(set: $individualism to 1)(set: $collectivism to 1)(set: $mind to 1)(set: $body to 1)(set: $playful to 1)(set: $serious to 1)(set: $individualism to 1)(set: $risk to 1)(set: $norisk to 1)“Rise and shine, scout!”
You groan and roll over on your front, pulling your blanket over your head to block the faint rays of sunlight that are starting to seep through the slats in your roof.
$ezra, unperturbed, tries again.
“Oomph,” you blurt as you feel $ezra’s weight settle on your back. “Sitting on top of me seems counterproductive to your goal here,” you mumble into the mattress.
“My goal is to annoy you into action.”
“Well, fair play then.” You begin to rustle under the sheets. $ezra, confident in victory, lifts $himself off your mattress with some effort. You sit up in bed, rubbing your closed eyelids, and stretch your hand up for assistance. $ezra holds your grasp and [[lifts.]]“Quick coffee and then we’ll get out of here? I’m not really in the mood for a lecture this morning,” $ezra says, retreating into the room that serves as the kitchen. It’s the only other room in the shack, so it’s technically the kitchen, living room, and dining room.
Wait, you might be over your electric ration for this month.
“Hey $ezra...”
(link-goto: "“Don’t leave the pot on too long.” You don’t want to take more than your share.", "don't leave")
(link-goto: "“Never mind.” You’ll be fine being over this month. Maybe next month too.", "nevermind")What are your preferred pronouns?
(link-reveal: "She/her")[(set: $ms to "Ms.")(set: $she to "she")(set: $She to "She")(set: $her to "her")(set: $Her to "Her")(set: $hers to "her")(set: $herself to "herself")(goto: "name enter")]
(link-reveal: "He/him")[(set: $ms to "Mr.")(set: $she to "he")(set: $She to "He")(set: $her to "him")(set: $hers to "his")(set: $Her to "Him")(set: $herself to $himself)(goto: "name enter")]
(link-reveal: "They/them")[(set: $ms to "Mx.")(set: $she to "they")(set: $She to "They")(set: $her to "them")(set: $hers to "their")(set: $Her to "Them")(set: $herself to "themself")(goto: "name enter")](set: $name to "Kai")(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your first name?", ""))
(set: $lastname to "Halloway")(set: $lastname to (prompt: "What is your last name?", ""))
(goto: "gender of switch")Scout name: $name $lastname
Pronouns: $she/$her
Best friend: $ezra Taylor, a $man and fellow scout in the Community.
Is this correct?
[[Yes.]]
[[No. I want to start over.]]My best friend is a...
(link-reveal: "Woman")[(set: $ezra to "Elle")(set: $mr to "Ms.")(set: $he to "she")(set: $He to "She")(set: $his to "her")(set: $hims to "hers")(set: $His to "Her")(set: $him to "her")(set: $himself to "herself")(set: $man to "woman")(goto: "sex confirm")]
(link-reveal: "Man")[(set: $ezra to "Ezra")(set: $mr to "Mr.")(set: $he to "he")(set: $He to "He")(set: $his to "his")(set: $His to "His")(set: $him to "him")(set: $hims to "him")(set: $himself to "himself")(set: $man to "man")(goto: "sex confirm")](unless: (passage:)'s tags contains "no-header")[<small> {(link:"SAVE")[(if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[Game saved!](else: )[Sorry, I couldn't save your game.]]} | {(link-repeat: "LOAD")[(confirm: "Are you sure?")(load-game:"Slot A")](else:)[No saved game on file.]} | [[SCOUT PROFILE]] </small>]
<strong><big>COUNCIL REPORT</big></strong>
<strong>SCOUT PROFILE</strong>
NAME: $name $lastname
AGE: 24
TRAVELED TO COMMUNITY FROM: Northwest USA(if: $skincolor is "dark brown" or "caramel" or "olive" or "beige" or "ivory")[
APPEARANCE: Scout $lastname can be recognized around the Community by $hers $eyecolor eyes, $hairlength $haircolor hair and $skincolor skin tone.]
<strong>TEAM PROFILE</strong>
TEAM MEMBERS: First Scout Oliver Shen; Scout $ezra Taylor(if: $position is "Navigator" or "Historian" or "Scientist" or "Healer" or "ivory")[
POSITION: $position](if: $weapon is "bow" or "knife" or "ax" or "spear")[
COMBAT: $name has shown signficant skills in hand-to-hand and weaponry combat. Preferred weapon is (if: $weapon is "ax")[an $weapon.](if: $weapon is "bow" or "knife" or "spear")[a $weapon.]]
<strong>PERSONALITY PROFILE</strong>
Scout $lastname is an extremely skilled scout and academic. $lastname displays high levels of intelligence and competence. Could prove incredibly useful, but can be unpredictable.
(if: $collectivism > $individualism)[
Scout $lastname illustrates the value of a <strong>collectivist</strong> mindset in the Community. $lastname puts other Community members first and makes a significant effort to know and support all members.](else-if: $individualism > $collectivism)[
Scout $lastname displays a worrying preference for <strong>individualist</strong> thought and behavior. Sometimes disconnected from the Community at large.](if: $mind > $body)[
Scout $lastname prefers to deploy $hers <strong>intellectual</strong> skillset before $hers <strong>physcial</strong> or combative strength.](else-if: $body > $mind)[
Scout $lastname appears to favor $hers <strong>physical</strong> or combative strengh as opposed to $hers known <strong>intellectual</strong> skillset, particularly in conflict-solving.](if: $risk > $norisk)[
Scout $lastname has a troublesome history of <strong>risk-taking</strong> behavior, even to $hers own detriment.](else-if: $norisk > $risk)[
Scout $lastname is known to be particularly <strong>risk-averse</strong> and cautious, especially when $hers extended scouting team is not present for support.](if: $playful > $serious)[
Scout $lastname has unfortuntely shown an inappopriate <strong>playful</strong> and facetious attitude in $hers scouting work.](else-if: $serious > $playful)[
Scout $lastname is known for $hers often <strong>serious</strong> demeanor.]
(link-goto: "RETURN TO STORY", (history:)'s last)(set: $collectivism to it +1)“Easy on letting the coffee pot run for too long. I may be a little over on my ration this month,” you call out.
“‘Kay.”
You move quickly now, an imminent lecture becoming clearer in your mind’s eye. You strip off your sleeping clothes as you walk and flip open the cap of a large jug of water at your feet. No time to heat the water this morning.
You step into the shallow tub in the corner of the room, cleaning yourself as fast and thoroughly as possible. You like the soap this month. It smells nicer than last month. More floral and less like chemicals.
You throw your usual scouting clothes on, long sleeves and pants to cover any exposed skin. You’ll sweat right through them, as always, but a bad burn or a nasty scrape is inarguably worse. $ezra saunters back in as you’re tying your boots.
“See? Perfectly on time.” You grin. $ezra hands you a mug.
“Drink and walk?” $he suggests.
[[“Let’s do it.”]] You lift the flap at the front of your home and walk out into the morning. It’s already sweltering this early – a bad sign for the scout. It will be intolerable by midday.
As painful as it is to wake up at dawn, you have to admit this is your favorite part of a scouting day. Most of the community is asleep, save for a few early risers tending to their gardens or getting a head start on the laundry. You pause and breathe deeply, a moment of peace.
“Ready?” $ezra asks, smiling in your direction. $He knows you love the early morning calm of the hot season. $He knows most things about you. This morning is one of many mornings spent with $ezra, preparing for a scout or a training or a holiday festival. You both arrived at this community at about the same time, by your lonesome, you eleven and $him twelve.
(link-goto: "Loop your arm through $hims as you walk.", "Arm loop")
[[Stroll next to each other.]]
(link-goto: "Beat $him to the meeting point.", "Race")(set: $individualism to it +1)"Never mind."
You move quickly now, an imminent lecture becoming clearer in your mind’s eye. You strip off your sleeping clothes as you walk and flip open the cap of a large jug of water at your feet. No time to heat the water this morning.
You step into the shallow tub in the corner of the room, cleaning yourself as fast and thoroughly as possible. You like the soap this month. It smells nicer than last month. More floral and less like chemicals.
You throw your usual scouting clothes on, long sleeves and pants to cover any exposed skin. You’ll sweat right through them, as always, but a bad burn or a nasty scrape is inarguably worse. $ezra saunters back in as you’re tying your boots.
“See? Perfectly on time.” You grin. $ezra hands you a mug.
“Drink and walk?” $he suggests.
