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Chatterbox: Inkwell
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okay introductions first off. this is like a text adventure kind of. if you dont know what that is celineburningbright explains it here: http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/inkwell/node/553133
sidenote: celine im so sorry i promise im not stealing your idea please ive had this idea for a while im begging you i plan to contribute to your thing youre a good writer im not a plagarist officer please.
other sidenote: everybody please do celines thing too
anyway ive always wanted to do something thats kind of like a text adventure because there was a game i played when i was knee high to a grasshopper. (please assist me in bringing that saying back into common usage) and anyway the game was a text adventure and it was real cool. ive tried making text adventure type things before but they all failed. failed ideas freak me out, i feel personally guilty about their demise.
okay im getting off topic, which is a skill of mine. this is set in the same universe as everything i write, because thats the kind of perso i am. it will include: supernatural stuff. weird bit characters. elements of mystery. nightmare sequences. distinct stylistic choices by yours truly.
and most of all, it will involve you, reader. for through the terminal, you will be able to support the character you have been given control of. dont let the power get to your head. possible suggestions for actions will be provided, if you ask for them.
ill post the first turn after this post shows up. feel free to ask questions, ill answer them if i decide that i want to.
submitted by Lord Entropy
(August 24, 2023 - 9:47 pm)
(August 24, 2023 - 9:47 pm)
(August 31, 2023 - 9:08 am)
ASK ABOUT OTHER PROJECT== >
YOU: What... Other project?
The Alien: Heh. Heheheheh.
YOU: Well, what is it?!
The Alien: Hey, you're the one strapped to a table. I, uh... Wouldn't be so snippy. Not that it isn't admirable.
YOU: Are you not going to tell me?
The Alien: I mean, yes, of course I am. But it really doesn't feel right if I don't gloat first.
You just kind of give him a withering stare. Due to his reflective space helmet, you have no idea what his face looks like, let alone what his facial expression might be, so you can't really accurately gauge his emotional response to your glare. Judging by his voice at least, he seems relatively unaffected.
The Alien: Well, okay, I'll spill the proverbial human "beans." Have you ever had a dream that involved falling from a great height?
YOU: ...Yes.
The Alien: And in these dreams, did you ever hit the ground?
YOU: No, I woke up just before it happened.
The Alien: Right. And when did you wake up during your last dream?
YOU: Right before you... stabbed me.
The Alien: And-hehehehe-sorry, sorry-heheheh....
The Alien: What do you think happened to those bodies after you woke up?
YOU: Nothing!
The Alien: Hahahahaha....
The Alien: You'd be right. Normally nothing would happen to the bodies at all! And, really, wouldn't that be waste? Wouldn't that be a waste of perfectly good organs?
YOU:...
YOU: WHAT?!
The Alien: Hmmm. Are you confused, or shocked?
You start hyperventilating.
The Alien: Hey, hey, calm down. They aren't really you. They're just... Very useful.
The Alien: Ah, you seem to be waking up. See you soon, sunshine.
You wake up, in a sudden jolt. you're still in the car, but it appears to parked in front of Wren's house, which is actually a small mansion. It's called "Hawthorne Manor."
Terrance: Hey, kiddo. You were tired, huh? We're here.
Your name is Diana Zhu. You are sitting in a car outside of your best friends house. And an Alien, presumably from outer space just admitted to harvesting the organs from your previous dream selves.
So, what do you do?!
(August 31, 2023 - 7:48 pm)
Tell your dad everything about it and insist that you aren't lying and making it all up. (Unless you are and you made up an entire story. I actually do write stories in my sleep, and sometimes they're so realistic that I can't remember anymore what's a dream and what isn't...)
(August 31, 2023 - 8:48 pm)
i think its probably okay for me to reveal that it isnt "all a dream." that plot twist has honestly always personally upset me. its a way to cop out of telling a cool story.
i will post the next part tomorrow!
(August 31, 2023 - 9:15 pm)
Yayy awesome as usual!!
(September 1, 2023 - 1:11 am)
Ah, "dream" plot twists also annoy me, so I'm glad it wasn't a dream.
(September 2, 2023 - 3:41 pm)
SPILL BEANS TO FATHER==>
YOU: Dad....
Terrance: Is something wrong? You look kinda pale.
YOU: Dad, I just need you to listen to me.
Your dad starts to look worried, but he nods his affirmation nonetheless.
YOU: Okay... This is going to sound a little weird.
(you then proceed to tell him the events that occured in your previous two dreams.)
Terrance: ...... Wow.
YOU: Dad, I know that it sounds unbelievable, but....
Terrance: Harvesting your organs?!
YOU:Yeah... I am not sure whether it is real myself... But it feels very real.
Terrance: Yeah. I was hoping your alien dreams had gone away.
What?
You're not certain what he means. But then, you realize. The Alien had alluded to having visited you before, and said that something had blocked your memories of it. If he'd been in your dreams before, maybe you had already told your dad.
