Laika: EOS

Like all stories, this one is a lie. [[But this is a lie which lives in my ribcage.]] {(hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD)}

(align:"===><===")[(live: 1s)[ (css: "font-size: 400%") [LAIKA]] (live: 2s) [and the EDGE of [[SPACE|warninglist]] by Jack Lyell]] {(hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD) (set: $drownsafe to false) (set: $whalesafe to false)}

{(if: $numbo is 10) [<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_laiker2.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25">] (else: )[<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_laiker.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25">]} Your name is LAIKA and you are a [[GOOD DOG]]. Many have come before, and you hope, after. You hope because it's been a long time. It's been a long time since you went flying {(if: $whart < 4)[through the wormhole](else:) [...into here, however that happened...]} in your trusty space capsule, woke up in a strange place with new feelings and a new body. You and Sputnik II move, as you did in space, as one thing, with her protecting your new, bipedal body. You've kept some quirks... you'd thought at first you might be human, but no, you're something [[NEW]]. Ever since, like any good cosmonaut, you have dilligently tried to escape THE EDGE OF SPACE. You have surmised that it is run by a being known as [[THE VISITOR]], and if you can find them, you can ask them to go [[HOME]]. [[But for now, you trek bravely where no dog has gone before.|Main Hall]] {(set: $countdown to 12) (set: $pioseen to false) (set: $episeen to false) (set: $whaleseen to false) (set: $foxseen to false) (set: $floor to 1) (set: $ron to "1.1.1") (hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD)}

[[When duty called, you went. When the stars were open, you flew to them. When the capsule burned, you hardly screamed. And when you woke up here, you promised no force on heaven or earth would keep you from your brave return.|SPACE]] {(hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD)}

The spiralling stairs are five times as wide across as you are, as if meant for crowds... or something far larger than you. They are made of cold, smooth gray stone, like most of the interior which isn't trying to put on a show. The lighting seemingly emanates from above, from the empty center... but it's diffuse, blanketing the room in a dim and chill ivory. Stalwart in the gloom, respectably handsome pillars follow your every ascending step, should you choose to take them. There are, at what would be the "exterior" edge, cut-outs in the rock that look like they could have been windows. What would be the glass panes have been filled in with more brick. You wonder why the Visitor's design taste is like that. (if: $countdown > 0) [ You currently stand at the ''bottom'' of these stairs. [[Go east.|The Remnant Skull]] [[Go south.|The Remnant Legs]] [[Ascend the stairs.|Upward Stairs: F2]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (set: $floor to 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

Set on its side in the room is a rusted lump several times taller than you. As you approach, you realize that it is, in part, hollow, if you did want to enter it. Moving around the front, you see that large parts of it are missing, as if someone tore it out. What remains is part of an elongated, canine skull, complete with empty eyesockets. Inside that rusted cranium are purple filaments, millions of them bound into a complex knot. You take a step and get the sense that the knot is twisting. You look over, again, the next time you move... it looks to only be shifting when you do. Bizarre. You encircle the whole "skull". After a while in the room, it almost feels like it's breathing... staying in here is doing weird things to your nerves. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[There's a small door to the west.|Upward Stairs: F1]] [[To the east... the overwhelming odor of dirt...|Bizarre Garden]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't9', 'loop', true) (track: 't9', 'play')] }

The garden is simple. Its rows of plants range from flowers to herbs, nothing that goes higher than your waist, all good for a dog's digging up. The herbs mock you now with their slightly acerbic scent, because you can put whatever you want in your mouth, but it will not make you full, nor can you be hungry. The absence before is the same as the absence after. Still, too, are the flowers awful to dig up. Some flowers have the glossy texture that feels true to you, but others are leathery, or waxy, as if they were made of plastics. They smell fake, but some have fully functioning roots, while others seem to have been slotted in the ground as-is. But these still come with the pockmarks from places the overhead light has fallen on watered leaves and burned them, and vivdly real disease marks the fake plants the same as the real ones, where they are hurt. Why plant them, and why do they grow all the same? Is there a chance you're misremembering what a real plant would look like? (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Over to the west is a room that isn't full of fake plants. It smells like the furthest thing in the world away from that.|The Remnant Skull]] [[And to the east, another room you're half-certain isn't full of plants...|Scum Room]] [[Or you could go back to the main hall.|Main Hall]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ] }

There's a thick layer of scum around the sides of the room, like a drained pool. The walls are damp and smell awful. You have no idea what would inspire anyone to keep something in a state of such poor repair. You pop Sputnik II's protective head shield just in case, but it can't get the smell out. You breathe in horrible air and pass through quickly. Sputnik II has no special feelings about most scents, but you know that she pities you, because you absolutely do. Bleh. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[You can't get out of here fast enough. To the south.|Song Room]] [[You can't get out of here fast enough. To the west.|Bizarre Garden]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]}

It's the shell of something. You mean, a lot of shells, but the largest of them is turned over, proudly on display. It's a perfect dome, like the ones on some of the rooms, mottled on the outside. Inside is a pattern of bones where something used to belong. It's a little morbid... but there's something comforting about someone's home. It makes you want to curl up inside. But you don't want to break it. It could always hold something else... ...even when you have someone to talk to, you still feel lonely. You wonder if everything you could get off your chest would fit perfectly inside of that shell. [Yell into the shell.]<shell| (click: ?shell)[(set: $unusedvar to (prompt: "Get it off your chest.", "There's nothing to do but scream the raw edge of it.")) It's gone, now. Whatever it was. Or maybe more true for being said. You close your eyes. Breathe deeply.]  (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[There are scuttling noises to the east... they seem worth checking out.|Hand Laboratory]] [[To the south. You're going back to the south.|Perplexing Rock Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

An overwhelming stench of formaldehyde assaults your nose. Set below two low-hanging lights are a series of starfish-like things in little dishes. A few of them are moving about, extending polyps toward you. The more developed ones have been moved from dishes to foggy aquarium tanks, where they extend and contract their loose-fitting peach skin to propel themselves through the water. Others scuttle in sandy tanks, using callused joints to scuttle between rocks and grappling each other. These seem to have a default upwards orientation and a little protrusion toward the back. Thin bone lines flex under their skin. In the back, behind these successful children, are hundreds upon hundreds of perserved specimens. They rest forever in gray-green jars, bearing witness to the living. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[This has been nice. Bye.|Shell Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]} (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#5e9d0f,1,#000000)))

Huge metal bars sway in the overhead wiring. As you pass underneath them, you notice that they're not solid bars, but compound machinations full of bolts and patched up with wire. Though they appear dormant, you can't help but feel like something is twitching behind you.... followed by occasional whimpering, as if the machine is asking you to turn around. It feels like language you have the vaguest sense you should remember. The hair on your neck stands on end. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[There's a small door to the north.|Upward Stairs: F1]] [[And to the south, another small door... |Zero-Space Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't9', 'loop', true) (track: 't9', 'play')]}

(if: $countdown is 12) [One pawstep. Then another. Plaster which caked there overnight crackles as it comes free of your sides. You remove a metal pole which was supposed to keep you aloft against the black "space" backdrop, which, thankfully, has only shallowly penetrated Sputnik II's protective suit around you. You're positioned in a way befitting a normal dog, but you're... different now, so your back paws hit the ground, and your head hits the edge of the glass display. As you do every morning, you kick the display apart. Then you come to stand on your back legs, and shake yourself off. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (either: ...$barktoyourdoorstep)] By now, with the endless times you've woken up there, the green-gray shades of the main hall and its overhead dome are as familiar to you as anything in the cosmos. You've long suspected that the yellow-bleached dome is teeming with false light, but it's not hard for you to turn your head upwards and imagine the sun... as long as you get out from under the overhang your little display is situated under. When you do that, you can walk around the expansive center era. A bronze sunburst pattern directs you towards the other rooms. At its center is a replica of a few mammoths, guiding each other across icy terrain. A few have their trunks braided together. The fur is plastic to the touch. Maybe they're not like you. They've never moved, and you've watched for a long, long time. Besides the empty display cases, that's about it for the room. Save for the doors. Many, many doors. Which one would you like to take? (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the north, near your little... enclosure... is a doorway that emits a pleasant earthen smell.|Bizarre Garden]] [[Then, to the northeast, is a small and dark doorway which purrs with noise.|Song Room]] [[To the east, the whole room opens up to a small railway... and a huge overpass.|The Chasm]] [[To the southeast is a pale green light, like fresh buds.|Chrysalis Spire]] [[To the south is a deep blue glow from an archway embedded with wave designs. It's a little tacky.|Whale Hall]] [[Finally, to the west is a very small door, next to two doors which have been unceremoniously bricked off.|Zero-Space Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't1', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't1', 'loop', true) (track: 't1', 'play') ] (set: $location to "Main Hall")}

You nestle yourself inside the padded room and perk your ears. As always, after a while, the dark walls blur with reds and blues. You feel as if they were a relative, excited to see you home. The first sound begins to emerge from the walls, a lulling rustle of distant forest. The sounds of rabbits in the undergrowth perk your ears, and the ramble of a river flattens them back down. Sometimes when days are difficult, it's easy to enter this room and turn a few circles before falling asleep. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go to the north.|Scum Room]] [[Go to the main hall.|Main Hall]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play') ]}

While the room is large, it appears that it's only meant to hold a single object, in a display case in front of you. On all other sides, for your length and then some, around, is blankness itself... Aforementioned object is a crystal growing on a line upwards from a pitcher of water. The crystal is the same purple as the water from which it grows. It is quite large... it has grown to a substantial size, nearly as large as your arm. (link-reveal: "Lick it.") [ Oh god. Don't lick it. What is wrong with you? (link-reveal: "Lick it.") [ It could be poisonous? (link-reveal: "Lick it.") [ What if the Visitor finds you licking it and is upset with you? Then what will you do you, you rock licker? What if you can never go home because you licked a rock? (link-reveal: "Lick it.") [When the entire world ends you better be pleased with your... your degenerate ways and attitudes. (link-reveal: "Lick. The. Rock.")[ You lick the rock. That is a sugar crystal.]]]]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go north. You can smell something dusty.|Shell Room]] [[More dust to the east... what a dusty wing.|Skull Room]] [[Back to the south is the blackened metal exit to the wing... you could leave.|East Wing Entry]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

Down from the endless sets of boxes is a room of small skulls, a few of which are mounted precariously on wire. All of them are labelled with the same scratchy writing you've grown accustomed to from them, wherever they are, whatever they want. They're reassuringly blank canvases, sightless, lonely. You wonder if somewhere else, there's a corresponding room of bodies. You wonder if Sputnik II knows any more about the display than you do. (No, she doesn't have any reason to know skulls either...) You recognize a few of them, especially the human skull. You know there's a dog skull in here somewhere. But you don't want to look at it. You don't want to think about it. There are so many different kinds of dogs, it won't even look like your skull... The human skull is smooth and cold in your hands. This is the skull of an adult. (if: $foxheart > 3)[(link-reveal: "Break it.")[You don't know you're angry until the skull is on the floor and you're snarling. Your head spins a little. ... You have to stop talking to him. ... aren't you disappointed in yourself? In people?]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go to the west. |Perplexing Rock Room]] [[What's up to the north?|Hand Laboratory]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]}

The doors are three points of light, and everything else is darkness-- the light doesn't even cast forward, just indicates where the door might be, if you're ready to stop messing around in here and go. You take one big step into the room and end up... at another door. As if the entire room had contracted underneath you and placed you at a different exit. This has to be some kind of illusion, right? You give it one more try, this time walking out toward the direction of darkness, not another door. You immediately end up at one of the other doors regardless, and when you try it again, it looks like you're going in a circle. Trying to walk back in the other direction does not help. It appears to be some irritating loop of space contraction. You're beginning to get a headache just standing here. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Take the north door.|The Remnant Legs]] [[You take the south door. |Hall of Bones]] [[It looks like you can get back to the main hall from here. Get out of here.|Main Hall]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

The chasm stretches vast before you. (link-reveal: "Emerge,")[ onto the white walkway. It's so thin that you almost touch both rails. Two parallel lines block your descent, but to duck them would be trivial, so you're constantly reminded that they're a protection, not an impediment. And a slight one at that. The ground gives sudden way on either side to reveal an inky abyss. (link-reveal:"And on the edges, ")[ hundreds and hundreds of blocked-up windows. The suggestion of infinity in their ascent. Indentations in the stone that say, there could be a room. Or maybe hundreds of little lies to convince you this place goes on forever. (link-reveal:"But what's before you is definite, ")[ Or you hope it's definite. You hope that you're supposed to go forward. It feels like a prayer to keep putting your paws down, to drag your front paws along the rails and the back set along the stone. But you do it, don't you?]]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Onwards to the East Wing.|East Wing Entry]] [[Back to the West Wing.|Main Hall]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't1', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't1', 'loop', true) (track: 't1', 'play')]}

The East Wing opens with a huge entry room. It is void of content, save for tree-like pillars... coniferous trees. Nothing fancy. Those pillars are laden with bulbous tops, but their metal is a burnt black. One lies on its side, abandoned. You give it a tenative kick. If you were less lucky, you could have been fried by electricity. Fortunately, the experiment seems to be long over, and the power long-since put out. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Do you want to go back to the chasm?|The Chasm]] [[An arch to the north welcomes you...|Perplexing Rock Room]] [[And another to the south.|Downward Stairs: F1]] [[To the east is a tiny little door. You could go that way.|Archive 01]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't2', 'loop', true) (track: 't2', 'play') ]}

The dim light and familiar rows of boxes let you know that you've managed to wander back into storage. (link-reveal: "yay storage") [ said no one ever.] These boxes are marked unhelpfully with singular strokes, such as "I", "II", "III". No one has taught you how to read, though you're picking it up with help from Sputnik II, but counting is intuitive. It helps that at no point did they change symbols, the ugly black indicator strokes just get longer, until they stretch around the side of one box and onto another. This particular stint of the hallway goes from I to, and you walk down and count this, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. Each box is considerably hefty... (link-reveal: "And if you open a box, ") [ It's full of papers, all in pristine condition. On these papers, every paper, is lines of lines, just like the ones in the boxes. They're neat, but clearly handwritten...] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go west.|East Wing Entry]] [[Go south.|Archive 02]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

