Lily Seed

In your hand, you find a very tiny, tangible seed. You're not sure how the ghost, unable to be felt, could drop it onto your palm, but it's there anyway. Her strong eyes peer through you, as if she could scry your past. (text-color: "#31a254")["Will you please promise me that you'll grow it? I never could in my lifetime. When it blossoms, please bring it to me. I'd like a flower of my own to give to my love..."] [[You promise.->planting]]

You make your way back out of the heaps of scrap metal and back onto the road. You had snuck into the junkyard in the hopes of finding a home away from home of sorts, somewhere to go when you want to be alone but don't feel like staying cooped up indoors. Unfortunately you're not the first one to have that thought. The ghost probably doesn't have a choice about where she haunts, though. The ghost didn't tell you what kind of flower would grow from the seed. But after the talk you had, and the scraps of the story she told you, you have a guess. You have a reasonably deep flower pot, enough soil to put you in (link: "debt")[debt (okay, soil's not that extravagant an expense but getting fresh potting soil is not cheap up here)], and a watering can to make up for the long waits between rainstorms. As you carefully pour the soil into the pot, you wonder about the tiny seed. Shouldn't you have a bulb for this? You'd ask a neighbor, but barely anyone takes care of flowers around here Too much hassle. Most people only grow spices. You're stuck consulting the internet and hoping for the best. You think you have a reasonable amount of soil in the bottom of the pot, and so plant the seed into the dry earth. Hopefully this is some new type of magical ghost seed that will grow no matter what. You wipe the sweat from your forehead and shake off the dirt sticking to your clothes. [[*Pin-pon!*->plandate]]

[[Laura's calling!->laura]] You turn on the video phone, hoping she doesn't mind that your room is a bit of a mess. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hey, cutie. How have you been? Do anything fun last night?"] You decide not to answer with talk of ghosts. You don't even think she'd buy it, despite her proclivities. Instead, you talk about growing a flower, like a weirdo. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Oh, I want to see! When can I see it?"] Maybe this was a mistake, seeing as you can't answer any questions about it yet. But it's good to know she's interested. You promise that you'll show her once it starts budding. (text-color: "#f359c5")["By the way! I want you to go on a date with me tonight! You can pick what we do, I decided the last two times. I'm down for anything, sweetie."] Ah crap, a decision. You ask Laura to give you some time to think about it, and you'll meet her at her house before sunset. As you water the flower, you mull over some date options. Would the two of you enjoy... [[Going to a club?->clubbing]] [[Cooking each other dinner?->dinner]] [[Staying home and watching movies?->movie]] [[Hitting some baseballs?->baseball]]

You put on your fanciest LBD, fasten a flashy necklace round your nape, and stuff your feet into those heels you've mastered faking how to walk in. You're hot stuff, and you know it. You pose in the mirror and shake your butt at yourself. On the way there, sitting uncomfortably on the bus as you watch the last rays of reflected sun dissipate, you send a text to Laura. *Get dressed for Shangri-La.* Laura stands before you, arms resting on the frame of her apartment door. She looks fantastic, even with five minute's warning. The thing that catches your eye is the yellow ascot covering her collar. If those things hadn't made a comeback, they will now. (text-color: "#f359c5")["All ready? Let's go!"] She grabs your hand, pulls you into a kiss, and drags you back to the bus. Shangri-La's sign is (link: "bright and gaudy")[bright and gaudy (and perhaps uncomfortably eager to associate itself with lemons)], mixed in with the many other catchy signs on this street. You can't help but admire it, silly as it may be. You two step inside, instantly asorbed into the gentle, boingy music. This is your first time inside this club, but it's welcoming and safe. Laura orders a couple drinks, mimosas, for the both of you. You clink your glasses together, finish them off in a single gulp, and boldy pull each other in for a long kiss. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Love ya, babe. Let me know when you're ready to dance."] After some water, you take to the dance floor. You're still awkward in your heels, but you don't care. Nobody else here is an amazing dancer, and you're not terrible. You and Laura twirl each other around, press against each other's warm bodies, swing and twist and bounce into the night. At some point you're pretty sure Laura lifted up your skirt and made you |flash>[flash] the whole club. (click: ?flash)[(You put on plain black undies for this just in case. Though you're not sure you would have cared if you were wearing nothing at all.)] Once you're too tired to keep standing, you get one last drink, and hail a cab. You give Laura one last long kiss before stepping in the taxi, and you can't help but watch her in the mirror as you pull away. (display: "sprout") (set: $choice1 to "yellow")

