*comment é

*image chap4.png center CHAPTER FOUR: ALIAS

*image chap4_quote.png center "You know the drill by now—we won't have much time." —Oli 

*page_break

Before today, you could easily count the number of lavish and sophisticated parties you had attended on one hand. Prisca certainly has its own hierarchy of social classes, but the Black Blot War ensured that any glamor didn't thrive for long, at least in your lifetime. Not to mention that, as a member of a prominent military family, partying publicly wasn't really an option for you.

However, today marks your third party in practically as many days, and to say they've escalated in style and glamor would be an understatement: from Lady Venuma's brunch, to the Wone creashon lagoon, and now to the ballroom of the Elite Castle—which is about as opulent and splendorous as you imagine anything can possibly be. The ballroom is all domed ceilings and chandeliers and candelabras, stretching for what you think may possibly be half a mile. Your eye doesn't know where to rest, though it settles temporarily on the intricate portraits covering every inch of the ceiling, which are pieced together in a tapestry of colors and pastorals and personas.

You also now understand why your formal invitation to this event said "dress to impress," because everyone currently gathered in the ballroom has dressed up to rival the extravagant setting. 

*page_break

As you stand in the entrance, your eye is first drawn to Lockdown, who wears a silken shirt and bright pink vest that matches the color of his dragon-self skin. He even appears to have trimmed his facial hair to a fine layer of scruff and tied his wild hair into a slick bun. Though no one seems more enchanted by Lockdown's appearance than Cadet Gadget, who stands beside him wearing a more formal and ceremonial version of his Galactic Council Corps uniform. 

Both Cadet Gadget and Lockdown quickly become afterthoughts when you realize Prince Everly himself stands behind the duo on a kind of raised stage, dressed in a rose-colored suit that once again compliments the metallic sheen of his skin. It's strange to see Prince Everly in the flesh here on Versus after meeting him first in MemoryTravel—to say it feels like intense déjà vu would be an understatement. Prince Everly hasn't noticed your arrival yet, however, since he seems entranced by a conversation with a six-foot tall woman whose greenish-blue skin is studded with pearls that…

Blerg, you suddenly think—could that possibly be MamaNa?

*page_break

As you study this decades-younger and distinctly feminine woman, you realize she must indeed be MamaNa—albeit far taller, more slender, and better endowed than the last time you saw her. Gone is the stately dignitary you first met, instead replaced by this veritable glamazon, whose luminescent pearls swirl around her sleek seafoam face in circular patterns and whose eyes are covered by an elaborate pair of silver lightning-bolt sunglasses.

MamaNa's hair is pulled into a chic chignon, she wears a floor-length brocade gown, and she sports diamond rings on every one of her fingers. You notice the rings glimmering especially as she sips from a frosted goblet that reads [i]Mama's Medicine[/i]. Judging by how delighted Prince Everly seems by MamaNa's company, you realize MamaNa's personality must be capable of shifting as readily as her physical form.

Keeping up with this glamorous trend, you see another pair of equally statuesque women standing nearby, neither of whom you recognize. The one on the right has thick braids that fall to her waist and deep, dark brown skin that glows flawlessly against her floor-length white gown. This dress is encrusted with yellow diamonds and many layers of ornate golden jewelry, which also matches the jewels hanging in her braids. Without a doubt, however, this woman's most impressive feature is the set of equally adorned, angelic wings that grow out of her collarbones, swoop across her shoulders, and continue to crease her exposed back.

This dark angel looks terribly severe, matched in gravitas only by her equally tall party partner: a more aged woman with fair skin and pale blonde, shoulder-length hair. She wears a fitted navy jumpsuit with white stripes down either leg and an intricately structured bodice, which sports an illusion neckline shaped like the letter G. Something about her just strikes you as instantly…distinguished.

These two mysterious Elite women are so glamorous and intimidating that you don't even notice there's a third person standing with them, paling in comparison to their towering height… 

*page_break

Oli.

In contrast to ${olihis} extravagant company, Oli wears a simple
*if olimale
	grey blazer over a black t-shirt and a sleek pair of dress pants. You can just barely make out the edge of the mirror patch on Oli's wrist—
*if (olimale = false)
	black dress, one that fits perfectly and seems both stylish and flirty at the same time. You can clearly see Oli's mirror patch on ${olihis} wrist—
which you now notice is in the shape of a square, with an even circle cut inside.

*if (rlshp_oli > 65)
	Your heart skips a beat seeing Oli like this, because it's almost painful how cute ${olize} is. Especially as ${olize} laughs at something the jumpsuit blonde says, crinkling ${olihis} nose and causing ${olihis} bright eyes to light up.
Just like with Prince Everly, it's different seeing Oli outside of your brainplane interactions and in the flesh—somehow more vivid and grounded, which you suppose makes sense.

None of the partygoers, Oli included, seems to have noticed you yet—which is actually very surprising, given the fact that you currently stand between Grog and Pinkuju, both of whom look rather impressive themselves. Pinkuju wears a tulle-full pink skirt that is topped with a black bow-tied top, which wraps around her slim body and drops to the floor in a train of black panels behind her. Grog wears fine tuxedo pants and a black bowtie around its thick neck, leaving its enormous, pale-yellow chest bare. This is probably because Grog's usually-retracted shellback spans the width of its broad back, apparently exposed for this formal occasion. Though the fanciest part of Grog's outfit by far is its acrylic gel nails, which sport eight different intricate patterns on each of its fingers.

You'd like to think you don't look half-bad yourself either, given the fact that Ayeleen presented you with several formal options for this event hours before your scheduled arrival. After perusing the garments, you went with something:

*choice
	#Black, gold, and patterned with the interlocking V's of the Versus Verses—a nod to Lady Venuma and The VS Front. 
		*set coupbondstatus +5
		*set doubleagentstatus +5
		It's no surprise that Lady Venuma chose a name for her brewing rebellion that has a "V" in it, which you know represents far more than just the symbol for Versus—at least to Lady Venuma.
		*goto nodece
	#Red and white—the colors of Queen Ashe's Elite Courte seal.
		*set winjoinstatus +5
		*set coupspystatus +5
		*goto nodece
	#Made of hundreds of tiny, gleaming silver mirrored panels—to remain as neutral and authentic as possible.
		*set eliteinfostatus +5
		*set abolishbothstatus +5
		*goto nodece

*label nodece

Thankfully you really do love the way you look in this very formal attire, which fits your body like a glove thanks to Ayeleen's expert tailoring. And you know that's a good thing, because you've certainly learned by now that no choice on Versus is benign, especially when it comes to representing yourself.

Which seems especially important as you notice the Elite skybox hovering in the background of the ballroom, just beneath the highest point of the vaulted ceiling. That's where Queen Ashe must be, along with the rest of The Elite Courte not present at this party. You aren't particularly surprised to see that Imperva and Royal A-08 are not in attendance, given their respective lack of social graces. 

Instead, you are rather surprised that Lady Venuma isn't here—though it stands to reason she might have to watch the remainder of the Trials from afar, after her Wone-given role organizing the first Trial. You're not sure if Lady Venuma actually has anything to do with this decision, but after your MemoryTravel experience, it's hard for this not to seem like another way for the demigoddess to remain elusive.

*page_break

Turning your attention back to the Elite Courte members present at this party, you wonder who you might choose to talk to first when you notice that everyone has suddenly begun to sway on their feet, seemingly asleep while standing. Only you, Grog, and Pinkuju remain awake, along with Prince Everly, who now approaches you in the entranceway.

"Welcome to the second event of The Elite Trials," Prince Everly says in his smooth voice as he paces before you. "I'm Prince Everly Dines'ere, of the Wone Haus of Creation, Order of Works. I'm your host for this party and the officiant of this second Trial."

Prince Everly then pauses to make eye contact with each one of you Entrants—and when it's your turn,
*if (rlshp_everly > 50)
	Prince Everly winks at you with an almost imperceptible hint of a smile. From your divine Lady Venuma absorb, you can intuit that Prince Everly is pleased to see you, but needs to remain discreet in this particular moment, for some reason.
*if (rlshp_everly <= 50)
	there's no reaction from Prince Everly. From your divine Lady Venuma absorb, you can intuit that Prince Everly doesn't want anyone to know you've met for some reason, even if it was only in MemoryTravel.
*comment endif

Pushing that notion aside, you wonder what Rosae would have to say about the fact that Prince Everly seems to remember you so clearly from MemoryTravel, since he isn't technically supposed to experience anything more than emotional echoes. Which reminds you—you hope Rosae is doing okay in the first place, since you didn't see her before you woke up from MemoryTravel this morning…

*page_break

"For this Trial party, we're going to play my favorite party game from Wone: Alias," Prince Everly says with a wide smile on his face. "Think of it like a kind of murder mystery party. You're all going to pretend you're attending a private and remote summit for influential ambassadors, but there will be two traitors in your midst—secret assassins who hope to murder you all in your sleep.

"I'll be the gamemaster, and my first task will be to assign you all a secret Alias, each of which comes with a different goal. For the two Alias assassins, the goal is to secretly kill all of the others without being discovered. For the remaining innocent ambassadors, there will be two secret angels tasked with safeguarding selected targets from murder and two secret detectives tasked with investigating selected targets. 

"Now here's how the game will work," Prince Everly continues, still pacing back and forth so that his blood-red amulet swings against his chest. "Each round, I will put you all into a sleeplike trance state, then I will first wake up the two assassins, who will silently agree upon a target to eliminate. The assassins will then go back to sleep so that I can wake up the angels, who will silently agree upon an ambassador to protect. If the angels miraculously choose to protect the same target as the assassins, there will be no murder—but obviously this is a one-in-nine chance in the first round.

"Once the angels return to sleep, I will then wake up the detectives, who will silently agree upon an ambassador to investigate. I will inform the detectives whether that person is an ambassador or an assassin, then return them to sleep. After all this, I will wake everyone up and reveal whether there has been a murder. Then it will be up to the remaining ambassadors to prosecute one of the suspected assassins. To this end, everyone will have an opportunity to mingle and politic prior to an official vote that will remove an ambassador from the game in the hopes that they are an assassin. Everyone will then be returned to sleep, and this process will continue until only the assassins or ambassadors remain standing."

"Don't worry if this doesn't make total sense just yet; it will once we start playing," Prince Everly adds, no doubt sensing the nerves emanating off of you Entrants. "Almost anything goes for how to deceive or convince your fellow ambassadors, but there is one important rule to remember: revealing your Alias explicitly to any fellow ambassadors is strictly forbidden and will lead to expulsion from the game. So make sure to keep your Alias secret at all costs."

*page_break

As Prince Everly concludes his introduction, you feel your pulse race a little faster. This Trial certainly makes you feel a bit anxious, but it also sounds like a lot of fun, potentially. And it also seems to reflect the political nature of life on Versus, much like the first Trial reflected the physical demands of the Versus Matches.

"Once I place you in your sleep-trance along with the others, you will learn your secretly assigned Alias," Prince Everly says, waving his coppery fingers in your direction with another warm smile. "I wish you all the best of luck."

With that, you feel your eyelids grow heavy and hooded, then before you know it, you find yourself sleeping. Though not really, because in your mind's eye you see a symbol floating before you, one that must stand as a metaphor for your secret Alias assignment:

*temp aliasassassin false
*temp aliasdetective false
*temp detectld false
*temp assassinatebh false
*temp assassinategl false
*temp successone false
*choice
	#A detective's shield, which best represents my natural abilities.
		*set calculating %-15
		*set weapons %-15
		*set aliasdetective true
		*achieve thedetective	
		*goto gamebegindet
	#An assassin's blade, which best represents my natural abilities.
		*set calculating %+15
		*set weapons %-15
		*set aliasassassin true
		*achieve theassassin
		*goto gamebeginass
	#A detective's shield, which I think would be an ideal weapon.
		*set calculating %-15
		*set weapons %+15
		*set aliasdetective true
		*achieve thedetective	
		*goto gamebegindet
	#An assassin's blade, which I think would be an ideal weapon.
		*set calculating %+15
		*set weapons %+15
		*set aliasassassin true
		*achieve theassassin
		*goto gamebeginass

*label gamebeginass

After what could be seconds or minutes, you feel your eyelids lift and you wake up. Looking around, you see that everyone else is still asleep, except for your Alias assassin partner: Lockdown. He smirks at you and winks one green eye wordlessly before immediately walking up to the statuesque pair of women swaying next to Oli. Lockdown then turns to you and points at the winged woman, clearly indicating that's who he would like to target.

You wonder why Lockdown would want to remove this winged woman from the game first and foremost, but then again, Lockdown knows much more about The Elite Courte than you do. Should you follow his lead, given that fact? Or could it be that Lockdown is testing you somehow? Should you instead refuse Lockdown's pick and try to target one of your competitors? 

You then glance up at the Elite skybox, remembering that every move you make is being watched… 

*page_break

Before you can make up your mind, Prince Everly's voice somehow rings out inside your head, reminding you of the way Rosae communicates with you via her upgraded warning protocols. 

"Alias assassins, you have thirty seconds to make a unanimous decision. If you don't, one of you will be randomly targeted for elimination instead."

With this new ticking clock now added, you turn to Lockdown to find that he doubles down on the winged woman standing in front of him. For whatever reason, he clearly doesn't seem up for a debate—not that you could debate much without speaking and within the remaining seconds left.

With your hands seemingly tied, what will you do?

*choice
	#Agree to target the winged woman because it makes the most sense: if Prince Everly is the all-knowing gamemaster and Lockdown is an assassin, it stands to reason this winged woman may be one of be the angels, who should obviously be our first targets.
		*set outspoken %-15
		*set rlshp_lockdown %+10
		*set assassinatebh true

		*label chooseytarget
		Before you can even process the decision you've just made, Lockdown steps back to his place and you feel your eyes growing heavy again.

		Prince Everly's voice then echoes in your mind once again: "Assassin target locked."

		You and Lockdown look to each other and nod, but that's all you have time to do before you find yourself falling back asleep on your feet.
		*goto sleeptowake
	#Agree to target the winged woman because I trust in Lockdown's wisdom and don't have much else to go off of. Why make a random decision when Lockdown knows more than I do?
		*set outspoken %-10
		*set rlshp_lockdown %+15
		*set assassinatebh true
		*goto chooseytarget
	#It would be far too obvious to make the winged woman an angel, so I convince Lockdown to target the next best thing: her blonde, jumpsuit-wearing companion.
		*set outspoken %+15
		*set rlshp_lockdown %-10
		*set assassinategl true

		You shake your head firmly at Lockdown and instead point next to the winged woman, at the jumpsuit blonde. You half expect Lockdown to dig his heels in further, but instead he just frowns and shrugs, before eventually nodding. He seems to agree with your call, though he doesn't seem terribly pleased that you've disagreed with him.

		*goto chooseytarget

*label gamebegindet

After what could be seconds or minutes, you feel your eyelids lift and you wake up. Looking around, you see that everyone else is still asleep, except for your Alias detective partner: Grog. 

Grog smiles and waves at you, before lumbering rather quickly over to Cadet Gadget and Lockdown swaying on their feet nearby. Grog then turns to you and points at Lockdown, clearly indicating that's who it would like to investigate.

You initially wonder why Grog has targeted Lockdown, but then you remember Baron Airon's hatred for Blarfngardian Warlocks and wonder if this extends to Grog's slave race, too. Should you follow Grog's lead, given Grog's prior planetary knowledge—which you suppose could just as easily be bias? Or should you override Grog and take charge of the investigation? You glance up at the Elite skybox, remembering that every move you make is being watched…. 

*page_break

Before you can make up your mind, Prince Everly's voice somehow rings out inside your mind, reminding you of the way Rosae communicates with you via her upgraded warning protocols.

"Alias detectives, you have thirty seconds to make a unanimous decision. If you don't, you will miss your opportunity to investigate."

With this new ticking clock now added, you turn to Grog to find that it doubles down on Lockdown. For whatever reason, Grog clearly doesn't seem up for a debate, not that you could debate much without speaking and within the remaining seconds left. So what do you do?

*choice
	#Agree to investigate Lockdown, since Grog is most likely to know something about Lockdown that perhaps I do not.
		*set outspoken %-15
		*set rlshp_grog %+10

		*label chooseld
		*set detectld true

		Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

		"Yes, Lockdown is a secret assassin."

		You and Grog look to each other and you find Grog has a giant grin on its face. You want to smile your approval back, but you feel yourself falling asleep once again before you can.
		*goto sleeptowake
	#Agree to investigate Lockdown because I trust Grog.
		*set outspoken %-10
		*set rlshp_grog %+15
		*goto chooseld
	#I don't want to go off of Grog's potential bias, so I should target the next best thing: Lockdown's best friend, Cadet Gadget, who could be an assassin hiding in plain sight as a real-life detective.
		*set outspoken %+15
		*set rlshp_grog %-10

		You shake your head firmly at Grog and instead point next to Lockdown, directly at Cadet Gadget. You half expect Grog to dig its heels in further, but instead it just frowns and shrugs before eventually nodding. Grog seems to agree with your call, but it doesn't seem terribly pleased that you've disagreed with it.

		Prince Everly evidently registers this decision, because his voice then once again echoes in your mind.

		"No, Cadet Gadget is not a secret assassin."

		You and Grog look to each other, and you're about to give it a nod of apology for shifting the target incorrectly, but you feel yourself falling asleep once again before you can.
		*goto sleeptowake

*label sleeptowake
*page_break Sweet Sleep, Until…

You open your eyes to find that all of the other ambassador players in the ballroom look as temporarily disoriented as you currently feel. You force yourself to snap out of it and adjust to the real world, however, as Prince Everly wastes no time delivering the news of round one's secretive slumber targeting.

