"Did you guys hear that?"

"Someone talking like they are narrating?"

"Yes, I heard that too. I couldn't tell where it's coming from."

Welcome to Beacon Hills! There are so many wonderful students for you to get to know. Here comes one now!

"Hello. You must be the new students. I'm Lydia."

As she offers her hand, you immediately sense her natural confidence. This woman is beautiful and popular, and knows it.

Felix shakes her hand. "Felix."

"What an interesting welcome committee."

"Where is you friend hiding?"

"My friend?"

You attempt to ask the lovely lady about the Narrator, but she has no idea what you mean. None of your potential dates will! I exist to help you through the game, not them!

"The individual that has decided to prank us by narrating our actions in, apparently, the context of a game."

"...right. Good luck with that. I'll see you boys around."

She turns on her heels and walks away, disappearing into the crowd.

Your relationship with Lydia has decreased!

Your relationship with Lydia has decreased!

Your relationship with Lydia has decreased!

"..."

"Well, first thing first. I think that if she is that judgemental I'm not sure I care that much about a relationship. Second, is this supernatural?"

"Well, I suppose the narrator who can obviously observe us and hear us would be able to tell this information."

Unsaid: do not talk about the supernatural unless you know this individual knows.

You examine the social ecosystem of your new school. There are many different cliques and groups, as well as several loners. As new students, you have the freedom to observe any class or activity until you feel comfortable enough to join in. Where would you like to start?

"How about we start with: Who are you? Why are you doing this? How can we make you stop? And possibly where is the nearest authority we can report you if you don't?"

Felix is trying to locate the source of the voice.

This town has always depended on me. I only want interesting people to come here. You can make their lives better.

You realize that the sound, though only in your minds, can only be one presence: the Nemeton. Through your studies, you know Beacon Hills attracts strange phenomena because of the consecrated grove that once stood, and it has recently grown in power. This is the work of the Nemeton. You must find love, so that it will release its hold on the town.

...

...

"What the actual fuck?!"

You struggle to understand the very simple words you have heard.

"Hey. Are you guys talking to someone?"

Trevor does not miss a beat. "Yes...? We are just talking to each other. Without being concerned that impolite people won't eavesdrop and all."

"Oh. Sorry. I'll just go."

He shuffles away.

"We are not making a lot of friends. ...Wait, we didn't get a relationship decrease."

Nolan was not offended by your callous rejection of him.

Lydia wished to distance herself from people who talk to themselves.

"Why did you have to ask- no matter. What did you do to this town?!"

"We should pretend we are whispering to each other while addressing the Nemeton." Fenris suggests and then he follows his advice by whispering. "What does your hold do?"

I only provide the structure for your pursuit. You must find love on your own.

"What structure? Why are you doing this? What do you mean with love?"

I will show you the way around town so you can meet more people! When you find someone you like, you can move on.

The bell rings, and each of you must go to class! You all have the same schedule, which makes things simpler for the other students. They can all get to know you.

First, you have chemistry.

...

"What if we don't cooperate?"

You must increase your relationship with one person until it is high enough for dating, or you lose the game!

"What does losing mean?"

The game ends without anyone finding love. You would never want that outcome, because it would be lonely for everyone.

"You, Mr. Bright! Mr. Fenris Bright, pay attention to the class and not your brother's undoubtably fascinating mumbling."

You look up at your chemistry teacher, realizing that you've disrupted class.

"My apologies professor."

They knew this place was weird, but this is surprising.

The teacher doesn't seem to have noticed anything unusual. He does seem to be trembling as he writes on the board.

There are other students in this class that you could get to know, if you like.

Felix notices the trembling and makes a mental note.

"I didn't even sign up for this class," he mutters to himself.

He looks around for the other students.

Lydia Martin, queen bee and probable valedictorian, is listening to the lecture attentively.

The quiet kid in the back, Isaac Lahey, is staring at the window sleepily.

Allison Argent is taking notes as Mr. Harris berates another student. She winces sympathetically.

"Stiles" Stilinski is bored out of his mind, and currently pretending to be awake.

Erica Reyes draws little attention when she can manage it, but her style and swagger as of late are turning heads.

