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Erebus_60k-Multi_Turn-ShareGPT

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Nitral's Archive 13

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Spoils of War" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani felt his fingertips drown in the blood that flowed its way down the sword pierced through the boy's throat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He clutched the sword at its hilt and drew it back as the child clawed at his forearm in a desperate attempt to deal one final blow to his killer, an attempt that even he knew would be in vain. Dalmani stepped back as the corpse fell to the ground, above all the others." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He breathed heavily, exhausted after the week of fighting in the forest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He hadn’t seen the sun in days, as the thick canopy combined with the endless rain kept him from seemingly impossible natural light.\n\nHe let the rain wash the blood off his armor and face, trying to enjoy the quick moment of calm the sound of falling water brought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It didn’t take long for the sounds of screams and metal clashing to bring Dalmani back to the ground, where he now rushed through the foliage and overgrown wood towards the sounds of conflict.\n\nAfter only a short run, he leapt through a bush, bursting into a skirmish where his people were clearly losing.\n\nFor only being his fifth battle, Dalmani thought he was doing very well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that didn’t matter if his entire company ended up as food for the roots of the forest.\n\nHe rushed in to help his men as more were slain. It was now four versus seven." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani spent no time formulating a plan and instead rushed to the farthest guy, drawing the group's attention away from his men and instead on to him. Their shock allowed the storm of a man to make it to his destination, where he drove his sword through the shoulder of his opponent." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He screamed in pain giving Dalmani the opportunity to withdraw his sword and bring it to his neck, slitting it in a cut so clean the chefs would have hired him on the spot.\n\nOne down. Six to go." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The three other men on the same side of Dalmani were frozen just like the enemy, but they broke the ice that kept them still and immediately moved to attack the soldiers closest to them in a way similar to how Dalmani rushed the now corpse.\n\nDalmani kept up the attack from behind as he entrusted the front to his comrades only a few feet away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani moved to the nearest soldier, but the enemy expected this and had a well-placed block prepared for his thrust.\n\nDalmani’s sword bounced off the face of the blade and sent the edge of his weapon heading off to the left." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But he let this weight carry his shoulder into the chest of his opponent, causing him to stagger, but not before he got a good cut over Dalmani’s ribs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They both stepped backward, Dalmani clutching his side where blood now seeped through the cloth connecting his armor together, and his opponent huffing trying to regain his normal breathing pattern." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What felt like minutes of recovery, was truly nothing but a second before both soldiers stepped towards each other for another attack." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani kept his sword at the ready to counter, anticipating his enemy to attack first as a way to end him quickly.\n\nHe swung in an arc aiming for Dalmani’s neck, coming from the side he was injured on to hopefully take advantage of the slower reaction time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Dalmani wasn’t fazed by something as light as a cut to the ribs.\n\nThe man ducked down, having the sword swing over his head, the movement rippling his hair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And with both hands clutching the hilt of the sword, Dalmani used his legs to spring his body upwards, causing the tip of the sword to enter through the chin and out the skull of his enemy. Another one down. Dalmani spun to face the soldiers he entrusted the rest of the battle to." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And they did good, there was only one enemy left, but no allies were to be found either, their souls now having left their eyes. Instead, they lay on the ground, unmoving, now lost to this battle as well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The remaining enemy turned to face Dalmani, and he could see that his comrades did not leave him without a parting gift, as one of their blades was lodged deep within his chest." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The man staggered towards Dalmani, attempting one last attack.\n\nWhen he raised his sword, Dalmani simply stepped to the side as the man brought it down to where he once stood. He collapsed as soon as the weight of the sword hit the dirt.\n\nNow, Dalmani was once again alone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He felt the rain assault his back, and he could feel the blood from the fight and the blood from his wound mixing as it seeped down his side. He took a step back and placed his body against a tree and slid down it, dropping his sword from exhaustion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As his head leaned back, his mind drifted off as the sound of the rain became something soothing to his staggered brain, and in this state, he fell asleep.\n\nEven storms couldn’t carry on forever.\n\nDalmani woke up with a start, realizing he had passed out and now once again aware of the dangers that could befall one who closes his eyes on the battlefield." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He quickly stood up, causing the cut at his side to ache in pain from the sudden motion.\n\nHe gritted his teeth as the pain shot through the side of his body, but he kept moving. Dalmani reached down and picked up the sword, now soiled with blood and dirt from the ground." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he let the sword wash off by placing it on a tree branch where the rain could reach, Dalmani went to the bodies of his fellow soldiers and removed the sigils embroidered on their clothes. Their families deserved some evidence that they had not died in vain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani had seen what would happen to parents and spouses if there was no evidence except for the words of the ones who were fortunate enough to make it back.\n\nThat was always the worst part. Making it back to see the disappointment that you survived, but they didn’t." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani had been blamed because some people thought he didn’t do his job, when in reality, he had, but he failed just as they had. With the sigils collected, Dalmani picked up his sword and put it between his bicep and forearm, and wiped it dry before putting it in his sheath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He knew where he must go next. There was a hill that the opposing general sat on, and Dalmani needed to make sure that he never left that hill. However, he could tell that the sky was orange now, despite the setting sun being covered by the rain clouds." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before the light was lost, he knew he had to make it to that hill. So Dalmani began to walk as best as he could, ignoring the burning sensation of the cut at his side. At least it had stopped bleeding. The hill wasn’t too far, about three-quarters of a mile from where he stood." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani trudged through the mud and grass, over roots, and under fallen trees. The walk was quiet, not even the sounds of wildlife choosing to join in on the rain pattering of the forest floor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was more eerie than peaceful, and Dalmani wondered if anyone was even still alive after the week's battle. Eventually, after about an hour of walking, Dalamni reached the hill. The sun's orange glow now broke through the rain clouds and was painted upon the side of the hill." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Dalmani struggled his way up the incline, he could see the raindrops on the grass. It reached up to his knees, and he felt the water from the sky seep into his gloves as he brushed his hand along the grass.\n\nDalmani reached the top and saw a destroyed campsite." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bodies hid in the grass, tents had been set ablaze but were clearly put out by the rain, and there was not a single soul left on this hill. Except one." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The opposing general sat on a portable stool soldiers often used in war during the night when bonfires were starting, so that way they didn't have to sit on wet ground. And here, the general sat on one unmoving." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani couldn’t tell if he’d been noticed, but then he saw that the general had arrows piercing his shoulder and back. Dalmani approached and sat across from the man. In the center of them was a firepit that must have been left over from the previous night." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he looked around, Dalmani could see the bodies of both his army and the enemies, all now lying together as if their loyalties and allegiances didn’t matter.\n\nThe general looked up slowly and made eye contact with Dalmani." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He sighed and said, “So, I’m not the last one.” Dalmani leaned forward on his elbows and said “Did you think you were before I arrived?” “Of course I did. Look around kid, you hear anything? See anyone? No." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s just me and you now.” “So,” Dalmani put his hand on the hilt of his sword, but did not draw it, “Am I going to have to kill you?” “Bah!” The general responded, scoffing at the seemingly funny statement Dalmani had just made." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Son, I took an arrow to the knee, then the chest, then the back, then the shoulder. They killed me long before you did. You talk with a ghost now. Nothing but a specter waiting for his Goddess to come and collect his soul.” Dalmani removed his hand from his sword and leaned back on his elbows again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was silent for a couple minutes, the general's labored breathing and Dalmani’s exhausted sighs being the only sounds that filled the air.\n\nEventually, a question entered Dalmani’s mind. “Who won?” He asked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The general once again looked at Dalmani, seemingly inspecting him as if to try and find the correct answer because he himself also wished to know." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But then he looked back to the ground and said with an almost annoyed tone, “Look around, and tell me who you think won.” Dalmani took a quick glance around and said, “Me. Our side." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m the last one alive,” he eyed the man sitting across from him, “In about five minutes, at least.” “The last one remaining and you consider that a victory?” “Well, what else would it be?” Dalmani asked, genuinely curious. “It is slaughter , boy, of all sides." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There’s no denying it.” The general said, squinting his eyes as he looked at the young man sitting across from him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Victory and defeat are merely labels assigned so that way they had something to help carry the guilt.” “So you’re one of those people who thinks we should just talk our way out of everything, huh? Why are you even a general then?” The old man sighed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I don’t think that, the people who do think that are just a different type of fool. Sometimes fighting is necessary, there’s no denying that either, but that doesn’t mean I can’t detest it with my every being." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hate getting wet, but I must walk through the rain if I ever hope to get anywhere.” Dalmani blinked at him, then said, “And being the general of an army? Why did you choose that?” “Because,” he started, “I could lessen the slaughter that was necessary." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I just had the right mind, the right people, I could make it so war was a little less… war.” “And how’d that work out for you?” “Spectacularly. Until now, at least.” The dying man looked to the now darkened sky." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Tell me,” He said, “Do you know why you fight?” Dalmani looked towards the ground, trying to explore all of his memories to find the reason for everything this war had been. He was born into a time of war. It’s been going on for twenty-five years, so Dalmani wasn’t around when it started." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And as he grew up, the idea of being a soldier was seared into his brain.\n\nAnd now that he thought about it, he couldn’t remember the reason after all." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did he even want to be a soldier? “I can see you’re struggling with your answer,” The general said, waking Dalmani from his stupor, “The reason is land. Every life you end is another inch added to the territory of your kingdom. And the more land you have, the stronger you are." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you can manage it all, at least.” “And you wish for us to fight for something ‘greater’? Sorry, but what am I supposed to do about that?” Dalmani asked. “Nothing,” the man said, “I just thought you should at least know why you fight.” “I fight , because my king told me to." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For my people need me to because they cannot fight for themselves.” “Not a bad answer, albeit a little basic-” “What do you want from me, old man? Why do you keep asking these questions, saying these… things?” Dalmani asked, now fed up with the supposed games this man was trying to play.\n\n“I just want you to think, that’s all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Think about why things happen, why you do what you do. Maybe then, your answer might become a little more personal.” The man let out a breath, then fell over on the ground, hitting the grass with a thud.\n\nDalmani rushed over to his body and knelt beside him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He began to speak, but the general shushed him and instead said, “Quiet boy, let an old man rest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just this once.” His eyes were closed, and they then never opened again.\n\nOnce the man stopped breathing, Dalmani was left there alone with nothing but the words they exchanged to keep him company in his mind.\n\nEventually, the young soldier picked himself up and found a fire starter in the remnants of the base camp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He made a makeshift tent out of leftover wood and unburned pieces of cloth and fashioned a place for him to sleep tonight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He made sure there was still an opening in the roof however, as Dalmani started a fire inside the tent so that smoke may escape and signal to someone, anyone, that he was still here.\n\nBut for now, Dalmani found himself alone once again, and that was permanent this time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He laid down on the bed that someone once called theirs and began to drift off. He thought about it all. Victory and defeat, his reason for fighting, but thinking made Dalmani tired.\n\nSo he lay there, the sole winner of this battle, if you could even call him that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He certainly did not feel like a winner, as he was left with only an aching body, a blood-stained uniform, and the dying words of an old man. And as sleep overtook him, Dalmani just wished for something to stop the pain at his side.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ground Zero" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ground Zero and Square one sometimes seem to blend together. Once when I was in my 50s, I asked my mother a rather simple question. “Mom, if you had it to do over again, would you have had me?” My heart, if not in my throat, was throbbing quietly to a fear that scrambled for escape." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mother, a rather taciturn blend of Scottish, Irish, English genes was somewhat unpredictable. She could morph from a sweet loving woman who would allow you to nestle beneath her ample bosom into a straight laced Victorian prude who removed you firmly from that spot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The scene is now set for my question, the underlying fear squelched momentarily. I watch my mother’s body language intently. Especially her eyes. I catch a slight glimmer of annoyance quickly replaced by a blank sheet of neutrality.\n\nHer body turns slightly as she gazes pensively out the window." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My fear begins to escalate, the beat of my heart rises by several decibels. I watched her even more carefully. As she continues to gaze out the window she places her thumb beneath her chin and her forefinger against her cheek. By this time several minutes have passed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To me these moments seem like an eternity. I wait silently. She eventually turns, faces me square on, looks carefully at my eyes and replies, “Perhaps not.” I am devastated. My fear and my anxiety melt and blend into a mixed bag of emotions. It begins somewhere in my toes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I look down and see they are knotted and clenched as I resist the urge to kick her in the face.\n\nThat emotion quickly disappears, submerged by a tidal wave of guilt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How could I possibly think this about my mother? This is the woman who conceived me, carried me for nine months and brought me into this world.\n\nThis is an amazing woman who struggled to rise above grief that most could not imagine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Blah, blah, blah! True, she had watched me for over 50 years and sometimes I believed she knew me better than I knew myself. I was very arrogant in the blindness of my observations, unwilling to give her credit for what I believed was completely within my own control." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tested me often and I, again from arrogance, chose to stab myself in the heart.\n\nThe knife I used to do the job, dripped with my perception of her cruelty and injustice. I wallowed in self pity, gathering more resentments, as I sank into that deep abyss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thankfully the abyss was not bottomless even though it seemed like a huge void that threatened to consume and trap me for an eternity. However as I practiced slowing down I began to sense the rough edges that held hope." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had slid into this void many times in my life.\n\nSometimes the fall felt like being trapped in a torture chamber. And yet each time I would find a bottom that gave me time to rest and regroup." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Over the years this process began to assume a familiar pattern.\n\nThis pattern in the regularity of its rhythm allowed me to gain some sense of equilibrium.\n\nIn that relative space of calmness, small crevices and ample handholds appeared before my eyes. My mother died the year I turned 61." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We had been blessed to have come to a truce several years before. Oh, the truce was somewhat arbitrary. And yet it held a binding quality that assisted both of us in moving through what had once been a troubled war zone. Our guards came down - cautiously." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The true love that did exist between us seemed to rise up and soften the jarring spots that had damaged each of us over the years. One of the best experiences I ever had with my mother was being with her when she drew her last breath on this planet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was 81 when she was diagnosed with cancer, virtually untreatable. She suffered greatly and yet appeared to be up to the fight to gain time. My father and siblings seemed to buy her charade and encouraged her to seek treatment. Me?\n\nNot for an instant. We sat alone in her hospital room one day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She knew that I, of all those who loved her and surrounded her in these final hours, would tell her the truth. Others held out their expectations that she could survive a series of treatments that would lay her low for a long time. They encouraged her to reach out and cling to that slim thread." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I believe they honestly wanted that to be a reality. Somehow blinders seemed to cloud the fact that treatment was mostly a short lived illusion. And so that afternoon we sat alone. She was silent on the bed. I believed her to be asleep. I sat quietly in a chair beside her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had a book to read, which I closed each time she drew a breath and attempted to speak words to me. I was reading when I heard the sigh that signaled her wanting my attention." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I put the book down, turned to her with gentle eyes and softly said,\n\n“Yes mom?” She sighed again, sought strength from a source beyond her own and then turned to face me full on. My heart started to beat louder. I wanted to leave the room but knew I must stay." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She held my gaze, took a deep breath and said to me, “Do you think I would survive chemotherapy and radiation?” I was caught. I wanted to run, but knew that cowardly response went against the grains of my Leo nature." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She’d watched that nature since my birth and knew she could rely upon me to tell her the truth as I saw it. I took her hand as it lay beside her on the bed. I closed my eyes, pondered a response and took several deep breaths." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I held her hand and opened my eyes, I whispered, “ I believe that if YOU believe, anything is possible.” A peaceful look came across her face. That peace washed over me and so I took her hand and arm into mine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gazed deeply into her eyes and firmly stated, “I will take as much of the cancer away as possible and give you as much of my life energy as I can.” She smiled gently as she’d watched me give away that energy freely over the years. I held her hand gently, closed my eyes and began to pray." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It began at my fingertips. They started to tingle. The tingle began to throb. I took deeper and deeper breaths as I began to feel the impact of her sickness creeping into my fingers. I clasped her hand more firmly as the cancer began to unwind its tendrils from its stranglehold on her body." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like any keen predator, it sensed fresh meat and slowly began to seek the path that would take it to a new kill. By this time my fingers were numb, my hand ached unbearably and as the cancer moved from my mother to me, we caught each other's eye." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked at me carefully.\n\nShe saw the deep love I felt for her and the willingness I possessed to give her much of my life energy. She smiled with a serenity that I will never forget and at the same time slowly withdrew my hands from her body. I was startled, sad and yet very grateful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The pain had reached my elbow and the intensity as it prepared to further invade my body, gave me fear that I would pass out. We sat, still quiet. No words were necessary. We each saw clearly the path ahead and we each lovingly accepted what that journey was to bring. She died several weeks later." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was 3:30 in the morning.\n\nShe and I were alone in a room of a newer building that stood upon the spot of the old hospital where I’d been born 61 years previously. I gazed out at fir trees that were probably over 100 years old." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I heard her last breath and felt the connection of knowing she’d ushered me in those many years before. An incredible sense of peace descended as I thanked her for allowing me to see her out. In many ways this experience placed me at a square I shall call ‘the beginning’." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It offered me an opportunity to begin anew, yet again. It allowed me to look more closely at the path I was on and it gave me the spur I needed to make necessary adjustments. Ground Zero took a number of years longer. I diligently worked at cleaning away rubble, weeds and major pieces of debris." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the month before I turned 75 that the final detonation occurred. I had major surgery to repair many years of arthritic damage. I spent 2 weeks hospitalized and returned home to begin a recovery that would take almost a year to complete. I had but little choice other than to slow down." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to be defiant and stubborn, but knew that act would simply increase the likelihood of further damage. I looked around at my life and realized that the detonation had not destroyed the core of my being. I knew with little doubt that I could survive and forge onwards." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew that life was indeed good. As I write, I adjust the sling that supports my repaired arm and shoulder. As I shake out the fabric as best as possible with one hand, a huge smile begins to spread from my silent lips down to the tip of my relaxed toes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With total serenity I wave the sling above my shoulder and admit defeat. The peace that descends and permeates my body speaks only of the pleasure of surrender. I understand completely that defeat is but an illusion and that I’ve been blessed with a gift. I sense my mother around me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know she is smiling❤️." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Failing Race" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The boat feels small today. It’s amazing just how quickly my perspective changes. Growing up, I spent time on ski boats and party pontoons, and my family even owned a little cabin cruiser for a couple of years. At that time, a twenty-four-foot boat seemed luxurious." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All last semester, I felt lucky and privileged to go out on the water on a 24-foot sloop like this one every day. My twenty-four feet of freedom had felt spacious. We’ve been sailing a 62-foot sloop for weeks, though." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hannah, Ben, James, and I are bumping into each other as we ready the J-24 for the big race, rigging the lines and prepping the sails. But after a few minutes of stumbling, we recover our ability to work with less leg room, and muscle memory takes over." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we are all set to slip the mooring lines, I realize I’ve gotten so comfortable with mundane tasks that I’ve forgotten I’m not manning my usual position on the bow today. James politely kicks me off the foredeck so I can take my place at the tiller." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’s a breezy afternoon, so we’re in for a sporty day. Our coach scouted out the course, and the race committee set the buoys in close today, with the leeward mark tight up next to the seawall." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our normally twenty-minute transit to the racecourse will be cut significantly as we angle our way out of the basin under just the jib." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With a practiced ease, we launch the mainsail in seconds as I round us through the wind to point us in the direction of the starting line, the breeze coming straight down the bay from the northwest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Behind and ahead, the rest of the fleet, a gaggle of small racing yachts in the local clubs, is maneuvering as well, at least a dozen boats in all." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The first collision of the afternoon occurs in the exit to the yacht club basin as one boat tries to tack away from the eastern seawall while another boat rounds up early, trying to take advantage of the lull in the basin to get all sails up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Starboard!” I hear the skipper call out fruitlessly just seconds before his boat is smacked on the port quarter. The glancing blow causes no damage but forces the second boat to make a complete circle in place, cutting off the exit route and narrowly missing a third boat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We are already making almost seven knots as we reach the corner of the seawall. I crack off to a broad reach, aiming at the leeward mark, a mere stone’s throw from the rocks on the seawall. I feel the boat surge as we head further downwind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We’re one of the first boats at the start line, and I begin tacking the little boat through figure eights in the stiff breeze, feeling out the best reach angles and trying to determine the best place to be at the gun. White caps lick the deck edge, sending spray into our eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "James calls out time from the bow pulpit, one hand signaling me the number of boat lengths he estimates that we are from the start line. With about three minutes to go, the whole fleet is assembled, jockeying for position in a chaotic jumble." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My heart quickens as I tack the boat through another figure eight, narrowly missing another J-24 making its own maneuver. We angle for the far-left end of the line, and I pick a line-up that will put me “on top” of the fleet, with a clear line in the wind. I’m a little late." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The gun sounds while we are still a boat length from the line, and we are going to be the fourth boat to cross. The first boat over the line was early, though, and the penalty gun sounds, causing that poor boat to circle back around." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I focus ahead, concentrating on minimal rudder motion, maximizing our speed into the line. James crouches under the boom as Hannah and Ben haul in the sheets. I’m aiming for the windward corner of the start line, which will hopefully allow us to only have to make one more tack in the upwind leg." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the windward starting buoy passes along the port bow, I smoothly and swiftly rotate the tiller, watching the red ball as it passes just inches from our hull." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I round up, Hannah gives a mighty yank on the jib sheet, and Ben hauls in on the main, shifting the traveler up above center as I locate a close-hauled course. James hikes out hard on the windward rail. Another boat rounds the mark behind us, and up ahead I see a J-24 tacking." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The boat ahead settles into a course well below the mark. They are significantly off from my perpendicular, leaving me puzzled, though not for long. James calls out a puff ahead, and we are nearly knocked on our side as I round up into the wind to spill some of the air." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The strong gust marks a significant wind shift, and I find myself settling almost thirty degrees higher than before. Excited, I call to James on the bow to be ready for a quick set, as we’ll be on a super short leg into the mark from here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The already short racecourse just got significantly smaller due to the wind shift. I watch as the windward mark buoy slides abaft my beam, about fifteen boat lengths off in the direction of the basin. I wait an extra beat or two, then call to my crew to prepare to tack." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My voice is nearly drowned in the heavy winds, and I wonder just how much breeze we’re facing today. I roll the tiller over, and we smoothly rotate through the wind, losing almost no momentum in the turn. Hannah cracks just a touch off the sheet, and Ben adjusts the main as we make for the mark." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Our boat handling has moved us up to second place! James is frantically working the halyard off the bow pulpit onto the waiting spinnaker, giving the sheet and guy a last-second review, and setting the spinnaker pole on the mast in prep for launch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another puff catches us all a little off guard, and James loses his footing. Cursing loudly, he snags the foredeck hatch cover, narrowly avoiding a slide under the lifelines, but not before plunging both legs into the chop on the port side." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With supreme effort, he yanks himself to his feet to take station at the mast for the final few seconds. “Stand by!” I call. With two lengths to go, I shift my body lower to peek under the boom at the buoy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My weight adds additional heel, and I fight to maintain my own balance as I nudge the tiller over slightly, aiming to miss the buoy by scant inches before falling off. “Launch!” I call next. Easing the tiller, we come smoothly down to run with the wind, and Ben drops the mainsail out to the beam." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hannah is fighting the spinnaker sheet with one hand and the guy with the other, while James hauls away on the halyard for all he’s worth. In seconds, the spinnaker is aloft, and James is moving to the jib to drop it to the deck." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This wind shift leads us on a dangerous course, and I suddenly realize that we’re headed straight for the seawall. I need to gibe, and quick. James is still up forward fighting the jib when I call out to prepare to gibe, and he grunts angrily as he makes ready to trip the spinnaker pole." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two feet in front of me, Hannah is fighting to control the raging spinnaker in her grip, and realization dawns that we are in a real jam. “Gibe ho!” I shout, trying to ease through the wind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As my tiller moves, however, the wind briefly clocks back eastward, and before Ben has hauled the main sheet in, the boom careens across the cockpit, the autogibe throwing the boat over on the opposite side and sending James tumbling toward the now-leeward rail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the stumble, he’s unable to trip the spinnaker pole, so the guy wire is pinned to the wrong side of the boat. As the wind shifts back out to the northeast, I struggle to keep the tiller under control, the gusts continuing to force us down towards the rocks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As James regains his feet, he tries to reach the spinnaker pole, but he’s completely soaked, and the damn thing is jammed aft, the full spinnaker acting like an enormous jib. Another gust knocks us hard over, and I realize we are near broaching." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If not for the seawall, we could simply fall off to fix our sails, but I’m way too close to the rocks to risk that. Thinking as quickly as I can, I call out to Ben and James to dump the halyards, hoping to recover by spilling all the sails at once." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ben immediately pops the mainsail halyard, and James is reaching for the mast when another gust knocks Hannah off her feet, her right hand losing its grip on the sheet, which has still been pinned in place by the pole. Returning to her feet, she loses her hold of the guy as well." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seemingly in slow motion, I watch in horror as the spinnaker rises like a massive pennant to a near-horizontal in the stiff wind. Finally free of unnatural tension, the spinnaker pole is flapping wildly to starboard, clanging against the rigging as the knotted end of the sheet slams into its jaw." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To port, the guy is now an angry snake coiling into and out of the water, whipping at Hannah’s outstretched hand as she scrambles forward to try and recover it. The boat is no longer under control. I let the tiller go as we continue to drift towards the rocks off the starboard bow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pulling James aside, I grasp the knife from my pocket, hoping to attack the spinnaker sheet near the clew knot so that we can drop the halyard and take the way off the boat, but I can’t reach it. The blade already open, I turn instead to the mast, where I saw through the spinnaker halyard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hannah has returned to the cockpit by the time I hear the loud snap of the line, and the spinnaker falls away from the boat swiftly, still anchored by the sheet, but free at the other two corners. The heel on our boat immediately eases, and we begin to bob like a cork under no sails." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "James and I begin the process of hauling in the spinnaker, both of us drenched in sweat and brackish water as Hannah begins pumping the tiller to try and round us into the wind. Ben tentatively hauls up the jib, working his way to the cockpit to wrap the sheet a couple of turns around the winch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finally making a little headway, James and I get the spinnaker inside the lifelines just as Coach arrives alongside in her little power boat, a clearly visible trail of her wake testifying to the high speed required for her attempt to render assistance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Everyone okay?” she calls, her voice shaking with the same electricity I feel surging through my veins. I look around, stumbling my way back across the debris towards the cockpit. “I think so.” Hannah and I trade places at the tiller, and she gives me a quick squeeze on the shoulder." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that her shaking, or is it me? “Scared the hell out of me.” The coach replies. “Can you make it back to the basin okay? I’m checking in with the race committee. No way we’re gonna finish racing in this weather.” I nod my understanding. “Okay, then.” She eyes me a few seconds before continuing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“You had to cut the halyard, didn’t you?” I nod again, and she shakes her head sadly. “Damn shame.” I drop my eyes. “But you’d have been on the rocks otherwise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That last puff must have been at least fifty knots.” For the first time, I expand my gaze, and I notice that the entire fleet is in disarray." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Several other spinnakers are either in the water or a sopping jumble on foredecks, and most of the other boats are making their way under reduced sail for the relative safety of the docks. We may have lost the race today, but there will clearly be no winners, and at least nobody got hurt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thanking God for our near miss, I chalk it up as a vivid reminder of the dangers of this sport, and just how close we can be to disaster.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kat and Dog" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "KAT AND DOG\n\nThis, their first tandem Iron Man 21km race, was their debut run for the new athletics club. The two girls had joined the club at the same time. They were the ‘new girls’ together. They wore the green and gold with pride. No pressure then thought Kat! The athletics club was a wonderful social experience, full of camaraderie and good humor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everyone was so supportive of the two girl's efforts in this race. They had made a whole community of new friends. Michelle, her partner, had had a leg injury a week ago. She had overtrained and strained her hamstring." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The physiotherapist had tweaked and stretched her hamstring, sometimes she thought it might snap just like an elastic band. So, it had been a tense week trying to get in the training and yet not overdo it as then the whole attempt could hang in the balance. Michelle had put on a brave face but Kat knew the effort it took her to be courageous.\n\nAnd both girls had bucketloads of courage." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both had to overcome huge obstacles in their lives. Michelle had recently lost her father, to whom she had been particularly close, so it had been a trying time for both of them. He would have been here today, she thought sadly. He was so proud of her athletic efforts and always so supportive." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She decided that she would dedicate this race to him, and honor his memory. He had been such a positive influence in her life. Coping so admirably when he had been left widowed with two young daughters. With this in mind, Kat didn’t want to let her down. So much was riding on this race." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The motivation for both of them was very real. When the sun kissed the horizon, the swimmers took their marks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All ten of them. Salt-cracked air whispered lightly in the breeze. The sounds of the gulls overhead amplified in Kat’s ears. Undertones of the shrill oyster catcher’s cries hung in the still\n\nair. The sea sucked sand and retreated, back to where it had birthed the last wave.\n\n Cold molecules hung in the new morning air from the night before." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People clutched coffees and stamped their feet. Beanies and scarves were still worn, not yet discarded in the light of day. There was an anticipatory hum in the air, as if something big was about to happen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The crowds were feeling very brave, as if getting out of bed so early on a chilly morning was all their own idea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kat had done both full and half Iron Man, but that was before.\n\nBefore life changed.\n\nShells, and sand crunched under their feet as they made their way down to the water for the starter’s gun. The whistle blew and they were off. Cold raked their bodies as they plunged through the waves." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everything seemed murky as their eyes adjusted to the misty surf. Kat rearranged her swimming goggles, they had slipped sideways in the rough surf." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neoprene wetsuits offered little protection against the cold sea. The orange marker buoys for the swimmers appeared and disappeared as they stroked their way through the water. The accompanying rubber ducks and crews bounced around on the horizon, like clown fish in multicolored outfits." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crowds clapped, waved, and cheered as the swimmers emerged. Tick! First base under the belt.\n\nNext, the tandem cycle. Quick change from wetsuit to cycle kit. Muscles scream in agony as if saying: ‘You fooled me once last week into thinking I’d only use these, not those!’ Kat held onto Michelle for balance as she grappled for her bike. Mounted and ready for the synchronized down stroke, the two cyclists began at the leader’s: ‘ready’ signal. Heads down, 150km to go." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Get into the zone, measured paces. Don’t blow it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rhythmic peddling, up, down, up, down. Trust your instinct. Easy up hills, push your speed on the downhills.\n\nColorful crowds went flashing by in a blur along the cycle route. Sounds of applause, whistling, cheering them on. The exercise warmed their frozen bodies. The now warmer air flowed around them, and smells assailed their nostrils. Barbeques, hot sauces, suntan oil, chips, all magnified by the heat.\n\nThey sensed the crowds rather than actually saw them. A loudhailer played a catchy tune from the back of a station wagon, adding to the festive atmosphere. Kat heard her name called now and again. Family and friends had come to cheer them on. She recognized her mother’s voice amongst the din: “Come on, Kat, you’ve got this one!” Her best supporter ever.\n\nSkidding to the finish line they parked their tandem, unclipping their cleats. Sweat poured off the girls. It was a good kind of perspiration, earned by effort and months of practice. Kat sensed Michelle grinning with satisfaction. They didn’t need to speak at that moment. Normally they were so synchronized that they finished each other’s sentences. One thought and the other followed, almost silently. Without explanations needed.\n\nRunning shoes on, helmets off. Kat adjusted her low-resolution sunglasses. A word of encouragement from Michelle. Tuned in, she listened to every word. The 21km run was a home run for the fit, young pair. Rather flat, thought Kat. But the other teams were hot on their heels. They were lying first out of five teams. But only just! They would have to pick up the pace. Put a turn of speed into their run.\n\nAt one point Kat felt her foot glide over a cat's eye marker on the road." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She caught herself just in time, avoiding a nasty fall. Kat thought she heard Michelle wince once or twice. Hoping that the hamstring was holding up she asked: “All okay?”\n\n\"Yes, I'm fine,\" she replied." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just got some sand in my shoe.\" Kat listened carefully to her partner’s every word, every nuance and whisper. They ran like two well-oiled machines. Breathing in together, out together. Now, an uneven patch, now a bit of gravel. Uphill, downhill. A bend in the road. A dog barked nearby and Kat jumped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A car horn blasted too close for comfort and both girls gave it a wide berth. The heat was starting to take its toll. They drank greedily from their water bottles and squeezy bags which hung limply around their waists on special belts. Kat's triathlon suit was beginning to chaff at the shoulders." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adjusting the slipping straps she ploughed onwards. Finally, the home straight. Murmurings from the crowd.\n\nA ripple of delayed excitement." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then they break into a roar as the two runners approach the end tape.\n\nStrapped around their ankles, their timing chips register their time crossing the line. They are the first team home. None of the other teams are in sight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The red carpet and the TV screens come into view. Their images enlarged, are reflected back at them.\n\nThe roar of the crowds is deafening. Both girls are euphoric as they hug each other. Salty tears of joy glide down their tired cheeks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Triumphant music blasts out of the loudspeakers and the Master of Ceremonies announces their win. Gold medals are reverently placed around their necks. The cameras flash and whirl around the girls.\n\nKat only seeks out one very special friend. Her dog, Yella. He is waiting, tail walloping the ground, overjoyed to have her back safe. He is a blur of blonde fur as he rushes towards his blind mistress. They dance the joy of knowing that they have beaten the odds and inspired a whole generation of visually impaired athletes to take up the baton in the future. All the sacrifices, early morning training runs, travel, and juggling had been worthwhile in the end. There is a price to pay and they had paid it and reaped the rich rewards of satisfaction in knowing that the sky is the limit if your will and motivation are there. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A Day on the Grandstand" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "REEDSY PROMPT ~ “Set your story in the stands at a major sporting event…...!” TITLE: ~ A Day on the Grandstand \n\nBy: ~ Jane Anne Hyslop Kennedy Ireland \n\nInitially confused, I turned slightly, hearing a brass band in the background while finding myself at the ground level of a 100m long outdoor grandstand (or bleachers, depending on what you call them where you live)." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This grandstand runs parallel to a hundred meter water course about five meters away. There is also a metal fence between the bleacher and the water course.  I look around at my surroundings which seem vaguely familiar but from a very different time period in the past." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I focus on trying to blend in as much as possible while finding my seat; smiling, listening, & nodding “Hello” to those I pass by. This event looks, sounds, even smells like a really big deal. I’m still not exactly sure yet; how I have ended up here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Last I remember, I was feeling exhausted from the day’s stressful events and disappointed in myself that AGAIN, I was not making it to another summer Olympics while I was rolling into my comfortable bed in my air-conditioned, peaceful sanctuary of a bedroom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I listen and chat to those around me, I continue to assess my attire and surroundings. The buzz is intoxicating and contagious. My excitement heightens as I start putting tidbits together. I realize that this is the 1912 Stockholm, Sweden Olympics - 274 competitors – 264 men and only 10 women." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were 79 events in 16 sports. This is the first-time that women’s events would be part of the Olympic swimming program. There are 18 swimmers including 6 women competing from Great Britain. This is only the third time for Great Britain to compete in swimming." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’m thrilled to discover that I have a really great view from my seat located above the fifty-meter line. I am sure grateful for this quilted cushion on this hard seat. It is pretty comfy. I believe with these full bleachers, we will all be here awhile, taking in the day’s events." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There is a pale blue and green pattern on my light cotton dress.  My long curly strawberry blond hair, in an updo, is tucked neatly into my large, brimmed hat and my parasol completes my look." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All this, along with the sea-breezes, is a positive effort toward staying comfortable in the day’s sun and heat while enjoying the view of the Olympic events as well as the view of the Baltic Sea too." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the spectators continue to chat with each other, our focus shifts to the last-minute preparations around the swimming events in front of us before it all begins. A lady sitting a few rows back from myself shared that she is a first cousin of Great Britain's Flag Bearer – Charles Smith." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I so badly wanted to share who I was but couldn’t! I wanted to be completely honest about my own connection to one of the few British female swimmers because…well… I was still confused about how the heck I got here through time! The swimmer to whom I am connected, that I had also never met but really wished I had was my Grandma, Jenny Fletcher." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At this point in her life, she was not yet married (to Grandpa, Henry Hill Hyslop), had not yet had any children (7 to come) - never mind all the grandchildren. She passed away five years before I was even born." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt it was important and wanted to keep as much truth to my story in who I was related to I would always be proud to be connected no matter how well I knew her. Until it was necessary to share, I was not going to offer any extra information here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This opportunity…however it was happening…will always be a blessing. While here, I will solely be relying on the stories that had been told by my Grandma then retold by her children then finally told to me the youngest cousin by 20 years." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know well all the information that I had looked up and learned of the era. Now a little nervous, I find myself consistently listening and watching those around me for the current social cues, of this era." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It will help me to enjoy this treasure of an experience as I attempt to be relaxed and fit in with the crowd. The officials and lifeguards are in place. There are only four competing teams." }, { "from": "human", "value": "These sixteen lady swimmers of this “Team Race” (later to be called a “Relay Race”), are about to be ushered in with their long cloaks on. These lady swimmers will then get ready in their positions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As this preparation happens quickly, I observe the various reactions of the crowd to the bathing suits for these ladies. I imagine many are thinking the tighter, full body and knee length suits are scandalous and sinful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I find it interesting how time, only a mere 112 years have slipped by since these direct reactions to a very modest bathing suit have changed but the commonality of society. I suspect how they think in a variety of ways hasn’t changed much towards many issues that arise." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wonder what 1912 society would say or think of bathing suits or many other issues that we, in 2024 have or are dealing with. The ladies are asked if they are ready; 16 head nods are received. A “hush” comes over the area. The starting pistol is raised and we all hear the following shouted …..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“On your mark … get set … “BANG!”” Four strong, lean women lunge forward in a dive meeting the water with a splash each swimming their best and fastest their 100m to the other end being sure to touch and hold the side of the dock before their teammate can dive and swim back from whence the first came." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Four times this will happen! The crowd is intently focused and cheering on the swimmers! Wow! I want to say that they went WILD! However, this era is much more conservative than sports events of our current day in 2024. They are getting louder as each team member finishes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Definite gaps formed between the teams. This is the coolest experience I have ever encountered ~ to be able to watch and cheer on my Grandma and her team! As the race comes to an end it becomes evident where the top three medals were to be given…..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gold ~ Great Britain ~ Belle Moore, Annie Spiers, Irene Steer, Jenny Fletcher Silver ~ Germany ~ Wally Dressel, Louise Otto, Grete Rosenberg, Hermine Stindt Bronze ~ Austria ~ Margarete Adler, Klara Milch, Josephine Sticker, Berta Zahourek With a lot of WHOOPLA as the four teams shake each others’ hands, these participants move to a waiting area as a few more events follow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The stands are quiet and follow through similarly throughout each event until that day’s events are completed. At this moment, each of the top three winning teams or participating individuals move to their pre-determined locations in wait for their events award ceremony to begin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sweden’s King Gustav was in attendance and was part of the official award ceremony. The King hung each medal on each lady then placed the ceremonial laurel wreath upon each head beginning with Gold." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was able to see this clearly from the stands remembering that my Grandma Jenny would later quote that one of the highlights of her swimming career was during that moment when she heard King Gustav softly say, “Well done, England”!  As I shared that moment, with her and the crowd my mind drifted momentarily to knowing that she would also win a bronze medal at that Olympics." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These achievements added to her many swimming achievements including breaking records then holding them for seven consecutive years. The hard work of long twelve-hour days, six days a week then going to train for swimming all while being one of eleven from a poverty stricken home, sure paid off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mind wanders back as the stands become quiet. The focus has changed to everyone getting up and heading out while a local band plays some traditional music for the dissipating crowd." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am accidently but gently bumped by the lady beside who says “Miss…you sure do look like that Fletcher lady with all that curly hair you have!” Before I could answer this jovial lady, I found myself hearing some other music that was gradually getting louder and overlapping the band in an annoying sort of way, like how today, on occasion it happens on the radio…With a deep breath of realization, at that moment discerning that the whole event that seemed so real and was sure I had the pleasure of attending…was all a dream! I could have reached out to touch, hear, smell as well as feel every bit of it!." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No regrets" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "NO REGRETS” The old cabin creaked and groaned Ralph thought to himself I bet it feels exactly like I do. Ralph wasn’t old he just had lived a hard life compared to the average Jo blow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Reaching out his hand he picked up his watch realising he wouldn’t be able to read it in the dark as it’s hands didn’t glow anymore. Dam he thought I’m going senile, slowly rising from the bed to a sitting position Ralph searched for the switch of his bed side lamp flicking it on." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The light was bright and made his sight bleary, glancing at his watch he could just make out that the big hand was on the eight and the little hand on the two." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Twenty to three in the morning what the… he thought, feeling agitated and restless he knew that there would be no more sleep tonight.\n\nHis mind was a whirl of thoughts he had shorn 145 sheep yesterday and he knew there was at least that number to shear again today. What the heck was on his mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He shook his head like a baby shakes a rattle hoping that would unblock his wayward thoughts. Sitting back down on his rickety bed Ralph tried to think. Lately this has become a nightly ritual waking up in the middle of the night for no good reason." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Life is funny like that, tries to make you think all is good but you know it’s not, I think I’ve got a case of the guilts. “Guilts”I don’t think so he thought, he had no regrets nothing that would keep him up at night or so he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He just couldn’t figure out what was annoying his mind so much that it kept him from sleeping. His memory started to wander back to his childhood. There were eight of us all together in the family Da, Ma, Rodney, Richard, Robert, Ralph, Ella and Fran." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even though there were only two bedrooms in the house . The boys sprawled out in the living room and the two girls shared the other room and of cause Ma had her own room which she shared with Da when he came home." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As there were no beds to sleep in we all slept on the floor covered up with 2 blankets each. If it was really cold we would layer up our clothes and wear them to bed. Since we were already dressed we didn’t waste time having to get dressed in the morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was up to us boys to rise early and begin the morning ritual of folding back our bed blankets and stacking them up in the alcove next to the pantry so there was room to move in the house. Then we would take in turn of chopping the wood, collecting the kindling and lighting the burner." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rod being the eldest took his job of being the man of the house very seriously it was his responsibility to put the porridge on and fill the kettle ready for ma to get up and start the day.\n\nLife for the Grant family had always been one struggle after another." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rod being the eldest son took it upon himself to be the one to look after us he was 16 and would be turning 17 in just a few months." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rod had always said being the boss of the house he could provide for the family better than anyone and that he knew the tricks of the trade in which he could teach the rest of us. The three elder boys often took to the streets to ply their trade whatever that was I wasn’t part of it I was too young." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rod said I had to wait a few more years then their secrets would include me. I never thought much about where the food and clothing came from. I just knew it would turn up. Ma always told the elder boys keep your noses clean every time they went out. I would give a little giggle at that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why did we have to keep our noses clean I never could understand why. By the time I had turned 6 the elder boys did take me under their wings and provided me with the information and the tricks to the trade. The trade was pick pocketing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rod, Rob and Rich taught me what to look for in a unsuspecting victim, how the boys all worked together either standing as a watcher, creating a diversion or pretending to have a punch up allowing the other boys to pick pocket the victims who were trying to break up the fight we would quickly disperse and get away without anyone noticing what they had just lost, their wallet or purse.\n\nRalph learned quickly that you only succeed by being strong and fast on your feet in this game." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the time he was eight he was indeed very strong and swift he could pick a pocket and be out of there faster before the person realised what had happened. That’s how he got the nickname ‘swiftly shifty’. Even his older brothers didn’t have the nous or know how to keep up with him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The boys basically lived on the streets now. Ralph had learned the pick pocketing trade from his older brothers and he was really good at it, it was better than starving. Even ma was grateful but never asked or commented when we brought home the money to her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The younger two girls Ella and Fran always got a new dress or shoes when we had a decent haul. We brothers treated our sisters like princesses we made sure that they were never poked fun off or looked down upon. The Grant family had standards even if we were thieves." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But all good things must come to an end. My brothers and I got nicked which was very unfortunate for us. We were all taken to the goal holding pens where the local law man decided our fate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every day Ma came down to the holding pens and begged the authorities that we would never walk the streets again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No one was listening, my three elder brothers Rod as he was 18 and considered an adult was sentenced to hard labour for a period of 10 years, Rich and Rob were sent to a workhouse in the capital city of Brisbane for wayward boys until they were 21 and I was sent to a place where the nuns looked after you out in the countryside of Queensland." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As part of my punishment i was to have no contact with my family from then onwards, no letters and no visits no communication at all. I was to live at the convent until my 16 birthday that was 7 years away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "During my time at the convent I worked hard I even started a veggie garden for which I was very proud of and results of the garden ladened the dinner table every night and as Ma would say I kept my nose clean." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I was not allowed to have visitors or mail I lost track of my family which was probably a good thing a mouth less to feed for ma. The kids in the convent were treated ok at least we got fed and had a bed to sleep in. The worst thing was having to pray to God every day multiple times for my sins." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I always felt that I was lying when I said “God please forgive my sins” and I’ll try harder to become a better person. Rubbish I am who I am. The years rolled past and I was getting closer to my sixteenth birthday. I was feeling anxious what will I do? where will I go?." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then on my sixteen birthday and before I left the convent old mother Frances, who was mother superior gave me her voice of reason. Ralph she said, after today what you do and where you go will be the mark of your future make it as bright as you want and never ever look back only forward." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She shoved a pound note in my hand and scooted me out the back door. There was no formal farewell or goodbye from anyone it just felt strange I was to take my leave immediate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where was I to go from here and what was I to do, even though I was just sixteen I stood a good 4 inches above any other sixteen year old and I certainly wasn’t puny. I had a stocky build and I often heard the men who worked around the Covent comment that I was built like a brick shithouse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With my small back pack holding my minimal belongings and a couple of apples I had nicked off the table i took my leave and began my journey along the old road. Mother Frances had stated follow the road for about 10 miles and I will reach the township of Jondaryan." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Making my way along the road i was totally in awe of my surroundings the view was incredible sweeping hill sides and low plains, I was glad I had the apples as it was a fair hike and I had to walk. It was almost dusk when I strolled into Jondaryan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I knew I had to find somewhere to sleep as the winds were rising. I needed to take a room at the local pub. I did have a pound in my pocket but I had to be frugal I didn’t know where my next lot of money would be coming from." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had no desire to go back to pick pocketing and to fall backwards into my old habits. I noted a pub on the corner, as I had never been in a pub I felt a little apprehensive what if they threw me out for being too young." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Strolling into the pub no one even took notice of me I casually walked up to the bar and asked for a room for the night, 3 shillings the barmaid said it comes with grub tonight and a light breakfast tomorrow morning. Pulling out my pound note I paid her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She didn’t even ask me my name or business she just stated, take the stairs to the second floor room 10 on your left. Come down for some stew when your ready." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bounding up the stairs two at a time I found my room throwing my backpack on the bed I reached for the water jug and picking up the towel which had been provided and the jug I headed into the corridor to find the bathroom which was just next door very convenient, Standing at the basin the thought of a stew started my stomach to rumble I had only eating the apples today." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I changed my shirt and headed back downstairs I found the dinning area seating myself down when the same bar maid who checked me in approached the table. Do you want a pint with your stew it will be three pence extra." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not wanting to give away my age I requested just a glass of water as I didn’t want to get in trouble if the girl probed me about my age or waste my money this early after leaving the convent. After eating my stew and having a full belly I was ready for my bed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Climbing back up the stairs I opened the door to my room. The bed did look inviting and I was exhausted. Laying on top of the bed in my clothes I feel asleep. I slept like a baby that night. I don’t think I even moved. I arose early next morning gathering my things I headed downstairs for breakfast." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a bowl of porridge and a cup of tea, I headed out to explore the next chapter of my life, trays and brays were the mode of transport in this town so I managed to hitch a ride with an old drover who was heading North to Galea Station." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The old drover could certainly talk but he did make sense he told Ralph that a strapping young man like himself could definitely find work as a shearer’s Rousey. A what! I stated. A rousey he said he does the odd jobs around the shearing shed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s good money the old timer said and you never know you might be good enough to be a shearer one day. After half a days travel on the dray I was bone weary. I asked the driver if he could at least drop me near the Galea Station so I could try my luck getting a job as a Rousey." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The old drover responded that he would drop me off at the turn and it will be about a miles walk to the station. As the turn approached we both said our goodbyes and I headed off down the road." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I walked into the shearing farm turning my head looking around I could see hundreds and hundreds of sheep waiting in pens. I saw a dark skinned boy sitting on the fence I approached him and asked where could I find the boss. He pointed a boney finger over yonder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I made my way to the shearing shed where I found the boss a Mr Mac who looked quite at home in the shed. He was a tall well built man wearing an old pair of pants a blue singlet and a slouch hat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I let him know that I was looking for work he asked my age and whether I have worked before as a Rousey, I lied and said I was seventeen and a half and I had worked on a station as an odd job person. Mac as he told me to call him gave me a job as a Rouse-about there and then." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mac stated that I would get three square meals a day, a bed to sleep in and 8 shillings a week and I had to learn quickly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No one was ever the wiser, about my age, as a Rouse-about my duties lead me to assist the station hands to pen sheep for shearing, pick up the fleece after it has been shorn and throw it onto a large table for 'skirting' the process to remove stained or coloured pieces and skin from the wool. I learned fast gaining skills and learning all the tricks of the shearing trade." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was tough and dirty work but I loved every minute of it. At the end of each shearing season with money in our pockets we moved on to another station to start all over again. I was getting a name for myself of being reliable and a hard worker." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The head shearer John Howe known as Jackie approached me when I had turned officially 18 and wanted to know if I could see myself as a shearer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For sure was my answer I’d do anything to become a shearer my ambition was to be just like Jackie a Gun shearer, he could shear 240 sheep a day using the blade shears. Jackie was legendary in the sheep industry. He personally took me under his wing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He showed me how to shear sheep using blades, most important he said sharpen your shears every night make sure your blades are straight and the blade glints they should be able to glide through that wool like slicing bread." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jackie even taught me how to prop the sheep up as not to use my back muscles too much. He stated that is why a lot of shearer’s get aching backs and quit shearing they don’t prop up their sheep properly.\n\nBeing a shearer was hard work but I loved it, there was no other life for me I’d found my niche." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After leaving one shearing shed and before our next shed we had what we called down time which saw us go into the nearest town and spend up some of our hard earned cash. As the years rolled on I learned to drink hard, love hard and work hard but I never regretted those I left behind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The married life with a family was not me, I’d seen enough of the blokes who sheared and brought their family along with them. Not that i minded the women folk as would earn a wage cooking for all of the men on the job and the kids would help in the shed picking up the wool." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But it was a hard life for a single bloke let alone a bloke with a family. Money was earned the hard way and I even managed to put some money away just in case. By the time I was 28 I was one of the best shearer’s around I was the gun. I had a reputation to uphold." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could easily shear 250 sheep a day even beating Jackie’s best tally. I had a lot of challenges from the younger guys who all thought they were gun shearer’s trying to beat me but I wasn’t called swiftly shifty for nothing that name was my legacy. I even made a few bucks from my challenges." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So regrets I don’t have any. Like mother Frances told me my life has been my own. I had no one who relied on me, I had no family, I was my own number one person." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt better and more relaxed I looked down and glanced at my watch 4:30 am well I may as well get up and start me day, making my way to the kitchen the cook poured me a hot cuppa tea and while I filled my belly full of tucker. I headed over to the shearer’s shed. The sheep were already in the pens." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rousers were laying out the tools for the day and making sure all was good to go. Well I said picking up me shears and studying them with a glint of my eye “what’s me target today boss”.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Xer-Bane Didn't Bless Dwarfs with Long Legs" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was pacing myself, knowing that a cross-country race isn't won by speed but by stamina. It's a good thing, too, since Xer-Bane didn't bless dwarfs with long legs. Suddenly, an elf came from behind and shoulder-checked me. Before regaining my balance, I wobbled and came very close to hitting a tree." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Do that again, and I'll knock that smirk off your face!\" I said between breaths. \"Gotta catch me first, Phlegm-it!\" The windbag yelled. \"Flimlet! You pompous, girly-haired nimrod!\" I remember seeing this guy before the race, but I have no idea how he knows my name." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I believe he's one of the newcomers. The elf continued to harass me. He threw out insults and attempted to shoulder-check me several times. He never went farther than that, but he relished in tormenting me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As far as I know, I've never done anything to this guy, but with how he behaved, you'd think I was his sworn nemesis. He jostled me one too many times. I sped up, churning my legs, not caring if I tired too quickly. Forget about the race. My new goal was to launch that elf into the air." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I inched closer but was unable to catch up. Then I noticed him slowing like he had many times. I knew he'd line up on my side. I glanced over and saw the elf's pearly whites grinning from pointy ear to pointy ear. Anger took control. Just then, I spied a large tree not far away and hatched a plan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I time it right, I can shoulder-check him into that tree. I waited for the exact moment, then made my move. At that very second, the elf moved out of the way. I lost my balance and slammed into that giant tree. A long, starry-black tunnel filled my vision." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I heard laughter echo, slowly, in a deep voice. I felt as if I was going to pass out. However, the tunnel began to dissipate, and the laughter sounded clearer. I shook my head and looked up in time to see Long-Legs laughing and looking back at me. Smack! I never heard a more beautiful sound." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The elf and I were in pain and trying to catch our breath. To think, our illustrious leader, Lady Nimmo, thought this race would help ease tensions. To give us a break from preparing for war. Right now, I'd take a small war over this. I finally regained my breath and slowly stood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You idiot! What are you trying to do? Get us killed!\" I stared down at the elf lying on the ground. He moaned and groaned, rolled half to one side, then half to the other. He slowly got to his feet and turned on me. \"Just what I expected from a dwarf,\" he said breathlessly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What? That I'd fight back?\" \"No.\" He leaned against the tree. He still hadn't fully recovered, but his smirk was back. \"That you would mess up. You can't even shoulder-check correctly.\" That was it! I had enough of this pointy-eared jerk." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I moved before him and was about to punch him in the nose when the elf went white in fear. His gaze was beyond me. I instinctively turned and saw a Grundle Barr a hundred yards away. He was reaching for leaves hanging low. He stood ten feet tall, skinny as an elf, with black and white fur." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His teeth were unnecessarily sharp for eating leaves, apparently his favorite food source. The Grundle Barr must not have noticed us because he lazily picked at the limbs. \"Don't move,\" the elf whispered.\n\n\"I know. I'm not an idiot,\" I whispered back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Could have fooled me.\" I didn't dare turn around, but it took everything inside of me to keep still. I felt much more like throwing the elf at the Grundle Barr and escaping while the elf was being eaten. At that moment, the Grundle Barr paused and looked in our direction." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He turned his head to the side, appearing to think about what he was seeing. Then he howled, landed on all fours, and ran towards us. \"Play dead! Play dead!\" The elf said. I fell and gave my best dead look. I assume the elf did the same because I heard him fall." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We lay there, hearing growls and feeling the thudding of the beast's paws. The animal did not slow. He did not change direction nor lighten his mood. Playing dead wasn't working." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Or is that a Gray Barr?\" The elf casually said, as if we had all the time in the world and there wasn't a ferocious beast about to attack. \"What!\" The Grundle Barr was very close, and the gap was shrinking fast. \"I can never remember." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you run zig-zag with Gray Barrs? And play dead with Grundle Barrs? Or is it the other way around?\" \"Seriously, man! Which is it?\" The Grundle Barr was only twenty yards away. \"Run!\" The elf shot up and took off. I did the same." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We both ran like we were being chased by a really angry Grundle Barr, yelling and screaming in sheer panic. I turned and saw the Grundle Barr visibly grow angrier. \"He's not happy!\" I huffed out. \"We were supposed to play dead! I remember now!\" The elf huffed back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Are you serious!\" I turned again to see the beast gaining. \"What do we do now? I can't outrun him!\" \"Climb! Climb!\" The elf nimbly climbed the nearest tree without slowing. Needless to say, dwarfs are not known for being nimble." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I slowed under the same tree the elf climbed and looked for a low branch. Old teeth-and-claws was only twenty feet from me. I knew I was about to leave this world. I stood my ground and prepared to see the Glorious Mountain of Xer-Bane when an arm swung down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I grabbed hold and ascended into the tree. The elf and I sat on a large limb, trying to catch our breath. The Grundle Barr clawed our tree but was unable to climb. So, he resorted to growling and howling. \"Play! Dead!\" I said. \"Uh, yes. Sorry about that,\" the elf said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't suppose you remember what to do when a Grundle Barr trees you? Or at least, if a Gray Barr trees you?\" \"You know, your attitude is not helping." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Although, I guess I shouldn't expect anything better from a dwarf.\" \"What did I do to you?\" \"I know your kind.\" The growls and howls reduced, but sir claws-a-lot remained at the base of our tree. It appeared he planned on waiting us out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But right now, the only thought going through my mind was the bitter tone in the elf's voice when he said, \"Your kind.\" I've used that tone before. There is only one reason for it. Somehow, a dwarf had hurt this fellow. \"What happened?\" I asked. He hesitated, then looked down at the Grundle Barr." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I guess we have plenty of time.\" He paused before going further. \"I'll give you the short version, although I could tell every detail. I've never forgotten. As a child, a dwarf tried to cut my hand off for stealing his gold. My friend threw a rock at the dwarf's head, throwing off his swing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He only cut to the bone, and I escaped.\" He was holding his right wrist absentmindedly. \"You're all barbarians.\" I didn't know how to respond. Neither one of us spoke for a few minutes. The beast was sitting on its hind legs, watching us." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I've known evil dwarfs, but to attack a child was an evil I've never seen. \"I'm sorry,\" I said. \"I don't need your sorry.\" \"I know. I just wanted you to know.\" I picked a nearby leaf from a small limb. I wanted to defend my race, but I couldn't. There are evil dwarfs. I couldn't argue with that." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Besides, I couldn't talk away his trauma. Only time can heal that wound. After a half hour of picking leaves in silence, I devised an idea. \"I think it's possible to escape this four-footed freak,\" I said. \"I'm all ears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you have in mind?\" \"Grundle Barrs love leaves more than elves and dwarfs, but he won't leave until he knows we aren't a threat to his food plot.\" \"Okay, I'm following.\" \"Let's prove we don't want his food.\" We went over the plan several times before jumping into action." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We gathered hundreds of leaves using our shirts as knapsacks and then moved into position. We climbed to the lowest branch possible, still out of reach of the animal, and started taunting him. \"Your mother was a skunk, and your father smelled of wild berries.\" That did the trick." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We had his attention. He growled and snarled and jumped towards us. I opened my shirt of leaves and dumped them. The leaves flitted around him. He caught some in mid-air with his mouth and then started eating the ones on the ground." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The elf yelled, \"Here's more! You brute! Come and get it!\" The Grundle Barr looked up to see more leaves falling. He raced over to the second cloud of tasty treats and began to munch away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While the greedy devil was distracted, we snuck over to the opposite side of the trunk, quietly lowered ourselves, and ran. The elf was naturally quiet while running. I had to work at it, but we both were out of the Grundle Barr's food plot and felt relatively safe." }, { "from": "human", "value": "While jogging back to town, we said little, but we slowed to a gingerly walk once we saw houses and towers. \"You're not as evil as I thought,\" the elf said. \"As a matter of fact, you're not that bad.\" I knew that took a lot for him to say." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"If I could have clobbered that wretched dwarf, I would have done it with glee.\" \"I believe you.\" The elf cleared his throat, \"Um, thank you for saving us. My head was empty of ideas.\" \"That's not entirely true,\" I said. \"What do you mean?\" \"You had two ideas." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You just didn't know which one to use.\" I smiled but held back a laugh, but the elf broke out with a monumental laugh, so I joined him. \"So, friend, what is your name?\" I asked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"They call me Tim.\" \"Well, Tim, how 'bout you and I go to Ye Old Guard pub and drink to our glorious escape? I'm buying.\" \"Never thought I'd say yes to drinking with a dwarf, but yes, my friend, I'd be honored.\" We drank. We sang. We laughed. We embellished. We bonded.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finding Alwar." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I push it open, the door creaks, revealing cool lighting and that new apartment smell that I've found filling my nose a lot over the past few weeks. My sneakers press against white tiles as I move through my new apartment, freshly bought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stride into the kitchen, setting bags of groceries down on the white marble counter. \"Organization,\" I murmur to myself as I take groceries out of the bags, my eyes flicking over the kitchen. \"My favorite.\" I open the silver steel fridge, finding a spot to slide egg cartons onto the white rack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I've just moved out of my parent's house after they died in a car crash and found this apartment for a decent deal after a lot of apartment searching. I'm a new author, but I was lucky to have my first book ever to be a best-selling novel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I saved up and bought this nice apartment with marble counters and clean white trim. I grab some cereal boxes, pick one of the white cabinets, and open it. I'll admit, there's a whole lot of white. White cabinets, white tiles in the kitchen, off-white walls, and white trim." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Although, after some decorating, I'm sure I can spice the place up a bit. As I slide the cereal boxes into the cabinet my eyes catch on a flash of black among the white wood of the cabinet door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I squint, reaching up and hooking my fingers on what I assume is film wedged in between the cabinet door trim and the wood that the trim is attached to. I pinch it with two fingers, yanking it out from in between the wood. My eyebrows narrow as I look at the film. There's a girl." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She's standing at the beach at nighttime, likely here in Florida. She's lit up by the flash of whatever camera took the photo. Her hands are behind her back, a warm smile on her face, lighting up her slim, purple eyes. I squint, but I dismiss it, thinking it's just contacts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She's wearing a sundress, shimmery green flowing in the wind. Her hair is the color of a lake at night, flowing all the way down to her lower back in loose, blue-green waves. The thing that catches my eye is the horns peeking through her hair at the crown of her head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They are like the horns of a baby goat, short and stubby. Then there's her ears. Her hair is tucked behind pointy, elf-like ears. She is undeniably beautiful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part of me believes that this girl is just dressing up like a girl on Halloween with bright purple contacts, blue-green hair dye, ear attachments, and little horns attached to her head. But then there's the part of me that reads too many fantasy books." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The part of me that wonders if this human isn't human at all. The curious part of me wants to figure out who this girl is. I flip the photo over, scanning the back. In black ink, the words, ' Cordelia in the mortal world,' are sprawled. I blink. Here we are again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Satire or fantasy? I sigh, internally debating myself. My eyes roam over the photo, noticing the lighthouse to the far right side of the photo. The girl I now know as Cordelia is standing near the docks, right where the boats come in." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There's a boat parked at the dock, one that seems different than the rest. It's the same size, same style. Only it seems murkier. . . more shimmery. I squint, unsure if I'm going crazy or not. There's a layer of shimmery purple surrounding the boat. Like magic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That f antasy-book-reading side of the internal debate wins. I set the photo down and start searching the rest of the cabinets, looking for something else that might give me a clue." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I study the cabinets intently, looking at the ridges in between each frame of the inside of the cabinet door and the piece of wood that it's attached to. Eventually, my eye catches a piece of paper." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My lips spread into a satisfied smile as I pinch the paper, carefully tugging it out of its hiding spot. I flip it over, my eyes scanning over the words etched in smudged ink sprawled across the paper. 'The dock at midnight. Friday, like every week.' The words repeat in my mind. It's Friday." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glance out the window, the sky an inky black with few blinking stars due to the light pollution in this part of the city. I reach over to my phone that's lying against the counter next to the empty grocery bags, clicking the bottom on the side of the case. 10:58 Nearly an hour until midnight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With no hesitation, I slip my phone into my pocket. I snatch my keys off the counter, the sound of each one clinking together echoing through the empty apartment as I walk towards the door, open it, and step out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't bother using the elevator, entering the stairwell, and skipping down the stairs, eager to fill out that urge to live in a fantasy book that I've had ever since I could understand the plot of one." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I reach the bottom floor I exit the apartment building, the moonlight shining against my honey-brown hair as I hop into my grey Honda Civic, starting the engine and pulling out of the parking lot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In thirty minutes I arrive at the docks, taking my keys out of the ignition and hopping out of the car. It's chilly out, but the jeans and sweater I have on are enough to conceal my body heat. My eyes scan across the area." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sand shifts beneath my sneakers as I cross the beach, heading towards the spot I remember Cordelia standing in. Empty. My eyes flick over to the docks. The spot where the boat was is empty, but it's not midnight yet. I bring my wrist up, checking my watch." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nearly twenty minutes until the clock hits twelve. The wood creaks under my weight as I walk across the dock, looking for a hiding spot. Just until midnight. If nothing happens, I'll leave." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My eyes flick back and forth, making sure no one is watching as I sneak onto a boat, dismissing the fact that I'm likely not supposed to be on anybody's private boat. I crouch down so only my head is visible as I watch the ocean, waiting. Minutes tick by, and I begin thinking that I'm going insane." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That girl might have just been someone doing a photoshoot, dressed as some sort of creature. The words on the back of the photo must've just been satire. A joke, considering her outfit. And then the note must've just been from someone just trying to meet someone, and it mistakenly didn't get taken." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or someone left it there, not bothering to trash it. As midnight hits, I'm convinced that all the fantasy writing and reading has gotten to my head. Just as I'm about to leave, a boat appears. Out of nowhere. I duck back down, peeking up only just enough to see what's going on." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The boat in the photo has appeared, that shimmery purple glitter falling around it. That's when a boy hops out. Probably a little older than me. He looks similar to the Cordelia girl; slim, shimmery purple eyes and stubby horns peeking through blue-green, wavy hair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It flows around his head like waves, tickling his brows. Pointy ears poke through his hair as well, a copy of Cordelia's. He's tall and fit, wearing a grey, cotton tunic with simple trousers. My eyebrows narrow. There's no way this isn't something out of a fantasy book." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nobody wears stuff like that anymore. I watch as the girl from the photo steps out beside him. Now, side by side, I figure that they must be siblings, considering how similar they look to each other. \"It's midnight,\" the boy says, his voice deep and smooth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Where is he?\" \"I don't know, Flynn.\" Cordelia huffs, seeming annoyed as she strides across the deck, stopping just where the dark wood meets the grainy sand. The boy I now know as Flynn rolls his eyes. My eyes scan the boy's figure, studying him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His skin is tan, with a rough look to it with a few scars across his arms, visible thanks to the moonlight. His hair looks darker, but I know it likely matches the deep blue-green ocean color of Cordelias; blue and green streaks through his hair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His eyes are lit with purple, several shades darker than the shimmery purple still falling around the boat. Just like Cordelia, Flynn is undeniably beautiful. Not human. \"Henry!\" Cordelia's smooth voice echoes through the thin, night air. I watch as she jumps, waving her arm towards the beach." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Soon, a boy approaches her. He has sandy brown hair and a bright smile, tall and freckled-faced with round ears and no horns. He's human. \"Cordelia.\" Henry laughs, wrapping her arms around Cordelia as she throws herself at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I almost smile, but then I remember that I'm still trying to figure out what's going on. Henry and Cordelia start talking, and my mind starts to put the pieces together. Flynn and Cordelia arrived at the dock in an instant, the boat appearing out of nowhere." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They are still looking non-human, so I suppose that means that they can't just be dressing up. If they were, it would be unusual. Not to mention, now that I'm up close and in person, those ears look real. The eyes look real. The horns look extremely real." }, { "from": "human", "value": "These people are non-human, meeting a human boy. Flynn doesn't seem to care, climbing back onto the boat with a bored expression. \"Come on, now, we have to get back to Alwar before the maids come and find us gone.\" Something about their voices seems fancy to me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There's some sort of accent that just screams royal to me. Fantasy. Cordelia and Henry walk back to the boat, hand-in-hand. Panic rushes towards me as I realize they're about to leave. As they climb onto the boat, all gathering towards the deck, I come out of my hiding spot in a moment of courage." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mind is screaming at me, telling me to leave and that this is an incredibly stupid idea. But my heart keeps me going, keeping my feet light to not alert their likely good hearing. I hold my breath as I hop onto the boat, sitting at the rear where there's a decent amount of space behind the cabin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sit, my back to the cabin and my knees to my chest. As several moments of me staying hidden tick by, I let out my breath. *** Around ten minutes have gone by. I've been listening to their conversations, picking up personality traits and information between the three of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "First of all, Cordelia is bright and bubbly. She's been in love with Henry ever since she visited the human world. Henry is just as in love with Cordelia as she is with him, despite her being whatever type of creature she is." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Flynn is the one who has mastered these magic abilities, and that's why he takes Cordelia to see Henry every Friday, the purple shimmery thing hiding the boat in some sort of force field. I feel a rush of adrenaline at this feeling of being in the unknown, undetected. In the shadows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, but that doesn't last for long. Before I realize it, I'm staring into bright purple eyes, the boy crouched in front of me. \"What a little sneaky fox, hmm?\" Flynn's smooth voice is low like he's telling me a secret just between the two of us. \"Sneaking onto a faeries boat?\" Faerie ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I swallow, my eyes sweeping over his sharp nose and curved lips. \"I knew it,\" I whisper, more to myself than him. He raises a thick brow, his eyes studying me with a look of amusement and curiosity. \"What's your name, little fox?\" I narrow my eyes at that nickname." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Delilah,\" I answer, far too casually for a girl who just got caught on a faeries boat. \"You can call me Lilah, though.\" Flynn's chin tilts up, his slim eyes sweeping over my face. \"A mortal.\" \"A faerie,\" I murmur back in the same tone, my eyes flicking over his horns and ears. \"You. ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ",\" he trailed off, pinning me with a confused look, \"aren't surprised.\" I blink, suddenly remembering that I should totally be surprised right now. I just met a faerie . The ones you read about in fantasy books. The ones that can enchant you and put spells on you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am a human, utterly defenseless against this boy. Yet, I can't help the amazement in my eyes. The intrigued and curious feeling. \"Huh,\" Flynn murmurs, studying that look in my eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This is unusual.\" Seconds tick by of us staring at each other, his eyes flicking over my figure, sweeping over my pin-straight, honey-brown hair. He studies the sharp curve of my jaw, the point of my nose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finally, they lock on my bland brown eyes, nowhere near as extravagant as the shimmery purple ones before me, looking like the very magic that surrounds the boat. \"You're beautiful,\" I blurt, and before I can let myself think I've reached up, poking the tip of his horn." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A smirk tugs at Flynn's lips, his eyes on mine. \"For a mortal girl, so are you.\" Despite the situation, I feel a blush cross my face. \"Flynn?\" Cordelia appears beside Flynn, looking down at me with wide eyes. My hand drops to my side. Henry soon joins Cordelia, surprised as well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Flynn stands up, looking down at me. \"A mortal snuck onto the boat.\" Cordelia just stares at me. \"I saw your picture,\" I say to her. I hesitantly stand up, fishing the photo out of my pocket. I hand it to her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"In my apartment.\" She carefully takes it from me, her fingers long and slim with sharp nails. \"Oh,\" she murmurs while looking at the photo., confusion knitting her brows together. Henry grimaces. \"I put that in there.\" He looks up at me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That used to be my apartment.\" I nod, more pieces of the puzzle connecting in my mind. \"So what do we do with her?\" Cordelia asks, pretending as if I'm not even here as she looks at Flynn. He doesn't say anything, and Cordelia sighs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"How can we know we can trust her? We might have to just ench-\" \"We aren't enchanting her,\" Flynn interrupts, his eyes never leaving mine. Cordelia's brows furrow at his quick words. \"Why not?\" \"I don't want to.\" I press my lips together, very confused." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Mortals are unusual in Alwar,\" Flynn says, his gaze pinned on mine. \"But not uncommon.\" My eyebrows shoot up his forehead at what he's suggesting. \"Henry didn't want to come.\" He shrugs, gesturing to Henry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But you? Do you want to live there?\" Cordelia sputters, \"You just met her, Flynn!\" Flynn doesn't pay any attention to her, his eyes on me expectingly, waiting for me to answer. My jaw is dropped. I blink at him. \"Y-you want me to live with faeries? With-\" \"Me,\" he finishes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I practically have no family. My parents are dead. I was an only child. The only family I have is distant and doesn't care about me, living halfway across the world. And friends? I have none that I care to stay for. I try and speak, but I'm too shocked at the offer. \"Is that a no?\" Flynn frowns." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I shake my head vigorously. \"No!\" I swallow. \"No. I want to.\" Flynn smiles, dimples indenting his cheeks. \"Alright, then.\" Just then, they all look to the right, and so do I, still stunned. An island comes into view from across the ocean." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over the whole patch of land is that purple shimmery glitter, layering the outside, hiding the view from normal boats. Our boat isn't normal, though. I swallow, excited. \"Welcome,\" Flynn starts, smiling at me with dimples and bright purple eyes, \"to Alwar.\"." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Games We Played" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anaya, Daughter of Lena woke as the sun rose, orange and warm through her window, bringing with it a soft ocean breeze on her face. In the distance, the melody of the village women’s song coming closer to their hut on the hill reminded her of her special day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Today would be a day of singing, dancing, and preparation. Lena, Daughter of Celia, came into Anaya’s room, with her morning cup of tea. “Drink, daughter.” Anaya looked over and saw her finished dress, a simple leather dress to the knees, embroidered with live and dried flowers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her mother and grandmother made it last night after the lottery. “So my name was drawn,” she deduced. “It was.” Lena sat close as Anaya drank." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You will be sacrificed to the god this evening to ensure our village’s survival.” Anaya finished the drink, and her mother put the cup in her lap and placed both hands on her daughter’s face, looking deep into her eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“We have known this day might come, so we have been preparing for it with all our love and all our knowledge.” Anaya nodded and took a deep breath. “I am ready.” Celia, daughter of Sezna, came in singing the melody of the women who had drawn nearer, their song both mournful and powerful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ayana’s sister Vidya followed close behind her. “They are almost here,” Celia said, holding two dark brown leather belts. Anaya put on a robe and Lena took the dress. Her father, Ren, son of Kann stood outside the men’s hut waiting for them to exit their hut across the path." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her seven-year-old brother, Trenon, crouched next to him playing with rocks, a sullen look on his face. They were surrounded by the men of the village smoking pipes and drinking from gourds. “Today is a blessed day,” Ren boomed with pride." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“My daughter is the sacrifice that will keep the village safe!” The women of the village ululated, a chorus of about 50 voices, while the men applauded and whooped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Vidya laid a crown of flowers on Anaya’s head, then all the women paraded down into the valley for the day’s festivities with Anaya in the lead holding Vidya’s hand. The men stayed at Ren’s hut for the men’s ceremony. “I don’t want Anaya to die!” Trenon shouted. Some men chuckled; others were silent." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ren patted his head. “She must die for the village to live. The god will see that she is an acceptable sacrifice and will leave our sheep alone.” Trenon dropped his rocks and walked into his hut. **** In the women’s tent at the bottom of the valley, she bathed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The large tub was filled with cool water and Anaya was submerged, eyes open, counting to 2400. Her hands were bound with rope in front of her. The tent was filled with women and girls who also held their breath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As each breath holder reached her limit, she breathed, and began to hum the festival song. Very few women would hold their breath for as long as Anaya could. Sacrifice, Sacrifice… She reached 2400 and sat up slowly in the water." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She began to work on the rope and was able to release herself very quickly. She stood up in the tub holding the rope as the women and girls cheered. Her mother, grandmother, and sister helped her step out of the tub and dry off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Girls of varying ages practice escaping knots with each other, giggling at their efforts. One girl began to get frustrated. “It’s hard,” she grumbled. “Patience, girls,” an auntie admonished them gently. “Use the time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Don’t let time use you.” Sacrifice, Sacrifice… Anaya’s hair was braided with more flowers and rope. She donned the leather dress. Her grandmother threaded a belt through the dress, a small bag attached. “We can’t all go, but we can all prepare,” she whispered in Anaya’s ear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Thank you, Nana.” Vidya gave her another leather belt. This one had a knife in its sheath, to be worn like a garter under her dress. At thirteen, she had three more years before her name could come up in the lottery. Anaya kissed her on her forehead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sacrifice, Sacrifice… Outside the tent, girls were singing and dancing the Dance of the Wounded Gazelle. One girl was wearing the god mask and chased the other girls around as they shrieked. The men had joined the singing, dancing, and drumming. Meat was grilling on a large fire." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trenon ran up and hugged her as she exited the women’s tent. “Don’t go,” he whispered. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s the tradition.” “I hate it.” “I know. Maybe you can change it one day.” “I will. I will be chief and I’ll change it.” She kissed him on top of his head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked up at her and she wiped his tears away. She smiled at him sadly. He took her hand and they walked to the banquet table. She was seated at the place of honor being served meat stuffed with fruit and herbs. She had never felt so special, so extraordinary. She ate heartily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She drank juice, but she only pretended to drink the wine. The sun was setting. The food was eaten. The dances were over. The drums took up a happy beat. Her father washed her hands and face, and the villagers gathered for the final dance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They paraded her further down the valley, men in a column, women in another column. They reached a small ravine wherein there was a cave. A path led from the top of the ravine to the cave. Ren took Anaya’s hand and lead her away from the villagers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They reached the mouth of the cave, where a stone dais awaited, years of use leaving a dip in its middle. Her father gestured her to sit, and joined her. She looked at his face brimming with pride and noted his silent tears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked up at the villagers above as they sung, her mother, grandmother, sister, and brother among them. Her father gave her the cup the elder had given him. She sipped it, and paused at the familiar tasted. She looked up at her mother who gave her a small, knowing smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The singing and drumming grew to a feverish pitch as her father held her head back as she drank the juice. She sank back into his arms and he laid her carefully on the dais in front of the cave." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The joyous song gave way to mourning as the father made his way back up the path to the villagers, his head down, as he walked away from his doomed daughter. *** She woke up, the moon was full in the sky. She looked at the moon sadly, tears coursing down her cheeks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Furtive movement in the cave near her interrupted her reverie. She moved smoothly, silently as she pulled her hips and legs through her arms to bring her bound hands in front of her. Remember, Remember… She quickly removed the rope and placed it in her bag. At the belt on her thigh was a knife." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She brandished it and looked in the direction of the movement. A large lizard stepped out of the cave, tongue sliding in and out testing the air for her scent. It was as long as she was tall. She hid behind a rock and waited for it. And waited. And waited. Patience, girl. She hated waiting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She climbed to the top of the rock she was hiding behind and peered over to the lizard that was stalking her. She dropped a small stone to the ground. The lizard turned and ran to the spot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She landed it and swiftly slit its throat, its blood squirting on the ground as she lay on top of it, breathing heavily in fear. Remember, Remember… She turned the reptile over and cut its belly open. She pulled the various flowers from her dress, and some seeds from her bag." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stuffed the deadly rhubarb flowers and ricin seeds in the belly and muscles of the beast. She used rope from her hair braid to tie it body shut, and dragged its body by its tail into the cave. It was heavy but she was able to lift it up onto her right shoulder and walk carefully through the cave." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After several hundred meters, she could not carry it any longer and reverted to dragging it. She looked up and saw that she was at the mouth of a larger cave. The light of the full moon shone through the top of the hill, filling it with an eerie light." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She peered into the cavern to see that it connected to other tunnels. In the center of the cavern, there was a sight that made her drop the lizard and cover mouth to catch a scream. It was too late. At the bottom of the cavern lay a lizard of impossible size. It boggled her mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It must have been ten times the size of the lizard she carried, which was at least as long as she was tall, not counting the tail. She wanted to back away, run away to her mother, cry in her grandmother’s bosom. But it was too late." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the sound of her stifled scream, one large eye opened slowly, and the beast stirred. Quickly she pulled more flowers off of her dress and stuffed them down the throat of the reptile. She emptied the bag of the ricin seeds and forced her fist into the dead lizard’s throat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was panting in panic and beginning to hyperventilate. Remember, remember… She thought of her sister playing with the knots with her friends. She thought of the auntie, calling for patience. She calmed down. The beast had started to move toward her sounds, but she was ready." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She lay on her stomach and placed the reptile’s face closer to the mouth of the cavern and wiggled it. As she baited the large monster, she noticed initials scrawled into the wall. GC. Jela, daughter of Coya. Coya was Sezna’s closest friend." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The beast sniffed at the carcass, licking the blood off tentatively. With a loud SNAP it snatched up the body and gobbled it in one gulp. Anaya lay there with her hands covering her mouth so she wouldn’t betray her position. She waited." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another smaller lizard came out of another tunnel and the beast snatched it up, too. She waited. The beast grew sluggish. Another reptile came out and walked through to another tunnel. The beast blinked, but did not move. Time passed, and it still did not move." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She crept down slowly, covered in blood, and got closer and closer to it, trembling with every step. With her knife in one hand, she found a broken bone and picked it up to use as a makeshift sword. Soon, she found herself near the monster’s face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without wasting another breath, she plunged her knife into its throat fiercely and repeatedly, knife and bone, bone and knife, with heaving panicky breaths. The beast moved sluggishly with the poison in its system, then stilled. She turned around to find two more smaller lizards behind her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She quickly swung and missed the closest with the knife, then buried the bone in its eye. It howled piteously, and she ran. The second lizard attacked the first, and she ran, slipping in lizard blood and dung. She crawled on her belly into a tunnel where she had not seen any lizards. It was a gamble." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She crawled on hands and knees, silently crying. Eventually, she saw a glow ahead of her. In the darkness of the cave, she saw the water lit through bioluminescent algae. On the wall she saw more initials, Mona, daughter of Norina." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She took a few short breaths, then a deep breath, and lowered herself into the water. She swam. She followed the underwater algae through the tunnels, swimming as fast as possible, doing her best not to panic. Her arms hurt. Her lungs ached." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Until again, the light of the full moon above her called her attention to the water’s surface. In a surge of desperation, she broke the surface of the water and breathed deeply, savagely, then floated on her back gazing at the moon. Later, she made her way to land." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Within a circle of stones, she set a fire using a flint from her bag. There she dried herself. The flames played over her face as she scratched her name on a rock. Once dried, she got up and walked away. *** In front of her hut, Lena hung the laundry to dry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the distance on another island, a plume of smoked snaked through the early morning sky, and she smiled to herself.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In The Heat" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the heat of battle you are transformed. There is so much less to the world and yet you become so much more. The flesh may be weak, but the spirit rises up to be counted when death stares it in the eye. Once you have tasted that exotic and intoxicating poison, the life you lead dies." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There are vestiges of something that sometimes resembles a life, but all it really amounts to is awaiting the next adventure in the jaws of death. “I call it The Test,” I say before wiping the ale foam from my beard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“And I call it Hot Air,” Balur grins at me and I shake my head at his friendly insolence. We are holding court with young warriors. Not yet fully blooded, but about to be. I envy them all their first full taste of war, and I look forward to supping with those who remain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Celebrating the death of their frail and puny lives and a glorious rebirth as gods. For we\n\nare  gods, those of us who will stand firm come what may, and give our lives over to the purity of war. Only gods are tested in such a way. Gods take life honourably in the pursuit of a better world." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the sacrifices we make, when we die, sword in hand, we are welcomed into the halls of our forefathers, the gods and legends who forged our kind in the stolen fires of hell, so that we can go forth, conquer and spread our strong seed. Balur winks at me as he hands me another ale." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He is a winker and a smiler. To look at him right now, you would think him a fool. He never seems serious, but I have seen his true self and he is as serious as they come. I am the other side to Balur’s coin, he is my lighter side." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am warmed by his humour and the sound of his laughter is music to my ears. We fight shoulder to shoulder. Always have. Over time, I have understood this to be our destiny. There are some things that are meant to be, and this is one of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I hear the women of Fauldon are tall and fair,” Balur leans forward conspiratorially as he says this.\n\n“I ceased believing such tales long ago,” I say with a shrug, “women are women. Some tall. Some not so tall." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But when it comes to fair, one man’s fair is another’s…” I look into my now empty tankard, shake my head to see if I can dislodge the word I was about to utter, it remains stubbornly hidden, “…not so fair.” “They’re all the same in the dark!” chuckles Galdon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Haug claps him on the shoulder, “not the Mist Maidens of Crax!” I shake my head, but I join in with the merriment. I have an affection for the more far-fetched tales, in them are wisdom and truths. But I have yet to find the truth that resides within the triple breasts of the Mist Maidens of Crax." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“A man only has two hands, Haug!” Balur bellows, eyes glistening with the ale and humour. Haug grins at him, raises his hands and squeezes imaginary globes either side of his head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The expression on his face as he suckles an invisible middle teat is too much and we collapse about the table in paroxysms of laughter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later, before I close my eyes and sleep the sound sleep always granted me on the eve of battle, I return to Haug and the Mist Maidens, wondering if the truth is that we are forever hungry. That we will always want more. I have seen the worst of this in the mad eyes of the darkest of men." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Their idea of more is the utter destruction of all they behold. Some men want the world to burn and for them to be the flames that devour everything and more." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am awake before dawn, the considered and deliberate movements of warriors in preparation of the fighting to come are a chorus that greets my ears. I swiftly join the flow towards my next defining moment. My body thrums with an energy that lays dormant until battle looms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My sword is an extension of my spirit. A lightening conductor that channels elemental powers. I am all too aware of my weak flesh. I am but meat. There is something more to me than my flesh though. We all have it, but only a few of us bring it forth and use it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first, I believed myself to be a berserker. Given over to a blind rage. And perhaps that was how it began. Bringing forth that part of myself but with little idea of how it worked. No discipline. No training. A dangerous mess that somehow prevailed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now I have honed my powers and I sharpen them still. I grow with every fight, almost as though I take on the energy and the power of those I vanquish. I think that may well be another truth. One I dare not speak, even with the closest of my brothers. Some things are best left unsaid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Many things are best left unsaid. Leaving my tent I see snowfall. My brow creases as my mind fails to place what is wrong here. Winter is a distant memory. Snow does not belong here. The sky is a fierce red blackened and smudged into a travesty. I brush the snow from my vambrace and it smears grey." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I look up and view the sky with fresh eyes. The unnaturalness of the sky is because it is on fire.\n\nI look around me and feel a terrible sense of unease at the quiet of our camp. Many of our number are looking out at that sky and attempting to discern its dire meaning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A sense of dread rises up in me for the very first time and I know that today will be unlike any day I have seen. I should relish this. I should embrace The Test, but there is a chasm between me and what awaits, and I do not know how to bridge it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then there is a sudden, piercing bellow that breaks the spell. “Come on you maggots! Move! There is rotten flesh to feast upon!” I feel the words more than hear them. They move me even as they appear in the world." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am back to myself even before Balur crashes his palm upon my back and says, “today is a good day to die.” I turn towards his smiling face, and I nod despite myself. The bellowed words were his, I would know that voice anywhere. But they do not belong with the softly spoken words that follow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Those last words are only for me and they come from a different world. A different place. Balur’s words are opposing forces that will countenance only one victor. Much of what occurs next is a matter of training and discipline. There is only one thing to do and we do it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As one, we move with a grace that men only find in the acts of war. Our actions come naturally, and they bring us to where we need to be. Not just the well-rehearsed battle formations, but also the state and focus of a warrior.\n\nI can feel my brothers around me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We breathe as one as we look out across the plain at those who would dare stand in our way. Every enemy is different, but underneath that painted façade, they are all the same. Flesh and blood. Worry and fear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A mass of incoherent thoughts and feelings that have not been mustered sufficiently for them to match the likes of us. It is not so much that they deserve to die, it’s that they’ve failed to live sufficiently and their disorder is their undoing well before we ever meet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Today we face something totally alien to us. I stand at the vanguard and I look at the approaching ranks of warriors. I read them just as I have read a million warriors before them. They are the same, and yet they are not. I struggle to order my thoughts." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These soldiers move in a way both familiar and unfamiliar, and that movement provokes in me doubt and fear. They are almost silent. Only the creak of armour and the crunch of earth under heavy foot. There is a solemn intent about them and I cannot mistake what it is; our complete annihilation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I look out across their amassed ranks and then it occurs to me what it is I am seeing, I understand that this is what all our vanquished enemies have seen. They are us. They are a hoard of battle-hardened foe made into one, impregnable war machine. Now I see it, I cannot unsee it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I allow my eyes to bore into their formations. I single out individuals in an attempt to discern weakness. I see none.\n\nThe meaning of this is so close and yet I cannot quite reach it. I close my eyes and pray to the gods of war. I ask them what this means." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If these warriors are us, then who are we? That is my question to the gods and my ancestors. I hear laughter and fear I am mocked by my forbears for the weakness of my ignorance, but then I realise the laughter comes from the warrior to my right; Balur." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He is still laughing as he speaks, “how glorious!” “How so?” I ask calmly, betraying the maelstrom within. I am nurturing a chaos that threatens to undo me. “Don’t you see?!” he says far too loudly. I do, but I do not want to voice my thoughts. They feel far too dangerous. A weapon for the enemy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“No,” I lie. Balur nudges me and quizzes me with a curious expression, “we have conquered the world!” He grins at me, “now for the next test; we conquer ourselves!” I see it now. And for all Balur’s brashness and superficiality, he is far wiser than me in this moment. We have come full circle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We have conquered the world. And in our constant conquest we never stopped to think about where it was all going. We fought. We won. We moved on." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We moved on without a backwards glance, marching away towards the next glorious encounter, leaving behind us a new generation of listless warriors just as hungry for battle as we ever were. No, they were hungrier than we could ever be." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For they had vengeance embedded in their hearts and so they had far more to fight for than we ever did. “Balur…” I say quietly. “Yes,” he says, his voice tinged with an edge of concern, “what is it father?” I smile as best I can, and I do not say the words that could only have weakened him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I do not ask him to leave the field of battle before the first blood is shed. I do not tell him to be careful. I cannot introduce him to defeat in such a way. That is not our way. It is not what was intended for us. This is our destiny and the seeds of this destiny were planted by our forefathers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is The Test and we must face it square and true. “Strength and honour,” I say the words we have always uttered before battle commences. And my son retorts with a battle cry that echoes across our assembled ranks, sparking cheers and the clash of swords on shields." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Death or Glory! Across the plain, our amassed children watch silently and sullenly. They fully intend to administer death, but there will be no glory in it. Not for us. Not for me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I face the end, I see that I was never a god, and that my destiny was to fight with all my might to save my only son knowing that I only have one dire choice left to me now. I can die knowing my sweet Balur will see me fall, only to suffer the same fate as I." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or I can bear witness to the death of my son, see the end of the best of me before I am then hacked down like a wounded and cornered stag. As the blood-roar goes up and we run to meet our end, the taste of defeat sickens me and I am blinded with the sorrow of my son’s ignominious end." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An end we inadvertently brought about, marched inexorably towards without so much as a care as to what it was we were doing.\n\nA moment before we crash into the shield wall, I realise that I was defeated by my own blind ignorance. That war was not the be all and end all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That there always had to be a purpose to what we were doing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We should have known that our swords would one day be melted down to make ploughs.\n\nNow, as we meet steel with steel and search for the gaps and moves that will bring the metal to the meat, I come face to face with death and I see reflected in his gaze, my own eyes, and they are the eyes of a man who would burn the entire world if he could." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All the eyes around me burn with that same murderous and nihilistic intent. They are as red as the sky and our hearts are as black as the smoke billowing up from the trail of destruction and despair we have sewn throughout the land. Before death brings his bitter end, he takes everything from me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everything. My friends fall one by one. And my son does not die a hero’s death. There are no heroes here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is an ignorant struggle for a life that makes no sense in the aftermath of such slaughter.\n\nIn the ensuing grief of Balur’s death, I return to the state that I encountered in my very first battle. I give myself over to the only thing that I know, only this time there is no rage, only madness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My sword is a red blur, and in the chaos I commit to those around me, I find another blade in my left hand. I go again and again and again, denying death his fun whilst doing his work for him. I am baptised in the blood of my own kind as my arms dance to the tune of my swords." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don’t know how long I am like this. Only that I come out of the other side into a strange and awed silence. And I find that I am unable to see." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think myself dead until I hear the ragged sound of my breathing and the distant drum call of my slowing heart.\n\nEventually, as I come back to myself, I blink my eyes open. The blood and gore of the fallen has matted them shut, but I noticed not as I tore them apart in my bloodlust." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I realise this as I look down at the gristle and gore that extends from the tips of my swords to the hilts, and all along my forearms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even in such a state of gruesome obscurity, I see that I have Balur’s sword in my left hand.\n\nThe awed silence extends out as I fully return to myself and see where I am and what I have done. My reeling mind takes in the fallen. So many slain. I stand amidst a sea of the dead." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And this sea is ringed by cliffs of warriors. All their eyes are upon me and I feel in them the humbled awe that has prompted their respectful silence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The red rage of battle is now gone and what has replaced it is a curiosity to me.\n\nI turn and see that those few who remain are from both sides, but are now one. They encircle me and look upon me as their reason for being here. I am their unification. I am broken, but they see me as whole." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something more than they dared we could ever be. I nod, there is a truth here, and this truth is bigger than anything I could ever fathom. But it is a truth that I will now live and breathe. The truth is me. The truth is this land. As I nod, there is a change. A change in me, a change in these men." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A change that is meant for this land of ours. I was defeated and I was taken apart on this battlefield so that this could be made possible.\n\nSo that I could be made possible. There had to be an end, before this beginning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The stone of my warring heart had to be smashed open so that a true king could emerge. “Arthur!” comes the cry from the assembled. I raise my left arm at the joyous cries of my name." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hold my fallen son’s sword aloft and I promise him that with this sword and the might of my arm and the strength of my heart, I will unite this land and create a legend that will endure for eternity.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just a Boy" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The jungles of Vietnam were no place for boys like Sean Delany to go to become men, but Uncle Sam thought otherwise. Sean was our medic. Drafted fresh out of high school where he led his football team to the state championships, he was only seventeen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His family owned a wheat farm in Kansas where he grew up on hard work, stern discipline, and biblical teachings. We all liked Sean. I don’t think the boy ever met a stranger. He’d crawl up in a foxhole at dusk, and with what light remaining read the little pocket bible he carried with him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The boy said his plans were to attend seminary once he got out of there. I didn’t have the heart to tell him if he got out of there. I’ve done four tours as a Sargent, and I have seen more than my fair share of boys like Sean go home to their mother’s in coffins." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We returned to base camp after a routine reconnaissance mission one day, Sean's first mission. We were lucky that we didn’t run into Charlie on that mission. Even when you don’t come across the enemy, you’re glad to be out of the jungle. The canopy made it stifling hot, and the humidity didn’t help." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The terrain was rough and sleeping on it was uncomfortable, not that anyone’s nerves let them sleep, or the insects for that matter. The shadows and the creatures that live in the jungle play with your mind. You start thinking you see things; makes you believe you are hearing things." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Charlie knows the jungle all too well. If the boogeyman had a name, it would be Charlie. They jump out of the shadows, they pop out of the ground, they hide in the trees, they mimic the animals, so we never knew where they were or when they were coming." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, the boys were excited to be back at base camp. They went straight to the kitchen for some grub, some real food: bacon and eggs, coffee, orange juice. I could hear their lifted spirits from Colonel Dreyfus’s tent." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had followed my LT, a very green young man fresh out of West Point, over there when he was summoned. I had the pleasure of breaking the news to the guys that at twelve hundred hours we would be taking a boat up the Meng Kong River into an area known for heavy fighting along the Cambodian border." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The news dampened their spirits. They finished their breakfast in silence then went to replenish their gear. You could feel the tension as we headed upriver. Everyone was quiet, alert, their heads on a swivel. The bush was heavy along both sides of the river." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could tell Sean was particularly nervous despite his trying to put on a brave front. That was his second mission. He hadn’t seen any real action and I tried to prepare him the best I could for what was about to come. Stepping off that boat was surreal, though." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was like stepping into one of those haunted theme houses. It looked disturbing. It felt wrong. You knew something was going to jump out at you, but you didn’t know where or when. The boat operator must have felt it too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As soon as the last man was off the boat, he sped off, leaving us with no choice but to push forward. I looked to Sean and he gulped hard as he watched the boat leave. It was as bad as I said before. Maybe worse since everyone was expecting a fight at some point." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We couldn’t tell if the motion in the shadows were just branches blowing in the breeze or if Charlie was moving into position. We couldn’t tell if animal noises were Charlie communicating with each other or actual animal noises." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At one point, a private by the name of Jackson Bishop lost his cool and opened fire at nothing. I got the young man calmed down, but Corporal Hayes raged on about letting Charlie know where we were at. He was right, the kid gave away our position for sure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We carried on for another quarter mile to where the jungle opened up to a small village consisting of bamboo huts with pitch roofs. The villagers sat silently, motionless as we began to search the area." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Charlie surprised us, popping out of rice barrels, jumping out of haystacks, firing down on us from the trees. The chaos confused us as villagers ran for cover, screaming in their native tongue. Bullets sent dirt into the air as donkeys hawed and chickens squawked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Private First Class Nick Spagnoli was shot in the thigh. Sean pulled him to cover and stopped the bleeding. The LT ordered us to fall back into the jungle. Sean hoisted Nick onto his shoulders and carried him. It seemed like the Earth was giving birth to the North Vietnamese behind us as we ran." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When the LT saw the corporal take a bullet to the shoulder, he ordered us to find cover and return fire. He then called for Danny Thompson, our comms officer, and they ordered the evac. Sean laid Nick in a ravine and returned for Hayes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He bandaged him up, put him on his shoulders, and ran him to the river. When he came back, the LT was bleeding heavily through the abdomen. Sean got him bandaged up and quickly moved him to the river. When Sean returned, Private Don Howard was dead. He had taken a bullet to the head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was shot in the arm. He bandaged me up then I ordered him to get Nick out, who was fighting but could not walk. While Sean was gone, Thompson and Bishop each were shot in the chest. It was just me and our sniper, Dale Lewis, holding Charlie back. Sean came back with word that the boat had arrived." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I ordered the retreat. Sean threw Thompson on his shoulders and Dale grabbed Bishop. We went as fast as we could, firing behind us as we went. I was shot in the back. Sean turned around and grabbed me by the shirt and pulled me along with Thompson on his shoulders." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The river was within sight when I saw Dale go down, dropping Bishop. He had taken a bullet to the calf. He rolled over screaming, spraying bullets everywhere hoping to keep Charlie off him. Sean dragged me to the boat, laid Thompson in, got me in, and ran back into the jungle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He reemerged dragging both Bishop and Dale, Dale still firing like a man gone wild. Sean got both men in the boat. Sean went to step in the boat when a bullet struck him in the back, causing him to fall backwards. The boat's gun opened fire as Charlie swarmed the bank." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I saw Hayes lean over the boat, reaching for Sean, but the boat sped away nearly as fast as Sean hit the ground. I propped myself up and looked back. Sean was crawling. Charlie surrounded him and beat him with their rifles until a commanding officer decided to shoot him in the head with a pistol." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think that was the first time I shed a tear for one of the boys who died under my command. You go into war expecting them to die. But it seemed as if God was on that young man's side as he dodged bullets dragging us all to safety. Perhaps God was on our side, sending him to save us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’ve seen a lot of boys sent home to their mothers in coffins during my time in Vietnam, but never one as heroic as Sean Delany. Never have I seen one act so valiantly. Never have I seen one die so brutally. Never have I seen one not shipped home until him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was nothing Sean could have done about Don, but those of us he could have saved, he did without hesitation. Once we were all healed and discharged, we paid a visit to the Delany farm and shared the story of his bravery with his parents." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His parents and sister wept, saying, “This time we are crying tears of pride and joy for the man our son grew up to be. We hope you boys make the most of your lives in his memory.” We started a charity in his name for vets in need.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dealing with The Devil" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was twelve when I started dabbling in witchcraft. Funnily enough, it’s not very difficult to get into. Especially when your mom works long hours and you’re bored." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I started with sprinkling pink Himalayan salt from the cupboard in the doorways, hoping it would keep Mom’s various parade of boyfriends out. They were all shapes, sizes, and colors. And they were always bad news. People think that witchy stuff is complicated." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To be honest, I’ve made up almost every spell I’ve ever hocus-pocused. Magic is about intent, and the crystals and the herbs and the candles are all about building that intention, not the actual magic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So when I summoned the devil, it was with sidewalk chalk and a peach blossom candle from Bath & Bodyworks. Satan is more desperate than you’d think. He’ll show up for just about anybody these days. I coughed and tried to fan the smoke out of my face. “Great." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If my room smells like brimstone, Mom’s going to freak,” I grumbled. I stepped back quickly as a pool of shadows gathered on the floor. It swelled and pulsed, and I felt my resolve shrink a bit. I shook it off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Had I wanted to chicken out, now was certainly not the time.\n\n It would’ve been too late, anyway. The shadow was stretching upwards, brushing my ceiling. It seemed to solidify, and I steeled myself as a ridiculously tall man stepped from the darkness. I stared up at him, my heart pounding." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He flicked some ash off of his jacket and looked down, his eyebrows rising. “A bit young to be summoning Satan, aren’t we?”\n\n I glared up at him. “You make deals, don’t you? None of your business if they’re with an eighth grader or not.” Satan clicked his tongue disapprovingly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Tactless way to open a negotiation, child.” I scoffed. “Because showing up looking like Slenderman is a fantastic start.” “Touché,” the devil huffed. “What do you want?”\n\n “I want a house.” I folded my arms as he looked at me incredulously. “A… house?” “Yes, Lucifer. A house." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One I own, close to a good college, with a little garden. Make sure no one can take it, and make sure I can kick my mother out of it as soon as possible. I want somewhere I can live for the rest of my life.”\n\n He blinked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I find it hard to believe you’re willing to sell your soul for a place to live. Isn’t that what real estate is for? The housing market is one of my most brilliant inventions. The least you could do is use it.” “Too complicated,” I shrugged." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Easier to go straight to ya, if you ask me.” Satan groaned. “Adolescents. Well, child, here are the terms. You will receive a house, in your name, left to you by some distant relative. Your mother has no claim to it, only as your guardian until you come of age.” I stared at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“And I give you what?” His smile flashed, and I felt sweat beading on my forehead. “Your soul, child. You live happily ever after and when your time comes-” His grin widened. “To Hell you go.” I forced my breathing to slow and straightened my spine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While every neuron in my brain was screaming at me to back out, I knew a devil angry about losing a soul was not something I wanted to face. Granted, if I managed what I had in mind, he would be far, far more angry. Hopefully, by that point, I’d be safe from anything he tried." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Alright, Son of The Morning. Let’s see the contract.” I saw a flash of satisfaction in his gaze before he snapped out a long roll of parchment, covered in black print that gradually grew smaller and smaller until it almost trailed away. He handed it to me graciously." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was a smart kid who was reading on a college level, and I was getting a headache. I lazily waved him towards my bed. “Feel free to take a seat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We’re going to be here a while.”\n\n  Several hours later, Satan was coiled comfortably on my bed while I sat cross-legged on the floor, rubbing my eyes before getting back to reading. My legs were falling asleep, and I was tiring quickly. If I was going to make this work, now was the time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My eyes crawled across the last few words before I straightened, extending my hand. “Pen?” A black ballpoint appeared in the devil’s hand and I accepted it carefully. He glued his attention to me as I hunched over the parchment and avoided his eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The second my pen lifted from the paper, he sprang from the bed and snatched it from me, his hand gliding over the second signature line.\n\n My panic spiked as Satan’s laugh echoed through my room as the contract disappeared with a flash. “Wise choice, child." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I congratulate you on your newfound fortune.” Flame seemed to slither across his smile. “I hope you find our bargain as satisfactory as I will.” And just like that, he was gone. Within a week, I got the house. Some old geezer of a third cousin on my dad’s side died, and I was the next of kin." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mom was ecstatic about not paying rent anymore and while she could have used the extra income to actually feed me, she blew it all on a stupid blackjack app. I can’t deny that I wasn’t surprised. My mother had no regard for me, despite my attempts to keep my disgust to a minimum." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I preferred to spend as little time with her as possible. I fell in love with the place the second I set foot inside. It was a small, old brick house with wallpaper and enormous windows and creaky wooden floors." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a tiny garden in the back, and there was an herb window in the kitchen and clawed feet on the bathtub. It was perfect, and it was mine.  Of course, happiness found through the devil doesn’t tend to last. I didn’t expect it to." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We’d been in the house for around three weeks when I fell down the stairs. Apparently, it was pretty bad. I broke a couple bones, passed out on the landing, and laid there unconscious until Mom finally came home and got around to calling an ambulance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I woke up in the hospital with a massive headache. I barely had time to register where I was before a very familiar laugh rang in the hall and the door swung open. Satan had to duck to enter. He tried to recover from the interruption of his entrance by launching straight into a monologue. Joy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“What a pleasant surprise! We meet again! Are you ready, child?” “Ready for what?” I asked, though I knew full well what he was referring to. “To come with me to your new home for the rest of eternity!” His smile now resembled a shark. “After all, a deal’s a deal!” I nodded thoughtfully." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“True, Devil. However, I’m afraid I can’t go with you. You see, that would be in direct violation of our contract.” He chuckled indulgently. “And how do you draw that conclusion?” I focused hard and imagined the parchment falling into my hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’d never been able to summon things before, but surely there was no time like the present. Sure enough, with a flash of purple light, the contract appeared in my hand. The smile dropped from Satan’s face as I unrolled it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Contract between Lucifer, Son of The Morning, Fallen Angel, and Magdalena Valeria Hernandez. This contract hereby outlines the exchange of the soul in the possession of Ms. Hernandez to that of Lucifer, Son of The Morning.” He waved a hand impatiently. “Yes, yes. I know." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What paltry excuse are you hiding behind?”\n\n  It was my turn for a predatory smile. “You see, Devil, I don’t have a soul in my possession.” I spread my arms. “Feel free to check!” The room was filling with black clouds, probably a sign of Satan’s displeasure. “You jest,” he scowled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“That is impossible.” He grabbed at my heart, freezing when nothing happened. “You see, sir, I can’t give you something I don’t have.” I was smirking openly now. “As there is no soul in my possession, our contract is void. And,” I couldn’t help grinning wider, “I cannot die. I will never see hell." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I know you were hoping that trip down the stairs would take care of me, Fallen One.” “Where is it?” He snarled. “An infantile fool should not be able to separate a soul from its vessel, let alone tie it to anything else.” I arched an eyebrow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Well, it appears this infantile fool has pulled it off. And unless you want me to teach other people how to beat you at your own game, I highly recommend that you agree to leave me alone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am thirteen and I just achieved immortality, out loopholed the Devil, and taught myself to summon objects about two minutes ago. I’m on my way to becoming the most powerful witch of my age, and you know it.” I clapped and the contract I’d drawn up after school on Thursday. “Sign, please." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This verifies that we will do each other no harm and make no more bargains, which seems a good idea since we’re both going to be around for awhile. And feel free to read the small print. There isn’t any. I don’t need to hide behind it.” He read it and signed it silently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“You’re worse than that fiddler,” he growled. And then in a flash of red, he was gone. I smiled. I’d poured my soul into my house with a magic and intention he’d never understand- love. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Dragon's Covenant" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kite’s speckled dragon snorted and scratched at the ground. He patted the beast's head and traced a finger along a deep scar on its forehead. His own scar began to sting, and he pulled on his reins instinctively. He noticed the other dragon riders eyeing him and nodded in response." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They ignored his gesture and continued their conversation. Kite cleared his throat. “Where do your dragons come from, Night-Baron?” Coral burst into laughter. “Yeah, Night-Baron. Tell us!” “It's Night- Heron !” He said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Petulant child riding a dragon ten times her size, and another one who doesn’t even know his head from his tail. Now I've seen it all.”\n\n“You’re one to talk, Night-Heron,” Tristan said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I’m surprised they put me on the same roster with the likes of you.” “And you, Tristan! Who taught you such foul ways of speaking?” Kite looked confused. “What? But you just…”\n\n“My father gave me this silver swallowtail as a birthday present!” Coral interrupted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“He bred this one exclusively for the occasion.”\n\n“And you, Tristan?” Kite asked. “Where does yours come from?” Tristan scoffed. “You won't find a dragon like this anywhere else.” “How can you be so sure?” Coral asked. “It’s a dragon like any other." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My father— ” “Unlike you the rest of you,” Tristan interrupted. “I wasn’t born into royalty. I worked my way up to be the best dragon rider of the modern era because she chose me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That’s something you can’t get for any price.” “What a bald-faced lie! Dragons have never been proven to choose their owners. It’s impossible.” Night-Heron replied. “That’s because people like you could never earn the trust of a dragon,” Kite said. “They’re intelligent beings." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Smarter than any of us.”\n\n“Draconids include Wyverns, Wyrms, and Drakes, and of course Dragons,” Night-Heron said. “We know this because we’ve researched and studied them. Throughout our land's history, a dragon has never been known to be intelligent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's a wild animal, and wild animals cannot be trusted so you’re either a fool or a fraud.” Tristan crossed his arms. “Draconids choose their riders, not the other way around.” “Is that true?” Coral asked. “Of course, a child would believe these lies. That’s the bell to start." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Let’s see if that dragon of yours is truly what you say it is.” He couldn’t get the last word before Night-Heron led his dragon through the forest canopy. Coral looked at Tristan and shrugged her shoulders.\n\n“I heard he was rejected once.” She said.\n\n“No matter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’ll prove just how superior Angelus is.” Tristan replied. Kite pulled on his reins. “I’m getting the gold idol. You two will have to fight over the bronze.” Tristan laughed as his dragon rose into the air. He and Coral raced behind Night-Heron to the starting position." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kite scrambled towards his wyvern and grabbed its reins before taking to the skies. It flew fast and he barely managed to hang on, so it slowed its pace. When the race started his dragon was the last to take flight and flew lazily up the first mountain peak. \"Atlas, hurry up!\" He shouted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kite was anxious to speed ahead and spurred his dragon onward, but a threatening glare had him apologizing. By this point, he was far behind the competition and felt butterflies in his stomach. “I won't spur you again, but work with me Atlas. Please." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we win this I'll be a dragon knight and give you a place to roost. It'll be great, trust me!” Atlas blinked slowly and snorted a puff of black smoke at Kite. It didn't seem intent on listening but soon began flying faster towards the first peak." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kite felt hopeful and held onto Atlas tightly as they approached it. ~~~ The dragon riders flew to the highest mountain and began ascending its peak. The sun was highest in the sky, and each rider knew there were only a few hours left before the race was over." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So far the first two mountains had both bronze and silver idols. Now close to the top, Tristan flew ahead and the others lagged behind him. They were in a column with Kite dead last." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Are you competing or spectating?” Coral yelled to Kite.\n\n“Of course I’m competing!” He yelled back.\n\n\"Then you oughta hurry your dragon up! It's not even trying to win at this point.\" “You won't make it.” Night-Heron mocked. “You're not a very good dragon rider." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You couldn’t even get bronze with those skills!” “You couldn’t either!” Kite retorted.\n\n“That's only because Tristan's dragon is incredible!\" Coral said. \"At this rate, we might lose out on gold.” Coral said. \"I'm somehow getting the feeling you're not too concerned.\" Night-Heron said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This is just for fun! I don't really need the prize or villa, but it would be nice to finally have my own.\" “But do we know the gold idol is up here?” Kite asked. Night-Heron shot a glance at Coral and they burst into laughter. “What’s so funny?” He asked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“There are four mountains and we're flying up the third one...” “The fourth peak is the least likely to have the gold idol.” Coral said. “And just how do you know that?” Kite asked. “The frozen peak sits atop the smallest mountain,” Night-Heron said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“and since the gold idol is known to move quickly over large distances it’s more likely to be on the largest peak.” \"But more importantly, it's always on the highest peak.\" Coral giggled. \"Hey, why is Tristan coming back this way?\" Kite asked. \"The gold idol!\" Coral yelled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They broke through the clouds and banked towards the right. Coral spotted the idol and spurred her dragon, dashing at a small golden glitter. Her dragon moved horizontally, and the gold idol leaped upwards and directly into its claws." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She exclaimed in victory and began a quick descent with Tristan hot on her tail. \"Keraunos!\" Night-Heron shouted. His dragon shot out an arc of plasma and paralyzed both Coral and her dragon. She began seizing and fell out of her saddle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kite pulled on his reins to avoid a collision with her dragon, which dropped the idol as it recovered from the shock.\n\n“Atlas, save her!” Kite yelled. Atlas growled and held its wings closed, barrelling downwards and opening its leathery wings just before colliding." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It caught Coral’s iron harness in its jaw and slowed their velocity. Coral's dragon approached them, and Atlas tossed the harness over with a flick of its jaw. It caught her and glided downwards, making its descent off the mountainside. Kite was furious." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sensing his emotion, Atlas raced upwards towards Night-Heron. It roared furiously. Night-Heron laughed as he held his hand up in triumph. “The gold idol is mine!” “Forget the idol. You nearly killed Coral!” Kite yelled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She knew the risks! This is not afternoon swim lessons, this is a competition to become a dragon knight!\" Tristan's dragon shot a bolt of fire at Night-Heron, who dodged it effortlessly. Kite and Tristan began chasing him around the peak and down through the clouds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“The gold idol is mine!” Tristan yelled. Tristan pulled on his reins hard and his dragon released a searing ball of fire. Night-Heron avoided it and the snow-capped mountain erupted with chunks of earth and debris. Atlas flew straight into it, dodging giant boulders with finesse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tristan’s dragon flew in a wide arc and tried to approach Night-Heron's flank, but he anticipated it. “I wonder whose dragon is faster, Tristan?” Night-Heron shouted. “Your Angelus or my Keraunos?”\n\n“At this range, it doesn’t matter!” He yelled. “Keraunos,” He said to his dragon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“it’s time for that.”\n\nKeraunos did an aerial somersault and shot out a bolt of lightning while upside-down. Tristan's dragon deflected it with a sharp swipe of her metallic tail, but the force of the attack knocked her off balance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Night-Heron seized the opportunity and Keraunos fired off another bolt and hit Angelus from behind. He laughed triumphantly as Tristan crashed into a mass of ice and rock against the mountainside. “Looks like you were a fool and a fraud.” He said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kite saw everything happen in seconds and felt a strange sensation sweep over Atlas' body. He instinctively knew Atlas was beginning to get excited. “I won't let you get away! Atlas, now!\" He said. His dragon roared in excitement and Kite felt the tingling sensation envelope his body too." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Atlas tucked in his wings descended onto Night-Heron like a meteor, and their dragons locked claws together and stared each other down. The two dragons descended to the Earth at break-neck speeds, but Kite knew he had the advantage. He had something his opponent lacked. \"I trust you, Atlas." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bring us home with a victory.\" He whispered. Night-Heron, distrustful of his dragon gave an impossible command. The impossibility was not because his dragon lacked ability, but independence. It tried to unlatch, but the movement caused turbulence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ground was approaching faster and he began to panic. He commanded his dragon to release its feet but Atlas held tighter, almost determined to end all four of their lives at once. Night-Heron jumped off and opened his parachute, abandoning his dragon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A gold glimmer caught Kite's eyes and he shouted at Atlas to release the dragon and catch it. At the last moment, Atlas released his claws and did a spiral twist to turn around in the air. It caught an updraft which helped Atlas catch the gold idol in his claws." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Atlas! I can't believe it! We've won the competition!\" His dragon growled softly and began a smooth descent to the final point, but not before enjoying a scenic victory lap. \"I'm a dragon knight now... And you're a dragon of the stars! I never thought I'd make it this far, but I knew to trust you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you, Atlas. For everything.\"." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When Hell Hath Fury" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Marco was no stranger to anger. He’d been angry when his classmates picked on him at school for being the smallest kid in his class. He’d been angry whenever he saw his drunk, deadbeat dad beat on his mom, angry when she would stand there helplessly, hopelessly, taking the abuse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He’d been angry when his father, the man who was supposed to protect him, would hit him until he couldn’t move. Anger was what he felt when his poor, failed excuse for parents let their friends do unspeakable things to him for some meager sums." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anger when his dad finally snapped, killing his mother in front of him and leaving the boy\n\nat the mercy of the foster system while he rotted in a prison cell for the rest of his life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anger, when once again, he was the target of the other children’s torment in the orphanage.\n\nSo, no, the boy was no stranger to anger." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The boy had long since become one with the white hot feeling that coursed through his veins every second of every day because that was all he’d ever had and all he’d ever known. However, as he stood in the doorway of his best friend, Leo’s house the feeling in his bones wasn’t anger." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Marco had always been a pale, scrawny looking kid but now he looked even more sickly and frail than usual, as if the gentle breeze that blew through this rundown, decrepit house would blow him away into the sun setting along the horizon behind him.\n\nAround him, the slums remained as lively and bustling as they always were on a Friday evening as many came to pilfer and barter for goods to get their impoverished families through the week." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dozens of people, young and old, in varying degrees of tattered clothing, hurried around briskly from house to house and stall to stall." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every now and then, they’d pass by Leo’s house to peer in through the open door or shattered windows and balk, before speeding off.\n\nOf course, Marco took no notice, the external noise couldn’t get through the deafening ringing in his ears as tears filled his deep, dark, brown eyes blurring his vision." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The first tears he’d shed since he first learned to speak, back when his life started to become the hell that it is. He didn’t even notice as gravel and broken glass scrapped his legs bloody." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since when had he been kneeling? Ah, he vaguely realized, his legs had given out under him.\n\nEven as he stared at it, Marco couldn’t quite comprehend what he saw. In the center of the family room, there lay Leo’s broken form, crumpled in a pool of his own blood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first, he refused to believe it - that this was his friend, the one who he’d known since kindergarten, who’d been his salvation in this inescapable hell that was his life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, this can’t be the same boy who would give him some of his food when he didn’t have any, who stood up for him when the bullies had made him their favorite punching bag, who ran away with him whenever he needed to escape first his parents’ abuse and eventually, the torment of the other foster kids." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, that boy was a lively, kind and gentle spirit with an impish grin practically etched onto his lightly freckled face and piercing green eyes that whispered nothing but secrets and mischief. That boy who always took care of others more than he did himself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was the life of the party wherever he went, always making the day of whoever he came across just that bit brighter with some joke, story, or witty remark spewing from his thin, chapped lips nonstop as he gesticulated wildly every word; that boy was never down, never broken, and least of all, never still." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Marco knew immediately seeing those familiar brown curls frosted with bits of blue from when the two went spray painting just last week that stuck out from the curled figure on the floor.\n\nOn shaky feet, he dragged himself over to his friend, raising the dead boy's head onto his lap, unconcerned as the sea of red soaked through one of his only good sets of clothes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stroked his hand through his friend’s locks carefully to avoid the gash on his forehead as he let the tears rain onto the lifeless face below him. He chuckled bitterly as he noticed his friend donned his favored Queens tee." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, he froze sharply, eyes squinting at the scar that had been etched into Leo’s hand before he let out a guttural scream of pure undiluted pain that ripped through his throat leaving it raw.\n\nMarco knew anger well but this - this feeling was unfamiliar to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If anger was hot, barbaric, foolish and consumed one’s body, this feeling that overflowed through him was cold,\n\ninsatiable as it threatened to devour him and everything around him. His blood, which never stopped boiling, was now like permafrost in his veins." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he waited for his vision to turn red, all he felt was this new feeling churning deep down, ripping through his trembling form, sharpening all his senses, and steeling all his nerves." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was startled as he recognized the feeling, this indeed was anger, but on a level he’d never felt before beyond rage. This was fury, cold as ice, seizing every cell in his being.\n\nHe took a few breaths trying to get used to this new sensation before he stood up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The symbol engraved in Leo’s palm gave him an idea of who had done this to him. As he walked out of the house, through the newly formed crowd his shout had drawn, caked in dirt and blood, he knew this was the final straw." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned; no, it was the man who has nothing left to lose that should be feared most." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the memory of the boy who’d saved him, but who he, in turn, had been unable to save when it mattered most, he’d show everyone what true hell looked like before he razed everything to the floor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just as there were no gods who delivered him from his suffering all these years, there would be no gods to deliver anyone who stood in his way from his wrath because he’d kill them too.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Giggles the Heroic Donkey, Underdog of the Mystical Coast" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Years later, Giggles the little donkey still remembered the first big challenge she won, against the coyotes stalking her friend, Huckleberry, the baby elk calf." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In that contest between donkey and coyotes, the donkey's unexpected skills and natural gifts surprised the coyotes, who thought they were clever." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was 1898 in the rainforest wilderness of the Mystical Coast, where emerald mountains covered by towering fir trees met the vast ocean reaching to the horizons." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Appearing to be an underdog, with her plain, grey hair, stubby legs, and tall, waving ears, Giggles the little donkey had extraordinary secret talents that helped to make her a hero.\n\nOther creatures who challenged her learned to beware after losing contests with her. She had gifts they did not suspect." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bonding with creature animals and human animals who were friendly, Giggles did not think with words. But instinctively, and in her feelings, she wanted to be respected and valued." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was very social, however, if threatened, or if her friends were threatened, Giggles was very loyal and full of surprises. Giggles recalled the time she was living as one with the elk herd, and she fought and drove the coyotes away from her friend, the baby elk calf known as Huckleberry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Earlier, that previous winter, her family abandoned their homestead for another, and Giggles was left behind out in the meadows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The donkey always roamed freely near the homestead, often guarding the livestock, and the homesteaders left Giggles to find her own way in life, knowing she liked her freedom and independence.\n\nOnce when they tried to put a halter on her or restrain her, Giggle’s wiggled out of it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another time they put her into a barn stall, leaving the top half open so she could still see outside." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Giggle’s cleverly reached over the top, flipped the handle of the steel lever holding the bottom part of the door closed, and slid it open. In the morning the family saw the open door and empty stall.\n\nAround the side of the barn, they found Giggles in the haybarn, happily munching away on a tasty breakfast." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Living up to her name, Giggles would throw back her head, and let a soft, rippling bray like a laugh caress the ears of those around.  However, as any creature who threatened her learned, she had other talents too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When the family got another homestead in an area better suited for them, they abandoned their first one, and Giggles became a free spirit, grazing on the grasses and exploring the mountains, valleys and coastal areas." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But the little grey donkey felt lonely, and without the family and animals of the homestead she did not feel like sounding her laughing bray.\n\nGiggles wandered and looked for her friends for many months in the valleys, forests, mountains, and beaches. In the Spring the lonely donkey joined a herd of elk and made several new friends there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "While Giggles was wandering and grazing, the bears, coyotes and cougars noticed the big eared creature, but they continued on their paths in the forest shadows and meadow grasses, unconcerned and feeling no threat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her appearance was deceptive. Giggles had many talents that were unsuspected by others. In time, those who knew her considered her to be quite gifted. Those who underestimated her were surprised, when they were bested in contests by an underdog." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was a misty Spring day in the emerald world of the coast, when Giggles met the elk herds. The creatures were grazing in a meadow next to a forest. Giggles saw they were a different kind of donkey.\n\nThey were the ones with long legs, delicate ears, and a tall stature." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They had sleek brown coats, white rumps with small, fluffy tails, and delicate ears. Looking up into their warm, liquid brown eyes, Giggles saw herself reflected, while they studied her in return. Not completely accepted, Giggles nibbled wild grasses but stayed a distance from the herd of female elk." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To them, she was a strange-looking elk, with her long ears protruding like giant corncobs and her stubby legs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One particular mama elk, whom the herd thought of as “Brambles,” approached Giggles cautiously with her elk calf, “Huckleberry.” Brambles and Giggles flared their nostrils, snorted softly, and sniffed, and touched muzzles. Giggles pawed the ground with excitement and Brambles stomped her forefeet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When Giggle gave one of her softer, laughing brays, a friendship was born." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Some distance away was another herd of the larger male elk, with their majestic spreads of antlers like tree branches sprouting from their heads.\n\nTowering over the other male elk, was a male with a spread of antlers reaching high, and a massive frame, that everyone respected." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was known to the elk as Sky Mountain.\n\nHe watched the strange-looking little creature trotting on stubby legs over at the females’ herd." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Should he lower his head of pointed antlers and charge forward, bugling a challenge, to run off this long eared animal? Was it even a threat or was it a comical playmate for the elk calves?  Sky Mountain decided to wait and watch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Until Autumn, the huge males, as large as 1,000 pounds, had their own herd, while the females stayed together, nursing, and protecting their newborn elk calves.\n\nEvery Fall, the two herds merged, the males bugling their echoing calls across the lands. There were battles between the male elks over females, with the males charging each other and locking horns." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The little donkey, Giggles, lived the free spirit of her heart, with her elk friends, roaming the meadows, mountains, dunes and beaches of the Mystical Coast.\n\nShe was not quite accepted as part of the herd, except for her friends Brambles and Huckleberry." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But the rest of the females and the male elk leader, Sky Mountain, tolerated Giggles. Secretly, most of the elk thought Giggles was inferior to their majestic stature. They moved gracefully around the meadows and forests on their log, slender limbs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They glanced at each other, when the little grey donkey trotted by, with her stubby legs taking short, choppy steps. What kind of elk does this? They kept their thoughts to themselves, but Giggles could sense by their body language what they felt. Some of them noticed Giggles smelled different too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But over time the donkey proved that she had unique talents of her own. One day the young calf, Huckleberry, was chewing on grasses, while his mother,Brambles, grazed a little ways away. Giggles was nearby, enjoying tasty green morsels. They were so delicious. It was a sunny day in late Spring." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fresh shoots were so tender. The breeze blew gently. Life was peaceful and wonderful. The contented donkey breathed in the sweet, fresh air and relaxed into a drowsy state. Drifting almost asleep, Giggles sensed a new presence. Then one of her long ears caught a strange sound." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something or someone was moving stealthily through the field. She rolled her eyes toward it, and saw the tips of tall golden wild oats waving slightly. What was over there? It did not smell like an elk calf. The little donkey's body went rigid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She flared her nostrils, raised her head, and peeled back her big, full lips in a grimace, because it helped her to smell better.\n\nThe visual effect was fearsome, with her large chompers and gums bared, and her cavernous mouth gaping wide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She saw the little calf, Huckleberry, with his head down, learning to munch happily on a tender meal of spring grass. Something was out there, near Huckleberry. Something threatened her little friend.\n\nGiggle’s heart leaped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A tickle began deep in her throat and the air caught there, then grew into a sound that carried for miles. She opened her mouth like a wide doorway with the thick, strong, huge teeth bared.\n\nAcross the valleys and mountains, all living things heard a sound that was like a whistling scream." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Heee Haaawww…Heee Haaawww…HEEEEE..HAAAWWWW.” It exploded, shrieking across the countryside so that animals everywhere tried to hide their ears from it. Hee… haw...HEEEEE…HHAAAWWW." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The group of camouflaged coyotes, legs bent and bodies close to the ground, creeping through the tall field toward the unsuspecting elk calf, froze at the sound bellowing from Giggles. They shook their heads to try to stop the sound from assaulting their eardrums." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of the coyotes, known as Sly, for the gift of creeping undetected, crouched even closer against the ground, and signaled the others to do so too." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The short, stubby legs of the donkey pounded the ground and she charged, braying her screaming hee haw so that it boomed and frightened all the living things nearby. The birds stopped singing and watched. A hawk overhead soared with winds outspread, coming closer to see what was happening." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Squirrels and chipmunks scurried into their hiding places. Even the very wind, itself, seemed to pause, at the ear splitting sound bellowing from Giggles. The black bears, cougars and raccoons in the forests shook their heads and tried to hide from the terrible sound." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The eagles and ospreys overhead turned their backs and flew upward into the sky.\n\nEven the trees seemed to cringe from the large sound of the gifted braying of the little donkey. It was as if time stopped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even the earth hesitated in its rotation, at the incredible noise of the sound that the shaggy little creature made. Such was the power of Giggle’s talented, magnificent bray. She would not let anyone harm her friend, the little elk calf." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The elk could not believe this sound was coming from the small, grey, shaggy creature. \n\nHow could she do that? It was even more piercing than the bugling of the male elk in the Autumn. But the coyotes continued creeping forward. In a blur of movement, the coyotes leaped to attack the calf." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But the little donkey spun, her short legs moved like lightening, and she dove through the grasses toward the nearest coyote. The contest with the coyotes was a tough fight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like a raging hurricane, Giggles went after the nearest coyote, with her teeth bared, big ears flying bahaunchesand her haunches pushing her at top speed. Her hind legs with their sharp hooves kicked backward and sideways, too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Faster than the coyotes eyes could see, Giggles spun like a whirlwind, and her hooves flew, kicking the coyote out of the way. It ran off towards the forest to hide.." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then another coyote came at her, and another.\n\nFiercely she tore at them with her big teeth, and whirled like a dancer, her small, sharp hooves sending them flying. The elk were her friends, and no one was going to hurt them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For thousands of years, her donkey ancestors defended homes, herds, and friends. Their bravery and loyalty surged through Giggles, in this contest to save the baby elk's life. The other elk came charging to help their strange looking friend with defending the baby elk." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The coyotes took off running for cover, disappearing into the dense underbrush in the distance. Sly and his coyote friends would remember this. They would not bother this elk herd again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Especially, they would keep their distance from the strange looking little, shaggy grey elk with the long ears, and the horrendous, hideous, shrieking, bellowing braying sound that pierced their ears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Brambles, the mama elk, huddled next to her baby, Huckleberry, nuzzling him to be sure he was not injured.\n\nThe other Elk surrounded them protectively. Their eyes expressed concern and they sniffed and nudged Huckleberry all over his body to see if he had been injured." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The rest of the Spring passed, with more baby elk calves on the ground. Then Autumn came and the herds merged, finding mates. For several years Giggles enjoyed being a member of the elk band. After the incident with the coyotes the female elk adopted her into their inner social circles." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Giggles was happy, feeling valued and enjoying their affection. Sometimes they would scratch each other’s backs with their teeth or rest their heads on each other’s withers. They were comrades, like team mates." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But the little donkey was still lonely for the children who used to stroke and gently pull on her incredible ears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She missed the way they would blow their breath into her nostrils to see them flutter, and climb onto her back, sitting lightly on her narrow barrel of a body, while she carried them carefully." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With her small feet, short steps, and large, soft pad in the bottom of each hoof, Giggles was more surefooted than ponies, horses and many other creatures when navigating rocky surfaces and stony trails. She scrambled over them easily instead of slipping and falling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The elk observed her and grew to respect her talents more. When it rained, Giggles didn’t like to get her large ears wet, because it was hard to get the water out. Her shaggy coat did not handle water well, and it was different from the coats of horses." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So she sheltered under the dense fir tree boughs during the rains.\n\nBut shaggy burro could swim if she needed to do it. After crossing a stream or river, she would shake herself hard, sending water spraying everywhere, leaving the shaggy hair standing up in spikes for a while." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Elk were good swimmers and sometimes they crossed waters, and she had to keep up. They were her friends.\n\nOne day Giggles heard sounds coming from a creek. She walked through the shadows beneath the forest and peered through the tree boughs. There was a group of children playing in the water." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When they got out and walked along a trail, Giggles was curious and she followed them. She remembered creatures like this from a long time ago, when she lived on the homestead with her family. Emerging from the forest, the children came to a wide beach, surrounded by tall cliffs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ocean waves blended with the horizon and bubbled onto the sand, forming tidepools. “Look, what’s that?” The children noticed the grey creature and pointed. “Some kind of pony.” They walked past a row of crops growing beyond the sand on a slope, then began going up a steeper but wide path." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Giggles hesitated, then followed them at a distance. One little girl stopped and pulled up some tender grasses, holding them in her hand out to the grey donkey. A distant memory surfaced in Giggles’s mind, she recognized the gesture." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With small, delicate steps, she approached, stretched her neck way out, and pursed her large lips to use them to grasp the little handful of grasses. They were moist and tasty. Her eyes lit up under her shaggy brows and tossled forelock. “Elsie, be careful,” one of the boys called to the girl." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“It’s ok. Look. She’s friendly. It’s like she knows me.” Elsie reached up and stroked the furry neck and wispy forelock over Giggle’s face. She saw the large, warm, intelligent eyes studying her. In return, Giggles nuzzled the girl’s hand, sniffing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The girl felt the soft, velvety muzzle against her hand and arm. The little grey donkey felt her affectionate nature rising and the social bonding began to form a partnership of trust." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she raised her head, opened her mouth wide like a gate, and let the flutter that started in her throat come out in a soft, laughing sound, with her lips peeled back. That night, Giggles ate the extra feed the little girl threw onto the lawn of the house." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When an old Black Bear, known as Stormy, wandered out of the forest near the lighthouse keepers’ Victorian home, Giggles charged at him, braying her magnificent sound. Stormy was looking for leftover garbage from the keepers’ meals." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The family was used to having to clean up because Stormy scattered their trash frequently. Sometimes Stormy the black bear crawled up over the veranda railing and roamed the porch. At night the lighthouse keepers flashed their lanterns before they went outside to be sure they did not run into him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stormy had been arriving intermittently for so many years that the lighthouse keepers had a wealth of stories, and they often chuckled and laughed about their neighborly roaming Black Bear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The huge black bear fled from the little donkey, crashing through the forest, fleeing the assault on his ears of that whistling, screeching sound. Back at the lighthouse station, Giggles raised her head, peeled back her lips, and laughed with her soft fluttering sound." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next day, Giggles was following Elsie and her father, Joseph, when they hiked the quarter mile up to the lighthouse.\n\nThey went inside and Joseph climbed the stairs up to the beacon, 65 feet above the ground, on the bluff 200 feet above the ocean." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seeing Giggles waiting, Elsie went outside, and hugged Giggles around the neck. The little donkey raised her head and gave one of her laughing, fluttering sounds.\n\nGiggles knew she was valued, and she had a new friend.\n\nBut independent as always, Giggles still roamed with freedom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She wore a trail through the wilderness to her beloved elk friends, Brambles and Huckleberry, along with the rest of the herd. When adventure called, the little grey donkey still explored the unknown mountains, valleys and beaches of the Mystical Coast." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The other creatures of the wilderness became familiar with the sounds of her surefooted little donkey hooves trotting along the trails." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They knew the sound of her happy, soft donkey laughter, blending with the winds in the fir trees and the waves whispering on the sandy beaches of the Mystical coast.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tale of the Horse Rescuer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "A nightmare took over the mind of Harold Thumperton on September 15, 1818 and caused him to toss and turn all night in a restless sweat.\n\nHis dream recalled in much too vivid detail the tumultuous sail across the Atlantic that had brought him from England five years before to seek his fortune as a wheat farmer in the rich fields of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over the course of the eight-week journey the ship carrying Harold and his family had run into seas so rough that his fellow passengers believed the ocean would swallow them whole before they came close to the New World they had heard about for years from letters sent home by the earlier settlers of the new land." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An avid reader of pamphlets containing the writings of William Shakespeare, during his family’s voyage he became more and more absorbed in the English bard’s Tempest ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like his own adventure, the play had taken place amid driving rain and howling winds that tossed and turned the writer’s humble sailing vessel in an ocean in a voyage propelled only by a scribe’s vivid imagination." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A half decade later, he and his family believed they finally had adjusted to their new surroundings.\n\nYet, continually exhausted from laboring all day to gather enough crops to sell and feed his wife and two young children, he often barely escaped the same type of storm that had brought them to their American homestead and welcomed them to this new land." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fortunately, as morning’s light dawned the day after his nightmare, Harold had awoken to a pleasant and gently cloudy day.\n\nAlthough exhausted from his struggle with his internal demons from the night before, he only had time for a quick breakfast of ground oats and warm milk before he prepared for another work-filled day on the farm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Employing many of the methods passed down by generations of his\n\nThumperton ancestors across the ocean, he had labored from dawn to dusk clearing,\n\nplowing and planting his new fields during the few bouts of moderate fall climate on the barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean.\n\n Unlike many of his fellow English transplants, he had brought with him to the New World a love of reading." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His horizons also continued to expand thanks to the few copies of the pamphlets of the works of the bard of Avon he had brought with him from his home country." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Although the hard work of running a farm didn’t leave him much time for his avocation, he had begun to study Shakespeare through newly-established mail courses sponsored by Maryland’s Washington University and eventually earned a degree in the discipline." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He dreamed that, one day, he would be able to apply his education to advancing the lives of his fellow tillers of the sod by passing along his love of literature, but this remained an elusive dream." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His heart and hands still primarily focused on helping grow the food to feed his family and helping out his neighbors in his small circle of life.\n\n Farming had not advanced nearly as far as the world of academia." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since tractors and other mechanized equipment didn’t exist, Harold and his fellow farmers cut the wheat with long-bladed scythes and bound the sheaves by hand. \n\nThey then used the strong horses of the ocean side island to harvest this rich crop." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Satisfying the huge appetites of the large creatures required year-round feeding not available on the inland sections of the island." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During the times when their farms did not provide seasonal forage, the farmer and his neighbors would herd their horses to the island borders with the Atlantic Ocean, where they could feed on the rich salt hay.\n\n  For almost two decades Mother Nature had provided an almost limitless supply along the shore to help their animals thrive in the off-season, and the weather often moderated enough to help them transport the animals to the water’s edge with no problem." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, in 1818, a foul wind that made Harold recall the account in The Tempest , swept up the East Coast without warning, smashing a path of destruction throughout the Sinepuxent Bay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its force took down the small farmhouses and businesses that had grown up in the tiny village of Sinepuxent, on Sinepuxent Neck across the bay from the barrier island." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The inlet there had allowed access to many ocean-going ships passing through the island from the Atlantic to the bay.\n\n  As the farmers on Assateague Island tried to shelter their valuable animals from the storm several trees split right down the middle, threatening to destroy them, their masters and their home.\n\nThe horses, of course, went into a panic and began to rear up and run around wildly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two members of Harold’s herd almost crushed him in a hurry to escape. As he rushed after Starlight Master, his prize stallion, his rope slipped off the horse’s neck every time he attempted to lasso it. Finally, he pulled the animal to safety." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The wind continued to howl, and the combination of the fearsome breezes and rains eventually flattened the village and made what once thrived as the homestead in Sinepuxent crumble and become an addition to the expanding ocean." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The forces of nature which helped Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore contribute so much to the growth of America, destroyed the town which had, 39 years before produced Stephen Decatur, one of the country’s greatest naval heroes of the 18th century." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Harold managed to round up the remainder of his herd on the island, but the storm had other ideas." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The raging sea, so similar in depth and power to that described by his favorite bard in the literature he loved as much as his new home in America, took with his beloved village the man who his fellow workers of the island fields had come to regard as one of the saviors of the famous Assateague ponies." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The forces of nature which often had partnered with the gallant farmer swept him under the surf before he could breathe his last and drowned his dream to bring Shakespeare to the masses of the Eastern Shore. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Pawn becomes a Knight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For Hundreds of years, the White Kingdom, and the Red Realm have been locked in battle. The White Royals, have fought to keep their land, and on several occasions had nearly been wiped out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was for this cause, three generations ago, the White King made a decree for all his people, every man woman and child would be trained for battle, and were divided by rank.\n\nThe highest rank of course being the royal family, then there were the defenders, an elite force that closely guarded the royals, and kept the walls heavily fortified, next the bishopric, consisting of advisors, scholars, and ministers, knights held a rank of honor, and were given fine steeds, but lowest of all was the pawns, made up of the servants, expendables if you will, they were the foot soldiers, the fodder of the battlefield, their lives were oft spent holding the line of battle.\n\n Liam had the misfortune to be born among the pawns, by the time he had learned to walk, his training began, by fifteen he was wielding a sword, and placed in the front lines with his brothers.\n\nYou may think it harsh, but the King was not unkind, he reminded his servants daily, every one of them, down to the last, had a fulfilling purpose, and knowing the servants, had the smallest chance at survival, set a law in place, for all to see their sacrifice was equal to that of any man. \n\nAny pawn that made it through to breach the castle, could be given a new title, and their children would carry that rank, it went on further to state, if any woman was to start a family, she would then retire from the battlefield, to raise her children, and any family, close to extinction, except in defense, would be exempt from the battle, this way the family line could continue, to bring future generations, future soldiers, to expand the white kingdom.\n\nLiam of course still being a pawn, meant none of his ancestors, made it through the lines, but he was determined to be the one, he had grand aspirations of becoming a knight, he loved watching how fluidly they moved on the field, mounted on great steeds.\n\nAs a foot soldier, he could only move onward and forward, but the knights had a way of galloping about in many directions, as they cleared the path, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. \n\nFive years Liam fought, just last year, he married his fighting partner, together they hoped to end their serfdom, and raise more knights for the service of the King and Queen, His wife Tilly, soon retired from the war to raise their daughter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had lost all but one brother, how he survived this long he did not know, but was nonetheless thankful, praying his brother would live to see another day, before he too was pulled from the fight, loosing his last chance to rise above his station. Pressing forward, his eye on the goal of a knighthood." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All around him the battle raged, steel clanged against steel, The Red Realms defenders, launched boulders from the trebuchets, pawns littered the fields, all around him chaos ensued." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Liam blocked a blow to his head, while dealing a death blow to his enemy, and then he saw his chance, the battlements were only a few hundred yards away, the warrior queen was up ahead, she too had seen a chance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evading blows Liam dashed off after the Queen, her protection, had long since, been lost. Together they raced through the side gate, Liam taking out several guards, till they reached the stables, and were able to take a short respite.\n\n“You have done well soldier” she said “Let me see you sword” Liam withdrew his sword, and presented it to his queen with a bow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“What is your name soldier?”\n\n“Liam, Your Majesty” “You are quite skilled with your sword Liam, and your family should be proud." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now, tell me what you require, I daresay you do not want the bishopric” “Your Ladyship, I would be honored to become a knight in your service, if it would please you” The Queen smiled graciously, “and you shall have it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pray take a knee” He did so, as she continued, touching the broadside of the sword gently on his shoulder “By the law of King Robert, I dub thee Sir Liam, Knight of the White Kingdom”\n\nLiam rose, taking back his sword, ready to rejoin the fray, but the Queen stopped him, “I suppose a knight should have his horse, and we have a ready stable before us, choose your steed, and loose the rest” Liam did as instructed, selecting a chestnut roan, while the Queen chose a dapple grey, together they mounted, and with renewed strength, rode out among the herd they had set free.\n\nSoldiers of the Red Realm, cried out in alarm, scattering about to avoid being trampled, victory was nigh, the Red King was cornered, and the white Queen was about to strike, yet at the last moment, a defender blocked her path protecting his king." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The wrong move meant she would die, there was little time to ponder her next move, as Liam stepped in to engage with the defender, and cause a distraction, so the Queen could finish what she came for.\n\nThe defender was a bulwark of a man, to whom Liam was no match, but he fought bravely, warding off blow after blow, till he could take no more, the defenders battle-axe crushed his skull, and with his last breathe, plunged his blade into the man, giving the Queen the opportunity she needed to dethrone the Red King once and for all." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Victorious at last, the Queen, raised the Red King’s crown over the parapets to mark the end of war, and surrender of the enemy, bringing cheers to the soldiers below, little knowing of Liam’s sacrifice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Queen was not a selfish woman, and made it well known to all of Liam’s tragic loss, and as the law stated made sure his future generations would henceforth be knights.\n\nBards sang of his bravery, his tale became a legend among pawns, and theirs was a brighter future, because of it.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am you and you are me" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I realized this morning that I have this unsatisfiable need to see myself in new mirrors often enough that it makes me feel uncomfortable about myself. The new mirrors at new places that I go to, the mirrors I cannot lie to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am getting older, my body is changing and I am not the pro tennis player anymore. Now I am an artist. My body is getting soft, as maybe I am too, and though I look somewhat thirty, I can feel the forty in my bones, especially upon waking." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can feel the effects of the dreadful medicine I have been taking for the last six years, but above and beyond anything I can feel my laziness which piled up on my superbly designed body." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My hair is turning gray, which I love, my skin is getting a bit dull, which I highly dislike, and at certain angles in these new mirrors I don’t really like myself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But did I ever?\n\nLife is happening all around me, as I sit on a bench and with great anticipation wait for the cafe in front of the hotel to open, because I am addicted again… to coffee." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A young Georgian woman wearing jeans, a light brown tank top and high black hills is stirring up the calm of the morning energy. She walks to the street and back to the cafe with a fuss and a fasson of a busy woman." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I watch her coming and going in front of me and I examine her, examine - not judge, and at this very moment I finally know and am in peace with the idea that I will never be like her, although at some point in my life I tried and for some unjustified reason wanted to be “her” and not myself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am nothing like her, wearing my famously black plane “uniform” which I wear in an attempt to disguise my strong presence and casually wearing my recently acquired black designer crocs, to which I am now shamelessly very attached to." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Although I have not become “her” and remained myself, “the myself” with crocs or without, is yet needed to be found and established, at 40.\n\nThere is a grandmother with her grandchild on the bench to my right, feeding a banana to the child." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The child munching mindlessly on the banana forced into her mouth keeps looking at me with wide blue eyes curiously examining every inch of me and my every move." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I suddenly feel very responsible under her gaze and for her subconscious recollection of me in the future, so I smile at her, then look back down at my pen and paper and keep my back straight and my movements graceful.\n\nThe street to my left is steadily getting busier and noisier." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am calm in my very core, and the slight wind is playing with my hair which makes me feel beautiful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wonder if God intended it like that, to make soft wind, to play with women’s hair to make us feel beautiful.\n\nI am sitting next to a building, the same building I set by years ago after my car got towed from a wrong parking spot when I stopped for coffee in the heart of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the trip during which I wore my white linen dress and every single police officer on the highway pulled me over while I drove from Yerevan to Dilijan, then to Tbilisi and off to Gudauri and ended up at a beautiful hotel on top of the village called Kazbeki." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I will never return to Georgia again” were my last thoughts on my way back home, sitting exactly here on this bench, in despair, feeling uncomfortable and extremely lonely and a bit angry at myself for coming, against all odds and mysterious signs that I shouldn’t have.\n\nLately I have started to notice that I rarely feel lonely anymore, if ever." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a lifetime of feeling lonely it was alarming to suddenly notice that the feeling of loneliness is gone. The absence of a feeling that although slightly frightens me, is also courageous and a triumph." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I learned to accept life, not life as it is, or my life as I have built it to be, but life in whole. Life as the existence that is around me that completely includes me and omittes me from it at the same time, the life that I am part of and the life that I am not part of at all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This life - I am at peace with it. I was supposed to give an interview today, which was then going to turn into a little beautiful movie about me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I think it was high time I did something like that because the world is forgetting about me while I am finding acceptance hiding in my shell and black plain uniforms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But still I decided to pause and try to listen to the middle of my chest today, and although being responsible has always been “my thing”, today I decided to hear what life inside my chest wanted from me. So I canceled the interview." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I fled to Georgia with the excuse that I have a rash on my face, the excuse that tied me to my past insecure self and the irrational decision that drove me towards the new me which I need to still build more confidently." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish I was already the person who would just call and say “I don’t want to do the interview today, let’s reschedule” and not come up with an excuse of an imaginary rash or feel guilty.\n\nThe idea of driving through our Armenian mountains in full blossom and ending up at a place where there are new mirrors and new smells and new tastes and new views was too appealing to me today." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to leave so that I would want to return again. I wanted to miss everything that I love so that I can come back to it, to them. I wanted to write in a place where I have no responsibilities, where I just can exist and feel it fully." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So I canceled the interview and left with a friend who called me an hour before her departure: “Fully financially covered trip, you just need to come” she said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So I went.\n\nNow she is deep asleep in the last and sweetest hour of the mandatory nightly eight hours, while I am skipping it and writing instead. Lingering in the air is the hotel breakfast smell, hotel breakfasts that I finally know that I truly dislike and would rather skip." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can hear the unfamiliar noises all around me and I already have met with the mirror that did not know me. With the sun rising I stood and looked at the river Qur that flows through the city, and I felt it, the calling, the calling I love, the calling of home.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Anti-Villain" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Honey… they’ve busted 2 of my tutors on immigration, which means I’ll be running at a loss this month, again… I ermmm… I know why it’s not a good idea… but…” Mina started I was just 13 the first time I killed a “man”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Look you f*&king Dumb*ss your idiocy is the reason our ecology teacher gives the same lesson over and over and can’t get on to anything interesting” I said to Walter smashing his head into the locker." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His friends started to advance on me but remembered what I did when outnumbered in elementary school. I don’t remember how many times I did things like this… but eventually Walter challenged me to a one on one fight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You’d expect someone with one lung to give up when they’re knocked down and their opponent is able to put pressure on their chest preventing them from breathing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You’d be wrong, as I was, because neither of us understood that Walter really had been doing his best to do well in school and make his parents proud." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And I was regularly hitting him at his most vulnerable place, earning the sort of hatred child abuse victims bear for their parents without the elements of love and gratitude that make those relationships complex. Walter was determined to fight to the death; and he succeeded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After his heart stopped I had to spend 5 minutes doing CPR on him before the paramedics arrived with an EKG machine to restart it… I took a swig of strong (10%)\n\nbeer before replying “I’m already working 50 hr weeks on average." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I volunteer for Saturday special collections I can get another 4 to 6 hours at time and a half. But it means you’d need to do pretty much ALL the housework” I slurped down several more sips of strong beer awaiting her response." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“.Can we please stop pretending you are just a garbageman?” The man who first killed at 13 glared at her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She knew that man, I knew it was part of what attracted her to me… I just didn’t want to believe it was most of it.”Just a garbageman?, during the pandemic I was the first and last line of defense between civilization and horrors; Garbage men are the first symbol of state power children learn to identify with; and when things to fall apart for the last time it will be the last garbage man disposing of the corpses of the dead who will sing civilizations swan song." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As a garbageman I am part of a community of Heroes. If you ever disrespect garbagemen again I swear no one will ever ID your body” Sometimes fooling\n\na very intelligent person is easy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If they really really want to believe the story you are telling they will use their very high IQ to look for ways to fill in the holes, just as Star-Trek fans look for ways it’s ‘Science’ could maybe be true." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As an 18 year old who is desperately lonely, in part because I was superior to everyone around me ,I\n\nwas very eager to believe a young woman whose family connections raise her to my level and says she loves me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So when I met Manuela online\n\nand she claimed she was\n\n15 and old enough to date me, I explained away every bit of ignorance or immaturity she displayed. It wasn’t too hard. She was after all better informed and more mature than many 15 year olds in my old highschool." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was 12 when they first had cyber-sex. She was 13 when we broke up because (unbeknownst to me) she was losing track of reality because the most emotionally significant parts of her life were when she was living a lie." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After she confused a servant by talking about things that were in her pretend life as though they were real, her parents had an intervention and convinced her to end our relationship. It was the early 21th century and I was enrolled in a biotechnology program at a local university." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So building a\n\ntransgenic virus was actually easier than buying a plane ticket to her hometown to confront her after she dumped me… It took alcohol and a girl who liked being treated by mud, to get me to abandon the doomsday virus." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The dumbass school administrators thought it must have been Islamic terrorists who stole the lab equipment and were prepared to send a muslim student to Gitmo. The islamic student they chose was one of the few friends I had." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I confessed and convinced them I was trying to make steroids illegally rather than commit mass murder. Like I said, they were dumbasses." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was one of the best students, so they gave me the chance to finish my Bsc so long as I paid for the used up reagents (which I ironically did by actually making and selling illegal steroids), but made it clear I wouldn’t be welcome to study with them any further. Thus I ended up joining the army." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I puffed on my THC vape as she went on. “The man I fell in love with, would look at my problem with sober eyes and find a solution!” she screamed “Did you fall in love with me?” I replied genuinely curious." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like every newly minted Lieutenant for my first month in Afghanistan I was relying on my sergeants to teach me how to do my job." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I taught myself basic Pashtun back in America so they weren’t\n\nthe only ones teaching me, I also did my best to learn from the locals myself.\n\nManuela taught me a valuable lesson. I was careful to not believe anything simply because I wanted to but to look from every angle and find the real truth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What I found was that the average Afghan man didn’t understand much about secular liberalism and didn’t like a big chunk of what he did understand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Democracy had a bit of appeal in a “I guess it’s better than civil war” kind of way; but a democratically elected theocracy is not what America wanted.\n\nIf America wanted to win the peace we’d need to take a lesson from the communist (or feudalist) book and create an armed elite out of people who were loyal to our core values." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Creating an armed liberal feminist nationalist elite in a traditional muslim country actually shouldn’t be that hard. Offer free university to women who marry war heroes from different tribes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You suddenly have thousands of combat veterans married to doctors or engineers who see protecting women's rights and the central government as extensions of protecting their family." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first my superiors ignored my suggestions because they thought secular democracy was natural and just needed a bit of money and security to develop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasn’t yet sure they were wrong and I am a patriot so sought opportunities to acquire the money to buy the security… There were some things US soldiers couldn’t legally be ordered to do… oh they would do them if they had to… but sometimes it would cause problems. I am a very good organic chemist." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasn’t hard for me to figure out how heroin could be mixed with gasoline or diesel and recovered after. No one ever chemically tests the fuel in vehicles being transported around the world for heroin. It’s possible the tests don’t exist yet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Making friends among the drug dealers and vehicle techs in America and Afghanistan who I’d need to build the smuggling route was significantly\n\nmore difficult.\n\nFor me the hardest part of becoming a warlord was figuring out how to act nice to people; “fortunately” the war was still going on so I had people I could legally kill with my own hands in order to work off the stress." }, { "from": "human", "value": "By the time I was a Captain Wiggins, by day, I was “the Jinn” by night the mysterious partner of Ikhair Bin Abdul." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sergeant Schultz couldn’t be happy without a woman and being with a woman leads to children, I helped him keep his little local family a secret and safe, and he helped me keep my double life secret and functional." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The\n\nrest of the men helped me when I needed them to because they knew I was keeping them alive… but I didn’t demand too much off the book work from any of them, lest their moral flexibility was pushed to its breaking point." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How do you terrify people who believe they’ll go to paradise if they die fighting you?\n\nTheir were a number of options, ranging from pumping their stomachs full of bacon and beer before injecting them with viagra and having a man rape them to death, to targeting their families for collective punishment." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ikhair invested my share of the heroin money into employing locals who demonstrated a talent for this sort of work to assist in peacekeeping. My district thus had less Taliban activity than any of its neighbors, with almost no US government money spent on bribes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ikhair felt safe sending his daughters to school and he was far from the only one. I was promoted to major, in part as I neither died nor demanded to be transferred anywhere else. I don’t think I am morally responsible for Major Wongs death." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She got this paranoid idea that everything I told her was a lie, so I simply told her the truth about where the old landmines were buried and let her do her thing. “I saw you as my hero. Either you truly were, or I was blinded by love.” “You were blinded by love”\n\nI replied, sucking back on my vape.." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A tear was leaking out though because I wanted to believe she wasn’t. Afghanistan grew richer, Some afghans came to like us for the peace and prosperity we were providing. But all that peace and prosperity was built on American money and American blood that would someday stop flowing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This encouraged too many politicians and generals to believe they didn’t need to worry about creating a system that could survive without us. So as Bush left office and Obama took it America drew no closer to real victory." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first I thought Col Blain would be receptive to my ideas, he talked about how feminism was the key to Ultimate victory. He was an intelligent man. Maybe as intelligent as me. But his attention was focused elsewhere. He saw victory in terms of keeping the blood and money flowing to Afghanistan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His version of feminism was to publish stories of women who were free to get jobs and live as spinsters because of the American presence. This earned the hatred of 100% of afghan men and over 50% of the Afghan women." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But it made feminists vote for increased military and foreign aid spending.\n\nIn some ways a long war in afghanistan wasn’t so bad, America could afford it and as I said earlier some of the Afghans were getting rich off it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But it wasn’t sustainable… sooner or later it would need to end and I couldn’t look away from that reality. Schultz and I met with Ikhair, to discuss the problem.\n\n“He’s not as stupid as Wong. We can’t convince him to suicide”I said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“There’s no way we can get a US soldier to assassinate him, fragging doesn’t happen to popular officers”Schultz added “So you’re saying my specialists are needed for this.” Ikhair replied." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Yeah… I think it would be best if we made it look like a Taliban attack… maybe get a Taliban deserter or two involved in it?” I said “I don’t like this. If the Taliban kill a US colonel, you’ll need to blame someone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Best case scenario, you shoot the men I hired and parade their corpses around, then everyone in my organization will think I sold them out and be paranoid." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Worst case you capture them alive, they turn on me and I get shot.” “What if I promise you it will remain an unsolved case?” “How am I supposed to trust you when the stakes are this high? Dynastic marriage like kings of old?” “..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "if it comes to that… would you like to introduce me to your daughters?… maybe I’ll click with one.” Mina had a passion for math that could become a real talent with training. When I talked to her I didn’t always feel like I was trying to bully a dog into playing chess." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Schultz gave me advice on how to please Afghan women; A third of the advice seemed to be “women like money to buy food and stuff” but phrased romantically . Our “honeymoon” was Schultz and Ikhair covering for me in different parts of my life so I could get to know my new bride." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meeting with my new father in law after Blaine was dealt with was different… it was a family dinner party with Schultz bringing along his wife and child as well. But we still got down to business eventually." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I did as you asked and reached out to some known Taliban sympathizers to conduct the attack… I think I sold them on your idea of a family friendly feminism for veterans (like themselves) They were willing to work incredibly cheap… one was surprised to be paid at all… They will definitely help you if you want any more attacks on americans or corrupt government officials” Ikhair said Schultz did a double take “sir.." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It looks like you’re now the local Taliban commander… It looks like the war is now a game, a game of murder solitaire … It looks like… I’m going to teach\n\nthe kids an English song now…” he said, getting up to leave the men’s table." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Listening to a choir of woman and children sing “So this is Eid now, so what have you done” and focus on the chorus “War is over; if you want it” would have been gratifying… if it wasn’t a lie.\n\nYes, in one corner of Afghanistan I was playing my game of full contact murder solitaire but to truly end the war with American victory I had to reform Afghan society which I couldn’t do without changing the policies of the American army set by the politicians." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I used the services of my Taliban a few more times. I was killing more incompetent officers and corrupt politicians than islamic extremists for a while… but it was never enough." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The only hope of victory was if I took over the American government… I was considering options, Kidnapping Obama’s children to pressure him into passing the policies I wanted seemed like the only solution that wasn’t a cure worse than the disease, but pulling it off would \n\nbe a suicide mission for hundreds of loyal Taliban and american soldiers which I did not yet have… Ikhair, Schultz, and Mina arranged an intervention for me before I risked all our lives working on that plan." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Take the opium” Ikhair said “I don’t smoke” “It’s medicinal” “Please honey… you’re scaring us” Mina pleaded. And so I smoked and talked, about how everyone was so stupid and it was so frustrating, so I felt I had to be responsible for everything which angered me even more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I smoked and talked about it a few more times until I could accept that America would lose the war and I couldn’t realistically prevent it. While intoxicated… maybe I am slow and stupid. But I’m not angry. I don’t need to control everything.. It’s nice; and so am I." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I resigned and arranged for Ikhair and Schultz to continue the heroin transportation as a purely economic business with no more political element. As a civilian I married Mina legally before returning to America with her. She wanted to study math and live the American dream." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to be happy even if it meant being as stupid as everyone else. “I really don’t want to go back to what I used to be… I’m happy being a regular guy” I whined. “I’m pregnant." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Will your kid be happy with the world a regular dad will leave for her?” And so I stopped drinking and doing drugs for my daughter, which seems like a pretty regular thing… not super villainy at all… just a regular blue collar bro thing… All the electronics being thrown in the garbage contain trace amounts of precious metals, It wasn’t that hard to figure out how to mcgyver a reclamation system… just a blue collar bro running a side business." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "F*&king government regulaters are getting in the way; HOW F*&KING DARE THESE INFERIOR MINDS INTERFERE WITH MY FAMILY'S FUTURE!!!." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Easy as Lighting Wet Wood with a Candle" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I won't have it,\" Lady Nimmo said with her hands on her hips. \"There has to be another way.\" The mighty victor over shadow elves and dragons sought an edge in this argument but found none. \"But there isn't,\" Trungen said without emotion. \"I will hammer the cork into place." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You three will sail to the fleet.\" \"I won't leave you behind, and I'm not leaving the stumpers.\" Battle scenes flashed through her mind. Dragons shooting fire-bolts. Stumpers on fire. A shadow elf slicing her father's face with a knife." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The stumpers and I will be fine.\" \"With those dragons?\" Lady Nimmo shook her head. \"I don't think so.\" Jor and Captain Arrow stood quietly while the ladies fought. Jor knew changing his daughter's mind would be as easy as lighting wet wood with a candle, but he butted in any way." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Alright, ladies, that's enough. We can't do anything about the stumpers. We would need several ships, and those dragons aren't going to let that happen.\" The ladies remained silent. \"I will place the cork." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's my duty as your father and captain of the Duchess's Guard.\" Lady Nimmo stared at her father. He stared back - neither giving an inch. She teared up and immediately felt angry with herself for her weakness. Jor teared up, unable to remain stern. Her tears always broke him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Excuse me,\" Captain Arrow said. \"I know I'm the new guy, but I have an idea.\" The staring contest pushed everything from their minds, including recent pirate friends. Both contestants' facial expressions said, \"Who are you?\" \"Ok, hear me out,\" he cleared his throat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We'll tie a rope to the underwater boat and attach the other end to a long plank. I'll hammer in the cork. You all row out, and I'll ride the plank.\" He grinned and beamed, \"Not too shabby for a two-legged pirate.\" \"The dragons will see you and blow your two-legged butt out of the water,\" Jor said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Uh, yes. I did forget about them. Let's see. Maybe I could hold my breath and ride under the plank.\" The argument circled, going nowhere. As the impasse grew, frustration rose, and a compromise appeared hopeless." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A couple of dragons holding white sheets flew overhead, landing just outside bowshot range, adding a few hundred yards to be safe. Waving the sheets, they cried parley.\n\nThe argument stopped when they noticed the dragons overhead. However, they could not hear them. The dragons shouted again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time, they heard and shouted back their agreement. They marched with stumpers flanking each side. The delegates faced each other. The dragons congratulated Lady Nimmo on her recent victory over them. She bowed and accepted the somewhat awkward praise." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The dragons wasted no time getting to the reason for their parley. They proposed an alliance similar to the one made with the shadow elves: their protection for treasure. \"I would agree, but unfortunately, I don't have any,\" Lady Nimmo said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She remained stone-faced, unwilling to let the dragons see her excitement. This could be the answer: a way for everyone to leave together. The dragons clawed the ground, disappointment written on their faces. They needed a reason to ally with Lady Nimmo." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The tension between the Wa-Gi and the Fa-To clans has grown to an all-time high. The Wa-Gi wanted nothing to do with the shadow elves, but the Fa-To coerced them into it, costing them several of their own. The cusp of war approached, and allying with Lady Nimmo could tip the scale in their favor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's not entirely accurate,\" Captain Arrow said. \"Which part?\" Lady Nimmo asked. \"The treasure part. You see, I have a few chests up there,\" he pointed to a mountain. \"And I will give them to you.\" \"We can't let you.\" Lady Nimmo didn't want to owe political favors to anyone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or, at least, that's what she told herself. \"It's yours, you simply can't.\" Captain Arrow grinned, \"You're right, it is mine. So, I can give it to whomever I want. And I want to give it to you.\" He looked at Lady Nimmo; her knees, legs, and arms went weak." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She could no longer convince herself it had anything to do with politics. He turned to the dragons, \"I had a smoke-dragon friend help me last time. Will you guys help me get it down?\" \"Not just us. Our entire clan will help.\" \"Wonderful. Then we have a deal?\" The pair of dragons nodded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But we are obligated to inform you. The Fa-To clan is not part of this alliance.\" \"The Fa-foo-who?\" \"We broke from them after you defeated us. Your alliance is with the Wa-Gi.\" \"Well, I'm glad you mentioned that,\" Captain Arrow said. He turned back to the others, asking what they should do." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The party agreed half the dragons were better than none. \"Alright. Let's plan on meeting in an hour.\" They nodded and flew off. The four stood dumbfounded. They could not have come up with a better plan. They might have a chance of getting off this island together." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, assuming the Fa-To clan doesn't interfere. Everyone helped extract the treasure. The dragons flew Captain Arrow and some stumpers to the small cave entrance. They pulled out the chests. The dragons carried the chests down. The stumpers on the ground counted the loot." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The process went smoothly until all hades broke loose. The Fa-To clan flew in hot with mouths blazing, strafing the stumpers on the ground. Trungen reacted like lightning. Spinning her staff so quickly that it looked like a shield, she deflected several fire bolts into the attacking dragons." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lady Nimmo fired arrow after arrow, hitting wings and tails. Despite Jor's injured shoulder, the magic inside took over. His sword glowed red, and his eyes caught fire. The pain in his shoulder disappeared. A Fa-To landed, clawing stumpers, sending them flying with his tail and spitting fire bolts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One hit a stumper at point-blank range, and he exploded into a pile of burnt splinters. Jor rushed the dragon. The dragon faced him and smiled. He fired several bolts. Jor swung his sword and disintegrated each one. He closed the distance, ducked claws, and spun with a backhand swing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fiery blade sliced off the head of the beast. A dogfight between the clans filled the air. Fire-bolts lit the sky. Dragons were diving, rolling, slicing, attempting to shake the pursuer or to stay on his tail. Captain Arrow stood helpless at the cave entrance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He ventured out over the ledge, searching for a way to get to Lady Nimmo. A Fa-To saw him and attacked. Fire bolts exploded around him, pulverizing rocks and sending dust clouds around him. \"Not good! Not good!\" Captain Arrow dropped to all fours, blinded by the dust." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The stumpers ran onto the ledge and pulled him back into the cave. The battle moved to the air. The ground troops could do nothing but watch. \"If the Fa-To win, be ready,\" Jor said. He told Trungen to signal the stumpers to form squares." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lady Nimmo couldn't stop staring at Jor's eyes, \"I know this isn't the time, but we are going to talk about those eyes.\" The aerial battle raged, and dragons fell from the sky. The ground force couldn't tell one clan from another, so they refrained from shooting arrows." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One of the Wa-Gi negotiators landed and raised his arms in peace. \"No one shoot! He's one of ours!\" Jor said. \"How goes the battle?\" \"We need your help,\" the Wa-Gi struggled to regain his breath. \"We're going to move the battle back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'll fain a retreat, and we'll fly over your heads, appearing to escape. When they pursue, we'll turn and light them up after we pass. You all join with your arrows." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Together, we'll crush them.\" The stumpers positioned themselves into three waves as they watched the nearing battle, Lady Nimmo standing with them. The Wa-Gi yelled retreat, and the entire clan flew straight down and pulled up only feet from the ground. The Fa-To chased." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When the Wa-Gi passed over the stumpers, they immediately turned around and fired. The stumpers released their arrows. The Fa-To stared at a wall of death, realizing too late it was a trap. Most fell wounded. A few fell dead. The lucky ones abandoned the island, never to return." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Captain Arrow peeked from the cave, \"Is it over? I say, can one of you help us down? Hello?\" The air cleared of smoke. Lady Nimmo and her band stood side by side with Wa-Gi dragons. A moment of unease passed through everyone, but it wasn't warranted. The Wa-Gi stayed true to their word." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We intend to ask Captain Wington to bring his fleet to evacuate us. Will you let them dock?\" Lady Nimmo asked. They promised not to bother the ships. They grabbed their treasure, said their goodbyes, and flew to their mountain nests. Lady Nimmo, Jor, and Trungen entered the underwater boat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Electing to wait with the stumpers, Captain Arrow hammered the cork into place. The craft entered deeper water and sank a few feet under the waves, leaving only the vertical spyglass above. They left the Eye of Duran with Captain Arrow, figuring it would motivate the Selwyn navy to return quickly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that they didn't trust Captain Wington, but Jor believed in helping others be trustworthy. In a week, the Selwyn navy arrived. The Wa-Gi stayed out of sight. Lady Nimmo personally attended to the loading of her stumpers. The sailors had never seen one and felt uneasy with the magical stumps." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But after the stumpers insisted on rowing – work being one of their most loved activities, the sailors quickly warmed up to them. After everyone boarded, the fleet disembarked. That evening, on the deck of the White Tsunami, Lady Nimmo and Captain Arrow stood watching the sunset." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The sea gently swayed, and sunbeams danced along the water. \"So, what's your plans? Going pirating again?\" Lady Nimmo asked as casually as possible. \"No, my days of pirating are over.\" Lady Nimmo's heart skipped a beat or two, perhaps a dozen. \"I'm leaving the sea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was thinking I'd try a more quiet place to live. I've heard forests can be very quiet.\" \"You're only saying that because you've never lived in one,\" Lady Nimmo said. \"Oh, I forgot. You live in a forest. So, tell me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Does a two-legged pirate have a chance in a forest?\" Both hearts pounded, but their faces remained stoic, neither wanting to reveal their desire." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, I guess you'd last a few weeks.\" The sun dipped into the water, throwing out its last blushing-orange beams, almost like it blushed for the couple who weren't ready to blush. Well, at least in front of each other.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Time Weaver" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The city of Veridian Peaks was a cacophony of movement... a symphony of hurried footsteps, blaring horns, and neon lights that painted the night sky. It was a place where time raced forward, leaving no room for pause. But Evelyn Frost was different." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evelyn had discovered her ability as a child, during a chaotic moment in the bustling marketplace. She had reached out to grab an apple, and suddenly, everything froze... the vendors mid-shout, the pigeons suspended in flight, and the raindrops hanging in the air." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Time became her canvas, and she reveled in its stillness. Now as an adult, Evelyn navigated the city's chaos effortlessly. She wore a long coat that billowed like a midnight storm, concealing her secret. Her eyes, an otherworldly shade of silver, held the weight of centuries." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She moved through the crowd, brushing against people who remained blissfully unaware of their frozen existence. Evelyn had her favorite spots... the hidden corners where she could pause and observe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The rooftop garden of the Chronos Café, with its overgrown vines and forgotten statues, was her sanctuary. There she would sit on the edge if a marble fountain, sipping her coffee as raindrops hung suspended around her. From her vantage point, Evelyn watched the stories unfold." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A couple argued, their words frozen in mid-air... a love on pause. A street musician strummed his guitar, a melody lingering like a forgotten dream. And the city itself... the skyscrapers, the billboards, the traffic... stood frozen, waiting for her command." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One evening, as Evelyn lingered on the rooftop, she noticed a man... a stranger... standing at the café's entrance. His eyes were a stormy gray, and he seemed out of place amidst the stillness. Evelyn unfroze time just enough to hear his whispered words. \"Is anyone here?\" he asked, glancing around." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evelyn stepped down from the fountain, her boots making ripples in the rainwater. \"You're the first,\" she replied, her voice echoing like distant thunder. He blinked, realizing that time had resumed for him alone. \"Who are you?\" \"Evelyn Frost,\" she said. \"And you?\" \"Lucian,\" he answered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I've been searching for someone like you.\" Lucian revealed his purpose... to find a way to reverse time, to mend a broken heart. His sister, lost in the rush of life, had vanished without a trace. Evelyn listened, her heart stirring empathy. She knew the weight of secrets, the ache of longing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Together they explored the city's frozen moments. The laughter in a crowded subway, the tears on a park bench, the whispered promises in a dimly lit alley. Lucian's hope rekindled, and Evelyn wondered if perhaps if she could weave time backward for him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But as they delved deeper, Evelyn discovered a truth... the threads of time were fragile. To alter fate was to unravel the fabric of reality itself. And so, she faced a choice: preserve the stillness or risk everything for love." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evelyn and Lucian continue to explore the city together, their footsteps echoing through the frozen streets. They visited the Veridian Museum of Lost Time, where ancient pocket watches hung on velvet-lined walls. Each watch held a story... a stole kiss, a missed train, a promise unfulfilled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lucian traced his fingers over the glass cases, his eyes lingering on a tarnished silver watch. \"Can you unlock their memories?\" he asked. Evelyn hesitated. \"I can glimpse fragments... the laughter, the tears..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "but altering them risks unraveling reality.\" \"But what if we could change just one moment?\" Lucian whispered. \"Bring my sister back.\" Now, they stood at the edge of the city, where the river met the sky. Evelyn watched the water flow, it's rhythm unyielding. \"Time is like an hourglass,\" she said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Each grain falls inexorably.\" Lucian took her hand. \"What if we could tip the hourglass? Reverse the flow?\" Together, they devised a plan. Evelyn would pause time, and Lucian would step into the frozen river. He would find the moment when his sister disappeared and change it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Evelyn held time still, Lucian waded into the river. The water clung to his boots, and he closed his eyes, searching for the rift. Memories flooded him... the day his sister laughed, the scent of her favorite flower, the warmth of her embrace. He found the fracture..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "a missed phone call, a choice left unmade. Lucian whispered the words he wished he'd said, and the world trembled. The river flowed backward, and Evelyn's silver eyes widened. When time resumed, Lucian stood on the riverbank, soaked but triumphant. He turned to Evelyn, hope in his eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Did it work?\" Evelyn's heart ached. \"Look.\" The city had changed. The neon signs flickered differently, and the air smelled of blooming roses. But Lucian's sister remained missing. The world had shifted, but fate was stubborn. Evelyn and Lucian sought answers in the heart of Peridian Peaks..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the Forgotten Clock Tower. Its ancient gears groaned, and it's chimes whispered secrets. The tower stood at the intersection of worlds. A place where time bend into magic. Inside, they climbed spiraling staircases, each step echoing with memories." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dust danced in sunbeams, and cobwebs clung to forgotten faces carved into the walls. At the top, they emerged onto a balcony overlooking the city. A breathtaking view of frozen life. Back inside, in a hidden alcove, Evelyn discovered a leather-bound journal... the Timekeeper's Journal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its pages held ink constellations, cryptic symbols, and tales of lost souls. Lucian traced the words, his breath catching. \"Read,\" he urged. Evelyn's silver eyes scanned the faded script. The journal spoke of a choice. The Temporal Nexus." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A place where all threads converged, where past and future collided. To alter fate, one had to unravel the Nexus itself. Next, they journeyed beyond the city, into the Whispering Forest. Trees leaned close, their leaves murmuring forgotten names. Evelyn listened, her fingertips brushing bark." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The wind carried echoes... the laughter of children, the vows of lovers, the regrets of kings. Lucian pressed his palm to a gnarled trunk. \"Can we find the Nexus here?\" Evelyn closed her eyes. \"Perhaps. But beware... the forest remembers.\"." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Secrets That We Keep" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Secrets That We Keep It was a hard life. No one said it was going to be easy. We chose it for ourselves. There was no going back. We made a commitment. Now we had to live up to it. At first it seemed surreal. We had heard about something, someone, that would someday come along and change our world." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Could it be possible this was truly it? Is this what our ancestors have been foretelling and preparing us for our whole lives? Could it be happening in our lifetime? Most of our folks weren't sure either." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They thought we were foolish youths simply trying to shirk our duties, ignoring what needed to be done at home, delaying becoming productive members of the community. Sneaking around, meeting in secret, playing like we were important keepers of ancient truths." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unwilling to share facts but alluding to some impact filled event that would shatter all formerly known beliefs. First of all we had to spend a great deal of time simply learning. It was more intense than being in a school room. We had to eat and breath and live with our leader the whole time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Give up our professions, give up our possessions, leave our families. Get along with each other no matter how diverse we were. And we were different. Even though mostly from the same linage we all had our faults and our prejudices. We came from different backgrounds and social standings." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Somehow we needed to recognize we were now all in the same boat. Wealth meant nothing. We all became beggars relying on the goodness of others to provide for our basic needs. We aspired to be like our leader. He had no favorites." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ones that wanted to be held as greater than another needed to humble themselves and become the least. That was a difficult lesson to learn especially if one was used to being the oldest wisest brother in his family. Someone everyone was expected to look up to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That status didn't hold a candle to the wisdom imparted by our unassuming mentor. When we began we sought to meet in secret. Behind closed doors. Curtains drawn. Room lit only by candlelight. Or out away from the city altogether. In dells, behind groves of trees, beyond prying eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Time would come soon enough to share our growing knowledge. There was no doubt we needed to be careful. The oppressive government forces we lived under were always on the lookout for subversive activities. Soldiers patrolled and spies could be implanted anywhere." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even our protective local authorities who should have been supportive and understanding of our ultimate mission showed tendencies of jealousy and mistrust. Rules, rules, rules. Every which way you turned you were in danger of breaking someone's rules." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why even merely feeding one's self could be a punishable offense if not staying in the bounds of strict bylaws! Change was needed. Change was coming. We were armed with the truth. We were ready to be heard. Miraculously, when the word started leaking out people were drawn to it like bees to honey." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hungry for hope, hopeful for relief. Help and healing could be had simply for believing the best was still to come. Overwhelming floods of humanity converged on our small band of students expecting us to be the teachers. So teach we did. We taught the new rules laid out by the leader." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Simple, common sense rules designed so all could live in harmony. All along the way our taskmaster taught us more. Sometimes he used riddles, little stories to make us think for ourselves to see how the lesson would apply to our daily lives and remain timeless for future generations." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sometimes it seemed he could read what was in our hearts, knew when we understood or were still struggling to grasp the concept. Sometimes he appeared to be so much more than a man yet that was hard to believe. After all I saw him get angry, I saw tears in his eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew when he was hungry or needed a rest. But he was a powerhouse. Endured so much pressure even from folks that knew him well. Once when we visited his home town he made the priest in charge angry when he pointed out a fact. We had to spirit him away for fear of his life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The townsmen even pulled out a rope they were so upset with him. After that it seemed he was always trying to prepare us for his death. Like he could predict it. Knew how it was going to come about and how we would be affected. And how it would then be up to us to carry on with his message." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later on he pulled me and a couple other fellows out of our larger group and led us up a mountain side. There the strangest thing happened. I'm not pulling your leg here. It was mind blowing and awesome. We were tired from the climb and resting up. We awoke to blinding light." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was coming from our master's face! And his clothes shone an extreme whiteness, too. Can't really describe it. Like nothing we had ever seen or can compare to. Suddenly he was talking to two other guys." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They hadn't come with us so where did they come from and who were they? What did it all mean? I don't know how but it came to us these fellows were from the past. Long, long ago. Moses, who gave our people the laws we follow, and Elijah, a prophet that never died but was taken up in a cloud." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was dumbfounded. All I could think to say was something like, “It's good we are here. I wish we could stay here forever. If you want, I will put up three shelters." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah.” Suddenly, a loud voice came from the heavens, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” The three of us fell with faces to the ground in awe. When Jesus touched us we looked up and saw He was alone and back to normal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But He warned us not to tell anyone else of this event until after His death. If there was ever any doubt as to whom this teacher truly was it was put to rest on that mountain side. He was indeed true man yet true God. The promised Messiah sent to save the world.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Wicked Dance" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I tugged roughly at the stiff collar around my neck threatening to suffocate me. I took the slightest step to the left, hoping to steal some cool breeze that flowed through the open window." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But the gaggle of noble women with their voluminous skirts stood oblivious to others who desperately needed air in the stuffy ballroom. They chattered on, giggled, laughed shrilly, and fluttered their fans before them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Should a gentleman be so unfortunate to catch their eye they would descend upon him instantly and be devoured by lace, tulle, and silk. \n\nMy ambassador assured me that, if I was not wearing a dress to the ball, then I would at least wear other fashions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had no idea the nobles favored the inability to breathe when I agreed. I decided against the heavy layers and structure of the dresses currently in fashion and opted instead for a silk jacket of deep green and black trousers tucked into highly polished black boots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I suddenly regret such a decision. The assassin could walk right up to the empress and slit her throat by the time I could pull my sword to stop them. \n\n“You look uncomfortable, my Lady,” \n\nI turned to the voice, startled by the nearness of it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was the duchess, a lifelong friend of the empress and distant cousin. When I turned to her, she lowered her eyes and dipped into the shallowest of curtsies. \n\n“My Lady,” I took a step back and bowed at the waist. The nobles seated by the window tittered at my attempt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Elves do not bother bowing to their leaders and I do not have much experience with human rulers. I can only imagine how clumsy it looked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“No, the party is quite lovely.” \n\nShe came to stand beside me to watch the dancers spin on the open floor, “That jacket does not become you.” \n\nI flinched when she flicked the decorative fob hanging from the pocket of the jacket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She seemed amused at my discomfort with her nearness and smiled sweetly at me, her white teeth gleaming brightly, confirming what I already knew of her addiction. \n\nThe music stopped and the dancers slowly moved away from the open floor as the next piece was just beginning. Two lines of stiff nobles formed for the large group dance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Had it not been for their occasional movements I would have thought they were statues. \n\nThe duchess turned to face me, a hand outstretched, “Would you dance with me?” \n\nI blanched. My ambassador had taught me the required court dances and I was quite good, for an elf." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My people’s dances are far more fluid and the movements do not mesh well with the rigid steps. But, to refuse the duchess would be an insult to the court. The empress herself, if she felt so inclined." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And I needed the empress on my side in the days to come. \n\nTentatively, I took her hand, it was soft in mine. Delicate even. The hands of a Lady who has never known the pinch of sword handle or well bucket. Years of knife training and hunting have made my fingers and palms rough and solid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I feared she would break in my grip. \n\nI led her down the marble stairs to the dance floor amid other partygoers. I stood in the line with the rest and bowed to the duchess." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was shocked when I straightened and found her with her arms outstretched, one toward me with her palm up, the other toward the far wall. This was the stance of an old elven dance. \n\nI felt suddenly at ease in the duchess’s presence with such a simple gesture." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had practiced for weeks to master the dances, the small talk, and the general manners to assimilate into the human high court. My body felt light with a sigh of relief at the familiar pose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mirrored her, placing my palm lightly against hers, and on the proper count, we spun toward each other, arms tucked in behind our backs, until we reached the other’s side." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was smiling. \n\n“Are you surprised?” She asked. Her steps were light and sure, like she had been combining elven movements with court farandole. The result looked a bit chaotic to an outside observer, but graceful to those educated in dance.\n\n\n\n“If I am honest, my Lady, yes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Elves do not readily teach outsiders our culture,” I said, hoping I was not offending. \n\n“There was a young elf girl in our spring palace who taught me. I wanted so much to be her friend." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But my father and mother explained that nobles are not friendly with staff,” the duchess said with such a nonchalant air you’d guess she was telling you about her dreary holiday to the countryside. \n\nI bit my tongue to keep myself from automatically responding and getting the next helping of poison in my drink." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At most, the little elf girl was some kind of merchant passing through. Or worse, and most probable, the girl was a slave to the spring court." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was the dance instruction voluntary? Or was she persuaded? \n\nI may have spun the duchess a bit too harshly away from me, because when she returned to my arms, she said, “I apologize." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I did not mean to offend.” \n\nMy vocal cords and tongue felt thick and tense with my response, “No offense, my Lady.” \n\nShe was quiet for a few steps, enough time for me to get my emotions under control. It was easy to forget who this woman was with her grace and poise." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her blonde hair was swept up into a knot at the back of her head, and a decorative comb with beautiful enamel flowers held it in place. Hazel eyes studied my face, my long plait of black hair that trailed down my back. The duchess’s beauty was not understated in the least." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that pretty face was hidden behind heavy silks and lace. I stared at her, wondering why she would dance with the one elf to receive a formal invitation. There were many eligible dancers here tonight. But the duchess chose the pariah." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One would think all the pomp and hoop skirts were her real mask. \n\nThey don’t know what I know about this woman. There was no mask for her, not like the others who aimed to hide motive and intention. The duchess hid nothing, and it was no secret." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My blood boiled as my hand lay against the silk wrapped around her waist. My mind spun when I thought about the lives she stole just so she could have the prettiest dress for the ball. Was she even aware of how poisonous it was to make this shade of blue? \n\nI mentally shook myself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Remember why you’re here. To do any good in this world you need the empress. And her gods-forsaken family." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No matter how hideous they were. \n\n“Why are you here?” The duchess wondered as if to herself. \n\nI stepped and turned into the dance steps, catching her tightly cinched waist again in my hands and fought the urge to squeeze the life from her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Pardon?” \n\n“It’s not so difficult to see that you are not comfortable here tonight. So, I ask again. Why are you here?” \n\nYou know this." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Don’t screw it up.\n\n\n\n“I came to celebrate the beauty and glory that is the seat of the empress,” I said as calmly as I could. It sounded as cold and lifeless as the marble they elegantly spun on.\n\nThere was no amusement in her eyes when she spun back around to me, “Please do not lie to me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I abhor liars.” \n\n“My Lady, I-” \n\n“You are here to protect the empress from an assassin.” \n\nTraining. Remember your training, I reminded myself as I struggled to keep my expression neutral.\n\nThe duchess nearly burst out laughing, “You should see your face. Of course, I know about the assassin." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You are not the only one with a network of spies.” \n\nI shot a glance around us, hoping no one could hear her over the music. That information came from a reliable source. No one should know about it except my closest confidantes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I trust them with my life daily. \n\n“Please don’t say that so loud, my Lady,” I hissed under my breath. “We do not wish to create a panic or let the assassin know we are on to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If he knew you know about him, you could put yourself in danger.” \n\nHer deep blue eyes widened, and her lips parted in a quiet gasp, “You know who it is?” \n\n“No. I have people working on discovering their identity. At this point, we can only stop him should he attack.” An idea suddenly struck me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If the duchess’s people knew about the assassin, they might be able to help track him down. I leaned close to speak quietly into her ear, “If I may be bold to ask, my Lady, but could your people help?” \n\n“I could get a message to them easily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But do you truly believe the empress is in danger?” She asked me. \n\nThat was an odd question. This assassin was targeting the empress’s court and even members of her staff. Most recently, the sorceress retained to advise on matters of magic, and the mage organization was found dead in her room." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Windows and doors were locked with the only key on her body. The sorceress seemed to know there was danger and had taken precautions, though none helped to save her. \n\n“Yes, I do believe she is in danger. She has lost three members of her court just this fortnight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For all we know, you may very well be in danger also, my Lady.” I did my best to instill a modicum of urgency in my voice to relay the seriousness of what was happening without alerting those around us. \n\n“That’s so silly. Why would I be in danger?” Her voice was light and sing song." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was this a game to her? Was she actually enjoying this? \n\n“Because you are close to the empress and you are aware of the assassin’s presence,” \n\n“But look at the ones who have died. The sorceress with the shady dealings threatened this court’s very way of life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The former lover spreading lies and secrets about the empress for profit. The count and the general who conspired to start an uprising to unseat the empress. Wouldn’t you say these deaths were, at least in part, justified?” \n\n“And the others? The ones who were poisoned at the garden party." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What did they do to deserve such a fate?” I wondered. \n\n“They were in my way.” Her breath tickled my ear as richly painted lips brushed against the sensitive skin as she said, “Just like you.” \n\nI didn’t understand until it was too late what the duchess was saying." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gasped at the sudden pain in my abdomen, but the breath caught in my throat. The duchess was still smiling, her eyes dropped between us and when I followed her gaze I found the hilt of my dagger protruding from my torso. \n\nMy eyes felt so wide I thought they would fall from my head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The duchess is the assassin? \n\n“Why?” Was all I could muster. \n\nShe still had a grip on the handle of the blade and still held me close even though neither of us moved with the music anymore. \n\n“I love my cousin, my empress, more than anyone can know. She is all that is good in this world." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And I will make sure she continues to do that.” The duchess nuzzled my neck in an oddly affectionate way. \n\n“We could have worked together,” it was so hard to breathe.\n\nThe demure expression changed instantly to one of intense rage. Breath was forced from me as she turned the dagger in my gut." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I clasped my hands over hers to hold it in place. \n\n“I don’t need you,” \n\nMy hands slipped as the duchess forced the rest of the blade into me and shoved me away roughly. I staggered back into another couple, clutching my wound. \n\n“Help!” cried the duchess." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“This woman tried to kill me! She’s the assassin!” \n\nThere was a rush of bodies exiting the ballroom, the screams seemed to fade in and out around me. I frantically scanned the crowd, hoping to find my ambassador and general who had accompanied me. I could see them near the doors to the vestibule." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Guards immediately seized them as they fought against the sea of people. The general swung at one of them, dislodging the grip on his arm, and was met with the tip of a sword aimed at his face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My poor ambassador looked so frightened and cowered behind the general.\n\nI stumbled toward them, deperate to explain what happened. I needed to tell them...it...it was. I fell to my knees, the edge of one of the wide steps pressing painfully into one of my shins." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Four guards surrounded me, two of which drew their swords. The other two grabbed my arms and yanked me to my feet.\n\nA cry of pain escaped me, and I was carried away. I blacked out. The last thing I saw was the duchess standing with the empress surrounded by personal guards." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A wicked smile stretching across those beautiful lips. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Forbidden Love" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Give me your purse or I’ll shoot you! Now, come on!”  “Please, don’t hurt me!” I block all the exits with burning fire. “It’s my turn to ask you to give me the purse.”  The mugger grunts and fumbles with his gun, emptying his clip at me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I form a wall of fire in front of me, turning the bullets to dust just before they reach me. He’s blown back against the wall in a fiery explosion when I release my fire wall. He hits it with a grunt and slumps on to the floor. I pick up the purse and hand it to the victim." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Thank you miss, thank you so much!” She exclaims, throwing her hands around me.  I gently peel her off, “No problem.”  I escort her to her car, scold her about going into dark alleyways at night, and propel back up to my perch atop my favorite rooftop." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just as soon as I sit down, I hear a bank alarm sound in the distance. I sigh and contemplate just letting the cops take care of it, but after a few seconds I stand up. If this is who I think it is, the cops won’t be able to take care of it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Come on Icestrike, pick up the pace, we don’t have all day!”  Icestrike grunts, grabbing handful after handful of cash from out of the vault. “Good boy. You are SO good at listening.” Shift says, chuckling a little.  “At least he’s good at something.” Electrora chimes in." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Icestrike’s team burst into laughter, but it’s short lived as I appear in front of them. “Big talk from the witch who knows, what? One spell? You can talk smack all you want after you learn to control your powers instead of them controlling you.”  “Blaze.” Electora hisses. “Electora." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Always wonderful to see you! About as wonderful as being bitten by a rabid dog.” She screams in anger, throwing a glowing green orb at me. I dodge it, and it hits the wall behind me, melting straight through. Police sirens sound in the distance.  “We don’t have time for this.” Shift says." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Icestrike, take care of her. And do it right this time.” He grabs Electora and Force’s shoulders, all three of them and the money disappearing into thin air. “Just you and me.” I say grinning, bouncing fire up and down on my palms. “Just the way I like it.” He answers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With a flick of his wrist, an explosion of snow blows me back and covers the entire bank in a sheet of white for several seconds. When the snow dies away, I see him on an ice staircase, quickly rising to the ceiling. I follow close behind, firing knives of fire at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He crashes through the glass ceiling, sending a shower of glass down on me. I duck and cover my face, the glass pricking my skin as it falls to the ground. The moment the last piece of glass falls past me, I quickly zip out through the hole in the ceiling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m blinded momentarily by the sun and Icestrike takes the opportunity. He pushes a wall of ice at me, and, just as I throw up my hands to melt it, it hits me hard, flinging me through the air. Blackness blinks in and out as I try to stay conscious. Just before hitting the ground." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I manage to propel myself up, breaking the fall. Stars start dancing across my eyes. I see Icestrike land ever so gracefully in front of me as I struggle to stand up, leaning against a nearby trash can for assistance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A concerned expression crosses Icestrike’s face before leaving as if it had never been there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shake my head, clearing it, before puffing out: “That all you got? You must be tired from ass kissing all day because you usually pack a much harder hit.” He shoves me against the wall of the alley and pins my wrists against the wall with cuffs of ice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He brings a dagger up to my throat and whispers in my ear, “I don’t think you want to see how hard I can hit.” My heart skips at least three beats as I stare into his eyes for several tense moments.  “Well now I REALLY want to see that.” I whisper back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“So will you show me or are you going to keep holding this knife at my throat that, we both know, you’re never going to use.”  I burn through my bindings and kick him away from me, swinging out punch after punch, but he dodges every hit. Finally, one connects, sending him stumbling back a few steps." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He swings his legs behind mine, knocking me to the ground. We chase each other into the sky in a savage dance, flinging ice and fire at each other, becoming bruised and bloody. After a while, I start to get tired and slow, blocking fewer shots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Icestrike starts forming something big and before I can even catch my breath, hundreds of ice arrows are flinging themselves down on me. I create a bubble of fire around me, noticing a slight jab in my side as I do so." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I barely manage to keep my bubble up through the barrage as the jab in my side starts burning like nothing else ever has. The moment I can, I let the bubble up and slowly look down at my side. An ice arrow is sticking out of it, blood oozing down my body." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glance up at Icestrike, who’s frozen in place, staring at my side. We lock eyes just as everything goes black." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While still staring in horror at the damage I’ve caused, Blaze’s fire burns out and she collapses, tumbling through the sky." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I race after her, ice flowing out in front of me faster than ever before. I grab her just before she hits the ground and gently lay her in the grass.  “Blaze? Can you hear me?” I quietly ask as I press my hand down on her wound, trying to stop the gushing blood. Her pulse is barely there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ever so gently, I place her on my shoulder. Ice flows out of my palms like the blood gushing out of her body as I race against time. I dive for the first hospital that I see and burst in without a second thought.  “Someone help!” I yell frantically." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I need help, please!” A nurse rushes up to me and quickly calls his colleagues over. I just barely hear him ask a question over the thrum in my ears: “What’s her name?” I open my mouth to tell him before realizing something. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything about her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I’ll never get the chance to learn.” I whisper.  I hear more talking but a couple of police officers rushing towards me catches my eye. I rush quietly out of the hospital, catching the name of it just as I leave: The Reboyn Memorial hospital." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My siblings took her death about as I expected, but to my surprise, they congratulated me with only a few backhanded compliments. Of course, she wasn’t dead. But they couldn’t kill her if she was already dead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For four days of depression and confusion at feeling depressed about almost killing the person who I had tried to kill my entire life, I wandered around the city. Not wanting to go out at all but not wanting my siblings to think that something was wrong." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I kept going back to the hospital, too scared to do anything but stand in front of it. I also kept questioning why I was doing this, and why I cared so much about someone I had fought my entire life. Finally, I found myself at her hospital bed.  “Hi." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’s the person who almost killed you!” I awkwardly tell her sleeping body, still the lingering hint of a flirtish smile on her lips. “Sorry about that by the way…” The only sounds to be heard are soft beeping of the equipment and the lull of voices just outside the door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gently take her hand in mine.  “Our parents fought each other their entire lives. And ever since we were young, we’ve been fighting. You’re a hero and I’m a villain, that’s just the way it’s had to be.” My voice becomes hard. I clear my throat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“But, as time went on, I started to look forward to fighting you. It was the only thing I ever really looked forward to. YOU were the only thing I ever looked forward to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And it has taken you nearly dying, or to be more specific, me nearly killing you, for me to realize that I love you.” I pause to take a deep breath, and feel the world take one with me, “I love you.”  My voice cracks.  Several emotions attack me at once as I realize exactly what I’ve just admitted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Confusion, happiness, guilt. Everything all at once. After a moment of simply gazing at her face, I kiss her forehead, before quietly slipping out through the window. As I’m leaving, I take one last glance back, and I could almost swear that she smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Where have you been?” Electora demands the moment I enter our hideout. “Out for a walk.” I respond calmly, pushing past her just to be met by my brothers.  “The question was rhetorical, brother. A chance for you to explain yourself.” Shift tells me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Force super speeds at me and punches me into the wall, knocking the breath out of me. And Electora suspends me in air before I have a chance to catch it.  “Why is she still alive?” Shift asks calmly, his eyes betraying his demeanor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“She was supposed to be dead, and yet, a little birdy told me that she is alive and well. And with you by her bedside, kissing her.” He gets within a few inches of me, his breath hot on my face. “I won’t explain my actions to you anymore. To any of you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I want out.” “You can’t just get out of being a villain. It’s who you are.” “No, not anymore. You do not get to say who I am; I get to make that choice.” Shift punches me, and I feel my nose crack." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You would leave your life, and us, your team and family, for HER?” He spits out the last part like it’s venom.  “I would do anything for her.” I fight with all my might to get out of Electora’s grasp, finally breaking through enough to fire an ice ball at her, knocking her against the wall." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Force flings me against the wall again, kicking me over and over as I feel my bones break. In a haze, I manage to create enough ice onto the group to cause him to slip. Shifts grabs my shoulder and I stumble out onto an unfamiliar landscape. He punches me, knocking me down." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I try to stand up, only to fall again. He kicks me hard several times. “You’re a villain and she’s a hero. Even an idiot like you can see that you can’t be together.” I sling a pitiful snowball at him just for him to dodge it with ease. “After I’m done killing you, I’ll kill her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And just know that it will be as slow and painful as I can make it. Even though the ugly toad deserves even less than that.” Something starts burning inside of me, making me see red and suddenly feel regenerated." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I catch his leg as he goes in for another kick, holding onto it as he tries to pull away. I start serving punch after punch, not even bothering to use my powers. As the red starts to leave my vision, all I see is a bloody, disfigured version of my brother, lying on the ground groaning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Please… We’re fam…” I drive an ice dagger through his heart before he can finish his sentence. I wipe my bloody hands off with his shirt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“We were never family.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I woke up at the hospital the day after the incident, my heart hurt worse than the stab wound in my gut." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had no idea why and yet, I still felt that way. I felt a lot of ways about him, but none of them I could explain. I knew that I needed answers, so the moment I stepped foot out of the hospital, I started searching." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finally, about a month after the incident and weeks of searching, I found him, sitting on the edge of a rooftop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If someone had told me even a few months ago that I would be walking up to my enemy, who had nearly killed me, and I was happy and excited about it; I would have laughed in that person’s face. Yet here I am. I sit down quietly beside him. “You’re ok? All healed?” He asks, staring straight ahead." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Yes.”  He nods once and clears his throat, “I…” He begins but I kiss him. For a moment, he doesn’t return it. But just as I’m pulling away, he grabs my face and pulls me right back. I break the kiss first, and stare into his baby blue eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Before we go any further, I need to explain…” He starts, but I put my finger over his mouth and stop him.  “I know. I heard everything that night in the hospital.”  His eyes light up and he opens his mouth, but I stop him once again.  “I love you too. More than I can properly put into words." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But there is something I need to know before we go any further.”  “Anything.” “Your name. Your real name.” He smiles, his whole face lighting up in a way I’ve never seen it.  “It’s David.” “Mayuri. Nice to meet you...” I mockingly shake his hand before he pulls me into another passionate kiss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The End.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And Out Come the Wolves" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raziel looked down at the knife in his hand. It looked worn. It looked plain, an old antler jammed onto the end of that blade, another way to squeeze out every drop of blood. It looked shabby, a tool near the end of its usefulness. It looked like damnation not salvation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raziel had lead Shing, Eyla and their two daughters out the Wolves’ village in the dark of the night. They found the small boat hidden on the beach. Raziel and Shing paddled them out past the breakers and within twenty minutes they had hoisted the small sail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the time the sun spread its sparkling rays across the sea, the refugees could no longer see Wolf Island. They caught a nice wind that sailed them across the channel in less than a day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When they reached the coast of Pacifica, Shing and Eyla took the girls up to the tree line while Raziel did his best to hide the boat. He had just finished taking down the mast when he noticed the blood red sail of the Wolves’ long boat on the horizon." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His heart dropped to his stomach and exploded into a swarm of wasps. Their time was running out. They moved quickly through forest and found the old hunting cabin. Eyla burst into tears causing the girls to cry, causing Shing and Raziel to cry." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They entered a sobbing motley crew clinging to one another. The cabin was the size of a barn, nestled between the folds of a large hill directly behind it. Next to a neatly made bed they found a basket of dried foods, warm clothing and that damned knife." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A low whistle from the rafters snapped Raziel back to the now. The new plan was to take the knife, avoid the Wolves, find and bring back help. It was a lie. No help could make it back in time even if it was found. The unspoken reason for Raziel to run was to get rid of the knife." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If any run-away thrall was found with a weapon it was a death sentence for all the adults. And for two little girls with no one to look out for them, it would not be good; it would be very far from good.\n\nIf Raziel could get far enough away, the others could be spared." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He would still be killed horrifically but hopefully his friends would only be severely punished. That was the rosiest of options left. He hadn’t asked for any followers, but how do you say no to a young couple praying for their children to be free? He heard the whistle again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raziel closed his fist around the knife and stepped out of the cabin. A white mist hung low to the ground, blurring the bottoms of the trees, limiting visibility. The beginnings of snowflakes drifted in the wind adding to the distractions. Maybe there was some hope after all." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The first corner he turned killed that hope. One of the Wolves was already at the cabin, peering in through a crack in the wood. Raziel couldn’t see what the big, hairy man was seeing but he knew that Eyla and the girls had been discovered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe if he could silence this man, keep him from alerting the pack it would buy them the time they so desperately needed. Raziel had never killed a man before but he was pretty sure talking his way out of this was out of the question." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He switched the grip he had on the knife, like he knew what he was doing. Raziel swallowed (gulped) and began to creep toward the Wolf. Every footstep crashed like a boulder off a thousand foot cliff, every breath roared like the winds of a storm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The distance between himself and his target stretched for miles, so much time to be spotted, so many mistakes already made. He could turn around and run for it. They would probably be okay inside, probably? He swallowed hard again and began to look around for any other option." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was losing his cool, about to bolt when the Wolf turned. Without thinking Raziel clamped one hand over the man’s mouth. The man stopped struggling once he felt the knife tip dig into his belly. Raziel looked into his eyes, dark and wide under a heavy brow. He recognized this Wolf from his village." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was cruel to the thralls, despite or because of his own lowly status. A man looking to make a name for himself. Talking was definitely out of the question. The more Raziel hesitated the less his advantage became." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fear left the Wolf’s eyes, replaced with a smug confidence that this lowly coward could not kill him. The man reached for his own knife. Raziel shook his head vigorously NO, NO, NO he pleaded silently. The Wolf, true to his nature bit the hand over his mouth. Raziel pulled back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Wolf opened his mouth to howl. Raziel plunged the knife into the Wolf’s gut. He felt something pop under the blade as it found vital organs. Instead of pulling it out Raziel pushed it down unzipping the belly like he was unzipping a jacket that was two sizes too small. He stepped back and stared." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Wolf also stared, his eyes disbelieving, his hands clutching to keep his insides inside. There are times in every person’s life where we stand outside of ourselves, seeing a traumatic event unfolding without emotion. This was one of those times for Raziel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Specifically when the Wolf’s internal temperature met the forest’s rapidly declining external temperature. Steam poured from the wound like a ghost, floating up toward the heavens. Raziel wasn’t particularly religious, but this would make even the most arrogant atheist run scared for church." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This along with the blood and smell overwhelmed him. Raziel doubled over retching just as a blade sliced the space where his head had been. The blade thumped into the cabin, stalling the hatchet it was attached to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raziel slid around and surged up, his mouth drooling bile, the knife stabbed in between the third and fourth rib of his assailant. This new Wolf was dead before he hit the ground." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raziel stood there, his mouth gasping like a fish, the stomach acid still burning the back of his throat, the blood freezing the knife in his fist and tears streaming down his face, not exactly the look of a brave warrior. “Raziel”, he heard his name from above." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked up to see Shing staring down from the cabin’s overhang. “What have you done?” he whispered with urgency. “Run, please, run!” Raziel ran into the mist. His heart was racing; he could feel his pulse thumping in his temples as he fled blindly through the forest." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The manacle on his wrist banged against bone causing him to lose focus and almost run head long into the gnarled trunk of a wicked looking tree. He stopped to try and regain some semblance of composure. That’s when the first howl rose through the trees behind him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raziel’s blood turned to ice water, He bolted like the scared rabbit he was. Another howl floated in from left, followed by another from his right." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The nail in the coffin came when he heard a howl coming from somewhere ahead of him. He cried out in frustrated fear as he ran for his life and the lives of his friends. Still yelling he burst through the trees into a large clearing. He shut his mouth abruptly, his bawling seeming sacrilege here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The clearing was a perfect circle; the trees all lined up without a single branch going over an unseen border, as if in respect or… fear. Even the mist held at the edge of the clearing, swirling like a shark amongst the trees. In the center of the clearing was a large half buried boulder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He moved forward, looking around. Floating menacingly just beyond the trees he saw pair of yellow eyes. Raziel stopped and stared and those eyes stared back. The eyes moved forward and a black nose appeared in the mist." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Beneath the nose, a snarling snout with long fangs. Beneath the fangs another Wolf’s face appeared. It looked much like the two Raziel had left for dead at the cabin. Heavy brows and beard under the cowl of a real Sea Wolf’s head and hide." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raziel had often wondered why, if these people honored the Sea Wolves so much as to name themselves after them did they hunt them to extinction then parade around in their skins. He doubted he’d ever know as this one before him had not come to talk." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was movement from the corner of Raziel’s eye and he saw another pair of eyes to the right and another pair to the right of that and another to the right of that. They had surrounded him. Four men that played at being wolves stepped into the clearing. No attack came." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They simply stood and stared, each at an equal distance from the other. Raziel had seen this before. He was no longer prey. They knew about the bodies, of course they did. Raziel had been elevated in status from a simple hunt to a man worthy of respect." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They lined up to challenge this dangerous killer of their kin. Raziel’s death would mean status and they would not diminish that status by attacking him all at once. He was sick of the role they had forced him to play." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sick he had been forced into their bloody way of life but mostly, he just sick of being afraid all the time. If you want blood, you got it. He strode toward the first man on the left. Much violence ensued." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After it was over, minutes or hours later time no longer mattered, Raziel stood close to where he had started. The Wolves lay in heaps connected by streaks of red across the trampled snow. Raziel stood gazing at the boulder but only seeing the flashes of what had just occurred." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Muted screams, the knife slashing, stabbing and cutting his victims and with each cut a new furrow was carved into his own soul. He wondered how much was left. Then from deep in the forest ahead of him, Thump. Thump. Raziel’s head snapped up. He looked around. Thump. Thump." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raziel scrambled up the boulder for a better view. Thump. Thump. Raziel peered into the forest in front of him and saw a tiny red dot. It grew as it flew toward him. Escaping the mist the dot became a little red bird bouncing across the air." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raziel had to dodge left to avoid being struck between the eyes. The bird paid him no mind as it soared by, disappearing to the woods behind him. The silence that followed was deafening. Nothing moved, not even the air. Thump. Thump.  All hell broke loose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The forest before Raziel exploded with a murder of crows following the little red bird. They screeched and cawed as they flew by. Raziel had to throw himself on the boulder to keep from being swept away in the flurry of beady eyes and black feathers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the ground below him all manner of beast surged like flood waters around his island boulder. From field mice to elk, all ignored the man clinging to the boulder in their haste to flee. When it was over, feathers and tufts of fur floated through the air. Something bad was coming. Thump. Thump." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then the sound of trees limbs snapping, high tree limbs snapping and falling to the earth. Thump. Thump. Thump. A huge moccasin fell into the clearing like a thousand year oak crashing down followed by another earth rumbling shoe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raziel looked up, past the pillar like legs, past massive torso and neck and looked into the face of a bear? Raziel shook the cob webs from his brain and looked again. I was a man, bearded and dark eyed wearing skins of a cave bear. The giant pulled a sword bigger then he was from behind his back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He raised this broad sword (perhaps the broadest sword ever) above his head, the tip aimed down to skewer the little man on the rock. All Raziel could do was gape up at his impending doom, too petrified to move. “RRRRAAAAAHHHHHHH!” The giant bellowed his easy victory and stabbed down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Part of Raziel was ready for it, for everything to be over, but the other part, the part that had won each part of this day dodged rolled Raziel off the rock just as the blade came crashing down. The boulder screamed when the blade impaled it. Sparks flew as the stone and iron became one." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The mighty sword stopped halfway up its blade and stuck fast. The giant pulled back on the sword, but it did not budge. A flash of panic swept over his face, quickly replaced by rage. He heaved back again with the same result. The giant began to bellow and shriek as he tried to free the blade." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“RRRRAAAAAHHHHHHH!” The roar became less intimidating and more pathetic. The beast of a man now had both hands wrapped around the hilt, straining with all his considerable power. His face had turned purple, his eyes bulged. The boulder actually began to lift from its half buried state." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dirt poured from sides that hadn’t been exposed to light in a thousand years, colorless insects scurried for cover. Raziel stood a safe distance away watching with awe. He stood staring at giant’s dismay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He could have easily swatted Raziel down like a fly, crushing him without the weapon, but the giant wanted his sword. Instead of running (which seemed pointless now) Raziel contemplated being a giant boy raised in the violent world of the Wolves." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His only purpose would have been to fight, to become the Wolves’ battering ram. He would have been praised when he won, shunned and beaten when he lost. The giant would come to be dependent on the only constant in his life, his sword, his one friend." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What would happen if he could no longer win every fight? He would be banished, sent out to face the world alone without his sword. “RRRRAAA…ughhhh” The giant’s roar ended in a gurgled whimper, his mighty hands fell from the sword’s hilt, his arms dropped like felled trees to hang limply at his sides." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He went to his knees. Raziel uncurled his fingers from the knife; the top layers of frozen skin were ripped away. He felt nothing and dropped the knife to the snow. He walked toward the giant without looking back. He stopped just out of reach from the big man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raziel tilted his head to study the giant’s face. Something had popped inside the man’s head. His right eye was the solid red of burst blood vessels, the right side of his face drooped, foamy drool drained from the corner of his mouth. Raziel stepped closer. The giant's left eye streamed tears." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raziel reached out and put a reassuring hand on his would be murderer’s shoulder. The giant let out a tiny whimper. Raziel cradled the giant’s head; he murmured an old prayer and tried to soothe. When the giant began to fall Raziel guided him down to the snowy ground." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He laid the massive head in his lap. The giant’s breath became ragged, his left eye rolled back and his huge chest stopped moving. Raziel closed the dead man’s eyes and began to weep. He wept for the giant, murdered by fear disguised as rage. He wept for himself, a murderer by rage disguised as fear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He wept for his friends. He wept for the man he had hopped he was and wasn’t. He may have wept until spring if he hadn’t felt the giant’s head move from his lap. He looked up and saw the face of a Wolf. Raziel did not resist as the Wolf took the giant away from him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked over the huge body to see five more Wolves had also appeared from the forest. He looked each man in the eye, some stared back blankly, some in curiosity. One slightly nodded his head at Raziel. Then as one they lifted the giant’s body and disappeared back into the forest. Raziel sat there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His adrenaline was gone. He felt more beaten than ever before. He couldn’t take anymore but there is always more. A heavy hand fell on his shoulder. Raziel sighed, rose to his feet and turned to face whatever was next. This Wolf was the second biggest man Raziel had ever seen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His headdress’ eyes were ruby against a steely grey fur. The man’s eyes were dark and world-weary; his beard matched the color of his headdress. The Alpha. Without thinking (something he was becoming good at) Raziel stabbed at him with a now knifeless fist." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Alpha caught the fist and twisted it back to reveal the manacle clamped to Raziel’s wrist. The Alpha reached to his waist and produced a key. He stabbed the key into the lock, his eyes locked into Raziel’s." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The manacle dropped to the snow much like the knife and like the knife it was left there to rust. The Alpha turned and walked away. Raziel finally began to lose consciousness. As the world faded away he could hear his friends rushing to his side." }, { "from": "human", "value": "-Time, a need for heroes and people’s greed have all embellished Raziel’ s story into legend, the legend into lies and the lies into religion. One story had Raziel slaying scores of actual wolf-men with a magical sword pulled from a stone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another left out the boat entirely and had Raziel walking across the seas carrying his followers upon his broad shoulders. Once a story is told it belongs to the people for better or worse. But you and I know what really happened on that snowy day so long ago…probably. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of Blood and Promises" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The young boy led Godfrey over to the shack at the end of the village and began banging on the door with such enthusiasm that Godfrey’s mind wandered home. By now his wife would have already birthed their son, and he would be walking now. Too many years old with no idea of what his father looks like." