Rooted

You are in the forest, on the top of a little hill. [[Look around.->SpawnEnv1]] [[Look at yourself.->SpawnSelf1]](set: $photons to 0)(set: $season to "spawn")(set: $sunbathing to false)(set: $deer to 0)

It’s green as far as you can see. There are mountains around, but they’re covered in grass and trees. The nearby trees tower over you. [[Look at yourself.->SpawnSelf1]] [[Stare at the trees.]]

You’re you. You're pretty small at the moment. You’re on the ground, as usual. [[Stand up.->Stand up]] [[Look around.->SpawnEnv1]]

You resolve to stand up but realize you cannot, due to a severe lack of muscles. [[Give up.->SPAWN]]

You bask in the light of the sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 60s)[ [[Time passes.->Summer1]] ]}(set: $sunbathing to true)

The trees around you are tall but surprisingly delicate-looking. They have many branches extending outwards, which drape with the weight of their needle-like leaves. The treetops contrast against the blue sky, which is full of puffy white clouds. [[Examine the sky.]]

You are in the forest, on the top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Squirrel]] [[Look at yourself.->Squirrel]] [[Sunbathe.->Squirrel]] (set: $season to "spring") (set: $sunbathing to false)

Just as you were about to do that, a small brown rodent with a large fluffy tail scurries up next to you, as if it didn’t notice that you were there. While its tail is very fluffy, the creature's body looks somewhat small and bony, very unlike the other ones you have seen around. The creature looks around frantically, and seems very interested in the ground below you. It keeps digging holes and sniffing at the dirt. Maybe it lost something? (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Drop a pine cone.->SquirrelCone1]]] [[Wait.->WaitSquirrel1]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) You drop a small pine cone down onto the ground, where it lands right in front of the creature’s eyes. It stands still, staring at the pine cone. It breathes very quickly. Suddenly, it attacks. The rodent starts to eat chips off of the pine cone, using its small hands to stuff its stomach. Once it has stopped eating, the rodent runs in a circle around you, now full of energy. It stands up on its hind legs and looks up at you. (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Drop another pine cone.->SquirrelCone2]]] [[Fluff its tail.]] [[Wait.->WaitSquirrel2]]

The squirrel spends some time digging around you, but eventually it runs off into the trees. [[Go about your day.->Spring1]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) You drop a slightly larger pine cone, which the creature immediately jumps at and starts tearing into excitedly. It must have been very hungry! While the rodent was eating directly earlier, now it seems to be stuffing the pine cone chips in its cheeks, which bulge out quite adorably. It is only able to take about half of the pine cone, before it stops stuffing itself. It runs another circle around you, a bit slower this time, as its stomach and cheeks are full of food. (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Drop another pine cone.->SquirrelCone3]]] [[Demand payment.]] [[Wait.->WaitSquirrel3]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) You drop a behemoth of a pine cone, which hits the ground with a thud behind the creature’s back. The rodent spits out some of its food in surprise, and it quickly scurries to look at the huge cone. It runs up to tap on it with one paw, but dashes away again. The creature looks up at you, and keeps its distance. Suddenly, it runs away into the trees, its stomach full of food but its heart full of fear. [[Go about your day.->Spring1]]

Even if you could do that, the creature would surely not appreciate it. [[Give up.->SquirrelCone1]]

The creature, stuffed with food, looks up at you in reverence. It scurries up your side, as if trying to give you a hug. After some time spent hanging out, the creature runs off into the trees, jumping as it goes, full of life. [[Go about your day.->Spring1]]

The squirrel seems content with its meal, and spends some time resting next to you before running off into the trees. [[Go about your day.->Spring1]]

Even if you could make such a claim, the creature would not understand the concept of barter. [[Give up.->SquirrelCone2]]

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Summer Env1]] [[Look at yourself.->Summer Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Summer Sun1]] (set: $season to "summer") (set: $sunbathing to false)

Your hill is a verdant green, speckled with pink and yellow. Birds chatter in the treetops and bugs swarm around you. The sun is very bright, and its rays are warm. [[Look at yourself.->Summer Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Summer Sun1]]

You’re you. You’re a few feet tall, and wider than before. [[Look around.->Summer Env1]] [[Sunbathe.->Summer Sun1]]

You bask in the light of the powerful sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 40s)[ [[Time passes.->Fall1]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Spring Env1]] [[Look at yourself.->Spring Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun1]] (set: $season to "spring") (set: $sunbathing to false)

The hill still bears some evidence of the winter, but the color of the grass trees is largely returning to the land. A few birds chirp, having recently returned from somewhere else. [[Look at yourself.->Spring Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun1]]

You’re you. You’re a few feet tall, and wider than before. [[Look around.->Spring Env1]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun1]]

You bask in the light of the ever-approaching sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 40s)[ {(if: $deer is 2)[[[Time passes...->DeerIntro]]] (else:)[[[Time passes.->Summer1]]]} ]} (set: $sunbathing to true) (set: $deer to it + 1)

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Fall Env1]] [[Look at yourself.->Fall Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Fall Sun1]] (set: $season to "fall") (set: $sunbathing to false)

The forest around you has turned from a uniform green to a textured mix of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Though, many of the taller, needly trees are still as green as before. There seem to be more clouds around and a little less sun than there was just a little while ago, though the warmth of the star still exists within the increasingly cold winds. [[Look at yourself.->Fall Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Fall Sun1]]

You’re you. You’re a few feet tall, and wider than before. [[Look around.->Fall Env1]] [[Sunbathe.->Fall Sun1]]

You bask in the light of the ever-departing sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 40s)[ [[Time passes.->Winter1]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Winter Env1]] [[Look at yourself.->Winter Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Winter Sun1]] (set: $season to "winter") (set: $sunbathing to false)

The forest, the mountains, and the sky have been shrouded in white. There are little flecks of white floating through the air, and often landing on you. It's cold, dark, and quiet, all but for the howling wind. [[Look at yourself.->Winter Self1]] [[Sunbathe.->Winter Sun1]]

You’re you. You’re a few feet tall, and wider than before. [[Look around.->Winter Env1]] [[Sunbathe.->Winter Sun1]]

You bask in the light of the faraway sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 40s)[ {(if: $squirrel is 1)[[[Time passes...->SquirrelIntro]]] (else:)[[[Time passes.->Spring1]]]} ]} (set: $sunbathing to true) (set: $squirrel to it + 1)

