Perseid

ChapelR's LinkKey macro:\n\nwww.reddit.com/r/twinegames/comments/5t73zc/keyboard_driven_twining_tutorial/?st=jd1ych2w&sh=9a420d5b\n\nnick1777's CSS Shooting Stars code:\n\nhttps://codepen.io/nick1777/pen/NNaMbW\n\n[[Back to Start|Start]]

You throw down a fist.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie makes a scissor shape with her fingers.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>There’s a tense two seconds as you both look down at the result.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You move your hand forward and wedge it in between Rosie’s fingers.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Oh no! I’ve been fisted!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Your reply dissolves in your mouth as the two of you fall about laughing.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>After a moment, and a frown from Caroline, Rosie groans.\n“Guess I’ll take the tent, then.”\n[[~|A6S8]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You throw out a flat palm.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie throws out a fist.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>There’s a tense two seconds as you both calculate.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>With a quick movement, you wrap your hand around Rosie’s fist and shake it.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Curses! You got me!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Paper crushes rock,” you respond, and Rosie groans.\n“Guess I’ll take the tent, then.”\n[[~|A6S8]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

The four of you take turns crossing the field to the tiny campsite bathroom.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s not much more than a toilet, stained sink, and shower cubicle with black something between every tile.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You don’t spend any longer in there than you have to, running through your nighttime routine with tired practice.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Brush teeth, splash water on face, frown in the mirror whilst prodding at a stump of stubble inexplicably thicker than the rest, and rub estrogen gel on your legs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Because you’ve been in the car all day and not showered, the gel forms little clumps as it evaporates and peels the grime from your thigh.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Gross. You give it a moment to dry off, wash your hands, then head back to the car.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The sun’s dipping below the treeline now, and asides from a bit of a breeze, nothing’s moving around the site.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s peaceful and quiet as you walk towards the car and tent.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…you hogging all the space, it’s a two-person tent, not one person and a fuckin’ ant…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“The line is in the middle there.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yeah but I’ve got the bags and shit on my side.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie and Caroline’s argument carries through the fabric of the tent, only slightly muffled.\n[[~|A7S2]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Rosie hesitates for a moment, still flexing.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Uh. Alright. Arm wrestle it is.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She fidgets and changes position to lean forward and rest her elbow on the ground.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You follow suit, pushing your sleeve out the way.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Uh. I should warn you, I ain’t going easy.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I’m terrified,” you respond, and Rosie bares her teeth.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She flexes her fingers and holds her hand out.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Ellie, you be referee. No funny business from <<print $Player>>."\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“From me? Just you wait.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie crouches down next to you as the two of you glare at each other.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie seems to be trying to intimidate you by frowning.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As you glare back, 'two fat little ginger caterpillars' pops back into your head, and you smirk.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Ok… ready…”\n[[~|A6S7dot5]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Controls:\n\nThis is a keyboard-playable twine game. As well as using the mouse, you can use the following keyboard commands:\n\nWhere you see a ~, you can press Spacebar to advance.\n\nChoices will be labelled z, x, c. Spacebar will pick the first choice, if you press that by accident.\n\nPress Enter after filling in a text box to advance.\n\n[[~Name Entry~|NameEntry]]

All's Fair in Love\n\n\n\n[[~|A6S1]]\n\n<<audio "ambient" fadeout>>

<<audio "perseids5" loop play>>PERSEIDS\nor,\nAll This Will Go On Forever\n\na game made for Trans Gal Jam 2, 2018\n\n-\n\nContent Information:\n\nThis game contains mild swearing, and occasional light drug use (marijuana).\n\nWhilst this game is in 2nd-person, and it will refer to you via a name you choose, the narrative will assume you are a trans woman.\n\n[[Press Space or Click to continue|Instructions]]\n\n<<set $wish to "I wish to be happy.">>\n\n

Ellie grins and passes it over to you. You fumble with the wire for a moment — why is it so long? — before switching out the cigarette socket for the gameboy’s charger.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The light on the side turns orange, and you rest it in your lap. After a moment, you unscrew the bottle of coke for another sip.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…I’m bored now.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Oh, for fuck’s sake…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You laugh and coke goes up your nose. Spluttering, you close the bottle and wipe your mouth.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Don’t get it on the seat!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I’m not! It’shh in my noshe.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie passes you a tissue whilst giggling.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Thanksh…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hrhhh…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie and you both turn to look at Rosie, who shuffles around in her sleep, resting her head against the windowframe.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You turn back after a moment and look at Ellie. She looks cheerful, and your eyes meet for a few seconds.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Without saying anything, she reaches out and takes your hand.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Her fingers always feel small. You wrap yours around them and feel her squeeze a little.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s kinda awkward, holding hands whilst you sit in the front seat.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>But you do it anyway.\n[[~|A5S0]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“Oh, Rosie, I’m so scared of your muscles. Let’s rock-paper-scissors.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She smirks and rolls her sleeve back down.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You quietly think this actually gives her more chance of winning, but oh well.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>One in three chance. Rosie settles into a fighting position, fist raised and ready.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Ready?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Ready.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie leans in excitedly to watch, whilst Caroline leans back and picks up her book to read.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“One.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Two.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Three.”\n[[Paper|A6S4]] (z)\n[[Scissors|A6S5]] (x)\n[[Rock|A6S6]] (c)\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“Shotgun”, you mutter on instinct. Rosie groans and pivots on the spot, half-way there already.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Fine. I’ll sit in the back with cutie.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie blushes, already climbing in.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You hop in the front seat, stretching your legs out in front of you. Behind you, Rosie climbs in awkwardly.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“… can you budge a bit.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You pull the chair forward a bit, and she folds her scarecrow legs into the back footwell with good-natured protest.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You glance in the mirror to see her arranging the snacks on the middle seat, carefully laying out different choices.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Sandwiched between your legs is one of the bottles of coke. You unscrew the cap carefully, and Caroline looks over at the hiss.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I know,” you respond before she can say anything. She smiles sternly and turns around to look behind.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Everyone ready to go?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yes mum. Strapped in and all.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Don’t call me that,” Caroline replies. She frowns at Rosie, then glances at Ellie, face transforming into a smile instead. Ellie tugs her seatbelt demonstratively.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Satisfied, Caroline starts the car, and the four of you settle into your seats, ready for another few hours on the road.\n[[~|A4S3]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

