You are lost in sleep.
[[>Dream<|Witch]]
(set: $queen_visited to false)
(set: $wait to 0)
(set: $love to false)
(set: $hate to false)
(set: $following to false)
(set: $together to false)
(set: $castle_visited to false)In your dream, a voice drifts in and out of focus.
[[>Listen<|Witch_2]]The voice is a woman's voice: deep, whispering, and intense.
She's chanting something.
At first, it sounds like a language you don't understand --
But then, in the chant you hear the woman whisper your name: (cycling-link: bind $title, "Heir", "Prince", "Princess") (cycling-link: bind $name, "Everard", "Adelaide", "Orion", "Aurora", "Caius", "Victoria").
[["Who are you? What are you saying?"|Witch_3]]
[[>Ignore the voice<|Witch_4]]As you cry out, the whispering chant falls silent.
Then, a ghastly cackle descends from above you.
"Back to sleep, child," the woman commands.
[[Sleep overtakes you.|Witch_4]]The woman's voice fades into the darkness.
[[>Dream of your lover<|Lover]]In your dream, (cycling-link: "your lover", "the one you're supposed to marry") approaches you.
(cycling-link: bind $l_Their, "Their", "His", "Her") hand reaches out to meet yours.
[[>Embrace it<|Embrace]]
[[>Push it away.<|Reject]](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_they to "they")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_they to "he")](else:)[(set: $l_they to "she")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_them to "them")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_them to "him")](else:)[(set: $l_them to "her")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_their to "their")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_their to "his")](else:)[(set: $l_their to "her")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_They to "They")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_They to "He")](else:)[(set: $l_They to "She")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_theirs to "theirs")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_theirs to "his")](else:)[(set: $l_theirs to "hers")](if: $l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_person to "person")](elseif: $l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_person to "guy")](else:)[(set: $l_person to "girl")](if: $l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_kid to "kid")](elseif: $l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_kid to "son")](else:)[(set: $l_kid to "daughter")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set:$l_s to "")](else:)[(set:$l_s to "s")]As you come closer, you remember all the ways (cycling-link: bind $l_title, "Heir", "Prince", "Princess") (cycling-link: bind $l_name, "Hadley", "Evelyn", "Felipe", "Rose", "Henrik", "Carlos") (cycling-link: bind $attitude, "is special to you", "makes you feel special").
[[>Remember<|Lover Description]]
(set: $love to true)(if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_they to "they")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_they to "he")](else:)[(set: $l_they to "she")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_them to "them")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_them to "him")](else:)[(set: $l_them to "her")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_their to "their")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_their to "his")](else:)[(set: $l_their to "her")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_They to "They")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_They to "He")](else:)[(set: $l_They to "She")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_theirs to "theirs")](elseif:$l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_theirs to "his")](else:)[(set: $l_theirs to "hers")](if: $l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_person to "person")](elseif: $l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_person to "guy")](else:)[(set: $l_person to "girl")](if: $l_Their is "Their")[(set: $l_kid to "kid")](elseif: $l_Their is "His")[(set: $l_kid to "son")](else:)[(set: $l_kid to "daughter")](if:$l_Their is "Their")[(set:$l_s to "")](else:)[(set:$l_s to "s")](cycling-link: bind $l_title, "Heir", "Prince", "Princess") (cycling-link: bind $l_name, "Hadley", "Evelyn", "Felipe", "Rose", "Henrik", "Carlos") is $l_their name.
As you (cycling-link: "swat", "gently push") $l_their hand away, you remember all the reasons $l_they (if:$l_they is "they")[aren't](else:)[isn't] right for you.
[[I don't hate $l_them. It's not like *$l_they* came up with the idea of arranged marriages. It's not like *$l_they* chose this... for both of us.|alright]]
or
[[I hate this asshole. How could $l_they accept this? Why didn't $l_they tell the Queen I wasn't ready?|hate]]You wake up. Immediately, everything is wrong. [[*Your body is... wrong!*|Wrong]](if: $love)[
$l_name stands in the garden, staring into the pond. A large black koi fish makes faces back at $l_them.
