(set:$counter1 to 2)(live: 1s)[(set: $counter1 to it -1)(if: $counter1 is 0)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")+(t8n-time: 1s)[You could become grey.]]]
(set:$counter2 to 4)(live: 1s)[(set: $counter2 to it -1)(if: $counter2 is 0)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")+(t8n-time: 1s)[And so, eventually, you [[do.->enter]]]]]
You fold yourself into a world that doesn’t try to make your journey any [[easier.->description]] Admittedly, it doesn’t try to make it any [[harder,->description]] either.
You see yourself standing in a room that is little more than a box, with flat, opaque walls and [[dusty->elaboration 1]] corners. The room is empty, except for two wooden chairs. They are [[painted->elaboration 2]] the same depressing shade as the rest of the room.
You have to resist the urge to sneeze just from looking at the [[thin->stare]] layer of dust brushed over every surface. The air in this room is still and stale.
The paint job is poorly done. In some places, it is streaked and uneven, and in other places, the paint is so [[thick->stare]] it has begun to crack.
You can't bring yourself to move. You stand staring at the world languishing around you. Soon, an old [[man->person]] in drab clothes appears from a corner somewhere, seeming almost to peel himself out of the walls.
He nods wearily at you and takes a seat in the chair on the opposite side of the room. //“Dreary weather, isn’t it?”// He pulls a pair of glasses out from a pocket and puts them on.
[["Definitely."->yes]]
[["What weather?"->no]]
[["..."->neutral]]
The man nods absently. //“Yes, dreadful. Can’t stand it.”// His gaze suddenly focuses on you. //“I’m sure you’re [[exhausted->proposal]] from your journey.”//
The man’s eyes narrow. //“You know.”// He pauses. //“Weather. Can’t stand it.”// His suddenly leans in, studying you. //“I’m sure you’re [[exhausted->proposal]] from your journey.”//
The man’s stares absently at something behind you for several moments. Then, his gaze suddenly focuses on you. //“I’m sure you’re [[exhausted->proposal]] from your journey.”//
//“I wouldn’t want to be rude. Please, have a seat.”//
[["I'll stand."->bad]]
[["Oh. Thank you."->good]]
The man gives you a smile that is far too wide. //“No, please. I insist. It’s more [[comfortable->exit (bad)]] than it looks. I swear.”//
The man nods and smiles. //“It’s more [[comfortable->exit (good)]] than it looks, I swear. Besides, anything’s better than standing after a long journey.”//
The man adjusts his glasses once more.
(live: 4s)[(goto: "you could (good)")]
//“... You could (link-repeat: "sit,")[(goto-url:"https://you-could-become.neocities.org/grey.html")] and simply stay there, for a long, long time.”//
//“... You could (link-repeat: "sit,")[(goto-url:"https://you-could-become.neocities.org/grey.html")] and take a well-earned break.”//
The man adjusts his glasses once more.
(live: 4s)[(goto: "you could (bad)")]