Hidden Gems, Hidden Secrets

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<<set $kittell to false>> <<set $bethtell to false>> <<set $georgebelieve to false>> <<set $kitbelieve to false>> /* play notification sounds on new messages */ <<set $notify to true>> <<set $song to "Erica">> <<set $pastSong to "">> <<set setup.names = { A: ['August', '@TransMasquerade'], B: ['Beth', '@WrinkledWeeb'], C: ['Corn', '@FreshCorn'], E: ['Erica', '@LetsGetLit(erature)'], G: ['George', '@Georgeabbot'], K: ['Kit', '@NagitoDeservedBetterOk'], R: ['Riley', '@GreenWithEnby'] }>> <<cacheaudio "notify" "assets/notify.wav">> <<cacheaudio "Erica" "assets/01 It Will All Be Over Soon.m4a">> <<cacheaudio "Riley" "assets/Lovely epic symphonie orchestra (without voice).mp3">> <<cacheaudio "George" "assets/02 Grieving Before Anything Has Happened.m4a">> <<cacheaudio "Kit" "assets/Silence.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "Beth" "assets/Dreaming.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "August" "assets/03 A Dream Only Just Forgotten.m4a">> <<set $speaker = 'E'>> <<set $channels to ['#announcements', '#introductions', '#general']>> <<set $unread to {}>> <<set $scrollback to { "#announcements": [ {passage: "announcement messages"} ], "#introductions": [ {passage: "introduction messages"} ], "#general": [ {passage: "general messages"} ], }>>  <<set $online to {C:'', A:'', G:'online', R:'online', E:'online', K:'online', B:'online'}>> <<set $wpm to 200>>

<<channel "#announcements">>

@@.msg.C;Hello everyone, and welcome to the Hidden Treasures Of Poetry Discord! It’s so exciting to have this fully set up, and though it’s sad to say goodbye to the private forum we had, I know that this new way of developing our community will go well. If you miss our messages on the forum, fear not—I will be archiving it for your perusing pleasure. So nothing there will be lost to time.@@ @@.msg.C;I’ve invited all of my lovely regulars to this server, and once I get the hang of Discord, I’ll see if we can invite more people. Go introduce yourself in the [[#introductions->introductions]] chat, and let’s talk more in [[#general->general]].@@ @@.msg.C;Also, special thanks to my grandson August (@TransMasquerade) for helping me understand how to use and set up Discord! He’s young, so he knows all about these sorts of things, unlike me, haha! He’s also agreed to help moderate this server with me! I know you all will be nice to him.@@ @@.msg.C;Enjoy the server!@@ @@.msg.C;Also, don’t forget that at this month’s meeting, we’ll be continuing our discussion on the poetry of Edward Dorn! I’m excited to hear all of your thoughts.@@

<<channel "#introductions">>

<<channel "#introductions">> @@.msg.C;I know we all know each other already, since we’re coming here from the old forum, but please introduce yourself anyway! It'll be handy when we have new members for you to all have done so, trust me. Say your name, pronouns, age, why you’re here, and anything else you’d like to share!@@ @@.msg.C;I’ll start: I’m Cornelius Harper, he/him, 67, a retired professor and a longtime lover of poetry. I made this group years ago because there was no dedicated space to study the Black Mountain Poets' work. It started as a mailing group, and evolved into a forum. When I retired, I decided I wanted to restart that effort, and so, here we are. It’s been great to study hidden gems of poetry with you all.@@ @@.msg.B;Good intro, Corn!@@ @@.msg.B;Well, greetings! My name is Beth. I use she/her pronouns, and I’m 61 years old. I’m here because I was a member of Cornelius’s original Hidden Gems Of Poetry mailing group way back in the day (yes, I am old, and I own it). When he decided to bring the group back to life, he invited me along, so here I am!@@ @@.msg.B;What else should you know about me? Well, I’ve been an avid fangirl all of my life—I was exchanging anime VHS tapes in hotel rooms back before all of those things were up on streaming services, and writing Kirk x Spock fanbooks with my wonderful friends. I’m as gay as those two characters are, a proud lesbian through & through, and I’m so happy to see the new generation of LGBT people growing into their own.@@ @@.msg.B;That’s all I can think of, so I’ll stop writing now. Thank you for reading the rambly messages of this old lady, and I’ll see you in the group!@@ @@.msg.E;LetsGetLit(erature): Yo! I’m Erica, she/her, 35. I’m here because Riley dragged me into this, haha. But seriously, they like poetry, and they know I’m a poet who’s been in the slam poetry scene with a few published chapbooks, so they invited me. So I’m here! Hi! ouo/@@ @@.msg.E;I’m a literature historian who’s managed to dig up previously unknown information on more than a few obscure authors, to add to databases & archives! I consider myself an explorer of the past, and love what I do!@@ @@.msg.G;Salutations to whoever is reading this. My name is George. I’m 56 years old, male. With he/him pronouns, I suppose.@@ @@.msg.G;I met Cornelius in the world of academia, and was a part of his original group, when it was making the awkward transition from mailed letters to online forum. I’ll admit, he and I clashed at first, because I thought the group should be a critical, academic space, open to only the best of critical thinkers, and he wanted it to be more accessible to everyday people. I grew to understand his point of view in the end, and he invited me to join the group when it was reborn.@@ @@.msg.G;Anything else to know about me: I like to draw in my free time. I’ve found it helps me destress and unload, giving my brain a time to relax and breathe. I teach English courses at a small community college these days. Once upon a time I was aiming to teach at Harvard or Oxford, but those days have long past; I’ve since been humbled. Oh, and when I’m <i>really</i> stressed, I take walks at the nature trails close to my home. I find the outside world very soothing to the eyes and ears.@@ @@.msg.R;Hello! I’m Riley. I’m nonbinary, use they/them pronouns, and I’m 22. I was one of Professor Harper’s students, and had a class with him the year before he retired. I really liked his critical thinking skills, so we stayed in touch, and he gave me some great tips about poetry that helped me improve my work. When he restarted the Hidden Gems Of Poetry group, he asked if I wanted to be a part of it, so I joined! It’s been SO MUCH FUN studying poetry with people as passionate about it as me!!! And it’s been really great to have a group of people that accepts me as I am, since things are tough where I live rn. Anyway, that’s all I think!@@ @@.msg.K;hi hi! I’m Kit, she/her, 14. I’m here cuz Beth (who I call “fandom grandma” /pos) and I were both in the Gundam fandom together, and we hit it off, and she knew that poetry really inspires my fanfics and I like reading poetry a lot. So when Corn started this group she asked me if I wanted to join and I said yes, so here I am haha!@@ @@.msg.K;uh what else lol? I live in this tiny-ass town in the midwest and it sucks, I can’t wait to get out of here. I love anime. I’m autistic. And I want to publish a book someday!@@ @@.msg.A;Gramps says you all know me already because he “talks about me all the time”, but I’ll do this anyway lol. I’m August, he/him, transgender dude, 27. I’m here because my Grandpa Corn wanted me to help him with his server and I like helping him when I can. He's always been really passionate about poetry ever since I was a little kid, and it’s cool to hear him talk about it and stuff. So if I can support that by being a mod, I definitely will.@@

