Played the update... Safe to say, even more tears shed than last time. Absolutely beautiful story and ethereal music to go with it, viatica has become a comfort game of mine especially with all the stuff happening in the US. You're game gives me hope that one day, I as well will have the freedom to be who I am. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart🥲
same, I too feel so much comfort from this game, I wish I had such a sweet community family just like theirs wish I wasnt as afraid and could be brave enough to escape that fear (silence is death) but for me silence is my only way of living in real life. (signed disabled Trans in US)
This story was so, so beautiful. It has deeply moved me in a way not many other stories have, and I'm so grateful you have written it. This is easily one of my favorite IF's on this site so far. Please never stop writing.
This is quite possibly the only IF that has ever made me cry over a slinky but it did. And I mean that in the best way possible. This whole story is presented so beautifully, with such a haunting presence throughout. I feel so much with each page. By the ending I was crying many happy tears. What a wonderful experience. Thank you, so much, for sharing this.
Reading this novel was one of the best experiences of my life. The relationships you build with your partners feel so genuine, and the story is captivating.
Hi! I love Cantata and I've just started reading this too and oh dear am I already hooked! This is probably a stupid question, but is there a way to save your progress in this game? Or have multiple save files?
Well, if you get out of the game, your progress is saved automatically. However, there can be only one save file. So if you plan on doing every route, you'd have to restart from the beginning :))
The IF was made using Twine Chapbook, which is the easiest for people who've never coded before, but it has limited functionality (aka the lack of saves).
Hello, and thank you! The other commenter is correct. The game saves in your browser as you play, but there are no multiple save slots, I'm afraid. I understand this is a bit of an inconvenience and I appreciate you playing regardless!
I started reading this story when it was still a WIP months ago, and I remember putting it on hold when the dreaded chapter 10 came out, because I wasn't mentally ready to face it.
Now I've finally come back to finish it, and I'm proud to announce that I only cried a little in chapter 10, but what really made me cry was the last option in the epilogue, when I had the option to choose that my MC was expecting Robin's baby 🥺
There is something so beautiful and hopeful about it, especially after all the trauma they both went through in the chamber, that I just couldn't take it and before I knew it I was crying like a baby. For me, it's canonical that when their baby was born, Wren and Robin named them Fawn or Bison in tribute to their friends.
Now I'm going to replay it to do Ferret's route, but I felt I had to leave this message here to join the chorus of people praising the author, because really, this story was one of the best experiences I've had with IFs to date. Thank you for this beautiful story, author ❤️
This was wonderful. The world-building, the character development, the humor, the themes, all of them are done masterfully. One of the best on the goddamn site!
The world-building was excellently done. I am amazed at how much you gave with so few words. Thank you for not just having an info-dump chapter, and spreading it out. The journal entries were fantastic, and really conveyed how good intentions slowly but surely warped into something truly dystopian. I loved how you even brought that up.
I really felt like the characters mattered. I adored each of them, and the deaths of [you know who] shattered me. Phenomenal work.
The dialogue, especially (albeit surprisingly) the humor, was very well-done. I laughed a lot, and that's really nice during stories such as these. I had such a sense as to the raw emotion from the characters. They truly came alive.
The themes were really the strongest part of this. I had to step back and ponder to myself during the choice to fight or flee. You've really captured the essence in why I love what I call "optimistic dystopian", that is, really really dark, but with hope and ideals to guide the characters.
Lastly, the music... by God the MUSIC! I cannot praise you enough for the choice and placements of it. At first, I thought it'd be distracting, but it very much added to the experience.
One slight critique is that I'd love to be able to save and load playthroughs, because I got stuck in the 'Character Traits' menu and... yeah.
All-in-all, this was a masterclass in how to do this kind of story, and I adore it. Well done.
P.S. I romanced Ferret, who you did an excellent job with and may I just say that I've only cried once before during a sex scene, and that has now happened twice. So... good job with the smut!
I was grinning like a fool just by the first sentence you wrote! Then the rest of your comment… 🥹
I really appreciate everything you wrote, thank you! I was particularly pleased with the comment about “optimistic dystopian” and the inclusion of hopeful themes and dialogue. It’s very important to me that the ultimate message is a hopeful and uplifting one, and I’m glad that came across. (I’m also glad you appreciated the smut scenes, lol. Those took me foreverrrr! 😅)
I completely understand the frustration at the lack of saves, my apologies. I built this using Twine Chapbook which was the easiest for someone like myself who has never coded before, but it has limited functionality. My newest IF is in Sugarcube for this reason.
Thank you SO much for not only making an account to comment, but taking the time to write out such kind and encouraging words! ❤️
Omg!!! This was beautiful, I went in expecting it to be good due to the comments and I was still blown away. I got so into it I somehow read it all in one night. Never have I laughed and cried so much at an IF before. Wholeheartedly, I recommend anyone and everyone to read/play this and then do it all again, maybe even a third time for luck.
Thank you so much for making this game - seriously - it is genuinely one of the best things I've ever had the chance to read/play. I found this after playing Cantata, and it made me feel so many emotions - it is so beautifully written. It takes a lot of skill and patience to write something like this, and it takes a lot to be able to write something that actually moves people.