Crowded together, practically stacked, are the bones of animals. You don't recognize any of them... any at all. There is no ornamentation here, no helpful dioramas of environments nor any language you can read. Instead, the simple majesty of life and aftermath shines through in arms that dwarf your whole body, crests of bone with protruding horns that seem more like a human machine than an animal invention, and beaks long enough that they almost extend to the ground. Small potatoes. As you walk across the room, the layout contracts and expands, like an accordion. You feel a sense of reverence for your forebears. (link-reveal: "You sit down before them and pray.") [ Who is there to pray to? (link-reveal: "For them,")[ a prayer for the winners. The chuffing bark of getting to be perserved in bone. So many other bodies are lost before this, but these ones have perservered nicely.] (link-reveal: "For yourself,")[ a prayer for the lost. You don't dignify it with sound.] (link-reveal: "For home,")[ a prayer for the haunted. It sounds like a whine whatever way you slice it to pray for home.] (link-reveal: "For whoever made this place,")[ a prayer for the lonely. It's a soft little howl, a low and sustained note. Like working somewhere for so, so many years that it all blurs together into color and light.]] And then you move on. (if: $countdown > 0) [ {(if:$notracks is false)[[[South.|Comms Hall]]] (else:)[You can't go to the Comms Hall anymore.]} [[North.|Zero-Space Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play') ]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_crys.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> The light green room surrounds a massive glass chamber in the middle. Inside are thousands of chrysalises, arranged such that the gradual slope of their "resting" places spiral upwards. There is light coming from overhead, at the center of the chamber... it illuminates the developing bugs in a halo of ghastly light. A few chrysalises have become transparent, so that you can see the wings of an assortment of vivid butterflies, but they're not ready quite yet. As you watch, one butterfly takes wing and moves upwards, into the light. Where to, pal? (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Back to the main gallery.|Main Hall]] [[Southwards, ho!|Sunflower Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]} (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#5e9d0f,1,#000000)))

The only light in the room is emanates from where you entered. Past that is a finely formed darkness, a snake which coils down and downwards still. The spiralling stairs are five times as wide across as you are, as if meant for crowds... or something far larger than you. They are made of cold, smooth gray stone. In this lighting, or lack thereof, it is difficult to see, but they feel respectable to the touch. If you hold tight to the rail, even in the pitch darkness below, you may be able to navigate, as deeply as you descend. (if: $countdown > 0) [ You currently stand at the ''top'' of these stairs. [[Go north.|East Wing Entry]] [[Go east.|Archive 02]] [[Descend the stairs.|Downward Stairs: F0]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (set: $floor to 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

The dim light and familiar rows of boxes let you know that you've managed to wander back into storage. (link-reveal: "yay storage") [ said no one ever.] These boxes are marked unhelpfully with singular strokes, such as "I", "II", "III". No one has taught you how to read, though you're picking it up with help from Sputnik II, but counting is intuitive. It helps that at no point did they change symbols, the ugly black indicator strokes just get longer, until they stretch around the side of one box and onto another. This particular stint of the hallway goes from IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII to, and you walk down and count this, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. Each box is considerably hefty... (link-reveal: "And if you open a box, ") [ It's full of papers, all in pristine condition. On these papers, every paper, is lines of lines, just like the ones in the boxes. They're neat, but clearly handwritten...] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go north.|Archive 01]] [[Go west.|Downward Stairs: F1]] [[Go south.|Archive 03]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

Dozens of display cases reveal small, square walkie-talkies of identical build. Every single one screams with a different noise. The sensory yield of this is beginning to put you off, so you don't intend to spend all that long here. It's hard to resist the appeal of all these voices, though... and then you hear... (align:"===><===")[(link-reveal: "COME IN! COME IN COSMONAUT!")[ You run to the phone and yell, <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'm here! I'm here! ...and no one answers. The voice continues to scream, COME IN! COME IN! (What do you do... what do you do if they can't hear you?)]] (align:"=====><==")[(link-reveal: "THIS IS DELTA DELTA COMMING IN--")[ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> It's Lima, Alpha, India, Kilo, Alpha! Do you hear me? "DELTA DELTA, COPY. THIS IS ALPHA ROMEO. WHERE ARE YOU, DELTA DELTA?" (Not for you...)]] (align:"==><====")[(link-reveal: "WE'RE LOSING HER! WE'RE LOSING HER! COME IN, DELTA DELTA! YOU'RE THE LAST CHANCE THIS SQUADRON HAS--")[ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I don't know what you want me to say!!! Are these all recorded??? Why can't I speak to you-- The voice on the other side erupts with ugly static. And behind you, the last two do as well. (link-reveal:"There's only... there's only one singular comms still issuing noise...")[ The phone issues up an awful, pained coughing. You're confused at first... why would... anything... make a noise like that? Are they choking? No, it's... It's not choking. It's barking. That's a dog. You can't understand a thing the dog is saying because you're not a dog anymore. (What happened to you?) (set: $notracks to true) ]]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go to the great blue gallery beyond.|Whale Hall]] [[To the north is a dry scent...|Hall of Bones]] [[And to the south, a damp one...|Deceptive Space]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't12', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't12', 'loop', true) (track: 't12', 'play') ]}

(if: $gonewhale is false)[ Before you is a whale. It could probably turn in the area it's been given, but little more than that, and... whale. You are overwhelmed with the utter size, your entire body dwarfed and tiny in the blue light. You think the whale might be lying entirely still until it lowers its head, its giant eye roving to rest upon you. Your heart accelerates to a speed that usually registers as fear, but it's a different feeling-- a different texture. Being known, mortifyingly? Being aware that something thousands of times larger than you is watching you and acknowledging your presence? You wonder if this is how it feels for planets to turn toward the sun. The whale is awaiting some response from you. You're not like the whale, in that you're not restrained by anything. If you want, right now, you can slip away... {(if: $whart is 1) [(link-reveal: "You call out... hoping someone can hear.") [ (display: "whale1") (set: $whaleseen to true)]] (else-if: $whart is 2) [(link-reveal: "You call out... hoping someone can hear.") [ (display: "whale2") (set: $whaleseen to true)]] (else-if: $whart is 3) [(link-reveal: "You call out... hoping someone can hear.") [ (display: "whale3") (set: $whaleseen to true)]] (else-if: $whart is 4) [(link-reveal: "You call out... hoping someone can hear.") [ (display: "whale4") (set: $whaleseen to true)]] (else-if: $whart >= 5) [(link-reveal: "You call out... hoping someone can hear.") [ (display: "whale5") (set: $whaleseen to true)]] } {(unless: (track: 't5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't5', 'loop', true) (track: 't5', 'play') ]} ] (else: )[ The tank is huge and empty... and the world feels smaller now. You think that you did the right thing. But you don't know. And you might never know. {(group: 'playing', 'stop')}] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go back to the main hall..|Main Hall]] {(if:$notracks is false)[[[There's another gallery to the west.|Comms Hall]]] (else:)[The Comms Hall still echoes with mocking noise, but you're pretending you don't hear it.]} [[And another to the east...|Sunflower Room]] [[The middle southern gallery beckons to you in those same cool blues.|Sea Hall I]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1)}

(bg: black)[= While flaps of plastic seem to be the only thing separating the five rooms within from each other, the smell of each is noticeably different. You've become accustomed to smells matching poorly with reality, but this smell is unnerving in its own, new way. The best way to describe it is "petrichor gone wrong" (Sputnik II tells you that rain has smelled many ways over billions of years, but this is off the mark for all of them). Between flaps of plastic are tender rows of sunflowers. Each row faces a different direction. The stalks on one are blue, the others yellow, red, purple, with different seeds to match. One set of sunflowers, the blue set, moves their heads when you move. They have been tracking you for a while now. (Do they... do they track you whenever you're in other rooms?) (link-reveal: "Step on one.") [ The others have the good sense to turn away as you grind one into the ground, peeling its rigid stem open at the site of the tear. Inside are contracting and expanding muscles, like those of an inchworm. They make a sick and crackling noise, filling you with disgust.] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go to the great blue gallery beyond.|Whale Hall]] [[To the north is a green-lit room.|Chrysalis Spire]] [[And to the south... complete darkness. But you're not afraid of it.|Neon Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ] (enchant: ?page, (bg:(gradient: 90, 0,(hsl:0,0,0,0.5),0.0586,#e61919,0.1809,#e68019,0.3057,#e5e619,0.4943,#80e619,0.6522,#197fe6,0.8764,#7f19e6,1,#000000,1,#000000))) (hide: ?SideBar)}

At first you think it's teeth. Because it does look like teeth, and you've seen teeth. There are teeth around. But it is a jaw that would stop the heart of sharks, almost a story high. Hundreds of rusted teeth shine in the middle. Maybe you're wrong. Maybe it's not a jaw at all. Because jaws have teeth that stay in place, unless torn or dropped, and when you move across the room, the teeth change. A few flicker into existence, others pull away, and the entire jaw seems to rotate. At some positions, there are two sets of superimposed teeth. At others, sabre-like canines hang longer than your body, a precious meter above your face. Some configurations are needle-sharp and densely packed, others more clearly resemble your own mouth. At one point, a skeletal human grin emerges before you. ... you can't stop shuddering. Pretend it's reverence instead of fear. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the east are the paper rooms... someone might as well be in the paper rooms.|Archive 03]] [[A dry, familiar scent emanates from the south, open to you by way of a large arch.|Some-Space Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't9', 'loop', true) (track: 't9', 'play') ]}

The dim light and familiar rows of boxes let you know that you've managed to wander back into storage. (link-reveal: "yay storage") [ said no one ever.] These boxes are marked unhelpfully with singular strokes, such as "I", "II", "III". No one has taught you how to read, though you're picking it up with help from Sputnik II, but counting is intuitive. It helps that at no point did they change symbols, the ugly black indicator strokes just get longer, until they stretch around the side of one box and onto another. This particular stint of the hallway goes from IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII to, and you walk down and count this, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. Each box is considerably hefty... (link-reveal: "And if you open a box, ") [ It's full of papers, all in pristine condition. On these papers, every paper, is lines of lines, just like the ones in the boxes. They're neat, but clearly handwritten...] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go north.|Archive 02]] [[Go west.|The Remnant Jaw]] [[Go south.|Archive 04]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

This is a very small room. You thought upon entering it, that it would be much larger, and when you look back towards the north door, it does in fact look much larger. Taking a few tenative steps in that direction, you find it opens back up again. Then you begin sprinting across the room. The ceiling goes from far over your head, to close to it, to brushing against your ears. You give a yell and charge on, diving for the door. You cling to it. It is exactly enough for you to crouch by. You have successfully advanced on the tiny door. What now? (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Back up to the north are those creepy, rusted teeth.|The Remnant Jaw]] [[You've never been able to resist tiny doors.|Faraday Cage]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

The dim light and familiar rows of boxes let you know that you've managed to wander back into storage. (link-reveal: "yay storage") [ said no one ever.] These boxes are marked unhelpfully with singular strokes, such as "I", "II", "III". No one has taught you how to read, though you're picking it up with help from Sputnik II, but counting is intuitive. It helps that at no point did they change symbols, the ugly black indicator strokes just get longer, until they stretch around the side of one box and onto another. This particular stint of the hallway goes from IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII to, and you walk down and count this, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. Each box is considerably hefty... (link-reveal: "And if you open a box, ") [ It's full of papers, all in pristine condition. On these papers, every paper, is lines of lines, just like the ones in the boxes. They're neat, but clearly handwritten...] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go north.|Archive 03]] [[Go south.|Headless Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

The room is filled with grass, but something about it is putting you off. For one thing, where the walls are supposed to be, you instead are surrounded by trees, swaying in a steady, regular rhythm to wind you can't feel. The other thing that's putting you off is that there's a goddamn squirrel in the room. (link-reveal: "Do not chase the squirrel. Do not.") [ Not a chance! You're a dog. You bolt after the squirrel, which is awkward because you walk on two legs now, and that's not conducive to short-distance pursuits. If the squirrel were, say, a mammoth that could be chased for miles, finally to collapse from exhaustion, that would be different. But it's not that. So instead you awkwardly stumble after it, occasionally putting your paws to the ground and catching air. When it makes a dash for the treeline, you dive for it, and get a nose full of wall. The squirrel eyes you from a fake tree in a fake world, however uncannily projected. Because it's a hologram. Which you knew. Totally. As you stumble back to the center of the room, you see it again, approaching you as it tastes the air it can't truly sense and bounds across the real grass the hologram causes to part and shift as if it had weight. You're almost convinced again it might have substance, but then the light flickers and filters through your leg, passing by and scampering back off. It eyes you again, suspiciously from the tree, and then scampers off into the canopy. Soon it will do the whole thing again.] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Forget this. South. Now.|Fleshspace -1]] [[There are some nice and squirrel free galleries out to the east.|Sea Hall 0]] {(if:$notracks is false)[[[Or back up to the north...|Comms Hall]]] (else:)[You can not go back to the Comms Hall. You won't do it.]}] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_tanks.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> Set apart only partially from the main gallery by a series of tasteful colonnades (you think. You're not sure if your new thought process is inconducive to understanding architecture or if architecture is naturally baffling...) is a room full of much smaller tanks, making up the back wall. Resplendent, clean water carefully swaddles delicate organisms, and a soft glow off every exhibit delicately strokes your face. You stand to the west, where the darkest tanks pulse with furtive life. The western tanks are annotated in a frenzied text that you can't read. Sputnik II, too, seems to have difficulty making it out. This is unhelped by the fact that the dark blue coloration "illuminates" the area in the same way that the Edge is "organized". Behind the hasty scribbles are a collection of animals that you don't recognize. Somewhere deep in the metal, Sputnik II shrugs, but remembers warm, distant seas. A series of paddle-like fins ferry a string bean of an animal with stalk eyes across the tank. Bulbous protrusions grow from the sandy bottom of the tank. They're flanked by segmented, armored animals who sit on the ground. There are a few scribbles that resemble sketches of these animals, but with lines coming from the sides. These lines lead to more scribbling. You wonder what they see in all this. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the large gallery.|Whale Hall]] [[Eastward.|Sea Hall I]] [[Westward, out of the gallery proper.|Deceptive Space]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't5', 'loop', true) (track: 't5', 'play') ]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_tanks.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> Set apart only partially from the main gallery by a series of tasteful colonnades (you think. You're not sure if your new thought process is inconducive to understanding architecture or if architecture is naturally baffling...) is a room full of much smaller tanks, making up the back wall. Resplendent, clean water carefully swaddles delicate organisms, and a soft glow off every exhibit delicately strokes your face. You stand to the east, where the brightest tanks are set before a practically off-white background. This brightest edge is a veritable coral reef, alive with dozens of ultravivid species. Neither you nor Sputnik II have ever seen anything like them before. The fish do not seem to be in the mood to speak to you, which is a real shame. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the large gallery.|Whale Hall]] [[Eastward, out of the gallery proper. |Neon Room]] [[Westward.|Sea Hall I]] (unless: (track: 't5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't5', 'loop', true) (track: 't5', 'play') ]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't5', 'loop', true) (track: 't5', 'play') ]}