<<channel "#general">> <<if $scrollback["#general"].length === 1>> <<set $live to {passage: "Erica chat", channel: "#general", msgs: 0, speaker: "E"}>> <</if>>

<<channel "#general">> <i>Sorry, older messages can't be loaded, per the settings in this server.</i> @@.msg.info;(GreenWithEnby Is Online)@@ @@.msg.info;(Georgeabbot Is Online)@@ @@.msg.info;(WrinkledWeeb Is Online)@@

!!Hidden Gems, Hidden Secrets written by Naomi Norbez, programmed by Josh Grams made for SeedComp 2023 Content Warning: This game contains discussion of sexual harassment & people in positions of power taking advantage of their place. [[Enter If You Dare]]

“Down 5th it is cold yes the dry air is filled with pieces of dust they cut the eye as would a file. Driven along, every day toward center there is a town of vague love And what you can see if you can is the truth:” —“[[Another vague love->Erica emails]]” by Edward Dorn

@@.email; To: Cornelius Harper From: Erica Franklin Subject: Thanks For The Resources Corn, Appreciate the additional resources you gave me on Edward Dorn, since I wanted to learn more about him before I read his poetry. Had no idea the guy ditched his wife for one of his college-age students! Wild. Erica @@ @@.email; To: Erica Franklin From: Cornelius Harper Subject: Re: Thanks For The Resources Erica, You're very welcome! The internet can only provide so much, in this particular case. I can let you borrow my copy of his biography if you'd like"""--"""it's very detailed, but know going in that it only covers part of Dorn's life. I also have his complete poetry collection, compiled by his (once college-age) second wife. Corn @@ @@.email; To: Cornelius Harper From: Erica Franklin Subject: Re:Re: Thanks For The Resources Corn, No need, I know shipping from all the way where you are would be expensive. I'll just use what you've already given me. I'm sure I can use these to help with my analysis of the poetry. Erica @@ @@.email; To: Erica Franklin From: Cornelius Harper Subject: Re:Re:Re: Thanks For The Resources Erica, Great! I'm looking forward to your analysis"""--"""you always have very thoughtful things to say. Know that you are a very talented young lady, and don't you forget that. Corn @@ [[1: Erica->announcements]]

