Miraculous Mementos

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<<link "➻">><<run Engine.backward();>><</link>>  <span>CircusWIP</span>  <span style="grid-column:3;"><<link "➻">><<run Engine.forward();>><</link>></span>

<<link "settings">><<run UI.settings();>><<toggleclass "#menuLinks" "unstow">><<toggleclass "#header" "shadow">><<toggleclass "#menu" "glow">><</link>> <<link "saves">><<run UI.saves();>><<toggleclass "#menuLinks" "unstow">><<toggleclass "#menu" "glow">><<toggleclass "#header" "shadow">><</link>>  <<link "character profile">><<run Dialog.create("Character Profile", "profile").wikiPassage("Character Profile").open();>><<toggleclass "#menuLinks" "unstow">><<toggleclass "#header" "shadow">><<toggleclass "#menu" "glow">><</link>>  <<link "restart">><<run UI.restart();>><<toggleclass "#menuLinks" "unstow">><<toggleclass "#header" "shadow">><<toggleclass "#menu" "glow">><</link>> <<link "credits">><<run Dialog.create("Credits").wikiPassage("Credits").open();>><<toggleclass "#menuLinks" "unstow">><<toggleclass "#header" "shadow">><<toggleclass "#menu" "glow">><</link>>

<img class="character" src="https://placehold.co/400x600/transparent/FFF?text=L&font=roboto">  <h2>Character Profile</h2> <div id="charInfo" class="character">  <span>Name:</span> Leonora <br> <span>Pronouns:</span> pronoun/pronoun <br> <span>Label:</span> Information  </div> <div id="charBio" class='character'>  <p>''This dialog is filled with the contents of the //Character Profile// passage.'' <br>Space for a biography, character description/traits, or anything else. Scrolls automatically.</p>  </div>

<p>Credits go here! Please do //''not''// delete my credit. You can use the template in the commented HTML below the {{{<hr>}}} to add more!</p> <ul> <li>//Leonora// UI Template by <a href="https://lapinlunaire-games.neocities.org/" target="_blank">LapinLunaireGames</a></li> </ul> <hr>

Thanks for downloading my Leonora template! Don't hesitate to leave a comment on itch or contact me (https://lapinlunaire-games.neocities.org/contact/) if you have any questions and the code comments aren't quite getting you the info you need. Here's a quick guide to getting started: // CUSTOMISATION In the STYLESHEET, look for the sections marked with 🌸🌸🌸 and 🌙🌙🌙 emojis to customize the colors/background images of each theme. In passages tagged "Edit-Me!", look for the sections marked with 🌸🌸🌸. // AUTOSAVE Tagging a passage with ''autosave'' will create an autosave file at that passage. // GUIDE Below is a key to the colour-coded tags I've used to identify which passages should be edited with your own text, and which should not be edited without deeper HTML/CSS/Twinescript familiarity. //--------------- TAG KEY ----------------- "Guide" (BLUE) Reference passage. "Edit-Me!" (GREEN) Passages tagged "Edit-Me!" contain text meant for you to change to your own project's information. The releVannt sections to change in each are marked with 🌸🌸🌸. "No-Touchy!" (RED) Editing strongly not recommended without adVannced HTML/CSS/JS/Twinescript knowledge.

<h1>Miraculous Mementos</h1>  <div id="splashLinks"> [[Play|warnings and nsfw]] <<if (Save.browser.size > 0)>> <<link "Load">> <<run UI.saves();>> <</link>> <</if>> <<link "Settings">><<run UI.settings();>><</link>> <<link "Credits">><<run Dialog.create("Credits").wikiPassage("Credits").open();>><</link>> </div>

<<if $nsfw is true>> body parts <</if>> [[whoswho]] <<set $arlo = 0>> <<set $vann = 0>> << set $milo = 0>>

A week long trip to a "clown town" and three tickets? You know just who to call. <<linkreplace Vann t8n>>Vann, your childhood friend. His antsy behavior as a kid made you two a tight knit pair, he's been stuck to you like glue since elementary school. You already know that he<</linkreplace>> hasn't slept at all according to the constant string of texts he's sent you, so you’re sure he’ll respond right away even at this hour. Meanwhile <<linkreplace Arlo t8n>>Arlo, a friend made in the past few years that you met while at a distant relatives funeral. His grandfather chewed you both out when he found you tucked away laughing together in an alcove, declaring a funeral was nnot the timeor place. He<</linkreplace>> will have woken up hours ago to help clean and prep for Mass. <div class='choice'> [[Text Vann]] [[Text Arlo]] </div> <<set $arlo = 0>> <<set $vann = 0>> <<set $milo = 0>>

<div class="right">Just a heads up, I'm leaving to join the circus for at least a week. Maybe forever.</div> <div class="message">What? Whenm We cantalk about thsi!</div> <div class="right">I don't know if we can talk about "thsi" cause I don't know what that is.</div> <div class="message">Not funny! What do you mean you're leaving? You can't just spring this on me. I have a long-distance job, I can come! Maybe I can help with… the circuses website? Circuses have websites, right? Who doesn’t these days?</div> <div class="right">Well duh. I got tickets to live in a clown town for a week. You want to come?</div> <div class="message">$name! You really scared me. A week? </div> <<if $invitedArlo is true>> <div class="right">A whole week in "another world," you , me, and Arlo.</div> <div class="message">Oh, Arlo to? Does he really have time with all his church stuff and</div> <div class="message">things?</div> <div class="right">Did he not tell you? He's cut way back on all the church activities, so he's got tons of free time. He already agreed to be our carpool.</div> <div class="message">Right. Cool. Can't wait!</div> <<else>> <div class="right">Yup. Think you can do your job while surrounded by, uh, elephants and... what do circuses have?</div> <div class="message">Performers? If it's an experience, maybe fire eating lessons? Either way, I'll be there.</div> <div class="right">Good, hope you own some good polka dots and stripes.</div> <</if>> You disappeared for a week, you know you'd come back to a Vann weeping on your doorstep like a puppy. <div class='notif'>//Character Profile Updated//</div> <<set $invitedVann to true>><div class='choice'> <<if $invitedArlo is true>> [[ready to go]] <<else>> [[Text Arlo]] <</if>> </div>

<div class="right">Hey, quit your job and join the circus with me.</div> <div class="message">Finally, I thought you'd never ask. When, where, and should I sell all my property?</div> <div class="right">Keep the makeup from your last middle school phase, the rest goes. IMG_20XX_73862735.jpg</div> <div class="message">A circus town? You’re sure they’re not going to harvest our organs?</div> <div class="right">Nope. Not knowing’s the fun part!</div> <div class="message">Can’t argue with that logic, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.</div> <div class="right">… My morning or your morning?</div> <div class="message"> Which ever gets us there in time.</div> <div class="right">Alright, can you pick up Vann to?</div> <div class="message">Course, see you later alligator</div> <div class="right">In a while, crocodile.</div> With that, you’ve got your laughs ride figured out. It may be your first trip with Arlo, but you’re certain no matter where you went with him, he'd make it a good time. <div class='notif'>//Character Profile Updated//</div> <<set $invitedArlo to true>> <div class='choice'><<if $invitedVann is true>> [[ready to go]] <<else>> [[Text Vann]] <</if>></div>

The clicking of luggage wheels on concrete echoes through the street in the early morning. The roads are empty; the sky bring brushed in the pinks and yellows of sunrise as most people are still in bed or only just now getting ready for the day. You walk down the street until the rumbling of a car engine draws your attention. Arlo's car comes rolling to a stop beside you, windows rolled down. "Hello, <<nobr>><<if $disc == "pret">> pretty <<elseif $disc == "ha">> dashing <<elseif $disc == "cu">> cute <<elseif $disc == "grem">> threatening <</if>><</nobr>>looking zombie. Any idea where our friend might be waiting for us?" He grins at you, brushing his locs over his shoulder. He wears a pressed deep purple button up, sleeves rolled up over his elbows. Leaning down, you growl and grumble in response, "graahhg, grag, agurh." "Oh, you ate ?them already?" He sighs dramatically, "oh well. Think you would be interested in a trip with a handsome stranger?" A small whine emanates from the back seat. "A handsome stranger and Vann," he corrects himself. "Hey!" Vann leans forward, face pressed in the space between Arlo's shoulder rest and the cars frame, smooshing the cheeks of his slender and soft features. "Hi, $name." Chuckling you wave at them both, "poothe trunk already before I get too hungry and eat you both." "Alright, alright, try not to bite my head off about it," rounding the car, you don'thave to be able to see him to know Arlo is biting the tip of this tongue and snickering as you load your luggage beside theirs. Luggage secured, you settle into the car. <div class='choice'> [[You open the back door, sitting beside Vann who holds a tray of coffee, one sharpied with your goto order.|VannCar]] [[You open the front passenger door, sitting with Arlo who takes a moment to fiddle with the road tripping music you made together once when planning a dream trip.|arloCar]] </div>

