My holy leader, Preceptor Ruth, finally assigned me to my first mission. It is today. I am honored. She has been my teacher since my day of awakening. I remember nothing before that day.
I was lost.
Now I am found.
She told me she was lucky to find me. She said I:
[[am one who sings with sky|Swallow]]
[[have heart like diamond|Spider]]
[[am one who dances with earth|Turtle]]
(set: $Ruth to it +95)
I look at prosecutor and then at the camera and say, "revolyutsiya..." in a sultry voice while pantomiming that I light a (colour: "#006633")[**cigarette**]. The courtroom goes silent.
Then I quietly but forcefully say, "revolyutsiya ne bude translyuvatysya." while I puff imaginary cigarette.
I return to face forward with no expression, and continue to smoke imaginary (colour: "#006633")[**cigarette**] like I just don't care, I blow (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**] at [[camera|I blow smoke ring at camera]].
*or*
This feels good, I want to make it little more dramatic. That lawyer is getting on my nerves. Fingers crossed this doesn't ruin *the plan*, but I get swept away when I'm performing. I blow (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**] at [[prosecutor|I blow smoke at Alya]].
(set: $Swallow to $Swallow + 10)
(set: $skill1 to "(colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**]")
After taking a drag from my imaginary cigarette, I blow a (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**] at video camera. The (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**] is so convincing, I can faintly see it. When it hits video camera. It audibly short circuits. The camera man stumbles back and falls down. He looks frightened.
Everyone in gallerys stand up and starts laughing and screaming hysterically. People are freaking out. I hear someone yell out, "tse Gil Scott Heron!" while laugh-crying. I have no idea what that means.
The crowd starts chanting; "revolyutsiya ne bude translyuvatysya, revolyutsiya ne bude translyuvatysya, revolyutsiya ne bude translyuvatysya..!"
Teenage girls are screaming, "Oxana we love you!!!"
I did not expect this response. I like. I like. I feel their love.
I see the prosecuting lawyer is very angry that I interrupted the end of her speach.
I look over at the defense lawyer, she looks pleased. I notice there is man sitting next to her, who must be one she is defending. He is an attactive male of Ukrainian and Mongolian descent. Pale skin, nice cheek bones, dark shiny hair and eyes like raven, good posture. Too bad he looks depressive and intense, not really my type.
I notice he is looking at me intently.
[[I look man in the eye|meet Viktor's eyes in the courtroom]]
*or*
[[I look back at my adoring fans. Mission accomplished, officer takes my arm to leave|time to get out of here]]
(set: $Alya to $Alya -20)
(set: $influence to 45)
(set: $Ruth to $Ruth - 5)
(set: $Qiskill1 to Smoke Ring)
(set: $Swallow to $Swallow + 10)
Officer leads me out of courtroom. Crowd in gallery is shouting and reaching for me. We leave building. There are even more people outside. They are yelling my name with tears of joy. People are reaching out for me. Some are crying. I feel their love for me.
[[I touch their hands.|Now we escape from city and go home.]]
[[A woman is holding her baby out to me. I kiss baby.|Now we escape from city and go home.]]
[[I look forward and do not interact with crowd|Now we escape from city and go home.]]
At bottom of steps is red car with tinted windows waiting for me.
(set: $Influence to $Influence + 10)
Our eyes connect. He looks deeply confused. I feel intimacy. I think one would only look at another that way, when one feels love. I worry perhaps he is one who knows her so well he can see all is not right.
[[I wink at him]]
[[I look away]]
[[I give him bedroom eyes]]
(set: $Viktor to $Viktor + 80)
He slowly smiles and winks back.
[[Mission accomplished, officer takes my arm to leave|time to get out of here]]
(set: $Viktor to $Viktor + 30)
I can see from corner of my eye, he seems sad for a moment, and returns to his depressed intense look.
[[Mission accomplished, officer takes my arm to leave|time to get out of here]]
(set: $Viktor to $Viktor -20)
At first he look surprised, and slowly that changes. He wants me too.
[[Mission accomplished, officer takes my arm to leave|time to get out of here]]
(set: $Viktor to $Viktor + 20)
<<if visited: "Viktor" = Increase Viktor points to "x">>
<<if visited "Lawyer Alla" = points
<<if visited you increase Song and Dance SONG by 20
everyone start laughing so hard they are crying
Fish (song and dance) + 10
Spider + 10
you increase Qi Power QI by 25
you decrease Loyalty to Ruth RUTH by 10
you decrease Loyalty to Ruth RUTH by 10
everyone starts laughing
turtle (loyalty) + 10
Spider -10
you increase Song and Dance SONG by 15
you increase loyalty to RUTH by 10
We make eye contact. I can see that she hates me in this moment.
