Tea Party

<== <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_opening.png" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:100%;"> =><= [[~ Enter ~->Enter]] (text-colour:grey)[Head to a tea party in the dead of the night with your family.] <audio autoplay id="open"> <source src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_birds.mp3" type="audio/mp3">; </audio> <script> var audio = document.getElementById("open"); audio.volume = 0.3; </script>

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= You’re walking through the deep, dark woods, (link-reveal:"with the rest of your family:")[ (text-colour:grey)[|aside>[an odd mixture of jostling wolf pups fresh-turned under the full moon, and siblings with skin so pale their features seem to glow eerily in the night.]]] ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- [[The night promises trouble, one way or the other.]] (set: $talkedtodad to "0", $hadfood to "0", $talkedtolarry to "0") (track: 'forest', 'loop', true) (track: 'forest', 'playwhenpossible')

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= Your father is trudging ahead, happily humming to himself, his figure tall and ungainly, the stuff of fairytales– and not the good kind. When slivers of moonlight fall in uneven patches on his fur and his snout, he lets out a happy howl, the sound returned by every one of his wolf pups, one by one in succession, [[until their howling all blends together into one single chorus.-> want to howl]]

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= You feel the urge to howl bubbling in your throat like the frantic wings of a bird trapped between the bones of your rib cage, fighting to wrestle free, to fall in with the sounds of your siblings’ voices. What do you do? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- <div class="choices">(button:)[[You let out a howl.]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You keep quiet.]]</div> <audio autoplay id="open"> <source src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_wings.mp3" type="audio/mp3">; </audio> <script> var audio = document.getElementById("open"); audio.volume = 0.2; </script>

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= If you strain your ears, you notice, between the chorus of your family, there is sometimes the noise of other creatures that go bump in the night– the silent skittering of scales sliding over undergrowth or the rustling of claws shaking branches of trees above your heads– [[that is, until your mother shushes your father.]] <audio autoplay id="open"> <source src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_rustle.mp3" type="audio/mp3">; </audio> <script> var audio = document.getElementById("open"); audio.volume = 0.6; </script>

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> ==> <div class="convo1">"Dear, please. You're disturbing the night's peace.” </div> <== <div class="convo2">“Well, that’s the idea,” you hear your father reply enthusiastically. </div> [[You snicker,]] and your mother’s sharp ears prick, catching the sound. She gives you a look over her shoulder. <audio autoplay id="open"> <source src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_shush.mp3" type="audio/mp3">; </audio> <script> var audio = document.getElementById("open"); audio.volume = 0.8; </script>

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= (set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", "Faine")) (if: $name is "") [(set: $name to "Faine") ] Your mother is a tall, slender figure draped in black velvets, her irises a bloody red. Twin fangs peek past the soft pink of her lips, and her every movement has an unnatural, practiced grace. You take more after your mother than your father– (link-reveal:"more vampire than wolf.")[ (text-colour:grey)[ You sometimes wish you’d just be one or the other and not some confusing in-between. But then you look over at some of your siblings, who look back at you with so many of the same features, and can’t help but feel a swell of protective pride.] "(text-colour:#33E9FC)[$name,] you're our eldest, so remember to behave," your mother says. What do you do? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- <div class="choices">(button:)[[You sigh, "I'll try my best."]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You smile, fae-like, showing all your teeth.]]</div> ]

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= At first, it’s soft, like the murmuring of a brook. And then the voices grow louder, and your family trudges into a clearing, [[brightly lit by strings of lanterns.]] (track: 'crowd', 'loop', true) (track: 'crowd', 'playwhenpossible') (track: 'crowd', 'volume', 0.2)

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> <= The orange glow of flickering lantern-light paints the forms of all kinds of creatures. Fashionably dressed werewolves and grinning vampires, chattering dwarves and the translucent shine of fairy wings, the glittering eyes of dragon-kind and unidentifiable creatures with more teeth than you can count. Your family members scatter, going about to meet their friends and mingle. You’re left with your hands in your pockets, feeling nervous but trying not to show it. (Keep it cool, you tell yourself. It’s just another stupid party.) [[You look around.]] (track: 'greenflowers', 'loop', true) (track: 'greenflowers', 'playwhenpossible') (track: 'greenflowers', 'volume', 0.1) (set: $talkedtodad to "0", $hadfood to "0", $talkedtolarry to "0")