<<nobr>><<set $vann to $vann + 1>> <<set $recep to true>> <</nobr>>"Morning, here, it's a long ride," Vann hands you a paper cup, the contents sloshing slightly, bubbling up the opening to catch in the rim. Your favorite drink might change from time to time, but he always remembers what it is. "Thank's for bringing me, I saw online that you can't text or call outside of the 'town' boundries during your stay. I think if you dissapeared for a week with no contact I'd have a heart attack." You tease him, saying he’d have survived. Just barely, but he would have. "Maybe." Yawning, he lays his head on your shoulder, "I barely slept last night with packing, do mind if I...?" The car swerves suddenly, the force throwing Vann away from you with a yelp. "Whoop, sorry guys! Bad pothole," Arlo glances at you both in the rearview mirror. You laugh it off, your heart beating faster. Vann sighs a trembling sound, looping hi sarm a round yours. A familiar gesture from the nervous man. "Woke me up at least. Anyways, I tried to search for the activities at this pop-up circus experience theme park thing so we could plan ahead, but it looks like it’s always a little different. We're going to explore together, right?" Slipping the sleeve off your coffee, you swat his head with it. That is why you invited friend's to come with you. He chuckles back, petting his hair back into place, "right, that why you invited ‘‘us,’’" his jaw tenses for a moment before Arlo pipes in. "That and the free ride, snacks, and coffee." You chime back, "of course!" The three of you chatter as [[the car drives on.|The car drives on]]

"You remember everything?" He taps at the GPS mounted on the dashboard as he pulls out into the street. You catch a glimpse of Vann in the mirror, wilting a bit as his nail lightly scratches a paper cup. Of course you did. Doesn’t he have any faith in you? "Sure, just double checking while we have time to pick up things on the way. The it looks like we've got our music, Vann's got your coffee, and there’s snacks in the glove box. We're ready to live on the run." Oh good, now all the spiders you were paying off to stay out of sight won't be able to catch you when the cheque bounces. You shudder at the thought as Arlo cackles and dances his fingers on your shoulder. "The spider mafia is dangerous you know. Eight legs means six guns, and a built-in lasso." "Isn’t that more western and cowboy than mafia," you point out. "Not if they use it to make you sleep in the fish tank." Sipping his drink, he glances at you from the corner of his eyes before clearing his throat, "thanks, by the way. Some space and time away like this with friends, I've needed it." Vann passes you your coffee from the back, not saying much but leaning forward and resting his arms on the console box to stay apart of the conversation as [[the car drives on.|The car drives on]] <<set $arlo to $arlo+1>>

Beyond the edges of the city, well-kept fields feed into a canopy of trees, road trip music trailing behind the car. You pass a snack back to Vann, "wow, I thought they only made this flavor out of the country," he splits it in half, handing you half. Arlo grins at him in the mirror, "what can I say, I work hard to make this car trip a car-home." The pine and birch thread their branches together tighter the deeper the tickets lead you into [[the woods.|drive2]]

For just a moment, the dappled sunlight disappears entirely. Conversation halts, the shade itself suddenly feeling oppressive. The sounds of nature are swallowed whole. [[You turn your head to look outside.|drive3]]

Just as soon as your eyes meet the trees, the light is returns. The sun burns your eyes. The leaves seem more vibrant, the sky more blue, and the sounds of the birds somehow sweeter than you thought they were. It’s nice to remember to pay attention to the world around you, not just your small personal world. [[And then, music.|arrive at circus]]

Arlo lowers the stereo to better hear the growing music. The road ahead is lined with colorful bunches of balloons as a town straight from a cartoon comes into view. Colorful asymmetrical buildings like reflections in disturbed water sprout in the clearing. Bursts of confetti fly into the air at random as you pull into the parking lot, a number of other cars already present as couples, families, and groups empty from their vehicles. "This is a pop up?" Scoffing in disbelief, Arlo puts his hands on his hips, looking at what seems like a real town from a circus based reality. "Maybe it’s a rentable spot, buildings you can glue some paper on to make them match the theme?" Vann lightly grabs your sleeve, clinging to you the way he always has in unfamiliar surroundings. <div class='choice'>[[Rolling your arm out of Vann’s grasp, you step forward eagerly, bumping shoulders with Arlo, "let’s go find out!"|excited]] [[Placing a hand over his and sparing him a reassuring smile, you square your shoulders, checking your surroundings, "there has to be a map stand somewhere.|protective]]</div>

<<nobr>><<set $arlo to $arlo + 1>> <</nobr>>"Hold on," Arlo calls out after you, chuckling as you set off. He grabs the luggage you forgot while Vann's to his to him, hitting his hands that still hover in the air where you shurgged him off. The impact sends him stumbling a step back, knocking the pout off his face, "come on Vann, you can sulk and move at the same time." "I’m not sulking," he hurries to catch up with your figure that already ahead of them by several feet. Taken with the potential hiding behind the wall of colourful buildings you barely notice as both men catch up to you. You wonder aloud, "what kind of circus do you think it is? Comedy, performance art, do guys think it'll have a story?" Vann trips over a stone, stumbling and catching himself with the help of your shoulder as he keeps up with you and Arlo, "narrative? Circuses have narratives?" Arlo nods, "Yeah, they can, usually the traditional ones." Alro matches your excitement, a bounce in his step as you approach the ectrance, "if it’s a whole town, maybe it’s a variety thing, like a fair?" "Of course we do," a voice calls out from ahead. "Hey there!" A woman cartwheels towards you, a blur of colourful silks with red and white hair. Landing on her feet with her toes less than an inch away from yours, arms in the air, her nose brushes yours as she speaks, sparkling grey eyes meeting yours. "You must be the local raffle winner and co! I’m Lucy Goosey, here to welcome you to town! Which of you is the lucky $name?" <div class='choice'> [["That’s me."]] [[Stay quiet and let the guys do that talking.]]</div>

<<nobr>><<set $vann to $vann+1>> <</nobr>><<if $recep is true>>"You said our phones work in here, right?" You double check. "Yeah, there's reception but only inside the town and parking lot," <<else>> "Not totally. We only have reception in the town and the parking lot out here. Otherwise, we can't contact the outside world. Fun," he chuckles nerviously.<</if>>Vann loops his arm with yours, eyeing the amount of cars and people all around. "There’s a lot of people here too. I wonder how big it is inside," before he can spiral, you interrupt him. Squeezing his arm, you remind him you'll take breaks as needed and that there probably isn't anything to worry about. Him and Arlo both did research on this place online, if something was off about it, surely someone would have reported it. "?Theyre right, a place you have to live in probably has a few quiet spaces set up and a limited capacity. I doubt it's going to be as crazy as a real carnival is 24 hours a day and they have to have some kind of security," Arlo stands on the other side of Vann, resting his elbow on Vann's shoulder. "Of course we do," a voice calls out from ahead. "Hey there!" A woman cartwheels towards you, a blur of colourful silks with red and white hair. Landing on her feet with her toes less than an inch away from yours, arms in the air, her nose brushes yours as she speaks, sparkling grey eyes meeting yours. "You must be the local raffle winner and co! I’m Lucy Goosey, here to welcome you to town! Which of you is the lucky $name?" <div class='choice'> [["That’s me."]] [[Stay quiet and let the guys do that talking.]]</div>

