvents.delete("DanaConv")>><</silently>> 8:30 rolls around, and the party goes on. <<if $upstairs is false>>You go back upstairs to see what's happening.<</if>> Dana and her boyfriend leave--she tells you on her way out that they're headed to another party. Jen brings out an elaborate cake molded into a 3D skull shape and sets it on the snack table. At this point, you could probably leave, but <<if $guestSuspicion gte 20>>you'd kind of like to mend the bad impression you've been making<<else>>you're kind of sort of starting to have fun<</if>>. <<if $talkedRachel gt 0>>Also maybe you could talk to Rachel again?<</if>> [[You take a look around the room.|PartyMain]]

"... So you see," you find yourself telling Jen, "I have to leave now because I'm going to turn into a warful-- a wale-- a //werewolf//." (You enunciate this last bit very slowly and carefully.) "Or uh. I am a werewolf all the time, I guess? But I'm going to turn into a wolf." Jen looks concerned. "Yeah, I think it's time for you to go home. C'mon, I'll give you a ride." You always feel kind of crappy on the morning after a full moon--the transformation takes a lot out of you, you guess--but this time you also have to deal with a hangover //and// the massive mortification of remembering what you said to Jen. You have some regrets. ''[[END|Endings]]'' <<run State.metadata.set('drunkend', true);>><<run State.metadata.set('completedonce', true);>>

<<set $talkedGeorge to true>> George is dressed as a tavern-keeper (i.e., vaguely medievalish outfit plus apron). It's a very high-quality costume, which you happen to know is because it's what he wears to sell homemade mead at the local Renaissance Faire. He and Jen clearly worked out some kind of arrangement for him to bartend for this party, which for most people would be kind of a drag, but you suspect George enjoys this at //least// as much as he would enjoy just, like, attending the party. He lives for the chance to make esoteric cocktails with a zillion ingredients. About three-quarters of the folding table, with its bat-print disposable tablecloth, is taken up by assorted bottles, some of which you recognize and many of which you don't. The remaining quarter is mostly occupied by a punch bowl labeled "Witch's Brew." The label doesn't elaborate on what is in the punch, which is green and smells very alcoholic. "Hey," says George. "What can I get you?" This is a difficult question. On the one hand, you could use a little social lubricant. On the other hand, you're a lightweight and currently trying to keep a secret, and you have a history of oversharing when you get //too// drunk. <<link [['"Uh... gin and tonic?"'|G1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += 2>><<set $gintonic to true>><</link>> <<link [['"What\'s in that punch?"'|G1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Just a Coke is fine."'|G1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += 1>><</link>>

<<include "MorganIntro">> <<set $talkedMorgan to true>> "So, full moon on Halloween night. Crazy, huh?" she says. <<link [['"Uh, yeah, totally."'|M1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Is it a full moon? I hadn\'t noticed."'|M1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I guess, if you believe in that kind of thing."'|M1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

<<silently>> <<set $ateSnacks to false>> <<set $RachelConvVar to false>> <<set $eventsSeen to 0>> <<set $transition2 to true>> <<run $partyEvents.delete("GeorgeConv")>> <<run $partyEvents.delete("MorganEvent")>> <</silently>> Nine o'clock, huh. You've been here an entire hour. <<if $guestSuspicion lt 20>>You're actually kind of proud of yourself for sticking it out this long without making things too weird.<<else>>You think this might have been a mistake, but here you are anyway.<</if>> <<if $upstairs is false>>You head back upstairs to make sure you're not missing anything fun.<</if>> It's getting late now, but <<if $guestSuspicion gte 20>>you'd kind of like to mend the bad impression you've been making<<else>>you're really getting into it<</if>>. <<if $talkedRachel gt 1>>Also maybe you could talk to Rachel again?<</if>> [[You take another look around the living room.|PartyMain]]

Cassie's full name is Cassiopeia--as she's said to you before, if you've got to go through the hassle of changing your name as an adult, at least you can name yourself something cool. She is dressed as her namesake constellation, in an elaborate dark-blue gown with what you think are tiny LEDs for the stars. <<set $talkedCassie to true>> "Mia!" she says. "Your costume is so cute!" Your half-assed cat costume looks like trash next to her costume, as far as you're concerned, but she seems sincere? Maybe it's just because <<if $talkedGeorge is true>>she's been drinking the very alcoholic punch<<else>>she's definitely a little drunk<</if>>. <<link [['"Oh, no, this is just some junk I threw together at the last minute."'|C1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Your dress is amazing. Did you make it?"'|C1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks! But I should, uh... go."'|C1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

You scrutinize the snack table at length and finally decide to take a cracker off the cheese plate. Unfortunately, while you've been gazing at the food, someone has come up on the other side of the snack table and //also// decided to get a cracker off the cheese plate, and your hand whacks into their hand. <<set $ateSnacks to true>> "Oh, sorry!" you say, and then you look up and see who it is. It's your ex, [[Isabela]].

<<set $ateSnacks to true>> As you're contemplating the snacks, Jen comes out of the kitchen holding a plate of chocolate peanut butter bars cookie-cuttered into bat shapes. You stare at them. The peanut butter is somehow way more enticing right now than it would usually be. But you have also found that the closer you get to becoming a wolf, the harder it gets to digest chocolate. Jen catches you staring at the peanut butter bats. "Want one?" she asks. <<link [['"I\'d love to, but I\'m allergic to chocolate."'|Snacks3a]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Absolutely."'|Snacks3a]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I think I\'ve had enough dessert for one night."'|Snacks3a]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

As you're looking at the jack-o-lanterns, Bowman suddenly comes up to you. <<if $danagoss is false>>Bowman (you think that's his last name, but it seems to be the only one he goes by) is another regular attendee of Jen's board game group, although both he and his boyfriend Derek have been absent for the last several weeks.<</if>> "Mia!" he says, too loudly. "What's up!" Then, in a low voice, he adds, "Look, Derek and I just broke up like a week ago, and he's right over there, and I need you to talk to me so I don't have to acknowledge him. Or feel tempted to talk to him." <<set $talkedBowman to true>> <<link [['"Um, I don\'t think I can really... deal with this right now."'|B1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Sure, but... about what?"'|B1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh... come on, let\'s get you a drink."'|B1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

<<set $talkedTaylor to true>> Taylor is dressed as a pirate, though they've taken their eyepatch off and are holding it in one hand. They're a member of Jen's //other// board game group, the one that meets on Tuesdays in the back of the local comics store. You've run into them at parties once or twice, but you don't really know them, and other than the board games you have no idea what, if anything, you have in common. They see you looking in their general direction and say, "Are you interested in a board game? Jen's got an impressive collection." <<link [['"What games are you looking at?"'|T1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh... I don\'t know if I have time?"'|T1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

You go over to the tub and stand there obviously considering it, which acts as a silent signal for other people to come over and obviously consider it. After a few minutes of hemming and hawing, your acquaintances Sebastian, Jess, and Yolanda all agree to do it, and Tank almost does but then realizes it would ruin their Frankenstein makeup. The silliness of the game and how bad you all are at it honestly makes this one of the less stressful things you've done this evening. It's kind of fun, actually! But then when you're done, Jess wrinkles her nose and says, "Does anyone else smell wet dog?" Is that you? That's probably you. <<set $guestSuspicion += 3>> <<set $bobbedApples to true>> <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>

Jen's black cat wanders in and starts prodding experimentally at a cup full of soda that's been left on the floor. Jen scoops her up just before she can knock it over. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

A guy in a hot dog costume spots another guy in a hot dog costume. They high-five. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

You notice some people sitting on the floor next to a game box that reads "Secret Santa." "I think //you're// Santa!" one player says, pointing at another. "No, I'm an elf!" the accused responds. "But you seem pretty keen to accuse people of being Santa. Maybe you're just trying to take the heat off yourself!" This seems to be a social deception game you're not familiar with. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

A person in an inflatable dinosaur costume is making their way across the room, banging into furniture and nearly knocking people's drinks over with the costume's tail. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

Over in the Rockin' Out! corner, Yolanda is taking a turn at the vocals. "So you go and you stand on your own," she sings, "and you leave on your own, and you go home and you cry and you want to die..." You feel a little called out by this. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

Dana spots you wallflowering it up and swoops in to save you from yourself. <<if $talkedRed is false>><<set $fromObservation to true>>"Hey, you want to hear something really juicy?" she says, and [[doesn't give you the chance to say no...|Dana and her boyfriend]]<<else>>You make small talk for a few minutes, but it doesn't really go anywhere. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]<</if>>

Your gaze lands on the snack table<<if $ateSnacks is false>>. [[You could go for a snack, actually...|SnacksDirect]]<<else>>, but you're not really hungry right now. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]] <</if>>

You stand in the corner and watch for a bit, but nothing interesting happens. Maybe you should do something else. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

