rubin

,,,,,

you aren't sure where you are. [[look around]] [[look at yourself]] (set: $inv to (a:))

you look around. you are standing on a great wide platform, and the ground is very far away. in front of you is a tiled space with a different symbol on each tile. the wall is dimly glowing. [[touch the tiles]] [[explore the platform]]

you look down at yourself. you see a twitching at the end of your nose. your belly is soft. (link: "who are you?") [(transition: "dissolve")[your name is rubin. you feel cold. (link: "reflect more on your own existence")[(transition: "dissolve")[your name is rubin. you remember a different place. it was larger than here, and louder. you remember being there and your mother...you don't know where she is anymore. you feel cold. you felt warm then, and warmer still were the meaty fists who took you, took you to a small place with invisible walls, your mother wasn't in that place. you never felt warm again. ] [[look around]] ]]]

you place your feet on the biggest tile, which has no letters on it. the wall glows brighter and it asks you if you are online. (link: "yes, you are online") ["yes", you tell the wall, "i am online." the wall grows lighter and symbols start to appear. you are fascinated by the brightness and walk closer and closer to the wall, until you are past it, and have arrived inside of it. [[time to explore->you are online]] ]

you walk around the wooden platform. almost everything is larger than you, except for (either: "a pink package inscribed with the words //equal (tm) saccharin//", "a bottle cap that reads //snapple//") and a little plastic elephant. (link: "talk to the elephant")[(transition: "dissolve")[you approach the elephant and say hello. you are granted no reply. maybe he is sleeping. (link: "touch the elephant")[(transition: "dissolve")[you try to touch the elephant but nothing happens. you can't seem to get to him. strange. it's almost as if he's not real, or you're not. ]]]] [[touch the tiles]] [[leave the platform and go elsewhere]]

you walk to the edge of the platform. the ground is so very far away. you manage to slip down one of the legs and onto the floor. the floor is very (either:"dusty","creaky","dark") and wide. [[keep exploring]]

you wander along the floor for ages. you come across legs of other sorts of platforms, but the journey down from this one was quite scary and you don't want to go through that again. you see a light rather far away near the ground. [[go to the light]] [[go under one of the platforms]]

you go as fast as you can towards the light. it is coming from behind the wall, through a wide crack. it is narrow, but you have always been good at squeezing through cracks. on the other side, you see the longest stretch of floor you have ever seen. it is bright and unprotected. it feels like the ground never ends, and there are no spots that you can see that would be safe to hide in case of danger. [[march bravely on]] [[go back under the crack]]

you (either:"hide","scamper","scurry") under one of the low platforms. it is (either:"dustier","colder") than the rest of the floor, but it is a good hiding place. you wait for a while here, but you're not sure what a while means. it seems like nothing is changing but you can here movement every now and then. you wait for a long, long time. you don't feel hungry but something makes you feel like this is not the best place to be hiding. you remember the light. [[go to the light]]

you run and run and run for what seems like days. you pass by many other cracks and even make your way down a series of little cliffs. eventually you make it to a crack that seems far brighter than any others. when you go through it, you can see the (link-reveal:"sky.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you are filled with a new joy for the air, not even the passing thought of wild animals with sharp claws perterbs you. you make your way to some grass nearby. as soon as your little feet make contact with the green, you feel (link-reveal:"a pull and a tug.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you follow that sense. eventually you find a mound of earth and innumerable flowers all piled around it. there is a scrap of cloth. it says rubin. this spot seems like a wonderful bed. you settle in, and instead of feeling the heaviness of sleep like usual, you feel lighter with every (link-reveal:"yawn.") [(transition:"dissolve")[ you can feel your mother nuzzling her nose into your side, and you feel warmer and warmer until you (link-reveal:"fall")[ (transition:"dissolve")[ asleep. [[the end...->ending]] ]]]]]]]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

you hastily shimmy back under the crack. [[go under one of the platforms]]

where to go now? [[go south]] [[go east]] [[go north]] [[go west]] (if: $inv contains "yarn")[in front of you is a [[hallway]]. has that always been there?]

you go south. you are confronted by pictures of things you cannot understand. you feel very lost, until you see one that is of you, and you are so small, and you remember the moment it was taken. you were in the hands of someone warm, but not as warm as your mother. the picture looks like this. <img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/556fa029c7562d72b557f23da310d04e/tumblr_plnq9xyIxr1s5c5xko1_540.jpg" width="540" height="405" alt="rubin"> [[what happened that day?]]

you go east. this path is dark but you can hear music coming from somewhere. it sounds like the music your mother used to play. you get to thinking. you wonder why you were taken that day, you wonder why you were born so small. that day, when you were taken, your mother had left you alone. you start thinking about how maybe if she hadn't left you, you wouldn't be so cold now. but if she hadn't left you, maybe she'd have been taken too. [[keep going east]] <audio autoplay> <audio src="http://hindocarina.com/discover/sound_samples/sweet_potato/bass/bass_improv.mp3" autoplay> </audio>

(if:"keep going west" is in (history:))[you go west, and avoid the questioning creature who was there before. your mind is on the field ahead. [[walk on->keep going more west]]](else:)[you go west. you come to a white space with a multicolored creature that begs you to ask a question. [[ask "why am i cold?"]] [[ask "where is my mother?"]]]

you were so small. you were so small and somehow it felt like you only got smaller and smaller. (link-reveal:"you missed your mother.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (link-reveal:"you missed your mother.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ the one who held you tried to be your mother, but her food was the right food, and her touch was not the right touch. she cried. [[keep going south]] ]]]]

you keep walking. up ahead, you see a glowing symbol writhing and glowing against the dark. as you get closer you see a giant animal wrapping endlessly around a sphere. it seems to be burning. maybe you can (link: "talk to him.")[ you approach the creature. he greets you in (either:"an unsettling","a chattering","a booming") voice. his teeth look very sharp and you wonder if he would like to eat you. you have heard of things like him before, although not as δεινός as this. you think he is called "fox". he is holding something. <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Firefox_Logo%2C_2017.png/581px-Firefox_Logo%2C_2017.png" width="581" height="600" alt="firefox"> [[ask the fox why he is burning]]]

you continue west. this place looks like a field, but there is no wind for the tall grass to blow in. you always wanted to live in a field. your mother used to tell you about fields, and the way the grass howled and hissed in a storm, and the way the wheat bent under the weight of little feet. she had never been to a field, but she seemed to know an awful lot about them. [[explore the field]]

you ask "why am i cold?" the creature seems unsure how to respond. it tells you that nonbeing is cold. it tells you that when you leave home it is cold. it tells you that vitamin C is a good remedy for the common cold. none of this is very helpful but you say thank you. [[ask "where is my mother?"]] [[keep going west]]

you ask the creature "where is my mother?" and it looks sad. it tells you that a mother is where you are safe. it tells you that a mother is what made you be where you are. it tells you that a mother's love will follow you wherever you go. now you too are sad. you say thank you. [[keep going west]]

you keep going west and your mind is filled with mothers. that morning, the morning you were taken, your mother was finding food for the family. the family was so large, but you were the smallest one. you couldn't protect anyone and you had trouble looking after the youngest. your mind always wandered. you wanted to help her. you thought if you could help her find food, arguably the most important job in the family, then maybe you would be worth something. you only wanted to help her. you only wanted to be a part of the family, a part of the home. [[keep walking->keep going more west]]

you keep walking. you don't see any markers or indications of where you are, and you're not sure what direction you came from anymore. did you come from anywhere at all? you walk and walk, and the space becomes more and more confusing with each step. the ground fractures into pixels in some places, and at times pictures appear, but you're not sure what the pictures are of. [[keep going]]

you walk through the field and it feels like a dream. your feet (either:"don't make a sound.","hardly touch the ground.","skip gaily along the ground.") you spot a tall stalk of wheat and decide to climb it. you scale it easily and it accepts your mass, bending gently but promising not to break. from the top you scan your surroundings; the field seems to go on forever and ever in every direction. you spot something in the distance, and your heart, which beats 400 times per minute on a good day, somehow beats even faster. you leap off of your wheat and run in the direction of the figure. when you get there, you stop. atop a stalk of wheat, balancing gracefully, is your mother. [[ask her where she's been]] [[tell her you love her]]

you ask her where she has been all this time. she doesn't seem to know, and for that matter she doesn't really seem to know you. she keeps (either:"asking","requesting for",) you to play her something, to play her something so that she might remember. you think maybe she wants you to play her the song she used to play for you on her ocarina. (if: $inv contains "ocarina") [put the ocarina to your lips and [[play for her]].] (else:)[you don't know where it is anymore. you have to [[go find it]].]

"i love you mom!" you say, but all you get in return is a few blinks. why didn't she say it back? [[ask her where she's been]]

<h2>Inventory</h2> (if: $inv's length > 0)[Your inventory contains a (print: $inv.join(", "))] (else:)[you don't have anything right now.]  (click: "rock")[(display: "rock")] (click: "ocarina")[(display: "ocarina")] (click: "key")[(display: "key")] (click: "yarn")[(display: "yarn")] (click: "paper")[(display: "paper")] (click: "bottle")[(display: "bottle")] (click: "feather")[(display: "feather")] (click: "bookmark")[(display: "bookmark")] (click: "journal")[(display: "journal")] (click: "crown")[(display: "crown")] (click: "attic key")[(display: "attic key")] (click: "strawberry milk")[(display: "strawberry milk")] (link-goto: "Return", (history:)'s last)

(if: (passage:)'s name is "inventory")[] (else-if: (passage:)'s tags contains "donotshowinventory")[] (else:)[Check [[inventory]].]

you pull out the ocarina and start to play for her. as you play, you can see understanding come upon her like rosy fingered dawn. her stalk of wheat starts to move and sway as if there was a breeze, but the sway is caused by her head and tail moving to your tune. when the tune is finished, she smiles down at you. "i remember now, thank you" she says, "your face has been lost to me but now i have found it. it is easy to lose things these days. i have been missing you, rubin. i missed you before you came into this world and i miss you now that you have left it, and i will miss you more when you leave it again. your song made me remember that i have something to tell you. i am your mother, in a way, but not in all ways. if you touched me i would not be warm. we are not in a place of warmth, you know. i am your mother, and i am your friend's mother, and i am your enemy's mother. i am every mouse's mother, in every mouse's favorite field, uploaded to this special place of rest. i have another secret, too." [[what is the other secret?]] <audio autoplay> <audio src="http://hindocarina.com/discover/sound_samples/inline/bass/edelweiss.mp3" autoplay> </audio> (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "yarn"))

you (either:"walk","hurry","scurry","scamper") off feeling a bit foolish for not knowing where your ocarina is. you think back, and you're pretty sure you didn't have it on the day you were taken. maybe the day before? who knows. it doesn't matter now. you'll find it. (link:"look for the ocarina in the field")[(transition: "dissolve")[you spend a while wandering the field, but you don't see it anywhere. all you find is a nice rock. you never know when a nice rock will come in handy. [[pick up the rock]]]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "rock"))

you grab the rock. (link: "look for the ocarina somewhere else") [(transition: "dissolve")[you walk away from the field and make your way back to the place where you started. [[go back to the start ->you are online]] ]]

this is a very nice rock. <img src="https://dumielauxepices.net/sites/default/files/pebble-clipart-710255-7787158.jpg" width="160" height="160" alt="rock">

you take another step towards the fox, who doesn't seem to notice you yet. you ask him why he is on on fire. he turns to you and lets out a high pitched clamor of laughter. "i have always been ablaze," he says, "when i move i move as light, and as light i canvas the world." you stop listening to his god-like rant when you notice what he is (either:"clutching","gripping") in his paw. it is a little ocarina, and it looks like the one your mother gave you. [[ask him where he got the ocarina]] [[leave. he speaks only in riddles->you are online]]

you interrupt his self indulgent (either:"ramblings","monologue","speech") and ask him where he got that ocarina. he says "sometimes artifacts dropped along the road of life end up in my lap. this one came from one who lost his way on that road. he was very small." [[ask him to give you the ocarina]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "ocarina"))

you ask him to give you the ocarina. he seems to have (either:"grown fond of it,","become attached to it,","taken a liking to it,") but he also sees that it means a lot to you. you take it and it feels like it was meant to be in your hands. it isn't even burnt at all, which is a surprise. you say thank you. [[go back to the start ->you are online]] [[walk past him and keep going]]

the ocarina is smooth and light. your mother told you that it had been in your family for generations, and that you needed to pass it down when you grew up. have you grown up? <img src="https://funjdiaz.net/museo/instrm/ocarina.jpg" width="300" height="350" alt="ocarina">

you walk on, and as the glow from the fox fades you come to a place that is even darker than before. you don't know if you're even walking in a straight line. the meeting point between your feet and the ground is the only indication that you are tethered to the earth and not just floating in a void. this meeting point is rudely interrupted when you take a step that lands not on ground but on empty air. you are [[falling]]

falling for a long time, until finally you land with a thump in a heap. it is so [[mething soft is moving|something soft]] very [[ small, something very small and thin|something small]] [[you feel something squishy in the|something squishy]] dark. you squint, but your eyes are useless here. better grope around and hope you find something. if not, this looks like the end of the road.

in the dark, you feel your way into what seems to be a tiny room. a very small lamp clicks on. <img src="https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/50273939_10218769531455488_125801211302510592_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=7aefee31ddacce050b59120c183261b3&oe=5CCD6018" width="517" height="383" alt="lounging rat"> "how did you get in here?" the rat says. "look what you've done. now my nap's been cut short!" you apologize and quickly leave. the lamp shuts off behind you. [[go back to exploring->falling]]

you grope around and find something little. it feels like a key. you can't really see it, but you hold on to it for now. [[grope around more->falling]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "key"))

<img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/10e59d6f87d1b038d6f7a1f0b1814e12/tumblr_ndcfr4UlkU1snc5kxo1_500.gif" width="500" height="284" alt="batgif"> you touch something soft and a bit squishy. it starts to move and flaps its giant wings about your head, causing you to tumble over from the wind it caused. eek! a bat! (link: "talk to the bat")[despite your fear, you say hello. the bat askes you "how did you get down here, little friend? are you maybe lost?" you say yes you are lost, and the bat tells you she can help you get out. sweeping you up in her (either:"pointy","careful","gentle") claws, she darts up and you can almost make out the faint pings of her navigational system. in time, she has taken you all the way back to the place where you entered. that was close. you thank her as she flaps away. [[go explore some other place->you are online]] ] [[go back and keep groping around->falling]]

it is a little key. very rusty. you're not sure what it unlocks, but it has a nice weight in your hand. do keys even unlock anything on the internet? <img src="https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/square-product/small/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/old-rusty-key-michal-boubin.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="key">

you enter the hallway, and it seems familiar. it is warm and it smells of fresh bread. your mother always loved fresh bread, although it was the most dangerous food to forage for. stale bread was always safe, but the fresh loaves were always well guarded. at the end of the hallway is a door. you try the handle, but the door is locked. [[ someone is tapping your shoulder. who is it? ->mouse friend]] (if: $inv contains "key")[you remember the key you found, and wonder...it fits! you [[unlock the door.]]] (else:)[you wander the hallway for a while in hopes that the key might be lying on the ground or something. it's not. oh well. better [[head back. ->you are online]]]

the rusty key meets the rusty lock with a click. you pull open the door and bravely step through, pushing aside any worries about getting lost or finding your way back. past the door is nothing, and the door is no longer there. you are suspended in a clean white space, noiseless and almost devoid of shape or color. (if: "mouse friend" is in (history:))[your mouse friend is starting to disassemble into ones and zeros. he looks happy.] the only thing here other than you is a message suspended in giant blue letters. [[start over? ]]

"the other secret," she says, "is that i love you very much, and i have always loved you, and will always love you." you are crying a little bit now. mouse tears. you tell her that you love her too, so much, and you are sorry you got lost and you wished you hadn't strayed. "it doesn't matter anymore," she says, "and besides, i have a gift for you." floating down from her high vantage point you see a scrap of red yarn. "don't worry so much about getting lost" she says, "every decision you make takes you somewhere new." you bend to pick up the yarn, and when you look back up she is gone. [[somewhere new? ->you are online]]

a scrap of red yarn. when you were little, your mother used to tie it around your tail so that she could see you if you got lost, which you often did. now you think it would make a handsome scarf. are you still scared of getting lost? <img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/fab23c39099fa7a8c4ada59bc5adf63d/tumblr_plpunxsRJM1s5c5xko1_400.png" width="281" height="163" alt="yarn">

the first thing you smell, the first thing you have ever smelled, is (link-reveal:"fresh bread.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you cannot see, but there is a light present, you know that much. everything around you is warm and soft, and you can feel the pressure of other bodies, all very small, lying and squeaking around you. (link-reveal:"above you something stirs")[(transition:"dissolve")[, and you feel a tongue slide along your hairless head. it feels like love, it feels like (link-reveal:"protection.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ "rubin" proclaims the most wonderful voice you have ever heard, "your name will be rubin. welcome to the world, little one." [[the end...->ending]]]]]]]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

