Astral Witch

// "There is a great emptiness inside of me greater yet than all the darkness in the universe combined."// { (live: 5s)[ (stop:) Shiplog: year 3, day 56 ] } { (live: 8s)[ (stop:) I've given up. Every planet that I visit is either dead, deserted, or was never alive at all. And of those that I know were alive, all but one have been snuffed out. ] } { (live: 15s)[ (stop:) When stars on the night sky wink out of existence, their twinkling light going out forever, it's not anymore just because their life cycle has run it's course. ] } { (live: 22s)[ (stop:) In the space between the stars is Darkness; great emptiness fills it too. It is jealous, and it seems to have decided that nothing else can exist in this universe, not even a little spark. ] } { (live: 27s)[ (stop:) [[-End of Log|The Ship]] ] }

Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite has a bridge somewhere, which doesn't really matter. It is quite capable of piloting itself, and its course is set for the center of the universe, travelling away from that space consuming emptiness behind. It is never quite quick enough to not witness more lights being snuffed out. Sometimes the ship wonders if the speed of light is fast enough to escape. Recently it has started to wonder if double the speed of light would be enough. What about half? The ship regretfully notes, that even half the speed of light will soon be faster than it can go. Actually, it won't be much longer until it will stop moving alltogether. The Witch needs too much and Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite has stretched AL Astra's power too far. And then something changes. In the cockpit, that no one ever enters a dust covered console springs to life, lighting up, a control lamp flashing it's colours.The ship registers a living thing. A living thing? Tiny as it is, floating outside in space, it is pure energy. The ship needs it. And the witch does too. [[A chime sounds through the ship|Crystal Ball]]

The crystal ball embedded in the wall above the door let's out a demanding chime. That's the ship asking for your attention. Or in this case rather: demanding it. [[You look up from your book, at the swirling nebula inside the crystal ball. "What's up Halfway?"|Crystal Ball 1]] [[The book in your lap feels too heavy to lift, the words have not made any sense for hours. You somehow find the strength to turn your head towards the crystal ball. The colours swirl inside, out of focus.|Crystal Ball 2]] [[Snap. That's the book closing.Whoosh. That's the air rushing past the book as you throw it. Crack. And that's the crystal ball shattering.|Crystal Ball 3]]

The swirling nebula forms into shapes, lines, fractals.The crystal ball humms and chimes.This is the language that Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite speaks.It chimes again, in greeting. Halfway rarely wants to talk, and it's thoughts are often strange to you but you cherish these moments nonetheless. The nebula twists into a distinct shape and you blink a couple of times, surprised at what you see.A simple pattern greets you: being. You look at it, stunned. It takes a moment to get your tongue to move, to form a word, much less a sentence. "Alive?" The crystal chimes affirmative. [[Okay...|Being]] [[That's---you can't believe it.|Being]]

The swirling nebula forms into shapes, lines, fractals. The crystal ball humms and chimes.This is the language that Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite speaks. You blink a couple of times, getting your eyes to focus. A simple pattern greets you: being. You look at it, stunned. It takes a moment to get your tongue to move, to form a word, much less a sentence. "Alive?" The crystal chimes affirmative. [[Okay...|Being]] [[That's---you can't believe it.|Being]]

Afterwards, a brief silence. You almost regret throwing the book. Now you'll have to get up to retrieve it. Then a rumbling starts deep in the ships bowels. Halfway-across-eternity is pissed, that much is obvious. [[Halfway-across-eternity can rumble itself apart for all you care, you drop your head against the beanbag and stare at the ceiling.|The Rumbling]] [[You stand to pick up the book. "Shut. Up." You shout, quite sure that the crystal ball in the next room will pick up your voice. "I don't care what you want, all I want right now is to read, so do me a favour and leave. me. alone."|The Rumbling]] [[Somewhere deep in your chest an equally annoyed grumble is building. "Allright, allright. Quit it." You heave yourself out of your beanbag and shuffle to the crystal ball in the next room. "What is it you want?"|Crystal Ball 2]]

