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[ ♫♫♫
---
the forest changes under his feet - scent first, from the damp underbrush into something more hazy. brighter, while the air grows warmer, closer to actual spring - unseasonably warm, but the transition is slow and easy. curls around the hands, the legs, until it reaches him fully. the crunch of twigs and leaves under his feet - is it louder? did his body always feel like this? are things more intense, that he just didn't pay mind to? boggling the mind, distractions upon distractions until...
he breaks the tree line, and the sky above him is blue, vast. the sun shines down gently, and the woods he walked through are not the same - they've altered into types he hasn't seen before, and the field that stretches before him is vast, dotted with wildflowers, tall grass. it feels alive - it feels open, free. the breeze blows, and in the distance, past the fence, there's a figure dressed in what could be white, or light blue. far off, but reachable, hair blowing in the breeze, still for now.
thoughts that aren't his own, impressions instead of feelings. calm, to explore, to run as far as his legs can take him. to exist and fill his lungs with the air, as if one could fill themselves so much they became part of the earth.
the world is so, so wide. anything can happen.]
---
the forest changes under his feet - scent first, from the damp underbrush into something more hazy. brighter, while the air grows warmer, closer to actual spring - unseasonably warm, but the transition is slow and easy. curls around the hands, the legs, until it reaches him fully. the crunch of twigs and leaves under his feet - is it louder? did his body always feel like this? are things more intense, that he just didn't pay mind to? boggling the mind, distractions upon distractions until...
he breaks the tree line, and the sky above him is blue, vast. the sun shines down gently, and the woods he walked through are not the same - they've altered into types he hasn't seen before, and the field that stretches before him is vast, dotted with wildflowers, tall grass. it feels alive - it feels open, free. the breeze blows, and in the distance, past the fence, there's a figure dressed in what could be white, or light blue. far off, but reachable, hair blowing in the breeze, still for now.
thoughts that aren't his own, impressions instead of feelings. calm, to explore, to run as far as his legs can take him. to exist and fill his lungs with the air, as if one could fill themselves so much they became part of the earth.
the world is so, so wide. anything can happen.]
[ ♫♫♫
the dirt of the forest floor grows harder, firmer. feet moving to the clack against wooden boards, it growing darker - no, that's just the curtains that have been shut against the light. the faint scent of leaf rot fading down, the sensation of dust in the throat, needing to cough or sneeze. the world closes in, the air gone stagnant - tick tick tick on the clock. his clothes, more noticeable, every movement. what's close, what's not. what's leaking into his senses, corroding, consuming, while his movements feel heavier and slower.
prickling on his skin. bitter aftertaste. faded flowers.
there's a door before him, and he can smell the fresh paint on it. the doorknob creaks too loudly. the metal is too cold. it's his choice, but there's only the floor under him, and the door.]
the dirt of the forest floor grows harder, firmer. feet moving to the clack against wooden boards, it growing darker - no, that's just the curtains that have been shut against the light. the faint scent of leaf rot fading down, the sensation of dust in the throat, needing to cough or sneeze. the world closes in, the air gone stagnant - tick tick tick on the clock. his clothes, more noticeable, every movement. what's close, what's not. what's leaking into his senses, corroding, consuming, while his movements feel heavier and slower.
prickling on his skin. bitter aftertaste. faded flowers.
there's a door before him, and he can smell the fresh paint on it. the doorknob creaks too loudly. the metal is too cold. it's his choice, but there's only the floor under him, and the door.]
Edited 2022-03-06 07:27 (UTC)
[ ♫♫♫
the woods seem endless, and the path is long gone. nothing else seems to breathe here, but there's a pressure to go on, a steadiness like a heartbeat in footsteps. only one's own breath, only the security of one's own clothes and hands. move, move, until you cannot anymore. the air is warmer here, with the murmur of voices that can almost be discerned if you strained, if you got a bit closer.
vaguely sweet scent, like baking, like someone else. the stickiness of tree sap on your hands. dryness in the mouth, in the throat. it all seems strong, significant. clinging as spiderwebs do, to the eyelashes and hair.
and when she gets through the trees at a point, towards a brighter light -
she's fallen out of a bush, lying on her back under a large greenhouse roof. it's a decently sized space, big enough for many plants, a fountain, but nothing is blooming even if it's green with leaves. the fountain's not running, the water clear but utterly still. dusty bricks, moss growing over the cracks, and the air feels heavy.
there is, however, a door that seems attached to a much bigger building. a house, and quite a large one by what can be determined through the wavy glass.]
