THE FURY OF A SHATTERED MIRROR

CHAPTER II - THE DAMSEL

Chapter by ASpooky

Summary:

THE NARRATOR - Oh, for the love of -

VOICE OF THE HERO - Is that really what we're gonna be focusing on, here?

VOLITION - Oh my *god*, please don't get into this now --

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Now hold on there just a second - while I certainly understand the visage of our beloved to be absolutely captivating, that is no way to speak about a fine lady such as herself!

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - No, all of you shut the *fuck* up. This is literally my *JOB*, and I'm gonna fucking do it, all of you pansy asses be damned.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - This is what you notice when you look at her: her breasts are *bigger* than last time. Eyes, Special-Eyes, back me up on this one.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - ...I wasn't going to say anything. But yes, you think so.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Challenging: Failure] - It could just be the dress, pushing them up, but you can't be sure from this distance.

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] - That would be the vastly more likely option. Or would it? The cabin has changed, her outfit and demeanor have changed, *you* have changed with the addition of another voice to the gallery -- who knows what else could have changed?

Notes:

ELECTROCHEMISTRY TAKE THE WHEEL

THE NARRATOR - You're on a path in the woods.

THE NARRATOR - And at the end of that path is a cabin.

THE NARRATOR - And in the basement of that cabin is a princess.

THE NARRATOR - You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world.

REACTION SPEED [Easy: Success] - These are the first words that enter your mind as -- wait, no, what the *fuck* --

ENDURANCE - You weren't asleep. Your body is --

PAIN THRESHOLD [Godly: Failure] - Experiencing phantom pain -- all over your chest, between your ribs, throughout your skin. Nerves burning, tendons and fatty tissue cut to ribbons.

DAMAGED HEALTH -1

PAIN THRESHOLD - It's almost too much to bear -- but then it begins to subside, slowly.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Heroic: Failure] - You've sprung into being mid-stride, *again*. The realization that you aren't currently bled out on the floor of a dingy basement after being stabbed to death is enough to make you stumble.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - This doesn't make sense. You *died*. How are you back here?

HALF LIGHT [Heroic: Failure] - FUCK-SHIT-ASS-COCK-FUCKING-SHIT-FUCKING-FUCK -- YOU *DIED*. WE *DIED*! This is WRONG, you should be DEAD, you *are* DEAD.

DAMAGED MORALE -1

*I DID*! I'M DEAD, I'M A GHOST, THIS IS HELL, *FUCK*!
Holy *SHIT* dying was painful.
Actually, I don't think I'm dead, at least not anymore. This all seems a little too pedestrian to be the afterlife, doesn't it?
Oh, I'm still here. I thought that was some kind of trauma-induced lucid dreaming.

YOU - Holy *SHIT* dying was painful.

VOICE OF THE HERO - We definitely did die, but we're not dead anymore, I think. It really did hurt a lot, you're right - would rather not have a repeat performance of that, thank you very much.

THE NARRATOR - I'm sorry, what's this about being dead? Because I can assure you that you're not dead, and you haven't died. You wouldn't be standing here in the woods talking to me if you were dead, would you?

VOICE OF THE HERO - Does He not remember what happened? I'd say it might be best to keep it that way, but I don't think this one's letting it go anytime soon. Poor guy's traumatized.

HALF LIGHT - *FUCK*!

VOICE OF THE HERO - Hey, look, it's alright - we're not dead, see? Plenty alive, all is well - someone back me up here?

THE NARRATOR - As I've already said - the fact you are currently participating in this conversation right now should be decisive proof that you have not, in fact, died.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - Your heart's still beating. You're still drawing breath. You can feel the minute shifts and twitches of a living form, beneath your skin. You're not leaking any bodily fluids, vital or otherwise.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - It was a close thing, for the record.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Yes, good! We'll need all of our most vital fluids kept tucked safely inside ourselves if we're to save our beloved. It wouldn't do to splatter blood onto her lovely countenance while we whisk her away from her horrible prison!

VOICE OF THE HERO - Our... 'beloved'?

VOLITION - Oh god, there's two of them now.

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] - And this one is already correctly calibrated, it seems.

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] - Is it possible they originate from the same place, then?

VOICE OF THE HERO - You know, now that you mention it, he does feel... more familiar, compared to the rest of you. No offense.

AUTHORITY - The only offense here is *your* traitorous and dishonorable behavior, immediately prior to our death. What do you have to say for yourself, outsider?

VOICE OF THE HERO - Well for one, I didn't actually do anything. I was just contributing to the discussion, same as anyone else. I thought it was right to save her, and I thought it was right to tough it out - she obviously didn't want to kill us. I do feel bad that we died, for the record.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - Correct, he merely *advised* - it was Him, that forced your hand, and you yourself that started the deadlock.

RHETORIC - And the Princess who killed you, but that much was obvious.

SUGGESTION [Legendary: Failure] - Why *did* she kill you?

HALF LIGHT - *SHIT*!

VOICE OF THE HERO - And for two - you might not believe me, if I told you.

Try me. I've said a lot of crazy shit, I think I can take it.
I might not. You realize how suspicious this is, to suddenly gain a brand new voice in your head and then *die*, horribly?
Nah, fuck off man. None of that shit, I *DIED* over this.
Honestly, I don't care. I'm still having a crisis over the fact I just spontaneously revived after being murdered, call back later. (Discard thought.)

YOU - Try me. I've said a lot of crazy shit, I think I can take it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Alright, well - I had this... feeling. That we wouldn't die die, you know what I mean? Call it a hunch, I guess.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Of course we wouldn't truly die - how would we return to the side of our lovely lady if we were dead? She would never consign us to such a fate!

INLAND EMPIRE [Trivial: Success] - You've staked your life on hunches before. It hasn't failed you yet.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] - You really shouldn't be doing that, though.

HALF LIGHT - *MOTHERFUCKER*!

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Legendary: Success] - On an overcast afternoon, shortly after the daily lunch-hour rush along the 8/81 has abated, the majority of the C-Wing of Precinct 41 gathers around the imploded remains of an old pinewood church on the west shore of Martinaise.

THE NARRATOR - What is it you're doing now? We don't have time for reminiscing, you need to -

INLAND EMPIRE - This isn't a memory.

AUTHORITY [Formidable: Success] - *QUIET*.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - Several junior and patrol officers spool out new lines of police tape and drive stakes into the ground, cordoning off an area of 150 by 150 metres -- twenty five percent larger than what had been marked out 24 hours ago. They are overseen by Officer Torson, busy scaring off local wildlife that has congregated in the reeds, and Officer McLaine, who is comparing the roped-off boundary to a marked topological map with an unusual amount of care.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - Flanking the area where a stained glass window once stood are Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi and Satellite-Officer Jean Vicquemare. They stare at a point 30 metres inward, among the debris and the rubble, where the air seems to fog and shimmer.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] - The boundary where all angles bend inward, and no sound may escape.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - The on-ramp for the Motorway South.

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - *THE EDGE*.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - Shifting restlessly in shoes half a size too small, Satellite-Officer Vicquemare breaks the silence first.

JEAN VICQUEMARE - "Goddamn Moralintern spooks already passed down the order to Pryce. We have to have a *real* perimeter established by tomorrow morning -- they'll be sending out some goons to 'oversee' operations from now on. They'll probably clear away all of this garbage and put up a security post or something -- The Union isn't gonna be happy about this shit."

JEAN VICQUEMARE - "...I won't miss this shithole of a church, though. Damn thing was coming apart, anyway."

KIM KITSURAGI - Lieutenant Kitsuragi does not respond -- instead, he keeps his gaze focused past the shimmer, toward the horizon.

KIM KITSURAGI - A tense pause, for just a moment, and then:

JEAN VICQUEMARE - "Fucking Shitkid can't stop causing problems even now. Had to up and get himself killed conducting some sort of 'paranatural investigation' --"

KIM KITSURAGI - "Missing in Action."

JEAN VICQUEMARE - "*What*?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "Lieutenant Du Bois is listed as MIA, not killed. It has been less than 36 hours since his disappearance -- he may yet return."

JEAN VICQUEMARE - Another beat of quiet passes between the two, before Vicquemare speaks again.

DRAMA [Challenging: Success] - He rolls the words across his tongue, determining their weight.

JEAN VICQUEMARE - "...Do you really believe that?"

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - An almost imperceptible tremor in the voice -- he is unsure of himself, even now.

KIM KITSURAGI - "I do."

JEAN VICQUEMARE - "Why?"

KIM KITSURAGI - He shrugs, ever so slightly, withdrawing a single cigarette and a lighter from an unseen jacket pocket, and responds, "Call it a hunch."

Task updated: Figure out how you got here

VOICE OF THE HERO - Woah, that was pretty heavy. Where was that? Was that somewhere else, in the world? It didn't look anything like here - less trees, more water and sand.

Did you all see that, then? I'm not really sure of the logistics of having extra voices in my head, to be honest.
It was... somewhere else. Where I'm from, but I don't know where that is in relation to here.
It was home.
It was nothing -- nothing to worry about. (Discard thought.)

YOU - Did you all see that, then? I'm not really sure of the logistics of having extra voices in my head, to be honest.

THE NARRATOR - Yes, we saw it. Are you quite done now? We are on a bit of a ticking clock, here.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Oh, I saw it alright - a gathering of people who love you, in their own ways. It's too bad for them that our heart is already spoken for - our eyes are set on one and only, after all.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - *Love* you? Did you hear that right?

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Formidable: Success] - Ancient Perikarnassian philosophy outlined several different types of love, to be shared between mortals -- the love of family, from parent to child; the love of a close friend, an intellectual bond; romantic love, between couples and so-called soulmates; sexual love (or lust), the union of bodies; the love of an organization or brotherhood, a feeling of belonging; and the love of the world, of being alive and of all the people contained within.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - We'll take number four, please and thank you.

EMPATHY [Legendary: Success] - You *are* loved -- you just forget, sometimes.

VOLITION [Challenging: Success] - You have done horrible, terrible things, hidden behind the veil of your lost memories. But you *are* trying to get better -- genuinely, this time -- and the people you've made connections with can see it for what it is. They may never forgive you, fully -- but they *will* stick by you, as long as you stick by yourself. You have to get home, for your own sake and for theirs.

HEALED MORALE +1

New task: Return home

Did you all see that, then? I'm not really sure of the logistics of having extra voices in my head, to be honest.
It was... somewhere else. Where I'm from, but I don't know where that is in relation to here.
It was home.
It was nothing -- nothing to worry about. (Discard thought.)

YOU - It was home.

THE NARRATOR - And this is why it is of the utmost importance that you pull yourself together, stop this fantasizing about past-lives nonsense, and slay her before it's too late - that 'home' of yours is part of what's at risk when I'm talking about the end of the world.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...Home...

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - It would be a lovely place to take the Princess on a romantic outing, once all of that debris gets cleared away - somewhere cool, by the sea, where we can bask in the sun for hours on end.

HALF LIGHT - ALRIGHT, alright, I'm fucking done. You died, you're alive again -- this is how it is, now. I *get* it.

HALF LIGHT - The tension releases from your spine and arms -- stress you've held since you first appeared back on this path, waiting for the danger to reappear. But it's passed, for now.

HALF LIGHT - ...

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - You need to kill her. Before she kills *you*, for *good*.

Task updated: Slay the Princess

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - We will do no such thing! We are going to stride heroically down this path, sweep through the doors of the cabin, venture down the stairs, and free her from her bindings - escaping together, hands clasped, into the sunrise.

Task updated: Save the Princess

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - You know, you could get behind this. Seems like a pretty *cool* way to live, whatever this guy has cooking.

DRAMA - He certainly knows how to play the part he's been given.

[Empathy - Heroic 15] *Do* I love her?
No, I'm definitely going to slay her -- before she kills me again, and then ends the world. It's the only way.
No, I'm gonna kill her. I'm feeling like some sweet revenge-murder is on the table, here.
I'm *still* not sure. She killed me, yes, but I was about to kill her against my will. Who knows if the same sort of thing was happening to her? I need answers, first, before I decide.
I'm not going to kill her. Even after being murdered, I trust her more than I trust this other guy that can apparently hijack my body whenever He wants. Do we have a gameplan for that, by the way?
There's no way I'm going to slay her -- didn't you hear, she *loves* us! And *we* love *her*.
I'm done. I'm just going to turn around and leave, and hope none of this ever comes back to bite me. [Turn around and leave.]

