shape-of-you

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<>  <<set $locationImage to "images/location/city.png">> <div class="location-map-wrap"> <div class="location-map-card"> <div class="location-map-title">City</div> <div class="location-map-grid"> <div class="location livingroom" data-passage="office" title="office"> <img src="images/location/office.png" alt="office"> <div class="location-label">Office</div> </div> <div class="location kitchen" data-passage="coffee_shop" title="Coffee Shop"> <img src="images/location/coffee_shop.png" alt="Coffee Shop"> <div class="location-label">Coffee Shop</div> </div> <div class="location bedroom" data-passage="town_center" title="Town Center"> <img src="images/location/town_center.png" alt="Town Center"> <div class="location-label">Town Center</div> </div> <div class="location washroom" data-passage="shape_of_you" title="Shape of You Inc."> <img src="images/location/shape_of_you.png" alt="Shape of You Inc."> <div class="location-label">Shape of You Inc.</div> </div> <div class="location washroom" data-passage="wok_dynasty" title="Wok Dynasty Restaurant"> <img src="images/location/wok_dynasty.png" alt="Wok Dynasty Restaurant"> <div class="location-label">Wok Dynasty Restaurant</div> </div> <div class="location outside" data-passage="outside" title="outside"> <img src="images/location/outside.png" alt="outside"> <div class="location-label">Neighborhood</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/coffee_shop.png">> <<if $step == 15>> <<goto "call_coffee_shop">> <<elseif $step == 18.1>> <<goto "coffee_shop_18.1">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/coffee_shop.png" alt="Coffee Shop" style="width:100%; "> The coffee shop is a cozy haven nestled on a bustling city street, its large windows allowing natural light to flood the space. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sweet scent of pastries, creating an inviting atmosphere. Inside, rustic wooden tables and mismatched chairs provide a charming, eclectic feel, while soft jazz music plays in the background. A chalkboard menu hangs above the counter, showcasing an array of specialty drinks and baked goods. The baristas move with practiced efficiency, their friendly smiles adding to the warm ambiance of this urban retreat. [[Go Back to City|city]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/coffee_shop.png">> <<set $phoneTime to "16:30">> The coffee shop just around the corner from SolvTech still had the same flickering holo-menu sign, one of the LEDs in “ESPRESSO” permanently stuck on purple. The air smelled like burnt syrup and over-roasted beans, but it was the hangout cheap caffeine, sticky tables, no managers. Sanctuary for the underpaid and over-thinking. I sat at our usual corner by the window, hands wrapped around a mug that was too hot to drink yet. The heat helped. Across from me, Lyla stirred her iced latte like she was trying to dissolve a grudge. James was busy peeling open a breakfast sandwich with surgical precision, foil crinkling loud enough to drown out the low hum of the shop’s outdated sound system. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Alright, start from the top. How’s Lena holding up? You two doing okay since the job imploded?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>She’s fine. Still playing support crew while I figure out what to do next. I promised I’d bring dinner tonight so she doesn’t have to cook again.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>She’s a keeper. Always has been. You’re the emotional chaos, she’s the damage control.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Mhm. And you? How’s the job hunt apocalypse going? Any luck?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Three interviews. Two soft rejections. One didn’t even fake interest. Same lines, different smiles.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>That’s corporate poetry, man. “We’ll keep your resume on file” the dirtiest breakup line in business.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>So that’s it? Three swings, three misses?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Not exactly. There’s something else. Something… different.<</speech>> Lyla cocked her head, suspicious curiosity flickering in her eyes. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Different how? Like “start-up in a basement” different, or “illegal biotech scam” different?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Lyla do you remember you told the company Shape of You Inc.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>The consciousness transfer place? Yeah. Why?<</speech>> James paused mid-bite, brows rising. <<speech "james" "James">>That sounds like a dating app designed by a therapist.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>What was there arrangement. Is it easy job ? But they seems pays well<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Neither, apparently. They do consciousness transfer. Proxy labor through rented bodies. You literally clock in as someone else for a few hours. I went there yesterday.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Wait you went? Dude, what the hell?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. I met with one of their reps, Elira Voss. She’s… not what I expected. The whole place isn’t. It’s bigger, more structured. They’ve got orientation modules, psychological screenings, ethics lectures. It’s run like a college crossed with a lab.<</speech>> Lyla froze mid-stir, straw clinking against the glass. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Classes? As in “Transfer 101: How to Be Someone Else” classes?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Pretty much. Tier-based system. You start at Tier 0, basic science of transfer, legal stuff, supervised test run. No contracts yet. If you pass, you can take paid work. Each new tier pays more but the expectations get intense.<</speech>> James frowned. <<speech "james" "James">>Sounds like boot camp for empathy. What’s Tier 0 like, then?<</speech>> I pulled the folder from my coat, set it on the table. Lyla slid it closer, flipping it open. The soft paper rasped under her nails. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Module 4: Long-Term Implications & Risk Management?<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>That sounds like “sign here before we melt your brain.”<</speech>> I smiled, tiredly. <<speech $player $playerName>>They’re honest about the risks. Dysphoria, emotional bleed, identity drift. But at least they don’t pretend it’s safe. That weirdly makes it easier to trust them.<</speech>> Lyla looked up. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>So what’s the real catch?<</speech>> I hesitated, staring at my cup. The steam had thinned out, leaving only the smell of burnt sugar and caffeine. <<speech $player $playerName>>Most high-paying work involves female bodies. Men transferring into them.<</speech>> James blinked hard. <<speech "james" "James">>You mean…<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Birth proxies, hormone response mapping, intimacy therapy. Stuff that needs feminine physiology. The pay’s huge but it’s not what I ever imagined doing.<</speech>> Lyla leaned back, processing. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>So you’d be walking around in someone else’s skin. A woman’s.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>For a few hours. Maybe a day. Tier 0 ends with a single, supervised body-swap session. They say I can quit anytime. No contracts, no penalties.<</speech>> James set his coffee down. <<speech "james" "James">>That’s… a lot. You okay with that idea?<</speech>> I shrugged. <<speech $player $playerName>>I don’t know yet. That’s what tomorrow’s for. See how it feels before deciding anything.<</speech>> Lyla folded her arms, voice softer now. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Look, if you go through with it, it doesn’t make you weird. Or lost. It just means you’re surviving. People rewrite themselves all the time you’re just doing it literally.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Exactly. If it keeps a roof over your head and doesn’t fry your brain, do it. Hell, document it. Write a memoir. “My Year as Other People.”<</speech>> I laughed quietly, tension breaking for a heartbeat. <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s what Lena said too. She’s not thrilled, but she understands.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Not thrilled? Please. Didn’t she threaten to rail you if you came back in a cute clone body?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, that too. She’s torn between protective girlfriend and chaos demon.<</speech>> James nearly choked on his sandwich. Lyla grinned. The sound of their laughter cut through the heavy quiet like sunlight through fog. For a while, none of us spoke. Just sat there the three of us, the steam from our drinks threading upward like ghosts. The weight of everything still there, but lighter somehow. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>So, besides existential science projects, what else is new? Still playing that sad roguelike where everything dies?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Haven’t touched it since the layoff. Too real lately.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Then game night’s on me next week. Cards, gyoza, minimal crisis of identity.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Keyword: minimal.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Bring Lena. She can roast us while you recover from femininity boot camp.<</speech>> I smiled, nodding. <<speech $player $playerName>>I will.<</speech>> Lyla’s tone softened. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>For what it’s worth? I’m proud of you. Most people wouldn’t even walk through those doors. You did. You decided not to drown.<</speech>> I looked at her, then at James, their faces framed in the window’s faint reflection two constants in a life full of temporary things. Outside, wind stirred the trash along the curb. The city kept pulsing, uncaring and alive. People passed by in loops of routine, unaware of how close any of us were to becoming someone else. I wrapped my hands around the mug again, letting the heat sink into my skin. <<set $currentObjectives = "Buy Food for Lena">> <<set $step = 15.1>> [[Leave the coffee shop|city]] <>

<> The city felt different after Shape of You. Not louder just thinner, like sound itself was filtering through a new layer of awareness. I walked until the anxiety simmered down enough to think straight. A street vendor’s drone zipped by overhead, scattering steam from its cargo pod, and the air smelled faintly of roasted beans and ozone. I ordered a flat white, found a booth by the window, and sank into it. My hands still felt shaky, though I hadn’t touched a terminal or wire all day. The session replayed in my mind Marcus Verel’s voice, that calm authority that made every sentence sound like gospel. This is not fantasy. This is not indulgence. This is reality. I sipped, staring through the window until my reflection blended with the street outside. Then I thumbed my phone, pressed the call icon beside Lena’s name. The line clicked. Her voice came warm, teasing, like a breath that immediately grounded me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hey, trainee. You alive?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Barely. I think they compressed six weeks of philosophy, ethics, and law into six hours.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>No actual swap today?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>No. Just theory. Rules, regulations, limits. The whole “don’t lose yourself in someone else’s skin” talk. Honestly, it felt more like a psychological dissection than a job orientation.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Sounds… heavy. You okay?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Just tired. They keep hammering how serious this is. Every second word was about consent, ethics, identity drift. It’s a lot.<</speech>> There was a pause on the line quiet, but not empty. I could hear the faint clink of her setting something down on a counter. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Come meet me, then. I’m at that little restaurant near the apartment the one with the paper lanterns and the spicy noodles you always order. We’ll have dinner, decompress. You can tell me everything without sounding like you’re reciting a handbook.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That sounds perfect.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. Don’t be late this time, rookie.<</speech>> The line ended with her soft laugh still echoing in my ear. I finished my coffee slowly, watching the condensation fade from the cup, and for a moment, I felt lighter. Like the static in my head had finally bled out through the steam. Outside, the lights of the evening began to bloom along the skyline. I grabbed my coat, pocketed my phone, and started walking toward home toward dinner, warmth, and Lena waiting under soft lantern light. <<set $phoneTime to "18:20">> <<set $currentObjectives to "Meet Lena at the restaurant near your apartment.">> <<set $step to 18.2>> [[Head to the restaurant|city]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/town_center.png">> <<if $step == 13>> <<goto "town_center_13">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/town_center.png" alt="Town Center" style="width:100%; "> The town center is a bustling hub of activity, with people milling about and going about their daily routines. The air is filled with the sounds of chatter and laughter, mingling with the occasional honk of a car horn or the distant wail of a siren. Colorful banners and flags flutter in the breeze, adding a festive touch to the scene. In the distance, you can see the spires of a church rising above the rooftops, while nearby shops and cafes beckon with their inviting displays and enticing aromas. [[Go to City|city]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "11:30">> <<set $currentObjectives = "Visit the job fair and attend interviews">> The town center was already buzzing when I arrived street vendors calling out prices, drone cameras hovering lazily overhead, and a thin mist of city dust turning the morning light hazy. Rows of temporary booths lined the plaza, each one plastered with holo-banners promising career growth, flexible hours, and competitive pay. It all smelled faintly of ambition and fried street food. I tugged my jacket straight and joined the flow of people moving between stalls, the low hum of voices blending into a soft roar. The job fair’s network node blinked on my wristband, displaying booth numbers and company summaries. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right. ByteFold Systems, booth nine. Let’s do this before my confidence expires.<</speech>> The booth looked cleaner than most minimalist layout, calm blue lights, a smiling rep in a tailored jacket scrolling through her tablet. She greeted me the moment I stepped in, her tone professional but polite. <<speech "recruiter" "Recruiter">>Good morning. You’re here for the analyst position?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Applied online last night, figured I’d come by in person too.<</speech>> <<speech "recruiter" "Recruiter">>Perfect. Can I see your credentials? We’re doing quick screeners today.<</speech>> I handed her my chip ID. She scanned it with a soft beep, her eyes flicking between the tablet and me. <<speech "recruiter" "Recruiter">>Hmm. You’ve got solid experience. Neural systems work, some adaptive coding... that’s good. Though <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>There’s always a “though.”<</speech>> <<speech "recruiter" "Recruiter">>We’re mostly hiring for senior-tier roles right now. Junior positions are paused until next quarter. But your profile looks promising. I’ll flag it for later review.<</speech>> I nodded slowly, the polite rejection already settling in before she even smiled. <<speech $player $playerName>>Right. “Flagged for later review.” Got it.<</speech>> <<speech "recruiter" "Recruiter">>Don’t sound so defeated. These things shift quickly. Check back in a few weeks, all right?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Sure. Thanks for the honesty, at least.<</speech>> She smiled, already turning to the next applicant in line. I stepped aside, exhaling through my teeth. The air felt heavier here, full of people trying not to look disappointed. I wandered toward the center fountain, the sound of splashing water almost too calm for the energy buzzing around me. Pulled a sip from a vending bottle, watching the crowd pass faces filled with the same quiet hope, some smiling, some resigned. <<speech $player $playerName>>One down. Probably a dozen more to go.<</speech>> [[Call Lena|town_center_call_1]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "12:00">> I stepped away from the crowd, finding a quieter spot near the fountain where the wind carried the scent of roasted nuts and asphalt. My thumb hovered, then hit *Call*. It rang twice before her voice filled my ear soft, alert, warm enough to pull the tension right out of me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hey, you. How’d it go?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>ByteFold Systems. First stop of the day. They liked me, said I’ve got potential… then gave me the “we’ll keep your info on file” treatment.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oof. The polite rejection special.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Exactly. Smile, handshake, slow goodbye. They’re pros at it.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Still counts, babe. You got out there, showed your face, let them see what they’re missing. That’s progress.<</speech>> I sighed, kicking at a stray flyer on the pavement. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, I guess. Would just be nice if “progress” paid rent.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>It will. You’ll land something soon. You’ve got that annoying stubborn thing going for you.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Persistence. Or self-inflicted suffering. Hard to tell sometimes.<</speech>> She laughed softly; even through the speaker it wrapped around me like a hug. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Whatever it is, keep doing it. You checking out another booth?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. There’s a few smaller companies on the other side of the plaza. I’ll hit at least one more before I head over to that Shape of You building.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good plan. Just remember to eat something that’s not coffee or stress fumes, okay?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Copy that. Hydrate, interview, try not to combust.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You got this. And hey call me after the next one, no matter how it goes.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Deal. Love you.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Love you too. Go be impressive.<</speech>> The line clicked off. I slipped the phone back into my pocket and drew a deep breath. The plaza noise swept back around me the buzz of recruiters, hopeful chatter, shoes scuffing over concrete. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right. Next booth, next shot.<</speech>> I straightened my shoulders and started toward the line of pop-up banners fluttering in the wind. [[Go to Next Interview Booth|town_center_next]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "12:30">> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/town_center.png">> The plaza had gotten busier crowds weaving between the pop-up booths, recruiters calling out over the chatter, the smell of fried dumplings wafting from a food cart at the edge of the square. My wristband pinged softly, mapping the next open interviews nearby. <<speech $player $playerName>>Okay. Booth 14. NeuralLink Logistics. Sounds fancy. Let’s see if it’s another “thanks, but no thanks.”<</speech>> The recruiter at the booth, a middle-aged guy in a too-tight shirt, glanced up as I approached. His badge flashed TEAM LEAD NeuralLink. He gestured to a chair. <<speech "recruiter2" "Recruiter">>You’re here for the technician opening?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Systems maintenance, adaptive interface handling. I’ve got experience with cross-node calibration and neural net sync.<</speech>> He nodded, scrolling through his pad, lips pressed in a neutral line. <<speech "recruiter2" "Recruiter">>Looks good on paper. You’ve done mid-tier analysis before, right?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Two years. Mostly calibration work and AI feedback tuning.<</speech>> He hummed, noncommittal. <<speech "recruiter2" "Recruiter">>You’d probably be great for this... if we weren’t freezing external hires. Budget review came down yesterday. Internal transfers only for now.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Of course. Perfect timing as always.<</speech>> <<speech "recruiter2" "Recruiter">>Hey don’t lose heart. These freezes never last long. Give it a month, maybe two.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Sure. I’ll just tell my landlord to freeze rent, too.<</speech>> He chuckled awkwardly, clearly done with the conversation. I thanked him anyway, forced a smile, and stepped back into the current of hopeful bodies moving through the square. <<speech $player $playerName>>Two rejections before lunch. I’m on fire.<</speech>> The heat off the pavement shimmered faintly, the air smelling like sugar and metal. I scrolled the fair’s directory, squinting until one name stood out AuralLink Data Services. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right, AuralLink. Don’t crush me completely.<</speech>> I made my way over, weaving past booths and recruiters, until I found the one marked with a sleek black-and-silver banner. The recruiter there was a woman in a tailored gray jacket, tablet balanced on her arm, smile too polished to be genuine. <<speech "recruiter3" "Recruiter">>Welcome to AuralLink. We’re looking for adaptable thinkers with strong pattern analysis experience. You look like you’ve been around this field a while.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Worked on neural grid calibration at HelixNet, then freelance since. I sent an application last night, actually.<</speech>> She tapped her pad, finding my file instantly. <<speech "recruiter3" "Recruiter">>Ah, there you are. Impressive skill set... but we’re filling this role with an internal referral. I’m sorry. We do keep talented profiles in rotation, though feel free to check back next quarter.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Next quarter, right. When the sun explodes, maybe.<</speech>> <<speech "recruiter3" "Recruiter">>What was that?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Nothing. Thank you for your time.<</speech>> I stepped away before she could offer another empty smile. My feet ached, my throat felt dry, and the optimism I’d started the morning with had dissolved into static. I stopped by a bench near the edge of the plaza, cracking open a bottle of water I’d grabbed earlier. <<speech $player $playerName>>Three interviews, three polite rejections. I’m killing it.<</speech>> A gust of wind pushed through the square, tugging at banners and scattering flyers across the pavement. One of them caught on my shoe: Shape of You Inc. Walk-In Registration Today. I picked it up. The logo was embossed, faintly iridescent the same mind-folding design from the site. <<speech $player $playerName>>Guess it’s time to see what the future tastes like.<</speech>> I stood, pocketed the flyer, and started down the street toward the gleaming white facade that rose like a mirage beyond the crowd. [[Call Lena|town_center_call_2]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "13:15">> I found a quiet stretch of street just past the job fair, where the crowd thinned and the buzz of conversation gave way to the steady hum of aircars overhead. My phone felt heavy in my pocket, like it already knew what kind of conversation was coming. I hit Call before I could talk myself out of it. She picked up halfway through the first ring. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hey, handsome. You sound tired already. How’s it going out there?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Two more down. NeuralLink and AuralLink. Both said nice things, smiled a lot, then hit me with the “budget freeze” and “internal referral” routine.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Ouch. That’s a double feature. You okay?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Just… starting to feel like I’m speedrunning disappointment.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hey. No. Don’t start doing that thing where you beat yourself up because people can’t see what you’re worth. You’ve done this before, you’ll do it again. You’ll land somewhere better.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You always say that.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Because it’s always true. You’ve got a brain that doesn’t quit. I’ve seen it. Remember when you rebuilt that AI parser after everyone else gave up? Same guy. Same stubbornness.<</speech>> I leaned against the wall of a café, watching steam rise from the vents and swirl around my shoes. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, but the parser didn’t have to pay bills or deal with HR emails.<</speech>> She laughed quietly, the sound cutting through the dull ache sitting in my chest. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fair. Still, you’re out there trying. That counts for a lot, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m trying to believe that.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. Because I believe it enough for both of us.<</speech>> A few seconds of silence passed the kind that wasn’t awkward, just heavy and full of everything we didn’t need to say. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So, what’s next? You heading home?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Not yet. There’s one more stop. That Shape of You place I mentioned it’s just a few blocks away. Figured I might as well see it up close.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You really want to check it out?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. The pay they list is insane. Even if it’s weird, I need to know what the deal is. Worst case, it’s a scam. Best case… maybe it’s a way out of this mess.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Just remember what I said: no signing anything today. No “temporary upload” or whatever tech nonsense they pitch. You walk in, you look around, and then you walk right back out and tell me everything, okay?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Promise. Just looking.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. I trust you. And even if today sucked, I’m still proud of you for getting out there.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You and your eternal optimism.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Someone’s gotta balance you out. Now go see what that weird company’s about, then come home. I’ll order dinner.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Deal. I’ll call when I’m done.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Love you.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Love you too.<</speech>> The call ended with a soft click, leaving me with the echo of her voice still playing in my head. I pocketed the phone and looked down the street, where the white building of Shape of You Inc. rose above the plaza like a blank page waiting to be written on. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right. Let’s see what this is really about.<</speech>> <<set $step = 14>> <<set $currentObjectives = "Visit Shape of You Inc.">> [[Head to Shape of You Inc.|city]] <>

<<set $locationImage to "images/location/wok_dynasty.png">> <> <<if $step == 15.1>> <<goto "wok_dynasty_15.1">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/wok_dynasty.png" alt="Wok Dynasty Restaurant" style="width:100%;"> The Wok Dynasty is a bustling Chinese restaurant, filled with the rich aromas of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Red lanterns hang from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the wooden tables and chairs. The sound of sizzling woks and clattering dishes creates a lively atmosphere, while the walls are adorned with traditional Chinese artwork and calligraphy. [[Go Outside|city]] <</if>> <>

<> The smell of fried garlic and sesame oil hit me the moment I pushed open the glass door of Wok Dynasty. The sign above the counter flickered in red and gold, half the characters fading between English and Mandarin every few seconds. Steam curled up from the open kitchen where woks clanged like percussion, each strike sharp and rhythmic. The place was half-full delivery drivers crowding near the pickup shelf, a few office workers eating late lunch, screens glowing over half-finished noodles. I stepped up to the counter, scanning the menu even though I already knew what I was here for. The cashier a slim guy with buzzed hair and a bored expression looked up from his tablet. <<speech "cashier" "Cashier">>What can I get you, man?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Hey. Uh, one order of garlic dumplings, spicy beef lo mein, and an extra side of sesame tofu. Oh, and can you throw in a couple of pork buns too?<</speech>> He nodded, tapping the order into his pad. <<speech "cashier" "Cashier">>That’s a good spread. You feeding an army or a girlfriend?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Girlfriend. She texted the craving five minutes before I got here. I’m just the obedient mule with a debit card.<</speech>> The guy snorted. <<speech "cashier" "Cashier">>Respect. Smart move. Happy girlfriend means fewer takeout complaints later.<</speech>> I leaned against the counter, watching the kitchen flames flare high before disappearing under a cloud of soy and chili. A woman in a red apron slid past carrying a tray of hot boxes. She gave me a quick nod before setting them under the heat lamps. <<speech "cashier" "Cashier">>Order name?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Ren.<</speech>> He nodded, printed the ticket, and slid it across to me. <<speech "cashier" "Cashier">>Ten minutes. Grab a seat. Water and fortune cookies are self-serve.<</speech>> I took a seat near the window. The city outside was shifting from gold to gray, commuters thickening the sidewalks. I texted Lena quickly: On it. Dumplings secured. Addictions fed. Her reply came seconds later a simple heart emoji followed by: Don’t forget soy packets this time, noodle boy. I smiled, sliding the phone back into my pocket just as the cashier called out my name. The bag was warm and heavy in my hand, the smell instantly addictive. Comfort. Familiarity. Something solid to take home after a day that felt anything but. <<speech $player $playerName>>Thanks, man.<</speech>> <<speech "cashier" "Cashier">>No problem. Tell your girl we upgraded the dumplings chef felt generous.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>She’s gonna love you for that.<</speech>> <<speech "cashier" "Cashier">>Tell her to leave a review then.<</speech>> I laughed, lifting the bag slightly in salute as I stepped back out into the fading daylight. The scent followed me into the street garlic, soy, and heat the kind of smell that felt like home waiting. <<set $phoneTime to "5:30">> <<set $step to 16>> <<set $currentObjectives to "Go Home and Relax with Lena">> [[Go Outside|city]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/bedroom.png">> <<if $step == 1>> <<goto "bedroom_1">> <<elseif $step == 11.1>> <<goto "night_1">> <<elseif $step == 17>> <<goto "bedroom_17">> <<elseif $step == 18.3>> <<goto "bedroom_18.3">> <<elseif !$is_quiz_pass && !$is_next_day>> <<goto "eat">> <<elseif $step == 19.4>> <<goto "bedroom_19.4">> <<elseif $step == 19.6>> <<goto "bedroom_19.6">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/bedroom.png" alt="Bedroom" style="width:100%; "> The bedroom is quiet and empty now. A few rays of morning light filter through the blinds, casting soft stripes across the rumpled sheets. The faint scent of her shampoo lingers in the air. <<speech $player $playerName>>No one's here. Maybe check the living room or kitchen?<</speech>> [[Go to Outside|home]] <</if>> <>

<> The bedroom was still half-dark, blinds tilted just enough to stripe the sheets in pale gold. The air smelled faintly of coffee, body heat, and the faint tang of her shampoo lingering in the pillow. I stepped over the pile of last night’s clothes and crouched by the dresser, muttering mostly to myself because silence always felt too heavy after she left. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right. Morning-after pill. Top drawer, left side, under <</speech>> I yanked it open. Socks. Charger cables. A half-dead vibrator. <<speech $player $playerName>>Not here. Shit, Lena, where’d you stash it this time? You rearranged everything again, didn’t you?<</speech>> The second drawer groaned open. Old receipts, lotion, a pack of gum, three mismatched earrings, and aha an empty foil packet. <<speech $player $playerName>>Great. Just the wrapper. Classic us.<</speech>> I leaned back on my heels, rubbing my face with both hands. The bed behind me was a mess, sheets twisted, her towel still damp at the foot of it. A faint print of her body still ghosted the mattress. <<speech $player $playerName>>Okay. Think. She said the drawer. Which means… maybe she moved it to the box under the bed. Emergency stash. That’s Lena logic.<</speech>> I ducked down, reaching into the shadow beneath the frame. My fingers brushed cardboard, then the smooth surface of something plastic. I dragged it out a shoebox plastered with neon stickers, half full of random “just-in-case” stuff. <<speech $player $playerName>>Gauze, batteries, candy, condoms unused, thank god aha.<</speech>> The blister pack glinted when the light caught it. <<speech $player $playerName>>There you are, little insurance policy.<</speech>> I sat back on the bed, pill between my fingers, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. <<speech $player $playerName>>Okay, step one: found it. Step two: get your ass to the grocery store anyway, because she’ll still want the pretzels. Step three: maybe stop coming inside her on reflex, genius.<</speech>> I laughed under my breath, low and wry. The ceiling fan hummed softly above. <<speech $player $playerName>>She’s right, though. My pull-out game is trash.<</speech>> I stood, pocketed the pack, and glanced at the clock. Half past eight. Enough time for a shower, a quick stop at the corner store, and then Greaves. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right. Let’s make today not a disaster.<</speech>> I grabbed my jacket off the chair, one last look at the bed, the dent where she’d slept. The room still felt like her. <<set $currentObjectives to "Buy Yogurt Pretzels">> <<set $step = 1.1>> [[Head Out|home]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "21:00">> We undressed slowly, not out of restraint but because both of us were still tangled in thoughts from earlier. The low hum of the city outside our bedroom window buzzed like static in the silence between our kisses. I pulled Lena close, hands trailing up her back, feeling her breath catch against my neck as her fingers slid under my shirt, palms warm against my skin. Her voice was quiet, barely a brush against my ear. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I Still thinking about it. You?<</speech>> I didn’t answer with words. I kissed her instead slow, deep, letting her feel every ounce of weight behind it. Her mouth opened to mine, and her fingers curled into my back as she melted into it, hips swaying instinctively against me. <<speech $player $playerName>>In Tier 0, there’s this final piece they make you live in a woman’s body for a full day. It’s part of the certification.<</speech>> She pulled back slightly, breath caught. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So… I’ll see you like that? Like her?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>If I choose to finish it, yeah. I’ll come home in her skin. Clone host. Just for a day. But it’ll be me inside. Every thought, every word.<</speech>> She held my gaze, eyes flickering with heat and uncertainty. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuck… I don’t know if that turns me on or scares the shit out of me.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Maybe both. I’ll let you decide how you want to treat her when I walk in the door.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You think I won’t pin your soft little clone down and make her scream?<</speech>> I growled, kissing her again, harder. Our clothes fell away in pieces between every touch, every mouthful of skin. I pushed her back onto the bed, fingers dragging down her thighs, watching them fall open beneath me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re thinking too much, baby. Let me shut you up.<</speech>> She slid down, hand wrapped around my cock, tongue tracing the underside before taking me in deep wet heat engulfing me in one long, hungry suck. <<speech $player $playerName>>Fuck, Lena… your mouth is perfect.<</speech>> She moaned around my length, sending vibrations up through my spine, bobbing slow and filthy. Saliva dripped from the corners of her lips as she looked up, eyes dark. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I want you to cum in my throat before you ever become like me.<</speech>> I pulled her off with a groan, gripping her hips and flipping her back, sliding between her legs. I licked her slow at first, tongue tracing every line of her soaked slit, then sucked hard on her clit as she gasped and twisted under me. <<speech $player $playerName>>Taste so fucking sweet. Can’t believe you’d let me leave this for even a second.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Then fuck me like I’m all you’ve got left. Remind me.<</speech>> I kissed up her body, taking her nipple between my lips and sucking hard, fingers still teasing her dripping pussy. Then I flipped her onto her stomach, spread her thighs, and pushed in deep without hesitation. She arched back with a sharp gasp, fingers clutching the sheets. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Ahh fuck! Yes! Just like that, don’t you fucking stop <</speech>> I slammed into her harder, the sound of our skin slapping echoing off the walls. My hands clamped onto her waist, holding her steady as I pounded her from behind, cock buried to the hilt, every thrust brutal and deep. <<speech $player $playerName>>Is this what you’re afraid I’ll forget?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yes fuck yes! You better not, I’ll ruin you if you do harder, fuck me harder <</speech>> I grunted, sweat dripping down my chest as I hammered her, watching her back arch and collapse, moaning with every bounce. Her body trembled around me, thighs shaking as I pulled out briefly, then shoved her flat onto her stomach. <<speech $player $playerName>>Up. Ride me.<</speech>> She climbed on fast, guided me back in, hips rolling slow at first as she rode, her tits bouncing with every motion, her hands braced against my chest. Then she threw her head back and started bouncing hard, reckless, using me until her voice broke into whimpers. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuck I’m gonna cum ahh, fuck yes, baby, fuck yes <</speech>> She spasmed against me, body convulsing in orgasm, clenched tight around my cock. I held her through it, kissed her neck as she collapsed forward. I was close, dizzy with it. I kissed her hard, then shoved her off and flipped her again. <<speech $player $playerName>>One more hole left.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Wait fuck, wait <</speech>> I didn’t. I spat into my hand, smeared her ass, and pushed in slow and brutal no warning. She screamed into the mattress, hands clawing at the sheets. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>FUCK! Oh my god it’s too big it’s too nghh <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You take it. Take it all. This ass is mine tonight.<</speech>> She sobbed and moaned as I forced myself deeper, stretching her tight hole around me, every inch making her shiver, her body trembling under the pressure. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re too deep you’re fucking breaking me fuck yes yes! Keep going <</speech>> I slammed into her until her words melted into incoherent cries, her ass locked around me like a vice. When I came, it hit me like fire deep inside her, my hips buried to the base, her body twitching underneath mine as I spilled into her. We collapsed together in a mess of sweat, gasping, trembling. Later, as we lay in a tangle of sheets and bare limbs, our heartbeats finally slowing, Lena whispered into the silence. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You don’t have to do this. I know we’re broke, but we don’t have to burn ourselves to stay warm.<</speech>> I stared at the ceiling, her head rising and falling with my breath. <<speech $player $playerName>>I know.<</speech>> She looked up at me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And if it starts to change you if anything about it feels wrong you walk away. I don’t care about the money. I care about you.<</speech>> I kissed her forehead. <<speech $player $playerName>>Promise.<</speech>> We drifted off not long after, sore, marked, but wrapped around each other. And tomorrow, the real first step would begin. [[Lena's Complain|bedroom_17_1]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "21:30">> We lay tangled in sweat and sheets, skin tacky and breath uneven. Her body still twitched against mine, but I felt it her mood shifting. Her fingers drummed slowly on my chest. Not angry. But definitely scheming. But then she shifted under me, pulled away fast her muscles still shaking, but her face sharp now, twisted in something that wasn’t pain anymore. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You know you totally just violated my ass, right?<</speech>> I blinked, head still spinning. <<speech $player $playerName>>You said to keep going <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmhm. After you were already halfway to rearranging my organs, no lube, no warning, just ‘here’s my dick, deal with it.’<</speech>> She propped herself up on one elbow, hair a mess, cheeks flushed, and gave me that grin. Dangerous. Playful. Lethal. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So… tomorrow night? My turn.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Your… what?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Strap-on, babe. You bent over. Me in charge. Equal opportunity revenge-fucking.<</speech>> I groaned and covered my face with my hand. <<speech $player $playerName>>Lena, come on <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Nope. You plunder my poor little ass like a barbarian, I get to test the elasticity of yours. It’s only fair.<</speech>> She straddled my stomach and leaned over, kissing me once sweet, soft, then biting my lower lip. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Besides… you’re going into a woman’s body tomorrow, right? Time to understand what it really feels like to be taken.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That is not part of Tier 0 orientation.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yet.<</speech>> She grinned. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Consider it… supplemental curriculum. Hands-on learning. Or hands-on hips, more like.<</speech>> I sighed, shaking my head, but my cock gave a tired twitch anyway. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m not into the whole… thing up there.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You weren’t into me shoving my fingers in your mouth while I rode you either, and now you practically beg for it. I’m just saying… give your ass a little credit. Might be your new favorite hole.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Jesus.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I mean, come on… you’ve got an asshole. I’ve got an asshole. If mine can take it <</speech>> She slid her fingers down my chest, nails lightly dragging. <<speech "lena" "Lena">> yours can too. Fair is fair, babe.<</speech>> I groaned again, dragging a hand down my face. <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s not how anatomy works.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh, it absolutely is. I’m just giving yours the love it’s been denied.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You're relentless.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And tomorrow night? I’m gonna be deep in your relentless little ass. One thrust for every time you made me squeal tonight.<</speech>> She nipped my earlobe. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And if you squirm, I’ll hold you down and go deeper. Maybe even make you beg for it.<</speech>> I swallowed hard, my stomach flipping. <<speech $player $playerName>>Jesus fuck…<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm-hmm. Say it now, baby. Say 'yes ma'am' while your cock’s still twitching.<</speech>> I didn’t. I couldn’t. But the silence said plenty. She kissed me again, slower this time. Then whispered against my lips: <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You won’t even see it coming. Just a little stretch. A little slide. I’ll go slow… at first.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I hate how turned on I am right now.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. Keep that energy. Because tomorrow, after you spend a whole day with girl bits, I’m bending you over this bed and putting your prostate on speed dial.<</speech>> I laughed weakly, heart still thudding. <<speech $player $playerName>>Okay. Fine. You get one shot.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh babe. I’m gonna need at least two.<</speech>> She winked, then curled up beside me, smug and warm. I exhaled slowly and stared at the ceiling. Tomorrow, I’d be in a different body. And apparently… a different position too. [[Wake up|bedroom_17_2]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "06:30">> I stirred to the familiar warmth of her body beside mine the way her bare thigh draped over mine, her hand lazily stroking my cock under the sheets. But there was something else. A slick pressure… lower. Different. My breath caught. <<speech $player $playerName>>Lena…?<</speech>> Her voice was a whisper against my ear, full of sleep and mischief. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm… morning, baby. Just getting you ready.<</speech>> Her finger moved again slow, deliberate and I realized she’d already slipped it in me. Not deep, not rough, but slick and snug and there. I tensed. She kissed the corner of my jaw. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Relax. Just one finger. I’m practicing for tonight. Gotta make sure your hole’s not shy when it’s showtime.<</speech>> I groaned, half-awake, body confused between alarm and arousal. <<speech $player $playerName>>Wait, you’re serious?<</speech>> She laughed, low and dirty in my ear. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Baby, I went online and bought the lube with the best reviews. And the harness? Adjustable. Silicone. Pink. You think I’m doing all that just to bluff?<</speech>> I shifted under her, my cock twitching hard in her palm even as my gut turned in knots. <<speech $player $playerName>>Jesus…<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’ll be fine. We’ll fuck like normal first deep and messy, just how you like it. Then… we flip.<</speech>> She curled her finger slightly, just enough to make my hips jolt. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I’ll lube you up real slow. Get you moaning on two fingers, maybe three. And when I slide in… you’ll already be begging for it, won’t you?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re insane.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Insane for your ass, yeah. It’s cute. Tight. Unclaimed. Not for long.<</speech>> She pulled her finger out gently, kissed my lower back, then reached down and gave my cock one long, firm stroke that made me buck into her palm. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Now go take your Tier 0 like a good little man. Learn what it feels like to have curves. By the time you’re back… we’ll see how you handle being the one spread open.<</speech>> I buried my face into the pillow and groaned again. I was hard as hell. And completely, terrifyingly turned on. I lay there in the morning haze, her hand stroking me lazy and slow, her finger slick inside me, working me open by degrees and to my own surprise, I wasn’t just tolerating it. I was… kind of into it. My cock throbbed hard in her fist, already leaking, and when her fingertip curled again, brushing something inside me, I moaned quiet and broken. My hips rolled toward both sensations. <<speech $player $playerName>>Fuck… that feels… weird but good…<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm, there he is. That little spot, right?<</speech>> She smiled into my neck, warm breath teasing my ear. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That’s your prostate, babe. Your button. You like that?<</speech>> I didn't answer just let out a low groan as her palm twisted down my cock and her finger pressed again. My whole body twitched. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Ohh yeah, you do. Don’t lie. You’re fuckin’ leaking. Dripping like a whore for me.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>God…<</speech>> I should’ve been embarrassed. I should’ve pulled away. But I didn’t. I gripped the sheets instead, panting through my teeth as heat burned in my spine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>See? I knew it. You act all nervous, but your body’s got a filthy little side. My side.<</speech>> She slid her finger out slowly, leaving me stretched and empty, and I whimpered actually whimpered at the loss. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuck, that sound. Baby, if you’re this sensitive already… tonight’s gonna ruin you.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Shit…<</speech>> I rolled onto my back, heart hammering, cock hard against my stomach. She crawled up over me, straddling my hips, her soaked pussy brushing against the base of my shaft but she didn’t let me in. Not yet. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Admit it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Admit what?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That part of you’s curious. You want to know what it feels like. You’re a little excited to take me tonight, from the other end.<</speech>> I looked up at her wild hair, flushed cheeks, that smirk and swallowed hard. <<speech $player $playerName>>...Yeah. I think I do.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good.<</speech>> She leaned down, licked my lips, and kissed me deep her tongue slow, claiming. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Because I’m gonna make you feel it, baby. Every inch. You won’t just know what a girl goes through you’ll beg for it. And love it.<</speech>> I exhaled into her mouth, already throbbing again, already wondering how I’d make it through the day. Excited. Scared. Turned on in ways I’d never admit to anyone but her. <<speech $player $playerName>>Enough.<</speech>> I grabbed her by the hips and rolled, pinning her under me in one fast motion. She gasped, then grinned up at me eyes gleaming, breath hot. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh? Gonna shut me up, baby?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m gonna fuck you until you can’t talk.<</speech>> I shoved inside her in one hard thrust, burying myself to the hilt. She screamed high, needy, her back arching off the mattress as her nails clawed at my shoulders. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>F-fuck yes God you feel so deep <</speech>> I didn’t answer. Just drove into her, hard and fast, every stroke punishing. The bed slammed against the wall with every thrust. Her legs locked around my waist, pulling me deeper, her voice ragged with every cry. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh fuck fuck me yes harder fuck yes, don’t stop, don’t you fucking stop <</speech>> Her body shook under mine, her walls clenching around my cock as she came hard, crying out my name. I didn’t slow down. I couldn’t. Her body pulled me in, soaked and pulsing and perfect. <<speech $player $playerName>>Gonna fill you fuck you feel too good <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yes cum in me fucking give it to me inside now <</speech>> I slammed deep, held there, and groaned as I came thick ropes spilling into her, pulse after pulse. Her eyes fluttered, her body trembling with aftershocks as I filled her completely. I stayed buried inside her for a moment, panting, forehead resting against hers. She giggled breathlessly, then rolled her hips once more slow, milking me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm… you stuffed me, baby. God, I can feel it dripping already…<</speech>> She kissed my neck, then slid down, licking her lips as she reached between us. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Let me clean up my mess.<</speech>> Her mouth wrapped around my softening cock, slow and warm, licking away the last of the cum and slick with gentle kisses, hums vibrating through her throat. When she was done, she sat up with a smirk and swatted my thigh. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Come on. Shower time. You got me soaked, and if I don’t rinse this off, I’m gonna be leaking you through half my shift.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s your punishment for teasing me awake.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm. Then consider it revenge prep. Your real punishment’s tonight, lover.<</speech>> She led me toward the shower with a wink, hips swaying, my cum still dripping down her thighs. And I followed, wondering how the hell I’d survive her… and what she’d do to me next. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Washroom">> <<set $step = 17.1>> [[Go to Washroom|home]] <>

