Snail Life

It is time to begin your snail journey. [[Sklimbis]], a white-shelled milk snail, is about to begin their new life.

[(set: $eggs to false)] [(set: $dog to false)] [(set: $frog to false)] Sklimbis awakens alongside their best friend, Peebo. Peebo is still asleep and resting from the journey. Sklimbis is still tired too, but there is an irresistable presence right beneath their mouth that entices them further out of their shell. [[Cucumber!|Cucumber (Sklimbis)]]

SweET DeLiCOUS [[CUCUMBER!!!|small bowl (Sklimbis)]]

The sweetness of the divine offering rouses the sleeping Peebo, and they slowly emerge from their shell, eyestalks peeking out first, and gradually extending until the greater length of their slimy body is revealed to join Sklimbis in the feast. They happily eat for what seems like an eternity. They have made clean holes in the slices of cucumber, and although lazy and full from their meal, take a little bit of time to explore their surroundings. They make their rounds side-by-side, never straying from each other. It's not much - just a tiny glass bowl, misted water droplets trickling down the sides beneath the slices of cucumber, but they don't need much. They can be happy here. As long as they have each other, Peebo and Sklimbis can be happy together anywhere. Dozing off after the amount of cucumber they've consumed, they snuggle together and retract into their shells, Peebo's dark swirls contrasting Sklimbis' bright white shell as they rest adjacent to each other. This life is simple and peaceful, but their dreams are filled with images of [[a bigger home|Peebo and Sklimbis terrarium]]

Sklimbis clings to the moist sides of the glass bowl with all their might, but it's futile as their slimy grip is pried by the soft hands of The Giant. The Giant effortlessly slides Sklimbis up the side of the wall, plucking them off at the edge, and promptly places them back down. But Sklimbis hasn't been placed back down into the glass bowl. This is a new place, a new home to explore. In no time at all Peebo is placed down to join them, and the two stick together, side by side, as their bodies ripple across fields of lush, moist moss, up a stick leaning into clear acrylic walls, moist with water droplets, up to the top of their new terrarium home. They rest in this high up corner, side by side. [[Just the two of them.|Meet Dog and Frog]]

Sklimbis awakens to new company. Dog crawls up to Sklimbis, introducing themself. Sklimbis is wary of this stranger, and warily probes with their eyestalks, alternating between curiosity and shyly retracting back into their shell. Dog is not shy in the least, stretching their long body from a pale-brown shell to feel every inch of their new roommate. Dog's partner, Frog, has promptly found a corner to hide in instead. Perhaps Sklimbis will introduce themself later. Unlike the shameless Dog, Frog seems in no mood to meet other snails, comfortably digging themself a hole in the moss to rest in. Peebo is shy to meet the new strangers. Peebo retracts into their shell at Dog's advances, and so Dog returns their attention to Sklimbis, who has had enough and retracts as well. Dog seems to lose interest, and decides to go bother Frog instead. Come to think of it, the walls no longer seem as moist as they are and a foul air is coming from the moss. Maybe Frog has the right idea burrowing in. Sklimbis beckons Peebo to follow their lead, and digs into the underbelly of the soil beneath, coiling into their shell for a long slumber and [[dreams about a home big enough to share with their new roommates. |Big Tank]]

The Giant has done it again! With a light spray of water, Sklimbis is awakened and slowly peeks out of their shell to a brilliant new sight. It's everything a snail could dream - it's humid and moist, a mossy bridge to climb extends to the sky, a snowtip fern wafts clean, refreshing air from its upright leaves, and moist spahgnum moss stretches into the distance. It's spacious, with room enough not just for Peebo and Sklimbis, and Dog and Frog, but many more roommates as well. Cobalt and Carrot, the two grove snails sporting brightly colored shells, climb in the corner together. They seem close, but Sklimbis knows no friendship could match the kind they have with Peebo. Destroyer, Survivor, Cougar and Lynx, a group of lively Helix aspersa snails sporting beautiful dark spirals and speckles on their shells and tanned bodies, ravenously eat the sprawling courses of-oh FOOD! Glorious Food! Food for all hungry snails! Sklimbis checks on what's most important first - having Peebo by their side. With little Peebo next to them, Sklimbis is ready to make the most of their new home together, and together they wonder where to start first. [[Eat FOOD|Eat (Sklimbis)]] [[Meet the other snails|Social (Sklimbis)]]

Food, glorious food! There's not only lots of it, but so much variety too! [(if:$eggs is true)[After laying the eggs, Sklimbis rushes to Peebo's side first thing and desperately beckons for their best friend to join them as they are overcome with the munchies.]] Peebo and Sklimbis wonder where to dig in first... [[CUCUMBER|CUCUMBER (Sklimbis)]] [[Collared Greens|Collared Greens (Sklimbis)]] [[Carrots|Carrots (Sklimbis)]]