"Woohoo!" Lucy twirls, striking a pose, "incredible to meet you and your special guests," holding her hands behind her back, she turns on her heel to them, rocking on her toes. She stares them down expectantly. "I’m Arlo and this is Vann," he holds his hand out for Lucy. She grabs it and waves it up and down from above her head to as low as she can reach without pulling his arm from the socket. Arlo grins wide, keeping up with her. "Arlo marshmallow and Vann who can cancan, just as incredible to meet you both," she releases his hand and offers it to Vann. He hesitates but accepts it. She shakes his hand with the same exuberance as before, Vann’s arm flopping like a cooked noodle, his body following suit and almost bowling him over. Freed from thehandshake, Vann takes a large step away from her, almost hiding behind you. "If that’s all you have for luggage, I can show you to the house you're moving into to drop it off and give you a small tour of the town." [[Carrying your bags, you follow Lucy past the arched opening and into anoher world.|Enter]]

<<if $arlo >= 2>>"That would be ?them," Arlo gestures to you with a flourish. "Indescribably incredible to make your introduction $name," Lucy rocks on her toes, "I can’t wait to show you all around. And who are these special guests of yours?" "I’m Arlo and this is Vann," he holds his hand out for Lucy. She grabs it and waves it up and down from above her head to as low as she can reach without pulling his arm from the socket. Arlo grins wide, keeping up with her. "Arlo marshmallow and Vann who can cancan, just as incredible to meet you both," she releases his hand and offers it to Vann. He hesitates but accepts it. She shakes his hand with the same exuberance as before, Vann’s arm flopping like cooked noodles and body following suit, almost bowling him over. Letting him go, Vann takes a large step away from her, almost hiding behind you. "If that’s all you have for luggage, I can show you to the house you're moving into to drop it off and give you a small tour of the town." <</if>> Vann speaks up, leaning into your side and hugging your arm, "this is ?them, and I’m Vann." "It’s incredible to meet you $name and Vann who can cancan! And who’s our third and final guest for the week?" Lucy turns to Arlo, rocking cheerfully on her toes. "I’m Arlo and this is Vann," he holds his hand out for Lucy. She grabs it and waves it up and down from above her head to as low as she can reach without pulling his arm from the socket. Arlo grins wide, keeping up with her. "Arlo marshmallow, just as incredible to meet you," she releases his hand and offers it to Vann. He smile’s politely but keeps an arm around yours, "sorry, my hands are full," he lifts his luggage with the other. She laughs, "Of course! Speaking of, if that’s all you have for luggage, I can show you to the house you're moving into to drop it off and give you a small tour of the town." [[Carrying your bags, you follow Lucy past the arched doorway and into annother world.|Enter]]

Guests and performers alike mill about on paved streets meant for walking only, not a car in sight. The buildings are just as uneven and curving as they were from the outside, as if stepping into a funhouse mirror. However, it seems a little less than half of the buildings are only cardboard cutouts that make up the colorful environment. Streetlights, neon signs and colored twinkle lights hint at a nightlife after dark. Statues and flower beds decorate the way as performers lead around larger groups to introduce them to their new environment. You pass by different signposts labeled with areas you’d find in a real town like a library and bakery, and then there’s a sign pointing to the ringmaster’s residence just as nonchalantly. It really does feel like you’ve stepped into a world where circus and carnival are a natural part of everyday life. Live music is inescapable here, musicians spaced out so their fading sounds meet. each time you reach the edge of one band or musicians reach, another can be heard. Their music melding to sound like distant big band music as both groups play the same song in time. "Yes, yes, so much to see," Lucy jumps onto a fence post, twirling like a ballerina on posts with the gracefulness of a cat as her too long sleeves follow and flow mesmerizingly with her movements. "Once you drop your things off, I’ll show you where to get food and other amenities but otherwise, you’re all on your own. In my opinion, the best way to experience the town is through natural exploration!" She leads you to a residential area, quieter and the forest nearby. The music doesn’t reach this area, but the decorations are still bright and busy, polka dots here, silk fluttering banners there. The house you’re brought to has a <<listbox "$roof" autoselect>> <<option red>> <<option green>> <<option yellow>> <<option blue>> <<option purple>> <<optoin sparkly>> <</listbox>>roof with a matching <<listbox "$extra" autoselect>> <<option slide>> <<option swing>> <<option animal ear and whiskers>> <<option ball pit>> <</listbox>> as well. It reminds you ofthe house you used to <<linkreplace "draw as a kid"t8n>>draw as a kid, the dream house you and your best friend would spend hours dreaming about and planning together<</linkreplace>>. Inside, it is just as colorful as the rest of the town, but softer in the eyes. Still there, but with less patterns and a warmer faded undertone. Arlo throws his bag down on the couch, stretching his arms above himself as Vann peeks inside the bedrooms. There’s a living room, two bathrooms, three bedrooms, and no kitchen. "I’m not seeing any fridges." Arlo double check’s Vann’s statement and confirms the same, "really? So we have to leave every time we want to eat something?" "We like to encourage as much interaction with the town and other guests as possible," Lucy points to the bright red rotary phone haging onthe wall, "however, you can call for delivery if you’re really not feeling up to it." With your rooms picked and luggage stowed, Lucy opens the door like a butler showing you the red carpet, "alright, now we can get this adventure started!" Time to start your first day in [[Miraculous Mementos.]]

A knock at the door wakes you, forcing you out of a dreamless sleep. It's insistant and loud, making your heart race for a moment. Glancing at the clock, it’s a few hours earlier than you’d usually wake up at. It is either a serial killer or something important. Dragging yourself out of bed, you rake a hand over your <<listbox "$hair" autoselect>> hair opts <</listbox>> Dragging yourself out of bed, you as soon a s you take a step towards the oor, it stops. Silence. Something is partly slid under your door. Lookkig though the peep hole turns up nothing, who ever it was is at least out of sight. Toeing the paper, you feelno reistance, nothing othe other side of it. Pulling it through, you find a flier. Picking it up, its obviously for a circus, showing gymnasts on rings, someone breathing fire, and a person twisting their body in what should be impossible shapes. Opening it, it's not the generic advertisment you expected. It's a letter addressed to you. Looking into the mirror, you see a <<listbox "$gender" autoselect>> <<option "woman" f>> <<option "man" m>> <<option "person" t>> <</listbox>>. staring back at you. <<textbox "$name" "">> [[invite]]

AFFECTION $arlo $Vann $milo DEATH FLAGS $aflag - depend on arol $vflag - ignore milo's red flags INTERACTION $answer - manipulation line 1-5 $roof $extra $disc $tick $heavy

<div class='choice'> <div class='neonText'> <div class='ghost'> <<linkreplace WHATS BEING REPLACED t8n>> ------ <<nobr>><<if $answer == 1>> fake <<elseif $answer == 2>> need <<elseif $answer == 3>> lost <<elseif $answer == 4>> behind <<else>> unlove <</if>><</nobr>> --------- <<nobr>><<if $disc == "pret">> <<elseif $disc == "ha">> <<elseif $disc == "cu">> <<elseif $disc == "grem">> <</if>><</nobr>> --------- <<nobr>><<if $tick == nail>> <<elseif $tick == lips>> <<elseif $tick == hair>> <<elseif $tick == bounce>> <</if>><</nobr>> ------- <<if $pgen == 2>> they verb <<elseif>> he she verb <</if>> <<nobr>><<listbox "$gender" autoselect>> <<option "Ms." f>> <<option "Mr." m>> <<option "Mx." t>> <</listbox>> <</nobr>>

Lucy holds true to her word of giving you a very brief glance at the town, practically racing you all through where to get food, clothes and various other amenities though you don’t get a good look at anything except where to get first aid. She does let you know there are a plethora of activities available, and you can’t miss how every street and corner has a street performance. She also makes a point to cover what marker to look for if you need to ask an employee something. It seems anyone with two colored hair, one natural the other not, and their own face marks can be assumed to be a 'resident' of the town while you and the rest are guests. "Okay, okay, okay, now for the library," she handsprings towards the door of a imposing yet wonky looking academic building. "We actually get to see anything on this ‘tour’? How generous," you catch Vann muttering to himself as he catches his breath. Elbowing him lightly, you head inside. Wooden doors engraved with an optical illusion that make it looks like wavesconstantly moving [[open]], the sound of windchimes in a breeze sing from nowhere.