<> The apartment lights were low when we came in just the soft glow from the kitchen strip lighting the hall. Shoes came off in lazy motions, bags dropped somewhere between doorway and couch. The air smelled faintly of the basil from yesterday and Lena’s shampoo. We didn’t talk much didn’t need to. It was the quiet kind of tired, where the day had taken everything except the part of you that still wanted to be close. In the bedroom, the sheets were cool. Lena slid in first, hair loose now, skin catching the city light from the blinds. I followed, wrapping an arm around her waist. She hummed softly, pressing her back to my chest, our legs tangling under the blanket. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You smell like coffee and overthinking.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And you smell like trouble.<</speech>> She turned just enough to face me, her nose brushing mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Don’t think about tomorrow,<</speech>> she whispered, voice low and warm. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Just this.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Just this.<</speech>> The world narrowed to heartbeat, skin, the quiet creak of the bed. When release came, it was gentle a shared exhale, a small, trembling laugh against each other’s lips. We stayed tangled afterward, her head on my chest, my hand in her hair. The city outside buzzed and blurred away. Sleep found us still holding on not tightly, just enough to know we were real. Tomorrow would come soon enough. <<set $phoneTime to "23:45">> <<set $currentObjectives to "Sleep">> <<set $step to 19>> [[Fall asleep beside her|bedroom_18.3_1]] <>

<> Morning light cut through the blinds in pale stripes, landing across the sheets and Lena’s shoulder. We’d slept too long. The clock on the dresser blinked 08:00. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Shit your orientation <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What What happend??? <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>We are late 08:00 now.. Lets go to washroom..<</speech>> she started, half-laughing, already sliding out of bed. [[Run toward Wash room|home]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "19:42">> The apartment was quiet when I stepped in, lights low, the filtered hum of the air system barely audible. I tossed my coat over the back of the chair and let my bag slump to the floor. Muscles still ached from the transfer deep in my thighs, across my shoulders, like I’d borrowed someone else’s strain and brought it back with me. I ran a hand down my torso. Still me. Still my own skin. But part of me kept expecting softness at the chest, a different tilt of the hips. The echo of the clone’s gait lingered, hips trying to sway where there was no curve to lead. I let out a slow breath and moved to the couch, dropped into it without ceremony. The cushion gave differently than the bench in the training room. This felt real. Lived in. Warm. The box sat on the coffee table black, discreet, but not subtle. I eyed it for a while. Not like it was going to open itself. <<speech $player $playerName>>Fuck it.<</speech>> I leaned forward, popped the clasp, and lifted the lid. The red caught the light instantly deep cherry silicone, matte finish, harness already buckled neatly around it like some perverse trophy. I picked it up slowly, ran my thumb along the shaft. Firm, but flexible. Smooth. The straps were leather, soft but strong, with steel rings on each hip. It looked… intimidating. Not huge, but shaped with intent. This wasn’t a beginner's toy. This was a message. I held it in both hands for a second, feeling the weight, imagining the shift when it’d be on her instead of me. The reversal. I stretched the strap, tested the give, imagined her hips sliding into it. The thought sent a flicker of heat down my spine not fear, not shame. Just… anticipation. My phone buzzed. I glanced down. A message. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Still at the train stop. Be home in ten. Hope you touched it. You should.<</speech>> A smirk pulled at my mouth before I could help it. I set the strap-on down carefully, stood, and padded barefoot into the kitchen. The clock read 19:42. I poured water, drank it too fast. My reflection caught in the microwave door not the clone’s face. My face. But something in my eyes was different. Like I’d seen myself from the outside, and now couldn’t quite fit the edges back in. I wandered back toward the couch, but didn’t sit. I hovered. Still wound tight with the day's memory. The way her breath caught when I touched her breasts. The way my own chest had risen and fallen in someone else’s rhythm. I looked down at the toy again. Still waiting. Red, bold, unashamed. The lock turned in the door. Keys. Steps. Her scent. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Did you open it?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I might’ve. Touched it. Briefly.<</speech>> She stepped into view, already grinning. Hair a little windblown, cheeks flushed from the cold. Her eyes dropped to the toy on the table, then to me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. You’re going to remember that feeling. Because next time? That’s mine to wear.<</speech>> [[She asks about the day|bedroom_19.4_1]] <>

<> Lena didn’t come straight to me. She dropped her bag by the door, peeled off her jacket slow like she knew exactly what she was doing and hung it on the hook with one arm raised, shirt lifting just enough to flash bare skin at the waist. Her eyes flicked to the red strap-on on the table. Then to me. Then back again. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So? Did you try it on?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Nope. Just… held it. Looked at it. It’s... substantial.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm-hm. I saw the reviews. Said it hits hard. Deep. Especially when the wearer’s properly motivated.<</speech>> She crossed the room, but didn’t touch me. Just stood close enough that I could smell the wind in her hair, the hint of shampoo. Her eyes narrowed playfully. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And you’re saying you weren’t tempted? Not even a little curious what it might feel like the other way around?<</speech>> I raised a brow. <<speech $player $playerName>>Not without you here. You’re the one who asked for it.<</speech>> She smirked, leaned in lips brushing just past my ear. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Damn right I did. Payback’s a slippery slope. Lucky for you, I’ve got excellent aim.<</speech>> Then, without warning, she dropped onto the couch beside me and threw her legs across my lap like this was just any other Tuesday. Her fingers played with the edge of my sleeve. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Okay. Now spill. What the hell happened today? I’ve been dying to hear and you’ve been suspiciously quiet.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>We had our first full immersion session.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Already? They didn't even give you a week to adjust?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Nope. Straight from ethics theory into embodiment. Marcus ran the session personally. He doesn’t do warmups.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Wait, wait so you actually transferred into another body?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Full override. Female clone. They had her prepped in a pod no memories, no identity. Just… a vessel.<</speech>> She blinked fast. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Holy shit. What was that like? Like, actually being in a woman’s body? Tell me everything. How did she look? How did she feel?<</speech>> I laughed under my breath, but she was already sitting cross-legged, totally locked in. <<speech $player $playerName>>She was small. About 5’5”. Freckles. Ginger pixie cut. Hourglass shape but not exaggerated. Athletic, but soft. Skin was pale, cold at first. But when I breathed it felt like I was breathing. Everything moved differently. My balance was off. My hips swayed without me meaning to.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Did you look at yourself in the mirror?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. And it hit hard. It felt… intimate. Not sexual, just personal. Like stepping into someone’s privacy.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re not dodging the juicy part, are you?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I didn’t do anything. Not like that. But there was this moment, just touching her skin my skin it wasn’t erotic, but it was close. Every step had bounce. Breasts moved. My breath felt deeper. Lighter. Like my body was trying to teach me something every second.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Jesus. That’s kind of beautiful. And weird. And hot. And weird again. Did you touch yourself at all? Even a little curiosity touch?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I touched her stomach. Her face. Her hands. That was enough. I didn’t want to rush it. And Marcus was watching the whole time through neural sync.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Ugh, mood killer. But still god, I have so many questions. Could you feel her weight differently? Did your voice change? What about arousal? Was there like… background emotion or was it blank slate?<</speech>> I grinned. <<speech $player $playerName>>You sound more excited than I was going in.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Because it’s fascinating. I mean, think about it you were her. For real. Not VR. Not roleplay. Actual full-body override. That’s… that’s deep-level intimacy. I’m kind of jealous.<</speech>> She paused, biting her lip. Then her fingers slid over mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Tell me something. Real. Did you like it? Not just the experience. Did it… awaken anything?<</speech>> I hesitated. Then nodded. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. It didn’t feel wrong. It felt... honest. Like a quiet version of me I’d never met before, just waiting in the mirror.<</speech>> Her eyes didn’t leave mine for a long time. Then she kissed me slow, thoughtful. No teasing this time. Just… understanding. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You know I love all of you, right? The parts you discover late. The ones that scare you. And the ones that might just like being flipped over and made to beg.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You never stay serious for long, do you?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Not when there’s a red strap-on sitting three feet away. But hey, I’ll wait. For now.<</speech>> <<set $phoneTime = "19:00">> <<set $currentObjectives = "Go Cook Something">> <<set $step = 19.5>> [[Go to Kitchen|home]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/living_room.png">> <div class="location-map-wrap"> <div class="location-map-card"> <div class="location-map-title">Apartment</div> <div class="location-map-grid"> <div class="location livingroom" data-passage="living_room" title="Livingroom"> <img src="images/location/living_room.png" alt="Livingroom"> <div class="location-label">Livingroom</div> </div> <div class="location kitchen" data-passage="kitchen" title="Kitchen"> <img src="images/location/kitchen.png" alt="Kitchen"> <div class="location-label">Kitchen</div> </div> <div class="location bedroom" data-passage="bedroom" title="Bedroom"> <img src="images/location/bedroom.png" alt="Bedroom"> <div class="location-label">Bedroom</div> </div> <div class="location washroom" data-passage="washroom" title="Washroom"> <img src="images/location/washroom.png" alt="Washroom"> <div class="location-label">Washroom</div> </div> <div class="location outside locked" data-passage="outside" title="Outside"> <img src="images/location/balcony.png" alt="Outside"> <div class="location-label">Balcony</div> </div> <div class="location outside" data-passage="outside" title="Outside"> <img src="images/location/outside.png" alt="Outside"> <div class="location-label">Outside</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/kitchen.png">> <<if $step == 1>> <<goto "kitchen_1">> <<elseif $step == 2>> <<goto "kitchen_2">> <<elseif $step == 10>> <<goto "home_7">> <<elseif $step == 17.2>> <<goto "kitchen_17.2">> <<elseif !$is_quiz_pass && !$is_next_day>> <<goto "eat">> <<elseif $step == 19.1>> <<goto "kitchen_19.1">> <<elseif $step == 19.5>> <<goto "kitchen_19.5">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/kitchen.png" alt="Kitchen" style="width:100%;"> The kitchen still smells faintly of coffee and toast, warmth lingering in the air like a memory. The skillet sits clean and drying by the sink, two mugs on the counter one hers, one mine. Sunlight pours through the small window, dust drifting lazily in its beam. [[Go to outside|home]] <</if>> <>

<> <img src="images/location/kitchen.png" alt="Kitchen" style="width:100%;"> The kitchen still smells faintly of coffee and toast, warmth lingering in the air like a memory. The skillet sits clean and drying by the sink, two mugs on the counter one hers, one mine. Sunlight pours through the small window, dust drifting lazily in its beam. [[Go to outside|home]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "7:30">> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/kitchen.png">> The door clicked shut behind me, the noise from outside muffled instantly. The grocery bag rustled in my hand, a soft crk-crk of paper as I set it down on the counter. The kitchen smelled faintly of coffee and butter still, sunlight pouring through the blinds, cutting bright rectangles across the tiles. I pulled out the box first the small one, pale blue, clinical. Turned it over once in my palm like it might have a hidden message. <<speech $player $playerName>>Right. Morning-after pill. Officially acquired, no panic, no drama.<</speech>> I opened the fridge, cool air brushing my skin, condensation fogging the edges of the shelves. <<speech $player $playerName>>Probably not supposed to refrigerate this, but Lena’s got her “safe spot” system and I’m not about to mess with it.<</speech>> I shifted aside a jar of pickles, a carton of oat milk, and the remains of last night’s curry. Found the small glass container labeled emergency stuff in her tidy handwriting. Slid the pill box right next to it. <<speech $player $playerName>>Perfect. Out of sight, ready for the next “oops.”<</speech>> The pretzels went into the snack drawer, the bag crinkling as I closed it. <<speech $player $playerName>>There. Responsible adult level: slightly above zero.<</speech>> The fridge door hummed softly when I shut it. I leaned against the counter for a second, fingers drumming absently on the surface. The place was quiet again, save for the tick of the clock and the faint hiss of the coffee machine still keeping the pot warm. <<speech $player $playerName>>She’ll see it later, roll her eyes, call me a good boy, and pretend she didn’t worry for half an hour. Classic Lena.<</speech>> I pushed off the counter, grabbed my ID and jacket from the chair. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right. Work time. Let’s hope Greaves is in a forgiving mood today.<</speech>> <<set $currentObjectives to "Go to Work">> <<set $step = 3>> [[Go outside|home]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "8:00">> Breakfast was simple just eggs, toast, and some leftover stir-fry. We ate half-dressed, cross-legged on the couch, legs touching. She kept brushing her foot against mine under the table. I tried to focus on the schedule in the folder. She kept licking soy sauce off her finger like she was doing it for an audience. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So you’re really going, huh? Gonna show up at Shape of You and say ‘hi, I’d like to borrow someone’s body please’?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Only for orientation. Just one day. One job. Just… to see.<</speech>> She nodded, chewing slowly, then took a long sip of coffee. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>If they let you pick bodies… choose a curvy one. Big hips. Something soft I can slap when you come home.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Jesus, Lena.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>What? I’m being supportive.<</speech>> She leaned over, kissed me slow, lingering. Then she stood, slipping into her work uniform, brushing crumbs off her belly. She grabbed her bag and turned to me at the door. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’ll text when it’s done?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ll call. I promise.<</speech>> She opened the door, then leaned in again. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And don’t be late tonight. I got the straps soaking in warm water. They’re soft now.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re really not letting this go, huh?<</speech>> She kissed me hard, tugged my bottom lip. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You made me scream last night. It’s only fair you scream tonight too.<</speech>> And then she was gone. I sat there for a moment longer, finishing my coffee in silence. The apartment felt different once she left. Still warm from her presence, but quieter. I stood, checked the folder again. 08:30–09:00: Check-in and neural compatibility scan. Time to go. I got dressed clean simple dark shirt, jacket, neural-safe collar. Grabbed my ID and the folder. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Shape of You Inc. for Orientation">> <<set $step = 18>> [[Go outside|home]] <>

<> We stepped out dripping, the mirror still fogged. She wrapped herself in a towel and padded barefoot toward the kitchen, hair wet and messy, legs glistening. Sunlight poured through the kitchen window, bright and clean, catching on the edges of cups and plates. The faint scent of soap and skin lingered as we moved around each other in easy rhythm bare feet, damp hair, towels swapped for half-buttoned clothes. The coffee machine hummed quietly in the corner. Eggs sizzled in the pan while Lena stood at the stove, her shirt barely tucked, collar wide open, towel draped over a chair behind her. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You know, we could’ve been dressed and halfway out the door by now.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>We could’ve but then we wouldn’t have been in that shower.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You always have an excuse when it involves touching me.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You make that sound like a bad thing.<</speech>> She rolled her eyes but smiled, nudging me with her hip as she flipped the eggs. The scent of butter and salt filled the air, mixing with the faint crisp of toast and the low rumble of the street outside. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>If we’re late, I’m telling them it was your fault.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Fair. But you’ll forget all about that after coffee.<</speech>> I handed her a mug, rim steaming. Her fingers brushed mine when she took it, pausing there longer than needed. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re staring again.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Can you blame me? You look unfair this early.<</speech>> She laughed soft and honest and leaned in to kiss me over the counter. It was warm, lazy, and slow, tasting of coffee and skin and something only she could carry. We stood there like that a moment longer, lips barely parted, before she stepped back to plate the eggs. I grabbed the toast. Outside, the world was waking fast, but inside it still felt like ours. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Alright, seriously now. Bags, shoes, let’s not get expelled on day one.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Don’t worry. Worst case, we become legends.<</speech>> We scarfed the food, wiped down the counter, traded bites and smirks between gulps of hot coffee. A jacket was thrown over a chair, a phone found under the table. When we finally made it to the door, the day was blazing in. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You ready for this?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>With you? Always.<</speech>> She bumped my shoulder as I locked the door behind us, her fingers brushing mine again as we stepped out into the sunlight. <<set $phoneTime to "8:30">> <<set $currentObjectives to "Go to Shape of You Inc.">> <<set $step = 19.2>> [[Go to Work|home]] <>

<> The kitchen lights cast a warm glow across the counters, soft against the cool evening outside. Water hissed from the tap as Lena rinsed vegetables, sleeves rolled to her elbows, damp strands of hair curling at her neck. I chopped. She stirred. Our bodies moved in rhythm, close enough to bump hips, share warmth, trade glances without needing words. The strap-on had been left behind on the table, but its presence lingered like spice in the air. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So... back to the clone thing.<</speech>> She nudged me with her elbow. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Did it actually feel like you were in control the whole time? Or was there ever a moment you felt like… she might move without you?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s the weird part. At first, yeah total disorientation. It felt like her muscles wanted to move for me. Like the body had habits I didn’t know yet. But after a few minutes, it synced. Then it was just... me. Just different.<</speech>> She tilted her head, slicing zucchini with quiet precision. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>What about emotion? Was it a blank canvas? Or did her body come with… leftovers?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>There was this… faint echo. Like a whisper of awareness. Not words. Not thoughts. Just a kind of presence. Passive. Like her body remembered being a body, even if it didn’t know what for.<</speech>> Lena paused, brow furrowing with fascination. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Jesus. That’s eerie. Beautiful. Kind of tragic, too. Do you think you'd feel that if you transferred again? Into a different clone?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Maybe. Marcus said the mind leaves impressions, even when the slate’s clean. It’s not data it’s sensation. Shape. Posture. Muscle memory. Like the body has its own language before you ever speak through it.<</speech>> She scooped the sliced zucchini into the pan and turned the heat up, a little too fast. Oil popped. She didn’t flinch. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Did she have scars? Moles? Anything unique?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>None. She was flawless. Like she’d never lived a second of pain. It was… strange. Being inside something so perfectly untouched. Like walking around in possibility.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Damn. That hits harder than I expected.<</speech>> I passed her the seasoning. She brushed my fingers in the handoff. She was quiet for a second, then: <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Would you do it again? Like, if they offered tomorrow. Would you say yes without thinking?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yes. But not for novelty. Just… to listen better. That body still had things to say. And I think I’d hear them clearer the second time.<</speech>> She stirred, slowly now. Her voice gentled. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That doesn’t scare you? Feeling so at home in a body that’s not yours?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>It should. But no. Not yet. It felt like opening a door not closing one.<</speech>> She leaned back against the counter, watching me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>God. I love how your brain works. But I also kind of want to put you in a sensory deprivation tank just to see what happens.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You just want me helpless again.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmhm. That red strap-on has plans, babe.<</speech>> We both laughed. The kitchen filled with the smell of garlic and seared vegetables. Outside, night had settled like a thick blanket across the window glass. Inside, things were warm. Intimate. Still full of questions, but no longer afraid of the answers. <<set $currentObjectives = "Eat dinner with Lena">> [[Eat Dinner|kitchen_19.5_1]] <>

<> They sat together on the couch, plates in their laps, legs touching lightly. The food was simple garlic vegetables, rice, and reheated protein from the cooler drawer but it tasted like more somehow. Maybe because they’d made it together. Maybe because of what lingered underneath. The strap-on still sat on the corner of the table. Lena hadn’t brought it up again. Not with words. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I like when we do this. Just… exist a little.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Quiet dinners and clone identity crises? Yeah. Real bonding stuff.<</speech>> She smirked and nudged her knee against mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You know what I mean. Some days feel like everything’s trying to peel us away from ourselves. This doesn’t.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s kind of poetic. Were you always this sappy after stir-fry?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Only when it’s slightly burnt and slightly perfect.<</speech>> We finished eating in a kind of lazy quiet, legs tangled, forks scraping plates. No rush. Just the hum of night around us and the weight of the day easing down from our shoulders. She set her empty dish on the table and curled into me, her hand resting light on my thigh. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re thinking about her again. The clone.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>A little. Not in a weird way. Just… trying to hold onto the feeling without letting it warp me.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>It’s okay. I get it. You went through something big. I’d probably be obsessed too. Especially if I’d woken up with boobs and no trauma.<</speech>> I snorted. <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s… exactly what it was like.<</speech>> She laughed, warm and low, and pulled herself upright. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Come on. Let’s go to bed before I keep asking philosophical questions and forget I plan to wreck you tomorrow.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Threat noted.<</speech>> We stood, cleared the dishes together. A few soft touches exchanged in the quiet. No rush. No fireworks. Just comfort wrapped in something slowly sharpening between us. She slipped her hand into mine as we crossed the hall. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Bedroom">> <<set $step = 19.6>> [[Go to bed with Lena|home]] <>

<> <<set $is_next_day = true>> <<set $phoneTime = "20:00">> The apartment door clicked behind me with a sigh more than a sound. The outside air still clung to my clothes metal-tinted wind and city grit. My limbs ached with that strange after-transfer soreness, but it wasn’t pain. Just… displacement. Kitchen lights were already on. Warm glow across the tile. I smelled garlic. Soy. Something savory. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re late.<</speech>> Her voice floated in from around the corner soft, not accusing. Just there. I stepped in and she was already at the stove, barefoot, wearing one of my old shirts and stirring something in a black cast iron pan with practiced swirls. She didn’t look up. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And you didn’t text. Which means either you passed and fainted. Or you failed and didn’t want to talk about it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Door number two.<</speech>> She exhaled through her nose, turned down the flame, and finally looked over. No judgment. Just Lena. Watching me like she always did with her whole face, not just her eyes. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You hungry or self-punishing?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Kinda both.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. Sit. I made tofu and noodles. Ginger chili glaze. Heavy on comfort, light on bullshit.<</speech>> I dropped into the stool by the counter, letting my bag slide to the floor. My shoulders felt too high, like my whole body hadn’t quite reassembled right. She plated without ceremony just a practiced scoop, a flick of sauce, two bowls. When she set one in front of me, I caught the faint pink smear of chili oil on her wrist and felt something in my chest unclench. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So? What tripped you up?<</speech>> I picked up my fork, stirred the noodles once, then twice. <<speech $player $playerName>>It wasn’t the knowledge. I remembered the concepts. But… some of the questions were about instinct. Reflex. I hesitated. I think I was still in my own head.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Then that’s what tomorrow’s for.<</speech>> She didn’t soften it. Didn’t overcorrect with platitudes. Just met my voice with hers like puzzle pieces. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’ll go back. You’ll breathe slower. Listen harder. You’ll pass. Because you don’t fail things. You delay them until you’re ready.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I don’t know. I felt… off. Like I was still moving with someone else’s hips. Still sitting like her. I caught myself crossing my legs without thinking.<</speech>> She gave a low chuckle, not mocking. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Welcome to embodiment. It’s not a kink. It’s not a trick. It’s not pretend. You lived inside her skin, and part of you remembers what it felt like to move gently.<</speech>> We ate in quiet after that. The kind of silence that holds two people without squeezing. Later, after the dishes were rinsed and the lights dimmed, we moved to the bedroom like people who’d done it a hundred times not rushed, not dramatic. Just… together. I peeled off my shirt, watching the way my own chest rose in the mirror, trying not to compare it to the one I’d worn earlier. Lena crawled into bed first, blanket tucked around her shoulders, one arm sliding into my space like it belonged there. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You sleep here tonight, not in your head. Okay?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ll try.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Not good enough. Say you will.<</speech>> She turned toward me, cheek on pillow, brown eyes steady. <<speech $player $playerName>>I will.<</speech>> She nodded once and closed her eyes, already half-asleep. I lay back beside her, the weight of my body returning inch by inch. I didn’t feel whole yet. But I felt held. And for now… That was enough. [[Wake up|wake_up]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "07:30">> The morning light slid across the bedsheets slow and golden, the kind of glow that filtered through the sheer curtains like it had nowhere else to be. I stirred first, then Lena’s arm tightened reflexively around my ribs before she rolled onto her back with a quiet groan. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Time is it?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Seven thirty.<</speech>> She didn't open her eyes. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Unacceptable.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And yet… tragically real.<</speech>> She groaned again, dragged the pillow over her face for a full three seconds, then shoved it away and swung her legs out of bed with a sigh of mortal betrayal. I followed. The bathroom mirror caught us both hair a mess, eyes puffy from sleep. She splashed cold water on her face first, then brushed her teeth while I stepped behind her to wash mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So. Big day. Redemption arc. You nervous?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Less than yesterday. More than I’ll admit.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Healthy balance.<</speech>> We bumped shoulders once, quick and silent, before parting back to the kitchen. The apartment smelled like warm dust and coffee beans. I got the kettle on while she pulled two mugs down from the shelf, barefoot again, humming faintly under her breath. She started the eggs. I grabbed bread and sliced tomatoes. No words passed for a few minutes. Just the sounds of breakfast being made by people who didn’t need instructions crack, sizzle, click, pour. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re moving better today.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Not thinking about my gait helps.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm. Let the body do its thing. You already taught it how to move yesterday.<</speech>> We ate quietly two plates, two mugs, butter melting down toast, the world outside still building up its volume. My chest felt less tight. Maybe because I knew what was coming this time. Or maybe because she was here. After dishes were rinsed and stacked, we dressed without much fanfare. I pulled on the plain black standard-issue slacks they gave us, soft-fabric shirt fitted to regulation spec. She moved around me without comment, sliding her workbag over her shoulder, tying her hair back loosely at the kitchen window. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Text me when you're done. And if you ace it this time, I want noodles. Real ones. Handmade, chewy, aggressively spicy.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Bribery noted.<</speech>> She stepped close, kissed my cheek light, but lingering then smirked. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And don't forget to breathe in this time.<</speech>> I smiled, laced up my boots, and followed her out. Today, I was ready. [[Go Outside|home]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/living_room.png">> <<if $step == -1>> <<goto "living_room_1">> <<elseif $step == 11>> <<goto "living_room_11">> <<elseif $step == 16>> <<goto "living_room_16">> <<elseif !$is_quiz_pass && !$is_next_day>> <<goto "eat">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/living_room.png" alt="Living Room" style="width:100%; "> The living room is quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside the window. The couch cushions are still a little disheveled from earlier, her towel draped lazily over one armrest. A half-empty cup of coffee rests on the table, cooling beside a forgotten tablet. [[Go to Outside|home]] <</if>> <>

