config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue01', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music01', volume: 0.2}
**1. Momotaro**
[after 0.1s]
You are Momotaro.
[after 2s]
*Momo*, meaning peach. \
*Taro*, meaning boy.
[after 7s]
Yes. You are peach boy. Or, more accurately, you are a boy born in a peach.
[after 14s]
{embed image: './img/img4.png', alt: 'A small baby, hidden inside a peach'}
Your mother found you when she was washing clothes on the river bank one day. There you were, hidden inside this giant peach, bob bob bobbing your way through torrents and tides, until you reached her basket of sodden laundry.
[after 30s]
How she giggled when she saw you. After all, she didn’t know there was a baby inside, and how else might one react to an oversized fruit appearing quite miraculously? Your mother simply rationalised a conclusion; that her starving prayers had been answered and this giant peach would feed her and her husband for a week. That is actually true; the peach did see them through a hard time... but, before then, before the feast... came you.
[after 64s]
Can you imagine the shock when your parents saw a little hand pushing through peach pulp and flesh, followed by an arm, a shoulder, a head, a body...? There you were, Momotaro. Peach boy. How thrilled your parents were to welcome you into the world. They’d always wanted a child. You were a miracle.
[after 90s]
[align right]
[[Next->2. Takeo]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue01.playing: false
sound.ambient.music01.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue02', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music02', volume: 0.2}
**2. Takeo**
You are Takeo. You are 52-years-old and you haven’t left your home in 35 years. In Japan, they call you a ‘Hikikomori’... well, not *you* in particular, but people *like* you. You have a societal term. Hikikomori: one whom has taken a wounded withdrawal from society. This label means nothing to you, of course, for you are just you.
{embed image: './img/img5.png', alt: 'Takeo, an older man wearing a red jacket, looking out the window, seeing the lights of the city at night.'}
But, yes. You have withdrawn from society. You are wounded.
You, Takeo, are sitting in your bedroom right now. This is not unusual. Your bedroom is the most common place to find you. Especially recently.
Your roll-out futon has not been put away. Your empty food tray is growing mouldy. The meal was delivered... yesterday? No - longer... perhaps 3 or 4 days ago? The time is uncertain, but the food tray remains. It’s a poignant, constant reminder that you are hungry. It feels like you’ve been hungry for a long time. Perhaps you have.
{embed image: './img/img6-side-wall.png', alt: 'Takeo sitting on the side of his bed, staring at a poster on the wall.'}
Your room is rather sparse, aside from this futon and food tray. There are posters of course, and you gaze up at the glorious face of your musical idol, Peach. Or *Ailsa*, you correct yourself. She has made it explicitly clear in recent interviews that she’s rebranded herself. She’s trying a new folky angle. You want to support her transition.
You stare at Peach’s pale face. You want to ask her what she would do but there is no need to speak those words aloud. So, you simply stare... and, of course, she does not respond.
[align right]
[[Next->3. Momotaro]]config.style.page.font: "Iowan Old Style/Constantia/Georgia/serif 18"
config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.page.link.font: "underline"
config.style.page.link.color: "red-8"
config.style.page.link.lineColor: "red-8"
config.style.page.link.active.color: "red-8 on red-0"
config.style.page.header.font: "16"
config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps"
config.style.page.footer.font: "16"
config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps"
config.style.page.style: "shadow"
config.style.backdrop: "yellow-0"
sound.effect.dialogue01.url: './audio/dialogue01.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue02.url: './audio/dialogue02.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue03.url: './audio/dialogue03.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue04.url: './audio/dialogue04.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue05.url: './audio/dialogue05.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue05x.url: './audio/dialogue05x.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue06.url: './audio/dialogue06.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue07.url: './audio/dialogue07.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue07x.url: './audio/dialogue07x.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue08.url: './audio/dialogue08.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue08x.url: './audio/dialogue08x.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue09.url: './audio/dialogue09.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue010.url: './audio/dialogue010.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue010x.url: './audio/dialogue010x.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue011.url: './audio/dialogue011.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue012.url: './audio/dialogue012.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue012x.url: './audio/dialogue012x.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue013.url: './audio/dialogue013.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue013x.url: './audio/dialogue013x.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue014.url: './audio/dialogue014.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue015.url: './audio/dialogue015.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue016.url: './audio/dialogue016.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue016x.url: './audio/dialogue016x.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue017.url: './audio/dialogue017.mp3'