[[“Let’s do it.”]] You loop your free hand in the crux of $ezra’s elbow, holding your mug firm in your other hand. You keep a steady walking pace, squeezing $his arm intermittently.
You have always been close, but this physical intimacy is somewhat new. Linked arms and interlaced fingers. That recent thing where $ezra will rest $his chin on your shoulder. You try not to think on it too much. It feels like something you could ruin if you stare it in the (link-goto: "face.", "morning")You match $ezra’s pace as you walk, careful not to spill your coffee. You are both silent, breathing in the morning air. $ezra is one of the only people in your life that you feel this comfortable, this at ease, (link-goto: "with.", "morning")“Don’t want to hold you up before your scout today,” Grandpa Jones says, stepping in front of you both and, effectively, holding you up. “Oliver’d kill me.”
It’s well known that Oliver has intolerably high expectations for the scouting teams he leads. You and $ezra have been the only scouts who have lasted more than six months with him at the head. On days when you’re feeling generous towards your team leader, you have to give him credit for your continual success.
“Just wanted to ask if you two’d keep an eye out for any fertilizer today during the scout. My garden could really use it,” Grandpa Jones says and winks. "Anything'll do. Damp soil, dead vegitation, animal remains."
(link-goto: "<q>You know we really can't take personal requests.</q>", "personal requests")
(link-goto: "Let $ezra respond.", "respond")
(link-goto: "<q>We'll keep our eyes peeled.</q>", "eyes peeled")(set: $individualism to it +1)(set: $serious to it +1)“Grandpa Jones, you know we can’t really take personal requests.” You try to sound apologetic.
“I know, I know. But still.” Grandpa Jones winks, (link-goto: "unperturbed.", "coffee") “You know we always look out for you and your garden.” $ezra winks. “As long as you keep that fresh mint tea coming.”
Grandpa Jones laughs so hard you’re afraid he might hurt (link-goto: "himself.", "coffee")(set: $collectivism to it +1)“We’ll keep our eyes peeled.” You smile.
Grandpa Jones grins, a hint of mischief in his smile.
“You’re a good one, $name. Look out for each other today, you two.”
“We always do,” $ezra (link-goto: "answers.", "coffee") (set: $collectivism to it +1)It is, of course, over three.
Along with Grandpa Jones' original request: The Handleman sisters ask for you to keep an eye out for scrap parts, Leighanne from electric asks for copper piping, Henry Kane asks for additional soap, and two young children beg for any sweets you find lying around. You only seriously consider the last request.
$ezra has planned for these delays, though, and you end up at the meeting point about the time you’d promised Oliver.
You are outside community bounds, now, and can see the enormous stretch of dusty, orange plains laid out in front of you. Your skin is already sticking with sweat from the heat. The land is flat for miles and miles. It’s deceptive and sometimes frustrating. You can walk for hours and feel you’ve barely moved from where you started.
Lead Scout Oliver Shen is, predictably, early for the meeting time that he himself set. He’s bent down by the fourth member of your scouting team: The rickety, four-wheeled rover you and $ezra call Ol’ Unreliable.
(link-goto: "Greet Oliver cheerfully. It’s never too early to start annoying him.", "cheerful greeting")
(link-goto: "Say nothing. Wait for instructions.", "say nothing")Though $ezra and you are widely considered accomplished scouts, your dynamic with Oliver has never really moved past <i>local curmudgeon babysits kindergarteners</i>. $ezra and you ‘make a mockery of these missions’ and ‘will surely get us all killed someday.’ Still, Oliver could have requested a new team ages ago, and he never has.
“Preferences for tasks this morning?” Oliver asks. That’s nice. He usually assigns you.
[[Help Oliver with the engine.]]
(link-goto: "Help $ezra transport water from the well.", "well")(set: $choice1 to "oliver")“I’ll help you with the rover,” you say. Is that surprise on Oliver’s face? Maybe just the start of a sneeze.
$ezra pulls the large water jug out of the back of the rover and starts off towards the well.
Oliver beckons you over to the rover engine with a nod.
“I thought it was just overheated. But I’ve given it plenty of time to cool off and it’s still not starting up right,” he reports, pulling the collar of his shirt up over his mouth and nose before ducking under the hood.
You steal a half second glance at his torso, taut and lean. You quickly [[refocus.]](set: $choice1 to "ezra")“Help me lift the jug out of the back of the rover?” you ask $ezra. $He nods.
“We’ll grab water and be back soon to help with the engine. Does that work?” you ask Oliver.
“Yes,” he replies. “Make sure you fill them completely. We’ll be out for the entire day and —“
“Oliver.” You stare at him blankly.
“Yes, alright, sorry. You know how to fill up water jugs.”
He’s surprisingly self-aware [[today.]] “Not sure how much help I’ll be,” you admit, moving to stare into the engine like you have any idea at all what you’re supposed to be looking for.
“Just hop in the driver's seat and start the rover when I say,” he instructs, reaching down by the wheel to grab some sort of liquid. He pours the liquid into the engine, slowly.
“I still think we should replace this bad girl. Spend some resources where they count,” you say.
Oliver does not deign to even give you a look.
“I know you don’t like taking any resources for us. But we’ll be able to do our job better – to serve others better – if we’re not scraping the bottom of the barrel with our scouting tools,” you continue. “We could stand to help ourselves a [[bit."]]Everyone has one here: an old life. A former existence, most everyone from it dead or missing. The memories are softer now than when you were young. They used to come like violence, sweeping through you and immobilizing you. One reminder of your mother or sister would catapult you into sorrow for days. You’re older now and it happens less often, but occasionally memories still sweep through you and knock you off your feet.
Sometimes you will see your peers in your neighborhood pause, look into the distance, and freeze their bodies up like statues. You think that’s what you look like when you remember something old, too.
The younger children in the community are free of these memories. Their lives are difficult in different ways. You aren’t sure whether you envy them or not.
You continue to coo at the rover like your mother used to coo at the family [[car.]]“Please, baby, please. We need you,” you plead. You rub the steering wheel a few more times and turn the key again. The rover spurts to life. You throw your arms above your head in celebration.
“Ol’ Unreliable comes through!” you cheer.
“Keep it running,” Oliver directs and ducks back under the front hood. You hop down from the seat and jog to stand next to him.
“Looks good,” he says, examining what looks like the battery, if you had to take a guess.
(link-goto: "Wink. <q>Where's my reward?</q>", "reward")
(link-goto: "<q>I'll take that promotion now.</q>", "promotion")
(link-goto: "<q>Thanks.</q>", "thanks")This story features explicit sex. Pronouns/gender will not be affected based on this choice, but physical sex is necessary for certain scenes. Male or female?
(link: "Male")[(set: $sex to "male")(goto: "name confirm")]
(link: "Female")[(set: $sex to "female")(goto: "name confirm")]<big>Chapter I: [[First Scout of the Hot Season]]</big>
“Thank you,” you murmur and release a small yawn. You stare past $ezra’s head into the mirror hung on the wall behind $him. You could look better.
Your eyes are still not completely open, weighed down by sleep. You can barely see your irises, normally reflecting a bright (cycling-link: bind $eyecolor, "blue", "brown", "green", "hazel", "grey", "amber"). Your (cycling-link: bind $hairlength, "long", "short", "shoulder-length", "shaved") (cycling-link: bind $haircolor, "blond", "brown", "black", "red", "auburn", "grey", "white") hair looks like shit. Your skin, normally a pleasing (cycling-link: bind $skincolor, "dark brown", "caramel", "olive", "beige", "ivory") tone, looks a bit dull.
How come $ezra gets to roll out of bed looking like [[that?]]“You know,” you say casually, starting to inch a tiny bit ahead of $ezra. “I’m thinking of racking up some brownie points with Oliver by getting there just a few seconds before you.”
$ezra grins, an eyebrow arched.
“Oh, are you?” $he asks, handing you $his mug as $he bends to tie $his boot laces tighter. You realize your mistake too late. $ezra takes off.
“Enjoy your coffee!” $he calls behind you. You laugh, cursing loudly at $him as you try to maintain a swift jog with two coffee mugs in your hands.
Eventually $he stops, either from laughing too hard or because $he is taking pity on you. You both have to catch your breath, laughing and wheezing, already covered in (link-goto: "dust.", "morning") “Morning, $ezra! Morning, $name!” Grandpa Jones is waving you both down and approaching rather quickly for an older man. Everyone calls him Grandpa Jones, though no one here is his grandchild. Or child, for that matter. He came here alone just a few years ago, crossed the orange plains himself like so many others. Like you and $ezra. Quite a feat for someone of his age.
