#fromwithinif

Setting:

Book 1 takes place on Earth - a futuristic dystopian esq shell of what used to be. It's dark all the time, the new Earth consists of two main landmasses which the world population is split between. Each mass is an urban jungle where the streets stay empty. The rest of the planet drowns in deep dark oceans, a direct consequence from the past global climate failure.

Meet the Humans:

The Field Agent - Laurel Ramos

Top agent and Second in Command

28-30 yrs old, 5' 8".

Warm tawny skin - dark brown eyes - straight dark brown hair that hangs just below her shoulders.

Intelligent, elegant and an overall badass.

You need something done? She's your woman... but only if you ask nicely.

The Ex-Agent - Jean Claude "Jace" Glackin

Ex-field agent and Head of Security

30-32 yrs old, 6' 1"

Beige toned skin - brown eyes - dark brown shaggy hair - thick stubble.

Polite, patient, calm and well spoken.

Feeling confused or conflicted? Not a problem, Jace is more than willing to help you sort your thoughts out.

The Technologist - Michelle/Michael/Mika "Mickie" Nix (selectable)

Head of Communications and Technology

24-26 yrs old, Michelle- 5' 6", Michael/Mika- 5' 8".

Warm sandy toned skin - dark brown eyes - hair a few shades darker - freckles everywhere.

A bit of a mess, a bit panicky, very smart and highly innovative.

Small golden septum ring. Cartilage piercings.

Michelle - Messy crooked bangs and hair that ends just at the top of her shoulders.

Michael/Mika - Long short hair, usually brushed backed with a lot of strays falling into their face.

Find yourself in a tight spot and need some help? Don't call Mickie. How the fuck would they know what to do?

The Researcher - August Lane

Human biologist. Researching the effects of environmental stimuli.

26-28 yrs old, 5' 11".

Sepia toned skin - light blue eyes - short curly brown hair - dimples to match

Shy, awkward, very curious and prefers the company of his books and microscopes to all else. Self proclaimed pacifist.

You need something? Anything? Don't look at Lane. Seriously. Please don't. Too much direct eye contact is overwhelming.

The Friend - Leonidus "Leo" Corwin (aka not a human)

A friend you seem to have met a little over a year ago. Loyal to a fault and has sworn to have your back no matter what.

24-30 yrs old (year older than MC), 6' 0"

Rosy fair skin - hazel eyes that often seem lighter around you - white hair that if it was brushed out straight, would fall to his nose. Often hand swept back out of his face.

Gold nose ring. Multiple cartilage piercings. Tragus piercing.

Red snake tattoo on his forearm. Red snake tattoo on the back of his hand reaching past his wrist. Red snake coiled around a sword on his calf and a large, you guessed it, red snake tattoo on his back.

--

Skin tone references below! Taken from here.

Hi! Thanks for reading more below, here's a couple things I wanted to let anyone who's playing know

It's a WIP, so changes might happen to these chapters

The rating will be changing when I decide what I want to do about certain scenes. For now its kinda like rated M for mature - there may be graphic depictions, violence, sexual themes, and a lot of swearing.

Please let me know if you find anything weird or any bugs or spelling errors etc

I'm only pretty sure I uploaded to itch.io correctly, pls tell me if its unaccessible lol

Items you may see for the next update:

Stats page! Well... I need to figure out how to even do this. You won't need to worry about maxing stats in this game. You won't die. I'm not about that. BUT, obviously, eventually you'll want to have more points with an RO or character to trigger certain scenes. I'm not going to punish anyone for wanting to choose a variety of choices. Variety is the spice of life as they may say.

Learn more about Earth and the humans you find yourself in the company of.

More choices to reflect personality. Still at the beginning of the game, but definitely something that you'll see further down the line.

Firs point- I’ve mentally solidified how I’m going to handle personality and possibly flirtation types. The player’s inclination will be set at the end of chapter 3, which is before you decide which path to follow. I’ll still have different types of dialogue choices but if it’s not in line with your established personality, the other characters will be like “whoa, nice!MC, didn’t expect you to be an asshole.” The three personality types being nice, asshole and apathetic (I know, what a range). It's kind of the same with flirtation styles- bold and subtle (because I’m sorry but describing an old powerful vampire as timid and shy feels wrong. Subtle and withholding feels better.) My one hesitation is that there’s not too many places to flirt with different styles because I don’t want to force flirty scenes where it doesn’t feel natural. Or, if you flirt with no one in the first 3 chapters, I'll align a flirt style with one of the personalities (if you didn't flirt with anyone then all of the sudden decide to or something, not sure yet.)

