Julian's Secret
Stand-Alone Time-Sensitive Quest.
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements
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You, Payton, and Nishan are playing video games at Julian’s house one day.
Payton: Woo!
Danny: Whoa! Payton wins again!
Julian: Aaargh! I got second place?! Payton, how are you so good at Mario Kart?
Nishan: Don’t you know, Julian? Payton aced driver’s ed! She even got a higher grade than me! ...so I know those second place feels, bro.
Just then, Julian’s little sister Hope comes down the stairs with her friend Chelsea.
Hope: Julian, can you give us a ride to the mall?
Chelsea: Yeah, there’s this new smoothie place that everyone says is to DIE for!
Julian: Mmm, I’ll pass. Hey Payton, best out of ten?
Hope: Pleeease? The bus would take forever!
Julian: That’s just too bad. I’m not your chauffeur.
Hope: Oh come on! You never give me rides anymore!
Julian: Oh, don’t be bratty about it. No one likes a whiner.
Hope: I’m not a whiner! You just wanna look cool in front of your friends!
Julian: Look cool? I AM cool.
Hope: Oh really? People might not think so if they knew a certain SECRET...
Julian: Don’t. You. Dare.
Payton: Secret? What secret?!
Nishan: Is it embarrassing? Does Julian listen to Carly Rae Jepsen? Or take ice dancing lessons?
Hope: Even worse. And there’s photographic PROOF.
Julian: Uh... I’ll be right back! I’ve gotta go... burn some photo albums!
Julian leaps over the couch and rushes out of the room!
Hope: Heheh... wait til he finds out I have the picture here in my purse!
Chelsea: Well, this means we still don’t have a ride. We better get to the bus stop.
Payton: Hope, wait!
Nishan: Yeah, we NEED to see that picture of Julian!
Hope: I guess I could show you guys...
Chelsea: Maybe if YOU guys took us out today? We had a lot of plans, but no ride...
Nishan: Deal!
Payton: That’s totally worth getting some juicy gossip about Julian! Hee hee...
Nishan: What do you say, Danny? Want to join us and find out Julian’s big secret?
What embarrassing secret could Julian be hiding? Start the quest to find out!
Requirements
Danny: All right, count me in! It’s all in good fun, right?
Nishan: Right! I will try to keep my jokes to a tasteful minimum.
Hope: Yes! But we’d better hurry. If I know my big brother, right now he’s looking through the family photo album... And once he finds out that I swiped the embarrassing photo, well...
Julian’s furious roar echoes through the house! ‘HOOOOOOPE!’
Danny: Yikes! Let’s go!
You, Payton, and Nishan rush outside and into Payton’s car, with Hope and Chelsea following close behind!
Payton: Everyone buckle up!
Payton revs the engine to life, and starts the car zooming down the road!
Chelsea: Woo!
Soon, you arrive at the mall and make your way to the trendy new smoothie stand in the food court.
Nishan: Julian’s secret is almost within my grasp!
Danny: I can’t wait to find out what it is!
Hope: Sure! Why don’t we talk secrets over a delicious smoothie?
Requirements
Danny: What kind of smoothie do you want, Hope? My treat.
Hope: I want... strawberries and banana! I know, not super exciting, but it’s my favorite.
Danny: Okay, I’ll order a strawberry banana smoothie for you and I’ll get Very Berry!
Hope: That sounds amazing. Can I have a sip later?
Danny: Sure, but only if you let me try some of your smoothie! What’d you get, Nishan?
Nishan: I ordered a modified power smoothie with kale and goji berries!
Chelsea: Is that supposed to taste good?
Nishan: It’s a power smoothie! It’s not supposed to taste good! It’s supposed to make me POWERFUL!
Payton: Anyways, now that we’ve got drinks... Hope, tell us all about Julian’s secret!
Danny: What’s this about an embarrassing photo?
Hope: Oh, it’s amazing. You’ll love it.
Hope starts rummaging around in her purse.
Hope: Take a look at this--
You hear a shout from across the food court!
Julian: Hold it right there! Don’t you dare show that picture to my friends!
Chelsea: Julian?
Hope: Let’s get out of here!
You and your friends dodge and weave through the crowded mall to escape Julian. You make it to the parking lot before stopping to catch your breath.
Danny: I think we lost him.
Hope: Sorry about my brother. He just had to bust in and ruin our mall trip.
