Heartbeat

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You arrive at a far away kingdom after many weeks of travel. Sent by your family, you are visiting your relatives who you have not seen in many years. You spend several days in their fabulous manor, enjoying the town and rolling green countryside, but grow tired of their persistent questions regarding your marital status. "A fair young maiden of your repute should have no trouble securing a man", they prattled on. For this reason, they are thrilled when an envelope from a prince arrives in the mail. It is addressed to you. "Well do [[open it!|Invitation]]" Your aunt exclaims as you hold the envelope.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You send a letter to the prince in which you politely decline his invitation. You don't make a habbit of accepting requests from strangers. Even the handsome ones. A few days pass and you hear a knock at the door. A messenger arrives with a new letter. This one is handwritten by the prince himself. He asks you to reconsider his invitation and explains that he has asked for you personally. How do you respond? [[Accept the invitation|What do you wear]] [[Reject him once more]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You arrive at the grounds of the prince's large and opulent castle, precisely on time. You see the prince waiting for you in the distance, but he has not yet seen you. You notice two cooks taking a cigarette break by one of the hedge mazes. You wonder what they are talking about. You consider eavesdropping, but you wouldn't want to be late to meet the prince. First impressions are very important. You decide to... [[Eavesdrop on the cooks][$und+=1]]. You'll just be a minute. [[Go to the prince|Conversation 1a]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You go to mail the letter and are stopped by your little cousin. "Oh please please pleeeease go to the prince's party! If you marry him we can all go live in his beautiful castle". Her adorable face and squeaky little voice are pretty irresistable. What do you do? "Oh alright! I'll [[Agree to go|What do you wear]]" Apologise to your cousin and [[send out your second rejection letter|Ending 1 (Never went to dinner)]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You send out the second rejection letter. You return to your hometown and wonder what might have been.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You sneak into the entrance of the hedge maze and overhear the two cooks' conversation. "Can you believe the prince is holding a dinner party?" said the first cook, taking a long and audible drag of his cigarette. "Tell me about it. It's been years since we've had to cook anything but dinner for one." "I hear he's trying to impress a maiden." "Well that would be a first." They both chuckled and continued to smoke their cigarettes. You then... [[Continue eavesdropping on the cooks|Eavesdrop again][$und+=1;$susp+=1]] [[Leave the hedge maze and make your way to the prince|Conversation 1a]]. He might start wondering where you are pretty soon.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You walk up to the prince and introduce yourself. He gives you a somewhat rehearsed looking smile and asks you to follow him. As you walk towards the castle he explains why he has invited you to this dinner. "I have always found the pursuit of love to be rather silly. However, There comes a time in a man's life when he is expected to pair up with a suitable maiden." You are taken aback by his forwardness. "It is only fitting that a man of my stature find a maiden who is suitably good looking, wealthy and talented. When I heard of the arrival of such a maiden to this land, I knew that I must meet her." His manner comes across as being oddly calculated. You... [[Agree that love is silly and that we must chose our partners pragmatically|He likes your style][$rat+=1]] [[Change the subject and ask him about himself|He doesn't care]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> After a few more puffs the cooks continue their conversation. "We certainly haven't had to make nearly this much food since the old folks passed away" "If you ask me he had something to do with it. I didn't see him shed a single tear when it happened." You suddenly feel a hand pull on your shoulder. [[You turn around|Conversation 1b]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You find a handsome man looking back at you. You aren't sure if he noticed your eavesdropping. You decide to... [[Say that you were lost and pretend that you didn't hear anything|Catches you in lie][$susp+=1]]. He probably didn't see much. [[Admit to eavesdropping, but you were just hoping to learn more about him|Loses suspicion][$susp-=1]]. Maybe flattery will distract him. [[Admit to overhearing some nonsense from the staff while looking for him |Satisfied with your honesty][$rat+=1]]. No one cares what a few petty cooks say anyway.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You arrive at dinner. [[Sit next to prince|Conversation 2a (prince)]] [[Sit next to friend|Conversation 2b (friend)]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You accept the prince's invitation, much to your family's delight. On the day of the dinner, your aunt enthusiastically shoves two dresses in your general direction. Which will you choose? [[An elegant blue evening gown|Garden]] [[An exciting purple cocktail dress|Garden]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Conversation with friend. [[Say something nice about the prince]] [[Ask interesting sounding red herring]] [[Ask if the prince brings many women around][$und+=1]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> The prince gives a few thoughts about his way of thinking. <<if visited("Eavesdrop again")>>\ Should you ask about the parents or let it go? <<endif>>\ [[Say something suck-upish]] [[Say something rational][$rat+=1]] [[Ask prince red herring]] <<if visited("Eavesdrop again")>>\ [[Ask prince about dead parents][$susp+=1]] <<endif>>\