sound.effect.dialogue017x.url: './audio/dialogue017x.mp3'
sound.effect.prologue.url: './audio/prologue.mp3'
sound.effect.jprebuff.url: './audio/jprebuff.mp3'
sound.effect.jppresenter.url: './audio/jppresenter.mp3'
sound.effect.momolecture.url: './audio/momolecture.mp3'
sound.ambient.music01.url: './audio/music01.mp3'
sound.ambient.music02.url: './audio/music02.mp3'
sound.ambient.music03.url: './audio/music03.mp3'
sound.ambient.music04.url: './audio/music04.mp3'
sound.ambient.music05.url: './audio/music05.mp3'
sound.ambient.music06.url: './audio/music06.mp3'
sound.ambient.music07.url: './audio/music07.mp3'
sound.ambient.music08.url: './audio/music08.mp3'
sound.ambient.music09.url: './audio/music09.mp3'
sound.ambient.music010.url: './audio/music010.mp3'
sound.ambient.music011.url: './audio/music011.mp3'
sound.ambient.music012.url: './audio/music012.mp3'
sound.ambient.music013.url: './audio/music013.mp3'
sound.ambient.music014.url: './audio/music014.mp3'
sound.ambient.music015.url: './audio/music015.mp3'
sound.ambient.music016.url: './audio/music016.mp3'
sound.ambient.music017.url: './audio/music017.mp3'
sound.effect.jprebuff.playing: false
--
{embed image: './img/title.png', alt: 'A tree holding a big peach'}
Language selection.
[[JAPANESE]] or [[ENGLISH]]
[[credits]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
sound.effect.dialogue02.playing: false
sound.ambient.music02.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue03', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music03', volume: 0.2}
**3. Momotaro**
You, Momotaro, are unrecognisable! You’re 16 now. A man. Your back has straightened, your cheek bones sharpened and you have developed a cheeky - or perhaps knowing? - glint in your soulful eyes.
{embed image: './img/img7.png', alt: 'A young man, wearing a long tunic, surrounded by the mountains during daytime.'}
You may not realise it, but you’ve attracted some attention from girls in the village. They cluster when you pass and whisper your name. Do you know that you are considered very handsome? A pretty face can take a poor farmer’s son further than you might think. The village boys are less enthusiastic about you, but they respect your swordsmanship. Perhaps your swagger and smoulder has taken too much attention from them.
You aren’t much of a talker, Momotaro. Are you? You’re the strong, silent type, happy when you’re deep in work, with your hands kept busy. You enjoy chopping wood for your father, which probably explains those strong arms. You work in the rice fields, quick and conscientious. You hunt with a near perfect shot. Your parents are ever so proud of your upstanding citizenship and unequivocal work ethic.
Nobody is shocked by the peach story anymore. It’s part of your identity, of course; you are fundamentally different from everyone else. But that doesn’t mean *bad* different. It just means - different. And that’s okay.
You are respected for who you are.
[align right]
[[Next->4. Takeo]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue03.playing: false
sound.ambient.music03.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue04', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music04', volume: 0.2}
**4. Takeo**
You, Takeo, are now looking at the centrepiece of your room. Not the bed, no, not even the goddess that is Peach.
This altar is the true core of your world. Your friend. Your community. Your pleasure, peace and puzzle.
...
...
Your Xbox.
{embed image: './img/img2.png', alt: 'Takeo lays on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The LEDs of his gaming setup sparkle in a colourful pattern.'}
You do not take this beautiful kit for granted. No. Never. You appreciate it truly, honestly and deeply.
Your familiar friend is here for you, and you need your familiar friend.
You know precisely the game you will play today and you welcome the comfort as you hold the case in your hand.
You flick the power point switch on the wall, insert the game and you wait for the magic to happen.
[align right]
[[Next->5. Momotaro]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
sound.effect.dialogue04.playing: false
sound.ambient.music04.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue05', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music05', volume: 0.2}
**5. Momotaro**
_“Momotaro! Come quick!”_
You are surprised to see your father running fast - at his age too.
{embed image: './img/facingfather.png', alt: 'Momotaro, facing his father.'}
*“What is it, father?”* you ask, worried, for you can see his cheeks are flushed and his eyes are startlingly wide.
_“It’s the demons,”_ your father chokes, *“they’re back.”*
You know as well as your father that the demons have become bolder of late. They no longer respect village boundaries and they are terrorising small, innocent communities.
You live in a small, innocent community. This means you are in danger.
Your father has never let you fight the demons. There have always been enough strong men in the village. But today, your father’s eyes hold a new and pertinent question.
*“Will you fight, Momotaro? You are 16 now and we need all the help we can get.”*
WILL YOU ANSWER YOUR FATHER’S PLEA?