YOU: Dad, I do not remember ever seeing him before. I am not certain, but I fear that he is real, that he has somehow tampered with my mind.
Terrance: Huh.... Okay.
YOU: What? You believe me?
Terrance: Sure. I'm a radio host. I've seen plenty weird things in this town. What's one more?
YOU: I am not sure what to say.
Terrance: And you're my kid. Yeah. I believe you. But...
Terrance: Well, I've seem bad things happen to people around here. This place, this town, I worry sometimes that it's... Well, evil. I've watched it devour people.
YOU: The town can eat people?
Terrance: No! No, metaphorically. The problem is, I'm not sure what to do, or how to help you.
YOU: What about Doctor Enoch? Maybe he can help.
Terrance: Huh, good idea.
He ruffles your tangled hair.
Terrance: Look, Deen, I gotta go to work. Do you think you'll be safe here?
YOU: Dad, I will be with Wren. Nothing bad is going to happen.
He makes a weird face, kind of a half smile.
Terrance: Yeah, you'll be with Wren. See you this afternoon, kiddo.
You step out of the car, and wave at your dad as he drives away. You look at your surroundings and inhale the cold, wet air. Before you is the Manor. Behind you is a jagged cliff, overlooking a dense pine forest, and the gray Puget Sound. The sun is beginning to peek through the clouds.
What do you do next?
(September 1, 2023 - 9:47 pm)
look down the cliff, see what's there (don't fall!), knock on Wren's door (even if there's a doorbell. We're going the old fashioned way), and WOW WOW WOW HOW ARE YOUR CONVERSATIONS SO GOOD!! That totally did not go the way I expected at all...
(September 1, 2023 - 10:12 pm)
no turn today because im busy workin on a lil something for the stylist writing contest! but ill try to post the next turn tomorrow.
(September 2, 2023 - 9:03 pm)
LOOK OVER CLIFF==>
You walk, slowly, out toward the rock cliff. You stand a safe distance from the edge, but close enough to get an okay look. The town is visible, its cold gray buildings rising from the pines. Down there, the town can seem scary and unsafe. But here, up here, it looks so beautiful. Its hard to believe that evil could really lurk here... but you know it does. You sigh, and cross the street after looking both ways. You swing an iron gate open, and walk up the sidewalk to the front door. You make your way up to the front door.
KNOCK==>
You hold the iron knocker, and knock twice. It makes a great sound. The door swings, and you feel your stomach flutter a little. You're about to see Wren! Good old reliable Wren. She'll probably be predictably cynical and skeptical. You can't wait. The door swings open, and-
Alex: Oh, uh, hey.
YOU:...
Oh, you remember this guy. He's Wrens'... Cousin? Yeah, he's staying at the Manor with his mom for the summer. You think. He seems okay, and he looks a lot like Wren, so he's got that going for him. And his yellow beanie is pretty awesome.
Alex: You're uh... Here for Wren, yeah?
YOU: Yes, but is good to see you too.
Alex: Ha, thanks. I mean, you barely know me, but thanks anyway, I appreciate.
YOU: You seem cool! I may not know you, but hopefully I will eventually.
Alex: Okay, I probably should've not been a jerk and just taken the compliment. I'm not gonna make many friends here if I'm surly. So... Sorry.
YOU: It is okay. Most kids around here are kind of weird, it will be hard to make friends regardless of how surly you are, or how friendly. As such, I will issue an expression of my desire to be your first friend.
You stick your arm out stiffly, for a handshake. To signify the transaction. He takes it, reluctantly. He smiles, uncertainly.
Alex: That was, uh... refreshingly direct. But yeah, let's be friends or whatever.
Alex joined your party!
Alex: Uh, I don't actually know my way around the house, or manor, or whatever. I just happened to be near the door when you knocked. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not certain how to find Wren.
YOU: Yeah, I do not know...
What do you do?
(September 3, 2023 - 10:04 pm)
I should probably let others go but... no. This is too awesome. So what should you do? Some weird urge in me wants to shout BURN THE HOUSE DOWN!!! but... uhh... what?? *laughs manically* well, I assume you've been to Wren's often and know where to go!
(September 3, 2023 - 11:54 pm)
woahh how did it take me this long to notice this?!?
Assuming you're following these details, what we now know from "Interview with Danielle Zhu, Relating to the Thing She Saw on Friday, While Driving with Her Daughter, Shortly After Consuming a Slice of Meatloaf. (As related to Dr Enoch)"-
your name is Diana Zhu.
your mom is Danielle Zhu.
your dad is Terrance.
Terrance does most of the cooking because Danielle works all day.
Terrance is a pretty good cook except for meatloaf(?). Danielle just ate meatloaf.
you spend a lot of time at Wren's. You're more like girlfriends than friends, really. (Yess I suspected!! Or was that just my subconsciousness?)
Wren's name is Wren Hawthorne.