@@.msg.info.t5;(NagitoDeservedBetterOk Is Online)@@ @@.msg.info.t5;(LetsGetLit(erature) Is Online)@@ <<say [[everybody here]] "Is everybody here?">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;I think so!@@ @@.msg.B;I’m here, Erica.@@ @@.msg.G;So am I.@@ @@.msg.K;yuppers@@ @@.msg.E;Ok, good.@@ <<say [[small talk]] "(Make small talk)" "So, how's everyone doing tonight?">> <<say [[get to the point]] "(Get right to the point)" "So, I asked if we could all meet up today because I wanted to speak to you all about something.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.K;good!!!@@ @@.msg.B;I’m wonderful!@@ @@.msg.G;Just fine, thank you.@@ @@.msg.R;Eh, I’m ok. Could be better, but still good overall I suppose.@@ @@.msg.E;Cool, cool.@@ @@.msg.E;So, I asked if we could all meet up today because I wanted to speak to you all about something.@@ <<include [[get to the point]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;Oh, did you get invited to another poetry slam?@@ <<say [[no]] "No...">> <<say [[not that]] "This has nothing to do with that.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;Oh, sorry@@ <<include [[george interrupts]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;Really? Oh, my bad then.@@ <<include [[george interrupts]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;Did you want to discuss the Dorn poetry early? Surely something caught your eye.@@ <<say [[no again]] "No...">> <<say [[just listen]] "Can you just listen to me?">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;Wait, so this isn’t about the poems?@@ <<include [[august interrupts]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;I apologize, I was just trying to get the conversation going.@@ <<include [[august interrupts]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.B;I highly doubt this is about poetry at all, George.@@ @@.msg.B;Look Erica, I hope you’re finally going to tell us what’s going on, because I’ve been growing quite concerned, if I’m being honest.@@ @@.msg.B;You’ve been quiet recently in chat. Don’t think I haven’t seen that, dear. I have, and I’m worried about you.@@ @@.msg.B;So, why did you want all of us to talk to you? And specifically after August has gone to bed?@@ @@.msg.E;Look...@@ @@.msg.E;There’s something important you all should know.@@ <span class="msg info t20" data-action="AugustEnters">(TransMasquerade is Online)</span> <span class="msg A t0">OH THANK FUCKING GOD, YOU’RE ALL HERE</span> @@.msg.A;I was afraid everyone went to sleep but you’re all here, miracles do happen holy shit@@ @@.msg.R;August? ???@@ @@.msg.K;whats going on? ur usually asleep by now. /gen@@ @@.msg.A;Yeah, but tonight’s not a normal night.@@ @@.msg.A;There’s been a accident.@@ @@.msg.G;Accident?@@ @@.msg.A;Yes.@@ @@.msg.A;Grandpa Corn was in a really bad car crash tonight.@@ @@.msg.R;!!!@@ @@.msg.A;I got to the hospital as quick as I could when they called. I’m here with my mom.@@ @@.msg.A;I wanted to contact you all because Grandpa Corn always told me how everyone in the group are the people in his life who are the most important to him.@@ @@.msg.A;I don’t know if he ever told you that, but it’s true. He says it all the time.@@ @@.msg.A;That makes what I have to tell you pretty sad, but you all deserve to know.@@ @@.msg.A;He needs major surgery. They’re operating on him now, and it’s possible that he might not make it.@@ @@.msg.B;Oh my goodness.@@ @@.msg.A;Yeah.@@ @@.msg.A;I’m so sorry to tell you all this.@@ <<say [[Riley emails]] "..." false>>

<<set $song to "Riley">>\ @@.email; To: Professor Cornelius Harper From: Riley O'Donnell Subject: Thanks For Your Feedback! Professor, I really appreciate your feedback on my latest "ocean grove" poem, and wanted to take the time to say thank you. I'll see if I can implement your suggestions, and submit it to the sea-themed poetry zine. Riley Attachment: <a href="doc/aching for love at ocean grove.txt" target="_blank">aching for love at ocean grove.txt</a> @@ @@.email; To: Riley O'Donnell From: Professor Cornelius Harper Subject: Re: Thanks For Your Feedback! Riley, It's really no problem at all! You are a very talented young lady, and don't you forget that. Also, no need to be so formal. You can call me Corn! Sincerely, Corn @@ @@.email; To: Professor Cornelius Harper From: Riley O'Donnell Subject: Re:Re: Thanks For Your Feedback! Corn, Thanks for the compliment; it means a lot to me. Though, now is a good time to let you know that I'm not actually a woman. I'm nonbinary, and have been trying out they/them pronouns in my private life. You're someone I deeply trust, so I want you to know that. From, Riley @@ @@.email; To: Riley O'Donnell From: Professor Cornelius Harper Subject: Re:Re:Re: Thanks For Your Feedback! Riley, Nonbinary, huh? I can't say I've heard that term before, but Google is a valuable research, and inputting that word into it yielded plentiful results. Be rest assured that I respect your gender, and you as you are. I'll use they/them pronouns for you from now on, in our private correspondence. Thank you for trusting me, Corn @@ @@.email; To: Professor Cornelius Harper From: Riley O'Donnell Subject: Re:Re:Re:Re: Thanks For Your Feedback! Corn, Thank you. That means so so much to me, professor. I really appreciate it. Riley @@ [[2: Riley->Riley chat]]