<<audio "perseids2" fadeout>><<audio "ambient" volume 0 fadein>>It doesn’t take long for Rosie to fall asleep.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Soon, the rhythmic sound of the road is added to by faint snoring. Ellie holds back a laugh, trying not to wake her.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Twenty minutes. I think that’s a record.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline looks across at you, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on her lap.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“How much did you two smoke?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Only a little bit,” you reply.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You kind of get it, though. You’re feeling drowsy as well.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The vibrations of the road underneath you, the steady sound of the engine and the radio…\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I’m kinda sleepy too.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline frowns. “Nuh-uh. Person in the front seat stays awake. Otherwise I’ll get drowsy too. You don’t want that.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You groan and shuffle around in your seat, trying to be comfortable-but-not-too-comfortable.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie leans forward between the seats, offering you a biscuit.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s the best idea she’s had today. You take two and nibble on them slowly.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hey,” Ellie says after a minute.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“My gameboy’s out of charge… can I plug it in?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I’m using the satnav.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie pouts. “Hasn’t it got a battery?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…fine. Only for half an hour. <<print $Player>>, you plug it in.”\n[[~|A4S4]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

A plaid shirt, knotted slightly above the navel\n\n\n\n[[~|A4S1]]

<<audio "perseids2" volume 0 fadein>>As you return to the car, Caroline taps her feet impatiently.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You would wave cheerfully, but your hands are full of snacks.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie is using her shirt as a pouch to hold food in, holding it up and exposing her stomach.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline takes one look at your haul and snorts.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Bought the shop out, did you?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Got a bit hungry,” Rosie says, restraining a giggle.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She nods at Ellie imploringly, and she helps Rosie unload, ferrying crisps, chocolate, cookies, and diet coke from her upturned shirt into the back of the car.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You know you’re a stereotype sometimes, don’t you?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yay, you got my favourite,” Ellie says, as everyone ignores Caroline.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie holds up the toffee crisp with glee, and Rosie winks back at her.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline rolls her eyes and glances at you. Sometimes she treats you as the next most adult of your foursome.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>But, currently, you’re trying to restrain a smile, and fail to. You feel your cheeks pull upwards as you grin back at her.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She sighs and gets into the driver’s seat.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Relieved of her purchases, Rosie brushes her hands off on her thighs, then knots her shirt up above her bellybutton.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Her stomach looks cute — in the kind of scrawny, stoner non-abdomen way where you can see the muscles only because there’s nothing else over them.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie surreptitiously prods it from the side and Rosie lets out a squeak.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“He he he…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline sticks her head out the window. “You three can flirt in the car.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie sticks her tongue out when Caroline’s not looking, glancing back at Rosie for validation. Rosie ruffles her hair in response.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Still, the three of you do what Caroline says.\n[[~|A4S2]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You lean back and massage your hand for a moment.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You can have the car if you really want.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie shakes her head and lets herself flop down onto the grass to lie down.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Nah, it’s cool. Me and Cazzer can spend some quality time together.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline peers over the top of her book cautiously.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Remember, if I don’t get a good night’s sleep, I’ll fall asleep at the wheel tomorrow, and we’ll all crash and die.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hell yeahhhh…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She winks up at Caroline, who rolls her eyes.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You turn to look at Ellie, who’s fiddling with a handful of daisies.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s you and me, then.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie smiles at you, and holds out her hands.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Do you want a daisy chain? I’m nearly done.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Sure.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She finishes it a few minutes later and you wear it on top of your head for the rest of the evening.\n[[~|A7S0]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Estrogen Gel\n\n<<audio "perseids2" fadeout>><<audio "perseids4" fadein>>\n\n[[~|A7S1]]

...\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It takes a couple of minutes to make the back of the car comfortable.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The seats fold down, which is handy, but it’s difficult arranging the blankets and pillows with little headroom to spare.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You’ve already knocked your head on the stupid coathook thingy over the door. Who even uses them.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Eventually you settle down, and Ellie reappears fairly quickly. She carefully takes her shoes off before climbing in.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“The bathroom was… icky.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yeah. You didn’t waste any time.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She nods and rummages in her pocket for a second.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Can you hold these?” she asks, and passes you her own sachets of gel.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Sure,” you reply, and she smiles at you gratefully. “You didn’t do it in the bathroom?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Icky, remember,” she says. She starts wriggling out of her skirt, carefully keeping her head low. “I thought about getting like… dirt and spiders and stuff stuck to my legs.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You can’t help but laugh a little bit. She pouts in response, and holds out her hand for the sachets when ready.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You pass them over, and politely look away as she starts to apply it to her legs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You don’t have to look away, you know…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Uhh,” you say, “it kinda felt weird to watch.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She shrugs and finishes in companionable silence.\n[[~|A7S4]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“Are you going to keep whining all night?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“What, you want me to just shut up and lie down, huh?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“That’d be nice.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yeah? You gonna make — mmph.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As you reach the car, Rosie’s voice cuts off for a moment. You can’t help but smirk.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>This happens every time. You open the car door, and Ellie looks up from her gameboy.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Bathroom’s free,” you say cheerily, nodding your head towards the tent.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The two of you share a knowing smirk, and Ellie folds the gameboy shut and hops out of the car.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…you need to brush your teeth,”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…sorry.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s okay…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You hear Ellie snigger as she walks away to the bathroom.\n[[~|A7S3]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“Oh. Yeah.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Her like… whole dynamic changes.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You prop yourself up on one elbow.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“She’s not like that with you?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“No. She’s all… cool and bossy.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie blushes slightly now.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Maybe you just need to boss her around.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I don’t think I have it in me…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You reach out and ruffle her hair. She wriggles away in protest, but after a moment reaches out and takes your hand in hers.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Your problem is you’re too cute to be bossy,” you say.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hmmph.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Seriously. I never know if I want to dress you up or eat you up.”\n[[~|A7S6]]<<audio "perseids4" fadeout>>\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

