Date the Lizard

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<center><h1>[[Date The Lizard|Antechamber]]</h1> A Tiny Twine Game By RoAnna Sylver </center>

You've been coming to this coffee shop--small but not cramped, warm and inviting without being smothering, no pretentious 'we have no wi-fi, TALK to each other!!' signs--for a couple years, and for the past few weeks, you've started seeing a relatively new face. The kind you're sure you would have remembered. His name is ''Regan,'' but aside from his nametag, everything else you know about him is skin deep. And that alone is enough to make you curious. <<linkreplace "Continue" t8n>>\ His skin tone is a lovely... green, ranging from muted to a bright almost iridescent around his softer places, his eyes and neck, under his loose, lizard-like frill. More scaly than smooth. His eyes are yellow with vertical pupils that remind you of a cat's, and his ears are backswept and pointed like a reptilian elf's. He's small-framed, and noticeably thin enough that you're sometimes struck by the desire to make sure he's eaten something recently. He doesn't talk very much, but when he does, he has a slight lisp you suspect comes from the unusually long tongue you've glimpsed before. This has never struck you as particularly odd. It's the 21st century, and some people look like lizards. You've never been one to judge. <<linkreplace "Continue" t8n>>\ It's a slow day, for which he seems palpably grateful; you've seen him during the lunch rush, frayed and nervous and obviously doing his best in a job that isn't kind to sensitive souls. But he seems relatively serene today, and the smile he gave you when you came in is as genuine-looking as the one he gives you the next time you catch his eye. When he looks away, you could swear his cheeks were a little deeper shade of green. <<linkreplace "Continue" t8n>>\ He'll call your name in a minute. You're expecting to hear... <<textbox "$name" "Your name" "namecall">> <</linkreplace>> <</linkreplace>> <</linkreplace>>