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And his wife, his beloved Maria, was alone with their son while anxiously awaiting his return as he finalized his quest. His grip on his sword loosened momentarily. The others had abandoned the mission, their “guilt” weighing heavily in their hearts. Not him though. He tightened his grip." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was the last one, then he could return home. “Uncle Eamon!” the boy yelled amidst his banging. “There’s a mister out here that wants to see you.” There was a short ruckus inside before the door swung open." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A short old man with a bush of a beard peered out the doorway, glancing piercingly from the boy before landing on Godfrey. \n\n“Go back to your mother, kid,” Eamon growled. “Leave me and the mister to talk.” “But Uncle Eamon,” the boy whined, “the mister said he had stories to share with you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I want to listen too.” “Go home!” Eamon snapped suddenly. The boy flinched, then his eyes teared up before he ran home. Eamon watched him leave with a sad look in his eyes, before glancing back at Godfrey with a glare and snorted.\n\n“So you’re a liar too, Godfrey of Galavan,” he spat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I see my reputation precedes me,” Godfrey retorted. “And you must be Eamon the Eternal,”\n\n“In the flesh. And you’ve hardly got a reputation to be proud of, slayer.” Slayer was a name that unfortunately stuck on them after they had killed the Queen Vanessa of Westeria." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He ignored Eamon’s disgust when he spat out the word. Eamon on the other hand retreated back into the shack, leaving the door open almost invitingly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cautiously he followed him, into the hardly furnished room that bore nothing more than a bed, a table and a lit altar with the sketch of a woman and a huge spear with a banner tied around the top of its shaft." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eamon stood in front of the altar, a hand on the weapon but not wielding it.\n\n“That’s quite the weapon,” Godfrey found himself complimenting. Eamon snorted again. “It belonged to the first defender of this little village." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She entrusted it to me decades ago and made me promise to protect this village with my life.” “Did you also give your word to serve the Hateful King?” Eamon took his hand off the spear and faced Godfrey." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Is that what you believed, slayer? Is that why you and your company killed the others?” “I don't care what sort of lies you spout. They change nothing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You still decided to live even after the Hateful King rose to power and waged war on everyone.”\n\nEamon touched his chest momentarily before responding." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I made a different kind of promise for that runt.”\n\n“Was it the kind that warrants the death of hundreds while you and your camaraderie live and rule peacefully?”\n\n“It's the kind of promise made to help a friend fulfill his desire to be a father.”\n\nGodfrey blinked, then shook his head and drew his sword." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You're all liars, and if not, you're just blind.”\n\nEamon exhaled loudly. \"Do you even know why we all carried pieces of that runt’s soul? It was because he was dying. Born with a weak heart that wouldn’t even keep till his first moon." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His father sought medicine and magic of all kinds and only one offered him a solution. And he begged us to take part in the ritual, to sacrifice pieces of our souls in exchange for pieces of his dying. To maintain the fractions of his with ours.”\n\n It took Godfrey a long moment to find his tongue." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Lies,” he finally managed to mutter. “All of it lies. If it was truly true, none of you would have let yourself live with it.” “Perhaps. Tell me, slayer: do you have a wife? A child? A love worth living for.” Godfrey said nothing. “I thought so.” Godfrey gripped his sword tighter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“No, I do not believe you. You all are supporters of the Hateful King, harborers of his vile soul to ensure his reign is nigh eternal. You all are the monsters, not us. Not me!” Eamon smirked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Is that what you choose to believe, slayer? Why would I lie to you?” “Maybe you’ve lied to this village for so long you believed it yourself.” “Then I would be a horrible liar if I believed my own ruse.” “It’s already made you a heartless one.” Godfrey noticed Eamon’s hand inch towards the spear, then returned it to his side." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Did you come here to yap your gums, or did you come here to strike me down?” Godfrey responded by leveling his sword at Eamon. “Arm yourself then.” Eamon laughed. “Really? Is that what you told Vanessa when you slaughtered her in front of her children? Godfrey grit his teeth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Arm yourself,” he repeated. “Or did you say that to Alexander when you attacked him in his own court?” “Arm. Yourself.” “Or perhaps you said so to Everette, before you and your company hunted him down in his domain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where is your company by the way? Where are the dreadful slayers? Did they abandon you, oh Godfrey of Galavan? Did they have a change of heart, their guilt weighing on their hearts? Did they finally grow a conscience, something you can’t seem to grasp the concept of?” Eamon laughed again, then slammed the altar with a startling force." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Is that what you told them when you left their kingdoms and home defenseless against attack? Left their families in grief? Is that what you told them, slayer?” “Shut up and arm yourself!” Godfrey screamed. In his anger he slashed at Eamon, who tried and failed to muffle a cry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The old man fell to the floor, his back against the altar. The slash left a gaping wound across his chest, and his breathing became sporadic.\n\nGodfrey took a step back, his shaking hands dropping his sword to the floor with a clang. He stared at Eamon’s gaping wound and screamed out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You bastard!” he hollered. “Why didn't your arm yourself?”\n\nEamon, amidst his pain, smiled weakly. “What? You finally grew a conscience?” “Shut up already!” Godfrey snapped, fuming, prancing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Why didn’t your arm yourself?” “Because” he coughed, wincing painfully, “I made a promise” Confusion turned to realization in Godfrey’s eyes. “I would never.” “Are you sure? After all you’ve done thus far, do you truly believe that lie?” He laughed again, weakly, coughing blood." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You really are a liar, Godfrey of Galavan.” Then his body went limp against the altar. Godfrey watched the limp body of Eamon for a long minute before picking up his sword.\n\nHe rubbed his head trying to drown out Eamon’s words. The old man was a liar, there was no doubt about it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were all conspirators, allies. Godfrey and his company were charged with eliminating them while Galavan and their allies rallied armies against the Hateful King’s forces. His company however grew more hesitant with every kill, until even his protege Nina abandoned him. And now this? No." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He will not believe them. They were not innocent, not after everything.\n\nMaking his way for the door, he let out a sigh of relief as he reached forward to push it open. It was over, he thought. He was done." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All the bearers of the Hateful King’s fractured soul were now dead, and he could finally return home. The face of his wife flashed in his mind. He imagined her waiting for him at their home, their baby in her arms. It brought a smile to his face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pushed the door open and stepped out, the winced as a rock struck him above the eye. He grit his teeth as he peered at his assailant through one eye, the other eye blinded by blood and a growing pain and was shocked to see the entire village outside Eamon’s shack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Armed with sticks, stones and spears their faces wore the looks of shock, grief and hate for the man that stepped out of Eamon’s shack with a bloodied sword.\n\nHis assailant, the young boy Eamon had snapped at, stood in front of them all, a slingshot in hand and tears running down his face as he stared hatefully at Godfrey.\n\n“You killed him!” he screamed, as he reloaded his slingshot and fired it again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time Godfrey blocked it with his sword and returned an exhausted and stern stare at the boy.\n\n“Go home, boy,” he growled.\n\n“Don’t you tell him what to do!” A man behind him - probably the boy’s father - howled brandishing a machete “You killed Eamon.” The man charged at him, followed by another wielding a pitchfork." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Expertly, Godfrey parried the pitchfork away with his blade, throwing the wielder into the woodwork. The boy’s father swung the machete down, and Godfrey stepped out of the way in time for it to barely miss his head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He followed up with driving his knee into the father’s jaw, before grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and pulling him forward and aiming his sword at his throat.\n\n“Drop it!” Godfrey commanded, then at all bystanders he added, “All of you drop every stick, stone and blade before I kill him!” They obeyed, hesitantly, including the boy whose eyes darted from his father to the bloodied sword at his throat with dread." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Godfrey saw the fear in the child’s eyes, then glanced at his stained weapon before throwing the boy’s father to the ground. Then, brandishing the sword he called to the enraged mob. “Let me pass, all of you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I will not hesitate to kill this entire village if you get in my way.” And his heart ached as the words left his mouth, Eamon’s words resonating in his mind. Had he truly become such a monster." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He banished the thought immediately and gripped his sword with both hands threateningly.\n\nThe villagers stared at him horrendously, before slowly parting to make away for him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Godfrey passed through them, blade at the ready, his eyes darting from man to woman to child, his eyes perked to every sound behind him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And he heard everything, every twig, every twitch, every insult hurled at him.\n\n“You monster.” “He killed our beloved Eamon.” “Ma, why did he kill Grampa Eamon?” “Because he’s a monster." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An evil monster working for the Hateful King.” “How could he? Lord Eamon was innocent.” As he drew closer to the village gates, keeping a particular eye on the sentry with a bow aimed at him, his mind began to stray." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eamon’s words, the villagers’ reactions, the disgust of his former companions when they, no he had finally killed Everette the Centaur and the Queen Vanessa of Westeria, the compilation of all his quest. He wasn't wrong." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The bearers of the Hateful Kings soul pieces had to be killed in order to rid the surrounding lands of this bloodlust." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And anyone who was willing to live and strive in such a world knowing they held a piece of him capable of defeating him needed to die…right? The wails of Vanessa's daughters rang in his ears momentarily, and the cries of King Alexander's wife only worsened the pain in his head. He had done right." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had done what was necessary. But has he done wrong too?\n\nSurprisingly, his threat had worked and soon he found himself climbing the hill that overlooked the village." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Godfrey glanced back at the village and saw them surround the home of Eamon and torch it, breaking into a dirge that whistled solemnly up the hill. He exhaled loudly then turned around to find a shadow looming over him. Glancing up, sword at the ready, he faced this owner." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Was it worth it?” The woman stood with her arms crossed, looking down at him from the hilltop. “Have you accomplished your “destiny”?\n\n“Nina,” Godfrey acknowledged. “You know it had to be done.” “Did it? Do you even know the truth about why they -,” “It's nothing but lies, Nina." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought I taught you better than that.” Nina stared at him with disbelief. “How is any of this right?” she questioned, pointing back at the village." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How has anything we’ve done made us any better than him?\n\nWas it worth it to leave all those kingdoms defenseless? Their loved ones in grief?” “It had to be done!” he repeated. “It’s what we were ordered to do -,”\n\n“So what?” Nina snapped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I asked you a question: was it worth it?” Godfrey said nothing. Instead, he continued his ascent as he walked by Nina. In a fury, Nina grabbed his arm and yanked him back. Godfrey responded with equal rage, whipping around and leveling his sword with her throat. Nina did not flinch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“So you would kill me too, Godfrey,” she muttered sadly.\n\n“Damn it, no!” He yelled. “But it had to be done. We had to do it. There was no other way to end this. So yes, it was worth it!” Nina looked at him, then bowed her head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Then you really are a liar.”\n\nGodfrey opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. A sudden weight in his chest weighed down his tongue through his throat. All he could do was scream and in his anger, he planted his blooded sword on the hilltop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then yanking himself away from Nina, he stormed off.\n\nNina watched him go, then glanced back at the village as white smoke rose up the sky amidst the villagers’ song, her eye tearing not just for herself but for all the lose they had caused. End.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shifting gears" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Karen rushes back from the kitchen to answer her cell phone ringing on her desk, she cautiously slips and slides into her wool socks, comes to rest in her office chair, and swipes to answer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You got that piece for the well? We also need the FOB, BOB, and JPEGs; remember this is on spec! And that over the transom piece you sent me was a big help, it was just thick enough to take the wobble out of my keyboard,” her editor George Barnes of Romance Writer’s Weekly orders while chuckling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Yes…” she begins to reply but hears him disconnect. Karen sets down her phone knocking over what her editor would call a slush pile, a mound of rejected query letters." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her head falls to the desk in exhaustion, despondent she wearily takes a bite of her bagel and continues to lie there regretting what she thought was her dream job. “Oh, sweety you need to quit this job, it will be the death of you,” her mother suggests standing in the doorway of her home office." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I know Ma.” “You were up until three in the morning last night working, you have to give yourself a break!” her mother complains." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I know Ma.” “What you need to do is find you a good man to take you away from all this, so you don’t have to work so hard,” her mother suggests, “Lance was at synagogue last night.” “Who?” “That young man I was telling you about, he's a lawyer and volunteers at the food bank." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He's a catch, but you had better hurry." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Men like that don’t stay single for long!” “Okay, Mom! I get it! You want your overworked, atheist daughter to hook up with some religious zealot so you can have your office back! I told you I am trying to find my place in the world of writing, but I am not having much success, and the one steady job I do get is too demanding!” Karen rants her feelings into the wooden desk wishing for once she could catch a break, or for someone to think her writing is as good as she thinks it is." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Well, excuse me for wanting my daughter to be happy, with the way the world is today maybe they will let you marry that desk of yours and you can finally be happy! Here’s your mail!” her mother yells throwing her mail on the floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Karen pops the rest of her bagel in her mouth, slinks to the floor, and crawls pathetically to her pile of mail. She plops over, sits with her legs crossed, gathers her mail, and begins to go through it as she eats the remainder of her bagel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With the only long fingernail she has left she slices open the first letter, a bill goes in a pile to her left. The second is a rejection letter, it goes in the pile to her right. The third letter is a bit thicker and piques her interest, she notices the sender." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Remote Getaways magazine, but she can not remember having correspondence with them. The most remote she has ever been is living in the Hamptons with her bitchy Jewish Mother after her parent’s divorced." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Leaving her childhood home in New York City was like pulling a hungry puppy from its mother's teat. Poverty will make you subvert your principles faster than any other calamity, but she made peace with it. “I only hope I am paroled soon,” Karen mumbles." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I heard that!” her mother screams from the other room. “Of course, you did, Jewish Mothers have superpowers for snooping. I’m surprised my mail hasn’t been read and redacted for my safety!” Karen jibes back. She opens the third letter and pulls out a letter and a check." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’s telling that whenever a check comes in the mail a person will always look at it first before they find out what they need to do to earn it. Unfolding the letter she reads of a great opportunity for a young aspiring writer, two weeks alone in a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She sets down the letter and raises the check. Ten thousand dollars to live in a cabin for a month, what’s the catch? She thinks. She sits thinking of her shit life, her stressful job, and her unfulfilling sex life." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You know your life sucks when you are too tired to masturbate! she says laughing out loud. “Fuck it! She screams jumping off the floor and storming away to her room with the third letter flopping back and forth within her grasp." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A couple phone calls later she is unemployed and headed for Five Ponds Wilderness in upstate New York." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The tourism board has launched an effort to get more city dwellers to brave the wilderness and get out of their comfort zone, and they are willing to pay handsomely to have a writer camp and write about their experiences." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had been chosen along with three others being sent to various remote areas of the state, the articles will be published in multiple magazines and newspapers with a coordinated push in the spring to entice camping and the outdoors for even the most inexperienced." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Driving the two hours to a small town in upstate New York and arriving at the Quality Inn has given her time to question the rashness of her decision." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then after sitting in a conference room and hearing about all the ways a person could get hurt or die in the wilderness, her depression begins to take root." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once again she thinks she may have made a horrible mistake she will inevitably have to call her mother to save her. Growing up in the city with a Father as a lawyer, and a mother as a professional enabler, she thought she had chosen a path far away from them, but she had no idea of the ways of the world outside of New York." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Later that day in the woods behind the hotel Matt gathered the four of them for instructions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sucked at everything her trainer Matt showed them to do, but at the end of an hour session with him, he felt confident enough to push her out the door of his van and drive off leaving her covered in dust." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked up and witnessed the sun setting in the west and knew she only had a few hours to set up camp, which was a mile hike into the forest near a small pond according to the map." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hitched up her backpack and started the trek into a wonderful two-week vacation or her version of a female Deliverance remake." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every morning she had walked the four blocks to the local Starbucks to get her morning iced Mocha, so when she told them she walked every morning she may have led them to think she could walk miles in the forest and hills." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the sky grew darker and the forest became the nightmares of her youth her campsite was still nowhere in sight. When the only light she had was a sliver of what the moon could provide she stopped within a group of trees and set up in a spot barely big enough to accommodate her tent." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the morning she would find her campsite and get about earning the bonus money for a completed stay. The tent was not assembled to factory specifications, but it was up, exhausted she crawled in and went to sleep." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That first night she was completely worn out that a bear could have fondled her and she would not have woken up. Only the morning light illuminating the fabric of her dwelling brought her out of slumber and the realization that it wasn’t just a bad dream." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After eating a Powerbar she had stashed away for the trip she climbed out of her tent and looked on in amazement at the beautiful view only fifty more feet to the west of where she had made camp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Son-of-a-bitch, I almost made it.” Karen packed what she could and dragged the rest into the clearing, she couldn’t help but stand in awe of the view once again, and it was at this point she knew why they wanted more people to see this." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An hour later in good light with her campsite complete she began the arduous process of trying to catch a fish for lunch." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was surprised at the amount of knowledge she remembered from the training class, she had found a stick, tied a piece of fishing line with a hook to the end, and caught a nice-sized fish within a couple minutes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This early success gave her the confidence she needed to strike out and explore her surroundings, to see nature in its most pristine state, and most importantly find something to write about." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later that day she sat fueling her fire and passions as she attempted to write words that would do justice to the awesome beauty of her surroundings." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Five crumpled pages from her notebook have made it to the fire, her writer's block stems from difficulties in describing how animals here are curious and take food from her hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fear civilization has instilled in animals near the city isn’t as prevalent in remote areas like this, and the joy of existing alongside them is a joy to be experienced. The next couple of days fly by, and her wilderness experience is turning out to be a great success." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her writing would be too if she could find the right words, the right words that will entice city dwellers to abandon having everything at their fingertips and see and experience all of creation. That evening as she lay down in her sleeping bag, the thought came to her ‘I like it here’." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’s strange to think that a simple phrase can be so powerful, her worldview had been shattered. Dusk settled over her campsite and that is when she could hear a low growl off in the distance, she didn’t give it much thought, only every waking minute." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The next morning, she awoke to the site of her campsite in disarray, she poked her head out of her tent and scanned the area as if eight mil. nylon fabric could save her from a five-hundred-pound bear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Reluctantly she came forth from the safety of her dwelling but was a cautious and nervous wreck all day. The next few nights went the same, her nightly visitor would come into camp looking for food, not realizing it was only a tent away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The fishing was bad, and she was on her last Powerbar with two nights still to go, she knew she had to do something the next day, like take a bath, she could smell herself. The next morning she slept in, something so pure she could never get away with at home." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Food and cleanliness were on the agenda today, and she remembered a trick Matt had shown everyone in training. Burn some fern leaves and then take the ash and wash with it, it is supposed to be an antibacterial soap." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Karen walked down to a small stream she had played in a few days before, she began to take off her clothes but stopped. Even out here all alone her shy nature prevents her from revealing her naked body. With only her t-shirt and panties on she used her makeshift soap to clean herself in the stream." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first, the cold water was a shock, but then it grew to become refreshing. She enjoyed feeling clean again, so much that she fell asleep on the bank of the stream and woke as dusk began to take hold." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She woke to the dance of lightning bugs over her head, but she noticed the night sky, dark and cloudy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Shit! I slept all day,” she cursed herself, cognizant that she needed to find food before it got too dark, and by the looks of the sky, she only had an hour at most before it would be too dangerous." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She gathers her clothes and runs back to camp to get her fishing pole and try to catch something before it gets too dark. As she crowned the top of the hill by her camp she is confronted by her nightly nuisance, five feet to her front stands a large black bear, very much a proud male." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I bet the lady bears love you,” is the last thing she remembers saying before the lights go out. The next morning Karen wakes to a different intruder in her campsite, but this time it is welcome. Matt has returned to pick her up and has driven the bear away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finding her lying in the grass in her shirt and panties he brought her back to her tent and watched over her through the night. “I bet you’ll be glad to get back to the city and become a big-time writer,” Matt says kneeling over the fire and cooking a couple fish he caught." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Actually no, I've come to love it here.” Matt begins to laugh and then moves over so she can gather around the fire and stay warm. “Why did you laugh just then?” she asks. “I warned them this might happen.\" “What?” she asks eating a piece of fish." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“That being exposed to all this would change a person, and out of the four of you it seems to have happened to you and Jake,” he explains. “I have to go back though, how am I going to make a living out here?” she regretfully asks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Come back with me, I write for the local paper, and we are looking for someone like you?” he suggests. “Do you think they would hire me?” Karen asks desperately hoping this dream could come true. “I have some pull with the owner,” he teases. “It’s you, isn’t it?” “You’re hired!” he offers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Am I dreaming, or did that bear kill me?\" she wonders. \"I watched you top the hill and meet the bear, when you fainted it scared the hell out of him and he took off,\" Matt explains laughing. \"Some badass I am,\" Matt reaches over and takes her hand to comfort her, she has been through a lot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had courageously cut her ties to city life and found a new path. His hand holding hers feels as right as her new love of nature, maybe this atheist experiencing God's creation has led her to new love.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Echoes of indifference" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Days of angered fighting had marked the border clash between Aethoria and Sylvaria, a monument to the long-standing hostility between the two countries." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The sound of steel hitting steel and spells roaring filled the valley, echoing like the distant thunder of a storm on its way to invade but the storm never came. Elara Windrider, a fierce warrior from the highlands of Aethoria, guided her group with remarkable intensity." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her family's sword flowed through the air with deadly accuracy; every blow was well-planned and devastating. Her tight braided auburn hair billowed behind her in the breeze akin to a banner." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kael Thorne, a wizard from the verdant forests of Sylvaria, weaved natural spells throughout the battlefield, his magic blending with the terrain to push off the invaders. His eyes were a rich emerald green, radiating the strength that was flowing through him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wind gusts deflected arrows and spells away from his friends as vines sprung up from the earth, entangling warriors. The paths of Elara and Kael met in the twisted fate of war. As steel and magic met, sparks flew, each fighter representing the pride and strengths of their people." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kael matched Elara's slick swordplay with quick incantations. Despite their fierce combat, no one was able to take the upper hand. They were separated by an abrupt explosion, which left them both hurt and trapped far from their respective troops." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Elara woke up in a strange forest, her blade lying a few feet away and her head pounding. Her warrior training taking effect, she reached for it out of instinct. Kael was close by, his chest continuously rising and falling, asleep but alive." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fearful of the mage, her survival instincts took over while she cleaned her wounds. Kael started to cast a spell when he stirred, but the agony stopped him. Their hatred was evident as they gazed at one another." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Elara snapped out of her quiet, saying, \"We need to survive first.\" \"Then we can kill each other.\" Despite her suspicion, Kael nodded. \"Agreed.\" The forest was treacherous, filled with creatures and traps. The trees seemed to whisper secrets, and the underbrush rustled with unseen dangers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They journeyed through the dense foliage, relying on Elara's combat skills and Kael's knowledge of the land and its magic. The mage's spells shielded them from danger while Elara's sword defended against beasts. Their forced cooperation gradually became a necessity they begrudgingly accepted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They came upon a pack of wolves on their travels, and their eyes glowed with a wild hunger. With a flash, Elara's blade sliced through the air with accuracy, while Kael's magic created wind gusts and prickly obstacles to push the monsters away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They had never battled with each other before, but despite their hostility, they moved surprisingly in unison. Weeks passed while they made their way through the dangerous terrain. Their mutual hostility started to wane and was replaced with a grudging respect." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While they were camping beneath the stars one night, Kael told them the tale of his country's battle to keep Aethorian encroachment on its natural areas. The ancient and sacred woodlands of the Sylvarian region were brimming with energy and magic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Elara listened, his remarks challenging her viewpoint. \"My family was assigned to guard our borders,\" Elara answered in a tone that was noticeably quieter than normal. \"We were told Sylvarians were aggressors.\" Kael scowled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It seems we've both been fed lies.\" As their talks progressed, more details about their lives and the values they upheld emerged from each other. Elara talked about her legacy, her family's honor, and the pressure to live up to expectations." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tales about Sylvarian customs, the connection his people had with the natural world, and the magic that permeated their culture were all told by Kael. They learned of a shared past tainted by dishonesty and manipulation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A long-ago prophecy predicted that a warrior and a magician from rival countries would unite to bring peace to Valoria. They were shaken by this realization and began to wonder if their quarrel was really that serious." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As they journeyed, Elara and Kael stumbled upon an ancient ruin, its walls covered in cryptic symbols. The air was thick with a sense of forgotten history, the weight of time pressing down on them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kael deciphered the symbols, revealing the existence of a third party that had orchestrated the feud between their nations. This enemy sought to control Valoria by keeping Aethoria and Sylvaria at odds. \"We've been pawns in their game,\" Elara said, her voice filled with anger and determination." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We have to stop this.\" They continued, their friendship growing stronger as they were determined to find the truth. They faced additional perils, yet came out stronger every time. Together, Elara's fighting prowess and Kael's magical abilities made for a dangerous team." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They had to navigate dangerous terrain, which ranged from perilous cliffs to eerie, magical wetlands. With every obstacle they overcame, their bond grew stronger and more impenetrable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They found hints that took them to the dark stronghold tucked away deep in the mountains, the center of the enemy's territory. The trip was difficult, full of setbacks that tried their resolve and their developing mutual trust." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They came into guardians from long ago, relics from a bygone era, and riddles that needed both of their abilities to solve. They reached the centre of the secret enemy's territory as a result of their journey. The ominous stronghold with its imposing walls loomed ahead." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An overpowering magic pervaded the air, a physical representation of the evil that had been controlling their countries for generations. Long believed to be a myth, a formidable sorcerer had been directing the battle from behind closed doors." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he faced Elara and Kael, his eyes blazed with cunning knowledge. The sorcerer scoffed, \"You dare challenge me?\" \"You are nothing but pawns.\" Elara and Kael did not waver in their commitment. \"We are more than that,\" Kael steadily answered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We are the future of Valoria.\" In the climactic battle, their unity was their greatest weapon. Elara's sword strikes, infused with Kael's magic, broke through the sorcerer's defenses. The final blow was a testament to their cooperation and newfound friendship. The sorcerer fell, his plans unraveled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Elara's blade, glowing with a magical aura, struck the sorcerer down as Kael's spells bound him in place. Their combined power was unstoppable, a fusion of might and magic that symbolized the potential for harmony between their peoples." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With the enemy defeated, Elara and Kael returned to their people, armed with the truth. They faced resistance and skepticism but their unwavering determination and the evidence they brought swayed their leaders." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A historic meeting was arranged between Aethoria and Sylvaria, with Elara and Kael at the forefront. The peace talks were tense, but their personal journey served as a powerful example of what could be achieved through understanding and cooperation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Slowly, the animosity between the nations began to thaw. Trade routes were established, and cultural exchanges blossomed. Elara and Kael recounted their voyage and the realities they had discovered while speaking fervently about their experiences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Many were moved by their remarks, which planted the seeds of change. Inspired by the bravery and solidarity of the two, the leaders of Sylvaria and Aethoria decided to work towards a permanent peace." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Conclusion Elara and Kael stood at the newly drawn boundary, which now represented unity rather than division, years later. In their own time, they had become legendary, and their tale was passed down to motivate coming generations." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They had gone from being bitter rivals to lifelong friends as a result of their adventure, demonstrating that even the greatest gaps could be closed with compassion, teamwork, and the guts to question the current quo." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Elara and Kael witnessed the dawn of a new day that would bring prosperity and peace to Valoria as the sun rose overhead. Their lasting legacy was one of harmony and hope, serving as a constant reminder of the value of appreciating and respecting individual differences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the years that followed, Elara and Kael continued to work together, leading joint initiatives to foster cooperation between their nations. They established schools where children from both lands could learn about each other's cultures and histories." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Festivals celebrated the unity of Aethoria and Sylvaria, with Elara and Kael often seen as honored guests, their presence a reminder of the power of their bond. Their story became a beacon of hope, inspiring countless others to set aside their differences and work towards a common goal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Statues were erected in their honor, depicting the warrior and the mage standing side by side, a symbol of the enduring friendship that had changed the course of history. As they grew older, Elara and Kael found solace in the knowledge that their efforts had paved the way for a brighter future." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They spent their remaining years in a peaceful village at the border, surrounded by friends and family from both nations. Their legacy lived on through the generations, a testament to the transformative power of understanding and unity.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Fire Within" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People often say that anger is a destructive force, a wildfire that burns everything in its path, leaving behind only ashes and regret." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But what if anger could be transformed into something beautiful, something powerful? What if, instead of consuming us, it could fuel creation and bring people together? This is the story of Akira, a girl who harnessed the fire within her to create something extraordinary." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the heart of a small village nestled among towering mountains, Akira was known for her fiery spirit and her remarkable pottery. Her life had been marked by hardship and pain, but she refused to let her circumstances define her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead, she channeled her anger into her art, turning her inner turmoil into creations that brought peace and beauty to her community. Akira’s childhood was a tapestry of turmoil. She grew up in a society where women were seen as inferior, and her father, Haru, was a harsh and brutal man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He ruled their household with an iron fist, often taking out his frustrations on Akira's gentle mother, Hana and sometimes Akira. The sounds of Hana's cries and the sight of her bruises became a painful part of Akira's daily life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But while these experiences could have hardened her heart and created a hatred, anger and resentment towards her father. She didn't take the part, instead she used the anger to fuel are art works. Akira found solace and strength in her art." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her workshop, a modest structure filled with the scent of fresh clay and the soft, rhythmic sound of her hands molding the earth, was her sanctuary. Each piece she crafted was a testament to her resilience. The villagers often marveled at her creations, which seemed to pulse with life and emotion." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Akira, your work is truly magical,\" Hana, her mother would say, her voice filled with pride as she watched her daughter at work. \"Your hands create beauty from nothing. It's a gift my dear daughter.\" Akira would smile, her eyes remaining focused on the clay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's the only way I know how to deal with everything, Mother. When I'm working, I feel like I can control something, make something good out of all this anger.\" Hana would sigh, placing a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder. \"Your anger can either consume you or empower you, my child." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You have chosen the latter, and that is a powerful choice.\" Then came the day that shattered the fragile peace of their village." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A group of bandits descended upon it, destroying homes and crops in their wake.\n\nAkira's heart pounded, the pot of water she was holding fell from her hands and broke as she saw the flames rising and heard the cries of her neighbors. She rushed to the scene her eyes scanning the chaos for her mother." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her breath caught in her throat when she found Hana's lifeless body among the ruins. Overwhelmed with grief, Akira's anger burned hotter than ever before.\n\nInstead of succumbing to despair and taking revenge on the bandits that killed her mother, Akira retreated to her workshop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She locked herself in, tears mixing with the clay as she worked furiously.  She was determined to create something that would honor her mother and protect the village. Her hands moved with purpose, shaping a magnificent dragon.\n\nIts scales glinted in the sunlight, each one meticulously crafted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she worked, she felt her anger slowly transform into something powerful and beautiful. When the dragon was complete, Akira carried it to the town square." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The villagers, still reeling from the attack, gathered around, their eyes wide with awe.\n\nSome villagers murmured in amazement, their eyes fixed on the magnificent dragon sculpture in Akira's hands." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"By the gods, that's the most exquisite piece of craftsmanship I've ever laid eyes on!\" one villager exclaimed, his voice full of wonder. \"The intricate scales, the fierce expression, the way it seems to breathe fire..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "it's as if the dragon might come to life at any moment!\" The villager's words sparked a chorus of agreement from the crowd." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Indeed, it's a masterpiece!\" \"The girl's hands are truly blessed by the gods!\" \"I've never seen anything like it!\" Akira's face flushed with pride and happiness as she smiled, her eyes shining with joy. She had never felt so accepted and appreciated by her community before." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The villagers' praise and admiration warmed her heart, and she felt a sense of belonging and purpose that she had never felt before. Akira placed the dragon in the center and addressed them, her voice steady and strong despite her grief. \"My anger has created something beautiful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Let yours do the same. I know deep down the gods blessed each abd everyone of us with this gift. I would like to teach everyone here how to create\" she declared, her words echoing through the square." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Akira's voice thundered through the village square like a mighty drumbeat, igniting a fire of determination in the hearts of her people." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"This sculpted dragon, our mighty protector, shall stand watch over us from this day forward! If those marauding bandits dare to threaten our village again, it shall unleash its fury upon them like a tempest, reducing them to naught but ashes and dust!\" The villagers' faces lit up with a fierce resolve, their eyes blazing with a newfound sense of courage.\n\n\"Who among you shall join me in unleashing the dragon's wrath?\" Akira cried out, her arm outstretched, her hand beckoning like a warrior summoning her comrades to battle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Me!\" a burly blacksmith exclaimed, his deep voice resonating through the square like a mighty bell. \"Me!\" a young apprentice echoed, his eyes shining with eagerness like a star bursting forth in the night sky." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Me!\" a grizzled elder chimed in, his gnarled staff at the ready like a seasoned warrior preparing for battle. But one villager, a skeptical old man, spoke up, his voice dripping with doubt like a cold rain shower on a winter's day. \"But Akira, the dragon is not alive." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's just a sculpture, a mere decoration.\" Akira's smile was enigmatic, her eyes glinting with a knowing light like a wise sorceress revealing a hidden truth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, but my friend,\" she said, her voice low and mysterious, \"you would be surprised at the power of art and imagination.\n\n.This dragon may be just a sculpture now, but I know that when the bandits come, the gods will breathe life into it, and it will rise up like a phoenix from the ashes, its wings beating fiercely as it defends our village with all its might.\" The villagers looked at each other uncertainly, like travelers lost in a dense forest, but Akira's conviction was infectious, like a wildfire spreading rapidly through the underbrush.\n\nThey nodded, one by one, like soldiers swearing allegiance to their commander, and joined her in her quest to create something truly magnificent, a work of art that would be remembered for generations to come." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inspired by her words, the villagers began to create. They painted, they danced, they sang. They turned their anger into art, music, and unity. The village, once fractured by fear, found strength in their collective creativity. As the days passed, the village transformed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Murals of hope and resilience adorned the walls, songs of strength filled the air, and dances of unity brought the villagers closer.\n\nAkira's dragon stood as a symbol of their collective strength and determination. However, unbeknownst to Akira, her father, Haru, was among the bandits." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had been watching her from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. One evening, as the villagers celebrated their newfound creativity, Haru snuck up behind Akira and grabbed her. \"You think you can defeat me with your little pots and dragons?\" he sneered, his grip tightening." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Akira's anger flared up, but she refused to let it consume her. Instead, she used it to fuel her creativity.\n\nShe began to mold a pot right there in her father's grasp, her hands moving with a speed and precision that left him momentarily stunned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The pot began to glow brighter and brighter, until it was like a small sun in Akira's hands. Haru shielded his eyes, and Akira took advantage of the distraction. She broke free from his grasp and ran to the dragon in the town square." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The dragon began to glow, its scales shimmering with an inner light. The villagers watched in awe as Akira's creation came to life. Haru, blinded by the light, stumbled backward. Akira stood tall, her eyes blazing with determination. \"Your anger destroyed, Father." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mine creates,\" she declared, her voice ringing out clear and strong. The dragon roared to life, and Haru was consumed by the light and fire. When it faded, he was gone, defeated by Akira's creativity and determination." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The villagers cheered, and Akira knew that her anger had been transformed into something truly beautiful—a legacy of love and peace that would live on forever. **** Years later, when Akira was old and gray, she looked out over the village she had helped to build." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She saw children playing, laughing, and creating.  And she knew that her anger had been transformed into something truly beautiful—a legacy that would live on forever. But there was a twist. Haru had not been defeated by the light." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had been transported to a different dimension, a place where he was forced to confront his own anger and learn to harness it into something beautiful.  In this dimension, Haru faced trials and challenges that mirrored his past actions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He saw the pain he had caused, felt the weight of his anger, and struggled to find a way to transform it. Over time, Haru began to change." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He learned to mold his anger into something constructive, creating works of art that reflected his journey towards redemption.\n\nHe was no longer the man who had caused so much pain but a man transformed by his own struggles." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One day, as Haru worked on a particularly challenging piece, a portal opened before him. He stepped through, uncertain of what awaited him on the other side.\n\nTo his surprise, he found himself back in the village, standing before Akira's dragon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The villagers, who had once feared him, now looked at him with curiosity and hope. Akira, now a revered elder, approached him. Her eyes, once filled with anger, now held a deep understanding. \"Father, you have returned,\" she said softly. Haru nodded, his voice trembling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I have faced my demons, Akira. I have learned to transform my anger, just as you did.\" The villagers gathered around, sensing the significance of the moment. Akira took her father's hand and led him to the town square." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Together, they stood before the dragon, the symbol of their shared past and newfound hope. \"Anger can destroy,\" Akira said, her voice carrying through the square, \"but it can also create." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It brought us here, and now it will lead us forward.\" The villagers, witnessing this powerful reunion, embraced Haru as one of their own. Akira and her father worked side by side, blending their crafts and stories, turning their pain into a legacy of love and peace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The story of Akira and her father became a legend, reminding everyone that anger is not something to be feared but something to be harnessed.  The power to transform it into creativity, unity, and love lay within each of them, waiting to be awakened.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Land, ho!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "George looked out over the ocean. As far as he could see, there was nothing but deep gray sea, teeming and rolling under equally gray, cloud filled skies. He felt his spirits plummet. He had hoped to see faraway, distant shores, some sort of mark on the horizon. The mark of Terra Firma." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mother Earth, land. It wasn’t to be. At least not yet. He didn’t know exactly when that momentous occasion would occur. The moment when one of the sailors on board would yell triumphantly “Land, ho!” George had almost forgotten what day it was and how long he had been at sea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If his calculations were correct, and he believed they were, he had been on the ship for about two months – two extremely long, grueling, suffocating months. He felt like the voyage would never end." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The ship’s crew was housed in small cabins above deck, while George and his fellow passengers were consigned to the “gun deck” or lower deck, a suffocating windowless space between the main deck and the cargo hold below." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ceilings below deck were no more than five feet high, which forced him, and everyone else, to stoop until they were permanently and prematurely, bent over and aching. Old before their time. Below deck, it was also freezing cold." }, { "from": "human", "value": "George was convinced that living below deck was akin to being in one of the seven circles of hell – if hell were to be the opposite in temperature – deathly cold and not a fiery, burning place. The cold seeped into George’s bones so deeply that he feared he would never be able to shake it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His whole body had turned into a block of ice. Moreover, it was so crowded below deck that one could barely move. The passengers were packed in as tight as sardines in a can. Cold, damp sardines." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Besides the extreme temperature and close conditions, the stench of vomit, unwashed bodies, and human excrement permeated the air. The few slop buckets resting on the wooden plank floor were overflowing with human waste." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first, passengers had regularly hauled the teeming buckets above decks and dumped their contents into the ocean. Gradually, however, over the course of the voyage, most passengers became too ill and exhausted to be bothered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead, they huddled miserably under coarse woolen blankets in close proximity to the overflowing buckets, suffering from a combination of hunger pains, seasickness, putrid smells and frigid temperatures until they feared they would go quite mad." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With the unsanitary conditions coupled with their meager diet of hardtack biscuits, salted pork, dried fish and other preserved meat, washed down with beer, it was miraculous that only one passenger, an indentured servant named William Butten, had died during the voyage." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a twist of fate, to compensate for that one death, a healthy baby boy had also been born during the crossing. The baby had been named Oceanus, in honor of the ocean voyage. The voyage was not for the faint of heart." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only thing that kept most passengers going was the thought of a better tomorrow. A fresh start in a new land. Like the baby Oceanus, the ocean voyage represented a birth – new beginnings in a foreign land.\n\nThat birthing process, however, like most, had been long and arduous." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Mayflower and its sister ship, the Speedwell, had originally set sail from Southampton, England on August 15 in the year of the lord 1620. Unfortunately, the Speedwell had proven to be unseaworthy and soon sprung a leak." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Most of its passengers were then transferred to the Mayflower, although some had chosen to stay behind. Less than a month after departing Southampton, the Mayflower and its added passengers, had once more set sail, departing on September 6 from Plymouth Harbor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The added burden of the Speedwell's extra passengers soon led to the aforementioned unsanitary, crowded conditions. For the most part, the passengers accepted the sacrifice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They considered their hardships aboard ship a necessary evil, a cross to bear for the promise of a better life – free from the tyrannical rule of their mother country England.\n\nGeorge Soule was a lowly indentured manservant to a gentleman named Edward Winslow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "George was one of approximately one hundred passengers from all stations of life, high and low, undertaking the voyage. As an indentured servant, he labored under a staggering debt that would take him countless years to pay – that is, should he decide to remain in England." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His future in England was bleak – years of servitude loomed in front of him with nothing to show for it, nothing beyond mere survival. In America, however, his future seemed bright. He could work off his debt much sooner and become a landowner, a respected citizen in his own right." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He would no longer be forced to be a manservant to anyone else. He could be independent. Free at last. It was a future too tempting to pass up. As a young, strong single man, he had nothing to lose. No one and nothing tied him to his mother country." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With the thought of freedom and adventure coursing through his veins, he decided his fate lay in America.\n\nHe tried to hold onto that optimism, despite the grueling conditions aboard the Mayflower." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looking forward to a better life was the only way to preserve his sanity in the midst of an interminable, miserable voyage. As of late, it seemed that the Mayflower was not even progressing forward in its journey." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stormy weather and rough seas often caused the ship to veer off course and even blow backwards, making the journey even longer. George prayed that this pattern would not continue. Soon, he hoped the ship would barrel forward, back on course." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Although passengers had been strongly discouraged from going on deck, and faced the possible wrath of the Mayflower captain and his crew, George decided nonetheless to venture out of his cabin one day to see if he could gauge the ship’s progress." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Were they still going backwards or were they now back on course? He wondered to himself. He just had to find out.\n\nHe emerged from below decks and stepped onto the wooden deck, shuffling towards the ship’s stern." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Having suffered several bouts of seasickness since the beginning of the voyage, he walked somewhat gingerly, fearing that his embattled stomach would soon start rolling and churning like the seas beneath him. To his surprise, his stomach was at last calm." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He also noted in jubilation that it was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and fluffy white clouds pillowed the sky. The air was light, fresh, and warm – a welcome respite from the habitually cold, damp stink of below." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He felt his spirits rise in tandem with the gentle breeze that stirred the air.\n\nHe heard the mournful cooing of some kind of bird and glanced up. He saw a white albatross flying above him. He squinted his eyes and strained his neck muscles to look as high up in the sky as he was able." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What was the bird carrying its mouth? To his astonishment, he noted that it was a branch. A branch that appeared to have green leaves on it! He could scarcely believe it! It must be a sign." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like the dove carrying the olive branch of peace, the albatross carried a fresh, living branch – or at least one that had been attached to a live tree a short while ago as its leaves were still a bright green. The branch and its leaves must be a sign. A sign from God. A promise. The end was in sight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Land would soon be present ! His thoughts raced. They were almost there! They had almost made it ! He could scarcely contain his excitement. He just had to go back and tell the others." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He turned around and walked hurriedly back towards the hole cut into the deck that led to the wooden ladder that descended to the gun deck. On the way, he saw the first mate, a forbidding looking, unpleasant man who seemed to have a perpetual sneer on his face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Pray pardon me, good sir,” George said excitedly. “Has thou seenest the bird flying o’er us? A bird, large and white, with a living branch in its mouth? Does thou not thinkest that bird be the harbinger of good news – land ahead and the end to our voyage?” Surprisingly, the grumpy man smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“The albatross! Thou must have seen the albatross! Tis an old sailor’s omen. A good omen, praise be. Land indeed beckons! Spread the good word, my fellow!” George could scarcely believe it. He was ecstatic." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had been the one to discover the bird with the branch, and the first mate had agreed with him. Land was soon to arrive! The first mate sped off to alert the captain of the harbinger of good fortune that had been spotted. Seafaring men were a superstitious lot and they believed in omens and signs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If an albatross with a branch had been spotted, then it must mean land was soon forthcoming. Navigational equipment was not something the Mayflower crew had, beyond an ancient sexton that did not work very well. Using the stars to navigate was also not without fault." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes navigating a ship was nothing more than a wing and a prayer. And this time, the wing had literally been spotted. The wing of a bird, a bird carrying a branch, a branch that had grown on dry land. Land that was surely not far away . ." }, { "from": "human", "value": ".\n\nDescending into the foothold, the next person George encountered was his master, Edward Winslow, accompanied by his wife. “Good morrow, sir,” George said, bowing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I am happy to announce that land has been spotted!” In his excitement, George had embellished the story – a feat that he didn’t do deliberately but rather, subconsciously. Land had been spotted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but his disheartened brain and spirit had long resided in the dark dungeon of the ship’s underbelly. When he finally saw light and promise in the form of a branch carrying bird at the end of that proverbial long, dark tunnel, he couldn’t help but leap to the logical conclusion that land had indeed been spotted.\n\n“Indeed?” his master Edward Winslow replied." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Actual land? Splendid, splendid. Thank you. I must share this good news with the rest of my family.” George continued walking towards his designated spot in the below decks cabin, taking care to bend down, lest he hit his head on the low ceiling, something he had done too many painful times." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Along the way, he stopped and told everyone he knew about the land he had seen. Pretty soon, the whole ship buzzed with excitement. Rumors spread like wildfire. The voyage was almost over. Land was in sight. They were almost there! “I heard that whales were also spotted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Swimming in the water by the shoreline . . .” one man told his wife.\n\nAnother man said that on the beach where they were sure to dock, face painted, bloodthirsty savages riding all white horses were lying in wait for the passengers, bows and arrows at the ready." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Mayflower passengers would surely be shot on sight by Indians and their quivering, sharply pointed arrows. Another passenger claimed the waters near the shoreline were infested with man-eating sharks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Mayflower captain and his crew would therefore be forced to somehow run the large, unwieldy Mayflower aground onto dry land before passengers could safely disembark.\n\nStirred by these and other similar rumors about what to expect on shore, the passengers, who had previously been too ill, exhausted and disheartened to stir from their squalid berths, were now gathering their tattered, dirty belongings in fevered excitement." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The previously gloomy atmosphere below deck was now a cacophony of noise and movement, as passengers readied themselves and their children for their long anticipated, but potentially dangerous arrival.\n\nSoon, there was a stampede of scurrying feet headed towards the ladder leading to the ship’s deck." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Skeletal, dirty, exhausted passengers began climbing the tattered rope ladder leading up to the ship’s deck, one right after another. Everyone wanted to stand triumphantly at the ship’s rail and spot the long awaited land." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They wanted to hear those long awaited magical words, “Land ho!” Once on land, George felt he and the others might even sink to their knees and kiss the sand.\n\nEveryone strained to see that promised land, but so far, nothing had been spotted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Several long minutes passed until finally, an indignant buzz of voices began to rise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At last one man yelled hopefully above the din, “Starboard! The land must be on the starboard side!” After those words were uttered, there was a thunderous rush of feet on the wooden deck as everyone ran to the starboard side of the ship." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With the ship’s weight now unevenly distributed, the ship tilted precariously to one side. One passenger, John Howland, who, like George Soule, was also an indentured servant, had been hanging over the railing trying to get a bird’s eye of the long anticipated land." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Suddenly, he tumbled headlong into the water and landed with a resounding splash.\n\n“Man overboard!” called the first mate, throwing a worn rope to the hapless man, flailing helplessly in the water. Howland grabbed the rope in vain before it slipped out of his slippery grasp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His head then bobbed in the water, and he looked like he might soon go under, never to return. The throngs crowded on deck let out a collective gasp. The first mate then grabbed the rope back again before once more letting it fly back towards the struggling man in the water." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time, Howland reached one feeble hand towards the rope and finally, closed his fingers around it in desperation and tightly held on.\n\nThe crew pulled him back in with the rope, before grabbing him under his armpits and heaving him over the rail where he at last flopped on the deck like a landed fish, spitting and sputtering out water." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Back to your quarters!” The captain cried. “Land is not yet near! We need to travel further still! Everyone below deck! Our time is not yet nigh!”\n\nThe passengers grumbled in defeat, George being the one to feel the worst. He had been the unwitting bearer of false news." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was afraid everyone would hold it against him. In self chastisement, he almost felt he deserved a public flogging. Still, with the speed that rumors had spread all throughout the Mayflower, no one seemed to know where they had originated from." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "George was therefore safe from public humiliation and punishment. Nonetheless, he felt ashamed. He was also downhearted, beaten, and discouraged. He was beginning to lose all hope. The Mayflower would never reach America. They would be at sea forever." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Forever trapped in the stifling, airless, putrid, freezing cabin in the ship's bowels.\n\nHe silently cried salty tears and finally fell into a troubled, restless sleep. When he finally awoke, he didn’t get up from his wooden cot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What was the use? He was tired of being filled with false hope and promise. They were never going to get there. The bird with the branch in his mouth must have been an optical illusion. Some sort of sea going mirage. He was surely delirious from lack of food and sunlight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just as he was thinking those bitter, defeated thoughts, he heard the clanging of a large bell and the blowing of a bullhorn. What could that possibly mean? Suddenly, he heard the captain’s booming voice, “Land, ho!” He realized with elation that the Mayflower had finally, blessedly arrived." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He noted the date in his yellowed, water stained journal. November 9, 1620. The Mayflower had finally reached its destination. America. Home at last. His new life had begun. Author’s note: This story is loosely based on the Mayflower’s voyage and passengers aboard who actually existed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There is a rumor in my own family that we are descended from the Mayflower passenger George Soule, the indentured servant who is the main character in the story. My great grandparents' last name is Sowls, which supposedly is a derivation of the last name Soule." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whether or not this is true and I am related to George Soule, I don’t know, but nonetheless, it's an interesting rumor and gave me the idea for this historical fiction story. Other possible descendants of George Soule include Richard Gere, Dick Van Dyke, and Melvil Dewey." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or maybe that's just a rumor?." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Superhero or Ghost" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Some call me a ghost. Some don’t believe in me at all. Me? I call myself ‘Time Man’ Yeah, okay I get it not the greatest name in the world but all of the good names are taken. Besides what else could I call myself? Oh right, you don’t know anything else about me.\n\nMy name is Kyle Vase." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My superpower is time manipulation. I can freeze time. Cool right? When I first discovered my powers I thought I had died. I knocked a glass of water off the table and went to catch it but it stopped. It just floated there. I was confused. I looked around and saw that everything was frozen around me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stood up and walked over to where my mom was in the kitchen. She was mid-slice cutting some brownies.\n\n“Mom?” I asked. She didn’t respond. I looked back at the TV and I could see something fuzzy around the screen. I walked over and touched it. It felt weird like being shocked but not hurt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Whoa,” I continued to walk through the house and outside where my Dad was mowing the lawn. I know I should have been the one doing it but I was seventeen at the time. The one thing that took me a minute to realize was how quiet it was." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The lawn mower wasn’t making a sound unless my Dad didn’t have it turned on. I made my way over to him and waved my hand in front of his face. No reaction.\n\nThe neighbor Ted was taking out a trash bag and putting it in the bin. The bad was in the air. I walked over and put my hand on it and pushed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The bad started to move down. I kept pushing it until it was on the ground. I backed up and bumped into something. I turned to see it was a bird mid-flight. I grabbed it and held it in my hands. Just then everything went back to normal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The bird started to flutter in my hands, the garbage bag hit the ground and Ted said something I can’t remember.\n\n“Kyle!” My Mom shouted from the house. My Dad stopped the lawn mower and looked at the front door. He started to walk towards the house when he looked back and saw me on the sidewalk." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“When did you get there?” He asked.\n\n“Uhm… Just now?” I didn’t know how to answer that.\n\nMy Mom opened the front door and looked at my Dad. “Steve, Kyle is gone, he…” She stopped and looked over at me. “What the hell? You were just in the kitchen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I heard the glass break and you were just, gone.” She said. I just shrugged and said. “I was out here.” I looked over at Ted who had one hand on his hip and the other scratching his head as he looked at the bag of garbage." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I went to school the next day and when up to my friends and told them what happened. Emma was the only one to believe me. Bill and Phil just laughed at me.\n\nWe went to our math class and listened to the teacher. She was going on and on about something, I don’t know. Math wasn’t my greatest subject." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I wasn’t really good at any subject to be honest. I sat there bored, tapping my pencil on the desk when it happened again. Time froze. I looked back at Phil and Bill to see if they froze as well. They did. I got up and went over to them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I pushed their desks together then I took Phil’s finger and put it in Bill’s nose. Then took Bill's hand and put it on Phil's head. I burst into laughter. Then I looked at the teacher and walked up to her. I ripped open her shirt exposing her bra.\n\nOkay I know that was a douche thing to do." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was seventeen with the power to stop time. Who wouldn’t have done something like that. I sat back in my chair and waited. It wasn’t an instant thing for the time to go back but I wasn’t sure on how to use my powers just yet. I snapped my fingers and it just happened. Everything happened at once." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bill slapped Phils head and they freaked out as they noticed Phils finger. Everyone laughed at them and the teacher. She quickly closed her shirt.\n\nThe next few days I practiced my powers. No one knew except for my friends that I told." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One day I was sitting at the park and saw an older couple walking. A dog had come loose from the leash of a woman walking him. The dog was big and was running straight towards the couple. I watched the dog run and knocked over the older lady. I was quick to snap and freeze time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I ran over and was able to help the woman from falling. I moved her so she would be back on her feet. I stepped back to watch.\n\nThe lady was able to stay on her feet. The dog walker ran over to check on her. Both of them were visibly confused. They looked at me and I snapped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was in a panic and ran away. As I was running, I saw a car accident that was just about to happen. I jumped into action and opened the door of the car that was just about to be hit. I pulled the driver out and put them on the sidewalk. I went to the other car and looked at the brakes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I went and grabbed a large rock and placed it on the pedal.\n\nBefore I snapped back and unfroze time I thought to myself. \n\nIs this really going to work? What would happen when they just see a rock appear out of nowhere? I came up with a secondary idea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I opened the car door, grabbed the rock, tossed it over my shoulder, and pulled the e-brake.\n\nI ran back over to the sidewalk. I snapped and unfroze time. The car was able to stop before hitting the other car. The driver I pulled out stood up and looked at his car while scratching his head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The driver of the first car got out\n\nand ran to the the other car and saw it was empty.\n\nI walked away from the scene and went home. I sat in my room in silence. I worked on a class project and when I finished I turned on the news. They were doing a report on the near acident." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were saying a ghost saved everyone.\n\nFrom that day forward I decided to use my powers for good, as long as they just think its a ghost. I spent the next few years using my abilities. Stopping bank robberies. Saving people from falling." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was also one time where there was a maniac inside an office building holding them hostage. I went in and pulled him out, cuffed him, and handed him over to the cops.\n\nAfter years of doing this, there wer only a few times that someone caught on." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Including one where a CCTV footage shows me standing in one spot then in a split second it shows me across the street. There was a whole series of YouTube videos and podcasts trying to debunk or come to a conclusion on the phenomena.\n\nThe day came when I decided to come out and tell everyone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was the superhero. They mocked me. I was angry and snapped. They froze and I walked away. I wandered around and looked at everything around me. Something about this time it looked different. The trees greener. The sky was open and beautiful. Then I saw her. The prettiest woman I had ever seen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was looking right at me. I smiled. Then she smiled back. I went pale. She raised her arms up and yelled “Wait!”\n\nI snapped again. Time went back to normal and she stopped. She was frozen now. I snapped again and she was able to move. We began to talk and get to know each other." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We started to fall in love. What would have been over a decade for us was only a second for everyone else. She explained to me that a few years ago there was solar storm that apparently affected both her and me. She was frozen and I was the only one who could help her. She was diagnosed with cancer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We learned that when she was frozen the cancer stopped spreading. But when wasn’t frozen, she was dying.\n\nWe decided to spend whatever time we had together until she was gone.\n\nThe moral of the story is it doesn’t matter if you can control time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You still need to find it to spend on the things that really matter.\n\nIm writing this as I as well am in my final moments. The next snap will be my last. *Snap*." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "### Gossip Central: The Hottest Scoop in Starlet City" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "### Gossip Central: The Hottest Scoop in Starlet City **Headline:** Love, Lies, and Longing: The Scandals Rocking Starlet City Dear readers, hold onto your hats and clutch your pearls because today's edition of Gossip Central is sizzling with the latest juicy tidbits from the glamorous yet tumultuous lives of our beloved celebrities." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Grab your coffee (or maybe something stronger), and let's dive into the chaos, heartbreak, and drama that make Starlet City the talk of the town. **1. Star-Crossed Love Affairs:** It seems that Cupid's arrows have been striking with questionable aim lately." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our sources have confirmed that the dashing heartthrob, **Ethan Rivers**, and the sultry songstress, **Bella Monroe**, were spotted sharing an intimate dinner at Le Rêve, the swankiest restaurant in town." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While Ethan is technically single after his high-profile breakup with supermodel **Victoria Lane**, Bella is still very much linked to her on-again, off-again beau, rocker **Jaxon Storm**." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eyewitnesses reported steamy glances and even a discreet kiss! Could this be the beginning of a new power couple, or just another chapter in Bella's tumultuous love life? **2." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Betrayals and Backstabbing:** In a shocking turn of events, our inside informants reveal that **Tessa Hart**, the darling of daytime TV, has been betrayed by her closest confidante." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tessa's best friend and stylist, **Mila Bennett**, has been leaking details of Tessa's personal life to the press for months. This bombshell came to light after a series of particularly personal stories surfaced, each eerily detailed and undeniably true." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tessa is reportedly devastated and has severed all ties with Mila. Trust is a fragile thing in the world of fame, and Tessa's heartbreak is a harsh reminder of the cost of celebrity. **3." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Great Escape:** In a dramatic twist worthy of the big screen, action star **Derek Steele** has vanished from the public eye following a messy divorce and custody battle with ex-wife, actress **Chloe Kensington**." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rumor has it that Derek has fled to a secluded island to escape the relentless paparazzi and rebuild his life away from the spotlight. Sources close to Derek claim he is focusing on his mental health and reconnecting with nature." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Chloe is left to navigate single motherhood and a challenging career without Derek’s support. Will Derek make a triumphant return, or is this the end of his Hollywood saga? **4." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rising Stars and Fallen Idols:** Not all news is scandalous, darlings! Our very own **Lila Rose**, the sweet and talented breakout star, has landed a lead role in the upcoming blockbuster, *Celestial*. This role could catapult her to A-list status, and we're all eagerly watching her rise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "However, not everyone is thrilled about Lila’s success. Her former mentor, veteran actress **Vivian Blackwood**, has been vocal about her disapproval, calling Lila “ungrateful” for allegedly ditching her after finding fame." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A classic case of jealousy, or does Vivian have a point? Either way, we can't wait to see Lila shine on the silver screen. **5. Scandalous Reunions:** Fans of the once-popular band, **Eclipse**, are in for a treat as whispers of a reunion tour circulate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frontman **Ryan Knight** and guitarist **Liam Hayes** were spotted together at a secret recording session, sparking hopes of new music and possibly a tour. This news comes despite their infamous fallout years ago, which led to the band's breakup." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can Ryan and Liam put aside their differences for the sake of their fans, or is this just a fleeting moment of nostalgia? **6. Hidden Addictions:** The seemingly perfect life of reality TV queen **Sophie Sterling** is crumbling as reports of her secret battle with addiction come to light." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Insiders have revealed that Sophie has been struggling with substance abuse for years, hidden behind her glamorous facade. She has checked into a rehab facility under an alias to avoid media attention. This revelation is a stark contrast to the image Sophie has always portrayed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her fans are left in shock, hoping for her swift recovery and return to the spotlight, clean and stronger than ever. **7. Fashion Faux Pas:** The annual Starlet City Gala, known for its dazzling display of fashion, was not without its blunders this year." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The usually impeccable **Fiona Frost**, renowned for her chic and sophisticated style, made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Her choice of a bold, avant-garde gown was met with mixed reviews, some calling it a masterpiece, others a disaster." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fashion critics and fans alike were divided, and Fiona's risky choice has certainly stirred the pot. Love it or hate it, Fiona remains the talk of the town. **8. Business Ventures Gone Awry:** It appears that not all that glitters is gold in the business world of Starlet City." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Entrepreneur and former child star **Jasper King** has seen his latest venture, a high-end vegan restaurant, fall into financial turmoil. Despite the star-studded opening and rave initial reviews, the restaurant has been plagued by management issues and declining sales." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Insiders say Jasper is scrambling to keep the business afloat, even considering selling off personal assets. Can Jasper turn things around, or will this be another failed project in his portfolio? **9." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Secret Babies and Hidden Relationships:** The rumor mill is buzzing with whispers that actress **Grace Delaney** has been hiding a secret baby! Grace, known for her private nature, has kept a low profile recently, leading to speculation about her mysterious disappearance from the public eye." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sources suggest that she gave birth in secret and has been focusing on motherhood away from the prying eyes of the media. The identity of the father remains unknown, but rumors point to a high-profile director she was linked to last year." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Will Grace confirm the news, or will this remain one of Starlet City's greatest mysteries? **10. Redemption and Comebacks:** In a heartwarming twist, comedian **Max Turner**, who faced a career downfall due to a scandal two years ago, is making a remarkable comeback." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Max has been performing at small comedy clubs, rebuilding his reputation and winning back the hearts of fans. His sincerity and raw talent are shining through, proving that everyone loves a good redemption story." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Max’s journey from disgrace to grace is a testament to resilience and the forgiving nature of the entertainment industry. There you have it, dear readers—today's hottest scoops and scandals straight from Starlet City." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As always, we'll be keeping our eyes and ears open for more gossip, intrigue, and sensational stories to keep you entertained. Stay tuned, because in this city, there's never a dull moment! Until next time, Gossip Central ✨." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Promises – based on a true story" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Jeannie, Gil’s wife died, he stopped going to church. He’d take his son, Cliff, to the twenty-minute Mass at the French church on Christmas and Easter.\n\nGil preferred watching the ducks in the early light from atop the bridge in Cass Park. That was his place of worship. It felt more real." }, { "from": "human", "value": "From that vantage he sensed the whole world arising as sunlight shone through the treetops. Before they married, he and Jeannie threw stale bread to the ducks and laughed at their jostling for morsels. Meadowlarks sang arias from the trees. It felt like heaven to him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He’d take Cliff to the bridge each morning, before dropping him to school, and working at the bank. Standing over the still water, they’d talk and watch the world awaken. He never forgot that Cliff was all he had left of Jeannie. Gil pointed. “See that ripple, out past the lily pads…?” “Yeah." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What is that?” “A snapping turtle. I call her Hilda.” “Hilda? “She’s huge. Has a sharp beak and a ragged dinosaur tail. Wouldn’t want to swim with her.” “Wow.” “Been here since before I was born.” “She’s old!” \n\nThey’d watch Hilda make her rounds." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ancient turtle lurked beneath the dark water stirred by the ducks. The big old turtle terrified him when he was Cliff’s age. Now, they were old friends. The ducks dispersed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gil said, “My dad used to tell me about hippos out there.” “Really?” “That’s what he told me.” Gil’s brother, Roger, called Cliff ‘the Wanderer.’ When he got lost in the woods, they found him napping atop a slab of granite. A sun beam shone down on him. A fawn was licking his ear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few days later, Cliff and Gil visited the bridge for their morning ritual. A flock of ducks took flight and wheeled over the placid water. The boy admitted he’d given up. “I didn’t know what to do, dad." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wished I was a bird.” “Cliff, when you get in a jam, you can’t just fly away.” “Birds do.” “But you’re not a bird. Birds don’t think. They react. We buckle down and find a solution.” “But how…?” “Ducks swim. You don’t see crows swimming. Each does what’s intended." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You’re not made to fly.” “What am I made for?” “Good question. What are you good for?” Wide eyed, Cliff had no answer. He felt Jeannie watching. He ruffled Cliff’s hair. “Right now, you’re made to run and play." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Soon, ideas will capture you and you’ll chase them far as you need to.” Cliff needed structure. Gil signed him up for the local peewee football team, the Canucks. Cliff preferred soccer. But being old school, and the team coach, Gil prevailed. He watched Cliff sulking, but safe on the bench." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cliff chafed at Gil’s control but didn’t protest. Another kid, Frankie, and Cliff became friends. Frankie was agile and threw well. Cliff ran fast and knew how to catch the ball. Gil started using him in games. One game, near the end of the fourth quarter, the Canuck defense collapsed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trapped, Frankie threw the ball away. Cliff made a spectacular catch. His touchdown won the game. Frankie said the priest at the French church, congratulated them for their Hail Mary. Cliff asked Gil about it. “Dad, why don’t we practice that play from the game?” “Because it’s last ditch." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A miracle, desperation play… To keep from getting sacked.” “But it worked. We won the game…” “There’s no way to practice it, Cliff. It’s random, unpredictable. No one wants a Hail Mary play. If you need it, someone didn’t do their job." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The defensive line failed.” “Why did we win if everything went wrong?” “Drills let us know what to expect. Follow the rules, stick to the plan. Don’t wing it. The center snaps the ball, and the quarterback catches it. Like at the bank, you don’t fudge the figures.” “I know, Dad." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Friday?” “Steady practice gets you to know each other’s moves. Then, if you need to improvise, you can. But you can’t plan it.” The next week, they stood on the bridge, huddled in their jackets. Their breath lingered in the chilled air. The ducks had migrated south." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gil watched for Hilda’s ripples. Cliff said, “Dad, I wrote a poem.” “Let’s hear it.” He unfolded a paper, “’They say hippos swim in the lake at Cass Park. And if you dive deep enough you could find Noah’s Ark. There the ducks live in trees, The crows do as they please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The light’s beautiful and it never gets dark…’ He looked up. Gil chuckled and said, “That’s awful.” Cliff laughed. “It is?” Gil felt Jeannie’s nudge. “Is it for school?” “No. I just wrote it.” “Then I love it.” “You do?” Gil nudged his shoulder with a smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You have a great future, kid.” The following Friday morning, Gil prepared for the day. He called out, “You ready, Cliff? Let’s head out.” The house was silent. Cliff wasn’t in his room. Something felt wrong. Never an early riser, Cliff always rode with Gil." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His backpack was gone, but his schoolbooks sat on the table. He called Cliff’s friends. No one knew anything. Frankie’s mother said they left together, at dawn. “I heard them talking about the train.” “The train? They’re kids. Where would they take the train?” “Not sure." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What’s three hours away?” Gil saw the newspaper on the table. He stopped at the announcement of the NY Jets’ planned appearance at Madison Square Garden. Their quarterback, Chase Hopkins, recently made news with a Hail Mary pass. Gil called his brother, Roger. “Drop everything, Rog." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Need some urgent action.” “What’s up?” “Cliff and a buddy skipped school to go into the city. Need help finding them.” “Alone? To New York? What is he, ten? Crazy...” “That’s Cliff. I’ll pick you up in ten.” Traffic wasn’t bad until they reached the outer boroughs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roger and his wife, Donna, rode along. They were regulars at church, Sundays, holidays and holy days. Donna attended Mass every morning. Sitting next to Gil, Roger yammered about kids lacking responsibility. Donna prayed in the back seat, non-stop and loudly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When the traffic backed up, Gil reached his limit. “Will you pipe down? You’re talking to yourself. Cut the volume.” “I’m praying, Gil. Asking God for help.” “And God can’t hear silent thoughts? I’m trying to think, here. Pray for an open lane.” Roger and Donna exchanged looks.\n\nHe felt responsible." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘I’m under water, here… What if… I’d let Cliff play soccer? Or Jeannie’d stayed behind instead of me? The kid would’ve thrived with her.’ No answers came. Nothing could solve this. ‘Why? Why? Why…?’ Gil took an exit and made his way to Madison Square Garden." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘So many people!’ He pulled over, got out, and gave Roger the keys. “Drive around. I don’t know… Look between here and Grand Central… I’ll scout the Garden.” He ran up the steps and across the plaza to the entrance. A maintenance man came out. Gil stopped in front of him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“When will the Jets be here?” The guy brushed by. “This morning. Been and gone, man… freakin’ tourist…” Dead end. He had been so sure. Now what? Gil fell to his knees. Putting his hands together, he did what he hadn’t done since he was a kid. And never in public. He prayed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People milling about stared at Gil kneeling by the Garden’s entrance. “Mary. I barely know you. It’s been so long. Too long… I need help finding Cliff, Jeannie’s and my son. He’s a good kid. But lost. I don’t know if… or what you can do. But please, help us find him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Keep him safe… You can’t… please don’t leave me alone. He’s all I’ve got… I’ll return to church. Do a rosary every week… every day. Just bring him back safe. Please…” Sobbing, Gil slumped against the wall, head in hands. His cell phone rang. It was Roger. “We got Cliff and his friend. Safe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They crossed right in front of us on 42 nd , at Bryant Park.” Gil couldn’t speak. Tears ran down his face. Roger said, “You there? Pick you up in five.” The kids denied knowing anything about the Jets event. “That would’ve been cool. Should ‘a done that…” Cliff said, “Always heard about New York." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wanted to check it out…” The ride home was relaxed, once they got past the scolding. Cliff got a clue. He wasn’t much trouble after that. Gil faithfully said his rosary every day. When tempted to skip it, he’d tell himself, ‘Follow the rules. Stick to the plan. Don’t wing it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Keep your promises…’ He kept his promise. Standing on the bridge every morning, he’d feed Hilda and the ducks. He’d think of Jeannie and tell her all about it.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All We Have Is Time" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All We Have Is Time ©2024 Ellen Bennett Verdant pastures spread panoramically, dotted with scarred, red-wooded barns, squat doublewides or old homes in various stages of disrepair. Along the way, an invisible wall surrounds me, like I’ve entered a balloon filled with thick humid air." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It stops me at once. I dismount the bicycle and straddle it between my knees, catching my breath. JOURNAL ENTRY: BICYCLE TRIP, JUNE 4, 2024 A pole barn with its open doors is strewn with equipment both inside and out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Flanking the open doors are two small windows, their frames of rotted wood barely holding shards of broken glass together.  An overwhelming loneliness sweeps over me, settling deep inside my gut." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The edges of the defined glass look like they could cut through any excuse. A rusted tractor sits outside of the barn, framed in the brilliant azure sky. It is surrounded by tall weeds and overgrown grasses, their rough thorny slivers poking through rotted floorboards and around the engine housing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The now-defunct lift bucket lays dormant, like a dinosaur who gave up the fight. It bakes in the midday sun while accumulated layers of pollen, road and mower dust, bird droppings, hay, old oil, and grease disguise the rich history buried beneath age-old fingerprints." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Working hands once controlled the levers that carried soil, rocks, manure, hay, and bags of feed, like clockwork against nature’s shifting weather. It has been left to decay, like everything else we humans choose to ignore." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Several black cattle and two Paint horses graze lazily in the nearby fields, a gentle breeze whispers through the thickly leafed towering maples and elms. Such old trees, their secrets safely stowed within their massive branches, trunk, and sturdy roots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think about putting my palms on the trunk to absorb their knowledge, but I don’t move because to move would disrupt the clarity of the moment. \n\n There is an undertow scent of recently spread fertilizer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dark tractor lines crisscross the road coming from the field with the livestock and into another almost barren field which is in the process of being sowed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a few days, the once pungent, eye-watering—almost nauseating—odor of freshly combined, composted fertilizer becomes not at all unpleasant, almost sweet with the clean air curling in from nearby Lake Michigan. \n\n Black Gold! A flutter comes from the top of one of the trees, a twitter and a call." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A red winged black bird shoots from the cave of the leaves with a rustle and a snap as he calls to the others, possibly to join him in something delectable, or to throw them off the scent so the bounty will be all his." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do birds have this sense of propriety like their human counterparts? Do birds leave things behind to rot? When their offspring fall from the nest, do they save them? They don’t. Other birds of varying breeds zip in from different directions and bury themselves in parts of the trees." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their chatter blends in with distant cow moans and constant traffic on the highway which is located behind a thick line of trees." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A heavy-sounding vehicle runs along the rumble strip then rights itself, and one of the Paints blows air through its nose as it flips its hay mound around into strewn piles. I watch the strands settle like pick-up-sticks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The aroma of sweet feed from a nearby tub is heady, the horse version of fresh-baked apple pie on a windowsill! The mailbox at the end of the hard-packed dirt and gravel driveway leans toward the road." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The post is fading, it’s green paint flecked and hanging in slivers around a chipped and unbalanced base. The door to the box is jimmied with gate clips. It doesn’t close all the way. There is a stack of weathered flyer mail sticking out of the top." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The house number is hand-painted on a piece of wood, which is crookedly fastened with nails sticking out of the back of it having missed the thickness of the post. I wonder how it stays on in the wind. A loud rustling from my right demands my attention and I swivel my head. Whatever it is, it is big." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It sounds tangled within the trees and scrub. Then the sound settles, and a doe rises to the street from a shallow ditch, her hooves clattering lightly on the hard-packed dirt and gravel of the edge of the road." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We come face to face, her mandibles working slowly on something she must have just picked off a tree. She is most gentle-looking, non-confrontive." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I whisper to her twitching ears, “Hello beautiful, I am not going to hurt you, sweet momma.” She snuffles quietly through her nose and continues to slowly move the food around in her mouth, assessing me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her front legs are slightly bent to accommodate the thrust of her back legs in case she needs to flee. I wonder if she has her babies tucked safely in the woods. Her dark eyes are steady on me. Perhaps she can smell that I am not a threat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she sighs and calmly turns to go I tell her, “This is your land. Not mine. Thank you for making this moment count.” As I watch her white tail recede back into the safety of the woods, I wonder if I have somehow stopped time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But I know that time is involuntary, like the beating of the heart, or the push of the diaphragm and expansion of the lungs! What would life be without the gravity of time? Where would history go to be discovered, surely repeated? If we embrace it, time gives us room and breadth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "*** I take a sip of water and remount the bicycle. The road continues curvy and hilly as I click into gear. This pause has refreshed and nourished my soul; the scene permanently imprinted on the part of my mind that collects precious moments. With the sun on my back and my eyes focused forward, I say quietly, “All we have is this, right now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All we have is time.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aurora's Dive" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sunshine warms my back as our small rowing boat comes to a halt. After glancing skyward one last time to ensure the weather holds, I lift the rock tethered to the boat. It is heavy, cool and smooth in my hand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Carefully, I inspect every knot, running my fingers along the length of the rope, ensuring its strength. Not only my success but also my survival depends on it. With only a touch of hesitation, I release the rock overboard and watch its descent, my stomach a tight knot. All preparations are complete." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is up to me now to prove my worth. My goggles secured, I take a last deep breath and dive in, following the rope now connecting the boat to the ocean floor. The tropical water envelops me like an embrace, filling my body with tranquillity. My heartbeat slows and my stomach relaxes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There is no need for thought; every movement is well-practised and fluid. The muscles in my arms and legs flex and relax as they have done a thousand times, propelling me into the deep. I swim past schools of fish, flashes of blue, red and yellow, each following their purpose as I follow mine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Always staying close to the rope, I descend deeper into the abyss. With every metre, the pressure intensifies, and the water becomes colder and darker.\n\nWhen I reach the point where the ocean’s push turns into a pull, I am drawn deeper with little effort." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Weightless and free, I soar through the water. The ocean draws me in, the pressure in my lungs and on my body becomes stronger. And then I see it—the dark rock, contrasting with the sandy bottom it rests on as if it belonged there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I reach it, my bare feet touch the cool sand and send small clouds up into the water that dance and settle around me. My mind expands as my eyes lose focus, immersed in the vastness of the underwater world. Down here, I feel humble, awed by the life and space stretching in every direction." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sea animals and plants of all shapes and colours surround me. I am one of them, a creature of the sea… Every living cell, every drop of water, every rock and grain of sand is a part of me, as I am of them. We are all merely specks of dust in this universe, insignificant yet essential to the whole." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing exists but emotion—total serenity. A gentle touch on my ankle brings me back into my body. I watch a group of sea cucumbers slowly drift around my feet. Aware of my body and its needs once more, my lungs are drawing my attention, signalling the need to breathe soon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So I snatch two handfuls of the animals and stuff them into the bag I wear strapped to my waist for that purpose, making sure to close the buckle thoroughly. Pride ripples through me, but I know I cannot dwell on it, this is not yet done." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pushing off the ocean floor, I begin the arduous swim back to the surface, following the rope. This is the most challenging part, physically and mentally: swimming against the tug of the water, the pressure still pushing into me. Doubts start to creep in, as they always do at this point." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My insides are starting to moan, soon they will be screaming. I do not have much breath left. Will it be enough? I stop myself; following those thoughts would lead me into a rabbit hole of panic, using up my remaining air much too quickly. I focus on my movements. Arms, legs. Arms, legs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mind zeroes in on the way my limbs push me up through the water, the way I was taught. One moment at a time. Stroke. Stroke. Stroke. Every movement now requires conscious effort. There is no way out but through. I will not give up. I pass the floating point, and suddenly I am gliding more easily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The tension in my mind and body eases a little, the ocean supports and guides me now. Yet my lungs are increasingly straining, the urgency to breathe becoming nearly unbearable. I cannot allow it yet, there is still water where my lungs expect pure air. Focus. Stroke. Stroke. Stroke." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I spot my support divers further up in the water, waiting to guide me safely to the surface. Nearly there. A brief pause that I need to avoid getting sick, then my body streams upwards again, I have turned into an arrow flying towards its goal, precious air." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I see sun rays dancing around the other divers, I briefly close my eyes to remain focussed. Another stroke. And another. Each getting me closer to survival. I can do this, just a few more… Suddenly my head breaks through, I am out. My mouth opens and my body sucks in the air greedily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The life force rushes into my nose and mouth, runs down my throat and floods my lungs. I feel them expand, swelling more with every breath, while my feet kick to keep me up. My senses start tuning into the new environment, impressions bombard me, stun me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The surface world seems alien for a few seconds. Bright light after the dimness, noises after the near quiet, air rubbing across my skin after the velvety water, the warmth of the sun and coolness of the wind in my face, sea smells invading my nostrils." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My shirt billows around me, following streams of the water I am no longer intimately connected to. I inhale and exhale, slowing my breath, deeply appreciating every exquisite bit of air. I close my eyes and savour it all for just a moment. Then, smiling, I swim over to the boat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My support divers have already climbed back aboard. I grab onto the side and pull myself up, too. As soon as my legs touch the wooden planks, I untie and triumphantly lift the bag containing the sea cucumbers. I have completed the challenge." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Finally, I am one of them, a member of the Divers, the providers of our village.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Invitation Only" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The invitation stipulated the attire. John was never a fan of formal dress. Comfortable anywhere other than a suit and the places where a suit gained entry. To John, a suit was armour and he was a lover, not a fighter. He aimed at loving pursuits, not that it got him anywhere." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He consoled himself with the avoidance of the fight. Even the prospect of conflict left him cold. Sometimes, he wondered whether he was a coward." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He didn’t feel any cowardice trembling in his blood, but then people became desensitised to their sins, telling themselves that they were comfortable in their failure. It was the mask that left John nonplussed. The mask was too close to the truth in so many ways. His truth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An impostor, John always\n\ntried his best,\n\nhoping that this would prevent his exposure as a fraud. It didn’t help that he had found the invitation. Found was a euphemism for stolen, and he knew it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ornate card had been laying there and he couldn’t help but pick it up, and once it was in his hand there was no letting it go.\n\nThere was no name on the invitation and that sealed the deal for him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That and a series of helpful untruths that John told himself, the gist of which was that he deserved this. He didn’t get picked. He’d never been picked even when his arm shot up first to volunteer his services." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All the same, he’d worked hard and done well, but the rewards for his swimming against the stream never quite stacked up with his efforts. He’d waited and waited for his big break, and he was still waiting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A fool on a train platform who had read the timetable and knew there were no more trains due to stop here, but still he waited in hope." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His heart lifting every time a train approached, only to fall heavily, not even attempting to break its fall, seeking out the sharpest rocks as partial punishment for such stupidity. Well, sometimes you had to take a thing. People made their own luck." }, { "from": "human", "value": "John had heard that reference to impossible alchemy so often that it had to be true. That there were those who had discovered the secret formula. This ball was a gathering of such people. Being in the proximity of successful creators of gold could only be a good thing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "John had seen his opportunity and he had seized it.\n\nThis wasn’t to say that this random act of bravado had magically imbued John with levels of confidence that he’d only ever dreamt of. Self-doubt put paid to that." }, { "from": "human", "value": "However much he told himself that his impulsive moment of thievery was a courageous act, he always failed to truly believe it. And so the three weeks between the theft and the ball were torture. The pressure of his out-of-character sin built and built." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was not who he was and it weighed heavily on him.\n\nThankfully, there was a part of John that had become embittered towards who he had become and that part gave voice to one of John’s truths;\n\nyou don’t like who you are!\n\nThat was what had driven him to snatch up the card, and that desire, that wanting to be something bigger and better, was what he needed to embrace in order to go through with the theft." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another, colder voice, joined in with the beating John administered to his self. This voice reminded him that the substance of the theft was the ball itself, not a paltry rectangle of card. It accused him of being weak and cowardly. He’d done nothing. Yet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So why all the unnecessary angst? John could have cried as his internal war escalated. He struggled to imagine himself walking through the door of the venue. Just the thought of the evening made his bladder flutter in a foreshadowing of how he would feel on the day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was reduced to the awkward little boy he had been, incapable of mixing it with the other kids, let alone self-assured and hulking adults waving their appendages around for all to see. John’s impotence shamed him and as each day passed the likelihood of his attending the ball waned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And yet, every evening he slid his fingers gently over the embossed writing and caressed the card. He’d close his eyes, this was the loving touch that created a connection, fingers tracing the pattern of a hip, stroking a thigh. Despite his fear, John knew he had to do this." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That this was one of those times in a life when not to follow through and at least give the thing a go would damage a person in untold ways. To fail before beginning would unleash the beast of regret and on an occasion such as this, there was no going back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That beast would wreak a terrible, ongoing vengeance. It would take life as a result of a person not attempting to live theirs. Three days before the event, John Googled the venue. The search was not quite a Googlewhack, he established the location, but beyond that he drew a blank." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On Maps, he switched to street view only to see an anonymous lane, the likes of which usually led to a farm. He tried the satellite view and encountered a glitch that must have been a one in a million. There was nothing there. Not a field or woodland. A patch of map was blank." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Intrigued by the lacklustre results of his search, he looked up instances of maps not capturing images. This was unusual, but more common than he would have thought. His mind boarded a rollercoaster of imaginings. The protection of the privacy of the established rich." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked sideways at the invitation, in its place upon his dining table. The lack of a name on the invite added to his intrigue. This absence creating more than any presence.\n\nNow his curiosity was peaked, he had to attend. He had to\n\nknow.\n\nThis was exclusive." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A once in a lifetime chance not only to see an alien world, but to experience it. He had a suit, but now the date was almost nigh he panicked at the thought of his cheap wardrobe. Worse still was his knowledge of what was required at such a do." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He’d heard stories of men being ignorant of the number of buttons they should have on the cuffs of their jacket. One plummy mouthed commentator had called it a\n\ndead give-away,\n\nthat someone didn’t have a clue." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not all that long ago they would have been more forthright;\n\nhad no class.\n\nThe following day, John finished work on the dot and went shopping. He knew he was late in the day and having a suit tailored for the event was not an option, but then that was only ever a theoretical option." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His bank balance told him as much. Nonetheless, a decent dinner jacket was a must. His eyes watered when he lifted the lapel and registered the price tag attached to the inside pocket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Reminding himself that this was a one-off, he bit the bullet and actually tried the jacket on.\n\nAs he shrugged his shoulders so the jacket sat right on him, he smiled despite the highway robbery that was about to take place. The forthcoming transaction was penance for his own robbery." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Karma was thankfully swift this time around. Taking his medicine like a good boy, he added a good quality shirt to his suit, a black cummerbund and a bow tie. The latter required tying, he didn’t want to cheat even though he’d never tied a bow tie in his life." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the last moment he’d grabbed a cheat version. Just in case. A belt and braces approach so that he was not found lacking. He’d had to leave his haul on the counter as he went in search of braces. Again black." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He did not have the wherewithal to pull off anything fancy and he certainly did not want to stand out from the crowd. “Does sir have shoes?” asked the aging man behind the counter. John was confused at the way he had been addressed, let alone the question itself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the confusion of the honorific he glanced down at the shoes on his feet to confirm that, yes,\n\nsir\n\ndid in fact have shoes. He paused, head down, as the purpose and nature of the question at last hit home. The man was validating the completeness of his selection barring that one item. Shoes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he further examined his current footwear, he knew the man at the counter would have appraised John. Seen his cheap, worn work attire and the state of shoes that were acceptable in his workplace, but would have dragged his appearance towards Charlie Chaplin if he’d not attended to this detail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "John shook his head and suddenly felt inexplicably forlorn, surely he wasn’t morose at the lack of suitable shoes? The shoes were symbolic of John’s life and he didn’t want to look that full in the face right now. He wanted the chance to dress up and be something different. Someone different." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“No, I don’t,” he hadn’t meant to sound sad and small, but that was exactly what he conveyed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The older man smiled kindly, “let’s see what we can do about that, shall we?” The sudden display of warmth almost overwhelmed John, but as he reeled away from it he came back to himself, disarmed by the unexpected kindness." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the rack of shoes, the old man considered the selection and picked up a shoe from the display that John noticed was in keeping with his budget. This man was as astute as they came and the warmth he displayed, entirely genuine. Here was an ally." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Someone who got John and was encouraging him as he embarked upon a foray into new lands. A time served squire helping the new knight at his very first tourney. As John drove home, he understood that the man had seen many newcomers in his life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That he was providing a service and putting people at their ease. All the same, the old man had chosen to be an ambassador for what waited ahead as opposed to a discouraging gatekeeper. John loved him for that. The last couple of days dragged however hard John pulled at them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Covered in barbs, they dug into the present and refused to become the past." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was of course a trick that time sometimes played on unsuspecting fools, and in the blink of an eye, John was finishing work and heading home to get ready for the ball.\n\nHis simple mask had arrived in the post the day before." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So nervous was John that he’d torn at the plastic wrapping, opening the box with shaking hands to ensure the contents were as expected, and then he’d left the box next to the invite. He would not don the mask until the very last moment prior to his attendance at the looming event." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He showered in the hope he could wash away his nerves together with all of the other emotions brawling within him. The ritual of dressing calmed him to an extent, but he remained all fingers and thumbs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was as he put his shirt on that he realised he had made an omission with his purchases after all. There were slits in the cuffs that required cufflinks. He groaned at the sight of the missing jewellery and bemoaned his incompetence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing for it now, he carried on dressing, adding the jacket last. Turning to the mirror he saw himself afresh." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Not bad,” he nodded at his new and improved self, “not bad at all.” He was a question and the question was;\n\nwhy had he never done this before?\n\nWhat had prevented him from striking further out into the pool of life? The shameful answer was that it was him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he turned from the mirror, he felt something in the inside pocket of his jacket. He sat on his bed and paused before reaching in, eyebrows another question. Fingers slipping down into the pocket to secure a box. Reaching in again to pull out a card. He examined the card first." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a business card from the gentleman’s outfitters. Turning it around he saw handwritten in careful lettering;\n\nEnjoy.\n\nNo exclamation mark. Nice touch. Opening the box, John slumped. The cufflinks were beautiful in their simplicity. Gold inlaid with black onyx." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They were what John would have chosen. It was the act of kindness that got to him. This wasn’t a sales ploy. Wasn’t just discretion. The old man had gone beyond what was expected. John cried, and as he cried, he felt something break within him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a sound to it and he experienced a loss, but that loss freed him. As he rose from the loss he realised that he was letting go of something that he’d carried around with him for far too long. A burden that was never his. Automatically, he mirrored that feeling of rising." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He got to his feet and left his home with a feeling of purpose that he would not have conjured had it not been for the gift of the cufflinks. He drove. He’d considered getting a taxi, but the presence of his car afforded him a contingency in his plan. A quick getaway." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was glad that he was in a more positive frame of mind now. Determined. The car no longer presented the option to quit at the very last minute. The box on the passenger seat next to him sat quietly throughout the journey. A challenge to his resolve." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The mask within was a pending transformation that would test John’s mettle. Wearing it would lay him bare. His preference was the mask he’d always worn. Nearing the lights and sounds of the ball, he parked a little way from the front of the house, finding a quiet spot from which he could walk." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He didn’t want anyone to see his mundane and well used car. Expected it to be a pumpkin amongst carriages. The cars arrayed on the gravel carriage drive were a strange disappointment. There was a grandiosity to them, but the kind of statement made by someone who was trying too hard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "These were the vehicles of people with newly acquired wealth. Conspicuous consumption that screamed they were something other than what they were desperately trying to be. This should have made John feel more welcome, but his brand of misfitery was far away from this vulgar display. He was Cinders." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These were his brutish sisters. He pushed on by the barking motors. A spring in his step. He was better than this lot. They were an inversion of what really counted. There was a righteous indignation rising up within him, born of these people robbing him of his moment before it even arose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His was no longer a golden ticket. Now he no longer had anything to lose. These people may be wannabes. Gangsters playing at being landed gentry, but he no longer feared them. Their derision could only be validation. At the door there was no one to take his invitation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To the left of the grand entrance hall was a cloakroom. The night was warm and he had no coat and so no reason to stop there. His mask fit only too well in this company. He was Zorro and there was crime and injustice all around him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Entering the ballroom itself, he spied an unattended table festooned with drinks. He took a tumbler. The flutes of champagne were uninvitingly wrong as far as he was concerned. Sipping the amber liquid he discovered it to be whisky and a good whisky at that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His nerves had largely abated and with them the urge to drink the liquid down and follow it with more until he was suitably insulated from this endeavour. “Shall we?” He was taken unawares, and before he could compose himself, she had taken his hand and was leading him onto the floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her hand was cool, almost cold, he registered that as he took her in. She was wearing a long black dress. The significance of the dress began to come to him as they stopped in the midst of the other dancers. Dotted around him were women in the exact same dresses." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seeing this attuned him to the uniformity in some of the men’s dress too. That he could see the uniformity in the men disturbed him. A feeling of unease chilled him, compounded by the woman encircling him with her arms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Three weeks to prepare and no consideration of his total ignorance when it came to formal dancing. She lead. He went with it. Moving around the floor effortlessly. He felt her eyes on him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled, then drew him closer, whispering in his ear so clearly he couldn’t mistake her words or their meaning, “you weren’t invited,” she said simply. “Why would you say that?” he countered. “Because that is the simple fact of the matter,” she told him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What gave me away?” he asked, deciding honesty was the best policy now that he was here. “Plenty,” she said, “everything,” she added, “you came alone. You’re not like the others.” “How so?” he asked. “They’re criminals." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The dregs,” her voice had a hard edge to it now, “they will not be missed.” A chill ran up his spine as she pulled him closer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You could say we provide a service and that no questions are asked,” she smiled a hungry, lupine smile and John knew then that he’d made a grave mistake in lifting the invitation and coming here tonight. Suddenly, the music stopped mid-flow. All around him the partygoers froze." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then as one, the uniformed dancers lunged, biting down on the necks of their partners and feeding upon them…." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A Ring for the Fugitive Princess" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a night of velvet and desire. Faris sat with his palms twisting frantically in his lap. He had escaped the palace and wandered listlessly through the garden. The air was thick, and he breathed in the faint sweetness of midnight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Faris's hands shook as he untied his turban, fingers clumsily tugging at the fabric. He ruffled his hair, undoing the crusting gel that itched him so. He was tired, and she was not there. Faris did not belong here. He was not truly a prince.\n\nFaris’s wife, Nova, had disappeared a few months prior." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They lived in a holey tent that swayed violently in the wind. Some nights it would tear away from them, but it did not matter to Faris. He would hold her through the chill." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If the tent loosened and flew, he would build another in the morning.\n\nThey married in the sun, and he’d given Nova his mother’s ring. It was ruby and glinted by shards of light. They had no priest, so God was their witness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their love was sacred to them, and they meant it when they sang,\n\n“Till death do us part.”\n\nFaris remembered the white strands...almost golden, and how Nova’s eyes were revealed. He saw her in segments. Her skin was dark and silky like the moonlit tide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How it spilled secrets and retreated to receive another’s depths. Nova’s hair in the sun was salty and divine. God loved her, and the earth knew to manifest His favor. You could tell by how she was outlined by the afternoon haze." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nova was a sacred gift from Heaven.\n\n“He who finds a wife, finds a good thing,” gleamed Faris.\n\nWhen Nova looked at him, a single tear shimmered beneath her copper iris. She watched him in awe as one does a vast anomaly. A beautifully rare commodity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "From afar they seemed to be clothed royally in linen, but they were draped in rags. They said their vows: That no matter the circumstance, they would always find each other. Always.\n\n *** And it was all just yesterday that he was holding her, but now she was gone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Faris remembered the night he awoke to an unnerving screech." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He jumped up immediately, and saw his wife flailing chaotically...kicking, punching, but her punches were all but pats to\n\nthe men who carried her away.\n\nFaris tore what was left of his rags and began to suffocate the stranger who held his wife." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But he did not reckon that someone was standing behind him, and just as quickly Faris was stabbed in the abdomen. But as he bled...he refused to surrender. Nova’s cries were muffled now. She fought frantically, though she was no match for the muscle that had locked her in his arms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They stole her out of the tent and ran. Faris sprinted behind them...\n\n“NOVA!”\n\nHis vision flew into a frenzy of darkness. There were no clouds, no stars, no Nova." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was only a tormented cry in the distance, and the grief of his failure to reach her.\n\n“I will find you, Nova,” he hiccupped, “Just as I promised.” Faris gasped and then fell into black.\n\n*** Achingly, Faris awoke to an empty light. A fuzzy figure revealed itself in a blur." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He tried to rise, but there was a tight sting to his movement. He fell back into helplessness then rose again. A hand laid outstretched on his chest.\n\n“Stay down.”\n\n“My wife,” he quivered.\n\n“I know. Get some rest.”\n\nBut Faris fought. He had vowed. She was the only thing he had." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All his life he was penniless, but without Nova, Faris was truly poor. He was a forgotten man, and the one who promised to remember him was gone.\n\n“My wife,” he cried.\n\n“You must rest, or you will die before you find her.”\n\n“Or she will die before I wake.”\n\n“She will not die. I know where she is." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know what you must do.”\n\nFaris rose to meet his gaze, but once again fell quickly.\n\n“Rest,” the voice commanded.\n\nSomehow, Faris felt safe, slowed his resistance, and reconciled with his aching body. Finally, he drifted off into sleep.\n\n*** A couple of days later, Faris blinked his eyes into focus." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He sat upright on a prickly mat and was attracted to the smell of steamy cassia. A honey-tinted liquid shone in a clayed cup. There was still a sharp sting in his abdomen, and he went to scratch the wound but met a stained cloth instead. A figure sat out of the corner of his eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Faris turned to see a muscular man with a disheveled beard. He was rough and dark.\n\n“How old are you, boy?” the stranger questioned in suspicion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His eyes were cold yet sincere, and he did not turn his gaze from Faris.\n\n“Well?” he repeated.\n\n“Tell me who you are first.”\n\n“I’m the man who’s going to help you find your wife,” he laughed and scratched his beard, revealing a glistening ruby jewel in his fingers.\n\n“How? How did you get that?”\n\n“You answer my questions, and I’ll answer yours,” he watched Faris authoritatively, “So, how old are you, son?”\n\n“I’m twenty-one.”\n\n“What is your name?”\n\n“Faris.” He was leery.\n\n“I’ve been watching the two of you for a while, Faris." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You collect scraps from the marketplace. You sleep beneath a flabby tent. God knows how you do it!”\n\n“Who are you?”\n\n“My name is Adobis. I was the king’s guard in the palace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘Nova’ is not who you think she is...They have been searching for her for years.”\n\n“What? Excuse me, but how have you obtained her ring?”\n\n“Simple. It was lying in the sand when I discovered you.”\n\nThis worried Faris more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What might they have done to Nova? Why did they abduct her?\n\n“Faris,” he alerted, “Your wife is Princess Ezra. Daughter of our King Eshrad. The fugitive princess.”\n\nThere was deep silence. Adobis observed how the news was being digested." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was such random information that Faris was almost dumbfounded by how ignorant he was perceived to be.\n\n“You expect me to believe that?”\n\n“Tell me where you met her.”\n\n“In the fields one day. She told me she had run away but from a poor man’s farm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She couldn’t return, and there were tears in her eyes.” Faris suddenly realized how strange the story had sounded.\n\n“How long has she been missing?” he asked.\n\n“Six years.”\n\nAnd that convinced him. It had occurred to Faris that he had not met Nova until six years ago." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Prior to that...she was nowhere to be found. He recalled the night they met. There was something in the way she watched him. It was as if she trusted him with her life.\n\n“You will see ‘Nova’ again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know just the way.”\n\nFaris turned to Adobis in urgent curiosity.\n\n“Because the princess has been found, the King will be impatient for an heir." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He will have a celebration that will invite every suitable prince from each province, so that Ezra may finally have a child.”\n\nAdobis examined Faris.\n\n\"If you truly wish to be reconciled with your wife, you must pose as a prince.”\n\n“How?”\n\n“I know what King Eshrad desires." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I will train you to become that.”\n\n“Why is it you care so much to help me?”\n\n“I hope to convince the king of my loyalty to him. Only you are correct...I ask for one thing in exchange.”\n\nAdobis retrieved the ruby ring from the table and twirled it in his thick chubby fingers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His eyes were as cold and assured as when Faris first awoke.\n\n“May I keep this?”\n\n‘That is all?” Faris thought. He was expecting a limb...a large sum of money at least." }, { "from": "human", "value": "However, the ring was the only relic he had of his mother before she passed away, but for his wife this was necessary.\n\n“It’s yours,” he struggled.\n\nAdobis enclosed his fist around the ring and winked, “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”\n\n***\n\nFor the next few months, Adobis taught Faris the way of a true suitor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "King Eshrad was deeply concerned with matters of nobility, honesty, and courage. He was only hard to impress if one was insincere. Faris had no issue with this, there was an unspoken chivalry to him. The only practice Faris struggled to hone were the proclivities of a royal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He did not understand that there were specifics to bowing.\n\n“There is a method to this?” he complained as he overarched his back. Adobis shook his head.\n\n***\n\n“You must win the favor of the King before you are given to the princess." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You will wear my old garments to display the prestige of a military man,”\n\nFaris was engulfed in the clothing, but he learned to present himself with a measure of royal arrogance. Adobis taught him when to fight, how to properly use a sword, and when to draw it. Faris was clever and learned quickly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before long, an invitation to the palace made its way through town.\n\n“We rejoice in the return of our Princess Ezra. You have been invited to her homecoming celebration.”\n\nFaris and Adobis travelled on foot for three days to the palace of King Eshrad." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were welcomed by the otherwise hostile bronze bars of the palace. There were guards aligned standing with gleaming spears and unblinking eyes. Columns of cedar revealed themselves further along their walk. The air seemed sweeter here, and the earth kinder." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Palm trees towered above glassy pools of water. Women draped in jeweled veils and embroidered sashes waved branches before the entrance to the ball." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Faris truly wondered what had caused his wife to flee from such a place.\n\nHe followed Adobis in an indigo robe and ruby tunic, his eyes nearly obscured by the weight of the turban on his head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jewels on his breastplate shimmered like his mother’s ring.\n\nAdobis wore a servant's garments: sandals, a turban, and a robe, though less splendidly adorned. He blended in quite well.\n\n***\n\nEventually, they halted and stood within the palace.\n\n“Remember the plan? You must remain silent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Answer no questions. I will leave you to enter, Your Highness,” he bowed.\n\n“What?”\n\nFaris became unsettled and eyed his master with great confusion.\n\n“You no longer need me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I will send for you when it is time to greet the king.”\n\n“Adobis, I cannot do this alone,” Faris pleaded.\n\n“But you will,” he replied, “I know you are capable.”\n\n***\n\nMusic swelled and a crowd of royals entered from outside of the ballroom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Faris took a deep breath, said a prayer, and approached the celebration.\n\nUpon entering, a mosaic of bodies swayed to the progression of a royal harp. Eunuchs, princes, and wealthy women were divinely entertained." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Faris had not noticed the silence that greeted his entrance; he was a new face.\n\n“Who are you?” asked a young lady draped in red.\n\nBut Faris did not respond.\n\nShe stood awkwardly, eventually leaving to gossip of him with her companions. \n\nSoon after, a group of princes approached him.\n\n\"You are the new mute prince we have heard of.\" they mocked.\n\nFaris kept quiet as Adobis had instructed.\n\n“What brings you here tonight? Do you expect to win the favor of the fugitive princess? Will you dance for her if you cannot speak?\" they taunted, but still Faris stood quietly.\n\nHe escaped to the gardens and sat miserably." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was no prince, and his darned turban itched.\n\n“Faris?” came a gentle voice from a shadowed corner.\n\nIt was familiar and uttered by the same lips that had once caressed him. He sprinted to the shadows.\n\n“Nova?” he called, breathless. A figure emerged—it was her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pulled her into his arms, tears streaming down his face.\n\nShe kissed him with the vigor that comes from finding one whom you thought you’d lose forever.\n\n“Nova,” he whispered, his voice shaking.\n\n“You must call me Ezra here.”\n\nHe lifted her chin and wiped her tears, kissing each one away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She leaned into him as if to say, “I’ve missed you.”\n\n“Faris, if only you had known.”\n\n“I know now,” he smiled gently.\n\n“Adobis sent me to fetch you, but you must go.”\n\n“I have come here for you. I am not leaving without you.”\n\n“I know, but my love... Adobis is not to be trusted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He is the reason I left the palace.”\n\n“What?”\n\n“He convinced my father that he would make a good husband, and when I refused, he turned him against me.”\n\nFaris did not understand, but before he could think, she pushed him away.\n\n“No, Ezra.”\n\n“They will kill you.”\n\nSuddenly, a shout came from behind them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The princess screamed for Faris to go, but he did not budge. Adobis stood beside the king, pointing to where they were hidden.\n\n“This man is an adulterer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He seeks to marry the princess, when he has a wife himself.”\n\nA crowd began to gather around the commotion.\n\n“I am no adulterer!” Faris protested, but he could not reveal that Ezra was his wife.\n\nA sharp voice cut through the crowd." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the woman who had questioned his title in the ballroom.\n\n“He is my husband,” she shrieked, “He has bedded me and given me this ring.” She held it up for the crowd to see. It glistened crimson in the obscurity of moonlight! Ezra gasped and turned to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You gave Adobis the ring?”\n\n“I bargained it so he would bring me to you.”\n\nFaris looked at Adobis, who smirked deceptively, and the king looked at Faris in disgust.\n\n“Behead him!” commanded the king.\n\n“Father!” screamed Ezra, but he did not listen or care; he was protecting his daughter from an unclean man.\n\nFaris wielded his sword as the guards approached him.\n\n“Go,” he urged Ezra, but she clung to him.\n\nFaris fought as best he could." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adobis smiled, as the violence made him look worse. Men were slashed, and they bled on the palace floor. This enraged the king further." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ezra was torn away from her husband as they threw him to his knees.\n\n“Adobis,” glared King Eshrad, “You do the honors.”\n\nFaris watched the man he had trusted lift the sword to his neck. He was reminded of the night his wife was stolen.\n\n“NO!” came a guttural cry. “NO!”\n\n It was Ezra." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eshrad’s eyes softened at her scream. He motioned for her to step away, but she did not.\n\n“If you kill him, you kill me too!”\n\n“Ezra,” Faris struggled.\n\nAdobis did not mind beheading the princess; he had tried it long ago. He lifted his sword once more.\n\n“STOP!” yelled the king." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“That is my daughter.”\n\nEzra coughed, attempting to yell, “Faris is my husband!”\n\nEveryone stood in shock.\n\n“I will not leave him, even if it means you must kill me!”\n\n“Ezra!” cried Faris." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“No!”\n\nHe struggled as the guards pulled him away, his life depending on it, while she was prepared to die.\n\nThe king was a hard-hearted man, but this image moved him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He watched a prince struggle painfully for his daughter, a man unconcerned with the crowd around him.\n\n“Adobis, hold your weapon,” he sighed and walked to his daughter.\n\n“Is this true?”\n\nShe turned to him, tears spilling from her eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Yes, Father.”\n\nThe king demanded the ring from the woman who claimed Faris was an adulterer.\n\nShe obeyed and did not meet his eye. The ring still shimmered; deeply engraved was the initial “F”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was almost hidden.\n\n“Let the boy go.”\n\nAs Faris fell to his knees, the king grew angry with Adobis.\n\n“What have you to say for yourself?”\n\n“I should have killed you when I had the chance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your detestable daughter and that crown were mine.”\n\n“Do away with him,” gestured the king, seeking to exile Adobis.\n\n***\n\nWhen the chaos subsided, King Eshrad called Faris and Ezra to his throne." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They entered, nearly trembling, fearing his wrath.\n\n“Sit down,” he commanded.\n\nFaris kept his head bowed; he was not accustomed to royal ways and did not know what to do in this situation.\n\n“Look at me, son,” Eshrad ordered, and Faris obeyed.\n\n“I apologize to both of you on behalf of the kingdom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though I am disappointed that Ezra did not tell you the truth.”\n\n“I was afraid it would be dangerous, Your Highness... And I was correct.”\n\nFaris turned quickly to embrace her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The king’s heart warmed.\n\n“Faris,” he said, “I admire your courage and resilience, and I am in need of an heir.”\n\nThey both looked up in shock.\n\n\"I see how much you love my daughter, and how much she loves you,\" King Eshrad said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I could send you away, but it wouldn’t matter as long as you are together. What good would that do, huh?\"\n\nHe laughed, then quieted himself to observe them.\n\n\"Stand,\" he ordered.\n\nThey stood hesitantly, fearing the king's wrath.\n\n\"Faris... I want you to give me an heir." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You will marry my daughter and be titled King beside her.\"\n\nThey stared in awe, as if to say, “Really?”\n\nAnd King Eshrad officialized it with a nod of his head.\n\nNot long after, a royal wedding took place. It was more magnificent than any previous celebration." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Representatives from all the kingdoms came to wish the couple a happy matrimony. The runaway princess had been found and reconciled with her lover." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even the Prince of Persia attended.\n\n\"Princess Ezra, daughter of our beloved King Eshrad, and our new Prince Faris, I royally pronounce you husband and wife,\" declared the officiant.\n\nFaris slid a ruby ring onto Ezra's finger, and they kissed so fervently that the audience fell silent.\n\n\"They’ll have an heir in no time,\" someone remarked.\n\nNo longer did they live in want or beg for food." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By love, they were reconnected under God, a testament to many countries that love endures all things and never fails.\n\n\"You see,\" said Faris, \"I told you I would always find you.\" And they kissed once more. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "MorningStar’s Advice" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘Twas the night before I lost my right arm. Ok that might be a slight exaggeration but for all intents and purposes the exact truth. I sit with a stuffed turtle given to me by a feral young woman who pulled it out of her backpack and insisted I needed it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We had never met before but she told me she’d dreamed about me and that she was told to give me her turtle.\n\nShe told me her name was Morning Star and that it was time for me to listen to her turtle and that his message was, “Slow down!”