Heal yourself and move

As if slowed down in time, a chocolate array of dark grooved squares leave the floating bay frame. The sun shines on a large dome following close behind, polished and aerodynamic. Tightened by bonds whipping across the expanse. Powered by sheer monstrous intent. The moving structure heels the intent of it's owner. White markings speak to a tribal past. A sparkle ignites, peaking just as a cord cracks in unison. Everything has stopped, breathing is no longer necessary, all thought is lost in the vacuum. A moment in time has been [[touched->touched]].

The young man enters the castle yard. Bodies are convulsing in rhythm. Several drummers are on a podium. The young man's brother is pounding a large sweat covered drum between his legs. All the town's curves sine wave, sashay, and muscle in graceful, then sinewy postures. Beauty in motion, in structure, in controlled chaos. The young man is accidentally pushed into the middle of the throng. He dances. He dances and dances. [[Time passes->timePasses]]

The young man walks slowly again. Each step is considered. Each moment is more restful. Distant peals of laughter and drums are heard but not thought of. Fireworks spice the view but the fading matters more. The young man is disassociated, aware, unhurried and safe. The young man learns time is his prize early in life. His brother comes back one last time and drags him to the party. [[Time passes->timePasses]]

"Katsu curry, 2000 yen". You sate a hunger. A small one. You are grateful for hunger. You want more hunger, hunger is motivation and life. But the hunger has now gone. Rivermoon is here with her twin Eternal Blossom. They work in the hostel. You are playing out a scenario you know has happened many times before. For them. Street food, drinks, conversation, maybe a little [[fawning->fawning]].

Groups of teenagers dressed like David Bowie in Labyrinth pass by. Massive hair, white open shirts, poses bouncing around near attractive nearby night-mates. Are those cod pieces or half-ons? You can't tell, cod pieces presumably. How hard it would be to maintain a half on all night? It never seemed to quite work in the showers ("back off, I've got a big one dickhead!"). The fear of actually triggering a full hardon was enough to see all blood scuttling back to the frontal lobe. Groups of teenagers dressed in 1960's black and white mod styles pass by. Umbrella hats, plastic fonds, chunky patterned leggings. Where is the centre? Where are the adults? No alley reveals it. Just a constant drift of passing-going-no-where-ending-no-where [[people->nowherePeople]].

You reach, drawing your feet up into your chest as you grip the side of a pillar and the top of the wall. One last push up allows you to mount the slate stone top. A lantern smiles at you, glowing red, while floating by below. The cat greets you, laying its paws on your chest and bearing claws as it yawns. You pet it idly, while wary of wobbling left or right off your perch. The cat gets bored before you do and drops into the misty area beyond. You see lots of erratic stone creatures frozen in time, layered with trees, shrubs, wires, and pillars in a tiered square arena. Is this a temple? A shrine? You shrug and [[follow the cat down.->templeGreeting]]

In the distance you can see some stones glowing, between pillars and behind a raised rockery. You enter the garden and notice how the layout mimics that of a larger landscape. You stop for a moment in the garden. (set: $a to (shuffled: "A leaf falls gently, landing in the scrub.", "A leaf falls gently, landing on the ground.", "The leaves of a nearby bush glow golden in the sun. A spider web glistens with droplets.", "You hear the drone of an airplane overhead.", "Distance voices from the street reach you.", "Something rustles in the bushes.", "A cluster of midges dance out the day under a branch.", "The ground balances you.", "The air greets you.", "Some daffodils bend in the breeze", "Demons leave your chest.", "Tensions dissolve.", "Calmness arrives at you." ))(set:$count to 0)(live: 7s)[(set:$count to $count + 1)(if: $count > 15)[(set: $a to (shuffled:...$a))(set:$count to 0)](set: $a to (rotated: 1, ...$a))(subarray: $a, 1, 1)] (live: 15s)[After a while a flicker draws your attention back to the [[glowing stones->rememberStones]].(stop:)]