Yep, your name is <<print $name>>. But that's not what you hear. "Mel... Sam... Der...?" he stammers, and only his confused and vaguely desperate looks in your direction inform you that the seemingly random noises coming out of his mouth mean you. "Don't worry about it," you say, supplying the correct pronunciation of your name and taking your coffee as his eyes--the pupils thin, tense slits--drop to the countertop between you. "Right, sorry! I'm so sorry." He nods a few times, but his eyes stay glued to the counter. When he blushes, he turns an emerald green as new grass on the first day of spring. It's a pretty color for what has to be such painful embarrassment. "I don't know who wrote that, but I'm also just not great at reading handwriting, sometimes I think I might be dyslexic? I didn't mean to ruin your name. It's a nice name. I'm going to stop talking now and let you drink your coffee." He does, and if it was anyone else you'd probably walk away and do what he suggested. But that's not the only reason you like coming here, and right now the primary reason is standing right in front of you, waiting to see how you react. What do you say to him? * [["That's okay! Everyone makes mistakes."|Answer_1][$mood = "friendly"]] * [["A cutie pie like you can call me whatever they want~"|Answer_1][$mood = "flirty"]] * [["Whatever, it's fine, I guess."|Answer_1][$mood = "tsundere"]] * [["Hey, fuck you, buddy!"|Then Perish]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "friendly">> <<set $regan to $regan + 10>> "Oh gosh, thank you so much," he says with a whooshing sigh of relief that makes the soft, floppy frill of skin hanging around his neck fluff out. "I'm really glad you're not mad at me. <<elseif $mood is "flirty">> <<set $regan to $regan + 10>> "Ahh, thank you," he says, voice creeping up in pitch, and the soft, floppy frill of skin hanging around his neck giving a happy little wiggle. "I'm really glad you're not mad at me. <<elseif $mood is "tsundere">> <<set $regan to $regan - 10>>"I won't do that again, I promise," he says, and the soft, floppy frill of skin hanging around his neck gives a distressed little twitch. "For what it's worth, you're not the only one. <<endif>>People have gotten pretty mad at me before. Not just about their names, though. Sometimes I just kind of... disappear." You're not sure what he means by that, but somehow, given who you're talking to, it might be fairly literal. He hesitates, fiddling with his own fingertips in an anxious way that you'd attribute to too much coffee. With him, however, you doubt he needs the caffeine help to be nervous. Right now, however, that anxiety is mixed with a fragile bit of apprehensive hope. "Listen, we've kind of almost talked a lot before, and you seem nice, and... my break starts pretty much right now. If... you wanted to..." <<linkreplace "He can't seem to say it, so you will." t8n>>\ "Hanging out a little sounds great," you say. "I've been wanting to talk to you ever since I first came in here, but bugging people while they're working is rude and usually creepy." "Oh, super creepy!" he agrees immediately, then hurries to amend it. "But you're not. Bugging me, I mean. Or creepy!" He's blushing again, but this time in a good way. "This job makes me kind of nervous, that's all. There's a lot of talking to people, and seeming like you want to talk to people, and you might have noticed I'm, uh, not very good at that." "Just a little," you say diplomatically. "Doesn't sound like a very introvert-friendly place to work." <<linkreplace "He smiles and it only looks a little strained." t8n>>\ "Well, it's not forever! I'm just here until I can get enough for art school. Then maybe I can find something that doesn't suck as much. Oh, I'm talking a lot about me, aren't I? Sorry--what do you do?" * [[I'm a student, writer, or retail worker... so, I cry, mostly.|Answer_2][$job = "student"]] * [[I'm an artist too!|Answer_2][$job = "artist"]] * [[I am a normal human who does normal human things, normally.|Answer_2][$job = "human"]] * [[I sell drugs and drug accessories.|Answer_2][$job = "drugdealer"]] <</linkreplace>>\ <</linkreplace>> - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $job is "artist">> <<set $regan to $regan + 20>>\ "Really? That's awesome!" he exclaims, perking up at the knowledge that you have something in common. "I love meeting people doing creative things. Especially now. You hear a lot of people going 'the world's a mess, focus on something important!' but I'm like, come on, that's when we need good art the most, right?"\ <<elseif $job is "drugdealer">> <<set $regan to $regan - 10>> \ "Oh, yikes," Regan says with a wince, looking like he's trying not to take a step backwards. He doesn't, but he's clearly got baggage when it comes to the subject of illicit substances. "You still seem really cool, but I'm not about that life, personally. At least not anymore. Hugs, not drugs, you know?"\ <<elseif $job is "student">><<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "That sounds really rough," he says with a refreshingly genuine sympathetic look. There's a difference between the behind-the-counter obligatory 'Yes, I'm Very Interested In Your Life, Dear Customer' smile (which he doesn't seem to have mastered), and the expression he's giving you now. "And... yeah, same."\ <<elseif $job is "human">><<set $regan to $regan +10>>\ "Oh," he says, giving you a confused-looking blink. For someone so lizard-like, his eyes really do give off a catlike curiosity along with their slit pupils. "Yeah. Same. I'm a very normal human too! I just love doing normal things like... going bowling... with coworkers. Social events are great. They don't scare me at all!"\ <<endif>> <<linkreplace "Regan casts a nervous glance back at the door..." t8n>>\ Regan casts a nervous glance back at the door... and all the responsibilities waiting for him behind it. "Listen, I have to get back in there, but--if you wanted--no pressure, like at all, but if you wanted, we could get... coffee?" He shuts his eyes briefly, as if painfully aware of the building and sign directly above your heads. "Not like coffee here. Other coffee. Real world cof--or! We could do something else! That has nothing to do with... beverages." You can't help but smile a little, watching all the changes his expressive face goes through. Other people might be able to play it cool, like asking someone out was no big deal. That definitely isn't this; you'd think he was asking for something much bigger and more important, but apparently there's nothing more important to Regan. <<linkreplace "You have to ask." t8n>>\ You have to ask. "Is this a date?" "Do... you want it to be a date?" he asks in return, watching you like you might either be a hand grenade about to go off, or a treasure chest about to open to reveal the best present in the world. * [[''Yes, definitely a date!''|Answer_3][$mood = "romo"]] * [[''Yes, but you should know I'm very asexual.''|Answer_3][$mood = "ace"]] * [[''Hanging out sounds like fun--also, I'm aromantic.''|Answer_3][$mood = "aro"]] * [[''Definitely not. As if. Gross.''|Bad_ending]] <</linkreplace>> <</linkreplace>> - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<set $regan to $regan - 100>> Oh, that wasn't the best choice, was it? It's not that Regan will do anything about it--honestly you doubt he has the ability to hurt a fly or even yell at one. All he'll do is crumble before your eyes, fighting tears and looking like he'd very much like to curl up into a ball, or disappear. The same cannot be said for Zilch. Zilch must have some preternatural sense of when Regan is in danger or about to burst into tears, because they immediately round the nearest corner and stride toward you much faster than you'd expect. They are also approximately seven feet tall, made of what looks like sewn-together parts of many different (dead) people, and doesn't appear to like you at all, after what you just said to Regan. "Don't be an asshole to soft dragon boys," they intone, picking you unceremoniously up right off the ground, turning you around, and drop-kicking you out the door. "Bye..." you hear Regan call softly from behind you, along with some sniffling. And yet you have the feeling that if you tried again, the cutie will have forgotten all of this and give you another chance! Almost like he has amnesia or something. Maybe you can interact with him in a way that doesn't make him cry, or prompt a towering and very upset Zilch to kick your ass into next week. [[Game Over!|The End]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "romo">><<set $orientation to "romo">> \ "Ahaha, okay!" Regan says with a giggle. It sounds anxious, as he so often does, but it's excited too. Self-conscious in a good way for once. "Then it's a date. It'll be fun! I hope. I mean, I'm sure it will be, I just don't go on a whole lot. Not because I'm asexual, although I am. I just--I'm going to stop talking now too," he says, and takes a breath. "What I mean is I'm looking forward to it."\ <<elseif $mood is "ace">><<set $orientation to "ace">>\ "Oh really? Me too!" His frill seems to inflate a tiny bit, like it's as excited as its owner looks and sounds. His eyes have gone darker, the pupils widening until they're a bit rounder and less sharp. Maybe it's excitement, or relief, but whatever it is, it's good. "I was just gonna tell you that, actually. So thanks for that. Not for being asexual, that's kinda weird, and... I guess it'd be more like 'congratulations?'"\ <<elseif $mood is "aro">><<set $orientation to "aro">>\ "You are? oh, that's great!" he says, actually sounding excited at the idea. "Some of my best friends are--that came out wrong. I just mean it's nice to know, so nobody's expecting anything the other one can't do? And I'm very asexual... and sometimes I kind of think I might be aro too? On the spectrum somewhere? I don't know. Feelings are weird."\ <<endif>> Regan starts to head back inside, but the whole way, his eyes stay on you, and his smile stays in place. "Meet me back here at eight, okay? See you tonight!" [[That evening...|Password if Necessary]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<set $regan to $regan - 100>>As you snap at him, Regan pales, then keeps losing color in his skin until his actual image starts to fade away before your eyes. From the wibbly, tear-fighting look on his face, he very much regrets not just the past few minutes but possibly his own entire life as well. "Oh... okay... Sorry. Bye," you hear, before he's vanished entirely, from the room and your life. Well, you fucked up a perfectly good dragon boy, that's what you did. Look at him (so to speak), he's got a broken heart. And also anxiety. But mostly sad. And yet you have the feeling that if you tried again, the cutie will have forgotten all of this and give you another chance! Almost like he has amnesia or something. [[Game Over!|The End]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

