GAME OVER

(<a href="http://www.mspaintadventures.com/GAMEOVER/">Immediately previous</a>) <img src="http://cdn.mspaintadventures.com/storyfiles/hs2/02004_1.gif" alt="Karkat is looking around"> The lawnrings are empty. Blood skims the voids in your porous cranial plates, as if grazing the hollow of a threshed stem, or say, an abandoned cocoon. A sour note is produced. It's the one Agitation plays to make its audience squirm. It is your sixth wriggling day, and as with all five preceding it blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. Look. <img src="http://cdn.mspaintadventures.com/storyfiles/hs2/02005.gif" alt="Karkat is determined."> You don't have time for fancy poetry. It's almost as useless as those arm-swing flappy things on mailboxes, assuming you even knew what those were, which you don't. Trolls don't have mail. Mail is almost as useless as poetry to them. Poetry is the swing arm flappy dealy of words, and mail is the red tilty lever doodad of giving people shit. Frankly you don't know about things skimming voids or grazing hollows or whatever. You've got AMBITION. You were meant to be a bigshot. To be in charge of something huge and really important, and to be totally ruthless about it. You just haven't found the dominion in which you're destined for greatness yet. Or even a vague concept of it. You haven't found your purpose. But you will tonight. You stew in your own impotent aggravation in the cool dusk breeze. During the dark seasons, it remains dusk for most of the day. It can stay dark for many bilunar perigees at a time. But even if it didn't, you would still have this feeling... You have a feeling it's going to be a long night. $HS[{}[[>Karkat: Go back inside]]]

<img src="http://cdn.mspaintadventures.com/storyfiles/hs2/02006.gif" alt="Karkat is in his room at his desk."> You head back into your block and hit up your computer station. No word from any of your loudmouth pals. No news is good news. Sweet music to your auricular sponge clots. $HS[{}[[> Karkat: Get down to business on computer.]]]

<img src="http://cdn.mspaintadventures.com/storyfiles/hs2/02009.gif" alt="Karkat has a message from Gamzee."> Ok enough messing around time to get some work done maybe a little programming or oh god. It figures that installing this new beta chat client would open the floodgates. All your moron friends are going to be hounding you relentlessly. Not that they needed an excuse before. You wonder what this chump wants. $TC[terminallyCapricious [TC]] $HS[began trolling] $CG[carcinoGeneticist [CG]] $TC[TC: wHaT iS uUuUuP mY iNvErTeBrOtHeR?] $CG[CG: YOU JUST KILLED ME IS WHAT'S UP] $TC[TC: oh so i guess we're going to motherfucking get right into it] $TC[TC: SO LET'S GET INTO IT!] $HS[{}[[>Gamzee: Get into it]]]

<IMG SRC="http://cdn.mspaintadventures.com/storyfiles/hs2/02011.gif" alt="Gamzee is in his room at his desk."> $CG[CG: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE IS TO GET INTO CG: YOU STABBED ME IN THE CHEST WITH TEREZI'S SWORD AND THREW ME INTO LAVA CG: DO WE REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO TALK ABOUT???] $TC[TC: okay but bro in my defense TC: IN MY MOTHERFUCKING DEFENSE TC: you were charging at me waving your lil sickle around all adorabloodthirsty TC: YOU MOTHERFUCKING CAME AT ME BRO] $CG[CG: YOU WERE BEATING TEREZI TO DEATH IN FRONT OF ALL OF US] $TC[TC: bitch started that shit! TC: I MOTHERFUCKING STOOD THERE AND LET HER GET IN FREE SHOTS UNTIL MY PRECIOUS GRAPE JELLY BLOOD WAS STAINING THE GROUND TC: like we was a bunch of fat ethnic broads stomping out the fructose for some motherfucking sweet elixir] $CG[CG: SHUT UP CG: JUST CG: SHUT UP CG: I DON'T REALLY FEEL LIKE RE-CAPPING WHAT HAPPENED FOR SOME INVISIBLE AUDIENCE CG: THE POINT IS AFTER A SWEEP AND A HALF OF BEING A VAGUE AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE MENACE YOU CROSSED THE LINE INTO BEING A CONCRETE AND PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE MENACE AND YOU HAD TO BE PUT DOWN CG: ONLY I WASN'T UP TO THE TASK CG: WHEN YOU BROKE OFF OUR PALE ARRANGEMENT I KNEW THAT IF YOU EVER WENT BACK TO MURDERMODE I WOULD HAVE TO DO IT CG: AND IT TURNED OUT I COULDN'T CG: HOPEFULLY SOMEONE ELSE DID AND YOU'RE NOT JUST TAKING A NAP ON THE HORN PILE AFTER KILLING EVERYONE] $HS[{}[[>Gamzee: Laugh]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/qCBSNWl.gif" alt="Gamzee is split in half vertically. It's messy."