Four.

( . . . )
" . . . Ｔｒｙ . . . Ａｓｋｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｏｋ ｆｏｒ ｐｅｒｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ ｔｏ ｒｅａｄ ｉｔ? "

SET. THE BOOK. ON FIRE.
SUCH ARROGANCE. TO ALLOW. YOUR WORDS. TO EXIST. FOR LIFETIMES.
IT IS. THE HEIGHT. OF FOLLY.

UNDERLINE

Show Content

Spoileroh BOY. this is HAPPENING.
big guy HATES concepts like THIS.
i would IGNORE them, if i were YOU. but i am NOT.
you simply CANNOT match my BOLD visage.
~ BOLD

I'm not looking when the book devours her soul, nope.

>Green, Blue, Pink and Orange. Do these colors mean anything to you ?

>you know, it actually does kinda look like a video game. there was the whole Pokemon battle earlier, and we even have a UI with three cute little pink hearts that I assume represent your health. the only thing that doesn't look like it belongs in a video game, is you Aubrey.

Show Content

SpoilerInternal memo regarding the book
as long as we're on the topic of games, Y'all need to stop rolling to spot traps every five feet. If we look at every. single. thing. as suspicious this is going to take forever.
-Avatar of the Dead Lilies

SET. THE BOOK. ON FIRE.
SUCH ARROGANCE. TO ALLOW. YOUR WORDS. TO EXIST. FOR LIFETIMES.
IT IS. THE HEIGHT. OF FOLLY.

UNDERLINE

Show Content

Spoileroh BOY. this is HAPPENING.
big guy HATES concepts like THIS.
i would IGNORE them, if i were YOU. but i am NOT.
you simply CANNOT match my BOLD visage.
~ BOLD

AUBREY
"That sounds incredibly unnecessary."
"What do you have against books? I loved reading growing up."
"Do they not have books where you're from?"

>Green, Blue, Pink and Orange. Do these colors mean anything to you ?

Aubrey thinks for a moment.

AUBREY
"I don't know that they mean anything important, but orange was my favourite color."

>you know, it actually does kinda look like a video game. there was the whole Pokemon battle earlier, and we even have a UI with three cute little pink hearts that I assume represent your health. the only thing that doesn't look like it belongs in a video game, is you Aubrey.

Show Content

SpoilerInternal memo regarding the book
as long as we're on the topic of games, Y'all need to stop rolling to spot traps every five feet. If we look at every. single. thing. as suspicious this is going to take forever.
-Avatar of the Dead Lilies

AUBREY
"Interesting. I suppose the In-Between appears differently depending on the guide looking in? Not that it really matters, so long as we understand each other."

( . . . )
" . . . Ｔｒｙ . . . Ａｓｋｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｏｋ ｆｏｒ ｐｅｒｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ ｔｏ ｒｅａｄ ｉｔ? "

AUBREY
"It's worth a shot."
"Um... hello, book. How... are you?"
"May I read you for minute?"

Aubrey gives a gentle, if self-conscious smile.



Silence. Then, with a soft hum, the book lifts off the table and glides towards Aubrey. Ada chimes in alarm. Aubrey hushes her with a pat.

**Aubrey's tenderness resonates with the book.**



AUBREY
"...Thank you for trusting me."

The book's cover opens on its own accord.

There are no words, but many sparkles.

Aubrey doesn't touch, and admires them in silence. She feels like a regular mahou shoujo.

>Briefly lament that this isn't a pop-up book.

" Ｔｈｅ ｂｏｏｋ ｓｅｅｍｓ ｌｉｖｅｌｙ ｅｎｏｕｇｈ. Ｉｔ ｄｏｅｓ ｎｏｔ ａｐｐｅａｒ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｔｈｒｅａｔｅｎｉｎｇ. Ｐｅｒｈａｐｓ ｗｅ ｓｈｏｕｌｄ ａｓｋ ｉｆ ｉｔ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｌｉｋｅ ｔｏ ｃｏｍｅ ａｌｏｎｇ. Ｉｆ ｉｔ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｐｕｔ Ｃｏｕｎｃｉｌｏｒ Ｍｙｅｔｈ ａｔ ｅａｓｅ, ｐｅｒｈａｐｓ ａｔ ｓｏｍｅ ｐｏｉｎｔ, ｗｅ ｃａｎ ｇｉｆｔ ｉｔ ａ ｂｏｏｋ ｃｏｖｅｒ? Ｉｔ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｂｅ ｌｉｋｅ ａ ｆａｎｃｙ ｄｒｅｓｓ. Ｆｏｒ ａ ｂｏｏｋ. "

Show Content

Spoiler

The Magical Girl Genre is testing VERY well with our focus groups. We must insist you recruit the book. Merchandising revenue will be through the roof!