When you make your way back to the coffee shop, you half expect to see Regan there waiting for you already, even though it's about ten minutes to eight. He just strikes you as the kind of person who's early much more than late. But he's not there; the street corner is empty, and a glance inside shows you he's not still at work. <<linkreplace "You settle in to wait." t8n>> You cool your heels for ten minutes. Then for ten more. Eventually you're about to call it a night, and try to give him the benefit of the doubt. But then, all at once, he's here, and you hear him before you see him. For someone so obviously built for stealth and speed, Regan's not making much of an effort to be subtle; his footsteps are rapid and about as loud as his probably get. Almost as loud as the wheezing that accompanies his every breath. "I'm so sorry!" he pants, bent almost double, one hand on his knees, the other cradling something close to his chest. "I know I'm late--I left on time, I promise, but then--I got a little lost, which is--ridiculous because I walk this every day, but today is just--special--" <<linkreplace "Regan sucks in another breath." t8n>>Regan sucks in another breath. <<if $mood is "romo">> Then he holds up one hand, and for the first time, you notice he's holding a bouquet of colorful flowers. Not the presumptuous red roses, but yellow daffodils with white baby's breath. You wonder if the slight irony is lost on Regan as he tries to catch his own breath. "I don't know if this is weird or not, I don't know what people even do, but I thought you might like them--so I got them--but that made me even later!"\ <<elseif $mood is "aro">> Then he holds up his hand, showing you what he'd been protecting. It's a small plastic takeout box with a slice of cake inside, iced with green and layer-striped with white, green, and black. "I don't know if this is weird or not, I don't know what people even do, but I saw the colors--they're nice aro colors--so I had to get it--but that made me even later!"\ <<elseif $mood is "ace">>Then he holds up one hand, and for the first time, you notice he's holding a bouquet of colorful flowers. Not the presumptuous red roses, but a sweet-smelling bunch of white and violet lilacs with leaves so dark they look black. "I don't know if this is weird or not, I don't know what people even do, but I saw the colors--they're nice ace colors--so I got them--but that made me even later!"\ <<endif>> With his furious burst of words finished, Regan doubles over again, but this time it's to reach into his pocket. He pulls out an inhaler, shaking it. "Hang on," he says faintly, after sucking in a deep breath of the aerosol medication. "I'll be fine in a minute." * [["Ahh, thank you for the present! You're so sweet."|2.2][$mood = "happy"]] * [["Hey, don't worry, just breathe. You okay?"|2.2][$mood = "sympathetic"]] * [["Whatever. Just don't let it happen again."|2.2][$mood = "tsundere"]] * [[LOL you suck, you wheezy bitch.|Then Perish]] <</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>> - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "encouraging">> <<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "Thanks," he says with a genuinely grateful-looking smile. "That means a lot. I kind of need to hear that sometimes, that I'm not just yelling into the void, and this is actually important. I mean, I know it is, but it gets hard to see sometimes. \ <<elseif $mood is "practical">> <<set $regan to $regan - 10>>\ "Yeah, I guess you're right," he says with a little sag of his shoulders. He looks disappointed but not exactly surprised. "I know it's a long shot, and probably not the most practical use of my time, but I still just kind of... have to. I can't 'not' draw. So even if I never make it for real, it makes me happy, and that's important to me too. \ <<elseif $mood is "praising">> <<set $regan to $regan + 20>>\ "Oh gosh," he says, cheeks flushing a deep viridian and frill happily wiggling. "That's so sweet of you to say, thank you! That really means a lot. I wish I had your confidence. And that I could live up to it. \ <<endif>>Actually, speaking of art..." He reaches into another pocket--how many of these does he have on his relatively un-bulky-looking person?--pulls out a small sketchpad. With a searching glance at you, Regan opens it to a page with an elaborate (if somewhat smudged) pencil drawing that looks uncannily like the city spread out below you. The next page is obviously the coffee shop's exterior and sign, drawn with an obvious eye for angle and space, and an equally obvious affection. "When something makes me happy, I kind of have to draw it," he says, turning to a loose sketch of swans on a tranquil lake. "And tonight's been great. You've been great. And... I've been trying to get up the guts to ask you all this time. Would it be okay if I drew you? It's totally okay if not, don't worry! I just know I'd be mad at myself if I didn't ask." *[[Heck yes!|2.5][$mood = "encouraging"]] *[[Okay, whatever. I guess.|2.5][$mood = "meh"]] *[[No. A pox on you and your art.|Bad_ending]] *[[I never let my likeness be captured on paper. Security.|2.7][$mood = "paranoid"]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "happy">><<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "Aw, it's nothing," he says, giving you an only slightly ragged-looking smile that's getting a little stronger all the time. "I'm just glad you liked it. And didn't get tired of waiting for me and leave!"\ <<elseif $mood is "sympathetic">><<set $regan to $regan + 20>>\ "Yeah, I'm okay," he says, giving you an only slightly ragged-looking smile that's getting a little stronger all the time. "Thanks for asking. Asthma's no fun but I'm used to it. It happens sometimes, if I get scared or upset. Or run out of nowhere because I'm really late for an important date."\ <<elseif $mood is "tsundere">><<set $regan to $regan - 20>>\ "No, don't worry," he says, wincing, then giving you an apologetic look. You suspect your words hurt him worse than his recent asthma flare, or will at least stay with him longer. "It won't, I promise."\ <<endif>> Even if he was later than expected, you have to admit it was pretty thoughtful of him to stop and get you something. And strangely relatable, getting lost on a route he's walked every day. A little present might help cheer him up and show him you care--did you bring him one? * [[Yes! I brought him some flowers.|Date Start][$mood = "flowers"]] * [[I brought him a cute handwritten card.|Date Start][$mood = "card"]] * [[I brought him a trick can of peanuts. AND SNAKES!|Snakes]] * [[No, I didn't bring him anything...|Date Start][$mood = "no gift"]] - - - ''Regan Heart-O-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "swans">> <<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "I was hoping you'd say something like that," he says, looking relieved after the afternoon's excitement. You walk to the park together and find a quiet spot by the pond. The water is still and calm, except for the ripples left by a few gently drifting swans, who make immediate beelines for Regan as soon as they see him. He doesn't look perturbed by the oncoming small army of infamously hate-filled waterfowl. Instead, he smiles and digs into a pocket, pulling out a small baggie filled with what looks like little bits of lettuce and corn, and tossing the treats to the thankfully happy and non-biting swans. "They know I'm a really soft touch," he says. "I pretty much gave up trying to resist a long time ago. You know how people say crows can recognize faces? I don't know if swans can, but they definitely recognize me. I kind of stand out in a crowd." As you and Regan enjoy the peaceful place (but probably not as much as the swans), the sun begins to dip, turning the sky to a delicate salmon, and the edges of the clouds to a soft gold.\ <<elseif $mood is "ice cream">> <<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "Ice cream? That sounds--good," he says, after only a brief hesitation. Regan doesn't seem nervous, exactly, more like he's adjusting to a complication he hadn't expected, but not an overly bothersome one. He seems happy and relaxed as you walk to the nearby park, at least as much as he ever gets. Regan insists on buying both of your treats, and you soon have the satisfaction of holding your favorite ice cream as well as hanging out with a considerate boy. A boy who continues to be a memorable date, as he asks for chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles, and chocolate sauce. "I just really like chocolate," he explains, looking a little transfixed by the hypnotic motion of the ice cream maker--technician might be a better word for this?