And, more importantly, I see that she was actually pushed over by my imaginary (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**]. I can't wait to tell Preceptor Ruth what I did!
[[Mission accomplished, officer leads me out door|time to get out of here]]
I am at the courtroom. I can tell the prosecutor is almost finished with her futile attempt to ask me questions. There is video camera recording me.
Now, I think feisty prosecutor is making fun of me to jury. The jury laughs at me.
[[Complete the mission. Say the sentence|revolyutsiya ne bude translyuvatysya]]
I now resemble young Ukrianian woman, soft amber hair. Face straight and long, powerful but gentle, like deer. Dark shiny eyes. I start to think like deer.
When I change one part of me, everything else changes, like pulling on spider web.
I do not have young woman's memories, but now I think in her way. I have grainy photo and part of ear with scalp chunk to work with. It isn't much, I would rather have more material, but I believe it was success. I carry those objects with me. [[look in my pocket|my pocket]] (set: $pocket1 to 'Oxana photo', $pocket2 to 'ear and scalp chunk' )
My mission is simple, I go to court room, and take stand. I say nothing, answer no questions. I only look straight ahead. I have learned only one sentence in Ukrainian, which I will say at very end. I do not know meaning of sentence.
...............................................................
[[Check my vitals|my vitals]]
[[Begin Mission]]
(set: $deer to '50')
I get into car. There is black window between me and driver. It should be my brother Symon driving.
"Mission was success!," I say loudly hoping he will hear me.
Why would black window be rolled up?
[[I knock on window]].
No response.
I see we get on freeway to East. This is not plan.
[["Symon, this is wrong way!"]]
Symon is driving too fast! We whip around other cars on highway.
I look back, shiny black car is following us closely.
We are about to drive on bridge over Dnepr river.
[["Symon, someone is following us!"|car crash]]
*or*
[["Symon, slow down!"|car crash]]
(set: $Symon to $Symon - 50)
Symon is swerving crazy. We're going to crash!
The black car is getting close.
Our car smashes into railing of bridge and goes over.
Car is falling, I see river rushing towards us.
[[I cover my head with my arms|safe head end of Chapter 1]]
[[I think of Prefector Ruth|loyalty end of chapter 1]]
[[I look back up at the bridge|someone is on the bridge]]
[[I kick out the black window|who is driving?]]
[[End of Chapter 1|Chapter 2]]
[[Check my vitals|my vitals]]
I wake. Vision is blurry.
I feel someone is washing my feet with warm cloth thats smells of rose and sandlewood.
My body hurts everywhere. I am weak.
I try to focus eyes. I am in dark room with candles and old peeling wallpaper. I see man with shiny black hair, like Raven. He is not man in court, but I can tell they are related.
Man is singing quietly as he washes my feet,
"Tam ye mistse dlya nas
Desʹ mistse dlya nas
Myr i spokiy , i pid vidkrytym nebom
zachekayte nas
desʹ
Tam v chas dlya nas
Kolysʹ tam bude chas dlya nas
Chas razom z chasom , shchob zaoshchadyty
Chas , shchob diznatysya ,
Chas dlya dohlyadu
Koly -nebudʹ , desʹ..."
His voice is like velvet and smoke. My breath catches.
He stops abrubtly when he notices I have opened my eyes.
[[I weakly lift my head and ask "where am I?"|where am I]]
[[do I know you?]]
**Vitality**
Qi: (text: $Qi)
**Human**
Loyalty to Ruth: (text: $Ruth)
**Animal**
Deer: (text: $Deer)
[[stop checking vitals|(set: $history to (history:))
(set: $previous to $history's last)
$previous]]
I have in pocket:
$pocket1
$pocket2
[[stop looking in pocket|(set: $history to (history:))
(set: $previous to $history's last)
$previous]]
I've been preparing for this day for three years. You see, Preceptor Ruth taught me my body is simply network of energy, and can be reshaped through deeply focused movement and breath.
(set: $Qi to $Qi + 80)
[[I now resemble young woman|transformed]]
I cover my head with my arms.
I don't think I will survive, but it's [[worth a try.|end of chapter 1]]
(set: $Qi to $Qi + 10)
Did Prefector Ruth know that this would happen to me? Was her plan to let me die? Or did I fail mission?