> Switch to third person point of view, please. I'm worried there's something we can't see.

Well, they are nice sparkles.
I suppose bringing the book along wouldn't do any harm, if it wants to come along anyways.

> Switch to third person point of view, please. I'm worried there's something we can't see.

>This is a good idea, les' do that

" Ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ, ｃｏｍｅ ｔｏ ｔｈｉｎｋ ｏｆ ｉｔ, ｓｗｉｔｃｈｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｔｈｉｒｄ ｐｅｒｓｏｎ ｖｉｅｗ ｂｅｆｏｒｅ ｅｎｔｅｒｉｎｇ ａ ＮＥＷ ｒｏｏｍ ｍｉｇｈｔ ｂｅ ａ ｇｏｏｄ ｉｄｅａ. "

Show Content

SpoilerInternal memo to Council member Lordlyhour : Do not send me memos.

> It's just a fucking book. Stop talking with it and move on. Tenderness won't help you get anything done in this place.

" Ｔｈｅ ｂｏｏｋ ｓｅｅｍｓ ｌｉｖｅｌｙ ｅｎｏｕｇｈ. Ｉｔ ｄｏｅｓ ｎｏｔ ａｐｐｅａｒ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｔｈｒｅａｔｅｎｉｎｇ. Ｐｅｒｈａｐｓ ｗｅ ｓｈｏｕｌｄ ａｓｋ ｉｆ ｉｔ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｌｉｋｅ ｔｏ ｃｏｍｅ ａｌｏｎｇ. Ｉｆ ｉｔ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｐｕｔ Ｃｏｕｎｃｉｌｏｒ Ｍｙｅｔｈ ａｔ ｅａｓｅ, ｐｅｒｈａｐｓ ａｔ ｓｏｍｅ ｐｏｉｎｔ, ｗｅ ｃａｎ ｇｉｆｔ ｉｔ ａ ｂｏｏｋ ｃｏｖｅｒ? Ｉｔ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｂｅ ｌｉｋｅ ａ ｆａｎｃｙ ｄｒｅｓｓ. Ｆｏｒ ａ ｂｏｏｋ. "

Show Content

Spoiler

The Magical Girl Genre is testing VERY well with our focus groups. We must insist you recruit the book. Merchandising revenue will be through the roof!

Well, they are nice sparkles.
I suppose bringing the book along wouldn't do any harm, if it wants to come along anyways.

AUBREY
"... You seriously want to add this book to the party?"

Ada chimes with indignation, interpreting this as your lack of faith in her abilities.
Aubrey doesn't need another magic item party member, thank you kindly.

Show Content

SpoilerInternal memo to Council member Lordlyhour : Do not send me memos.

> It's just a fucking book. Stop talking with it and move on. Tenderness won't help you get anything done in this place.

AUBREY
"I... no, you're right. It won't."
"My INVENTORY's limited, anyway."

> Switch to third person point of view, please. I'm worried there's something we can't see.

>This is a good idea, les' do that

" Ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ, ｃｏｍｅ ｔｏ ｔｈｉｎｋ ｏｆ ｉｔ, ｓｗｉｔｃｈｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｔｈｉｒｄ ｐｅｒｓｏｎ ｖｉｅｗ ｂｅｆｏｒｅ ｅｎｔｅｒｉｎｇ ａ ＮＥＷ ｒｏｏｍ ｍｉｇｈｔ ｂｅ ａ ｇｏｏｄ ｉｄｅａ. "

You withdraw from Aubrey's POV.

? ? ?
"That book does not belong to you."

Hey there stranger.
Didn't hear you slink behind Aubrey there.
Mind eh, moving out of the ol personal space bubble?

> Aubery, someone's behind you. Perhaps you should let the book go, and apologize? If you want to.

>"Yup, let's just leave the the thing and goooooo faaaaar awaaaay."

A denizen of the In between? The Management suggests you Apologize, and introduce yourself. Explain you were seeking refuge from the Static. Being polite rarely hurts. Especially if you are intruding in someone's domicile. Being Hospitable might mean your host might offer hospitality in turn. Given your position as a guest, and an uninvited one at that, you have a duty to your Host. Even if they do have tacky taste in furniture Grab the Book and Run. The Focus Groups do not lie. Take The Book And Flee from the Confrontation and your ratings will be higher than even before!

>hey you did ask for the book's permission, maybe you should lead with that. also wow I can't believe asking for permission worked. I've gotta rethink my strategy for all this metaphysical BS.

> Ask the emo girl(?) about this place. Do not antagonize her before you're sure you can obliterate her.

>Is the book yours?
>She must be part of the welcoming committee. Begin the interrogation. What does she know?