<> The laptop screen glowed cold against the dim room, the faint whir of the fan filling the quiet. I leaned back against the headboard, legs stretched out, cursor blinking on the job site search bar like it was judging me. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right. Let’s see who’s desperate enough to hire me this week.<</speech>> Typed in the keywords: systems analyst, junior developer, remote, anything that pays rent. The list loaded. Rows and rows of gray listings, little green “Apply Now” buttons stacked like bricks in a wall I didn’t want to climb. First one NeuralNest Technologies. Too fancy. Probably fifty applicants already. Second ByteFold Solutions. Contract work, short-term, maybe doable. Third AuralLink Data Services. Vague title, but the pay made my eyebrow lift. I opened each tab, scanning them with the kind of focus you fake when you’re running on fumes. <<speech $player $playerName>>All right, ByteFold first. Cover letter, resume... old one or the one where I actually sound confident?<</speech>> I clicked the folder, attached the version that didn’t mention “open to creative opportunities.” Hit send. Watched the progress circle spin. <<speech $player $playerName>>One down, a lifetime to go.<</speech>> The second tab blinked AuralLink Data Services a minimalist page with black text and an almost sterile tone. Requirements: adaptive logic experience, data pattern recognition, strong emotional neutrality. That last one made me snort. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, sure. Totally emotionally neutral. My middle name.<</speech>> Still, I filled in the fields. Name. Experience. Upload. Submit. Another circle spun, another meaningless victory. By the time I got to NeuralNest, my shoulders ached, eyes burning from the glow. The words blurred together "flexible work hours," "corporate culture," "growth mindset" all the same promises wrapped in slightly different lies. I clicked Apply anyway. Three confirmations. Three polite “Thank you for your interest” emails in my inbox, time-stamped like little ghosts of effort. I stared at the screen a long moment, watching the unread icons blink out one by one. <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s it. Three shots in the dark. Maybe one lands. Maybe none. Doesn’t matter. Tomorrow I go to Shape of You in person.<</speech>> Outside, traffic murmured against the glass, and a siren wailed somewhere far off. I shut the lid, let the room fall back into shadow. The faint hum of the fridge and the ticking clock were the only signs of life left. The laptop lid clicked shut with a soft finality. The glow faded from my face, leaving the room dipped in the same low amber light that leaked through the blinds. I leaned back against the headboard, fingers drumming on the closed lid for a few seconds before I let them still. The apartment was quiet, save for the hum of the fridge and the faint buzz of street traffic outside. Every sound felt amplified a creak in the hallway, the soft metallic tick of the clock, the wind brushing at the window frame. I glanced at the time: <<set $phoneTime to "18:39">><<print $phoneTime>>. Lena should’ve been home soon. She always texted before she hit the train, but her last message still sat unread on the screen. <<speech $player $playerName>>Dumplings, huh. She’s too good for me.<</speech>> I pushed myself up, padded barefoot to the kitchen. The floor was cool under my feet. I set the groceries from earlier on the counter, pulled a beer from the six-pack, the cap tchkking off with a sharp twist. Foam crawled up the neck, catching the light. <<speech $player $playerName>>To unemployment and sodium. Cheers.<</speech>> I took a long pull and leaned against the counter, eyes half-focused on nothing. The hum of the fridge filled the pauses between thoughts. The bag of pretzels sat where I’d left it, unopened, next to the note she’d scribbled yesterday just a heart and “don’t forget to breathe.” <<speech $player $playerName>>You really don’t make it easy to sulk, you know that?<</speech>> I wandered back to the living room, beer still in hand, sank into the couch. The cushions still held the faint shape of her body from the morning. I scrolled aimlessly on my phone job sites, news headlines, group chats I didn’t feel like answering. Outside, a drone buzzed past the window, its red signal light flickering across the wall. The city kept going. Always did. My eyes flicked to the door every few minutes. The quiet stretched. Somewhere in the distance, a train horn sounded low and tired. <<speech $player $playerName>>Come on, Lena. Bring the dumplings and tell me this day’s not cursed.<</speech>> I took another sip, the bitterness grounding. A second beer joined the first on the coffee table before long. The shadows in the room shifted with the slow fade of the sunset deepening from orange to violet. The key sound came soft through the door, metal against metal, and I straightened instinctively. The lock turned. The door opened. [[Waiting for Lena...|home_8]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "19:15">> The hallway outside our apartment was quiet when I got back just the buzz of overhead lights and the faint static hum of someone’s too-loud holo-ad playing from across the floor. The moment I keyed the door, I smelled basil. Inside, Lena was already home, barefoot, hair tied in a lazy twist, sleeves pushed up as she stirred something in the pan. The kitchen light cast soft golden shadows on her collarbone. She turned when she heard the door click shut, eyes scanning my face immediately. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re late.<</speech>> Her voice was gentle, but the concern sat right behind it. <<speech $player $playerName>>Coffee with James and Lyla,<</speech>> I said, toeing off my shoes. <<speech $player $playerName>>They wanted the whole download.<</speech>> She set down the wooden spoon, turned off the burner, and wiped her hands on a towel. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Did you… decide anything?<</speech>> I held up the warm takeout bag from Wok Dynasty, giving it a small shake. <<speech $player $playerName>>Not yet. But I did bring food. Your favorite garlic dumplings, beef lo mein, tofu, the works.<</speech>> Her eyes softened, the corners of her mouth curling just slightly. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You actually remembered the tofu? Miracles happen.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Even grabbed extra soy packets this time. I learn from trauma.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm, character growth and dinner. You’re spoiling me.<</speech>> She pulled open a drawer for chopsticks while I unpacked the boxes, the fragrant steam filling the kitchen with sesame, chili, and garlic. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>God, that smell. I could live off this forever.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’d die of sodium before Christmas.<</speech>> She smirked, plopping a dumpling into her mouth with zero hesitation, talking around it as she chewed. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Worth it.<</speech>> I laughed, taking the seat across from her. We ate quietly for a minute the soft clink of chopsticks, the occasional content hum when she hit something perfectly spicy. Her eyes drifted to the folder under my arm, but she didn’t bring it up right away. She waited until the food steadied us both. When the plates were half-empty, I finally set the folder on the counter beside her. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So?<</speech>> I drew a slow breath. [[Starting the Conversation|living_room_16_1]] <>

<> <<speech $player $playerName>>It’s… hard to explain. That place, Shape of You Inc… it doesn’t even feel like a company. It’s like walking into a cleanroom built for thoughts instead of tech.<</speech>> Her brow furrowed, but she stayed silent, listening. <<speech $player $playerName>>The building’s this white-glass monolith tucked between high-rises. No ads, no branding except a single sigil etched on the door a silhouette folding inside another and another, like recursion in human form. Even the air feels quiet, like it’s engineered to hush you. Inside, it’s spotless. Frosted partitions, ivory floors, staff who move like synchronized algorithms.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Creepy quiet or professional quiet?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Both. Like they’re polite, but watching everything you are. They call themselves a “Conscious Labor Exchange.” That’s their phrase. They don’t build things; they rent people or rather, the space inside people. They match volunteers to tasks that require human experience but not necessarily the person’s own body. You log in, inhabit a host body temporarily, and do the job they can’t or won’t do themselves.<</speech>> She blinked, frowning. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So… it’s like temp work, but with cloning and existential risk.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Pretty much. But it’s regulated they have full training tiers. Tier 0 is the intro: learning how transfer works, how it feels. Tier 1’s daily life stuff walking, movement, emotional calibration. Tier 2 goes into biological cycles, intimacy conditioning, all that. By Tier 3, they throw you into advanced simulations sex, pregnancy, full public social immersion. The top ones, Tier 4 and Tier 5, are months-long. You live as someone else. Permanently monitored, heavily paid.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Like… six figures?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Seven, if you make it far enough. But few do. Most burn out around Tier 2. The mental load gets too heavy identity bleed, sensory dysphoria. They’re careful though. Psychological support, consent audits, emergency retrieval. It’s not a scam. It’s just… real in a way nothing else is.<</speech>> Her lips parted slightly, chopsticks hovering halfway to her mouth. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And you went inside?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Spoke to an agent named Elira Voss. She’s the one who runs intake interviews. The kind of woman who can look at you for five seconds and already know if you’d break or not.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Most of the work, Lena… it’s not in male bodies.<</speech>> She looked up sharply. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>What do you mean?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I mean… most paying jobs for candidates like me are male-to-female or female-to-female transfers.<</speech>> She blinked. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Wait you’d be… in a woman?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Sometimes just for tasks. Pregnancy trials. Pain simulation. Even… sexual intimacy work. It depends on the assignment. But that’s where the demand is. The money.<</speech>> She was quiet. Stirring her rice slowly even though it didn’t need stirring. Her eyes stayed on the food, but I could feel her thinking faster than her hands. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>How many jobs are… male-to-male?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Almost none. Low pay. High risk. Physical labor or endurance trials mostly. It’s a dead lane.<</speech>> She sat across from me. Her fingers traced the rim of her bowl. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So you’d… you’d come home and… you wouldn’t look like you.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Not during the swap. Tier 0’s short one session. A few hours. But yeah. Eventually, if I continue… you’d be with me, but the body wouldn’t be mine.<</speech>> She looked at the wall for a long moment. Her voice was smaller than usual. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And you’d be okay with that?<</speech>> I hesitated. <<speech $player $playerName>>I don’t know yet. That’s the truth. That’s why I want to try Tier 0 if we both are ok.<</speech>> She nodded slowly. Then, <<speech "lena" "Lena">>But I’d still be here. With you. Only it’s not you. I mean, it is… but not your face. Not your voice. Not your smell. And what if…<</speech>> She paused. Her lip caught between her teeth. <<speech $player $playerName>>Say it.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>What if you like it? What if you want to stay that way?<</speech>> I opened my mouth. Closed it again. Then forced the answer out, honest and slow. <<speech $player $playerName>>It won’t happen. I just want better paying job Lena. But I’m not looking for that. I’m not trying to change who I am.<</speech>> She stared into her bowl. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Not on purpose. But what if being in another body being in a woman’s body does something to you? What if it awakens something? You come home and you don’t see me the same. Or yourself.<</speech>> I reached across the table, took her hand. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m not chasing identity,<</speech>> I said. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m chasing income. Rent. Food. Power. For us. This isn’t a gender thing. It’s a survival thing.<</speech>> She looked down at our fingers, her thumb brushing mine once, slow. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>It’s just weird.<</speech>> Her voice cracked. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And it scares me that I don’t know why it bothers me this much.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Because you love me. And this is new. Unknown. You don’t want to lose something real in the middle of something virtual.<</speech>> She pulled her hand back gently. Not rejecting. Just drawing into herself. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>It’s not about me saying no. It’s me trying to understand how to be okay with this. Because the idea of you in someone else’s skin… it makes my gut twist. And I hate that. It feels small.<</speech>> I stood, came to her side, crouched beside her chair. <<speech $player $playerName>>Look at me.<</speech>> She did. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m still your guy. Your dumb, tired, low-key developer with a lean ass and commitment issues about replacing socks.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I knew about the socks. The ass thing’s still up for debate.<</speech>> She sniffed, smiling even as tears threatened her lashes. I touched her jaw gently. <<speech $player $playerName>>And I’ll still be him even if, for four hours, I’m in someone else’s shape. Only for a job. And only with your blessing.<</speech>> She held my gaze. Then leaned forward, her forehead pressing against mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I don’t want to lose you to some version of yourself that I can’t follow.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You won’t.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I want to believe that.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Then let me prove it.<</speech>> We stayed like that quiet, breathing in each other, holding still while the rice steamed and the heat in the pan slowly faded. Eventually, Lena stood. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Okay. Tier 0. Just that. And if it’s too much, we walk.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>We walk.<</speech>> She moved around the kitchen slowly, handing me a bowl. Her hip brushed mine, the contact grounding. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And if you come home walking funny… I’m going to tease the hell out of you.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’d do that anyway.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Damn right I would.<</speech>> We finished dinner in silence not heavy, just thoughtful. <<set $step to 17>> <<set $currentObjectives to "Go to Bedroom and Sleep with Lena">> [[Go to Bedroom|home]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/washroom.png">> <<if $step == 12>> <<goto "home_morning_routine">> <<elseif $step == 17.1>> <<goto "washroom_17.1">> <<elseif $step == 19>> <<goto "shower_19">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/washroom.png" alt="Washroom" style="width:100%; "> The washroom is small but functional, with white tiled walls and a simple sink beneath a large mirror. The faint scent of lavender soap lingers in the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of fresh towels stacked neatly on a shelf. A few framed pictures hang on the walls, their images of serene landscapes and calming ocean views providing a moment of tranquility in this otherwise utilitarian space. [[Go Outside|home]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "7:30">> The shower was quick, but not quiet. She kept brushing against me. Hands lingering. Hips bumping. Every time I turned, her tits grazed my chest like a dare. At one point she bent to pick up the soap and looked over her shoulder. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Just think… tonight you’re gonna be bent like this.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I swear, you’re evil.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmhmm. And you love it.<</speech>> We dried off together. She stole my towel halfway through and just walked around wrapped in it while I air-dried like an idiot. I made coffee while she tied her hair up, still naked except for the towel and a string of toothpaste on her lip. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Kitchen">> <<set $step = 17.2>> [[Go to Kitchen|home]] <>

<> Steam curled against the mirror as the shower hissed to life, fog blurring the glass while warm water gushed over tile and porcelain. Lena tugged me inside without ceremony, her bare feet slapping the floor as she half-laughed, breath already short. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>No time, just come here, now..<</speech>> She spun fast, bent over the glass divider, hands braced wide. Her ass arched high, water streaming down her back, tracing every tight contour and curve. Her tits pressed flat against the steamed-up pane, nipples hard and leaving faint streaks across the glass. My cock was already hard, thick and pulsing. I stepped behind her, guided myself into the slick heat between her thighs. She was soaked body flushed and trembling from the rush, the urgency, the lateness. <<speech $player $playerName>>God, Lena… fffuck..<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yes hngh just shove it in, don’t wait <</speech>> I didn’t. I slammed into her, wet flesh parting with a sharp slap, my hips crashing into her ass. The sound rang out in the echoing tile, loud and dirty and perfect. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Aaah yes! F-fuck yes, just like that, fuck me <</speech>> Her palms squeaked against the glass as I pounded her, thighs slapping, cock driving deep and slick inside her. Her ass bounced with every thrust, tight and round and irresistible. Her voice went ragged with need. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmnngh! Ffuh haaah you're hitting guh so deep <</speech>> The mirror fogged around her tits where they pressed and smeared, nipples dragging streaks. I leaned in, grabbed a bouncing breast, squeezed hard as I fucked her harder, rougher, deeper. <<speech $player $playerName>>You feel so fucking good, Lena goddamn tight <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Don’t stop! Fuck, fuck, don't haaahhh <</speech>> She came hard, shuddering under me, legs shaking, toes curling on the tile. I felt her clamp around my cock, squeezing, fluttering, pulling me in. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>AaAAAHh yes cumming ohmygod <</speech>> I kept going, feeling her tighten and milk me, until the pressure crashed through me. My whole body tensed, and I groaned low and deep. <<speech $player $playerName>>Shit guh Lena, I'm fuuuck <</speech>> I slammed all the way in, buried to the hilt, and came hard, spurting deep inside her. My cock jerked with every pulse, every thick rope of cum spilling into her while she gasped, smiling against the fogged mirror, flushed and wrecked. The water kept falling. I stayed inside her for a few long, slow breaths before easing back. My cum trickled down her thighs, already being washed away. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hahh... okay... now we shower. For real..<</speech>> We laughed, leaning together under the spray, both of us tender and satisfied. I lathered her hair while she lathered mine. Her fingers slipped down my ribs, tickling. I slapped her ass in retaliation and she squeaked. <<set $currentObjectives = "Prepare breakfast">> <<set $step = 19.1>> [[Prepare breakfast|home]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/grocery-store.png">> <<if $step == 1.1>> <<goto "grocery_store_1.1">> <<elseif $step == 1>> <<goto "grocery_store_1">> <<elseif $step == 9>> <<goto "grocery_store_9">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/grocery-store.png" alt="Grocery Store" style="width:100%; "> The small corner market buzzes with the hum of old refrigeration units, fluorescent lights flickering overhead. The aisles are narrow, shelves packed with everything from canned goods to snacks that look like they were invented in a lab. A bell jingles softly as the door opens and closes, the air inside cool and slightly stale. [[Go to Outside|outside]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "7:15">> The bell above the door jingled when I stepped inside the corner market, the kind of small, slightly chaotic place that smelled like overripe fruit and fresh bread. Air conditioning hit my face in a cool rush. Brenda was already behind the counter, elbows on the register, scrolling through something on her wristpad. She looked up when the sensor beeped. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal caffeine addict himself.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Hey, Bren. I’ll have you know I’ve been fully converted to breakfast chef and errand boy status.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Domestic life looks good on you. You’re glowing. Or sweating. Hard to tell with your hair doing that thing.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Appreciate the vote of confidence. Where are the yogurt pretzels again? Lena’s got a craving.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Middle aisle, next to the snacks that make you question your self-respect. You want the regular or the dark chocolate ones?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Regular. She claims the dark ones taste like “regret dust.”<</speech>> Brenda snorted, pushing off the counter and falling into step beside me as I walked down the aisle. Shelves buzzed faintly from the old refrigeration unit nearby. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>So, what’s the occasion? You never buy snacks this early unless you’re bribing someone or apologizing.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Both, technically. Long story involving poor timing and questionable decision-making.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Ah, romance. Still leading with chaos, huh? Remember junior year, when you tried to impress Maya by baking her a cake and set off the fire alarm?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I maintain that oven was possessed. Besides, Lena’s at least appreciative when I burn things intentionally.<</speech>> Brenda laughed, pulling a bag of pretzels off the shelf and tossing it into my basket. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>She sounds like a saint. Or an adrenaline junkie. You still working for that company? Heard they the kind who smiles while firing people.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Got a one-on-one today, actually. Trying not to think about it until I’ve had my moral support snacks.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>That’s the spirit. Pretzels fix everything except rent, heartbreak, and existential dread.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Good thing I’m only suffering from two of those.<</speech>> She gave me a sympathetic grin as I followed her back to the counter. The scanner beeped lazily while she rang up the bag. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>You tell Lena I said hi. And if she ever wants to trade you for store credit, I’ll offer a solid twenty bucks and a jar of honey butter.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Tempting, but she’s got better taste than that.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>We’ll see about that when she hears about the honey butter.<</speech>> She slid the bag across the counter. I grabbed it, grinning. <<speech $player $playerName>>Thanks, Bren. You’re the real MVP.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Go conquer corporate hell, champ.<</speech>> I saluted her with the pretzels and stepped back into the morning light. The air outside was thicker now, traffic rumbling, the world fully awake. <<set $currentObjectives to "Put yogurt pretzels in the fridge">> <<set $step = 2>> [[Go Outside|outside]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "7:15">> The bell above the door gave its usual tching-tching when I pushed it open, the air inside crisp and over-chilled. Rows of fluorescent light buzzed overhead, catching on the metal shelves. Brenda looked up from behind the counter, one earbud dangling, her nails painted a chipped green that somehow still worked for her. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Oh, look who’s up before noon. Did Lena finally threaten you into responsible adulthood?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Something like that. I’m on a mercy errand. Need a few things morning-after pill and a bag of yogurt pretzels.<</speech>> Brenda blinked, then laughed outright, loud and unfiltered. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Wow, you don’t even ease into it, huh? Straight to the chaos section. What’d you do, forget to check the drawer again?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Drawer’s a black hole. I figured I’d save time and public humiliation by admitting it early.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Public humiliation is on aisle six, right between the pretzels and the condoms.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Perfect. Might as well restock while I’m there.<</speech>> Brenda grinned, tossing her wristpad onto the counter. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Come on, Romeo, I’ll walk you over before you buy prenatal vitamins by accident again.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That was one time.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>One time too many. You looked like a deer in headlights explaining it to old Mrs. Calderon.<</speech>> We cut down the aisle together, passing shelves of cereal and cheap perfume. She stopped halfway, grabbing the familiar blue box off the rack and dropping it into my basket with the authority of someone who’s seen this play out before. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>There. One less panic attack in your near future.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Appreciate it. Add a bag of the regular yogurt pretzels too the dark chocolate ones give her “existential bitterness.”<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>She’s got taste. And patience, apparently.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>She likes a project.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>You’re not a project, you’re a full-time career path with bonus side quests.<</speech>> She slung the pretzels into my basket and we made our way back to the counter. The register chirped as she scanned the items. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>So. How’s the nine-to-five grind treating you? Still working under that company you told?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Got a meeting with boss after this. If I come out employed, we’re celebrating.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>And if you don’t?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Then I’ll come back here for more pretzels and a part-time job application.<</speech>> Brenda chuckled, passing me the small paper bag. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>You’d hate retail. But you’d look great in the apron.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Only if I can wear it shirtless.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>We’re not that kind of store. Yet.<</speech>> I handed her my credchip, the transaction beep sharp and final. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Tell Lena I said hi. And maybe invest in a calendar reminder labeled “responsible decisions.”<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Noted. Thanks, Bren.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Anytime, trouble. Now go before the universe gives you another quest.<</speech>> I pocketed the bag, gave her a mock salute, and pushed out into the street again. The door jingled shut behind me. The city was loud, sun climbing, day just beginning to test how much chaos it could cram into my schedule. <<set $currentObjectives to "Put yogurt pretzels in the fridge">> <<set $step = 2>> [[Go Outside|outside]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "17:30">> The late afternoon light bled orange through the windows of the corner market, catching in the glass fridge doors and the glossy fruit displays. My head still buzzed with the echo of Greaves’ voice all clipped politeness, the kind that stings worse than shouting. “We’re restructuring.” Always “we,” never “you’re done.” Brenda looked up from her stool as the door chimed, recognition flashing in her grin before she took in my face. The grin faltered. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Whoa. You look like somebody canceled your birthday and ran over your cat in the same breath.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Pretty close. Boss canned me. “Budget realignment.”<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Shit. Seriously?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Didn’t even let me finish my coffee. Just called me in, dropped the line, smiled like a funeral director.<</speech>> She winced, leaning her elbows on the counter. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Damn. You want me to get the “screw corporate overlords” playlist going or just skip to the beer aisle?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Beer first. Anger soundtrack later.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>You got it. Lager or the fancy craft stuff you pretend to like?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Let’s go with something cold and judgmental. Surprise me.<</speech>> She chuckled, hopping off the stool and leading the way down the aisle. The hum of the coolers filled the silence for a beat. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>How bad was it? Like “you’ll find something soon” bad, or “might need to start OnlyFans” bad?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Let’s call it “stock up on ramen and therapy” bad.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Classic post-corporate diet. Let me guess, Lena’s gonna pretend she’s not mad and then feed you something comforting while you spiral.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You know her too well. I’m getting ahead of it with beer and actual groceries before she stages an intervention.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Smart man. Distraction by carbohydrates always works.<</speech>> I grabbed a six-pack from the cooler, the bottles clinking together, and tossed in a loaf of bread and a couple instant dinners from the freezer section. Brenda followed, scanning them at the counter. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>You know, if you ever wanna work here part-time until you find something else, I could talk to Rafi. He’s desperate for someone who can lift crates without complaining.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Appreciate it. Though, fair warning my crate-lifting enthusiasm drops after two boxes.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>That’s fine. We pay in sarcasm and expired energy drinks anyway.<</speech>> She slid the bag across to me. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Hang in there, all right? Maybe this is your cue to finally do that thing you kept talking about what was it? Freelance coding? Starting a food vlog? Becoming a pretzel influencer?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. The Pretzel Prophet. Has a nice ring to it.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>I’d subscribe just for the chaos.<</speech>> I smiled, faint but genuine, tucking the bag under one arm. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Anytime. And hey Boss might’ve fired you, but at least you’re still my favorite disaster.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>High honor. I’ll try to live up to it.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>You always do.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Thanks, Bren. For the beer and the pep talk.<</speech>> She opened her mouth to say something smart, but I was already glancing back toward the aisles. <<speech $player $playerName>>Actually, wait gimme two minutes. If I’m gonna sulk properly, I need fuel.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Ah, the sacred breakup-with-your-job meal. Ramen and regret?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Close. Ramen and sausage slices. Gourmet depression cuisine.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>You’re a visionary.<</speech>> I jogged back down the aisle, grabbed a stack of instant noodles one spicy, one mild because Lena always stole the mild ones and a pack of smoked sausages from the cooler. The plastic wrap squeaked under my fingers as I carried them back. <<speech $player $playerName>>Dinner of champions.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Dinner of people who’ve given up on cooking but not on sodium.<</speech>> She rang it up, the register giving its lazy *beep-beep* rhythm. <<speech $player $playerName>>Add it to my tab of poor life choices.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>If I did that, we’d need a separate database.<</speech>> She handed over the extra bag, amusement back in her eyes. <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Try not to set your kitchen on fire again, all right?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>No promises. But I’ll toast one for you when the noodles boil.<</speech>> <<speech "brenda" "Brenda">>Make it two. And don’t forget to eat the sausage before the existential dread kicks in.<</speech>> I laughed softly, the kind that came from somewhere tired but still alive, tucked the groceries under my arm, and headed toward the door. The bell chimed again as I stepped back into the evening air, grocery bag in hand, the city stretching long shadows across the pavement. Somewhere far off, the sound of music spilled from a bar laughter, noise, life continuing. <<set $currentObjectives to "Go Home, put Beer and Groceries in the fridge">> <<set $step = 10>> [[Head Home|outside]] <>

<>  <<set $locationImage to "images/location/outside.png">> <div class="location-map-wrap"> <div class="location-map-card"> <div class="location-map-title">Neighborhood</div> <div class="location-map-grid"> <div class="location livingroom" data-passage="city" title="City"> <img src="images/location/city.png" alt="City"> <div class="location-label">City</div> </div> <div class="location kitchen" data-passage="grocery_store" title="Grocery Store"> <img src="images/location/grocery-store.png" alt="Grocery Store"> <div class="location-label">Grocery Store</div> </div> <div class="location bedroom locked" data-passage="saloon" title="Saloon"> <img src="images/location/outside.png" alt="Saloon"> <div class="location-label">Saloon</div> </div> <div class="location washroom" data-passage="restaurant" title="Restaurant"> <img src="images/location/restaurant.png" alt="Restaurant"> <div class="location-label">Restaurant</div> </div> <div class="location outside" data-passage="sex_toy_shop" title="sex_toy_shop"> <img src="images/location/sex_toy_shop.png" alt="sex_toy_shop"> <div class="location-label">Sex Toy Shop</div> </div> <div class="location outside" data-passage="home" title="home"> <img src="images/location/living_room.png" alt="home"> <div class="location-label">Aprtment</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <>

<<set $locationImage to "images/location/restaurant.png">> <> <<if $step == 18.2>> <<goto "restaurant_18.2">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/restaurant.png" alt="Living Room" style="width:100%; "> The restaurant is bustling with activity, the clinking of cutlery and the murmur of conversations filling the air. The scent of freshly baked bread mingles with the aroma of roasted coffee, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A waiter moves swiftly between tables, balancing a tray of steaming dishes, while a couple in the corner shares a quiet laugh over their meal. [[Go to Outside|outside]] <</if>> <>

<> The restaurant was small, tucked between a dry-cleaner and a florist, its sign a soft red glow in the dusk. Paper lanterns swayed faintly in the warm air, their light painting soft amber circles on the tables outside. I spotted Lena instantly sitting by the window, still in her work blouse, sleeves rolled to her elbows, a half-drained glass of plum soda beside her. She smiled when she saw me, the kind that cut through the static of the day like sunlight through blinds. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hey, you made it before I finished the drink. That’s a first.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Only because the traffic lights liked me tonight.<</speech>> I sat down across from her, the table’s smooth surface cool beneath my hands. The air carried the faint scent of garlic oil and chili. A waiter dropped off menus, but Lena didn’t even look she already knew what to order. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Two bowls of sesame noodles, the crispy tofu, and those dumplings you pretend you don’t like but always steal from my plate.<</speech>> The waiter nodded and vanished. I leaned back, exhaling. <<speech $player $playerName>>You always order for me before I realize I’m hungry.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>It’s a gift. So… tell me everything. Start from when that Marcus guy walked in. He sounded terrifying.<</speech>> I laughed softly, rubbing the back of my neck. <<speech $player $playerName>>He’s… intense. Charismatic in a way that makes you straighten up without realizing it. The whole morning was lectures theory, ethics, transfer mechanics, limits. Like consciousness anatomy class meets moral court.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And the others? The people there?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>A mix. Some nervous. Some like they’ve already done it before. A couple of them looked… too eager. Like they were chasing something they couldn’t admit.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re not like them.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m trying not to be. I just need work, not another identity crisis.<</speech>> She smiled faintly, swirling her straw. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So you’re going back tomorrow?<</speech>> I hesitated, tracing a finger along the table’s edge. <<speech $player $playerName>>If you’re okay with it, yeah. I think I can handle it. Tomorrow’s the first practical session. They said it’s just a few hours monitored, supervised, no risk.<</speech>> Her gaze lingered on me for a second too long, then softened. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Okay. Then do it. Just… come home to me after, alright? No matter what happens in there.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Always.<</speech>> The food arrived noodles glistening with sesame glaze, steam rising off the dumplings, the crisp tofu sizzling faintly in its dish. We dug in, the clatter of chopsticks filling the air. For a while, we didn’t talk just ate, letting the flavors do the work of comfort. Halfway through her bowl, Lena tilted her head, watching me with that little mischievous spark that always spelled trouble. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You know… since we’re on the topic of body experiences and all…<</speech>> I looked up warily. <<speech $player $playerName>>Oh no.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh yes.<</speech>> She grinned. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I was thinking about that whole day. The small pegging session....<</speech>> I almost choked on a noodle. <<speech $player $playerName>>Lena <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Relax. I just said I was thinking about it. I even checked a few stores downtown, but apparently, no one in this city stocks anything decent. Who knew ethical consciousness transfer was easier to find than a proper strap-on?<</speech>> I groaned, rubbing my forehead. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re not seriously asking me to <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh, I am. You’re going to Shape of You tomorrow anyway big brave explorer of the human psyche. After training, pick up a strap-on for your equally brave girlfriend, hmm?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You realize how that sounds, right?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Perfectly reasonable. You buy the groceries. You buy the condoms. You can buy the strap-on.<</speech>> I stared at her, deadpan. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re unbelievable.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And yet you’ll do it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>No, I <</speech>> I started, but she was already grinning, eyes bright, knowing exactly how this conversation would end. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Please? For science. And love. Mostly love.<</speech>> I sighed in defeat. <<speech $player $playerName>>Fine. I’ll… look. But if anyone asks, it’s for a friend.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Perfect. I’ll make sure to thank your friend properly.<</speech>> We both laughed, and the tension that had clung to me all day finally slipped away. The plates emptied, the lantern light flickered softer, and for a little while, everything felt almost normal again. When we finally left, the night air was warm and humming with distant traffic. Lena slipped her arm through mine as we walked home, our steps syncing easily, the quiet between us no longer heavy just full. Tomorrow would be another threshold. But tonight, it was just us. <<set $phoneTime to "21:00">> <<set $currentObjectives to "Return home with Lena and Sleep">> <<set $step = 18.3>> [[Go home with Lena|home]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/sex_toy_shop.png">> <<if $step == 19.3>> <<goto "sex_toy_shop_19.3">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/sex_toy_shop.png" alt="Sex Toy Shop" style="width:100%; "> The sex toy shop hums with a quiet, ambient soundtrack, the kind of music designed to soothe and disarm. The air is warm, carrying a faint mix of sandalwood and something floral, almost powdery. The shelves are meticulously organized, displaying everything from sleek, modern devices to items that look like they belong in an art exhibit. Soft lighting highlights the displays, casting gentle shadows that make the space feel intimate yet inviting. A faint chime sounds as the door opens, the atmosphere inside a stark contrast to the bustling street outside. [[Go to Outside|outside]] <</if>> <>

<> The storefront blinked subtle neon through the haze of late afternoon sun “Velvet Standard,” in rose serif against smoked glass. Clean, almost sterile for a sex shop. I stepped inside and was immediately wrapped in warm light and softer scents than expected linen, sandalwood, something faintly citrus. A showroom, not a dungeon. The layout was all brushed steel fixtures and curved walls, displays built like gallery pieces. And in the center of it all: a wall of harnesses. Dozens of styles. Adjustable. Modular. Silicone, leather, biopolymer. Every color from matte black to pearlescent lavender. And red. I thumbed my phone and hit call. She picked up mid-sigh. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Tell me you’re there.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m here. Trying to look casual surrounded by enough gear to rewire someone’s nervous system.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm‑hmm. Now stop stalling. Color?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You pick. I’m already out of my depth here.<</speech>> A brief pause, then her voice smiling through the line. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Red. Always red. It matches payback.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Right. Red it is.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm. You always did look good under pressure.<</speech>> I scanned the racks. One stood out red, deep crimson, understated but bold. Smooth silicone attachment, full strap mount that could be worn like underwear. <<speech $player $playerName>>Found one. Red. Just like you asked. High waist, minimal shift, soft-stretch straps. Looks... secure.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Perfect. I want it to stay on when you’re squirming.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You say that like this is revenge.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>No, no. “Correction.”<</speech>> I laughed under my breath, just as someone stepped into view behind the counter. Sales clerk. Female, maybe mid-20s, long platinum hair in a half braid, a piercing just below one eye that sparkled with obvious amusement. Her nametag said “Rie.” <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ll call you after.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You better. I want updates. And a picture, maybe.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Click.<</speech>> I slid the red set off the rack, turned, and walked to the desk. Rie already had one eyebrow raised. <<speech "rie" "Rie">>Ooh. Crimson Core. Clean choice. Popular with switch couples. Nice base pressure.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You memorize product blurbs or just live here?<</speech>> <<speech "rie" "Rie">>Bit of both. So... special occasion? Anniversary? Apology?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Do I look like I want to talk about this?<</speech>> She grinned wider. <<speech "rie" "Rie">>Absolutely. Which means I’m going to ask anyway.<</speech>> I hesitated. She just kept scanning the item slowly like she had all day. <<speech $player $playerName>>Partner... asked me to pick one up. Her turn, I guess.<</speech>> <<speech "rie" "Rie">>Her turn? Ohhhh. I see. Classic role-reversal power play. Bet you didn’t even warn her last time.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That... may have been the problem.<</speech>> <<speech "rie" "Rie">>Mmm. Then she’s got the right idea. Red’s perfect for vengeance with love. I approve. Want me to gift wrap it in something misleadingly innocent?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>God, no. Just a bag. No labels.<</speech>> She chuckled, folding the harness into a minimalist matte box, sealing it like it was fine jewelry. <<speech "rie" "Rie">>You’ll do fine. Just breathe deep. And when she straps it in? Compliment her posture. Makes the hand placement better.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>...Thanks. I think.<</speech>> She handed over the bag, receipt already sent to my device. <<speech "rie" "Rie">>Come back if you survive.<</speech>> I stepped outside, blinking at the brightness, feeling oddly lighter and heavier at once. The street noise returned. People passed. My bag bumped lightly against my thigh. Somewhere across the city, Lena was probably still smiling. <<set $phoneTime = "18:30">> <<set $currentObjectives = "End of the Version - 0.0.1, Version 0.0.2 available on Patreon">> <<set $step = 1000>> [[Go home|outside]] <>