I played through the entire game in two sittings spanning two days (I got VERY into it LOL, it was hard to stop playing once I started) and enjoyed every second of it. I plan to play through it a few more times to go through the other romance routes, but I will take a bit of a break between then, my heart can only take so much, haha! I romanced Robin on this (my first) playthrough and I adore them. As someone who is also young non-binary person, similar age to Robin, I found I could relate to them immensely, and found some things they said particularly moving (although, the whole game was moving). Having to be put into a box of either "man" or "woman" is very draining - I was born a woman and will sadly always be seen as a woman to some people - especially since I present feminine. While it is hard, people around you truly make a difference - my friends, family, and other queer people around me remind me that I am not alone, and there are so many people like us.
I genuinely cannot overstate how much representation means to so many people, and to have a character who also feels the same way as I do in certain aspects really is comforting. Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful story and deciding to share it with us!!
Do you have a discord/etc for this community? Totally okay if not! I know a lot of people don't know or aren't interested in using platforms like that, and no pressure or anything if there isn't! If you a discord in particular I'd love to join! Or, if you wanted, I know I and multiple other people would love to help you create one! It'd be a lovely way to be able to talk more about the game, share fanart / fanfictions about the series (both this one + Cantana, and other games you have made), and so you can let people know when updates are released and stuff! (I forget to check itch.io a lot LOL) ! No stress if not though, just thought I'd throw the idea out there, haha!
Thank you so much again, I'll be patiently waiting for updates with Cantana!! :D <3
Never apologize for such a kind and heartfelt comment such as this! 🥹❤️ I’m grinning like a fool reading this, I’m so grateful, thank you! I’m glad you were able to relate to Robin and the story as a whole. I think it’s more important than ever to build an inclusive community and support each other.
And on that note, I do not have a discord but I’m very active on tumblr. I invite you to find me there! The link is on my creator page. I’m afraid I don’t have the skill to build a discord server, nor the time to moderate it. If you and others were to create one, I’d be happy to join! You’re not the first to ask, but I’m afraid it’s not something I can commit to. I hate to put the burden onto others, but I want to be upfront about my capacity and time.
Thank you again for this lovely comment! It made my day! 🫶🏻
I don't usually use tumblr but I'll def consider making an account!! I'll also consider making a discord server! I enjoy making them haha, and no worries!! I don't expect you to moderate or anything, would just be fun to be able to interact with you over there:D
I loved this game sm!!! I didn't know I was capable of reading so much in one setting with my fried attention span until now LOL The story blew me away and I grew so fond of the characters. Heron being my fav! Playing this game hits a little harder now when we take into mind the current political state of the world. Just like in this game, our voices matter and we have the right to fight back against tyrannical forces. Would 100% recommend this game to others!
Thank you so much! ❤️ I’m glad you liked it, and especially Heron. This story is based on a novella I wrote 25 years ago; it’s crazy and unfortunate that’s it’s hitting so true now.
I started Viatica around a month ago and read up to almost the end of Chapter 11 in basically one sitting (although I did get up a few times lol) and only got round to finishing it today. I've laughed and cried (and I'm about to cry again while writing this) and wished death upon certain characters (and the music box ending made that wish come true :D), and I just have to say that this story, your story, is absolutely phenomenal. Through your writing, I grew so attached to these characters and regret none of my choices (except not talking to Heron more in the earlier chapters when I had the chance lol). Even so, however, I think the lack of ability to save was very fitting (even though the lack of save files wasn't a storytelling choice) because it made every choice more important and it prevented me from exploring every option to find out the answer I liked the best. I love how we were given the clear choice on whether we wanted nsfw content and that the sfw options were so lovely and cute and it didn't feel like we were missing out on the plot (because we weren't!) so I happily enjoyed a predominantly fluffy route with Lion. Character deaths were, without spoilers, impactful. I cried (and am about to cry again just thinking about it) because, just...wow. This is the first text only IF I've played on itch, and it was brilliant that even the way I treated the (technically) side characters had a huge impact (or so I assume, since I've only gotten one ending for now), but it seems to me that every choice holds weight, and I really like that. I am so grateful for the message of hope, even echoed in the journal entries, and it was definitely a message that I personally needed (guess who might actually cry this time) and it is definitely a message the world needs given how messed up things are right now. I just want to say thank you, because this story is a gift that I am glad that I decided to open it up and try it out. I'm definitely going to check out Cantata and the April Fools chapters when I have the time, but I'm still deciding on whether or not I want to try and get another ending, considering how satisfying the ending I just got was. We'll see, I guess. By the way, I also found a few grammatical errors/typos near the end and took some screenshots just in case you wanted to see, but I haven't attached them just in case you don't. Anyways, I want to end again with a thank you. Thank you for sharing this fantastic story with all of us, and thank you for the hope that came with it.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the softer options in the romance scenes and chose the fluffy route with Lion. I appreciate that you gave my story a try, even returning to it after a break! Thank you! 🥰
And please feel free to add your screenshots here. I appreciate you asking first. I do try to make my IFs as close to final draft and error-free as I possibly can before publishing, but I do miss some things, and I’d like to correct that. 😊
Oop I'm so sorry it took me so long to respond! I finally sat down to actually annotate the screenshots so you don't have to hunt the photo for them so here they are :D (spoilers obviously if you're reading this but haven't played the game, so go play it now)
(unsure if this last one was intentional or not, but if it wasn't then the error here was the lack of punctuation just in case that didn't make sense)
Oh lol I just noticed a mistake in my own og comment, meant to write that this was my first text only IF since before this I've only played visual novels...ah well, might as well edit that now :3
I 'FINALLY' somehow stumbled onto this... Oh dear... I have laught, raged, mourned and cried. Everything I love about stories making you FEEL and this was it. I will be replaying it many times, I can tell. Not before the April fool special though XD I need some laughters after those last chapters. Love your work. (Also I had to read without glasses at one point because I was crying too much out of joy in the epilogue)
Aww, thank you! I'm glad you experienced all the feels, including the laughs with the April Fools shorts, lol. Sorry about the tears, but I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Such a great and interesting interactive fiction that I read. Heron and Bear are my favorites, such sweethearts. I’ve already gone through three endings, and I think I’ll go through a couple more ✊. Author, thank you so much for this story, I can’t wait for the Cantata to be released in full.
