SPACE

"Once upon a time, there lived a rabbit. Ah, I'm becoming forgetful in my elder years. Remind me, dear, what was the [[rabbit's name,]] again?"

[(set: $name to (prompt: "What was his name?", "Hopper"))(go-to: "Start")]

Ah, yes, once upon a time, there lived a rabbit named [$name]. You see, [$name] was the cutest rabbit across the realms. His iridescent fur shone beautifully in the light, and people traveled countless miles to witness [$name]. Yet, it was [$name's] sweet-honeyed voice captured the heart of many. Once heard, the travelers didn't want to say good-bye. Thus, [[the City of Bunn came into existence.]]

The City of Bunn started out small, more like a hamlet. Yet Bunn's population grew as word of $name spread. From a hamlet sprouted a village, then a town, followed by, at last, a city. At the center of Bunn society, was, of course, $name. To no one's surprise, the City of Bunn grew into a [[metropolis.]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))$name became overwhelmed. The people of Bunn held him upon a pedestal and forgot $name was his own bun! Did they ever inquire what music he enjoyed? Or the stories he loved? No, they only knew the rabbit's sing-song voice and shimmering fur. They could never know how $name long for a life outside the invisible chains. Alas, $name was trapped. Until one day, a thought rose during the visit of a local wizard. Ah, yes! He could enlist the [[help of the wizard.]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))(enchant:"Wizards", (font: "garamond"))Wizards are a crafty breed and help demands a price, and the City of Bunn's wizard was no exception. "You are very beloved," said the wizard. "Spiriting you away requires a great price. Will you pay it?" "Yes," said $name. The wizard nodded. Very well. Ever the gracious sort, the wizard offered him two choices. $name had to either give up (link: "his voice")[(set: $shimmer to true)(go-to: "his voice")] or (link: "his shimmer")[(set: $shimmer to false)(go-to: "his shimmer.")]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))"Take my voice," $name said, for he hated the way humans endlessly pestered him to sing. He was not their puppet! "Very well," said the wizard, and it was so. She snapped her fingers, and $name felt no different. At his inquisitive look, she prompted him to sing a tune. She regretted it the very next moment, for $name released an off-tune screech. How marvelous! $name stared up at the wizard, awaiting her to hold up her [[end of the bargain.]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))"Take my shimmer," $name said, for he hated the way humans stroked his fur, hoping for a miracle to occur. Let him live in peace! "Very well," said the wizard, and it was so. Gone was the iridescent fur at the snap of the fingers, and $name felt no different. The wizard lowered her staff so that $name may gaze at the reflective orb nestled atop it. He gasped at the plain brown rabbit gazing back at him. How marvelous! $name stared up at the wizard, awaiting her to hold up her [[end of the bargain.]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))"I have been studying you, $name," said the wizard. Who hasn't? "I have come to the conclusion that others dare not admit. You are not of this earthly realm." "I do not care where I am from," said $name. "I care about being away from *here.*" "Let us walk to the balcony," said the wizard, and so they did. "Behold the night sky, and how it twinkles abundantly. This is where you belong," declared the wizard, "and where I will take you." Unbeknownst to the people of Bunn, $name [[vanished into the night.]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))(enchant:"wizard's", (font: "garamond"))$name stared out the window of the wizard's ship. Stars zoomed by, countless and endless. $name had never witnessed such a spectacle before. What other wonders did this black sky hold? And where was this wizard taking him? $name pondered [[asking]] her or [[not.]]

"Are you certain, little bun, for you've already given up so much for this boon?" Uncertainty washed over $name. Must he give more of himself to know such answers? What next would she ask of him? His whiskers? His tail? A [[light laugh]] interrupted his chain of thoughts.

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))Perhaps it was best not to pester the wizard as she concentrated on flying her ship. $name turned his attention away from the window and studied the machine they journeyed in. For all of Bunn's advancements— potions to make you stronger, hunger cured with a vial, amulets a plenty— never had they reached above the stars. The rabbit decided that this machine, this machination of glowing tubes and sing-song parts, was far too otherworldly to come from Earth. Time passed quietly until the wizard announced their arrival. "Here we are. [[Home.]]"