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> <= Where do you go? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- (if: $talkedtodad is "0")[<div class="choices">(button:)[[You trail after your father into a small grove, surrounded by your siblings.]]</div>](if: $talkedtolarry is "0")[ <div class="choices">(button:)[[You make eye contact with Larry. He’s a family friend, fun enough to hang out with on occasion.]]</div>] (if: $hadfood is "0")[ <div class="choices">(button:) [[The buffet table beckons. Who needs people? Food = yum.]]</div>] {(if: $talkedtodad is "1") [<div class="choices">(button:) [[You go home.]]</div>] (else-if: $talkedtolarry is "1") [<div class="choices">(button:) [[You go home.]]</div>] (else-if: $hadfood is "1") [<div class="choices">(button:) [[You go home.]]</div>] } (track: 'greenflowers', 'volume', 0.1)

forest: https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_forest.mp3 greenflowers: https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_greenflowers2.mp3 footsteps: https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_footsteps.mp3 wings:https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_wings.mp3 crowd:https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_crowd.mp3

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= You keep quiet, slipping silently through the night like a creature born into the darkness, like some of your other siblings. You’re wary of the night ahead, and nervous about your destination. You stuff down the urge to howl back down your throat, and it’s like trying to swallow down hard pebbles– [[not very pleasant, but you’re used to the sensation.-> skittering]]

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonclouds.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:100%;height:130%;"> <= You let out a howl, the sound wild and free and joyful, mingling with the voices of your family members. (link-reveal:"You grin.")[ If everything has its place, you think, cords of untamed joy singing in your heart, (text-colour:#6FB56B) [[then I’m in mine.-> skittering]]] <audio autoplay id="open"> <source src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_wolfhowl.mp3" type="audio/mp3">; </audio> <script> var audio = document.getElementById("open"); audio.volume = 0.2; </script>

(set: $hadfood to "1") The buffet table is heavy, the old wood weighed down by all sorts of food. Transparent jellies that reflect light in strange ways, platters of roasts that breathe the scent of spices into the air, heaping plates of rice and vegetables... Your mother and one of your sisters deposit their contribution to the evening party: a platter of savory finger food made of pastries and meat. [[Your stomach emits a not-so-low growl.]]

(set: $talkedtolarry to "1") You catch Larry's eye and he smiles at you, beckoning you over. The group of vampires with him notice you too, and it’s too late to back out now. [[You walk over.]]

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> (set: $talkedtodad to "1") <= Your father gives you a wide grin as you trail after him, and waits for you to catch up. [[“Why the long face, kid?”]] He asks, as he claps your shoulder.

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> ==> <div class="convo1-me">“Can we go home now?” You ask. </div> <== <div class="convo2">Your brother jostles you from the other side, “Aw, (text-colour:#33E9FC)[$name's] just sulking cause it’s a party.”</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">“Shut up,” you shove your brother. </div> <== <div class="convo2">“You shut up,” he shoves you back. </div> Your father chortles, as if you’d made a funny joke, and adds the tray of warm cookies he’d baked to the buffet table as he passes. <== <div class="convo2">“We can't go home yet, kiddo. Try to have some fun while we’re here. And both of you play nice.” </div> Drats. [[So you were stuck here.->Being stuck here, it is.]]

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> <== <div class="convo2">“Excuse me?” A gravelly voice sounds at your ear.</div> You look over your shoulder to see the hulking form of a hippo-woman with delicate lashes, dressed in a fancy blue suit. <div class="convo2"> She blinks at your father. (text-colour:#33E9FC)[[[“Do you know if the host of this gathering is here yet?”]]] </div>

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> <= You try not to stare. Sometimes, you still find yourself surprised by the variety of creatures that turn up at these parties. [[Huh. Guess I'm not so odd, after all, you think.]]

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> <= Your dad beams at her, canines showing, then turns his nose to sniff at the air, his ears flicking. ==> <div class="convo1"> “Hm... I’m getting,” he sniffs, growling slightly, “Frankie and Guff, so she might be... no, that ain’t her.” </div> <== <div class="convo2"> The hippo-woman looks perplexed. “Sorry?” </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> You jump in to intervene. “He’s, uh. Checking for her scent.” You explain, knowing not everybody understood your dad’s accent when he was fully-transformed like tonight, more wolf than man. "To see if she's nearby."</div> <== <div class="convo2"> “Ah.” The woman nods. “Okay.” </div> You all wait awkwardly as your dad mutters to himself. ==> <div class="convo1"> “Not here yet," your dad says, and you notice now that the growl in this voice is thick, "but I bet she’ll be here soon." He beams at the lady. </div> <== <div class="convo2"> Your father’s smile is infectious, and the lady smiles politely back, seeming to not have understood a single word he'd said. She looks at you for translation. </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> “She’s not here yet.” You supply helpfully. </div> <== <div class="convo2"> "Do you know when she'll be here?" The lady asks you. </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> “Uh." You look at your dad. Your nose is sensitive, too, but not as much as a full wolf's. </div> ==> <div class="convo1"> "She's somewhere in these woods, so shouldn't be long," your dad chuckles. </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> “Around ten minutes," you smile at the lady. </div> <== <div class="convo2"> The hippo’s non-existent brows go up, and she nods her head at you, “thank you.” She looks at your dad, with a smile. "Thank you." (text-colour:#33E9FC)[[[She turns and heads off.]]]</div> (track: 'greenflowers', 'volume', 0.05)

