Michi

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_4224da7533544118af4a4a3bc2654eca~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You painstakingly raise yourself up from the bed you lay, your only sight the same apartment you've seen thousands of time before. Just more wrecked. And laced with the disgusting smell of hot air. Maybe one more day will tire you out. [[Look into the nearest mirror]] [[Slump onto the floor and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You curl yourself into the stained bedsheets, your lungs tied as you hold your breath. You hope it comes swift and merciful. Until it doesn't, and you hear an aggressive knock at your door. Maybe standing will tire you out. [[Get ready before answering]] [[Answer through the door]] [[Sink into the bedsheets and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> The same pointed inkling ears as ever, and a bowl cut that hasn't been cut in... Jeez, how long has it been? You can't seem to remember. A flush of hot air scrapes your face. Maybe being aware will tire you out. [[Find something to wear]] [[Fall to the ground and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Your body hits the ground with a loud thud. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You, as pain stabs through your calves, crawl to your creaky closet doors. You try to fire up the last decision making neuron you possibly can, like revving the engine of an old car from the last century. You don't remember how long a century is. Maybe thinking will tire you out. [[Wear the nearest Yourmart plastic bag tank top and achingly old basketball shorts for 9,387th time]] [[Collapse from mental exhaustion and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You relax to your knees as your face directly hits the floor. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Your body falls to the closet wall as you faint, and never wake up again. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Truly a staple. But you'd till rather be completely naked, considering the unbearable heat as a factor. Maybe being perceived will tire you out. [[Open your apartment door]] [[Sink into the floor and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You sigh. You raise a hand, curling and uncurling them as many times as needed until you can sort of say you're ready to see the world. You push open your apartment door with as much force you can with arms akin to cooked spaghetti, partly to get the hard part over with, and partly because of the less-of-a-flamethrower air that brushes past your face that comes with opening the door with pace. You could use this door as a makeshift fan forever. At least, you would if you could. Maybe eating will tire you out. [[Knock on the tenant to the left's door]] [[Knock on the tenant to the right's door]] [[Melt to pieces and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You feel yourself drifting into the floor. You close your eyes as you accept your fate as the floorboards. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> After human's left the world in disarray, sea animals evolved to amphibians, and eventually humanoid creatures. But some mutated. And you'd rather not find out your next-door neighbor is a coagulated being of plastic and oil. But you're //hungry//. And all you've had for the last month(?) is the pieces of plastic that melt off of your Walmart tank top from the sheer heat of the air. And that isn't exactly sustenance. You think you deserve a final, //real// meal before you rest. You [[Knock on the door]] [[Jiggle the doorknob]] [[Scream as you break down and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You take in deep, agonizing breath before lifting your hand, and knocking. You knock once. You knock twice. You think about knocking a third time, till you hear the sound of sloshing cutting through the scorching air. The sound gradually gets closer and closer to the door as anxiousness flood your body. [[Freeze in fear]] [[Gently push the door]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You can hear your body parts hit the ground as the detach from your body. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> Your hand shivers as it rises to the delipidated wood. Even as much you think you deserve this final meal, you can't help but feel nervous. You suppose embarrassment will always exist, even in the end times. You knock, once. You knock, twice. You knock, three tim- The door swings open, a gust of sweet air hitting your face, even if the door opened inwards. "Hey. What can I do for you?" A smile curls the octoling's thin lips. His muddy orange tentacles fall to about where human clavicles would be as his body dawns Makomart tank top and shorts he's probably had for too long. [["Hey, um. do you have any, uh, food on you?"]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You impatiently jiggle the doorknob, jumping in a startle as the door opens inwards. "What's the rush?" A vexed frown frames the octoling's thin lips. His muddy orange tentacles fall to about where human clavicles would be as his body dawns Makomart tank top and shorts he's probably had for too long. [["Hey, um. do you have any, uh, food on you?"]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You belt out a yell of horror as you feel your brain rip at its seams. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_b8536f8f7a424a5eaac80060ed35a517~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> ''This game is played with the assumed knowledge of "Splatoon 3" character types and architecture. Click the options and reach the end of the route.'' Death. Destruction. Decay. Your only goal is REST. [[Rise from the ashes]] [[Curl up and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> The octoling tilts his head. "I think you should at least ask for my name before begging for food." //Nobody has time for that!// You huff at his suggestion, placing your hands in your pocket. You avoid his gaze and opt for the floor. What should you do now? [[Shove past him]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You push yourself into him, reaching your arms through the gaps between his frail waist and the doorframe. He resists with a strength unfounded in yourself, shoving you back against the hallway wall. You feel a bit of bitter ink escape your throat, dripping down your bottom lip. You're bleeding. [[Get up and claw out his eyes]] [[Give up and die]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You sputter up, before passing out from heat exhaustion. And you achieve the rest you've always wanted, as the octoling eats through your veins. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You don't let your last thoughts be of fighting, instead of what you could've done differently. Which isn't much better. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