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))(enchant:"Miss Wizard", (font: "garamond"))"I kid with you," said the wizard, a race of beings not always known for their jokes. Only the side of her face was visible as she steered her ship, but a faint smile was visible. "We are going home." "Home?" "Yes, home. Past the Milky Way, a right at the Dreadnought Grave, and a little further one comes across the Sea Spire. A darling planet with spiraling moons. *That* is home." "Is that your home, Miss Wizard?" She sadly shook her head, and $name feared that an answer would require too much of him. Time passed quietly until they arrived. [[Home.]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))Yes, home. The Sea Spire. An aquatic planet orbited by dancing moons that spiraled above it. Naturally, this caused peculiar tides planet-wide, and thus, most citizens lived atop the orbiting moons. The wizard flew them up to the highest moon, which was also the smallest. Decorative buildings adorned each moon they passed on the way up, becoming grander than the previous. At last, the ship landed. Upon their exit, the pair were greeted by... a rabbit? "[[Welcome back]]," said the rabbit.

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))The rabbit glimmered, a soft blue radiating from their white fur. "The Majesties have awaited your return. Follow me," instructed the rabbit. The wizard and $name followed the rabbit into the small palace. The wizard, whose size and pointed hat wasn't accounted for, often had to lower herself. The entire palace sparkled—the walls, the ceiling, the tiled floors. Jewels abound adorned statues and murals. Sapphires, moonstones, aquamarines, and crystals $name never seen before. The spectacle was cut to an end by the time the trio reach a pair of arched gilded doors. The doors [[swung open]] without assistance.

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))(enchant:"Arcane RoAnna", (font: "garamond"))At the end of the deep blue carpet were two thrones. Atop each throne sat a rabbit, one of blinding white fur and the other a vortex of black. The court consisted of various rabbits with the occasional cat or ferret. "Presenting Arcane RoAnna and her companion $name to (text-style: "outline")[Empress Diamond] of Galactic Quadrant Azure and her (text-style: "shadow")[Queen Onyx] of the Sea Spire," announced the rabbit. The wizard bowed before the Majesties. $name could only stare in shock as both of them hopped from their thrones and advanced towards him. "Are you really him?" asked Empress Diamond. "Is that you, [[Opal?]]"

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))(enchant:"Arcane RoAnna", (font: "garamond"))(if: $shimmer is false)[Queen Onyx circled him. "He cannot be Opal. Look at his fur." She shook her head. "You old fool," she said to the wizard, "you brought us an ordinary rabbit." "My apologies, Queen Onyx," the wizard replied, as if she were not the one who altered his appearance in payment. Empress Diamond, full of sorrow, shook her head. "It appears our Opal is still out there. Arcane RoAnna, please find him." "I will not rest until I do." Just as the rabbits started hopping back to their thrones, $name [[interjected.]]](if:$shimmer is true)["Of course, it's him," Queen Onyx said in a hushed voice. "Even if my eyes were to be gouged, I would recognize that shimmer anywhere." "I do not know who Opal is. I am $name," said $name as the two Majesties circled him. "Oh, my poor darling, you were but a kit when taken from us during the Dreadnaught War," said Empress Diamond. "It is no surprise your memories are forgotten, Opal." "I'm *$name*, he reasserted. The Majesties nuzzled their lost child. "Oh $name, we love you no matter what," said Empress Diamond. "And we are ecstatic to get to know you as you are," added Queen Onyx. $name caved into the warm acceptance of his mothers and looked forward to his new life. [[End]]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))"(transition: "pulse")[Just wait a second!] I only look this way because *she* desired payment." "You have no proof, little one," chided Queen Onyx. Empress Diamond sighed. "Our little Opal had the sweetest voice in all the moons. Tell me $name, do you sing?" $name replied in song. Yet $name did not sing for the Majesties nor the court nor the wizard. He did not sing for people of Bunn he left behind. He sung for the stars, for their light during his journey. For once, he [[sang for himself.]]

(enchant:"wizard", (font: "garamond"))Empress Diamond's eyes began to well. "Oh, Onyx, I know that voice anywhere! Our sweet little Opal has returned home at last." Queen Onyx could not reply for she wept with disbelieving joy. $name stared blankly at them and then the wizard. "I do not understand. I am $name, not Opal." The Majesties nuzzled their lost child. "Oh $name, we love you no matter what," said Empress Diamond. "And we are ecstatic to get to know you as you are," added Queen Onyx. $name caved into the warm acceptance of his mothers and looked forward to his new life. [[End]]

(enchant:"grandmother", (font: "garamond"))The grandmother closed her book and gazed upon the sleepy-eyed younglings. "Is that the end?" asked one, who followed her question with a yawn. "There are no ends," replied the grandmother. "Only beginnings. Now, sleep well." She clicked off the light baubles and returned to steering the ship.