SYMBY ATSUME ALPHA (v0.1)

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You're leading a peaceful existence in the countryside. Peaceful, if not dreadfully boring. Recently, the apocalypse managed to pass you by nearly unnoticed. A full-blown alien invasion, and you watched it on TV because none of the invaders could be bothered to stray too far from large cities. Seeking out isolated victims just wasn't worth it. You're not saying you would have preferred to end up discarded in the street, brain resembling a raisin, but it'd be nice to feel included, wouldn't it? Ever. In anything. [[>>>]]

<<set $money to 0>> <<set $time to 1>> <<set $food to [1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $yard to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $tutorial to 1>> <<set $days to 0>> <<set $yardDesc to random(1,14)>> <<set $camera to 1>> <<set $currSym to 0>> <<set $lastSym to 10>> <<set $government to 0>> <<set $skip to 0>> <<set $encountered to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $firstEnc to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $trust to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $trustBuilding to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $picsSold to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $picChain to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $gov to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $returning to [1, 1, 1, 1, 1]>> <<set $rating to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<set $rarity to [1, 1, 1, 1, 1]>> <<set $nickName to ["sym0", "sym1", "sym2", "sym3", "sym4"]>> <<set $notes to ["None", "None", "None", "None", "None"]>> <<set $url to ["https://i.imgur.com/lEWStWU.png", "null", "null", "null", "null"]>>

<<button "Chocolate">> <</button>> <<button [[Meat|Meat Store]]>> <</button>> <<button [[Animals|Animal Store]]>> <</button>> <<button [[Cameras|Camera Store]]>><</button>> !!!CHOCOLATE Scientific investigation has revealed that Phenylethylamine is a vital part of a symbiote's diet. Deficiency can cause a symbiote to go into a frenzy trying to alleviate it. Typically, it's a hormone produced in mammalian brains, also known as the "love chemical". It's also found in chocolate. <table> <tr> <td>Item (Hover for description)</td> <td>Price</td> <td>Owned</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Not the kind you'd want to eat, but a cheap and nutritious choice for symbiotes.">Baking chocolate</span></td> <td>10$</td> <td><span id="c1">$food[0]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 10 gte 0>> <<set $food[0]++>> <<set $money to $money - 10>> <<replace "#c1">> $food[0] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Even richer in phenylethylamine, even tougher on your wallet."> Dark chocolate </span></td> <td>25$</td> <td><span id="c2">$food[1]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 25 gte 0>> <<set $food[1]++>> <<set $money to $money - 25>> <<replace "#c2">> $food[1] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "For the discerning symbiote palate."> Fancy chocolate </span></td> <td>50$</td> <td><span id="c3">$food[2]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 50 gte 0>> <<set $food[2]++>> <<set $money to $money - 50>> <<replace "#c3">> $food[2] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> </table> Money: <span id = "money"> $money </span>$ [[Return to the yard.|YARD]]

!!!YARD <<display "ANNOUNCEMENTS">> <<nobr>> <<if $time is 1>> It's a beautiful morning in your backyard. <<switch $yardDesc>> <<case 1>> A light breeze caresses your skin. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 2>> Sunlight filters through the trees, emerald and golden. <<set $weather to 1>> <<case 3>> The smell of recent rain hangs in the air. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 4>> An owl hoots in the distance. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 5>> Cicadas are warming up for the crescendo they'll reach later today. <<set $weather to 1>> <<case 6>> What was that rustling noise behind that bush? <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 7>> You never used to be this excited to come out here. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 8>> You squeeze your eyes shut to look at the sun. <<set $weather to 1>> <<case 9>> You're ready to meet some new aliens. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 10>> Actually, nevermind, it's quite average. Maybe a symbiote sighting will improve it. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 11>> It's raining. Thunder rolls in the distance. Nature needs this, too. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 12>> It's cold and damp enough to make you aware of it on every inch of your skin. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 13>> Dark clouds hang ominously above, ready to burst. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 14>> A drop of sweat runs down your neck. <<set $weather to 1>> <</switch>> <</if>> <<if $time is 2>> It's a beautiful evening in your backyard. <<switch $yardDesc>> <<case 1>> The sun is setting in a sea of reds and yellows. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 2>> A hot summer evening. You know how those are. <<set $weather to 1>> <<case 3>> Shadows dance in the corner of your eye. They fill you with hope. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 4>> You feel the overwhelming urge to walk into the woods. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 5>> The damp is cold and heavy. Enveloping. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 6>> The moon is hidden behind rainclouds. All is dark. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 7>> This kind of heat leaves you tossing and turning. <<set $weather to 1>> <<case 8>> Actually, nevermind, it's quite average. Maybe a symbiote sighting will improve it. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 9>> You're ready to meet some new aliens. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 10>> You never used to be this excited to come out here. <<set $weather to 0>> <<case 11>> Lightning strikes, not too far from here. The sky flashes white. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 12>> The sound of raindrops hitting your umbrella is calming. <<set $weather to 2>> <<case 13>> The setting sun brings relief from the heat. <<set $weather to 1>> <<case 14>> Your shirt clings to your skin, soaked with sweat. <<set $weather to 1>> <</switch>> <</if>> <</nobr>> <span id="inventory"> <<display "INVENTORY">> </span>[[Wait.|SYMSELECTOR]] [[Go to the store.|Chocolate Store]] [[View your pictures.|PICTURES]] Days spent: $days

