You've been living in the Friends world for a couple of weeks now. You're starting to notice patterns — not just with the group's routines, but with the System itself.
It's not just tracking relationship points or drama quests anymore. It's… glitching.
SYSTEM ALERT:
"ERROR: Unexpected Timeline Detected. Ross and Rachel are not currently on a break."
"Triggering Minor Timeline Stabilization."
"System Confused. Suggest Clarifying Relationship Dynamics… with Wine."
You stare at your invisible screen. "With wine?" you mutter. "Seriously?"
You're in Monica's apartment again — your second home now. Chandler is asleep on the recliner, snoring like a bear. Joey is rifling through the fridge, probably looking for leftover pizza.
Rachel walks in, holding a small box. "Hey… is this your key?" she asks, holding up something familiar. "You left it in the hallway again."
You blink. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry. I'm kinda scatterbrained these days."
"Scatterbrained? You?" Rachel smirks. "You're the only person here who reads the newspaper like it's a quest log."
DING!
[+5 Rachel Relationship Points]
[New Trait Unlocked: "Mysterious Energy" – You are now perceived as weird but oddly charming.]
You sit on the couch, thinking. Something's changing. These aren't just episodes anymore. People are growing. And you're interfering with a world that was supposed to play out one way.
Later – Central Park
Phoebe is performing a new song. It's about parallel lives and unraveled time. The lyrics are eerily accurate.
"Maybe I died and came back as me,
Maybe you're you, but not really you…
Maybe the coffee's just really strong."
You stare. Is she onto you?
You get a System Ping.
Hidden Stat Discovered: "Phoebe's Perception – 42/100"
She suspects you're not from around here. Be careful.
You suddenly remember the optional quest from before:
"Start a Love Triangle or Conflict."
You still haven't made a move.
But then Monica pulls you aside.
Back at Monica's Apartment
Monica: "Okay, you. I need you to be honest. Are you into Rachel?"
You nearly drop your coffee.
"What? No— I mean, not not, I mean—why?"
"Because Ross is acting all weird again, and Rachel's acting weirder. And you… well, you're the weirdest of all."
You feel the system pressure building.
NEW SYSTEM PROMPT:
"Initiate Love Triangle? Y/N"
Choosing "Yes" will result in heightened drama and faster storyline progression.
Choosing "No" will maintain emotional stability (boring).
You stare at it. You hear laughter outside. Joey's telling a story. Chandler's waking up. Rachel's humming. Monica is staring at you, waiting.
Do you choose chaos?
You smirk.
"Yes," you whisper.