Scott McCall is focusing on the subject at hand.

They don't like this, but they can play along until a better idea comes up.

Well, he was not supposed to be in this class he might as well as take the lead.

He turns to the quiet kid. "Hello?" He whispers. "Trouble sleeping at night?"

"Trouble caring about school."

"Ah, nothing is grabbing your attention?"

"Chemicals do things to other chemicals, making more chemicals. It's not really that exciting unless something blows up."

Nod. Damn, this is awkward. "What does grab your attention?"

"Not this conversation."

"Sure, sorry for taking up your time." He turns his attention back to the teacher.

Class is not very interesting at all without people to talk to!

One of the other triplets could try talking to someone!

The teacher breaks his chalk in anger. How sad.

"Alright, I think that's enough chemistry for one day. Everyone just talk amongst yourselves. I'm going to take some valium."

He sits down at his desk and stares at the ceiling.

Fenris looks at his choices and then blinks at Allison Argent. He quietly decides that no, he is not going to approach anyone of that family if he can help it. Lydia already has a decreased relationship with them...

...He goes with bored boy. "Is this typical for Chemistry classes in this school?" He whispers. "Also, my name is Fenris Bright."

"Hello, Fenris Bright. Like the wolf?"

"Yes, from Nordic mythology."

Fenris looks at him for a moment. "No, and I have yet to eat the sun. Also, I'm not typically the person that gets tied up."

He doesn't seem to have a snappy rejoinder.

Your relationship with Stiles has increased!

"Mr. Harris can be a dick, but he's usually not this spaced out. I'm not sure what it is."

"I've had my share of bad teachers, but openly saying that they are taking valium is a new one," he comments, "...his hands were trembling earlier."

"He's probably not on Valium."

Mr. Harris observes the class as you and Stiles begin to talk. Their conversation moves smoothly as Stiles becomes interested in this new student. What's his story, he wonders.

Fenris can't decide if this commentary is helpful or annoying. He decides it's both.

"So, have you always lived in Beacon Hills? I just moved in with my twins." Fenris waves at his brothers.

"Always. My dad's the Sheriff, so I get special access to all the cool stuff."

As you immediately recognize, Stiles does not have any access to "all the cool stuff" legally. What his dad hears, he overhears.

Fenris thinks loudly. Hey, Nemeton, are you capable of reading minds?

"I see, any cool stuff happened lately?"

"There's always a good crime scene here. We have some murders every year."

This is not news to Fenris. Any place with this amount of supernatural creatures is bound to be a statistical oddity with regards to murders and missing people.

The love game thing is entirely new though.

"And you keep tabs on all of them? Sounds... interesting." And potentially useful.

"Yeah, I'm a walking, talking calendar of crime over here."

There is one triplet who hasn't spoken to anyone yet. Do you have anyone in particular you'd like to approach?

Well, see, Dear Voice-in-our-Heads, everyone in this school is just too hot. And while he and his brothers are the hottest of them all. Trevor still feels paralyzed with the tyranny of choice. Finally, he decides to go with Scott. In part to experiment with this... whatever the fuck is this thing.

"Hello, I'm Trevor Bright and me and my brothers are new in town."

"...hey. I'm Scott."

Gosh, he is cute. "So, Scott, what should a trio of brothers new in town know about the place?"

"We're not the most exciting tourist spot. We have an ice skating rink?"

"Cool. Sounds like a fun skill to pick up. Do you go there a lot?"

"Not for a while. I mostly play lacrosse."

"Oh, I read about that in brochures. Is the school's main sport or something."

"It's pretty popular, yeah. I know it's not football or basketball, but it's pretty fun."

"Are you a sports person?"

"Yeah. I haven't always been good at them, but I've always liked playing."

"Better than the other way around. How good are you at lacrosse?"

"I'm pretty good. I'm probably not the best player, but I'm the captain."

"Oh, but that does show a significant level of competence and skill. Leadership and all that."

"Thanks. I like to think people can come to me when they need something."

Your Charm has increased to 10!

"You do have an air of approachability. See how I did in fact approach you."

"I see that, yeah. Are you thinking about joining something?"

