The Periwink

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(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))You have barely finished packing when you hear the knocking at |door>[your cottage door]. Too soon, too soon. (click: ?door)[It's the majordomo, come down from the villa in his beautiful russet suit. His nose wrinkles at the sight of you. "Well, old timer," he says, "[[let's be off]]."]

But you can't leave quite yet. Not without [[the spade]] that once belonged to your father. And your sharpest [[pruning shears]]. And [[the walking stick]] her ladyship gave you after fifty years of service.

(set: $possession to "spade")He polished it every day he was alive, and you have polished it every day since. How it shines, even in the dim light of your cottage! You slip the spade into your coat pocket. What next? Those lovely [[pruning shears->no more things]], or that fine [[walking stick->no more things]]?

(set: $possession to "pruning shears")Oh, how sharp you've kept them through the years. You have to wrap the blades in oilcloth before you slip them into your coat pocket. What next? Your father's beloved [[spade->no more things]], or that fine [[walking stick->no more things]]?

(set: $possession to "walking stick")It was thoughtful of her, wasn't it? The shining silver knob, the shaft of sturdy swamp hickory. You feel sturdier yourself, just holding it. What next? Your father's beloved [[ spade->no more things]], or those lovely [[pruning shears->no more things]]?

But the majordomo grabs your arm before you can fetch it up.       $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksub[ [Oh.]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]]]] "Come now," he says. "No time to dilly-dally. Her ladyship expects you off the grounds by sundown."      $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksub[ [Oh does she now.]<peri2|] (click: ?peri2)[(replace: ?peri2)[]]]] Before you can protest, the majorodomo is dragging you [[from the cottage]].

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))The sun is already low in the sky, and a cool mist has settled over the garden. Her ladyship's garden. The garden that you've tended for so many years.           $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksup[ [Fifty-seven, to be exact.]<peri2|] (click: ?peri2)[(replace: ?peri2)[]]]] The majordomo closes the cottage door [[behind you]].

(set: $falls to 0)(set: $maples to 0)"We'll let you choose our route to the exit," the majordomo says, gazing out over the paths and hills. "You know the place better than anyone, I suppose." He smiles and adds, "A little retirement tour. A parade of two."     $periwinksub[ [Only two?]<peri2|](click: ?peri2)[ (replace: ?peri2)[ $periwinksub[ (transition: "dissolve")[ [Yes, I know. Hush now, hush.]<peri3|]]]](click: ?peri3)[(goto: "setting out")[]]

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))(set: $falls to 1)You feel the spray on your face, a dozen cold needle points, before you see the falls themselves. There: |thread>[a silver thread] plunging through the dark of the ancient gorge. (click: ?thread)[Oh, but the falls are hungry. How narrow run their waters! Surely the majordomo won't begrudge you serving the [[evening meal]]?]

(set: $maples to 1)Softly, softly now into that dim grove. Sugar maples are tapped in spring, but shadow maples are [[tapped in fall]], when the thought of winter's cold hand stirs dread from the roots.

And what a view from up here! The placid expanse of Umber Lake stretches away into the trees, and in the distance you can just make out the ivory gleam of The Thousand Teeth. You never tire of it, though your body is tired, all cracking joints and sore bones. Well, nothing for it then but to [[feed the falls]].

What do you fetch from the feed mound? [[A shattered mirror.->fed]] [[Last year's silver.->fed]] [[A chapter from the Rot Bible.->fed]] [[A captured poacher.->fed]] [[Some ragged thing.->fed]]

From here, the path follows a nameless stream down to the shores of Umber Lake. Here stands the [[Whispering Column]], nearly as tall as the pines.

He takes a step back, grimacing. "Well, be quick about it," he says. It's just a short hike up the winding trail to [[the top of the falls]].

In it goes, and the water churns, devouring. The falls swell, fat and glad, crashing loud against the rocks below. You've always (set: $myVar to "«loved»")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["«loved»", "«loathed»", "«been confused by»"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> this part of the job. The majordomo is waiting at the [[bottom of the trail->first check]].

(set: $maplesplusfalls to ($maples + $falls))(if: $maples is 0)[But now that you've finished one chore, it seems wrong to neglect the other. Maybe the majordomo wouldn't mind a quick detour through [[the Shadow Maples->maples watch]]? Or perhaps you should just continue [[along the path...]]](if: $falls is 0)[But now that you've finished one chore, it seems wrong to neglect the other. Maybe the majordomo wouldn't mind a quick detour past the [[Gnashing Falls->falls watch]]? Or perhaps you should just continue [[along the path...]]](if: $maplesplusfalls is 2)[(goto: "along the path...")]