“Good morning, Grandpa Jones,” $ezra says and smiles brightly. Grandpa Jones grins back.
$ezra is painfully charming. $He knows everyone by name, knows in what sector they do most of their work, asks about new babies and birthdays and side projects. It helps that $he is, objectively, gorgeous. Dark skin, attentive eyes, body tall but visibly strong from scouting.
You frequently wonder, sometimes out loud to $ezra, why $he hasn’t been romantically involved with someone – anyone – in some time. $He was seeing a woman a few years ago who tended to the gardens. What was her name? You liked her. $ezra seemed to like her, too.
Then, $he just wasn’t seeing her anymore. $He didn’t seem particularly upset.
Diana. That was her name. She was [[sweet.]]“Let me take those for ya. I’ll wash them and put them outside your door later.” He doesn’t wait for your reply, snatching your nearly empty coffee mug from your hand. $ezra’s too.
Grandpa Jones shuffles back to his home, mugs in hand, a cursory wave sent your way. $ezra tugs gently on your arm and you continue your walk, a little more briskly this time.
“Over or under. Three personal requests this morning,” $ezra challenges.
[[Over. You like that people turn to you for help. Scouting can be exhausting. It’s nice to feel needed.]]
[[Under. You hope, anyway. Managing everyone’s needs and expectations is not your priority.]](set: $playful to it +1)“Morning, Ollie!” you greet, already beginning the teasing for the day. He abhors the nickname. He probably wishes his parents just named him [[Lead Scout.]]“Good morning, Scout Taylor. Scout $lastname.” Oliver replies tersely. He rises from his crouched position.
Oliver Shen looks dangerous. He is physically large, for one thing, but he’d be imposing even without the height and built-up muscles. His jet black hair is tied up today, revealing intense eyes and a jaw that looks permanently clenched. A tattoo sleeve peeks out below his long shirt. Oliver Shen looks like he could beat the shit out of you, and he probably could.
“There are two tasks to finish before departing. The engine isn’t turning over this morning. It needs a look. But to start on time, we need to get to the well on foot to fill the water stores up.”
“Aye, aye, captain!" $ezra salutes. You chuckle. Oliver [[sighs.]](set: $serious to it +1)“Good morning, Oliver,” $ezra greets.
You don't say anything. It won't matter. Oliver will start briefing you immediately, (link-goto: "anyway.", "Lead Scout.")You’ve had some version of this conversation a thousand times. It may not be about this exactly, but it’s always about something. You recommend a riskier scouting location; Oliver wants to be cautious. Oliver wants to up the frequency of the missions; You think your time is more effectively spent on one longer scout. Your suggestion to reach out to the People Across the Orange Plains was a non-starter.
“I wasn’t aware you were making the decisions, now. I thought that was the Lead Scout’s responsibility,” Oliver replies.
“Are you offering me the job?” you quip.
Oliver laughs. Not snickers, but full out laughs. You feel warm. You shove down a panicked thought: <i>How can I make him laugh again?</i> You want it to be soon.
“I have no doubt you’ll find yourself in a leadership position eventually,” he says. It sounds like a platitude, but his voice has a warmth to [[it.]]You jump into the driver’s seat. You rarely drive the rover, but you’ve done it enough that you can handle turning the thing on. You hope.
“Okay. Now!” he says. You turn the small, metal key in the ignition. It seems delicate for this large machine, like it could snap off if you turn it too hard. You make a note to yourself not to turn it too hard.
The rover sputters, and sputters, and then makes a noise like scraping metal. You’re not an expert, but you’re doubtful that’s a good sign. Oliver sighs and returns to under the hood.
You wait in silence until his next instruction.
“Try again,” he mutters from under the hood. You turn the small key again and the sputtering again. Another groan from Oliver.
“Come on, baby,” you coo, rubbing the steering wheel. Oliver looks at you like you’re nuts. Your mom used to do this, in your previous [[life.]](set: $playful to it +1)“$lastname, please,” he mutters, glancing at you. “I’m trying to focus.”
Part of you desperately wants to crawl into a hole. Are you <i>flirting</i> with Oliver? Do you actually think this is a good idea?
Another part of you wants to keep going. Wants to keep prodding the bear. Wants to ask him what he thinks about you, <i>if</i> he thinks about you.
$ezra is going to laugh $his fucking ass off when you tell $him about this.
Speak of the devil, $ezra is back with the water stores. You and Oliver assist $him in loading the jug back into the [[rover.]](set: $serious to it +1)Oliver nods. You can’t help but beam a little bit. It does feel nice to be seen as at least somewhat competent by him. $ezra would be proud.
Speak of the devil, $ezra is back with the water stores. You and Oliver assist $him in loading the jug back into the [[rover.]](set: $playful to it +1)You think you actually see Oliver smile a bit. You can’t wait to tell $ezra you actually managed to make Oliver smile. $He might not believe you.
Speak of the devil, $ezra is back with the water stores. You and Oliver assist $him in loading the jug back into the [[rover.]]$ezra hops into the back of the vehicle and you take the passenger seat.
Oliver always drives. You would protest, but your skills are better suited to being a passenger.
Your position in the community is...
(link-goto: "Navigator", "Navigator")
(link-goto: "Historian", "Historian")
(link-goto: "Scientist", "Scientist")
(link-goto: "Healer", "Healer")(set: $position to "Navigator")You lead the scouting team to and from the mission, marking any significant changes in the route or landscape across the way. You have possession of the relevant Community maps, updating them as needed.
You have always had an impressive natural sense of direction. The Community maps are difficult to read, to say the least. They do their best to document a changing landscape, but mostly fail. You take pride that, for the most part, other scouting teams like working off the maps that you’ve had in your hands for some time.
You think the maps are sad and also the most interesting documents you’ve ever read. They catalog the struggle against this landscape you’ve all found yourself in and a desperate, human need to understand the place that is your home. They represent over a decade of work. You’d probably take a bullet before losing or damaging one of (link-goto: "them.", "skillset")(set: $position to "Historian")You are responsible for recording the history and culture of your community – exploration, governance, relationships, scouting methods, agriculture, trading, and all other relevant phenomena. You’ve been touting the benefits of keeping historical notes since you were a teenager. How else would the community learn and grow?
Eventually, the Council let you adopt a more official position and you began to organize your previous notes into a well-kept record. You regularly conduct interviews, record resource stores, notetake at Council meetings, and lead community gatherings. The Council began to send you on scouting missions a few years ago, and they’ve found those records highly useful.
You enjoy the paradox of being, perhaps, the individual most tapped into the Community and also the most separate, as an attempted outside observer. You try to make your record as objective as possible and analyze the Community through an anthropologist’s lens. It’s fascinating, really. A group of people with a deep, shared trauma trying to come together in a landscape that wants them dead. Your objective notes dub the Community members <i>‘highly adaptable, strong relationship builders, trust in governance, collectivist.’</i> Letting yourself be subjective: you are overwhelmingly (link-goto: "proud.", "skillset")(set: $position to "Scientist")Your main goal during these missions is to bring relevant information back to study. You wouldn’t quite call what you’re doing “science” – you have no official training – but everyone calls you the Scientist. During one of your first scouting missions, you noticed the soil beneath your feet looked different. It looked denser, darker, almost as if wet. You brought it back to your home, prodded it and studied it, and finally decided to plant something in it. The seeds you planted grew strong and stable, unlike those in the Community garden which were dying in dry dirt.
Since then, the Community sends you on frequent scouting missions. You are never sure what you’ll find or what you’re even looking for. You try to bring back anything useful or different or strange. While Oliver drives, you flip through your notes on the recent erratic movement of dust dunes. Maybe a strange weather pattern? You’re not sure (link-goto: "yet.", "skillset") (set: $position to "Healer")You are tasked with keeping your scouting team members healthy, in all ways. You do first aid on missions, patching up scrapes, wounds, and once a broken wrist. You also follow up on injuries, illnesses, and provide medical counsel off of scouting missions. Everything you do, every new healing plant that you discover, every treatment that works, every treatment that fails – you record. It is not easy to heal in this environment. You have very few modern resources at your disposal. Your records of treatment and first aid stash are irreplaceable.
