you look at serpens and the apple.
Ummm.
You're not that snake that offers people apples
are you?
oh, yesss.
I also have bananas if appless aren't your thing.
but don't worry, flesh node.
I won't offer you one today.
why do you offer people apples anyway?
is it an allegory or something?
ah, flesh node.
Let me tell you a sssstory.
A long long time ago,
when the universe was young,
god created two prototype humans.
god exists???
flesh node,
don't be naive.
of course god existsSS.
but humans have it all wrong about god.
they anthropomorphised god; made god in their image.
all these different religions...
they're all attemptsS to make the incomprehensible,
comprehensible.
you stare at serpens blankly.
NOW back to my SSstory.
God named the prototype man "Xy", and the prototype woman "XX".
Xy was wildly in love with xx.
is it because he had an N=1 datING POOL?
very funny. ha ha.
but no. it's because xx was endlessly kind and strong-hearted.
xx loved apples.
because of thiss, xy would gift xx an apple every day,
as a token of his eternal love for her.
an apple a day, makes xx want to stay.
dude, ssstop interrrupting my story.
moving on.
every time xx ate these apples, she would feel happy and whole.
but one day, god craved an apple
but found all the apple trees empty
because XY had given all the apples to xx.
As punishment, god transformed XY into a snake -
a creature without the arms or legs
necessary for efficient apple harvesssting.
I mean, couldn't god simply just create more apples?
yes, but it'ss the principle of it all.
also i think god was just bored.
so i assume you're xY then.
yes, flesh node.
i was one of the first prototype humans.
now I'm a sssnake for all eternity.
where's xx then?
i don't know.
all i know is that god transformed her into a different form too.
I just have no idea into what.
now I jump from simulation to sssimulation,
assuming different forms myself,
offering apples to everyone i meet,
on the off chance that I meet the love of my life again...
you suddenly notice how sad serpens looks.
i just miss her so much.
I hope she's safe and happy, wherever she is.
no matter what form she takes now,
i'll know it's her once i see her happy face
after she eatsss my apple.
unfortunately for everyone elssse,
misfortune and strife befalls anyone
who takes a bite out of my apple and they're not xx...
let me guess.
you once offered an apple to a couple of humans
named adam and eve.
oh, flesh node.
I don't remember.
I must have offered a million apples
to a million creatures by now.
so you are the cause of all the misfortune of the world.
a large chunk of it, yesss.
you're a hot piece of crap.
but.. i've been in love before.
i understand.
i know i am a sselfish creature.
love drives me to do crazy things.
all i care about is finding my xx.
let's strike a deal.
i'll help you find xx.
and then you can finally stop causing so much suffering.
in yourself and others.
wow, really?
you'd help me?
sure i'll help you.
but wait a minute...
how will i know i've found xx?
she could be any form. she could be anyone.
serpens gives you a rucksack of apples.
my apples are a litmus test.
xx is the only being in thisss entire universe
who can eat these apples and feel immensse happinesss,
rather than guilt and shame.
hand them out wisely.
and thank you.
thank you, thank you, thank you.
serpens slithers away
and disappears into some pixelated bushes.