Your relationship with Isabela ended in a... less than great way. From your perspective, it made sense. You had just become a werewolf, so you were dealing with a lot of stuff that was hard to talk to anyone about. From //her// perspective, you'd gone off to do field work in Romania for several months and then come back and immediately dumped her without really explaining why. You have mostly managed to avoid talking to her since. <<link [['"Um... hey, how\'s it going?"'|I1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"How, uh... how have you been?"'|I1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, hey, look over there, it\'s... a thing. That I have to go deal with. Immediately."'|I1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Yeah, totally," says Dana. There is a momentary lull in the conversation while Dana thinks of something to say, since you didn't really give her much to work with. "Oh," she says, finally, "did I tell you about Simon?" "No," you say, "who's Simon?" "Simon Howl! He's... oh, let me show you a picture." She holds her phone out to you so that you can see a picture of a small, fluffy dog, not quite out of the awkward puppy stage. "Aww, cute! Is he yours or..." You abruptly realize you've backed yourself into a corner--you either have to admit to not knowing her boyfriend's name or cover for it somehow. <<link [['"... his?"'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"... someone else\'s?"'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"... James\'s?"'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (7 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"... I\'m really sorry, I don\'t remember your name."'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Pretty good!" she says. "Oh, did I tell you about Simon?" "No," you say, "who's Simon?" "Simon Howl! He's... oh, let me show you a picture." She holds her phone out to you so that you can see a picture of a small, fluffy dog, not quite out of the awkward puppy stage. "Aww, cute! Is he yours or..." You abruptly realize you've backed yourself into a corner--you either have to admit to not knowing her boyfriend's name or cover for it somehow. <<link [['"... his?"'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"... someone else\'s?"'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"... James\'s?"'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (7 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"... I\'m really sorry, I don\'t remember your name."'|D5]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> Jen laughs. "We're such boring people." You laugh too, hoping it doesn't sound too forced. "Yeah, that's me, super boring." "Well," Jen says, "since your time is limited, I don't want to take up too much of it. Go forth and enjoy the party!" <<link [['"Thanks!"'|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>> <<case 1>> This is one of the few things you've said in this conversation that's totally true. You were so busy with work, in fact, that you forgot to keep track of the phases of the moon, which is why you are in this predicament. "Yeah?" Jen says. "I wouldn't have expected that." "It's far enough into the school year now that everyone's started doing field trips." "I guess that makes sense," she says. Both of you are silent for a moment, and then Jen says, "Anyway, I don't want to keep you from the rest of the party for too long, so... go party!" <<link [['"Thanks!"'|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Cool," says Jen. "See you later!" <<link [['"Thanks!"'|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>> <<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> You attempt to make this clearer by gesturing in the general direction of Dana's boyfriend. It's not //not// awkward, but it could be worse. "Mine," says the boyfriend. "I just adopted him last week." (So he does talk, after all.) "Cool!" you say. All's well that ends well, you guess, but this whole name thing has rattled you, so you exchange a few more pleasantries and then [[make your escape.|transitiontransition]] <<case 1>> Dana gives you kind of a funny look, since people don't usually excitedly tell you about dogs that are some random other person's. "He's mine, actually," says the boyfriend. "I just adopted him last week." (So he does talk, after all.) "Cool!" you say. That wasn't so bad, you guess, but this whole name thing has rattled you, so you exchange a few more pleasantries and then [[make your escape.|transitiontransition]] <<case 2>> You take a wild guess at the boyfriend's name, but it is immediately obvious that you guessed wrong. You can practically see the couple's thought processes move, in tandem, from "who the fuck is James" to "//oh//" to "welp, now what?" They exchange a brief look. At last, the boyfriend clears his throat. "My, uh, my name is Josh, actually," he says. "Oh!" you say. "I'm so sorry." "No worries," he says. There don't seem to be any lasting hard feelings, at least, but wow, you feel like you've been run over by a truck carrying ten tons of pure distilled shame. You make your excuses and slink off to [[lick your wounds|transitiontransition]] (metaphorically, still, at this time of night). <<case 3>> <<run State.metadata.set('dana', true);>> "It's Josh," Dana's boyfriend says. "Anyway, Simon is my dog--I adopted him last week." "But he //will// be my dog too when we move in together in May," Dana adds. "Oh, cool," you say. "Congrats." That was... actually not bad at all? But this whole name thing has rattled you, so you exchange a few more pleasantries and then [[make your escape.|transitiontransition]] <</switch>>

<<if $timeVar gt 29 and $timeVar lt 36 and $transition1 is false>> <<goto "TransitionPassage1">> <<elseif $timeVar gt 59 and $timeVar lt 76 and $transition2 is false>> <<goto "TransitionPassage2">> <<elseif tags(previous()).includes("basement")>> <<goto "downstairs">> <<else>> <<goto "PartyMain">> <</if>>

George<<if $talkedGeorge is false>>, the bartender,<</if>> hands someone an elaborate cocktail. The recipient immediately trips over a discarded beer bottle and spills the drink on the floor. George looks like he might cry. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

George sees you looking in his direction and waves. <<if $talkedGeorge is false>>[[Now you feel obligated to talk to him|George]].<<else>>You wave back. The whole thing is a little weird, but oh well. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<set $guestSuspicion += 2>> [[Return|transitiontransition]] <</if>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Aw, really?" George says, with an exaggerated frown. "Here I brought my whole collection--" he waves a hand at the bottles-- "and all night everyone's just been asking for the most basic drinks. Vodka cranberries, screwdrivers... there's no //technique// to stuff like that!" He seems really disappointed about this, but you don't know a lot about cocktails, so you can't think of anything more impressive to ask him for. <<link [['"I\'m sorry, but I really do just want the gin and tonic."'|G2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += 5>><<set $alcoholLevel += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Okay, then, make me something else."'|G2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Actually, can you tell me about the punch?"'|G1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh, I don't even remember half of what I put in it," he says. "There's definitely Midori, which, I //know// everyone thinks it's tacky, but I swear the new stuff really is better." You did not know that everyone thinks Midori is tacky. You're honestly not sure what Midori is. "Anyway," he says, "there's also quite a lot of vodka." <<link [['"Cool, I\'d like to try it."'|G2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Sounds like a bit too much for me. Can you make me a cocktail instead?"'|G2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Actually, maybe I\'ll just have a Coke."'|G1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Aw, really?" he says, with an exaggerated frown. "I mean, if you're not drinking tonight, that's cool, but I can do mocktails too, and no one's been letting me do anything interesting. It's all rum and Coke or vodka and lemonade--simple, two-ingredient stuff. Where's the fun in that?" He's clearly playing it up a bit for comedic effect, but you think he really is disappointed. You also don't really know any complicated cocktails, virgin or otherwise. <<link [['"Uh... could I get a Shirley Temple?"'|G2]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += 3>><</link>> <<link [['"You know what, go wild."'|G2]]>><<set $convDir to 4>><</link>> <<link [['"No, I really just want that Coke."'|G2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Okay," says George, sounding disappointed. He pours your drink and hands it to you. <<link [[You go back to the party.|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Okay," says George, rolling up his sleeves, "what do you like? Give me a general direction here." <<link [['"Something fruit-flavored and not that alcoholic?"'|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Something really strong?"'|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Just make me whatever you want to make."'|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += 3>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Sure thing," says George. He ladles some punch into a cup and hands it to you. Up close, you can tell it smells like lime, and there's some other fruity note that you can't quite place. It also smells very strongly of vodka; George was not exaggerating there. <<link [[Drink it.|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><</link>> <<link [[On second thought, don't drink it.|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 4>><</link>> <<case 3>> You can take or leave Shirley Temples, honestly, but it's the only mocktail you know. "No problem," says George, but you can tell he's not enthused about it. Nevertheless, he mixes up your soda and grenadine and hands the cup to you. You thank him and <<link [[head back toward the main party action|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>. <<case 4>> "Okay," he says, "but what do you like? Give me something to go on." <<link [['"Something fruity?"'|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 5>><</link>> <<link [['"Something Halloween-y?"'|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 6>><</link>> <<link [['"Just make whatever you want to make."'|G3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += 3>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<if $snacks is 5>><<goto "snackend">><</if>> <<if $snackfirst is false>> <<set $snackfirst to true>> After a long night of partying, you're finally home, and fully transformed into a wolf. You're tired enough that you don't feel the need to go out and run around the park like you sometimes do. You are, however, hungry like the proverbial wolf. (This despite any snacks you may have eaten at the party--transformation seems to burn a lot of calories.) Before you sprawl out on the couch and go to sleep, you'll need to eat. But as soon as you pad into the kitchen, you realize your second major mistake of the night: you were so distracted by the party that you forgot to leave any food out for yourself. Everything's in the pantry, or worse, the fridge, and you don't have opposable thumbs. <<else>> You look around the kitchen and try to think about ways to get snacks. <<if $snacks gt 0>>Now you've eaten something, you're feeling kind of thirsty. Of course, you didn't remember to put any water out for yourself, either. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $bars is false>>[[Try to open the cabinets.|Cabinets]] <</if>> <<if $fridge is false>>[[Try to open the fridge.|Fridge]] <</if>> <<if $chips is false>>[[Try to get the bag of chips that's on top of the fridge.|Chips]] <</if>> [[Go into the living room.|LivingRoom]] <<if $snacks gt 0 and $water is false>> [[Try to turn the tap on.|Sink]]<</if>>

"You're a werewolf," Morgan says. You nod. No point trying to deny it now. "What are you //doing// here?" she hisses. "It's the full moon!" "Yeah, but it's not really dangerous, I don't think? I've never had the urge to savage anyone, or anything." Morgan takes you by the arm and starts steering you towards the door. "This is the problem with people who get turned into things, as opposed to just being things. You're like little babies, you don't know anything." [['"So it is dangerous?"'|MorganBadEnd2]]

