(if: $beginning is 0)[The warmth of the fire on your face brings you to. ](if: $pill is 1)[You look down into the liquid heat, watching embers flicker in and out of existence from moment to moment. ]The kindness of its crackling, as well as the beauty of the orange sky, makes the whole thing seem kind of ridiculous, how can the world be coming to an end like this? (if: $bottle is 1)[In your anxiety's eye you feel your fingers scraping through the label on your beer bottle.](if: $beginning is 0)[
Your friends seem to share no such concern: Eden hollering brave if slightly obscene jibes toward the advancing Moon. Byth occasionally picks up an empty brown beer bottle from a loose pile to the side of Wyatt, lofting them one-by-one into the air and smashing them through with an old oak baseball bat.
Wyatt himself and Mel sit peacefully in seperate edges of the grass; the former holding some small object to the sky and quitely chanting. The latter mumbling to themselves, quietly whispering along with the calming whistle of the wind through the leaves of the trees behind you.](if: $needbottle is 1 and $bottle is 0)[On your way past you stumble over a (if: $pill is 1)[(text-color: 'red')[small beer cooler near the fire]](if: $pill is 0)[small beer cooler near the fire]]
You capture a modicum of heat between your clasped hands, resolving to...
---
(if: $needbottle is 1 and $bottle is 0)[(link-reveal: "Beer cooler.")[ [[...take a beer.]] ]
](if: $eden is <=1)[(link-reveal: "Eden.")[ [[...look at Eden.]] / [[...Move to Eden. ->EDEN]] ]
](if: $eden is 2)[(link-reveal: "Eden.")[ [[...look at Eden.]] ]
](if: $eden is >=3)[(link-reveal: "Eden.")[ [[...look at Eden.]] ]
](if: $byth is <5)[(link-reveal: "Byth.")[ [[...look at Byth.]] / [[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
](if: $byth is 5.5)[(link-reveal: "Byth.")[ [[...look at Byth.]] / [[...move to Byth. ->Back again?]] ]
](if: $byth is >=6)[(link-reveal: "Byth.")[ [[...look at Byth.]] ]
](if: $wyatt is <2)[(link-reveal: "Wyatt.")[ [[...look at Wyatt.]] / [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
](if: $wyatt is 2)[(link-reveal: "Wyatt.")[ [[...look at Wyatt.]] / [[...apologise to Wyatt.]] ]
](if: $wyatt is 3 and $chalk is 0)[(link-reveal: "Wyatt.")[ [[...look at Wyatt.]] ]
](if: $wyatt is 4 and $pill is 0)[(link-reveal: "Wyatt.")[ [[...look at Wyatt.]] ]
](if: $wyatt is 4 and $pill is 1)[(link-reveal: "Wyatt.")[ [[...look at Wyatt.]] / [[...move to Wyatt. ->...what's with the mask?]] ]
](if: $wyatt is 6 and $chalk is 1)[(link-reveal: "Wyatt.")[ [[...look at Wyatt.]] / [[...return to Wyatt.]] ]
](if: $wyatt is 10)[(link-reveal: "Wyatt.")[ [[...look at Wyatt.]] ]
](if: $mel is <2)[(link-reveal: "Mel.")[ [[...look at Mel.]] / [[...move to Mel. ->MEL]] ]
](if: $mel is 3)[(link-reveal: "Mel.")[ [[...look at Mel.]]]
](if: $mel is 56)[(link-reveal: "Mel.")[ [[...look at Mel.]] ]
](if: $mel is 55)[(link-reveal: "Mel.")[ [[...look at Mel.]] / [[...move to Mel. ->MEL #2]] ] ]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
<audio src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/f2nn8stolvfdsal/campfire.wav?dl=1" autoplay>You’re drawn(if: $eden is >0)[, once again,] to the noise and rebellion of the dancing Eden. They(if: $eden is >0)[, once again,] fail to notice your approach, bawling into the open ether...
"(either: "FUCK YOU, YOU OVERSIZED PIECE OF CHEESE!", "YOU PUT THE LUNER IN LUNATIC!
...oh wait that doesn't work... AH WELL FUCK YOU ANYWAY!", "TALK ABOUT 'NO ATMOSPHERE', YOU SEEM LIKE A TWAT.", "YOU BETTER TAKE YOUR DUSTY ASS BACK UP TO SPACE OR I'LL... I'LL... AHH FUCK YOU!")"
---
(if: $charming is 0)[ [[...charming!]]]
[[...join in.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You spend a few seconds watching Byth smashing things. Her oak palms gripping the bat firmly. Blending with its shades so seamlessly you might mistake it for an extention of the her own body.
The aparratus is darker however, being clearly well taken care of: well-oiled and shined. So much so, in fact, that as you approach, Byth notices you in its reflection.
"Hey!" She grins,(if: $bottle is 0)[ clapping the barrel of the bat into her palm to the tune of a woodblock's chime, "Wanna swing?"](if: $bottle is 1 and $needbottle is 0)[ pointing at the half-empty beer bottle in your hand: "Throw me that bottle there!"](if: $bottle is 1 and $needbottle is 1)[ pointing at the half-empty beer bottle in your hand: "You found one!"]
---
(if: $bottle is 0)[ [[..sure! -> sans bottle]]
[[...nah.]]](if: $bottle is 1 and $needbottle is 0)[ [[..sure! -> with bottle]]
[[...nah.]]](if: $bottle is 1 and $needbottle is 1)[ [[...hand Byth the bottle.]]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(set: $beginning to 1)You can't help but feel yourself drawn to the peaceful figure perched on the edge of the overlook, taking a gargantuan swig from a brown bottle.His shoulders rise and fall slowly, at their highest they obsure the small town in the distance, which is nice.
In his lap he holds a small but beatifully crafted mask, the left eye of which he caresses with the thumb of his right hand. With his other, the plump orange boy brings the evening-light-kissed beverage down from their large pink lips, placing it in a small circular dint of flattened ground before wiping away the last stragglers with the tips of their thickened fingers.
He seems a picture of deep thought until suddenly, he lets out a whine so loud you swear it might shake the overlook down into the woods below...
---
[[...go over.]]
[[...keep your distance.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You find Mel (if: $mel is 1)[in the same place and position they had been before,] sitting quitely in the tall grass, clasping a chalky block in one hand and an old notepad in the other.
(if: $mel is 0)[As they draw, their legs drift lostly as though they were trying to make a snow angel, but only really succeeding in staining their off-white clothing with a dirty green. They hear you coming and smile.
"The sky looks incredible tonight. Come and watch it with me!"](if: $mel is 1)[Once again, they hear you coming.
"Oh hey! You're back!"]
---
[[...lay down in the long grass.]]
(if: $mel is 0)[ [[...I'd rather not.]]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
---
And so the angry Moon fell from the sky, annihilating this world and its many inhabitants...
---
[[...]]The snarling Moon crashes into the earth's crust like lightning on a quiet beach, freezing the world's clarity and beauty for a single moment before shattering it into silence.(if: $vomit is 0)[(if: $byth is >0)[
You and your friends refused to feel the terror of the finality.] You spent your last being the best of you, as if nothing was astray. Enjoying the (if: $wyatt is >0)[ice-cold beer, the] company, the spark of innocence(if: $mel is >0)[, making up for lost time by staring up at the $cloud in the clouds] and the fellow feeling of the fire.(if: $strangebheaviour is >=3)[You spent a strange amount of your last moments behaving incredibly weirdly by approaching people before suddenly deciding not to talk to them. Being you right up to the end.](if: $eden is >0)[
Years later, somewhere in the what once was, the cracked and angry moon remains, trapped by a fractured belt of unrelenting stone(if: $eden is >0)[ and molten defiance]; in what is supposed to be silence, it swears to hear (if: $youshouted is 0)[a scrappy yell from a fighting soul.](if: $youshouted is 1)[an echoed cry:
"(text-style: "shadow")[(text-colour: red + white)[“$battlecry!]]" ]]
(set: $counter to 10)
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is <=0)[ [[Don't you wish you could do it all again? ->Interlude passage.]]
] ] ](if: $vomit is 1)[
You died on your back covered in your own vomit, filled with the resolute belief that you'd seen a $cloud in the clouds and your mind couldn't and wouldn't be changed no matter how much the story demanded it.