--and their chopping, shaping spoons. "And I don't get it very often." He's a very slow eater, careful and deliberate, seeming intent on keeping the scoops centered and symmetrical as it melts. He takes long breaks between licks--very long-tongued licks--and seems like he's preparing for each one. Most of these breaks include brief glances at you, as if gauging your mood, and finally you have to ask. "Are you okay?" "Hm? Oh, yeah, I'm fine!" he assures you with an only slightly self-conscious grin. "I just... don't really eat in front of people that much. New people anyway. Don't worry about it, it's just a me thing, just takes me a little bit to get over, that's all. You're not scary, though. Actually, now that I think about it... having you being here kind of helps." As you and Regan enjoy the peaceful afternoon, and the ice cream, the sun begins to dip, turning the sky to a delicate salmon, and the edges of the clouds to a soft gold. <<elseif $mood is "horror">> <<set $regan to $regan - 20>>\ "Oh... okay," Regan says, hesitantly and reluctantly, but with an attempt to smile through it. "Horror movie. Cool. That sounds... fun!" He doesn't seem very excited--filled with dread might be a better description--as you stand in line, and even less so as you find your seats. He never protests, exactly, but he doesn't need to. The hyperventilation and muffled scream (from behind his hands, pressed over his face) at the first jump scare is an obvious enough clue. You leave early. Soon, you and Regan step out of the darkness of the movie theater and back into the lingering daylight. While Regan tries to get his breathing and blood pressure under control, you see that the sun's begun to dip, turning the sky to a delicate salmon, and the edges of the clouds to a soft gold. <<elseif $mood is "laser">> <<set $regan to $regan - 10>>\ "Oh... okay, sounds uh, fun!" Regan says, hesitantly and reluctantly, but with an attempt to smile through it. He gives a nervous laugh. "I won't even cheat! No disappearing, promise." Regan is true to his word, and he's still surprisingly good even with the restriction. He seems to have a natural affinity for hiding and evading shots, and pulls off some truly impressive acrobatic maneuvers. If he ever gets hit at all, you don't see it. Still, he's obviously stressed out, terrified, and hating every minute of this. Just because you're good at something doesn't make it fun. You leave after the first round. Soon, you step out of the darkness of the movie theater and back into the lingering daylight. While Regan tries to get his breathing and blood pressure under control, you see that the sun's begun to dip, turning the sky to a delicate salmon, and the edges of the clouds to a soft gold. <<endif>> "Okay, now it's my turn," he says once you're done, and there's a glint in his eye that's almost playful, or maybe fond. <<linkreplace "I have a place I think you'll like." t8n>>"I have a place I think you'll like." You follow Regan back to the coffee shop, but instead of going inside, he takes you around the corner toward the back, then up the fire escape that climbs along its side. By the time you reach the roof, the sky has turned a glorious crimson-orange with flares of magenta. The clouds are lit up bold and bright, as if someone's taken a paintbrush and smeared it over the Earth, turning the sky to stained glass on a sunny day. <<linkreplace "Regan heads over to the rooftop's edge." t8n>>Regan heads over to the rooftop's edge and the metal railing separating you from the multi-story drop to the sidewalk, leaning against it and letting out an appreciative sigh. "I love coming up here," he says. "It helps me think. Sometimes everything gets so jumbled up in my head it's just noise. Like not even words anymore. Then I forget how words work, so it's nice to go somewhere you don't need them, you know?" "Yeah," you say, watching the sunlight play on Regan's skin and scales. The way they catch the light, his sharper angles look less like their ordinary green, and more like he's been dusted with gold. <<linkreplace "For a while, neither of you speak." t8n>>For a while, neither of you speak. You feel no need to fill the silence. "You know, I don't exactly love being a barista," he says after a few moments of comfortable quiet. "But I don't really hate it either. There are worse things... a lot worse. And you do what you have to, just to survive. The world's a hard place to live in. But at least it's not like, on fire or something." He lets out a soft laugh, short and hardly more than an exhale, but you catch the smile on his face as he sheepishly ducks his head. "But I've always had another dream..." <<linkreplace "'Oh, what's that?'" t8n>>"Oh, what's that?" you ask. "Well, I told you I want to go to art school, right?" He's still looking down, leaning his elbows against the railing and folding his hands, which you notice aren't shaking or fidgeting at all. "I've always wanted to be... well, not famous, because can you imagine? I'm not a spotlight kind of guy. But I'd love to make art that makes people happy. Or feel safe and like they're important, especially if they're scared or hurting." *[[You're right, art is important. Chase your dream.|2.4][$mood = "encouraging"]] *[[Don't quit your day job. You need a backup plan.|2.4][$mood = "practical"]] *[[I hate art. Just hate it.|2.7][$mood = "mean"]] *[[Whatever you make, I want to see! I bet it's great.|2.4][$mood = "praising"]]<</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>> - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "encouraging">> <<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "Okay," he says with a smile that actually looks much more excited than anxious. It's a bright and happy thing, lovely to see, especially if it's as rare as you suspect. "Here goes nothing."\ <<elseif $mood is "meh">> <<set $regan to $regan - 20>>\ "Okay," he says with a shaky smile that doesn't do much to hide the disappointment in his eyes. He tries to slough it off, but you can see that your lack of enthusiasm has him rattled--and that he's all the more determined to surpass your lowered expectations. "I'll try not to mess it up."\ <<endif>>\ Regan settles down on the roof concrete and balances his sketchpad against his knees. He immediately seems to block out everything else in the world, even the sunset, until nothing else exists but his sketchpad, his pencil, and you. With him sitting opposite you, the art-in-progress is difficult to see (and upside-down), but you catch enough brief glimpses to know he's paying special attention to your... *[[Expresssion|2.6][$mood = "expression"]] *[[Incredible goth style|2.6][$mood = "goth"]] *[[Carefully styled facial hair|2.6][$mood = "beard"]] *[[Impeccable makeup.|2.6][$mood = "makeup"]] *[[Queer and trans protest buttons|2.6][$mood = "queer"]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "goth">>Your elegant gothic fashion sense has always been a point of pride. You have an affinity for darkness and dignity, though you've been known to party hard under the occasional underpass. It's the music that speaks to you, and the aesethetic that makes you feel comfortable, brave, authentic, and on a good day, hot as hell. From what you can tell so far, Regan's recreation is a lovely effort, and it reminds you of how powerful your presentation can be. When you look the way you want, you feel braver, better, more alive. Somehow, just from the care he takes in this, you get the feeling he understands this. His art is sufficiently sinister, indisputably ornate, and all in all, does a wonderful job at reminding you of the presence of goth. <<elseif $mood is "beard">>Your carefully styled mustache and beard have always been a point of pride. It's taken a long time, but it's finally exactly the way you like it. Everybody might not agree that it's the most perfect thing in the universe, but they're wrong, and it is, and it's yours. From what you can tell so far, Regan's recreation is a lovely effort, and it reminds you of how powerful your presentation can be. When you look the way you want, you feel braver, better, more alive. Somehow, just from the care he takes in this, you get the feeling he understands this. <<elseif $mood is "makeup">>You've always put a lot of effort into your brilliant and bewitching makeup. Winged eyeliner and creative colors are your armor of choice while walking through a world that doesn't always welcome your existence. In that sense it's practical, but it's also an art form on its own, one that doesn't get nearly enough credit--especially considering the fact that you're your own canvas. From what you can tell so far, Regan's recreation is a lovely effort, and it reminds you of how powerful your presentation can be. When you look the way you want, you feel braver, better, more alive. Somehow, just from the care he takes in this, you get the feeling he understands this. <<elseif $mood is "queer">>Among your most prized possessions is your plethora of queer and trans-positive protests accessories. These colorful buttons and patches tell the world that you won't be erased, ignored, or mistreated. They're also great conversation starters for other like-minded queers and transes. You have to wonder if they're what initially caught Regan's eye. From what you can tell so far, his recreation is a lovely effort, and it reminds you that your life is valid, important, and