" Ｔｈｉｓ ｕｎｉｔ ｗａｓ ｓｔａｒｔｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｗｏｒｒｙ ｔｈａｔ ｔｈｉｓ ｐｌａｃｅ ｗａｓ ｄｅｓｅｒｔｅｄ. Ｌｅａｒｎｉｎｇ ｍｏｒｅ ｈａｓ ｉｍｍｅｄｉａｔｅ, ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ ｖａｌｕｅ. Ｂｕｔ ｄｏ ｋｅｅｐ ｙｏｕｒ ｇｕａｒｄ ｕｐ, Ｖｉｓｉｔｏｒ Ａｕｂｒｅｙ. "

> Aubery, someone's behind you. Perhaps you should let the book go, and apologize? If you want to.

>"Yup, let's just leave the the thing and goooooo faaaaar awaaaay."

A denizen of the In between? The Management suggests you Apologize, and introduce yourself. Explain you were seeking refuge from the Static. Being polite rarely hurts. Especially if you are intruding in someone's domicile. Being Hospitable might mean your host might offer hospitality in turn. Given your position as a guest, and an uninvited one at that, you have a duty to your Host. Even if they do have tacky taste in furniture Grab the Book and Run. The Focus Groups do not lie. Take The Book And Flee from the Confrontation and your ratings will be higher than even before!

Aubrey's pulse quickens.
She wonders why she didn't sense this presence—then berates herself for assuming she could.
She turns around slowly.

>hey you did ask for the book's permission, maybe you should lead with that. also wow I can't believe asking for permission worked. I've gotta rethink my strategy for all this metaphysical BS.

" Ｔｈｉｓ ｕｎｉｔ ｗａｓ ｓｔａｒｔｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｗｏｒｒｙ ｔｈａｔ ｔｈｉｓ ｐｌａｃｅ ｗａｓ ｄｅｓｅｒｔｅｄ. Ｌｅａｒｎｉｎｇ ｍｏｒｅ ｈａｓ ｉｍｍｅｄｉａｔｅ, ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ ｖａｌｕｅ. Ｂｕｔ ｄｏ ｋｅｅｐ ｙｏｕｒ ｇｕａｒｄ ｕｐ, Ｖｉｓｉｔｏｒ Ａｕｂｒｅｙ. "

> Ask the emo girl(?) about this place. Do not antagonize her before you're sure you can obliterate her.

>Is the book yours?
>She must be part of the welcoming committee. Begin the interrogation. What does she know?

AUBREY
"Is this your book?"

The denizen's expression remains static.

? ? ?
"The book is under my employ, yes."
"You can't take it."

AUBREY
"To be fair, I did ask its permission
before trying to read."

? ? ?
"Did you, now? Surprisingly polite for a trespasser."

AUBREY
"Is it trespassing if the door's open?"
"Because I found it that way."

? ? ?
"Curious indeed, considering you shouldn't even have been capable of leaving the area wherein you landed."

Aubrey thinks back to the one-way gate she encountered. Her eyes narrow.

AUBREY
"So that was a cage! You wanted to trap me there? That's some hospitality."

Ada hovers at Aubrey's shoulder, but she dissaudes her from violence with a shake of her head. The being chuckles. Its laugh seems tinged with static.

? ? ?
"Playing the victim when you came into my realm uninvited, hmm? The 'cage' is a simple security measure. Nothing personal. Your sense of entitlement is amusing, if baffling, though it explains a lot."

Aubrey gets the feeling this person(?) enjoys being cryptic at her expense.

AUBREY
"You know what? Nevermind."
"Pardon the intrusion. I never wanted to be here anyway."
"If you can point me to the 'Blue World', I'll leave you to the privacy of your sparkling book and newsprint resort."

The air grows thick with tension.

? ? ?
"The Blue World you might remember is no more, I'm afraid."
"Its Master has long carved out another space in the In-Between over which to rule."

Aubrey's blood runs cold. This wasn't part of the plan.
Ada chimes in distress.

AUBREY
"What now, Council?"

? ? ?
"Hmm?"

AUBREY
"I wasn't talking to you!"

? ? ?
"Moody, moody, and muttering to yourself at that!"
"The In-Between does have an adverse effect on long-term Visitors..."

**Aubrey's emotions roil.**

TUTORIAL
The more emotional Aubrey becomes, the hotter burns her WILL.
It shall draw the In-Between's less savory inhabitants like ants to a sugar jar.
If you want to unlock Aubrey's STRESS METER as part of the HUD,
why don't you try getting closer to her? Revealing one's innermost feelings
requires a great deal of trust, after all.

>take a breath Aubrey. no plan survives contact and all that. we'll find a way.