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))The majordomo glances at his pocket watch. "Fine," he says. "But let's not draw this out unnecessarily." $periwinksup[ [Oh, not us.]<peri3|] (click: ?peri3)[(goto: "the Shadow Maples")[]]

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))The majordomo glances at his pocket watch. "Fine," he says. "But let's not draw this out unnecessarily." $periwinksup[ [Oh, not us.]<peri3|] (click: ?peri3)[(goto: "Gnashing Falls")[]]

Even now, you can hear the shadows going //drip-drip// into a dozen tin buckets. How her ladyship delights in the syrup you concoct each year from that velvety liquor! Won't the majordomo permit you [[one last taste]]?

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))Just a dip of the finger, a touch to the tongue. It tastes like (set: $myVar to "«distilled fever»")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["«distilled fever»", "«night»", "«forgotten love»", "«nothing at all»"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link>. |confirm>[Yes].(click: ?confirm)[ $periwinksup[ [Yes.]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(goto: "offering")[]]]

Perhaps the majordomo would like to |try>[try some]? (click: ?try)[He shudders. "No such indulgences for me, old man. Come now, we must be [[on our way->first check]]."]

Yes, even now you can hear the stone |whisper>[whispering]. (click: ?whisper)[Of |past>[things past].    $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksub[ [Such memories.]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]]]]] (click: ?past)[Of |future>[things to come].    $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksub[ [Lies.]<peri3|] (click: ?peri3)[(replace: ?peri3)[]]]]] (click: ?future)[Do you have [[something to say]], before you and the Whispering Column are parted?]

You lean close to the cold stone and whisper: (set: $myVar to "«How I miss you still.»")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["«How I miss you still.»", "«Have you forgiven me?»", "«This was for the best.»", "«nothing»"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> [[Onward]].

The majordomo catches up with you by the shore of the lake. "What did you say to that thing?" he asks. [[Tell him]]. [[Shake your head]].

He gives you a disgusted look and ushers you forward [[along the path]].

He eyes you suspiciously, then ushers you forward [[along the path]].

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))"Her ladyship is sorry for not seeing you off," he says. "Her prized groundskeeper! You know how grateful she is for all your |work>[hard work]." $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksub[ [Oh, of course.]<peri3|] (click: ?peri3)[(replace: ?peri3)[]]]] (click: ?work)[He smirks. "But look, this place is in shambles. Shameful, really. Personally, I think it's about time we got some new blood in here."       $periwinksup[ [new blood]<peri1|](click: ?peri1)[ (replace: ?peri1)[ $periwinksub[ (transition: "dissolve")[ [OH THAT IS RICH.]<peri2|]]]](click: ?peri2)[(goto: "periwinkspeaks")[]]]

The evening air is chill. From here, you could take the path up past [[Gnashing Falls]], or the one that winds down among [[the Shadow Maples]].

$periwinksub[ [How much does he know?]<peri1|](click: ?peri1)[$periwinksub[ [      Did her ladyship tell him about me?]<peri2|]](click: ?peri2)[$periwinksub[ [             About the purpose of this place?]<peri3|]](click: ?peri3)[$periwinksub[ [       Does she remember?]<peri4|]](click: ?peri4)[$periwinksub[ [             What will happen?]<peri5|]](click: ?peri5)[$periwinksub[ [       When you leave?]<peri6|]](click: ?peri6)[(goto: "resume")]

You squeeze the handle of your $possession. The majordomo is staring at you. "Did you say something?" [["No."->no]] $periwink[ [["No."->no]]]

He narrows his eyes at you. There are two ways forward from here. You could take [[Bonecrib Bridge]] to Clob Island, or you could follow the path down among [[The Thousand Teeth]].

The bridge rocks beneath your feet. The majordomo looks uneasy, but you know those |bones>[bones will hold]. (click: ?bones)[Here is Clob Island, a [[lump of stone->clump of stone]] in the shallows of Umber Lake.]

The majordomo shudders. "Oh," he says, "I have no wish to see that place. Come, we'll take the route over [[Bonecrib Bridge]]."

And from a cleft in the stone gushes the clear, crisp waters of |spring>[Innocence Spring]. (click: ?spring)["I'm parched!" says the majordomo. He |kneels>[kneels to drink.] ] (click: ?kneels)[When he stands again, his eyes are [[strangely bright]].]

And you? Will you drink? [[Yes.]] [[No.]]

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))Oh, you remember youth. Like a wild country at the edge of |wilds>[deeper wilds]. $periwinksub[ [  yessssss]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]] (click: ?wilds)[Into that place you plunged, with your beloved. |remember>[Remember]?] (click: ?remember)[But something else |found>[found you there].$periwinksub[ [    oh?]<peri2|] (click: ?peri2)[(replace: ?peri2)[]] (click: ?found)[Or was it always |with>[with you]? $periwinksub[ [  ohhhhh]<peri3|] (click: ?peri3)[(replace: ?peri3)[]]]] (click: ?with)[And then her ladyship |lady>[found you].](click: ?lady)[ And gave you [[a job]].]