You had not imagined that this was even a possibility. No matter your attitude about it, you knew deep inside your heart that you would not be able to escape the darkness. At the center of the universe was hope, but you wouldn't reach it, not in time. Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite chimes again, insistent, it's patterns full of excitement: Energy. [[You're not exactly sure what Halfway means by this but it's excitement is infectuous. "Alright, let's stretch our magic feelers out and see if you can't recruit ourselves a new crew-member!"|Heading Out]] [[Whatever Halfway-across-eternity thinks this energy being is, you can't help but feel cautious. There's been literally NOTHING, nothing and nobody at all for years now. |Heading Out]] [[You're too stunned to answer. Slowly you sink to the ground. You stare at the insistent patterns, the excited flashes and you can't help but feel exhausted.|Staying In]]

As the witch Al Astra approaches the closest airlock to the creature outside, the ship cannot help but rumble a little in expectance of what will soon transpire. The ship unlocks the door that leads to the pressure chamber and it swings open as soon as Al Astra touches the doorknob, letting out an almost imperceptible wooden creak. The witch get's ready, donning a suit with a bulbous helmet, made from a leviathans eye. The sort that used to roam the nebulas that no longer exist, that used to understand Halway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite. They are all gone now. The ship registers it's own regret, and [[with a sigh the airlock opens|Airlock]].

The ship chimes in question. The nebula inside the crystal ball swirls: Look. [["I really don't know what you think this will do for us. Another being is another need, another need is more magic stretched thin and thinner yet." You bury your head in your knees. "I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry."|Emptiness]] [["This is ridiculous, okay, OKAY. I'm going to look. That thing would have to be very special to change anything."You don't believe it will be, but for Halfway-across-eternity, you will at least take a look.|Heading Out]]

Before you the vastness of space opens up. To one side you can see a glittering sea in the distance, to the other side only darkness. But right in front of you is the most curious little thing. It hovers in space just a short distance away, curled up on itself almost cat-like.And yet it's form is strange, it's skin somewhat translucent in appearance and you cannot quite place the energy that you feel from it. [[No matter, it's ALIVE. And it must be scared, curled up and alone as it is. You have made up your mind. You will take the being in. You will have a new crew-member. Pet? Friend? You'll figure out the details later.|The Critter]] [[The being emits little shivers of energy. As it washes over you it feels strange but not unpleasant and you can see why Halfway was this excited.You give yourself a little pep-talk and then push off the hull of the ship. Time to make friends.|The Critter]] [[The creature looks pitiful. Whatever it is, you don't think it will be able to help you get where you need to.Taking it with you will only prolong it's existence by a little while. You turn back.Kinder to leave it here, instead of making it uselessly struggle alongside you.|Emptiness]]

It takes a lot of careful coaxing, and more of your magic than you can really spare until the creature trusts you enough to come into your arms. But the moment it's there you feel warmth flood your magical core, like a little spark of energy has just been ignited within you. The critter in your arm lets out a contented noise as it's long tail wraps around your leg.You put a gloved hand on it's little head where it has snuggled up against your shoulder and give yourself a small push back to where Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite is waiting for the two of you. [[The airlock opens and you float back inside. Safe from the emptiness outside, the shell of your ship protects you.|New Friend]]

A long while later, but short compared to the infinity that is the universe you stand in the Star Map chamber. It's central to the ship, as much as anything can be central to the maze it has become, with it's great, glass roof. But the only thing you can see in the sky now is darkness. No stars, nebulas or planets. The emptiness has caught up to you, and Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite is not nearly far enough away. You stare into the empty darkness and see only yourself reflected back. --Ending 4/5: Emptiness-- [[Go back and see what could have been|Ship Log]] [[Access Halfways Memory Processing Core|Menu]]

The rumbling persists for a while after that. You focus on what you're doing, blocking it out as best as you can. [[You close your eyes and imagine that the red and yellow sparkles that you see in the darkness are stars and planets.|The Stars]] [[You go back to reading after a while, whatever Halfway-across-eternity wants, it doesn't really matter in the end. Anything you could do in this situation would just be futile at this point. So you distract yourself. |Distraction]] [[When the ship starts flickering the light on and off you decide that whatever this is, might actually, potentially be important. Who knows, maybe Halfway is about to die, and wouldn't that be ironic. You swallow hard at the thought. The ships dies with the witch. Maybe you should go look at the crystal ball in the next room over.|Crystal Ball 2]]