"Not in the sense that you're likely to kill anyone, no, but if you transformed in front of normal people, do you have any idea how much of a headache that would be for the rest of us? No, obviously you don't, or you wouldn't be doing this." "How much of a headache would it be?" Morgan sighs. "We're wasting time. You need to go home, //now//." So you go home, because what else are you going to do, actually have an argument with someone? The very thought of it fills you with dread. And now board game night is just going to be awkward whenever you and Morgan are both there. ''[[END|Endings]]'' <<run State.metadata.set('morganend', true);>><<run State.metadata.set('completedonce', true);>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Have you checked out the snack table yet?" she says. "I made the garlic puffs." <<if $ateSnacks is true>>You have, but have not tried the garlic puffs,<<else>>You have not,<</if>> and you tell her so. "You should try them!" she says. "Unless you're allergic?" It occurs to you that, just as you can sense something weird about her, maybe //she// can sense something weird about //you//. Maybe she's trying to figure out if you're a vampire. ... Or maybe she just knows someone with an allium allergy. It also occurs to you that you don't know if it is a good idea to eat garlic on a wolfy night. It's bad for dogs, right? <<link [['"I\'ll be sure to try it later!"'|M2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not in a garlic kind of mood right now."'|M2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> This comes out sounding incredibly false to your ears, but you can't tell how convincing it is or isn't to anyone else. "Uh-huh," says Morgan. "Anyway, have you checked out the snack table yet? I made the garlic puffs." <<if $ateSnacks is true>>You have, but have not tried the garlic puffs,<<else>>You have not,<</if>> and you tell her so. "You should try them!" she says. "Unless you're allergic?" It occurs to you that, just as you can sense something weird about her, maybe //she// can sense something weird about //you//. Maybe she's trying to figure out if you're a vampire. ... Or maybe she just knows someone with an allium allergy. It also occurs to you that you don't know if it is a good idea to eat garlic on a wolfy night. It's bad for dogs, right? <<link [['"I\'ll be sure to try it later!"'|M2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not in a garlic kind of mood right now."'|M2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "In //what// sort of thing?" she says. "Oh, you know, that the full moon, like... means something?" Morgan rolls her eyes. "I just thought it was a neat coincidence. Anyway," she adds, "have you checked out the snack table yet? I made the garlic puffs." <<if $ateSnacks is true>>You have, but have not tried the garlic puffs,<<else>>You have not,<</if>> and you tell her so. "You should try them!" she says. "Unless you're allergic?" It occurs to you that, just as you can sense something weird about her, maybe //she// can sense something weird about //you//. Maybe she's trying to figure out if you're a vampire. ... Or maybe she just knows someone with an allium allergy. It also occurs to you that you don't know if it is a good idea to eat garlic on a wolfy night. It's bad for dogs, right? <<link [['"I\'ll be sure to try it later!"'|M2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not in a garlic kind of mood right now."'|M2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Coming right up," George says. You watch with some fascination as he puts a bunch of things in a cocktail shaker, shakes it, puts more things in it, shakes it some more, and then decants the result into a glass. He tops it up with soda water and hands it to you. It smells mostly like apples. "Here you go," he says. "<<if $gintonic is true>>It's still a gin and tonic, more or less. Just with some extras. <</if>>I promise I went light on the gin." You thank him and, drink in hand, <<link [[return to the party|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><<set $alcoholLevel += 1>><</link>>. <<run State.metadata.set('george', true);>> <<case 1>> "You sure?" he asks, which you can't really fault him for, since this isn't usual for you. But you assure him that it is indeed what you want, and he, on the foolish assumption that you are a responsible adult and know your limits, obliges. He mixes up a ridiculous number of ingredients, of which you think at least five are alcohol, and hands you the result. "It's a Zombie," he says. "Thematically appropriate, you know? Just, uh, don't overdo it." You thank him and, drink in hand, <<link [[return to the party|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><<set $alcoholLevel +=2>><</link>>. <<case 2>> "Half the fun is in tailoring the drink to the drinker," he says, "but sure, if you insist." He makes you something involving club soda and several syrups that come out of little hand-labeled bottles, and hands it to you. You thank him and take an experimental sip. It's a little too bitter for your tastes, but if you don't ask for what you want, then you get what you get, as your mother would probably say if she were here. Oh, well--<<link [[back to the party|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><<set $alcoholLevel +=2>><</link>>. <<case 3>> You sip the punch. It might actually be delicious if there weren't so much vodka in it, you think. But flavor isn't really the point here. You finish it off relatively quickly and <<link [[return to the party|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><<set $alcoholLevel +=2>><</link>>. <<case 4>> You decide that this is, in fact, more alcohol than you can handle, but it seems too awkward to tell George that now. You thank him and walk away, then, trying to be surreptitious, set the cup down behind Jen's potted ficus. As you straighten up, though, you catch a glimpse of George looking in your direction. Did he see that? <<link [[Oh well, nothing you can do about it now.|transitiontransition]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += 5>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>. <<case 5>> "No problem," he says. He pours a glass of apple cider, adds some mysterious syrups from tiny hand-labeled bottles, stirs it up, and hands it to you. You catch a faint whiff of caramel along with the scent of apples. <<run State.metadata.set('george', true);>> You thank him and <<link [[return to the party|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>. <<case 6>> "Absolutely," he says. He surveys his collection of ingredients for a while, and then gets to work. The end result is something that looks a lot like the punch, but presumably without the vodka. As a finishing touch, he impales a gummy worm on a swizzle stick and puts it in the glass. "Enjoy!" he says, handing it to you. <<run State.metadata.set('george', true);>> You thank him and <<link [[return to the party|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>. <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Cool," she says, "let me know what you think of them! It's a new recipe." You assure her that you will. She then asks if you have any fun plans coming up, to which you truthfully say no. "I'm going hiking in the state park next weekend," she says. "Do you ever go? It's good to just be out in nature sometimes, I feel." You're more of an indoor sort of person, although in wolf form you do get this urge to run around the nearest park. So it's less werewolfy to say no, right? But maybe she's trying to find out if you're some kind of nature spirit and so you should say yes to keep her off the scent? ... Or maybe you're overthinking it and she really just wants to know how you feel about hiking. <<link [['"Yeah, totally. Fresh air, right?"'|M3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not a big fan of going outside, honestly."'|M3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m more into swimming, personally."'|M3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh well, no worries, then!" she says. "Anyway, got any fun plans coming up?" You truthfully tell her that you don't. "I'm going hiking in the state park next weekend," she says. "Do you ever go? It's good to just be out in nature sometimes, I feel." You're more of an indoor sort of person, although in wolf form you do get this urge to run around the nearest park. So it's more werewolfy to say no, right? But maybe she's trying to find out if you're some kind of nature spirit and so you should say yes to keep her off the scent? ... Or maybe you're overthinking it and she really just wants to know how you feel about hiking. <<link [['"Yeah, totally. Fresh air, right?"'|M3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m not a big fan of going outside, honestly."'|M3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m more into swimming, personally."'|M3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Right," she says. "You know, I can add you to my hiking-buddies group chat if you're interested." Unfortunately, at this point you feel like you have to say yes. "Great, I'll--" she starts to say, but just then her necklace... snags on something? It all happens very quickly and you're not quite sure what you saw. The necklace skitters over and lands by your feet. "Hey, sorry, but could you get that for me?" she says. The necklace is probably silver, or at least silver-plated. You and silver do not get along right now. But you're not sure you can think of a good excuse to say no. <<link [['"I can\'t, I have, uh. A skin condition?"'|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<link [[Pick it up and hand it back to her as fast as possible.|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [[Try to pick it up with your sleeve over your hand.|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh," she says, "that's too bad. If you ever change your mind, I can add you to my hiking-buddies group chat--" Just then, her necklace... snags on something? It all happens very quickly and you're not quite sure what you saw. The necklace skitters over and lands by your feet. "Hey, sorry, but could you get that for me?" she says. The necklace is probably silver, or at least silver-plated. You and silver do not get along right now. But you're not sure you can think of a good excuse to say no. <<link [['"I can\'t, I have, uh. A skin condition?"'|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<link [[Pick it up and hand it back to her as fast as possible.|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [[Try to pick it up with your sleeve over your hand.|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (5 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "I see," she says, as if this means something significant to her. "Are you more of a beach person or a pool person?" Well, at least you're away from werewolfy topics now. You have no idea where this one's leading, though. <<link [['"Well, the pool is more convenient?"'|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"The ocean, I guess? Chlorine is so hard on my skin."'|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh... no preference?"'|M4]]>><<set $convDir to 5>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

Morgan sees you standing there looking lost and heads over. <<if $talkedMorgan is false>>She is uncomfortably perceptive and has a weird aura, which is exactly what you need right now, but she's seen you see her coming and if you leave it will be obvious you're avoiding her. [[You brace yourself.|MorganConvo]]<<else>>She asks you some questions about your feelings on bread. You're not sure what she's getting at, but you do your best to answer.<</if>> <<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