the woods seem endless, and the path is long gone. nothing else seems to breathe here, but there's a pressure to go on, a steadiness like a heartbeat in footsteps. only one's own breath, only the security of one's own clothes and hands. move, move, until you cannot anymore. the air is warmer here, with the murmur of voices that can almost be discerned if you strained, if you got a bit closer.
vaguely sweet scent, like baking, like someone else. the stickiness of tree sap on your hands. dryness in the mouth, in the throat. it all seems strong, significant. clinging as spiderwebs do, to the eyelashes and hair.
and when she gets through the trees at a point, towards a brighter light -
she's fallen out of a bush, lying on her back under a large greenhouse roof. it's a decently sized space, big enough for many plants, a fountain, but nothing is blooming even if it's green with leaves. the fountain's not running, the water clear but utterly still. dusty bricks, moss growing over the cracks, and the air feels heavy.
there is, however, a door that seems attached to a much bigger building. a house, and quite a large one by what can be determined through the wavy glass.]
[ Everything's vivid. It should be too much, but to Nanami it's all fascinating. This is a world more real than any she's experienced, in a strange way. She presses on, following all of here senses along with her heart.
And when she thinks she's reached the end-- suddenly she's at a new beginning, sprawled on the ground in a muggy room. She sits up slowly, rubbing her forehead as she tries to get her bearings. She's got her cat hoodie pulled up over her head; it just feels right to for some reason. (To protect from precipitation? A feeling of unease that the safety of a hood can somehow help?)
This place feels abandoned, but is it? She slowly gets back on her feet, and then carefully wanders the greenhouse. The plants seem relaxing, at least... she could stay here.
But something urges her onwards, some instinct. She turns to the door, and carefully - as if she might disturb some great predator if she moves too quickly or loudly - turns the knob, and opens it. ]
And when she thinks she's reached the end-- suddenly she's at a new beginning, sprawled on the ground in a muggy room. She sits up slowly, rubbing her forehead as she tries to get her bearings. She's got her cat hoodie pulled up over her head; it just feels right to for some reason. (To protect from precipitation? A feeling of unease that the safety of a hood can somehow help?)
This place feels abandoned, but is it? She slowly gets back on her feet, and then carefully wanders the greenhouse. The plants seem relaxing, at least... she could stay here.
But something urges her onwards, some instinct. She turns to the door, and carefully - as if she might disturb some great predator if she moves too quickly or loudly - turns the knob, and opens it. ]
[ ♫♫♫
it's cold, he'll note as he goes into the forest. even his body is susceptible to it, as he moves on. still, there is the sense that he should, pressing him onwards, compelling footsteps even as they seem to be louder. a heartbeat in his ears that's not his own, fine mist that creeps over the forest floor, his breath visible before him.
sensory input at heightened levels. the flex of his fingers, the rise and fall of his chest. a bird's wings in flight, flapping - the faintly chemical scent that invades the woods. not the decay of life, but something different, and it cannot be placed in what he knows. it's much, it's too much, but it cannot be stopped. and then, the scent of burned wood and ash.
it's a husk of a place, ruined by fire, an explosion, stone reduced to rubble and metal twisted, wood blackened by it. what could have been a small building, gutted and destroyed by fire. broken machinery, what might have been very fine tools.
and something lying under a blanket on a table. still, quiet.
the crow shrieks.]
it's cold, he'll note as he goes into the forest. even his body is susceptible to it, as he moves on. still, there is the sense that he should, pressing him onwards, compelling footsteps even as they seem to be louder. a heartbeat in his ears that's not his own, fine mist that creeps over the forest floor, his breath visible before him.
sensory input at heightened levels. the flex of his fingers, the rise and fall of his chest. a bird's wings in flight, flapping - the faintly chemical scent that invades the woods. not the decay of life, but something different, and it cannot be placed in what he knows. it's much, it's too much, but it cannot be stopped. and then, the scent of burned wood and ash.
it's a husk of a place, ruined by fire, an explosion, stone reduced to rubble and metal twisted, wood blackened by it. what could have been a small building, gutted and destroyed by fire. broken machinery, what might have been very fine tools.
and something lying under a blanket on a table. still, quiet.
the crow shrieks.]
Edited 2022-03-06 08:23 (UTC)
[Shin chokes into his scarf, burying mouth and nose into it against the dust and sudden sharpness of scent, but that doesn't help when it carries it's own, thick and strong, his own breath and sweat, bitter laundry powder. Hunching his shoulders and burying his ears into it on top of the hair usually covering them only helps so much, he's used to too-loud noises but he can hear his beanie move against his hair as he pulls it down to cover them and he can't not notice it. He chooses clothes more for comfort than anything else, and he is so, so aware of them.