(I’m sorry, English is not my native language, so I wrote it with the help of a translator, I hope I wrote it clearly (つ･･)つ)
Just finished and I have one thing to say to you Fir & Fireweed, I love you 🖤🖤🖤 Jokes aside, I love the story and it was heart breaking what happened to fawn and bison, horrible what happens with the chamber, and im glad its gone. This story was amazing and i plan to play through every character's romance path, robin's was amazing, as we get to navigate their discovery and acceptance of themself and their journey of their fear.
Lol, I’m glad you enjoyed it, and especially so that you enjoyed Robin’s route. I’ve never written a character like them before and I tried to give their route a lot of care and thought. Thank you for reading and for the lovely comment!
you know, i've never been a fan of dystopias, but this is something else.
with each page i returned more and more to my childhood. i'm not saying that i've experienced something like this, but about the atmosphere itself. something... dreamlike. something intimate and alive, i would say. this "fantastique" is not hidden here in the magical atmosphere and fiction, respectively, this fantastique of the lines here lies in the hope that you feel while you read, and in the unshakeable faith in the best. you feel the characters, you sympathize with them, you fight and cry shoulder to shoulder with them, you look at this peace from the window with your own eyes, this peace they came to on their own.
i couldn't stop reading, haha. this short but warm story, and what you, author, have achieved with your word, not everyone can achieve nowadays.
i'm immensely grateful to you for the rare sense of rightness and peace that you have given me. sorry if my words are not so clear, english is not my native language, but i tried to express my feelings as clearly as possible TT.
if anyone read this comment before going to the story, then i want to tell you that you won't regret it. this is not just fiction. these are pages of hope, this is the story of those in whom this hope has not found its end, those who will continue to pass this hope on to the same burning and passionate souls as themselves.
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🥹 This is such a beautiful way to describe my story, and I can’t tell you how touched I am to hear your experience with it. Viatica is very much a story of hope, which is something I think we all need more of right now. ❤️ Thank you, again!
First time i'm commenting on an IF (out of the tons i've read) but this story deserves it, it's simply a masterpiece. At first I was curious about how an author would spin the tale of how such impossibly strict society had come about, then I got hooked by how strongly the writing can captivate and invoke emotion on the reader. Now at the end of it, I've finally realized the sun is raising and I've spent my entire night reading this, I've cried like a baby and laughed hard, seriously I'm moved beyond words with how amaizing this story is. The bread crumbs given through the journal entries painted such a realistic downward spiral, it made me remember my history lessons about slavery here in Brazil, how very few violent and cruel enforcers were enough to make a lot of people bow in submission, deprived of their own culture and language they lost their identity, will and agency. How this scenario was made realistic, the characters are relatable and unique, and the way their emotions and struggles were delivered, all of it was perfect. Congratulations on writing the best, the most engaging IF. Looking forward to more amaizing stories.<3
(PS: forgive my sleepdeprieved ramblings and bad english, in PT-BR i would say in far less words: Parabéns por escrever essa história foda. Obrigada por compartilhar essa joia conosco.)
Ok, first, I have to tell you how I laughed after translating your comment. 🤣 You are most welcome!
Second, I’m glad the story resonated with you and I very much appreciate you sharing the personal relevance. ❤️ Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment!
This was absolutely amazing - I started reading this morning and I only just realised it's past lunchtime! Not many things hook me that much.
The quality of writing was spectacular; I felt in particular the pacing was done perfectly which is not something authors always get right, as well as the description being really great and well balanced. There was a fantastic sense of candidness in the more intimate moments I really connected with - as an ace-spec enby myself I really, really appreciated the inclusive options of character and relationships etc, it helped me immerse myself in the story like not much else has for a long time, which really means an immense amount 💙
I also love how the whole plot is full of symbolism and a very important message about humans working together and respecting their values and differences. I felt the story did a really excellent job of conveying this in a super impactful manner and I sincerely hope it can reach as many people as it can - it has a lot of educational quality.