When done, she hunts around for a bottle of water. You lean over the passenger seat and grab one. Ellie smiles when you pass it to her.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Carefully, she leans opens the door and leans out to rinse her hands.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As she does so, you hear the tent unzip and Rosie climbs out of it. The two of you look up at her and she freezes momentarily.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She’s blushing.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Uh… hey.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hiii, Rosie...”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Bathroom’s free,” you say. “If you wanna brush your teeth.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She turns away and coughs. “Um. Thanks.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As she crosses the campsite, Ellie finishes up and climbs back into the car.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She spends a minute getting comfortable under the blankets next to you, before turning over to face you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Don’t you think it’s cute?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hmmm?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“How she like… gets all soft when Caroline gives her any affection.”\n[[~|A7S5]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Ellie blushes hard and buries her face in the pillow.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Oh my god... I can’t believe you just said that...”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You laugh and lean across to kiss her neck. She lets out a breath and turns her head to face you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You kiss her again, on the lips this time, and she wriggles around to make it easier.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>…after a moment, she puts her hand on your chest, and gently pushes you back.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You withdraw and open your eyes again. Ellie bites her lip for a moment, staring up at you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Um…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You okay?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yeah,” she says. “I mean... I’m not feeling up to it right now.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“That’s ok,” you reply, and gently stroke the side of her cheek. She nuzzles her head into your hand.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“We can just like... cuddle though.”\n...\n[[~|A8S0]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Rosie and Ellie come back with a haul of food for dinner.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The two of them found vegetarian sausages in the shop, and Caroline fries them up on the camp stove with potato slices, garlic and onions.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You carefully cut a selection of cherry tomatoes in half, mixing them through with a bag of salad leaves.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie nibbles on some gherkins straight out of the jar, trying to save the rest for with dinner.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie fetches the plates and cutlery from the car, lays them out on the blanket you’re all sat on, and opens a bottle of cider with her teeth.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Someday you’re going to break a tooth doing that.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hey, you didn’t pack a bottle opener either.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The garlic and onions are a little burnt. Some of the tomatoes could have been a bit fresher.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>But on the grass, underneath the setting sun, it’s the nicest meal you’ve had in a long time.\n[[~|A6S0]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You don’t reply for a moment, hammering the peg in silence instead.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>After a few blows, the peg bends.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You sigh in exasperation, and your hair blows in front of your face again.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You bend a peg?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…yeah,” you reply.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline takes a sip of beer and lets out a sympathetic laugh.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s been a long day. I know I’m tired. Being passenger is tiring too.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You murmur in agreement.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yeah. I’m tired. Fringe is annoying me.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I’ve got scissors in my bag. I’ll trim it for you later if you want.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You glance up at it, and blow a breath upwards. The hairs bounce upwards, and fall just as quickly back down in front of your eyes.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…sure. That’d be nice.”\n[[~|A5S7]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“Oh, I hadn’t noticed.” you reply, words sharp in the air.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline pauses for a second before letting out a deflecting laugh.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s the wind that’s blowing it in your eyes, not me.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You hammer in a peg angrily for a few blows.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The peg bends.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The whole angry feeling melts away inside of you, and you just feel kinda shitty.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You sigh and drop the mallet on the ground.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You bend a peg?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…yeah.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline takes a sip of beer and sighs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s been a long day. I know I’m tired. Being passenger is tiring too.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The way she says it, and the silence that follows as you finish up the tent, lets you know that any brief snap is now forgotten.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I’ve got scissors in my bag. I’ll trim your fringe later if you want.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You glance up at it, and blow a breath upwards. The hairs bounce upwards, and fall just as quickly back down in front of your eyes.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…sure. That’d be nice.”\n[[~|A5S7]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Player Speech\n\nRosie Speech\n\nCaroline Speech\n\nEllie Speech\n\nGeneral text\n\n[[Day test|colour test]]\n\n[[Night test|night test]]\n\n[[Night with stars test|stars test]]\n\n[[back to start|Start]]

...\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline heads over to the campsite office — little more than a hut with a door, a desk and a computer, staffed by a bored-looking australian man.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The two of you bring the car over to the pitch, and Caroline spends a minute reversing the car back and forth so it’s level for sleeping in.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Tent’s only big enough for two.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Or, it will be, once the two of you have set it up.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You unload the car of all the necessary bits whilst Caroline kicks rocks and other detritus out of the grass pitch.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Satisfied it’s flat, you shake out the groundsheet and start erecting the tent.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You settle into a familiar pattern, where Caroline tells you what to do, almost to the point of micromanaging.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You hold that bit…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Ok if you peg the groundsheet on that side…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Grab the pole — no, the other one...”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>...\n[[~|A5S4]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“Fat chance. You and Ellie can go.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She turns to face you whilst speaking.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“<<print $Player>>, you can help me with the tent. Then I’m going to lie down.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline leans back into the car to get her handbag. Ellie and Rosie both start complaining at once.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“How come I have to go with—“\n“My, uh, feet, I’ve got a, like, condition—“\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline reemerges from the car holding a £20 note in the air.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You can have six or seven quid for booze. Just get something we can cook up for dinner and some apples or something for breakfast.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The two of them glance at each other, suddenly silent.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…twenty minutes isn’t that far…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie grabs the twenty from Caroline and stuffs it in her pocket without a word.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Ells, gimme a minute to a roll a cigarette and we’ll head off…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline smiles, somewhere between sincere happiness and malice.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Great. Shop’s down the road to the left, eventually. Map’s in the car if you want it.”\n[[~|A5S3]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