You are not the only healer in the Community. You originally studied under Dr. James Hauser, a pediatrician in his former life. He taught you everything you know about medicine. He adapted to the struggles of being a health practitioner in this new world and leaving most, but not all, of his specialized pediatrics training behind. You still work with James occasionally, but you are mostly focused on your scouting team now. Dr. Hauser isn’t getting any younger, though, and you’ve been primed to take over for him when the inevitable does (link-goto: "come.", "skillset") You and $ezra lift the water jug together out of the trunk. It’s not too heavy, but it would’ve been a pain in the ass to carry alone. You start across the dirt, seeing the well in the distance. It’s always farther away than it looks.
You both do an awkward kind of side carry until your fingers start to lose grip on the bottom of the jug.
“Rest for a second?” you request. $ezra complies, slowly lowering the jug.
“What are you hoping for today?” you ask $him, stretching your arms above your head and flexing already sore [[fingers.]] “Honestly, I think Leighanne is right about the copper piping. Our supply seems a little low for comfort,” $ezra replies, copying your movement. “And we haven’t brought back anything helpful for Electric in a while.”
You grin and bring your hands in front of your face to do the miming in a mirror thing. $ezra copies your movement, left hand circling and then right. You lift your right leg up in a 90 degree angle, and $he lifts $his left leg to match.
(link-goto: "Take out $his standing leg.", "standing leg")
(link-goto: "Do a handstand.", "handstand")
(link-goto: "Start moving again. You want to finish up this little errand.", "errand")(set: $mind to it +1)You move quickly, sweeping $his right leg out from under $him. $ezra goes down, catching $himself with $his hands at the last moment.
“Hey!” $he laughs, lowering $himself to the ground and turning over so $he is laying on $his back. $He has dust all over $his clothes and skin already, painting $him siena. As sick as you are of this orange wasteland, you have to admit that it looks good on $ezra.
“You play dirty,” $he reprimands with a grin. You plop down beside $him, criss-crossing your legs underneath you.
“You like it.”
(link-goto: "<q>I do.</q>", "interim.")You squat down to lift the jug again, fingers aching, thighs burning.
You can see the well in the distance, but it doesn’t seem to be getting closer anytime fast. You could see how the dust plains could drive anyone insane. The flatness is terrifying. Everything is in sight and nothing is reachable.
You do reach it, eventually, and fill the jug up to the brim. The water is clean, but it still has that stagnant smell that groundwater often has.
You begin the more difficult trek back, the water jug heavier and slippery in your hands. It’s a tough task, but scouting has made you strong over the years. Your hands and feet have calluses on top of calluses. Your legs and core are stable, your arms are taut. On darker days, you are grateful that even if your will is weak your body remains [[strong.]]You and $ezra slowly lower the water jug down – better to conserve your energy – and wait for the approaching vehicle. It kicks up dust, careening towards you at its top speed.
Its top speed is not terribly fast. Eventually, the rover stops in front of you. Oliver gets out to help you both lift the jug back into the trunk, and then gets back into the driver’s (link-goto: "seat.", "rover.")(set: $body to it +1)(set: $playful to it +1)You smirk and kick up into a handstand, holding it for a few seconds. $ezra tries to mirror you, but falls almost instantly onto $his back. The direction of $his fall takes you down with $him. You squeal as $he comes down on top of you.
“Oh shit, are you okay?” $ezra asks. You laugh and $he relaxes.
“This is your fault, you know I can’t do a handstand,” $he accuses, chuckling. $He moves $his weight off you, straddling you for a half second in the [[interim.]]There it is again. That momentary lapse when your teasing turns into...something else. It’s been happening more often lately, and you’ve been letting it. Giving in and then leaning off, as if afraid to frighten a skittish animal. You’re not sure who the animal is: $ezra or you.
You’re pretty sure everyone thinks that you and $ezra are fucking. They say as much in whispers, side comments, and – occasionally – to your face.
You’ve been inseparable since you found each other. Teenage $name didn’t dare to approach that line. You needed $ezra to survive on a daily basis. Taking a risk would have been shooting yourself in the foot.
Sometimes you think about losing $ezra and your throat starts to close up, your vision tunnels, and your chest tightens. $His friendship has changed the way you view this completely obliterated world and the parts of your life it took [[with it.]]You think of your mom and your sister, faded in the clouds of your regrettably human memory, and no longer feel guilty that you cannot remember what their voices sounded like. You have accepted that that $name has been lost to the great tragedy that has marooned everyone else. That is $ezra’s influence, fully, and you will never be able to pay $him back for that peace.
So if you still need $ezra to survive, which you do, what’s changed? Why are you really considering this?
Is it just time passing – who $he is, everything that $he is, has eroded your defenses beyond repair?
Is it because you look at $ezra and $he looks back at you and sometimes $he looks desperately [[hungry?]]You sit in silence for a few more moments, stretching slowly. You crack your fingers and $ezra leans forward over $his legs to stretch $his back.
You both begin to rise at the same time, movements in tandem, per (link-goto: "usual.", "errand")Though your skillset is primarily one of an academic, Oliver has ensured that your physical skills are up to snuff as well. Your hand-to-hand combat is passable, probably comparable to $ezra’s.
You’ve grown quite skilled with your (cycling-link: bind $weapon, "bow", "knife", "spear", "ax") through intense training that was, at first, Oliver mandated. Now, you pursue and lead your own training. You want to feel like a helpful member of the scouting team, not just an academic along for the ride. Neither Oliver nor $ezra has ever treated you like a liability, and you would like to keep it that [[way.]]“How is your ankle?” $ezra asks.
“Hm?”
“Your ankle. Is it doing better?” $he repeats.
“Oh, right. No better or worse than when you asked me yesterday,” you tease. $He chuckles.
This is $ezra. Attentive to a fault.
(if: $position is "Navigator" or "Scientist" or "Historian")[“I told you to get that checked out when it happened,” Oliver mutters.](if: $position is "Healer")[“Should’ve listened to Dr. Hauser and rested for longer,” Oliver mutters.]
[[Typical.]]You had injured your ankle a few months ago on a different scouting mission, during the cold season. You, $ezra, and Oliver had found a warehouse completely scavenged, save for what appeared to be some metal piping attached to the upper walls of the warehouse. Whoever had cleared it out either hadn’t noticed or couldn’t get up there.
$ezra and Oliver both advised against it, meaning, of course, you had to try. After retrieving most of the piping and tossing it down to your team members, you came down a bit too hard on your ankle. No big deal. You had a bit of a limp for a while, but it’s mostly healed by now.
[[It was unusual for you to take that sort of risk.]]
[[This was pretty standard behavior for you.]](set: $risk to it +1)You’re always sporting some new type of injury from some slightly-too-risky endeavor. It drove Oliver up a wall. $ezra frequently said you gave $him stomach ulcers from worrying.
You ride in silence for some time. You feel calm, watching the sun rise over the plains, the light bathing everything. Though peaceful, there is a certain anxiety in the nothingness out here. It reminds you how desolate it truly is, how alone you all are.
The rover kicks up enough dust that you all cough for most of the day after a scouting mission. Bathed in orange, dust in your lungs, and muscles aching, you’ll return home just before it becomes completely dark.
(if: $individualism > $collectivism)[You will try to avoid hounding by Community members for whatever it is you can find on the mission today.](else:)[You will be welcomed back enthusiastically and share your exploits with all.]
You will maintain a purpose that fights off your daily, pulsing [[grief]]. Oliver parks the rover walking distance away from the scouting area. It is, you know, his least favorite part of scouting. To leave your only mode of transportation in plain sight. You’re inclined to agree.
There is, however, no other option. The flat land hides nothing.
The scouting area appears to have once been a small town, leveled completely and partly buried. Maybe, actually, it was a large town and this is all that remains.
All that are left of the buildings are the stone foundations. They look out of place, starkly and perfectly square in the randomness of the plains. You walk through the wreckage cautiously, following Oliver’s lead.
(if: $position is "Navigator")[This place is not featured on any map you’ve come across thus far. You unfurl your map of this region and find nothing significant recorded. It appears you are the first from your community to explore this area.](if: $position is "Historian")[You try to determine how old this town must be and when it was destroyed. The foundations look fairly modern, gray concrete as opposed to an older brick or wood. The buildings appear too far apart to have been a major city with high density, but this specific area seemed to have been well-populated. The foundations aren’t large enough to be industrial. They could be smaller houses or shops.](if: $position is "Scientist")[You keep your eyes out for anything unusual. The weather patterns today appear normal, and there’s nothing out of place about the color or shade of the dust here. There is no obvious evidence of groundwater.](if: $position is "Healer")[You keep your eyes peeled for any vegetation, wildlife, or cloth material. Anything that could be useful in healing. Living vegetation is nearly impossible to find. Little grows in the dust without water. Occasionally cacti will bloom, all alone, struggling. You’re not sure why you’re here to scout. This place looks completely decimated. The scouting team who had noticed it on the way back from one of their missions can’t have thought this was worth it. Why would they put this place on the list?]