<<channel "#general">> <<if visited("Riley chat") is 1>><<set $speaker to "R">><</if>> <<say [[are you serious]] "Are you serious?!">> <<say [[joking]] "You're joking, right?">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;Unfortunately, yes.@@ <<include [[I told him]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;Unfortunately, no.@@ <<include [[I told him]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;I told Grandpa Corn not to drive this late at night. But he said he wanted to “get some air” and ponder the Dorn poems the group has been reading.@@ @@.msg.A;I wish I’d stopped him. I’m so mad at myself.@@ @@.msg.G;It’s not your fault, boy. Don’t be ridiculous.@@ @@.msg.B;He’s right, August. I suggest you focus your attention on waiting for Corn, instead of blaming yourself. Ok, sweetheart?@@ @@.msg.A;That’s good advice. I’ll try, I guess.@@ @@.msg.K;august I’m so sorry. I’m sure u didn’t do anything wrong.@@ <<say [[yeah]] "Yeah, August">> <<say [[nothing]] "(say nothing)" false>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;You couldn’t have known what would happen.@@ @@.msg.A;Practically, I know that.@@ @@.msg.A;But still...@@ <<include [[nothing]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;Shoot, I have to go soon.@@ @@.msg.A;I’ll be at the hospital for the time being, waiting for any news.@@ @@.msg.A;I’ll give updates when I can. But the wifi here is spotty, so I can’t guarantee anything. I’m using my phone’s data right now, but it’s limited.@@ @@.msg.A;Be back later. Let’s try to stay positive.@@ <span class="info msg t0" data-action="AugustLeaves">(TransMasquerade Is Offline)</span> @@.msg.K;fuck@@ @@.msg.B;I don’t usually condone swearing, but I’m inclined to agree with Kit on this one.@@ @@.msg.G;I can’t believe this....@@ <<say [[neither can I]] "Neither can I.">> <<say [[stay positive]] "Let’s try to stay positive.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;It’s just so surreal...@@ @@.msg.R;I hope Corn is going to be ok.@@ <<include [[erica quiet]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;August said there’s a <i>chance</i> Corn might not make it. A <i>chance</i>.@@ @@.msg.R;So it’s possible he’ll be ok.@@ @@.msg.R;We won’t know until he gets out of surgery, but let’s hope he’s going to be fine, alright?@@ @@.msg.G;Yes, you have a good point.@@ @@.msg.B;The least we can do for Corn is hope that he survives this.@@ @@.msg.K;I agree@@ <<include [[erica quiet]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.K;btw, erica, u’ve been kinda quiet...@@ @@.msg.E;Oh.@@ @@.msg.E;Sorry. I’m in shock.@@ @@.msg.E;Honestly, I’m not sure what to say.@@ @@.msg.E;Because I still want to tell you all what I wanted to say.@@ @@.msg.G;Are you serious? Is it <i>that</i> important?@@ @@.msg.E;Yes.@@ @@.msg.E;I’m not letting this stop me. If I don’t say this now, I know that for so many reasons, I never will.@@ @@.msg.B;Erica, honey, do you think it can wait until later?@@ @@.msg.E;No, it can’t wait. It really can’t.@@ @@.msg.E;I know you all see Corn as some big hero, but he’s not. He’s fucking not.@@ @@.msg.G;For heaven’s sake, Erica. The man could die. Our FRIEND could die. Have some tact, young lady!@@ @@.msg.E;Don’t tell me what to do, George. I’m telling you all this whether you want to hear it or not.@@ @@.msg.E;Corn sent me these awful emails. He started by flirting. But it didn’t stop there, even though I tried to tell him I wasn’t interested at all. He kept going, and he pushed, and he sent pictures. A lot of them.@@ @@.msg.E;It took so long for him to stop. Way too long.@@ @@.msg.E;And he apologized, and I said I forgave him, but I only did that because you all are so important to me.@@ @@.msg.E;I’ve been debating whether I want you all to know what he did. And I decided to tell you.@@ @@.msg.E;So now you know.@@ <<say [[George emails]] "..." false>>

<<set $song to "George">>\ @@.email; To: George McFadden From: FanForumMaker Support Subject: Your Message Logs Hello Georgeabbott, Here are the message logs you requested from the forum you are a member of, Hidden Treasures Of Poetry. If you have any questions, please email us again at support@ffmsupport.net, and attach the number on your support ticket. Sincerely, The FFM Support Team (This email was auto-generated. Please do not reply to this message.) Attachment: <a href="doc/Hidden Treasures Of Poetry_Georgeabbott_Direct Message Logs, Subject 'About Some Things'.txt" target="_blank">Hidden Treasures Of Poetry_Georgeabbott_Direct Message Logs, Subject 'About Some Things'.txt</a> @@ [[3: George->George chat]]

<<channel "#general">> <<if visited("George chat") is 1>><<set $speaker to 'G'>><</if>> <<say [[can't believe]] "I honestly can’t believe this.">> <<say [[nothing to do with anything]] "That has nothing to do with anything.">> <<say [[why now]] "Why are you bringing this up now?">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;Both those scandalous accusations, and the fact that you’re presenting them after we’ve heard such horrible news.@@ @@.msg.G;For heaven’s sake...@@ <<include [[you need to see]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;We need to focus on the topic at hand, Erica. And <i>that</i> is the fact that Corn’s life is hanging in the balance.@@ <<include [[you need to see]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;I don’t understand why you can’t wait until a better time to discuss this.@@ <<include [[you need to see]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.E;I need you to see him for what he is. You and I both know that there will never be a “good time” for me to bring this to the table. And if he does die, then I know my courage to speak about it will die with him.@@ @@.msg.K;I mean@@ @@.msg.K;ngl I see what she’s saying /srs@@ @@.msg.R;I get it, Erica, but honestly, everything tonight is really throwing me for a loop.@@ @@.msg.R;I don’t want to discount what you’ve experienced though, because that really is awful.@@ @@.msg.R;And it does call the stability of this group into question, if our leader is taking advantage of his position to pull shit like that.@@ @@.msg.E;So, you believe me, Riley?@@ @@.msg.R;Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?@@ @@.msg.R;It scares me to hell that Corn would do that to you, but I know you’re telling the truth.@@ @@.msg.B;I’m still processing all of this, but for right now, I’m on your side, Erica.@@ @@.msg.E;George? What about you?@@ <<say [[can't believe again]] "I can’t believe Corn would do that.">> <<say [[don't believe]] "I don’t believe Corn would do that.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;It’s beyond comprehension.@@ <<include [[please george]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;I’m sorry, but a guy like him? With all of his integrity?@@ @@.msg.G;I just...@@ <<include [[please george]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.E;Please, George. I need you to try to believe me. Can you do that?@@ <<say [[can try]] "I can try." false>> <<say [[have to think]] "I have to think about this." false>> <<say [[can't won't]] "I can’t. I won’t.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G.t0;I...@@ @@.msg.G;I can try, ok?@@ @@.msg.G;I’m not promising anything, as I’m still having a very hard time wrapping my mind around this madness.@@ @@.msg.G;But I can try, Erica. Ok?@@ @@.msg.E;Ok. That’s definitely enough for me.@@ @@.msg.E;Thank you, George. I really appreciate that, more than you know.@@ <<if visited("can try") is 1>><<set $georgebelieve to true>><</if>> <<include [[I'm sorry]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G.t0;I have to think, Erica.@@ @@.msg.G;This is a lot to take in, and I need time to ponder this. Ok?@@ @@.msg.E;Ok. That’s understandable.@@ @@.msg.E;Thank you.@@ <<include [[I'm sorry]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.G;I’m sorry, but this is madness. Lunacy!@@ @@.msg.G;And I can’t just accept it. I refuse to.@@ @@.msg.E;...Ok. I understand.@@ <<include [[I'm sorry]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.E;I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.@@ @@.msg.R;Well, you’ve said it now. Not that I’m mad or anything, I’m just... in disbelief.@@ @@.msg.B;So am I.@@ @@.msg.B;Kit, dear, how are you holding up after all of this?@@ @@.msg.K;Um...@@ <<say [[Kit emails]] "..." false>>

