*label notes

Definitions 


Warmth.

The Absence of cold.
The heightened than normal vibration of your atomic structures.
What you feel in your chest when you feel joy.
The feeling you get when someone who you care for stands, solid and near.
Life.

Cold.

The void.
Winter's first kiss.
When something is missing.
The loss of a loved one.
Death.
Piece.

*page_break content warnings.
This book contains language that not all of you will find suitable, for 1 reason or another. As such, you have been warned. 

There will also be at least 1 rather graphic scene of the aftermath of a torture, although exactly how graphic will have a choice attached to it.
There will also be at least 1 scene of a violent and graphic death, though once again, that will have a choice attached to it if you want to se it or not.

Other warnings will be added as necessary.
*page_break
This is a romance focused book, and the interactions with the characters are written with that in mind, even if the MC may not know it, and yes, you can play your MC like that if you wish to do so.
Regardless,  you will, by the way the romances are set up, be forced to choose a romance partner to romance part-way through the book. No, best friends. If you take issue with that, then that is fine, however, this book is also probably not the book for you.

Now with that out of the way, let us get to the story, shall we?
*page_break prologue
*label candle
I feel nothing.


There were things before. Feelings, sounds, cents. Warm hands, raised voices, although 1 voice, 1 set of hands in particular seems to stick in my mind, even now, within the nothingness. There was also Cold stone and cold metal, but all of those things are gone now, having been washed away before the numbing cold that has consumed my world.


The metal was painful at first, the cold biting, the stone ruff. Now though? There is simply nothing.
At least, nothing apart from the memory of the voice and hands. The hands that gave warmth, the hands that gave life, gone now. The voice that guided, the voice that reassured me, the voice that let me know that at least one person cared. Gone now as well.


As I ponder this, I sink further into the depths. Down, and down and down once more, into the dark where I can sore. Into the night that I've always known, into the depths where I must go.


As I continue downward into the cold nothing, I start to ponder. Should I have done things differently? Made different choices? Taken a different path? Would any of that have changed anything?
Does it even matter, since I'm dead now anyway? Is this what being dead feels like? Just, nothing?
*page_break
After a while, I notice that I've finally stop falling, as my feet are now solidly planted on ruff stone. Blinking, my attention flicks around for a few seconds before I get my baring’s.
I stand on 1 edge of a cracked plane of rock under a cold gray sky. It's neither hot nor cold, but it's also not somewhere I would want to linger for long. How I know that last bit? I would ponder it, but with the last month I have had? I don't even bother trying anymore. Besides, I'm far more interested, and worried, about the figure who stands across from me right now.


On the other side of the cracked stone stands a figure in a pale white robe, fluttering an a non-existent wind, with 1 bony hand raised with it's index finger bent in a 'come hear gesture, with a bone-white scythe in the other.


Feeling a weight in my own hand, I glance down to find that I, too, have a scythe, with both shaft and glimmering blade as pale white as bone that's just been freshly torn from freshly-flayed flesh. Smiling wolfishly, I take a step forward.  I've always been fighting death, at least in one way or another, but today, it seems that I am bound to take that far more  literally. I mean hell, I'm dead anyway, so well, fuck it. Am I right or am I right?
*page_break
"Fuck." I growl as I tap my phone screen, although getting no result for my trouble.

I next tap at the home button, but it doesn't do anything either.


"Fucking hell, this always fucking happens." I growl in disgust, before putting my now dead phone down on my bed-side table with a growl of frustration. It's late, and perhaps the phone dying was a good thing after all since I really do need to sleep anyway, if for no other reason than to be able to be my best to fix this clusterfuck of a situation I find myself in tomorrow, but dam, the book had just been getting good, and this pisses me off, at least more than I am already, which, considering how angry and scared I am, is actually kind of impressive.


Though, should I put my phone on charge? I kind of don't want to get out of bed now, as I'm rather warm, and the charger itself is all the way across the room, but...
*choice
	#With a sigh, I crawl out of bed. After all, Might as well do it now, right?
		*set stubborn %+10
		*set easyGoing %-10
		*set mind %+10
		*set heart %-10
		*set wp +2
		*set wis +2
		*set char -2
		*set charge_phone true
		*goto outbound
	#I shrug, before just rolling over with a sigh. After all there's always tomorrow, right?
		*set easyGoing %+10
		*set stubborn %-10
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set con +2
		*set char +2
		*set wis -2
		*set wp -2
		*goto next
*label outbound
Sliding to the ground, I stretch my naked body with a sigh, before slowly walking over to where my charger is before pulling it out and moving back to my bed-side table to plug it in. Then, I crawl back into my nice warm bed with a huff.
*set charge_phone true
*goto next
*label next
*if (charge_phone) =true
	with that now done,
	*goto next2
*else


	*goto next2
*label next2
I let out a long sigh before curling into a little warm ball, while trying to forget, well. The reason why I had shoved my head up to the neck into the book I had been reading before my phone died in the first place. Yes, if I could forget that for a while, that would be very nice.


The reason why I'm in my room in the first place on new years eve, instead of out with the rest of my family and doing new years stuff.
*if (charge_phone) =true
	With that, I crawl over to the  side of the bed farthest away from the charging device before I stretch, joints cracking with several soft pops. After all, You never know, and I tend to get headaches when I sleep too near electronics. With that in mind, and especially given what I have to do tomorrow, I would rather be safe than sorry, especially as I want to be at my best so I can, hopefully, at least apply damage control on this cluster-fuck.
	*goto next3
*else
	*goto next3
*label next3
Although, why that book instead of another one? Why the edgy book, and not the nice happy book about bunnies, and dogs, and high-powered sniper files, because said bunnies want to eat your skin?



I cut that train of thought off there, as it's going to do me no good, and especially not now.

Even if I am curious what would have happened if instead of the book I had gone with, I had gone with the book who's description red, verbatim:
"You are a newly-arrived Ensign  on the starship Enterprise, who finds themself in the middle of a romance between the Captain and science officer. Will you join them? Will you try to get them back on task, or will you just sit back and laugh your ass off as the Federation goes to shit, due to plot reasons? Read on to find out."

Granted, as the book's title was something like, 'Star Trek the original series, affairs of the heart', I really shouldn't have been surprised at that, but still. Someone decided to write something like that, and from what I saw before I left it, it had pretty good reviews.


"O yeah." I mutter into my pillow: "I wanted something more, edgy, and that didn't quite cut it. Though, moping about that really isn't helping me now, so should probably cut it out." With that, I push the thoughts away before re-focusing on the matter at hand, that being trying to get to sleep, despite the loud noise that's filtering through my closed door.

I would go out and politely ask them to tone it down, as I am trying to get some sleep and all, but again, well. Part of the reason I'm in here in the firs place sort-of keeps me from doing that.
*page_break 15 minutes later.
After for the... fifth? 12th? I'm not really focusing on counting right now, but it has been a bunch of times now that I have punched my pillow into another shape, I sigh. Was hoping I could forget that fight so I can sleep and deal with it when I am fresh in the morning, but seems that I won't be able to sleep till I address it, and as I know what a self-fulfilling cluster fuck is, thankyou very much, I, with an effort, focus on thinking of ways to deal with it now. Or at least, I focus on thinking of ways to deal with the fact that I am going to have to think of at least one way to deal with it before I can sleep, anyway.


Could I send my apology in an email?

No, it would feel fake, and considering how hard I fucked up, they probably wouldn't even bother to read it if I did that.


Could I apologize in person?

Yes, but facing them. They will still be angry with me tomorrow, and I get fidgety and just out of sorts when people are annoyed with me, and considering what I did, there going to be a hell of a lot more than just, annoyed. Hell, there also going to be hurt, and that might be even worse. Especially considering I screamed at them for fuck... Something cold and wet nuzzles my face, as a weight lands on my chest with a thump and a low whimper, fracturing my spiraling thoughts.
*page_break
"Howed you get in here?" I mutter as I reach out, before scritching my dog under his chin, a smile tugging at my lips as I do. "also, your supposed to ask before jumping onto my bed, and you know that." He just licks my face before letting out another whimper, before cuddling closer. I let out a low chuckle, before increasing my chin-scritching, before, although only dimly, I realize that I
*choice
	#have started to silently cry,
		*set expressive %+10
		*set reserved %-10
		*set easyGoing %+10
		*set stubborn %-10
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		tears wet on my face. In response, the dog pushes against my chest, I rapping my arms around him and berrying my face in his soft warm fir as he does so, my shoulders shaking silently.
		*goto ironblood
	#am holding the tears back through gritted teeth, mostly.
		*set reserved %+10
		*set expressive %-10
		*set stubborn %+10
		*set easyGoing %-10
		*set mind %+10
		*set heart %-10
		The dog whimpers, before licking my face again. I rap my arms around him and pull him close, a single whimper of my own escaping my lips as I do so. He just licks my face again before sticking his nose against my cheek. I smile, before gently rubbing his floppy ears.
		*goto ironblood
*label ironblood
before I start shivering, despite my thick warm blankets.


"Howed you actually get in here?" I mutter, while continuing to pet the dog: "the door was closed, unless you figured out how to open those now?"  I blink, as I realize the door I had thought was closed, is in fact not, or at least judging by the amount of noise that's now coming into my room from the living room.

The dog just licks my face again, this causing me to both smile, as well as motivating me to increase my scritches.
*page_break
"I'm trying to get some sleep, you know?" I ask after a little bit: "your going to have to go soon, since I can't just pet you all night." The dog stands, before walking over to the other side of the bed and lying back down again with a huff and a squeak of springs.


"Good boy." I mutter, smile pulling at my lips again as I do. He just starts thumping his tale in response.
Although said grin quickly fades as I turn my attention back to what the hell I am going to do tomorrow. However, in order to do that, I need it to be quiet. As such, I get out of bed with a grunt and a curse,
*if (charge_phone )=false
	grimly reflecting as I do that if I had known I was going to do this, I would have just put my dam phone on charge before,
	*goto plan
*else
	*goto plan
	*label plan
before striding to my door, firmly closing it, and returning to my bed before getting into it and curling into a little ball, before pulling the sheets up to my chin.
*page_break
Now, with that out of the way, I relax, or at least as much as I can, focus on my breathing, and start focusing on what makes me, me.
After all, first, the best way that I can think of for figuring out what I am going to do is to calm down first, and secondly, this is a way of perhaps going to sleep, thus being able to avoid this till tomorrow, when I am less tired, and less stressed. It's stupid and probably lazy, but I really don't want to remember any of this right now, and I am just tired enough to think this might be a good thing, at least for now.

Now then, my name, because everyone needs one of those, right?
*choice
	#Jason.
		*set mc_first "Jason"
		*goto surname
	#Lucas.
		*set mc_first "Lucas"
		*goto surname
	#Melidy.
		*set mc_first "Melody"
		*goto surname
	#Emily.
		*set mc_first "Emily"
		*goto surname
	#Yakauve.
		*set mc_first "Yaakov"
		*goto surname
	#"That's not my name! I will tell you my dam name then,-" yawn. Dam it!
		*input_text mc_first

		Yes, it's ${mc_first}. Shows you, now get out my head and let sleep, or help me get out of this here cluster fuck, won't you?"
		*goto surname
*label surname


Now comes my last name, since if I'm going to do this, then I might as well do it properly, right?
*choice
	#Stone.
		*set mc_surname "Stone"
		*goto height
	#Langford.
		*set mc_surname "Langford"
		*goto height
	#Pond.
		*set mc_surname "Pond"
		*goto height
	#Hawthorn.
		*set mc_surname "Hawthorn"
		*goto height
	#No, none of those are it! I’ll tell you my last name then!
		*input_text mc_surname
		${mc_surname}
		*goto height
	# You know what? I don't want to tell you my surname after all. Or, perhaps I just don't have one, or have you ever thought of that?
		*set no_surname true
		*goto height
*label height
*set mc_fullname "${mc_first} ${mc_surname}"


With another stretch, I am reminded that I am, in fact,
*choice
	#Rather Short, as I am only 168CM and under, or 5 foot 6 and under.
		*set mc_height "rather short"
		*goto gender
	#Shorter than Average, as I am 173CM and under, or 5 foot 8 and under.
		*set mc_height "short"
		*goto gender
	#just average, as I am 172 CM and under, or 5 foot 10 and under.
		*set mc_height "average"
		*goto gender
	#on the taller side, as I am 183CM and under, or 6 feet and under.
		*set mc_height "tall"
		*goto gender
	#very tall, as I am over 190CM, or 6 foot 2.
		*set mc_height "very tall"
		*goto gender
*label gender

With a discontented mutter of 
*if (mc_height) ="very tall"
	"over?
	*goto gender2
*else
	"under?
	*goto gender2
*label gender2
I should really know my own height, and not have to just guess numbers in the ballpark." As well as a soft snort of disgust along with a mental decision that I really need to get to sleep earlier, I scrunch  back into a ball under my warm blankets as I'm still cold, and so am very much hoping that my sheets will soon fix that. Granted, I'm always cold as the cold place in my chest never really leaves, but still, as I have become long used to said cold place inside my chest near my heart, I was hoping that the rest of me would be warmer by now.
*page_break
After a few minutes of nothing happening, I give out a grunt of discontentment, before deciding that I might as well think about what my gender is, as it's not like I have anything else I could be doing that would help me get to sleep faster now, and the screeching that people through up over that particular issue will at least give me some sadistic pleasure at said people's anger and pain, if nothing else.

With that now decided, it only takes me a few seconds to remember that, in fact,
*choice
	#I identify as a man.
		*goto male
	# I identify as a woman.
		*goto female
	# I identify as neither, thank you very much, although I am told that I look like a man by the people who I care about.
		*set nb true
		*set nb1 true
		*goto male
	#I identify as neither, thankyou very much, although I am told I look like a woman by the people who I care about.
		*set nb true
		*set nb1 true
		*goto female
*label male
*set mc_gender "male"
*set mc_they "he"
*set mc_their "his"
*set mc_them "him"
*set mc_little "boy"
*set mc_theirself "himself"
*set mc_theirs "his"
*set mc_person "man"
*comment wat
*set wat_gender "male"
*set wat_they "he"
*set wat_their "his"
*set wat_them "him"
*set wat_little "boy"
*set wat_theirself "himself"
*set wat_theirs "his"
*set wat_person "man"
*if (nb) =true
	*goto nb
*else
	*goto orientation
*label female
*set mc_gender "female"
*set mc_person "woman"
*set mc_they "she"
*set mc_them "her"
*set mc_their "her"
*set mc_theirs "hers"
*set mc_theirself "herself"
*set mc_little "girl"
*set mc_person "woman"
*comment wat
*set wat_gender "female"
*set wat_person "woman"
*set wat_they "she"
*set wat_them "her"
*set wat_their "her"
*set wat_theirs "hers"
*set wat_theirself "herself"
*set wat_little "girl"
*if (nb) =true
	*goto nb
*else
	*goto orientation
*label nb
*set wat_gender "nonbinary"
*set wat_person "person"
*set wat_they "they"
*set wat_them "them"
*set wat_their "their"
*set wat_theirs "theirs"
*set wat_little "child"
*set wat_theirself "theirself"
*set wat_person "person"
*goto orientation

*label nb2
*set mc_gender "nonbinary"
*set mc_person "person"
*set mc_they "they"
*set mc_them "them"
*set mc_their "their"
*set mc_theirs "theirs"
*set mc_little "child"
*set mc_theirself "theirself"
*set mc_person "person"
*label orientation


Once I remember what my dam gender is, not that that really did much to help me on it's own, but A, it is better than nothing I guess, I role over before punching my pillow into a more comfortable shape. I want to get water since I am currently thirsty, but as I am actually kind of warm now, and don't want to go through the bother of getting out of bed, getting the water, getting cold again and getting back into bed before having to wait to warm up again, I don't know what to do. Anyway, not that thirsty, and I would have to walk past my family to get to the kitchen, which I am not going to do.


With that firmly pulling my decision to 'just take it, as I am not going through facing my family right now', I decide to focus on whom I would rather romance, or at least whom I am attracted to, since, perhaps I will get some fun dreams out of this, at least?

With that now decided, once again, it takes me just a handful of seconds to remember that, in fact,
*choice
	#I enjoy the company of women.
		*set mc_orientation "women"
		*goto women
	#I enjoy the company of men.
		*set mc_orientation "men"
		*goto men
	#I enjoy the company of either, really. Gender really doesn't matter so much as, well. People?
		*set mc_orientation "either-or"
		*set either true
		Honestly, as long as it's someone, I really don't care all that much.
		*goto continue
*label women
*comment Alnasl
*set t_name "Alnasl"
*set t_surname ""
*set t_fullname "Alnasl"
*set t_gender "female"
*set t_gender_title "MS"
*set t_familiel "mommy"
*set t_they "she"
*set t_them "her"
*set t_their "her"
*set t_theirs "hers"
*set t_theirself "herself"
*set t_person "woman"
*comment Gwenid
*set l_name "Gwenid"
*set l_surname "La-Morgen"
*set l_fullname "${l_name} ${l_surname}"
*set l_they "she"
*set l_them "her"
*set l_their "her"
*set l_theirs "hers"
*set l_theirself "herself"
*set l_gender "female"
*set l_gender_title "MS"
*set l_person "woman"
*comment Artemis
*set n_name "Victoria"
*set n_gender "female"
*set n_gender_title "MS"
*set n_familiel "sister"
*set n_person "woman"
*set n_they "she"
*set n_them "her"
*set n_their "her"
*set n_theirs "hers"
*set n_theirself "herself"
*comment Allison
*set d_name "Hanna"
*set d_surname "Ravenwood"
*set d_fullname "Hanna Ravenwood"
*set d_they "she"
*set d_them "her"
*set d_their "her"
*set d_theirs "hers"
*set d_theirself "herself"
*set d_gender "female"
*set d_gender_title "MS"
*set d_person "woman"
*set d_little "girl"
*set wh_title "Warhound"
*set wh_name "Gretta"
*set wh_they "she"
*set wh_theirself "herself"
*set wh_them "her"
*set wh_their "her"
*set wh_theirs "hers"
*set wh_person "woman"
*set wh_gender "female"
*comment ling
*set li_name "ling"
*set li_gender "female"
*set li_they "she"
*set li_them "her"
*set li_their "her"
*set li_theirs "hers"
*set li_theirself "herself"
*set li_gender "female"
*set li_person "woman"
*if (o1) =true
	*goto next_next
*else
	*goto continue
*label men
*comment blade
*set t_gender "male"
*set t_gender_title "Mr."
*set t_familiel "daddy"
*set t_name "Alnasl"
*set t_surname ""
*set t_fullname "Alnasl"
*set t_gender "male"
*set t_they "he"
*set t_them "him"
*set t_their "his"
*set t_theirself "himself"
*set t_theirs "his"
*set t_person "man"
*set t_gender "male"
*comment Gideon
*set L_name "Gideon"
*set L_fullname "${l_name} ${l_surname}"
*set L_they "he"
*set L_them "him"
*set L_their "his"
*set l_theirs "his"
*set L_theirself "himself"
*set l_gender "male"
*set l_gender_title "Mr."
*set l_person "man"
*comment Artemis
*set n_name "Victor"
*set n_fullname "${n_name} ${n_surname}"
*set n_gender "male"
*set n_gender_title "Mr."
*set n_familiel "brother"
*set n_person "man"
*set n_they "he"
*set n_them "him"
*set n_theirs "his"
*set n_their "his"
*set n_theirself "himself"
*comment Alex
*set d_name "Hammond"
*set d_surname "Ravenwood"
*set d_fullname "${d_name} ${d_surname}"
*set d_they "he"
*set d_them "him"
*set d_their "his"
*set d_theirs "his"
*set d_theirself "himself"
*set d_gender "male"
*set d_gender_title "Mr."
*set d_person "man"
*set d_theirself "himself"
*set wh_title "Warhound"
*set wh_name "Rinehart"
*set wh_they "he"
*set wh_them "him"
*set wh_their "him"
*set wh_theirs "his"
*set wh_theirself "himself"
*set wh_gender "male"
*set wh_person "man"
*comment ling
*set li_name "ling"
*set li_they "he"
*set li_them "him"
*set li_their "his"
*set li_theirself "himself"
*set li_theirs "his"
*set li_person "man"
*set li_gender "male"
*if (01) =true
	*goto next_next
*else
	*goto continue
*label continue


Sighing, as this really isn't working the way I hoped it would, I stretch out once more, before wriggling my toes into the mattress as I try to figure out what else to do to relax me so I can sleep.


Finally, I settle on sinking into memories of my favorite things. 1, they relax me normally, so why not now, and 2, I'm running out of things to think about that don't involve the fight, and like hell am I going to do that, since I know dam well that that's not going to relax me or let me sleep anytime soon.
As such, after a few seconds of effort, eventually
*choice
	#I focus on memories of sparring.
		*set combat +30
		*set str +30
		*set dex +20
		*set con +20
		Strike and counterstrike, grapple and holds. Move and counter-move, pin and twist. The ebb and flow of the fight, the feelings of  both winning and losing.
		*goto sleep
	#I focus on memories of social interactions with people.
		*set people +30
		*set char +30
		*set wis +20
		*set int +20
		The ebb and flow of the conversations in which I participate, the thrill I get every time I realize who wanted to speak with me and who does not. Who I can bring to my side and who I can not. Knowing when I had control of a conversation and when I did not, and if so, how to change that. All are pare for the course for me, and I enjoy the thrill of it.
		*goto sleep
	#I focus on memories of the ebb and flow of the world around me through my meditation practice.
		*set perception +30
		*set wp +30
		*set wis +20
		*set dex +20
		My state as I would sit every day, while letting the world enter through my senses, such that they are.
		The sound of the wind through the grass, the feel of the sun and the oncoming storm. The smell of flowers and food, the taste of rain freshly fallen, and many, many others.
		*goto sleep
	#I focus on memories of playing with tech.
		*set tech +30
		*set int +30
		*set dex +20
		*set con +20
		Hours locked in my room on my computer, memorizing how it worked, before eventually stripping it down and fixing it after I did kind of cause it to explode that one time, the thrill of the first time I booted it up and it ran just as well as it had done when I first bought it. The thrill of the first time I hacked into something, and the grater thrill when I was never caught, due to careful planning.
		*goto sleep
*label sleep


I let the memories rush over me, let them blot out the world as my limbs go limp, my eyes finally, finally starting to grow heavy and start to slowly inch closed.

"I am going to fix this cluster fuck tomorrow, if it's the last fucking thing I do, dam it." I slur as I sink down: "new years resolution and all, right?"
*if (mc_orientation) ="pansexual"
	*goto ro_choice
*else
	*goto next_next
*label ro_choice

As I continue sinking into the warm darkness, I hear a faint voice. I can't hear what it's saying, although I can hear the, gender? Tone? What ever says if it's male or female. "That's odd." I think, then mentally shrug since, well. Dreams can do that sometimes, right?

Mostly because, why not at this point? I focus on the voice, and after some effort and a bit of time, I eventually realize that it is, in fact,
*choice
	#a female voice.
		*set o1 true
		*goto women
	#a male voice.
		*set o22 true
		*goto men
*label next_next
"I just want to help people." I murmur as I sink fully below the surface, the last thing I hear being "10, 9, 8... Before all goes black, all goes silent, and all sensation fades.
*page_break ---still in ${mc_first}'s bedroom---
The figure in the corpse-gray armor with the desiccated face appears in the room with a soft pop, before immediately firing a short stubby weapon at the ${wat_person} in the bed, with the blast of bone-white energy causing ${mc_they}to go limp. Breaths fading to almost nothing and eyes going still, as ${mc_their} limbs flop to the bed with a soft thwap.
With that now done, the figure moves towards the bed, while drawing a short sickle from it's belt, before rolling the ${mc_person} sideways with a gauntlet, and scanning ${wat_their} face with empty eye-sockets. With a single nod, it raises the curved blade, before bringing it down towards ${mc_first}'s throat, the sharp blade glittering darkly in the moonlight from the window in the far wall.
*page_break bark bark bark, bark, bark, growl growl whimper?
The figure turns from it's task as the dog jumps to his feet and leaps at it with his full 31 pounds, while barking and snarling the hole while. With a disgusted snarl, the figure casually backhands the dog with a solid crack, causing the last growl to turn into a pitiful whimper as said dog flies across the room before hitting the ground, while letting out another whimper of pain.
*page_break
That's, of course, when the soaking-wet, wild-haired man who is dressed only in dripping swimming trunks appears out of nowhere, before everything stops. The figure, the dog, everything just stops, including the motes of dust, thrown up by the poor dog's fall, which just stop falling back to the ground.