can sometimes actually be pretty nice. <<elseif $mood is "expression">>Photos can only do so much to truly depict the person in them. Even mirrors don't always tell the truth; sometimes it's like hearing your own voice recorded and not recognizing it. It's often hard to say exactly what your own face looks like, especially the little expressions and mannerisms you do unconsciously every minute, when you're not on guard smiling for a camera. It's especially hard if you don't feel that your body matches your inside, either in your own mind, or society's. Cameras and mirrors can ruin a day. For a moment, you can't help but worry that drawings could do the same. <<endif>>\ Finally, his pencil slows, then stops. Regan hesitates, inspecting his creation one last time, then turns his sketchpad around. You find yourself face to face with yourself, or at least a carefully recreated, pencil version of yourself, static but lively somehow, as if you've stepped out of that partly-animated music video to the 80s song whose name you can't remember. Monochrome rendering aside, it's still not like looking in a mirror--more like looking at yourself on a particularly good day, even if that's a wildly different day from this one. The way you hope and wish you could always look. When you look back at Regan, he's smiling again with that now-familiar combination of fear and hope. "Do you like it?" *[[I don't just like it. I love it--it's amazing.|2.7][$mood = "supportive"]] *[[I have to reluctantly admit, it's pretty good.|2.7][$mood = "tsundere"]] *[[You got my nose wrong.|2.7][$mood = "critical"]] *[[Next could you draw...|2.7][$mood = "douchebag"]] *[[I hate it and I hate you.|Then Perish]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $mood is "mean">><<set $regan to $regan - 10>>\ "Oh... okay," he says, sounding disappointed. "It's not for everyone. But that's okay. Different is good." <<elseif $mood is "paranoid">><<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "Well yeah, that's just sensible," Regan agrees with a matter-of-fact nod, and puts his sketchpad away without further question.\ <<elseif $mood is "critical">><<set $regan to $regan - 10>>\ "Oh... I'm sorry about that. Really. You and your nose deserve better." Regan looks sorry indeed that he ever brought up the subject. Still, he does his best to shake it off, and stays quietly beside you.\ <<elseif $mood is "supportive">><<set $regan to $regan + 20>>\ "Thank you, <<print $name>>," he says softly, sincerely. "That makes me happier than... a lot of things. I'm just really happy right now. Which is kind of a big deal for me."\ <<elseif $mood is "douchebag">><<set $regan to $regan - 10>>\ Regan's eyes seem to flatten, whole face dropping into a studied blank. You get the impression he's heard this one a lot. "Thanks for the suggestion. I'll think about that."\ <<elseif $mood is "tsundere">><<set $regan to $regan + 10>>\ "Thank you," he says, not meeting your gaze. Somehow he sounds ashamed and proud at the same time. "Obviously there's room for improvement, but... coming from you that means a lot."\ <<endif>> He falls quiet, and seems somehow both turned thoughtfully inward and wonderfully aware of everything around him. You couldn't ask for a more brilliant sunset or more perfectly contained moment together. The amber and vermillion sky arcs above you, slowly darkening to indigo and royal blue. Lights begin to turn on below, coming out like bright and rapid stars that turn the hectic, crowded, chaotic city to something resembling beautiful. The moment stretches between you, time loose and languid and almost liquid, until you could almost imagine that it's stopped entirely, leaving you the only person left alive and awake in the world. <<if $regan gte 30>><<linkreplace "Except for the boy beside you." t8n>>Except for the boy beside you. <<if $regan gte 70>>\ <<if $orientation is "romo">>Regan keeps giving you little sidelong glances, then looking away when you catch him looking. He's smiling, and nibbling on his lower lip, and essentially looks like the most kissable boy on the face of the planet right now. <<elseif $orientation is "ace">>Regan keeps giving you little sidelong glances, then looking away when you catch him looking. He's smiling, and nibbling on his lower lip, and essentially looks like the most kissable boy on the face of the planet right now. <<elseif $orientation is "aro">>Regan can't seem to stop smiling. He looks like a boy who's just found his best friend on the first day of school, knowing you have the entire year together. It's a safe, entirely happy expression that needs to appear on his face a lot more often.<<endif>>\ <<elseif $regan lt 70 and $regan gte 50>>\ Regan lets out a slow, deep sigh and leans back, staring up at the sky and for once seeming entirely, completely calm and free of worries. You get the feeling you're seeing something not many people even know is a possibility. You're not sure how you got so lucky--and you have a hunch that he's thinking the very same thing.\ <<elseif $regan lt 50 and $regan gte 30>>\ Regan sits quietly beside you, not seeming particularly on edge or upset, but not overly happy either. This might not have been the smoothest date, but at least he hasn't run away screaming, a possibility that you hadn't quite discounted.<<endif>>\ *[[Kiss him.|Kiss Regan]] *[[Pet his soft frill.|Pet Frill]] *[[Hug him warmly.|Hug]] *[[Hold his hand.|Handhold]] *[[Just sit quietly together.|Quiet]]<</linkreplace>><<endif>>\ \<<if $regan lt 30>><<linkreplace "Regan stays some distance away from you." t8n>>Regan stays some distance away from you. eyes glued straight ahead into the distance. His arms wrap around his upper torso, hugging himself, and every bit of his scared, small body language screams that he doesn't actually want to be here. [[Really, You're not sure why he stayed.|Bad_Date]]<</linkreplace>><<endif>> - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<if $regan gte 70>>\ <<if $orientation is "romo">>"I had a really great time tonight," he says, looking into your eyes with a dizzy-looking smile. You must have this beautiful dragon boy's head spinning, and that alone is a heady thought.\ <<elseif $orientation is "ace">>"I had a really great time tonight," he says, smiling so hard you have to suspect his cheeks ache. They're out of practice. "We're gonna do this again, right? I really hope we can do this again."\ <<elseif $orientation is "aro">>"I had a really great time tonight," he says, smiling so hard you have to suspect his cheeks ache. They're out of practice. "We're gonna do this again, right? I really hope we can do this again."<<endif>>\ You spend a while longer together, enjoying the evening and each others' general existence. Neither of you wants to be the first to say goodbye. So you don't--it's just good night. But before that, Regan tells you with zero reservations that you're welcome to call him whenever you want--or text, rather, since he hates the phone--and to come up here on the roof whenever you need a break. As you part, you think this might be the happiest you've been since you can remember. You've had an amazing time with someone you have the feeling will be a very important part of your life, and you're left with an equally amazing thought: you'll always have a quiet place to go, and someone glad to see you.<<endif>>\ \ <<if $regan lt 70 and $regan gte 50>>"So, this was fun," Regan says after a little bit, pushing off from the railing and taking a small step away. You know the 'okay, this interaction is concluded' body language well enough to know he's on his way out--but he doesn't seem upset or regretful at all. "See you around? I hope I see you around. Or you see me. If you do... don't be a stranger, okay?" Still, it's been a pretty amazing night. And now you're left with an equally amazing thought: you'll always have a quiet place to go, and someone glad to see you.<<endif>>\ \ <<if $regan lt 50>>"So, I'm gonna go," Regan says, awkwardly edging away and turning to leave. He doesn't stop moving, speaking over his shoulder as if he can't leave this rooftop fast enough. "I'll, uh... see you around. Maybe. Good night." With that, he's gone. This didn't go as well as you'd hoped, and you have the feeling he feels the same unfortunate way. But tomorrow's a fresh start. And, unlike the rest of your life, you have the feeling that with Regan at least, you'll never run out of chances to try again and have a better day.<<endif>> [[Game Over!|The End]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<set $regan to 0>><center><h1>Thank you for playing!!</h1></center>\ DATE THE LIZARD is my first Twine game, and while it's super simple, I had a lot of fun making it. I hope you had fun too! If you'd like to play again, [[click here!|Begin]] Also, if you haven't already, and you want to support me in making more games like this, books, art, and a ton of other cool queer stuff the world needs more of - and score early/bonus content - subscribe to Patreon.com/RoAnnaSylver! Thank you again! ~THE END~