<pre style="font: 4px/2px monospace;"> ;;, .;;'. `` .;;;; `;;;'':` ,;;;;: ,;;;::::;; .;;::' .';;;;:::::'. ::::;. '';;;;::,,,:;, `:::::, `'';'';::,,,,:'. `,:::::: ``````.'''';';::,,.,:',.`.,;::;;:. `.,:;;;;;;';:'''';'';:,.,,,'::;;;'''';;:` `,:;'''+''''''''';''''';;:,,,.,:;::;''+'+';;:,` `,:''''+'+'+'+'''''':'''''';:,:,,:,;:;:;;''';''';;, `.:'''''+'''''+''''''''''+++';;::::;;:,':;:;;;'';;;';;:` `,'''+++''''''''+'+'';';':'++'';;;;;;;;,:;':;;::;::;;;;;;:` .;'''''''''''';;;;;;'';;;;;+++''+';;;'';;:;;:::;:;;;::;'''';, `,''''''';;;;;:;';:;'';';;;;;;'++''+';;;+;;;;;;':;::::::;;';''';. `:'''''';;';;;;;::;;;;;;:;;:;;:'''''++'';:;';;:;:;:;:':::;';;''';': `:''++'';;;;';;;;::;;;;::;:;;;;;:'+'''+++';;'';;;;,;:;:;###';';;;'';:. ,'''''';;;;;;;:;;;:;;;;;;::;';;;;;;+'++++';':;;:;;;;;;'@###@+;;;;;;'';:` `.'''';';;;:::;:;;;;::;;;;;;;:;;;';;''''++#;;;;;;::;:::'@@@;:@@';:;;;;''';` `:'''';;;;:;::::;;::;;;::::;';:;';;;'''+##';::::;;:;;;;'@@@@@@@+;;;;;:;;';:. ,''';;';;:::;::;::;;;;:::;;:::;;'';''++';;,,::'';::;;;;;@##++#+';:;:;:';';;; .;';';;;;;;:::::::::;:,,,:::::;::::;';'::,,:;;;;;;;;;:;':+@@#@+;;;;;;:::';';;,` `;'';;:;:;::;;::::;::::::::::;;;::::::;;;:,,::::;;';::::;::;''';';;;::::;;;;;::: .;';;;;;;:::::::::::::,,,,:::;::::::::;:;:;:::;;::;:;;;;;';;'''';;;:;::,:,:;:,::: ,;';;;;;:;:;;::::::::::,:::::;;::::::,,:;:;;;;;::'';;:::;;;';;;;;;;;;,:;::::::::;. :;;;;;;::;::::::::::::;::::;;;::::;;:,:;:;'';;;;:;;::;:,:::::;;::;;;;':;:::;:::::, `:;;;;;;:;::::;:,:;:,,:;:,::::::;::::::::;::';;;;::::;;;;::;;::::::::.,::;;;;:::::, `:;:;;;:::;::,,,;;::,:::,,,,::;:::;::,:;:::,;;';;;;:;;;;:,:;;;:;:;,,,,:,,,:::,,;:, `:;';:::::;:::::;;:::,:,::;;::::;:,,::::,:':::;;:;::::;::::;,:,,:,,..,.,,:.,.,,,,. .;;;;;;;:;:;;,,:;::::;;:::::::;::,:,:,,,:,,:,,:;;::;::;::;:::,.,,,..`,...`......` .:;;;;;;:;::;:::::::::::;::::;:;:,:;,,,,,,;:,,,,::::;,;:::,,:,,,.`...``........` .;:;;;;:::,::::,,:,,::;;:,,,,:::::::;,,:,,,,::,,,,::,:,:::,,,..```.....``````` .:;;:;:::::::,:,:,::,,;:::::,,:::;:;;:,,,,,,:,:::,,,:,,,,.,...............` .:::;:::,,::::,,::;:::,:,:,:,:,,,,:,:::,,,;,,::,.....,.,....````....````` .::;;:,:::::::::,:,:,:::,,,,.,.,::;:;::::,:::::;:,,....`.```````````` .,:;;:;;,:::::,:::,,,,:,,,,,,.,.,:,:;::;::,;:;,,.,.,.,,...``````` .,::::::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,,`..,,,:::,;:,:,.:;:..,.,:,:..```..` .,:::,,,,,.,,.,:,:,,,,,,,;,....,..,,;:',,,.,,.,,,,,,,,..,.`.... `,,:::.......,,,:.,.,,.,,,,,..:.,,.,,:,::,,..,.,,...,.,.......` `,,:::,,,......,,,,,,,,,,,:,...,.,:,..:,::,....`````.,..,,.... `,;;::,,,.,...,.,:,,,,,,,,::.....,,;:,.,,,..........,,,,,,,.`` `;;:,::::,:,,,,,,:,,,,:::::::,...`,,:,:,...,,:,:,,,,,,;+;,.` `:;'..,::';:;;::,::,:,,::::;:;;:.`...,,,,,,,,::;:::::,:;+';:. ````....,,,,,:::,,,::,,,,,,,,.......``.....,:;;;;;;..,:;;''''';:::;;,,::;;:;;:;:.`.`.,:;:::::;;;:::,:;''';:` ` ```...,,,,::::::::::::;::::::,,:::,,::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::,:::::;;;;:::,,...,:;''''''''';;;';;';''';':`````;;:;;;;';;::::::;'';;` ``..,,:::::::;;;;;:;;:;:::::,::,,::,,:,,,,,.,,,..............`..............,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.` ....,...,,:'''+++++;::+'+'''+;`````:;''+;;';;::,.``.;;;;:` ` ` `:';;;::,,,::,,,,,,,,.,.......................``````` ````````.............``` `,,.......``....``......,;+++,``````;;.,:.:;:. `;;;;:,,,..,.` ````,::,....``,..,..`....,;'###+.,.```.`.....``` `';';::,,,`,.` .;;';::,;;;''...,.,,;++###.,,..```..`````........:::,::,..``.` `` ` ` ` ` ````...```````` </pre> "ah! hello. i wasn't sure if you'd notice me." [[who are you, friend?]]

"i'm...not sure. i used to know. ive been here for (either:"a long time","a while","eons")... i remember finding my mom, and coming here, but i couldn't ever find a way to open that door. do you have a key?" (if: $inv contains "key")[i do! do you want to (link-reveal: "come with me?")["yes! yes, of course i do!!" says the strange mouse. "let's go together!" [[go together->unlock the door.]]]] (else:)[[[(link-reveal: "i don't, sorry.")["oh" says the strange mouse. "you can keep me company then, if you want..." [[no, i think i am going to try and find a key. goodbye for now->hallway]]]

you walk, and you find yourself on a long road. you follow the road until you find yourself in a village, but the houses don't look at all like houses that you've seen before. all of them are blocky and insubstantial. the only thing that looks real in this place is at your feet, a small scrap of paper. <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZw8tc9U8AAhJs1.jpg" width="1024" height="512" alt="village"> [[pick up the paper]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "paper"))

in front of you, you see a street sign with two (either: "rusty", "copper", "dented") arrows. one says [[go forward]] and the other says [[go back->you are online]].

a small scrap of paper. on it reads: //I went into a house, and it wasn't a house, It has big steps and a great big hall; But it hasn't got a garden, A garden, A garden, It isn't like a house at all.// the rest of it appears to be torn off, but it makes you think about your own home. it wasn't really a house, but it had lots of scraps of fabric that you could use as bedding, and your brothers and sisters were always there to talk to you. you miss them.

(if: "no! i want to stay!" is in (history:))[you make your way back to the road, although it takes you a while to find it.] you walk onward. you see more (either: "terribly strange", "decrepit", "eerie") houses, but none of them appear to be occupied. more and more scraps of paper fly about your head. you can't catch them, but you read (link-reveal:"glimpses..")[(live: 2s)[ //...many pains he suffered, heartsick on the open sea, fighting to save his life and bring his comrades home. But he could not save them from disaster, hard as he strove...// ] (live: 5s) [ //...Oh, so lovely sittin' Abso-bloomin'-lutely still I would never budge till spring Crept over me window sill...//] (live: 9s) [ //...O! fate to give my bosom peace Unsettl’d as I roam To bid my restless wanderings cease & fix me in a...//] (live: 12s)[ (if:$inv contains "bookmark" and $inv contains "feather" and $inv contains "journal" and $inv contains "crown")[ [[wait, is that still the same house?->empty house]]] (else:)[ [[what is that, up ahead?]]]]]

you make it past the swirling papers and see a house that looks different from the ones before. brighter, more (either:"inviting.", "like a real home.", "comforting.") you see motion inside. you walk towards it, and it looks like whoever lives there has noticed you. as you near the house, several figures appear in the doorway. <img src="https://orig00.deviantart.net/b1a5/f/2008/208/4/4/pixel_doll_house_by_annortha.png" width="434" height="289" alt="doll house"> [[talk to them]]

you keep walking... where are you walking? how long have you been walking? oh...you don't know...oh dear. it seems that there are a lot of things you don't know at the moment. like who you are, or how you got here. maybe you can use something to remember... (if: $inv contains "paper")[ah! in your pocket, there is a little piece of paper. maybe it will [[tell you]] who you are.] (else:)[no...you don't have anything. you don't have anything. do you have (link-reveal: "yourself?")[(transition: "dissolve")[who are you? you keep passing by all of those pictures, but none of them make sense anymore. you see one that rings a distant bell in your mind, but you don't know why. maybe it was someone you met once? who knows. <img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/556fa029c7562d72b557f23da310d04e/tumblr_plnq9xyIxr1s5c5xko1_540.jpg" width="540" height="405" alt="rubin"> you wander and wander, and clarity drifts further behind you. [[look at yourself->look down]]]]]

you unfold the bit of paper. it makes you think about home. home? you remember a home, a den, a scrap of red yarn tied around your tail. you remember a mother who risked her life for fresh bread, you remember the smell of it and the smell of her fear that she tried to conceal when she came back to the den, chunks of bread between her long teeth, triumphant but shaken. you remember wanting to (link-reveal: "help.")[(transition: "dissolve")[ [that day, when she left, you chased after her. she didn't see you, she was up on the countertop when the lights came on. when the lights came on, she ran, she knew to run, but you didn't know, you had never seen people before, and their legs looked like they stretched all the way to the clouds. you froze. the hands came down and lifted you into the sky, and your yarn scrap slipped off your tail and, with it, fell safety. (link-reveal: "they tried to be good to you.")[(transition: "dissolve")[ they didn't know how. the glass-walled box they put you in was not a home, it was too big, and they peered at you endlessly. you were so scared that you shivered. you only lasted a day before your shivers turned to shakes and your shakes turned to quakes and your quakes turned to convulsions, and the giant hands held you and put water to your lips, but it was too late. you could not drink. you could barely breathe, and as the water pooled by your head you saw water pool in the giant's eyes. she was shaking too. at some point, you stopped convulsing. you stopped breathing. your tiny heart stopped racing and your body grew (link-reveal:"cold.")[(transition: "dissolve")[ that was it. that was where you died, far from home and surrounded by fear and confusion and sadness. you remember it all now, and why you haven't been warm in so long. your surroundings grow lighter and brighter. is there a heaven for mice? [[go to the light and find out]] [[no! i want to stay!]]]]]]]]]