"What kind of fucking monster tries to kill a fucking dog for doing it's goddam job?" The man grunts in a thick Australian accent, before gently picking up the dog, and, after he checks to insure the dog is unharmed and gives him  a little head scritch, gently returns him to his prior place on the bed, before, now addressing said dog: "now, you stay there, and watch. You can't do shit against power armor, and I don't want to see you hurt more, you here now?"


"I'm glad that you care, Jack." A tall woman, wielding a large sword made of light along with having two large feathery wings currently folded on her back says from the doorway, as she has just stepped out of thin air: "I assume that you just trapped their bodies, but not their minds, yes?"


"So." Jack says, while turning to face the woman, although otherwise remaining still: "This the one who wants to help? Also, not exactly? They will here everything said, just when I re-start time. Think of it as more of a, delayed buffering? Like when your YouTube songs buffers, something like that.


The woman just grunts in reply, before, still speaking to jack: "you herd ${wat_them}, didn't you?"


"That I did, that I did." Jack replies, with a sigh: "people really should know by now they shouldn't cast their words into the void between time, since you never know where they might end up, or who might hear them and decide to stick their ugly mugs in to fuck around with the poor bastard's life."


"Well, ${wat_they} didn't." The woman says: "although, if I am not mistaken, you won't exactly be around to tell ${wat_them} that now, will you?"


"Can ${wat_they} actually help them?" Jack asks, face growing grim as he speaks now: "can ${wat_they} help them, or will ${wat_they} just be-" The woman raises a hand, cutting him off before she speaks in turn, voice flat, tone cold.


"${wat_they} can, Jack. More importantly, ${wat_they} dam well will." Jack just grunts, before shaking out his wild hair, with water droplets going everywhere as he does so.


"${wat_they} will help them, Jack." The woman restates, voice softening now: "${mc_first}, will help your team, have no doubt of that."
Jack just grunts again before sighing in defeat, his shoulders slumping.


"Not like I can find another one now, is there?" He mutters: "don't have enough goddam time to look for anyone else better, and ${wat_they} isn't too fucked up that ${wat_they} won't be at least somewhat useful."


"${wat_they} will assist your unit, funny spear man." The ${wat_person}, clad in green power armor with ${wat_their} faceplate up who just appeared on a third wall to the other two, states from ${wat_their} own side of the room: "this ${wat_person}, will assist, Jack. It is as simple as that."


"What do you want? Jack asks the ${wat_person}, while tensing: "why are you here?"

"What is our purpose?" The ${wat_person} says, now speaking to the winged woman: "What do we do with Peta files?"


"They are to be hunted down, before being cleansed of their taint via purifying flame." The woman says: "now, why did you ask me?"


"That." The ${wat_person} says, before gesturing to the still frozen, grey-armored figure, "assaulted several children. As such, I am here, to cleanse her, via purifying flames. Now, is that an issue to either of you?"


"No." The woman says: "if this one did what you say," a shadow passes over her face before she continues: "then you can do what ever the hell you want with that filth." The ${wat_person}, nods, before turning to Jack:

"You?"


"I'm just here to pick," Jack says, before nodding to ${mc_first}, "${wat_them} up, so I don't give a shit." The ${wat_person}, nods once more.


"Well." Jack grunts, before picking up the still limp ${mc_first} and slinging ${wat_them} over a shoulder: "will have to do some stuff though, and how the hell do I undo, that?" He gestures to the still limp, as well as still very much magicked ${wat_person} now slung over his shoulder.


"Hold still, I'll undo it." The winged woman says, before moving to Jack's side and touching the ${wat_person}'s shoulder, with the ${wat_person} violently convulsing once, before falling back to sleep a second later as Jack puts his own hand on the ${wat_person}'s other shoulder, with the woman removing her own at the same time, where upon another rush of different power washes over the ${mc_person}.


"Well, need to go now." Jack says, before turning and walking into nothing, ${mc_first} slung across his shoulders as he goes.
With that, the winged woman moves to leave as time re-starts, with the gray-armored figure's blade swinging forward, before the green-armored warrior blurs, grabs the gray-armored warrior, ${wat_their} face twisting into the kind of smile that normal people see in their nightmares as ${wat_their} eyes turn a forge-fire red, pulls her back into a portal, and douses her in fire via a back-mounted flamethrower, said flames starting to eat through the woman's armor, with the horrible screams abruptly cut short as the portal snaps shut with an audible snap.


"Don't fuck with the flame born." The woman grunts as she too, steps back through her own portal: "cause they will find you, and then they will, fuck you up."
With that, the dog jumps to his feet and starts barking at the closed bedroom door, scratching it and whimpering, before it bursts open to reveal 4 new people in the doorway, just before the words " happy knew year!" Ring from the direction that said new people had just come from, that being the living room.
*page_break Another round of... What's that game with the catchy song called?  GW, something?
---The Watcher---
*goto greetings
*label greetings


"Want to go another round, ${n_name}?" ${d_name} asks, eyes twinkling with mischief as ${d_they} puts down the hand of cards that ${d_they} had just shown to the group on the table at which they are all sitting, before, the twinkle growing as ${d_they} continues: "Who knows, ${n_name}, you might even win something this time."


"45 seconds Before drop." The Watcher sees flash up on her HUD as she turns, now focusing on the interactions around her.


"Fuck you, and no, although mostly because I don't want you kicking my ass again, ${d_name}." ${n_name} says, while a smirk splits ${d_their} broad face as ${n_they} lets ${n_their} own cards spill through ${n_their} hands and scatter across the tabletop: "now, how are you so dam good at this game? It's almost like you just practice every chance you get, just to fuck with me."
Then, smirk widening as ${n_they} glances at ${n_their} watch: "also, would rather do paperwork than see that stupid grin on your face for one more minute than I have to, but that's beside the point."


"I didn't mean?" ${d_name} says, eyes dimming as ${d_they} flinches back before ${n_name} raises a hand, cutting ${d_them} off.


"I’m just bitching at you, kid." ${n_name} says, smirk falling from ${n_their} face as ${n_they} speaks: "I'm not actually angry at you, ${d_name}."
${d_name} nods.


"although if I'm already bitching," ${n_name} continues, smirk returning to it's prior place, as well as growing wider now: "then might as well go all the way." With another shrug, ${n_they} continues: "with that in mind, someone remind me why I'm even doing this again, instead of celebrating the way I want to? I mean, you did ask nicely, but we all know that this isn't exactly my kind of fun, and for that matter, it's not really your kind of fun either, ${d_name}."


"Considering how much you shirk that task, ${n_name}." ${t_name} says from ${t_their} shadowed corner, as ${t_they} turns to face the table: "I am surprised that you would bring this subject up at all."


"First, ${d_name} does it with paperwork a hell of a lot more than I do, and you dam well know that." ${n_name} says, while wagging a finger at the mentioned ${t_person} before continuing: "and second, I was being sarcastic, ${t_name}. Though, now I actually think about it,  I actually would rather do paperwork then see that stupid smile on ${d_their} face anymore than I have to, which is anymore time than I already have, as of right now."


"It seems that I require further training in the identification and categorization of sarcasm, then." ${t_name} says.


"Normally, I would make you do homework, since you didn't get that and all." ${d_name} says, eyes lighting back up again as ${d_they} turns to focus ${d_their} now twinkling eyes on ${t_name}'s shadowed corner: "but since it's new years and all, I'm going to be nice and let you off with a warning, OK?"


"that is your prerogative to do, as you see fit, ${d_name}." ${t_name} says, with the ${t_person}'s lips quirking up infinitesimally: "however, if I might inquire, would this decision also be motivated by the fact of your repeated striking of ${n_name}'s posterior? As you have done such during this gaming session, and multiple times at that.


${n_name} grumbles something about wishing people would slap ${n_their} ass instead of kicking it, if ${n_they} had a goddam choice in the matter, Before turning to ${l_name} with ${n_their} next words, as well as now clearly speaking for the others to hear: "what's the countdown at now, ${l_name}?"


"15 seconds." ${l_name} responds, before: "also, did you really have to say that last comment, ${n_name}?" ${n_name} just smirks at ${l_name}, whilst otherwise remaining silent.


"Thank you for your consideration in the matter of my extra curricular learning opportunities, ${d_name}." ${t_name} says, then, glancing to ${l_name}, and getting a nod in return, ${t_they} continues: as this is still the case, I was required to remove  your confetti cannon from the rooftop, ${d_name}. Simply because ${n_name} says that, 'it's a good idea to do it, ${d_name}', or 'it will make a big boom, ${d_name}', and those are ${n_name}'s words, and not my own, does not mean that you can than simply do such actions without consequences."


"Why?" ${d_name} asks, wilting now as ${d_their} bright eyes and smile both dim once more, before ${d_they} continues to speak: "where did you put it?" Before, in almost a mutter: "I worked hard on that cannon?"


"I decided that it was not required for the current festivities." ${t_name} responds, before, voice softening ever so slightly, with ${t_their} face being currently invisible due to the shadows ${t_they} is currently cloaked in: "As that is the case at present, the weapon has not been dismantled, only removed from it's previous position and to a more suitable location, ${d_name}."


"Anyway." ${n_name} chimes in, now turning ${n_their} smirk on ${d_name}: "not to put too fine a point on it or whatnot, but last time you did something like this, you somehow started a fire that ${l_name} spent the hole night putting out, not to mention all the damage we had to fix when you decided to swap out the holly for explosives because, in your words, 'the night needed some spicing up'."


"But it did need it?" ${d_name} says, now wilting further as ${d_they} continues: "anyway, I thought that fireworks were what Humans used to celebrate things like that, and we just finished that important mission?" Then, scowl pulling the ${d_person}'s laugh-lined face into what looks more like a grimace of intense pain than anything else, and the Watcher dam well knows what a grimace of intense pain looks like: "I worked hard on that confetti cannon, it was going to go off when the clock hit zero, and cote the front walls with glitter in the shapes of all our names."


"It's still here, ${d_name}." ${l_name} says: "I just put it in a crate before putting it into storage."
${d_name}'s dower look is replaced by a small smile at ${l_name}'s words, as the ${d_person}'s eyes light back up, even if the twinkle is now only just visible, at least to the Watcher.


"Since you got caught and all, that mean you will  do my reports now?" ${n_name} asks, while turning ${n_their} now broad smirk on ${t_name}, or at least the ${t_person}'s approx. position, as said ${t_person} is still thoroughly shrouded in shadow.


"No." ${t_name}'s voice is flat. "They are your reports to do, ${n_name}. As such, you are required to do them, and simply because ${d_name} caught a misstep of mine, and especially as these events only started due to your desire to harness ${d_name}'s gift with explosives for your own amusement, does not then render you able to shirk said reports."


"Fine then." ${n_name} huffs: "be like that, then."


"As you say, ${n_name}." Is all the answer ${t_name} gives.


"Sorry about the cannon on the roof, ${l_name}." ${d_name} mutters, while turning to face the taller ${l_name} before, eyes dimming as ${d_their} shoulders slump: "I didn't mean to make more work for you, you know?"


${n_name} lets out a low growl while ${n_their} lips pull back into a snarl, before a cup flies towards ${d_name}'s head, the ${d_person} letting out a soft yip of surprise before ${d_they} dodges the cup, said then being caught by a large hand before softly landing on the table with the soft clack of glass on wood.
*page_break
"What did I say about throwing dishware?" ${l_name} says, frowning as ${l_they} turns to ${n_name} before nodding to the cup that ${l_they} had just put down. "Especially as that one is ${t_name}'s favorite, as well as being an antique. That was to both of you, by the way."


"Technically, our loveable, although not quite as huggable as me, of course, ${t_name} is an antique, with everything ${t_they} likes being antiques because it's freaking ${t_name}, and most of the shit the ${t_person} has is older than me by a fuck-tun." ${n_name} says with a shrug and a smirk before continuing: "but I get what your saying, ${l_nickname}."


"But, ${n_they} threw it?" ${d_name} says, head ducking as ${d_their} eyes widen: "I just stood?-"


"It's all good, ${d_name}." ${n_name} says: "${l_they} knows why I through the cup, that being because you were sticking your head back inside that shell of yours, and you all know how much I goddam hate when you do that, ${d_name}." On that last sentence, ${n_name}'s voice takes on a low growl, throbbing deep in the ${n_person}'s chest as the ${n_person}'s face pulls into a teeth-baring snarl.


"${n_name}? Your not helping ${d_name}." ${l_name} says, while turning to frown at ${n_name}: "so, please cut it out."


"I am, helping." ${n_name} snaps: "aren't I, ${d_name}?"


"You?-" ${d_name} starts, before ${t_name} cuts in:


"you are not assisting this conversation, ${n_name}. As such, kindly desist. ${d_name} is not assisted by your current rhetoric. More, the ${d_person}, to my mind, seems to be aversely affected by it, as well as your current facial expression."


${n_name} stands in silence for a full 10 seconds, with ${n_their} eyes flicking between ${d_name}, who has now shrunk against the far wall, to ${l_name}, who stands, frown as clear on ${l_their} features as the obvious concern that flickers in the ${l_person}'s eyes, to ${t_name}, who has now moved out of ${t_their} corner, though shadows still swath ${t_their} form, and is looking at the rest of the group, eyes hard, face blank, and lips held slightly tighter together than normal.


"${d_name}?" ${l_name} says, while moving to put a gentle hand on ${d_name}'s shoulder: "I am not angry with you, so much as I just would rather cups not be thrown around, and especially ${t_name}'s. As far as the cannon though, I really didn't mind moving it, and it gave me a chance to re-order some things in that storage room that I had been meaning to do anyway. Now, does that help at all?"


"A bit?" ${d_name} mutters, while ${n_name} folds ${n_their} arms across ${n_their} chest:


"I'm not pissed at you, kid. Just..." The large ${n_person} growls, then sighs, before stomping over to the wall and leaning against it with a huff of frustration, before: "if I'm not helping you, you don't need to lie to me, OK? I won't get mad or anything if you don't think I'm helping, ${d_name}."


"I didn't think either of you were mad?" ${d_name} says, eyes lighting up as a small smile returns to ${d_their} face: "or, not really, at least." Then, shoulders squaring as ${d_they} continues: "but It's still, hard, sometimes. You know?" ${l_name} smiles, before stepping away, although not before gently patting the top of the shorter ${d_person}'s head, with this getting a slightly larger smile from ${d_them} in response.


"Sorry for chucking the cup at your head, ${d_name}." ${n_name} grunts: "just did it to try to startle you, so you won't go cringing back like that again."


"It's, OK, ${n_name}." ${d_name} says, smiling at the other ${n_person} as ${d_they} continues: "I kind-of knew that?" ${n_name} nods, the ${n_person} relaxing visibly as ${n_they} does so.


"Kindly return the cards to me." ${t_name} says as ${t_they} moves to stand beside ${l_name} now, with shadow trailing behind ${t_them} as ${t_they} does: "if it has been decided that we will not be playing another round, I wish them returned, before someone decides to turn them into more projectiles, akin to my previously mentioned cup."
${l_name} nods, before ${n_name}, grinning now, waves a casual hand towards the cards scattered across the table, with said cards all rising into the air and stacking themselves neatly before floating towards ${t_name}, with the latter ${t_person} catches them, face blank, before tucking them away, face still blank, even if ${t_their} lips do quirk up just the tiniest bit as ${t_they} does so.


"Show-off." ${d_name} says behind a raised hand, before lowering it to reveal a small smile and twinkling eyes.


"I didn't build a cannon and mount it on the roof that fires confetti, just because someone that won't ever be named, dropped a comment about names, and did it all in an hour." ${n_name} says, while wagging a finger, although ${n_they} is grinning as ${n_they} speaks: "so, if what I just did is showing off, then the hell is what you did, ${d_name}?"
Although ${d_name} doesn't reply, the ${d_person} lips do quirk up slightly, this causing ${n_name}'s face to soften into a genuine smile.


"If I didn't know better." ${n_name} deadpans, smirk now returning to ${n_their} face while folding ${n_their} arms, pushing out ${n_their} chest and leaning against the table as ${n_they} stares at ${t_name}'s shrouded form: "I would say that our boss is an actual Vampire, with the way ${t_they} stays in the shadows all the time and broods."


"Or batman?" ${d_name} says, eyes glowing slightly brighter as ${d_they} speaks: "since, doesn't he do that too? As well as the hole, justice thing?"


"However, you do know better, ${n_name}." ${t_name} states, voice flat, before: "and in any case, I would much rather be a blood-sucking creature of the night," before, with a shudder of disgust ${t_they} continues: "than a globe-trotting playboy with parental issues and the issue of having the only figure who could be remotely thought of as a guardian, being more of an enabler than a true check on his violent tendencies." Then, seemingly as an afterthought: "as well as that fact that I have no grate love for bats, or, for that matter, fast cars."


"Once again, that was sarcasm, ${t_name}." ${n_name} says: "also, I'm not going to let you off this time, even if ${d_name} might."


"I refuse to do your field reports, ${n_name}." ${t_name} says, before with a grimace: "however, the rest of your tasks this day are up for, negotiation, if you find it acceptable to let me off the hook upon this matter, up till the termination of next moon-rise."
${n_name} smirks wider, although to the Watcher, the smirk now looks distinctly satisfied.


The countdown on the Watcher's HUD, which had been ticking down throughout the interplay, now reaches 0 before being replaced by the flashing words: "drop confirmed, target acquired, beacon locked. Engage." The watcher nods, once.
*page_break
"${n_name}?" ${d_name} asks, while looking into a free corner of the room alongside a strange expression coming over ${d_their} face: "didn't ${t_name} tell you not to bring your new friends back to base anymore after ${t_they} got annoyed that one time, well, annoyed for ${t_name}, anyway."


"The procession of un-clothed civilians were proving themselves to be a security risk." ${t_name} says: "as such, I requested to you that you move your extra curricular activities to another location." Then, voice softening ever so slightly as ${t_they} continues: "which, I might add, you have been diligent in doing, at least till now."


"Not funny, ${d_name}." ${n_name} growls: "I get revenge and all, since I chucked a cup at you, but dragging my stress relief into this? That's low."


"There is a naked ${mc_first}, over there." ${d_name} says, while pointing in the same direction that ${d_name} had been looking.


"Fuck that, I'm not falling for that shit again, ${d_name}." ${n_name} says: "just because I can't celebrate like I want, doesn't mean you get to rib me about being here and not celebrating, or hit me in the back of the head with one of those dam sticky bombs you love so much, especially since the last one took me 2 hours to get out of my hair, and no,-" The ${n_person} raises a finger, forestalling ${d_name}'s own reply: "offering to set my head on fire to get it out, doesn't count as helping."


"${n_name}?" ${l_name} says while looking where ${d_name} is still pointing, along with growing a somewhat concerned expression: "${d_name} isn't lying. There really is a naked ${mc_person} right," ${l_name} points a finger at the far side of the room, where both ${l_name} and ${d_name} are now looking and pointing respectively, where a very naked, and now very much so shivering ${mc_first}, as the Watcher knows due to the briefing she had received prior to her own drop, has just appeared.


"Well." ${n_they} mutters, eyes focusing on the ${wat_person} with ${n_their} face splitting into a toothy smirk moments later: "didn't expect the year to start off this good? Must be all the happy people, or maybe it's just my sunny personality?." The rest of the team turns to follow ${n_name}'s gaze now, with ${t_name}'s face going blank apart from ${t_their} lips, which turn distinctly down, ${l_name}'s eyebrows knitting in concern, while ${d_name}'s eyes just light up with curiosity along with ${n_name}'s smirk slowly widening.


The watcher nods, as this is her target, before she sits back, curious as to what will happen, along with obeying the little blinking light in her HUD that's telling her to 'stay fucking still, goddam it'.


"Like I would be able to do anything anyway." She growls, with the sealed environment of her armor making any leaked sound impossible. "Fucking armor locks can shove themselves up Bill's piss-"


"Stay on target." Flashes on her HUD: "make up ways to fuck me over later, you got a job to do now."


"Fuck you." The watcher growls: "when I see you again, I am going to take your goddam skin and turn it into a trench coat like that edgy bastard
*if (n_gender) ="female"
	Natalya."
	*goto mc_waken
*elseif (n_gender) ="male"
	Nicolai."
	*goto mc_waken
*label mc_waken
Before, with a sigh: "but I'm also a dam professional, as you well know."


"If that gets you through the day, then who am I to argue with you?" The words, from Bill, blip up on her HUD.
The watcher doesn't reply, instead, turning her full attention to the goings-on of this new group, as well as wondering if the files she has on said group will pan out. There always correct, of course, but they also always don't get quite, everything.
*page_break ---${mc_first}---
I wake on something that most definitely isn't my bed, as it's far too hard for that. However, that's soon rather succinctly overwhelmed by the fact that for some reason I feel like I just came out of ice, as well as feeling like I have not eaten or drank for days, and why do I feel so dam tired? I was warm when I fell asleep, and I know I had a big dinner before the fight that caused me to run into my room, and, although I guess I could be still tired, depending on the time, this doesn't feel right.


"Kindly explain your actions." A voice says, snapping my attention away from what I'm feeling and quite firmly onto what's currently around me.


"I mean, new people are good, right?" Another voice, this one  higher as well as having an accent, although I'm not in the best state of mind to judge what, accent, says: "also, ${mc_they} doesn't look furry at all, so I don't mind ${mc_them}."


"First?" A throaty voice purrs: "this shit isn't my fault," Before, seemingly to me now, given the voice becomes louder: "but since your here, and you look scared shitless right now, let's do something about that now, yes? You made me happy by just showing up when you did, and I should at least try to return the favor in the best way I can, dependent on you, of course." Before, voice softening on the next words: "besides, your probably more scared shitless right now than you look, given the fact you just fell out of the goddam sky and all, and that's a fucking shitty way to start the new year, and trust me, I know what I'm talking about when I say that kind of shit."


"${n_name}? No!" A forth voice yells: "that's not how.-" I am distracted from what ever else the voice says by a faint pressure in my mind. It's almost non-existent, but it's there and I can't ignore it. There are also other things below the surface. Things that in the short time before I am distracted from that, I decide I really don't want to meet in a dark alley, although since I can't see to begin with and have no real idea what dark actually is apart from 'other people think it's bad, and there isn't any heat from it, as apposed to light', I guess that would include pretty much anywhere, if you really think about it?


As the pressure starts to slowly grow over the next 5 seconds however, I get annoyed, as I need to figure out what the hell is going on and the hell is wrong with me right now, and this pressure isn't helping me do either of those things. With that in mind, then, I, though how I actually do it I have no idea,  make the pressure go away.
*page_break Good, now to figure out where the hell I am, and what the fuck happened to me so I can make a plan about what to do now.
Before I can start to figure any of that out, however, I start to hear screams of mind-numbing pain, although it's soon made clear by the direction of said screams, that there coming from the direction of the throaty voice. Although, that revelation is made quickly redundant  as I realize that one, It's emotional pain that I am actually somehow feeling, and two, the screams themselves are actually of mind-numbing rage, and not pain as I first thought. Although as there currently starting to grow  louder, and a hell of a lot louder too boot, that little quibble really isn't that big of an issue right now.
Have you ever head to deal with emotional pain that gets louder at an exponential rate? Well, I'm finding it out right now, and it's not something you want to have to find out first-hand, I can tell you that much.
*page_break I really should have just left the pressure alone, shouldn't I? Then again, I always was curious what being a cat was like, so guess I'm going to find out. A, there's worse ways to go I guess, although at least it isn't a chainsaw this time... The fuck did that come? No, later. Deal with this now, figure out strange thoughts, later. Much later.
Did I mention yet that I really don't like emotional fallout? I get twitchy when people start to argue at the dinner table, and I ran into my room and tried to shove my hole body into a book to hide for 3 hours after the fight with my family, and this is shaping up to make that look like a spit-ball fight Faught by a bunch of pacifist newborns with a crippling inability to focus who only have 1 sheet of paper and no upper body strength to speak of while located in various sectors of a very large and very violently churning pool.