Please enter the password you received when you bought or supported this game! If you don't have the password, you can get it by either by <a href="https://www.subscribepage.com/u1v4f6">joining RoAnna Sylver's mailing list</a> (for free!), or <a href="https://www.Patreon.com/RoAnnaSylver!">supporting more games like this on Patreon!</a> <<set $answer to ''>>\ <<textbox '$answer' '' autofocus>> <span id='textbox-reply'></span> <span id='textbox-submit'>\ <<button 'Submit'>> <<set $answer to $answer.trim().toLowerCase().replace(/\s\s+/g, ' ')>> <<if $answer is 'enough air'>> <<replace '#textbox-reply' t8n>> Hooray, that's correct!\ <</replace>> <<replace '#textbox-submit' t8n>>\ [[Let's Date! That!! Lizard!!!|Part 2]]\ <</replace>> <<run $('#textbox-answer').attr('readonly', 'true');>> /% prevent the textbox from being edited any further %/ <<else>> <<replace '#textbox-reply'>>\ Incorrect. Please try again.\ <</replace>> <</if>> <</button>>\ </span>

The world is a scary place nowadays. You're lucky if you can get through a day without the news on TV or Twitter sending a stab of anxiety, despair, or sheer existential dread through your stomach. It seems like the entire planet is on the fast-track to devastating war, climate crises, or simply a well-deserved oblivion. <<linkreplace "Continue" t8n>>\ It's exhausting, and terrifying, and sometimes you just want to go where none of that matters, and nobody will tell you how doomed you are, or how much responsibility you have to prevent said doom. Where ''nobody'' knows your name. <<linkreplace "Continue" t8n>>\ [[Except for the cute barista.|Next]] <</linkreplace>>\ <</linkreplace>>\