Next on the docket is the ending of chapter 2. I said I was about halfway done writing last time, but would probably add more. And I did, in fact, add more. It's the ending scenes, I’ve been working on them for a while .There’s at least 12 variations of the scene and damn, if I’m not getting worn out by it. I do my best to channel the emotions I’m writing and these scenes are trying me lol. So anyways, I’m almost done with one branch, which has 4 variations. Then I need to write 2 more branches, each with 4 variations of their own. This is all with Arlo/Aida. I'm also considering adding some with another character.

---

Another update but on From Within! Someone commented on waiting for Chapter 3 so I thought I should address it.

I’ve been debating on what to do with this. I love the characters but there’s some problems with the plot: the first half is fine, but the second half and my ability to keep Leo relevant is wavering. Originally, when I planned this story, it was going to be two books. The second book taking place on the Homeworld where Leo would’ve been a main part. But the storyline for that was weak and I couldn’t see how to get a full book out of it without it just sucking. I’ve decided to scrap that and make it one story. Now I’m left with little Leo in my hand and trying to decide what to do with him. I love writing him and I don’t really wanna throw him out. So I’m adjusting the second half to be more contained and have better reasons for keeping him. He originally would’ve been present for the last quarter of the book, but now I’m thinking of bringing him in earlier, like the first half. I need to adjust some events and really think of how I want to end it and how it works without the second book.

TLDR: If it wasn’t already obvious, From Within will be on hold for an indeterminate amount of time.

My main focus will be on Water to Blood and I probably won’t think hard about From Within until that’s over. I’ve also written other story ideas that I would be more inclined to start before deep diving back to FWI. But it really does depend on how I feel. I had actually fleshed out and outlined a different story before Water to Blood that I was going to focus on but then decided to do vampires instead. Even had set up a blog but its since been forgotten.

--

"Leo!" you draw out his name as he tugs you towards the stables.

"No, no, don't start. Trust me."

It's about midnight, probably later, Leo had dragged you out of the communal barracks because, well, because he was bored and couldn't sleep. He had mumbled something about nightmares.

The two of you walk to the stables as he chatters away about these rock pools in the forest and how you won't regret going with him. He continues talking, telling you that it will be worth the late night. He makes promises as he readies your horses and hands you the reigns. The two of you ride outside of the barrack grounds, stopping at the forest's edge.

Besides the snorts from the horses, all you hear is the forest. The two of you gently guide yourselves through the trees, following the sound of the wind as it too weaves itself between the branches and pine. The forest floor is wet from the night, hooves embracing the ground and hesitantly pulling themselves away. Crickets make themselves known, calling out to each other, their songs carried through the wind.

The night is cool and crisp. You inhale and let the air inside, it travels through your nose, snapping at the back of your throat. Many are scared of dark forests, but they don't feel what you do. The forest's essence dances across your skin, tingling in the air. The scent of pine and mud stay close to you as Leo takes lead.

You follow him quietly, enjoying the peace that comes with the familiarity of the forest. You can see the stars peek through the treetops as they dance with the breeze. When you look back down, you notice Leo staring straight up. He seems to be lost in a trance, head swaying with the branches with a small smile gracing his lips. It is a strange sight for you, as he is normally the embodiment of fire. Sometimes volatile and turbulent. Other times passionate and warm. Fire does not belong in a forest, but right now, he is absolutely meant to be here.

"Hey..." Leo brings his horse to a stop in front of yours. He still wears the smile from earlier as he dismounts. "Let's walk the rest of the way."

You nod your head in agreement and dismount, he places a hand on your shoulder, steadying you, as he always does. The two of you continue on foot through the trees, doing your best not to break the foliage. You walk in comfortable silence until you come upon a clearing.

The circle of trees stands around you two as the moon looks down. Mist has risen from the ground, ingratiating itself among you. The stars are clearer here, brighter. Ethereal.

"I-" Leo begins, "I know I said I would show you the rock pools, because they're really beautiful at night, they really are... but... I just, sorry, if I've disappointed you" he breathes out and turns to face you, arms wrapped around his body. He looks nervous, vulnerable, which is not a feeling you've seen him openly wear before.