(set: $counter to 10)
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is <=0)[ [[Because that's what heroes do. ->Interlude passage.]] ] ] ]
---
You have five minutes.
---
[[Begin. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
(set: $counter to 300)(set: $counter to 3)
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world. #2")]
]Eden looks at you as though you were a friend at their bedside before a terrifying operation, but you'd called them a "lil' bitch" or something like that just before they went under and now they were just coming round from it with that at the forefront of their mind.
"Well that's a bit fuckin' morbid isn't it?" they moan, "You need to lighten up, it's the end of the world, isn't it? Go get a pill or a beer or smash a bottle or something."
Eden returns to their dancing.
Maybe you //should// lighten up... (set: $eden to 2)
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ](set: $battlecry to (prompt: "What do you yell? (ALL CAPS FOR MAXIMUM VOLUME!)", "IT'S THE END OF THE F**KING WORLD!"))You feel a couldron in your stomach spawn a wicked smile across a determined face. You step up to the edge of the overlook, draw a long preparative breath and scream into the aether:
"(text-style: "shadow")[(text-colour: red + white)[“$battlecry!]]"
You let the words fill the open air in front of you, flow through the ears of your friends who cheer and repeat the call. Hoping tight that maybe just maybe those words might just be what stops it all, sends that sordid Moon back into the sky. That it might just be enough to stop the world from caving in... (set: $youshouted to 1)
---
[[... -> hell of a shout.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]"Yeah you lunar bitch! $battlecry!" Eden parrots, taking your hands and leading you in a dance around the overlook(if: $warning is 1)[, against your own advice it must be said,] until you fall side-by-side in a tired and laughing heap on the edge.
Eden turns to you and smiles; a tear summiting the bridge of their nose, curving around the bottom of their lower eye. "Thanks for the company, my dude. It means a lot. Being stuck at the end of the world might be a shit deal, but it's a lot less shit if you're stuck there with friends."
You smile and nod in agreement, Mel's task suddenly comes to mind...
---
[[...ask to join you at the fire. -> ASK EDEN]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ](if: $blurredeyes is 1)[Through the blur, you can just about recognise the smiling Wyatt, gesturing back to a bucket full of beers. ](if: $secondthoughts is 1)[Mel's piercing gaze makes you think that, on second thoughts, maybe a beer would be nice...
](if: $needbottle is 0 and $bottle is 1)[Not before disposing swiftly of the rank and dirty beer gifted to you by Eden. ]You (if: $secondthoughts is 1)[make your way over to Wyatt's side, ]politely accept the offer and(if: $blurredeyes is 1)[, after following Wyatt to the edge where he was previosuly sat,] carefully heave a beer from the bucket, so tightly jammed in it's a wonder its contents haven't turned to diamonds under the pressure.
You twist off the top, allowing yourself to feel strong even though the bottle was designed for easy access that way, and swallow a sizable gulp.
Even though you've been out here in the nippy evening air for quite a while, its liquid-chill sends a shiver coursing through your body; you think to yourself that if you somehow make it through this, you're going to get Wyatt to teach you how to make a cooler. (set: $bottle to 1)
Speaking of Wyatt, the thought of whom brings you back to reality, he is sitting, softly sniffling at your side.
---
[[...comfort him.]]
[[...sit silently.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
<audio src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/hnts7y2lkzkjjx3/Opening%20A%20Beer%20Sound%20Effect.wav?dl=1" autoplay>"Ah, that's ok. Let me know if you want one I guess, I have //plenty//. I'll be over by the edge!" Wyatt smiles once more before shuffling off, plumping himself down and continuing his soft sobbing. (set: $wyatt to 1)
Your eyes still stinging from the smoke, you decide you'd rather not return to the fire right now, assessing your other options... (if: $Mel is 0)[Mel, who you can only now begin to see as slightly obscured by the grass, is lying on their back, quietly laughing to themselves and pointing at the sky.](if: $Mel is 1)[Mel is asleep on their side in amongst the grass.](if: $Mel is >1)[Mel is glaring at you, nodding toward the sobbing Wyatt.](if: $byth is <=2)[To your left, (if: $Mel is >1)[the much less threatening ]Byth is shining her baseball bat, occasionally holding it out into the sunset's glow.] (set: $blurredeyes to 0)
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
(if: $mel is <2)[ [[...move to Mel. ->MEL]] ](if: $mel is >2)[ [[...follow Wyatt. ->...yes.]] (set: $secondthoughts to 1)]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You drop it lightly onto your tongue, and suddenly time seems to move all the more slowly. (set: $pill to 1)
"Everyone is so wrapped up in their grief. I'm not sure, (color: 'red')[the pill helps me focus on the important things]. So that I can draw them, or jot them down, and keep them close by for when I need them most."
Mel talks with a low whisper that your inattentive ears barely catch hold of the words.
---
[[...what?]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You decline the "courage", (if: $wyatt is 2)[not really wanting to mix beer and what you assume to be some kind of drug.](if: $wyatt is <2)[deciding that the end of the world probably isn't the time to get high.]
"That's ok." Mel hums, coiling up their hand and rolling it back to their chest. "Maybe you'll find your own courage."
"Everyone is so wrapped up in their grief. I'm not sure, the pill helps me focus on the important things. So that I can draw them, and jot them down, and keep them close by for when I need them most."
The sadness in Mel's voice is obvious.
---
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...returning to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ](set: $cloud to (prompt: "You see a...", "cloud"))Mel sighs with excitement, "Yes! It looks exactly like that! You, me and a $cloud shaped cloud! At the end of the world..."
The two of you laugh at the strange white $cloud as it frolicks its way sadly through the orange sky.
Mel reaches back with a slender blue arm and unveils a small white object.
Take it?
---
[[...yes. -> yes pill.]]
[[...no. -> no pill.]]
[[...what is it?]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
---
The Legendary Hero of Time has failed. The dancing Imp has won. The Moon will finish its descent from the sky and crash into the earth. When it reaches the ground there will be nothing left.
---
(set: $counter to 10)
(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is <0)[ [[Next. ->Intro #2]] ] ]
---
You sit by a roaring firepit on a grassy overlook just a few miles from the citadel that will become the point of impact, alongside 4 of your best friends - (color: 'red')[Eden],(color: 'red')[ Byth],(color: 'red')[ Wyatt] and(color: 'red')[ Mel] - enjoying the last of your lives.
---
(set: $counter to 10)(live: 1s)[(set: $counter to it - 1)(if: $counter is <0)[ [[Next. ->Prologue...]] ] ]
---
^^Through it all, a small will lives on... a laugh in your ears... a warmth on your face...^^
---
(set: $youshouted to 0)
(set: $beginning to 0)
(set: $apologisewyatt to 0)
(set: $needbottle to 0)
(set: $throw to 0)
(set: $whydidyoudothat to 0)
(set: $blurredeyes to 0)
(set: $strangebehaviour to 0)
(set: $chalk to 0)
(set: $pill to 0)
(set: $charming to 0)
(set: $bottle to 0)
(set: $people to 0)
(set: $byth to 0)
(set: $wyatt to 0)
(set: $eden to 0)
(set: $mel to 0)
(set: $vomit to 0)
(set: $counter to 300)
(set: $rewind to 8)
(live: 1s)[
(set: $rewind to it - 1)
(if: $rewind is 0)[ [(go-to: "(Beginning) The Firepit...")]]
]
<audio src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/7xkkmzcaxf777pe/Happy%20Mask%20Salesman%20Laugh.wav?dl=1" autoplay>The twirling Eden steadies themselves catching you in their, now stable, peripheral:
"Oh, hi mate. I meant that astro-prick, not you." They stick a hand up limply in the direction of the ever-advancing Moon, as if up until now you'd been completely unaware of the situation, nevertheless you follow its direction, you feel heavy as you watch the scene unfolding:
(if: $counter is >=90)[The Moon's angry face bears down on the poor town in the distance, the thought that it'll be just over a minute until you feel its heat like that causes you to shudder.](if: $counter is >=45 and <90)[The Moon's foul grimace begins to press on the spires of the town hall, you imagine people running terrified in the streets, dodging cascading roof tiles.](if: $counter is <45)[The town in the distance is almost entirely obscured, the people there are surely dead, soon to be followed by you.]
"Bloody thing, getting ideas well above its station by pulling a stunt like this don't ya think?" (set: $charming to 1)
---
[[...you should be careful.]]