It's too late for that. And you have [[a job]] to do.

"Well, let's be off, then," the majordomo says. It's just a brief walk over the causeway to [[Burnt Hill]].

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))At the summit, on a wide flat stone, is |oil>[the cannister of oil] you left here this morning. (click: ?oil)[And beside it, |matches>[a box of matches].] (click: ?matches)["What's this?" the majordomo says.       $periwinksup[$periwinksup[ [[Yes yes whatever can it be?]] ]]]

He backs away when he sees |doing>[what you're doing]. (click: ?doing)[(Opening the cannister, sprinkling its contents over the charred surface of |hill>[Burnt Hill].)       $periwinksup[$periwinksup[ [ How did he think it got that name? ]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]]]] (click: ?hill)[(Moving to stand beside him. Striking [[the match]]).]

And—//whoosh//—Burnt Hill is |burn>[burning]. (click: ?burn)[Can her ladyship see the fire from her chair by |window>[the parlor window]? $periwinksub[ [Oh, she sees.]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]]] (click: ?window)[Does she know what [[this means]]? $periwinksub[ [Oh, she knows.]<peri2|] (click: ?peri2)[(replace: ?peri2)[]]]

"We'd best move on," the majordomo says.                               $periwinksup[ [he sounds nervous]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]] There are two routes from here. One leads through [[The Skulldough Patch->nope]], the other through [[The Underlook->nope]].

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))"In fact," the majorodomo says, taking your arm, "I think this little tour's gone on long enough. I know a shortcut."       $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksub[ [Oh.]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]]]] He sweeps you away past your beloved glens and hollows, straight toward [[the exit]].

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))How dark it's grown. $periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksup[ [so dark]<peri3|] (click: ?peri3)[(replace: ?peri3)[]]]] And here, where the border is thin between the garden and the wild wood, $periwinksub[ [yes]<peri1|](click: ?peri1)[ (replace: ?peri1)[ $periwinksub[ (transition: "dissolve")[ [yes i'm here]<peri2|]]]](click: ?peri2)[(replace: ?peri2)[]] [every border is thin]<border|. (click: ?border)[The majordomo looks pleased. "Well," he says, "this is where I |leave>[leave you]." $periwinksub[$periwinksup[ [[Oh, but...]] ]]]

"Did you hear |something>[something]?" he asks, looking around. (click: ?something)[Yes, you heard something. And $periwink[|something2>[something]] is coming closer, growing louder.] (click: ?something2)[$periwink[ [[Something]]] is already here.]

The majordomo screams. It has your $possession in |hand>[its hand]. (click: ?hand)[The only question now is whether you're going to [[let it take him]]. Or whether you're going to let it [[take you instead]].]

(set: $periwinksup to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "superscript"))(set: $periwinksub to (colour: #CCCCFF) + (text-style: "subscript"))(set: $periwink to (colour: #CCCCFF))$periwinksup[ [yes]<peri2|] (click: ?peri2)[(replace: ?peri2)[]] It brings the $possession down hard upon the majordomo's head, and |flower>[a flower blossoms there].$periwinksub[$periwinksub[$periwinksub[ [Oh.]<peri1|] (click: ?peri1)[(replace: ?peri1)[]]]] (click: ?flower)[The pollen stains [[his beautiful russet suit->his nice russet suit]].]

$periwink[ [[oh come now]]]

Of everyone her ladyship has ever sent you, surely he is (set: $myVar to "«most»")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["«most»", "«least»"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> deserving of a permanent |place>[place in her garden]. (click: ?place)[What manner of thing will he become? Some new |thing>[stone, or spring, or haunted tree].] (click: ?thing)[Best let him winter here. We'll see what comes up later. [[In springtime]].]

You're just the groundskeeper, after all. You keep the grounds.$periwink[ [[And the grounds keep you]]].

THE PERIWINK by <a href="http://thirdarchive.net" target="_blank">Jedediah Berry</a> Created for ECTOCOMP 2016

$periwink[ [[After how he's treated you?]]]

$periwink[ [[DON'T YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE HIM->DON'T YOU THINK HE SHOULD BE THE ONE TO SUFFER?]]]

[[yes->let it take him]] [[no->really no]]

$periwink[Fine. We've known each other all this time. I won't even need this $possession. It'll be like lying down together.] [[Yes->newyes]].

Of everyone her ladyship has ever employed, surely you are (set: $myVar to "«most»")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["«most»", "«least»"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> deserving of a permanent |place>[place in her garden]. (click: ?place)[What manner of thing will you become? Some new |thing>[stone, or spring, or haunted tree].] (click: ?thing)[Best winter here. Let them all see what comes up later. [[In springtime]].]