You died. But what for? [[START]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You, as pain stabs through your calves, crawl to your creaky closet doors. You try to fire up the last decision making neuron you possibly can, like revving the engine of an old car from the last century. You don't remember how long a century is. Maybe thinking will tire you out. [[Wear the nearest Makomart plastic bag tank top and achingly old basketball shorts for 9,386th time]] [[Collapse from mental exhaustion and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You feel the fabric swallow you until you can't see the surface. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You decide that standing is too much of a feat, but raising your voice is perfectly fine. You're already near death. What's there to lose? [["Come in. The lock doesn't work."]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> An oddly manicure hand pushes open the delipidated apartment door. Then walks in the most "put together" octoling considering the situation the worlds' in right now. No holes in the skin, clothes made from something that human corporeal trash. Shoes. It's as if she's never felt the heat, no, like she's a time traveler from a simpler time. [[Sta-]] [[Spe-]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You can't finish the your thought of what to do next, because she's already decided for you. "Hello. My name is Shiver, and I work for Grizzco Industries. We are currently looking for mascots and living statues for approving of the humans above." Shiver was a former idol of "Deep Cut" and reporter on the "Anarchy Splatcast" before the amount of trash in the ocean started effecting Splatsville. But that doesn't explain how she looks completely unfazed after such a tragedy. [["Grizzco industries?"]] [["Why are you so...ok?"]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You don't get the chance to speak of what to do next, because she's already decided for you. "Hello. My name is Shiver, and I work for Grizzco Industries. We are currently looking for mascots and living statues for approving of the humans above." Shiver was a former idol of "Deep Cut" and reporter on the "Anarchy Splatcast" before the amount of trash in the ocean started effecting Splatsville. But that doesn't explain how she looks completely unfazed after such a tragedy. [["Grizzco industries?"]] [["Why are you so...ok?"]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Shiver eyes widen a little in disbelief. "Well...I suppose it's a given, considering the no internet access. We were just a tiny small business that just happened to profit a little off of current situations...slash...events." [[Profit?]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> She smirks. Less of an amused smirk, more of an annoyed one. "Well, when you work for grizzco, you don't have to face this major heat your having. In fact, Grizzco is the only company that can afford to make and sell fans. It's quite comfortable working for us." The price of fans in Splatsville has gone up a colossal amount. Thousands, last time you checked, but it could be in the millions by now. "Actually, this whole climate change and global warming thing has been great for us. The wealthy splurge on as many fans as they can get their hands on, and we only get richer-" [["What about the poor?"]] [["Did you predict the climate change?"]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Shiver stares blankly, before looking past your head with an 1,000 mile stare. "Anyway. Grizzco Industries tasked me to look for mascots, but I don't really //care// to look for something specific. So I planned to ask the first living thing I could find..." "I'm sure you know where this is going." [["No...this isn't right."]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You cut Shiver off, and she glares at you with an incredibly vexed expression. "Well, not //us// specifically. More of the humans, but they never seemed to do anything to prevent it. Shivers annoyed glare melts off gradually as she speaks, being replaced with unbridled joy. "And honestly, we're glad they didn't! No offense, but we can't really feel anything for the common people when we're basically printing money." [[Profit?]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Shiver gives another expressionless stare before mumbling under her breath. "Another dud." She pulls a splattershot out from hammerspace, directing the shot towards your forehead. The ink splatters onto you, corroding your skin until you become a shriveled, steaming husk. This isn't exactly the rest you wanted. [[GOOD END]]