[[Yes->5yes]]
[[No->5no]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue05x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music05.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue06', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music06', volume: 0.2}
**6. Takeo**
The game is taking too long to load and you are impatient. You are anxious to get started. You are going to play an old favourite and you know that you stand a chance of completing it in the best time. Not just *your* best time. No. The best time *ever*.
As the game fires up, you join the live streaming platform and log into messenger. Today, you will play in front of your audience, your community. They will cheer you on.
{embed image: './img/img8.png', alt: 'Takeo, looking at his gaming monitor.'}
Finally - - - it all clicks into place. It really is like magic. Not that you think in those terms. You see metal and cables and adventure.
The introduction begins and you listen to the sweeping orchestral music as the familiar story unfolds. Opening sequences are always like movies, the ‘once upon a time’ of the gaming world. This is the story. This is where we are. This is the set up to the adventure ahead.
Your friend, **OPXCypher95**, writes that you must be bored of this introduction, you’ve seen it so many times but, *no*, you write back, *it is brilliant*.
You aren’t lying. You genuinely think so. The graphics may be aging (don’t all video games tire quickly?) but they are clean, emotional and effective. There’s a reason why you return to this game time and time again.
There are now 600 followers watching you. You turn your camera on and announce that you are looking forward to playing the game.
**CASTRO10** asks if you’ll beat your record time today. \
**ITSAKIKOKO** wishes you luck. \
**BLADESBEARD** inserts a cat gif.
[align right]
[[Next->7. Momotaro]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
sound.effect.dialogue06.playing: false
sound.ambient.music06.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue07', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music07', volume: 0.2}
**7. Momotaro**
{embed image: './img/img9flames.png', alt: 'Momotaro with wooden sword, with burning houses in the distance.'}
You see Takahiro, a fellow villager, ahead and you call out to him.
*“Takahiro! I’m here to fight!”*
_“Momotaro! It’s good you can join us.”_
*“Where do I go, Takahiro?”*
_“The demons are retreating but we must make sure they leave. Follow me!”_
Takahiro leads you down a narrow village path where you see homes on fire and parents frantically searching for lost children.
Takahiro tells you that the demons haven’t caused much death this time - but they have robbed several homes, ransacked food supplies and stolen precious objects.
You are angry with the demons. Their behaviour isn’t honourable.
Soon, you reach the tail-end of the demon carnage and you see one; fat and red and menacing. It turns to face you, this demon, eyes pulsing and drool dripping.
{embed image: './img/demon.png', alt: 'A demon, facing you down.'}
WILL YOU FIGHT THE DEMON?
[[Yes->7yes]]
[[No->7no]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue07x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music07.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue08', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music08', volume: 0.2}
**8. Takeo**
You can no longer follow the message feed because there are too many notifications. You state this, aloud, to your followers. They can see and hear you but you can only read their comments. This level of human interaction, with layers of screens and bandwidth between, is acceptable. You are safe here. Protected.
{embed image: './img/takeogif.gif', alt: 'Takeo at his gaming setup, more and more followers constantly appearing.'}
The opening sequence is over and the game is in motion. You have fought your first battle, only a small one, but you were successful. It was easy.
You are ready to move on when you hear a strange noise.
It is a ringing sound.
...
Aah.
It is the doorbell.
You immediately turn down the volume onscreen and pause gameplay. A flurry of comments appear in response. This is unusual behaviour for you. You never pause.
The doorbell keeps ringing.
Ring. \
Ring. \
Ring.
You wince with every shrill, sharp shriek.
You stand slowly, and bow your head in apology to your followers. There are white spots and hazy colours in your vision. You rub your chest and hope you will be okay.
{embed image: './img/img10.png', alt: 'Takeo, standing up.'}
You creep to your bedroom door and slide it open by an inch. The doorbell is still ringing persistently. You are not entirely sure if the person responsible is outside your actual flat door or at the main entrance, twenty-two floors below in this tower block. Either way, you hold your breath. The white spots worsen.
WILL YOU ANSWER THE DOOR?
[[Yes->8yes]]
[[No->8no]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
sound.effect.dialogue08x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music08.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue09', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music09', volume: 0.2}
**9. Momotaro**
{embed image: './img/img9demonhead.png', alt: 'Momotaro with burned houses in the background, carrying the severed head of a demon.'}
You return home carrying the demon’s head along with your wooden sword.
It feels good to have been part of the community action. It feels good to have defended your town.
As you walk, you observe the demon’s damage. There are wisps of smoke from doused fires, and random objects scattered. You see a gold coin and you pick it up. You wonder who it belongs to.