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> "You must be the prince". You say, as you step away from the hedge. "I'm so glad you found me, I was starting to lose my way" The prince looks unconvinced by your obvious lie. "I'm afraid the entrance to the castle is not through this hedge maze. It's a shame that you didn't think to ask one of my talkative cooks. Please follow me." [[You follow him to the great dining hall|Arrive at dinner]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> "You must be the prince". You say with a small smile. "Please excuse me. I couldn't help overhearing your servents talking. You know how these people are, always gossiping about this and that. They were talking about your late parents. Total rubbish of course, the things these people say." He cracks a smile and nods in agreement. "Yes. Of course. I've always found the things they say to be of little consequence." He asks you to follow him to the castle, and turns to lead you there. [[You follow him to the great dining hall|Arrive at dinner]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You change the subject and ask him about his beautiful castle. The flattery seems not to have registered, but he happily continues to talk about himself. [[You follow him to the great dining hall|Arrive at dinner]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You agree with the prince that love is foolish and that partners should be chosen by their benificial attributes. He seems quite pleased with this response. [[You follow him to the great dining hall|Arrive at dinner]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> [[Ask if the prince brings many women around 2][$und+=1]] [[Ask interesting sounding red herring 2]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> [[Ask if the prince brings many women around 2][$und+=1]] [[Say something nice about the prince 2]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Frind gives something away. [[Say something nice about the prince 2]] [[Ask interesting sounding red herring 2]] <<if visited("Eavesdrop again")>> Tell him about overhearing the gardners [[Ask friend about dead parents][$und+=1;$susp+=1]] <</if>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> <<if visited("Eavesdrop again")>> Tell him about overhearing the gardners [[Ask friend about dead parents][$und+=1;$susp+=1]] <</if>> [[Continue eating|Prince leaves]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> [[Prince leaves]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Prince gets an urgent letter and is excused. <<if $und==4>> Something is very very wrong [[Here's your chance to snoop around|Room 1]] <<elseif $und>0>> Something isn't quite right. [[Here's your chance to snoop around|Room 1]] [[Remain seated|Back at dinner]] <<else>> Everything is fine. You hope the prince likes you... [[Remain seated|Back at dinner]] <</if>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Friend reveals a lot, but prince notices. [[Prince leaves]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> [[Say something else rational][$rat+=1]] [[Ask prince red herring 2]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> [[Say something suck-upish 2]] [[Say something else rational][$rat+=1]] [[Ask prince red herring 2]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You can tell he's becoming suspicious of you. Reasonably doesn't want to talk about it. You feel shitty for bringing it up. [[Prince leaves]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> [[Say something else rational][$rat+=1]] [[Say something suck-upish 2]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Prince needs to be excused [[Prince leaves]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> "Oh it's really you." you swoon at the prince. "I couldn't help overhearing the guards talk about the tragic death of your parents. That must have been awful. Please forgive my eavesdropping, I was just hoping to learn a little more about you." The prince looks unamused at your ditziness, but generally unperturbed. He asks you to follow him to the castle. With a slight eyeroll he turns to lead you there. [[You follow him to the great dining hall|Arrive at dinner]]