The sun is low in the sky as you pull into the campsite.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline shields her eyes for a moment as the three of you look around.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>(Rosie is still asleep, occasionally mumbling to herself about dogs…)\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s really quiet…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Yeah,” you say. “I think I saw… two other tents?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Good. I’d like a quiet night.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Behind you, Rosie stirs, wakes up, and yawns loudly.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Welcome back. Ready to go?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Huh…?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The four of you climb out — some with more difficulty — and stretch after the hours in the car.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s been a long day of driving. Caroline looks worn out.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“We’ll need to book in, set up camp, and get food. The nearest shop is… about twenty minutes away.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Whaaat? Why didn’t we go there in the car?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“We didn’t pass it, and I’m sick of driving.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie nods in understanding. Rosie takes a deep breath to try and clear the sleep fog.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Fair… fair… well, you can stretch your legs, huh?”\n[[~|A5S2]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Haircuts\n\n[[~|A5S1]]\n\n<<audio "ambient" fadeout>><<audio "perseids4" volume 0 fadein>>

<div class="sky"><div class="clippy-wrap"><div class="star-container" id="star-cont"><div class="star" id="mr_star"></div></div></div></div>\nPlayer Speech\n\nRosie Speech\n\nCaroline Speech\n\nEllie Speech\n\nGeneral text\n\n[[Day test|colour test]]\n\n[[Night test|night test]]\n\n[[Night with stars test|stars test]]\n\n[[back to start|Start]]\n\n

You go to stand up but Rosie sticks a palm out and pushes you to sit back down.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She climbs onto your lap and holds onto your shoulders for balance.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You run a hand up her neck and thread your fingers through her hair<<if visited("A1S2")>> again<<else>>, like you wanted to before<<endif>>.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie kisses you. She tastes like coca cola and chewing gum.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You place a hand on her side and she breathes in sharply, wriggling on top of you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As you slip your hand under her top, Rosie breaks the kiss to giggle involuntarily at your fingers tracing across her stomach.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She bites your lower lip and starts to fumble with your shirt.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Are you nearly done in there?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie lets out a snort of laughter and draws back.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Just a sec,” she yells at the door. She rolls her eyes and gives you a final peck on the lips before climbing off.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You stand up, dizzy from excitement and the sudden interruption. You flush and the two of you check your appearance in the mirror before leaving.\n[[~|A2S6]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“It’s kinda grotty in here.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie looks around the bathroom as if for the first time.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Oh. Yeah. Guess it is.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She looks coyly at you for a moment.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Maybe later, huh.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Where’re you sleeping?”\n[[You haven't decided yet|A2S6]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

The lady outside the bathroom does a doubletake as you leave the bathroom together.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie gives her a wink, before leading you away by the hand.\n[[~|A3S0]]<</linkkey>>

Long Summer Evenings\n\n\n\n[[~|A2S1]]\n\n<<audio "perseids1" fadeout>>\n

The car rumbles as you pull into the service station.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>When Caroline cuts the engine, the world becomes very quiet all of a sudden, and you realise how loud the car has been for the past few hours.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>All four of you stay in the car for a few seconds, sharing the silence.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline breaks the moment, and leans on the door to open it with a groan. All of you climb out and stretch.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie looks around at your surroundings. The service station is set just off the road next to a small patch of trees.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie sways a little as she stands, and closes the door harder than intended.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The clunk it makes echoes around the carpark.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s so quiet…”, Ellie says.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline stretches her arms and looks around as well.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Not surprised. Roads have been quiet too.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie looks at the two of them, then glances at you, looking amused.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“This is quaint an’ all, but I gotta piss.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You do as well.\n[[~|A2S2]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Rosie and you cross the carpark to the service station.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As you reach the door, a lorry pulls up by the pump.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Out the corner of your eye, you spot him lean out the window and leer at the two of you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ew. You roll your eyes and stick a little closer to Rosie.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>(You are struck by the sudden thought that in the last thirty seconds you, too, have let your eyes stray at Rosie and her particularly short shorts.)\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>(But that’s different…)\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You enter the building and make your way around racks of overpriced crisps and chocolate to the toilets.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>There’s just two; a men’s and a women’s cubicle.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie stops at the door and looks back at you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>”I can wait,” you say.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie frowns, then looks over at your shoulder. You turn back to see the lorry driver walking across the forecourt.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I ain’t leaving you out here,” Rosie says.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She grabs you by the hand and pulls you into the cubicle with her.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>[[~|A2S3]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

<<audio "perseids2" loop play>><<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You politely look away whilst Rosie sits on the loo. She hums whilst she pees.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>When she’s done, she shimmies her shorts up and carefully manoeuvres around to let you sit down.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s pretty cramped with just the two of you. Rosie tests to see if she can sit on the sink, but it creaks and she thinks better of it.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As you sit down, she pulls out a plastic baggie from her pocket and some rolling papers.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She hesitates, then stuffs them back in her pocket and washes her hands first.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You don’t blame her. It’s kinda grotty in here. You’re trying not to think too much about the condition of the toilet seat as you perch on it.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>When you’re done, you go to flush but Rosie stops you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>”Wait til I’m done rolling,” she says, tapping out some crumbs of weed into the paper. You comply, and close the toilet lid to sit down again.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie finishes the joint and tucks it behind her ear.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You look up at her expectedly, and she looks back with a funny expression.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She bites her lip for a second.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hey,” Rosie says, “Do you want to make out for a bit?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'choiceAAct' rpl>>[[Yes|A2S4]] (z)\n[[No|A2S5]] (x)\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You fidget in your seat and watch her silently for a moment.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Next to you, Ellie yawns and stretches her legs out.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The sun’s still high in the sky, but it’s already late afternoon.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie glances over at you. You smile back.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She pouts in response and lets out a dramatic, tired sigh.\n[[~|A1S4]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You shift in your seat and lean forward, gently running your fingers through the end of Rosie’s hair.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She twitches and glances back at you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Sorry,” you lie. “There was a bug.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie doesn’t look convinced, and raises a sleepy eyebrow.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Sure, cutie. A bug.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She rolls her eyes as you blush, and turns back to the radio.\n[[~|A1S4]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