The village isn’t big but you walk slowly so it takes you several minutes to reach home. You contemplate the attack and think about how often the demons raid. They were but a folk story when you were a child, something to scare the young ones into best behaviour but, now, they are very real.
You think about the stolen gems and pinched grains. The whole village has been storing and saving recently. It’s important to take stock at this time of year, and to think about the colder months ahead. Without supplies, the villagers could not survive winter.
You reach your house and receive a warm welcome from your parents. Your father insists on burning the demon’s head as a token of respect.
Your energy levels are low but you know that a good rest will recharge you. As you fall asleep, you replay your first battle and dream up a plan.
[align right]
[[Next->10. Takeo]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue09.playing: false
sound.ambient.music09.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue010', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music010', volume: 0.2}
**10. Takeo**
You hurry back to your bedroom, head lowered to avoid looking further down the corridor, and quickly pull the slide door behind you. You take a deep breath but your chest is ragged. Your hand shakes as you wipe your brow.
{embed image: './img/takeopeakfollowers.png', alt: 'Takeo, looking at his gaming setup, with lots of followers.'}
You take a moment to gather yourself before re-joining the game. You check your streaming stats. You have 300 followers and many comments.
**POWERMOOSE** *Where you gone, man?* \
**ETERNALALA** *Well this is DULL. .* \
**VIKINGYELL** *Thought he was beating best time today?*
The comments go on and on. You don’t read them all. You understand the sentiment and you respect that you have left your community waiting. You apologise to them. You are genuine and serious.
You see your reflection briefly in the onscreen camera image. You are pale and your eyes are red. Your hair is bushier than usual and you have some stubble.
DO YOU CONTINUE THE GAME?
[[Yes->10yes]]
[[No->10no]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
sound.effect.dialogue010x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music010.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue011', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music011', volume: 0.2}
**11. Momotaro**
Your mother has made breakfast and you discuss the shortage of supplies for the season ahead. Your father suggests that the farmers will have to return to the fields and the hunters to the forest - there is no more cash or jewels to trade.
You stand to address your parents.
{embed image: './img/img13.png', alt: 'Momotaro standing in front of his parents.'}
*“Mother and father,”* you say, *“you have looked after me for 16-years and now it is time for me to do the same for you.”*
_“What do you mean, Momotaro?”_ your mother asks.
*“I have made a decision. Last night, I fought my first demon and I know now what my journey is. We cannot simply gather more supplies and wait for the demons to return. We are living in fear and it is not the way we should spend our lives. I do not want to sit and wait. I want to stand up for myself, for you and for the villagers."*
_"What are you saying, son?"_ your father asks.
Your resolve is clear and your face sincere.
*“I will face the problem head on. I am going to slay the demons. I’m going to Demon Island.”*
[align right]
[[Next->12. Takeo]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue011.playing: false
sound.ambient.music011.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue012', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music012', volume: 0.2}
**12. Takeo**
You are not playing very well today. You’ll have to push hard in the later levels to make up time.
Your energy levels are low.
On screen? Yes. You have to gather food before setting out.
The hero needs his strength.
You look again at the empty food tray.
You tell your followers that you’re taking another short break. You are still sitting at 300 so it shouldn’t impact too many people. You do not pause to read the expansive flurry of comments in response.
{embed image: './img/img14.png', alt: 'Takeo, standing up.'}
You slide open your bedroom door, looking only to the right. You take two steps forward and realise that you’re still wearing the bathroom slippers. You screw your nose and eyes, quickly swapping into your house slippers. Nobody else knows about this error - but you do. You know.
You take one step across the corridor and enter a compact living-room / kitchen. Its usual orderliness has been disturbed by a littering of empty food packets on the counter. You don’t know where the bins are.
You look back and forth between the cupboard and the fridge.
Cupboard. \
Fridge. \
Cupboard. \
Fridge.
DO YOU CHOOSE THE CUPBOARD OR FRIDGE?
[[Fridge->12fridge]]
[[Cupboard->12cupboard]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
sound.effect.dialogue012x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music012.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue013', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music013', volume: 0.2}
**13. Momotaro**
{embed image: './img/parentscloseup.png', alt: 'The parents of Momotaro, close-up.'}
Your mother and father are sad that you are leaving but their eyes sparkle with pride. They understand your discipline and they respect your choices.
*“You are very brave, Momotaro,”* says your father.
_“You are a true hero,”_ says your mother.
You bow your head, respectfully.
You mother presents a small package as a parting gift.
DO YOU TAKE THE PACKAGE?