So, I decide that before I lose everything and start doing, what ever someone who's lost ${mc_their} mind to the emotional pain and screams of rage does, I will at least try to stop this screaming. As such, I jump to my feet, throw myself at the voice, and start screaming at the top of my lungs to match the ones in my head, while my fists fly as I go.
*page_break "What? The hell would you do? Anyway, I'm still half-asleep, and I think this can be classified as, 'waking up on the wrong side of the bed'.
I hit something with a grunt, part me and Part ${n_them}, before I hit something with a flying fist, A jaw perhaps? Feels like it's a jaw, but kind of hard to tell since I'm not holding the thing to keep track of it. Mentally shrugging, as it's not important now, I punch the same spot with my other fist, striking what indeed proves to be a jaw once more before something raps around me, clamping my arms to my sides in the process before I am  jerked back and away, with both my screams and those in my head still thoroughly blotting out any other noise in the room that might tell me what the fuck is going on now.


I struggle against what turns out to be a pair of arms that are clamped around me: snarling, twisting and wriggling as I try to end the screaming, end the burning emotional Paine that is now raging through my veins so I can go find the one who caused the screaming, and beat them to death with the side of a shovel. I slam my head  back, grinning as I get a grunt as I hit something, even if it seems more in surprise than anything else. With that, A pressure slams into my mind, hard. This one however, is different than the previous one. If the first time was a thread, this is a brick to the face that's just been shot from a cannon at point-blank range with a 'Kick me!' Sign, on it. The cannon I mean, not the brick.


I grunt with surprise and fear as my struggles increase, the pressure increasing linearly, before there is a flare of, I would say blinding, but as I'm already blind, that seems a bit pedantic, pain in my head followed by a pop, both swiftly followed by
*choice
	#A wash of cold and clear calm entering my mind, with said rush removing all in it's path as it ghosts through.
		*set t_relationship +5
		*set housecoat_t true
		It's like shadow flooding a now dark building, removing any pain, fear or screams it finds as it ghosts along, till my mind becomes clean and clear, with the emotions and screaming gone as if  swallowed by the shadows themselves.
		*goto execution
	#A rush of clear and calm professionalism thundering through my mind like the breaking of a dam.
		*set l_relationship +5
		*set housecoat_l true
		The force of which washes the fear, screaming and pain all away on the torrent as it rumbles onward, washing my mind clean before it fades, as if draining into what ever is below my mind, or just as if it were never there to begin with.
		*goto execution
	#An Intense, bone-chilling Cold invades my mind.
		*set n_relationship +5
		*set housecoat_n true
		It's like the coldest part of winter, although it also burns the pain, fear and screaming away as it floods every part of my mind, before eventually fading away to nothing, leaving my mind strangely hollow. Yet within the chill, there is also a burning spark of heat, something that just won't die, despite the deathly cold surrounding it, the cold that should leach all warmth from all it touches. Yet, the spark continues burning none the less.
		*goto execution
	#A wash of burning happy rage Roars through my mind like an out-of-control firestorm.
		*set d_relationship +5
		*set housecoat_d true
		It's like someone fired a flamethrower into a forest and directed the resulting firestorm, said burning out the fear and emotional agony as it goes along, before settling down into a low warmth, that eventually curls into the center of my chest, softly pulsing, while leaving my mind cleansed.
		*goto execution
*label execution
*gosub_scene highest_calc
before I convulse once before slumping back, with the arm Around me now being the only thing keeping me upright as my legs give out before   I realize that  1 of my hands has landed on
*if (t_gender) ="female"
	Something round, and firm, and,
	*goto reactions
*else
	something hard, and flat, and,
	*goto reactions
*label reactions
before I go totally limp, with the mortification of what I had just done following me down into the silence and the cold as everything fades away.
*page_break ---The watcher---
*if (housecoat_t) =true
	*goto t_reaction
*elseif (housecoat_l) =true
	*goto l_reaction
*elseif (housecoat_n) =true
	*goto n_reaction
*elseif (housecoat_d) =true
	*goto d_reaction
*label t_reaction
${t_name} looks at the current situation before ${t_them}, while slowly rubbing ${t_their} nose as a scowl of consternation turns ${t_their} lips down, as a frown pulls ${t_their} eyebrows down into a thin line. Before, with a shake of ${t_their} head, ${t_they} turns to ${mc_first}.


The ${wat_person} is slumped against ${t_them} now, with ${wat_their} head lolling back on ${t_their} shoulder while ${wat_their} hand continues to press into ${t_their} chest, with ${t_their} arm now the only thing   keeping the shivering, and very obviously naked, ${wat_person} upright.


"What is it, ${t_name}?" ${l_name}'s voice, though soft, seems to thunder through the silence left by the ${wat_person}'s current lack of screaming.


"This ${mc_person}'s reaction to my actions, is not what is supposed to happen." ${t_name} responds, lips twisting further down as ${t_they} does so.


"Why'd you do it, then?" ${n_name} says from ${n_their} now slouched position against the table as ${n_they} turns to ${t_name}, ${n_their} smirk firmly affixed, while the ${n_person}'s eyes flick to the ${wat_person}'s naked form. At least before the gesture and frown from ${l_name} gets ${n_them} to turn fully to ${t_name}'s face, anyway.


"I engaged in said action, in order to stop you, after growing tired of the ${mc_person} attempting, as well as failing miserably I might add, to bludgeon you to death with ${mc_their} fist, from eventually doing something impulsive. Which, I might add, is the reason for the predicament that we currently find ourselves in in the first place." Then, face still blank as ${t_they} continues: "also, kindly refrain from attempting to use verbose vocabulary, as I would rather not unduly cause you cranial hemorrhaging, ${n_rank} ${n_surname}."


"If you don't want ${mc_them}, ${t_name}, give ${mc_them} here then." ${n_name} says with a shrug: "also, how the hell was I supposed to know," ${n_they} nods to the naked ${wat_person}, with ${n_their} eyes flicking up the ${wat_person}'s body once, before returning to ${t_name}'s face: "${mc_they} was going to go and do that? Since, well, that's not exactly normal when you charm a Human." Then, face scrunching into a frown as ${n_they} turns to ${l_name}: "also, did ${t_name} just tell me to not use big words because ${t_they} thinks my brain will hurt if I do?"
${l_name} doesn't answer.


"As you say, ${n_name}." ${t_name} says, face still blank, before: "however, you are in this case, in-correct. I requested that you do not use verbose vocabulary lest you experience cranial hemorrhaging, not cranial discomfort." Then, when ${n_name} just scowls harder, ${l_name} speaks up:


"${t_they} doesn't want your brain to bleed, ${n_name}." ${n_name} grunts, frown fading. When no-one speaks up further, ${t_name} continues to speak.


"however, as we will find the answers on the morrow, when ${mc_they} wakens, you may ask your questions then, ${n_name}, as I will certainly be doing in my turn." ${n_name} nods.


"I wouldn't have taken you for doing something like that, ${t_name}." ${d_name} says, twinkling eyes now focused as ${d_they} turns to ${t_name}: "${n_name}? Yeah, although it would depend on, well." ${d_they} shrugs at ${n_name} before continuing: "${l_name}? Well, it's ${l_name} after all, so that's something ${l_they} would do. Me? Depends, although I probably would to. but you? Your not exactly the huggable sort, ${t_name}." Then, smile pulling the ${d_person}'s lips as ${d_their} eyes twinkle brighter on the next words: "although, since you let the random ${mc_person} who just fell out of the sky do it, does this mean I can give you hugs now?"


"No, it does not, ${d_name}." ${t_name} says.


${d_name} slumps, ${d_their} eyes dimming: "but you let," ${d_they} nods to the ${mc_person} while frowning: "${wat_them} do it, so why not me?"


"This is not an embrace, ${d_name}." ${t_name} says: "this, is holding the ${mc_person} upright so that the ${mc_they} does not fall upon the floor and possibly injure ${mc_theirself} further. As such then, if you, or anyone else within this unit were to fall unconscious, I would do the same thing of which I am currently doing."


"Look where ${mc_their} hand is?" ${n_name} says, smirk, now returned to ${n_their} face, growing wider as ${n_they} continues: "never would have tried to cop a feel by falling unconscious on someone, but to each their own I guess, and this ${mc_person} isn't exactly normal, given you know, ${mc_they} just fell out of the goddam sky and all." ${n_they} shrugs.


"Kindly explain yourself, ${n_name}." ${t_name} says, shadows drawing closer around ${t_them} as ${t_they} speaks.


"You don't feel ${mc_their} hand on your chest, boss?" ${n_name}'s smirk widens further as ${n_they} points with a finger to the ${wat_person}'s hand, which is still very firmly pressed against the center of ${t_name}'s chest.


${t_name}, after following the finger to the ${wat_person}'s hand, which is still, firmly pressed into the center of ${t_their} chest, ${t_name}'s lips thin into a line.
*page_break
"Do you want me to take ${mc_them}, ${t_name}?" ${l_name} asks while moving to stand at the shorter ${t_person}'s side, ${l_their} brows pulling further down than they already had been in concern as ${l_they} does so.


"That will be unnecessary at present. However, thank you, as always, ${l_name}." ${l_name} nods at ${t_name}'s answer, before stepping away.


"Why didn't you grab ${mc_them}, ${l_name}?" ${d_name} asks, while turning to the other ${l_person}: "you really like hugs, as well as helping people in general, so I would have thought you would love to get a 2 in 1 like this?"


"Yeah." ${n_name} grunts with a shrug: "this all would be a dream come true for you, ${l_name}. Getting to hug someone and help them at the same time? Also, I would have, but figured you were going to grab ${mc_them}, so." ${n_they} shrugs again, ${d_name} smiling at ${n_them} as ${n_they} does.


"You know my feelings on charming, and that would have been necessary for this." ${l_name} says as a slight shudder shifts the ${l_person}'s shoulders.


"Makes sense." ${d_name} says, ${d_their} smile fading as ${d_they} turns to ${n_name} before:
"why didn't you grab ${mc_them}, then, ${n_name}?"


"part from the fact that I wanted to see what ${l_name} would do first?"


"Apart from that, I mean."


"${t_name} was faster?" ${n_name} shrugs: "you know me, ${d_name}. I like to take these things nice and slow if I can."


"That is enough of that." ${t_name} says, lips pulling down as ${t_their} eyes harden.


"OK, boss." ${d_name} says, before casually flipping ${n_name} off.


"Good, you got the hand the right way up that time." ${n_name} says before clapping ${d_name} on the shoulder: "keep doing that, and I might actually believe your annoyed with me, at least in a decade or 3. Also, sure, ${t_name}."


Nodding at the replies, ${t_name} now turns ${t_their} full attention to the ${wat_person} currently slumped against ${t_them}, with ${t_their} face hardening further at what ${t_they} sees, as ${t_they} scans the ${wat_person}, from head to toe.
*page_break
"${t_nickname}?" ${d_name} asks, eyes hardening as ${d_they} sees ${t_name}'s expression. "What's up?"


"Firstly, you are fully aware of my feelings upon that moniker." ${t_name} says, voice flat. "However, as to your question, secondly, this ${mc_person} has been punished for something, as that is the only way that ${mc_they} could have been tortured so." With that, ${t_name} turns part-way before nodding to the ${wat_person}, there-by letting the rest of the team see ${wat_their} current condition.
*page_break
The ${wat_person} looks, at least to the Watcher's optics, abused. Gaunt and almost skeletal, with the look of one who has not been able to drink in at least a week or  more, and eat in perhaps 3. Dead dull eyes that are currently almost hidden by their flickering lids, along with ${wat_their} cracked lips and shallow breaths only serving to reinforce ${t_name}'s original diagnosis, assuming the file that the Watcher has on the ${t_person} is correct. Granted, they always are.  Bill may be an asshole, but he is an asshole who does his dam research well, and the Watcher can at least respect that about him, if little else.


"Looks half dead already." ${n_name} says, smirk fading from ${n_their} face to be replaced by something cold and hard, while ${n_their} voice turns to a low growl, all as the ${n_person}'s eyes sweep the abused ${mc_person} with now professional interest: "Shivering at least, so that's good. If that stops, then ${mc_they}'s really fucked."


"We require answers from this ${mc_person}." ${t_name} says: "as such, we will remand ${mc_them} here till those answers are found. I would know how ${mc_they} arrived here, and more importantly, if others will arrive in the same manner, for a start."


"Right now?" ${l_name} says, frown deepening as ${l_they} speaks: "${mc_they} needs medical attention. As such, someone should take ${mc_them} to medical, since ${f_name} should still be awake."


"No." ${t_name} states, voice flat. "As I previously stated, we require answers, and as such, we shall remand ${mc_them} here, till said answers are retrieved." 


"explain yourself, ${t_name}." ${l_name} says, frown hardening as ${l_their} eyes flash. "Explain to me, why we aren't going to send a half-dead ${mc_person} to medical, where someone who actually knows how to fix ${mc_them}, is located, and who would be more than willing to help, as well as keep his mouth shut about it? Especially given that, unless I miss my guess, it would be you, who would be asking him?"


"With respect," ${n_name} says: "your being fucking stupid, boss. Apart from the fact that I'm the fucking medic, I can't fix," ${n_they} nods towards ${mc_first}'s form before continuing: "this. It's  way out of my wheelhouse to figure out and make sure I don't mis something, and ${f_name} can. With that in mind, the hell are you not sending ${mc_them} there? Anyway, from what I can tell, ${mc_they} looks like ${mc_they} might just go and die before ${mc_they} wakes back up for us to ask our questions, and I know how much that would go and grind your gears."


"${mc_their} condition, although currently grave, is also currently stable." ${t_name} says, while locking eyes with ${l_name}, although ${t_their} voice softens as ${t_they} continues to speak. "Or, do you think that if I believed otherwise, I would suggest this course of action, ${l_name}?"


"No, ${t_name}." ${l_name} says, eyes softening as ${l_they} nods. "I know you better than that."


"I do, trust ${f_name}." ${t_name} says, now sweeping ${t_their} gaze to ${n_name} as well: "however, I do not, trust the others that would be informed if we were to take this human to ${f_name}, or ${z_name}, for that matter. With that in mind, do you truly want this getting out to those who would doubtless use it to their advantage, and thus, our detriment?"


"Is it worse then possibly letting ${mc_them} die, though?" ${d_name} says through curls of smoke, as the ${d_person}'s head had ignited into roaring flames just after ${d_they} saw ${mc_first}'s condition: "at least, let me do something so ${mc_they} isn't so cold anymore?"


"I will insure that measures are taken to insure the ${mc_person}'s survival, ${l_name}." ${t_name} says, while putting a small hand on the other ${l_person}'s arm. "I wish answers only. I do not wish  to punish someone who, as far as I am currently aware, has done nothing to earn such from me." ${l_name} nods, though the frown remains.


${t_name} nods, warmth flickering in ${t_their} eyes before the sound of teeth clacking on teeth pulls ${t_name}'s, as well as everyone else's, attention back to the now violently shivering ${wat_person}.
*page_break
"I will return. ${d_name}? Kindly hold ${mc_them} till I do such." ${t_name} says, before part pushing and part tossing the ${wat_person} towards ${d_name}, ${d_name} catching ${wat_them} before giving ${t_name} a 1-finger salute. With that, ${t_name} nods, turns, and steps back into ${t_their} shadow, with the sound of ripping cloth being the only thing to mark the ${t_person}'s exit as ${t_they} vanishes.
*page_break ---still in the living room---
"Do you know how to control your fire so you warm ${mc_them} slowly, and not just burn ${mc_them}?" ${n_name} says, moving to tower over ${d_name}, whose head is still brightly burning: "because if you can't do that, then don't bother trying."


"Sort-of?"


"Give ${mc_them} here, then." ${n_name} grunts.


"But ${t_name} said?" ${d_name} says before ${n_name} snatches the ${wat_person} out of ${d_name}'s arms,  turning and pulling ${mc_them} close to ${n_name}'s own chest, and then facing ${d_name} once more.


"${l_name}?" You teach ${d_name} how to not fry the ${mc_person}, won't you?" ${n_name} says, eyes hardening further.


"I know,-" ${d_name} snaps, eyes flashing: "how not to fry someone, ${n_name}. I'm not a child."


"Good, then do it." ${n_name} snaps, ${d_name} flinching slightly before rallying, and, eyebrows pulling into a frown of effort, focusing, with the fire currently roaring around ${d_their} head slowly fading, as the temperature in a foot radius of the ${d_person} starts to climb, slowly. ${n_name}, with a nod, moves forward so ${mc_first} is inside said bubble, while still holding the ${wat_person} close to ${n_their} own chest.


"I'm surprise that you didn't put ${mc_their} hand, well." ${l_name} says, before just shrugging while waving at ${l_their} own chest.


"${mc_they} isn't awake right now." ${n_name} grunts, as a flash of disgust twists ${n_their} features: "so, ${mc_they} can't tell me to fuck right off if ${mc_they} doesn't like it, and you know what I think about people who fuck around with non-consenting shit." ${l_name} nods, where upon ${n_name} gently gives ${mc_first} back to ${d_name}, before resuming ${n_their} prior position slouched against the table.


It's about then that ${t_name} re-appears, heralded by another sound of ripping cloth through another shadow, while carrying a non-descript but well-made hooded robe that's slung across ${t_their} arm, as well as ending the unit's banter, such that it is.


"Hold ${mc_their} arms out, if you would?" ${t_name} says, ${d_name} hurrying to obey where upon ${t_name} briskly raps the robe around the ${wat_person}'s shoulders, before sliding ${mc_first}'s arms into the sleeves till the robe settles around the ${wat_person}'s form.
*if (mc_height) ="average"


	"Little small, isn't it?" ${d_name} asks as the robe, Once fitted, stops a good 4 inches above ${mc_first}'s wrists and ankles.


	"The garment will serve it's intended function, for now." ${t_name} says: "however, if something better is requested in the future, I will provide for said request."
	${d_name} nods.
	*goto t_leaving
*elseif (mc_height) ="tall"


	"${mc_they} is going to need something a bit bigger, if that's going to be anything more than a loincloth on ${mc_them}." ${n_name} says, as the robe stretches almost taut n order to cover the ${wat_person}'s taller frame.


	"I am aware of that fact." ${t_name} says: "however, as none of the rest of you provided a more suitable garment in the interim, this then must serve till more suitable attire  is acquired."


	${n_name} shrugs. "You lot all know what I think about tight clothes on people." Then, eyes hardening ever so slightly as ${n_they} continues: "just brought it up because ${mc_they}," ${n_they} nods at ${mc_first}, "might object at some point to the fact that ${mc_they}'s pretty much wearing restraints, with how tight that thing is, and I would like ${mc_them} not pissed off when ${mc_they} first meets me, you know?"
	${l_name} grimaces, ${d_name} facepalms, and ${t_name}'s face goes blank in response to ${n_name}'s comment.
	*goto t_leaving
*elseif (mc_height) ="very tall"


	"${mc_they} is going to need something somewhat larger, ${t_name}." ${l_name} says, as the robe, now fitted as well as it's going to ever fit, still stretches almost to the point where it rips along the seams as it attempts to cover a frame that is several sizes larger than it was ever designed to deal with.


	"The garment will serve in the role for which it was intended." ${t_name} says, before, after having a look ${t_theirself}, ${t_they} adds: "for the time being, at least. More suitable attire will be located at a later time, however."
	*goto t_leaving
*else


	"It seems that my garment has performed the function for which it was designed, better than I would have expected." ${t_name} says, nodding in satisfaction as the robe, now fitted, covers the ${wat_person} almost completely.


	"I agree." ${l_name} says, the ${l_person} nodding as a smile pulls at the ${l_person}'s lips: "I always enjoy when that happens, and especially considering what ${mc_they} seems to have gone through already."
	${t_name} does not respond.
	*goto t_leaving
*label t_leaving


"I am Taking ${mc_them} to a room, in order for ${mc_them} to recover." ${t_name} says, as ${t_they} briskly slings the ${wat_person} over 1 shoulder,
*if ((mc_height ="very tall") or (mc_height ="tall"))
	although having to re-adjust ${wat_them} several times, before just rapping an arm around the much taller ${wat_person}'s torso, eventually leaving ${wat_them} sticking torso and head over ${t_name}'s shoulders as the rest of the ${wat_person} is slung diagonally across ${t_their} back
	*if (mc_height) ="very tall"
		although, even with the ${wat_person} carried like that, it's barely enough,
		*goto t_depart
	*else
		*goto t_depart
*elseif (mc_height) ="average"
	though having to re-adjust once or twice to stop the taller ${mc_person}'s feet from scraping on the wooden floor,
	*goto t_depart
*else
	only adjusting the ${mc_person} once, before giving a satisfied nod,
	*goto t_depart
*label t_depart
before turning to ${d_name}.


"Thank you for taking ${mc_them}, ${d_name}. Also, I thank you for attempting to warm ${mc_them}, as I am unable to do such myself."


${d_name} nods, face grim before: "it was the least I could do, ${t_name}. ${mc_they} needed it, so." ${d_they} shrugs ${d_their} hands. ${t_name} nods at that, before turning to ${l_name}.


"We currently have unoccupied rooms within this facility, do we not?"


"Yes." ${l_name} says, frown deepening  once more: "10 and 16 are free and still have beds, with everything else apart from ours being used for storage."


"Take ${mc_them} to Jack's room." ${n_name} grunts, smirk now replaced by a snarl as ${n_they} continues: "not like he will be using it anymore after all, and the other beds are stripped, so unless you want to make ${mc_them} up a bed while your doing all the other shit for ${mc_them}?" ${n_name} shrugs a shoulder.
${t_name} nods, face like stone, before stepping backwards into a shadow.
*page_break
"${t_name}?" ${l_name} speaks, now sharp voice halting ${t_name} in ${t_their}  tracks: "do you think that is a good idea right now, especially with ${mc_them} being unconscious? Remember what tends to happen the first time someone goes through 1 of your portals."


${t_name} stands perfectly still for a second, considering, before nodding at ${l_name} and stepping out of ${t_their} shadow, said shadow remaining in place as ${t_they} moves forward for a few seconds before re-assuming it's normal movement patterns.


"As you say, ${l_name}. Thank you."


"You would do the same for me, ${t_name}." ${t_name} turns, before exiting  the room without further comment.
*goto watcher
*label l_reaction
The ${wat_person}'s ragged breath washes over ${l_name}'s sensitive skin in ragged waves, with ${l_their} long arm now the only thing keeping ${wat_them} upright, all as a concerned frown sets itself firmly on ${l_their} features.


"Looks like ${l_name}'s found a new friend." ${n_name} says from ${n_their} current position, that being slouched against the wall, eyes flicking across the situation as the ${n_person}'s usual smirk widens, sharp teeth flashing in the overhead lights: "didn't think your friend-making skills would actually drag people out of the goddam sky to be your friends, ${l_name}, but as it's you, I really shouldn't be all that surprised. Anyway, it's new years after all, and isn't magical shit supposed to happen around this time?" ${n_they} shrugs 1 shoulder.


"${n_name}." ${l_name} says, eyes hardening as ${l_they} turns to face the other ${n_person}: "As ${mc_they} is currently unconscious, and so can not decide weather ${mc_they} wants to be my friend or not, I will not speak of this again. Now, do you understand me?"