For a moment, utter darkness. Then you swim, in all sides, in an abundance of light. Balloons hang from the ceiling, swollen with colors, and poles jump to life with a rainbow that flickers and shifts like a pinball machine. When you extend a hand in one direction, it flares up with color, as if you were a phoenix whose Bunsen-burner wings extended far out into the distance. When you retract it, the room sighs back to a comfortable darkness. You give this a few twirls, and then realize-- (link-reveal: "Dogs... can't see color.") [ But you're... you. Something different. Could Sputnik II see color? (No.) But together, you can both...] --well, it's nice here, anyways. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go to the west.|Sea Hall II]] [[There are gardens to the north.|Sunflower Room]] [[There's a tiny, tiny door to the south, basically a service door. You should go see if it's open.|Estranged Backroom]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't6', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't6', 'loop', true) (track: 't6', 'play') ]}

You didn't know rooms could laugh until this one started laughing at you. Around the top of its gray-blue walls are a circuit of huge coils, with a blue bolt of lightning dancing between them. When you enter the room, it stops by the nearest corner, expectantly crackling. Then, as you move into the center, it takes the nearest coil and jumps to remain by you. You are protected by a mesh cage. The lightning occasionally probes the cage with what look almost like the skeletal fingers of a hand, but with each raking touch, it jumps back, curling its digits together. It occasionally emits a whining noise, as if to voice displeasure with you. You are boxed in by all sides, but the cage is kind enough to allow you exit to both doors. (link-reveal: "The laughing is beginning to get on your nerves. Or maybe you're going feral... that would explain why it sounds like it's forming words...") [ (display: "SNAPS") (set: $snaps to $snaps + 1)] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the north. It's time to get out of here.|Some-Space Room]] [[There's another door to the southeast. It's smaller than the one you came in from, which is saying something, but you can muscle through. |?????]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't2', 'loop', true) (track: 't2', 'play') ]}

The room is small and full of display tanks. Inside are hundreds of animal skeletons, all of them headless. They are meticulously composed, some arranged into facsimiles of life-- a cat chasing down a hare, several pitifully small bodies curled around their headless mother. It must have taken hundreds of hours to construct all this, but why... a thousand different kinds of why. Did other animals end up here in motion? Skeletal? Were they composed this way? Why bother? And then, after bothering, why throw this in the furthest corner (at least that you can access) and remove all the heads? {(if: (visited: "Skull Room")) [This must be where all the skulls came from...]} In the back, jumping up on the lap of a human, is a skeletal dog. The necks are positioned so the dog might have been licking the human's face, or adoringly staring into their human's eyes. It fills you with this emotion you don't like about yourself... a pathetic anger that makes you feel silly. (if: $foxheart >= 5)[(link-reveal: "Steal the bones.")[ You are trying to steal the bones. And you bash them to the ground. You kick them. You break them. You destroy the whole thing. And then you start crying.]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[The only way out is north. |Archive 04]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]}

The rooms seem to be getting smaller near the south. This one might just feel oppressive on behalf of the central exhibit. It is a perfectly stationary cast of a mammoth, like the ones on display in the main hall. However, this one is set well apart by the way half of the body is neatly severed, allowing someone to walk in between the two halves and see that inside are dozens of perfectly working organs. Undeterred by the distance between them, they continue to pump blood and air through a body that on the outside, does not move at all. You look up to the cavity where the brain is. A large pink slush leers back down at you. (...) (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[East.|Purgatory Hall]] [[North.|Deceptive Space]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't16', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't16', 'loop', true) (track: 't16', 'play') ]}

The walls are full and ascend for stories. They are completely covered in bugs. Thousands of beady eyes look up from aerial graves, pinned to boards which cover the entire room. Lymph haphazardly leaks from some bodies, forming stains on the paint and cork, while others have been dead... who knows how long. All are eerily well perserved, love commingling with the lymph as it oozes from carapaces who affection can not bring back to life. In the middle of the room is a scarce collection of animals, boxed in by the green walls of dead bugs. A bear stands on its hindlegs. A rabbit hides in a fake burrow. And barely posed at all, standing in a rigid, ugly position, with skin barely drawn around its body, is a thing which wears a fox's skin like a bad suit. Its glass eyes look through you. Its mouth is drawn back in a sneer of raw contempt. {(if: $foxheart is 1) [(link-reveal: "A terrible thing is snarling...") [ (display: "Taxi1") (set: $foxseen to true)]] (else-if: $foxheart is 2) [(link-reveal: "A terrible thing is snarling...") [ (display: "Taxi2") (set: $foxseen to true)]] (else-if: $foxheart is 3) [(link-reveal: "A terrible thing is snarling...") [ (display: "Taxi3") (set: $foxseen to true)]] (else-if: $foxheart is 4) [(link-reveal: "A terrible thing is snarling...") [ (display: "Taxi4") (set: $foxseen to true)]] (else-if: $foxheart >= 5) [(link-reveal: "A terrible thing is snarling...") [ (display: "Taxi5") (set: $foxseen to true)]] } (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go to the west.|Fleshspace -1]] [[Go to the east.|Estranged Backroom]]] (else: ) [[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't16', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't16', 'loop', true) (track: 't16', 'play') ]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_lock.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> Besides the doors back to other rooms, the only thing in the dinky corridor is a door marked by a circle, split by a line. One of their marks. It's not unlike a face being moved to two pieces... a thing which is cut off from itself. It makes you a little sad. You wonder if it makes them sad, too, or if they've attached no meaning to their own symbols at all. When you knock on it, no sound returns, as if your paw-fist had touched nothing at all. On the right side, near the hinge, flashes a gray panel. (click-replace: "You butt the door with your head.")[On the other side, silence. The door, in what feels like an obvious twist, does not open. Maybe, if you were lucky, there would be nothing on the other side of the wall but a wall-- that the door is just a bizarre facade. Because the alternative sometimes feels like that the Edge of Space goes on forever-- is that better, or worse?] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Back over to the west is the distant sound of something that sings and shrieks without living at all.|Purgatory Hall]] [[The crisp darkness await to the north.|Neon Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

There's nothing in this room. It's very small, a closet, really. But a sinister noise rises up from the floor... something rams the ground beneath you, so close that you feel it might break through. The tile vibrates. A series of more desperate pounding noises volley the floor beneath you, accompanied by the distant sound of conversation. The pounding leaves the ground directly beneath you, and you hear it coming from the wall. It continues around the ceiling, occasionally pausing or speeding up in agitation. A low murmuring sounds from far away. You don't know what it says, but you can make out several distinct voices. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Out. Out. We're leaving. Out.|Faraday Cage]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't8', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't8', 'loop', true) (track: 't8', 'play') ]}

The spiralling stairs are five times as wide across as you are, as if meant for crowds... or something far larger than you. They are made of cold, smooth gray stone, like most of the interior which isn't trying to put on a show. The staircase seemingly stops on your floor, leveling out, and a story above you, the stairs pop back into existence, ascending toward the light. The architecture hangs ominously overhead, like a chandelier fastened to the sides of the wall. It's dizzying to behold. Back the other way, respectably handsome pillars follow your every descending step, should you choose to take them. (if: $countdown > 0) [ You currently stand at the ''top'' of these stairs. [[Go east.|The Hall of Indivisibles, 1]] [[Go south.|Hall]] [[Descend the stairs.|Upward Stairs: F1]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (set: $floor to 2) (unless: (track: 't475', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't475', 'loop', true) (track: 't475', 'play') ]}

The room is an intricate, dazzling array of minerals. Petrified woods gleam back at you with warm eyes, agates toss sparkling facets under the lights, rubies shyly reveal their hues. The hundreds of black display cases form familial connections, with thin green lines in the carpet linking cases. There's a large green line that flows out to the next room over. Your ears perk up. Sputnik II is nervous about that one, and she won't tell you why. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the east.|The Hall of Indivisibles, 2]] [[To the stairs, in the west.|Upward Stairs: F2]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

The black patterning with green lines continues to this room's more meagre collection. This room is more conservative, with most of the rocks either appearing just that or having green-yellow, sickly mineral deposits. The glass, transparent and inviting in the other room, has thickened into a blue-tinted protective shield, as if the rocks are uneager to socialize. You feel almost ashamed for intruding. Halfway through the room, you pass through some invisible barrier into darkness. Stepping back over the point sets you in light again, as if you'd gone over a light-impervious shielding of some kind. Wandering well into the darkness, you notice the display cases are still full, their items now giving off modest green glows. This is behind black-tinted glass so thick and foggy the shapes of the items themselves are indistinct. It looks like a lot of pipes, but with an upwards billow at the end, like a chalice. The green lines still snake through the room in vivid color. The lines seem to beckon you towards the east entrance, which is so bright you can't see a thing through it. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the light in the east.|The Hall of Indivisibles, 3]] [[To the minerals in the west.|The Hall of Indivisibles, 1]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

Display cases have become tubes, each containing... nothing. Then you hear a crack and it illuminates from the inside, a seething white overwhelming the room. Sputnik II instinctively employs her shield and covers your face, but nothing follows. The cracks echo back across the room as more of the tubes light up. Whenever they return to normal, there's nothing in them at all. ... You follow the room's trajectory with your eyes half-closed. It's hard to navigate the tube forest, but the longer you go, the quieter the tubes become, the less blinding their lights. Residue of some crusty, dark variety rests at the bottom of some of the tubes, then huge reservoirs congeal the tube together near the back. Metals begin to warp as you past, at first, barely, then, when you rotate your head, you watch the entire composition of one of the tubes change. At the back is a purple-black weld of some of the last material. It is shaped like a human bracing itself away from the light. ... (Everything here always puts you off ease...) (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the minerals in the west.|The Hall of Indivisibles, 2]] [[You're not a fan of the looks of the eastern door, but you'll open it anyways. Ignore the entire cake of rust that falls off in your hand when you do so.|Wire Forest of Transit]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

Calling this a shortcut would be like calling the Edge a museum-- it's clearly not intended for that purpose, there's no one around (but you) to observe such a thing, and then it fitting the constraints of that thing is highly dubious. Nonetheless, there is something speedy-feeling about the backrooms. There are other hallways, but this is one of the scrubbed bare circuit-filled hellscapes that clicks with electricity. The ceiling looks like a bundle of black muscle cells, taut and rubbery with cords that make the building live. Dog brain distantly recognizes the sound of a vacuum cleaner going off in the middle distance. (link-reveal: "If you keep walking, there has to be something on the other side... ") [and now you're so inured in it that you forget which way is out. Well. The circuit forest waits for no one. It is a loveless entity. West or north? (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[The north.|The Hall of Indivisibles, 3]] [[The west.|Dirtspace]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_nuke.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> The room is small and wholly empty. It's far from the first time you've seen something like this. In the center of the room, roped off by what looks like electrified pillars, is a small, oblong object, with fins hanging off the back. It hangs overhead like it might anywhere in the world back home-- you mean on Earth. How it would hang on Earth. The object is covered in a coarse black paint. It's small in comparison to the room, but commands a presence as if it were encompassing the whole of space. It reminds you of the pupil of an eye. It reminds you of the way ice sometimes forms in your throat when you swallow, like something is caught inside of you, unable to escape. (if: $absence is false)[(link-reveal: "Then the voice crackles forwards:") [ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg.png" alt="It."width="100" height="100">This is not a place of honor... no highly esteemed deed is commemorated here... nothing valued is here. (You already know it will not talk to you again.) (set: $absence to true)]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[The stairs are always to the north when you need them. |Upward Stairs: F2]] [[And so many doors open to the east... as if asking you to go there instead. As if anywhere else would be easier than this.|Pioneer's Hall]] [[And then the south... with whatever that tiny door is.|Wire Forest of Absence]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't2', 'loop', true) (track: 't2', 'play') ]}

The room before you is entirely flat, with a blue ceiling. However, instead of the standard marble-esque flooring, below your paws crunches a thick layer of dirt. A quick dig with your paw reveals more dirt. It looks like... the dirt goes considerably deep... it's not clear how deep... (link-reveal: "If you start digging, ")[ it looks like it goes down at least a few feet. You may or may not be digging with your hands. If you get down and dig dog-style this (link-reveal: "might go a little faster...") [ you are now down deep as yourself and then some and the dirt is not abating. How much space is there between floors? Where is this space coming from? (link-reveal: "The structural stability of this tunnel is ") [not great...]]] (link-reveal: "Roll... roll in the dirt.") [ Do not roll in the dirt. It is beneath you. (link-reveal: "Roll in ... the dirt...") [ Sputnik II will get dirty. She's not a huge fan of grime. (link-reveal: "You will be cleaned off tomorrow... roll... roll in the dirt...") [ You lie down. In an awkward amalgamation of dog posture, humanoid body plan, and space suit, which no, you can not take off, you turn and twist and roll in the dirt. The smell is sterile. This is to dirt what turkey bacon is to bacon. Your disappointment is immeasurable.]]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[South. Let's go south.|Planetarium]] [[For some ungodly reason, I seek to go to the backrooms, which are casting their usual pale and irritating light from beyond yonder door.|Wire Forest of Transit]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]}