The house is Wren's grandfather's, and it's at the top of a huge hill deep in the forest. Still true.
They're an odd family to outsiders, quiet, but honest.
You and Danielle saw a man one night, midst a flash of light, as the radio cut out. Just standing there. Watching. Unnatural. I wonder... and anyways, didn't Terrence mention that you've had those dreams before? Could all this somehow be related? And I assume it happened near Wren's, where we're at right now...
There is someone called Dr. Enoch. Dr. Enoch is mentioned in this story.
And then "Interview with Terrance Zhu "
Terrance is a radio host. This is still true in this story. Loves the job. Sees a lot of strange stuff.
Terrance needs to get a few hobbies. Maybe that's why there's a trombone case in the car?? But empty??
You and your family live in a small apartment overlooking a saltwater marsh. Still true. The Purget Sound I think is mentioned when you look over the cliff. Perhaps that's it?? Two different things though. I think.
Then there's "Interview with Wren Hawthorne" what happened that all these ppl have to get interviewed?
Wren likes reading, watching movies, and arguing with Diana. Neither ever win. But it's still enjoyable.
Wren's mom is dead.
In "Sunset on snowhomish" and "Bunny", the Puget Sound is also mentioned. So that's how you spell it!
In "Interview with Edmund Adams", Emerald Springs, where you and everyone else live, is mentioned. It seems there was a tragic storm. Maybe the interviews are for the book. The storm was mentioned in other places too.
Finally, Diana Zhu speaks
you like conspiracy theories. Aliens. Your favorite band is They Might be Giants. The thing you saw on the road was giantish. And the creature in the "dream" is called "The Alien".
you like watching movies and arguing with Wren.
you used to like scrapbooking but now you collage.
your hair might still be dyed green.
also there are so many connections in all your writings that I can't help wondering if other stuff will come into play later, like "tummler" (who also made her way onto your epic piece for stylish writing) and the whole family, and I noticed all that talk about the "wheel" before also... and of course there's the key (and that hole in the ground where things happen, I think that was also "Four Marx Brothers (and a fifth)") and bunny and the scooters and bikes and nails and... I could go on.
ackk and then here's Alex! Gems everywhere, I tell you. I always say I love a good Easter egg hunt and this one does not disappoint! Bad luck in a moving truck
Alex has a prominent nose. Along with lots of other awesome description. Like a bird. Practices facial expressions.
Alex is judgmental, and likes to wear an faded orange beanie (hmm.. it's yellow now) all the time.
and, uh-oh, "Alex was reserved and quiet by nature. When he moved to Emerald Springs, he became even more reserved and quiet, in part due to the things he saw in the forests around his house."
hmm.. did I find everything yet? Or is it have I found?
(September 4, 2023 - 2:11 am)
no, yeah man, thats about it. everything i write is set in the exact same world for this exact reason. i just think its fun to draw lines and theorize. if you set everything in the same place, its easier and more fun to do that. also, i love returning to characters, and this makes it easier. and yes, some things will come into play but others wont.
tummler is in stanwood. so is chris, kinzoku, the yellow girls, maggie, and maybe some others, so they probably wont show up.
the twins are in rural snowhomish county, and so is lucy, but lucy might show up anyway.
cudgel, zeppo, maccabee, and casey are all adults at the time of this story, they probably wont show up just by virtue of how this story will work.
everything i write tirelessly explores the same themes: joy, sorrow, messed up families, and weird freakin monsters with tentacles and stuff
the beanie being yellow instead of orange ws just me messin up.
(September 4, 2023 - 9:30 am)
BURN HOUSE DOWN==>
You scan the room for matches, kerosene, etc. and...
Wait, what? Is this what an intrusive thought feels like? That... Really doesn't feel like something you would think.
Alex: Uh, are you okay, Diana?
YOU:... Yes? I do not know what came over me... It has been happening a lot recently.
Alex: What?
YOU: I have been thinking strange things... Doing things that I do not believe I would naturally do. Have you ever had the feeling that some seperate entity is somehow comandeering your body?
Alex: You mean an out of body experience?
YOU: Maybe?
Alex: Well, sure. I mean, there are things I've done in the spur of the moment that upset me after, because they felt wrong.
YOU: No, that is not what I mean, not exactly. But... Ugh, never mind. I cannot articulate it. I might as well quit trying.Where is Wren?
Alex: I don't know. Her room probably? But this is a big house, heck if I know where that is.
Okay. Her room. He's right, the house is big. There's two ways to get to her room. Take one, and you'll get there quickly, but you'll have to pass her grandfathers study, and he... Yeah he prtty much terrifies you. The other way takes much longer, but you're unlikely to run into him.
What do you do next?
(September 4, 2023 - 9:17 pm)
Take the long route. Wren's not expecting you anyway, as far as I can tell. Captcha says <afaux> which is a sentence fragment.
(September 7, 2023 - 5:02 pm)