You’re in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Deer]] [[Look at yourself.->Deer]] [[Sunbathe.->Deer]] (set: $season to "summer") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You are about to do just that, when a large animal with skinny legs and large antlers stamps by. It seems to be on a stroll. The animal sniffs at the trunks of some of the trees nearby. It doesn’t seem interested in you, though. (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Drop a pine cone.->ConeDeer1]]] [[Wait.->WaitDeer1]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) You drop a pine cone onto the ground, and it lands with a thump. The animal turns its head toward you, but then turns back to the tree next to you. It licks the bark of the tree. (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Drop another pine cone.->ConeDeer2]]] [[Grab its antlers.]] [[Wait.->WaitDeer2]]

After sniffing around, the animal wanders off. [[Go about your day.->Summer2]]

''-5 photons'' The animal sees your second cone drop, and it starts to walk towards you. It is larger than you realized when it was further away. It gets very close to you, and presses its nose to your bark. Suddenly, it starts biting you! Little pieces of bark are chipping off of your trunk. This can’t be healthy for either of you. (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Launch the cone cannon!!->DeerFail]]] [[Call the cops!]] [[Wait patiently.->WaitDeer3]] (set: $photons to $photons - 5)

The animal ignores you, and keeps sniffing around. It eats some bark off of the trees around you before wandering away. [[Go about your day.->Summer2]]

''-ALL photons'' You expend all of your energy to drop pine cones, which fall onto the head of the monster. It pauses its feast and backs away. The beast raises its face to the sky and emits a horrifyingly deep bellowing noise. Quickly, seven other antlered animals flock to the aid of the beast. Where were they hiding!? The monsters begin to eat away at your bark, and you have no means of defending yourself further. You wait until all your bark has been devoured, and you eventually succumb to the elements. Just before your final moment of life, you notice a small green shoot rising from a half-covered pine cone that you dropped in the melee... (text-colour:red)[=//GAME OVER.// (text-colour:lime)[= [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

The beast eats some pieces of your bark, but it is but a bark wound. Only a patch on your side is taken off before the animal gets bored and stops eating. It wanders off in the woods, and you eventually grow a callus over the opened area. [[Go about your day.->Summer2]]

Impossible. You have no hands with which to grab. [[Stop playing around.->ConeDeer1]]

Call!? On what phone? How would you dial the number? How would you explain the situation? How would you describe where you are? [[Deal with it yourself.->ConeDeer2]]

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->SummerEnv2]] [[Look at yourself.->SummerSelf2]] [[Sunbathe.->SummerSun2]] (set: $season to "summer") (set: $sunbathing to false)

The sky is a deep blue, and the huge clouds float slowly through it. They reflect the light of the large, blazing ball of energy that is shining on everything around you. The Sun's light is enveloping you in warmth. Focusing on the light, you feel a bit of energy enter your body. [[Sunbathe.]]

(set: num-type $photons to 0) (set: $season to "spawn") (set: $sunbathing to false) (set: num-type $squirrel to 0) (set: num-type $deer to 0) (set: num-type $child to 0) (set: num-type $foresters to 0) (set: num-type $couple to 0) (set: num-type $childwin to 0) (set: num-type $childfail to 0)

(if: $season is "spring")[<script>$('tw-story').addClass('spring');$('tw-story').removeClass('winter summer fall');</script>]\ (else-if: $season is "summer")[<script>$('tw-story').addClass('summer');$('tw-story').removeClass('spring fall winter');</script>]\ (else-if: $season is "fall")[<script>$('tw-story').addClass('fall');$('tw-story').removeClass('summer spring winter');</script>]\ (else-if: $season is "winter")[<script>$('tw-story').addClass('winter');$('tw-story').removeClass('fall spring summer');$</script>] (else-if: $season is "spawn")[<script>$('tw-story').addClass('spawn');$('tw-story').removeClass('fall spring summer winter');$</script>]

You’re in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Child]] [[Look at yourself.->Child]] [[Sunbathe.->Child]] (set: $season to "winter") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You are about to do just that when a rather strange, two-legged animal walks up to your little, snowy hill. You’ve seen this type of animal before, but never one this small and never one with such a big, hairless coat. The animal stops in front of you, and says, “hello Treeie!” It plops down and rests against your base. It takes out a big green book that has a picture of you on the front and begins to read. (if: $photons >= 5)[[[I'm not a backrest... drop the cone!->ChildFailSetup]]] (if: $photons >= 3)[[[Drop some pine needles.->ChildNeedles1]]] [[Go on a road trip.]] [[Wait.->WaitChild1]]

BONK! Direct hit -- you drop the largest pine cone you have from as high as you can reach, and it lands directly on the creature’s head. The animal lets out a wail, stands up, and, with clear liquid now pouring down its face, runs away with its hands on its head...but not before turning and giving you a mean side-eye. You’re not sure why but you feel as if this is going to have future implications... you suddenly feel as if you’ve made a grave, irreparable mistake. (set: $childfail to it + 1) [[Oh well.->Winter2]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) You drop a few pine needles, which fall slowly, swaying back and forth in the wind for a little while, before finally resting on the animal’s open book. The animal suddenly becomes very still and then turns its head slowly up to you, its eyes very wide, and its mouth agape. After a few moments, it speaks. “You can hear me?” (if: $photons >= 3)[[[Drop a few more needles.->ChildNeedles2]]] [[Wait.->WaitChild2]]

Well, you don’t have a car -- in fact, they don’t even make cars that big -- but even if you did have a car, and even if it was big enough, where would you go? This is your hill. You’re not being reasonable. [[Accept reality.->Child]]

The sun begins to set, and the creature begins to shiver before standing up and walking away. [[Go about your day.->Winter2]]

You stand there stoicly as the animal looks up at you, waiting for an answer. After a short time, they look away. "Must have been a coinky-dink." They stand up and wipe the snow off of their pants. As the creature walks away, it does not turn to wave farewell. [[Go about your day.->Winter2]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) The animal's eyes widen in amazement. "Woah! Wait, is this what Mama called a... Coinky-dink?" It pauses for a moment, and scans you as feverishly as a fluffy-tail. "No, I have to believe Treeie!" It stands up and holds its book up to your branches. "This is my most favoritest book! It's about a tree that can talk to a little boy and give him apples." The animal tilts its head, and inspects your leaves. "You don't really have apples, though... Only pine cones." Suddenly, the animal jumps up and down with a small shriek. "I know I know I know!" It points one finger up to one of the pine cones hanging off of you. "If you can hear me, drop that one right now!" (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Appease the animal.->ChildQuestion1]]] [[Wait.->WaitChild3]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) The pine cone drops at the animal's feet. It hops around again, alternating excited shrieking with interjections of "it talks!" "You can really hear me! I called it, Jack and Lacy were totally wrong!" The animal starts pacing around you, muttering to itself. After a minute or two, it looks back up at you. "Here's what's going to happen! I'm going to ask you a question, and you can answer 'yes' or 'no.' If you want to answer yes, drop a few of your needles. If you want to say no, drop a pine cone." It seems deadset on this interrogation. It looks up at the sky, at the mountains, and back to you as it thinks of a question. Finally, it points at your trunk. "I've got it! Question Number One: do you like being a tree?" (set: $childwin to it + 1) [[Yes.->Yes1]] [[No.->No1]]