<<set $song to "Kit">>\ @@.email; To: Kit Wilson From: Cornelius Harper Subject: Love Your Newest Story Kit, Beth sent me a link to the latest story that you're working on, inspired by the Dorn poem, "The Price is Right: A Torture Wheel of Fortune". I can't say I understand some of it, as I'm not as familiar with those anime series as you younger folks are, but I definitely enjoyed it! And I'm so glad that a poem from our little club could spark your creativity. Also, would you be able to send me a PDF/Word file of your story, so I can save it to my computer? Keep it up, Corn @@ @@.email; To: Cornelius Harper From: Kit Wilson Subject: Re: Love Your Newest Story Hi Corn, Yeah sure, here ya go! Hope u enjoy. Kit Attachments: <a href="doc/Danganronpa Meets Dorn Ch1.pdf" target="_blank">Danganronpa Meets Dorn Ch1.pdf</a> @@ @@.email; To: Kit Wilson From: Cornelius Harper Subject: Re:Re: Love Your Newest Story Kit, Thank you, I'll save that to my machine! Keep up the writing. You are a very talented young lady, and don't you forget that. Sincerely, Corn @@ [[4: Kit->Kit chat]]

<<channel "#general">> <<if visited("Kit chat") is 1>><<set $speaker to 'K'>><</if>> <<say [[i'm fine]] "i’m fine, really. just speechless.">> <<say [[something to say]] "I have something to say, too.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.K;Corn’s like a grandparent to me, i can’t believe he would do something like that to you, Erica@@ @@.msg.E;So, do you believe me, Kit?@@ <<say [[I believe]] "yeah, I believe you.">> <<say [[idk yet]] "Idk yet tbh.">> <<say [[idk if I can]] "Idk if I can.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.E;Ok. Ok.@@ @@.msg.E;Thanks, Kit.@@ @@.msg.K;np np@@ <<if visited("I believe") is 1>><<set $kitbelieve to true>><</if>> <<include [[actually beth]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.K;I gotta think about this all more, my head is spinning@@ @@.msg.E;That’s fair. I understand.@@ <<include [[actually beth]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.K;I’m sorry. I just. I just don’t know. I’m sorry.@@ @@.msg.E;Ok.@@ <<include [[actually beth]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;??? What is it?@@ @@.msg.B;Is everything alright, Kit?@@ @@.msg.G;Good grief, tonight is becoming quite full of events, isn't it?@@ @@.msg.E;George, stop.@@ @@.msg.E;Kit, talk to us. What did you want to say?@@ <<say [[me too]] "Corn did stuff like that to me too." false>> <<say [[nothing lol]] "nevermind, it’s nothing lol. I’m just overwhelmed">>

<<channel "#general">> <<if visited("me too") is 1>><<set $kittell to true>><</if>> @@.msg.K;um@@ @@.msg.K;Erica, he sent me stuff too@@ @@.msg.E;What?!@@ @@.msg.B;I beg your pardon?@@ @@.msg.K;yeah...@@ @@.msg.K;I would get these weird emails from him every once in a while. I tried to ignore it, but it got more constant.@@ @@.msg.K;he sent me all these things about how talented and wonderful I was. It made me really uncomfortable.@@ @@.msg.K;and then he sent me a pic. I didn’t know what it was at first. Lol. But I figured it out.@@ @@.msg.K;I told him to please stop or I’d block his email. A few days later he apologized to me and said he’d never do that again.@@ @@.msg.K;and I wanted to leave but that would be complicated because i’d have to tell Beth why and that would involve saying what happened and it was just too much and I didn’t want to ruin this ok???@@ @@.msg.K;i’m sorry I never told you, Beth. I’m just really sorry. I know I fucked up.@@ @@.msg.K;I must have done something to make him think I was interested. It’s all my fault. I know that.@@ <<include [[actually beth]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.K;there’s a lot of stuff going down tonight@@ @@.msg.K;I’m hugging my Nagito plushie and trying to calm down, haha@@ @@.msg.K;At least you’re here too, Beth.@@ <<include [[actually beth]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.R;Actually, Beth, aside from checking on Kit, you’ve barely said a word this whole time.@@ @@.msg.R;Do you mind sharing your thoughts on all of this?@@ <<say [[Beth emails]] "..." false>>