<<set $locationImage to "images/location/office.png">>  <> <div class="location-map-wrap"> <div class="location-map-card"> <div class="location-map-title">Office</div> <div class="location-map-grid"> <div class="location livingroom" data-passage="manager_room" title="office"> <img src="images/location/office_manager_room.png" alt="office"> <div class="location-label">Manager's Room</div> </div> <div class="location kitchen" data-passage="cubical" title="My cubical"> <img src="images/location/office_cubical.png" alt="My cubical"> <div class="location-label">My Cubical</div> </div> <div class="location bedroom" data-passage="james_cubical" title="James's Cubical"> <img src="images/location/office_cubical.png" alt="James's Cubical"> <div class="location-label">James's Cubical</div> </div> <div class="location washroom" data-passage="office_washroom" title="Office Washroom"> <img src="images/location/office_washroom.png" alt="Office Washroom"> <div class="location-label">Office Washroom</div> </div> <div class="location washroom" data-passage="city" title="City"> <img src="images/location/city.png" alt="City"> <div class="location-label">Outside</div> </div> <div class="location outside" data-passage="lyla_cubical" title="Lyla's Cubical"> <img src="images/location/office_cubical.png" alt="Lyla's Cubical"> <div class="location-label">Lyla's Cubical</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_washroom.png">> <<if $step == 5>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/office_washroom.png" alt="Office Washroom" style="width:100%; "> The office washroom is small and utilitarian, with white tiled walls and a single sink beneath a large mirror. The faint scent of disinfectant lingers in the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of coffee from the break room. A few motivational posters are taped to the walls, their messages of productivity and teamwork feeling somewhat out of place in this quiet corner of the office. [[Go Outside|office]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_cubical.png">> <<if $step == 3>> <<goto "work_1">> <<elseif $step == 6>> <<goto "work_3">> <<elseif $step == 8>> <<goto "work_4_2">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/office_cubical.png" alt="Cubical" style="width:100%; "> My cubical is cramped but functional, a small oasis of personal space in the sea of identical workstations. The walls are adorned with a few photos of friends and family, a calendar, and a couple of motivational posters. My desk is cluttered with papers, a coffee mug, and my trusty laptop. A small potted plant sits in the corner, adding a touch of greenery to the otherwise sterile environment. [[Go to Outside|office]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_manager_room.png">> <<if $step == 7>> <<goto "work_4">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/office_manager_room.png" alt="Manager's Room" style="width:100%; "> The manager's room is a spacious office with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. A sleek wooden desk dominates the room, cluttered with papers, a laptop, and a few personal items. A comfortable leather chair sits behind the desk, while a couple of guest chairs are positioned in front of it. Bookshelves line one wall, filled with business books and a few decorative items. A small coffee station is tucked in the corner, complete with a coffee maker and a selection of mugs. [[Go to Outside|office]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_cubical.png">> <img src="images/location/office_cubical.png" alt="James's Cubical" style="width:100%; "> James's cubical is a bit more organized than mine, with neatly stacked papers and a clean desk surface. A few personal items, like a framed photo and a small figurine, add a touch of personality to the space. A calendar hangs on the wall, marked with important dates and deadlines. A comfortable office chair sits behind the desk, and a small filing cabinet is tucked in the corner. [[Go to Outside|office]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_cubical.png">> <img src="images/location/office_cubical.png" alt="Lyla's Cubical" style="width:100%; "> Lyla's cubical is bright and cheerful, with colorful decorations and a few plants adding a touch of life to the space. Her desk is tidy, with a laptop, a notebook, and a few pens neatly arranged. A bulletin board on the wall is filled with photos, notes, and inspirational quotes. A comfortable chair sits behind the desk, and a small bookshelf holds a selection of books and personal items. [[Go to Outside|office]] <>

<> <<if $quizStep < $questions.length>> <<set _q to $questions[$quizStep]>> <div class="quiz-question"> <div class="quiz-counter"> Question: <<= $quizStep + 1 >> / <<= $questions.length >> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"> <<=_q.q>> </div> <ul class="quiz-options"> <<for _i, _o range _q.opts>> <<capture _i _o>> <li> <<link _o>><<=_o>> <<set _answer to _i>> <<set $quizAnswers.push(_answer)>> <<set $quizStep += 1>> <<if _answer == _q.ans>> <<set $quizCorrect += 1>> <</if>> <<goto "quiz_questions">> <</link>> </li> <</capture>> <</for>> </ul> </div> <</if>> <<if $quizStep >= $questions.length>> <<goto "quiz_result">> <</if>> <>

<> /* <<=$quizAnswers>> */ <<set _total to $questions.length>> <<set _score to $quizCorrect>> <<set _percent to Math.round($quizCorrect/_total*100)>> <<set $is_quiz_pass to (_percent >= 70)>> <h2>Quiz Report</h2> Your score: <<=_score>> / <<=_total>> (<<=_percent>>%) <ul class="quiz-report"> <<for _i, _q range $questions>> <li> <div> Q<<= _i + 1 >>: <<= _q.q >> Your answer: <<= _q.opts[$quizAnswers[_i]] >> <<if $quizAnswers[_i] == _q.ans>> Correct Explanation: <<= _q.explanation >> <<else>> Incorrect Explanation: <<= _q.explanation >> <</if>> </div> </li> <</for>> <<if $is_quiz_pass>> You passed! [[You Passed. Leave the Facility|tier_0_day_2_46]] <<else>> You did not pass. <<set $quizStep to 0>> <<set $quizAnswers to []>> <<set $quizCorrect to 0>> <<set $is_quiz_pass to false>> [[You Failed. Leave the Facility|tier_0_day_2_47]] <</if>> </ul> <>

[[Start]] /* [[Wiki]] */ <a href="https://www.patreon.com/soytg" target="_blank">Patreon</a>

<<set $player to "mc_2">> <<set $playerName to "MC">> <<set $playerImage to "images/characters/" + $player + "/full_clothed.png">> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/bedroom.png">> <<set $locationName to "Downtown City">> <<set $currentObjectives to "No Objectives Yet...">> <<set $phoneTime to "6:30">> <<set $basic_2_correct = 0>> <<set $messages = []>> <<set $message_with_lena = []>> <<set $is_next_day = true>> <<set $setp = 19>>

Comming Sooon...

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/shape_of_you.png">> <<if !$is_next_day>> <img src="images/location/shape_of_you.png" alt="Shape of You" style="width:100%; "> The Shape of You Inc. building stood out against the cluttered skyline three stories of white glass and smooth composite panels, edges so clean they almost looked unreal. No signage beyond the minimalist black logo: a human face folding inward into another, and another still, infinite and unsettling. The front doors shimmered with a faint polarized tint, hiding whatever was inside. Even the air around it felt quieter, as if the city’s noise stopped a few meters short. It didn’t look like a company. It looked like a boundary. It's not working hours, Come back tommorow... [[Come back Tommorow|city]] <<elseif $step == 14>> <<goto "shape_of_you_14">> <<elseif $step == 18>> <<goto "shape_of_you_18">> <<elseif $step == 19.2>> <<goto "shape_of_you_19.2">> <<else>> <img src="images/location/shape_of_you.png" alt="Shape of You" style="width:100%; "> The Shape of You Inc. building stood out against the cluttered skyline three stories of white glass and smooth composite panels, edges so clean they almost looked unreal. No signage beyond the minimalist black logo: a human face folding inward into another, and another still, infinite and unsettling. The front doors shimmered with a faint polarized tint, hiding whatever was inside. Even the air around it felt quieter, as if the city’s noise stopped a few meters short. It didn’t look like a company. It looked like a boundary. [[Go Outside|city]] <</if>> <>

<> The exterior of Shape of You Inc. was inconspicuous by design. No neon signage, no glowing brand slogans just a brushed steel panel beside a dark-glass door etched faintly with the company’s sigil: a silhouette within a silhouette within a silhouette. I stood there a beat too long, watching my own reflection blur inside the nested figures. The tension in my chest tightened, then slowly eased with the vibration in my pocket. I glanced down. A message. Lena. The image came through before the text. She’d clearly taken it from the office bathroom mirror angled down, one leg lifted up on the edge of the sink, pants halfway down, cheeks round and perfect. The caption hit a second later. <<if !$shape_of_you_14_1>> <<link "Check the Photo">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "images/chat/lena/lena_ass_1.png", "text": `till wet. Couldn’t focus. Is this the kind of ass you leave behind?`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $shape_of_you_14_1 to true>> <<goto "shape_of_you_14">> <</link>> <<else>> My cock stirred instantly, trapped tight in my pants. I thumbed a quick reply, eyes still on my reflection. <<if !$shape_of_you_14_2>> <<link "Reply Her">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` Come home later. We’ll see if that ass can even handle my cock tonight. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $shape_of_you_14_2 to true>> <<goto "shape_of_you_14">> <</link>> <<else>> Her next message hit just as my finger brushed the door handle. <<if !$shape_of_you_14_3>> <<link "Check Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` Stretch me til I forget how to walk. Please. Just fuck me mean. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $shape_of_you_14_3 to true>> <<goto "shape_of_you_14">> <</link>> <<else>> <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> [[Enter the Reception|shape_of_you_14_1]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> I swallowed hard, slipped the device into my coat, and pushed the door open. Cool air hit me instantly. Not cold, just precise. Engineered. The scent of sterile citrus and something faintly metallic drifted through the lobby, which looked more like a high-end therapy clinic than a job placement firm. Clean ivory floors, frosted partitions, and a long, curved reception desk of matte black composite. Behind it sat Receptionist, posture flawless, back straight like she’d been 3D printed into the chair. She didn’t look up right away just finished entering something on a perfectly silent keyboard. Her silver-gray eyes lifted to meet mine. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Welcome to Shape of You,<</speech>> she said, voice smooth and center-aligned like UI narration. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Do you have an appointment?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>No. Just…<</speech>> I paused, unsure. <<speech $player $playerName>>Looking. First visit.<</speech>> She blinked once. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Full intro session?<</speech>> I nodded. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. That’s right.<</speech>> <<speech "mira" "Mira">>One moment.<</speech>> Her fingers moved in fluid motions, so light it didn’t seem like she was even touching the keyboard. Then she tapped something beneath the desk no visible panel, no click. Just a subtle pressure and a soft, single chime from somewhere behind the frosted glass partitions. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Please take a seat. Agent Voss will see you shortly.<</speech>> She did not smile. She did not look away. She simply returned to typing as if I were already a ghost in the system, already dissolving into numbers. I sat on a gray cushioned bench nearby, hands in my lap, thumb brushing across my leg like I could still feel the heat from Lena’s last photo. I opened my messages again. [[Wait for Agent Voss|shape_of_you_14_2]] <>

<> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Mr. Ren.<</speech>> The voice was confident, feminine, and smooth with a velvet edge. Elira Voss stood at the threshold one hand on the frame, one hip cocked, her amber eyes already sizing me up. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Right this way.<</speech>> I stood slowly, blood still warm in my veins, thinking maybe Lena’s texts were exactly the armor I needed for this place. Elira led me down a long corridor, the walls lined with abstract art that felt more like corporate branding than creativity. The air was cool, the lighting soft but precise, casting no shadows. She walked with a fluid grace, heels clicking softly against the polished floor, her dark suit tailored to perfection. I could feel her eyes on me, assessing, calculating. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’re here for the full intro session, correct?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. I’m looking for a job. Something stable.<</speech>> It was a meeting room, but it didn’t feel corporate. No glass walls. No glowing logos. Just soft lighting, a round table, two chairs, and a panel with embedded haptics running along one wall. Elira gestured for me to sit, then circled around with slow elegance and lowered herself opposite me. No datapad, no terminal. Just a sleek fountain pen she twirled absently in her fingers something about that unnerved me more than a whole bank of screens. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You understand what we do here,<</speech>> she began, eyes steady. Not a question an opening move. <<speech $player $playerName>>I think so. Substitute work. Body rentals. Consciousness transfer.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Technically accurate,<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>But reductive. We are a Conscious Labor Exchange. We match qualified cognitive candidates with corporeal vacancies. Human work that must be done, but cannot or will not be done by the original party.<</speech>> She set the pen down with surgical precision, fingers resting against the table’s curve. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’re here because the job market is… tight. Yes?<</speech>> I nodded slowly. <<speech $player $playerName>>I just lost my position yesterday. My background’s in software dev.<</speech>> She gave the faintest hint of a smile. The first crack in the polished mirror of her face. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>That’s nice. Unfortunately, coding doesn’t transfer.<</speech>> I frowned slightly, unsure if I was supposed to laugh or apologize. <<speech $player $playerName>>I… what do you mean?<</speech>> She elaborated without missing a beat. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You can’t bring muscle memory for typing into someone else’s hands. Skills like language, empathy, sensory endurance those are what matter. And… willingness.<</speech>> I sat back a bit, processing that. <<speech $player $playerName>>Okay. What kind of jobs are you offering?<</speech>> She leaned forward slightly, folding her hands, the pen now forgotten. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>I’ll be frank. The vast majority of our high-demand, high-paying jobs involve male-to-female or female-to-female transfer. That is you, occupying a female client’s body. Temporarily. Full-sensory override.<</speech>> I blinked. <<speech $player $playerName>>Seriously?<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Quite. There are more clients seeking to outsource female-specific experience than male. Pregnancy surrogacy. Menstruation simulation for pharma R&D. Emotional closure delivery often perceived more warmly in feminine form. Intimacy modules. Grief therapeutics. Physical trauma trials. Even performance work for elite body doubles. And the pay is exceptional.<</speech>> I shifted in my seat, brows furrowed. <<speech $player $playerName>>What about male-to-male?<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>There are a few,<</speech>> she said. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Fitness trials. Military endurance prep. Certain psychological proxy testing. But they pay less, require higher risk, and are few and far between. The economics are clear. The feminine body holds greater experiential demand in the current market.<</speech>> She let the silence linger just long enough to feel intentional. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Is that… a problem for you?<</speech>> I hesitated. My thoughts flashed briefly to Lena filthy texts, the way she made me feel grounded no matter how weird shit got. She wouldn’t flinch. Hell, she’d probably tell me to pick the freakiest contract and come home with stories. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’d still be you, right?<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’d still be you,<</speech>> she echoed, nodding. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Your mind. Your will. But with access to another body’s inputs. We filter for compatibility and safety. We do not offer cross-transfer to minors, criminal bodies, or deceased hosts. You will always know your limits, and we never break TimeLimit.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>But I’d be in a woman’s body.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Often. Sometimes performing things only a female-presenting person can. Medical. Emotional. Sexual. All by consent.<</speech>> My stomach gave a subtle twist. I didn’t know if it was revulsion or curiosity. Probably both. <<speech $player $playerName>>And the pay’s better?<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Substantially.<</speech>> She reached across the table and tapped the haptic panel. A list shimmered into view monospaced text, no glamor. No colors. Just stark jobs and harder numbers:  <div class="soyu-slide" aria-label="Shape of You Services"> <button class="soyu-arrow soyu-arrow--left" aria-label="Previous">‹</button> <div class="soyu-track" tabindex="0">  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">LIVE BIRTH</h3> 11h $5,000 labor and delivery of the baby. </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">PREGNANCY POSTURE</h3> 28w stage 6h $1,500 late-second/early-third trimester body for 6h. </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">EX-LOVER CLOSURE DELIVERY</h3> 3h $400 End the relationship. </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">ANAL SEX WITH HUSBAND</h3> Female 2h $2000 Endure the anal sex for 2h </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">PAIN TRIAL IUD INSERTION TESTING</h3> 90m $700 device insertion procedures. </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">PROMOTION TOUR WITH BOSS</h3> 5h $2,500 Do what ever it takes to get promotion </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">WAX SESSION</h3> 2h $700 Full-body hair removal session </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">MENSTRUAL CYCLE</h3> 4h $600 Cramp & hormonal pain endurance </article>  <article class="soyu-card"> <h3 class="soyu-title">GYNECOLOGICAL EXAMINATION EXPERIENCE</h3> 3h $800 Gyno visit and endurance of pain and other things </article> </div> <button class="soyu-arrow soyu-arrow--right" aria-label="Next">›</button> </div>  <style> .soyu-slide { --gap: 16px; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; width:100%; max-width:980px; margin:0 auto; position:relative; } .soyu-track { display:flex; gap:var(--gap); overflow:hidden; scroll-behavior:smooth; padding:8px 4px; } .soyu-card { min-width:260px; max-width:300px; background:linear-gradient(180deg,#ffffff,#fbfbfd); border-radius:12px; box-shadow:0 10px 30px rgba(8,15,30,0.08); padding:18px; border:1px solid rgba(10,20,40,0.04); } .soyu-title { margin:0 0 6px 0; font-size:1.05rem; color:#0b2340; font-weight:700; } .soyu-meta { margin:0 0 10px 0; font-size:.9rem; color:#4b5b6b; } .soyu-desc { margin:0; font-size:.92rem; color:#334155; line-height:1.35; } .soyu-arrow { background:#0b2740; color:#fff; border:0; width:40px; height:40px; border-radius:8px; cursor:pointer; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; font-size:1.4rem; box-shadow:0 6px 18px rgba(11,39,64,0.15); } .soyu-arrow:active { transform:translateY(1px); } .soyu-arrow--left { margin-left:6px; } .soyu-arrow--right { margin-right:6px; } /* responsive */ @media (max-width:720px){ .soyu-slide { gap:8px; padding:0 6px; } .soyu-card { min-width:200px; } } </style> I stared. <<speech $player $playerName>>You weren’t kidding about the demand.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>I wasn’t.<</speech>> She looked at me, not blinking, as if she could see right through the doubt rolling behind my eyes. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>I’ll walk you through safety protocols, interface conditioning, and neuro-glide prep if you choose to proceed. We have staff who assist with gender dysphoria events. Full post-session care. You won’t be alone.<</speech>> She studied me now closely. Her posture never shifted, but I felt like I was under a microscope. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Some candidates flinch at the idea,<</speech>> she said. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Some thrive. But what matters is this: the jobs are real. The money is good. The line between gendered experience and survival is one you draw.<</speech>> She picked up the pen again. Snapped the cap closed. It was the loudest sound in the room. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>So.<</speech>> Her voice was calm. Her eyes didn’t blink. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Is that okay with you?<</speech>> My fingers curled loosely in my lap. I thought about rent. About Lena’s text this morning. I looked at Elira. And I started to answer. <>  <script> (function(){ const track = document.querySelector('.soyu-track'); const left = document.querySelector('.soyu-arrow--left'); const right = document.querySelector('.soyu-arrow--right'); if(!track || !left || !right) return; const cardWidth = () => track.querySelector('.soyu-card')?.offsetWidth + parseInt(getComputedStyle(track).gap || 16) || 280; left.addEventListener('click', ()=> track.scrollBy({ left: -cardWidth(), behavior:'smooth' })); right.addEventListener('click', ()=> track.scrollBy({ left: cardWidth(), behavior:'smooth' })); // keyboard accessibility: left/right when focused track.addEventListener('keydown', (e)=>{ if(e.key === 'ArrowRight') right.click(); if(e.key === 'ArrowLeft') left.click(); }); })(); </script> [[Answer Her|shape_of_you_14_3]]

<> I sat back slightly in the chair, staring at the job listings floating above the haptic panel. Live birth. Closure. Hormonal flux. IUD insertion. The words buzzed behind my eyes like they'd been tattooed on the inside of my skull. I looked up at Elira Voss. She hadn’t moved. Perfect posture, those amber eyes calm, unblinking. Like she could already see the shape of my reaction forming in my mind before I even opened my mouth. <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s a lot.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>It is. But you’re not being thrown into the deep end, Mr. Ren.<</speech>> She tapped a graceful command into the table. The job listings dissolved like breath off glass. In their place, a new screen bloomed into view: a smooth, clean tiered chart headed “Shape of You Inc. Tier Advancement & Training System” <<speech "elira" "Elira">>There’s structure. Curriculum. We take transfer education seriously. Especially for male candidates entering female bodies.<</speech>> I blinked, still trying to mentally anchor myself to the room. <<speech $player $playerName>>There’s… schooling for this?<</speech>> She gave a faint smile barely there, like a tick in the corner of her mouth. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You didn’t think we’d let just anyone walk around in another human’s flesh untrained, did you?<</speech>> She rotated the panel gently toward me, then used the tip of her pen to scroll through the modules. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’ll start at Tier 0 – Orientation Level. That’s mandatory. Everyone does it. It’s not a test, it’s a calibration. We cover the science, the ethics, and your rights.<</speech>> She began reciting the modules with clinical precision. Module 1: Consciousness Transfer Fundamentals <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’ll learn the actual mechanism how the swap occurs, what it feels like, what to expect during transition. Time limits, frequency caps, and why we don’t allow long-duration novice swaps.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Then you’ll do a safe, supervised 30-60 minute consciousness transfer. Just to experience it. We call it ‘body gliding.’ No tasks, just sensation.<</speech>> Module 2: Ethical & Legal Considerations <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Swapping is intimate. You’re entering another’s life. You’ll study consent, boundaries, confidentiality, legal protection. Real-world dilemmas. What if someone confides in you thinking you’re her? What if you see something personal? Learn to walk away.<</speech>> Module 3: Agreements & Contractual Obligations <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Every swap has a contract. It’s not just legal it’s sacred. You’ll learn to read, negotiate, and enforce your terms. Simulated body owners will test you. Some will push. You’ll learn how to say no and mean it.<</speech>> Module 4: Long-Term Implications & Risks <<speech "elira" "Elira">>This is where we get real. Dysphoria. Emotional bleed. Identity instability. You’ll hear from past candidates both success stories and breaks. We don’t hide any of it.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>It ends with your first assignment a 3–4 hour real-world transfer. Nothing too invasive. Just performance and observation. Under supervision.<</speech>> She paused, let me absorb it. <<speech $player $playerName>>So that’s just the beginning?<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Correct.<</speech>> She flicked her pen again. The next section scrolled up like peeling into a deeper layer of skin. Tier 1: Introductory Level – Novice <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Here, you learn what it means to walk as a woman. You’ll explore the female body not just textbook. You’ll feel it. How thighs brush. How balance shifts. How your own voice echoes different in a narrower chest.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Then underwear. Dressing. Shapewear. Panties that bite if you sit wrong. You’ll wear it all. Pick sizes. Learn which bras ride up and which pinch.<</speech>> I gave a dry laugh without meaning to. <<speech $player $playerName>>Sounds like hell already.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>That’s the point. It is hell. And it’s reality for half the species. Daily female hygiene follows pads, tampons, shaving, skincare. The things clients expect you to already know.<</speech>> She scrolled again. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Tier 1 ends with a full 24-hour immersion. You’ll run errands. Take public transit. Navigate a normal day, alone, in a female body.<</speech>> Tier 2: Intermediate Level – Apprentice <<speech "elira" "Elira">>By now your tasks grow. We simulate a menstrual cycle two full days. Cramping. Bloating. Mood shifts. You’ll try tight dresses. Apply makeup while rushed. Walk in heels. Balance groceries and self-worth.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>And sex begins solo only. You’ll learn what arousal means when your anatomy changes. Not hypothetical. Not visual. You will feel it.<</speech>> She didn’t linger on that. Just let the implication hang like a loaded gun on a table neither of us acknowledged. Tier 3: Advanced Level – Journeyman <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Here, it gets hard. You’ll experience partnered sex full intercourse. Navigate consent and communication while inside unfamiliar skin. Learn to advocate for yourself when everything inside says shrink.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Pregnancy simulation follows. Nausea. Swelling. Shortness of breath. You’ll understand what it means to carry weight in your womb briefly, but truly.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’ll also be expected to perform under public pressure. Tight corsets. Social scrutiny. All while remaining composed.<</speech>> I sat very still. The words were clinical, but I could feel my pulse rising. <<speech $player $playerName>>This is… intense.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>It is. And we haven’t even hit Tier 4.<</speech>> She didn’t flinch. Tier 4: Expert Level – Mastering Femininity <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Childbirth. Real labor, simulated through sensory feedback, mapped to a living host. You’ll push. You’ll scream. And you’ll understand pain in a way most men never have to.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Then love. We teach romantic intimacy. You’ll live out full emotional arcs falling, breaking, surviving. Because sex without empathy is performance. Sex with it is art.<</speech>> She didn’t say it dramatically. She said it like it was gravity. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’ll dress for gala events. Master formal wear. Walk in shoes meant to punish. Deliver a speech while hiding cramps. We push until you don’t flinch anymore.<</speech>> Tier 5: Elite Level – Ultimate Immersion <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Only a few reach this. But they make seven figures. You’ll live an entire half-year as a woman. Spouse. Mother. Colleague. Sex partner. You’ll juggle expectation, fear, and perception flawlessly.<</speech>> She tapped off the display. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>This isn’t just labor. It’s performance. It’s embodiment. It’s empathy as employment. And it’s highly paid because few can do it well.<</speech>> She leaned forward again, fingertips steepled. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You won’t start there. Everyone begins at Tier 0. One day. One supervised job. You try it. You learn. You decide.<</speech>> Her eyes pinned me again. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>So. Now that you know the truth... are you still interested in beginning Tier 0 training?<</speech>> I thought of Lena again her text this morning, the mirror pic, her lips curled in that filthy smirk: <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Let them stretch your holes, baby. Just make sure you come home leaking for me.<</speech>> I drew a breath. My mouth tasted like metal and adrenaline. [[Answer Her|shape_of_you_14_4]] <>

<> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. I’m in. But I need to discuss with my Girl Friend But She won’t mid little introduction session<</speech>> Elira watched me carefully no pressure, no persuasion. Just pure observation. She studied the flickers behind my eyes, the way my fingers curled and uncurled near the edge of the table. The fight in my gut logic vs. desperation. I could feel her reading it all. Then she spoke again low, calm, sure. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You don’t have to decide everything today.<</speech>> I blinked, blinking out of the cascade of sensory and ethical weight she'd just dropped on me like a precision bomb. <<speech $player $playerName>>I think I can think this more and decide.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’re not being drafted. This isn’t some irreversible oath. You’re free to take one step, or ten. Stay at Tier 0 forever if you want. Some do. We offer, Mr. Ren. We never push.<</speech>> She slid a clean white folder across the table toward me. It clicked softly against the wood, heavier than it looked. The Shape of You Inc. logo was embossed like a thumbprint against bone subtle but permanent. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>There’s a new Tier 0 orientation starting tomorrow. 9:00 sharp. First intake of the quarter. Small class. Good staff. You’ll have plenty of space to ask questions, make mistakes, feel things you’re not sure how to name.<</speech>> I stared at the folder, then up at her. My throat felt dry again. <<speech $player $playerName>>And if I show up and panic halfway through?<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Then you leave. No charge. No judgment. This isn’t a cage. It’s an open door.<</speech>> She met my eyes again, unwavering. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>This isn’t about proving masculinity. Or shedding it. It’s about understanding the other side of the human spectrum if you choose to. And yes, some of it’s hard. But the pay reflects it. So does the growth.<</speech>> I didn’t say anything. I could still hear Lena’s voice in my head from this morning, dirty and unshakable, coiling through my memory like perfume. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I swear to god if they stick you in some tight little clone with soft tits and I don’t get a selfie, we’re fighting.<</speech>> I stifled a laugh that came out as a faint breath through my nose. Elira tapped the folder once with her manicured nail, punctuating the moment. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’re allowed to walk away after Tier 0. No pressure. You experience the transfer. You complete one introductory task. You talk it out with our evaluators. If you hate it? You never come back. But at least you’ll know.<</speech>> My hand hovered above the folder for a second longer than it should’ve. Then I reached out and took it. The cover was cool. The weight real. It was heavier than I expected. Inside, printed on high-density matte paper, was the full orientation breakdown: [[Check Orientation Breakdown|shape_of_you_14_5]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "15:00">>  <div class="soyu-orientation"> <h2 class="soyu-header">SHAPE OF YOU INC. – Tier 0 Orientation Intake</h2> <div class="soyu-body"> <div class="soyu-meta"> SESSION ID: Q3-42 START DATE: Tomorrow (Wednesday) TIME: 09:00–17:00 LOCATION: Facility Room B-2 CANDIDATE NAME: [To Be Assigned Upon Arrival] STATUS: Voluntary Enrollment – No Contract Binding Until Post-Session </div> <div class="soyu-schedule"> <h3>Orientation Day Outline</h3> <ul> <li>Day 1 Module 1: The Science of Transfer</li> <li>Day 2 Module 2: Legal & Ethical Foundations</li> <li>Day 3 Module 3: Contractual Engagement & Insurance</li> <li>Day 4 Module 4: Long-Term Impacts & Risk Management</li> <li>Day 5 Tier 1 Finishing Practical – Stay as Woman for 1 Day via Clone Swap</li> </ul> </div> <div class="soyu-notes"> <h3>Notes</h3> <ul> <li>All equipment provided.</li> <li>Session is confidential.</li> <li>Candidates may decline trial transfer at any point.</li> <li>Stipend of 200 credits awarded upon completion, regardless of continuation.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <style> .soyu-orientation { max-width: 880px; margin: 40px auto; background: linear-gradient(135deg, #ffffff 0%, #f6f8fb 100%); border-radius: 20px; box-shadow: 0 12px 40px rgba(10,20,40,0.15); border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05); padding: 28px 34px; color: #0b2340; font-family: "Inter", sans-serif; } .soyu-header { text-align: center; font-size: 1.45rem; letter-spacing: 0.03em; color: #061b32; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 22px; } .soyu-meta p { margin: 3px 0; font-size: 0.95rem; color: #1f2e45; } .soyu-schedule, .soyu-notes { margin-top: 20px; background: #fbfcfd; border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.05); border-radius: 14px; padding: 18px 22px; } .soyu-schedule h3, .soyu-notes h3 { font-size: 1.05rem; font-weight: 600; color: #09253f; margin-bottom: 10px; } .soyu-schedule ul, .soyu-notes ul { list-style: none; padding-left: 0; margin: 0; } .soyu-schedule li, .soyu-notes li { margin-bottom: 6px; line-height: 1.45; color: #2f3b4e; font-size: 0.95rem; } .soyu-schedule li strong { color: #0b2740; } @media (max-width: 640px) { .soyu-orientation { padding: 20px; border-radius: 16px; } .soyu-header { font-size: 1.2rem; } .soyu-schedule li, .soyu-notes li { font-size: 0.88rem; } } </style> <<speech $player $playerName>>Feels like a weird first week of school.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You won’t be alone. And you won’t be the only one feeling uncertain. But that uncertainty is a tool, not an obstacle.<</speech>> Still watching me like data she’d already successfully parsed. <<speech $player $playerName>>Alright. I might be here tomorrow. But I am not sure 100%<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Good. If you Show up. Show up honest. We’ll handle the rest.<</speech>> I stood, folder in hand, heart ticking a little faster than I wanted to admit. Whatever this was whatever came next I was in it now. I scanned the page again, letting the session breakdown burn into the inside of my skull. Each line felt heavier now that it was real. My thumb traced the embossed logo on the folder’s edge. Then I closed it slowly and looked back up at her. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ll talk to my girlfriend first. If it’s okay with her… I’ll come.<</speech>> Elira’s face barely moved but I saw it. A flicker. The smallest smile yet. Real. Human. Like something behind the executive programming had surfaced for a split second. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Good.<</speech>> Just that. No pitch. No persuasion. <<speech $player $playerName>>Thank you,<</speech>> I said, pushing up from the chair slowly. My legs felt lighter than they should’ve. She stood with me. Effortless. Poised. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Just show your ID at the desk tomorrow. Mira will send you through.<</speech>> I nodded, folder tight under my arm. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Got it.<</speech>> [[Leave the Office|shape_of_you_14_6]] <>

<> The weight of it was strange. Heavier than the paper inside. Felt like I was carrying a key I hadn’t decided to turn yet. I took a breath. Then stepped out. The hallway outside was silent, temperature-controlled like a memory vault. My footsteps didn’t echo. Mira was still at her post when I passed, silver eyes locked on her screen. She didn’t look up, but her voice tracked my movement without missing a keystroke. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>See you tomorrow, Mr. Ren.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah… maybe.<</speech>> I pushed through the outer doors, back into the hard sun and noise of the city. Everything out here was heat and movement again smog, traffic, someone yelling at a delivery drone across the street. All of it felt a little… unreal now. I looked down at the folder in my hands. A sharp buzz hit my pocket. I fished out my phone. Lena, again. <<set $currentObjectives = "Answer the call from Lena">> [[Answer|shape_of_you_14_7]] <>

<> I thumbed Accept before the second buzz finished. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hey, you made it out alive. How’d it go?<</speech>> Her voice was light, teasing, but under it there was that quiet current of worry she never said out loud. I could almost picture her in the kitchen, hair up, glasses slipping, leaning on the counter. <<speech $player $playerName>>Weird. Interesting. Kinda heavy. It’s not what I thought it was going to be.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That’s vague as hell, babe.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, I know. I’ll explain everything once I get home, promise. It’s… a lot to unpack. Not bad. Just different.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Okay. You’re not secretly chipped or cloned or whatever, right?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Not yet. Still one hundred percent organic disappointment.<</speech>> She laughed softly, the sound cutting through the static city noise around me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. Keep it that way until I see you. You on your way back?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, heading out now. Might stop for a drink or something to clear my head.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Do that. And hey, swing by Wok Dynasty on your way home, yeah? Get the spicy dumplings and garlic noodles. I’m starving and too lazy to cook.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Copy that. One post-existential-identity-crisis takeout run coming right up.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That’s my man. Text me when you’re close, I’ll put on something cute.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Looking forward to that part.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Just hurry, okay? I kinda miss your face.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>On my way.<</speech>> The call ended with her quiet laugh still ringing in my ear. I slipped the phone back into my pocket and started down the block, folder tucked under my arm, the late sun glinting off the steel edges of the Shape of You building behind me. <<set $currentObjectives = "Call James and Lyla to meet for coffee">> <<set $step = 15>> [[Call James and Lyla|james_lyla_call]] <>