The ship humms to itself. It is an amalgamation of the desires and needs of it's sole inhabitant, the witch Al Astra. It's hull is metals and materials from all across the universe, it's structure similar to that of myriad houses stacked in-and-on each other. Inside, it is so much more. The ship holds a collection of things the witch has been able to save, little mementos of worlds and stars now gone. There is a library, and every book contains a path to another one. Who knows, maybe all the universes knowledge is contained within.In a corner of the ship, dusty and forgotten is a glass vessel, like the ones you'd put a model boat into, but instead there's an entire solar system within. The ship also has a name. A name that it picked for itself, not that it has much of anyone to share it with. It calls itself Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite. A fitting name, however unnecessary it might be for its communication with the witch.Though they both have names they could just as well only call each other "You" and neither would be more or less confused. [[After all, they are well and truly alone.|The Ship Finds Something Interesting]]

Back inside, the little critter in your arms seems cautious to leave that safe space. [[Nothing about it, you'll just cuddle up on your beanbag and get to know your new friend.|Cuddles]] [[You get it, this is a strange place. "Let's explore the ship together, how about that?"|Explore]] [[The best thing to do, seems to hole up, all three of you - and isn't that a strange thought - and figure out your new situation. Time to have a chat with Halfway Across Eternity, Almost Infinite|Chat]]

The little critter is strangely warm in your arms. As you realize this, it hits you, that you haven't felt truly warm in a long while. Back in your den, deep inside the ship (it's just one of many, your current favourite for the beanbags and pillows scattered all across it), you fall down into your comfy seat. The critter yelps in surprise, it's big eyes a little startled. They swirl with stars, night-skies, forgotten sights. [[It fills your heart with a certain sadness, to remember the night skies, that you've lost.| Cuddles 2]] [[You can't help but let out a little laugh, and the critter tilt's it's head. You bump your nose against it's and it doesn't seem to object.| Cuddles 2]]

The ship is vast, and easy to get lost in. At the same time, it always seems to circle around, back to where you were before. Though it was created by your magic, you are not entirely sure of it's properties, or all that is contained within. You put the critter down on the ground and it instantly slinks back between your feet, almost tripping you up. Then it stares at you, with those big, round eyes... and mewls. [[You gently coax it into following you - perhaps the vivarium would be a good place to visit|Vivarium]] [[Fair enough, that's... cute. You'd be unsure of what was going on as well, if you were in the critters position, you pick it back up. Time to look at some star maps.|Star Maps]]

You cozy up, the little critter jumping into your lap. It's tail wraps around your leg and you feel the energy within thrumming, it resonates with your own magic. The crystal ball next to you swirls to life, and you tune into it. When you are able to open yourself up to it, and accept the inconsitencies of your existences... it becomes almost easy to understand Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite. //you are here "Yeah we are, settling in and all." [["I thought it might be good to get us all aquainted"|Chat 2]] [["I was wondering what you were thinking about... our new crew member."|Chat 2]]

You soothingly pet the little critter in your arms, warm and soft in it's smoothness. The critter is surprisingly solid, though you feel the swirling of energy, that makes up it's being. It feels almost unreal to be able to touch another being, one that isn't so... abstract, like Halfway. You appreciate the fact that you are not alone - haven't been alone - but the two of you are very, very different. Sometimes, it's hard to understand the ship. It thinks different, feels different, communitcates different. The critter is no less strange. [[But you are contend like this, it feels right|Good End]] [[Maybe it's time to get aquainted with it's surroundings, now that the critter knows your scent.|Explore Cuddles]] [[Halfway had it's own reasons for wanting to take in the critter, surely. You'd like to pick the ships "brains" about it. Maybe it will help you understand your new companion.|Chat]]

Maybe this will turn out alright. Maybe you will still not make it to the Tannhauser Gate in time and get swallowed up by the darkness. In the meantime, at least you have another companion to keep you company, and that little, tiny spark. Glittering like all the lights you can see outside, and yet, it isn't far removed, like a phantom you are chasing in the dark. It is right here, with you, right here with Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite. It's a Chance. --Ending 5/5: Spark-- [[Go back and see what could have been|Ship Log]] [[Access Halfways Memory Processing Core|Menu]]

Deep, deep down, in the bowels of the ship grows a tree. The trunk and branches extend all the way through the ship, but at it's roots lies something special. The air is more damp down here, it smeels like soil. Right in front of the roots you set down the critter on a little patch of moss covering the metal grates. In between the roots is an opening, dark, just about big enough for you to fit through if you crawl. [[Go inside|Vivarium 2]]