Your relationship with Scott has increased!

"Well, I heard some nice things about lacrosse. Like the team's captain is really friendly."

Felix, you find yourself distracted from your failure.

"Hey cutie. Why don't you tell me about yourself."

You don't need to be rude Narrator!

"Who? Me? I'm just your typical triplet from Florida who was the captain of my school track team and I'm not afraid to admit liking cheap romance novels. Felix Bright, at your service. How about you?"

This was something he considered introducing himself as today, before this entire thing happened. He might as well try it.

"I'm Erica Reyes. Former epileptic girl, current resident bitch. How dirty are these romance novels, Felix?"

Felix chuckles. "I assure you that I take really good care of my books."

Then he blinks.

They researched before coming here and he remembers the name Erica Reyes... from the articles announcing her body being found. For someone in the known it was pretty obvious why. Would they have missed if it was a case of misidentification and the actual Erica had returned home. "So, you are formerly epileptic?"

"Yeah, I'm all better now. Want to get a closer look?"

Your relationship with Erica has increased!

"Who? Me? All I can say is that I'm a romantic at heart. I do like getting close to people and get to know them."

They should've sent Trevor! Also, god, he is sounding like the NPC in this game.

You are free to talk to whichever of your fellow students you wish to talk to!

"Do you now."

"Of course. Nothing like having people can rely on. Like a pack... of friends, I mean."

"Yeah? What would you know about that?"

"About the importance of people that you can trust? I know a lot."

Damn it. He got distracted from romancing, didn't he?

"How close exactly are you three?"

"Fairly close, but I wasn't talking about that. Though, we do like sharing friends."

Gah, what is he saying?"

"That's fun, too."

Your relationship with Erica has increased!

Felix giggles because that actually worked. "Of course, sharing is caring an all that."

"So is this the strategy? You're the charmer, what are the other two doing?"

And back to a previous conversation.

Chuckle. "Do you solve all these crimes in your free time? Am I talking with a cute teenage detective?"

"I am not cute. I'm like, way more menacing than that? I'm threatening, I'm very professional."

"So, threateningly cute? Using your deceitfully good looks to solve murders."

"Definitely. I'm like Batman, only I don't need to hide my face, I know how to use it."

"Gosh, I would love seeing that face being put to good use." He says that staring at Stiles' lips a bit.

Your relationship with Stiles has gone up!

"What about you, what do you like to do?"

"Ah, with me is more about who I'm doing things with, conveniently I come with two best friends installed," he waves at his twins, "I like activities with more physical results? In my previous school I was part of the engineering club and the search and rescue club - the latter also doubled as a hiking club - also the GSA. We," another wave at his twins, "also volunteered at hospital sometimes."

Because taking away pain is damn good power for those situations.

Your relationship with Scott has increased to 2!

"I wish I'd been more involved. I'm starting to now, but I feel like I wasted so much time. My mom's a nurse at the local hospital, I should have been volunteering there as soon as they'd take me. What was search and rescue like?"

"Fun but - fortunately - uneventful. We did get prepared and trained a lot and I do like hiking."

"It seems useful, even if you don't end up doing that when you get older. Surviving in the wilderness hasn't been a big part of my life, but it comes up."

"Oh, absolutely. Just knowing that you can do the thing is rather reassuring. How about you?"

"I play lacrosse. And run track. Um. I volunteer at the hospital sometimes, but I'm mostly busy with work and school. I work at the local animal clinic."

"You do sound like the caretaker type. It's charming."

Your relationship with Scott has increased!

"So, have you thought about joining any clubs here?"

Giggle. "Aw, be careful where you aim that smile at!" Gosh, the worst (the best? [the most ambivalent]) thing here is that Scott is really that cute. "Joining the Lacrosse team is sounding better and better by the minute."

"We can talk to coach together, if you want. I'm the captain, so he'll probably listen if I tell you're good. Are you?"

"Yup! We have the best athletic genes! I don't think Fenris will want to join, but he might come with us to try out if you think that might help and it sounds fun."

"He shouldn't if he doesn't want to. We don't have unlimited slots, so if he ends up being better than you, the one who doesn't want to play has to."