"Unfortunately, during this short night, the assassinated target was not saved by the angels and will be removed from the game. That target is…" Prince Everly pauses, seeming to relish the suspense that falls over the entire party. 
*if aliasassassin
	*if assassinatebh
		*set meetbeyhalo true
		"Beyhalo."

		Within the blink of an eye, the winged woman apparently named Beyhalo
	*if assassinategl
		*set meetglorya true
		"Glorya."

		Within the blink of an eye, the blonde woman apparently named Glorya 
	disappears from the ballroom in a pop of lavender light. Of course, this is no surprise to you. 

	What may still come as a surprise to you, however, is whether the secret detectives managed to expose you or Lockdown during their private slumber investigations. So you remind yourself to remain on guard in the ensuing mingle and ambassador vote.
*if aliasdetective
	*set meetglorya true
	"Glorya."

	Within the blink of an eye, the blonde woman apparently named Glorya disappears from the ballroom in a pop of lavender light. As she does, a surge of relief passes through you, since this targeted ambassador could very well have been you.

	Though you remind yourself that now you have to focus on your duty as a secret detective:
	*if detectld
		eliminating Lockdown in the upcoming ambassador vote while protecting Grog at the same time. And probably keeping an eye out for anyone who might defend Lockdown, since they could be his secret assassin partner.
	*if (detectld = false)
		protecting Cadet Gadget and Grog as innocents in the upcoming ambassador vote.
		
*page_break

Almost immediately, the other ambassadors begin to break off into smaller groups, as if this is an expected part of the game. MamaNa engages with Oli and Pinkuju, while 
*if assassinatebh
	the jumpsuit blonde
*if (assassinategl) or (aliasdetective)
	the winged woman
engages with Grog. Which leaves Lockdown and Cadet Gadget to make a beeline for you, as if on some kind of assigned mission.

Before you speak to anyone, your gut suddenly lights up with a very important consideration. Surprisingly, and right on cue, Rosae's voice chirps in your ear at the very same time.

"Priscy, it's so good to have a reason to warn you! I was worried after being ripped from my creashon wave that something terrible had happened to you!"

Hearing Rosae's voice, you breathe a tiny sigh of relief, since you were equally worried about her potential fate, too.

*page_break

"Anyway, we can catch up tonight when we're back on Wone, but in the meantime, I think you had better narrow down your, uh…shall we say, potential romantic entanglements," Rosae chirps, sounding a bit embarrassed. "If you're serious about any special somebody, I can sense that now would be the time to make this intention clear. And don't forget, decisions like this always affect your Status goals and potential political affiliations, for better or worse!"

*if (lvfinalromance) or (brefinalromance)
	*goto romque
*else
	*if (obnsr) or (rlshp_oli > 65)
		*goto romque
	*else
		*if (crushlockdown) or ((crushairon) or (aironhookup))
			*goto romque
		*else
			*set noromance true
			*goto romque

*label romque
*if noromance
	As Rosae's words ring in your ears, you realize that you haven't really started any significant romances or engaged in any serious flirtations, so this party may very well be your last chance to start something new before everything is potentially shaken up on Versus. But as Rosae warned, you know that if you do begin a romance here, in such a visible setting and with so many attendants and onlookers, you'll be choosing one romantic path to stick with.

	Obviously, since
	*if todrickdie
		they aren't attending this party, the opportunity to begin a romance with Lady Venuma or Breeze
	*if breezedie
		she isn't attending this party, the opportunity to begin a romance with Lady Venuma
	isn't possible here, if it ever will be again—that ship may have already sailed, given all that has happened. 

	Still, with this decision now before you, your gut tells you that:

	*label reroutenorom
	*choice
		*selectable_if (attractedtomen) #I am most interested in seeing where things go with Lockdown, gorgeous hotshot that he is.
			*set officiallockdown true
			*achieve lockdownpath
			*set noromance false
			*comment Lockdown Rlshp Set Below
			*goto mingletimer
		*selectable_if ((attractedtomen) and ((male) or (ftm))) #I am most interested in seeing where things could go with Cadet Gadget—who I can immediately intuit is only attracted to other men, thanks to my Lady Venuma sixth sense.
			*set officialgadget true
			*achieve gadgetpath
			*set noromance false
			*comment Cadet Rlshp Set Below

			But whether Cadet Gadget will ever have eyes for anyone other than Lockdown is another matter entirely….
			*goto mingletimer
		*disable_reuse #Actually, I want to keep myself open for a chance with OtherBoard, which will most likely be a deeply romantic and nonphysical relationship.
			*if (rlshp_ob > 60) 
				*set officialob true
				*achieve obpath 
				*set noromance false
				*set rlshp_ob %+30
				*goto mingletimer
			*else
				However, given how things have gone with OtherBoard in the past and your current relationship level, you can immediately sense that's unlikely to happen.

				So on second thought, you reconsider and instead decide:
				*goto reroutenorom
		#I am most interested in seeing where things go with with Oli, since this party will be our first actual face-to-face interaction.
			*set officialoli true
			*achieve olipath
			*set noromance false
			*set rlshp_oli %+50
			*goto mingletimer
		*selectable_if (genderneutral) #I want to hold out for Prince Everly in the hopes I can win him over. Especially since I can intuit that he is only interested in individuals with a fluid gender identity, since his own gender shifts based on his creative mood.
			*set officialeverly true
			*achieve everlypath
			*set noromance false
			*set rlshp_everly %+30
			*goto mingletimer
		#I'm actually not interested in any romances on Versus.
			*achieve noromancepath
			The only romance you're interested in is with yourself, as the potential savior of Prisca.
			*goto mingletimer
*elseif thruple
	*set officialthruple true

	As Rosae's words ring in your ears, you figure they don't really apply to you, especially as you remember that Lady Venuma has already expressly forbidden you from participating in any other romances—except of course for your predestined thrupling or your potential polyamorous partners, Breeze and Imperva. Since Lady Venuma is no doubt watching this party from the Elite skybox, you probably don't have much choice but to listen to this mandate. 

	Besides, knowing Lady Venuma, she has probably already told the other Elites that you are off limits. You suppose you should have expected this level of divine possessiveness from a demigoddess like Lady Venuma. Actually, you can at least partially understand it now, after absorbing from her and seeing things through her golden eyes.

	After having some time to process Lady Venuma's desires, you have decided:

	*choice
		#Thankfully I'm fine with this, because I only want to be with Lady Venuma and Breeze—and maybe even Imperva.
			*set lvnotokay false
			*set rlshp_venuma %+30
			*set rlshp_breeze %+30
			*achieve thruplepath

			*label potentabol
			*if (rlshp_mamana = 88)
				Which also means you're going to, at some point, reconcile MamaNa's agenda with your devotion to Lady Venuma. Hopefully, if you all do find yourselves in positions of power, you can find a way to make everyone happy—though you know before you tell anyone anything, you have to decide where your loyalties ultimately lie in Queen Ashe's SoulTest.
			*comment endif

			*goto mingletimer
		#I'm not fine with being ordered around like this, but I am fine remaining loyal to Lady Venuma and Breeze of my own accord—and to Imperva, by extension.
			*set lvnotokay false
			*set rlshp_venuma %+15
			*set rlshp_breeze %+15
			*achieve thruplepath
			*goto potentabol
		#I'm not fine with this mandate and I will tell Lady Venuma as much the next chance I get.
			*label lvnotgoodroute
			*set lvnotokay true
			*set rlshp_venuma %-20

			Even if you wanted to defy Lady Venuma, no one else is likely to engage you romantically given Lady Venuma's influence. It seems like you'll have to clear this issue up with Lady Venuma later and leave any potential flirting until after then, depending on whether you end up staying with the demigoddess or not.

			If Lady Venuma wants to be with you, she is going to have to start seeing and treating you as the equal that you are.
			*goto mingletimer
*elseif lvfinalromance
	*set officialvenuma true

	As Rosae's words ring in your ears, you remember that Lady Venuma has forbidden you from participating in any other romances, save for Breeze and Imperva, of course. Since Lady Venuma is no doubt watching this party from the Elite skybox, you probably don't have much choice but to listen to this mandate.

	Especially since, knowing Lady Venuma, she has probably already told the other Elites that you are off limits. You suppose you should have expected this level of divine possessiveness from a demigoddess like Lady Venuma. Actually, you can at least partially understand it now, after absorbing from her and seeing things through her golden eyes.

	After having some time to process Lady Venuma's desires, you have decided:

	*choice
		#Thankfully I'm fine with this, because I only want to be with Lady Venuma anyway.
			*label fourisfour
			*set lvnotokay false
			*set rlshp_venuma %+30
			*achieve venumapath
			*goto potentabol
		#Thankfully I'm fine with this, because I only want to be with Lady Venuma—and maybe even Breeze and Imperva, as well.
			*goto fourisfour
		#I'm not fine with being ordered around like this, but I am fine remaining loyal to Lady Venuma of my own accord.
			*set lvnotokay false
			*set rlshp_venuma %+15
			*achieve venumapath
			*goto potentabol
		#I'm not fine with this mandate and I will tell Lady Venuma as much the next chance I get.
			*goto lvnotgoodroute
*elseif brefinalromance
	*set officialbreeze true
	*achieve breezepath

	As Rosae's words ring in your ears, you know that this is a moot point, because you've already decided to be with Breeze. 
	*if bretimeprocess
		*set rlshp_breeze %+5
		Which reminds you that you still need to have a conversation with Breeze about what happened when you almost got intimate with each other. Clearly, out of respect, you shouldn't enter into any other romances until you do have that conversation and decide where you and Breeze stand.
		*goto nettimebre
	*elseif brefinalnohookup
		*set rlshp_breeze %+30
		You still have yet to hook up with Breeze, and you wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize that. Truthfully, you can't wait to see ${brehir} again and make the much more enticing choice of just what to do when you're finally alone together.
		*goto nettimebre
	*else
		*set rlshp_breeze %+30
		Truthfully, you can't wait to see ${brehir} again and make the much more enticing choice of just what to do when you're finally alone together.
		
		*label nettimebre
		
		You just wonder when that might happen—or rather, you know when it will happen. The timing of this interaction will most likely be based on whether you win The Elite Trials and what side you truly remain loyal to—or what side ends up claiming the majority.

		*page_break
		*goto mingletimer
*elseif obnsr
	As Rosae's words ring in your ears, you remember that you already opened yourself to the possibility of a close relationship with OtherBoard before coming to the Elite Castle. However, is that a romance you want to continue, or do you want to open yourself up to a different romantic path? You can tell that this party will be your prime opportunity to turn one of these crushes into reality, potentially—but in doing so, you'll have to choose just one.
	*goto suchvis
*else
	As Rosae's words ring in your ears, you realize that you've had a promising flirtation or a crush here and there while on Versus, but it seems if you want something more serious, this party will evidently be your prime opportunity to continue the one potential relationship that means most to you.

	*label suchvis

	Obviously, since 
	*if todrickdie
		they aren't attending this party, the opportunity to begin a romance with Lady Venuma or Breeze isn't possible,
	*if breezedie
		she isn't attending this party, the opportunity to begin a romance with Lady Venuma isn't possible,
	if it ever will be again—that ship may have already sailed, given all that has happened. 

	Still, with this new decision now before you, your gut tells you that:

	*label reroutenoromtwo
	*choice
		#I am most interested in seeing where things go with with Oli, since this party will be our first actual face-to-face interaction.
			*set officialoli true
			*achieve olipath
			*set rlshp_oli %+50
			*goto mingletimer
		*selectable_if (attractedtomen) #I am most interested in seeing where things go with Lockdown, gorgeous hotshot that he is.
			*set officiallockdown true
			*achieve lockdownpath
			*comment Lockdown Rlshp Set Below
			*goto mingletimer
		*selectable_if ((attractedtomen) and ((male) or (ftm))) #I am most interested in seeing where things could go with Cadet Gadget—who I can immediately intuit is only attracted to other men, thanks to my Lady Venuma sixth sense.
			*set officialgadget true
			*achieve gadgetpath
			*comment Lockdown Rlshp Set Below

			But whether Cadet Gadget will ever have eyes for anyone other than Lockdown is another matter entirely….
			*goto mingletimer
		*disable_reuse #I really want to keep myself open for a chance with OtherBoard, which will most likely be a deeply romantic and non-physical relationship.
			*if (rlshp_ob > 60) 
				*set officialob true
				*achieve obpath 
				*set rlshp_ob %+30
				*goto mingletimer
			*else
				However, given how things have gone with OtherBoard in the past and your current relationship level, you can immediately sense that's unlikely to happen.

				So on second thought, you reconsider and instead decide:
				*goto reroutenoromtwo
		*selectable_if (genderneutral) #I want to hold out for Prince Everly in the hopes I can win him over. Especially since I can intuit that he is only interested in individuals with a fluid gender identity, since his own gender shifts based on his creative mood.
			*set officialeverly true
			*achieve everlypath
			*set rlshp_everly %+30
			*goto mingletimer
		*if (crushairon) #Actually, I want to keep myself open for another chance to hook up with Baron Airon. He may be a bit of a jerk, but that's part of what made it so hot.
			*set officialairon true
			*achieve aironpath
			*set rlshp_airon %+15
			*goto mingletimer
		#I'm not really interested in any romances on Versus.
			*set noromance true
			*achieve noromancepath
			The only romance you're interested in is with yourself, as the potential savior of Prisca.
			*goto mingletimer

*label mingletimer

"Well chosen," Rosae chirps in your ear. "Best of luck in this Trial, Ambassador Thomil!"

Feeling full of butterflies and thankful to have Rosae's blessing, you now find yourself fully ready to face this party.

"'Ello again, sport," Lockdown says as he approaches you alongside Cadet Gadget. "We're lucky as piss'n to still be here in this ballroom, no? Gadget and me might not'a been Elite all that long, but spitt'n long 'nough to know a Prince E'erly party is not to be missed!"

Lockdown laughs and then drinks heartily from a tall, clear mug filled with cool blue liquid. Impressively, he drains the contents of his mug while holding out a second mug for you.

"Ne'er in my wild'n dreams back on Blarfngard did ah e'er think I'd be rubb'n bows with the Wone in the flesh," Lockdown continues. "Me personally, ah always followed Kinqueen Brakr from the Haus of Law, Order of Exception, since most warlocks n' pirates fancy the rulebreaker. But ah'll sure as spit take Prince E'erly n' Queen Ashe as company any day."

*page_break

You note that Lockdown doesn't include Lady Venuma in that list, which provides the perfect opportunity for you to try and intuit where he stands in the growing Versus divide. Seizing the moment, you probe deeper into Lockdown's emotions using Lady Venuma's absorbed intuition—though once you do, you are smacked with a solid wall of emotion, given Lockdown's inebriated state. Still, you can feel it clear as day through the alcoholic haze: Lockdown's loyalty to Queen Ashe and The Elite Courte is as pure as his disdain for Lady Venuma. 

"Locky, I'm sure ${name} doesn't know much about the different Wone deities," Cadet Gadget says, leaning on Lockdown's shoulder just a touch too heavily. "Priscans haven't been Enlightened by the Wone yet, right? Well, so you know, The Galactic Council doesn't worship the Wone officially, since it would appear too partisan. However, my own home planet does consider themselves Enlightened, and my people prefer King Illume of the Haus of Element, Order of Electric by far, given our light-based physiologies."

You nod at Cadet Gadget as if you are listening, which you are—but you're also taking this opportunity to read his emotions about Queen Ashe and Lady Venuma. Unsurprisingly, Cadet Gadget is much harder to intuit than Lockdown, but you can still tell pretty immediately that Cadet Gadget feels exactly the same way that Lockdown does. Just as you glean this truth, though, you see Cadet Gadget tilt his head at you curiously.

"I must say, something seems different about you today, ${name}," Cadet Gadget says, probing you with his own illuminated eyes. Is something really different? Considering this, you do realize that it didn't even occur to you to ask permission before reading the emotions of these two—though is that because of your Priscan sharing instincts, or Lady Venuma's?

"Yes! Someth'n look'n different, too," Lockdown says, sizing you up from head to toe. "Someth'n…di'ine?"

*page_break

You just smile and take a sip of the blue liquid Lockdown gave you, to buy a moment to think of what to say. That is, until you almost spit the drink back up when you feel your throat turn icy-hot. The drink slides down through your chest, and suddenly the uncomfortable feeling fades, feeling instead like the liquid is lighting up your insides, in a good way.

"Be careful, Prince Everly's Ambrodka is pretty potent," Cadet Gadget warns, turning to face Lockdown. "I can't tell you how many times I've had to wrestle this one into bed after a few too many."

"Pshhh," Lockdown roars, shoving Cadet Gadget playfully. "Ya lo'in any chance to get me in my unders and ya know'n it!"

Lockdown then drains the rest of his glass and smiles big at Cadet Gadget, who blushes quite obviously—and not just in his cheeks, but also his translucent teeth and hair.

"I do not," Cadet Gadget says, meekly trying to cover. "I'm just a good friend, is all."

"The best!" Lockdown shouts, pulling Cadet Gadget into a tight hug.

*page_break

*if officiallockdown
	"Though ah'm bet'n ${name} here wouldn't mind much either," Lockdown then says, looking back at you. "Ah know ah would like to see what your unders look'n like, sure as spit."

	Lockdown smiles at you with the wattage of a thousand bulbs, his sparkling white teeth grinning through that chiseled, scruff-lined jaw. You can't help it—the attention starts your heart racing.

	"Ah know we're supposed to be focus'n on the Aliases and all, but what say we get'n another drink, ${name}?"

	Before you can even answer, you find that Lockdown is pulling you toward the bar and leaving Cadet Gadget behind looking quite crushed. Lockdown seems oblivious to his effect on his best friend, however—which leaves Cadet Gadget to channel all of his jealousy and anger at you in a single, blinding look. 