Sklimbis tentatively introduces themself to the other snails. Peebo trails behind shyly, too apprehensive to properly make an introduction. Sklimbis isn't really that keen to get to know anyone else either - a simple greeting, a wave of the eye stalks, and move on. But perhaps there is room to get to know someone better? After making the rounds, Sklimbis surveys their new home, and one of their fellow milk snails catches their eye... [[Dog|Romance Dog (Sklimbis)]] [[Frog|Romance Frog(Sklimbis)]]

SweET DeLiCOUS CUCUMBER!!! All hail the GlOrIUS CUCUMBER!!! CUCUMBER!!! CUCUMBER!!!! CUCUMBER!!!!! Peebo and Sklimbis cannot get enough of this divine delicacy! They excitedly roam their new home together, eating every last piece of ethereal cucumber! They eat side-by-side as always, and their eyestalks droop in pleasure as they relax in the contentment of eating the greatest blessing to all snails. After a while, Peebo gets full and retracts into their shell for a nap. Sklimbis isn't ready to sleep yet, but isn't very hungry anymore and decides to lazily crawl about while Peebo sleeps, dreaming of cucumber. That is, until something [[even better|protein mix (Sklimbis)]] comes along.

The leaf of collared green is huge and takes up almost the entire space. It seems the aspersa snails have been making a significant dent in it, eating away endlessly, and yet there is still a plentiful amount left. Peebo and Sklimbis join in on the buffet. Mmmmmm, leafy greens. Their eyestalks droop with contentment, as they eat side-by-side, until something [[even better|protein mix (Sklimbis)]] comes along.

The firm carrots are hard at first, but still no match for the rasping teeth inside a snail's mouth. In fact, it's quite delightful! Peebo and Sklimbis happily feast on the carrots together, side by side as always, until something [[even better|protein mix (Sklimbis)]] comes along.

A new, delicious mixture is laid out on the rock in the corner. Spread across the rock's surface, the protein-laden meal is yellow and grainy but oh so delicious! Sklimbis hurries forward and can't get enough of it, devouring it. Sklimbis' eyestalks droop with pleasure, so lost in the contentment of devouring this delicacy they are almost oblivious to the ring of other snails that have formed around them, all of them wolfing down large bites of the protein mixture, all of their eye stalks drooping with sweet delight. But something is wrong. Peebo sits just outside the circle, inside their shell. Despite the enticing food just out of eyestalk's reach, Peebo remains retracted. Come to think of it, Peebo has been sleeping a lot lately. A lot more than before. Sure, Peebo was never the most social or active snail in the bunch...but Sklimbis knows this isn't like them. Sklimbis decides their almost full anyway and tears themself away from their meal, crawling over to their best friend's side. Sklimbis also retreats into their shell, knowing they will always be their for their best friend. And the two snails rest together, [[side-by-side.|Peebo's death]]

[(set: $dog to true)] Dog. Reckless, wild, outgoing, amorous Dog. Sklimbis was never quite sure about Dog, and yet somehow they admire the way Dog is so fearless. Always an adventurer, climbing as high as they can. A circular mark on their pale brown shell outlines where it grew back after a section cracked off during an accident from one particularly dangerous venture, the remarkable resilience of the snail displayed in that scar. Dog stretches their long neck towards Sklimbis, eagerly caressing. Sklimbis decides to reciprocate, stretching back towards the other snail. Peebo has wandered off a little, and that's okay. Sklimbis knows Peebo is still too young to understand- AH! Sklimbis feels a sharp pain as Dog has taken advantage of their momentary distraction to rear back and fire their love dart into Sklimbis' neck, the calcium membrane piercing into Sklimbis' slimy body to release its hormones. Sklimbis however, is determined not to let this courtship end one-sided - twisting their neck with the love dart protruding from it, Sklimbis meneuvers around Dog's twisting form and fires one into their neck. Dog squirms in pain as the membrane protrudes, but Sklimbis has assured their genes will live on. As the courtship ends, the love dart loosens and falls away, leaving nothing but a small bump on the side of Sklimbis' neck, almost as if it was never there. Exhausted, Sklimbis wonders if [[this is enough|Lay eggs]] (if: $frog is false)[or if they should [[do more to ensure their legacy...|Romance Frog(Sklimbis)]]]