!!!PICTURES Here are the symbiotes you've photographed so far: <<for _i to 0; _i lt $encountered.length; _i++>> <<if $encountered[_i]>> [img[$url[_i]]] Best picture taken: $rating[_i] out of 6 stars. First encountered: Day $firstEnc[_i]. Number of encounters: $encountered[_i]. Nickname: $nickName[_i]. <<capture _i>> <<link "Change nickname." "nickname">> <<set $currName to _i>> <</link>> <</capture>> <</if>> <</for>> [[Return to the yard.|YARD]]

<<button [[Chocolate|Chocolate Store]]>> <</button>> <<button "Meat">> <</button>> <<button [[Animals|Animal Store]]>> <</button>> <<button [[Cameras|Camera Store]]>><</button>> !!!MEAT Though they have a chemically complex, primarily hormone-based diet, symbiotes still need calories and protein to survive. They're predators who find special satisfaction in tearing through a side of raw meat. <table> <tr> <td>Item (Hover for description)</td> <td>Price</td> <td>Owned</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Spice up the local symbiote's life by introducing chicken into its diet. Alternatively, do any nearby farmers a favour."> Chicken </span></td> <td>10$</td> <td><span id="m1">$food[3]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 10 gte 0>> <<set $food[3]++>> <<set $money to $money - 10>> <<replace "#m1">> $food[3] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Mmmm. Pork."> Pork </span></td> <td>25$</td> <td><span id="m2">$food[4]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 25 gte 0>> <<set $food[4]++>> <<set $money to $money - 25>> <<replace "#m2">> $food[4] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Is dark meat better for symbiotes? Maybe you'll be the first to conduct research on this."> Beef </span></td> <td>50$</td> <td><span id="m3">$food[5]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 50 gte 0>> <<set $food[5]++>> <<set $money to $money - 50>> <<replace "#m3">> $food[5] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> </table> Money: <span id = "money"> $money </span>$ [[Return to the yard.|YARD]]

<<button [[Chocolate|Chocolate Store]]>> <</button>> <<button [[Meat|Meat Store]]>> <</button>> <<button "Animals">> <</button>> <<button [[Cameras|Camera Store]]>><</button>> !!!ANIMAL HOSTS You figure a symbiote might be more comfortable if it gets to inhabit a critter for a little while. You should probably only get one of each of these, you don't have the license to run a zoo. <table> <tr> <td>Item (Hover for description)</td> <td>Price</td> <td>Owned</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "It's a live rat. Maybe a symbiote will come by and take it for a ride. Or just slurp it up."> Rat </span></td> <td>20$</td> <td><span id="a1">$food[6]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 20 gte 0 && $food[6] is 0>> <<set $food[6]++>> <<set $money to $money - 20>> <<replace "#a1">> $food[6] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "What could be more fun than hopping around in one of these?"> Rabbit </span></td> <td>40$</td> <td><span id="a2">$food[7]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 40 gte 0 && $food[7] is 0>> <<set $food[7]++>> <<set $money to $money - 40>> <<replace "#a2">> $food[7] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Symbiotes are kind of like cats if cats were people."> Cat </span></td> <td>100$</td> <td><span id="a3">$food[8]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 100 gte 0 && $food[8] is 0>> <<set $food[8]++>> <<set $money to $money - 100>> <<replace "#a3">> $food[8] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Who's a good host! Who's a good host!"> Dog </span></td> <td>300$</td> <td><span id="a4">$food[9]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 300 gte 0 && $food[9] is 0>> <<set $food[9]++>> <<set $money to $money - 300>> <<replace "#a4">> $food[9] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Imagine. Being one with a horse. The wind in your mane. Imagine being the only horse that won't break its legs at the first opportunity, too."> Horse </span></td> <td>1000$</td> <td><span id="a5">$food[10]</span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 1000 gte 0 && $food[10] is 0>> <<set $food[10]++>> <<set $money to $money - 1000>> <<replace "#a5">> $food[10] <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> </table> Money: <span id = "money"> $money </span>$ [[Return to the yard.|YARD]]