	As you turn away, you realize that you've just potentially created a love triangle—though you're not sure it counts as a triangle if Cadet Gadget's feelings for Lockdown are truly as unrequited as they seem to be.

	Blerg.

	*page_break
	*set rlshp_lockdown %+50
	*set rlshp_cadet %-25
	
	That potentially troubling thought fades away, however, once Lockdown has you at the bar with another drink in your hand. Before you can so much as take a sip, Lockdown leans up against you to whisper in your ear, so close that you can feel his muscled chest. And it's impossible not to get a whiff of his skin, which smells like aftershave and gel deodorant.

	"I ha'e'ta tell ya a secret," Lockdown says. "Last night ah dream'd 'bout ya, sport. Wanna know what ya were doing?"

	You take another sip of your drink and feel the liquid courage burning almost as hot as your skin. You wouldn't need Lady Venuma's intuition or your ambient absorption to know what Lockdown is feeling, but all the same you can sense his lust burning beside you.

	When you decided to pursue Lockdown, you certainly didn't expect him to hit on you so quickly and fiercely, but you can't really say you mind, given the decision you made just before this interaction.

	*choice
		#Kiss Lockdown while I have the chance.
			"Something like this?" you say, turning your head and kissing Lockdown.

			*label ldkiss
			Lockdown's lips are surprisingly soft, in contrast to his scruffy skin that rubs against your face. Lockdown somehow tastes like salt and fire, and as he braces one hand against your cheek and the other along your lower back, you decide he may be the best kisser you've ever come across.

			You can't say how long you're there kissing Lockdown and feeling his tight body pressed against yours, but you do know that this kiss is soon interrupted by the sound of Cadet Gadget's voice.

			"Sorry to interrupt," Cadet Gadget says, not sounding the slightest bit sorry. "But the ambassador vote is coming up, and we have to make a decision."

			*page_break

			Cadet Gadget is right, of course—you should be focusing on the game of Alias and the Trial, not making out with Lockdown. 
			*label whoknowsnowldaf
			Who knows how doing so is going to affect your chances at both, but that consideration melts away once again as Lockdown gives you a sly wink, draining the rest of his drink before turning back to Cadet Gadget.

			Right now, you just have you hope you get more time with Lockdown later, though you suppose that will also depend entirely on whether you are able to join The Elite Courte and overcome The VS Front—assuming that's even what you want. It seems the more people you meet on Versus, the more complicated this political decision will inevitably become.
			*goto gadgetasksvotealias
		#Ask Lockdown what I was doing in his dream.
			"Why not show ya?" Lockdown says, stepping forward to pull you into a kiss. 

			*label ldkisorno
			*choice
				#I consider protesting for a moment, but then all desire to do so suddenly disappears.
					*goto ldkiss
				#I'm very happy to let Lockdown kiss me.
					*goto ldkiss
				#I don't want to kiss Lockdown yet, especially not in front of everyone here.
					"Sorry, but you're going to have to work a little harder than that," you say, stepping out of Lockdown's reach. 

					You can tell Lockdown is about to protest, but he doesn't get the chance to as Cadet Gadget suddenly steps up beside you both.

					"Sorry to interrupt," Cadet Gadget says, not sounding the slightest bit sorry. "But the ambassador vote is coming up, and we have to make a decision."

					*page_break

					Cadet Gadget is right, of course—you should be focusing on the game of Alias and the Trial, not flirting with Lockdown.
					*goto whoknowsnowldaf
		#Tell Lockdown that he can fill me in—or better yet, bring the dream to life—once I've won a spot in The Elite Courte.
			"What about me is mak'n you think I'm that patient?" Lockdown says, stepping forward to pull you into a kiss.
			*goto ldkisorno 
*elseif officialgadget
	*set rlshp_cadet %+50
	*set rlshp_lockdown %-15

	"Ah know'n we're supposed to be focus'n on the Aliases and all, but ah say it's time ah be get'n another drink," Lockdown says, suddenly breaking from the group.

	As Lockdown makes his way over to the nearest bar, you notice that Cadet Gadget watches him go with a very clear look of illuminated longing. If Cadet Gadget ever hid his affection for Lockdown in the past, he is certainly not concerned about covering it now. Which means that you must not even be a blip on his romantic radar at the moment. Your heart sinks a little bit, because you want Cadet Gadget to look at you that way….

	"You two seem pretty close," you say, trying to snap Cadet Gadget out of it.

	"Yes, Lockdown is the best," Cadet Gadget says, turning back to you reluctantly. "In all my travels, I've never met anyone quite like him."

	You study Cadet Gadget's adorable face and try to decide what you can say to make him see things in a different light.

	*choice
		#"Well, if you ask me, he's an idiot for not scooping you up while he has the chance."
			*goto blushbright
		#"Actually, you seem way more interesting, at least to me."
			*goto blushbright
		#"He's a lucky guy. I wish someone would look at me like that."
			*label blushbright
			You didn't think Cadet Gadget could blush any brighter, but he proves you wrong after hearing what you say. He studies your face, seeming to see you entirely differently in this moment. You've obviously caught him off guard, as he searches for words to say.

			"Well, no one is ever attracted to me like that," Cadet Gadget responds. "Besides, we're not supposed to date within the Corps. And I joined when I was so young; I've never really been able to have a boyfriend before."

			"Well, maybe that will change soon," you answer. "After all, there are all different rules on Versus, right?"

			Cadet Gadget smiles back at you, as if you've just hit him with a lot of brand new ideas that are well worth thinking about. 

			"Right," Cadet Gadget says, sharing an electric moment with you as you make eye contact.

			*page_break

			But this moment is suddenly broken as you are rejoined by Lockdown, who holds a freshly poured glass. Thankfully, he seems more interested in the drink than in reading what's going on between you and Cadet Gadget.
			*goto gadgetasksvotealias
*else
	*goto gadgetasksvotealias

*label gadgetasksvotealias

Blinking his bright eyes and looking very much like he needs a subject change, Cadet Gadget then asks: "So ${name}, who do you think the assassins might be?"

*if aliasassassin
	Before you answer, you instantly wonder if Cadet Gadget could be one of the detectives, given his profession as a real-life officer. Whether that's the case or not, you need to decide how you and Lockdown can best evade detection as assassins, by relying on your personality strengths. 

	This is certainly a moment you wish you could use some of Lady Venuma's coercive influence on Cadet Gadget, but you've already found that any traces of that ability now seem to remain as elusive as the demigoddess herself.

	*if extraworning
		"Priscy, you have a lot to weigh here!" Rosae suddenly warns you. "Your political Status goals, your relationships with Lockdown and Cadet Gadget, and your Alias game success are all on the line. So be sure to play to your Calculating or Trustworthy strengths accordingly!"

	*choice
		#Lie to throw Cadet Gadget off my scent.
			*set outspoken %+15

			"I have a very strong feeling that MamaNa is one of the assassins," you say, hoping you come off sounding like a potential detective yourself.

			Cadet Gadget doesn't reply, instead eying you very carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.

			*if (calculating > 60)
				*set successone true
				*set rlshp_cadet %+10
				*set mastery +3
				*set doubleagentstatus +4
				*set coupspystatus +4
				*set abolishbothstatus +4

				Thankfully, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget seems to believe you.
				*goto votaroee
			*else
				*set rlshp_cadet %-15
				*set doubleagentstatus +2
				*set coupspystatus +2
				*set abolishbothstatus +2

				Unfortunately, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget doesn't seem to believe you.
				*goto votaroee
		#Say that I need to know more, and ask Cadet Gadget as a police expert.
			*set outspoken %-15

			"I really have no idea yet; I don't know the Elites or this game well enough," you say. "But you're the detective here—what do you think?"

			Cadet Gadget doesn't reply right away, instead eying you very carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.
			
			*if (calculating > 60)
				*set successone true
				*set rlshp_cadet %+15
				*set mastery +3
				*set winjoinstatus +4
				*set coupspystatus +4
				*set eliteinfostatus +4

				"I think I need to know more as well," Cadet Gadget then says, seeming to agree. Thankfully, you can also intuit that Cadet Gadget seems to trust you, at least for now.
				*goto votaroee
			*else
				*set rlshp_cadet %+5
				*set winjoinstatus +2
				*set coupspystatus +2
				*set eliteinfostatus +2

				Cadet Gadget doesn't answer you, though. Instead, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget is suspicious of you. Which is not good.
				*goto votaroee
		#I can't be honest here, or maybe I can…just say I trust Lockdown completely. That much is true.
			*set outspoken %+15

			So you do say exactly that with complete honesty, hoping that you might come off seeming like a detective yourself, one who has investigated Lockdown and proven him innocent—instead of helping him as his assassin partner in crime. 

			If Cadet Gadget really is a detective, he'll know the difference instantly. Cadet Gadget doesn't reply, instead eying you very carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.

			*if (calculating < 40)
				*set successone true
				*set rlshp_lockdown %+15
				*set mastery +3
				*set winjoinstatus +4
				*set doubleagentstatus +4
				*set abolishbothstatus +4

				Thankfully, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget seems to believe you and doesn't seem the slightest bit suspicious, at least for now.
				*goto votaroee
			*else
				*set rlshp_cadet %-15
				*set winjoinstatus +2
				*set doubleagentstatus +2
				*set abolishbothstatus +2

				Cadet Gadget doesn't answer you, though. Instead, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget is suspicious of you. Which is not good.
				*goto votaroee
		#Turn to Lockdown and let him do the talking, because I don't want to get caught in a lie or seem suspicious.
			*set outspoken %-15

			You don't answer Cadet Gadget, not wanting to get caught in a lie. Instead, you turn to Lockdown—though unfortunately, Lockdown just shrugs his shoulders and lets out a burp.

			Cadet Gadget doesn't follow up either, instead eying you both carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.

			*if (calculating < 40)
				*set successone true
				*set rlshp_lockdown %+15
				*set mastery +3
				*set coupbondstatus +4
				*set eliteinfostatus +4
				*set abolishbothstatus +4

				Thankfully, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget doesn't seem the slightest bit suspicious of you or Lockdown.
				*goto votaroee
			*else
				*set rlshp_cadet %-15
				*set coupbondstatus +2
				*set eliteinfostatus +2
				*set abolishbothstatus +2

				Unfortunately, you can immediately intuit that this double dose of silence only enhances Cadet Gadget's suspicions about you and Lockdown.
				*goto votaroee
*else
	*if detectld
		You already know that Lockdown is an assassin, but how do you indicate that to Cadet Gadget without drawing attention to yourself? Especially since you don't know for sure yet if Cadet Gadget is an assassin too or a fellow ambassador.

		This is certainly a moment you wish you could use some of Lady Venuma's coercive influence on Cadet Gadget, but you've already found that any traces of that ability now seem to remain as elusive as the demigoddess herself.

		*if extraworning
			"Priscy, you have a lot to weigh here!" Rosae suddenly warns you. "Your political Status goals, your relationships with Lockdown and Cadet Gadget, and your Alias game success are all on the line. So be sure to play to your Calculating or Trustworthy strengths accordingly!"

		*choice
			#Attempt to place the target on Lockdown as subtly as possible.
				*set outspoken %+15

				"Well, as you know, I possess some natural intuition about these things, given my absorb abilities," you begin. "And someone here definitely seems to be hiding something."

				Cadet Gadget doesn't reply, instead eying you very carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.

				*if (calculating > 60)
					*set successone true
					*set rlshp_cadet %+15
					*set mastery +3
					*set doubleagentstatus +4
					*set coupspystatus +4
					*set abolishbothstatus +4

					Thankfully, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget seems to understand your meaning.
					*goto votaroee
				*else
					*set rlshp_cadet %-15
					*set doubleagentstatus +2
					*set coupspystatus +2
					*set abolishbothstatus +2

					Unfortunately, you can immediately intuit that this comment only seems to enhance Cadet Gadget's suspicions of you.
					*goto votaroee
			#Say that I need to know more, and ask Cadet Gadget as a police expert, then insinuate that Lockdown is guilty if I can.
				*set outspoken %-15

				*label cadetecttwo
				"I really have no idea yet; I don't know the Elites or this game well enough," you say. "But you're the detective here—what do you think?"

				Cadet Gadget doesn't reply, instead eying you very carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.
				
				*if (calculating > 60)
					*set successone true
					*set rlshp_cadet %+15
					*set mastery +3
					*set winjoinstatus +4
					*set coupspystatus +4
					*set eliteinfostatus +4

					Thankfully, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget is suspicious of Lockdown, too.
					*goto votaroee
				*else
					*set rlshp_cadet %-15
					*set winjoinstatus +4
					*set coupspystatus +4
					*set eliteinfostatus +4

					Unfortunately, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget doesn't suspect Lockdown at all. Instead, he suspects you.
					*goto votaroee
			#Overtly accuse Lockdown of being an assassin.
				*set outspoken %+15

				"I know for a fact that Lockdown is an assassin," you say, hoping to seem like a confident detective.

				*label cadetectthree

				Cadet Gadget doesn't reply immediately, instead eying you very carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.

				*if (calculating < 40)
					*set successone true
					*set rlshp_cadet %+15
					*set mastery +3
					*set winjoinstatus +4
					*set doubleagentstatus +4
					*set abolishbothstatus +4

					Fortunately, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget seems to believe you.
					*goto votaroee
				*else
					*set rlshp_cadet %-10
					*set rlshp_lockdown %-10
					*set mastery +3
					*set winjoinstatus +4
					*set doubleagentstatus +4
					*set abolishbothstatus +4

					Unfortunately, you can immediately intuit that this only makes Cadet Gadget even more suspicious of you as a potential assassin trying to cover your tracks. 
					*goto votaroee
			#Don't say anything and speak instead with my impending ambassador vote.
				*set outspoken %-15

				*label cadetectfour

				You don't answer Cadet Gadget, not wanting to get caught in a war of words or seem suspicious.

				Cadet Gadget doesn't reply, instead eying you very carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.

				*if (calculating < 40)
					*set successone true
					*set rlshp_cadet %+15
					*set mastery +3
					*set coupbondstatus +4
					*set eliteinfostatus +4
					*set abolishbothstatus +4

					Thankfully, you can immediately intuit that Cadet Gadget seems to respect your silence and find the hidden meaning in it.
					*goto votaroee
				*else
					*set rlshp_cadet %-10
					*set rlshp_lockdown %-10
					*set coupbondstatus +2
					*set eliteinfostatus +2
					*set abolishbothstatus +2

					Unfortunately, you can immediately intuit that your silence only makes Cadet Gadget even more suspicious of you as a potential assassin.
					*goto votaroee
	*else
		You already know that Cadet Gadget is innocent, but how do you indicate that without drawing attention to yourself or seeming like a secret assassin? Especially since you don't know for sure yet if Lockdown is an assassin or a fellow ambassador.

		*if extraworning
			"Priscy, you have a lot to weigh here!" Rosae suddenly warns you. "Your political Status goals, your relationships with Lockdown and Cadet Gadget, and your Alias game success are all on the line here. So be sure to play to your Calculating or Trustworthy strengths accordingly!"

		*choice
			#Insinuate that I trust Cadet Gadget totally.
				*set outspoken %+15

				"Well, as you know, I possess some natural intuition about these things, given my absorb abilities," you begin "And I feel we can all trust each other here."

				Cadet Gadget doesn't reply, instead eying you carefully with his illuminated pupils, which begin to shine almost like miniature flashlights.

				*if (calculating > 60)
					*set successone true
					Thankfully, you can sense that he feels the same way about you.
					*goto votaroee
				*else
					Unfortunately, you can sense this comment only seems to enhance his suspicions of you as a potential assassin trying to cover your tracks.
					*goto votaroee
			#Say that I need to know more, and ask Cadet Gadget as a police expert—then try to insinuate his innocence subtly if I can.
				*set outspoken %-15
				*goto cadetecttwo
			#Say overtly that I trust Cadet Gadget as an innocent ambassador.
				*set outspoken %+15

				"I know for a fact that you are innocent," you say, hoping to seem like a confident detective.
				*goto cadetectthree
			#Don't say anything, because I intend to speak with my impending ambassador vote.
				*set outspoken %-15
				*goto cadetectfour

*label votaroee
*page_break

Before you can say anything else, however, Prince Everly's voice suddenly interrupts the mingling sessions.

"It is time for the first ambassador summit vote," Prince Everly announces, cutting the mingling short. "Please now silently gather in a circle in the center of the ballroom, as voting will commence immediately."

It appears that the time for speaking has passed rather rapidly, for better or worse. As you note this shortened mingle window, you figure that now it is time to face your fate in the ambassador vote—and to hope for the best.

*page_break Once Encircled 

You and the other seven ambassadors still remaining in the game follow Prince Everly's instructions, all of you standing in a circle together in the center of the ballroom. Then, before you even have the opportunity to learn that such a gesture is possible, Cadet Gadget speaks out about the vote:

*if aliasassassin
	*if successone
		"After careful review, I believe that MamaNa is one of the secret assassins."

		The circle of ambassadors shifts uneasily at Cadet Gadget's words, but you breathe a little sigh of relief to have evaded his detection. Not surprisingly, it isn't long before MamaNa responds, rather calmly, to Cadet Gadget's accusation:

		"Those of us who have played Alias before know quite well that the first to speak out is usually guilty. Therefore, I formally move to vote for Cadet Gadget."

		Looking stunned, Cadet Gadget responds: "Well, I formally move to vote for MamaNa."

		With unexpected speed, you listen as everyone in the circle begins to cast their votes…

		*page_break

		For Cadet Gadget. Before it is even your turn in the voting circle, Cadet Gadget earns the five majority votes necessary to be eliminated from the game. And as this unfolds, all you can think is: [i]that was a very powerful display of MamaNa's influence.[/i]

		Cadet Gadget then vanishes from the ballroom, removed instantly in another pop of lavender light. And once again, you find yourself experiencing mental whiplash from the hastened pace of this game. You know you had better start catching up quickly if you want to continue to succeed.
		*if officialgadget
			You can't help your heart from aching a bit to see Cadet Gadget removed so quickly, especially after the moment you just shared.
		*comment endif

		"Cadet Gadget has just been removed by you, his fellow ambassadors, on the suspicion of being an assassin," Prince Everly then announces. "However, I have to reveal that Cadet Gadget…was not an assassin."