You see Jess approach Tank, who's been monopolizing the Rockin' Out! drumset for at least the past 20 minutes. You can't quite make out what they're saying, but the conversation seems to get a bit heated. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> You pick the necklace up and try not to grimace in pain. Morgan holds out her hand and you drop the necklace into it, doing your best to hold your hand at an angle that doesn't show the welt you now have across your palm. Ouch. "Thanks," she says. Her expression is unreadable. Could she tell any of that was weird? You have no idea. The two of you make small talk for a little longer, but it's clear that whatever she was trying to do, she's done now. Before you head off towards other, hopefully less stressful conversations, she says, "I'm doing tarot readings later--I'm planning to start around 9. You should come by!" <<link [['"Uh, yeah, maybe. See you later!"'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<case 1>> You tug your sleeve down over your hand and try to pick up the necklace without making direct contact. It takes you a couple tries to get a hold on it. Morgan watches you, but doesn't say anything. You clumsily drop the necklace into her outstretched hand. "Thanks!" she says, continuing not to ask what all that was about. The two of you make small talk for a little longer, but it's clear that whatever she was trying to do, she's done now. Before you head off towards other, hopefully less stressful conversations, she says, "I'm doing tarot readings later--I'm planning to start around 9. You should come by!" <<link [['"Uh, yeah, maybe. See you later!"'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<case 2>> "A skin condition?" she says. "Yeah, you know, I'm allergic to some metals." That's a thing, right? You're pretty sure it's a thing. "It's sterling silver," she says. "It's hypoallergenic." "I'm allergic to silver," you say. Morgan sighs. "Look, I'm not stupid, you know? You can stop playing games." [['"I don\'t know what you mean?"'|MorganBadEnd]] <<case 3>> Maybe it's your imagination, but you think she looks disappointed for a second. But she says, "Yeah, fair enough. Especially in places like this, where it's cold half the year." The two of you make small talk for a little longer, but it's clear that whatever she was trying to do, she's done now. You don't think she's figured anything out, one way or another? Before you head off towards other, hopefully less stressful conversations, she says, "I'm doing tarot readings later--I'm planning to start around 9. You should come by!" <<link [['"Uh, yeah, maybe. See you later!"'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<case 4>> Morgan smiles conspiratorially. "I know," she says, "taking care of your skin is //so// important." <<run State.metadata.set ('morgan', true)>> Does she think you're a selkie now? You think she might think you're a selkie. You didn't do that on purpose, but hey, you'll take it. The two of you make small talk for a little longer, but it's clear that whatever she was trying to do, she's done now. Before you head off towards other, hopefully less stressful conversations, she says, "I'm doing tarot readings later--I'm planning to start around 9. You should come by!" <<link [['"Uh, yeah, maybe. See you later!"'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<case 5>> Maybe it's your imagination, but you think she looks disappointed for a second. But she says, "Fair enough! Both of them have their pros and cons, right?" The two of you make small talk for a little longer, but it's clear that whatever she was trying to do, she's done now. You don't think she's figured anything out, one way or another? Before you head off towards other, hopefully less stressful conversations, she says, "I'm doing tarot readings later--I'm planning to start around 9. You should come by!" <<run State.metadata.set('morgan', true);>> <<link [['"Uh, yeah, maybe. See you later!"'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <</switch>>

