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[crittersheep]

WHO: all
WHERE: all
WHEN: Day 9, evening into night

[the sun goes down; the two moons rise.

it all looks...quite different. the laundromat lengthens and transforms the silhouette of Woolietown in the distance. the lighthouse beacon comes to life for the first time, throwing strong, brilliant light and stark shadows across the meadow and into the barns. the lazy river encircles the pasture in a glittering band, the bobbing shapes of the pool toys a little bit eerie until they drift into full view.

perhaps some of you are winding down. perhaps some of you are just gearing up for a wild adventure in the shadows. perhaps some of you, regardless of if you sleep or stay up, find your dreams and nightmares crawling out beyond the bounds of your own head tonight, drawing others in...

the night is full of possibilities.]

Comments

[catposting]

[ he holds her gaze, looking for any sign of a lie, but finds none.

weirdo. ]

That's... nice, I guess. Good for you.

[ he looks away, tail swishing uncomfortably. what does he even say to someone that isn't immediately trying to attack him? his scowl's still there, but it's clearly not directed at her. ]

I should go.

[beathollow]

( to be fair, it's a special sort of person to enjoy living in these dark woods with trees that get pissy and spooky when you break the branches.

the girl giggles softly, amused. )

Yes, if you want to find your friend. Let me at least guide you out of this part, though- it's too dark otherwise.

( and she's the one with the lantern. )

[catposting]

[ just kidding, he's totally scowling at her. and puffing his cheeks. ]

We're not friends.

[beathollow]

( puff up, it just makes her giggle more- )

But he's someone you entered the dark woods for, isn't he?

[catposting]

I told you already, he's my servant. We —

[ ugh. why is he even explaining this. ]

Whatever. Lead the way. If you try anything weird, I'll kill you.

[beathollow]

Why would I do anything? There's nothing to gain from that.

[catposting]

[ looks away again. ]

People don't just offer to help strangers for free.

[beathollow]

I do.

( but then, she's always been a little weird for him, hasn't she. as the princess its only natural though- to help and offer aid, even when you need it more.

not that that's the case right now. she's had her rescue. and now she's free. )

[catposting]

You're weird.

[ there, he said it. ]

Are you even a Regular?

[beathollow]

A Regular...?

( that's a "probably not". )

[catposting]

[ runs his hands through his hair, exasperated. ]

Look, I don't know you. And your well-being is none of my business, but... you don't sound like you're playing dumb.

Most Regulars would have killed you by now. Or taken you as hostage.

[beathollow]

Oh, I'm worth nothing as a hostage.

( she says it so cheerfully. )

Why would I be, when my death at their hands would make Her all the more pitiable?

( the trees rattle, almost, with a soft whisper of a voice:

What sort of mother could ever outlive her daughter? I miss her so much- I would do anything to bring her back!

and with it, the barely audible but ever concerned rush of voices to offer comfort.

the princess doesn't even react. )

You don't have to worry about me. I'm safer here than I've ever been.

[catposting]

[ huffing again! ]

I'm not worried. I'm —

[ he stops short, looking back at her, then to the sky, then back at her. realization dawns; his eyes flash with indignation. this is a Floor Test, isn't it? one given without notice, because why would anyone care to grant a lowly beastkin such a courtesy?

his expression turns neutral; his shoulders sag, resigned. as much as he dislikes this, there's not much he can do except complete the test. it seems simple enough, at least. perhaps an escort quest? ]

Do you have a name?

[beathollow]

Hm... Do I...?

( ██████ doesn't belong to her anymore. another, to come at a different time. as she is right now, a mix of the princess and the runaway, the honor student and the pasture amnesiac, she is neither. )

I don't think it suits me anymore. Call me what you will.

[catposting]

[ thousand yard stare. ]

As you wish. I apologize for the threat just now; I mistook the situation for something else.

[ his voice is calm, lacking hostility, but he's clearly bothered about said situation. it's just pointless to fight it. he's not strong enough. ]

[beathollow]

( she blinks with a soft frown- has she said something wrong? but the woods are dark and the lantern won't burn forever. so she gestures for him to follow as the path ahead winds only further into darkness. )

Maybe you still are. But that's okay.

[catposting]

[ he sighs, but doesn't object, following obediently as he ponders. of course it couldn't be a simple escort quest. of course it had to involve riddles, too. ]

Is there something you desire?

[beathollow]

... I want to be free. But I think I have that here, now.

( alone in the woods. with no one else. )

But what about you? What is it that you want?

[catposting]

... Same here. I want to be free someday.

[ climb to the 134th floor, and become a Ranker, so that nobody can boss him around ever again, or look down on him for being different. but first, he has to pass this damn test and reunite with his teammate servant. ]

[beathollow]

... It's hard, isn't it? Finding a way out without a guide, or unlocking the shackles without a key. Cutting the strings that are just out of reach.

[catposting]

...

[ he doesn't understand the riddle. he knows how to obtain freedom. it's just the matter of getting there. it's a journey that will undoubtedly take centuries; but that's fine, he'll get there. he has to. ]

Is that how it was for you?

[beathollow]

It was. I couldn't free myself, not completely- and because I was born in strings, I never realized how bad it was until it was almost too late. But there's nothing like that in these woods.

[catposting]

That woman. Your mother. Was she the master of your life?

[beathollow]

She was.

( in many ways, she still is. but the queen can't reach through the branches. any strings will get tangled up in sticks and leaves. she can do as she pleases. )

[catposting]

If she were gone for good, would you be able to go anywhere you wanted?