On the way to Laura's apartment you stop at a small grocery, and get a (link: "bag's worth")[bag's worth (duck, zucchini, some pasta, rice, spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, and a dozen eggs)] of what you hope will turn into a meal. You're not sure what Laura would make, or what ingredients she has on hand, and if you're going to ask to use someone's kitchen you shouldn't come unprepared. Just to make sure this is okay with her, you send her a warning text. *Is it cool if i use your kitchen?* You don't receive a reply back, until you knock on her door. (text-color: "#f359c5")["It's open, come on in!"] You push the door aside and hear the sounds of a kitchen getting scrubbed. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I wish you had given me a bit more warning! I hadn't done a big clean of the kitchen in a while. I'll keep cleaning while you cook if that's okay!"] Laura looks a bit sweaty after her work. You almost don't tell her about your full plan, but you can't help it. You want to cook together. You ask her to join you in making a meal, and show her the stuff you bought. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Oh! You should have said so. I'd love to cook with you. Did you have an idea for what you want to make? If not, we can ride the waves of our imagination. I'm already getting hungry..."] After a bit of discussion, the two of you decide on making (link: "charbroiled duck")[charbroiled duck (that's your job, as Laura isn't much for cooking meat. She says it's a waste of resources)] and fettuccine, along with some roasted vegetables. It takes a good hour for the meal to come together, but the time is more relaxing than you thought. You didn't think you were much for cooking, but helping Laura out and being helped in return... that's how cooking should be. The table is set and two plates lay appetizingly upon it. The crisp duck rests upon a bed of glistening white fettuccine, ringed by lightly singed vegetables. Laura pours each of you a glass of wine. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Thank you for the meal, sweetie. I had fun setting this up with you! And if the food is half as good as the work we put into it, it will be amazing."] You wrap some pasta around your fork, and take a bite. It's as amazing as Laura hoped. Neither of you talk much, you're too eager to dig into your meals. The hour of work is devoured in an instant. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hey, you have a bit of something on your face!"] Laura leans over the table, nearly falling onto it, and pries a morsel of something off your cheek with her lips. You do the same to her, even though her face is clean. After a quick dessert of some oranges Laura had in her fridge, you give her a kiss and say goodbye for the night. (display: "sprout") (set: $choice1 to "white")

You sweep through a list of movies you haven't watched as the bus traverses the long bridge to Laura's part of the city. Once you've picked a few out you think the two of you might enjoy, you text her and let her know what's up. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hey there, come on in!"] Laura invites you into her apartment. It's cleaner than a soldier's (link: "barracks.")[barracks. (You're fairly confident barracks are kept clean. You wouldn't be sure, you're too young to be a soldier.)] She's already popping some popcorn for the two of you to share. The lights are a dim blue, dark enough for you to focus on the movie without losing sight of what's around you. (text-color: "#f359c5")["So what movies did you pick out for me?"] You hand her the list on your phone, and she selects an old American WWII movie. It's propaganda at its finest, and Laura has no problems mocking it through mouthfuls of popcorn. You decide not to tease her on this, one argument was enough. (text-color: "#f359c5")["How's the popcorn? Do you need more salt?"] You shake your head as the next movie starts. This one you picked, and it's one of your favorites from when you were little. It's kiddy and silly and makes you so happy. You choose not to mention that to Laura, but she seems to pick up on it. Maybe she's actually getting into this movie? She said she never got to watch much of anything like this when she was little. The two of you kiss before the third and last movie of the night starts. This one only came out last year. It's... more unpleasant than you expected. You find yourself clinging to Laura, who turns the movie off. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Sorry, I shouldn't have picked that one. Let's relax for now. It's just you and me, no need to worry about what's outside, okay? I love you lots. You're cute and wonderful and I'm glad you're in my life."] Hearing that makes you feel a lot better. You don't realize it, but you end up falling asleep admist the soft lights and warm breaths... When you wake up, you find it's far later than you intended to stay. You quickly apologize to Laura, who doesn't mind, and head out the door. (display: "sprout") (set: $choice1 to "blue")