Following the sound you find a secluded pond. A repurposed gargoyle acts as a fountain near the centre. Baubles of water droplets skim out from the splashes. A wooden shelter squats upon the edge of the feature. You move towards it. The gaps in the planks underneath reflect sunlight lucky enough to escape. You rest. (set: $a to (shuffled: "A leaf falls gently, landing on the pond.", "A leaf falls gently, landing on the wooden planks.", "A splash. Circles expand.", "The sound of sweeping comes from behind the shelter.", "A dragon fly hovers in the evening sun.", "Pale fish glide in the murky water.", "Two fish swim side by side. Something within you aches.", "The cat rolls on the wooden deck.", "The cat peers into the pond, eyes alight.", "The cat watches you.", "The wooden rail feels smooth.", "The ground balances you.", "A lily pad shifts slightly.", "The air greets you.", "The shelter creaks gently.", "Tensions dissolve.", "Eyelids relax.", "Calmness arrives at you." ))(set:$count to 0)(live: 10s)[(set:$count to $count + 1)(if: $count > 15)[(set: $a to (shuffled:...$a))(set:$count to 0)](set: $a to (rotated: 1, ...$a))(subarray: $a, 1, 1)] (live: 8s)[You see some fish. You consider their movements. Sometimes a pair swims together. But only for a short while. Then one will draw away and the other will glide on for a moment, before choosing a new direction.(stop:)] (live: 15s)[You glance around. This area is enclosed. The only direction is back to the [[heart of the complex->hub]], where you entered so clumsily via the wall.(stop:)]

You approach the small hut. It's nondescript, probably a storage shed for gardening tools? To the side the statues form a sort of corridor of information. You don't think they represent graves, they seem to be more like steps on a pilgrimage. Are those symbols for wind, fire, water and earth? All powers of nature, considered unstoppable at one time. (unless:(history:) contains "shrineStatues")[The cat strolls by. For the first time you notice the bald spot behind its right ear. You think of your [brother.]<c1|] You continue [[on the shrine path->shrinePath]] (click-append: ?c1)[ You are shouting. His teeth are bared and his face wears a warning scowl. He wants to stop treatment, but that is certain death. The doctors say he has a chance if he continues. You keep thinking [[of your brother->yourBrother]]]

You look back and consider [[returning->hub]]. But you don't. It's time to [[leave->end]]

You notice you are not alone. Then you realise an old man has watched you climb down the wall. He says "hello". [Then he tells you this is a place of healing]<c2|. The cat is walking up to him. He fusses over it. (click: ?c2)[(replace: ?c2)["This is a place of healing!" he says cheerfully before turning to consider the cat]] [[You look at him wordlessly->helloOldMan]]

You feel a little silly as an intruder, but still manage to squeak a "Hey" in reply. Just as it fades, you start to consider how odd his introduction was. From his appearance you hazzard he's a custodian, layperson or maybe even apostle of this place. He is now bending and fussing over the cat, stroking behind its ears and massaging its neck with his middle fingers. The cat eagerly presents closed eyes to the stars peeking out above. They both [depart into the mist.]<c1| (click: ?c1)[ At the same pace and with backs turned. A swirl of cloth and glow covers their darkening forms.] [[You look around->hub]]

The golden light of the evening sun hangs still over the courtyard. Stone features cast dark clear beams in the misty golden air. Several paths criss-cross a tiered tiled floor. Structures and foliage deepen the space. This seems to be the heart of the complex. You spot some [[dimly glowing stones->dimlyGlowingStones]] in the distance. You also hear the [[sound of water->soundOfWater]] gurgling nearby. There are [[low sitting shrine statues->shrineStatues]] beside a windowless stone hut. (if:(history:)contains "soundOfWater" and (history:)contains "dimlyGlowingStones" and (history:)contains "shrineStatues")[(if:(history:)contains "speakToHim")[The old man is slouched against the wall with a broom. You pity him. [[Leave the temple->leaveTheTemple]]](unless:(history:)contains "speakToHim")[The old man is sitting on the wall with a broom. [[You speak to him.->speakToHim]]]]

Treatment will cost your family a dream move into an orbital. You don't care, you will pay for it. He doesn't want you to. He is livid that you won't listen, that you are making this harder. You think he's a selfish fucker for not pushing on. It's not fair for him to ask you to grieve. The blood falls away from your face as you remember. You continue [[on the shrine path.->shrinePath]]