It's a sensory cacophony, and he spends a long time in front of the door just grappling with it. This... is someone doing this? Why can't he turn it off!? He closes his eyes and tries to breathe, cringing at the cold, cold doorknob as he turns it.]
It's a sensory cacophony, and he spends a long time in front of the door just grappling with it. This... is someone doing this? Why can't he turn it off!? He closes his eyes and tries to breathe, cringing at the cold, cold doorknob as he turns it.]
[as soon as he shuts his eyes and breathes, his senses reorient. the world is no longer too much, but realigned - things are a little stronger, but not so much as to undo him. just a fraction more, thrown into a new focus, and the door opens with a creak of the normal volume.
the room he walks into is large, more than enough for a single person, but something in the air feels like it hasn't been opened in days, that something's been there but hasn't moved an inch. sunlight comes through the window, illuminating rich carpet, furnishings that look comfortable enough to easily sink into, a fireplace with wood to be lit. books on shelves, small curiosities, an hourglass that flows...both directions, leading to a net zero. if he squints, the edges have a digital haze, an endless stream of sand with the faintest of sounds. outside, the world looks peaceful, beautiful - a river flows nearby in the forest landscape, so close that if one could have opened the window, they could have jumped right in. but there is no latch to open - none of the windows have it.
lying on the couch, sprawled out as though she simply collapsed from tiredness and went to nap, is Helena, cane propped up to the side and in the same white dress he would have seen in Narumi's heart. still, the necklace is there too, faintly glowing on her chest. it's too still. inlaid in amber.
blink, and lines upon lines of code cross his vision. blink, and they are gone.]
the room he walks into is large, more than enough for a single person, but something in the air feels like it hasn't been opened in days, that something's been there but hasn't moved an inch. sunlight comes through the window, illuminating rich carpet, furnishings that look comfortable enough to easily sink into, a fireplace with wood to be lit. books on shelves, small curiosities, an hourglass that flows...both directions, leading to a net zero. if he squints, the edges have a digital haze, an endless stream of sand with the faintest of sounds. outside, the world looks peaceful, beautiful - a river flows nearby in the forest landscape, so close that if one could have opened the window, they could have jumped right in. but there is no latch to open - none of the windows have it.
lying on the couch, sprawled out as though she simply collapsed from tiredness and went to nap, is Helena, cane propped up to the side and in the same white dress he would have seen in Narumi's heart. still, the necklace is there too, faintly glowing on her chest. it's too still. inlaid in amber.
blink, and lines upon lines of code cross his vision. blink, and they are gone.]
[there is no predator, even as the door opens with a rusted shriek. just a darkened house, with a lightswitch close by. the overwhelming feeling is that it echoes, too big for a single person - an older style, built for a family and staff and the rest. dark woods and peeling paint, cold stone and flickering lights.
no one's been here for a long, long time. her steps leave footprints in the dust on the floor. not even mice want to live here - the air is no longer muggy, but it fills her with different emotions, ghosts that whisper across the mind. sorrow, fear, resentment. apathy, acceptance. empty wooden boxes, empty glass bottles. the vague trappings without any substance.
tick tock. something still works, but it's not in this room. not in an abandoned cellar whose light is just about to fizzle out. and when it does...
something takes Nanami's wrist in the darkness, and tugs so that she might stumble forward into a ladder.]
no one's been here for a long, long time. her steps leave footprints in the dust on the floor. not even mice want to live here - the air is no longer muggy, but it fills her with different emotions, ghosts that whisper across the mind. sorrow, fear, resentment. apathy, acceptance. empty wooden boxes, empty glass bottles. the vague trappings without any substance.
tick tock. something still works, but it's not in this room. not in an abandoned cellar whose light is just about to fizzle out. and when it does...
something takes Nanami's wrist in the darkness, and tugs so that she might stumble forward into a ladder.]
[Shin... cautiously unfolds, removing his other hand from his ear. His gaze sweeps across the surroundings he's never seen before, lingering unnervedly on the hourglass before he spots Helena lying on the couch.]
...!
[He's starting towards her immediately. That's a familiar outfit... Shin tries not to think about if his body is collapsed somewhere on the forest floor. If he can just quickly wake her up and get out back the way he came...]
Hele- a- na?
[A stutter, in his voice and in the world, outstretched fingers curling as he comes to a halt, swallowing thickly. What was that...?]