Stepping into the library is to step into a water oasis. The walls appear as quietly falling water glittering blues, greens, and pinks over smooth riveer stones. The area is dotted with couches and seating made to look like fluffy bubbles. You’re greeted with the scent of light rose water and clarity. A woman floats through the room, her blonde hair with the top layer cut at the chin, underlayers falling down her back transitions into an unnatural silver which designates her as a ‘resident’ of the town as she sorts books and gives recommendations to guests. Her skirt shifts in soft pastels as she moves, various beads and buttons shimmer in sweeping patterns diagonally across her bodice and a fluffy cropped jacket made of white fabric with pink fluff on the sleeves and collar. She’s like a living soap bubble. Her sight catches on your little coterie and zeros in on Lucy. Lucy sweats under her approaching glare, giving an exaggerated sigh of relief when the librarians attention moves to you, "and what are you dew drops looking for today?" "Y'all got any history 'bout the town or some old papers?" Arlo jumps in, as both his and Wendy's demanors slightly shift. She blinks in surprise at the request and his eagerness, "yeah we do," she smiles and the perfume of what brings to mind evening flowers in bloom radiates from her, "if you chill for a sec over there," she gestures to a quiet area with a ferries wheel of news papers, "I can hook you up to learn 'bout our history in no time. Just let me finish up here." "Bet," with nod and a parting pat to your back, Arlo heads over to thoroughly embroil himself in the narrative of the town. "Now what about you two?" When adressing Vann with you, Wendy's demanor shifts slightly once again. Vann shifts his weight, looking around curiously, "isn't it kind of dangerous having so much water in a library?" "How else would the bookks soothe their thirst fr knowledge?" "Wendy, I got—" Lucy is cut off with a sharp look from the librarian. She cowers, holding a book up in front of herself like a shield. "Ah, that's why we’re here," Vann sighs. Focusing back on you, she asks again, "you looking for anything specific?" <div class='choice'> [[You tell her that you’re unsure, but a book wouldn’t be bad.|book]] [[You tell her you’re not big on reading.|book]] </div>

"That's no problem at all. How about we set you up with one just for fun while you stay here? Even if you don’t read it, could be a nice little way to make your room feel more lived in. Unless you take a book and never ever bring it back for months." Her gaze cuts to Lucy. "Wendy, I know you’re mad about the fees—" "And then finally return it only for a far too forgiving librarian to open it and find it wasn’t the book at all, but a spring-loaded glitter trap you glued the cover to." "This time I swear—" "As long as you don’t use it for that, I’m sure you’ll be able to at least enjoy the cover art," her lips peel over her teeth in a smile that shows each and every one. "yes ma'am," the formalitiy is compulsive as you agree. He clasps her hands together excitedly, "whirling winds, I can’t wait to see what you get. I don’t always get to use this so when a special guest appears with the need, I’m always excited to see what you get." She presses a clipboard and pen into your hand. "In the meantime, it seems Lucy has some outstanding fee’s she is definitely here to pay and your friend could use some help." With a nervous chuckle from Lucy as Wendy leads her away, you take a seat. Vann gives you space, reading the flyers on the corkboard in the mean time. [[It’s a short quiz|book quiz]]

<<nobr>><<set $answers to [1,1,1,1,1]>> <<set $answer to [1]>> <</nobr>>Are you confident in your current goals? * <<radiobutton "$answers[0]" 1 autocheck>> I'm where I should be on the road. * <<radiobutton "$answers[0]" 2 autocheck>> I don't know that my goals are worth it. * <<radiobutton "$answers[0]" 3 autocheck>> I don't have any goals. * <<radiobutton "$answers[0]" 4 autocheck>> I'm in not moving fast enough. * <<radiobutton "$answers[0]" 5 autocheck>> I'm worried what others will think of my goals. Why do your friends love you? * <<radiobutton "$answers[1]" 4 autocheck>> I'm a good person to be around. * <<radiobutton "$answers[1]" 3 autocheck>> I'm laid back and fun. * <<radiobutton "$answers[1]" 5 autocheck>> It's convenient. * <<radiobutton "$answers[1]" 1 autocheck>> I convince them to. * <<radiobutton "$answers[1]" 2 autocheck>> I provide somethihng they need. One day, you dream of living with: * <<radiobutton "$answers[2]" 1 autocheck>> A few close friends. * <<radiobutton "$answers[2]" 5 autocheck>> I try not to think about it. * <<radiobutton "$answers[2]" 3 autocheck>> Alone in the city. * <<radiobutton "$answers[2]" 4 autocheck>> Alone in the country. * <<radiobutton "$answers[2]" 2 autocheck>> A large community. If I could run away and join the circus, I would: * <<radiobutton "$answers[3]" 2 autocheck>> Would help manage the logistics, money, time place, ect. * <<radiobutton "$answers[3]" 5 autocheck>> Would work in the background, helping the magic while remaining uneen. * <<radiobutton "$answers[3]" 1 autocheck>> Be a main performer, dazzling the audience. * <<radiobutton "$answers[3]" 3 autocheck>> Answer I'd figure it out when I got there. * <<radiobutton "$answers[3]" 4 autocheck>> Spend a lot of time learning the acts, becomig an understudy. I connect with others: * <<radiobutton "$answers[4]" 1 autocheck>> Easily. * <<radiobutton "$answers[4]" 4 autocheck>> With difficulty. * <<radiobutton "$answers[4]" 3 autocheck>> I'm not worried about it. * <<radiobutton "$answers[4]" 5 autocheck>> I don't. * <<radiobutton "$answers[4]" 2 autocheck>> Through work, relationships need work. <<nobr>> <<link [[You wave Wendy over, letting her know you're done.]]>> <<set $answer to []>> <<for $i to 1; $i lte $answers.length; $i++>> <<if $answers.countWith(function (fruit) { return fruit === $i; }) eq Math.max($answers.countWith(function (fruit) { return fruit === 1; }), $answers.countWith(function (fruit) { return fruit === 2; }), $answers.countWith(function (fruit) { return fruit === 3; }), $answers.countWith(function (fruit) { return fruit === 4; }), $answers.countWith(function (fruit) { return fruit === 5; }))>> <<set $answer.push($i)>> <</if>> <</for>> <</link>> <</nobr>>

After assessing your results Wendy hums, "oh, I love this one," and disappears between the shelves. Quickly reappearing, she cradles a paperback novel in her arms. "I know this book might feel out of place during your stay here, but I think books can be a good way to get a new perspective on ourselves and those around us." <<if $answer == 1>> She holds a book out to you, the cover resembling paint poured and swirled into shapes of a character on a stage, eyes encircling them. "This is a beautiful story of an actor, struggling with ?their relationships as they perform the final season of plays before the theater is shut down. Do those who love ?them really just have a parasocial relationship with the characters they perform? And will they still love ?them when the curtains close for good?" <<elseif $answer == 2>> She holds a book out to you, the cover shows a photo of hands held tight around razor sharp cable wire that cuts into their skin, blood trickling between the fine wires. "Oh, what a thriller. Through sheer determination and will, ?they <<nobr>> <<if $pgen == 2>> keep <<elseif>> keeps <</if>> <</nobr>> the cable car from plummeting to the depths with ?their loved ones inside. However, after they’ve made it safely to the other side, ?they still <<nobr>> <<if $pgen == 2>> don't <<elseif>> doesn't <</if>> <</nobr>> let go. Wanting to hold out until their luggage makes it too. They beg and plead with ?them to let it go as we explore why they won’t and if they will." <<elseif $answer == 3>> She holds a book out to you, the cover resembles paper dolls in a diorama. A ?adultsPerson’s face scattered haplessly. "I think everyone can relate to this at some point in their lives. A middle aged ?adultPerson drifting through life after finishing their masters. They realize they had spent so much time in school because it was at least something to do, a goal to work towards that is gone now and ?they can’t imagine anything to even want. Feeling lost and directionless, we follow them as they travel across the world. Will they find meaning or enjoy the journey?" <<elseif $answer == 4>> She holds a book out to you, the cover shows a highspeed race with someone holding onto the back of the car, body waving in in the wind like a flag. "This is an exciting one! An aspiring professional racer keeps failing to make the cut while all their friends are already out there winning races. Feeling like only a pitstop in their friends lives between races, they chase after their friends to some interesting hijinks." <<else>> She holds a book out to you, the cover an oil painting in a gothic style. It shows a ?adultPerson alone in a frozen forest, a party of people in the background searching for them. "Both a heart breaking and heart mending tale of a ?adultPerson who after years of ridicule and neglect from ?their peers, struggles to see themselves outside of the warped perception they’ve been given, wondering what invisible thing is wrong with them. Are they too needy, too stupid, just not born to be loved? When they finally meet supernatural beings of the forest who care about them and value them, will ?they be able to accept the new mirror these companions reflect?" <</if>> Swaying dreamily over the book you've been matched with, she asks if you'll accept this as a gift from the library, no card required. <div class='choice'> [[You accept the book, interested to read it or at least leave it on your bedside and look like you read it.|take]] [[You want to try again.|book quiz]] </div>