(unless: $eden is >0)[ [[...we had it coming.]]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You feel a weight in your stomach as you echo the cry. It's volume and suddenness cause Eden to jump out of their denim jacket and stumble precariously close to the edge of the overlook. You quickly reach out to grab them but they are able to stop themselves, though hurling their beer into the long grass behind you in the process.
Pulling the clothing back over their thin shoulders and regaining their composure, they wheeze: "Holy shit, I didn't see you."
---
[[...apologise.]]
[[...you should be careful.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You quickly apologise, confessing your yell hadn't quite had the desired impact. Eden laughs in agreement, seeming quite happy to forgive you so long as you find their beer.
You oblige, ferreting through the long grass to find a dusty, half-empty brown bottle standing perfectly upright as if it had been left there on purpose. The label is slightly damp from the dew of the surrounding blades.
You ferry it back to Eden who, grimacing, suggests that maybe you should keep it instead. (if: $bottle is 1)[Slightly embarassed, you suggest in return that they keep what's left of the nice, cold beer given to you by Wyatt. Eden smiles and accepts, leaving you staring into a dirty label...]
Keep the beer?
---
[[...yes. -> keep beer.]]
[[...no. -> no keep beer.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You warn them about the edge, closing your left eye, pointing and tracing the rocky edge with your finger tip for extra thoroughness. Eden looks back at you slightly bemused... (set: $warning to 1)
"Oh yeah, last thing I'd want to do is die $counter second(if: $counter is >1 or <1)[s] before the end of the world, right? It'd be a real shame to die tumbling into treetops instead of being burnt alive by the cataclysmic impact of the moon on our planet."
---
[[...that's fair.]]
(unless: $eden is >0)[ [[...have it your way.]] ]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]That's fair. You nod, satisfied, moving to stand with them on the very edge you'd just called perilous.
The two of you spend a few fleeting moments looking out over the heads of the forest trees. Eden lets fly a low breath that slowly becomes a growl between gritted teeth.
"It's just a bit shit isn't it? What could we ever have done to warrant this? Where was this 'Legendary Hero' when we needed them, huh? Probably off buying lottery tickets or getting plowed on milk. It just makes me want to yell, so. Fucking. Loud."
---
(if: $pill is 1)[ [[...yell something.]] ]
[[...hug Eden.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]Have it your way. You hum smugly, advising that they not come running to you when they fall into the Lost Woods below.
Eden assures you that they would not, as they'd be dead. Though unspoken, you understand that if it were not from the fall, they'd probably die just to spite you. The air between you seems a little staler than before.
"You need to lighten up, if it really is the end of the world why don't you go get a pill or a beer or smash a bottle or something."
Eden turns back to the scene and watches, a little more somberly than before, but just as defiant.(set: $eden to 2)
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You rationale that it would be a waist to throw out a perfectly-good/slightly dusty/damp/wait is that a bug on your hand?/omg it is-
- You feel a cold shiver run through your whole body causing you to curve your back like an angry cat. You shake yourself until you're 99.9% sure you're free of bugs. -
-/whew/anyways beer. You grip it tightly with your hand and stand with Eden on the edge. Looking out over the heads of the forest trees. Eden grits their teeth.
"It's just a bit shit isn't it? What could we ever have done to warrant this? Where was this 'Legendary Hero' when we needed them, huh? It just makes me want to yell so. Fucking. Loud." (set: $bottle to 1)
---
(if: $pill is 1)[ [[...yell something.]] ]
[[...hug Eden.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You take a few seconds to watch a small insect crawling up the side of the bottle before deciding that you were probably better without the dirty old beer, even if it was the end of the world.
You throw it loosely over your shoulder - with a deadpan flair that's sure to make a few fanboys angry - and move to stand with Eden on the edge. Looking out over the heads of the forest trees. Eden grits their teeth.
"It's just a bit shit isn't it? What could we ever have done to warrant this? Where was this 'Legendary Hero' when we needed them, huh? It just makes me want to yell... or scream even... or both... you know?"
---
(if: $pill is 1)[ [[...yell something.]] ]
[[...hug Eden.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You turn and wrap your arms around Eden, you feel their soft, whimpering vibration. So you hold them tighter and their whimpers turn to harder, angrier sobs. They turn into your arms and rest their head on your shoulders until you're sure they're starting to feel warmer in your embrace.
But you both know you can only afford a few seconds like this. You pull apart, leaving only a single hand on eachother's shoulders.
"Thank you." Mouths Eden, turning back to the scene.
(if: $people is <2)[You turn away, looking to the fireplace and your other friends... (set: $eden to 2)
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $people is >=2)[You turn away, looking to the crowded fireplace, to Mel and your other friends... (text-color: 'red')[You're filled with a strange courage...]
---
[[...yell something.]]
---
]{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You mention that everyone is gathering at the fire for the last moments and ask if Byth would like to join them. (set: $byth to 6)
The little puppet nods, "Yeah, that sounds nice. Besides, I feel like sooner or later I'm gonna hit someone with some glass." Rattling their wooden appendages, they clamber to a standing position; following suit, you do the same.
Softer this time, Byth nods just once, placing one hand on your shoulder: "Thanks, mate." Her wooden grip tightens before she lets go and rattles her way over to the fire, (if: $people is 1)[which crackles with excitement to meet it's first guest.](if: $people is 2)[to the cheer of a (if: $eden is 3)[boisterous Eden.](if: $wyatt is >=10)[Wyatt who has definitely found their way through a few more beers since you spoke.]](if: $people is 3)[joining the happiness of the gathered friends. Seeing them all together at the fire causes the corner of your lips to lift in a grateful melancholy.
Across the scene, through a lick of flame, Mel looks back with a satisfied grin.
---
[[...go to Mel. -> MEL (CMPLTD.)]]
---
]
(if: $people is <3)[(if: $eden is <=2)[On your left, Eden is twirling and yelling into the open air.](if: $wyatt is <10)[ On your right, Wyatt is sitting on the very edge of the overlook, drinking and watching the ongoing disaster.]
---
(if: $eden is <2)[ [[...move to Eden. ->EDEN]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...return with her to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
]
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/73grp8piodr80lh/less%20jittery%20hand%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'>
---
You approach Mel and offer them a place at the firepit, alongside Wyatt, Eden and Byth.
Mel nods, thanks you, and walks to the open arms of the fire's warmth with you.
---
(set: $ending to 10)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $ending to it - 1)
(if: $ending is 0)[(go-to: "ending 2")] ]You tell Eden about the plan to gather everyone at the fire. They love it. (set: $people to it + 1) (set: $eden to 3)
Winking, Eden jabs, "I think I need another drink anyways, right?" They spend a few seconds rocking backwards and forwards until the power of their momentum is such that they can roll to their feet and almost send themselves over the cliff in the process.
After, regaining some form of composure - as well as taking one last moment to show the Moon their middle finger - Eden heads toward the fireplace(if: $people is 1)[, which crackles with excitement to meet it's first guest.](if: $people is 2)[ and the sound of (if: $byth is 6)[Byth, whooping and gyrating her wrists so that they click pointedly like a wooden noisemaker.](if: $wyatt is >=10)[a cheering Wyatt who has definitely found their way through a few more beers since you spoke.]](if: $people is 3)[, joining the happiness of the gathered friends. Seeing them all together at the fire causes the corner of your lips to lift in a grateful melancholy.
Across the scene, through a lick of flame, Mel looks back with a satisfied grin.
---
[[...go to Mel. -> MEL (CMPLTD.)]]
---
]
(if: $people is <3)[ You stand around with your hands in your pockets, as if time were no object, staring into the warmth of the fire(if: $byth is <=2)[until a sharp smashing on your right causes you to turn your head and feel something whistle past your ear. "Sorry, mate!" yells Byth, who, despite this near miss, is no sooner launching yet another bottle into the sky.](if: $byth is >2)[.]
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
]
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }Crunching your way loudly through the long grass, you approach Wyatt. He hears you coming, turns and shoots a large goofy grin, as well as a childish wave of his clumsy right palm, in your direction, spilling a few drops from the bottle clasped within it down himself as he does so.
"Oh shit." He jerks to his feet, shocked for just a second before catching your glance and refinding his smile.