Sorry if this was a bit of an essay, I just have really high standards for writing and I'm a bit taken aback that something thoroughly surpassed them today. Well done and I can't wait to read your future literature 💙
Thank you so much for your kind words! You need never apologize for a comment like that. ☺️ I’m glad you found the story inclusive and impactful. This was my first IF and first foray into creative writing after not having done so for literal decades, so your comment means a lot! I hope to take lessons learned and improve even more with my new IF, Cantata. Thanks again! ❤️
This story is so creative, the characters so lovable, the only thing I can think bad about this story is how short it felt to me lmao
Anyways, I love your writing and I can't wait to read more about your works, Cantata is so good I can't wait to read the next chapter lol, thanks for your hard work
Not directly, but I’ve always been a big proponent of reading and the power of words. Viatica is adapted from a novella I wrote nearly 30 years ago, when I was a voracious reader of dystopian literature. It’s deeply concerning how the events of this story ring truer now than they did 30 years ago. I live in America, and I think it’s more important than ever that people speak up right now. I don’t like to wax too political, but I do believe in being human and compassionate, and speaking when needed. Thank you for asking. 😊
Just came after playing your new game! (Despirate for chapter 4 btw) You're amazing at this! Keep up the good work, and don't ever stop (or else i'll be sad and bored)
just came from the Cantata demo, LOVED IT! i am so excited to get into this one too!!! great games. i'm sure your kids are very very proud as a fellow teen haha
is it not possible to save or is my screen not wide enough (╯︵╰,)?? i know it's a bit of a stupid question but i'd like to know because the only menu options i see are restart and switch theme?
The game saves to your browser, so as long as you don’t switch browsers or clear your cache, it will save automatically. This IF was built in Twine Chapbook, which doesn’t offer multiple save slots. I talk a little about saves and why I chose this format in my devlog here: https://firfireweed.itch.io/viatica/devlog/790424/a-quick-note-regarding-saves
Thank you for giving my story a try, despite that. 😊
Truly one of the greatest interactive fiction stories I have ever written! I loved the characters (especially Lion) and the journal entries were amazing. It was so interesting seeing a character watch the slow descent of a civilization into a dystopia.
I’m bawling, screaming, and backflipping all at once. Not ONLY is this IF AMAZING but it’s also FINISHED?!? Truly a rare find. I’m honestly invested in every single one of the characters and I don’t think I’ve ever replayed a novel as much as I did this one. 10/10!!
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This game is so beautiful imma die ;0; peak story telling
( when i saw it updated i almost exploded )
Lol, thank you!
Slight spoilers but was that a Cantata reference at the end of Ferret’s epilogue??? Because if so that’s hilarious 💀
Hee hee. 🤭 If you did the rebellion ending, then yes! I sprinkled other Cantata references throughout!
Played the update... Safe to say, even more tears shed than last time. Absolutely beautiful story and ethereal music to go with it, viatica has become a comfort game of mine especially with all the stuff happening in the US. You're game gives me hope that one day, I as well will have the freedom to be who I am. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart🥲
You are so very welcome! I, too, live in the US and it’s very disheartening to see. Take care of yourself, and thank you for sharing that with me! ❤️
same, I too feel so much comfort from this game, I wish I had such a sweet community family just like theirs wish I wasnt as afraid and could be brave enough to escape that fear (silence is death) but for me silence is my only way of living in real life. (signed disabled Trans in US)
OH EM GEE... AN UPDATE!!! I literally love this game sm, ty for all your hard work!!!!
You are most welcome!
how did you even think to write this story? this is amazing and i'm not even done yet! i love this!
Thank you!
What a wonderful surprise to see an update, i'm eating it up right now mueheh
Lol, enjoy!
Beautiful game!
Thank you!
My english is not very good, but i must gush about this IF.
This IF is such a wonderful story. Parts of it made me stay glued my chair to keep reading while some parts made me take a walk outside to process.
Such a perfect mix of tragedy, hope and romance. I cant wait to recommend this to my friends.
Thank you for your kind words!
This story was so, so beautiful. It has deeply moved me in a way not many other stories have, and I'm so grateful you have written it. This is easily one of my favorite IF's on this site so far. Please never stop writing.
Thank you so much! I’ve only recently returned to fiction writing but I am definitely here to stay now, thank you! ❤️
This is quite possibly the only IF that has ever made me cry over a slinky but it did. And I mean that in the best way possible. This whole story is presented so beautifully, with such a haunting presence throughout. I feel so much with each page. By the ending I was crying many happy tears. What a wonderful experience. Thank you, so much, for sharing this.
Lol, that’s the best compliment about the slinky. 😆
Thank you for this lovely comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the story, it’s my pleasure to share. ❤️
Reading this novel was one of the best experiences of my life. The relationships you build with your partners feel so genuine, and the story is captivating.
