$title Part 7: Tomb $overlay_color #000 0.0 $set_sprite marco marco_mask/look_ahead $wait 0.5 $overlay_color #00000000 0.5 $wait 2.5 Marco: ... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/look_ahead_speak Marco: I think that's everything that we are able to [color=#ffff00]fish[/color] from the Carnal River for now. $if fishing_04_easy < 1 07_didnt_do_easy_fishing Marco: I've already ordered Akhirah to set sail. $label 07_didnt_do_easy_fishing $set_sprite marco marco_mask/look_ahead $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/confused_speak Marco: Is everything alright? ...Are you still mad about earlier? $set_sprite bard bard/normal $set_sprite marco marco_mask/confused Bard: Hm? O-Oh... Not really. I was thinking about the thing that we [color=#ffff00]fished[/color]. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/reflect Marco: That BDSM harness...? Bard: No, the rocket. I remember having a toy just like that as a young kid. It was my favorite one... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/shocked Marco: A plastic toy rocket? $set_sprite bard bard/sweat Bard: Yeah, but it was a different model, with more details. It was some merch from a cartoon series I was very into. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Bard: But I've always been fond of space stuff. When I was a kid, I liked to pretend that I was an astronaut. $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: Just exploring the vast expanse of the Universe, far away from Earth. Far away from every problem... $start_music scars Bard: And I wanted to escape so bad. # Fork 3 $if route_a >= 2 07_f3_definitely_not_route_d $if route_b >= 2 07_f3_definitely_not_route_d $if route_c >= 2 07_f3_definitely_not_route_d $goto 07_f3_route_d $label 07_f3_definitely_not_route_d Bard: Because in space, I wouldn't have to think about– $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious_speak Marco: ...What's wrong? $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious $if route_a >= 2 07_f3_route_a $if route_b >= 2 07_f3_route_b $if route_c >= 2 07_f3_route_c $escape print ERR_FORK_3 $label 07_f3_route_a Bard: B-But I could never be an astronaut. Up in space, the stakes are much higher... Bard: If an astronaut makes the wrong choice and fails, they can put their entire crew at risk. They could destroy everything. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: Bard...? $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: ...After I got that bad grade, my parent got stricter. They ordered me to show them every assignment, and every grade. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: It was humiliating...whenever I got a bad grade, they didn't even say anything. Th-They just gave me this terrifying look. Bard: They started assigning me private tutors. I no longer had any free time, not even for my best friend... Bard: I had just moved to a new high school, too, b-but I couldn't even socialize and make new friends. Th-Those years were a living hell. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Marco: ... $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: And I tried. I tried to reach the high standards that my parent set out for me. I tried...! Bard: B-But things only got worse. I was too tired to focus on my studies, and they pushed me to take more and more meds for my concentration. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: Bard... Bard: Th-Then it was the day of the entrance exam for college. All I wanted to do was strap myself to the next rocket to Alpha Centauri... $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: B-Because it felt like if I failed that exam, I'd simply die. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/clutch_chest Marco: ... Bard: I-I still remember the smell of that room. I couldn't handle all of the pressure... I was staring at my exam, but all of the words were too blurry. I started hyperventilating. $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: They...they t-took me to the infirmary in the middle of the exam. They said I was having ch-chest pains... but I can barely remember having a panic attack. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: ... Bard: I was relieved when I woke up the next day, and I wasn't actually dead. B-But then I realized how crushing it was to be such a failure. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Marco: ...I-I'm sorry, Bard. Bard: Worst of all was the look on my parent's face. Ever since that exam, th-they never looked at me the same. Like they'd completely given up on me. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: Th-The criticism only got worse. Anything I did in front of them was always wrong. No matter what, I'm just doomed to fail at everything...! $goto 07_f3_end $label 07_f3_route_b $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: Y'know... Wh-When an astronaut floats away from their spaceship without a lifeline, i-it's over for them. Bard: There isn't any way to propel themselves back to their spaceship, in the vacuum of space. