edit: i've increased the contrast a bit – it should be much better now. :) regarding the itch.io app, seems you have to click 'install' in the sidebar; intentional behavior, apparently, but not one i was familiar with as i don't use the app much. thanks again!
hey! thank you so much – i really appreciate your kind words and you taking the time to comment! i wonder why it doesn't work with the itch app… seems the frame just doesn't appear, and that this is true of my other twine-based games here as well. however, the "mirror" link to play at an external url still works, so perhaps i'll just direct people to click that.
i'll increase the contrast as i also said to @AlterNate below, so hopefully that should make it a bit easier for future players. :)