<<audio "perseids1" loop play>>…and that song was Broken Sunglasses, and you’re listening to TMFM 91.4, live from a basement in—\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>><<audio "perseids1" fadeout>><<audio "ambient" volume 0 fadein>>The radio crackles and you lose signal, the presenter’s voice drowned out by static.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie whines and prods the radio, trying to seek back onto a stronger frequency.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As she leans across, you stare at the back of her head, her hair curled and draping around her shoulders.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The urge to reach out and feel it between your fingers comes across you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>[[Reach Out|A1S2]] (z)\n[[Don’t Reach Out|A1S3]] (x)\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Student Radio Stations\n\n\n\n[[~|A1S1]]\n\n\n

The car park gravel crunches underfoot as you return to the car.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie has hopped up onto the bonnet to perch, swinging her legs off the car.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline is facing her, talking, and turns her head to look as you approach.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Took your time,” she says. Ellie glances between the two of you with a smirk, but says nothing.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>By way of reply, Rosie retrieves the joint from behind her ear.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You’re not smoking that in the car.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Duh. I was gonna go in the woods over there.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie gestures to the patch of trees that sits next to the carpark. It looks inviting, if a little visible from the road.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Guess as our designated driver, you’ll pass,” Rosie says.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She glances between you and Ellie. “Girls?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Sounds good to you.\n[[~|A3S2]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

The sound of gravel underfoot\n\n\n\n[[~|A3S1]]\n\n<<audio "perseids2" fadeout>>\n<<audio "perseids4" volume 0 fadein>>

The sound of your breathe mixes with the sound of the wind, and all of a sudden you feel very present in the moment, hyperaware of everything happening around you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You turn your head to glance back at the car, obscured by trees. It looks like Caroline and Ellie are talking, Ellie still sat on the bonnet.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hey,” says Rosie. You turn your head back to look at her and she raises her skinny arm to point upwards.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“What are you going to wish for?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She grins a disarming grin, obfuscating any trace of sincerity through her dumb stoner smile.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You’ve learned that, when Rosie asks a question like that, it’s a coin toss whether she’s descended into Deep High Thoughts, or if it’s gonna be about as serious a question as that time she asked about lions fighting the sun.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You consider your answer.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>[[Give her a serious answer|A3S4]] (z)\n[[Give her a joke answer|A3S5]] (x)\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“I’ll pass,” Ellie says. “It makes me feel carsick.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie shrugs and beckons you to follow with a nod of her head. The two of you walk across the gravel to the trees.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Once you get a couple of metres in, and as inconspicuous as you’ll manage to be in a small copse of trees at a service station, Rosie sparks up and takes the first few tokes.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>A light gust of wind moves through the leaves all around you, and you hear gentle rustling, distant bird calls, and the occasional lonely car passing on the otherwise quiet road.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Here y’go,” Rosie says through a held breath, and passes the joint over to you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You take it from her and she blows out smoke with a suppressed cough.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You watch her as she scuffs her feet on the floor, nudging a fallen branch with her boots.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As you breathe in, you wince a little. Rosie always rolls her joints with more tobacco than you do, and it feels harsher.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She frowns questioningly at your expression, but you wave her away whilst holding the smoke in.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie shrugs and continues to fidget. She turns her attention from the ground to the treetops, staring up through the branches.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You breathe out.\n[[~|A3S3]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

$('#ui-bar').remove();\n$(document.head).find('#style-ui-bar').remove();\n\n(function(){\n $(document).keyup(function(e){\n if(e.keyCode == 32){\n $('#spaceAct a').trigger("click");\n }\n });\n}());\n\n(function(){\n $(document).keyup(function(e){\n if(e.keyCode == 90){\n $('#choiceAAct a').trigger("click");\n }\n });\n}());\n\n(function(){\n $(document).keyup(function(e){\n if(e.keyCode == 88){\n $('#choiceBAct a').trigger("click");\n }\n });\n}());\n\n(function(){\n $(document).keyup(function(e){\n if(e.keyCode == 67){\n $('#choiceCAct a').trigger("click");\n }\n });\n}());

<<audio "perseids2" loop play>>You and Rosie fall into a laughing fit as Ellie pouts. Caroline ignores the two of you and continues the conversation.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I don’t want to spend another minute in the car until tomorrow. I’ll sleep in the tent.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie wipes a tear from her eye and turns to face you, suddenly serious.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“We’ll have to fight for it, then.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Which one are we fighting for?”, you ask.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Cazzer snores. Whoever slee—“\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I snore?! You always kick me in the ribs when we—“\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie waves a hand at Caroline to quiet her. She glares in response.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You think about your options. The sky’s meant to be clear tonight, and you could watch the stars through the car window.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The tent is ostensibly a two-person tent, but it’s slightly too small, and the ground isn’t that soft.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Alright. How are we settling this?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie grins and laughs in a sneaky way.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You’ve got two options. Either we rock-paper-scissors for it, or we arm wrestle.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She rolls up her sleeve a little further to demonstrate, flexing her scrawny stoner biceps at you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Terrifying.\n[[Rock-Paper-Scissors|A6S3]] (z) \n[[Arm Wrestle|A6S7]] (x)\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

