The party’s over, but Pearl can’t go

Pearl's mood improves a good deal when you lend her black hoodie back to her, and steadily climbs through the rest of the night. Yu manages to have fun too, even if parties aren't her usual thing. She's happy to be out. Jane's more at ease than the other girls (and you) and continues setting the example for how to let loose and celebrate your newfound freedom and adulthood.

Sullivan and Indigo stay locked in the master bedroom for the rest of the party. You suppose they've got a lot of 'reacquainting' to do with one another and the new dynamics of their relationship, courtesy of you. Sullivan's got a lot to work out with how pent-up he's been lately, especially now that you've removed his girlfriend's barriers.

And Indy - yeah, you proved your point to Indy. What that point was… it seems kind of hazy now, but you’re sure this is for the best.

But the dark, troubling things you did to Indy without her consent fade to the backdrop. The drinks and company are good, and the music's not too bad.

Honestly, by the time the party winds down and you and your friends call it quits, you've all but forgotten the mysterious black card in your pocket that promised you the world, and more.

Reality has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. After Yu and Jane hop into Yu's car to drive off, you walk alone in the dark over to your own car, fishing your keys out from your pocket

Near silent footsteps suddenly approach behind you. Suspecting a mugger, or worse, you spring back against the body of the decrepitly old green truck and reel about. With wide eyes, you brandish your keys as a makeshift weapon.

Pearl stands behind you, not five feet away. Her hood is up, and her hands are buried in her hoodie’s pockets.

She gives your keys a deadpan look. “Really? That’s your plan if somebody jumps you?”

"God damn, you almost gave me a heart attack," you say, trying to catch your breath.

“Too bad for the ‘almost’.”

You realize none of your other friends are accounted for. It’s only you and Pearl left. "Do you need a ride?"

Pearl makes a distasteful face and shrugs.

She can be enigmatic at the best of times, but you have no idea what’s upset her now. "What is it?"

Pearl looks at you in disbelief. "You seriously don't remember?"

Honestly you don’t. "Remember what?"

The gloomy girl glares at you. "You told me to stay with Yu till you were done," she says. "You're done. With the party, I assumed. And before that, you told me to, and I quote, 'come with you'."

It all comes back to you. That's right - you own where Pearl goes. The card was real. You’re practically omnipotent, yeah? That doesn't explain her sneaking around though.

You confront Pearl with folded arms. "Why didn't you say anything earlier? You could’ve reminded me if it bothered you that much. Were you planning on following me around till you wound up on my doorstep?"

"Like I want to give you the satisfaction of asking for permission to go home," says Pearl, scoffing. "Do you have any idea how humiliating it is that my dorky friend owns the intangible concept of where I go?"

"I am not a dork," you say. "You're a dork."

Pearl groans. "Real mature, Chase. This sucks. Video games are so off for tomorrow."

You swell with power at the suggestion. "Unless I tell you to come over anyway," you counter.

"If you make me come over, I’m not so much as touching a controller," Pearl threatens. "Just let me go home. Is that what you want to hear?"

You consider it. You’ve never had Pearl on the back foot like this. You have to say, you kind of like it.