The map chamber is vast, a dome of glass spanning overhead. Here and there a few stars twinkle, but it's almost as if someone has slashed across the sky and wiped half of it away with one big stroke. One side is emptiness, the other hope. The room holds telescopes and an eneromous astrolabe up on the gallery just underneath the dome, but the lower half is filled with an orrery. It spins, the planets and stars held into position by long rods. It is useless. The sun system it depicts is long gone. Your home... Your home is here now. As you both wander the expanse of the map room, stars reflect in the polished floor of the chamber. [[For now... for now this is all there is, and all that you need.|Good End]] [[You meander over and up the stairs to a little nook on the gallery where an armchair waits for you, next to a crystal ball. Halfway must be dying to talk to you both. |Chat Star Maps]]

You beckon the cirtter to follow you, as you enter into that darkness. But between the darkness of the tangled roots, there is a small light, and then, there is many. Like fireflies they swirl up and around the two of you - Space Critter and Witch. And then, in a burst of starglitter the hollow inside of the great tree is illuminated. Moss, grass and wildflowers cover the ground. Vines weave up and around, forming walkways, platforms and ramps. Water cascades down one side, forming little pools in goblets of mushrooms. There is lushness around here, calm, an escape from that void, seeming all too close out there. [[It's time to play and relax a little, that's all you want right now. You sit down with the critter and just... exist.|Good End]] [[Some cuddles seem in order.|Cuddles Vivarium]] [[The spiral walkways wind up and up, if you follow them it will lead you to the Star Maps. Strangely, you feel like looking at them - for the first time, in a long, long time|Star Maps]]

The little critter is strangely warm in your arms. As you realize this, it hits you, that you haven't felt truly warm in a long while. You make yourself comfortable in a bed of moss and flowers, the soothing sound of water in the background. With a little push of your magic, wicker weaves itself around the two of you, cocooing you. The critter yelps in surprise, it's big eyes a little startled. They swirl with stars, night-skies, forgotten sights. [[It fills your heart with a certain sadness, to remember the night skies, that you've lost.| Cuddles Vivarium 2]] [[You can't help but let out a little laugh, and the critter tilt's it's head. You bump your nose against it's and it doesn't seem to object.| Cuddles Vivarium 2]]

The ship is vast, and easy to get lost in. At the same time, it always seems to circle around, back to where you were before. Though it was created by your magic, you are not entirely sure of it's properties, or all that is contained within. The critter winds around your legs as you walk, almost making you stumble... but it's kind of cute. Your feet find their way to a place you haven't been to in a long, long time. [[An archway stretches out, far overhead, as both of you enter the Map Room.|Star Maps]]

You soothingly pet the little critter in your arms, warm and soft in it's smoothness. The critter is surprisingly solid, though you feel the swirling of energy, that makes up it's being. It feels almost unreal to be able to touch another being, one that isn't so... abstract, like Halfway. You appreciate the fact that you are not alone - haven't been alone - but the two of you are very, very different. Sometimes, it's hard to understand the ship. It thinks different, feels different, communitcates different. The critter is no less strange. [[But you are contend like this, it feels right|Good End]] [[Halfway had it's own reasons for wanting to take in the critter, surely. You'd like to pick the ships "brains" about it. Maybe it will help you understand your new companion.|Chat]]

//it is curious "The critter? How so?" //it is unlike you, or me //but it fits //... //it fits in, it was right "Were you doubting that? That's unlike you, Halfway." //not doubting. just calculating the chance of it being right. "Hah, I like that, the Chance-of-it-being-right" //a name? [["A name."]] [["A thought."]]

"Chance", you scritch the critter under it's round chin. Chance purrs. Halfway chimes in amusement. //we shall see //there is far to travel [["Not that far - with good company"|Good End]]

"It's ironic, that such a small thing could have been out there, like, what ARE the chances." //the energy it holds //it is vast "And so is space... do you think this could help us get farther? Farther than just half of the way?" //it remains to be discovered //and it depends on many factors "Like?" The critter shifts in your lap and paws at the crystal ball. //which side of the equation will you weigh in on? [[The vast expanse of space stretches outside, and you feel a cold shiver run down your spine. Half of it is utter emptiness. Seeing it is a small death. The wirring engine of the ship, the drain on your magic, is the ticking of a clock that is ever present. How could you go any further?|Any Further]] [[The stars of half the universe glitter outside. You've come half way, across space and time. Your journey, endless. "I've come this far, I can go a little further"|Good End]]