\n\nWe both cry as I hold her in my arms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We each understand that we’ve been brought together by some force much greater than either of us. I know that I must heed the message this broken creature had brought to me. I know that my strength is to be sorely tested and I believe that I will heed her advice." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sometimes I go back to a place I remember from a long time ago. My body is young and strong.\n\nFor several years, my mother had watched my graceful maneuvers and decided to enroll me in ballet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Somehow she found the money to buy a gorgeous pink tutu and the ultimate prize, a pair of genuine ballet shoes with steel points in the toes. I was beyond ecstatic and lived in anticipation of my weekly lessons." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was four, maybe five and would put those shoes on every day, dancing and twirling around the house and outside until my mother caught me and forced me back inside." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I loved to balance on one foot, toe to floor, leg stretched taut while I would swirl around in circles, my long wavy hair flowing like a cloud around my head. I remember hearing people talking about how graceful I was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I heard a friend of my mother’s whisper, “It’s like her feet aren’t even touching the ground.” I was fearful that she noticed something I believed myself to have imagined." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were many times that as I moved across a solid surface, I would look down and swear I was up in the clouds.\n\nThat place, miles above what often seemed like a battlefield, was a place of safety for me.\n\nOver the years, each time I descended into the war zone, I sensed danger all around me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was a rather slim child, mostly due to chronic tonsillitis that left me unable to swallow food. I had the tonsils removed at seven, filled out a bit more but retained my gracefulness and still loved to dance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What I did gain was access to physical strength that had been somewhat compromised by my many years of illness." }, { "from": "human", "value": "People began to speak, somewhat in awe, of how strong I was.\n\nApparently that strength left other children a little fearful of displeasing me, especially if I felt the need to protect vulnerable creatures. When I was in grade 1 there was a boy I adored." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His name was Ian Tetlock and though by today's research he would most likely have been diagnosed as autistic, he was labeled “retarded”.\n\nHe was teased ruthlessly by most of the other kids." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My father once told the story of my friendship with this boy and how I rose to his protection against playground bullies, even those older and bigger than me. Someone questioned why they didn’t come after me as well." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My father went to answer, pensively paused for a few moments and then replied, “I think they were afraid of her!” And so they should have been." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For even though I could probably have taken them on in a physical altercation, it was my tongue they were most afraid of.\n\nI had a gift for discerning a person’s most vulnerable weakness and then stabbing that spot with a sharp comment that seemed to have the effect of a steel blade." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I used this gift carefully and deeply appreciated that it gave Ian and I the freedom to be left alone. While most of the others played their little games, the girls swinging and dancing about while the boys tried to see up their dresses, Ian and I would wander off into nearby fields." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This boy was amazing in his observations of minutiae. I watched him carefully and listened intently as he explained all the details of the many creatures that inhabited the world of our playground." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We would lie quietly in the grass as ants carried found bounty across great odds to their private domain. Ian taught me to use my sense of smell to detect where these homes were. To this day, I can still taste that acrid odour produced by ants and am led to the portal entrance of their home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Several years passed, my family moved a few miles to a newer farm and I went to another school. I lost touch with Ian and yet, almost 70 years later, if I close my eyes I can still see the pair of us lying quietly watching ants work." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My next school was run by nuns and ruled by a priest who did their best to indoctrinate me into one of the largest cults in existence.\n\nThe indoctrination, though fascinating, did not quite reduce me to becoming a faithful follower." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I endured the attempts til I was old enough to refuse further brainwashing and wandered out into the heathen world. To be honest, some of the fear of what I’d been taught stuck to my conscience. It took many years to trust that the deity I’d been told was 1.a man, 2." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Somewhat demanding and 3.quite vengeful, didn’t really exist. It took much strength to resist the scolding and harsh warnings about the place I was going if I didn’t smarten up and tow the party line." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My eternal gratitude is that strength came to me through the loving guidance of a Creator that seemed both gender less and forgiving by nature. I was able to find much peace and serenity as I surrendered more and more to a Higher Power whose strength far surpassed my own." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sadly I still had many lessons to learn. As I became an adult my physical strength increased and I found myself able to do what few women could and many men also. I reveled in the arrogance of this reality, doing my best to use it to my advantage." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sadly, I injured my body in ways that laid the way to much future pain. By the time I was 50, arthritis had begun to attack my joints. By 60 I had to concede to the humiliation of using a cane. At 70, my pride took another blow and I added a walker to my arsenal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did I slow down?\n\nI hear the snorts of those who know me well. Slow was not a word in my vocabulary and once again I began to pay a heavy price for not heeding the many warnings that came my way. I did my best to practice slowing down and to some extent was successful.\n\nThen came the medical verdict." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I needed two new knees, work on my left hip and the most urgent work to be done required the total replacement of my right shoulder. I took this diagnosis in stride, arrogantly believing I’d quickly recover from each operation, becoming an older version of the bionic woman." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I received the news that my operation was scheduled. I attended all the pre operation meetings and began to realize that recovery was going to be much more complicated than I’d ever imagined." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At 75 I would need to forgo the use of my dominant hand, relying solely on the other and this process would be weeks, if not months before true healing would be finished. I’ve done my best to prepare for the operation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My paperwork is all in place, I’ve endeavored to make peace with all my near and dear and I am ready to face whatever comes my way. And so I sit awaiting the morning.\n\nI’ll be driven by a friend to the hospital.\n\nI’ll be operated on two hours later, hopefully with my right arm intact." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I believe I WILL make it off the table and I pray fervently that my mind will finally grasp what my body has been so desperately pleading for." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My deepest wish is that I finally understand, it is OK to slow down.\n\nMy tears fall upon the head of the sweet turtle given to me by MorningStar and in his eyes I see complete belief that I can do it. I gently wrap my arms around my body and whisper…Namaste🙏 ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Three" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Content warning: Mentions of death “Oh, that someone would give me a drink from the cistern that is by the gate of Bethlehem!” Shammah’s eyes darted up at the words. David was looking disconsolately at the contents of his water jug." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The ruddy-haired young man had spoken before about how good the water from the cistern at the gate of his hometown tasted.\n\nHe went back to eating his meal, but an idea had been planted in Shammah’s mind. By the time he got up, a plan had sprouted like a bean blossom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He kept an eye on where two particular men headed after the meal.\n\n“Ishbaal!”\n\nThe man turned back to see who had called to him.”Shammah?” “We need to get Eleazar. There’s something I need the two of you for.” “ Need us?” Knowing sparked in Ishbaal’s eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Both of us particularly?”\n\n“Yes,” Shammah said, keeping his expression solemn.\n\nIshbaal hurried after the last member of the trio. “Eleazar!” Not long after, the three set out from the cave of Adullam with shields hanging on their backs and weapons in hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eleazar and Shammah carried naked swords, while Ishbaal carried a spear. In his other hand, Ishbaal held a water jug.\n\nThe sound of the encampment died away as the trio headed west." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Despite their reputations as individuals and as a group, they probably wouldn’t be missed until it was too late to stop them.\n\nWith his spear, Ishbaal had slain many of his people’s enemies, the Philistines, single-handedly in one battle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everyone else had fled, but he did not, and when the rest had returned for him, there were three hundred bodies to be stripped.\n\nEleazar had also been abandoned during a fierce fight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had kept on fighting his enemies for so long that when there were finally no more to kill, his hand was cramped around his sword hilt. A fellow warrior had to pry his fingers free.\n\nShammah had done his great deed in a field of lentils in Lehi." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Philistines put the rest of the army to flight, but he went only as far as the lentil field before he stopped and held his ground. Shin-deep in the green stalks that were quickly trampled down, he fought off his enemies until there were no more to defend himself from.\n\nThe Three, they were called." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They had fought as part of the army of King Saul, first king of Israel, beside his great warrior David son of Jesse of Bethlehem who, though only a youth, had slain the giant Philistine Goliath of Gath." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "King Saul had promised freedom from taxes and marriage to his daughter for any man who could kill the Philistine in the single combat offered by the giant. Only David had dared to try, and he had knocked Goliath cold with a single stone from his sling." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then he had run right up to the monster and used Goliath’s own enormous sword to cut off the enemy’s head.\n\nDavid afterwards killed two hundred Philistine men on his own and brought back…a very particular proof of their deaths as the bride price for Michal, King Saul’s second daughter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The price King Saul named was one hundred. Among the men of the army, it was thought that David had been very shrewd in adding an extra hundred to the king’s number, seeing as the king had already reneged on his promise of his oldest daughter Merab’s hand by giving her to another man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "King Saul couldn’t possibly refuse David’s right to Michal once he’d gone above and beyond in that way!\n\nSaul did give Michal to David, but soon had another bone to pick with his greatest warrior: he accused his champion of treachery against the royal house.\n\nDavid escaped out a window and fled to the priests at Nob." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though suspicious, at David's tale of Saul sending him on an urgent mission of utmost importance, the priest Abiathar gave David the sword of Goliath, which had been kept in Nob as a trophy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He also gave David the Holy Bread, reserved only for priests, once David had reassured him that he had not been with women or been in contact with any unclean thing. After that, David fled from Saul's wrath, and now he had come to the cave of Adullam, where every day more men were joining his cause." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His own brothers and their sons, his nephews, were among them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "David's family had spread through the camp the fact that before David slew Goliath, Samuel—the best-known prophet in Israel, and the one who had anointed King Saul and then declared that God had taken the kingship away from him—had anointed David as the next King of Israel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All were waiting for David to make war against the ruler turned tyrant. Some of the four hundred men who had joined David had grievances against the current king, but others were just angry, worthless rabble looking for trouble." }, { "from": "human", "value": "David welcomed any man who came to him, so long as they obeyed whatever rules he set out for them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Three left Saul's army after news spread about how Michal had told Saul's personal guards that David was sick, and Saul had responded by ordering that David be brought to him on his sickbed so he could kill him immediately." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The story unfortunately had the opposite of the effect Saul wanted on the troops: The Three joined David. It seemed that only Saul truly believed that David would betray him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even the king's son, Prince Jonathan, was sure David would never raise his hand against his father, even if it meant gaining the kingdom. Yet David continued to fight the enemies of the entire country, taking his army to battle against the Philistine raiders." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Three set their course for Bethlehem, where a clan of Philistines were encamped, raiding the harvest fields of the House of Bread. It was an insult to David, the champion against the Philistines, but there were not yet enough men in his private army to drive them away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interestingly, King Saul had not sent what was left of the royal army to defend his disgraced son-in-law's home. It was evening by the time The Three covered the thirteen miles to Bethlehem. They waited for darker night to fall and watch fires to be lit before they put their plan into action." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ishbaal, Eleazar, and Shammah stole through the camp until they reached the cistern. Ishbaal quietly, carefully lowered the cistern's bucket to the water below. Hand over hand, he pulled it up again as Eleazar and Shammah stood behind him with their swords raised." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Slowly, Ishbaal poured the water into the drinking jug he'd brought. The noise seemed tremendous, louder than he thought it was possible for pouring water to sound! Ishbaal finally hefted the jug and turned around, still gripping his spear with his toher hand. \"Do not drop it,\" Shammah whispered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They picked their way back through the camp of sleeping enemies who would kill them if they woke. Safe on the other side, they turned East, and set out for Adullam to finish their twenty-six mile round trip." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"God forbid that I should do such a thing! Could I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.\" David was clutching the drinking jug full of the water he had wanted, looking ill." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I pour this out as a sacrifice to the Lord,\" he finally said, and did so.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Maple Tree" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One would never guess that Maxine Ravenwood was in her mid sixties at first glance. With long, wild black hair and smooth, freckled skin, she looked the same as she did when was in her late thirties." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maxine plaited her hair so it was away from her face and sighed, adjusting the wide-brimmed hat sitting atop her head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She thought the hat, cloak, and birchwood, orb-topped staff were a little too on the nose for her place of work, but it was her last day before retirement, so she decided to ignore her costumed appearance for once." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She grabbed her quilted tote bag- equipped with jars of ingredients, potion bottles, and her matching birchwood wand- and reached for the leatherbound spell book laying on the side table next to her bed, but hesitated.\n\nShe always knew this day would come." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the past ten years, retirement had been a looming presence; an omnipotent being that was neither benevolent nor malevolent." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Other witches her age were excited to be done with the coven, to finally leave the archaic rules of their group behind and sequester in a secluded cottage far away from prying eyes, where they could practice their magic in peace.\n\nMaxine, on the other hand, loved the archaic rules and the prying eyes.\n\nA knock sounded on Maxine’s bedroom door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With a flick of her wrist, Maxine willed the door to open. A stout woman with cropped red hair and a silver-threaded cloak walked over the threshold, a tear-filled smile alighting her features." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She immediately enveloped Maxine in a bone-crushing hug.\n\n“Hello, my dear,” Maxine muttered, rubbing her hand consolingly on the young witch’s back.\n\n“I-I’m going to miss you so much!” The young woman sobbed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Now, Gertie,” Maxine said, disentangling herself from the woman’s ironclad hug, “I’ll only be a short drive away.” “Yes, but it’s not the same, Blessed Mother.” Maxine flinched at the title and took a minuscule step back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Blessed Mother was a title reserved for the most powerful and wisest witch in the coven, and those chosen for the role oversaw the entirety of the group." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were considered royalty among witches, and even though Maxine was retiring, she would never quite shake the reputation the moniker had bestowed upon her.\n\n“Today is my last day as the Blessed Mother." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Please, call me Maxine.” “Yes, Ble- I mean, Maxine,” Gertie replied, still whimpering.\n\nMaxine patted the young witch’s head affectionately before leaving her bedroom behind. The house where Maxine and Gertie resided- along with a slew of other witches- was the largest home in the coven’s community." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hidden in the middle of a nameless forest and protected by a large, wrought-iron fence, the community, known as Starwood, was the biggest in the United States. And soon, Maxine would be leaving Starwood behind, forever.\n\nMaxine passed a handful of doors as she made her way toward the grand staircase." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One by one, they opened, as if the witches behind them could sense their Blessed Mother’s presence. All of the witches that resided in Maxine’s home were her past apprentices. A knot lodged in her throat as the witch took in all the familiar faces.\n\nMaxine quickly descended the steps." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the bottom was a flamboyantly dressed, brightly-colored witch. Wearing a neon pink witch’s hat and a contrasting traffic-cone-orange cloak, the witch stood out in all the wrong ways." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She flashed a gap-toothed smile as Maxine joined her at the bottom of the stairs.\n\n“Good morning, Max,” The witch said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maxine’s left eye twitched at the use of the hated nickname.\n\n“Hello, Taffeta,” Maxine said curtly.\n\n“What a joyous day!” Taffeta exclaimed, and her loud voice caused Gertie to shrink.\n\nMaxine raised an eyebrow, “yes, quite a joyous day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is the car ready for me?” “Not so fast, Max,” Taffeta said, wagging her finger teasingly, “there’s still the ceremony to be performed. Trying to leave us already, eh?” Maxine sighed. No, just you , she thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ceremony in question wouldn’t take too long though, merely a ceremonial passing of the crown to the next Blessed Mother. Speaking of… “Has the Oracle decreed who the next ruler will be?” The oracle was a crone of a woman, older than the world itself, it seemed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was the only witch able to see into the future and foretell who the Blessed Mothers will be, according to the already-written future, or something like that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maxine was never able to wrap her head around the concept.\n\nTaffeta smiled widely again, “The Oracle foresaw that I, Taffeta Brown, will be the next Blessed Mother of Starwood.” It took a mere second for Maxine to compose herself and not sink into immediate panic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Taffeta Brown, of all people? All of the reasons why that was a terrible idea flooded into Maxine’s mind. When Taffeta was an apprentice, she refused to learn the combat portion of the spell book, claiming to be a pacifist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All of her potions were brewed terribly; the ingredient portions were always off. Not to mention, when there had been a zombie outbreak three years ago, Taffeta had been the cause of it. Maxine thought a mandrake root would make a better Blessed Mother than Taffeta Brown." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What a lovely surprise,” Maxine replied, folding her hands together to keep them from shaking. Gertie stiffened next to her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Speaking of the Oracle, I would love to meet with her before the ceremony.” “Do you doubt the Oracle’s decision?” Taffeta asked, her smile turning plastic.\n\n“Oh, not at all, my dear,” Maxine replied airily, “The Oracle was immensely helpful during my time as the Blessed Mother." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I simply want to thank her.” Taffeta hesitated. The large smile was still plastered on her face, but her eyes held a wariness to them. Maxine wondered if her request would be denied, but then Taffeta moved to the side and allowed her to pass.\n\nThe Oracle lived in the woods surrounding Starwood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No one knew where precisely. The Oracle always seemed to make herself known when she was needed.\n\nAs Gertie, Taffeta, and Maxine neared the edge of the wood, Taffeta gasped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She patted down her cloak and then gasped once more.\n\n“What’s wrong, Taffy?” Gertie asked, her eyes wide.\n\n“It seems I left my spell book behind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh Gertie, would you be a dear and fetch it for me?” Gertie frowned, confused, “why do you need your spell book?” “It has the words Max and I must speak during the ceremony. It’s important. Please, Gert?” Gertie glared but nodded." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Taffeta waited until Gertie disappeared back into the house before turning back to Maxine. “Shall we?” “We aren’t going to wait for her?” Maxine said, “we need a witness for the ceremony.” “Oh, she’ll catch up,” Taffeta said assuredly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maxine raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Taffeta entered the forest. The woman was acting strangely, though.\n\nThe two women made their way through the overgrown undergrowth, the large trees blocking out most of the mid-morning sunlight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maxine thought it weird that they were venturing so far into the forest. Usually, the Oracle would have sought them out by now. Maxine stared at Taffeta’s back, but nothing about the way she was carefully making her way through the woods gave away that anything was awry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still, Maxine tightened her grip on her wand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eventually, they made their way to a clearing, and Taffeta stopped, her back turned to Maxine.\n\n“This should do,” she said cheerfully.\n\n“Isn’t it odd,” Maxine said carefully, “that the Oracle has not found us yet?” “No, not at all,” Taffeta replied, “considering the Oracle is dead.” And then, Taffeta struck.\n\nThe magic hit Maxine in a bright green flash, and quickly the spell started working." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maxine’s feet turned into roots that burrowed themselves deep into the soil of the Earth. Paint laced up Maxine’s legs, and she bit back a curse as they hardened and turned to wood." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What have you done?” Maxine panted.\n\n“I can’t have you interfering with my plan, Max,” Taffeta said, “I’m sorry that it had to come to this, but I have no other choice.” “What...plan?” The magic had fully transformed Maxine’s legs and torso and was now hardening her hands and arms.\n\n“The plan for witches to take what is theirs,” Taffeta explained, “the world.” “And why wouldn’t I agree to that?” Maxine bit out.\n\n“Because the mortals will have to die in the process.” Before Maxine could respond, the spell was completed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maxine’s jet-black hair grew long and green, morphing into smooth leaves. Branches sprouted from Maxine’s arms and legs and reached high into the sky." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where Maxine was standing now stood a tall and beautiful maple tree.\n\nTaffeta clicked her tongue sympathetically as she caressed one of Maxine’s leaves, “it’s such a shame that you won’t get to witness the rise of the witches, Max." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, once I have what I want, perhaps I will think about saving you.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Cynic Clinic" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silas Romanov , head of pharmaceutical giant Cytech , the world's leading anti-depressant and anti-psychotics manufacturer , took a long draw of his Cuban cigar , exhaled steadily and looked down on the rest of Manhattan , smiling." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ironically , the glossy black of the surrounding tower blocks reminded him of the shiny onyx tombstone he'd picked out for his father. Death was final and fruitless , and more importantly , sickeningly unprofitable." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everything was going according to plan , as long as the human race remained self destructive , Cytech's fortunes would continue to soar. Today's trading announcement , another trading record of $170bn for the year, up 18% on the previous and turnover of $564bn , was satisfying." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The mental health economy was worth $2.5tn globally so there was still scope for improvement and Silas , with the old man in the ground , could now divert more capital to biogenic research and the human race potential." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As if to coincide with this thought , his watch tracker indicated Cytech's prototype was approaching , on foot , at speed , 40km an hour to be precise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The prototype had completed a circuit of Manhattan , leaving Midtown heading north to the George Washington Bridge , then south to past the Brooklyn Bridge and looped round back to Midtown and Cytech headquarters. Entering the building , the prototype always ascended the stairs and the 99 stories to the penthouse office suite at the top." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It always impressed Silas to see each floor in the stairways negotiated 2-3 seconds at a time , not that he would share that sentiment , he had to guard against complacency. It always made the record attempt that little bit more exciting , though." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The record for this feat , to leave the penthouse , lap Manhattan island and ascend to the 80th floor was 2hrs and 1min. At that moment the oak double doors barged open , and the imposing figure raced to the centre of the Penthouse and hit the timer on a marble dias there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'Titus , my boy!' Silas boomed. The figure had collapsed against the timer dial, heaving huge gasps of air desperately. Rivulets of sweat poured from his forehead and his eyes closed slowly , dreading the debrief." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'Father , I ............'  \n\n 'Silence!' Silas yelled ,'It feels like we've been here before , eh? Your broke the record , Titus! 2 hours and 57 seconds , very good...........'\n\n  'Thank you, father....' Titus trailed off. \n\n '....for a mere human." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Get up!' Titus daren't do otherwise , he raised himself to his full height , towering over his patriarch , shuffling to his feet despite the pain in his legs , his arms , his heart , his soul." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'Is that all you are Titus? Human? Does a mere human receive $70m in biological science advantages , blood research , adrenaline supplementation? Transplant?? Two hours is superhuman , we've discussed this." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And you know why I need these results, yes? The science supports these benchmarks , Titus , so I have no choice to assume YOU are the weakness. YOU are my failure.' ''Father , no , I can do this , I can make two hours , I know I can,' Titus pleaded." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'We can present to the military as planned and I'll continue with the time trials'. 'This is the last time , son' Silas said. Titus filled with familiar despair , he was only referred to as a son in the worst circumstances." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'Maybe , what we need here is the proper motivation.'\n\nSilas produced a beautiful golden Beretta from his pocket and stepped toward Titus. 'No,' Titus protested hands ahead of him , trembling , as Silas held the gun dead ahead." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Slowly , Silas turned his forearm towards his own face and Titus shook his head , comprehending the sudden change in intent. Silas locked eyes with his son and squeezed the trigger. A short thud echoed in the studio as Titus screwed his eyes shut and shrank into his shoulders , sweating in fear now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He opened his eyes , perplexed as no shot rang out and there was a small flame at the end of the pistol as Silas began relighting his cigar again , grinning. 'Had it delivered today , Berreta made it for me specially', Silas quipped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Embarrased but somewhat , relieved , he turned in anger and strode to the doors." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he turned towards one door , latticed with iron and lead and four inches of thick timber , he closed his left fist , pumped it , felt his anger , felt the adrenaline's surge and thrust the closed fist at the heart of the door , splintering a hole through to the other side." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pulled his shoulder back out of the hole , as the rest of the wooden slab began to fall from the hinges. Titus looked at his hand , quickly pump flexed his fingers - no bruising , no cuts and above all , no residual anger." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'Report to Dr Cronenberg!' Silas yelled as Titus waved back but kept walking to the elevator. Titus knew the diagnostics would reveal the same metrics so it was time to change the game and raise the stakes. 'Ah , Titus , just in time , I have your performance data,' said Dr Cronenberg." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'Let me guess , three thirty minute splits and a slight blowout for the last split? With the stair climb?'\n\nCronenberg lowered his head and peered over the rims of his glasses , nodding sheepishly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Titus strode through the laboratory and slumped into the diagnostic chair, 'I need something more Crone-Borg!' as the Dr frowned disapprovingly at the sleight but his hurt turned to panic as Titus leaned forward grabbing the lapels of his lab coat in one hand and pulled him face to face ,'He pointed a gun at my head - DOES THAT COMPUTE! CAN YOU ASSIMILATE THAT!!!' Again the Star Trek sledge wasn't lost on Cronenberg but as the tips of his feet were barely touching the ground he nodded co-operatively and , after a brief second , Titus' powerful arm slowly lowered like a crane and the good Dr was back down to the flats of his feet again.\n\nAs the Dr pressed his lab coat flat again and composed himself he said,' I might have an innovation that will help you , Titus' Titus leaned back and clasped his fingers in front of his broad chest , elbows propped on his knees and fixed Cronenberg with a hawkish glare." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dr Cronenberg stammered into his presentation 'AAaaaaaaahhhhhmm , what I am proposing is a graft onto to each of your adrenal glands which will produces Hype Adrenaline ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The way it works is when your natural adrenaline levels have peaked at optimum , we see 30 minute splits every ten miles , so two hours in total." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If we stimulate the Hype Adrenaline release in the last phase in the circuit , say two miles from Cytech , it will give you an incredible surge of testosterone at the end which will shorten your last split.' 'Sounds a bit 'Warp factor 9 , Scotty' to me , Doc." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How does the Hype stuff release? What's it gonna do for my times , I have to make 2hrs flat or its no good.' 'Well , its in an experimental phase so we don't exactly know I'm afraid , but I can guarantee you one thing , Titus. One dose of Hype and a New York cab won't be able to catch you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The release level is 10,000nm/l so you must be very careful to pace yourself and not exceed 40km/h for more than a minute or your adrenaline will hit the release threshold , the dose will release and we cannot guarantee you will be able to finish the race if its released early." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have a wrist monitor for you to wear to keep track and I'll be able to talk to you during this race' 'OK , where do I sign up?' 'Well , you see Titus its a small operation , twenty minutes max but.....erm..........in order to avoid any side effects , we cannot use anaesthetic.' Titus sprung out of the obs chair and snatched a length of lead pipe from a laboratory bench top on the way to confront the doctor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He held the pipe horizontally between his outstretched hands and could see the terror in the thin doctor's eyes as his forearm strength alone was enough to bend the rigid pipe like rubber hose until Dr Cronenberg's face was framed like bagel filling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Prototype stepped slowly forward and wedged the semi circle over the Dr's head , held the two pipe ends again and gently pulled them slightly closer together." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Dr grabbed the pipes ends trying to separate them , but fruitlessly , he winced and gasped as Titus leaned down to his face , grabbed the pipe ends and levelled the Dr's eyes with his.  'Pain is only a state of mind , Dr Cronenberg , and something I long ago learned to ignore." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But hear this , you may operate now , you may provide your tracker , but understand - this is literally your life's work,'\n\nhe separated the pipe and it dropped behind the Dr on the hard marble floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'Two hours or under , or you will be fondly remembered only in the minds of those who care.' Titus opened his eyes in the dojo , as he sat , cross-legged ready to start his mantra. The operation was a quick success , the only evidence a surgical patch over the navel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He inhaled for eight seconds continuously and exhaled the dark yoga mantra: I am my only asset , I need no other Strength and fight are my only allies Others are a weakness and a burden to strength I am a Cynic and this is my decree Death is dishonour Power is Glory As Titus stood outside Cytech , rain gently kissing his black running suit he felt an emanating confidence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'You ready , Cronenberg?  'Affirmative , Titus , commencement in 30 seconds. Adrenaline at 200nm/l,' the wrist monitor replied." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was it , but it felt different , more assured , more intense , angrier? He recalled the Dr's advice about pacing and not exceeding the threshold , he looked down at the shiny wet plaza at his feet , composed himself , drew the wrist monitor in front of him .........." }, { "from": "human", "value": "3....2.....1 , and set off explosively , heading north as always. Manhattan was typically busy but he also drew one or two startled looks at the speed he sprinted past at. Their looks of disbelief. Cretins , if only they knew the half of their own potential. 'Speed ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "39.8km/h, Adrenaline rising rapidly , still under 10,000. Maintain your current pace , Titus' Titus felt comfortable , gliding through the streets , a predator with prey in his sights." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was an ease and grace in his intense speed tonight he wasn't accustomed to.\n\nDr Cronenberg looked up at the data bank on the laboratory wall , nervously watching the adrenaline counter as it surpassed 9000." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Titus had been maintaining pace for twenty minutes and was tracking well , but he was still aware of the threat imposed on him and the unknown side effects of the surgery." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Performance was one thing but stroke , heart attack , haemorrhage were all real risks without testing.\n\nBack on the 99th floor , Silas turned to his subordinate and offered, 'Whisky , General." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My very own Romanov 12 year old single malt.' 'Perhaps its best we keep a clear mind until we see some results , Mr Romanov.' 'Hmmmm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, lets just say , if my results blow your mind - what's the difference' The General gave a small nod to acknowledge the point , and Silas began to pour from a decanter on his desk." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He clasped the two glasses and walked around the expansive oak antique , sat on the edge and offered one to the General. 'Power and Prosperity' toasted Silas and drank a large mouthful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'Romanov crystal, you know.' General Macklin leaned forward , noticeably uneasy with the extravagance and said,' Mr Romanov , you need to understand that superior athletic performance is one thing but what about the other matter? This is a $40bn contract and Senate are pressing me for answers.' 'Patience, General." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Take in the view , you will have your answers within the hour'. As expected , Titus had completed the first three splits in 30minutes even and this time , felt revitalised. He could see the imposing tower of Cytech in the distance and willed himself onward." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He'd show them , he'd show them all a performance that would shatter all expectations , Father included.\n\n'Titus? Its time , Titus , I need you to accelerate you have been tracking between 9800 and 9900." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There are two miles left of the circuit plus the stair climb and you have 10 minutes to complete.' 'Affirmative,' Titus replied and began to kick harder , lengthening his stride , gritting his teeth together in determination and suddenly his running began to flow , his arm and leg rhythm seemed independant of his consciousness and he accelerated past motorcycles and cars as they swerved and honked as the black figure bulleted through streets and intersections and disappeared towards the Cytech plaza." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The entry camera recognised him and started to open the glass sliding doors but couldn't do so fast enough as Titus's shoulders crashed through the entrance and glass shattered across the wide entry vestibule." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silas rubbed his eyes as he watched the thermal image of the stair climb on his wrist monitor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'Can't be right , he's ascending each flight in two strides , and the speed??'' 'Technical problem , Mr Romanov?' the General intoned and as Silas raised his head , the enormous collossus bounded through the open doorway and slammed the timer before either could follow its movement.\n\nOne hour , fifty seven minutes and 50seconds , the record had been destroyed! But Titus , chest heaving and hitching felt boiling hatred , piercing pain began to bolt through his head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He lurched forward at Silas who stammered a trite 'well done' as he backed against the desk. Titus raised his arms forward , vile hatred contorting his face and Silas hand felt cold metal on the desk." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he raised the gold Beretta , Titus grinned at the novelty gun but a shot rang out and Titus right shoulder flew backwards as his right knee collapsed beneath him. He lay groaning , not comprehending as Silas came into view and leaned down over his son." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Titus mouth trembled at the care and concern on his father's face , but this was only momentary. Silas grabbed the Titus's collar and shouted 'Get over here , you!' as the General shifted into view." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Silas pulled the collar away from Titus' trapezius muscle where a bullet hole had hit a bulging vein there but the blood had drained away from the wound already and started to dry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'See , General , the coagulant is working already.' And to the wrist monitor 'Dr Cronenberg , bring a medical team to my office , rightaway'.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Escapades of the Wild Hunt" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cohnal walked through the aisles of bookshelves in the Sylvan Archives, searching for some new reading material. Just to be in the building, Cohnal knew, was an immense privilege. Most Sylvan were lucky if they could stand on the front steps of the Archives and not be killed instantly by its wards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cohnal had been granted special permission to access the centuries-old building as he was an official scholar of Gwyn ap Nudd. Cohnal often marvelled at the fact that he’d managed to achieve such an honourable position under the King of the Tylwyth Teg, the Fair Folk." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Most Sylvan were simply subjects of the king, never elevated to such high positions of favour, but Cohnal was different. Cohnal’s hooves clacked on the marble floors of the Archives as he perused the shelves, not looking for any particular title." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cohnal looked like most Sylvans; he wore no shirt, displaying golden skin to the world, had the bottom half of a goat, and two small horns on his head. His curly, chestnut brown hair was streaked with silver, matching the fur on his goat legs. Unusual colours for the satyrs among the Sylvan." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As Cohnal exited the aisle, not finding anything of interest, he saw Taredd Valzeiros, an elf of the Fair Folk and a general in the King’s army. “Didn’t find what you’re looking for?” Taredd asked, his voice smooth like honey. “Not yet,” Cohnal responded." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he first began his service to the King, Taredd had unnerved him, scared him, even. However, Taredd was, Cohnal learned, one of the nicer elves in the King’s army. And besides, Taredd had taken a liking to Cohnal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Did the King send you here to supervise me?” Taredd smiled as he unfastened his long sword from his back and placed it on the main desk of the Archives, to the annoyance of the treefolk head librarian seated at the desk." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Actually,” Taredd said, approaching Cohnal, “I heard that you were searching for a book. I came here to help you of my own volition.” A slight blush crept onto Cohnal’s face. Taredd was a whole head taller than Cohnal, his pale skin marking him as a native of Annwn, the realm of Gwyn ap Nudd." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Up close, Cohnal could smell Taredd’s beautiful scent of milk and honey. His face hot, Cohnal forced himself to look away from Taredd and began walking to the staircase that led to the second floor of the Sylvan Archives. He looked over his shoulder at Taredd." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You coming?” Taredd followed Cohnal as the latter led them to one of the first aisles of bookshelves on the second floor. “So, what exactly are we looking for?” Taredd asked. Cohnal shrugged. “Anything that looks fascinating.” Taredd grinned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Taking advantage of our unrestricted access to the Archives, are we?” Cohnal picked a book off the shelf. Its cover was made of brown leather, its spine worn and stained from so many hands holding it over the centuries that it had surely been in the library." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I prefer to consider it ‘creative research.’” After flipping through a couple pages of the book, Cohnal closed its cover and put it back on the shelf. After a couple hours of searching, a book bound in polished wood caught Cohnal’s attention." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It had been millennia since the Tylwyth Teg had used wood as book covers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This book must’ve dated back to before the reign of Gwyn ap Nudd, which was impressive considering that the Faerie King had been in power long enough that there were few among the immortal Fair Folk who remembered a time when he wasn’t king." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cohnal carefully took the book from its spot on the shelf, cautious not to damage the relic. Cohnal’s heart skipped a beat as he read the title, which had been engraved in the wooden cover in gold. The Escapades of the Wild Hunt . Cohnal looked at the name of the author: Iijin D’amara dos Hås." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He didn’t recognize that name, but he was intrigued and mortified in equal measures by the contents of the book. “Find anything?” Taredd asked as he entered the aisle that Cohnal stood in. Cohnal faltered. He trusted Taredd, but he didn’t know if he wanted to show him the book." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Wild Hunt was somewhat of a forbidden topic to speak or learn about in Annwn." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Wild Hunt, Cohnal knew, was a legion made up of elite Faerie knights who held allegiance to no one other than their general.\n\nThere were many Wild Hunts, all ruled by different generals, but the most notorious one and the largest one was led by the Faerie general known as Herne the Hunter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was common knowledge that Gwyn ap Nudd had previously held connections to the Wild Hunt millennia ago, the official reason for his separation from the legion being a disagreement between him and Herne the Hunter. However, in Annwn, there were always rumours." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some said that there were more sinister reasons for Gwyn’s leaving the Wild Hunt. This book could hold the long, believed to be lost, answers. Deciding that he could trust Taredd, Cohnal showed him the book. As he read the title, Taredd paled. “Should we read it?” Cohnal whispered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Not here,” Taredd said. He gestured for Cohnal to follow him, and led him out of the Sylvan Archives, down a couple shady sideroads of the city, and into a hovel. Taredd’s home, Cohnal realized." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He’d forgotten that Taredd chose to live in his own house, rather than the barracks with the other soldiers. As Cohnal entered the small hovel and placed the book on the small wooden table in the middle of the room, Taredd shut and locked the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“We just have some privacy here,” Taredd said finally. “Now, let’s see that book.” Taredd sat in the seat next to Cohnal, close enough that their shoulders touched." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Forcing himself not to turn his head and gaze into the general’s gold-flecked hazel eyes, Cohnal opened the cover of the book and positioned it so that both of them could read its pages. Both men were silent as they beheld the tales told on the ancient pages." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was told in the perspective of the author who, he explained in the opening pages, wrote the book in the years following his retirement from being a knight of the Wild Hunt. The author, Iijin, was quite trusted by Herne the Hunter, often referring to him as a friend." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Herne had made Iijin his most trusted confidante, often conferring with him before making any major decision. Iijin spoke about Herne’s exploits, his hunts, his legendary battles which, as interesting as they were, was not what caught their attention most." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "About halfway into the book, Iijin speaks about Herne taking in a young Faerie knight he calls Macrath, meaning the son of prosperity. A young faerie who would go on to be known as Gwyn ap Nudd." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For Iijin to have known Gwyn when he could be considered young, when he was known by a different name, just proved how extremely ancient he and his book were. Iijin describes Macrath as a promising young male, an innately talented soldier, and a promising diplomat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After just five years since joining the Wild Hunt, Herne had appointed Macrath his lieutenant, and trusted him as much as he trusted Iijin. Herne has treated Macrath like his son. Had honed him into a fine, lethal knight, and a true diplomatic leader." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At one point in the book, Iijin’s tone when speaking of Macrath changed. Specifically, when he began to become known as Gwyn ap Nudd. Seventy years after first joining the Wild Hunt, he took on his now notorious moniker." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was appointed the Light General of the Wild Hunt and began to wear armour with blinding white plating and a circlet of thorns. The very same circlet that he wore to this day. Gwyn became more and more powerful, both in terms of military might and magical power." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But as Gwyn grew stronger, his ambition also grew. Iijin spoke of one particular incident which sparked the beginning of Gwyn’s falling out with the Wild Hunt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During one battle, Herne had ordered his knights to wait until dawn broke to attack an unsuspecting Faerie king whom the Wild Hunt had been paid to kill." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The king was sleeping in his war tent just outside his city’s walls, as he had begun to build defenses against the army that he expected to arrive in two days. In open defiance of Herne’s orders, Gwyn had taken a group of knights and charged the king’s camp during the night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They sacked the camp, killing all those in their path and burning their tents. Gwyn had personally tortured the Faerie king before killing him, mutilating his body, and displaying it in the camp for the city to gaze upon. “By the ancients,” Taredd muttered in horrified awe as they continued reading." }, { "from": "human", "value": "According to Iijin’s account, Herne was absolutely furious at Gwyn’s act of open disobedience. He had been so livid that he’d executed all of the knights who had aided Gwyn. Slowly, Gwyn began to grow apart from his former mentor and father figure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To replace those he lost, Gwyn had taken to reaping the souls of the dead along their battlefields, bringing them back as Faerie knights and creating what Iijin called the Dead Hunt.\n\nAs his forces grew, Gwyn eventually left the Wild Hunt in favour of his Dead Hunt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Iijin transcribed one conversation that he’d had with Herne following Gwyn’s defection: “Why has he done this?” the Horned King had asked me. With no definite answer for my beloved friend, I told him, “He is no longer the boy we once knew. The friend we once loved." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He has traded in his old name for a new one, one that carries with it a new reputation, with no ties to you, nor to the Wild Hunt. He is no longer Macrath, he is Gwyn ap Nudd, the general of the Dead Hunt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But without your firm guidance, he will fall.” My words did not seem to comfort the Master of Winter. He sank into his chair, exhausted and pained by the abhorrent betrayal of our once loyal friend. “Mark my words, Iijin,” said Herne the Hunter, “as long as I live, Gwyn ap Nudd will know no peace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I will be the death of him. I, who taught him how to hunt. I, who honed him into a worthy knight. I, who gave him a life, will take his new one away.” Iijin’s writing changed once again in the last stretch of the book." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It became more hurried, more worried, as if he was expecting something awful to happen. He spoke of Gwyn’s change in attitude. He’d traded in his bright white armour for crimson armour. His Dead Hunt had expanded to match the numbers of the Wild Hunt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While Gwyn’s notoriety increased, so did Herne’s hatred for him. The former mentor and student had become mortal enemies, constantly at each other’s throat. The two had clashed in a conflict that Iijin labelled the War of the Hunts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cohnal was absolutely speechless at the fact that such a long, bloody war had apparently been forgotten, hoping to find the answer as to why in the final pages of the book. Cohnal and Taredd now sat huddled over the book, clinging to every word as they read." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Iijin described the final battle of the War of the Hunts in precise, brutal detail. He called it the Battle of Misthollow. Gwyn had had the upper hand in the war by then." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He’d employed every bloody, nasty military technique he’d known in the war, dwindling Herne’s Wild Hunt down to a quarter of its original size. Cohnal balked at the possibility." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Exhausted and suffering, Herne had fled with his Wild Hunt to the city of Misthollow, where Gwyn had already known they would go.\n\nIijin had been sent by Herne to speak to Gwyn, the Wild Hunt general, hoping that Iijin’s diplomacy would convince Gwyn to back off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Despite Iijin’s expert diplomatic skills, Gwyn would not be deterred from his original plan to attack. Left with no other choice, Iijin had employed a last ditch plan: he convinced several of Gwyn’s knights to betray him, bribing them with promises of high-ranking positions among the Wild Hunt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next day, as the Hunts got into formation across from each other on the battlefield, Iijin’s agents fulfilled their part of the plan. They fired at Gwyn and his knights with elf-shot – arrows that were lethal to Faeries." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of the elf-shot arrows had grazed one of Gwyn’s ribs, enraging the general. However, Iijin had failed to spot Gwyn’s hidden reserve force, which closed in, killing his agents and charging at the Wild Hunt on Gwyn’s orders." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After two hours of bloody carnage, and heavy Wild Hunt losses, Herne had halted the fighting and proposed a deal with Gwyn: He would duel him to decide the winner of the war. Gwyn had accepted the proposal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The epic duel between Herne the Hunter and Gwyn ap Nudd had lasted three days and three nights. Iijin remarked that he could hear the sounds of ringing iron and their grunts of pain in the centuries that followed that day." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eventually, after Gwyn had fought Herne into an inch within death, Herne had surrendered. The two had agreed on a deal: Gwyn would leave the Wild Hunt alone, but in return Herne and his Hunt would be exiled from these lands, forced to retire to a Faerie land far away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And as for Iijin, Gwyn wanted him executed, but Herne refused to allow it. Instead, Gwyn forced Iijin into exile, where he’d written his book, awaiting the day that Gwyn would come to finally kill him. As the two finished reading, the door to Taredd’s hovel was burst open. The two froze in fear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Standing in the doorway was Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Tylwyth Teg. And he was angry.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He's Following Me!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He’s Following Me! Lisa looks behind her. He’s still there! Why is he following me? He keeps getting closer and closer! I cannot believe I am out here alone. Why are there not more people on the trail? I never should have let Erika and Monica go back without me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why was I so stupid! It was a warm, sunny, and clear morning – a perfect day for a hike." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lisa, Erika, and Monica decide they will head out on the Blevins trail. “It’s just over three miles,” Lisa says, “You will make it just fine, Monica.” Monica was hesitant to do such a long hike as she was still getting over a sprained ankle from her last hike where she had slipped on a rock." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had not gone to a doctor, but she knew it would be best if she stayed off it for a while. But she had listened to Lisa, go-getter, full speed ahead Lisa and now here she was. Monica looked over at Erika, pleadingly. “I’ll be with you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can lean on me if you don’t think you can make it.” Erika says. “Can’t we just do Merkle? It’s only a mile around and that way I can quit after a mile if my ankle starts bothering me too much.” “Nonsense,” Lisa says. “You will be fine. We will both be with you if your ankle bothers you too much." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You can just lean on both of us. It’ll be fun!” Monica sighs and the three head west on the Blevins trail. About a quarter of the way through, Monica wishes that she would have at least brought her hiking poles." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“ Why did I not think to bring them with me?” she wonders.” Stupid!”\n\n“I have to go back,” Monica says. “My ankle is bothering me too much and I cannot believe I forgot my poles. I never should have let you talk me into this Lisa.” “Oh, ya big baby!” “Fine, why don’t you turn back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Erika, why don’t you babysit her back to the trailhead. I’m going to keep going and finish this hike.” “I’m sorry Lisa, I just can’t keep going. I knew I was taking on too much. I probably need to give my ankle another week or so.” “Sure, whatever. You two go. I’ll meet you back at the car." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It won’t take me long.” “Are you sure you’re okay to hike alone,” Erika says. “I’ve hiked alone many times. I’ll be fine,” says Lisa. Lisa watches as Erika and Monica slowly make their way back to the vehicle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the pace their going, I’ll beat them back to the vehicle, she thinks to herself. Lisa continues her way through the Blevin’s trail. Though she has taken the trail many times in the past, she always marvels at the beauty of the desert." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The majestic saguaros are in full bloom along with the barrel cacti with their yellow flowers. The Brittlebushes are simply gorgeous, and she stops to breathe in the rich fragrance. It is then that she notices a tall man coming over one of the peaks behind her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She doesn’t think much of it at the time – just another hiker on the trail, but she keeps it in the back of her mind that there is a male hiker behind her. As she hikes on, letting her mind wonder a bit, but also taking in her surroundings and also being ever aware of the possibility of running into the local wildlife – snakes in particular - she decides to look back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is when she notices that the hiker is even closer than before and indeed appears to be sprinting towards her. When he sees her looking at her, he stops sprinting and appears to be casually hiking. “That’s odd,” Lisa murmurs to herself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why would he stop sprinting when he thinks I am watching him? And why the heck is this trail so deserted?”\n\nAt this point, Lisa decides that maybe she had better pick up her pace. She is trying to calculate in her head if she can outrun him and get to the trailhead where her friends are." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "From where she saw him, he looked rather tall, so she probably could not outrun him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If only she could run across some other hikers or mountain bikers or trail runners or something! Lisa remembers that she does have a lipstick stun gun/flashlight deep in her backpack and wonders why she didn’t have it where it was more easily accessible." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She also has a device on her backpack that will let out a shrill noise if the bottom is released, but who will hear it if no one else is out here? Lisa glances back again and the man stops sprinting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What the heck!  She turns and starts to run while also trying to find the lipstick stun gun in her backpack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She cannot find it and starts to pull other items out of the backpack in her attempt to locate it. “Damn it! Where is it!” She throws out her compass, her tweezers, her pee funnel and her wet wipes in her attempt to find the stun gun." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lisa is now running at full speed as she looks back and sees the man running at full speed towards her. Finally, she finds her stun gun and her alarm device. She drops everything and decides to turn to stand her ground to face him as she knows she cannot outrun him. At first, she does not see him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where did he go? Is he going to try to ambush me from the side or something? She decides to keep running, leaving her backpack and all her belongings along the trail. She just wants to make it back to the safety of the trailhead and her friends." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She runs with all the speed she can muster to get back before the man can catch her. As she runs, she can see the trailhead in sight and is so grateful, but just then, she trips over a rock and drops her stun gun." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As she is getting up, she turns and, in the distance, sees the man running towards her with something in his arms. Without a thought, Lisa gets up and proceeds to run though at a slower pace now, to the opening of the trailhead. She still has her alarm device in her hand, and she pulls the bottom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A loud shrill emits from the device as she is coming into the open. She sees Erika and Monica at a picnic table waiting for her. Their heads swivel at the sound of the alarm." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They see Lisa running towards them, yelling for help. Both women run towards Lisa who is so out of breath that she can barely speak. She simply points in the direction from where she came." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As all three of the women look towards that the direction, the man emerges with all of Lisa’s belongings that she had dropped in his arms. “Hey, are you okay,” he says. “You dropped all these things out there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did something scare you out there?” Still trying to collect herself, Lisa breathlessly says, “I thought you were following me. You were running sometimes and other times you would stop. I thought you were trying to catch me.” “Oh, I’m sorry I scared you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was just doing sprints, you know, sometimes I run and sometimes I just walk fast. I’m sorry that I scared you.” Lisa looks at him dumbfounded.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Darkness" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "DARKNESS By Andy Pearson © 2024 Darkness was on my side. I knew the house.\n\nThe owners of the footsteps didn’t. When the lights went out, I knew they were finally here. I didn’t know who they were, but I knew they were here. \n\nI spotted the followers a week earlier. Perhaps they were there earlier." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Probably. Who knows. I know I spotted them on Friday.\n\nI saw the first one at the gas station." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With my arms draped over the side of my truck bed, sticky with sweat from the afternoon humidity, I listened to the pump whirring, as I pondered the gallons going into my tank at a lower speed than the dollars exiting my wallet. I turned my head to look at the misery on the digital readout." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was watching from behind the window display advertising the three-dollar Big Gulp and hotdog meal.\n\nHonestly, I only later made the connection because of his hat. His was Oakland A’s green and gold. I wouldn't have noticed if he’d been wearing a Cubs hat. There are Cubs fans everywhere." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Watch a Yankees / Red Sox game and you’ll see Cubs fans sporting red, white, and blue team colors, but never a green and gold Oakland A’s cap in Harlan, Iowa. Maybe a Twins cap, certainly a Royals cap, but an A’s. Never." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The moment I noticed him, his face was cemented in my memory.\n\nOn Saturday I stopped at Bomgaars, looking for some new lures for bass fishing when I saw him. He was standing at the end of the aisle, at the fishing pole display, waving an Abu Garcia pole. He wasn’t wearing the hat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They’re not that stupid. No hat, but the mustache from yesterday was real. Neatly trimmed dark mustache sitting under a bent nose bookmarked by scarred ears. All of this was supported by a neck that was so thick it was almost missing. He’d earned a face through the university of hard knocks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Possibly a PhD from the looks of things. This was a man who’d been in some fights. Judging from his thick arms and legs, I surmised he had a winning record. He saw me make the connection. He dropped the pole back onto the display and disappeared around an endcap." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I raced along the back wall to the fishing aisle and saw his brown jacket and short hair turning the corner near the cash registers. With some more hustle, I made it to the front of the store and saw him dive into a dark Suburban." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stopped at the cash registers still holding the silver fiberglass minnow I had hoped to use on Sunday at Lake Manawa. I didn’t want to get hauled in for shoplifting. The suburban turned left out of the lot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bent nose got into the passenger seat, which meant there were at least two of them.\n\nOn Tuesday, I found two more. I was in a window seat at the Milk and Honey diner for breakfast. I’d just gotten my M&H eggs benedict, which for Iowa are pretty darn good." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was thanking Stephanie, the server, when two men slid out of a dark suburban in the lot. The new Carhartt jackets they were sporting as local camouflage among the morning breakfast crowd didn’t sell. I finished my meal ignoring them while not ignoring them.  They ordered coffee and toast." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another giveaway. The food is too good at M&H for just toast at two dollars a serving. The coffee at M&H is pretty good, so maybe if they’d just ordered coffee, but nobody orders just toast. I knew why they did it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They wanted something fast, but something to make them look like they were regular Joes just stopping in for food before hitting the job site. Camouflage is about patterns and behaviors. They’d missed both. I paid and left while watching for the dark vehicle in the lot. It was not in sight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This meant some communication link with the team inside. These guys were starting to worry me. The lights went out at 9:45 on Wednesday night. I was in bed reading with a small light clipped to my hardback when the ceiling fan slowed and stopped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looked up at the still blades and realized I needed to dust them. Later.\n\nI clicked off the booklight and the room went into darkness. While my eyes slowly dilated, I waited and listened. Nothing. I tossed the blankets aside and eased out of bed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the edge of the window, I looked out over the driveway. I’ve seen the blackness of night in the mountains, but that’s broken up by darker jagged peaks. The rocky summits give contrast to the blank night sky. In nowhere Iowa, there’s just darkness." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Mid-West prairie is a uniform black that surrounds you in every direction like you’ve fallen into a well. I waited. I heard the board on the front porch squeak quietly. I’d never fixed that. My wooden alarm system was working perfectly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were coming slowly, otherwise, I would have heard doors crash open, windows breaking, and running footsteps.\n\nMoving from the window, I slipped on the jeans I’d tossed to the end of the bed and pulled on my Nikes rather than boots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A solid shoe is a blessing in combat, but stealth and speed would make the difference in this problem. \n\nThe air pressure changed in the house. A door must have opened. It’s the little things, like how the air changes in a house when a door opens, that count as home-field advantage." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I opened the door to the hallway and waited with a hand on the knob. They hadn’t mounted the stairs yet. If it were me, I’d clear the bottom floor first and then post someone at the stairs while moving upwards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Top-down is also a good tactic, but in rural Iowa, Blackhawks and fast-roping swat teams might be noticed Sliding out the door into the hall, I moved to the bathroom. The window was already open. It led to the roof above the front door. Sliding out the narrow gap, I settled onto the asphalt shingles." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were still warm from the day’s sun and felt comforting. \n\nI waited for three beats to check a new theory I had. Report movement.\n\nGet clearance.\n\nCenter reticle.\n\nTime for me to move." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I slid to the edge of the roof as the muted crack of a subsonic round from a suppressed weapon hit the roof where I’d been. Yep. I also would have left a sniper somewhere to provide cover and watch for a squirter. A squirter. A runner. Me. Everyone heard the shot. Suppressed rounds are just that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suppressed, not silent. There’s still the sound of gunpowder deflagrating violently inside the chamber, the sound of a small object moving quickly through dense Iowa humidity; and the impact of the small object on a wooden roof. It all makes a sound.\n\nNow, I’d have to fix that roof." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rolling off the shingles, I landed in the dense shrubs I‘d planted there two years ago. In the city, shrubs hide burglars. In the country, they cushion falls. A bit scratchy, but enough to prevent injury. I hoped I’d sold that move to the sniper." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He’d be reporting the fall at least. \n\nI rolled under the porch and kept rolling to the house's foundation. Two quick movements of elbows and knees, I was at the corner.\n\nPeering around, I didn’t see anyone. With two more quick elbows and knees, I was at the basement bulkhead doors." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gently opening one, I slithered down the steps as I heard footsteps pounding the front porch. The door slid shut quietly on its thin hydraulic arm. I knew I had a few moments inside the basement before the pursuit got moving." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When they didn’t find a body in those bushes, they’d start looking with speed, noise, and light. Bright booming lights. \n\nI grabbed the edge of the standup freezer and slid it sideways. The hidden door gleamed dull grey." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Six numbers in the keypad and it opened inward with a quiet flow of air pushing against it. Positive pressure. Always a good plan. I slid the freezer back and clicked the door shut. \n\nThe battery-powered lights in the room came on dimly. No need to blind myself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I walked to the desk and clicked a few buttons on the keyboard. Monitors came to life. The men in black were moving quickly. I counted four, but I surmised the sniper was still out there.\n\nOk. Four to deal with in the house. One, maybe two outside. I could kill them. It wouldn’t be the first time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps, I could convince the powers that started this evening not to do it again. I liked that plan. I like Iowa. It’s usually quiet. I enjoy that. So how to disable four guys, and send a message? They were moving as teams so it would be two at a time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hard, but doable. \n\nTaser? Tasers don’t knock you out. They knock you down. Not out and not incapacitated. Down can be good if the fight is one-on-one, but not two-on-one where the other guy is carrying a rifle. I stared at the screen. Body armor? Yep, they were wearing body armor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But like a turtle or Achilles heel, armor isn’t everywhere. A plan opened up. Turning around, I opened a wall locker. Several rifles gleamed quietly. The twelve-gauge Benelli shotgun is a very good shotgun for this type of work. Gas operated so no need to run the action." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Solid frame with a deep tubular magazine. Stuffing shells into the weapon and my pockets, I paused and looked at the inventory in the locker." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I grabbed a Glock pistol in a clip-on pancake holster in case my nice plan didn’t work. \n\nTurning back to the screens, two black-clad men started up the stairs while the other two moved through the lower rooms. They’d get to the kitchen soon. I needed to hurry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I quickly climbed the stairs to the kitchen door. I eased it open and slid through. Passing the sink, I grabbed a plastic bottle of dish soap. Easing to a stop beside the refrigerator, I turned and tossed the soap dispenser down the stairs. \n\nIt clunked quietly on the treads. I waited." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The kitchen door came open and the two moved into the room. The gaping door into the cellar caught their eyes for just a moment. When clearing a room, clear the room first then address other threats. If you don’t, this is what can happen.\n\nBoom. Boom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two bean bag rounds from the Benelli to two different hamstrings. I was much too close according to the manufacturer-recommended seven-yard standoff to prevent serious injury. They dropped in pain and shock as though they had been shot. Moving quickly, I hit each with the butt of the rifle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They stopped moving. The Benelli has a solid stock. It is also very loud. The two upstairs heard it. I imagine the sniper heard it. I moved out of the kitchen to the living room and waited. “Team two,” I heard a quiet voice say above me on the stairs. “Team two,” I heard again. Then quiet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I waited silently. I could imagine the hand signals upstairs.\n\nHand over head. Cover me. Fingers walking- I’m going down the stairs Point-fingers walking- you come down. A nod in agreement and then a tighter grip on the rifle. I waited while the pantomime show took place." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finally, I saw the leg just touch the last stair.\n\nBoom. A scream and he dropped. One more to his black helmet and he stopped moving. Silence. Now upstairs man had a tactical problem. He could call in the sniper, but that’s a risky move." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sniper would have to make a room entry by himself and that’s dumb. Upstairs man could try and rush the stairs, but that’s a no-go. I let the silence go a few more minutes to really let him soak in the problem. A few minutes is a long time, but I’m patient. I live in Iowa." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our calendar is at the pace of the growing season. “Hello, upstairs,” I said. No answer. “Hello. I know you’re there. Let’s discuss this,” I said conversationally. Still nothing. “Come on buddy. Your friends aren’t dead. Well, I hope not. That bean bag to the head might be dicey." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The other two are just out for now. If this takes too long, they might wake up then there’ll be some on-purpose killing and I’d rather not,” I said to the quiet stairs. “Come on man. I know you’re not calling in the sniper." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’ll bet he’s the driver too, isn’t he? So he’s got the car right?” I said to more silence. “Dude seriously. I’m getting tired of the silent treatment. Your boys need to see a doctor. Look, I’m going to toss something up the stairs, ok? Just take a look and get back to me,” I said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I took a bean bag round from my pocket and tossed it up. I heard shuffling and then a voice. “What do you want?” said the voice upstairs with a slight twang. “What do I want? I want y’all to come over for breakfast,” I said mimicking the twang." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What the hell do you think I want? I want you to collect your buddies, get out of my house, my town, and leave me alone.” “Can’t do it,” the upstairs man said. “Even if we leave others will come.” “Sure you can." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tell your boss at whatever alphabet you work for that if I see anyone again, not only will there be killing. Killing that won’t end here in Iowa, but even worse, there’ll be news stories. Lots of news stories in lots of papers with really good quotes from an inside source." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’ve kept my mouth shut for this long and I’ll keep it shut, but Iowa is off limits. Tell them that,” I said. “How do I know you won’t shoot me?” upstairs man asked. “There are no guarantees in this line of work. You know that. But I won’t and that’s all you get." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sling your rifle, snap your holster, come down, and get your buddies. Call your friend outside to bring the ride up. I’ll be watching so don’t get stupid,” I said. I worked my way around the bottom floor and waited. The suburban pulled up slowly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I heard faint talking and the process of moving their friends out. I waited in the darkness as the lights faded onto Highway 191. Lowering my shotgun, I stood in the quiet of the inky mid-west prairie. In the distance, I saw lightning. Dang it- rain coming and I’ve got a hole in my roof." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turned with the shotgun cradled in my arm and went looking for my tools.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Feathered Obsession" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Warren Spinster started his day off like any other morning. He began by listening to the sounds of birds outside his apartment window. This was something that he used to sooth himself while drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thinking to himself that the feel of the paper led him to believe he was living in the wrong time. Warren continued and started reading his books about birds that helped to identify the different animals." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When he found different birds that he wanted to photograph he would identify a plan and mark possible locations on the map." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once he had the day’s locations scouted, he would head out and set up camp.\n\nOne afternoon after hearing about a new species that had been spotted near the ridge, Warren determined it was one that had not been seen in the area before." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The bird was roughly the size of a cardinal and identified by the red head and red mohawk. After heading out to the ridge and setting up camp, Mr. Spinster singing the Woody Woodpecker theme to himself thinking that the bird he found was a Pileated Woodpecker." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Realizing it was not any species of woodpecker he says to himself, “I need to identify and document this bird for everyone in the area to see.”\n\nAs he dangled from the cliff trying to get a clear picture of this animal, he heard the ropes start to part." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Upon hearing the loud crack, as the ropes snapped, he found himself falling, landing on a plateau a mere five feet below where he was hanging. Hearing the camera smash below him, cursing the red mohawked bird. Feeling moderately lucky that the plateau was able to break his fall." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sitting recounting how this obsession almost cost him his life. But also looking at the fact that there was a missed opportunity to document a little know bird for people to see." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The rarity of an animal rocking an adorable little red mohawk.\n\nDetermining that there was not a way to climb up as the ropes had been severed, he went about trying to figure out if there was a way to rescue himself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Diffing through his pockets he noticed that his cell phone was in his pack on top of the cliff. Checking his pockets to see what was available. Finding the flint and steel that was in his cargo pocket he pulled it out and laid it on the ground near his feet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Scrounging up tinder and other fuel for the fire from around the small plateau that he found himself.\n\nLighting the fire not only for warmth but also hoping the green wood that was now placed on the fire would signal any hikers or rangers that may be nearby." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Checking himself for any further injuries and realizing that there is nothing but scratches and some bumps that will bruise in time. Dusting himself off to gather additional firewood, preparing to hunker down for the night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hearing the rustling around above his head as hope filled his soul thinking that it was someone that could help him or get help for him. Instead, it was the adorable red mohawked bird." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Ah this bird is torturing me now.” Said Warren allowed.\n\nSitting on this plateau watching the fire burn as the sun was setting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Making a vow to himself that if he makes it off this plateau that he would identify this bird and the take a giant leap back from this fondness for birds that almost got him killed. It was this landing that saved his life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Feeling the pull of sleep as darkness fades, he stokes the fire and sets himself up to doze off for a small time before the fire needs stoking again. As the sun falls upon his face, he hears rustling and voices above his head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As they shuffle around trying to figure out where the equipment and pack came from. He opened his eyes and called out to them to let them know where he was lying." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They called down asking if he was injured with a response of “I do not think so.” The rangers started assembling rescue rigs to assist Warren and raise him back to solid ground." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the rangers were heaving around to bring him up the side of the cliff the red mohawked bird landed on the side of the litter that help Warren.\n\nOnce he reached the top and was laid on the ground next to his pack and what was left of his camera equipment." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The rangers began their series of questions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“How did you end up down there?” “What are you doing out here alone?” “Are you going to need medical attention?” The answer to the first was simple “I was climbing over the edge to try and capture a picture of a bird with a red mohawk that I have never seen before.” Said Warren and continued, “I am out here alone because it gives me the best chance at quiet to capture the shots that I am looking for and no I do not need medical attention.” After the hike out Warren got to his car and started the short drive home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "H was now on a mission to identify this bird that tortured him during his ordeal. This now has become an obsession to research and identify this bird. Diffing through the books it was determined that was no such bird in the Northern Hemisphere. Expanding his search to look throughout South America." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ruling out woodpeckers and traditional Northern Cardinal. Starting to narrow down the search he noticed a picture of the one red mohawked bird that has haunted his dreams over the last several months.\n\nThe bird was none other than a Red Crested Cardinal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sporting his bright red head and bright red mohawk. Realizing that this bird was not rare in the southern hemisphere but had never been spotted in North America. Thinking to himself that this bird must have gotten lost or rode the wrong thermal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Feeling satisfied that he had overcome the obsession with the red mohawked bird. Realizing that this had almost killed him and then in turn drove him very close to insane he decided that he was going to watch birds with binoculars from afar and stay in safe places to observe and document. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe We Will" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Clara spoke for the two of them when she exclaimed “I wish that we could stay here forever. We are newly retired now, and we could do it if we wanted to.” Frank replied by saying “We have wanted to go to Iceland for years, and now we are here, and it is more beautiful than I had even imagined it would be. And it seems that everyone we meet speaks English. We hadn’t anticipated that. Then there is the yogurt – Icelandic skyr. The skyr is the limit. And then, of course, there are the elves and their houses. There are no elves in Canada that I know of.” Early in their time in Iceland, they had met and listened to a woman who claimed to be an ‘elf whisperer’. She had told them that the ‘Elf Royal Family’ had lived at the base of a cliff, and that they should go there. Clara and Frank had been staying at a hotel in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, but now they were headed west for the harbor town of Grindivik (they had learned that -vik meant ‘bay’), which was not far from where the alleged home of the ‘Elf Royal Family’ had lived. They just had to see that for themselves." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right now they were in a beautiful area with mountains, fields with black soil that was once lava, and where they could see the roving herds of horses, cows and sheep grazing. They had taken many pictures." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both coming from farming families, they had stopped to get their pictures taken alongside the relatively small Icelandic horses (they had been originally bred from ponies brought to the island by early settlers)." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their fields ran up to a gate by the road. Two of the animals were very friendly, making the couple wish that they had brought some hay or horse treats to feed their new friends." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And Then Things Began to Change And then things began to change. It started when the couple suddenly saw high rising, bursts of fire in three directions, coming mainly from the mountains. This made them realize that the volcanos that had been active a few months before, and had eventually stopped were now active again. It was both awe inspiring and terrifying. Clara and Frank knew that they had to get out of the area as quickly as they could before they became volcano victims." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They ran to where they had parked their rental car, just around the corner of a mountain not too far away. But they were quick to see that lava was just about to engulf the car, so it would shortly become a death trap for them. Frank, who expressed his warped sense of humour even in the very worst of situations, which this certainly was, exclaimed “I guess we should have got volcanic insurance for the car, Clara”. Neither of them laughed or even smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They both decided to head for the highway, which they hoped would lead them to safety, even though their escape would be much slower now that they had no car in which to drive away from the threat that was coming ever nearer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe they could hitchhike to Grindivik, or some other place of safety, if such existed in this part of Iceland  The highway was a short run away from where they had been, and they approached where they had encountered the horses. They soon saw that the animals were in danger, as the lava was flowing rapidly towards the other side of their field, and would in a distinctly possible matter of minutes devour the poor helpless animals if nothing was done to help them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The couple soon decided to open the gate nearby, to give the horses at least some chance to run away from hot, flowing death. Most of the animals ran away quickly. The two that they had befriended stuck around. This gave them an idea. Maybe they could ride these two horses along the highway, leading them in a direction that did not seem to have flames leaping out of the mountains, and creeping across the fields." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But that was not to be. The two horses soon fled to join the rest of their herd down the road which could well mean safety for them, but possibly none for the human couple who could only move more slowly. They then felt that their only option now was for them to walk along the highway, hopefully being able to hitchhike to safety." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They walked and walked with absolutely no success in the hitchhike area, and instead of their getting closer to safety, the lava was getting closer and closer to them. They began to feel that they were doomed to die." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then they began to hear a strange sound other than that of volcanoes. It came from the sky. They looked up, and much to their surprise and utter joy, they saw a helicopter. They soon became aware that the pilot had seen them, as the rescue plane landed on the highway not very far in front of them. They could not believe their sudden good fortune." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They made their way into helicopter, which then lifted up into the sky. From the vehicle they could clearly see that the lava had been approaching them from three different directions. If the helicopter had come even as short a time as an hour later, they would have been almost literally toast. After a relatively short flight, they landed in the small airport in Grindivik, and offered the pilot and his assistant some money which their rescuers refused, saying that they were just doing their job." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clara and Frank quickly made their way to a local hotel/bar, where they booked a room, after which they sat at the bar and began to drink rather heavily. They entertained others sitting nearby with their story of near woe. Drinks were bought for them as they told of their adventure." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As others left and they stayed, Clara said to Frank, “For a while there I was thinking that “maybe we will”, you know, “stay here forever”, never to be found.” Frank said that he had experienced the same thoughts, but did not want to say anything to that effect, as it would be too depressing for both of them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“So what shall we do now Frank? Do we still want to pick up stakes and live here for the rest of our lives?” Frank replied, “Only if we can find a place in this town that is very close to the ocean, to the airport and to this bar.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sink" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The seas were taking a heavy toll on The Captains vessel tonight. Though the seas were typically rather volatile even on a good day, he couldn’t help but think of just how vicious and unforgiving they were in the days before." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heavy swells lapped up against the side of the hull heaving him around his ship unforgivingly. The Captain had found himself in a storm that he had foreseen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had observed all the warning signs and alerts that a storm was to be expected but headed no mind as to what was to come, reasoning that it was unlikely that he, a cautious and considerate man, could be affected by the inevitable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Captain bashed from side to side on the forecastle of his vessel, scrambling madly to secure his cargo and precious possessions. All the fish he had caught from the sea would surely have fetched a pretty penny at home." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His wife and child needed the money that he had procured from his expeditions to keep his family fed and the bill collectors paid. He was currently on his way back from his excursions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had been away from the tender embrace of his child and loving stares of his wife for two months, 26 days, 14 hours and some change when the waves began to crash. As a seasoned sea captain, he paid attention to the mornings weather reports routinely." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The weather seemed to become slightly worse by the day since he had begun his voyage. Little by little, the swells became larger and the wind more ferocious as the days went on." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Though he had become accustomed to the rocking of the seas, he spent most days wishing for a break in the cycle of the unnerving seas. His only recess from the vexatious disturbances of the choppy waters was to work." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He seemingly worked around the clock, frequently missing meals and sleep in favor of the work that he had convinced himself needed doing. He could count on both hands the number of hours he had slept in the last four days." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Captain scrambled from the weather decks to the engineering spaces below deck to continue his mad scramble of securement and preservation of his belongings. The ship was listing heavily to the port side and he found himself standing at a near fourty-five degree." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he stood waist deep in the fridged waters of the Pacific, the reality of the situation began to sink in: the ship was beyond saving. The wind howled against the skin of the ship and the water submerged the decks as The Captain stood and stared at the wreckage that surrounded him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His livelihood was floating around the ship like driftwood and the vessel he had called home for so long was held captive by the seas. For reasons unknown to himself, he couldn’t move. He just stood and stared at the wreckage surrounding him thinking about all that he had lost." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His ship was sinking and his possessions were beyond saving, meaning he would be going home empty handed and unable to support his family. Only as an afterthought did he even think that he would not be able to see his family again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His wife would receive a phone call from God knows who that her husband had driven himself into a storm and that a search and rescue mission had begun." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His wife and his daughter would wait with bated breath by the phone day after day until hope would eventually fade that he would be found alive and would give way to overwhelming grief." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A memorial service would be held, and kind words would be said like “he was a great captain” and “he died doing what he loved”. Feelings of guilt and fear ensnared his thoughts so much so that he didn’t even register the light shining down from the open ladder well to the decks behind him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He couldn’t even hear the speaker from the Coast Guard chopper that had arrived on scene that help had arrived. The captain just stood and stared. He had been so careful and thought that he was so smart only to see the beautiful mess that he had made staring back at him like a bruise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like a monster that was waiting in the shadow for the opportunity to strike, he had let himself come to this moment in time when everything that he had was lost. Though not all was lost." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Visions flashed though his mind of his wife and daughter standing on the docks with tears in their eyes waiving him off for the umpteenth time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The feeling of leaving them always filled him with anguish but still he went, telling himself that he would be back after a short time and everything was fine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He always made the same promise that everything would be alright and all would be the same when he got back and now the day of reckoning had arrived. Nothing was alright and everything wouldn’t be fine. He was sinking in his own hubris and selfishness." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The waves continued to crash around him and help had arrived but all he could think of what was lost and how badly he had failed. Suddenly, he felt his head clear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With images of his family passing though his mind and remembrances of the promises he had made, he felt himself moving toward the light at the top of the ladder well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Captain stood and stared at the spotlight from the chopper from the flooded decks of his ship and watched as the rescue diver repelled down to him. The rescue swimmer loaded him into a basket and the operator winched him skyward and into the side door of the rescue helicopter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After the rescue swimmer had hoisted himself into the chopper, the pilot began to maneuver in the direction of what The Captain knew was shore. As they fled the scene, The Captain had time to take one last look at his vessel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The aft end of the ship was completely submerged and the forward end was soon to follow. The ship and the job that had defined him since the day he first cast off the docks had been lost forever. The Captain couldn’t help but smile.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Work First, Show Tunes Afterwards, Capisce?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's easy hours in the city that never sleeps, and the after midnight crowd lingers along the shadows of its broken down bars and alley's. A couple of well greased drunks spill from the corner saloon where they shadow box a lone car as it passes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It's trash night, and the rats are feasting on the refuse of the masses. That’s my New York! On a good night, you can mask its acrimony with a stiff drink and night out with your girl. But, tonight, as it turns out, is not one of those nights." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My name is Jake, Jake Tolliver, and an hour ago, I was standing outside my girl's apartment waiting on a call from her bookie about tomorrow's games. I love football – Teams, coaches, players, stats – I love it all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you want to know? Deon Sanders? He's an eight-time Pro Bowler with 53 career interceptions and ranks second in NFL history with 25.1-yards per interception return on average. Did I mention that I have a photographic memory? I live and breathe stats. I have to credit my dad for that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He helped me develop a mind for the game. It was one of the few relationships that seemed to flourish in my life, especially in the weeks leading up to football season. Here's the angle that I was working tonight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Oakland Raiders have one of the highest injury rates in the league and they just signed Davonte Adams to a five year, hundred forty million dollar contract, to join their organization. Thing is, the Raiders don’t have a player problem, they have a coaching problem." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The team has a weak offensive line, which will in all likelihood end up costing the Raiders a butt load of money in contract fees, while still ending the season without a Super Bowl bid." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know this because, from draft to preseason games, my dad and I pour over everything we can find on each team's players and coaching staff. After sifting through all that data we make our predictions. Lots and lots of predictions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dad writes them down before each game and then afterwards we analyze game stats with our stats to see where our calls are right or why we got it wrong. It's all up here in my head. I could totally coach, but I don’t really have any connection to the game." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I never played in school and got cut as a walk on in college. Then, a few years ago, my dad died. It's been hard without him. I didn’t have anyone else to connect with and no outlet for all this information floating around in my head. Then, one night about six months ago, I was feeling restless." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, I went out for a walk. Next thing I know, I’m in a bar in Queens watching the Cowboys play the 49ers. I start a tab with the bartender and plant myself at the end of the bar. I neatly placed five napkins around me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the first, I jot basic player matchup stats and with the second, I keep track of downs per drive and used play calls. The third is for those pesky little poker tells players have that indicate a particular play call." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With my fourth, I keep track of fumbles, blitzes and Sacs and with the fifth I make future call predictions. All these stats start swirlin' and connecting in my head and I’m talking out loud to myself and yelling at the coaches on the television set behind the bar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’m four beers deep and five minutes into the fourth quarter when this chick, Cheryl, gets up from her seat in the corner and sits down on the stool next to me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She places her hand on my wrist and gives it a squeeze and says, “Hi, I’m Cheryl.” She makes small talk while I’m working out the game in my head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she casually says, “So you like football.” And I say, “Yeah, I guess it shows.” Next thing I know, she's asking me questions, like she’s interested in the game – or me – or both. Turns out, Cheryl's a gambler who likes to bet on better than even odds." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We hit it off like clockwork, and now we’re going out every night; midnight boat tours on the Hudson, Crazy Golf, at “Swingers.\" rooftop bars and live jazz in Greenwich Village." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This city comes alive at night for those who can afford it, and that's no problem for me, cause I’ve got Cheryl, and Cheryl’s got a bookie.\n\nThat’s where it started anyway. We kept our betting's small to avoid big losses or attracting the attention of bigger fish." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next thing I know I’m driving a Beamer, living in a million dollar apartment and Cheryl's my girlfriend." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thank you brain! I’ve got one small problem though, which, as it turns out, is really a big problem called, “The Mob!” You see, Cheryl told a few of her friends about our betting, who with Cheryl's help, started ghost betting larger bets on my bets." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And because it’s gambling, and since the Mob isn’t in the business of losing money – well, here I am, standing in a bucket at the end of the East Atlantic pier with my hands tied behind my back. Goodbye apartment – goodbye Mercedes – goodbye Cheryl." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You can’t win them all! Actually, that's not true, I did – which is why they’re mixing the cement.\n\n“Frank, who’s Cement Shoes talkin' to?”\n\n“I don’t know Nico, maybe he’s saying his prayers or something." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or, maybe he’s figured out the winner of the super bowl, eh Nico? Now that would be a game changer! Ha! Game changer – see what I did there? Hey, Nico, help me mix this cement here, will ya?” A couple of regular Hammerheads." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Excuse me while I work things out. “Listen boys, I'm starting to lose the circulation in my hands. What do you say we loosen these ropes and talk about how we can make this right?” “Nico, I think Cement Shoes is talkin' to us.” “Yeah, I heard him, Frank." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ain't a hammerhead a kind a shark?” “Nah, I think he’s referrin' to us in the derogatory.”\n\n“That ain’t very nice Shoes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just for the record, Frank and me, wants you to know that this ain’t personal!” “Yeah, we wouldn’t even be doin this if we could find us a better way to make a living right Nico? Thing is, Nico and me got a gift for making money we learnt in the 4th grade." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You could say we was ‘playground entrepreneurs’. At least, until the principal caught wind of us. Back then, we had these kids we would squeeze for their lunch money." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then one day, Nico here, was feelin ‘entrepreneurial,’ and says to me, ‘Hey Frank, let’s put the squeeze on all of 'em!’ Remember Nico, that was the day all of 4th grade showed up to the cafeteria without no lunch money.”\n\n“Even then, no one ratted. Frank made sure of that, right Frank." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You see, Shoes, there was this kid that rode our bus, and Frank gave it to him every day in the back seat where the bus driver couldn't see him. Everybody knew it, and ‘nobodys’ wanted to be that kid!” “Hence, everybody kept their trap shut." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We gets older – word spreads, and now Nico and me – we got no problems findin' work. In fact, after we finish here, we got a little ‘cash flow’ problem up in Harlem to fix.” “Okay Frank, enough talk, time to pour the cement in the bucket.” These guys! Anyway, like I was saying. I know sports." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, I also know the people, like these ball breakers, who are associated with sports betting. They’re a very habit forming group of people. Learn their little habits and you develop some insight into how they play their game. Watch for those habits and you start seeing patterns." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Watch for those patterns, and you can predict the outcome. So, right now you're probably wondering what my chances are of getting out of here alive. Well honestly, not too good, but I like a long shot. The payoff is…\n\n“Nico, what’d ya knock him in the head for?” “He was creepin' me out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was like he was narratin' a story to somebody out there.” “To who - would he be narratin'? There's nobody out here but us, and the fish.” “That’s what was creepin' me out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was like he was – Hey Frank, I think you were supposed to say, ‘to whom!’” “Nico, stop jawing and help me pour this cement!” “You said, ‘to who’ but I think you shoulda said, ‘to whom’” “Nico, are you correcting me?” “I’m Sorry Frank." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just thought you might want to improve yourself.” “Nico, I don’t think a guy who got kicked outta 6th grade should be giving English advice to me or nobodys!”\n\n“Hey, I didn’t drop out! I was expelled on account of my car stalled out on the way to school.” “Okay, that’s not what happened and you know it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What really happened was this! Nico and me was supposed to skip school and hang out at the movies with Genevieve Pincerini.”\n\n“Frank, who you talkin' to?” “Shadup Nico, I’m tryin' to tell a story here! I was sayin', we ‘borrows’ the neighbors four speed, only it stalls out in front of the police station cause Nico here, can’t reach the clutch, and see out the front window at the same time, on account of he’s a shorty.” “Frank! You’re not going to start with that again? You know, young people these days find them kinds of references offensive.” “He can't help it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's in his genetics.” “It ain’t in my genetics and I’m just as tall as you or anybodys else!” “Yeah, if anybodys else is size elf!” “Frank! I’m warning you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stop telling people I’m short!” “People – what people? There ain’t nobodys out there but the sharks, right? Oh, look, Shoes is gettin' his wits back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry about that little headache there, you was creepin Nico out, so he gave you a conk on the beanie.” “Guys, is this really necessary? I mean that waters gotta be like 50 degrees, and did I mention I’m allergic to sharks? There’s gotta be some way we work this out here!”\n\n“Hey, Frank, Shoes here says he’s allergic to sharks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps we coulds sooth him with a little Broadway tune. Whadda ya say? I’ll start!\n\n Oh the shark, babe,\n\nhas such teeth, deer\n\nand he shows them pearly white.\n\nCome on Frank, it's ‘Mack the Knife,’ one of your favorites.” “Not now, Nico, we got cement to pour.”\n\n“Awe, come on, Frank." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why can’t we have a little fun? Anyways, what's it matter to Cement Shoes here if he gets to breathe air a little longer. He’ll be swimmin' with the fishes' soon enough." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, remember that job last week up in SoHo, where we sang ‘New York, New York,’ from the eleventh floor balcony while that fat lawyer took a leap. He just missed that guy carrying groceries. Remember that Frank?” “Yeah, I remember." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He made a real impression!”\n\n“Ha! That’s a good one Frank! Whaddya says we send him off with a little New York ‘pizzazz.’ Hey, Shoes, watch this! Frank and me does this dance routine – we could be on Broadway, right Frank?”\n\n“Okay, Nico, but you gotta call out the steps on account of my two left feet.”\n\n“Sure Frank, it starts with two jazz squares, followed by - step together - rock - step and repeat it the other way – then, we holds our hands together high in the air – dainty like - and do a grape vine to the left on our tippy toes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Watch out for the edge of the pier Frank, you don’t want to end up shark bait like Shoes back there. Okay, now we bring it home with a grapevine back to center, and – jazz hands – way out to the side while I spin around for the big finish." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well – whaddaya think Shoes? … ah, Frank?” “Not now Nico, I’m holdin' for applause!” “Frank, I think Cement Shoes is gettin away.” “Dammit Nico! This is your fault!” “My fault? How come it’s my fault?” “Because show tunes always gets you distracted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I said it once, I said it a thousand times – work first, show tunes afterwards – Capisce?\" \"Sorry Frank. Looks like the sharks is goin' hungry tonight. You think boss is gonna be angry?” “Come on. It's still early. Maybe we catch him again before he makes trouble for us.” Psst." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m down here – hanging off the pier. I untied my hands while they were dancing and used the rope to get out of sight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, what do you think of my odds now? Getting better huh? I wish we could stay here forever , but it seems like a good time to take a little vacation – Perhaps somewhere where the fish ain’t bitin'? Whaddaya think?." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I Think I'm Being Followed" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "It all started a few days ago. I do not want to tell anyone, as they will think that I am being paranoid, or just plain crazy. I do not think that I am the first, possibly the second for other reasons. I just want this issue to be resolved. On Monday, I had my first ‘vision’ as I now call it while I was walking back home from work as I always do every afternoon. It’s only about three miles between workplace and home and I can do with the exercise. But it is mainly because I like walking, as it is the best stimulus for my thinking processes. I don’t think much when I drive, as I have to concentrate on my driving. My mind can very quickly drift away into thinking far away from driving practicality. I was told that I was hired for my advertising job because of my “creative thinking.” That is both a blessing and a curse. My brain can and often does take me to places to which I do not want to go. My current situation might just be one of those places." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The First Day How did this all start? I was crossing one of the several roads that I pass by on my way back home from work. I looked to see whether there was a car coming, something I have to consciously remind myself to do when my thoughts are imagining in full flight, which they often are." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I do not want to be a traffic accident martyr to my creativity. \n\nWhat I saw was an old woman who suddenly stopped walking, almost falling over forward as she did so. She was staring at me like her eyes were weapons.  I wasn’t wearing anything strange, and my fly wasn’t down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am careful to check that when I leave both home and workplace, both preceded by a necessary pee after too much coffee early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Anyway, I don’t think she would be able to see whether it were down or not. She was too far away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But she was definitely staring at me. It was spooky. I had to tell myself that I should not let my imagination get the better of me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is a powerful force for good and bad. After all, I had just a week ago written the plot of a television commercial in which the hero had people stare at him as he walked by as he was wearing a new and flashy brand of hat, triangular in shape." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had the company that made them retrieve the ancient name of tricorn for this new trend." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasn’t wearing such a hat this afternoon, although I had done so when I had my picture taken for the local newspaper. I would not ever wear in public the free one they gave me. I don’t like to draw attention when I am trying to think creatively." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Second Day The next day, when I was walking back home after work, I looked for the old woman where I had seen her last (as if she would stand in the place all day long just waiting for me, I’m that special)." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, of course, I did not see her there. Then, on the next street down the road, I was to see her again. This time she did not stop when she saw me. In fact she sped up into what was probably her highest walking gear. So did I, at a much faster pace. I needed my brain for the next advertisement plan. I very much needed to not be distracted when I was thinking on that subject on my walk home. It was no time or place to be followed by someone, with all the distracting imagination such an event would entail." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Third Day Then there was the next day. This time she appeared when she was only two streets away from my house. She was definitely getting closer each day. I didn’t think that she could be a break and enter specialist, or was the front woman for a group of such people, but I still felt like I was being followed for some evil purpose unknown to me. It unnerved me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I did not tell my wife about any of this. I tried to hide my glances out the window to see if my pursuer was in sight. Fortunately, Mabel did not appear to suspect a thing. To her I was safe, not being tracked like a wild animal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Fourth Day On the fourth day, as I was nearing home after not seeing my pursuer, she suddenly appeared seemingly coming out of nowhere." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The old lady walked up to me, as boldly as she could, and said an amazing, and initially unbelievable thing. “I used to be your mother, Brad. And you used to be my son. I saw your picture in the local paper concerning your crazy advertisements for those equally crazy triangular hats for men. And then I saw you on the street on Monday. I just had to meet up with you.” “Okay, how does that ‘used to be my mother’ scene work out” I asked her. “I will tell you right now,” she declared. I invited her to sit beside me in one of the two chairs that were on the front lawn." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She told a tale of giving birth to me, and that not long afterwards she and her husband, the man that I knew to be my father, broke up as a married couple. And because he was a lawyer who fanatically didn’t drink, and she was known to have her fair share of alcohol, when they divorced, he was able to have her judged as an ‘unfit mother’. Shortly afterwards he met and married the woman that I had all my life to this point believed was my mother." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Present Now both of us, my birth mother Martha, and I have a different kind of walk from my workplace." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She does not have to follow me anymore. We often meet outside my office building and walk together. This turned out to be good for several reasons, not just the emotional beauty of becoming closer to my birth mother, and learning about her life both before and after my birth. She had been in advertising too, before she married. She suggested to me that I communicate with the triangular hat people, telling them that maybe old women might make a new and profitable market for them. They quickly bought the idea, and my mother became the star of the local t.v." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "commercial selling the product, even though she dislikes triangular hats as much as I do. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Be Careful What You Wish For" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The professor at my university was getting excited. One of his famous authors was writing a new book. Agatha was writing it by hand and producing a manuscript. No one knew what the story was about or anything else about it. But every time Agatha wrote a manuscript, it became a hot property." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The last three manuscripts had made millions from having the book published. This time seemed no different. Agatha had been working on her book for three months. It had gradually been growing. It now contained over six hundred pages, all carefully written by hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No one knew what Agatha was writing about, but it kept her busy every day. Bristol University was very proud of Agatha. She had done her degree in creative writing at their university. Then she had continued to produce book after book that all became best sellers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "People hoped this one would be no different. But in the university were three spies for other universities who wanted to get their hands on Agatha’s manuscript. One from Japan, one from Austria and one from Brazil. All of them wanted to have the money that they could generate from the manuscript." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It would help their university to generate a lot of money that would cost them nothing. Bristol University had this earner from the manuscripts that they had become used to. That night, Agatha announced she would finish the manuscript in another three days." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She locked the manuscript away as she always did and went home to her little house for the night. In the morning Agatha arrived at the usual time nine am, unlocked her office door and went to her desk to get out her manuscript, only to find that there was no manuscript." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a loud scream from Agatha. A passing lecturer found out what the problem was and phoned the rector." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The rector arrived, asked Agatha a few questions, then said, ‘get me Arthur Ratcliffe, he will know what to do.’ Arthur Ratcliffe was a lecturer in the university, who was very good at solving problems. He had helped the university many times when things had gone missing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A short man, five feet five and a half inches, with black hair and very handsome. Arthur was in his classroom giving a lecture when the rector’s secretary and a replacement lecturer arrived at his classroom. ‘Arthur, you are required by the rector,’ said the rector’s secretary, Mable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘Must be important or you would not have brought a replacement lecturer,’ replied Arthur. ‘It is and you must hurry,’ replied Mable. ‘Give me a few minutes to hand over to my replacement lecturer,’ replied Arthur. After a few minutes, Arthur had handed over and he left, accompanying Mabel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Arthur rushed to the rector’s office. ‘Come in Arthur, I have a problem for you to solve,’ said the Rector. He explained about the missing manuscript. ‘Leave it to me, I will get it back,’ said Arthur. ‘I hope this will help establish me as a private detective. That is my wish.’ The rector smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He knew Arthur wanted to become a private detective. ‘Be careful what you wish for, Arthur, since it may become true.’ Arthur first went to see Agatha." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But all she told him was, ‘I locked it in my desk last night and this morning it was gone.’ Arthur observed signs around the lock, showing that someone had tampered with it. ‘Agatha was the desk locked this morning when you came into your office?’ asked Arthur." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Agatha replied, “Yes, I found it locked.” ‘Has someone tampered with any of your room?’ asked Arthur. ‘Let me have a look around,’ said Agatha, and rummaged through her room. She replied, ‘Yes, someone has moved some of my things." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It looks like they looked through all of my books looking for the manuscript.’ ‘Who else knows about your manuscript?’ asked Arthur. ‘You do, plus several of the people in the class I teach.’ ‘Do they know how much money that we make out of it?’ asked Arthur. ‘Not really." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They know I guard it and keep it under lock and key and do not let anyone else look at it.’ ‘I will check out the pupils in your class. That is where I think the culprit may come from.’ Arthur went off to ask a few contacts. Agatha prepared for her class at ten o’clock." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All of her class arrived on time, except the one from Brazil. Agatha started to teach her class and sent a message to get Arthur. Arthur knocked on Agatha’s door, and Agatha excused herself from her class. ‘Santos from Brazil is missing from the class. No one has seen him today." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He is normally always on time,’ said Agatha. ‘How many pages approximately was your manuscript?’ asked Arthur. ‘Oh, that is easy,’ replied Agatha. ‘It was 612 pages. I checked it last night.’ ‘Thank you,’ replied Arthur. Arthur got the key for Santos’s room in the university halls." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He opened the room. It was easy to see that he had left in a hurry, with clothes scattered all over the place. He kept on checking the room but could find nothing else. Arthur had always wanted to be a private detective. Now was his chance to show what he was capable of." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Arthur contacted one of his many contacts who said he would check on the flight records out of the London Airports yesterday and this morning. His contact was back quickly. Santos flew out of Heathrow to Rio De Janeiro. He was on loan from the University of Rio De Janeiro." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Arthur checked the flights, then booked himself on the next available flight to Rio. Then he went to see the university admin officer and found out all about where Santos was based in Rio. That evening Arthur took off for Rio, with all the addresses and contacts he required." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The flight took fourteen hours to reach Rio. On landing Arthus booked into his hotel he had booked in advance and slept, glad to get his feet back onto Terra Ferma. The following morning Arthus went to the university to find Santos’ supervisor. He explained about the missing manuscript." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The supervisor, Carlos, replied, ‘I saw Santos going to the university this morning. We can check his room while he is out.’ They made their way to Santos’ room. Hidden in his suitcase under the bed, Arthur found the missing manuscript." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He replaced it with the one he had created that had 612 pages and an identical cover and first few pages. The rest of the pages were old papers Arthur had picked up. On leaving the residence, Arthur made his way back to his hotel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Packed his few belongings, booked himself on the next flight back to London that night. On arriving back in London, Arthur delivered the manuscript back to its owner. Then went to see the Rector. ‘Thank you, Arthur, we have decided to give you a cut of the profits of the book you have just rescued." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This will enable you to establish your own private detective agency, which the university will be affiliated with. We can provide you with facilities, and it will contribute to the teaching of criminology.’ ‘Thank you so much,’ replied Arthur." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘I told you to be careful what you wish for,’ said the rector, smiling.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Knocked Out of End Zone" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Megan crouched down behind the bleachers so she could see him without being seen. Her chest was bounding as she grasped her ample bosom. It was a hot day, and sweat glistened off her forehead down her blouse as she looked at the boy. His name was Mark and she adored him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was just something about the glint in his eyes when he smiled at her, and the way he said her name when he called to her in the hallway. They both shared the last class of the day, Algebra, and afterwards he would head off to practice. Mark was a star player on the high school baseball team." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was an excellent hitter and played first baseman on the field. It was practice right now. School had ended, and today more than any other day she needed to be around him. Just to be in his presence felt like an undeserved privilege to Megan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mark picked up the bat and put his helmet over his matted brown hair. He slapped the helmet with the rough palm of his hands to make sure it was on, then bent over the plate and laid the bat against his shoulder. He stared at the pitcher, daring him to make a move." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The first pitch was a curve ball that moved so fast that it stung the catcher’s hand as it made impact with the mitt. He grunted with the unexpected pain and threw it back. The second pitch was far to the right of the plate and would have been ball one if Mark had not swung at it optimistically." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mark was getting impatient. His grip tightened on the handle. The pitcher threw a straight ball over home plate, but Mark saw it coming before the ball left the mitt and was able to swing fast enough to make full contact with the ball, sending it barreling into left outfield." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Megan saw the baseball soar over her head above the stands flying free into the wind leaving the world behind until it fell back onto the ground with a thud about twenty meters away from where she knelt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he ran the bases, as if showing off his prowess, attention was diverted to the catcher’s mound. The catcher took off his glove revealing a sore hand that looked red. Looking back to where the ball fell on the grass, she dashed over to retrieve the ball. Megan knelt down and picked up the baseball." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She wanted nothing more than to walk it over to him and give it to him personally. She couldn’t understand what was holding her back. It was the same thing that made her hesitant to learn about biology as it relates to animal physiology so that she could study to become a veterinarian." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Megan adored animals. At home, she took care of three rabbits, two mice, a lizard, two parakeets and two short-haired cats. All of the animals lived in the backyard under a large tent structure except the two cars who were able to roam free. She stood up and looked at the ball." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Underneath the baseball her soft hand felt the rough texture of the worn white leather cover and the intricately woven red hand-stitched lacing threads. Looking down at the ball, she thought she saw a small indentation on the ball possibly made from his bat and smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She felt close to him, even though they were many yards apart from each other. “Hey, what are you doing?” A gruff voice asked. Without looking behind her, she dashed away, skirting around the gate post, vanishing behind the rosebushes. Back at home, Megan threw herself onto the bed in her room." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sighed, looking out the window with the baseball still clenched tightly in her hand. Her Motorola cell phone vibrated violently on her Teak Wood nightstand. Megan grabbed the phone with her right hand and answered it. It was her friend Natalie. “Hello” she said, lying back down on the bed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Hey Megan.” Natalie replied cheerfully. “Well, today, was quite a day,” Megan said, her legs feeling sore. “There was a pop quiz in Physics that I was SO no ready for, and I forgot my English book in my locker so I had to share with Sharon. You know, the cheerleader. She is Ms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perfect.” A trace of resentment could be heard in her voice. “I told you, you should’ve taken Biology for your science, its less math.” Natalie stated. “Yeah, but I will take it next year. I’ll be better then.” “Megan, where were you? We were going to meet up today.” No answer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was the line dead? Natalie continued. “We were going to meet up after class. We were going to study for the history test coming up. What happened?” Megan slapped her forehead and sighed. “I’m sorry, I forgot!” “It’s Mark, isn’t it.” Natalie said, smiling. “Well, I just wanted to see him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was at the mound and saw him. It was just, I’ve been thinking about him so much. You know, I think he grew half a foot over the summer, he is so much bigger now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His is just so sweet and helps me out so much in math class.” “If you like him so much, why don’t you ask him to the dance next month?” Megan’s face turned red. “Oh, I could never do that. He is not into me in that way at all.” She giggled. “Girl, you need a new wardrobe.” Natalie said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“What’s say we go shopping tomorrow? My older sister can take us.” Megan’s face lit up. She always liked going shopping, and her wardrobe definitely needed a makeover. Plus, she had some money saved up from her sumer job working at a camp. “You bet” she said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Ok, meet me in the front of the tennis courts after school. And this time, be there.” With that, Megan said goodbye to her friend. She went into her closet and brought down a brown briefcase. She entered the passcode and opened it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside was a diary covered in rose petals, a picture of Mark cut out of the year book and a red pen. Megan put the baseball into the briefcase and closed it up, then put it back in the closet. The next day was warmer than the last. Megan wore jean shorts a white shirt and a pair of white sneakers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was excited for the end of the day; it was just not coming fast enough. At lunch, Megan and Natalie met up together and planned out the afternoon. They were going to head to Express, Aeropostal, Claire’s and Nordstroms, and then after shopping go to Starbucks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was early afternoon as Megan headed to her last class, chewing gum like that of a baseball player on the mound getting ready to hit a homer. There were only a few seats available since she had taken her time freshening up on her makeup before hand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thankfully one of the seats was next to her crush, and she made no hesitation sitting next to him. Mark was wearing a baseball cap, with his brown hair falling out of the end. His brown eyes were astute looked sharp, showing drive not found in the other guys there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Megan twirled her black hair with her fingers as the teacher began the lesson on substitution. The class seemed to race by as she sat next to him, wishing his gaze was on her instead of the white board." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the end of the lecture, the teacher had each student pair up in teams to try to answer the problem on the board. Obviously, Megan paired up with Mark. As they started working on the substitution problem on the board, the conversation turned to the dance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Do you know about the party coming up on Saturday? You know, at Alex’s house, his parents will be away then on their cruise. He’s having everyone from school there.” “I can’t make it.” Mark said. “I have practice then.” Nothing further was said by him, so she continued." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Aww, shucks, It’ll suck then.” She smiled wryly. “Maybe I’ll see you around at the next game. Are you going to the dance?” She asked, her eyes bright. “Umm, I’m not sure yet.” He said avoiding an answer. “I’m going.” She replied, and the bell rang before another word could come out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He started packing his backpack up. The teacher told the class that he was going to go over the answer in the next class. She touched his arm. “Mark”. “I’m sorry, but I have to go, I can’t be late." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The team’s counting on me.” It seemed like an excuse, but she had to swallow it as he got up and left the room. She put her binder and book in her backpack and left the room. At the tennis courts she met up with her friend. A green Chevrolet Malibu drove up, and the two girls got in the car." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Thanks for the ride” Natalie said, flicking her voluminous brown hair as she sat down and fastened her seat belt. “Don’t mention it.” Her sister replied. “Just know you owe me after this.” At 3:30PM, the two girls arrived at the mall and started shopping for evening dresses for the upcoming dance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Megan found a dress immediately, and wanted to buy accessories at Claire’s but Natalie wasn’t ready yet, so Megan agreed to go to Claire’s and meet her there. Claire’s was on the second floor, so Megan took the escalator up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the upper floor, Megan saw a strange store on the other side that sold strange trinkets that she had never seen before between the bathrooms and the Williams & Sonoma. She walked over to it, curious. The front said Odds n Ends. Megan walked inside. Incense filled the air, making her cough." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Candles, jewels, perfumes and lotions lined the shelves, and dream catchers and old clocks were on the walls. “Can I help you.” A mysterious bald man with a moustache, wearing trousers and bowling shoes, appeared suddenly in front of her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Oh! I just wanted to see what was in this store, is all.” “Is there something you are looking for, maybe?” “Do you have any perfumes, maybe” She asked. “A young gentleman?” Megan looked at him before saying anything. “Yes” “And you would do anything for him” She nodded her head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He walked over to a shelf in the back of the store and produced a vial with a green substance inside. “This is a strong aphrodisiac of sorts.” “For me?” She asked. “No, for him. It will make him fall in love with you.” She looked at the vial, unsure of what to do. “Ok” He looked at her curiously." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“How old are you?” he asked. “Fourteen.” “Tell you what, I will give it to you for the price of $10, a real bargain. But once you buy it, you cannot return it. No refunds.” “Ok, I will take you.” She dug into her purse for the money and put it down on the counter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The man grabbed the money and gave her the vial. “Be careful what you wish for.” He said to her with a wink. She turned away and left the store, putting the vial in her purse. It was a quarter past four when Natalie finally met up with her at Claire’s." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“What took you so long?” “I had to find this.” Natalie showed off the shimmering, bright dress. They wrapped up their shopping, when Megan told her friend about the store where she had bought the vial." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When Megan led her to the location where it should have been, there was just a space under construction for a new luxury goods store. Natalie raised her eyebrow. “I think it’s time we go home.” Megan couldn’t understand it. Was it all just a dream? Not possible, she had the vial on her person." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next day, she went to the locker rooms during lunch when no one was around and was able to locate Mark’s locker. It was unlocked, so she got it open and spread the green liquid on his mitt, put it back in the locker and immediately left." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Over the next few weeks, Mark’s demeanor had slowly changed from being friendly to being flirty. They had begun walking the halls together, and would even sit down and eat lunch together." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He would frequently ask her how her day was, and would get jealous of her spending any time with her friend Natalie. It was starting to frustrate her, as she felt that she needed space, but she forgot about it as soon as she saw his smile when he saw her and hugged her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she worked up the courage to ask him to go to the dance with her, he passionately agreed, but she was still worried about his more aggressive demeanor. When the dance came, she found him at her door to pick her up when they originally agreed to meet at the high school." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her mom called out from the hall, “Megan, a young man is here to see you.” Her parents already knew about him, and were fine with him as their daughter’s love interest. Megan came to the door and greeted him wearily. “Hi Mark.” She took his hand, and he kissed her. They headed out to the dance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When they got there, a big group was already there waiting to get in. “Hey, Mark.” One of his teammates called to him from inside. Mark walked over to talk to him, probably to see if they could get in sooner. Natalie was with her date, a small guy with blonde hair and brown eyes from English class." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They walked over to Megan. “You came with him?” Natalie asked her incredulously. Megan had told her that he had become more aggressive, but discarded it as just a phase. “Yes, I just want to give him a chance after last week.” She felt unsure about the whole thing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Natalie wanted to see where the bathroom was so she excused herself. Suddenly, Mark approached Megan and Natalie’s date John. “What are you doing with my girl?” He growled. “No-Nothing” John stammered.\n\n “Back off of her” He violently shoved him away, took her hand and went in." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The lights were flashing and the walls thumped with new age music as Megan's new boyfriend danced with her nonstop. He kept telling her how much he wanted her and how no one else deserves her. He was only fourteen, and kept putting his hand on the top of her breast while kissing her face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She just wanted to get out of there. As it approached 10PM, she told him that she was getting tired and wanted to go home. He agreed, realizing that he would need to get up early for practice tomorrow. She couldn't stand it, the potion had created a monster." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She grabbed the briefcase and threw it on the bed, emptying its contents. Grabbing everything she had owned relating to him, she went to the den and threw it in the fireplace, and lit a fire. The embers consumed everything in the fireplace." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She put her hands to her head, furious at what had become and accidentally knocked a few books off the shelf next to the fireplace on the rug. The embers jumped onto the books, and soon the room was ablaze. The fire alarms came on, and her dad immediately saw the blaze and called the fire department." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But it was too late, her daughter was trapped in the room surrounded by fire. Mark had come by with a bouquet of roses so obsessed with his beloved that night, and saw the fire. Leaving the flowers on the lawn, he rushed inside to save her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He went through the door, picked her up and walked out, covered in first degree burns. Outside, he was bewildered, not knowing where he was or why he was there. The spell had worn off. \"I'm so sorry.\" He said after seeing the blaze. \"I didn't know.\" He said goodbye, and let her go.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Remote Control" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My Mum once told me to enjoy life. But she added a warning, and that warning was that time has a habit of speeding up as you get older. She may as well have told me not to panic. Or to smile, and that it might never happen. That was the attention I paid to her advice, and to her for that matter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And yet I remember her words well, and now, in the context of who and what I have become, I understand where she was coming from. This wasn’t a soundbite. This wasn’t knowledge. She meant what she had said, and in order for me to understand, I had to think." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And mostly, I had to think about her and how she cared for me. Widening the context, I saw her well. Decades late to the party, but I got there in the end. I looked back at that time, and those moments we shared, and I saw the world through her eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her son rushing headlong at life like there wasn’t a second to spare.\n\nHow often do we truly take stock? And when we do, will we see the contradiction that we made of ourselves. I had all the time in the world when I was younger and yet I raced through that time like it didn’t matter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like I didn’t matter.\n\nIn my defence, I wouldn’t say I wasted my life. Not all of it anyway. But I could have done so much more.\n\nBeen\n\nso much more! Instead I put my head down and I sped through what people laughingly refer to as their best years." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If these were my best years, my recollection of them is blurred, and the importance I placed upon them is misguided. These were times to endure. A means to an end. For me, it was all about the destination, only I had no clear idea of where it was that I was headed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All I knew was that anything was better than here. Running. Always running, and whilst I was at it, I kidded myself that I wasn’t running away from anything. That I was running towards something, but hadn’t yet decided what that thing was. I’d know it once I saw it. And I’d know it when I arrived." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was educated to do this. I was naturally adept at learning. No parrot was I. I both envied and pitied the parrots. But I was no better than them. I fared no better. I sought to understand, but made only half a job of it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted so much to uncover the secrets of life, the universe and everything, but always I fell short in the comfortable blankets of my fear. Education was another means to an end. Learn the subject. Pass the exam. Gain a passport to a bright future. No one ever taught me what it was all for." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why it was that I was learning what I did.\n\nIt did not help that I lived in an enclosed and dying world. A place that had seen better days. It’s once fine suit was shabby and worn. Stained with a life of hardship and a million tears. The main prospects for employment had once been jobs for life." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wandered the local graveyard and observed the final conclusion of those lives. A well-worn rut around the dial of the clocking-in machine. A rut that ironically came to an end at the age of sixty during a ritual that entailed the gifting of a golden timepiece that would never see the light of day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So many monuments to men who gave their lives to industry, only to finish up with killer questions as their final companions… What was it all for? What am I for? The wives of the condemned workers bemoaning a future where their husbands would cease being of use and\n\nget under their feet.\n\nA prophetic phrase." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Six foot under their feet as they added another endless chore to the list. Tending a grave paid for by the money saved for a holiday of a lifetime. Perhaps I can be forgiven for trying to fast-forward through that little lot." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Building and building a momentum that might just afford me the courage to crash through the prison walls of a working class nightmare that was dying before our very eyes, but was still conscripting green and wet behind the ears soldiers. A sausage machine that promised security and doled out misery." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The dole being the rotten carrot on the end of the whipping stick. The dole being the punishment for those who didn’t have anything about them. The lazy. The inept. The walking dead. On Saturday mornings, we’d shed the homes that we ungratefully believed we were outgrowing and meet up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Riding on wheels that squeaked cries of freedom as we pedalled furiously to gather together. A rebellious tribe. Safety in numbers. The camaraderie of the undamned. Not thinking we were better. Just different. Damned in a different way, yet scoffing at the traditionally damned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wandering around Town, we would take care not to get too close to The Locals. They had something that was catching, and it was terminal. We fancied we saw a vacancy in their dribbling phizogs, but we never looked too hard. I think we knew we’d see our own pale and earnest faces staring back at us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This fate awaited all of us. Escaping it came at too high a cost for most. Even in the grey desperation of a dying town, dreams were sold. So many dreams that no one escaped their allure. The promise of finding The One, settling down into a blissful life and having children." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No reality was applied to these dreams. Even when we were all drowning in the mess of that same reality.\n\nThere may have been a heady, lustful interlude with a fine young lady who was as clueless as we were, and we were all intent upon that adventure." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not even the stark warnings of the fallen could turn our heads from this one. The oft repeated shattering of love’s young dream when the three little words were uttered… I am pregnant." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We were children, surrounded by an army of children, and we had often looked up at the grey faces of our parents and wondered how it could have gone so wrong for them. Never did we consider the obvious conclusion;\n\nthey’d had children. We were what had gone wrong." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We’d brought with us an infinite weight of responsibility and that weight had crushed any dreams our mothers and fathers may have had before we came along and changed everything, like it or not." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At best, our parents could mark time until we flew the nest, only for us to follow their broken example and repeat their mistakes all over again, adding our own errors and regrets to further damn the next generation. History doesn’t repeat itself. That is a lie we tell ourselves." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We give sentience to time and try to excuse ourselves the responsibility of living.\n\nI was running away from this and so much more. Too blind and stupid to realise this was exactly what I was running towards." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A middle-class dream that was the same tawdry dream fancied up in a cheap suit and splashed with a sickly sweet cologne to mask the stench of the rotting corpse beneath. A sick fantasy inducing a person to dream away their decent life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Prostitute themselves for a career that no one cares about, especially the lonely wife and neglected kids. Dancing around the greasy corporate pole, desperate for attention. A narcissistic game that only the truly deranged can ever win." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silencing the voice that asks softly… What was it all for? What am I for? The voice of an inner child that is silenced over the years. Locked away and forgotten. Neglected in favour of madness." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The necessary sacrifice that must be made to\n\nget on.\n\nThe forgoing of humanity to become something acceptable in a corrupted world that feeds on lost souls. I climbed on my horse and I rode out of town. I went on a quest for meaning and I found the void." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again and again, I raised my lance and charged at whatever stood in my way. Never once did I best my opponent. But then that was never going to happen, for my opponent was me. Always me. I was running away from myself and all I ever found was me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was only when I fell from my horse and let go of my lance in the pain of my abject failure that I saw what I was about. Laying in the filth and mud of the life of lies I had carefully crafted, I saw myself for what I was." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There in the distorted reflection of the murky puddle that I lay in, I saw how low I had become. There was no armour. I had always been naked. Naked as the day I was born.\n\nWhat I thought was strength was only avarice and envy. What I considered to be a life was theft." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was taking and never had it occurred to me to give.\n\nWhen had my head gone down? I asked myself over and over. I replayed my life and saw no evidence that I’d ever lifted my head in the first place. It took me a long while to realise that I was asking the wrong person." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That I was indulging in a self-piteous dialogue with the dead thing I had made of myself. To my shame, I continued to ignore the stifled voice of my inner child. Too much of a coward to face the music. To listen to the cacophony of noise I’d made as I avoided living." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My inner child broke out of the prison I’d made for him. I can take no credit for his release. There was no grand gesture. No epiphany. I’d even failed in failing myself and could not see how fortunate I was in my poor execution of this sloppy and ill-considered venture." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He appeared when I most needed him, and in time I came to understand that I had always needed him. That he was me, and the rest of it was a terrible mistake. There was no moment of forgiveness, for there were no recriminations." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Only the simple wisdom of innocence.\n\nMy inner child was a dog with a voice. There was a purity there that it took me an age to see. He was patient with me and allowed me the space to be. To learn. To grow. Still I made mistakes, but at last I acknowledged them and in doing so, I used them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Failure no longer hurt, because this was an opportunity to change and adapt and be better. Success was an illusion that kept a person from being more.\n\nAs I at long last allowed myself to live, I found a whole new world and ever so gradually, I became something different. Someone different." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then I became someone. I got with the program and I became the someone I was always meant to be. There is a magic to life and living it. I could feel it before I ever truly experienced it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I began to understand that I was a part of something far bigger than I could ever comprehend, but my inability to comprehend was not ignorance, for I at long last belonged. I had found my place and in being at one with this, there was a power that ran through me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A power that was mine, but was never mine to wield. At first I was content just to bathe in that magic. To be at one with it, and feel the peace and joy that it conveyed. But then I realised that I\n\ncould  use it. That I was meant to use it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so I slipped under its surface and allowed myself to truly become at one with it. When I rose from the depths, I was forever changed. I opened my eyes and I saw differently and in seeing differently, I was different. I was what I was always meant to be. A celebration of my inner child." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Innocent, vulnerable and full of wonder at the gift of this life and everything around me. Nothing mattered other than the moment I occupied. The past and the future were mere thoughts. I should by all means consider them, but they no longer defined me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The shroud of my worries slipped from my shoulders and I was proud in my nakedness. My vulnerability no longer left me fearful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was born vulnerable and it was as much a state of being as the smile that transformed my face and lifted my spirits.\n\nAs the magic coursed through my veins, I heard its name, and that name was\n\nlove.\n\nAs I accepted this simple truth I heard many other truths." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truths that had always been there for the taking, but that I’d closed myself to. This was when I learnt to control time. I slowed my breathing and I focused on true meaning, and as I became one with time I understood what it was that I should do, and I made that change, returning to my true state." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Embracing my inner child and relinquishing grand lies about being an adult and striking out into the world on its terms, not mine. I began to work the way I was designed to work. I stopped reacting. I paused and time stood still." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had lied to myself so convincingly, and one of the biggest lies I told myself was\n\nI don’t have the time.\n\nTurns out that I always did. When I ceased reacting, I not only made the time, time gifted me a pause. In that pause everything made sense and so did I. I paused. I thought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I responded.\n\nIn responding, I created meaning, and what I did as a result was worthwhile. I considered, and in considering, I was considerate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the moment that the magic of love afforded me, in that pause for thought, I found an eternal peace and I also found me.\n\nThis is not to say that I ignored my gut feeling. Why would I choose ignorance in such circumstances? But now I have aligned the trinity of me. My gut, my head and my heart." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am far, far more than I ever was, and I occupy each second of the day in a way that I never did. I was gifted the miracle of life and now I use it wisely and lovingly.\n\nNow I live in the pause of time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No longer do I fail to live as I charge towards a false and empty promise that resides in the fantasy of a future that can never come to fruition. Instead I invest in myself, and in this moment, and I know my future selfs will thank me for it.\n\nMagic is real." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All we have to do is believe in love and be open to the truth. Try it. Simple truths are all around us. Pick up the remote control and look at it anew.\n\nPause. Now in that pause, take a deep breath and centre yourself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Find a little peace, and in that state of calm, think about what is important and how you should respond. Time to look at the remote control again and see another simple truth… Play. You press play to return to the moment and rejoin the flow of time. Your inner child is waiting for you to play." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Always has been. Play is learning to live. Learning to live is growing. And all of this is living well. Move on from the stand-by button, you were never meant to live like that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Play and never stop playing, just learn to pause once in a while, use that time that you are gifted, ensure you’re on the right track and aiming for what counts, then go again. Live, love and play!." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A Few Minutes of Chaos" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Note: This story depicts a violent encounter and includes a few curse words appropriate to the context. Route 95 in this part of North Carolina is very quiet at 2 am. Aside from the long haul trucks there aren’t many other cars on the two northbound lanes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With many hours before me, it was time to take a toilet break and refill the travel mug. A road side billboard read ‘Marty’s 24 hour gas and food 16 miles ahead’. Sounds good." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The exit approached and looked like one of the very rural interchanges with a local road just big enough to warrant an overpass and some ramps. No towering gas station signs hawking the price of gas, just a sleepy interchange." }, { "from": "human", "value": "First thought was to keep going and find a busier location, but thinking about stopping made me realize I needed to pee, so off the exit ramp I went. No signs for Marty’s at all but sitting at the stop sign, I could see some light to the right down the road." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It didn’t look too far so I figured to give it a try. Sure enough, just down the road by itself was a rundown gas station with convenience store. The sign promoting itself as Marty’s had seen better days, now displaying ‘arty’s’, but there was little doubt about where I was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had plenty of gas, but always notice the prices and saw Marty’s was higher than other gas available by about 6 cents. So no gas purchase here. The gas pumps were well lit and had a rather ramshackle Ford pickup parked at one of the pumps." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were a few other cars parked around the store but not all had plates on them. I parked in a spot away from the pumps and got out carrying my travel mug. On the way to the store I prepared for a refill by dumping the last of the coffee onto the pavement." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just like the sign, the entire place was rundown and in need of maintenance. Marty must be out of the picture, or just doesn’t care anymore. Inside, there were a few people milling around which seemed strange for this hour of the morning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a heavily made up woman in her thirties with bleached blond hair herding two pre-teen kids, a boy and a girl. She was either trying to keep them from shoplifting or simply trying to keep them from getting caught shoplifting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The kid behind the counter, a skinny, tattooed young man with close cropped hair was trying to keep an eye on them while attending to the apparent Ford owner who was purchasing cigarettes and paying for gas. I went over to the coffee dispenser and took a whiff of the Green Mountain Blend carafe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not good. So I called to the attendant “How old is this coffee?” Before he could answer the loud noise of a mufflerless car pulling up to the store diverted everyone’s attention. Out of that car, a faded Chevy Impala, jumped two people with black hoods over their heads." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The motor was still running with the rumble of the exhaust echoing through the store. I was so intrigued by the anomaly of the masks I almost didn’t notice the shotgun one was carrying. Oh crap, a robbery; my timing was perfect." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I was near the coffee, it placed me further from the door than the attendant and the Ford guy. I crouched and slid further back in the store before the door even chimed. What to do? There seemed to be another door behind the attendant, so that was not an immediate option." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As soon as she saw the gun, the bleached blond started screaming. Good diversion. First things first: call for help. I took my cell phone from my pocket and dialed 911, turned down the volume and placed it on a shelf behind a box of candy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hopefully that would draw some help but who knows how long it would take. The gun holder immediately went to the attendant and started hollering about wanting the money. He was waving the gun around and ordered the Ford guy to his knees. The no-gun guy went to the blond and told her to shut up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had gathered the two kids close and continued to scream. The attendant dropped behind the counter and came up with a revolver of some sort. Gun guy panicked and fired a shot. The sound of a shotgun fired indoors is debilitating by itself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The blast shocks your ears so they might ring for a few minutes and make conversation difficult. Combine that with pumping adrenalin and who knows what will happen. As the blast reverberated through the store, blond lady stopped screaming with one last “Oh!” and started gasping for breath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now the kids started crying and screaming. No-gun guy turned to his partner at the counter and simply said “What the fuck!?” Gun guy was in shock both from the sound of the blast and what he had just done. He had swung the gun just as the attendant appeared above the counter with the revolver." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The shot caught the attendant fully in the face and at the range of only one foot, the attendant’s head was basically blown off. With the after affects of the blast, no one heard the revolver or the now dead attendant hitting the floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a stunned silence punctuated by the sound of the two crying kids over the rumble of the car idling outside. Ford guy recovered from the blast and went for the gun. It was a single barrel shotgun and the shooter had not pumped a new shell into the chamber." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ford guy was on his feet now with two hands on the gun near the pump slide wrestling with gun guy who also had two hands on the gun back by the trigger and stock. No-gun guy jumped into the fray to help his partner." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the commotion, the pump slid back and forth so there was now a fresh cartridge in the chamber. Blond lady saw her chance and ran with both kids for the door. No-gun guy reached out and grabbed the boy’s backpack just in time to keep him in the store." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Blond lady now stood out by the pumps clutching her girl and started screaming again. I saw the fight for the gun and struggling with the boy as an opportunity to run behind the counter. Either the back door or the pistol would be my goal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You do not realize how much blood comes out of a body with its head blown off. I slipped in a pool of blood and crashed into the wall behind the counter. Fortunately, I landed right on top of the pistol." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In fact, my shoulder was now contributing to the blood on the floor from landing full force on that gun. Good thing it didn’t fire. For the moment, I was out of sight behind the counter and could only hear the struggle for the shotgun and the tussle with the crying boy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The two robbers are now aware of my presence, but are right now dealing with other things. Suddenly, another shot rings out. Over the counter I caught sight of the mussel flash awfully close to Ford guy’s face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While he was not shot, the sound and heat from the blast would certainly debilitate him for a while. Through the ringing in my ears, I heard Ford guy hit the floor. The pistol I landed on turned out to be a .38 special revolver. A quick flip showed bullets in all the chambers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was not eager to let the bad guys know what I had so kept it close to the floor. My first choice was to get to that back door which was only a few feet away over some very slippery floor. I had not heard the pump of the shotgun being reloaded so I decided to take a chance on getting to the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was cancelled by no-gun guy coming around the counter dragging the boy. He was going for the cash register but slipped on the blood and crashed to the floor with the boy on top of him. The three of us were tangled amid the poor attendant’s body." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was able to extract myself to lurch forward and put the pistol right to no-gun guy’s head. “Don’t Move!”, I growled, “Let go of the boy”. With that, the boy was released and ran around the counter heading for the front door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The door chime sounded as it was opened and was followed by gun guy pumping the shotgun and firing another loud blast toward the front door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The boy was apparently safe outside as the sound of the blond screaming changed tone to less strident and then silence under the still rumbling of the Chevy outside. As this latest blast reverberated through the store, I instructed no-gun guy to tell his partner to stay cool and put down the gun." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he was staring at the business end of the .38, he had no choice and did as I asked. A we rose above the level of the counter and he saw the .38 pointed at his partner’s head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was gun guy’s turn to say “What the fuck!?” “Do Not pump that shotgun!”, I commanded gun guy as he swung it in my direction. There was a sort of Mexican stand-off for a few moments .I heard Ford guy stirring on the floor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He took in the scene and stood up unsteadily to take the shotgun from the robber. The side of his face was a mess from the burning shot wad that came so close to his head. I saw him pump the shotgun thinking I could relax a bit as it was now in friendly hands." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Friendly hands they may have been, but Ford guy was anything but friendly. He was totally steamed at gun guy and proceeded to level the shotgun at his chest." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ford guy was apparently not fully recovered because gun-guy slapped the shotgun muzzle out of the way and the fight was on once again between the two of them over the shotgun. No-gun guy looked toward me as if to assess his situation, but I tapped him with the pistol and shook my head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He got the hint and we watched to see how this new battle on the other side of the counter would come out. I pulled no-gun guy in front of me as there was a loaded shotgun swinging around not far away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One more blast reverberated through the store and gun guy yelped in pain; took one limping step toward the exit and fell. He was clutching his foot which appeared to be missing the front half of the shoe. That was enough for me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I released no-gun guy, carefully stepped toward the back door and let myself out still clutching the pistol. I ran into the woods behind the store to wait out the situation where the parking lot lights cast few shadows." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was just as well, within a few minutes I heard the approach of police with sirens wailing and lights flashing. I guess Ford guy was able to hold his own until they arrived. The last thing I wanted now was to be somebody holding a gun in there when the police showed up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All of a sudden I had to pee like crazy. It turned out to be a very long night with all the investigation going on, but you probably read about that in the papers. I still feel bad for the tattooed attendant, poor kid.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Overdue Knowledge" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Prologue The library was being breached. Alfred could hear men shouting for reinforcements. He didn’t have much time, but luckily he had an escape route. When he built his secret library he made sure of that." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was before Huxley Marrow came to power, but he was glad that he decided to put a secret exit in the library. Behind the last shelf on the left was a book with an embossed E on the spine. Pulling on it would open up a passageway that would lead Alfred to freedom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He quickly gathered what would fit in his satchel. Someone had betrayed him, but who? Whoever it was, they couldn't silence him, no matter how much they tried. He glanced once more around the library taking in its oak shelves filled with books both new and old." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The shelves reached the ceiling, so he had installed ladders. What a thrill it was to glide along the shelves while running his fingers across the spines." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes he would close his eyes and when he stopped whatever book his fingers landed on would be the one he would read that day…\n\nThe pounding on the door brought him back to the present. It was growing more insistent and Alfred knew his time in this library was over for the time being." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He closed the passageway just as the main door busted open. He hurried down the corridor; it was the beginning of the end, but not from him. Present DayCrispin was exhausted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why on earth did he think that he was capable of taking this mission by himself? What possessed him to agree to this? He was better suited to inside work. Yet, after two weeks of training here he was trudging along an old road that nature was beginning to reclaim." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He kicked a rock and watched it skitter down the road. Crispin needed rest, he felt he was going to collapse and die right there.\n\n Just when he was about to let his maker take him, he noticed a run down building that promised shade and a bit of rest." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His trudge turned into a trot as he reached the structure. He was relieved to see that he could enter the building, the door was missing. He collapsed against the doorway and fell into a dreamless sleep.Darkness had fallen when Crispin awoke. He slid his pack off, stood up, and stretched." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Grabbing his water, he took a long drink and sighed.There was no way that he was going to continue the mission in the dark. He was barely brave enough to do it during the day. He was stuck here until the morning.\n\n He took a few minutes to explore, but there wasn’t much to the single story building." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At one time it might’ve been an office of some sort. Crispin was able to find a small room labeled Janitor’s Closet. There was just enough room inside to put down a sleeping bag. First things first, since the building itself was open to the elements, he needed to secure the closet door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crispin realized how lucky he’d been while sleeping in the doorway. He couldn’t trust luck again. He needed to be prepared. So, he grabbed one of the empty shelves and propped the board underneath the handle. He wasn’t expecting to be attacked at any moment, but you never knew." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His mission was fairly straightforward. Crispin was tasked with exploring the country while gathering up as many books and other printed materials as possible. The government called them “salvagers.” Their new leader, Alvis Hightower, had made salvaging the lost knowledge of the past a top priority." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Under the previous leader, Huxley Marrow, books and other printed materials were banned. Marrow wanted an obedient populace and believed the only way to foster one was to ban anything that encouraged thinking. The libraries were closed, their contents piled in the streets and burned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His government had deployed the military to go door to door and confiscate books. Those that resisted were arrested and never seen again It had been a time of ignorance and bigotry. Thankfully, it didn't last long. Splinter groups formed and fought the oppressive regime." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hightower and others like him rallied the people and pushed back against the corrupted government. \n\nCrispin had been little more than an office worker when the fighting started. He knew he was less than useless as a soldier, but could make a difference with his mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, as the dust settled, he volunteered to comb through the fallen government’s records. He found the final list of libraries the military had been sent to destroy. They weren’t public. They had been squirreled away by charities and private citizens." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Books and records snuck away and hidden well enough that some may have lasted through the war. One such library was the one curated by an enigmatic figure called Alfred. \n\nAlfred’s library was supposedly the first one formed after books were banned and it was the one that salvagers had yet to find." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That is, until Crispin came across some old codes that gave coordinates to the library’s possible location. Alfred was known to be a code name; what the man’s real name was had yet to be uncovered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crispin hoped that by finding the library he could find more information about Alfred, including who he really was.\n\nCrispin awoke the next morning refreshed, if not a little sore from sleeping in the cramped closet. He packed his bag and hoisted on his shoulder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just as he was about to pull the shelf out from under the door knob, his eyes caught something he didn’t notice last night. Where he had pulled the shelf from the wall had revealed part of a door. Crispin was intrigued." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where did this door lead? According to his research there was nothing of importance in this area. He should make a note of the door and continue on to his destination, but in the back of his mind something was telling him that this was the way he needed to go." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He sat down his pack and began the process of uncovering the door. First of all, he had to have more room. So he pulled the shelf from underneath the doorknob, then he could carry items out into the hall. The thought of uncovering this door sent Crispin into a working frenzy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Within a matter of minutes he had the entire door uncovered. There was no doorknob so Crispin felt around the edges to find a way to open it. He discovered a set of notches that fit his hand exactly. Placing his hand into the notches he heard several clicks and the door slid open." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Crispin stepped back in awe. He was filled with all sorts of emotions, but he was determined to find out what was at the end of the tunnel. Picking up his pack once more, he began his journey down the dark passage. Crispin walked down the passageway with anticipation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoever created this passageway was clever. The number of twists and turns was making Crispin dizzy. More than once he ended up at a dead end and had to backtrack to find the right way. Crispin was exhausted, but this time he kept going." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At any moment he knew would discover what was at the end of the passageway and he could continue on his original quest.\n\nFinally, a door appeared in front of him. It took him a few moments to find the latch that opened it from this side. The door opened, protesting the entire time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crispin stepped into the room and his jaw dropped. He was Alfred’s secret library. His side quest was his original mission! The library was magnificent with shelves that reached the ceiling. There were ladders that you could climb to reach the books on the top shelf." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the center of the room stood an opulent mahogany desk. Crispin ran his finger along the top leaving a clean strip of wood behind. Underneath the desk lay a paisley rug of blues, reds, and greens. Why was this library kept intact? Crispin expected it to be in ruins." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Most secret libraries were eventually found out and destroyed, but not this one. Yes, it was discovered, but the damage was minimal. There were books pulled from shelves and tossed to the floor and a desk that was rifled through, but there was no fire set or books torn asunder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was like they were looking for something, but were unable to find it. Crispin had more questions than answers. He pulled out his communication device to call his supervisor, when a noise made him pause. There was someone else here with him. He had been followed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crispin grabbed the biggest book he could find and hefted it over his head. A figure walked into the room and just as Crispin was about to knock him out, he realized who the intruder was… Alvis Hightower stood in the doorway to the secret passage. He was a tall man of indeterminate age." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The years of fighting were etched on his face. His hair was more gray than black and he dressed casually in a button down shirt and khakis. He looked like an ordinary citizen, but Crispin knew otherwise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before him stood a man that was instrumental in bringing down a terrible government.\n\n“It’s been years since I last saw this place,” Mr. Hightower said as he walked around the room. “I set up this library before Huxley’s reign, before books were banned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just wanted a place where I could go to read, write, and dream without being interrupted by work or family. Then when Huxley came to power everything changed. I no longer wanted to keep this place to myself. I wanted to share it with other like minded people." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No longer could I sit on the sidelines and only worry about myself. Helping people, keeping learning alive, that was my purpose in life. When I found out my library had been discovered, I knew that it was time to act." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I used my connections within the government to keep my library from being burned to the ground. It cost me most of my savings, but it was worth it. My plan was to return once Huxley’s regime\n\nwas destroyed, but I got caught up in forming the new society." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without realizing it, I was becoming the face of the new government, instead of rejecting the offer I embraced it and my plans for the library were pushed aside. It took me until I knew the administration was stable enough to return to my plans for the library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“So you knew where the library was the entire time?!” Crispin was angry, no he was furious! All the time and effort he took to take on this mission was for nothing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was Hightower’s library, Hightower's! “Yes, and I apologize for the subterfuge, but I had to know that you were the right one to take on the job I had in mind.”\n\n“Job what job?” Crispin was still mad, but his curiosity was beginning to get the best of him.\n\n“I want to leave these books where they are." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I want everyone to know about this place. My secret library will be the first public library under my government. I want you to run it. Crispin stared at the aging leader. He had put in all this effort just to appease this man’s whims. Yet, there had been stranger job interviews." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crispin guessed he had passed the test and to be honest, running a library was all he’d ever really dreamed of.\n\n“I’d be glad to, sir. One last question though, why did you choose the name Alfred?” “How about instead of telling you, I give you a book that will answer that question." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now do we have a deal?” Crispin shook Alvis Hightower’s hand. He had a new adventure ahead of him, and he couldn’t wait to get started.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "dream land" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "reading books brings peace of mind and warmth,throughout the body.,and the mind,when I envision reading a book in the story I envision myself in the storythatare filled with all details and pictures,and my favourite s are crime novels.especially on a stormy night.however,it was not always like that,at a younger age there was a time I wanted to be an author,though things changed now days for book publishing but discovered self publishing and submitted my first book and started writing for many online publishing on social media,now my goal is to study at a writing school so I can accomplish more that would actually sell of many stories I have to share,anywayremembering my high school years ,not many real friends as preferring to study and read.even dreamed back then of working in a library and so many years later on discovering my favourite author of crime books would be John grisham ,so I have every one of his books and payed for all his new ones mainly online and support tried to stop me buying any books on line as my own housing unit had already been filled with lined bookshelves ,and I don't taken any notice of any of my support team and they cant have put me out of my unit as they know my consequenes which is to taking off to camp at a suburb up the coast of Wollongong nsw where there is a newly big street library so they the support team leave me be in my own unit with my filled own home of lined bookshelves and didn't paid for all of my book collection ,half had been stolen when I went out to my local street libraries to keep bagging up loaded two bags of books,and now back to the high school years,my favourite subject had been English,.thought of reading turned out more worthwhile than how most of my classmates liked.though growing up slowly most children would be grown out of reading books.especially of our future today and the year of 2024 ,which turned out to be a new era of modern technology with which people read less and less traditional books like online ebooks,but I've never given up on the traditional book novels and have my own own today with over thousands of books on my lined shelves.though some people today found this odd behaviour and I don't care of peoples today for there smart downing comments,and well I still ignore like throughout my child hood ,." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ",..well who needed friends today when there are books to read in my own home.and have at least a few good friends though one male older had passed away who also was into books and two years later since my good friends death have returned myself into a loner and don't like being around peoples and sometime my support would be on my nerves so I had often cancelled there shift making out I was sick with a cold,but time went by and seemed to be slowly over the trauma of my good friends death ,but still normal people imi dot need but happier now for my support to [pop over now and then and even taking me to visit my parents tome to time,and still secretive sneak to a street library for more few books on my favourite authors ,whether they secretive realised there are more books in my unit but it don't matter as I've gotten special cleaning help with cleaning as now middle aged but refused an age care home,and rather prefer to grow old and frail in my own home just being able to read my very last time,and mentioned my books are to be cremated with me when that times come,but I've still gotta life long of my many years to be able to reward more books and secretly hunted for more at local street libraries.and my self publishing on social media still going great and reviewing good,so maybe some day I'll have a new book to be able to be published band worth a lot of sales but first must complete more writing skills on my own novel and with help from other writers of course,and maybe who knows and well the aim to achieving the goal is never giving up and keep going with those little stories on the social media publishing like Amazon kindle direct,and luck on side,.problem is with being under strict financial trust it would be hard to cover the cost of publishing and but would make the effort of payment someday,and well going back in time how easier it was.and sometime being paranoid soon in this future of today with more growing technology that there may not be any more books out there as normal people are reading traditional less and less of those books and sometime I wonder what would happen to those books people donate to street libraries and something on google reading telling me the unwanted books will be recycled bin and though have already rescued over thousands of books but still a bit sad I cant own every single book while still out there around and could almost hear those all new books pleading and crying out to normal people to'please buy me buy me to keep,never throw me away' .well there the words the books in the stores are really saying .and kind of begging normal people to adopt them all.and that is all for now,I think if this story shall continue into a new chapter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the end.no not yet,the end just one more moment,as I still sit in my own home reading even through the night I hear a babbling old woman outside my window with some sort of strange comment over my all night read and didn't bother me the least,people entitled for opinions and wishing they would hwar the books still in the store s pleading and begging to be adopted and kept,but in this day if age I ve been able to rescue more books and had stopped there and then as I couldn't over crowd my little own unit,." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Lost Collection Of Umne." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eran was tired but had to keep moving. There was no telling if reinforcements were coming for the fallen tribe. Even after being held captive by the Bednaarians as long as he had, he wasn’t fully wise to how they functioned." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was entirely plausible that they were able to channel communication posthumously. So powerful was their mental configuration." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had to get as far away as possible from the site of the massacre lest a fresh wave of the hellish mind manipulators descended into the caves and found him.\n\nHe held his dim torch out in front of him and navigated the rocky pathway." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It had been chiseled out many cycles ago by the Umne tribe, no doubt. It meandered down and around the elongated cave walls. Only his fading light kept him company in the cool, dark cave. The silence allowed him room to think." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With Melkit, his primary mind manipulator dead, physically at least, Eran found himself relearning his brain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He parsed through the myriad of murky memories and tried to sort fact from fiction, reality from implanted lies.\n\nHe recalled that his name and title was Eran, son of Juust and Kima but he couldn’t conjure up any recollection of said parents." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He remembered walking… somewhere and intending to walk further but these things were not connected to anything; not a place, not an event; nothing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few other disjointed memories drifted uselessly in his muddled brain and he clicked his tongue in frustration.\n\nHow long was this going to last, he thought to himself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was he doomed to walk this subterranean cave system in darkness and ignorance forever? Was the damage Melkit did to him permanent? There was no one to ask save for the bats that hung quietly high above his head.\n\nHe swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He didn’t have the energy, time nor calories to waste on crying. He continued to hold his torch out in front of him with one hand while dragging the palm of his other hand along the cave walls." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If he couldn’t exactly see, maybe he could feel his way out of the cave.\n\nIt happened that while dragging his hand along the cool igneous rock wall, he felt a crack, like a fault line. Pausing, he ran his hand over the spot again and felt it. The crack was vertical." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the sparse light produced by his torch, Eran noticed the evident scar running from the base of the wall to a few meters above his head. It was easy to miss if one wasn’t looking for it but sure as death, the crack was there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A spark of hope lit up inside Eran but he didn’t react much to it as perhaps there was nothing to the crack.\n\nHe pushed against the rock with the palm of his hand and the rock didn’t budge.\n\n“It’s a rock. It’s not going to move.” He said out loud to himself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He gave another non-committal push to the same result. Eran shrugged and his spirit sagged. He was trapped in this meandering underground cave system with very little food, no hope and soon, no light. As far as the world knew he was dead and the world, for all intent and purposes, was dead to him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His mind was a disheveled stew and he didn’t even recall the reason or purpose he had initially ventured out and walked thousands of miles. What was the point?\n\n“I should have killed myself after slaughtering the Bednaarians!” Eran cursed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The madness that had gripped him when he first raged against Melkit and her shackles threatened to overtake him again. For much of his life Eran had not been given to rage but increasingly he found himself on the cusp of going into blinding rages." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It had served him well in finally defeating his captors but it was not always a useful emotion to hold. He stood still and inhaled a long and deep breath. On the exhale, he leaned his forearms onto the wall. For a few moments he stood like this breathing in and out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finally, he lifted his head and looked at the crack with renewed interest. \n\nSuch a precise cut in solid stone. \n\nThis was no time to be defeated. It certainly was no time to fear looking foolish for pushing against the entire strength of a cave wall. He placed both palms on the rock and pushed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To his absolute amazement, the rock moved an inch. He put all his weight behind him and pushed and pushed and gradually, the rock moved back until there was an opening large enough to see into.\n\nSensing a life line, Eran grabbed the torch off the ground and shone its weak light into this secret lair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The darkness was almost impenetrable but Eran was able to make out some sort of open space with various crates on the ground." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Parts of the walls had sections of rock blasted out to create cubby-like openings which seemed to serve as shelves, though it was hard to tell what was on them from where he stood. With nothing to lose, Eran wriggled through the opening and began to explore.\n\nThe air inside the cave was stiff." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was also noticeably warmer inside this little nook within the cave. The layout followed the natural contours of the cave, however, there was an area in the middle of the ground that appeared to have served as a hearth in times past." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Spent charcoal from however long ago huddled in an ashen gray heap. The smoke from many fires stained the cave ceiling and a closeby wall which didn’t have any cubby’s hewn in it.\n\nEran bent down to touch the charcoal and it was cold as he expected. Yet there had to be combustibles around." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was clear his own torch wouldn’t yield light much longer. There was a crate that leaned against the smoke stained wall. He approached and tried to open it but the lid was firmly attached. As with all things down here, forcefulness was required." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ancient crate wouldn’t just give up its secret bounty after a few tugs from a limp wrist." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eran gripped the corner of the wooden top and pulled and this time it flew off to reveal a most useful cache of items.\n\nNestled atop a bed of coarse, dry grass, Eran was pleased to see a cluster of twigs which were bound with similarly coarse twine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next to them were blocks of wood, about seven in total and two flintstones. Instinctively he grabbed the stones and immediately began striking one against the other. Sparks flew almost immediately and Eran whooped in delight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He quickly cleared away the old charcoal and organized three blocks of wood and a stack of twigs in a tight circle before striking the stones vigorously over and over until one of the bone dry twigs caught light." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Quite soon after, Eran was able to see what exactly was on the walls.\n\nThere were eight cubby shelves in total and each held a collection of bound books and scrolls." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Eran poured over each section, he couldn’t help but feel like he had stumbled upon a sacred library curated by the mysterious but seemingly vanquished and extinct Umne tribe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He picked up a book which was bound in thick maroon leather and had the words “Talelum a Umne” engraved in gold on the cover. Running his fingers over the print, Eran was in awe of what he held. The Umne were a vaunted people whom many believed to be more myth than real." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seemingly transfixed by the phrase, Eran stared at it for an elongated period of time.\n\n“Talelum a Umne” he mouthed first.\n\n“Talelum a Umne” he said out loud.\n\nHe held his breath and waited, as if expectant for some event to take place." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The utterance of the phrase might be a trigger to something happening, he thought. He stood still and listened intently. He heard nothing. He began to turn the thick cover open but paused." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was in uncharted territory and if the lore was anything to go by, the mysterious Umne deserved respect and reverence.\n\nNot familiar with anything about this peculiar race of people nor their ways, Eran defaulted to his interpretation of respect and honor.\n\nBowing his head and focusing his mind, Eran brought to the fore of his consciousness thoughts and feelings of gratitude.\n\nGratitude for the fire that now gave him light and companionship against the darkness.\n\nGratitude for this hidden place in which to let his guard down even just a little.\n\nGratitude for the library of information at his literal fingertips." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“You do not know me. I am only your kin in the sense that we collectively live upon this living rock, one of many. Allow me, please, to rest my feet, feed my mind and then depart from you, tribe of Umne.”\n\nThe fire crackled and Eran’s heartbeat slowed to a peaceful tempo." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He opened the book and looked within.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Book of Heroes" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Isabella was young, she regarded the kingdom’s soldiers as heroes. Now, she regarded them as the true enemy. That didn’t mean all soldiers from the forces were cruel, because her father, Eli, was a true hero. For fifteen years, he had gone missing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Isabella had asked neighbors, relatives, or even a soldier that felt generous enough to answer questions from a little girl. No one knew where he was. But, perhaps, could the Chamber of Ages tell Isabella where Eli went? A book in there documented every soldier who had served in the kingdom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her father must be in it, and it was going to show her that Eli stood out as a hero. He would oppose an order, if the mission was to cleanse out innocents rather than the guilty." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One problem plagued Isabella: Where was the Chamber of Ages? Teachers and scholars had confirmed its existence but not its whereabouts. It could be close or far, dark or light, and safe or dangerous." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Isabella speculated the possibilities, while she packed her bags, and went off to where the wind blew. She slid her sandals past the thigh-high grass on a slope, which overlooked her city. The local council building stood like a citadel over the city." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The lord there would retire soon but not in the best spirit. He knew best about Eli’s vanishing. But visiting the city’s lord was like asking a priest to meet the Gods. She had water, food, and a little sword in case she stumbled into some soldiers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The slope unpacked a sunny-yellow meadow, with a thick forest ahead. From when Isabella was little, a guardian kept a watch on her. Back then, the meadow’s grass beamed and waved in a fluid green. It felt like she stuck her sandals into vast holes, given how tall and heavy the grass was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her many guardians allowed her to do anything but trip in the grass, as she could fall through it. That turned out to be humbug, because she had fallen four times in her life, and never ended up in a hole." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She would jump in the air, spin herself and her dress, and land with a crunch on the grass like she danced ballet. For old time’s sake." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The meadow had reached the end of its life circle, so why shouldn’t she just go ahead? Her childish spirit flowed through her veins, and she felt like she could touch the clouds with a proper jump. She raised her arms, stretched her toes, and took off like a gazelle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Swirling like a tornado that could take the green of the grass with it, Isabella descended. Her sandals pushed the decaying grass aside, marking her stance. She expected a crunch from the old ground, but instead, a violent wind blew from below her feet. The grass suddenly reached her forehead." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It didn’t grow on a wizard’s commands, because Isabella fell through it. Tickles and panics rushed in her stomach; all the blood in her body rushed to her face. The greyish-gold grass vanished like someone turned off the light." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a strange turn of events, the rush in her blood and ears disappeared by the snap of a finger. Then, as she opened her eyes, an ancient archway stood before her. Her supplies were gone. Dry dirt stained the bricks that held the archway together." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Upfront, a wide path led to a room, where seven candles shone. It looked like a chandelier that stood on a candlestick, instead of hanging from the ceiling. Isabella stepped inside. The old dirt scraped underneath her sandals, which echoed by every crunchy step." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two rows of bookshelves stood by each side of the room. They looked as tall as the lord’s council building in her city. At the center of the chandelier, the lights revealed a podium, where a book lay. With its basil-green leather cover, a gold title displayed on the top: ‘’ THE BOOK OF HEROES ’’." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No way… It was here. All along, the book was here. Isabella stared around, finding the same bookshelves that looked like hedges in a labyrinth by every interval. She found it, and it turned out to be closer than she had thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The candles were the only lights here, and they made the library look like a bonfire in a mystical forest. When Isabella approached the lights, four candles moved from their places to form a path. She walked up to the book and studied the title again. The gold letters glinted from the candles." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finally, at last. She was going to find her father’s name. Once she had done that, she would return home, pack her stuff, put on a clever disguise, and immigrate to the enemy’s realm. If the book didn’t exist, nor did the Chamber of Ages, she would’ve begged for a soldier to take her somewhere else." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She could’ve probably had most of her guardians go along with her escape, even if she didn’t give a thorough reason. The book gave a tiny squeak as Isabella opened it. There seemed to be over 1500 pages, and the names of each soldier were in non-alphabetical order." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Beneath their names, their biggest achievements were listed. Isabella squinted and read the book carefully. Reading the first thirty pages, her father’s name hadn’t caught her gaze yet. She had checked the first and last pages to be sure he wasn’t there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Throughout the reading, most soldiers had similar summaries to their careers, which read like: ‘’ Defended the kingdom faithfully, without putting his sword down unless ordered so." }, { "from": "human", "value": "’’ Though, one soldier sparked Isabella’s interest, and she had to reread the passage almost ten times to make sure her eyes didn’t conjure it. On multiple occasions, she used her hand to keep her eyes open, as the same stories and formulations became like watching grass grow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yet, this story kept her eyes fixated, which read like: ‘’ Surrounded by the bodies of every childhood friend and mentor he had, the one-eyed knight lifted his sword like a strong hawk emerging from the shadows and landed such a strike, that it ended the scorching battle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "’’ If only that was my father… Eli was very well capable of doing what this soldier did. The enemy in the story must’ve been non-human, with godlike strength and speed. Also, it wasn’t even clear on when the stories took place." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Could it be fifty years, a hundred years, or more than a hundred? Isabella continued reading, still having the image of the one-eyed knight with his sword. Soldiers with ‘’E’’ in their names became more frequent: Elliot, Eric, Evan, Erena, etc." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Almost 400 pages in, and Isabella’s eyes caught the name between tens of others: Eli. Luckily, the book seemed to follow a string of soldiers named as such. Isabella skimmed the pages, and there it was: Eli, her father." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She seized the book and stuck her face close to the passage describing her father’s deeds. Barely past the first three words, Isabella’s whole world stopped, like the wheel of a carriage broke off, or she sipped a drink laced with poison." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The passage that described her father read like this: ‘’ Children were murdered, even the sickly that only needed the comforts of family to keep them alive fell by the deadly stabbings of the sickened, savaged knight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "’’ Isabella’s eyes gushed in tears as she slowly let go of the book, staring at the passage that should never have been there. Someone had altered it. It must be. Her father was a hero. She knew it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘’I knew you would find it someday.’’ The voice behind her startled her so much, she screamed and fell forwards, tripping the candles and the podium. The book fell next to a tripped candle, which torched the thousand pages that included the very enemies Isabella had known since childhood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she looked at the person who spoke, more tears gushed from her. ‘’My little Isabella. You’ve grown so much. I’d thought the lord put you somewhere much safer than this.’’ She couldn’t say what she wanted. But her father seemed to read it from her teary eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘’He had to put me away, as I wasn’t good enough to take care of you. To be honest, that was the biggest understatement I had ever heard.’’ Eli smiled. Old blood and dirt stained on his face, which needed no explanation as to where he got it from, or whom he got it from." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘’The council was wary of me from the day you came to the world. Then, your mother joined their pesty cause. They never understood. I was trying to pass over my legacy to my own blood. And when your mother tried to hinder me from that…’’ He took out a sword from a scabbard, turning and dangling it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘’That was when the lord sent me away, leaving you with the pests of the council.’’ Isabella finally found her voice, but she could only say: ‘’F-f-father…’’ ‘’No worries, darling.’’ He walked away from the archway, inching close to his daughter. ‘’I had wanted to make you my successor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But since the lord snatched you from my hands, I knew my legacy was going to end…’’ He raised his sword, its tip in the air, ready to strike. ‘’…with me.’’ ‘’FATH-!’’ Before his sword fell, Isabella realized why the Chamber of Ages had such a cryptic reputation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The lord knew where it was, even the teachers and scholars. They always shut down a student, if they dared to speak against the soldiers. If they knew the truth, it would be history with the kingdom. The Chamber of Ages didn’t house the book of heroes; it housed the book of monsters." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And Eli was the pinnacle of them all.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An Unforgettable ‘Trip’ to Forget" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack shouldered open the half-glass, leaded front door of the Old Coffee House pub on the corner of Beak Street and Marshall Street, Soho. As the door opened wider a riot of noise hit his ears." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Jack glanced around the red, sticky-carpeted bar, inhaling its heavy fug of lager and real ale, he was dismayed to find that there was not a single empty table to be had anywhere. Not only that, but all the spaces between the tables were also filled by yapping punters, many the worse for drink." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack guessed that there must be some event going on in the West End that he didn’t know about. He really should have done his research before deciding on a meeting place. ‘Shit. I hate London sometimes’ he sulked under his breath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stepped outside the pub and went around the corner on to the pavement. He punched Pete’s number into his iPhone. ‘Mate, it’s Jack. Look, I don’t think there’s any point coming to the Coffee House. It’s rammed. I’ll have a look for an emptier pub and ring you back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, and can you let Johnny know as well? Cheers.’ ‘Oh bollocks’, Pete replied. ‘OK. Let us know when you find somewhere’. ‘Will do’ replied Jack. ‘Good lad,’ said Pete. Frustrated, Jack trudged off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had an idea that the John Snow pub, opposite the bottom of Poland Street could be a promising meeting spot. So Jack turned left up Marshall Street, passing the garish yellow Third Man record shop. Pretentious place, he thought, full of overpriced vinyl." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He turned right into Broadwick Street, trying to avoid falling down the trench that British Gas contractors had dug. The road seemed to turn into some kind of mini ‘restaurant quarter’ as he passed Japanese grill restaurants, delicatessens, and Italian chocolate shops either side of him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the end of the street on the right, he found himself outside the impressive, carved mahogany double door of the John Snow. In front of the pub stood a replica of the water pump where the cholera epidemic of 1854 had started." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The pub was named after the famous doctor who discovered that this was where the outbreak had started. ‘It might be a Sam Smiths pub’, thought Jack, ‘but it’s not too bad’. He opened the heavy door with an effort and quickly scooted his eyes around the pub." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To Jack’s chagrin, the John Snow was even more crowded than the Old Coffee House had been. Again, all the tables were claimed too. And people were jammed up four deep against the short bar. ‘Shit!’ cursed Jack, ‘the John Snow is usually a safe bet. What the hell is going on?’. ‘OK." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Let’s try the Lyric then’, he decided. So Jack left the pub and took an abrupt right turn down Lexington Street. The smell of Vietnamese cooking from the Bao Restaurant on his right reminded him that he hadn’t eaten for ages. He peered in the window of a smart-looking tobacconist’s shop." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He trotted on past Mildred’s coffee shop and Oliver Peoples gentleman’s outfitters. Whoosh! Bazaar and Exhibition Space looked very interesting, he thought.  Jack reached the end of Lexington Street and dodged the gridlocked traffic on Brewer Street." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He ducked down Great Windmill Street, home to the infamous Windmill Theatre. He strode irritably past the Argyll pub and a gelato shop. Then past the Wing Shack. As he passed it, Jack made a mental note to drop into The Thin White Duke, a cocktail bar dedicated to the late, great David Bowie." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then he reached the Lyric. Jack stuck his head through the pub’s back door and clocked the fourteen taps, all dispensing the most interesting real ales and ciders. Plus another twenty taps on the other side of the bar. But there was nowhere to sit in this pub either, as it was also packed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bollocks! Dejectedly, Jack turned on his heel and sloped off. He trudged back up Great Windmill Street and decided to take a left down Brewer Street. He shuffled past the junction with Great Pulteney Street, feeling decidedly fed up. The next street on the right was Bridle Lane." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jack had been drinking in Soho for years, but Bridle Lane was a new one on him. Something, he didn’t know what, drew him up that alleyway. Jack walked up the narrow street, with its mixture of mews houses and offices. On the left, swinging in the breeze, a midnight blue sign caught his eye." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Cat and Monocle. It had to be a pub, surely. How could he have consistently missed this one all these years? As he approached, Jack appreciated the stained-glass door and the arched, lead-lined windows. He decided to stick his head in, just in case." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A quick glance inside showed him it was a small pub. A couple of solemn, preoccupied drinkers sat at separate tables. Jack stepped back outside on to the pavement and again punched Pete’s number into his phone. Pete’s phone rang four times then went to voicemail. Must be on the tube, thought Jack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He left a message, ‘Hi Pete. I’ve found a decent boozer. It’s the Cat and Monocle on Bridle Lane. Nope, I’ve never heard of it either. See you in a bit’. He stepped back in the ornate front door and took a better look around the pub. Apart from the occupied ones, there were eight other tables." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jack sat down at a cosy-looking booth table in the corner by the front window. He put his messenger bag down while he went to the bar to get a pint from the cheerful, avuncular landlord. The bar was extremely low, only up to about the height of Jack’s waist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After his exertions he needed something strong. He ordered a pint of Broadside, the strongest beer they had. Back at his table he placed his beer down, opened his messenger bag and examined the purchases from his afternoon’s shopping." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A CD of the vintage ‘Banana Album’ by the Velvet Underground and a dog-eared second-hand copy of The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe. He started brooding about the lack of progress on his PhD thesis." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What was he going to do his dissertation on? He took a large gulp of his Broadside and instantly felt much better. And another. And again until the pint was finished. The PhD anxiety seemed to be fading into the background. He glanced around the pub. It was absolutely fascinating." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was an eclectic variety of hats hung up behind the bar. Naval Admiral’s hats, ladies 1920’s flapper hats, Scottish Tam O’ Shanter hats. He also noticed a large Australian cork hat hanging there. Several scale models of World War 2 aircraft hung from the ceiling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The walls were covered with a variety of dusty, ancient-looking paintings.  Jack notice that many of the picture frames contained preserved exotic butterflies. Dotted around the room were several old end-of pier type amusement arcade games. Including a Victorian bagatelle machine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the mantlepiece, above the empty fireplace, sat an impressive collection of ale tankards and German beer steins. And on the far wall, the gargantuan, moth-eaten mounted head of a bison fixed him with a belligerent stare." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a find this place is, thought Jack, it’s like a cross between a pub and an antique shop. The beer had gone right through him, so he asked where the gents was. The landlord told him it was downstairs. Jack made his way gingerly down the musty-smelling, threadbare carpeted stairs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The doors to the toilets were straight in front of him, gents to the left, ladies to the right. Once finished, back up the stairs he went. He ordered another pint of Broadside. He was getting a taste for this stuff. An hour went by." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack downed another couple of pints and wondered if his mates had received his message. He was feeling a bit wobbly. This Broadside was strong stuff. He needed the toilet again. This time on his way out of the gents, he noticed an eggshell blue door on the left-hand wall that seemed to be ajar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was an eerie glow emanating from behind it. Emboldened by all the strong beer and feeling inquisitive, Jack pushed the door open gently.  A polished wooden staircase wound down to where the light was coming from. He quietly stepped inside the doorway." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly, his right leg went from under him. He toppled and went headlong down the stairs. He last remembered receiving a crack on his head. Jack came to in a battered leather wingback chair. He had a splitting headache. He looked around him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The low lighting seemed to come from the floor and a red glow predominated. Small crystal chandeliers hung from a couple of ornate cupolas on the ceiling.  The ceiling featured a mural of a snowy owl." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The walls were covered in shelves which were stacked floor to ceiling with exquisitely bound volumes. As far as Jack could see in his semi-concussed state, there seemed to be a lot of books on worldly esoteric beliefs such as Wicca, Voodoo and many others. A couple of desks sat next to the shelves." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Featuring poker table style reading lights. A large, carved wooden globe about four feet in diameter squatted in the far-right corner. Jack guessed he was in some kind of library. But under a pub? Why? Just then, a tall gentleman appeared. His hair was pure white." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And styled in backwards spikes, which seemed at odds with his old-fashioned demeanour. He wore a teal smoking jacket topped off with a purple silk cravat. And burgundy, dress-suit trousers. Slender, almost bony, he was incredibly sprightly. Pince-nez spectacles rested on a beak-like nose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘What are you doing in our library?’ he asked sternly but not unkindly. ‘I don’t know, I just remember falling down some stairs’, explained Jack. ‘You really shouldn’t be in here’. The man sat down in a similar seat opposite Jack. ‘Anyway, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dr Osprey." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m the chief librarian and curator of this establishment. And you are?’ ‘Jack Westham. Pleased to meet you. I think’. ‘Well you’ve had quite the bump on the head, Jack. Let me get you something to help ease the discomfort’." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that, Dr Osprey opened up the globe and took out a bottle of expensive-looking Cognac from a selection of other expensive-looking bottles. He poured a large measure into a lead crystal glass and handed it to Jack. ‘Drink this. It’ll help’. ‘Thanks’." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack took a sip and enjoyed the golden warmth of the alcohol as it slid into his stomach. ‘What is a library doing here? Underneath a pub?’ enquired Jack. ‘Certainly, dear boy. Allow me to explain. This is a library of the occult." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The reason it’s hidden is because many celebrated and well-known people have used it throughout the centuries and still do. Senior politicians, even Prime Ministers. Secret service directors. Royal family members. Even television and film actors." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Harold Wilson was one such member of our establishment.’ ‘I wish I’d known about this place!’, exclaimed Jack, ‘What a find. How can I find out more about it? I’d love to research it for my PhD thesis’. ‘I’m afraid that cannot be possible, old chap’ Dr Osprey explained, shaking his head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘Word simply cannot get out about this library. If the hoi -polloi got wind of this establishment, not to mention the, shall we say, somewhat left-field beliefs of some of their elected representatives and rulers, I imagine there’s no way they would be able to wrap their heads around it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Our society would have a meltdown.’ ‘Well, what’s to stop me from trying to find out?’ replied Jack ‘You see that Cognac you’re drinking. It’s mixed with a substance that will induce amnesia. Not unlike Rohypnol in its effects." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once it starts its work, you’ll have no memory of this library, or even this evening. It’s quite fast acting so it should take effect soon.’ ‘Are you serious? But how am I going to get home?’ Jack worried. ‘You don’t need to fret. That will be taken care of.’ ‘But you don’t know where I live. ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".’ Jack’s chin collapsed on to his chest. *** Jack woke up on the funky orange sofa in the cluttered lounge of his small Greenwich flat. He was fully clothed. An insidious headache wormed its way round his brain. ‘What happened last night? I could swear I went uptown to meet Pete and Johnny." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I remember being in Soho, but nothing else. How the hell did I get home?’ The phone rang. Jack picked up. ‘Hello’, he said in a croaky voice. ‘What the hell happened to you last night?’ demanded Pete. ‘We looked for you everywhere. We almost called the police.’ ‘And another thing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where’s the ‘Cat and Monocle’? We walked up and down Bridle Lane three times and couldn’t find it!’." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adventures of A True Reader" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kathina loved books. At three years of age, she read her first book aloud to her mother. It was The Little Engine That Could. By five, she was reading chapter books." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she was seven years old, her mother walked with her to the local library in the little town where they had finally settled down: Mother, Papa, Baby Sister, and herself. That memorable day as they walked, Mother explained that a library was a house of books, a special place for readers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kathina nodded her understanding and asked, “What’s going to happen there?” Mother replied, “You are going to get your own library card which means you’ll be able to check out books for yourself and bring those books home to read.” Kathina nodded vigorously, making her blond braids bounce, and grinned with delight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ms. Librarian greeted them kindly, “How may I help you?” Mother nodded at Kathina encouraging her to answer. “I’m here to get my very own library card,” she said proudly, as her blue eyes sparkled.  Ms. Librarian smiled, “And so you shall. You may call me Ms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Librarian.” After the formalities were finished and her library card was safely tucked into the spacious book bag Mother had bought her for this occasion, Kathina began to explore the shelves. As she came across a book that interested her, she placed it on one of the little tables. Her stack grew." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she had ten books stacked on that little table, she turned to Ms. Librarian who had been having a quiet conversation with Mother and inquired politely, “How many may I check out?” Ms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Librarian saw her stack and asked Mother, “Will she carry these books home herself?” Mother answered, “Certainly, in her book bag.” Ms. Librarian addressed Kathina, “Let’s start with three today.” Kathina nodded and began to read a bit from each book in her stack. Mother and Ms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Librarian moved away from the table and continued their quiet conversation by Ms. Librarian’s desk. When Kathina had chosen three books, she stood up and carried them to Ms. Librarian’s desk and waited with her library card in hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her first three books were Black Beauty because she loved horses, a Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear because it was sure to amuse her, and a collection of fairy tales entitled The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang because she loved magical stories." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mother had read aloud to her since she was a baby, so she was already steeped in the magic stories can bring. \n\nMs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Librarian looked at Mother who answered the unasked question, “Whatever she chooses, you can be sure she can and will read it.” Check out finished, Kathina tucked the books and her precious library card into her book bag and proudly slung it over her small shoulder without flinching at the weight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mother asked, “Shall we get an ice cream before heading home?” Kathina thought about that and then replied, “Thank you, Mother, but can we save that for another time? I really want to get home and start Black Beauty .” “Of course, I understand, and it’s a great story that shouldn’t be kept waiting.” A couple of years passed with Kathina making weekly trips on Saturdays to the library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She read copiously and went on many adventures through her reading. She flew with Peter pan to Never Land, sailed the seas with Jim Hawkins to Treasure Island, and accompanied Dorothy and Toto on the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City in Oz." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she was nine, she had read nearly every book in the section of the library reserved for children. She and Ms. Librarian had become reading friends. One day Kathina asked Ms. Librarian, “What’s going to happen when I can’t find anything new to read in this part of the library? Ms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Librarian pursed her lips, thought, and then replied, “One choice would be to start rereading your favorites.” “But I will want something new, books to take me on new adventures.” “There is one other special possibility for you.” Kathina’s bright blue eyes opened wide and she waited expectantly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“When the day comes that there is nothing new in this section for you to read, I will take you to a special part of the library not open to the public,” Ms. Librarian said in hushed tones continuing, “Only True Readers brought by a librarian can enter. I know you are a True Reader." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You have shown me that.” When Kathina was twelve, that day finally came. Ms. Librarian escorted Kathina through a door marked “For Librarians Only.” Once inside, they were in a room with very old books. They smelled old and alluring. “You may have an hour to explore in here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Being a True Reader, I know you will handle the books very carefully. You can only read these books in here at one of the reading stations.” She waved her hand to small carrel desks squeezed along one wall flanked by bookshelves and continued, “I will return in an hour." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you have a watch?” Kathina pushed up a sleeve to show her watch. “Set your watch to the same time as mine,” Ms. Librarian instructed revealing her watch. Kathina did so. “See you in an hour. Let your imagination soar.” Ms. Librarian turned around and left the room. Kathina began exploring." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Within a very few minutes, she started to pull a leather-bound copy of a book by an author unknown to her off its shelf, and suddenly, the shelf itself swung back to reveal an ornate door that had been hidden." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Being ever so curious, she turned the doorknob and entered another room which was shining with light from a giant quartz crystal displayed in the middle of the room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The crystal gave off not only beautiful light but energy that throbbed with a steady, vibrating pulse filling her with the promise of knowledge and adventure such as she had only experienced before in reading." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All around the room were shiny silver bookshelves housing what looked like hundreds of books. She began to walk about stopping occasionally to focus on a particular book that resonated with her innate curiosity and powerful imagination." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At one such stopping place, she checked her watch and was surprised to see she only had half an hour left in the hour granted her. She had been so engaged with this magical room that she hadn’t realized how much time had already passed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She thought she had only been in the presence of the crystal and its books for a few minutes. She knew she couldn’t spend another second wandering and perusing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without looking, she plucked the nearest book she could reach easily off its shelf and stared at the title, Endless Adventure by Arthur La Ventura. Opening the book, she was at once whisked away as she read the opening sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“In the long-ago days, there lived a weaver who wove magical carpets that had the power to take anyone to places they had only ever dreamed existed.” Before she could read any further, she found herself sitting on a magnificent hand-woven carpet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The walls around her disappeared and she was flying over desert lands populated only by tall carved spires sticking up out of the sand reaching toward the heavens through which she now flew. She couldn’t help but wonder what lay beneath the sand, the unseen part of the spires she was seeing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No sooner had that wonderment formed in her mind than a message emblazoned itself in her mind: Nothing is what it seems. She gulped, blinked rapidly, and abruptly found herself back in the Crystal Room holding the book Endless Adventure in her hands." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her flight was a memory as if a dream; yet she knew it had been real in its own way. She looked at her watch. Three minutes until the hour was up. She quickly shelved Endless Adventure noting its location in the room in her mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She turned around and left the Crystal Room through the door by which she had entered. Once in the outer room, she shoved the book that opened the door to the Crystal Room back into place. No sooner had she done that, when Ms. Librarian entered the outer room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She smiled at Kathina and said, “Time’s up. Did you enjoy yourself?” “Oh yes,” Kathina answered, “thank you. I hope I may come again.” “You may. You are a True Reader. Just remember: Nothing is what it seems.” “I will, replied Kathina seriously.” Ms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Librarian took her hand and escorted her back to the public section of the library. Many adventures and much knowledge awaited her in future visits to the Crystal Room. what these would be, only time would reveal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For Kathina, the promise of continued admittance to the Crystal Room as a True Reader was enough for now.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Enlightened" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Enlightened Ryan Gordon , alias , Flyin' Ryan or Flash , leaned back in his gaming chair after the less fun part of his intrepid (mis)adventures , the travel blog." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But this time was different - Everest , Angkor Wat , even the Great Wall were all spectacular in their own way , climbing each and learning about their origins were enriching , but there was a feeling about Machu Picchu , altogether more peace........serenity .......calm in the mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Calm was a rare commodity for Ryan , since childhood , he always buzzed around , running wild , having fun. As he grew , sport replaced fun but until climbing , rarely brought quiet to his mind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even a double degree in Psychology and History with the requisite burden of study , really only provided a distraction to the noise. The only other similar experience was at the Sphinx but he'd dismissed the voices as wind in the desert or the burgeoning heat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As his eye fell on one of his selfie stick images , he caught sight of something. Ryan had set the shot up with the Inca guide , Pablo , where they clasped one wrist each and fanned out either side of the Intihuatana Stone , an ancient sundial towards the top of the Inca mountain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And there above both their heads was a faint but distinct aura , orange , yellow and mainly greens. As Ryan looked closer , it appeared that the aura was the background colours of trees , foliage , sunlight but , amplified , clarified even." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway it was late and Ryan had to present his travel findings and report to Professor Heriot tomorrow so it was time to turn in. As he reclined on his bed to begin the breathing exercises , he selected meditation music from the playlist on his watch and as the Buddhists began to hum in harmony." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked at his ceiling and as the lava lamp projected rolling psychedelic baubles across it Ryan was reminded of the auras." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Outstanding , Mr Gordon' the Professor bellowed 'you have surpassed yourself!' Ryan was already peering over his presentation notes and now he wanted to hide behind them completely." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'You understand we are not the Tourism and Adventure Faculty don't you? That when the University of Edinburgh send you on a field assignment to one of the richest human historical artefacts in the World that there is an expectation that you would undertake to further our research endeavours and expand our knowledge base? 'Wisdom is the Principal' and all that , Gordon?' Ryan raised his left hand and rubbed his eyes with thumb and forefinger as he replied' I know......I understand we are here to further our collective knowledge , Professor , but this was different." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I was a the summit of the Citadel with Pablo , there was trance-like feeling , colour , lights.....' The Professor leaned forward in his studded leather armchair and rested his chin on the heel of his hand, 'Hmmmmm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ayahuasca , maybe?' 'No....no , not at all , I mean,' he tossed the notes on the enormous leather bound desk and dug deep in his pocket now , pulling out his phone. He swiped through the images for the one over the Intihuatana Stone , and turned the phone over to the weary Dean." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He accepted the device and as he looked at the image onscreen , his frown uncreased , his eyes widened and raised his left hand to his mouth , bunched in a tight fist and Ryan though he could detect a slight tremble. 'Professor?' 'Good God in Heaven , boy. I see it but ......." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean' 'What is it?' Ryan said , now alarmed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Professor slowly raised himself to his full height and said' I need you to go to the Faculty library immediately , I need you to bring me the volume of Highest State of\n\nConsciousness , the Campbell one.' 'Why , Professor , what do you mean' 'You'll need to trust me now Ryan , but I think you may have just made the most valuable discovery in recent human history' Ryan shuffled down the marble corridors of the Faculty , lined with busts of some of history's great minds , Marcus Aurelius , Seneca and Epictetus to name a few." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he approached warm glow of the oak double doors he noticed the Faculty insignia above them ' Sapientia Principal'. He briefly doubted the wisdom of what he was about to do next before forging on through the ornate grand doorway and heading for authors whose surname began with C." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he walked gingerly between the colossal archive praying Campbell wasn't among the nestled on the 25th row of shelves , Ryan became aware of draft." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Turning towards it he began following the source of the air and , left first and then down to the far end of the entire library past endless volumes in Greek Mythology , Roman Architecture , Alexander of Macedonia and finally to the darkest corner of the bibliotheque to ancient philosophy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he blindly followed enthralled by the air flow now it seemed to be guiding him to the book. He glanced over at A's and B's he distinctly heard the voice from Egypt say ,' feel the energy , follow the energy'. Entranced by the voice , Ryan turned and directly in front of him was the book." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His vision started to blur as his hand reached out to grab the spine of the heavy volume , his head started to shake , the airflow started to rush at his face and then as white light encircled him he whirled into unconsciousness. Ryan opened his eyes , aware he was standing upright." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To left and right were two enormous semi-circular vaults , each shelf illuminated and tomes of ancient study volumes occupied each shelf space. In the centre was a white ceramic column and above it a crest of what looked like stars , almost like a shrine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The area was so bright and immaculate , Ryan started to feel this may be Heaven , but then what happened to him? As if his thoughts had been heard a familiar voice said 'Outstanding , once again , Mr Gordon' 'Professor?' Ryan said and a figure emerged in white robes from behind the centre column , hooded but as he turned his face was unmistakeable." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'Oh , thank God , Professor it is you,' Ryan exclaimed as he walked to the cloaked figure and tried to embrace him and he passed straight through the figure and turned to face him. 'What? You are ghost?' 'Not quite." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come with me Ryan , I have a lot of explaining to do.' As Ryan walked alongside the Professor he became aware they were both glowing brightly. 'Energy. its what we all are when all is said and done. What you are now is a conscious energy projection created by your mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I saw you were one of us from the aura in the photograph and sent you here to see if you would manifest. The book I asked you for doesn't exist , it is only visible to those with the capability to see it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right now you are still at the library , in the same moment as I am still at my desk in my chamber." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You see Ryan , this sanctuary is an enormous energy cavern and we are not just dedicated to improve knowledge , our higher purpose is to understand , study and use the brains undiscovered powers.' 'Whoa .......hang on here , what do you mean , powers?' 'Have a look for yourself , these are our study volumes.' Ryan turned and walked gingerly to the left hand vault and , as he did so , the names of the text came into view - The Power of the Spectrum , Harness Your Aura , Pyromania , Cryomania , Telekinesis , Telepathy for beginners , Teleportation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ryan whirled around and , momentarily it felt like the world was spinning ,' Telekinesis? Telepathy? These are myths , the stuff of fantasy???' The Professor's mischief was kindled and he smiled and he replied without moving his mouth , ' No , my friend , very much facts' 'Aaaaahhhhhhhh' Ryan yelled in alarm as he heard the reply but acutely aware that the Professor clearly had developped his telepathy skill.\n\n'I'm sorry Ryan , I shouldn't jest , but there is a world I must show you now.' and with that the Professor continued to channel his telepathic messages." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly Ryan was confronted with a memory , his mother holding his hand as the doctor delivered the news." }, { "from": "human", "value": "'ADHD , Mrs Gordon , is quite common , treatable with therapy and a drug prescription , Ritalin is the most prolific at successful ADHD treatment' and now'.........suddenly , Ryan , older now is extending his legs to lock his knees as he straightens his back and lifts a car off a man's legs trapped underneath it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And then suddenly his aunt appeared , young again and was sitting in a hospital bed trussed in a straight jacket , glazed eyes and rocking back and forth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the end of the bed a little girl was wrestling out of the grip of two orderlies and suddenly the air distorted above her head and small items began float , cups , paper clips , a handkerchief , an empty bedpan , food trays , all revolving around her in a circle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One orderly said ,'its meds time Mallory' and before he could continue she screamed and all the floating shrapnel then flew at the orderley." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then the Professor slumped in a dark lounge room airchair , a bottle of whisky in his hand dropping at the side along with a photo frame of a woman as a shaft of light lanced directly at him and his body floated out of the armchair , and rose arms outstretched and face upturned to the light ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The light subsided and Ryan became present again ,'Its all lies , all of it. ADHD , schizophrenia , depression , they not real..........misdiagnosed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But the objects and .............you were floating ............' Speaking this time the Professor said ' Our modern psychology is in its infancy Ryan , too little is understood about the brain and our answers are to treat the symptom not the cause." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a few of us who can harness our power , we can use our impairment to great benefit , levitation , superhuman strength , transporting objects , mind reading.' 'But why is this not widely known?' Ryan said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'Sadly , we are the greatest existential threat to the pharmaceutical industry and sadly our neurotypical brothers and sisters tend to react with fear and irrationality. Also , we have an enemy who seek to destroy us' 'Us?' Ryan exclaimed. 'Yes , Ryan Gordon . We are The Enlightened.'." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You Two Make Horrible Nurses" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A dragon flew from his nest atop an island mountain to do a little fishing. He reached into the waves and snagged a big one with his back claw, and ascended into the sky. As he did, he saw an odd stick floating in the water." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What made it odd was that it was vertical instead of the more acceptable horizontal position. However, his attention quickly returned to his catch as it fiercely struggled to escape. He flew back to his clan's nest, securing the fish with both claws and forgot all about the strange stick in the sea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He would have known it wasn't a stick if the dragon had used half an ounce of his one-ounce brain. It was a spyglass. The spyglass slowly sped through the choppy sea into a small cove." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As the cove became more shallow, the spyglass arose from the water, revealing an underwater boat made from a hollowed-out tree with a cork in its bow. It ran aground and stuck. The cork popped out, and three exited." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lady Nimmo, her father, and the spirit of Trungen made their way through the island to a cave using a map provided by spies from Selwyn. What those spies discovered on this island is the reason the three were here. Once in the cave, they set up shop." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lady Nimmo pulled out her carving knives and arranged them on a flat rock. Jor and Trungen retrieved a few trunks. Unable to sit and do nothing, Lady Nimmo tidied up the cave while waiting for them to return. She found the spies' campfire, reached in, and lifted out a half-burnt log." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She immediately dropped it. Her heart pounding quicker. She looked around, half expecting to see shadow elves. The log was warm. Somebody has used this campfire recently. The vast cave had felt inviting and safe a few moments ago, but now, every dark corner concealed unknown dangers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She wished she had already carved a few of her magic stumpers or that her father and Trungen were back. She returned to her flat rock and grabbed a carving knife and a torch. She searched one dark spot at a time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The torchlight ran over stones that, at first glance, appeared to be murderous elves but proved to be ordinary rocks too friendly-looking to murder anyone. She began to feel a little more at ease as she eliminated almost all potential hiding places until her light revealed an out-of-place object." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was so out of place that she hardly believed what she saw. She reached down and picked up the leather-bound, dusty book. She shook it and opened it. Someone had written in it. She flipped through the pages and found half written on and the other half blank." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jor and Trungen entered carrying a stump, and Lady Nimmo dropped the book. \"Oh, my! You startled me,\" Lady Nimmo said. \"What do you have there?\" Jor asked. She picked it back up. \"I found this book lying over there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was about to read some before you came in.\" Jor and Trungen put the stump down and headed out to get another. \"You don't have time for reading,\" Jor said as he exited." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She ignored him and opened to the title page: \" My Really Exciting Adventures That Normal Boring People Don't Have by Captain Arrow James This book isn't based on a true story or actual events. My memory is far too foggy for that. Instead, I'm calling this a creative, not fiction book." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is much easier to fill in my memory gaps with unverifiable ones.\" Jor and Trungen carried in another stump. She closed the book. She could read later, but now she needed to carve. A magical stumper army wasn't going to happen by itself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A dozen carved stumpers lay lifeless in a row, their faces frozen. They looked like stumpers but were just pretty faces on lifeless stumps. Lady Nimmo carved, but her magic didn't work. It didn't bring the stumps to life. \"I want this army. I want to get the Eye of Duran back for King Moreland." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why won't my magic work?\" Lady Nimmo sat near the campfire with her head hung low. She felt helpless. \"Give it some time,\" Jor said. \"Perhaps your heart will be in it tomorrow.\" The next day, Jor and Trungen left to get more stumps. Lady Nimmo picked up the book: \"I was fighting for my life." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sailors didn't understand that I only wanted their treasure. They mistook me for a regular pirate. However, I don't know how since I clearly have two legs.\" She continued reading more about Captain Arrow James. He never killed or even beheaded anyone. He did make a poor guy walk the plank once." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But since the ship had wrecked, the plank reached out over an inviting lagoon, only leading to the poor guy getting a good swim. She was starting to feel like she knew this captain, but unfortunately, Jor and Trungen returned with more work. Day after day, Lady Nimmo carved." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The row of lifeless stumpers grew, along with her frustration. \"How will we overrun the Keep if I can't carve one stumper to life?\" Lady Nimmo allowed her frustration and anger to spill out. \"I mean, what good am I? Why am I here?\" \"Keep calm and carve on,\" Jor said. \"It'll happen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They'll come to life.\" \"What if they don't?\" \"Then we'll find another way to get the Eye of Duran.\" Suddenly, Trungen stood, her green light illuminated brighter. She grabbed her staff and looked to the cave entrance. \"What is it?\" Jor asked. He stood and drew his sword." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The trees are warning me of danger.\" They were on their feet, staring at the mouth of the cave when shadow elves began to pour in. They filled the cave. The elves were dressed in black from head to toe, armed with whips and swords. They attacked en masse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trungen spun her staff so fast it sounded like a windmill in a tornado. She knocked out two elves and parried the thrust of a sword in one fluid motion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few elves used their whips around Trungen's legs, but she cut the straps in two with her greenish fiery staff and face-punched them as quickly as Muhammad Ali on his third Monster Energy drink. Some elves charged Jor. His sword glowed deep red when they pulled out their swords." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They paused in shock when they saw Jor's eyes catch fire. One of the elves thought to himself, \"This isn't good,\" right before Jor's sword sliced his puny boring unlit sword in two. Lady Nimmo screamed in shock and fear when she saw her father. She had never seen this side of him before." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had questions, but it wasn't like they could talk about it over a cup of hot tea. She shook off her dismay and grabbed her bow. Trungen was also taken back but had better command of her emotions than Lady Nimmo. She never stopped cracking heads and dodging blows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The elves' numbers increased, eventually subduing Jor and Trungen with dozens of whips. Lady Nimmo stood with her bow, but none of the elves approached her. One of the shadow elves pulled a knife and placed it on Jor's cheek. \"We've been ordered not to harm the lady." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "However, we have no orders about you two,\" the elf said. He slid his knife slowly down Jor's cheek, opening a trail of blood. Lady Nimmo screamed, \"Stop it!\" She aimed her bow and released her arrow. The reflexes of an elf are amazingly quick." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He grabbed Jor and turned his back to the flying arrow, using him as a shield. It struck Jor. \"Noooo!\" Lady Nimmo fell to her knees. The elf laughed as he let Jor slide to the ground. The cave echoed with her cries of anguish. Tears streamed down her face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her only thought was how she killed her father. She saw him lying on the floor with her arrow in his back. The pain increased beyond her control. \"Father!\" The elf responsible relished in her pain. He stepped on Jor, \"Look here, lady.\" He ordered the elves surrounding Trungen to remove her head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One apprehensive elf took his sword and walked to Trungen, who was bound from head to foot with whips but made no attempt to free herself. She only stared at the approaching elf. Lady Nimmo saw what was about to happen, and something snapped inside. She jumped to her feet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "White flames burned in her eyes. The shadow elves stopped and looked at her. She stretched out her arms, and a gust of wind filled the cave, knocking elves off their feet. It bellowed and howled. While the elves kept trying to stay on their feet, the eyes of the lifeless stumpers burned white." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Over a hundred stumpers stood in unison, and Lady Nimmo spoke in their language, \"Attack the shadow elves!\" Her words sounded like dried leaves rustling in the wind. They rose and seized the swords and whips of the off-balanced elves." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The wind continued blowing but did not affect the stumpers, as if the wind allied with them. They rounded up the entire lot, securing them with whips. Once they were all tied, the wind died. Lady Nimmo lowered her arms. Her eyes returned to normal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She ran to her father and tried to turn him over, but she realized the arrow wouldn't allow it, so she held him half-turned and cried. Trungen bent down and felt his arm. \"His blood flows,\" Trungen said. She asked some stumpers to get water. They returned, and Trungen washed the wound." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jor was unconscious. They agreed this would be the best time to remove the arrow. So, Trungen did. \"Ow! Xer-Bane, Almighty! What did you go and do a thing like that for?\" Jor yelled and cursed. \"Give a man a drink first!\" Lady Nimmo hugged him and sobbed. \"There, there. I'm alright." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It's just a shoulder wound. I've had worse than that.\" She hugged him tighter. \"Lighten up! Too hard! By Xer-Bane, you two make horrible nurses.\" She quickly let go and laughed, repeatedly telling him she was sorry but so happy to see him alive. She bound his wound and made a bed for him to rest." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After caring for her father, she organized the stumpers to build crude cages for the captured shadow elves. Then she armed the stumpers with their enemy's weapons and began to plan how they would storm the Keep holding the Eye of Duran." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She figured most of the shadow elves were in cages, but there could be more in the Keep than she expected. She chose several stumpers to spy on it. \"So, what is your plan?\" Trungen asked. \"I don't want to make a move until our spies return.\" \"That's very wise. I'll walk among the trees." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is very therapeutic for me.\" \"Good idea. I think I'll do some reading. I want to see if Captain Arrow James has better exciting adventures than we do.\"." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wade's Regret" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wade spotted the roofline and walked the perimeter of the woods until he found an opening to a well-worn, tiny path. He stepped onto the porch, pondered his next move, and looked around, nervous and alert." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He turned to go, but a gust of wind swept him into the house. \n\nThe door slammed shut loudly and delivered Wade into the foyer. He heard a woman’s voice and his name. It came from behind him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He turned to see a woman dressed as though she were going to the ball in her long blonde hair, powdered red cheeks, and ruby red lipstick in a long blue sequined gown. \n\n“Wade, I’ve been expecting you. I’m Sophie. We have so little time to chat right now. We have to move,” she said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her voice was velvety sweet to his ear. Minutes later, a book dropped to the floor without its dust cover. Wade bent to pick it up and read the spine. “Thirteen Ghosts.” Wade, an avid reader of ghost stories, knew the book well." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Regret, foremost in his mind, goosebumps broke out all over his body.\n\n“Where are we going? I’d prefer to leave instead. I’ll take you with me if you’d like to come. I just need to get this confounded door open.” He reefed on it with all his might, but the door remained fixed. “Oh, you’re adorable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But this is my home.” She smiled at him. “We need to go. Now.” Her tone had changed, and her eyes looked glassy. She led him to a particular stack of books on the wall and moved right through them.\n\nWade felt a tug on his shirt. She pulled him into the wall. They landed in a maze of books." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wade’s face lost all expression and colour. His hair stood at attention on his body. \n\n“What just happened? You went through the wall? How did you do that?” Wade’s voice was shaky as he backed away from her. He paused." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You aren't a ghost, are you? Everybody knows they only exist in works of fiction.” Wade jerked his head back.\n\nSophie looked Wade in the eye, and the seriousness of her message was reflected in her face. “Wade, books will drop in our path. Take this bag to collect them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We need to pick up every last one.”\n\n“This boo—I—” Before he could get it all out, another book dropped, “The Haunting.” Wade jumped—his nerves, a jumble. Sophie picked it up quickly and slipped it into his bag." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her appearance was now that of a red-eyed, cobwebbed-covered, skeletal ghoul draped in soiled rags. A thunderous voice rattled the house, shaking books in each room and all the books in the maze." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wade watched it ripple and heard a taunting version of an old song: “So-phie, So-phie, come out, come out, wherever you are.” In a mocking singsong tone, the chaser terrified Wade, so his teeth chattered. “Let me out, now!” Wade said. His breaths were shallow in his nervous pants. “He's after me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He’s a ghost man,” Sophie said with a grimace. “This maze is our best defence. We should run.”\n\nThey ran until Wade’s adrenaline petered out. They sat on the cold ground. Despite his gasps for regular breathing, Wade said, “Why’s he chasing you?\" He wiped the sweat off his brow. “I owe him something." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don’t want him to catch me. I don’t like trouble,” Sophie said. She looked into Wade’s eyes.\n\n“Why drop ghost stories? It freaks me out. I’m not comfortable here. I want to leave. Take me outside, please.\" “Oh, sorry, Wade, we’re far from outside." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The only way is through the house; we could run into the ghost man there,” Sophie warned. \n\nWade jumped. Eyes large. “I don’t care." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’ll chance it, being near that horrible, rattling voice as long as I can get out.” “Be careful what you wish for, Wade.” She saw he had caught his breath and said, “Time is almost up; let’s go.” They didn’t stop again until the next book dropped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Creepy crawlies wriggled over his body.\n\n“I...I...I need some air. What’s going on here isn't right. I need to get out of here.\" Angst rose inside him like mercury in a thermometer on a scorcher. “Wade, I won’t leave you.” He gasped. “Thank God.” He held his head in his hands." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The realization hit him like a tsunami. Regret flooded his mind. “I wish this book-dropping would stop!” he shouted. “I’m a wreck.” They ran until Sophie made a sharp left and lost Wade." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stopped when she noticed Wade wasn’t close on her heels.\n\nHe had stopped to pick up “The Uninvited,” which dropped at his feet.\n\nThe voice blasted again, shattered the windows, cracked the floorboards, and said, \"So-phie, come out of the maze." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hear you in there—you and your guest need to come out and face me.” “Oh my God, he's more agitated than the last time,” Wade said, his hand on his forehead. Sweat rings around his armpits and neckline. “I already told you, Wade, he's looking for me, not you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I did something to him and owe some overdue books.” She tried to reassure Wade. “We have to stay ahead of him. Let’s move it.” “But why? What did you do? I’m done running,” Wade said.\n\n“He wants them back.” Sophie raised an eyebrow and then disappeared around the corner." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The man’s voice reverberated around the house and maze: “So-phie, return to me what you took from me.” Torrid screeches and droning moans followed, shooting horrific desperation throughout Wade.\n\n“Wade, the entire house is a library in disguise,” she whispered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“A library? Do you mean like a ghost library?” He whispered. “Yes, I have overdue books; he is the librarian here. He’s after me. He has a fine attached to them that I must pay. I refuse to give him what he demands because it’s not finished enough." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For him yet.” Wade stopped, looked at her, and contemplated what she said. He gulped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“He’s expecting me as Payme—before he could finish his question, “The Haunting of Hill House”—fell into his bag? Another book, “House on a Haunted Hill,” was dropped, this time in front of Sophie.\n\nA wicked wind whipped up, and Wade heard what sounded like pages turning one after another." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The temperature plummeted to 25°F. His breath hung in the air. Wade tried to run against the wind, but his strength did not match it. And it blew him through the maze and into the library. The librarian's ghost met him at the door. His voice was no longer scary, and Wade recognized it immediately." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sophie delivered Wade; she followed through with her end. “Welcome, Wade. You need a library card.” \"I came to return these books, but I’m not interested in our card. I won’t be staying.” Wade gave him the bag of books and stood at the check-in counter. Wade saw that he looked menacing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His body radiated green, and tiny black dots were embedded in the yellow, hollow eye sockets. Something purple protruded from his face, resembling veins.\n\nThe librarian ignored Wade’s request. Wade repeated himself, \"Many thanks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’d like to go now, please.\" The ghost man took the books out of the bag and checked them in. He handed Wade his library card. \"Wade, you’ve missed the lesson. You’re stuck here. You won’t be going anywhere.” He smiled at Wade and showed his blackened, stained, yellow-spotted teeth as he did." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wade’s mouth ran dry, the colour drained from his face, and he felt clammy. His stomach raced with wild anxiety.\n\n“Now to Sophie.” The librarian disappeared and left Wade in the library with no way out. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Taboo" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Splatters of rain strike the makeshift tin roof of the debilitated house the boy hid in." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He sat with his ear to the door trying to listen for the heavy bootsteps that would signal his imminent death.\n\nAs always we felt that his heart was beating too loudly, his palms were sweaty and he was slightly nauseous.\n\nBut as he reached into his pocket to ensure the little scrap of paper was still there, he felt alive.\n\nConfident that he was in the clear, the boy opened the door and peeked out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No one, just the usual - bombed out buildings, broken palm trees strewn about, too much sand.\n\nThis area had been off limits for five years now, a third of the boy's life, and at this point it was mostly defended by a broken fence and fear.\n\nThe first time the boy came here the fence was almost enough to keep him out, but the fear that resided at home was enough to propel him forward." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He just needed to hide away for a few days while his parents drowned their anger and helplessness with the drink. The bones had healed by this point, but remained tender enough that lifting his arms above his head to climb the wall was a struggle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But he did it in the end, making it over five minutes before the patrol came by shining a light for a few seconds before scurrying on to the next restricted area.\n\nThis place was spoken about in whispers, it being the site of the famous riot that started the war.\n\nThe story, told through the self censored language that had become commonplace, alluded to a protest against the government's attempt to ban books for all but the loyalists." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The protestors violated the law by reading aloud in public, they were massacred - even the children who were the laws were enacted to protect. The neighborhood revolted, kicking the police out, fighting back with such intensity that they won control of the city." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Until eventually a lone fighter jet was sent out from Macdill Airforce base, and set the city ablaze." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The missiles were enough to end the resistance there, and through a campaign of bombings, disappearances, and mass incarceration enforcement of the taboo spread through the nation until books became a commodity rarer than gold.\n\nAnyone in possession of one book was subject to interrogation, to be in possession of one hundred would be a public stoning.\n\nHowever, on his first trip, the boy discovered that buried under the rubble were the remains of a building that held row after row of books." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The place was dusty, the roof was caved in, part of the building was flooded, bugs scattered being chased by lizards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This place was magical.\n\nEvery few days the boy would sneak back and spend hours moving rubble, scooping out water with a bucket, cleaning dust off the books, moving books to areas with a more stable section of roof." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right before he left he would rip a few pages out of a book, triple folding it before stuffing it in his pocket to read at home by the sparse moonlight that entered his window.\n\nIf he were caught with the pages the consequences would be severe, but mostly verbal reprimand, and a mark on his public file if not his person in short no worse than the daily consequences of living in his home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once he was on the verge being caught by his mother and was forced to eat the pages of a book about wizards and infanticide- and right when it was getting good ! So good that upon the next verbal lashing he received he was tempted to read out loud to his parents and incriminate them as well, but he resisted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked forward to his trips, they gave him life on stormy nights that were too dangerous to venture out and on days when the heat advisory made it mandatory to stay indoors.\n\nEach trip solidified that the government was evil, banning books seemed akin to putting every citizen in America in their own personal prison of illiteracy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Paradoxically each trip also gave him insight into why knowledge was so dangerous. There were books on gardening that made him angry at the meager rations that his family were allotted amid the restrictions on growing your own food." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were books about religions that were not the state sponsored offshoots of Christianity that opted not to preach absolute obedience to the government. There were books about sex that made it sound a lot less of a patriotic task meant to keep the nation’s army well stocked with recruits." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There were books about music that encouraged rebellions and books on how to ensure those rebellions succeeded.\n\nThere were books about fantastical worlds with no rulers, with magic and hope.\n\nWhere parents did not mistreat their children." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where neighbors were not government stooges willing to turn you in over\n\nfor some sunflower seeds and a few stale granola bars.\n\nMost dangerous of all were the books filled with characters who questioned the status quo and were rewarded for it, while the apathetic suffered in squalor.\n\nDuring two weeks of storms and ill tempers he planned his next trip, plotting out the books he would tackle next - there was one on how to make better deals by some former president that seemed intriguing, but half the pages were ripped out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was another that talked about how to win at War or something.\n\nFinally the rain slowed enough that it was safe to venture outside without being carried away by the daily surges. \n\nOn this trip, his 102nd, he had made it a few steps into the library before he recognized that something was off.\n\nSomeone was here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huddled in the corner, books scattered amongst them\n\nwere a pair of girls. The girls hear the boy and stand up turning towards him, their hazel eyes wide with fear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They were\n\nthe mirror image of the other with the exception that one had pink hair and the other brown and was missing a part of her ear.\n\nNone of them spoke, the silence seemed to transcend the laws of time as the trio tried to figure out how to proceed.\n\nThe boy had committed 102 counts of insurrection,\n\nthe girls who had been caught reading." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If they were spies they were already doomed to die. As if they can read each other's minds, in unison they spoke the taboo “Library”.\n\nThey enacted the greatest battle in this underground temple encrusted with knowledge perfumed by the moth eaten pages of books, they smiled.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Guardian of the universe’s knowledge" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack Manning sits after the sad and somber funeral of his precious grandmother Ellen. She was a quirky eccentric woman who lived in a home straight out of the year 1900. It had only been five years ago when they finally convinced her to remodel and put in indoor plumbing and a bathroom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She always wore tailored suit dresses with a slight bell shape to the skirts and always in drab colors. Her hats were where she expressed herself, they were always bold and colorful, with feathers and puffs of lace and bows, lots of bows." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only jewelry she wore was a gold marriage band, otherwise, she would have been gaudy, as she often said about others. She frequently wore white gloves to hide her hands and her dresses were long enough to cover her entire body, the only skin she ever showed was her face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The home was like stepping into a museum, doilies adorned every table or shelf, and the interior was lit by oil lamps, so every room had just enough light to see but not reveal much detail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A tall thin man in a suit startles Jack from thought and takes him to an adjoining room where he is told that he has inherited the entirety of her estate, which is much more lucrative than he had thought it would be. He knew ahead of time that he would be inheriting her home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was the only visitor she received most weeks and liked the old things she had, so he visited every Saturday. “Holy crap! This place is old,” Patty, Jack’s fiancé says smacking her gum and displaying her Jersey accent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Not really, it was built in the fifties, but it was built like the houses at the turn of the century,” Jack explains. “My mom’s house was built in two thousand and it looks nothing like this,” Patty states. “No babe, it was built like the houses built in the year 1900,” Jack calmly explains to her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Oh! Okay, oooh look doilies. Your Granny was so refined, I can’t believe we get to live in such a nice place. It is so much better than your old roach-infested apartment,” she says as she admires the antiques and trinkets lining the walls." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Don’t get too attached to anything babe, I plan to sell most of that crap on eBay. I won’t have to hustle any more to get by I can live on the stuff from this place for a couple years,” Jack reveals his true intentions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Oh look! Little spoons from all the states, and even a couple from other countries!” She excitedly declares. “Let’s get settled in before you begin naming things,” Jack orders taking her by the arm and dragging her away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he intended Jack set about bringing the house into the twenty-first century, he had an electrician install lighting, internet, and cable television." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After only a few weeks the house was a stark contrast to its former self, and Jack had begun to catalog each room for his ambitions to sell off the antiques on e-bay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He worked harder than ever before going room to room, finding treasures this house held, photographing them, inputting them, and boxing them up. After living in the home for a month he has gone through the top floor, and attic, and is now working on the ground floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He first works in an office where his grandmother wrote her articles for the local paper, and as he is cataloging her antique typewriter he notices some old-looking books on the shelves on the opposite wall." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack leaves his work momentarily to check out the small library of books on the opposite wall. A respectable collection of first editions and books from antiquity. He is flipping through a copy of The Great Gatsby when he sees a book that was probably his grandmother’s standard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Woman’s guide to health, beauty, and happiness. What every woman should know. I should give this to Patty!” he laughs at what he perceives her reaction would be." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack sets down his book and reaches for the woman’s guide, it tilts halfway down, and the shelf twists open releasing a gust of stagnant air. He takes a step back to recover to think about what this discovery means." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Through the three-inch-wide gap, he can see another room on the other side, a secret room. He had been in this house a thousand times over his young life, and never knew about this. He's never heard anyone speak about a secret room, the reason it has stayed a secret until now. “Babe?” he calls." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Yeah!” “Come here, I need you!” “Ahh! That’s sweet,” she exclaims as she clicks and clacks her way down the hall in high heels. “Check it out!” Jack says showing her the secret room. “Looks scary in there,” she says leaning in and peering through the gap." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I’m going in, stay here in case I need help,” he orders. “But I was doing my nails,” she complains. “Do them in here,” he replies solving her problem. She runs off happily to retrieve her nail kit and Jack spins open the shelf." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The chamber behind the shelf is brick but it trails off to the right and turns into stone, then bedrock. There is light at the bottom of the tunnel, it looks like a room dug out of the bedrock, and the sound of Dean Martin singing ‘Amore’ plays." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jack steps as gently and silently as he can with the great unknown only a few steps ahead, anything could be down there. Scenarios play in his mind born from every horror movie he has ever seen turning his legs into anchors and his will into putty, then he sees a shadow walk past the light." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Oh shit!” he quietly exclaims. “Is someone there?” Calls a graveled voice from the shadows. Jack remains silent, stilled by fear, and paralyzed to do anything." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he thought he couldn’t get any more scared he could see the shadow moving closer, the shadow growing large, then that horrible face peered around the corner. “Grandpa?” Jack recognized the man. “Jacky?” Jack jumped excitedly into the arms of the man who has been missing for over twenty years." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Don’t! Stay in the tunnel!” the old man screamed at the exuberant young man leaping into his arms. Jack hugged his grandpa tight but the sounds of mechanisms churning in the background drew both of their attention. They watched as the bookshelf at the top of the tunnel turned back and locked shut." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What happened?” Jack asked. “When the weight comes off the tunnel floor the mechanism locks.” “Just step back on it!” Jack suggests stepping into the tunnel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“It can only be opened from the top, it is a secret room, only the guardian is supposed to stay here to protect the ancient knowledge,” The old man explains. “Huh?” Jack asks confused. His grandpa reaches out takes his hand and guides him to an ornate carved wooden door with gold inlays." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pulls a strange key from his pocket and inserts it in the lock within a wolf's mouth. The lock clicks over and the door pops releasing air and dust, the old man pulls open the door and reveals a spectacular brilliantly lit room with ancient books lining every wall, nook, and cranny." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Books are stacked on tables in the middle, to the side, and in crates on the floor. Some of the crates are labeled Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Indus Valley, Kingdom of Aksum, and plenty more from places I have never heard of like Anunnaki archives. “Anunnaki? Isn’t that…” “Aliens..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In that crate is a very interesting Codex, it's especially interesting how they built the pyramids,” the old man reveals. “Grandpa?’ “Yeah.” “How do you look so young?” Jack asks. “Time moves differently down here.” “But you disappeared so long ago,” Jack wonders." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“By the looks of you about thirty years.” “More like Twenty, I’ve had a hard life so far,” Jack explains. “From the smell of the pot on you, you’ve probably made it hard on yourself.” Jack takes offense to his directness but knows in his heart that his Grandpa Is right." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He walks around and looks at the books, he flips them open and reads a couple of them and something strikes him as strange.\n\n“How is it that they are all in English, why can I read texts from ancient civilizations English wasn’t even a language then?” Jack asks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“The jewel of Dug is a Sumerian amulet that allows anyone to read any text regardless of the language it was written in.” “That’s cool, but Grandpa there is something I have to tell you,” Jack says turning to him with a tear in his eye. “I know, she’s gone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have grieved but also an ancient duty to protect this knowledge.” “What duty?” “The men in our family have a secret duty passed on from father to son for a millennium." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The knights of the Thistle we are called, it is the greatest order of Chivalry in Scotland, and we were tasked with protecting this knowledge by an even greater order of protectors who were going extinct.” “Extinct?” Jack asks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“They were a race of Nordic aliens, who were like humans, but were very advanced. They understood that this knowledge is powerful and in the wrong hands could be dangerous." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Many civilizations have fallen because they attempted to use this power for personal gain, so we are tasked with keeping it safe and secure. “How have you survived down here for so long without food or water?” Jack wonders. “The wishing stone.” “Seriously!” Jack exclaims." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You can’t wish for anything, only for the things for survival.” “I knew it was too good to be true,” Jack says disappointed. “If I could wish for anything I would wish to be out of here.” “Yeah, I guess so,” Jack whimpers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“But the stone makes a good T-bone steak.” “It was created for a Lycan King who was banished in a pit for a hundred years, the punishment was supposed to kill him but a sorcerer friendly to the king created the stone so that instead of dying in the pit, one day he could return and retake his throne.” “Did he? Did he get his throne back?” Jack asked excitedly like when his grandpa told stories to him as a boy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“He reemerged a hundred years later and saw that his people were better off without him, so he walked into the wilderness alone to find adventure and live out his natural life.” “Sounds like a wise king,” Jack replies." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As Jack picks up a handful of gold coins from a large chest a sound from the other room catches their attention and they both drop what they are holding to the table and run for the tunnel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jack is first through and instead of taking chances, he calls out to Patty who is the only other person it could be. “Patty! Stay in the tunnel, don’t move!” Jack yells." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“O-O-Okay…” Jack turns the corner as his grandpa catches up bumping into him, they stare up at her cowering on the floor of the tunnel holding her hand as if she is hurt. “Are you hurt, baby?” “I broke a nail, and I just bought these things,” she complains crying in the tunnel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Oh baby, I’m sorry But I have a surprise for you,” Jack says as he and his grandpa walk into the tunnel, pick her up, and go through the bookcase into the office. “It’s just as I remember,” the old man laments." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jack and Patty stand in the office as the old man walks around and sits at the desk admiring and searching for something in the drawers. “Who is he?” Patty asks Jack. “That’s my grandpa, his name is uhm, ugh… I can’t remember your name, Grandpa, what is it?” Jack asks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The old man looks up at Jack and stalls at the question asked of him. “Grandpa,” the old man says returning to his search. “No, what is your actual name, I can’t remember?” Jack insists beginning to wonder if something is wrong." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The old man stares at Jack while he rifles through the desk with his hands until he finds what he is looking for and smiles an evil smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Suddenly he pulls a gun from the desk and shoots and kills Patty sending her reeling back to the floor, Jack grabs the table lamp and throws it at the old man knocking the gun from his hand. Jack jumps on top of the old man and a fight ensues." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Punch after the punch is exchanged and they fight to exhaustion, blood drips from swollen lips and battered faces. “Who are you?” Jack demands to know. “I’m your grandpa.” “Bullshit! You don’t even know your name!” Jack yells. “You don’t know it either, but you got me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’m not your grandpa, but he tasted good,” the being says licking his lips as his appearance changes revealing his true self. “You bastard!” Jack yells and throws the only thing near him, a statue of the Virgin Mary lying on the floor from the scuffle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The statue flies at the head of the being sitting at the open bookcase. He snaps back avoiding the collision as it crashes into the bookcase, lying there he laughs maniacally." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I am the Nordic alien! Your grandfather trapped me in that prison, but I got my revenge when I killed him.” Desperate Jack throws a paperweight at him smashing into the bookcase, but this time the ‘Woman’s Guide to health, beauty, and happiness’ pivoted all the way out and the bookcase slammed shut cutting off the head of the Nordic Alien, killing him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As Jack lies there trying to regain his composure he hears the whimper of Patty on the floor on the other side of the room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He grabs his cell phone to call 911 but hesitates, it will look like he shot her! Desperate he gets an idea, he jumps up, runs to the bookcase, and tilts the book ‘Woman’s Guide to Health, Beauty, and Happiness back to the halfway position and the bookcase opens." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The head of the Nordic alien sits there oozing green blood, he steps over the head and drags the body down the tunnel so he can retrieve something." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He runs into the library and returns with something wrapped in a cloth, because the body weighed down the tunnel mechanism he can re-enter the office and shut the bookcase behind him. He rushes to Patty’s side placing the wrapped bundle next to her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He unwraps the cloth revealing the wishing stone, and he quickly prays. “Whatever god commands the magic in this stone please save her life, she may be ditzy and materialistic, but I love her with every ounce of my soul." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cannot survive without her!” He yells as he leans in and kisses her bloody cheek. Jack lies his head on her chest listening to her heartbeat growing ever slower. A new trail of blood runs from her side and drips onto the stone and the magic of the stone glows bright and heals her wounds instantly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sits upright and stares back at Jack sitting next to her and they kiss and embrace. “I love you too Jacky!” she says wiping the blood from her face. “You, okay?” “Now I am, I watched you kill that Alien, you’re so brave!” she swoons over him. “Thanks.” “Oh shit!” she exclaims." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What now?” “I broke another nail…” she smiles out of frustration. “One good thing came from all this,” Jack says. “Yeah, Jacky what’s that?” “I have a new job.” “Oh, really sweetie, doing what?” “I am the Guardian of the universe’s knowledge,” he boasts." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“That’s nice, I’m hungry can we go to Applebee’s?” “Sure baby, anything for you.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Adventures of Taylor Chelsea and Manny" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "THE ADVENTURES OF TAYLOR, CHELSEA AND MANNY Written by Stephanie Butler 3679 Washington Blvd 317-403-5520 FADE IN THE ADVENTURES OF TAYLOR, CHELSEA AND MANNY EXT: CENTRAL LIBRARY - DAY TAYLOR and CHELSEA walk into the library and find their way to the children’s section." }, { "from": "human", "value": "CHELSEA - C’mon Taylor let’s look at some books over here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taylor looks up at Chelsea CHELSEA (CONT'D) - These are more like the ones you like to read TAYLOR - Okay (Cheerfully) INT: CHILDREN’S SECTION - DAY Taylor and Chelsea move to another book shelf MANNY is sitting at a table adjacent to the shelf." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looks nervous when he sees Chelsea MANNY - Hey uhm, Chels! You getting books for the summer readathon? CHELSEA - Hey Manny! Yeah, I’m really helping my little sister find some good books MANNY - Oh sure, hi Taylor INT: AT THE BOOK SHELF Chelsea and Manny are in conversation Taylor is standing behind Chelsea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taylor doesn't appreciate Chelsea spending their alone time with a boy. TAYLOR - Chelsea I wanna go over there! Taylor points to an area away from Manny CHELSEA - Wait Taylor, I’ll take you in a minute MANNY - So...what are you doing later? CHELSEA - I don’t know." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What’s up? MANNY - Some of us are going over to the park. You know skateboarding and stuff. You wanna come? CHELSEA - Well...I have to take my little sister home first Chelsea turns around to look at Taylor and finds she’s no longer there or in sight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "CHELSEA (CONT'D) - Oh no! Taylor where did she go?! As she twists and turns to see if Taylor is nearby MANNY - She was just there! CHELSEA - What a brat! I have to find her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’ll see you later Chelsea begins to walk away MANNY - Here, I’ll help you look for her INT: MEANWHILE MYSTERIOUS HALLWAY Taylor is walking down a mysterious hallway." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the end of the hallway is a light of crystals shining and drawing her nearer INT: END OF THE HALLWAY Taylor walks into the lighted area." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her image is enveloped in the light and swallowed INT: AT THE SAME TIME MAIN LIBRARY COMMON AREA Chelsea and Manny are walking through the library searching for Taylor CHELSEA - Taylor! LIBRARY PATRON#1 - Shhh! MANNY - Taylor! LIBRARY PATRON #2 - Shhha! CHELSEA AND MANNY - Taylor! LIBRARIAN - Shhhhh! Chelsea and Manny stand at the end of the book shelves adjacent to a door CHELSEA - I’m going to be in a lot of trouble if I don't find her MANNY - Maybe she went thru there, let’s look pointing at the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "CHELSEA - It says staff only MANNY - All the more reason to go in. You forget I have a little cousin? You know how curious little kids are Manny and Chelsea walk thru the door and down the hallway until they come upon a large room. The room looks as though it was a reading room at one point." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cob webs and dust now decorate the room Manny and Chelsea begin searching for Taylor INSERT MONTAGE A) Manny looks under a table B) Chelsea looks under the same table behind Manny C) Manny looks around a bookshelf and sees Chelsea D) Chelsea is looking around the other end and sees Manny E) Backing up searching, Chelsea and Manny back into each other END OF MONTAGE INT: IN THE ROOM WITH TAYLOR Taylor sits on the floor surrounded by books." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They are on her lap and around her in stacks. Taylor is laughing and having fun CHELSEA - (looking around) This must be an old part of the library. It looks like a home for abandoned books. MANNY - This part is weird." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didn’t know it was here Chelsea gets frustrated CHELSEA - Taylor knows better than to run off like this! MANNY - (Reassuring) Hey, if Taylor is anything like you she’s okay. Okay? CHELSEA - Yeah? Thanks but we still need to find her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taylor! TAYLOR - Chelsea! Over here! Chelsea and Manny excitedly look at each other CHELSEA AND MANNY - Taylor! Where are you? TAYLOR - Over here! Chelsea and Manny follow Taylor’s voice and locate her in the pile of books INT: IN THE ROOM WITH TAYLOR Taylor holds up a handful of books TAYLOR - I found some books see! Chelsea rushes to her CHELSEA - What did mom say about running off! (Looks around) Where are we? Manny slowly walking around investigating MANNY - It looks like a closed off section of the library." }, { "from": "human", "value": "These books must be really old As Manny walks around the room he picks up a book from the shelf MANNY (CONT'D) - Hey check this out! Mother Goose Rhymes, Grimm fairytales...Briar Rabbit! Chelsea turns back to Taylor CHELSEA - C’mon Taylor put those books down, we need to get back to the other side." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We shouldn’t be here Chelsea grabs the books from Taylors hand and begins to put it down... BOOK - Read me! Chelsea looks at the book CHELSEA - Did one of you say that? MANNY - I didn’t TAYLOR - It was the book. It talks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They all do! They told me to read them CHELSEA (Grabbing Taylor’s arm) - Okay Taylor it’s time for your nap." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Home we go! Chelsea attempts to pull Taylor up from the floor BOOK - Read me! MANNY - Uh Chels, I don't think she was imagining...I heard it too CHELSEA - Manny your doing that! You can just cut out the tricks now they’re getting creepy! Chelsea picks up a book CHELSEA (CONT'D) - It can’t be this book BOOK - Take us home with you! Read us! The book in Chelsea’s hand speaks to her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She throws the book down and backs away The three children look at each other." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then Raggedy Ann and her little brother Andy pop out of the book Chelsea was holding RAGGEDY ANN - Don’t be afraid we want to be your friends Chelsea turns to Manny CHELSEA - Do you see this? MANNY - I can’t believe it but I am seeing it Taylor runs to Ann and grabs her hand TAYLOR - (To Chelsea and Manny) They’re my friends." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All the books are! They said we could be friends forever if I read them! Chelsea grabs Taylor back to her side with Manny CHELSEA Who are you? RAGGEDY ANN - I’m Raggedy Ann and this is my brother Andy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please don’t run from us we want you to take us home with you RAGGEDY ANDY - Yea we are lost stories." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you don’t read us we will be forgotten forever in this place Taylor gets away from Chelsea and begins to sort thru other books opening and letting the characters free MANNY - Why are you back here? RAGGEDY ANN - We were put here a long time ago." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Forgotten and never to be read again RAGGEDY ANDY - But we want to be remembered CHELSEA Who’s we? TAYLOR - Here they are! Taylor hands Chelsea some books." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chelsea begins to open the books freeing the characters The children are still surprised but are getting used to the idea of seeing the characters pop out of the books Raggedy Ann and Andy begin singing a song about being lost and forgotten but they are now free RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY - We’re free! We’re free! The girl has set us free! We can dance and play and sing all day! We’re free! We’re free! As they sing the children continue to set free the abandoned captured storybook characters INSERT MONTAGE A) Raggedy Ann and Andy dance together B) Chelsea and Manny look at each other awkwardly C) Raggedy Andy and Taylor dance together D) All the other characters dance together END OF MONTAGE RAGGEDY ANN - Wont you be our new friends? RAGGEDY ANDY - If you take us home with you we will be remembered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You will be our newest friends TAYLOR - Ooowee! Oowee! I wanna be your friend! I wanna be your friend! They continue to celebrate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, Manny grabs a certain book from the shelf Everything stops RAGGEDY ANN - No! No! No! Not that one! Close it before HE gets out! MANNY - Before who gets out?! (As he continues to open the book) Out pops the Bookkeeper and his Wooden Soldiers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Bookkeeper clad in all black with a cape slung over his shoulders hanging down his back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He wears a stovepipe top hat that never falls from his head BOOKKEEPER - What are you doing out of your books?!!! All the story book characters scream and scatter for their books BOOKKEEPER (CONT'D) - Back! Back! Back into your books! He turns to the children BOOKKEEPER (CONT'D) - You children have no business here! These are my stories and are to be read by no one! Go away! Chelsea grabs Taylor’s hand and the three begin to run." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Most of the story book characters have run safely back to their books except Raggedy Ann and Andy. The Wooden soldiers are escorting some characters to their books." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Other Wooden Soldiers are chasing Raggedy Ann and Andy, Chelsea, Taylor and Manny The children and their new friends are hiding behind a bookshelf The Wooden Soldiers are bumbling and fumbling into each other. They have a limited range of motion and only move with straight arms and legs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their mouths can open very wide making them look intimidating and scary." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Bookkeeper sings a song as they search for the children BOOKKEEPER (CONT'D) - Come out, come out from where ever you are! Come out come out from where ever you are WOODENSOLDIERS - Ooohhhh---- BOOKKEEPER - You cannot hide from me I’ll find you where you are, come out, come out from where ever you are WOODENSOLDIERS - Oooooohh---- Chelsea, Manny, Taylor, Raggedy Ann and Andy are hiding behind a book shelf CHELSEA - Manny you opened the book! Manny is dumbfounded MANNY - I uhmm uhmm RAGGEDY ANN - We should go see the Storykeeper." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She will help MANNY - Storykeeper? Who is she? RAGGEDY ANN - She is the one who cares for and protects the stories RAGGEDY ANDY - She keeps our memory alive CHELSEA - Well, where is she? MANNY - Yeah and why didn't she save you from him? RAGGEDY ANN - I don’t know." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But her book is at the top of the hill Both Raggedy Ann and Andy point to the book shelves at the highest point in the room MANNY - You mean at the top of that book shelf? Awkward silence CHELSEA - Okay so here’s the plan. Raggedy Ann and Andy you take Taylor and start up the stairs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Manny you come with me. RAGGEDY ANDY - Right let’s go! Raggedy Ann and Andy take Taylor and they start up the stairs MANNY - Chelsea what are we going to do? CHELSEA -We’re going to hold them off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey over here! The Bookkeeper turns in the children's direction and they begin a choreographed chase INSERT CHASE A) The Wooden soldiers bump into each other and fall B) The Bookkeeper is yelling at the Wooden Soldiers C) Chelsea and Manny are watching from their hiding place END MONTAGE INT: STAIRCASE Raggedy Ann, Andy and Taylor make it to the top INT: MAIN ROOM The Bookkeeper corners Chelsea and Manny by some shelves MEANWHILE - AT THE TOP OF THE BOOKSHELF The Storykeeper is telling a story to some storybook characters Raggedy Ann interrupts." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "RAGGEDY ANN - Please! Storykeeper save us! The Storykeeper sees Taylor and her friends STORYKEEPER - Raggedy Ann and Andy why it’s so nice to see you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where have you been? RAGGEDY ANN - The Bookkeeper has had us hidden away and would not let us out! RAGGEDY ANDY - Yea and this little girl set us free! Bu, bu but he’s chasing us now! TAYLOR - These are my friends and he’s mean to them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He has my sister and our friend now! The Storykeeper turns to the little listeners she was telling a story to STORYKEEPER - You must hurry along home now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Return later and I’ll finish our story The story book characters run home The Storykeeper turns to Taylor and friends STORYKEEPER (CONT'D) - Come follow me They walk past a giant beautiful book which sits on a shelf by itself. The book is lustered with gold writing and edging." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It shimmers with magic and happiness TAYLOR - Gasp!(Gasps as the sight of the book) They walk to the edge of the shelf with the Storykeeper The Storykeeper looks over the edge and sees the Bookkeeper closing in on Chelsea and Manny STORYKEEPER - Bookkeeper! Let those children go! For your crimes against the stories, books and its characters I purge you from this world and you are to stay in the pages of your book forever! You are to never hide a story from it’s readers again! INT: MAIN ROOM From out of the corners of the room come four regal looking bookmarks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They carry him away into the darkness BOOKKEEPER - No! No! Please don’t take me away! No I don’t want to be lost! Nooooo His voice wanes The Storykeeper looks pleasantly upon the children and their book friends FADE OUT FADE IN EXT: LIBRARY - DAY With an arm full of books, Taylor smiles at Manny and Chelsea as they walk down the street Manny reaches over and grabs the books from Taylor relieving her of the chore." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taylor hugs him for a thank you The three walk home THE END." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fobi Tog" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Annabelle stood in line waiting anxiously as she stepped closer and closer to the front. She was waiting for the latest release of ‘No One Knows Me’. It is a book about a man living his life in the forest. Little is known about the author besides his name, Fobi Tog. He never comes to his releases." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He has never done an interview. Movie producers want to make a movie about one of his books, but no one knows how to reach him. The line became shorter and shorter. Meanwhile, she had his previous book in her hands. She was hoping, just hoping that he would show up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something about the book gave her hints. But when she made it to the front of the line, he was not there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She purchased her book, went to her car, and read the synopsis.\n\nAs she drove home, she wondered, ‘Why keep yourself secret? Why wouldn’t you want people to know about you? What are you hiding?’ The next morning she had the day off so she spent her time reading the new book. She enjoyed the book." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She began to picture in her head the forest inside the novel. The trees. The grass. The rocks. He began to describe a small house he built for himself. Annabelle stood up from her chair. “The best way for me to picture this is to go out into the forest and read this book.” So that is what she did." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She packed a backpack with clothes, a jacket, extra shoes, and boots. She left her house and made her way to the forest. When she arrived, it was starting to rain. She put on a raincoat and started her trek through the forest. After almost three hours of walking, she came up on a small grove." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stopped to admire it.\n\nThe more she looked at this grove, the more it started to seem familiar. She pulled her book out and started flipping through the pages. She stopped and read a paragraph.\n\nThe large opening of the forest is where I spend most of my time. The space is amazing. I feel free." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trees surround it. Rocks make great furniture. I have a small fire in the middle where I can cook and keep warm. To the north is a perfectly shaded area for me to escape the sun's rays and keep me dry from the rain. Annabelle read the paragraph and then looked above her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The same shaded area that was mentioned in the book is right above her. The rain had stopped but was still dripping down the trees. She looked to the middle and found the fire and rocks that was used to sit on. A moment of confusion came over her. Then she realized. She looked at the paragraph again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was written in first person. She pulled her backpack up and pulled out another book. This one was written in the third person.\n\nIt was quiet around her, except for birds chirping and frogs croaking. For the most part, she ignored those sounds. But then a crunch of leaves spooked her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She quickly jumped to her feet and turned around. She couldn’t see anything except for the foliage. She heard another footstep. This one some sticks cracked. Each second the footsteps came closer and closer. Her heart was racing. She panicked and stepped back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She knew to be careful not to make any sound.\n\nShe was about eight feet from the area where she heard the footsteps coming from. Then she saw that her book was still sitting on a rock. “Oh no,” she whispered. She took large steps back towards the book." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she placed her hand on the book, the vines in front of her opened up.\n\nAnnabelle froze. She looked up slowly. She saw where the vines started to split. She saw a large, hairy hand on one side. Up a little further she saw an ape-like face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A rounded chin, an upward pointed nose, big black eyes, and a wild mane.\n\nThe figure staring back at her was also frozen in fear. Thirty seconds went by before Annabelle screamed in terror." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had realized she was face-to-face with what she thought was an urban legend.\n\nBigfoot.\n\nShe gripped her book, pulled it close, and ran off. She leaped over a rock and went through a section of trees. “Wait!.” Bigfoot shouted. He has a deep gritty voice. One that almost sounded cartoonish." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Annabelle stopped. Her eyes widened. Did I just hear that? She thought to herself. She turned around and slowly walked back. “Did. Did you just speak?” She asked even though she thought she was crazy for asking such a question. “Did you?” Bigfoot replied. Annabelle screamed again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tried to hide behind a large rock. “What are you doing here?” Bigfoot asked. Annabelle peeked around the rock. She was shaking in fear. She stared dumbfounded at the large creature across the grove." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I, I am looking for a friend.” She replied lying to him.\n\n“What are you really doing here?” Bigfoot replied. Annabelle took a step out from behind the large rock. “This might sound a little crazy,” she said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I was reading this book and wanted to get the full experience, so I came out here to the forest to read and happened to come across this grove. Then I noticed that it’s the same place in the book. Then you showed up.” Bigfoot stepped into the grove and sat down on the rock under the shade." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He put down a stack of wood he was carrying. “I heard you in here and thought you were my assistant.” Annabelle looked confused. She sat down on the rock she was hiding behind. “You have an assistant?” She asked. “Well, yeah. I write the book, Peter edits, prints, and even publishes it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If word got out that I am the one writing these books the whole world would go mad. Peter does all the leg work for me. He takes all the profit because what am I gonna do with it?” He said with a chuckle. He stood up and walked over to a small hut he made." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pulled out a typewriter that was altered to fit his fingers.\n\nAs they were talking, a sound came from behind Annabelle. She turned around to see Peter. “Oh boy.” He said.\n\nBigfoot raised his arms at his shoulder height. “It’s okay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She's friendly.” He sat back down on the rock and looked at Annabelle. “You do know you can’t tell anyone, right?” “If word got out that Bigfoot is real, the world would go mad. He would have to go into hiding and would never write another book again.” Peter explained." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Annabelle had a confused look on her face. She looked at the book she was holding it. She was enjoying the books and the stories. “Okay. But you are gonna want to stay away from writing in the first person. That is one giveaway that something might be out here.” “Told you,” Peter said toward Bigfoot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Annabelle’s expression changed as if a light went off above her head. She looked at the cover of the book in her hand. “Fobi Tog. Is that an anagram for Bigfoot?” She asked as she made eye contact with Bigfoot. “Has no one figured that out?” Bigfoot looked at her and replied." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“You would be surprised how many things are hidden in this world that people haven’t found if they aren’t looking for it.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lady in Red" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can I have everyone’s attention, please? The spokesperson said, now standing, as he clinked the side of his water glass. “That’s my cue for the bathroom,” Amaya said to Roberto, her assistant and table mate. “I don’t blame you he said,” as he gave an eye roll." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I need to go and get back before they call me on stage.” Amaya was set to receive an award on behalf of her company for its generous donation and for all the volunteering efforts the employees gave for several of the charity’s campaigns." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She liked to give herself a pep talk along with a once over in the mirror before she got up on stage. * I can’t breathe in this; I can’t wait to rip it off, she complained as she walked up the hallway in search of the bathroom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Amaya was wearing a sleeveless, silk-red evening gown that hugged all her curves. Her neck was adorned with a white accent scarf, decorated in red flowers. It was great for the occasion, but not for the extra 5 pounds she gained since purchasing the dress." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where the heck is the bathroom ? After about 5 minutes of wandering, she heard muffled voices in a room just ahead on the right, and she decided to head in that direction. “No! We will do it the way we planned,” a dark-haired man said, flailing his arms in frustration." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“It won’t work, someone is guarding the donation box,” a young man dressed in a server’s uniform said. “Use a diversion, whatever you need to do, just do it,” he snapped back.  She listens from the doorway for a few minutes, clearly realizing this isn’t anywhere she should be." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, what are you doing? The dark-haired man snapped. “Umm…I was just looking for the bathroom,” Amaya said. “It’s not in here,” the young server said. “Hey, chill out man,” a long blonde-haired man said, swatting the dark-haired, snappy man on the shoulder as he came to the door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s down that hall and to the left he told me, gesturing with his left hand.” “Okay, thank you,” Amaya said with a wave of her hand. She took off in the opposite direction, no longer having to use the bathroom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Excuse me,” Amaya said to the tall man, with a wired earbud in his ear, who stood guard at the door to their banquet room. “Yes, the man says as he looks down at me.” “I think someone is trying to steal the box of donations." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There are a bunch of men talking about it in another room, I can show you,” she spits out without pausing. The tall man said, “I see. Come with me so you can tell your story to the head of security.” Amaya follows the man up the main hall, turning right at the end of the first, and then left." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Right in here,” he says pointing into a small room that looked like a janitor’s closet. Amaya dips her head in the doorway, “there’s no one in here,” she says attempting to retreat from the room. “Well now you are,” the man says he grasps her arm and shoves her into the room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Hey, let go of me,” Amaya says. Her words become muffled as he shoves a napkin in her mouth, holds it there with one hand and grabs tape with his other. “This should do it,” he says as he stands back and looks at Amaya." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her mouth was adorned with duct tape, and her arms and legs were tied to the chair she was seated in. “Now don’t you go anywhere,” he said as he slipped out the door. * “And now, I’d like to introduce you to one of our most valuable donors, One Thread Ahead . If your representative, Ms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Domingo, would please join us on stage.” The audience looks around as the spotlight falls on a man standing at a back table. But it was not Amaya. “Sorry everyone, I’m not your guy, or in this case, your girl.” The crowd chuckled as the man sat back down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Well, it seems she’s not here at the moment, so we will continue with our schedule of events,” the spokesperson said after a few more moments. The night continued: No one seemed to be concerned that she was missing in action, except Roberto." }, { "from": "human", "value": "* Roberto looked down at his watch, the speeches had been over for at least 20 minutes, and Amaya still had not returned. Excusing himself from the table, Roberto began wandering the hotel halls in search of Amaya." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He peeked in the banquet halls across from theirs, the hotel lobby bar, and the women’s bathroom, which had no line. Amaya was nowhere, it was as if she had vanished.  WHERE ARE YOU?!? Roberto texted for the 3 rd time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sighing, he turns and heads back to the banquet hall. Back inside the room, servers are at each table collecting empty dishes. A young server, dressed in black and white, approached Roberto and Amaya’s table as Roberto was about 50 feet from it. The red coming from his pocket caught Roberto’s eye." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Gotcha suckers! I am coming for you Amaya!” Roberto silently cheered as he sat down and waited for the perfect moment. \t\t\t\t*  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t *Ping* Amaya’s phone went off again in the clutch that lay on the table across from her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her tied hands, which had long since gone numb, prevented her from reaching it, well that and the fact that she couldn’t lift herself up with the chair attached, even so, she still attempted to reach her phone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her toes aching in protest when she tried to push her feet against the chair to lean herself forward .  Whoa! Don’t do that again . She almost fell over. That wouldn’t have been good. Giving up she sat and sat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With sweat dripping down her face, she sighed, not knowing how long she’d been in there, only that it had been too long for her, and she was ready to go." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Roberto, please find me and fast! \n\n* Roberto followed the young waiter as he exited the banquet room. The man must have felt that he was being watched because he turned around and looked at Roberto with suspicion in his eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His look changed into one of servitude as he said, “Can I help you with something?” “Yes, I need a refill of my sweet tea,” Roberto said as charmingly as he could. “I am sure one of the other servers in the room would love to get that for you,” the young server remarked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“You know what, you’re probably right, let me go find someone else,” Roberto said as he turned away. Thank goodness for all those magic tricks I did as a kid , Roberto thought as he pocked the keys and walk-ran toward the closest locked door. Not it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For the next half hour, Roberto went from door to door trying every key in each locked door. * Amaya’s breath catches at the sound of a key turning in the door, as she attempts to hold back a whimper. Amaya! Thank God,” Roberto says as he rushes through the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“What took you so long?” Amaya says as soon as the tape is pulled from her mouth. “I pulled the keys off his side, we only have a few minutes, they’ll be looking for me soon, I’ll explain later,” he said as he pulled at the knots in the rope. “Just cut them,” Amaya shrieked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Do you think I have a knife in my back pocket, we are at a charity fundraiser for goodness’ sake.” “There’s got to be something in this room. Look over there,” Amaya said, pointing to a closet full of cleaning supplies and other odds and ends." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mop, bucket, broom, trash bags and spray bottles were all he saw as he scanned the area. “Not seeing anything.” He called out. Keep looking! She called back. “Ahaa found a box cutter,” he said as he grabbed it out of a small box on the lone shelf. “Great, now come on,” she urged." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roberto sliced the knots with vigorous precision. Less than 5 minutes later, Amaya was free, and they were running through the open door. “There they are!” The dark-haired man yells to one of the other men. Roberto grabs Amaya’s wrist as they race toward the front door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Amaya is pulled backward as her free arm is snatched by the door guard, causing Roberto to fall backward on her. “Hey, what’s going on here?” An officer says rushing towards the couple." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The door guard, still behind the two of them, says, “Nothing, nothing at all,” as he lets go of her arm and runs out the double doors, followed shortly after by the long-haired blonde man and none other than their young server. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eaves Dropped Conversation" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Giles sat in class on creative writing. The class had been great Giles had learnt so much about creative writing in a few weeks. Now they were going to be given homework for next week’s class. They were in the Farnborough Further Education College." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The class were sitting in the canteen, well it was really lots of vending machines, at this time in the evening you could sample any chocolate bar you wanted at highly inflated prices. The healthy options that were advertised everywhere were all finished." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The class got themselves plastic coffee, hot chocolate, and tea from the vending machines. Or there was the inflated costed water. At the end of our break, we all made our way back to the classroom to await our homework for next week. We all sat patiently waiting for our assignment." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The teacher Mr Ronald walked into the class room smiling. ‘I want you to put on your listening hats this week. When you go a restaurant, on a train, or anywhere public listen out for conversations that are going on, eavesdrop, and write a story about the conversation that you heard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you all understand this?’ A few hands went up, but we understood that we had to eavesdrop on a conversation and write a story about it. The class ended a few minutes later. We all discussed how we were going to eavesdrop. ‘I have a journey on a train this week to go to Weymouth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trains are always a good place to overhear conversations that can be on mobile phones or person to person.; Looking forward to my journey to Weymouth, took a pad with me and a good pen. My train left early in the morning and there were no good candidates on the train until we got to Southampton." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then the train filled up and I got my listening ears on. But there was nothing juicy reached Weymouth, went about my business then caught the train back again. I sat in my seat waiting for a good conversation. The train gradually filled up until it got to Bournemouth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then with a full carriage my listening ears were on. The first conversation I heard was about last night in bed and how good my husband is. That did not last long the two women got off at the next station. But the two people that got onto the train then were a goldmine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They started talking about the shop-lifting that they had done that day in Bournemouth. They estimated that they had cleared at least five thousand pounds worth of gear. Then they talked about how they were going to sell their gear to. They were going to be met at the station in Southampton." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The train stopped at Southampton; the couple got off dragging two suitcases behind them. I got off of the train as well, keeping well back I adjusted my camera to get the best possible photograph of the handover. Sure, enough the two women were met just after the barriers by two men." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I took a few snaps with my camera. These would get sent to the police later. I ran back to the train and got back to my old seat. This time a man and woman were sitting behind me. I kept hoping for a good conversation. I was not disappointed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once the train pulled out of the station, they started talking about the scam they were carrying out on my further education college. They were submitting false claims for milage that they were undertaking but they never went anywhere." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every claim was small but they did not want to attract any attention, thus small and many were far better than large claims. They were claiming between four and five claims a week. Making in the region of two hundred pounds a week. This had been going on for the past six months." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Doing a quick calculation in my head that worked out to about five thousand two hundred pounds. That would make a massive hole in the budget of the college and it could end up with the college being shut down. I needed to get some photographs of who these people were." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stood up and walked to the toilet pretending to talk on my mobile. I made all the correct sounds then I walked back holding my mobile up and filming the passengers as I passed them. The man and woman in the seat behind me are on the film. That pleased me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The train on and the conversation about how they were robbing the school became even more interesting with names of other scams that were going on. These people were making serious money with their scams going on all over the town. Names were being mentioned, some of them were known to me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My interest was the leader of the gang. The conversation continued and my notebook was filling up quickly. Then they said it the name of the ring leader. Ian Ronald, that is our class tutor. It is an inside job being run by a lecturer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Need to contact the police and let them know what is going on with these scams. The train arrives at Basingstoke station, this is where change trains to get to Farnborough, the man and woman have got off of the train as well. Trying to look casual, use my mobile and check X." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My notebook is in my bag hidden away. The man and woman who were discussing the scam sit on the platform seat next to me. Try to look calm and not get nervous. Put my mobile into my inside pocket of my jacket. The train to Farnborough pulls into the platform." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Casually get up and walk to the train and get on. Making sure that am nowhere near the couple have been overhearing. The train leaves Basingstoke and arrives at Farnborough. Stay on the train and go to Woking and then on to Aldershot station. Go to the police station and tell them all about my story." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They take a copy of the video of the pair of crooks. On Monday go back to college and the creative writing course. The police had told me to say nothing about what was overheard. They said that they would deal with matters in their way. They would not say what they were going to do." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back in class Mr Ronald ask for each person to describe what they had overheard. Talked about going to Weymouth and the items that were overheard. Did not mention anything about the scam. Five minutes later the police knock at the classroom door, they have come with the principal to arrest Mr Ronald." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mr Ronald starts shouting and getting very upset about being arrested in his classroom. The class all watch as Mr Ronald is handcuffed and lead away by the police still shouting that he is innocent. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Archeology Of Enlightenment" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "July 17, 2164, Zion National Park, Utah Dr." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jaden Reynolds\n\nA decade ago, during a research expedition in Thailand, I met my future husband while working on our thesis in the monastery of Wat Mahathat, also called the\n\n'Temple of Relics.' \n\nWe shared a lighthearted moment that marked the beginning of our relationship." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I stooped to brush the dirt off the ancient stone tablet, a voice behind me said, \"Careful. Those tablets are known to cast a love spell on archaeologists.\"\n\nI turned around to see a charming smile on the face of a fellow student." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In that case,\" I teased, \"I should be extra careful around you.\" We both laughed, and that encounter began a lifelong journey together." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "***** Hewn out of the mountains and camouflaged to blend with the rocky cliffs of the reddish-brown mesas, the installation stands as a citadel erected to safeguard thousands of priceless volumes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perched like an eagle of justice at the convergence of—the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert, it forms a unique geomorphic location on the Markagunt and Kolob plateaus." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here, we protect, restore, and catalog forbidden books in a state-of-the-art literary laboratory,\n\nThe Library Of Lost Knowledge.\n\nWe are a stronghold of resistance, sequestered in stone, hidden from the government's propaganda.\n\nEvery day, I watch as the sun descends below the cliffs, the sky transitions into a dusky purple, and the stars twinkle, dancing in the heavens." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Zion is a spiritual place. For generations, my kin have been dedicated to serving as park rangers in this area, working in harmony with nature and safeguarding the precious artifacts found here. Our family cottage, carved from Navajo sandstone in 1934, is nestled near the Archaeology Trailhead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The architecture seems born from the whimsical imagination of Dr. Seuss in the children's storybooks we've recovered.\n\nAs an archaeologist and literary historian, I'm acutely aware of the power of culture and stories, both real and imagined." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This act of defiance to find and protect these books could cost me everything, even the person I hold dearest, my husband. Together, we stand as a beacon of light, illuminating humanity in our fight for the right to knowledge, truth, and free dissemination of information." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Despite the constant threat of discovery, the key to restoring our culture lies within the pages of these long, forgotten books.\n\nIn the early days of universal knowledge, we could possess any book, read, write, and learn without restrictions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our internet connection granted us unlimited access to data, and we could even receive daily Bible passages on our smartphones. In 2076, the Bible was outlawed as the first book to be banned, despite being the most widely read and influential book ever written." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here, we hold the only pristine copy that once belonged to the last Pope, carefully preserved in the Vatican collection. This event marked the beginning of the end for the literary and religious worlds as we knew it, as it prohibited people from accessing their faith." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All other religious texts were forbidden, choking off the only thing we had left: our beliefs and hopes. The freedom of speech, religion, and information, which had always kept society stable, was compromised." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "****** Our troops swiftly unloaded the cargo, setting the chopper down and landing on the helipad. It was a treasure trove of fiction and self-help books unearthed by my husband, Dr." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Benjamin Reynolds, and our team of rebels on the outskirts of New York.\n\nThe Dusty Tome Archives  were sanctuaries for works initially rejected by publishing houses or deemed unworthy by the government. The books were either burned or left to rot in these remote repositories, one in every state." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a miraculous find—the fading handwritten notes, published works, and manuscripts of some of the world's most revered authors. The collection contained the original works of female literary giants such as J.K." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rowling, Jane Austen, and Agatha Christie, all of whom were dismissed by publishers and critics at some point.\n\nI gently removed the layers of dust and debris with my brush, holding my breath with expectation and curiosity." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Unbelievable,\" I whispered to Benjamin in the glow of the brightly lit, clean chamber." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The world thought these works were lost forever, but here they are, waiting to be rediscovered.\" The first novel extracted from the container for restoration was 'Dune,' published in 1965; as I turned its yellowed pages with my gloved fingers, I felt an odd connection with a central character. Dr." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Liet-Kynes, a planetary botanist and ecologist, becomes entangled in the natural processes he seeks to manipulate to aid the native population by altering the climate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The parallels between the planet\n\nArrakis,\n\nour current political and natural environment, and this acclaimed sci-fi work were uncanny. I felt a profound kinship with this long-forgotten author, Frank Herbert, who writes that the character Dr." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Liet-Kynes reflects while his planet was killing him that scientists had it all wrong, \"The most persistent principles of the universe were likely accident and error.\" Despite facing 23 rejections, Herbert's commitment paid off, and it became the bestselling science-fiction novel ever, a testament to the power of the pen and imagination." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The next book pulled from the archives was \" The Chronicles of Rejection.\"\n\nI was stunned to discover that so many famous authors had obstacles and rejection in bringing their works to life, and I began to understand more about the journey of publishing and being an author." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Wow, did you know that Margaret Mitchell had 38 rejections before 'Gone With the Wind' was published?\" I asked Benjamin, shocked to learn she had struggled for so long.\n\n\"That's impressive she stuck with it, especially considering the period." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Margaret's such an inspiring example of a strong female, just like you,\" Benjamin said, grinning. \"Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's self-help book Chicken Soup for the Soul was rejected 144 times before publication." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Incredibly, they didn't give up,\" I said, eagerly turning to the next page for more insights. \"We can sure relate to pushing forward in the wake of numerous setbacks. That's exactly what we've been doing for the past ten years." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was a risky trip, but we made it back,\" Benjamin said, sorting the inventory of books into categories. I smiled at his enthusiasm, nodded, and said, \"We have a monumental task ahead of us, my love. But I don't doubt these books will find their place in the world again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We will ensure that they do.\" I continued reading aloud from the pages, finding a fascinating rejection letter dated back to 1925." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Moberley Luger of the publishing house Peacock & Peacock addressed the 26-year-old author, Ernest Hemingway, expressing critical feedback on his work, \" The Sun Also Rises .\" The letter dripped with Luger's disdain for the author's writing style, \"If I may be frank—you certainly are in your prose—I found your efforts tedious and offensive." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You really are a man's man, aren't you? I wouldn't be surprised to hear that you had penned this entire story locked up at the club, ink in one hand, brandy in the other." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your bombastic, dipsomaniac, where-to-now characters had me reaching for my own glass of brandy.\" Benjamin said, \"It proves that success in writing often comes after facing uphill battles and punctuated by lots of rejection.\"\n\n\"It's all so fascinating,\" I said, realizing that \"The Sun Also Rises\" alludes to Ecclesiastes 1:5: Generations come, and generations go, but the earth remains forever." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sun rises and sets and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. We seek contentment in things that don't provide it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "By nature, entertainment, lust, and wine provide only a momentary dulling of our senses, leaving us longing for something more meaningful.\"\n\n\"It's beautiful like you, Jaden; you mean everything to me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You're the reason behind everything I do,\" Benjamin whispered as he gently caressed my face before tenderly kissing my lips. I hugged him tight, feeling his strength, warmth, and passion." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looking into his eyes, I said, \"Recovering these precious books has inspired me to pen our story, the\n\nArchaeology Of Enlightenment ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hope that long after we're gone, explorers will stumble upon the\n\nLibrary Of Lost Knowledge, discover  our history, and understand why we created it here.\" ****** Two hundred years later...." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As the sun blazed down onto the rocky faces of the Markagunt and Kolob plateaus, a group of Librarian explorers made their way through the wild terrain of southwestern Utah. Their quest had led them to this remote landscape, where towering sandstone cliffs and alien rock formations surrounded them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After days of trekking and climbing, the team finally found a hidden artificial grotto within Zion National Park. They discovered an archaic library, its shelves lined with weathered tomes etched with the patina of time. The air was thick with the musty redolence of age-old papers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The only sound was the faintest howl of the wind against the mountains.\n\nThis secret library, silenced by the government, was a fossil frozen in time, its stillness echoing the knowledge left behind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The remnants of literary history are illuminated by tiny shafts of sunlight filtering through the natural fissures in the cavern walls. The first book they unearthed was\n\n\"Archaeology Of Enlightenment \" by Dr. Jaden Reynolds, who co-founded the\n\nLibrary Of Lost Knowledge ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As they pored over the mysteries hidden within the rocky chambers, the explorers realized they had stumbled upon a Garden Of Eden, a repository from long-past civilizations that had lost and found enlightenment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Authors note: This story is dedicated to my niece Aja, who just graduated with a Master's in Archeology.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Scrolls" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "13.8 billion years ago, life was not as we know it. The universe was waiting for the Big Bang to get things started. At least – this is what we are led to believe in ‘Theory’. Contrary to belief, life was abundant before the Big Bang." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our galaxy hadn’t been created yet, but there were many other galaxies, some with superior life and some without. The less advanced were about the level of where the human race was mid-1500 but most galaxies were vastly superior." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Our current human life form would have seemed a very primitive form of life compared to the superior species; like comparing the brain of a goldfish to the brain of Albert Einstein." }, { "from": "human", "value": "However, although these ancient species were light years ahead of our understanding and capabilities, there was one unfortunate trait that almost all intelligent life shares the desire for - power. These superior beings were no exception." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At that time, the universe was governed by a committee formed from a select few of the most advanced civilisations. One powerful species was unhappy to be excluded from this committee and declared war." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few of the ruling civilisation leaders had the foresight to seal a few advanced cells in the hope of survival." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These cells contained the knowledge of billions of years of evolution and the selected leaders with the cells travelled in sealed capsules, hoping that the capsules would somehow survive the war and make their way to a new universe. The war was over as quickly as it had started." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a button pressed followed by a catastrophic explosion. The ‘Big Bang’ occurred. The shockwaves sent the capsules through space where they travelled for time eternal until they settled on newly formed planets." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The leaders attempted to create life from various life forms such as plankton, with many failures. Eventually, one cell survived and flourished after 13.7 billion years, give or take. Evolution in our universe began, all thanks to one cell from an extinct universe." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My new powers kicked in and I ran as fast as I could. I was, once again, at one with my surroundings. I could not only see the animals below on the plateau but I could also hear them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They knew something was about to happen and they were probably more scared than excited.\n\nIn no time at all, I had travelled a great distance and I let my intuition tell me where and when to change direction." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I soon found myself at the bottom of a steep rock face with an amazing, thunderous waterfall. The best I could describe it was like the old Tarzan movies I used to watch when I was a child. You know the one where Tarzan dives in from a great height and ends up fighting with a crocodile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was heavy undergrowth all around leading up to the rock face, probably enough to cover at least two football pitches." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a small lake, which was fed by the waterfall, and all around the lake were all the colours known to man in the shape of the most beautiful foliage. The waterfall was approximately sixty metres high and to see the top I had to angle my head as far back as physically possible." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew what I had to do, so I went straight over and stood under the waterfall with its full torrent crashing onto my head and shoulders. The force was incredible and no ordinary man could have sustained the pressure, but then I was no ordinary man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instinctively, I started to climb up the rock face, against the waterfall until, eventually, the rock face started to angle inwards and the water stopped trying to force me back down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I was about three-quarters up the rock face and the waterfall was falling about ten feet behind me, I came upon a ledge. I now had goosebumps, and it wasn’t from being cold and wet. The ledge led deep into the rock face and I knew it had many tunnels leading from the initial entrance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could feel the heat being generated from the rocks inside the cave. I sat and closed my eyes hoping for some divine intervention that would tell me what to do next but there was nothing. Whatever I had to do or find wasn’t going to just pop out at me so I got up and walked further into the cave." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I guessed that whatever I was going to find was going to be further inside as this was naturally the safest place; but then who else could climb up the waterfall to reach this? I walked further in and instead of getting darker, I was able to see more clearly the deeper I went." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was, if anything, warmer and brighter. My hair was virtually dry, and my clothes were damp and not soaking as they were two minutes ago. I looked around at my surroundings and took a mental note of all that I could see." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were five tunnels leading from the main cave, creating a hand shape in my mind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was surprised by the fact that there were no stalagmites or stalactites considering I was standing under a waterfall, but I suppose that this was due to the heat that was constantly being emitted from the internal rock face. Logically, I chose the tunnel of the index finger to explore first." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The tunnel was about fifteen metres long only and at the end was a room, about half the size of the main cave, only this room had been worked on. The rock face was smooth with drawings of shapes covering the walls. I didn’t recognise the shapes or understand the significance or importance of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I retraced my steps and returned to the main cave or the palm, as I would later refer to it. I looked around at each of the tunnel entrances and felt drawn to the ‘thumb’ tunnel. I knew this was the one from my dream the previous night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I walked along whilst letting my hand rub the length of the wall on the way down the tunnel. This one was about fifteen, maybe twenty, metres long with a room at the end." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time, the walls were not as smooth as the previous rooms. These walls had many holes in them, and in each hole, was a rolled-up parchment. I took out a parchment and saw that it was covered in symbols, like the ones on the previous smooth wall, probably some form of ancient writing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where to start? The last thing I wanted to do was to read them in the wrong order. I walked around the room with approximately forty holes on each wall. I lifted the first scroll from the highest hole left to the room entrance and started to read the ancient text." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The parchment felt like but wasn’t paper. It was stronger than anything I had held before. I couldn’t tear it if I had wanted to. The cave was warm and humid. There should have been some water damage to the scroll, but it was undamaged. This information was made to last for eternity." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turned it over and started to look at the inscription, half expecting to see something like hieroglyphics and be unable to understand what was left for me to read." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The writing may not have been legible to most people, but I knew what it was telling me and when I started reading, I found that I was unable to stop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just kept going from scroll to scroll with the need for knowledge and that need was being quenched beyond my dreams, and I was having some incredible dreams. The scrolls were one-sided, so it didn’t take too long to finish one wall." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As the last scroll on the first wall was close to the ground, I found myself sitting down and reading it repeatedly. It summarised the previous scrolls and what they had to tell. I smiled and got up, took a quick run and then dived through the waterfall and into the lake." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Life was good and it was about to get so much better, for everyone. I caught up with the others just in time for supper. After our meal, we sat with a bottle or two of wine around the campfire. Sara cosied up to me, and we relaxed and started to talk." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“OK, I appreciate the questions that must be flowing in your head. I'll tell you all I know and get you up to speed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Remember, this is new to me so I don't have any answers, only guesswork when it comes to the unknown, and there are a lot of unknown questions that are about to flow through your heads.” The others nodded and agreed that they would let me tell my story until I was finished." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“When I arrived here, I knew that something special was happening. I was destined to be here” “You witnessed some of my abilities but there has been so much more that I have kept to myself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All my senses are heightened, to an exaggerated level.” I paused, but the others kept their promise and waited for me to continue “I can hear sounds from miles away and, if I focus, can see the animals making the sounds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My senses are filled with the smells from the surrounding areas as far as the eye can see. Up on this mountain, I can even taste things that are miles away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can’t explain it and I’m sure at the end of this Jonathan, there are related questions that you will start with” I noted that Jonathan had pen to paper. “My senses have been heightened but I think my brain is still operating at the same level." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took out all the soldiers with a branch when I could just take the guns from them. I just keep forgetting how best to use my newly found abilities.” Jonathan stopped writing and was about to speak, but Sara held a finger up to her mouth to keep him silent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She knew that something bigger was about to be revealed and she didn’t want Jonathan to start with his questions yet, not until she had heard everything I had to say." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Remember when you were at the oasis and I was away following my instincts? Well, my instincts were right as I came across something that, even for me, was quite mind-blowing” The others were still quiet but their faces were screaming at me for more." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I was led to a place (I decided that even, though they were my best friends, the place should remain anonymous) that contained all the answers. Scrolls of information about where my ancestors came from and how humans had evolved from the end of the universe, that I came from." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The scrolls give the history of our universe and the history of other universes that are completely unknown to mankind” I stopped talking for the others to take in this new information. “What do you mean ‘your ancestors?” Sara asked quite anxiously." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I held up my hand this time to try and explain a bit more. “In this place, there are three walls filled with scrolls." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The scrolls are written on some indestructible material that I am unfamiliar with and the writing/symbols are unlike any language I have seen yet, I was able to understand them quite easily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I read one wall completely and I revealed the information I have just told you.” I looked at my companions and they nodded for me to carry on. “This is going to be the ‘hard-to-understand’ part of the story, I and my mother came from a different galaxy that is no more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mother, if I have read the scrolls right, evolved life here on Earth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She arrived, I have no idea when, but I’m guessing it was well before T-Rex and started to experiment with genetics until she was able to start a species and from there, she continued to make various other species, each one more complex and evolved than the previous.” I stopped here because I understood that this was a lot to take in." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“The scrolls don’t read like normal books, they all may look like being a page long but whilst one may take ten minutes to read, another may take hours to read, until the explanation is reached. The ancient symbols mean so much more than words." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can’t explain better than this right now, all I know is that I have two more walls to read and they could take anything from a day to twenty years to read depending on the symbols. Does any of this make sense?”  I looked around at the others." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jonathan sat with a heavily wrinkled forehead and Jack just sat twiddling his thumbs but listening intently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sara looked at me and there was something sad in her eyes, I don’t know if it was because she just found out that her boyfriend was an alien or maybe just that she didn’t expect me to stay with her once this was all over." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was a question I planned to address myself when Jonathan was finished with his inevitable questions.  “So, what I’m saying is that my mother created life here on Earth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have the information to continue what she had started, and my destiny here is to continue her work but also to re-filter the genetics to eradicate the unwanted genes” “Whoa, there Luke." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eradicate the unwanted genes, what the hell does that mean? Are you planning a large genocidal wipe-out of humans?” asked Jonathan. I tried not to burst into laughter “That’s not what I mean Jonathan. I’m talking about taking out certain genes, cancers etc. that my mother never had time to do." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I believe she died a few Millennia before I was born, yeah, I know, and she never had the time to change what she had created." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She never knew the effects of her changes until they happened so obviously this is a very time-consuming process but I believe that time is something that I have in abundance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think now is the time for the first set of questions so that we can move on, and I mean physically as well as emotionally.” Jack spoke first, which must have irked Jonathan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Is there any point continuing to look for the mother-load? I mean, I’d love to be rich and all, and help Jonathan’s centres but even I can see that this thing happening with you is so much more than getting a few diamonds." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Imagine if you could end all diseases, then we wouldn’t need the centres in the first place. Hell, we wouldn’t need Jonathan for that matter.” Jack laughed and gave Jonathan a friendly shove." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jonathan finally got his turn, so he turned back a few pages to begin his inquisition… Jonathan started with an answer to Jack’s remark of not needing centres or himself for that matter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“The fact remains, no matter how good Luke is and if he can wipe out all disease, the problem is that this can’t happen by flicking his fingers. Developing genes and taking out certain cells that cause diseases within the body will take years, maybe even centuries, even for Luke." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The people out there around all corners of the world will still be dying or suffering and so the centres are still vital, as are people like me.” We all looked at Jonathan and nodded at his wise young head. I knew he was right and that it would take a long time to tamper with certain genes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mother took at least two hundred thousand years and a few more thousand with Mother Nature just for us to get this far. I let Jonathan know he was on the right track with his synopsis, though I didn’t tell him just how long it would take." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Luke, do you want to answer the questions as I ask them?\" I pondered this over and decided it was better to, considering how many pages Jonathan was holding." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Right then, the first question is – do you know the planet or even the galaxy that your mother came from?” I laughed at this as I thought at Least Jonathan would keep it medically based and the other two would be the ones to go off on an alien tangent." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“No, I have no idea where we, my mum and I, come from. I know that the scrolls tell me that my mother travelled for a very long time though how long is not stipulated." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Others travelled at the same time and again I don’t know if she travelled with any of them or they travelled alone or even if she travelled with me or maybe I was born here and possibly, some half-breed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know that we have all evolved from her genes and the genes she brought with her that contained the necessary cells for the chance to evolve whatever life form that they came across.” ‘Next question please’." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Whoa there Luke, surely you must have had the urge to read more.\" I tried not to get angry but remained calm as this was taking longer than required. “As I said earlier. The scrolls can take a very long time to read." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They are not labelled in such a way that I can choose to read the order in which I want to learn. I must read them in the order that I have started and sensing that you were in danger took priority over me gaining the knowledge of my genetics and family tree." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Besides, like I said, the scrolls can take a very long time to read so I need to return them as soon as it is right and safe for you guys. No offense but I have all the time in the world now.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uncle Arthur’s Many Secrets" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 5:36pm, July 18, 2024 Subject: This weekend Hey Andy, Just letting you know that I can’t make your BBQ this weekend." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was looking forward to having a few beers with you and the guys and maybe playing a few hands of poker once the eating is done, but I have to head to Albany in the morning. Remember my Uncle Arthur? Don’t worry, I don’t either." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(Well, a little.) Anyway, he passed away a few days ago and his sister - my Aunt Bonnie out in Wisconsin - contacted me this morning to inform me that he left “certain assets” to me in his will." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Most intriguing! I won’t know the details for a while but Bonnie begged me to go to his house in Albany right away to take care of his cats and locate some important documents in his library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(My recently-deceased uncle who named me in his will was wealthy enough to have a personal library? The plot thickens…) Anyway, I’m packing a bag and planning to stay up there for a little while to help manage affairs at the house and work with Bonnie on the local funeral arrangements while she lines up a flight over the next few days." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not much else to do at the moment as I await my next work assignment but I should be back by this time next week. In the meantime, you know how to reach me. Tell the boys I said hola." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "- Jamie ---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 7:48pm, July 18, 2024 Subject: Re: This weekend Hey Jamie, Sorry you can’t make it this weekend." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Me and the guys will look forward to the next poker game after you score your big inheritance. Crazy news, man. Barely known rich uncle dies and leaves you a possible fortune? The stuff of legends…or daydreams? LOL. Anyway, good luck there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(Don’t forget your old college roommate when you strike it rich!) See you when you get back. Talk soon man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Andy ---------------------------------------------------- From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 6:12pm, July 20, 2024 Subject: Re: This weekend Hey Andy, Greetings from gloomy Albany! Hasn’t stopped raining since I got here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Also, I’m fairly certain these cats are plotting my demise. Other than that, things are fine and the house is basically a smallish mansion. Listen to this, while searching for the documents that my Aunt Bonnie asked me to find for her in the library I found some really interesting old books." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think we might have some pretty rare first editions here, plus some other really strange stuff. I need to do a little web research tonight to try to figure out what I’m looking at but I’ll let you know.\n\nAs a newly-minted Ivy League literature professor I thought you would be interested." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe I will come home with a copy of In Cold Blood signed by Capote for you?\n\n- Jamie ---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 11:22am, July 21, 2024 Subject: Re: This weekend Hey Jamie, Very interesting! Bring home a signed Capote first edition for me and we can totally forget about that $80 Venmo request I sent you for golf last week." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seriously though, that sounds really amazing. Looking forward to hearing more. Andy p.s. The guys all say hello and they missed your \"easy money\" at the poker game last night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(Their words, not mine.) ---------------------------------------------------- From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 9:52pm, July 22, 2024 Subject: Re: This weekend Andy, In addition to Capote’s In Cold Blood , so far I have already found four more signed first edition iconic novels; Heart of Darkness, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Illustrated Man and - hold on to your hat here - A Tale of Two Cities ! No telling if the autographs are legit but I don’t know why my uncle would be hoarding counterfeit-signed copies in his home library." }, { "from": "human", "value": "More research necessary here but I have attached photos of the covers, bindings and the author-signed pages in each. The library has floor-to-ceiling shelves full of books on three walls and I have only checked out about a third of them so far." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stay tuned! - Jamie ---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 9:36am, July 23, 2024 Subject: Re: This weekend Hey Jamie, Okay listen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just give me the Dickens novel and not only will I cancel the $80 Venmo request, but golf is on me for the rest of the year. I think that’s a fair deal. Seriously man, I just did a quick bit of Googling here and those books do look like legit first edition copies and the signatures look right too." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Usually people take these sort of things to Sotheby’s or Christie’s, where they employ rare book experts who can authenticate them properly. Even if they’re not going to be put up for sale this is probably a good idea, just to officially document these historical items." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can’t wait to hear what you find next." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m seriously on the edge of my seat here! Andy ---------------------------------------------------- From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 11:45pm, July 24, 2024 Subject: Okay, this is getting weird now… Andy, Forget about the signed first editions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am into some strange new terrain here. Yesterday I found a number of extremely interesting books way up on one of the top shelves I hadn’t explored yet. Listen to this. I found a copy of For Whom The Bell Tolls by William Faulkner." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, William Faulkner! And it wasn’t just a different author’s name transposed onto the cover." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was the same third-person omniscient narrative of the Spanish Civil War, only it wasn’t written in the short staccato sentence styles and brief paragraphing of Hemingway but the long, leisurely prose of Faulkner." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m not even a fan of Faulkner and I couldn’t put it down! Similarly, I also found a copy of The Catcher in the Rye by Dalton Trumbo and The Iliad by EE Cummings! (Seriously, I can’t make this up.) Still so many more books to look through. I am simply overwhelmed here. Stay tuned." }, { "from": "human", "value": "- Jamie ---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 7:51am, July 25, 2024 Subject: Re: Okay, this is getting weird now… Jamie, Okay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You’re just fucking with me now, right? You had me going with the thought of all those rare, signed first editions, but that’s at least within my fathomable universe. What you just described has to be a joke. Come on, man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What about the funeral plans? Isn’t that a big reason why you are there? Andy ---------------------------------------------------- From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 11:56pm, July 28, 2024 Subject: Okay, this is getting weird now… Hey Andy, You’re right." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have been negligent in my funeral arrangement duties of late. I accidentally let my phone battery die out, not sure when. The truth is that I haven’t slept much in the last few days. This continues to get more and more fascinating." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And no, I wasn’t kidding about those strange books I mentioned in my last message. But never mind that. I am into some truly bizarre territory now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I found some old 3-ring binders filled with dot matrix printed files listing the daily opening and closing numbers of each of the stocks contained in the Dow Jones Industrial Index running from January 1, 1977 through December 31, 2026." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Andy, it has accurate stock performance data through the end of 2026! I’m sure you think I am kidding again (or maybe just crazy) but I have been watching those stock prices over the last few days and my God man they are accurate right down to the last decimal point! You think I’m joking? Here’s a random selection for tomorrow for you to check out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Merck & Co. (ticker symbol NYSE: MRK) will open the trading day at $154.34 and it will close at $156.12 per share with a total of 7.126 million shares in overall trading volume. I’m sure you won’t but you can literally bet the house on it. I guarantee it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "- Jamie ---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 9:41pm, July 29, 2024 Subject: Re: Okay, this is getting weird now… Jamie, I don’t know what to say at this point." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have been thinking about this since the market closed about 5 hours ago and I have no idea how you were able to make that prediction with such accuracy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I would call it dumb luck but I actually opened up Excel and took the time to do a little statistical modeling and what I found was that a stock prediction with that level of precision is basically like calling out the next day’s lottery numbers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not quite that improbable but close enough that I am simply baffled. I need answers, because I just can’t believe you found an old set of stock market printouts from almost 50 years ago that can perfectly predict what will happen tomorrow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’ve tried to call you several times but it goes straight to vmail every time and your mailbox is full. You gotta get back to me asap. I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep until you do." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Funeral plans? Still a concern? Andy ---------------------------------------------------- From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 2:13am, August 1, 2024 Subject: Whole new level Hey Andy, Forget about the stock market." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Forget about the rare first edition signed books. Those things are trivial. At least for now.\n\nI just found a medical manual that seems to contain advanced diagnostic techniques and curative/surgical treatments for most common, and some uncommon, forms of cancer and various other deadly diseases." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am only about halfway through it and without the benefit of a medical background it is taking me forever to research the basic terminology needed just to understand this even on a rudimentary level, but if it’s true it’s an incredible discovery and I owe it to the world to get this into the right hands once I can at least confirm its basic legitimacy.\n\nI can’t say when I will be able to call you or even write back since my time is so limited now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don’t see this changing anytime soon. Who knows what I will find next? So much more to still be explored. I can’t worry about the funeral arrangements right now either." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before my phone died I got a message from my Aunt Bonnie saying that she had some health problems that were preventing her from flying in. I can’t remember the details but that’s just going to have to wait for now. I have far more important concerns at this point. - Jamie p.s." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have discovered a number of old hand-written notes, presumably penned by my late Uncle Arthur, warning anyone who comes across these documents against sharing them in any way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The writing is rambling and paranoid in nature and some of the warnings give me pause but how could anyone possibly just sit on all this? It would be immoral, no? ---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 8:51am, August 2, 2024 Subject: Re: Whole new level Hey Jamie, I just hope you are all right." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe it’s time to take a break? You were supposed to be back here a week ago." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are the cats okay at least? Andy ---------------------------------------------------- From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 3:45am, August 5, 2024 Subject: Re: Whole new level Hi Andy, I let the cats out a few days ago when all of the remaining cat food ran out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Don’t think I’ve seen them since. Not sure. They should be okay. It’s summer. Dude, you wouldn’t even believe what I’m looking at now. No time to explain but I will get back to you when I can. Not planning to head home anytime soon. - Jamie p.s." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please see the attached file containing stock market data for the next two years. I just ask that you don’t share this with anyone else. “Law of Unintended Consequences” and all that." }, { "from": "human", "value": "---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 7:51am, August 6, 2024 Subject: Re: Whole new level Jamie, I‘m really getting worried about you man. Please call me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your Friend, Andy ---------------------------------------------------- From: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 4:37pm, January 1, 2029 Subject: Re: Whole new level Andy, Happy New Year! Don’t worry about me. I am well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not sure if I will ever see “you” again (that is, the “present day” you) but that is primarily a temporal and theoretical question. I have a set of guidelines to follow and I will soon find out where all the boundaries lay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I will fill you in (whatever version of “you” that might be) whenever I see you next! Stay healthy. It might be a while...for you anyway." }, { "from": "human", "value": "- Jamie ---------------------------------------------------- From: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) To: James Benson (jben****@gmail.com) Time/Date: 7:01am, August 9, 2024 Subject: Re: Whole new level Jamie, How did you change the timestamp on your email like that? Seriously, stop messing with me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What’s going on? I am really having a hard time with all of this. Can we please just talk? Andy p.s. They announced that a potential breakthrough cure had been found for various types of cancer and other diseases on the news today. I really don’t know what to think at this point. p.p.s." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks so much for the stock market data you forwarded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I plan to pay off my mortgage before the end of this month! ---------------------------------------------------- From: [email protected] To: Anders Westbrook (ande****@cornell.edu) Time/Date: 7:02am, August 9, 2024 Subject: Delivery Failure Notice: Re: Whole new level Sorry, we were unable to deliver your message to: <jben****@gmail.com> The email account that you tried to reach does not exist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please try double-checking the recipient's email address for typos and try again. THE END." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Temptation of Laura Marsh" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If temptation is the work of the devil, then why are the houses of God so full of it? It’s been five years since my baptism, and I’ve been thrown out of more cathedrals than I’ve been into confessionals. They have all these closed velvet curtains and little rope barriers between silver posts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They even have doors marked “Private”. How are you supposed to resist that? It’s like putting a big red button up with a sign that says: “Do not press”. My investigations started locally, with St." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Peter’s – very apt since he’s the keeper of the keys, right? The least the custodians could have done was to secure the appropriate locks, but apparently, they are too trusting of their visitors." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Slipping through a narrow, arched door from the nave (this one read “no public access”), I was amused to discover the storeroom for the gift shop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I must have known that stuff was held somewhere on site, but there is something unexpectedly irreverent about shelves and shelves of cardboard boxes of supposedly sacred items." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had never considered that such important symbols as the crucifix and the miraculous medal must be mass produced for the tourist market. But there they were – delivered by the van load and stashed in the dark until stock got low, like an ecclesiastical supermarket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was on my third trip out of town that I was first apprehended in my explorations. Sister Margaret, the Parish Sister at St Michael's, opened the door to the vestry to discover me thumbing my way through the splendid priests’ outfits." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was ‘outfit’ an appropriate word to use for the sacred costumes they wear to preach in? Was ‘costume’ an appropriate word? Apparently not. Sister Margaret was a stern, but kindly woman and took a few minutes to talk me through the alb and amice, the stole, cincture and chasuble." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She pointed out the grand mitre - a ceremonial hat reserved only for bishops, before she asked me, politely but firmly, to return to the public areas of the cathedral, and stay in them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’m fairly sure she followed me about for the next thirty minutes, and very sure she’s the reason I didn’t return to St Michael’s for a more in-depth examination of the building." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since then, I’ve been removed from offices, corridors, tunnels, staff toilets, stairwells, crypts and cloisters more times than I can remember." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And, though I have never sustained any injuries, it has not always been so dignified as when Sister Margaret started my education with an overview of the vestments." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The three volunteers at St Jude’s who found me in the treasury room (not the public one – where’s the fun in that?) not only manhandled me out onto the street, but threatened to call the police if I ever came back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can only assume I was added to some kind of Catholic blacklist after that particular excursion, because, in the years that have followed, I have felt watched whenever I set foot in a church or cathedral. That didn’t stop me from making my inspections of the fascinating back rooms of God’s houses." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just had to be more discrete. I didn’t go so far as to wear a mask or make up, but I did dye my hair blonde and throw on a pair of sunglasses when I attended St John’s." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A brief trip down a cordoned off stairwell and through a couple of arched wooden doors (the second one was difficult to unbolt) led me to a magnificent library. I flicked a light switch to reveal a tired prayer book resting on an ancient oak table near the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Along each of the four stone walls stood wooden bookshelves, carved with angel wings and crosses on the ends of each bay and olive branches across the tops." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The stonework above curved into an exquisite, vaulted ceiling, from which hung a series of ornate chandeliers – electric now, but I could imagine the room being candle lit a long time ago. The books housed here were leather-bound and had no spine labels like a modern library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead, small paper shelf markers in little brass frames sat underneath them and gave away their contents. Some of the titles were Latin. Actually, a lot of them were, and there was a great deal of gold leaf in view." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An excited smile broke across my lips and my fingers tingled with the desire to lift a few volumes from their resting places, open the ancient covers, flick through illuminated texts and - Footsteps and a loud cough in the adjoining room, and I ran to hide." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only place I could conceal myself was under the old table. I skittered across to it and ducked underneath just as the door swung open, and in walked a man in full vestments and carrying a mitre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A bishop, no less! I steadied my breathing and watched in silence as he crossed the stone floor towards my hiding place. He hovered a moment at the table, then paced to the far corner of the room. He was no longer carrying his mitre. In his hand now was the old prayer book." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He pressed his foot quite deliberately against the bottom of the shelving on the far wall. There was an audible clunk and the shelves swung open towards him. The bishop stepped through the gap and pulled the shelves shut behind himself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I made my way out of the vaulted library as quickly as I could, dashing back up the stairs and rejoining the other, less adventurous, tourists in the chapel of St Mary. A week later I returned, better equipped and ready to investigate further." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I slipped down the stairwell a few minutes before mass was due to start – everyone would be too busy to notice me, and I shouldn’t be disturbed for a while. The first door was easy to open again and the second still stiff but manageable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once inside the library, I opened my backpack and removed my Maglite and camera. Without the light from the chandeliers the room was filled with eerie shadows, creeping like the finger bone relics of dead saints across the flag stone floor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I scurried to the corner where the bishop had clunked open the shelves and I copied his movements. The same bay of shelving opened before me onto a dark passageway at the end of which a fire was burning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Taking a final look back into the library, I stepped forward and shone my torch against the passageway walls. More shelves. More books. A secret library within a secret library! I cast the light around." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The books at this end of the corridor were much more modern than those at the other; they were still leather bound but less dusty and more uniform in size. I picked a recent one off the shelf and let the cover fall open in my hands. It was some sort of ledger." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Handwritten entries detailed names, addresses and dates, and in the final column strange words were written, some were crossed out, others were not. The dates were recent. The last one being the same date I had first discovered the secret library, just one week ago." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The entry for that date read: Stella Banbury – 23 Monkswood Lane – 1 st May 2023 – Hebethel I took a photograph of the page. I returned the book to the shelf and ran the beam from my Maglite down the corridor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The smoke from the fire was sulphurous and starting to sting my eyes, but curiosity was stronger than discomfort. I crept towards the flames, pausing to listen and observe after each careful step. I took several photos on the way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a minute or so the corridor opened out onto a huge fireplace with carved stone seats on either side. Images of the devil decorated the back rests, ugly fanged faces with horns and flaming bodies standing on cloven hooves. I dared not sit down." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Why would a bishop have a fireplace dedicated to Lucifer?” I wondered, out loud, snapping photo after photo. “Laura Marsh? I’ve been expecting you.” The voice was deep and silky, seductive. I spun round looking for someone behind me, but the voice was coming from the flames." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Is this a trick?” “No trick. Though I am famous for those.” The fire burned brighter, and the flames licked higher. They wavered into each other and interlocked like a hellish collage of reds and yellows, until a face appeared within them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The lips were curled into a cruel smile and the eyes glowed white hot. Above the hairline were two sharp horns." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Won’t you let me show you one?” “You can’t seriously be the devil?” “Tell me, Laura, what would you do in return for eternal life? Would you contribute to my library? It’s rather beautiful, yes?” There were footsteps in the corridor behind me and I turned to face them, torch shaking in my hand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could tell from the outline of the clothing that it was the bishop on his way towards me. I wasn’t sure what was worse, being tempted by the devil himself or having a bishop discover me in that situation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he reached a few steps away from me, I rummaged in my backpack and pulled out my rosary beads. Maybe it was time to pray. “Ah, you must be Laura, and I see you’ve met my friend already,” said the bishop, gesturing towards the fire." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He held out his hand below mine and I obediently dropped my rosary into it. “Interesting thing about these\"- He held it up before his face - \"the mass produced ones are never blessed before purchase. Not even in cathedral gift shops." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can’t imagine a girl with your lack of reverence for all things holy has ever bothered to put hers before a priest.” “You know who I am?” “We’ve been watching you quite closely, hoping you would make your way down here.” The bishop rolled the rosary in his palm and flung it into the fire where it hissed and spat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We thought it would take more persuasion, but we didn’t really have to do much at all. You’re quite the explorer.” “What do you want?” I asked. The bishop put his hand on my shoulder and looked into my eyes. “I want to retire. Eternal life is wonderful for a few hundred years, truly wonderful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have seen so many things. But at some point, I got tired. And heaven, though it sounds like a paradise, when you really think about it, its all about serving God, being a slave to his whims. Honestly the work must never end." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just when you think you’re ready for a nice long rest, there’s praying and worship and being holy to get in the way of it.” “You’re not serious?” “I’m absolutely serious. And I’ve found the way out.” The bishop gestured again towards the demonic face in the fireplace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“This way I can either be a ruler in Hell, or I can choose complete oblivion. Nothingness. I simply cease to exist. The latter is sounding more and more attractive each day. But first I must find my replacement.” “What do you want me to do about it?” My breath felt short. “Laura, Laura." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am asking you to take my place.” “I’m not a bishop.” “You don’t have to be. A cleaner or a librarian, a scholar or a restoration expert, any number of people, could just as easily slip down here unnoticed once a week. And you would be well paid for your supposed work." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course, the real work is much more interesting. Let me explain.” The bishop took a seat next to the fire and indicated for me to do the same. My legs were a little wobbly, so I sat down on the stone seat and became intensely aware that my skin was being warmed by something quite evil." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The deal sounded simple. In exchange for delivering demons to take possession of human hosts, I would be granted eternal life (or at least, life for as long as I should want it). But the devil was, as ever, in the details." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Lucifer will bring the soul of a demon through the fire into our secret inner library once a week." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You will collect the prayer book from the table in the outer library and check the current ledger for the name and address of the next victim.\" The bishop stumbled over the word 'victim' but it sounded correct to me. Correct and distasteful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I realised I was holding my breath and let out a sharp puff of air before inhaling more sulphur. The bishop glanced at the face in the fire. \"Then you'll open the prayer book to reveal the hollowed-out page block and place it in front of the fire to receive the demon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Their essence resembles a twisting red flame but don't worry, it isn’t hot to the touch. Once concealed in the book you will carry the demon back through the library, up the stairs, across the chapel and out of the west doors." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Keep it shut in the book until you locate the host, releasing it nearby when that person is sleeping, drunk, or otherwise vulnerable.\" This sounded awful. Awful and fanciful. Surely no one was actually doing this? The bishop went on." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Then watch the host for a few hours and see whether the demon is starting to take control, and record the outcome in the current ledger." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If the demon doesn’t succeed, you cross his name out, return him to the fire, and he tries again the following week.\" I sat in stunned silence, staring at the bishop. I had almost forgotten that Lucifer himself was in the room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You have a week to think it over.” The flames grew higher as the silky voice filled my ears. “Only one week." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you decide not to join our cause you will go back to living your normal life, but I would appreciate it if you refrained from future ventures into my realm.” I drove home electrified by fear and adrenaline, stoked by intrigue and curiosity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eternal life? Was it real? Were demons even real? Had I really spoken with the devil? I was going to have to go back just to see if I had imagined the whole thing or not – and if I hadn’t, well, I had a big decision to make. I got home, pulled the curtains closed and checked the images in my camera." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently the demon Hebethel had failed on several occasions recently. His name was crossed out next to five different entries in the ledger. He must be getting desperate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stephen Hackles – 1a Peregrine Street – 3 rd April 2023 – Hebethel Petra Singleton – 18 Bendigo Court – 10 th April 2023 – Hebethel Mark Castlemain – 12 Beaufort Close – 17 th April 2023 – Hebethel Cassie Drunbridge – 8 Pearlview Drive – 24 th April 2023 – Hebethel Stella Banbury – 23 Monkswood Lane – 1 st May 2023 – Hebethel I stewed on it for two days." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were six days left until the next possession attempt on May 8th, and the day after that, the devil expected me back in the library to announce my choice. I wondered if Hebethel was as nervous as I was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wondered how many chances he would get, and what the punishment would be for repeated failure. I wondered what would happen to me if I refused a deal with the devil. Or indeed, if I took one." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Last night, the evening of May 8 th 2023, I stayed home at Trueman Avenue, rolling my options around in my head. I hadn’t visited a church or cathedral all week. Perhaps that was for the best." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe if I took the deal it would occupy me enough to stop me from trespassing into other strange situations. It could prevent me from getting into all kinds of other predicaments that are better avoided. What is better avoided than a deal with the devil? Not much." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I opened a bottle of vodka and a bottle of coke. I can’t remember which one I used as the mixer, but they were both empty when I scraped myself out of bed this morning and slumped into the bottom of the shower. The water and steam didn’t help, and my trembling hands were not much use with the soap." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two strong coffees made me almost pass for human, and buttered toast enabled me to stand up without puking. Driving wasn’t an option, so I caught a train. Its rhythm on the tracks jarred my stomach and the driver’s voice over the speakers pounded in my skull." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I arrived at St Johns with my head in pieces, but my mind made up: I’d take the deal. I’d definitely take the deal. I had no idea how I came to the conclusion, but I knew, I just knew." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stumbled across the nave into the chapel, sneaked clumsily down the stairs, pushed open the doors, collected the prayer book, crossed the library and jammed my foot against the bottom shelf. The bay opened with a clunk and I stepped inside." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldn’t help but wonder if Hebethel had finally met success, so I plucked the most recent ledger from the wall and flipped the pages. And then I knew. I knew how the decision had come to me so easily this morning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The unlucky demon had a new line in the book, only this time, his name was not crossed out: Laura Marsh – 5 Trueman Avenue – 8 th May 2023 – Hebethel ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Library That Saved The Monk" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Satya woke up tired, sore and disgruntled. His legs were covered in rashes from insect bites, and he was throwing up anything he ate. He thought to himself, “What’s the point of this whole journey?, I just want it to end so I can go back. There’s nothing I’m learning by being here”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few years ago, Satya’s master had sent him away from the monastery. The young man was a quick learner, and nothing short of genius. This was also his undoing. He knew he was better than the rest of the monks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During his time at the monastery, he often secretly dreamed of the day he would be made the head of the monastery. It was obvious to him. He was the strongest, fastest and smartest of all the monks at the monastery." }, { "from": "human", "value": "During Satya’s last few weeks at the monastery, his master had become increasingly uneasy with his demeanour. He needed to teach the young man a lesson, but didn’t know how.\n\nThe day marked the 433rd birthday of the monastery, and was open to outsiders." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Early in the morning, some tourists came by for a tour. They had large cameras, expensive clothes and seemed to be in a hurry. That day Satya was given the duty of being at the door of the monastery to welcome any guests that arrived. A young woman from the group came and sat next to Satya." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was bored of getting pictures clicked and thought it was an utter waste of time to be sitting in this room with one’s eyes closed. She was an ambitious girl that often dreamed of a career in politics." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After plonking herself beside Satya, she bluntly said, “why are you monks so boring? All your life you pretty much stay in this one area, sitting with your eyes closed, hoping some miracle is going to descend upon you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a few years, I’m going to be traveling around the country actually changing people’s lives.” For a moment Satya couldn’t find his tongue. He was not used to speaking to women, and had never met someone that thought the life of a monk was pointless." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He started to stammer and couldn’t find his words. This was unusual for him. In front of the other monks he always had the wittiest answers. The young woman looked at his red face and started laughing. “You monks are not even taught to speak properly, what a waste of human potential!”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Satya lost his temper. He shouted, “in a few decades when you see no meaning in your life, don’t come to our monastery to seek peace. I will be head of this monastery and see to it that you are not accepted here!!”\n\nSatya’s master and quite a few other monks heard Satya’s remarks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A sudden silence settled over the monastery. That evening Satya’s master summoned him to his room. “Satya, what you said to the young girl today was unacceptable. You have shamed the monastery. Please pack your things, and tomorrow at the crack of dawn you will go on an adventure." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your quest is to find a secret, hidden library. Here is a map. The journey will last a couple of years. You will not be allowed back to the monastery until you find the library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You think you know all the answers to life, but you know nothing.” Satya looked out of the small cave, as the first rays of light hit the trees outside. An uncontrollable wave of anger swept over him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He thought to himself, “I will never go back to that godforsaken monastery, even if they beg me to return.” The map his master had given him was wrong, or maybe he had missed the library somehow. He had spent the last four years, going up and down one valley, and the next, trying to find the library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had given up hope of finding the library, when a week ago he met a strange traveller. The traveller said he had been to the secret library. Based on his instructions, it was just at the bottom of the next valley. He should be able to reach there by this evening." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had tried and failed to find the library so many times that he didn’t have an ounce of excitement left in him. He thought, “What can a stupid library have to offer me?” As he began his descent into the next valley, a wave of helplessness swept over him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“What was the point of this life, of this journey?”. Satya had recently been battling suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. The pressure started to build up around his chest, and it became difficult to breathe. He stopped and sat down on a rock. The rock was on a steep cliff, about 200 metres high." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The thought sneaked into his mind, “What if I just throw myself off this rock?. Nobody will even know or care. I have nobody, being brought to the monastery at just a few months old." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even my brothers at the monastery don’t care about me anymore.” He stood up and looked over the edge of the rock, down into the valley. His fingers and toes started tingling with sweat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He took a step closer to the edge, and suddenly it seemed like the sounds around him got stronger, the colours of nature became more bright. The young girl from his last day at the monastery popped into his mind. She was right, “the life of a monk was absolutely pointless”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With that he took a step off the rock, down into the valley. It felt so warm and cozy, was this how the afterlife felt like? Somebody started to shake him violently. Satya opened his eyes to find the strange traveller over him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What the hell were you thinking, jumping off that rock?? Luckily you fell on a thick layer of straw I was collecting to keep the library warm for the upcoming winter.” Satya sheepishly said, “I didn’t jump, I slipped off the edge”. Satya looked around at the library, and was surprised." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where were all the books? He had taken all this effort to come to this empty place? At the corner of his eye he glimpsed a light. He got up and made his way to the light. There was one small book that rested on the bookshelf under the light. Aha. There’s one book here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He called out to the strange traveller, “Is there just one book in this massive library?” The stranger started laughing, “Boy, in this special library, you don’t find a book to read, the book you are meant to read finds you”.\n\nSatya picked up the small book off the shelf." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The traveller called out, “I’ll head out to get us something to eat, you enjoy your book”. Satya barely heard him. His heart was racing. The book was titled, “The Head Of The Monastery Committed Suicide”. As Satya began reading the book, he felt all kinds of emotions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A part of him that he had forgotten, was rekindled. It felt like the book was a part of his own thoughts. It resonated so strongly with him, and yet everything in there was completely new. A fresh perspective, but arising from within." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He quickly finished reading the book, and soon another light turned on in a far corner of the library. He began running towards the light and found another book under the light. Over the next few weeks, Satya hardly slept, from one book to the next. He had never felt so alive." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Each book felt like a new Satya was being revealed to himself.\n\nA few years later, Satya still inside the library had totally transformed. The library was full to bursting with all the books Satya had received. The more he read, the more he realised how little he knew." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was time to make his journey back to the monastery. He had been away for 12 long years, and he was sure his master would be worried. As he was leaving the library, a book came crashing down from the shelves. It was titled, “The Girl Who Dreamed A New Political Order”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Satya picked it up and decided to take it with him. On his long journey home, he came across a sprawling city. Hungry, he went into a baker’s shop. A newspaper lay open on one of the tables. A picture caught Satya’s attention. It was the image of the young woman who had visited the monastery." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An article highlighted how she had brought so much change to city in the past five years, but had just handed in her resignation citing that the ‘system was too corrupt’. Satya asked the baker about where he could find the lady." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After quickly eating his sandwich, he went in search of her office.\n\nUpon finding the building, Satya brushed his robes, and checked his hair in the reflection of a car window. His heart had begun to beat. How many times in the past years he had cursed this lady." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He thought, ‘nothing good can come from meeting her again. Maybe I should just leave. Then it dawned on him, that she was the reason he found the secret library. He took a deep breath and entered the building. A lady at the reception asked him what he was doing there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pointed to the picture in the newspaper and said that he had come to meet this lady. The receptionist laughed, and said “The lady you want to meet, hates monks. She thinks they are a plague to society. She’s not in a good mood, better you leave her and go on your way”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Satya insisted that he had something to give the lady, and wouldn’t leave until he had personally handed it to her. The receptionist called the lady on the intercom and told her that there was a monk waiting to meet her. “He says he has something to give you”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The lady replied with scorn, “Probably some book in the hopes of converting me or something. I’d rather not waste my time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please take whatever he has to offer and send him away.” Satya handed the book over to the receptionist and told her to tell the lady that he was the monk that shouted at her when she visited the monastery with her family." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He begged her forgiveness.” Satya left the building and continued his journey to the monastery. Soon after he left, the lady came out of her office and walked past the receptionist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The receptionist handed her the book saying that the monk was the one who had shouted at her in the monastery many years ago. The lady glanced at the book, and her heart skipped a beat. She went back to her office and couldn’t stop reading the book." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few hours later, she called the president’s office and asked to withdraw her resignation. She was not going to give up yet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How is it that this book arrived at the perfectly right time to push me to continue on my journey? How did the monk know?\n\nUpon reaching the monastery, Satya noticed very few people around. Everything seemed to be silent. He walked into the main building and saw a few of the other monks in tears." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Satya’s master had passed away that morning. Satya felt a stone in his belly. All the monks had been discussing who should be the head of the monastery to take over after the master’s death. One of the monks looked at Satya and said, “We all took you for dead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fact that you have returned the same day that master died, is a sign that you should be head of the monastery.” Satya looked at the monks around him and started laughing. No, thank you my brothers, but I have returned to the monastery to write. “To write???” The monks stared at him incredulously." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Yes to write, so that I may rekindle others with a spark. So that my books may one day discover them. It is the best way I can serve our departed master. Many minds listlessly await his teachings to discover them.” ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Last Spark" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hours had already passed as we walked aimlessly. I felt the wind beginning to whistle, bringing with it the deadly cold of the desert night. We set up our tent and lit our campfire. \"Honestly, Tom. You know this is a fairy tale." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, we have some evidence, but that´s nothing like the Indiana Jones movies you loved so much when we were teenagers.\" Leo's pessimism had become routine over the past month. After being fired from his job as a chemistry teacher, it seemed another person had taken over his body. \"Man, I get it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But we agreed to do this together and we’ve chased every possible and impossible clue around the globe. We know enough. The Great Library of Alexandria was never burned, it was hidden!\" \"Only you believe that, Tom... I don’t know what made me agree to this. Tomorrow is our final deadline." }, { "from": "human", "value": "According to the map, it should be here, and we found nothing today.\" \"Leo, you and I are teachers. It´s true I'm a history teacher, which would be much cooler for me to see what´s inside the library, but imagine how many other things we may find." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We always dreamed of this.\" I had little bargaining power left. In fact, we had been here for nine days and hadn’t found a single old scroll. \"Tomorrow, the last day.\" \"Okay." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Let’s search behind that dune at sunrise and then near that yellow rock we haven’t checked yet,\" I said, pointing to the locations. We got up early. We quickly packed our backpacks and left our tent there to save time; we could collect everything on our way back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We had little time before the sun became scorching. \"Yes, as we imagined... Nothing behind this stupid pile of sand.\" \"Yeah, let’s head to the rock.\" By the time we arrived, it was almost 11 AM, and we managed to shelter from the sun behind the shadow cast by the rock." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Look at this, Leo! It looks like a crank!\" \"Hm... That’s not a crank.\" Moving closer to examine it, he continued: \"It’s a miniature sundial." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Notice the markings around it, they’re symmetrical...\" \"Wow, what are the chances this is related to the Library?\" \"There are lots of these sundials out there, stop trying to find connections in everything. And please don’t touch it. You could break it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Later, the local authorities will see and say you vandalized some random historical site. I don’t want trouble, Tom, let’s just go home.\" \"Okay. Let’s wait for the sun to go down a bit, and we’ll head back to the tent. I can’t believe we found nothing.\" As soon as I said that, I felt a sudden tremor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ground beneath the rock began to open, revealing the entrance to a monumental staircase. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Everything seemed meticulously well-preserved, almost as if a supernatural force was keeping everything in perfect condition. \"I can’t believe it.\" Leo said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Neither can I, but look at the sundial! It’s noon now, maybe this door only opens when the sun is directly above us! Let’s go, quickly!\" We rushed in, and I hadn’t seen a trace of a smile on his face in a long time. It seemed a spark had ignited." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a brief moment, he looked like my childhood brother. The passage led us to an underground chamber of unimaginable proportions. I could hear echoes of sounds I couldn’t even understand where they were coming from." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Illuminated by the same magical glow as the stairs, I slipped on one of the stone pieces forming the floor, so polished and well-maintained they were. Shelves upon shelves of ancient scrolls, books, and artifacts filled the space, relics from another time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the center of the chamber stood a solitary figure, a man with flowing hair and a robe that didn’t seem from such a distant era. \"Welcome, travelers,\" said the man, his voice echoing through the chamber. \"I am Klygor, the Guardian of the Library.\" I stepped closer, Leo behind me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Is this truly the lost Library of Alexandria?\" Klygor nodded. \"Indeed, it is. Preserved in secrecy for centuries, hidden from the ravages of time and man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only those worthy of gathering all the clues and enduring ten days in the desert sun can enter, and once inside, they may stay for only a month, learning all the library has to offer. But beware, you can take nothing with you except what you carry in your minds.\" We couldn’t waste any time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Leo! I found out that Socrates never actually existed. Plato invented this character, but the ideas were almost all his!\" \"Interesting. I’m discovering many things too...\" Each day that passed, I got fewer answers from him \"Let’s sleep, man. We’ll continue studying more tomorrow.\" \"Feel free..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’ll sleep later.\" Everyday, I slept and woke up with him already reading and searching for new things. But it seemed the more he read, the more his soul faded. Like a drug addict, the more you use or smoke something, the greater the amount needed for the same effect." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was searching for something that wasn’t there. \"Leo, what are you looking for? Talk to me.\" \"I... I want to learn more. The only thing I know how to do is learn.\" \"What do you mean?\" \"Everyone tells me I don´t know how to be a good teacher." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe they are right.\" \" Yes, you do like learning new things, but you always loved teaching!\" \"No, Tom. I don’t know how to teach and never did. I was just very good at grasping things at first glance.\" We had reached our last day. \"Hey, Klygor. Where are you!?\" I shouted. \"I am here, traveler Tom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the foot of the Staircase, awaiting your departure... Time is running out.\" \"Leo, it’s time. Let’s go, we’ve seen everything we needed, we have material to tell people for ages!\" \"Wait, Tom. I’m just finishing this piece of parchment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It seems interesting...\" \"No, man!! We don’t have any more time, let’s go!\" \"I have nothing to do out there, Tom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s the second time I’ve been fired, schools always say I lack the necessary teaching skills.\" \"What are you talking about? Every week while we still lived with our mother, we received letters from students thanking you, saying you changed their lives." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I never received anything like that!\" \"You were never fired.\" Silence. I had no response to that. \"You taught me everything I know about the art of teaching. If you don’t know, I don’t know either.\" \"None of that matters... That’s not how the world works, and you know it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sometimes, I feel I should have just kept quiet and accepted teaching the way the principals wanted.\" \"Leo... what’s worth more, a student transformed for life or a happy principal?\" \"Huh? tell me, now. You always - \" \"Gentlemen, I must interrupt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you don’t leave within moments, one will have to stay and become the new guardian of the Library. That’s what happened to me almost 90 years ago. I was so focused on some revelations completely different from our History, that I didn’t notice the suns rising and setting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I realized it, the former librarian had already left, sealing here forever. You’re the first I’ve seen in all this time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m doing you the favor of letting you decide; I don’t want to leave here with negative energies from having tricked someone.\" \"Give us five minutes!\" \"I’m not the one controlling the magic of this place." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’m waiting at the top of the stairs until the final moment.\" \"Leo, it’s now, let’s go!\" \"I’m not going, and you know it...\" \"Please, I don’t know how to teach without your advices!\" \"Tom, I found a spark of happiness here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Knowing that at least learning is something I’ve always been able to do and no one could take that away from me... \" I heard the sands starting to assemble. I ran up as fast as I could, and at the last moment, I turned to see him one last time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the distance, I could see, with the same sad face, he opened another book.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Le Carte Rouge" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rod had that stupid smile that says he knows what life is all about as he joined Angie back on the street. He shoulder bumps her to communicate something good has happened. They are on the way to the motel and away from the book store. Rod looks at Angie, holding a book at chest level." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Angie gives in, ‘Okay, what is the book?’  Rod smiles broadly holding the book closer to his chest. ‘It is the book.’ Angie smirks, ‘What book?’ she asks, looking both ways as they cross the street. Rod slowly shakes his head as he looks both ways while crossing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘The book.’ ‘What is that the name of the book…the book?’ she smiles, returning his smile, then she looks seriously at him. ‘You don’t mean the book?’ ‘Yep, I do mean the book.’ he steps up with her on the curb and stops. Rod holds the book outward with his fingertips gently holding its edges." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘ Angela Demarche, may I introduce you to the Le Carte Rouge.’ He passes it gently to her and she takes it with crossed brow. ‘Naw, can’t be.’ she opens it and her eyes widen. She reads aloud, ‘Le Carte Rouge.’ she looks up at Rod, ‘But, this can’t be.’ Shaking her head to fathom the finding." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘Come on, Angie, think of it without the comedy. Henri says, as we are leaving, and rather secretly, to find some book for him that will somehow find me and voila it finds me in this city with all its libraries and book shops." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, what are the chances?’ taking the book back and softly patting the book black leather bindings with his fingertips." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smirks in thought, ‘Okay, this is the book? The exact same book? The title is exactly the same?’ ‘This is exactly the same name.’ Rod looks at it then back to her without opening it. ‘Let me see it again?’ Angie puts out a hand. ‘Don’t open it again until we get back to the room though." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looks kind of brittle.’ He hands it over to her. ‘The cover is strong but the pages look, you know, kind of, like if a breeze comes it might all blow away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Probably why they were throwing it away.’ She runs her fingers upon the edges of the gold leaf pages, nodding at the book’s apparently fragility. She finds herself smiling at the richness in texture of the binding and smells from the types of trees and cotton used in the production of the paper." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘This is a beautiful book. Yeah, I agree we should hurry and get back to the room, Rod. Play it safe.’ She holds the book against her breast and quickens her pace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘You are into it now.’ ‘Things happen, Rod, and this is too interesting to just accept or acknowledge without seeing what we have here and pulling up a conclusion." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finding this like that can both be easy to grasp and difficult to understand but there is a book here and it has a certain resonance for me that I do not remember ever having with a book. This is very interesting.’ In the room, Rod opens the curtains and goes over to the phone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He pauses to look through the list of numbers to dial Haiti and Henri. The phone connects and rings the double ringing that after the couple of years of living in the Caribbean he still wasn’t used to. ‘Allo?’ Henri’s voice sounded tinny. ‘Henri? This is Rod. I found your book, the Le Carte Rouge." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We found it.’ Rod looked over at Angie who, without taking her jacket off was laying on the bed with pillows propped to work her fingers through the book. ‘Rod. You found Le Carte Rouge? Oh, my god, this is wonderful. This is wonderful. I had a feeling. No." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew.’ There was a pause and Rod knew some instructions were on the way. Henri the lawyer was quelling his excitement. ‘Okay, this is what you do: first, put the book in a safe place, like your pack, no, wrap it in something protective." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It has to be sensitive, no? Wrap it good and put it in your backpack or the duffel, no backpack because when you get on the plane you carry it, no, you carry it with you. Do not put it above but at your foot, feet, no?’ ‘Henri, wait, man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We just got it and our flight isn’t until tomorrow, but we were thinking of spending some time down in Key West.’ ‘No!’ Henri almost shouted, ‘that is not what you do. Please, this is so important." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You have something that is powerful and must be gotten here as soon as possible… Rod, do you understand me? This is an urgent thing, my friend." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I will pay for a ticket for the next flight you can get and I will pay for you to return to the States and Key West and I will pay for you to have a good room in Key West for a week if you want, but please bring Le Carte Rouge back to Haiti.’ ‘Back? Did you mean it was in Haiti before or do you mean just to bring it there?’ ‘I will explain it all to you when you are here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is a long story. Where do you have the book now?’ ‘Angie has it on the bed.’ ‘Okay. Now, wrap it and put it in your backpack.’ ‘It might be a little hard to get it away from her.’ Rod chuckled, looking at Angie’s intense expression and concentration." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘She is reading it?’ there was alarm in Henri’s voice over the phone. ‘Yeah, she…’ ‘Tell her to put it down now.’ ‘Hunh?’ ‘Hurry." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is dangerous, Rod.’ ‘Dangerous?’ ‘Yes, please tell her to put it down now.’ ‘Angie, Henri says to put the book down.’ She looks over to Rod blinking herself back to the motel room. ‘What?’ ‘Put it down. Henri says to put it down now.’ She looks at Rod, then the book, then the phone in his hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Angie gently closes the book to the point that her index finger marking her page allows. ‘Okay, she stopped reading it.’ ‘Put it in the backpack.’ Henri ordered. ‘Look Henri,’ Rod did not like the tone, ‘we will get the book to you and take you up on Key West." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I will check and see about the flight and switching the tickets and pay with you refunding, so see you as soon as possible.’ ‘Let me know and I will pick you up at the airport.’ ‘Okay. Bye, now.’ Rod hung up trying to stop the irritation at being ordered around." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Angie was already back in the book and lightly smiling. ‘Angie, he said to put the book down. Maybe it has poison on the pages or something weird.’ ‘Yeah, right.’ Angie nodded comically. ‘Look at this pen and ink.’ She turned the book so Rod could see." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He moved over to look down at a detailed scene of a man and a woman peering over a ravine of tangled growth reaching down into a black abyss with writhing figures etched in outlines of grotesque and mournful stares." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He could make out their mouths twisted in anguish and did not want to look at the illustration again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘Put down the book, Angie.’ She looked at Rod, ‘Don’t you see what we have here?’ ‘I think I am seeing too much.’ ‘No, not the hocus-pocus stuff but the value of a book like this? I think we have some money here, Rod.’ Rod slowly shakes his head, ‘No, Angie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is Henri’s book and it is not a good one to do anything with but give to the guy.’ ‘Fuck him, Rod. He is just gonna sell it and I’ll bet for a fortune. He is a treasure hunter, for god’s sake.’ ‘He is a lawyer for treasure hunters. Henri never gets his hands dirty." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Naw, there is something about this book that he knows and we don’t. Look, when we get the book to Haiti, we keep it until he explains what it is and what it is about and what he plans on doing with it. Then, we make up our minds about what we will do about it.’ Angie looks at Rod incredulously." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘Rod,’ she said in an exasperated tone, ‘we have the book. We found the book. This is right here in our hands. Let’s go to an antique book dealer, look one up in the phone book, and see what a value is. Then, we make up our minds about what to do with it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shit, I really wish I could remember half of the Latin I had in school, just a third. Some of this stuff is just phenomenal… the stuff I can get that is. But my conjugation is no good anymore and I only can get some of the stuff." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mixtures of stuff are just not translatable but amounts are and the warnings are simple.’ ‘Warnings?’ Rod’s eyebrows raise up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘What warnings?’ ‘Relax, it’s just some stuff about some of these mixings, potions, you know the dangerous stuff he told you, woouooo, hahahaha.’ ‘Hey, Angie, what if there is a danger with this kind of thing?’ ‘Look, I am not touching the pages too much and I doubt the words can kill, so…, look, Rod, I didn’t know you were so tender, man.’ Rod frowned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘You know, you are right. I got caught up in his thing. This might be valuable and we take it to him? Strange. I don’t know what came over me.’ Rod shakes his head and looks down the book, then at Angie’s concentrated face fixed on the elaborate pages of mixed inks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There are browns and whites and some hints of pink with a thread of red slightly visible. The pages are not rotten, just lightly papered, like rice paper but of some other material. The colours of the images almost move with an unfocussed vibrancy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He moves closer with the paper tending toward glowing behind the inked words. He licks his lips in curiosity, and bends over to study the scripted words almost all joined with interlocking curlicues and slants. Rod blinks and pulls his head back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The book seems to draw him in and he recognises it.\n\n‘Angie.’ he shouted to her though she was only a few inches from his mouth. She jerked her head up, ‘What?’ she was looking around the room and toward the door. ‘Something about that book makes me want to go into it.’ he says with wide eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled, ’Yeah, exactly. That was what you were yelling in my ear about?’ He moved back a bit, ’Unhunh. I don’t like this.’ Angie smirks, exhaling impatience, ‘Cut it out, back off. Take a walk or something. I know, I am hungry and you must be too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why not go out and get us some Chinese from that place down the street?’ He looks down at her, trying not to look at the book. His mouth opens but no words would come out. He did not know what he wanted to say." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He breathes in deeply and comes to the conclusion that her logic overshadows what was becoming his superstition. Henri planted that see, Rod thinks to himself. Maybe some air was exactly what he needed, and food, especially Chinese food was a very good idea." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He nods in agreement, but she is already back studying the book. Rod goes to the door, opens it, looks back at Angie laying comfortably on the bed with the book hiding her nose but her eyes completely staring and moving in the tiniest of jerks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He wondered if he was falling in love with her.\n\n‘What do you want? Duck? Chow Mein? Pan fried noodles?’ She looks and up back at her place in the book. ‘Yeah.’ He goes out and closes the door softly. It is hot outside. Rod walks between two parked cars, a black one and a beige one." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He is noticing pieces of paper on the ground and a broken whistle laying under one of the tires of the beige car. It was almost dark already and the amber street lights seem slightly blurred. When he returned with the meals she gave him a hungry look that he recognised as a swelling of passion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He must have reacted in a protective of his person way because she physically backed off. They ate in silence. He wanted to ask her what she found in her study of the book but felt it was wrong somehow. When they finished she acted shyly when taking his paper plate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She took the boxes and everything into the bathroom. The shower ran with pressure and he felt relieved like things were going back to normal. Then the thought came to him of why had he thought things were not already normal? He could not sleep." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The air conditioning made noises and the bed creaked when he or she turned even slightly. There was a drip in the bathroom that he did not want to investigate and loose his chance to fall asleep. He did not want to look at Angie though he feeling an erection thinking about her lying next to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His mind raced with snatches of dream that were probably just thoughts. Sailing, water and placid horizons that were neither the sea nor the land. No people. The window drapes were pulled back and a street light gave contrast to the room’s shapes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The dead television on its weird, long, dark table that was a chest that could not be used. The curving shadowed lamps sitting on the side tables, on each side of the bed, with small hoods that let the little baldness of the bulbs show just slightly above." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rod pulled his covers to the side careful not to wake Angie. He forgot why he pulled them off as he was rising and just lay back down and pulled them back up to keep off the dull chill of the air conditioning. The book lay on her side table aside her lamp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He swallowed, wanting to reach over her to get it though he knew nothing in Latin. That realisation had him smirk, ‘What am I going to do with the thing? Hold it? Lick it?’ Rod grinned with that thought. Then, he looked at her with a touch of dread." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What would she do if he licked the cover? He looked down at her and was shocked to find her looking back at him. ‘Rod,’ she smiled, do you want to lick something?’ He jerked his head back. Her face in the street light held a smile. Her eyes were intense in a stare that he did not know." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She pulled the sheet off the bed and parted her pubic skin and hair, still staring at him. ‘Lick.’ Rod breathed easier recognising that that was what she was talking about, not that she heard his thoughts. They both slept late the next morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The plane they were taking was to leave within two hours and they had to get to the airport so there was a hurrying with no showers. Rod wiped his stickiness off with a damp towel and she laughed fully dressed with the Carte Rouge under her arm. They made the flight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They followed the orders and placed the backpack holding the precious book in a plastic bag under the seat in front of them and smiled at each other. When the plane landed they waited until most of the passengers were off and all the jostling with bundles and children and pushings were gone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rod picked up the pack that seemed lighter, so he unsnapped the the two catches, loosened the drawstrings and looked at this underwear and socks but no book. He tilted his head and dug his hand into the pack only finding softness. He looked at Angie who was looking down at the pack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘What the fuck?’ Rod told the back of the seat with its worn magazine in a torn holder. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed the torn holder before, then remembered what he was doing and pulled out his underwear. Angie looked at him, then at the underwear, then back to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "‘Shit.’ When they met Henri in the echoing airport hall, he said before they said anything, ‘You lost it?’ Rod’s mouth opened." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "‘How did you know?’ Henri smiled and said matter of factly, ‘Because it is at my home in my book case.’ ‘Henri,’ Rod rolled the word out, ‘what do you mean?’ ‘This morning when I came down for breakfast, Michelle, the maid, you met her, she said that a book was on the floor and told me I should not leave old, maybe valuable books on the floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had put it up on my bookshelf. I went over and saw what it was and thought you guys had played a trick on me but there were no flights before this one. I looked through it and took some photos on what I needed to.’ He smiled at both of them. ‘You did good.’ A month later Henri was dead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The book disappeared again. Rod and Angie broke up on that same day after finding out about Henri. Rod left Haiti for the States and never returned. Angie opened a beauty parlour.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "THE SECRET LIBRARY OF MYTHRIA" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Picture this, I found myself deep within the enigmatic Whispering Woods. It's where the trees whisper secrets like chatty grandmothers, “Did you hear about Oakley? She’s sprouting new leaves!” And the streams, oh man, they play practical jokes like they’re auditioning for a prank show." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They wait until you’re not looking and—splash! —right in the face. It’s like the forest version of a whoopee cushion. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Finn, the adventurer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or, as my companions affectionately dub me, “The one who stumbles upon treasure despite his missteps.” It’s almost like a superpower. My foot has a homing device if there’s a banana peel within a hundred miles. But hey, it’s a talent. Some people have GPS, and I have GTS—Goes To Stumble." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now, let's return to the tale. I find myself in these woods, right? And it’s like nature’s very own comedy club. Birds are chirping in perfect timing as if they’re rehearsing their stand-up routines for open mic night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And the squirrels, oh the squirrels, they’re like miniature parkour experts on a sugar high. One moment they’re there, the next they’re gone, leaving you questioning if you just witnessed a rodent rave in your imagination. Here I am, in pursuit of the elusive Diamond Dragonfly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sounds majestic, doesn't it? But it’s more like a shimmering mosquito with a severe attention deficit. I’m stumbling through the woods, swatting at this iridescent pest resembling a deranged mime. And, of course, I managed to lose my way. I mean, utterly and hopelessly lost." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like GPS says, “You’re on your own, pal,” lost. As I’m meandering, I catch sight of this faint, pinkish glow flickering through the trees. And I ponder, “Is that a celebration, or am I about to encounter extraterrestrial life?” You never know in these woods." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, I resolve to investigate because why not? It’s not like I have a superior plan. I push through the undergrowth and stumble upon this colossal oak tree. I’m talking gigantic, like a skyscraper for squirrels. If this tree had a reception, it’d inquire if you desired a room with a view." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the base of this behemoth, there’s a trapdoor. Not just any trapdoor, but one with glowing runes around it. The kind of thing that screams, “You’re either finding treasure or releasing a curse.” And let me tell you, I’ve got a 50/50 track record on those." }, { "from": "human", "value": "These runes are humming some weird, magical tune like if you gave a toddler a synthesizer. “Only the seeker of laughs may enter,” it says." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I’m like, “Well, I did laugh when I fell into that mud puddle this morning.” So, I pull the door open, and it creaks like an old man trying to get out of a chair. It’s like the door’s auditioning for a horror movie sound effect." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I go, the flashlight in hand, and each step sounds like a cartoon—boings, squeaks, and even a whoopee cushion or two. I’m half expecting a giant anvil to drop on my head. I reach the bottom, and it’s warmer than my Aunt Mabel’s kitchen at Christmas. Smells like old books and freshly baked cookies." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think, “Either I’ve found a magical library, or I’m about to get eaten by a very literate witch.” I step into this underground chamber, walls lined with bookshelves taller than my apartment building. There’s a grand table covered in scrolls and maps and wait for it—a rubber chicken and clown shoes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s like the wizard Merlin moonlighting as a stand-up comedian." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m flipping through books like “The Art of Prank Calls” and “Chronicles of the Clown Kings.” And there’s this book, “The Guide to Legendary Laughs.” It’s got illustrations that are so funny that I’m half expecting them to jump off the page and give me a high five." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I found this section marked “Forbidden Funnies.” The shelves are chained up like they’re holding Hannibal Lecter’s joke book." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And the signs are like, “Beware: Laughter is powerful, but power can corrupt absolutely.” And I’m like, “Is this a library or a Jedi temple for comedians?” So, naturally, I pick the lock. Because, hey, who can resist an excellent forbidden funny? The book I pull out is ancient." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s called “The Tome of Forgotten Pranks.” And as soon as I open it, blue smoke puffs out like it’s vaping mischief. Suddenly, this voice booms, “Who dares to unlock the forbidden?” I look up and see this spectral librarian floating above me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She’s got this glow like she’s been binging on radioactive ghost stories and invisible suspenders snapping against her. I think, “Great, I’m about to get ghost-wedged.” “I-I'm Finn,” I stammer. “I didn’t mean any harm. I’m just... curious.” She grins." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Curiosity is fine, but laughter can be a dangerous weapon. The knowledge here is powerful. In the wrong hands, it can bring great hilarity—and chaos.” I nod, closing the book like I’m defusing a bomb. “I get it. But why hide all this?” She sighs, shimmering like a glitchy hologram." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Long ago, a dark jester tried to use this library’s power for chaos. So, the jesters hid it away. Only those with pure intentions and a good sense of humor can find it.” So, there I am, standing in the middle of this magical, laugh-filled library, promising to use these jokes wisely." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who wouldn’t want to save the world with a good punchline? Imagine defeating a villain by making them laugh so hard they forget their evil plans. \"Hey, Dr. Doom, what did the tomato say to the cucumber? You’re in a pickle now!\" Bam, the world was saved." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I settle into the Secret Library of Mythria like a kid in a candy store—or, more accurately, like a comedian in a joke factory. I spend months diving into these books and let me tell you, it’s the ultimate comedy boot camp. Forget boring workouts; I’m doing stand-up squats and one-liner lunges." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I even start dreaming in punchlines. One night, I dreamt I was a carrot in a stand-up competition, and my best joke was, “Lettuce turnip the beet!” I woke up laughing so hard I nearly fell out of my hammock. Every day in the library is a new adventure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once, I found a scroll titled \"The Ultimate Practical Joke: How to Make the Moon Disappear.\" It turns out it was just a recipe for an invisibility punch—note to yourself and do not drink that before a date." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another day, I discovered a map that led to a hidden section called \"The Comedy Vault.\" It was like Fort Knox, but instead of gold bars, it had joke bars. “Why did the scarecrow become a successful comedian? Because he was outstanding in his field!” The best part? The library isn’t just books." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’s got these enchanted artifacts. I find a rubber chicken that squawks out punchlines when you squeeze it. \"Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!\" I also found a pair of oversized clown shoes that squeak out classic one-liners with every step." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I tell you, there’s nothing like walking around and hearing, “I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.” And then there’s the laughter. Oh, the laughter! The library walls are enchanted to echo with the laughter of everyone who’s ever told a joke there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’s like having a built-in audience that never gets tired. You could tell the same joke ten times, and the laughter gets louder each time. It’s comedy heaven. But it’s not all fun and games. The books and scrolls also teach me the power of humor to heal and unite people." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I read about ancient jesters who used humor to ease tensions during wars and clowns who brought smiles to the faces of the sick and the weary. It’s a reminder that laughter isn’t just about jokes—it’s about connection, joy, and sometimes, survival." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After months of this comedic treasure hunt, I feel ready to share what I’ve learned. Every time I leave the library, I take a bit of that magic with me. My backpack contains joke books, enchanted whoopee cushions, and scrolls of timeless wisdom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hit the road, ready to bring laughter to every corner of the world. I start performing in taverns, town squares, and anywhere people will listen. And the reactions are priceless. I once made a grumpy blacksmith laugh so hard that he forged a horseshoe into a perfect circle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A farmer’s laugh was so contagious it got his chickens clucking in rhythm. And during a particularly tough winter, my jokes helped keep spirits high and bellies warm with laughter. And that’s how I found the Secret Library of Mythria." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It taught me that sometimes, the best adventures start with getting hopelessly lost. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll stumble into your hidden library or find a book that makes you laugh until your sides hurt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you, and goodnight! And remember, always keep a good joke in your back pocket—it might save the day.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Library 51 and the Alien Conspiracy" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To: Frank Delaney [email protected] Subject: anthropological finds linking past to the future I, Dr. J." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Emmit Hardy, Professor of Archeology at the University of Montana, former navy seal and marine sniper, stumbled upon something I should not have and in the excitement of the moment, I took it. Now they are after me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don’t know who they are, other than the keepers of secrets, the guardians of mysteries. Could be the Vatican or some other religious organization, a collaboration of world governments, or some secret society. I probably sound out of my mind but wait until I tell you what I have uncovered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It all started in what I like to call the broiler, a.k.a. southern Iraq, in an area once known as Mesopotamia. It was in that barren landscape that I and a group of archaeologists came upon a rather suspiciously lonely looking hill, more of a large mound I would say." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We had started excavating as soon as the Iraqi government lifted their ban on archeological excavations. After years of careful digging, we dug down where we found an entrance to an upper chamber that led down to the heart of what we presume will be a ziggurat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the lowest portion of the structure, we found what we named the Library of the Anunnaki, the collective name for the Sumerian gods. The library consisted of hundreds of stone tablets, most of them broken, some shattered, even to the point of dust." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I found one large piece, rough in my hands, chipped, not without its damage. I blew it off and noticed it was written in cuneiform. The translation goes: Origin……... Primitive species DNA spliced……... producing male child……... male children produced and raised to farm and……..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "production cumbersome………… remove Y……... first female child for reproduction presented to first male…..... uprising……... Usurpers cast out of gardens and mines……... debauchery throughout……... murder……... war……... Meteor causing mass……... Fleeing planet, will return." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Obviously defaced, what I concluded from the text was that the text was not written by human hands. Rather, it was a document left for us by who early humans considered gods." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It tells us that we originated from a primitive species (apes, or Cro-Magnon Man perhaps, maybe even some early form of homo sapiens) having their DNA spliced with that of an alien race, producing a child that we now call a human being." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Given the success of the experiment, they created more, until they figured natural reproduction to be a viable process. These children grew up working on farms and in mines for the alien race. It goes on to say there was an uprising. Some were cast out where they lived wildly without law or rule." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A lot of text is missing, but it goes on to explain the flood was caused by a meteor, probably crashing in the sea nearby. At that time, the aliens left, promising to return." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My biggest question is, return to do what? This tablet destroys god-centric religions, proving that we were created through the advanced science of an alien race, putting an end to ancient beliefs. It would also take away power from institutions such as the Catholic Papacy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Old traditions will die hard, but the word of God will no longer hold credence in the minds of the majority again. This is a world altering find. That is why I had it carbon dated for its legitimacy, taking it to an old friend. Dr. Phillip Baker at Oxford University did some carbon dating." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The tablet predates the Sumerian use of cuneiform for literary purposes by a thousand years. We realized then that it was truly an extraordinary find." }, { "from": "human", "value": "While Phillip and I celebrated with the champagne he had been saving for such an occasion, men in black suits paid us a visit trying to seize the tablets. With a distraction made by Dr. Baker, I escaped out the back. From the hallway I heard shots fired." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew my dear friend’s fate and feared it would be my own if I did not run. I assumed knowing what was on the tablet put my life in jeopardy. I was pursued by them and what looked like a private security detailed, armed, muscular men dressed in black." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They chased me through the streets at high speed. I was scared out of my mind, even taking to the sidewalk to avoid stoplights. I made it to the airport where I evaded capture and caught a plane back to the states. The tablet is now hidden safely where no one will ever find it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I still wanted answers. Why are they returning? When will they return? Why were they here in the first place? I knew of one place that had the answer. I put to use all my military training to sneak into the most heavily guarded military base in the US. I broke into Area 51. I’ll save you the details." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s a process of inching through the desert dressed like a bush for three days, monitoring security patterns, cutting chain-link, and choking people out for their security badges and weapons, turning up loose ends, until finally I found what I was looking for – the Area 51 Library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The library is a massive collection of written statements, voice recordings, pictures, videos, blueprints, documents on everyone who has claimed abduction or sighting, documentation of people who have been abducted or visited and have no recollection of it, and archeological evidence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The most disturbing artifact I found was a 1950’s recording of an alien being questioned under duress giving the same account on the tablet, filling in the gaps. Apparently, there is another planet in our solar system that passes the sun every six thousand years." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They survive in biodomes but require extra fuel and food that they get from earth when their planet gets within flying distance. The air on earth is toxic to them, so they wear suits, some wear armor over their suits resembling animals known to humans to strike fear in them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They have a spy station on the dark side of the moon where they operate out of one of their biodomes, watching us, occasionally experimenting on us, or coming down to replenish food." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Alien went on to explain that they tried to quell the violence within humans, who murdered each other and started wars for territory, before the flood. As they watched on over the centuries, war and hate spread like wildfire across the land as humans flourished." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They decided since humans still believed in gods, they would send them a representative from God." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He explained the insemination of Mary and the resurrection of the man we call Jesus – he was revived from a coma using advanced medical procedures and lifted up in a small spy shuttle under the cover of smoke. He is at the station now and will return with the others when the other planet draws near." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His purpose was to teach people how to live peacefully, choosing people to carry on his work after he was gone, to spread it around the world. The alien said things didn’t go as planned, calling us wicked and violent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His final statement was that when the planet returns, those who fight will be destroyed and those who don’t will be enslaved. Area 51 is only guarded by the US. They are not running it. I was discovered by a man with a heavy European accent and, of course, dressed in a black suit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I grabbed the recording and fought my way past him, then through three levels of private security before getting past the military detail on the outside. I’m sure these men know where I live. I’m taking a big risk contacting you, but the public deserves to know the truth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They need to prepare to fight the coming onslaught. So far, governments have kept everything a secret, selling off technologies like cellular communications and nuclear power. I have the recording safely hidden away with the tablet. I have the evidence if you want to proceed with the story. \n\nTo: J." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Emmit Hardy [email protected] Reply: anthropological finds linking past to the future Dr. Hardy, I’ll be honest with you, if it weren’t for your credentials and the background check I ran on you, I would be telling you to take this to the tabloids." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since you are an esteemed professor of sound mind with a military background, I suppose your story warrants some attention. Meet me at Malone’s at noon on Thursday for lunch. They are usually busy so there should not be any scenes made in there if you are followed. Try not to be followed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bring the evidence. Depending on it, we will see where we go from there. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I saw Dr. Hardy walk into Malone’s that day, he was not what I was expecting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was looking for an unshaved old man with wild hair acting a little erratically. No, this was your Indiana Jones type professor, middle aged, lean and sun kissed. Far from erratic, his eyes scanned the restaurant before approaching me with a duffle bag. “Mr. Delaney?” “Yes, that’s me.” “Emmit Hardy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Glad you took the time to see me.” His eyes missed no detail of what was going on around him. He was even checking reflections in the smallest objects to see behind him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Did you bring the evidence?” The first thing he pulls out is an old reel-to-reel and lays it on the table as he goes for the next item in his bag." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What am I going to do with that?” “Listen to it.” “I thought you would have recorded it on your cell phone.” “I wasn’t about to take a cell phone into Area 51. You’re the news. Don’t you have a reel-to-reel player?”\n\n“Well, yeah, back at the newsroom.” “Here, check this out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carefully.” He displays a bundle of rags gentler than if it were a baby. He unwraps it to reveal the stone tablet, chipped and cracked with a series of markings on it that meant nothing to me. “I’ll have to take your professional word on what that is. What I’m interested in is on that reel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But first, we eat.” “I don’t think we have time for that, Frank. Be casual, but two guys in black suits and sunglasses just walked in.” “Relax, guys in suits eat here all the time.” “Not with security details. Let’s head out the back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Slowly, they haven’t made us yet.” I thought Emmit might be schizophrenic, but when we got out to the alley, two guys were waiting with guns. Now, I would love to give you a play-by-play of what happened next, but it happened too fast." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Somehow, Emmit managed to disarm and knock unconscious two men in a matter of seconds. He took their guns, putting one in his waistband. “Can I have a gun?” “No,” he chuckled. We ran to the news building. When we got there, we were spotted by more guys in black suits and their security details." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We took off in the other direction with them on our heels. I pulled out my cell and made a phone call. “Susan, I need you to get those old duffle bags out of storage and five other people. Here is what I need you to do.” Emmit and I took the long way to The Lincoln Memorial." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There, we ran into six people with bags similar to the one Emmit was carrying. We all bumped and shoved, switching bags several times. When we were done mixing up the bags, some took cabs, some ran, some strolled. They grabbed Marcus and checked his bag, only to find gym clothes and a phone book." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later that night, Emmit and I met with Susan to retrieve the real bag. She asked what was going on, but all I could tell her was to read the morning’s paper. Emmit was able to sneak me pass some of the men in black suits and their muscle so I could write up the story." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wrote frantically, the words flowing from my mind straight to the screen. I barely got it through pre-press in time to make the front page. I rushed it out to the printers myself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were in the middle of putting on the plates that were supposed to run and were not thrilled about the last-minute change, but now people know where they came from and can prepare for the future.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "ETERNAL LIBRARY: THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNIVERSE" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Long before the rise of man when the world was dark there came a great light from the sky. A great ship descended into a dark world. Inside the ship was the greatest race to ever inhabit the universe. They are called the creators. The creators were the first evolution of humanity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They called their new home Avalonia. The creators created the oceans, the trees, plants and animals. Overtime the creators created the second evolution of humanity in their image. The creators built great cities and within those great cities, a great library was built." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which housed the greatest knowledge the universe has ever known. A millennia passed since the creators arrived in Avalonia and since their first landing many generations of humans have been all with the knowledge of the creators." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The creators have spread their seed and their knowledge throughout the known galaxy. Many planets bore the fruit of knowledge of the creators. Many more libraries of knowledge were created but only one remains eternal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Many more generations have passed and the generations of humans created by the creators continued to flourish until one moment in their history when everything changed. The creators simply vanished leaving their creations on the many planets they call home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The humans on each planet were left with the knowledge of the creators. The humans didn't use the knowledge wisely and ultimately all the knowledge was lost including the libraries expect for the one that remains eternal. Deep inside I knew the existence of humanity was part of something greater." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We were put on this planet to be something more. We were created by a powerful race of humans to carry on their legacy but over the course of thousands of years we lost it all. I must find and figure out what we lost. It's my destiny. I dreamed about something greater than myself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something greater than humanity. A library filled with the knowledge of the universe is somewhere out beyond the stars waiting for me to find. Atria is my home the fourth planet the creators created this I know. The records of the past show it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It also shows one of the great libraries once stood on Atrian grounds but the library is no more. Their maybe more libraries out beyond the stars but one bears the name eternal. That one has been lost since the first creation. I aim to find that one." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Beyond the stars there are more planets that house the libraries. To those planets I will go and find the one that is eternal. I don't know what I will find but it's a risk I must take. To Aqua Terra, Azurella also known as the water planets are known creations of the creators." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To Amarantha and Inter Nova are also known creations of the creators. All these planets have one thing in common. The great libraries of the creators were built there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Atria, my home world was also created by the creators and too many of my people no known library was ever built on Atria but a long-ago war destroyed half of Atria and possible the library. The records are proof there was a library on Atria. I have what I need." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now it's time for me to set off on my journey. Lucky for me I have my own space ship. Just because the great library is no more and no one knows it doesn't mean the creators knowledge was lost. Some of their knowledge was left for us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The record I found suggest only four of the many planets the creators created house the great libraries. One of them has to be the one that is eternal. I set off into the stars. My first stop is Aqua Terra. One of the many water planets. I fire up the FTL and in four hours I arrive at Aqua Terra." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I scan the planet and to my amazement there is a large structure on the southern end of the planet. The inhabitants of Aqua Terra primarily live on the northern end of the planet. I land my ship safely on the water. I put my water gear on. I open the door and jump into the water." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I follow the coordinates to the location of the library. Not much of a library. I enter through one of the side openings. Something must be holding the water back. I beginning going up one of the hallways. I look around. I don't see much. The books are weathered down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I keep going down the long hallway until I reach a door. I open the door and enter. All the books are weathered down expect for one. This book is in good condition. I pick up the book and open it. It's not a book but a journal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I start to read the journal, Wow, this was written by one of the creators. \"We left our home to seed the rest of the known galaxy. I will miss my home. I will miss my library. Many more will be created. One day I will return to Avalonia.\" \"We seeded many more planets and built many more libraries." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Our creations are beautiful but something happened to us. We must leave Avalonia or all will be lost. We entrust our libraries and all our knowledge to our creations. Our eternal library, we will hide forever.\" Avalonia, I never heard of that planet. I leave the library and go back to my ship." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I go to the next planet, another water planet. I found the same thing I found on Aqua Terra, a journal talking about Avalonia. I go to the next two planets Amarantha and Inter Nova and I found the same thing, two more journals written by the creators talking about Avalonia." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I spread the journals out looking for clues. I examine each journal one by one and bang hidden beneath the words are numbers. I write them down. They look like coordinates. These must be coordinates to Avalonia. I punch in the coordinates. There it is Avalonia. I fire up the FTL." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm on my way to Avalonia. The creators first home, first creation and hopefully the site of the one that is eternal. As my ship travels to Avalonia, I keep reading the journals of the creators. This is amazing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One of the journals written by a creator whose name is Minta talks about how the libraries were created. But what the journals don't talk about is how we were created or why the vanished. After ten hours my ship drops out of FTL. This is Avalonia. I scan the planet. My scans don't pick up anything." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I go back to the journals. I read each one. The journals talk about a large structure between a mountain and a waterfall. I scan the planet again. My scans pick up something on the southern end of the planet. I go down to Avalonia. The planet is beautiful. No sign of life. I wonder why that is." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I see the mountain range. I fly around the mountain. I spot a waterfall. It must be in there. I land my ship. I open the door and walk out. I'm speechless. I never see anything so beautiful and colorful. I scan the area with my scanner. I'm picking up something." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I walk in the direction of the waterfall. What's that up ahead? I see what looks like the figure of a person. As I get near, I see the figure looking at me. My scans showed no sign of life." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hello my name is Minta creator of the library, creator of everything.\" Oh My God! I'm seeing one of the creators. \"You have found the eternal library filled with the knowledge of the universe. You are worthy to be in the presence of those who breath life into you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Welcome my child.\" \"The knowledge of creation is too great for our creations. We hid this knowledge because no one human is worthy of the knowledge that is held in the eternal library. Only you are worthy. Enter.\" I enter the library. Wow beyond wow. So much to be discovered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I walk around looking at the great works the creators did. I don't know where to begin. I take one book after another reading about everything the creators created from the first space ship to the many great cities they built, to the math and medicine they created and the history of creation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm looking at everything the creators ever worked on. Everything they built and made including us humans. This is amazing. I continue to read it all. Thank you creators for leaving this for me, for us.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Lady in the red dress" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A young girl in a white dress with a black paper doll pattern on it looked down from the branch of an oak tree. She was sitting very carefully on the branch as she didn’t want to get her dress dirty. Mummy would be cross and besides she didn’t want to alert anyone to her presence up in the tree." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Down below her mother’s cocktail party was taking place. She knew she was supposed to be in bed  but she wasn’t tired and she was mesmerised by the lady in the red dress. This lady was her aunt. She was beautiful, extremely stylish and superbly elegant." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was laughing, her head thrown back and her perfect white teeth showing. The curls in her hair were waving in the light summer breeze. The cause of her laughter was a man. Margaret didn’t know this man, but she instinctively knew that she didn’t trust him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked suave, the proverbial tall, dark and handsome , expensively dressed. She had also been watching him as well as her Aunt and although she was only nine she somehow knew there was something suspicious about him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had been moving around the guests and mostly talking to the women there and then he had spotted her aunt who just happened to be standing alone. He had immediately moved over to her and fallen on his knees very dramatically and seemed to Margaret to be admiring her aunt’s beauty." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her aunt hadn’t appeared embarrassed but had beguilingly held out her champagne flute to him and he was refilling it with the bottle of champagne he had in his hand. Margaret loved her aunt with a passion. She was her mother’s sister and sometimes she thought she loved her more than her mother." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked down from the tree and there right below her was the man. His face was right up to her Aunt’s , quite threateningly she thought. Carefully she moved down a branch or two to hear what he was saying." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I need you to get away from this rubbish, come up to London, so we can do what we’ve planned”. As her aunt tried to turn her head, his hand came up as quick as lightening, holding her head in place." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Well?” Looking up her aunt saw her watching them, Margaret saw the fear in her eyes, but her voice belied that. With her usual cheerfulness calling out,“Margaret what are you doing up there, come down and join us. There’s some orange juice here for you”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Margaret felt she had no option so she climbed down as carefully as she could and found herself looking up at the man. He was holding out the orange juice to her which she took thanking him and then instinctively moved closer to her aunt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then her mother spotted her and immediately came over and asked her why she was still out here and not in bed. “Oh Adele”, said her aunt,”the child just wants to have some fun”. “Yes Tess maybe, but it is way past her bed time. Off you go now Margaret”. Her mother marched off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her aunt hugged her saying, “It will be school holidays soon so you can come and stay with me and we can do all our favourite things together”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The man who was watching both Margaret and her aunt with that sardonic look that good looking men often seem to have on their faces, saw the child’s face light up with pure undisguised delight and saw her hug her aunt mouthing, “ thankyou” and then run off to catch up with her mother." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tess’s face changed and became slightly guarded though she looked up at the man with misty eyes saying,“No Tony we can’t start this again, it’s over. I’ve moved on since..well, you know what happened, what we did”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tony looked at her for what seemed like an eternity and then he turned her face to his and kissed her long and hard on the mouth and walked away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Margaret, who hadn’t yet gone inside, as her mother had stopped to talk to someone, saw this exchange between her aunt and the man and although she was only young , she knew with a child’s instinctiveness that her Aunt was unhappy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The weekend following the party, Margaret and her father went into their nearest city, Lincoln, as her father had some business to do with the Dean of the Cathedral. It was a drive of about 10 kilometres." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They parked the car in the usual place near the Castle and hand in hand walked into the great Cathedral. “I’m meeting a friend in the coffee shop, do you want to come with me or have an explore and then come to us?”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“ I’ll explore and then come to the coffee shop,please Daddy”, Margaret said, squeezing his big warm hand with her little cold one. “Of course my darling, see you soon, don’t be too long” and her father strode off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was making her way back to the coffee shop when glancing in at one of the side chapels she saw “The Man”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "However, he was not alone, he was with a lady who was certainly not Aunt Tess and he was kissing her. To Margaret’s innocent eyes every kiss seemed shocking, but seeing it in one of the Cathedral’s chapels was even worse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was so stunned by the scene that she stood rooted to the spot though something inside her was telling her to move off quickly. The lady had her back to her but Tony was facing her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His eyes were closed, but he must have felt a presence for he opened them and saw her, the look on his face told Margaret that he was definitely not happy to see her there. Arriving at the coffee shop, she stopped and took a few deep breaths to calm herself down." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She didn’t want her father asking any awkward questions. Her eyes spotted him almost immediately. She ran over, sinking into the seat next to him. He was still in conversation with his friend, so she was glad not to have to talk straight away. She needed to digest what she had seen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The school holidays arrived and on the Friday evening of the first week she heard her mother on the telephone. She knew immediately to whom she was talking. It was her Aunt. Her mother’s voice always had this slightly pinched edge to it whenever she was talking to her sister." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The upshot of the call was that she was to go to London to stay with Aunt Tess. She felt a frisson of excitement when she knew this was the plan for she adored her Aunt and loved London. Margaret loved the train trip to London. It always seemed so exciting to be going to the capital." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A friend of her father’s was on the same train, so she was sitting with him. Luckily he hid himself behind his newspaper all the way, so she could amuse herself. She had her new mobile phone, book and some sandwiches. Soon enough they were arriving at Kings Cross station." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her aunt was waiting at the barrier, swooping her up in a massive hug before guiding her into a waiting taxi. Margaret never had to think of what to say to Tess who was always full of chit chat and seemed to know all the latest gossip." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Settling herself into her usual bedroom, Margaret quickly unpacked her things, drinking in the ambience of this beautiful room, and loving hearing the traffic noise outside. Then she heard Aunt Tess call her, “Margaret come down for tea and look who has come to join us”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She leapt down the stairs, two at a time, presuming that it would be her aunt’s great friend Irene, who ,also was a lot of fun. As she entered the family room with enthusiasm, she came to an abrupt halt. The guest was not Irene. It was Tony." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Well look who we have here, little Margie” , he said in that condescending way adults have on talking to children. Margaret felt her mouth had gone so dry she couldn’t speak. Being polite, she knew she had to say something. She managed to squeak out an “Hello”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She sidled over to Tess who put an arm around her, whispering in her ear, “Tony has a surprise to tell us about, but lets sit down to tea first.” Tea went by in a bit of a blur, Margaret forcing herself to eat. “So, darling, what is this surprise you have for us girls, something good, I hope”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tony leant back in his chair. “Well, the weather is going to be fine tomorrow so what about a drive into the country?” There is this house that I need to look at for one of my clients which happens to be near Hever Castle. I hear that someone is keen on Anne Boleyn”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that remark, he looked straight at Margaret, a look that made her feel incredibly uncomfortable." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“That sounds like a perfect day out, doesn’t it Margaret?” She nodded, adding, so that she didn’t seem ungrateful, “I have always wanted to go to Hever”. Tony left soon after that conversation in order “To do business for tomorrow”, according to him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her aunt saw him out, leaving Margaret to clear away the tea things . Tess was a very, very long time coming downstairs ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Treasure" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There is a storm that is raining with thunder. I awake in the middle of the night with terror dreams again. This nightmare doesn't go away so easily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Susan, why are you awake again hearing a voice so rough? It's my father Steven again, oh sweetheart what's going on, you must sleep to go to school went to bed as my father said, I couldn't sleep at all. I stood very worried about my night terror dreams." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is trying to tell me something unknown, feel the chills inside of me in this nightmare as if so real. This must be something more, a nightmare, it is a warning. It's so scary and intense it's a big picture of a man in red flames. He only sees his face laughing in hell." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Given having this dream about this secret library it's a desolate old building. abandoned and creepy. I need to find the truth about this place and why I am dreaming about this I see so many crying people so loud in this nightmare. They practice some kind of magic." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked on my computer in search of this old building. I called John to come this evening for dinner and we need to talk. John rang the bell Susan I am so glad that you are here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Let's get to this address the building exit, and let's check out, this night terror goes on and on with this creepy building, which is an old library, we need to look for answers. john said what are we going to search for." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anything there is any kind of hiding map that's in my dream is given on repeating repeatedly. We went inside the secret library to the building. John this so freaks out, it's too dark. They present something evil inside the old building. get a flashlight, Susan, John let's stay together." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We need to look more forward. Let's do this right now; suddenly John fell into a basement; he got so scared and far into some dead people's skulls and dead people's fingers and bodies in the basement. I am dying inside this hole. John goes freighting into a choke." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "get me out of this place, it's only dead bodies in this secret library basement. Don't worry about going to get some help Susan replied nervously, hear a voice get out of here you doom yourself. Why are you here now Susan Star running from Starred she feels it's too dark." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh my god, we not getting out here alive and I don't know my way out, books start falling and it's too cold in here. They have a secret doorway to get out. She sees a black dog barking. He has big teeth and is very sharp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The dog from hell its eyes are red it gives on, follow me it's a beast itself some books fell in my head. I Grabbed one and hit him in the face and nose He disappeared, I ran into a big clumsy room with dirty scoop ugly furniture with an incredibly old door that is broken." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What's next is I'm going to be buried alive in this library. Help, help Susan yell out. She sees a man unfired a crusty voice Welcome to my world, Susan you are going to die with us, we are going to open the gates of hell for you. What it's this runout, let's do prayers. He was the wicked man, Dr." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rischard Why did you come here to destroy my inner peace in my own world of malice, I want your soul because it's pure and innocent and would be mine. My body is shaking, I don't know what to do, I won't die like this, I won't surrender so easily to an evil spirit. She felt too scared and nervous." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I will fight back to the end do you hear me. Susan the voices saying free us from him we want to be free. He has captivated us in this hole eternally we want you to free us, Susan screams Icterical, tell me the way out of here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I need help to get John to fall into a hole and need medical help, He is still in terror of this terrible night. this book fell from a shelf. It was the diary of Dr. Rischard all his criminals intended; he was a real monster. How he tortures them one by one for his inner pleasure." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was a secret book with the spoken words of a murderer. Susan sees a light she runs into running so fast. She feels her heart beating so hard. There are secret doors to follow the light to the end, and that's what she did, the light was trying to get her out of there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Susan ran through a light it was a broken window go through a window she saw the streets out of the building. She calls the paramedics her mobile phone starts working again with a signal. They finally got out with John out from the basement. He had broken his legs. We are lucky to be alive." }, { "from": "human", "value": "John said to Susan. She has the diary of Dr. Rischard in her hands the book that would tell the world the real monster he was went he was alive. He disappeared without a crease. Now the world would know the truth about this man. His secret life is no longer an honorable man only a killer. Dr." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rischard 1950 killed and tortured remained dead and murdered people putting all their victims in this secret library building, some became axes and other skulls. His body was found in the basement hanging himself. He committed suicide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was obsessed with black magic and Witchcraft, He sacrificed human beings, and he wanted to become immortal, He left a diary of everything that he did to his victim. He was too scared to go to prison his madness was too much, so many women and elderly people were the ones he picked to kill." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Susan and John became heroes when this investigation came forward everything the mystery of hiding treasures and maps concluded. Susan has a hidden gift; she can communicate with the spirit world." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They close this building as years pass no one knows the creepy old building where so many souls are trapped in the darkness. Thanks to these two teenagers the souls are free and are now resting. All souls are now buried on Christian ground.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Weight-to-Oar Ratio" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jorton, the only town allowed in Trungen Forest and home of Lady Nimmo, is having its first secret meeting. Of course, since it's a secret, everyone knows about it. The Stumper Guard deployed to Lady Nimmo's house to prevent eavesdropping." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They chased off teenagers from one side of Lady Nimmo's house to find their parents on the other side. When they escorted them away, dwarfs snuck to the back. Everyone pressed to know what the hush-hush was all about." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside Lady Nimmo's house, the messenger from Selwyn addressed the room containing Lady Nimmo, Jor, Oakaford, Flimlet, and the spirit of Trungen. \"The King was clear that his message be kept secret. He made me swear.\" \"My stumpers are doing their best,\" Lady Nimmo said before an idea hit her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Let's take this meeting to the art room. It's in the middle of the house, with no windows.\" The art room wasn't conducive to a meeting but was secure from prying ears. Everyone stood along the walls except for Lady Nimmo, who sat in her sewing chair. \"I'm sorry for the tiny room,\" Lady Nimmo said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No trouble at all, my Lady,\" the messenger said. \"You have the floor.\" The messenger straightened, \"Yes, my Lady.\" He paused for dramatic effect. \"A week ago, the Eye of Duran was stolen.\" The messenger paused again, presumably for another dramatic effect." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And what is this Eye?\" \"The Eye? Is it possible you know nothing about the Eye of Duran?\" \"I assure you, it is.\" \"Yes. Excuse me, my Lady.\" He cleared his throat. \"The Eye of Duran is a magic orb that monitors the borders of Selwyn.\" He continued his habit of pausing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So, you can see why we must retrieve it.\" \"It is obvious, but what does the Eye have to do with me?\" \"Our spies have discovered the location of the Eye on a small island in the Sea of Grindle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The King believes your magic ability could be used to recover it.\" \"It would be no challenge for Selwyn's navy,\" Jor said. \"You would think,\" the messenger answered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"However, the island is protected by fire-bolt dragons.\" Flimlet whistled, \"Ship destroyers.\" \"These are no ordinary thieves if they're in league with dragons,\" Jor said. \"So, what is the King thinking?\" \"We have a three-person underwater boat to sneak onto the island." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once there, she could covertly build an army of stumpers, then overwhelm the small fortress holding the orb.\" The room was silent. \"It takes time to carve my stumpers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I would need dozens, or over a hundred, to do the job.\" \"The King understands it might take some time.\" \"How are we to remain concealed while I build this army?\" \"There is a cave on the west side of the island. Our spies used it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It has a small entrance that leads to a large cave.\" The meeting droned on and on, like most meetings do. There were motions made and seconded to go and not to go. Eventually, Lady Nimmo used her executive privilege as Duchess of Jorton to override all motions. She decided she would try." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After some more boring minutes, they elected Jor and the spirit of Trungen to accompany her. To maintain secrecy, they started a rumor that Lady Nimmo was invited to Selwyn to receive its highest civilian honor from the King." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The three adventurers headed east, then circled west to Izen, the Selwyn port city on the Sea of Grindle. They were to rendezvous with Captain Wington on his ship, the White Tsunami." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If this were a high fantasy story, like Lord of the Rings, we would have followed the three as they traveled through intense lands full of peril. They would have fought monsters. They would have revealed more about their backstories." }, { "from": "human", "value": "However, this is not a high fantasy story; it is a low fantasy story, so they walked for a few days, and nothing eventful happened. So, let's skip the boring part and jump onto Captain Wington's ship leaving port." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Captain Wington beamed proudly, \"May I give you a tour of the White Tsunami?\" \"Lead the way,\" Jor said. \"Did you know she's the pride of Selwyn's navy?\" Captain Wington said. \"Yes, she is the fastest and newest. She has 120 oar-power. Sixteen catapults. Three archer towers. One hundred archers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you think any ship would challenge us? Do you?\" \"I'd think they'd be foolish, too,\" Lady Nimmo said. \"You think so? Well, you'd be correct.\" The Captain took them to the underwater boat mounted above the stern." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A crane held the wooden craft, which was made from a gigantic hollowed-out tree and polished to perfection. A large cork was wedged into the bow, and a turbine was built onto the stern. On top was a tube-like spyglass. \"There are three seats inside,\" the Captain beamed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Each seat has a different job to do. The first seat handles the steering oar, the middle mans the vertical eyeglass, and the last spins the accelerator wheel attached to the turbine. That turbine is state-of-the-art technology. It will propel your little craft as fast as a boat with ten oar-power." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Isn't that amazing?\" They were impressed. Lady Nimmo asked about the entrance. \"Well, you see, that contraption removes the cork to allow access.\" He pointed to an external press mounted to the ship." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Once seated, we will use a special mallet made for the giant cork and hammer it back in place.\" \"How will we exit?\" Lady Nimmo asked. \"A special press is mounted to the ceiling of your boat. Unmount it, attach it to the three brackets in the bow, and crank away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The press plate will push the cork free.\" \"That is ingenious, but how will we hammer the cork back in place to return?\" \"That will be tricky." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We stashed two mallets into the floor, but unfortunately, someone will have to hammer it in place from the outside.\" \"Someone must be left behind! Why are we only now hearing about this?\" Lady Nimmo turned red. \"I'm sure it was an oversight,\" the Captain said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He would have continued his pathetic line of excuses had he not been interrupted by archers shouting from the towers warning of approaching ships. The Captain called for his spyglass." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's impossible! They're gaining!\" A Hollywood-handsome man walked over while the Captain was spying on the oncoming ships. His hair was the envy of every woman – long, wavy, and black. He was tall and muscular. His white shirt was half unbuttoned, revealing just the right amount of chest hair." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He smiled, showing the whitest teeth Lady Nimmo had ever seen. \"I'm Travis. You must be Lady Nimmo,\" he said, holding her hand and gently kissing it. Jor cut in, \"And I'm Jor, her father.\" \"Ahh, Travis, just the man I wanted to see,\" the Captain said as he handed Travis the spyglass." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Are they gaining on us?\" \"I'd say they are.\" \"How is that possible? We have a 120 oar-powered ship.\" \"Oar-power is tricky. It depends on so many factors: the weight-to-oar ratio, the rowers' strength, and the ship's design.\" Travis studied the smaller ships." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The weight-to-oar ratio is probably at work here. Look. Those ships are much smaller and lighter, yet I count 80 oars.\" \"Well, no matter. They will be on us within a couple of hours,\" the Captain resolved to ensure the mission did not fail. \"We will turn to face our predators." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Let's see how they like our teeth.\" \"Yes, Captain!\" Travis relayed the orders to the crew. \"Lady Nimmo,\" the Captain said. \"After we fully turn, we will lower your craft into the water." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We will fight to give you as much time as we can.\" The three loaded into the tiny boat, and Travis hammered the cork back into place. He shouted as loud as he could, \"Are you ready?\" They shouted back in the affirmative. \"Then, good luck!\" The crane lowered the underwater boat into the water." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The craft's weight was proportioned perfectly to float underwater only a couple of feet; the vertical spyglass was all that could be seen. The White Tsunami and the underwater craft sailed in opposite directions. \"I hope everyone on the White Tsunami will be okay,\" Lady Nimmo said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I wonder who's on those ships,\" Jor said. Trungen watched through the spyglass, \"They're too far for me to be certain. But my guess is the shadow elves.\" They carried out their assigned duties in silence, knowing the danger." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If those ships got past the White Tsumami, they would be snagged like fish in a net. Jor spun the accelerator wheel faster, trusting Captain Wington would give them enough time to reach the island. Lady Nimmo wondered if she could create an army of stumpers solely for fighting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Creating them for defense was one thing. She ignored her apprehension. Soon, her doubts would be answered. There was nothing that could be done now but steer.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sinking Ship" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He’d learnt to limit his words and in doing so he had become quieter. Now, anyone who encountered him mistook him for a taciturn man, not the prisoner he had become. Imprisoned in his own body." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trapped in a place that he had made his home only to see it taken down brick by brick to reveal impenetrable bars that no one in their right mind would seek to go beyond, for surrounded by the bars of this place was a cloying and eternal darkness which reached out for him, beckoning him forth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Promising oblivion when it was clear that pain was all it could deliver. Limitless and endless anguish. Thirty years he’d been with Ann. It surprised him that he still remembered their first meeting and the dates that followed. That he had retained their history." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It also hurt him, because he knew the truth of those times and that he’d been happy. His life was a promise and he was delighted in the future outlined to him via his dreams. Now, as he cast his mind back, there were no remnants of that joy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The last thirty years had bleached those memories and sanitised them into dry and dead things. A stuttering home movie that he had to take care of as it threatened to fail and tear and unravel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A highly flammable, fragile thing that he knew with absolute certainty would one day catch light in the rays of the sun, never to be seen again. Once gone, no one would know. Gone would be the man he had once been. A fading shadow of what once was. Nothing left to understand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He wished he could understand. The twee consolation of his excuses shamed him. He told himself that some things were not there to be understood. That part of the trap he’d allowed himself to be led into was the senselessness of it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Considering the eggshell floor that surrounded him with a thankless challenge, he returned to his limited utterances. He’d told himself that he had learnt to be this way. The lesson was that it was better not to say anything." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Had he really learnt this? Or was this yet another of his limp and lifeless excuses? The truth hurt and humiliated him. All of this had crept up on him. He hadn’t seen it coming. Worse still, he’d chosen not to see it coming. Steeped himself in the blindness of a hopeless belief." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The beautiful intricacies of his life boiled down around him, creating a lava of pain that numbed him into a dumb state of paralysing acceptance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where were his dreams? Had they really all deserted him? Dreams were supposedly for the young, but the vision afforded by wisdom and experience was clouded and he was left to feel the claustrophobic darkness closing in around him. In his hand he held a worn collar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unselfconsciously, he brought the leather to his nose and breathed deeply, inhaling the ghost of his companion and feeling her love all the more sharply. There was loss here, but not the simple loss there should have been." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Death carried with it a constancy and a clarity that no amount of grief could sully. Grief was a delaying tactic. A state of denial that further delayed preparation for the acceptance of a change that was always going to take place. The only way a person could cheat death was to take their life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was to avoid the inevitable cull that took place around every living being. The lottery of life played out come what may. He paused and wondered whether the theft of the life of another was much the same thing. Both were a sin. Both went against the order of things." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stealing dreams was to take life and to strangle the life out of someone was to take their dreams.\n\nIn thinking of dreams he danced around thoughts of hope. The well of his hope had been poisoned and he had been made to drink that poison time and time again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He knew this to be the case, but he could not deny his thirst. For three whole decades, polluted hope had raised him aloft and afforded him a glimpse of what could be, cast him asunder and dashed him against the ragged rocks that bayed at the storming seas of darkness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Breathing in the familiar and reassuring scent of his beloved dog, Marmalade, he closed his eyes with such a force that the film of moisture on his left eye was condensed into a single tear. He felt it roll down his cheek and resented it for its existence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was beyond tears and the falsehood of the moment cut yet another wound in amongst a patchwork of silently wailing mouths. He allowed himself to drift into the depths of Marmalade’s fur, but this was bittersweet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The last time he had done this was as she lay on the vet’s table and he said his goodbyes. Felt her let go of her final breath with a sigh of release that he wanted with all his heart to grab a hold of." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not to keep her here in a world that had been far too cruel, but to go with her to wherever she was headed. To take up her lead one last time and follow that nose of hers. Go with her flow and find a way out of the mess his life had become." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His body convulsed with the unbidden memory of the vet’s words to him. The explanation of a why, that could never be explained.\n\nPoison.\n\nYet more poison. The vet placated him with reassurances,\n\nthese things happened.\n\nCould have been anything she’d picked up on a walk. In the garden." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He’d made a thoughtful face in response to the vet’s words, searching for the point at which Marmalade’s nose and her comical greed led her to her demise. But\n\nknowing.\n\nKnowing with a dread certainty that it wasn’t Marmalade’s fault." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That she’d done nothing to deserve this, or anything else that may have happened to her when she was supposedly in his care. He'd paid for the vet’s services. An additional sum for her cremation. Leaving her there felt like a further betrayal. He doubted he’d bring her ashes back here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Better to scatter them on her favourite paths and allow the other dogs one last sniff of one of their own. Dogs knew how to love. They loved with a simplicity and a passion that knew no bounds." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They understood far more than people gave them credit for, and Marmalade had known to give Ann an increasingly wide berth. Smelt the danger that the woman presented. A danger she could not escape. He should have seen it coming, but did not want to believe it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He\n\nhad\n\nseen it coming but could not find it within himself to look upon the pathetic wreckage of the remains of his life. He’d given Ann everything and not content with his offering, she’d taken more. He’d been a fool and she’d used his foolishness to systematically destroy him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And she’d done it with a painted on smile that mirrored his own. Only the once genuine smile he’d so effortlessly defaulted to had become cold and deathly. Now it was the rictus grin of a corpse that had been tortured to death." }, { "from": "human", "value": "None of this could ever make sense to him and that absence of meaning was a part of the trap he’d been enmeshed in for more than half his life." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How could he tell anyone when he himself didn’t believe the words that described his predicament? He’d tried to look at the truth of his reality, he really had, but there was something so utterly wrong with it that he had to conclude that it was him that was wrong." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so he went again and again at hit. Tried so hard. Every time he hit a wall of pain and anguish he pretended it did not exist and that he was mistaken and in being mistaken he just was not good enough. Not up to the task. Not capable of making things work." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so he tried harder and that should have told him something. That he still believed in himself. That he still knew that he could make a difference. All the same, the scale of his shambolic failure crushed him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Failing himself was bad enough, but in refusing to acknowledge Ann’s cruelty he had exposed Marmalade to it. He’d climbed into bed with a cold predator each and every night and pretended that she was his dear, loving wife. The truth was that the love he had experienced was his own." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ann had dulled him with a reflection of what it was that he thought he wanted and he’d done the rest. He’d not only aided and abetted the sick fantasy she’d created for them both, he’d done all of the heavy lifting. Ann had stepped back and invited him to fill the gap that she created." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Treated him as mean as it was possible to treat a person and used his need for connection to keep him keen. Now she’d killed Marmalade. Of course, he had no proof and he did not seek it. There were any number of ways to kill someone and Ann knew them all." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Beneath that veneer she had painstakingly created, she was frighteningly intelligent and unencumbered by the self-doubts and worries of a mere mortal. Ann did not care." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She did not invest herself in the welfare of another living being and this freed her to focus her entire being on the punishment and annihilation of others. He should have been honoured that Ann chose him. Selected him to be the scapegoat for the sins of the world." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Focused all of her efforts on him as a rejection of reality and truth. It had taken him a long while to see this for what it was. Ann, in hating him and making him the totem of the world, hated herself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her intense hatred of everything around her was a reflection of her self-hatred and the fury of her hatred had burnt her almost entirely away. There was nothing there. And yet he’d carried on and on in the desperate hope that he could save her. He wanted so much more for her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whatever she’d done, she didn’t deserve this. He reasoned that something terrible must have happened to her in her childhood. A trauma so deep that it had led to her mistrust of all that which was good in the world. She fought the world because it had hurt her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If only he could gain her trust and help her heal.\n\nThirty years! That had to count for something. That level of investment. All that love. Being there for the person you loved and devoting yourself to them. In sickness, as well as in health. He’d never wanted to abandon her. He wasn’t a quitter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now he felt Marmalade’s collar against the flesh of his wet cheek and caught the dying embers of her presence and he knew he could not go on. That he’d gone beyond what was right and reasonable and on into a madness that corrupted everything." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was not himself and he’d betrayed all that was good, and in doing that, he’d betrayed Marmalade and lost the only being that still loved him. His isolation now complete, he could at last see the results of his manipulated life. He was twisted and contorted. Tortured in a web of Ann’s callous lies." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Opening his eyes he looked upon a house that he had thought was their home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gritting his teeth he sought any remaining reserves of energy and the supposedly indomitable spirit that dwelt within him.\n\nSighing, he wished, and not for the first time, that he could expel the last of his life into the fetid air of the place that Ann had made a living hell." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unable to muster the energy to crawl outside and at least deprive her of the last of him. She would be home soon and he would choose his few words carefully. Even with the most deliberate and discerning selection she would punish him. She had him right where she wanted him now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her existence was a constant threat. He was a whipped dog, scuttling around and cowering. In a constant need to please her and in failing, his pain increased and pushed another piece of his life into her forever hungry maw. Looking upon her, he knew that no one would ever know her true nature." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They may fleetingly suspect it, but then they would turn away, lest they be burnt by the darkness that whispered evil promises to them. Everyone was afraid of the dark for good reason. But it was not the monster under the bed, or lurking behind the ajar wardrobe door that provoked that ancient fear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was the monster within. The ever present darkness that the spark of life illuminates. The side to us that should never be given free reign, for once it is invited forth it possesses a person and will not readily let go of that control. He should have been proud of his resistance to that darkness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even as it assailed him from all sides. He was not even relieved that he had avoided the worst of it by never succumbing to the evil that resided within him. He’d rather die than do that. And yet he’d struggled to let go. This was his as well. All of it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To let go would be to admit that he was worthless. That none of the last thirty years counted for anything. But it was worse than that. What they counted for was far worse than nothing and it had taken Marmalade’s death to bring that home to him. Marmalade was why he’d stayed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He couldn’t leave her here and he couldn’t bring her with him. That much was clear. Also clear was that Marmalade’s sacrifice could not be in vain. She meant something even if he no longer did. When Ann came in from work she brought with her the scent of the man she was having her latest affair with." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In his detachment, he saw the theatre of her. The way she breezed into the room and gave him a knowing look. Telegraphing her betrayal, but never saying a word." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A challenge to call her out on her affair, accompanied by a suite of threats should he ever say a word against her.\n\nIn his weakened state she knew he needed her. But when he was all used up she would be gone. She was only in it for as long as she could take what she had become so addicted to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She would leave him one day and he’d continue to exist in a protracted purgatory that led right into the jaws of hell. Tonight, he played his part. His tattered senses sparking and shorting in his acute awareness that he was now consciously playing her game, but at last by his own rules." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Terrified that she would see through him and tear him apart for daring to see through her. The evening drew out into a tortured dance. The eggshell floor was now a lake of glass and the air itself barbed and treacherous. His body thrummed with the energy of a fear he’d never before experienced." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The door of his prison wide open and Ann standing beside it.\n\nNow he saw it. The door of his prison had always been open. He’d always been free to leave. His presence here was voluntary. More so as Ann had never fulfilled the contract of life. Instead she’d betrayed him before he’d ever met her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She’d lain in wait and it didn’t matter who he was, only that she’d lead him by his nose into her lair and then feed upon him.\n\nAcid thoughts assailed him. Telling him of his failure to escape before he could ever reach that door and the light of life beyond." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Each traitor that spoke within him almost made the worst of differences. He so wanted to give up. None of it was fair.\n\nIt was Marmalade that kept him going. His grief for her life cut short by the monster before him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He grounded himself in her love and recalled the patience with which she carried that love.\n\nLater, as he sat in the dark downstairs, listening to every step and every movement and knowing what each and every one of them meant, he knew he was close. So very close." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But he still had to follow the script. Half an hour after Ann had settled, he would go to their bedroom and get ready in the dark so as not to disturb or upset her. Slipping under the covers next to her, she would tut and roll over so she had her back to him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Five minutes later she would be snoring as he stared at the ceiling and wished he was anywhere but in that room. Tonight, he would at last fulfil that wish. An hour after Ann had fallen asleep he would slip away, like a thief in the night, only the theft entailed him taking what remained of his life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He would take nothing other than himself and he would go as far away as he could and start all over again. He’d said nothing and told no one. Afraid to speak the truth of this plan of his. Terrified of being overheard by Ann." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he crept out of the bedroom and out of the hell that had been his existence for over three decades the words of a war time slogan whispered softly to him;\n\nloose lips, sink ships . He didn’t once look back as he left that ship and headed for the dry land of the life that awaited him.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Curator" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Boxes and more boxes were everywhere. Roma sat in the middle of room on the floor contemplating her next move. Pen and paper in hand she had just started this task. What was her task, more likely could she complete it. This was Romas first official job as a curator/caretaker of collections." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roma knew since she was eight years old that she wanted to be in charge of a museum a curator just like her father. Her father was Walter Hames the famous curator of the Boston museum collection." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her father often took her to work with him on the weekends he showed her the delights and hidden gems in the museum how best display these items so people could see and understand what he was looking for in his pieces." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roma loved the artwork and the anthology section, and the priceless pieces of artefacts that adorned the halls and rooms of the museum. Roma learned how precious each piece was and how to catalogue and value each item." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Roma had finished secondary studies she automatically enrolled in and was accepted at Boston University undergraduate curator program obtaining a bachelor degree with a major in a relevant area, such as classics, fine arts,  history, cultural studies or anthropology, as well as a relevant postgraduate qualification." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It had been a tiring 4 years but Roma had managed to be an exceptional student. She flourished at University and made her mother and father exceptionally proud by graduating with honours. Now she was ready to explore the world." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her father had offered her a job at the Boston Museum as a Junior curator but Roma wanted to make it under her own steam and not after her fathers name. She had recently come across an advertisement in the Boston Times newspaper requesting a deceased property evaluator." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The position was a live in for approximately six months. Reading the article Roma knew she was more than qualified maybe this could be her start." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You have to start at the bottom and work your way up isn’t that true, she thought to herself so she had made the call to the Lawyers firm who placed the advertisement and gained a interview." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roma felt a little bit nervous she didn’t know why she felt on edge, it was a run of the mill interview which she had completed plenty of them, university had encouraged students to participate in mock interviews. She had her list of questions to ask." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Arriving promptly at 9am at Tesslers and Tesslers Law firm Roma was shown into the interview room. Seated at the large half moon table were three important individuals of the Law firm. Each introduced themselves to Roma who was seated directly in front of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trying not to feel awkward or pressured Roma exhaled a few short breaths before relaxing and answering their questions. Once the interview had been concluded Roma was advised that this position is top priority and the successful applicant will be advised by the end of the week." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By Friday morning Roma was a bunch of nerves she realised she really wanted this job. It would be new and exciting making her forge her own career path. From her room Roma could hear the phone ringing downstairs, she raced almost sliding down the banister." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stopping in her tracks she picked up the phone and introduced herself to the caller. Standing in the middle of the hallway, her face seemed pained maybe she wasn’t listening or comprehending what was being said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did Mr Tesslers just say the job was hers and he will be sending over the legal paperwork for her to sign later that afternoon. She will commence her appointment with the firm Monday." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her mother and father congratulated her on her success and her father offered her his assistance should she require it. Monday morning Roma drove out to the address she had been given. She was to meet Mr Tesslers at the home at 9am. She had packed enough clothes and toiletries to last awhile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m sure the house will have a washing machine, that was the least of Romas problems. Approaching the home, Roma checked the address again. Yep 2011 Ralley Drive. It wasn’t just a home but a sprawling mansion, with sweeping lawns, gardens that would rival Bucharest gardens the place was gorgeous." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Waiting while Mr Tesslers arrived Roma walked around the house. Surely Roma though one person didn’t live here alone, Mr Tesslers had arrived and taken Roma around the house before they continued inside." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Insisting Roma called him George they both sat down in the drawing room while George advised Roma on her role, duties, responsibilities. She was allocated a bedroom on the second floor which had its own bathroom and a luscious view of the gardens." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roma had been provided an expense account card and was to use it for any necessities . Meals could be ordered in or if she liked Roma could utilise the large kitchen. George advised Roma that she could explore the mansion today and commence her duties tomorrow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Packing away her belongings Roma set off to explore, crossing the expansive lawns Roma located a tennis court, an indoor swimming pool and a pagoda that was shimmering with the sun. The complete mansion was breathtaking." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Spending her first night at the mansion was a little daunting, but she settled down and slept like a baby. After a breakfast of toast and coffee which Roma had brought with her, she set herself a target each day she would try and complete one room’s inventory and value register." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "George had also given her a dozier of the Duke whose home it had been. Apparently he had been a widower without any children to inherit this beautiful property not to mention the artefacts and gems that will be discovered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Duke had left strict instructions on his personal charities and fundraising activities that will be recipients of his estate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Roma was searching through a number of boxes in the anti chamber, noting each item and a value she had almost filled up her A4 notepad once this note pad was full she will transfer all of the information to her computer database. It was easier to work like this." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a few weeks George came out to check on how things were running, Roma knew he just wanted to get out of the office he loved the outdoors and they conversed via telephone every day. Visiting the local store Roma grabbed a few essentials and a jam and cream cake for morning tea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "George was thrilled to see that Roma had been able to make headway with the inventory. they sat in the drawing room and went over their prospective plans and evaluations." }, { "from": "human", "value": "George had advised Roma that a Mr Michael Low will be joining her in the home, his job will be to do the inventory and evaluation of the library. He will be arriving tomorrow morning around 9 am." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He will be set up in the same way Roma has, with an expense account, his room will be on the first floor closest to the library. George stated that Michael was a comely gentleman who really was dedicated to his work and they should get on rather well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The next morning Michael arrived at promptly at 9 am. Roma showed him to his room and they did a quick tour of the home. Michael went to explore the library advising Roma that he will meet up with her at lunch time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Time flew bye it was 1:30 pm when Roma and Michael managed to grab a cup of tea and make a sandwich." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roma asked Michael what he would like to eat for dinner she said she was going to order Italian food from the local restaurant, her favourite dish was chicken parmigiana with vegetables and she will splurge on a bottle of red wine if he would like to join her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So they made a time to meet in the drawing room for dinner, Roma had ordered the meal, set the low table with napkins, silverware and wine glasses. The meal arrived at 7pm. They both sat down to dine, chatting between bites there conversations flowed easily. Roma spoke about her life as did Michael." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They were of similar backgrounds and age. Roma felt that a friendship could be forged. Week after week Roma and Michael became more ingrained in their work. Meeting up for meals and cups of tea. Passing on tidbits about what they had found in the library, attic and other rooms." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The valuation collection was becoming quite substantial. Michael commented on day on how lucky the recipients of the Dukes estate are going to be. Roma walked into the library to find that Michael had removed all the books from the shelves." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They were laying on the table in little piles picking one up Roma asked Michael if the Dukes library collection was extensive. Michael responded there are some great books here but unfortunately no first editions. That doesn’t mean that they have no value. People perceive books in their own way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is of value to one person may not be valuable to another. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Michael and Roma were firm friends by now more like brother and sister they were very comfortable being in the same house." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Early one morning Roma heard Michael yelling from the library Roma, Roma come quick Roma ran to the library standing at the door she looked at Michael what’s going on, I thought you had hurt yourself Roma responded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No just come closer and look at this, Roma moved closer to Michael ok what am I looking at. See that slot there next to the shelf, can you put you fingers into the slot and press down on the shelf. I think there is a hidden shelf behind this one." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roma slipped her fingers into the groove and pressed down. The shelf moved and swung open. Looking inside between the shelves they both could see an array of other books in glass cases. Michael opened up the shelving wider it was like a mini room." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were three books each encased it it’s own glass pyramid. Grabbing the torch from the table Michael shone the glow of its light over each glass casing. No way, no way Michael was rumbling to himself, what is it Michael Roma asked. Michael was still muttering No way." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His torch lit up the first book Shakespeare’s First Folio bending lower to see what he was seeing was correct Michael’s voice squeaked, it’s worth about 5.2 million dollars, it’s in mint condition tracing the torch over the second pyramid the book illuminated by its light the first edition book of\n\nAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland  Michael commented to no one in particular this book is precious, but even more so due to its rarity." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only 2,000 copies were initially printed but were quickly recalled due to the illustrator’s unhappiness with the original drawings." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There are only 22 known first-edition copies of\n\nAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland , with one copy being auctioned in 2016 for an estimated price of between $2 and $3 million." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Turning the light towards the third pyramid Michael looked ashen he wobbled on his legs what is it Michael Roma asked, Michael she repeated his name again. Ugh umm The most expensive book ever sold is the Codex Leicester, purchased by Bill Gates in 1994 for $30.8 million. But here it is here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Michael I think we better phone George and let him come and see for himself. I’m going to phone Daddy and ask him to come and take a look. Michael I think we’re going to have our 10 minutes of fame.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Value of Paper" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ella was always searching—searching for the tangible to find the intangible. She was an unmoored ship, hoping that her love for history and antiquing would somehow be the North Star she needed to find a solid dock in the world." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every Saturday morning, Ella went to an antique shop, a yard sale, or the take-it-or-leave-it area at the dump, looking for treasures that would provide avenues to escape into different worlds, different times, and different lives." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The abandoned relics she shopped for held mysteries of lives she stitched together, building an imaginary family. She liked to pretend that she was a liaison, salvaging and returning long-lost treasure to their rightful owners, saving the memories before they became forgotten whispers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, she never actually tracked down an owner, but it was a mental game of creative whimsy she liked to play. One Saturday morning, Ella awoke buzzing with excitement.\n\nShe was heading to an antique store in the neighboring town she’d heard about from a coworker." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The smell of lilacs dripping in dew greeted her as she walked to the bus stop.\n\nShe rubbed her arms and danced in place waiting for the bus, shaking off the early morning chill.\n\nOnce on the bus, she took a seat in the back, admiring the colorful blooms of pink and white dogwood trees through the smudged window." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A new antique store is the embodiment of spring—a bevy of possibilities, an awakening, a festival for the senses. After getting off at her stop, Ella quickly found the antique shop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its weathered sign and charming shutters distinguished it from the surrounding businesses, which all sported much more corporate—if not sterile—facades. A charming bell jangled as Ella stepped inside." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was greeted by a symphony of aromas—aged paper mingling with the hints of lavender sachets, earthy cedar and sandalwood, citrusy furniture polish, and oil paint." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The walls were lined with worn shelves that groaned beneath the weight of crowded layers of decorative vases, porcelain lamps, and vintage sewing kits.\n\nEverything was covered in a fuzzy blanket of dust. More flecks hung in the air like suspended glitter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nestled away in a shadowy corner, Ella spotted a wooden box adorned with intricate carvings. She gently unlatched the tarnished clasp and lifted the splintering lid, unveiling a jumble of trinkets." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a tiny porcelain doll missing one arm, a silver thimble scarred with imprints of countless stitches, a delicate brass locket, and a thick coffee-stained yellow envelope." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ella's fingers traced the smooth surface of the doll's face, her mind generating questions in spiraling combinations like images dancing around the axle of a slot machine wheel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did the doll’s soul remember the little girl who once fluffed her layered petticoats and stared lovingly into her blinking glass eyes with the adoration of a mother? What had happened to her arm?\n\nWas it pulled off by a jealous younger brother who callously ignored the echoes of pain that ricocheted from the now-haunting porcelain face to his own sister’s soft complexion?\n\nLooking at the doll’s matted head, Ella wondered if the doll remembered the days when her pigtails were still bouncy ringlets of shiny auburn hair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ella gave the doll’s body a gentle squeeze. I would’ve never abandoned you. I will never abandon you. Ella tucked the doll back in the box and picked up the locket, its intricate filigree shimmering in the dim light. She had never had a necklace, certainly never a locket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There’d be no one’s picture to put in it, but she always loved miniatures so the idea of a teeny tiny picture that told a meaningful story to the owner seemed enchanting. This locket was not heart-shaped, but oblong, with ornate metalwork." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its aged patina was like a cloak of modesty, hiding its lustrous shimmer. Inside, was a tiny sepia portrait of a young woman with piercing eyes, tumbling curls that framed her face, and a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes but felt warm nonetheless." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ella wondered who the young woman was.\n\nThe lover of the doll?\n\nShe gently draped the kinked chain around the pendant and nestled the locket amidst a pillow of amber velvet lining the box.\n\nElla rifled through the other knick knacks lying on top of the envelope, but she was most curious to dig into the envelope." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It seemed out of place.\n\nShe’d found plenty of old letters and postcards over the years. She particularly liked looking up the history of the old stamps to try and date unmarked correspondences. But this envelope clearly had never been mailed. There was no stamp, no address, no inky postmark smears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It also wasn’t a regular white envelope, but rather one of the oversized golden ones with the brad fastener closure. This envelope was also quite thick, more along the lines of a dense report or a short book." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasn’t that uncommon for Ella to find old leather-bound journals and she’d come across dozens of vintage cookbooks and recipe cards." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But when she unearthed the envelope from the box, it didn’t immediately feel like it contained any sort of thin paperback book or journal.\n\nElla carefully undid the fastener, but the aged metal prongs snapped right off. The adhesive on the flap had dried with age, so the flap sprung loose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ella slid out a stack of papers folded in half. The seam ached and cracked as Ella parted the halves, deepening a once youthful groove.\n\nThe yellowed pages were filled with faded ink." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few age spots —perhaps coffee spills or errant water droplets—had wrinkled some of the paper and caused a hemorrhage of some of the words." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It appeared that the pages held some sort of manuscript, perhaps the start of a novel, maybe a memoir, or some sort of adventure tale.\n\nThe dim lighting in the cavernous antique shop made it that much harder to read the printed words ravished by time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ella smiled, remembering how much she used to love meandering through the labyrinth of shelves in a library, scanning the spines of books as if she were a seafarer on a quest to find unexplored land.\n\nEach unread book felt like the tactile representation of hope—a possibility to learn more about the world, more about people who never existed but were brought to life by their authors, and more about herself.\n\nShe closed the lid and clutched the box in both hands as if it were a fragile basket of fresh eggs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“How much is this?” An elderly man standing at the counter looked up from his newspaper, thin bifocals balancing low on his nose. He pushed the lenses towards his eyes as he righted his posture. “Oh, hello there!." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I haven’t seen you here before.” His croaked voice spoke of a man who likely smoked a pipe most of his life. “Yes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is my first time here.” “Did you find everything you were looking for?“ Ella pivoted her head, scanning the exquisite carvings on the lacquered legs of a mahogany table and the delicate brushstrokes peppering the canvas of a faded painting hanging askew on the wall. She turned back to the man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Truthfully, I could spend hours picking through every delightful nook and cranny of your shop, but I always limit myself to just one piece.” She flushed at the confession. “I can always come back next week!” “I hope you do, young lady. I'll tell you what." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How about I give you 50% off today since you’re a first-time customer? You clearly have a distinguished taste.” “What a lovely gesture." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’d heard great things about your shop and this visit has exceeded my expectations.“ “You’re too kind.“ That night, Ella tried to decipher the manuscript, seeing if it held secrets to help unravel the riddles hidden in her new collection of someone else’s history, or contained passages that she recognized from what eventually became a best-selling novel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The manuscript seemed to be a diary of sorts." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its passages wove together vignettes of a girl’s daily experiences: fancy dinner parties, wearing gowns sewn by her mother, and missing her “Papa“ who was at war but having the best “Mama,” as well as three older brothers and a baby sister.\n\nElla pieced together the life of a girl with a very different life than her own, both in terms of the quotidian tasks, and also the sense of belonging, love, and community." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ella had never sat at the same kitchen table for more than eight months growing up; she was always shuffled from home to home like discarded clothing someone outgrew.\n\nShe never met her Papa, and never had anyone to call “Mama.” There were almost always other “brothers” and “sisters” but not by blood, and never the same ones for very long.\n\nReading the stream of consciousness loosely organized into entries separated by break lines transported Ella into an elusive world, and provided the same comfort she invariably got from reading.\n\nLibraries had always been her sanctuary.\n\nNo matter how many times she moved, or how isolated she felt in a foster home, as long as she could get her hands on a book, Ella could be temporarily free." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another thing that Ella loved about libraries was the feeling of consistency. Sure, the layout of the library in each town was different, but they all had that same delicious smell: aged paper, oaky wood, and musty newspapers. For Ella, the smell of a library was like sunshine for a withering plant." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No matter how empty and disconnected she felt, when she stepped into a library and drank in its familiar aroma, Ella felt alive, rejuvenated, and human.\n\nAnd then there were the librarians—Ella’s secret favorite part of visiting any library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course, like the libraries themselves, each librarian was a unique individual but every librarian Ella encountered shared that ephemeral quality of making each patron feel welcome, special, and connected." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ella marveled at how librarians always made her feel cared for, even when she was visiting for the first time in a new town. Sometimes, when she felt particularly dejected or alone, Ella went to the library simply because the librarians provided a motherly warmth to fill her void." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ella set the manuscript aside, the folded pages audibly crackling at the worn fold. She readied herself for bed, feeling a sense of comfort that had eluded her for several years. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was, though she welcomed the foreign feeling." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ella opened her Libby app to read a few more pages of the latest Debbie Macomber book. However, within seconds, her eyes ached from the glow of the screen. The sensation surprised Ella since reading her ebooks had been her beloved nightly ritual for the past several years." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like antiquing, reading stories helped Ella escape into other lives. The characters in her books felt like real friends. Their adventures felt like her experiences. Their lives felt aspirational.\n\nMaybe I’ve just done too much reading today ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She set her phone aside, somewhat saddened she wouldn’t be whisked away to the charming Alaskan town preparing for Christmas, and mostly disappointed that she would be stuck with her own thoughts while waiting for sleep to come." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, surprisingly instead of ruminating over usual worries—the spreadsheets and databases she encounters at work, the water bill that’s past due, or the fact that she has no one to say good night to—Ella thought about the antique shop, the manuscript, the feeling of connection." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She also thought about the confusing aching in her eyes when trying to read her ebook." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It suddenly dawned on her that she had cut herself off from the only place that ever felt like home.\n\nThe paper manuscript was a physical book of sorts that whisked her away into a story about a family.\n\nIt simultaneously reminded her of the sense of community, connection, acceptance, and familiarity she always felt in a library, even when she had to use a map to get to it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because she had shifted to exclusively downloading ebooks, she had not stepped foot in an actual library for years. This meant that had deprived herself of her grounding elixir, the ineffable hug she only could get inside the walls of a library." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ella’s limbs melted into the mattress as a sensation of deep relaxation enveloped her.\n\nShe would find her library card in the morning. It was time to visit home.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Knights' Trio and the Library of Damned Fools" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Far and deep into the long lost reaches of the Caucasus Mountains, two men (and a Woman), were climbing down a sheer cliff. The first man, stout of body and sharp of mind, rappelled down with the care and precision of a three-legged ewe. Mainly as he was coated in full steel plate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he smashed against the rock wall for a third time, his first companion called down to him playfully as the rope shook. \"Oaf! Do be careful! I don't want the meteor of your shelled form to alert the Quarry of our approach." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This one is a wily one, so I am told!\" The Oaf, named Giles, flexed his gauntlets and pouted slightly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I truly hope that you realize that this rope shall end at some point, and that you will stand before me soon, Prama.\" Despite the slight wind, the monk caught the words and laughed, both externally and internally at the wording of his half-french companion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While they both held fast to the knotted cord on their granite descent, the woman, ever more practical, scaled past them on the rocks, her hands gripping hold after hold as she passed them both. Giles swore at her as she swung to an open outcropping." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Vile wild-beast of a woman!\" In the end, it had taken the two men a considerable amount more time to reach their destination, a balcony of rock that jut free the ancient peak. The woman, ever dressed in animal skins and rags, saluted them as they landed, puffing and huffing with vigor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Tell me, why again did you elect to scale these heights in that tortoise-shell?\" She spoke in Sakha, and then remembering herself, spoke again in broken, half-garbled French. \"Why armor over rocks?\" Giles frowned at her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Because the last damn time we scaled rocks like this, the Quarry tore two score men away with its foul spines, or have you forgotten?\" She blinked at him. He sighed, and drew out from his pouch of trinkets the rosary he carried, adorned with the trophies of Quarry now dead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He pointed to the large spike, then tapped it to his plate. She nodded at him, smiling in understanding. The other man, the final of the trio, landed next. He sat in a near perpetual stoop, a great jug over his (slightly) aged back, and wore turmeric-yellow robes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What of him? Surely this dandelion would be more a hindrance, what with that holy water on his back.\" \"Ha! Birds are attracted to that which is shiny over colorful, Oaf.\" Giles had half a mind to sock the monk in the face, but was interrupted from his thoughts." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Besides, we won't be burdened with this much longer. Soon we must imbibe of its contents and enter the depths.\" He pointed behind them both. Giles and the Woman turned, observing the cave that led deeper into the mountain. It was a lifeless stretch of rock that trailed into dark." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hmm, so there is where our infernal enemy lies?\" Giles, wiping the sweat from his brow, waited for Prama to speak, as he usually did before entering the suspected lair of the Quarry. \"In my meditations, I saw a great repository of knowledge, like the one in Alexandria before the fires took it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though this one as well was aflame. Inside, scribes rushed to hide and save the precious scrolls and tablets from the blaze, yet their bodies sported wings of six-fold and their eyes innumerable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A terror lay at the center, a crooked and smiling serpent that ate the books as they burned and excreted them as slurry.\" Giles rankled as the woman leaned forward." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The slurry was then gathered up into inkwells by impish servants, and a masked beast of four heads and two faces wrote, with a pen of bone, new books. From these books, terror and despair emerged as flowers. They ate the minds of men as they were drawn deeper into their tales.\" Prama finished." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Giles, feeling his chin for signs of stubble thought on past adventures. \"So, this shall be the source of those accursed tomes that plagued the men of Carthage. The beast's description fits the Quarry of that day." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tell me monk, did the Buddy arrive in this dream? Were you able to consult him on the questions I had for him?\" Prama rolled his eyes. \"At this point I know you're purposefully mispronouncing it. No, he did not.\" Giles, noting the tone in the amber man's voice, did not push further. \"So." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There is an evil library within this mountain. Woman?\" She looked at him, blinking. \"Can you read?\" She blinked again. \"Can. You. Read?\" He mouthed the words slowly. She blinked a third time, then shook her head. \"There we are. That's one issue down. Now, as for you and I, I am uncertain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If these books offer such temptations, I am surely more chaste to them then thou, but-\" The monk began unwrapping the torso-sized jug. \"Indeed Oaf. Which is why I have a unique solution. We cannot read if the words blur in our eyes and mind.\" Giles sniffed the air, and the woman raised an eyebrow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Is that-\" \"Indeed!\" The monk tore through the holding paper on the jug. Below, the fragrant scent of apricots sang to their throats. Brandy! There were no questions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With thirst beyond reasoning from the terrible climb and heat of the late spring, the three companions drank deep of the spicy ambrosia, each taking a turn in a spinning wheel of ritualistic drinking." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As it emptied to the final drops, Giles hoisted the jar above his helmet and crashed it down, terracotta chips sprinkling his brow like baptismal water." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Aaaalright! Let's go slay us a damn, damn devil! Lesht I rusht my vamb-braces.\" He slurred, drawing the long sword from his hip and pointing its silvery sheen into the deep cavern which gaped at them, inviting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Quarry-dear sir, quarry! Remember the rules we settled upon!\" Prama, half-mad and itching to be done with this business already spoke in turn. Saying what the monsters even were, by nature, made them stronger after all. Still, tinder in hand, the three stumbled clumsily into that dark maw." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outside, the light of the torch vanished, the final piece of them swallowed into the deep, deep earth. Giles noted the strangeness of the corridor only after what he assumed was an hour of marching. There was no labyrinthine maze, no odd puzzles which he needed to smash through." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was not a tomb! Though he was unsure if that was his annoying thoughts or the man yelling behind him. In fact, as the walls melted away into abandoned shelves and ancient stone desk tops, scroll shelves like pox marks in the wall, Giles felt somewhat cheated." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was there not supposed to be books in this library? Where the hell were they? When the path ended in a large bookcase, he would have sworn, if not for the woman pressing a shoddy copper pick into his hands. \"Where'd you-u get that?\" The woman stuck a thumb behind. \"Corpses, miners." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back way.\" He looked at the tool, its rusty wedge. Then he shrugged and chopped away at the great shelf. To his surprise (if you could BE surprised while piss-drunk that is) the shelf came away like paper. Like...something he didn't want to think about right now for some reason." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Exercise caution Giles. Shhh...\" Prama moved ahead of him, wobbling on slightly more steady legs as Giles sat back, both exhausted and nauseous from the exertion. Until he heard Prama yell in fear. Giles stiffened, then thrust the torch he held into the Woman's hands, charging into the chamber." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Inside, he felt his eyes burn. It was as if they'd been dipped in tallow and set alight just by looking upon the books. All at once, he'd never been more thankful for being drunk. He assumed that this was what Prama was yelling about. Then he saw the Quarry. It was larger than a man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was larger than the elephants that Prama spoke of in his homeland. It was bigger than a damn house, and coiled around a great black well, its tail dipping into the foul, stinking liquid." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It's great steaming mouth opened, and words poured over his brain as though they were being scratched with a pen upon his skull. \"Ahhhh, more students. Come to take the secrets of the Forbidden Truths. Come to bargain as Theophilius, or perhaps that pathetic scribe once did? No matter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come in, come in. Allow I, Da- Giles roared, to intercede the creature speaking it's name, but found his throat silent. Odd. Still, the forward chop of his long sword was more than enough to interrupt it's musings." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The beast roared as the blade bounced away from its umber scales, and Giles was flung back as the coils stretched up and the scales pointed in jagged lines, bludgeoning him as a mace would. The wind went out of him as he crashed into a bookcase, this time laden with tomes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He spat blood, but there was still no sound to the action. He sang a quick tune. Still no noise. \"Insolent creature! Do you not know that a house of learning is silent to all but it's master!\" The sharp whip-crack of its voice cut them as it began again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In your tongue, I am Damnatio Memoriae- He grimaced. Across the way, he saw Prama clutch his skull. They were still so heavily affected even when drunk? Blood filled Giles ears, though the voice did not stop. \"-The great librarian of the Damned Fools." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An excellent name for such creatures as yourselves, would you not agree? Hmm, what are your names? Let me peek...\" Giles grunted hard and sat up. Prama, nearby, was batting away the serpent's massive tongue with his hands as it attempted to invade his skull, through eye or ear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He clutched his ribs, which even in the drunken stupor felt sore (a bad sign) and stood, sword held level with the gargantuan beast. He was suddenly dragged off his feet behind the collapsed shelf. He thrashed, fearing a minion or imp, only for a familiar hand to clap over his mouth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Woman! She was motioning frantically to him, holding one of the books before him. He watched as she held the torch to it, to no avail. He frowned at the puzzle, but that was not a concern considering what Prama was having to- \"I HAVE come to bargain!\" He heard the man shout." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Clarity through mortal peril, Prama had awakened his guile through the haze of drink and was suddenly speaking to the massive demon. \"Ahhh...That changes things. Come to bargain, you say? You alone, or are you to offer your companions souls to me as well?\" \"They are free to-\" He hiccuped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh...do not be afraid my child. Is that not what the Great Ones say to you as they approach?\" \"Indeed, o mighty librarian. Master of Books, fooler of Fools, Tricker-Trickster of-\" \"Oh, you need not flatter. I so rarely receive guests, you know." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have not so much as heard a peep since those Carthaginians raided my great library. I say raided, but-\" \"Do go on! I am a student of all things, no domain is too accursed for my ears, oh Great Serpent!\" Prama continued. The creature happily did so." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Well, if you must know, it is part of the deal, not that I made one with them, they stole them as a matter of greed, as books are quite valuable to your kind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I do not mind, the books of the library are meant to be shared after all! It is here that I write the litanies of woe and sutras of loathing by which the fall of man shall come, and it is the foolish men who come believing the wealth of knowledge outweighs the poison of its origin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Most of my originals...they are burned, but when you use such a medium, it is only to be expected of such lesser creatures...\" \"Your...medium?\" Prama spoke, observing the shelves with mock interest. \"Oh yes.\" The snakes' head shifted upward. Prama's eyes saw the ceiling and almost screamed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For even with his dull vision, he could see in the torch light the racks upon racks of human leather, tanned full body profiles, the hollow faces screaming. \"Yes indeed. In fact...If you take twenty of these books from me, I shall promise you the life of a king." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Regardless of what you came here for, it is a tempting offer no? A side deal , as the market men are so fond of saying.\" \"I-\" Prama was feeling the alcohol kick into a second wave. \"Tell me more.\" Meanwhile, the Knight and the Woman were busy trying to find a way to destroy the book." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They tried stabbing, more fire, kicking, ripping, his sword, her dagger, to no effect. In a fit of rage, The Woman spat into the cover. There was a ripple as the snake turned in their direction, the great yellow eyes filled to the brim with malice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What was that!?\" Prama, sensing the need of his distraction, came closer, and in a moment of boldness, touched the snake. \"Please...tell me more.\" That was a good enough distraction for the other two." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's weakness...liquid?!\" Giles stood up, tore free his waterskin and draped the remaining contents over his blade and face. Then he slammed shut his helm." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hold there woman! I shall dispatch this vile creature.\" He charged off, not noticing the Woman was holding her ear to the ground, uncaring to his action. The blade sunk deep this time as he lunged forth, and Giles felt triumph as the beast knocked him away, a font of oily blood filling his gaze." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Traitors! You shall make a fine second edition!\" The jaws opened to reveal a great number of eyes inside. Giles barely had time to jump away as the creature struck. The woman waved her hands in the air now, up near the wall of the chamber." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Giles, running towards her to evade the beast, saw her holding the pickaxe out, motioning him to... He kissed his cross and flung his full weight into the spot she'd dug around, and it gave way to a torrential spring." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The beast howled as the fresh blood of the earth washed into the black inkwell, diluting it to nothing. The blast of it seemed to be acid to it's very skin, bones appearing as it tried and failed to run from the flood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The force of the geyser filled the chamber within seconds, and dragged the three away, out of the mountain and down, down to the earth below. The Library of Damned Fools now turning to mush behind them, its great caretaker disintegrating as ink on a page." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When Giles next awoke, it was on the river bank of what is now called the Ardon, his boots full of minnows and mind throbbing like never before. The woman was already awake (of course) and noodling free some measure of fish for their nightly supper." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Prama, who was still asleep, face down in the mud, was awoken by Giles lifting him up to check if he yet lived. Then they, all together, laughed in triumph and victory over their foe. That night, as shadows grew high and tall, they built a small fire, and supped on the silvery flesh and wild herbs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Prama told tale of their next Quarry, which lay in Portugal, and The Woman sang them a great and mighty song of frozen peaks and fir trees. Giles took free the scrap of ruined book leather he'd managed to hold, and with the point of his sword spiked a hole in the tip, threading it into his rosary." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then he thanked the Holy Mother for their victory, as was his custom in these strange days. Yet still, questions plagued his mind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Library, how many books had escaped into the world? How many souls had died to feed it's maw? How many more would yet be lost by whatever tomes remain? Could he have acted sooner? Could there be something he was missing? Each Quarry they fought had seemed to have no connection to the others, yet even alone and isolated, their works flourished." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was this a test ? Some kind of clue to what he should be pursuing? As the Woman's song finished, the stars arose through the smoke. Giles stood up, and with his back to the fire, rolled his shoulders. \"Never was much a scholar anyways.\"." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Priceless" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Your majesty , you have outdone yourself , you bring honour to your people and all the kingdom of...\" The Prime Minister trailed off , obediently. \"Decades!' The Sultan interrupted , raising a thick index finger to his political servant ,\"........of research ...........of searching ............" }, { "from": "human", "value": "bargaining.........and finally!' he exclaimed as he turned to the presentation altar and his eyes widened as they adorned his latest prize ,'She belongs to me!' He strode slowly , yet purposefully towards the microphone stand \"Behold , my lords , ladies and gentlemen , I present to you , in all her naked glory , the Alb-ahr! Al'Ahmar!'\n\nSuddenly the amphitheatre lights dimmed and a symphony orchestra began to play the Sultan's favourite symphony, Lawrence of Arabia's Overture." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!BOOM! BOOM!boom! , the familiar explosive drum opening erupted , a woman squealed in fright , a shrill volley of brass horns blasted out and a crystal champagne glass audibly shattered on the hardwood floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then calm , as the string concerto ushered in the next stage in the unveiling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A ring of lights studded with diamonds within the presentation altar began to glow softly , beamed diagonally beneath the priceless artefact at all her many facets , and a base mount of solid silver waves began to rotate slowly clockwise as the Red Sea Ruby , all 715 carats , cast her beautiful brilliance across the circular walls of the amphitheatre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gasps , cheers and applause concertoed as the eloquent audience were awash in the dazzling red waves , some recoiled in shock as the spiralling red kaleidoscope reflected and refracted its hypnotic spell , some blinked uncomfortably as the waves were punctuated by brilliant white stabs of light , where diamond and ruby collided , an assault on the human eye." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Sultan's short arms were raised in a symmetrical arc, palms upturned , mouth agape in rapture , his face embalmed by the red rose glow , his mouth trembling slightly as a tear escaped his left eye." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the shadow of the stage , the dark figure of James Chapman , his eyes strained at the floor , concentrating , hand to his earpiece as he replied 'Check, all clear. All stations\"." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every 10minutes , a one minute round of checks around the Palace perimeter , the amphitheatre , the kitchens and all accessible corridors." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapman looked up only at the balconies , entrances , and aisles where security were adorned , at the Sultan's insistence , in Pierce Brosnan's Brioni tuxedo from the Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He always felt the King's movie fanaticism a little awkward especially when he even referred to him as 'Chapman , James Chapman'.But Chapman , James Chapman relented on the practicalities of the costume when he discovered a smooth silk holster pocket on the inside lining , complete with a customary Walther PPK." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As part of the Sultan's extensive security team , Chapman dismayed at the extravagant , lavish excess his sire revelled in. As the owner of the largest priceless gem collection in the world , the Sultan's reputation for showcasing his treasures was reknowned in esteemed circles." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His arrival onstage on a floating Arabian carpet accompanied by the The Hope Diamond, nestled comfortably in his silk turban , drew raucous cheers and robust chants of ' Ha-ssan! Ha-ssan! Ha-ssan!' ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But this latest reveal was a bigger logistical and safety nightmare than any floating carpets and priceless gemstones." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Palace's amphitheatre held a capacity of 700 guests comfortably but an Arabian dance troupe was little bit more complex and altogether too chaotic for Chapman's careful , measured and disciplined liking." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It didn't help his unease that , in his previous life in Special Ops , red surroundings tended to mean things had gone very badly wrong.\n\n \n\n The dance troupe streamed gracefully on to the cleared floorspace in front Chapman , eighteen brilliant silver dance costumes , nine either side of one brilliant red one , adorned by classical ballet dancer and the Princess Regent , Sultana Jamilla." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'Aaaaaah , Aljawhara,' the Sultan exhaled , admiring his beautiful first-born as the entire troupe bowed low before their King and Jamilla was the only dancer to keep her head raised. Maintaining eye contact and smiling , she winked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both lines of silver clad dancers peeled forward and sharply fouetted off in opposite arcs into two semi-circles which wound around the outside of the floorspace and gracefullly formed a complete pirhouetting circle round Jamilla , in turn pirhouetting in the centre." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clever piece of choreography , Chapman thought , the diamond dancers on the outside reflecting off the ruby in centrepiece , just like the display altar. 'Aljawhara\" must mean 'ruby'. He had heard the Maharaja use the word in reference to priceless exhibits in his collection." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he had conducted tours for visiting dignatories , Chapman had been in attendance as Head of Security for the Royal Family's Crown Jewels.\n\n As the spinning dancers were revolving in full frenzy , Chapman decided it would be timely to do another security check." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He spoke into the microphone on his watch ,'All points check in' he said. Scratchy static reverberated back into the earpiece and Chapman heard and dark voice he didn't recognise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again his hand covered his right ear as he strained to hear the voice ,'....alaistila ealaa aljawhara' ...........again , louder 'ALAISTILA' EALAA ALJAWHARA!!' \n\nHis limited knowledge of Arabic was enough to decipher the chilling message - ' Seize the Ruby'\n\nConfused , Chapman didn't recognise the voice and the static interference revealed it as a radio transmission." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'All stations , attention! There's a rogue transmission, I repeat there is a rogue transmission." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Ruby is under threat , stations 1 and 2 , report to the amphitheatre , stat!' With reinforcements on the way , his eyes darted to each security post around the grand cavern for any sign of anomaly , a disturbance , an altercation , something that would betray the threat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he scanned the ballroom , silver furls of silk engulfed the red princess as the performance began to crescendo to its climax. Her head spun round to the exact point facing the Sultan with each precise revolution , but now she looked at Chapman , her smile vanished and alarm spread across her face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The music abruptly stopped as all the dancers collapsed to the floor in unison and the lights came up , applause roaring forth. Chapman's eyes scanned the crowd , then the undisturbed ruby and then rested on the exulted King." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Sultan , rose slowly , his hand slowly reaching up to each side of his round grey beard ,'Aljawhara???......' he said meekly. Chapman turned to the centre of the floor , dancers animated and fussing surrounding Jamilla , who hadn't risen from the floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapman began to advance , sensing impending horror when his wrist blared 'Chapman , its Brodie , do you copy?' 'What is it , Brodie?' he barked at his 2IC. 'The message.......it means Seize the Jewel , Chapman." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Jewel...........its Jamilla...Jewel is her father's nickname for her' Chapman leaned into the circle and his dread was affirmed - Jamilla was gone , lifeless red satin robes lay on the floor instead. \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n\n\n  ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Food equals love" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Getting cell service in La Citta del Ricordi is impossible. I should have guessed since it’s such a small town." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can’t tell you how many times I’ve crumbled up the map and lost its creases.\n\nThree days ago I would have been embarrassed running up and down the streets, swerving past residents and climbing a statue of Galileo in the city square just for a single bar of AT&T, but I was desperate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Finding dad’s old school was all that mattered. My frustration removed my interest in the charming butcher shops. My senses were dulled.\n\nI didn’t care about the red-colored vespas that encircled the city’s roundabout." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didn't care about the store window that had scripted stenciled glass saying “all day cobbler services.\"\n\nI didn't care about the floral shops that had husbands buy their wives flowers on the way home from work. I didn't care about the 14th century architecture that attested to the city’s history." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didn't care about the aroma of freshly baked bread that filled the city square just in time for breakfas—  BANG!! A collision with a pot belly man resulted in a flash of mustard and salami that was cast into the air, and painted his white shirt with speckles of yellow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His wool cap fell off his head, not before I hit the ground and felt a shock to my tailbone. And my phone screen shattered after a quick kiss on the sidewalk. Both of us took a beat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I was hit with “colorful words of expressions” which all agreed were unspoken around children.\n\n\"I am so sorry.” I muttered over and over again as if every time I said it converted English into Italian. The man's shouts drew in a crowd until a neighbor came to my defense." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His tone resembled a sheep as he attempted to calm the inconsolable man with a “slow down” motion with his hands to defuse the situation.\n\n“Is that a way to treat our guest?,” he said in English for my ears to hear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He whispered to the man and palmed him some cash, “prendi questo and get a new shirt, paisano.” The money melted away the tension, and I thanked him profusely. “Why you rushing? You going somewhere?” he asked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I’m lost and have been wandering around town looking for a school and I need directions.” “Show me,” I pulled a picture out of my pocket, faced it down to hide its image, making sure he could read the words of a school I couldn’t pronounce, hoping he would know the way. “I know." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I take you there.” “No, no, I can find my way.” I didn’t want to impose, but my desperation was barely masked and my inner voice was begging him to insist on taking me again. If he were to oblige, I would be eternally grateful. “Please, you are my guest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I insist.” He held out his hand to guarantee a gesture of goodwill and adventure. “My name is Ignazio.” The prospect of an adventure made Ignazio happy as a boy finding a gold coin in a river. The shine reflects through the water and glitters from the sun which lures the boy to pick it up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only after the boy plunges into the cold water does he regret his decision to walk on the slippery, mossy rocks just to pick up a lira.\n\nNow, that I think about it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is the boy Ignazio or me? * The road through the Italian hills was a painting that continuedly changed every time you glanced the side of your eye. On the side of the road, little rivers trickled down the lush green grass from last night’s rain as the sun heightened the blue hue in the sky." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I rolled the window down and the kiss from the wind’s breeze seemed to offer me sleep after three days of stress. Only Ignazio’s biography kept me awake." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He spoke about his town, his history, and misplaced infatuation with a monster named Maria.\n\n“But father always say: ‘Food equal love.’ No matter trouble or sadness. Food make everything better. Maybe sad later but good food eaten now, give trouble a break." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "” Ignazio tells me his father takes in strays and nurses them back to health. Whether it was animals or humans he didn't say but as I listened, it was clear he mended hearts more than broken bones.\n\n“Why come to La Citta del Ricordi?” he asked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Most come to see Italy for Firenze, Rome or Venezia, not La Citta del Ricordi.” I would have said everything, but something was stopping me. I didn’t feel ready to share my father’s memories.\n\n“I guess I like small towns.” We turned the corner, on to a dirt road that led to a closed gate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I got out of the car to take a closer look. My heart dropped at the sight. The school was a mess. Taggers spray painted its stone wall with purple “artistic” phalac images pissing on the name of the school. Words with letters I couldn’t recognize and dare not ask Ignazio to interpret." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The stained glass windows had been shattered with bricks. Papers, which I assume were names of students' and A-plus grades had littered the grounds of the school." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The papers caught in the wind, rolled like trash tumbleweeds and embedded in the unkempt bushes.\n\nI pulled the picture label 1965 on the back. It was dad’s first day of school. He was happy as he stood up straight with his pressed pants, held up by his elastic suspenders." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I held up the picture over the school sign like a past and present reflection with 60 years between them. No one knew 60 years later, this neatly etched entrance carved by a master stonemason would later be defaced like a rat infested homeless shelter in an abandoned town." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a memory that was tarnished.\n\n“Ah, I understand,” Ignazio had seen the picture over my shoulder. “That boy someone special?” I didn’t want to say, and felt myself holding my breath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The air that was my breath would become words that would reveal the truth and invite another to explore my father’s memories, but standing on that spot and the beats that followed, I couldn’t lie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“It was my father, and this city was his home.” I buried the picture into my pocket along with the hopes of reconciliation and relief from the grief that I wasn’t there when he died of cancer.  “It was a mistake to come here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I’d like to go home.”  Ignazio didn’t say a word, but nodded to acknowledge he understood where I was coming from.\n\n* The ride back to town was silent, until Ignazio knew just what to ask. “Tell me about your father.”\n\nThere was no use hiding. I needed to tell my friend." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Father said he was always the 'injured gazelle in the jungle of the schoolyard.' The “limping buffalo of the herd” that attracted bullies. He said the meanest, toughest bully at school had a missing finger after trying to hide a lit fire cracker from a parent who came around the corner at his home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Glancing at the hand would be met with a strike to the face. “Dad had enough and responded with the voracity of a 'maned young lion' that would devour the four-fingered elephant. The school was in a uproar as both exchanged blows." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bloodied, bruised, black-eyed boys took out their frustrations on each other. “The headmaster pushed away the school children who were cheering on the match like Roman dignitaries at the colosseum and dragged the two boys to his office." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“They sat arms crossed, bleeding, and couldn’t even look at each other. The headmaster’s sentence: a day alone in the classroom while the other students went on a school field trip. “While the students were counting the zebra’s stripes at the zoo." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were counting tiles on the ceiling.\n\n\"Dad found comfort in the sandwich grandma packed for him. Unrolling the wax paper bag crisped like a Christmas present and the aroma of fresh bread masked the smell of paint that coated the classroom's walls." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But it didn’t mask the sound of a rumbling stomach. The bully had no food or anyone to pack his lunch. Father broke a piece of bread and handed it to the bully." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, the boys were inseparable.” Who knew breaking bread would be the most defining moment in his life? “It’s funny, most men would never get the chance to be the best man at their childhood bully’s wedding and witness the wedding band discolor his middle finger because it was too small.” Without a word, Ignazio drove on to the shoulder of the road and pealed back toward the opposite way of town." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Come, I take you to my home. You will have the best food in the world. Mama's food so good,” Ignazio closed his eyes and kissed his fingers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“You kill somebody.” “Do you mean ‘it's to die for?’” “Yes, to die for.”\n\n“It was meant to be figuratively, not literally.” My shouts were drowned by the sound of honking horns of oncoming traffic. The inertia plastered my face to the window, which singed from the heat of the sun." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The paved road from the highway rumbled from a smoothness to violent vibrations of a dirt path that led to elsewhere.\n\nI was baffled when I saw the houses we passed in the neighborhood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They looked familiar until I remembered I had another picture in my pocket.\n\nThe picture had a little boy standing under an olive tree in an orchard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "From his perspective, the tree was a regal, majestic tower for birds to perch and a comfortable shady place for a small Italian boy who would one day immigrae to America when he became 19. The tree had bark missing and was etched with childrens’ names and images of hearts.\n\n“Come." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Let me show you my mama and papa.” Before I could respond, he opened the door and pulled me out. He called out to his mama and papa." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mama rushed out from the kitchen, grabbed my face with both hands and kissed my cheeks.\n\nThe back and forth chatter of a language I didn’t know was silenced by the sound of a cane tapping the hardwood floor. “Buongiorno,” said an old man as he extended his arms to embrace me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mama ran into the kitchen as papa called us to the table. I could see the steam rise from the dish as she placed the risotto before me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The risotto had a creamy color from the bone broth that infused with the cooked rice and bound it together into a silky taste.\n\nEverything grew from their garden except the black truffles that were imported from France.\n\nMama minced the onions and garlic and cooked them into a translucent light crisp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The heat of the pan simmered the white wine into a reduction that converted the alcohol kick into a kiss and layered the risotto with snow flakes of parmesan cheese.\n\nMama leaned over and graded a black dusting of truffles, which speckled the white risotto." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took a moment to look at the people who knew my father and shared his experiences.\n\nPapa looked on as I tasted the risotto with just the tip of the spoon. Surrendering to a dish is like love." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Live in the now, embrace it and experience every moment as if your problems have gone away.\n\nThe initial bursts of herbal and earthy flavors came as it touched your tongue. It was subdued by hints of sweetness from the white wine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It over came you like a blue wave and settled with a sweet aftertaste like the ocean seeping into the sand. Every spoon was like the sea. All I could do was smile and chuckle. I would consider this a universal action that was capable of transcending words." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Papa patted me on the shoulder with his left hand, having only four fingers. “Bene. Molto bene.” A smile for thank you. A chuckle for closure. And food for love.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dangerous and Beautiful" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was the very image of grace and beauty: her slender body writhing like a serpent’s to the flutes and drums. The mink’s short, lowcut dress was a bright red that contrasted with the mink’s white fur." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The bar of the tavern was full of all manner of creatures, all of whom were inebriated in some way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Some were drunk on Veilwinter wines and ales, others lay in a stupor from smoking much stronger stuff: their minds beyond the mortal realms.\n\nFor those that weren’t too far gone, their eyes were fixed on the mink as she twirled and gyrated, giving the patrons generous views of her body." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The spectators were enraptured, unable to take their eyes from her.\n\nIt was what she lived for: Her special gift, her charm over all others, even those that weren’t mustelids themselves.\n\nWhen the music ended the mink dancer bowed low before standing up and blowing a kiss to the patrons, earning shouts for her to do an encore.\n\n“Now, now, wait till the next show,” she chided her audience before she slipped behind the curtain to her dressing room.\n\nThe mink sighed softly as she sank into the comfy chair before the mirror." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She admired her good looks for a time before her fur began to stand up. Whirling she grabbed a stiletto from its hiding spot only to stop and sigh in relief.\n\n“Oh, it’s just you, mistress Margot." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hate it when you sneak up on me like that.” A female lynx stood but a few feet from the mink her muzzle set in an unsettling smile as she approached.\n\n“My dear Spinrave, it is good to see you enjoying yourself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Vulane will always provide for us, wouldn’t you agree?” The lynx was but a few feet from Spinrave, her eyes glowing with a manic light. Spinrave twitched her ears.\n\n“Indeed, but to what do I owe this pleasure?”\n\nMargot looked distant suddenly, her eyes unfocusing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Always asking questions, questions, questions, questions. But answers are overrated, yes overrated indeed. Hmm-hmm.”\n\nIt was another of one of her nonsensical ramblings, Spinrave had grown used to them but they still made her shudder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No one in Vulane was truly sane, but Margot was insane by even Vulane’s standards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Spinrave wisely waited till Margot was done with her rants and snatches of song before she asked.\n\n“Surely you have something you want from me? Or did you stop by for a chat?”\n\n“Yes yes yes,” Margot replied as she suddenly had Spinrave’s chin in her paw forcing the mink to look up into her eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“No mere chat, oh no no no. Our mistress Selthia has informed me that the rat is sniffing after me again. Oh, he just can’t let the past go, can he? He’s becoming focused again thanks to his new friends.”\n\nSpinrave’s tail twitched as she chuckled, “Oh, Mr." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rask? Yes I remember him quite well from when he stumbled into the house of the moon.” Margot chuckled, “Rask, is what he was calling himself? Oh that IS funny. His name is actually Skreet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Detective Skreet Snickertooth.”\n\nSpinrave swallowed as Margot went from holding her chin to stroking the side of her face. Margot gave a deep, strange chuckle before she continued, releasing Spinrave’s soft face and plumping herself down on one of the large cushions in the room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I need you to work your charms on him again, show him a good time, go for drinks, whatever tickles your fancy. He needs... another setback. Something truly devastating." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...For amusement purposes, if nothing else.” Spinrave nodded, “It shall be done, for you, and for our mistress, the witch queen.”\n\nMargot laughed once more. “Yes, Selthia and her partners are growing tired of these interlopers, especially after the sword incident." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps with a little nudge toward madness, they shall all find their way under the living eyes of Veilwinter.”\n\nThe two shared a laugh as the patrons outside continued to cavort. \n\nSkreet Snickertooth groggily got himself to his slender, clawed feet and began to pace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was in the backroom of an alchemist shop he had woken up in. He and his companions had had a run in in the undercity, and had made even more enemies.\n\nNot what Skreet needed.\n\nHe found the rest of his companions talking with the blind hyena shaman who was the proprietor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Draknor the reptiloid former gladiator, Farah the infamous ferret thief, and Amber the persistent meerkat journalist. What a crew he found himself with these days. The ferret had noticed that the date was ‘wrong’ - she had been asleep for a few days while Grisha the shaman had administered the cure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Skreet had taken to the bottle again from the nearby tavern out of boredom and was just now coming back to consciousness. Draknor was doing what he did best, looking intimidating without even trying as he tended to his swords, his own, as well as the longsword from the gladiator pits." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The imposing reptiloid said nothing, merely surveyed the room as if waiting for his chance to spring.\n\nAmber was scrawling in her journals with a quill pin, completely absorbed in writing her latest scandalous stories. \n\nFarah got to her feet and started asking all sorts of questions: questions Skreet had already asked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“So you do know the witch queen!” Farah said accusingly after a short conversation. “And you are in league with her?” “If by ‘in league with her’ you mean ‘am paid occasionally by her’ then yes,” the old hyena said going through her bottles. Skreet wiped his long nose on his sleeve." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I don’t suppose you know any lynxes who are ‘in league with her’ too, do you?” Grisha slowed as she put a bottle back on a high shelf. Suddenly Skreet was sober. Grisha paused but then turned back to Farah. “You will be okay,” the old hyena said to the ferret." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“My relationship with the witch queen is but the occasional business transaction." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ingredients trading and the like.” \n\nSkreet started forward towards the old hyena, his detective instincts taking over, “I’m sorry ma’am, but I couldn’t help but notice you avoided the question pertaining to a certain lynx.”\n\nDraknor was barely listening, but stopped running his whetstone across the blade and eyed the group of mammals - his interest perked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Amber was still engrossed in her work, but Skreet was sure it was but a ruse and the meerkat was hearing every word. Grisha sighed, weary of becoming involved with the group of wanted creatures, “Not long ago a female Lynx came to me. She was wounded and had coin to pay. That one I remember." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can not see as you do, but I could feel her whole aura was off and she spoke like a madbeast. I did not think much of it. She paid well, and as a courtesy I did not ask for a name.” \n\nSkreet grit his teeth. “Margot! It has to be!”\n\nFarah stepped back from Grisha." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“What were the odds of this happening? Pretty sure the wound was from yours truly,” the ferret said, pointing at herself with a sly smirk.\n\n“We’re getting close now,” Skreet grunted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I feel it.”\n\nDraknor spoke then, his tail thumping against the floor as his boulder-scraping voice resonated against the walls.\n\n“Yet once again we are a few steps behind, everytime we get close we’re always a bit behind.”\n\nFarah looked at Draknor, “Hey, hey, no pessimistic tones big guy! Don’t you want to get even with her for capturing you?”\n\n“Of course I do!” Draknor rumbled, “Why do you think I grow impatient? My very honor compels me to find her, and then..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I must embark on another search.” Farah tilted her head, “Just how many enemies do you have, Drak?” “Many,” Draknor rumbled. “But this one is not a foe, I was told she perished in the raid… but so much of what mammals tell me is falsehood." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I must know for myself.” Skreet sighed, “For what it’s worth, I’ll help you in that search. But first we’ve got to finally catch that infuriating lynx.” \n\nDraknor growled. “The three of you helped me regain my sword. For that I am grateful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But in all my years I have never felt my patience grow so thin.” “They must be very important to you.” Skreet observed.\n\n“Indeed.” Draknor grumbled. Amber had stopped writing, right about the time Draknor had mentioned his ‘honor’." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Ooh, interesting! Do tell me more Draknor! In fact I want to hear your story of how you ended up here.”\n\nDraknor sighed. “Very well.”\n\nSkreet headed for the door. “You can tell me about it later friend. I want to hear it with my own ears..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "without Amber interjecting all the time.”\n\nAmber rolled her eyes. “Skreet, always the dour sort." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No wonder you two get along so well, Draknor! No offense meant, of course.” Skreet pushed the door of the shop open and pulled his coat around himself as the usual rains pelted him, he checked his fighting sticks hidden beneath his coat. \n\nHe needed time to think, but he didn’t get very far from the shop before a familiar voice stopped him.\n\n“Rask? Rask, is that you? Oh, Rask! How wonderful to see you again!”\n\n‘Rask’? Oh, yes - he’d used a false name his first few nights in Vulane.\n\nSkreet turned to see a familiar mink running up to him, a broad grin on her muzzle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The dancer. Yes he remembered the mink and her deep, brown eyes well.\n\n“Spinrave isn’t it? Well, fancy meeting you here.”\n\nSpinrave smiled as she took his arm, “Fancy indeed. You’ve been making quite a name for yourself. I was hoping we would meet again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come with me.”\n\n“A ‘name for myself’?” “Yes, you and your little... and large... friends. Some very... interesting creatures wish to speak to you, but I think it best if you come out of the rain. If you trust me, that is.” Skreet looked at her, did he trust her? He barely knew her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But despite this thought he found himself going along with her, lost in the sweet perfume of her fur. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everyone Must Carry Their Own Luggage" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "'Everyone Must Carry Their Own Luggage' It's the third double brandy J B Foxley MBE, has tipped into the plant pot, the palm looks healthy enough but might feel a bit groggy in the morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Foxley was awarded an MBE for 'services to export': in spite of a severe bout of yellow fever contracted in West Africa he had bravely continued to carry out export duties, and Foxley vowed in future to resist the welcoming ladies at the Ikeja Club in Lagos." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He is watching the boy dancing with a whore. Mohamed is only eighteen, soft-baked, his first time out of Saudi. He has probably never seen a woman before:apart from his mother. Arabs keep their women hidden in those hijab things. . . black sacks with cages over their heads." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sheik Abdul bin Azis has sent his son over to complete his Western education and Foxley will oblige. Business is founded on trust: Arabs only take bribes from people they trust, and they trust old Foxley with his infectious laugh and a ready smile which doesn't quite light-up the shrewd eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Foxley finds comfortable women for his clients, cases of Glen Fiddich, and trips to shady night clubs. They call him Foxy Foxley, the fox you can trust. He reflects on his early days in the export business." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was easy when he first started - in Ghana you changed dollars for mountains of Cedis behind a curtain in Quimby's, the sweaty night club in Accra - he enjoyed the local ladies, lived like a lord on a tenner a day and slipped brown envelopes to local buyers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Foxley's superiors suspected this practice but chose to ignore it, but it was getting difficult." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Such inducements became difficult to extract by padding expenses with fake vouchers - the devious brain of Foxley got to work, he appointed the recipients of bribes as agents for them to dish out the brown envelopes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But in the armaments trade envelopes weren't large enough to contain kick-backs in millions and Foxley developed labyrinthine untraceable offshore conduits to ensure safe payments." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Soon a tide of dirty money washed-up on the shores of the Caribbean islands, to be laundered through dummy companies with no questions asked by governments grateful for hard currency. Abdul bin Azis, an old fashioned gentleman, always insists on notes; Abdul doesn't trust banks." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Foxley fingers the fat envelope weighing down his trouser pocket. Foxley likes presents it makes it seem like Christmas. The scruffy hold-all at his feet contains a million dollars. Abdul told him to courier it to St Lucia and pay it into the account of Johnson: the builders merchants." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It will substantially boost Johnson's turnover from the two bags of cements he normally sells in a day. The lady with a leg pressed against the boy's is aged about forty with the pallor of a night worker - and Arabs do adore white skin. Foxley has known Joan Hunter since she started at the club." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She doesn't do short time and doesn't do exotic: sometimes a social worker, sometimes a lover, sometimes an agony aunt and sometimes a spy for Foxley." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He studies them as they shuffle around cheek to cheek, she's crooning in the boy's ear as she used to do for him, somebody said dancing is doing in the vertical what is normally done in the horizontal. There have been so many ladies, but still he feels jealousy tug at this heart strings." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He trawls through the library of ladies; like a stamp collector he records them by country; the Ghana lady,Veda was special, melting milk-chocolate skin, brilliant in bed, elegant, he couldn't wait to return to Accra, he bought her a watch. But she had gone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The young man is in love, and Joan is playing the female role of 'retreat and advance' before the final surrender - for money. It's getting late. Joan can escort young Mohamed back to his hotel: she knows every hotel in Mayfair and every ceiling of every hotel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He calls over the waitress, hands her his credit card and tells her to add Joan's charges to his bill. He doesn't want true love to be sullied by a sordid commercial transaction. He picked up the scruffy hold-all and retires to his bed above the offices of Foxley & Chambers in Mayfair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next morning Foxley calls in his secretary, \"Book me a flight to St Lucia first class.\" He has a weakness for secretaries; he inevitably ends up tumbling into bed with them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This one is an elegant black lady, she reminds him of the lady from Accra but she has been cleared by his wife because she is safe: her husband is an army captain. \"You want someone to carry your bags?\" the secretary asked with a smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"There is an Arab proverb: 'Everyon must carry their own luggage'.\" \"What about a lady?\" she replies, as she shimmies out the office with a swish to her hips and a flirt to her voice. This is an invitation.. She returns." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There are two seats on the BA flight to Vieux Fort via Barbados.\" \"Do you want to come? What about the army captain?\" \"We are separated.\" \"Oh”, he reshuffles things in his mind.\" He hands her his credit card, \"Book two tickets.\" \"I've never travelled first class.\" The next day they meet at Heathrow Airport." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She checks them in, and hands Foxley his boarding pass. At Barbados, they change planes and have to clear customs and immigration. When Foxley returns from the toilet, she is nowhere to be seen. He is the last to leave." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he enters 'Nothing to Declare', a sniffer dog takes an unreasonable interest in his bag. \"On the table, please sir. \"What?\" \"Your bag, sir. On the table. Open it.\" Foxley doesn't recognise the contents. \"That's my secretary's bag.\" \"I see." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She wears size ten shoes, does she? And these?\" he holds up a pair of boxer shorts. \" I think these are about your size. Come with me, sir. We need to check this bag of white powder.\" It was later he received the letter – 'everyone must carry their own luggage." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is payback time, the million dollars has gone to help the professional ladies of Accra. It was signed, 'Veda'.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Immutable Laws of Reflection" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To be fair, the kidnapers were polite to me. They hustled me into the back of a bobtail truck with courtesy and deference. They drove me to an undisclosed spot, dropped me off, and sped away, never once yelling at me, or threatening me, or manhandling me. And there I stood, wherever it was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A small town that wouldn’t be out of place in rural America. A town square. People going about their business, being pleasant to me, a stranger. I had no idea where I was, or why I was taken, gently but forcibly, from the side of the road. I always loathed Tuesdays, but this was ridiculous." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "______________ Phoenix watched two people approach him with a rising sense of dread. Being kidnaped made him wary, but the couple walking up to him scared the hell out of him. He didn’t know why, but the feeling persisted, grew. “Uh—” “Shut up and listen, bug. You’re here for a reason." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The best thing you can do is keep your teeth together and listen to Alejandra.” Phoenix eyed the man who spoke. He was big, but not big in the usual way. He was big in a way that would scare Vikings. Muscles rippled from his arms — arms that resembled the trunks of oak trees." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His legs and torso seemed to be cut from granite, and his jaw appeared to be as wide as one of those electric cars he hated. It was the expression on his face though, that caused Phoenix to quail. It was, for want of a better word, implacable. Nothing will dissuade this man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is a face that would kill a sweet grandmother. “Well, uh, I was a little lost. On my way to Terlingua, Texas. A chili cook-off, you see, for the Fourth of July. Anyway, I lost all my bars and GPS capabilities, so—” “Didn’t I just tell you to shut up?” The big man seemed to get bigger." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phoenix stopped talking. “Bibi, let me handle the interpersonal stuff, ok? Why don’t you go and find some big animal to kill and eat. I saw a black bear a few minutes ago, that way,” the woman pointed south, “and he looked fat.” Bibiano “Bibi” Zamurrio suddenly lost interest in Phoenix." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He trotted off to the south, happy to have something to kill. Phoenix felt sorry for the bear. “I am Alejandra Gallegos. You are here for a specific reason, one which will be revealed to you in due time. For now, I offer you a bath, food, and a comfortable bed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I suggest you take advantage of all these amenities.” Phoenix watched her walk off as two women escorted him to a house. He tried to resist them but found, incredibly, that the two old women were much stronger than him. Phoenix stopped fighting them when it became obvious that he couldn’t get away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The women drew a bath and set food out for him. He took a quick, unsettled bath and ate nothing, preferring strong drink to wholesome food. It was in this blue mood that Alejandra found him. “You’re gonna kill me, right?” Alejandra looked at him and smiled. Phoenix was taken aback." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Such a smile! It radiated all that was pure and good in this world, containing a power that wasn’t to be overcome or denied. He reeled slightly. “In a manner of speaking. Not to worry, though. You’ll be alive when you leave here.” Phoenix found this so lacking in reason that he didn’t say anything." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With nothing better to do, he sat and sulked, swilling whiskey and smoking cigarettes to pass the time. This went on for some minutes before Phoenix spoke again. “Why?” Alejandra sighed and shook her head slowly. “It isn’t for the likes of you or me to know why." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We follow orders, secure in the knowledge that what we have been ordered to do is the right thing for humanity.” “You used a lot of words to explain nothing.” Alejandra got up to leave. “Yes, I know. Now go to sleep.” She kissed Phoenix on the forehead and he dropped to the floor, dead." }, { "from": "human", "value": "______________ Phoenix woke up to the sight of Bibiano polishing off the haunch of some large beast and Alejandra checking her cell phone. She sent a text and then turned her attention to Phoenix." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Hey! How come you have cell service and I don’t?” Phoenix was in whine mode, not an unusual occurrence. It was the reason his wife had become distant and his friends faded away. “Can I hit him just once, Ále? Please.” Bibiano glared at Phoenix. “You are here for a reason, Phoenix Sanders." }, { "from": "human", "value": "First, though, you should know that your wife is to be involved.” Alejandra stood up and dusted off her skirt, indicating that Phoenix should follow her outside. “Where — where are my clothes?” Phoenix stayed under the blanket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bibiano sighed and ripped the blanket off of Phoenix, and Phoenix, to his credit, tried to cover up his private parts. Alejandra paid no attention to this; she was busy reading another text. Phoenix ran off to the restroom, surprised to find his clothes there, all cleaned and pressed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even his underwear had been ironed, which seemed odd to him. But it also gave him some hope. No one irons underwear for a person they’re about to kill . Bibiano had left by the time Phoenix exited the restroom, much to his relief. The man made Phoenix uncomfortable, but this is understandable." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bibiano made entire nations uncomfortable. “Come with me,” Alejandra stuck her cell phone in a pocket and walked out. Phoenix gazed at the dusty streets, the dirty children, the modest stores along the way. Everyone seemed content. The kids were playing, yet there was no screaming, no whining." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mothers bustled about, buying food for the day, chatting amicably with each other, laughing occasionally at some remark, and generally acting as if they hadn’t a care in the world. Phoenix didn’t see any men. None at all. They stopped about a half mile out of town, near a brook." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bibiano was there, reclining against a tree and moving his head to music emanating from his earbuds. He was chewing on another large piece of meat. Alejandra touched Bibiano’s shoulder and he stood up, immediately glaring at Phoenix. Phoenix averted his gaze." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He felt better about his future, but only because of the pressed underwear. The feeling was dissipating under Bibiano’s gaze. Bibiano approached Phoenix, pulled out a handgun, and shot him. Twice. In the chest. Phoenix stumbled backward from the force of the impacts and suddenly sat down, heavily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He clutched his chest and moaned in pain. It took a few seconds for Phoenix to come to two realizations: he wasn’t bleeding and he wasn’t dead. “My work is done.” Bibiano strode off to the south. Probably looking for another animal to kill . And with that thought, Phoenix passed out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "______________ Phoenix woke up in bed. Nude. With Alejandra waiting patiently by his bedside. “Wha —” He was finding it difficult to finish the word. Or any word, for that matter. His mouth was dry, his throat sticky, his mind a whirl. “Get out of bed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We have things to do,” Alejandra pulled the covers from the bed and helped Phoenix stand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was difficult, for he was still in a haze, and what with trying to cover himself up and his rubbery legs failing to comply with his wishes, the simple act of getting to the restroom was proving to be a near-impossible task. The task was eventually accomplished." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phoenix threw several handfuls of cold water on his face, leaned against the sink, and stared at himself. He saw nothing except himself, and he didn’t want to think about himself. He wanted to know why he was shot in the chest — twice — and lived. Not only that, he didn’t even bleed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two angry red spots on his chest were the only reminders of what had happened. They went back to the scene of the shooting, causing Phoenix a few misgivings. He wondered if Bibiano was going to shoot him again, or do something even worse to him. He wondered why he didn’t die." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Most of all, he wondered if anything that happened in the last twenty-four hours was real. Nothing felt solid. He didn’t feel solid. A weightless, insubstantial feeling invaded him, giving him the sense that, if this were a dream, it was as near to dammit as reality. “First things first, Phoenix." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You’re now immortal. Second, you have a task to perform. Third, I don’t need a lot of idiotic blathering from you. Just accept all of this and we’ll get along just fine.” Phoenix blinked at Alejandra. He cocked his head to one side and frowned slightly. Whatever he expected, it wasn’t this." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Alejandra seemed to believe what she had said, and Phoenix was almost tempted to believe her, but impossible things like this simply didn’t happen, in his experience. “Wait! What? I don’t think —” “No, you don’t. That’s why I had Bibi shoot you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He wanted to empty the magazine, but I wouldn’t let him.” “But —” “No! You’re immortal. If you need further proof, I’ll shoot you myself, and I won’t stop at two rounds.” Alejandra’s eyes gleamed with anger. Phoenix rubbed his chest thoughtfully." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Although the pain was gone, the memory of it persisted. “Ok. Fine. I accept your premise that I’m immortal,” Phoenix lied. “Now, hold my arm and we will go.” Phoenix held her arm, expecting to take a stroll. He looked around, enjoying the scenery, despite his predicament. It has to be a dream ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was no dream, and they didn’t take a stroll. ______________ Three seconds later, Phoenix opened his eyes. He felt like he had been turned inside out and repeatedly struck with several sledgehammers. “The first time is the hardest." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’ll be better when we return.” Phoenix looked at Alejandra and shuddered. He didn’t want to go through the experience again. “Look,” Alejandra pointed to a house. Phoenix’s house." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What the — why are we here?” Phoenix, truthfully, wanted to know how they had gotten there in three seconds, but questioning such things seemed to anger Alejandra and Bibiano. “Your wife is inside. With Bill Robowski.” “Bill? He’s one of my best friends. Why is —” “You have no friends." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And they’re having an affair.” Phoenix shook his head. “No. No way. My wife loves me.” “She used to love you. Your task is to make her love you again so you can have a daughter.” “No. No no no no no! This isn’t happening. Sasha would never cheat on me, not ever. She’s true blue and loyal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Besides, Bill is kinda chubby. She has standards, you know.” “Let’s go upstairs.” Alejandra didn’t wait for Phoenix to agree with her. She whisked him up the stairs and into the bedroom. What Phoenix saw stunned him. “Hey! Get off my wife! You son-of-a —” “They can’t hear you or see you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But you had to know.” Phoenix watched, and then stopped watching, feeling sick and lost. It was one thing to find out your spouse was cheating, but quite another to actually see it. “Ok, time to go.” Alejandra took Phoenix by the hand. Three seconds later, they were back where they started." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Phoenix looked around. Everything was exactly as they had left it, yet it all seemed so dull and lifeless now. “So, your task —” “I’ll kill that bastard! I’ll cause him so much pain he’ll think it’s my new career! I can’t believe —” “Yes, ok. She cheats on you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You cheat on her as well, so don’t be a hypocrite. Bigger issues are at stake.” Phoenix turned and looked sharply at Alejandra. “How do you know I cheat on her? No one knows that. Except for me and Talia.” Alejandra sighed the sigh of the truly put out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You are a particularly dim person, aren’t you? Despite everything we’ve shown you, you still think it’s all about you. You you you. It isn’t. This,” Alejandra waved her hand around the landscape, “is all about your daughter.” “But I don’t have a daughter.” “You will. Hopefully, that is." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you can convince your wife to have a child with you.” Phoenix shook his head mournfully. “Not likely, judging from what we saw. Odds are looking long, wouldn’t you say,” the bitterness in Phoenix’s tone was palpable. “Bibi is taking care of the Robowski man as we speak." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’ll be something suitably gruesome because that’s Bibiano’s way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He doesn’t like humans much, so he tends to go overboard when punishing them.” “Uh, he’s not gonna kill him, is he? I hate the guy now, but I don’t think he should die.” “You just said you wanted to kill him.” “Yeah, but that’s just me blowing off steam.” “See? This is why we don’t trust most humans." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You say something without meaning it, and the things you should say are left unsaid. How you survived as a species is beyond me.” Phoenix had to agree with Alejandra’s assessment of his kind. Fate, it seemed, had left mankind with many unsuitable qualities." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Anyway,” Alejandra continued, “the issue is your wife. You must have a daughter. She’ll be the one to have a daughter of her own, and that young lady will direct mankind. Temporarily.” “Uh, sure. None of this makes sense." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How can you possibly know all this? Is God telling you what to do?” “No.” “Then, who?” Alejandra poked an anthill with a stick. Soon, hundreds of ants rushed from their underground abode and swarmed the immediate area. “We are all ants." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Someone else is the stick.” “What?” Alejandra huffed and walked away. Phoenix was angering her, and it wouldn’t do to get angry. She might kill him, an immortal, and that would be a black mark on her record. “Ants,” Phoenix muttered to himself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Who the hell cares about ants?”  ______________ Bill Robowski — parts of him, anyway — was found, spread across seven counties. The authorities had no leads, so the murder of the man went unsolved." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phoenix regretted that Bill had to die, but, as usual, he was powerless against Alejandra and Bibiano. In the fullness of time, Phoenix and Sasha had a daughter, Penelope. She was a precocious child, but Phoenix loved her dearly. He also loved his wife dearly, and this further puzzled him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They had grown apart, but after the kidnaping incident and the subsequent death of Bill, they had discovered a love that withstood the test of time. Phoenix suspected that Alejandra had something to do with it. Penelope grew into a wonderful woman, and she married a wonderful man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They lived together on the outskirts of Lodi, California, growing their own fruits and vegetables, selling what they didn’t eat, and living simply. Phoenix thought their lifestyle was terrific, despite going against everything he had believed in before he was abducted and shot." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They had a daughter, just as Alejandra predicted. Desdemona. Des grew up to be a bit of a rebel, but the kind of rebel that warmed the hearts of her family. She married Helen Zuider and they lived in El Centro, California." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "______________ Phoenix was surprised and not all that happy to see Alejandra again. He was happy that Bibiano wasn’t there; the man still scared the hell out of him. “So, you have a granddaughter. You are now released from your obligation to us.” Phoenix nodded, not understanding at all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“You are no longer immortal. You will never see us again.” “Uh, do you know what immortal means? I think —” “As usual, you don’t think. We kept you alive until you did what had to be done. Now we have our new rulers.” Phoenix blinked. It seemed like the thing to do. “Desdemona and Helen.” “Um." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ok.” “Their actions and words are interpreted by us, and then we know how to direct humanity.” “Yeah. Of course. Makes perfect sense to me.” Alejandra didn’t understand Phoenix’s sarcasm. “Good. Good-bye, Phoenix Sanders.” Phoenix jumped up and stopped Alejandra." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Wait! Listen, this doesn’t make sense. Some random couple decide what happens to the world?” “You just said it made sense.” “I was being sarcastic.” “You mean you lied.” “Yeah. Sure. I lied.” “I’ll tell you once more. We are the ants. Someone else is the stick." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It doesn’t have to make sense.” Alejandra dissipated into thin air. Phoenix wasn’t surprised by this because nothing was all that surprising any longer. ______________ Phoenix, seventy-six years old, would die today, and he knew it. The doctors could do no more for him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was weak, in pain, and ready to move on, wherever that was to be. Reflection had taught him a lot about life. The main thing it taught him was that life wasn’t supposed to make sense. Life was — life. This was the one, irrevocable law that made sense." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A tautology that explained everything with a clarity that would have been unthinkable in his earlier years. He had been happy after the kidnaping. Incredibly happy and at peace. He wanted more of it, but accepted that it wasn’t to be. This also made him happy. He vowed to be happy in his new life." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As long as I don’t meet Bibiano again . And with that last thought echoing in his mind, he died.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Divergent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bzzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzzzz. 8:15am. The bright-green numbers stared harshly back at her, taunting her — the result of at least five snoozes, from when Marissa was supposed to originally awaken at 7. Her eyes widened in panic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had overslept! Now less than an hour until the interview for the job of a lifetime. She ripped off the comforter and bolted out of her queen-sized bed, nearly tumbling to the ground on the way and barely noticing her Lab mix, Riley, sitting upright near the door, sporting sad, eager eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly, vague memories trickled in of occasional canine whimpers sprinkled throughout the last of Marissa’s deep sleep the half hour before. She knew what those whimpers and those anxious, sweet puppy eyes meant, but she couldn’t appease them just yet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Riley would have to wait just a little while longer. Nearly tripping over Riley, who’d began jumping around in excitement, thinking it was “time,” Marissa dove through her closet, tossing blouses and bottoms over her shoulders as she went." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was looking for one specific top: Her favorite blue, buttoned silk blouse. It was her go-to formal top to wear for such a serious occasion. She loved the way she looked in it, she felt most confident in it. She thought it most made her appear chic and sophisticated." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But alas, it seemed nowhere in sight. Where did I last have it? she wondered to herself. Did she recently wear it and toss it in the hamper to be washed? No, she wouldn’t have worn it, knowing she had this interview coming up. Would she have? It had taken everything for her to get this interview." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was at least a month in the making and scheduled at a very specific day and time that accommodated the incredibly busy schedules of the panel of people who would be interviewing her.\n\nShe charged over to the clothes hamper, now tossing those articles over either side of her as she plowed through." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After about a minute, all that seemed left was one dingy white T-shirt resting at the bottom. She plucked it out to confirm that in fact was the last of it. Still no blue blouse. Marissa had submitted several applications for this position at different times over the past several years." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The final nudge it took was one wonderful old colleague’s good word, just for her to get her foot in the door. If it hadn’t been for that, she didn’t know if this would’ve ever happened. If it would be happening. It finally was happening." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Although the blue blouse was mysteriously missing in action, she saw what wasn’t: The muddy-green version of the same blouse. Not one she’s crazy about, but clearly crazy enough to still have it around. And also recognizing that at this point that choosiness was not her luxury." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Green blouse, in all its wrinkled glory, it is,” she breathed in defeat. No time to iron — at least she had on a decent shirt. One battle down. This job would be one doing something Marissa loved, with much more pay than ever before and much more opportunity than ever before." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This interview could be career-changing. It could be life-changing. And here, she’d overslept. The white short hand of her black wall clock had fully cleared eight and was inching closer and closer to nine — the long hand now firmly on the six. 8:30am." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She raced to the bathroom, forcefully turned on the faucet, and, while the water warmed up, she yanked down her underwear, and emptied her bladder into the happily waiting toilet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No sooner as she wiped herself and flushed, she began squirting the toothpaste on her toothbrush and turned it towards her mouth — her eyes looking down in guilt at Riley, who was waiting anxiously, but somehow rather patiently, nearby for her turn to be relieved." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Riley was glad to see Marissa at least up but also probably wondering When are we going to go outside?!? “I’m sorry, Riley, just give mama a few more minutes,” she said and then watched the big glob of paste roll right off the brush and onto her second-place silk shirt. “Shit!” She yelled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She tried to swipe off the paste with her finger, but that only pressed some of it further into the fabric. She then awkwardly lowered her chest into the sink to furiously rinse the area and grabbed a hand towel from the linen closet to remove the rest and try to dry it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Marissa had only overslept because she had been up all night trying to prepare for this interview. Reading articles and watching interviews on how to have a successful job interview. Commonly asked interview questions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Memorizing and remembering to emphasize her strengths, while cleverly speaking to how she’s learned from and overcome a few of her greatest weaknesses. Rehearsing the answer to “Why do you want to work for us?” Studying the company’s mission, goals, their website and any recent related news stories." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had meant to do this preparation much sooner, but as usual, life. Yet still, she wanted to be over-prepared. And by the time she had finally turned in at 5:30am, she was. Until now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She squirted another dallop of paste — directly into her mouth this time, began swishing, and plunged the brush inside to move it around a bit before she spat the gook into the sink. She then simultaneously splashed water into her mouth and onto her face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No time for a shower, so she grabbed the same hand towel as before, put the dry end of it under the water, squeezed out the excess water, and rapidly wiped key areas of her body: pits, privates, etc." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Almost good as new, except… Looking in the mirror, she was faced with the grisly reality that her hair clearly still hadn’t awakened from her recent deep sleep, and the dark circles under her eyes treacherously gave away her very recent late night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hastily and haphazardly raked a comb through her hair, trying to tame it in some kind of decent shape, and squirted out and applied some concealer under her eyes and over the sprinkles of spots throughout her face, being careful sure not to repeat the same mistake she had made with the toothpaste." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“This’ll have to do,” she said as she quickly glanced down at the clock on her phone. 8:42am. She hastened away, back into the bedroom to look for her brown slacks that nicely complemented the green shirt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After searching for them for two solid minutes, she gave up and grabbed the grey sweat pants still hanging on her desk chair from when she had tossed them before turning in the night before. “Oh well, I tried,” she said, as she hurriedly pulled them on." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she turned to run towards the door, her pinky toe went flying into one of the legs of her dresser. “FUCK!!” Kneeling over in a momentary but sharp pain, she grabbed her foot and hopped through the door. As the pain subsided, she again dashed down the hallway towards the stairs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She wasn’t halfway down before she remembered she didn’t have her laptop or cellphone. She raced back up and went for her cellphone first, figuring it would be easiest since she’d had it literally just a few minutes prior. She returned to the last place she had remembered having it: Her bedroom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except, it was no longer on the corner of her bed, the last place she had specifically remembered leaving it. She looked all over the bed, pulling off the rest of the comforter onto the floor and then tearing off the sheets. She sifted through the mounds of clothes she had created earlier." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Got on her knees to search under the bed and under the dressers. Nothing. Somehow, mysteriously, the cellphone was nowhere to be found." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With the minutes ticking away, she knew she would have to give up looking for the phone and was now annoyed with herself for prioritizing looking for it first when the laptop was what she really needed most. “Laptop, laptop, laptop,” she recited out loud as she shifted her search." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“OH! Laptop.” She suddenly remembered she had actually brought it downstairs the night before, right before going to bed, just so it would be ready for today. “Good thinking, Marissa,” she said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Just wish you would’ve remembered that a few minutes sooner!” She took off towards and through her bedroom door again. Just a few feet down the hallway, she was suddenly jolted back. She looked down and saw that the door handle of the hallway closet had audaciously caught onto her pants pocket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She yanked herself off and found herself surprised at how badly she wanted to attack the door handle. She again sprinted downstairs, with Riley following closely behind, and glanced at the living room wall clock to see that it was now 8:55am." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As badly as she knew Riley had to be let out, with not much time left, Marissa questioned whether she would be able to hold it until after the interview. She knew there was a possibility Riley might whine throughout." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She grabbed the leash and collar, tossed it over Riley’s head, and stepped outside and on her front lawn. No time for a full walk, but she hoped Riley would at least buy them some time with at least one quick whizz." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except of course, once outside, Riley calmly and casually sniffed around as if they were going for a peaceful, scenic evening stroll.\n\n“Riley! Go, girl! Go potty!!” she shouted in this impatient but still sing-songy tone, to try and soften the directive and mask the fact that it was no one but Marissa’s fault that they were in such a rush and Riley couldn’t actually relieve herself in leisure, blissful peace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Probably recognizing the same, Riley briefly looked up at her and then returned to her nonchalant browse. After a few, painfully crawling minutes, when she found a spot she was content with, Riley finally lowered her pelvis and let out one long stream." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both relieved, Marissa hurried them both back into the house, barely snatching the leash and collar off of Riley along the way. She could hear the sound as she approached the front door. Bzzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzzzz ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her phone! Yay! It was sounding off from upstairs, although, she knew if it’s buzzing now, that meant it was… 9 O’CLOCK." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a quick debate of whether or not to be without her phone during the interview, where her electronic dependence won, she darted up the stairs and to the direction of the sound. She traced it to the corner of her bedroom, behind the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In addition to her phone, laying peacefully in the corner were the brown slacks she had spent two minutes looking for earlier." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too late for that , she thought and momentarily reflected on essentially being willing to wear grey sweats to a job interview over not having her phone that she wouldn’t actually need during it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She grabbed the phone and sent a quick text message to the recruiter who had arranged the interview, stating she was on her way. Five minutes, she said. At least she could rationalize the phone being useful in that instance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She ran back down and over to her office space, where she spotted her laptop patiently awaiting her from where she had left it the night before. At least one thing I did right , she thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But then, she lifted the screen to find it black, instead of the expected colorful screensaver that usually automatically displayed upon opening, since she always left it on. No power. She looked over at the socket where the laptop was usually plugged up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The full six prong holes were visible, revealing dreadfully that nothing occupied the two slot spaces. Why would I make sure I have the laptop down here last night and NOT the CORD?!? She cursed herself in frustration. Her eyes darted around the room, quickly scanning for it. Nothing. Nowhere." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In her heart of hearts, she knew that cord could in fact be literally anywhere — underneath any number of the piles of things she had strewn in nearly every direction of her office and nearby living room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the verge of lost hope and nearly collapsing in tears, she suddenly remembered the spare cord she had recently bought for this very kind of situation — just to have an extra one around, just in case ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She traced her mind back to a few days ago when the Amazon package arrived — where did she put that package?? Ah! The kitchen. She raced over to the kitchen, and there on the counter was the white package with the blue letters and curved arrows. Amazon. That was it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She ripped it open, to reveal a tough plastic casing with the cord inside. So close. Yet far." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Realizing she wouldn’t be able to open it with her bare hands and that it might not be wise to continue to try with her teeth, she quickened over to her drawer of knives, yanked one out, and stabbed through the container. The cord soon released." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She dashed back over to her office with it in hand and jammed one end into the laptop and the other into the wall. She pressed Power. The black screen quickly took on a glow — perhaps the most beautiful electronic glow she had ever seen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But then, a blue screen with white letters appeared: “Working on updates. Don’t turn off your PC. This will take a while.” “You have got to be kidding me,” she exhaled in disbelief and deep frustration. She knew the update would take at least several minutes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She sat there, eagerly waiting — her eyes bouncing back and forth between the time on her phone and the blue screen in progress, like they were watching a tennis match. Sweat accumulating in tiny pools on her forehead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She found herself trying to will the progress percentages on the screen to go up more quickly. 6%.. 9%… 17%… 23%…… 37%……... 9:04am. 54%………... 67%………….... 85%………………… 9:05am. 93%………………….... 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%…………………………………………………………..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "97 lingered for several more minutes, to the point where she questioned whether the computer had frozen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tears welled in her eyes, as she debated whether it would make more sense to wait a few minutes longer, to see if it continued on its own or if she should restart and risk the whole thing starting all over again. And finally! Exactly two minutes later...98%… 99%……………………... 100." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The computer lingered and thought for a few moments and then finally, the login screen. Her fingers had never typed so fast. They keyed in her username and password with such a quick pace, it was almost as if she had only typed a few keys. “MJPAVKER." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "CAT469@“ Incorrect username or password , the screen read. Noticing the error, she slowed down to make sure she now had the keys right. “MJPARKER. CAT469!” Incorrect username or password. Huh? “MJPARKE—-\" Oh. Caps. She signed deeply. “mjparker." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cat469!” The machine finally recognized her credentials and began logging her in. She tried to wait for all of the usual, default programs to turn on, but they were trickling in, and she saw the clock in the bottom-righthand corner of her laptop screen now read 9:08am." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Zoom application finally opened. As soon as the button became available, she clicked “Join call” and waited for it to load. As it did, she recited in her mind her apology for being late and tried to think of a good-enough reason. Overslept? No." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Family emergency? Nah, too cliche, and might need to keep that in the pocket for a future situation. Internet-connection issues? Hmmm maybe. Finally, the Zoom call began, and she saw she was the only one on screen. The only one in the room. I did click the right meeting, right? she wondered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did they already give up waiting and end the call early? Did the recruiter get my text? She glanced over at the list of event reminders on her Outlook — a list she typically ignored, in finding it more of a nagging nuisance than helpful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But soon, as she looked more closely, her jaw dropped and her eyes widened in horror. Listed towards the middle, it read: “Big job interview with Konnetix. Yesterday at 9am.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rain on my Desteny by Erika Sams" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everything in Amy’s life had led up to this day, an interview for her dream job in publishing. She wasn’t fully qualified, but after a couple white lies on her resume and a slightly unethical amount of pestering, she finally had an actual chance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Destiny must have a fucked-up sense of humor though because she woke up to emergency alerts on her phone followed immediately by a flash of lightening through her bedroom and an angry clap of thunder. Wind whooshed loudly against the house as raindrops tapped the window in persistent unison." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Amy groaned audibly and went to turn on her bedside lamp. It clicked, but nothing happened. Power was out. Amy fell back into her bed, she had a couple hours before her alarm went off, so hopefully it would be back on by then. She reported the outage on her phone and then tried to go back to sleep." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The neighbor’s dog howled loudly enough she could hear, and the sky’s angry growl made it hard to fall back asleep. She wasn’t sure how long she laid there with the pillow over her ears before she finally drifted back off to sleep. Amy woke 3 hours later to sunlight shining through her window." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Panic ran through her spine and with a gasped she jolted into a sitting position. Grabbing her phone, she realizes she needs to be leaving within the next few minutes. It’s still actively raining, though better than it was earlier. She attempts to turn her lamp on, and it still isn’t working." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Throwing her covers off, she stumbles around the room getting herself ready as fast as she can. Without power, she had to brush her teeth with a bottle of water." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Luckily, she had taken a shower the night before, but her hair looked like rats had been playing obstacles in it all night, and without power she couldn’t use her straightener. She used clips and bobby pins laying it as professionally as she could." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Using her phone light to see she did a very quick neutral look and hoped it stood up to the sunlight. She planned on wearing a skirt with her black blazer, but opted for pants due to the weather, still pairing them with her high heeled boots to take on the rain fashionably." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the time she got to her car she was 15 minutes behind schedule; not great, but perhaps leaving her enough time to plead her case when she got there. A bright light shot across the sky and a loud crack followed close behind sending a jolt of anxiety through Amy’s already anxious body." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She should stay home, there was no doubt of it. Still, she persisted cranking her car. It whined at her like a sign from the universe to stay put." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Come on, not today,” she demanded, and like a grumpy but obedient child, her car clanked then cranked, “Yes!” she wanted to cry with victory but would not ruin her makeup over a few thankful tears." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she pulled out of the driveway rain beat against her car so bad she could barely make out where the road was with her wipers on full swing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For any other job on any other day, she would stay home, but this was everything, her dream job, worth risking everything for, a literal once in a lifetime opportunity. As she neared the end of the road, through the wave of rain, she could see a tree collapsed in the road." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Slowing down to esses, the large tree was blocking 75% of the road. She decides to risk it and turn passed the tree on the right side, her car sliding in the mud of the neighbor’s grass, only her two left wheels staying on the pavement." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Branches scratch the side of her car with the most horrifying screech. As she tries to pull back onto the road, her back tire spins. Pressing her gas harder, the tire spins deeper into the ground. She stops, panic tingling through her limbs, panting for breath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Closing her eyes she slows her breaths and begins to inhale deeply. “You can do this,” she tells herself. Opening her eyes with new determination, she slowly presses her gas and gently eases herself forward hoping the left wheel can make up for where the right wheel is stuck." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She moves forward, slowly increasing her pressure on the gas until all wheels are on the pavement. With a squeal of victory, Amy was back on her way. She made it to the highway with no further snags, though it was still hard to see, and she had to drive slower to be safe." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Merging onto the highway, traffic was backed up, moving forward slowly with hazard lights for miles. Amy beats her head to the steering wheel before throwing herself back into the seat screaming in frustration. She is willing herself not to cry, but the tears are prickling against her eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why of all days does it have to be today? Opening her phone Amy calls the publishing house to let them know she still is coming. The number rings and rings until finally a voicemail box answers and she says, “Hi, this is Amy Peirce, I have an interview with Mr. Holland today." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to let you know that I am on my way, I’m just stuck in traffic with this storm. I’m coming and will be there as soon as I can. Thank you for your understanding.” Hanging up the phone she hoped they would understand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They barely gave her this chance and were likely interviewing her so that she would stop bugging them. This was a moment barely won, and nature was responding with a big middle finger. She was on the highway for what felt like an eternity and when she got off it wasn’t much better." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two miles away from her destination there was another tree across the road, only this time it was much larger and fully blocking the road with no way around it. The cars in front of her were making a 3-point turn, and her heart sunk knowing she was going to have to do the same." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was further behind now and had to take a different route which added about 10 minutes to her trip. Finally, she was in the city. Traffic was dense but moving. A small ray of hope with a touch of nervousness, her heartbeat quickened as she felt her destination approaching." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But with gurgles and crackles from the car Amy’s attention was drawn to the gas light and she realized she was running out of gas. “Fuck!” she cursed and quickly moved to the side of the road. She was close enough to make a run for it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Grabbing her bag and her umbrella, she started running down the street. Three blocks down she made a turn and could see the publishing house up in the distance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A gust of wind came straight for her, yanking the umbrella out of her hand, “No!” she cried turning to see her umbrella flying faster than she could run. Thinking quickly, she took off for the publishing house, umbrella be damned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she made it to the office there was an overhang where she stopped to catch her breath. She squatted to the ground gasping for air and trying to compose herself, relief finally spreading through her. She stood, straightened her blazer, wiping her hair back and walked up to the front door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Grabbing the handle and trying to open, the door didn’t budge. Locked. It couldn’t be, she thought. Not after everything she had done to get here. She jerked the door back and forth in desperation, but it didn’t give. Pressing her face against the glass to look inside, the whole place was dark." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stepping back and looking around, she realized every storefront was vacant of lights or clientele. The whole strip was out of power, and everything closed. She couldn’t hold herself together anymore, falling to the ground, her back pressed against the door, Amy wept." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All the frustration, all the hope, the anxiety, and her dreams crumbling in her hands. The what ifs, the anger, she cursed the universe, and it clapped back at her with a boom of thunder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Amy sat defeated on the doorstep of the publishing house for some time with the pieces of broken dreams in her hands. She had only one move left; opening her briefcase, she grabbed her resume, and slid it into the door as best as she could." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps they would have mercy on her for the efforts she made and give her another chance. She then succumbed to her fate and walked through the rain, allowing it to drench her sulking skin. When she made it back to her car there was a yellow slip under her wiper blades." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looking up, she finally noticed the parking meter which in her panic she didn’t think to pay. Grabbing the drenched paper which practically fell apart in her hand, she got into her car, fell apart, and the universe cried with along.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bumps in the Mornin'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The cool dew saturated the entire forest as the morning fog evaporated and crept away. Ginny Mack patrolled the north woods of the Tasanari’s villa right before the spring sunrise streamed over the horizon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her trusty rifle rested on her left shoulder and her favorite Stetson secured light brown hair. It had been two nights and three days since the newlyweds departed. Seravina and Todd , her uncle, decided to enjoy time alone on the estate, with no interference from the outside world." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Vuthbert had traveled, as security, with Mario and Emmy, her cousin, to their destination: a remote cabin in the Appalachian Mountains. The sharpshooter admired the etched gold ring on her right hand. Emmy gave it to her during the reception." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She and Emmy reconciled after their argument before the wedding. Yankees, always think their right. Ginny rolled her eyes and adjusted her hat. She liked the east, but it was too chaotic. She longed for the peace of Wingo, her hometown and her new life there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Tasanari’s were fine people, for city folk, but they had all overstayed their welcome. Vuthbert came to mind and she sighed. His subtle and silent cues to her were hilarious and mysterious. Bert was a challenge; she liked challenges. Tammy got so annoyed by the ogre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before he departed, he had given Ginny a slender dagger carved from an animal bone. She felt for the hand-stitched alligator sheath and removed the knife. She admired the intricate details , balance, and craftsmanship of the weapon." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She maneuvered it around in the air, like he had taught her, and then replaced it. Bert claimed the dagger was beautiful and deadly. She had asked him, ‘Is that what ya think of me?’ He raised his left eyebrow. Ginny blushed. A twig snapped and a curse grumbled from the darkness." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ginny whipped out her .45 caliber revolver from her right hip and flashed a tactical light into the blackness with her left hand. “Better put your hands up, or I’m gonna blow you away.” The shadow shielded its eyes and jumped back in surprise with hands up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Ginny, it’s me Tammy, Tammy Jablonski.” “What are ya doin’ out here? You don’t relieve me for another hour.” She lowered the light but removed a watch from her side pocket. She clicked it open and it illuminated her face in a green glow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Actually two hours.” “Sorry, didn’t mean to bump into you here. I thought you’d be on the other ridge. I’m a bit restless. Figured I would relieve you early.” Tammy put her hands down. “Just anxious about Mario and Emmy’s return. It’s been such a whirlwind; I don’t really know my role anymore." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know?” Ginny closed the watch and holstered her weapon. “Been there before.” The flashlight illuminated the path and they walked together. Tammy said, “I had my whole NYPD career mapped out. Two years as a desk jockey, two on patrol, a detective, and then captain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My life has been turned inside out and upside down with all this magic stuff and funky creatures. I just don’t know what to do.” “I understand,” Ginny replied, “I was in my beloved Oklahoma and bam! I’m in Brooklyn.” She smiled at Tammy. “You miss it don’t ya, New York?” “So much." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The country is great but a tree is a tree, a bird is a bird." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I really miss the city noises: the bustling people, the car horns blazing, the clickety clack of the subway, the rhythm of the living city, and the wonderful aromas of amazing food.” Ginny said, “You’ll be back there before you know it, but now with a higher purpose." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You’ll be just fine.” “I just want it to go back the way it was, you know?” “Yeah, I get it.” Tammy perked up. “Did your uncle give you his watch while he was away?” “Nope.” She proudly pulled it out again. “This is my very own. It was my father’s watch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Todd has been showing me how to use it.” The watch flashed red and then orange before it returned to green. “Huh?” Ginny scratched her head. “Wonder why it did that?” “Did whats?” Tammy asked and reached toward the ground." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“As soon as I opened it and turned it toward…” Tammy raised a large branch and struck Ginny on the base of her skull. She crumbled to the leaves with a hollow thud. ********** Ginny jumped awake and thought a snake was slithering around her waist." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her hands and ankles were tied up with a heavy duty rope. Her head throbbed, her hat had disappeared, and her mouth gagged. A cold chill ran down her spine. Her bare feet were freezing. Bare feet! Tammy tightened the rope around a birch tree and her waist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The police officer placed her mutinous boot covered right foot on the tree and pulled the restraint taut. Ginny glared at the traitor. She winced and then grunted at her captor. “I had no choice,” Tammy said, “I’m sorry, Ginny. You have been great, but Ms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Josie promised to clear my memories of all this, this crap, and make me human again.” Ginny stared at her stolen custom leather cowboy boots and growled. “They fit perfect and look good.” Tammy boasted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I know why you love them, but you won’t be needing them, so.” Ginny’s puzzled face allowed Tammy to continue. “On the night Emmy was shot, the spider creatures must have spit on me. Probably, when we ran through the park” She tossed Ginny’s rifle and revolver into the woods." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I thought I had a rash from being in the woods. I am deadly allergic to poison ivy. The black mark grew worse and then I became a monster! I have lost half my teeths.” Ginny cringed at the grotesque smile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“The physical strength is awesome, but I just sucked a baby dear dry not two hundred feet from heres. It’s horrifyings!” Ginny groaned more questions. “While Josie was in the house, she recognized I had become this thing. She had pity on me and used her magics on me and healed me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She promised to heal me completely if I got her this.” She showed Ginny the pocket watch. “This is my ticket to my old lifes.” She kissed it. Ginny protested and struggled to get free. “Sorry again, Ginny, but a girl gotta do what a girl gotta do." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My spider side wants to eats you, but my human side can’t kill you. So, I tied you up near the den of my coyotes. They can finish the job.” Ginny snarled her thanks. “Just one more things.” Tammy smirked. Ginny glanced up. “Night, nights.” A club smashed Ginny unconscious again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "********** Strange voices and growling surrounded Ginny in the darkness. It smelled like wet dog and pine, yet warm and comfortable: the coyote’s den. She opened her eyes to a complete black interior, so she shut them. The more she listened to the growls, the more she understood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She translated the animal noises and yips into the hissing of broken words and phrases. “Tam Tams want us not eats girls, tils Tam Tams howls.” The loudest coyote said, “Girls must be awake before wees eats her.” Another coyote snarled, “Tam Tams nots here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She not knows.” A third one said, “Pack hungry. Pack musts eats.” “Lets wakes girls up, then wees eats.” A fourth one said. “No! Tam Tams musts howls first. Tam Tam alpha.” The loud one growled. “Sounds like you alphas, Scruff.” A fifth one snapped. The other beasts howled in agreement." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Yous talk braves now, Skunk,” Scruff replied, “buts yous wets yous fur whens Tam Tam attacks us.” The other coyotes snickered at Skunk. “Remembers,” Scruff said, “Tam Tams promises us big magics if wees waits until girls awake. Thens we attacks at dusk with others. Wees waits for howls." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eats rabbits if hungries. Skunk! Outsides! Now!” Ginny heard a loud jaw snap and a high pitched whimper. The pack scampered outside probably to hunt or fight. The den was silent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ginny considered her deadly predicament: Tarachtan Tammy had promised the coyotes Ginny’s magic, but human Tammy had given her a chance, a scorpion’s chance against her rifle, yet a chance. Her wrists and ankles were still tied. If she conjured a blue orb, the coyotes would see it and pounce on her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She remembered and searched for the bone knife. It was still there. The prisoner removed it from the sheath and placed it between her feet. The sharp blade sliced the bonds with ease. With her hands free, Ginny cut the leg restraints." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She untied the bandanna gag, but remade it to cover over her nose and mouth. She slipped the knife in her left hand and slowly crawled toward the sound of fighting canines. As she inched closer to the snarling, bits of sunlight guided her to the elusive exit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Inch by inch, she silently reached the opening. The captive peeked over the edge and spotted the pack, just fifty feet away, in a fighting circle. She counted at least ten jackals. Scruff, the loud one, had been thrashing a coyote with black and white fur, Skunk." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the soft light, Ginny created and hid an electric orb in her right hand. She crawled out of the den undetected and stood. She readied to launch the orb into the woods as a distraction, but her gold ring absorbed the power. The orb vanished." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A distant coyote howl grabbed everyone’s attention and halted the fight. The entire pack froze, closed their angry eyes, lifted their wicked heads, and responded with a chilling chorus. Ginny used the distraction and stepped behind the den unseen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the coyotes’ song continued, she bolted west back to the mountain villa. Her long running strides through the leaves and branches would be detected in seconds. Her eyes spotted an old maple tree a hundred yards away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If she could reach it, before the pack began their pursuit, she could climb up high and hide. Ginny sprinted as loud howls and intense shrieks from the wild creatures deafened her ears. Scruff bellowed, “Gets her yous fools, sniffs her out. Finds the magics!” Fifty yards. Forty yards. Thirty yards." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The young lady toppled in the air. Ginny’s weary legs tripped on a rotten log and she ingloriously crashed into a slimy pile of leaves. Instant pain pulsed from her left ankle. She restrained a scream of agony. Sticky leaves clung to her sweat drenched hair and clothes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The pack rushed to the abrupt sound with their reckless paws thundering toward her position. She could not escape. Ginny closed her eyes as the bloodthirsty wild dogs sprinted directly at her. Tears cascaded to the brown foliage as she remembered the good times with her uncle and Bert." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The coyotes sprung into the air with ravenous teeth bared and bulging eyes. Two dozen canines rummaged around the leaves and sniffed the air around her. Ginny did not move a muscle. The pack whimpered, cried, and turned around in circles. “Wheres girls?” Scruff barked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He howled directly in Ginny’s face, but turned away and bit Skunk on the rear. The tortured coyote yelped and ran off. Scruff snarled at the rest of the jackals. “Shes here. Finds her! Or yous out of the…” A clear beautiful trumpet blast echoed in the valley." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All the beasts lifted their heads up in surprised fear. A second blaring created havoc and whimpers among the terrified coyotes. The final boom of the horn forced Ginny to cover her ears and the pack fled deep into the forest away from the torturous sound waves. Vuthbert appeared moments later." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He ran toward her in pursuit of the coyotes. Ginny yelled for her friend, but the ogre ignored her and lumbered past. He placed his left hand over his mouth and nose and trumpeted another blast from the black horns swirled around his ears. He vanished over the eastern ridge." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ginny struggled to her feet and screamed in tears. Several branches and twigs moved behind her. She spun around to see Emmy and Mario jogging toward her. They each held a sword and a blue electric orb. Ginny hollered and waved her arms, but they did not hear or see her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The couple’s orbs flew out of their hands and landed at Ginny’s feet. Ginny reached down and cautiously touched one sphere. Boom! The ball violently rattled and exploded into blue shock waves which blasted the three humans deeper into the woods." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "*********** A lone black and white coyote spotted three bodies laying still among the dark forest debris. Sniffing around each body, Skunk lifted his head to howl to the pack, but paused. A devious smile crossed his tarachtan face. “Skunk, find three magics; Skunk gets all praises and all the powers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Skunk be alphas. Tam Tams and Masters wants Emmys untouched. Two magics for mees.” Skunk salivated over the possibilities. His head swayed back and forth between Ginny and Mario’s unconscious bodies. As he stepped toward the man, four black tentacles emerged through his mangy fur along his spine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Saliva dripped from the hungry coyote’s lower jaw as he moved closer to Mario. His instinct was to rip out the man’s throat, but the tentacles instructed the coyote to feast another way. The creature drooled as he stood over the prey. A single drop escaped and crawled to the exposed human hand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The skin sizzled and blackened. A twig broke. Skunk turned around too late. An indigo electric ball slammed into the surprised canine and sent him flying thirty feet into the woods. The coyote cried out when it crashed. “Stay away from my husband, evil creature!” Emmy yelled from the forest floor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The creature jumped up with smoking fur and charged his attacker. “Time to dies, Emmys!” Skunk screamed and leapt at her. Emmy created a body shield in the nick of time. As the coyote landed on the magical barrier, she extended her legs and pushed the shield and the dog back in the air over her head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The tarachtan landed on its tentacles and rushed her again. Before it could reach her, a silver sword sliced through the air and beheaded the beast. The snarling coyote’s head and body materialized into a white salt pillar. The twisted remains fell and shattered on the dry leaves." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mario said, “No one messes with my wife.” “Why do they all know my flippin’ name?” Emmy said and turned to Mario. “You look heroic.” He shrugged and ran to his wife’s side. “Thanks. I didn’t know you could make a shield.” Emmy dusted off her pants. “Vina showed me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, what’s wrong with your hand?” Mario lifted his left hand and two fingers were covered in dark spots. “Ouch! I don’t know. It burns.” “It is the mark of the tarachtan.” Bert’s deep baritone startled them both. “Princess Emmy place an orb around the sickness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now!” Emmy obeyed and electricity surrounded the digits. “Prince Mario, you have been infected with the creature’s saliva which is incurable. The magic will only slow the progress. If I do not cut it out, you will become a horrible beast.” “I understand.” Mario winced. “Like surgery?” “No." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I must sever your fingers now. If we linger, then the hand or forearm.” Emmy protested, “No! There has to be another way!” “There is no time.” Bert said. “Kill the fingers, save the man.” “Do it Vuthbert.” Mario said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“I don’t need fingers for dancing with my wife.” “As you wish.” The ogre unsheathed his blood-stained dagger. “Emmy, use your magic to push back the darkness. Once I cut, the sparks shall seal the wound.” Emmy grunted and increased her power against the infection." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She removed the black from the ring finger. Mario smiled at her. But the hideous filth counterattacked and recaptured the finger and dominated the entire hand. Mario winced. Without warning, the magic surged and the plague retreated back to the pinky." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Do it now, Bert!” Ginny said, “I can’t hold it much longer!” The purple giant severed the ebony finger from Mario’s body. The young man cried out and fell to the ground in agony. Emmy embraced her man. In exhaustion, Ginny leaned against her ogre friend." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Did you get all the jackals?” The ogre raised his left eyebrow. He scooped up all three in his massive arms and sprinted back to the mountain house. “Thanks,” Ginny said, “It’s been one helluva mornin’.”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Have Faith" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hate being late. My hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter. There’s a tightening in my chest as I look the never ending traffic jam before me. This is before the times of GPS on our phones given us alternative routes to take. So, I’m just stuck." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I used google maps get the directions the night before. Also, I drove up a couple days ago, but I not coming from home today. So, it’s not exactly the same thing. I looked at the directions to familiarize myself with which exit to take, and the names of streets to look out for." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I left feeling prepared. I like to think of myself as a patient person. Traffic normally, isn’t a cause for alarm. I’ll turn my music up, and just wait out. But not today. Today, even I feel rushed. I have an interview for a job I really want. It’s for a Night Manager position in San Francisco." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It’s a part-time job and a I get a studio apartment as part of my compensation.\n\nI did everything right. I drove to the location over the weekend, so I could get an idea of where to park." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I laid my clothes out last, and put them in the car, so that I could change into them after my last class at San Francisco State University. The only thing I couldn’t predict was the traffic. I don’t anything about the traffic in San Francisco.\n\n“Maybe, I shouldn’t even go now.” I say aloud." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“What are the chances of getting the job after showing up late to the interview?” My armpits start tingling, a sign that I’m starting to sweat. I know that stress sweat smells worse than normal sweat. I smell my left pit to make sure my deordarant is still working. So, far so good. I’m still fresh." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I look at myself in the rear view mirror. I smile. My brown skin is flawless. My teeth are perfect. I take a deep breath. “No, the job is mine. I believe it’s mine. I want it. And if it’s mine, really mine then it’s still mine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It won’t matter that I’m a few minutes late.” I remind myself that I have help. Jessica, my mom’s friend found the position for me. She’s already talked to David about me. The interview is just a formality. I got this. I can do this job." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turn the music off, and reach for my phone.\n\n“Hello David, this is Nichole Campbell, and I’m looking forward to meeting with you.” I force myself to slow down, and breathe normally. “Just wanted you to know that I’m sitting in traffic. I am on my way.” “Ohhhh kay." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How far away are you?” “I’m not sure. In normal traffic I’m almost there. I’d been there in about ten minutes.” i know that because of my drive up the other day. I feel so smart. I knew it was a good idea to make that extra trip. “But unfortunately traffic is dead locked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’ll be there as soon as I can.” “Okay.” I wince at how unimpressed he sounds. I can hear the doubt in his voice. He hangs up without saying goodbye or anything.\n\n“The job is mine. So, it’s still mine.” At a snail’s pace I maneuver through traffic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Forty minutes after my phone call I pull up to the apartment complex. I was planning to park on one of the surrounding alleys, so that I wouldn’t have to worry about meters. But I don’t want to take even more time hunting for a place to park." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, I pull up to a meter, and hope that I have enough change. I only have seventy-five cents. I say a silent prayer that it will be enough. I put in my change and it gives me eighteen minutes. I feel panic-stricken. I want the interview to go well. Eighteen minutes isn’t enough time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He know that I’m rushing, and after I made him wait all this time. I catch myself, and take a deep breath. “All is well. My car is fine. All is well.” I walk up to the front gate and push the button for the front desk. “Hi, I’m Nichole. David is expecting me.” The gate opens." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I step into the courtyard, and wait paitently for the front door to open. It does and step inside. The desk clerk is a heavyset woman with cinnamon brown skin. Normally, I would be happy to see another woman of color, but this one has a fake smile plastered on her face. I do my best to ignore it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“How often do they check the meters. I only had enough for about 20 minutes? I’m Nichole by the way.” “You said that already. They come by here about once an hour. They just went by about ten minutes ago. So, you should be okay.” Relief washes over my body. It’s a sign. David is in his office." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It’s on the 3rd floor directly across from the elevator.” “Thanks.” I look around the lobby. The elevator is stratight ahead, and the door for the stairs is in the far right corner. Normally, I like to take the stairs, but remembering my tingling pits I decide to take the elevator." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I look straight ahead until the elevator doors open. I wait for the doors to close behind me before turning around. “If the job is mine, it’s still mine.” I repeat quietly to myself. I step off the elevator just as David’s door opens. I white man walks up to me and extends his hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His face is stern, but his eyes give him away.\n\nI take his hand and shake it firmly. “David, it’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for meeting with me.” His hard expression melts away and he smiles warmly, and directs me into his office." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All the tension disappears from my body as I step into this office. I know the job is mine.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the Bridge" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt my mobile ping in the pocket of my new pink winter coat which I had purchased specially for this trip to London." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Leaving my long-suffering husband behind in Australia, I had made this trip to spend time with my brother, cousins and long-time friends from boarding school days. It was a way of celebrating 70 years of life on this planet with my English family. Also because of Covid I hadn’t seen any of them for about 4 years.\n\nLooking at the phone I saw it was a text from the man himself. A long text too. I opened it up, starting to read it while walking across the bridge to the Tate Modern Museum. Laughing on reading his description of his last rehearsal for the play he was doing, I suddenly found myself literally in the arms of a young woman." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A young woman who was shaking with terror, clutching me like she had seen a ghost. Looking at her face, I realised that I recognised her. “Charlotte”,I said incredulously. Charlotte’s wide eyes looked up at me in astonishment ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Mary”, she said, “What are you doing here?” “I am going to meet some friends at the Tate … “ but I couldn’t finish my sentence as Charlotte put her hand over my mouth, starting to drag me the opposite way from the museum. “Please keep walking, don’t look back”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On saying this she took my arm, pulled her hood up over her head ,rushing me on like there was no tomorrow. Trying to stop her, to make some sense of these bizarre actions, I pulled her into a bit of a shelter under the bridge." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Charlotte, what is going on? I have to meet my friends in twenty minutes. I need to have some explanation”. I watched her look around , moving her head in staccato type shakes. It seemed like she was looking for someone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just as she started to speak, she pulled me in front of her so that she was hidden by me and the bridge pillar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Lucky she is shorter than me”, I thought, following the direction in which she was looking. I saw a man, stockily built, wearing a baseball cap, just leaving the bridge. He was looking all around him, very determinedly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could feel Charlotte rigidly pressed against my back. I retrieved my mobile from my coat pocket and pretended to be speaking to someone. As I made a furtive glance in his direction, I saw him take a cursory look at me, but then turn away and in what was obviously a fit of pique, throw his cap on the ground." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He lit a cigarette, with somewhat trembling hands , pick up his hat and slowly move on. “In a voice absolutely quaking with fear, Charlotte whispered, “Where is he now?” Checking that he had disappeared into the crowd, I whishpered “ He’s gone now, I can’t see him any more”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turned around, taking this fearful girl in my arms, holding her until she eventually calmed down. I had known Charlotte since she was about 13. She had gone to school with my daughter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her mother was one of my closest friends. I knew she had been living and working in London, also travelling around Europe. All had been going well according to her mum so what on earth had gone wrong. I was determined to find out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In fact for her mother’s sake I must find out. First I texted my friends to tell them that I couldn’t meet them, that something very urgent had come up . Explanations later. Taking Charlotte by the hand, saying to her, “We need a coffee. There is a café over the other side of the street." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Let’s go there, perhaps you can enlighten me as to what the trouble is.” Looking very scared, Charolotte nodded, but then whispered, “What if he comes back?”. “Well, we’re in luck”, I replied. My cousin manages this café, that’s why I suggested it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can ask her to give us a coffee in her office, so we won’t be seen from the street”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Relaxing a little, Charlotte let herself be guided into the café. I quickly told Sal, what we needed. She was great, no questions asked. Immediately we found ourselves being propelled to her office, and in minutes , 2 steaming hot mugs of coffee were in front of us." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could see that Charlie, as she liked to be called, was still in quite a state, nervously wringing her hands, looking about her, not able to look me in the eye. When I thought back to the last time I had seen her, which was at her twenty first party, the difference was palpable. That was a year ago." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There I had seen a confident, attractive young woman with her life in front of her. She had been Head girl at her school, gone through University with flying colours, but not wanting to join the work force straight away, she had decided to travel." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My cousin briefly popped her head through the door checking that we were okay. I nodded. Smiling she left us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took the bull by the horns, addressing the elephant in the room. “Charlie what is going on? I want to help. I have a lot of contacts here in London, including my brother with whom I am staying, so please I am here to listen, not to judge”. She took a big gulp of her from her mug." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She put it slowly back on the table, a deep breath, before at last looking me in the eye, she started to unburden herself. “Thank you. I am not sure you or anyone can help me but I have to tell someone or I will go mad." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was contemplating throwing myself off the bridge, but I knew I couldn’t do that to my mother with my dad’s death so recent” . Tears came into her eyes and I took her hand. She continued, “ As you know after Uni I wanted to travel. Mum had friends here in London so here I came." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I got a job in a pub, found a room to rent with two girls and a guy. All was fine and I was enjoying myself. The guy, Brian, was really nice, took me out to different pubs, night clubs. We even went away to Cambridge for a few nights." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was really idyllic.” She stood up, moving around the room, or perhaps pacing would be more accurate, while racounting the next bit of her narrative. “After our trip to Cambridge I began to notice a difference in Brian. When we went out he started to become very possessive." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If another guy even looked at me, he would make us leave, telling me that it was my fault. I shouldn’t be such a flirt, shouldn’t dress the way I did, on and on like that.  I tried to reason with him but he wouldn’t listen”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gently I asked, “Why did you stay with him Charlie?” She started pacing with even more intensity, “Believe me I didn’t want to. I started furtively looking for other places to rent. Eventually I found a room in Camden, not so convenient for my job but I had to get away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One of the other girls was a real help and between the two of us we managed to move my stuff while Brian was working. I breathed such a sigh of relief my first night there, slept properly the first time in ages. However, the next night I had just returned from my shift at the pub when there was a loud knocking on the door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I ran to open it so it didn’t waken the rest of my housemates. There he was looking like thunder. He was the maddest I had ever seen him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He pushed past me, then turning, dragged me into the kitchen where he grabbed me, shoving my arm right up behind my back, yelling abuse at me, continually twisting my arm”. She showed me the bruises on her right arm. Poor girl, they were awful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tears started flowing down her face. I got up, took her in my arms, just holding her, until she gathered herself together. “Look Charlie, it is obvious that you need help." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you will allow me, I am going to speak to my cousin about all this. Her husband is a social worker, so I think he might be able to help. But for tonight I am going to take you back to my brother’s where I know you will be safe”." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat her down in her chair, then went through to the café to sort things out with Sal. Of course she was immediately on the case, promising to talk to her husband Mark about it tonight. I returned to the back room to find Charlie sitting staring into space, hardly acknowledging that I had returned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gathered up our things, helped her back on with her jacket, then after saying goodbye and a big thank you to Sal, we left to make our way to Waterloo station, a five minute walk. We walked in silence, each thinking our own thoughts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“She can sleep with me”, I thought, “I know John won’t mind”. He is a very kind man, and a super brother. Arriving at Waterloo I sussed out the next train to St. Margarets, my brother’s station." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We had half an hour to wait. As we had had no lunch, I suggested to Charlie that we go into Pret a Manger to buy a sandwich. She said she wasn’t hungry but came with me anyway." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was at the counter ordering when there was a violent tugging at my sleeve, Charlie was almost beside herself. “I have just seen him, he’s here, what am I going to do? Oh my God, I don’t know what to do”. I finished paying, then taking her by the hand led her to a table at the back of the café." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Where did you see him? Did he see you?”. “On the concourse, wandering around. I don’t think he saw me but it is obvious he is looking for me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How did he get here, how did he know I would be here? He must have followed us from the café because I never come to this station.” The words came tumbling out of her at the rate of knots? My brain was doing cartwheels, trying to think what was best to do. Waterloo station was a very busy station, so hopefully we could camouflage ourselves among the crowd." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then a brainwave of an idea sprung into my head . The Ladies.\n\n“OK, let’s grab your sandwich, we need strength Charlie. Then we will check that the coast is clear and go to the Ladies. We can stay there until just before our train is due." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With any luck Brian will have given up and gone away. She was too distraught to gainsay this suggestion so we put  the sandwiches into my bag, or I should say squashed them in. Then we left the café, Charlie looking all around before exiting. “Let’s go now”." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pulling her along we almost ran to the Ladies, luckily nearby, flew down the steps, put our pounds in the turnstyle and went through.  I told Charlie to go into a cubicle and I would wait outside, and would knock on the door three times when it was time to come out. Fortunately it wasn’t very busy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have never known twenty minutes tick by at such a slow speed. Every time I checked my phone for the time it seemed to have only moved by a minute. Eventually with five minutes to catch our train it was time to perform the knock, keep our fingers crossed and bolt for the train." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We exited the rather unsalubrious toilets, with me holding onto Charlie’s arm, asking her, “Any sign?”. She shook her head. I checked the board to find the platform, which was, as usual, number 16." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hurrying through the barrier I steered us into the last carriage, thinking that would be the safest or at least furthest away from the barrier." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We settled into two seats opposite each other without saying anything. The train whistle blew simultaneously with a little scream and massive intake of breath from Charlie. “Oh my God, there he is, getting on the train” ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I followed her gaze, seeing the guy with a baseball cap, dressed in black, that I had seen on the bridge, leaping into the third carriage. We were in the sixth. Her wide scared eyes looked at me pleadingly. “Ok, toilets again, I’m afraid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They are just through that door at the end of this carriage. You have time if you go now”. She didn’t need telling twice. Up, like a bullet out of a gun, she was gone. My heart was beating furiously. I knew now we couldn’t  get off at St." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Margarets, as he was bound to follow us, then he would know where Charlie was staying. “Thank God”, I thought that my brother was home today." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If we get off at Twickenham, the next station on, I could liaise with John for somewhere to pick us up, therefore, fingers crossed, losing Brian in the process. I texted John, alerting him to the current situation. He texted back with an alternative suggestion. “Get off at Clapham Junction." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Always crowded, easier to lose someone, then catch the next train to St. M. Good luck KIT”.  I broke out in a smile at his use of our code, KIT, meaning, Keep in touch .“Crikey, it’s like detective fiction”, I mused replying with a thumbs up emoji." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pulled my crossword out of my bag, but couldn’t concentrate. I kept looking up every few minutes to see if Brian had entered our carriage. As the train was easing into Clapham Junction I hastened to the toilets, knocking on the door. A white faced Charlie appeared." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“We are getting out here, I will explain in a minute”. Nervously looking around she nodded. Once again time seemed to stand still as the train took for ever to draw into the station and for the doors to open." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I let her out first, then just as I was leaving the train, I turned back to check that there was no sign of Brian. I was just about to say, “All okay”, when I saw him. He was entering our carriage. He spotted us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Immediately he started speeding up so he could make the doors before they closed. As I was telling Charlie to run, I saw him leap off the train, starting to follow us. I had no idea which way we should go. My only motive was to lose him in the crowd. We squeezed on to a very packed escalator." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Go, Go,” I yelled to her. “Sorry, sorry, emergency”, I was saying to people as we pushed past them. He, too, was doing his best to catch up with us. However, luck was on our side. An old woman with an enormous amount of shopping stood blocking him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Desperately trying to get past her, she refused to give way muttering obscenities at him. It may have been my imagination, but I could swear she looked at me with a twinkle in her eye. “God does indeed move in mysterious ways”, I thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Desperately looking at the platforms to see where there was a train we could catch, also trying to keep a backwards eye on Brian, and a forwards eye on Charlie, I felt myself beginning to panic. “Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean” I muttered to myself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Words a friend had passed on to me, that helped keep him sane in his crazy workplace. We were still running, when I saw with great relief an electronic sign giving information about the Twickenham train. It was leaving in one minute." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dragging Charlie up the stairs,nearly pulling her arm out of her socket, poor girl, we just managed to catch the train with twenty seconds to spare. We sank down exhausted into the only two seats available on opposite sides of the carriage. Looking out of the window I saw Brian on the platform, despairingly looking up and down it, but amazingly not looking into the departing train." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I put my fingers up in a V sign to Charlie. I could see her sink back into her seat in relief. Then I rang my brother asking him to pick us up at Twickenham. I didn’t want to risk getting out at St Margarets. No questions asked, he told me where he would pick us up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He would make sure he was there waiting for us. Never had the sign saying Twickenham been so beautiful. We alighted, still hurrying up the stairs, still looking behind us. No sign of him. Parked across the road was the welcome sight of John’s blue Mazda ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not bothering to wait for the pedestrian signals, we hurried across the road and into the life saving vehicle. John could see we were both spent, so didn’t bother with small talk, just looked at me questioningly. I nodded, “All ok”. We reached John’s upstairs flat in St." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Margarets where he poured us both a brandy. The story was told over a couple more brandies, then Charlotte asked if she could lie down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taking her through to the bedroom, she gave me the most enormous hug. “How am I ever going to thank you”. I smiled hugging her back, “Just buy me some Haigh’s chocolates when you are back home”. A small laugh emanated from her, “I think that will be as soon as I can get a plane ticket”.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Murphy's Law" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nayeli usually loved the bustle of Downtown LA in the morning. It was frantic, panicked; packed with pedestrians and cars, fighting for the privilege of moving first. The air was filled with the smell of coffee, eggs, hot dogs from the night before, and yes, piss and shit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She loved hearing the hodgepodge of languages as people passed: English, Spanish, Tagalog, Italian, Arabic. She adored her city and its moments of occasional chaos. But not today." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Today, of all days, she had slept through her alarm, which she never did and was racing against time to make the interview that could change her life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trying to get out of the apartment had proved nearly impossible, because of course, her dog Nacho had chosen that this particular morning was ideal for chewing Nayeli’s favorite pair of heels to a leather pulp, forcing her to find another pair that matched her outfit." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And obviously, since she was in a hurry, Nacho chose to follow her around, getting under her feet and causing her to trip and spill hot coffee all over herself which made her have to choose an entirely different set of clothes, when she had spent weeks putting together the perfect outfit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And now, here she was, pounding the pavement of the streets of LA, powerwalking in a pencil skirt that was almost too tight and heels that were a bit too high. She cursed herself for not having more skirts, more shoes to choose from. In her head, she went over possible questions they could ask her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why are you applying for this position? What makes you qualified? What can you contribute? She practiced her answers, replacing words with better words, more articulated, refined, exquisite. Exquisite? Exquisite." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because of her mental focus, because even though she was in a hurry and walking as fast as humanly possible, she was mentally a million miles away and didn’t notice the blockade until it was right in front of her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She halted, once again spilling coffee from her to-go mug onto her blouse, but she couldn’t even get mad because she didn’t have time. She looked at the blockade, this impossibly wide, large and long blockade that seemed to stretch for blocks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This blockade that hadn't been there a week ago, but of course, today was in front of her, forcing her to figure out a different route. She stared at the men working, drilling holes into the street, and cursed them. One man looked up and locked eyes with her and winked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Knowing she didn’t have time to stand there and yell like she wanted to, she turned around and backtracked. “If I walk back two blocks and make a right, I should get there,” she thought. “On time,” she prayed. “Please let me be on time.” She was borderline atheist, but not today." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Today she hoped that a higher power was listening. Because it wasn’t just any job. It was the dream job. A boss job. A job where she could be the one to make the decisions, to call the shots, to be able to finally put all her years of experience and knowledge to practice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had spent so damn long working for people who didn’t know what they were doing, who didn’t listen, who chose to focus on the wrong things." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And while she knew she wasn’t perfect; she knew her field and she was tired of seeing unqualified people get ahead because they were someone’s friend or relative. She could make her own schedule, and yes goddamit, she could finally get paid what she deserved." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And she actually had a chance because Patricia Rodriguez, the CEO, the big boss, the badass Chingona she was going to meet today, was known to hire women who hustled and collaborated and made smart, efficient, decisions; and Nayeli was that. She was all of that." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Having not learned her lesson the first time, she was too lost in thought to notice that the clouds had darkened, that the air had suddenly chilled. It was Spring in all its bipolar glory. The sky thundered and Nayeli screamed in surprise." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Oh no, please God, no,” she said, and the old woman walking next to her laughed, “Spring in Los Angeles! Am I right?” Nayeli looked at the woman but said nothing. Merely gaped. She was frozen in anxiety." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The old woman’s smile turned to a frown, and she hurried away, probably assuming that Nayeli was crazy or angry or an idiot. Maybe all three. Nayeli stood in the middle of the sidewalk, trying to decide her best course of action, when the rain began to pour. It was sudden, loud, and all consuming." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was not a light drizzle but a full-on storm. She darted under a nearby liquor store awning, fighting tears and the urge to scream. She could keep going, she could run until she got there, showing up soaking wet and tattered and tired and sweaty and cold." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She could call and tell them that she was sick, but glancing at her phone, she knew that if she was going to do that, she should have done it at least an hour ago. She had five minutes, and she knew that the building was ten minutes away and that was only if she ran like she was an Olympic athlete." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which she wasn’t. It was too late to call and cancel. It was too late to call and explain. It was too late to even call an uber and with traffic the way it was, she was more likely to get there sooner if she ran." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She cursed the sky and the God she didn’t really believe in; she cursed Nacho (ok not really. She could never curse Nacho); she cursed herself for sleeping through her alarm in the first place." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked at the rain, at the people running by, trying to stay dry by using their tiny newspapers or briefcases or business jackets that weren’t made for rain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No one had an umbrella because even though they knew that Spring was wild and unpredictable, they were still Angelenos who believed in their constant sun. She fought back tears and committed to the only option that was left. She took off her heels and ran out from underneath the awning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tried not to think about all the different diseases her thinly stockinged feet were coming into contact with. She jumped over potholes and cracks in the pavement. She ran through crosswalks even when the giant red hand told her to stop, and the speeding cars missed her by mere inches." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She could feel her blouse sticking to her skin and ignored the catcalls from passing cars. She could see her destination a block away. Surprising even herself, she picked up speed, and at long long last stopped in front of the building that contained her destiny." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stood, looking up at the glorious tower of steel. She was here. Soaking wet, out of breath, but she was here. She looked at her phone. Twenty minutes late. Ok. Not great." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not a great start and yes, they would probably be taken aback by her appearance, but she could explain, couldn’t she? She could explain and they would see. They would understand. She walked in and ignored the open mouthed, security guard and walked into the elevator and pressed the 18 th floor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The top floor. The boss floor. She closed her eyes and tried to empty her mind, to clear it, to be open and ready and calm and forthcoming. She ignored the puddle she left on the elevator floor as she stepped out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She kept her gaze focused on the front desk and smiled at the clearly shocked young man sitting behind it. “H-h-hi,” he stammered trying not to stare too hard and failing miserably, “how can I help you?” “I’m here to see Patricia Rodriguez. I’m Nayeli Cruz." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I’m a little late unfortunately,” Nayeli responded in what she hoped was a confident, reasonable, no-I-am-not-an-insane-person tone. “Oh,” he said, “Patricia isn’t here. She’s out sick. We emailed all of her appointments this morning to reschedule.” ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dream Job" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was just the two of them. Ben, sitting on a barstool under a dim light fixture. Shalene Mond, the leggy brunette actress from that horror movie The Terror of Tomorrow to his right enjoying a nightcap. Dinner had been perfect. A few laughs. A few truths the tabloids didn’t even know." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few times their eyes met during sips or bites that caused beads of sweat to form on his neck. It felt like a dream. Across the bar, Ben could hear a guitar strumming but didn’t think the place had live music. He searched for the source of the music, finding no one." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But the acoustic melody got louder. It surrounded him. A cacophony that felt all too familiar. He opened his eyes to see a small light emitting from his nightstand, knowing his phone was flashing its usual 6:03 a.m. at him. Without looking, he instinctively leaned over and tapped around." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pressed the button so that the light was off and the guitar was silenced for what he hoped were nine more fantastic minutes. When his eyes closed, he returned to the ambient bar he created." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Knowing he had a finite amount of time, he looked at Shalene and tossed her a wry, confident smile as he leaned into her left ear. “You want to get out of here?” She smiled, tossed back the remnants of her gin and tonic, and reached out her hand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He grabbed it, led her out of the bar, and they began the walk to his car. The actress told Ben of her hometown, which was close to his." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She talked of a time in Vancouver – where she filmed that one movie people thought got snubbed during awards season – when she laughed so hard at a joke from Jax Mason that berry-flavored sparkling water shot out of her nose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He imagined it was close to the laugh she was making telling the story while they walked hand-in-hand. They continued walking for what felt like both forever and less than a moment. Ben swore his car was closer than the miles they seemed to be wandering." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even though it was a dream, he couldn’t conjure his car any closer but savored their time together. When they reached his jet-black Porsche, the sunrise blasted onto the street, blinding them both. Shalene put her hand above her eyes as a visor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ben took the light in its entirety, unable to shield himself. The white glow blazed through his surroundings enveloping everything in its wake. He opened his eyes again to see the same radiant sun shining through his blinds for real." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a little odd to see, as it was still quite dark when he hit snooze on his alarm. Stretching his arms above his head, he contorted his stiff body out of the bed and grabbed his phone. 7:47 a.m. “Oh no,” Ben said aloud. “No. No." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No…Dammit, no!” The stop button was only a millimeter away from the snooze, but that could create a mile-wide gap between him and the job he had always wanted. His interview with Channel 9 news was at 8:30 a.m." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Screw the date night in his made-up fantasy land, his goal of being a cameraman for the news was a reality within reach. Being at the helm of filming history all started with not messing things up with a bad first impression, and he only had 43 minutes to make that happen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His Maps app said the station was 23 minutes away before traffic, so he did not have time to waste. Ben leaped from the bed and threw his phone onto the comforter in one motion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He moved with rapid intent to the shower, his head outstretched in front of the rest of his body like a sprinter pining for Olympic gold. The faucet nozzle was nearly ripped off the tiled wall, not waiting for the water to get hot. One pump of a shampoo/conditioner combo, rub, rinse, done." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two pumps of body wash straight into his hands – the washcloth not worth the precious seconds – led to an efficient, full-body pat down not even the best TSA agent could achieve. With the faucet back at rest, Ben swiped the day-old, dry-ish towel from the hook near the shower door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He counted Mississippis in his head as the water flecked off his body. He made his way back to the bed and grabbed his phone. 7:51 a.m . Four minutes — a militaristic record. Ben turned to the closet and grabbed his lone suit. It wasn’t even technically a suit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was a suit jacket that he purchased on sale for his grandmother’s funeral. The accompanying black pants aligned closer to jeans than suit pants. He grabbed the white button-down shirt that hung next to the jacket and went nearly two at a time, joining the buttons from his neck to his waist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When he got to the bottom of the shirt, the left side flapped around longer than the right by roughly one button length. Ben sighed, clenching his jaw as he tore the buttons apart and started from scratch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He tucked the finished shirt into the mostly-black pants and tightened it together with a slightly darker belt. Throwing on the jacket to complete the ensemble, he stole a quick glance at himself in the mirror and found a gradient of black shades from head to toe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not like he was applying to be in front of the camera, after all. Pulling his car keys off the kitchen counter and his phone from the bed, Ben found 7:56 a.m. staring back at him before he holstered his phone in his pocket." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He ran down the three flights of stairs from his apartment to the building’s adjacent parking lot. Mashing the unlock button on the key fob for his worn-out Hyundai Elantra, he could see the taillights strobe back and forth as he approached the car." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ben rested his hand on the top of the sedan as he caught a singular breath and whipped the jacket off, opened the door, and dropped the already sweaty garment in the passenger seat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Turning the keys in the ignition after he typed the news station into his Maps app, Ben plugged his phone into the charger. The voice of the navigation rang through the Elantra’s speakers. He looked down to see the estimated time at 8:36 a.m. Rush hour traffic , he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jerking the gearshift from park to reverse and back to drive, he was off to cut down some time. There were roughly two miles of slow suburban streets between Ben’s apartment and the northbound highway. He oscillated between going 11-15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit of 25." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He knew the traffic pattern on autopilot: stop sign, right turn, stop sign, left turn, light, light, light, right turn, highway. Ben treated the first two stop signs like guidelines. He drifted around each turn once he tapped his brakes and snapped his head in both directions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He approached the first light as it turned green, so that was easy to speed through. The second light already had someone in a large white SUV waiting at a red light; it was the only lane going in that direction. The light turned green, but the SUV remained motionless." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ben leaned forward and said, “Come on, go,” into his windshield. Another second passed, so he honked the horn, rolled down his window, and shouted, “Hey! Move it!” His left hand conducted an orchestra out the window to get the driver’s attention. A silent pause was suspended in the air." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a manicured middle finger was thrust out the SUV’s window, they continued through the third light and he turned onto the highway. Ben pushed the limits of his small, well-traveled sedan as he accelerated from the on-ramp into the busy convoy of cars." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Elantra was never promoted as one of those cars that could go from 0-60 at a rapid pace but that was not stopping Ben today. He shoved the gas pedal parallel to the street. He shot gaps. He sped up. He braked. He pulled his car in and out of open areas." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He navigated the lanes like a game of chess where the pieces were on fire. He kept up this pace for a few miles, reaching 76 miles per hour at one point when the cars ahead of him began to slow down to a crawl. He and the parade of vehicles flanking the Elantra were now trickling along the highway." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stretching his head out of the window, he saw emergency lights on the horizon. While he hoped everyone was ok, the prevailing thought was that he wished they had wrecked a few miles farther along." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just as he crept forward and merged from three lanes of traffic to two, he could see the city’s skyline come into view. “In two miles, turn right onto Orchid Avenue,” the navigation voice said, clearly having a sense of humor. Its dulcet tones were the opposite of whatever ASMR was trying to achieve." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Ben and his commuting colleagues tiptoed along, they passed the scene with the only person who might be having a worse morning than him. The traffic began to flow and Ben got back up to the speed limit just as he was reminded to get off onto the Orchid Avenue exit." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He stopped at the red light on the cusp of downtown and checked on his time. The clock read 8:24 a.m. and he was exactly five minutes from the station. That left him enough time to park and race into the station without looking like he ran a marathon to get there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He got lucky with the lights and congestion of the side streets and felt like he was back on track. Passing a few of his favorite spots when he came into the city for a concert or baseball game, he no longer needed the navigation save for a surprise detour." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few turns later, Ben entered the parking garage next to Channel 9 and pulled up to take a ticket. He reached for the button but could not quite get to it from his seat. He put the car in park, unbuckled his seatbelt, and opened his door to lean further from the car to the kiosk." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He finally reached the button and the machine told him it was processing. It continued to process like it was trying to find a pub trivia answer. Cars began to form a line behind him as the ticket kiosk finally spit out his currency to raise the gate and enter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just as he got two steps forward in the timing, he immediately came one step back. Ben parked in the closest spot to the stairs as he grabbed his phone and jacket. Slamming the driver’s side door with whirling fury, he ran down the concrete steps in his unforgiving dress shoes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He reached the ground level and saw the Channel 9 building to his left. He breathed and pushed his hair around to give the appearance of composure while checking his phone as he walked. 8:31 a.m. Could have been worse, he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He pushed open the tall glass doors of the Channel 9 lobby and was greeted by a perky receptionist. She smiled a wide, bouncy grin. It gave the impression she was not the type of person who needed caffeine to start the day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Hi there! Welcome to Channel 9 News, the place for facts,” she said from a tightly memorized script. “My name is Marcy, what can I do for you today?” “Uh, yeah, hi, Marcy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My name is Ben Jerris and I’m supposed to meet…” he trailed off, forgetting the name of the person with whom he’d been talking about the job. “I’m – I’m here for the cameraman job,” he said, straightening his shoulders to seem like he knew what he was talking about." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Of course!” Marcy bellowed with excitement. “Just let me check Grace’s calendar.” She typed and clicked around. Ben tried his best not to stare out of awkward anticipation. He scoped the room, eyes wandering around to foreign spaces he hoped would soon become familiar." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Huh, well that’s strange,” Marcy tilted her head like a confused Pomeranian reacting to an unexpected noise. “It says here that your interview is actually tomorrow, Mr. Jerris.” Ben was dumbfounded. It was inconceivable, there was no way. “That can’t be right,” he told her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I’m sorry, I thought I was scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.?” Marcy laughed so hard that she leaned back with one hand on her chest and another under her nose to prevent what Ben imagined was frequent snorting. “Well, there’s your problem! Today’s Tuesday , Mr." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jerris.” She caught her breath and sat upright with an exhale. The receptionist looked up at him, shaking her head with impressed curiosity. “Aren’t you Johnny-on-the-spot, though! We’d be lucky to have someone with your punctuality here at Channel 9.” Ben could not believe it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He doubled over and exhaled a deep breath as he placed his hands on his thighs. As he let out a stifled laugh of his own, he pulled his phone out and looked above the time for the first time all morning. His panic blinded him from seeing something right in front of his face all morning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Thanks, Marcy. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow,” he said, as he waved a quick goodbye before walking out the door. He walked a few feet toward the garage and sat down on a nearby bench in disbelief. He opened his phone and set three new alarms for Wednesday morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ben stood up, still laughing both at and to himself when a tall brunette caught his eye along the sidewalk. The glare from the can of her berry-flavored sparkling water glistened off her sunglasses, which did their best to hide her from onlookers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stopped walking when she saw him, pulling the wide shades off her face. She curiously smiled at Ben and said, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An Old Friend Named Bullseye" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani’s squad was pushed so far back, he bumped into the archers who were supposed to be holding the line on the opposite side of the hill. They probably had been pushed up the hill as well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As the steel on his back met the leather of another, he spun around to see if the enemy had advanced behind him. He was met with a pleasant surprise, however, as he made eye contact with one of his oldest friends, Merellie.\n\nMerellie is a great archer, one of the army's best." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The man is practically born to hold a bow in his hands, and is gifted with eyes that could rival a dragon’s.\n\nDalmani roared with excitement. “Merielle, I didn’t know you were here! Help us out with these imbeciles." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A good arrow between the eyes should provide some assistance to their retreat!” His friend scowled at the multiplying forces against them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“You know, I’m not supposed to be here.” Merrielle said, like he was a frustrated teacher explaining a simple equation.\n\n“I know!” Dalmani replied, “Still, I welcome the company.” He spun back around and thrusted his sword out, hitting an approaching soldier foolishly charging him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Usually the younger soldiers saw Dalmani as an opportunity, a chance to earn riches and glory beyond imagination.\n\nThe experienced soldier saw him only as an opportunity for death.\n\n“Forward, men!” Dalmani ordered, “They are the fools, for they have given us the high ground! Break their spears, chip their swords, shatter their armor and steal the life from their eyes!” He raised his sword." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“For the king and his glory!” The men roared so loud it startled the enemy, and Dalmani’s soldiers charged forward with a newfound determination, for they were reminded why they fight on this day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Merellie let a smirk sneak its way onto his lips, “It seems your years have not taken the ability to motivate, my friend.” “Of course not!” Dalamin said without looking back, maintaining his gaze on the enemy ahead. “Age is not yet strong enough to defeat me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now cover my advance!”\n\nThe enemy merely held only numbers to their advantage, their formations were weak and morale was boosted by only the amount of bodies moving forward." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With a strong formation, which Dalmani’s men were exceptional at, this battle can be won before the day's end.\n\nBut somewhere in that swarm of soldiers, was a man rumored to be the strongest in their kingdom. Dalmani wanted to test that very badly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It would also tank the morale of the enemy, but that motivation was much less desirable when compared to the previous one Dalmani held. The commander rushed for the biggest soldier on the foothills. He’d let his men handle the fodder, the battlefield was a stage, and it deserved to see a real show." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani would always be glad to accept the role of lead performer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Selfish brute, I’ve got my own side to worry about too.” But though he complained, Merellie watched for soldiers seeking a fight with Dalmani and took them out one by one as they left themselves vulnerable in their approach.\n\nDalmani reached the hulking mass of armor that was supposedly a human, and their strongest one at that.\n\nHe looked up at the “man” and snorted, “I heard you’re pretty good.” He smiled, “They say the same about me.” The mass of armor grunted as a ring of soldiers began forming on the foothill." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Mass carried a bright, silver axe. It was simple with a wooden shaft and only one axe blade. Though in his hands, it looked anything but simple. Dalmani took a couple steps back to give The Mass some room to think about what to do. He couldn’t even see his eyes through the slit in his helmet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He gave off the feel of an untamed beast, let loose of its chains only when he had an axe in his hands, and steel on his back.\n\nThat was reflected in the way he attacked as well, as the beast rushed Dalmani with his axe low to the ground." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he got near, he swung the axe up as to cleave Dalmani’s body in two.\n\nDalmani stepped to the side and let the axe narrowly pass his body, the wind rippling his hair.\n\nThe Mass was fast for his size, however, as he spun the axe in his hands and brought it back down into the ground, causing it to erupt as chunks of dirt and grass went everywhere.\n\nDalmani swiftly spun his body and leaped behind The Mass and angled his sword as if it was a needle and thrusted it into the open spot of his armor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sword went right through the spot where the armor opened behind the knee and The Mass bellowed with a rage.\n\nAnger decided his next move as the beast swung his axe with all his body weight, carrying it in an arc behind him. Dalmani dropped to the ground and placed his chest against the ground." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He did not stay there for long as the beast was obvious with his next move. He brought the axe down to where Dalmani was laying on the ground, but he was fast enough to roll out of the way and jump back up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Making an aging man crouch and jump so quickly, you really are as cruel as they say.” Dalmani said, purposely antagonizing the beast even more.\n\nAs planned, he bellowed and charged, axe raised to the sky." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, he was fast for his size, and that size was imposing, but Dalmani was not one to let something so superficial intimidate him. And strength is nothing without the means to wield it properly.\n\nThe Mass brought his axe down to meet Dalmani’s skull." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But his power brought him down as well when the axe hit the ground, using its weight to bring the wielder to his knee. Dalmani was close enough to use this as an opportunity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He grabbed The Mass by the neck and swung his body around to where he was now sitting on the shoulders of the beast.\n\nThe beast roared as he stood back up, stumbling around trying to grab the man attached to him like a mosquito." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani was thankfully quick with his decision as he took his sword and drove it in between the eye slit and through the back of his skull, the point of the sword meeting the steel of Dalmani’s own armor, ending The Mass. He fell to his knees once again, and this time did not get back up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Soft gasps left the mouths of stunned soldiers. Dalmani’s men roared with excitement and pride as their leader hopped off the shoulders of the now slain legend.\n\nDalmani turned toward the hill and raised his sword in a fist and said nothing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His men cheered even louder, but he truly meant the gesture for Merellie. Beat that, old friend . He seemed to say. In their youth, they competed with each other all the time to see who had the greatest kill on the battlefield that day, but age eroded their desire for competition." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Though Dalmani secretly enjoyed it, and hoped Merellie could draw the youth from the depths of his memory one more time.\n\nThe enemy’s formations began to break. Merellie’s soldiers had successfully pushed back their side as well." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They began to move backwards down both sides of the hill and onto the plains below, leaving an empty area of grass that was much more suitable for a battle than a hillside. This day had promised Dalmani and his men victory. Now all they had to do-\n\nA screech echoed throughout the sky." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani roared with pain as he plugged his ears. Every soul on that field did the same as the screech reverberated inside their skull, like hitting an empty anvil with a hammer.\n\nDalmani opened his eyes and looked to Merellie for confirmation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His friend nodded as they met their gaze across the hillside. They knew this sound. The pair had heard it only once before, and that was more than most soldiers, as they did not have the privilege to draw breath after. A dragon had taken to the skies. Dalmani looked up and saw it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was dark red, like the color of blood. Its wings casted a shadow on the armies as it soared, seemingly blocking out the sun.\n\nIt swooped down to the now empty plain and screeched again, causing many soldiers to fall to their knees." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It had dark beady eyes that fixed on Dalmani as he stood in front of the dragon.\n\nIn a swift decision, he grabbed the sword of his closest officer. He then pointed towards the enemy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“Go!” he ordered, “Finish the job and win us this day.” “But sir-”\n\nThe officer did not finish his protest before the dragon roared and began to turn around, realizing the much more filling meal was behind him. Dalmani looked at the officer and he nodded with understanding." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani would see to the dragon.\n\n The officer commanded the men to form a line with their sword and spearmen in front and archers to the back as they tried to box in the enemy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani grabbed a spear from a\n\nfallen soldier and hefted it to the dragon while it was distracted by the movements of his men. Dragons were covered in scales so hard that normal swords could do little to no damage. It usually took catapults, cannons, or other dragons to take them out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani had none. There was one weak point, however, and that was a dragon's eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They had the best eyes in the kingdom, but even they were susceptible to a sword or spearhead.\n\nDalmani tucked his second sword into his teeth and sheathed his own, and he lifted the spear and threw it at the dragon's eye. He missed. But, this was his plan." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Getting the dragon's attention and pulling his gaze away from his men as they continued the battle was the top priority." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This part of the plan worked, as the dragon roared and spun its head to face Dalmani.\n\nDalmani took the sword from his mouth and the other one from its sheath and raised them above his head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He began to bang them together as he backed up the hillside to draw the dragon up there with him.\n\nMerellie watched this with an astonished understanding." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course Dalmani would do something like this, but it didn’t take away from the spectacle of still trying to do it.\n\nWait , Merellie thought, the bastards gonna have me help him kill it, isn’t he? “Merellie!” Dalmani shouted, “Get that bow of yours ready!” Damn him ." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“It’s always ready, you fool.” He knocked an arrow and aimed it at the massive beast.\n\nDalmani continued to draw the dragon up the hill, keeping the rhythm of the clashing swords. It snorted and roared but Dalmani remained unfazed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He would not let a simple creature intimidate him.\n\nOnce they were close enough, Merellie let loose an arrow from his bow, aiming for its left eye. The dragon swerved its head right at the last minute, deflecting the arrow off its scales." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani took this as an opportunity and ran beneath the neck of the dragon and towards its legs and slashed at both of them. As soon as he was out from under the dragon's stomach he spun around and, of course, saw that there was no damage dealt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The creature ignored Dalmani’s futile attacks and turned toward Merellie, who was knocking another arrow. A pure steel arrow, strong enough to tear through any soldier’s armor, and hopefully capable of doing something against this beast." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But as the dragon faced the archer, he lowered his head and opened his mouth, when a red glow like sunlight through a ruby began to illuminate in its throat.\n\nMerellie froze. Uh oh ." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani’s voice called from behind the dragon, “Dodge, fool!” Merellie dropped the arrow and slung the bow over his back as he dived and began to roll his body down the hill. The dragon's flame narrowly missed the man. As the archer recollected himself, Dalmani ran around to the front of the dragon." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though these beasts were mystical, they did have a little bit of knowledge about them. One main weakness of the dragon’s - aside from the vulnerability of their eyes - was that after breathing fire, it took one whole minute for the dragon to refresh and use its flames again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani figured he could use this to his advantage. Which means every second counts. He sheathed his sword and took another to his mouth, ran toward the snout, and hopped on, grappling the beast.\n\n50 seconds." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Merellie began to stand again and wasted no time in fishing for another arrow out of his supply strapped to his waist. There were only two arrows left. 45 seconds. No time to waste." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He knocked one of the two arrows and fired,\n\nonce again aiming for the eye, but the dragon was whipping its body around furiously in response to Dalmani’s unconventional attack, and it redirected the arrow with its tail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "38 seconds.\n\nThe dragon opened its mouth in an attempt to take a bite out of Dalmani, but he swung his legs into its mouth and let go of its snout, dropping him behind the set of teeth the dragon loved to flash.\n\nDalmani unsheathed the sword and took the other out of his mouth and jammed one into its lower jaw and another sword into the upper jaw, forcibly prying open the dragon's mouth to keep it from closing down on him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "29 seconds. Merellie knocked another arrow and let it loose. It went straight through the open jaw, directly past Dalmani’s forearm. “Only a couple seconds left, Merellie!” He yelled, “Aim for the eyes!” “I know that, brute!” He pointedly decided to leave out the fact that he had no arrows left." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No point in potentially causing the man's will to falter. But there remained the problem of how to get Dalmani out of there. How could-\n\nThere was an arrow on the ground. The one he dropped when he dodged the flames earlier. 20 seconds.\n\nMerellie ran as fast as he could." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani roared with effort as he pried the dragon’s mouth open. Man, if only the king could see him now. 17 seconds. Merellie reached the scorched grass and found the arrow, a steel arrow, one of his best.\n\n15 seconds. He knocked the arrow and aimed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He pulled back as far as he could, giving it the most amount of strength the human arm could accomplish. 12 seconds.\n\n“Hurry! It’s getting warm in here!” Dalmani shouted. He didn’t have much time. 9 seconds.\n\nMerellie breathed in, and then out, steadying his aim. He waited. 7 seconds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dalmani roared again.\n\n6 seconds.\n\nMerellie opened one eye as the side of the dragon's head moved towards him. It’s eye focused on his arrow. 3 seconds. The beast began to glow. “There you are, old friend.” Whispered Merellie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He let loose the arrow and it flew through the sky, hitting the dragon right through its eye." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Into one, and out the other.\n\nThe beast roared with pain and Dalmani seized the opportunity, removing both swords and stepping further into its mouth as he jammed both swords up through its skull and into the brain, killing it instantly. The dragon dropped dead right on the field." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dalmani rolled out from its mouth, soaked with saliva. Merellie approached the man. They both took a seat together on the hill. The battle was won, their soldiers celebrating the victory down below. The enemies were retreating into the horizon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "“I haven't seen a shot like that made in years.” Dalmani said. Merellie maintained his gaze on the celebration. “Add it to my record.” He replied. Dalmani raised an eyebrow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“ Your record?” He exclaimed, “ I delivered the killing strike, you selfish archer!” “Which would not have been possible without my skill.” He answered. Dalmani let out a sigh." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“We’ll call this one a draw, then.” “That,” Said Merellie, “is something I can agree to, my friend.” Dalmani grunted in response. But truthfully, he was happy. He watched his men celebrate another victory. And victory was always best when it was won by the side of Merellie.." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two sides of the same coin" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you asked Riley Griffin what she would like to be doing on a Friday night, she would immediately answer that she would challenge her brother to a duel, because she adored pirates." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He wouldn't agree, though, Simon Griffin never agrees, no matter how much he wants to.\n\nTheir parents had caught them once, Riley standing on the desk and Simon on the ground with his sword pointing forward, their whole room was upside down; a broken lamp, scratches on the dark blue walls, books knocked off the shelves, sand with shells spilled on the carpet, they didn't even know how the sand got there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their parents, instead of scolding them, sat down on the burgundy carpet and told them a made-up story about how pirates don't like to be copied, and if they find out that someone is imitating them, they will come in late at night and steal their most valuable things; they will also enchant them to smell like rotten fish for the rest of their lives.\n\nIt was easy for Simon to believe the story, firstly because they lived very close to the sea and there were always ships in the distance, and secondly, because he liked a girl and feard of smelling like a rotten fish around her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Riley, on the other hand, just rolled her eyes and didn't believe a single word their parents said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe she believed the part with the stealing valuable things, but the other things? She just waved her hand dismissively.\n\nIf you asked what Riley Griffin would be doing on a Friday night, she would pout and tell you boringly that she would be sitting in her room, most likely laying on the carpet, looking through a sea magazine, while Simon talked about the blue-eyed girl who always scored better than him on tests." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But instead, if you ask her what she would be doing now, on a Friday morning, she would tell you to shut up, because she was hiding behind the maroon curtains, that separated the living room from the kitchen, in their cozy little house, eavesdropping on her father's conversation with their neighbour.\n\nShe didn't plan to eavesdrop, it just happened by accident." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had just gotten ready to go out, she was going for a bike ride with her friend Vicky, who lived right across the street. She had put on a helmet and knee and elbow pads, her backpack was full of trinkets she knew Vicky would like." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trinkets she had found on the seashore, probably lost by the pirates.\n\nShe had a plan. She and Vicky would ride to the coast and look at all the trinkets that were hiding in the backpack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They would take their binoculars out and watch the ships in the horizon, trying to guess which of them all these things belonged to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was going to be such a great day, but instead, she was standing frozen behind the curtains, because Vicky's father was standing in the kitchen discussing a trip that was going to happen very soon." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Riley felt cold waves go through her, as if she had actually caught a glimpse of a pirate and not someone she had known for years." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She couldn't understand what they were saying; what trip, to where, why?\n\nShe'd known Vicky since she'd come to town, they were age two, now they were eight, and the things they'd shared over the years had made them the best of friends." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Vicky loved the sky, she knew countless facts about birds that most people didn't even knew existed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Riley loved the sea, she wanted to be a pirate, but a good pirate, of course.\n\nAnd right now, she knew she wasn't supposed to hear any of this conversation, because her parents were going to make up a story, a fantasy story, to blind her eyes, to blind her mind, to soothe the pain, saying that Vicky is going on a mission and she will be back so soon, she won't even feel her absence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She knew this was supposed to be a secret between the adults.\n\nVicky's family is going away for a little while,  Mr and Mrs Griffin were going to say,\n\nnothing will change." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Riley knew what she heard, she wished she didn't believe her ears, but she heard the word\n\nleaving , which meant\n\nforever.\n\nShe didn't understood what\n\nforever  meant, but one time, in a Peter Pan movie, she heard that\n\nforever  meant\n\nbeing forgotten.\n\nAnd that filled her eyes with tears.\n\nSo she quietly went up the stairs to her room and opened the window." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She took a deep breath. She had done it before, it was a meter and a half high, jumping on the roof tiles, then slowly and carefully making her way to the oak tree and down the branches. It was easy, but it was easy because Vicky was always waiting for her under the tree." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes filled with tears even more. She closed them and clenched her teeth tightly to keep from crying. Now wasn't the time for that, she had an important mission to do." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But when she opened them and looked at the tree, there was Vicky standing underneath.\n\n\"Whatcha doing, Griffin?\" she yelled and Riley's eyes widened.\n\nShe smiled and without thinking, went on her little adventure with the roof and the tree branches." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It took her a minute to reach the ground, which was pretty impressive for an eight year old girl.\n\nBeing a pirate really is in your heart." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was what Vicky had told her one night, while they were counting the stars.\n\n\"What are you doing here?\" Riley furrowed her brows.\n\n\"Why are you crying?\" Vicky mimicked her expression.\n\nRiley lifted her chin, \"Don't answer my question with a question.\" she also crossed her arms.\n\nVicky just rolled her eyes, \"We're not arguing about this again.\"\n\nArguing with Vicky, Riley was going to miss that too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes filled with tears even more.\n\n\"Hey, what's happening?\" Vicky stepped closer, she was visibly concerned about her friend, so she just put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a little smile. This was her way of calming people.\n\n\"You're leaving.\" Riley sniffed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her nose was red, her cheeks too, and her eyes were getting puffy.\n\nVicky's eyes were becoming watery too, she felt like she was looking through a see-through curtain. She tilted her head and curled her lips into a smile, or at least tried to, and failed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A lump had formed in her throat preventing her from saying anything, so she just nodded slowly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Riley had the same lump in her throat, so instead of screaming like she wanted to and asking\n\nwhy, why, why,  she just squeezed her eyes shut and hugged her friend.\n\nWhat felt like thirty seconds was actually eight minutes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They stood there, refusing to let go of each other, knowing what letting go of that hug meant. But they eventually did, they couldn't stay like that forever." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But during the hug, an idea crept into Riley's mind; she thought of attracting the pirates attention, then sneaking into their ship to find out where they draw magic from. Riley needed magic for Vicky to stay." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She knew her parents too well, when they decide something they always held firmly to it.\n\n\"You won't forget me, will you?\" Riley's voice was trembling now.\n\n\"How can I forget you, pirate? Remember what your gramps said? We are, like, the different sides of the same coin.\" she titled her head and gave her a little, but resuring, smile.\n\nAs Riley wiped away her tears, still not completely understanding what was happening, what did\n\nleaving exactly meant, their fathers opened the front door and saw them there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eight eyes looking at each other. Mr Griffin and Mr Armour were in slight shock to see them there, crying. They made the same expression of concern, it was visible that both of them felt very bad. Vicky's father came closer and put a hand on his daughter's shoulder." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked at Riley and gave her a little sad smile, then looked at Vicky and did the same." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She returned the sad smile and nodded, they silently spoke to each other that it was time to go now and they will come back later to get better goodbyes.\n\n\"Keep a weather eye on the horizon, Griffin.\" Vicky said and turned to go with her dad.\n\nRiley turned to hers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mr Griffin tried his hardest to keep his composure, but he was a very emotional man and Riley knew that he was also hurting about Mr Armour going away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She went closer to him and held his hand, as they sat down on the steps.\n\n\"It's okay, Dad.\" she said, tapping him on the back.\n\nIt was too early for this conversation, Mr Griffin had a plan on how it was going to go, he was going to explain it well, make it hurt less, he was going to be prepared, use better words." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But now he just cleared his throat and gently took his daughter's small hand in his. He looked into her eyes and smiled slightly. Riley knew he wanted to say something, so, for the first time in her life, she didn't interrupt him, as she always liked to do.\n\n\"We are on a borrowed time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People come and people go, there are infinite amount of endings." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And you can be sad that someone is going, that someone is leaving your life, but you should also be grateful that they were a part of it, that they taught you something.\" he swallowed the lump in his throat and continued, \"You're a different kid now, you've learned kindness, you've tasted it, and you know what a beautiful thing is to have someone who truly cares about you, apart from your relatives, of course.\" he swallowed the lump again, \"You have such a beautiful and special friendship, one of a kind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And this is not the end of this friendship, pumpkin, this kind of connection never goes away, no matter the distance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The distance makes it even stronger.\" he nodded firmly and Riley felt like he was talking to the both of them, so she nodded too and wiped away her tears, hugging him as tightly as she can.\n\nShe shouldn't have heard this conversation between him and Vicky's father." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She should have continued on her way, passing through the living room, greeting them politely, and going out to ride bikes with Vicky. It was as simple as that. It was going to be such a great day. The best day ever." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If she only didn't hear what they said.\n\nShe still didn't completely understood what leavening meant and for how long it was supposed to be." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But she believed that her friendship with Vicky was one of a kind and that no matter what comes their way, even the distance, it was going to make them stronger than ever and bring them closer together.\n\nSo, leaving, really, wasn't that scary, it was terrifying, like a pirate, but she wasn't afraid of pirates, and she knew she wasn't going to be afraid of the distance either." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Riley had yet to learn what it was like to miss someone. ." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Against All Odds" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mo hurriedly put on his wrinkled button-up dress shirt which he buttoned wrongly, and threw on a linty suit. He rubbed some spit in his hair. No time for gel. No time for ironing the shirt and sweeping off the lints off the suit either." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He grabbed his backpack, and dashed out the door, with a piece of bread in his mouth and a half-filled coffee cup in his hand. He checked his phone as he scarfed down his bread and downed the coffee. Thirty minutes until his job interview at 10:00." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The problem is that the ride from home to the office takes at least 40 minutes. Another problem was that his same-age car was barely mobile after a crash that happened a few weeks ago. The 1998 Mitsubishi sedan now parked near a junkyard. Mo thought he would never make it to the interview on time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He sat down, head in his hands, defeated. The company was his only shot to get out of his parent’s basement, and now he would go back to being “the juvenile that had no life”. Unless… It had been nearly 13 years since he had last traveled the path, but it had been forever fixed in his mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He didn’t want to take it, but the trail was his last resort, and if he didn’t use it, he would never land that interview. He took off faster than a sprinter on the track team. His car was a few yards away. It looked so banged up, resembling a metal wad of mashed potatoes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He leaped into the car and started the engine.\n\nPuffs of black smoke escaped from the exhaust pipe and, after a series of struggling roars from the motor, the poor old machine finally revved up. The car moved as if it was suspended in Jell-O, but miraculously managed to run." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "However, Mo knew that it wouldn’t last very long, and would barely manage this journey, but he had to try. He had discovered the path when he was a teenager; an overgrown road that somehow led downtown. It started just around the corner, and was covered by a gate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mo took a deep breath, and, willing to give it a bet, stomped on the gas pedal. This dying old car, maybe having an unexpected return of consciousness, decided to do its owner a final good deed. It blasted away like a deranged bull charged up running." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only problem was that Mo could barely control the steering wheel as the car thundered down the alleyway with a mind of its own, careening wildly into dumpsters and flattening construction cones." }, { "from": "human", "value": "By the time Mo regained control of the steering wheel, the car had overturned nearly ten trash bins, sending garbage and waste in the air like fireworks. Mo hung his head in his hands." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My neighbors are going to commit a hate crime on me , he thought.\n\nThe trail of destruction in the car’s wake was quite spectacular, as if a rabid lion had run through the street." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But by some miracle, Mo had managed to arrive at the gate.\n\nIt was covered in vines and tendrils, along with other shrubbery. Its once green paint had now faded to the color of rust and dirt, and the chain was falling apart." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was wide, as if to hold a garbage truck, and seemed as if it wouldn’t even open. The time was 9:37, and Mo knew that if he didn’t make it there on time, his life would be screwed. He took a deep breath, and stepped on the gas pedal one more time. The car sputtered and moved barely an inch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, out of the blue, it shot forward, breaking the gate and rocketing into a foresty trail.\n\nFor one moment, Mo was in between houses; for the next, he had entered a woodland. Trees were dense, and the walls were so overgrown it looked as if he was in a hallway made out of twisting vines." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ground was also covered in dirt, mud and scattered swamps.\n\nHe had no time to think though. His interview is coming up in less than 20 minutes, and he had to get through this path as fast as he could. His car raced down the alleyway, bouncing on rocks, tripping on roots, turning sharp corners." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mo could barely control the car; it was too old, and Mo knew that one wrong move would make it crumble. Suddenly, he saw something moving in the middle of the bushy path. What is it? Mo wondered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The creature slowly revealed itself; the shape of it was so exotic yet so familiar that you can only see from the National Geographic magazine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mo froze in disbelief.\n\nIt was a lion.\n\nHow on earth would a lion appear in this city, a human habitat, a concrete jungle? The lion looked a bit malnutritioned but nonetheless fierce. It looked hungry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Under its messy mane was a face straight out of a horror movie - its black, cold beady eyes sent Mo the signal that there was no mistake - he had been locked as the prey.\n\nThe lion let out a roar and shone its sharp canines that looked like meat cleavers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Little did people in the town, including Mo, know that this wild animal had been, secretly and illegally, kept as a pet by a drug-dealer before he was jailed a few years ago." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The lion must have wandered away and somehow managed to stay alive by hunting small animals in this woodland without arousing attention from its neighbors.\n\nMo stomped on the brakes, and, amazingly, the car halted instantly.\n\nMo’s fight-or-flight survival mechanism was full on." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lion or not,\n\nI have to get that job interview! \n\nHe decided to fight and\n\nrevved up the engine and prepared to crash right through the lion. The lion charged at Mo at the same time. It smashed head on into the car, trying to bite at Mo." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The car window acted as a temporary protector for Mo which irritated the lion even more. It backed up, growled so loudly Mo’s ears popped, and looked directly at him. Then Mo had an idea.\n\nHe took a deep breath and gunned the gas pedal, charing at his predator." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He then jumped out of the car just before it hit the wild beast. His body sailed through the air and landed hard on his side, knocking the breath out of him. Luckily, he was alive. But the lion wasn’t so lucky." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He hit that car head on with a sickening crunch, and stopped suddenly, before falling over as if it were a domino. Mo’s head throbbed as if it had been smacked with an iron club, but with some difficulty, got inside the car and started the engine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Amazingly, the car could still operate as usual, even though it had sustained a crash with an angry lion and the doors were flinging open. Mo glanced at his dashboard clock. 9:42." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If the next few paths were just as Mo remembered them, then he should arrive at the office building with maybe two minutes to spare. The universe seems to have helped him on this journey, keeping the minutes long and lasting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After about don’t-know-how-many turns, a couple of rabid wolf-like dogs, and a lone python, he finally reached what he remembered as the final stretch in the pathway. The time was 9:47." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Five minutes felt like a century to Mo.\n\nOh, I forgot to mention one small detail which is that Mo lived in Florida. In this southern state of the U.S., it\n\nis common to find alligators in woodlands and rivers.\n\nAn alligator leisurely entered the scene." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its scaly green scales were like the slime from a pond; green and wet. It had a long, stout head and when it yawned, the pale yellow of its maw and carving teeth was enough to make Mo go queasy. If things couldn’t get more terrible, it was at that moment that his car chose to abruptly die." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was as if the universe got tired of him and decided to go Good luck! However, the alligator stomps away and Mo breathes a sigh of relief. It seems as if the universe has listened to his pleas after all. He cautiously exited his car and creeps over to where he last remembered the canoe being." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Across the river, the large city glows with light and cars. He said a silent prayer that he still has his phone. At least he had a cell phone so he could still explain things to his mom and dad." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He found the canoe wedged between two palm trees; its faded red paint standing out between the shades of brown and green. He hauled it out, tugging it by the large rope tied around the end, and shoved it into the water. Grabbing a nearby oar, he leaped into the boat and began to paddle towards town." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first it was smooth sailing. There were no winds across the surface, and no waves there to bother him. But all of a sudden the water began to churn and froth like there was a monster under his canoe. The boat also began to rock as if it were on a building made out of straws during an earthquake." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mo clung to the sides of the boat as it rolled across the water. Suddenly, a large head came out and snapped at him. He screamed and attempted to use his oar to combat the alligator. Hopeless! More kept coming as if he were a lone fish in the middle of a shark gang." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everytime he hit one away with an oar, more kept coming.\n\nMo kept fighting off alligator after alligator. The skyline of the downtown city never looked so far away; it seemed to drift farther away with every hit of an alligator. Then he glanced behind him and he realized; he was drifting away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His canoe was nearly touching the edge of the bank, and even worse, it was the crocodiles that were forcing him there. He checked his watch. 9:54. His interview started in six minutes, and he didn’t want to miss his job offer just because of some lousy alligators." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He raised the paddle and clonked the nearest, biggest, meanest alligator on the head as hard as he could. The gator went cross eyed, and before Mo’s very eyes, went over and collapsed on the edge of the bank. His confidence growing steadily, Mo dug his oar into the water and paddled furiously." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everytime a alligator came close to the canoe, he would give it a good thump on the head, and it would back off. However, one lucky alligator managed to evade his defenses and gripped the edge of the canoe in its strong jaws. It began to tug on it, shakily rocking the canoe back and forth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Mo got closer and closer to shore, the canoe began to rock more violently. The alligator wasn’t giving up, and had managed to tear a chunk of wood out from the boat. No matter how hard Mo hit the alligator, it still wouldn’t let go; it was as if its teeth were implanted into the boat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Mo finally reached shore, the alligator decided to strike. It tugged hard on the edge of the boat; so hard, in fact, that the boat capsized. It turned over violently on its side, sending the boat crashing into the waters." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Mo managed to evade its maneuver; as the boat flipped over, he jumped as far as he could go, and managed to land in the grass on the banks of the river. The alligator let go of the canoe and glared at Mo with its beady eyes, as if to say I’ll eat you one day. Mo gulped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "“Good luck.” Then, he ran off towards the office. It was 9:59. Just in time. As he made his way into the office building, he ducked into the bathroom to check himself. Somehow, he hadn’t managed to get any dirt smudges, river water or dried blood on his shirt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His hair and face was messed up like a Super Saiyan in the Japanese anime, Dragon Ball, but other than that, he was fine. He rinsed off his face, rubbing his eyes and cleansing it of any dirt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, with a few brushes of his hair, he donned his suit and strutted off for his interview. \n\nFinally, it was over. Mo walked out from the interviewer’s office. He was so happy he wanted to dance. He thought about calling his parents about how he did. He was sure he aced it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But he would still have to explain how he lost that car…eh. Would anyone believe what he had gone through in this unusual Monday morning?. He decided he would keep those 30 minutes of his life to tell his grandchildren, one day, maybe.\n\nHe was so tired." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, dodging a lion, and surviving a gang of hungry gators can do wonders to one’s energy. I’ll get some sleep on the subway , he thought drowsily, staggering out of the office. But Mo didn’t have time for that. He had fallen asleep right on the sidewalk.." } ]