Nishan: Aw, that’s okay.
Payton: The day’s still young! Let’s go have more fun! Got any suggestions?
Chelsea: Actually, we do...
Chelsea pulls a flyer out of her purse and hands it to you.
Danny: ‘Reeled In: Film Festival at 21 North Street!’
Nishan: And hey, it looks like our friends are running it!
Danny: Well, we better hurry. Your brother might be catching up!
Payton: Everybody in the get-away car! Go, go, go!
Requirements
You and your friends arrive at a glamorous, retro-style movie theater downtown.
Henry: You guys here for the film festival?
Danny: Yep. Five tickets, please!
Contessa: What? No way. It’s on the house for you, Danny!
Henry: In fact, why don’t you come with us and we can give you the best seats in the theater!
Henry shows you to the upper balcony seats. You and your friends settle down into plush red seats.
Nishan: There’s even footrests!
Henry: Only the best for our friends.
Contessa: So this film is one that Henry and I made together last summer.
Henry: It’s the heartwarming coming-of-age story of two young filmmakers trying to make it big in a small town.
Danny: So... it’s about yourselves.
Contessa: Exactly! Danny, you really get our vision!
Henry: Now enjoy the movie!
Time - 10 hours
You and your friends lean back in your chairs to watch the film. An hour later...
Nishan: According to the film program, we’re reaching the climax of the film, when young filmmakers Henry and Contessa: start to lose their faith in humanity and plunge into existential angst.
Payton: Anyone got popcorn? I need to eat my feelings.
Chelsea: I think... I think I’m crying.
Nishan: This is amazing! Can I get a picture of your tears for my blog?
Danny: Have you been live-blogging this movie?
Nishan: Of course! How else am I going to strengthen my online presence? Retweets don’t grow on trees!
As the characters on-screen confess their undying love for cinema and each other, a dark figure appears in the doorway!
Julian: Hand over the picture, Hope, or I’m going to tell Mom that you always feed your leftovers to our dog!
Hope: If you do, I’ll tell Dad about the time you used the laundry basket as a sled and slid down the stairs!
Julian: I can live with that. Now cough up the photo!
Payton: How did you even find us?
Julian jerks his head in Nishan’s direction. You see Nishan excitedly live-blogging everything that’s been happening.
Danny: Nishan, why?
Nishan: Sorry! It’s a reflex! My thumbs are typing all by themselves!
Julian: Come on, Hope. That picture can never see the light of day.
Hope: But...
Julian: Just give me the picture so I can throw it away.
Hope: No way! We’re leaving!
Hope runs out of the movie theater. You and your friends catch up to her in the parking lot, leaving Julian behind.
Hope: Ugh! Julian’s being such a... butt! It makes me so mad!
Nishan: There, there, young Hope.
Payton: Yeah, cheer up!
Danny: Is there anything we can do to help you feel better?
Hope: Well... there is one thing.
Danny: What is it?
Hope and Chelsea exchange a knowing look.
Chelsea: We want to go to a party!
Payton: You know, I think we can make that happen.
Requirements
Payton makes a few calls and throws an impromptu house party!
Payton: Best! Party! Ever!
Autumn: Don’t you say that about every party?
Payton: No! At least, I don’t think so.
Nishan: This is pretty great, but I wouldn’t say it’s the BEST. That would be the party where I slipped and belly flopped into the pool...
Danny: I remember that! Julian cannonballed in a second later so you wouldn’t be alone in the pool!
Nishan: And then everyone starting jumping in, too! That was awesome.
Danny: Hey, remember that time Julian dodged the volleyball cart by doing a dive roll?
Payton: It was, like, whoa Julian! This isn’t an action movie!
Hope: Sounds like something he would do.
Payton: So, Hope... what about Julian’s secret? Wanna spill?
Autumn: Julian’s got a secret? I can’t wait to hear this!
Danny: It’s this super embarrassing picture that he doesn’t want anyone to see.
Autumn: What do you think’s in the picture?
Danny: I think it’s Julian in his awkward phase! Clothes that don’t fit, funny haircut... the works!
Nishan: I can’t imagine Julian having an awkward phase.
Payton: Believe it, Nishan. EVERYONE goes through an awkward phase.
Autumn: Speaking of Julian, why isn’t he here? I brought the cookies he likes.
Suddenly, the front door opens...
Julian: I’m right here!
Hope: But how did you...