What can you say? Bad things happen to good people. [[START]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Close to a staple. But you'd till rather be completely naked, considering the unbearable heat as a factor. [[Answer the door]] [[Vomit from nerves and REST]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> You feel a pulse you've never felt before, as if pure dread was right behind the paper-narrow door. You swing the door open anyway. Your eyes set upon a well-dressed octoling considering how the average squids looks in the modern times. [[Gaze speechlessly]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You feel the very little stomach fluid you hack up into your hand. It's probably 70% ink anyway. Congratulations. [[CONGRATULATIONS]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> The octoling begins to look a tad unsettled by the silence before regaining her composure and beginning to speak. "Hello. My name is Shiver, working for Grizzco Industries. We are currently looking for mascots and living statues for approving of the humans above...and I quite like your tank top. It has the logo of one of our benefactors." Shiver was a former idol of "Deep Cut" and reporter on the "Anarchy Splatcast" before the amount of trash in the ocean started effecting Splatsville. But that doesn't explain how she has benefactors. [["Grizzco industries?"]] [["Benefactors?"]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Shiver shows a smile of remembrance. "Oh, yes. A few human corporations have offered us resources and headquarters to escape this..." She sighs, unfurling her fan and fanning herself. "...unbearable heat. To think how the common people deal is beyond us, nor in our paygrade. They've also, for lack of a better word, //fostered// this environment--" [["Did you predict the climate change?"]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Shiver begins to giggle. "Haha! Oh, it's nothing really. We just make and sell fans out of the best and most prized salmonoid skin. They've really been making a profit." Ever since the heat came, the price of fans have shot up to the thousands, possibly the millions. You've seen multiple people protesting the rise in price with no success, many of them passing out and dying from heat exhaustion as they do. Capitalism. [[Shiver continues speaking]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Shiver whips out her customized paper fan with a supposed Grizzco Industries logo imprinted on it. Air blows through her hair as she fans. "And I really do like the logo on your tank top. I think your, even if unintentional, support for that company will make you a great mascot." [[Mascot?]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> The octoling finally starts to look annoyed with the questioning, sighing exasperatedly. "Yes, mascot. You will become a living mascot for Grizzco Industries. That means you do whatever we say, when we say it, and never oppose us or have any opinion on what we do." Shiver puts the fan up to the corner of her lips as she whispers. "//Opinions// is actually why we need a new mascot. Too many of them think they still have agency after the agreement." Shiver closes the fan as she speaks at regular volume again. "So, how about it? We won't //pay// you per say, but being an obedient pet and comfortable is way better than being a free yet suffering street dog." [["No...this isn't right."]] [["Ok. I'll be the mascot."]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_43dc65a00e694402b538baef8d81ca2c~mv2.png" width="600" height="400"> Shiver does an excited twirl. "Oh, yes! Goodie! I can't promise we'll treat you well, but at least you won't be living in this hellhole!" She grabs your hand as she pulls you out your apartment, the door closing itself as you both set off. [[CAPITALISM ENDING]]

Hey, maybe it'll trickle down? [[START]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You watch helplessly as the weak door opens on its own from the force of your knocking. Just what you feared, A ginormous amalgamation of oil and plastic sloshes before you. It calls garbled cries of help. To put it out of its misery. Whatever squid that was swallowed in this trash still has consciousness. [[Try to remove trash from its body]] [[Accept defeat]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You flatten your hand against the door, gathering all the courage you have left in your sweating self before pushing the rickety door wide open, setting your eyes upon the amorphous blob of human trash a few inches from the door. It pulsates. [[Try to remove trash from its body]] [[Accept defeat]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You frantically start removing trash from its body mass, your arms sticking and sinking into the body as you do. It gets to a point where you can't remove your arms from the mass anymore, the body itself sucking you in to join the amorphous blob. Through your screams of terror, you hear a pained "I'm sorry." [[EATEN END]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ccb0_33dae6a2fa7d47488009abbc46136abd~mv2.png" alt="description of the image" width="600" height="400"> You feel your eyes soften as your knees hit the floor. You bow your head, and let the end come swiftly. We all gotta do what we gotta do, don't we? [[EATEN END]]

You're sustenance now. Cool. [[START]]