YOU - *Do* I love her?

+2 Perikarnassian wisdom

-5 Smitten

CHECK FAILURE

EMPATHY [Heroic: Failure] - You don't know. Maybe? It's possible.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Challenging: Failure] - Should this question be this hard to answer?

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - How many times do I have to reassure you my friends - of course we do, and she loves us back just the same.

THE NARRATOR - How could you love her, you haven't even met her!

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - You *have* met, but not very long ago. You're basically strangers.

HALF LIGHT - She fucking *KILLED* YOU!

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] - But you wouldn't let just *anyone* kill you, would you? This feels... familiar. Love, and pain. Two sides of the same coin.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Challenging: Success] - It's been a long time since you've had any oxytocin knocking around in here. Go for it, see what happens -- then you can get up to some *real* good shit, afterward.

[Locked] *Do* I love her?
No, I'm definitely going to slay her -- before she kills me again, and then ends the world. It's the only way.
No, I'm gonna kill her. I'm feeling like some sweet revenge-murder is on the table, here.
I'm *still* not sure. She killed me, yes, but I was about to kill her against my will. Who knows if the same sort of thing was happening to her? I need answers, first, before I decide.
I'm not going to kill her. Even after being murdered, I trust her more than I trust this other guy that can apparently hijack my body whenever He wants. Do we have a gameplan for that, by the way?
There's no way I'm going to slay her -- didn't you hear, she *loves* us! And *we* love *her*.
I'm done. I'm just going to turn around and leave, and hope none of this ever comes back to bite me. [Turn around and leave.]

YOU - I'm *still* not sure. She killed me, yes, but I was about to kill her against my will. Who knows if the same sort of thing was happening to her? I need answers, first, before I decide.

DRAMA - Yes, how very non-committal of you -- how *boring*.

VOICE OF THE HERO - That sounds reasonable to me. It's not boring, it's just sensible.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - You'll come to your senses yet, when we're reunited with our beloved.

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - If you did want to save her, you would have to do something to stop His interference, or you'll just be forced into the same no-win scenario *again*.

THE NARRATOR - Yes, you'd have to be very sneaky about your intentions if you're going to try and save the Princess.

RHETORIC [Challenging: Failure] - He is privy to your innermost thoughts. How are we supposed to keep a secret from Him?

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Ah, so all of the cards are on the table. Then you should know that we and the Princess are in love, and the twenty-eight of us will be foiling any and all assassination attempts you've got in the works.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - When Loverboy puts it like that, He sounds vastly outnumbered. He should really just give up now, while He's ahead.

THE NARRATOR - We'll see about that. Whatever you do, just be sure to ignore him, specifically. It sounds like he's the sort who'd sacrifice the whole world for a peck on the cheek.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - What can I say? A world without love is a world that isn't worth saving.

SHIVERS [Medium: Success] - A crossbreeze snakes across your shoulders and around your chest, travelling through a gap in the trees. It's soothing, a chill touch against your aching form.

VOLITION [Easy: Success] - If it wasn't obvious, this new guy is compromised -- like, double-triple-compromised. The most compromised you've ever seen one of these guys be, really. You can still listen to what he's saying, just be careful about it, alright?

Do you have anything to say about the fact this already happened, and that I was brutally murdered in the basement of that cabin? It was *your* fault -- why should I listen to you? Why should I bother doing any of this?
[Proceed to the cabin.]

YOU - [Proceed to the cabin.]

RHETORIC - Ah. That's one way to do it. Good thinking.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - The path is dark, and uneven in places, but you manage to keep pace without stumbling again.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - It looks about the same as it did the first time, as far as you can tell.

ENDURANCE [Medium: Failure] - It's probably for the best that you're just walking this time -- dying took a lot out of you.

ENDURANCE - Speaking of, Coach has been awfully quiet recently. Hey, he's not slacking off, is he?

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Challenging: Failure] - Oh fuck off. You feel *weak*, weaker than you were before you kicked the bucket. You should focus on gathering strength for when you have to bust down the door again. Try not to fall down the stairs this time.

INLAND EMPIRE [Legendary: Failure] - Something is wrong, here -- but you don't know what.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - When you arrive at the clearing again, you can see that the cabin and the surroundings are also unchanged.

THE NARRATOR - A warning, before you go any further...

THE NARRATOR - She will lie, she will cheat, and she will do everything in her power to stop you from slaying her. Don't believe a word she says.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - We already told you we're not playing along with your little game, it's your lies that can't be trusted. Her beauty is the only thing in the world we can believe in!

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - At least half of this is sound advice.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I think we've already been over this enough times. I'm pretty sure he just likes the sound of his own voice.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - I do, but I also speak from the heart. My passions are too great to be stifled, they must be expressed!

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - An admirable quality, is it not? To be utterly confident in one's words, projected onto the world's stage?

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - Your soul grows deeper and more vast, now that he too occupies it.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Easy: Success] - Birds of a feather.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Oh, you shower me with praises - but save some of the good material for the Princess, alright? I'm already well aware of the effect my passion has upon the world.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Sure, yeah, your passions are strong and all, but not everyone needs to hear them. Some things are better kept quiet.

THE NARRATOR - Don't pay their bickering any mind. Focus on the task ahead.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - You are used to your headspace being crowded out by dozens of competing thoughts -- what's two more?

[Enter the cabin.]

YOU - [Enter the cabin.]

THE NARRATOR - The interior of the cabin is clean and elegant, its stone walls draped in fine-threaded tapestries, a prison befitting a royal prisoner. The only furniture of note is an ornate wooden table with a pristine blade perched on its edge.

THE NARRATOR - The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you want to do this right.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - This is definitely *not* the same cabin.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Easy: Success] - The floorplan is roughly the same, but these windows do not match what you saw from the exterior.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - It's possible, if unlikely, that the inside of the cabin has been furnished with stonework while the outside is a façade of wood -- but that still wouldn't explain the windows.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] - It reminds you of the precious few royalist pre-revolution buildings in Revachol East that both avoided being dismantled for raw materials by the communards and escaped bombing from the Coalition. Most are historical landmarks now, but a few are still in use as public works or trendy 'morceau d'histoire' apartment blocks.

This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?
What about the mirror in the corner?
[Approach the mirror.]
[Look out a window.]
[Examine the floor.]
[Take the blade.]
[Enter the basement.]

YOU - This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?

THE NARRATOR - Ah, yes, this delusion again. For the last time - you haven't been here before, you haven't met the Princess, and you certainly haven't died. Don't you think it's more likely that you were just having some sort of hallucination? I mean really, judging by that little diversion out in the woods, hallucinations don't seem to be that uncommon for you.

RHETORIC [Heroic: Failure] - He has a point.

VOICE OF THE HERO - No, we were definitely here before. I remember too. Don't let him confuse you, this has all been real so far.

This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?
What about the mirror in the corner?
[Approach the mirror.]
[Look out a window.]
[Examine the floor.]
[Take the blade.]
[Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Look out a window.]

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - The view you would expect -- you can see the clearing and the edge of the woods, down the hill. Stars shine down on you from above.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - They do not twinkle.

VISUAL CALCULUS - That matches up, but there's still something wrong with these windows.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - A gorgeous view befitting of the Princess, surely - we must free her posthaste, so that we may lie under the stars together.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - Oh yeah, now we're talkin'.

THE NARRATOR - Ugh, get your head out of the gutter and focus.

This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?
What about the mirror in the corner?
[Approach the mirror.]
[Look out a window.]
[Examine the floor.]
[Take the blade.]
[Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Examine the floor.]

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - No dust, just a smoothed cobblestone floor.

PERCEPTION (TOUCH) - It's abnormally warm, against the palm of your hand -- as if the sun had been shining on it for hours.

EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] - Comforting, in a way.

This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?
What about the mirror in the corner?
[Approach the mirror.]
[Look out a window.]
[Examine the floor.]
[Take the blade.]
[Enter the basement.]

YOU - What about the mirror in the corner?

THE NARRATOR - There isn't a mirror. There's a table, the blade sitting on the table, and the door to the basement. There's nothing else in here.

DRAMA [Legendary: Failure] - You can't tell if He's genuine or not.

SUGGESTION - He certainly *sounds* convincing.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Trivial: Success] - But your eyes do not lie to you. There is a full-length mirror, hanging to the left of the basement door. It's covered in a thin layer of *something* that is preventing it from giving a clear reflection -- it only contains smears of light when viewed from this angle and distance.

VOICE OF THE HERO - There's definitely a mirror.

THE NARRATOR - There isn't.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - I'm sure the Princess would tell us there was a mirror if she was up here.

THE NARRATOR - In which case she'd be lying to you because, again, there isn't a mirror.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - This argument isn't productive -- little more than 'he said she said', grade school level debate. Either cut to the heart of the issue or discard this train of thought entirely.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - You should take a look either way, though. You want to look your best, if you're going to go down there again and perform some *heroics*.

Why would you even lie about this? Are you trying to make me think I'm losing it? Because it'll take a lot more than lying about a mirror to do that, trust me.
It doesn't really matter, does it? It's just a mirror. (Discard thought.)

YOU - Why would you even lie about this? Are you trying to make me think I'm losing it? Because it'll take a lot more than lying about a mirror to do that, trust me.

THE NARRATOR - Exactly. Why would I lie about something so meaningless? What good would a mirror even do? Let you waste time preening yourself instead of doing what needs to be done?

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - You're not his peone. He will work to *your* schedule, not the other way around.

This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?
What about the mirror in the corner?
[Approach the mirror.]
[Look out a window.]
[Examine the floor.]
[Take the blade.]
[Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Approach the mirror.]

THE NARRATOR - You walk up to the wall next to the basement door. It's a wall. There isn't much to see here.

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - He is either utterly convinced that there is no mirror or a master of deceit. Either one is equally likely, in this case.

VOICE OF THE HERO - This really isn't funny.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - You can't tell exactly what's covering the mirror, even now -- maybe some kind of grease or oil? -- but you could probably wipe away some of it from the middle and get a good look at yourself.

Let's take a look -- I probably look terrible after dying like that. [Wipe the mirror clean.]
I'm getting bad vibes from this. Maybe I better just leave it be. [Leave the mirror behind.]

YOU - Let's take a look -- I probably look terrible after dying like that. [Wipe the mirror clean.]

THE NARRATOR - You reach forward and rub your hand against the cabin wall. I hope you know how ridiculous you look right now.

VOICE OF THE HERO - But it was there a second ago!

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - And now it's gone. Pity. We could have a feather out of place and now we'll never know. We can't gallantly sweep her off her feet if we have a feather out of place.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - Feather? *Preening*? What are these guys talking about -- you aren't a bird.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - The bird metaphor earlier wasn't supposed to be taken literally.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Formidable: Success] - Also, all three of them are wrong -- the mirror is still here.

VOICE OF THE HERO - You can still see it?

THE NARRATOR - I hope you don't expect me to believe you about a nonexistent mirror when you lot can't even keep your story straight.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - The task falls to you, then, to make sure we are presentable for our triumphant reunion.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - There's a spot in the middle, now, where your hand has cleared away the oily residue and revealed the surface beneath. You can see yourself there -- surprisingly well-kempt, for someone who's just been murdered.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - You look a lot better now than you did when you first re-entered the world back in Martinaise. The swelling in your face has gone down, just a touch, and your nose has started to lose some of its red discoloration. Your hair and muttonchops are meticulously maintained, a far cry from the wild tangle they were when you were still an active alcoholic.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Easy: Success] - It's a good thing you didn't shave them off -- your face would look oddly empty without those chops.

SUGGESTION - The Expression has long since left you, but you've been training yourself to maintain a smiling demeanor as a neutral state instead of the sort of slight grimace you had before. It goes a long way toward making you look more approachable.

REACTION SPEED - Your eyes flick across the edges of your other self, looking for something on reflex.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - Something else watches you from behind your reflection.

[Shivers - Impossible 20] What am I looking at?
[Blink.]

YOU - What am I looking at?