<pre style="font: 4px/2px monospace;"> @@@ .@'`@ @ @@',:.@, @@@'@+:@@ @@@@,@.:'@ `@ :@@ @@@,; @@@@@@@+@@'@ @@,@ ,@@:'@@ ,,@` @@,;@,@ @@, @@ `@@':@@'@: @@@@,@ : # @@@@@@`@+@'@@ @ @@@ @ @@ @ @ #@ ' #;@@;#@@#;+@@`@ ;@@;.@ ,@' .@@@@@@@@@`@@@@ # ` @ , @@#;+: ,@@@@@@ @ @ +@@'@, @ @@@@@@+@#@@@@@@@@ : ` .@@@@@ @@@.;@@@@ `, @ @@@#: # @:@@@@@@@@@@+@@@ @@@, :. :#@@@@,:@@@+@@@@ @@@ #@#@@@; @:.:@@@@@@'@@:@@@@@#@@@:@@'@@+ : ` .@ #;@@,@@@@@@ @ @@;.: :@:'@@@: #@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@`@@@@+@@@@ @@@ : ' ' @ '+@@@@+@@:@`@+@@@ . @@+:@,@+@` :@'@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@; @@@@`@@@;.@@# , ` @@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@:' # @,:#@@@@ @.;,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ;@@@@@@@@@@+;@@@# ' ` @ :,',@@@@@@@+@,@@@@@ ;.@@,@+@@@@@@+ .@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+;,@@@@#, @ # ' + . '@@@@@@@@@.@ '@@:@@ @:#@@@@@';@@, @@@@@@:@@@,@@@@@ @@ @@@@@@ @@' @@@'@@ ; ' @ ' ' # `@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@`@ + @@:@@#@@@;@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@,@@@,@@@ @@@@@@@ ` , . ` @`@@ '@@@@@@@@;,@@@@,`@@@'@ @@@@@+@+ : @@@@+ @@@@:@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@.@.@@@@@@ `@@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@,@@@@' @,@@@:@':@@+ `@@@@@@@@,,@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@.; ' , +@`@,+@@@@ ;@@@@;@@@@@@ ,,:@@,@@@@@,@+@+ ,#@+@@@ @@@@@@@@@@.@ @@@@@@@@ ,@@@@@@ @@@ @#:@@,@ , ' # ' @#@@@@`@+ @@@@@@#@@@@@@@ ,@@.:@@@,;@@@@@+ '@.@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@ +@@@ @@ @@@@@ @@ ; , ' . , @@@@@@@#@@,@@;@@@,:@;@'@@;@,@@@#@:@:@@@@@@ `@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@#@@@ ''@@@+ @@@@ @#@@ @`@@@@'@ ': : ` ;@@@@@@@@+@'@@@;@@@@@#@@@@+@@@@ @@@@#@@@@@@,@@ :@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@# @,@@@`'@ @ @'@@# `: .@ ' @@@@@@@@@@,@+@'@@@@@@;`@@@@.@@@@@@@,;@@@':@@,@:@@@@'@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@#@@#@+@'`@@@,@:@ ; ` , @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ '@:@:@@@@;@@@ @@@@@@@@@+:`@@@@@@@@@@@@@ +@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@:.:@,@#@`@ @:+@,@@@@ + ' ; '; ,'@@@@@@@@.@@`;`@@@@@@@@@`@'@@.@@@@@@'@@+@`,@@@#@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@,@@@@@;@@@@:,@;`:@@; @@ @@@+' @@`@@@@@@ + ` ' : , . @'@@@@,@@@`'@@ @@@@@+ @#@,@@@@.@@@@@;@@@+;'@@@@#@@@@@@@@:,@@@@@@@@@@@@@:+@@@:.@@@@@@@ ;@@@@@,@.@ #@@ @@@.: , . :+ ' : ' @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@'#@@@@@@@@@@@+@`@@@@@' @;@@ +@@'@@@@@,@@@@@#@@@@`@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:,@ #;@@@.@.@,`;@@'@@@:@` @ :+ ' @ :#,@`@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@'@'@ #@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@:,,; ;,'@+:@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@':# @`@@@@# @@@`@@@ ,@ . @ @ @;@@;@@,'@` ' @@ +@@@@ @@@@`@@@@@ @@;@@@,;.@@'@@ +@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@.@,@;@:@ @+ @''`@@;@@:@@@#: @ , ` , : # ;@@@'@@;@@ +@@@@@@@ @`@@@@# @@@@@,@@@@@@@@;@:,'@#@@'@@@@@@@@+@@`@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@ @@,:@@ @ # `@@@@@@,+ @ '#@ ` ' , :. @@@ @@:`;+@:#@@@ #@,@,+@ @@@;@@@`@@@@`@@@@@@@:#@@.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@; @@ @@ .@`,@ @@@@`:@@@`@+ # ` . ,, +:'@@@@@,@@:@,@@@ @+@@,@@@@@@+ .@@`:+@@@;@@@@@':#'@`@.@@@@@@@@@@@@+;+@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@;@@ @@ @@@@@@@@@# '@:@@',@@@@'@': @ ; : #;+;@@@.@@'@@@@@@@@@@@`@+@,`@@@,@@@@@'@@ @@@@@@@:#@#@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@;@@@@@@,:@@`'@@@@@:@@@@ +@`@@#@#@@ @.;,@:.@@@@@@ @ ';.@@@ @ @@@@ @@@@@@@,.@@@,+@+:'' @ '@@@@@@@@@'';@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@;@;@@@@:@@@@ @ @` @@@`;@;@@@@; @ '; @@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@`@`@@`@@@ # @@ '@@@@@@@:,@;#@'@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@`@@@@+@@@@@@@`@@@@@@@@@ @#@@ @`@`@@`:@@@@@@@@,@.; , # ,@@@@@;@@@ @#;@@@,@@,@`@@@ +@#@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@;@ @@:@ @`@@@'@;@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@+@'@@`@@@:@@`'@@@''@`@.@,#@@@,'@+@@ `; ;'@@@@@,@. `@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@:,@@,:`'@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@:#@:@@@@@@@@@@@: @@@@,@ @ @ @ : @@@@@@@ @ @@@@@@@@,@@@@@@+@@.@@:@@@@@@@;@@'@@@@@@;@:,@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@ #@@@@@,@#@@ @. `'@@@@@@#@@@@@@, ,' @ @@@@;`@@@;@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@,@@@@@@@@ @@@.@@@@@@@@:@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@`@+@'@@.@,'@@@@@,.@+',@ @;@+:`@'@@@@@# @@@@+@@' + '@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@,+@@@, @@ #@@ '@@@@ +@@@;@@,@@@@+@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@' @@@ @@@ '@@+@@@@@ @,@#; @,@@+@@@@@;@'@@@@@ ;@@@@@#@@+@@@@#@'@@@@@'@@@@@@ ;@@',@@ @@@+@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@'@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@'@`@,, @'@@@,:@,@@@ @@+@@@@ .@@@@@;@@@+ @@@,@@@@@;+ @ @@@+@+@@@;+@ @ @;@@@@@#@@@@ @@@@#@@+@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@;@@@+;+@ #@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@. @:@#@@@@@:.@,@@@;#@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@#:@@@'@@@'@@+@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@;@@@@@@@@#@#@@+@ @'@:#@ @@@@@@@. @.;@@@@@,@@.@@@@+@@@@@@@' .@`@@@@+ @@:`@ ,@,@ @@.@@'@@:#@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@;@@@.@@'@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@`@@@@#@.@'@@+@'@@+ ;@ @@;,@#'@#@@@@@ +@@#@@@ @@.',`@#@,@@@@@'@+@ @@@@' @+;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@,@@@@@@ +@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@;@@@@@@@@#@@@@@:@@'@;@@@'@@@@`@+ @@@ @;+@@,@@@@@@,@@@@@:+@'@@+ @@@@@@#@,@ #@@@@@@@@`@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@.@@`@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@ @@.@@`@@:@@:@@@@@@@'@@. @@@@@@,@#@ ,@@ @@;@@@@;@ @.@@, +@.;@,:@@,` @@@@@.:`@:@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@,@@@@@'@@@@@;@@@@@@@#@@@@,@,`;@@@@@@@@';@@@@@+ @@@,@@@@`@@@:`@;,@@@@ @@@ @;,'@@@.@@@;@@,'@@@ @@ @`@@@@ @ @:.@@@:@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@'@@@,@@+@@,@+@#@@@;+@@@@@@@@@@@'@@+@ @@@@@@@'@:@@@@@@;@@'@@`,@#;+@@@@@ @@@@@# +@@@:@;@@@@ @,@@@@@'@@@@@@@#@@@:@@@,@ ;'@@+@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,,@`@@@@#:'#@+;@@@@@ +@@@ @@` @@@@@@#@@@@@:,'@@@+@@@@@@'@@@@ ;@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@;@@@@:@@@.@@'@@@+@@#:@@@#@@@,@@@;@@@@;#@@@@@@@# @@@@;@ @,;@@',:@@@@@@@ @@,@@@',@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@:@:@@@@;@#:+@@@@@@,@@+@#@@@@@,@@;+@@@@@@@@@@@@@;#@@,@+@@@@+@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:' @@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@,@@@@#@@#@@@@@@@@@,@@@ @@.@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@ @@@@@@@@'@#;@@@@@@@'#@@@'@@@@@@@@@, @;@ @@ @@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@#;@@@@;@#@@@@`@+@@ @@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@.@@,@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@;@@@@@@:@'@+@@'@+;@@@+;@@@':.:@@@@@' ` @@@`@@@@`@@@@@@@@@@@,@;@,@+@@@@+:+:''@@@,@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@`@@@@@ @@;@ @@;@@,@:@@@@@+@@@@@:@ @@@`@@#@','#@@: @@@:'@@@@@@@@@, .; @ :@' @@, ';@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@ @;@@@@@,;,@@#;@'@.@,@@.@@@@ @#@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@,,@@ @@:@:@@ @@@'@@;'@@@:@@@@;@@@@@,@@#@@@ , # '@;@@@@@+:`@@@@@@: :# @.@#@@@@'@@+@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@ ,:+@@,:@@@@@@@, @@;#@@,@@@ #@.'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@ @@#@@ @@@@;',@@@ @@@ ,@@+:@' @#@@@@@;@' :,@@ @@,;@; ,@ @ @@@@+ @@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@+:+:@@@@@@@ + @@;+@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,,@@@@@@@@@@#:@@,@@@ @@@@@'@;@@@' #@@,@@@# '`@@@@@@@@@#@+@@@@@@', . @@@@@@#:@@@': @@ + @@@@ +@@@@ : @@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@:@;@@@+@@@@.@`@:+@'':@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@'@@@@@,@@@@@@@@;@@@+@@ @#:,@ ,@@,,';,,,+@@@@#@#@'@@@@@@@+@@' ,@@@@@@+@@#@ @'': :@@ +@#, @:@@@@;@ ; ';+@'@@@@@@@@@@@@+@,@',@@;@@@@;@@@@:',@+ @@@.;@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@ @#@@@@@@@@'@;@@#@@@@@@@.:#,@@@@,,#@@@@@@#@@@@@@@';@@@, @@@@@@+@@@@@@.@@@: `@@@@# @@@@@@#@@@ : + + @@@@,@@@;@@@@@@@,,@@@@@:@@@#@@@''@@;@@@@@# @. @@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@ .;@#@,@,'@@@@@:,@@,@@:`@ `;@'@@@@@,,:+@@'@+@@@;@@@@; + @@+@@@@@@`@@@@@@@@:.@@@@+@@@@@@@ @+;@@@# . `;@@:`@@ :@@@@@@@@@@@ #@@,;@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@:@@@@@@@@@ @;@@@@@@@@.@`@,.@@@@@@.;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@, @@@@ @@@,@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@ , '' @:@@;@@`@ @@ . , # ';,@@+:@@@@@@@@#@@,'@@@:,@@,@@`@@@@@ @;@@ .@@@@#@@ @# @@,@@@@,@@,@@'; @'@@@@@'@+@@@@@;,@@,;@ @@;,@@#@@@@@@+@@@@+@@@@@;@@; @ @@@@'@;@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@``;@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@+ + ; # '@, @ :`' #@@@@@;#@@@:+@'@@@@@@ @;@@@@@@'@@;'@@@@@@@,@.@ @@@'@#@@@ @;@@,@@@@@@@+@@@@`@@@;@ .@@#;+ @@@@:,#@@@@@@@@@@@@:,@; @@@@.@ @;@'@@@@@@'@@@@@@+@@@@+ @@@@@@@@,;#@@@@@@ @ ' + @ @@@@@;@'@,@@@@@@`@@@ @@@'@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+;@ @@:@@@#:@@@@@@@@@;@:@'@`;#@ +@+@@,:.;@@@+@@,@@@@,@@@@@: ;`,:@@@@,@@+'@@@,: ; @@@@@@@`@#@@@@@@ ' ' + @ . + ,' ,@@@@@@@@@.@@@;@;'@@.@@@@@@@,@.:@@@@@@@@ @@@ @,@@,@@@@@@@:@@@@@@'@@@@'@@:@@@@;@@,#;+'@.;.:@+:@@@#@+@@@@@@@@; @#@@#;@@@@;@,, @@@`@@@@@@@@@ , ; ' . `@ #; ' . ,'@@@+@@@@@@@+@@@@'@@:'@@@@@@:@;@@@@@@@'@@,@@@@@@@@@@;@#@@@,@@@@#@@@;, @@@@@;@@@' # + ,@@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@: @@@@+@`@@+@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@# ; ' '@:` @+;#@'@@@@@@@@@,@@@@ #@@@@@@+@@'@@@@@@@ @@@@@@ ' @@'@#@`@@#@@:@@@@@@@@@ @@@@:@, +;@@@#;'@,@:@;@,@@@ '@@@@`@@@,@;. `:,@@@@+@@ @@@@@@@@@@@ ' @ , ' , + @,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@'@@@@@@@;@@@@@+@@#;@,@,@@:@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@'@@@+@@#@+@'@:#:@@@@@@,;+@@@; @@;@@@@@@' @@@@@@@@@@@ ; ,: ` @. ;.; ,@'@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@,@;@@@@@@@+@@@:+'@.@#@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@`,@@@@@@#@@,@+:,'@# @@'@@@@@,@@:@@@@@'@@+;@@: @,@`@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@ '; : ,@ ` # ' ' .@ `:',@@@@@@@@@;@#@@ @';@@@@@.@@,@@@#@@@@@@@.@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@';@@# :@@@@:@@#@@#@+,@`;@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@,; .,@#@@ @@ @@ @@'`@@ +: `, ': ' ` +' ':#@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@'@@#@@@@`@@+@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@:+@@';#'@#@@@@@;+:@#@@@@@:@;@@@+@@'@ @@@@@@@. @@@@@@@@@ + + `' ;+ .'@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@+@+@@@@@@ ;@@'@@@@@,@@@@@;@@'@ @@@@@@@@@:+;@'@' @@'+@@@@@@@@ @@+:@,@@@@@ '@#@@@; @@;@@@#@+ . , . `@ ;. ;': , @. ,@@@@@@@@@@@:+@@@:@:@,;@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@,:@@@@@@@:@@@@@@@,@@@@#@@,:@'@@@#@@@;#''@;@@@,@@@@@@@@'@@@:@, .@@@;.@ ,@@@@'@@@@ : + # . `' , '' ,@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@;@@@@@+@@@;@;@@:@@' @@@@@@#@@@@@;.@@@@@@@@@+@@'@@@@@:+;,,@,;#'',:@@@@@@@'#@@@@@@+@@@ .@@`@@ '@@@@@@@: :+ ' . `@ @ ' @:@@'@@@@@'@+@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@@,@@@ .,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@;@@ @:@@@@@'@,@@@@'@@@@@@:@;@@@@@@@;@@@@ @@@#@@ @@@@@@: ;. , `, :`' ' ` . '#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@;@,@@@@@@@@@ @@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@;+@@@@@@,';@@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@; #@@@@@ @@@@@@@@ . , @+' + # ,` , #@.@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@'@@@@@@`@@@:@@@@@.@.@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@'@@@:@@@@;@@@`;@,,+@,@@@@@;@':+@'@@@@@, @@@+ @ @@@@@@: , ;' .: .;.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@'@:@@@#@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#'@@@#@:@@+,@'@#,,+:@:@@@+@@@@@@@@@@:@, #@:+@@ @@@@@@@ ,: ;# ;. : # ` #;.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@.;@@@#@+@ @@@,@@@.:@@@@@@,;@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@#;@@@#:+@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@;', '@@@@.@ @@@@@#@ ; @ @ : ; ; , ` . # .@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@`@@@@@@ @@,@:#:@@'+;@@'#@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@,@@ @@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@'@@@@, @@@#@#@; @@@@+;@@ , ; : @ : :,@:@@,'@@;,@@ @@@@@@@'@@@@ @@;@'@ @@@ @ @@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@'@@+@@,@#@@,@@@@,@@@@@@+@,@ #@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@#' ' ; ; : ` @ ;,@@@@@@@@@@@@.:,@@@@@@@@@@@@.@+,,.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@,@@,@@@@@@@,@,;@@'#@@@'@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@' @@@@+@@@ @@'+; @`: ` @@@@@, ; @ : ` ' : '#@,@@@@,;@@@@@@,@@@@@@+@@ @`:+,'@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@'@@@@';,@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@:@@@#@@;@,@,@# @@@@ @@@@@@@@@@ @@ `@@@@@@@@ @ ' + @, : ` . ' '.;@;@@@@@@@@+@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@# @@ +@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@+@,@:+@,@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@#, @@@#,'+; @@ @`@ ` @ ,@@@@+@, , ' :, : + . , ` . ,;@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@,@@@@ @@;@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@+@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@;@@@@@#@@,;+@@@@@;@@@@@@, @@@@@@; @+@`@,@@+ ,.@+@,@@@ + . : + + :#;@'@@@@@@.@@@@#@ @@@@+@'@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@`@@. @@@@@#@,@@@@@@@+@@@;@;' +@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@` @@@@@@@@. ' ' : ', + :. @@;@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@:@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@#@@#@@@@@@@;@@@@@@'@@@+@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@;' @#@@@@,,@@@@@,. @@@@@@@@@ : , , ` : ` @@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@,@@@@#@@@@.',@@@' @:@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@;@:,@@@@@@'@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;,@' . @@@@,@@@@, '@@@;@@@@@ , ` ' ; '@+@@@@@@,@@@@@'@@@+@:@@@@@.@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@;',@+ @@;@@@,@+;@@'@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@;,: @ @@@+@#'@@@ # ` # : ,'@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@,@@@:@,@,;,@@@ @ @@;@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@ @@@@@@#@@+ , @ # : ,'@+@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@+,@@:@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@ #@@@@@@#,@# .: . : @#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@:@@ @@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@,@@@@,@:@@@'@@@' ;@@@@ `@@'@ # . ; ',@@:@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@.@`@ #@@ @@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@.: '@,:@ @@@@@@ ` . ;+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@',+@ @@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@;@`:+ #@@ @+,@+@@@' ' ` +@@`@@@,@:@@@@@, ,@@@@.,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;+@@@;@@@@@@@@@@,@@`;@@@@@+ @@;@@`@@@@@@ . `:@@@,@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@@@;@@@#@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:.: #@@@@.@+@@';+ @+@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@,@@@@@@, ,@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@;@@@@ @@#@@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@@@;@: :@@@@;@@@@'`@+ : ;+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;#@@@@#@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@+@@@@@@@@;, , @,@,@ @@@@@@@ ,;@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@#@@@@@:@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@;@@@@@. .@@@;@:@ @@`@ @ ;.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@'@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@#@@@@@@@+@+,'@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@#@+ @+@'@ ,@ ,@@:+@@. @@@@.@@@@@@@@@+:@@:@@@@ @:#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,:@@@@:@@@@@@@@@;@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'`@ @ @@@@@@@:@ @@:@@ @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@`@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@,@@@@@;,@@+@@@@@:@@@'@,@@@@+ + @@@ @@: @,@@@@, @@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@ @@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@@@@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,';+ @@@@ @@,@ @,@@@@ @ @@,@@@@@@@@@,''@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@:@@@+@@@@+@@@@@@@,@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@;'#@@:'@@ @ @@@`@@+; @:#@,@@@ :@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@:@@'#@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@`@@@@@@, +@@@ @@,@ +@` @@@@'@ @@;@@:@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@@@`@@#@@@@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:@;@@@+;@' . @`@@@@@;@ @,@+;'@:@@+ @@@@,@+@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@;@@@. @@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@;@@@ `@@@@ @, @. @ @@ @@;@@' @@@@@@@@@@:@@#@@.:@@@@@@@ :@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@@@@@'@@@@'@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@#; @' +@@@@`;+@ #:. @@ @ ,,@@ @@@@@@@@@,@@@#@@@;@@@#@@@ :@@@@@@@@@;@@@@:@@@@@#@@@@@@#@@@@@@@'@@@@@@,@@, @ @#@@#@+@@# +@ ':@:,,;@@'@@ @@@@@@@@@'@,@+@'@@.@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+@@@@,@`@'#@@@@'@@@ @@@@` @ ; @ `:.@@#@ @@@@ @@' +; ';@@ @+@'@; @@@@,@@@,@ @@@'@ @@'@@@@ @@@;@@@@@@@@@@@@+@'@@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@.@@@@@@'@@@@@@@#@@@@@@@@@@ @@@':.@ @ @ ''@,@@ @+; @@@@@@@@`@ @@@,'@@@@@,@+ :@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@,@+;'@@+;'@@@@@ @+@ '@@@@@@@ @@@@ `'@# ` @@ @ @'@@@@'@@ '@@@@@ @;@@@,@#@@@@.@@`@ :,;@@@@@,@@@@@,@@@@,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@:@':+@'@:.@# @+@@, @: ,@# @'@@:` @#@@@@@@@@'@@+@`@@ @@@@@@. #@@.@@@@@@@@@` '@@@`,@@@@@@@@@@@@:@@@@;@@@+@@@@@@@@@#@.@ @@'@#,; @@ @#; :'@ # ` @:@@@@@@@ @ .@@@ @@@@'@@@ ';@@@@'@@@ @# @:+@@@@,@''@@;@@@@:+ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@+:@ @. # ; @@,:.@, @ ; @ @ +@,`@@@@@@@@ #@+ @@@@@@@: @@:@@@@ @@' @@:.@'@@ @@'@,@@@@.;', :+ @@@@@@, @@@`@+ '@;@ ,@@#;.@@ @.@ . +@ +@@@@@@@@ # @@@@@@@ @@;@@@@@.@ @@@@: @@.@`@@@:@@ #: @@@@@@.@,@ . ,@ @@@@@+@. @,@ @ ,@@'@@ @@@' :@@@@:. @@@+,'@@ @# .@@@@.@ + @ @@@;@@@#;+@#@:@@@@@`@,@@@@@ ,@@#@@#;+ @# @@@@@ '@@@@@@@@ @@: : `@+@,@ '@@@@,` ,@@@ @ @ @@@@@@:#,@#@@@'.@@@ @@, @@#@+@',: ;'@ : @ , . @@@@@@@: @@@;@:`@@@:@' @;@@ @@#:#@@# @@`:@:#, ` +@@@:+@@@:@@@@'.@@@'@; @@@@@@@ .@@ @@ #@ @@ @@.@#@@#@`@ ` @ .@@@@. : .@'': :@@ @@ @ ; @ @@@.@#@ @@@@:.;@@ @@ +;`@ @ @+ @@,@@@@ @@@'@@#@+ @@@@@@'@#@ @@@@ ' @ @ ;,':@@'@;` @'@:,@@@@. @ @ ; @:@@@ @@, @@@@ @@@@ @+@ @ @ @, @+ @: @ @ ,; , </pre> yourself? is that you? you guess it must be. [[wander on]]

(link:"you wander on.")[(transition: "dissolve")[(link:" you wander for...how long? you can't remember a time when you weren't wandering.")[(transition: "dissolve")[(link:" you can't remember. whenever you look at yourself you think somehow you have grown smaller. you wander.")[(transition: "dissolve")[(link:" you wander...there comes a time when you look down and all you can see is a clump of letters and numbers. for a moment, you think //i looked like something else before...// but that thought is soon dropped behind you, like so many others.")[(transition: "dissolve")[(link:" there comes a day when you look down and see a single typed letter //R//. //R//? is that all you are?")[(transition: "dissolve")[(link:" you wander, a single letter //r// rolling helplessly across the desert.")[(transition: "dissolve")[ (link:"there comes a day when you look down, and see")[(transition: "dissolve")[ nothing at all. [[the end....->ending]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

you wait, and in a blink the light swallows you up. (live: 2s)[you are no longer where you were.] (live: 5s)[ you are in a field, a real, honest-to-god field! the sun warms your ears, and as the wind goes hissing through the grass it sounds like a choir.] (live: 10s)[ you are surrounded by greenery and golden wheat stalks that bend and sway as if to say "come up and climb, i will support you." ] (live: 16s)[in every direction, you see life; and mice and other creatures playing and loving, each in their own way.](live: 21s) [ you see your younger sister, who stepped in a glue trap, calling to you. ] (live: 24s)[you go to her. ] (live: 30s)[[[the end.....->ending]]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

"no!" with all of your will, you scrunch up your eyes against the light. you even hold your breath. "i have more to do here!" when you open your eyes, the light is gone. did you just waste your chance to move on? no use worrying about that now. there's exploring to be done, even though you're dead. [[explore that road you were on earlier->go forward]] [[go back from whence you came->you are online]]

before you stands (unless: $inv contains "feather")[//a sparrow//] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[//a dormouse//] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[//a mouse made of pixels//] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[//a poodle moth//.] who do you want to talk to? (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[talk to the sparrow]] ] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[talk to the dormouse]]] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[talk to the pixel mouse]]] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[ [[talk to the moth]]] (set: $Sparrowlove to 0) (set: $Dormouselove to 0) (set: $Pixellove to 0) (set: $Mothlove to 0) (set: $stayingwithMyia to 0) (set: $stayingwithDarthano to 0) (set: $stayingwithPixel to 0) (set: $stayingwithDoux to 0) (set: $douxfacts to 0)