Roger is dressed as a mad scientist, you guess? Or just a scientist. He's wearing a lab coat, in any case. It's a costume about as half-assed as yours is. You sit down next to him and ask him how it's going. "Not bad," he says, "except for how much I hate my job." <<set $talkedRoger to true>> <<link [['"Yeah, me too."'|R1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Remind me what you do, again?"'|R1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> Elena gives you a really weird look, but she cuts you a slice of the pie, puts it on a little paper plate, and hands it to you. You try to make up for the weirdness by enthusing about how good it is, but you're not sure that helped at all. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <<case 1>> "That's okay!" Elena says. "I thought the cupcakes were really good too, for what it's worth." You thank her and take a cupcake. Privately, you feel that there's a little too much of the orange frosting, but the cake part //is// really good. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <<case 2>> You pull your sleeve down over your hand and awkwardly pick up the cake server. Elena looks confused, but doesn't comment. You transfer the pie slice to a plate and then drop the cake server like it might bite you. You try to make up for the weirdness by enthusing about how good the pie is, and this does seem to distract Elena a little, but you're a little more on edge now than you were five minutes ago. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <<case 3>> You pick up the cheese knife and wipe it off with a paper napkin. "Uh, there's a cake server right--" Elena begins, but you're already slicing the pie. It's a lot messier to transfer it to the plate with a knife rather than a cake server, but you manage. You wipe the knife off again and put it back. You try to make up for the weirdness by enthusing about how good the pie is, but you're not sure that helped at all. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> You complain a bit about working at the museum, concluding, "I didn't go into archaeology to //talk to people// all day, you know?" "Talking to people sucks," he agrees. "But this is just while you're in school, right? I'm just stuck in Customer Satisfaction with no end in sight." This is awkward, because you dropped out of your PhD program after the whole werewolf incident, but you haven't really been broadcasting this fact. Also, Roger clearly wants to vent and maybe you should let him instead of making it all about yourself? But also also, maybe you shouldn't lie about stuff if it's not strictly necessary. <<link [['"Yeah, I guess it's only temporary!"'|R2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I, uh, I'm not in school anymore, actually."'|R2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Customer Satisfaction sounds like some Grade-A corporate bullshit."'|R2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I'm in 'Customer Satisfaction' at a tech company," he says, doing air quotes around the department name. "The company doesn't respect anyone who's not a programmer, and the customers don't respect anyone, period." You agree that dealing with the public is the worst. "But at least for you it's just while you're in school, right?" he says. This is awkward, because you dropped out of your PhD program after the whole werewolf incident, but you haven't really been broadcasting this fact. Also, Roger clearly wants to vent and maybe you should let him instead of making it all about yourself? But also also, maybe you shouldn't lie about stuff if it's not strictly necessary. <<link [['"Yeah, I guess it's only temporary!"'|R2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I, uh, I'm not in school anymore, actually."'|R2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Customer Satisfaction sounds like some Grade-A corporate bullshit."'|R2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Good, good," she says. "Mia, right?" You nod. She looks over your costume, clearly looking for something to talk about to keep the conversation going; her eyes land on your bracelet. "I love your bracelet," she says. "Is that cuneiform?" <<link [['"Yeah, it\'s from the museum. The archaeology museum, where I work."'|Rach2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $archaeology to true>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks! Are you into ancient history, or...?"'|Rach2]]>><<set $history to true>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh, thank you!" she says. "Belle was always my favorite princess, because I'm a huge nerd." "Yeah, me too," you say. "Your costume is also cute-- oh, and I love your bracelet! Is that cuneiform?" <<link [['"Yeah, it\'s from the museum. The archaeology museum, where I work."'|Rach2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $archaeology to true>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks! Are you into ancient history, or...?"'|Rach2]]>><<set $history to true>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Yeah, it's been great!" she says. "Mia, right?" You nod. She looks over your costume, clearly looking for something to talk about to keep the conversation going. "I love your bracelet. Is that cuneiform?" <<link [['"Yeah, it\'s from the museum. The archaeology museum, where I work."'|Rach2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $archaeology to true>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks! Are you into ancient history, or...?"'|Rach2]]>><<set $history to true>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> This definitely comes out sounding strained, and Roger looks a bit puzzled, but he's not going to let it stop him venting. He launches into a recounting of all the stupid shit he's had to put up with lately, which you have to agree is frankly an unreasonable amount of stupid shit. "And this one guy wanted my full name because he was going to talk to my manager or whatever," he says, "but I just could not get him to understand that 'Yu' is my whole entire last name, it's not, like, the initial 'U'." He sighs. "I just wish I could get out, but I feel like all I'm qualified for is other customer service jobs that also suck." <<link [['"You could try applying for other stuff and see what happens?"'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"You could train for something else? Like, get a certification?"'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Yeah, that\'s a tough one."'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh, shit, I'm sorry," he says. "If you told me about it and I forgot--" "No, I've been, uh, keeping it pretty quiet. I don't really like to talk about it." Roger takes the hint and changes the subject back to his job. He launches into a recounting of all the stupid shit he's had to put up with lately, which you have to agree is frankly an unreasonable amount of stupid shit. "And this one guy wanted my full name because he was going to talk to my manager or whatever," he says, "but I just could not get him to understand that 'Yu' is my whole entire last name, it's not, like, the initial 'U'." He sighs. "I just wish I could get out, but I feel like all I'm qualified for is other customer service jobs that also suck." <<link [['"You could try applying for other stuff and see what happens?"'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"You could train for something else? Like, get a certification?"'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Yeah, that\'s a tough one."'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Oh, it is //absolutely// that," Roger says. He launches into a recounting of all the stupid shit he's had to put up with lately, which you have to agree is frankly an unreasonable amount of stupid shit. "And this one guy wanted my full name because he was going to talk to my manager or whatever," he says, "but I just could not get him to understand that 'Yu' is my whole entire last name, it's not, like, the initial 'U'." He sighs. "I just wish I could get out, but I feel like all I'm qualified for is other customer service jobs that also suck." <<link [['"You could try applying for other stuff and see what happens?"'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"You could train for something else? Like, get a certification?"'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Yeah, that\'s a tough one."'|R3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "I mean, I've //tried//, but I never hear back. Though I don't know if it's the qualifications or the fact that I don't know how networking, uh, works." <<link [['"I think it\'s pretty different in regular jobs than in academia."'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, if I figure it out, I'll tell you."'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I think the museum has an open position right now?"'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I know, I always feel tempted for a minute when I see those ads for certification courses for some job or other, but then I think about it for a minute and realize that I don't actually want to be a social worker or a bartender or whatever." You ask him what he //does// want to do. "I honestly wish I knew. But even if I figured it out, my qualifications are still garbage and I don't know how to network." <<link [['"I think it\'s pretty different in regular jobs than in academia."'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, if I figure it out, I'll tell you."'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I think the museum has an open position right now?"'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "It really is," he says. "And besides the qualifications, there's also //networking//, which seems like a requirement for getting any job these days, but I don't actually know how to do it." <<link [['"I think it\'s pretty different in regular jobs than in academia."'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, if I figure it out, I'll tell you."'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I think the museum has an open position right now?"'|R4]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "I don't think anything I know about it would be applicable to you," you explain. Not that you're actually good at it, in any case. "That's okay," he says, "I wasn't looking for, like, a career seminar. I just wanted to complain a bit." You listen sympathetically for a little longer, but there's only so much of this kind of thing you can take. You wish him luck with the whole job thing and <<link [[head out to see what else is going on|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>. <<case 1>> It comes out a little sharper than you intended, and Roger looks a little taken aback, but he gives an awkward laugh and the conversation moves on. You listen sympathetically to his job woes for a little longer, but there's only so much of this kind of thing you can take. You wish him luck with the whole thing and <<link [[head out to see what else is going on|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>. <<case 2>> "Is it like a front desk thing, or...?" "Back office, I think? Some kind of admin thing?" You wish you'd looked more closely at the listing when it showed up in your email. "I'm not sure I'm qualified for that, but I guess I can give it a shot anyway." "There you go," you say, "you networked." Roger returns to the subject of his current job, and you listen sympathetically for a while, but there's only so much of this kind of thing you can take. You wish him luck with the whole thing and <<link [[head out to see what else is going on|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>>. <<run State.metadata.set('roger', true);>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> Morgan narrows her eyes. "If you're not going to take this seriously, I'm not going to continue." You apologize, and she turns over the next card. "The Eight of Cups, reversed," she says. The picture for this one also has the moon in it. Seriously? "Fear of change," Morgan continues. "You've been through some big changes lately, but you're not able to accept them. Because of that, you can't move forward with your life." She looks up at you, her gaze unsettlingly direct. "What do you think has changed?" <<link [['"I dropped out of grad school."'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I developed a... health condition."'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Not much, really?"'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Yes, I suppose that could be it," Morgan says. She sounds a little disappointed, but she goes ahead and turns over the next card. "The Eight of Cups, reversed," she says. The picture for this one also has the moon in it. Seriously? "Fear of change," Morgan continues. "You've been through some big changes lately, but you're not able to accept them. Because of that, you can't move forward with your life." She looks up at you, her gaze unsettlingly direct. "What do you think has changed?" <<link [['"I still think this is about the grad school thing."'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I developed a... health condition."'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Not much, really?"'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Oh, really," Morgan says. She doesn't sound like she believes you. You don't say anything, and after a moment, she turns over the next card. "The Eight of Cups, reversed," she says. The picture for this one also has the moon in it. Seriously? "Fear of change," Morgan continues. "You've been through some big changes lately, but you're not able to accept them. Because of that, you can't move forward with your life." <<link [['"I dropped out of grad school."'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I developed a... health condition."'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Not much, really?"'|Tarot3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Right," says Morgan, and turns over the final card. "Four of wands," she says. (This one, at least, is completely free of wolves and/or moons.) "Community and support. What will help you the most right now is to reach out to other people. Shore up old connections, maybe make some new ones." She pauses for a moment. "If you don't mind me editorializing a little," she says, "I think you have a lot of people you're friendly with, but very few friends. When you go through upheavals like this in the future, it will be easier if you've built a support network, you know? Although of course, you have to be willing to support them, in turn." <<link [['"I didn\'t ask for your advice."'|Tarot4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks. I\'ll... I\'ll think about that."'|Tarot4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> Morgan gives you a bit of a funny look, but she turns over the final card. "Four of wands," she says. (This one, at least, is completely free of wolves and/or moons.) "Community and support. What will help you the most right now is to reach out to other people. Shore up old connections, maybe make some new ones." She pauses for a moment. "If you don't mind me editorializing a little," she says, "I think you have a lot of people you're friendly with, but very few friends. When you go through upheavals like this in the future, it will be easier if you've built a support network, you know? Although of course, you have to be willing to support them, in turn." <<link [['"I didn\'t ask for your advice."'|Tarot4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks. I\'ll... I\'ll think about that."'|Tarot4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> Morgan heaves a sigh. "Okay, I've had enough of this. You can stop playing dumb--you're not good at it." Unfortunately, you've already committed to that strategy, and you can't think of another one on the fly. [['"I don\'t know what you mean?"'|MorganBadEnd]] <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> Morgan shuts her eyes and breathes in deeply through her nose. (She's making an effort not to yell at you, you think.) "You asked me to do a reading for you," she says. "There's always interpretation involved." You apologize and, figuring there's no salvaging the situation, <<link [[take your leave|PartyMain]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<case 1>> "Hey," she says, "good luck. With whatever you're dealing with." You thank her and <<link [[take your leave|PartyMain]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Oh, sorry!" says Jen. "I didn't realize--I thought I saw you eating a brownie at game night last week?" <<link [['"No, that can\'t have been me."'|Snacks3b]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Sometimes you've just got to decide what's worth it."'|Snacks3b]]<<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> It's kind of a bad idea, but you can't resist the peanut butter, so you accept one anyway. It's going to make you feel a little ill later, but oh well. <<link [[Return|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Fair enough!" says Jen. You cast one last wistful glance at the peanut butter, then grab some cheese and crackers and <<link [[walk away|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>>. <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Right," says Jen. "Sorry." The mood has gotten awkward, so you grab some cheese and crackers and <<link [[walk away|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>>. <<case 1>> "Oh, yeah, my sister who's lactose-intolerant said something like that, too. I guess you're not very allergic?" "Yeah, only a little," you say. You cast one last wistful glance at the peanut butter, then grab some cheese and crackers and <<link [[walk away|PartyMain]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>>. <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Oh," he says. "Uh. Yeah. That's... that's understandable." He walks off. You feel kind of bad, but you are just super not in the mood for this tonight. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I don't know, just... something. Anything. Please?" <<link [['"I\'m sorry, I don\'t think I can handle this right now."'|B1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh... why don\'t we go get a drink."'|B1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Right, so, uh... how about those board games?"'|B2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> You lead Bowman over to George, who quickly whips him up a drink. <<if $talkedGeorge is true and $alcoholLevel is 2>>(You don't ask for one; you've had enough already.)<<elseif $talkedGeorge is true and $alcoholLevel is 1>>(You're briefly tempted to get one yourself, but you've decided you're not drinking tonight.)<<else>>(You might come back later to get one for yourself, you think.)<</if>> Bowman drinks his cocktail, and gets... well, not calmer, exactly. Less twitchy and more angry. You try to provide a sympathetic ear while he complains about Derek, who, you soon gather, is the one who instigated the breakup. "And I was willing to //try//, you know?" he says. "Even though he did shit like asking for my opinion and not actually listening to it, and then if I turned out to be right later he wouldn't even acknowledge it, like with that stupid tattoo that I //told// him was a bad idea. And even though he never got home when he said he would in the evenings, and I kept ending up being the one who had to feed Asmodeus his frozen dead mice, which, by the way, was disgusting." <<link [['"Asmodeus?"'|B2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"That\'s, uh... that\'s rough, buddy."'|B2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"You know what, I\'m sorry, but I can\'t do this right now."'|B1]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> You make awkward small talk for a while, but you don't think it's doing anything good for either of you, honestly. At the first opportunity, you make your excuses and <<link [[leave|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<case 1>> "His pet snake," Bowman clarifies. "I don't even //like// snakes." "Anyway," he says, "I don't know what I'm going to do now, you know? I mean... with my social life? If he keeps going to game night there's no way I can go, and the Wednesday D&D group is //definitely// out." <<link [['"Yeah, uh, that\'s a tough one."'|B3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh... do you want to come over on Wednesday and play video games?"'|B3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe he\'ll stop coming to game night?"'|B3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> There's an awkward pause. "Anyway," Bowman says finally, "I don't know what I'm going to do now, you know? I mean... with my social life? If he keeps going to game night there's no way I can go, and the Wednesday D&D group is //definitely// out." <<link [['"Yeah, uh, that\'s a tough one."'|B3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh... do you want to come over on Wednesday and play video games?"'|B3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe he\'ll stop coming to game night?"'|B3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Yeah," he says. "Yeah, it is." Thinking about this seems to have made him go from angry to morose, and you don't get much more conversation out of him. After a couple minutes of trying, <<link [[you give up|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<case 1>> He looks at you like he's drowning and you've just thrown him a life preserver. "Really?" "Sure," you say. It's not like you have a lot going on in your life other than the board game group, yourself. Maybe it'll be good for both of you. <<run State.metadata.set ('bowman', true)>> This prospect calms him down a bit, but once he's no longer in a ranting mood he can't think of much to say. You wish him the best of luck with everything and <<link [[head back to where the party action is|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<case 2>> "Sure," he says, "but what if he doesn't?" Thinking about this seems to have made him go from angry to morose, and you don't get much more conversation out of him. After a couple minutes of trying, <<link [[you give up|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "There's some stuff here that I've been dying to try out," Taylor says. "Like Marduk, Donut Destruction Derby, or Warlords of the Noble Sea." <<link [['"What\'s Marduk?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $marduk to true>><</link>> <<link [['"What\'s Donut Destruction Derby?"'|T2]]>><<set $donut to true>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"What\'s Warlords of the Noble Sea?"'|T2]]>><<set $warlords to true>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "We could do a shorter game," Taylor says. "Like Donut Destruction Derby or Marduk." <<link [['"What\'s Marduk?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $marduk to true>><</link>> <<link [['"What\'s Donut Destruction Derby?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $donut to true>><</link>> <<link [['"No, I think I\'d better not."'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "It's an ancient-Babylon-themed deckbuilding game. I hear that it has a lot of layers of complexity once you get into it, but you can pick up enough to play a basic game pretty quickly." Hmm. You //are// a sucker for ancient Babylon. <<link [['"I want to try this one."'|T3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<if $donut is false>> <<link [['"What\'s Donut Destruction Derby?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<else>> <<link [['"I want to try Donut Destruction Derby."'|T3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $warlords is false>> <<link [['"What\'s Warlords of the Noble Sea?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<else>> <<link [['"I want to try Warlords of the Noble Sea."'|T3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [['"Actually, I\'m not really in the mood for a game."'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "It's a party game where you're trying to get rid of all the cards in your hand and stop the other players from doing the same. The mechanics are really simple, but the cards have little cartoon donuts beating each other up, which is fun. You can play a round in about 15 minutes." <<set $donut to true>> <<link [['"I want to try this one."'|T3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<if $marduk is false>> <<link [['"What\'s Marduk?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<else>> <<link [['"I want to try Marduk."'|T3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>><</if>> <<if $warlords is false>> <<link [['"What\'s Warlords of the Noble Sea?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<else>> <<link [['"I want to try Warlords of the Noble Sea."'|T3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [['"Actually, I\'m not really in the mood for a game."'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "It's a competillaborative sword-and-sorcery game where the players are warlords who have to team up to fight dragons and other monsters, but you're still trying to be the one with the most gold and jewels at the end of the day. It's really complicated and it's not fast, but I would //really// love to play it." <<set $warlords to true>> <<link [['"I want to try this one."'|T3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 2>><</link>> <<if $marduk is false>> <<link [['"What\'s Marduk?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<else>> <<link [['"I want to try Marduk."'|T3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>><</if>> <<if $donut is false>> <<link [['"What\'s Donut Destruction Derby?"'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<else>> <<link [['"I want to try Donut Destruction Derby."'|T3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [['"Actually, I\'m not really in the mood for a game."'|T2]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Oh well, that's okay," says Taylor. You chat with them for a little longer, but it's clearly strained, and at the first opportunity, you <<link [[make your escape|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 5>><<addmins 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> The two of you set up Marduk and play a few hands. In the end, neither of you really wants to go through a full game at the expense of other party activities, but you have fun, and now you know how to play. "We should play this again sometime," Taylor says. "Get a full game in when there aren't so many distractions around." <<run State.metadata.set('taylor', true);>> <<link [['"Yeah, I\'d like that."'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 20>><<set $timeVar += 20>><</link>> <<case 1>> You deal out two hands for Donut Destruction Derby, and the two of you play a quick game. Taylor trounces you, but it's mostly luck, you think. You don't really feel a desire for a rematch; it was fun, but it's not the kind of thing you can spend too much time on consecutively. "It was great playing with you," Taylor says. "I'd love to try one of the more complicated games sometime, when there isn't so much else to do." <<run State.metadata.set('taylor', true);>> <<link [['"Yeah, I\'d like that."'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 15>><<set $timeVar += 15>><</link>> <<case 2>> <<goto "BoardGameBadEnd">> <</switch>>