$l_Their (cycling-link: "curly", "wiry", "wavy", "flowing", "short"), (cycling-link: "glowing-gold", "void-black", "burning-red", "icy-blue") hair moves in the calm breeze. $l_They don't seem to notice you as you hop closer.
You prepare for $l_their shocked reaction as you clear your frog throat.
[["Hey."]]
[["HELP ME I'M A FROG!"]]
](elseif: $hate)[
$l_name stands in the garden, staring blankly into the koi pond.
$l_Their (cycling-link: "greasy", "boring", "fussed-over", "messy") hair moves in the cold wind. $l_They didn't seem to notice you as you followed.
You think $l_their horrified reaction to your frog form might be funny... or maybe just demoralizing.
[["Hey idiot! Down here!"]]
[["Well hello, my love." (Lie)]]
](else:)[
$l_name stands in the garden, staring blankly into the koi pond.
$l_Their (cycling-link: "boring", "fussed-over", "messy") hair moves in the cold wind. $l_They didn't seem to notice you as you followed.
You think $l_they might be able to help... but who knows how $l_they might react to how you look...
[["Hey! Down here! It's me!"|"Hey idiot! Down here!"]]
[["Well hello, my love." (Lie)]]
][[>Avoid $l_them<|>Avoid<]]You enter Queen Esmerelda's private chambers.
(if: not $queen_visited)[The door is curiously ajar... like someone left in a hurry.
You've never been in here before. Immediately, something seems off.
]
In place of a grand, four-poster bed, the Queen has a pile of rags, shoved into the corner.
Instead of a commanding view of her realm, the Queen had boarded up the window.
And the [[stench]]. The stench is overpowering.
Around the edges of the room, jars of strange things lay in shadow.
A huge, dark cauldron dominates the center of the floor.
[[>Leave<|Castle]]
(set: $queen_visited to true)Your skin is (cycling-link: bind $skin, "slimy", "rubbery") and... *green.*
Your... (cycling-link: "hands are", "legs are", "EVERYTHING is") out of proportion.
The door is slightly ajar.
[[>Hop to the mirror<|Mirror]]
[[>Hop frantically out of your room<|Castle]]You emerge into the main hall of the castle. (if: $castle_visited)[It's $castle_adj in here.](else:)[It's (cycling-link: bind $castle_adj, "a bit dim", "kind of musty") in here.]
(if: $following)[It looks like $l_name is heading for the Gardens.](else:)[No one's around.]
**Hop to...**
[[Your Room]]
[[The Queen's Chambers]]
[[The Dining Room]]
[[The Gardens]]
(set: $castle_visited to true)[["Ribbit."]] A frog stares back at you.
[[>Look away<|Your Room]]You look around the room the Queen gave you.
Weeks earlier, you were excited to come here. To meet the $l_person you were supposed to spend your life with. The $l_person you... (if: $love)[might even](else:)[were supposed to] love.
[[>Look in the mirror<|Mirror]]
[[>Leave<|Castle]][["Croak."|Mirror]]As you take $l_their hand, something strange begins to happen to your body.
Suddenly, you feel yourself shrinking.
$l_name's hand gets larger and larger in yours, and soon, rises out of your reach.
You cry out in fear, but $l_they (if: $l_they is "they")[don't](else:)[doesn't] seem to hear you.
$l_title $l_name fades into the darkness.
You are alone.
[[>Wake up<|Wake]]
(set: $l_nickname to "sweetie")Something strange begins to happen to your body.
Suddenly, you feel yourself shrinking.
$l_name's face gets larger... and larger... and soon, rises out of view.
You cry out in fear, but $l_they (if: $l_they is "they")[don't](else:)[doesn't] seem to hear you.
$l_title $l_name fades into the darkness.
You are alone.
[[>Wake up<|Wake]]
(set: $l_nickname to $l_title)You cautiously hop into the Grand Dining Hall.
As soon as you enter the doorway, a huge shoe rapidly descends down on you. You're going to be crushed!
