sound.effect.thud.url: "files/thud.mp3" -- {sound effect: 'thud'} [align center] {embed image: 'files/dark.png', alt: 'dark'} [continue] A small thud in the darkness. You are laying there, still as a monolith. > [[I want my heart to keep beating.]] {sound effect: 'thud'} [align center] {embed image: 'files/dark.png', alt: 'dark'} [continue] It produces yet another small thud without haste, slow as ever. It's getting hard to breathe. Is your chest on fire? > [[I touch the wires connected to my chest.]][align center] {embed image: 'files/wires.png', alt: 'wires'} [continue] Someone placed them there to ensure your safety. But you feel so bound. Your hands are almost completely immobile -- the body has grown so cold that it burns. Will this ever end? > [[I try to hold onto the invisible void of a floor.]]sound.effect.another_thud.url: "files/another_thud.mp3" -- {sound effect: 'another_thud', volume: 0.3} [align center] {embed image: 'files/wirescall.png', alt: 'wirescall'} [continue] Another thud comes from somewhere afar. It startles you, makes you thrash around and press yourself into the void. Your lips hurt to move. > [["Please."]]sound.effect.m.url: "files/m.mp3" sound.effect.d.url: "files/d.mp3" -- {sound effect: 'm', volume: 0.5} {sound effect: 'd'} [align center] {embed image: 'files/call.png', alt: 'call'} [continue] You can hear the thumping accelerate. Both the one coming from you and the one an undetermined distance away. *"Please? Please."* > [["Pleased?"]]sound.ambient.together.url: "files/together.mp3" -- {ambient sound: 'together', volume: 0.25} [align center] {embed image: 'files/close.png', alt: 'closel'} [continue] *"Pleased."* The thumping grows louder. Your body begins to tingle. Something is returning to it to replace the numbness. But along with it, pain returns too. > [[I reach for the sound.]]sound.effect.fry.url: "files/fry.mp3" -- {sound effect: 'fry'} [align center] {embed image: 'files/fire.png', alt: 'fire'} [continue] It feels as if your hand met with the sun. You yelp loudly and recoil. The other heart does as well. *"What is this? It hurt."* > [["It's me."]][align center] {embed image: 'files/lay.png', alt: 'lay'} [continue] *"Ooh... You."* You can hear them slowly approach once again and lay down next to you. *"Does that hurt?"* > [["No..."]][align center] {embed image: 'files/warmup.png', alt: 'warmup'} [continue] There is warmth coming from the right. The tingling spreads to your face, and your mouth is now able to shape the sentences that appear in your mind. > [["Your heart is radiant. Like feeling the sun."]]sound.effect.breeze.url: "files/breeze.mp3" -- {sound effect: 'breeze'} *"Yours is cold and really smooth. Like silk that's moving because of a breeze."* [after 1 second] {reveal link: '"Oh. That would make me itchy."', passage: "Oh. That would make me itchy."} [continue] {ambient sound: 'together', volume: 0.15} [align center] {embed image: 'files/calm.png', alt: 'calm'} [continue] The thumping quiets down after a warm, soft object is placed into your hand. You are careful not to move, as if that would cause this moment to end. *"There are wounds on your hands."* > [["I'm sorry."]][align center] {embed image: 'files/calm.png', alt: 'calm'} [continue] *"Ah... I'm sorry, too."* It feels so good, you have to gather all your control not to cling to the warmth with your whole being. > [[I give in to the desire. |Cling]] > [[I hesitate.]]config.style.dark.backdrop.color: "raspberry-5" config.style.backdrop.color: "raspberry-5" config.style.dark.page.font: "Alegreya/serif 21" config.footer.left: "~~{story.name}~~" -- [align center] # [[~~Kind-red Hearts~~|Beginning]] [continue]You can sense the ridges and curves of the kindred heart before you through the shield of wires still stuck to your chest. All-encompassing warmth consumes you. You feel as if you are floating in its fabric towards a deeply familiar place. Everything is mixing and folding on itself inside and outside of you. Peace, balance, tender touch... Care. > [[Melt.]]*"Hey... You should come here."* The kindred heart scoots you closer as gently as they can. All-encompassing warmth consumes you. You feel as if you are floating in its fabric towards a deeply familiar place. Everything is mixing and folding on itself inside and outside of you. Peace, balance, tender touch... Care. > [[Melt.]] "Oh. That would make me itchy." *"It makes me close my eyes in pleasure. I lose so much strength with the sweat that drips down my back."* [after 1 second] [continue] [["Would it hurt to touch again?"]][align center] {embed image: 'files/gif.gif', alt: 'gif'} [continue] The two of you melt into one. > [[~~THE END.~~]][align center] {embed image: 'files/ily.png', alt: 'ily'} [continue] [align center] *To D., Your M.* [continue]