<> The city air was cooling fast now, sunlight slipping between towers like honey through glass. I’d just crossed the tramline when my phone buzzed again James lighting up the screen. I smiled faintly and swiped to answer. <<speech "james" "James">>Ren, my man! You alive? Haven’t heard from you in days. Thought that job fair swallowed you whole.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Barely. Came close though. Just got out of an interview. Or… something that might’ve been one.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Sounds ominous. You need a decompression session caffeine and shit-talking therapy, usual rates.<</speech>> I chuckled, adjusting the folder under my arm. <<speech $player $playerName>>That actually sounds perfect right now. You and Lyla still haunting BeanSpire in the afternoons?<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Haunting? Please, we own that corner table.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>She’s not wrong. Four-thirty? We’ll both be there. You coming?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. I’ll make it. Just need to grab something for Lena first, then I’m free.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Bring her next time! It’s been forever since we’ve seen her.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You can tell her that yourself. She’s dying to see you two, she just doesn’t know it yet.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Perfect. Then it’s settled. Four-thirty sharp caffeine, gossip, and your tragic career updates. Don’t flake, man.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Wouldn’t dream of it.<</speech>> The call clicked off, leaving the faint echo of their voices tangled in my thoughts. I slid the phone back into my pocket, looking up at the steady stream of people passing by, everyone moving somewhere, trying to stay ahead of something. <<speech $player $playerName>>Coffee at four-thirty. Chinese before that. Then maybe… figure out my life.<</speech>> The folder under my arm felt heavier again, the embossed logo catching the light like an eye that refused to blink. [[Head to BeanSpire for coffee|city]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "08:55">> The morning air had that strange city stillness traffic hum softened by distance, light caught between towers like it wasn’t sure where to land. My stomach was a knot, the Shape of You folder tucked under my arm as I crossed the plaza. The building loomed ahead exactly as I remembered it: silent, seamless glass, that faint sigil on the door shifting like an optical illusion when you looked too long. Inside, the same precise cool air greeted me. Citrus and metal. The lobby gleamed ivory floors, frosted partitions, not a sound out of place. Behind the curved reception desk sat Mira Vale, posture flawless, silver-gray eyes lifting the instant I stepped in. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Mr. Ren.<</speech>> Her voice was smooth, that same neutral tone neither warm nor cold, just exact. <<speech $player $playerName>>Morning,<</speech>> I said, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt. She inclined her head slightly. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Welcome back to Shape of You, Mr. Ren. You’re registered for Tier Zero Orientation, Session Q3-42.<</speech>> She pressed something beneath the desk. No visible keypad, no sound just a faint vibration through the floor. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Agent Voss will see you now.<</speech>> A soft chime came from the corridor behind the partitions, and moments later, Elira Voss appeared tailored suit sharp as ever, amber eyes steady, like she’d been expecting me down to the second. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Mr. Ren. Right on time.<</speech>> I nodded, adjusting the strap of my bag as she approached. <<speech $player $playerName>>Didn’t want to be the late newbie.<</speech>> Her lips curved slightly the kind of smile that acknowledged effort but didn’t soften control. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Good instinct. Come with me.<</speech>> We walked down the same minimalist corridor as before. The air was perfectly temperature-controlled, and the low hum of hidden machinery under the floor made every step feel like walking across a living organism. Elira held out her hand as we entered her office. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Your registration folder, please.<</speech>> I passed it to her. She opened it, flipping through the papers neural compatibility scans, consent forms, preliminary psyche evaluation all with small digital seals that blinked faintly when she touched them. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Everything’s in order.<</speech>> She closed it neatly. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Nerves?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Some. I’m still not sure what to expect.<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Good. Expectation is the enemy of experience.<</speech>> She motioned toward the door again. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Orientation is ready to begin. Follow me.<</speech>> We passed through a glass panel that hissed open at her gesture. Beyond it was a corridor softer in light, tinted gold instead of white. The walls curved slightly inward, almost organic, and faint ambient tones played something between choral music and neural hum. Through the next door, the orientation room opened up like a meditation chamber. Circular, pale, lined with reclining pods and thin holo-screens that floated a few inches off the ground. A few other candidates were already seated nervous faces, clasped hands, all staring at the empty center platform where a projection disc waited. Elira paused at the threshold, turning slightly toward me. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>This is where it starts, Mr. Ren. Six - seven hours. No risks today only calibration. You’ll meet your orientation guide, complete a cognitive sync test, and observe one brief transfer demonstration.<</speech>> She studied my face calm but searching as if she wanted to make sure I was still anchored. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You can still walk out now. Once you sit in that chair, you commit to seeing it through to the end of the day.<</speech>> I took a breath, feeling the air tighten in my chest, then nodded once. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m here. Let’s do it.<</speech>> For the first time, she smiled not corporate, not polite. Just quietly approving. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Then take seat five. I’ll inform the instructor you’ve arrived.<</speech>> She moved toward the console, heels clicking softly on the pristine floor, while I found the pod marked 05 and sat chair near it. The surface was cool like waiting skin. Somewhere behind me, the hum of the system deepened. The lights dimmed, shifting from daylight white to a soft, ambient gold. [[Begin Orientation|tier_0_day_1]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "09:00">> I jogged through the main hall, breath fogging slightly from the cooler interior climate. Sharp angles of light sliced down through the atrium’s glass ceiling, catching on chrome trim and smooth composite panels. Every corner of this place felt sculpted too deliberate to be merely designed. The reception desk curved into view. Same matte black. Same frosted glass behind. And <<speech $player $playerName>>Morning, Mira.<</speech>> She looked up instantly, already tracking me from the moment I stepped into frame like some system pinged her neural interface the moment I breached the lobby bounds. Her silver-gray eyes found mine with that same unreadable expression. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>You're late.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Technically not late. Just... aggressively on time for the next segment.<</speech>> <<speech "mira" "Mira">>That excuse works better when you’re not running.<</speech>> I stopped for half a second at the desk, adjusting my jacket. She didn’t break eye contact. Didn’t smile either, but something about the corners of her mouth said she could if she wanted to. Maybe. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Room A-7. East corridor. Left at the mirror wall.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I remember. I just like hearing you say it.<</speech>> A beat. Her head tilted just slightly not confusion, not amusement. Just… calculation. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>You’ll want to move. Agent Voss doesn’t repeat themselves.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Neither do I. But I’m way more charming about it.<</speech>> She didn’t answer. Just turned back to her screen, fingers already dancing across the ghost-keyboard, posture perfect again like the moment never happened. I was already half-smiling by the time I turned, picking up pace down the corridor she’d pointed me toward. Polished floor, low hum of air vents, and the faint awareness of cameras somewhere I couldn’t see. And behind me, the clickless world of Mira resumed like I’d never passed through it at all. [[Enter Room|tier_0_day_2]] <>

<> <div id="shape-of-you-intro" style=" position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100vw; height: 100vh; background: radial-gradient(circle at center, rgba(0,0,0,0.96) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.9) 100%); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 9999; font-family: 'Orbitron', 'Arial', sans-serif; animation: fadeInBg_1 1.2s ease-out forwards; "> <div id="intro" style=" background: linear-gradient(160deg, #0a0a0a 0%, #1a1a1a 100%); border: 2px solid rgba(0,255,255,0.25); border-radius: 18px; width: 50vw; max-width: 600px; min-width: 320px; color: #e0e0e0; text-align: center; box-shadow: 0 0 30px rgba(0,255,255,0.2), inset 0 0 12px rgba(0,255,255,0.15); padding: 40px 35px; transform: scale(0.85); opacity: 0; animation: popupIn_1 1s ease-out forwards; "> <h1 style=" font-size: 2.4em; color: #00ffff; margin-bottom: 0.4em; text-shadow: 0 0 15px #00ffff, 0 0 30px #00ffff; letter-spacing: 1px; ">🌀 Shape of You</h1> <h3 style=" font-size: 1.2em; color: #b5b5b5; margin-bottom: 1.2em; ">An Interactive Sci-Fi Story of Identity and Transformation</h3> (18+ Mature Content) <hr style="margin: 15px 0; border-color: #333;"> Warning: This story contains themes of consciousness transfer, body transformation, intimacy, and ethical dilemmas. This is a mature sci-fi narrative. If you are not comfortable with these themes, please do not proceed. In a world where bodies are commodities and identity is fluid, you are a desperate soul navigating the world of Shape of You Inc. Will you embrace the unknown… or remain unchanged? Your journey begins now. <div style="display: flex; justify-content: center; margin-top: 2em;"> <button id="enterGame" style=" padding: 0.9em 2em; font-size: 1.15em; color: #00ffff; background: rgba(0, 40, 40, 0.6); border: 1px solid rgba(0,255,255,0.5); border-radius: 10px; cursor: pointer; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(0,255,255,0.4), inset 0 0 10px rgba(0,255,255,0.2); transition: all 0.3s ease; animation: pulseGlow_1 2s infinite alternate; " onmouseover="this.style.background='rgba(0,100,100,0.6)'; this.style.transform='scale(1.08)';" onmouseout="this.style.background='rgba(0,40,40,0.6)'; this.style.transform='scale(1)';" >Start Journey</button> </div> </div> </div> <> <style> @keyframes fadeInBg_1 { from { opacity: 0; } to { opacity: 1; } } @keyframes popupIn_1 { 0% { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.8); } 70% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1.05); } 100% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); } } @keyframes pulseGlow_1 { 0% { box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,255,255,0.4); } 100% { box-shadow: 0 0 25px rgba(0,255,255,0.7), inset 0 0 10px rgba(0,255,255,0.3); } } @keyframes fadeOut_1 { from { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); } to { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.9); } } </style> <script> document.getElementById("enterGame").addEventListener("click", function() { const intro = document.getElementById("shape-of-you-intro"); intro.style.animation = "fadeOut_1 0.8s ease forwards"; setTimeout(() => intro.remove(), 800); }); </script>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/bedroom.png">> I blinked awake to the soft rustle of sheets, the faint beep of Lena’s band alarm pulsing just above shoulder. Her breath warmed my chest she’d curled close sometime in the night, her arm draped over my stomach, leg hooked snug between thighs. The light through the blinds cut faint lines across her bare back, gold on warm skin. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I hate mornings.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>It’s 6:30. That’s practically lunchtime.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I swear to God if you talk like a functional adult before coffee, I’m divorcing you.<</speech>> Her hand slid up my ribcage, knuckles dragging across the soft cotton of shirt. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’d have to marry me first.<</speech>> I smirked without opening eyes, one arm folding lazily behind head. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Bold of you to assume I haven’t planned that already.<</speech>> She nuzzled closer, cheek grazing the edge of my ribs. Her hand crept lower under the covers, fingers sliding just beneath the waistband of sleep shorts. <<speech $player $playerName>>I think I should be worried about how serious that sounded.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Worried? You’re the one who folds towels like a serial killer. You’re made for commitment.<</speech>> Her nails were warm, lazy, dragging just enough to make me suck in a breath. <<speech $player $playerName>>You offering?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Might be.<</speech>> She kissed the underside of my jaw, lips barely brushing, teasing. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>If you keep doing that.<</speech>> My hips twitched when her palm closed around me, slow and easy, like they had all the time in the world. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re playing a dangerous game, Ortez.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm. I like when you say my last name like that.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You don’t have time for this, remember?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I said that. I didn’t mean it.<</speech>> She grinned into his skin, thumb brushing lazily along the length of me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Besides. I’m already going to be late. Might as well have a good excuse.<</speech>> I was already half-hard, the heat of her body pressed to mine, the soft squeeze of her thighs bracketing me under the sheets doing more than any alarm ever could. Her hand wrapped around me, lazy and warm, her breath brushing my collarbone before her lips did. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re gonna make me late.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Stay late.<</speech>> I slid my fingers into her hair, felt the silky weight of it spill between them. She always smelled like citrus and sleep in the mornings somehow soft and electric at once. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Can’t.<</speech>> She kissed just below my jaw, hand giving me a slow, deliberate pull that made my hips twitch. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>But I could be ten minutes late.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You won’t even need ten.<</speech>> She laughed against my neck, the sound low, breathy. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That a promise or a threat?<</speech>> <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/1.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> I slid my hand down her back, under her oversized shirt, fingers spreading across the curve of her ass, bare and warm. <<speech $player $playerName>>Flip over.<</speech>> She didn’t move immediately. Just looked at me through half-lidded eyes, mouth curling into that smug, sleepy smirk I never stood a chance against. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re so damn bossy in the morning.<</speech>> Then she shifted, letting me guide her onto her back. Her shirt rode up as she moved, baring those golden thighs. I moved between them, leaned in to kiss her slow, deep while pushing my shorts down with one hand. My other hand slid beneath her shirt, fingers cupping her breast, brushing her nipple. She gasped into my mouth, arching slightly beneath me, soft and responsive. <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/2.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re already wet.<</speech>> I ran my fingers down between her thighs, teasing her pussy lips with practiced ease. Her skin was slick, flushed. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Been wet since your alarm didn’t go off.<</speech>> Her breath hitched as I circled her clit with my thumb, hips twitching. She looked wrecked already eyes glassy, mouth parted. <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/3.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>God, your hands <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I know what you like.<</speech>> I kissed down her chest, her stomach. She shivered under me, already lifting her hips before I asked. <<speech $player $playerName>>Lift up.<</speech>> She did, just enough for me to slide her panties down and off. I kissed the inside of her thigh, took my time. She moaned softly, legs shifting wider, hands fisting in the sheets. I licked up between her folds slow, steady, savoring the way she bucked under my mouth. Her hand was in my hair instantly, nails scraping gently against my scalp. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Shit baby too much, wait <</speech>> <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/4.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Tell me if you want me to stop.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Don’t you fucking dare.<</speech>> Her thighs trembled around my head. Her breath hitched with every flick of my tongue. I wasn’t stopping. Not until she forgot the word “late” entirely. I licked her again slow, then faster flattening my tongue to her clit and grinding with tight circles until her hips jerked into my mouth. She moaned sharp, her thighs tensing against my cheeks, and fuck, she was soaked. I could taste her need, sleep-sweet and hot, slicking my mouth and chin. She pulsed under me, body shivering like she was already on the edge. <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/5.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Nnnghh fuck, babe I’m gonna cum... <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Good.<</speech>> I pulled back just enough to murmur it against her my breath hot over her, tongue teasing the swollen bud before I sucked it between my lips, slow, tight, hungry. Her hips bucked, and her thighs clamped around my head so hard I almost groaned into her. I watched her fall apart watched her fingers fist the sheets, her head tilt back, mouth open in a silent gasp as her whole body quaked through the orgasm. I didn’t stop until her legs trembled, until she gasped something unintelligible and tugged me up by the arm, eyes still glassy. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Your turn. Now.<</speech>> I was throbbing, slick with her. The second her hand wrapped around me, I nearly lost it. She guided me down, between her legs, and I pushed inside her with one slow, drawn-out thrust. She was molten. Tight. Still fluttering from her orgasm, clutching around every inch of me like her body didn’t want to let go. We both hissed me with restraint, her with filthy satisfaction. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuck…<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You feel so god don’t stop <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m not going anywhere.<</speech>> <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/6.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> I started to move. Slow strokes, deep and smooth, letting her feel every ridge, every drag along her inner walls. She moaned into my neck, legs wrapped around me, fingernails dragging hot lines across my back. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuck, baby your cock <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>It feels so good, I can feel all of you <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah? You like how deep I am?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmmfuck yes keep hitting me like that <</speech>> <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/7.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> I shifted my angle just slightly and she gasped loud when I hit that spot, her nails digging in hard. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re so fucking tight. You’re squeezing me like you want to milk every drop out of me <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I do.<</speech>> She moaned, wrapped her arms around my shoulders and bit at the base of my neck. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I want you to fuck it into me make me feel it for hours <</speech>> <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/8.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re getting everything, baby.<</speech>> I started pounding her harder rhythmic, relentless, each stroke making her cry out, thighs trembling, sweat sliding between our bodies. I grabbed her ass, lifted her slightly so I could get even deeper. The sounds were obscene wet, messy, loud. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Harder, fuck, harder fuck me harder, I can take it <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You love being full like this, don’t you? You love when I ruin that tight pussy <</speech>> <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/9.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yes yes fuck yes, stretch me, don’t stop, fill me up <</speech>> I groaned into her mouth, teeth grazing her lower lip as I rutted into her like I had something to prove. My balls slapped against her ass, her slick dripping down onto the sheets. <<speech $player $playerName>>I wanna come so deep inside you it leaks out while you’re at work <</speech>> <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/10.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Do it. Fill me. Don’t pull out <</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Shit I’m close tell me <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Inside. Come inside me, please, baby <</speech>> Her voice cracked at the end raw, begging, desperate and that shattered me. I slammed in deep, bottoming out, and came with a harsh groan, my whole body tensing as I spilled into her. Thick. Hot. Her pussy spasmed around me again as she came with me tight, shaking, gasping my name. <<if $adult_images_toggle>> <img src="images/scene/1/11.png" alt="" style="width:100%; "> <</if>> We stayed tangled there, panting, skin flushed and tacky with sweat. My cock still twitching inside her. Her hands stroked down my back, legs softening their grip. <<speech $player $playerName>>...Seven minutes.<</speech>> She laughed, voice worn out and rich with satisfaction. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You owe me coffee.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You owe me ten minutes of lateness.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re lucky I love you.<</speech>> She kissed my throat, cheek, jaw in lazy sequence. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>And your dick.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ll make toast.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Make two.<</speech>> She slid out from under me, one hand brushing my cock as she went just to be a brat. I watched her bare ass disappear into the bathroom, steam already curling out the crack in the door. My legs still shook. My dick ached in the best way. The coffeemaker clicked on. Plates clinked. Outside, the city stirred to life. Inside, the air still smelled like sex and skin and home. [[Make toast|morning_1]] <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/kitchen.png">> The pan sizzled the moment I dropped the butter into it, scent rising instantly nutty, golden, warm like Sunday mornings used to be. I worked one-handed, the other adjusting the coffee drip to full strength, just the way she liked it. Strong enough to rewire a nervous system. Lena padded in, towel barely wrapped around her, water beading down the sides of her thighs. Her hair was still wet, curling at the edges, already fogging her glasses as she shoved them up the bridge of her nose. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Smells like you’re making up for something.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Making up for the fact that I almost made you come twice before sunrise?<</speech>> I flipped a slice of bread onto the skillet, smirking when her mouth twitched in spite of the eye roll. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>No, making up for the fact that you absolutely came inside me without checking the pill drawer last night.<</speech>> I turned toward her slowly, lips twitching. <<speech $player $playerName>>…We’re still on week three.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You checked that or you’re just hoping?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I felt it in my soul.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That’s not how uteruses work, babe.<</speech>> I handed her the mug like a peace treaty, hot and dark. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ll pick up the morning-after if it’ll help you feel better.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm. Only if you also get those yogurt pretzels I like.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That was gonna be my bribe for sex tomorrow.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I already want sex tomorrow.<</speech>> I paused, grinning. I watched a single drop of water slide from her collarbone down the valley between her breasts, then disappear under the towel. <<speech $player $playerName>>Noted.<</speech>> She took a sip and hissed softly. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hot.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s how I like you.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re lucky I’m caffeinating or I’d slap you with this towel right now.<</speech>> I reached behind her, brushing past her hip on purpose as I grabbed the salt. She didn’t move, but her eyes tracked my hand, her breath hitching as the back of my fingers brushed the bare skin at the edge of the towel. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You keep touching me like that and we’re gonna be back on that couch with me riding your cock before you finish the toast.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I wouldn’t complain.<</speech>> I leaned in close, letting my mouth brush her ear. <<speech $player $playerName>>I love the way you ride me when you’re still damp from the shower. Makes your thighs extra slick.<</speech>> Her inhale hitched. She clenched her mug a little tighter. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Don’t say that unless you’re gonna bend me over the counter and make me late for real.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Don’t tempt me, Ortez.<</speech>> I watched her shift her legs slightly, towel rising higher on one thigh. My cock twitched just remembering how she sounded thirty minutes ago breathy, wrecked, whispering “don’t stop” like a chant while her hips jerked under me. I barely saved the eggs from burning. Pulled them off the skillet in time, yolks still soft, toast browned and just crisp enough. I plated them on our mismatched ceramics. She grabbed two forks, plopped onto the couch cross-legged, scooted the table with her foot like it weighed nothing. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Presentation: mediocre.<</speech>> She took a bite, moaning exaggeratedly around it. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Taste: makes me forget your pull-out game is trash.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You realize you’re gonna be late if you keep roasting me like this.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That’s future Lena’s problem. Present Lena wants to eat and stare at your ass when you reach for the salt.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Then present Lena is getting exactly what she wants.<</speech>> I angled just slightly, enough for my jeans to stretch over my ass, and smirked when I heard her make a soft, appreciative noise in her throat. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>God, we’re so broke but your butt’s worth at least two million.<</speech>> I dropped beside her, toast vanishing in three bites. We ate in silence, practiced and comfortable, knees touching. Outside, the city hummed louder now air buses, street-cleaner drones, high-rise traffic bouncing between glass towers. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I’ve got one more eval session today. Kid named Jesh. Three years old, nonverbal. Trauma-induced selective mutism.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Is he the one who threw the soundboard at you last week?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>No, that was Cam. This one just hides under tables and calls the AI dummy-bot with hand signs.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Tough crowd.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I like him. He's got this look when he sees you that says ‘I know you’re trying, but I’m not ready to trust you yet.’ Like a kitten raised by wolves.<</speech>> I leaned in, pressed my cheek to her shoulder. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re good at that. The hard ones.<</speech>> Her voice softened. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yeah. I hope it matters.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>It does.<</speech>> I kissed her collarbone, felt her body lean into mine. <<speech $player $playerName>>Even if nobody sees it but me.<</speech>> She rested her forehead to mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You feeling okay about today? You’ve been a little... clenched lately.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ve got a one-on-one at ten. Probably just updates.<</speech>> Her eyes narrowed. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>With Greaves?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm-hmm. Sounds ominous.<</speech>> I shrugged, stood slowly, trying to play it off. <<speech $player $playerName>>It’ll be fine. Worst case, I come home with more time to cook elaborate breakfasts.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Worst case, you come home jobless and anxious and I need to hold your pretty face for three hours straight while feeding you choco-boba.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Would you do that?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>In a heartbeat. But please don’t make me.<</speech>> I leaned in and kissed her soft, lingering. Her hands curled behind my neck, fingers damp, the towel barely hanging on. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Don’t forget your ID.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I never do.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You did last Thursday.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You really don’t let anything go, huh?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Never. It’s one of my best qualities.<</speech>> We moved through the closing routine like choreography dishes rinsed, jackets tugged on, bags slung. She threw her tablet into her tote with that easy, practiced flick. I did one last run-through in the mirror, hand raking through my hair. At the door, she paused, facing me, eyes sharp. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hey. No matter what Greaves says today? You’re not disposable.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Thanks.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Text me after. I mean it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I will.<</speech>> She kissed me again brief but warm. Then turned, walked down the hall. I watched her go, the sway of her hips under that work skirt I liked way too much. The door clicked behind her. The silence that followed wasn’t peaceful. It felt... paused. Like the world knew it was about to shift and just hadn’t told me how. <<set $currentObjectives to "Go to Grocery Store, Buy Morning-After Pill and Yogurt Pretzels, Maybe Morning After pill can find in bedroom drawer too">> <<set $step = 1>> <<set $phoneTime to "7:00">> [[Be Ready|home]] <>