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> <= You stare after her, as your dad sits down to watch a game of witchball happening through the trees. [[You follow suit to sit with him.]]

=><= <img src="https://mmausambi.github.io/thesis/480_tea%20party_moonlanterns.gif" type="audio/mp3" alt="moon" style="width:130%;height:130%;"> <= Your dad and siblings seem immersed in watching the game. You don’t know which team to cheer for, so you cheer for whatever your dad is cheering for. All kinds of creatures seem to be playing, and even other creatures seem confused on who to be cheering on. You cheer on the vampire girl one second, then the werewolf pup the next, and then the centaur with the sleek mane. (text-colour:#6FB56B)[[[Eventually, you get bored and get up to leave.->You look around.]]]

At the end of the party, when the sun is peeking over the horizon and the sky is hinting that it might begin brightening up, the party slowly begins to dissipate, [[creatures melting back into the night.]] (track: 'greenflowers', 'volume', 0.05)

You grab a plate, and pile it with: (link-reveal:"Meat.")[ (text-colour:grey)[ Being half-wolf often leaves your with a deep craving for meat.]] (link-reveal:"Rice.")[ (text-colour:grey)[ You are starving, and the aromas of the rice are incredibly difficult to resist.]] (link-reveal:"Sweets.")[ (text-colour:grey)[ Your one true love.] (text-colour:white)[ You're eying some pastries when–] [[“You’ve got quite an appetite,” you hear a voice say.]] ]

Turning, you see, with a sinking in your stomach, one of your werewolf uncles. His tone is disapproving, if not mildly hostile. What do you do? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- <div class="choices">(button:)[[“I’m hungry,” you shrug, faintly defensive.]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You greet him.->Let it go.]]</div>

<== <div class="convo2">“I can see that,” he says derisively. “You seem to have the appetite of a growing wolf.”</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">You smile politely. You take that as the closest thing to a compliment your uncle would give you, even if that's not how he meant it. </div> <== You think he might leave, then, but he doesn't. He stands at your elbow, looking at you expectantly, waiting for you to greet him properly. He wants you to ask him how he's doing, you can tell. What do you do? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- ==> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You ignore him.]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You greet him.->Let it go.]]</div>

You set your plate aside and step forwards. ==> <div class="convo1-me">“May the moonlight guide your way, uncle,” you say, knowing he was a stickler for tradition. And, like how werewolves formally greet other family, you lean forward to press your cheek to his, with a hug.</div> <== <div class="convo2">He returns the greeting, his voice sounding by your ear.</div> When he steps back, you notice he’s holding a drink. <== <div class="convo2">“Now how has my dear sister been?” He asks, his eyes on you sharp. “I’d ask her, but you know how she can be.”</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">“Yeah." You smile.</div> <== You talk with him a while, and try to keep it short. He has the talent of skillfully pulling out information from you, and you always end up saying more than you'd planned. (link-reveal:"He finally heads off once you tell him where you mother is.")[ (text-colour:grey)[You’re a little apologetic for throwing your mom under the bus like that, but you knew your uncle would find her eventually, so you only sped up the inevitable, really.] <== <div class="convo2">"Chin up,” he smiles, just as he's leaving, throwing a glance at your plate. "Maybe you can gain some well-needed muscle with all that protein, like some of those other werewolves. Love you, dear." </div> Someone should tell your uncle you'll never become a hulking behemoth like your father or some of your siblings. Ah, well, it's certainly not going to be you. [[You look around for a place to sit and eat your food.]] ]

He looks annoyed your the lackluster greeting, and walks off, muttering darkly under his breath about stuck-up vampire children and their lack of respect. [[You look around for a place to sit and eat your food.]]