+1 Oil and tar

+1 You can trust him.

+1 Last breath

+1 From the same place

-10 There is no mirror

CHECK FAILURE

SHIVERS [Impossible: Failure] - Nothing. Nothing at all.

[Locked] What am I looking at?
[Blink.]

YOU - [Blink.]

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - You blink, and the mirror's gone.

This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?
[Look out a window.]
[Examine the floor.]
[Take the blade.]
[Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Take the blade.]

Item gained: Pristine Blade

THE NARRATOR - You take the blade from the table. It would be difficult to slay the Princess and save the world without a weapon.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - I suppose if we're to play the role of dashing knight, we need an equally dashing sword. That way she'll know we can defend her from her enemies.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Medium: Success] - You don't need a knife to do that. You're still plenty intimidating without one.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - The only enemy she seems to have is Him, and He doesn't seem very stabbable.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Hopefully it doesn't put her on edge. And hopefully it doesn't get turned on us... again.

THE NARRATOR - There's no use arguing over motivations right now. It's good that you took the blade. You'll need it to do your job.

[Examine the blade.]
I'd rather have this blade than not have it, given what happened last time. Besides, not taking it didn't seem to help in the end, did it? It showed up anyway.
I'm taking the blade so I can slay her, obviously. It's what He said to do!
I took it so I can stab her. In the chest. Repeatedly if possible.
Look, I just took it so I can pawn it later, alright? Times are tough.
I don't really know why I took it, honestly. Something about it called to me, drawing me to violence.

YOU - [Examine the blade.]

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - This knife is, again, *extremely* sharp -- you could easily slice into your own hand if you weren't careful handling it.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - The actual blade itself is triangular in shape, with an ornamental crossguard separating it from the hilt, which appears to be wrapped in some sort of leather binding.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Trivial: Success] - For extra grip.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - Forged from starstuff, a weapon of the divine. Keep it close.

[Examine the blade.]
I'd rather have this blade than not have it, given what happened last time. Besides, not taking it didn't seem to help in the end, did it? It showed up anyway.
I'm taking the blade so I can slay her, obviously. It's what He said to do!
I took it so I can stab her. In the chest. Repeatedly, if possible.
Look, I just took it so I can pawn it later, alright? Times are tough.
I don't really know why I took it, honestly. Something about it called to me, drawing me to violence.

YOU - I'd rather have this blade than not have it, given what happened last time. Besides, not taking it didn't seem to help in the end, did it? It showed up anyway.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Fair point. Just be careful with that thing, maybe keep it in a pocket until we really need it.

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - No, this is an item of great power, and you feel *good* holding it in your grip. Don't let go of it, ever.

EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] - She'll understand if you're armed, given what she did last time.

AUTHORITY [Challenging: Success] - She'd better -- it's not like she gets any say in the matter. You *will* arm yourself, against the machinations of your enemies. Whether that includes her or not is still up for debate.

This isn't even the same cabin as last time! What the hell is going on?
[Look out a window.]
[Examine the floor.]
[Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Enter the basement.]

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] - You take note as you pass through the doorframe this time -- this door *does* have a lock. Be wary of the same trick being used twice.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] - This door seems a lot sturdier than the one from the first iteration, you think -- it's thicker, and while there is a window cut into it, it's been barred over with iron.

THE NARRATOR - The door to the basement creaks open, revealing an intricate stairwell. Gold-trimmed carpet glimmers in the light of the torches positioned along the walls. The basement almost seems welcoming in the dim firelight.

THE NARRATOR - But it's still a stone basement. If the Princess lives here, slaying her is probably doing her a favor.

RHETORIC - He wasn't even trying, that time.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Impossible: Failure] - *Are* these carpets gold-trimmed?

THE NARRATOR - A soft voice carries up the stairs.

H-hello? Is someone there?

PERCEPTION (HEARING) [Easy: Success] - The same inflection and general accent, but pitched differently -- a little higher, a little lighter.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Godly: Failure] - The same inexplicable quality as before, too.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Her voice... it's somehow even more beautiful than last time. I can hear wedding bells already...

REACTION SPEED [Formidable: Failure] - *Wedding bells*?

VOICE OF THE HERO - I've held my tongue 'til now, but you're taking this a little too far. We barely even know the Princess. We can still do right by her without all this over-the-top fawning.

VOLITION - *This* is exactly how you sounded last time, Mr. 'It's hypnotizing' -- at least you've snapped out of it, though I can't say the same for the other guy.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...Well, it was a hypnotizing voice, wasn't it?

PERCEPTION (HEARING) - It was. This new one is, too -- maybe even moreso.

VOLITION - Not the point.

THE NARRATOR - Yes. For everyone's sake, you're not in love. Sigh. Just remember that her charms are all part of the manipulation.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - She's not even trying to manipulate you here -- she just spoke, a single sentence. Any charm being heaped on is coming entirely from within your own mind.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I can take a good guess where that's coming from.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - You skip the third step on the way down on reflex, even though it wouldn’t make sense for a stone stair to creak.

THE NARRATOR - As you reach the bottom of the stairs, you lock eyes with the Princess. There's a heavy chain around her wrist, binding her to the far wall.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - My love! We're here to rescue you from your unjust and foul imprisonment!

THE NARRATOR - You know she can't hear you, right?

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - She is not as attuned to the psionic frequencies as you are.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - She may not be able to hear my words, but surely, she can hear my spirit.

THE NARRATOR - Oh, your spirit's plenty loud, alright.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - She's wearing a different dress -- something even frillier and poofier. The tiara on her head has been replaced with one more resembling a crown, but less solidly put together.

DRAMA [Formidable: Success] - A prop.

AUTHORITY [Challenging: Success] - A *demotion*.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - She's holding herself in a less assertive way than last time. The slightest incline of the head, eyes looking up, hands clasped in her lap.

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - Eyes even bigger. An abomination -- gouge out those eyes, slit her throat, *KILL HER*.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Easy there, easy.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Trivial: Success] - If you were to look up the word 'Princess' in a dictionary, this is the image that would appear next to it, minus the chain.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Challenging: Success] - ...Are her tits bigger?

THE NARRATOR - Oh, for the love of -

VOICE OF THE HERO - Is that really what we're gonna be focusing on, here?

VOLITION - Oh my *god*, please don't get into this now --

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Now hold on just a second - while I certainly understand the visage of our beloved to be absolutely captivating, that is no way to speak about a fine lady such as herself!

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - No, all of you shut the *fuck* up. This is literally my *JOB*, and I'm gonna fucking do it, all of you pansy asses be damned.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - This is what you notice when you look at her: her breasts are *bigger* than last time. Eyes, Special-Eyes, back me up on this one.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - ...I wasn't going to say anything. But yes, you think so.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Challenging: Failure] - It could just be the dress, pushing them up, but you can't be sure from this distance.

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] - That would be the vastly more likely option. Or would it? The cabin has changed, her outfit and demeanor have changed, *you* have changed with the addition of another voice to the gallery -- who knows what else could have changed?

VOICE OF THE HERO - It's a good observation, but is that really how he had to go about expressing it?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Yes.

REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Failure] - She hasn't noticed you were staring, but she's taken your silence as an opportunity to keep talking.

It's you, my dashing hero! I was so worried you wouldn't come back.

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] - None of the nervous energy from the first time you met remains. She is completely at ease, now that you're back.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - She missed you.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Did you hear that? She said we're dashing!

VOICE OF THE HERO - And she called us a hero!

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - Keep it *together*, man. I know the other one is a lost cause, but I thought *you* were over this.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Right, right, sorry.

THE NARRATOR - Flattery really goes a long way with the two of you, doesn't it?

SUGGESTION - The fact that parts of you are caving so easily to her words is not a good sign.

DRAMA [Formidable: Success] - You have been made to fit snugly into this role -- why *not* take it for a spin?

THE NARRATOR - But... 'worried you wouldn't come back?' I didn't want to believe your ravings and delusions out in the woods, but this is next to incontrovertible evidence. You've been here before.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - He was going to catch on eventually. Your inner workings weren't being subtle. But at least you know that *she* remembers too, now.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - That's right, villain. And you killed us.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Well... she killed us.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Challenging: Success] - There's still a tingling feeling in your ribs, but nothing more serious than that.

HALF LIGHT - It grows stronger when you look directly at her.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Only because he made us try and kill her! It was self-defense. Our beloved's hands remain unstained by cruelty.

ENDURANCE - No, there was definitely some cruelty. You came apart in tatters under her hands.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - It would have been a *lot* less cruel if she wasn't so abysmal with her knifework.

THE NARRATOR - And you really have died before. So an entire world has been damned to oblivion.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - An entire world? Could that mean --

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - -- over four billion lives snuffed out in an instant. Such *power*, such *loss* --

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Medium: Success] - -- No. Your colleagues are still on duty.

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - You left your worldline behind long ago.

THE NARRATOR - I'd really hoped I'd be the first... but what's done is done. What matters is you have a chance to do it right this time.

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - He was lying, before -- either to you or himself, or both.

VOICE OF THE HERO - We... damned a whole world? But everything reset.

THE NARRATOR - Nothing 'resets'. You're just somewhere else, and you can't keep hopping between worlds forever. Especially not without leaving a trail of incomprehensible destruction behind you. Sigh. This is horrible.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - How many jumps away from home are you, now? How many more will you need to make before you can return?

DAMAGED MORALE -1

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Horrible for you, maybe, but we've been given another opportunity to sweep her off her feet and treat her like the lady she is.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - I'm getting some *real* mixed signals from you, man.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Now hold on. If she actually ended a world... are you sure we want to do this? Are you sure we want to rescue her?

VOLITION - You were pretty sure about it last time, buddy.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Yeah, I was - but now we have new information, and I don't like the picture it's painting at all.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - We never saw a world end. And now I'm even more certain that we must chase our heroic and romantic destiny than I've ever been. I shan't let anyone convince us otherwise!

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - Well, he's actually right -- you're *still* only operating off of His word. That you were killed and somehow revived doesn't mean the explanation He's giving is correct -- there could be any number of explanations, especially for a supranatural phenomenon like this. The rest of that statement is up for debate, however.

RHETORIC - Good use of 'shan't' though, that's a rare one.

THE NARRATOR - Are you listening to him? He's lost it. Don't let him distract you, just do your job.

I'm saving her, end of discussion. I'm going all-in on this love train -- it sounds wonderful.
I have to ask the *questions* first, you guys know this by now. It's just how I do things.
Can't I just stab her a little?
I'm gonna slay her right now -- she's pretty much oblivious to the fact I have a knife at all.

YOU - I have to ask the *questions* first, you guys know this by now. It's just how I do things.

New task: Question the Princess (again)

VOICE OF THE HERO - I could go for some more questions. The more time not spent killing each other, the better.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - Stay light on your feet, while you're down here -- it'll help you avoid being stabbed again *and* keep you limber.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Also, you *should* really think about dropping everything and running away into the night with her. That sort of shit is what movies get made about, and it would make you *undeniably* cool.

[Look around.]
What was that about a role and 'taking it for a spin'? I'm interested.
"I *definitely* have some more questions I'd like to ask you, after everything that happened the last time I was here. Hope you don't mind."
"Oh, none of this 'dashing hero' stuff -- YOU KILLED ME! Give me *one* good reason I shouldn't revenge-kill you right now."
"Why did you kill me last time? I get it must've been scary, but you could have just thrown away the knife!"
"Hey, you're still here! I thought you would have taken the opportunity to escape after stabbing me before. Could you not get the door open?"
[Approach her.]
I don't trust that shit for a *second*. I'm leaving before I get locked in and die, again. [Leave the basement.]

YOU - [Look around.]

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - The basement, too, is different now. The floor and walls have been finished -- finer cobblestone and proper stonework, respectively. The chain binding the Princess is less intimidating, and the window behind her is larger, unbarred, and closer to the ground. There is a fine carpet in the middle of the floor.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - ...This makes for a pretty crappy prison, truth be told.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Whatever dastardly fiends locked her away here must have found a shred of compassion in their hearts, to give her this modicum of comfort.

EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] - It's for rehabilitation, instead of punishment.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - No, it isn't. This basement was supposed to hold the Princess for an unknown amount of time until someone (you) came along to slay her. Who put her here, anyway?