...\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hey, <<print $name>>...”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hmm?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“What are you going to wish for tomorrow?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You glance down at her, but she’s still leaning her head on your chest, kind of talking to the wall.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You too, huh? Rosie asked me that yesterday.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Oh...”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She wriggles a little bit to get comfy, wrapping her leg over one of yours.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“So what did you say?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You try to remember. Your brain kind of moves slow this time of night.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“...<<print $wish>>”.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie doesn’t reply for a moment. You almost think she’s fallen asleep again, but then she stirs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I don’t know what I’m going to wish for,” she says quietly.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“There’s so many things I want to change…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Body, money, location, uni. Family.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“But…I wouldn’t have met you three if all of that was different.”\n[[~|A8S3]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“I wish…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I wish for some snacks.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie freezes for a second, before breaking into laughter.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“No way! I was gonna say the same…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You grin and she starts to rummage in her pockets for change.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You take in another lungful of smoke, and hold it in whilst thinking.\n[[~|A3S6]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Wishes and Blankets\n\n[[~|A8S1]]\n\n<<audio "perseids3" volume 0 fadein>>

Ten minutes later, you’re going around the perimeter of the tent with the mallet, finishing off all the pegs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline has unfolded one of the camp chairs and wearily sat down.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>From somewhere hidden, she’s retrieved a beer you didn’t know she had.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The wind has started to pick up a bit, and the tent is flapping, straining against the pegs you’ve loosely tapped in already.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s a race to hit them in harder before they get yanked out the ground.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>A race made harder by the fact that your hair keeps getting blown in your face.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Every few hits of the mallet, you pause to tuck strands of hair behind your head with increasing exasperation.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline takes a sip of beer.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You should cut your fringe.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Her tone of voice irritates you.<<audio "perseids4" fadeout>><<audio "ambient" fadein>>\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>[[Snap at her|A5S5]](z)\n[[Try not to get angry|A5S6]](x)\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You roll over as well, and gently wrap your arm around her from behind, the ends of her hair tickling your nose. She sighs and nestles into the hollow left by your curled-up legs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>After a moment, she talks again, facing away from you now.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It feels weird,” she says. “I wish… all this would go on forever. You and me and Rosie and Caroline. Car trips and this long summer.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“But also for things to change…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“How can I do both?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She hesitates for a moment.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Oh!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You frown, and she lifts an arm from under the blanket to point at the window.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I saw a shooting star.”\n[[~|A8S5]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Perseids (demo)

After a few minutes, the two of you finish the joint and start to walk back to the carpark.\nYou both decide you should definitely check out the snacks available at the service station first.\nAs you walk out of the patch of trees, you kind of defocus, thinking.\nRosie’s question about wishes echoes in your head.\nAnswers you could’ve given float into thought, serious answers, the high slowly making everything fuzzier and yet giving every thought undue gravity.\nWhat do you really wish for?\n\n<<textbox "$wish" "I wish to be happy." "A4S0" autofocus >>\n(press enter after typing)

<<audio "perseids3" fadeout>><<audio "perseids4" fadeout>>“I thought the shower was tomorrow…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You stare out the window at the stars in the sky.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>After a moment, an answer comes to you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Maybe… that one was special.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“The universe heard you, and that shooting star was your wish.”\n[[~|Ending]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Macro.add('linkkey', {\n tags : null,\n handler : function () {\n\n var $wrapper = $(document.createElement('span'));\n var link = 'link';\n var content = this.payload[0].contents;\n\n if (this.args.length < 2 || this.args.length > 3) {\n return this.error('incorrect number of arguments');\n } else {\n var text = this.args[0];\n var key = this.args[1];\n }\n\n if (this.args.length === 3) {\n if (this.args.includes('btn')) {\n link = 'button';\n } else if (this.args.includes('rpl')) {\n link = 'linkreplace';\n } else if (this.args.includes('app')) {\n link = 'linkappend';\n } else if (this.args.includes('pre')) {\n link = 'linkprepend';\n } else {\n link = 'link';\n }\n }\n\n $wrapper\n .wiki('<<' + link + ' "' + text + '">>' + content + '<</' + link + '>>')\n .attr('id', key)\n .appendTo(this.output);\n }\n});

After a few minutes, the two of you finish the joint and start to walk back to the carpark.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You both decide you should definitely check out the snacks available at the service station first.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>As you walk out of the patch of trees, you kind of defocus, thinking.<<audio "perseids4" fadeout>>\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie’s question about wishes echoes in your head.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Answers you could’ve given float into thought, serious answers, the high slowly making everything fuzzier and yet giving every thought undue gravity.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>What do you really wish for?\n[[~|A3S7]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

What is your name?\n\n<<textbox "$Player" "Emily" "A1S0" autofocus>>\n\n(press enter after typing)\n\n<<audio "perseids5" fadeout>>

After dinner, Caroline trims your fringe whilst Rosie and Ellie wash up the dishes.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You try to gather up the hair and covertly chuck it into the hedge.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s biodegradable, right?\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You’re sure it’s fine.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Caroline doesn’t tell you off about it, so it’s probably fine.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>When the girls come back from washing up, Ellie compliments your fringe.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I can see your eyebrows now,” she says. When you frown she blushes and says “That’s a good thing!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie grins and gives her a friendly punch in the shoulder.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“What about my eyebrows, huh?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Th-they’re nice too…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Wrong! They’re two fat little ginger caterpillars, and they’re coming to get youuuu…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie makes a wiggling motion with her fingers, and chases Ellie around the tent.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie plays along with the joke, but is, in reality, terrified of caterpillars.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>A couple of minutes later, the four of you are talking more seriously about bugs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I want to sleep in the car. Tents always have, like, bugs and stuff.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie surreptitiously tickles the back of Ellie’s neck with a bit of grass, and she shrieks.\n[[~|A6S2]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