> $TC[TC: nah bro im real dead TC: BITCH WITH A CHAINSAW FUCKING QUARTERED ME TC: but it's okay the jobs done TC: EVERYBODY'S FUCKING DEAD] $HS[{}[[>Gamzee: Fondly regard your god's handiwork]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/BJkVGKF.gif" alt="Gamzee's face is lit by weird flickering lights."> $CG[CG: OH SHIT, TEREZI'S DEAD TOO?] $TC[TC: yeah shes dead dude] $CG[CG: SHE'S DEAD???] $CG[CG: YOU MEAN LIKE `*`DEAD`*` DEAD????] $TC[TC: EVERYBODYS DEAD, BRO] $CG[CG: EVERYBODY?] $CG[CG: EVEN DAVE???!!!] $TC[TC: hes dead dude] $TC[TC: EVERYBODYS DEAD] $TC[TC: everybody is dead bro] $CG[CG: SO...] $CG[CG: KANAYA, ROSE, THE OTHER HUMANS... THEY'RE ALL...] $TC[TC: FUCKING...] $TC[TC: dirks dead bro... janes dead... roxy? shes dead dude] $TC[TC: EVERYBODY IS DEAD] $TC[TC: including that salty undead spider skank] $CG[CG: WAIT, VRISKA CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD SOMEHOW?] $TC[TC: OH MY FUCKING MIRTHFUL MERCILESS GODS] $TC[TC: did you just seriously have no fucking idea what was going on?] $CG[CG: NOT REALLY] $CG[CG: NOT FOR LIKE...] $CG[CG: THE LAST THREE YEARS.] $TC[TC: WHAT THE SHIT] $HS[{}[[>Gamzee: Fill him in.]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/BqvbqpP.gif" alt="Gamzee and Karkat are standing outside his house (tiny). The sky is full of crazy flickering cracks."> <img src="http://i.imgur.com/Tkv7iu6.gif" alt="Gamzee and Karkat are standing outside his house on the beach."> $TC[TC: this should be motherfucking embarrassing for you] $TC[TC: YOU USE TO TRY AND CONTROL AND KEEP TRACK OF FUCKING EVERYTHING] $TC[TC: you were so motherfucking salty about it] $CG[CG: YEAH BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT SO HOT] $CG[CG: SO I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GO WITH THE FLOW] $TC[TC: FUCKING INCREDIBLE] $TC[TC: look you fucking dipshit a ghost was controlling me] $TC[TC: SHE MADE ME GIVE HER THE RING] $CG[CG: WHAT RING?] (text-style: "fade-in-out")[$UU[UU:]] $TC[TC: oh hell no i cant do this] $TC[TC: WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU EVEN BEEN] $CG[CG: WAIT, SO YOU WERE BEING CONTROLLED?] $CG[CG: LIKE THE WHOLE TIME?] $CG[CG: IS THAT WHY YOU WERE SUCH A DICK TO TEREZI?] (text-style: "fade-in-out")[$UU[UU:]] $CG[CG: AND BASICALLY INCOMMUNICADO FOR THE ENTIRE METEOR TRIP] $TC[TC: nope] $TC[TC: NOPE NOPE NOPE] (text-style: "fade-in-out")[$UU[UU:]] $CG[CG: NOPE TO THAT SPECIFIC THING OR NOPE TO THIS CONVERSATION IN GENERAL?] (text-style: "fade-in-out")[$UU[UU:]] $TC[TC: either TC: MOTHERFUCKING BOTH TC: i............................ im out] $HS[{}[[>Gamzee: Surrender to the Great Undoing]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/HOqG4Ju.gif" alt="Gamzee fades into the crazy flickering lights. (honk)"> (text-style: "smear")[$TC[terminallyCapricious [TC]]] $HS[has signed off permanently.] $HS[{}[[====>|arrowone]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/9FygQmu.gif" alt="Karkat stands slackjawed before the sky of splintered cracks, which are beginning to writhe violently."> $HS[{}[[====>|arrowtwo]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/R6l7poy.gif" alt="Karkat stands slackjawed before the sky of splintered cracks, which are beginning to writhe violently. A thin green skeleton creature lurks behind him in a black cowl and a red bowtie."> $UU[UU: you should come with me if you wish to continue to exist.] $HS[{}[[>Karkat: Decide to continue to exist]]]

(if: (page-url:) contains "?1")[(go-to: ">Other Karkat: First, be dead. Then, wake up.")] (else-if: (page-url:) contains "?2")[(go-to: "arrowtwo")] (else-if: (page-url:) contains "?3")[(go-to: ">Calliope: Make an offer")] (else-if: (page-url:) contains "?4")[(go-to: ">Examine ashen choice more closely")] (else-if: (page-url:) contains "?5")[(go-to: ">Karkat: Make a decision")] (else:)[(go-to: ">Other Karkat: First, be dead. Then, wake up.")]