You follow the path, lined with the small rocky markers on the right. It curves, rises and falls in front of you into a dimming tunnel of foliage. The air is fresh. On the left a water feature rivulets down a stone wall in gentle lines. The waves end up trickling off a moss overhang near the bottom. The stones beneath are rounded, polished and carefully placed. (set: $a to (shuffled: "It is nice to have a quiet spot here, away from everyone else. It feels like people don't come here often.", "A firework lies on the ground. It's soggy looking, and shows signs of being burnt. You wonder if they lit it from here, or if it just landed here.", "On the face of a slate tile you see a tiny insect crawling. Is it a spider or an ant? There are a few of them, so you guess 'ant'. Then you notice it has a flat shell-like back. A louse perhaps?", "The tone of the rocks change hue from left to right. They are greenish near the water feature, reddish on the small shrines. All spotted with white, cream, yellow, and burnt brown moulds. You guess the rocks themselves are actually slate grey.", "There are lichens on the shrines. The cold air must be clean. Little filaments of green moss strands reach out from shallow cracks.", "The stones in the wall are interlaced with green grasses, mosses, and small scrub. Many little leaves from the sort of plants that could float and spore up onto rocky cliff faces" ))(set:$count to 0)(live: 10s)[(set:$count to $count + 1)(if: $count > 6)[(set: $a to (shuffled:...$a))(set:$count to 0)](set: $a to (rotated: 1, ...$a))(subarray: $a, 1, 1)] You continue on the [[path->pathEnd]].

It is a vending machine. Fully stocked with all the Pocari Sweat you never wanted and some Asahi beer you do. There is a covered stone bench beside the machine. You sit. The machine hums with a peaceful low energy fluorescent industry. You can see a street entrance to the shrine from here, a drawn, and tall gateway, bannered with cloth and shape. This siren must call people in, then only ask for their wandering thoughts in return. Thoughts for the dead to eagerly hear after so much silence. You sit down and (set: $blinks to (shuffled: "Fast from the open street, fuzzy light motes suddenly slow down, abashed, as they hit the heavy atmosphere of the shrine. 'Oh sorry, I didn't realise you were resting, I'll just drift into the darkness of this pillar' they apologetically say.", "At the neon green intersection of interlocking stone tiles, a canyon drop away from the wonderful god beams, and wisps of mist governing the lower branches, a beatle rolls some rounded matter towards a crack behind the vending machine.", "The profane sounds outside the complex register within it as illegible and distant.", "From your position you can sense the micro white noise of so many silent things, absorbing and ignoring your presence.", "Your head focuses in on the buzz of the vending machine. It is not consistent. Burps and clicks of the compressor interrupt to reset the cooling cycle. You feel like you can see the black gaps between the fluorescent light waves. 120hz, 8ms, smaller than a ksana, but you're sure you can sense it in sync with the hum.", "The nearby bushes rustle. A white bird hops onto the path and then quickly rises to alight upon the top of the gate entrance. As it perches there, you wonder why the gate is called a 'Torii'.", "Two flags, no.., short banners, hang from a rope crossing the inside arch of the gate. Anyone entering would need to push them aside. The writing on them probably means something, but there's absolutely no way in the world you could ever figure it out. Not even by asking someone or using google translate. Just no way at all. None. And that makes you happy, dwelling in the foreign.", "You look at the vending machine and giggle a little internally. The advertisement says 'Boss', and upon it is a picture of Tommy Lee Jones. You suppose he's supposed to look manly and honourable, but it just translates to you as a weird grimacing gurn. It's as if he is trying to hide the smile of someone who has just passed wind involuntarily and loudly, but is hoping no-one will notice if he can just keep it together.", "As you sit there, you can feel your legs itching. You've never reacted well to bites and scratches, but you wonder where these have come from. You see your first mosquito. Still your legs are covered and it's too soon for you have reacted. But it still bothers you." ))(set:$count to 0)(set: $option to " ")(link-repeat: "[blink]<blink|")[(set:$count to $count + 1)(if: $count > 4)[(set: $blinks to (shuffled:...$blinks))(set:$count to 0)](set: $blinks to (rotated: 1, ...$blinks))(set: $option to (subarray: $blinks, 1, 1))(replace: ?display)[$option] (replace: ?blink)[[blink]<blink|]]. [$option]<display| (live: 15s)[The dead have eagerly listened. Now you can get up and return to the [[shrine square->hub]].(stop:)]

You push along the narrowing turning path. Your hat falls off as you duck underneath a branch and it snags. You pick it up, noticing the patterns on the ground for the first time. Like Ogham curls. Again the centre of the stones are smooth, presumably from centuries of footwear. The cat jumps across the path behind you. You continue [[down several steps->masonryLump]].

