Blue Lacuna — 420 of 467

Book - Flashbacks

Chapter - Fork Flashback

[The girls debate whether to disobey Progue and sneak through the door.]

Dream-Fork is a flashback-room in Dreamlands.

The printed name of Dream-Fork is " Forest Path[if player is df-lethe], Mid Morning[else], The Crack Of Dawn[end if] ".

The description of Dream-Fork is "[dforkdesc].". To say dforkdesc:

if player is DF-Lethe, say "The familiar forest path seems as fresh and exciting in the morning light as the first time you saw it. You are beyond excited to carry out the plan: finally getting to explore again in the forbidden parts of the island[unless df_intro is spoken and df-phoebe is idle]! You've stopped (again) in the clearing by the [o]windsigh[x] tree because your sister is complaining about something (again).[paragraph break][else]![paragraph break][end if]The path runs down to the [d]beach[x] or over to the treehouse in the [d]forest[x]";

otherwise say "You're not really awake yet, the bright morning light stabbing past the leaves of the [o]windsigh[x] and making you even more nervous. You don't usually get up this early, but Laylay was insistent. You've got to convince her this is a bad idea.[paragraph break]The path runs down to the [d]beach[x] or across to the [d]meadow[x], and your treehouse is visible through the trees deeper in the [d]forest[x]".

Dream-Fork-stuff is stuff in Dream-Fork. Understand "path/clearing/treehouse/leaves" as Dream-Fork-stuff when location is Dream-Fork.

DF-Lethe is a dream-lethe in Dream-Fork. "[if df_phoebewins is spoken or df_phoebeloses is spoken or df_lethewins is spoken or df_letheloses is spoken]Your sister has vanished from sight[otherwise][o]Laylay[x] stands near the path down to the beach, with that familiar impatient, bossy look on her face[end if].". The description of DF-Lethe is "[if player is DF-Lethe]Your heart is pounding in your chest. You've been waiting for this ever since you peeked over the rim of the volcano into the black fantasyland inside, like an alien planet waiting for the first explorers to set foot there. Dad thinks it's too dangerous, but you're not a little kid any more, and since mom died he's been too overprotective anyway.[otherwise]Laylay {(*[d]lethe[x]*)} never stops to think about what she's doing, never thinks about what dad would feel like if something happened to one of his girls so soon after... after you all came here. She's so irresponsible.".

DF-Phoebe is a dream-phoebe in Dream-Fork. "[if df_phoebewins is spoken or df_phoebeloses is spoken or df_lethewins is spoken or df_letheloses is spoken]Your sister has vanished from sight[otherwise]Your [o]sister[x] [one of]stops[or]is stopped[stopping] nearby, looking worried[end if].". The description of DF-Phoebe is "[if player is DF-Phoebe]You're still sleepy, annoyed at Laylay for having woken you up so early. And you really don't think running around in a dormant (maybe) volcano is such a good idea.[otherwise]Your sister {(*[d]phoebe[x]*)} doesn't like to go exploring half as much as you do, so it's always a chore to get her to come along.".

The df-windsigh is a setpiece in Dream-Fork. Understand "windsigh/tree/tree9" as df-windsigh. The printed name is "windsigh". The description is "[if player is df-lethe]This tree is pretty good for climbing, and there's a good view of the volcano and the beach, but since dad picked the other one to build the treehouse in, you usually do your climbing over there[else]You've never really liked these creepy trees. The noise they make seems to always be trying to get inside your head[end if].". Instead of climbing df-windsigh: say "Not now. You're talking to your sister."

Instead of greeting when location is Dream-Fork: pre-conversation processing; force discuss df_intro.

DF-convo is a thread. The escape clause of DF-convo is df_girl_concludes. Instead of exhausting when last beat is in DF-convo, force discuss df_girl_concludes. Instead of getting bored when last beat is in DF-convo, force discuss df_girl_concludes.

df_ctr is a number that varies. Every turn when location is Dream-Fork and df_intro is unspoken:

increase df_ctr by 1;

if df_ctr > 3 and a random chance of 1 in 3 succeeds, say "[if player is DF-Lethe]'Laylay,' your [o]sister[x] says, 'let's [t]talk[x] about this before we do something stupid.'[else]'Hey, are we going to just stand here or [t]talk[x]?' Laylay says.[end if]".