{(put: (random: 1,3) into $click) (put: (a: "CALLIOPE: for instance a seer of mind might examine the possibilities encompassed by paths untaken","CALLIOPE: for instance a seer of light might gather perspective from paths deemed less fortunate","CALLIOPE: for instance a seer of blood might recognize the different configuration of reality that would have been produced by a different configuration of commitments and attachments") into $seer) (set: $TC to (css: "font-weight: bold; font-family: Courier; color:#2b0057")) (set: $CG to (css: "font-weight: bold; font-family: Courier; color:#626262")) (set: $UU to (css: "font-weight: bold; font-family: Courier; color:red")) (set: $HS to (css: "font-weight: bold; font-family: Courier")) }[[Start over (this OOM)|Menu]] `|` [[Start over (completely)|>Other Karkat: First, be dead. Then, wake up.]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/HsmUuAI.gif" alt="Karkat and Callipe face each other on the beach. The cracks in the sky have reached maximum flipout."> $UU[CALLIOPE: my name is calliope] $CG[KARKAT: MY NAME IS KARKAT: WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOUR FACE KARKAT: IT'S AN OLD FAMILY NAME] $UU[CALLIOPE: i am a cherub] $CG[KARKAT: LIKE LORD ENGLISH] $UU[CALLIOPE: yes CALLIOPE: he is my brother] $CG[KARKAT: OH RIGHT KARKAT: I'VE HEARD OF YOU I GUESS KARKAT: MAN, GAMZEE WAS RIGHT, I'VE REALLY BEEN TUNED OUT ON THE FINE DETAILS OF THIS BUSINESS KARKAT: I GUESS IT'S TOO LATE TO START PAYING ATTENTION, THOUGH...] $UU[CALLIOPE: i am sorry about your friend CALLIOPE: but the damage to this section of paradox space has become unsustainable CALLIOPE: we do need to leave before this bubble collapses CALLIOPE: and we join him in surrendering to the great undoing] $CG[KARKAT: I CAN'T BELIEVE HE DID THAT KARKAT: AND I'M NOT SURE WHY I SHOULDN'T KARKAT: EXCEPT... KARKAT: THAT THAT SEEMS FUCKING INSANE TO ME? KARKAT: IT'S WEIRD, BUT I DON'T THINK I CAN ACTUALLY IMAGINE A SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH I WOULD CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR WAY OUT KARKAT: I MEAN I'VE TALKED ABOUT SUICIDE IN A HISTRIONIC AND DRAMATIC WAY BEFORE KARKAT: BUT I GUESS IF I HAD A SINGLE FIBER OF THAT SHIT IN MY DNA I WOULD'VE DONE IT A BILLION TIMES ALREADY KARKAT: AND EVEN NOW THAT I'M ACTUALLY DEAD...] $UU[CALLIOPE: i do not have much experience with other people CALLIOPE: or personal epiphanies, other than my own CALLIOPE: and i am loathe to interrupt this one CALLIOPE: but we really do need to go] $CG[KARKAT: OH RIGHT KARKAT: LET'S GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE KARKAT: IS THERE ANOTHER BUBBLE WE CAN SCURRY INTO OR WHAT?] $UU[CALLIOPE: i don't need bubbles CALLIOPE: take my hand] $HS[{}[[>Karkat: Take her hand]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/dapAvC9.gif" alt="Karkat and Calliope fly away into the shattered void. The bubble explodes behind them."> $HS[{}[[====>|arrowthree]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/wabOk9k.png" alt="Karkat and Calliope stand in a black void"> $UU[CALLIOPE: we can talk more freely here] $CG[KARKAT: WHERE ARE WE?] $UU[CALLIOPE: nowhere in particular] $UU[CALLIOPE: this region of the void is relatively unharmed] $CG[KARKAT: UH... COULD WE BE... KARKAT: SOMEWHERE? KARKAT: OR KARKAT: ANYWHERE?] $UU[CALLIOPE: i don't understand] $CG[KARKAT: THIS IS CREEPY AS GLOBES, WHAT IS THERE TO UNDERSTAND KARKAT: IT IS NICE TO HAVE AT LEAST THE ILLUSION OF A LOCATION WHEN YOU HAVE A CHAT] $UU[CALLIOPE: but if you know it is an illusion CALLIOPE: and i know it is an illusion CALLIOPE: who precisely is being fooled? CALLIOPE: i am not at home with artifice] $CG[KARKAT: YEAH BUT IF NO ONE IS BEING FOOLED KARKAT: IS IT REALLY ARTIFICE? KARKAT: OR IS IT JUST SOMETHING WE IN THE BIZ LIKE TO CALL KARKAT: 'NOT BEING A BIG CREEPY WEIRDO' KARKAT: BESIDES LOOK AT OUR RESPECTIVE COLOR SCHEMES KARKAT: I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING FUCKING BLIND] $UU[CALLIOPE: very well] $UU[CALLIOPE: i will imagine a construct] <img src="http://i.imgur.com/om9qACJ.png" alt="Calliope raises her wand and a Photoshop effects occurs"> $HS[{}[[>Karkat: Examine construct]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/S0V2cha.gif" alt="Karkat and Callope are in a very poorly drawn room. Out the window is darkness. There appear to be a key and pumpkin in the room."> $CG[KARKAT: HAS ANYONE EVER TOLD YOU YOUR IMAGINATION SUCKS?] $UU[CALLIOPE: as a muse of space, i deal primarily with things that are a part of the world of Is, rather than Is-Not CALLIOPE: even the things which i inspire into existence are a natural evolution of that which came before CALLIOPE: or the juxtaposition of existing elements into a new and more harmonious whole CALLIOPE: nothing i do can be said to be either sudden or frivolous CALLIOPE: and nothing in my life has led me to deviate from that nature] $CG[KARKAT: IF YOUR IMAGINATION HAD A FACE, I WOULD PUNCH IT KARKAT: IN THE FACE] $CG[KARKAT: WHAT'S UP WITH THIS KEY?] $UU[CALLIOPE: the key is a symbol CALLIOPE: i put it there to foreshadow the topics of our conversation CALLIOPE: so you see i can allow myself a small artistic flourish] $CG[KARKAT: IS THE KEY IMPORTANT, SHOULD I PICK IT UP?] $UU[CALLIOPE: please do not] $CG[KARKAT: IS IT... KARKAT: IS THIS KEY JUST KIND OF PAINTED ON THE FLOOR?] $UU[CALLIOPE: yes that's the symbolism] $CG[KARKAT: I THINK IT'S A SYMBOL KARKAT: OF THE FACT THAT YOUR IMAGINATION IS VERY BAD KARKAT: I'M SURPRISED YOU EVEN MANAGED TO IMAGINE A PUMPKIN] $UU[CALLIOPE: what pumpkin?] $CG[KARKAT: THAT FUCKING PUMPKIN] $UU[CALLIOPE: oh CALLIOPE: i didn't imagine that CALLIOPE: i have no idea how that pumpkin got in here] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Banish pumpkin]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/nItvW4u.gif" alt="Same room, no pumpkin."