You pass through several of those large gates. In a clearing you see a small car sized lump of ancient masonry. You are surprised that it is still in one piece, made as it is of many stones. It must have been too large to move. It seems to be glued together with all the mould, colours, scrub, insects, grasses, mortar and the weight of its presence. (unless:(history:) contains "masonryLump")[You look at a [grave stone]<c1|. (click: ?c1)[It doesn't seem to mean much, but the writing is oddly hiragana. Suddenly you realise the lettering looks like "Jess". You stop. How did he get here? Time is slowing down. You are breathing slowly now. You have been trying to forget. The feeling is so tiring and unrelentless. With an ache, [[you remember.->youRemember]]]](if:(history:) contains "masonryLump")[You look at a [grave stone]<c1|. (click: ?c1)[You feel better.] Beyond the fallen rubble you see a concealed opening. The path continues towards a low wall near the [[river.->river]]]

You retreat from your brother. You are so angry with him, he has let you down. You can't believe that he would do this. Maybe he never cared for you. Calm. You're being unfair. You take a moment and rethink. What about his point of view? Maybe it's tough for him, in a way you don't understand. But, why... why does that matter? Doesn't he want to try get better - what can he lose but all of us? Why would he do that. And now he wants to leave and go white water rafting with friends, missing the start of trials [[deadline.->deadline]]

All your life, you could walk slowly and rely on his spirit. All your life he would lead the way. All your life he would never give up. All of your life, his life was supposed to be there. He still owed you that. Still owes you that. You thought, at least. You slump onto your knees feeling totally helpless. You wanted to talk to him one last time. But not like that. You suck in air and moan head raised, then tuck your chin down. The sobs are unstoppable... After a while the cat jumps rubs against your side. It [[mews->mew]].

You pause and blink your tears. "Hey.. hey you" you sniff, resisting the tiny sad convulsions of your chest. It looks up at you and mews again, pushing it's head into your waist. "Ha, you're here to keep me company", you force a smile, dropping a tear from your cheek onto its bald sickly spot. It shakes the tear away and purrs and makes a quick warbling voice. "Oh, you want to talk *sniff*.. , ok lets talk". You sit down and (set: $blinks to (shuffled: "I was scared. Scared of the future, scared of change.", "I just want to have a normal conversation, something so we'd both know it's going to be ok. That things would be normal again. That's all I want.", "I've grown stronger I think. I would want you to know that. I knew you wouldn't be there forever, but I never had to feel it before.", "You know I didn't mean to make you angry. I mean, I know you knew that, but you were so stubborn too.", "Do you remember the first time you flamed eagles in your Winger? Yeah... yeah, that was funny, until Dad found out. Those mechanical birds cost a fortune, we spent all summer paying them off. I got blamed too of course.", "Following you was hard. I'm not sure why I kept doing it. Were we that similar?... but you were my brother and it seemed right.", "I've been hurting. A lot, this last year. But, but I think it's getting better.", "It's weird, I think I held back to some degree. And I think you did too. But it's ok for us to be different. I think I'm changing finally, away from that mindset.", "Remember when we played Metal Gear Heads 2 and one cutscene took like 45 minutes, I forgot to save and the next one 5 minutes later took over an hour. You fell asleep beside me and I forgot to do my homework. I still remember.", "I'm not sure why we didn't talk more as we got older. I guess we both sort of got on with work and money. But I knew you were there, somewhere and that was enough." ))(set:$count to 0)(set: $option to " ")(link-repeat: "[talk]<talk|")[(set:$count to $count + 1)(if: $count > 10)[(set: $blinks to (shuffled:...$blinks))(set:$count to 0)](set: $blinks to (rotated: 1, ...$blinks))(set: $option to (subarray: $blinks, 1, 1))(replace: ?display)[$option] (replace: ?talk)[[talk]<talk|]]. [$option]<display| (live: 15s)[After you have spoken. The cat jumps up on the gravestone. You say "I'm glad we got a chance to speak. I'm glad we got a chance to speak again. Thank you". You look around again. Your legs ache from the crouching, but you feel a little better. You [[move->masonryLump]].(stop:)]

The top of the wall looks marbled white with mould. You lean on it and consider the floatsam bobbing below. You see your [lantern friend.]<c1| The lit windows on the opposite side show a theatre of modern atomic life. In one a family of two is watching [Cybarflix.]<c2| In another, a young lithe man [undresses.]<c3| You leave the river wall and return to the [[shrine centre.->hub]] (click-append: ?c1)[ She is still stuck but seems happy enough among the cardboard and plastic bottles.] (click-append: ?c2)[ Entertaining smoothing braingrams to educate the easily distracted. It can't be easy training a new sentisaur on your own.] (click-append: ?c3)[ Maybe he doesn't care. Maybe he's unaware. Or perhaps he's excited to be seen. Pale white, penduluming against mat black hair, his penis is visible even from here. He stretches and then puts on a headset before sitting down on his bed. He slowly lies down on his back, sucking in deep breaths. The light in his room dims automatically.]

