WRETCHED.

dialogue starters for first time meetings in historical or fantasy settings.

“forgive my intrusion. have we met before?”

“you walk as one accustomed to long roads.”

“it is rare to find another soul in this place.”

“you bear the air of someone with purpose. may i ask your name?”

“the wind carries your scent of distant lands.”

“you seem far from home, stranger.”

“your robes speak of refinement, yet your eyes tell another story.”

“may i share your fire for a while?”

“it seems fate has led our paths to cross.”

“you handle that weapon with care. a practitioner, perhaps?”

“have you come seeking fortune, or fleeing something?”

“i did not expect company in such a lonely place.”

“you carry a heavy heart. the road must have been unkind.”

“are you a wanderer, or one with a destination in mind?”

“you move with discipline. do you belong to a sect?”

“the way you observe the horizon... what do you see there?”

“i could not help but notice your talisman. a charm for protection?”

“you seem unafraid, even here. that is uncommon.”

“your presence disturbs the silence yet i do not mind it.”

“do you often travel alone, or am i witnessing a rare moment?”

“you look as though you’ve seen ghosts.”

“the stars are kind tonight. perhaps that is why we meet.”

“a name has power. would you share yours?”

“i sense a story behind those eyes.”

“the tea is still warm, if you would sit and rest.”

“do you always meet strangers so fearlessly?”

“you wear no crest or banner, are you unaffiliated?”

“your aura feels… unfamiliar. what manner of cultivation is that?”

“there’s something about you the heavens seem to favor.”

“the world is wide, and yet we cross paths here. curious, isn’t it?”

“your silence speaks louder than words.”

“you carry an old wound. is it battle, or memory?”

“do you seek shelter, or solitude?”

“you’ve seen much, and yet your gaze holds wonder.”

“your voice carries conviction. you must believe in something deeply.”

“even the moon seems to follow you.”

“if i did not know better, i’d say destiny enjoys such meetings.”

“you seem out of place, or perhaps the place is out of time.”

“tell me, stranger. what is it you’re searching for?”

“the night is long. shall we pass it in conversation?”

“your weapon hums faintly. is it bound to your spirit?”

“you don’t avert your gaze. most would.”

“that pendant... it resembles one i once saw in the capital.”

“has the road been kind to you, or cruel?”

“you seem weary, but your steps haven’t faltered.”

“do you believe in omens?”

“you have the bearing of someone who’s seen battle.”

“tell me truthfully, do you trust me?”

“your presence feels... familiar, like a dream i’ve forgotten.”

“you stand as though waiting for someone.”

“if i asked what you’ve lost, would you answer?”

“your hands are steady. a healer’s, perhaps?”

“the forest seems quieter since you arrived.”

“you remind me of someone... though i cannot say who.”

“do you always travel under the moon’s light?”

“you seem untouched by fear. is that wisdom, or recklessness?”

“if we had met under gentler skies, would you still look at me this way?”

“the scent of rain follows you. were you caught in a storm?”

“i wonder, what kind of person leaves footprints like yours?”

a mix of injury/injured starters (stab wounds, broken bones/limbs, bruises, other general injuries) from both the whumpee and the bystander/caretaker cw: mentions of blood and injury

𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝/𝐖𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐞

“I’m not dying.”

“That is a lot more blood than I was expecting.”

“I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.”

“I wasn’t prepared for that level of pain.”

“Oh… that’s definitely worse than I thought.”

“If I pass out, don’t panic.”

“It’s just blood. Stop panicking.”

“I’m trying really hard not to freak out.”

“Okay, maybe it’s a little broken. I’ve had worse.”

“I swear if you draw a penis on my cast—”

“Nobody else needs to know about this.”

“I didn’t realize how many things require two hands.”

“Can we skip the part where you tell me ‘I told you so?’”

“That’s probably not supposed to bend like that.”

“Please tell me you brought painkillers.”

“On the bright side, I don’t have to go to work.”

“I’m sitting down because I want to, not because you told me to.”

𝐁𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫/𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

“What the hell happened to you?”

“You look like you’ve been run over.”

“Tell me where it hurts.”

“I thought I was going to lose you.”

“Can you walk?”

“Next time you throw yourself into danger, I’m breaking the other arm myself.”

“Just hang on for me. You can do that, yeah?”

“Don’t thank me for helping. Just stop getting injured.”

“You call this ‘not that bad?’”

“I need you to stay awake.”

“If you ever pull something this reckless again, I’m dragging you straight back home.”

“You broke your arm making toast?”

“Can I sign your cast?”

“You were supposed to stay behind me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?”