(bg:(hsl:0,0,0,0.2))[ (text-colour:#82828c)[The room is simple, with a domed ceiling that flashes low, deep blues, and a circular, raised seating area. At the center of the seating area is a little globe. ] (link-reveal: "Touch the globe. ")[(text-colour:#aa10aa)[= It illuminates, and begins to turn as you move it about. Above you, the makeshift sky darkens and reveals hundreds of constellations and planets, stars rolling overhead as you move through the seasons at dizzying speed. Stars, stars, stars turn and change and coat your body in little flecks of light. Half of you is metal, half of you is dog, and all of you has loved space since the day you were reborn. You look up to the sky and think of summer nights in the city, of the strange view from Sputnik. You can't remember which stars were yours, or if any had ever been, so you turn the world in circles and make it new again. (link-reveal: "Sirius ") [is actually two stars.]] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[The gallery is to the west. |Pioneer's Hall]] [[You smell a damp odor out of the north...|Dirtspace]] [[And an even stranger one, to the east.|STORAGE: 03]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't13', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't13', 'loop', true) (track: 't13', 'play')]}

(text-color: orange) [The room is small and wholly empty. It's far from the first time you've seen something like this. In the center of the room, roped off by what looks like electrified pillars, is a painting. It hangs overhead like it might anywhere in the world back home-- you mean on Earth. How it would hang on Earth.] It's two blocky squares in yellow and orange. (text-color: yellow)[Your ears slide back. There's an intrinsic joy to the painting, the kind that you get when you shrug after telling someone a joke you know they'll hate. You try to remember any time you've actually felt that way. It doesn't come from either of your past lives. The painting is human, you figure. It's human like you, in that it's been made human.] (text-color: orange)[But it doesn't want to talk to you.] (text-color: yellow)[That's okay, you just wish it would. Then you'd know if you were interpreting it entirely incorrectly.] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[You can always go back to the west. |Planetarium]] [[But there's always time to move on to the south, too.|STORAGE: 02]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't8', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't8', 'loop', true) (track: 't8', 'play') ]}

When you walk into the room, you are greeted with a zebra-striped floor and strange pillars against the walls, in a rusted material that occasionally glints purple. Then, when you look up, you realize that the floor is patterned by light overhead glinting from around a massive metal ribcage. As you take a step, you hear a slight heaving, and see a huge, balloon-like //thing// swelling and contracting. Around it, small, intricate metal organs move in and out of existence. One thumps, extending tendrils of oil down around the sides of the ribcage. Another has hundreds of tiny bloated substructures, all of which clench up. One is a small fan which twists and sighs to the body's rhythm. At the very center, with all of the mess descending from the high ceiling, you can feel the heat they exude on your face. When you walk forwards, they begin to retract again, physically changing with a trick of the light. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[More storage back to the east... who doesn't love storage...|STORAGE: 02]] [[Light to the west...|Blank Room]] [[Darkness to the south. ... |Precipice]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't9', 'loop', true) (track: 't9', 'play')]}

It's another storage room. Well, no it isn't. Usually, the storage rooms are small, easily a third of the size of a good exhibit at the largest, and they're gray-walled, full of those black filing cabinets and metal storage crate holders. This is just a room. A huge, white room, filled from wall to wall with an assembly of broken frames. All of them give a handmade energy, in that regardless of the material (you notice scabby organic material, wood, metal, the building's unenthusiastic marble), they are all cobbled together. Sometimes something resembling a nail drives through them, other times, an adhesive holds floundering parts as they try to lean far away from each other as possible. The whole thing is a comically poor testament... to... trying to set something in the right place. To frame it correctly, literally. The rest of the Edge has never felt like an "art museum" but you think the Visitor might have unintentionally created a kind of art piece. At least, you think this is how human art works? (There's a kind of intimacy in knowing the mess someone makes...) (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go west.|The Remnant Ribcage]] [[Go north.|STORAGE: 03]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't6', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't6', 'loop', true) (track: 't6', 'play')]}

It's another circuit room. Nothing appeals to you about the scabbed paint and the veiny wires haphazardly stapled into the wall, the constant hum that the ceiling shudders with as it disappears down a hallway too packed with stray wire to see. All of it feels improperly insulated, deeply unsafe-- it couldn't be warned off better, and you're sure that this is a total accident. (if: (visited: "Visitor's Workshop")) [ But this is where you're supposed to go, if you're remembering correctly. Peeling through layers and layers of wire, you eventually reach a door. You close your eyes. You think you know what this is. But you knock anyways. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_lock.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> [[And then onwards, to the south.|Continue?]]] (else: ) [You could keep walking through here forever and not get to where you want. What a spectacular disappointment... might as well turn around.] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Might as well go back to the north.|Hall]] [[What's out to the east?|Worm Room]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

The room is small as it is dark, with light pouring in from all the other open halls. This intermediary room has a curved ceiling... at the edges, you can identify that the entire ceilling is made out of dirt. Aforementioned dirt is crawling with worms. In the looming darkness, it looks as if the whole ceiling is just inching about. The dirt is filled with some variety of rot for the worms to feed on, only identifiable at the edges, where you can still make out distinct blobs. Dog brain unhelpfully offers, "motion! motion!" as you step past and around the wriggling friends in the gloom. This may might not be your favorite room but it definitely has "a vibe" to it. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[You smell something to the south... something that smells like brackish water and a broken heart.|The North Shore]] [[Go out to the west.|Wire Forest of Absence]] [[Hmm... what's to the east?|Blank Room]] [[Up to the north, you can see a huge hall.|Pioneer's Hall]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't15', 'loop', true) (track: 't15', 'play') ]}

You emerge onto a corridor bordering the abyss. You can see the chasm down there-- a long, straight passage stretched across it-- and on either side of it, an ocean of darkness. You can see the hundreds of closed stone windows, the architecture imagining itself as something that could be glass, in another life. Mainly, you see the tiny railings. Over the edge, there is so little keeping you from pitching over, and when you put your paws on the rail to study the abyss, you hear an uncomfortable creaking noise. An overwhelming majority of the denizens of Earth have not seen space, do not know weightlessness. Only the slightest percentage have even dreamed of it. It must still be a small percentage, with the fish and those living on the land, but you wonder how many of your compatriots back home dream of falling. Leaning over the railing, you want to discuss architecture. You want to discuss infinities. You want someone with different experiences to speak with you about the world you barely know anything about-- this one or the old one. You're not human. But you can't say their subjectivity hasn't been leaking into yours. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[The northern corridors await. |The Remnant Ribcage]] [[Or elsewise, on to the south...|The East Shore]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't2', 'loop', true) (track: 't2', 'play') ]}

Are you ready to go on? (You will not be able to return to the rest of the game from here forwards.) [[No. Take me back.|Wire Forest of Absence]] [[Yes.|The Edifice]] (hide: ?SideBar)

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_beach.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> Inside is not a room at all. Seemingly, the wall is still there behind you, and climbs on forever, but when you move away from it, the paintings of reeds seem to peel from their painted grave, swaying hopefully, alive, in the air. Beneath your paws, you feel sand crunch. When you look back to see all this, you see a dune behind you, sloped and hulking, cut only by the perfect rectangle of the door you entered through. Then you turn around. As far out as you can stare, there is an expanse of salt water, curling with the tide beneath a full moon. The unmistakeable breath of the ocean whispers to you, salt tinged with something vital which has been turning in the guts of the world for over three billion years. You're by the sea. Seagulls extend their wings, frozen in the air, their calls played on endless loop. As you approach the water, the furthest edge of a wave reaches out to tap your paw. Unlike the birds, the gravity of tides is no more a stranger here than hydrogen, even if you can't trust the swollen moon overhead. Her light casts an unusual glow over the water. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go back out to the north. |Worm Room]] [[Swim. |Shallow Water]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#4263eb,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play')]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_ocean.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> You dive into the rough. At some point all other options faded away. Beneath you, a streak of magmatic hyperorange, like a shooting star whose trail gouges the earth she lives in. The water is no match for your suit, born to protect you from the universe's choking primeval Eden, but the malfunctioning helmet renders all of that moot. As the wet (link-reveal: "thunders over your chest, ") [getting between you and Sputnik II, you take in the first panicked breath of water. Your mouth opens to expel (link-reveal: "and you keep breathing it in,")[ your paws beginning to flail violently. A red sun burns behind your eyes, twinning a dizzy streak of orange. Sputnik II and you remember exposure. Why is it so hard to (link-reveal: "breathe") [ please let me (link-reveal: "breathe") [please The heavy hands-- you think they're hands-- filter through the water. You remember how it sometimes felt to be held, when you were small and everything was different. Wordlessly, you are aware that what you have been looking for is close by, but it is so hard right now for you to ask follow up questions. You [[surrender|Heavy Water]] to the weight.]]]] {(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#233476,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play')]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_ocean.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> The water is rougher than expected, and the waves begin to crest over your head. You attempt to pull up the protective shielding on your suit, but Sputnik II is crusted with brine and appears unable to help you. The moon overhead is absent, and overhead the air alternates between the rose gold of the vista's imagined dusk and the white, bony construction of a metal world every bit as strange and indifferent to you as the earth's seas. Deep below the water, the moonlight {(if: $drownsafe is false)[[[still shines|Deep Water]]] (else:)[still shines]...} [[but you won't go|The East Shore]] to the deep water. { (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#3149aa,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play')]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_beach.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> Inside is not a room at all. Seemingly, the wall is still there behind you, and climbs on forever, but when you move away from it, the paintings of reeds seem to turn to reeds, and sway hopefully in the damp air, like tails. Beneath your paws, you feel sand crunch. As far out as you can stare, there is an expanse of salt water, curling with the tide beneath a full moon. The unmistakeable breath of the ocean whispers to you, salt tinged with something vital which has been turning in the guts of the world for over three billion years. You're by the sea. Seagulls extend their wings, frozen in the air, their calls played on endless loop. As you approach the water, the furthest edge of a wave reaches out to tap your paw. Unlike the birds, the gravity of tides is no more a stranger here than hydrogen, even if you can't trust the swollen moon overhead. Her light casts an unusual glow over the water. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Go back out to the north. |Precipice]] [[Swim. |Shallow Water]] [[You round the banks, following the shoreline wherever it'll take you. You've never been to the ocean before.|Extended Shore]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#4263eb,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play')]}

For the first time in your life you are happy to be out of [[time.|TIME]] {(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#17224f,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play')]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_beach.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> You skirt the side of the sea. While the angle begins to change on the water, seeing as the room is shaped like a wedge of a circle, you notice that the shoreline stutters and repeats, dune patterns and clumps of grass appearing in the same shapes again and again. As you walk on, this becomes more noticeable, until you are taking the same step over and over again. The sand becomes hard to grip. [[You can go back now. |The East Shore]] (link-reveal: "No, you're not going back.") [ Your paws grind the grit. Standing between there and the water, in the hardest-packed sand, you walk forwards, your vision stuttering. Sputnik II purrs like an old computer as you press yourself against spacetime. You feel something expanding outwards near your chest, and then your paws hit metal. It's a door. You hold onto the door as tight as you can. Behind you, there is a large chunk of darkness, a corridor whose end points back out to the ocean shore. Before you is a symbol: a circle split into two, almost connected halves. You move your paw numbly across a door and find a doorknob you could turn. [[I've been looking for you,|Visitor's Workshop]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#4263eb,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't11', 'loop', true) (track: 't11', 'play')]}

(text-color: purple) [Come on in.] There's allegedly woodwork here, and a fireplace, like a little log cabin built into the hell museum at the edge of the universe. Not that you'd notice more than an inch of it all, because the workshop is deluged in paper. Diagrams, scripts, huge half-finished drawings, and everything in between is buried under more of the same, and cannisters, some of which are leaking fluid. It's a hellish mess, and in the corner, situated by what can loosely be referred to as a "desk", in a spindly chair, is a cloaked figure. They turn around. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You're the Visitor? (text-color: purple) [Laika?] You didn't expect them to look like this. They must have noticed you staring. (text-color: purple) [Well, this is interesting. ...Why don't I try something a little bit more presentable?] They turn in place, and facing you is another dog, looking at you with familiar and sad eyes. Like you, they stand on their back legs, surrounded by a pressurized suit. There is no one //really// like you in the entire world, or anything past that, you realize. But for now, as long as you want, you can pretend. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[You must have a lot of questions. Would you like me to answer some of them?] (if: (visited: "Archive 01") or (visited: "Archive 02") or (visited: "Archive 03") or (visited: "Archive 04"))[(link-reveal: "What’s with the number boxes?") [ (display: "VisNum")]] (link-reveal: "Why is this place so hostile?")[ (display: "VisHos")] (if: (visited: "Howling Room: Outer") or (visited: "Fleshspace 0"))[(link-reveal: "What's up with the basement? Why is it like that?") [ (display: "VisFur")]] (link-reveal: "How many rooms are there?")[ (display: "VisRom")] (link-reveal: "Do you talk to anyone else here?")[ (display: "VisChat")] (if: $vizi >= 2)[(link-reveal: "Do you know the Theorist?")[ (display: "VisThe1")]] (if: $vizi >= 5)[(link-reveal: "Are you the Theorist?")[ (display: "VisThe2")]] (link-reveal: "How are you doing today?")[ (display: "VisHyd")] (if: $whart > 3)[(link-reveal: "Why take me? Am I dead?")[ (display: "VisDeath")]] (if: ($whart > 4))[(if: $whalesafe is false)[(link-reveal: "Please let her go.")[ (display: "VisWhale")]]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> And if I want to go home... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Go west from the space probes on the second floor, then south, then south again. The way will make itself clear. Only meet me there if you're sure of what you want to do, okay? {(if: $daycount is 1)[ And make sure this is what you really want to do because... well, I might not have been paying that much attention, but even I can tell you haven't been walking around very long.]} It's been nice talking. But I'm afraid, Laika, that we're out of [[time.|TIME]]] { (unless: (track: 't9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't9', 'loop', true) (track: 't9', 'play')] (set: $barktoyourdoorstep to $barktoyourdoorstep + (a: "The Visitor's instructions were clear enough-- west from the probes on the second floor, south, and south again. If I want to follow them, today could be the day."))}