<<cacheaudio "perseids1" "audio/Car Perseids 1.mp3">>\n<<cacheaudio "perseids2" "audio/Car Perseids 2.mp3">>\n<<cacheaudio "perseids3" "audio/Car Perseids 3.mp3">>\n<<cacheaudio "perseids4" "audio/Car Perseids 4.mp3">>\n<<cacheaudio "perseids5" "audio/Car Perseids 5.mp3">>\n<<cacheaudio "ambient" "audio/car ambient noise.mp3">>

The two of you clasp hands.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Get set…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie starts pushing already.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Hey! You little shit!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“All’s fair in love and tents!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Despite her early head start, Rosie struggles to push your hand down.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Over a few seconds, you push back.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie cheers as you gradually pin her hand to the ground with ease.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“<<print $Player>> wins!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You raise your other hand in the air in victory, and Rosie groans.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Guess I’ll take the tent, then.”\n[[~|A6S8]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

<<audio "perseids5" stop>>\n\n[[A8S0]]

/*Day mode*/\n\nbody {\n\t/* This affects the entire page */\n\tbackground-color:#f8bbd0;\n\tcolor:black;\t\n}\n.passage {\n\t/* This only affects passages */\n\tbackground-color:white;\n\tcolor:black;\nmargin: 0px;\n padding: 2em;\nfont-family: sans-serif;\nfont-size: 12pt;\nz-index: 13;\n}\n.passage a {\n\t/* This affects passage links */\n\tfont-family: sans-serif;\nfont-size: 12pt;\n\t\tcolor:#81d4fa;\nfont-weight: bold;\n z-index: 13;\n\n}\n.passage a:hover {\n\t/* This affects links while the cursor is over them */\n\t\tfont-family: sans-serif;\nfont-size: 12pt;\n\t\tcolor:#81d4fa;\nfont-weight: bold;\t\n z-index: 12;\n\n}\n\n/* night mode below*/\n\nbody.night {\t\nbackground-color:black;\n\tcolor:white;}\n\nbody.night .passage {\n\t/* This only affects passages */\n\tbackground-color:transparent;\n\tcolor:white;\nmargin: 0px;\n padding: 2em;\nfont-family: sans-serif;\nfont-size: 12pt;\nz-index: 13;\n}\nbody.night .passage a {\n\t/* This affects passage links */\n\tfont-family: sans-serif;\nfont-size: 12pt;\n\t\tcolor:#81d4fa;\nfont-weight: bold;\n z-index: 13;\n}\nbody.night .passage a:hover {\n\t/* This affects links while the cursor is over them */\n\t\tfont-family: sans-serif;\nfont-size: 12pt;\n\t\tcolor:#81d4fa;\nfont-weight: bold;\t\n z-index: 13;\n\n}\n\n/* character dialogue below*/\n\n.Player {\n\tfont-style: italic;\ncolor: #4dd0e1;\n}\n.Ellie {\n\tfont-style: italic;\ncolor: #f48fb1;\n}\n.Rosie {\n\tfont-style: italic;\ncolor: #ffa726;\n}\n.Caroline {\n\tfont-style: italic;\ncolor: #ba68c8;\n}\n\n.Titles {\n\tfont-weight: bold;\nfont-size: 18pt;\n}\n\n/*Shooting Stars code below*/\n.sky {\n background: black;\n height: 80%;\n\twidth: 75%;\n z-index: 11;\n\n }\n.clippy-wrap{\n position:static;\n width:75%;\n height:80%;\n overflow:hidden;\n\ttop:0;\n z-index: 11;\n\n}\n.star-container {\n height: 100%;\n margin: 0;\n background-repeat: no-repeat;\n z-index: 11;\n overflow: hidden;\n margin-left:0%;\nheight: 100vh; width: 100vw; position: fixed;\n\n}\n\n.star {\n transform: rotate(45deg);\n margin-top: -200px;\n height: 1px;\n width: 200px;\n z-index: 11;\n background-color: /* Permalink - use to edit and share this gradient: http://colorzilla.com/gradient-editor/#ffffff+0,ffffff+100&0+0,1+100 */\n background: -moz-linear-gradient(left, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 100%);\n /* FF3.6-15 */\n background: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 100%);\n /* Chrome10-25,Safari5.1-6 */\n background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 100%);\n /* W3C, IE10+, FF16+, Chrome26+, Opera12+, Safari7+ */\n filter: progid: DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient( startColorstr='#00ffffff', endColorstr='#ffffff', GradientType=1); /* IE6-9 */\n opacity: 0;\n margin-left: -200px;\noverflow: hidden;\n}\n\n.animate {\n animation: fadeInOut 3s 1s 1;\n\n}\n\n@keyframes fadeInOut {\n 0% {\n opacity: 0;\n }\n 50% {\n opacity: 1;\n -webkit-box-shadow: 9px 2px 16px 0px rgba(252, 252, 252, 0.1);\n -moz-box-shadow: 9px 2px 16px 0px rgba(252, 252, 252, 0.1);\n box-shadow: 9px 2px 16px 0px rgba(252, 252, 252, 0.1);\n }\n 80% {\n opacity: 0;\n }\n 100% {\n margin-left: 75%;\n margin-top: 80%;\n\n }\n}