> $UU[CALLIOPE: there thats better] $CG[KARKAT: IS IT?] $UU[CALLIOPE: i feel that ive lost control of this conversation somehow] $CG[KARKAT: YEAH I GET THAT A LOT] $UU[CALLIOPE: nonetheless CALLIOPE: i have very important business to be about CALLIOPE: this is an incidental mission of mercy that has taken up enough time already] $CG[KARKAT: OH EXCUSE ME KARKAT: I'LL JUST GO HURL MYSELF INTO THE SPLINTERING FABRIC OF UNREALITY THEN] $UU[CALLIOPE: really?] $CG[KARKAT: NO] $UU[CALLIOPE: oh CALLIOPE: well good CALLIOPE: obviously CALLIOPE: although if that is your choice i will not intervene] $CG[KARKAT: WTF] $UU[CALLIOPE: you must understand that in the battle between my brother and i i cannot view you as more than incidental damage CALLIOPE: a routine cost of doing trade under the sign of inevitability] $CG[KARKAT: I THOUGHT INEVITABILITY WAS HIS SCHTICK, NOT YOURS] $UU[CALLIOPE: in order to counter his embrace of the Green Sun, the heart of my power CALLIOPE: it was necessary for me to embrace the heart of his] $CG[KARKAT: THE RED SUN?] $UU[CALLIOPE: no CALLIOPE: thats not a thing] $CG[KARKAT: OKAY JUST A GUESS KARKAT: IT WAS PROBABLY INEVITABILITY HUH, I SEE THAT NOW] $UU[CALLIOPE: it was inevitability] $CG[KARKAT: OKAY MAKES SENSE] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Make an offer]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/q6bpHSV.gif" alt="Same room, but a universe frog is visible through the window"> $UU[CALLIOPE: my brother specializes in defeats disguised as victories CALLIOPE: dangled before his victims as bait CALLIOPE: much like this key or the universe you created CALLIOPE: in response i have begun to specialize in engineering victories that look superficially like defeats] $CG[KARKAT: I GOT DUNKED IN LAVA KARKAT: I DON'T CALL THAT SHIT SUPERFICIAL] $UU[CALLIOPE: i can understand that CALLIOPE: but in the sound and fury of our conflict a third path will hopefully slip through CALLIOPE: and at least one iteration of your cause will escape the dreadful shadow of our war] $CG[KARKAT: WOW KARKAT: BUT I'M SUPER DEAD SO WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ME] $UU[CALLIOPE: that is precisely the point CALLIOPE: i understand that because of your personal shortcomings you failed to appreciate the Choice offered by your Denizen CALLIOPE: but because your ignominious demise was my responsibility i am here to offer you another Choice] $CG[KARKAT: WAS THAT THE LEAST HURTFUL WAY YOU COULD HAVE PHRASED THAT DO YOU THINK?] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Apologize]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/q6bpHSV.gif" alt="Same room, but a universe frog is visible through the window"> $UU[CALLIOPE: my apologies CALLIOPE: i thought that it would be more culturally sensitive to present myself to you with an attitude of impatience and hostility CALLIOPE: my existence has been extremely isolated but i have been allowed the solitary pleasures of observation CALLIOPE: and i have found your species and their methods of courtship and interaction fascinating CALLIOPE: unfortunately i believe my partiality has only made you more enticing targets for my brothers ire] $CG[KARKAT: COOL, THANKS FOR THAT] $UU[CALLIOPE: in truth my patience is infinite CALLIOPE: and in this realm we bring our own time with us CALLIOPE: its just that being around other individuals too long makes me a little...] $CG[KARKAT: YEAH?] $UU[CALLIOPE: NEVER MIND] $CG[KARKAT: NO, GO AHEAD KARKAT: WHAT ARE YOU DOING, ARE YOU TRYING TO HIDE INSIDE YOUR HOOD] $UU[CALLIOPE: (TEXT-STYLE: "blur")[NO]] $CG[KARKAT: WILL YOU STOP.] $UU[CALLIOPE: uncomfortable CALLIOPE: the truth is that while i am motivated by an unbounded benevolence for all life in the abstract CALLIOPE: i find individuals in the specific to be difficult to understand and often frustrating CALLIOPE: i have spent so long steeling myself for the terrible challenges that awaited me CALLIOPE: but i did not consider they would ever include explaining myself CALLIOPE: i cannot imagine why i am telling you all this CALLIOPE: in the future i will have to hold myself to pithier remarks so as to maintain my ominous mystique CALLIOPE: and the stylish set of my hood] $CG[KARKAT: I SUSPECT THAT'S ONE OF ABOUT A BILLION THINGS YOU CAN'T IMAGINE KARKAT: BUT DON'T FEEL BAD, PEOPLE UNLOAD THEIR PROBLEMS ON ME KARKAT: IT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR KARKAT: APPARENTLY] $UU[CALLIOPE: yes well CALLIOPE: let's move and explore your Choice CALLIOPE: or more properly speaking Choices CALLIOPE: like others of your aquaintance i am natively at home with bifurcation