Before you is a tremendous furnace, crackling with heat which runs past white into a delirious rainbow of colors, sparking off in every direction. Even on the barest edge of the room, you are aware that to come closer would rend the flesh from your bones. Only a whisper of the heat makes it through to the edges, and then, it is still... An ancient presence hums in this place. Billions of years of fear sing in your burning bones. {(if: $epiheart is 1) [(link-reveal: "The furnace roars.") [ (display: "Epi1") (set: $episeen to true)]] (else-if: $epiheart is 2) [(link-reveal: "The furnace roars.") [ (display: "Epi2") (set: $episeen to true)]] (else-if: $epiheart is 3) [(link-reveal: "The furnace roars.") [ (display: "Epi3") (set: $episeen to true)]] (else-if: $epiheart is 4) [(link-reveal: "The furnace roars.") [ (display: "Epi4") (set: $episeen to true)]] (else-if: $epiheart >= 5) [(link-reveal: "The furnace roars.") [ (display: "Epi5") (set: $episeen to true)]] } [[You fall to your knees before the fire, spots beginning to cloud your vision.|TIME]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't2', 'loop', true) (track: 't2', 'play') (if: $episeen is 1) [(set: $barktoyourdoorstep to $barktoyourdoorstep + (a: "I... want to visit the fire."))] ]}

In front of you is the fire, and behind you a frying pan. Your body quakes. In a way this is close as you have ever come to home-- the heat and scream of space. The terrible tremble and spit and shake of space. This room is its testament. You can not tell if the walls are moving around you. Up ahead is the red glare. You've seen it before in things that do not pass for dreams. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Continue into the burning light.|The Furnace]] [[Lose your resolve. Go back.|Howling Room: Outer]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1)}

You collapse in the storage room and gasp. The smell of dust has never been so inviting. Tears well up in your eyes and you lie there, panting, against the huge stacks of heavy metal filing cabinets. When you've taken enough time to compose yourself, you stand up and shake off. It's not the first time this place has been hard to live in, but you're used to the first floor. As you stand, you notice one of the cabinets is slightly ajar. They're all too heavy to lift, but you can pull them out and see what's inside. It looks to be an assemblage of welder's tools, but they're occasionally combined with a purple metal which twists and changes when you tilt it back and forth, as if your every movement inspired a sudden burst of free will within it. Though it's arguably little more than a trick of the light, something about the flickering makes you unreasonably upset. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[The furnace lies before you, blistering with heat. Face it if you are ready.|The Furnace]] [[Back out into the pink rooms. Whatever's inside could be even worse than what you just went through.|Fleshspace II]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (group: 'playing', 'stop')}

The room is a black that obscures horizons. If you were to walk out to the left or right, there might be nothing to catch you as you went on. Opposite you is a door. Your heart leaps-- it can't be that far off. But as you move toward it the ground itself vibrates so finely that the world feels like it has lost a dimension you didn't know it had: certainty. A sound rings inside your head, a whining thin and piercing. It is a tone so pure nothing can sound through it. All of your organs feel like they are in free collapse. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[In.|Howling Room: Inner]] [[Back.|The Remnant Spine]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't2', 'loop', true) (track: 't2', 'play') ]}

The taupe flesh the oozing boils. The entire room shakingoneither side. The hands aroundyour hands. That is the ceilingdescending. That is the kneedeep viscera. That is the head-level pale rinds of feathered flesh. That is theway the body wants to have you back. That is the way that flesh demands. That is the dizzyingodor of iron and sulfur. That is the distantsweetness of rot. That is the only light coming from outside the body, shining through the membranes. That is the lowhumming. That is every step hesitating with the weight around your legs. That is every step ducking between the high water and the low-hanging fruit of the body. That is the knowing it's in you, usually. That usually the guts are inside of you. That is the wanting to be gutless. Wanting to be washed entirely clean. That is not being able to ever be washed entirely clean. That is not ever being able to feel clean again. That is the sick is the sick is the sick is the sick is the sick (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[In.|STORAGE:06]] [[Back.|Fleshspace I]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (enchant: ?page, (bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#e1a8d7,0.7816,#d6717b,1,#000000,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't8', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't8', 'loop', true) (track: 't8', 'play') ]}

A rusted and undefinable thing hovers overhead. Possibly a bent part of a building... but it's so large that it fills this room, easily the size of an airplane hangar. When you move, it curls like a serpent, preparing to strike. Seamlessly, while walking, it untwists itself and ascends straight upwards through the ceiling. The only constant quality is that wherever you move, it is just out of reach, like a rainbow. The room smells strongly of iron. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[Up to the north is a closed door, painted a fresh black. It's probably a bad idea to be curious, but you love bad ideas. They are practically your profession.|Howling Room: Outer]] [[Go to the south.|Suffocated Garden]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't9', 'loop', true) (track: 't9', 'play')]}

The russet flesh. The dry sores. The constant pulse. The walls vibrating, something kicking from within. The constant dry wind. On the floor, a river of saturated liquid runs and coalesces in deep pools. They're always shaking. The crackling sores release skin cells large enough to see, a constant drift of dandruff. Sputnik II is protecting you, but everything sticks. You can sense everything on your second skin, the way the drift adheres to the slightest moisture and curls around you. The drift sometimes swells like it has a life of its own, bracing against something else. It shakes with a human resolution. You so badly want it to die. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[In.|Fleshspace II]] [[Back.|Fleshspace 0]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (enchant: ?page, (bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#e1a8d7,0.4816,#d6717b,1,#000000,1,#000000)))}

At some point, something lived in here... ...it doesn't now. A few rows of haphazard red and blue lights shine out over a field of dead stalks. Once covered in bark, or so you think, as they've been stripped several times, to nothing at all. The distant howling reminds you of wastelands and winter winds. Even with artificial light allegedly filling in the blanks, it feels like everything that was kept here died hopelessly in want of sunlight. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[There's a massive hangar door to the north. It might be worth checking out.|The Remnant Spine]] [[A smaller, more austere door lies to the south. |Downward Stairs: F0]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't16', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't16', 'loop', true) (track: 't16', 'play') ]}

The gummy texture. The slick of membrane. The contracting wall. The slightest white bones, fishbones really, piercing that baleful edge of the flesh as it extends and retract. Something whines in the distance. You thought it was coming from this direction. But it isn't. It's coming from further on. You're kept safe by the pathway-- it cuts true through the center, elevated so that the room doesn't touch you at all. It's not that bad. If you can keep your distance, you'll be safe. You slide up your helmet just to be safe. The smell is threateningly sweet. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[In.|Fleshspace I]] [[Back.|No Further]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (enchant: ?page, (bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#e1a8d7,0.3516,#d6717b,1,#000000,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't8', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't8', 'loop', true) (track: 't8', 'play') ]}

The only light in the room is emanates from the outside. This is dwarfed by the cold shadow of the stairs, laying like a serpent in the dark. You can almost imagine piercing eyes gazing balefully at you in the little light you can scrounge up. The spiralling stairs are five times as wide across as you are, as if meant for crowds... or something far larger than you. They are made of cold, smooth gray stone. In this lighting, or lack thereof, it is difficult to see, but they feel respectable to the touch. If you want to ascend, they'll be there for you. All you have to do is hold to the rail. (if: $countdown > 0) [ You currently stand at the ''bottom'' of these stairs. [[From the north, there's the slightest scent... you feel inclined to follow it.|Suffocated Garden]] [[You hear something coming from the east..|No Further]] [[There's a small room to the south...|Basement Backrooms]] [[Go back upstairs. This place is giving you the Creeps.|Downward Stairs: F1]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (set: $floor to 0) (unless: (track: 't425', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't425', 'loop', true) (track: 't425', 'play') ]}

There is a sound to the north of you like an animal swallowing, again and again. This room is bathed in a sickly pink, with walls covered in reams of scabbed flesh annotated with graphs you can't decipher. (You're pretty sure they all end with that swooping decline, though... and the smudged-up paper bespeaks a tragedy you have no window into.) The scabs remind you of tree bark, or some shrivelled animal. You wonder not for the first time what the notes around your own exhibit mean, if you are remembered well or poorly, if someone is mocking you or trying to help. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[You have to pull at the lock to get in. But it doesn't stop you, and sometimes you feel like it was barely trying at all. If you want to go on, you can go on.|Fleshspace 0]] [[Back to the west, you could still get on the stairs...|Downward Stairs: F0]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (enchant: ?page, (bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#e1a8d7,0.1616,#d6717b,.6,#000000,1,#000000))) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_lock.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25"> A door marked by a circle, split by a line. To you, it's always given the distinct impression of a planet exploding in on itself. You run your hand over the plastic protrusion on the door. Then you knock on it. It makes a sound that doors aren't supposed to make. On the right side, near the hinge, flashes a gray panel. (click-replace: "You put your tongue on the panel.")[A light on the panel beeps red. You can not decide if it would be more pathetic if it were judging you right now or not.] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[There's a service closet off to the right which is conspicuously less locked.|Wire Forest to Nowhere]] [[Trudge back to the stairs.|Downward Stairs: F0]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't4', 'loop', true) (track: 't4', 'play') ]}

(bg: black)[ Grimy wires lie in a clump above you, a rat king of plugs and extenders. Where they don't sag from the ceiling, they cluster around pipes, which hum and occasionally gurgle. On all sides you move through pipe-lined openings so close their tar scrapes the edge of your uniform, marking you with snarled patterns of grime. A loose cord fires over your ears, making them perk just as quickly as you smooth them back down. It would not be a misnomer to call this the Edge's truest forests, and there are trees elsewhere in here. At some point, the openings grow so small that there is no way to pass, and when you try to nudge a paw in, the wires are burning to the touch. Jerking back away, you scrounge around in the darkness for an exit. If anyone is here, anyone who could help you, they are in no position to ever be found. (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[The door promises somewhere you can breathe.|Basement Backrooms]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't7', 'loop', true) (track: 't7', 'play') ]}

[[Another day passes. Wherever you choose to rest, where you wake up is the same. |SPACE]] {(if: $pioseen is true) [(set: $pioheart to $pioheart + 1)] (if: $episeen is true) [(set: $epiheart to $epiheart + 1)] (if: $whaleseen is true)[(set: $whart to $whart + 1)] (if: $foxseen is true)[(set: $foxheart to $foxheart + 1)] (if: $viziseen is true)[(set: $vizi to $vizi + 1)] (group: 'playing', 'stop') (set: $numbo to (random: 1, 10)) (set: $daycount to $daycount + 1)} {(hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD)}

Laika at the Edge of Space is a text-based horror game. While some of the elements of horror are bound to gameplay, other more granular parts of the horror can be toggled before the game for those who might be sensitive. Descriptions which can be toggled (click over to see where they appear (contains spoilers!), can be clicked again to disable). -(link-reveal: "drowning")[ ...If you want to avoid this, when in the "shallow water", always click "but you are afraid". Or we can turn this one off-- (link-reveal: "Yes, please turn this off.")[(set: $drownsafe to true) Of course!]] -(link-reveal: "euthanasia")[...If you want to avoid this, you're going to want to avoid the //fifth// conversation with the whale. (link-reveal: "Please turn this off.")[(set: $whalesafe to true)]] -(link-reveal: "body dysphoria/bodyshaming")[...If you want to avoid this, steer clear of the bottom rooms in the West Wing, where you can have a conversation with the Taxidermy. (link-reveal: "Please turn this off.")[(set: $foxheart to 6)]] Mentions of (not currently togglable): -ambient horror effects -body horror -fire -worms If you detect anything else you feel should be added to the list, please contact me! [[I'm ready.|SPACE]] {(hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD) (set: $pioheart to 1) (set: $foxheart to 1) (set: $epiheart to 1) (set: $whart to 1) (set: $vizi to 1) (set: $gonewhale to false) (set: $notracks to false) (set: $numbo to 1) (set: $snaps to 1) (set: $barktoyourdoorstep to (a: "I guess I could go visit the southern edge of the West Wing...", "I wonder if I should try the stairs today...", "Hm, wonder if the East Wing is worth rooting around in?")) (set: $absence to false) (set: $daycount to 1)}

(bg:black)[= (text-color: green) [HELLO!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">GAH! (text-color: green) [OH! SORRY!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… it’s no problem? Where… are you? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[ LOOK UP!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I don’t think I see anything living up there. Are you really small, or… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I’m right overhead.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… Hm? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I’m the space probe! Pioneer 10, at your service. Greetings from the Planet Earth!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I’m Laika! I’m from Earth, too! Half probe, half dog, all at your service! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Oh my gosh! Another space probe, AND an Earthie? This is the best day I've had in--Ikindaforgethowmanydayshavepassedhere! ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Earthie? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyosad.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[That’s just what I think we should call ourselves.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Are there… a lot of “earthies” here? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I don’t know! I can’t move.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Oh. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[But you can, right? You should come back here like, all the time! And tell me stories!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I’m actually on my way… you know what, never mind. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[So you will?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Sure! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[ALRIGHT! EARTHIE BESTIES! ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Ahahaha… not so loud…

(bg: black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Hello!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">(Hi) <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Are you looking at other probes?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Am I allowed? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Oh, sure. I’m not jealous.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Sputnik II is a huge fan. It’s nice to see other probes, but I don’t think she recognizes them… really makes you wonder when this was all built? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[(css: "font-size: 300%")[SPUTNIK? ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Sputnik II. That's the half of me that's... space probe. She doesn't really talk like I do. I guess I never gave you her name? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[(css: "font-size: 300%")[You’re RUSSIAN?]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Yes? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Oh this is awful! I’m AMERICAN!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Why… would that… matter? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyosad.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Because we’re in the middle of the COLD WAR!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… What? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[It’s a whole sociopolitical hoopla. Our side and your side, they’re scuffing it out! Trying to decide whose way of life will be the way of the future! A battle for the world’s very soul!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Oh, um. Okay. Who’s winning? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Well us, obviously. I think. I don’t know how long it’s been since I left Earth. ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You don’t remember. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[What year is it?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I don’t remember. I wouldn’t remember you either. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Don’t pay attention to the news, eh?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Once again, dogs can not read. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Hehehe... sorry. ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> …can other space probes? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I’ve read everything I can see from here. Seventy times over!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'm sorry. I wish you had more material. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[ Yeah.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[You know, I just realized.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Go on. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[We don’t know if the war is over?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Oh. I guess we don’t. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Everyone could have worked it out. Or they could have used the nuke, and then, I guess, it doesn’t really matter. Either way, we can still be earth besties?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Thank goodness, I think? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Right?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikahappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I would be so lonely without you. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Flatterer.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> But, Pioneer… what’s a nuke? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[ hahahaha… if you don’t know, it actually might be best that I don’t tell you.]