<hr><<if $food[0] is 0 && $food[1] is 0 && $food[2] is 0 && $food[3] is 0 && $food[4] is 0 && $food[5] is 0 && $food[6] is 0 && $food[7] is 0 && $food[8] is 0 && $food[9] is 0 && $food[10] is 0>>There's nothing that would be of any symbiote's interest in your inventory! Go to the store and buy something. <<else>>You have: <<if $food[0] is 1>> <<link "$food[0] serving of baking chocolate.">> <<if $yard[0] is 0>><<set $food[0]-->> <<set $yard[0]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <<elseif $food[0]>> <<link "$food[0] servings of baking chocolate.">> <<if $yard[0] is 0>><<set $food[0]-->> <<set $yard[0]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>> <<if $food[1] is 1>> <<link "$food[1] serving of dark chocolate.">> <<if $yard[1] is 0>><<set $food[1]-->> <<set $yard[1]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <<elseif $food[1]>> <<link "$food[1] servings of dark chocolate.">> <<if $yard[1] is 0>><<set $food[1]-->> <<set $yard[1]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>><<if $food[2] is 1>> <<link "$food[2] serving of fancy chocolate.">> <<if $yard[2] is 0>><<set $food[2]-->> <<set $yard[2]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <<elseif $food[2]>> <<link "$food[2] servings of fancy chocolate.">> <<if $yard[2] is 0>><<set $food[2]-->> <<set $yard[2]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>><<if $food[3] is 1>> <<link "$food[3] serving of chicken.">> <<if $yard[3] is 0>><<set $food[3]-->> <<set $yard[3]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <<elseif $food[3]>> <<link "$food[3] servings of chicken.">> <<if $yard[3] is 0>><<set $food[3]-->> <<set $yard[3]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>><<if $food[4] is 1>> <<link "$food[4] serving of pork.">> <<if $yard[4] is 0>><<set $food[4]-->> <<set $yard[4]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <<elseif $food[4]>> <<link "$food[4] servings of pork.">> <<if $yard[4] is 0>><<set $food[4]-->> <<set $yard[4]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>><<if $food[5] is 1>> <<link "$food[5] serving of beef.">> <<if $yard[5] is 0>><<set $food[5]-->> <<set $yard[5]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <<elseif $food[5]>> <<link "$food[5] servings of beef.">> <<if $yard[5] is 0>><<set $food[5]-->> <<set $yard[5]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>><<if $food[6]>> <<link "A rat.">> <<if $yard[6] is 0>><<set $food[6]-->> <<set $yard[6]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>> <<if $food[7]>> <<link "A rabbit.">> <<if $yard[7] is 0>><<set $food[7]-->> <<set $yard[7]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>> <<if $food[8]>> <<link "A cat.">> <<if $yard[8] is 0>><<set $food[8]-->> <<set $yard[8]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>> <<if $food[9]>> <<link "A dog.">> <<if $yard[9] is 0>><<set $food[9]-->> <<set $yard[9]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>> <<if $food[10]>> <<link "A horse.">> <<if $yard[10] is 0>><<set $food[10]-->> <<set $yard[10]++>> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</if>> <</link>> <</if>> <</if>> <hr> <<if $yard[0] is 0 && $yard[1] is 0 && $yard[2] is 0 && $yard[3] is 0 && $yard[4] is 0 && $yard[5] is 0 && $yard[6] is 0 && $yard[7] is 0 && $yard[8] is 0 && $yard[9] is 0 && $yard[10] is 0>> Your yard lies empty. Full of potential, if you'd prefer to say. Click something you have to put it in the yard. <<else>> There are some symbiote lures in your yard. Click them to move them back to your inventory.<<if $yard[0]>> <<link "Some baking chocolate has been strategically placed.">> <<set $food[0]++>> <<set $yard[0]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[1]>> <<link "Some dark chocolate is available.">> <<set $food[1]++>> <<set $yard[1]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[2]>> <<link "Some fancy chocolate is ripe with anticipation.">> <<set $food[2]++>> <<set $yard[2]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[3]>> <<link "Some chicken is looking appetising.">> <<set $food[3]++>> <<set $yard[3]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[4]>> <<link "Some pork has been lovingly tossed outside.">> <<set $food[4]++>> <<set $yard[4]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[5]>> <<link "Some beef has been offered to passers-by.">> <<set $food[5]++>> <<set $yard[5]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[6]>> <<link "A rat scurries around the underbrush. It's cute.">> <<set $food[6]++>> <<set $yard[6]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[7]>> <<link "A rabbit is hanging around in that aloof rabbit kind of way.">> <<set $food[7]++>> <<set $yard[7]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[8]>> <<link "A cat should be somewhere in the general vicinity.">> <<set $food[8]++>> <<set $yard[8]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[9]>> <<link "A dog bounces up and down your yard with unrestrained joy.">> <<set $food[9]++>> <<set $yard[9]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><<if $yard[10]>> <<link "Wow. You really have a horse in your yard.">> <<set $food[10]++>> <<set $yard[10]-->> <<replace "#inventory">><<display "INVENTORY">><</replace>><</link>><</if>><</if>> <hr>

<<nobr>> <<if $time is 1>> <<set $time to 2>> <<else>> <<set $time to 1>> <<set $days++>> <</if>> <<for _i to 0; _i lt $returning.length; _i++>> <<if $returning[_i] gt 1>> <<set $returning[_i]-->> <</if>> <</for>> <<set $yardDesc to random(1,14)>> <</nobr>>