[Look around.]
What was that about a role and 'taking it for a spin'? I'm interested.
"I *definitely* have some more questions I'd like to ask you, after everything that happened the last time I was here. Hope you don't mind."
"Oh, none of this 'dashing hero' stuff -- YOU KILLED ME! Give me *one* good reason I shouldn't revenge-kill you right now."
"Why did you kill me last time? I get it must've been scary, but you could have just thrown away the knife!"
"Hey, you're still here! I thought you would have taken the opportunity to escape after stabbing me before. Could you not get the door open?"
[Approach her.]
I don't trust that shit for a *second*. I'm leaving before I get locked in and die, again. [Leave the basement.]

YOU - What was that about a role and 'taking it for a spin'? I'm interested.

DRAMA - Has my liege finally decided to shake the yoke of mundanity? You've been playing the part of the boring stiff for *far* too long -- don't you think it's time for a change?

Me? Boring? Are you sure?
I *have* been changing, though! Incrementally. A little.
Haven't I changed enough for a lifetime? Wouldn't it be nicer to settle into a routine instead?
Is this really the time, though? Stuck in some sort of living nightmare with new voices invading my headspace and a princess that's stabbed me to death?
No, I hate change actually. (Opt out.)
Say no more -- I'm in. It sounds more interesting than whatever I had going on before, at least. (Opt in.)

YOU - I *have* been changing, though! Incrementally. A little.

VOLITION - You need to walk before you can run, Harry -- don't take it too far, too fast.

ENDURANCE [Easy: Success] - Not true. You could break into a sprint from a dead stop at any time, if you wanted.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Hey, uh, we've been standing here for a while now without saying anything, and I think she's getting antsy -

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] - No, she isn't. She's maintained the same posture the entire time, eyes expectant, almost unmoving. If she wasn't blinking, you'd think she was a mannequin or something.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - She'll wait for you, as long as it takes.

DRAMA - And how has that been working out for you? Have you been *enjoying* the long days and nights of barely-paid leave and paperwork, sire?

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Trivial: Success] - You *have* been stuck with desk duty since you recovered sufficiently from your gunshot wound. You've only returned to active patrol very recently.

THE NARRATOR - This isn't the time for a mid-life crisis, you have a task that needs doing - you can re-evaluate your current career trajectory after you slay her.

Me? Boring? Are you sure?
I *have* been changing, though! Incrementally. A little.
Haven't I changed enough for a lifetime? Wouldn't it be nicer to settle into a routine instead?
Is this really the time, though? Stuck in some sort of living nightmare with new voices invading my headspace and a princess that's stabbed me to death?
No, I hate change actually. (Opt out.)
Say no more -- I'm in. It sounds more interesting than whatever I had going on before, at least. (Opt in.)

YOU - Is this really the time, though? Stuck in some sort of living nightmare with new voices invading my headspace and a princess that's stabbed me to death?

VOICE OF THE HERO - Hey! Rude.

DRAMA - This is the *perfect* time -- you have a fresh audience, and this is certainly the most monumental event that has happened to you since you started this new chapter of your life.

DRAMA - The stage is set, and you have your role -- all you need now is your most trustworthy writing team to feed you a script.

Okay, but what do you *mean* by that?
No, I think I'm good. I'd rather treat this situation seriously and get back to marginal improvement once I'm done with it all. (Opt out.)
Alright, alright, I'm in. What do you have in mind? (Opt in.)

YOU - Okay, but what do you *mean* by that?

DRAMA - Hasn't it been obvious? This is all an elaborate production. The changing scenery, the omnipresent Narrator, the dramatic death scene at the end of the first act, the Princess cast into a new, lovestruck role -- All it's missing is *you*, to play the part of the brave Hero.

INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - A cosmic performance, given to an audience of swirling galaxies. You can see the strings, now, wrapping around her heart -- and around your neck.

THE NARRATOR - This isn't an act, this is real, and that means the consequences of your actions are also very much real.

PAIN THRESHOLD - The pain was definitely real.

DRAMA - Simply a bit of *method acting*.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Our love is anything but an act, though I do agree with the rest - we should be ravishing her right now, not interrogating her like some foul lowlife!

RHETORIC - It's not an interrogation, it's a *questioning*. You can still ask her the questions, even if you go along with the Thespian.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - It might even be beneficial, putting some spin on them. She may be more likely to give solid answers this time.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - If she's suffering from memory loss, it won't help.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...It was nice, being called a hero, but I still don't know if we should be freeing her. What if we're wrong?

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - How could true love ever be wrong?

Okay, but what do you *mean* by that?
No, I think I'm good. I'd rather treat this situation seriously and get back to marginal improvement once I'm done with it all. (Opt out.)
Alright, alright, I'm in. What do you have in mind? (Opt in.)

YOU - Alright, alright, I'm in. What do you have in mind? (Opt in.)

New task: Play the part of the Hero

DRAMA - We'll need to punch up your lines a little, add some more flair. You can keep a bit of the suspicion -- it'll help, to have some tension between you two --

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - *Sexual* tension, baby.

DRAMA - No, no -- this is a period piece, you'll want to limit it to *maybe* a double entendre at the most.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Success] - Something from the pre-Franconigerian period, possibly. When castles in the Occident were still built of stone and not concrete.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - This is all sounding rather trite. Couldn't we work in something a little more *original*?

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - You would call a story of love and perseverance trite? It is a well-known tale, a concept as beloved as our dearest, not trite.

THE NARRATOR - It's clear to me that you've chosen to side with the most delusional voices in your head, crafting some elaborate scenario where you're - what, an actor? To the detriment of the entire world, no less - let's hope you snap out of it before it's too late.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Whatever you end up choosing to do, I'll be on your side.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - ...If you decide you don't want to play along with this anymore, you can always back out later.

DRAMA - Alright, I think we should be ready here. Go ahead and get started -- the audience awaits with bated breath.

[Look around.]
"Oh, how blessed must I be to see that my beloved is alive, well, and returned to me intact! Allow me to approach, my dear, so that I may see your beautiful face under the light of the stars!" [Approach her.]
*This* is what you want me to say? I can't do this -- take me back, please. [Back out.]

YOU - "Oh, how blessed must I be to see that my beloved is alive, well, and returned to me intact! Allow me to approach, my dear, so that I may see your beautiful face under the light of the stars!" [Approach her.]

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Now this is some quality material! You're really outdoing yourselves here in expressing our affection for our beloved - keep it up.

DRAMA - I try.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Easy: Success] - You puff out your chest a bit as you say your lines. You're not at your peak right now, but you can *still* cut a great figure.

THE NARRATOR - I can't believe this is what you're deciding to do - and after supposedly being murdered by her, too! You better have some kind of actual plan, here, or you're dooming everyone to oblivion.

SUGGESTION [Challenging: Success] - Relax, it's all part of the show -- you're putting her at ease so you can get closer, no matter *what* you have to end up doing.

THE NARRATOR - ...I don't believe that, but it's not like I get much choice in the matter, do I?

THE NARRATOR - Sigh. As you declare your heroic intentions and greet your 'beloved', the Princess giggles daintily before gesturing you forward. You confidently stride across the room, stopping a few feet from her and settling in on the floor.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - That's right, show off what you got -- you *are* confident.

PERCEPTION (TOUCH) - These stones aren't as warm as the ones upstairs, but they aren't cold either.

VISUAL CALCULUS - ...You still can't tell if it's the dress or not.

THE NARRATOR - Can we get off this subject, please? There are vastly more important things to be focusing on right now than that.

DRAMA - Now, before you go any further, you should offer her a gift of some kind -- a token of appreciation, given from a knight to thine faire lady.

HALF LIGHT - You *do* remember she's fucking stabbed you to death, right?

DRAMA - Don't take it so personally, it was for a good cause -- an *outstanding* performance from you, with regards to your own demise. Now, about that gift...

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - What a wonderful idea! We should come up with something exceptional - she deserves only the best!

VOICE OF THE HERO - Do we even have anything on us? You had the flask, before, but I don't remember much else in those pockets.

[Reach for the flask.]
Surely I can do better. What else do I got? [Rummage through your pockets.]
I'm not giving her anything -- this stuff is *mine*, I found it fair and square.

YOU - Surely I can do better. What else do I got? [Rummage through your pockets.]

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Heroic: Failure] - ...No, it should *definitely* be here somewhere --

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] - They're all empty, boss. Sorry.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Challenging: Success] - Check the little pocket by the seam on your left flank.

Why? What's in there?
[Electrochemistry - Easy 8] Alright, sure, why not. [Reach in there.]
It's probably drugs, isn't it. Nope, not interested. [Don't reach in there.]

YOU - Why? What's in there?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Something *good*.

VOLITION - This usually isn't a good sign.

Why? What's in there?
[Electrochemistry - Easy 8] Alright, sure, why not. [Reach in there.]
It's probably drugs, isn't it. Nope, not interested. [Don't reach in there.]

YOU - Alright, sure, why not. [Reach in there.]

+5 Smitten

+1 This is his job

CHECK SUCCESS

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Easy: Success] - Your fingers grip a little bottle of pills -- the prescription painkillers, as promised. It isn't the best shit you could get your hands on, but it's better than nothing.

Item gained: Prescription bottle

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - You *definitely* didn't feel that while you were poking around in your blazer.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - These are what you're taking for the pain in your leg. It would make sense that you'd keep them on you, for whenever you need another dose.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] - It's basically Drouamine, but reformulated with additional 'industry secret' active ingredients.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - The only reason you're allowed to carry these on your person is because of an intense buttering-up session you had with Gottlieb not two weeks ago.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - He wasn't swayed by your words, but he recognized your recovery as proceeding smoothly and decided you needed a small responsibility to test the waters.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Do you want us to give her these? It doesn't seem like a very fitting present to give to a princess, if I'm being honest.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - What? No, these are for you. I figured you could use something to take the edge off. Just slam back a fistful, it should be fine -- you're *very* used to dry swallowing pills by now.

ENDURANCE [Easy: Success] - You shouldn't. These things have a coating that induces vomiting if you take too many at once, to mitigate overdoses.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] - Your leg is fine and the phantom pains have subsided. You don’t need these.

Fuck's sake, man, *focus*. [Put the pills back.]
...Just the one. It would look weird if I took out this bottle and then put it right back without taking any. [Take one pill.]
*Now* we're getting somewhere! [Take a fistful.]
She'll probably like these -- I sure do. [Offer her the bottle.]

YOU - ...Just the one. It would look weird if I took out this bottle and then put it right back without taking any. [Take one pill.]

HEALED HEALTH +1

VOLITION - *Just* one. It'll help out a lot if you end up getting sliced again, god forbid.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Come now, enough lollygagging - we should offer her the flask at the least. She seemed to enjoy it last time!

THE NARRATOR - If you're going to go through with giving this monster a trinket, you should at least hurry it up - she's been gazing between your eyes and your hands for a while. She'll get impatient eventually, which would be very bad for all of us, mark my words.

[Reach for the flask.]
Surely I can do better. What else do I got? [Rummage through your pockets.]
I'm not giving her anything -- this stuff is *mine*, I found it fair and square.

YOU - [Reach for the flask.]

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - Yes, it's still there.

Item gained: Flask of Love and Anguish

PERCEPTION (SMELL) - When you open the flask this time, you are struck by a decidedly non-strawberry scent. Is that...

PAIN THRESHOLD [Formidable: Success] - Apricots.

PAIN THRESHOLD - Your stomach lurches for a second, but you keep it together. You can manage to think about your ex for short bursts of time, nowadays, but that doesn't mean you *enjoy* it. Some things are better left buried.

PERCEPTION [Medium: Success] - Based on this smell and the slight fizzing noise coming from the opened container, this is likely some kind of sparkling apricot juice. It's not alcoholic, this much you can tell.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Zero for two, they can't all be winners.

VOICE OF THE HERO - This seems like a fine gift to me. What's wrong with apricots, anyway?

INLAND EMPIRE [Trivial: Success] - Memories long since boxed away. Something not worth getting into right now, trust me.