Instead of vague discussing when last beat is in DF-convo: say "[if player is DF-Lethe]'Stop it, Laylay,' she says angrily, 'don't try to change the subject.'[else]'Come on, Phoebe,' she says in annoyance, 'that's not what we're talking about.". Instead of saying farewell to when last beat is in DF-convo: say "Your sister would kill you if you tried to get out of this conversation.".

df_intro is an exciting beat in DF-convo with reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]Phoebe crosses her arms with that unattractive look she always gets when she's trying to act like the big sister.[paragraph break]'I've already told you, Laylay,' she pouts, 'I just really don't think this is a good [df_idea]. We're just going to make [df_dad] upset again and we promised not to.'[else]'Come on, Phoebe,' your sister whines impatiently. 'We've got to get this [df_idea] finished up early, before [df_dad] wakes up, or it's never going to work.'". df_intro suggests df_intro2.

df_intro2 is a beat in DF-convo with reaction "'I know you love exploring. I do too,' she says (you try not to roll your eyes). 'But dad's right, it's [df_dangerous] over there. We're only twelve years old.' (Okay, that time you actually do roll them). 'We could get hurt or fall into a pit or something. That's why he built the door in the first place, isn't it? Don't you think we should at least try to be good?'". df_intro2 suggests df_girl_concludes. The no-beat of df_intro2 is df_girl_concludes. The yes-beat of df_intro2 is df_phoebeloses. df_intro2 summons df_girl_concludes.

df_girl_waits is a beat in DF-convo with reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]Your sister waits for a response, crossing her arms haughtily.[otherwise]Laylay glances anxiously in the direction of the beach, then looks back at you impatiently.[end if]". df_girl_waits suggests df_girl_waits2.

df_girl_waits2 is a beat in DF-convo with reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]Your sister twirls her black hair impatiently, waiting for your response.[otherwise]Laylay taps her foot and folds her arms, glaring at you as she waits for a response.[end if]". df_girl_waits2 suggests df_phoebewins. [BUG]

df_girl_concludes is a repeatable insistent beat in DF-convo with keyword name "no" and reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe][one of]'Look, Laylay,' Phoebe says in her best bossy tone. 'This is all aside the point. You know how messed up [df_dad] is right now just like I do. We're all that's keeping him together. The best thing we can do is just trust that he knows what's best for us. Agree?'[or]'Come on,' she says, 'just answer. We can't let down dad. Do you agree?'[stopping][otherwise][one of]'Look, Phoebe,' your sister says patiently, 'I think dad found something over there in the rain forest. He was acting all secretive last night and you saw how distracted he was. If he's not even going to trust us then we have to find it too. Because we're here too, not just him, and we deserve to know what's going on.' Laylay looks on the verge of crying, fists balled, breathing quickly. 'So are you coming with me?'[or]'Just answer,' Laylay says hotly. 'Are you coming with me?'[stopping][end if]". Instead of saying yes when last beat is df_girl_concludes and player is DF-Lethe, force discuss df_phoebewins. Instead of saying no or saying maybe when last beat is df_girl_concludes and player is DF-Lethe, force discuss df_phoebeloses. Instead of saying yes when last beat is df_girl_concludes and player is DF-Phoebe, force discuss df_lethewins. Instead of saying no or saying maybe when last beat is df_girl_concludes and player is DF-Phoebe, force discuss df_letheloses. df_girl_concludes summons df_phoebewins, df_phoebeloses. df_girl_concludes suggests df_phoebewins.

df_phoebewins is a terminal beat in DF-convo with keyword name "no" and reaction "'I'm going back to the treehouse,' Phoebe says with a tone of superiority. 'You can do whatever you want, but I'm not going to be the one who makes things worse for dad. Maybe you should grow up and learn how to be responsible too.' She turns and leaves.". After discussing df_phoebewins: if player is DF-Lethe, now DF-Phoebe is idle; otherwise now DF-Lethe is idle; post-conversation processing; continue the action.