!!!YARD <<set $encountered[0] to 1>> <<set $currSym to 0>> <<set $yard[0]-->> <<set $firstEnc[0] to $days>> You swallow. It's just that... You hadn't really thought this through. Putting a big hunk of chocolate in your yard isn't the kind of action that feels like it could have far-reaching consequences. At worst, you'd get ants. On any other day, in any other yard. But it's unmistakable, now. There's movement. A white... mass. Small black dots on its surface. Still not touching the chocolate. Maybe examining it. Can it see? Can it see you? What'll it do, then? It could kill you so easily. It could take you over and parade your corpse around. It... It lays a small tendril upon the chocolate. Bizarrely gently. Its surface ripples all over. You swear you can hear a soft... rumbling noise. You refuse to call it a purr. Bit by bit, it envelops the treat. It's all happening very slowly, far too slowly for it to, say, be of any use during a siege on a planet. Is it weak? Is it sick? They said a lack of<<display "PHENYLETHYLAMINE">>made symbiotes aggressive, not dormant. As it comes into full view, you suddenly remember the purpose of this operation. [[Take a picture.|SYM0PIC]]

<<nobr>> <<switch random(1,10)>> <<case 1>> phenelelele <<case 2>> phenylathyla <<case 3>> phenylayouknow <<case 4>> phennylithilly <<case 5>> phenythyl <<case 6>> phenalythilamine <<case 7>> phenylphylamine <<case 8>> post-phenylalanine <<case 9>> healthy symbiote juice <<case 10>> PEA <</switch>> <</nobr>>

!!!YARD <<if $tutorial is 1>> <<set $tutorial to 0>> With shaking hands, you put down your binoculars and take out your phone. You manage to bring it up to your face undetected and snap a picture. <</if>>[img[$url[0]]] <<if $encountered[0] is 1>> It is kind of cute. <<else>> From a distance, it looks like a slimy white rabbit without a face. Charming.<</if>><<display "PIC">>

<<display "TIMEFORWARD">> <<set $rating[$currSym] to $camera + $trust[$currSym]>> <<set $picsSold[$currSym]++>> <<if $lastSym is $currSym>> <<set $picChain[$currSym]++>> <<else>> <<set $picChain[$currSym] to 0>> <<set $skip to 0>> <</if>> <<set $lastSym to $currSym>> <<if $picChain[$currSym] % 5 is 0 && $picChain[$currSym] isnot 0>> <<set $skip to 1>> <</if>> <<nobr>> This photo is considered <<if $rating[$currSym] lte 2>> ''unimpressive'' <<elseif $rating[$currSym] lte 4>> ''a decent effort'' <<elseif $rating[$currSym] lte 5>> ''outstanding'' <<elseif $rating[$currSym] lte 6>> ''perfect'' <<elseif $rating[$currSym] lte 7>> ''beyond perfect'' <</if>> because <<if $camera is 1>> the image quality of your phone is ''bad'' <<elseif $camera is 2>> the image quality of your camera is ''okay'' <<elseif $camera is 3>> the image quality of your camera is ''good'' <<elseif $camera is 4>> the image quality of your camera is ''professional'' <</if>> and the distance from which you took it was <<if $trust[$currSym] is 0>> ''way too far''. <<elseif $trust[$currSym] is 1>> ''too far''. <<elseif $trust[$currSym] is 2>> ''average''. <<elseif $trust[$currSym] is 3>> ''a close-up''. <<elseif $trust[$currSym] is 4>> ''a close-up... is it modelling for it''?<</if>> <</nobr>> This symbiote's notability is<<if $rarity[$currSym] is 1>> ''low''<<elseif $rarity[$currSym] is 2>> ''average''<<elseif $rarity[$currSym] is 3>> ''above-average''<<elseif $rarity[$currSym] is 4>> ''high''<<elseif $rarity[$currSym] is 5>> ''legendary''<</if>>. <<if $skip is 1>> <<if $rarity[$currSym] is 1>><<set _skip to 1>> You've taken too many pictures of the same symbiote in a row! It's cute that you like it so much, but you should give someone else a chance before you flood the market. <<else>> You've sold too many pictures of the same symbiote! With all of them in circulation, its notability has gone down. <<set $rarity[$currSym]]-->><</if>> <</if>> <<if $skip is 0>> <<link "Sell this photo to the symbiote enthusiast community for <<print Math.trunc(10*$rarity[$currSym]+(2*$rarity[$currSym]*(($rating[$currSym]*$camera))))>>$." "PICTURES">> <<set $money to $money+Math.trunc(10*$rarity[$currSym]+(2*$rarity[$currSym]*(($rating[$currSym]*$camera))))>> <</link>> These people collect, exchange, buy and sell pictures of the remaining symbiotes on earth as a hobby. Like birdwatching or dogspotting, but much more eccentric. And dangerous. <<link "Sell this photo to the government's symbiote retrieval division for <<print Math.trunc(15*($rarity[$currSym]+($rating[$currSym]/2)))>>$." "PICTURES">> <<set $money to $money + Math.trunc(15*($rarity[$currSym]+($rating[$currSym]/2)))>><<set $government++>><</link>> A geotagged image of a symbiote can help them track, locate and even capture the remaining symbiotes on earth. They will be safely contained and, if suitable, applied to military use. <<else>> [[Return to the yard.|YARD]] <</if>>