[[Yes->13yes]]
[[No->13no]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue013x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music013.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue014', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music014', volume: 0.2}
**14. Takeo**
{embed image: './img/img8.png', alt: 'Takeo, looking at his gaming monitor.'}
You have nearly completed the opening section of the game. It has taken you much longer than expected and you have lost many viewers. You realise that you are unlikely to beat your best time today.
There is only one key section of the game left before you graduate to level 2. You look up at your Peach poster and focus on the flyer you have pinned next to it. Within that flyer is one printed ticket for Peach’s concert in Tokyo this evening. No, you scold yourself. *Ailsa’s* concert.
It is the first time that she’s ever played a gig here.
You realise that you’re talking aloud and your followers are commenting.
*Stop talking about Peach and get on with the level! You’re way off your game today.* \
*Peach boy and Peach girl. LOL emoji.* \
*OMG, I LOVE PEACH. I have a ticket! Are you going?*
The final comment makes you pause. It is ITSAKIKOKO. She is your favourite follower and you love to watch her play too.
You try to talk aloud again but the words splutter. You clear your dusty throat.
*“Yes.”*
You stand and look out of your bedroom window. There is a haze of pollution but, underneath, you see the persistent gleam of a thousand multi-coloured lights streaming like a river, across snaking motorways and towering buildings. There is a lot of life outside.
{embed image: './img/img5.png', alt: 'Takeo looking out the window, and seeing the lights of the city at night.'}
As you stare out of the window, you try to navigate where the concert venue might be amidst this sea of flickering lights and chunky concrete. You choose a steep building in the far distance at random. It has a sort of flashing beacon on top. You choose it because you need a visual location.
That building is your island.
*“Yes,”* you say again, aloud, turning back to your camera. *“Yes, I am going.”*
[align right]
[[Next->15. Momotaro]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "orange-1"
sound.effect.dialogue014.playing: false
sound.ambient.music014.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue015', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music015', volume: 0.2}
**15. Momotaro**
As you cross through the village, you briefly talk to some of the villagers. This isn’t strictly necessary as you have all of the information you need at hand but it gives you access to a couple of additional objects.
The biggest boost comes from none other than Takahiro who offers to trade your wooden sword for his shiny one.
*“Why would you make such a trade?”* you ask.
_“If you defeat the demons and we trade swords back, then I’ll own the weapon used by the greatest hero in the district... maybe even in the country!”_
{embed image: './img/img9bigsword.png', alt: 'Momotaro holding a sword at least double the size of his previous one.'}
Takahiro’s laughter puts you in good spirits. You have a plan. You have food. You have a sword.
You follow the road to the end of the village. Music plays and a bonus credit pings up on the screen.
*“Level one Momotaro: completed”*
You do a fancy sword trick and shout *“hah!”*
[align right]
[[Next->16. Takeo]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue015.playing: false
sound.ambient.music015.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue016', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music016', volume: 0.2}
**16. Takeo**
You apologise to your followers for quitting early. You have disrespected them by promising a new record and, instead, you limped poorly through the most basic round. Most of it was cinematic.
*“Level one Momotaro: completed”*
You are Momotaro. You hold one of the highest scores for the game. You will restart it tomorrow and do better. But for now... you make yourself stand. The white spots are still there but they are less pressing now.
{embed image: './img/img10.png', alt: 'Takeo, holding a ticket.'}
You take the Peach ticket from the wall. Your hands tremor as you read the address. You do not know where it is nor how far. You will have to ask someone for help. It’s okay, though. You know that Momotaro needs three allies to reach the island. That is part of the challenge ahead.
Next, you look at your slippered feet. You are not equipped. You open the built-in wardrobe, avoiding the mirror on the door, and reach deep inside. You retrieve a pair of black loafers, and wipe the dust from them. You wore these to your high school graduation. You do not put the shoes on but, rather, you hold them.
You peer into your unfamiliar cupboard once more. You have a substantial amount of equipment and armour, but it is unfamiliar to you. You have no need for a jacket inside the house but you remember a blazer, also from your school days, and you retrieve it. You put it on, cramming your arms into the too tight sleeves. The chest is too small to button but it will be okay. You close the door, avoiding the mirror once more.
Ticket. \
Shoes. \
Jacket.
As you leave your bedroom, you do not turn left, do not turn left.
You jump as the phone rings shrilly amidst the silence of the apartment.
The phone continues to ring. Twice. Thrice.