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: They can only watch the ship slowly float away from reach, until their oxygen tank runs out... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: Bard...? Bard: You still remember me talking about my crush, don't you, Marco...? $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious_speak Marco: Y-Yes, of course. Your friend who was into theater. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: ...Back then, th-they were the only person I was allowed to hang out with. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/confused_speak Marco: Why? $set_sprite marco marco_mask/confused Bard: They said...they said that one of my friends hated them. A-And they told me, I had a choice to make. It was either stick with my other friend, or them. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/neutral Marco: ... $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: I-I was still in love with them, so I agreed. I g-guess they realized they could manipulate someone stupid like me. Bard: After that, they tricked me into ditching another friend...then another...then another... Bard: S-Soon, I wasn't allowed to speak to anyone else. A-And they kept treating me worse and worse when we were in private. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: ... $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: I-It still took me a while to finally stop having feelings for them. To realize what a fool I was. Bard: I wanted to break up, in p-private. When I finally worked up the courage. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: B-B-But they threw a tantrum, and humiliated me in public. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Marco: ...I-I'm sorry, Bard. $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: None of my old friends sided with me. They were s-still angry with me... Bard: ...Plus, my c-crush had been telling everyone lies behind my back, to rally them against me in case we broke up. Bard: I-In a single moment, I was alone. My lifeline was gone... And I became a laughing stock. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: M-My crush made sure that if I didn't stay with them, I'd have no friends left... It was all or nothing. Bard: Th-The bullying got so tough, my parents h-had to move me to another high school... Bard: A fresh start, they said. The only friend I still had left after that was from my family, after all... Bard: But I p-promised myself that I'd never, ever fall in love again. How could I have been so stupid to let my own emotions be weaponized against me?! $goto 07_f3_end $label 07_f3_route_c Bard: B-But no, I wouldn't be an astronaut. Most likely, I'd be an alien... $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: And y-you know what they would do if they found an alien, Marco...? Bard: They'd study it. F-Figure out why it's different. Dissect it... Kill it. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: Bard...? $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Marco: After I told my guru about my s-secrets, our sessions started getting worse and worse... Bard: Th-They started talking about their thoughts. Nasty thoughts...t-terrible thoughts... Bard: And they said I should be okay with it, b-because deep down, I was just a pervert. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/neutral Marco: ... $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: I s-said that I was uncomfortable, but they kept going...every new session, they kept talking more about it... Bard: I told th-them, if they didn't stop...then I wouldn't come back. And they just looked at me with a ferocious look, and told me... $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious_speak Marco: ...What did they tell you? $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious Bard: Th-That if I left, they would tell everyone... EVERYONE... my s-secrets. Th-That no one would love a perv like me after the truth came out. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: ... $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: O-One day, things got worse. They kept making me uncomfortable again... And then they...they touched my leg– $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: ...I ran away immediately. Before it could get worse. Bard: Even though I knew what they would do next. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Marco: ...I-I'm sorry, Bard. $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: Actually, I-I still don't know...if they told everyone or not. If they actually revealed my secrets. And I'm too afraid to find out. Bard: I only ever asked my cousin about it... They denied it, but maybe it was just a lie to hide the terrible truth... $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: Now it feels like everyone sees an alien where I'm standing... D-Do they all secretly know what a filthy degenerate I am?! $goto 07_f3_end $label 07_f3_route_d $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious_speak Marco: I remember you talking about that earlier. How your cousin also enjoyed space stuff, and shared their characters with you. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/playful_speak Marco: They practically got you to like that sort of thing, right? $set_sprite marco marco_mask/playful Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/pensive Marco: ... Bard: Y-Yes. We were always pretending to go on different space adventures. Since we were little... but even as we grew up, we continued. Bard: People would say that we were too old to play pretend, but I didn't care. Our adventures were just for the both of us, and nobody else... Bard: ...We would... Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/sad Marco: ...Bard? Bard: W-We would both hide in the dark, moldy attic at home. That was the dark side of the Moon, y-you see...where all my old space toys were. Bard: There, nobody in the entire world could reach us. N-No one in the entire blue ball hidden behind the lunar surface... Bard: ...Just two a-a-astronauts...me and them... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious_speak Marco: What's wrong, Bard? $set_sprite marco marco_mask/curious Bard: I s-saw a lot of myself in my cousin. Sometimes, it felt like they were the only person who understood me. The only one...! Bard: Then, one day... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Marco: ... Bard: ...Then, one day...they stopped visiting. Bard: And I got a call. Bard: ... Bard: ...They were no longer with us. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/clutch_chest Marco: ...I-I'm sorry, Bard. Bard: ... Bard: I couldn't... I c-couldn't understand, Marco. Bard: I s-s-saw them a few days before. Bard: ... Bard: I became...angry. Bard: I went back to the attic. Bard: I d-destroyed every single one of my old toys. Even my rocket. $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Marco: ... Bard: Why? Why...? Bard: Why why WHY?! Wh-Why would they do that...? Bard: Why would they be so selfish, and leave me all by myself?! $label 07_f3_end $set_sprite marco marco_mask/clutch_chest $stop_music 3.0 Marco: B-Bard... I think that's enough. $set_sprite bard bard/unwell bounce $set_sprite marco marco_mask/shocked Bard: A-Aaaagh...!! # Bard falls to the floor $set_sprite bard bard/unwell fall_down $wait 0.5 $sound_effect wood_thud Marco: Bard? What's wrong?! $remove_sprite bard Bard: M-My....my head i-is...! $set_sprite marco marco_mask/panic_speak bounce Marco: B-Bard...! Stay with me! $set_sprite marco marco_mask/panic_speak fade_out $hide_textbox $overlay_color #000 0.0 $clear_sprites $set_background remove_mask_1 $wait 1.0 $overlay_color #00000000 1.0 $wait 2.0 Bard: Hnnnggg... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/clutch_chest Marco: Y-Your vessel...it's getting weaker. If it continues like this, then your [color=#00ffff]soul[/color] will–! Bard: M-Marco...p-please... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms Marco: B-Bard, I won't let your soul be extinguished. I promised that I'd take you to the [color=#ff00ff]Hereafter[/color]. Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/crossed_arms fade_out $hide_textbox $set_background remove_mask_2 $wait 3.0 $set_sprite marco marco_mask/panic_speak bounce Marco: Vessel...I need a vessel... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/panic Bard: ... $wait 0.5 # Marco puts his hand to his face $set_sprite marco marco_mask/hold_face Marco: ... $wait 0.5 $overlay_color #fff 0.0 $overlay_color #ffffff00 0.3 $set_sprite marco marco_mask/hold_face bounce Marco: ...! Marco: Of course! My mask! The material should be compatible, but... $set_sprite marco marco_mask/hold_face fade_out $wait 1.0 $clear_sprites Marco: ... Marco: ...Screw it. $hide_textbox $set_background remove_mask_3 $wait 0.5 $sound_effect remove_mask $wait 1.0 $stop $set_background remove_mask_pause $wait 2.0 # Marco slowly takes off his mask and lowers it to Bard, and it disappears. Marco: ... Marco: I-I really hope this works... $hide_textbox $wait 0.5 $set_background remove_mask_4 $wait 0.5 $set_background remove_mask_5 $wait 2.5 $sound_effect glowing_soul $wait 1.0 $set_background remove_mask_6 $wait 2.0 Bard: ... Marco: ... # Bard lights up and gets off the ground Bard: Wh-What happened...? $set_background cave_wall $set_sprite bard bard/sweat bounce Bard: ...Ah! Bard: M-Marco? Your face... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/neutral reveal_fishing_item $wait 1.2 Marco: ... $wait 0.5 $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/neutral_speak Marco: I'm sorry, Bard. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/explain Marco: I-I bought you some time by giving up my mask for your vessel. And it worked, thank goodness... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: Wh-What happened? $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms_speak Marco: It's your soul, Bard. Your vessel was no longer holding up on its own. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/sad_speak Marco: I...I haven't been completely honest with you. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/sad Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/confused_speak Marco: I've led Akhirah away from the [color=#ff00ff]Hereafter[/color]. I didn't want you to cross over yet. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/confused $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: What? B-But your purpose– $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/neutral_speak Marco: I know, I know. But you weren't ready... No. I wasn't ready. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/closed_eyes_speak Marco: I didn't want to say farewell just yet. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/closed_eyes Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/pensive_speak Marco: Souls aren't supposed to last this long out in the open. And I knew that. Marco: It was selfish of me to let you stay, but I didn't want to alarm you. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shy_speak Marco: The truth is... you're special to me, Bard. In a way I can't put into words. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shy $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: ...B-But I'm not. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shocked Marco: Huh? $set_sprite bard bard/normal bounce Bard: I-I'm not special. Y-You're lying to me...! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/wide_eyed_speak Marco: N-No, Bard. I really want to– $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/wide_eyed $set_sprite bard bard/normal bounce Bard: I-I know! You're hiding something else! Y-You're trying to manipulate me! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/surprised Marco: That's not true. $set_sprite bard bard/face_away bounce Bard: S-Stay away! The only reason someone would want me would be if they want to use me, and then discard me. Like everyone else...! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shocked Marco: Bard, I...I just want to help you. Bard: ... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms_speak Marco: ...Please. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: There is n-nothing you can do for me, Marco. Bard: I-I've been lying to you all of this time! Y-You don't know what I truly am... A despicable–! $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: ... $set_sprite bard bard/normal Bard: A despicable burden. And I'll always be one. Bard: There, I said it. That's what I am. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shocked Marco: Th-That's not true. You're not a burden! Bard: ... $set_sprite bard bard/face_away Bard: I-I've already made up my mind. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/surprised bounce Marco: What...? Bard: I will stop w-wasting your time... G-Goodbye. $reset_background $clear_sprites Marco: Bard? Marco: ...?! Marco: Wait!! D-Don't–! # Panic song starts playing $wait 1.0 : ... $wait 1.0 $sound_effect water_splash : *splash* $wait 0.5 $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/panic_speak bounce $start_music eruption Marco: N-No... Bard jumped into the Carnal River! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/surprised Marco: This isn't good! They could vanish forever! I have to get Bard back onboard before it's too late...! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/reflect Marco: ...I know! I'll use my [color=#ffff00]fishing net[/color] to pull them out. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/pensive_speak Marco: This time, I'll need to keep Akhirah moving. I just have to remember that [color=#ffff00]the net will move a bit further up from where I drop it[/color]... # Akhirah starts moving and Marco looks around $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/look_ahead $hide_textbox $stop $wait 1.0 $continue_after_text Marco: ... $wait 1.0 $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/look_ahead_speak Marco: There. I found Bard! # Marco is surprised $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/wide_eyed_speak Marco: W-Wait... There's more than one [color=#00ffff]soul[/color] in the river?! But that's impossible– $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/reflect Marco: ...No matter. Bard has to be one of these outlines. I have no choice but to fish them all! $collapse_textbox $clear_sprites # Fishing 5 $set fishing_05_progress 0 $escape fishing fishing_05_end 1.00 true {"name":"fishing_05_any","sprite":"bard"} {"name":"fishing_05_any","sprite":"bard"} {"name":"fishing_05_any","sprite":"bard"} $label fishing_05_any $increment fishing_05_progress $if fishing_05_progress == 1 fishing_05_progress_01 $if fishing_05_progress == 2 fishing_05_progress_02 $goto fishing_05_progress_03 $label fishing_05_progress_01 $set_sprite fishing_item fishing_objects/bard_regret reveal_fishing_item $expand_textbox $wait 1.0 : You found: the Regret. $text_new_line It's whispering something in an angry voice... $wait 1.0 ???: "I never manage to meet other people's expectations. Why am I like this? I must be broken, deep down..." $wait 1.0 $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shocked bounce Marco: Is this...Bard's voice? It looks like a soul, but it's definitely not one. I've never seen anything like it before... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/panic_speak Marco: That doesn't matter right now. I have to keep looking! $clear_sprites $wait 0.5 $escape return_to_fishing $label fishing_05_progress_02 $set_sprite fishing_item fishing_objects/bard_guilt reveal_fishing_item $expand_textbox $wait 1.0 : You found: the Guilt. $text_new_line It's whispering something in a sad voice... $wait 1.0 ???: "If I wasn't an unwanted failure, the lives of everyone else would be better! I make them worse simply by existing..." $wait 1.0 $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/curious_speak Marco: Another soul-shaped anomaly. Could it be that Bard's soul has fractured and–?! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/hold_face Marco: ...No. I know that Bard is intact. They have to be...! $clear_sprites $wait 0.5 $escape return_to_fishing $label fishing_05_progress_03 $set_sprite fishing_item fishing_objects/bard_solitude reveal_fishing_item $expand_textbox $wait 1.0 : You found: the Solitude. $text_new_line It's whispering something in a tired voice... $wait 1.0 ???: "Distancing myself is the only way to stop hurting others. I'll vanish from everyone's lives, even when the loneliness becomes unbearable..." $wait 1.0 $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/sad Marco: ... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/look_ahead_speak Marco: None of these were Bard. I have to keep looking...! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/look_ahead $remove_sprite fishing_item $hide_textbox $wait 2.0 Marco: ... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/look_ahead_speak Marco: I don't see anything else near the surface... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms $escape return_to_fishing $label fishing_05_end Marco: ... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms_speak Marco: Bard... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/confused_speak Marco: Wh-Why would you... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/confused bounce Marco: ...? $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/surprised Marco: Wait. I think I see something else! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/panic_speak Marco: H-Hang on, Bard! I'm coming for you! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/panic_speak fade_out $hide_textbox $wait 0.3 $clear_sprites $escape fishing fishing_06_end 1.00 true {"name":"fishing_06_soul","sprite":"bard"} $label fishing_06_soul $set_sprite bard fishing_objects/bard_weird reveal_fishing_item $expand_textbox $wait 1.0 : You found: Bard...? $text_new_line This soul's core is completely clouded with self-doubt. It is unresponsive. $stop_music $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/reflect Marco: Th-This is definitely Bard's [color=#00ffff]soul[/color]! But... Marco: ... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shocked bounce Marco: O-Oh, no. Its core... Is it too late? $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms_speak Marco: Is Bard...? $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/crossed_arms $overlay_color #00000000 0.0 $start_music ambiance_cave 5.0 $collapse_textbox $hide_textbox $overlay_color #000 2.0 $remove_sprite marco $reset_background $escape return_to_fishing $label fishing_06_end $wait 3.0 $overlay_color #00000000 1.0 Marco: Come on... Wake up! $continue_after_text : ... $wait 2.5 Marco: ... $wait 0.5 Marco: I managed to find you, Bard. Y-You're safe now. Please... Wake up... $continue_after_text : ... $wait 2.5 Marco: ... $wait 0.5 Marco: It was all my fault. All because I couldn't do my job. All because... Marco: ...I started to have feelings for you. $continue_after_text : ... $wait 2.0 Marco: It was so selfish of me. I should have given you a proper send off, like I would any other soul. It's my fault you won't be able to cross over anymore! $continue_after_text : ... $wait 1.0 Marco: I-Is your vessel growing weak? But I already sacrificed my mask... Marco: Wait, my trench coat! I can also give it to you! Let me just... $set_sprite bard fishing_objects/bard_weird $stop_music 0.0 : ...Don't... Marco: ...! $start_music ambiance_river 5.0 $overlay_color #ffffff00 0.0 $overlay_color #fff 1.0 $wait 0.5 $set_sprite bard fishing_objects/bard_normal $overlay_color #ffffff00 2.0 # Bard's soul appears unclouded $continue_after_text Bard: ... Bard: Don't... take off your trench coat... I-It looks fine on you. $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/shocked bounce Marco: Bard! $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/happy $wait 0.5 Marco: Bard...I... $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/sad $wait 1.5 $continue_after_text Marco: ... $wait 1.0 $set_sprite marco marco_no_mask/cry bounce # Marco is covering his teary eyes with his arm $overlay_color #00000000 0.0 Marco: ...... $hide_textbox $wait 1.0 $overlay_color #000 2.0 $clear_sprites $wait 1.0 $load 08_judgement