df_phoebeloses is a terminal beat in DF-convo with keyword name "yes" and reaction "Phoebe folds her arms and sighs, looking at you in that obnoxious way, like she's trying to be mom.[paragraph break]'Okay,' she says finally, 'I did my best. I guess if I can't convince you, I'd better come with you, so if something happens at least one of us might be able to go for help. Come on, let's go.' She heads towards the [d]beach[x], brushing past you as if the whole thing was her idea all along. Sisters.". After discussing df_phoebeloses: now df-phoebe is idle; continue the action.

df_lethewins is a terminal beat in DF-convo with reaction "'Good,' Laylay says, 'then it's decided. We're doing it. Come on.' And she turns and steps lightly down the path toward the bright [d]beach[x] below, leaving you furious but also sure you'll follow her. Moisty hells.". After discussing df_lethewins: now DF-Lethe is idle; continue the action.

df_letheloses is a terminal beat in DF-convo with reaction "'Fine,' Laylay says angrily, 'then I'm going alone. And you can just stay in your stupid treehouse until you're a gray haired old lady and die of boredom after living on this stupid island forever.' And she turns around and stomps off towards the [d]beach[x].". After discussing df_letheloses: now DF-Lethe is idle; continue the action.

Understand "idea" as df_idea when last beat is in DF-convo. df_idea is a repeatable beat in DF-convo with keyword name "idea" and reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]'Yes, we've been over the plan,' she says in exasperation. 'You put in the [df_combination] and opened the door last night and propped it open with a stick. We sneak past dad's hammock and go through the door and explore the volcano more. I know we can do it, I'm just asking [t]yes[x] or [t]no[x], do you think we should.'[otherwise]'What are you talking about?' Laylay says in an exasperated tone. 'I told you. [df_dad] won't wake up for hours. We just have to sneak past his hammock in the cabin. I already opened the door last night with the [df_combination] while he was out fishing and propped it open with a rock, so it won't make any noise. What's the problem?'[end if]". df_idea suggests df_morals. df_idea summons df_combination, df_something, df_phoebewins. The yes-beat of df_idea is df_something. The no-beat of df_idea is df_phoebewins. df_girl_concludes replaces df_idea.

Understand "combination" as df_combination when last beat is in DF-convo. df_combination is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "combination" and reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]'Don't brag to me about how smart you are,' Phoebe says, tossing her hair. 'I figured it out before you did, remember? You just have to keep your eyes open while walking around this place. [df_dad] didn't make it that hard because he assumed we wouldn't try to disobey him.'[otherwise]'Look,' Laylay says firmly, 'if [df_dad] really didn't want us to figure it out, he would have made it a lot harder. I mean, anyone who keeps their eyes open while walking around the island could figure it out.'". df_combination suggests df_girl_concludes. df_combination cancels df_something, df_phoebewins.

Understand "dad" as df_dad when last beat is in DF-convo. df_dad is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "Dad" and reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]'Oh come on, Laylay,' she says, rolling her eyes, 'don't be stupid. We're all that's keeping dad together. If [df_something] happened to one of us, what do you think he'd do?'[otherwise]'[df_dad] can take care of himself,' Laylay says almost angrily, pulling her black hair back from over her eyes. 'And if he, or you think I'm going to be [df_stranded] on a stupid desert island and not even get to do any [df_explore], you're being denser than usual.'". df_dad suggests df_intro2. df_girl_concludes replaces df_dad.