{embed image: './img/img15.png', alt: 'Takeo, holding a ticket in one hand, and a ringing phone in the other.'}
WILL YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
[[Yes->16yes]]
[[No->16no]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: "#590505"
sound.effect.dialogue016x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music016.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'dialogue017', volume: 1.0}
{ambient sound: 'music017', volume: 0.2}
**17. Takeo**
{embed image: './img/takeohallway.png', alt: 'Takeo, standing in the hallway.'}
As you walk the two steps back to the front door, shoes in hand, you cannot help but progress further towards the door to the left of your bedroom. Your heartbeat intensifies, your breathing tightens. There is a stench seeping from under the door and you promptly cover your nose.
Your poor mother has been asleep all week. You really hope she wakes up soon so she can cook you some proper food.
She will wake up.
WILL YOU ENTER YOUR MOTHER’S ROOM?
[[Yes->17yes]]
[[No->17no]]config.style.page.color: "gray-9 on white"
config.style.backdrop: 'yellow-0'
sound.effect.dialogue017x.playing: false
sound.ambient.music017.playing: false
--
[align center]
End of Chapter 1: Takeo's Tale
[align center]
{restart link, label: 'Restart?'}--
{sound effect: 'jprebuff', volume: 1.0}
Error. Selection currently unavailable.
[align right]
[[Back->Title Screen]]--
The following story will be in English.
[align right]
[[Next->Prologue]]sound.ambient.musicintroalt.playing: false
--
{sound effect: 'prologue', volume: 1.0}
[after 0.1s]
We give life to stories.
[after 3s]
Or perhaps it is *stories* that give life to *us*?
[after 7s]
Sometimes these stories are whispered from generation to generation.
[after 12s]
Sometimes they’re locked in ink, and penned in pages.
[after 17s]
Or sometimes they become something entirely unexpected...
[align right]
[[Next->Home screen]]sound.effect.prologue.playing: false
sound.effect.jppresenter.playing: false
sound.effect.momolecture.playing: false
--
[align center]
{embed image: './img/takeo.png', alt: 'A man with neat hair, wearing glasses, facing left.'}
[[TAKEO]]
{embed image: './img/ailsa.png', alt: 'A young girl with a ponytail, facing left.'}
[[AILSA]]
{embed image: './img/momo.png', alt: 'A young boy with a spiky haircut haircut, facing left.'}
[[MOMO]]--
{sound effect: 'jppresenter', volume: 1.0}
This chapter is locked.
**PRESENTER**
*そして、いくつかのエキサイティングなニュース！ ポップスターのアイルサ・オーエンス（旧ピーチ）は、今週末、東京で一夜限りのコンサートを行います...* \
*And some exciting news! Popstar Ailsa Owens, formerly known as Peach, will be performing a one-night-only concert in Tokyo this weekend...*
***
**AILSA**
♫
*私の中に悪魔がいます...* *There’s a demon in me...*
*どこで走っても* *No matter where I run.*
*私の中に悪魔がいます...* *There’s a demon in me...*
*私は決して自由ではありません...* *I’m never ever free...*
♫
[align right]
[[Back->Home screen]]--
{sound effect: 'momolecture', volume: 1.0}
This chapter is locked.
Preview snippet:
MOMO stands at a lectern with a PowerPoint presentation behind her.
**MOMO** *The tale of Momotaro, the brave boy born in a peach, is one of the most important stories in Japan. In today’s lecture, I will explore this most beloved folktale as national allegory...*
[align right]
[[Back->Home screen]]--
[align center]
[[DEMON ISLAND - TAKEO'S TALE->1. Momotaro]]sound.effect.dialogue05.playing: false
--
Of course you will. You are a hero.
[align right]
[[Next->5continue]]sound.effect.dialogue05.playing: false
--
This is not an option. You are a hero.
[align right]
[[Back->5choice]]--
*“Will you fight, Momotaro? You are 16 now and we need all the help we can get.”*
WILL YOU ANSWER YOUR FATHER’S PLEA?
[[Yes->5yes]]
[[No->5no]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue05x', volume: 1.0}
You grab a wooden sword, the one you made for practice, and you rush past your father.
*“I am ready to do my duty, father!”*
[align right]
[[Next->6. Takeo]]sound.effect.dialogue07.playing: false
--
{embed image: './img/facingdemon.png', alt: 'Momotaro with the demon reflected in his eyes.'}
Of course you will. You are a hero.
{embed image: './img/img9demon.png', alt: 'Momotaro and the demon getting ready to fight.'}
[align right]
[[Next->7continue]]sound.effect.dialogue07.playing: false
--
This is not an option. You are a hero.
[align right]
[[Back->7choice]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue07x', volume: 1.0}
You hold your wooden sword high and, with one swipe, you cut off its head.
Takahiro cannot hide his respect.