Payton: My bad... I sent a blast text about the party and forgot to exclude him.
Julian: I knew Hope would want to go to one of Payton’s parties.
Hope: If you know me so well, then you know that there’s no way that I’ll ever give up the photo!
Julian makes a grab for Hope, but she dodges past him and dashes out the door!
Chelsea: Wait for us!
In the car, Hope looks forlornly out the window.
Hope: ...
Chelsea: Too bad about Julian, huh?
Danny: Why don’t we go somewhere else?
Nishan: Yeah! Let’s do it!
Hope: Are you sure?
Payton: Of course! Is there anywhere in particular you want to go?
Hope: Well, I’d really like to go to the zoo...
Requirements
Nishan: Ah, the zoo! I haven’t been here in ages!
Danny: Me neither. What about you, Hope?
Hope: I used to go all the time with Julian when we were little.
Payton: Aw, that’s adorable!
Chelsea picks up a map at the entrance and lays it out for everyone to see.
Chelsea: So where should we go first?
Time - 12 hours
The map lists exhibits for animals from all around the world.
Payton: What do you want to see, Danny?
Danny: Hm... Reptiles!
Nishan: It looks like they’re having a special hands-on exhibit for the boar constrictors!
Danny: Yes! Holding snakes is everything I’ve dreamed of!
Chelsea: You have very weird dreams.
At the reptiles house, you check out the snakes and lizards.
Nishan: This snake can swallow a rabbit whole through the power of peristalsis alone!
Danny: Um, cool... I guess?
Payton: Snakes are actually pretty cute!
Hope: Whenever we visited the reptile house, Julian always pretended the snakes had escaped and ran around screaming his head off. It was so funny! But... that was a long time ago.
You reach the petting zoo just as the sun begins to set... Your feet crunch on the hay in the petting zoo as you step through the gates. Goats and sheep mill around the holding pen and sniff at your hand for treats.
Payton: Ew, what’s that barn smell?
Nishan: I think it’s the barn.
Chelsea: The brochure says there are shetland ponies.
Payton: What? Those are my favorite type of pony!
Nishan: Me too! They’re the kind I imagine hobbits would ride.
Hope starts to back away from the group.
Danny: Hope, aren’t you coming with us?
Hope: It’s okay. You guys go ahead.
Chelsea: If you’re sure...
Chelsea, Payton, and Nishan leave to check out the ponies. You stay behind to keep Hope company.
Danny: Are you sure you don’t want to see the ponies?
Hope: Nah, it’s okay.
Danny: You don’t like horses?
Hope: Horses are my favorite animal, actually.
Hope lets out a long, gusty sigh.
Requirements
Hope: I thought going to the zoo would make me happy, but I guess not.
Danny: Is something wrong?
Hope: Well... It’s nothing. I’m fine. Want to feed the goats? There’s threats by the rabbit hutches!
Danny: Hope. Drop the act. Are you okay?
Hope: The thing is... I love the zoo! But it’s just not as fun anymore. Do you want to know why?
Time - 16 hours
You and Hope sit down on a bale of hay to talk.
Hope: I used to go to the zoo all the time with Julian, just me and him.
Danny: Aw, that’s pretty cute.
Hope: It was so fun! We’d watch the elephants carry palm branches... roar with the lions... visit the penguin exhibit when it got hot...
Danny: What about the petting zoo?
Hope: Oh, we spend HOURS at the petting zoo. Whenever the goats cornered me for treats, Julian would chase them off... And in the barn, he would pick me up so I could see the horses better.
Danny: Sounds like you two were really close.
Hope: Yeah, we were. We used to be super close, but now... I’m just his annoying little sister.
Danny: I’m sure he doesn’t really think that.
Hope: I HAVE been sort of annoying... like with the secret picture. I know I shouldn’t hold the photo over him... But teasing him’s the only way I can get him to say anything other than ‘go away, Hope! I’m busy!’
Danny: Oh...
Hope: You and your friends had all these greats stories about Julian at the party... It just makes me wish that Julian and I could hang out together like we used to.
Hope reaches into her purse to take out the picture...
Hope: See?
Just as Hope offers you the photo, Julian bursts through the petting zoo gates!
Julian: Wait a second!
Julian snatches the photo out of Hope’s hand.
Julian: Whew! That was close.
Hope: Give it back!
Julian; No way! No one’s going to see that picture... ever!