You're really enjoying Warlords of the Noble Sea at first, but as 9:30 draws near and it becomes clear that you are absolutely not going to be finished anytime soon, you start to get nervous. At 9:25, you blurt out some kind of incomprehensible excuse about having to water your dog, and bolt. In addition to the hassle of transforming before you've gotten all the way home, which brings a whole host of logistical difficulties, you feel like you really could have gotten along with Taylor, except that now they probably think you're a weirdo who hated playing games with them so much that you made up a terrible excuse to get away. At least they don't go to the game night you go to. That's something, right? ''[[END|Endings]]'' <<run State.metadata.set('taylorend', true);>><<run State.metadata.set('completedonce', true);>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Aw, it's not junk, you did a good job!" she says. <<link [['"You don\'t have to lie to make me feel better."'|C2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Your dress is amazing. Did you make it?"'|C1]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks, but I should, uh... go."'|C1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Aw, thank you so much! I did make it," she says. She launches into an explanation of the sewing techniques and electrical wiring that went into it. <<link [['"Uh, yeah, sounds... impressive."'|C2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I wish I could do stuff like that."'|C2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"That\'s great, but I should, uh... go."'|C1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Sure, see you around!" She seems largely unruffled by this, so that's good, you guess. You really didn't know what to say about costumes, so this was probably the best outcome you were going to get. But you still feel weird about it. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "I'm not lying!" she insists. "I know you didn't exactly spend hours sewing it, but... there's people who put together last-minute costumes that look awful or you can't tell what they are, because they didn't have a good sense of what they could do in a few hours before a party. You picked something simple and recognizable that looks good on you. That's its own skill, you know?" <<link [['"Sure, I guess."'|C3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I just wish I could make stuff like your dress."'|C2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Thanks!" she says. You're not sure if she's too drunk to notice that you clearly have no idea what she's talking about, or if she's deliberately ignoring it. <<link [['"I wish I could make stuff like that."'|C2]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Anyway, I should, uh... go."'|C1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Hey, it's a learnable skill," she says. "Well, several learnable skills. Wait, is 'learnable' a word? Now that I've said it a couple times it sounds like gibberish." "I have no idea," you say. "The point is, you're not going to be able to make stuff like this, like, tomorrow, but you can start working towards it!" <<link [['"Yeah, probably."'|C3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t think I have time for that kind of thing."'|C3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Could you teach me?"'|C3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "It's true!" she insists. The conversation peters out after this, and you lamely say goodbye and head off to find <<link [[something else to do|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<case 1>> "I get that," she says. "It //is// one of my main hobbies, and I //do// devote a lot of time to it. If you have a lot of other stuff going on and you can't fit it in, that's cool." "Yeah," you say. You don't really have a //lot// else going on, but you're not convinced you could ever make a dress like that, even if you worked at it as much as Cassie does. The conversation peters out after this, and you lamely say goodbye and head off to find <<link [[something else to do|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<case 2>> Immediately after you say this, you start kicking yourself for being so presumptuous, but Cassie says, "Absolutely! You're going to want to have access to a sewing machine, anyway, and it would be ridiculous for you to spend $300 on one before you even know how to use it." "That does sound ridiculous," you say. "Any plans I make now I'm probably going to forget about by tomorrow, but we're friends on Facebook, right? Just message me and we can make plans." "Looking forward to it!" you say. You're kind of surprised to realize that it's true. This seems like a natural ending point for the conversation, so you say goodbye and head off to find <<link [[something else to do|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<run State.metadata.set('cassie', true);>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Oh, you know," she says, "it goes. How are you?" <<link [['"Oh, uh... I get by."'|I2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m okay. Great, actually."'|I2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Fine. Anyway, I need to go, uh... see a dog about a man."'|I1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (4 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I'm doing well," she says, and doesn't add //no thanks to you//, but you can practically hear the implication. After a too-long pause, she adds, "How are you?" <<link [['"Oh, uh... I get by."'|I2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m okay. Great, actually."'|I2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Fine. Anyway, I need to go, uh... see a dog about a man."'|I1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (4 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Okay," says Isabela. "Bye then." <<link [[You flee|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>>. <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "That's good," she says. "It's, uh... been raining a lot lately, huh?" <<link [['"Yeah, shitty weather, huh?"'|I3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Yeah, sure is a wet fall."'|I3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Yeah, totally. Anyway, I gotta go!"'|I1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (4 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh, really," she says. You don't respond. After a moment, she ventures, "It's, uh... been raining a lot lately, huh?" <<link [['"Yeah, shitty weather, huh?"'|I3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Yeah, sure is a wet fall."'|I3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Yeah, totally. Anyway, I gotta go!"'|I1]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (4 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Oh, I don't know," she says, "I kind of like it." A silence stretches out between you. <<link [['"Well, anyway, I should go now!"'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<link [['"You know, for whatever it\'s worth... I\'m sorry."'|I4]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I guess so," she says. A silence stretches out between you. <<link [['"Well, anyway, I should go now!"'|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<link [['"You know, for whatever it\'s worth... I\'m sorry."'|I4]]>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (3 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