(bg:black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [What has you down?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I’m not down. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [You sound down. You walked in here slowly. Are those not… the cues? I’ve been trying really hard to pick up the cues.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> The what? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Never mind.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> …I don’t know how you do it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Do what?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I am down, and I don’t know how you do it. You seem so upbeat. And-- you have so long before you’d get home… if the aliens even brought you back… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Laika… they don’t want me to come back.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> What?! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[With how far apart galaxies are, the chances I would have been back before everyone I knew, and maybe everyone, period, was dead… they were pretty much zero! It was just something I accepted when I was launched.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> And that doesn’t bother you?! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Hm… well, I’m a space probe! I’m off to probe space, and no matter who sent me off, the reason I was sent off for won’t change. I’m still out here, and when I find someone, they’ll understand, or they’ll try to, and that means, that means something to me. Or it did mean something. Now I guess I… I guess I didn’t really ‘explore the cosmos’ that well, did I? Oh man. This is a bummer.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [On the bright side, um, I don’t know, maybe they assumed you went off to do your own thing in space? So they’re not worried?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Dogs don’t go off to “do their own thing in space”. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [See, I still don’t know anything about dogs--] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">And they have to miss me. They have to miss me so so so much! Before they launched the rocket, one of the scientists kissed me on the nose. I don’t know what that means… to a space probe… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Absolutely nothing.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> But where I come from, it’s one way of showing that you really, really care about someone. And if you care about someone that much, you wouldn’t… just… put them in a spaceship if you never intended for them to return. They’re your family, and family always, always comes back. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [You know how… you said you don’t remember certain things, because you were a dog?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I’m still a dog. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Sorta. I just… I mean… Okay, so I won’t say it if you don’t want me to.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Say it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [… What if that’s not, what if that’s not what that means? And they didn’t intend for you to come back, either?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Snff. Hff. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [I’m sorry. Are you angry?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Hck… snccckk… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Are you dying? What’s happening to your face right now? Please don’t die!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… they left me… snfff, hck, snnnnnck… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [ Oh, Laika…] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> snffffff..I’m sorry… I just… can’t believe… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [ I can’t believe it either.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> No, it’s worse than that! I can believe it. I knew. Sncckck…. I think deep down, ever since I got here, I knew. And I don’t know what to do about it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [ I don’t know either.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [But I promise, as long as you are here, we can talk about it.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Pioneer? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyosad.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [At your service?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You’re like family too, now. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Aww. But I don’t think I can kiss you on the nose. Or at all, really.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[ Too soon?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikahappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Hahaha… hah. Hahahaha! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[hehehe…] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ahahahhaha… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Something’s wrong with your face again.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikahappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">This time they’re happy tears.

(css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[YOU]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[FROM ALL TIME I AM SEEING YOU]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[BREATHE TIMES GOSPEL THE EDGE OF EDGES HOWL ING OUTWARD INTO THE VOID AND MAK ING THE SPACE WHERE TREMBL ING PARTICLES REST IN THE HOMES THEY CALL ATOMS]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[FOR HOW LONG MUST THINGS SHUD DER BEFORE THEY SLEEP AGAIN]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (I can’t speak… my eyes are dried open and my mouth feels rusted shut…)

(css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[YOU RETURN TO THIS]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[THE BEGIN ING OF THINGS IS NOT A SYM PATHETIC PLACE FOR SUCH A KNOT OF CARBON]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[AND YET YOU ARE APPROACH ING ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I wanted to see again. (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[ IN HELL IT IS SPEAK ING CONTINUE]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I wanted to see… it… again. (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[IN A LIFE WHERE SPACE WAS SENS IBLE IT WOULD HAVE KILLED YOU]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[ HOWL ING ATOMS BE OTH ERED TO ME]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">What are you. (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[THE CEN TER ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Say it in words I can understand? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[BEFORE BEFORE AND CEN TER OF CEN TERS IS THE SCREAM THAT GLUTS SPACE IN YOUR MAK ING OF SPACES WE ARE NOT SO DIFFERENT]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You’re the big bang. (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[ ONE VOICE OF IT]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Wow… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[SPEAK ING FOR WARDS THROUGH TIME AS THIS SEN TENCE IS BILLIONS OF YEARS AWAY]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">It’s very comprehensible, given that… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[MAYBE IN YOUR DREAM HOWL ING ATOMS ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> All of this… a kind of dream? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[THERE IS A BETTER WORD FOR IT]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[SIM UL A CRA]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I’m sorry. I think this is going a little over my head? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[IT IS NOBLE TO ACCEPT LIM ITATION. THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU KNOW THAT I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> So, you’re, light directly from the big bang. Does… that mean all the bits in you are out in space somewhere? Maybe in stars? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[EVERY THING IS WHERE IT IS]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">That’s a no? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[ THE DIS PERSAL IS TOO WIDE TO DRAW DIS TIN CTIONS IN SOME WAYS EVERY THING IS STILL IN THE SAME PLACE SOME OF MY BE ING IS IN YOU]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Like… a parent? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[NO]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Oh. I guess that is a bit of a weird metaphor… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[EVERY THING YOU BREATHE IN OR EAT OR HOLD IS ON YOU IT IS NOT NECESSARILY DE SCENT]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">oh yeah that is… a lot of beings… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[WHY DOES IT MATTER SO MUCH THAT IT FITS WITH IN THE LINES THE BODY DRAWS IN ITS DIVISION]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I think it’s easier to understand that way? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[SOME THINGS HAVE NO ANALOGUES]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">It’s been seventeen billion years… since you, right? In a sense? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[THAT IS HOW LONG AGO THIS LIGHT IS REACH ING YOU FROM]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … but other light, less far away… like for example, light from Earth… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[SPACE IS STRANGE HERE BUT LIGHT FROM EARTH IS ALWAYS PIERC ING THOSE DISTANT STARS]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> It’s so strange to think that if I could communicate like this with a version of myself from the past… I could talk to everyone from home, as who I am now. I could tell them everything I wanted to say then, and couldn’t. (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[HOME IS A TEM PORAL CON STRUCT AS MUCH AS A SPATIAL ONE]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> But if the light from my planet goes on forever into the darkness… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[IN A SENSE]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> And once we were all the same thing… (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[YES]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … even if it technically ends, at some point, that immortality is comforting to me. (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[WHATEVER YOU FIND IN THESE MUS INGS IS YOURS TO KEEP]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Do you find comfort in them? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[THERE IS NOTHING TO FIND YET AND THERE WILL BE NOTHING AFTER IT IS UP TO YOU TO DO WHAT YOU WILL]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> What, to entertain myself? To delude myself? To waste the time? (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[DOES IT FEEL LIKE A WASTE TO YOU]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Only sometimes. (css: "font-size: 500%")[(text-colour:#e8590c)[I AM A SIGN AND YOUR BODY IS A SIGN AND SO IS YOUR JOY OR SORROW ON AN EPHEMERAL STAGE IF YOU DECIDE IT IS A WASTE IT MIGHT BE AND IF YOU DECIDE IT WAS NOT IT WILL NOT BE]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Hello? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">…Hello?? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(css: "font-size: 300%")[(text-color: blue) [HELLO. ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> GAH <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [I Am Sorry, Little Spot. I Did Not Mean To Distress You.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> …I definitely initiated that one… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [Welcome To My Sanctuary.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> It’s very big… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [Maybe From Where You’re Standing. From Where I'm Standing, You Are Small. And What Might You Be?]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'm a dog and a spaceship sort of haphazardly hodgepodged together into something that talks and stresses out a little more like a human-- I think. You? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [I'm The Largest Thing To Ever Live.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Eh? Really? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleupper.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [Yes. It Is One Of The Reasons I Was Collected.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> There are reasons? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [Yes.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Do you know… why I was collected? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ No.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Ah.

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Sorry I left so quickly last time. I was a bit put out. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ That’s Alright.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> No, but I’m… I’m new to talking like this. I want to do a good job at it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleupper.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ A Good Job Entails A Lot Of Different Things, Depending On Where You Are.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I know, but that’s no excuse for-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ In the Ocean, A Good Job Can Simply Be Survival.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You remember the ocean? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ It’s All I Remember. ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … could you tell me about it? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ The Ocean Is Not Like The Ground. It’s More Like The Air. Most Of It Is Space.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Sounds lonely. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ It’s Not As Lonely As You Can Hear Someone From Miles Away.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Oh? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Much Of My Life Was Spent In The Company Of Other Whales. Even When I Was Not In Their Company At All. ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">That must have been beautiful. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleupper.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ It’s Nice To Be Given Your Space.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">There's plenty of it here, hahaha... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ I'll Leave You To It.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">No, wait-- tell me more! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ The Ocean Is Alive With Currents Spanning Further Than Anything Man Has Ever Built And The Ocean Is Full Of Things I Eat I Can Not Even See And The Ocean Has Too Many Fish To Count And They Vary So Widely In This Large And Wonderful World Space Aspires To Be Water The Fullness Of It The Wonder And The Song Of The Water In Her Duet With The Moon That Is My Song To The Ocean I Hope That Is Enough]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Whatever you're willing to give is enough. But thank you. I wish I could've seen it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Oh? Weren't You Planning To Go Back?]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ There You Are Again.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I get around. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleupper.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Does The Edge Pique Your Interests? ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … Sometimes. Mainly I’m just looking for a way to get out. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ What Would That Do?]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Have you tried to get out? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Everyone Belongs Somewhere.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I’ve got to get back to Belka and Strelka. To… someone else. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Mmmm.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You don’t seem sure. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Are You Sure You Can Get Home From Where You Were Taken?]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I… I mean, with Sputnik II helping… I don’t know. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleupper.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ At One Point I Was Wandering This Museum.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You were? But-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ All Things Are Possible, Sometimes. ]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Did you see them? The Visitor? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ No.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … Did you want to? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ No.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Why not? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ I Do Not Think The Answers I Would Be Given Would Be Particularly Easy To Stomach]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ... Maybe not. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Laika]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Yes? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Never Mind]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You can talk to me! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Maybe Another Day]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I just realized I haven't told you about my home. I feel like I've asked you for too much-- should I talk for a change? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Do You Want To]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ There's A Reason You're Hesitating]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (cycling-link: "I'm scared.", "I'm lost.", "I don't know why I'm hesitating.", "I will lose home if I tell you about it. I will be giving it to you, and it's all I have left.") <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ There You Go]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'm sorry. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ I Was Not Entirely Honest Yesterday I Feel I Should Warn You]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Warn me... about what? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ The Last Thing I Remember Was Being Beached]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … as in, <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ My Whole Body Rolled Up On The Sands Dead, Laika. Dead.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Oh. I’m so-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ How Did You Get Here]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I fell through a wormhole. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Did You]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ...... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ You Don't Remember]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You said he collects things for a reason. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Things He Cares About And Then He Keeps Them Way Longer Than They Have Any Right To Exist]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ I Do Not Believe He Is Human But This Is A Core Component Of The Human Mind "Memory" And The Kind Of Care That Leads Things To Linger Forever]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> What you said earlier… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Yes?]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I was afraid. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleupper.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ There’s Nothing To Be Afraid Of.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> --Yes there is! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ It’s How It Goes, Little Spot.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> But I-- but I’ve just started figuring what I want. Just by being here. And whatever I am now, (cycling-link: "I want to live on my own terms, even if that means here.", "I want to return home, no matter what.", "I'll do anything to keep myself alive.", "I want to escape, still.") <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleupper.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ That’s A Very Brave Position To Take.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I know you’re brave, too… (if: $whalesafe is false)[ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whalelow.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ It’s Not The Same For Everyone. If You Do Get What You Want, I Am Ashamed To Ask, But If I Could Find Some Peace…]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ This Is A Hundredth Of A Life, Laika.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ When It Is A Whale's Life After Death To Be Hundreds Of Lives, Again. Our Bodies Feed The Seafloor.]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'll ask. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whaleclose.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ I Do Not Know That He Can Transport Us Back At All But Even If I Will Never Litter The Floor Of The Ocean I Would Like The Silence Of The Depths]] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> If you're sure. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_whale.png" alt="A strange whale approaches."width="100" height="100">(text-color: blue)[(css: "font-size: 200%") [ Death Is Always Below You In The Ocean If You Are Out Far Enough Land Animals Have A Different Relationship With It]]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[pssssst. psssssst.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Great. Now the walls are speaking… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[ do i look. like a wall to you.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Eugh. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[laugh as you will. but i am like you. remade.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Where’s your space probe? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[girl. i am made of skin and stuffing. of wire and wool. of body and aftermath.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Oh. Well, lots of bodies are nice bodies? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[there is no such thing. as a kind body. there is no positive application. of an entropy machine.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Eh? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[but our kind. is superglorious. in its severity to the mother. in our unwillingness to waste like the rest of it, to begrudge the world even the leftover carbon we stole.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[ didnt you have the good sense to pass away.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I don’t like how you’re talking to me. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[ i dont like. that i have to open my eyes to speak with you.]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You don’t have to do that. I hear you. And I came back on purpose. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[ interesting mistake.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You said-- like this. What did you mean by “like this”? As in, “if I came home like this”? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[you’re not a dog anymore. they’ve ruined you.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I’m still a dog. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[are you not speaking in their language. and thinking in their wavelengths.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Well, I-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[ if you had been launched like you are now, haha. you would have been launched screaming. ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I made a choice. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[no you didnt.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I-- I chose to get out of the exhibit-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[this joke you are making. is the ruin of your old life and your old body. this unearned. forgiveness. when i know what you really are. what you won't let yourself be.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You have no idea what I am.