As you draw closer to the glow it blinks. You stop. Nothing happens. You wait a moment then advance again but it flickers too! What is this? Is it an earthy reaction from some sensing force. You slowly neck forward. Behind the pillar the source [[reveals itself->revealTheGlow]].

You step out onto the street again. You accidentally swallow a fly and instinctively hack it out from the back of your throat with a retched sound. You glance around to see if anyone saw or heard. A couple leaning near a nearby wall are grinning, but at each other. A skateboarder whizzes past, invoking a theme from centuries before. Your chest tightens, another past-time of your brother. *Sigh*. You gave it up after a few months of trying. But you tried snowboarding instead. That was one of your things. It almost killed you. That reminds you that your time will [[come too.->comeToo.]]

Time speeds up. An oversized black boot rushes out of the wing mans cab window. "FUCK EWE" is scrawled in tipex across the sole. The foot of a young topless man jousts an eagle, currently on fire, off the top of a fence pole. The boot-owner pulls hard on the airhorn and screams in victory "Take that you shit burnt turkey! Wooo!", before pulling leaning back and roaring in delight. The doppler effect fades as his winger, and cackling voice, winds down the valley. "Fucking redneck. My fucking brother." a young man thinks. A young man walks slowly down the hill. A young man takes tiny steps, a fifth of footstep long. He looks up at the view and drinks it in. Everyone has gone to the castle below for the party. The fireworks and cheers have [[begun->begun]].

Before long the sun starts to set behind alpine hills. As it gets darker a curved glassy sky is revealed. The young man has only just passed the dying eagle remains. Its wings are twitching. He is at great peace and in no hurry. A young man's brother runs up the hill, tartan shirt on his waist, abs rippling, carrying a flamethrower. "What the hell is wrong with you?". "I want to be a priest" thinks the young man. The young man says "I want to be a priest". "Well then you should come down to the party and practice putting your dick in things. C'mon, it's getting late and you're missing the best bits!". The young man's brother sprays the eagle with flames again, pouting and pivoting from his waist, but the carcass doesn't react. He goes away. The young man has a decision. He will [[join the party->castleParty]] or he will [[keep walking slowly->keepWalkingSlowly]]

Earlier you stood on the roof with Evan. He's training for some ultimate fighter thing. He says he left home in Australia as a teenager when he got a new botfather. He has just started speaking to his mom again eight years later. He's a bit chubby, but can do impressive cartwheels and seems eager to wrestle. You play dumb at having any physical ability so he will back off. This is useful because you have no physical ability. You watch Evan cartwheel around the roof for hours. Round and round. Maybe you should do a little flirting. Eternal moon seems to be eager. Wait, is that River blossom? Eternal river? Moon blossom? Ha.. hahah.. hmmm, hello you! Ugh.. just give up. You can't connect. Where is your brother? He'd know what to do. [[You drift..->alleyDrift]]

He must be venerable and wise. You ask him [about the shrine.]<c1| (click: ?c1)["It's a place of healing." He repeats from earlier. "It always seems to have been here. Well before I arrived at least." He leans on his broom and his eyes fade a little. You ask him [if he is a priest.]<c2|] (click: ?c2)["Ha, me, no!" he suddenly laughs, straight and attentive again. "No, I'm just another pilgrim, like you, you see. I can see you're hurt too. No one really owns this place. I mean there are some priests who show up once a month or so to cast blessings, but this place is for the dead and hurt. Dead hurt. Hurt." Then his shoulders drop again and he breathes heavily. You ask him why he tends the gardens. "I like the tranquillity, it draws me in endlessly. I have to keep this place safe, otherwise I might forget ...and they might be gone forever." You ask him what [he does then?]<c3|] (click: ?c3)["I'm healing. And staying, because I can't go back. The bottle you see.. no, no, I can't." You suggest he should go somewhere new? "No, I can't forget. I need this pain, it's the only thing that keeps me straight. I'd lose so much." Sadly you say nothing. You feel he's lost so much by staying. You [[move->hub]].]