Thank you very much!
Hi! I love Cantata and I've just started reading this too and oh dear am I already hooked! This is probably a stupid question, but is there a way to save your progress in this game? Or have multiple save files?
Well, if you get out of the game, your progress is saved automatically. However, there can be only one save file. So if you plan on doing every route, you'd have to restart from the beginning :))
The IF was made using Twine Chapbook, which is the easiest for people who've never coded before, but it has limited functionality (aka the lack of saves).
Hello, and thank you! The other commenter is correct. The game saves in your browser as you play, but there are no multiple save slots, I'm afraid. I understand this is a bit of an inconvenience and I appreciate you playing regardless!
Thanks! I just finished the whole thing (like 60 seconds ago) and omg!! This is a masterpiece. I am still crying fr fr. What a beautifully told story
Boy do I have news for you!
🤣🤣🤣
Finally finished this today! An absolute gem, that sadly seems to mirror what's been happening lately :')
Thank you! It is crazy and heartbreaking to think that a story I wrote nearly 30 years ago (the original novella) is somehow more relatable today.
I started reading this story when it was still a WIP months ago, and I remember putting it on hold when the dreaded chapter 10 came out, because I wasn't mentally ready to face it.
Now I've finally come back to finish it, and I'm proud to announce that I only cried a little in chapter 10, but what really made me cry was the last option in the epilogue, when I had the option to choose that my MC was expecting Robin's baby 🥺
There is something so beautiful and hopeful about it, especially after all the trauma they both went through in the chamber, that I just couldn't take it and before I knew it I was crying like a baby. For me, it's canonical that when their baby was born, Wren and Robin named them Fawn or Bison in tribute to their friends.
Now I'm going to replay it to do Ferret's route, but I felt I had to leave this message here to join the chorus of people praising the author, because really, this story was one of the best experiences I've had with IFs to date. Thank you for this beautiful story, author ❤️
Thank you for returning! I don’t blame you for stopping at Chapter 10; that Chapter broke me to write it. 😭 I adore the name tribute! 🥹
I hope you enjoy Ferret’s route just as much. Thank you for this lovely comment!
I created a damn account just to comment.
This was wonderful. The world-building, the character development, the humor, the themes, all of them are done masterfully. One of the best on the goddamn site!
The world-building was excellently done. I am amazed at how much you gave with so few words. Thank you for not just having an info-dump chapter, and spreading it out. The journal entries were fantastic, and really conveyed how good intentions slowly but surely warped into something truly dystopian. I loved how you even brought that up.
I really felt like the characters mattered. I adored each of them, and the deaths of [you know who] shattered me. Phenomenal work.
The dialogue, especially (albeit surprisingly) the humor, was very well-done. I laughed a lot, and that's really nice during stories such as these. I had such a sense as to the raw emotion from the characters. They truly came alive.
The themes were really the strongest part of this. I had to step back and ponder to myself during the choice to fight or flee. You've really captured the essence in why I love what I call "optimistic dystopian", that is, really really dark, but with hope and ideals to guide the characters.
Lastly, the music... by God the MUSIC! I cannot praise you enough for the choice and placements of it. At first, I thought it'd be distracting, but it very much added to the experience.
One slight critique is that I'd love to be able to save and load playthroughs, because I got stuck in the 'Character Traits' menu and... yeah.
All-in-all, this was a masterclass in how to do this kind of story, and I adore it. Well done.
P.S. I romanced Ferret, who you did an excellent job with and may I just say that I've only cried once before during a sex scene, and that has now happened twice. So... good job with the smut!
I was grinning like a fool just by the first sentence you wrote! Then the rest of your comment… 🥹
I really appreciate everything you wrote, thank you! I was particularly pleased with the comment about “optimistic dystopian” and the inclusion of hopeful themes and dialogue. It’s very important to me that the ultimate message is a hopeful and uplifting one, and I’m glad that came across. (I’m also glad you appreciated the smut scenes, lol. Those took me foreverrrr! 😅)
I completely understand the frustration at the lack of saves, my apologies. I built this using Twine Chapbook which was the easiest for someone like myself who has never coded before, but it has limited functionality. My newest IF is in Sugarcube for this reason.
Thank you SO much for not only making an account to comment, but taking the time to write out such kind and encouraging words! ❤️
Omg!!! This was beautiful, I went in expecting it to be good due to the comments and I was still blown away. I got so into it I somehow read it all in one night. Never have I laughed and cried so much at an IF before. Wholeheartedly, I recommend anyone and everyone to read/play this and then do it all again, maybe even a third time for luck.
Thank you so much!! 🥹❤️ I'm glad you gave my story a try and that you enjoyed it so much!
Hello!!
Thank you so much for making this game - seriously - it is genuinely one of the best things I've ever had the chance to read/play. I found this after playing Cantata, and it made me feel so many emotions - it is so beautifully written. It takes a lot of skill and patience to write something like this, and it takes a lot to be able to write something that actually moves people.