Isabela looks at you, obviously surprised. "I was... I was going through some stuff at the time. I had some, uh, health stuff, and I ended up dropping out of school. And so at the time I was just thinking that I didn't want to burden you with it. But the way that I dumped you without telling you anything was shitty, and I'm sorry." "Thanks," she says, softly. "I-- I do appreciate you saying that." It doesn't seem like there's much more to say on the topic, or at least, if there is, this isn't the venue for it. But for once, <<link [[you leave the conversation feeling a bit better than you did before|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>. <<run State.metadata.set('isabela', true);>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Oh, me too!" she said. "I was having fun, and then the smoke alarm... Also, it's a real shame about those cookies." You agree that it's a tragic waste of a dessert. <<link [['"What was it you were saying about programming...?"'|Rach2a]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"What was it you were saying about languages...?"'|Rach2a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> Her face falls, but she quickly puts a smile back on. "Pretty good!" she says. "But I really wanted to finish that conversation we were having earlier." "So did I," you say. <<link [['"What was it you were saying about programming...?"'|Rach2a]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"What was it you were saying about languages...?"'|Rach2a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "It's mostly focused on local stuff," you explain, "but they had a special exhibit on Babylon a few months back." You had, admittedly, jumped at the chance to use your employee discount on some fun special-exhibit merch. "That sounds like a cool job," she says. <<link [['"It\'s not as cool as it sounds."'|Rach3]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I guess so."'|Rach3]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Thanks! What do you do?"'|Rach3]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Yeah--I mean, just as a hobby. I didn't study it in school or anything, but I just find it fascinating to read about. I'm especially interested in the the Celtiberians..." She starts laying out for you what she thinks are the most interesting points of the ancient Celtic cultures of what is now Spain and Portugal. Then she stops abruptly, smacking her forehead. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling. What about you?" <<link [['"I used to study archaeology."'|Rach3]]>><<set $convDir to 3>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<if $archaeology is false>><<link [['"I work at the archaeology museum."'|Rach2]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [['"I\'m really into languages."'|Rach3]]>><<set $convDir to 4>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "I kind of hate it, actually," you say. "But you can't do much else with a masters in archaeology." "Oh," she says. "I'm sorry." The conversation fizzles out, and you leave, feeling you've <<link [[blown your chance|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>>. <<case 1>> "No, it is!" she says. "I'm just a programmer, like half the people at this party." She waves a hand dramatically in a gesture that takes in the whole room. "All I do is mess around with database calls all day. Your job is much cooler." <<link [['"Yeah, but I don't like it."'|Rach3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<if $history is false>><<link [['"Thanks! Are you interested in ancient history, or...?"'|Rach2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [['"Honestly I wish I\'d studied linguistics instead. The ancient languages were always my favorite part."'|Rach3]]>><<set $convDir to 4>><</link>> <<case 2>> "I'm a programmer--like half the people at this party," she says, waving a hand dramatically in a gesture that takes in the whole room. "All I do is mess around with database calls all day. It's not as interesting as your job." <<link [['"My job is not that cool."'|Rach3]]>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<if $history is false>><<link [['"Thanks! Are you interested in ancient history, or...?"'|Rach2]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [['"Honestly I wish I\'d studied linguistics instead. The ancient languages were always my favorite part."'|Rach3]]>><<set $convDir to 4>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Although despite what movies would have you believe, you don't have to learn ancient languages," you add. "That's just a personal interest of mine." "That's awesome!" she says. "I probably shouldn't even try to talk about this stuff with you, I'm a total amateur. And I'm awful at languages, living or dead--recognizing what they look like is as far as I get." You're honestly a little thrown by this. You're not used to people thinking that you're cool, or just... assuming that you're good at things without you having to demonstrate. On the one hand, it's kind of a nice feeling, but on the other hand, it does put some pressure on you to keep seeming like a cool person. <<link [['"Maybe you could learn?"'|Rach4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, there are a lot of things I\'m not good at, too."'|Rach4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<case 4>> "Oh, I've always wished I were any good at languages, but I just don't seem to have a knack for it." You're honestly a little thrown by this. You're not used to people thinking that you're cool, or just... assuming that you're good at things without you having to demonstrate. On the one hand, it's kind of a nice feeling, but on the other hand, it does put some pressure on you to keep seeming like a cool person. <<link [['"Maybe you could learn?"'|Rach4]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, there are a lot of things I\'m not good at, too."'|Rach4]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<set $talkedRachel += 1>> <<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Maybe someday I'll have the time to really throw myself at a language," she says. "At least I should try to learn more about how they work. I feel like it would really enrich my--" Just then, the smoke alarm starts going off, and further conversation is impossible. It's deeply disappointing. You really wish Jen had been more attentive to whatever was on the stove, but oh well. You'll have to try to talk to Rachel again later. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I know, no one's good at everything," she says. "But I want to at least try to learn more about how languages work. I feel like it would really enrich my--" Just then, the smoke alarm starts going off, and further conversation is impossible. It's deeply disappointing. You really wish Jen had been more attentive to whatever was on the stove, but oh well. You'll have to try to talk to Rachel again later. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <</switch>>

You leave the party in time to avoid any awkward transformation incidents, and while you may have had your share of uncomfortable moments, you do also have plans to get coffee with Rachel, so... everything went better than expected? You really did go into this thinking tonight was going to be a disaster, but now you're glad you went to the party, and glad that you stayed as late as you could reasonably do. There's probably some kind of lesson to be learned from this. That you shouldn't just assume things are going to be terrible? That sometimes even if you're anxious about a thing, you should do it anyway? Something like that. ''[[END|Endings]]'' <<run State.metadata.set('goodend', true);>><<run State.metadata.set('completedonce', true);>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Uh, I said that I'm a programmer, but I don't think I said anything more about it than that," she says. <<link [['"Oh, right, uh, sorry."'|Rach3a]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Wait, that's right, we were talking about languages."'|Rach2a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> "What was I... oh, right," she says. "I was saying I think if I had a better understanding of languages, it would really enhance my worldbuilding. I, uh, I do a lot of homebrew tabletop settings and stuff." You can tell that this is a topic she's really interested in--so interested that she's forgotten about her drink, which is in danger of spilling. <<link [['"You know, I make up languages sometimes, but I never have a setting to attach them to."'|Rach3a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, that sounds cool!"'|Rach3a]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "I think we were talking about languages..." she says. You try to continue the conversation, but the momentum is dead, and you just can't get into the easy flow you had earlier. Oh well, maybe it wasn't meant to be. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Also," you add, "watch out for your drink." "Oh!" she says. "Thanks, that could've been messy." She sets it down on an endtable. "Anyway," she says, "it's so funny that I can do worldbuilding but not languages, and you can do languages but not worldbuilding. We should collaborate sometime!" <<link [['"I\'d love to!"'|Rach4a]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, uh, I\'m not really that good..."'|Rach4a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Thanks!" she says, sounding a bit strained. "Do, uh, do you have any hobbies? Besides board games?" <<link [['"I make up languages sometimes..."'|Rach3a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Not really, to be honest."'|Rach4a]]>><<set $convDir to 2>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "It would be so cool to come up with a totally new setting and develop the culture and the language at the same time! I think it would really add depth, you know?" You agree. You've always felt like your lack of creativity regarding fictional cultures made your languages feel... thin, somehow. "I seriously think it's awesome that you can do that." <<link [['"I\'m really not that good at it."'|Rach4a]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"And I think it\'s awesome that you can do worldbuilding."'|Rach5a]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I'm not a linguist or anything," you say. "I just... make stuff up. It's probably not even that plausible." "I'm sure it's fine," Rachel says. It's soon clear, however, that the excessive self-deprecation has stopped this conversation in its tracks. That first conversation went so well, but you've really blown this one. Oh well. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Oh," she says. "You really don't do anything other than board games?" "I mean, I go to work, sleep, and waste time on social media. That's pretty much it." You also have your hobby of making up fictional languages, but if you told her about it she might want to see them or talk about them and then she'd probably realize that you're not good at it. It's soon clear, however, that the excessive self-deprecation has stopped this conversation in its tracks. That first conversation went so well, but you've really blown this one. Oh well. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>> <</switch>>

"A match made in heaven!" Rachel says. Is she flirting? You're not sure. She glances at her phone. "Oh, I promised Jen earlier that I'd help her redo those cookies she burnt, so I should go. But it was great talking to you! If you're still here when I'm done, maybe we can talk again--work out the details." She walks off before you can respond, but you think that's just because she's clearly a bit tipsy. <<set $talkedRachel += 1>> <<link [[You think this might actually be going well.|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 10>><<set $timeVar += 10>><</link>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "It's pretty good. And not burnt this time!" From what you can see of the rest of the cookie, it's a sugar cookie that's been rather sloppily frosted to look like a pumpkin. "Cool," you say. This is not going anywhere fast. "Uh, anyway," she says, "I wanted to talk to you about making plans to meet up." <<link [['"Sure, let\'s talk!"'|Rach2b]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe we should talk later."'|Rach2b]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Even better now that you're here," she says, with a big grin that is tinted slightly orange by the frosting from the cookie. Okay, that is definitely flirting. Should you flirt back? How //do// you flirt back? "Anyway," she says, "I wanted to talk to you about making plans to meet up." <<link [['"Sure, let\'s talk!"'|Rach2b]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe we should talk later."'|Rach2b]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "So do you want to maybe talk about this over coffee?" she says. "I mean, if that's something you're into? There's an indie place near my apartment that does pretty good coffee, and the baked goods are to die for." <<link [['"Sure, I like coffee."'|Rach3b]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion += (1 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Okay, sorry, but just so we\'re on the same page, is this a date?"'|Rach3b]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Oh," she says. "Okay. Yeah, uh, I'll send you a message tomorrow, maybe?" "Sure," you say. You can tell you've disappointed her, but trying to take it back now would probably just make things more awkward. <<link [[Return|transitiontransition]]>><<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> "Cool," says Rachel. "So are you free next weekend? Or are weeknights better for you?" "I work some weekends, but the museum closes early on Saturdays and even earlier on Sundays, so it's not much of an issue. So... whenever?" "Want to say next Saturday, then?" <<link [['"Sounds great!"'|Rach4b]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"Uh, let me get back to you on that."'|Rach4b]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<case 1>> "That was what I was going for, yeah," she says. She sets the remaining bit of cookie on the table and nervously wipes her fingers on the napkin. "Are you cool with it, or...?" <<link [['"I am extremely cool with it."'|Rach3b]]>><<set $convDir to 0>><<set $guestSuspicion -= (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <<link [['"I need to think it over a little."'|Rach2b]]>><<set $convDir to 1>><<set $guestSuspicion += (2 * $alcoholLevel)>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convDir>> <<case 0>> <<set $talkedRachel += 1>> "Fantastic," she says, "see you then!" You are freaking out about this a little, but in a less bad way than you've been freaking out about most things tonight. This is your first date since you broke up with Isabela almost a year ago, and it's a bit intimidating to be getting back out there, but you've really had fun talking to Rachel tonight, and you're looking forward to getting to know her better. <<link [[This is... good???|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Sure, if you need to check your work calendar or anything, that's fine. Just message me tomorrow, okay?" <<set $talkedRachel += 1>> You don't really need to check your work calendar, you just got a case of nerves at the last minute. You haven't been on a date since you broke up with Isabela almost a year ago, and the prospect is a little daunting. But Rachel doesn't seem too discouraged by your response, and you tell yourself firmly that you //will// message her tomorrow. <<link [[This could've gone worse!|transitiontransition]]>><<set $timeVar += 10>><<addmins 10>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<if $timeVar lt 30>> <<goto "snack table">> <<if $timeVar gte 30 and $timeVar lt 60>> <<goto "Snacks2">> <<if $timeVar gte 60>> <<goto "Snacks3">> <</if>>

