a system of utmost security

(t8n: "dissolve")[The grasses whistle sweetly to you.] (t8n: "dissolve")+(live: 2s)[They are high and sharp, unfriendly to the touch, certain of their bite, but you always manage to find a path through them, and you've long since proven yourself ally to the creatures of this place.] (t8n: "dissolve")+(live: 5s)[The road is not well-trodden, that is to say, but well-known.] (t8n: "dissolve")+(live: 10s)[You are glad for the safety it provides.] (t8n: "dissolve")+(live: 18s)[You approach the [[sage|sagetwo]].]

You enter the home of the sage. An earthen smell assails your nostrils, not unlike the smell of [(either: "clay", "a vague memory of dust", "a place you were, and are not now", "someone close to you, who is utterly covered in dirt")]. She has various [[knick-knacks]] on her counter that you're free to fiddle with, at your own peril. Her [[familiar]] purrs in the corner, content. (live:5s)+(transition: "dissolve")[(either: "Toads hop by.", "The wind chimes sing a little improvised ditty.", "A ghost is definitely laughing at you, but good-naturedly.", "You spend a good amount of time just trying to figure out why the shadows don't match up with the lighting.", "Volumes of witch erotica lay on dusty shelves.", "You feel relieved to be somewhere safe.", "You laugh to yourself, just because.", "Your disbelief can be found suspended in one corner, a fragile, glass-blown thing.", "You open //Sapphic Canine Poetry: A History//, by Katherine Cobey, and sit down in the corner. It's a very large book." )] The sage herself sits in a corner by the hearth, which is lit by a fire which smells a little bit like cinnamon. She beckons you closer. "Your [[fortune]]?"

''Think of a question you want answered.'' (set: $catproval to 0) (live: 5s)[Okay.] (live: 6s)+(transition: "dissolve")[Then [[continue.|sage]]]

(set: $num to (random: 1, 5)) (if: $num is 1) [You find a bunch of marbles. Upon knocking a few of them around, you find that the orange ones are fastest. No matter how many times you throw the marbles with equal or random velocity, the orange ones are best. Stop wasting your time trying to prove otherwise.] (else-if: $num is 2) [You find a bowl of candy which has probably survived the last three ice ages. Despite all common sense you are really hankering for some candy. The sage gives you a warning eyebrow raise. You may put it in your mouth at your [[peril]].] (else-if: $num is 3) [There is a door that can not be opened, though a shaft of light shines through the floor beneath it. There are no other rooms to the sage's house, so where this goes is anyone's guess, but by the sheer radiance of that light, it isn't outside.] (else-if: $num is 4) [You find a fidget spinner made out of wood. You get a splinter but it's worth it.] (else-if: $num is 5) [A salamander stares at you from within a glass bottle. He sticks his tongue out at you. You stick your tongue out at him.] (else:) [Well you screwed that up somehow.] [[You should head back.|sagetwo]]

(if: $catproval is 0) [The cat suns itself in the light, lolling its small pink tongue. It doesn't seem to notice you.] (else-if: $catproval < 0) [The cat scowls upon your approach, and slumps off the bookshelf where it was sunning itself to hide in some shadier corner. It can't quite get out of reach, but you see its claws flex warningly.] (else-if: $catproval > 5) [The cat immediately approaches you and meows excitedly, just absolutely, positively, showing the most affection you've ever seen out of it.] (else: ) [The cat blinks, observing you. It might hazard a quick meow, or even a purr if you dare move your hand towards its head, but do not count on it.] [[Pet it. Pet it pet it pet it.|catproval]] [[Stare in reverant respect.|catproval]] [[Tell the cat about your feelings.|catproval]] [[If you really want to be a dick to the cat that is an option but please don't|pleasedont]]

The sage rises from her chair. //Thank you for coming,// she says. //I hope your stay has been nice. I hope this can be a place of comfort for you, even a silly, virtual one.// You nod. //But you came here for a fortune.// You nod again. //Very well. [[Proceed.]]//

You die. (live: 1s) [...[[Seriously?]]]

No. [[Fuck you.|sagetwo]]

(set: $catproval to $catproval + 1) The cat seems pleased by your affection in whatever strange form it takes. [[I can and will do this all day for no discernible reason|sagetwo]]

(set: $catproval to $catproval - 1) I make a really tiny fortune telling game and you go through all this trouble to be a dick to a non-existent cat. What is wrong with you. [[I am the endgoal of free will|sagetwo]]

Think deeply on your query, for a moment. (live: 10s)[[[Proceed.|proctemp]]]

Cards are laid on the table. You put your hand over the back of each, but you're most drawn to the one that feels... [[Hopeful.]] [[Honest.]] [[Melancholy.]]

(set: $card to (random:0, 8)) [[Very well.]]

(set: $card to (random:0, 9)) [[Very well.]]

(set: $card to (random: 1, 9)) [[Very well.]]

(if: $card is 0)[(goto: "SUN")] (else-if: $card is 1)[(goto: "MERCURY")] (else-if: $card is 2)[(goto: "VENUS")] (else-if: $card is 3)[(goto: "EARTH")] (else-if: $card is 4)[(goto: "MARS")] (else-if: $card is 5)[(goto: "JUPITER")] (else-if: $card is 6)[(goto: "SATURN")] (else-if: $card is 7)[(goto: "URANUS")] (else-if: $card is 8)[(goto: "NEPTUNE")] (else-if: $card is 9)[(goto: "PLUTO")] (else:) [(goto: ???)]

The sun with her shining body rejuvenates you. You see her face upon the card, grinning furiously, and are filled with a light that floods your own skin. The sun says, "you know already". The sun says, "the path is clear". The sun says, "you are radiant". The sun promises good fortune, warmth, and sureness of self. It is best in fortune for questions regarding the present, in which it is a shining YES. You are guaranteed to be at your best self today, however that might manifest in regards to your query. In questions about the far future, it becomes more nebulous, and the sun's light will take longer to reach those far-off places. That is to say, this is not as good of a sign. [[I see!|Farewell]]

Mercury with his nimble feet dances with you. You see his pockmarked face upon the card, but despite both your disheveled appearances you feel that you're ready to spring up and face the day. Mercury says, "it's doable". Mercury says, "speak and it will be certain". Mercury says, "shape what you can not accept." Mercury promises quick action, resolution, and wit or vigor of speech. It is best in fortune for questions regarding that which can be fixed with words or action, in which it is a certain GO! In questions about complex or tangled choices, Mercury tends to be overshadowed. [[I see!|Farewell]]

Venus with her playful eyes winks at you. You see her face upon the card, besought with storms, and you are filled with a great and powerful passion. Venus says, "be true". Venus says, "follow your heart". Venus says, "engage in an act of desperation, with full abandon". Venus is a little bit dramatic. [[I see!|Farewell]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

You depart from the hut feeling new.

[(either: "Looks like a yes", "illegible, totally illegible", "Your future seems so bright you've gotta wear shades", "That's probably a no", "No", "oh god no", "yes!!! get it!!!", ",':)")] [[Seems legit.|sagetwo]]