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Don’t you dare say anything to me. I will kill you. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[so you do know. what i meant.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Argh-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[empty threats from someone in denial. in another life you might chase me back in the foxhole. but that would make sense. now you have to explain your reasoning. you’re let down by your own body. over and over again.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I told you not to talk to me. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[but you came back. you came back because you know no one else will tell you what i know. that you will never get to prove to them that you were worth keeping. that there is no way left to have what you wanted. that you could give up. that there’s nothing left out there. everyone else keeps encouraging this pathetic venture.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You don’t know about an “everyone else”. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[there are others whispering in the walls. you can pretend this place is a fun little adventure. but it is a grave you’ve decided you’re too good for.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Go to hell. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[you are letting that dog down. you are letting her memory be tarnished by what you've become. is it worth it. ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Stop talking to me. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxfaux.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:lime)[hideous thing. you keep coming back because you know. you keep coming back because you know something is wrong. if i wasn’t right it wouldn’t keep striking a chord with you.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-color: red) [GYARGH!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxreal.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:orange)[ does that make you feel better laika?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Hah-- hah-- hahh-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxreal.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:orange)[it won't kill me laika.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Hah-- hahahaha--- hahahhaha--- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_foxreal.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (text-colour:orange)[if you could get rid of me, you already would have.]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I’m not afraid of you.

The room is utterly blank. You kick around it... it's not uncommon that you just don't "get the joke" at first. Maybe there's an invisible object somewhere, or the head-tilting thing will happen and you'll see what's really in here. Maybe there's a smell in the air you're supposed to get. Or there's a sound you're not hearing. What are the boundaries on what you can conceive? What could the Visitor say that you wouldn't understand? (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[On to the west.|Worm Room]] [[On to the east.|The Remnant Ribcage]]] (else:)[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (group: 'playing', 'stop')}

The room has a rickety portal at the center, but that's not what you notice. Your eyes catch the detritus around the space, from broken chairs to specks of rock to even a little bonsai tree, nestled in the corner. This must be how it all enters, and sometimes, how it leaves. You can't imagine a whale fitting through, let alone what you've seen in the basement, so... there must be other ways. But for now, this is a satisfying answer. Somewhat. They're there, of course. Smiling warmly at you, as always, and this time they don't bother with the dog's face. if you've gotten this far, there's no longer any need to keep up appearances. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Can I change my mind? (text-color: purple)[Do you want to?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> No. (text-color: purple) [Fair enough. Everyone's made their choice, Laika. It's time for you to make yours.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> And you... [[go.|Ending1]] (if: $foxheart >= 4)[[[go back to the exhibit.|Ending4]]] (if: $pioheart >= 5 and $whart >= 5 and $vizi >= 5 and $foxheart >= 5) [[[stay.|Ending2]]] (else:) [[[stay.|Ending3]]] {(masteraudio: 'stopall')}

Ah, you'd almost forgotten... Space is cold. (track: 't13', 'play')

[[You don't have a name for it yet. You're working on that.|SPACE]] {(hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD)}

[[The Soviet Union. Or, Earth. Or, the solar system. You're not picky.|SPACE]] {(hide: ?Sidebar) (hide: ?HEAD)}

t1: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/1-ComingOutOfMyCageAndIveBeenDoingJustFine.mp3 t2: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/2-WhatAmIToYou.mp3 t3: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/3-EntomologistPurgatory.mp3 t4: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/4-Visitor.mp3 t5: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/5-Whalesong.mp3 t6: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/6-StarsongfeatPiyo.mp3 t7: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/7-LeftintheDark.mp3 t8: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/8-TheBodyIs-nt-.mp3 t9: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/9-SomeGodsAreAlsoQuirkedUpWhiteBoysBustingitDownSexualStyle.mp3 t15: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/10-MitosisFetish.mp3 t11: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/11-YouAndMeAtTheEdgeOfTheEdge.mp3 t12: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/12-HeavenAreYouHearingThisShitNow.mp3 t13: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/13-ifyoudontwanttogo.mp3 lvoc: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/vox/LVol.mp3 pvoc: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/vox/PVol.mp3 t15: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/15-SUPERORGANISM.mp3 t16: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/16-POSTMORTEM.mp3 t425: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/4.25-DOWNSTAIRS.mp3 t475: https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/songs/4.75-UPSTAIRS.mp3

(append: ?SideBar)[\ {(set: $ron to (passage:)'s name)} Location: $ron {(if: $floor is 1)[ {<div class='map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/f1.png" width="280" height="140" class="map"> </div>}] (else-if: $floor is 0) [ {<div class='map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/f0.png" width="140" height="140" class="map"> </div>}] (else-if: $floor is 2)[ {<div class= 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/f2.png" width="200" height="140" class="map"> </div>}] {} {(if: $ron is "Main Hall") [{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-130px;right:180px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Upward Stairs: F1")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:250px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Remnant Skull")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:215px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Bizarre Garden")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:180px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Scum Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:125px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Shell Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:35px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Hand Laboratory")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Remnant Legs")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-130px;right:250px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Song Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-130px;right:125px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Perplexing Rock Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-130px;right:35px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Skull Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-130px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Zero-Space Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:250px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Chasm")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:80px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "East Wing Entry")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:35px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Archive 01")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Hall of Bones")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-100px;right:250px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Chrysalis Spire")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-100px;right:125px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Downward Stairs: F1")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-100px;right:35px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Archive 02")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-100px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Comms Hall")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:250px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Whale Hall")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:215px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Sunflower Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:125px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Remnant Jaw")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:35px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Archive 03")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Some-Space Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-70px;right:35px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Archive 04")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-70px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Deceptive Space")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:250px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Sea Hall 0")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:215px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Sea Hall I")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:180px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Sea Hall II")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:155px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Neon Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:125px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Faraday Cage")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:35px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Headless Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Fleshspace -1")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:250px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Purgatory Hall")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:215px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Estranged Backroom")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:125px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "?????")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:5px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Upward Stairs: F2")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:155px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Hall of Indivisibles, 1")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:120px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Hall of Indivisibles, 2")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:85px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Hall of Indivisibles, 3")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-150px;right:50px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Wire Forest of Transit")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-135px;right:15px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Dirtspace")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-130px;right:50px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Hall")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:155px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Pioneer's Hall")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:120px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Planetarium")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:50px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "STORAGE: 03")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-115px;right:15px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Remnant Ribcage")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-100px;right:50px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "STORAGE: 02")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-100px;right:15px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Wire Forest of Absence")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:155px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Worm Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:120px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Blank Room")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:85px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Precipice")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-85px;right:15px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The North Shore")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-70px;right:120px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Deep Water")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-50px;right:155px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Shallow Water")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-50px;right:120px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The East Shore")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-50px;right:85px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Heavy Water")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:155px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Extended Shore")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:85px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Visitor's Workshop")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:50px"> </div>}] } (else-if: $ron is "The Furnace")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-145px;right:55px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Howling Room: Inner")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-120px;right:80px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "STORAGE:06")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-120px;right:30px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Howling Room: Outer")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-105px;right:80px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Fleshspace II")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-105px;right:30px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "The Remnant Spine")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-88px;right:80px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Fleshspace I")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-88px;right:30px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Suffocated Garden")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-75px;right:80px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Fleshspace 0")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-75px;right:30px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Downward Stairs: F0")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:80px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "No Further")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-55px;right:30px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Basement Backrooms")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:80px"> </div>}] (else-if: $ron is "Wire Forest to Nowhere")[{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/maphere.png" class="paw" style="top:-40px;right:30px"> </div>}] } ]

{(if: (passage:)'s tags contains "beginning")[(css: "tw-sidebar{display:none;}")[]]}

(bg:(hsl:0,0,0,0.2))[ (text-colour:#96b3cf)[The ground is scarcely decorated. But the air... the air is full. Hundreds of small machines are scattered across the room, in faux motion against a backdrop of a starry night. Some are little more than a panel, others are almost entirely intact. It looks like a graveyard, or worse than that... objects arranged in a parody of life. A taxidermy of machines. Sputnik II tightens protectively around you. You assure her that it'll be alright. (Does she know that this is what some of the other rooms are like for you?)] {(if: $pioheart is 1) [(link-reveal: "You hear... yelling?") [ (display: "pio1") (set: $pioseen to true)]] (else-if: $pioheart is 2) [(link-reveal: "You hear... yelling?") [ (display: "pio2") (set: $pioseen to true) (display: "pinu")]] (else-if: $pioheart is 3) [(link-reveal: "You hear... yelling?") [ (display: "pio3") (set: $pioseen to true)]] (else-if: $pioheart is 4) [(link-reveal: "You hear... yelling?") [ (display: "pio4") (set: $pioseen to true)]] (else-if: $pioheart >= 5) [(link-reveal: "You hear... yelling?") [ (display: "pio5") (set: $pioseen to true)]] } (if: $pioheart >= 3) [(display: "pinu")] (if: $countdown > 0) [ [[To the west.|Hall]] [[Or to the east...|Planetarium]] [[Or the south. Just because you... you can move, still.|Worm Room]]] (else: )[[[You're out of time.|TIME]]]] {(set: $countdown to $countdown - 1) (unless: (track: 't6', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't6', 'loop', true) (track: 't6', 'play')] (if: $pioseen is 1) [(set: $barktoyourdoorstep to $barktoyourdoorstep + (a: "I should go visit Pioneer today..."))] }

plant rooms (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#5e9d0f,0.5223,#000000,1,#000000))) visited {(if: $floor is 1)[ (if:(visited:"1.1.1") is true) [{<div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.0.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.1.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.2.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.4.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.7.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.0.1") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.4.1") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.7.1") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.1") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.0.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.5.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.7.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.0.3") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.4.3") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.3") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.1.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.0.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.1.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.4.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.7.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.7.5") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.5") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.0.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.1.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.2.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.3.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.4.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.7.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.0.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.1.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.4.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"1.8.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}]] (if: $floor is 2) [ (if:(visited:"2.0.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.1.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.2.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.3.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.4.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.0.1") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.1.1") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.3.1") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.3.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.4.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.3.3") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.4.3") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.0.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.1.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.2.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.4.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.1.5") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.0.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.1.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.2.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.0.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.2.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"2.3.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}]] (if: $floor is 0)[ (if:(visited:"0.7.0") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.7.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.8.2") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.7.3") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.8.3") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.7.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.8.4") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.7.5") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.8.5") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.7.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.8.6") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.7.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}] (if:(visited:"0.8.7") is true) [{ <div class = 'map_holder'> <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/map/beenhere.png" class="star" style="top:-130px;left:80px"> </div>}]]} {(set: $ron to (passage:)'s name) (if: $ron is "1.4.4") [] (else:) [(set: $img to <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/bg/laika_truebg_crys.png" class= "center" width="25" height="25">)] (if: (passage:)'s tags contains "beginning")[(css: "tw-sidebar{display:none;}")[](css:"tw-header{display:none;}")[]] (else:) [(align:"===><===") $img]}

(text-color: green)[Hello! (track: 'pvoc', 'play')]<test| (after: 400)[<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (track: 'lvoc', 'play')] [GAH!]<test| (after: 800) [<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100"> (track: 'pvoc', 'play') (text-color: green)[OH! SORRY! ]]<test| (after: 1200)[<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (track: 'lvoc', 'play')[it's no problem but... where are you?]]<test| (after: 2400)[ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100"> (track: 'pvoc', 'play')(text-color: green) [LOOK UP!]]<test| (enchant: ?test's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 50) + (t8n:'instant'))

[This is some text (link:"Click me")[ [Some stuff here]<test| (link:"Click for more")[ [Even more stuff]<test| ] ] ]<test| (enchant: ?test's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 50) + (t8n:'instant') + (track: )

[[This is stupid.|Battleground]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [You mean the Archives.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Yes? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [When I started existing, I learned to count.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You just counted upwards? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorhappy.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Every time enough time had passed.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">How much time would that be? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [I don’t know.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You don’t know. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Time only passes when monitored here.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">????? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [It was enough time.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">How long have you been alive? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorconfuse.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [That’s a great question.]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorregret.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [No one is supposed to go in there. I kind of didn't know there was anyone there to go in.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Couldn’t you have closed the door? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorconfuse.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [I mean... Do you know what a trench is?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">No. I don’t know what a trench is. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [It’s a big body of water you put around a castle so that people don’t attack your castle.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Close the door next time. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorglum.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [You opened all the doors I closed.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">All… all of them were supposed to be closed? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorglum.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Yes.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">How often do you check these rooms? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Less now. I haven't come out in a while.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Well, you should.