"True." ${n_name} says, although ${n_their} smirk only widens as ${n_they} continues: "although, considering where ${mc_their} hand is right now, I bet ${mc_they} would just love to b your friend, ${l_name}."
${n_name}'s smirk widens even further as ${n_they} points, ${l_name} following ${n_their} finger to find the exact spot that the unconscious ${wat_person}'s hand is currently firmly pressing into.
*page_break
${l_name} sighs, before gently, but firmly, brushing the ${wat_person}'s hand off it's place on ${l_their} chest, said limp flopping to the side before ending up hanging limply by ${l_their} hips, with this just causing ${n_name} to smirk even wider.


"${l_name}." ${t_name} says, appearing beside ${l_name}, although still half-hidden in ${t_their} shadow, before gripping ${l_their} forearm with a small hand and squeezing, once. 


"Are you alright?" ${t_name} asks, voice softening, though the ${t_person}'s grip never wavers, eyes sharp.


"Yes, I,-" ${l_name} starts, before just trailing off.


"If you wish me to do so, I shall take ${mc_them} from you." ${t_name} gestures to the ${wat_person}, before grabbing the ${mc_person}'s arrent limb with ${t_their} other hand and tucking it across ${mc_their} own chest, all while ${t_their} hard eyes remain locked on the taller ${l_person}'s own concerned ones.


${l_name} slowly shakes ${l_their} head, where upon ${t_name} nods once before stepping away, with ${t_their} hand dropping to ${t_their} own side as ${t_they} does so.


"If you require my assistance, I will remain." ${t_name} says, before turning and moving back to ${t_their} previous place, with ${l_name} smiling ever so slightly as the other ${t_person} speaks.


"Oy!" ${n_name} says, smirk turning to a pout now as ${n_they} waves a finger at the trio: "what about us? Sure, ${l_name} is pretty and all I guess, but I'm not bad either, and well, ${d_name} is ${d_name} after all, and so is adorable by default. So, why don't you smile like that at us, ${t_nickname}?"


"Both of you are fully aware of the lengths for which I shall go to, to insure your continued comfort." ${t_name} says, turning ${t_their} now softening eyes on ${n_name}: "as such, re-affirming it to you, and especially in light of the current circumstances, is unnecessary. However, ${l_name} required a reminder of the fact that I would remain, and as such, I reminded ${l_them} that I would, inn fact, remain." Then, eyes hardening as ${t_they} continues: "however, you are also fully aware of what I feel about that particular moniker, ${n_rank}."


"You know I will help you if you really need me to, boss,." ${n_name} says, ${n_their} own eyes softening as ${n_they} turns ${n_their} eyes from the ${wat_person} to lock  with ${l_name}. "In my own way, anyway. Speaking of that though," now, ${n_their} eyes harden, lips twisting from a smirk to something, harder as ${n_they} continues: "${mc_they} looks really fucked, and I don't mean in the fun way, either."


"Thank you for that, both of you." ${l_name} says with a smile, before turning ${l_their} gaze back to ${mc_first}, who is still slummed against ${l_them}.


"So, why'd you grab ${mc_them}?" ${d_name} asks, curious eyes staring at ${l_name} as ${d_they} continues: "since, well, charming was involved, and we all know how much you hate that."


"${mc_they} was." ${l_name} speaks slowly, as ${l_they} grimaces, "terrified, enraged, and something else? All in equal measure, more or less. So, I figured that with that being that, I should grab ${mc_them} before ${mc_they} hurt ${mc_theirself}," then, glancing at the ${wat_person} before ${l_them}, ${l_they} finishes: "at least, more than ${mc_they} has already been." ${l_name}'s frown deepens, as ${l_they} turns ${l_their} full attention to examining ${mc_first}.


"Also, the rest of you, didn't." ${l_name} speaks once again, before returning ${l_their} attention to ${l_their} task.


"Do you wish me to take ${mc_them}, ${l_name}?" ${t_name} asks once more, although remaining in place this time, as well as still being half-hidden in shadow.


"I'm fine, ${t_name}, although, thank you for your concern, as always." ${l_name} says, ${l_their} eyes continuing to scan ${mc_first}'s slumped form, with ${l_their} face growing more and more concerned as ${l_they} continues to do so.


"If that is what you believe, then I shall not ask further." ${t_name} says, before turning ${t_their} gaze away.


"${mc_they} looks so comfy right now." ${d_name} says with a grin, as well as a renewed twinkle in ${d_their} eye as ${d_they} continues: "granted, it's you after all ${l_name}, so I can kind of see why ${mc_they} would be, but it's still cute."
${l_name} does not reply, although ${l_their} already even deeper frown somehow deepens further.


${d_name}'s teasing expression fades, to be replaced by a more serious look as ${d_they} continues to speak: "are you OK, ${l_nickname}? Your not you right now?"


"The instant obedience. Instant halt of any movement. Any resistance. Any, anything." ${l_name} responds, slowly as ${l_their} frown deepens further: "that happening is not normal, not even for me." As the ${l_person} continues to speak, the Watcher catches the flash of disgust that flits across the ${l_person}'s face, although the expression is hidden from the others by ${mc_first}'s form.


"What if it's just your huggableness, though?" ${d_name} says, while stretching to gently pat the top of ${l_name}'s head as ${d_they} continues speaking: "I mean, most people do like you right off the bat anyway, so, what if this is just an extension of that?"


"No." ${t_name}'s voice is grim now. "It is not that, ${d_name}. That is not how charming works, and furthermore, ${l_name} has spoken to you of ${l_their} position on headpats before."


"OK, boss." ${d_name} says, before turning back to ${l_name}: "sorry, figured it might help, since you are, well." ${d_name} shrugs a hand at the other ${l_person}.


"If you really need me to," ${n_name} says, while moving to stand on ${l_name}'s other side, smirk now gone: "I can take ${mc_them}, ${l_name}, and no funny business." Then, as ${n_their} face hardens and the ${n_person}'s voice takes on a low snarl: "not that I would even think of any now anyway, since ${mc_they} is asleep, and people who do that to the sleeping, without their consent, should be butchered before being dumped in an un-marked shallow grave in the forest and forgotten about."


"Thank you, but I should be fine." ${l_name} says, gently ruffling ${n_name}'s hair. ${n_name} nods once, before, smirk reforming, ${n_they} turns and moves away.

With that, ${l_name} completes ${l_their} scan of ${mc_first}, the Watcher having followed along with the ${l_person}, and, judging by the current look in ${l_name}'s now hard eyes, the ${l_person} agrees with the Watcher's own assessment of the ${wat_person}'s condition.
*page_break
The ${wat_person} is emaciated, with hollow cheeks, dry skin and dead eyes, said currently almost hidden behind flickering lids along with cracked lips, with ${wat_their} skin stretched across the bones beneath, with all of this giving weight to the theory that this ${wat_person} has not eaten or drank in at least a week, if not longer, although that won't be confirmed till ${mc_they} actually wakes up. This, all along with, of course, the uneven breathing that the watcher had noticed earlier.
Given the fact that the temperature around the two has dropped several degrees within the last few seconds, to the point that ${mc_first}'s breath is now puffing out in visible plumes, the Watcher doesn't have to dig into the psych profile that she has on this ${l_person} in-order to figure out ${l_name}'s current opinion on this new development, even if it's well-hidden from anyone who might look. Then again, the bubble of now frosty air around the ${l_person}, isn't exactly Suttle, and this team knows each other well enough to know what something like that means. Although, once again, the fucking sphere of frozen air around the two is really not Suttle at all, and the frais 'a cold rage', is alive and well in the collective vocabulary of humanity.


"You fucking with the temperature really isn't going to help ${mc_them} right now, ${l_name}." ${n_name} grunts, before jabbing a finger at the ${mc_person}'s now even more violently shaking form: "unless your trying to freeze ${mc_them} solid, that is, so if you are, well, keep doing what your doing I guess." ${n_they} shrugs.


${l_name} grimaces before, with visible effort, ${l_they} schools ${l_their} features to stillness, with the temperature around the two starting to return to normal at the same time, although the ${mc_person}'s vilent convulsions continue un-a baited.


"Could-" ${l_name} starts, before ${n_name} moves to stand beside ${l_them} and reaches out a hand to remove the ${mc_person} as ${l_name} trails off.


"Go, ${l_name}. No funny business, I swear." Is all ${n_name} says, with the ${n_person}'s smirk now gone and ${n_their} face as hard and unyielding as stone. "Get ${mc_them} something warm so ${mc_they} doesn't go and fucking die before we can ask ${mc_them} shit, ${l_name}."


${l_name} nods once, before turning and blurring from the room in a rush of air.
*page_break Still in the living room.
"Is ${l_they} OK?" ${d_name} mutters: "I mean, ${mc_they} did just fall out of the sky and all, but ${l_they} seems, angrier than the rest of us about it?"


"Ask ${l_name}, ${d_name}." ${n_name} and ${t_name} speak in unison.


"If," ${t_name} continues: "${l_they} wishes to expound on ${l_their} reasoning at a later date, ${l_they} shall do so. However, we, will not."


"1, like I would get the answer from either of you anyway." ${d_name} mutters: "and 2, jinx! So, you both O me now."


"What is, jinks?" ${t_name} asks, as ${t_their} lips pull to the left.


"When 2 people say stuff at the same time, if you say jinks, both of them have to do what you say." ${d_name} says, while smiling at ${t_name}: "like you both did. So, you both O me now."


"This is neither the time, nor the place for this conversation." ${t_name} says, face smoothing as ${t_they} does: "however, when this current situation has been resolved, I, at least, shall consider your request, ${d_name}."


${n_name} just shrugs before: "you caught me fare and square, kid, so why the hell not?" Then, wagging a finger at the other ${d_person} as ${n_they} continues: "you can't have any of my chocolates, but apart from that? I'm always up for a knew challenge, and especially when it comes from you, ${d_name}."


"Hay, you haven't looked at the naked ${mc_person} more than once." ${d_name} says, now turning to ${n_name}: "what's with that, ${n_name}?"


"I told ${l_name}, 'no funny business'." ${n_name} says: "also, ${mc_they} isn't able to tell me to fuck off if ${mc_they} doesn't like me looking at ${mc_them}  right now, so I'm not going to look at ${mc_them} right now. Also, ${mc_they} can't tell me to shove it if ${mc_they} doesn't like what I'm doing, so there's also that."


"O, yeah, that makes sense." ${n_name} doesn't reply to ${d_name}, though ${n_they} does flick hard eyes over the ${mc_person}, once, before a scowl pulls at ${n_their} features, with ${n_their} eyes hardening even further at the same time.
*page_break
${l_name} chooses this moment to sweep back into the room, the ${l_person} still deeply frowning, although now holding a long, heavy, thick and correctly ironed and pressed robe over 1 arm. After accepting the ${wat_person} from ${n_name}, ${l_name} sweeps ${l_their} gaze over the ${wat_person}, frowns deeper than ${l_they} already is, and then Quickly and efficiently dresses the still violently shuddering ${wat_person} in the new garment, while insuring to get it as snug as ${l_they} can in order to hold in the most amount of body heat possible in the process.
*if ((mc_height ="very short") or (mc_height ="short"))


	"Seems ${mc_they} isn't going to need a blanket after all." ${n_name} deadpans: "we can just throw that over top of ${mc_them}, and the ${mc_person} will probably just curl up and sleep in ${mc_their} knew housecoat while thinking it's a blanket."


	"What?" ${n_name} asks as ${l_name} stares levelly at ${n_them}: "you looked at the ${mc_person} while wearing that, right?"


	"That's, what you come away with?" ${l_name} says, tone disappointed.


	"Would you rather I just start smirking while looking at the sleeping naked ${mc_person} instead?" ${n_name} growls, lips pulling back into a snarl as ${n_they} speaks.


	"No." ${l_name} says, face relaxing before ${l_they} just sighs.


	"Well then? Take your pick." ${n_name} grumbles, snarl fading somewhat: "after all, I'm me, and your you."

	${l_name} nods, although does not otherwise respond.


	"Normally, I would agree with huggable ${l_name} over there." ${d_name} says: "but, in this case, it's not really a robe on ${mc_them} so much as a small blanket with sleeves, ${l_name}."


	"I am in agreement with ${d_name} upon this matter." ${t_name} says. ${l_name} just nods, before folding ${l_their} arms across ${l_their} chest, as well as the ${wat_person} who is still held close to said, vastly oversized robe, and all.
	*goto l_depart2
*elseif (mc_height) ="average"
	however, ${l_they} just frowns deeper at the result.


	"Well?" ${n_name} says: "this should be interesting, at least."


	"The sleeves of that thing ${l_name} calls a housecoat, hang down over the ${mc_person}'s hands enough that you can fold them twice back and ${mc_they}'ll still be fully covered, while the hem is so far onto the floor that the ${mc_person} could probably sit on it and still be covered." ${d_name} says, eyes brightening as ${d_they} speaks: "so, I think that's a bit of an understatement, ${n_name}."


	"Well." ${n_name} says, smirk returning as ${n_they} speaks: "firstly, it's my job to understate shit, little ${d_name}, and second," the smirk widens now as ${n_they} turns it onto ${l_name}: "your going to have an enjoyable day or so trimming that down, now aren’t you, ${l_name}?"


	"Why would you say that, ${n_name}?" ${l_name} asks.


	"${l_name}." ${n_name} says with a sigh: "I love you, like, a lot, but I also know what you like and what you don't, and I once watched you sit for 6 and a half hours straight sewing, while humming under your breath with a smile on your face. You like sewing, and you like helping people almost as much as ${d_name} here, so, your going to have fun with this."


	"It was a cote for you, ${n_name}." ${l_name} says, a slight smile pulling at ${l_their} lips as ${l_they} continues: "Also, sewing is one of the ways I relax. I have my hobbies, and you have, well, yours."
	This gets a stifled snicker from ${d_name}, as ${d_they} glances at ${n_name}, who smirks back before ${d_name} turns back to ${l_name}, although now looking distinctly worried.


	"Is It bad I kind of, stripped it for parts?" The ${d_person}'s face flushes as ${d_they} hunches back, before: "though, only after I Set it on fire?" Then, as ${l_name}'s face does not change, ${d_name} continues:
	"I’ll make you another one, promise! I will even put some fancy pockets in it, since I know how much you love pockets in things, ${l_name}."


	"How did you acquire the garment?" ${t_name} asks, sharp eyes turning to focus on ${d_name}, who flinches backward further now.


	"I, sort-of, traded it for one of those carved rocks that you like so much?" ${d_name} mutters.


	"I did wonder why there was a tablet on my sewing table." ${l_name} mutters: "although, it was the tablet I had been looking for, so thank you for that, ${d_name}."


	"You traded the garment that ${l_name} put ${l_their} hard effort into, for a rock, at which point, you destroyed said garment." ${t_name}'s voice is flat and eyes cold as ${t_they} speaks to ${d_name} now: "now, is my analysis of the given events correct, ${d_name}?"


	"Lay off, ${t_name}." ${n_name} growls, before moving to shield the smaller ${d_name}: "can't you see ${d_they}'s scared?"


	"It was the tablet that I had been looking for, for a while, ${t_name}, ${l_name} says.


	"I will leave this matter to you to deal with then, ${l_name}." ${t_name} says: "however, if you require my services, do not hesitate to call for them." ${l_name} nods.
	*goto l_depart2
*elseif (mc_height) ="tall"


	"The garment seems to fit surprisingly well, with all things being equal." ${t_name} says, face blank.


	"Yes, it does." ${l_name} agrees, frown fading slightly as ${l_they} speaks. "However, I can see some places for adjustment, if ${mc_they} agrees to them, of course." ${t_name} does not reply.


	"${mc_they} can't be older than 30." ${n_name} says, smirking at ${l_name} now: "so I really doubt ${mc_they} is going to refuse you running your hands all over ${mc_them}, even if it is, just to adjust ${mc_their} clothes." ${n_name} smirks wider on this last sentence, teeth flashing.
	${l_name} doesn't respond, although ${l_their} left eye does twitch, with the movement only caught by the Watcher due to her own augmentations.
	*goto l_depart2
*elseif (mc_height) ="very tall"


	"Hay?" ${d_name} says, while grinning: "we finally found someone who can fit ${l_name}'s clothes, and ${mc_they} isn't even blue." Then, after glancing at the ${mc_person} again ${d_they} continues, although now with ${d_their}brows knitting in concern: "well, at least not normally, anyway."


	"It is not." ${t_name} says: "as humans are not intended to hold any color of blue for extended periods of time, and if one is found to be doing so, said must be delt with, with all haste."


	"O, OK then." ${d_name} says, nodding.


	"How does that have anything to do with this?" ${n_name} asks: "also, I agree with ${t_name} that Humans aren't supposed to be blue, and if they are, than something's been really fucked up, and so really should be un-fucked as quickly as possible."


	"It's cool, I guess? I mean the hole, ${mc_person} being almost too tall for ${l_name}'s clothes." ${d_name}'s face twists into a grimace as ${d_they} continues speaking: "you know what I think about ${z_name}, but still, it's cool that ${mc_they} is almost too tall to fit your clothes, ${l_name}, given well, your pretty tall yourself."


	"As you say." ${t_name} says.
	No-one replies to ${t_name}'s statement.
	*goto l_depart2
*label l_depart2


"I am taking ${mc_them} to medical." ${l_name} says, before starting to lift ${mc_first} into 1 arm.


"No." ${t_name} says.


"Why not, ${t_name}?" ${l_name} asks, while turning to fix ${l_their} eyes on the other ${t_person}: "${n_name} can't do anything for someone with this much damage, and ${f_name} should still be awake, and if he isn't, I will wake him, and he will, assist." ${l_they} finishes, face hardening ever so slightly on those last words.


"We require our questions answered, ${l_name}." ${t_name} responds, while holding the other ${l_person}'s gaze: "we require the information of which ${mc_they} arrived here, and if anyone else will be arriving in the same manner. As such, we require that the knowledge of ${mc_their} current existence, and more importantly, mode of arrival, remain hidden, and that will sees to function if ${mc_they} is taken to medical at the current time."


"You don't trust ${f_name}?" ${l_name} asks.


"I trust the man." ${t_name} states, a flash of disgust flitting across ${t_their} face, before fading almost as quickly as ${t_they} continues to speak: "however, the people who work with him are another matter." Then, turning ${t_their} eyes to lock with ${l_name}'s, ${t_name} continues: "I will not be moved upon this matter, ${l_name}. Now please, do not force me to make this an order?"


"I don't like it, ${t_name}." ${l_name} states: "I am no medic, but even I can tell that ${mc_they} might very well die before tomorrow, and then you won't get any of your questions answered."


"What ever the hell happened to ${mc_them} is done now." ${n_name} grunts, before moving to stand with ${t_name}: "although ${mc_they} will probably not die, and I stress the probably in there, I have to agree with ${l_nickname} over there, that the best place for the ${mc_person} right now is medical. I can't do shit for ${mc_them} right now, and ${f_nickname} might be able to. I mean, if anyone can fix ${mc_them}, then that crazy little blue bastard would be the man I would bet on."


"I am aware of your concerns." ${t_name} says. "However, it is my decision, and thus, my burden lest the worst come to pass, ${l_name}."


${l_name}, still frowning, nods, before continuing to speak: "I am taking ${mc_them} to Jack's room, then." Before, voice growing an ever so little bit colder as ${l_they} continues: "unless someone has any objections to that as well?"


"You know what my answer is going to be, boss." ${n_name} says, scowl now plane on ${n_their} features: "not like he is going to be needing it anymore though, so." ${n_they} shrugs, before ${n_their} scowl deepens.


"I don't have an issue, ${l_name}." ${d_name} says, face growing solemn: "he would have wanted his room used for, well, something like this, if he knew this was going to happen, anyway." ${l_name} nods.


${t_name} shakes ${t_their} head before: "I have none, ${l_name}. Jack would have wished for his room to be used for this purpose, if he had known of it. Which, considering his abilities, he very well might have."


${l_name} nods once more, before lifting  the less so now, but still very much shivering ${wat_person} the rest of the way into 1 arm, before turning, and starting to move towards the door.


"${mc_they} will be fine till the morrow, ${l_name}." ${t_name} says, voice softening. "Trust me. If I did not think ${mc_they} would be, I would take ${mc_them} to medical myself, despite the risks involved. However, that outcome is not currently the case."


"I trust you, ${t_name}, although I still don't like it." ${l_name} says.


"I am aware of that, ${l_name}." ${t_name} says, before, voice softening further as ${t_they} continues: "as such, If a negative outcome stems from this decision, let the blame fall upon my shoulders, and mine, alone." ${l_name} nods, before sweeping from the room once again, although this time, with ${mc_first} rapped in one long arm.
*goto watcher
*label n_reaction
"As much as I kept saying I wanted this to happen." ${n_name} mutters, with ${n_their} arm now rapped around the ${wat_person}'s naked torso in order to keep ${wat_them} upright: "never actually thought a random naked ${mc_person} would actually fall out of the goddam sky."


"Regretting it now?" ${d_name} asks, now bright eyes turning to focus on ${n_name} as ${d_they} speaks.


"Fuck no." ${n_name} smirks now: "just, guess I should be more careful about what I wish for in the future, you know?" Then, eyes hardening as ${n_their}'s smirk morphs into a snarl: "especially since this ${wat_person}'s been fucked over, and not in the fun way, either, and if anyone would be able to tell from just holding ${mc_them}, then I would."


"You are sure of this fact, ${n_name}?" ${t_name} asks.


"I'm the fucking medic, aren't I?" ${n_name} growls: "besides, look at ${mc_them}." With that, ${n_they} turns ${wat_them} to face the rest of the unit, eyes burning with fury as ${n_they} does so.
*page_break
"So." ${n_name} growls, snarl widening and muscles flexing as ${n_they} speaks: "what the hell kind of fucked-up bastard does that!" The tall ${n_person} roars that last bit, ${n_their} voice loud enough that ${mc_first} jolts in the ${n_person}'s arms, before slumping back again a few seconds later. With a frown, ${n_name}, when ${n_they} next speaks, lowers ${n_their} voice, although the snarl remains: "${mc_they} looks like someone mostly drained ${mc_them}, and, you know how I feel about people who do that to others." The ${n_person}'s free fist clenches and un-clenches, before going still.
As the rest of the unit nods in almost perfect unison, the Watcher takes the opportunity to examine ${mc_first} herself.


${wat_they} is emaciated, with dry, cracked skin, rolling eyes that are almost fully hidden behind mostly closed eyelids now, and the ${wat_person}'s flesh is also stretched taut across ${wat_their} bones, as well as the ${wat_person} looking, as ${n_name} had said, 'mostly drained of life and vitality. Which, the Watcher notes, is something that, if her files on ${n_name} are to be trusted, which they are, is well-schooled in.


"${d_name}?" ${n_name} growls, before ruffly pushing the ${wat_person} towards the mentioned ${d_person}, with ${d_name} catching ${mc_them} with a surprised yelp and a scowl: "warm ${mc_them} up, slowly. I'm going to get ${mc_them} something that will hopefully keep ${mc_them} from fucking dying, at least till someone who actually knows what the fuck there doing with this kind of shit can actually get to ${mc_them} and fix ${mc_them}." With that, ${n_name} turns before storming from the room, fists clenched and teeth bared into a snarl as ${n_they} goes, along with, if the Watcher is not very much mistaken, the ${n_person}'s fingers starting to grow longer, as well as both harden and sharpen.
*page_break ---still within the room---
"Is this, normal for ${n_name}?" ${d_name} asks, eyes dimming as ${d_they} speaks.


"No." ${t_name} says, voice flat. "although ${n_they} has become angered before, ${n_they} has never become angered to this extent. Now, before you request clarification to my statement, I would suspect that this has to do with ${n_their} position as a medic, as well as the fact that it is abnormal for someone to fall from the sky, and even more so for said to be in quite this," ${t_they} glances at ${mc_first}, who is now being held in one of ${d_name}'s arms before finishing: "state."


"I agree with ${t_name}." ${l_name} says: "${n_name} was, still is rather, quite angry."


"Will ${mc_they}?-" ${d_name} starts, the temperature around the ${d_person} starting to rise as ${d_their} eyes flare brighter before being cut off.