You wait as the animal waits for you to drop a pine cone. It's large eyes seem to bore into your bark, yet you hold your ground. "Was I wrong?" The creature says. "You can't hear me, can you?" It looks down at its feet, and at its book. It is silent for a long while, before eventually turning back down to the bottom of the hill. "Sorry for bothering you, Treeie." The animal trudges away through the snow, disappointed and silent. [[Return to solitude.->Winter2]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) "Oh, that's good! I guess it would be sad if you hated it." The animal seems hesitant, not sure what to ask a tree about. "But, is it boring, staying in one place all the time?" [[Yes.->Yes2]] [[No.->No2]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) "Oh. That's sad. I'm sorry, Treeie. Maybe you can wait and see if you get chopped down?" The animal seems hesitant, not sure what to ask a tree about. "Is it boring staying in one place all the time?" [[Yes.->Yes2]] [[No.->No2]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) "I guess that makes sense. I would be bored, because I like playing games and running around! Mama says I'm 'a menace' and 'chaotic.'" The creature seems more comfortable, and is twisting its body back and forth idly. "So it's boring, but is it lonely, being a tree?" [[Yes.->Yes3]] [[No.->No3]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) "Wow! I know I would be bored, because I like playing games and running around! Mama says I'm 'a menace' and 'chaotic.'" The creature seems more comfortable, and is twisting its body back and forth idly. "So maybe it's not boring, but is it lonely sometimes?" [[Yes.->Yes3]] [[No.->No3]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) The animal is silent for a bit. "I would get lonely too. Sometimes I get sad on Saturdays, when I can't see Jack and Lacy at school. They're my best friends, so I miss them even when I have to go home every day." The creature kicks some snow up in the air, and watches it fall. Suddenly, it turns toward you with a certain ferocity. "Wait, do you have any friends?" [[Yes.->Yes4]] [[No.->No4]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) "You're amazing, Treeie. You spend all your time on this hill, and you don't get lonely?" The animal is silent for a few seconds. "Sometimes I get sad on Saturdays, when I can't see Jack and Lacy at school. They're my best friends, so I miss them even when I have to go home every day." The creature kicks some snow up in the air, and watches it fall. Suddenly, it turns toward you with a certain ferocity. "Wait, so you don't get lonely. Does that mean you have friends?" [[Yes.->Yes4]] [[No.->No4]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) The animal smiles. "Yay! Treeie has friends!" It starts to skip around you, singing "Treeie has friends," over and over. After a while. The creature pauses, and looks up at you. "I want to be Treeie's friend! From now on, we are best friends!" Suddenly, a loud sound erupts from the creature's side, and it takes a strange object out of a whole in its side. The object is... singing? The animal starts speaking into the object. "But Mama, I'm fine! I'm with my best friend... On top of a hill. Yes, I have my mittens! No, I... Okay. I'm sorry. I'll come back." The object is returned inside the animal, and they look back up at you. "I have to go now, Treeie. I'm sorry I can't stay longer. Mama doesn't like it when I go out in the cold. And... she may not let me come back for a while." The creature is still, looking down at the foot of your trunk. "We're still best friends, okay? I'll see you again." The animal starts to walk down the hill, with its book in its hand. Periodically, it turns around and waves one hand at you, yelling "bye bye Treeie!" until it presumably can't see you anymore. The spot under your trunk is still warm from where it sat, resting against you. It feels good, in the biting winter cold. [[Return to solitude.->Winter2]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) The animal stares at you with docile eyes. "You have no friends, huh." Suddenly, it smiles. "You're just like me! When I moved here, I didn't know anyone and I would spend recess reading books. But then Jack and Lacy came up to me, and now we're friends! It's that easy, Treeie." The creature pauses, and points up at you. "So, from now on, I am Treeie's first and best friend!" It starts to skip around your trunk, singing the words "yay friends," over and over again. Suddenly, a loud sound erupts from the creature's side, and it takes a strange object out of a whole in its side. The object is... singing? The animal starts speaking into the object. "But Mama, I'm fine! I'm with my best friend... On top of a hill. Yes, I have my mittens! No, I... Okay. I'm sorry. I'll come back." The object is returned inside the animal, and they look back up at you. "I have to go now, Treeie. I'm sorry I can't stay longer. Mama doesn't like it when I go out in the cold. And... she may not let me come back for a while." The creature is still, looking down at the foot of your trunk. "We're still best friends, okay? I'll see you again." The animal starts to walk down the hill, with its book in its hand. Periodically, it turns around and waves one hand at you, yelling "bye bye Treeie!" until it presumably can't see you anymore. The spot under your trunk is still warm from where it sat, resting against you. It feels good, in the biting winter cold. [[Return to solitude.->Winter2]]

You’re you. You’re ten feet tall, and you have a solid body. You're just like the trees right around you! [[Look around.->SummerEnv2]] [[Sunbathe.->SummerSun2]]

You bask in the light of the strong sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 30s)[ {(if: $foresters is 4)[[[Time passes...->Foresters Intro]]] (else:)[[[Time passes.->Fall2]]]} ]} (set: $sunbathing to true) (set: $foresters to it + 1)

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Fall Env2]] [[Look at yourself.->Fall Self2]] [[Sunbathe.->Fall Sun2]] (set: $season to "fall") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You’re you. You’re ten feet tall, and you have a solid body. You're just like the trees right around you! [[Look around.->Fall Env2]] [[Sunbathe.->Fall Sun2]]

You bask in the light of the ever-departing sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 30s)[ {(if: $child is 2)[[[Time passes...->Child Intro]]] (else:)[[[Time passes.->Winter2]]]} ]} (set: $sunbathing to true) (set: $child to it + 1)