You put on your loosest tank top and your most no-frills shorts, and get some warm-up stretches in before heading out to the bus stop. *Meet me at the batting range!* You send a quick text to Laura as the bus drives off. She knows which batting range you mean, after all she was the one who pointed it out to you on a prior bus ride. It doesn't take you long to get there, and Laura, who lives farther away, will naturally be a few more minutes. You decide to buy tickets for (link: "both of you")[both of you (even though she'd want to pay for them herself)] and wait for her to show up. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hey, I knew this would be the place! I hope you didn't wait too long!"] Laura jogs into view, a cheesy baseball cap shading her eyes from the now-hidden sun. She boldly leaps at you with hugs and kisses, forcing you to twirl her around. You show her the tickets, and lead her to the batting cages. You grab an old bat, its red paint almost all chipped away showing the raw wood inside. (text-color: "#f359c5")["How good are you at baseball, cutiebutt? I'm not amazing at it myself, but I'm willing to bet I can hit more balls than you can. Loser pays for dinner, how does that sound?"] You give her a thumbs up, and activate the pitching machine. You squeeze the bat tight, and... *CRACK!* Unfortunately, that wasn't you. You'll hit the next one though, for sure! And the next, and the next! ...In the end, both of you managed to hit a paltry three balls before you ran out of time. You agree to pay for your own meals at a tiny little burger joint opposite the batting range. There's a lovely lake not far from here, and that's where you take your dinner. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Cheap fries are the best, aren't they? Especially after we earned it after that workout. Are your arms donig alright, babe?"] They're sore, but you don't mind. You rest your shoulder against Laura's as you watch a swan float upon the lake's surface. Once your burgers and fries are (link: "all eaten up")[all eaten up (and after you two ate an extra long french fry together bite by bite)], you toss your trash and wait on opposite sides of the street for your buses. Yours arrives first, and you make sure to blow Laura a kiss before boarding. (display: "sprout") (set: $choice1 to "red")

Upon returning home, you notice the seed has already started to sprout! A tiny point of green pokes out of the soil. You pour just the tiniest bit of water on it before undressing and [[falling into your bed.->girls]]

It's been a few days since you last saw Laura. Your night together was nice, and this time she's interested in doing nothing but a tram ride. The tram just happens to be empty today. It's raining, as was scheduled, and nobody wants to go outside if they don't have to. Laura sits opposite from you, quietly staring out the window. The stars are utterly beautiful today, and the craters of the moon have never appeared so close. A tap on your foot brings you back inside the tram. Laura has a gentle grin on her face. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Question for you! What's the best thing about girls?"] If you had been drinking something, you would have spat it out! (text-color: "#f359c5")["Not trying to be gender essentialist here, but girls are super awesome and I want to hear you say what makes you so attracted to cuties like me."] You petulantly demand that she answer the question first while you take the time to answer. If she's going to put you on the spot like that, it's only fair she answers first!" (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hmph, fine. All I can say is that I like girls because they're girls. That's just how my sexuality works."] That wasn't much of an answer, even if it was honest. And it doesn't really help you decide on your own answer. You return your gaze to the stars, hoping that their lights will illuminate the answer... [[How they can be both kind and strong.->strength]] [[How awesome they make cocks look.->cocks]] [[How soft and intimate they can be.->soft]] [[How adorable they get when flustered.->cute]] [[How sexy they are in lingerie.->lingerie]]