"Hey! Umm..." Wyatt gestures to a large brown, ice-filled bucket-come-makeshift-beer-cooler. An effective one too it seems, condensation lines the outside, striped with the paths of any small droplets of icy-water forced out by the presence of crammed-in bottles. "Do you want a beer?"
---
[[Take the beer. ->...yes.]]
[[..."No, thanks." ->...no, thank you.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]Not totally enthralled by the idea of walking into someone else's existensial crises, you keep your distance.
Your rationale being that somehow, it might just be more helpful for you to stand awkwardly inbetween the sobbing Goron boy and the fireplace, not close enough that they might be comforted by your presence, but just far away enough that a change of wind-direction means the exhaust from the fireplace is now aimed directly at you, and anyone sitting at the fire might be inclined to stare in puzzlement wondering "Are they going to go over there or not? It seemed like that's what they wanted to do but now apparently not?"
Nevertheless, you stand there, all the while riddled with a pang of unrelenting guilt that you saw your friend upset and chose not to comfort them.
And now you have smoke in your eyes. (set: $pill to 1)
---
[[...rub your eyes.]]
[[...don't rub your eyes.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You rub the smog from your eyes, which, and blink slowly into the distance, attempting to regain some semblance of vision. (set: $blurredeyes to 1)
You look left, able to make out the orange sunset and the terrifying dark of the encroaching Moon. You look right, and watch blurry flames rise into the evening. Inbetween the two is a whole different beast: a large, orange blob(if: $pill is 1)[ which, with its the absence of and distinguishable features resembles (either: "a monstrously large jelly baby", "a fragile pot that, for some reason, you feel the urge to throw", "a high society post-modern critique of - or, at least, the concept of - the human form", "a deity from a bedtime story your grandma might have told you")].
"Umm... you ok?" It speaks in a soft, deep and familiar voice. "Do you want a beer or something?"
---
[[...take the beer. ->...yes.]]
[[...no, thanks. ->...no, thank you.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ](if: $apologisewyatt is 1)[You take the beer and rest yourself down next to the round orange boy, who, you notice, is still clutching tightly their strange wooden shape. (set: $bottle to 1)
]You lean across and rest your head on Wyatt's gently bobbing shoulder and the two of you sit in silence on the edge of the overlook for a little while, watching the tip of the moon's sharp nose begin to press the spires of the town hall, causing tiles to break from their pack and cascade to the ground.
"Besides, (if: $pill is 0)[I brought the mask all this way and forgot to bring any chalk.](if: $pill is 1)[(color: 'red')[I brought the mask all this way and forgot to bring any chalk.]] So the whole thing's mute anyways."
Wyatt takes a deep breath, scratches his white hair and exhales the relief: "Can you really believe all of this? Billions of years, ended in a flash at nine/ten something AM on a (weekday:). It's madness to me." He gestures wildly, flinging small spatters of liquid everywhere in the process. "And for what? What did we do wrong?"
---
(if: $pill is 1)[ [[...things change.]] ](if: $pill is 0)[ [[...perhaps.]] ]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You stay turned to the chaos, sipping your beer which, despite basically being liquid bread, actually tastes extremely good. Funny what //impending annihilation// will do for your tastebuds. Intrigued, you turn the bottle and look down into the label. It reads:
(Either: "'PHANTOM HOURGLASS'.
A small blue timepiece sits half-run and slanted underneath, bordered by the tagline: //'It'll suck the life out of you!'// You wince and think seems to yourself that this seems like a strange promise... before taking another sip anyway... hey, why waste good beer over the fear of a little 'life draining?", "'LINEBECK'S BLUE'.
On the label, a grumpy looking sailor with bagged eyes stands pointing at a small beige box. Their gaze is directed out at you, a condensation-faded speech bubble assuring: 'shipped in professionally inspected crates!' ...whatever that means.",
"'CIELA ARTOIS'.
A small blue fairy lights up the center: 'The Spirit of Time and Courage!' ...you swallow your mouthful of beer, you could use a spirit like that right now.","'GHOST SHIP'.
A large yellow skull fronts the eponymous ship underneath. The way the design has rubbed against the makeshift cooler causes the already tattered vessel to appear all the more chilling. Underneath the ill-settled water the words //'Para Bellum'// are carved into a rusty cutlass.",
"'HERO'S NEW CLOTHES', 'Fresh buds for your fresh duds!' ...you wince at a tagline that could only have been created by a struggling writer //really// keen to meet a self-imposed deadline. Between the two however, a strangely dressed blonde boy is rummaging through a small chest. The design is fun and silly looking, you smile, wondering what he'll find.") The echoing warning-bells of the town on the horizon refocus your senses, it's obvious not much time remains.
Unknowingly, in these few moments you've run the nails of your thumbs up through the words, through the intricate designs which border them. You are suddenly even more aware of Wyatt's sobs, his mask lying fallen through the gap in his crossed legs...
---
[[...comfort him.]]
[[...drink up, cheer up.]]
[[...what's with the mask?]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]In an act that can only be attributed to a dangerous mix of drugs and alcohol, you speak a deeply woven mysticism of truth:
You talk about the world, its flux, the shifting of nature from one age to the next without regard for life. You talk about the leaves on the trees, one minute no more than a sprout, the next you're scattered to the zephyr ready to be raked up and returned to the ground.
You talk about the dinosaurs for a while, how they once waddled the earth unchallenged, pluming their feathers and squawking like geese. Then, it all ended in a flash at nine/ten something AM on a (weekday:).
Wyatt looks perplexed at you, then down at his dangling feet. "Yeah... I... guess? It just feels like maybe there was something you know? What's the point in all this if there's not something we can do to stop it?" Wyatt looks down into the woods under the overlook."Isn't there something we can give? It's just the bloody moon can't we bribe it with a nice hat or something?"
---
[[...a haiku.]]
[[...a hat?]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]Perhaps there was something we could've done.
Wyatt looks straight back to the sunset, nodding all the while: "I guess... I guess... it just feels like maybe there was something, you know? What's the point in all this if there's not something we can do to stop it?" You get the feeling that the question is no longer directed at you, Wyatt returns to his knees, once again holding his strange mask to the sky. (set: $wyatt to 4)
You decide to leave him alone. "Cheers for coming to hang out with me, it means a lot." He says. You take another sip of your beer before standing and making your way back to the fire. The sound of the crackling flames hangs in the air, in the distance you swear you hear a dull scream.
---
[[...returning to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]Despite your (absolute lack of?) effort, Wyatt remains upset; (if: $mel is >=2)[feeling Mel's eyes tightning the muscles of your back, and ]as an apparent attempt to rectify his mood, you chant for him to "drink up!" clinking your glass against the top of his... causing its contents to well up and spill into his lap. (set: $wyatt to 2)
"What the hell!" Wyatt yells, springing to his feet and performing some strange dance as he tries to clean the icy beverage from his legs. You grimace like the Moon and look side to side for a towel as if that's going to be any help at all.
"What was that for?!"
In your defense, you weren't aware that was going to happen... you apologise and get to your feet, eager to cut your losses, returning to the fire and leaving Wyatt to clean himself up(if: $mel is >=2)[, shrugging anxiosuly at Mel as you move past].
---
[[...the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You raise a single finger to the air, A silence falls over the land, birds perk up in their nests, a bumblebee lands softly on a petal and waits, you close your eyes, open your mouth and speak:
(align: "==><==")[If all could be bought,
What then could we be given,
that we'd care to lose?]
You let the world wait in ceased rotation for just a single beat more before opening your eyes to find Wyatt nowhere in sight. You think to yourself, is it over, has the world ended? Or perhaps, were your words so poignant that you set Wyatt's restless soul so much at ease that he simply ascended, forgoing physical form and returning to dust in the air?
Unfortunately not. You hear the short clip of a bottle being opened and turn to see Wyatt standing at his cooler. He catches your eye and his mouth drops open: "Oh, I thought you were done."
You weren't, but maybe you should be...(set: $wyatt to 4)
---
[[...move back to the fire ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You're about to give a more profound answer when the words can help but fall out of your mouth: Why a hat? You laugh.
Wyatt opens up another beer: "I don't know, bet it gets cold up there in space you know, right?" he grins, "like I know it'd need to be big but you can get all sorts custom made these days right?" putting the bottlecap on his head as an example: "See? I'm much happier now!"