*“You are a great swordsman, Momotaro. Even if you’re only using a pointed stick.”*
You feel proud of yourself.
[align right]
[[Next->8. Takeo]]--
Soon, you reach the tail-end of the demon carnage and you see one; fat and red and menacing. It turns to face you, this demon, eyes pulsing and drool dripping.
{embed image: './img/demon.png', alt: 'A demon, facing you down.'}
WILL YOU FIGHT THE DEMON?
[[Yes->7yes]]
[[No->7no]]sound.effect.dialogue08.playing: false
--
[after 0.1s]
You try to step forward,
[after 1s]
but you're frozen.
[after 2s]
You cannot breathe.
[after 3s]
You are having a panic attack.
[after 4s]
You must rethink your decision.
[after 5s]
[align right]
[[Continue->8choice]]sound.effect.dialogue08.playing: false
--
This is the sensible choice.
Who knows what is outside?
[align right]
[[Next->8continue]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue08x', volume: 1.0}
The ringing stops.
You exhale.
Since you are standing, you decide to use the bathroom. You slide the bedroom door open a little further and peer to the right. You do not look left. You do not want to look left.
You enter the corridor and take two steps to reach the bathroom door. You swap your house slippers for bathroom slippers and proceed. You pee, barely. Perhaps you haven’t drunk enough. Your mother usually presents you with multiple cups of tea throughout the day. There has been no tea recently.
You shake, zip yourself up, turn, and wash your hands in the sink.
You look up into the bathroom medicine cabinet mirror. Your reflection isn’t there. Instead, there is a shadowy demon staring back at you.
[align right]
[[Next->9. Momotaro]]sound.effect.dialogue010.playing: false
--
This is a sensible choice.
You have much to learn from Momotaro.
[align right]
[[Next->10continue]]sound.effect.dialogue010.playing: false
--
Do you have somewhere else to be?
[[Yes->10yes2]]
[[No->10no2]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue010x', volume: 1.0}
You press play and begin your adventure once more, narrating each step of the journey. The early levels are always simple: find the mission, gather equipment, set off.
You are ready. Again.
[align right]
[[Next->11. Momotaro]]--
You see your reflection briefly in the onscreen camera image. You are pale and your eyes are red. Your hair is bushier than usual and you have some stubble.
DO YOU CONTINUE THE GAME?
[[Yes->10yes]]
[[No->10no]]--
Perhaps playing the game will help you figure out your path.
[align right]
[[Continue->10continue]]--
Then play the game.
[align right]
[[Back->10choice]]sound.effect.dialogue012.playing: false
--
[after 0.1s]
You open the fridge.
[after 1s]
You grab your nose and grimace.
[after 2s]
The fridge stinks.
[after 3s]
You slam the door.
[after 4s]
[align right]
[[Back->12choice]]sound.effect.dialogue012.playing: false
--
You open the cupboard.
There are some packets inside.
There must be something suitable here.
[align right]
[[Next->12continue]]--
You look back and forth between the cupboard and the fridge.
Cupboard. \
Fridge. \
Cupboard. \
Fridge.
DO YOU CHOOSE THE CUPBOARD OR FRIDGE?
[[Fridge->12fridge]]
[[Cupboard->12cupboard]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue012x', volume: 1.0}
You choose the cupboard, though there are not many ready-made supplies inside. Your mother likes to cook properly from scratch. You really would do anything for one of your mother’s meals.
You pull out a sachet of soup.
You add water from the tap and stir. The soup paste clumps. You drink it in one big gulp and gag. You swallow a lump that’s caught in your throat.
You can feel your energy rise in response. This should help you move forward.
[align right]
[[Next->13. Momotaro]]sound.effect.dialogue013.playing: false
--
Of course you will.
You are a hero.
[align right]
[[Next->13continue]]sound.effect.dialogue013.playing: false
--
Why not?
You need food supplies to continue.
[align right]
[[Back->13choice]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue013x', volume: 1.0}
Inside the package, she tells you, are dumplings.
*“You will get hungry on your journey,”* she warns, *“you will need to keep up your energy.”*
You thank her, bid your parents goodbye and pick up your wooden sword. As you leave, you wonder if you’ll need other equipment on the road ahead.
You have no idea how long the journey will be. But you are brave and that will take you far.
[align right]
[[Next->14. Takeo]]--
You mother presents a small package as a parting gift.
DO YOU TAKE THE PACKAGE?
[[Yes->13yes]]
[[No->13no]]sound.effect.dialogue016.playing: false
--
[after 0.1s]
You try to step forward,
[after 1s]
but you're frozen.