"${mc_they} will be fine, ${d_name}." ${l_name} says, before, grimacing as ${d_name} flinches slightly: "I am sorry I cut you off, that was rude of me."
${d_name} nods, relaxing a little as ${d_they} does so before turning ${d_their} full attention to continuing to warm the air around ${d_them} and ${mc_first}.


After another 5 minutes, at least according to the Watcher's HUD, ${n_name} storms back into the room with ${n_their} snarl still in place, although now carrying...
*page_break
"I would hope." ${t_name} says: "that that, is not what you are going to be dressing the $}mc_person} within, ${n_name}."


"You are not, putting ${mc_them} in that, ${n_name}." ${l_name} says, while frowning at the almost see-through yellow garment that ${n_name} now holds.


"Yes, I am." ${n_name} growls, with ${n_their} lips pulling further into a snarl as ${n_they} speaks, before turning to ${d_name}, with ${n_name}'s face relaxing as ${n_they} opens ${n_their} mouth: "now, please give ${mc_them} here, and I really hope you at least fucking warmed ${mc_them} up a little, so ${mc_they} probably won't fucking die from hypothermia soon."


${d_name} nods to the other ${n_person}, before gently pushing ${mc_first} forward, with ${n_name} catching and dressing the ${mc_person} in the yellow garment in short order, before slinging ${mc_them} over 1 shoulder with a short grunt of satisfaction in ${d_name}'s general direction.
*if ((mc_height ="very short") or (mc_height ="short"))


	"It seems that you will have no trouble carrying ${mc_them}." ${t_name} deadpans, while nodding to the much shorter ${mc_person}, who easily rests across ${n_name}'s shoulder and back.
	${n_name} just grunts in reply
	*goto n_depart
*elseif (mc_height) ="average"


	"well, at least you won't have a problem carrying ${mc_them}?" ${d_name} says, while gesturing to the ${mc_person}, who is almost, but not quite, as tall as ${n_name}.


	"No, I won't." ${n_name} snaps, before, voice softening somewhat: "thanks for warming ${mc_them} up, ${d_name}. ${mc_they} really needed that, and since I can't fucking do it, well." ${n_they} shrugs the shoulder that ${mc_first} isn't currently resting on.
	${d_name} nods with a smile
	*goto n_depart
*elseif ((mc_height ="tall") or (mc_height ="very tall"))


	"I don't think that it's supposed to be quite that tight." ${l_name} says with a frown, as the already skin-tight garment pulls taut enough that it may or may not be constricting blood in some places across the taller ${wat_person}'s frame: "there is skin-tight, and then there is, well, that." ${l_name}'s frown deepens as ${l_they} gestures towards ${mc_first}'s current state.


	"It's made to stretch like that, don't worry." ${n_name} says while glancing at ${mc_first} once, before nodding. Then, smirk twisting ${n_name}'s face as ${n_they} continues: "if it wasn't, then how would I be able to flex and do all the fun shit I can do?" Then, the smirk fading as it is replaced by a serious expression as ${n_they} continues: "and besides, if there was a problem, I would do something about it. I am trying to get ${mc_them} to not die after all, and having ${mc_them} in something that fucks with ${mc_their} blood flow doesn't help with that."
	When no one voices anything else to refute that, ${n_name} nods once in seeming satisfaction.
	*goto n_depart
*label n_depart
With that, ${n_they} moves towards the door, before throwing over the shoulder ${mc_first} isn't slung over: "taking ${mc_them} to medical now, so ${f_nickname} can take a look at ${mc_them}, Since, if anyone can un-fuck this shit, it's going to be that  crazy little bastard."


"${n_name}?" ${l_name} says, voice sharpening slightly, said halting the other ${n_person} in ${n_their} tracks in the process: "if ${mc_they} asks for different clothes once ${mc_they} wakes up-"


"Yeah, I'll get ${mc_them} different shit if ${mc_they} asks for it, don't you worry." ${n_name} grunts: "would have gotten ${mc_them} something else for starters, but this is all I got, so unless you wanted me to go raid your room for clothes?" ${n_they} shrugs, while waiting for ${l_name}'s response.


"No, that won't be necessary, ${n_name}." ${n_name} just grunts at the other ${l_person}'s reply in seeming disappointment.


"you will not take ${mc_them} to medical at this time, ${n_name}." ${t_name} says.
*page_break
The tall ${n_person} turns around, slowly, ${n_their} eyes now boring into the other ${t_person}, with ${n_their} muscles flexing as ${n_they} does so.


"Why." ${n_name} speaks slowly, ${n_their} voice little more than a snarl now: "explain, why you think it's a good goddam idea to keep,-" ${n_they} nods to ${mc_first}, who is still slung over ${n_their} shoulder before continuing: "the ${mc_person} who is very close to fucking dying, from the man who can actually fix ${mc_them}, ${t_name}? ${f_surname} , can fix this, but I, can't. Or do you just not trust the man, ${t_name}?" At this last, ${n_name}'s face twists further, snarl growing as ${n_their} fingers actually do start to elongate, although they stop after a moment before returning to normal, although only with the ${n_person} seeming to put in effort to do so.


${t_name} flinches as if ${n_name} had actually struck ${t_them}, before speaking, ${t_their} voice measured now. "I trust ${f_name}, ${n_name}. However, I do not trust the ones who work alongside the ${f_person}, as I suspect that they have been long-ago suborned by those whom wish our destruction, at minimum." Then, voice softening as ${t_they} continues: "however, ${mc_they} will not die today, ${n_name}. Or do you not trust me even to tell you that much?"


"I'm the fucking medic, ${t_name}." ${n_name} growls, although it's lesser than before now: "and that means, that I have a duty to, 'protect those whom are under your care'." Before, glancing at the rest of the unit: "which is why, I might add, I'm not doing my normal stuff right now, apart from the fact that ${mc_they}'s also asleep at the moment, and people who fuck around with the sleeping in that way really should be butchered before being dumped in an un-marked grave off the beaten track."


"${mc_they} will not die today, ${n_name}." ${t_name} says once more, with ${n_name} simply grunting in reply, before:


"Taking ${mc_them} to Jack's room, then." Before, with a scowl: "or do you have a problem with that as well, ${t_name}?"


"I do not." ${t_name} says, with ${n_name} nodding once more before simply turning and striding from the room, ${mc_first} still slung across ${n_their} shoulder as ${n_they} goes, as well as the ${n_person} still scowling.
*goto watcher
*label d_reaction
${d_name} scowls as ${d_their} distracted fingers run across the top of the ${wat_person}'s head, with ${d_their} other arm rapped around the ${wat_person}'s torso, as it is now the only thing that's stopping ${wat_them} from falling face-first to the floor.


"May I ask why you are doing that?" ${t_name} asks, sounding curious.


"You don't let someone, even someone you hate, even someone you would otherwise stab in the back of the neck with a plasma torch and watch die in any other situation, get floated alone." ${d_name} responds: "or at least, not without letting them explain themselves before you do it."


"I was speaking of the headpats, and not your ethos for catching ${mc_them}, as the latter are clear enough to me, given what I know of your over-all outlook on life, ${d_name}." ${t_name} responds.


"I think there nice? Also, ${mc_they} needs something calming right now, and those always help calm me down?" ${d_name} shrugs ${d_their} hands: "well, that and hugs, but you kind of have to be actually conscious for those to really work, and ${mc_they} isn't right now."


"Not everyone likes headpats, ${d_name}." ${l_name} says, frown deepening as ${l_they} continues: "especially as right now, ${mc_they} really is not in any position to ask you to stop, if ${mc_they} doesn't like them."


"Please explain yourself, ${d_name}." ${t_name} says, shadow retreating ever so slightly as ${t_they} looks at the situation. "The first part if you please, and not the second, as I do not wish to hear about the headpats further, if you don't mind."


"Someone floated this ${mc_person}." ${d_name} says, eyes flaring brightly for a moment before returning to normal: "it's the Only way I can think that ${mc_they} would be in the current condition ${mc_they} is in, and I haven't even scanned ${mc_them} yet."


"Thank you." ${t_name} says: "however, does this then mean that you are commencing the scan?"


"Yes." ${d_name} states as ${d_they} withdraws a short slender rod from ${d_their} pocket before: "also, it's a good thing I have the internet to translate what you say most of the time, ${t_name}, or I really wouldn't be able to understand what your saying." ${t_name} simply nods at this, as ${d_name} turns back to ${mc_first}, before running the rod up and down the ${wat_person}'s body, although never actually touching ${wat_their} skin. Once ${d_they} is finished, ${d_they} glances at the in-built display, located by the handle, with ${d_their} eyes flaring at what ${d_they} sees displayed there, with the watcher, due to both her current position and her armor's augments, able to hack into the small device and upload the diagnostic to her own HUD.
*page_break
The ${wat_person}'s form is emaciated and almost skeletal, with flesh stretched across bone and eyes dull and dead behind their flickering lids, denoting a lack of food and water for a significant period of time, along with the rest of the ${wat_person}'s body shivering so violently that ${d_name} should be able to feel the vibrations through ${d_their} arms without effort.


This guess is proven true moments later, as ${d_their} head, from jaw to crown, rather violently explodes into crackling blue flames. Although the ${d_person}'s eyes, which are now burning brightly, are still clearly visible through said flames, with the ${d_person} moving ${mc_first} so ${wat_they} is in no danger of being scorched by said flames.


"Look where ${mc_their} hand ended up?" ${n_name} says, smirk stretching ${n_their} face before, looking at ${d_name}'s flaming head: "I really hope you remember that ${mc_they} isn't exactly fire-proof, ${d_name}."


"Yes. Though, why would you need to remind me about that, ${v_name}?" ${d_name} says before looking down towards ${n_name}'s pointing finger, and seeing that the ${wat_person}'s hand is still firmly pressed against ${d_their} chest.
*page_break
A large hand grips ${d_name}'s arm, before the other hand moves, before gently removing ${mc_first}'s hands from the now rigid, ${d_person}'s chest.


"Better?" ${l_name} asks, before squeezing ${d_name}'s shoulder, gently, with ${l_their} now free hand.


"It wasn't ${mc_their} fault." ${d_name} mutters, although even the Watcher can hear that it's more for the ${d_person} ${d_theirself} than anything else.


"I didn't want you to set the rest of your body on fire, ${d_name}." ${l_name} says before stepping away: "since the ${mc_person}, like ${n_name} said, isn't exactly fire proof.


"I wasn't going to set ${mc_them} on fire for something ${mc_they} wasn't trying to do." ${d_name} mutters while ducking ${d_their} head: "I have more self-control than that, ${l_name}."


"Good." ${l_name} says, before putting a hand under ${d_name}'s chin and pushing upward, and then, when ${d_their} head comes back up, moving back to ${l_their}'s previous position in the room.


"Please take ${mc_them}, ${l_name}?" ${d_name} says, voice sharp as well as the words being underscored by the flames that are still burning around the ${d_person}'s head flaring brighter.


${l_name} nods once before moving to ${d_name}'s side and reaching out a hand, with ${d_name} letting ${l_them} take the now even more violently vibrating ${wat_person}, before nodding once, with ${d_their} eyes locking with ${l_name}'s for a second as ${l_they} steps back.


"Kindly refrain from letting the rest of yourself burn, ${d_name}." ${t_name} says while nodding to ${d_name}'s still brightly burning head: "If you do what I  believe that you are going to do, then I doubt the ${mc_person}'s flesh would take it well."


${d_name} nods before turning and sweeping from the room, head still brightly burning as ${d_they} goes, with the group, including the watcher, able to clearly track ${d_their} progress down the hallway due to said brightly burning head.
*page_break Still in the living room.
"If I am not mistaken." ${t_name} says, "${d_name} does not normally light parts of ${d_theirself} on fire, lest the ${d_person} is very much vexed, or in an ill-conceived, although still quite lauded, I must admit, attempt to cheer the rest of us when ${d_they} believes that we have become dejected. Now, am I correct in my assumptions?"
The rest of the team nods, even if ${n_name} rubs ${n_their} forehead, face scrunching into a grimace as ${n_they} does so.


"The fuck happened to the poor bastard?" ${n_name} asks, eyes flicking over ${mc_first}'s slumped form, with ${n_their} previous smirk now thoroughly gone, to be replaced by an altogether harder expression: "that's, what I want to know."


"I suggest that you request that information from the ${mc_person} ${mc_theirself}, when ${mc_they} awakens." ${t_name} says: "as that is the strategy of which I, myself, shall employ to gain the information for which I seek."


"I should be able to warm ${mc_them} up slightly." ${l_name} says: "although of course, ${d_name} would be much better at doing that then I would be."


"Do so, if you believe you can." ${t_name} says with a nod: "my reasons for remanding ${mc_them} to our custody have nothing to do with the ${mc_person} ${mc_theirself}, and as such, I have no issue with the ${mc_person}'s comfort."


${l_name} nods, before  the temperature around ${l_them} and ${mc_first} starts to rise, although slowly.


"how many degrees are you able to increase the temperature?" ${t_name} asks. However, before ${l_name} can answer, ${d_name} strides back into the room, ending the conversation abruptly, as well as the ${d_person}'s head still being fully engulfed by flames.
*page_break
"What the hell is that, ${d_name}?" ${n_name} sputters, while turning to face ${d_name}, who is now carrying a thin, web-like thing that looks nothing so much as what might happen if someone took a bunch of spiderwebs and wove them together. "that's not even going to keep out the normal air of this place, not to mention warm ${mc_them} up from what ever the fuck fucked ${mc_them} over hard enough to make ${mc_them} look like,-" ${n_name} stabs a finger at ${mc_first}'s still shivering, although less so now, form before finishes: "that."


${d_name} flinches slightly before  rallying: "Survival suit I built." ${d_they} grunts, shaking ${d_their} head before reaching out a hand towards ${l_name}: "now, give ${mc_them} here, please? The sooner I get ${mc_them} into this suit, the smaller chance ${mc_they} has of dying of exposure." ${l_name} nods, before gently pushing the ${wat_person} forward, with ${d_name} catching ${mc_them} and swiftly dressing ${mc_them} in the clinging garment, while muttering under ${d_their} breath, face twisting into a grimace of both concentration and disgust as ${d_they} does so.


"What's with the air temp?" ${d_they} asks: "it's a little higher than it is anywhere else in the room." Before, quickly: "not that I'm complaining, mind, just curious."


"I thought that it might be a good idea to raise it." ${l_name} says: "if nothing else, it might help ${mc_them} a little."


"Good idea, ${l_name}." ${d_name} says, teeth flashing in a smile towards the other ${l_person} before turning ${d_their} full attention to the slumped form, now sheathed in the, the Watcher is now able to read due to her HUD, C112 class 5 survival suit.


"In the time between when you left and when you got back?" ${n_name} says, tone skeptical as ${n_they} turns to ${d_name}: "I call bullshit. No-one’s that good." Then, now grinning at the other ${d_person}: "not even you, ${d_name}."


"I could, but it would be shitty quality that I wouldn't give to my worst enemy, and definitely not to this ${mc_person}." ${d_name} says distractedly as ${d_they} fiddles with the suit: "I built it last month, after you lot went off to do what ever you did after that last mission, the one with that Rumba factory." The ${d_person} shrugs, before continuing: "I had 6 hours, and all those supply shipments had just come in, so-." ${d_they} shrugs again, before adjusting something and tapping something else into the back of the suit with a finger, before muttering something under ${d_their} breath, and nodding before smiling slightly, eyes now burning brightly. With that, ${d_they} continues: "what was I supposed to do? I was bored, and you know I tinker when I'm board. Also, ${mc_they} is stable now." With that, ${d_they} gently lifts the now slightly less violently shuddering ${wat_person} over 1 shoulder before spinning, although taking special care to not wack ${wat_their} head off the table as ${d_they} does so, before moving towards the door while throwing over ${d_their} shoulder:
"taking ${mc_them} to medical."


"No." ${t_name} says, voice flat.
*page_break
"What do you mean, no?" ${d_name} says, turning back with ${d_their} head now burning brighter: "${mc_they} is stable, but ${mc_they} still needs to have someone look at ${mc_them}, and, I don't think that ${n_name} is quite up to this kind of fixing."


"I trust ${f_name}." ${t_name} says: "however, I do not trust those whom work with him, and we do not need this particular development getting out to those whom will doubtless attempt to  use said to suborn us."


"I don't like it, ${t_name}." ${d_name} says with a scowl: "I get what your saying, but," ${d_they} gestures to ${mc_first}: "${mc_they} still needs help, you know?"


"${mc_they} will not die." ${t_name} says, voice softening as ${t_they} speaks: "not at this time, at least."


"If you say so." ${d_name} mutters, although not sounding convinced.


"I do, say so, ${d_name}." ${t_name} says: "within this instance, at least." ${d_name} nods.


"Well then, I'm taking ${mc_them} to Jack's room then, since it's actually got a made bed." ${d_name} says, with ${t_name} nodding in reply.
With that now done, ${d_name} strides from the room, soon fading from the rest's senses. Although with ${d_their} head still cheerfully burning away, as the Watcher, and doubtless the rest of the group, can tell.
*goto watcher
*label watcher
*page_break following at a safe distance.
*if (housecoat_t) =true
	*goto watcher_t
*elseif (housecoat_l) =true
	*goto watcher_l
*elseif (housecoat_n) =true
	*goto watcher_n
*elseif (housecoat_d) =true
	*goto watcher_d
*label watcher_t
The watcher follows slowly as ${t_name} strides down the hallway, thin streamers of shadow following behind ${t_them} as ${t_they} goes. ${mc_first} still slung over ${t_their} back where the shadows, at least to the watcher, are seemingly now holding the ${mc_person} in place, or at least, stopping ${mc_them} from jostling too much as the three of them continue moving.

"I am aware that you are currently unable to hear me, human." ${t_they} says to the currently unconscious ${mc_first} as ${t_they} continues to walk, voice soft. "And as such, what I say will be of little use to anyone apart from myself, and I do not require this notice of intent. However, my desire to remand you here, as opposed to sending you to one whom can redress your current injuries, is not due to malas. Self-interest? Yes, as I am many things, however I hope that I have not devolved to the point where in I could delude myself into thinking that what I do is not driven by a large helping of selfishness, as well as a desire to both hold those whom are mine close and safe, and above all others in regard. However, I do not do this out of malas to you, regardless of your belief of my sincerity, Human. I do this, because at the current time, I truly believe that this is the best method to use at this juncture, and if I believe that you would be adversely harmed to the point of possible death or permanent harm, than as I stated earlier, I would remand you to medical myself."
Then, as the ${t_person} shakes ${t_their} head: "however, as my prior statement makes quite clear, as you can not currently hear me, none of this will ultimately influence your opinion of either myself, or any others of whom you will soon meet." With that now seemingly done, the ${t_person} increases ${t_their} speed, with ${t_their} now saying no more as ${t_they} continues down the hallway, ${mc_first} bound to ${t_them} by slender threads of shadow.
*page_break
After multiple twists and turns, ${t_name} eventually slows down, before finally halting outside of a door that is no different than any other in the hallway. 
Pulling out ${t_their} phone, ${t_they} texts: "Am I correct in my current choice of room? As you know, adept at many things I may be, however, this particular task is not one of those."


After a few seconds, the reply comes through: "yeah, now, if you would just use normal words like a fucking normal person, my head wouldn't be hurting so dam much right now, and I wouldn't be tempted to just come down there and fucking strangle your pint-sized ass, ${t_name}."

${t_name} nods before tucking the device away, although the ${t_person}'s lips do quirk up minutely, before opening the door, entering the room, and laying the ${mc_person} on the bed in the center.


At that point, ${t_they} tosses a blanket over ${mc_them} before glancing at the ${mc_person}'s face and nodding, now seeming satisfied.


"You will answer our questions, human." ${t_name} says, before, eyes softening ever so slightly as ${t_they} continues: "however, as this is the case, you will do so when you are able to stand on your own, and as I would wish you to do so as swiftly as possible, I shall assist you in that goal within the best of my abilities, and as it does not preclude the safety of those whom fall under my command." With that, ${t_they} puts a hand on the ${mc_person}'s forehead, before shadow tendrils slide from ${t_their} hand, before peercing ${mc_first}'s skin, with gray power then flowing along these tendrils and into the ${mc_person}'s head, and from there, throughout the rest of the ${mc_person}'s body, said visible to the Watcher through her augments.
*page_break 30 seconds later.
After 30 seconds, ${t_name} cuts the power, with an odd expression on ${t_their} face:

"I have found," ${t_they} mutters: "that it is a-typical for a Human to be so accepting of shadow. Fire, perhaps, and light, most certainly, but shadow? Accepting of the thing that your kind fears, your kind is not." before nodding once, turning, and vanishing as ${t_they} steps backward into a near-by shadow, with the action punctuated by the sound of ripping cloth.


The watcher moves to the bed before looking at the still sleeping ${mc_person}, and, after taking in the,  now somewhat better looking, as in, the ${wat_person} doesn't look like ${wat_they} is going to die from being glared at too hard anytime soon, so a lot better than earlier, the Watcher bamphs back to ${t_name}'s current location, with her just in time to see ${t_them} now speaking to ${n_name}:


"I indicated to you previously, that I did not fear your cranial discomfort, but your possible cranial hemorrhaging, ${n_name}."


"Same shit, different pile." The other ${n_person} grunts, while ${l_name} lets out a soft sigh, as ${l_they} had been shaking ${l_their} head at ${n_name} till the ${n_person} had spoken. "also, like I said when you asked me if you had the right dam room, I have a headache now, so nice fucking going on that front, boss."


"There is no fecal matter involved in this conversation?" ${t_name} says while glancing around, now looking genuinely confused: "weather said be in piles, or otherwise." Before, turning to ${l_name} with a questioning look.


${n_name} slams ${n_their} face into one palm hard enough that it echoes around the room before: "I didn't actually mean shit, ${t_name}."


${t_name} nods, before, now looking slightly more curious as ${t_they} turns back to ${n_name}: "speaking of fecal matter however, I was rather un-aware that you had accessed the precise dimensions of my posterior, ${n_name}. As in our previous conversation, you judged it as, in your exact words, 'tiny'. With that being the case, kindly explain, first, how you accessed this information, and," ${t_name}'s face scrunches into a confused frown now: "why, exactly, you decided that you would, gain access to said information?"


"Fucking hell, do you do this shit just to troll my goddam ass?" ${n_name} growls, before raising a hand as ${t_name} opens ${t_their} mouth: "Don't, answer that, since anything you say will just make my head hurt more than it already is."

The watcher, with a thought, brings forth a bowl of popcorn that floats just inside her helmet, before sitting back and watching the fun start, while stuffing the really very good popcorn into her non-existent mouth.
*goto awaken
*label watcher_l
The watcher follows close behind as ${l_name} strides down the hallway, with a frown still firmly settled on ${l_their} normally smile-lined face. Every so often, ${l_they} glances at ${mc_first}, with said frown deepening every time ${l_they} does, to the point that the Watcher idly starts to wonder how deep this ${l_person} can actually frown before the ${l_person}'s face starts to take aggravated nerve damage. She could look it up of course, as she does have the ${l_person}'s file, but then again, some things are just more fun to speculate about, and well. She has to do something to pass the time, right?


"I will speak with ${t_name} about ${t_their} conduct, who ever you are." ${l_name} says, the Watcher assuming that this is meant for the still very much out of it ${wat_person} on ${l_their} back: "although I can understand why, ${t_they} did what ${t_they} did, it was the wrong decision to make, and I will, convince ${t_them} to change it." Then, the hard edge of the ${l_person}'s tone softening as ${l_they} continues: "It's not like you chose to be dragged into any of this, and if ${t_name} was in a better frame of mind then ${t_they} is right now, then ${t_they} would realize that." Before, with a sigh and a muttered "although since you are currently sleeping, it's not like you can here me right now anyway," the ${l_person} continues walking, with ${l_their} mouth firmly shut.
*page_break
After several twists and turns, ${l_name} eventually halts in front of a door, with said being identical to the others in this hallway. After opening the door, ${l_they} enters  the room, flips back the sheet with a casual flick of ${l_their} free hand from the wrist, and gently lowers the ${wat_person} onto the bed, before flipping the sheet back with an identical, although far more careful this time, flick of ${l_their} wrist. With the sheet now in place, the ${wat_person} promptly curls into a tight little ball as ${l_name} removes ${l_their} hand from said sheet, with ${l_name} noticing the ${mc_person}'s motions as ${l_their} eyes darken, as both sadness as well as something, colder, write themselves large within the ${l_eyecolor} depths.