(set: $counter to 10)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Croak<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[[>HOP LIKE YOU'VE NEVER HOPPED BEFORE<]](if: $following)[You slip through as the door is closing behind $l_title $l_name.
[[>Approach $l_them<|Meeting Your Lover]]
](else:)[The door is closed, and you're too small to move it. You have to find some way to open it.
[[>Wait by the door<]]
]
[[>Hop back into the main castle<|Castle]]You make for the exit to the Queen's castle gardens.
Fuck this place. It's time for you to take your life into your own hands.
As you round the corner leading to the exit, a giant shape suddenly looms over you, blocking out the light of the sun. It's green, it's $skin, and its eyes are a swirling, dark red. Unblinking, unnerving frog eyes stare down at you(if:$together)[ and $l_name].
(set: $counter to 15)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[["H- Hello there..." you whisper anxiously.]]
[[>Run<]]Something vile rots in the cauldron.
[[>Hold your nose<|The Queen's Chambers]](if: $wait is 4)[Finally, you hear footsteps.
It's $l_name! $l_They(if: $They is "They")['re](else:)['s] heading for the Gardens.
(set: $following to true)
[[>Follow $l_them<|The Gardens]]
](else:)[Silence. No one comes.]
[[>Keep waiting<|>Wait by the door<]]
[[>Hop back into the main castle<|Castle]]
(set: $wait to $wait+1)You dodge out of the way at the last second. *Phew*
Looking around to see who almost stepped on you, you notice that it's $l_title $l_name, heading out of the dining room.
(set: $following to true)
[[>Follow that $l_nickname!<|Castle]]It's too late. You've been smooshed.(if: $attitude is "things that make $l_them")[
$l_They(if: $l_They is "They")['re](else:)['s] (cycling-link: bind $nick_key, "sweet", "cute") as hell.
](else:)[
$l_They make(if: $l_They is not "They")[s] you feel (cycling-link: bind $feel, "valued", "wanted", "unique", "important", "like everything is going to be okay").
]
[[But before you can fully take it in, the dream starts to change.|Shrinking (Embrace)]]It's nothing I have against the $l_title.
I don't want to marry $l_them because (cycling-link: "I value my independence.", "I deserve better.", "I'm just not ready yet.")
I blame (cycling-link: "society, which pressures young people to marry.", "the Queen, who's forcing us into this.", "myself, for letting this go too far.")
[[But before you can fully process, the dream starts to change.|Shrinking (Reject)]]Why did the Queen have to choose *me* for her (cycling-link: "idiot", "asshole") $l_kid?
[[But before you can fully articulate it, the dream starts to change.|Shrinking (Reject)]]
(set: $hate to true)Your life before becoming a frog flashes before your eyes. What a way for it all to end.
**R.I.P.**"Oh! Hey $name. I didn't see ya there," $l_they respond$l_s nonchalantly.
[["What?? You recognize me?]]"What? Oh- hey $name. What's up with you?"
[["I'll tell you what's up, you insect. I'm leaving this place. For good."]]
[["We're not right for each other. Can't you see that?"|hear]]"Oh! Hey there $name. Things 're good, yeah?" $l_They respond$l_s monotonously.
[[You play along, "Great, great. Soooo... whatcha been up to?" You inch closer.|"Soooo.... whatcha been up to?"]]
[[Oh my god, I'm already bored with this conversation and $l_name's not even looking at me... fuck this.|bored]]You duck behind a maple tree, skirting around $l_title $l_name. You know what you have to do. You've gotta get out of the Queen's control.
[[>Make for the exit<|Giant Evil Frog]] "Oh! Hey $name. I didn't see ya there," $l_they respond$l_s nonchalantly. "What were you saying about frogs?"
[["What?? You recognize me?]]"Of course! We're... gonna get married, remember?" $l_They look$l_s at you inquisitively.
[["But I'm... You... How can you marry someone like... like this?"]]"Not much, not much... just thinkin' about things." $l_They look$l_s troubled, not quite focusing on your conversation.
Amazed at the lack of reaction to your appearance, you don't know exactly what to say.