Where do you go? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- <div class="choices">(button:)[[A quiet table under a tree.]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[A grassy spot near the lake.]]</div>

You pull out a carved oak chair and settle down with a monumental sigh, setting your food on the round wooden table. A hydra you don’t recognize soon joins you, three of their eight heads turning to look at you. [[They seem curious about what they find.]]

You fold your robes beneath you and sit in the grass, kicking your shoes off and stretching your legs out. You realize you hadn't noticed a hydra sitting in the shadows, two of their eight heads snapping at a few fireflies that flutter too close. Three of their heads turn to look at you. [[They seem curious about what they find.]]

<== <div class="convo2"> “What are you?” One of the heads ask, another hissing at it to shush and stop asking rude questions. Another tries to take a bite of your food, and you pull your plate away. </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> “Hi,” you smile eventually, not wanting to be rude.</div> <== <div class="convo2"> “Hi!” </div> <div class="convo2"> “Hello!” </div> <div class="convo2"> “Bonjour!” </div> <div class="convo2"> “Greetings!” </div> <div class="convo2"> “Salutations!” </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> You don’t know which head to look at respond to.</div> <== <div class="convo2"> One of them leans close, sniffing. “So what are you, really?” The other heads tell the first head to shush in chaotic succession, and you’re left blinking in surprise.</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> You laugh, “Mom’s a vamp. Dad’s a wolf. I’m (text-colour:#33E9FC)[$name,] nice to meet you.”</div> <== <div class="convo2"> Following that bit of information, the heads bombard you with more questions, and you try your best to answer when you’re able.</div> <div class="convo2"> "So you're not vampire or werewolf then? Is there a name for what you are?" </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">You'd usually take offense if another vampire or werewolf had asked you the same question, and become defensive against the nosy curiosity. 'What does it matter to you?' You'd usually snap. But you find you're just faintly curious now, as you shrug. "I don't know." You answer honestly. </div> <== <div class="convo2"> “We don’t see many hydras around here,” one of the heads eventually say. “Most of our friends don't like parties and they don't end up coming. So we always stand out at these sorts of things. </div> <div class="convo2"> “Most folks here don't really like talking to us, if we're being honest. Or they look at us weird.”</div> <div class="convo2"> “It’s nice to meet somebody cool like you.” </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me"> You grin, baring all your fangs, and the hydra heads do their best to smile back.</div> <== <div class="convo2">“You got lotsa pointy teeth in there, don’t you?” One comments, (text-colour:cyan)[[[and you laugh.->You look around.]]]</div>

<== <div class="convo2">“Hey, (text-colour:#33E9FC)[$name!] Long time no see,” Larry grins, holding his hand out for a fist bump, like you’ve seen him do with some of his friends. </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">You grin, knocking his fist lightly. “It’s good to see you. How’ve you been?” </div> <== <div class="convo2">He shrugs a shoulder carelessly, “Ah, you know, same old.” </div> His friends are looking at you, and you can’t help but be hyper-aware of your ears, which are longer than they ought to be, or your claws, which would be normal for a wolf, but not so for a vamp. <== <div class="convo2">“This is my cousin,” Larry introduces you. “Faine, meet some old friends of mine. Thessel, Morgan, Gary, and Leal.” </div> ==> Ah, here goes nothing. <== What do you do? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- ==> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You flash the best impression of your I-don’t-hate-meeting-new-people smile as you can muster.]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[“Well met,” you tip your head in a reserved way, like your mother greets other vampires.]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[“Hey guys,” you grin, matching Larry’s energy. “How’s it going?”]]</div>

<== <div class="convo2">A few vampires smile back, Thessel ducks their head and snickers, murmuring ‘deer in headlights.’</div> ==> <div class="convo1">“Hello,” Morgan says brightly, not-so-subtly elbowing Thessel. And, with an amused look, “We don’t bite, we promise. (text-colour:#33E9FC)[[[I love your piercings.”->hang out]]]</div> (set: $hangout to "smile")

Leal cocks a brow, and Gary smiles back at you. You remember a little belatedly that vampires don’t grin often, since baring their fangs in that way was reserved for either picking a fight or talking with intimate family or friends. Your more wolf-like siblings grin often and easily, so [[it had slipped your mind.->hang out]] (set: $hangout to "grin")

==> <div class="convo1">One or two of them nod back at you, Leal raises his glass of crimson liquid to you with a “What’s up?”</div> <== In hindsight, your greeting feels a little [[too formal in comparison.->hang out]] (set: $hangout to "wellmet")