Requirements
Julian stuffs the photo into his pocket.
Julian: Now my secret’s safe.
Hope: I can’t believe you.
Chelsea, Nishan, and Payton emerge from the barn.
Chelsea: Uh oh...
Payton: Julian! Ready for us to see that secret photo of yours?
Nishan: Right! I forgot all about that! Come on, Julian. Let us see it!
Julian: Ha! Never in a million years.
Hope: Julian, you’re the worst brother ever! Come on, Chelsea, let’s go.
Time - 14 hours
Hope storms out of the petting zoo, taking Chelsea with her.
Julian: What’s up with her?
Danny: Julian... I think you need to talk with your sister. Things aren’t okay between the two of you.
Julian: What do you mean? We get along great! Except when she tries to show embarrassing pictures of me to my friends!
Danny: Okay, but when was the last time you hung out with her?
Julian: We hang out all the time! Like... um... Actually, I can’t remember.
Danny: Hope says you guys used to come to the zoo all the time.
Julian: Yeah, we did. Good times...
Danny: She misses that, Julian. She misses hanging out with her big brother.
Julian: Really?
Danny: Yep.
Julian takes the photo out of his pocket and looks at it.
Julian: So all this was just to get my attention? Guess I’ve got some apologies to make.
A few days later... You’re hanging out on the quad when Payton and Nishan come running over!
Payton: Danny! You’ve got to see this!
Danny: What is it?
Nishan: You’re going to want to see this. Trust me.
Danny: See what?
Payton: It’s Julian!
Nishan: Join us in the Nerd Hangout and you’ll find out!
Requirements
Nishan and Payton drag you back to the Nerd Hangout. Nishan flips open a laptop and turns it toward you.
Nishan: Check it out!
Payton: Look at Julian’s profile picture!
Danny: THIS is the picture Julian wanted to hide?!
Time - 18 hours
Payton and Nishan show you Julian’s online profile... Julian’s profile picture is a childhood photo of Julian and Hope holding a pretend tea party together with several toy bunnies! Little Julian is drinking tea while wearing a bear onesie that he’s a little too old for.
Danny: Aw... I bet this is the secret picture!
Payton: It’s got to be! Isn’t it soooo adorable?
Nishan: Sure, adorable... AND super dorky looking! Isn’t he a little old to be playing make- believe with his sister? He looks about eight or nine in this photo?
Payton: It just shows how much he cares about Hope!
Danny: Speaking of which, where IS Julian? I haven’t seen him all day.
Payton: Yeah, I thought Julian was going to come chill with us today.
Nishan: Julian’s probably off doing jock things, like lifting weights or throwing... weights?
Payton: ...or having another tea party! I am never getting over that picture. It’s amazing.
Just then, Julian walks into the Nerd Hangout with Hope!
Nishan: Afternoon, Julian! Fancy a spot of tea?
Julian: Ha, so you saw the picture, huh?
Danny: Yeah, I think it shows you’re an awesome brother! Anyone who would do that to make their little sister happy is pretty great in my book!
Hope: Right? That’s what I said!
Julian: Yeah, yeah. Hope drives me crazy sometimes, but she’s STILL my little sister. And I’m not embarrassed that I love my family.
Hope: Hee hee!
Payton: Aww, Julian! That’s so sweet!
Julian: Okay, no need to get mushy! It’ll only be up for a day.
Hope: What a softy!
Julian: ‘Softy’, huh?
Julian pulls his sister into a headlock and starts mussing her hair!
Hope: Aah! Julian, stop! Guys, help!
Danny: Sorry, Hope! You’re on your own this time!
You all share a laugh as Julian released Hope.
Julian: Anyway, I wanted to say thanks.
Hope: Thanks for showing me around the other day. It was super fun.
Julian: Yeah, thanks for taking care of my li’l sis.
Danny: Sure... no problem!
Payton: So we’re thinking of hitting up the new gelato place downtown...
Nishan: You guys want to come?
Danny: I heard they have all these weird flavors, like wasabi chocolate!
Julian: Nah, I’ll take a rain check on that.
Julian throws his arm around his little sister and squeezes her shoulder.
Julian: I’m hanging out with my only little sister today.
Hope: He’s taking me to the zoo!
Julian: Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve taken Hope on a REAL trip to the zoo... it’s about time I paid the ponies a visit.
Payton: Woo!