Understand "something" as df_something when last beat is in DF-convo. df_something is an insistent beat in DF-convo with keyword name "[if last beat is df_idea]yes[otherwise]something" and reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]'Yeah,' Phoebe says angrily, 'anything could happen. You could fall in a chasm, or step on some flimsy lava shelf that's not even supported by anything. You could get burned by steam. Or maybe there's weird wild animals down there, who knows.' She shudders. 'Aren't you scared?'[otherwise]'Oh, don't be a baby,' Laylay says. 'We're not kids any more. We're not going to fall into holes or do anything stupid. We're big enough to take care of ourselves. You're not scared, are you?[end if]". The yes-beat of df_something is df_scared. The maybe-beat of df_something is df_scared. The no-beat of df_something is df_notscared. df_something suggests df_girl_concludes. df_something summons df_scared, df_notscared.

df_notscared is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "no" and reaction "[if player is df-lethe]'Well, I'm not either,' Phoebe lies. 'But that's no reason to go around doing stupid things and acting on every weird [df_idea] that comes into your head.'[otherwise]'Good,' Laylay says, 'then what's the problem? My [df_idea] is totally foolproof and it's not really even that dangerous, anyway, if you were thinking and not being such a baby about it.'". df_notscared suggests df_girl_concludes.

df_scared is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "yes" and reaction "[if player is df-lethe]'Well you should be,' Phoebe says haughtily, 'so why don't we forget this whole stupid [df_idea] and try to do something that won't give dad a heart attack for a change?'[otherwise]'Well I wish you wouldn't be such a baby,' Laylay says, without a hint of sympathy. 'My [df_idea] isn't all that dangerous anyway. You're acting like an *eight* year old.'[end if]". df_scared suggests df_girl_concludes.

Understand "stranded" as df_stranded when last beat is in DF-convo. df_stranded is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "stranded" and reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]'We're not stranded,' Phoebe says angrily, pushing a lock of black hair behind her ear. 'Dad can take us somewhere else with his [df_magic] whenever we want, the same way we came here in the first place.'[otherwise]'Stranded,' Laylay says again firmly. 'Why else would he build a house here if he didn't think we were going to stay here a long time?' She stands a little taller, but her lip quivers. 'I think his [df_magic]'s gone,' she says. 'I think he doesn't know how to use it any more, or something. We're not going anywhere, so we might as well get to know this place.'". df_stranded suggests df_girl_concludes.

Understand "magic/magics" as df_magic when last beat is in DF-convo. df_magic is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "magic" and reaction "[if player is DF-Lethe]'Yeah,' she says, 'all he has to do is sculpt something from somewhere else and as long as we're both holding on to him real tight, we'll go there with him, because we're his children. He told us.'[otherwise]'We only know what he says,' Laylay responds skeptically. 'That he can sculpt something from another world and then be there, and us too if we hold on to him real tight when he does it. But we only ever saw him do that the time we came here, and he never mentioned it before mom died. How do we know he can do it again?'". df_magic suggests df_girl_concludes.

Understand "exploring" as df_explore when last beat is in DF-convo. df_explore is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "exploring" and reaction "'We've explored every inch of this side,' Laylay reiterates, tossing her hair. 'The marsh, the lagoon, the forest, everything. But dad's never even let us go into the crack and the volcano, or set foot on the other side, like [df_something] terrible would happen to us if we did. It's not fair. We're old enough to explore, and if he can't see that, then we'll have to show him. I'd rather get in trouble than die of boredom.'". df_explore suggests df_girl_concludes.

df_plan is a beat in DF-convo with reaction "[if player is DF-Phoebe][otherwise]". df_plan suggests df_girl_waits. df_plan summons df_dad. [BUG]

Understand "dangerous" as df_dangerous when last beat is in DF-convo. df_dangerous is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "dangerous" and reaction "'Well, obviously,' she says, rolling her eyes. 'A volcano's not exactly the safest place in the world, is it? And [df_dad] says there's some sort of wild animals in the rain forest. Your [df_idea] doesn't really seem like a nice flowery picnic to me.'". df_dangerous suggests df_girl_concludes.

df_morals is a beat in DF-convo with keyword name "morals" and reaction "'Look,' your sister says in exasperation. 'I know we can do it. I'm just saying I don't think we should. [df_dad]'s been through enough lately, right? Don't you think we should try to be good?'". df_morals suggests df_girl_concludes.