"For you, my love. Drink of this flask and be replenished!" [Offer her the flask.]
No, this will only bring pain. [Put the flask back.]
[Pain Threshold - Godly 16] You know what, I feel like making an absolutely massive mistake right about now. [Take a swig from the flask, first.]

YOU - "For you, my love. Drink of this flask and be replenished!" [Offer her the flask.]

Oh, if you want me to, then sure!

THE NARRATOR - The Princess quickly swipes the flask from your outstretched hand, then takes one long continuous sip - until it's completely drained.

Item lost: Flask of Love and Anguish

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - Damn, girl knows how to chug! We should get some beers down here, make it a real party.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - No.

SAVOIR FAIRE - ...She held her pinky up while drinking it.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - As to be expected from a proper lady. Every movement she makes is infused with grace itself!

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - She didn't offer you any. You'd think she would, after all you've been through.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Godly: Failure] - You wouldn't dare drink whatever's in there, anyway.

THE NARRATOR - She hands the empty flask back to you with a sheepish smile.

Item gained: Flask of Love and Anguish (empty)

It was different than last time - I like that! Thank you so much, my brave hero.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Yeah, that still feels good to hear.

DRAMA - You've introduced yourself, you've given the gift -- *now* you can start asking questions, if you'd like. Don't lay on any accusations right now, at least not too thick. You are still two star-crossed lovers, previously separated by misfortune and miscommunication, so it's ok to be a little suspicious -- just don't overdo it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - This guy sure is a natural at this, isn't he? Is he like this all the time?

More or less, yeah.
Sometimes, but not usually this strongly. I think something's got him hyperactive right now.
I dunno, I barely listen to him on the best days.

YOU - Sometimes, but not usually this strongly. I think something's got him hyperactive right now.

VOLITION - I'd say he's compromised again, but he's still been able to distinguish the act from reality so far, so it's not that.

DRAMA - Nothing of the sort. It's just so rare, to have a reality as malleable as this in which we can truly *express* ourselves. We need to make the most of this opportunity while we still can.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - It's either this or having a breakdown over how many laws of physics have casually been annihilated since you got here.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Oh, we'll have near limitless amounts of time to fully express ourselves when we escape with our beloved.

"Before we leave together, I have a few things I'd like to get off my chest -- some questions and musings, if you'll oblige."
"The time has come for me to free you from these putrid bindings once and for all. Let me have a look." [Save the Princess.]
[Volition - Godly 16] I've had enough. She's obviously a true world-ending threat, and I can't let my friends and my home be destroyed by her. [Slay the Princess.]

YOU - "Before we leave together, I have a few things I'd like to get off my chest -- some questions and musings, if you'll oblige."

Oh right, the questions! I remember the questions. You can ask me as many questions as you want!

RHETORIC - Don't be intimidated by the amount of options here -- just go through them one by one, like we always have. Nice and slow.

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - "Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"

I'm sorry! Didn't you want me to?

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...Did we?

VOLITION [Trivial: Success] - No.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - Nope.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] - No.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - Maybe? No, probably not. She sure seems to think you wanted that, though.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - Fuck no, you should kill her instead.

That's a no from me, too.
Well, *now* I'm not so sure. Was dying really that bad?
I dunno, maybe I'm into it.

YOU - That's a no from me, too.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - We warned her of the cruel forces seizing our body. That's practically telling her to kill us.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - That doesn't sound right.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - She is our beloved, and she made the choice to free us of our misery, to show us mercy and make the best decision for everyone.

AUTHORITY [Challenging: Success] - The only person that's allowed to free you from your mortal coil is *you*.

ENDURANCE [Medium: Failure] - It wouldn't be that hard to, either. You already have a knife.

DAMAGED MORALE -1

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - NO, no, that's *not* right. You don't have to contemplate this sort of thing, not anymore.

THE NARRATOR - She made the best decision for her. Don't be so quick to assign kindness, you're just opening yourself up for manipulation.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Easy: Success] - Dying was anything but kind. So much pain, and you're still here regardless. What was the point?

DRAMA - A twist, of course! A seeming betrayal, with the starring protagonist having to determine whether hidden motive was enough to excuse such a heinous act.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I'm not sure if it's that deep. She gave a pretty straightforward answer, didn't she?

COMPOSURE [Trivial: Success] - She hasn't stopped smiling the entire time you've been back here. It must not bother her much, if at all.

"Yes, of course -- you clearly deciphered the subtle signs of my distress, and near-painlessly ended my life as an act of mercy."
"I'm a little unsure, to be honest -- but I'm sure it'll come to me, once we're both together very far away from here."
"...No. No, I can't say I did want you to kill me, 'dearest'."

YOU - "...No. No, I can't say I did want you to kill me, 'dearest'."

THE NARRATOR - Her smile wavers, for just a moment, then returns in full force as she casually discards your complaint.

...Oh, I'm sorry then! I'll make sure not to kill you next time.

VOICE OF THE HERO - 'Next time'?

THE NARRATOR - Hopefully there won't be a next time, as long as you slay her without any further complications.

EMPATHY [Formidable: Success] - It's not that she doesn't care, quite the opposite -- she was willing to immediately accept whatever you said. She felt really bad there for a second when she realized she did something you didn't want, though.

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - "I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."

THE NARRATOR - If another version of me was pushed to such drastic action, it was for a good reason!

That's okay! You were just doing your best, and that's all that matters.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - Well, it's not *all* that matters -- but you do what you can. Know your limits, but work to surpass them.

VOICE OF THE HERO - She took that in stride. To a surprising extent. An almost unsettling extent, actually.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - That's because she's perfect!

AUTHORITY [Challenging: Success] - *No one* is perfect. Anyone that would try to convince you otherwise is either hiding something, or delusional.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - If she's 'perfect', then why was she wrong about you wanting her to stab you to death?

VOICE OF THE HERO - Do you think she has someone like Him telling her what to do?

LOGIC [Challenging: Success] - It's possible, and would explain some of the behavior you've been witness to so far. It could just *be* Him, actually -- you have no idea the extent of His influence here. It lines up with the theory you came up with out in the woods.

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - She didn't look like she was deadlocked in the same way you were, though, or even anywhere close. If that's what was happening, she wasn't resisting it.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - But she *was* sorry. And she trusted you.

THE NARRATOR - She doesn't. There's no one else like me.

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - He's absolutely sure of this fact, and appears truthful.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - I think He's right. Because I like it better if she doesn't have some horrid little voice like Him always trying to drive her to violence.

HALF LIGHT - Better to have the voice and ignore it than to lack the drive to live at all costs.

HALF LIGHT - (You shouldn't ignore it, though. You can still kill her, she won't see it coming.)

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - "Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."

Hmm...

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - She scrunches up her eyes, digging deep for a memory.

I can't remember! It must have been a long time ago. But that doesn't matter, now that you're here!

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - You see? Our very presence is enough to reassure her. We are meant to be together, away from this vile prison!

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - The only other person you've met here that was not a part of you is Him. It could be someone unrelated, but that seems unlikely, especially given His continual insistence that you kill her.

THE NARRATOR - Does it matter who locked her up here? It's a good thing they did, sure, given that her escape would mean the end of everything, but all that should matter is the here and now, where you finish the job and save all of us.

VOICE OF THE HERO - She really has forgotten everything, then. It must be horrible, being locked away without even knowing how long you've been gone from the world.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Easy: Success] - Your pain is not identical, but it feels similar.

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - "I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"

You died! And now we're talking.

RHETORIC - ...Is that it? Nothing else?

SUGGESTION [Formidable: Failure] - You're unsure if she's being cagey, just isn’t sure, or something else.

"But surely *something* else must have happened, while I was away!"
[Let it go.]

YOU - "But surely *something* else must have happened, while I was away!"

No, not really. There was nothing here to do - not without you!

VOICE OF THE HERO - I can't tell if that's sweet or unsettling.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Why would it be unsettling that she desires our companionship so? We wish for just the same from her, do we not?

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - Two people marooned on an island of matter in a sea of unfamiliarity. It's only natural to want to stick together.

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - "A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"

I don't know. Was I supposed to have ended the world? Would that have made you happy?

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - Wait, does that mean she *could* have ended it? Is she aware of the process involved?

ENCYCLOPEDIA - She said she didn't know how, before.

DRAMA - You didn't think she was lying then. She's likely just playing into the questioning, adding a little more doubt to the mix -- this will keep it *interesting*, when you have to make your choice in the final act.

EMPATHY [Legendary: Success] - She doesn't care for the world -- only for *you*.

INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - Not for you, but for a part of you, buried deep in your chest.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Heroic: Failure] - Your heart? Or maybe the lungs, that would fit better with the 'love' aspect.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Isn't that just like our darling Princess? She wants to make us happy! My heart melts further with every word that passes through her beautiful lips.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - Those *are* some nice lips.

THE NARRATOR - Are you listening to her? That's a confession.

RHETORIC [Challenging: Failure] - Is it?

SUGGESTION [Challenging: Success] - Don't say *anything*, here. You can put the squeeze on her without even having to -- she cares about your opinion a lot, obviously, so what will she do when she doesn't know what you think?

"No, of course I didn't want the world to end, my sweet -- where else would we escape to, if it was no longer there?"
"I care not for the world, one way or the other, as long as I'm with you."
"The world is a terrible, horrible place if it would allow you to be imprisoned like this. It can burn, for all I care."
[Say nothing.]

YOU - [Say nothing.]

THE NARRATOR - The Princess' eyes quiver as she waits for your response.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - There's a conflict going on in her head that causes her to frown for the first time since you returned, however slight. Something appears to win out, after a moment.

I... didn't? End the world?

I didn't end the world!

COMPOSURE - Just like that, the smile's back, as if it never left.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - It sounded like she was reassuring herself, when she repeated that phrase.

THE NARRATOR - She's clearly just saying what she thinks you want to hear.

DRAMA [Legendary: Failure] - You can't even begin to discern whether that was a lie or not. Probably all part of the act, yes?

EMPATHY - She loves you.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - She just wants to make you happy.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - She *killed* you. Tore up your chest with a blade, siphoned out your blood, left you to rot. She doesn't love you -- *END HER*.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - How could a beauty like her be capable of ending the world? It's not rational!

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - These two qualities are not related, at all.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] - Some of the greatest dictators and tyrants in history were conventionally attractive, men and women both.

LOGIC [Heroic: Failure] - You were dead, whenever this world ending did-or-did-not happen. You're not going to be able to figure it out, so you may as well move on.

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - "The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - It takes her a couple seconds longer than usual to parse your statement. When she speaks, she sounds just a little unsure of herself, at least to begin with.

I dunno! I haven't really noticed anything strange going on. All I know is that you're back, and that means everything's okay again!

VOICE OF THE HERO - There's no way she hasn't noticed what's changed. I mean, she's changed! How could she not notice that?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - She's not high. Just in case you were wondering. Royals *do* love their cocaine, but she doesn't seem to have any on her -- a shame.

EMPATHY - The only thing she's high on is you.

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] - Whatever's changed her could have also rendered her unable to notice a change had occurred at all.

THE NARRATOR - Whatever kind of 'change' you're talking about, it's also possible that she's intentionally misleading you into thinking she's oblivious. Don't let your guard down.

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - She isn't, though.

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - "While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "

I'm ok with whatever you come up with. You can cut my arm off again.

COMPOSURE - Not even an ounce of hesitation.

PAIN THRESHOLD - Are you *sure* she isn't high?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - God I wish, but no, definitely not.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - We won't be laying a finger on her perfect wrists, and indeed, we won't even have to! Do you see how dainty her hands are? We'll be able to slip her right out, with no harm done.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] - ...Maybe. *Maybe*. No guarantees, though.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - It'll come down to how flexible she is in the wrist.

THE NARRATOR - What?! No. She's a prisoner here. You can't just slip her hand through the chains!

VOICE OF THE HERO - Why are you four arguing over the logistics of slipping her hand out of her shackles? She just said she'd be okay with any idea we came up with. Am I the only one here who thinks that's weird?

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - No, that's definitely concerning. She had more *drive* than this, last time. She tried to bite off her own arm! Now she's just submitting to whatever idea you come up with.