//i can go on a little while longer "I don't know if I can." //nothing is stopping you "Nothing is making me either" You feel the critter in your lap tense up, and with a release of all that tension it jumps off your lap and begins meandering around, exploring it's surroundings on it's own. //nothing. You think for a while. You watch. And as you watch, your muscles tense up. [["Maybe I can follow for a bit."|Good End]] [[The tension doesn't leave you for a long time. But at some point, you know you cannot keep doing this. You cannot keep all this tension bundled up inside of you, all these questions, the what-ifs and should-haves. The critter meanders, and you just watch.|Emptiness]]

You cozy up, the little critter jumping into your lap. It's tail wraps around your leg and you feel the energy within thrumming, it resonates with your own magic. The crystal ball next to you swirls to life, and you tune into it. When you are able to open yourself up to it, and accept the inconsitencies of your existences... it becomes almost easy to understand Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite. //you are here "Yeah we are, settling in and all." [["I thought it might be good to get us all aquainted"|Chat Star Maps 2]] [["I was wondering what you were thinking about... our new crew member."|Chat Star Maps 2]]

"It's ironic, that such a small thing could have been out there, like, what ARE the chances." //the energy it holds //it is vast "And so is space... do you think this could help us get farther? Farther than just half of the way?" //it remains to be discovered //and it depends on many factors "Like?" The critter shifts in your lap and paws at the crystal ball. //which side of the equation will you weigh in on? [[The vast expanse of space stretches overhead, and you feel a cold shiver run down your spine. Half of it is utter emptiness. Seeing it is a small death. The wirring of the orrery is the ticking of a clock that is ever present. How could you go any further?|Any Further]] [[The stars of half the universe glitter on the floor below. You've come half way, across space and time. Your journey, endless. "I've come this far, I can go a little further"|Good End]]

#(text-colour:purple)[Astral Witch] [[Start your journey|Ship Log]] [[Access Halfway's Memory Processing Core|Memory Core]] [[Dev Note]]

These are memories recorded in Halway-across-eternitiy, Almost-infinite's memory core... how strange, not all of them could have happened, surely? When I was trying to get Al Astra's attention [[What did he want?|Crystal Ball]] When the Witch Al Astra decided to go see the creature outside [[Will she save it?|Heading Out]] When she valued cuddles the most [[A bond is formed|Cuddles]] When she went to explore [[What will she show her new companion?|Explore]] When she talked to me... [[first.|Chat]] [[after visiting the Star Map chamber.|Star Maps]] [[Back to the Menu|Menu]]

The ship is vast, and easy to get lost in. At the same time, it always seems to circle around, back to where you were before. Though it was created by your magic, you are not entirely sure of it's properties, or all that is contained within. There is enough to distract you for an eternity. And enough to make you feel hollow inside with how alone you are. [[Perhaps the vivarium would be a good place to visit|Vivarium Empty]] [[You haven't gone there in a long, long time... but suddenly you feel the urge to visit the Star Map chamber.|Star Maps Empty]]

Your name... Al Astra. The stars. What are you without them? //nothing Halfway chimes from the other room. //there is nothing left You open your eyes. They were closed for a long while, though short compared to the infinity that is the universe. You crane your neck, stiff from an almost endless rest. You look outside. But the only thing you can see in the sky now is darkness. No stars, nebulas or planets. The emptiness has caught up to you, and Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite is not nearly far enough away. You stare into the empty darkness and see only yourself reflected back. And even when you close your eyes, there is nothing but an emptiness. --Ending 1/5: The Stars.-- [[Go back and see what could have been|Ship Log]] [[Access Halfways Memory Processing Core|Menu]]

The map chamber is vast, a dome of glass spanning overhead. Here and there a few stars twinkle, but it's almost as if someone has slashed across the sky and wiped half of it away with one big stroke. One side is emptiness, the other hope. The room holds telescopes and an eneromous astrolabe up on the gallery just underneath the dome, but the lower half is filled with an orrery. It spins, the planets and stars held into position by long rods. It is useless. The sun system it depicts is long gone. Your home... Your home is here now. Here... is nowhere. As you wander the expanse of the map room, stars reflect in the polished floor of the chamber. [[You meander over and up the stairs to a little nook on the gallery where an armchair waits for you, next to a crystal ball. Perhaps you could talk to Halfway after all.. |Chat Star Maps Empty]]