I played through the entire game in two sittings spanning two days (I got VERY into it LOL, it was hard to stop playing once I started) and enjoyed every second of it. I plan to play through it a few more times to go through the other romance routes, but I will take a bit of a break between then, my heart can only take so much, haha! I romanced Robin on this (my first) playthrough and I adore them. As someone who is also young non-binary person, similar age to Robin, I found I could relate to them immensely, and found some things they said particularly moving (although, the whole game was moving). Having to be put into a box of either "man" or "woman" is very draining - I was born a woman and will sadly always be seen as a woman to some people - especially since I present feminine. While it is hard, people around you truly make a difference - my friends, family, and other queer people around me remind me that I am not alone, and there are so many people like us.
I genuinely cannot overstate how much representation means to so many people, and to have a character who also feels the same way as I do in certain aspects really is comforting. Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful story and deciding to share it with us!!
Do you have a discord/etc for this community? Totally okay if not! I know a lot of people don't know or aren't interested in using platforms like that, and no pressure or anything if there isn't! If you a discord in particular I'd love to join! Or, if you wanted, I know I and multiple other people would love to help you create one! It'd be a lovely way to be able to talk more about the game, share fanart / fanfictions about the series (both this one + Cantana, and other games you have made), and so you can let people know when updates are released and stuff! (I forget to check itch.io a lot LOL) ! No stress if not though, just thought I'd throw the idea out there, haha!
Thank you so much again, I'll be patiently waiting for updates with Cantana!! :D <3
(and sorry for the long comment!!)
Never apologize for such a kind and heartfelt comment such as this! 🥹❤️ I’m grinning like a fool reading this, I’m so grateful, thank you! I’m glad you were able to relate to Robin and the story as a whole. I think it’s more important than ever to build an inclusive community and support each other.
And on that note, I do not have a discord but I’m very active on tumblr. I invite you to find me there! The link is on my creator page. I’m afraid I don’t have the skill to build a discord server, nor the time to moderate it. If you and others were to create one, I’d be happy to join! You’re not the first to ask, but I’m afraid it’s not something I can commit to. I hate to put the burden onto others, but I want to be upfront about my capacity and time.
Thank you again for this lovely comment! It made my day! 🫶🏻
Ahh, I'm so glad!!
I don't usually use tumblr but I'll def consider making an account!! I'll also consider making a discord server! I enjoy making them haha, and no worries!! I don't expect you to moderate or anything, would just be fun to be able to interact with you over there:D
This!! This is a masterpiece!! Im fudging bawling right now. Ive read this IF after your Cantata. I really really love your works. ♥️
Aww, thank you!! ❤️
ok, I'd like 4 books an 8 season long show and 2 movies please
Erm, would you settle for an April Fools Day special? 😅
This comment gave me a good giggle, thank you!
exactly how I feel I just keep coming back to F&F's work T-T
I loved this game sm!!! I didn't know I was capable of reading so much in one setting with my fried attention span until now LOL The story blew me away and I grew so fond of the characters. Heron being my fav! Playing this game hits a little harder now when we take into mind the current political state of the world. Just like in this game, our voices matter and we have the right to fight back against tyrannical forces. Would 100% recommend this game to others!
Thank you so much! ❤️ I’m glad you liked it, and especially Heron. This story is based on a novella I wrote 25 years ago; it’s crazy and unfortunate that’s it’s hitting so true now.
I started Viatica around a month ago and read up to almost the end of Chapter 11 in basically one sitting (although I did get up a few times lol) and only got round to finishing it today. I've laughed and cried (and I'm about to cry again while writing this) and wished death upon certain characters (and the music box ending made that wish come true :D), and I just have to say that this story, your story, is absolutely phenomenal. Through your writing, I grew so attached to these characters and regret none of my choices (except not talking to Heron more in the earlier chapters when I had the chance lol). Even so, however, I think the lack of ability to save was very fitting (even though the lack of save files wasn't a storytelling choice) because it made every choice more important and it prevented me from exploring every option to find out the answer I liked the best. I love how we were given the clear choice on whether we wanted nsfw content and that the sfw options were so lovely and cute and it didn't feel like we were missing out on the plot (because we weren't!) so I happily enjoyed a predominantly fluffy route with Lion. Character deaths were, without spoilers, impactful. I cried (and am about to cry again just thinking about it) because, just...wow. This is the first text only IF I've played on itch, and it was brilliant that even the way I treated the (technically) side characters had a huge impact (or so I assume, since I've only gotten one ending for now), but it seems to me that every choice holds weight, and I really like that. I am so grateful for the message of hope, even echoed in the journal entries, and it was definitely a message that I personally needed (guess who might actually cry this time) and it is definitely a message the world needs given how messed up things are right now. I just want to say thank you, because this story is a gift that I am glad that I decided to open it up and try it out. I'm definitely going to check out Cantata and the April Fools chapters when I have the time, but I'm still deciding on whether or not I want to try and get another ending, considering how satisfying the ending I just got was. We'll see, I guess. By the way, I also found a few grammatical errors/typos near the end and took some screenshots just in case you wanted to see, but I haven't attached them just in case you don't. Anyways, I want to end again with a thank you. Thank you for sharing this fantastic story with all of us, and thank you for the hope that came with it.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the softer options in the romance scenes and chose the fluffy route with Lion. I appreciate that you gave my story a try, even returning to it after a break! Thank you! 🥰
And please feel free to add your screenshots here. I appreciate you asking first. I do try to make my IFs as close to final draft and error-free as I possibly can before publishing, but I do miss some things, and I’d like to correct that. 😊
Oop I'm so sorry it took me so long to respond! I finally sat down to actually annotate the screenshots so you don't have to hunt the photo for them so here they are :D (spoilers obviously if you're reading this but haven't played the game, so go play it now)
(unsure if this last one was intentional or not, but if it wasn't then the error here was the lack of punctuation just in case that didn't make sense)
Oh lol I just noticed a mistake in my own og comment, meant to write that this was my first text only IF since before this I've only played visual novels...ah well, might as well edit that now :3
No way to download it? Its only in browser?
