Happy Hartley

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/77c55b90-0fa5-4d16-9679-02889b8927e7/Hartley_start.gif" alt="Hartley the hedgehog" loading="lazy"> Hartley the hedgehog sometimes finds it hard to make new friends. Is it because of their slightly prickly nature? Perhaps it's because they have an odd sense of humor. Whatever the reason, this is a new year and Hartley is determined that this year will be different! [[Hello, neighbor]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/a6d786ee-d6a2-4070-a105-12a1fe8c32f0/Hartley_waving.gif" alt="Hartley waving" loading="lazy"> You and Hartley are neighbors. One day, Hartley, who sometimes looks a little sad, waves at you in the hallway. [[Pretend not to see them and run away->Capitalist Hartley]] [[Talk to Hartley]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/f4bff0f9-af25-4053-90f2-502ffcf2ed31/Hartley_talking.gif" alt="Hartley is talking" loading="lazy"> Hartley confides in you and asks for your advice on how to make new friends. [[ Invite Hartley over for dinner->Accept]] [[ Advise Hartley to get a gym membership->Gym]] [[ Show Hartley the magic of yarn crafts ]] [[ Encourage Hartley to adopt a cat ]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/e3b12c42-a273-4be6-89e8-7fdfa3f28ca1/Hartley_gym.gif" alt="Hartley has workout clothes on and is holding a pie" loading="lazy"> Hartley finds that the gym has been great for their overall health! They feel physically fantastic. But it's hard to talk to people at the gym. People are just really focused, or intimidating, or generally unapproachable. Still, Hartley's grateful that you helped them get so fit. They show up at your doorstep with pie. Do you let them in? [[Yes->Accept]] [[No->Decline]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/bfddbec4-c52c-4773-8396-927b90eec39a/Hartley_yarn.gif" alt="Hartley is covered in yarn" loading="lazy"> Wow! Yarn is really quite magical! Hartley discovers that they are able to create a sweater just by rolling around and getting the yarn stuck in their quills. Hartley invites over for yarn crafts and dessert. [[Accept the invitation->Accept]] [[Decline the invitation->Decline]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/51f1a71a-8909-4715-aca4-81380a1b79de/Hartley_cat.gif" alt="Hartley has a cat" loading="lazy"> Hartley adopts a black cat and names him Damian, the Devourer of Worlds. They are quite happy together. They are so grateful, they invite you over for dinner. [[ Have dinner with Hartley->Accept]] [[ Decline the invitation->Decline]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/31036b29-3223-40c8-96b1-c969ea9e62ed/Hartley_pie.gif" alt="Hartley is holding a pie and smiling" loading="lazy"> Hartley turns out to be an incredible cook! They make you a triple berry pie dessert and share their collection of jazz-funk records with you. [[ Holy cannoli! Could Hartley be your new best friend? You make plans to hang out again next week.->Best New Year]] [[That was fun, but you're not sure you really connected with Hartley.->Acquaintance]] [[Ugh jazz-funk really isn’t for you. Maybe you’ll just ghost Hartley and they won’t notice.->Decline]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/a122c31f-2458-48ed-a3fa-acf9455ba199/Fortune_crystal.gif" alt="A mysterious crystal ball sits on a table" loading="lazy"> You go your separate ways... Years later, you meet a fortune teller. Would you like to ask them about your fortune or Hartley’s? [[Ask about your fortune->Yours]] [[Ask what happened to Hartley->Hartley fortune]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/72aec7c6-2168-4d56-a40e-e6aad1920be0/Fortune_you.gif" alt="The crystal ball has a cloud above it with a vision of you in it" loading="lazy"> You ask the fortune teller to see your future. Maybe they can help you find that lost sock you've been looking for? The crystal ball swirls with otherworldly smoke and as it clears you move closer... [[Suddenly...->Evil Hartley]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/3f626ec7-120b-4367-a79e-09746332ee39/Fortune_Hartley.gif" alt="The crystal ball has a cloud above it with a vision of Hartley in it" loading="lazy"> You ask the fortune teller about what happened to an old neighbor of yours named Hartley. There was something about that ol' hedgehog... you didn't think you had enough in common to really be friends, but some part of you still cares what happened to them. They just seemed a little sad sometimes. The crystal ball swirls with otherworldly smoke and as it clears you move closer... (link-goto: "See the truth", (either: "Evil Hartley", "Capitalist Hartley", "Self-love Hartley"))