f-lethe-trigger is a person-trigger in Dream-Fork with target DF-Lethe. Understand "lethe" as f-lethe-trigger when location is Dream-Fork. Before examining f-lethe-trigger: if dreams are being debugged, say "// Dreams: adjusting conversation for being Lethe."; now df_intro suggests df_intro2; now df_idea suggests df_morals; now df_dad suggests df_intro2; now df_girl_concludes suggests df_phoebewins; if DF-Lethe is attentive, now DF-Phoebe is attentive; continue the action. Before examining f-lethe-trigger when DF-Lethe is idle and df_intro is spoken: say " {(*Phoebe*)(*your sister Lethe*)}|[line break] {(*too far*)}[paragraph break]" instead.

f-phoebe-trigger is a person-trigger in Dream-Fork with target DF-Phoebe. Understand "phoebe" as f-phoebe-trigger when location is Dream-Fork. Before examining f-phoebe-trigger: if dreams are being debugged, say "// Dreams: adjusting conversation for being Phoebe."; now df_intro suggests df_idea; now df_intro2 suggests df_dad; now df_dad suggests df_explore; now df_idea suggests df_explore; now df_girl_concludes suggests df_lethewins; if DF-Phoebe is attentive, now DF-Lethe is attentive; continue the action. Before examining f-phoebe-trigger when DF-Phoebe is idle and df_intro is spoken: say " {(*Lethe*)(*your sister Phoebe*)}|[line break] {(*too far*)}[paragraph break]" instead.

[Fake-beach is down from Dreak-Fork. Understand "beach" as fake-beach when location is Dream-Fork. Fake-meadow is east of Dream-Fork. Understand "meadow" as Fake-meadow when location is Dream-Fork. Fake-forest is south of Dream-Fork. Understand "forest" as fake-forest when location is Dream-Fork.]

Understand "beach/patch" as down when location is Dream-Fork. Understand "meadow/forest/treehouse" as east when location is Dream-Fork.

[NOTE: The following instead rules need to be in the order listed to function correctly.]

First Instead of going down when player is df-lethe: say "You turn back towards the lagoon, bright and blue in the early morning light[if df_lethewins is spoken or df_phoebeloses is spoken], following Phoebe eagerly[end if]...[paragraph break]{(*you*)}[line break][end-flashback]". First Instead of going down when player is df-phoebe: say "You walk off down towards the beach, following Laylay after all...[line break]{(*you*)}[line break][end-flashback]". First Instead of going down when player is df-lethe and ( df_intro is unspoken or df-phoebe is attentive ) : say "You suppose you'd better find out what Phoebe wants, first. You'll need her help to make this plan work.".

First Instead of going east when player is df-phoebe: say "You walk off away from the beach, imagining Laylay waiting in disappointment on the beach below, going back to safer places...[line break]{(*back*)}[line break][end-flashback]". First Instead of going east when player is df-lethe: say "No; you need to get to the cabin down on the beach if you're going to explore.".

First Instead of going when player is df-phoebe and ( df_intro is unspoken or df-lethe is attentive ) : say "You should finish talking to Laylay first. You've got to convince her this is a dumb idea.".

First instead of hugging when player is df-phoebe or player is df-lethe (this is the reject sisterly affection2 rule): if noun is a person-trigger or noun is a dream-lethe or noun is a dream-phoebe, say "You're way too mad at her for that." instead. The reject sisterly affection2 rule is listed first in the Check rules.

Instead of greeting df-lethe when df-lethe is idle and df_intro is spoken: say "[dfnotalk]". Instead of greeting df-phoebe when df-phoebe is idle and df_intro is spoken: say "[dfnotalk]". To say dfnotalk: say "You've said all you want to say to her right now.".

Instead of following f-phoebe-trigger when df-phoebe is attentive or following f-lethe-trigger when df-lethe is attentive or following df-lethe when df-lethe is attentive or following df-phoebe when df-phoebe is attentive: try going down.

Instead of following when location is Dream-Fork (this is the redirect df follow rule): if df_phoebewins is spoken, try going east instead; otherwise try going down instead. The redirect df follow rule is listed before the person triggers are weird rule in the Instead rules.

First Check exiting when location is Dream-Fork (this is the exit from dream fork rule): try going down instead. [The exit from dream fork rule is listed before the guessing which way is out rule in the Check rules.]