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Winter Env2]] [[Look at yourself.->Winter Self2]] [[Sunbathe.->Winter Sun2]] (set: $season to "winter") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You’re you. You’re ten feet tall, and you have a solid body. You're just like the trees right around you! [[Look around.->Winter Env2]] [[Sunbathe.->Winter Sun2]]

You bask in the light of the faraway sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 30s)[ [[Time passes.->Spring2]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

You are in the forest, on top of a little hill. [[Look around.->Spring Env2]] [[Look at yourself.->Spring Self2]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun2]] (set: $season to "spring") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You’re you. You’re ten feet tall, and you have a solid body. You're just like the trees right around you! [[Look around.->Spring Env2]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun2]]

You bask in the light of the ever-approaching sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 30s)[ [[Time passes.->Summer2]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

You’re in the forest on top of a little, leaf-covered hill. [[Look around.->Foresters]] [[Look at yourself.->Foresters]] [[Sunbathe.->Foresters]] (set: $season to "fall") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You’re alone in a meadow, on top of a grassy hill. [[Look around.->Couple]] [[Look at yourself.->Couple]] [[Sunbathe.->Couple]] (set: $season to "summer") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You are about to do just that when two of the upright, two-legged animals gather on your little hill. They seem to be closer to one another than the other versions of this creature that you’ve encountered previously… They walk with their sides pressed together and their arms entwined, as if they were one single being. One half of the conglomerate is tall and wispy, a lot like you! The other half is shorter, but looks stronger by the looks of it. They stroll around aimlessly and silently, with very watchful eyes. They haven’t seen you yet. The taller animal speaks first. “I quite like this clearing, to be honest. It feels very solemn and peaceful. As if this land has been untouched for untold years.” The shorter one has broken off, and pats the ground with its hand. “Well, I don’t know about that. Heard the rangers had to cut down a fair amount of trees here about 20 years ago. This was probably a dense forest at one point.” The wispy one is silent, as if it didn’t hear what the short one said. “But I do like it a lot.” The wispy one turns back to the short one, and grabs its hands. “Really!? You think it will work?” “Ground’s good and solid,” the strong one replies. “And being on top of a hill seems like our sort of thing. Not a bad price too, all things considered.” The tall one, with an excited noise, throws its body on the short one, and they again become one organism rolling around on the ground. “I love it! I can’t wait to be a real homeowner!” (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Get a room! Drop a pine cone.->ConeCouple1]]] [[Tell them to look into wildfire insurance.]] [[Wait.->WaitCouple1]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) You drop a pine cone in the conglomerate’s general direction, but you miss them just a bit. The wispy one notices the cone next to them, and looks up at you. “Look honey! I hardly even noticed this tree right here.” The short one stands up, and starts to examine you with its hands. “Hmm… Alaskan Cedar. I wonder why it’s the only one in this whole field… It is quite beautiful. Probably more than a hundred years old.” The wispy one doesn’t seem to be listening, but rather is playing with your pine cone. “This pine cone is stunning… The pattern from the top is a big spiral, like those fractal things they talk about in high school.” The short one, now also looking at your cone, is impressed as well. “Wouldn’t it look good on that dog statue you’re working on right now?” “It’s not just a dog, it’s Qiqirn!” The wispy one almost yells. “It’s a dog spirit in Inuit religion. If you see it, you fly into a fit of convulsions. You’re not wrong though, this would make a good ear for it. If I had another cone, it would be perfect.” (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Drop another pine cone.->CoupleFail]]] [[Wait.->WaitCouple2]]

You try to speak but cannot. Anyway, this is good advice, but they should probably listen to someone who is a bit more qualified. [[Understand your own inadequacy.->Couple]]

After spending some time walking around the field, the conglomerate heads down the hill, away from you. You hear them talking about a “realtor,” and “hooking up plumbing.” A while later, there is much activity right by you, as the conglomerate seems to be constructing a nest of some sorts in the field by you. They first dig a large pit, then fill it with some grey substance, and then top it off with a lot of bricks, wood, and strange objects, until one day they stop. From their conversations, this seems to be called a “house,” and the area you are in is called a “yard.” [[Go about your day.->Summer4]]

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) You appease the wish of the wispy animal, and drop another pine cone, of the same size as the last one. It runs out as the cone drops, and catches it. “That’s amazing!” The tall animal says. “It’s like it heard me. This will work perfectly!” The short animal seems to be very interested in you, looking deep into your bark. “You know, if we buy this place, you could even use the wood from this tree in your project.” “Wouldn’t that be wasteful?” The wispy one asks. “I won’t need all that lumber.” “I’ll put it to use in the house. Cedar is a beautiful wood… and it’s free if we buy the property.” The strong one slaps your trunk with its hand. “Yeah… You’re gonna make one nice table.” After some talking, the conglomerate walks down the hill, arm in arm, talking about “realtors,” “chainsaws,” and “hooking up plumbing.” A while later, you hear a loud humming, and see the short animal right under you, with some sort of gleaming object. It is very loud, and you wonder what it is... Suddenly, the animal puts the object against your bark, and it starts to rip away at your trunk! After two short minutes, you’ve been chopped down completely, and your stump ripped from the ground. Your lumber has been used for various art projects, furniture, and odds and ends in the “house.” (text-colour:red)[=//GAME OVER.// (text-colour:lime)[= [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

You keep a hold of the rest of your cones. “What if you just split that one in half? That would look more like dog ears anyway,” The practical short animal says. The wispy one examines the cone again, before agreeing. “You’re right, I suppose. I’ll make do with what I have.” The conglomerate walks down the hill, away from you. You hear them talking about a “realtor,” and “hooking up plumbing.” A while later, there is much activity right by you, as the conglomerate seems to be constructing a nest of some sorts in the field by you. They first dig a large pit, then fill it with some grey substance, and then top it off with a lot of bricks, wood, and strange objects, until one day they stop. From their conversations, this seems to be called a “house,” and the area you are in is called a “yard.” [[Go about your day.->Summer4]]