The book rests in your hands, feeling heavier than it should. Before you can figure out how you want to carry it thorugh the day, Wendy say's she'll have another resident put it in your 'house' for you. You all reconvene at the doors, Vann with a hand full of flier pull tags and Arlo with weathered news papers that are soon whisked away by Wendy for a resident to take to your ‘home’ as well. "What's with the newspapers anyways?" You raise an eyebrow at the stack being toted away. "You didn’t notice on the way into town? There isn’t just lore for the performance like most circus acts, the entire town has lore and history. It’s like a giant ARG or unfiction." Vann glances at you, looking for any clue what either of thoses terms means. "And I don’t think all of it’s fake, like the founding—" Lucy interrupts, running over and slipping out the doors now sporting a big red stamp on her forehead 'LATE FEES.' The three of you follow after her. Outside Lucy wheezes, hands on her knees as Vann leans over to see her face, "this place still does late fees?" Vann glances at you with worry, "I thought libraries got rid of those." "Yeah, they did. This is just for me," Lucy puts her sleeve on her head and shakes both vigorously until she sends herself in a twirl, stumbling. "Did I get it?" Arlo burst out laughing as Vann tries to figure out the trick. Instead of red ink being smeared on her forehead, the letters are jumbled around her face, even the face paint markings she had before are mixed up and misplaced. <div class = 'choice'> [["Yeah, you got it."]] [[You reach out and poke at one of the letters on her face, needing to know if it's a sticker of some sort.|poke sticker]] </div>

She grins, fists on her hips, "oh good!" <<set $stickers to true>> "She can't be serious, she has to know right?" Vann whispers to you both. "If $name says nothing's there, then nothing's there," Arlo shrugs, playing along and enjoying the performance. Lucy looks around as she rocks from heel to toe, "what time is it? Let's see, if the sun is there," she points to where the sun hangs low in the sky, "and we're here" she points at the ground, "and there is a 78% rating of razzmatazz in the air and rising, then," she throws her arms in the air, "it’s time!" Before you can get a full sentence out to ask time for what, she’s already shoving you forward. "Time for the show!" [[Toward the heart of town, the music plays, the people talk, and the smell of candy and kernal corn fills the air.|preshow]]

Lucy does nothing to stop you. Finger grazing her skin, you search for the edge of the sticker. There’s not one. All that you feel is the slight give of a warm human cheek. You try again to peel one of the letters off her <<linkreplace face. t8n>> face, a honking sound startles you, making you pull your hand away. She giggles, revealing a horn she had behind her back.<</linkreplace>> "Thanks for the help! I’ll take it from here," she produces a bottle of glue. Pouring it out on her face, it dries quickly, to the alarm of Vann. "Can she breathe?" "No, absolutely not. But she’ll be fine, probably," Arlo watches eagerly. Lucy peels off the glue mask revealing a clean unmarked face, even her curly face paint and dots are gone. Spinning the flexible glue mask like pizza dough, the marks flying off and land perfectly back on her face. She holds out the glue disk, only the words, ‘LATE FEES’ remaining. "All clean! Way faster than a shower." "What kind of slight of hand was that?" "This week will go by much easier if you don’t think too hard about how we do the incredible things we do." Arlo salutes, "yes ma’am." Lucy looks around as she rocks from heel to toe, "what time is it? Let's see, if the sun is there," she points to where the sun hangs low in the sky, "and we're here" she points at the ground, "and there is a 78% rating of razzmatazz in the air and rising, then," she throws her arms in the air, "it’s time!" Before you can get a full sentence out to ask time for what, she’s already shoving you forward. "Time for the show!" [[Toward the heart of town, the music plays, the people talk, and the smell of candy and kernal corn fills the air.|preshow]]

Lucy was right about the energy in the air, the anticipation is almost electric now as people excitedly funnel into the town center. A massive circus tent of shimmering blues and greens with stipes of yellow that the rest of the town is built around towers over you, blocking out the sun from where you stand in. Residents are handing out soft pretzels, sweets, and various styles of popcorn from caramel to chocolate strawberry. There are also a few coffee stands for the adults, handing out drinks to kids who want to be like their parents as well with sly winks to the parents. As Lucy guides the three of you to follow the flow of traffic, a man in a long heavy cloak approaches, hot pink bursts on his face like fireworks and mixed in his black hair. <<if $stickers is true>> "Lucy, you need to get into place— what is on your face?" "My face?" "Yes, what’s on it?" "My face is, I hope." The man sighs, "we don’t have time for bits. Get cleaned up and backstage or I’ll tell Markellis about your last incident." She chirps at the threat, "find, fine, you’re no fun." She takes a deep breath, puts her thumb in her mouth and blows. The letters and marks pop off her face, the letters are sent flying, you and Arlo dodging them as Vann takes an E to the face. The marks stick down by the edges, snapping back into place. "Alright, you guys find your seats in the front row. As the raffle winner, it’s been reserved for you. See you out there!" "Come on, you’re going to hold up the whole show." Lucy runs after the retreating figure, "I thought you were Quik Fuse, not a short one!" she calls after him. Left alone with your two friends, Vann blinks, lashes fluttering as he defeatedly accepts the giant red E on his face. "Should we really go in there? This whole place is a bit much, isn’t it?" "Come on, you’ve barely given it a chance. It’s a circus, they’re gonna be… circusing," Arlo gleefully peels the E off of him. "If you get over stimulated you can stay take a break at the house and enjoy the walk around shows when you’re up for it." "I’m not—" Before they can bicker in earnest, you push them into the tent. <<else>> "Lucy, there you are. Come on, you have to check your equipment before the show starts." "Pft, why? It’s not like—" //"Lucy,"// the heavy warning in his tone makes her deflate. "Fine, fine, you’re no fun," the man throws his hood up and walks off. Rolling her eyes, she turns back to you, "don’t worry about him too much, Quik Fuse can have a //quick fuse// but he’s more of smoke bomb than an explosive, if you know what I mean." Vann makes a confused whimper. "Alright, you guys find your seats in the front row. As the raffle winner, it’s been reserved for you. See you out there!" Left alone with your two friends, Vann blinks, lashes fluttering, "should we really go in there? This whole place is a bit much, isn’t it?" "Come on, you’ve barely given it a chance. It’s a circus, they’re gonna be… circusing," Arlo claps him on the back, "if you get over stimulated you can take a break at the house and enjoy the walk around shows when you’re up for it." "I’m not—" Before they can bicker in earnest, you push them into the tent. <</if>> Inside, it is a circular stadium. [[Giving your name, a man leads you to your seats with mini flag banners set around them instead of velvet rope.]]