<<button [[Chocolate|Chocolate Store]]>> <</button>> <<button "Meat">> <</button>> <<button [[Animals|Animal Store]]>> <</button>> <<button "Cameras">> <</button>> !!!CAMERAS If you want to make money doing this, you should probably upgrade from your smartphone camera. You don't know what any of the technical details mean, so you're just going to assume that the more expensive, the better. <table> <tr> <td>Item (Hover for description)</td> <td>Price</td> <td>In use</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "24.2MP? Is that good?">Nikon D3400</span></td> <td>300$</td> <td><span id="cam1"> No </span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 300 gte 0 && $camera lte 1>> <<set $camera to 2>> <<set $money to $money - 300>> <<replace "#cam1">> Yes <</replace>> <<replace "#cam2">> No <</replace>> <<replace "#cam3">> No <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "Oh, it has a touchscreen! That's nice!">Leica TL2</span></td> <td>1500$</td> <td><span id="cam2"> No </span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 1500 gte 0 && $camera lte 2>> <<set $camera to 3>> <<set $money to $money - 1500>> <<replace "#cam1">> No <</replace>> <<replace "#cam2">> Yes <</replace>> <<replace "#cam3">> No <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span title = "153-point autofocus. That's a lot of points.">Nikon D850</span></td> <td>3000$</td> <td><span id="cam3"> No </span></td> <td> <<button "Buy">> <<if $money - 3000 gte 0 && $camera lte 3>> <<set $camera to 4>> <<set $money to $money - 3000>> <<replace "#cam1">> No <</replace>> <<replace "#cam2">> No <</replace>> <<replace "#cam3">> Yes <</replace>> <<replace "#money">> $money <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>> </td> </tr> </table> Money: <span id = "money"> $money </span>$ [[Return to the yard.|YARD]]

Enter a nickname to identify this symbiote by and hit enter. <<textbox "$nickName[$currName]" "" "PICTURES">> [[Go back.|PICTURES]]

<<nobr>> <<set $symSelect to [0, 0, 0, 0, 0]>> <<if ($yard[0]||$yard[1]||$yard[2])&&$returning[0] is 1>> <<set $symSelect[0] to 1>> <</if>> /*<<if ($yard[3]||$yard[4]||$yard[5])&&$returning[1] is 1>> <<set $symSelect[1] to 1>> <</if>>*/ <<set $symLotto to []>> <<set _symsAvailable to 0>> <<for _i to 0; _i lt $symSelect.length; _i++>> <<if $symSelect[_i]>> <<set _symsAvailable++>> <<switch $rarity[_i]>> <<case 1>> <<for _f to 0; _f lt 5; _f++>> <<set $symLotto.push(_i)>> <</for>> <<case 2>> <<for _f to 0; _f lt 4; _f++>> <<set $symLotto.push(_i)>> <</for>> <<case 3>> <<for _f to 0; _f lt 3; _f++>> <<set $symLotto.push(_i)>> <</for>> <<case 4>> <<for _f to 0; _f lt 2; _f++>> <<set $symLotto.push(_i)>> <</for>> <<case 5>> <<for _f to 0; _f lt 1; _f++>> <<set $symLotto.push(_i)>> <</for>> <</switch>> <</if>> <</for>> <<set _f to 0>> <<for _i to 0; _i lt $yard.length; _i++>> <<if $yard[_i]>> <<set _f to 1>> <</if>> <</for>> <<set _g to 0>> <<for _i to 0; _i lt $yard.length; _i++>> <<if $food[_i]>> <<set _g to 1>> <</if>> <</for>> <<if _f is 0 && _g is 0 && $money lt 10>> <<display "NOTHINGATALL">> <<elseif _f is 0>> <<display "NOTHING">> <<elseif _symsAvailable is 0>> <<display "NOLUCK">> <<else>> <<set $winningSym to random (0, $symLotto.length-1)>> <<set $currSym to $symLotto[$winningSym]>> <<if $encountered[$currSym] lte 3>> <<display `"SYM"+$currSym+"_"+$encountered[$currSym]`>> <<else>> <<display `"SYM"+$currSym+"_4"`>> <</if>> <</if>> <</nobr>>

!!!YARD Despite your best efforts, no symbiote seems to want to come to your yard today. <<display "TIMEFORWARD">> [[There's always next time.|YARD]]

!!!YARD <<set $encountered[0]++>> <<for _f to 0; _f is 0;>><<set _i to random(0,2)>> <<if $yard[_i]>> <<set $yard[_i]-->> <<set _f to 1>> <</if>> <</for>> You lie in wait with a mix of dread and anticipation. Just when that threatens to give way to boredom, you spot it. White. Little black dots. What may or may not be two eye stalks. Sluggish movements in addition to a sluggish appearance. [[Is that a repeat offender?|SYM0_1_1]]