...!
[He's starting towards her immediately. That's a familiar outfit... Shin tries not to think about if his body is collapsed somewhere on the forest floor. If he can just quickly wake her up and get out back the way he came...]
Hele- a- na?
[A stutter, in his voice and in the world, outstretched fingers curling as he comes to a halt, swallowing thickly. What was that...?]
Edited (typo) 2022-03-06 10:45 (UTC)
[he's rewarded with her stirring, making a small noise of discontent before her eyes open and her face registers the voice.]
...Shin?
[still groggy, she sits up slow, taking off her glasses to rub her face. however long she's been sleeping, she's still tired - or maybe it's something in this place. it's difficult to tell.]
How did you get in here? Magic?
[the world is settled, for now. but there's no telling what will happen next.]
...Shin?
[still groggy, she sits up slow, taking off her glasses to rub her face. however long she's been sleeping, she's still tired - or maybe it's something in this place. it's difficult to tell.]
How did you get in here? Magic?
[the world is settled, for now. but there's no telling what will happen next.]
[He wishes... this would be way too advanced for him, if even the soul-ripping circle alone is any indication. The relief when she wakes up is palpable.]
I followed you... We're probably both in the forest, right now. Whatever's doing this... it's not me.
[Which is, you know, deeply worrying. There was that voice talking about dreams... everything has that tinge to it.]
Let's get out of here... Quickly. The door should be...
[He's casting around for it... He didn't close it, in the small hope that would actually help.]
I followed you... We're probably both in the forest, right now. Whatever's doing this... it's not me.
[Which is, you know, deeply worrying. There was that voice talking about dreams... everything has that tinge to it.]
Let's get out of here... Quickly. The door should be...
[He's casting around for it... He didn't close it, in the small hope that would actually help.]
[placing her glasses back on, her brow furrows in confusion.]
There's no door, Shin. If there was, I would have found it long ago.
[and true to her word, the wall is smooth. things rearranged, so it doesn't look out of place. where there was a door, there is nothing.]
What do you mean you followed me?
There's no door, Shin. If there was, I would have found it long ago.
[and true to her word, the wall is smooth. things rearranged, so it doesn't look out of place. where there was a door, there is nothing.]
What do you mean you followed me?
There was... it was right there! You've got to be kidding...
[But there is indeed no door... Shin regards the furniture innocently making this disappearance visually congruous as one does betrayal. He had the sense something like this might happen, because that would have been too easy... but that doesn't mean he can't dislike it. So that's why she asked if it was magic. The hairs on his neck are prickling fiercely, and the strengthened senses aren't helping the sensation, or the strained, stressed note in his voice.]
...How long have you been here...?
[Long ago... it's the kind of question where like with the door you would like the result to not be concerning but deep dread is pooling in your gut.]
...I saw you go into the forest fifteen minutes ago!
[Or... it felt like that long. Can he be sure? There wasn't much in the way of landmarks, and it's not like he kept checking his phone...]
[But there is indeed no door... Shin regards the furniture innocently making this disappearance visually congruous as one does betrayal. He had the sense something like this might happen, because that would have been too easy... but that doesn't mean he can't dislike it. So that's why she asked if it was magic. The hairs on his neck are prickling fiercely, and the strengthened senses aren't helping the sensation, or the strained, stressed note in his voice.]
...How long have you been here...?
[Long ago... it's the kind of question where like with the door you would like the result to not be concerning but deep dread is pooling in your gut.]
...I saw you go into the forest fifteen minutes ago!
[Or... it felt like that long. Can he be sure? There wasn't much in the way of landmarks, and it's not like he kept checking his phone...]
Fifteen minutes ago I was asleep. You woke me up...
[she seems genuinely baffled by his statements, slowly rising from her seat. without shoes, her footsteps are quieter, and she makes no move to pick up the cane just yet. she uses her hands to navigate the room, brushes against things to relocate to the window seat.
the beautiful day hasn't left, but a few stray clouds drift across the sky, a little too low to be innocent. they think of rain, and the image presses against Shin's mind before letting go, like his scarf being snagged and needing to be readjusted.
a held breath, a mobius strip. then exhale, but the twist is still there, right along the path to your gut when you swallow. (blood lifts from fabric with cold water and work.)]
...I couldn't tell you how long I've been here, though. Every time I restart the count, I lose my place. Weeks, months, longer...? Your guess is truly as good as mine.