“Don’t scare me like that.”

“How many fingers am I holding up?” *using their middle finger* 

“Your face is turning purple.”

“You’re supposed to be using the crutches.”

“Someone has to make sure you don’t wander off and break the other/another arm/leg/body part.”

“You’re not fooling anyone with that limp.”

“Sit down before I make you sit down.”

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

“You’re bleeding.” “That’s usually what happens when someone gets stabbed.”

“Why is your eye black?” “Long story.” “I have time.”

“Don’t touch it.” “I wasn’t going to.” “Yes, you were.”

“Please tell me this happened while fighting something cool.” “A door.”

“Leave it.” “Leave it? It’s sticking out of you.”

“How bad is it?” “Do you want the honest answer or the comforting one?”

“I said I’m fine.” “And I said you’re bleeding through your shirt.”

“You should’ve left me.” “Don’t ever ask me to do that again.”

“Need help with that?” “No.” *pause* “Yes.”

“How bad is it?” “[Name] carried me here.” “...That bad, huh?”

“that version of me is gone.”

“this changes nothing.”

“i was counting on it.”

“watch me.”

“it wasn’t like this before.”

“i can’t pretend anymore.”

“it’s a promise.”

“say it again.”

“don’t do this.”

“you’re late.”

“this is your last chance.”

“i made my choice long ago.”

“it was over the moment you left.”

“i had to see it for myself.”

“i’ve made worse mistakes than this.”

“you changed.”

“tell me the truth.”

“you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“you owe me.”

“you followed the wrong path.”

“this isn’t over.”

“i warned you.”

“you’re hiding something.”

“you’ll regret this.”

“they recognized the weapon before they recognized the person holding it.”

“is this a threat?”

“some things can’t be fixed.”

“help me understand.”

“it ends however you decide.”

“you don’t understand.”

“you can’t stop this.”

“you came back.”

“it doesn’t have to end like this.”

“you’re making a mistake.”

“we never make it out clean.”

“maybe it was the only one.”

“you remember me, don’t you?”

“you lied to me.”

“you’re shaking.”

“silence would have been kinder.”

“you shouldn’t have followed me.”

“i trusted you.”

“say my name.”

“i’m not afraid.”

“you knew, didn’t you?”

“is this goodbye?”

“things change.”

“you don’t have to be alone.”

“i mean it this time.”

“that was your first mistake.”

“you’re not who i remember.”

“we don’t have much time.”

“was any of it real?”

“that’s not what you said before.”

“listen to me.”

“and yet, here we are.”

“put it down before this gets worse.”

“look at me.”

“i regret a lot of things.”

“you’re bleeding.”

“i didn’t think you’d survive.”

“don’t say my name like that.”

“you knew i’d come.”

“maybe you never knew me.”

“why are you here?”

“you wouldn’t like it.”

“people like us don’t get happy endings.”

“you followed me into ruin.”

“before everything fell apart.”

“there’s always a choice.”

“we could still fix this.”

“you’ve said that before.”

“i never meant for this to happen.”

“you promised.”

“what did you do?”

“before you chose a side.”

“don’t turn your back on me.”

“before you betrayed me.”

“you shouldn’t have.”

“i’m trying to help you.”

“you’ve always known the truth.”

“say something worth hearing.”

“i’m not backing down.”

“help me, or get out of my way.”

“don’t be foolish.”

“you should have run when you had the chance.”

“i owe you nothing.”

“i had no choice.”

“i walked away when it mattered most.”

“i crossed a line i can’t uncross.”

“i remember you too clearly.”

“you still care?”

prompts for characters getting to know each other.

“i don't think you realize how much people notice you.”

“you don't seem particularly trusting. then again, maybe neither am i.”

“you have a habit of appearing at interesting moments.”

“you strike me as someone who trusts their gut. am i wrong?”

“i've noticed you always leave before everyone else.”

“i think you enjoy keeping people guessing.”

“you seem restless.”

“it's strange how you can be surrounded by people and still feel alone.”

“have i ever told you that you're difficult to read?”

“you look like you haven't slept.”

“you know this place well enough that i'm starting to wonder if you've always lived here.”

“do you ever worry about the kind of person you're becoming?”

“i've known a lot of people. none of them were quite like you.”

“i can't decide whether people truly change, or if they just become better at hiding parts of themselves.”

“i had the strangest dream last night. do you remember yours when you wake up?”

“the more i get to know you, the more i keep noticing little similarities between the two of us.”

“i didn't realize you'd remember that.”

“most people seem uncomfortable with silence. i never minded it much.”