[[I wonder if I'll ever see my teacher again|end of chapter 1]]
(set: $Ruth to $Ruth - 50)
(set: $Qi to $Qi - 5)
I look up to bridge. A man is looking over edge. He has shiny black hair like Raven, but not same man as in courtroom.
[[I wonder if Prefector Ruth will ever find out what happened to me|end of chapter 1]]
(set: $Ruth to $Ruth + 5)
(set: $Yuri to $Yuri -10)
I kick black window. It shatters.
[[I see...|end of chapter 1]]
(set: $Symon to $Symon + 50)
I am like swallow.
I sing with sky and shape air.
[[It took me three years to prepare for this mission|preparation]]
(set: $anima to "$wallow")
(set: $anima to 70)
The facets of my heart are reflections of those around me.
I am spinner of web.
[[It took me three years to prepare for this mission|preparation]]
(set: $anima to "$pider")
(set: $anima to 40)
The earth feels my steps.
I walk gracefully upon it.
[[It took me three years to prepare for this mission|preparation]]
(set: $anima to "Turtle")
(set: $anima to 60)
For a brief moment the man looks mortified. He quickly recovers with a huge smile, "Oxana, Oxana! You awaken!"
He reaches out to touch my hand, but then stops suddenly.
"Don't worry, you are somewhere no one will *ever* find you."
I notice he speaks English with only slight Ukrainian accent.
"Oxana, I am surprised you speak English." he says.
"Why do you speak English? vy mozhete hovoryty na svoyiy ridniy movi zi mnoyu."
[[It is only language I know|English]]
The real Oxana must not know English, [[I try to look confused, "I...don't know."|fake confused]]
For a brief moment the man looks mortified. He quickly recovers and smiles, "Oxana, Oxana! You awaken!"
Suddenly I remember the car crash and my mission.
"You don't know me, we have never met. However, you may have heard of me, I am your fiance's brother. My name is Yuri. One day we will be family." He looks unhappy saying the last sentence.
"Oh... nice to meet you," I say. I didn't know Oxana was engaged. I have sudden fear he will discover my identity.
"Oxana, I am surprised you speak English." he says.
"Why do you speak English? vy mozhete hovoryty na svoyiy ridniy movi zi mnoyu."
I notice he speaks English with only slight Ukrainian accent.
[[It is only language I know|English]]
[[I try to look confused, "I...don't know."|fake confused]]
I'm in my room.
I feel I have energy to move only a few minutes before I tire.
(set $moves to $moves + 3)
If press link, $moves - 1
If moves > 0 can press link
If moves = 0 go back to bed
I have $moves moves.
[[window]]
[[hallway]]
[[dresser]]
I look out window.
It is nice outside so I open window, and breathe fresh air.
I enter hallway. There is very old beautiful Ukrainian rug on floor.
I look to east:
[[Door with small window]].
[[Door with gold handle]].
[[Door with blowing open and closed from draft]].
I look to west:
[[
I go to dresser.
There are 3 drawers and a pretty box on top.
[[Pretty box]]
[[Top drawer with key hole]]
[[Middle drawer]]
[[bottom drawer]]
"Really?..."
Yuri thinks to himself, "she must have a brain injury..."
(set: $crazy to +10)
[[I am so tired...|I first meet ghost]]
"Really?..."
Yuri thinks to himself, "she must have a brain injury..."
(set: $crazy to +5)
[[I am so tired...|I first meet ghost]]
I cannot open door, the is a large combination lock on outside of door.
I stand on tip toes, and [[look in window]].
[[return to hallway|(set: $history to (history:))
(set: $previous to $history's last)
$previous]]
Double-click this passage to edit it.
Double-click this passage to edit it.
Pretty box is porcelain with elaborate Ukrainian pattern of flowers and feathers painted upon it. It is very small. I open.
Inside I see:
$jewelrystorage1
$jewelrystorage2
$jewelrystorage3
[[stop looking in pretty box|(set: $history to (history:))
(set: $previous to $history's last)
$previous]]
(if: (history:) contains "Pretty box" is = 1)[(set: $jewelrystorage1 to silver ring with opal)(set: $jewelrystorage2 to dresser key)]
Bottom drawer is locked.
[[stop looking at drawer|(set: $history to (history:))
(set: $previous to $history's last)
$previous]]
Top drawer is locked.
[[stop looking at drawer|(set: $history to (history:))
(set: $previous to $history's last)
$previous]]
Middle drawer is locked.