"Let's see if this helps you, for now, at least." ${l_they} mutters, before putting a large hand on ${mc_first}'s forehead and sticking the other out to the side, where moisture, although threaded through with pale blue power, begins forming on the out-stretched palm.
*page_break
Once ${l_name}'s hand is full, the moisture, now turned water that is now pulled by the threads of blue, rushes across the space between ${l_their} hands before the blue threads sink into the ${wat_person}'s skin, with the blue threads pulling the water after them.


After a full 30 seconds of this, ${l_name} cuts the power, with the water that remains in ${l_their} free hand draining away in seconds.


Now looking at the ${wat_person} before ${l_them}, ${l_name} smiles softly at the improvement, as the ${wat_person} looks much more hydrated than previously, before said smile is replaced by a frown once again.


"Medical would have been better than anything I can do here." ${l_they} mutters, before removing ${l_their} hand and gently pulling the sheet up over the ${wat_person}'s head, before pulling out a phone, although the Watcher notices that the ${l_person} both holds the device as far away from ${l_them} body as ${l_they} can, and seems to tense, as a faint grimace of either discomfort or outright pain settles on ${l_name}'s features as ${l_they} continues to manipulate the device.


"${j_name}? It's ${l_name}."


"That's what my caller ID told me as well, ${l_name}." the voice on the other end deadpans: "Now, if you don't mind, what's going on that your calling me at 1 in the morning? I don't mean to be brisk, but I am in the process of trying to drink myself to sleep here with some rather good Scotch, and your not really helping that right now."


"We have a, situation that needs your input. Would you  please come down to the common room as soon as you can?" With that, ${l_name} ends the call, before putting the phone away with visible relief. With that, ${l_they} glances  at the ${wat_person}, who is still curled into a ball under the sheets once again, nods once in seeming satisfaction, then turns and exits the room, while closing the door softly behind ${l_theirself} as ${l_they} goes.


Still tracking ${l_name} as ${l_they} moves, the Watcher follows ${l_name} back to the first room, where upon ${d_name} pulls out ${d_their} phone, before showing the screen to the others:


"Give me 15 minutes, J."


"You contacted ${j_name}." ${t_name} says, turning to fix ${l_name} with a baleful stare as ${d_name} slips ${d_their} phone away: "why, exactly?"


"${j_their} input would help here, ${t_name}." ${l_name} responds.


"You are correct." ${t_name} says, before with a motion towards a chair: "If we must wait, then I would request that you sit down at least, ${l_name}."
With a nod, the ${l_person} moves to, and then sits in, the indicated chair.
*goto awaken
*label watcher_n
"God fucking dam it, ${t_name}." ${n_name} snarls as ${n_they} stomps down the hallway, the Watcher following at a safe distance, with ${n_name} still having ${mc_first} slung over one shoulder: "don't you fucking realize that I can't, fix this? ${f_nickname}, can, but I can't, and because I can't, this poor bastard might just die before tomorrow because your too goddam paranoid to risk some fucking blowback from people who aren’t worth the energy to worry about, let-alone make decisions around. Fuck!"

At this last, the tall ${n_person}, alongside a frustrated growl, slams ${n_their} large fist into the nearest wall on the side that ${mc_first} isn't on, causing a rather large, as well as rather obviously fist-shaped, dent in the thick metal of the wall.
*page_break
${n_name} pulls out ${n_their} phone, alongside a growled "the fuck does ${t_they} want now?" Before, reading the text alongside the Watcher, which reads: "kindly refrain from damaging the facility, ${n_rank}, ${n_they} scoffs with disgust before making a rather rude hand gesture at the device.


"O, fuck you then, ${t_nickname}, get shafted." ${n_name} texts back: "if this ${wat_person} dies because you decided to keep ${wat_them} here instead of just giving ${wat_them} to someone who might actually be able to fix what ever the fuck did this, then it's on your tiny balled fucking head."


The text responds a moment later: "I am aware of that, ${n_name}. However, as my prior point remains relevant, kindly refrain from damaging the facility further."
With a growl, ${n_name} shoves ${n_their} phone back into a pocket so hard that said pocket rips open, spilling the phone onto the floor with a crack.


With a grunt of disgust, ${n_name} raises a hand, with the phone flying to land in ${n_their} palm before the ${n_person} glances over one shoulder, confirms that ${mc_first} is both still sleeping and currently no worse due to the events around ${wat_them}, and continues walking forward, face now set in a stubborn snarl.
*page_break
After several more twists and turns, ${n_they} slows to a halt at a door before pulling out ${n_their} phone once again and tapping the screen, this shortly followed by the tinny ringing of the device.


"This the right door?" The ${n_person} growls into the device: "don't want to have to pick up a bunch of stored shit again like last time, and especially with the ${wat_person} here in the shape ${wat_they}'s in."


"Yes." ${l_name}'s voice warbles through the speaker: "that is the right door, ${n_name}."


"Good." ${n_name} grunts, before ending the call and entering the room. Moving to the bed in the center, ${n_they} un-slings ${mc_first} from ${n_their} shoulder, before surprisingly gently placing the ${wat_person} onto the bed, where-upon ${n_they} slides the ${wat_person} under the sheet, feet first, with said curling up into a tight little ball almost instantly.


"This is going to hurt." ${n_name} grunts, as a grimace pulls at ${n_their} face: "lucky your out like a light, so you won't remember this, probably. Only reason I'm doing this is that one, it will help in the long-run, and two, if I don't, then your probably going to fucking die before tomorrow, but it's still going to fucking hurt, so, sorry in advance." With that, ${n_they} gently places a large hand on the ${wat_person}'s forehead, with ${n_their} other hand pulling the ${wat_person}'s arms across ${wat_their} torso, before pressing down on the ${mc_person}'s head to hold it with one hand, while gripping both wrists in the other. With that now done, ${n_they} takes a few seconds, jaw clenching, before bone-white power flows from the hand on ${mc_first}'s forehead and into the ${wat_person}, said ${wat_person} promptly starting to violently convulse, with ${wat_their} mouth opening in a silent scream while ${wat_their} teeth start to gnash as ${wat_their} jaw violently works, and the ${wat_person}'s arms struggle, although uselessly, against ${n_name}'s own restraining limb.
*page_break
"Yeah, I know it hurts like fuck all." ${n_name} growls, muscles flexing before blood starts flowing  from a wound on ${n_their} arm, said having been just caused by the ${wat_person}'s gnashing teeth ripping a chunk of ${n_their} flesh out: "best I can do with what I have to work with, so deal with it, and will be done in a few seconds."


${mc_first}, of course, gives no reply, except perhaps to gnash ${wat_their} teeth just a little harder, and struggle just that little bit more.
*page_break
After 15 seconds more, ${n_name} grunts in seeming satisfaction before cutting the power, with ${mc_first} going still as ${n_name}'s own muscles relax, as well as a low sigh whooshing from ${n_name}'s parted lips as ${n_they} does so.


With that now done,  ${n_name} glances over the now still form in front of ${n_them}, who, at least from what the Watcher can see, looks, if not much improved now, then at least better than like a stiff breeze would end the ${wat_person}, before ${n_they} nods once, before, surprisingly gently, pushing ${mc_first}'s left eyelid back with a finger.


"Well." ${n_they} mutters, after staring into the sphere beneath for a few seconds, before letting the lid fall back: "that explains some curious shit, at least." With that, ${n_name} exits the room without further comment, although kicking the door shut with a hollow boom as ${n_they} does, said ${n_person}'s foot putting another large, although this time vary distinctly foot-shaped, dent into the metal.
*page_break Still following ${n_name}, because the Watcher is curious.
"What," ${t_name} asks as ${n_name} stomps back into the room: "did I request that you refrain from doing, ${n_name}?"


"Didn't I tell you to get shafted?" ${n_name} growls back: "also, ${wat_they} really, won't fucking die now, so your fucking welcome for that, ${t_nickname}."


"If you are going to continue lacing this conversation with copious amounts of vulgarity, I will not participate further." ${t_name} responds.


"Go fuck yourself, then." ${n_name} growls, before turning to ${l_name}, who has just returned ${l_their} phone to ${l_their} pocket:
"so, ${j_name} coming or what? At least someone who can think straight will be here to un-fuck this cluster-fuck of a situation soon, so that's something to look forward to."


"${j_they} should be here in about 15 minutes." ${l_name} says: "however, the woman is quite drunk at the moment."


"Good." ${n_name} growls: "then we can get this shit sorted out, as well as sending the only slightly less than half-dead now ${mc_person} to ${f_nickname}, so ${f_they} can do something about that as well as ${j_name}'s sleeping habits."


"We shall see." Is all ${t_name} responds with, before returning to ${t_their} chair, and gesturing the others to do likewise, of which all do.
The watcher smirks, at least if she could actually smirk, before sitting back and waiting to see what will happen next.
*goto awaken
*label watcher_d
The Watcher follows ${d_name} as ${d_they} walks down the hallway, said ${d_person} continuing to pat  the top of ${mc_first}'s head as ${d_they} goes. Every time ${d_they} glances  at ${mc_first} over ${d_their} shoulder, the scowl, now set firmly on the ${d_person}'s face, grows deeper.
The flames around the ${d_person}'s head are gone now, to be replaced by the slowly increasing air temperature around the pair, with the bubble of warm air centered on ${d_name} and continuing to move as ${d_they} walks.


"Sorry if you don't like headpats, who ever you are." ${d_they} mutters: "but I think they help, so, be angry at me when you wake up, OK?" ${mc_first}, of course, doesn’t reply to the ${d_person}'s request, do to the fact that ${wat_they} is so far beyond out of it right now that it would require a telescope to be able to see the point where ${mc_they} is now, if one were standing on the point where out of it, began.
*page_break
After multiple twists and turns, as well as ${d_name}'s face taking on an even deeper scowl as ${d_they} mutters about being lost, the ${d_person} finally stops outside an identical door to all the others in the hallway they are in, before opening it, entering the room beyond, moving to the bed in the middle, and gently lowering the still very much out of it ${wat_person} onto the mattress, with ${d_their} brow still nit in worry.


"Why do you people have such big things that take up so much space all the time?" ${d_name} mutters: "a standard bunk bolted to the floor would work just as well as this monstrosity." Shaking ${d_their} head, ${d_they} continues: "never mind that now though, you know what to do after a suit breach, ${d_name}, and this is practically the same, so get to it. Now, first thing's first: let's deal with that shivering of yours, yes?" With that, ${d_they} lifts the ${wat_person} in 1 arm and turns back the covers with the other, before putting the ${wat_person} in the spot, and flipping the covers back over ${wat_them} with a satisfied noise.


"Now your somewhere that actually will keep heat in, instead of just bleeding it out into the world and all, we can actually deal with that shivering of yours now." ${d_they} mutters before raising a hand, with said hand promptly bursting into cheerful flames, before bringing the hand, which is still very much on fire at the moment, down towards ${mc_first}'s very much not, fire proof face.
*page_break
The fire licks across the ${wat_person}'s skin for barely a second before being drawn down into the ${wat_person}'s forehead, with lines of red power pulling the flames down and in while directed by the now intently focusing, ${d_name}.


30 seconds later, and ${d_they} cuts the power and stands up, while panting slightly.


Glancing over the still sleeping ${wat_person}, with ${wat_them} now if not looking exactly warm, then shivering a hell of a lot less than previously, ${d_name} nods once, before turning and moving from the room, although not without gently closing the door behind ${d_them} with a soft click.
*goto awaken
*label awaken
*page_break ---${mc_first}---
I stretch, before letting out a long sigh and blinking, as I am rather warm now, and so don't really want to get out of bed and into the cold of my room. However, as I am both awake now and because I really don't want to have another vivid dream like the last one I had, I decide that it's time to get up and fix, if I can actually fix, at least, my little clusterfuck from last night. With that in mind, I roll over to check the time on my phone, before yelping in surprise as I fall out of bed, although hitting the ground with a heavy muted thud seconds later.


I put a hand down to push myself to a sitting position, before stopping, as  I feel a carpet under my fingers. There is no carpet in my bedroom. I know that, because I was the one that rolled it up and tucked it away a while ago. As such, This than means that, I am no-longer in my room.
I would say that someone came in and put down my carpet again, but one, this doesn't feel like a carpet you can just drop and leave, as it's far too thick and fluffy for that, and two, this carpet is not the carpet that I had tucked away, and I really can't see someone going to find another carpet, just to fuck with me. Also, I'm no-longer naked,  as the carpet that tells me I am not in my room anymore should be rubbing against my back, which it currently is not.


Pushing aside the question of the carpet for now as I sit up, I reach slowly around with 1 hand, before gently running my fingertips along my new garment, although taking a good few seconds to realize that it's a Housecoat?


As I continue exploring it as I try to remember when the hell I had put this thing on, and coming up blank, my questing fingers tell me that, in fact,
*if (housecoat_t) =true
	*goto housecoat_t
*elseif (housecoat_l) =true
	*goto housecoat_l
*elseif (housecoat_n) =true
	*goto housecoat_n
*elseif (housecoat_d) =true
	*goto housecoat_d
*label housecoat_t
it's surprisingly similar to my housecoat at home, actually. A bit lighter and a bit looser, as well as being more, is 'flowy' even a word? Either way, more that, although apart from that one difference there is little outward difference between this, and my housecoat at home, apart from the hood, which I quickly pull up as I'm fucking freezing right now, and every little bit helps when your this dam cold.


"Who gave me this thing?" I mutter, thoroughly confused now: "I didn't put it on before I went to sleep, I know that much, so, then, how did I get this, and why? Also, did it have anything to do with that really trippy dream I had about the people, and the screaming, and the trippy as all hell pressure thing?"
I shelve  that particular fact for now,  as I realize that my bladder has become rather insistent. Deciding that safe is better than sorry, I start to stand before the wafting sent of ${t_scent} stops me, the shock causing me to fall back down on my ass with a thump as well as a mild twinge of pain.

"That's not normal." I mutter: "smells good and all, but, this just proves that I'm not at all where I am supposed to be."

With that, as well as deciding that no matter how interesting the fact that my housecoat, or at least the housecoat I'm wearing, as I am pretty sure who ever gave this to me will want it back at some point, smells like ${t_scent}, later, as my bladder has started to make itself known,
*goto explore
*label housecoat_l
it feels nice. Perhaps some sort of fleece or something soft like that, but regardless of what it is, it’s both heavy and warm, with both of those things being rather good things in my book right now as I'm dam freezing at the moment. As such, I huddle down into the garment as much as I can , as I try to keep more of my body heat from leaving. As I do however, I get the rather strong sent of ${l_scent},.


"The actual fuck?" I mutter, now  thoroughly confused. "Smells grate and all, but who gave me this, and why. Also, I don't suppose the person would tell me how to get this smell on my clothes?" Then again, it's heavy and warm, so should I really be questioning who gave me the heavy and warm thing, seeing as I am quite cold right now? As well as, apart from said coat, being thoroughly naked?
Deciding to figure out why this thing smells like ${l_scent}, as well as how that can even be put on clothes, another time, as My bladder has started to make itself known,
*goto explore
*label housecoat_n
"This thing feels like Spandex?" I think as I run my hands along the thin stretchy material, as well as getting more confused by the minute. It's almost skin-tight, and well, thin and stretchy as all hell, while also, somehow, being warm at the same time? Or at least insulating, which is the same thing as far as I am concerned right now, as I'm currently fucking freezing.


"how can anyone ware something this thin in January?" I mutter as I run my fingers up and down a few more times, just to confirm: "I know it's warm and all, but still? I doubt this would be much good at blocking the wind. Also, who gave me this, and why?"

Mentally shrugging, I push that thought away, although it has nothing at all to do with the fact that I just realized that you can grab a handful of the stretchy fabric and pull it out, before letting it bounce back with a nice, boing, sound when you let it go. I also do not, once, giggle like a child at this fact, or spend the next 5 minutes pulling various parts of the garment out and letting them bounce back, while giggling to myself as I do. No, no, it doesn't have to do with any of that, not at all.
*page_break 5 minutes later.
My attention is finally pulled from my fun by the sharp, clean, and somewhat odd to find here scent of ${n_scent}, now wafting from my new garment. I assuming this has to do with what I was doing to it earlier, and I just hadn't noticed till now.


Deciding to figure out why the thing I am wearing smells like ${n_scent}, along with all my other questions at a later time, as my bladder has decided to start making itself known and I should probably, you know, deal with that and all sooner rather than later,
*goto explore
*label housecoat_d
feels almost like spiderwebs, but not quite? It's almost like someone got a hold of a bunch of webs and wove them into a fabric, then made them into this garment, but not quite?


I poke and prod at it for a while as I try to figure out what the thing is actually made from, although coming up with nothing. Or, that's what I think, before I realize that I am getting wafts of, ${d_scent}? From the thing every time I move.


"OK, 1, how do I even know what ${d_scent} smells like, as both of those things are one, light, and two, I don't think I have, Kinesthesia? I mutter, "and 2, I want to know how I can get it for my clothes. As in, all, my clothes."
I nod before shelving that last question for later, at as well as all my other questions, as my bladder has decided to start making itself known, and I should probably deal with that sooner rather than later,
*goto explore
*label explore

I, with a grunt, partly in effort as I stand and partly as a noise that ruffly translates to 'fuck this, as I have more important shit to do right now,' I decide that getting my bladder sorted out would be a good idea right now, if for no other reason then I don't want to do something humiliating, like, say, piss on anything or something else equally as cringe-worthy, as well as deciding that from now on, the term, 'better safe than sorry', will be my excuse for anything, and everything that I do, at least till I can make sense of what the hell is actually going on here.
As such, as the  first step to find the bathroom is to find the bed so I can get a reference point, I move till my hands strike the side of the bed. With that now established, I start mapping the room, slowly.
*page_break 5 minutes later
I stand beside the bed once again, mostly satisfied with my efforts of mapping this room.
Using mostly echo location, as I can't see and all, and I don't have a cane, or staff, or even just a bent stick to use to insure that I don't go and brain myself on the various things that dot this room, I found that the room itself is not huge, at least. After figuring out where all the walls were, and the very ruff size of the room itself, I had made my way from the bed to a wall, and eventually follow that to the bathroom, which I had then used, after which I had finished my ruff map of the room.


In the end, I had found a night table, the door leading to the bathroom, and another door directly across from that one that I assume leads  into a hall, although I hadn't open it to find out just yet. Apart from those things, and a seemingly Empty closet on 1 wall, the room seems otherwise empty.


As I am still cold, I decide to fix that, or at least try to fix that, since I am cold enough right now that I don't think even a shower is going to help, or at least not a short one, anyway. As such, I enter the bathroom once more, before closing, and locking, the door, before stripping the housecoat off and starting to drop it onto the floor.
*page_break
"No." I mutter, my hand brushing the inner side of the door before finding a hook, which I use to hang the housecoat on before entering the shower: "this is the only thing I have to wear, so not going to get it wet. With that in mind, and also because I don't believe that I am a rude person, and spraying water all over the floor of who-Evers bathroom this is just screams 'rude asshole,' I firmly close the shower doors behind me before I start said shower.
*goto shower
*label shower
*page_break 10 minutes later
I sigh, part in relief and part in annoyance as the scalding water pounds down over me, though unfortunately it's not quite enough to get rid of the bone-deep cold that has seemingly burrowed into my bones and made a little community there. Still, it helps, which is more than nothing, and I am all clean now, which definitely helps my mood a bunch as well.
*if (housecoat_t) =true
	*goto t_introduction
*elseif (housecoat_l) =true
	*goto l_introduction
*elseif (housecoat_n) =true
	*goto n_introduction
*elseif (housecoat_d) =true
	*goto d_introduction
*label t_introduction

"When you are finished with your ablutions." A voice speaks, tone clipped, from right outside the shower doors: "you are required to answer multiple non-negotiable questions that I, and my team, wish of you, as well as exiting your current showering in the next two minutes. Now, do I make myself clear?"
*choice
	#I yelp in surprise as I leap straight up, as my hands fly out to protect my face, with the gesture shoving me hard to 1 side.
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set expressive %+10
		*set reserved %-10
		*set rabbit_t true
		I yelp once more as my hand nocks the shower door open as I try to adjust myself, with my other hand scraping ineffectually along the smooth shower wall.
		*page_break
		A small, as well as surprisingly firm hand grips my flailing forearm, arresting my momentum before pushing me back into the shower, the doors closing with a heavy thud seconds later.


		"I would suggest." The ${t_person} says, tone unchanged, "that you refrain from repeating that action further, as if you continue with your most recent action, you will be required to clean up the water of which you spill all over the floor due to such." Then, the voice softening ever so slightly on ${t_their} next words: "however, As my introduction was the direct catalyst of your distress in this case, I shall remove the water that was released onto the floor in this instance. Now, am I understood?"


		I nod, before deciding to just not question this hole situation, and the ${t_person}'s speech patterns, right now.


		"I am unable to see your reaction to my request through the glass." The voice says: "as such, although I assume that you nodded, I can not be sure, and because of that fact, I can not go forward till I am sure of your reaction to my most recent request."


		"Yes?" I say.


		"To?"


		"I understood what you were saying about the water thing, and the glass thing, and the time thing." I respond.


		"Good."
		I nod, more to myself than anything else, before,
		*goto t_introduction2
	#"Scare me to death, won't you?" I snap, grumpily.
		*set impulsive %+10
		*set cautious %-10
		*set intimidating %+10
		*set charming %-10
		*set reserved %+10
		*set expressive %-10
		*set t_relationship -1
		*set friend_t -1
		"That, is none of my concern. I came to deliver a message, of which I now have delivered." The voice says, before, softening ever so slightly as ${t_they} continues: "however, to answer your question, I did not intend the outcome you describe when I entered these chambers."
		I scowl, still annoyed, before just shrugging since this isn't  worth arguing at this point, and that's probably all the apology I am going to get, if it even was an apology.
		*goto t_introduction2
	#"Why are you in here?" I ask, although I'm more curious than anything else.
		*set mind %+10
		*set heart %-10
		*set friendly %+10
		*set stoic %-10
		*set t_relationship %+1
		*set easyGoing %+10
		*set stubborn %-10
		*set friend_t +1
		*set int +2
		"To deliver the message I have just delivered. No more, and no less."

		"So, I can finish my shower in peace then?"


		"If it takes under 2 minutes, then yes. If not however, then no."


		"Good, at least I have a time, then?" I say. When the voice does not reply, I turn back to the hot water, my back now to the glass, as well as see-through, I only now remember, doors.
		*goto t_introduction2
	#"What ever you want, it can wait till I am done." I grunt, thoroughly un-interested in entertaining this ${t_person} right now. "I just had a really messed up dream, and now I want to have a nice shower because I'm fucking freezing."
		*set stoic %+10
		*set friendly %-10
		*set t_relationship %+3
		*set intimidating %+10
		*set charming %-10
		*set stubborn %+10
		*set easyGoing %-10
		*set friend_t +3
		"Such is the reason that  I am simply telling you, as opposed to simply pulling you from your shower." Is that mild amusement in the ${t_person}'s voice?


		"However, as you say. Now, you have two minutes. As such, kindly use said time well."
		I grunt in ascent before turning back to my nice warm shower, while hoping this ${t_person} will take the hint and kindly go away now.
		*goto t_introduction2
	#"You know that when a ${t_person} intentionally comes into a place where someone is showering, it sends messages, right?" I say with a smirk.
		*set charming %+10
		*set intimidating %-10
		*set bold %+10
		*set shigh %-10
		*set impulsive %+10
		*set cautious %-10
		*set t_relationship %-3
		*set flirt_t_bold +1
		"I am currently delivering a message, as I have just stated to you." The ${t_person} says, although ${t_their} voice is now filled with a mixture of mild frustration and annoyance: "with this being the case, any other messages that you may think I am delivering, are simply contained within your own mind. Now, do you understand the message that I gave to you, or must I reiterate it?"