		The remaining ambassadors all hush with suspicion at this revelation, because for the innocent five, this means their odds of surviving just got worse. But for you and Lockdown, it means you're on the right track to winning, especially as everyone seems to eye MamaNa suspiciously after her incorrect targeting of Cadet Gadget. Not a bad first round at all, you figure.
		*goto olitimec
	*else
		"After careful review, I believe that Lockdown is one of the secret assassins," Cadet Gadget announces. "Sorry buddy, but I know you too well."

		The circle of ambassadors shifts uneasily at Cadet Gadget's words, but before you or Lockdown can even voice a word of dissent, MamaNa suddenly speaks up to add: "I second that vote."

		Once again, you listen as everyone in the circle begins to cast their votes with unexpected speed—for Lockdown. Before it is even your turn in the voting circle, Lockdown has earned the five majority votes necessary to be eliminated from the game.

		*page_break

		Lockdown then vanishes from the ballroom, removed instantly in another pop of lavender light.
		*if officiallockdown
			Your heart aches a bit to see Lockdown removed so quickly, especially after the moment you just shared.
		And once again, you find yourself experiencing mental whiplash from the hastened pace of this game. You know you had better start catching up quickly if you want to succeed—clearly Cadet Gadget saw through some part of your conversation, so you're very lucky it was Lockdown who took the fall and not you.

		"Lockdown has been removed by his fellow ambassadors on the suspicion of being an assassin," Prince Everly then announces. "And it is my pleasure to reveal that you ambassadors were indeed correct!"

		The remaining ambassadors all begin to cheer in celebration, and you force yourself to join in so that your position as Lockdown's assassin partner isn't revealed. For the other six ambassadors, this not only means that their odds of surviving just got better, it also means that Cadet Gadget and MamaNa seem very innocent given their correct targeting. 

		The news isn't as good for your game, though, since whatever you said to Cadet Gadget tipped him off somehow or confirmed his suspicions of Lockdown. Which means the crosshairs may fall on you next, no doubt making the rest of the game very tricky for you as the sole remaining assassin. Still, you double your resolve, because this just means you'll have to rise even higher to the occasion, which you know you're capable of doing now that you understand how the game works.
		*goto olitimec
*if aliasdetective
	*if successone
		"After careful review, I believe that Lockdown is one of the secret assassins," Cadet Gadget announces. "Sorry buddy, but I know you too well."

		The circle of ambassadors shifts uneasily at Cadet Gadget's words, but before anyone else can voice a word of agreement or dissent, MamaNa suddenly speaks up to add: "I second that vote."

		You listen as everyone in the circle begins to cast their votes with unexpected speed—for Lockdown. Before it is even your turn in the voting circle, Lockdown earns the five majority votes necessary to be eliminated from the game.

		*page_break

		Lockdown then vanishes from the ballroom, removed instantly in another pop of lavender light. And once again, you find yourself experiencing mental whiplash from the hastened pace of this game.
		*if officiallockdown
			Your heart aches a bit to see Lockdown removed so quickly, especially after the moment you just shared.
		You know you had better start catching up quickly if you want to continue succeeding.

		"Lockdown has been removed by his fellow ambassadors on the suspicion of being an assassin," Prince Everly then announces. "And it is my pleasure to reveal that you ambassadors were indeed correct!"

		The remaining ambassadors all begin to cheer in celebration and of course, you join in.
		*if detectld
			Obviously your conversation with Cadet Gadget tipped the scales in the right direction to expose what you knew about Lockdown. Now Cadet Gadget will know to trust you moving forward in the game, while you and Grog can hopefully investigate the final remaining assassin. Not a bad first round at all, you figure.
			*goto olitimec
		*else
			This obviously comes as a surprise to you, despite being a detective. You have to ask: How did Cadet Gadget know this? Then again, you remember that Cadet Gadget is very close to Lockdown, and a real-life detective, so it makes sense. And on the bright side, now Cadet Gadget will know to trust you moving forward in the game, while you and Grog can hopefully investigate the final remaining assassin. Not a bad first round at all, you figure.
			*goto olitimec
	*else
		"After careful review, I believe that ${name} is one of the secret assassins," Cadet Gadget announces.

		The circle of players shifts uneasily, and your breath catches in your throat. Blerg! 

		However, before you can speak up, MamaNa surprises you by speaking first. "Those of us who have played Alias before know quite well that the first to speak out is usually guilty. Therefore, I formally motion to vote for Cadet Gadget."

		Stunned, Cadet Gadget responds: "Well, I formally motion to vote for ${name}."

		You listen as everyone in the circle begins to cast their votes with unexpected speed…

		*page_break

		For Cadet Gadget. 

		Before you can catch your breath and it is even your turn in the voting circle, Cadet Gadget has earned the five majority votes necessary to be eliminated from the game. And as this unfolds, all you can think is: [i]That was a very close call. And a very powerful display of MamaNa's influence.[/i]

		Cadet Gadget then vanishes from the ballroom, removed instantly in another pop of lavender light. 
		*if officialgadget
			You can't help your heart from aching a bit to see Cadet Gadget removed so quickly, especially after the moment you just shared——and despite his erroneous suspicions.
		And once again, you find yourself experiencing mental whiplash from the fast pace of this game. You know you had better start catching up quickly if you want to succeed.

		"Cadet Gadget has been removed on the suspicion of being an assassin by you, his fellow ambassadors," Prince Everly then announces. "However, I have to reveal that Cadet Gadget…was not an assassin."

		The remaining ambassadors all hush with suspicion, because for the innocent five, this means your odds of surviving just got worse.
		*if detectld
			And while you didn't know Cadet Gadget specifically was innocent, and it's certainly better he was eliminated over you, you still were unable to successfully target the known assassin, Lockdown. Now that you know how the game works and the vote operates, you have to hope you and Grog can investigate the second assassin correctly—and that you do a better job in the next mingle of targeting the guilty assassins.
			*goto olitimec
		*else
			Of course, you already knew Cadet Gadget was innocent. While it's certainly better that he was voted off instead of you, this is the second-worst-case scenario for your game. You've just lost a player you knew to be innocent, while two assassins remain at large. Now that you know how the game works and the vote operates, you have to hope you and Grog can investigate the second assassin correctly—and that you do a better job in the next mingle of targeting the guilty assassins.
			*goto olitimec

*label olitimec
*page_break

Moving right along as usual, Prince Everly then waves his hands to put the remaining seven players into sleep trances and begin the second round. All you can do is feel yourself fall asleep as you await your fate in the false night.

Your eyes close automatically once again, but instead of darkness, you now see Oli standing across from you. As you try to reorient yourself, two things immediately confirm that you must be on the brainplane: first, Oli wears a shawl-collar sweater and slim denim pants instead of ${olihis} party attire. Second, you both currently stand on a storm cloud floating near the ceiling of the ballroom.

You feel the now-familiar sense of surprise and a vague wave of nausea, but you're still proud of yourself for handling this transition seamlessly—or at least appearing to. 
*if (officialoli) or (rlshp_oli > 65)
	Especially since this is a feat made all the more difficult by how unbearably cute Oli looks. It's almost as if a halo of light surrounds ${olihis} perfect face, making ${olihis} soft skin glow and ${olihis} blue-green eyes shine behind ${olihis} glasses.
*if (rlshp_oli < 50)
	A feat that is made all the more difficult by standing face to face with Oli, who you still feel uneasy around.
*comment endif

"You know the drill by now—we won't have much time," Oli sighs. "But wait, I should actually keep my eyes closed for this part."	

As Oli covers ${olihis} face with ${olihis} hands, suddenly part of the storm cloud beneath you shifts to reveal the ballroom below. You look down to find that only you 
*if aliasassassin
	*if successone
		and Lockdown
*if aliasdetective
	and Grog
are awake on the ballroom floor—though that's not exactly what you'd call the autopilot mode your body must be operating under.

*page_break

You watch as 
*if aliasassassin
	*if successone
		Lockdown targets
		*if assassinatebh
			the jumpsuit blonde
		*if assassinategl
			the winged woman
		and your head nods automatically in approval below—it looks like you'll be sitting this round out, thanks to Oli placing you in this brainplane autopilot mode.
	*if (successone = false)
		your finger automatically points to target
		*if assassinatebh
			the jumpsuit blonde,
		*if assassinategl
			the winged woman,
		which you realize is actually a subconsciously smart move. If you were to target Cadet Gadget or MamaNa, it's likely they might be saved by the angels as obvious targets, given their role in taking out Lockdown during the ambassador vote.
*if aliasdetective
	Grog chooses to investigate Oli, and your head nods automatically in approval. You then shift your focus to Prince Everly, who shakes his head to indicate that Oli is indeed not an assassin.

	*if successone
		This obviously means that you must protect 
		*if detectld
			Oli
		*if (detectld = false)
			both Cadet Gadget and Oli 
		in the next ambassador vote.
	*if (successone = false)
		This obviously means that you must
		*if detectld
			target Lockdown and protect Oli
		*if (detectld = false)
			protect Oli
		in the next ambassador vote. 
	Judging by your current situation, though, you're not sure you'll even be returned to your body below before the vote happens, so you hope Grog speaks up for the both of you.
*comment endif

As the clouds shift once again to re-conceal the ballroom floor, you look back up at Oli and say: "You can open your eyes now."

Oli catches the amused expression on your face once ${olize} opens ${olihis} eyes and says: "What? I love Alias, I don't want to ruin it by cheating."
*if officialoli
	Oli then cracks a killer smirk, and you think you could melt right into the cloud, falling away like so many raindrops.

*page_break

"Anyway, how has MemoryTravel been going?" Oli asks, as direct as usual. You know you have a lot of questions you need to ask Oli too, but you do agree that the Dhanthik MemoryTravel search takes precedence and should be discussed first.

"I was able to full absorb ${deathone} before the Versus Match," you answer. "That MemoryTravel was strange, but I confirmed ${deathone} isn't Dhanthik."

"Good, I was worried you might not be able to get to
*if breezedie
	${brehir}
*if todrickdie
	him
in time. That's definitely not an unanswered question we needed lingering over the whole cycle," Oli says. "And let me guess, you got to full absorb Lady Venuma at your victory brunch yesterday?"

"Not at the brunch, but yes," you answer. "How did you know that?"

"You have a certain…sheen about you. It looks a little like her," Oli says, not exactly meaning this as a compliment.

*page_break 

Sensing this, you try to subtly push a bit deeper with your goddess intuition, just like you did with Lockdown and Cadet Gadget. You immediately feel a wave of distrust for Lady Venuma come crashing out of Oli, but the feeling suddenly recedes as Oli tilts ${olihis} head and stares back at you. Could Oli somehow be detecting and blocking your new intuitive sense? 

You suppose it's possible given Oli's seemingly psychic abilities, but Oli doesn't seem to want to dwell on this probing moment if so. Instead, Oli asks: "Please tell me that you confirmed Lady Venuma isn't D'han T'hik, as well?" 

"Not yet," you answer, trying not to react to Oli's odd pronunciation. "I MemoryTraveled to Wone last night, but Lady Venuma wasn't there. Actually, I spent most of my time with Prince Everly."

"That's…" Oli begins, trailing off as ${olize} crinkles ${olihis} brow in thought. It isn't long before Oli starts talking to ${olihir}self, lost in thought. "Highly unusual. Though I suppose factoring in the divine mind…that might explain the proximity of the secondary anchor…wait, did Prince Everly know who Lady Venuma was in MemoryTravel?"

It takes you a moment to realize Oli's last question was directed at you, but once you do, you answer: "Yes, but Prince Everly also knew who I was. Something about retroactive MemoryTravel knowledge. My WorningBird, Rosae, was pretty confused about it too. Care to fill me in on your thought process?"

*page_break

"Well, that's fascinating. And troubling, potentially," Oli begins, pausing to think once again before filling you in. "I've been doing as much research I can in the Elite Castle library, but it's no surprise that there are hardly any volumes written on Priscan MemoryTravel or Versus physics. Anyway, I've been waiting for a chance to tell you the little bit I was actually able to find, because it's still huge for us."

Oli takes a deep breath and checks the positioning of the brainplane storm cloud—you've drifted almost halfway across the ballroom. You figure this progression is probably another built-in timer indicating when you and Oli have to exit the brainplane before potentially being caught.

"This has a lot to do with universal constants we don't have to get into, but it turns out that the only way D'han T'hik can exist on Versus in this kind of transformative loop is if Hir assumed persona is completely original every time. Long story short, this means that any current Versian who exists for real in the outside galaxy cannot be D'han T'hik. Which in turn means that anyone you encounter in MemoryTravel, absorbee anchor or otherwise, cannot be D'han T'hik."

As Oli's new discovery settles in, your mind quakes with realizations and questions about its potential implications.

*label dttruthroute
*choice
	*disable_reuse *if (fighthumm) #"Okay. So that means if I've seen Prince Everly, Cel, and Trig in MemoryTravel, they can be crossed off the list—because it means they exist for real in the galaxy and aren't uniquely original to Versus?"
		*label rhetoricalresponse
		"Haven't we talked about wasting time with rhetorical questions?" Oli answers, crossing ${olihis} arms and giving you all the answer you need.
		*goto dttruthroute
	*disable_reuse *if (fighthumm = false) #"Okay. So that means if I've seen Prince Everly in MemoryTravel, he can be crossed off the list—because it means he exists for real in the galaxy and isn't uniquely original to Versus?"
		*goto rhetoricalresponse
	*disable_reuse #"I've seen Empress Vaccus back home in the Priscan Collective Consciousness—does that mean it isn't Dhanthik, too? And does that then go for anyone potentially famous or known from their home planets?"
		"It's very likely that Empress Vaccus is not D'han T'hik, given your knowledge of its existence prior to your Versus Selection," Oli agrees. "But really, the only way to be one hundred percent sure is to MemoryTravel Empress Vaccus yourself and see what you find in its mind—a horrifying prospect, I know. That will only be necessary if we don't find D'han T'hik's original identity elsewhere first, so Empress Vaccus should have a much lower priority on our MemoryTravel list, obviously.

		"As for any other potentially famous or known Versians, there are fewer than you'd think. Queen Ashe is the most prominent example, since she is known widely throughout the galaxy, so she should also be low priority on the list. There are a few other obvious planets to question that have multiple Versians currently present on the Constructive side, most prominently Blarfngard and Binaria. 

		"I've already spoken with Lockdown about the other Blarfngardians, but none of them know of each other from before Versus, which isn't surprising given that planet's size and cultural divisions. Royal A-08 refuses to speak to me most of the time, so we should eventually check with the Ord Binarians about their knowledge of each other. The same goes for the Millennith heroines, but aside from these potential exceptions, everyone else will need to be MemoryTraveled individually."
		*goto dttruthroute
	*disable_reuse #"Wait, does that mean Lady Venuma must be Dhanthik, if she doesn't end up existing in MemoryTravel?"
		"It's too soon to tell," Oli answers with a heavy sigh. "Given the evolved nature of Wone minds, it's possible Lady Venuma is just capable of hiding from you in MemoryTravel, which I wouldn't put past her."

		"Well, Prince Everly kept referring to Lady Venuma as an Apprentice named Grecca," you offer, following Oli's logic. "So maybe that means she does exist on planet Wone and is just absent for some reason?"

		"Yes, this Apprentice Grecca connection is a potentially good sign," Oli says. "I'll also ask Prince Everly about knowing Lady Venuma before Versus when I get the chance, but you still have another night left to MemoryTravel, right?"

		"Right," you answer. "So I need to make sure I confirm Lady Venuma's presence there for real. And Queen Ashe while I'm at it, for that matter."

		Oli smiles, obviously pleased to see you catching on so quickly.
		*goto dttruthroute
	#I'm done with questions about Oli's research for now.
		*goto whataboutus

*label whataboutus
*set olidtclue true

This bit of intel changes quite a bit for you and will certainly help you narrow down your Dhanthik checklist…which you find has already updated in your Stats Screen to reflect this new information, thanks to your Tech Apprentice skill. But as you browse this new list, a terrifying notion suddenly hits you.

"Have you ever considered the possibility that Dhanthik is actually you or I?" you ask, feeling a chill run up and down your spine at the thought.

Oli pauses, looking equally troubled by the question you've just posed.

"Yes," Oli begins, almost grimacing. "You'll MemoryTravel me when we get the chance, just in case. Though I'd rather not entertain the possibility that my entire life is a lie, to be honest."

"And me?" you ask, feeling your stomach bottom out with dread as you ask.

*page_break

"If you MemoryTravel everyone and haven't awakened D'han T'hik yet, I guess we will know it's you," Oli says, unable to make eye contact with you as ${olize} does.

You suddenly feel nauseated, contemplating the thought that everything you've ever experienced and everyone you've ever met could be a fabrication. What would that mean for your family? Would they even exist without you? And if they did, would that mean they never actually had you as their second child? 

If you really were Dhanthik, wouldn't Rosae have been able to tell by now, somehow? Unless she is just a fabrication then, too?   

You immediately reject the idea, because you can just feel it in your gut: you and your life are real. They have to be. Then again, you have to wonder: wouldn't everyone feel this way? Or perhaps whoever Dhanthik is hiding as on Versus has always had doubts about their past, a nagging itch they've never quite been able to scratch? 