Danny: Whoa! Payton wins again!
Julian: Aaargh! I got second place?! Payton, how are you so good at Mario Kart?
Nishan: Don’t you know, Julian? Payton aced driver’s ed! She even got a higher grade than me! ...so I know those second place feels, bro.
Just then, Julian’s little sister Hope comes down the stairs with her friend Chelsea.
Hope: Julian, can you give us a ride to the mall?
Chelsea: Yeah, there’s this new smoothie place that everyone says is to DIE for!
Julian: Mmm, I’ll pass. Hey Payton, best out of ten?
Hope: Pleeease? The bus would take forever!
Julian: That’s just too bad. I’m not your chauffeur.
Hope: Oh come on! You never give me rides anymore!
Julian: Oh, don’t be bratty about it. No one likes a whiner.
Hope: I’m not a whiner! You just wanna look cool in front of your friends!
Julian: Look cool? I AM cool.
Hope: Oh really? People might not think so if they knew a certain SECRET...
Julian: Don’t. You. Dare.
Payton: Secret? What secret?!
Nishan: Is it embarrassing? Does Julian listen to Carly Rae Jepsen? Or take ice dancing lessons?
Hope: Even worse. And there’s photographic PROOF.
Julian: Uh... I’ll be right back! I’ve gotta go... burn some photo albums!
Julian leaps over the couch and rushes out of the room!
Hope: Heheh... wait til he finds out I have the picture here in my purse!
Chelsea: Well, this means we still don’t have a ride. We better get to the bus stop.
Payton: Hope, wait!
Nishan: Yeah, we NEED to see that picture of Julian!
Hope: I guess I could show you guys...
Chelsea: Maybe if YOU guys took us out today? We had a lot of plans, but no ride...
Nishan: Deal!
Payton: That’s totally worth getting some juicy gossip about Julian! Hee hee...
Nishan: What do you say, Danny? Want to join us and find out Julian’s big secret?
What embarrassing secret could Julian be hiding? Start the quest to find out!
Requirements
- Spend 250 rings
Danny: All right, count me in! It’s all in good fun, right?
Nishan: Right! I will try to keep my jokes to a tasteful minimum.
Hope: Yes! But we’d better hurry. If I know my big brother, right now he’s looking through the family photo album... And once he finds out that I swiped the embarrassing photo, well...
Julian’s furious roar echoes through the house! ‘HOOOOOOPE!’
Danny: Yikes! Let’s go!
You, Payton, and Nishan rush outside and into Payton’s car, with Hope and Chelsea following close behind!
Payton: Everyone buckle up!
Payton revs the engine to life, and starts the car zooming down the road!
Chelsea: Woo!
Soon, you arrive at the mall and make your way to the trendy new smoothie stand in the food court.
Nishan: Julian’s secret is almost within my grasp!
Danny: I can’t wait to find out what it is!
Hope: Sure! Why don’t we talk secrets over a delicious smoothie?
Requirements
- Spend 10,000 coins
Danny: What kind of smoothie do you want, Hope? My treat.
Hope: I want... strawberries and banana! I know, not super exciting, but it’s my favorite.
Danny: Okay, I’ll order a strawberry banana smoothie for you and I’ll get Very Berry!
Hope: That sounds amazing. Can I have a sip later?
Danny: Sure, but only if you let me try some of your smoothie! What’d you get, Nishan?
Nishan: I ordered a modified power smoothie with kale and goji berries!
Chelsea: Is that supposed to taste good?
Nishan: It’s a power smoothie! It’s not supposed to taste good! It’s supposed to make me POWERFUL!
Payton: Anyways, now that we’ve got drinks... Hope, tell us all about Julian’s secret!
Danny: What’s this about an embarrassing photo?
Hope: Oh, it’s amazing. You’ll love it.
Hope starts rummaging around in her purse.
Hope: Take a look at this--
You hear a shout from across the food court!
Julian: Hold it right there! Don’t you dare show that picture to my friends!
Chelsea: Julian?
Hope: Let’s get out of here!
You and your friends dodge and weave through the crowded mall to escape Julian. You make it to the parking lot before stopping to catch your breath.
Danny: I think we lost him.
Hope: Sorry about my brother. He just had to bust in and ruin our mall trip.
Nishan: Aw, that’s okay.
Payton: The day’s still young! Let’s go have more fun! Got any suggestions?
Chelsea: Actually, we do...