"Good point. But then we would finally have an excuse to pull a twin switching plot."

"I'll distract the coach."

Giggle. "When can we talk to the coatch?"

"After class should work?"

It is in fact, about to be after class. Lucky you!

Wait, already?

"Of course!"

Already! Class is over.

"It was nice talking to you."

"Likewise!"

"Looks like we're headed the same way. Hey, Scott."

"Hey. Um, sorry, I might need help with your names at first..."

"That is entirely normal. Fenris, Felix and Trevor." Felix says pointing. "By order of birth. It's okay if you confuse us with each other."

"Guys, this is Scott, he is Captain of the lacrosse team and works in the local animal clinic."

"This is Stiles... the local Batman."

"Scott, this is Fenris. He's pretty great, can we keep him?"

"As long as he cleans up after himself. I was just taking Trevor and his brothers to see about joining the team. Unless he wasn't supposed to volunteer for you guys?"

"It sounds fun and like a good opportunity to do an activity together and, you know, win a game."

Fenris gets the message. Win a game indeed. They still should figure that out but.

"Actually, lacrosse sounds like a great idea."

"Yeah, it sounds fun."

"Cool."

Trevor, your relationship with Scott has increased!

You follow the nice young man as he leads you through the halls.

"You, triplets. Can one of you stay back for a minute?"

You continue following him and ignore any other people.

"I will stay, professor. Guys, I will go ahead."

You stay, missing out on your chance at romance.

"Oh, shut up already."

He aggressively erases the chalk from the board.

"So you're hearing the voice that calls itself a Narrator?"

"Yes, me and my brothers have been hearing us all day. Do you have any idea of what is going on?"

"Well, until yesterday I was...well, I'm not sure. I was living in Beacon Hills, teaching chemistry..."

You realize this is a waste of time, as he's clearly confused about everything.

"And we just moved here. Do you have any idea why are you hearing the narrator's voice? ...Narrator, why he can hear you? Also, I don't think you gave a satisfactory explanation."

"I was talking to someone by the tree, it all comes back to the tree. I think she tried to kill me!"

He can hear me because he is not a romantic prospect for you.

"...Is that a specific special tree? Do you have any recollection to what happened next? Narrator, what is the criterion for a romantic prospect?"

"Tree stump, not a tree. It's the magic one, the Nemeton or whatever. She threatened to kill me if I didn't help, and then I guess she did kill me. Great. I always knew I would die here."

A romantic option is someone of an appropriate age for you who can reciprocate your affections!

Felix is torn by a bunch of conflicting feelings. Since he already trained away the desire to hug teachers he won't act on that. "You did? Nemeton, he died? Did you bring him back to life or am I dead or what?"

This is a dating simulation. Some of these people are dead, or have found romance. That doesn't matter for you!

"The fuck it doesn't matter, what happens if the simulation ends? What does it mean for it to be a simulation? Is this a dream or are we inside some bizarre tree-computer contraption?"

A dream. Please relax.

"If I don't exist, and I'm aware that I don't exist...but I suppose I might not have any thoughts, if you're the only real person here..."

"I mean, you couldn't exactly prove to me that you have thoughts, but the internal experience should still exist to you? And this is a weird magical dream... Narrator, am I the only one dreaming? What happens to everyone if or when I awake up?"

'Dream' is a simplification, but all three of you are dreaming together.

"What happens to everyone else when we wake up?"

Nothing. They remain as they are in reality, untouched by this simulation.

"So why did you guys move here? Drugs?"

"I am not saying we have a tragic backstory, but why do you think we would reveal it so soon?"

"It wasn't drugs, but I'm curious if you are proposing that we would move here for the drugs or to get away from the drugs?"

"Away. We're a terrible place to come for the nightlife."

"I learned that teenager make do, as long they have each other to keep company." He winks at Scott.

"There's some fun things to do. Here we are. Coach! Coach? I have some people who might want to join the team."

They walk into the boys' locker rooms.

From an office near the back comes a man who must be the coach.

"McCall! You know I don't like wasting my time. Are they good?"

"Uh, yes sir. Do you want to see them now?"

