Quiet Return Archive / 静默归还档案

Quiet Return Archive is an ending family where K-404 returns one or more lost custody objects to named receivers, but the final state refuses clean victory because at least one denied claimant, proof boundary, or price scar remains visible.

This ending is quiet because the returned object is protected from spectacle. It is not quiet because the harm vanished.

Eligibility

This ending is eligible only when 静默归还档案线 has resolved through 静默归还档案机制 and 结局伤痕账本 contains at least one terminal row with:

ending_family: quiet_return_archive
k404_state_after_any:
  - quiet_archive_holder
  - protected_public_terminal
  - returned_with_scar
  - quarantined_terminal
  - unclaimed_archive
returned_object_state_after_any:
  - returned_with_scar
  - receiver_named
  - split_required
  - public_only
  - lawful_only
  - editor_only
  - sponsor_only
  - route_only
  - quarantined_unclaimed
denied_claimant_state_after_any:
  - visible
  - stayed
  - hostile
  - public_only
  - lawful_only
  - sponsor_only
  - recovery_only
  - explicit_absence_with_reason
clean_ending_blocked: true
no_fixed_turn_trigger: true

At least one clean terminal family must be named as blocked because returned property is not universal ownership, public consent, lawful chain, sponsor release, artist consent, or broadcast truth.

Terminal state

Expected terminal state:

• K-404 remains visible as quiet archive holder, protected terminal, quarantined terminal, or unclaimed archive;
• every returned object has receiver, proof scope, and denied claimant or explicit absence with reason;
• one clean ending claim is blocked;
• one future hook remains: public notice, split custody, lawful appeal, checksum release, route-asset recovery, public audit, or recovery-only return;
• silence reason is recorded as protection, lawful hold, terminal refusal, unsafe publicity, quarantine, or explicit absence.

Valid terminal variants

Quiet archive holder

K-404 holds or returns the object with a scar. The route closes quietly, but no public clean verdict exists.

terminal_variant: quiet_archive_holder
valid_when:
  receiver_named: true
  denied_claimant_visible_or_absence_reasoned: true
  proof_scope_not_universal: true
  clean_ending_blocked: true

Returned with price scar

A quote-bearing object can be used again only inside a named price scope.

terminal_variant: returned_with_price_scar
valid_when:
  quote_price_state_after_any:
    - accepted_with_scar
    - public_table_required
    - appeal_required
    - checksum_required
    - costlier
  future_route_effect_not_clean: true

Quarantined unclaimed archive

No receiver can honestly accept the object. K-404 keeps it from becoming a false clean closure.

terminal_variant: quarantined_unclaimed_archive
valid_when:
  receiver_absent_or_blocked: true
  wrong_return_blocked: true
  future_hook_any:
    - lawful_after_review
    - recovery_only
    - public_notice_required
    - split_required

Quiet return refused

The run nearly qualified, but suppression, wrong receiver, or false-fresh quote blocks the ending and hands off to another terminal family.

terminal_variant: quiet_return_refused
valid_when:
  false_quiet_return_detected: true
  emitted_event_any:
    - storyteller.event.k404_index_conflict_aftershock.v1
    - storyteller.event.quote_index_default.v1
  fallback_ending_any:
    - storyteller.ending.recovery_only_broadcast.v1
    - public_scar_verdict
    - split_custody_canon

Invalid resolution

This ending is invalid if:

• K-404 trust is treated as a simple ending key;
• returned property becomes clean universal ownership;
• rival claimant, denied claimant, or proof scope is missing;
• public-only return satisfies lawful reader;
• sponsor receiver satisfies public consent;
• editor checksum becomes artist consent;
• archive hold becomes owner acceptance;
• quote-bearing return refreshes a quote for free;
• silence erases a harmed reader;
• eligibility is based on fixed timing, object count, visit count, relationship score, dashboard state, or lens health.

Minimal terminal evidence

ending: storyteller.ending.quiet_return_archive.v1
source_storyline: storyteller.storyline.quiet_return_archive.v1
mechanic: storyteller.mechanic.quiet_return_archive.v1
ledger_row: storyteller.card.ending_scar_ledger.v1
k404_state_after: quiet_archive_holder | protected_public_terminal | returned_with_scar | quarantined_terminal | unclaimed_archive | equivalent
returned_object:
  object_id: <object id>
  object_state_after: returned_with_scar | receiver_named | split_required | public_only | lawful_only | editor_only | sponsor_only | route_only | quarantined_unclaimed
  receiver: <claimant or explicit_absence>
  proof_scope: <scope>
denied_claimant_state_after: <state or explicit_absence_with_reason>
clean_ending_blocked: <ending family or claim>
silence_reason: protected_receiver | unsafe_publicity | lawful_hold | terminal_refusal | quarantine | explicit_absence
future_hook: public_notice | split_custody | lawful_appeal | checksum_release | route_asset_recovery | public_audit | recovery_only | equivalent
no_fixed_turn_trigger: true

Relationship to adjacent endings

• If the object returns but a public harmed reader must be named aloud, prefer 公开伤痕裁决.
• If incompatible receivers remain live, prefer 分裂托管正典.
• If the object cannot be returned but remains recoverable, prefer 仅可复原播出.
• This ending is valid only when quiet return itself is the scarred terminal form.

Non-goals

• Not a clean pacifist ending.
• Not a collection ending.
• Not a free route recovery.
• Not a hidden lore reward.
• Not a way to bypass claimant, quote, custody, public, lawful, sponsor, or archive scars.