Yep, your data saves as long as you don't clear your browser cache
Correct, the game is only available in browser.
I 'FINALLY' somehow stumbled onto this... Oh dear... I have laught, raged, mourned and cried. Everything I love about stories making you FEEL and this was it. I will be replaying it many times, I can tell. Not before the April fool special though XD I need some laughters after those last chapters. Love your work. (Also I had to read without glasses at one point because I was crying too much out of joy in the epilogue)
Aww, thank you! I'm glad you experienced all the feels, including the laughs with the April Fools shorts, lol. Sorry about the tears, but I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed it so much!
I’m in emotions , I’M IN TEARS o(〒﹏〒)o.
Such a great and interesting interactive fiction that I read. Heron and Bear are my favorites, such sweethearts. I’ve already gone through three endings, and I think I’ll go through a couple more ✊. Author, thank you so much for this story, I can’t wait for the Cantata to be released in full.
(I’m sorry, English is not my native language, so I wrote it with the help of a translator, I hope I wrote it clearly (つ･･)つ)
This was very clear, don’t worry! And I very much appreciated hearing it! Thank you! ❤️
Just finished and I have one thing to say to you Fir & Fireweed, I love you 🖤🖤🖤 Jokes aside, I love the story and it was heart breaking what happened to fawn and bison, horrible what happens with the chamber, and im glad its gone. This story was amazing and i plan to play through every character's romance path, robin's was amazing, as we get to navigate their discovery and acceptance of themself and their journey of their fear.
Lol, I’m glad you enjoyed it, and especially so that you enjoyed Robin’s route. I’ve never written a character like them before and I tried to give their route a lot of care and thought. Thank you for reading and for the lovely comment!
you know, i've never been a fan of dystopias, but this is something else.
with each page i returned more and more to my childhood. i'm not saying that i've experienced something like this, but about the atmosphere itself. something... dreamlike. something intimate and alive, i would say. this "fantastique" is not hidden here in the magical atmosphere and fiction, respectively, this fantastique of the lines here lies in the hope that you feel while you read, and in the unshakeable faith in the best. you feel the characters, you sympathize with them, you fight and cry shoulder to shoulder with them, you look at this peace from the window with your own eyes, this peace they came to on their own.
i couldn't stop reading, haha. this short but warm story, and what you, author, have achieved with your word, not everyone can achieve nowadays.
i'm immensely grateful to you for the rare sense of rightness and peace that you have given me. sorry if my words are not so clear, english is not my native language, but i tried to express my feelings as clearly as possible TT.
if anyone read this comment before going to the story, then i want to tell you that you won't regret it. this is not just fiction. these are pages of hope, this is the story of those in whom this hope has not found its end, those who will continue to pass this hope on to the same burning and passionate souls as themselves.
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🥹 This is such a beautiful way to describe my story, and I can’t tell you how touched I am to hear your experience with it. Viatica is very much a story of hope, which is something I think we all need more of right now. ❤️ Thank you, again!
First time i'm commenting on an IF (out of the tons i've read) but this story deserves it, it's simply a masterpiece. At first I was curious about how an author would spin the tale of how such impossibly strict society had come about, then I got hooked by how strongly the writing can captivate and invoke emotion on the reader. Now at the end of it, I've finally realized the sun is raising and I've spent my entire night reading this, I've cried like a baby and laughed hard, seriously I'm moved beyond words with how amaizing this story is. The bread crumbs given through the journal entries painted such a realistic downward spiral, it made me remember my history lessons about slavery here in Brazil, how very few violent and cruel enforcers were enough to make a lot of people bow in submission, deprived of their own culture and language they lost their identity, will and agency. How this scenario was made realistic, the characters are relatable and unique, and the way their emotions and struggles were delivered, all of it was perfect. Congratulations on writing the best, the most engaging IF. Looking forward to more amaizing stories.<3
(PS: forgive my sleepdeprieved ramblings and bad english, in PT-BR i would say in far less words: Parabéns por escrever essa história foda. Obrigada por compartilhar essa joia conosco.)
Ok, first, I have to tell you how I laughed after translating your comment. 🤣 You are most welcome!