<img src="https://purepng.com/public/uploads/large/purepng.com-sparrow-standingsparrowbirdbrown-sparrowsparrow-standing-481521140823xgxbs.png" width="700" height="445" alt="sparrow"> you turn your attention to the sparrow and say hello. "hello" she replies, "i'm myia. welcome to our house! have you traveled far?" you notice one of her wings is at an odd angle. she has (either: "worried", "skittish", "darting") eyes, but seems friendly. [[keep talking to myia]] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[talk to the dormouse]]] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[talk to the pixel mouse]] ] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[ [[talk to the moth]] ]

<img src="https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article6903957.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Dormouse.jpg" width="615" height="494" alt="dormouse"> you approach the dormouse and say hello. "oh..hello" he replies, "welcome.. i'm dartháno...nice to meet you.." he looks a bit (either:"sleepy", "somnolent", "drowsy") but he seems nice. [[keep talking to darthano]] (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[talk to the sparrow]] ] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[talk to the pixel mouse]] ] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[ [[talk to the moth]] ]

<pre style="font: 4px/2px monospace;"> ;;, .;;'. `` .;;;; `;;;'':` ,;;;;: ,;;;::::;; .;;::' .';;;;:::::'. ::::;. '';;;;::,,,:;, `:::::, `'';'';::,,,,:'. `,:::::: ``````.'''';';::,,.,:',.`.,;::;;:. `.,:;;;;;;';:'''';'';:,.,,,'::;;;'''';;:` `,:;'''+''''''''';''''';;:,,,.,:;::;''+'+';;:,` `,:''''+'+'+'+'''''':'''''';:,:,,:,;:;:;;''';''';;, `.:'''''+'''''+''''''''''+++';;::::;;:,':;:;;;'';;;';;:` `,'''+++''''''''+'+'';';':'++'';;;;;;;;,:;':;;::;::;;;;;;:` .;'''''''''''';;;;;;'';;;;;+++''+';;;'';;:;;:::;:;;;::;'''';, `,''''''';;;;;:;';:;'';';;;;;;'++''+';;;+;;;;;;':;::::::;;';''';. `:'''''';;';;;;;::;;;;;;:;;:;;:'''''++'';:;';;:;:;:;:':::;';;''';': `:''++'';;;;';;;;::;;;;::;:;;;;;:'+'''+++';;'';;;;,;:;:;###';';;;'';:. ,'''''';;;;;;;:;;;:;;;;;;::;';;;;;;+'++++';':;;:;;;;;;'@###@+;;;;;;'';:` `.'''';';;;:::;:;;;;::;;;;;;;:;;;';;''''++#;;;;;;::;:::'@@@;:@@';:;;;;''';` `:'''';;;;:;::::;;::;;;::::;';:;';;;'''+##';::::;;:;;;;'@@@@@@@+;;;;;:;;';:. ,''';;';;:::;::;::;;;;:::;;:::;;'';''++';;,,::'';::;;;;;@##++#+';:;:;:';';;; .;';';;;;;;:::::::::;:,,,:::::;::::;';'::,,:;;;;;;;;;:;':+@@#@+;;;;;;:::';';;,` `;'';;:;:;::;;::::;::::::::::;;;::::::;;;:,,::::;;';::::;::;''';';;;::::;;;;;::: .;';;;;;;:::::::::::::,,,,:::;::::::::;:;:;:::;;::;:;;;;;';;'''';;;:;::,:,:;:,::: ,;';;;;;:;:;;::::::::::,:::::;;::::::,,:;:;;;;;::'';;:::;;;';;;;;;;;;,:;::::::::;. :;;;;;;::;::::::::::::;::::;;;::::;;:,:;:;'';;;;:;;::;:,:::::;;::;;;;':;:::;:::::, `:;;;;;;:;::::;:,:;:,,:;:,::::::;::::::::;::';;;;::::;;;;::;;::::::::.,::;;;;:::::, `:;:;;;:::;::,,,;;::,:::,,,,::;:::;::,:;:::,;;';;;;:;;;;:,:;;;:;:;,,,,:,,,:::,,;:, `:;';:::::;:::::;;:::,:,::;;::::;:,,::::,:':::;;:;::::;::::;,:,,:,,..,.,,:.,.,,,,. .;;;;;;;:;:;;,,:;::::;;:::::::;::,:,:,,,:,,:,,:;;::;::;::;:::,.,,,..`,...`......` .:;;;;;;:;::;:::::::::::;::::;:;:,:;,,,,,,;:,,,,::::;,;:::,,:,,,.`...``........` .;:;;;;:::,::::,,:,,::;;:,,,,:::::::;,,:,,,,::,,,,::,:,:::,,,..```.....``````` .:;;:;:::::::,:,:,::,,;:::::,,:::;:;;:,,,,,,:,:::,,,:,,,,.,...............` .:::;:::,,::::,,::;:::,:,:,:,:,,,,:,:::,,,;,,::,.....,.,....````....````` .::;;:,:::::::::,:,:,:::,,,,.,.,::;:;::::,:::::;:,,....`.```````````` .,:;;:;;,:::::,:::,,,,:,,,,,,.,.,:,:;::;::,;:;,,.,.,.,,...``````` .,::::::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,,`..,,,:::,;:,:,.:;:..,.,:,:..```..` .,:::,,,,,.,,.,:,:,,,,,,,;,....,..,,;:',,,.,,.,,,,,,,,..,.`.... `,,:::.......,,,:.,.,,.,,,,,..:.,,.,,:,::,,..,.,,...,.,.......` `,,:::,,,......,,,,,,,,,,,:,...,.,:,..:,::,....`````.,..,,.... `,;;::,,,.,...,.,:,,,,,,,,::.....,,;:,.,,,..........,,,,,,,.`` `;;:,::::,:,,,,,,:,,,,:::::::,...`,,:,:,...,,:,:,,,,,,;+;,.` `:;'..,::';:;;::,::,:,,::::;:;;:.`...,,,,,,,,::;:::::,:;+';:. ````....,,,,,:::,,,::,,,,,,,,.......``.....,:;;;;;;..,:;;''''';:::;;,,::;;:;;:;:.`.`.,:;:::::;;;:::,:;''';:` ` ```...,,,,::::::::::::;::::::,,:::,,::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::,:::::;;;;:::,,...,:;''''''''';;;';;';''';':`````;;:;;;;';;::::::;'';;` ``..,,:::::::;;;;;:;;:;:::::,::,,::,,:,,,,,.,,,..............`..............,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.` ....,...,,:'''+++++;::+'+'''+;`````:;''+;;';;::,.``.;;;;:` ` ` `:';;;::,,,::,,,,,,,,.,.......................``````` ````````.............``` `,,.......``....``......,;+++,``````;;.,:.:;:. `;;;;:,,,..,.` ````,::,....``,..,..`....,;'###+.,.```.`.....``` `';';::,,,`,.` .;;';::,;;;''...,.,,;++###.,,..```..`````........:::,::,..``.` `` ` ` ` ` ````...```````` </pre> "welcome, traveller" says the mouse.(if: "mouse friend" is in (history:))[good to see you again.] you must be tired. i'm sure it's been quite a journey. [[keep talking to the pixel mouse]] (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[talk to the sparrow]] ] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[talk to the dormouse]] ] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[ [[talk to the moth]] ]

<img src="https://media2.s-nbcnews.com/j/streams/2012/august/120827/504503-boyle73c62035-59c6-37a6-9fd0-ed76f13f7f61.nbcnews-ux-2880-1000.jpg" width="468" height="468" alt="moth"> "salut" says the moth, "je m'appelle doux." you don't speak french. oh dear. "kidding, i speak english. my name is doux though." says the moth. you are both relieved and confused. what (either: "a weird", "an odd", "an off-putting") introduction. nevertheless, they are very beautiful. [[keep talking to doux]] (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[talk to the sparrow]] ] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[talk to the dormouse]] ] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[talk to the pixel mouse]] ]

you walk inside the house with the rest of the crew leading the way. the rooms are (either:"beautifully decorated", "modestly arranged", "somewhat messily decorated"), each with their own color and distinctive style. "you are introduced to everyone; (unless: $inv contains "feather")[//myia the sparrow//] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[//darthano the dormouse//] //doux the poodle moth// (unless: $inv contains "journal")[//the pixel mouse//] "we each have our own room," you are told, "not all of them have beds, but that's ok. you can share a room with someone, if anyone is willing to give up a little space." (if: $stayingwithPixel is 1)[my room is small, but i'd be happy to [[share it with you->stay with pixel mouse]]] (if: $stayingwithMyia is 1)[myia pipes up, "you're welcome to [[stay in my room!->stay with myia]]"] (if: $stayingwithDarthano is 1)[darthano squeaks, "you can [[share my bed->stay with darthano]], it's very big!] (if: $stayingwithDoux is 1)[doux flaps over and says "there's plenty of bedding material in the kitchen, if you wanna [[stay with me->stay with doux]].]

"i've been traveling for (either:"a very long time", "ages", "longer than i can remember")" you say. "i wish i had wings, like you" myia seems a bit startled by your remark. "yes, wings do make traveling lighter" she rearranges her own wings self consciously. "when they work, that is." yikes! her crooked wing must be broken. maybe that wasn't the best introduction. you apologize. "it doesn't really hurt anymore" she says quickly, "and besides, my room; the green one, has a nice soft couch. it helps sometimes to have people feel sorry for you. never mind about me, though. would you like to come in?" [[go inside]] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove + 5) (set: $stayingwithMyia to 1)

"hello" you say. his tone is making you feel sleepy yourself. "your name is beautiful, what does it mean?" ".....sleepy...a good greek sleep..love those greeks..." he says. you're not quite sure if he's telling you what his name means or just telling you that he wants a nap. either way, you're really starting to yawn. "my room is good for sleeping.."he continues, "..the blue bed is very (either: "big and soft", "comfortable", "warm and cozy")...and i've some books in case you don't want to sleep...come in and maybe i can show you them some time..." [[go inside]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove + 5) (set: $stayingwithDarthano to 1)

"oh" you say, "i was worried for a moment. i don't speak french at all. are you from france?" doux seems to think your question is funny. "i ended up in france, after i stowed away on a cargo ship from my home in venezuela. it sunk three quarters of the way there and i had to (either:"fly","hitch a ride on a seagull","float on some driftwood") the rest of the way. it was a harrowing journey. i almost died. now i live here, in the kitchen. i can cook anything. ever had (either:"foie gras?","paté?","coq au vin?") come on in, i can make it for you later." [[go inside]] (set: $Mothlove to $Mothlove + 5) (set: $stayingwithDoux to 1)

you accept myia's offer. she really is very sweet. she shows you up to her room, and helps you set up a cozy little bed under the coffee table. it is just the right size. you sleep soundly, and the rustling of her wings as she moves in her sleep is as soothing as wind in the grass. you wake up (either:"to sunshine", "with the sun", "to sunlight streaming through the window", "to cloudless skies"), and myia's melodic voice; "good morning! it looks like a beautiful day. got any plans?" you think you might... [[tinker around on the piano]] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[ [[make something in the kitchen]] ] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[go to the garden]] ] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[read a book]] ] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove + 5)

you accept darthano's offer. a good nap sounds like just what you need. as soon as he shows you up to the room, darthano yawns "sleep time" and hits the sack. how did he fall asleep so fast? you (either:"crawl", "scoot", "slip") into bed after him, and place yourself on the opposite side of the mattress. you wouldn't mind a nice cuddle, but you also don't want to cross any boundaries. darthano's little snores are somehow very endearing, and as you close your eyes, you feel his tail brush against yours. you both sleep soundly. morning comes, yet darthano slumbers on. you don't want to disturb his rest. what should you do? (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[tinker around on the piano]] ] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[ [[make something in the kitchen]] ] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[go to the garden]] ] [[read a book]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove + 5)

you accept, and follow doux into the kitchen. they show you the cupboard which, to your surprise, is full of leaves. "i collected them from the front yard! isn't it great?" doux appears very proud of their bed. "in the past, you know, i've made my bed out of anything from (either:"a king's hairpiece", "an abandoned wasp nest", "a bowl of stolen rubies") to a pile of koala feathers, but these leaves have a nice home-y feel to them. quaint, you know?" [[you're a damned liar! koalas don't have feathers!->koala feathers mean]] [[are you sure koalas have feathers?->koala feathers nice]]

"yes," you say, "it has been quite (either:"a journey", "a voyage", "the odyssey"), and i've gotten lost many times along the way." the pixel mouse looks like he understands. "getting lost is one thing, but getting lost here is a whole other matter. by the looks of you, you haven't been truly lost yet. maybe some time i'll tell you about what it's like to be truly lost." for now, you should come in and have a rest. [[go inside]] (set: $Pixellove to $Pixellove + 5) (set: $stayingwithPixel to 1)

you accept, and the pixel mouse looks happy. he shows you up to his room. "there's not much here, but the garden is right through that door. it's my favorite part of the whole house" he says. it really is a beautiful garden. he helps you make your bed, which ends up being a nest of fabric scraps under the table. sparse, but you're not complaining. as the pixel mouse is getting ready to turn out the lights, he pauses. "it's nice," he says, "to have some company in here. makes one feel a bit more found." he turns out the lights, and in the dark, you smile. you both rest well. when you wake up, the pixel mouse is already out (either:"tending to", "weeding", "working in") the garden. you realize you don't know his name yet. oops. you make your bed. what should you do today? (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[tinker around on the piano]] ] (unless: $inv contains "crown")[ [[make something in the kitchen]] ] [[go to the garden]] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[read a book]] ] (set: $Pixellove to $Pixellove + 5)

you decide to have a crack at the piano. you've always wanted to take up an instrument, why not now? you play for a few hours, and it feels like you're getting the hang of it. you've got "hot cross buns" absolutely mastered. you're sure no one has ever played hot cross buns as (either:"well", "melodically", "soulfully") as you can. while you're thinking about this new talent of yours, (link-reveal:"you realize someone else is in the room too.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ it's myia! "oh!" she (either:"peeps.", "chirps.") "don't stop on my account. i was just enjoying listening to you play. it's nice to see someone actually use that piano for once." you keep playing, and myia keeps listening, both entranced with the music until, somehow, the day is gone and the sun sets. better stop. your tiny fingers are (either: "very sore.", "quite worn out.", "starting to cramp up.") (unless: $goneback is true)[[[time to have some dinner before turning in->family dinner]] ] (else:)[(if: $stayingwithMyia is 1)[[[better call it a night.->myia 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDarthano is 1)[[[better call it a night.->darthano 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithPixel is 1)[[[better call it a night.->pixel mouse 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDoux is 1)[[[better call it a night.->doux 2nd night]]]]]] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove + 15)

you decide to make something to eat. you haven't really cooked anything before, but you soon find a very large cookbook to work from. it can't be that hard, and the fridge is very well stocked. you decide on something called a (link-reveal:"croquembouche, ")[ which means cream puff tree'] because it looks yummy, and the name sounds yummy in your mouth too. croquembouche. several hours later, you are surrounded by puff pastries and have found yourself faced with the daunting labor of filling each and every one of them with creme. as you stand in front of your mountainous task, a figure flits in through the window. "choux pastries! choux for doux. haha. i didn't know you could bake!" doux has alighted on the counter and looks excited. after you explain what you've gotten yourself into, and how very overwhelmed you are, doux picks up a pastry bag and gets to work. two pairs of hands (or, two mouse hands and four moth hands, i guess) make light work of the pastries and before you know it your tower of puff pastries is complete. "it's been a while since i got to bake something like that" says doux, "we make a good team." you agree, and you make a sign together that says (either:"//please eat!//", "//eat me!//", "//share me!//", "//free food!//") so that the rest of the house can enjoy this labor of love. all this baking has got you tuckered out. <img src="https://sugarlipscakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Croquembouche-Sugarlips-Cakes-www.SugarlipsCakes.com_2.jpg" width="350" height="350" alt="pastries"> (unless: $goneback is true)[[[time to have some dinner before turning in->family dinner]] ] (else:)[(if: $stayingwithMyia is 1)[[[better call it a night.->myia 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDarthano is 1)[[[better call it a night.->darthano 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithPixel is 1)[[[better call it a night.->pixel mouse 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDoux is 1)[[[better call it a night.->doux 2nd night]]]] (set: $Mothlove to $Mothlove + 15)

you decide to spend some time in the garden. the pixel mouse is over in a corner, but he looks occupied (either:"pulling some weeds,", "watering some flowers", "sowing some seeds") so you don't disturb him. instead, you crouch down and take a look at the plants. the place is wonderfully arranged. it looks tended to, but not overly manicured. there is still something wild to the way the roses climb the walls. you don't know the names of most of the flowers, but they are beautiful all the same. as you hover over some small blue flowers, you hear behind you "forget-me-nots. they're in the boraginaceae family." you stand up to find the pixel mouse holding a handful of weeds. "i have a book, with all the names of all of the plants in this garden. i know them by heart." he says. you spend the rest of the day learning the names of all the different plants. the pixel mouse seems to know each flower personally, and is overjoyed to introduce you. eventually, the sun sets. (unless: $goneback is true)[[[time to have some dinner before turning in->family dinner]] ] (else:)[(if: $stayingwithMyia is 1)[[[better call it a night.->myia 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDarthano is 1)[[[better call it a night.->darthano 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithPixel is 1)[[[better call it a night.->pixel mouse 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDoux is 1)[[[better call it a night.->doux 2nd night]]]] (set: $Pixellove to $Pixellove + 15)

you decide to pick up a book. you haven't read many books, but it's never too late to start. the ones in the green room look interesting, so you pick one up called //the symposium//. quickly you are flung into a world of circles and love, and it grips you for many hours. eventually you are interrupted by a quiet "oh! eros..." you look up and see darthano, sleepy eyed but clearly excited. "...have you gotten to the ladder?" you tell him that you're only halfway done, but you'll let him know when you get to the ladder. this satisfies him, and he plops down next to you with a book of his own. (either:"//clouds.//","//meno.//","//phaedo.//") you read together in silence, and even though neither of you look up from your books, it feels nice to know he's there. eventually, the sun (either:"goes down.","sets.") it's just as well, both your eyes and your brain are very sore. (unless: $goneback is true)[[[time to have some dinner before turning in->family dinner]] ] (else:)[(if: $stayingwithMyia is 1)[[[better call it a night.->myia 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDarthano is 1)[[[better call it a night.->darthano 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithPixel is 1)[[[better call it a night.->pixel mouse 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDoux is 1)[[[better call it a night.->doux 2nd night]]]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove + 15)