Chelsea pulls a flyer out of her purse and hands it to you.
Danny: ‘Reeled In: Film Festival at 21 North Street!’
Nishan: And hey, it looks like our friends are running it!
Danny: Well, we better hurry. Your brother might be catching up!
Payton: Everybody in the get-away car! Go, go, go!
Requirements
- A Filmmaker (Henry)
- A Filmmaker (Contessa)
You and your friends arrive at a glamorous, retro-style movie theater downtown.
Henry: You guys here for the film festival?
Danny: Yep. Five tickets, please!
Contessa: What? No way. It’s on the house for you, Danny!
Henry: In fact, why don’t you come with us and we can give you the best seats in the theater!
Henry shows you to the upper balcony seats. You and your friends settle down into plush red seats.
Nishan: There’s even footrests!
Henry: Only the best for our friends.
Contessa: So this film is one that Henry and I made together last summer.
Henry: It’s the heartwarming coming-of-age story of two young filmmakers trying to make it big in a small town.
Danny: So... it’s about yourselves.
Contessa: Exactly! Danny, you really get our vision!
Henry: Now enjoy the movie!
Time - 10 hours
You and your friends lean back in your chairs to watch the film. An hour later...
Nishan: According to the film program, we’re reaching the climax of the film, when young filmmakers Henry and Contessa: start to lose their faith in humanity and plunge into existential angst.
Payton: Anyone got popcorn? I need to eat my feelings.
Chelsea: I think... I think I’m crying.
Nishan: This is amazing! Can I get a picture of your tears for my blog?
Danny: Have you been live-blogging this movie?
Nishan: Of course! How else am I going to strengthen my online presence? Retweets don’t grow on trees!
As the characters on-screen confess their undying love for cinema and each other, a dark figure appears in the doorway!
Julian: Hand over the picture, Hope, or I’m going to tell Mom that you always feed your leftovers to our dog!
Hope: If you do, I’ll tell Dad about the time you used the laundry basket as a sled and slid down the stairs!
Julian: I can live with that. Now cough up the photo!
Payton: How did you even find us?
Julian jerks his head in Nishan’s direction. You see Nishan excitedly live-blogging everything that’s been happening.
Danny: Nishan, why?
Nishan: Sorry! It’s a reflex! My thumbs are typing all by themselves!
Julian: Come on, Hope. That picture can never see the light of day.
Hope: But...
Julian: Just give me the picture so I can throw it away.
Hope: No way! We’re leaving!
Hope runs out of the movie theater. You and your friends catch up to her in the parking lot, leaving Julian behind.
Hope: Ugh! Julian’s being such a... butt! It makes me so mad!
Nishan: There, there, young Hope.
Payton: Yeah, cheer up!
Danny: Is there anything we can do to help you feel better?
Hope: Well... there is one thing.
Danny: What is it?
Hope and Chelsea exchange a knowing look.
Chelsea: We want to go to a party!
Payton: You know, I think we can make that happen.
Requirements
- Complete a Party with Danny
Payton makes a few calls and throws an impromptu house party!
Payton: Best! Party! Ever!
Autumn: Don’t you say that about every party?
Payton: No! At least, I don’t think so.
Nishan: This is pretty great, but I wouldn’t say it’s the BEST. That would be the party where I slipped and belly flopped into the pool...
Danny: I remember that! Julian cannonballed in a second later so you wouldn’t be alone in the pool!
Nishan: And then everyone starting jumping in, too! That was awesome.
Danny: Hey, remember that time Julian dodged the volleyball cart by doing a dive roll?
Payton: It was, like, whoa Julian! This isn’t an action movie!
Hope: Sounds like something he would do.
Payton: So, Hope... what about Julian’s secret? Wanna spill?
Autumn: Julian’s got a secret? I can’t wait to hear this!
Danny: It’s this super embarrassing picture that he doesn’t want anyone to see.
Autumn: What do you think’s in the picture?
Danny: I think it’s Julian in his awkward phase! Clothes that don’t fit, funny haircut... the works!
Nishan: I can’t imagine Julian having an awkward phase.
Payton: Believe it, Nishan. EVERYONE goes through an awkward phase.
Autumn: Speaking of Julian, why isn’t he here? I brought the cookies he likes.
Suddenly, the front door opens...
Julian: I’m right here!
Hope: But how did you...