!!!YARD Yes, it looks like it's $nickName[0]. It slowly covers the chocolate with its body and starts visibly vibrating. If the intensity's an indication of how much it enjoys it, it's really no wonder that it couldn't stay away. You move to take a picture. As you bring up your phone, you're left with exactly one millisecond for your stomach to drop and your thumb to start fumbling as it displays "INCOMING CALL" "MOM" and starts vibrating. The symbiote, in turn, stops. It perks up and moves as if to look at you, pinpointing the source of the sound with immediate accuracy. You both wait for the other to make a move, frozen. You suddenly feel like a creep for lying in the bushes, covertly taking pictures of people. Then, you suppose you'd also feel like a creep if you were caught consuming someone's backyard chocolate via osmosis or whatever. You're not an expert in symbiote body language, but there's no particular threat displays going on. It certainly doesn't look ready to attack. Really, it doesn't even look able to. [[Don't move.|SYM0_1_1a]] [[Be brave. Move towards it.|SYM0_1_1b]]

!!!YARD <<set $trust[0]++>> You decide not to risk scaring it off. The thing is awfully weak. An inability to defend itself would probably put it on edge. The symbiote's main body remains perfectly still, but after some time, you notice that it has been unable to resist extending a few tendrils to absorb the remains of the chocolate. The wrapper is now clean enough to eat off of. When this action prompts no reaction on your part, it slowly rolls off of its stump, like lava coming down a volcano, in your direction. It stretches towards you, snifffing, keeping most of its body at what it considers a safe distance. It seems like you and $nickName[0] trust each other a little more now. [[You take a picture. The symbiote moves to leave as slowly as it came.|SYM0PIC]]

!!!YARD <<set $returning[0] to 5>> You take a deep breath and, slowly, get up on your knees, watching for a reaction. The symbiote looks no less like a harmless lump. You crawl forwards, camera at the ready, but somehow, the symbiote in the viewfinder doesn't seem to be getting bigger. Is it... Is it shrinking? You stop. The symbiote is moving backwards, compressing itself into a little ball, seemingly with great effort. Parts of it keep going gooey again, dragging behind it, as it tries to achieve some rolling momentum. It's fleeing... very slowly. You hadn't thought of yourself as the potential threat in this situation. It couldn't attack, but that also means it couldn't defend itself. It'd rather avoid a confrontation altogether. It'll be a while until $nickName[0] builds up the courage to come back. [[You take a picture.|SYM0PIC]]

!!!YARD <<set $encountered[0]++>> <<for _f to 0; _f is 0;>><<set _i to random(0,2)>> <<if $yard[_i]>> <<set $yard[_i]-->> <<set _f to 1>> <</if>> <</for>> You lie in wait. Sure enough, you'd almost been expecting it: A white symbiote covered in small, black spots is coming into view, making a beeline for the chocolate you'd set out. Or a slugline. [[It's...|SYM0_2_1]]

!!!YARD You haven't put out anything that would attract any symbiotes. None of them seem to feel like stopping by for a visit, either. Demoralised, you go back inside. <<display "TIMEFORWARD">> [[There's always next time.|YARD]]

!!!YARD You lie in wait from some distance away. You literally lie on the ground with binoculars. You're not sure if you're doing it right. You think this is what people who watch wildlife do. You're watching fugitive aliens. Same difference. Just when your elbows start to go stiff, you see something poking out from behind the stump you'd placed the chocolate on. Is it a huge, exotic slug? Is it a sentient slime mold? Is it, perhaps, an elaborate hoax? [[Or is it...|SYM0_0_1]]

!!!YARD It's $nickName[0], of course. Chowing down in that weird absorby way it has. You'd really like to get closer, and you could probably walk right up to it unharmed, but if you spook the little thing too badly, it'll likely never come back. That'd be a shame, too. Maybe the best thing to do would be to encourage it to come to you, instead. But how? Calling out to it is probably a bad idea. Even if it didn't startle, you're not sure it'd understand you. Is there something else to catch its attention with? [[More chocolate.|SYM0_2_1a]] [[Your phone.|SYM0_2_1b]]

!!!YARD Sure, why not. You get some chocolate from your personal stash. You hold it out to the symbiote, plopped on top of the stump. It somehow manages to have an air of satisfied fatness about it. It turns its body towards you, mildly interested. You hope. You can't actually tell. There's a lot of projection going on when you're looking at someone without a face. You try to make it clear that you're offering the chocolate to it. You set it down in front of you. You motion for it to come closer. You wave it at it. You ask it if it wants any. You feel very awkward. You suppose it isn't ready to take any chances. Maybe it still perceives the chocolate as belonging to you. Both body language and spoken language seem alien to it. [[You take a picture before the symbiote leaves you to your shenanigans.|SYM0PIC]]

!!!YARD <<set $trust[0]++>> How do you reach someone? You speak their language. What is a symbiote's language? You have no idea. The only way you've seen it express itself... Well, it might not have been communicating intentionally, but the way it'll sometimes start vibrating can definitely be linked to happiness. The vibration of your phone caught its attention last time, too. Who's to say...? There's the same immediate reaction when you try setting your phone to vibrate. When you establish what you believe to be eye contact, you put a smile to the sound. As a translation of sorts, if it really doesn't understand any body or spoken language. The symbiote starts to quiver the slightest bit, in time with your phone's bursts of vibration. You cover your mouth to keep from laughing and ruining the moment. The quivering intensifies, like it's making an effort to imitate your phone, before it cuts off entirely, having probably exhausted itself. You turn the vibration off. The symbiote... actually rolls closer. You suddenly feel awfully put on the spot. You only have the one thing you can say to it. You take a deep breath and roll an "r" at it. Much slower and deeper than the phone. Much more authentic. Sure enough, this time you get a gentle purr in response. There's really nothing else to call it. It seems like you and $nickName[0] trust each other a little more now. [["Brrrrr," you say, and snap a picture.|SYM0PIC]]