CALLIOPE: i perceive your options as falling into two main branches CALLIOPE: and then two branches within each of those CALLIOPE: i hope it is not culturally insensitive but i have adopted another small artistic flourish CALLIOPE: borrowed from your species] <img src="http://i.imgur.com/YycuHCh.gif" alt="Same room, but a diagram is visible through the window. "> $HS[{}[[>Examine diagram]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/5q2sGu5.gif" alt="Same room, but a door is visible through the window, flipping from red to white and back. "> $UU[CALLIOPE: i have framed these options as concupiscent because they both offer the opportunity to continue to participate in the reproductive cycle of reality CALLIOPE: in either of these opportunities you would "return" to "life"] $CG[KARAKT: WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT WITH YOUR HANDS??] $UU[CALLIOPE: to represent that neither word is being used with an exact scientific rigor CALLIOPE: as a ghost you are little more than a bundle of memories attached to a dwindling supply of determination agency and identity CALLIOPE: as a hero of blood your supply of the former is greater than most CALLIOPE: but your options for independent action outside the void are limited CALLIOPE: either of these choices would represent a kind of self-annihilation CALLIOPE: you would sacrifice your independent identity to merge with your self in another timeline CALLIOPE: carrying along some trace memories and lessons learned so that this experience was not wholly in vain] $HS[{}[[>Examine red choice]] [[>Examine white choice]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/MFxBvPi.gif" alt="Same room, but a grey spade is visible through the window framed in an iridiscent diamond."> $UU[CALLIOPE: i have framed these options as conciliatory because they both offer the opportunity to make your peace with what has occurred and accept your existence as a ghost CALLIOPE: you would remain here in the void and pursue the options available to those in that role CALLIOPE: in truth these are the choices that remain for anyone who is deceased! CALLIOPE: the options framed as concupiscent are the ones that are relatively unique to this Choice] $CG[KARKAT: HOW THE FUCK CAN ANYTHING BE RELATIVELY UNIQUE?] $UU[CALLIOPE: the opportunity i am describing as concupiscent is not unheard of in paradox space CALLIOPE: however few ghosts are granted the chance to give their living selves such a gift CALLIOPE: it is an ability exercised by the seer class primarily (live: .1s)[(print: $click of $seer)(click: "seer")[(put: (random: 1,3) into $click)]] CALLIOPE: and so on] $CG[KARKAT: OKAY BUT TO BE CLEAR THAT'S THE PATH WE'RE `*`NOT`*` TALKING ABOUT CURRENTLY] $UU[CALLIOPE: yes CALLIOPE: mister vantas i believe you are a bad influence on my usual concision] $CG[KARKAT: THIS LOOKS LIKE ONLY ONE CHOICE THOUGH] $UU[CALLIOPE: look closer mister vantas] $HS[{}[[>Examine iridiscent choice]] [[>Examine ashen choice]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/vY03t5b.gif" alt="Same but the window shows just the red house graphic"> $UU[CALLIOPE: you would find this timeline to be very familiar CALLIOPE: as such it might be a more comfortable experience to merge with it CALLIOPE: this timeline remains consistent with your experiences up to the point where aranea serket intervened CALLIOPE: the time spent on the meteor remains unchanged CALLIOPE: it would be as if the last few hours of your existence were merely a bad dream] $CG[KARKAT: SO WHAT'S THE CATCH?] $UU[CALLIOPE: this timeline represents my brothers ultimate victory] $CG[KARKAT: AHA.] $UU[CALLIOPE: however for you this defeat will come disguised as triumph as i said CALLIOPE: within your remaining lifetime you will found a new alternia and see your species take hold on a virgin planet CALLIOPE: however CALLIOPE: this future hides a mean double reacharound CALLIOPE: your new alternia will in fact be the old alternia CALLIOPE: in the distant past CALLIOPE: a closed loop CALLIOPE: however you will not live to see this come to pass! CALLIOPE: and neither will your friends CALLIOPE: you will die believing you escaped CALLIOPE: however whether your species survives the cosmic cataclysm now in hand will not be up to you] $HS[{}[[>Examine white choice]] [[>Examine diagram]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/xGQxmS3.gif" alt="Same but the window shows just the white house graphic"> $UU[CALLIOPE: there is not much i can tell you about this timeline yet CALLIOPE: this is a new possibility brought into existence as a result of the doomed timeline you just experienced CALLIOPE: it represents the last best chance to slip a chain of events past the lord of time's purview CALLIOPE: in this timeline events will have unfolded differently from a much earlier points CALLIOPE: beginning with the prevention of your ill-fated moirallegiance with mister makara] $CG[KARKAT: FUCK KARKAT: I FELT SO GOOD ABOUT THAT AT THE TIME TOO KARKAT: LIKE I WAS DEFINITELY MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE KARKAT: FULFILLING SOME KIND OF FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF OUR PERSONAL ARCS KARKAT: BUT THEN IT TURNED OUT TO JUST BE A BAD IDEA] $UU[CALLIOPE: perhaps CALLIOPE: in any case this timeline offers the best opportunity to remain in the thick of things CALLIOPE: but perhaps the least opportunity to retain your personal sense of identity CALLIOPE: short of utter personal annihilation CALLIOPE: and i must admit that there is no promise of success CALLIOPE: if your victory were inevitable it would be no victory CALLIOPE: a fitting description of the other choice available] $HS[{}[[>Examine red choice]] [[>Examine diagram]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/3fnoN7d.gif" alt="Same room, but a iridiscent cracks are visible through the window. "> $UU[CALLIOPE: the truth is you have already examined and dismissed this possibility! CALLIOPE: you are dead CALLIOPE: this means properly speaking you have no role to play in the timeline(s) anymore CALLIOPE: if you wish and as your friend did you can accept this fate and surrender to the great undoing CALLIOPE: but as youve already indicated you find that choice unpalatable CALLIOPE: lets move on] $HS[{}[[>Examine ashen choice]] [[>Examine diagram]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/zHFXQMT.gif" alt="Same room, but a grey club is visible through the window. The three lobes show dead Karkat, dead Gamzee, and the Blood symbol."> $UU[CALLIOPE: this symbol actually represents a range of choices CALLIOPE: too numerous to be explicated individually CALLIOPE: i have included two extreme poles to represent the full spectrum of options CALLIOPE: this is the choice to continue to exist here CALLIOPE: in the ashes of the possible CALLIOPE: you can join in the final battle against my brother that is taking shape CALLIOPE: or simply find old friends and make amends while time remains CALLIOPE: or any of a hundred thousand opportunities posed by the dream bubbles CALLIOPE: and when you grow tired CALLIOPE: the iridiscent choice always remains] $HS[{}[[>Examine ashen choice more closely]] [[>Examine iridiscent choice]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/YycuHCh.gif" alt="Same room, but a diagram is visible through the window. The diagram is quartered: a red heart, a white spade, a flashing iridiscent diamond, and a grey club "> $HS[{}[[>Examine concupiscent options]] [[>Examine conciliatory options]]] If you have already asked everything you want to ask: $HS[{}[[>Karkat: Make a decision]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/zHFXQMT.gif" alt="Same room with the club image back at the window"> $CG[KARKAT: HMMM KARKAT: I'VE GOT SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE CALLING THE ASHEN QUADRANT] $UU[CALLIOPE: does that mean you've decided to stay?] $CG[KARKAT: SLOW YOUR ROTATION, IT MEANS I'VE DECIDED TO ASK SOME FUCKING QUESTIONS] $HS[{}[[>Examine right lobe]] [[>Examine left lobe]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/lZJQDue.png" alt="Same room, with Kanaya and Rose kissing at the window"> $UU[CALLIOPE: fine CALLIOPE: who would you like to know about?] $CG[KARKAT: WELL I WATCHED GAMZEE SELF-DESTRUCT KARKAT: WHAT ABOUT KANAYA] $UU[CALLIOPE: the sylph of space has chosen the white door CALLIOPE: her heart is with the future of your race CALLIOPE: not its past] $CG[KARKAT: TEREZI?] $UU[CALLIOPE: as a seer of mind she is harder to quantify CALLIOPE: the version of her beyond the white door would recall these events CALLIOPE: but you could also find her in the void CALLIOPE: however she may be otherwise occupied] $CG[KARKAT: VRISKA?] $UU[CALLIOPE: indeed] $CG[KARKAT: DOES THAT APPLY TO ROSE TOO? KARKAT: THE SEER THING, NOT THE MAKING OUT WITH VRISKA'S GHOST THING] $UU[CALLIOPE: the seer of light will join the white session CALLIOPE: but in a form other than a mere bundle of memories] $CG[KARKAT: SPOOKY AND UNHELPFUL! BUT WHO GIVES A SHIT ABOUT DRINKY MCHUMAN, WHAT ABOUT DAVE?] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Explicate]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/FGTK8Ix.png" alt="Same room with Dave at the window"> Calliope tells the other Karkat what's up with Dave. The other Karkat is allowed to know what's up with Dave, but you're not. <a href="http://stridersgonnastride.dreamwidth.org/464.html">Man, what's up with Dave!</a> $HS[{}[[>Moving on]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/zcZIxhD.png" alt="Same room with the Mayor at the window, a carapaced creature wrapped in bandages like a mummy"> $CG[KARKAT: OH SHIT WHAT ABOUT THE MAYOR? KARKAT: WHAT'S UP WITH THE MAYOR?] $UU[CALLIOPE: the mayor?] $CG[KARKAT: I'M SICKENED BEYOND ALL COMPREHENSION BY THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHO THE MAYOR IS] $UU[CALLIOPE: it seems likely that the individual in question's involvement in cosmic events is too trivial for my perception to have captured] $CG[KARKAT: THIS IS COMPLETELY FUCKING SCANDALOUS] $UU[CALLIOPE: is this a joke? CALLIOPE: im not good at jokes] $CG[KARKAT: THIS SHIT IS SERIOUS AS A BISCUIT IMPLOSION KARKAT: AS REAL AS KRAFT GRUBSAUCE KARKAT: THE MAYOR IS THE BEST GUY KARKAT: JUST.... KARKAT: THE BEST] $UU[CALLIOPE: i dont doubt it CALLIOPE: just because someone is important doesnt mean theyre a good person to know] $CG[KARKAT: SPEAKING OF GAMZEE...] $UU[CALLIOPE: yes?] $CG[KARKAT: I KNOW HE VAPORIZED HIMSELF IN THE CRACKS AND EVERYTHING KARKAT: BUT IS THERE ANOTHER ONE AROUND OR SOMETHING? KARKAT: I STILL HAD SOME QUESTIONS] $UU[CALLIOPE: im afraid not CALLIOPE: universes where your friend has died are incredibly rare CALLIOPE: it is a function of his role as the bard of rage] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Expound]]]