		"Answer questions, non-negotiable, be done this in 2 minutes, yeah, I got that, yeah." I say, while deciding to drop my flirting, as one, this ${t_person} is clearly not interested, and two, well, it obviously didn't work.


		"Good. That is all I wished to know from you at this time."
		I nod, more for me than ${t_them}, before turning back to the nice shower I was enjoying.
		*goto t_introduction2
	#"There is a ${t_person} looking at me in the shower, there is a ${t_person} looking at me while I am in the shower, why is there a ${t_person} looking at me while I am in the shower?" My mind screams at me as my face starts to burn. Despite, I might add, the scalding water that's now pounding down over it for some reason.
		*set shigh %+10
		*set bold %-10
		*set expressive %+10
		*set reserved %-10
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set flirt_t_expressive +1
		*set faceburn_t true
		"Did you." The voice says after a good 15 seconds, sounding annoyed, "understand my message?"


		"Yes?" I squeak.


		"That is all I require to here." I open my mouth to reply, but find I can't speak, so just nod instead before turning back to shove my still burning face back into the hot water and hope that the ${t_person} currently in the bathroom while I am naked in the shower, saw me nod, and got the message that I did not send.

		No, got the message that I sent, not the one. I didn't send a message? Why would I want or need to send any messages? ${t_their} the one giving messages, not me? Fuck!
		*goto t_introduction2
	#"That's all?" I say, not at all displeased by the current events, my pulse increasing as I speak. "That's all you wanted to do?"
		*set shigh %+10
		*set bold %-10
		*set reserved %+10
		*set expressive %-10
		*set friendly %+10
		*set stoic %-10
		*set t_relationship %+3
		*set flirt_t_reserved +1
		*set friend_t +3
		*set wis +2
		"Yes."


		"OK then."

		When the ${t_person} doesn't reply, I turn back to my shower.
		*goto t_introduction2
*label t_introduction2
*gosub_scene highest_calc


"as my message has been delivered, I will leave you to your ablutions." The ${t_person} says, before: "as stated earlier, you have 2 minutes to finish your shower. If you are not finished by that point, I will be required to return. If that happens, I will be rather more, insistent, that you come with me. Now. Is this clear to you?"
*if (faceburn_t) =true


	I open my mouth, try to speak, close it, open it again, try to speak, close it.


	"Is this clear to you?" The voice says, tone sharpening now.
	With a grimace, I open the door, stick my still brightly burning head out into the freezing bathroom, and nod before pulling it back in like a turtle pulling it's head back into it's shell.


	"May I inquire as to why your face is currently a bright shade of maroon?" The ${t_person} asks, now sounding something between curious and confused, although ${t_their} tone has also softened once more, so that's good?


	"No?" I squeak.


	"That." The voice mutters, although now more seemingly to ${t_theirself} than anyone else: "was not my intent in this endeavor." Then, voice returning to normal volume as ${t_they} keeps speaking now.
	*goto t_interact
*else

	"Yes."
	*goto t_interact
*label t_interact


"Good. Now, there is a towel in this room. As such, kindly use it." With that, the bathroom door opens, then the bathroom door shuts.
Shrugging, as I'm pretty much finished anyway,
*goto exit
*label l_introduction

However, anything else I might have been in the process of thinking is somewhat blunted by the
thump. Thump. Thump. That Resounds from the bathroom door.


"When you are done with your shower, I need to talk with you." The voice carries clearly through the door and shower, even to the point that I think I can hear a slight lilt of an accent, British perhaps? As ${l_they} speaks.


"We should also be able to explain things, as well as get our own questions answered, then."
*choice
	#"OK." I say with a shrug. "Be out in a minute, then."
		*set easyGoing %+10
		*set stubborn %-10
		*set l_relationship %+3
		*set genuine %+10
		*set sarcastic %-10
		*set friend_l +3
		It's only after I speak that I realize that I had said it at normal volume, and open my mouth to shout so the nice ${l_person} on the other side of the door can actually here me over the shower, and doesn't think I'm just ignoring ${l_them} for, what ever reasons said ${l_person} would think that I would be ignoring ${l_them} for I guess?


		"That will be fine." The ${l_person}'s voice comes once again, this prompting the rather confused, as well as curious thought of: "how did ${l_they} here me?" Before I just  shrug, and move on, as it's just another question to ask ${l_them} later, on top of all the others.
		*goto l_introduction2
	#"Can't you let a ${mc_person} have a shower in peace?" I growl, somewhat annoyed.
		*set intimidating %+10
		*set charming %-10
		*set stubborn %+10
		*set easyGoing %-10
		*set stoic %+10
		*set friendly %-10
		*set l_relationship -1
		"I just woke up, and all I want is a nice hot shower before I start figuring what the actual fuck is going on here." I continue, although softening my voice a tad, since perhaps that first salvo had been just a little overkill? "so , can't you give me that at least, before you start asking me questions and telling me to do things?"


		"Personally, I would if I could, however others are more, insistent, in wanting to ask you questions." The voice responds, while sounding genuinely sad.


		"Fine then, give me a minute and I'll be out." I grunt, still annoyed. However, I decide that it's not worth fighting this ${l_person} right now, and especially since I really need at least one ally right now, and pissing off the one ${l_person} who I have met so far, and who seems, if not actually friendly towards me, than at least willing to explain shit to me when I ask, probably isn't the best idea right now.
		*goto l_introduction2
	#"You know," I say, smirking. "I can't really here you that well through the door, but if you opened it and came in, I would be able to hear you a lot better."
		*set charming %+10
		*set intimidating %-10
		*set mind %+10
		*set heart %-10
		*set bold %+10
		*set shigh %-10
		*set l_relationship %+1
		*set flirt_l_bold +1
		"I am aware of what you are trying to do." The voice says: "and the answer, currently, is no. Now, how long will you need to finish your shower?"

		I shrug. Win some, lose some. I had actually meant it to be a practical request, sort of, but then I hadn't not meant it as a flirt either, so.


		"2 minutes or so. I'm pretty much done anyway, so." I say, although now pitching my voice so it will carry to the, I will assume attractive, and since that's subjective anyway I can assume what the hell I want, thankyou very much, ${l_person} on the other side of the bathroom door.
		*goto l_introduction2
	#"OK?" I squeak, while my face starts to burn from the scalding water currently striking it, and nothing else whatsoever.
		*set shigh %+10
		*set bold %-10
		*set expressive %+10
		*set reserved %-10
		*set l_relationship %+3
		*set blush_shower_l true
		*set flirt_l_expressive +1
		It's only after the words, word? Leaves my mouth, that I realize that I didn't actually speak loud enough for it to carry through the shower, and open my mouth to say something louder so this ${l_person} does not think I am being silent on purpose, because that would just be.- My thoughts are cut short by my face exploding with heat, although only because of the water, so it's all good. It's all fine. It's all-. My twisting thoughts are cut off once more.


		"Are you alright?" The voice on the other side of the close bathroom door, who can't see my currently burning face speaks, sounding concerned now. I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out.


		"Are you alright?" The voice speaks once more, while sounding more concerned: "if not, I can come in there to help you, if you would like?"
		*page_break "O fuck, O fuck, O fuck O fuck O fuck."
		"No, it's not the water." I think as the rest of me starts to burn. "Yeah, it's definitely not the water." Focusing, I manage to force out 1, single, word.


		"No!"


		"You are sure?" The voice replies, although sounding slightly less worried now.


		"Yes." With that, I focus on slowing my thundering heart so it won't do something silly like stop suddenly or something else like that, as I really don't need my last moment being this ${l_person} finding my naked wet and dead corpse on the floor of what I am going to assume is ${l_their} shower, at least till I figure out whose room this actually is, thankyou very much. That would just be the height of humiliation, and the ${l_person} sounds too nice to inflict that on ${l_them}.
		*goto l_introduction2
	#"That's all you wanted to say?" I ask, heart picking up speed slightly as a smile quirks my lips.
		*set shigh %+10
		*set bold %-10
		*set reserved %+10
		*set expressive %-10
		*set l_relationship %+3
		*set mind %+10
		*set heart %-10
		*set flirt_l_reserved +1
		*set friend_l +1
		"Yes."


		"OK then. Can I at least finish this shower before you ask me questions? It's kind of nice in here, and I really don't want to think too hard right now." I respond to the ${l_person}.


		"That should not be a problem, no."

		I nod.

		*goto l_introduction2
*label l_introduction2
*gosub_scene highest_calc


"Alright then, I will leave you now." The ${l_person} says: "if you could finish in the next 2 minutes or so, I will be waiting outside the far door to the hallway when you are done. Also, there is a towel on the bar near the bathroom door." With that, all I hear is the background noise of the shower, and nothing more.
*goto exit
*label n_introduction

"Well. Aren’t you just a sweet little morsel that I want to eat?" A voice purrs from right outside the shower door.
Before, tone changing: "also, you need to finish that up in 2 minutes, or someone's going to come in there and get you, and since I'm right here and all, probably going to end up being me. I don't like getting my clothes wet,  but orders are orders, and boss wants you for a chat."
Then, voice changing once again: "I want you for something more fun, but weather you agree with what I want, well, that's up to you, and only, up to you."
*choice
	#The sound of a Teapot resounds throughout the room as I jump into the air.
		*set expressive %+12
		*set reserved %-12
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set impulsive %+10
		*set cautious %-10
		*set rabbit_n true
		my trajectory throws me just a little sideways instead of straight up, but it's more than enough to do the trick. I throw out an arm, but only end up shoving myself further towards the doors, before knocking them open. With a high-pitched yelp of fear I pitch sideways, my head now headed for a hard landing on the cold bathroom floor, with my hand too far away to stop myself from cracking my skull at the least.
		*page_break
		"Fuck that, I just went through hell to keep you alive, so not letting you fucking go and die now." The voice grunts, before a large hand grabs my bare shoulder and shoves me back to my feet, before ruffly pushing me back into the shower and slamming the doors behind me with a hollow boom.


		"None of that, now." The voice speaks again: "I am not letting you kill yourself when I put so much effort into making you not die earlier, and anyway, the fuck wants to die on the first day of a new year? Especially like that? Now, that would just be fucking depressing."


		"You startled me." I grumble.


		"If you do that every time someone startles you, you shouldn't be alive right now." The voice responds, although sounding more amused than anything else.


		"What if I'm just really hard to startle?" I ask, smiling.
		The ${n_person} doesn't reply. I smile wider.


		"Now, if your done with trying to die?" The ${n_person} says, amusement now gone. "Did you hear what I said, or not?"


		"Yeah."


		"Good. Now, do the second, and figure out what you want to do about the first, as I can wait." I nod, though the ${n_person} probably can't see it through the door. Well, I hope?
		*goto n_introduction2
	#"Your going to come in here and get me, are you?" I purr, a wicked smirk forming on my lips. "Well, I do know of 1 way you won't get your clothes wet. Now, want me to tell you about it?"
		*set bold %+10
		*set shigh %-10
		*set n_relationship %+5
		*set charming %+10
		*set intimidating %-10
		*set invite_n true
		*set flirt_n_bold +1
		"O, I know what your going to say, and I am completely on bored with it." The voice says, smirk now obvious, before said smirk fades, though only slightly.
		"Unfortunately, for me, and I can  guaranty unfortunately for you, boss said work before play, and so that's what I'm going to do. Although if your still inclined to something later, we could always do something after the rest have asked their questions. No one ever said when work ends after all, now did they?"


		"I wouldn't have a problem with that at all." I purr back, smirk growing devilish now as I stretch slowly, turning to face the doors and waggling my eyebrows at the same time. How I learned how to do that last I have no idea, but what ever since there are more fun stuff to think about right now, the prime one being the ${n_person} standing just on the other side of the glass door from me. At this thought, my smirk widens.


		"Good." Said ${n_person} says, sounding distinctly satisfied: "I will ask you at that point though, just to make sure." Then, smirk fading, although only slightly: "also, if your doing what I think your doing, can't actually see you through the glass because of the steam, and before you decide to open the door, it will get water all over the fucking floor, so please don't do that."
		I nod, before slowly shifting, first left, and then right, across the view of the glass doors, with my smirk still in place as I stick a hand out the top, and make a, come here, gesture with my index finger.
		The voice laughs, low in ${n_their} throat. My smirk grows.
		*goto n_introduction2
	#"I wouldn't have a problem with you coming in here." I say with a smile: "although, maybe just when I've got to know you a little better first?"
		*set shigh %+10
		*set bold %-10
		*set reserved %+10
		*set expressive %-10
		*set genuine %+10
		*set sarcastic %-10
		*set n_relationship %+3
		*set perhaps_n true
		*set flirt_n_reserved +1
		"I can work with that, then." The voice grunts, sounding satisfied. "Wouldn't have worked now anyway since boss said work before play, and I listen to ${t_them} when ${t_they} actually wants me to do shit, such as now."
		I nod.
		*goto n_introduction2
	#"Out." I snap, annoyed. "I'm having a shower here, if you haven’t noticed?"
		*set stoic %+10
		*set friendly %-10
		*set intimidating %+10
		*set charming %-10
		*set stubborn %+10
		*set easyGoing %-10
		*set n_relationship %+1
		*set n_rueful true
		"Since I would have to be both blind and far away to not notice that, yes." The voice says, dripping sarcasm now, before  growing serious as ${n_they} continues: "do you really want me to leave?"


		"Yes."


		"OK then, just as long as you  heard what I said. 2 minutes, so hurry up. I will be waiting outside your room when you get out. Also, there is a towel in here, as in it's on the bar on the left-hand side of the door, when your still in the bathroom, so use it, won't you?"
		With that, there comes the loud thud of the bathroom door closing. Deciding to take the ${n_person} at ${n_their} word, although that's partly because if ${n_they} is lying to me, then there's just about jack shit that I can do about it at the moment, I turn back to my nice warm shower.
		*goto exit
	#"Who are you, and what do you want?" I ask, although more curious than anything else.
		*set mind %+10
		*set heart %-10
		*set charming %+10
		*set intimidating %-10
		*set cautious %+10
		*set impulsive %-10
		*set n_relationship %+3
		*set friend_n +1
		"Right now?" The ${n_person} asks: "I'm just the lucky ${n_person} who gets to walk in on a ${mc_person} showering because ${n_they} was told to." Before, tone growing more serious as ${n_they} continues: "as for what I want, well. I want a lot of things, but we can speak about some of those later, when the work's done." Then, tone changing once again, although this time hardening somewhat: "right now though, I want you to understand what I just told you, which is that you have 2 minutes to finish that up, because we need to talk to you."


		"I can do that last, yeah." I respond, deciding to shelve any questions I have about this ${n_person}, and ${n_their} multiple tone changes in a single sentence, for later.


		"In that case, I will be waiting outside the bedroom door when your done. Also, there is a towel in here, as in it's on the bar on the direct left-hand side of the door as your leaving the bathroom, so use it if you don't want to clean up water." With that, there comes the loud thud of the bathroom door, then, just silence.
		*goto exit
	#"Uhh," I start before  my face starts burning.
		*set shigh %+10
		*set bold %-10
		*set expressive %+10
		*set reserved %-10
		*set n_relationship %+3
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set flirt_n_expressive +1
		"I didn't here you, say again?" The ${n_person} starts, before starting to chuckle, low in ${n_their} throat.


		I open my mouth but nothing comes out.
		"O, I know what's going on." The ${n_person} says, although how I can even hear what ${n_they} is saying, as the smirk in the ${n_person}'s voice really should be taking up all the space by how, wide? Wide is what I would say if it was a visual thing, so will keep doing that for now, said smirk is right now. "How you can even blush with the water on that hot I don't know, but I have seen some interesting shit in my time, so I'm not going to question it." The ${n_person} continues.


		"OK?" I manage to squeak out.


		"Since your not going to be able to speak for a bit, I'll leave you to your shower now." The voice says, smirk fading, although still very much present: "now, if you can do what I told you, that being be out of there in 2 minutes, stick your hand through that top bit between the door and the sealing and wiggle your fingers."

		I do so.

		With that, there comes the thud of the bathroom door slamming, then, silence. With that I turn back to my shower, while focusing on getting my face, and rest of my body, back  under control.


		"O, I can't actually see you through the glass." The voice says, now muffled through the bathroom door as well as now completely serious, with no hint of the smirk from earlier: "steam is too thick on your side for me to see through it." With that, there is silence once again, and with a shrug, I turn back to my nice hot shower, as my face seems to have sorted itself out.
		*goto exit
*label n_introduction2
*gosub_scene highest_calc

"OK." I say after a few seconds of silence: "apart from all that, why are you here, as in, right now?"


"Delivering a message." The ${n_person} responds, voice now serious: "the fact I get to come in here while your in the shower because I was told to come get you, well, that's just a bonus as far as I'm concerned." Before, tone hardening as the voice becomes somehow more serious: "weather you agree with me on that? That's your choice."


"OK?" I say, while deciding to just ignore the tone changes, at least for the time-being, as I have enough questions to trawl through right now without adding more.


"I'm done now." The voice says, before going silent, as if seemingly waiting for my response.
*choice
	#"OK, please go now." I snap.
		*set cautious %+10
		*set impulsive %-10
		*set stoic %+10
		*set friendly %-10
		*set friend_n -1
		The voice doesn't reply. I grimace. Should I have been nicer? O well, no point worrying now, as it's already out, and I can't exactly take it back now, can I?
		*goto n_depart2
	#"If you would, please go now." I ask, as there's no reason why I should be rude.
		*set charming %+10
		*set intimidating %-10
		*set friendly %+10
		*set stoic %-10
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set friend_n +1
		The voice doesn't reply.
		*goto n_depart2
	*if ((perhaps_n = false) or (invite_n = false))
		#"Please go now." I grunt, as I'm still annoyed the ${n_person} is in here in the first place.
			*set reserved %+10
			*set expressive %-10
			*set stoic %+10
			*set friendly %-10
			*set friend_n +1
			The voice doesn't reply.
			*goto n_depart2
*label n_depart2

"Going now, will be standing outside your bedroom door when you finally come out." The voice says, tone neutral now: "also, there is a towel near the door, as in it's just to the left of the door, when your facing it while still in the bathroom, so use it so I don't get bitched at by ${t_name} for getting water all over the dam floor again, won't you?." Then, in a low mutter that I am not quite sure how I hear, but well, that's the least of my concerns right now: "it dries in like a minute, and your saying I have to clean it up, why, exactly? For fuck sake-" The rest is cut off as the bathroom door slams shut, loud enough I can clearly here it inside the shower.
*goto exit
*label d_introduction

Thump thump thump. Sounds from the door, although it sounds somewhat hesitant? Before: "are you going to be long in there?" A voice speaks, also somewhat hesitant: "I assume by the sound of the water running that your in the shower right now. However, the team really does need to talk to you, so if you could come inn a couple of minutes or so? That would be nice.
*choice
	#"OK, I'm almost done." I say with a shrug.
		*set easyGoing %+10
		*set stubborn %-10
		*set d_relationship %+3
		*set friendly %+10
		*set stoic %-10
		*set friend_d +1
		"You have 2 minutes, so you don't need to rush, but." The voice replies. "You know what? I'll just let you finish up and talk when you get out, OK?"
		I nod, then remember that ${d_they} can't see me through the closed door. For that matter, how did ${d_they} even here me in the first place, as I had been talking more to myself than anyone else.


		"OK." I say, now pitching my words so ${d_they} can hear me through the shower and door: "I can do that, since I'm pretty much done anyway."
		*goto d_introduction2
	#"Give me a minute here, won't you? I just woke up." I snap, thoroughly annoyed at the interruption, and presumption.
		*set intimidating %+10
		*set charming %-10
		*set d_relationship -3
		*set stoic %+10
		*set friendly %-10
		*set expressive %+10
		*set reserved %-10
		*set rueful_d false
		"You don't have to be a dick about it, gees." The voice somehow manages to mutter, while still being loud enough that I can clearly hear it through the door: "don't shoot the messenger will you? If I knew I was going to get this,-" The voice cuts itself off abruptly, before.


		"No, just, hurry up. You have 2 minutes. Also, there is a towel on a bar near the door, so when you get out, I will be outside the bedroom door. I'm going now." With that, there is silence.

		I nod before turning back to my nice warm shower.
		*goto exit
	#"Who are you?" I ask, although more curious than anything else.
		*set charming %+10
		*set intimidating %-10
		*set d_relationship %+3
		*set friendly %+10
		*set stoic %-10
		*set friend_d +1
		"When you get out." The voice responds: "I would rather not yell through a door, and I am going to assume that I shouldn't come in there?"


		"Yes, you should assume that." I say, voice sharpening as I do, although more with worry than true anger.


		"I won't then." The voice responds: "finish up, and we can talk then, OK?"
		I nod, then remember that this ${d_person} can't actually see me right now.


		"OK." I say, although pitching it so the ${d_person} will definitely be able to hear me this time.
		*goto d_introduction2
	#"You know," I say with a smirk: "I can't really here you very well from out there, but if you came in, I could here you a lot better."
		*set bold %+10
		*set shigh %-10
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set charming %+10
		*set intimidating %-10
		*set d_relationship %+1
		*set flirt_d_bold +1
		"I don't think that would be a good idea, as your showering and all." The voice responds, tone hesitant? "Anyway, were talking fine right now, aren’t we?"


		I shrug. You win some and you lose some, and the ${d_person} does have a solid point on that last one, if nothing else.

		"That's fare." I say out loud, although now making sure that I pitch it so ${d_they} can hear me clearly, as I hadn't been doing that before.


		"Good." The voice responds: "now I will let you have the rest of your shower in peace." I nod, more for me than ${d_them} since well, ${d_they} shouldn't be able to see me through the door the wooden bathroom door, before turning back to my shower.
		*goto d_introduction2
	#"Why is my face really hot all of a sudden?" I think.
		*set shigh %+10
		*set bold %-10
		*set flirt_d_expressive +1
		*set expressive %+10
		*set reserved %-10
		"Are you alright?" The voice asks, concern thick in ${d_their} tone as my hole body starts to burn. "If you aren’t, I can come in to make sure your OK? Considering all the effort I put in on keeping you alive, I would hate for something to happen to you now. Also, ${l_name} would get all frowney and that would make me sad, but that last point isn't the point."


		"Fine? I, good!" I squeak, before realizing that I didn't pitch it anywhere loud enough to get through the door, never mind the running shower. I open my mouth to do so, but am cut off before I can say anything more:


		"If you say so? Just remember, you have 2 minutes, so."
		I nod, decide that trying to talk probably won't go well  right now, and turn my burning face into the shower, because that's why it had been burning earlier, and more burn equals good good.
		*goto d_introduction2
	#"Well." I think with a smile: "${d_they} sounds nice?" Right before my pulse increases.
		*set reserved %+10
		*set expressive %-10
		*set flirt_d_reserved +1
		*set heart %+10
		*set mind %-10
		*set d_relationship %+3
		"That's fare." I say as my heart stabilises, mostly.


		"O? Good! I mean, why are you? No, never mind." The voice says, with the ${d_person} sounding a lot happier than I would have figured for this situation and all, but meh, considering how this day started and all, I am just going to file it under, 'somewhat odd but not worthy of being questioned right now', before moving on. With that now in mind, I open my mouth once again:
		"so." I say, partly to get my pulse under control, since, well, just in case the ${d_person} can here it or something, and partly because I actually want to clarify: "2 minutes, yes?"


		"Yeah, 2 minutes, but I will let you finish your shower now, OK?"