<> <<set $currentObjectives to "Work and Spend Day...">> <<set $step = 4>> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_cubical.png">> <<set $phoneTime to "9:00">> The office smelled like burnt coffee and recycled air. Same as every Monday. I sat at my corner desk, dual monitors flickering with half-done code and the ghost of a Slack call I was pretending not to see. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, but my mind was stuck somewhere between Lena’s towel dropping and her laugh echoing off the kitchen tiles. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I tugged it out, thumb already swiping open her name. <<if !$lena_message_1>> <<link "Check Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": `i just went to pee and babe seriously look what u did`})>> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "images/chat/lena/lena_pussy_2.png", "text": ``})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_1 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> The photo loaded slow. The second it came through, I had to shift slightly in my chair. She’d taken it in the washroom mirror low angle, panties around her thighs, white cotton nearly translucent where they were soaked. My cum still clung to her lips, pearlescent against the slick between her folds, mixing with her wetness and soaking the gusset through. I bit the inside of my cheek and angled the phone away from the aisle. <<if !$lena_message_2>> <<link "Receieve Message Again">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": `you made a mess like a real mess i had to wipe twice and still felt you dripping when i pulled these up rude 🥺`})>> /* <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "images/chat/lena/cum_pussy.png", "text": ``})>> */ <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_2 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> I couldn’t stop the smile. I flicked open the keyboard. <<if !$lena_message_3>> <<link "Reply Back">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": `That’s because I filled you up like I fucking meant it Told you I’d make it leak out of you at work You like feeling it now?`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_3 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$lena_message_4>> <<link "Check the Photo">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "images/chat/lena/lena_selfie_1.png", "text": ``})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_4 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> A new image came through before she replied this time a selfie from the chest up, taken fast, maybe against a supply closet wall. Her top was undone halfway, nursing badge clipped to one side, a teasing black of lace bra visible where the uniform gaped. Her hair was still damp from the shower. Lips a little glossy. She looked flushed. <<if !$lena_message_5>> <<link "Check the Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": `still thinking about how deep you were. my thighs are still sticky.`})>> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` i’m NOT wearing that underwear again had to bin them 😤`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_5 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$lena_message_6>> <<link "Reply">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": `Good. Or bring them here and let me take them off myself.`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_6 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$lena_message_7>> <<link "Check the Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": `behave i have to get three toddlers to say the word “triangle” today without slapping the AI`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_7 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$lena_message_8>> <<link "Check the Message">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": `You started it, Ortez You show me that pussy dripping with my cum before 10am and expect me to behave?`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_8 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> Three dots hovered she was typing, then stopped. Then typing again. My pulse ticked up. <<if !$lena_message_9>> <<link "Check the Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": `i love you. now back to work both of us or i swear i’m edging you for a week 😌`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_9 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$lena_message_10>> <<link "Check the Message">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": `cruel woman. love you too. now go teach triangles, brat.`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $lena_message_10 to true>> <<goto "work_1">> <</link>> <<else>> I locked the phone. Exhaled slow. Adjusted my jeans under the desk. Then I started coding again half-hard, grinning, and counting the hours till I could ruin her again. <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> [[Back to Work|work_2]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "9:15">> About fifteen minutes passed. I tried to focus on code, genuinely did debugging some idiotic legacy module and pretending my cock wasn’t hard against my zipper the entire time. But every time I blinked, I saw it again. That photo. Her pussy. My cum leaking out of her. The lace visible under her work top. I lasted ten minutes before muting Slack and standing up. My chair creaked. Nobody looked. I slipped my phone into my hoodie pocket and made for the far washroom the one no one used because the lock stuck and the light buzzed like a dying bee. It was perfect. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to the washroom">> <<set $step = 5>> [[Go to the washroom|office]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "9:30">> I stepped inside, locked the door behind me, and unzipped. My cock sprang up immediately, flushed and heavy. I gripped the base and looked down, watched precum bead at the tip. Took the photo with my left hand angled just right. My full length, fingers wrapped tight. Thick and veined, red from being denied. The head gleamed, just enough sheen to show how ready I was. I sent it to her. <<if !$work_2_2>> <<link "Send the Photo">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "images/chat/lena/cock_1.png", "text": ``})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_2_2 to true>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$work_2_3>> <<link "Send Message">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": `This is your fault. I’ve been hard since you showed me your soaked cunt. Look what you do to me.`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_2_3 to true>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <</link>> <<else>> Second photo same angle, hand pulling down so she could see all of it. <<if !$work_2_4>> <<link "Send the Photo">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "images/chat/lena/cock_2.png", "text": ``})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_2_4 to true>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$work_2_5>> <<link "Send Message">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": `You can have every inch tonight Deep inside you After dinner Not that you’ll need food I’ll fill your belly again myself`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_2_5 to true>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <</link>> <<else>> A pause. Then the bubble blinked typing. <<if !$work_2_6>> <<link "Read Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": `STOP fuckkkk i’m in the middle of a feedback session you can’t just send me your cock like that 😩`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_2_6 to true>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <</link>> <<else>> Another message immediately followed. <<if !$work_2_7>> <<link "Read Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": `i can still feel you dripping down my thighs and now you send that? fuck you\n …not right now\n later\n later you better fuck me til i can’t walk straight, baby\n now go away\n don’t distract me from my job`})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_2_7 to true>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$work_2_8>> <<link "Reply Her">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` Ok Ok... `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_2_8 to true>> <<goto "work_2.5">> <</link>> <<else>> I chuckled, breath catching. My grip tightened. I opened the gallery again. Brought up that photo her panties wet and ruined, her folds shining, still spread slightly. Then the selfie bare bra, lips bitten. My head tilted back, breath shallow. I pictured her on her knees tonight. Shirt half-buttoned, hair still damp, cum still leaking out while she begged me to finish what I started. Her voice gone hoarse from moaning into my neck. I stroked slow, thumb teasing the head, shuddering in silence. The tile echoed every breath. She was going to get it tonight. Deep. Messy. Slow, then not slow at all. I’d fill her up until she couldn’t remember how many times she came. Until she begged me to stop. Until she didn’t want to. My hips bucked as the first rope of cum painted my knuckles, vision going soft. I leaned into the wall, panting, sweat on my brow. Tonight was going to be a problem. And I couldn’t fucking wait. <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> <<set $currentObjectives = "Go back to Cubical">> <<set $step = 6>> [[Back to Cubical|office]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "09:45">> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_cubical.png">> The morning passed like every other quiet tapping of keys, the low hum of recycled air through the vents, the occasional synthetic chime of team notifications. I sat at my desk, dual monitors glowing with softly-lit terminal windows. The UI tools I’d been working on adaptive visual field contrast calibrators still needed polish. But my mind was only half in the code. The other half kept drifting. Slack was too quiet. Not normal-quiet. Strategic quiet. A few icons grayed out without warning. Empty chairs with jackets still slung over the backs. Ones that hadn’t been empty yesterday. Jokes about cutbacks weren’t jokes anymore. They were math. The kind with fixed outcomes and silent variables. I kept typing anyway. Another commit. Another build test. Another distraction. Across the floor, Lyla dropped into the seat beside me, spinning a stress ball between her fingers like she was waiting for it to explode. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>You look like someone ran a memory wipe on your soul.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Didn’t sleep much.<</speech>> She didn’t push for details. Just tapped at her own keyboard. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>You working on the adaptive thing?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Trying to. Still crashes on white-point shift if the monitor’s older than v5.1.<</speech>> She scoffed. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Half the government contracts are still running on tech that predates my uterus.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Let me guess. You still haven’t converted that module to live sync.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>I could convert it. But then I’d have to listen to Greaves pretend he knows how front-end latency works.<</speech>> I cracked a smile at that. Then my phone buzzed. It was Lena. [[Check Messages|work_3_1]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "09:55">> I snorted softly. Quickly thumbed out a reply. <<if !$work_3_1_1>> <<link "Read Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` triangle success\n no blood\n only minor toddler sass\n your reward later will be cock-related\n prepare `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_3_1_1 to true>> <<goto "work_3_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$work_3_1_2>> <<link "Read Message">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` planning to give you your reward tonight\n same position as last week\n on your side, my hand under your thigh, your mouth half open moaning my name into the pillow\n you’ll sleep like a baby with cum dripping down your leg again\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_3_1_2 to true>> <<goto "work_3_1">> <</link>> <<else>> A pause. Then a reply. <<if !$work_3_1_3>> <<link "Read Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` STOP\n i clenched reading that\n you are evil\n i hope greaves fires you so you can spend all day fucking me\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_3_1_3 to true>> <<goto "work_3_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> I grinned. Then blinked up when James popped his head over the partition wall, thermos in hand, curls a mess as usual. <<speech "james" "James">>Hey, you guys hear? Nisha from DevOps? Gone.<</speech>> I froze mid-keystroke. My fingers hovered over the brackets. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Another one?<</speech>> James nodded slowly. <<speech "james" "James">>Said she got the calendar ping this morning. No warning. Out by ten.<</speech>> My stomach twisted. My inbox had been empty all morning. That wasn’t comfort anymore. That was foreboding. Then ping. My terminal blinked. A new meeting invite. [[Check the Invite|work_3_1.5]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "09:55">> <div style="max-width:600px; margin:0 auto; background:#ffffff; border-radius:14px; overflow:hidden; box-shadow:0 4px 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); border:1px solid #e5e7eb; font-family:-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial;">  <div style="background:#0ea5e9; padding:18px 24px; color:#ffffff; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;"> <div style="font-size:16px; font-weight:600; letter-spacing:0.2px;">📅 Calendar Notification</div> <div style="font-size:12px; opacity:0.9;">Today</div> </div>  <div style="padding:24px;"> <div style="font-size:14px; color:#6b7280; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.08em; margin-bottom:8px;">Subject</div> <div style="font-size:22px; line-height:1.3; color:#111827; font-weight:700;">Sync – Nathan Greaves</div> </div>  <div style="padding:0 24px 8px;"> <div style="padding:12px 0; border-top:1px solid #f3f4f6; display:flex;"> <div style="width:120px; color:#6b7280; font-size:14px;">Time</div> <div style="font-size:16px; color:#111827; font-weight:600;">10:30 AM</div> </div> <div style="padding:12px 0; border-top:1px solid #f3f4f6; display:flex;"> <div style="width:120px; color:#6b7280; font-size:14px;">Room</div> <div style="font-size:16px; color:#111827; font-weight:600;">3E (Glass North)</div> </div> </div>  <div style="padding:16px 24px 24px;"> <a href="#" style="display:inline-block; background-color:#0ea5e9; color:#ffffff; text-decoration:none; font-weight:600; font-size:15px; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:10px;">View in Calendar</a> <div style="font-size:12px; color:#6b7280; margin-top:10px;">You are receiving this because you’re on the invite.</div> </div>  <div style="background:#f9fafb; padding:14px 24px; border-top:1px solid #f3f4f6; font-size:12px; color:#6b7280; border-bottom-left-radius:14px; border-bottom-right-radius:14px; display:flex; justify-content:space-between;"> <div>Event ID: #A1C-3E-NG</div> <a href="#" style="color:#0ea5e9; text-decoration:none;">Manage notifications</a> </div> </div> Not my usual one-on-one time. Not my usual room. My one-on-one had been at ten. This was ten-thirty. New subject. New room. Different tone entirely. Lyla leaned over, reading it upside down. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Fuck. I don’t have good feeling about that..<</speech>> I exhaled slowly. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Me too..<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Take Care buddy. Don't make fight with Greaves what ever happens<</speech>> Lyla and James left to there cubicals to work. After 10 mins My phone buzzed.. [[Take Phone out of pocket|work_3_2]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "10:20">> Check the messages.. <<if !$work_3_4>> <<link "Check Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` your meeting ending soon?\n feeling okay? `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_3_4 to true>> <<goto "work_3_2">> <</link>> <<else>> My phone is vibrating...She thinks I had my usual one on one with Greaves.. <<if !$work_3_5>> <<link "Send Reply">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` got bumped new meeting with Greaves not 1:1 different room not sure what that means but I have a bad feeling `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_3_5 to true>> <<goto "work_3_2">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$work_3_6>> <<link "Check Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` don’t panic\n even if it’s bad\n i’ll be here\n you come home to me\n and i’ll let you fuck it all out of your system\n i’ll ride you til you forget your name\n promise `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_3_6 to true>> <<goto "work_3_2">> <</link>> <<else>> I breathed that in like oxygen. Then stared at the invite again. “Sync.” Not “Check-in.” Not “1:1.” My heart ticked faster. The hallway outside flickered with movement. More chairs empty than full. The kind of morning where gravity pulls harder than usual. I closed the terminal. Packed up my tablet. Straightened my collar like it mattered. Then I stood. And walked toward whatever came next. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Sync">> <<set $step = 7>> [[10:29 AM – Outside Room 3E|office]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> <<set $locationImage to "images/location/office_manager_room.png">> <<set $phoneTime = "10:30">> The hallway outside the meeting room smelled faintly of lemon cleaner and static. My palms were damp inside my hoodie pocket, thumb tracing over the frayed seam like it could anchor me. The glass wall of Room 3E dimmed softly as I approached neutral lighting, corporate quiet, zero warmth. Ten minutes ago, this was supposed to be a normal one-on-one in my usual conference nook. Greaves had pinged me at 9:50. That alone made my gut drop. Not “Let’s shift rooms.” Not “Need a bigger screen.” Just: Room 3E. Full name. Punctuated. Like an execution order. The door slid open without a sound. Greaves stood inside. Tall. Crisp. Always fucking crisp. His suit was charcoal, pressed so sharp I could see the fold lines in the sleeves. His tie was muted navy, not a shade out of place. His expression? Absolute poker face. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>Come in.<</speech>> I stepped inside. The air was colder than it should’ve been climate controlled, sure, but this felt like walking into orbit. No temperature. No sound except the soft ambient ripple of branded white noise looping on the wall display. Not even a loading icon. Just… movement. He gestured toward the seat across from him. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>Sit.<</speech>> I did. Back straight. Shoulders locked. I could feel the tension pushing up behind my eyes like a migraine starting. He tapped something on his tablet. Waited. Then looked up. His face wasn’t cruel. Just… measured. Like everything had already been decided and he’d accepted it long ago. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>You probably already know what this is.<</speech>> I didn’t speak. Not yet. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>I wish I could say this is about your performance. But it’s not. Your work’s been solid. Consistent. Quietly excellent, actually.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Then why?<</speech>> I tried to keep my voice even. Tried not to think about how I’d kissed Lena’s jaw this morning, how she’d whispered “Don’t forget your ID” with her hair still damp from the shower. How I’d walked out the door with her scent still clinging to my shirt, my cock still half-hard remembering how wet she’d been when I pulled out of her. Now it all felt like someone else’s life. Greaves folded his hands over the tablet. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>Because excellence isn’t enough when the funding disappears. Three projects got pulled last quarter. We lost our predictive modeling contract with the Nordic Health Grid. Every team’s downsizing. Decisions had to be made.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re letting me go.<</speech>> <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>Yes.<</speech>> There wasn’t even a pause. Just clean confirmation. Like clicking “delete” on a file you’d already backed up. <<speech $player $playerName>>For how long?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Is this temporary?<</speech>> He inhaled through his nose. I could hear the breath, like it mattered that he made it sound human. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>I don’t know. It might be. If circumstances change, and if we can reopen the UI pipeline, I will personally recommend you. That’s not lip service.<</speech>> I stared at the table. Sleek, black, polished to a point where I could see my own face faintly. My lips were drawn tight. My jaw looked clenched. All I could think about was Lena’s voice this morning “You’ll be fine.” The text she sent me while I was walking to this exact hallway: "i love you. ride it out. then ride me later." I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. <<speech $player $playerName>>What happens now?<</speech>> <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>We’re processing your exit package today. You’ll retain full access until 5 PM, then your credentials go inactive.<</speech>> He paused. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>You’ll receive 60 days’ severance at full rate, plus PTO payout. HR will finalize it by end of day.<</speech>> Silence thickened like cold fog. He shifted in his chair. His voice dropped lower, less clipped. Almost like the man behind the system was trying to peek through. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>Look… I hate this part. I’ve let go of people who deserved it. You’re not one of them. But the margins don’t care.<</speech>> I stared at the floor. Then slowly raised my eyes. <<speech $player $playerName>>What do I tell my partner?<</speech>> He blinked once. His face didn’t change but his voice did. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>Tell her you gave everything you had. And that you were damn good at it.<</speech>> I nodded. Jaw still locked tight. [[Phone Buzzes|work_4_1]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "10:35">> <<if !$work_4_1>> <<link "Check Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` done with the meeting yet?\n tell me everything\n and don’t lie\n i just thought about your cum leaking out of me in the shower and now i’m wet again\n so don’t make me panic AND horny\n just give it to me straight `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_4_1 to true>> <<goto "work_4_1">> <</link>> <<elseif !$work_4_2>> <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> I didn’t answer. Greaves rose. Tall again. Dignified in that way people practice in the mirror before bad news. <<speech "greaves" "Greaves">>If anything changes, you’ll be the first one I call. I mean that.<</speech>> I stood slowly, one hand still in my hoodie pocket. The other curled around the back of the chair. <<speech $player $playerName>>Thanks.<</speech>> I said it quietly I know calling me complete bullshit. Not bitter. Just… tired. He nodded once. I turned. The door slid open with a hush. And then it closed behind me. And that was it. The job. The salary. The plan. Gone. But as I stood there in the corridor, blinking in the sterile light, I pulled out my phone and tapped out a reply anyway. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Cubical, Reply to Lena">> <<set $step = 8>> [[Go to Cubical|office]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "10:40">> <<if !$work_4_2>> <<link "Reply Lena">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` i lost it\n they cut me\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_4_2 to true>> <<goto "work_4_2">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$work_4_2_1>> The typing dots appeared instantly. <<link "Check Message">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` i’m sorry\n i’m so sorry\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_4_2_1 to true>> <<goto "work_4_2">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$work_4_2_2>> <<link "Reply Lena">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` come home tonight\n I need your mouth on me\n I want to fuck your throat until I forget what “performance review” even means\n I want to come so deep inside you it doesn’t matter where I work\n you’ll still belong to me\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_4_2_2 to true>> <<goto "work_4_2">> <</link>> <<else>> <<set $currentObjectives = "Check Cubical, and talk with Friends">> [[Check the Cubical|work_5]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> I returned to my desk, hands still cold. Like the meeting had drained every last degree out of me. The walk back down the corridor felt longer than usual, like each step made my boots heavier. The hum of the floor didn’t change. The tap of keys around me still buzzed steady. Nothing had shifted and somehow everything had. James and Lyla were watching me from over the partition wall, not pretending to look busy anymore. I could see it in their faces. They knew. <<speech "james" "James">>You okay?<</speech>> Barely above a whisper. Like asking too loud might confirm something awful. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m done.<</speech>> Just like that. Flat. Final. Lyla stood immediately. She didn’t ask. Just came around the desk and pulled me into a hug. Her arms were stronger than I expected, her grip tight. Chin tucked against my shoulder. She held on longer than I thought she would. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>That’s fucking bullshit.<</speech>> Her voice was raw. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>You deserve better than this.<</speech>> James looked like he wanted to punch a wall, or maybe someone’s face. <<speech "james" "James">>We’re still getting drinks Friday. Non-negotiable.<</speech>> I nodded once, slow. I didn’t trust myself to speak. I dropped into my chair, body heavy. The terminal still glowed softly. Keyboard still warm from earlier keystrokes. Everything looked untouched. Like I’d just stepped away to refill my mug and not to be erased from a payroll line. It didn’t feel like the last day. But it was. My phone buzzed. [[Check Messages|work_5_1]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "10:50">> <<if !$work_5_1>> <<link "Check Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` i want to kiss your stupid face\n and sit on it\n and ride you until you forget that man’s name\n how soon can you come home?\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_5_1 to true>> <<goto "work_5_1">> <</link>> <<else>> I swallowed hard. Thumbed out a reply, hand trembling a little. She is very good at this making me feel wanted even when everything else is falling apart. She knows exactly what to say to make me forget the bad news. <<if !$work_5_1_2>> <<link "Reply Her">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` they cut me\n no warning\n just "margins" and handshakes\n i kept thinking about your pussy the whole time\n how warm it was this morning\n how wet you were when I pulled out\n how I want to stuff you full again until it leaks down your thighs\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_5_1_2 to true>> <<goto "work_5_1">> <</link>> <<else>> Three dots. Then a photo came in blurred background, Lena’s thighs spread wide in a bathroom stall, hand pressed to her panties. I could see the outline of her folds, her fingers dipping under the waistband. I know she is trying to make me froget the bad news and make me think about other things.. <<if !$work_5_1_3>> <<link "Check the Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` i’m soaked again\n you say things like that and my body forgets everything else\n come home\n fill me up\n use me `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_5_1_3 to true>> <<goto "work_5_1">> <</link>> <<else>> I exhaled, hard. Adjusted myself beneath the desk. Thank fuck for the wide privacy panels. <<if !$work_5_1_4>> <<link "Reply Her">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` I want to fuck you the second I walk in the door.\n You’ll drop your bag and bend over the kitchen table.\n I won’t even get undressed. I’ll just take out my cock and shove it into you. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_5_1_4 to true>> <<goto "work_5_1">> <</link>> <<else>> I watched the cursor blink in our thread, then disappear. <<if !$work_5_1_5>> <<link "Check the Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` you’re not allowed to say that while i’m at work\n i’m dripping through my scrubs\n people are going to think i pissed myself\n i swear to god i’ll ruin you tonight\n just wait `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_5_1_5 to true>> <<goto "work_5_1">> <</link>> <<else>> I minimized the chat and leaned back. Looked at the screen in front of me like it meant anything anymore. I had six hours of access left. A badge that would stop working by sundown. And the only thing keeping my hands from shaking again was the image of her waiting for me. Wanting me. Not out of pity. Out of fire. I’d go home tonight and bury myself inside her so deep she’d forget her own name. I’d fuck her until our shared stress burned off like mist on skin, until our bodies were the only language we remembered. Until everything else money, layoffs, exits meant nothing. Just us. Just heat. Just escape. I exhaled. I focus on finish everything and dump my thing into box. [[Say good bye to friend|work_6]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "3:43">> The clock read 3:43 PM, but the hours had been dragging like boots through molasses since the conversation with Greaves. I sat at my desk, laptop half-disassembled beside me. I’d already wiped everything local builds, personal scripts, the repo access keys, even the custom dark theme Lena once said made my interface look “moody but sexy.” All gone. All clean. Only thing left on the screen now was my name and the logout prompt. The office had gone still. Not silent but that hushed kind of tension, like the hour before a storm. Like a classroom the day before break, except this time, I was the only one leaving. I zipped the last of my stuff into my old olive backpack, the one Lena patched last winter after I snagged it on the gate latch. The stitching was still holding. I stood up, slow. Scanned the desk one last time. Half expected something to spark to life, some message to interrupt the ending. Nothing did. Lyla slid into the seat beside me. No announcement. No smile. Just her and a red energy drink cracked open in her hand, eyeliner smudged like she’d wiped her eyes an hour ago and never fixed it. James followed behind, wheeling his chair over, elbows draped over the backrest like bad news was physically heavy. I looked up at them both. <<speech $player $playerName>>I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do now.<</speech>> James scratched at his jaw. <<speech "james" "James">>Honestly? First, take a breath. Then maybe sleep for two days.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I don’t have two days. Rent’s due in twelve. Lena’s working doubles. I don’t even know if I’m eligible for temp contracts without a platform sponsor.<</speech>> Lyla made a face. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>You are. Barely. But it’s brutal out there. Like, stress-hair-loss brutal.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’ve already applied to three things this week.<</speech>> James nodded, fiddling with the thermos cap in his lap. <<speech "james" "James">>Couple backend firms are still hiring. You could try GridMinds they’re mostly infrastructure modeling. Stable-ish contracts. Not sexy work, but it pays.<</speech>> I didn’t answer right away. I was staring at my fingers, wondering how long they’d keep typing when nothing was feeding them. Then Lyla leaned closer. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>I saw something weird the other night.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Weird like how?<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Weird like... almost dystopian, but maybe genius? It’s called Shape of You Inc. Ever heard of it?<</speech>> I shook my head. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>It popped up in my stream between crypto scams and AI therapists. All grayscale. No logo. Just: ‘Don’t just find a job. Be someone who already has one.’ Creeped me out. But I clicked it.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>You clicked the black-market ad?<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>I was drunk. Shut up.<</speech>> She turned to me, expression serious now. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>They’re supposedly legit. Substitution tech. You sign up, they place you into jobs where you take over someone else’s body for a contract shift. Pain studies, therapy, even military stress simulations. Not fun. Real work. Real danger. But the pay is...<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Six grand for a day shift, I heard.<</speech>> Lyla nodded. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>They don’t advertise on boards. You have to walk in. Nearest branch is down on 9th. They call it a ‘consciousness labor agency.’ Like a staffing firm, but for minds.<</speech>> I sat back, staring. <<speech $player $playerName>>You think I should try it?<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>I think you’re smart enough to read the fine print. And desperate enough not to wait around for QA scraps.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>If you do it… be careful. We want you back with one brain and no mysterious side effects.<</speech>> I cracked a smile. Barely. <<speech $player $playerName>>No promises.<</speech>> My phone buzzed in my pocket. [[Check Messages|work_6_1]] <>

<> <<set $currentObjectives = "Go Home, Buy Beer and Groceries">> <<set $step = 9>> <<set $phoneTime to "3:47">> <<if !$work_6_1_1>> <<link "Check Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` how’s your last hour going\n did you cry yet\n also\n i’m in the break room\n and I can still feel you from this morning\n soaked through again\n if you were here I’d ride you on this vending machine until the snacks fell out\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_6_1_1 to true>> <<goto "work_6_1">> <</link>> <<else>> I bit my lip and texted back fast, before my cock twitched through my jeans in front of everyone. <<if !$work_6_1>> <<link "Reply Her">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` i’m already hard just thinking about your cunt\n i want you on top of me the second i’m home\n i’m going to grip your hips and slam into you until you beg to be filled again\n fuck dinner\n I want you dripping while I kiss your stomach `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_6_1 to true>> <<goto "work_6_1">> <</link>> <<else>> Her reply came fast. <<if !$work_6_1_2>> <<link "Check the Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` fuck\n baby\n keep talking like that and I’ll leave work early\n i want you so deep tonight i forget what day it is\n i want your cum in me when i clock out tomorrow morning\n hurry home `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $work_6_1_2 to true>> <<goto "work_6_1">> <</link>> <<else>> <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> James leaned over, squinting at my reaction. <<speech "james" "James">>That Lena checking in?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>She’s...motivating me to survive this day.<</speech>> Lyla smirked. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>Is she sexting you from a hospital right now?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yes. And I’m not sorry.<</speech>> James chuckled, clapping my shoulder. <<speech "james" "James">>Then get out of here, man. Go home. You’ve got something worth clocking out for.<</speech>> I stood, chest tight with everything. Gratitude. Dread. Hunger. All of it. <<speech $player $playerName>>Thanks. For real.<</speech>> Lyla stood too. Pulled me into a hug tighter than the one from earlier. <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>You’re not alone, alright? And if you end up growing a second head from doing weird sub jobs, I’m roasting it live on stream.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Duly noted.<</speech>> James stepped in next more of a firm pat, but it still meant something. <<speech "james" "James">>Come by this weekend. I’ll make gyoza. Bring Lena. No job talk.<</speech>> <<speech "lyla" "Lyla">>And you’re coming to my place next Friday. Drinks, games, and if you mention analytics once, I’m throwing you off the balcony.<</speech>> <<speech "james" "James">>Also tommorow lets have some coffee in evening.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Sure, I’ll be there. Call me..<</speech>> They walked me out past the glowing glass rooms, the slogan wall (“BUILD SOMETHING THAT LASTS”), the biometric pad that blinked green for the last time as I passed. I turned once, met their eyes. Then the elevator doors slid shut. And they were gone. [[Exit the building and Go home|office]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> The door clicked softly behind me. The apartment was dim, blinds half-drawn, thin orange veins of streetlight cutting through the space like faint pulse lines. The kind of lighting that made everything feel smaller, quieter, unreal. I dropped my backpack near the shoe rack and just stood there. The hum of the fridge in the kitchen. The faint scent of Lena’s body wash clinging to the steam-warped curtain in the bathroom. Distant voices from someone’s cracked window upstairs, muffled by bricks and distance. The shape of home was the same but the center of it felt different. My phone buzzed. <<set $phoneTime to "17:47">> <<if !$home_7_1>> <<link "Check Messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` Hope it went okay\n Picked up dumplings on the way home\n Don’t stress, okay? Love you 💛\n `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $home_7_1 to true>> <<goto "home_7">> <</link>> <<else>> <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> I stared at her message like it might change if I blinked hard enough. It didn’t. I didn’t reply right away. Anyway she is brining food today so I don’t have to cook. Just slipped into the bedroom, dropped onto the edge of the bed, and pulled the laptop open. Typed it in. **Shape of You Inc. location 9th Street** The search results were instant. First hit: stark layout. Black font, white screen. No color. The logo was strange abstract, like a mind folding inside another. A human face nested within a human face, and again within that. No motto. Just an address. Hours of operation: *Monday–Saturday: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM* *Closed Sundays.* Two buttons on screen: **APPLY NOW** **WALK-IN REGISTRATION** I hovered over one. Then the other. I clicked the site footer instead. Scanned for anything FAQs, contracts, even legal disclaimers. Most of it was locked. Gated behind login access. No job list. No candidate reviews. Just a static contact page. A single line: **For eligibility and tiering, please call during business hours.** I tapped in the number. Pressed dial. It rang. Once. Twice. Then: <<speech "ivr" "Automated Voice">>Thank you for calling Shape of You Inc. Our agents are currently unavailable. Business hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Saturday. Please call again or visit us in person. Goodbye.<</speech>> Click. I set the phone down slowly. Closed the laptop. <<speech $player $playerName>>Tomorrow.<</speech>> I should check the open positions in job website now. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Living room and Check Job Openings">> <<set $step = 11>> [[Check Job Openings|home]] <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "19:15">> A soft rustle of her bag hitting the couch. I didn’t move. Not right away. Then I felt her her presence before her voice. Her weight pressing into the mattress behind me. She wrapped her arms around my waist and slid in close, cheek against my back. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You didn’t text back.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Didn’t know what to say.<</speech>> Her hand slid under my shirt, palm spreading over my stomach. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Say you’ll eat dumplings and let me ride you until you forget what day it is.<</speech>> I let out a low breath. Her fingers skimmed lower. Found the waistband of my jeans. <<speech $player $playerName>>I thought you’d be mad.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mad that you lost your job? Or mad that you’re hard right now because you’re thinking about filling me again?<</speech>> She pressed a kiss to my spine. Her hand slid lower, fingers curling around my cock through denim. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Because I’m not mad, baby. I’m dripping just thinking about you walking through that door.<</speech>> I turned. Kissed her hard, hand fisting in her damp hair. <<speech $player $playerName>>Strip. Leave the dumplings. I want you on the counter. Legs open. I’m going to fuck you before I do anything else tonight.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm. Counter’s too high. Couch. Let me ride it out of you.<</speech>> We moved without words. Shirts discarded, jeans peeled off in the hallway. She dropped onto the couch, panties already dark at the center, thighs parted in invitation. I watched her slip two fingers in, teasing herself while I stroked my cock in front of her. She whispered it like a plea. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Put it in, baby. Deep. I need to feel you fuck the stress out of yourself.<</speech>> I did. And for a while long, slow, drawn-out minutes I stopped thinking about jobs or meetings or fake smiles across corporate desks. Just Lena. Just the way her pussy gripped me when I hit the deepest part of her. The gasps. The sweat on her chest. Her nails dragging down my back. The sound she made when I pulled out just to press back in harder. When she moaned my name like it hurt. I came deep buried to the hilt, forehead pressed to hers and she clenched around me with a whimper. Later, her breath still catching, she whispered against my skin: <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Whatever you do tomorrow\... you come back to me. Deal?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Always.<</speech>> And I meant it. She kissed my cheek on her way to the counter. I felt her lips linger just long enough to make my chest ache. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Is this the I-got-an-interview meal or the I-totally-burned-something-then-recovered-with-sauce meal?<</speech>> I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. I just stirred the pan, watching the oil bubble too fast, too hot. I could feel her eyes on me, feel the shift in her posture behind me when she realized I hadn’t fired back with some dry comeback. She turned. Saw my jaw tight. My knuckles white around the spatula. Her smile faded, slow as dusk. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Okay. What happened?<</speech>> I set the spatula down carefully. Wiped my palms on the towel that hung from the handle. Turned to face her, heart thudding so loud it felt like a threat in my throat. <<speech $player $playerName>>They let me go.<</speech>> Silence. The kind that presses in around your ribs. Only the pan still spoke quiet sizzling that felt suddenly inappropriate. She blinked. Once. Slow. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Greaves?<</speech>> I nodded. <<speech $player $playerName>>Said it wasn’t performance. Said they lost contracts. That they’re bleeding through departments.<</speech>> She stepped forward. Her fingers brushed mine, soft but steady. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>When?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Today.<</speech>> My throat was dry. I could barely say it. <<speech $player $playerName>>This afternoon.<</speech>> Her hand found mine. Closed around it. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>How long do we have?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>They’re paying out sixty days. That’s it.<</speech>> She didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. Just nodded like she’d already started sketching a plan in her head. Then: <<speech "lena" "Lena">>We’ll figure it out.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m sorry <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>No.<</speech>> She cut me off not sharp, but final. Her fingers tightened around mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You don’t apologize for something you couldn’t control. You’ve been killing yourself trying to stay ahead of this.<</speech>> I swallowed hard. Looked into her eyes. All I saw was calm worn and tempered, not fake. <<speech $player $playerName>>I just didn’t want to <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Lose?<</speech>> I nodded. She leaned in, pressed a kiss to my knuckles. It burned more than comforted. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>We’re still here. You. Me. Food on the stove. Rent not yet overdue. We’ll move forward. Like we always do.<</speech>> We stood there for a moment. Just breathing in sync. Then her voice softened, shifting gears. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Come to bed after dinner.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah?<</speech>> She stepped closer. Her free hand slid to my hip, fingers pressing through the fabric of my shirt. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I want to suck your cock while you’re still upset.<</speech>> My breath caught. <<speech $player $playerName>>Jesus, Lena <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Not to distract you. To remind you you’re still wanted. Needed. Claimed.<</speech>> She kissed me again this time on the jaw, mouth open, breath hot. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You come to bed tonight and fuck me like you’re still fighting for something.<</speech>> I groaned under my breath. <<speech $player $playerName>>I want to bend you over the bed, Lena. Not slow. Not soft. I want to grab your hips and slam into you until I forget what that office looked like.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You will. And I’ll moan loud enough they hear it across the hall.<</speech>> She smirked, teasing just for a moment then her thumb brushed the corner of my mouth. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>But first, dumplings. I need carbs before cock.<</speech>> I laughed, breathless. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re the worst.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You love it.<</speech>> She slipped away with a swish of her hips, headed to the bathroom, her towel from earlier slung loose around her body. I watched her go watched the subtle curve of her ass under the fabric, the promise in her step. The moment the door closed and the water started running, I exhaled. Sixty days. No job. Nothing stable on the horizon. But Lena was here. Solid. Steady. Filthy in the best ways and soft in the ones that mattered more. And tonight, I’d let it all break in bed. In her. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Bed">> <<set $step = 11.1>> [[Go to Bed|home]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "20:30">> Her hand moved lower again. Slow. Deliberate. Not teasing anymore just searching for something to hold onto. Maybe reassurance. Maybe control. Her fingers brushed my cock, still half-hard, and I sucked in a breath through my teeth. The moment wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. She looked up at me, lips parted. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Lie down.<</speech>> No edge in her voice. Just warmth. Steady, quiet hunger. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah?<</speech>> She nodded, already pushing the blanket off. I lay back into the couch cushions, arms behind my head. She straddled me not touching, just hovering letting her weight settle over my thighs. The hem of the old t-shirt she wore brushed my ribs. Then she leaned down and kissed me. Soft at first. Barely pressure. Just the drag of her lips against mine. I brought my hands to her hips. Guided her forward. The shirt slipped up, exposing the small of her back, the curve of her ass. No underwear. Just heat. I groaned into her mouth. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re already soaked, aren’t you.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I’ve been dripping since I saw you reading those listings.<</speech>> She ground down against me, slow. Let my cock slide along her folds, wet and hot and not quite enough. The friction alone made me curse. Then she moved down. Off my lap. Onto the floor. Knees against the rug, palms on my thighs. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Let me taste you first.<</speech>> She bent forward and took me into her mouth. And my brain went static. The way she moved lips stretched, eyes half-lidded, mouth wet and deliberate wasn’t new. But it still wrecked me. Every time. She flattened her tongue under the shaft, swallowed me down to the base until her nose brushed my skin. I grabbed the couch cushion, trying not to buck. She pulled off with a soft pop, smirking. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I love the way you twitch in my mouth when I go deep.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And I love watching you suck me like it’s the only thing you need.<</speech>> She didn’t answer. Just dove back down. Sucked hard. Tongue swirling. I moaned low. Couldn’t help it. Eventually I sat up couldn’t take just lying there anymore and pulled her back up. Kissed her with all that heat still on her tongue. Her body melted into mine, slick and eager. I reached between her legs, two fingers sliding in easily. <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re dripping all over my hand.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Then use your mouth, baby. I want to sit on your face until I forget my name.<</speech>> I didn’t need more than that. I dragged her up onto the bed. Laid back. And let her climb over me. She hovered over my face, her pussy glistening, thighs trembling before she even settled. I grabbed her hips and pulled her down. The moment my tongue touched her clit, she gasped. Bucked. Hands braced on the wall behind the headboard. I licked slow, then fast. Broad strokes, then small, focused flicks. Her hips rocked with each movement. I could feel her fall apart above me. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuck yes right there, don’t stop <</speech>> She shook. I groaned into her. Sucked harder. And when she came, it was sudden and sharp thighs squeezing around my face, her voice catching in a broken moan. She didn’t stop moving, even after. Just turned, straddled me again And then it was my turn. She lowered herself onto my cock, inch by inch, slow, eyes locked to mine. We stayed like that. Breathing together. She rocked once. Twice. <<speech $player $playerName>>Ride me just like that. I want to feel every drop of you sink down on me.<</speech>> She did. And we moved together. Later, I’d flip her. Take her from behind, her cheek to the pillow. Then again her legs on my shoulders, pinned deep. I’d kiss her through every position. Bite her shoulder. Praise every inch. But right now, I just held her as she rode me in silence. Her moans the only rhythm that mattered. And when we both came again sweat-slick, shuddering it felt like release and relief all at once. We collapsed together. Twined. Our bodies tangled in sheets we didn’t bother straightening. I kissed her temple. Her collarbone. Her lips. The room was dim, the kind of soft light that made skin look like gold and shadow. The sheets rustled as she climbed astride me, knees braced on either side of my hips. Her breath came hot against my throat, trembling as she sank down slowly, inch by inch, taking me in. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Ohhh... fuck yes... yes, so deep...<</speech>> She started to move, rolling her hips, then bouncing faster. Her hands pressed flat to my chest, nails grazing, nipples brushing my skin with every rise and fall. The wet sound of us filled the air. <<speech $player $playerName>>God, look at you...<</speech>> I caught her waist, thrusting up into her, driving her down harder. The rhythm broke into something desperate, fast, rough. <<speech $player $playerName>>Take it. Take all of it.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuuuuck yes yes yes! Deeper! Give me more, harder!<</speech>> I flipped her, pressing her beneath me, sliding back in deep. She arched under me, legs trembling as I fucked her through the mattress, every stroke making her moan louder. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Right there don’t stop oh, fuck!<</speech>> Her arms wrapped around my neck, lips crushing against mine. She whispered between breaths, voice shaking. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I love you... come inside me, I need it please...<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Not yet.<</speech>> I pulled out, flipped her onto all fours, slid back into her from behind. Her back arched, hair falling over her shoulder. I gripped it in one hand, pulling gently as my hips snapped against her. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh fuck yes harder! I’m coming again!<</speech>> Her body trembled, the sound spilling from her like a cry, her heat tightening around me. I grunted, trying to hold on, failing fast. <<speech $player $playerName>>I’m gonna come <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Do it! Fill me please I want it all, now!<</speech>> I slammed deep, groaning her name as I came hard inside her. The air hung thick with the scent of sweat and skin. We stayed locked together, hearts hammering, the world narrowing to breath and warmth. <<speech $player $playerName>>Still stressed?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Less so...<</speech>> She kissed my temple softly, pulling me against her chest, our bodies still joined under the cooling sheets. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Then sleep. We’ll survive tomorrow.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah...<</speech>> I brushed my lips against her shoulder, eyes closing as the city hummed faintly outside. For now, nothing else mattered. [[Go to Sleep|morning]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "6:30">> Sunlight leaked gently through the slats of the blinds, stretching pale gold across the bed in quiet stripes. The world outside was faint and distant early traffic hum, the whir of distant drones, a bird or two daring to chirp near the high-rise vents. I was still deep in sleep, sprawled on my back, one arm over my head, breathing slow. The sheets had slipped low on my waist during the night, revealing a firm line of abs, the light trail down my navel, and the morning wood rising steadily against my stomach full, pulsing, twitching faintly with each breath. Lena moved under the sheets beside me, awake for minutes now, watching with that wicked little smirk she wore like lip gloss. Her hair was tousled, her bare skin still warm from the night before. She leaned over, kissed my shoulder gently. And then without a word slid down beneath the sheets. Her lips pressed against the base of my shaft, warm breath brushing along my length as her fingers curled around me softly. I twitched in her hand, half-aware, shifting slightly in my sleep. She stroked me once slow and firm and kissed the tip, tongue flicking delicately. <<speech $player $playerName>>Mmmnnh…<</speech>> I groaned softly, still not fully conscious, but my hips moved faintly. She took me in slowly, lips stretching around me inch by inch, tongue circling the head as she bobbed her head in a smooth rhythm. <<speech $player $playerName>>Lena…?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Shhh… don’t stop me now, baby. You’re too hard not to suck.<</speech>> I felt her grin around me, then sink down again, deeper this time taking nearly all of me as her throat flexed around my cock. Her hands massaged the base, teasing my balls, while she worked me with that practiced, loving hunger. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Fuck, you’re twitching already? You miss my mouth that much?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>F-fuck… that feels so fucking good…<</speech>> My hand slid into her hair, gripping gently as she moaned around me, sending a hot, tight shiver through my entire body. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Keep talking like that and I’ll leave work early. Make you cum in my throat twice before lunch.<</speech>> My hips rolled against her mouth, fucking up into her gently as she took me deeper, faster now, her tongue dancing over every sensitive inch. I felt myself climbing, muscles tightening, breath growing ragged. <<speech $player $playerName>>Shit Lena I’m gonna <</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yeah, cum for me, baby. Give it to me. I want your load first thing breakfast of champions.<</speech>> She didn’t stop. I came with a low, helpless groan, cock pulsing in her mouth as she swallowed everything, lips still wrapped around me, tongue lapping the last drops slowly. <<speech $player $playerName>>God… fuck…<</speech>> She pulled off with a kiss to the tip, licking her lips slow and dirty, smiling up at me, eyes sleepy but so damn mischievous. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Figured you could use a stress reliever.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That was… holy fuck.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm, I’m not done with you. I want your cock in me when I clock out tomorrow morning, dripping. And if you’re lucky, I’ll let you eat it back out of me before dinner.<</speech>> She crawled back up the bed, kissing my chest along the way, her hand never quite leaving me. I was still hard. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hurry home later. I want you so deep tonight I forget what day it is.<</speech>> I reached for her, already half-hard again just from the way her voice curled around the filth. But she only grinned and pulled the sheet up to her waist, curling against my side like nothing had happened. My heart was still pounding. <<set $currentObjectives = "Give Morning after pill to Lena">> [[Wake up|morning_1_after]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "7:00">> The room smelled like her skin, sweat, shampoo, and the faint sweetness of sex. The sunlight had brightened, turning everything a soft gold haze. She lay there next to me, lazy and smug, tracing idle circles on my chest with one fingertip. I watched her for a moment, still catching my breath, still half-dazed, then turned my head toward the nightstand where the small blue box sat waiting. The one I’d picked up yesterday. I reached for it slowly, the cardboard cool against my palm. <<speech $player $playerName>>Hey... before we forget again.<</speech>> I held the box out to her. Her eyes flicked down, then back up to my face, the smirk tugging softly at one corner of her mouth. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re actually remembering this time? My responsible king.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Trying to build some adult credibility here.<</speech>> She sat up, the sheet slipping off her shoulders, breasts catching the light in a way that made my mouth go dry all over again. She took the box from me, turning it in her hand. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You even got the right brand. Look at you. Growth.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, well. Brenda supervised. She threatened to quiz me on contraceptive efficiency rates if I picked the wrong one.<</speech>> Lena laughed quietly, shaking a pill free and reaching for the glass of water on her side of the bed. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>God bless Brenda. Guess I owe her a thank-you text for making sure you didn’t come home with vitamins again.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That was one time.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mm-hmm. Sure it was.<</speech>> She tipped the pill onto her tongue, swallowed, then leaned in and kissed me slow, lingering, still tasting faintly of mint and mischief. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>There. Crisis averted. Now we can go back to being horny and poor in peace.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Music to my ears.<</speech>> She smiled, settled back against me, her head on my shoulder. Outside, a drone buzzed past the window, the city coming alive again. Inside, everything felt warm, still, suspended. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’ll find something soon, you know.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. Maybe today’s the day.<</speech>> She hummed softly, eyes already half closed. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm. Just… not yet. Let’s stay like this a little longer.<</speech>> I kissed her hair and exhaled slow, the pill box forgotten on the nightstand, the morning stretching lazy and endless around us. <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Washroom">> <<set $step = 12>> [[Go to Shower|washroom]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "7:30">> We showered together, water steaming around us. No more sex just closeness. Her back pressed to my chest as I worked the soap over her shoulders, fingers slipping down her arms. I liked the way she leaned into it, hips brushing mine lazily with each shift. Her fingers moved over my ribs, light, teasing. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm, still hard. Should’ve swallowed twice, huh?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You trying to make you late?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Keep talking like that and I’ll call in sick. Let you fuck me over the kitchen counter till I forget my damn badge number.<</speech>> I kissed her shoulder just under the curve of her neck, grinning against her skin. She giggled when I nipped her lightly. We talked softly about nothing. The news. Her coworkers. Whether or not we needed more chili oil. I made a face when she said she was considering that weird fermented stuff again. <<speech $player $playerName>>Last time smelled like foot.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Hot, salty foot. Don’t act like you didn’t finish the jar.<</speech>> [[Go outside|home_morning_routine_1]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "7:45">> By the time we stepped out, the apartment smelled like coffee again. I made scrambled eggs with green onion. Lena popped sourdough slices into our rickety toaster, smacking it when it jammed like usual. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>One day I’m replacing this damn thing with a flamethrower. We’ll have toast in .4 seconds, flat.<</speech>> We moved around each other easily, barefoot, touching in passing hip bumps, a squeeze on her waist, her fingers dragging down the small of my back. I kissed her forehead while flipping eggs. She stole a green onion slice off the counter and moaned like it was a crime of passion. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>God, I’d let you do filthy things to me if you cooked naked every morning.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Thought I already did filthy things to you this morning.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You think that counts? Baby, I want your cum in me when I clock out tomorrow morning.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Jesus, Ortez.<</speech>> [[Sit and Eat|home_morning_routine_2]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "8:00">> We sat cross-legged on the couch with our plates, her knee brushing mine every few seconds. She took a sip of her second coffee, eyeing me over the rim. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You thought more about your next move?<</speech>> I hesitated, watching the steam rise from my eggs. Then nodded slowly, setting the fork down. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. I actually applied for a few positions last night some remote, some contract stuff. If any of them call back, I’ll line up interviews this week.<</speech>> I took a sip of my coffee, the bitterness grounding. <<speech $player $playerName>>There’s also a job fair in the town center today. Walk-in interviews, a few companies that don’t require appointments. Figured I’d hit those one, maybe two possible fits.<</speech>> Lena nodded, setting her mug down on the table, giving me that small, encouraging look that said she was proud but also quietly tracking every word. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That’s good. It’s something, right? Movement.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah.<</speech>> I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the nerves crawl back up. <<speech $player $playerName>>There’s… something else I found too. Some company called Shape of You Inc.<</speech>> Her brows lifted slightly. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That’s a name.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah, I know. My frinds in office told about that also It popped up on a listing site. Looks like they deal in consciousness transfer basically renting out your mind to handle remote labor tasks. It sounds insane, honestly but the payout is huge. Enough to clear rent for months.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Wait, like… you lend them your consciousness? What happens to your body meanwhile?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I also don't know atleast my frinds also don't know what exactly it is..From what I read, they keep you in some kind of neural sync pod. Everything’s automated. Safe, supposedly. You wake up after the shift with a paycheck and maybe a mild headache.<</speech>> She frowned, the kind of frown that meant she was already building a list of questions I couldn’t answer. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>That sounds like a bad sci-fi episode waiting to happen.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Probably. But it pays a lot, Lena. Like stupid amounts. Even if it’s just for a month or two it could buy us time. I’ll check it out after the job fair. Just to see what kind of place it is.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’re nervous about it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. A bit. I don’t know. It just feels... strange. But I’ll figure it out when I get there.<</speech>> She reached out, brushing her thumb over my knuckles, her eyes softer now. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Just promise me you won’t sign anything on the spot, okay? Check it first. Make sure your consciousness comes back in one piece.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Deal.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Good. Now eat before the eggs go cold, ambitious man.<</speech>> I smiled faintly, picking up my fork again, letting her teasing settle the nerves buzzing under my skin. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. I’m gonna go check out that Shape of You place. See if it’s real. If there’s a decent job I can survive.<</speech>> She went quiet, eyes on her plate, twisting her ring around her finger once. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You nervous?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Terrified.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>But still going.<</speech>> I looked at her. She was already looking back. <<speech $player $playerName>>We can’t wait forever. I’ll do this smart. No pain gigs. No long-term crap. Just a toe in the water.<</speech>> She reached over and squeezed my hand, her thumb stroking mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>I trust you. But if anything feels wrong you walk. No pay’s worth a broken you.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I will.<</speech>> She leaned in and kissed my cheek, warm and lingering, then stood up and stretched with a soft groan. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Wish me luck with Cam today. He tried to bite the therapy AI yesterday. Again.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You got this. You always do.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmhmm. But if he starts frothing again, I’m gonna need a reward. Maybe you on your knees when I get home. Or balls deep while dinner burns.<</speech>> She grinned, kissed me again slow and soft, her lips barely moving against mine. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Call me after?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Promise.<</speech>> She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, slapping my ass as she passed. I watched her go, my chest tight, my cock half-hard again just from her mouth. Goddamn woman knew exactly what she was doing. [[Ready for the day|home_morning_routine_3]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "10:43">> It was 10:43 AM when I finally grabbed my coat, tablet, and stepped out the door. My key clicked behind me, that soft finality of a morning you can't take back. The apartment still smelled faintly like her shampoo and the sourdough she never finished. My wrist buzzed before I hit the elevator. <<if !$home_morning_routine_3_1>> <<link "Check messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` Miss u already. My seat still smells like you. Think I’m wet again. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $home_morning_routine_3_1 to true>> <<goto "home_morning_routine_3">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$home_morning_routine_3_2>> <<link "Reply Her">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` Behave. You're at work. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $home_morning_routine_3_2 to true>> <<goto "home_morning_routine_3">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$home_morning_routine_3_3>> <<link "Check messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` Keep reminding me. Or don’t. I wanna be dripping by lunch. Want you to clean me up later with your mouth. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $home_morning_routine_3_3 to true>> <<goto "home_morning_routine_3">> <</link>> <<else>> The elevator ride down was quiet, a soft instrumental humming from the panel’s default music feed. Some gentle synth blend pretending it was relaxing me. I leaned against the wall, staring at my reflection in the chrome. My cock gave a slow, pulsing twitch just thinking about that message. Fuck. I adjusted myself subtly, hoping the lobby cam wasn’t angled too low. Another buzz. <<if !$home_morning_routine_3_4>> <<link "Check messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` Hurry home, baby. Want your cum so deep I feel it when I bend over at the copier. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $home_morning_routine_3_4 to true>> <<goto "home_morning_routine_3">> <</link>> <<else>> I chuckled under my breath. <<if !$home_morning_routine_3_5>> <<link "Reply her">> <<run $messages.push({"to": $player, "image": "", "text": ` You keep talking like that and I’ll never make it to the damn interview. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $home_morning_routine_3_5 to true>> <<goto "home_morning_routine_3">> <</link>> <<else>> <<if !$home_morning_routine_3_6>> <<link "Check messages">> <<run $messages.push({"from": "lena", "image": "", "text": ` Then fail on purpose. Be my little house slut. I’ll buy you cute aprons. `})>> <<run showMessagesPanel()>> <<set $home_morning_routine_3_6 to true>> <<goto "home_morning_routine_3">> <</link>> <<else>> <<run hideMessagesPanel()>> The doors opened. I stepped onto the sidewalk. The city was loud again. Harsh. Moving too fast. <<set $currentObjectives = "Visit Town Center">> <<set $step = 13>> [[Visit Town Center|outside]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <>