(text-color: "#f359c5")["Hehe, I like that. Muscles that you could happily use as a pillow."] Laura flexes a bit while making a demure face. You can't help but laugh at her nonsense. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hmm, I have an idea. This was what we decided to do because we wanted to do somthing out of our homes, but didn't want to get caught in the rain, right? Screw that. Let's get wet."] As soon as the tram makes its next stop, you are off running alongside Laura, up the stairs and into the atmosphere, where the rain is pouring down hard. Before you can say a single word, you're already soaked to the bone. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Brr! Come on, let's keep running!"] The two of you jog through the downpour, drinking the rain as you gasp for air. It's cold and lovely. You didn't expect the rain to last this long, though. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Are you doing okay?"] Laura notices you catching your breath. You're not too far from your house, but there's no way you can run it like this. But before you answer you find yourself lifted of the ground, in Laura's grip. She pulls her shirt off and tries to hold it above you like a cloth canopy. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Here's a bit of a secret. I hate getting rained on."] Upon hearing this, you immediately protest and demand to be let down, but Laura asks you to let her continue. (text-color: "#f359c5")["But I don't like that I hate it. Rain is a beautiful thing, no matter where you are. We should be grateful to live here where we can enjoy it."] Soon you find yourself back at your house. Laura comes inside with you, and takes a quick (link: "shower")[shower (she offered to let you go first, but you insisted that she take all the hot water she needs to sooth her muscles)] to warm herself up, while you wait for the storm to subside. Once the rain ends, Laura gives you a warm hug and heads on home, waving to you as she walks away. (display: "stem") (set: $choice2 to "strong")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["Ha, nice!"] Laura is compelled to high-five you for that. The slap echoes in the empty tram. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Do you wanna know something about me? If I could, I'd love to have both a cock and pussy. I'd still be a woman, but I guess I'd feel more complete if I could be a... well, a hermaprhodite, I guess. If it's good enough for plants, it's good enough for the rest of nature, right? And I wouldn't have to deal with quite as much Weird Gender Bullshit."] The two of you share some laughs and kisses as you discuss your ideal genital configurations. You end up whipping out your phones and showing each other beautiful pictures of naked girls and their lovely dicks. Even when someone (link: "boards the tram")[boards the tram (soaking wet, thanks to the rain)], you only resort to keeping your voices low. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I can never decide if I like them bigger or smaller. It's the same problem with boobs, they're all so nice, I wanna snuggle them nonstop!"] Eventually the tram reaches the end of the line, and only the two of you are left on board. Since you didn't have any real destination, you get on the tram heading back, sharing more pictures of lovely girls with each other. (display: "stem") (set: $choice2 to "cocks")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["We are pretty soft, aren't we?"] Laura laughs at this insight. You see her stretch her fingers. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Come here, I want to see exactly how soft you are."] You reach your arm out to hers, and she begins giving your flesh a kind, loving massage. Her fingers knead and rub at your muscles. She somehow knows where all your tense spots are. Your hand reaches out to her cheek, caressing her eagerly. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I love you so much. Do you want to know a secret? The first time I saw you, when you were at the cafe crying, I fell in love with you. I knew I wanted to dry those tears and make you happy."] You can't help it. Hearing that only makes you (link: "cry again")[cry again (you'll never tell Laura why you were crying that day, and she's given up asking)], even as you have the goofiest grin on your face. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hey now, stop that!"] Laura chuckles as she dabs your eyes with her handkerchief. You happily nuzzle your face into her hand, and kiss her palms. You still can't stop crying though, and you end up falling into Laura's embrace, your sweet tears falling onto her shoulder. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Alright then. Cry all you want, my love. Cry until you can't anymore. When you stop, I'll still be here, perfectly in love with you."] You don't know how long you go for, but eventually your tears do dry, even if Laura's shoulder hasn't. (display: "stem") (set: $choice2 to "soft")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["Oh, I suppose that's a good thing to think about. There's a beauty in shyness, isn't there? It's something that can be so easily taken advantage of, yet deserves to be respected and cherished. Not everyone has to be loud."] Though, as you point out, not every shy girl is quiet. Sometimes they can be the loudest of all. (text-color: "#f359c5")["True! But... I'm the shy type, believe it or not. I might seem like I'm a bit pushy, but it's taken me a long time to fake this confidence. Is it silly hiding your awkwardness with boldness?"] You claim it isn't. It's entirely possible to be both shy and gregarious. You admit that you're not that confident either. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I know you're a quiet one, dear. You barely talked the first time you met. But you said a lot with that cute pink blush of yours. ...Ah, there it is again!"] Without thinking, you protest Laura pointing out your blush! And after everything you two just talked about, it only makes it worse. You end up mumbling to yourself, head in your hands. When the tram has circled back to your stop, and Laura gets off, it's only then that you notice how hard she fought to keep her own face from going red. (display: "stem") (set: $choice2 to "blush")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["O-oh my yes! We need to get some together sometime. I know an excellent boudoir, not too expensive, and really tasteful."] You haven't actually purchased that much fancy lingerie. You have a decent collection of bras, panties, and stockings, but they've been whatever you find in larger stores. The thought of a shop dedicated to high quality sexy clothes... (text-color: "#f359c5")["Want to know a secret? I'm actually wearing really trashy lingerie today. It's true! There's something special about the 'trashy' stuff that makes it its own kind of fun. Elegance is nice too, but sometimes it's good to look like a hot mess."] Before you can process this side of Laura, she starts up again: (text-color: "#f359c5")["No one's here. Want to see?"] After nearly choking on your spit and letting the blood return from your cheeks, you quietly say yes. Laura lifts up her skirt just a tiny bit, her legs only barely spread, letting you see only the tiniest ruffle of a lacy neon green thong. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Told you it was trashy. What do you think?"] You simply nod in approval at your girlfriend's excellent choice in pervwear. By the time the tram ride ends, the two of you have teased each other with glimpses of (link: "intimate fabrics")[intimate fabrics (though your ocean patterned panties were not meant to be sexy)], leaving you wanting more and frustrated that you can't keep going any more. (display: "stem") (set: $choice2 to "lingerie")

