User Debriefing

Elaine Montemayor - Affection Score: 6

You’re not surprised the app doesn’t identify her as ‘Craig’, since you’re damn well sure that she wants nothing to do with your family. However, you do recall Mr. Hoffman mentioned something that she already reverted to her maiden name after she was widowed. You’re beginning to think he was lying about that.

What is a surprise is how her score is even on the positive side of things. When she saw you back at the Hoffman gala, she looked like she couldn’t stand breathing the same air as you, let alone invading her apparent newfound circle of friends.

When your eyes wander down to the rest of her profile, that’s when the color from your face drains…

Your sister has more traits than you do.

“What the fuck is this?” You ask in reaction, fully intending to only keep it as a thought, but unable to stop yourself from asking it out loud.

“Is this really the first time you’ve checked her profile?” Courtney cockily throws your earlier question back at you.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!?” You ask in a confused and angry shout.

“THAT… is a conversation you and your sister should have.” Courtney answers you, and your eyes bulge in realization that there’s even a possibility that Courtney knows the explanation.

‘Is this why Courtney’s back to her old self again when it comes to you? No fear. No confusion. No questions.’ You ask yourself, before it finally dawns on you what it all means. Lainey’s traits, combined with Courtney’s sudden understanding and acceptance of the app, can only really mean one thing —

“Lainey knows about the app.” You say in realization.

“And you would’ve known that earlier if you didn’t let your obvious bitterness for each other stop you from even checking her profile.” Courtney points out to you, and you can only stare daggers at her after hearing her comment. She’s totally right, but it doesn’t prevent you from having the urge to **** her from even suggesting it.

“Damn. You two really are related. Even the way you both look annoyed is similar.” Courtney observes, almost intentionally increasing your impulse to put your hands on her.

You ignore Courtney’s comment to try and focus on what this revelation means for a second. The implications of this information scares the fuck out of you immediately. If your sister’s profile is still visible to you despite having traits, it thankfully means she doesn’t have the app. However, it does mean she doesn’t just know someone who has it… she’s probably in a relationship with that person.

You immediately look for Mr. Hoffman’s profile to check if it’s still there, and thankfully still see his score.

Hoffman, Aviel - Affection Score: 0 (Previously: ??)

At least it’s not him. That was a long shot to begin with thanks to the totality of points that Lainey’s traits probably amounts to, but you still had to be sure that Mr. Hoffman didn’t just suddenly get the app with a fully unlocked trait shop and a boatload of points since you last met him. Which leaves the more logical conclusion, she got those traits from her late husband.

Still, if Lainey’s working for Mr. Hoffman now. What’s NOT a longshot is that he’s told Mr. Hoffman about the app too… and that you might have it too.

‘Is that why he’s laid low for a while? He’s preparing?’ You can’t help but ask.

“What did Lainey tell you about the app?” You ask Courtney.

“~Daaaaamn. Cold.” Courtney reacts upon hearing your question. “Not even gonna ask how she’s doing or anything?” Courtney calls you out for your lack of interest.

“I’m not in the mood, Courtney.” You tell her seriously, but Courtney only laughs upon hearing your reply.

“Jesus Christ, it’s like you two are the exact same person.” Courtney comments. “She asked the exact same question you did after I told her you have the app, and when I gave the same comment, she said the exact same thing you did too!” Courtney explains, in between laughs.

You let Courtney finish her laughing fit, and just continue to stare at her in annoyance, before she finally decides to answer your question… not without throwing another jab first, “Ugh. You’re no fun.”

“Your sister just explained how it works and how it’s basically magic.” Courtney answers. “Honestly, I wracked my brain trying to figure out how a pussy like you could even come close to making me cum when no one can, and it’s nice to know that you’re not the answer to my fucked up kink. You were just magically doping your sex skills.” Courtney couldn’t control herself from jabbing at you, and her comment reminds you of why she was afraid of you in the first place.

“I’m sorry if the magic of the app reminded you of—” You try to apologize, but Courtney cuts you off.

“Shut it, Love Coach. I don’t need your pi...ty…” Courtney tells you. “Fuck! How many fucking people know about that shit now? I feel like I’ve been saying this shit to fucking everyone today!” Courtney then comments in realization.