You see somebody walking away from the "bar" with a drink in an actual glass, rather than a plastic cup. They then go pick up some snacks, but fail to juggle the glass and the plate. The glass falls to the wood floor and breaks; everyone nearby bursts into sarcastic applause. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

Jen's orange cat does a circuit of the living room. You reach out a hand to pet him, but he hisses and backs away. You must smell too much like dog right now. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

"I'm telling you," you hear an unfamiliar voice say, "pumpkin pie isn't even pie, it's custard, and it's //sickening//." Looking around, you see that Roger and a guy you don't know seem to have gotten into a heated argument about autumnal desserts. "Yeah, well," Roger says, "I just don't know why you would take perfectly nice, crunchy apples and then cook them until they're mushy." "They shouldn't be //mushy//!" the other guy says. "What are you eating, premade grocery-store pies?" "Look, I don't come from a fruit-pie-eating culture, my family never baked pies at home," Roger says. "But I'm still pretty sure pumpkin is better." <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

Tank<<if $bobbedApples is false>>, another game-night acquaintance,<</if>> takes the Rockin' Out! mike and begins to sing, belting out, "I'm comin' out of my cage and I've been doin' //just fine//!" Immediately, half the people in the room drop what they're doing and turn in the direction of the music. By the time Tank gets to the chorus, most of the room is singing along. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

A small crowd has gathered in one corner of the room. You crane your neck to see what they're looking at and manage to catch a glimpse of Omar (another game night acquaintance), clearly several drinks in, doing card tricks. You had no idea he could do that. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

You see someone you don't know approach a person wearing a horse mask. From their body language, Person #1 is definitely flirting with Person #2. There's no accounting for taste, you guess. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

Jen's housemate Greg brings out a dartboard and starts setting it up, but a handful of people catch sight of this and frantically exhort him not to. (The person in the inflatable dinosaur costume is a particularly loud opponent of the idea.) After a few minutes of this, Greg relents, and he and the darts disappear off into some part of the house that's not being used for the party. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

At one end of the table, a group of people are in the midst of some board game you don't recognize. "I'm going to play my mushroom on the frog," one of the players says. "You can't," says another, "because the frog already has a hat." "Shit, I didn't notice. What if I use my washing machine card, could I play the mushroom on the same turn?" "I don't think so," says the second player, picking up the rulebook, "but I'll double-check the appliance rules." The third player rolls their eyes. "Five seconds ago you were checking the dessert rules. Can't we just play?" "I just want to make sure we're doing it right!" the second player protests. The third player sighs. "Oh, fine. Knock yourself out." <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

A person dressed as a ghost by way of a bedsheet over their head picks up a cupcake from the snack table and then just stands there, apparently realizing that they're not sure how to eat it. After a minute, they hold the bedsheet a little out in front of their face and bring the cupcake up under it. <<addmins 5>><<set $timeVar += 5>> [[Return|transitiontransition]]

It takes you a few tries to get it down, but you find that by taking the cabinet handle in your teeth, opening it a little, and then sliding your paw in the crack, you can get the cabinets open. Most of them are just full of dishes, but in one of them you find a forgotten box of peanut butter protein bars, which smell //amazing//. The reason they were forgotten is probably that the coating is carob rather than chocolate, but right now that's actually a plus. You rip the box open with your teeth. [[Eat a bar.]] [[Try to remove the foil wrapping first.]]

You try to pry the fridge open with your paws, and then with your jaws, but it's just not happening. Alas, your snack pepperoni is beyond your reach. <<set $fridge to true>><<addmins 5>> <<return>>

The chips are cheddar and sour cream flavored, and you're pretty sure that if you could just get them down off the top of the fridge, you could get the bag clip off with your teeth. <<if $fridge2 is false>>[[Throw yourself against the fridge.]] <</if>> [[Get up on the counter.]]

<<if $snacks is 5>><<goto "snackend">><</if>> <<if $fruit is false>>There's a bowl of fruit on an end table in here that's just slightly too high for you to easily reach.<</if>> <<if $chair is false or $shelf is false or $couch is false>>There's no other obvious food, but you might have dropped some somewhere?<<else>>You think you've pretty much exhausted the living room possibilities.<</if>> <<addmins 5>> <<if $fruit is false>>[[Try to get the fruit.|Fruit]] <</if>> <<if $chair is false>>[[Look under the armchair.|Chair]] <</if>> <<if $shelf is false>>[[Look behind the bookshelf.|Shelf]] <</if>> <<if $couch is false>>[[Look under the couch.|Couch]] <</if>> [[Go back into the kitchen.|Werewolf Snack Quest]]

The tap has one of those big lever-type handles (you're not sure that's the right word, but accurate kitchen-fixture terminology is not your highest priority right now), so you don't think it will be too hard to turn on. The question is, do you stand up on your hind legs and try to reach it from the floor, or do you get up on the counter and sort of stand over the sink? [[Turn it on from the floor.]] [[Turn it on from the counter.]]

The only obvious way to get at the fruit from the floor is to knock the table over, and your downstairs neighbors will probably not appreciate that. You could also get on the couch and try to reach the bowl from there, but it's a bit of a stretch. [[Knock over the table.]] [[Get up on the couch.]]

You shove your snout under the ratty old armchair, but you don't see any snacks. In retrospect, this isn't really surprising, because you never really sit in that chair. Come to think of it, why do you even have it? That is, obviously the reason you haven't gotten rid of it is that it's too much effort to drag it down to the curb on trash day, but you're not really sure when or why you got it in the first place. Weird.<<addmins 5>> <<set $chair to true>> <<return>>

You look behind the bookshelf, but no food has ended up there. You guess it was a long shot--how would it end up there, anyway? Although, you did find a dead mouse back there one time, and as much as you hate to admit it, you would probably eat a dead mouse right now. But it's a moot point, since there isn't one.<<addmins 5>> <<set $shelf to true>> <<return>>

You shove your head under the couch. Jackpot: there are several stale pretzels down here! Obviously, it's not ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. You extract the pretzels one by one and eat them. In wolf form you don't really chew all that much, so the staleness isn't so bad; you mostly just taste the salt. <<set $couch to true>><<set $snacks += 1>> <<return>>

The table is up against a wall and is not very large, so you have to kind of press yourself up against the wall to knock it over. It's awkward, but you do succeed. (You attempt to psychically beam an apology to the downstairs neighbors, although you're pretty sure that is not among your powers.) <<set $fruit to true>><<addmins 5>><<set $snacks += 1>> [[The important thing is, you have an apple now.|LivingRoom]]

You get up on the couch, get all four feet onto an armrest, and stretch your neck out as far as it will go. You just barely manage to grasp the bowl with your teeth. Of course, then you overbalance and fall to the floor with a crash at least as loud as the one you would have made had you knocked the table over. (You attempt to psychically beam an apology to the downstairs neighbors, although you're pretty sure that is not among your powers.) <<set $fruit to true>><<addmins 5>><<set $snacks += 1>> [[The important thing is, you have an apple now.|LivingRoom]]

Your ravenous lupine hunger sated, you flop down on the couch. (You prefer not to get wolf hair all over your actual bed.) Now you can truly say you have nothing left to do tonight. You can just relax and drift off into sweet, sweet dreams--mostly about eating that pepperoni tomorrow. ''[[END|Endings]]''

You wolf the thing down (no pun intended), wrapper and all. You hope that's not going to cause you any indigestion, especially once you turn back into a human, but oh well, [[it's too late now|Werewolf Snack Quest]]. <<addmins 5>><<set $snacks += 1>><<set $bars to true>>

You do your best to rip the foil wrapper off with your teeth. You try not to ingest any of it, but you're pretty sure you haven't entirely succeeded. Well, better than just eating the whole thing, you're pretty sure. And at least the bar itself tastes fantastic right now. <<addmins 5>><<set $snacks += 1>><<set $bars to true>> [[You take another look around the kitchen.|Werewolf Snack Quest]]

You hurl yourself against the fridge a few times. It sort of reminds you of trying to shake loose a snack that's stuck in a vending machine. Unfortunately, much as is usually the case with the vending machines, the chips are not precarious enough to be knocked loose by your efforts. You wonder what the downstairs neighbors must be making of all this. <<set $fridge2 to true>> <<return>>

The counters in this kitchen are a little narrow for your tastes, but you manage. (You reflect on the fact that before becoming a werewolf, you never realized just how //big// wolves are.) Once you're up there, you can brace your front paws against the top of the fridge and grab the chip bag with your teeth. You rip the bag more than you wanted to in the process of removing the bag clip, but it occurs to you that if you eat all the chips, then there will be none left to go stale. <<addmins 5>><<set $snacks += 1>><<set $chips to true>> [[Genius!|Werewolf Snack Quest]]

Standing on your hind legs, you //are// tall enough to turn the water on. It does put you at a really awkward angle for //drinking// the water, but you're not sure getting on the counter would be that much better. It takes longer than it should, but you do finally get enough water to quench your thirst. [[You feel better with all four paws on the floor, though.|Werewolf Snack Quest]] <<set $water to true>><<addmins 5>><<set $snacks += 1>>

You get up on the counter and sort of straddle the sink. If only the counters on either side were bigger, you could lie on one of them, but as it is you would have to sit, and you don't think you could do that and get your head down low enough to drink the water. You fumble for a while with the process of turning the tap on, and when you do get it on, it's initially on hot, which scalds your snout a little. But you do manage to get it on cold eventually, and after letting the cool water run over your poor abused snout for a bit, you drink. <<set $water to true>><<addmins 5>><<set $snacks += 1>> [[You are, however, very relieved to get back on the floor.|Werewolf Snack Quest]]

Social Lycanthropy Disorder

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