“Tough to see anything worthwhile here,” $ezra says, $his mind on the same track as [[yours.]]“Unless you think anyone would be interested in a bunch of rubble,” you mutter. “What’s the deal with this place, Oliver?”
You know he sometimes holds back on mission information until you’re in the thick of it.
“There’s supposed to be something underground. They thought it was some sort of basement or tunnel,” Oliver informs you.
[[Be annoyed.]]
[[Be doubtful.]]
[[Be curious.]]“You didn’t think that information might’ve been useful to us, I don’t know, earlier?” you snap.
“No,” Oliver deadpans.
You continue in search of some underground boon, looking for an entrance or an indication that it was buried in rubble. You see nothing, and you feel a little stupid. You could tell from the minute you got here it’s just [[flat.]](set: $norisk to it +1)“I don’t know about that. I don’t see anything that would point to anything underground.”
Oliver “hmph”s.
You continue in search of some underground boon, looking for an entrance or an indication that it was buried in rubble. You see nothing, and you feel a little stupid. You could tell from the minute you got here it’s just [[flat.]](set: $mind to it +1)“Why would they think that?” you wonder aloud. I don’t see anything that would point to anything underground.”
Oliver “hmph”s.
You continue in search of some underground boon, looking for an entrance or an indication that it was buried in rubble. You see nothing, and you feel a little stupid. You could tell from the minute you got here it’s just [[flat.]]“I don’t want to be the first one to say it but...” you hear $ezra begin tentatively.
“We got bad information?” you finish for $him.
Oliver says nothing, still focused, hunting for some sort of explanation in the dust. While you and $ezra have relaxed your stances, Oliver is still proceeding cautiously and carefully. He takes slow steps, purveying the area, eyes scanning.
[[Appeal to Oliver.]]
[[Commiserate with Ezra.]]
[[Try to find something. Anything.]]You put your hand on Oliver’s shoulder, forcing him out of his focused advance.
“Oliver, I don’t think there’s anything here,” you say, a sympathetic lilt to your words. You know how hard Oliver is on himself when the scouts don’t go to plan. Also, how hard he’ll be on you and $ezra. You’re not exactly looking forward to an “improved” training regime and a lecture on screening a site effectively.
Oliver looks at your face, and then the hand on his shoulder, like he’s never seen you before in his life. It takes a quick head shake and a couple seconds before his head is completely out of scanning the area. He is, by far, the most singularly focused person you have ever [[met.]] You look at $ezra and resist the urge to roll your eyes. $He holds back a smile, knowing exactly what you’re thinking.
“Grandpa Jones is not going to be happy with us,” you say, jumping up on one of the nearly buried foundation walls. You hold your arms out wide, balancing on the narrow structure. $ezra walks beside you on solid ground.
“You’ll sweet talk your way out of it, I’m sure,” $ezra teases.
“I do not sweet talk.”
“Oh, you totally do,” $he says, laughing at your incredulousness.
“$ezra Taylor, you are a dirty liar. I have never once in my [[life–”]]You scan the area once again, looking for anything you might have missed.
You come up empty, nothing of interest, nothing of value. Oliver and $ezra look equally unsuccessful.
“Maybe we should move on to a different scouting area,” you (link-goto: "suggest.", "eyes.")Oliver is about three years older than you, give or take. He came to the Community as a young man, already tattoed, already deeply serious, with a laser-like focus. He survived out there, on his own, for an unbelievable amount of time. It’s embarrassing to you now, but you always looked up to Oliver and you wanted him to like you.
Now, knowing him, Oliver liking you is somewhat of an unreasonable goal. You think he respects you, though.
“Do you want to do a final sweep and then call it a day?” you ask, moving your arm from his shoulder. You don’t remember touching him before, ever.
“Yes,” he sighs finally. “Let’s do that.” He doesn’t meet your [[eyes.]] (track: 'strum', 'stop')(track: 'cowboy', 'play')It all happens very fast after that. Something whizzes by your shoulder. It takes a moment before you realize it is some sort of weapon, an ax maybe. Or a large knife.
$ezra is in a defensive crouch position, a knife in $his right hand. Oliver has his hands up in front of his chest in a gesture of peace, but you know he has a knife strapped to his ankle.
(if: $weapon is "bow")[You’ve already grabbed your bow from your back, ready to load an arrow.](if: $weapon is "knife" or "spear" or "ax")[You’ve already grabbed your $weapon and grip it tightly.]
Two men and one woman stand in front of you, clothed in black from head to toe. Some of them have cloth over their mouths, so you can only see their eyes. They look aggressive. There are an array of weapons in hand, mostly axes and knives. One of the women has a (if: $weapon is "knife" or "spear" or "ax")[(link-goto:"bow.", "gage")](if: $weapon is "bow")[(link-goto:"bow, like you.", "gage")] “$ezra, could you help me weed the garden? You’re <i>so</i> much better at it than I am.” $He pitches $his voice up, pouts, and bats $his eyelashes. You try to look offended, but you think your smile is betraying you.
“$ezra, Alanna won’t stop bothering me about the scout. Could you be your wonderful, charming self and get her off my back? $ezra–”
“Okay, I sweet talk you, that’s different.”
“How is that different?”
“You let me, you love it!” you accuse. You wobble slightly on your feet. $ezra offers $his hand to steady yourself and you take it.
“Admit it,” you say, jumping down from the foundation. “You love being my knight in shining armor.”
“That was never up for debate,” $he replies, letting your hand (link-goto: "drop.", "eyes.")“Hey, whoa, let’s calm down everyone,” the tallest of the group, a man with what appears to be some sort of short scythe in his hand, pulls down his face covering. He is smirking, relaxed, less stiff than the rest of you.
You notice his green eyes first, almost yellow. Long dark brown hair touches his chin, framing the stubble on his face. It is a bad time, you know, to recognize that he is deeply good looking.
[[Be defensive.]]
[[Laugh.]](set: $serious to it +1)“Calm down enough to get hit by the next projectile you throw at us?” you question, snarling. “Pass.”
(if: $weapon is "bow")[The man looks at you, smirking even as you load an arrow into your bow. It is still pointed downward — you don’t want to escalate just yet — but you hope he gets the message. You won’t hesitate to bury an arrow in this guy if he gets close to $ezra or Oliver.](if: $weapon is "knife" or "ax" or "spear")[The man looks at you, smirking even as you point your weapon at him. You won’t hesitate to bury your $weapon in this guy if he gets close to $ezra or Oliver.]
“A cautionary measure,” he explains, shrugging.
“A cautionary measure that almost took $hers head off,” Oliver growls.
The leader takes a step forward, hands raised in a mirror of Oliver’s position. $ezra moves out of $his crouch to step in front of you and Oliver.
(link-goto: "Caution $him.", "caution")
(link-goto: "Flank $him.", "flank")(set: $playful to it +1)“What makes you think we aren’t calm?” You laugh, tinged rageful.
(if: $weapon is "bow")[The man looks at you, smirking even as you load an arrow into your bow. It is still pointed downward — you don’t want to escalate just yet — but you hope he gets the message. You won’t hesitate to bury an arrow in this guy if he gets close to $ezra or Oliver.](if: $weapon is "knife" or "ax" or "spear")[The man looks at you, smirking even as you point your weapon at him. You won’t hesitate to bury your $weapon in this guy if he gets close to $ezra or Oliver.]
“A cautionary measure,” he explains, shrugging.
“A cautionary measure that almost took $hers head off,” Oliver growls.
The leader takes a step forward, hands raised in a mirror of Oliver’s position. $ezra moves out of $his crouch to step in front of you and Oliver.
(link-goto: "Caution $him.", "caution")
(link-goto: "Flank $him.", "flank")(set: $individualism to it +1)It is, of course, over three.
Along with Grandpa Jones' original request: The Handleman sisters ask for you to keep an eye out for spare parts, Leighanne from electric asks for copper piping, Henry Kane asks for additional soap, and two young children beg for any sweets you find lying around. You only seriously consider the last request.
$ezra has planned for these delays, though, and you end up at the meeting point about the time you’d promised Oliver.