“you seem to know more than you're saying.”

“you seem comfortable on your own. i wonder if that's the same thing as never feeling lonely.”

“do you always look this serious?”

“you're easier to talk to than i expected.”

“i've always thought trust is harder to earn than people pretend.”

“you always seem to be watching.”

“i think you've been avoiding me.”

“you're not at all what i thought you would be.”

“whenever i ignore my instincts, i end up regretting it. what about you?”

“i wasn't expecting to run into you again.”

“i can't tell if you're someone who enjoys solitude or just tolerates it.”

“i know it sounds childish, but i can't help believing some people are meant to find one another.”

“you make a terrible liar.”

“you don't strike me as the sort of person people forget.”

“i think people underestimate you.”

“i can't decide whether you're charming or frustrating.”

“i don't think i've seen you smile before.”

“i wasn't sure you'd come.”

“it's a little strange. i think i've started looking forward to seeing you.”

“sometimes i wonder if we ever really know anyone.”

“you're surprisingly good company.”

“i think most people would like to believe they're good. i'm not sure it's always that simple.”

“i think being truly understood is a far rarer thing than people realize.”

“i don't usually tell people this...”

send one to have our muses meet for the first time.

“Sorry, were you just talking to me?”

“I think you dropped this.”

“You look lost. Need some help?”

“I don’t usually talk to strangers, but…”

“You’re sitting in my spot.”

“Whoa! Careful!”

“We’ve never met, right? You seem familiar.”

“Is that seat taken?”

“Sorry, I think I just spilled something on you.”

“You’re blocking the doorway.”

“Were you just staring at me?”

“Excuse me, do you know the time?”

“Wait — are you the person I’m supposed to meet?”

“I’ve been sent to find you.”

“Please don’t be alarmed, but I think we have the same bag.”

“Do you work here?”

“I’m fairly certain that’s mine.”

“You’ve got something on your face.”

“Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

“Do you know the way to ___?”

“You’re hurt. Do you need help?”

“That’s a fine ___ (cloak/hat/book/etc.). Where did you get it?”

“This might sound strange, but can I hide behind you for a moment?”

“You look like you could use a friend.”

“I think your dog just stole my lunch.”

“Hey, you dropped your coin purse.”

“I think we’re stuck in here together.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but…”

“Are you the new neighbor?”

“First time in town?”

“I’m not sure if this belongs to you, but…”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“I think you’re in the wrong place.”

“You seem… out of place.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but are you following me?”

“That was a close call.”

“Not to alarm you, but someone’s watching you.”

“Mind if I walk with you?”

“You look like you’re in trouble.”

“Was that your doing back there?”

“You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“That was impressive. How’d you manage it?”

“I’m guessing you’re not here by accident.”

“Do I want to know what just happened?”

“You might want to keep your voice down.”

“Is it always this strange around here?”

“I have a feeling we’re about to become acquainted whether we like it or not.”

You've been looking at me all night. Are you going to do something about it or are we just going to keep pretending?

I don't think about you. Except every time the wind picks up. And every time the sun goes down.

You're leaving in August. I know that. I'm choosing not to think about it yet.

I don't know what this is. I do know I don't want it to stop.

The screen door keeps slamming and you keep showing up on my porch and I keep not telling you to go.

Three months. That's all this is. Tell me you understand that.

I've been trying to talk myself out of you for six weeks. It's not working.

Stay for the sunset. That's all I'm asking. 

Dance with me in the parking lot. 

This is my favorite version of you. Sandy feet, no plans, laughing at nothing.

You fell asleep on my shoulder at the drive-in and I didn't move for two hours.

I picked these for you on the walk over. They're a little wilted. I think they're still pretty.

I've never had someone look at me the way you look at me in the morning light.

Every song on the radio sounds like it's about you and I'm losing my grip on reality.

The fireflies are out. Come sit with me. Bring the blanket.

You wrote your number on a napkin like it's 1997 and it's the most romantic thing anyone has ever done.

You make ordinary days feel like something worth remembering.

September is going to ruin me and we both know it.

I'm not ready to talk about when you leave. Can we just have tonight?

You said this was temporary. You promised me it was temporary. Why doesn't it feel temporary?

This is the last bonfire of the summer. I need you to know what this meant to me.

I can't keep your sweatshirt. If I keep it I'll never get over this.

The house is going to feel so empty when you leave. The whole town is going to feel empty.

I keep driving past the place we met like it's going to bring the summer back.

The lake looks different without you next to it. Everything looks different without you next to it.

I don't regret a single day. I regret that there weren't more of them.