<<set $regan to 0>>

''Content Notes for:'' * Anxiety, social and general * A minor asthma attack * Non-explicit reference to eating disorder recovery * Non-explicit reference to dysphoria or dysmorphia * Swans (but nice ones for once) This is a small dating sim for Regan, the main character of the book series CHAMELEON MOON by RoAnna Sylver. If you like this, you may enjoy a book series all about him and his friends as they survive a dystopian city that's permanenently on fire! It's very exciting and also queer. Thank you so much for playing, and... [[ENJOY!|Begin]]

<<if $mood is "flowers">><<set $regan to $regan + 10>>You did actually have the thought on your way over to get the boy some flowers. Maybe from the same place, you reflect, handing them to him and enjoying the surprised and happy noise he makes, almost a squeak. "Oh wow," he says with a little gasp. "You didn't have to do that! You didn't have to do anything, but... thank you. They're really pretty." He takes a deep sniff. "Smell nice too. And I don't think I'm allergic to these! That's the best thing of all.\ <<elseif $mood is "card">><<set $regan to $regan + 10>>"Oh wow," he says with a little gasp, opening the envelope to reveal a small card from the collection of stationary you've had for years, but never used for anything. You're always waiting for a special occasion, and haven't really found one until now. "''To my favorite barista. You can call me anything you want. Signed, <<print $name>>.'' And what appears to be your phone number." He giggles. "You didn't have to do this! You didn't have to do anything. But this is beautiful. Thank you."\ <<elseif $mood is "no gift">>"I didn't bring anything for you, sorry," you say, a little chagrined. "Don't be sorry!" Regan says quickly, giving you a smile. "You came, and didn't leave me standing here wondering what I did wrong. That's totally enough. I'm just glad we're doing this."\ <<endif>> You start walking together, and the gentle movement and fresh evening air seems to do him some good. Or maybe it's the company. "Feeling better?" you ask after a little while. "Yeah," he says with a smile that looks a lot more solid than before. "Thanks. So, I didn't really have anything planned, aside from what I said about real-world coffee. Which I probably don't need any more of, honestly. Did you have any ideas?" * [[Let's go look at some swans!|2.3][$mood = "swans"]] * [[Let's get some ice cream!|2.3][$mood = "ice cream"]] * [[Horror movie. Slasher film. Aw yeah.|2.3][$mood = "horror"]] * [[Laser Tag!!|2.3][$mood = "laser"]] - - - ''Regan Heart-O-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

<<set $regan to $regan - 20>>"You like peanuts?" you ask, handing him the can with a wicked and secretive smile. "Sure!" he says brightly, though he looks a little apprehensive as he accepts the present. "They're yummy, even if I might be allergic to them. Not like, life-threateningly, but I'm pretty sure they're not supposed to make your mouth itch like that. But thank you! I'm sure just one or two wouldn't hurt." You smirk. "Enjoy." <<linkreplace "Regan opens the can." t8n>>Regan opens the can. Then he screams, throwing his arms protectively up in front of his face as springy toy snakes explode up toward him, flying toward the sky, one of them smacking into the center of his forehead with an audible 'bap!' Then he topples backwards, falling right over onto the sidewalk and curling up into a ball, which just makes him roll around like an overturned potato bug. People across the street turn to look at you, and the crying lizard boy on the ground. [[You're not sure what you expected.|Then Perish]]<</linkreplace>> - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