<div class="sky"><div class="clippy-wrap"><div class="star-container" id="star-cont"><div class="star" id="mr_star"></div></div></div></div>\n“And all this will go on forever.”\n<<audio "perseids5" play>>\n<<timed 2s>>...\n\n<<next 4s>>PERSEIDS\nor,\nAll This Will Go On Forever\n<<next>>\na game made for Trans Gal Jam 2, 2018\n\n<<next>>Credits ([[~|Start]] to skip)\n<<next>>\nWriting & Music by Freya Campbell / <a href="https://communistsister.itch.io">communistsister</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/spdrcstl">@spdrcstl</a><<next>>\nSoundtrack (clean and in-game versions) available at <a href="https://freyacampbell.bandcamp.com/album/perseids-ost">freyacampbell.bandcamp.com</a>\n<<next>>\nCode bits: \n<<next>>\n<a href="www.reddit.com/r/twinegames/comments/5t73zc/keyboard_driven_twining_tutorial/?st=jd1ych2w&sh=9a420d5b">ChapelR's LinkKey macro</a>\n<a href="https://codepen.io/nick1777/pen/NNaMbW">nick1777's CSS Shooting Stars code</a>\n<<next>>\n<<next>>...\n<<next>>\nI was originally going to make this a longer game.<<next>>\nTwice as long, and the polycule reaches the dark sky park, and watch the meteor shower.<<next>>\nBut I got tired.<<next>>\nAnd I realised... not everything needs a neat, tidy ending.<<next>>\nThe protagonists keep going, and life keeps going.<<next>>\nWe can aspire to some grand final destination, or to something better over the horizon.<<next>>\nBut my day-to-day story doesn't have a neat plot arc or resolution.<<next>>\nI'll wager neither does yours.<<next>>\nI think that's why I enjoy slice-of-life media.<<next>>\nOne moment to enjoy without any grand plot arc or existenial threat.<<next>>\nOne moment of life.<<next 4s>>\nThank you for playing.<<next 3s>>\n[[Back to Start (~)|Start]]\n<</timed>>\n

Some time later, you gradually become aware of being awake.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It’s dark outside now. Really dark.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You haven’t reached your proper destination yet, but it’s still a far cry from the city the four of you live in.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You take a deep breath and shift your body a fraction to gaze out the window. The stars only just illuminate everything in a muted grey.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Ellie stirs, head on your chest, and mumbles something.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>After a quiet moment, you feel her wake up properly, and she raises her head to look around sleepily.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“...sorry if I woke you.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Nnyeah. It’s… I wasn’t really sleeping.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“No?”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“…I had a lot of sugar today.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You can’t help but let out a snort of laughter. Ellie frowns up at you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Meanie…"\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Sorry. Just... I don’t know, relax a bit.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You stroke her hair a few times and she leans her head back on your chest with a sigh.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>A few minutes pass. Or maybe an hour; it’s dark and quiet and you can’t really tell.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The only sign of anything is counting each other’s gentle breaths.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>...\n[[~|A8S2]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

In the driver’s seat, Caroline rocks her head side to side, trying to click her neck.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She shrugs her shoulders a few times.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>From behind, you see her jaw clench as she tries to bite off a yawn.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>"…We’ll take a break soon,” she says quietly after a moment.<<audio "ambient" fadeout>>\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The radio crackles back to life and Rosie lets out a cheer.<<audio "perseids1" fadein>>\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>An unknown song plays, a guitar and bass playing a fast melody in unison.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie leans back in her seat and drums along, tapping her hands on her thighs.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The four of you speed along the quiet road, music loud, as the sun gradually makes its way lower in the sky.\n[[~|A2S0]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

“I wish…”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I wish for the world to be kind.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You gesture around you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“I wish that we can grow older in good company, like these trees, sheltering each other from the world outside.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You take in another lungful of smoke and hold it in whilst thinking of your next wish.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie lets out an embarrassed laugh.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Awh, shit, I was just gonna say something like, I wish we had some fuckin’ snacks. I gotta think of something better now.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You laugh and it turns into a coughing fit. Rosie takes the joint back for safekeeping as you regain your composure.\n[[~|A3S6]]\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

Freya C / @spdrcstl

// Adds and removes animation to star every few seconds, also randomly changes its position on screen\n\n\nfunction LoopAnimate() {\nif (document.getElementById("mr_star") === null) { return; }\nif (document.getElementById("star-cont") === null) { return; }\n // Add animation class to star after 5 secons\n setTimeout(function() {\n document.getElementById("mr_star").className += " animate";\n }, 5000);\n // remove animation class after 9seconds\n setTimeout(function() {\n var star = document.getElementById("mr_star"),\n starCont = document.getElementById("star-cont");\n\n star.className = " star"; \n randomMargin(); //add random margin\n }, 9000);\n\n}\n\n// Call LoopAnimate every 15seconds\nLoopAnimate();\nwindow.setInterval(function() {\n LoopAnimate();\n\n}, 12000);\n\n//function to add a random margin\nfunction randomMargin() {\n var num = Math.floor(Math.random() * 70) , \n starCont = document.getElementById("star-cont"),\n starContMargin = getComputedStyle(starCont).getPropertyValue("margin-left");\n num += "%";\n\n starCont.style.marginLeft = num;\n console.log(num);\n}

Staring out of the window, you see the countryside whizzing past.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Everything looks fresh and green out here. It's a far cry from the city the four of you live in.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>But that's why you're coming here, of course. It's nothing like the city.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>It's open, empty, quiet.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>And free of light pollution. Few streetlamps, houses, businesses...\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Tomorrow, you'll reach the dark sky park, and set up, and watch the meteorites shoot through the heavens.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>That's... tomorrow, though.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>And it's already been a long day today.\n[[~|A1S5]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You pause for a moment, before pulling her a little closer to you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You’re sweet.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You’re right, too.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“But... I don’t think there’s any harm in wishing for things to be better.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“We can hope for a bright future and still cherish things as they are now.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>The two of you are quiet for a moment.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“You get really think-y at night.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Mmm. I guess.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“It’s nice. It’s not that different. You, but... more you.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Thanks. I... think.”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>She wriggles around again and glances up at you for a moment, before turning over and lying on her side away from you.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Can you...”\n[[~|A8S4]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>

You throw out a scissors shape.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>Rosie throws out a flat palm.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>There’s a tense two seconds as you both take in the results.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>You snip your fingers together menacingly, then snip at Rosie’s palm.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Snip snip,” you say, and Rosie wails.\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Oh no! I’m snipped!”\n<<linkkey '~' 'spaceAct' rpl>>“Scissors are always the winner,” you respond. Rosie laughs, then groans.\n“Guess I’ll take the tent, then.”\n[[~|A6S8]]\n\n<</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>><</linkkey>>