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/79788f80-2b62-4943-b946-ea6004af20b5/Hello.png" alt="Hartley waves at you" loading="lazy"> You and Hartley see each other occasionally and remain friendly neighbors. The two of you never really bond, but it's nice to have a friendly face around the building and someone to commiserate with when the plumbing has issues. [[Time goes by->Self-love Hartley]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/ceedb175-c342-4938-9bad-d490d3ce428b/Evil_Hartley.gif" alt="Hartley is wearing a cape and laughs a sinister laugh. The shadow of a great cat floats behind them, ready to pounce on you." loading="lazy"> The fortune teller reveals that they are Hartley! Suddenly, a black cat appears from the shadows. Its name is Damian the Devourer of Worlds. Your soul is lost! [[ Aw nuts!->Better Luck New Year]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/fac519dd-8bd4-48f0-b518-369d3dc7fe96/Capitalist_Hartley.gif" alt="Hartley has slicked back hair and a bow tie. They are laughing and money is flying above their head" loading="lazy"> As time passed, Hartley grew bitter and vengeful, feeling no love from the world. They decided it wasn't worth it to be nice anymore and started a Ponzi scheme that has just stolen all your money. Guess you should’ve been nicer to Hartley. [[ Oh dear...->Better Luck New Year]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/c93e13ce-4f38-4a9f-ac9d-1f2068320160/NYE_Evil.gif" alt="Hartley has slicked back hair and a bow tie. They are laughing and fireworks surround them." loading="lazy"> You may have accidentally created the next supervillain, but that's ok. These things happen! I mean, look at Lex Luthor and Superman—classic duo. Hope this year is filled with better luck and happy adventures. Maybe a re-match with your new nemesis, Hartley? Happy New Year! Best wishes, Amy Hua <a href="https://www.littlebluelark.com/" target="_new"><img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/47ac1d77-582a-45d5-bcbb-0fae4b02dc30/LBL_bird.png" class="logo"></a>

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/3e165060-23cc-4688-aa41-795fcf119bbd/Hartley_friends.gif" alt="Hartley is smiling with their two friends. Everyone is wearing something that Hartley has knit them. A black cat sits on Hartley's head." loading="lazy"> Hartley and their cat, Damian, eventually find a community where they feel at home. They are happy being their hedgie self with others who love them. [[You feel a sense of peace->Hopeful New Year]]

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/0d8144e2-6849-4600-b8a0-1659cf40d094/NYE_Hartley.gif" alt="Hartley holds a heart shaped balloon and blows a noisemaker. Fireworks sparkle behind them." loading="lazy"> How incredible that you're starting a new year with a new best friend! Hope you have wonderful adventures this year and plenty of happy memories with Hartley. In fact... may you have lots to celebrate this year in all aspects of your life. Happy New Year! Best wishes, Amy Hua <a href="https://www.littlebluelark.com/" target="_new"><img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/47ac1d77-582a-45d5-bcbb-0fae4b02dc30/LBL_bird.png" class="logo"></a>

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/0d8144e2-6849-4600-b8a0-1659cf40d094/NYE_Hartley.gif" alt="Hartley holds a heart shaped balloon and blows a noisemaker. Fireworks sparkle behind them." loading="lazy"> Hope you have a year full of love and joy! May you also spend more time with people who love you as you are. You deserve it. :) Happy New Year! Best wishes, Amy Hua <a href="https://www.littlebluelark.com/" target="_new"><img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6406e06ba6570b7cf63c88b6/47ac1d77-582a-45d5-bcbb-0fae4b02dc30/LBL_bird.png" class="logo"></a>