<> <<set $phoneTime to "09:02">> <<set $currentObjectives to "Complete Day 1 of Tier 0 Orientation at Shape of You Inc.">> The facility loomed sleek and monolithic, all brushed metal and curved glass, like a corporate cathedral. The air just inside the entrance hummed with sterilized chill and quiet murmurs from a dozen other arrivals, all visibly uncertain. I stood clutching my clearance card with Tier 0 Orientation – Approved printed on its glossy surface. This was it. Then he walked in. Instructor Marcus Verel. If this place was a cathedral, he was the high priest of consciousness transfer. Mid forties, maybe, though he carried himself like a man who’d already lived half a dozen lives. Six-foot-two, trim but broad, shoulders squared beneath a navy synthetic fiber coat that snapped along his chest with embedded biomonitors. Silver threaded patches at the collar marked him as Instructor Level 2. His hair was dark, slicked neatly, with streaks of deliberate gunmetal gray at the temples, giving the impression of authority without artificial youth. Eyes are pale green, piercing, framed by precise crow’s feet that deepened when he smiled which was rare, apparently. His voice, though, made everyone shut up the moment it filled the room. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Alright, candidates. Let's begin.<</speech>> I followed him into the Orientation Hall, a large, dimly lit room where the ceiling streamed subtle blue lighting and a giant display screen dominated one wall. Chairs were arranged in semicircles facing him. I took mine near the front, heart drumming, jaw tight. He paced once in front of the display and tapped a biometric key on his wrist. The screen bloomed to life with stark white text and bullet points. <div class="slide-box"> <h1 class="slide-title">Tier 0: Orientation</h1> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Welcome to Consciousness Transfer Training</li> <li>Instructor: Marcus Verel, Level 2</li> <li>Duration: 1 hour</li> <li>Objective: Understand the fundamentals of consciousness transfer and its ethical implications</li> <li>Format: Lecture, discussion, and practical exercises</li> </ul> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Course Overview</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Introduction to consciousness transfer</li> <li>Understanding the process and its limitations</li> <li>Ethical and legal considerations</li> <li>Practical exercises and roleplay scenarios</li> <li>Agreements, contracts, and liability</li> <li>Long-term risks and psychological effects</li> </ul> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title" style="margin-top: 30px; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600;"> Welcome to Consciousness Transfer Training </div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>This is not fantasy. This is not indulgence. This is reality, governed by law, ethics, and biological limitations.</li> <li>You do not become someone else. You temporarily wear their body, and they may wear yours if an agreement permits.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Let me be absolutely clear from the start. This is not fantasy.<</speech>> He began, voice crisp, modulated. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>This is not indulgence. This is reality. It is governed by law, by ethics, and by biological limitation.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You do not become someone else. You wear them for a time and they, in turn, wear you if agreement allows.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Consciousness Transfer Fundamentals</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Your mind is deconstructed and pattern-mapped at the neuroelectric level.</li> <li>This map is translated into a digital schema and transferred across a secure link.</li> <li>The schema is installed into a compatible, consented, and vetted host body.</li> <li>You remain conscious during the transition unless stabilization requires otherwise.</li> <li>Sensations during transfer include: <ul> <li>Disorientation</li> <li>Pressure at the base of the skull</li> <li>Full-body thermal shift like being submerged in static-charged water</li> </ul> </li> <li>These sensations are brief. You’ll adapt with experience.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Here’s how it works.<</speech>> He pointed. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Your mind is deconstructed and pattern-mapped at the neuroelectric level. That map is translated into a digital schema, transferred across a secure link, and installed into a compatible receiver body host.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So, how do you make sure the host body is safe to use?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>The host must be consented. Host must be vetted. You remain conscious during transition unless otherwise required for stabilization.<</speech>> He turned toward us. <<speech $player $playerName>>What does it feel like during the transfer? Is it painful?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Sensations during transfer include disorientation, pressure at the base of the skull, and a full-body thermal shift think being submerged in water made of static. You’ll learn the feel of it. You’ll adapt. It’s brief.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>How long does the whole transfer process usually take?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Typically just a few minutes, but it varies with system load and host compatibility.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Limitations</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Basic transfers last a maximum of 72 hours without strain.</li> <li>Repeated swaps degrade stability, both physical and psychological.</li> <li>Each body has unique compatibility thresholds not every transfer is safe.</li> <li>Training is required to identify early warning signs of rejection or overload.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Basic Transfers last a maximum of 72 hours without strain.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Repeated swaps degrade stability both physical and psychological.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll be trained to recognize early warning signs. Each body has compatibility thresholds. You can't jump into just anyone.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Do we… remember everything? After?<</speech>> I raised my hand. He gestured for me to speak. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You remember will everything. Your brain records as if it were your body muscle memory, sensory feedback, even emotions.<</speech>> He tilted his head approvingly. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You remember what you do. What you feel. That’s why everything we do from here forward is regulated to the millimeter.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Practical: Supervised Introductory Swap</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Each participant will undergo a controlled, supervised body swap lasting 1 - 4 hours.</li> <li>You will inhabit a female body for the first time under observation and support.</li> <li>Monitored metrics include: <ul> <li>Vitals</li> <li>Speech and motor control</li> <li>Psychological stability</li> </ul> </li> <li>Participants will follow a restricted set of tasks: <ul> <li>Walking</li> <li>Eating</li> <li>Looking in mirrors</li> </ul> </li> <li>You will return to your original body when signaled.</li> <li>A debrief and group discussion will follow immediately after.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Each day, each of you will enter a controlled swap. 1 hour to 4 hours. You’ll inhabit a female body for the first time. You will not be alone.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Wait every day? With a different body each time?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Correct. Variation builds adaptability. We don’t train tourists. We train professionals.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Observers will monitor your vitals, speech, voluntary motor functions, and psychological markers.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So... we’re being graded?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Not graded. Evaluated. There’s no passing or failing only readiness. Or risk. You have to full understand before move further<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You will not be allowed to stray from a predefined set of daily tasks walking, eating, looking in mirrors. You’ll return when signaled.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Why mirrors?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Because how you react to your reflection tells us more than any brain scan ever could.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then you’ll talk about it. With us.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>if we don’t want to talk?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then you’re not ready and we don’t let unready people back into someone else’s life.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Ethical & Legal Considerations</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Consent is sacred not a formality. Every body represents a real life.</li> <li>Even rented or sold bodies must be treated with full respect and care.</li> <li>Any violation of boundaries intentional or accidental has real consequences.</li> <li>Key legal frameworks include: <ul> <li>Legal status of transferred entities</li> <li>Consent enforcement mechanisms</li> <li>Privacy and boundary protections</li> <li>Confidentiality clause obligations</li> </ul> </li> <li>Violations may lead to immediate expulsion and potential legal prosecution.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>This is where people mess up.<</speech>> He turned, voice hardening. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Consent is not just a checkbox. It’s sacred. The body you wear is a life someone’s real body. Even if rented, even if sold.<</speech>> [[Ask a Question|tier_0_day_1_12]] <>

<> <<speech $player $playerName>>But if they agreed to the swap… doesn’t that mean we can just <</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>No. Consent has context, conditions, and limits. Agreement is not ownership.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Touch, exposure, violation of boundaries intentional or accidental has consequences.<</speech>> He swept a hand across the screen. <<speech $player $playerName>>What kind of consequences?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Disqualification. Suspension. Legal charges. Some jurisdictions treat violation in a borrowed body as equivalent to violation in your own.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What if something happens by accident? We react wrong like, instinct kicks in.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then you report it. Immediately. We train you to recognize the line and to take responsibility if you cross it.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You breach the rules? You're done and possibly prosecuted.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Practical: Roleplay Scenarios</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Participants will engage in guided scenarios simulating real-world challenges, including: <ul> <li>Medical emergencies</li> <li>Unexpected encounters with the host's acquaintances</li> <li>Involuntary arousal responses</li> <li>Situations involving potential nudity</li> </ul> </li> <li>The goal is to build ethical reflexes not impulsive reactions.</li> <li>Participants are expected to respond with responsibility, composure, and respect.</li> <li>Remember: you’re entrusted with someone else's body treat it with care, not ego or desire.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll soon act out situations involving medical emergencies, surprise interactions with the host's acquaintances, accidental arousal responses, and yes potential nudity.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Wait nudity? Isn’t that kind of... risky for a training scenario?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. That’s why we do it here. In a safe, controlled setting not when you're on assignment and unprepared.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll learn to react ethically. Not impulsively.<</speech>> He stepped forward, folding his arms. <<speech $player $playerName>>What if someone *does* react impulsively?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then they are pulled from the program. No second chances with someone else’s body.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Don’t think with your libido. Don’t think with your ego. Think like someone trusted with the most intimate responsibility there is another human being's body.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So... we’re not just learning control. We’re proving we deserve it.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. Some of you won’t make it past this part. That’s by design.<</speech>> He sighed, a flicker of exhaustion crossing his eyes. He’d given this speech a hundred times. Maybe a thousand. [[Check the Agreements and Contracts|tier_0_day_1_16]] <>

<> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Slide 3: Agreements & Contracts</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>All transfers are governed by written agreements customized, negotiated, and time locked.</li> <li>Participants will: <ul> <li>Study real contract templates</li> <li>Draft mock contracts</li> <li>Undergo assessments on liability terms</li> </ul> </li> <li>Violation penalties may include: <ul> <li>Fines</li> <li>Blacklisting from transfer networks</li> <li>Incarceration in severe cases</li> </ul> </li> <li>Coverage plans address: <ul> <li>Medical emergencies</li> <li>Emotional and psychological harm</li> </ul> </li> <li>Hosts retain full withdrawal rights at any point, unless legally overridden.</li> <li>Ethical obligation: never abuse the life, space, or relationships of another person’s body.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Every transfer is covered by a written agreement customized, negotiated, time-locked.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Time-locked? You mean we can't just break it off if something goes wrong?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Correct. Contracts are legally binding. Emergencies are handled through failover protocols, not emotional whims.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll study them. You’ll write your own mock contracts. You’ll be grilled on liability.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What kind of liability are we talking about?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Violation penalties range from financial fines to blacklisting and, in severe cases, incarceration.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Imagine someone walks off with your life eats your food, meets your friends, sleeps in your bed, leaves your body injured.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>There's nothing you can do about it?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Now imagine they get away with it.<</speech>> He let the thought hang. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s why the agreement matters. It’s the only shield you have when you’re not the one behind your own eyes.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Long-Term Risks</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Transfers carry psychological as well as physical risks individual reactions vary.</li> <li>Common long-term effects include: <ul> <li>Identity dissonance</li> <li>Emotional bleedthrough between host and guest</li> <li>Gender dysphoria or shifts in sexual and emotional attraction</li> <li>Reactivation of repressed trauma or memory triggers</li> </ul> </li> <li>Post-swap integration is essential to restore mental clarity and emotional balance.</li> <li>Your mind adapts to experience and every body leaves an imprint.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>This isn’t just physical. Some of you will come back from your first swap rattled.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You mean like… trauma?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>In some cases, yes. Disassociation, emotional bleedthrough, even identity confusion. It happens.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Some of you will love it too much. Others will panic. We prepare you for that.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What if I feel more like myself in someone else’s body?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then you’ll need to talk to Psychological Services. Immediately. That’s not failure that’s awareness. We don’t punish honesty. We punish recklessness.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Your mind molds to what it lives through. You don’t leave a body untouched or untouched by it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So… the more time I spend in someone else, the more I change?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Not just you your wants, your reflexes, your sense of self. It’s neuroplasticity. Adaptation and it’s why we have strict time limits and psychological reviews.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Practical: Discussion Groups</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Participants will engage in moderated sessions with real-world cases and firsthand accounts.</li> <li>Guest speakers may include: <ul> <li>Survivors of difficult or traumatic transfers</li> <li>Individuals struggling with swap-related addiction or dependency</li> <li>Those who formed attachments to lives that weren't theirs</li> <li>People who never fully reintegrated</li> </ul> </li> <li>The goal is to listen, understand, and internalize the human cost of carelessness or obsession.</li> <li>Reflection and group dialogue will follow each session.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll meet real people. Survivors. Addicts. People who fell in love with someone else's life.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You mean like... they didn’t want to return to their own body?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Some didn’t. Some couldn’t. Their minds wrapped themselves around a life that wasn’t theirs until they forgot where they began.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>People who never quite made it back. They’ll tell you what happened and you’ll listen.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What if their stories scare people off?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Good. If fear makes you pause, you’re paying attention. This training is about understanding the cost not just the capability.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Every person you hear from is someone who crossed a line. You’ll learn to recognize that line before you ever step near it.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Daily Practical Assignments</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Enter a supervised transfer into a female body lasting 3 to 4 hours.</li> <li>Perform routine, non-sexual, sexual, non-extreme and extreme activities under observation.</li> <li>Monitoring includes emotional response, ethical adherence, and behavior assessment.</li> <li>Post-transfer, participate in an in-depth debrief covering all observations.</li> <li>Only upon successful completion will you be permitted to enter Tier 1.</li> <li>"If you're here to indulge, leave now. If you're here to learn? Welcome."</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You will enter a supervised transfer into a female body for 3–4 hours.<</speech>> He read it aloud from the screen, voice steady, unreadable. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You will perform routine activities. Nothing sexual, nothing extreme. No sexual or extreme behaviors are allowed during this phase.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What kind of activities?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Walking. Eating. Holding a conversation. Looking at yourself in a mirror. Mundane things until they aren't.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You will be monitored and reviewed. After, you will undergo an in-depth debrief covering emotional response, ethical adherence, and behavioral performance.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What about sexual or extreme situations? When do those come in?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Those come later. In higher tiers, you’ll encounter sexual and extreme scenarios but only after proving your control and responsibility in the basics.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So you're not just checking what we do. You're checking how we *feel* doing it.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. We need to know if you reacted with respect or curiosity tainted by impulse.<</speech>> Then, quieter, but still clear: <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Only after that are you permitted to enter Tier 1.<</speech>> The screen dimmed. Silence stretched over us like a pressure system. He scanned the room slowly, deliberately. When his eyes met mine, I froze. For a second, it felt like he saw right through me past the questions, past the curiosity, straight to the thing I hadn’t dared admit even to myself. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>If you're here to indulge, leave now.<</speech>> The warning wasn’t barked. It didn’t need to be. The weight of it sank into the room. Then his voice dropped, softer but somehow even firmer. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>If you're here to learn? Welcome.<</speech>> He stepped away from the podium, hands clasped behind his back. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Orientation is now concluded. Tier 0 practicals begin tomorrow same time, same room. If you return, you begin your first transfer. Complete Tier 0 successfully, and only then do you unlock Tier 1. That’s when real assignments begin.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And the higher tiers…?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Tier 2. Tier 3. Higher pay. More sensitive roles. Full-body professions, long-term swaps, covert social immersion. But only if you earn it. One tier at a time.<</speech>> He paused at the door. One last glance over the room. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You want to wear another life? First prove you can carry the weight of it.<</speech>> [[Complete the Orientation|tier_0_day_1_27]] <>

<> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Orientation Complete</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Complete Tier 0 to qualify for swap jobs and unlock Tier 1.</li> <li>Advancing through tiers grants access to more advanced jobs and greater earnings.</li> <li>Progression path: <ul> <li>Tier 0 - Introductory training and basic swaps</li> <li>Tier 1 - Standard swaps and entry-level jobs</li> <li>Higher Tiers - Advanced swaps, specialized roles, increased rewards</li> </ul> </li> <li>Only after completing each tier can you progress to the next and access its benefits.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Orientation is over. If you’re serious, return tomorrow to begin Tier 0 and practicals.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Complete Tier 0 first. Only then will you be eligible for official swap assignments and unlock Tier 1.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Tier 1 introduces monitored assignments, limited duration transfers with review boards, and basic compensated jobs.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Each new tier unlocks higher access longer durations, specialty roles, private contracts, international travel, full-immersion jobs.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll rise based on performance, ethics, adaptability, and peer feedback. Not speed. Not thrill-seeking.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>If you’re here to climb the system, start by earning the bottom rung.<</speech>> He gave one last look across the room quiet, steady. No smile. Just silence. Then he stepped away from the podium. The lights came up. I sat there, not moving, the weight of everything settling in. The door clicked open behind us. Tomorrow, it would begin. <<set $phoneTime to "16:00">> <<set $currentObjectives to "Go to Coffee shop and call Lena.">> <<set $step = 18.1>> [[Leave Shape of You Inc|city]] <>

<> I was already seated when Instructor Marcus entered, this time in a slimmer black instructor’s coat with a muted silver vertical stripe along the spine. Morning sun filtered through smart-tinted glass behind him, throwing soft white glow across the rows of learning pods. Around me, a dozen other candidates fidgeted, some sipping water, others still stiff with anticipation. I just stared at him. No one asked questions when he began. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Morning, candidates. This is Day One of your Tier 0. Everything starts here.<</speech>> He tapped his wrist console. The front wall shimmered to life with a new slide: <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Welcome to Consciousness Transfer: Tier 0 - Day 1</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Topic: Introduction & Consciousness Basics</li> <li>Motto: “Know the body. Know the mind. Know the cost.”</li> <li>You've signed preliminary waivers and entered the system. You are now trusted to begin learning.</li> <li>Definition of Consciousness Transfer: <ul> <li>The remote, temporary relocation of an individual’s subjective self thoughts, identity, memory, perception into a host body.</li> <li>Both systems are preserved intact. You in them. Them untouched.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Origins: <ul> <li>First developed as a military contingency in the early 2040s.</li> <li>Initial goal: "Dead soldier, live mind. Upload and return."</li> <li>Outcome: Failed - unstable grafts, PTSD, and moral backlash.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Evolution of Purpose: <ul> <li>Medicine came later - rehabilitation, disability support, gender dysphoria therapy, trauma recovery.</li> <li>Eventually led to commercialization and wide-scale adoption.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Let’s not waste time. You’ve signed your preliminary waivers. You’re in the system. Which means you’re trusted enough to learn.<</speech>> He turned to us fully. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Let’s start at the root.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>The definition we use in this facility is simple<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>It is the remote, temporary relocation of an individual’s subjective self thoughts, identity, memory, perception into a host body, while preserving both systems intact. You in them. Them untouched.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>The tech was developed first as a military contingency in the early 2040s. Dead soldier, live mind. Upload and return. Failed spectacularly unstable grafts, PTSD, moral backlash.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>But then someone saw a future in it.<</speech>> He looked directly at me for a moment. <<speech $player $playerName>>So it wasn’t medical? Not at first?<</speech>> I raised a brow. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Medicine came later. Rehabilitation. Disability support. Gender dysphoria treatment. Psychological trauma therapy. Then, of course…<</speech>> He gave a humorless smile. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Commercialization.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Evolution of the Tech</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>2040: First unstable pattern-mapping prototypes developed.</li> <li>2056: First successful biocompatible transfer conducted between consenting siblings.</li> <li>2062: Commercial applications introduced via the TimeLimit Protocol system.</li> <li>2067: Legalization of controlled transfers in 38 countries.</li> <li>2070: Global ratification of the Ethics Treaty on Consciousness Transfer and Host Rights.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Now it’s everywhere. Entertainment. Therapy. Criminal justice. Kink. It’s a market and a philosophy.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Kink,<</speech>> My throat tightened at the word, but I didn’t ask. Not yet. <<speech $player $playerName>>You mean people do this… to get off?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>More than that. They live for it. To be taken over. To take. Some seek sensation. Some want power real, anatomical power. Ever felt someone come with your own nerves? Ever made a stranger moan through lips you don’t own? That’s not fantasy anymore.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’re not just using someone else’s body. You’re being them. Moment to moment. Thought to breath?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. You don’t puppeteer. You become. Your will hijacks their systems. You twitch their fingers, taste with their tongue, feel the heat in their groin. But not memory you do not acquire their knowledge. Their brain becomes your stage. Your software, their hardware.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So if I wanted to… I could walk someone into a room, smile their smile, talk their talk but I wouldn’t know what they know?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Correct. You’d sound like them, sure. Their vocal cords, their larynx. But the words? That’s all you. That’s why immersion training matters. You want to impersonate? You’d better practice. Otherwise you walk into a party and say something they never would, and the whole illusion shatters.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>How deep does it go? Can I feel their heartbeat? Their… reactions?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Every tick. Every surge. You’ll feel their clit pulse under silk. You’ll feel a cock harden without touching it, just because they saw something hot. Their wetness, their sweat, the tremble in their thighs you get it all. Like slipping into the front seat of a car you didn’t build but suddenly own.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And they can’t stop it?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Not unless they’re trained. Or fighting. Some lock up. Some scream inside. Some… give in. The system tracks resistance. Sometimes it turns people on. Sometimes it breaks them.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Jesus. And this is legal?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Parts of it. Depends on jurisdiction. Depends on consent. Depends how far you’re willing to bend what counts as a 'yes.'<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And in kink scenarios People just… let themselves be walked?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>They crave it. Some offer themselves. Others charge. Ever fuck someone while they’re watching from the inside? Not watching you. Watching themselves. Being fucked. Their body riding yours, their cunt dripping, their throat begging, but their eyes wide with helplessness? That’s power. Or it’s surrender, depending who’s holding the reins.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And the operator feels everything?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Every. Goddamn. Pulse. A mouth stretches, a moan slips out, and it’s your breath doing the work. You’re thrusting with hips that don’t belong to you, gasping in a pitch you’ve never made. And when they come? It’s through your will. Your command. Your rhythm. Their orgasm, your high.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What stops someone from abusing that?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Nothing. And everything. Contracts. Fail-safes. Mutual destruction. Or… trust. Because once someone opens their nervous system to you, they are literally handing over their agency. The deepest submission possible. And people pay for that privilege.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So if I walk someone… and I hurt them…?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then you felt that pain first. You pressed the nail. You curled the fist. You made their nerves scream, and you rode the echo. If they come out damaged, you remember every second. Don’t get it twisted this isn’t roleplay. This is real as bone.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You’ve done it?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>I’ve lived a dozen lives. I’ve kissed with tongues that weren’t mine, bled from wounds I didn’t earn, screamed in voices that still haunt me. And I’ve made others feel things they didn’t know they were capable of.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And now you teach?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>I prepare. I don’t teach how to use bodies. I teach how to deserve them.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And me? What am I here for?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Because you didn’t run. You didn’t object. You didn’t moralize. You heard the word ‘kink’ and your throat clenched, but you stayed. That tells me everything.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So what happens now?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Now? You breathe in someone else’s skin. And don’t exhale until you’re ready to never come back.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Core Concept - Consciousness ≠ Brain</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Brain: Biological organ. Processes memory, regulates hormones, manages sensory input.</li> <li>Consciousness: Your awareness, identity, decision-making the self that observes and acts.</li> <li>In a transfer, your consciousness overlays the host’s live brain structure without erasing it.</li> <li>Host memories are quarantined. You cannot access their life history or emotions.</li> <li>However, somatic memory (muscle habits, speech patterns, reflexes) may surface.</li> <li>Examples of reflex bleed-through: <ul> <li>Speaking with their dialect or accent unintentionally</li> <li>Reacting to pain or emotion from old injuries</li> <li>Instinctively performing learned behaviors of the host</li> </ul> </li> <li>This is not hijacking it’s temporary, guided rental under supervision.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech $player $playerName>>But… isn’t that backwards? The brain makes the mind.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s the common view and it’s mostly correct. But in this program, we separate them by function.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>How do you mean separate by function?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Brain: biological organ, seat of memory, hormone regulation, sensory input. Consciousness: your awareness, your narrative, your intent. When we transfer, we overlay your consciousness onto their brain’s live scaffolding.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So I’m... hijacking their brain?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Not hijack. Rental. Guided, limited, and recoverable. Their memories are stored, quarantined. You can’t access their history, their feelings, their habits unless your body starts mimicking by reflex. That’s where risk begins.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>You mean like… their instincts bleed in?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. Somatic memory. Muscle habit. Conditioned patterns. You might speak in their dialect. You might scratch their old wound. Your body will try to help you be them.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So even if I don’t know their past, their body might remember things I don’t?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Yes. And that’s where the line gets blurry. Because if your conscious intent and their unconscious routine clash, it causes behavioral drift. That’s when oversight steps in.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And if I go too deep? Lose track of myself?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then you’re not walking anymore. You’re drowning. That’s why we keep sessions short, interfaces monitored, and backups ready.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>But I’m still me… even inside them?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Yes. But their body wants to help. Sometimes, too much. That’s where training matters most.<</speech>> He tapped a new slide. <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Understanding the Concept of Self in Transfer</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>You remain yourself. Your core identity stays intact throughout the transfer.</li> <li>You experience the host body as if it were your own - sensation, movement, perspective.</li> <li>The host’s subconscious may react to external stimuli or emotional triggers.</li> <li>All conscious decisions are still made by you, not the host brain.</li> <li>Exceptions occur only in cases of stability fracture - a mismatch or overload in integration.</li> <li>Failures are rare, but they do happen: <ul> <li>Accidental - due to incompatible host biology or trauma</li> <li>Intentional - when users refuse to return, preferring the new body</li> </ul> </li> <li>All transfers are supervised to prevent these outcomes.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You remain yourself. You feel the body as if it were yours. Their subconscious may respond to external triggers. But you make decisions. Unless stability fractures.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Stability fractures?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>When your conscious layer blurs with their autonomic patterns. The body starts routing decisions reflexively, bypassing your override. You lose precision. Then orientation. Then self.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And we can prevent that?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Yes. That’s what training is for. Pattern recognition. Exit protocols. Monitoring thresholds. Every session has a lifeline.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Have people ever… not come back?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Rare. But yes. Sometimes by accident. Sometimes by choice.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Choice? You mean they wanted to stay inside someone else?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Some find clarity in someone else’s silence. A clean slate. No past. No fear. Just sensation. For a few, that’s more appealing than return.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And when it’s an accident?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Usually failure to monitor integration drift. They lean too hard into mimicry. Ignore the symptoms. By the time the body feels natural, the mind’s already compromised.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>But there are safeguards?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Always. No one transfers without them. But safeguards are only as strong as the user’s awareness. That’s why we teach discipline before access.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Transfer Triggers</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Type I: Physical Chamber - Full-body immersion used for precision transfers and military-grade stabilizations.</li> <li>Type II: Neural-Link Headset - Non-invasive, real-time link. Ideal for short-term transfers. Clean disconnects. Low sensory shock.</li> <li>Type III: Capsule-Based Sleep Induction - Designed for longer-term immersion. Engages full subconscious syncing during sleep cycles.</li> <li>Initial Practice: You will begin with Type II today to minimize disorientation.</li> <li>Sensory Description: <ul> <li>Numbness across the nervous system</li> <li>Sudden heat flash followed by absence of sensation</li> <li>A feeling of being “compressed” and projected - like being pulled through a syringe</li> <li>Instant spatial dissonance - gravity, height, and orientation feel wrong, then re-align</li> <li>Rapid proprioceptive adaptation: New anatomy (e.g. breasts, uterus, height, voice) becomes “felt” within seconds</li> </ul> </li> <li>Note: You will notice the difference. That is intentional. Awareness is part of the learning curve.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll start with Type II today. It allows clean disconnects. Less sensory shock.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Any questions so far?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What does it feel like? The moment it happens?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Imagine all your nerves going numb. Then hot. Then nothing. Your sense of self compresses to a point-like being pulled through a syringe-and suddenly… you’re somewhere else. Gravity feels off. Touch is wrong. But your mind knows. It adjusts fast.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Does it hurt?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Not pain. More like disorientation. A wave of un-belonging, quickly followed by anchoring. Your body catches up in seconds.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What about internal anatomy? Things I’ve never had-<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll feel them. Breasts for the first time? You’ll feel them. A uterus you never had? You’ll sense it. Different height, voice, limbs? Your proprioception rewrites itself in seconds.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So there’s no way to avoid noticing those changes?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>There’s no safe way to not notice you’re female. That’s the point. Full transfer means full presence. No filters.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What if someone panics when they land in the wrong body?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s why we use Type II first. Clean exit. Single command breaks the loop. But part of training is learning to stay calm inside shock.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And what about longer-term types? The capsule ones?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Type III is for deep immersion. Dream-state induction. Can last hours, days, even longer with supervision. But it’s only for advanced candidates. Today’s about control-not commitment.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Review: Key Takeaways - Morning</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>You do not become the host. You inhabit them - temporarily, consciously, and ethically.</li> <li>Transfer is reversible, but not emotionally clean. Lingering effects are expected and monitored.</li> <li>Sensory and identity confusion is common during initial sessions.</li> <li>This is a scientific process. Not magic. Not fiction. Treat it with grounded respect.</li> <li>Respect for the host body begins with understanding the neuroscience behind the transfer.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You do not become the host. You inhabit them. Transfer is reversible, but not emotionally clean. Sensory and identity confusion is common. This is a scientific process not magic, not fiction. Respect for host body begins with understanding the science.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll review all this in the module tonight. But what matters now is how you absorb it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Do you still transfer, sir?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Every year. Contractual obligation. I go into the worst-rated match from our database. I remind myself what it’s like to not fit.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Why put yourself through that?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>So I never forget what it’s like for you.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Stretch. You’ve got 30 minutes before afternoon session begins. We get into the hard stuff next.<</speech>> [[Go to Lunch|tier_0_day_2_3]] <>