Take something of mine with you. So I know part of me is wherever you are.

Get in the car. I'm not telling you where we're going. Trust me.

You navigate. I'll drive. We're not stopping until the tank is empty or you fall asleep.

We got lost three hours ago and I've never been happier.

You look good in my sunglasses. Keep them. 

Ep 2 Luminance Fugue

“I bandaged you up but you’re in bad shape.”

“Place’s been abandoned for years.”

“The wild life’s acting strange.” 

“Things don’t feel right.” 

“There’s and old story. Local Legend maybe…” 

“Story goes, they empty their rifles into the bear and it just walks away. Like it’s made of stone.”

“Some Old Hudson’s Bay trapper’s wisdom apparently.” 

“Do you believe it? The story of the Demon Bear and the spear stealing its soul?”

“I might spend all my time alone in the wilderness but I’m not crazy.”

“The old stories sometimes have truths hidden in them.”

“You still believe things are going to go back… to the way they were?”

“The lights in the sky… they’re powering the lights around us?”

“It doesn’t make sense.”

“It doesn’t make sense. And yet it has happened.”

“So the aurora is influencing wildlife too?” 

“You’ll just have to take your chances.”

“I have a legendary 150 year old demon bear hungry for my blood, bullets don’t stop him, but I’m armed with basically a medieval weapon which I’m sure will do the trick. I’m stuck in this winter wasteland where lights in the sky make the power flicker and electronics explode and the only people I seem to meet are all slightly crazy.”

“Don’t forget about the wolves.” “Hmph, let’s get on with it.”

“But this new world will make murderers of us all.”

I don't know what happened. Come and talk to [name].

I always have to do it.

I'm really sick. You'll have to make breakfast for the them.

I woke up in the middle of the night, soaking wet. It was like I was on fire.

Today's my last day of high school, I'm not going to miss that.

I struggled to give you birth and raise you, and take care of this family.

I didn't ask for you to give birth to me, okay?

Hang on a minute. What's happening with the college applications?

I'm not going to college.

You're smart, you have something to contribute to this world.

My family can't afford college.

I'm really sorry to have to say this, but you should probably spend your time helping somebody else.

I've been waiting for this day.

I was keeping it warm for you until you got here.

You know, you can always just kiss my ass to get your job back.

Why did you quit your job?

Why do you know about this?

You're just going to have to get another job.

What? No way.

I don't know, and really, I don't care.

Why do you have to say that?

I can't afford any more help!

What are you doing here?

We have already discussed that amongst our family.

But we need you to work now. You can go to college later.

Just to please think about college, okay?

My life is over!

Excuse me, but I am nothing like Mom, okay?

You know, why do you always have to be like this?

I only tell you for your own good!

What do you think you're doing?

Maybe it was your fault.

Why would it be my fault?

You are not going to make me cry.

Are you going to be working here full-time?

I'm just working here until I win the lottery.

I can't believe you finally made it to the factory.

Come on, let me show you your job, come on.

It's real easy work. Just keep doing that.

How much do they pay us to make these?

And how much do they sell them for at the stores?

Does this seem right to you, [name]?

Can't you do anything right!?

How many years have you had this one hanging here?

It's too late for [name] to get married.

I don't lie on applications, except about my weight.

I didn't think it was necessary.

Write about something you know. You can write about yourself.

Um, I don't know if I'm going anymore.

I was thinking about joining you, but you're not going anymore?

You'll get a whole new perspective.

Do something different, you know?

Your number? Maybe we could hang out?

I don't watch Spanish soap operas.

Eh, but of course we know what he wanted, eh?

Ooh, let me guess, she gets pregnant?

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

You'd better listen. That's what happens to people who don't listen to their mothers.

Are you busy? I mean, is this a bad time?

I'm just calling to say hi.

Where did you get this?

Do you think I'm your maid? You left dishes in the sink.

Aren't we supposed to be working?

Why isn't everyone here?

[Name], why are you late?

I need to talk to you.

Why are you sorry?

I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn't know how to tell you.

I'm sorry that I have to leave,

You're all leaving me!?

Don't be sorry. I mean, I'm happy for you.

I just can't pay you right now, okay?

I can't believe you're paying us late again.

Let's get back to work before I change my mind.

What kind of a mother would you be if you don't help your own daughter?

I love you so much that I make your life so miserable.

Don't love me so much.

You expect me to do this dirty work for nothing?

How would you know what hard work is?

I never wanted to work here in the first place!

See the trouble you cause?

Why are you waking me up?

You're imagining things, okay?

I need you more than ever now, [name]

You're not going to believe this.