<<set $song to "Beth">>\ @@.email; To: Beth Kingsberry From: CPU Quill, Your #1 Letter Transcribing Service Subject: Your Order Is Here! Hi Beth! Your demo order from CPU Quill is here! We hope you find the transcription satisfactory. Thanks for using our trial, and come back anytime if you need more! Our services start at the low price of $2.99, and are guaranteed to be at least 95% accurate! Your Order: Written Letter to Transcribed Computer File Your Transcriber: Rodrigo Your Total Payment: $0.00 Attachment: <a href="doc/Your CPU Quill Order_001.pdf" target="_blank">Your CPU Quill Order_001.pdf</a> @@ [[5: Beth->Beth chat]]

<<channel "#general">> <<if visited("Beth chat") is 1>><<set $speaker to "B">><</if>> @@.msg.B.t0;Sorry. This has all been a lot to process.@@ @@.msg.B;I just can’t believe that Cornelius would do something so awful to you, Erica<<if $kittell>> and Kit<</if>>.@@ @@.msg.B;But at the same time...@@ <<say [[remember]] "It makes me remember our original letters.">> <<say [[nevermind]] "You know what, nevermind.">>

<<channel "#general">> <<if visited("remember") is 1>><<set $bethtell to true>><</if>> @@.msg.B;If I’m being honest.@@ @@.msg.B;I hope this doesn’t sound rude, but that was the first thing that came to my head.@@ @@.msg.E;What original letters are you talking about?@@ @@.msg.G;Are you referring to ones from the mailing club?@@ @@.msg.B;Yes.@@ @@.msg.B;Corn would give me these flirty love notes when he sent the poetry envelopes to my house, with all of these sweet words about how much he adored me, all of those types of things.@@ @@.msg.B;It took him quite a while for that man to finally understand I wasn’t interested, but once he did, he stopped, and our friendship truly began to take shape.@@ @@.msg.K;wait wait hold on. how old were u when he started mailing you love notes? I thought you were a teenager when u first joined the mailing group, right?@@ @@.msg.B;Yes, that’s right.@@ @@.msg.R;Seriously? I didn’t know that... Corn wasn’t sending you stuff like that when you were a kid, was he?@@ <<say [[does it matter]] "Yes, but what does it matter?">> <<say [[can't recall]] "I can’t say I recall...">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.B;It was a very different time.@@ @@.msg.K;um yeah but STILL@@ @@.msg.G;Hold on, how old were you two, exactly?@@ <<say [[I was 15]] "I was 15. He was 21.">> <<say [[don't discuss]] "I don’t feel like discussing this anymore.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.E;WHAT?!@@ @@.msg.B;Like I said, it was a different time...@@ @@.msg.R;That still wouldn’t have been right, even back then.@@ @@.msg.G;I hate agreeing with them, but I’m not that much older than you, Beth, and I have to agree with what Riley is saying.@@ @@.msg.B;George, you really didn’t have to say anything...@@ @@.msg.G;I may not like that any of this is happening, but for the sake of my conscience, I can’t NOT say anything about something like <i>that</i>!@@ @@.msg.K;beth that’s messed up, I’m so so sorry that happened to you <3 :,C@@ @@.msg.B;It’s truly nothing...@@ @@.msg.E;Um, sending love notes to a person who wasn’t interested in him, nevermind a LESBIAN TEENAGER?! I wouldn’t say that’s “nothing”, Beth. Not at all.@@ <<say [[what do you mean]] "What do you mean?">> <<say [[stop talking]] "I’d like it if we stopped talking about this.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.E;I mean, I can’t say much since it’s your situation and not mine, but sending love notes to a teenager like that is pretty messed up.@@ @@.msg.E;And you said it took a while for him to stop doing it, too? It was the same way for me. I asked him to stop multiple times, but he didn’t.@@ @@.msg.E;It was very unsettling and made me feel like I had no control over the situation.@@ <<if $kittell>>@@.msg.K;I felt the same way tbh@@ @@.msg.K;I wanted it to end. I tried to tell him I didn’t want him to send me emails like that. but he wouldn’t stop and he just kept going@@ @@.msg.K;it was honestly a nightmare. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody@@ @@.msg.K;so to hear that you had a similar situation, beth, that just breaks my heart so much. ur so special to me and I hate that something like that happened to you@@ <</if>> @@.msg.B;...I see.@@ @@.msg.B;I haven’t thought about any of this in eons, to be honest. It’s a part of my life that hurts to look back on, even if Corn did apologize.@@ @@.msg.B;And to learn that he did similar things to Erica<<if $kittell>> and Kit.<</if>>@@ <<if $kittell>> @@.msg.B;My god.@@ @@.msg.B;Has Corn been preying on women since he was young? And did it start with me?@@ @@.msg.B;How on earth did I not see this until now?@@ <</if>> <<include [[august back]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.B;Please. Looking back on this is just to much. A fragile woman like me can’t handle it.@@ @@.msg.B;Perhaps another time we can go over this. But I have to prepare myself for such a conversation.@@ @@.msg.E;Ok, that’s completely fair.@@ @@.msg.K;sorry if we triggered u, beth. :C I hope ur ok@@ <<include [[august back]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.B;This whole thing has left me very uneasy. Perhaps we can revisit it at a different time, but today, I can’t.@@ @@.msg.K;........@@ @@.msg.G;Well, Beth has a point. Today has been a lot, after all I think that’s fair enough.@@ @@.msg.E;I agree.@@ <<include [[august back]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.B;It was ages ago, and my memory has faded significantly since that time.@@ @@.msg.R;But you <i>were</i> a teenager then, right?@@ <<say [[august back]] "Yes, I was.">> <<say [[august back]] "No, I don’t believe so.">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.B;You know what, nevermind. I’m just rambling, I’m afraid.@@ <<include [[august back]]>>