[she seems genuinely baffled by his statements, slowly rising from her seat. without shoes, her footsteps are quieter, and she makes no move to pick up the cane just yet. she uses her hands to navigate the room, brushes against things to relocate to the window seat.
the beautiful day hasn't left, but a few stray clouds drift across the sky, a little too low to be innocent. they think of rain, and the image presses against Shin's mind before letting go, like his scarf being snagged and needing to be readjusted.
a held breath, a mobius strip. then exhale, but the twist is still there, right along the path to your gut when you swallow. (blood lifts from fabric with cold water and work.)]
...I couldn't tell you how long I've been here, though. Every time I restart the count, I lose my place. Weeks, months, longer...? Your guess is truly as good as mine.
Edited 2022-03-06 11:50 (UTC)
[With no visible exit, he follows her over, looking outside. Looks like rain... then the readjustment of the suddenness of the thought, like a ball bearing flicked into a pinball machine... not supposed to be there, but slotting in a little too well, going around and disappearing and... did the number change? He feels off-kilter, slowly sitting down on the other end of the window seat and drawing up one of his knees to lean his arms on.]
You can't... smash the window?
[Helena's strong, stronger than him at least and also a strong swimmer... she could probably do it. Maybe she's tried already. But... that's thinking about it the wrong way, right? Something is definitely going on beyond that... that code... he didn't get a chance to read it.]
Ahaha... that'd be too easy, wouldn't it... It'd just fix itself.
[Like the door.]
You can't... smash the window?
[Helena's strong, stronger than him at least and also a strong swimmer... she could probably do it. Maybe she's tried already. But... that's thinking about it the wrong way, right? Something is definitely going on beyond that... that code... he didn't get a chance to read it.]
Ahaha... that'd be too easy, wouldn't it... It'd just fix itself.
[Like the door.]
That's a poor joke. I'm too weak to smash anything.
[folding her hands in her lap, she sighs and leans back some, settling fully into the seat.
the river below, one can hear it from here. flowing onward, away, wherever rivers go. over rocks, through fields. home to so many small things, bringing life to the world. almost like a lullaby, in its rhythm.]
[folding her hands in her lap, she sighs and leans back some, settling fully into the seat.
the river below, one can hear it from here. flowing onward, away, wherever rivers go. over rocks, through fields. home to so many small things, bringing life to the world. almost like a lullaby, in its rhythm.]
[ He feels lighter, breathing easier, as if something knotted tight in his chest is finally loosening. Around him, the world comes into sharper focus — not visually, but the sensations and sounds and scents that his body perceives are somehow more distinct than anything he recalls, tugging at his attention all at once. What could have been overwhelming, sensory overload, is pleasant instead. The breeze brushes against his cheeks and flutters through his hair in a caress, soothing away the thoughts that led him through the forest, any qualms about his new surroundings. The air is fresh and invigorating; it's a warm, welcoming place.
It feels good and right to be here. Invited to drink in the picturesque view, Alice lets his steps slow, moving onward through the grass whispering against his legs. He's spotted the figure in the distance, gradually not so far away as he draws closer.
Anything can happen, but for now, they're both here to appreciate nature, to savor freedom given form, and he won't disturb the peace. ]
It feels good and right to be here. Invited to drink in the picturesque view, Alice lets his steps slow, moving onward through the grass whispering against his legs. He's spotted the figure in the distance, gradually not so far away as he draws closer.
Anything can happen, but for now, they're both here to appreciate nature, to savor freedom given form, and he won't disturb the peace. ]
[it's Helena, he'll notice as he draws near. one hand raised up in the sky, and the twittering of birdsong will reach his ears. something small is moving on her hand, palm sized - it's a bird, fluttering its wings but not yet departing. the two stand there as a breeze comes, rustles the grass and clothes, hair, the distant, distant sound of water.
spring is here, everything says. spring, full of life and wonder, where things become. the impression of something untouched, left to form of its own accord. happiness, calm, smooth marble under the fingertips. easy morning, without forgetting something. a day off? or just a day one looked forward to.
the fence he will reach is wooden, but the gate can be pushed open, for the lock hasn't been set, and her voice might reach him.]
...Papa said you have to go. You have to fly now.
[but it's warm enough that she's not objecting to her friend's reluctance to depart. just waiting, patiently, for it to make up its mind.]
spring is here, everything says. spring, full of life and wonder, where things become. the impression of something untouched, left to form of its own accord. happiness, calm, smooth marble under the fingertips. easy morning, without forgetting something. a day off? or just a day one looked forward to.
the fence he will reach is wooden, but the gate can be pushed open, for the lock hasn't been set, and her voice might reach him.]