*choice
	#I've never quite felt like I belonged on Prisca, so maybe this could be why.
		*set purity %-15
		*goto beforesettlez
	#I'd love the idea of being some mythic and omnipotent galactic savior.
		*set security %-15
		*goto beforesettlez
	#I'd hate the idea that my entire life and personality is a fabrication. I believe too much in Prisca and my life there for that to be true.
		*set purity %+15
		*goto beforesettlez
	#My purpose is to find Dhanthik, not to become Hir. Whatever the truth is, it's out of my control, so why worry?
		*set security %+15
		*goto beforesettlez
	#I know I have to continue this Dhanthik search, but I can't fight the echo of doubt now lingering in the back of my mind.
		*set outspoken %-15

		A feeling in your gut tells you that something might be off with this whole Dhanthik search, but you have no evidence to substantiate that doubt quite yet. So you'll have to just carry on——but you'll also be sure to keep your eyes wide open as you do.
		*goto beforesettlez

*label beforesettlez

Before that notion can fully settle in your mind, however, the brainplane storm cloud shifts below your feet to open another clearing window. You and Oli peer down below just in time to see the ambassadors all waking up, shaking off their sleep-trances and turning to Prince Everly for the news of what happened in the second-round slumber.

"Unfortunately, the angels were once again unable to save the assassination target in the night. As a result, the assassins have claimed their second victim. And that victim is…" Prince Everly begins, adding another healthy pause.
*if assassinatebh
	*set meetglorya true
	"Glorya."

	Within the blink of an eye, the blonde woman apparently named Glorya disappears from the ballroom below in another pop of lavender light.
	*goto mingleolifake
*else
	*set meetbeyhalo true
	"Beyhalo."

	Within the blink of an eye, the winged woman apparently named Beyhalo disappears from the ballroom below in another pop of lavender light.
	*goto mingleolifake

*label mingleolifake
*page_break

Processing this latest assassination, you look over the six remaining ambassadors in the game and suddenly catch something out of the corner of your eye. Looking over to one of the ballroom windows, for one horrible instant, you see the gleam of a crown and the blood-red outline of a V reflected in the glass.

Your body buzzes with shock, and you feel momentarily paralyzed, forcing yourself to blink and clear your eyes. The moment you do, the vision of Empress Vaccus seems to vanish from the window. You scan the other windows, but don't see any sign of its putrid black body anywhere. 

That's the second time in as many days you've spotted something you thought might be Empress Vaccus—could it be that you're being haunted by your last traumatic encounter with the beast? Or could Empress Vaccus really be stalking The Elite Trials for some sinister purpose, lurking in the shadows just beyond reach? Could it be because The Elite Courte has now nominated Empress Vaccus for the next Versus Match?

This is the second disquieting notion to hit you in seemingly as many minutes, one you also can do very little about except wait and see. That is, unless Empress Vaccus does decide to show itself again—and in that case, you just hope you're ready to face it once again.

*page_break

Oli doesn't seem to notice this glimpse of Empress Vaccus or your reaction to it, instead watching intently as both of your autopiloted bodies step together on the ballroom floor for the next mingle.

"Good, you and I are talking below as planned," Oli says, now turning to face the brainplane you. "Which means we have just a minute or two more up here."

"Then tell me, who are you really and where are you from?" you ask, trying to just shake off the troubling events of the last few minutes. You've been dying to ask Oli those questions, but you can immediately tell from the way Oli looks at you that you may not be getting the answers you want just yet.

"That is a conversation that will require more than a minute," Oli sighs. "Trust me, you'll be happy we waited for the right moment when I do tell you. And that moment will come a lot sooner if you win The Elite Trials and join me here in the Courte. Speaking of, have you interacted much with MamaNa?"

You meet Oli's gaze and are surprised by the unhidden and rather amplified blast of dislike Oli hits you with. Whether Oli meant to broadcast this emotion or not, your intuition certainly tells you that, much like with Lady Venuma, Oli does not seem to trust MamaNa. Which in turn reveals something far more important to you…

*page_break

Oli must not know a thing about the rebellion these two women are brewing. At first you find this surprising, given how in-the-know Oli has seemed to you so far. However, on second thought, it begins to make more sense: Oli claims to have had ${olihis} nose in a book these past few days and seems fairly content with The Elite Courte system. Adding in the fact that Oli doesn't seem to like Lady Venuma or MamaNa all that much to begin with, it follows that these two wouldn't trust Oli with such potentially sensitive information.

And, just like Oli doesn't feel ${olize} has the time to tell you about where ${olize} is from, you certainly don't have time to explain the existence of the The VS Front to ${olihir} in under a minute. The results of doing so could be potentially disastrous, both to your relationship and the still-unfolding political process. Unfortunately, just as you have decided with everyone else, you must keep The VS Front a secret from Oli, potentially until your SoulTest with Queen Ashe—despite your intuitive findings, you cannot be sure who to fully trust with this dangerous knowledge until then.

You look up to find Oli observing your hesitation with curiosity before adding:
*if (rlshp_mamana > 70)
	"I only ask because MamaNa seems to be really pushing internally for you to win the Trials.
*if (rlshp_mamana = 28)
	"I only ask because MamaNa really doesn't seem to want you to advance beyond this Trial. 
Do you have any idea why?"

You know exactly why MamaNa feels this way, but again, you really don't have the time to explain it fully to Oli. So while you try to gather your thoughts on this new information, you say: "MamaNa and I talked a bit at my brunch, but I couldn't quite get a read on her."

"That's a shape-shifter for you," Oli sighs. "MamaNa and I have never really gotten close—she creeps me out, to be honest. I did try talking to her once about her transformations in the hopes of learning more about D'han T'hik, but she got all insulted that I'd even broach 'such a private subject.' I gathered this sense of modesty surrounding her physical transitions must be one of her people's customs, though her outrage seemed a bit convenient to me."

Hearing this suddenly sparks an idea:

*fake_choice
	#Perhaps MamaNa's ability to shape-shift is a sign that she is really Dhanthik.
	#No, the fact that Lady Venuma isn't appearing in MemoryTravel means she might really be Dhanthik.
	#Empress Vaccus would still be the least likely Versian to be Dhanthik—which makes it the perfect place to hide.
	#I still think Oli might really be Dhanthik given ${olihis} semi-Priscan nature, but I don't want to tell ${olihir} that yet.
	#I think I really could be Dhanthik, the more I think about it.
	#I think Dhanthik is one of the other Elites, for sure.
	#I think Dhanthik is one of the other Ords, most likely.
	#I think Dhanthik is probably that final hidden Ord, Burnbone, since I haven't heard anything about them at all.
	#Why bother speculating who I think Dhanthik is until I can learn for sure?

"Anyway, MamaNa aside," Oli continues, recommanding your attention. "I just want you to know that I'll do everything I can to help you win the Trials. After all, being safely insulated within The Elite Courte is the best way for you to focus fully on the D'han T'hik search. Not to mention that then we can start having some real face-to-face conversations and work on this puzzle together, when you're actually in the Castle as a member. And just wait until you get access to the Elite library—it'll blow your little Priscan head right off."

As Oli smiles at you, you feel a strong pang of emotion clog your throat. You had thought of your relationship with Oli as being outside the realm of Versus politics, since you've always spoken on this brainplane and only ever about the search for Dhanthik. However, it was probably naive to think your relationship could stay above the political fray forever. 

So now you have to ask yourself: if you helped take down The Elite Courte, would Oli ever forgive you? Or would ${olize} decide to follow you to The VS Front, if you could even figure out a way to get ${olihir} included? Or is it simply in your best interest to try and join The Elite Courte, in order to remain safe and stay on good terms with Oli as ${olize} says? You could try to become the next Ord Ambassador if Lady Venuma is removed, in order to be able interact with the other half.

Or will you just not allow your relationship with Oli to interfere with your political decisions in the first place?

*if officialoli
	*page_break
	*achieve echelonsix
	*if efive
		*set esix true

	You feel the storm cloud beginning to evaporate below your feet, indicating that it's time to leave the brainplane. Which also means that you now have just one chance to let Oli know where you stand in all of the craziness likely to come.

	And given the fact that you've already made the decision to try and be with Oli, you know you have to make this moment count.

	"Oli, you mean more to me than anyone I've met on Versus," you begin, trying to pack as much emotion as you can into as few words as possible. "Blerg, maybe more than anyone I've ever met. Which is why you need to listen to me when I say this, because it's extremely important."

	You step up close to Oli, so close that your whole body begins to buzz. And thankfully, Oli doesn't stop you.

	*choice
		#"I'm going to do everything I can to win the Trials, so we can…be together. Really together. And I hope that's what you want too."
			*set winjoinstatus +5
			*set eliteinfostatus +5
			*set coupspystatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %+35
			*set calculating %-10
			*goto nextstepoli
		#"There's something going on behind the scenes, something I don't have time to tell you about. But no matter what happens, you have to know that I want you on my side. Always."
			*set coupbondstatus +5
			*set doubleagentstatus +5
			*set abolishbothstatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %+20
			*set calculating %+0

			*label lookconcern
			Oli looks at you with a look of concern, but then smiles.

			"Well, I guess now I know how you must feel every time we talk," Oli says, sending you a burst of emotion, one you can tell mirrors yours exactly. Thank blerg.

			"I know, but I trust you," you say. "Promise you'll trust me too?"
			*goto nextstepoli
		#"Some things are going to happen that you may not like, but no matter what, you have to believe this: everything I do is to further our search for Dhanthik. And…for us, too."
			*set doubleagentstatus +5
			*set coupbondstatus +5
			*set coupspystatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %+25
			*set calculating %+10
			*goto lookconcern
		#"I don't care about anything as much as I care about the chance to get to know you better. Does that sound crazy?"
			*set eliteinfostatus +5
			*set winjoinstatus +5
			*set abolishbothstatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %+30
			*set calculating %-10

			*label nextstepoli

			Oli doesn't answer—but then, Oli doesn't have to. Instead, ${olize} takes your hand, and you can just feel all the answer you need.

			*choice
				#Kiss Oli.
					You lean in to kiss Oli, but ${olize} leans back as you do, to your surprise.

					"When we do that," Oli says, already beginning to fade from the brainplane, "I'd much rather it be when we're in our actual bodies."

					"Something to look forward to, then," you say with a smile, your own presence beginning to fade. As you feel yourself slipping away, you suppose you just have to hope now that reality can someday surpass this experience, somehow.
					*goto votehappening
				#Hug Oli.
					You pull Oli into a tight hug, feeling ${olihis} body pressed tightly against yours.

					As soon as you do, you feel both of your bodies beginning to fade, melting back to reality together.

					You suppose you just have to hope now that reality can someday match this brainplane experience, somehow.
					*goto votehappening
				#Just hold Oli's hand, because romantic relationships mean more to me when they're nonphysical.
					*set oliasexual true

					You stand there staring into Oli's eyes, understanding that Oli feels exactly the same way you do about what real romance means.

					As soon as this connection is made, you feel both of your bodies beginning to fade, melting back to reality together.

					You suppose you just have to hope now that reality can someday match this mentality, somehow.
					*goto votehappening
*else
	*if (rlshp_oli > 65) 
		You look at Oli and feel the sense of connection reverberating between you and ${olihir}. Still, despite whatever you might have felt for Oli in the past, you know that you've chosen a romantic path that leads you away from ${olihir}. And now Oli somehow seems to sense this too, accepting it with a wave of ambient understanding.
	*comment endif

	You feel the storm cloud beginning to evaporate below your feet, indicating that it's time to leave the brainplane. Which also means that you now have just one chance to let Oli know where you stand in all of the craziness likely to come.

	*choice
		#"I'm going to try to win the Trials so we can safely conduct our search together. After all, two heads are better than one."
			*set winjoinstatus +5
			*set eliteinfostatus +5
			*set coupspystatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %+20
			*set calculating %-10

			*label gladhearit
			"Glad to hear it," Oli says, now clearly broadcasting a new emotion: trust. 

			Accepting this emotion, you can also tell that trust is not something Oli gives easily.

			So you had better do all you can to live up to that trust from here on out.
			*goto votehappening
		#"There's something going on behind the scenes, something I don't have time to tell you about. But no matter what happens, you have to know that we'll always be on the same side in my book."
			*set doubleagentstatus +5
			*set coupbondstatus +5
			*set abolishbothstatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %-10
			*set calculating %+10

			*label smileconcern
			Oli gives you a look of concern, but then smiles.

			"Well, I guess now I know how you must feel every time we talk," Oli says, sending you a burst of curiosity, one you can tell mirrors your own.

			"I know, but I trust you," you say. "Promise you'll trust me too?"

			"At this point, what choice do I have?" Oli says as ${olize} now fades from view, inch by inch.
			*goto votehappening
		#"My priority is always going to be finding Dhanthik, so I'm trying to avoid the Versus politics as much as possible in order to do that."
			*set eliteinfostatus +5
			*set winjoinstatus +5
			*set doubleagentstatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %+10
			*set calculating %-10
			*goto gladhearit
		#Don't tell Oli anything, because I'm still not sure I can trust ${olihir}, at least not until ${olize} is more honest with me.
			*set abolishbothstatus +5
			*set coupbondstatus +5
			*set coupspystatus +5
			*set rlshp_oli %-15
			*set calculating %+10

			Oli eyes you, seeming to mirror your suspicion equally.

			You know that the two of you should trust each other, but obviously you're both having a hard time doing that.

			And given all that's likely to happen with The Elite Courte and The VS Front, you bet things are probably not going to get any easier for you.
			*goto votehappening

*label votehappening
*page_break Dropping Back Down…

You open your eyes once again, this time in your actual physical body, and you find yourself already gathered in the ambassador voting circle. You stand silently, which means that you must not have said or done anything too incriminating while in the brainplane autopilot mode. You immediately learn that you can't say the same for Oli, as the circle of ambassadors begin to vote unanimously for ${olihir}.

You have no idea why the target has shifted onto Oli, but you have to assume it must have had something to do with your brainplane absence. Whatever the reason, before the vote can even reach you once again, Oli racks up the four votes necessary to eliminate ${olihir} from the game.

Oli then vanishes from the ballroom, removed instantly in the now-familiar pop of lavender light. You try to catch your breath, relieved that this absent-minded targeting didn't fall on you, given the higher Trial stakes you face. Then again, maybe Oli somehow sacrificed ${olihir}self purposely while you were away, understanding these stakes.
*if officialoli
	If that's indeed the case, it fills you with emotion, given how much Oli seemed to love playing Alias.
*comment endif

Before you can process that thought, Prince Everly steps up to break the news of Oli's secret Alias, right on cue. 

*page_break

"Oli has been removed from this summit by ${olihis} fellow ambassadors on the suspicion of being an assassin," Prince Everly announces, another faux frown occupying his face. "However, I must reveal that Oli…was not an assassin."

*if aliasassassin
	Of course you already knew of Oli's innocence, but you try to seem as surprised and upset as possible to your fellow ambassadors. However, you celebrate on the inside: you've just survived another round, which means you can strike again in the round three slumber to hopefully slash the number of ambassadors and get one step closer to winning this game of Alias.
*if aliasdetective
	Of course, you already knew that Oli was innocent from Grog's investigation. So this vote was certainly a blow to the remaining ambassadors—including you—who will still be vulnerable to an assassin strike in the next round.
*comment endif 

Just as this news settles, Prince Everly waves his hands once again to put the remaining five ambassadors to sleep, moving right along as usual.

*page_break

*temp knowmamana false
*temp knowjustmamana false
*temp knowjustlockdown false
*temp knowboth false
*if aliasassassin
	*temp targetpj false
	*temp targetgrog false

	You are woken up soon after, ready to fulfill your assassin duties for the third time. With Glorya, Beyhalo, Oli, and
	*if successone
		Cadet Gadget gone, you and Lockdown now only have three targets to choose from: Grog, Pinkuju, and MamaNa.

		Whether you're looking forward to it or not, you know that it's pretty important you get a chance to mingle with MamaNa in the next round, to get an update on the ever-shifting Versus political landscape. Besides, Pinkuju and Grog are both your competition in this Trial, so it's probably about time to take one of them out to ensure your own safety.

		Before Lockdown can constrict your potential choices again, you decide to take the lead this time. Just like Lockdown did in the first two rounds, you step up and clearly:

		*choice
			#Target Grog, because I believe it is my biggest competition remaining in the Trials.
				*set targetgrog true

				*label lockwill
				Thankfully, Lockdown seems perfectly willing to let you take your turn, nodding in agreement. 

				Not missing a beat, Prince Everly then acknowledges your target and waves his hands to put you both to sleep once again.
				*goto mntimeming
			#Target Pinkuju, because I believe she is my biggest competition remaining in the Trials.
				*set targetpj true
				*goto lockwill
			#Point between Grog and Pinkuju, indicating that I want Lockdown to choose specifically between these two. This way I can target my competitors without taking any potential Elite heat for eliminating one over the other.
				*set targetpj true

				Thankfully, Lockdown seems happy to follow your lead this time. 

				Looking between Grog and Pinkuju, Lockdown sets the official target as Pinkuju.

				Not missing a beat, Prince Everly acknowledges your target and waves his hands to put you both to sleep once again.
				*goto mntimeming
	*else
		Lockdown gone, you have four targets to choose from: Cadet Gadget, Grog, Pinkuju, and MamaNa.

		As tempting as it might be to try and target Cadet Gadget, you have to assume he might be protected by the angels, given his role in eliminating Lockdown as an assassin in round one. The same goes for MamaNa, given her support of the vote. Plus, whether you're looking forward to it or not, you know that it's pretty important you get a chance to mingle with MamaNa in the next round, to get an update on the ever-shifting Versus political landscape. 

		That leaves Pinkuju and Grog, and since they are both your competition in this Trial, you figure it's about time to take one of them out to ensure your own safety, anyway.