!!!YARD <<set $encountered[0]++>> <<for _f to 0; _f is 0;>><<set _i to random(0,2)>> <<if $yard[_i]>> <<set $yard[_i]-->> <<set _f to 1>> <</if>> <</for>> You lie in wait. Eventually, you spot strange colours in the grass. It's... You don't recognise it, actually. It's black, white, grey... White with runny dots... It just looks like a shapeless puddle. If you weren't specifically looking for symbiotes, you might've accidentally stepped in it. [[Is it...|SYM0_3_1]]

!!!YARD ...Oh boy, is it $nickName[0]? It's certainly seen better days. You're torn on what to do. You don't want to make things worse by getting close and making it panic. You don't want to let it waste away in your backyard. It seems to be heading for the chocolate, but there's no way it'll make it up the stump. You decide there's nothing else for it. [[You approach the symbiote.|SYM0_3_2]]

!!!YARD <<set $encountered[0]++>> <<for _f to 0; _f is 0;>><<set _i to random(0,2)>> <<if $yard[_i]>> <<set $yard[_i]-->> <<set _f to 1>> <</if>> <</for>> You lie in wait. <<if $trust[0] is 3>> You don't lie in wait for long. Someone's getting used to this routine. Someone white, covered in little black spots, and always hungry for chocolate. <<else>> Finally, here it comes. Someone white, covered in little black spots, and always hungry for chocolate. <</if>> [[It's...|SYM0_4_1]]

!!!YARD <<if $trust[0] gte 3>>It's local legend, $nickName[0], soon settled on its stump like it grew there. You go to sit next to it. It sniffs at you, tense for a second, then relaxing. <span id="sym0"> <<link "Give it a scritch.">> <<replace "#sym0">> Predictably, its body simply recedes wherever your hand hovers. You draw circles above it, mildly amused. A hissing noise is produced somewhere within it. You stop. <</replace>><</link>> <<link "Tell it about your day.">> <<replace "#sym0">>You start talking about anything that comes to mind. The symbiote continues eating, occasionally giving a short purr. It definitely doesn't understand you, but if it likes rumbling noises, you suppose it could also like the sound of your voice. <</replace>><</link>> <<link "Show it pictures of it.">> <<replace "#sym0">>You take out your phone and hold it up to what you presume to be eye stalks, showing it the most flattering picture of it you have. There's no reaction. You take a closer look... Those things don't really look like... Oh shit. It's blind. <</replace>><</link>></span> <<else>> It's $nickName[0]. You get as close to it as you feel is appropriate. <<nobr>><<linkreplace "Spend some time building trust.">> <<set $trustBuilding[0]++>> <<if $trust[0] is 0>>You spend some time making your presence known to it, but letting it have its space. Soon, it'll feel like you mean it no harm. <<if $trustBuilding[0] % 3 is 0>> Indeed, it seems like you and $nickName[0] trust each other a little more now. <<set $trust[0]++>><</if>> <<elseif $trust[0] is 1>>You spend some time studying its noises and movements and what they could mean. Soon, it'll feel like you're trying to understand it. <<if $trustBuilding[0] % 3 is 0>> Indeed, it seems like you and $nickName[0] trust each other a little more now. <<set $trust[0]++>><</if>> <<elseif $trust[0] is 2>>You spend some time coaxing it to eat out of your hands. Soon, it'll feel like you mean to help it.<<if $trustBuilding[0] % 3 is 0>> Indeed, it seems like you and $nickName[0] trust each other a little more now. <<set $trust[0]++>><</if>><</if>> <</linkreplace>><</nobr>><</if>> [[Take a picture.|SYM0PIC]]

!!!YARD It turns out not to be as big of a deal as you thought it'd be. Largely on account of the fact that it barely seems able to register your presence. You're still going to avoid touching it, though, for both your sakes. You pick up the hunk of chocolate and, slowly, kneel down to offer it to the symbiote. When it doesn't react, you bring it closer. You hover right on top of it. To the back. To the front. You don't know where its eyes are, if it has any. You gently nudge it with the chocolate. Tendrils wind around it like vines in a timelapse. [[And around your hands.|SYM0_3_3]]

!!!YARD It feels like lightning struck your fingertips and travelled to your brainstem, frying every nerve on its way. The agony only lasts for a second. Then there's a raw, tingling sensation left behind, charting out a foreign path through your body. Your fingers are tightly curled into the symbiote's mass, but you're hardly aware of it. [[You just wanted to take a picture of a cute alien slug.|SYM0_3_4]]

