No, you want to read the *definitely* spoileriffic plot brainstorming! [Meta]

Oh hey, indented lists work in the editor but not when pages are displayed! Gosh, that's great.

Story Graph

Hey, want to see the ridiculous story graph I've put together for reference?

You can find it here.

That's the latest rendered and uploaded version, anyway. It is generated from this GraphViz/Dot file.

Info below is getting more and more out-of-date as I write and add to the story graph, but I'll try to clean it up over time. I'm only leaving it here for now because it has some details that I don't have in any other places thus far.

Monday Afternoon/Evening

• At this point, use: 3..6, charge: 19..16
• No classes that afternoon, so protag heads home
• Looks at device; notices that light seems more greenish-yellow than bluish-green now, not sure what it means (will depend on charge)
• Tries to call best friend, no answer. Remembers that she’d still be in classes
• Lays on the bed and thinks about possibilities of the device (probable M here)
• So it’s prob about 2:30 or so at this point, protag has used the device three or four times for small things during the day, is a bit tired, decides to nap
• Awakened by mom calling to dinner dinner at 5:30. Glances at device, sees that light is bluish-green again. Realizes it must be a charge indicator of some sort. (charge=20)
• Heads downstairs, mom and sister at table, mom asks about day
• ---- Might give option to tell her the whole thing, but result will almost certainly be that she laughs it off as some sort of LARP
• —— Might allow for another accidental manip of mom and sister here. At this point protag is not corrupted enough to consider purposely manipulating either of them.
• After dinner, protag goes back upstairs, calls Charlotte. Tells her everything. She’s obviously skeptical, figures this is some sort of stupid joke you’re playing on her. Protag says he’ll prove it when she comes home for Spring Break on Wednesday
• Falls asleep

Tuesday Morning

• Wake-up routine
• Note a slight change to the face of the Manipulator: a glowing checkmark in the upper-right corner of the face. It fades as protag looks at it. (Actual reason: Kessel noticed how easy it was to accidentally trigger the Manipulator, and updated the software so a more direct command is needed, instead of a "wish").
• Sister knocks after shower
• —— Protag can just hurry up and leave
• ---- Protag inadvertently manips her to just head on in and start undressing for the shower (by staring at the door and sarcastically saying basically that), which she somewhat reluctantly does (to his shock) although she insists he turn his back while she does it. This causes him to learn that it's possible to manip someone that isn’t directly visible (since she was behind the door). Protag realizes caution is in order (cost: 1, sister_desire += 1)
• Protag briefly ponders removing the device, worried that it is simply too easy to ****, but the device’s influence convinces him otherwise
• Protag grabs book bag, bolts out the door for school