		This choice is now solely up to you, so you step forward and clearly:

		*choice
			#Target Grog, because I believe it is my biggest competition remaining in the Trials.
				*set targetgrog true
				*label notmissbeat
				Not missing a beat, Prince Everly acknowledges your decision with a nod, then waves his hands to put you to sleep once again.
				*goto mntimeming
			#Target Pinkuju, because I believe she is my biggest competition remaining in the Trials.
				*set targetpj true
				*goto notmissbeat
			#Target Grog, because I believe it is likely a secret detective or angel.
				*set targetgrog true
				*goto notmissbeat
			#Target Pinkuju, because I believe she is likely a secret detective or angel.
				*set targetpj true
				*goto notmissbeat
*if aliasdetective
	You are woken up soon after, ready to fulfill your detective duties for the third time.

	*if successone
		As of now, innocent ambassadors Glorya, Beyhalo, and Oli have been eliminated, but you've also successfully voted out the first assassin, Lockdown. That means you and Grog have a narrow list to investigate who might be the final
		*if detectld
			assassin.

			This round, Grog rather graciously looks to you to take the lead on the investigation, probably feeling it's your turn after the first two rounds. Nodding a thank-you at Grog, you step forward and decide to investigate:

			*choice
				#Cadet Gadget.
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"No, Cadet Gadget is not a secret assassin."

					You look to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy—you both know the final assassin must be either Pinkuju or MamaNa.
					*goto mntimeming
				#MamaNa.
					*set knowmamana true
					*label youknowthena
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"Yes, MamaNa is a secret assassin."

					You look to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy—and you both smile. Whether you are surprised or not by this MamaNa revelation, you both know that you've done your job perfectly so far. Now all that's left to do to secure your win is convince the others to vote out MamaNa. 

					That is, assuming you survive the next assassination….
					*goto mntimeming
				#Pinkuju.
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"No, Pinkuju is not a secret assassin."

					You look to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy—you both know the final assassin must be either Cadet Gadget or MamaNa.
					*goto mntimeming
		*else
			assassin, considering you have also confirmed that Cadet Gadget is innocent. One way or another, this choice should tell you all you need to know about the remaining unrevealed Aliases.

			This round, Grog looks to you to take the lead on the investigation, though perhaps only because it knows that this choice will be revealing no matter what you do. 

			*set knowmamana true
			*choice
				#Still, nodding at Grog, I step forward and decide to investigate MamaNa, because I'm sure she is an assassin.
					*goto youknowthena
				#Still, nodding at Grog, I step forward and decide to investigate MamaNa, because I'm sure she is actually innocent.
					*goto youknowthena
				#Still, nodding at Grog, I step forward and decide to investigate Pinkuju, because she is our direct Entrant competitor.
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"No, Pinkuju is not a secret assassin."

					You look to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy—you both have deduced that MamaNa must be the last remaining assassin, obviously. You and Grog smile at each other, knowing that you've done your job perfectly so far. Now all that's left to do to secure your win is convince the others to vote out MamaNa. 

					That is, assuming you survive the next assassination….
					*goto mntimeming
	*else
		As of now, innocent ambassadors Glorya, Beyhalo, Oli, and Cadet Gadget have been eliminated. Which means that of the remaining three players,
		*if detectld
			Lockdown and one other ambassador are the remaining hidden assassins. One way or another, this choice should tell you all that you need to know.

			This round, Grog looks to you to take the lead on the investigation, though perhaps only because it knows that this choice will be revealing no matter what you do.

			*set knowboth true
			*choice
				#Still, nodding at Grog, I step forward and decide to investigate MamaNa, because I'm sure she is an assassin.
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"Yes, MamaNa is a secret assassin."

					You look to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy—and you both smile. Clearly, your instincts were correct. 

					*label strainedsmile
					But your smile is still a bit strained, because even though you know Lockdown and MamaNa are the two remaining assassins, you have to hope now you can convince Pinkuju to vote with you against one of them. 

					That is, assuming you survive the next assassination….
					*goto mntimeming
				#Still, nodding at Grog, I step forward and decide to investigate MamaNa, because I'm sure she is actually innocent.
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"Yes, MamaNa is a secret assassin."

					You look to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy—and you both smile. Clearly, your instincts about MamaNa's innocence were incorrect, but that doesn't really matter.

					*goto strainedsmile
				#Still, nodding at Grog, I step forward and decide to investigate Pinkuju, because she is our direct Entrant competitor.
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"No, Pinkuju is not a secret assassin."

					You look to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy—you both have deduced that MamaNa must be the last remaining assassin, obviously. You both smile, but it's a strained smile, because even though you know Lockdown and MamaNa are the two remaining assassins, you have to hope now you can convince Pinkuju to vote with you against one of them. 

					That is, assuming you survive the next assassination….
					*goto mntimeming
		*else
			two are secret assassins. Realizing this, you should actually hope to investigate the remaining innocent ambassador, since confirming that will reveal the identity of the two assassins by default.

			This round, Grog looks to you to take the lead on the investigation rather graciously, probably feeling it's your turn after the first two rounds. Nodding a thank-you at Grog, you then step forward and decide to investigate:

			*choice
				#Lockdown.
					*set knowjustlockdown true
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"Yes, Lockdown is a secret assassin."

					Looking to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy, you smile at having identified one of the remaining assassins. However, it's a strained smile, because you still don't know if the second assassin is Pinkuju or MamaNa. And winning the game will depend on convincing the innocent one of these remaining two to vote against Lockdown. 

					That is, assuming you survive the next assassination….
					*goto mntimeming
				#MamaNa.
					*set knowjustmamana true
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"Yes, MamaNa is a secret assassin."

					Looking to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy, you smile at having identified one of the remaining assassins. However, it's a strained smile, because you still don't know if the second assassin is Pinkuju or Lockdown. And winning the game will depend on convincing the innocent one of these remaining two to vote against MamaNa. 

					That is, assuming you survive the next assassination….
					*goto mntimeming
				#Pinkuju.
					*set knowboth true
					Prince Everly registers this decision, then his voice once again echoes in your mind.

					"No, Pinkuju is not a secret assassin."

					Looking to Grog as your eyelids grow heavy, you smile widely, because you both know that if Pinkuju is innocent, this must mean that Lockdown and MamaNa have to be assassins. But it's a strained smile, because even though you know Lockdown and MamaNa are the two remaining assassins, you have to hope now you can convince Pinkuju to vote with you against one of them. 

					That is, assuming you survive the next assassination….
					*goto mntimeming

*label mntimeming
*page_break

It feels as if no time has passed at all when you open your eyes again, waking up to await the announcement of the third-round assassination.
*if aliasassassin
	When you look to Prince Everly this time, you are surprised to find that he has a smile on his face.
 
	"In this short nightfall, something unprecedented happened," Prince Everly announces. "The angels were able to successfully save the target from assassination! This target will still remain anonymous, but this means that all five of you have been spared entering the next ambassador vote."

	[i]Blerg,[/i] you think, trying not to let your emotion show on your face. That's not ideal, because now you have to cover yourself for another vote—a vote where any remaining angels now know that your target, the one they chose to successfully save, must obviously be an innocent ambassador.
*if aliasdetective
	You look to Prince Everly to find that, unfortunately, he sports yet another frown on his face.

	"The angels failed to save the assassin's target again," Prince Everly announces. "Sadly, I must say that…Grog was successfully assassinated in this latest night."

	[i]Blerg,[/i] you think as Grog suddenly vanishes from the ballroom in a swirl of lavender. Although the elimination of one of your fellow Entrant competitors might help your chances overall in The Elite Trials, it makes the task of winning this game of Alias doubly difficult, given the loss of your detective partner.
*comment endif

But these considerations seem to recede as MamaNa suddenly approaches, clearly ready to take her turn with you in the mingle rotation. You have a feeling that, much like with Oli, MamaNa will have more important things to discuss with you than simple Alias strategy.

*page_break

"Darling, how divine it is to see you!" MamaNa nearly shouts as she approaches, seeming like some kind of drunken circus performer. "We must find a private corner to discuss our business, mustn't we?"

MamaNa then takes you by the arm and leads you around the corner of a massive pillar, into the shadows of a hidden VIP lounge you didn't even know existed. In contrast to the main ballroom, the VIP pocket-lounge is rather dark, filled with sleek furniture and low lighting. MamaNa settles on a slate-colored couch and places her goblet down on a crystallized end table. You sit beside MamaNa and before you can even lean back, you immediately find that any trace of the drunken entertainer has already disappeared.

"Allow me to slip into something more comfortable," MamaNa says, sounding serious and sober as the pearls on her skin start to shimmer.
*if (rlshp_mamana > 70)
	"We need some extra pearlescent surveillance protection for this particular conversation, but you must know that usually my kind keep our transformations highly private. Showing such a personal transitional moment to anyone is considered the highest honor my kind can bestow. So, you're welcome."

	MamaNa winks at you before her entire body becomes covered in her signature studded pearls. You wonder if you should avert your eyes, but what you see is too stunning to look away.
*if (rlshp_mamana = 28)
	"Usually my kind keep our transformations highly private, because showing such a personal transitional moment to anyone is considered the highest honor we can bestow. However, the following is a transformation of necessity, not a show of worthiness—we simply need some extra pearlescent surveillance protection for this particular conversation. So you should look away now."

	A grimace crosses MamaNa's face as her entire body begins to cover itself in her signature studded pearls. Given MamaNa's tone, it sounds like she isn't quite over your last conversation. This means you might be in for a bit of a bumpy ride, but that's fine—if MamaNa wants to play nasty, you can too. 

	Which is precisely why you don't look away as her transformation begins.

*page_break

For a few moments, MamaNa's skin appears to be made entirely of pearls rolling and shining across every inch of her skin. The pearls seem to multiply and disappear at will, taking on a metallic quality until finally settling into a new shape. Once configured, the pearls begin to melt back into MamaNa's seafoam skin, save for several that still stud her face in
*if (rlshp_mamana > 70)
	circular patterns. MamaNa now wears layer upon layer of black ruffles, accentuated by additional layers of onyx pearl necklaces and bracelets dangling off her body. A massive fanned collar extends around her neck, and a deep black crown sits atop her head, one that hangs a hooded cloak over her hair. MamaNa then turns to you, looking quite ready for some political intrigue.
*if (rlshp_mamana = 28)
	sharp, angular patterns. MamaNa now appears frighteningly misshapen, with a round, beady body and long, spindly limbs. She almost looks like a human spider, ready to devour you if need be.
*comment endif

Witnessing this transformation, you realize now more than ever that MamaNa is a true chameleon. You can't help but wonder whether MamaNa has ever shown her real self, or if such a form even exists. Can someone like MamaNa even possess a sense of self, or does she simply become whoever she needs to be from moment to moment, situation to situation?

As MamaNa readjusts her new body on the couch, you spot something new: a kind of pulsing, strobing light blinking on her temple. You first think this must be one of the aftereffects of MamaNa's transformations, but something about it looks familiar…so familiar that it suddenly triggers a memory. 

The image flashes into your head like a video projector, replaying itself as clear as day…

*page_break

[i]You suddenly find yourself back beside Dhanthik on your second night in MemoryTravel, facing the ever-horrific Bominate as the off-planet sourcing stream nourishes its twisted half-human, half-android body. This is the precise moment when you were able to hack into the Bominate's stream, just before it slipped through your grasp. In that moment, you discovered its one and only weakness, blinking on the Bominate's temple like a beacon.[/i] 

[i]Given the impossibility of destroying the Bominate's now-hidden off-body battery source, the only thing capable of killing it is the race that created it: someone from this creator race must perform a gene-specific nerve touch in the spot blinking brightly on the Bominate's skull.[/i] 

*if bominatetruth
	[i]For a fleeting moment, you were also able to see the place broadcasting this sourcing stream, indicating the true origins of the Bominate: a planet neighboring Binaria and the Forbidden Moon Multinaria, named Cuttara.[/i] 
*comment endif

As this flashback snaps through your mind, you see it there on MamaNa's temple right in front of you: it's the same exact blinking weakness you saw on the Bominate in MemoryTravel.

What the blerg?

*page_break

"What planet are you from?" you ask, trying not to sound too eager as potential theories and implications cycle through your mind.

*if (rlshp_mamana > 70)
	"Ah, I see my transformation has sparked some interest," MamaNa says, smiling back at you as she reaches to sip her from her [i]Mama's Medicine[/i] goblet. "I hail from a planet in the Nagoll Rim, right next to Binaria actually. My planet is named Cuttara. Why, have you heard of it? I'd be rather flattered if you had."

	Hearing this, a stone of realization solidifies in your stomach, hard and full of dread.

	"I have, actually," you say, trying once again to remain calm despite your now-racing pulse. "It's the planet that created the Bominate, isn't it?"
*if (rlshp_mamana = 28)
	"A planet from the Nagoll Rim, next to Binaria," MamaNa says, scowling at you as she takes a sip from her [i]Mama's Medicine[/i] goblet. "It's named Cuttara. Not that you'd have the slightest clue what any of that means, given your rather backward breeding."

	"Backward or not," you say, keeping your voice as calm and even as possible despite your now-racing pulse. "I saw that same blinking on your temple on the Bominate, once. Which means that your race must be the one that created it, right?"

*page_break

MamaNa is so caught off guard by your question that she drops her goblet on the ground, sending its clear liquid contents spilling across the VIP lounge floor. And in that moment, with your Lady Venuma intuition primed to full, MamaNa signals all the answer you need: 

You've caught MamaNa red-handed. Or red-templed, as it were.

As MamaNa realizes what you have intuited, you're not sure who is more stunned: you, to have learned this startling truth, or MamaNa, to have been caught unawares by you. Either way, you both quickly come to the same realization: this revelation could potentially change everything. After all, it means that MamaNa is the only one on Versus who can kill the Bominate—and with just a simple touch, at that—but she has clearly chosen not to. 

You immediately wonder whether anyone else in The Elite Courte knows this shocking truth: that MamaNa could have prevented countless deaths by volunteering herself against the Bominate.

*if (bominatetruth) and (bomwar = false)
	You then remember with a jolt that you have already told the other Nagoll Rimmers—OtherBoard, Cel, and Trig—about this Cuttaran creation truth. Do they also know that MamaNa is from Cuttara? If they don't, it certainly won't take long before they do, especially given OtherBoard's renewed interest in leaving her self-imposed sequester.
*if (bominatetruth) and (bomwar)
	You then remember that you withheld the truth about this Cuttaran creation from the other Nagoll Rimmers—Cel, Trig, and OtherBoard—to keep them pitted against one another. What would they do if they were to learn this truth about MamaNa?
*if (bominatetruth = false)
	What would the other Nagoll Rimmers—Royal A-08, OtherBoard, Cel, and Trig—do if they learned the truth about MamaNa's connection to this Cuttaran creation?

*page_break

MamaNa takes a deep breath, attempting to regain her composure. She is obviously not accustomed to being blindsided like this, so when she speaks, it's in an uncharacteristically hushed and urgent tone.

*if (rlshp_mamana > 70)
	"I don't know how you learned this, but we'll definitely have to discuss that later. In the meantime, color me impressed," MamaNa begins and you have to admit, you're happy MamaNa seems to realize she may have underestimated you. She wouldn't be the first on Versus to do so. 

	"It's a very, very good thing that I had this private VIP conversation approved by Queen Ashe and Lady Venuma before the start of this Trial party, because I can assure you that neither goddess would want my little secret getting out," MamaNa continues. "And you must know I have kept this secret for a very specific reason.

	"It's much more complicated than we have time to delve into, of course, but Cuttara essentially created the Bominate to keep war in Binaria burning, which in turn keeps Cuttara’s weapons economy booming and any potential Binarian competitive threat fully occupied. This was obviously not my choice, but rather the choice of my own considerable elders in the highest echelons of Cuttara's government. 

	"However, it has indeed been my choice to keep this Cuttaran creation a secret here on Versus. Instead of stepping in and destroying the Bominate myself, I decided when the Bominate appeared that it might be the perfect tool to stir the Ords to rebellion, given its role as a terrifying and omnipresent Destructive threat. And it seems I was quite right about that much, at least."

	*page_break

	"Still, ${name} Thomil, it is imperative that you believe it has always been my plan to volunteer myself once The VS Front makes its move. 
	*if (rlshp_mamana = 72)
		If The VS Front prevails and takes the majority, I will step in simply to eliminate any further threat to the Constructive side. But I will also step in if the rebellion is to fail, if only to keep our minority numbers from dwindling and to buy us more time to hopefully rise again. 
	*if (rlshp_mamana = 88)
		If The VS Front prevails and takes the majority, we will then need the Bominate to potentially eliminate Queen Ashe and then later Lady Venuma, for I doubt any other Destructive being could stand up to their might. 

		"Of course, once equality is established and the Wone goddesses have been removed, I will step in simply to eliminate any further threat to the Constructive side. In the unlikely event The VS Front does not prevail initially, I will also consider stepping in to keep our minority numbers from dwindling and to buy us more time to hopefully rise again. 
	*comment endif

	"If you trust in nothing else, ${name} Thomil, you must trust in this: I have kept this secret with a heavy heart, but with a sure heart all the same. While keeping it comes at a devastating cost in the short term, I know it is truly what needed to be done for the benefit of all on Versus in the long run," MamaNa says, sighing gravely before inhaling again. "This is the secret ace I have kept up my sleeve to use in an hour of need, but it seems you have discovered it.

	"Of course, I'm sure you must already see that this is simply another reason for you to remain aligned with me, since I am the only one who can ever kill the Bominate. I do hope that in your eyes, this only makes me a more powerful and trusted ally. But I suppose if you do feel otherwise, you might still be inclined to trust me after all, since you do now have the appropriate…leverage to keep me loyal to you."

	MamaNa pauses then, allowing the weight of her last few words to fully settle with you.