You are outside community bounds, now, and can see the enormous stretch of dusty, orange plains laid out in front of you. Your skin is already sticking with sweat from the heat. The land is flat for miles and miles. It’s deceptive and sometimes frustrating. You can walk for hours and feel you’ve barely moved from where you started.
Lead Scout Oliver Shen is, predicatably, early for the meeting time that he himself set. He’s bent down by the fourth member of your scouting team: The rickety, four-wheeled rover you and $ezra call Ol’ Unreliable.
(link-goto: "Greet Oliver cheerfully. It’s never too early to start annoying him.", "cheerful greeting")
(link-goto: "Say nothing. Wait for instructions.", "say nothing")(set: $norisk to it +1)You are typically pretty risk-averse, especially to any kind of physical danger. You can certainly handle yourself in combat, but you like to avoid unnecessary injury.
You ride in silence for some time. You feel calm, watching the sun rise over the plains, the light bathing everything. Though peaceful, there is a certain anxiety in the nothingness out here. It reminds you how desolate it truly is, how alone you all are.
The rover kicks up enough dust that you all cough for most of the day after a scouting mission. Bathed in orange, dust in your lungs, and muscles aching, you’ll return home just before it becomes completely dark.
(if: $individualism > $collectivism)[You will try to avoid hounding by Community members for whatever it is you can find on the mission today.](else:)[You will be welcomed back enthusiastically and share your exploits with all.]
You will maintain a purpose that fights off your daily, pulsing [[grief]].“$ezra, please,” you beg. You don’t care if your weakness shines though. $He can’t get hurt.
“It’s alright, $name,” $ezra replies calmly, not talking $his eyes off the leader.
“$name,” the man murmurs, as if trying it on for size. “You’re the famous Community $position. We’ve all heard of you. Incredible (if: $position is "Navigator")[work on those maps](if: $position is "Historian")[historical record-keeping](if: $position is "Scientist")[theories on the dune weather patterns](if: $position is "Healer")[medical notes], by the way.”
(link-goto: "Wait, what?", "what")
(link-goto: "What the fuck?", "what")
(link-goto: "WHAT?", "what")You move with Oliver, stepping closely behind $ezra, $weapon tight in hand.
“I’ve got this, $name,” $ezra assures, not talking $his eyes off the leader.
“$name,” the man murmurs, as if trying it on for size. “You’re the famous Community $position. We’ve all heard of you. Incredible (if: $position is "Navigator")[work on those maps](if: $position is "Historian")[historical record-keeping](if: $position is "Scientist")[theories on the dune weather patterns](if: $position is "Healer")[medical notes], by the way.”
(link-goto: "Wait, what?", "what")
(link-goto: "What the fuck?", "what")
(link-goto: "WHAT?", "what")$ezra and Oliver seem as stunned as you are.
“Don’t look so surprised, gorgeous,” the leader chuckles. “You have a superb reputation.”
“Gage.” It’s the woman with the bow. Her voice is harsh. A long black braid falls down her back, stray hairs framing her olive-skinned face. “You want to flirt with the $position or you want to move aside to give me a clear shot at $her?”
You all tense. Oliver removes the knife that was strapped to his ankle. (if: $weapon is "bow")[You quickly load an arrow and angle your bow towards the group in black.] (if: $weapon is "knife" or "spear" or "ax")[You move into a throwing position.]
“Leah, please.” The leader, Gage, is expasterated. “There’s no need for that. I’m sure we can all come to a peaceful resolution here.”
He is talking slowly, as if to [[children.]] It feels too calculated, though. A bit rehearsed. Like this is an oft-used Good Cop, Bad Cop routine.
“We’ll back off. You get in your vehicle and go home. Everyone leaves alive.” Gage is truly, actually smiling. He’s enjoying this. He feels confident he has the upper hand.
“Move a step closer, though,” He is swinging his sickle around his hand. “No promises. Leah has taken captives in the past and they generally don’t live very long.”
The academic in you is wild, curious. Who are these people? Where did they come from? They seem to know each other well. Their movements are aligned, their stances confident. They appear well-fed, strong, and clean. They have fairly advanced weaponry.
The scout in you is cautious. Why are they in all black, an easily spotted contrast in the Orange Plains? Why come out so aggressively? The woman with the bow, Leah, appears agitated but generally yielding to Gage. The other man has not said a word. He is weaponless, likely the one who threw the ax.
“Fine,” Oliver says through gritted teeth, already beginning to back away, still clutching his knife tightly.
Wait – [[no!]] “Oliver, wait,” you say, hoping the emotion in your voice betrays your thoughts to him. You can’t let these people get away. You have to know who they are. You have to know if they are a part of a larger group. What if they’re a part of the People Across the Orange Plains?
“Scout $lastname, let’s go,” Oliver says sternly. $ezra’s stare is pleading with you.
“Yeah, Scout $lastname,” Gage sing-songs. “Listen to your leader.”
[[Tease Gage back.]]
[[Let him irrirate you.]](set: $playful to it +1)“You can call me $name, we’re all friends here.” Gage laughs, but doesn’t take his eyes off you.
“Okay, alright,” you say slowly. Oliver relaxes, thinking you’ve given in. $ezra knows better.
You carefully drop your $weapon. The group in black watches your every move. Even more slowly, you pull your (if: $position is "Navigator")[map](if: $position is "Historian")[historical record book](if: $position is "Scientist")[scientific notebook](if: $position is "Healer")[medical notes] out.
(if: $serious > $playful)[“I have something you might want. These records could help you live out here, live better.”
“$name,” $ezra says, pleadingly.
“Scout $lastname, back away,” Oliver instructs.](else:)[“I guess you won’t be wanting these records, then? All my well-recorded notes are of no interest to you?” You barely contain a grin.
“Oh my God, $name,” says $ezra.
“You idiot,” from Oliver.
“Leah, no interest in a captive with some crucial information?” You’re smiling now. Leah is not amused.]
Gage, however, looks positively [[delighted.]] (set: $serious to it +1)You twitch with annoyance.
“Okay, alright,” you say slowly. Oliver relaxes, thinking you’ve given in. $ezra knows better.
You carefully drop your $weapon. The group in black watches your every move. Even more slowly, you pull your (if: $position is "Navigator")[map](if: $position is "Historian")[historical record book](if: $position is "Scientist")[scientific notebook](if: $position is "Healer")[medical notes] out.
(if: $serious > $playful)[“I have something you might want. These records could help you live out here, live better.”
“$name,” $ezra says, pleadingly.
“Scout $lastname, back away,” Oliver instructs.](else:)[“I guess you won’t be wanting these records, then? All my well-recorded notes are of no interest to you?” You barely contain a grin.
“Oh my God, $name,” says $ezra.
“You idiot,” from Oliver.
“Leah, no interest in a captive with some crucial information?” You’re smiling now. Leah is not amused.]
Gage, however, looks positively [[delighted.]] “You want to bargain your own life, your own information, for <i>what?</i>” Leah snarls.
(if: $she is $they)["They're an academic. They're trying to research us.” Gage smiles back at you. He appears to be sizing you up. You try not to show how desperate you are, how willing you would be to abandon your own well-being in pursuit of the knowledge that they must have.](else:)[“$She’s an academic. $She’s trying to research us.” Gage smiles back at you. He appears to be sizing you up. You try not to show how desperate you are, how willing you would be to abandon your own well-being in pursuit of the knowledge that they must have.]
“$name, please don’t do this,” $ezra pleads.
You want to comfort $him, assure $him that you’ll back off, be safe. But you’re in too deep now.
Gage, for a moment, looks to be considering your offer. Then, he [[lunges.]] You toss your (if: $position is "Navigator")[map](if: $position is "Historian")[historical record book](if: $position is "Scientist")[scientific notebook](if: $position is "Healer")[medical notes] behind you before Gage can reach you. (if: $choice1 is "ezra")[$ezra catches it cleanly. You could fucking kiss $him for that.](if: $choice1 is "oliver")[Oliver catches it cleanly. You could fucking kiss him for that.]
Now, though, you’ve gotten yourself into a precarious position. Your back is to Gage’s chest, trapped by an arm around your middle, and his sickle is at your throat.
“You’ve put me in a difficult position here, $name,” Gage murmurs in your ear. “I don’t want to kill you. But you’ve made it clear that you won’t be a cooperative captive.”
He does, to his credit, sound a bit sad about it.
“I really do like your work, $name,” he says, beginning to pull his arm back.
[[Twist out of his hold.]]
[[Grab the sickle.]]