In your seats the crowd chatters, glows sticks waving in the air as children and adults alike wai tin anticipation. The lights shift from a soft white to red, blue, and purple spotlights casting irregular shadows on the floor rings of light ripple from the center like drops on still water. A man stands at the center of it who, unlike every other resident of the circus you've seen, has long natrually gray hair that the colored lights play off of like a moonlight waterfall, no dyed section to be seen. "Welcome, dear guests to our little community. I am Markellis, the ring master here, second only to my wife," the tent is plunged into pitch black, only glow stick toys lighting a few stray faces. A storm of sparklers fly over the audience and twirls through the air to create a dazzling tornado of light. Converging, the sparklers illuminate Markellis, his arm outstretched upwards to hoist up a woman standing on a unicycle, gray and purple hair bouncing with silent laughter. "Antonia!" The crowd applauds the introduction which Antonia accepts with a bow. She rides her unicycle as they continue, using Markellis as her ramp while he moves his arms with practiced precision to aid her. Their combination of strength, control, and balance is an impressive opening act on its own. "We hope you enjoy you're stay here," Antonia pirouettes on the unicycle, as she rides from one of Markellis’s wrists to the other, "and please take full advantage of the activities and entertainment while you’re here. Every resident of our community was a miraculous find for us along the way and are what put the word in the name and it's guests like you that gives them a chance to shine. So, without further ado, enjoy our dear friends showing off for your amazement!" [[Lucy and a few others descend from above on spinning rings in similarly shimmering silks, flowing ruffles trailing behind them .|first flirts]]

Juggling, trapeze, hair hanging, and more performances stream through in succession. You recognize the cloaked figure as Quik when he walks out with a long staff, lamps raining sparks on both ends as he begins his own performance. Throughout the show, there seems to be one performer appearing again and again in every other act, his shaggy black hair with bright orange highlights making him hard to miss. His time to be front and center appears to be during the clownery performance. He’s introduced as Milo Sassafras the clown, though he’s not dressed like a traditional clown. His hair alone is not the red wig you’d been expecting when a clown was announced. As for make up, he is only sporting the theme of distinct marks on his face as every other resident is. His outfit is made up of striped pants, the vertical stripes being inconsistent widths of strong but slightly faded pink, green, yellow and blue. He wears a black undershirt overshadowed by a thick cardigan with bubbled sleeves that each have two large pompoms along the arms. The man juggles, does slap stick, and some comedic acrobatics on a series of seesaws, Lucy joining him for many of the bits and gags. He winds down his performance with some crowd work, targeting adults and kids alike with ballon animals. One child requests a balloon dinosaur. Instead, Milo makes a flamingo. The child giggles, "that’s not a dino!" "What? It’s not? Are you sure? I thought they were birds?" The child shakes their head, smiling ear to ear at the attention of the audience and Milo’s demeanor. With exaggerated gestures, Milo pretends to carefully inspect the balloon until it suddenly pops, the sound making the child jump but carefully placed to blow air directly at Milo’s face, sending his hair back with a shocked expression.The child falls ino a fit of giggles and the audience laughs. He quickly makes the dinosaur for the child and moves on to the next audience members. Until he makes his way to you. He leans over the railing separating you from the stage, "and of course something for our guest of honor." Vann’s knee nudges yours, but your attention remains on Milo. The friendly smile on his face and the full focus in his eyes, hazel and disarming, as if the rest of the circus and audience didn’t exist makes you see why the other guests were smiling so much under his attention. It’s not overwhelming but somehow flattering despite the situation. You accept the rose with his aid, Milo likely used to audience members freezing under these circumstances. His hands gently cup yours to wrap them around the large balloon stem. And then he’s gone, leaving the stage with a bow so a knife throwing act can take his place. [[You sit the rest of the show with a balloon rose the length of your torso and a bloom the size of your head|aftershow]]

The audience cheers and applauds as the show winds to an end, all the performers stepping out to hold hands and take a bow. Soft white lights rising, signalling it’s time to go, people filing back out into the streets. "See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?" Arlo stands between you, using you and Vann as elbow rests. You point out that Vann was definitely starry eyed once the show started. "Alright, yeah. It was pretty good." Stepping outside, you find the sun has set and the streets aglow with twinkling lights. As some people head to their 'houses' to get a head start on tomorrow, others mill about under the vintage streetlamps. Wisps of cotton candy float through the air as a child runs by with glow in the dark face paint. A resident hands out flyers to the adults about a bar opening in ten minutes on the less child-oriented side of town. Arlo bounces his brows, "I’m thinking we get some glow in the dark face paint and hit the bar. I’m betting this place has drinks we’ve never even dreamed of." "I think if I got tipsy and then saw a glowing face, I’d cry," Vann scratches his cheek sheepishly. "I for one, am prepared to find out," with a grin, he sweeps his locs into a quick ponytail. You pat a pouting Vann on the back. A wisp of cotton candy twirling through the air catches his attention. "You can get face paint; I’m going to get some candy floss." "Sounds good to me. I’ll get face paint and a flier, Vann gets the sugar, and $name, can you ask a resident for our key? I just realized I don’t remember Lucy ever giving us a key. Then we can all meet at the face paint stall and get you two covered." "She didn’t give us a key?" Vann’s eyes widen, slightly horrified. He looks to you pleadingly. [[You agree, ready to track down a resident for those keys. |end pro]]

"There you are." You don’t realize the words are directed at you until someone is standing next to you, tilting his head and leaning over slightly, to be in your field of vision but not blocking your path in any way. It’s Milo. His outfit has changed a bit, the cardigan replaced with a jacket he wears only on the shoulders, helped kept in place with a chain joining both sides of the collar. His black shirt is more visibly a low-cut muscle shirt without gleaming lights obscuring his finer details. It’s <<linkreplace fitting t8n>> tightly fitting, a broad chest underneath hugged by the fabric and leaving little to the imagination<</linkreplace>>. "I’m glad I could I find you before you left," he holds out his hand, "I’m Milo." You accept his hand that wraps around yours and are welcomed with a light squeeze and a single shake. "Right, I'm $name." "$name," he repeats your name slowly, tasting every syllable and consonant as he gives you another light squeeze before letting go. "It would be my honor to treat our special guest to dinner to ?their first night in town." "Thanks," the offer is flattering and surprising, "but I already have plans. Actually, we think Lucy forgot to give us something, do you know where she is?" "That sounds like her, I bet Lucy got sidetracked showing you around huh? I'm sure she's around here somewhere. But if you haven't eaten yet, it's better to eat first and look for her later, don't you think? It was a long show and I'm sure your friends would understand," he smiles that [[warm focused smile again.|endpro2]]

<h1>Act One</h1> <<set $arlo to 0>> <<set $Vann to 0>> <<set $milo to 0>> <<set $aflag to 0>> [[din1]]

warnings and nsfw toggle [[start set up simple]]

Greetings <<nobr>><<listbox "$gender" autoselect>> <<option "Ms." f>> <<option "Mr." m>> <<option "Mx." t>> <</listbox>> <</nobr>><<textbox "$name" "">>! Congradulations! letter inviting them [[base]]

You've won a raffle for an all expenses paid trip to Miraculous Mementos, a live in experiance where carnival and circus are part of everyday life. This is a place holder until i know all of the traits the player will need. Looking into the mirror, you see a <<listbox "$pgen" autoselect>> <<option "woman" 1>> <<option "man" 0>> <<option "person" 2>> <</listbox>>. staring back at you. Your nervous tick is: <<listbox "$tick" autoselect>> <<option "picking your nails" nails>> <<option "play with your hair" hair>> <<option "bouncing your leg" bounce>> <<option "chewing your lip" lip>> <</listbox>> You would describe your appeaarance as <<listbox "$disc" autoselect>>. <<option "handsome" ha>> <<option "cute" cu>> <<option "pretty" pret>> <<option "gremlin chic" grem>> <</listbox>> You keep your hair: <<listbox "$hair" autoselect>> <<option "neat" neat>> <<option "messy" messy>> <</listbox>> Your name is<<textbox "$name" "">> [[whoswho]]

animals

It’s quieter where Milo guides you, not being an area the other residents are . A resident still walks up and down the street, doing tricks with flash paper. The smell of food makes your stomach growl. You comment that if you don’t hurry, your stomach will start to eat itself. "We’re almost there, I promise I won’t let you waste away," he chuckles. Your balance having returned, he now keeps his arms behind his back. "There’s plenty of options here so tell me, are you looking for something heavy and comforting tonight or on the lighter side? I’m happy with anything that makes my guest happy." <div class='choice'> [[Something heavy and warm to make you feel full and settled tonight.|din2][$heavy to true]] [[Something light but filling.|din2]] </div>