Tuesday Morning Classes

• At this point, use: 4..7, charge: 19..19)
• Runs into Brett on the way to school
• Brett starts the usual verbal ****, staying apace with protag
• Note: this is gonna be hard to write. I don’t like thinking about those days.
• Protag has some options here:
• ---- Tell him to get out of your face and leave you alone. Protag blurts it out, and is thrilled to see Brett back off, “deciding” that it’s not enough fun to torment you. This doesn’t stop future events of him bothering you, but it does stop this one. (cost: 1)
• ---- Turn around and shove Brett into a nearby wall. This isn’t the best decision, as he immediately shoves you back, causing you to fall against the pavement. The Manipulator smacks against the ground with a *crack*. Brett laughs and walks away; you dust yourself off and, simmering with anger, decide school can fuck off. You turn back home. (Start of “Malfunction” branch)
• ---- Manip him into telling you the truth about why he torments you. Brett starts explaining to you about how his father routinely beats him and his mom, and how he gets catharsis for this by tormenting others in return. He’s mortified that he’s revealing all of this, but he can’t stop. This one seriously affects him, and in the future he leaves you alone, too embarrassed to confront you... but in his absence, another, more sadistic bully takes his place. (cost: 3, brett_affection += 5, hell_bully = true)
• ---- Manip him into some serious introspection about why he does this shit. He stops suddenly, thoughtful, and tells you to get the hell out of there. This one induces a significant change in him, in which he eventually tells authorities about his dad’s physical ****, and even defends you against a more sadistic bully down the line. (cost: 2, brett_affection += 12, hell_bully = true, brett_introspection = true, good_deeds += 2) (cost actually lower than #3 as deep thinking is more likely than a gushing confessional to protag)
• Arrive at school, really early again, and head to the library
• Amanda is there, protag sits next to her, emboldened by handling Brett
• Protag asks her how she’s doing; she says she’s still struggling with history, but getting by
• Protag talks with her a bit, learns a bit more about her history. Might be optional. (amanda_affection++)
• Might want another manip option here
• Protag heads to first class, which for Tuesday is Health class with Ms. Reynolds, and (of course) the lesson is on human sexuality. (reynolds_fired = false, reynolds_rumors = false)
• Protag thinks about how boring and clinical the class is, and realizes he could make it more interesting...
• ---- Protag decides not to do anything. He is concerned about the power the object gives him, and doesn’t want to inadvertently cause ill consequences for Ms. Reynolds. No variable changes.
• ---- Protag manips Ms. Reynolds to get a bit more explicit. She begins describing certain things in lurid detail, while the class is absolutely shocked. (cost: 3)
• ---- ---- Protag doesn’t do anything to the rest of the students. Some are titillated by the class, some are amused, some are ambivalent, and some are disgusted. One of the disgusted ones later tells the headmaster about what happened, and Ms. Reynolds is dismissed. You don’t realize it, but sitting on the other side of the room was Amanda, who was initially scandalized by the class content... but also excited by it. (reynolds_fired = true, reynolds_rumors = true, reynolds_desire += 5, class_desire += 2, amanda_desire += 4)
• ---- ---- Before the class ends, you manip the whole class (and Ms. R) into believing everything that happened during it was perfectly normal. Word spreads about the unexpectedly hot health class, with only the attendees not understanding why (since they think it’s normal). The headmaster isn’t happy about it, but his hands are tied since there were no complaints. You don’t realize it, but sitting on the other side of the room was Amanda, who was *very* interested in the class content. (cost: 3, reynolds_rumors = true, reynolds_desire += 5, class_desire += 4, amanda_desire += 6)
• ---- ---- Before the class ends, you manip the whole class (and Ms. R) into believing it was just another ordinary health class. This works, but there are residual effects from your manipulation. Unbeknownst to you, this includes Amanda, who was sitting on the other side of the room. (cost: 2, reynolds_desire += 1, class_desire += 1, amanda_desire += 1)