Payton: My bad... I sent a blast text about the party and forgot to exclude him.
Julian: I knew Hope would want to go to one of Payton’s parties.
Hope: If you know me so well, then you know that there’s no way that I’ll ever give up the photo!
Julian makes a grab for Hope, but she dodges past him and dashes out the door!
Chelsea: Wait for us!
In the car, Hope looks forlornly out the window.
Hope: ...
Chelsea: Too bad about Julian, huh?
Danny: Why don’t we go somewhere else?
Nishan: Yeah! Let’s do it!
Hope: Are you sure?
Payton: Of course! Is there anywhere in particular you want to go?
Hope: Well, I’d really like to go to the zoo...
Requirements
- Payton
Nishan: Ah, the zoo! I haven’t been here in ages!
Danny: Me neither. What about you, Hope?
Hope: I used to go all the time with Julian when we were little.
Payton: Aw, that’s adorable!
Chelsea picks up a map at the entrance and lays it out for everyone to see.
Chelsea: So where should we go first?
Time - 12 hours
The map lists exhibits for animals from all around the world.
Payton: What do you want to see, Danny?
Danny: Hm... Reptiles!
Nishan: It looks like they’re having a special hands-on exhibit for the boar constrictors!
Danny: Yes! Holding snakes is everything I’ve dreamed of!
Chelsea: You have very weird dreams.
At the reptiles house, you check out the snakes and lizards.
Nishan: This snake can swallow a rabbit whole through the power of peristalsis alone!
Danny: Um, cool... I guess?
Payton: Snakes are actually pretty cute!
Hope: Whenever we visited the reptile house, Julian always pretended the snakes had escaped and ran around screaming his head off. It was so funny! But... that was a long time ago.
You reach the petting zoo just as the sun begins to set... Your feet crunch on the hay in the petting zoo as you step through the gates. Goats and sheep mill around the holding pen and sniff at your hand for treats.
Payton: Ew, what’s that barn smell?
Nishan: I think it’s the barn.
Chelsea: The brochure says there are shetland ponies.
Payton: What? Those are my favorite type of pony!
Nishan: Me too! They’re the kind I imagine hobbits would ride.
Hope starts to back away from the group.
Danny: Hope, aren’t you coming with us?
Hope: It’s okay. You guys go ahead.
Chelsea: If you’re sure...
Chelsea, Payton, and Nishan leave to check out the ponies. You stay behind to keep Hope company.
Danny: Are you sure you don’t want to see the ponies?
Hope: Nah, it’s okay.
Danny: You don’t like horses?
Hope: Horses are my favorite animal, actually.
Hope lets out a long, gusty sigh.
Requirements
- Danny
Hope: I thought going to the zoo would make me happy, but I guess not.
Danny: Is something wrong?
Hope: Well... It’s nothing. I’m fine. Want to feed the goats? There’s threats by the rabbit hutches!
Danny: Hope. Drop the act. Are you okay?
Hope: The thing is... I love the zoo! But it’s just not as fun anymore. Do you want to know why?
Time - 16 hours
You and Hope sit down on a bale of hay to talk.
Hope: I used to go to the zoo all the time with Julian, just me and him.
Danny: Aw, that’s pretty cute.
Hope: It was so fun! We’d watch the elephants carry palm branches... roar with the lions... visit the penguin exhibit when it got hot...
Danny: What about the petting zoo?
Hope: Oh, we spend HOURS at the petting zoo. Whenever the goats cornered me for treats, Julian would chase them off... And in the barn, he would pick me up so I could see the horses better.
Danny: Sounds like you two were really close.
Hope: Yeah, we were. We used to be super close, but now... I’m just his annoying little sister.
Danny: I’m sure he doesn’t really think that.
Hope: I HAVE been sort of annoying... like with the secret picture. I know I shouldn’t hold the photo over him... But teasing him’s the only way I can get him to say anything other than ‘go away, Hope! I’m busy!’
Danny: Oh...
Hope: You and your friends had all these greats stories about Julian at the party... It just makes me wish that Julian and I could hang out together like we used to.
Hope reaches into her purse to take out the picture...
Hope: See?
Just as Hope offers you the photo, Julian bursts through the petting zoo gates!
Julian: Wait a second!
Julian snatches the photo out of Hope’s hand.
Julian: Whew! That was close.
Hope: Give it back!
Julian; No way! No one’s going to see that picture... ever!