<<if $heavy == true>> He leads you to a bakery with a hanging sign in the shape of a cat hanging off a crescent moon. Glow in the dark stars trail a path along the walls to a concession stand window. They offer savory and sweet options, dinner and dessert from small meat pies, savory croissants, sandwiches and soups to the standard bakery dessert options. Getting your food, you take a seat together at an outdoor table, each lit with small baubles. <<else>> He leads you to a restaurant with a salad bar that brags about having enough ingredients to make salads from almost any culture. Everywhere grows edible plants along the walls, hanging from the ceiling, and sprouting from furniture specially made to hold seeds and life. Getting your food, you take a seat together at a table that has clover sprouting along the edges with begonias, borage, and chrysanthemums growing in the center. A natural, edible, and living center piece. <</if>> The first bite is quickly followed by another as your body is relieved to finally have something. After getting a few solid inhales of food, you slow down enough to ask how he found you in the crowd, the area had still been busy when he approached you. "Your rose," he gestures to the large balloon sitting in a chair like a third member of your outing. "I’ll admit, I may have had an ulterior motive making you such a large balloon sculpture," he scratches the back of his neck and the pink on his face is so light, you’re unsure if he’s blushing or it’s just the reds and pinks of the <<if $heavy == false>>flower garlands above you<<else>>tinted lights from the baubles<</if>> reflecting off his skin. "You came here with some people, right? Are they friends or?" He trails off. You tell him about Vann and Arlo, your childhood friend and your fastest made friend. One made from a lifelong familiarity and understanding of one another and the other feeling as easy and natural as someone breathing without asthma. He leans forward as you talk, resting his arms on the table and practically forgetting his own food as he listens. Like this is the most important thing Milo’s ever heard and he’s taking in every detail. Slightly overwhelmed by the attention and interest, you shift direction turning the question back on him. "Are you friends with the other residents?" "Me? You could say I’m friends with all the residents of Miraculous Mementos. I grew up here. Well, not here here but with the troupe. Markellis and Antonia <<linkreplace "raised me" t8n>> raised me. They took me in when I was just a kid and loved me like I was their own. <</linkreplace>> [[Dessert is brought to the table for you both.|din.3]]

Remembering the show you ask, "you were in what, half the performances tonight? How many things can you actually do? Is that normal around here?" "Not really, no. Most of the residents might try something here and there to spice up their own performances, but most of us specialize in one skill. You can call me a jack of all trades," he states proudly, squaring his shoulders and posing, "acrobatics, gymnastics, precision, illusion, you name it, I know the basics of it. With all these skills, clowning came naturally." "Being a clown came naturally?" You tease him. "What can I say," he chuckles, "I don’t mind making a fool of myself for guests like you. Though I'm not sure there's anyone quite like you." You point out that he barely knows you only to be met with a smile. <<nobr>><<if $answer == 1>> "But I want to, all of you." <<elseif $answer == 2>> "Maybe, but I know that I want to." <<elseif $answer == 3>> "Maybe, but it’s a journey I’m looking forward to." <<elseif $answer == 4>> "Then how lucky am I that I have the time to learn?" <<else>> "What I do know about you already is that you’re someone I want to know." <</if>><</nobr>>He clears his throat sitting up straighter, "If you let me, I mean." "Really?" you look at him amused but skeptical. This man is coming on strong. "And how many ?adultPeople do you get to know? One in every port?" He leans forward on the table. With a flick of his wrist, he produces a five of hearts. "Nope, usually with guests I just play my gags and bits, follow my script," holding it between his index and middle finger, he flips it over and over twisting his wrist, the hearts starting to spin the same on the card. "Only one so far has me spinning out like this," he holds the card still, face up. The hearts twirl on their tips in the paper. "Besides," he leans back in his chair, "if I tried to play with someone's heart, Mark and An would never stop lecturing me and probably banish me off stage to help with maintenance forever." "They'd pull you from performing for that?" It seems a little extreme. "Probably. If you've ever wondered if true love is real, they're the proof of it and they take it seriously." "Do you believe in true love?" "Yes," his response is abrupt, firm with no hesitance. "It’s getting late," he stands up and rounds the table to you. He offers his hand to help you stand, "are you ready to head in? The best way to start your day bright and early tomorrow is going to bed first and the sooner you wake up, the more you can explore." [[You take his hand.|walk1]]

He walks you home, the night is cool and the natural scent of the forest takes over the streets. Only a small handful of people pass you by. The peaceful silence of the night cradles Milo’s soft humming. You find yourself feeling a bit sleepier than you thought you were. "What makes you think I want to wake up early tomorrow," your yawn weakens your question. "You wouldn't want to miss anything, would you? A whole town is waiting to greet you tomorrow." You carry on with just his humming until he pauses again. "You've heard what I do, but what about you? Anything you like to do?" It’s almost startling when the humming stops dead, his voice is nice and the air feels emptier without it. "Sure, I like <<listbox "$hob" autoselect>> <<option "dancing" sport>> <<option "crafting" craft>> <<option "writing" craft>> <<option "tinkering" craft>> <<option "fishing" sport>> <<option "woodworking" craft>> <<option "skating" sport>> <</listbox>>when I have the [[time.|walk2]]"

<<if $hob == "craft">> "Really? That’s a wondertastic skill. What sort of things have you made?" <<else>> "Oh, there’s so many wondertastic kinds. Which ones do you do?" <</if>> The rest of the walk, he encourages you to talk about what you do, the details, why you started, which kind you’re interested in and want to try further in the future. You end up so absorbed talking about your hobby, you don’t realize you’re ‘home’ until he stops walking. He stays on the sidewalk, toes of his boots just tipping into the lawn. "Looks like we’re here." You nod, realizing that this is the end of the night, "yeah." "Good night $name," He bows, one leg sweeping in front of the other and an arm over his chest. "I’ll hope to see you soon." You say your own goodbyes, ready to head in-- You turn on your heel, "Milo!" He flinches, "$name? Is something wrong?" "Sorry, but the keys. Lucy never gave us the keys." He starts to laugh and rakes his hair back, "keys? She really forgot that?" He sighs, "Oh Lucy." He reaches into one of his coat’s inner pockets grabbing something. He hums in thought. "I’m not supposed to hand this out to just anyone. But you can be trusted, right?" His tone throws you off at first until you realize he’s putting on a show, his tone shifting to a performance cadance. <div class='choice'> [["Absolutly."|key][$agree to true]] [["Not even remotely."|key]] </div>

<<if $agree == true>> "I knew it, there's something special about you. Since you’re such a fantastic guest to have and were locked out of your home by another resident, I’m going to give you something just as special as you are." He pulls out a key. "A skeleton key, it works for almost every guest house in town. You can keep it for now." <<set $sKey to true>> Just like the balloon rose, he presses it into your hands. "Now get some sleep soon please? You have a big day tomorrow." <<else>> He laughs, "points for honesty then. In that case, I’ll use it for you this time and make sure you get your key tomorrow. Though if Lucy still forgets, it would give you a reason to come looking for me again," he strikes a thinking pose, a finger gun framing his chin. You cross your arms, "you think I’m going to lock myself out of my ‘house’ for an excuse to talk to you?" He shrugs, "alright, maybe not. I’ll make sure Lucy gets it to you and your friends." He walks you to your door, the skeleton key clicking in the lock. </if> "Is it?" You don’t remember anyone saying anything notable was happening tomorrow. "Of course! Every day is a big day and a little easier to face with some good rest. And you never know what’s going to happen, tomorrow could be the next best day of your life. You wouldn’t want to be sleepy for the best day of your life, would you?" His words have such an optimistic and hopeful quality to them, it almost makes you excited to go to bed. Once more saying goodnight, you turn awy from him. Finally, you make it inside for the [[night.|worry]]