	*page_break

	"However you do feel, you already know that I want you to win the Trials," MamaNa continues. "I want Grog to lose this second Trial since Pinkuju is firmly on our side. And then it is my desire for you to defeat Pinkuju in the final Trial, the SoulTest. This is why I have chosen to coach you as I have.

	"${name} Thomil, I am now trusting you with not only my plans on Versus, but with the very security of my own self-preservation, the most precious thing in all the galaxy to someone like me. So I suppose there's only one question to ask in the limited time we have left…

	"Do you trust me?"
*if (rlshp_mamana = 28)
	"I don't know how you learned this, but you'd do well to not attempt to handle live weapons unless you know how to fire them, child," MamaNa begins, still seeming rattled, despite her attempt at throwing threats. You have to admit, you're happy MamaNa seems to realize she may have underestimated you. She wouldn't be the first on Versus to do so.

	"It's a very good thing I had this private VIP conversation approved by Queen Ashe and Lady Venuma before this second Trial party, because I can assure you that neither goddess would want my little secret getting out," MamaNa continues. "And you must know I have kept this secret for a very specific reason.

	"I'm sure you do not to hear care the particulars of my intentions, or rather, that you would not trust them even if I told you. But you can trust that what I say next is as honest and pure as the desire for self-preservation itself…" 

	*page_break

	"Once The VS Front makes its move, win or lose, it has always been my plan to step in and destroy the Bominate. Either to eliminate any further threat to the Constructive side in victory, or to keep our minority numbers from dwindling and buy us more time to hopefully rise again in defeat. After all, stepping in to kill the Bominate once and for all is not only the right thing to do, it would also make me a savior in the eyes of our fellow Versians.

	"So if you trust in nothing else, ${name} Thomil, you must trust in this: while keeping this secret comes at a devastating cost in the short term, I know it is truly what needed to be done for the benefit of all on Versus in the long run," MamaNa says, sighing gravely before inhaling again. "This is the secret ace I have kept up my sleeve to use in an hour of need, but it seems you have discovered it. Which means you obviously have me in a difficult position now.

	"Of course, you could choose to use this opportunity to take me down, to expose and discredit me. That would make me a bitter enemy of yours, an enemy who has known and served Queen Ashe for many cycles. An enemy who you already know can transform to fool the mighty Queen. If you were to move against me, why do you think Queen Ashe would ever believe your word over mine? Would you really risk your own life just to destroy me? 

	"And most importantly, do you really think you have what it takes? Do you believe you could go to the lengths I am willing to go, to defeat me? You already know I want you to lose this Trial, so why give me more incentive to move against you?"

	MamaNa pauses then, allowing the weight of her last few words to fully settle. Your blood boils to hear these wicked threats, but you will hear MamaNa out fully before you take your own opportunity to respond. After all, no matter how this spidery version of MamaNa would like to spin her web, you know that you currently hold all the cards in this scenario.

	*page_break

	"Certainly, it would be smarter to use this opportunity to make me an ally," MamaNa then says, making her final plea. "After all, I am the only one who can ever kill the Bominate, which makes you safe at my side. Barring that turn of events, you now possess all the leverage you need to keep me quiet and force my hand as a true ally to you, whether you trust me or not. For in the end, you don't have to actually trust me—you simply have to trust that our incentives align. And with this information, you can guarantee my incentives shall align with your own for quite some time.

	"So ${name} Thomil, it seems I am forced to trust you with not only my plans on Versus, but with my very self-preservation, the most precious thing in the galaxy to me. So I suppose there's only one question to ask in the limited time we have left…

	"Will you trust me?"
*comment endif

As MamaNa finishes her rather impassioned pitch, she finally looks to you for your answer. And MamaNa has given you quite a bit to consider before you reply. She made sure to insinuate that Queen Ashe or Lady Venuma already know her secret, but it's in her favor to make it seem that way whether it's true or not. You suppose you'll just have to add that to the list of reasons to trust or distrust MamaNa. Can you truly work with her, knowing what she is capable of? Do you think her code of self-preservation makes her rather predictable, or utterly dangerous? 

You suppose it all boils down to one consideration: Do you respect or despise the deadly lengths MamaNa will go to for political gain? Had she acted differently, ${deathone} and countless others might still be alive today.

*choice
	*if (rlshp_mamana > 70) #"You've done the right thing, MamaNa," I say, truly meaning it. "This is a powerful secret to have on our side."	
		*set abolishbothstatus +15
		*set coupspystatus +8
		*set coupbondstatus +4
		*set rlshp_mamana %+30
		*set calculating %+15
		*set outspoken %+15

		*label gladtohearyoumna
		It's barely detectable, but MamaNa sighs a tiny breath of relief to hear your response. 

		"I'm very glad you feel that way," MamaNa exhales. "I have to admit, ${name} Thomil, I always thought you were going to be a useful ally—but before today, I didn't consider you an equal. I'm rather thrilled to have been proven wrong."

		You nod at MamaNa, taking this as the compliment it was intended as. Just like Lady Venuma once learned, it would be a mistake to underestimate you, despite your relative lack of galactic experience. You can be just as calculating and ruthless as the other major players here, and now you're starting to prove it in both words and deeds. What MamaNa did was indeed heartless, but you see clearly how it was also necessary.

		As MamaNa says, you are rising to become her equal in the Versus landscape—it seems a new major player must be added to the Versian gameboard, one who deals in power and rationality, not emotion or weakness.

		*if (bominatetruth) and (bomwar = false)
			*goto dotell
		*else
			*goto didntknow
	*if (rlshp_mamana = 28) #"I don't trust you," I say. "And I also have my own Priscan absorb abilities to rival your transformative skills, not to mention the truth on my side."
		*set winjoinstatus +8
		*set eliteinfostatus +8
		*set coupspystatus +4
		*set rlshp_mamana %-30
		*set calculating %-15
		*set outspoken %+15

		It's barely detectable, but MamaNa sighs a tiny breath of rage to be challenged like this. 

		"I have to admit, I thought you were going to be a pitifully useless opponent, quite easy to crush," MamaNa says slowly. "Before today I didn't consider you an equal. Now that I do, you had best prepare to be treated as such."

		You nod at MamaNa, accepting the weight of her threat. However, just like Lady Venuma once learned, it would be a mistake to underestimate you, despite your lack of galactic experience. 
		*label notsureuseinfo
		You're not sure how or if you'll use this information against MamaNa, but for now, you know that your mere possession of it will keep her in check. And you can tell you don't need words for that message to resonate with MamaNa, loud and clear.

		In fact, this may be a more effective way to contain MamaNa for the time being, since telling anyone or announcing this information here might only make you look guilty by association. No, just like with The VS Front, if you're going to reveal anything, it will have to be when it counts most, when you know you'll be believed: in Queen Ashe's SoulTest.

		*if (bominatetruth) and (bomwar = false)
			*goto donttell
		*else
			*goto didntknow
	*if (rlshp_mamana = 28) #Actually, I want MamaNa on my side. So I should use this moment to make her an ally and tell her I will keep her secret.
		*set coupbondstatus +8
		*set coupspystatus +8
		*set doubleagentstatus +4
		*set rlshp_mamana 61
		*set calculating %+15
		*set outspoken %-15
		*goto gladtohearyoumna
	#"I will keep your secret, MamaNa, but only if you promise to volunteer against the Bominate when the time is right. I won't let anyone else die unnecessarily. We owe at least that much to ${deathone}."
		*set eliteinfostatus +4
		*set coupbondstatus +8
		*set abolishbothstatus +12
		*set rlshp_mamana %+10
		*set calculating %-15
		*set outspoken %+15

		It's barely detectable, but MamaNa sighs a tiny breath of relief. Her sigh is accompanied by a wave of lingering fear, given your conditions.

		"Very well," MamaNa says, seeming to find your morality unappetizing. She clearly doesn't place much value in moves that aren't purely about self-preservation. 

		Which is fine by you, because that kind of self-motivated politicking might make MamaNa dangerous, but now that you see who she really is under all those transformations, she'll become quite predictable—so long as you are able to keep your eyes open and focused clearly.

		*if (bominatetruth) and (bomwar = false)
			*goto donttell
		*else
			*goto didntknow
	*if (rlshp_mamana < 88) #Tell MamaNa that I will keep her secret, but know that really I will use it against her the first chance I get.
		*label lietomnsa
		*set doubleagentstatus +8
		*set winjoinstatus +8
		*set eliteinfostatus +4
		*set rlshp_mamana %-20
		*set calculating %+15
		*set outspoken %-15

		It's barely detectable, but MamaNa sighs a tiny breath of relief. Her sigh is accompanied by a wave of lingering fear—which must mean that MamaNa isn't inclined to take you at your word just yet.

		"I'm very glad you feel that way," MamaNa exhales. "I have to admit, ${name} Thomil, before today I didn't consider you an equal. I'm happy to say I have been proven wrong."

		You nod at MamaNa, taking this as the compliment it was intended as. Just like Lady Venuma once learned, it would be a mistake to underestimate you, despite your lack of galactic experience. You can be just as calculating and ruthless as the other major players here, and you're starting to prove it in both words and deeds.

		You're not sure how or if you'll use this information against MamaNa, but for now, you know that your mere possession of this information will keep her in check. In fact, withholding this secret may be a more effective way to contain MamaNa, since telling anyone or announcing this information might only make you look guilty by association. 

		No, just like with The VS Front, if you're going to reveal anything, it will have to be when it counts most and when you know you'll be believed: in Queen Ashe's SoulTest.

		*if (bominatetruth) and (bomwar = false)
			*goto donttell
		*else
			*goto didntknow
	*if (rlshp_mamana < 88) #Blackmail MamaNa: tell her I will keep her secret only if she ensures my victory in The Elite Trials.
		*set winjoinstatus +8
		*set doubleagentstatus +8
		*set eliteinfostatus +4
		*set rlshp_mamana %-20
		*set calculating %+15
		*set outspoken %+15

		It's barely detectable, but MamaNa sighs a tiny breath of rage to be challenged like this. 

		"Are you quite sure you're ready to play in the big leagues, ${name} Thomil?" MamaNa asks in a rather condescending tone. "If you truly were, you must already know that I can only truly help you win this second Trial. The SoulTest Trial will be up to you entirely. I cannot be held accountable for—"

		"You may only have an actual vote here in this second Trial," you interrupt, "but you have Queen Ashe's ear, as you are so eager to remind me time and time again. So I had better win The Elite Trials. For your own sake."

		MamaNa eyes you, cold anger burning in her eyes alongside something else, something new: respect. Clearly, you have reached a deal. 

		*page_break

		"I have to admit, I thought you were going to be a pitifully useless opponent, quite easy to crush," MamaNa says slowly. "Before today I didn't consider you an equal. Now that I do, you had best prepare to be treated as such."

		You nod at MamaNa, accepting the weight of her threat. However, just like Lady Venuma once learned, it would be a mistake to underestimate you, despite your lack of galactic experience. You're not sure how or if you'll ever use this information against MamaNa, but for now, you know that holding it over MamaNa's head will not just keep her in check—it will make her an ally, willingly or unwillingly.

		You can be sure of one thing: MamaNa seems adept at wiggling her way out of and and into things, so you had better be prepared for her next move, whatever that may be.

		*if (bominatetruth) and (bomwar = false)
			*goto donttell
		*else
			*goto didntknow
	#Don't say anything. I'm disgusted by MamaNa and all I want to do is reveal her secret, so I don't owe her any explanation. The only people I owe anything to now are the Bominate's potential future victims.
		*set winjoinstatus +8
		*set eliteinfostatus +8
		*set doubleagentstatus +4
		*set rlshp_mamana %-25
		*set calculating %-15
		*set outspoken %-15

		So you give MamaNa nothing, instead feeling her fear and frustration emanate out in sharp bursts. All you want to do right now is flee from MamaNa and shout her secret from the rooftops, but already you know that would be a bad idea.

		*goto notsureuseinfo

*label dotell
*page_break
*set mamanaknowsobct true

Glancing outside the VIP lounge, you see that Prince Everly is preparing to gather everyone again for the next ambassador vote. Before that happens, you know there's one more piece of information MamaNa needs to hear to act effectively as your ally.

"MamaNa, I have something else to tell you," you begin. "Before I met you, I told OtherBoard, Cel, and Trig about the Cuttaran Bominate creation. I did it to unite them at the time, obviously before I knew the full significance of your involvement."

MamaNa looks momentarily pained to hear this, but then quickly responds with rapid-fire thoughts: "That will be a considerable obstacle for The VS Front to overcome, though not an insurmountable one. If you and Lady Venuma can already bring those three natural-born enemies together for one cause, it may be possible to get them over the curse of my own birthright as
*if (mamanaabolish = false)
	well."
*if mamanaabolish
	well.

	"If not, at least we've found a way to unite those three under The VS Front banner for the time being. Getting them to join our second-phase counter-rebellion will be a trickier task, but that's a worry for another day. One step at a time."
*comment endif

You nod at MamaNa as you both stand to re-enter the party, feeling the mutual respect flowing in the VIP lounge. As far as you can tell, you and MamaNa are going to make a rather effective and influential team. Aligning with her may be playing a truly dangerous game, but it's one you hope you can continue winning.
*goto gameover

*label donttell
*page_break
*set mamanaunawareobct true

Glancing outside the VIP lounge, you see that Prince Everly is preparing to gather everyone again for the next ambassador vote. Which is fine by you, because your business with MamaNa seems to have concluded. 

Especially since you have no intentions of warning MamaNa that you've already told OtherBoard, Cel, and Trig about the Cuttaran Bominate creation. That's another potential wrench to throw in MamaNa's plans later if need be, as an insurance policy.

And hopefully it's another way for you to further bond with those who would stand against MamaNa—or those who would hold MamaNa accountable for the blood spilled by her inaction.
*goto gameover

*label didntknow
*page_break

Glancing outside the VIP lounge, you see that Prince Everly is preparing to gather everyone again for the next ambassador vote. Sensing your conversation with MamaNa has concluded, you can't help but wonder once again how Royal A-08, OtherBoard, Cel, and Trig will react if they ever learn of the truth behind MamaNa's connection to the Bominate's creation. Or how all of the other Versians will react knowing MamaNa could have saved all of the victims who fell prey to the Bominate.

You can be sure of this much: if you're considering these reactions, then MamaNa must also already be plotting how to handle them, one way or another. 

You just hope that you are able to continue deciding for yourself how you factor into MamaNa's plans, instead of the other way around.
*goto gameover

*label gameover
*page_break Encircled Again

You once again find yourself in a circular meeting of the final remaining ambassadors, all eying one another warily. That's also when it hits you that you didn't get the chance to hear any potential updates on the status of Versus politics from MamaNa. But it's probably fine, because if there was anything truly groundbreaking to share, you assume MamaNa would have found the time to tell you—if only for her own gain.

"I believe strongly that ${name} is an assassin,"
*temp successtwo false
*if aliasassassin
	Pinkuju suddenly says, looking you right in the eye and pulling you out of your thoughts with a jolt.

	It's all you can do to keep from flinching under her gaze, because of course you know that Pinkuju is telling the truth. Now that you're in the hot seat, you know that if you react incorrectly here it will be game over for you. And if you are voted out before Pinkuju, it might potentially lead to your exit from The Elite Trials themselves.

	So how do you respond to try and save yourself?

	*choice
		#Speak out and accuse Pinkuju right back, because I'm adept at speaking my mind.
			Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

			*if (outspoken > 60)
				*label calctrustsucc
				*set successtwo true
				*set mastery +3

				With your eloquent words of rebuttal ringing in their ears, 
				*label listencontentone
				the other ambassadors echo your call to remove Pinkuju from the game, with smiling faces, as you listen contentedly.

				But most of their smiles fade once Pinkuju has disappeared in a lavender haze and Prince Everly subsequently announces Pinkuju's innocent status.

				From that moment on, it seems the rest of the game is fated to finish in a predictable pattern.
				*goto tjcoutcomes
			*else
				*label calctrustfail
				Despite your eloquent words of rebuttal, 
				*label voteyouecho
				the other ambassadors quickly echo Pinkuju's call to remove you from the game, with smiling faces.

				Faces you can only imagine grow happier after you are removed from the ballroom in a lavender haze…and are revealed by Prince Everly as a secret assassin.

				From that moment on, it seems the rest of the game is fated to finish in a predictable pattern without you.
				*goto tjcoutcomes
		#Don't respond, and let Pinkuju hang herself, because I'm at my best when I seem contemplative.
			Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

			You look toward Pinkuju and shake your head, only responding with a simple: "I move to vote for Pinkuju." After that, you let this accusation speak for itself, without any desperate or over-eager explanations.

			*if (outspoken < 40)
				*set successtwo true
				*set mastery +3

				With a meaningful stretch of silence from you ringing in their ears,
				*goto listencontentone
			*else
				Despite your meaningful silence,
				*goto voteyouecho
		#Speak out and accuse Pinkuju right back, because I'm excellent at convincing people that what I say is true.
			Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

			*if (calculating > 75) or (calculating < 25) 
				*goto calctrustsucc
			*else
				*goto calctrustfail
*else
	MamaNa suddenly says, looking you right in the eye and pulling you out of your thoughts with a jolt.

	It's all you can do to keep from flinching under MamaNa's gaze, because of course you know this isn't true. 
	*if successone
		*if detectld
			*if knowmamana
				Instead, you know that MamaNa is in fact an assassin.
			*if (knowmamana = false)
				You don't know for sure whether MamaNa is an assassin herself, but if she is making it come down to either you or her, you know you have to shift the target onto MamaNa no matter what. 
		*if (detectld = false)
			Instead, you know that MamaNa is in fact an assassin.
	
		Now that you're in the hot seat, you know that if you react incorrectly here it will be game over for you. So how do you respond to try and save yourself, knowing you have to get Pinkuju and Cadet Gadget to vote with you somehow?
		