[(set: $frog to true)] Frog. Solitary, aloof Frog. A grey spiral on their pale shell, Frog is a beautiful snail, yet often turns down the company of the other snails. Still, Frog also has a wild streak. Stretching and climbing in ways no other snail would dare, crawling fast and crossing distances that little snails like Peebo could only dream of, but only when no one was looking. Something is endearing about this, this mysterious snail. Sklimbis makes contact. A gentle touch, to bring them out of their shell. Gradually, their advances work and Frog begins to reciprocate. Peebo has wandered off a little, and that's okay. Sklimbis knows Peebo is still too young to understand- AH! Sklimbis feels a sharp pain as Frog has taken advantage of their momentary distraction to rear back and fire their love dart into Sklimbis' neck, the calcium membrane piercing into Sklimbis' slimy body to release its hormones. Sklimbis however, is determined not to let this courtship end one-sided - twisting their neck with the love dart protruding from it, Sklimbis meneuvers around Frog's twisting form and fires one into their neck. Frog squirms in pain as the membrane protrudes, but Sklimbis has assured their genes will live on. As the courtship ends, the love dart loosens and falls away, leaving nothing but a small bump on the side of Sklimbis' neck, almost as if it was never there. Exhausted, Sklimbis wonders if [[this is enough|Lay eggs]] (if: $dog is false)[or if they should [[do more to ensure their legacy...|Romance Dog (Sklimbis)]]]

[(set: $eggs to true)] Sklimbis has been sleeping for what seems like an eternity against the side of the clear walls as their shell opening has puffed up with the life growing within. Peebo has been sleeping a lot too, if nothing else because Peebo feels there is little else to do without their companion. At last, Sklimbis awakens. It is time. Sklimbis digs deep into the earth, deep, deep deep. They feel bad to still not be side-by-side with Peebo this time, having already left their best friend alone for a long time during their slumber, but Peebo is still too young to understand. Someday they'll know. Sklimbis has almost all but disappered into the soil now, only the tip of their pearly white shell peeking out above the layer of moss. Gradually, they begin the process, reaching their body deeper into the soil and gently begins to slowly lay a clutch of eggs. For what seems like another eternity, Sklimbis stays here, eggs gradually piling up beneath them. Eventually, at last, it's over. Slowly, the exhausted Sklimbis returns above ground, knowing now that their legacy is safely secured beneath the soil. Now, after all that work, [[Sklimbis is hungry.|Eat (Sklimbis)]]

It happened. Somehow, deep in his spiraling snail heart, Sklimbis knew something was wrong. The Giant reached their gentle hands in and lifted Peebo up. And never put them back down. And Sklimbis knew. Somehow, deep in that snail heart, Sklimbis knew Peebo wasn't coming back. They didn't fully understand why, or how, but Peebo wasn't coming back. Could they have done anything? Could they have spent more time with Peebo? Regrets begin to pour out. Although they were always together, Sklimbis regrets every minute they weren't. Sklimbis wishes they had never left Peebo's side for even a second, made the most of Peebo's time because who could have known it would end now. Did it hurt, Peebo? Were you happy, Peebo? Sklimbis is lost without their best friend. Although they have more company than ever as more snails share the terrarium, Sklimbis feels lonelier than ever. Sklimbis doesn't want to talk to anyone for a while. Sklimbis climbs into a corner and retreats into their shell, [[no one by their side.|final terrarium]]

The Giant has moved them again. This new home is the best one yet - clear glass walls, more space than a snail could ever want or need, moss and fresh, natural plants and ferns stretching as far as the eyestalk can see. It's not the same without Peebo though. Sklimbis still eats like a king, banquetting on lettuce and heavenly cucumbers and eggplant and all sorts of new and delicious delicacies. Peebo would have loved them. Peebo was happy, weren't they? Sklimbis wonders though how they will be happy without Peebo. Sklimbis often lies around in their shell, [[no one to explore with side-by-side.|Zebra]]

A new snail crawls up to Sklimbis as they awaken from a nap. It's Zebra, a grove snail with black and white stripes spiraling all along their tiny shell, and a dark striped body stretching almost like elastic, extending a great distance from the opening of their shell. Zebra comforts Sklimbis. Sklimbis is reluctant to open up to the stranger, but finds their presence somehow relaxing all the same. Sklimbis can still be happy without Peebo. Sklimbis will never have a friend like Peebo again, but Sklimbis can still live out their snail life in happiness. Zebra senses Sklimbis' love and loss. Zebra knows Peebo must have been a very happy snail to have a friend like Sklimbis. Sklimbis hopes Zebra is right. The two eventually climb down from the wall side-by-side and up to the edge of a slice of eggplant for a meal. They sit next to each other, eye stalks drooping in contentment, side-by-side.