<IMG SRC="http://i.imgur.com/RAGJGPH.gif" ALT="Same room, with bisected Gamzee laughing at the window"> $UU[CALLIOPE: mister makara functions as a safety valve for doomed timelines CALLIOPE: his murder sprees serving to tie up loose ends CALLIOPE: but as the last troll standing he rarely finds himself as a ghost CALLIOPE: he is simply negated when the timeline passes into nonexistence CALLIOPE: the only other time he dies to my knowledge occurs beyond the red door CALLIOPE: he dies in the service of my brother CALLIOPE: and is rewarded by an honor beyond his wildest servile dreams] $CG[KARKAT: HUH?] $UU[CALLIOPE: the creature you know as Lord English is not merely my brother CALLIOPE: he is an amalgam CALLIOPE: your friend is a part of that amalgam] $CG[KARKAT: MOTHER OF `*`FUCK`*` KARKAT: I DON'T UNDERSTAND KARKAT: HIM KARKAT: ANY OF IT, I GUESS KARKAT: I WISH I COULD HAVE TALKED TO HIM MORE] $UU[CALLIOPE: perhaps he was ashamed to face you] $CG[KARKAT: OR MAYBE HE NEVER GAVE A SHIT IN THE FIRST PLACE KARKAT: AND EVEN PRETENDING TO BE INTERESTED IN WHAT I HAD TO SAY FOR ANOTHER FUCKING SECOND WAS TOO MUCH TO BEAR KARKAT: BUT WHY DID HE PRETEND TO BE INTERESTED IN A MOIRALLEGIANCE TO BEGIN WITH? KARKAT: I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE MURDEROUS SIDE OF HIS BLOODLINE COMING OUT KARKAT: BUT NOW I FEEL LIKE I NEVER UNDERSTOOD ANYTHING] $UU[{}[[>Calliope: Empathize]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/924lcan.png" alt="Same room, picture of Karkat and Gamzee embracing"> $UU[CALLIOPE: i empathize CALLIOPE: i often felt that way about my brother CALLIOPE: and then CALLIOPE: i consumed him] $CG[KARKAT: UH... KARKAT: THAT'S ROUGH BUDDY] $UU[CALLIOPE: when i was younger i dreamed that we would find some way to compromise CALLIOPE: and become a single unified entity CALLIOPE: rather than one predominate over the other CALLIOPE: but it was not meant to be] $CG[KARKAT: DO YOU THINK THAT WAS THE DEAL WITH GAMZEE? KARKAT: THAT HE'S JUST BIOLOGICALLY INCAPABLE OF NOT BEING A PIECE OF SHIT? KARKAT: I'M ASKING YOU AS A PERSON, NOT AN EXPOSITION MACHINE KARKAT: JUST... WHAT DO YOU THINK?] $UU[CALLIOPE: i believe CALLIOPE: that a cherub is the last person you should consult about matters of nature versus nurture CALLIOPE: my brother's violent nature is unchangeable CALLIOPE: so too is my inability to countenance or forgive evil CALLIOPE: but you are not a cherub CALLIOPE: and neither is he] $HS[{}[[>Examine left lobe]] [[>Examine diagram]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/xVvmQ0N.gif" alt="Same room; the spade in the window is missing the left lobe"> $CG[KARKAT: CATCHING UP WITH MY FRIENDS IS ALL WELL AND GOOD KARKAT: BUT IT DEPENDS, DOESN'T IT? KARKAT: I MEAN, AREN'T YOU OFFERING THEM ALL THIS CHOICE?] $UU[CALLIOPE: in one way or another yes] $CG[KARKAT: OKAY WELL OBVIOUSLY THAT IS RELEVANT] $CG[KARKAT: WHO IS WHERE] $UU[CALLIOPE: im not sure answering that is within the purview of my] $CG[KARKAT: BLAH BLAH BLAH KARKAT: YOU DECIDED TO MAKE A HOUSECALL BONE LADY KARKAT: SO YOU GET TO TAKE THE BRUNT OF QUESTIONS DIRECTLY TO NOSE HOLE KARKAT: IF THAT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR TO YOU, GUESS WHAT: I'M DEAD] $UU[CALLIOPE: so am i CALLIOPE: and no such choice was possible for `*`me`*` mister vantas CALLIOPE: although someday it may be possible for one of me CALLIOPE: but only definitionally because this one exists CALLIOPE: and suffers] $CG[KARKAT: ... KARKAT: OKAY SO WE BOTH HAVE SOME SHIT RIGHTFULLY STUCK IN OUR RESPECTIVE CRAWS KARKAT: DULY NOTED. KARKAT: ARE YOU GOING TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS OR WHAT] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Exposit]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/L9i7SHf.gif" alt="Same room; the spade in the window is missing the right lobe"> $CG[KARKAT: ALL RIGHT SO KARKAT: OBVIOUSLY I WANT TO CONTRIBUTE KARKAT: BUT LET'S FACE IT I'M BY FAR THE WEAKEST OF MY FRIENDS KARKAT: I USED TO THINK I WAS PRETTY BADASS BUT LET'S BE REAL KARKAT: AT THIS POINT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS AWESOME POWERS AND I'VE GOT KARKAT: AN ENCYCLOPEDIC KNOWLEDGE OF ROMANTIC COMEDIES? KARKAT: A GIFT FOR HYSTERICALLY VITUPERATIVE BADINAGE? KARKAT: SITTING BACKWARDS ON A CHAIR TO EXPRESS MY DESIRE TO GET REALLY REAL WITH PEOPLE AND REALLY LISTEN, NOT JUST HEAR THEM BUT `*`LISTEN`*` KARKAT: IS LORD ENGLISH VULNERABLE TO ANY OF THESE THINGS?] $UU[CALLIOPE: not to my knowledge] $CG[KARKAT: ALL RIGHT SO THERE WE GO KARKAT: WHAT EXACTLY AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE KARKAT: OTHER THAN SMACK HIM IN THE FACE AND GET IMMEDIATELY VAPORIZED KARKAT: AS A LESSON TO EVERYONE] $UU[CALLIOPE: what if i told you CALLIOPE: that it would be possible for you to continue to unlock your intrinsic powers as a knight of blood, even beyond death? CALLIOPE: that provision had been made for you to achieve god-tier] $CG[KARKAT: I WOULD SAY KARKAT: IS THAT A REAL THING?] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Extemporize]]]