You hang out with them a while, listening to them laugh and talk. You learn a little bit about each of them, but find you can’t often understand their jokes or references. { (if: $hangout is "smile") [ You make sure to smile and nod just enough to get by, [[trying not to look as out-of-place as you felt.->hang out1]] ](else-if: $hangout is "wellmet")[ You attempt to find a place in the conversation to jump in, but find it difficult. Eventually, [[you give up and focus on nibbling on a cookie Leal offers you.->hang out1]] ](else: )[ You begin to warm up to them, [[easing up a little. ->hang out1]] ]}

<== <div class="convo2">The wolf’s eyes swing to take in your company. </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">You wonder what kinds of expressions Larry’s friends are making, but don’t turn to look.</div> <== <div class="convo2">Then Kiana dips her head at you, and turns away to join her friend again.</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">You let out the breath you’d been holding.</div> ==> <div class="convo1">“You okay?” Morgan asks. </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">(text-colour: #6FB56B)[[[“Peachy,” you smile.]]]</div>

When you’re walking home, some of your siblings are so tired, you carry one in your arms as she sleeps on, chest rising and falling slowly against your collarbone. ==> <div class="convo1">“Did you have fun today, sweetheart?” Your mom asks, coming to walk by you. She has one of your brothers over her shoulder, and he was chewing on some of the laces on her dress.</div> <== What do you say? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- <div class="choices">(button:)[[You shrug a shoulder noncommittally.->home]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[“It was... something, for sure.”->home]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You think about it a little bit, and then... “Yeah,” you nod quietly. “I did.”->home]]</div>

She grins wide at you, baring her fangs, and kisses your forehead. [[“Let’s go home, sweetheart.”]]

One of your sisters, little Emily, reaches over to give your hand a squeeze at your tone, and you smile at her. [[It's not so bad, being both.]]

<== <div class="convo2">“Oh here comes trouble,” Your mother mutters, and a few of your siblings giggle. “Set a good example for your siblings, (text-colour:#33E9FC)[$name."] </div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">"You worry too much, mom," You snicker. </div> <== <div class="convo2">[["I'm sure I worry just enough," Your mother replies.->It's not so bad, being both.]] </div>

Two wolves tumble past, playfully tussling with a ball, claws out and tongues lolling, laughing and howling. You smile, since it looked fun. Your smile falters as you notice Larry’s friends roll their eyes or shake their heads, trading smiles. ==> <div class="convo1">“Did they swallow megaphones at birth?” Thessel murmurs, to which Leal snorts.</div> <== One of the wolves bump into you, and Morgan pulls you out of the way. ==> <div class="convo1">“Watch where you’re going!” Larry says.</div> <== <div class="convo2">The wolf startles, looking at you, and ducks its head in apology. You recognize the markings on its fur as Kiana- one of your brother’s friends.</div> What do you do? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- ==> <div class="choices">(button:)[[“It’s alright!” You say immediately, with a smile. "Don't worry about it." ->hang out2]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[“Be careful next time,” You say.->hang out2]]</div>

<== <div class="convo2">“What was that?” Leal snickers, and you notice the others are giving you amused looks.</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">“What was what?” You ask.</div> <== <div class="convo2">“You-” Thessel laughs. “Your accent totally changed when you were talking to her.”</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">You blink, realizing you must’ve switched accents to the one you speak in at home without realizing. It’s often a subconscious switch, your vowels more growly, more expressive, less reserved.</div> <== What do you do? ---- ⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ---- ==> <div class="choices">(button:)[[You laugh awkwardly, hoping they’d move on from the subject.->subconscious switch]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[“I do that sometimes,” you smile, forcing a chuckle.->subconscious switch]]</div> <div class="choices">(button:)[[“And?” You raise a brow at Thessel. “What about it?”->subconscious switch]]</div>

<== <div class="convo2">“It’s pretty cool,” Thessel says, putting their hands up, as if in surrender. “You do it by accident?”</div> ==> <div class="convo1-me">“Um...yeah, I do,” you say.</div> <== Eventually, the conversation continues on. At some point, you make some excuse and duck away from them. { (text-colour:#6FB56B)[(if: $hangout is "smile") [ [[Morgan nods at you, and the others continue on their conversations.->You look around.]] ](else-if: $hangout is "wellmet")[ [[Larry’s friends wave goodbye, and go back to their conversations.->You look around.]] ](else: )[ [[Larry’s friends seem sorry to let you go, but wave goodbye.->You look around.]] ]]}