• Walking to next class, protag sees a young girl with Chinese features on a bench, trying to hide her tears
• ---- Protag feels bad, but walks past her, not wanting to get involved (no variable changes)
• ---- Protag introduces self and finds out her name is Sarah. Asks Sarah what’s wrong, and she says it’s nothing he needs to worry about, that she has to solve her problems on her own.
• ---- ---- Protag accepts this, and tells her that his ear is open if she ever wants to talk. (sarah_affection += 1, good_deeds += 1)
• ---- ---- Protag presses the issue, saying he might be able to help. Sarah reluctantly says she’s been dealing with some bullies lately, and she’s at the end of her rope. One of them recently followed her around, taunting her and calling her slurs. (If brett_introspection = false, then you guess, correctly, that this person is Brett. Otherwise, it’s some other person.)
• ---- ---- ---- Protag reminds Sarah that bullies usually act the way they do due to low self-esteem, and that they’re just trying to take it out on someone. Sarah gets a little annoyed, saying she knows that, but the knowledge doesn’t help her. She thanks you, and goes on her way. (sarah_affection -= 1; since she already knew that, no cost)
• ---- ---- ---- Protag asks Sarah if she really believes the stuff the bully was saying. She says of course not, and you ask her why she’s giving any credence to what some idiot says about her. She ponders this, and the Manipulator helps her dismiss the bully’s hateful comments. She thanks you for your help, feeling better. (cost: 1, sarah_affection += 1, sarah_desire += 1, sarah_confidence += 1, good_deeds += 1)
• ---- ---- ---- Protag tells Sarah that she appears to be a smart and beautiful person, and that she doesn’t need to put up with any bullshit from bigoted racists. The Manipulator seriously improves her overall confidence and self-esteem, and her demeanor shifts. She thanks you profusely, and runs off. (cost: 2, sarah_affection += 2, sarah_desire += 2, sarah_confidence += 3, good_deeds += 2)
• ---- ---- ---- Protag tells Sarah that their behavior is fucking bullshit — that she is brilliant and sexy as hell, and that those bullies need a good ass-kicking. The Manipulator seriously alters her personality, and she agrees with you, saying she’s absolutely amazing, and that the bullies should be lucky she even deigns to be *around* them. She stands up and thanks protag, saying you he go now. Protag realizes he may have overdone it. (cost: 5, sarah_affection += 2, sarah_desire += 4, sarah_confidence += 8) (cost is 5 because protag basically did a 180 on her personality)
• Next several classes: probably don’t need to go into detail?
• Tuesday lunch: Amanda’s News Flash
• Amanda sits down next to protag, talks about health class
• ---- If reynolds_fired = true, she asks protag what he thought about that crazy health class, and tells him about the consequence for Ms. R. Protag is mortified to hear what happened, and surprised that Amanda was there.
• ---- If reynolds_fired = false but reynolds_rumors = true, she asks protag if he’s heard the weird rumors going around about their health class being inappropriately explicit, and asks him if he knows what they’re talking about. You’re surprised to learn Amanda was there, and quickly lie that nothing seemed out of the ordinary to you.
• ---- Otherwise, she mentions that she saw you in health class, and you’re surprised, having not seen her.
• Might mention Brett if brett_introspection is true; maybe say he was seen in the library
• Talks about Sarah
• ---- Might stick something in here if sarah_confidence < 4
• ---- If sarah_confidence >= 4, she talks about how there was this big scene outside the sociology building a few minutes ago, when this small Asian girl kicked this guy who was harassing her squarely in the nuts, and everyone applauded.
• ---- If sarah_confidence >= 8, she goes on to say how after the guy was down, the girl proceeded to kick the guy in the groin, repeatedly, shouting to him about how he’s human scum and doesn’t deserve to eat her shit. It took three bystanders to pull the girl off of him, and the whole time she was screaming “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?” at them. (brett_desire = 0, if brett_introspection is false — that’s gonna leave a mark)