Deep, deep down, in the bowels of the ship grows a tree. The trunk and branches extend all the way through the ship, but at it's roots lies something special. The air is more damp down here, it smeels like soil. Right in front of the rootsis a little patch of moss covering the metal grates. In between them an opening, dark, just about big enough for you to fit through if you crawl. [[Go inside|Vivarium Empty 2]]

But between the darkness of the tangled roots, there is a small light, and then, there is many. Like fireflies they swirl up and around you - the Lights and the Witch who is called the stars.. And then, in a burst of starglitter the hollow inside of the great tree is illuminated. Moss, grass and wildflowers cover the ground. Vines weave up and around, forming walkways, platforms and ramps. Water cascades down one side, forming little pools in goblets of mushrooms. There is lushness around here, calm, an escape from that void, seeming all too close out there. [[This place seems hollow and vast too, but peaceful in a way. That's all you want right now. You sit down and just... exist.|Vivare]] [[The spiral walkways wind up and up, if you follow them it will lead you to the Star Maps. You get the urge to look at them - for the first time, in a long, long time|Star Maps Empty]]

You find yourself in a state between awareness and.. nothing. You are at peace... Deep down, you know that it is only because you have surrendered. There is beauty in that too. In here, the stars seem far away. You have no use for them, nor they for you. Behind your closed eyes is darkness. No stars, nebulas or planets. The emptiness has caught up to you, and Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite is not nearly far enough away. In that empty darkness there is only yourself anyways. And you will wink out like all the other stars before you. And then, you will have your peace. --Ending 2/5: Viverent-- [[Go back and see what could have been|Ship Log]] [[Access Halfways Memory Processing Core|Menu]]

You let yourself sink into the chair and it's velvet cushions all but swallow you up. The crystal ball next to you swirls to life, and you tune into it. When you are able to open yourself up to it, and accept the incongruencies of your existences... it becomes a little easier to understand Halfway-across-eternity, Almost-infinite. //you are here "I never left." [["It's not like I can go anywhere that isn't here."|Chat Star Maps Empty 2]] [["I was wondering what you were thinking about... "|Chat Star Maps Empty 2]]

//you missed something "Did I now?" //I cannot be here for you, if you are not here either "Halfway... I... can not be anywhere EXCEPT here." The colours inside the crystal ball swirl a disapproving shade, the fractal forms seeming to almost splinter and break down. A silence follows. //i had feared so. i was halfway there. //but you are no longer with me Numbness takes over your body, making your limbs feel heavy. You had dreaded this moment, even if you prepared yourself for it. You feel almost detatched, like you could float away in to the darkness above any moment. //you cannot go any further //that much i can tell The stars of half the universe glitter on the floor below. You've come half way, across space and time. Your journey, endless. The vast expanse of space stretches overhead, and you feel a cold shiver run down your spine. Half of it is utter emptiness. Seeing it is a small death. The wirring of the orrery is the ticking of a clock that is ever present. [[How could you go any further?|Goodbye]]

{ (live: 0s)[ (stop:) //it is alright ] } { (live: 3s)[ (stop:) //you went as far as you could, al astra ] } { (live: 6s)[ (stop:) //the witch, the stars, even infinity ] } { (live: 9s)[ (stop:) //it is all far away and long ago ] } { (live: 12s)[ (stop:) //... ] } { (live: 13s)[ (stop:) //... ] } { (live: 14s)[ (stop:) //... ] } { (live: 16s)[ (stop:) //goodbye ] } { (live: 20s)[ (stop:) --Ending 3/5: //goodbye-- [[Go back and see what could have been|Ship Log]] [[Access Halfways Memory Processing Core|Menu]] ] }

Since the first version, I've added elaboration to the "bad/empty" endings, with multiple ways to end the story, and different mind states for Al Astra. There is definitely a subtext of depression and what she experiences can be read as suicidal ideation/suicide. There is also an entire sequence with different outcomes and interactions if you go down the other path. To get to the most important branching points you can use the "Access Halfway's Memory Core" option in the menu. [[Back to the Menu|Menu]]