You make sure to give the flower just a bit more water upon returning home. Its stem is already growing, leaves are already starting to flourish, and any day now you'll get to see its bud. After you return the flower, you should grow another one. [[But that can come later.->ghostthought]]

Tonight, Laura is the one in your house. You spent the (link: "entire day")[entire day (okay only four hours but still)] cleaning up, and it's still not as lovely as Laura's apartment. She doesn't make any comments about it, which you do your absolute best not to take as silent judgment. The two of you just finished off a bowl of ice cream together. Laura rubs her swollen tummy. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Oof, I can't eat nearly as much as I used to anymore. Getting old sucks!"] She lies on your sofa, kicking her feet into the air. Despite her complaints, she licks her spoon clean. You can't help but laugh a little. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hey, what's so funny? Are you enjoying my spoon licking? Wishing you were the spoon maybe?"] Her teasing grin dissipates once she notices how hard you're blushing. You've been worried about getting to this point, and now... Laura takes a seat next to you and holds your hand. (text-color: "#f359c5")["We've been dating for a while now. And we've been keeping it pretty chaste. I guess I should ask... a-and I promise not to get mad at the answer you give, but, do you want to have sex with me?"] She said it. You squeeze her hand reassuringly, and try to think of the right way to phrase this. She said she wouldn't get mad, but you're still nervous as all fuck... [[I want to, but only when we're both ready.->wait]] [[I love you, but sex just doesn't interest me...->ace]] [[To be honest, I want to do more than just sex.->kink]] [[I do! But I need you to walk me through it!->help]]

(text-color: "#f359c5")["That's not a problem! But, if you didn't guess, I'm ready now. You're not obligated to do anything with me tonight, of course. But if you're ready, then I'm ready. Whatever you want, darling."] You think it over. Part of you feels guilty enough to give in. But the more honest part knows that while it will happen, you don't feel ready yet. You end up stammering out the two sides of your mind to Laura. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hmm. I have a compromise. Would you be okay with watching me masturbate? You're welcome to do it too if you want."] Once your brain reboots and you've calmly assessed the situation, you agree to watch without joining in. The two of you sit on your bed. Laura rests on top of her arm as she wiggles out of her pants, giving you a good look at her frilly (link: "rainbow panties.")[rainbow panties. (You're certain she wanted you to see them tonight.)] One of her hands playfully slides up her shirt, the other down her underwear. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Here we go! I'll stop if you want me to, just say the word."] You shudder every time she tenses, gasp every time she moans, whimper every time she screams out. Your heart is beating so fast, just from watching your love pleasure herself... you never want this to end. Before she orgasms, she starts kissing you all over your face, and you happily kiss back. The two of you share no words for the rest of the night, only lustrous smiles and wet kisses. (display: "bud") (set: $choice3 to "ready")

You can't help but fear reprisal, even if she said she wouldn't be mad. But you find yourself in Laura's affirming embrace, her fingers stroking your hair. (text-color: "#f359c5")["That's perfectly okay. I won't lie, I am a little disappointed. I'd like to have sex with you if you want. But I will never force you, or prod you into it. If you change your mind I'll oblige, but I won't ask again."] Your heart races at this. You were so scared, and now you feel so safe... (text-color: "#f359c5")["Could you please tell me what you do want?"] You tell her: Cuddles, kisses, gentle touches against skin, sucking on fingers, being comfortable with seeing each other naked without it being sexual, sharing a bed... Laura picks up on the last thing in particular. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Would you like to cuddle me tonight? Again, if you don't wan--"] You stop her, and tell her how much she'd love it if she was in your bed. That night, the two of you put on some (link: "pajamas")[pajamas (Laura has to wear some of yours)] and leap into your bed. You hold each other, kiss each other, hold each other tight, until... (display: "bud") (set: $choice3 to "ace")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["Oh, tell me about it."] Laura has a glimmer in her eyes. You didn't think she'd be interested in this. But you go ahead and talk about (link: "your kinky desires.")[your kinky desires. (Except for the ones that are so hardcore you could never admit them to anyone. You'll keep those between yourself and your vibrator.)] Laura listens with rapt attention, not judging or criticising, but frustratingly not approving either. (text-color: "#f359c5")["All done? You have a beautiful imagination. Now may I share a few of mine?"] She lists of her multiple kinks, some of which are things you brought up, and some of which are her own. You have to hide your face for a second when she suggests a fetish that you chose to keep secret. Thankfully she doesn't push it any farther. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Now, we're here tonight. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty fucking turned on right now. Shall we have some fun?"] You've never said yes this fast in your entire life. It's not long before you and Laura are naked, one of you eagerly bent over, the other firmly laying down some spanks to her lover's behind. By the end of it, you're both a bit bruised and completely exhausted... (display: "bud") (set: $choice3 to "kink")