Tuesday Afternoon

• At this point, use: 5..21, charge: 18..5
• If charge <= 7, you’re feeling awfully sleepy
• Protag’s only afternoon class is art
• Goes to his easel; doesn’t like art, but an arts course is part of the gen ed requirements, and it was either this or band
• ---- *something something not sure what to put here* *but it’ll be a max of 3 points* *and probably potentially grant good deed points

Tuesday Evening

• Use: 5..24, charge: 18..1
• If charge is max possible, protag comments to self about how he’s refrained from using the device almost all day
• If charge is 2 or less:
• ---- protag basically eats a quick supper and collapses into bed without even changing
• If charge is > 2:
• ---- protag has awkward dinner with mom and sister — awkward because he is terrified of accidentally manipulating them in any way
• ---- Nevertheless, protag can accidentally manip mom by jokingly suggesting that your best friend stay at your house for spring break (cost: 2, friend_room = true)
• ---- If this drops charge to 2 or less:
• ---- ---- protag basically has to excuse himself and stumble up to bed before passing out in his clothes.
• ---- Otherwise:
• ---- ---- protag finishes up dinner and heads to room. Probably flesh something out here, dunno.

Wednesday Morning -- possible corruption levels are 1 through 3

• Use: 5..24, charge: 20
• If protag passed out Tuesday evening, wakes up face-down, in clothes
• Starting here, options present themselves based on total corruption. I haven't worked out the exact thresholds, so they're gonna be represented as L1, L2, L3, etc., to mean Level 1/2/3/etc. corruption. Not only do new options present themselves, but old options may close off due to the protagonist's corrupted state. As of Wednesday morning, levels 1, 2 and 3 are the only possible ones; with the start of each day, a new level will be added.
• L1: Protagonist is mostly unaffected by the Manipulator
• L2: Protagonist is starting to feel effects of Manipulator. More willing to use it for voyeuristic purposes, albeit not on own family, and those purposes tend to be secretive.
• L3: Protagonist is definitely affected by the Manipulator. Is willing to use it for voyeuristic purposes, even on own family, and is more blatant about it, less concerned about consequences to self or others. Is also willing to use it for sexual purposes with peers, including best friend.
• L4: Protagonist is strongly affected. Is willing to use it for sexual purposes with nearly anybody. Arrogance, sociopathy definitely increased.
• L5: Protagonist has become deeply manipulative to achieve desires, and seeks more and more power over others.
• Protag heads downstairs, undresses, showers, gets out, continues morning routine.

Wednesday Morning Bathroom

• Protag looks in the mirror; results are different based on use and good_deeds counts. High use = confidence, but with malicious tinge; good deeds w/o high use = generally better self-esteem
• If protagonist accidentally manipulated sister previously, she walks right in, tells you to turn around, and starts disrobing for shower. Otherwise, if at L2, protagonist can choose to manipulate her to enter.
• If she’s in there, L1/2: protag can attempt to manipulate her to no longer disrobe while you're in there. It doesn't succeed, due to both your own and your sister's latent desires, but she appreciates how you feel. (cost: 1, sister_desire -= 1, sister_affection += 1)
• If she’s in there, L3: protag can manipulate her to not care if protag looks at her while she undresses. (cost: 2, sister_desire += 1, sister_affection += 1)

Wednesday Morning Kitchen

• This is actually fleshed out way better in the Dot file comments

Wednesday Morning School

• Walk to school - may want to explore bully encounter here
• Should also consider possible fallout if Smita thinks you’re a couple; she may get jealous of Amanda or others
• *At library, Amanda there, flesh this out later*
• Amanda mentions that she’s still having trouble in her history class, and just can’t keep her dates straight
• ---- Protag confesses that he knows nothing about history and isn’t great at studying himself, but says he’ll ask around to see if anybody he knows could tutor her. (good_deeds += 1, amanda_affection += 1, amanda_other_tutor=true)
• ---- L3: protag suggests he tutors Amanda. Protag knows basically nothing about history and is lousy at studying himself; he has obvious ulterior motives. (cost: 1, amanda_desire += 1, amanda_affection += 1, amanda_protag_tutor = true) (cost is low because she likes you and wants a tutor)
• ---- You head to your first class, calculus with Miss K...

• ---

Notes on Other Storylines

• The “malfunction” storyline is simple: the Manipulator starts uncontrollably broadcasting your base libidinous desires into everybody within a certain radius, and you can’t stop it. You can’t even remove the device, because even when you *know* that it’s to blame, it manipulates *you* into believing you’ll die if it is removed.
• Since it is broadcasting *your* desires, you basically end up with every single woman in your vicinity lusting after you, other women, or both; and everyone, man or woman, becomes docile and compliant (except where their own urges override that subservience). You, meanwhile, are the same awkward, nervous, paranoid idiot as ever, so Hilarious Hijinx Ensue.
• Luckily, the Manipulator is being watched by Dr. Kessel, so once he realizes what’s going on he races to your town to put a stop to it.
• On the other hand, the “Delinquents” storyline has you and Amanda basically succumbing more and more to the Manipulator’s influence, eventually becoming the iron-fisted Master and Mistress of all around you.

Future Plot Elements

I've moved other future plot brainstorming into comments in the Dot file linked above; it's easier for me to update and keep everything in one place that way.