you decide to explore the woods for a bit. despite your unease, it is a beautiful day, and the sunlight is pouring through the treetops like water onto the ground. along the path you find a tiny green perfume bottle, which you pick up. you never know when you might need one. a you walk for a long while, but the woods aren't dense, and you find your way back easily. you're almost at the house when you look up and catch a glimpse of something white scurrying around in the treetops. you're not sure what it is, but it's gone before you can find out. ah well. you're getting pretty tired. maybe you should [[find somewhere to sleep.->alone 1]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "bottle"))

a little perfume bottle you found in the woods. it looks very old. when you open it, you can catch faint hints of rose and rosemary. wonder who dropped it? <img src="https://i.pinimg.com/236x/30/03/1f/30031fdea969741a5dff0b3c9d341a6a--antique-perfume-bottles-glass-perfume-bottles.jpg" width="206" height="600" alt="bottle">

you head back up to myia's room and find her looking out the window. she looks (either:"sad.","mournful.") you go over to the window with her and see that she is watching a flock of passenger pigeons overhead. she (either:"shuffles","adjusts","rearranges") her feathers a bit. you don't (either:"say anything,","speak,") but your eyes are drawn to her wing. she notices. "it wasn't always like that" she says. (link-reveal: "you ask her what happened.") [ (transition: "dissolve")[it takes her a while to respond. "when i was young, i was the fastest of all my siblings. i would dart and twirl in the air, rivaling the adults, even (either:"racing the swallows.","besting the seagulls.","competing with the robins.") one day i was flying alone, top speed, feeling amazing, when i crashed straight into thin air. what a way to learn about windows. the people who lived inside found me on the ground, still in shock. they helped me get my strength back, but not my wing. then one day the neighbor's cat got in. i couldn't even fly away to escape. when i woke up, i found my way here." you give her a tight hug. you stay up talking with her most of the night. she tells you about the flock she lost, and you tell her about the brothers and sisters you lost, and your mother. eventually, you both fall asleep, somewhat tangled in each other. when you wake up, myia is making tea. she asks you what you're thinking of doing (link-reveal: "today.")[(transition: "dissolve")[ (if: $Dormouselove is 15)[you miss darthano. maybe you should [[spend time with darthano->darthano locked in]]] (if: $Sparrowlove is >= 10)[maybe you should [[spend the day with myia->myia locked in]]] (if: $Pixellove is 15)[you've been thinking about the pixel mouse a lot. maybe you should [[go see him ->pixel mouse locked in]]] (if: $Mothlove is 15)[you've been thinking about doux's wild stories. maybe you should [[go see them->doux locked in]]]] ]]] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove + 5)

after brushing your teeth, you head to darthano's room to find him already cuddled up with a book. as you slide into bed, you ask him; (link-reveal:"what do you like so much about reading?") [ (transition: "dissolve")[he doesn't answer right away. he takes a long time to place his bookmark in his copy of (either:"//The Apology//","//Crito//","//Parmenides//") and when he finally sets it down on the bedside table he looks very far away. "i...wasn't very fast, or good at foraging when i was young. my mother said i was special...but my brothers and sisters said i was sick. we lived near a farmhouse, and we used some of the human's garbage as bedding. i spent a lot of time looking at the scraps of paper, and eventually i understood the markings on the paper as words and ideas. i would start requesting more paper, and eventually my family and friends started finding small books and(either:"magazines","pamphlets" ,"newspapers") and dragging them back to the burrow. i would spend days teaching myself to understand, and it was my favorite thing in the world. i didn't even have to leave the burrow to go to troy or oz. it was the perfect escape....and it felt nice, to have something i was good at. made me feel like my mother was right." darthano is twirling his tail in his paws, so you put one of your paws on his. "i think you're special too" you say, and he looks happy. you fall asleep together, a tangle of tails and whiskers. in the morning, you slip out of bed with the sun.(link:" what will today bring?")[(transition: "dissolve")[ (if: $Dormouselove is >= 10)[maybe you should [[spend more time with darthano->darthano locked in]]] (if: $Sparrowlove is 15)[you miss myia. maybe you should [[go see her->myia locked in]]] (if: $Pixellove is 15)[you've been thinking about the pixel mouse a lot. maybe you should [[go see him ->pixel mouse locked in]]] (if: $Mothlove is 15)[youve been thinking about doux's wild stories. maybe you should [[go see them->doux locked in]]]]]]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove + 5)

you head back to your little bed in the pixel mouse's room. you're still thinking about the fact that you hardly know anything about him, even his name. when he comes in, you're sitting on the bed, thinking. "whats on your mind?" he asks. (link: "you reply")[(transition: "dissolve")["i guess i wish i knew more, about you that is." he stops (either:"folding his sheets","organizing his tools","making his bed") and comes over to sit on the ground next to you. "that's not an easy request" he says, "i've asked myself the same thing before, you know, and often. i think i used to know, i think i used to be somebody, but i've been here a long time. it gets hard to remember the past when nobody is asking you to." you feel like you understand, but you want him to say more.(link:" you wait.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ after a while, he starts up again. "i was brown, at one time. i had a pulse. i had a name...maybe it started with T, or something. i don't know." he looks tired. you think trying to remember wore him out. "it's ok" you say, "i like who you are here and now" he smiles, and it seems as though his body is a little browner. you settle in to sleep. in the morning, he is reading his book on flowers. the page is open to (either:"//heather lavender, white//.","//rose, white//.","//tulip, red//.") what do you want to do (link-reveal:"today?")[(transition: "dissolve")[ (if: $Dormouselove is 15)[you've been thinking about darthano lately. maybe you'll [[go see him->darthano locked in]]] (if: $Sparrowlove is 15)[you miss myia. maybe you should [[go see her->myia locked in]]] (if: $Pixellove is >= 10)[you think you might [[spend more time with the pixel mouse ->pixel mouse locked in]]] (if: $Mothlove is 15)[you've been thinking about doux's wild stories. maybe you should [[go see them->doux locked in]]]]]]]]] (set: $Pixellove to $Pixellove + 5)

you head back to the kitchen to find doux looking through some of the cookbooks. "you know, i was a chef for a while, i worked directly under julia child" they say when you come in. "i even taught her a thing or two. her technique for (either:"beating eggs","roasting chicken","whipping cream","boiling water") came straight from me." you feel like maybe that's not true, but you don't want to get involved in that just yet, so instead you ask (link-reveal:"what is your favorite thing to cook?")[(transition: "dissolve")[ they think for a minute, still flipping pages, before finally replying "hallaca. it's traditional venezuelan food. it was very popular in my home town of Lisbon. not french, but it's rich and beefy all the same. one of those foods that makes you think of home, no matter where home might be." this one feels more true. you scoot over to them to see if they have anything else to say. they seem to have snapped back from their brief moment of clarity and start (link-reveal:"spinning another tale.")[ (transition: "dissolve")[ "you know i made it once, for (either:"the french court.","the royal family of france.","the top chefs in france.") they loved it. said it was //la chose la plus délicieuse!// they asked me for the recipe but i wouldn't give it to them, so they tried to lock me up. those fools put me in a room with windows, so i just flew away! i had to go into hiding for a while after that. i had a great disguise, i hid in (either:"the jardin des plantes and blended right in with the parisian butterflies.","the louvre and blended right into a painting.","the palace and pretended to be part of a tapestry.") they never found me, or my recipes!"]] even though you're pretty sure it's all made up, you really do like doux's stories. you listen for a while, curled up by their feet, as they tell you wild stories about (either:"swordfights and flaming cathedrals,","duels and exploding nunneries","avenged deaths and stolen kisses") and eventually you (link-reveal:"fall asleep.") [ (transition: "dissolve")[ in the morning, doux is still sleeping. they look like a little cotton ball, even in their sleep curled up and shielded from the world. what should you do today? (if: $Dormouselove is 15)[you miss darthano. maybe you should [[spend time with darthano->darthano locked in]]] (if: $Sparrowlove is 15)[you can't stop thinking about myia. maybe you should [[spend the day with her->myia locked in]]] (if: $Pixellove is 15)[you've been thinking about the pixel mouse a lot. maybe you should [[go see him ->pixel mouse locked in]]] (if: $Mothlove is >= 10)[you think you might [[spend the day with doux->doux locked in]]]]]]] (set: $Mothlove to $Mothlove + 5)

you head back to the house. since no one is there, you decide to stay all by yourself in darthano's room, since it is the only one with an actual bed. before you tuck yourself in you look out the window at the moonlit woods. in one of trees is a blob of white, hopping from branch to branch. could it be the same one from earlier? it looks like it's dancing. too tuckered out to watch for longer, you head to bed. sleep welcomes you. in the morning you wake, cold and alone. no matter, for a new day always brings something, well, new. what will you do? [[play the piano]] [[read something]] [[wander the garden]] [[go to the kitchen]] [[try again to explore the attic]]

darthano looks at you, wide eyed. "oh...." he says, and scoots a little bit away from you. you feel like you said something wrong. eventually, you both get up to make yourselves some [[dinner.->darthano dinnertime]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove - 10)

darthano nods. "it's not for everybody.....and that's ok...i'm glad you were honest. you might like this one...." he rummages around in his shelves and pulls out a copy of //watership down//. you read the first few pages and are immediately engrossed in it. he scoots very close to you and you read together until [[dinnertime. ->darthano dinnertime]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove + 15)

you spend the day cooking with doux, and the night listening to their stories. this continues for a long time. eventually you start drawing some of their stories and making them into little comic books, which they adore. "the hero i was always meant to be!" they exclaim. (unless: "keep talking to doux" is in (history:))[they especially like the one of their escape from venezuela on a cargo ship.] one morning you make yourself some tea, and (link-reveal:"pour doux a cup.")[ "the best tea, you know," doux begins, "is grown on the tops of the tallest mountains in china and dried by (either:"the flapping of ten-thousand falcons","a massive trained dragon","millions of dragonflies") flying day in and day out overhead. only the royal family is allowed to say who can or can't drink it. you can't find tea like that back in Lisbon, that's for sure. I had a cup of it once, in the palace. the whole place is made of glass! of course, that was back when i was (either:"still friends with","secretly courting","secretly married to") the emperor's (either:"daughter","wife","sister")...but this tea is also very good. thank you." [[you're lying again! why do you always lie?]] [[why do you love adventures so much?]]]

you spend the day with darthano helping him organize his books. they were scattered in mile high piles all over the room, but with your combined efforts you manage to get most of them on the shelves (and in alphabetical order to boot!) with only (either:"two","three","one","ten","five") piles still on the floor. darthano has even set aside a pile of books he thinks you might (either:"enjoy.","like.","find interesting.") mostly plato. you take a break together to read a little, and eat (either:"some bread and jam.","a bit of cake.","a little fruit.","some tea sandwiches.") you grab a book off the recommendation pile. //The Republic//. you read, tails curled about each other, for quite a while. eventually he puts down his own book ".....do you like it?..." [[i like thrasymacus. he's got the right idea.]] [[i'm not sure that philosophy is really my style. ]]

you decide to spend some more time with the pixel mouse. today you trim the tulips, and the next day you prune the poppies, and the day after that you weed by the waterlilies. in the evenings, you talk to the pixel mouse and tell him about your life, and he tells you fragments of his. day by day, his fragments become longer, and day by day, his body grows more substantial. he seems to be blooming. one night you get to talking about memories. (link-reveal:"he asks you if you think the past is worth remembering.")[ (transition: "dissolve")[ [[the past is nothing but a phantom pain. bringing it with you isn't worth the trouble. it is better, i think, to keep going forward.->better to forget]] [[the past is what makes you who you are. if you don't know where you've been, how can you know where you're going?->better to remember]]]]

you spend the day with myia, and she teaches you some tricks on the piano. after only a couple weeks, you now know //hot cross buns// AND (either:"//chopsticks//","//clair de lune//","//the itsy bitsy spider//"). you feel like an absolute virtuoso. sometimes, after you play for her, she returns the auditory gift by singing to you. her voice often sounds like dew dropping to the ground, and sometimes like the fluttering of your own heart. one morning you see her looking out the window, as she often does. you (link-reveal: "ask her to tell you more about flying.")[ she tells you about the feeling of weightlessness, the sensation of feathers flung back against the whipping wind, she tells you how refreshingly cold it is way up in the clouds. (unless: "myia 2nd night" is in (history:))[she tells you about how she flew so fast that when she hit a window her wing shattered, and how she couldn't even fly away from the cat who finally killed her.] you listen to her for a long time, and eventually she falls silent. you feel like you should (link-reveal: "say something.")[ [["maybe you shouldn't have been so reckless, you know?"]] [["maybe singing is sort of like flying..."]]]]

you eat dinner together that night, and the next night, and the night after that. you're starting to really love darthano. one night, you get to talking about regrets. you (link-reveal:"ask him if he wishes he had done anything different.") ["i wish..." he starts, "i wish i could finish the book i lost." you ask him about the book. "when i was younger, i had a book called //The Problem with Glass.//. it was the heaviest book my family ever brought me. one year winter came hard. we were almost settled into our winter den when i realized my book was across the yard in a different burrow. the snow had stopped, and i thought i could make it and be back before long. my mother begged me not to go....i went. i was halfway across the expanse of snow when i heard a huge rumbling. the snow plough came fast....i never even got to finish my book." you hug him tightly and he cries a little. mouse tears. you wonder if there might be anything you could do to help him. [[knit him a new blanket]] [[find his book]]]

when you say it, he looks sadder. "maybe you're right, it does hurt to remember" he says. you're not sure if you said the right thing. the conversation ends, and in an attempt to find a distraction you grab his flower book. together, you read silently about //marigolds, tagetes.// a long stretch of time passes before either of you look up. eventually the pixel mouse sighs and turns to you. "well, i guess it's time for [[dinner.->pixel dinner]] (set: $Pixellove to $Pixellove - 10)

when you say it, he looks happier. "you're right, i wouldn't be myself without the things i've done. all of the choices that i've made have had meaning, and best of all, they led me to you." he smiles at his toes. you keep talking for a long while, and he even tells you a story. "once when i was younger, i saw a rainbow. it had been hailing all day-was it raining or hailing? no, it was hailing, i remember the bits of ice were bigger than me, but when it stopped the sky opened up and the rainbow came to say hello. it didn't last long, i don't think...or maybe it did. i'm not sure. but there //was// a rainbow." he looks satisfied with himself and you give him a hug. after a bit more talking he turns to you; [["dinnertime?" ->pixel dinner]] (set: $Pixellove to $Pixellove + 15)

you share a bowl of (either:"soup","lentils","berries") that night, and the night after. you start to lose track of the days. one day in the garden, the pixel mouse stumbles a bit while watering the watercress, like he was hit in the head with a pebble. "it does start with a T!" he cries. "Tatchet! i remember my mother calling it out to me when i got lost." he looks wildly excited, and his nose is pink. you run over to the pixel mouse, to Tatchet. you give his warm cheek a kiss. it's really amazing how well he's been doing these days. still, moments of clarity are rare, and you wonder if there isn't anything more you can do for him. [[give him a journal to record his old memories]] [[give him a camera to record new memories]] [[give him a flower]]

doux looks very taken aback. "i'm..i'm not! why would you say that? what, do you think i'm a fake or something?" they draw themself up to look bigger. "if you don't like my stories, say so! i won't bore you if you don't want me to." you feel bad, they look terribly injured by your question. you apologize and say you didn't mean it like that. they accept your apology, albeit begrudgingly. you think you know how to make it up to them. [["can i make you some dinner?"->doux dinner]] (set: $Mothlove to $Mothlove - 10)

doux pauses for a moment, and says "i never felt like much of anybody, when i was young. everything around me was so lush and colorful, and i felt so small. i thought if i made something of myself, i wouldn't feel so bad." they don't say anything else, and you worry that if you wait too long they'll start off on another story and shatter the moment of clarity. "wanna go to [[dinner?->doux dinner]]" (set: $douxfacts to $douxfacts +1)

over dinner, you get to talking again. you ask doux what leaving home was like. "it was scary" they say, "and the people on the pirate ship were awfully mean. they don't take kindly to stowaways, you know." [[didn't you say it was a cargo ship?->cargo ship]] [[didn't you say it was a cruise ship?->cruise ship]] [[oh my god! i can't believe you're lying to my face again!->ship mean]]

you decide it would be nice to knit darthano a new blanket. after all, he sleeps so much, it would be a good cozy gift. you scrounge together the materials from around the house, and each night you work on it after he falls asleep. after a long time, (link-reveal:"it's done.") [you give the blanket to him one night before bed, and he smiles at it gratefully. he takes to it right away, and soon he's sleeping wrapped up in it every night. soon, every day too. he seems to be sleeping more and more, and you wonder if maybe the blanket wasn't quite the right encouragement. [[keep trying->darthano fade]] ] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove - 5)

you decide you'll try and find the book he never got to finish. you search high and low in the house, but no information about the book appears. eventually you give up, but a new idea presents itself. what if you just (link-reveal:"write it yourself?")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you start asking him small questions about the plot of the book, and little by little you roll up a yarn ball of ideas. you weave the story, bit by bit, day by day, while he is asleep. so far, you have written a cobbled together philosophical something-or-other about glass, and inside and outside, and animals, and things of that sort that you don't feel smart enough to be writing but are doing your best. eventually (either:"you're almost done.","the end is in sight.","you're on the last chapter.") the only thing you still haven't decided is what sort of ending you should give the book. (unless: $Dormouselove is <= 25)[ [[give it a philosophical ending]]] [[give it a literary ending]]]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove + 10)

you grab the carpentry manual and start reading. you don't really know what you'll do with that skill yet, but you think it will come in handy. myia leads you to a pile of wood out back, and seems excited to hear about your new hobby. the first thing you make is a (link-reveal:"little table.")[ myia adores it and claims it as the new tea table. "the old one was so ugly, and it always wobbled" she said. she had never complained about the other table before, but you find it sweet that she enjoys your projects so much.] after the table, you make a little stand for her sheet music, which she favors over the metal one she had used prior. you're getting pretty confident with woodworking now, and myia's birthday (or, what would have been her birthday) is coming up. what should you make her? [[a tiny violin]] (unless: $Sparrowlove is <= 25)[ [[a wooden wing]] ] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove + 10)

you decide to hone your piano skills. you read up on music theory, and even learn (either:"//ode to joy//.","//twinkle twinkle//.") myia still loves to hear you play, but it always seems like there's something missing in her heart. the more time you spend at the piano, the more time she spends staring out the window. you feel like you could have done better for her. [[keep trying ->myia fade]] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove - 5)

dinner that night is quiet. you're both lost in thought, and the (either:"soup","pasta",) gets cold. after you do the dishes, you get to thinking about what you might be able to do to help her out. music has been helping, sure, but maybe there's something you're missing...you notice a couple of books on the counter. maybe one of them could guide you? [[A Beginner's Guide to Carpentry]] [[Mastering The Piano 101]]