Before you know it you're admitting that you've never had sex with a woman and are really nervous about your first time. You've heard all the stuff about lesbians being good at pleasing each other because they know what feels good, but you know that's bunk because every body is different, and everyone has different pleasure zones and if you don't know th-- (text-color: "#f359c5")["Hey, hey! Relax, please. There's nothing wrong with being new to a kind of sex. Everyone starts somewhere. And if there's anything that you're not sure about, it's completely okay to ask! If you're worried, tell me. Just make sure you're talking about what you need and want."] Hearing that makes you a lot more comfortable. You want to be with Laura, to make her orgasm, to feel her fingers |inside>[inside you]... all that stuff. (click: ?inside)[(You can't admit that what you really want is to suck on her fingers.)] You're only afraid of fucking up fucking. You tell her all that, and hope she understands. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Of course it's okay to worry. If you decide you want to stop, then we'll stop. But don't be afraid of your performance. Now. Are you okay with getting naked and doing the deed?"] You admit you do, but decide to put a boundary on tonight's sex: panties aren't allowed to come off, and no touching them with your hands. Laura agrees it's a good place to start. She removes her clothes piece by piece, and invites you to do the same. Soon your bare breasts are lightly touching hers, as her hands pull you to her... (display: "bud") (set: $choice3 to "help")

You wake up with your arms wrapped around Laura. She's breathing gently against your scalp. You don't want to get up, but you really really really need to [[pee->bud2]].

(text-color: "#f359c5")["What do you mean, sweetheart?"] You ask what exactly Laura envisions for a future between the two of you. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Oh! Well, there are a lot of things. Happiness, for one! That's pretty simple, but I'm sure you understand it's important. No matter what, our future should be full of joy. Can I tell you want I want my future to look like, no matter what?"] You nod. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I want to help other women, lesbians like us who don't understand their sexuality or know how to communicate with it, learn to be strong and secure in themselves. Helping them write stories, make friends, lead powerful lives. Even in this progressive future, so many of us still don't know how to take the first step."] Her arms hold you close. You place your hands on hers. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I hope you can be a part of that future."] You give her a kiss on the cheek, and tell her that you want to be with her. (text-color: "#f359c5")["And what do you want from this future? What would make you happy?"] You stammer a bit, before the blossoming scent of the lily hits your nose. It relaxes you just enough for you to be honest... [[I want to move in with you.->move]] [[I want to start that business with you!->business]] [[I want us to bring more people into our relationship.->poly]] [[I don't know! But I'm okay with seeing where life takes us.->hope]]