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - As it should be.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - Also, generally, people *don't* want to get their limbs cut off.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - She didn't care last time! Why should she care this time? That's our stoic, smiling angel.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - She wasn't *that* stoic last time, and she's seemed a lot more openly emotional this go around.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Succes] - Giving someone a blank cheque like that is dangerous -- she's either not fully aware of what she just suggested or she totally and utterly trusts you.

EMPATHY - It's the latter.

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - It's not *right*. She got it last time, when she gnawed at her own arm, but she now exposes her bare neck to a waiting blade like it's nothing. We *could* kill her, and she wouldn't even protest. It's *WRONG*.

THE NARRATOR - No, you're right. It's extremely bizarre behavior, and further evidence that she's a monster who's not to be trusted. So go ahead and slay her.

SUGGESTION - Do you really think that's gonna convince us at this point?

THE NARRATOR - Do you expect me to stop trying? Everything is at stake, here.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - If her hand can slip right out of the chains, why has she not already escaped?

EMPATHY - She was waiting for you.

"Oh, my darling, I know that surely you would never intend to harm me -- but why, then, did you strike me down last we met?"
"While I loathe the thought of marring your perfect form, I will swallow my pain and cut you from these bindings once more -- if that's what it takes. "
"I struggled through the Hells to return to your side, but still I wonder -- what transpired while I was gone from the land of the living?"
"A vile influence whispered honeyed words into my ear, claiming that your escape would bring about the end of all things -- surely this isn't what happened after I departed this world?"
"I'm truly sorry for the violence I wrought upon you before -- my body was host to a battle of wills between myself, my compatriots, and an otherworldly force that took control of my very being and sought your destruction. I did all I could to hold Him off, but it was a trying ordeal."
"Tell me -- what are the names of the scoundrels who locked you away here? I shall commit them to heart, so that I may enact my righteous vengeance at a later date."
"The heavens and the earth move in twisted and unpredictable ways -- I have been returned to you, and the walls of this prison have changed considerably in my absence. Do you know why such strange tidings have come to pass within these halls?"
Nah, I'm done with this charade. Let's just go back to the normal questioning, please. [Back out.]
Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

YOU - Okay, I think I got everything I can out of this. [Proceed.]

VOICE OF THE HERO - I'm a lot less sure of myself than last time, have to admit. She still doesn't seem dangerous, but there's a lot of things that aren't adding up here.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - She had some pretty well reasoned arguments the first time, but that all appears to have melted away now.

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] - Are her cognitive functions impaired, or is it one of the fundamental changes in reality that has made it so?

HALF LIGHT - SHE. KILLED. YOU. How many different ways do I have to scream this at you until you get it through your thick skull?? Do you even want to live at this point?

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - You've already been unmoored from death. You walk back and forth across the line like it isn't even there.

EMPATHY - She *loves* you.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Indeed she does! She loves all of us, even the parts that want to end her life - she's just that compassionate! We need to rescue her and whisk her away, as fast as we possibly can!

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - She was willing to do whatever you said, and molded her statements to fit what she thought you wanted to hear.

DRAMA [Challenging: Success] - But it wasn't borne of deceit -- she has not lied, that you can tell, at least not intentionally. Is she just putting on a good show, or is there something more to the puzzle?

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - There *isn't* anything more to the puzzle. What you see is what you get. She's all surface level thoughts and feelings -- shallow, for lack of a better word.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Is it so wrong, to wear one's heart on one's sleeve?

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - Yes, there is something wrong with that. If you don't maintain at least a thin layer of detachment between yourself and the world, you will become emotionally fragile and easily manipulable.

PAIN THRESHOLD - Easier to hurt. Easier to break.

EMPATHY - But it's okay to love. She loves you. You should love her back.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Alright, I'm putting my foot down. I didn't want to step on any toes, being the 'new guy' and all, but there's definitely something up with this one.

VOLITION - ...*Shit*, you're right. I didn't even notice. How long have they been like this?

EMPATHY - There's nothing 'up' with me. How long has it been since you were loved, Harrier? Wouldn't it be nice to embrace it for once?

...You know, that *does* sound nice.
I don't deserve love. All I do is break things around me -- I'm falling apart at the seams.
Not like this. She's a prisoner, and I'm her 'savior' -- it would be wrong to love her when she's so vulnerable.
No, I can't, not now -- I have a job to do.
That's not what you said earlier! You said I *am* loved, I just forget sometimes.

YOU - That's not what you said earlier! You said I *am* loved, I just forget sometimes.

EMPATHY - ...Well, I -- hm. Huh. Is that right?

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] - Now's the time when you're gonna wanna smack the side of the box, as it were. See if you can get them working right again.

"Before we leave together, I have a few things I'd like to get off my chest -- some questions and musings, if you'll oblige."
[Empathy - Heroic 15] *Do* I love her?
"The time has come for me to free you from these putrid bindings once and for all. Let me have a look." [Save the Princess.]
[Volition - Godly 16] I've had enough. She's obviously a true world-ending threat, and I can't let my friends and my home be destroyed by her. [Slay the Princess.]

YOU - *Do* I love her?

+5 Just an act

+2 Perikarnassian wisdom

+1 Scent of apricots

-1 Dashing hero

-5 Smitten

CHECK SUCCESS

EMPATHY [Heroic: Success] - ...No. At least, not romantically.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - I beg to differ!

VOICE OF THE HERO - We really haven't known her very long at all, have we? How could we love someone we just met?

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - The sun hasn't risen, and you can't see the moon out the window. You have no way to tell how long it's been.

EMPATHY - There are a lot of conflicting feelings in here, truth be told, but you sort through them one by one.

HALF LIGHT - She murdered you. You came back, yes, but she still *murdered* you. Did she even know you would return?

VOLITION - You saw a kindred spirit, someone else who had forgotten all that they were and yet had the urge to keep going regardless. You felt compelled to help.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - There's some attraction, there. She is *hot*. You want to hold her close, feel skin touching skin.

LOGIC - She is an ally, against the unknowable and possibly hostile force that is Him. She can help you, and you can help her.

THE NARRATOR - I've done nothing but try to help you. You are dangerously close to dropping the ball completely and damning everyone to annihilation.

AUTHORITY [Formidable: Success] - *HUSH*. Your input is not required in this matter, outsider.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - She is being held under vague, possibly false charges. You feel a duty to make it right.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - She is an unknown agent. She changed along with the cabin, and she doesn't even notice -- the world sliding out from underneath her, forming her like clay into something a part of you thought you wanted. Can you really trust something -- someone -- like that?

SAVOIR FAIRE - There is a part of you that does not even care for her, not personally, but sees her as a means to an end -- saving a Princess would make you a Hero, wouldn't it?

SHIVERS [Heroic: Success] - She is like you. You are intertwined, in ways that you don't yet understand.

EMPATHY - You are a person, and so is she. People are *complicated*, with many layers of contradictory emotion and connection, many of which are never dragged into the light of day to be examined properly.

EMPATHY - Overall? Despite the bizarre circumstances and the murder, you trust her more than you don't. But the choice is yours to make.

DRAMA - Just don't break character now. You're so close to the finale, it wouldn't do to leave the work unfinished.

"Before we leave together, I have a few things I'd like to get off my chest -- some questions and musings, if you'll oblige."
"The time has come for me to free you from these putrid bindings once and for all. Let me have a look." [Save the Princess.]
[Volition - Godly 16] I've had enough. She's obviously a true world-ending threat, and I can't let my friends and my home be destroyed by her. [Slay the Princess.]

YOU - "The time has come for me to free you from these putrid bindings once and for all. Let me have a look." [Save the Princess.]

Task complete: Question the Princess (again)

Task updated: Save the Princess

THE NARRATOR - No. I can't let you do that. If you even try to take off that shackle, I'll -

VOICE OF THE HERO - You'll what? Take over our body and force us to try and kill her?

THE NARRATOR - Yes.

RHETORIC - The honesty is appreciated at least.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Not on my watch, villain! My passions contain titanic depths, and if you try anything that might harm our dearest I will end our life without a second thought.

REACTION SPEED [Legendary: Failure] - What? *What*??

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - For *fuck's* sake, NO, you won't be doing that.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Impossible: Failure] - If this guy can pull the same trick He can, you might not have much of a choice.

ENDURANCE [Medium: Failure] - It'd only take a moment for a deathblow to be inflicted on you.

THE NARRATOR - You wouldn't.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - I would!

DRAMA [Easy: Success] - He *really* would. Now *that's* dedication to the role!

VOLITION - That isn't a *GOOD* thing!

VOICE OF THE HERO - I'd listen to him if I were you. He has a lot of strong feelings. And doesn't the world end if we don't stop her?

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - There's still the possibility we could slay her after freeing her but before leaving -- but if you died now, that chance would be gone.

SUGGESTION [Challenging: Success] - Loverboy's staked your wellbeing (and therefore the whole world) as collateral against having your body hijacked again. I didn't know he had this kind of cunning in him, really.

Okay, sure, but you aren't *actually* going to try and kill me, right?
Now *this* is a plan. Let's get on with it, then!
I don't like it, but do I really have a choice? Let's get this over with.
This plan sucks. Fuck this. [Back out.]
Dying wouldn't be so bad. Not really.

YOU - Okay, sure, but you aren't *actually* going to try and kill me, right?

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - Your thoughts aren't private, remember? He couldn't tell you that even if he wanted to, not if you want the threat to still have meaning.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - If it's what I have to do to ensure the safety of our beloved, then yes, I will.

DRAMA - Oh, this is a wrinkle most *fantastique*. I couldn't have thought of better myself.

Okay, sure, but you aren't *actually* going to try and kill me, right?
Now *this* is a plan. Let's get on with it, then!
I don't like it, but do I really have a choice? Let's get this over with.
This plan sucks. Fuck this. [Back out.]
Dying wouldn't be so bad. Not really.

YOU - I don't like it, but do I really have a choice? Let's get this over with.

THE NARRATOR - Sigh. You grab the shackle binding the Princess to the wall and gingerly slide her hand from her bindings. That... shouldn't have worked. I'll be damned. We're doomed.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Impossible: Failure] - There wasn't even any struggle involved. It just fell right off, despite the inside of the cuff being of lesser diameter than the outside of her palm just a moment ago.

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] - It didn't even have a locking mechanism this time.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I can't believe it. But I guess I have to.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - I told you! There's no life more worth living than that of a true believer.

COMPOSURE - She rubs her now-freed wrist as her smile grows even larger.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Easy: Success] - Having a cuff apparently that loose on wouldn't hurt, but it probably chafed something *fierce*.

I'm free! And you're not trying to kill me this time! Thank you, thank you so much!

THE NARRATOR - The Princess jumps up and smothers you in a joyful embrace. Eugh.

HEALED MORALE +1

PERCEPTION (TOUCH) [Easy: Success] - ...Based on the pressure against your chest right now, it's official -- they're *definitely* bigger.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Don't ruin the moment. This is... nice.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Aw yeah, that's the stuff. When was the last time you were held by someone like this?

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - The working class woman by the bookstore in Martinaise doesn't count.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - But hasn't it felt like this whole world has pulled you into a crushing embrace? The walls close in, your head grows more full. The boundaries of your personal space have been shattered for a while, and you can still see the shards littering the floor.

Thought gained: Personal Airspace Violation

PERSONAL AIRSPACE VIOLATION

You remember when you used to be able to talk to the world, in your own way, without having someone else describe it for you. The streets, the buildings, the faces, the vistas -- you would call upon them and they would respond. But now, all you can hear is voice after voice clogging up your synapses, dictating the terms of your interaction and tripping over each other for minutes on end. They're pushing in on all sides, and you're running out of breathing room.

Temporary research bonus:
+1 Electrochemistry: Reach out and touch somebody
-1 Reaction Speed: Too many voices

Research time: ??

THE NARRATOR - Are you sure you want to do this? Just one slip of the wrist and your pristine blade is buried in her back, and everyone out there is saved.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Medium: Success] - You forgot you were holding it for a while, there. He's right, it really wouldn't take much to kill her with it right now.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Is that a threat?

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - You'll know what we'll do if you try it.

VOLITION - *Please* don't.

THE NARRATOR - You're going to regret this.

RHETORIC [Challenging: Failure] - It's unclear whether this *is* a threat or a simple statement of fact.

COMPOSURE - She breaks the hug, backing up a step, then looks you in the eye, hands clasped yet again.