!!!YARD There's a definite presence, but no communication. It's just overwhelmingly there. Heavy in your mind. Heavy in your veins. Heavy in your heart. You need to push a thought up against the weight of it. "Why did you bond with me?" you try to say, but your lips are heavy, too. All of your muscles feel too limp and too tense at once. There's only a sense of increasing urgency. The heaviness means something, you realise. It means... Inability. It can't? You can't? What is it trying to say? [[The symbiote is trying to say ''I CAN'T HURT YOU''.|SYM0_3_4a]] [[The symbiote is trying to say ''YOU CAN'T HURT ME''.|SYM0_3_4b]]

!!!YARD <<set $returning[0] to 10>> Is it trying to say that it can't hurt you? There's a spill of emotion at the thought, gathering cold in your chest. You feel yourself curling up. The heaviness remains the same, but the urge to strain against it turns it unbearable. Fear. Too extreme for you to make yourself heard through it. Are you breathing? The final thing you feel before it slips from you is relief. Not just your own. [[Then, all at once, it's over.|SYM_0_3_4a_1]]

!!!YARD <<set $trust[0]++>> Is it trying to say that you can't hurt it? You can't, you realise. Not when you're like this. Even otherwise, you don't know if you'd actually get very far with your bare hands and the lighter in your back pocket. But now, definitely not. Is that the point? Is that why? For a moment, the heaviness lifts. It almost feels like surprise. You take advantage of it. You think, as hard as you can. [[You don't want to hurt it.|SYM0_3_4b_1]]

!!!YARD <<display "TIMEFORWARD">> You're left lying in the grass. The symbiote is gone. The chocolate is gone. The chocolate is... Was it restraining you? Was it restraining you while it ate? Did it perceive your attempt to understand it as an affirmation of the danger it's in, as intent to take advantage of its weakened state? You feel like some serious miscommunication took place here. $nickName[0] probably won't be coming back for a while. You won't be getting close to it, either. [[You don't get a picture. You do stumble behind the nearest bush to throw up.|YARD]]

!!!YARD It thinks that anyone who could, would. And most people could. You think through the situation. When you came up to it, it definitely didn't have the strength to run away... And there you were, in the position to take advantage of its weakened state. It must have decided to restrain you while it replenished its energy. The symbiote doesn't weigh these thoughts down. [[That's probably a good sign.|SYM0_3_4b_2]]

!!!YARD It doesn't make sense, though. You only came close to give it the chocolate. Surely it remembers? Why would you do that, if you wanted it weak? The heaviness lifts some more. Your vision... It doesn't come back, exactly. It just starts mattering again. Something about being bonded to this symbiote makes your eyes feel foreign and unnecessary. You look down at the squishy puddle of warm goo. You try to feel positive, calming feelings. It isn't too hard. You've been putting the chocolate out for it, you think. For it. It doesn't just happen to be there. You don't want to hurt it. You don't. There's a reaction. Foreign, it thinks. Foreign. Foreign. Then, an added undercurrent of wrongness. Aberrant, it thinks. Aberrant. Aberrant. [[Like the symbiote.|SYM0_3_4b_3]]

!!!YARD <<if $trust[0] is 3>>It slides from your body, almost carefully. You take a deep breath. You're shaking, but you'll be fine. For a second, the symbiote just lies there. Then, slowly, it resumes eating, with you sitting right next to it. You bask in the satisfaction, the achievement, and something else, maybe. It seems like you and $nickName[0] trust each other a little more now. [[You take a picture. Then you run behind the nearest bush to throw up.|SYM0PIC]] <<else>>You haven't built quite enough trust for it to leave you then and there. But it keeps its hold light, and it finishes eating, and it slides from your body, almost carefully. You sit there, dizzy. As it leaves, you remember... [[You take a picture. Then you run behind the nearest bush to throw up.|SYM0PIC]] <</if>>

!!!YARD <<set $money to $money + 10>> <<display "TIMEFORWARD">> Well, waiting is all you can do. You've got no lures, no money, no symbiotes. How did this happen? Is this the end of your hobby? Worse, will you have to resort to drawing from your meager savings? But what's that? Off in the distance? Something's peeking forth from behind a tree. It's... It's a symbiote! It's come to you, without anything to draw it here! You quickly snap a picture. As soon as you feel better, it leaves. You immediately try to sell the picture, but nobody is willing to pay more than 10$ for it. Everybody who's seen it says it isn't attracted by chocolate or meat or friendship, but by failure. Its smug little face says it all. They never want to see it again. [[...Still, it's something.|YARD]]

<<if $government gte 3 && $gov[0] is 0>> <<set $gov[0] to 1>> <<set $returning[0] to 0>> <<set $money to $money +100>><hr>''NEW EMAIL'' It commends you for your sense of civic responsibility and the part you've played in ensuring the capture of a dangerous alien fugitive. The threat, it assures you, has been neutralised, and could in fact become a valuable asset to your country. It thanks you for your cooperation and hopes to work with you again in the future. A picture of $nickName[0] and a check for 100 dollars are attached. <hr><</if>>