"yeah" she says, not looking at you. "i know." you don't really know what to say after that. you go back to playing the piano, but she's not singing anymore. eventually, you notice that the sun has set. you tap myia on the shoulder and say time for [[dinner?->myia dinnertime]] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove - 10)

"maybe singing is sort of like flying" you say, "when you sing to me, at least, i feel like i'm soaring. like my feet aren't even touching the ground." she looks happy, and gives a little chirp. "i feel weightless when i sing too" she says quietly. looking out the window, she continues "maybe there are other ways to fly..." you sing and play for a while longer, until the sun sets. myia looks at you and says time for [[dinner?->myia dinnertime]] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove + 15)

you decide to make her a tiny violin so that she can play alongside you. it takes a lot of work, but finally you get it to sound nice, and you even make a bow using a couple of your old whiskers as bowhairs! finally the day comes, and you (link-reveal:"give her the violin.")[(transition: "dissolve")[ she says she loves it, and doesn't even mention how quickly it goes out of tune. still, every day you find her staring out the window, and every day she seems to grow further and further away from you. when she plays, she only ever plays (either:"the saddest of","melancholy","bittersweet") songs. your duets never quite fit together. [[keep trying->myia fade]] ]] (set: $Sparrowlove to $Sparrowlove - 10)

you decide to try and make a wing, da vinci style. you keep it very secret. myia seems a little sad that you've been spending so little time with her, but you assure her that it will be worth it. getting the supplies turns out to be quite the task. you end up using (either:"the table cloth","the curtains","your blanket") as fabric. to make sure the wing will work, you make a tiny mock up pair for yourself. it takes a while, but they do in fact function! eventually, the day comes, and you lead myia to the backyard (link-reveal:"to see her gift.")[ (transition:"dissolve")[ when she sees the wing, she cries. you fit it on her, and show her how to operate it. after a few failed attempts, she gets off the ground, and she looks like a new bird. she whoops and flaps, and once she gets the hang of it, she shows you every trick she can do. she looks like a kite in a hurricane, spinning and diving and almost hitting the ground at top speed but catching herself and pulling back up into a corkscrew-firework sort of move. for the first time you have ever seen, she looks really and truly happy. "come on up, the air's fine!" she yells from the clouds. you don your little mouse-wings and follow her, and like angels you both dance in the breeze. eventually she points. (link-reveal:"look!")[(transition:"dissolve")[ an open door has appeared in the sky. "i think i can see my flock in there!" she cries, and looks to you. "do you want to come with me?" [[yes! ->myia door]] [[no, i have more to do here.->no door-myia]]]]]]

"yes!" you cry, and you take her hand and follow her in flight. when you get through the door, your wooden wings have turned to feathers, and you see all manor of creatures flying about you. birds, certainly, but also mammals; mice, pigs, even a hippo off in the distance. myia pulls on you to get your attention and you are engulfed in a massive hug by too many sparrows to count. this must be her family. "come" one of them says, "we have so much to show you." you follow them. [[the end.->ending]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

"i can't!" you cry, "this door is for you, i have to find my own door!" she looks a little disappointed, but blows you a kiss and flies through. you are left alone, and everything has changed around you. when you land, you are back on the road you walked down so long ago. all that is left of her is a feather, lying on the road by your feet. you grab it, of course. guess it's time to [[keep exploring->pick up the paper]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "feather")) (set: $goneback to true)

you keep on trying to love her, but you feel like you've been doing everything wrong. she won't even talk to you anymore, let alone sing. she starts to fade away into a series of ones and zeros, like the pixel mouse, and you don't know what more you can do. you feel like you've failed at something. eventually, her chirps sound electronic. not long after that, you can't find her anywhere. she has faded away entirely. you feel like (link:"you could have done better.")[ (transition: "dissolve")[like you could //still// do better. you scrunch up your eyes. maybe if you concentrate hard enough, you can [[rewind->you are online]]]] (set: $goneback to true)

you decide to make the pixel mouse a little journal to write his memoirs in. there aren't really any journals in the house, but you find some paper and thread and cobble together one that will work. it comes out better than you expected it would, and you even find some fabric in (either:"a cupboard","the yard","a drawer") that you use as the cover. you get pretty carried away with the project. you even find a feather on the piano that myia must have shed, and use it to make a quill pen, and you make some ink from candle soot to go with it. [[it's perfect.->pixel journal]] (set: $Pixellove to $Pixellove + 15) (click-replace:"the pixel mouse")[Tatchet]

you found a polaroid camera in some of your wanderings around the house, and you're 95% sure it works. maybe 80%. either way, you dust it off and present it to him one day after dinner. his first pictures are of you, the kitchen wall (an accident) and the magnolias. even with his new hobby, he seems to be having trouble looking forward without also looking back. you think his nose is just a bit less pink. he looks a little less mouse-y each day. one day, he asks you to [[take his picture.->pixel fade]]

a feather, left to you by myia when she found her door. it almost seems to float when you hold it. <img src="http://journal.katherinelockettclark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/sparrow-feather.jpg" width="699" height="960" alt="feather">

even though philosophy isn't your comfort zone, you know it will make him happy. you end it by making some strange philosophical (link-reveal:"claims.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ //...because glass is invisible but still shows your reflection, by looking through it, you can place yourself in any environment you choose, simply by putting a piece of glass in front of it. it is like watching a movie or reading a book, only better, because you don't need to imagine that you see yourself in it, you truly DO see yourself in it. thus, with something like a window, you can be both inside and outside at the same time. the boundary of a solid wall is weakened, your vantage point has no limit. and yet, if there is a tiger on the other side of the window, you are safe, you are in no danger. this safety, however, comes with the price of freedom. when you are behind glass, your story is never your own. at some point, you must open the window.// proud of your creation, you cross your final //t// and dot your final //i//, wrap the book in tissue paper and put it away. you decide to surprise him [[after dinner.->darthano likes the book]]]]

this philosophy is really over your head, so you decide to take a turn to (link-reveal:"make it more literary.") [(transition:"dissolve")[ you re-write parts of it to include a little chipmunk who can't understand what glass is, and keeps bumping into it as a result. you end it by with the chipmunk finally coming to terms with the idea that glass exists, but oh no! since glass is invisible, the chipmunk now has to assume that glass is everywhere all around him until proven otherwise! this makes the chipmunk so afraid that he decides it would be best to never move again. proud of your creation, you dot your last //i// and cross your last //t//, wrap the whole thing in tissue paper and put it away. you decide to surprise darthano with it [[after dinner.->you fucked up with darthano]] ]] (set: $Dormouselove to $Dormouselove - 10)

after dinner that night, you pull out your surprise and slide it across the table. darthano looks confused and excited, and as he unwraps the paper you can see his eyes growing brighter. he gives you a hug, and dashes off to read the book he's been wanting to read for so long. after a while, you go to check up on him, and he's on the last page. he finally closes the book, and (link-reveal: "looks up.") [there are tears in his eyes. happy tears? maybe not. "i just don't think it's right" he sobs, "it's not the right ending, and i don't even think it's the right story!" he's hiccuping now, through his tears. "i don't want life to be fear like that! i don't want to be so afraid all the time!" oh dear. you try to comfort him, but he pushes you away with accusations of meanness, and also with his paws. maybe the "schrodinger's glass" trope wasn't quite right. [[keep trying->darthano fade]] ]

after dinner that night, you pull out your surprise and slide it across the table. darthano looks confused and excited, and as he unwraps the paper you can see his eyes growing brighter. he gives you a giant hug, and dashes off to read the book he's been wanting to read for so long. after a while, you go to check up on him, and he's on the last page. he finally closes the book, and (link-reveal:"looks up.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ "you're right, about the windows." he starts. "i've been peeping out from behind windows all my life. being with you, though, i feel like we've written a real story together. one that's all our own." as he's speaking, you both notice a door in the middle of the room that wasn't there before. "i think that's my cue to go" says darthano. "would you like to come?" [["yes!"->darthano door]] [[no, i have to stay here!->darthano no door]]]]

"this story is all your own" you say, and darthano blows you a kiss before scampering off into the light. the door disappears, and in its place you see a very (link:"battered")[well loved] bookmark. you grab it to remember darthano by. as you stand up, the books all around you flutter and shudder and whip up into a whirlwind. guess it's time to [[press onwards!->outside house darthano]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "bookmark")) (set: $goneback to true)

"yes!" you say, and scamper after him through the door. the light blinds you for a moment, but when you regain your vision you find yourself in a giant library where all around you creatures are leaping in and out of various books. darthano already looks right at home and has pulled out a large volume inscribed with the words //darthano and rubin//. he beckons you over, opens it up, and you step boldly in, together. [[the end.->ending]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

after washing up a little, you head to the kitchen where a family dinner has been prepared. (if: $stayingwithMyia is 1)[you sit down next to myia](else-if: $stayingwithDarthano is 1)[you plop down next to darthano](else-if: $stayingwithPixel is 1)[you grab a chair next to the pixel mouse](else-if: $stayingwithDoux is 1)[you take a seat next to doux] and start serving yourself. someone has made a beautiful (either: "sweet potato pie", "mushroom soup") and it tastes like a home. over dinner you (link-reveal:"get to know everyone a little better.")[ (transition:"dissolve")[you talk to [(link-reveal:"myia,")[(transition:"dissolve")[ who tells you that her favorite composer is wagner but her favorite song is actually //come on eileen//,]](link-reveal:" darthano,")[(transition:"dissolve")[ who tells you his thoughts on how beauty is the truest philosophical pursuit,]](link-reveal:" the pixel mouse,")[(transition:"dissolve")[ who shows you a little necklace he made out of dried daisy petals,]] and (link-reveal:" doux")[(transition:"dissolve")[, who tells you a crazy story about a time when they ended up trapped in a crate of illegal mink furs that was headed to venice on a freight train]]. after you've eaten and spoken to everyone, you help wash the dishes and clean up the table. all the talking and eating has got you worn out. (if: $stayingwithMyia is 1)[[[better call it a night.->myia 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDarthano is 1)[[[better call it a night.->darthano 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithPixel is 1)[[[better call it a night.->pixel mouse 2nd night]]] (if: $stayingwithDoux is 1)[[[better call it a night.->doux 2nd night]]] ]]]

darthano's favorite bookmark, which darthano left to you when he found his door. upon closer inspection, it looks like some sort of victorian birthday card. i guess one can use anything as a bookmark, really. <img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c3/e4/a8/c3e4a803f0202ae9f382f0cee266e508.jpg" width="658" height="1000" alt="bookmark">

you do your best to carry on, but all darthano does these days is sleep. you feel like you should have done something different. his eyes are always half shut, and he doesn't even have interest in reading anymore. after a long time, he starts to fade away into a series of ones and zeros, like the pixel mouse. each evening he loses a bit more substance, a bit more of himself. a day comes when you lift his blanket to find nothing there. (link:"you could have done better.")[you //can// do better this time. [[try again?->you are online]]]

you give him the journal one night after a hot day planting zinnias, and you can tell he loves it, although he doesn't say much. later that night, you hear the quill pen scritching away by the light of a tiny candle on his desk. sometimes he reads you passages, and his writing style is elegant and refined. he writes more and more each day. the garden has been looking a bit (either:"wild","unkempt") lately, but it's worth a few weeds to see tatchet becoming himself. one day you walk in to find him seated at his desk with his journal open to the last page. you (link-reveal:"knock on the doorframe.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ tatchet looks up. "oh!" <img src="https://cdn.rentokil.com/content/local/in/images/desktop/main_rentokil-com-mouse-450637991.png" width="640" height="185" alt="realtatchet"> "come in! your timing is perfect, i just finished writing my last entry." you can't believe how good he looks! you rush over to the desk where you find his (link:"paws")[real, flesh and bone paws] stained with ink, proudly clutching his manifesto. "i think that's the ticket" he says. he gives you a warm embrace. "i remembered everything, and i know what i've gotta do now" he whispers. his whiskers tickle your ear. when he pulls away, he gestures to a door in the wall that wasn't there before. "this is my stop" he says, and chuckles. "are you getting off with me?" [[yes!->pixel door]] [[no, i have my own remembering to do->pixel no door]] ]]

just a flower? really? ok. you give him a (link-repeat:"|gift>[flower]")[(replace:?gift)[(print: $flower's 1st)](set:$flower to(rotated:1, ...$flower))], and he smiles, confused, but pleased. "did you just grab this from the garden?" he asks with a laugh. that was sweet, but maybe you should give him something else too? [[give him a journal to record his old memories]] [[give him a camera to record new memories]] { (set: $flower to (a: "rose", "daffodil", "violet", "carnation", "begonia", "lily")) }

"i can't, i'm sorry" you say, and he nods in understanding. he walks back over to you and hands you the journal. "i hope in your rememberings you remember me, too" he says, and gives you a little kiss before disappearing through the door. with his exit, the house seems emptier. [[things aren't the same.->standing outside the house]] are you still inside the house? (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "journal")) (set: $goneback to true)

you hold his paw and step through the door, together. you find yourself in a massive garden with rich, vibrant plants, terribly foreign and beautiful, ones you couldn't imagine in your wildest dreams, let alone name. tatchet looks just as vibrant as the greenery. you feel at home. you feel found. [[the end.->ending]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

you stand once more outside the house, and wonder what will change this time. you miss tatchet, but remember that you still have his journal to read whenever you want. you take a deep breath, and (if:$inv contains "bookmark" and $inv contains "feather" and $inv contains "journal" and $inv contains "crown")[ [[approach the house->empty house]]](else:)[ [[approach the house->talk to them]]]

tatchet's journal, which he gave you when he left. some of the pages are very ink-stained, but everything is still readable. (set: $x to (font: "Monotype Corsiva")) $x[ (link-repeat:"you flip through it aimlessly.")[(print:$journal's 1st)[(set:$journal to(rotated:-2, ...$journal))]] (set: $journal to (a: " december 3rd 1926 we had to leave the woods. the snow was too thick, and more and more predators were coming our way. this was the night my mother helped transport us all to the barn, and we slept under thick blankets of wheat. ", " february 1st 1927 the humans let a little dog into the barn. a terrier. that night no one left the burrow. we didn't have any food. i told my mother that i would go out and find some in the morning, even though she begged me not to. ", " august 1926 at some point during this month a fox broke into our den and killed my brother. it wasn't safe. ", " may 18th 1926 this one was a happy memory. it was my first spring, and the sun was shining into our burrow. my brothers and sisters went out and saw the flowers, and played in the grass, and it was like nothing in the world would hurt us. ", " december 9th 1926 they figured out we were in the barn. we had to be very careful because they set up traps. i knew not to trust the treats they left out, but not all of my siblings were so wary. ", " february 2nd 1927 the day i died. "," january 27th 1927 the traps were getting more advanced. they left out sticky bits of tar that trapped your feet if you stepped in it. one of my sisters walked on it, before we knew what it was. why did they care so much about killing us? "," june 10th 1926 i found a blackberry bush near our burrow. we feasted that night. "," october 28th 1925 the day i was born! or so my mother told me. she said i opened my eyes before any of my siblings. "," october 28th 1926 my first birthday. and the first birthday of 8 of my other siblings. we had some pumpkin to celebrate. "," february 28th 1926 the frost started to melt. i remember hearing the most beautiful birdsongs. "," july 24th 1926 i remember that on this day i saw a bee. it was very loud. "," june 9th, 1926 the grass was very green on this day. i found a dandelion and brought it home to the burrow. " ))]

the flash goes off, and you watch the polaroid develop. the background appears, the sofas, the wallpaper, but all you see of tatchet is a blip of ones and zeros in the bottom of the frame. this isn't right. the days slip along and with them slips any progress you saw him make. you keep taking pictures of him, a last ditch hope, but the day comes when he doesn't even appear in the photo. he's gone. you could have helped him, but you didn't. (link:"you could have done better.")[(transition:"dissolve")[you //can// do better. next time. [[try again?->you are online]]]]

"oh! shoot. you're right, koalas have fur, not feathers. my bad." doux looks a little bashful, but shakes it off soon enough, and sets about helping you make a bed for yourself out of tea towels and napkins, which turns out surprisingly nicely. they really do have a knack for making beds, and great taste in tea towels. you settle in and, after a bit of whispering in the dark, both fall asleep. in the morning, doux is gone, but there's a note on the table that reads //"i'll be back later. you have free reign! -D"// what should you do? (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[tinker around on the piano]] ] [[make something in the kitchen]] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[go to the garden]] ] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[read a book]] ] (set: $Mothlove to $Mothlove + 5) (set: $douxfacts to $douxfacts + 1)