...What do we do now?

LOGIC - Leave, obviously. Wasn't that the whole point?

DRAMA [Challenging: Success] - This is the time for *improvisation*. Say something extravagant or deeply personal -- either one will suffice.

Should I really be keeping up the act at this point? I don't think she's been acting this whole time. This feels a little wrong.
"What would *you* like to do? After being locked up for so long, you should surely have first pick of things we should do together."
"Now we shall partake in the royal cocaine stores, which you most certainly have back at your castle. It'll help take the edge off the hell this day has been."
"We should sing karaoke."
"Now? Now, we stride into the sunrise *together*, hand in hand, ready to face the rest of the world."

YOU - Should I really be keeping up the act at this point? I don't think she's been acting this whole time. This feels a little wrong.

DRAMA - You're nearly there. Do you *really* want to ruin the greatest performance of your life over nothing?

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - She *does* love you. Romantically. I'm not compromised this time, I swear.

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] - It's true. You can read her like an open book.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Was there ever any doubt?

Should I really be keeping up the act at this point? I don't think she's been acting this whole time. This feels a little wrong.
"What would *you* like to do? After being locked up for so long, you should surely have first pick of things we should do together."
"Now we shall partake in the royal cocaine stores, which you most certainly have back at your castle. It'll help take the edge off the hell this day has been."
"We should sing karaoke."
"Now? Now, we stride into the sunrise *together*, hand in hand, ready to face the rest of the world."

YOU - "We should sing karaoke."

New task: Sing karaoke with the Princess

DRAMA - ...Not the most original, but it'll do.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - You didn't even ask for my input there. C'mon, man!

That sounds perfect!

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - She thought it sounded perfect because *you* said it. No other reason.

"All in due time, of course. Now, let us stride into the sunrise *together*, hand in hand, ready to face the rest of the world." [Leave the basement.]

YOU - "All in due time, of course. Now, let us stride into the sunrise *together*, hand in hand, ready to face the rest of the world." [Leave the basement.]

THE NARRATOR - As the Princess takes your hand in hers, you let your blade tumble uselessly to the floor. And with it tumbles the last hope for the entire world.

Item lost: Pristine Blade

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Impossible: Failure] - What the fuck? Didn't He *want* you to kill her?

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - *TOO LATE*. You waited too long, and now the opportunity is gone.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - We have each other. We don't need the world for our happy ending.

THE NARRATOR - I'd like to think that you do, actually.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] - You *do*. That's where you're going right now. This cabin is *also* part of the world, so it's not like you'd be able to just step back inside and close the door if the world ended.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I still have my doubts, but this is still just an act, right? We're saving her, but we don't love love her, right? You don't have to be so mopey about it.

THE NARRATOR - I will mope about it, because moping is the only recourse you loveblind and starstruck fools have left me with.

THE NARRATOR - You and the Princess walk up the stairs, hand in hand. Ugh. Look at the way she's smiling at you. She doesn't have to be so happy about this.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - I've already told you what the deal is with her. Maybe you should say something, soon? So she doesn't get the wrong idea?

DRAMA - Just one more room, one more scene transition. Keep it together!

VOICE OF THE HERO - And what happens after we walk up the stairs?

THE NARRATOR - Let's see. Oh, isn't that interesting? The door slams in your face. And the lock clicks.

REACTION SPEED [Easy: Success] - You manage to *not* have your nose broken by the door by leaning back just as it completes its swing.

VOICE OF THE HERO - That's a familiar move.

THE NARRATOR - Did I do that last time? Then you should know that you won't be able to leave.

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - You've been through this before. You're on edge, but you don't lose it. You can still get out of here, one way or another.

HALF LIGHT - (Or you could kill her with your bare hands. That works too.)

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - We would never!

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - You saw this coming from the beginning, but you didn't think to actually do anything to prevent this scenario from unfolding.

INTERFACING [Trivial: Success] - You could have propped the door open with the table, maybe?

Oh, no! Did someone lock us in here? That's not fair! We're supposed to leave now.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - She's right. It isn't fair. But the unfairnesses of the world are no match for the strength of true love.

THE NARRATOR - Enough with this true love nonsense. You just met her!

VOLITION - This guy's not going to be convinced with that line -- we've already tried it, along with almost everything else. It's a lost cause.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Of course you wouldn't understand, our passions run deeper than anything you have ever known.

INLAND EMPIRE [Trivial: Success] - Debatable.

THE NARRATOR - Are you listening to this? You don't have to go along with the every whim of that delusional voice.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Have you been paying attention? We're not 'going along with it', we're doing our own thing! Now, fair, that thing happens to be pretending to do exactly what 'going along with it' would mean...

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...No, I got nothing. Why did we do this, again?

I thought it would be more entertaining! And it is.
I thought it would be more helpful! But now I feel like I'm in over my head.
I thought it would be more beneficial -- bust out the acting chops *and* test the waters with the Princess. And it was, for a while, but now I think I need to come clean with her. I feel *really* bad for letting it go on this long.
I'm not sure, really. I think maybe I had some kind of stroke and started picking options at random.

YOU - I thought it would be more beneficial -- bust out the acting chops *and* test the waters with the Princess. And it was, for a while, but now I think I need to come clean with her. I feel *really* bad for letting it go on this long.

THE NARRATOR - Do the intentions really matter if the outcome is the same? We're all doomed either way, thanks to you.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - If you're gonna tell her the truth, you should probably wait until you're both out of this basement. It'd do a lot to decrease the tension.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Challenging: Success] - You two could crawl out the window downstairs. It's plenty big and not too far off the ground.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - No need! We need simply grasp the handle together and push past this damnable obstacle - true love will overcome all else!

[Try the handle.]
"Come, my love, take my hand and let us push open this door together." [Try the handle together.]
"Hey, grab my hand for a second. I think this might open if we push at the same time." [Try the handle together.]
[Physical Instrument - Formidable 13] [Break down the door.]
"Door's stuck. Let's go back downstairs, maybe we can try the window." [Go back downstairs.]

YOU - "Hey, grab my hand for a second. I think this might open if we push at the same time." [Try the handle together.]

DRAMA - That was a *terrible* delivery, sire. Surely you can do better?

Okay! Yeah! Let's do it!

THE NARRATOR - Like a pair of teenagers in love, you and the Princess place your hands on the door... together... blegh.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - And...?

THE NARRATOR - ...Nothing happens. The door remains firmly locked in front of you, barring your only route of escape until you finish your task.

THE NARRATOR - Phew. I'm not sure what I was worried about there, honestly. Did you really think you could open a locked door with the power of love?

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - There is a reality where it worked -- but it isn't this one.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - From the way he was describing it, you really did expect that to work.

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] - Whatever kind of emotional love-plasm you had going on seemed to work on the shackle, at least.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - ...What? Bu - but that should have worked! True love, conquering all!

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Easy: Success] - Love is a two-way street.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - One-way love is just infatuation.

Oh, it didn't work! Now what do we do?

VOICE OF THE HERO - I thought that was gonna work too. Any other ideas?

SAVOIR FAIRE - On second thought, He might be wise about the basement window if it's been there since the beginning. Best not to risk it.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Medium: Success] - Weakness be damned, you *can* break this door down. Let her brace you and kick that motherfucker!

[Try the handle.]
"Come, my love, take my hand and let us push open this door together." [Try the handle together.]
"Hey, grab my hand for a second. I think this might open if we push at the same time." [Try the handle together.]
[Physical Instrument - Formidable 13] [Break down the door.]
"Door's stuck. Let's go back downstairs, maybe we can try the window." [Go back downstairs.]

YOU - [Break down the door.]

+3 Doorkickers Anonymous

+2 Brace yourself

-1 Smitten?

CHECK SUCCESS

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Formidable: Success] - You gesture for the Princess to wrap her arms around your lower back and waist, testing your footing on the stairs and tensing your quads and lower back muscles to make sure you're ready.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Easy: Success] - Taking that painkiller earlier was a good idea. This is definitely going to aggravate the gunshot wound.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - The carpet and stonework are providing a lot more grip than the old wood did.

PERCEPTION (TOUCH) [Easy: Success] - She's not *really* bracing you -- she's just hugging you. You can feel her cheek buried into the small of your back.

VOICE OF THE HERO - It'll have to do, I suppose.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] - Aim just below the knob, next to the lock.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - With a triumphant cry, you lift up your leg and jab your heel into the door at the weak point.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Medium: Success] - You learned this technique on the job. You've had to kick down hundreds of doors in your time.

SAVOIR FAIRE - The Princess sways, but you don't fall. She's no lightweight.

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - No mere object will prevent you from leaving this holding cell. Kick it *again*.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - You kick at the door twice more before it finally caves under your assault, flying open and slamming into the wall outside. Fuck yeah, let's go, Coach has *still* got it!

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - ...Y-yes, of course! I told you our love was insurmountable.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] - That wasn't love, it was elementary physics.

VOLITION - Let him believe whatever he wants, it's not like we can do anything about it.

THE NARRATOR - Unbelievable.

THE NARRATOR - You and the Princess make you way through the now-ruined basement door. Her 'freedom' and the world's ruin are just a few moments away. If you don't mind, I'm gonna fix myself a drink before you ruin everything. If I'm about to see the end of the world, I'd rather not see it sober.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - ...What? YOU CAN DO THAT? Get *me* something while you're at it, then.

THE NARRATOR - That's not -

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Formidable: Success] - MOTHERFUCKER WE HAVEN'T HAD A DRINK IN *MONTHS*. YOU BETTER GET ME SOMETHING RIGHT GODDAMN *NOW*.

THE NARRATOR - You lot are actively in the process of ending the world! I'm not getting you anything.

That's the way out. We're going to leave together, just like you wanted!

DRAMA - And here we are -- the curtain call. A most excellent performance, sire! Now you need only keep this up for the next twenty or so years -- a life well deserved!

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Oh yes, let us leave this treacherous place at once and start our new life together!

We haven't actually left yet, though.
What do you mean 'next twenty or so years', I thought we were done?
No fucking way. I have to tell her it's just been an act -- I've led her on for too long.
Yeah, sure, why not. This has been pretty great so far, might as well keep it rolling.

YOU - We haven't actually left yet, though.

DRAMA - Yes, but you heard Him -- He is already defeated. With no significant obstacle left to oppose you, there remains no more conflict around which to frame the tale -- better to end it now, at the apex.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Fucker's probably still perusing the minibar right about now.

We haven't actually left yet, though.
What do you mean 'next twenty or so years', I thought we were done?
No fucking way. I have to tell her it's just been an act -- I've led her on for too long.
Yeah, sure, why not? This has been pretty great so far, might as well keep it rolling.

YOU - What do you mean 'next twenty or so years', I thought we were done?

DRAMA - *This* performance is finished, yes -- but what about the next one? You've lived a boring life since your dramatic amnesia-inducing escapades. This is your chance to discard the old tired story and weave something new and vibrant for yourself, don't you think?

VOLITION - Is this abnormal behavior for him? I still can't tell.

We haven't actually left yet, though.
What do you mean 'next twenty or so years', I thought we were done?
No fucking way. I have to tell her it's just been an act -- I've led her on for too long.
Yeah, sure, why not? This has been pretty great so far, might as well keep it rolling.

YOU - No fucking way. I have to tell her it's just been an act -- I've led her on for too long.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - How can you think this is just an act, after all we've been through with her? Our love has never been stronger!

VOICE OF THE HERO - Yeah, I've had quite about enough of this whole charade. I'm pretty sure she was oblivious to the fact there was a 'production' at all. We were basically just lying to her, now that I think about it.

DRAMA - To act to the best of one's ability is to lie to both yourself and the world, if only for a scene.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - These words feel familiar to you, somehow.

DRAMA - But fine, go ahead. Throw away your chance at the spotlight to once again sink down into the depths of mundanity.

Task complete: Play the part of the Hero

"Before we go -- there's something I need to tell you." [Ease into it.]
"I don't actually love you. Sorry for lying about it for so long, I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't kill me again."
"That was a great performance! You're really good at playing a lovestruck damsel, you know that?"
On second thought, this conversation is far too awkward -- I'll just spend the rest of my life with her instead. Much easier.