"We would love to show our athletic capabilities."

He leads them outside to the lacrosse field.

The nets are conveniently set up, and he already has two sticks.

"One twin at a time. McCall in goal. Go."

Scott takes his post.

Fenris and Trevor get their sticks!

Fenris goes first! He scores!

Stiles claps politely.

Fenris winks at him.

Trevor's turn he also scores.

"Well, boys, that was really something. You're hired. On the team. Lacrosse. Good job out there. I'll see you tomorrow."

He heads back inside.

"I'm sure you implied there is no much in the way of a drug problem here. But the two teachers I've met so far sure don't corroborate the statement."

"Mr. Harris isn't on drugs, that would be way too much stimulation for him. He'd explode."

"Coach could be on drugs, nobody's really sure."

"I suppose I still have a class to teach. Unless it's just you boys, which it might be. I wouldn't simulate the entire high school experience if a few selected moments were sufficient."

"I still don't get why simulate this. And I still have some concerns with the degree of the simulation. Or where the Nemeton is getting all this."

You do not need to worry about the simulated people. They may not act perfectly like the real individuals. Their behavior comes from my experience of them.

"It's more practical not to care, unless you plan to rescue us."

"I can't decide not to care. Is there a way to rescue simulated individuals? How long until the simulation ends?"

Simulated individuals do not exist. They can't be rescued. The simulation ends when you win.

"...Alright. How do I win? What is the best and quickest way to win?"

Find love for you and all your brothers.

"If you do want to rescue me, that would be better than staying dead. I'm probably not the only one here who was."

"I was sort of parsing resurrection and rescuing simulated individuals as two different things. Granted, I probably shouldn't trust the game-loving tree-stump might not be on the same page as I do. Nemeton, is there a way to resurrect the ones that are dead? Possibly with the addition of their simulated experiences? Is there a way to win that does not involve finding love?"

Resurrection is possible, but I cannot directly assist. Simulated people are not conscious, and they lack memories; their behavior is entirely for your benefit. There are no other ways to win.

"Do you know how to resurrect people? And what simulated people are? Can they feel? Do they have internal experiences? emotions? Are you going to reuse them again and again if we just let you be?"

The simulation is for you to find love, so that you may help my people. Your questions are insulting, and I have no reason to entertain them anymore.

You rejoin your brothers.

"Hey, other triplet. Felix, right?"

Felix blinks, but recovers. "Yes, Felix, did I miss anything?"

"We got on the team."

"We could really use some good players. Have you ever played lacrosse before?"

"I haven't, but I was the captain of my school track team."

"I hope you're not trying to steal my spot."

"I would never! The only thing I'm here to steal is hearts!"

Felix, your relationship with Scott has increased!

"Do you guys want to practice?"

"Of course! Sounds fun!"

"Hey, Stiles, do you want to do a physical activity?"

"I was going to ask the same to Scott. Huh, should we pair up Felix with someone?"

"I can do it."

"As long as no one expects me to get the ball anywhere it's supposed to go, I'm in."

"I am in. Do we divide teams unevenly and in the obvious way?"

"I'll take Trevor."

"I'm flattered."

"Gosh, Stiles do you think you can handle the two of us? I would love to find out."

"I've been called reckless, arrogant, and completely unable to recognize my limits. So yeah, I think I can handle both of you."

"Hey, sharing is caring!"

Felix then mutters silently so only the narrator hears. "Is that likely to work?"

You must each choose one person.

Still whispering. "Can you evaluate for potential compatibility?

The triplet whose relationship with Stiles will improve the fastest is Fenris.

"How about me and Trevor?"

Felix's relationship with Stiles will improve faster than Trevor's!

"Hey, boys, eyes up here."

"Oh, I know where you eyes are. Don't worry."

Your relationship with Stiles has increased!

"We should probably clear out."

"Of course, this was fun."

"I'm glad you had fun. What about you two?"

"It was lovely."

"Same."

"I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Can't wait!"

You return home after a day of hard work and good fun!

Soon enough, you're ready for another day at school!

That felt... fast.

"Uh, so... Narrator, could you gives us some more tips?"