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t actually know what happened. Brooke and Chad just told me that what we did together triggered old memories.” You tell her.

“Oh.” Courtney utters. “Well, still… fuck off with your pity.” Courtney says with a little less emphasis this time.

“Did Lainey tell you anything else about the app?” You try to side-step from the awkwardness.

“She did.” Courtney answers, happy to side-step that tangent too. “She told me how it can’t multiply by zero, so the emotions of those under its effects are still genuine blah, blah, blah. How I haven’t fully unlocked its full potential yet by not having the Trait Shop. What the trait shop is. How that shop works with point currencies. How you get those points. So~, the basics.” Courtney explains.

“What do you mean ‘the basics’? That’s pretty much all I know about the app too.” You admit. “You’re telling me she knows more about the app than that?” You ask, and Courtney genuinely considers your question.

“Hmm, didn’t think of it that way. It seemed to me like she was just trying to explain the basics so I could grasp it. I’m not sure if she was actually holding back on me about other stuff the app can do. I was just hoping there was more to this thing other than what she told me.” Courtney admits.

“What were you hoping for?” You ask out of curiosity.

“Time travel.” Courtney answers surprisingly and without hesitation.

“I’m not sure I want to ask why you’d want that.” You react.

“Then don’t.” Courtney tells you bluntly, making you more curious, before ultimately deciding that her tone sounded like she didn’t want to discuss it.

“Did Lainey tell you how she got her traits?” You ask.

“How do you think she got it? Someone bought it for her. Duh.” Courtney answers.

“I mean, did she tell you who bought it for her?” You rephrase your question.

“Husband.” Courtney confirms your suspicion.

“What about how long she’s had those traits?” You then continue to pry.

“Long enough where she’s used to having shit going her way.” Courtney answers.

“So she’s known about the app far longer than either of us.” You surmise, and the thought of Mr. Hoffman possibly knowing more about the app than you again sends warning signals. Not that it wasn’t inevitable before, due to what Becca’s mom instructed her to do, but it’s becoming a lot clearer that you and Lainey having a personal confrontation is unavoidable.

“Gotta admit, it was nice taking her down a peg after she found out that her magic had no effect on me.” Courtney adds with a satisfied chuckle, pulling you away from your train of thought.

“You don’t like Lainey?” You can’t help but ask.

“Speaking of…” Courtney says, before immediately grabbing your hand and pulling it towards her neck.

“**** me.” Courtney instructs you.

“What!?” You ask, pulling your arm away from her craziness.

“I just want to know if it was your bullshit powers that made me cum!” Courtney shouts at you.

“I’d rather work on the assumption that it was!” You tell adamantly.

“HA!” Courtney says in reaction. “I guess I can’t blame you. Better to live in ignorance than finding out that it’s just the app that’s allowing you to satisfy seven women.” Courtney tries to jab at you.

“I’m not delusional, Courtney. I know for a fact I’m using ‘magical sexual steroids’. But if that’s what I need to make the people I love happy, I have no qualms about it.” You tell her.

“HA!” Courtney exclaims again. “That’s such a virgin way of thinking. I can’t believe I was ever afraid of you being some cult messiah. You’re gonna be so fucking harmless with this app.” Courtney insultingly concludes. Though, you’re not sure if that’s a compliment to your moral compass either.

“I can’t wait to unlock my own fucking trait shop and run wild with it.” Courtney scarily declares.

“What do you mean by—” You try to ask, but Courtney cuts you off.

“Speaking of, how long have you had the app?” Courtney then asks you, her curiosity taking you by surprise.

“About a month or so?” You answer honestly.

“Fuck yeah!” Courtney shouts in hopeful excitement.

“What? Why is that a good thing?” You ask.

“It means your sister’s not as much of an authority on this app as she claims to be.” Courtney tells you with a self-satisfied grin.

“I don’t—” You try to tell Courtney you still don’t get what she means, but she picks up on it quickly.

“She told me unlocking the trait shop takes years! She said some bullshit about getting someone’s affection maxed being hard to do without traits. But if you’ve only had it for a month, that means I could do it a lot quicker than what she told me!” Courtney explains excitedly.

“What does she mean it’s hard to unlock?” You ask in confusion.

“I got it on my first day.”