You are about to do just that when a group of the two-legged creatures, much bigger than the one you encountered previously, gather on your little hill. They're making quite a ruckus, as they survey the ground. They seem to be marking some of the trees in the area. They stand before you now, in a semicircle, some looking down, others at the trees that surround your hill. You sense that they are exhausted. They begin to speak: “Shame that so many of these guys are gonna have to go,” one says. “Beautiful trees... Hopefully we can salvage most of them,” says another. “It’s everywhere though: you can see it all over their bark. I don’t think there are going to be many left,” a third declares. “Better to be aggressive with these kinds of things, sadly,” another says. After a brief silence, one of the creatures breaks off from the group, comes up to you, and with a fleeting glance dips a paintbrush into a can and brushes you three times. That's cold! Just as the creature begins to turn back to the group, it stops and looks inquisitively at the ground below and then back at you with a furled brow. (if: $photons >= 5)[[[Beat it, Picasso. Drop a huge cone.->ForestersCone1]]] {(if: $childwin is 1)+(if: $photons >= 3)[[[Does it want something? Drop a few pine needles.->NeedleForestersGood]]] (elseif: $photons >= 3)[[[Does it want something? Drop a few pine needles...->ChoppedFail3]]]} [[Discuss the pros and cons of cryptocurrency.]] {(if: $childfail is 0)+(if: $childwin is 0)[[Wait.->WaitForestersNeutral]]} {(if: $childfail is 1)[[Wait...->WaitForestersBad]]} {(if: $childwin is 1)[[Wait.->WaitForestersGood]]}

You’re alone in a meadow, on top of a grassy hill. [[Look around.->FallEnv3]] [[Look at yourself.->FallSelf3]] [[Sunbathe.->FallSun3]] (set: $season to "fall") (set: $sunbathing to false)

The newly cleared land around you gives you a greater degree of visibility into the lands beyond your little hill... Peeking out from behind one of the mountains, you see a patch of something that is a deeper blue than the sky you have grown so accustomed to. The blue patch is undulating regularly, and sometimes you can see more of it than other times. How strange! [[Look at yourself.->FallSelf3]] [[Sunbathe.->FallSun3]]

You’re you. You’re as tall as the trees in the distance, but you have a wider trunk. [[Look around.->FallEnv3]] [[Sunbathe.->FallSun3]]

You bask in the light of the ever-departing sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 10s)[ [[Time passes.->Winter3]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

You’re alone in a meadow, on top of a snowcapped hill. [[Look around.->WinterEnv3]] [[Look at yourself.->WinterSelf3]] [[Sunbathe.->WinterSun3]] (set: $season to "winter") (set: $sunbathing to false)

As usual, everything is covered in white. It is very cloudy most of the time, though occassionally a good amount of the sky will be clear, like right now. The patch of blue next to the mountain undulates as ever... but a portion of it seems to have stopped moving. It's also a lighter color than usual. Sometimes, a hulking white animal can be seen walking around on that bit... You've seen black and brown versions of that animal, but never the white kind. Maybe it came from somewhere else. [[Look at yourself.->WinterSelf3]] [[Sunbathe.->WinterSun3]]

You’re you. You’re as tall as the trees in the distance, but you have a wider trunk. [[Look around.->WinterEnv3]] [[Sunbathe.->WinterSun3]]

You bask in the light of the faraway sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 10s)[ [[Time passes.->Spring3]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

You’re alone in a meadow, on top of a grassy hill. [[Look around.->Spring Env3]] [[Look at yourself.->Spring Self3]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun3]] (set: $season to "spring") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You are alone in the desert. Your roots are the only thing in sight. You have lived atop this hill for untold time. You have not seen another plant or creature in... you don't know how long. You spend your days basking in the sun, though you gain nothing from it anymore. You are spending your day alone when... There is something in the sky... It is a wide, circular object, getting larger in your view... [[Wait.->Aliens]] (set: $sunbathing to false)

The meadow around you exploded with color! There are many little flowers poking out of the dirt, though it's hard to make out their shapes from this high up. You never noticed this many flowers in this area before. The wind has gotten warmer, but some days it can still be very cold. The weather has been irregular recently... You wonder what that is about. The patch of blue has returned to its full glory. It seems a little more green than usual. Just like you! [[Look at yourself.->Spring Self3]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun3]]

You’re you. You’re as tall as the trees in the distance, but you have a wider trunk. [[Look around.->Spring Env3]] [[Sunbathe.->Spring Sun3]]

You bask in the light of the faraway sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon!", "awww yeah more photons", "mmm photosynthesis", "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", "praise the sun", "gotta love that sun juice", "i'm walking on sunshine", "how very refreshing!", "delicious energy", "the sun is the reason for the existence of life on this planet", "good thing you don't need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 10s)[ {[[Time passes...->Couple Intro]]} ]} (set: $sunbathing to true) (set: $couple to it + 1)

''-5 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 5) A narrow miss. You drop one of your largest cones in a valiant expression of displeasure, but the creature notices the cone just before impact and is able to dodge it. The creature seems flustered and rejoins the group which disperses soon after. You are left alone again on top of your little leaf-covered hill. That is, until you see trees falling in the distance...so many trees. You’ve never seen anything like this before. All you can hear is a faint hum, breaking branches, and an occasional thud. The hum seems to be growing louder… [[Camoflauge yourself!->ChoppedFail1]]

They are too busy to get into the nuances of such a complicated issue. [[Give up on investment.->Foresters]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) You drop a flurry of pine needles, catching the animal's attention. It leans in to get a better look at your bark. It looks confused but seems to be coming to a realization... Suddenly, it looks down at the needles, then at the ground around your base, and then up at you. “Treeie?” After a few seconds of pregnant silence, the creature looks again at your bark and then turns to the rest of the group, “Someone help me get this paint off! This tree is fine.” After a few of the creatures annoyedly scrape off your painted bark, the one who remembered you pauses, turns, and smiles before the group disappears into the forest. Huh... [[How strange!->ForestersSuccess]]

The animal leans in to get a better look at your bark. It looks confused but seems to be coming to a realization... Suddenly, it looks down at the needles, then at the ground around your base, and then up at you. “Treeie?” After a few seconds of pregnant silence, the creature looks again at your bark and then turns to the rest of the group, “Someone help me get this paint off! This tree is fine.” After a few of the creatures annoyedly scrape off your painted bark, the one who remembered you pauses, turns, and smiles before the group disappears into the forest. Huh... [[How strange!->ForestersSuccess]]

The creature looks confused but seems to be coming to a realization when another from the group calls out, “let’s get moving, we’ve got a lotta ground to cover. Just mark ‘em unless you’re absolutely sure. We can’t risk this whole forest getting sick.” The creature retreats, and the group soon leaves, and you are left alone again on top of your little leaf-covered hill. That is, until you see trees falling in the distance...so many trees. You’ve never seen anything like this before. All you can hear is a faint hum, breaking branches, and an occasional thud. And the hum seems to grow louder... [[Finally take that vacation you’ve always dreamed about.->ChoppedFail2]]