You stare blank at eachother for a single moment and let the moment have its due.
Wyatt gives one last deep breath and rests a hand on your shoulder: "Thanks, for hanging out with me. It means a lot."
---
[[...don't mention it.]]
(if: $mask is 1)[ [[...the chalk.]] ]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You take the mask from Wyatt, he speaks with a friendly hum: "Here, you hold on to this. I don't think I want it anymore. You drew the design anyways and I think if we were gonna be saved it would've been before half the citadel was destroyed, huh? I think I'm gonna wait it out by the fire. Who needs Gods when you have friends?" (set: $mel to 56)(set: $wyatt to 10)
Wyatt wipes any last tears from his large blue eyes(if: $hat is 1)[, tips his bottlecap hat] and marches off as fast as his little orange legs can carry him toward the fire (if: $people is 1)[, which crackles with excitement to meet it's first guest.](if: $people is 2)[ and the sound of (if: $byth is 6)[Byth, whooping and gyrating her wrists so that they click pointedly like a wooden noisemaker.](if: $eden is 3)[Eden, jeering the moon about its odour.]](if: $people is 3)[, joining the happiness of the gathered friends. Seeing them all together at the fire causes the corner of your lips to lift in a grateful melancholy.
Across the scene, through a lick of flame, Mel looks back with a satisfied grin.
---
[[...go to Mel. -> MEL (CMPLTD.)]]
---
]
(if: $people is <3)[ You stand around with your hands in your pockets, as if time were no object, staring into the warmth of the fire(if: $byth is <=2)[ until a sharp smashing on your right causes you to turn your head and feel something whistle past your ear. "Sorry, mate!" yells Byth, who, despite this near miss, is no sooner launching yet another bottle into the sky.](if: $byth is >2)[.]
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]] ]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You ask about the mask, Wyatt wipes a small bubble of snot from above his lip and hands it to you. Although its edges beatifully designed, the mask itself is surprisingly bland and bare, its only remarkable features being the two eyeholes.
"It's something I was given early on when I was a kid. It looks plain, but you're supposed to draw this strange face on it on it with chalk and then it's supposed to represent some old God, my family was really into that stuff... we'd attend ceremonies with our cousins from the far off lands."
Wyatt looks back at the sky.
"I'm not sure, I was never really convinced, I'd usually only go with them for the food, you know? I just thought maybe if I tried, drew something and appealed to a higher power, it might all turn out to be true. But I guess here we are."
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ [[...I guess. ->...comfort him.]] ](if: $pill is 1)[ [[...help him. ->...the chalk.]] ]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]You're not a psychopath, so you rub the smog from your eyes, which, and blink slowly into the distance, attempting to regain some semblance of vision. (set: $blurredeyes to 1)(set: $strangebehaviour to +1)
You look left, able to make out the orange sunset, and the terrifying dark of the encroaching Moon. You look right, and watch blurry flames rise into the evening. Inbetween the two is a whole different beast: a large, orange blob (if: $pill is 1)[which, with its the absence of and distinguishable features resembles (either: "a monstrously large jelly baby", "a fragile pot that, for some reason, you feel the urge to throw", "a strange post-modern critique of - or, at least, the concept of - the human form", "a deity from a bedtime story your grandma might have told you")].
"Umm... you ok?" It speaks in a soft, deep and familiar voice. "Do you want a beer or something?"
---
[[Take the beer. ->...yes.]]
[[..."No, thanks." ->...no, thank you.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cr42io2ztgpinij/MOSHED-2019-3-31-18-11-13.gif?dl=1">
(set: $counter to 12)
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "Intro #1")]
]var audio = document.createElement('audio');
audio.src =
;
audio.loop = true;
audio.play();
(if: $eden is <3)[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/a353wxqr1cbztbn/MATCH%20-%20MESSED%20UP%20-RESIZED.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $eden is >=3)[ <img src= 'https://www.dropbox.com/s/0n9n4yrmjsnxiob/MATCH%20-%20SETTLED%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ]
---
You look up at Eden...
(if: $eden is <2)[ ...who busy is yelling at the Moon.
(Either: '"FUCK OFF YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS PIECE OF BRIE!"', '"EAT SHIT YOU... ORB!"', '"HEY, WHY DID THE MOON COME CRASHING TO THE EARTH? BECAUSE IT WAS A MASSIVE C-!"
-Byth smashes another bottle through with her bat to preserve your innocence.')
Occasionally he'll pick up a rock and throw it toward the spectacle, only to watch it fall limply into the woods below.
---
[[...move to Eden.->EDEN]]
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $eden is 2 and $pill is 0)[ ...who busy is yelling at the Moon.
(Either: '"FUCK OFF YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS PIECE OF BRIE!"', '"EAT SHIT YOU... ORB!"', '"HEY, WHY DID THE MOON COME CRASHING TO THE EARTH? BECAUSE IT WAS A MASSIVE C-!"
-Byth smashes another bottle through with her bat to preserve your innocence.')
Occasionally he'll pick up a rock and throw it toward the spectacle, only to watch it fall limply into the woods below.
---
[[...move to Eden.->EDEN]]
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $eden is 2 and $pill is 1)[ ...who busy is yelling at the Moon.
(Either: '"FUCK OFF YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS PIECE OF BRIE!"', '"EAT SHIT YOU... ORB!"', '"HEY, WHY DID THE MOON COME CRASHING TO THE EARTH? BECAUSE IT WAS A MASSIVE C-!"
-Byth smashes another bottle through with her bat to preserve your innocence.')
You're filled with a strange defiance, an inescapable urge to join him...
---
[[...yell something.]]
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $eden is >=3)[...who sits across from you, mimicking the dancing fire with his upstretched limbs, humming a soft melody.
---
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
]{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }(if: $byth is <=3)[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/z2yu2abmaplhb81/EYECLOSE%20-%20MESSED%20UP%20-%20Resized.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $byth is >=5)[ <img src= 'https://www.dropbox.com/s/jc8e6elrwxi7d3m/EYECLOSE%20-%20SETTLED%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ]
---
You look at Byth...
(if: $byth is <2)[...plucking bottles from a small pile left of Wyatt, lifting them high into the air and smashing them through with her prized baseball bat without a care in the world.
---
[[...move to Byth. ->BYTH]]
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $byth is 3)[...staring out into the night. The shattered glass which lays around her sends bars light darting on various chaotic trajectories.
You get the feeling she might rather be left alone.
---
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $byth is 4)[...staring out into the night. The shattered glass which lays around her sends bars light darting on various chaotic trajectories.
---
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $byth is 5 and $bottle is 1 and $pill is 0)[...staring out into the night. The shattered glass which lays around her sends bars light darting on various chaotic trajectories.
---
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $byth is 5 and $bottle is 0 and $pill is 1)[...staring out into the night. The shattered glass which lays around her sends bars light darting on various chaotic trajectories.
You think about Mel's task and are (color: 'red')[suddenly overcome with a strange urge to grab a beer from the cooler].
---
[[...take a beer.]]
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $byth is 5 and $bottle is 0 and $pill is 0)[...staring out into the night. The shattered glass which lays around her sends bars light darting on various chaotic trajectories.
---
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $byth is 5 and $bottle is 1 and $pill is 1)[...staring out into the night. The shattered glass which lays around her sends bars light darting on various chaotic trajectories.
You feel he bottle in your hand, and a strange urge to smash some shit.
---
[[...move to Byth. ->Back again?]]
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $byth is 6)[...staring into the fire, slowly shifting her bat back and forth between her hands like some well-oiled lever. (if: $eden is >=3)[She laughs at a joke from Eden and looks up straight into your eyes, catching your stare.
"Everything good?" she winks. You nod.]
---
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
]
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }(if: $wyatt is <10)[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/ej46jtqqmjkevf7/jiterry%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $wyatt is 10)[ <img src= 'https://www.dropbox.com/s/39v44pe9r86jifw/not%20so%20jiterry%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $design is 'butterfly')[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/h26lk7810qa6umn/butterfly%20gif%20but%20better%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $design is 'hourglass')[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/tuoxygf3oxx4vq1/hourglass%20gif%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $design is 'wolf')[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/cwi0z6820p5y0kn/wolf%20gif%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ]
---
You look up at Wyatt...
