=><= #Vernada (an interactive vignette for Twiny Jam 2k15) [[(...)->begin]]Maybe this wasn't a good idea, after all. Waves ripple against [[Ksani's->ksani]] side as you drift farther away from Port Elbin. Beside you, dear [[Lisek]] stirs beneath his blanket. [[(...)->long time]](Most hydra scare you, but Ksani's cool. You've been friends since the day he saved Roweyn from drowning, back when you were twelve.)(Your damned fool of a lover; stardust and watercolor wrapped up in tan skin.)"Been awhile since we last participated in human melodrama," says Ksani's least condescending head. "You _do_ realize this is a one-way trip?" The sun inches over the horizon. You zip up your jacket and nod. "Yeah. That's fine. We're not coming back." [[(...)->starting over]]"Starting over must be difficult for such a short-lived species." One head turns on its ten-foot neck to give you a sympathetic look. You reply with a humourless smile: =><= [["Struggle builds character."->builds character]] or [["It's rather sad."->its sad]]"A wise response from a person your age." Weak laughter dribbles from your mouth. "I don't feel very wise right now." "We've found that the wiser a person feels, the more naive they actually are." [[(...)->ksani chuckles]]Three heads bob in unison. You suppose he agrees. [[(...)->ksani chuckles]]You pull back your sleeve and consult [[Roweyn's->roweyn]] smartwatch. Hm. If you keep moving at this pace, the trip to Vernada won't take more than three days. [[Alright.->not bad]](color: grey)[_"Thanks for scrapping all my things, Ro. Just can't risk anyone tracking me."_ _"Sure. Take my watch. Can't let my bestie elope without a GPS!"_]"We hope you find freedom there." You take a rattling breath, and lean against the base of one of Ksani's necks. Your eyelids flutter. You smooth down your sleeve. =><= [["That'd be nice."->thatd be nice]] or [["We will."->we will]]"I don't know about me, but Lisek deserves better than what we left behind." A contemplative hum. "We're unsure how we feel about self-sacrificial attitudes." You snort. "Sometimes, I am too." [[(. . .)->years later]]"You sound confident." "I have to be -- for both of us." =><= [[Years later...->years later]](text-style: "shudder")[Bzzzzzzz...] ["..."]<answerr| (click: ?answerr)[ (replace: ?answerr)[(t8n:"dissolve")[You frown at the vibration and pull out your [[phone->answer]].] ] ]Huh...? [[(...)->she]]You suck in a breath and swipe the icon. ["..."]<hey| (click: ?hey)[ (replace: ?hey)[(t8n:"dissolve")["Hello?"] ] ] [...]<hesitate| (click: ?hesitate)[ (replace: ?hesitate)[(t8n:"dissolve")[She hesitates.] ] ] ["..."]<hello| (click: ?hello)[ (replace: ?hello)[ (t8n:"dissolve")["Hello, daughter."] ] ] =><= [[(again?)->Title Page]]You drag the icon towards 'ignore' and stuff your phone beneath the pillow. You kiss Lisek's temple. "Eh, no-one important." =><= [[(again?)->Title Page]]Your finger hovers over the 'answer' icon. Lisek asks, "Who is it?" =><= [[Doesn't matter.->doesnt matter]] or [[May as well.->mom]]How did _she_ find your number...? [[(...)->hmm]]