<<set $susp=0>> <<set $und=0>> <<set $rat=0>> <<set $knife=0>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Hallway. Normal hallway. [[Go to room 2|Room 2][$und+=1]] [[Go back to the table|Back at dinner]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> <<if $und>=5&&visited("He catches you")>> You know something is up. You notice a sharp steak knife next to you. [[You take the knife|Ending 4 (Killed by guards)]] Don't risk him seeing you take it.[[Don't take the knife|Prince's offer]] <<elseif $und>=5>> You know something is up. You notice a sharp steak knife next to you. [[You take the knife|Prince's offer][$knife=1]] Don't risk him seeing you take it.[[Don't take the knife|Prince's offer]] <<else>> [[time goes by|Prince's offer]] <</if>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Something kind of suspicious. Time is kind of running out. Maybe we should go back. [[go on|Room 3]] [[Go back to dinner|Back at dinner]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Nothing suspicious here. It's really been a while. You should go back. <<if $susp>=3>>\ [[He catches you]] <<else>> [[Go on|Room 4][$und+=1]] [[Go back|Back at dinner]] <<endif>>\

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Something very suspicious. About parents? <<if $susp>=2>>\ [[He catches you]] <<else>> [[Go on|Dungeon alone][$und+=2]] [[Go back|Back at dinner]] <<endif>>\

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You are in the dungeon alone and find the heart. <<if $susp>=1>> You turn to leave but [[He catches you in the dungeon|Ending 3 (Dungeon caught)]] <<else>> [[Run away|Ending 2 (slip away)]] [[Go back to dinner|Back at dinner]] <</if>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> He walks in on you leaving. He's furious and kills you. You don't really find anything out. Sucks for you

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You slip away, never finding out what it all meant.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> He catches you and is super suspicious now. He has his eye on you [[He takes you back|Back at dinner]]

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> He sees you go for the steak knife and has you seized.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Knife: <<print $knife>> The prince wants to show you something and asks you to follow him. [[Accept his request|Dungeon with prince]] <<if visited("He catches you")>> [[Kindly reject|leaving not an option]] <<else>> [[Kindly reject|Ending 5 (unsuspiciously leave)]] <</if>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Knife: <<print $knife>> The prince takes you into the dungeon and shows you the heart. <<if $rat==3>> He explains the heart. Offers for you to live rationally with him with no heart. [[Accept|Ending 6 (rational ever after)]] [[Reject and say that you need emotion|He replaces the heart]] <<else>> He explains the heart. [[You explain that you need emotion|He replaces the heart]] <</if>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Knife: <<print $knife>> He twists your arm and you understand that leaving isn't an option [[Dungeon with prince]]

You tell him you'll be back tomorrow and flee the country.

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Knife: <<print $knife>> He replaces the heart and it doesn't work. He wants your untouched heart. He lunges at you. <<if $knife==1>> [[You stab him with the knife|Ending 7 (dead prince)]] <<else>> [[He takes out your heart|Ending 8 (both die)]] <</if>>

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Knife: <<print $knife>> You stab the prince and flee with your life.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> Knife: <<print $knife>> The prince takes out your heart. As you bleed out, you see him trying to lift the spell from his own hairy heart, but it won't budge. Determined to not be ruled by the whim of any heart, he slices out his own and falls to his knees across your body.

Understanding: <<print $und>> Suspicion: <<print $susp>> Rationality: <<print $rat>> You open the envelope to find a invitation to a dinner at the prince's castle, printed on beautiful blue stationary. The dinner is to be held in one week's time. Your aunt is thrilled. She tells you that not much is known about the handsome and wealthy prince, but that you would do well to take up the invitation. How do you respond? [[Accept the invitation.|What do you wear]] [[Reject the invitation]]