"Leo..." you start gently, almost a whisper, "I don't care about the pools."

He looks at you through a haze of his own. "I know we..." he thinks carefully about his words "I know we only found each other earlier this year but, I need you to know." The way he says this feels like he's telling himself more than you.

"You- thank you. For being here for me."

You smile softly, "I didn't do much, just, accompanied you on a ride."

He laughs quietly, "but you were here. And that means a lot to me."

You feel very small in this moment, or maybe he does. Something shifts in the way the two of you stare at each other. He's right. You haven't been in his company very long, but you feel bonded. You know, that without a doubt, you would have his back and that he would have yours.

The crickets grow louder and louder as the two of you make this silent pact. You're not sure how long you could stand there in this daze, but Leo is released first.

"Heh, sorry, I really wasn't expecting to get real with you like that" he glances away to look up at the stars again.

"What?" He feels awkward. How sweet.

"I mean, I really was going to show you the rock pools but" he clears his throat "I just... uhh" and looks towards you as if you'd help. You stare at him for a brief second before your eyes turn mischievous.

"Sorry, you mean to tell me that the rock pools are actually real?" You look at him in faux disbelief. "That this wasn't a premeditated ruse to get me all alone and confess your feelings?" Placing your hand on your heart you let out a dramatic gasp.

"What?! I didn't confess anything, a confession implies that I had something to hide."

"You hid the rock pools!"

"No! What? I'm not hiding, what, that doesn't make- you just said-" he stops blabbering and narrows his eyes at you. To be fair, you didn't think you could ignite that kind of panic in him but it's hilarious.

"I hate you." Leo rolls his eyes and starts walking away.

"Hmm... Not according to what you said five minutes ago though..." You slink up next to him and nudge his shoulder.

He sighs "you idiot, I'm never living this down, am I?" and shakes his head playfully. The air between the two of you returns to its usual levity.

--

Something went wrong, as it tends to do. The two of you were out on a recon mission to [redacted] when you were discovered. Stupidly, or smartly, the opposition shot at a small gas line or tank or something close by. You felt the reaction boil in the air and threw yourself over Laurel, figuring with your capabilities you could dampen the heat and shock from the small explosion.

It was logical. You take most of the blow because you can actually survive it.

Laurel did not agree.

When you wake up in your bed, you wake to her standing next to you with her arms crossed and a glare on her face.

"Drink this." She hands you a water bottle. You take it and drink until your throat is coated and she grabs it back.

"Why did you do that." A question formed into a statement. She's angry.

"I-"

"Shut up, you idiot. Don't ever do that again." You feel her get angrier the longer she stares. Angry. Frustrated. Not scared, not sad. Not grateful. A mix of emotions that you weren't expecting.

"You're such a fucking idiot, I don't need to you to that kind of shit. Why would you do that?"

Please don't do that.

"Laurel, I-" you try and explain but she slams her hands into your pillow on either side of your head and comes nose to nose with you.

"If there is ever a situation where you need to choose between you and me or anyone, you need to choose your fucking self. Do you understand?" Her speech is stilted, she's trying to hold back. Trying. Emotions percolate beneath.

I need you to stay alive.

"I won't-"

"NO. You fucking will. You fucking will, this whole thing?!" She pulls back a bit and gestures to the room around her, "all of this? You being here? It's not worth it, MC!" She's almost boils over, her voice is raised and it cracks at the sound of your name.

I will never forgive myself if something happens to you.

"Laurel-" You start getting irritated, you saved her life and she's angry? She won't even let you speak. She won't even let you explain why it was better for you to take the blast. Why won't she let you? She never lets you.

"No, fuck!" She yanks herself off your pillow and throws the water bottle into the corner of your room. It bounces off the wall and the ground. Your eyes widen at her outburst, at how inappropriate it is, at how out of character it is.

She runs her hands through her hair, you can see her pulling at it "you shouldn't even be here!"

I want you.

"It's not worth it, this? This?! Me? It's not worth it, it's not worth you!" She gestures towards you and shakes her head. She pauses herself, forcing a breath down her throat. In and again. Breathe. She looks at you with conflicting emotions written across her face. She wipes it.

I need you.

"I- fuck." She breathes out and turns away towards the door, pausing as she opens it.

It's barely a whisper, but you hear it nonetheless, "I'm not worth it." She walks out and slams the door as a final word