<> The cafeteria was quiet around me, save for the low hum of filtered air and the occasional quiet clink of utensils. I sat in the corner booth, food mostly untouched, eyes scanning the herb wall while my thumb hovered over the call button. I hit it. The line rang twice. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>(groggy, background noise of kids yelling faintly)<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh my god. You’re alive.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Barely. Pretty sure I got half-possessed by a PowerPoint on neural ethics.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Mmm, hot. Did they hook you up to the meat chair yet?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Nah. Just the talking part so far. Morning was all about consciousness transfer, bodily surrender, sexual interface, the usual.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Jesus. Meanwhile, I just got tackled by three toddlers in sticky overalls. One of them bit my sleeve and refused to let go until I let her braid my hair.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So, new profession: tiny human wrangler?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Apparently. Supervisor says I’m “instinctive with small volatile mammals.” I think that was a compliment.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>That’s definitely a compliment. Or an ominous foreshadowing.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Oh, and I might’ve taught a four-year-old to say “balls.” Totally on accident. He dropped a cup and I panicked.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Proud of you. Corrupting the next generation one lunchroom disaster at a time.<</speech>> I heard her laugh, breathy and close. <<speech "lena" "Lena">>So? You okay? You sound weird.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Weird how?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Like... floaty. Like your brain’s still wrapped around someone else’s skin.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I think I’m still trying to process what Marcus said. It's not just theory here. It’s like… they expect you to dive in, deep. With no moral tether.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Yeah. That’s kind of what scares me. But also… I know you. You don’t get lost. You latch. You stay.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>I keep you in my head, you mean?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Exactly. You’ll know when something’s off. You’re good at catching drift before it pulls you under.<</speech>> I paused, swallowing down a bite of something tangy. <<speech $player $playerName>>You ever think this whole thing’s gonna change me too much?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Not worried about that. If you change, it’ll be because you chose to. Not because they made you.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>When’s your lunch break end?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Technically already over. But one of the kids shoved a crayon up his nose so I bought myself another ten minutes while the real nurses deal with it.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Wanna trade jobs? I’ll take crayons over neural immersion any day.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>You’d last six minutes. Maybe less if they smell juice on you.<</speech>> We both laughed, softer now. <<speech $player $playerName>>Dinner tonight?<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Only if I don’t fall asleep in my mashed potatoes. Text me later, okay?<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Deal. Go save some sticky lives.<</speech>> <<speech "lena" "Lena">>Go become someone terrifying. Bye, babe.<</speech>> She hung up first. I sat in silence, tray half-finished, the faint echo of her voice still pressed into my ear. For a moment, everything felt steady again. [[Attend the Afternoon Session|tier_0_day_2_20]] <>

<> After lunch, if you could call a nutrient bar and neural stabilizer cocktail "lunch" we returned to the pod room, a lower-level chamber cooled to a constant 17°C, kept dim and quiet like a tech monastery. The walls pulsed faintly with embedded circuitry veins, glowing blue. I stood just inside the threshold, heart punching steady thuds in my chest. Marcus Verel was already there, sleeves rolled up, his coat hung on a hook behind him. Beneath it, his arms were corded, clean, veins visible but not exaggerated, the muscle tone of a man who valued control more than vanity. He glanced over as I stepped in. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Good, You’re first.<</speech>> Of course I was. He motioned toward the raised platform in the center of the chamber. There, surrounded by coiled neural lines and curved glass panels, stood the transfer pod a sleek reclining shell, half-open like a tech-lotus. Next to it hovered a tall cylindrical case filled with white mist, softly humming. <<speech $player $playerName>>That the clone?<</speech>> I pointed at the mist. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>It is.<</speech>> He flicked his wrist console and the mist slowly vented out, revealing her. My jaw tightened involuntarily. She well, I guess technically, it stood upright inside the chamber like a mannequin given breath. Female, early twenties, about 5'5" with an athletic but soft build, hourglass-shaped without exaggeration. Pale, freckled skin. Breasts natural and high, somewhere around a C cup. Short-cut ginger hair, pixie style, damp against her forehead. Delicate face: green-gray eyes, upturned nose, lips parted just slightly, like she was always about to speak. No scars. No tattoos. No past. <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>This is Clone 04-G. G for general compatibility.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>She has no memories, no identity, no life. Built for Tier 0. Ethically neutral. She's not a person.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>She looks like one.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That's intentional. Everything about this training simulates the real thing. You need to feel it.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Consciousness Transfer Practicalities</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Transition Phases: Initiation → Neural pulse → Conscious sync → Wake-in-body</li> <li>Initial Sensations: <ul> <li>Pressure at the base of the skull</li> <li>Wave of heat</li> <li>Full blackout – then sudden embodiment</li> </ul> </li> <li>Known Anomalies: <ul> <li>Phantom limb sensations</li> <li>Vestigial identity bleed (host tics, language quirks)</li> <li>Brief proprioceptive mismatch</li> </ul> </li> <li>Duration Limits: Tier 0 sessions capped at 4 hours</li> <li>Cooldown Periods: Minimum 12 hours between transfers</li> <li>Frequency & Host Compatibility: Match scores determine host suitability and session safety</li> <li>Override Protocol: Speak “Echo Return” to trigger immediate emergency pullout</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Climb in. Pod will lock around you. Close your eyes before the helmet seals. Do not move during pulse.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What if I panic?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You won’t. But if you do, your override phrase is ‘Echo Return.’ Say it, and the system pulls you back immediately. One command. No lag.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And that always works?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Yes. Locked protocol. Even unconscious, your autonomic system will trigger it if stress levels spike hard enough. But it’s rare anyone needs it their first time. You’ll be fine.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>What will it feel like when it starts?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’ll feel pressure at the base of your skull. Then a spreading warmth. Then nothing. The moment after that... you’ll be somewhere else entirely.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And I’ll wake up… standing?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Inside her. Upright. Fully embodied. It can feel abrupt, so keep your balance. And when it hits don’t scream.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You’re in. Vitals stable. How do you feel?<</speech>> [[Try to open eyes|tier_0_day_2_25]] <>

<> <<set $playerImage to "images/characters/clone_04_g/full_clothed.png">> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I… I’m in her body. I can feel it. It’s like… I’m here but not here.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s the proprioceptive sync. Your nervous system is mapping to hers. It takes a moment.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I… I feel… short.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s the most common first comment. Look at your hands.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>They’re smaller. Nails longer. The movement’s weird like I expect more weight but there isn’t any.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Do they feel real to you?<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Yes. Very. Like they’re mine. Even though I know they aren’t.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s proprioceptive sync. Your nervous system is mapping to hers now. Within a minute, your motor control will feel native.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I can feel her chest rise when I breathe. Is that normal? I mean, it's me breathing, but…<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>It’s both. Her lungs, your rhythm. You’ll notice softness in places you’ve never had softness before. That dissonance fades fast. Let it happen.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>My balance is off like I’m pitched forward more than I should be. Is that just the height difference?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Partially. But also pelvic tilt, center of gravity, musculature distribution. Female frames carry differently. It takes a few steps before your gait feels natural.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>And this feeling in my… hips? Like they shift with every step, more than I expect.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s normal. Wider pelvis. Different joint articulation. Don’t overcorrect just walk and let the body teach you how it moves.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>There’s this… echo behind my thoughts. Like something else is aware. Not quite me, but there.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Residual host presence. Harmless. That’s her subconscious patterning, not conscious thought. Background noise. It will taper as you stabilize.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>This is… intense. Not in a bad way. Just feels like I’ve stepped into someone’s secret.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You have. You’re wearing their privacy. That’s why we don’t take the transfer lightly.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Now walk.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I feel… light. Fluid, almost. Like my body wants to move differently.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s expected. Muscle mass and center of gravity are different. You’re carrying less up top, more in the hips. Your frame is tuned for different momentum. You’ll adapt quickly. Most do.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>My hips sway more than I thought they would. It’s not intentional it just happens.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s natural alignment. Ligaments, femur angle, pelvic structure your stride now flows from those, not from habit. Don’t fight it. Let the body lead and your mind will catch up.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>And the bounce in my chest I wasn’t expecting to feel that with every step.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Minor breast movement, yes. Enough to notice, never to ignore. That awareness is part of the embodiment. A constant reminder: you’re not in your old frame anymore.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>It’s strange… but not bad. Just unfamiliar.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Good. That means the transfer took cleanly. You’re adjusting without resistance. Keep moving. Let her body teach you what she’s used to doing.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Transition Sensations</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Disorientation: Spatial awareness and balance may feel altered during initial moments.</li> <li>Dysphoria or Euphoria: Emotional responses vary; some experience discomfort, others unexpected elation.</li> <li>Phantom Feedback: Residual sensations from prior anatomy (e.g. absent genital configuration or missing weight distribution).</li> <li>Heat Flash: Sudden internal warmth triggered by neural sync.</li> <li>Pulse Echo: Sensation of heartbeat or thrum through limbs as body accepts the consciousness imprint.</li> <li>Note: These effects are temporary and expected. Awareness helps adaptation.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Your brain expects your old body. It will try to correct. That’s where phantom sensations come in. You might feel your old limbs. Or... your old anatomy.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Yeah… I I felt that. Like something was missing. Or supposed to be there. Just… gone.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. Your neural map hasn't caught up yet. It still projects your original form so your mind fills in the blanks. That sense of absence? It fades. But the first time is always disorienting.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>It’s weird. Not painful, just… off. Like my body’s echoing something that isn’t there anymore.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s a perfect way to describe it. An echo. Your body is adjusting to new sensory feedback, and your brain’s running a correction loop it no longer needs. It’ll stop once the feedback feels trustworthy.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So I’ll stop feeling like… like I should still have parts that aren’t there?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Yes. Usually within the hour. Your proprioceptive system is fast to remap when you’re not resisting. You're already ahead of most.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Take a seat on the bench.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Okay. Should I… sit differently? I feel like I just did without thinking.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>And that’s the body doing what it knows. You sat with your legs together. You crossed them. That’s not imitation it’s inherited habit. The host’s muscular memory aligning with your intent. Let it guide you, but be conscious of when it happens. That’s how you learn where you end and the body begins.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>It felt… natural. Not forced. Just comfortable.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then trust it. That’s the goal. Don’t perform the body be in it. There’s no score here. Only awareness.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Duration Limits & Cooldown Periods</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Maximum Safe Duration (Tier 0): 4 hours</li> <li>Minimum Cooldown Between Swaps: 72 hours</li> <li>Frequent Transfers: Lead to degraded cognitive and emotional integrity</li> <li>Mandatory Clearance: Psychological evaluation required for Tier 1 entry</li> <li>Overexposure Risks: <ul> <li>Attachment to host body</li> <li>Loss of sexual identification with original form</li> <li>Emerging preference for host-specific traits</li> <li>Narcissistic projection: “I looked/felt/moved better as her”</li> </ul> </li> <li>Guideline: This is not cosmetic. Your brain encodes the experience. Respect the cooldowns.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So no binge-swapping.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Correct. You’re not meant to hop bodies like outfits. Even clones have retention bleed. Your brain treats this experience as real. Too much, too fast you start fracturing.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Fracturing how? What does that actually look like?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Attachment issues. Identity confusion. Some users start preferring the host body its face, its voice, its reactions. They feel more comfortable in someone else’s skin than their own. That disconnect builds until their original self starts to feel… alien.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>You mean like… they stop feeling at home in their own body?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. They compare. I looked better as her. Moved better. Fucked better. That kind of thinking worms its way in. Especially when users start linking worth to appearance or response. It’s subtle at first. But it compounds fast.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So the cooldown’s not just a physical thing. It’s for mental hygiene.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. Think of it like neural digestion. You need time to metabolize the experience. To reintegrate. That 72-hour buffer prevents buildup. It gives your psyche room to settle before another override destabilizes it.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>What happens if someone ignores that? Goes back in before the cooldown’s done?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Integrity drops. First mentally, then physically. Errors in recall. Sluggish proprioception. In worst cases false ownership. Users start believing it’s their body. Refuse to give it up. That’s where Tier 1 locks and mandatory psych evals come in.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Has that ever happened in this program?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>It has. That’s why we have the tier system. You’re Tier 0 strict limits. Until we know you can handle more than just the novelty.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So the real danger isn’t the transfer. It’s getting used to it too fast.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s exactly it. The tech works. It’s the mind we have to protect from others, and from itself.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Compatibility Rules</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Genetic kinship: Improves neural fit and reduces rejection rate</li> <li>Hormonal/chromosomal mismatch: Increases physical fatigue and cognitive lag</li> <li>Host reflexes: Can override your intentions unless you consciously adjust</li> <li>Optimal adaptation: Occurs when the transferee embraces the host’s behavioral and contextual identity</li> <li>Alignment principle: Moving, speaking, and breathing “as her” improves neural harmony</li> <li>Note: You are not playing a character you're temporarily inhabiting a lived framework. Respect it.</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Wait what does it mean to ‘accept the host identity’? That sounds like… full-on roleplay.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Not roleplay. Not pretending to be her. But cooperation. Your nervous system performs better when you stop resisting what the body’s built for. That means moving like her, breathing like her, letting the body lead instead of treating it like a costume.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So if I’m always thinking like myself forcing old habits I’ll just… struggle more?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. You’ll fatigue faster. Your brain burns energy trying to override reflexes instead of syncing with them. Best matches happen when the transferee lets go of ego and listens to the body they’re in.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>It’s weird, but… I just breathed without thinking, and it felt like mine. Not like I was borrowing it.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s alignment. When you stop noticing the difference, it means the connection is clean. And that’s where we begin the real work.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Now take off your shirt.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Seriously?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>This is a controlled space. Educational. No sexuality involved. I need you to understand the visceral part of embodiment visually, tactually, somatically. You can’t respect what you refuse to acknowledge.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So this isn’t about exposure, it’s about… recognition.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. If you recoil, hesitate, or rush past what you see, it means you’re still thinking of the body as other. You need to confront it, calmly. Curiously. Without shame or distance.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Touching her… it didn’t feel erotic. But it did feel intimate. Like I was stepping over some line I didn’t know was there until I crossed it.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Because that’s what embodiment is. Intimacy without sex. Full sensory and emotional presence in someone else’s vessel. If you can’t sit with that? You’re not ready for Tier 1.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I didn’t think it would hit that hard. Seeing her in the mirror like that. Touching… like it was mine. I didn’t expect to feel anything besides curiosity.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>And yet here you are. That’s why we do this gradually. Mirror recognition is one of the last resistances to fall. Once it does, you begin to internalize the foreign as familiar. That’s not a failure. That’s adaptation.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So this… this whole exercise is about teaching my brain to stop seeing the body as ‘other’? Even when it looks nothing like me?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Yes. And it will never look like you. That’s the point. When you learn to feel ownership without resemblance, you understand embodiment at depth. Not just functionally but emotionally.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Time’s almost up. You’ll feel a countdown ripple soon vibration through the limbs. When you feel it, lie down. We’ll bring you back.<</speech>> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-title">Summary – Afternoon Session</div> <ul class="item-list"> <li>Your brain adapts to new bodies with startling speed</li> <li>Transfer sensations (heat, hum, phantom feedback) are brief and non-damaging</li> <li>Respect the host body it’s not a costume, it’s a living frame</li> <li>You will always remember how it felt physically, emotionally, intimately</li> <li>Even if you try to forget, the body remembers</li> </ul> </div> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Your brain adjusts to new bodies faster than you expect. Physical sensations during transfer are temporary, not harmful. Your job is to respect the body while inside it. You’ll always remember how it felt even if you try to forget.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>What do you mean by ‘even if you try to forget’?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Because you won’t. The imprint stays. The muscle memory, the touch, the voice you heard yourself speak in it leaves residue. Not trauma. Not always. But memory. Deep memory.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So even if I walk a dozen other bodies… I’ll still remember this one?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Especially this one. First walks are formative. Your neural pattern is logging everything shape, sensation, emotional texture. It marks you, whether you mean it to or not.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You handled that well.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I didn’t freak out.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You did better than that. You let the body happen. You didn’t fight her. That matters more than calm.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So I’m not going to wake up in the middle of the night screaming?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>No. You’ll sleep like a rock. The neural stabilizers ensure that. But you will feel sore tomorrow.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Sore how?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Like you just ran a marathon. Your muscles are re-acclimating to their original frame. It’s not painful, just… achy.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I can handle that. I think.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You can. You did. That’s the point. You’re ready for more.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>More? Like what?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Tomorrow we’ll do a full Type II transfer. That’s the one where you can’t just pull out with a word. You’ll be in for the full ride. No safety net.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>What does that mean?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>It means you’ll experience the full immersion. No emergency recall. You’ll stay in the host body for a set period, usually 4-6 hours. It’s designed to push your limits, test your adaptability.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>And if I can’t handle it?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You can. You will. But if you panic, the system will still pull you back automatically. It’s just not as immediate as saying ‘Echo Return.’ You’ll have to ride it out until the session ends.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So I’m not in control at all?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You are. But the system manages the transfer autonomously. It’s designed to prevent psychological resistance. You’ll still be conscious, aware, but the pod handles the mechanics.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>So I just lie there and let it happen?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Exactly. You lie down, close your eyes, and let the pod do its work. It’s like falling asleep, but you wake up in a different body.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>And what if I don’t want to wake up in that body?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You will. The system ensures that. Once you’re in, it’s a one-way trip until the session ends. You can’t just bail out mid-transfer.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Rest we will review the protocols again tomorrow. You’ll have time to ask questions then.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>I have a lot of questions.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Now lets get you out of there. The pod will initiate the retraction sequence automatically. Just lie back and relax.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>Retract? What does that mean? I thought I was just going to wake up.<</speech>> [[Wake up as You|tier_0_day_2_45]] <>

<> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>It means the pod will pull you back to your original body. It’s a controlled process, not instantaneous. You’ll feel a wave of compression, then a kind of cognitive snapback as your mind reorients.<</speech>> <<speech "clone_04_g" $playerName>>What triggers the return? I didn’t say anything. Didn’t feel like I activated it myself.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>You didn’t. The countdown ripple initiates the internal recall protocol. Once you lay down and closed your eyes, the pod detected position, posture, and brainwave readiness. The system takes over from there. Transfer out is fully automated to avoid psychological resistance.<</speech>> <<set $playerImage to "images/characters/" + $player + "/full_clothed.png">> <<speech $player $playerName>>My limbs ache… but not like after a workout. It’s stranger than that.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s reentry tension. Your original body resetting after absence. Joints, fascia, circulation it all remembers displacement. It’ll pass in a few hours.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>My mouth tastes like metal. Is that normal?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Residual trace from the neural suspension. Think of it like static on a line nothing harmful. Just the flavor of transition.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>It felt like everything just… collapsed inward. Then I was gone.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>That’s the retraction vector. Think of it like a thread pulling your consciousness through a narrow funnel compression, then realignment. Your mind experiences a kind of cognitive snapback. Not painful. Just abrupt.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>So I’m… back now?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Fully. We ran a full neural checksum while you were still stabilizing. All cognitive functions aligned. You’re you again.<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Same time tomorrow. Before you go complete the evaluation..<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Evaluation? What evaluation?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>The one that determines if you’re ready for Next session. It’s a simple questionnaire about your experience today. Just to make sure you’re processing everything correctly.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>If I fail it, do I have to repeat today?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Yes. We need to ensure you’re fully comfortable with the transfer process before moving on. It’s not punitive, just precautionary.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>And if I pass?<</speech>> <<speech "marcus" "Marcus">>Then you’ll be cleared for Next Session. That’s where the real exploration begins. Deeper transfers, more complex hosts, longer durations.<</speech>> <<set $questions to [ { q: "What physical detail most commonly disorients first-time male-to-female transfers during initial embodiment?", opts: ["Voice pitch", "Height difference", "Sensation of breasts", "Hair length"], ans: 2, explanation: "The bounce, even slight, catches most transferees off guard both physically and psychologically." }, { q: "During the first transfer, what was the override phrase to abort the session in case of panic?", opts: ["Return Core", "Echo Return", "Emergency Exit", "Hard Disconnect"], ans: 1, explanation: "It’s the neural escape key a safety built into every Tier 0 session." }, { q: "What phrase use to explain the experience of transfer?", opts: ["Like a breath of someone else’s air", "Being pulled through a syringe", "Stepping into a mirrored dream", "Injected into someone’s shadow"], ans: 1, explanation: "Compression of self, expansion into the foreign that’s the signature feel of consciousness transfer." }, { q: "What best describes the program’s approach to experiencing sexuality in a transferred body?", opts: ["Avoid all contact", "Encourage erotic exploration", "Controlled exposure to intimacy", "Only observe from within"], ans: 2, explanation: "“Take off your shirt,” Marcus said not for arousal, but for confrontation and respect. Intimacy without sex, but never without meaning." }, { q: "Why is frequent swapping discouraged, especially with contrasting anatomical profiles?", opts: ["Causes immune rejection", "Leads to fatigue and nausea", "Risks sexual dependency and identity drift", "Reduces data fidelity"], ans: 2, explanation: "Some transferees begin to crave their host body. Especially if it gave them pleasure they’d never felt before." }, { q: "What subtle physical action showed the Transfees nervous system adapting to the female body?", opts: ["Instantly walking in heels", "Crossing her legs while sitting", "Speaking in the host’s dialect", "Looking in the mirror without flinching"], ans: 1, explanation: "An unconscious movement. A learned posture. The body remembering itself through you." }, { q: "What’s the purpose of having transferees touch their new body during training?", opts: ["Calibrate proprioception", "Fulfill voyeuristic curiosity", "Induce mild arousal for tracking", "Confront and respect embodiment"], ans: 3, explanation: "If you flinch from the breasts, from the softness, you’re still resisting the body. And that’s not allowed." }, { q: "What does Instructor mean when says “You’ll always remember how it felt even if you try to forget”?", opts: ["Transfers create permanent physical changes", "Sexual memories from a host are stored long-term", "Sensory imprinting leaves emotional residue", "Every orgasm gets logged and archived"], ans: 2, explanation: "That slick feeling between the thighs, the ghost of a moan in her voice some sensations never leave." }, { q: "What emotion did Transfees express upon seeing the clone body bare in the mirror?", opts: ["Indifference", "Shame", "Distant admiration", "Reluctant fascination"], ans: 3, explanation: "“What I didn’t want to admit I was dying to see” that kind of hunger has layers." }, { q: "What warning does the program give about sexual attachment to host bodies?", opts: ["It’s forbidden and punished", "It can affect arousal in your original body", "It’s encouraged for deeper connection", "It leads to physical addiction"], ans: 1, explanation: "Some transferees lose interest in their real genitals. After climaxing as someone else... how could your own body compete?" } ] >> <<set $quizStep to 0>> <<set $quizAnswers to []>> <<set $quizCorrect to 0>> <<set $is_quiz_pass to false>> <<set $back_tier_day_pass = "tier_0_day_2_46">> <<set $back_tier_day_fail = "tier_0_day_2_47">> [[Start Quiz|quiz_questions]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "17:30">> <<set $currentObjectives = "Go to Sex Toy Shop">> <<set $step = 19.3>> A chime sounded in the overhead gridwork. Elira stepped in not five seconds later, coat folded over one arm, expression unreadable until her gaze met mine. Then, just the faintest lift of one brow. Approval without excess. Satisfaction dressed in discipline. She nodded once. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You passed.<</speech>> She walked closer, a datapad in one hand, thumb flicking through synced evaluation metrics with a precision that made her presence feel like an instrument rather than a person. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Retention high. No drift markers. No somatic instability. You even caught the layered identity flag in question eight. Most don’t.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Felt obvious. The mirror thing… kind of stuck.<</speech>> Her lips pressed slightly together not a smile, but not far from one either. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Good. Let it stick. Anything you experience in there is real. You passed not because you knew the answers. But because your body remembered them.<</speech>> She paused, gaze narrowing slightly, not unkindly. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Keep learning like this, and you won’t just survive Tier One. You’ll reshape it.<</speech>> A subtle shift of her weight. She folded the datapad, clicked it to sleep, then gave the lightest tilt of her head toward the exit hall. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You’re clear for the evening. Integration logs will be available in your room. Tomorrow: full immersion. Sleep early. Hydrate. And don’t dream too loud.<</speech>> She was already halfway through the glass partition by the time I turned to go. The lobby was quieter than before. Same light. Same synthetic stillness. But it felt changed, or maybe I was moving differently, spine looser, gait unfamiliar in ways I couldn’t trace. Behind the desk, Mira Vale looked up instantly. Still immaculate. Still silent in her watchfulness. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Mr. Ren.<</speech>> Her voice, as always, was tuned like a bell calm, precise, untouched by opinion. <<speech $player $playerName>>Hey. Uh. Orientation’s done. I think I passed the mindfuck portion.<</speech>> There was the barest pause before she answered. Not long enough to break protocol. Just enough to register amusement under ice. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>You are marked as successful. Records updated. Agent Voss noted compliance and behavioral alignment within normal thresholds.<</speech>> <<speech $player $playerName>>Glad to be normal. For now.<</speech>> Her head tilted almost imperceptible, like the gesture was run through an algorithm first. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Normalcy is contextual. In this facility, survival is the baseline. You exceed it.<</speech>> She didn’t blink. Not until I did. <<speech $player $playerName>>Thanks, Mira. You always talk like I’m already being monitored.<</speech>> <<speech "mira" "Mira">>You are.<</speech>> The doors behind me hissed open with a sound like a breath being drawn and held. She didn’t watch me leave but I felt her eyes on my back all the same. [[Leave the Facility|city]] <>

<> <<set $phoneTime = "17:30">> <<set $currentObjectives = "Sleep and Go to Shape of You Inc Tommorow. Retry day and quiz">> <<set $is_quiz_pass = false>> <<set $is_next_day = false>> <<set $step = 19.2>> For a few seconds, I didn’t move. The room didn’t either. Then Elira’s heels sounded down the hall, sharp against glass-tile silence. She didn’t rush. She never did. The door slid open as she approached, and she stepped inside like she'd known the result already. Her eyes met mine. Steady. No judgment. But no softness either. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Not enough.<</speech>> She folded her arms, datapad still under one elbow, unread. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>High missed markers. Two comprehension gaps. You struggled on reflex bleed and ignored the warning signs of identity drift.<</speech>> I looked down at the console, jaw tightening. <<speech $player $playerName>>Yeah. I know. I thought I had it. Some of the questions <</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You overthought. You performed. Instead of processing.<</speech>> She stepped closer, voice low and even. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>This isn’t about passing a test. It’s about your nervous system catching signals before your conscious mind does. That’s what this quiz measures. And you weren’t listening to the signals.<</speech>> I ran a hand through my hair, tried not to let frustration edge my voice. <<speech $player $playerName>>So what happens now?<</speech>> <<speech "elira" "Elira">>You do it again. Tomorrow. No shame in repetition. But no advancement until you earn it.<</speech>> She turned then, walking to the doorway, pausing only once to look back over her shoulder. <<speech "elira" "Elira">>Use tonight wisely. Review your logs. Sleep. And come back ready to pay attention to what your body’s trying to tell you.<</speech>> And she was gone. Mira was still at her post when I returned to the lobby. Of course she was. She looked up before the doors even registered my presence. Her gaze was if anything gentler than usual. Or maybe just less mirrored. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Mr. Ren.<</speech>> Her tone was unaltered. Precise. But I thought I caught the faintest tilt of her mouth. Not quite pity. Not quite comfort. <<speech $player $playerName>>Let me guess. You already saw the result.<</speech>> <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Evaluation logs updated in real-time. Your status is flagged for reattempt. Tomorrow, same hour.<</speech>> I let out a breath, standing in front of her desk like a kid getting his report card read aloud. <<speech $player $playerName>>Guess I get to relive orientation all over again.<</speech>> <<speech "mira" "Mira">>No. You only repeat the quiz. The embodiment was logged successfully. All data intact. You only need to understand it now.<</speech>> She paused, fingers still poised near the invisible controls behind her desk. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Most candidates fail their first attempt. Those who don’t often misunderstand what it means to pass.<</speech>> I frowned. <<speech $player $playerName>>And what does it mean?<</speech>> <<speech "mira" "Mira">>That you listened. Not just with your ears. But with your skin. Your breath. The way your posture changed when you sat. The way you walked without noticing. If you missed that? You missed the point.<</speech>> She blinked once. Then nodded. <<speech "mira" "Mira">>Tomorrow, listen better.<</speech>> The doors opened behind me without needing a signal. The plaza waited, cold air brushing in like reset. As I stepped through, I whispered to no one in particular: <<speech $player $playerName>>I will.<</speech>> And the silence that answered didn’t feel like failure. Just… unfinished. [[Leave the Facility|city]] <>