[[stop looking at drawer|(set: $history to (history:))
(set: $previous to $history's last)
$previous]]
This is Yuri and Viktor's family 'cabin', an enormous decaying mansion in the woods. It has fallen into decay since Holodomor - famine genocide (1932). They were once wealthy landowners, but those were the first to be denounced by communists.
House is not on records. It is a few miles from small ethnic village (13 people). Yuri has long history and family ties with them, so they will protect Oxana's location. She should make sure not to cross a couple them though.
Also in the woods there is yuri's recluse aunt, feared by villagers as witch but begrudgingly respected as their healer. She is living in a nearby shack, she will teach Oxana skills.
Nearest large town is 20 miles, called Pripyat. This is government built town for workers of Cherynobyl power plant.
The date Oxana arrives is October 15th, 1985.
She has 6 months to and avert the Cherynobyl accident, by dealing with pernicous starving ghost and cannibal demon problem.
Although is will appear to be caused by negligence. The real cause of Chernobyl disaster is unhealed psychic wounds of populace and spirit world leading to corruption.
The festering wounds of Ukraine, permeate all.
Force of westenization erasing culture, creating corrupt zombie humans who live Pripyat. Monoculture creates weakness, easy entry points for 'evil' forces (evil is deliberate destruction of life, not caring for fellow humans, plants, animals, air, and earth; ie. breaking of 10 commandments).
History of famine genocide, Stalin tried to wipe out ethnic Ukrainians through deliberate starvation. Cannibalism ensued. No one likes to talk about it. Most survivors were cannibals, sell outs to russians, and backstabbers. About 5 million died.
The famine ended, but Russian's systematic murder of all Ukrainian dissodents and creatives continues. This leads to fear of speaking truth, distrust of friends, and tattle tales. Rebellion is strengthened, but because only extremists will join, and they become violent and cultish. Oxana is pawn to them (really she is queen, but they don't see that).
Her teacher Prefector Ruth, is Qi master, she is taking the long game, she did not care about the court room results, only that it would lead Oxana to the cabin and Yuri. Together they will prevent Chernobyl and hopefully save Urkrainian culture (Ruthenians). She treats Oxana like puppet as well though.
The window is very high. It is glass only few inches wide. I can see only the upper half of far wall in room. I see wall with scratch marks all over it.
[[return to hall|hallway]]
After taking a drag from my imaginary (colour: "#006633")[**cigarette**], I blow a (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**] at pant-suited prosecutor. The (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**] is so convincing, I can faintly see it. When it hits prosecutor, she stumbles back and falls to the floor.
Everyone in starts laughing and screaming hysterically. People are freaking out. I hear someone yell out, "tse Gil Scott Heron!" while laugh-crying. I have no idea what that means.
Teenage girls are screaming, "Oxana we love you!!!"
The crowd starts chanting; "Oxana, Ox An Ah, Ox An Ah, Ox An Ah!"
I did not expect this response. I like. I like. I feel the love.
I see the prosecuting lawyer is very embarrassed that she fell over from my imaginary (colour: "#006633")[**smoke**].
[[look lawyer in eye|meet lawyer Alya in the eyes]]
I look over at the defense lawyer, she looks pleased. I notice there is man sitting next to her, who must be one she is defending. He is an attactive male of Ukrainian and Mongolian descent. Pale skin, nice cheek bones, dark shiny hair and eyes like raven, good posture. Too bad he looks depressive and intense, not really my type.
I notice he is looking at me intently. [[I look beautiful man in eye|meet Viktor's eyes in the courtroom]]
[[Mission accomplished, officer takes my arm to leave|time to get out of here]]
(set: $Alla to it - 40)
(set: $influence to 35)
(set: $Ruth to $Ruth - 10)
(set: $Russiaknows to "Russia knows Oxana is Qi Worker")
(set: $evidence1 to "Oxana does Qi Work in courtroom")
(set: $Swallow to $Swallow + 10)
I wake suddenly. I feel scared. I am sweating and cold.
Is difficult, but I sit up.
Something moves in dark corner.
I can see the faintest outline of figure, it is very thin and hunched over. I suddenly see faintly glowing white-blue eyes looking at me. Eyes look hungry.
[[I scream for help]]
[[I stay silent]]
I blow (colour: "#006633")[**smoke ring**] [[at figure]]
To be continued.
[[Check my vitals|my vitals]]
to be continued.
[[Check my vitals|my vitals]]
to be continued.
[[Check my vitals|my vitals]]