YOU - "Before we go -- there's something I need to tell you." [Ease into it.]

Hm? What is it, my dear hero?

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - You have her full attention.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Now I wish she would stop saying that. It just make me feel worse about what we're about to tell her.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - She's hanging onto your every word. Do this as gently as possible -- she'll be devastated at best.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - You still have a chance to change your mind before you say something that upsets our beloved. We do love her - you can't taunt her with such foul lies as these!

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - No, your mind is made up. You have to do this -- you can't live a lie for the rest of your life.

"I like spending time with you -- you're intelligent, caring, and very driven -- but I don't think I love you in the same way you love me. I'm sorry."
"I've been acting the entire time I've been here, at least the second time around. I thought you were acting, too, but I guess I was wrong. I don't love you, and I don't want to lead you on any longer."
"I don't think I can love someone who's stabbed me to death. I'm probably traumatized now, to be honest, and I think we should part ways after we leave this place."
"We've only just met, really, and the dynamic between us of prisoner and warden was unhealthy. I think you need to broaden your horizons a little bit before deciding to settle down with someone. There's a whole world out there with lots of people that I think would love you very much."
[Savoir Faire - Challenging 12] [Say nothing and slip away undetected.]

YOU - "I like spending time with you -- you're intelligent, caring, and very driven -- but I don't think I love you in the same way you love me. I'm sorry."

COMPOSURE - She doesn't register what you said, for a few seconds. She just continues to stare at you, as if waiting for you to speak for the first time.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] - But then, you see it -- a straining of the eyes, a tensing of the muscles around the neck and shoulders.

Wh-what do you mean? What are y-you saying?

VOICE OF THE HERO - Did she not hear us?

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Hopefully not! Such detestable falsehoods pouring out of our mouth, I would rather cut out our tongue than continue speaking another word!

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - It's a good thing you ditched the knife downstairs, then.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - She heard you. She just doesn't want to believe the words coming out of your mouth.

"I like spending time with you -- you're intelligent, caring, and very driven -- but I don't think I love you in the same way you love me. I'm sorry."
"I've been acting the entire time I've been here, at least the second time around. I thought you were acting, too, but I guess I was wrong. I don't love you, and I don't want to lead you on any longer."
"I don't think I can love someone who's stabbed me to death. I'm probably traumatized now, to be honest, and I think we should part ways after we leave this place."
"We've only just met, really, and the dynamic between us of prisoner and warden was unhealthy. I think you need to broaden your horizons a little bit before deciding to settle down with someone. There's a whole world out there with lots of people that I think would love you very much."
[Savoir Faire - Challenging 12] [Say nothing and slip away undetected.]

YOU - "We've only just met, really, and the dynamic between us of prisoner and warden was unhealthy. I think you need to broaden your horizons a little bit before deciding to settle down with someone. There's a whole world out there with lots of people that I think would love you very much."

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] - She's gone stock-still, now. Spine perfectly straight. She's not looking at you, but past you.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - At the spot on the wall where the ghost of the mirror lies.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - MY DEAREST, PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THESE RUFFIANS TO FILL YOUR HEAD WITH SUCH VILE LIES! And as for you - look at the anguish you're inflicting upon her! Why do you continue to deny our affections, despite all evidence to the contrary?!

LOGIC - She still can't hear you, you know.

RHETORIC [Challenging: Failure] - She isn't getting the picture, still. Be more forceful about it, the first two times obviously didn't do the trick.

"I like spending time with you -- you're intelligent, caring, and very driven -- but I don't think I love you in the same way you love me. I'm sorry."
"I've been acting the entire time I've been here, at least the second time around. I thought you were acting, too, but I guess I was wrong. I don't love you, and I don't want to lead you on any longer."
"I don't think I can love someone who's stabbed me to death. I'm probably traumatized now, to be honest, and I think we should part ways after we leave this place."
"We've only just met, really, and the dynamic between us of prisoner and warden was unhealthy. I think you need to broaden your horizons a little bit before deciding to settle down with someone. There's a whole world out there with lots of people that I think would love you very much."
[Savoir Faire - Challenging 12] [Say nothing and slip away undetected.]

YOU - "I've been acting the entire time I've been here, at least the second time around. I thought you were acting, too, but I guess I was wrong. I don't love you, and I don't want to lead you on any longer."

...

PERCEPTION (HEARING) - A half-strangled sob escapes her throat.

DAMAGED MORALE -1

Y-you don't w-want me? W-was I n-not... g-good enough?

COMPOSURE - She's finally stopped smiling. Her lower lip is quivering.

THE NARRATOR - Tears quickly start to pool in the corners of the Princess' eyes, before overflowing down her cheeks and onto the cold stone floor.

VOLITION [Easy: Success] - She's breaking down.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - NO, NO YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH, MY SWEET, PLEASE - DON'T CRY! I LOVE YOU!

RHETORIC - And just where have *you* been?

THE NARRATOR - Me? I was just preparing myself for my inevitable demise along with the rest of reality. I'm sorry if I had to step out for a few seconds, terribly sorry - won't happen again.

RHETORIC [Trivial: Success] - He isn't really sorry.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Even I could've told you that, and I'm terrible at spotting liars.

DRAMA - That wasn't a lie -- merely sarcasm. There's a big difference.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Formidable: Success] - Kicking back with a drink while watching the world end doesn't sound like a bad way to go.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Easy: Success] - He's right -- that would be *very* disco.

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - She's about to try something -- can't you see her fingers twitching?

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Failure] - But what--?

THE NARRATOR - In the blink of an eye, the Princess retrieves the... pristine blade, from behind her back? Shit.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - How did she get that? Did she pick it up when you weren't looking?

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - She was in your line of sight the entire time, except for when she was holding you up at the top of the stairs. You didn't see her grab it.

HALF LIGHT - FUCK! She's going to slice you up again -- you have to run for it, *now*!

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - She's not pointing it at you.

THE NARRATOR - The Princess, oblivious to your inner turmoil, holds the blade in trembling fingers point-side-down against her own chest, over her heart.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - NO!

I-is this b-because I didn't answer the q-questions good e-enough?

I-i'm sorry. I'm g-going to stab myself now. I t-think that's what y-you want?

VOICE OF THE HERO - We have to stop her! Do something!

[Reaction Speed - Heroic 15] [Stop her.]
[Let it happen.]

YOU - [Stop her.]

+5 Smitten

+1 Have to stop her

-1 Have to run

CHECK FAILURE

REACTION SPEED [Heroic: Failure] - But it's already too late.

THE NARRATOR - Before you can even think about trying to intervene, the Princess drives the blade down into her own heart, collapsing pathetically to the ground.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - Much better technique, this time.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - The tension in her form releases when the knife hits home.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Challenging: Success] - This is less painful to her than the alternative.

I h-hope you can find what y-you want, o-out there.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - NO, MY LOVE! YOU DID NOTHING WRONG! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY, NOT YOU!

INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - Her eyes dim as the spark leaves them. It lingers for a moment, a faint will-o-wisp against the ambient light, then flits away faster than you can follow -- back down the stairs, into the basement.

THE NARRATOR - And just like that she's dead.

DAMAGED MORALE -1

Task complete: Slay the Princess

THE NARRATOR - Huh. After all of the insane delusions and unhinged ideas you had going on this entire time, I didn't think we'd ever get to this point. But apparently whatever you did worked - she's slain herself, mere steps from the outside.

THE NARRATOR - Thank you for seeing this through. I know it must have been difficult.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I feel sick.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Sick?! You took part in the murder of the fairest creature that's ever lived, and you merely feel sick? I for one am absolutely distraught! Grief-stricken. Inconsolable!

RHETORIC [Challenging: Failure] - Murder?

VOLITION [Medium: Failure] - *You* did this. She plunged the dagger into her own heart, but *you* made her do it.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Challenging: Success] - Both your heart and your stomach have been hardened against scenes like this.

EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] - But you *knew* her, however briefly.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Heroic: Failure] - It's hard not to let it get to you.

HALF LIGHT - She's finally dead -- and yet, you don't feel any better. Why?

THE NARRATOR - You'll get over it. You just saved everyone.

LOGIC [Formidable: Success] - Will she be back, too? You died and were revived -- will she do the same? And what will it look like, from this side of the equation?

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - You'll never get the chance to find out.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - 'Get over it'? You smarmy ass. There's nothing in the world worth 'getting over it' for. We might as well just end it all.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - You've pulled the blade from her chest while your attention was focused inward.

Item gained: Pristine Blade

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Impossible: Failure] - *FUCK*! NOT AGAIN - YOU CAN'T DO THIS AGAIN --!

REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Failure] - Shit --!

THE NARRATOR - You raise the blade, aiming the point directly at your own heart - excuse me?! No, you absolutely do not do that.

SAVOIR FAIRE - But that's exactly what you're doing, right now.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Yeah, let's not make any rash decisions - maybe she'll be back too. We should give ourselves a minute, take a deep breath and - !

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - Rash? The only rash decision we've made was rejecting her unconditional love, causing her to take her own life. This is far from rash. This is measured. This is the only thing left for us to do now that she's gone.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - You can think of a lot of other things you could be doing instead.

VOLITION [Medium: Failure] - But what would be the point?

[Composure - Godly 16] I won't let you do this -- there are other options than this! [Resist.]
Please...
You might as well. I don't think I can go on, after this.
If that's really what you want to do, and it would make you feel better. It's not like death has stuck so far -- maybe we'll see her again, after this. Who knows what will happen?
It's about time. Do it.

YOU - I won't let you do this -- there are other options than this! [Resist.]

+1 What happens now?

-5 You did this.

-5 Smitten

CHECK FAILURE

COMPOSURE [Godly: Failure] - You can't resist. This urge is insurmountable.

VOLITION [Medium: Failure] - You deserve this, after what you've done.

VOICE OF THE HERO - C'mon, snap out of it! We can't just let this happen, can we?

VOLITION - We can. And you *will*.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - All of you may have previously thought that my passions were too great to stifle, but those were merely passions of joy! My passions of sorrow run deeper than the ocean itself, and you'll find that they are far more unstiflable. Have at you! Have at you all!

Please...
You might as well. I don't think I can go on, after this.
If that's really what you want to do, and it would make you feel better. It's not like death has stuck so far -- maybe we'll see her again, after this. Who knows what will happen?
It's about time. Do it.

YOU - Please...

THE NARRATOR - I don't believe this.

VOICE OF THE HERO - What? What don't you believe?

THE NARRATOR - You plunge the blade into your own heart and collapse to the floor.

DAMAGED HEALTH -4

HEALTH CRITICAL!

VOICE OF THE HERO - You can't be serious. Why are you helping him?

THE NARRATOR - I'm not. He just... made it happen. I'm sorry.

VOICE OF THE SMITTEN - That's right. You're all sorry.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Medium: Success] - It was a single clean cut. A mercy.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - You've seen this moment in your deepest dreams. This one, and many like it.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Failure] - Blood leaks from around the knife in your chest. You no longer have the strength to move, or breathe.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - Her corpse lies beside you, laid out on the stone. You'd think she were asleep, if the wound weren't visible.

INLAND EMPIRE - She is asleep. She'll wake up, soon -- and so will you.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] - Sunrise, Parabellum.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Formidable: Success] - It doesn't hurt so much. The veneer of the painkiller, the cleanness of the cut, and the emptiness in your soul all combine to make it bearable. Maybe even pleasant.

LOGIC - The last thing that goes through your mind as your thoughts fade are a tangle of unanswered questions: Why did things change, this second time around? Will they change again? Will you and the Princess both be revived? How can something be 'made to happen'?

LOGIC - ...Will you ever get out of here?

VOLITION - The deluge of questions helps drown out the regret, for the last few seconds.

SHIVERS [Medium: Success] - A gust from the window curls around the both of you, lying together in the cabin. One last embrace.

THE NARRATOR - Everything goes dark, and you die.

Notes:

Sike, it was Drama that took the wheel. He almost had it, there, but alas.

...Harry's having a bad time.

also oops it's even longer than the last one. ah well, what can you do? a sane man would split these chapters up, but i am no sane man. a large portion of the word count is really the formatting and repetition of dialogue choices, keep in mind.