Requirements
- Julian
Julian stuffs the photo into his pocket.
Julian: Now my secret’s safe.
Hope: I can’t believe you.
Chelsea, Nishan, and Payton emerge from the barn.
Chelsea: Uh oh...
Payton: Julian! Ready for us to see that secret photo of yours?
Nishan: Right! I forgot all about that! Come on, Julian. Let us see it!
Julian: Ha! Never in a million years.
Hope: Julian, you’re the worst brother ever! Come on, Chelsea, let’s go.
Time - 14 hours
Hope storms out of the petting zoo, taking Chelsea with her.
Julian: What’s up with her?
Danny: Julian... I think you need to talk with your sister. Things aren’t okay between the two of you.
Julian: What do you mean? We get along great! Except when she tries to show embarrassing pictures of me to my friends!
Danny: Okay, but when was the last time you hung out with her?
Julian: We hang out all the time! Like... um... Actually, I can’t remember.
Danny: Hope says you guys used to come to the zoo all the time.
Julian: Yeah, we did. Good times...
Danny: She misses that, Julian. She misses hanging out with her big brother.
Julian: Really?
Danny: Yep.
Julian takes the photo out of his pocket and looks at it.
Julian: So all this was just to get my attention? Guess I’ve got some apologies to make.
A few days later... You’re hanging out on the quad when Payton and Nishan come running over!
Payton: Danny! You’ve got to see this!
Danny: What is it?
Nishan: You’re going to want to see this. Trust me.
Danny: See what?
Payton: It’s Julian!
Nishan: Join us in the Nerd Hangout and you’ll find out!
Requirements
- Nishan
- Payton
Nishan and Payton drag you back to the Nerd Hangout. Nishan flips open a laptop and turns it toward you.
Nishan: Check it out!
Payton: Look at Julian’s profile picture!
Danny: THIS is the picture Julian wanted to hide?!
Time - 18 hours
Payton and Nishan show you Julian’s online profile... Julian’s profile picture is a childhood photo of Julian and Hope holding a pretend tea party together with several toy bunnies! Little Julian is drinking tea while wearing a bear onesie that he’s a little too old for.
Danny: Aw... I bet this is the secret picture!
Payton: It’s got to be! Isn’t it soooo adorable?
Nishan: Sure, adorable... AND super dorky looking! Isn’t he a little old to be playing make- believe with his sister? He looks about eight or nine in this photo?
Payton: It just shows how much he cares about Hope!
Danny: Speaking of which, where IS Julian? I haven’t seen him all day.
Payton: Yeah, I thought Julian was going to come chill with us today.
Nishan: Julian’s probably off doing jock things, like lifting weights or throwing... weights?
Payton: ...or having another tea party! I am never getting over that picture. It’s amazing.
Just then, Julian walks into the Nerd Hangout with Hope!
Nishan: Afternoon, Julian! Fancy a spot of tea?
Julian: Ha, so you saw the picture, huh?
Danny: Yeah, I think it shows you’re an awesome brother! Anyone who would do that to make their little sister happy is pretty great in my book!
Hope: Right? That’s what I said!
Julian: Yeah, yeah. Hope drives me crazy sometimes, but she’s STILL my little sister. And I’m not embarrassed that I love my family.
Hope: Hee hee!
Payton: Aww, Julian! That’s so sweet!
Julian: Okay, no need to get mushy! It’ll only be up for a day.
Hope: What a softy!
Julian: ‘Softy’, huh?
Julian pulls his sister into a headlock and starts mussing her hair!
Hope: Aah! Julian, stop! Guys, help!
Danny: Sorry, Hope! You’re on your own this time!
You all share a laugh as Julian released Hope.
Julian: Anyway, I wanted to say thanks.
Hope: Thanks for showing me around the other day. It was super fun.
Julian: Yeah, thanks for taking care of my li’l sis.
Danny: Sure... no problem!
Payton: So we’re thinking of hitting up the new gelato place downtown...
Nishan: You guys want to come?
Danny: I heard they have all these weird flavors, like wasabi chocolate!
Julian: Nah, I’ll take a rain check on that.
Julian throws his arm around his little sister and squeezes her shoulder.
Julian: I’m hanging out with my only little sister today.
Hope: He’s taking me to the zoo!
Julian: Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve taken Hope on a REAL trip to the zoo... it’s about time I paid the ponies a visit.