		*choice
			#Speak out and accuse MamaNa right back, because I'm adept at speaking my mind.
				Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

				*if (outspoken > 60)
					*label calctrustsucctwo
					*set successtwo true
					*set mastery +3

					With your eloquent words of rebuttal ringing in their ears, 
					*label listencontenttwo
					the other ambassadors echo your call to remove MamaNa from the game, with smiling faces, as you listen contentedly.

					And these smiles only widen once MamaNa has disappeared from the ballroom in a lavender haze…and Prince Everly announces that she was indeed a secret assassin.

					From that moment on, it seems the rest of the game is fated to finish in a predictable pattern.
					*goto tjcoutcomes
				*else
					*label calctrustfailtwo
					Despite your eloquent words of rebuttal, 
					*label voteyouechotwo
					the other ambassadors quickly echo MamaNa's call to remove you from the game, with smiling faces.

					Faces you can only imagine grow immediately unhappy after you are removed from the ballroom in a lavender haze—and confirmed as an innocent ambassador by Prince Everly.

					From that moment on, it seems the rest of the game is fated to finish in a predictable pattern without you.
					*goto tjcoutcomes
			#Don't respond, and let MamaNa hang herself, because I'm at my best when I seem contemplative.
				Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

				You look toward MamaNa and shake your head, only responding with a simple: "I move to vote for MamaNa." After that, you let this accusation speak for itself, without any desperate or over-eager explanations.

				*if (outspoken < 40)
					*set successtwo true
					*set mastery +3

					With your meaningful silence ringing in their ears,
					*goto listencontenttwo
				*else
					Despite your meaningful silence,
					*goto voteyouechotwo
			#Speak out and accuse MamaNa right back, because I'm excellent at convincing people that what I say is true.
				Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

				*if (calculating > 75) or (calculating < 25) 
					*goto calctrustsucctwo
				*else
					*goto calctrustfailtwo
	*else
		*if detectld 
			You know that MamaNa and Lockdown are the assassins here. Which means you also know they'll be voting together no matter what. So your only shot at surviving is to get Pinkuju to force a tie with you against MamaNa.
		*if (detectld = false)
			*if knowjustmamana
				You know that MamaNa is an assassin. Which means you also know that the other assassin is likely to side with MamaNa against you no matter what. So your only shot at surviving is to get the remaining ambassador, Pinkuju or Lockdown, to force a tie with you against MamaNa.
			*if knowjustlockdown
				You know that Lockdown is an assassin. Which means that if he sides with MamaNa against you, she is likely to be the other assassin. Really, you have to hope that Pinkuju is the remaining innocent ambassador and that you can convince her to vote with you against MamaNa.
			*if knowboth
				You know that MamaNa and Lockdown are the assassins here. Which means you also know they'll be voting together no matter what. So your only shot at surviving is to get Pinkuju to force a tie with you against MamaNa.
		*comment endif

		Now that you're in the hot seat, you know that if you react incorrectly here, it will be game over for you. And if you are voted out now, it might potentially lead to your exit from The Elite Trials themselves. So how do you respond to try and save yourself?
		
		*choice
			#Speak out and accuse MamaNa right back, because I'm adept at speaking my mind.
				Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

				*if (outspoken > 60)
					*label pjwithyou
					*set successtwo true
					*set mastery +3

					With your eloquent words of rebuttal ringing in her ears, 
					*label listencontentthree
					Pinkuju echoes your vote against MamaNa…only to have MamaNa and Lockdown cast votes for you.

					The elimination comes down to a random tiebreaker, which Prince Everly is all too happy to conduct. With the quick flip of a coin, you hold your breath to find…

					MamaNa removed from the game, disappearing from the ballroom in a final pop of lavender light.

					From that moment on, it seems the rest of the game is fated to finish in a predictable pattern.
					*goto tjcoutcomes
				*else
					*label pjagainstyou
					
					Despite your eloquent words of rebuttal, 
					*label voteyouechothree
					Pinkuju quickly echoes MamaNa's call to remove you from the game, with a smiling face.

					A face you can only imagine grows immediately unhappy after you are removed from the ballroom in a lavender haze…and confirmed as an innocent ambassador by Prince Everly.

					From that moment on, it seems the rest of the game is fated to finish in a predictable pattern without you.
					*goto tjcoutcomes
			#Don't respond, and let MamaNa hang herself, because I'm at my best when I seem contemplative.
				Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

				You look toward MamaNa and shake your head, only responding with a simple: "I move to vote for MamaNa." After that, you let this accusation speak for itself, without any desperate or over-eager explanations.

				*if (outspoken < 40)
					*set successtwo true			
					*set mastery +3

					With your meaningful silence ringing in their ears,
					*goto listencontentthree
				*else
					Despite your meaningful silence,
					*goto voteyouechothree
			#Speak out and accuse MamaNa right back, because I'm excellent at convincing people that what I say is true.
				Everything seems to happen in a blur next, as your heart pounds so loudly in your ears that it causes you to feel light-headed.

				*if (calculating > 75) or (calculating < 25) 
					*goto pjwithyou
				*else
					*goto pjagainstyou

*label tjcoutcomes
*page_break Alias Exposed

You stand in the Alias final ceremony circle among all nine of the returned ambassadors, the game having played itself out to its logical end after the last vote.
*if aliasassassin
	*if successtwo
		Once Pinkuju was voted out,
		*if successone
			she was revealed to be the final remaining ambassador angel. With no chance of a target being saved from assassination in the next round, you and Lockdown could easily eliminate another ambassador and then vote out the sole remaining ambassador in a two-to-one vote.

			Which obviously means that the assassins—you and Lockdown—won this game of Alias. After the game ended, Beyhalo and Pinkuju were revealed to be the secret ambassador angels, while Grog and Glorya were revealed as the secret ambassador detectives.

			Right now you find yourself standing in The Elite Trial winner's circle in first place, with Grog coming in second and Pinkuju coming in third.

			*label wonalias
			*set winjoinstatus +7
			*set doubleagentstatus +7
			*set coupspystatus +7
			*set coupbondstatus +7
			*set eliteinfostatus +7
			*set abolishbothstatus +14
			*achieve aliaswin
			*goto theseplacements
		*else
			you went into the next slumber able to target Grog, MamaNa, or Cadet Gadget. You successfully eliminated Grog, but in the next ambassador vote, MamaNa and Cadet Gadget were dead set on voting you out, since they had been working together the entire game. 

			With your exit, obviously the ambassadors ended up winning Alias. After the game ended, Beyhalo and Pinkuju were revealed to be the secret ambassador angels, while Grog and Glorya were revealed as the secret ambassador detectives.

			Right now you find yourself standing in The Elite Trial in second place, with Pinkuju coming in third place. Grog pulled first place as the last ambassador standing among the Entrants, even though you technically survived further in the game.

			*label secondaliased
			*set winjoinstatus +4
			*set doubleagentstatus +4
			*set coupspystatus +4
			*set coupbondstatus +4
			*set eliteinfostatus +4
			*set abolishbothstatus +8
			*achieve aliassecond
			*goto theseplacements
	*else
		Once you were voted out,
		*if successone
			Lockdown went into the next slumber and successfully targeted Grog. Then in the final vote, Lockdown somehow convinced MamaNa to side with him against Pinkuju, which led to a default win for Lockdown, as he would obviously eliminate MamaNa in the final round slumber.

			So, despite your elimination, the team of assassins ended up winning Alias. After the game ended, Beyhalo and Pinkuju were revealed to be the secret ambassador angels, while Grog and Glorya were revealed as the secret ambassador detectives.

			Right now you find yourself standing in The Elite Trial winner's circle in second place, with Grog coming in third place for having been the first eliminated ambassador Entrant. Pinkuju pulled first place as the last Entrant left standing, even though your side technically won the game.
			*goto secondaliased
		*else
			that meant the official end for the team of assassins, leaving Grog, Pinkuju, MamaNa, and Cadet Gadget as the surviving ambassadors.

			Which obviously meant that the team of ambassadors won Alias. After the game ended, Beyhalo and Pinkuju were revealed to be the secret ambassador angels, while Grog and Glorya were revealed as the secret ambassador detectives.

			Right now you find yourself standing in The Elite Trial winner's circle in third place, with Grog coming in second and Pinkuju coming in first—mostly for being the one to take you out in the vote.

			*label aliasedthird
			*set winjoinstatus +2
			*set doubleagentstatus +2
			*set coupspystatus +2
			*set coupbondstatus +2
			*set eliteinfostatus +2
			*set abolishbothstatus +4
			*achieve aliasthird
			*goto theseplacements
*else
	*if successtwo
		Once MamaNa was eliminated,
		*if successone
			she was obviously revealed to be the second secret assassin. With both assassins officially gone, you, Pinkuju, and Cadet Gadget had survived as the final innocent ambassadors.

			Which also meant that the team of ambassadors ultimately won Alias. After the game ended, Beyhalo and Pinkuju were revealed to be the secret ambassador angels, while you and Grog were revealed as the secret ambassador detectives.

			Right now you find yourself standing in The Elite Trial winner's circle in first place, having spearheaded the vote for MamaNa, with Pinkuju coming in second for surviving to the end and Grog coming in third for its earlier elimination.
			*goto wonalias
		*else
			she was revealed as one of the two remaining assassins. Going into the final night, Pinkuju, who turned out to be an ambassador angel, made a crucial move to save you. Which worked out perfectly, because the final assassin, Lockdown, also tried to target you.

			In the final vote, you and Pinkuju teamed up to vote out Lockdown, since she had already confirmed your innocence with her angelic save. Which also meant that the team of ambassadors ultimately won Alias. After the game ended, Beyhalo and Pinkuju were revealed to be the secret ambassador angels, while you and Grog were revealed as the secret ambassador detectives.

			Right now you find yourself standing in The Elite Trial winner's circle in second place, with Pinkuju in first thanks to her game-changing final save, and Grog coming in third due to its earlier elimination.
			*goto secondaliased
	*else
		Once you were voted out,
		*if successone
			Pinkuju, the final remaining ambassador angel, made a crucial move to save Cadet Gadget in the final night, which worked out perfectly because the final assassin, MamaNa, tried to target him.

			In the final vote, Cadet Gadget and Pinkuju teamed up to vote out MamaNa. Which also meant that the team of ambassadors ultimately won Alias. Beyhalo was then revealed as the second angel, with all other roles already outed.

			Right now you stand in The Elite Trial winner's circle in second place, with Grog coming in third due to its earlier elimination, and Pinkuju coming in first for having lasted the longest and carrying out her game-changing final angelic save.
			*goto secondaliased
		*else
			that meant that the remaining two assassins, Lockdown and MamaNa, would win by default. In the final night, Pinkuju would save herself as the last remaining revealed angel, but then clearly MamaNa and Lockdown would just vote her out in the final ambassador vote with their two-to-one majority.

			Which of course meant that the team of assassins ultimately won Alias. After the game ended, Beyhalo and Pinkuju were revealed to be the secret ambassador angels, while you and Grog were revealed as the secret ambassador detectives.

			Right now you find yourself standing in The Elite Trial winner's circle in third place, with Pinkuju in first for lasting the longest and Grog in second—Grog was able to beat you out despite being eliminated earlier, because of your failure to convince Pinkuju of your detective innocence after Grog's assassination, which it couldn't really have prevented.
			*goto aliasedthird

*label theseplacements

However, you have already been told that these Alias placements won't necessarily directly determine the two Entrants who win the second Trial, since you now stand before a final Elite Courte selection committee. You've been told the Alias rankings will play a huge part in the committee vote to come, for better or worse, but also that you're apparently going to have to answer one final question that will seal your fates.

*page_break

Standing straight and tall to await this question, you look over the selection committee, which is comprised of the entire Elite Alias party: Lockdown, Cadet Gadget, Oli, MamaNa, Beyhalo, and Glorya all sit at a long banquet table behind Prince Everly, who stands out in front, underneath the floating Elite skybox presiding over this final ceremony.

"Thank you for such a well-played game—it was definitely both entertaining and revealing," Prince Everly says, looking over each of you three Entrants. "Before the selection committee votes on which two Entrants will move on to the third and final Elite Trial, we have one last question for you."

Prince Everly then pauses, allowing some suspense to build before he announces the question: "If you are honored with an Elite membership, what unique contributions will you make to this already diverse Courte?"

Feeling your nerves tense a bit, you try to tell yourself you are prepared to answer this question—or at least, you had better feel prepared, since it's only a small taste of what you're sure to face in Queen Ashe's revealing SoulTest.

*page_break

"I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore," Pinkuju suddenly speaks out, stepping in front of you and Grog. "What is all of this pomp and circumstance truly for, just to honor a system that keeps you chosen few protected in your ivory tower? The Versus Verses Selected all of us just the same, despite our differences, so what makes you think you're at all better than the Ords—is it Queen Ashe's seal of approval, or her promise of power and security? Well, I've come this far to tell you that it's just an illusion, all of it. You don't have to—"

"That's quite enough," MamaNa suddenly shouts, causing Pinkuju to fall silent. A look of pure shock temporarily breaks through the surface of her anger. "You are an honored guest here, Pinkuju, and I will not have you speak ill of our great Queen in such an unsavory and unseemly matter. Therefore, I move for immediate dismissal of Pinkuju in this second Elite Trial. All those in favor?"

Once again trying to keep up with the pace of this relatively surprising scene, you find yourself holding your breath. The Elite selection committee must feel similarly too, because unlike the rapid-fire votes in the Alias game, this one does not move forward immediately. The other Elites look to one another for a moment, not wanting to make this decision lightly—and obviously still processing Pinkuju's sudden outburst.

As they deliberate and you stand in silence with Grog, you have to wonder: why would MamaNa sell out one of her supposedly most-trusted VS Front allies like this? And what prompted Pinkuju to suddenly speak out after all this time already in The Elite Trials?

*choice
	#Whatever the reason, I think it's admirable of Pinkuju to speak up like this.
		*set rlshp_pj %+15

		Maybe Pinkuju was happy to find a reason to get eliminated, especially given her connection to The Unpronounceable One, who also seems to ideologically oppose The Elite Courte, from what you've been told. If that's the case, Pinkuju would make a very poor VS Front spy. Which must be terribly disappointing for MamaNa, no matter what.
		*goto flamout
	#I'd guess MamaNa somehow instigated this entire episode with Pinkuju because of my Bominate secret, to help me win the second trial.
		*set rlshp_pj %-10

		Could MamaNa somehow have pushed Pinkuju to make this outburst, in order to ensure your safety?
		*goto flamout
	#I think Pinkuju really did snap under the pressure—and then MamaNa, fearing Pinkuju would reveal too much, spoke out to remove her.
		*set rlshp_pj %-15

		If that's the case, Pinkuju would make a very poor VS Front spy anyway. Which must be terribly disappointing for MamaNa, no matter what.
		*goto flamout
	#I bet MamaNa just cut down one of her allies purely to save face before Queen Ashe and The Elite Courte.
		*set rlshp_pj %+10

		At this point, you wouldn't put any act of ruthlessness past MamaNa, considering all that she has already done.
		*goto flamout
	#Perhaps something during the mingling here at the Alias party triggered Pinkuju.
		*set rlshp_pj %+5

		Could Pinkuju genuinely not keep her truth contained, having felt this way since arriving at The Elite Castle? Or did MamaNa somehow urge her to lash out like this for some reason? You suppose you know better than anyone all the pressure of navigating the politics here, either way. 

		Maybe Pinkuju was happy to find a reason to get eliminated, especially given her connection to The Unpronounceable One, who also seems to ideologically oppose The Elite Courte, from what you've been told. If that's the case, Pinkuju would make a very poor VS Front spy anyway—which must be terribly disappointing for MamaNa.
		*goto flamout

*label flamout

As you consider this, suddenly a flash of white-hot flame sweeps from the skybox out across the ballroom floor. It's so hot and bright that you have to close your eyes as it spreads like wildfire.

When it finally feels safe to open your eyes again, you find that Pinkuju is no longer standing in front of you. For one horrible moment, you wonder if she has been burned alive, but then you remember Versus's laws on inter-Versian violence and rule out that possibility.

"Well, it looks like Queen Ashe has spoken on the matter," Prince Everly announcers, stepping out over the last few remaining white-hot embers. "Pinkuju has been removed from The Elite Castle and returned to the Verses Village, which means that we should congratulate our final two remaining Entrants, ${name} and Grog! We wish you luck in the final Trial, which will be held before Queen Ashe herself."

*page_break

As the Elite rise from their committee table, you turn to Grog—who once again shrugs at you, looking generally stunned to still be here in the final two. You don't know if that was a lucky break or not, but whatever it was, you will face off against Grog in the third and final Trial. And you have to remember: just because this final decision is technically up to Queen Ashe, that doesn't mean MamaNa, Lady Venuma, and the other Elites' respective influences aren't still in play. 

You can only hope that after all that has happened tonight, their involvement will be a good thing for you. 

But this day is still far from over, you quickly remind yourself. There's still the second Versus Match to attend, which will see Empress Vaccus facing off against a new Destructive Versian. And then, of course, there's the matter of your second night of MemoryTravel on Wone, which will hopefully contain more world-building with Prince Everly, a major encounter with Lady Venuma, and zero appearances by Lord Grahl.

It seems that, whether you're ready for them or not, wonders will never cease during your time on Versus. Taking a deep breath, you just hope you can continue navigating them as successfully as you have today's Trial.

*if (mastery >= 50)
	*set lifemax +1
	*set masteryfiftybonus true
	*achieve masteryfiftybonusac
	*goto endofournow
*elseif masteryfortybonus
	*goto endofournow
*elseif (mastery >= 40)
	*set lifemax +1
	*set masteryfortybonus true
	*achieve masteryfortybonusac
	*goto endofournow
*else
	*goto endofournow

*label endofournow
*finish Chapter Five: Destroy