<<channel "#general">> <span class="msg info t0" data-action="AugustEnters">(TransMasquerade Is Online)</span> @@.msg.E;Oh! August, you’re back!@@ @@.msg.K;do u have any updates?@@ @@.msg.A;Actually, I’ve been here for a while.@@ @@.msg.A;I just made my online presence invisible when I started the session, because I wanted to see if you all were ok.@@ @@.msg.A;And when I was trying to do that, I... I saw what you all were talking about.@@ @@.msg.A;I read the chat. All of it.@@ @@.msg.A;I’m all caught up.@@ @@.msg.G;Oh.@@ @@.msg.E;Shit@@ <<say [[August emails]] "..." false>>

<<set $song to "August">>\ @@.email; To: August Harper From: Cornelius Harper Subject: Some Things For A Young Man To Know August, I couldn't be prouder of you for coming out and living as your true self. You are a fine young man, and I'm very glad to have you as my grandson. When we get a chance, the two of us should sit down and chat together. I want to pass down some knowledge of manhood to you, and help guide you as you live fully as the person you are. I've done things I regret as a man, even towards you, and I want to advise you so that you don't follow that same path. Let me know when a good time to talk would be. Love, Grandpa Corn @@ [[6: August->August chat]]

<<channel "#general">> <<if visited("August chat") is 1>><<set $speaker to 'A'>><</if>> <<set _alsoTold to $kittell + $bethtell>> @@.msg.A;Honestly, I’m just in shock.@@ @@.msg.A;This whole thing is unbelievable.@@ @@.msg.A;I just can’t believe that Gramps would do stuff like that. <<if _alsoTold gt 0>>Not just to Erica, but to <<if $kittell>>Kit<<else>>Beth<</if>>? <<if _alsoTold is 2>>And even Beth?<</if>><</if>>@@ <<if _alsoTold is 2>><<include [[three told]]>> <<elseif _alsoTold is 1>><<include [[two told]]>> <<else>><<include [[only Erica]]>> <</if>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;Actually, I think I do know what I think.@@ @@.msg.A;I think we might need to dissolve this group.@@ @@.msg.A;Grandpa Corn made it, and if he’s done this, then maybe his reasons for making this group were/are, too.@@ @@.msg.A;What do you all think? Should we dissolve this group?@@ @@.msg.E;I’m all for it. Burn it to the ground.@@ @@.msg.R;I mean... that makes sense to me. I don’t want it to happen, but it would make sense if it did.@@ @@.msg.K;yeah I feel the same way tbh@@ @@.msg.B;I would hate to say goodbye to this group after having it be such a big part of my life for so many years... I would have to think about it.@@ @@.msg.G;Agreed. I echo Beth’s words.@@ @@.msg.A;Alright, good to know where everybody’s at on this.@@ @@.msg.A;I’m not going to do anything tonight, but we should definitely discuss this further.@@ @@.msg.A;Fuck, I have so many questions for Grandpa Corn... He better live through surgery, I swear.@@ @@.msg.A;Now, I have to go. Getting some food for me and my mom.@@ @@.msg.A;All of you... stay safe, ok?@@ @@.msg.A;I care about you. And, I’m sorry.@@ <<say [[Lingers on]] "(log off)">>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;Fuck. This is all so shitty.@@ @@.msg.A;Look, I’m dealing with a lot right now. But I understand that you two are, too, Erica and <<if $kittell>>Kit<<else>>Beth<</if>>.@@ @@.msg.A;I have to wrestle with what’s going on in front of me. And that’s Grandpa Corn’s surgery.@@ @@.msg.A;But we will get back to this, no matter what happens. You two deserve some kind of justice. You’re both my friends; I want that for you.@@ <<include [[no more bombs]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;Actually no, I think I know what I think.@@ @@.msg.A;I think you need to get out, Erica.@@ @@.msg.E;What?@@ @@.msg.A;My grandfather could die, and you decide to say nasty things about him while he’s having major surgery?!@@ @@.msg.A;I honestly can’t believe you. I’m appalled.@@ @@.msg.E;August, I’m not lying.@@ @@.msg.A;I’m booting you from the server.@@ @@.msg.E;Guys, you have to stand up for me! Please!@@ @@.msg.G;<<if $georgebelieve>>August, you have to reconsider. Don’t kick Erica out. At least try to listen to her.<<else>>Sorry, Erica. I guess you have to go.<</if>>@@ @@.msg.K;<<if $kitbelieve>>august that would be the wrong thing to do. I know u love ur grandpa but please!<<else>>.......<</if>>@@ <<if $georgebelieve && $kitbelieve>> @@.msg.A;...@@ @@.msg.A;Ok, fine.@@ @@.msg.A;I won’t boot you tonight, Erica. But I swear to god, if you’re lying, I’ll kick your ass big time.@@ @@.msg.E;I’m not lying. Thank you, August.@@ @@.msg.A;Don’t thank me yet.@@ @@.msg.A;I don’t know where this group is going now, but it won’t be resolved while Grandpa Corn is being operated on, for fuck’s sake.@@ <<else>> @@.msg.A;Stop. You’re not going to convince me to not do this.@@ @@.msg.E;August please@@ @@.msg.E;Wait@@ <span class="msg admin" data-action="BootErica">(LetsGetLit(erature) Has Been Booted From The Server)</span> @@.msg.A;There.@@ <</if>> <<include [[no more bombs]]>>