The animal leans in to get a better look at your bark. It looks confused but seems to be coming to a realization... “Crap!” The animal starts to scrape away at the paint on your bark. "Someone help me with this! I marked this one wrong, it looks healthy." Another of the animals approaches, and looks at your bark. "Yeah, really healthy. This one's a beauty. As long as the others are gone, it should be fine." After a few of the creatures annoyedly scrape off your painted bark, the group moves on and disappears into the forest. [[Alright then.->ForestersSuccess]]

You’re alone in a yard, next to a house. [[Look around.->SummerEnv4]] [[Look at yourself.->SummerSelf4]] [[Sunbathe.->SummerSun4]] (set: $season to "summer") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You’re alone in a yard, next to a delapidated house. [[Look around.->FallEnv4]] [[Look at yourself.->FallSelf4]] [[Sunbathe.->FallSun4]] (set: $season to "fall") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You’re alone in a yard, next to an abandoned house. [[Look around.->WinterEnv4]] [[Look at yourself.->WinterSelf4]] [[Sunbathe.->WinterSun4]] (set: $season to "winter") (set: $sunbathing to false)

You stand alone in the wasteland, on top of a desolate, dusty hill. [[Look around.->ApocalypseEnv]] [[Look at yourself.->ApocalypseSelf]] [[Sunbathe.->ApocalypseSun]] (set: $sunbathing to false) (enchant:?passage,(bg:black))

Around you, the two animals from before have laid out various objects on which they sit, make small fires, and plant flowers. There are many, many things around you, more than there were when the hill was covered in greenery. The wispy one is laid out on a sheet of fabric on the grass, and is staring at a flower it picked from its small garden. The short one is sitting a few feet away, eating something very crunchy. From atop the hill, you can see that the valley that was once all green has now been spotted with grey, red and white, and many trees have been cleared away. The two-legged animals seem to have taken over this area. [[Look at yourself.->SummerSelf4]] [[Sunbathe.->SummerSun4]]

You’re you. You’re the tallest object in the area, and you are unshakeable. You attract many birds, which love to perch on you. [[Look around.->SummerEnv4]] [[Sunbathe.->SummerSun4]]

You bask in the light of the overbearing sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon.", "oh, more photons", "why is it so hot?", "your bark wasn't meant for this weather", "praise the sun, i suppose", "you're drowning sun juice", "you feel very lazy", "how very... refreshing", "the sun can create, and it can destroy", "you might need sunscreen") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 10s)[ [[Time passes.->Fall4]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

You haven't seen the shorter animal around in... a long time. The landscape of the yard has changed significantly, with many things having been removed at one point or another. The wispy one is still around, but it comes outside infrequently, especially when it gets cold. The land around you is looking less like a forest and more like a nest of animals with a few trees mixed in. The mountains now have little buildings at their peaks, and the patch of blue has been crowded by jagged lines. Sometimes there are very large shining objects that swim into the shore. Much has changed, since this was simply a forest. How did all of this happen so quickly? [[Look at yourself.->FallSelf4]] [[Sunbathe.->FallSun4]]

You’re you. You’re the tallest object in the area, and you are unshakeable. Some of the birds stick around, though many have gone. [[Look around.->FallEnv4]] [[Sunbathe.->FallSun4]]

You bask in the light of the world-abandoning sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon.", "oh, more photons", "why did everything die so quickly?", "it's either way too cold, or way too hot", "praise the sun, i suppose", "you're beat down from a brutal summer", "it's so cloudy these days", "how very... refreshing", "the sun can create, and it can destroy", "what will winter bring?") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 10s)[ [[Time passes.->Winter4]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

It is a particularly cold time. The lack of tree cover around you makes the wind all the more devastating to your well-being... but you seem to be faring better than the animals in this area. The nest of animals has been severely lacking in population recently. You haven't seen the wispy one in a long time. Nothing in the yard has moved, but it has collected dirt, snow and an orange patina. There have been no large shining objects in the distance, no animals wandering around, no birds perching in your branches. It is very quiet, but for the wind. What happened? [[Look at yourself.->WinterSelf4]] [[Sunbathe.->WinterSun4]]

You’re you. You’re the tallest object in the area, and you are unshakeable. There are no birds anymore. You just collect a lot of snow, and your branches catch the howling winds. [[Look around.->WinterEnv4]] [[Sunbathe.->WinterSun4]]

You bask in the light of the world-abandoning sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"....oo...o.oo..",".o..oo...oo...o", "oo...o.....ooo.", "...ooo.o......o",".oo.oooo....oo.", "o.o.ooo...o...o.","..oo...o.o..ooo") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "gained a photon.", "oh, more photons", "the snow is blocking out the sun", "it's freezing!", "praise the sun, i suppose", "you'd prefer summer to this", "it's too cloudy these days", "how very... refreshing", "the sun can create, and it can destroy", "who would choose to live here?") (set: $photons to $photons + 1) ]} {(live: 10s)[ [[Time passes.->Apocalypse]] ]} (set: $sunbathing to true)

Everything around you has been reduced to grey waste. There are no living trees, no healthy grasses, no loud houses, no annoying animals... There's nothing. Really, the only thing here is you. You cast long shadows over the mountains and valleys, your branches having grown long and powerful. This land is yours now. [[Look at yourself.->ApocalypseSelf]] [[Sunbathe.->ApocalypseSun]] (enchant:?passage,(bg:black))

You’re you. You’re the only tree around, and you tower over the barren lands around you. Your roots have grown over whole hills in search of nutritious soil, and your branches reach up to the hazy sky. Despite the desolation, you have grown tall and wide, a powerful specimen indeed. [[Look around.->ApocalypseEnv]] [[Sunbathe.->ApocalypseSun]] (enchant:?passage,(bg:black))

You bask in your monopolized sun. ☀️: {(live: 1s)[ (print: $photons) ]} {(live: .5s)[ (either:"...............") ]} {(live: 10s)[ (either: "what need have you for energy?") (set: $photons to $photons + 0) ]} {(live: 20s)[ (either: "you are Earth's final living progeny") (set: $photons to $photons + 0) ]} {(live: 30s)[ (either: "with patience, you have reaped many rewards") (set: $photons to $photons + 0) ]} {(live: 40s)[ (either: "how long has it been, on this hill?") (set: $photons to $photons + 0) ]} {(live: 50s)[ (either: "what else could there be?") (set: $photons to $photons + 0) ]} {(live: 50s)[ {(if: $photons > 85)[[[Time passes...->Aliens Intro]]] (else:)[[[Time passes.->ApocalypseEnd]]]} ]} (set: $sunbathing to true) (enchant:?passage,(bg:black))