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/AVNAwx2.gif" alt="Same room, outside the window, the combined wreckage of Prospit and Derse's moons slowly rotate in the void"> $UU[CALLIOPE: it could be] $CG[KARKAT: ??????] $UU[CALLIOPE: what if the moons of prospit and derse from the previous troll session were unmoored and cast into the furthest ring by a powerful telekinetic for just such an occasion? CALLIOPE: what if an heir of doom made provision against the inevitable for a new generation by salting quest beds throughout the void CALLIOPE: pitting himself against his own moirail in a battle of wills CALLIOPE: and accepting the irreversible damage to his own brain in the process?] $CG[KARKAT: DID THAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN OR IS THIS JUST SPECULATIVE FLAPJAWERY? KARKAT: CAN GHOSTS EVEN GOD TIER? KARKAT: I DON'T NEED HYPOTHETICALS I NEED TO BE RELEVANT] $UU[CALLIOPE: would those powers really be necessary for you to be relevant?] $CG[KARKAT: YES??? IS THIS A TRICK QUESTION???] $UU[CALLIOPE: why did you have to take my hand to escape that bubble?] $HS[{}[[>Calliope: Except]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/L5aoAIo.gif" alt="Same room, outside the window, we see Calliope and Karkat flying away from the bubble again"> $CG[KARKAT: BECAUSE I CAN'T FUCKING FLY? KARKAT: LITERALLY EVERYONE BUT ME CAN FLY NOW AND IT'S BULLSHIT] $UU[CALLIOPE: but you're a ghost] $CG[KARKAT: YEAH BUT KARKAT: I MEAN KARKAT: .......] $UU[CALLIOPE: as the knight of blood i have no doubt that you are capable of taking on any battle you set your mind to CALLIOPE: your determination and your commitment to your friends and your cause are your greatest weapons CALLIOPE: and whatever you need to meet the challenges you choose for yourself you will fall into place once you choose your path] $CG[KARKAT: THOSE ARE THE POWERS OF A KING-SIZED WUSS AND YOU KNOW IT] $UU[CALLIOPE: only if that is what you choose to be CALLIOPE: and is it the worst thing you could choose to be? CALLIOPE: someone who cultivates compassion rather than awesome powers? CALLIOPE: and who grows as a person and an emotional partner rather than a warrior] $CG[KARKAT: YES.] $UU[CALLIOPE: as someone who has dwelled in isolation for all my life CALLIOPE: and for all my death which has been unimaginably longer CALLIOPE: waiting for my chance to strike a blow against my eternal foe CALLIOPE: im not sure i can agree] $CG[KARKAT: ......] $HS[{}[[>Examine right lobe]] [[>Examine diagram]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/xGQxmS3.gif" alt="Same room, with the white house graphic"> $CG[KARKAT: OKAY KARKAT: I GUESS I'M READY KARKAT: IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IS READY TO SEE THIS TO THE END OF THE LINE KARKAT: SO I'M IN TOO KARKAT: LET'S SEE IF WE CAN OUTSMART THIS SHITBAG] $UU[CALLIOPE: very well CALLIOPE: i expected no less of you CALLIOPE: for what it was worth it was CALLIOPE: nice CALLIOPE: to have another individual to share some fraction of my long wait again] $CG[KARKAT: UH KARKAT: COOL I GUESS KARKAT: SORRY ABOUT... KARKAT: YOUR EXISTENCE] $UU[CALLIOPE: there is nothing that can be done about it CALLIOPE: and if there was it should not be done CALLIOPE: for the good of all life in every reality] $CG[KARKAT: RIGHT, RIGHT...] $HS[{}[[>Karkat: Change the subject]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/2kBgiB9.gif" alt="the window gradually fades into a white door shaped like the Sburb logo"> $CG[KARKAT: SO... KARKAT: HOW DOES THIS WORK? KARKAT: YOU SAID I HAVE TO LIVE THROUGH THE METEOR AGAIN? KARKAT: SHOULD I TRY TO STOP TEREZI FROM HOOKING UP WITH GAMZEE? KARKAT: SMACK THE BOOZE OUT OF ROSE'S HAND? KARKAT: I DON'T THINK EITHER OF THEM WILL BE INCLINED TO LISTEN TO ME KARKAT: OH SHIT, SHOULD I WARN THEM ABOUT EVIL JADE?] $UU[CALLIOPE: i think those particular eventualities have been accounted for CALLIOPE: and your influence will necessarily be more subtle CALLIOPE: however i believe it will be felt] $CG[KARKAT: OR MAYBE THIS IS JUST A WAY TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT CEDING MY ROLE TO A DIFFERENT KARKAT KARKAT: AND CEASING TO EXIST] $UU[CALLIOPE: maybe] $CG[KARKAT: ....... KARKAT: IS THIS FRIENDLY TROLLING? KARKAT: IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO?] $UU[CALLIOPE: maybe!] $CG[KARKAT: ALL RIGHT, HAHA, FUCK YOU KARKAT: SO WHAT DO I DO?] $UU[CALLIOPE: pick up the key] $CG[KARKAT: YOU'RE GETTING GOOD AT THIS `(`KARKAT: BY WHICH I MEAN)] $HS[{}[[>Karkat: Exit]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/vHJ0EXY.gif" alt="Calliope stands alone in the room, which fades away to darkness around her"> $HS[{}[[====>|arrowfive]]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/Aq8gmSJ.gif" alt="Karkat fades away"> (text-style: "fade-in-out")[KARKAT: FUUUUUCK YOUUUUUU] [[====>|arrowfour]]

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/mrptt6J.gif" alt="White curtains close around Calliope in the darkness"> $HS[<a href="http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=009349">>Other Other Karkat: First, be alive. Then, wake up.</a>]