01: Introduction

A first draft of the game's opening sequence.

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 “Four years.” 

The rabbit’s nose twitches but the slight smirk on his mouth remains. “No, seriously.” He tugs on one ear, pulling the tip into his mouth to nibble on. “How long?” 

You shrug apologetically. “Really. Four years.” 

“I…” The rabbit’s eyes widen. “Four years without a holiday? How the fuck did you manage that, Flax?” 

You restrain yourself from rolling your eyes at the rabbit’s disbelieving tone. Linton is a good friend - the best, even. You’d do anything for him, and you know he’d do the same for you - but only after lecturing you first. He does like to lecture. You’d really like to avoid one of those lectures now.

• I did it just to piss you off, Linton. Surprise!
• I wanted to visit Saturn but the travel agent said they don’t do that yet, so I boycotted all other holidays in protest.
• I’m actually a secret Pomodoran, a religious order that forbids holidays. I’m also not allowed to say “vestibule” - WAIT, NO, SHIT!

Linton’s flat expression makes you giggle, and the finger he sticks out at you upgrades that to a belly laugh. “Is this what I’m-finished-my-studies Flax is going to be like from now on? Pure sass?”

• Why not? It works for you.
• Thought I’d try something different.
• For now. Next week I’m going to be half-sassy, half-bossy.

“Bitch.” But the rabbit is grinning as he pulls on his ear once more. “Four years is too long, bro. Are you at least going to take a break now?” But before you can even respond, his eyes widen, and he claps his hands together suddenly, making you jump. “Oh! I know! Oh, yes!” 

He leaps from the couch and dashes over to the laptop. “Flax. Flaxyyyyy! My boy…I just had the best fucking idea.” His fingers tap away as you stare on, mystified, until he finally spins the machine around to show you what’s on the screen.

• What’s…Paardenrust?

The rabbit’s grin grows even larger. “It’s like a getaway place. You know, for the weekend or whatever. Big old manor house in the country, lots of nature, all that shit. You go to count birds and measure sheep nostrils or whatever the fuck."

• Gosh, you make it sound so enchanting. Do you work for their advertising board?

“Shush.” The rabbit taps the top of the laptop screen. "You're going here."