(text-color: "#f359c5")["Wait, move in? With me? I'd love to, but aren't we getting a bit ahead of ourselves? Who would be the one doing the moving? I-I'm not opposed to this! I think I would be happy living with you. I'm just surprised, is all!"] You've never seen Laura anywhere close to this flustered! It's adorable. You tell her things don't have to happen right this second, and maybe the two of you could move into a [nicer home]<nicer| together instead of fighting over who lives where. (click: ?nicer)[(It might be a while before space is available, but you're willing to wait it out as long as it takes.)] Brimming with an excitment that has overcome her worries, Laura gives you a giddy squeeze. She sprouts up on her tiptoes as if she was no longer weighed down by her fears. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I... I would absolutely love to do this. Let's make it happen, okay? I love you so much."] You share a kiss, then another, and another, before you find yourselves on the couch, hands exploring each other, lips eager and eyes bright... (display: "closing up") (set: $choice4 to "move")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["I don't know if it will be a business! It might just be a non-profit thing! But you don't know how excited I am to hear you say you want to be my partner in activism as well as love!"] Laura spins you around and gives you a peck on the lips. Your heart is buzzing, and your mind is working overtime thinking about the many things you |do>[can do] for everyone, Laura and yourself included. (click: ?do)[(You think the first thing you want to start with is to teach people how to make bouquets. Of course you have to learn to do it yourself first.)] (text-color: "#f359c5")["We're going to be really busy from now on. Let's try to not overwork ourselves, okay? We have all the time in the universe, after all."] The two of you end up drafting some plans, things about promoting women who want to be heroes, women who want to be leaders, and women who want to be lovers. It's only the tiniest hint of a start, but you're confident you can take this and build something amazing out of it. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I'm so excited. Our future just got a bit brighter today. Things are going to be better for all of us, and we're the ones that will help make it happen. Now, let's take the next step and secure some capital!"] (display: "closing up") (set: $choice4 to "business")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["Huh, I have honestly never thought about that. I won't rule it out! But I hope you'll understand that it will take me some time to feel comfortable with it. But I guess this means we'll be hitting the dating scene again?"] You explain what you're hoping for with this kind of love. To you, a second partner means that Laura doesn't have to be your everything. You don't have to push the desires she can never fulfill onto her. You're careful to explain that polyamory won't fill every gap that can exist in a relationship, but done right it can smooth out a lot. (text-color: "#f359c5")["I see what you mean. But to me, I would be happy with another you! If you need to see people I don't, I think that will be okay with me too. Let's look for someone that we can love as much as we love each other."] You agree, and spend some time chatting with Laura about how best to approach the dating scene. The plan is to (link: "date together")[date together (with an agreement that the third person chooses the date)], and have any potential romances get to know you both at the same time. Surprisingly, the bond between you and Laura is growing from this desire to spread your love. Any fears of being weird or overamorous dissipate when you whisper a secret desire about kissing two people at once. (display: "closing up") (set: $choice4 to "poly")

(text-color: "#f359c5")["Fair enough. The future's wide open. There are hundreds of millions and billions of shimmering stars guiding our steps, and any path is ours to take."] (text-color: "#f359c5")["...I hope that didn't sound too cheesy."] You both dissolve into fits of laughter, but she's right. The future, despite being built upon the present and past, has never been so bright. You hope that your courage, insight, and empathy will connect you to a better world. (text-color: "#f359c5")["You liar! That was too cheesy! But if it makes you happy, then I'm glad I said it. Now! The future's already here! What are we going to do about it?"] You choose to spend this chunk of future sitting around in the clothes you slept in, playing nonsense video games with the woman you are utterly in love with. (display: "closing up") (set: $choice4 to "hope")

Laura's headed back home. You almost followed her back like an eager puppy, even without getting dressed. Your arms wrap tightly around your body, not letting her embrace leave you until you absolutely can't hold it anym-- [[The flower just bloomed!->bloom]]

{It's... it's lovely. (if: $choice1 is "yellow")[The petals are a teasing, lustrous yellow, reaching through your eyes to your fluttering heart.] (if: $choice1 is "white")[An unashamed snow white tint peeks gently from the petals.] (if: $choice1 is "red")[The red hue of the petals strikes your eyes with a bold, confident rush.] (if: $choice1 is "blue")[Not just lovely, it's gorgeous! The petals are a simple, shady blue meant only for private eyes.] (if: $choice2 is "cocks")[Long, delicate stamens surround the stigma, their pollen ready to be spread.] (if: $choice2 is "lingerie")[The edges of the petals are pleasingly ruffled, as if to accentuate the flower's beauty.] (if: $choice2 is "blush")[Light patches of pink adorn the petals, as if they can't keep a secret from you.] (if: $choice2 is "strong")[The stem is even longer than you expected it, and the many slender petals make an inviting canopy beneath them.] (if: $choice2 is "soft")[Some of the lily's sweet nectar drips from its folds onto the soil. You can't help but catch a drop on your finger. The taste is simple and sugary.] (if: $choice3 is "kink")[There's an intense smell coming from the lily. No, multiple smells, all strange yet enticing.] (if: $choice3 is "ace")[For a moment, you don't expect there to be a scent, and feel a little guilty when you get a whiff of its gentle, affirming perfume.] (if: $choice3 is "help")[The faint, delicate smell kindly guides your nose to the flower's innards. If comfort has a smell, it's this.] (if: $choice3 is "ready")[The scent comes and goes, playfully. You don't mind it, because when it's ready for you to smell it, it's intoxicating.] (if: $choice4 is "move")[And a dozen smaller sprouts are peeking out from the soil! How did you get thirteen flowers from a single seed?] (if: $choice4 is "poly")[As you play with the petals, you discover a weird bump beneath them. There's another bud, close to blossoming!] (if: $choice4 is "business")[An eager bee buzzes around the flower, occasionally diving in to collect its food.] (if: $choice4 is "hope")[You giggle a little as you notice some flecks of glitter adorning the petals and soil. You suspect Laura did something before she left.] } You've not seen many flowers in your lifetime. But you've never seen one this lovely, this beautiful, or this hopeful. And you are certain you never will again. Your lips press tenderly against the petals to thank the lily for its glory. Once you take a few breaths and let the tears fall, you take the pot in hand and step outside. [[Time to give the lily a new home.->end]]