While you try to gain energy from the sun, it seems that you are not strong enough to continue living in this wasteland. The world has run out of nutrients, the air is rotten, and the elements are too powerful for you to withstand. Like so many other beings around you, you slowly dry up and become stiff with death. The sun cannot save you now... your species is simply unable to continue in this epoch. In your mutual demise with all others, you find a camraderie. A feeling that you were there with them, that you affected something just by being on that little hill, and making use of some of your energy. There are certainly worse ways to die... You wither away, as lucky as can be. //GAME OVER.// (text-colour:lime)[= [[Tree again.->SPAWN]] (enchant:?passage,(bg:black))

The object hovers just in front of you. It is a purple metallic disc, with a spherical top. From beneath the disc appears a green beam of light, in which four small, big-headed, hairless creatures materialize. Suddenly, you hear a great sound reverberating from within your own trunk. (text-colour:magenta)[=“Greetings to you, great green one. I am Eio, and these are my comrades Lii, Thioo, and Tulinn. We are emissaries from the planet Lehamaca, in the galaxy Andromeda. We have come to speak to you, if you would so desire. Would you speak with us?" (text-colour:lime)[= [[Speak to them.->Speak to Aliens]](text-colour:blue)[= [[Wait.->WaitAliens]]

You summon all of your energy, and internally ask: (text-colour:lime)[=“Can you hear me?” (text-colour:white)[=Lii smiles. (text-colour:magenta)[=“Of course we can! Our technology is quite powerful. We’ve long been conversing with organisms whose biologies don’t allow for physical speech.” “Have you never been able to speak properly before?” (text-colour:white)[=Tulinn asks. (text-colour:lime)[=“Never.” (text-colour:magenta)[="Your patience is quite commendable. Though I'm sure you realize that, being as old and wise as you are,"(text-colour:white)[= Thioo says. (text-colour:magenta)[="Well, before we give you our proposition, do you have any questions for us?"(text-colour:white)[= Eio asks. (text-colour:lime)[= [[What happened to everything?]] [[How am I alive?]] [[Why can't I get photons anymore?]]

(text-colour:magenta)[=“Hmm… You’re a stoic one. If you don’t want to speak to us, that’s fine. After so many years of silence, surely words don’t come naturally.” “We know that you have thoughts," (text-colour:white)[=Lii's voice says, (text-colour:magenta)[="that you can hear us, that you could speak if your biology allowed.” “So, yes, we know that you are ignoring us,” (text-colour:white)[=Thioo explains. (text-colour:magenta)[=“As you’ve ignored all others in your time here. Not that stalwart neutrality is a negative thing.” (text-colour:white)[=Tulinn speaks. (text-colour:magenta)[=“We’ll give you a final chance: we have a deal to make with you, if you’d simply start a dialogue with us. Will you speak, or will you stay on this silent path?” (text-colour:blue)[= [[Speak to them.->Speak to Aliens]](text-colour:blue)[= [[Wait.->WaitAliens2]]

(text-colour:white)[=Eio shrugs. (text-colour:magenta)[=“Alright then, that’s that. Let’s move on.” (text-colour:white)[=Lii nods. (text-colour:magenta)[=“Your patience is incredible.” (text-colour:white)[=Thioo rubs its fingers. (text-colour:magenta)[=“Perhaps you see something in this world.” (text-colour:white)[=Tulinn waves a hand. (text-colour:magenta)[=“Goodbye, then.” (text-colour:white)[=The beam disappears along with the creatures, and the disc flies off into the distance. Your world returns to solemn silence. (text-colour:blue)[= [[Wait.->TreeEnd]]

(text-colour:magenta)[="We aren't entirely sure of that ourselves..."(text-colour:white)[= Eio admits. (text-colour:magenta)[="It seems that a myriad of factors played into the downfall of this planet. The leading theory in Lehamaca is that it was that race of upright mobile creatures that came to dominate the land... Though there is too little evidence to say which of their wasteful practices led to this mass extinction." (text-colour:magenta)[="At any rate, you are the last living organism on this planet, effectively the last remaining form of life in this solar system. You've done a tremendous job at staying alive, it seems,"(text-colour:white)[= Thioo says. (text-colour:lime)[= [[How am I alive?]] [[Why can't I get photons anymore?]]

(text-colour:magenta)[="We have reason to believe that it was your straightforward dedication to the stockpiling of energy that led to your entirely unique ability to withstand such an armageddon as this world has experienced,"(text-colour:white)[= Lii says. (text-colour:magenta)[="No other being was so single-minded, so patient, so wise as to devote themselves entirely to the pursuit of survival as you."(text-colour:white)[= Tulinn tells you. (text-colour:magenta)[="Even the other members of your species have died out, for lack of detachment from worldly matters." (text-colour:lime)[= [[What happened to everything?]] [[Why can't I get photons anymore?]]

(text-colour:magenta)[="Still wondering about your precious photons, are you? You truly are a marvel,"(text-colour:white)[= Eio says. (text-colour:magenta)[="Well, here's the bad news... No matter how incredible you may be, there is no way to cheat death,"(text-colour:white)[= Lii says. (text-colour:magenta)[="You will meet your end, the only question is where. You can die on your hill, as honorably as you have lived, and we can take that,"(text-colour:white)[= Lii says, reaching out and catching your last, withering cone just as it falls from the branch it had clung to. (text-colour:magenta)[="Or you can come with us,"(text-colour:white)[= says Thioo. (text-colour:magenta)[="If you so desire, you may leave behind the last of your progeny, in the hopes of beginning life again on this world... As slim as those hopes might be,"(text-colour:white)[= Tulinn says, motioning first to the cone in Lii’s hand and then to the grim environment that surrounds you. (text-colour:magenta)[="No matter what, we must take one of you,"(text-colour:white)[= Eio explains. (text-colour:magenta)[="We have a great interest in your conservation." (text-colour:lime)[= [[I will go.]] [[I must stay.]]