(if: $wyatt is <=1)[...who is kneeling at the overlook, lifting a wooden object toward the encroaching moon and chanting a soft and melodic song.
---
[[...move to Wyatt.->WYATT]]
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $wyatt is 2)[...who is kneeling at the overlook, lifting a wooden object toward the encroaching moon and chanting a soft and melodic song.
You're filled with a pang of regret for how you handled your conversation, feeling an urge to make amends.
---
[[...move to Wyatt.->...apologise to Wyatt.]]
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $wyatt is 4 and $pill is 0)[...who is kneeling at the overlook, lifting a wooden object toward the encroaching moon and chanting a soft and melodic song.
---
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $wyatt is 4 and $pill is 1)[...who is kneeling at the overlook, lifting a wooden object toward the encroaching moon and chanting a soft and melodic song.
There's a melancholy tragedy about his bargaining that fills you with a rage toward the silent gods, and a determination to help however you can.
---
[[...move to Wyatt.->...what's with the mask?]]
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $wyatt is 6 and $chalk is 1)[...who is kneeling at the overlook, lifting a wooden object toward the encroaching moon and chanting a soft and melodic song.
You watch him tracing an imagined design on the wood with tip of his left thumb, and are suddenly reminded of your task.
---
[[...move to Wyatt.->...return to Wyatt.]]
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $wyatt is >=10)[...who is sitting close by. Wyatt winks, lifting his beer first at you, then the terrible scene on the horizon.
---
[[...stay at the fire.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
]{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/th8ik4eh3mlzszs/jittery%20hand%20-resized.gif?dl=1'>
---
You look at Mel...
(if: $mel is <3)[...or, at least where you expected them to be.
You focus a little more before suddenly they shoot quickly up out of the obscurity of the tall grass. They quickly shoot you a look, a smile, and get back to smoothly drifting their attention across the myriad of art pieces forged in their notebook.
---
[[...move to mel. ->MEL]]
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $mel is 3)[...who spots you and gives you a knowing smile.
---
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $mel is 55 and $chalk is 0)[...frantically scrawling into their drawing pad with a (if: $pill is 1)[(text-color: 'red')[chunky piece of pastel chalk]](if: $pill is 0)[chunky piece of pastel chalk], only stopping momentarily to furrow their brow at the moon.
---
[[...move to Mel. ->MEL #2]]
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](if: $mel is 55 and $chalk is 1)[...who is busy drawing a lovely picture of (if: $people is 1)[both of you sat](if: $people is 2)[all three of you gathered] at the fireplace.
---
[[...stay at the fire. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
]{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You let Wyatt know that you'll keep a look out for chalk, and come to him with any you find. (set: $wyatt to 3)(set: $mel to 55)
He nods his thanks and returns to watching the Moon, setting down upon the small town on the distance.
---
[[...return to the Firepit. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You let Wyatt know that you'll keep a look out for chalk, and come to him with any you find. (set: $wyatt to 3)(set: $mel to 55)
He nods his thanks and returns to watching the Moon, setting down upon the small town on the distance.
---
[[...return to the Firepit. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }(if: $weird is <3)[You find Wyatt where you left him, perched on the edge of the overlook gently caressing his wooden mask.
Offer him the chalk? ](if: $weird is >=3)[You find Wyatt in the same place you found him on your previous two attempts to deliver the chalk.
But that was back when you were conflicted, conflicted about offering your friend the one specific thing they'd asked you to find for reasons only known to you. This time, however, clear of mind and determined, you bravely offer the chalk to Wyatt with no hesitation.]
---
(if: $weird is <3)[ [[...yes. ->OFFER CHALK.]]
[[...no. ->DON'T OFFER CHALK.]] ](if: $weird is >=3)[ [[...offer the chalk. ->OFFER CHALK.]] ]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You tap him lightly on the shoulder and offer the chalk (I mean, why wouldn't you, it's the whole reason you asked Mel for it right?)
Wyatt seems overjoyed, wiping a tear from his eye: "Thank you! Thank you so much!" he says, cradling the crumbling piece. "But... I have no idea what to draw!"
Wyatt turns back to you, "I'm sorry, I know you've done so much already, but... do you know what I should draw?"
---
(link-reveal: 'Yes!')[ (color: 'red')[Wyatt should draw...]
[[...a butterfly.]] / [[...an hourglass.]](if: $pill is 1)[ / [[...a wolf.]] ]
]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }For some strange reason, (if: $weird is >=1)[once again ]you decide against offering Wyatt the chalk and return to the Firepit instead(if: $weird is >=2)[(thinking yourself to be quite the wildcard)]. (set: $weird to + 1)
---
[[...return to the firepit. ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/h26lk7810qa6umn/butterfly%20gif%20but%20better%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'>
You take the mask from Wyatt and draw a pretty pattern inspired by the wings of a butterfly: a symbol of evolution and growth.
(set: $design to 'butterfly')
Proud with your work, you hand it back. Wyatt smiles, "It's beautiful! Thank you so much! What sort of cruel God wouldn't want to save us now huh?"
You nod your head solemnly. Wyatt returns to his prayers, you return...
---
(link: '...to the firepit.')[(text-style: 'shudder')[**"Wait!"**]
Wyatt, taps you on the shoulder and [[offers you the mask. -> ASK WYATT]] ]
---
(set: $people to it + 1)(set: $wyatt to 10)
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/tuoxygf3oxx4vq1/hourglass%20gif%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'>
You take the mask from Wyatt and draw a pretty pattern inspired by the shape of an hourglass: a symbol of time and change.
(set: $design to 'hourglass')
Proud with your work, you hand it back. Wyatt smiles, "It's so cool! Thank you so much! Reminds you how time flies, eh? Ahaha"
You nod your head solemnly. Wyatt returns to his prayers, you return...
---
(link: '...to the firepit.')[(text-style: 'shudder')[**"Wait!"**]
Wyatt, taps you on the shoulder and [[offers you the mask. -> ASK WYATT]] ]
---
(set: $people to it + 1)(set: $wyatt to 10)
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You shake your head, (if: $bottle is 1)[not wanting to waste your beer.](if: $bottle is 0)[not being in the mood to smash things up yourself //quite// yet.]
"Fair enough." laughs Byth awkwardly, propping the bat on her right shoulder and letting her free arm drop creakily toward the ground. The tops of her yellow eyes and their orange borders obscured somewhat by a furrowed brow as she murmurs: "well... what(if: $throw is 1)[ else] can I do you for?"
---
[[...nothing, actually.]]
(if: $bottle is 0)[ [[...just came to watch.]]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Awesome!" She smiles back. "Go fetch us a bottle then."
---
[[...eh?]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You grin and nod your head, Byth steps back and lifts her the bat over her shoulder. You hold the bottle to your face and obscure it with the back of you hand as if it were in a catcher's mitt. (set: $throw to 1)
She speaks in a low voice; "It's Byth, in the bottom of the ninth in the final of possibly //the final// world Series. Can she fend off the furious pitch of the Legendary Hero?" (set: $bottle to 0)
You float the bottle into the open air and watch as she swings through it, sending it into what must be a thousand starry pieces.
"Ahhh the crowd goes wild," she laughs, "nice throw, wanna go with the bat?"
---
[[...of course!]]
[[...no thanks. ->...nah.]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Well... (if: $pill is 0)[we need something to smash up, don't we?](if: $pill is 1)[(text-color: 'red')[we need something to smash up, don't we?]]"
Byth blinks slowly, gesturing in a circular motion with her hand and causing her wrists to rattle like a Ratchet held by an excited child at a sports game.
You look down to her side and gaze at the glass chaos that litters the area, not quite understanding how she'd gone through so many bottles so fast. (set: $needbottle to 1)
---
[[...where can I get one?]]
[[...sure. (Head back to the firepit.) ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Is that a joke?" Byth jabs. "It's the end of the fucking world! Everybody's pissed out of their minds and //ergo// bottles are all about the gaff!"
She turns back to the scene momentarily but catches a view of the moon, pressing it's visage into the planet's crust.
Her smile falters. Her grip tightens.
"(if: $pill is 1)[(text-color: 'red')[I'm sure Wyatt or Eden will have one. Or, wasn't there a cooler by the firepit]](if: $pill is 0)[I'm sure Wyatt or Eden will have one. Or, wasn't there a cooler by the firepit]?" She concedes before breaking back into a wild grin. "Now hurry up we have meaningless vandalism to commit."