"no they-koalas have feathers!! i'm SURE of it!" doux looks very confused and upset. "i've seen them, alright? i know what a damned koala looks like!!!" maybe you were a little harsh. you apologise, and after a little bit of sulking, they calm down, and set about helping you make a bed for yourself out of tea towels and napkins. it turns out surprisingly nicely. they really do have a knack for making beds, and great taste in tea towels. you settle in and, a couple of whispers, both fall asleep. in the morning, doux is gone, but there's a note on the table that reads //"i'll be back later. do what u want! -D"// what should you do? (unless: $inv contains "feather")[ [[tinker around on the piano]] ] [[make something in the kitchen]] (unless: $inv contains "journal")[ [[go to the garden]] ] (unless: $inv contains "bookmark")[ [[read a book]] ]

doux pauses for a moment. "you know...i did say that. sorry. sometimes i have trouble remembering things the way they actually happened." doux looks a bit sheepish. "it's nice that you care enough to remember, though" they say quietly. you tell them it's okay, and hold their hand. [[stage an intervention for their compulsive lies]] [[try to get more information about their life before france]] (set: $douxfacts to $douxfacts +1)

"i never said that!" doux looks offended. "i wouldn't set FOOT on a cruise ship. those things are nasty. it was a pirate ship, like i said. you know they eat shoes on pirate ships sometimes? it's good protein, and food is scarce on the open sea." they continue talking about pirates, but you stop listening after a while. you're busy thinking about what you might be able to do for them. maybe you could... [[stage an intervention for their compulsive lies]] [[try to get more information about their life before france]]

"oh my god!" doux yells. "why are you so mean? i'm not a liar! why are you even spending time with me if you question every single thing i say?!?!?!" doux pushes back their chair, which really doesn't do much on account of their moth-body weighing less than 2 grams. they storm off, and leave you feeling like you definitely did something wrong. maybe you can figure out a way to make it up to them. how? [[stage an intervention for their compulsive lies]] [[try to get more information about their life before france]]

you decide to stage an intervention. (unless: $inv contains "bookmark" and $inv contains "feather" and $inv contains "journal")[ for some reason, no one else in the house wants to do it, so] you sit down alone in the kitchen and wait for doux to come in. when they finally arrive, they don't notice anything off. "boy, what a day i've had" they say, but you cut them off before they can say anything else. "doux we need to talk. every single conversation i've had with you has been false. you haven't spoken a single true word to me, and quite frankly it's upsetting." they pause midway to the table, and stand very still and quiet. you continue. "i don't even know if doux is really your name! i mean how am i supposed to stay here with you if you can't even tell me the truth?" (if: $douxfacts is 0)["fuck you!" they yell. "all you've done to me since you got here is hurt me! you're not a nice person and you also smell bad!](else-if: $douxfacts is 1)["i can't believe you're doing this!" they yell. "i thought maybe you were starting to understand me, but you clearly don't care enough to!](else-if: $douxfacts is 2)["i thought you cared about me!" they yell. "i thought you wanted to actually get to know me! why would you do something like this? why would you pretend like this? this is just cruel!"] doux begins to cry. "if you hate me so much, LEAVE!" they run out of the room in tears. (link:"oof.")[ that was pretty rough. i don't think you can come back from this one. [[try again->talk to them]], from the top? ]

you decide it would be a good idea to see if you can get more information out of them about their life in venezuela. maybe it would be a nice gesture to (link-reveal:"do some research about their home country.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you find a book with facts about venezuela, but Lisbon doesn't seem to be in there. huh. you go looking for some other books with maps in them. you find one of world maps and (link-reveal:"start flipping through")[(transition:"dissolve")[ <img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQyLlzWOefg5G_4PGTk14PInbCo4V1CWtnjgY4-VbXaQNI2cyoS" width="223" height="226" alt="lisbon"> (link-reveal:"!?")[(transition:"dissolve")[ <img src="http://www.minareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/venezuela.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="lisbon"> (link-reveal:"hm.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ well, this is unfortunate. it seems like doux has gone further than you even thought. you gotta confront them about this somehow. (if: $douxfacts is <2)[ [[stage an intervention for their compulsive lies]]] [[threaten them]] [[try to get them to be honest]] ]]]]]]]]

the golden crown that doux left for you when they went through their door. it might not actually be gold, but you feel pretty royal when you put it on. <img src="https://chicvintagebrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Crown-Cake-TOpper-Etsy.jpg" width="1500" height="1000" alt="crown">

you approach the house, but this time it looks different. it's empty. all the colors are just as bright, but no life stirs inside to greet you. no one is there to show you around. [[explore the empty house]] (set: $Squirrellove to 0)

it looks like you've reached an ending. would you like to play again? i'm sure there's still a lot of exploring you could do! [[play again->the start ]] so far you have ended the game (print: $endings) times. there are 10 unique endings total. see if you can find them all!

you decide to go the bold route and just threaten them. what harm could that do, (link-reveal:"right?")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you find them in the front yard, raking some leaves. **"listen here!"** you yell. they jump a little bit and drop their rake. **"who the hell do you think you are!? you think everyone is stupid but you're the one who didn't realize that Lisbon is the capital of portugal!!!"** they look very afraid, but you've already amassed a lot of momentum, so you may as well keep going. **"you've got the wrong idea, thinking you can bamboozle me like that! i oughta crucify you!** doux is clearly terrified by now. they let out a little shriek, and regain grasp of the rake. [[keep yelling!]] [[stop yelling]] ]]

you decide to talk to them and see if you can get them to be real with you. (if: $douxfacts is <3)[accusing them doesn't seem to end well, so] maybe a soft and gentle approach is in order. while you're helping them wash the dishes one day, you decide the time is right to strike up a (link-reveal:"conversation.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ "will you tell me a story?" you ask, "about Lisbon, i mean? what were the plants like? or, did you have a lot of siblings?" doux seems caught off guard by your request, and thinks for a minute before replying. (if: $douxfacts is 2 or 3)["listen, i don't wanna do this anymore. you've been nicer to me than anyone i've ever met in my whole life. it seems like you really want to trust me, and i wish that you could. i'm sorry. the truth is, though, i've never even been to lisbon." ](if: $douxfacts is 1)["i'm sorry, i can't do this anymore. i can tell you've been trying. i know you don't totally trust me, and you really don't have a reason to. i haven't been honest at all. i've never even been to lisbon."](if: $douxfacts is 0)["look, i know what you're thinking. and you're right. i lied about lisbon, just like i lied about everything else. i'm sorry, okay? i know you care. i care about you, too. i'll come clean."] doux puts down the dish they were holding, and turns to face you. they take (link-reveal:"a deep breath.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ "i wasn't born in venezuela. i guess you already figured that out. i was born somewhere in michigan, i think, in some insect breeder's workshop. she sold me to a zoo when i was still a caterpillar. i lived in a little glass tank, with some moss at the bottom, and twigs to rest on. i couldn't fly very far. when i came out of my cocoon, throngs of people came to see me. (link-reveal:"i was a new exhibit.")[ (transition:"dissolve")[ the people who came to see me were from all over. i heard their muffled voices through the glass, i heard them talking to each other. they spoke about themselves, mostly, and all of the places they had gone, all of the things they had seen. then, they would get bored and leave. i always wondered where they went, and i envied them. (link-reveal:"i wanted to be like them.")[ (transition:"dissolve")[ my favorite visitors were always the families. little kids always got really excited about the buggies. sometimes, i could hear the parents telling stories to their kids, stories about dragons and princesses and witches, and i could see how excited the children were. it made me excited too. (link-reveal:"i wanted to live in one of those stories.")[ (transition:"dissolve")[ so i did. in my head, i mean. i would start making up stories, using details from whatever i had overheard that day, and put myself in them. always the hero of the tale. eventually i started to make those stories memories. i didn't have much else of import to remember, and it didn't hurt anyone. i became, to myself, the hero of every story ever told. it was better than admitting (link-reveal:"i was a prisoner in a glass castle.")[ (transition:"dissolve")[ i died and it didn't matter. i guess moths don't live very long anyway. it wasn't anything spectacular, i was there one day and here the next. i told myself i had died in a swordfight or something, it doesn't matter. when i met you, i wanted you to like me. so i kept pretending to be that hero. i'm sorry." doux looks deflated, and stops talking. you [[give them a hug]] ]]]]]]]]]]]]

(link:"sure. why stop now?") [(transition:"dissolve")[ (text-style: "shudder")[ "i can't believe you would treat me like such an idiot! you think i wouldn't notice all your little contradictions? you think i wouldn't see through your wall of lies???"] doux is freaking out at this point and keeping a firm grip on that rake. they whimper; "stop it!" (link: "but you don't.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (text-style: "rumble")["oh! you want //me// to stop now? guess what!? i wanted you to stop //lying// but that didn't happen, did it? (if:"why do you love adventures so much?" is in (history:))[you were right to think that you were small! you //are// small!] you're nothing! nothing but a **bug!**"] (link-reveal:"you take a step towards them.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (link-reveal:"step. they look more panicked by the second.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (link-reveal:"step. they're still holding the rake.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (link-reveal:"step.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ doux lunges at you in a panic. you don't have time to sidestep. moths can fly up to 40mph, you know. it seems that somehow you have gotten yourself killed in a game where you already started out dead. not sure how you managed that. [[the end->ending]] ]]]]]]]]]]]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

good choice. you went really far there for a hot second. darthano, aware of their chance for escape, drops the rake and flies very fast in the other direction. you are left standing alone. guess you can't fix this by moving forward. maybe go [[back?->you are online]]

you go over to them and give them a big warm hug. "you could have grown up in a shoebox for all i care. i'd love you regardless. i'm just happy you're being honest with me." doux is crying a little bit, but it seems like a good sort of cry. you hold them for a while, not saying anything. eventually, (link-reveal:"doux lets go.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ "thank you for listening to me, and thank you for loving me even though i lied. i'm sorry that i didn't tell you sooner." doux looks calmer than you've ever seen them. it feels like they've emerged from a second cocoon, and become the truest version of themself. to the right, a door appears. (if: $inv contains "feather" or $inv contains "journal" or $inv contains "bookmark")[you both know what's coming next.] doux steps forward to you. "i've never met anyone like you, never in my whole life. but i'm so glad i know you now." they gesture over to the door. "wanna go on an adventure with me?" [[yes i do!->doux door]] [[i can't, i have more adventures waiting for me here->doux no door]] ]]

"yes!" you say, and you grab one of their hands. together, you (link-reveal:"step through the door.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you find yourself on a beautiful, mouse-sized horse in a lush green valley. doux is riding on a horse of their own next to you, and has gotten a sword and helmet from somewhere. you hear a distant roar, and look to your left to find a giant dragon looming above you. you're not scared. neither is doux, who grins, and says "giddy up!" [[the end!->ending]] ]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

"i can't! i'm not finished adventuring here." you say. doux looks disappointed, but kisses your head and waves goodbye. they dart through the door. the door starts to fade, but through it you hear a distant "oh! wait!" doux reappears through the door, and drops a delicate golden crown at your feet. "i love you!" they say, before leaving once more. this time, the door actually does fade into nothing. //where the hell did they get this crown// you wonder to yourself, but you pick it up regardless. guess it's time to [[move on to the next adventure->outside house doux]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "crown")) (set: $goneback to true)

you blink a few times, and find yourself back on that familiar road. you wonder what adventures doux might be having right about now. you feel a pang of loneliness without their company. nevertheless, on you must go. you (if:$inv contains "bookmark" and $inv contains "feather" and $inv contains "journal" and $inv contains "crown")[ [[step towards the house.->empty house]]](else:)[ [[step towards the house.->talk to them]]]

the papers fade and you find yourself back where you were before, on that very same road. you're still thinking about glass, and darthano, but you know you must press on. you take a few breaths, and (if:$inv contains "bookmark" and $inv contains "feather" and $inv contains "journal" and $inv contains "crown")[ [[approach the house->empty house]]](else:)[ [[approach the house->talk to them]]]

where do you want to go? [[myia's room]] [[darthano's room]] [[doux' room]] [[tatchet's room]] (if: "myia's room" is in (history:) or "darthano's room" is in (history:) or "doux' room" is in (history:) or "tatchet's room" is in (history:))[ [[the attic]] ] (if: "the attic" is in (history:))[ [[the woods]]]

(if:"myia's room" is in (history:))[you already went here. better to go somewhere else, i think.](else:)[the room, which once was vibrant with song and light, is now dusty and silent. you find her sheet music, her songbooks, but nothing else is left of her. only a faint whistling in the wind. you think you see something move outside the window, but when you go to look you don't see any signs of life. not much else here, it seems. (click: "not much else here, it seems.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]] (click: "somewhere else, i think.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]

(if: "darthano's room" is in (history:))[you already came here. better to go somewhere else, i think.](else:)[you find darthano's room a sad abandoned library. dusty books litter the floor, and the bed isn't made. you hear a little rustling sound, but it looks like it's only your tail brushing some papers. not much else here, it seems.] (click: "not much else here, it seems.")[(display: "explore the empty house")] (click: "somewhere else, i think.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]

(if:"doux' room" is in (history:))[you've already been here. better to go somewhere else, i think.](else:)[you wander into the kitchen to find it barren. you open the fridge, but it looks like someone's broken in and eaten everything. the pantry is just as empty, save for a candy wrapper. //who ate all the food?// you wonder. oh well. not much else here, it seems. (click: "not much else here, it seems.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]] (click: "somewhere else, i think.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]

(if: "tatchet's room" is in (history:))[you came to this room already. better to go somewhere else, i think.](else:)[you go to tatchet's room, and look outside to see what's going on in the garden. all the plants seems to have grown wild, and you can't see a single flower bush that has recently been pruned. a ways off, you think you see something white in the trees, but when you blink, it's gone. oh well. not much else here, it seems. (click: "not much else here, it seems.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]] (click: "somewhere else, i think.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]

you head up to the attic, but it seems to be locked. as you turn to leave, you hear movement from behind the door, but it stops as quickly as it started. not much else here, it seems. (click: "not much else here, it seems.")[(display: "explore the empty house")]

you could... [[play the piano]] [[read something]] [[wander the garden]] [[go to the kitchen]] [[try again to explore the attic]] (if: "play the piano" is in (history:) or "read something" is in (history:) or "wander the garden" is in (history:) or "go to the kitchen" is in (history:))[ [[go back to the woods]]]

(if:"play the piano" is in (history:))[you already tried playing the piano. maybe you should do something else.](else:)[you wander to the piano, and play hot cross buns for a bit. it sounds hollow, and the notes fall into the stagnant air and die. it doesn't sound right without myia there to listen. listen..is someone listening? you can't quite tell. the trees outside shake and shiver. you feel watched. maybe you should do something else. ] (click: "something else.")[(display: "something else")]

(if:"read something" is in (history:))[you already read for a while. maybe you should do something else.](else:)[you head to darthano's room to read, but the bed is cold, and you don't know what to read, and it's no fun without him. maybe you should do something else.] (click: "something else.")[(display: "something else")]

(if:"go to the kitchen" is in (history:))[you already came here, and there don't seem to be any more muffins. better do something else.](else:)[you head into the kitchen to see if you can find any clues that might tell you what's going on. you find some chewed holes in a box of cocoa puffs, and a paw print near the window. you're about to leave when you notice a single mini muffin on a plate on the table. was that there yesterday? you eat it. at least now you're full. time to do something else.] (click: "something else.")[(display: "something else")]

(if:"wander the garden" is in (history:))[you've already been to the garden. maybe you should do something else.](else:)[you wander through the garden, but it's not the garden you knew. no touch of hand or paw is visible anywhere. in the bushes, you think you spot a pair of eyes, but they vanish before you can get a better look. maybe you should go do something else.] (click: "something else.")[(display: "something else")]

(if: "go back to the woods" is in (history:))[i don't think there's anything left for you in the woods. better head back.](else:)[you decide to venture again into the woods. the air today is sharper, and the sky is full of clouds. you get to thinking about all the friends and lovers you let go. do you miss them? do you wish you had gone with them? would it have even been right, to go with them? as you think, and walk, your eyes alight upon a figure in the treetops. "hey!!" you call out. the (link:"figure")[white creature, long and lithe,] is clearly startled, and dashes off through the treetops. something silver drops from the place where it had been watching you. a key? you grab it quickly. this might just be what you were looking for. time to head back. (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "attic key"))] (click: "head back.")[(display: "something else")]

(if: "go back to the woods" is in (history:))[you dash back up to the attic, silver key in hand. it fits! you pry open the heavy door to find (link-reveal:"a very clean room.")[(transition:"dissolve")[it's full of little knick knacks covering the floor and walls, and bunches of dried herbs and plants in piles on every table. there are ancient looking books and scraps of paper lying next to some of the herbs.]] it looks lived in. how have you never seen this place before? as you walk around, careful not to touch anything, you feel a breeze on the back of your neck. why is the window open? maybe you should (link-reveal)"see if there's anything out there."[(transition:"dissolve")[ you head over to the window. a few tree branches away, you spot her. <img src="https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/eagletribune.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/c3/cc333e7d-7b7a-53d9-b5ab-138b7bdb7a1b/584b631abdda7.image.jpg" width="792" height="600" alt="squirrel"> she's not running away this time. which is a good thing, because she's the most beautiful creature you've ever seen. you wish you could look at her forever. you stare at each other for a long time. eventually, you think maybe you should do something. [[try to strike up a conversation->talk to the squirrel]] [[offer her a gift maybe?->give the squirrel something]] ]]](else:)[the attic still seems to be locked. maybe you can find a key somewhere.]

this key looked silver from a distance, but upon closer inspection it appears to be brass. you cant quite read the inscription. <img src="http://www.waxantiques.com/gfx/lg_777630.jpg" width="674" height="600" alt="attic key">