A mother knows the right man for her daughter.

You're so old-fashioned.

Girls nowadays think they know so much, eh?

The reason they end up pregnant is because they don't know how to use contraceptives.

Your husband's not going to like you knowing so much.

Why is a woman's virginity the only thing that matters? A woman has thoughts, ideas, a mind of her own.

I mean, a letter's not going to do anything.

Why should I be afraid of [him/her.them]?

Um, I didn't say anything.

Can't you keep your mouth shut?

I was just trying to help, [name]!

You're just figuring this out?

Why don't you go talk to the doctor, not me.

I made this list of topics to talk about so that we wouldn't run out of things to talk about.

You have a really beautiful face.

You don't take compliments well?

I had a nice night tonight. I guess this is good night.

I couldn't pay the hospital.

I never realized how hard Mom works.

Let's prove to them that we can do it.

I remind myself that it's not for me.

Do you want to hear music tonight?

[Name], does your mom understand you?

I don't know, it's like she hates me.

Where'd you tell your mom you were tonight?

Hey, hey, don't worry. You're going to get accepted to college, too.

This is beautiful. Did you make this?

Oh, my God, are you serious?

I got accepted with a scholarship?

What's wrong with that?

I'm sure there must be wonderful colleges in this area.

You don't understand, it's one of the best schools in the nation!

We are a family, and we intend to stay that way!

It's not going to change anything!

I didn't come this far to see my family break apart.

I don't understand. How is this breaking us apart?

I want you to see me. See, this is what I look like.

Don't worry about me anymore, okay?

Once you get to college, we won't have anything to talk about anyway, and I don't know, you'll probably end up with some people, right?

I'm really going to miss you.

You would say that, wouldn't you? There's more to me than what's in between my legs!

You're the one who pretends that you're pregnant for attention!

You can't have a baby. I'm not your baby anymore!

I'm going through the change of life. It's over. I'm no longer a woman.

Why should I listen to you?

How dare anybody try to tell me what I should look like, or what I should be when there's so much more to me!

I want to be taken seriously, and respected for what I think, not for how I look!

Why is everybody so quiet?

You want something to eat?

I thought you were going to the airport with us.

I wanted you to be there.

You're going to do great. Call me, okay?

come here. no, come closer.

i saved you a seat.

your hands are freezing, can i hold them?

you know you're adorable when you're so sleepy, right?

you remembered?

i saw this and thought of you!

don't move, you look comfortable.

you always steal my shirts.

good morning, sleepyhead.

i like hearing you laugh.

can we stay like this a little longer?

you're lucky i love you.

you're blushing.

is this your way of asking me to stay?

i always look for you in a crowd.

you don't have to pretend aroud me.

you're my favorite person. you know that, right?

you make everything easier.

move over, i'm getting under the blanket, too.

you look good in my clothes.

home feels different when you're here.

you're my favorite part of the day.

there's that smile.

you make me happy. it's kind of annoying.

stay.

i love moments like this.

it feels like second nature to look for you first.

the room felt brighter when you walked in.

how long was i out?

it was dark, and i heard voices. i was trying to get out.

don't look at me. i don't want you to see me like this.

tell me the truth. how long was i gone?

who brought me back?

i don't remember what happened. one second i was there, and the next...

you were out for quite some time.

don't worry. i've got you.

i saw you die.

i can't live with myself if you're gone.

i don't know how to function without you here.

wipe those tears away.

i'm right here! there's no need to cry.

something feels off about you.

are you sure you're all right?

you don't sound like yourself.

that wasn't supposed to happen like that.

your death was all my fault.

i never should have gone in there alone.

can you please tell me what happened?

no one is telling me how i died.

i didn't hear anything while i was out.

that was a bit weird.

i'll be fine. just have to deal with this nasty bump on my head.

is that my blood or someone else's?

you were not supposed to do this.

he was supposed to stay dead!

this was never meant to happen this way.

i think you made a mistake in coming back.

i can't live without you.

i'd really like to avoid dying again if i can help it.

is this the first time you've died?

there must be something we can do to bring them back.

i think i can heal them.

death is only the beginning.

maybe you should have stayed dead.

is that really you?

don't ever leave my sight again.

there you are! welcome back! how was it, being dead?

did you see god?

are you the one i should blame?

let's just hope there aren't any consequences to this.

you never should have interfered.

i don't really feel like myself.

ever since i died, i've been feeling sort of strange.

that's what death does. it puts things into perspective.

is death something we should be able to reverse in the first place?

this is a very bad idea.

why can't you just stay dead?

please reverse the spell.