<<channel "#general">> @@.msg.A;Now, I have to go get some food for me and my mom.@@ @@.msg.A;For the love of all that is holy, please don’t drop anymore bombs while I’m gone.@@ <<say [[Lingers on]] "(log off)">>

“Lingers on but the melody when everyone goes the moon we sang, to say too soon and found everyone too soon had gone with the moon Do you love me baby like you used to now I’d like to know Oh I’d like to know” —“[[The Song is Ended]]” by Edward Dorn

<<timed 2s>><<goto [[fin]]>><</timed>>

!!Hidden Gems, Hidden Secrets fin.

<<widget updatesong>><<silently>> <<for _i,_song range ["Erica", "Riley", "George", "Kit", "Beth", "August"]>> <<if _song is $song>> <<audio _song loop play>> <<else>> <<audio _song stop>> <</if>> <</for>> <</silently>><</widget>>

<<if $pastSong !== $song>> <<audio :playing fadeoverto 2 0>> <<set $pastSong to $song>> <<timed 2s>><<updatesong>><<set $pastSong to $song>><</timed>> <<else>> /* Make sure it's still going (if we reloaded the page or whatever). */ <<updatesong>> <</if>> <<if tags().includes('chat') || passage() === 'fin' || passage() === 'Start'>> <span style="position:absolute; bottom: 0.75em; left: 1em;">[img[assets/gear.png][credits]]</span> <</if>> <<if tags().includes('chat')>> <<if $live && $live.passage isnot passage()>> <<include $live.passage>> <<else>> <<set $live = { passage: passage(), channel: _channel, msgs: 0, speaker: $speaker }>> <</if>> <</if>>

<<if tags().includes('chat')>> <<for _i,_cl_channel range $channels>> <<set _cl_name = _cl_channel.substr(1)>> <<if _cl_channel === $channel>> <span data-passage="_cl_name"><<= '"""'+_cl_channel+'"""'>></span> <<else>> [[_cl_channel|_cl_name]] <</if>> <</for>> <<for _id,_online range $online>> <<if _online>><span @class="_online"> <<='"""'+setup.names[_id][1]+'"""'>> </span><</if>> <</for>> <div id="clock"></div> <</if>>

<<if tags().includes('chat')>> <<link [img[previous|assets/left.png]]>><<updatechoice -1>><</link>> @@#choice;@@ <<run $('#choice').append($('.passage .choice'))>> <<link [img[next|assets/right.png]]>><<updatechoice 1>><</link>> <<run $('#input').addClass('hide')>> <<if $live>> <<run continue_dialogue($live, _liveChannel === _channel)>> <</if>> <</if>>

!!Credits written by Naomi Norbez, programmed by Josh Grams Special Thanks to our Beta Testers: FireMist26, Anonymous, Domus Vocis, Danielle Carpenter, & Parker Wallis. Seeds used: * [[A Foregone Conclusion? by Dercomai|https://dercomai.itch.io/foregoneconclusion]] * [[music by Sul_iac|https://sul-iac.itch.io/music]] (specifically the tracks “Dreaming” & “Lovely epic symphonie orchestra (without voice)”) * [[after the accident by miss sophia de augustine|https://sophiades.itch.io/after-the-accident]], under a CC BY-NC license * [[Drones & Groans by Charm Cochran|https://overthinking.itch.io/drones-n-groans]] (specifically the tracks “It Will All Be Over Soon”, “Grieving Before Anything Has Happened”, and “A Dream Only Just Forgotten”.), under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license. * [[Of Message-Boards and Murder by Charm Cochran| https://overthinking.itch.io/of-message-boards-and-murder]], under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license. Notification Sound: “[[Messenger Notification Sounds|https://freesound.org/people/zzwerty/sounds/315878/]]” by zzwerty, used under a CC BY-NC 3.0 license. Kit's story uses elements from the Danganronpa franchise, which is © Spike Chunsoft. The <a href="https://datagoblin.itch.io/monogram">monogram font</a> (emails) is by Vinícius Menézio (@vmenezio), under CC0. The Vollkorn font (poetry) is Copyright 2018 <a href="https://github.com/FAlthausen/Vollkorn-Typeface">The Vollkorn Project Authors</a>, under the <a href="https://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&id=OFL">SIL OFL</a>. <label><<checkbox "$notify" false true autocheck>> Play notification sounds?</label> Left/right/enter keys will select a line to say in chat. <<return "Back">>\ | <<link "Restart">><<run UI.restart()>><</link>>