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorconfuse.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[Does anyone else talk?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Do you mean I’m the first one you’ve spoken with? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorconfuse.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[ … yes.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Are you serious? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[Nothing speaks when I enter the exhibits. Nothing ever has.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (maybe you’re bad at listening…) <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorconfuse.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[Sorry, I didn’t catch that.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Maybe you’re bad at listening. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[I think that’s a possibility.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> What kind of an answer is that? Aren’t you sorry? Aren’t you upset? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[I think… I’m both of those things. Sorry, Laika.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> That’s not-- stop doing that-- what is your problem? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[What do you want me to say?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I-- I want you to-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[…] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikawail.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Just because I’m angry at you doesn’t mean I know how you could fix it. I don’t even know if you can fix it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[That’s okay. I'll try to do better in the future. Now that I know that there's better to do, I'll get right on it.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Shut up! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[ I’m sorry.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I can't believe you didn't even realize I was here. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[I’m sorry.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> What do I do now? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[If you want to leave, I could…] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> And what if that’s not what I want? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[I don’t know. I have no idea what to do either. ]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">Fancy yourself a gardener? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">N-no, not really… do you? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">I fancy myself all sorts of things, whenever the mood strikes! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Are these real plants or not? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">They’re real plants. But we only know so much about what plants are supposed to be like, so we were extrapolating from some of the information we had… and then this happened! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Only know… so much? Where did you learn it? Were you from Earth, too? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">I wish! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Where do you come from, then? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">Earth! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… Are you from Earth or not? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">I came out of Earth, but I never lived there. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Okay? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">Like these plants. They’re a great implementation. But do you think they could’ve been made without some knowledge of the original? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I guess it would be really unlikely. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">So they came from Earth! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">But… the materials which made them are from here, aren’t they? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">These ones are. We’ve got some originals elsewhere. Some of them grow really well. Others… eh… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">We? Do you work with the Visitor? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">Do you work with the Visitor? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">No, I don’t work with the Visitor. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100">I definitely don’t work with the Visitor. Phew. Glad we sorted that one out. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Where could I find them? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100"> … Hm. We could always check upstairs. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Where? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_theorist.png" alt="Her."width="100" height="100"> Come find me and I'll tell you more. See you~~ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Where are you going-- {(group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 't14', 'play')}

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[Who’s the Theorist?]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [An identity is partially things you are, and then, it’s partially things that you have decided you aren’t.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> And vague philosophizing aside-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [What would you consider your evil twin?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> An evil twin? I had a few littermates, but they weren’t evil. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [ It’s a human concept. It’s the idea of some version of yourself defined as being what you’re not, and since most people see themselves as relatively good, the twin’s “evil”.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Are you saying that you’re evil? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [How would I be suggesting that?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> The Theorist is nice. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [ I don’t see myself as good or evil. I just see her as things that I’m not, or things that I don’t get to be.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> But she’s invested in this place. Are you… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [… Have you ever made something, Laika?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Friendships. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Have you ever made something that’s fallen apart?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> … I don’t think so. Not yet. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [I’ve made something that’s fallen apart. Some part of me will always still be excited about it, even though I know it will never work again. ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I think I’ve seen parts of it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [You have.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I’m sorry for your loss. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [You learn a lot from making big, stupid projects. I’d recommend doing it once in your life, at least.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Even if it doesn’t work out? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [I don’t think most projects work out the way you think they’re going to. They just are how they are, and you accept that. But I wish I could feel that way again, the way I felt when I didn’t realize how wrong things could go. And it turns out that I can’t.]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[ As long as we are remembered by someone, a version of us is always alive in their head. It’s not always us anymore-- it might as well be better classified as a part of them-- but it’s there, isn’t it?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> That doesn’t answer either of my questions. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[How do you want to be remembered, Laika?]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> There's a lot of work left to do here. (text-color: purple) [I'm happy to do it.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Alone? (text-color: purple) [Well...] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> There's a lot you haven't been able to do alone. That I know, personally, you can't do. I want to make this place better. I know this place could be better, for all of us... strange little afterlives. If you'll have my help... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Laika, I'm clueless. Of course I'd love to have you here.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Then it's settled. Do you... know how to make drones? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitor.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple) [Why, does someone need one?] (track: 't13', 'play')

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I don't mind wandering. And you turn back, into the labyrinth. Certain that some doors are closed, and others are open. And ever may you keep walking, onto the void. (track: 't13', 'play')

It's not the decision he expected you to make, you think. Maybe not what he wanted. (text-color: lime)[But you're... so tired.] (track: 't16', 'play')

(bg: black)[= You figure you have time to tell Pioneer a few stories. (link-reveal: "Well, every time I wake up...")[(display: "piowake")] (if: (visited: "The Furnace"))[(link-reveal:"Let me tell you about the furnace.")[(display: "piofur")]] (if: (visited: "Planetarium"))[(link-reveal: "Let me tell you about the planetarium.")[(display: "pioplan")]] (if: (visited: "Heavy Water"))[(link-reveal: "I... had a really scary day the other day.")[(display: "piostorm")]] (if: $foxheart > 1)[(link-reveal: "The worst thing happened the other day. I'm still so angry...")[(display: "piosnarl")]] (if: (visited: "Visitor's Workshop"))[(link-reveal: "I found him!")[(display: "piospecial")]]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[LOOK UP!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">eh? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[HELLO!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">What are you supposed to be? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[HUMAN OBVIOUSLY!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">… Noooo? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[A FLASH OF LIGHTNING CRACKLING THROUGH THE AIR INSTEAD OF MEAT! YOU CANT BLAME ME FOR NOT HAVING A BRAIN!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You have something that does what a brain does-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[EXACTLY WHAT A BRAIN DOES!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Without physically having a brain. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[HAVENT STRANGER THINGS HAPPENED TO YOU!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">…Yes. Recently. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[THERE YOU GO! AND I STILL SMELL AND TOUCH AND LIVE A NORMAL LIFE! COMPLETELY SIMULATED BY WAY OF ELECTRIC SIGNALS!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Right now, you’re over my head. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[THE ELECTRICITY TELLS ME THAT IM ALSO IN MY BED GETTING READY FOR MY 9-5! CAN YOU BLAME ME FOR WANTING SOMEONE TO KNOW WHAT A HASSLE IT IS TO HANDLE BOTH!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">What is a 9-5. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[YOU CAN TRUST THE WAY YOU PERCEIVE THE WORLD CANT YOU! IF THOSE PERCEPTIONS WERE DIFFERENT YOUD PROBABLY FEEL THE SAME WAY I DO!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I guess? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[AND WHO SAYS YOU’RE NOT A SIMULATION THAT HASN’T REALIZED ITS A SIMULATION YET!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I think mainly me, because that’s not a useful way to construct the world… as in, if there’s no feasible way for me out of this, signals or otherwise. Logically it makes the most sense… to persist as if everything were real. On the chance it is. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[COME ON! BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I don’t know. That’s the point. I can’t know that my subjective reality as experienced is real. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[NOT BAD LITTLE DOGGY! EVEN IF I WEREN'T A BOLT FROM THE BLUE! I WOULDN’T BEGRUDGE YOU A BIT OF HEALTHY DOUBT ABOUT THE TENETS OF PERCEPTIVE EXPERIENCE! YOURS IS A REAL DOOZY! ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> You have any thoughts on how you’d handle it? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[NOPE!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">…Geez, thanks then. This has been a great use of a huge chunk of my day… <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_snaps.png" alt="A good... uh."width="100" height="100">(text-colour:#99e9f2)[DAYS ARE SHORT HERE! DON’T MENTION IT!] (if: $snaps > 1) [ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">…Feel like I've heard this one before...]

(bg: black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Down in the basement... are these terrible rooms full of squelching and banging noise. You have to choose one-- just one-- way to go through. And if you can take that, you eventually hit... the furnace. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Ooooh.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">It's hotter than anything. I felt my metal body burning away at just the edge of the room, and you can't take a step closer-- you have to stick to the wall. But it's beautiful, too. Possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[(Wow.)] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> (Yeah.) <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[You're very brave!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">That means a lot coming from you. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyofluster.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Pshshshshs... stop it.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I mean, weren't you travelling across the stars? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[That's what I was made to do. It's different.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">How is that different. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[It's just different, you know?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I think you're brave. I think we're both brave. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Heh.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">But I do get nervous sometimes. I wish someone could come with me. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[(Am I someone?)] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">(You could be someone.)

(bg: black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">So I was at the space room-- <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[This room?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">No, the... it's right over there. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[The planetarium?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">That's what it's called? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Yeah, yeah. The planetarium. Before the other probes stopped talking, one or two of them called it that. Is it true you can see all the stars from in there?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">It's true. It's very pretty... it was a nice moment. My suit and I both felt this incredible lightness for a moment. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[There's no gravity in there?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">No, like... a lightness in my chest. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Is something wrong with your chest?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I... I hope not? I feel all my feelings there. Where do you feel them? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyosad.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[It shimmers across my sensor panels.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Ah... that's really beautiful. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyofluster.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[You think so?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">That we're all experiencing the world in such different ways, and that we can still feel it so strongly? I think so. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyofluster.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[You see the world so brightly.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Let me talk about the rest of this place. Let's see what you think about me then. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Oh no, but this was such a nice moment--]

(bg: black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I was out in the ocean and... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[And?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Never mind. I don't think I want to tell this story. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Okay. ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Why don't you tell me about your day? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[ Hm. So, since the last time I saw you, I've been working on one of my usual head-games.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Head games? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I don't have a lot to do. So I mess around with some of my internal logic and make games in my head. I've been trying to simulate what it must be like for you. Walking around, visiting places...] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Do you know what most of the rooms are like? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[It's been hard setting up the details. But then, I thought, which room do I know best? Obviously my own room. So I started building the probes I know, and when I got to me, it made sense that this version of me would have my own head-games...] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Oh no. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[So then THAT Pioneer has a version of the game in HER head, and then THEY have a version of that game in THEIR head...] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Snrrrrk. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[So that started running through my CPU really fast.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'm sorry. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Don't be. For a moment, when it crashed, I saw you. Over and over again.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">That's a little too much Laika for anyone. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyosad.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Maybe someone else.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">This is a good amount of Pioneer for me. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[You're underestimating how much I can talk! I can bother you all day!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikahappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Haha. Thanks, Piyo.

(bg: black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You haven't heard of what's in the first floor's West Wing, right? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[No, none of the probes knew.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">It's mainly plant stuff, but there's also this, this... f o x. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[A living fox? Like you.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaangy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">No, this creep who keeps telling me there's something wrong with me. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Like what?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I-- I mean-- well, he keeps saying-- Somehow I feel like given how you feel about the world... not one thing he said would matter to you. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I mean, I don't know him but he sounds like a huge jerk!!!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Yeah. We don't really have to give him any more airtime, I guess.

(bg: black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I finally met him. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Who?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> The Visitor. I met the Visitor. Which means, if I wanted to... I could leave. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Do you... want to leave?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[You're still thinking on it.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> What do you think I should do? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I don't know. It feels wrong to make the choice for you.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> He didn't seem that certain either. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Maybe there's a reason?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ... I think I know a little too well that there is. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyowhatever.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Then...] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> ... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[...] (if: $pioheart > 4)[ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikalilhappy.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Whatever happens next, I love you. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyosad.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I love you too.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'll see you around? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[Laika, if I made the choice--] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Yeah? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green)[I would ask you to stay. But it is yours.]]

(bg: black)[= <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">... I wake up in the same weird exhibit. It's a glass cage. It's too small for me, now, so I have to kick my way out of it. It always falls away easily, and doesn't splinter at all, which is weird, because glass isn't supposed to. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [ Do dogs kick down glass panes a lot?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">No. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Then where did you figure out glass doesn't usually break that way?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I'm not telling. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Come on.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Mrgngh. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Pleaaaase?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">So I might have... punchedoneortwooftheexhibits. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [YOU WHAT?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">shut up <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [ I HAD NO IDEA YOU HAD IT IN YOU! ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">shut up <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [What are you going to punch next?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">nothing im not gonna <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Awww why not?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">this is so dumb i'm not even going to answer this <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Pleaaaase punch something for me?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Fine. See this... this... uh, what's in here? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyohm.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [I think that's someone's old solar panel behind the glass. Probably Curiosity's. She was a riot back in the day...] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">...I'm going to punch it. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [(okay)] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">(yeah ok) <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoangy.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Okay.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Countdown from three? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Um, if you want?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Alright, so... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [You mean I should start counting?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">Yes. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Three... two...] (link-reveal: "You punch the glass.")[ <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikastartle.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">OW <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [AHAHAHAHAHA] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">WHY DID YOU DARE ME TO DO THAT <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [I can't punch anything! I don't have hands!] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I HATE YOU <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoupset.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Really?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">... No. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [aww] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">You're on thin ice though. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [ohh.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">It doesn't go that way when I punch it every morning just thought I'd put that out there. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Sure it doesn't.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikafrust.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I'm tough! <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyo.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [I know, I know. Where do you think the glass comes from?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I'm going to guess the Visitor. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_piyoweh.png" alt="A space probe."width="100" height="100">(text-color: green) [Kind of a weird thing for him to do.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikasmug.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100">I get the feeling he's kind of weird.]

<img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> The whale... <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorconfuse.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[You've talked to the whale?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> She doesn't want to be here anymore. She wants to rest. <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorsad.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[Done.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I was so worried you wouldn't... are you crying? <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_visitorregret.png" alt="An okay dog."width="100" height="100">(text-color: purple)[Don't look at me, please.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Oh... okay? (text-color: purple)[Do you want to rest, too?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Not now. (text-color: purple)[Okay. ] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikaconfuse.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Can I look now? (text-color: purple)[ No.] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> Sorry. (text-color: purple)[How... do you... care about people in a way that doesn't reshape them in your head? How do you think about them for this long without making them into something they're not?] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laikadistress.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> I don't think you can stop the things in your head from taking on a life of their own... (text-color: purple)[ ...] <img src="https://jackofalltrades.neocities.org/twine_games/laikaeos/laika_talkbg_laika.png" alt="A good dog."width="100" height="100"> It's okay to let go. (text-color: purple)[ ... Let's go back to talking, how we were. Wasn't that easier? Wasn't it nice?] (set: $gonewhale to true)

(if: not (visited: "Visitor's Workshop")) [You think a lot about who would take it upon themselves to make someplace like this. ...still no clue!] (else:)[What a weird little guy.] [[WHOOPS|SPACE]]