You pause and blink your tears. "Hey.. hey you" you sniff, resisting the tiny sad convulsions of your chest. It looks up at you and mews again, pushing its head into your waist. "Ha, you're here to keep me company", you force a smile, dropping a tear from your cheek onto its bald sickly spot. It shakes the tear away and purrs and makes a quick warbling voice. "Oh, you want to talk *sniff*.. , ok let's talk". You sit down and (set: $blinks to (shuffled: "A small bird cocks its head to the sad tone of your voice.", "Grass rustles on the rock as your murmer drifts on the wind.", "A shift in your pitch echoes in an abandoned snail shell.", "The cat's eyes stare back as you speak. Its ears adjust as you stop and start each sentence.", "You negotiate for the impossible but start to accept the mildly relieving outcome. Nearby insects don't help you in your pleading.", "The stars notice the faux confidence in your voice. You still have some way to go, but they can see you're coping. They glow a little harder for you.", "The falling leaves shift to avoid some of the latent anger in your voice. It will achieve nothing.", "Something in what you are saying sounds peaceful. The sun's warmth is happy for you.", "Rhythms of street traffic waver in and out like your waves of acceptance. You keep talking."))(set:$count to 0)(set: $option to " ")(link-repeat: "[talk]<talk|")[(set:$count to $count + 1)(if: $count > 10)[(set: $blinks to (shuffled:...$blinks))(set:$count to 0)](set: $blinks to (rotated: 1, ...$blinks))(set: $option to (subarray: $blinks, 1, 1))(replace: ?display)[$option] (replace: ?talk)[[talk]<talk|]]. [$option]<display| (live: 15s)[After you have spoken. The cat jumps up on the gravestone. You say "I'm glad we got a chance to speak. I'm glad we got a chance to speak again. Thank you". You look around again. Your legs ache from the crouching, but you feel a little better. You [[move->masonryLump]].(stop:)]

*The boot bursts through the winger window, laces flying, shards of glass exploding. The sharp edge of a pane pierces the denim covered skin and proceeds to effortlessly part subdermal and muscled flesh. The eagle fares no better, beak crushed with a boot shaped rubber stamp, as sparks of glittering flaming feather spray outwards.* The old man is still in the shrine even though the sun has set. Thinking about his full stop in life is just tiring. Your brother never stopped, but his end came quickly. Caring too much, or caring just a little. Neither appeal [[you.->you]]

You drink a beer from a vending machine. The buzz of easy accessibility rushes through you. You wish your friends were here. You would camp out at some seat near the vending machine and become an all night party. Every night. A new utopia to get lost in. But they're all working now, on careers or relationships, suffering other utopias. You will only have your junkie den of perfection if you can create it yourself. You try to find life again near an inviting bar. It's empty. You drink anyway. You see a group leave from a semi opaque studio upstairs. "What's up there?"; "We're all leaving, it's over". The zeitgeist is hidden from you. The sun is low, dusk will [[come soon.->come soon.]]

Fuck it, you will have your own journey. You elude onto a canal path, and walk away from the sounds. Small step by small step. A row of paper lanterns with calligraphic faces gorm the way. You reach a large iron refuse pipe blocking the path. Beyond is just a ledge and wall. You hop over the pipe, knocking one of the lanterns into the darkness below. Where are you going? It's an adventure! You edge out along the ledge, back to the waterway. You hear a cat mewing. You climb [[a wall to try see it.->enterTemple]]

You phone him. It doesn't go well. You threaten to pay for the treatment, he feels pressured by you and very annoyed. It's your last conversation. Perhaps, or rather probably, due to circumstances, one week later he takes risks on the river. He hits his head. In a coma, he drifts away several days later. The elogies pointed out his amazing spirit and that he avoided a slower more painful exit. You didn't even feel angry. You just feel.. felt.. numb and [[abandoned.->abandoned]]

You recall a distant time when you took baby steps down a hill. You felt so at peace, and so in the moment. You could slow down time into significant little ksanas. Considering each insignificant little thing. Try to feel them all. Yet the word around you is vibrant, active, dynamic, and runs in real-time. Fast. Without time to decide. And with excitement. Endings are hard, they always are. But you know you can't stop. And so, you [move.]<c1| (click: ?c1)[Thanks for playing. By John O'Kane]