		"OK, thanks." I respond, before turning back to my warm shower.
		*goto d_introduction2
	#"Why should I be surprised that there is a ${d_person} outside the bathroom door who is asking me stuff?" I ask, a little more sarcastically than I had intended, but, considering what's been going on so far? Well.
		*set mind %+10
		*set heart %-10
		*set d_relationship %+3
		*set sarcastic %+10
		*set genuine %-10
		"Why would you ask that?" The voice asks, although sounding more curious than offended.


		"Well, for starters, I woke up in a strange place, with a robe I don't remember putting on that smells like ${d_scent}, and since neither of those things should have a smell since there both light based and all, and the current condition I'm in, that being hungry as fuck, thirsty as fuck, tired as fuck, and cold as all hell?" I respond: "I really shouldn't be surprised at this point, but, guess I still am?"


		"A, that makes sense?" The voice reply’s.


		"So, the 2 minutes thing?" I prompt, as the ${d_person} seems to have trailed off.


		"Well, you have 2 minutes, so you don't need to rush like I said, but still."


		"Should probably hurry then, yes?" I reply.


		"That's the same as rush, right?"


		"Yes." I say: "it's two words for the same, more or less."


		"Don't hurry, but don't, dawdle either I guess?" The voice says: "I know how much a hot shower means to a person, and I don't want to rush you through yours, especially given, well."


		"OK." I say, before taking the opportunity given, and turning back to my nice warm shower.
		*goto d_introduction2
*label d_introduction2
*gosub_scene highest_calc


"O, 1 last thing before I go." The voice says: "there is a towel on a bar by the door. Now, going to wait outside your bedroom door, so, by now?" With that, I hear nothing more from the strange ${d_person}.
*goto exit
*label exit
*gosub_scene highest_calc


I turn off the water, wipe down the doors with the squeegee thing I find hanging on the wall, and finally exit the shower, although taking a second to let the water drip off me before getting out.
*page_break
As usual, the chill hits me like a truck. Said chill especially bad now, since I'm still dam cold, even with the shower I had just gotten out of, said proven by the fact that I can feel the steam that's wafting from the now open doors behind me.
*if (housecoat_t) =true
	I stand for a bit in silence after I acclimatized to the bathroom's chill, as I am slightly worried that the ${t_person} who I had been talking to is still standing in the bathroom, waiting, since for all I know ${t_they} could have just lied about leaving, but after 30 seconds of nothing I shrug, before going to look for the towel ${t_they} mentioned so I can dry myself off.
	*goto exit2
*elseif (housecoat_l) =true

	I stand, waiting, on the off-chance the ${l_person} who I had been speaking too might have cracked the door open in order to hear me better, as I really can't think of another reason how ${l_they} could have heard me at the volume I had been first speaking at through the shower, but after 10 seconds of standing, and dripping onto the tiled floor, I just shrug, before going to grab the towel the ${l_they} had mentioned in order to dry myself off.
	*goto exit2
*elseif (housecoat_n) =true


	I stand for a while, idly wondering if the ${n_person} who was in the bathroom is still in here, despite ${n_their} claims. After all, what the hell do I actually know about ${n_them}? Especially since for a start, I had locked the door before getting into the shower, so how did ${n_they} actually get in here? However, after 15 seconds of precisely nothing happening, I shrug, before moving to find the towel that ${n_they} so helpfully mentioned the exact location of before ${n_they} left.
	*goto exit2
*elseif (housecoat_d) =true

	I stand in the cold of the tiled room, dripping onto the tiled floor. Not quite sure why I haven't gone to get the towel that the strange ${d_person} had mentioned before, ${d_they} said, leaving. Perhaps it's fear that said ${d_person} could be actually just watching me through a crack in the door?
	Granted, from what I heard, said ${d_person} doesn't sound quite that confident, but what do I actually know about ${d_them}? Anyway, what do they say about not judging a book by it's cover, or in this case I guess, not judging a ${d_person} by the amount of confidence, or in this case lack thereof, in ${d_their} voice?


	However, after 15 seconds of nothing changing, I shrug, before just going to get the towel that the mentioned ${d_person} had told me about, in order to dry myself off.
	*goto exit2
*label exit2
*page_break
After feeling around for a bit, I find the towel before towelling myself off. As I do, however, I am reminded that I am, in fact,
*choice
	#wirey.
		*set mc_build "wiry"
		*set dex +5
		*set str +3
		*goto towel
	# slender.
		*set mc_build "slender"
		*set dex +8
		*goto towel
	#Athletic.
		*set mc_build "athletic"
		*set dex +5
		*set str +3
		*set con +4
		*goto towel
	#stocky.
		*set mc_build "stocky"
		*set str +8
		*goto towel
	# pudgy.
		*set mc_build "pudgy"
		*set con +9
		*goto towel
	# average.
		*set mc_build "average"
		*set str +3
		*set dex +3
		*set con +3
		*goto towel
*label towel
Once I am fully toweled off, I, carefully like I have been taught, put the towel back on the bar before stooping to pick up the robe, before remembering it's actually on the hook on the back of the bathroom door.


Taking the housecoat off it's hook, I sling it about my shoulders before sliding my arms through the sleeves and shifting till it fits, although now I am more awake I find that The thing is actually
*if (housecoat_t) =true
	*goto t_fits
*elseif (housecoat_l) =true
	*goto l_fits
*elseif (housecoat_n) =true
	*goto n_fits
*elseif (housecoat_d) =true
	*goto d_fits
*label t_fits
*if ((mc_build ="slender") or (mc_build ="wiry")) or ((mc_build ="athletic") or (mc_build ="average"))
	pretty well sized, all things considered. I wasn't expecting that when I woke up in this situation I would get clothes that fit me this well, but take it as it comes, right?
	*set t_goodbuild true
	*goto height_robe_t
*elseif ((mc_build ="stocky") or (mc_build ="pudgy"))
	is a bit tight, if I may say so myself.

	I flex one more time to make sure, with the already tight robe tightening across my chest and back as I do so. Seems that This particular garment was, or probably is since I suspect I will have to return it at some point, made for someone a bit less bulky than I am. Just hope I don't accidentally rip the thing by breathing or something, because that's all I would need, on top of everything else today. Sighing, I wince as I think I hear the housecoat creak just the smallest bit, before making a conscious decision to not do that anymore, or, till I get something that won't possibly rip at the seams if I breath to much, at least.
	*goto height_robe_t
*label height_robe_t
Other than that, though, the robe is also
*if (mc_height) ="very short"
	pretty near my own size, actually, which is always nice. Given my height, I tend to expect that any clothing given to me would end up looking like I was wearing a tent, or someone just tried to put really over-sized clothes on a little blind ${mc_person}, so it's nice to find that this actually fits me, more or less. At least I won't trip on the dam hem like that 1 time with the goat and the roman candle, but let's think about something else now, shall we?
	*set t_goodheight true
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="short"
	a little bit small, though it doesn't make me look like I have been shrink-rapped at least, so that's a plus. Could be better, but also could be a hell of a lot worse, so I shouldn't, and will not, complain.
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="average"
	kind of short on me, unfortunately. I suspect the thing was probably made for someone a fare bit shorter than me, but All in all, it could definitely be a whole lot worse than it currently is. At least it's not swamping me, or stretched so tight that it feels like a strait jacket, so that's a plus. I roll my shoulders, with the robe lifting a little in response, before nodding in mild satisfaction. "Seems shrugging is off-limits for the time-being, then." I mutter: "although just hope I don't have to go outside in this thing anytime soon."
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="tall"
	.


	"it's made for someone a lot shorter than me." I think as the robe stops just below my knees: it still works, mostly, and Could definitely be a lot worse than it is now, but still could cause some problems for me if I have to throw my arms up over my head or something else like that. Still, better than running around stark naked, which I had been doing before I found the robe on me, so there is always that.
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="very tall"
	.


	"This is going to take some gymnastics." I mutter, as the robe stops a little below my hips: "now, how do I hide?-" I shrug, grab a towel, rap it around my hips and use the belt to hold it in place before looping the loose part over the top, and sticking it under the tight not to make sure it's extra secure to avoid any humiliating loosening’s that might happen as I go about my day. With that out of the way, I continue dressing.
	*goto exit4
*label l_fits
*if ((mc_build ="slender") or (mc_build ="wiry"))
	a little looser on my frame then I would like, as I assume it's made for someone who is a little bulkier than I am? Shrugging, I make do the best I can, mostly by pulling it as tight as the belt will go, even if it still fluffs out a little around my torso anyway. Other than that though, the housecoat is also
	*goto height_robe_l
*elseif (mc_build) ="athletic"
	*set l_goodbuild true
	actually rather well-fitted, all things considered. I assume by the fact that the housecoat is as well fitted as it is, that who ever usually wears it is probably athletic as well, since I'm athletic and this thing is neither too tight or too loose on me.
	Alongside that though, the robe is also
	*goto height_robe_l
*elseif ((mc_build ="stocky") or (mc_build ="pudgy"))
	*set mc_tight_l true
	is a little tight across the chest and shoulders, although considering my build, that's not exactly surprising. As well as that though, I also find that the robe is
	*goto height_robe_l
*label height_robe_l
*if ((mc_height ="very short") or (mc_height ="short"))
	oversized to all hell, so there is also that?


	"I am going to go out on a limb and say that who ever normally wears this thing is a fuck tun taller than me." I mutter as the robe enshrouds me like a tabard, with it feeling more like a dam blanket than something you actually walk around in. Granted, as cold as I am right now that's not really a bad thing, and especially with the fact that I don't have to move to smell ${l_scent}, but moving while not falling over is going to be a bitch. Although, at least I won't have the problem of the thing blocking my vision, so I can laugh at all the people who wonder how I navigate while my eyes are covered by this thing, and that always gives me some twisted glee, so, give and take, and give and take.

	after quite a bit of fumbling, as it seems that being blind has it's up-sides after all, as I do not give any shits what so ever about the fact that the robe is over my eyes as I do, I finally pop my head out the head hole, roll the sleeves up till I can reach my hands out of them, and hike the hem up twice, before using the belt to hold the hole unstable contraption together.

	"This?" I mutter, "is held together with spit, belief, and not much else. So, better than normal I guess?"
	*set mc_swamped true
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="average"
	a little oversized, but nothing I can't deal with by using some work and ingenuity, I having both in spades. Though I am going to assume that who ever wears this is somewhat taller than I am, I should be good for the time being, at least.
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="tall"
	a little big? Sleeves are like 3 inches too long and the hem might be a problem if I have to run, although could always hike it up I guess, but apart from that? The thing fits surprisingly well, all things being equal.
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="very tall"
	*set mc_goodheight_l true
	almost like it had been made for me.


	OK, not exactly, but still. Nothing is too short or too long, and when your as tall as I am, having something that isn't too short is rare. Granted, if it was too long, I would want to meet the person who wears this thing just to shake ${l_their} hand, but that's beside the point. I grin, nod, keep grinning, and continue onward in my knew robe, while hoping that the person who gave this to me will 1, let me keep it, or 2, help me find something similar, because finding something that fits me this well without a fuck-tun of work, or paying a fuck-tun of money, or more often both, is going to be a dam pain otherwise, and this thing is sort of growing on me now.
	*goto exit4
*label n_fits
*if ((mc_build ="wiry") or (mc_build ="slender")) or ((mc_build ="athletic") or (mc_build ="average"))
	loose. It will work, but it's loose as, which probably means that who ever normally wears this thing is quite a bit bulkier than me. Also, the thing still feels like dam spandex.

	Other than that though, the housecoat is also
	*goto robe_height_n
*elseif ((mc_build ="stocky") or (mc_build ="pudgy"))
	*set n_goodbuild true
	well-fitting, even if it is actually a little tight. Not too tight mind, and not too loose either, although considering it feels like spandex, and seems to hug my form, I think it's actually supposed to be a tiny bit tight. Still, from what I can tell, it Seems that who ever normally wears this thing is about my size, if nothing else, which is good, as finding clothes that fit me, or aren't too tight, is kind of a pain, and I do want to make a good first impression if at all possible. I mean if nothing else, the ${n_person} who I had spoken too had sounded friendly at least, although no-matter on what I think of the ${n_person}'s attitude. Also, ${n_they} had also taken time to tell me exactly where the dam towel was, thus insuring that I didn't get humiliated, even if it was just me who saw, when I took far longer to find the dam thing than a normal sighted person would ever do.


	Turning my mind from that, I focus on the fact that it's also
	*goto robe_height_n
*label robe_height_n
*if (mc_height) ="very short"
	rather oversized, with both the sleeves and hem quite a bit, although hugely, longer than I am used to, so probably also made for someone a decent bit taller than I am, but could most definitely be a bunch worse, so there is also that.
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="short"
	it's oversized, yes, but nothing I can't handle. Would say that the person who this is designed for should be, between 4 and 6 inches taller than me, there abouts? So, could most definitely be worse than it is right now.
	*goto exit4
*elseif(mc_height) ="average"
	fits quite well, even if it is still just a little oversized. Sleeves are like 2 inches longer than I would like, and the hem only drags on the ground when I don't hike it up, so, could definitely be a hell of a lot worse than it is, and that's not taking into account that the thing also smells like ${n_scent}, which does make things better, at least for now.

	Shrugging, as that's all over now, I focus on more important matters than my current clothes.
		*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="tall"
	almost perfectly sized for me, actually. Not too long and not too short, although not, just right, either. Granted, can I really expect someone else’s clothes to fit me just right?
	Anyway, with that out of the way, I turn my mind to more important tasks.
	*set n_goodheight true
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="very tall"
	snug, would probably be a good word to describe this situation. The housecoat stretches over my, taller than I assume the person who wares this's, frame, but since it seems that it's actually made to stretch tight across the body anyway, that's not exactly an issue, at least as far as movement is concerned. Hell, the thing is actually surprisingly easy to move in, as I discover when I stretch and twist in it.

	With that now done, I turn my attention to far more important tasks than clothes.
	*goto exit4
*label d_fits
*if ((mc_build ="slender") or (mc_build ="wiry"))
	*set d_goodbuild true
	fits rather well, all things being equal. Somewhat better than some of my actual clothes, surprisingly enough.

	"Well, shit." I mutter: "who would think that this would fit better than my favorite shirt? I have got to meet who ever gave me this and have a chat, along with the  hole, ${d_scent} thing, of course, since I can’t exactly forget about that, seeing that it literally shouldn't be fucking possible in the first place? As well as being kind of nice smelling, but mostly because it shouldn't be able to exist." Nodding to myself, I turn my thoughts to the fact that it's also
	*goto height_robe_d
*elseif (mc_build) ="athletic"
	a bit tight across the chest and stomach, but it's not anything I can't handle. I flex, turn and nod. Yeah, this will do, just as long as I don't stretch it since I assume I will have to return it at some point, and would rather not annoy the nice person who gave me this by giving it back all stretched out like Slenderman. Also, now I am thinking about Slenderman while I am in a strange bathroom as well as being blind, although that's all the time, so, as well as probably being also alone, so people won't here me scream if I get ganked. so, never a good thing, and  especially here. O well, moving on now while no-longer thinking about Slenderman. Also, how far can spiderwebs, if this is what this thing is made of, actually stretch? Or, perhaps more importantly, what is it's breaking point, and might I reach it by accident while wearing this thing?


	Anyway, other than that, the robe is also
	*goto height_robe_d
*elseif ((mc_build ="stocky") or (mc_build ="pudgy"))
	is also, once I manage to pull it on, small. It stretches across my chest and back, while not  quite constricting, it's still tight enough to have to stretch when I move, though how spiderwebs can stretch I don't know. Still,  as I have stopped questioning stuff for now, I just continue on as I find that the robe is also
	*goto height_robe_d
*label height_robe_d
*if (mc_height) ="very short"
	a little large. Sleeves and hem a bit long, and that thing at the top that goes round your neck is up by my ears, but could be a lot worse. I am going to assume that who ever this housecoat belongs to is a little taller than I am, but still, could be a bunch worse than it is, and I can handle this, so.
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) =" short"
	well-fitting, all things being equal. Not too large and not too small, but not just right, either. "Found door number 4, so take that, 3 bears." I grunt, smirking at my joke, before getting back to evaluating my new accoutrements.
	*set d_goodheight true
	*goto exit4
*elseif ((mc_height ="average") or (mc_height ="tall"))
	a bit small, A bit short. The hem is a bit too high for it to be exactly covering me fully, but it's not that bad. Anyway, better that it be a little high than way, way too low and drag all over everything, right?
	*goto exit4
*elseif (mc_height) ="very tall"


	"Going to need to alter this a bunch, if it's going to work long-term." I grunt as the hem, once I settle the housecoat on my frame, sits just above my knees. I can  work with that for now, but well, could be a lot better.
	Still, it's better than running around naked, and it could also be a lot worse, as it's just around my knees, and not sitting around my dam hips. "Let's just hope I don't have to go outside in this." I mutter, "although, as I don't have any footwear right now, perhaps I should be more worried about my feet and not my lower legs? A, fuck it, moving on now. Can ask the nice ${d_person} about all that, right?" With that, I shake my head, shrug, and continue, as I have things to do, people to meet, and at least 1, "What the actual fuck?" to ask someone, so no time to dally on silly things like housecoat lengths, especially as this doesn't present a hard pass as far as working is concerned.
	*goto exit4
*label exit4
*page_break
Now fully dressed, I
*choice
	#run a hand over my balled scalp.
		*set mc_balled true
		*goto exit_final
	#run a hand over my shaved skull.
		*set mc_hairlength "none"
		*set mc_hairstyle "shaved"
		*goto exit_final
	#brush back my very short hair.
		*set mc_hairlength "very short"
		*goto mc_haircolor
	#smoothe back my ear-length hair.
		*set mc_hairlength "short"
		*goto mc_haircolor
	#brush my fingers through my chin-length hair.
		*set mc_hairlength "average"
		*goto mc_haircolor
	#shake out my midback-length hair.
		*set mc_hairlength "long"
		*goto mc_haircolor
	#almost trip over my ankle-length hair.
		*set mc_hairlength "very long"
		*goto mc_haircolor
*label mc_haircolor
*page_break
I run my hands through my hair 1 more time, before, as I'm doing this and all, should probably recall what color it is. Reaching out a hand, I tap at the mirror over the sink with a fingernail: can't use the mirror, since, well I can't see and all, but it's still nice to know there's one there, I guess? Shrugging, I rack my brain for a second before remembering that my hair is, in fact,
*choice
	#light red,
		*set mc_haircolor "light red"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#medium red,
		*set mc_haircolor "medium red"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#dark red,
		*set mc_haircolor "dark red"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#light blond,
		*set mc_haircolor "light blond"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#medium blond,
		*set mc_haircolor "medium blond"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#dark blond,
		*set mc_haircolor "dark blond"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#chestnut brown,
		*set mc_haircolor "chestnut brown"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#deep brown,
		*set mc_haircolor "deep brown"
		*goto mc_hairstyle
	#none of those are right, actually.
		*input_text mc_haircolor
		In fact, my hair is actually ${mc_haircolor},
		*goto mc_hairstyle
*label mc_hairstyle
although I only care about that, because everyone else seems to want to know, so, I found out said information.


Pushing my fingers through my hair once more, I manage to get it, mostly, into the style I normally have it in, though will have to fix it properly later to get it actually correct. no time for proper stuff now, though, as I have shit to do, and little enough time to dawdle about doing it. Shaking my head once more, I run my hands across my head as I check one more time that my hair is now in the style I favor, that being
*choice
	#straight.
		*set mc_hairstyle "straight"
		*goto exit_end
	#curly.
		*set mc_hairstyle "curly"
		*goto exit_end
	*if ((mc_hairlength ="average") or (mc_hairlength ="long")) or (mc_hairlength ="very long")
		#pigtails.
			*set mc_hairstyle "pigtails"
			*goto exit_end
	*if ((mc_hairlength ="average") or (mc_hairlength ="long")) or (mc_hairlength ="very long")
		#poneytale.
			*set mc_hairstyle "ponytail"
			*goto exit_end
		*if ((mc_hairlength ="average") or (mc_hairlength ="long")) or (mc_hairlength ="very long")
		#blades.
			*set mc_hairstyle "blades"
			*goto exit_end
	#something more exotic
		*input_text mc_hairstyle
		*goto exit_end
*label exit_end

Nodding, I run my hands through my hair one more time before stretching, nodding, and finally look at my
*if ((mc_gender ="male") or (nb1=true))
	beard.
	*goto beard
*elseif ((mc_gender ="female") or (nb2 =true))
	breasts
	*goto breasts
*label beard

As such, it only takes me a moment to find that it's actually,
*choice
	#"non-existant as I can't grow facial hair, much to my shame.
		*set no_beard true
		*set wants_beard true
		*goto exit_final
	#non-existent as I can't grow facial hair, although that's never been something I have really had an issue with.
		*set no_beard true
		*goto exit_final
	#little more than stubble at the moment.
		*set mc_beardlength "stubble"
		*goto mc_beardcolor
	#close-cropped.
		*set mc_beardlength "close-cropped"
		*goto mc_beardlength
	#down to my coller bone.
		*set mc_beardlength "average"
		*goto mc_beardcolor
	#down to the middle of my chest.
		*set mc_beardlength "long"
		*goto mc_beardcolor
	#long enough that I can thread it through my belt, if I was bothered to do so right now.
		*set mc_beardlength "very long"
		*goto mc_beardcolor
*label mc_beardcolor

As well as that, it's also
*if ((mc_balled =true) or (mc_hairstyle ="shaved"))
	*goto mc_beardcolor2
*else
	${mc_haircolor}
	*set mc_beardcolor "${mc_haircolor}"
	*goto exit_final
*label mc_beardcolor2
*choice
	#light red.
		*set mc_beardcolor "light red"
		*goto exit_final
	#medium red.
		*set mc_beardcolor "medium red"
		*goto exit_final
	#dark red.
		*set mc_beardcolor "dark red"
		*goto exit_final
	#light blond.
		*set mc_beardcolor "light blond"
		*goto exit_final
	#medium blond.
		*set mc_beardcolor "medium blond"
		*goto exit_final
	#dark blond.
		*set mc_beardcolor "dark blond"
		*goto exit_final
	#chestnut brown.
		*set mc_beardcolor "chestnut brown"
		*goto exit_final
	#deep brown.
		*set mc_beardcolor "deep brown"
		*goto exit_final
	#none of those are right, actually.
		*input_text mc_beardcolor
		In fact, my beard is actually ${mc_beardcolor},
		*goto exit_final2
*label breasts
After a moment, I remember that
*choice
	#I don't actually have any, which is a sore point for me.
		*set no_breasts true
		*set wants_breasts true
		*goto exit_final2
	#I don't actually have any, although that's never really been an issue for me.
		*set no_breasts true
		*goto exit_final2
	# very small breasts.
		*set mc_breastsize "very small"
		*goto exit_final2
	#small breasts.
		*set mc_breastsize "small"
		*goto exit_final2
	#average sized breasts.
		*set mc_breastsize "average"
		*goto exit_final2
	#larger than average sized breasts.
		*set mc_breastsize "large"
		*goto exit_final2
	#very large breasts.
		*set mc_breastsize "very large"
		*goto exit_final2
*label exit_final

With that now done, and since I can't think of a reason to stay in here now anymore,
*choice
	*if not((mc_hairstyle ="shaved") or (mc_balled =false))
		#Running my hands through my hair a few times,
			*set mc_tick_hands true
			*set mc_fidget "run my hands through my hair"
			*goto exit_final2
	#ringing my hands a few times, as I ground myself in the familiar gesture,
		*set mc_tick_hands true
		*set fidget "ring my hands"
		*goto exit_final2
	# rhythmically tapping 2 fingers to my collar bone a few times, as I ground myself in the familiar  vibration of my own pulse,
		*set fidget "tap my fingers against my collar bone"
		*set mc_tick_pulse true
		*goto exit_final2
	#shifting my weight from foot to foot a few times as I enjoy the movement,
		*set fidget "shift my weight"
		*set mc_tick_rock true
		*goto exit_final2
*label exit_final2
before I turn  to re-enter the bedroom, closing the bathroom door behind me with a click as I do.
*goto_scene waken meetings