---
[[...understood.]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You turn and think to yourself that someone here must have a bottle ripe for the smashing. You're also a little cold, and think you feel something crawling up your leg, but thats besides the point. (set: $byth to 4)
(if: $eden is <2)[On your left, Eden is twirling and yelling into the open air.](if: $wyatt is <2)[ On your right, Wyatt is sitting on the very edge of the overlook, drinking and watching the ongoing disaster.]
---
(if: $eden is <2)[ [[...move to Eden. ->EDEN]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...head back to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You suddenly realise you have no idea why you came over here...
Your face must have told Byth as much: curiously patting you on the shoulder and laughing, "Well, let me know if you feel like smashing some shit with me! It's fun as fuck, and I'll be here for one night only!"
You laugh weakly in response, turning back to the fire. (set: $byth to 1)
(if: $eden is <2)[On your left, Eden is (if: $eden is >0)[still ]twirling and yelling into the open air. ](if: $wyatt is <2)[On your right, Wyatt is sitting on the very edge of the overlook, drinking and watching the ongoing battle.](set: $byth to 1) (set: $strangebehaviour to +1)
You balance on the balls of your feet in the blink of an eye and...
---
(if: $eden is <2)[ [[...move to Eden. ->EDEN]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Why, thank you! Though I don't understand why you'd want to spend your last $counter seconds on this planet watching me wipe-out some bottles with a bat- nah actually I get it."
She reaches down to continue the show butonly succeeds in grasping loosely at the empty space.
"Ah, shit." (set: $needbottle to 1)
---
[[...what's up?]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"I've kinda sorta maybe ran out of bottles... Unless, of course, you wanted to help me out by going and grabbing one? Think of it as the price of admission for the big show."
---
[[...where can I get one?]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You hand Byth the bottle and she holds it to the twilight.
"Alright princess, you doing the throwing or the smashing?"
She offers the bottle back in her left hand, with the long oak bat in her right poking at your ribs.
---
(if: $throw is 0)[ [[...take the bottle. -> with bottle]]]
(if: $pill is 0)[ [[...take the bat.]]](if: $pill is 1)[ [[...take the bat. -> swing alt]] ]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Awesome!" She smiles back. "Go fetch us another bottle then."
You look downward into your bottle-less hands and realise that you threw the only bottle you had procured thus far thoughtlessly into the path of Byth's swing. (set: $needbottle to 1)
---
[[...shit.]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Well... (if: $pill is 0)[we need something to smash up, don't we?](if: $pill is 1)[(text-color: 'red')[we need something to smash up, don't we?]]"
Byth gestures toward the empty space at her feet, glaring at you with bright orange eyes
---
[[...where can I get one? -> where 2]]
[[...sure. (Head back to the firepit.) ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Is that a joke?" Byth jabs. "It's the end of the fucking world! Everybody's pissed out of their minds and //ergo// there are bottles lying about everywhere!"
She turns back to the scene momentarily but catches a view of the moon, pressing it's visage into the planet's crust.
Her smile falters. Her grip tightens.
"(if: $pill is 1)[(text-color: 'red')[I'm sure Wyatt or Eden will have one. Or, wasn't there a cooler by the firepit]](if: $pill is 0)[I'm sure Wyatt or Eden will have one. Or, wasn't there a cooler by the firepit]?" She concedes before breaking back into a wild grin. "Now hurry up we have meaningless vandalism to commit."
---
[[...understood.]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You reach for the bat, prop it on your shoulder and swing for the thrown glass bottle.
You feel the short ping of the impact, see the bottle fracture into shards of varying sizes.In that moment, in the light of the angry orange sky, they resemble a roaring crowd of stars. (set: $needbottle to 1)(set: $swing to 1)
Byth grabs your shoulders and calls into the sky, "What a hit from the rookie! The crowd can't believe it! This is surely one for the history books!" The two of you jump around cheering, showering yourselves with accolades of increasing hyperbole so great you'd never hear the crashing moon; after you settle down, Byth assures you she's thankful for that.
"Let me know if you wanna have another swing, yeah?"
---
[[...of course.->next]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You take the bat and ready yourself.
You expect to feel the short ping of the impact, but instead are met with a dizzying nothing, the shock of which almost causes the bat to slip from your grasp and into the woods below. You listen to the bottle rustling through the leaves like a lost adventurer. (set: $needbottle to 1)
You bear your teeth in anxiety and turn to what you assume will be a very angry Byth. Once again, your assumptions are well off, and you're instead met with a beaming smile that can only be attained from being right.
"I knew it! I knew it!" She laughs until her whole body is rattling; you can't help but join in too until the call of destruction on the horizon means you find yourselves sitting on the edge of the overlook together, no longer laughing quite so much.
"At least it's pretty, though," she smiles.
---
[[...it is.]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }Gazing into the desperate scene. The vengeful face, coated in a shimmering fire, aches to collide with the small town at the tip of it's pointed nose. The bell towers call out a tuneless warning. Underneath your splayed fingers you feel the earth itself beginning to quiver like a frightened animal. Byth cradles the bat in her hand. (set: $byth to 4)(set: $people to it + 1)
"Pretty fucking awful, but pretty all the same."
Sat amongst the scattered shards of glass, you feel a great sense of anger ebbing and flowing through your fingertips into the ground.
---
[[...ask to join you at the fire. ->ASK BYTH]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You run your hands backwards through the wet grass on which you sit, letting the dew coat your palms in a cool film until a sharp blade catches you. (set: $byth to 5.5)
Flinching and scrambling to your feet. You watch the sunlight reflected in a single droplet running down Byth's wooden cheek before she casts it away with a strong swipe. You sense a warm anger beneath the surface of the little puppet, as well as the feeling she might rather be left alone...
(if: $people is <3)[(if: $eden is <2)[On your left, Eden is twirling and yelling into the open air.](if: $wyatt is <2)[ On your right, Wyatt is sitting on the very edge of the overlook, drinking and watching the ongoing disaster.]
---
(if: $eden is <2)[ [[...move to Eden. ->EDEN]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...move to Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]] ]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You lay next to Mel and feel the snaking green move in the gaps between your toes. You taste the velvet air as is undulates and gathers in the sky above you.
"The clouds form all sorts of shapes..." Mel whispers, "What do you see?"
You roll your head and gaze up into the sky...
---
[[...the sky.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ](set: $mel to 1)(if: $strangebhaviour is >0)[Continuing your strange trend of approaching people before immediately realising you either went their by mistake or are unsure what you're supposed to be doing, you approach mel and leave without a saying a word.
---
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
](else:)[Not feeling overly keen to soak yourself in the dew-covered grass you turn down Mel, who returns sheepishly to their drawing.
"Oh, well, I'll be here then."
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
]{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"I call it courage. Others might call it a pill, but that's ok because coming up with interesting names for things is hard."
Take the courage?
---
[[...yes. -> yes pill.]]
[[...no. -> no pill.]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }Pointing with the pastel in their hand and moiving it as though to paint the sky, Mel elaborates:
"Look back at the clouds, don't they seem different now than before? Like the $cloud you thought you saw seems now like something totally different?"
Feeling slightly ill, you aim your gaze back at the sky...
---
[[ next. -> the sky 2]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }{
(set: $cloud2 to (prompt: "What do you see now?", "cloud"))
}(if: $cloud is $cloud2)[
---
After taking a moment to consider, you courageously repeat the same answer as before, vomit on yourself and fall backwards unconscious.
The last thing you remember is the sad if not slightly contented grin in the corner of Mel's mouth. (set: $vomit to 1)
---
(set: $counter to 4)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ](else:)["Exactly!" Mel squeaks, before setting to work on drawing the $cloud2 cloud just as you described.
Feeling a little more settled, you sit up. Mel mumbles out of the corner of their mouth, "All you need is a little courage and suddenly the whole world seems different."
You share their solemn gaze at the defiant Eden, at Byth's angry swings, at Wyatt's hopeful chanting. "Everyone is so wrapped up in their grief. We should help them."
---
[[...how?]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }]
"Gather everyone at the fire. (text-color: 'red')[Focus on what's important to them]. Help them have a little courage against however they're suffering, you know?" For the first time, Mel's voice seems the slightest bit hopeful. (set: $mel to 3)
"(text-color: 'red')[Be there for them]."