...Papa said you have to go. You have to fly now.
[but it's warm enough that she's not objecting to her friend's reluctance to depart. just waiting, patiently, for it to make up its mind.]
[ She simply stares at the interior of the dark room for a while, too haunted to carry on. Her heart's seized with a lonely nostalgia - the echoes in her mind, the emotions of the room, resonating with her own past, with a quiet home in which she spent as much time as possible at her console.
The sound of the passing of time helps her out of her stupor eventually. She carefully moves forward--
stumbles into the ladder at the touch and whirls around. ] H-hello? [ Is someone there? ]
The sound of the passing of time helps her out of her stupor eventually. She carefully moves forward--
stumbles into the ladder at the touch and whirls around. ] H-hello? [ Is someone there? ]
[ Recognition is a reminder, the coalescing realization that Helena Adams was there, in the forest, and now they're both here. It seems a shame to spoil the tranquility by overthinking any of it — the clear blue sky overhead and the meadow all around them promise some needed respite, away from the waking world. A light nudge opens the gate quietly.
On Helena's side of the fence, Alice hesitates. He would hate to startle her or her friend! The little chirping bird will spread its wings when it's ready to accept their parting. It must be attached to its human companion, secure in trusting her, to perch in her palm like that.
No doubt Helena Adams can hear his footfalls anyway, no matter how carefully he attempts to walk through the grass. ]
On Helena's side of the fence, Alice hesitates. He would hate to startle her or her friend! The little chirping bird will spread its wings when it's ready to accept their parting. It must be attached to its human companion, secure in trusting her, to perch in her palm like that.
No doubt Helena Adams can hear his footfalls anyway, no matter how carefully he attempts to walk through the grass. ]
[no response. only her own voice fading away, or the creak of wood if too much weight is placed on it. up, up! from the darkness, lest something swallow her whole, and leave her to become as empty as the shelves as the bottles. all the darkness offers is the past, the past that wants to cling like spiderwebs do, and an isolation.
the door back can't be found. there is only one path, right now. linear progress, to give her a better view of things.]
the door back can't be found. there is only one path, right now. linear progress, to give her a better view of things.]
[she can, but she's not startled - she turns with a smile on her face, bringing her hand down where the bird still perches. it twitters, but not in a way that seems scared - just curious as to who this may be coming to see them. its eyes are bright, and she smiles in a way that belies no cares at all.]
Have you come to see them off? Maybe they were waiting for you this entire time.
Have you come to see them off? Maybe they were waiting for you this entire time.
[ She swallows. Okay, she's being guided. That's fair enough, she supposes. Even though she still doesn't know quite where she is.
Up the ladder, then. She climbs as quickly as she can, unnerved by that lonely room, and into the next one. ]
Up the ladder, then. She climbs as quickly as she can, unnerved by that lonely room, and into the next one. ]
[ Ranger shivers as he takes in the scene, but not just from the cold. It's the setting of one's nightmares, an eerie forest with an indiscernible chemical scent mixed in with that of ash and fire. It overwhelms his senses, puts every bit of his mind and body on edge, and he finds that unease only grows worse as he reaches a small clearing of a sort.
It's a mess. Ranger draws in a breath, looking about before slipping behind a tree as he considers the best course of action here. There's stories about places like this, and not one of them suggests to him that approaching an unknown figure is a good idea. He peers out from behind it after a few seconds, narrowing his eyes as he tries to get a better look at whatever might be hiding beneath it... A person? An object? It seems still enough, yet... ]
It's a mess. Ranger draws in a breath, looking about before slipping behind a tree as he considers the best course of action here. There's stories about places like this, and not one of them suggests to him that approaching an unknown figure is a good idea. He peers out from behind it after a few seconds, narrowing his eyes as he tries to get a better look at whatever might be hiding beneath it... A person? An object? It seems still enough, yet... ]
[ For him? He doubts it, and he should say something to reveal his identity, but it's uplifting to see Helena's smile, a sight to match the scenery. His own lips curve upwards at the corners of his mouth, too, shaping something soft and pleased; he can feel it. Though it's invisible to Helena, it comes with a chuckle to make it audible.
Yes, he's decided. He's here to meet this inquisitive bird, to wish it a safe journey. ]
Indeed... I shall thank you both for waiting so patiently, then.
Yes, he's decided. He's here to meet this inquisitive bird, to wish it a safe journey. ]
Indeed... I shall thank you both for waiting so patiently, then.
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