[after 2s]
You cannot breathe.
[after 3s]
You are having a panic attack.
[after 4s]
You must rethink your decision.
[after 5s]
[align right]
[[Continue->16choice]]sound.effect.dialogue016.playing: false
--
This is the sensible choice.
You do not know who it is.
[align right]
[[Next->16continue]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue016x', volume: 1.0}
You do not answer it.
The answer-phone beeps into action and a new message begins. It is your brother, Hisashi. He is panicking, wondering why your mother hasn’t called him this week. He wants to know why nobody answered the doorbell.
Your brother is a businessman and he has a strict voice. As he makes his final point - *“if nobody gets back to me within the next hour then I’m calling the police”* - you look at a newspaper clipping next to the phone. There is a picture of a woman and a headline that reads “Folklorist presents new Momotaro theory”. You know that this woman is your brother’s fiancé. You remember this piece of information because her name is Momo and she uses the kanji spelling 桃 for "peach". Peach girl. Like Ailsa.
Your brother’s voice continues in the background but you are no longer listening. You have more pressing concerns.
Hisashi sounds upset when he finally hangs up and you pause for a moment to think about what to do. You try to visualise a list of options but you can only really see one choice.
You must reach Peach’s gig this evening.
[align right]
[[Next->17. Takeo]]sound.effect.dialogue017.playing: false
--
[after 0.1s]
You touch the door handle.
[after 1s]
The world turns upside down.
[after 2s]
Panic. Panic. PANIC.
[after 3s]
You must rethink your decision.
[after 4s]
[align right]
[[Back->17choice]]sound.effect.dialogue017.playing: false
--
This is a sensible decision.
Mother must need her sleep.
[align right]
[[Next->17continue]]--
{sound effect: 'dialogue017x', volume: 1.0}
[after 0.1s]
As you retreat from the stench, you reach the front door. You push the bolt contraption back and forth and sideways. It is more complicated than you anticipated but you know from multiple RPG experiences that patience is a virtue with puzzles.
[after 18s]
The door finally clicks open.
[after 21s]
You slide off your slippers, neatly lining them up inside the doorway. You then shove your feet into the loafers, wriggling your toes to feel the unfamiliar confinement.
[after 34s]
You step outside the door and turn to look at it. You don’t know how to lock it from this side but, logically, you know you should leave it open for your later return. That’s what all protagonists do.
[after 49s]
Your throat is tight and your hands are wet.
[after 52s]
You take a step forward, away from the door.
[after 55s]
There is no bonus credit and no music plays.
[after 59s]
There is no fancy graphic or windfall for reaching this far.
[after 64s]
You do not do a sword trick and you do not shout *“hah!”*
[after 69s]
You just take a step. And another. And another.
[after 75s]
Demon Island awaits. And you will be a hero.
{embed image: './img/takeotears.png', alt: 'Takeo walking down the hallway, with tears in his eyes.'}
[after 80s]
[align right]
[[Next->End of Chapter 1: Takeo's Tale]]--
[align center]
Playwright: Morna Young
Director: Hannah Price
Game Designer: Raymond Vermeulen
Composer & Sound Designer: Fraser Milroy
Performer: Rina Takasaki
Illustrator: Biljana Pepić
*'Demon Island'* by Morna Young was supported by:
{embed image: './img/bclogo.png', alt: 'British Council Scotland logo'}
{embed image: './img/scotgovlogo.png', alt: 'Scottish Government logo'}
<img src="./img/gbsflogo.png" alt="The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation logo" align="left"> <img src="./img/cslogo.png" alt="Creative Scotland logo" align="right">
[align center]
{embed image: './img/coecouncillogo.png', alt: 'City of Edinburgh Council logo'}
The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, with additional support from The Scottish Government Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund.
Traverse Theatre (Scotland) is a Limited Company (Registered Number SC076037) and a Scottish Charity (Registered Number SC002368) with its Registered Office at 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 2ED.
[align right]
[[Back->Title Screen]]--
The doorbell is still ringing persistently. You are not entirely sure if the person responsible is outside your actual flat door or at the main entrance, twenty-two floors below in this tower block. Either way, you hold your breath. The white spots worsen.
WILL YOU ANSWER THE DOOR?
[[Yes->8yes]]
[[No->8no]]--
The phone continues to ring.
WILL YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
[[Yes->16yes]]
[[No->16no]]--
Your poor mother has been asleep all week. You really hope she wakes up soon so she can cook you some proper food.
She will wake up.
WILL YOU ENTER YOUR MOTHER’S ROOM?
[[Yes->17yes]]
[[No->17no]]