Regan doesn't seem inclined to give you a kiss, or so much as a handshake. He seems nothing so much as disappointed, in himself more than you. "So, I'm gonna go," Regan says, awkwardly edging away and turning to leave. He doesn't stop moving, speaking over his shoulder as if he can't leave this rooftop fast enough. "I'll, uh... see you around. Maybe. Good night." With that, he's gone. This didn't go as well as you'd hoped, and you have the feeling he feels the same unfortunate way. But tomorrow's a fresh start. And, unlike the rest of your life, you have the feeling that with Regan at least, you'll never run out of chances to try again and have a better day. [[Game Over!|The End]] - - - ''Regan Heart-o-Meter:'' <<print $regan>>

You gently reach up and pet his soft wiggly frill. It's as velvety as it looks, delicate, and he gasps quietly when you rub it between your fingers. It must be very sensitive. <<if $regan gte 70>>He also must really enjoy having it touched by someone he trusts, because he lets out a happy little noise between a sigh and a squeaky giggle--which turns into a protest when you stop. Laughing, [[you keep petting his frill, and feeling lucky.|2.8]]<<endif>>\ <<if $regan lt 70 and $regan gte 50>>Regan doesn't seem to dislike it, but this doesn't look like his favorite thing either. [[He doesn't look particularly sad when you stop.|2.8]]<<endif>>\ <<if $regan lt 50>> He also must not be a very big fan of this kind of petting, because he shifts uncomfortably and makes a little throat-clearing noise. [[He's obviously relieved when it's over.|2.8]]<<endif>>

Before you can talk yourself out of it, you lean over and press your lips against his. They're surprisingly soft, not scaly, and very warm. \ <<if $orientation is "aro">>There's nothing romantic about this kiss; he knows it, you know it, and this kiss doesn't need romance to be wonderful. It feels good on its own, as does the knowledge that you've found someone who understands and respects you, and won't expect anything you can't give. You have to figure Regan understands how important that is, and how rare.<<endif>> <<if $regan gte 70>>Regan sighs and leans into the kiss. As you pull him gently closer, you can feel every bit of tension--and there is a lot, a very great deal of tension--in his thin, sharp shoulders melt away. You almost think his knees might be wobbling, because he holds onto you instead of the railing. [[The kiss is a light and gentle one, but it tastes like coffee with a hint of chocolate.|2.8]]\ <<elseif $regan lt 70 and $regan gte 50>>Regan doesn't resist, but he doesn't really seem to enjoy it either. He mostly just holds still until you're done, then gives kind of an anxious nod, like [['yes, that sure is a thing that just happened.'|2.8]]\ <<elseif $regan lt 50>>"Oh," he says, breaking off and backing away, looking surprised and bewildered. "I'm sorry, I didn't--how about we just... kind of... I'm sorry," he finishes just above a mumble, looking at the ground. [[Still, it seems like the only person he's disappointed with right now is himself.|2.8]]<<endif>>\

<<if $regan gte 70>>Regan practically falls into your arms. As you pull him gently closer, you can feel every bit of tension--and there is a lot, a very great deal of tension--in his thin, sharp shoulders melt away. He rests the side of his head against yours, and his frill is soft and warm against your cheek. You don't know what you expected hugging Regan to feel like, but this is better. [[All of this is.|2.8]]\ <<elseif $regan lt 70 and $regan gte 50>>Regan doesn't resist, but he doesn't really seem to enjoy it either. He mostly just holds still until you're done, then gives kind of an anxious nod, like [['yes, that sure is a thing that just happened.'|2.8]]\ <<elseif $regan lt 50>>"Oh," he says, breaking off and backing away, looking surprised and bewildered. "I'm sorry, I didn't--how about we just... kind of... I'm sorry," he finishes just above a mumble, looking at the ground. [[Still, it seems like the only person he's disappointed with right now is himself.|2.8]]<<endif>>

You reach out and take Regan's hand. You expect it to be rough or at least bumpy with scales, but it's smooth, more like touching a snake's skin than a toad's. And warm. You don't expect someone so reptilian to be so warm to the touch, but he is. <<if $regan gte 70>>Regan looks up immediately and smiles, looking surprised and delighted.\ <<if $orientation is "romo">>He also looks like he's about to say something, but nothing comes out but incoherent giggles and half-words. He's blushing too hard to even form a sentence. [[So he stops trying, and just gives your hand a squeeze.|2.8]]<<endif>>\ <<if $orientation is not "romo">>He looks like he's about to say something, but thinks better of it. Sometimes you don't need words. [[Instead, he just gives your hand a squeeze.|2.8]]<<endif>>\ <<elseif $regan lt 70 and $regan gte 50>>Regan doesn't pull his hand away, but he doesn't really seem to enjoy it either. He mostly just holds still until you're done, then gives kind of an anxious nod, like [['yes, that sure is a thing that just happened.'|2.8]]\ <<elseif $regan lt 50>>"Oh," he says, breaking off and backing away, looking surprised and bewildered. "I'm sorry, I didn't--how about we just... kind of... I'm sorry," he finishes just above a mumble, looking at the ground. [[Still, it seems like the only person he's disappointed with right now is himself.|2.8]]<<endif>>

Night continues to fall, and and you don't feel a need to say a word.\ <<if $regan gte 70>>Regan doesn't seem to either. This is a good, comfortable silence, and he seems wonderfully relaxed. You get the feeling he doesn't get a whole lot of this kind of calm in his life. [[Maybe you can help change that.|2.8]]\ <<elseif $regan lt 70 and $regan gte 50>>Regan doesn't break the silence, but he seems slightly distracted. Maybe there's something he needs to do at home, and he's too polite to say so. [[But he's not running off at the first opportunity either.|2.8]]\ <<elseif $regan lt 50>>Regan can't seem to sit still, though. He keeps shifting uncomfortably, as if he'd rather be somewhere else, and won't look at you. [[There doesn't seem to be much to say or do by this point.|2.8]]<<endif>>