[[Elbow him in the stomach.]](set: $body to it +1)You twist in Gage’s hold, swinging around so you’re facing his front. You push. Hard. Gage holds his balance, maintaining his grip on you.
As you struggle, Gage's free hand wraps around your mouth.
You bite as hard as you can, seeking bone, trying to chew clean through. You taste blood, taste success.
“<i>Shit!</i>” Gage cries out, tearing his arm back. You slide out of his hold and to the ground, moving to take his legs out from under him.
$ezra is there first. $He tackles Gage to the ground and tries to rip the sickle out of his hand. Oliver is already on Leah, swiping at her with his dagger. It looks like at least some of his swings are connecting.
You go for your $weapon on the ground. If you can get the high ground, even a little bit of height and distance, you could pick off all three of them from [[above.]] (set: $mind to it +1)You quickly reach up to grab the hilt of the sickle, wrestling for control of it.
As you struggle, Gage's free hand wraps around your mouth.
You bite as hard as you can, seeking bone, trying to chew clean through. You taste blood, taste success.
“<i>Shit!</i>” Gage cries out, tearing his arm back. You slide out of his hold and to the ground, moving to take his legs out from under him.
$ezra is there first. $He tackles Gage to the ground and tries to rip the sickle out of his hand. Oliver is already on Leah, swiping at her with his dagger. It looks like at least some of his swings are connecting.
You go for your $weapon on the ground. If you can get the high ground, even a little bit of height and distance, you could pick off all three of them from [[above.]] (set: $body to it +1)You wind up your elbow to swing backward, but Gage kicks the back of your knee. Hard.
You purposely go limp as you collapse, pulling him down just enough to bite down on his free hand.
You bite as hard as you can, seeking bone, trying to chew clean through. You taste blood, taste success.
“<i>Shit!</i>” Gage cries out, tearing his arm back. You slide out of his hold and to the ground, moving to take his legs out from under him.
$ezra is there first. $He tackles Gage to the ground and tries to rip the sickle out of his hand. Oliver is already on Leah, swiping at her with his dagger. It looks like at least some of his swings are connecting.
You go for your $weapon on the ground. If you can get the high ground, even a little bit of height and distance, you could pick off all three of them from [[above.]] It’s a good plan, but you’re just slightly slow on your left foot. Your ankle isn’t quite healed. Your weakness must be obvious, because the weaponless man targets your leg beautifully. It is swept out from under you and, after you’ve hit the ground, your ankle is pinned by his knee.
The pain hits you so fully, so completely, that you don’t hear your ankle snap, but it must make a sound.
You’re screaming. You know you have to fight back, have to do something, but the pain is rewiring your brain while you’re trying to decide. The weaponless man has your face pushed into the dust.
In some back part of your brain, you recognize that $ezra is yelling at Oliver to get the rover.
You can’t get a breath in. You can’t get <i>any</i> breath in.
The weight is suddenly off of your ankle and, fuck, that’s somehow worse. $ezra has tackled the weaponless man to the ground. You can’t see Oliver. Pain shoots up through your leg and to the base of your spine. Your vision tunnels.
Your $weapon. Still have to get to your (link-goto: "$weapon.", "weapon") You use your elbows to crawl to your bag, dragging your surely fractured ankle behind you as you go.
(if: $weapon is "bow")[You reach out, pull your bow towards you and load an arrow, as quickly as you possibly can.] (else:)[You reach out and pull your weapon towards you as quickly as you possibly can.]
Pressure on your leg causes you to cry out again. Leah has her boot on your ankle and is grinding it down into the dirt. You scream.
You could try to move onto your back and (if: $weapon is "ax" or "spear")[throw your $weapon](if: $weapon is "knife")[stab](if: $weapon is "bow")[shoot] at close range, but it would be a weird angle. (if: $weapon is "ax" or "bow")[There’s a chance it doesn’t get enough power and just bounces off her.] You could try to flip her, but she’s definitely at an advantage right now.
[[Try to get some leverage, even if it further injures you.]]
[[Move onto your back and aim upward.]]
[[Try to flip Leah.]]
[[Shout for help.]](set: $risk to it +1)(set: $mind to it +1)You use your good leg to push yourself back, knocking Leah slightly off balance. Your ankle screams.
You lift yourself to a kneel and kick back blindly with your good leg, thankfully catching Leah in the abdomen and giving you a split second of opportunity.
You’re running before you’ve realized how painful running is. Your ankle betrays you a few strides in, about to buckle, when $ezra wraps $his arm around your side. You lift your ankle immediately, grateful for the relief.
“On my back,” $he says. You don’t argue.
You can tell $ezra is trying to carry you as carefully as $he possibly can, but this is nearly impossible at the pace $he is sprinting. You bite down on your lower lip, not wanting to give $him any indication of pain. You just want $him to keep [[running.]] (set: $risk to it +1)(if: $weapon is "bow")[You flip onto your back, awkwardly pulling your bow string along your side body. You release, letting a weak arrow fly towards Leah.](if: $weapon is "spear" or "knife")[You flip onto your back, stabbing upward from your strange angle.](if: $weapon is "ax")[You flip onto your back and release your ax, letting it fly towards Leah.]
It doesn’t look like it does much damage to her, more like an annoyance, but it distracts her long enough for you to kick her abdomen with your good leg.
(if: $weapon is "bow")[You pull another arrow out of your bag, grip the shaft, and plunge it into her calf.] (if: $weapon is "spear" or "knife")[You stab again, this time catching her in the calf.](if: $weapon is "ax")[You pick up your ax quickly and chuck it again, this time catching her in the calf.]
Leah curses, kicking backwards, but you’ve already taken the opportunity to stand erect on your good leg.
You’re running before you’ve realized how painful running is. Your ankle betrays you a few strides in, about to buckle, when $ezra wraps $his arm around your side. You lift your ankle immediately, grateful for the relief.
“On my back,” $he says. You don’t argue.
You can tell $ezra is trying to carry you as carefully as $he possibly can, but this is nearly impossible at the pace $he is sprinting. You bite down on your lower lip, not wanting to give $him any indication of pain. You just want $him to keep [[running.]] (set: $body to it +1)(set: $norisk to it +1)You use your good leg to hook Leah’s ankle and flip onto your back, sending her down into the dust. She hits the ground hard.
You’re running before you’ve realized how painful running is. Your ankle betrays you a few strides in, about to buckle, when $ezra wraps $his arm around your side. You lift your ankle immediately, grateful for the relief.
“On my back,” $he says. You don’t argue.
You can tell $ezra is trying to carry you as carefully as $he possibly can, but this is nearly impossible at the pace $he is sprinting. You bite down on your lower lip, not wanting to give $him any indication of pain. You just want $him to keep [[running.]] (set: $body to it +1)(set: $collectivist to it +1)“$ezra!” you scream, mouth full of dirt. You can’t see where $he is, can’t see what’s happening.
You hear a cry from Leah, like she’s been hit, and take off.
You’re running before you’ve realized how painful running is. Your ankle betrays you a few strides in, about to buckle, when $ezra wraps $his arm around your side. You lift your ankle immediately, grateful for the relief.
“On my back,” $he says. You don’t argue.
You can tell $ezra is trying to carry you as carefully as $he possibly can, but this is nearly impossible at the pace $he is sprinting. You bite down on your lower lip, not wanting to give $him any indication of pain. You just want $him to keep [[running.]] Your face is buried in the back of $ezra’s shirt, so you don’t see the rover coming. But you feel a sigh of relief from $ezra and you notice $him speed up.
(if: $risk > $norisk)[You jump off Ezra’s back onto your good leg, using your arms to pull you into the rover before the vehicle has even completely stopped.](else:)[Then, Oliver’s hands are on you and you are being carefully lowered into the backseat of the rover. You move slowly, afraid to do yourself any further damage.]
[[Hold onto Oliver.]]
(link-goto: "Hold onto $ezra.", "ezra lift")(set: $choice2 to "oliver")“$ezra, get us out of here,” Oliver orders, lifting himself into the backseat with you. The rover screeches on the dust – that can’t be good for Ol’ Unreliable – and takes off across the plains. From your lying position, you can’t tell where the group in black is.
“Are they following us?” you ask Oliver, coughing some dust out of your mouth. Your throat aches.
“No,” he replies shortly.
That’s a relief, at least.
Oliver reaches back in the trunk for the water stores, careful not to jostle you, and fills a water pack. You take it gratefully.