It's the same bit of junkyard as before. The scrappers are still working through the thousands of tons of wrecked titanium, so it's no surprise nothing's changed. (text-color: "#31a254")["Oh, is that it? It's beautiful."] You nearly drop the flowerpot in surprise! The ghost floats in your vision before you, shimmering sharply. Just like last time, you have the world's most pleasant headache. (text-color: "#31a254")["Thank you so much for growing it. I can glean all the beauty that you and the woman you love gave to this precious flower. Do you love this flower?"] You say you do, and that you wish to grow more. (text-color: "#31a254")["I'm glad. I have no more seeds to give you, but that's not necessary. Grow an entire garden of gorgeous flowers, like the world has never seen before. That's the last thing you can do for me."] (text-color: "#31a254")["I won't be seeing you again. But I hope you remember me. And I hope you always remember yourself as the girl that saved this dying ghost."] Through your own watering eyes you can see the ghost wipe away her tears. (text-color: "#31a254")["I can finally cry for her. Thank you so much. Please come back here sometime. Even if I am not here, [[my love will be.->epilogue]]"]

As you look over the lily's stem, your mind wanders back to the ghost who gave you that seed. You've been hearing more stories about ghosts these past few years, but paid those stories no mind until now. You have no idea how old she was when she passed. Did she go out fighting, did she die old wishing to be young again, was she a victim of hellish circumstance...? You want to |know>[know], but you have no right to ask her. (click: ?know)[(You resolve to imagine, in lieu of certainty, the happiest story possible for her.)] All that matters is that something bad happened. Her love was never able to be spoken aloud, and the person she wanted most in the world never even considered that she could be with another woman. And somehow, this lily grown from a seed waiting too long for its moment, will be the catalyst that makes everything at least a little more right. You're glad it's growing strong, and sincerely hope that it will make the ghost happy. You fantasize that she'll be the last sad lesbian in the world, even though you know that wish has no chance of coming true. [[As you try to sleep, you find your heart squirming around in your chest...->sex]]

It's been a year, and this part of the junkyard remains untouched. You clamber through the scrap, trying to retrace your route... until you catch a glimpse of a million vibrant colors. An infinte garden of lilies grow without care upon the wreckage of a titanic chassis. [[Credits]]

Created by Colleen Potvin for Yuri Game Jam. Thanks to the world's most lovable grouch for the inspiration. Thanks to the curators of YuriJam for hosting this event. Thanks to lesbians everywhere for being amazing. Thank you for reading.

You've known her ever since she said hi to you at that cafe. That was what, two months ago? She says her favorite number is eight, and that she moved here when she was 13 or so. She's the fourth woman you've ever (link: "dated.")[dated. (Though you're embarrassed to admit that you've been with her longer than any of your previous relationships.)] You shared your first kiss in the bathroom of a mall. It just kinda happened that way. You don't think anyone saw or heard you...

After squirming your way out of Laura's embrace and emptying your bladder, you start heating up breakfast and take a look at the flo-- It's budding! You can just barely see the petals peeking out of the stem, and smell the first hints of its fragrance. Even here, it's beautiful. (text-color: "#f359c5")["Oh, is that the flower? You promised to show me it when it was budding, right?"] Laura embraces you from behind and plants kisses on your neck and shoulder. You gasp and shudder a bit at her warm lips. (text-color: "#f359c5")["You're really good at this. Gonna keep cultivating your green thumb?"] Instead of answering, a different thought enters your brain. You feel like your forehead is throbbing. You force yourself to spit it out and ask Laura: [[Where do we go from here?->future]]