(if: not $hate)[[[You stammer, "Wuh... what's up? Is something wrong?"|stammer]]](else:)[[[God, I gotta get out of here.|bored]]]
[[You put on your smoothest voice, "I think I know what'll make you feel better..."]]Someone like you? You mean someone who is talented, funny, AND beautiful? You're right. You're too good for me.
[["no u," you say bashfully.|no u]]
[[>Inch closer<]]$l_name looks at you, confused and turning slighly red.
"Uhhm... er-"
[[>Lunge in and kiss $l_them<|lunge]]You already knew $l_name was never right for you. It's time to make your own decisions.
[[>Hop towards the exit to the Queen's gardens, ignoring $l_name's halfhearted protest<|Giant Evil Frog]] $l_Their eyes fix on yours. $l_They do(if: $l_They is not "They")[es]n't see what you saw in the mirror. When you look down at your arms, they don't seem as $skin as before.
$l_They(if:$l_They is "They")['re](else:)['s] looking at your lips.
[[>Look at $l_their lips<|lips]]$l_name's lips are a lot closer to your face than you'd realized. You'd never noticed before, but they look really... (cycling-link: "soft", "plump", "inviting").
[[>Go for it<]]
[[>Wait for $l_them to go for it<|wait for them]]
[[>Lunge in really quickly and bump noses<]]$l_They shift next to you. You suddenly realize how close your face is to $l_them. And how you're... actually at the [[same height.|>Inch closer<]]As soon as the words escape your lips, the Giant Frog's eyes bulge and a hungry, wet hand speeds down from above you. You have only moments.
(set: $counter to 7)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[[>Dodge roll sideways<]]
[[>Anchor yourself and put your hands up to protect your head<]]You sprint past the Giant Evil Frog, but it's hopping close behind!
As you run, you hear an earsplitting ***THWAP*** noise behind you.
(set: $counter to 8)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[[>Look back<]]
[[>DON'T LOOK BACK<]]You made it out from under the Giant Frog's grasp!
(set: $counter to 5)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[[Run, quickly!|>Run<]]Too late, you realize that staying in place was a stupid idea. The giant frog lifts you up above its quivering, wet lips and opens wide...
(set: $counter to 5)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[[>WIGGLE! WIGGLE!<]]You kiss $l_them.
It's (cycling-link: "weird and wonderful", "awkward but cute", "sweet and soft").
$l_Their lips are really (cycling-link: "wet", "mooshy", "firm") but it's nice anyway.
You feel $feel.
You're definitely not a frog anymore.
**THE END**$l_They (if: $l_They is "They")[kiss](else:)[kisses] you.
It's (cycling-link: "weird and wonderful", "awkward but cute", "sweet and soft").
$l_Their lips are really (cycling-link: "wet", "mooshy", "firm") but it's nice anyway.
You feel $feel.
You're definitely not a frog anymore.
**THE END**You... lunge in really quickly and bump noses? Why'd you pick this option? All right, you get another chance. $l_name's chill, $l_they forgive$l_s you.
$l_name laughs as you gently bump noses. Seeing your intention, $l_they crade$l_s your face in $l_their hand, and kiss(if:$l_they is not "they")[es] [[you|wait for them]].Just in time, you slip through the Giant Frog's slippery fingers and land on the ground, feet beneath you. You've got one chance -- RUN!
(set: $counter to 5)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[[>RUN!<|>Run<]]$l_They take$l_s a deep breath, averting $l_their eyes.
"Do you ever think... things weren't meant to be this way? Like we're rats in someone else's maze? Like... we're not making our own decisions? Like our relationship is... not real?"
[["I've been meaning to say that to you for a long time."|agree]]
[["No! We're meant for each other!" >Lunge at $l_their lips<|lunge]]You lunge in and kiss $l_name. It's... really bad.
It's awkward, it's passionless. $l_They (if: $l_They is "They")[are](else:)[is] not kissing you back.
You're not a frog. You're just an ass.