While you gulp down water, he lifts both your legs so that they stretch across his lap. You flinch and he moves even slower, even more [[carefully.]] (set: $choice2 to "ezra")Oliver jumps into the driver’s seat as $ezra positions you carefully in the backseat. The rover screeches on the dust – that can’t be good for Ol’ Unreliable – and takes off across the plains. From your lying position, you can’t tell where the group in black is.
“They’re not following us,” $ezra assures you. Your head is in $his lap and $he is gently pushing your hair out of your face, carefully wiping the dust from around your eyes.
(if: $position is "Healer")[You know your ankle should probably get wrapped, but you can't do it well yourself right now and you don’t want to set it wrong.] Your ankle gets jostled a bit and you flinch. $ezra places $his hand on your upper thigh to steady your leg’s [[movement.]] (track: 'cowboy', 'stop')(track: 'strum', 'play')(if: $position is "Healer")[“Open the first aid kit and pull out a bandage. Make sure it’s a sterile one,” you instruct. “Can you wrap it?”
“Yes.” He sounds confident.] (else:)[Oliver attends to your wounds with the limited resources in the rover’s first aid kit.]
His hands – rough, strong, tattooed – are gentle. His fingers prod your ankle lightly. When you flinch or make any slight indication of pain, he moves on. He wraps a bandage around your ankle, tightening and loosening based only on your non-verbal cues.
The gentler he is with you, the guiltier you feel. You put him in danger. You put $ezra in danger. You risked all your lives for a chance to know the People Across the Orange Plains.
“Oli–”
“I have half a mind to report you, you know,” he snaps. His voice is angry, his jaw clenched, but his hands remain soft on your [[ankle.]] “I deserve that.”
“The Council will ask for a full report when they see you’re injured, anyway,” he mutters.
“I’ll tell them the truth,” you promise. “I’d never ask you to lie.”
“This will reflect poorly on my leadership.”
“I know. Oliver, I’m so sorry.”
He looks you in the eyes, finally. You must look remorseful, or else just badly beat up, because his vexed expression [[eases.]] “You’ve never...You don’t want to know what they might know?” Your voice is pleading. “They’re survivors, like us. They could teach us. They could help us stay alive!”
Oliver is quiet for a moment. He finishes wrapping your ankle, your foot still perched in his lap.
“Of course I want to know what they know. I want to know who they are and how they got here,” he says after a while. “The difference, $name, is that I wouldn’t put you in danger to do it.”
Yikes. He’s right. You’re an [[asshole.]] It’s a miracle but somehow, through the pain, you drift off to sleep.
When you arrive back at the community, it’s still light out. Never a sign of a successful scout. Oliver and $ezra help you out of the rover, one of your arms over each of their shoulders.
No one is there to greet you – they weren’t expecting you back so early – but someone must see you limping back because word spreads.
Dr. Hauser is alerted and a makeshift stretcher is not far behind him. Oliver is called to report to the Council.
(if: $choice2 is "ezra")[“Oliver, wait,” you call out. He doesn’t turn around, but calls back to you.
“Rest up, Scout $lastname.”
(link-goto: "<i>Fuck.</i>", "tent")](if: $choice2 is "oliver")[$ezra is hesitant to leave your side, but you convince $him $he needs to get $himself cleaned up.
“$ezra, wait,” you call to $his retreating back. “I want to say I’m–”
“Stop it, $name,” $he interrupts, lifting the back of $his hand towards you, still walking away. $He is smiling, you can tell from $his voice. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
You don’t deserve that (link-goto: "$man.", "tent")](track: 'cowboy', 'stop')(track: 'strum', 'play')The more attentive $he is with you, the guiltier you feel. You put $him in danger. You put Oliver in danger. You risked all your lives for a chance to know the People Across the Orange Plains.
“You look like shit,” $ezra says, grinning. You laugh even though you feel like crying.
“$ezra, I am so sorry. I just saw this chance that I’ll probably never get again in my life. I wanted to know, I had to know. They’re survivors, like us. They could teach us. They could help us stay alive!” You have to stop because you’re coughing up some of the dust in your lungs. $ezra offers you $his full water sack. You [[drink.]] You ride in silence for a bit. Your throat feels better, but the pain in your ankle is feeling more real. $ezra is continuing to stroke your hair comfortingly. You look up at $him.
“Please yell at me,” you request. $He smiles.
“I don’t see why I would,” $he says. “You saw an opportunity and took a chance. The Council surely won’t be happy about it.”
You grimace.
“But I’ve always known you’re going to save us somehow. It’s fucking fascinating to watch you work and piece things together and help us survive. This one didn’t work out.” $He shrugs. “Our team moves onto the next. I’d follow you into hell, $name.”
“I said yell at me, not make me cry,” you mutter, closing your eyes.
$ezra chuckles.
(link-goto: "<q>Maybe later.</q>", "asshole.")(if: $collectivism > $individualism)[You are transported to Dr. Hauser’s medical tent. Dr. Hauser is carrying one end of the stretcher and Joan Klein is carrying the other end.
“Thank you Joan,” you say as you are lowered down. She grins at you.
“Get better soon, $name,” she coos. “We need you.”
You sigh.](else:)[You are transported to Dr. Hauser’s medical tent. Dr. Hauser is carrying one end of the stretcher. A woman you recognize, but can’t place, is carrying the other.
“Thank you,” you say to her before she leaves the tent. She smiles.]
(if: $position is "Navigator" or "Historian" or "Scientist")[You’ve been in the medical tent before, for minor injuries or sprains, but never for anything as bad as this. Dr. Hauser is a kind man. You like him.](if: $position is "Healer")[You glance around this familiar place, intentionally not making eye contact with Dr. Hauser. He smiles down at you, as kind as ever.]
“Hi $name.”
“Hey, Doc,” you murmur. He gets to [[work.]]He examines your foot carefully. It doesn’t hurt any less than earlier, but it seems you’ve grown accustomed to the searing pain. The human body is frighteningly durable.
“It appears to be fractured, but it doesn’t look like a compound fracture. I’m not worried about infection, just about it not setting properly. I may have to break and re-set it. This will be a long recovery.”
You figured as much.
A voice at the entrance to the tent calls Dr. Hauser away from you. There is some mumbling, a sigh from Dr. Hauser, and he re-enters.
“$name.” He looks exasperated. “The Council would like to see you. As soon as [[possible.”]]<big>Chapter II: Probation</big>
Coming soon!
Thank you so much for reading! Please feel free to leave a rating or comment on my (link-repeat:"itch.io page")[(gotoURL:"https://anya-writes.itch.io")] or (link-repeat:"message me on Tumblr")[(gotoURL:"https://anya-dev.tumblr.com/")].
- Anya{
(track: 'strum', 'loop', true)
(track: 'strum', 'playwhenpossible')
}It has been over a decade since a worldwide natural disaster obliterated the natural planet and decimated human civilization. There are small groups of humans still alive, fending for themselves, trying to create communities amongst the rubble.
You are a 24-year old scout living in a small community on the edge of the Orange Plains. You lost your mother and your sister before finding your way here. You are primarily an academic, and you put your skills to use on regular scouting missions. With your best friend and your scouting team leader in tow, your small group is a pillar of the Community.
On your first scouting mission of the hot season, you meet the leader of the People Across the Orange Plains. Will you break from the Community you have known your whole life? Ask a romantic partner to join you? Discover secrets that your own people have been hiding? Become a leader yourself?
<strong>Content warnings:</strong> Violence, language, sexual content.
(link-goto: "START GAME", "No. I want to start over.")cowboy: https://files.freemusicarchive.org/storage-freemusicarchive-org/music/no_curator/Damscray/Your_Rainbow_Colour_Changer/Damscray_-_05_-_Look_Cowboy_Look.mp3
strum: https://files.freemusicarchive.org/storage-freemusicarchive-org/music/no_curator/Youssoupha_Sidibe/Sacred_Sound/Youssoupha_Sidibe_-_10_-_Xaleyi.mp3
intense: https://files.freemusicarchive.org/storage-freemusicarchive-org/music/no_curator/Damscray/Your_Rainbow_Colour_Changer/Damscray_-_04_-_Rural_Metric_Seven.mp3<strong>Images</strong>
(link: "Pixabay Royalty Free Images")[(gotoURL: "https://pixabay.com")]
</strong>Music</strong>
(link: "Free Music Archive: Damscray")[(gotoURL: "https://freemusicarchive.org/static")]
(link: "Free Music Archive: Youssoupha Sidibe")[(gotoURL: "https://freemusicarchive.org/static")]