Stepping inside, you're greeted by the sound of two men yelling your name. <<timed 30ms>><<type 10ms>>“Where have you been?” “Are you okay?” “You disappeared!” “We had security looking for you.” <</type>><</timed>> You raise your hands to placate them, "woah, slow down." They back off a bit, letting you get your bearings. Vann holds himself with bags under his eyes as if you’ve been missing for months and not a few hours. Cotton candy is sticking to the corner of his mouth and a curling design glows around one of his eyes. Arlo’s glowing face paint is smeared where hes been pinching the bridge of his nose and rubbing his temples; his bottom lip slightly split from where he’s been worrying it with his teeth. You say the only thing you can think too. “I’m sorry.” Vann immediately clings to you, face burying in your shoulder while Arlo groans and sags with relief, throwing himself on the couch. “You scared me. We’re in a new place with strangers and people who have tons of weird tricks. I thought we stepped into a horror movie,” Vann’s voice is muffled against you, so much so you almost miss half of it. “So, what happened?” Alro sits up, watching you curiously, eyes scanning you for any damage. “We were supposed to meet up, but you never showed. You didn't answer your phone either.” You think for the first time tonight to check your phone. It’s dead. "One of the residents took me for food as the raffle winner. It was a surprise, it all just got away from me," you offer, unable to think of a good excuse for ditching them without warning. Arlo picks up the landline, absently calling off the security search they set out for you. “That wasn’t cool, $name. I’m glad you’re alright but next time you blow us off for some whimsical manic pixie dream boat, let us know.” Vann’s arms tighten around you. You agree, patting Vann on the back and shuffling over to the couch. “Damn. Ditched us for hours and you didn’t even hook up,” Arlo sighs with disappointment. “Eh?” Vann pulls back shocked. “Hey,” you shoot back, “how do you know?” “You don’t have any of face marks rubbed off on you on you and your hair’s <<if $hair == 'neat'>>just as perfect as always. Even you can't keep perfect hair while foolin' around<<else>>the same <<if $disc == "cu">>adorable<<else>>charming <</if>>mess it always is. If you were covering up after foolin' around, you'd have cleaned it up.<</if>> Too bad, if you had stayed with us, then at least you’d have some sick face paint,” he sticks the tip of his tongue out with a scrunch of his nose. His face paint is, indeed, pretty sick. He is covered in patterns that work together to create fangs and extra eyes. Before you can lament or celebrate missing the face painting, Alro opens his arms. "Think I can get any of that hugging action? I was worried about you to." Leaning into his arms, you realize far too late. It’s a trap! He rubs his cheeks against yours, smearing paint on you with a victorious cackle. You cry out in betrayal. “Arlo!” Looking down you realize that’s not the only face paint on you. In his worry, Vann has almost completely wiped his face paint off on your shoulder. You groan at the mess. Arlo cackles, “vengeance!” Scores settled and mood lightened, you all start getting ready for bed. Alro approaches you with a washcloth. “Here, need any help getting the paint off?” [[“Yes please.”|night1]] [[“Thanks, but no,” you accept the cloth yourself.|night-1][$aflag to $aflag+1]]

With warm water and soap, Arlo holds your face carefully under the jaw, his hand soft and acting like a perch for your chin. Leaning in, he dabs away the paint, warm brown <<linkreplace eyes t8n>> eyes, as mirthful and soft as ever,<</linkreplace>> flicking to yours before focusing back on his task with a small smile on his lips. Finishing, he tilts your head side to side to make sure he got it all. With a grin, he pulls back, “all done and ready for bed.” “And what about you?” His own face is still covered in paint, much more than the smear you had on your cheeks. “Little old me?” he flutters his lashes, hands under his chin, “you want to wash my face for me?” <div class='choice'> [[“Yes, pass the cloth.|wash]] [[Nope, you’re on your own.|nowash]] </div>

Alro passes you the cloth, a corner already dipped with soap and water, “alright, you got it,” he yawns, stretching his arms behind his head. You rub the paint off your cheeks, asking if you got it all. "What about you?" You hold the cloth in the air, returning the offer. His own face is still covered in paint, much more than the smear you had on your cheeks. “Little old me?” he flutters his lashes, hands under his chin, “you want to wash my face for me?” <div class='choice'> [[“Yes, pass the cloth.|wash]] [[Nope, you’re on your own.|nowash]] </div>

<<if $arlo >= 1>> <div class='ghost'>sdfsdfsd</div> <</if>> <div class='neon'>hnghngh</div>

<<widget "reaches">><<if $plural>>reach<<else>>reaches<</if>><</widget>>

He blinks back in surprise, “seriously?” “Yes,” you take the cloth and rinse it off in the small bowl he brought over, turning to him expectantly. <<set $arlo to $arlo + 1>> “Right,” he says it a little too loudly. Sitting still, he lets you take his face and clean him off. His eyes never seem to meet yours this time, his skin starting to feel concerningly feverish under your hands. “Are you guys almost done?” Vann leans over the back of the couch, inserting himself between you and Arlo, “I’ve gotta clean up to you know.” Arlo flicks the back of his head, “hey!” You swipe the cloth over the curling design around his eye, “there, done,” you say, poking his forehead. He falls backwards behind the couch, sulking on the floor. With a roll of his eyes Arlo finishes wiping off his face himself. “Night guys,” Arlo pats your shoulder as he heads to his room. Vann lingers in the shared space as you finish up your bedtime routine. “$name?” His voice has a slight tremble as he gets your attention, a slight blush to his ears and nose. “Do you think we could have a sleep over?” Ever since you were kids, Vann’s had a hard time with new places. Sleepovers are nothing new to <<linkreplace "you both" t8n>> you both. There was more than one occasion growing up when you were suddenly taken on a trip with him or sent to a summer camp so you could sleep in the same room as him to help. You always got the choice after if you wanted to stay or not<</linkreplace>>. You agree like muscle memory, helping him move his mattress to the floor of your room. You find your book waiting dutifully on your bedside table, there to keep you company through any restless nights that may come. Settled in his floor mattress, Vann says his goodnight’s. You click off the [[lights.|dream1]]

“Fair enough,” Arlo rinses off the cloth and gets to work on his own face, asking you about your little outing with the resident. Before you can respond, Vann leans over the back of the couch, inserting himself between you and Arlo. “What about me? I’ve gotta clean up to you know,” Vann points to the curling pattern that sprawls around his eye. “Help me out?” Arlo flicks the back of his head, “hey!” You grab a random cloth and swipe it over his face paint, “there, done,” you say, poking his forehead. He falls backwards behind the couch, sulking on the floor. With a roll of his eyes Arlo finishes wiping off his face himself. “Night guys,” he drops the wet and dirty cloth on Vann's head as he leaves to settle in his room. Vann lingers in the shared space as you finish up your bedtime routine. “$name?” His voice has a slight tremble as he gets your attention, a slight blush to his ears and nose. “Do you think we could have a sleep over?” Ever since you were kids, Vann’s had a hard time with ne places. Sleepovers are nothing new to <<linkreplace "you both" t8n>>you both. There was more than one occasion growing up when you were suddenly taken on a trip with him or sent to a summer camp so you could sleep in the same room as him to help. You always got the choice after if you wanted to stay or not<</linkreplace>>. You agree like muscle memory, helping him move his mattress to the floor of your room. You find your book waiting dutifully on your bedside table, there to keep you company through any restless nights that may come. Settled in his floor mattress, Vann says his goodnight’s. You click off the [[lights.|dream1]]

You suddenly feel a bit<<timed 1s>><<type 150ms>>tired.<</type>><</timed>> "Have you eaten at all since you got here? You shouldn't go hungry," his fingertips brush your arm. A wave washes through you, making your hair stand on end. The lights shimmer over your skin and sink in, a feeling in your chest bubbling like the soda being sold nearby making you laugh at nothing. You realize he's right, you haven't eaten since this morning. "Yeah, but Lucy, she forgot--" "It’s important to take care of yourself." That’s true to, isn’t it? You don’t want to forget to eat much longer and he would know where to go. The scent of the stalls selling sweets fills your nose and mouth to a dizzying extent. You sway into something firm. Placed respectfully between your shoulders, Milo's hand steadies you. A warm breeze on your ear. <<nobr>><<if $answer == 1>> "You don’t have to pretend your needs away for others. <<elseif $answer == 2>> "It’s okay if you need a reminder or help with it sometimes. <<elseif $answer == 3>> "I can show you where to go, just tell me what you want. <<elseif $answer == 4>> "Take a step back, it’s okay to let them go ahead. You can catch up with them later. <<else>> "I’d really appreciate the company.<</if>><</nobr>>" <div class='neon'>"Please?"</div> Your head feels like it’s spinning and it takes you a moment to realize you’re [[nodding your head.|act 1]]