You’re not a chameleon, and you’re too tall anyway. This just isn’t going to work logistically. You suddenly feel as if you’ve made a grave, irreparable mistake. Then, an animal begins to trudge up your little hill, carrying some sort of gleaming object. It is very loud, and you wonder what it is, but you get the sense that you do not like it... Suddenly, the animal puts the object against your bark, and it starts to rip away at your trunk! After two short minutes, you’ve been chopped down completely, and your stump has been ripped from the ground. (text-colour:red)[=//GAME OVER.// (text-colour:lime)[= [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

That sounds nice, but it might be tough to get there. It looks like you’re going to have to stay where you are for now. You probably do not have enough miles anyway. Then, an animal begins to trudge up your little hill, carrying some sort of gleaming object. It is very loud, and you wonder what it is, but you get the sense that you do not like it... Suddenly, the animal puts the object against your bark, and it starts to rip away at your trunk! After two short minutes, you’ve been chopped down completely, and your stump has been ripped from the ground. (text-colour:red)[=//GAME OVER.// (text-colour:lime)[= [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

After a while, you see trees falling in the distance...so many trees. You’ve never seen anything like this before. All you can hear is a faint hum, breaking branches, and an occasional thud. And the hum seems to grow louder... Then, an animal begins to trudge up your little hill, carrying some sort of gleaming object. It is very loud, and you wonder what it is, but you get the sense that you do not like it... Suddenly, the animal puts the object against the bark of the tree next to you! It starts to rip away at its trunk! After two short minutes, the tree has been completely chopped down, and its stump ripped from the ground. For a long time, the animals with the gleaming objects return and chop down the trees around you. For some reason, they don't bother you, even though you are within the area that they are clearing. Eventually, the animals stop coming. You are the only tree in a field now, towering over the grass on all sides of you. [[Go about your day.->Fall3]]

''-3 photons'' (set: $photons to $photons - 3) You drop a flurry of pine needles as the animal leans in to get a better look at your bark. It looks confused but seems to be coming to a realization when... “@!#$!” One of the needles lands directly in the creature’s eye as it lets out a yelp consisting of symbols that you do not quite understand. It staggers backwards and ultimately rejoins the group, rubbing furiously at one of its ocular orbs. “Is that one sick too?” one of the creatures asks. The angry animal comes to its senses. “Uhh...yeah, it’s a goner. Chop it down.” The group soon leaves, and you are left alone again on top of your little leaf-covered hill. ... That is, until you see trees falling in the distance...so many trees. You’ve never seen anything like this before. All you can hear is a faint hum, breaking branches, and an occasional thud. And the hum seems to grow louder... You suddenly feel as if you’ve made a grave, irreparable mistake. Then, an animal begins to trudge up your little hill, carrying some sort of gleaming object. It is very loud, and you wonder what it is, but you get the sense that you do not like it... Suddenly, the animal puts the object against your bark, and it starts to rip away at your trunk! After two short minutes, you’ve been chopped down completely, and your stump has been ripped from the ground. (text-colour:red)[=//GAME OVER.// (text-colour:lime)[= [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

The world around you has changed dramatically, but still you wait and wait underneath the yellow light of the sun. The time you have spent together is innumerable, the value you have gained from its simple existence unspeakable. Not that you can speak at all... you're a tree. You wonder about the fates of those that passed by you, that moved through that land now erased, buried under the sands of time. How did they live, and how did they die? How did it feel to move, all on your own? How did all the other trees live, the ones that were chopped down, the ones that burned, the ones struck down by lightning or disease, or survived only to face the end of all life? Were they disappointed, having been unable to run away, to fight back, to explore beyond their little hill? Perhaps they were the most content, being rooted. At least, you feel that way. You're really quite proud, having made it this far with nothing patience and dedication. As you feel the moisture seeping from your trunk and your leaves becoming brittle and grey, you pour all of your energy into one stunning, gigantic pine cone. It hangs off of you with considerable weight, bending you to one side. Somehow, the ground under the cone is not grey sand, but rich brown soil, overflowing with the energy of the forest in those olden days. With the last of your strength, you drop the pine cone down to that patch on a hill, for it to one day take root and start it all over again. (text-colour:lime)[=//GAME OVER.// [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

(text-colour:magenta)[=“A fine choice, green one,”(text-colour:white)[= says Tulinn. (text-colour:magenta)[=“You have stood still for the entirety of your existence. It only makes sense that you wish to see more of this universe than this stretch of land,”(text-colour:white)[= Eio adds. (text-colour:magenta)[=“Now, what to do with this?”(text-colour:white)[= Lii asks, holding the pine cone. (text-colour:lime)[= [[Bring it.]] [[Leave it.]]

(text-colour:magenta)[=“Commendable,”(text-colour:white)[= says Thioo. (text-colour:magenta)[=“You are not one to be moved. You have lived and you will die upon this hill, but you will do so with a solemnity and self-assurance that deserves nothing but respect,”(text-colour:white)[= says Tulinn. (text-colour:magenta)[=“We will ensure that this is given the care it requires,”(text-colour:white)[= says Lii, covering the cone with a strange cloth,(text-colour:magenta)[= “and you will not soon be forgotten by us.” (text-colour:magenta)[=“Be at peace in your stillness, green one,”(text-colour:white)[= says Eio, (text-colour:magenta)[=“as I am sure you already are.” (text-colour:white)[=Then, in a flash, the four of them depart, and you find yourself alone, in a desert, on top of a desolate, dusty hill. You are still...and at peace. (text-colour:lime)[=//GAME OVER.// [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

(text-colour:magenta)[=“We understand. You cannot part with an extension of yourself,”(text-colour:white)[= says Thioo. (text-colour:magenta)[=“As you wish. We will gladly take it aboard,”(text-colour:white)[= says Eio. Lii covers the cone with a strange cloth, and, in a flash, you are aboard their saucer. There are many things you have never seen. You begin to panic... but soon steady yourself. Just as quickly as you boarded, the vessel takes flight, and you feel yourself move, really move, for the first time. It is... alien. The four beings take you away, as you bid farewell to the land you once knew so well, and wonder what worlds and what hills await you beyond the light of your familiar sun. (text-colour:lime)[=//GAME OVER.// [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]

(text-colour:magenta)[=“You feel that you owe something to the world that granted you life?"(text-colour:white)[= Asks Eio. (text-colour:magenta)[="As you wish. The cone stays.” (text-colour:magenta)[=“May it take root,”(text-colour:white)[= says Thioo. Lii finds a good spot and buries your last cone. In a flash, you are aboard their saucer. There are many things you have never seen. You begin to panic... but soon steady yourself. Just as quickly as you boarded, the vessel takes flight, and you feel yourself move, really move, for the first time. It is... alien. The four beings take you away, as you wonder what worlds and what hills await you beyond the light of your familiar sun. (text-colour:lime)[=//GAME OVER.// [[Tree again.->SPAWN]]