Second, I’m glad the story resonated with you and I very much appreciate you sharing the personal relevance. ❤️ Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment!
I have no words... This is so peak chat. The game is also finished so definately recommend giving it a try <3
Thank you!
This was absolutely amazing - I started reading this morning and I only just realised it's past lunchtime! Not many things hook me that much.
The quality of writing was spectacular; I felt in particular the pacing was done perfectly which is not something authors always get right, as well as the description being really great and well balanced. There was a fantastic sense of candidness in the more intimate moments I really connected with - as an ace-spec enby myself I really, really appreciated the inclusive options of character and relationships etc, it helped me immerse myself in the story like not much else has for a long time, which really means an immense amount 💙
I also love how the whole plot is full of symbolism and a very important message about humans working together and respecting their values and differences. I felt the story did a really excellent job of conveying this in a super impactful manner and I sincerely hope it can reach as many people as it can - it has a lot of educational quality.
Sorry if this was a bit of an essay, I just have really high standards for writing and I'm a bit taken aback that something thoroughly surpassed them today. Well done and I can't wait to read your future literature 💙
Thank you so much for your kind words! You need never apologize for a comment like that. ☺️ I’m glad you found the story inclusive and impactful. This was my first IF and first foray into creative writing after not having done so for literal decades, so your comment means a lot! I hope to take lessons learned and improve even more with my new IF, Cantata. Thanks again! ❤️
This story was so much fun to read!
I remember I was reading this about a year ago, I dont remember why I stopped, but I rece tly found it again and wow I’m glad I did!
I love Robin my bae <3 They’re so sweet!
But Ferrets my chosen partner. I love her fire!
I’m so glad to hear you picked it back up and gave it a try, thank you! ❤️
reminds me of 1984 sm
This story was inspired by 1984 and other dystopian works. I was a big fan of them all in my youth. 😊
This story is so creative, the characters so lovable, the only thing I can think bad about this story is how short it felt to me lmao
Anyways, I love your writing and I can't wait to read more about your works, Cantata is so good I can't wait to read the next chapter lol, thanks for your hard work
Thank you so much! That means a lot to hear!
I really liked that in the end, everyone finally found their voice. I honestly feel like this can relate to some real-world stuff.
Thank you! And you’re absolutely right.
If I may, from what I've seen your games seem to have a moral based around voices. Is there a reason for that?
Not directly, but I’ve always been a big proponent of reading and the power of words. Viatica is adapted from a novella I wrote nearly 30 years ago, when I was a voracious reader of dystopian literature. It’s deeply concerning how the events of this story ring truer now than they did 30 years ago. I live in America, and I think it’s more important than ever that people speak up right now. I don’t like to wax too political, but I do believe in being human and compassionate, and speaking when needed. Thank you for asking. 😊
YES! I KNEW ID LIKE YOU. I'm also from America so that's why I was so curious.
❤️❤️❤️
Just came after playing your new game! (Despirate for chapter 4 btw) You're amazing at this! Keep up the good work, and don't ever stop (or else i'll be sad and bored)
Hahaha, thank you!
Do you know when the next chapter of cantata is planned to come out? no rush, just.... mildly desperate
A very rough estimate would be September or October. Chapter 4 is a biggie, and I have several vacations planned with my family over the summer.
I love you work so much that I have to stop playing...save it for later🥹🥹
Aww, thank you for spreading out the love! 😁
just came from the Cantata demo, LOVED IT! i am so excited to get into this one too!!! great games. i'm sure your kids are very very proud as a fellow teen haha
Thank you! I hope you enjoy Viatica, too. Cantata is definitely more polished, but Viatica is my first love, so to speak.
And my kids are my best cheerleaders! 💕
is it not possible to save or is my screen not wide enough (╯︵╰,)?? i know it's a bit of a stupid question but i'd like to know because the only menu options i see are restart and switch theme?
The game saves to your browser, so as long as you don’t switch browsers or clear your cache, it will save automatically. This IF was built in Twine Chapbook, which doesn’t offer multiple save slots. I talk a little about saves and why I chose this format in my devlog here: https://firfireweed.itch.io/viatica/devlog/790424/a-quick-note-regarding-saves
Thank you for giving my story a try, despite that. 😊
I really enjoyed the slow seeing how it got to that point between chapters
Do you mean the journal entries? Those weren’t in my original novella and I’m pretty delighted with the idea, too, and how they turned out. Thank you!
Truly one of the greatest interactive fiction stories I have ever written! I loved the characters (especially Lion) and the journal entries were amazing. It was so interesting seeing a character watch the slow descent of a civilization into a dystopia.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I’m bawling, screaming, and backflipping all at once. Not ONLY is this IF AMAZING but it’s also FINISHED?!? Truly a rare find. I’m honestly invested in every single one of the characters and I don’t think I’ve ever replayed a novel as much as I did this one. 10/10!!
Hahaha, I’d love to see what bawling, screaming, and backflipping all at once looks like! 😂
I’m so glad you enjoyed and replayed it! Thank you for this amazing compliment!