"hey!" you say, a bit loudly in case she's too far away to hear you. "you're very beautiful!" a bit awkward, but at least you're honest. she doesn't reply, but seems interested. she hops forward a couple branches, but remains silent and wary. maybe try something else? [[offer her a gift->give the squirrel something]]

maybe you could give her a little gift? she seems to have an affinity for objects and such. "hey, i've got a gift for you!" you say. she hops a few branches closer, clearly interested. what should you offer her? (if: $inv contains "rock")[(link:"offer her that rock you found in the field")[(transition:"dissolve")[you hold up the rock. "i've got this really wonderful rock! it doesn't really do anything, but you never know when you need a rock!" she doesn't come closer. maybe she can't see how cool the rock is. nevermind, you'll show it to her some other time. you should try something else for now.]]] (if: $inv contains "key")[(link:"offer her the key you found in the dark place")[(transition:"dissolve")[you hold up the rusty key. "i found this key once when i fell down a hole!" she doesn't seem interested. maybe something else.]]] (if: $inv contains "paper")[(link:"offer her the paper you found on the road")[(transition:"dissolve")[you hold up the scrap of paper. "i've got this great bit of paper! it has a poem on it, about houses!" she doesn't come any closer. maybe save poetry for another day.]]] (if: $inv contains "bottle")[(link:"offer her the bottle you found in the woods")[(transition:"dissolve")[you hold up the little perfume bottle you found in the woods yesterday. "i've got this perfume bottle! it's really old, i think, and it smells nice!" bingo. the squirrel hops closer to you, and you can see her much more clearly now. the tips of her ears and her nose are dusted in a rosy pink hue. she speaks. she speaks! (text-style:"smear")[[["where did you find that?"->give her the bottle]]]]]] (if: $inv contains "ocarina")[(link:"offer her your childhood ocarina")[(transition:"dissolve")[you hold up the ocarina. "this ocarina makes beautiful music!" she seems to like it, but not enough to come any closer. maybe try something else.]]] (if: $inv contains "yarn")[(link:"offer her the bit of yarn your mom gave you")[(transition:"dissolve")[you hold up the yarn. "my mom gave me this! it keeps you from getting lost!" she doesn't seem interested in it right now. maybe try another thing.]]]

glad to have caught her attention, you say "i found it in the woods yesterday. i liked the colors, so i grabbed it." the squirrel hops onto the window sill and extends her snowy paw towards the bottle. (text-style:"smear")["may i see it?"] she asks, and her voice is like a spring breeze. you hand her the bottle, and she turns it over thoughtfully. (text-style:"smear")["i could probably put some nice things in here, and the green really is beautiful..."] she says, almost to herself. she looks up sharply. (text-style:"smear")["what is your name? i forgot"] she says, and you introduce yourself. (text-style:"smear")["well, thank you, rubin"] she says. (text-style:"smear")["come back again soon!"] she hops off through the trees. was that it? you feel a little annoyed that you didn't get to spend more time with her, but glad you saw her all the same. you want to know more about her. but how? [[stalk her until she relents]] [[leave something by her door]] (set: $inv to $inv - (a: "bottle")) (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove + 5)

why would.. why would you chose that? that's a really messed up thing to do. as a matter of fact, i'm not ok with you doing that. choose something else, you wacko. [[leave something by her door]]

you think maybe it would be cute to leave her some little tokens of your affections. maybe she'll take them as a sign that you want to get to know her better. what should you give her? [[pick her some herbs from the garden]] [[give her one of the objects you have in your inventory->give her an object]]

you decide it might be sweet to pick some herbs from the garden. when you get there, you realize it might be more difficult than you had expected, as the nice rows of sage and thyme that tatchet cultivated have now turned into something more like a sprawling mass of unidentified weeds, with some flowers sprinkled in. you spend the day sorting through the tiny jungle and manage to find 3 sprigs of lavender, a handful of rosemary, a few leaves of what you're pretty sure is mint, and a whole lot of mugwort. you had no idea that mugwort grew so fast. satisfied and covered in dirt, you head up to the attic and drop your little bundle of greenery outside the door. you [[return->alone 2]] to your sweet, sweet bed. (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove + 25)

you have collected quite a few objects over your travels. maybe you should let go of some of them? what would you like to give her? [[give her tatchet's journal]] [[give her doux' crown]] [[give her myia's feather]] [[give her darthano's bookmark]]

in the morning, you awake to a gentle breeze. a breeze? the window is open! you look around, and notice a little note on your bedside table. (link:"you open it.") [(transition:"dissolve")[ (if:"pick her some herbs from the garden" is in (history:))[//dear rubin, thank you for the herbs. they smell absolutely wonderful. i'd been meaning to collect some tomorrow, it was very sweet of you to think of it. i hope i see you today. -n//] (if:"give her tatchet's journal" is in (history:))[//rubin, thank you for the journal. i'm not altogether sure what to do with it, since there's no space left to write in and anyway it's not my journal to read, but it was sweet of you all the same. i'd like to see you again. -n// ] (if:"give her doux' crown" is in (history:))[//rubin, thank you for the crown. it's beautiful. i wore it this morning and it made me feel very royal. i hope i can see you again soon. -n//] (if:"give her myia's feather" is in (history:))[//dear rubin, thank you for the feather. it's got a beautiful color to it, so demure and gentle. i love it. i might fashion a quill pen out of it, if i can. i would love to see you again, today, if possible. -n//] (if:"give her darthano's bookmark" is in (history:))[//dear rubin, thank you for the bookmark. the lace was also a very nice touch. it will make me think of you while i read. i hope to see you again soon.-n//] she wants to see you again! //she wants to see you again!// your heart flutters with excitement, until you realize that she never specified when or where. shoot. what to do? [[look for her in the woods]] [[look for her in the attic]] ]]

you decide to give her the journal. after all, she seems to like old books and things like that. you wrap your gift in a tea towel and place it outside the attic door. satisfied, you [[return->alone 2]] to the sweet comfort of your bed. (set: $inv to $inv - (a: "journal")) (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove + 5)

you decide to give her doux' crown. it would look very pretty on her, you think. you wrap the crown up in a bit of brown paper and leave it outside the attic door. satisfied, you [[return->alone 2]] to your sweet bed. (set: $inv to $inv - (a: "crown")) (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove + 15)

you decide to give her the feather that myia left for you. she might be able to use it for something, and at the very least it is a beautiful feather. you place it on a nice silver dish and leave it outside the attic door. satisfied, you [[return->alone 2]] to your sweet bed. (set: $inv to $inv - (a: "feather")) (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove + 20)

you decide to give her the bookmark from darthano. after all, she has quite a few books, and might like something to put in one of them. you wrap the bookmark up in a little bit of lace from a downstairs curtain and place it outside the attic door. satisfied, you [[return->alone 2]] to your sweet bed. (set: $inv to $inv - (a: "bookmark")) (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove + 10)

you go to try and find her in the woods. it seems like that's a favorite haunt of hers. you walk for a while, but you don't see any sign of her. maybe you should [[see if she's at home.->look for her in the attic]]

you decide to climb the stairs and see if she's in her lofty room. when you draw near, you can smell something cooking. you crack the door open for a peak, and see her tending to a large pot in the middle of the floor. she is stirring something and reading from a very large book. it smells nice, whatever it is. [[draw back and knock]] [[enter without knocking]]

you pull back from your peeping hole and knock on the door. she opens it, and a little smile darts across her face. (text-style:"smear")["soup's on"] she says, and gestures for you to [[come inside.->what she cookin]]

you swing wide the door and enter. (text-style:"smear")["AAH"] you scared her! (text-style:"smear")["knock first next time!"] she says, clearly annoyed. you [[enter->what she cookin]] sheepishly. (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove - 5)

once inside, the smell of whatever is in that pot is overwhelming. "what kind of soup is this?" you ask. (text-style:"smear")["not quite soup..."] she replies, nose buried in a dusty book. not quite soup? maybe better to not even ask. "can i help?" you inquire. (text-style:"smear")["sure, i've tried everything but i can't really figure out what the last ingredient is. the page is too smudged. toss something in, if you like."] you feel like this could go very badly, but it //would// be pretty cool to make a weird potion. what should you add? (link:"throw in some mugwort")[(transition:"dissolve")[you toss in some mugwort that is sitting next to you. the potion takes on a very dark red hue, and seems to grow much thicker. it emits a great cloud of pink gas that smells awful. (text-style:"smear")["i think this is a good sign, keep going"] says the squirrel.]] (if: $inv contains "rock")[(link:"throw in that rock you found in the field")[(transition:"dissolve")[you kiss your nice rock goodbye and toss it in. the potion is still, for a moment, as if it is thinking. suddenly, it throws your rock back, along with several other, MUCH cooler rocks. NICE! it doesn't do anything else though.]]] (link: "throw in one of your tiny mouse shoes")[(transition:"dissolve")[you take off one of your little tiny mouse shoes and throw it in. the pot makes a chewing and chomping and gulping sound, but nothing else happens. shit. now you only have one shoe.]] (if: $inv contains "key")[(link:"throw in the key you found in the dark place")[(transition:"dissolve")[you toss in your rusty key. the potion turns grey, then green, then magenta, and finally spits your key back out at you.]]] (if: $inv contains "paper")[(link:"throw in the paper you found on the road")[(transition:"dissolve")[you throw in your little scrap of poetry. the pot stands up. stands up? it seems to have grown little legs. it does a cute little dance, and sits back down. the contents, however, have not changed a bit. oh well. the paper, at the very least, floats up and away from the pot. this is a good sign, maybe? you grab it and pocket it again.]]] (link:"throw in one of your whiskers")[(transition:"dissolve")[you pluck one of your whiskers. ouch! you toss it in and the potion turns a translucent pink. (text-style:"smear")["nice! I think it worked!"] says the squirrel. (text-style:"smear")["lets [[see what it does]]!"]]] (if: $inv contains "ocarina")[(link:"throw in your childhood ocarina")[(transition:"dissolve")[you toss in your ocarina, and hear it sink to the bottom with a //plunk//. the potion bubbles a bit more rapidly, but not much else. the ocarina rolls back to you. you're not sure how it exited the pot.]]] (if: $inv contains "yarn")[(link:"throw in the bit of yarn your mom gave you")[(transition:"dissolve")[you toss in your scrap of red yarn. it bobs again to the surface, having done absolutely nothing. you retrieve it. it is now very wet and smelly. nice one.]]]

the squirrel ladles out a spoonful of the pink liquid and pours you a tiny glass cup full. she pours one for herself too. (text-style:"smear")["cheers!"] she exclaims, and takes a sip. oh geez. what if you turn into a frog, or something? you hesitate, but finally (link-reveal:"take a sip too.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ strawberries? it just tastes like strawberries. it's a bit creamy, too. (text-style:"smear")["nice, exactly what i was hoping for"] she says. "what does it do?" you ask, still feeling like you might turn into a frog at any moment. (text-style:"smear")["tastes yummy, and i think makes you grow like a little bit taller? mostly just tastes good."] no frogs, then. this is a relief. she's right, it does taste good. after she takes another sip, she pours some of the potion into 2 jars and writes something on the labels. she hands you one. (text-style:"smear")["thanks for your help"] she says. [[wait is this just strawberry milk????]] [[wait are you not really a witch?]] (set: $inv to $inv + (a: "strawberry milk")) ]]

it's just strawberry milk. how is it just strawberry milk?????? <img src="https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/plastic-carton-of-strawberry-milk-shake-on-plain-background-picture-id514067366?k=6&m=514067366&s=612x612&w=0&h=0mNmaZiPwOVpp0UeF7iiVhOe3yyW-j5bOJOVapSedlA=" width="372" height="612" alt="strawberry milk">

(text-style:"smear")["yep. it's harder to find than one might think."] oh. weird. [["are you not really a witch, then?"->wait are you not really a witch?]]

(text-style:"smear")["a witch? no! why would you think that?"] she seems to think your question is very funny. "i mean, you live alone up here, surrounded by stuff, and you have a caldron in the middle of your room, so..." (text-style:"smear")["i mean, maybe i dabble in a little magic, but it's just a //hobby//, you know? nothing serious."] you're pretty sure that doing ANY magic makes you a witch, but you dont wanna push it. "why all the stuff, then?" you (link-reveal:"ask.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (text-style:"smear")["i like the stuff. it makes this little room more cozy."] you feel like there's probably more behind her answer that she's not giving you, but at least it's an answer. emboldened, you finally ask, (link-reveal:"what is your name, anyway?")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (text-style:"smear")["i am nuagette! thought you'd never ask."] nuagette! her name is just as pretty as she is. as you roll the syllables around in your mouth, nuagette starts cleaning up her little milk project. you take in more of the room. there really is a lot of stuff. is she happy, living like this? (text-style:"smear")["hey rubin i think it's time for you to go to bed"] her voice comes from the corner where she is bundling up some of the leftover ingredients. seems like a pretty clear cue for you to [[go.->alone 3]] ]]]]

as you lie alone in your bed, you get to thinking about why nuagette might be here. everyone you've met so far has had some issue of loss, or something they couldn't get past. what could her problem be? you wonder why she lives up there alone, and why she really has so much stuff. maybe if you knew more about her, you could help her find her door, or what have you. you ponder this odd squirrel until you (link-reveal:"fall asleep.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ in the morning you awake and head outside to find her picking some herbs in the garden. she looks cheerier than usual. maybe now's your chance. "hey! good mornin!" you say. she waves hello, and you meander over to her. [["so how'd you die, anyway?"]] [["what's your favorite trinket that you've collected?"]] ]]

(text-style:"smear")["that's not any of your business!"] she looks a little less cheery now. maybe that was a little too forward. ask her something else, maybe? [["what's your favorite trinket that you've collected?"]] (set: $Squirrellove to $Squirrellove - 5)

she smiles a little. (text-style:"smear")["it's been so long, it's hard to keep track.. but i think i know which one it is. if you come up, i'll show you."] you help her carry the fresh herbs up to the attic, and she digs around in some drawers for a while. she returns triumphantly with a little pink box, which opens to reveal a spinning ballerina and some wavering musical notes. (text-style:"smear")["isn't it great? someone who lived here gave it to me.] "who?" you ask. you can't remember anyone you met ever mentioning nuagette. (text-style:"smear")["not someone you would have met... this house has been lived in many times. i have a secret theory that it's been here forever. they come, they stay for a while, they get what they need, they leave. it's a cycle that's been in place as long as i've been here, at least.] you want her to keep talking. (link-reveal:"why didn't you leave?")[(transition:"dissolve")[ (text-style:"smear")[ "why should i? i don't know where they go, and besides, i made myself a home here, and i can remember the ones who left anytime i want to just by looking at their artifacts."] you understand that feeling. "i've been wandering with a pocket full of artifacts too" you say. "it's not so easy being the only one left to hold on to them" (text-style:"smear")["yeah, well, that's why i stopped talking to newcomers"] says nuagette to the ground. she toys with the little ballerina box for a while, not saying anything. (text-style:"smear")["anyway, i mean, artifacts aren't the only things i've got around here. i've got all my herbs, and books, and lots of really cool scraps and bits of trash that nobody wanted. i make little things out of them sometimes.] she rummages around in a very large drawer and emerges with a little figurine of a dog. it seems to be fashioned out of bits of paper, fabric, a fork? maybe? some twine, and napkin holders. it has a certain charm to it. she shows you a few other things that she had made, but soon she grows a bit tired and asks you to (link-reveal:"leave.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ as you sit on your bed, you do a bit of wondering as to what you might be able to do for her. [[throw out all of her things while she isn't there->throw out]] [[help her make a giant sculpture out of all of her things and put it outside the house->sculpture]] ]]]]

you do your best to sneak some things out of her room, but she finds you creeping down the attic stairs with an armful of little paper dolls. (text-style:"smear")["HEY! that's NOT YOURS!"] you try to play it off like you just wanted to borrow them. she accepts it, but fumes and barricades the door for a week. it takes another 2 weeks for her to even speak to you again. after 5 weeks total, things are back to normal. maybe the [[sculpture]] was a better idea.

you decide to try and get her to make a giant sculpture with you. you think she would probably enjoy it. you spend some time drawing up some little drafts of sculptures on scraps of paper. eventually, you think you have a final draft. you head up to the attic and (link-reveal:"knock.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you find her hunched over her desk, painting tiny eyes on a little sculpture of a bird. (text-style:"smear")["what's up?"] she says. she appears pretty distracted. "hey, i was wondering if maybe you wanted to make something with me?" you ask. (text-style:"smear")["what sort of a something?"] she asks, finally looking up. you approach the desk, and show her your drafts. she is hesitant at first, and seems a bit scared at the prospect of not having all of her treasures surrounding her. you assure her that she can choose the least important things first and build from there, if she's comfortable with it. eventually she agrees, and the two of you (link-reveal:"set to work.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ it takes a long time, but then again, you have forever. you start by clearing a space in the front yard, and nuagette brings down some scraps of wire and fabric. the ugliest ones she can find, it seems. you don't complain. day by day, you build a frame for the sculpture, and day by day, nuagette descends the attic stairs with armfuls of possessions. you have no idea how it all fit in that tiny room. your building materials range from curtains and cake stands to teapots and telephone books, to spoons and silken slippers, even a suit of armor. (link-reveal:"the sculpture is coming together nicely. ")[(transition:"dissolve")[ you estimate about 6 months have passed since you started this venture. along the way, nuagette grows to trust you. she tells you about how she was looked at, when she was alive. how special people thought she was. so special, in fact, that they shot her for her coat. (text-style:"smear")["but that doesnt matter, because that other world isn't my world anymore. let them have that coat. it would have rotted anyway. here, my coat will shine forever."] she doesn't seem too interested in the past, (link-reveal:"but it's nice to know. ")[(transition:"dissolve")[ a day comes when nuagette brings down her ballerina box, and only a couple of other objects. (text-style:"smear")["this is it."] she looks lighter. she nests the ballerina box in the sculpture. the two of you step back, and (link-reveal:"look at what you've done.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ the sculpture stands almost as tall as the house. it's a massive tree, surrounded by smaller sculptures of all sorts of different animals. some sit under the tree; horses, rabbits, anteaters, pigs, sheep, some cling to the trunk; squirrels, mice, woodpeckers, lemurs, and some rest in the branches; sparrows, moths, pigeons, monkeys. to list every animal would take as long as it took to build them. at the base of the tree, a little sign reads //welcome!//. (text-style:"smear")["i always fancied myself the guardian of these relics, you know"] nuagette has a far off look in her eyes. (text-style:"smear")["it looks like i don't have any more guarding to do."] you put your paw on hers. "what now?" in the trunk of the tree, a familiar door appears. nuagette looks terrified. (text-style:"smear")["i don't know what's waiting for me in there"] she whispers. she clutches your paw more tightly. (text-style:"smear")["will you come with me?"] [["of course i will."->nuagette door]] ]]]]]]]]]]

you walk through the fruit of your combined labors, paw in paw. a bright light engulfs you. [[the end.->ending]] (set: $endings to $endings + 1)

(set: $endings to 0)