---
[[...I will.]]
[[...What about you?]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Thank you" Mel smiles, filling you with a sanguine bravery. "(text-color: 'red')[Let me know when you're done and I'll join you at the fire.]"
You nod, promising that you will.
Eventually, when you're content with watching the last wisp $cloud2 fade behind the moon, you stand and begin your mission by stumbling over to...
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(set: $mel to 3)
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"I'll be ok. I'll be here, drawing the clouds." Mel smiles, filling you with a buoyant determination. "(text-color: 'red')[Let me know when you're done and I'll join you at the fire.]"
You nod, promising that you will.
Eventually, when you're content with watching the last wisp $cloud2 fade behind the moon, you stand and begin your mission by stumbling over to...
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
(if: $wyatt is <2)[ [[...Wyatt. ->WYATT]] ]
[[...the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(set: $mel to 3)
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/4s2pq1y6w34tl5z/the%20sky%20gif.gif?dl=1'>
(set: $skygazing to 3)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $skygazing to it - 1)
(if: $skygazing is 0)[(go-to: "...you see a...")]]<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/tj9rhe1folshcsl/the%20sky%20gif%202.gif?dl=1'>
(set: $skygazing to 3)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $skygazing to it - 1)
(if: $skygazing is 0)[(go-to: "cloud 2")]](if: $whydidyoudothat is 0)[As you approach, Mel is furiously in the process of cross-hatching indents into a crudely drawn depiction of the moon heading directly into a trashcan, the word 'PRICK' is written in bold and underlined twice.
They see you and quickly flip the page to a beautiful drawing of a fabulous man dressed in a strange green costume riding a small plank of wood ferried along by balloons, which you assume is something they've only seen because of (if: $pill is 1)[the large quantities of 'courage' flowing through their system.](if: $pill is 0)[whatever is in the small bag on their lap.]
Flustered, Mel laughs it off, "Oh, hey, is there something you wanted?"](if: $whydidyoudothat is 1)[You return to Mel full of confidence ready to act like a normal person might.
Mel stares blankly, "Everything ok?"
This time, you get straight to the point...]
---
[[...the chalk. -> ask for chalk]]
(if: $whydidyoudothat is 0)[ [[...no, sorry.]]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }Perhaps overcome by the majesty of their drawing, or the realisation that you're approximately $counter seconds away from death, but you let out a loud unintelligible squawk and run off without asking what you needed to. (set: $strangebehaviour to +1)(set: $whydidyoudothat to 1)
When you catch your breath you find yourself face-to-face with...
---
[[...Wyatt. ->WYATT #nonsense]]
[[...the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You ask Mel if you can borrow their chalk.
The slightly distracted blue figure happily obliges, reaching into a small bag next to them and passing out a light blue pastel.
"Take good care of it!" They say.
You promise you will, bundle the chalk into your pocket and...
---
[[...return to Wyatt.]]
[[...return to the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(set: $wyatt to 6)(set: $chalk to 1)
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }"Is everything ok?" The confused orange figure asks. "Did you get the chalk?"
---
[[...of course. [RETURN TO THE FIREPIT AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED.] ->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
[[...explain.]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }You try to explain what happened, but being honest you don't really know yourself.
You assure Wyatt you'll gather your thoughts and try again (because, of course, time is of the essence and approaching people then running away is just a bit weird).
---
[[...back to Mel. ->MEL #2]]
---
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }
---
The five of you spend the last moments of your lives drinking and laughing. Talking about $cloud{}s in the sky, the sparkling shards of glass which form an enchanting spectral lightshow.
Eden leads the chants of "$battlecry" long until the flames have consumed the land...
---
(set: $ending to 10)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $ending to it - 1)
(if: $ending is 0)[ [(go-to: "ending 3")] ] ]
---
...but they never do. Out of a glimmer of courage, the Legendary Hero succeeds. The moon returns to the sky and the world rests.
You watch it all from a grassy overlook. Unable to confirm or deny that it was in fact you that stopped it all. You look around the fire at the friendly faces, only knowing that it wouldn't matter either way.
---
(set: $ending to 10)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $ending to it - 1)
(if: $ending is 0)[(go-to: "ending 4")] ]
---
Life goes on.
---
(set: $ending to 5)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $ending to it - 1)
(if: $ending is 0)[(go-to: "ending 5")] ]THANK YOU FOR PLAYING...
<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cr42io2ztgpinij/MOSHED-2019-3-31-18-11-13.gif?dl=1">
(set: $ending to 5)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $ending to it - 1)
(if: $ending is 0)[(go-to: "ending 6")] ]You pop open the small cooler and take an ice cold beer. You take a second to hold it to your face against the warm apocalyptic evening, a second to pop the cap off and take a swig.
Why not, it's just going to be smashed into the night sky with a baseball bat anyways.(set: $bottle to 1)
---
(if: $byth is <2)[ [[...return to Byth. ->BYTH]] ]
[[...the firepit.->(Beginning) The Firepit...]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]After taking a moment to dry off, you decide that it's probably best to die on good terms with everyone.
By the time to return to Wyatt, he's already forgiven you, and offers you yet another beer from his bucket. (set: $apologisewyatt to 1)
---
[[...take the beer. ->...comfort him.]]
---
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/cwi0z6820p5y0kn/wolf%20gif%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'>
You take the mask from Wyatt and draw a pattern inspired by the design on the 'courage' given to you by Mel: on the mask however the face seems quietly sad. Soft spoken, even.
(set: $design to 'wolf')
Proud with your work, you hand it back. Wyatt smiles, "I recognise this from somewhere."
You nod your head solemnly. Wyatt returns to his prayers, you return...
---
(link: '...to the firepit.')[(text-style: 'shudder')[**"Wait!"**]
Wyatt, taps you on the shoulder and [[offers you the mask. -> ASK WYATT]] ]
---
(set: $people to it + 1)(set: $wyatt to 10)
{
(if: $pill is 0)[ (live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ]
(if: $pill is 1)[ (live: 2.5s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "...the end of the world.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
] ] }Byth stands on the edge flipping the bat forward and back in her hands, the impact counting out an arrhytmic metronome.
She hears you coming, though, and meets you with her bright orange eyes and a creaking smirk...
"Back for more. then?" She offers out the bat.
---
[[...you bet.]]
---You lift the bat gently, using it to tap Byth gently on her opposite shoulder. She looks away for a moment and then down, softly chuckling. Turning back to you, she wipes away any stray dew from her eyes, creaks a smile and climbs to her feet. You take her outstretched hand and climb to your own, propping the bat just above your back shoulder and pulling down the brim of an imaginary cap.
]She steps back and plucks a bottle from the floor, holding it to her face as if weighing up a fastball.
She hums; "(if: $throw is 1)[Well well well... Would you believe it... Once again it's ]Byth, in the bottom of the ninth in the final of what must surely be //the final// World Series(if: $throw is 1)[. This time] looking to //strike out// the Legendary Hero(if: $throw is 1)[ with her signature fastball]."
She sends the bottle into the open air and you swing with all your might...
---
[[...hey batter batter.-> swing alt]]
---{(if: $design is 'butterfly')[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/h26lk7810qa6umn/butterfly%20gif%20but%20better%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $design is 'hourglass')[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/tuoxygf3oxx4vq1/hourglass%20gif%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ](if: $design is 'wolf')[ <img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/cwi0z6820p5y0kn/wolf%20gif%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'> ]
}
---
Written, Coded and Loathed by
(color: '#00A693')[Tom Martin] (@tomallanmartin)
---
(set: $ending to 4)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $ending to it - 1)
(if: $ending is 0)[(go-to: "ending 7")] ]{<img src='https://www.dropbox.com/s/73grp8piodr80lh/less%20jittery%20hand%20-%20resized.gif?dl=1'>}
---
With special thanks to...
(color: '#880085')[Imogen Donovan] (@_{}donlothario)
...for breaking the game over and over so that I would have to fix it.
---
(set: $ending to 4)
(live: 2.5s)[
(set: $ending to it - 1)
(if: $ending is 0)[(go-to: "ending 8")] ]<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cr42io2ztgpinij/MOSHED-2019-3-31-18-11-13.gif?dl=1">
<audio src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/f2nn8stolvfdsal/campfire.wav?dl=1" autoplay>