**THE END**"Wait- $l_name- before you go!"
[[>Hear $l_them out<|hear]]
[[>Leave. Forget $l_them.<|"There is no 'we.' I'm going alone."]]"I can't believe you feel the same way. We need to do something. We need to-"
[["There is no 'we.' I'm going alone."]]
[["Let's leave together. Let's leave before the Queen gets to us. Then we can go our separate ways, be our own people. We can be free, $l_name."|leave together]]You turn away from the $l_title. You're going to make your own decisions for once. That means you have to get out of the Queen's grasp. Her and her dumb $l_kid.
[["Goodbye, $l_name. Forever."|Giant Evil Frog]]"Agreed," the $l_title nods. "We have to find our own way. *Without* my mother's help." $l_They point$l_s down a winding path past the koi pond. "That's the way out."
[["Let's go."]]As you turn, you realize, too late, that the ***THWAP*** was the sound of the Giant Evil Frog's tongue flying at you.
Your life before becoming a frog flashes before your eyes. What a way for it all to end.
**R.I.P.**You keep running, and running, and not looking back.
(set: $counter to 8)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
(if: $together)[Suddenly, a scream comes from somewhere behind you. It's $l_name, $l_they(if: $l_they is "they")['ve](else:)['s] been caught by the Giant Frog's immense tongue!
[[>Turn back, help $l_them!<|help]]
[["I'm so sorry, $l_name." >Keep running<|abandon]]
](else:)[
[[>Keep running. Just keep running.<]]]$l_name is captured, dangling partway out the Giant Frog's savoring mouth!
(set: $counter to 5)
You have |amount>[$counter] seconds to act!
(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: ">Death<")](replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
[[>Grab $l_their hand!<|rescue]]Soon, you don't hear anything behind you. Your footsteps slow, your breath pants.
In front of you, the exit to the Queen's realm awaits.
You're free. But you'll never be free of this guilt.
**THE END**Soon, you don't hear the frog behind you. Your footsteps slow, your breath pants.
In front of you, the exit to the Queen's realm awaits, wide open.
You look back up at the shadowy castle. All humans have a right to control their own life. And you're a human.
**THE END**You grab $l_their hand and pull them out of the Frog's mouth. In the process, $l_name lands a nasty kick on the Frog's bulging eye! Together, you're able to [[outrun]] the reeling monster.Soon, you don't hear the frog behind you. Your footsteps slow, your breath pants.
In front of you, the exit to the Queen's realm awaits, wide open.
You look at $l_name, $l_they look$l_s at you. You smile. Maybe $l_they(if: $l_they is "they")['re](else:)['s] not so bad after all.
**THE END**As you and $l_name walk together down the skinny path out of these mazelike gardens, you... appreciate something in $l_them that you hadn't seen before. $l_They may not be right for you. But $l_they(if:$l_they is "they")['re](else:)['s] an honest person. Maybe $l_they (if:$l_they is "they")[have](else:)[has] the potential to be a good friend.
[[>Keep walking<|Giant Evil Frog]]
(set: $together to true)$l_They take$l_s a deep breath, averting $l_their eyes.
"I think I know what you're feeling," $l_they start$l_s.
"Do you ever think... things weren't meant to be this way? Like we're rats in someone else's maze? Like... we're not making our own decisions? Like our relationship is... not real?"
[["Y- Yes! You really feel that way too?"]]
[["You could never understand."]]"Yeah. I'm trapped here as much as you." $l_They look into your eyes, serious. "Let's leave together. Let's leave before the Queen gets to us. Then we can go our separate ways, be our own people. We can be free, $name."
[["There is no 'we.' I'm going alone."]]
[["Okay. Let's do this."|"Let's go."]]"I guess not," $l_they sigh$l_s.
"We're really not supposed to be together, are we? What are we gonna do, $name?"
[["You've done enough. I'm going. And I'm sorry $l_name. For what the Queen will do to you when she finds out I'm gone. I'm sorry. But I have to choose myself for once."|choose myself]]"I'll be alright," $l_they respond$l_s. "You're right. Just go."
[[>Make toward the exit<|"There is no 'we.' I'm going alone."]]