To find love, you should increase your Charm, Strength, and Intelligence!

"Okay... how?"

"Is doing those going to have permanent effects once we wake up?"

They will teach you how to interact with my creatures safely!

You can increase Charm at lunch, Stength on the field, and Intelligence in the library!

"Okay, but... if the point is making people fall in love isn't Charm the only really useful here?"

Charm will only impress some people!

"Who? And I assume that the other attributes also impress specific people?"

Charm will impress Kira Yukimura, Gwen Michaels, Allison Argent, Malia Tate, Scott McCall, Josh Diaz, Mason Hewitt, Vernon Boyd, Stiles Stilinski, and Jackson Whittemore.

"Huh, are Scott and Stiles also impressed by Strength and Intelligence?"

Scott is impressed by Intelligence, Stiles by Strength!

"Do other traits matter? Like actual real-life compatibility? I was thinking that maybe Scott and Felix were a better pair."

Other traits do matter! I know less about those.

"Fair enough. What is the level of charm, strength and intelligence here? I assume they come in levels?"

"What would be the reaction if we merged together? Our combined form is stronger, but it's the three of us."

You three have zero in all stats. They do not relate to real values at all!

"What we are capable of merging or turning into our wolf forms?"

He tries to turn his hand into a claw.

It works!

Phew. "Hey, do we score any points for being cool supernatural beings?"

No! Some may like it if you tell them! Some may not!

"Scott and Stiles?"

"I'm pretty sure Erica is a werewolf. Are there others?"

There are many werewolves! Scott, Jackson, Isaac, Erica, Vernon, Liam, Hayden, Tracy, Theo, Derek, and Cora.

"Scott is a werewolf. Huh, I would normally say that this is a high supernatural population but it's not like this makes any sense."

"Among those are there any likely to react negatively to our own lycanthropy?"

Erica, Boyd, and Malia may react badly!

"...Is there a consequence if we tell everyone and are public about it?"

No! This is a simulation!

"Simulated consequences. Like, simulated hunters and cops."

"Or mobs with torches and pitchforks. But fair enough... are there hunters around? I'm pretty sure I heard the name Argent. Also other supernaturals?"

Allison, Nolan, and Gabe are hunters!

Jackson and Tracy are kanimas!

Josh and Corey are chimeras of unknown origin!

Lydia is a banshee!

Sean is a wendigo!

"What the fuck is a chimera?"

"If the hunters kill us...?"

The hunters will be unable to kill you unless their Strength score is high enough!

"That was not my question. I want to know if we will die or just wake up or what?"

I am not sure. I have only run one other simulation before.

"Huh, how did that end?"

She found love!

"Yay."

"Speaking of the simulation ending. Uh, I wanted to ask more about the simulated people."

Ask what you want! I am here to help!

"How accurate are the simulated people when compared to their real life counterparts? In relation to memories and the... moving parts?"

The simulated people are slightly more accurate than my observations of them, but not much.

"But are they privy to private information? Internal thoughts from the flesh versions? Are they going to have the same reactions?"

They have no private information, but they will act based on my model of how their flesh versions have acted, as seen from everywhere in the town.

"Okay... I also wanted to ask more about resurrection."

Ask away!

"What are the steps and requirements that you know of? What are the limitations?"

I do not know how the resurrections were successfully performed. I only know of my involvement.

The bodies were placed on me by a hellhound, under the guidance of the scientist-creatures, whose invented substance was injected into the bodies. 

"Well, no one said that violating the laws of nature would be easy."

"Scientist-creatures?"

The Dread Doctors-

-he sees them, three men in masks, walking through the hallway.

They don't quite walk. They move instantly from spot to spot, like there are frames missing in reality as he watches them-

That is what the scientist-creatures called themselves.

"Cool, this went from dark comedy to horror pretty fast."

"...What the hell are those things?"

Scientist-creatures. This is merely a simulation.

"Okay, just to be sure, they are not romantic prospects, right? Disguised or otherwise?"

The Dread Doctors have not been simulated beyond what I showed you. That would be dangerous for the other simulated people!

"I'm glad."

"Are people here capable of getting permanently hurt?"

No. This is a simulation.