IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

[beathollow]

it's all too perfect.

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[beathollow]

The trees of the forest are pitch black with heavy apples hanging from the branches, purple and black asters and lily of the valley lining the pathway through. A warm twilight light peaks through the trees, and all the while you can hear whispers of something around.

There are a few paths, but you know: They all lead to the castle.

Aubrey, McGillis, Celeste, Joshua, and Arven can tell they're being monitored. What will you do?




♪♪♪

[moodwrecker]

[-Wow. She hates this already. Didn't she already get enough of this at home?

She just furrows her brow and resolves to tough it out, glancing at the others to see if anyone else notices.]

[goei]

[Izou, who didn't hang around the stage and made a beeline right to the forest;]

This is Mafuyu's palace!?

[vogelfrei]

It is.

[ Hi Izou, you missed out on seeing cute little memories of her friends before this.

But damn, what a memory that was. McGillis looks pretty subdued. ]

Well, we've been through this process before. There's only one way to go.

[moodwrecker]

Yeah. Did you miss all the memories earlier?

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Oh, apples.

Eli, being a walking stomach, immediately reaches up to pick one. Look, he had been on his way to get a snack when the palace happened, okay? He's hungry and if nothing stops him, he's biting into that sucker. ]

[beathollow]

...

A smear of dirt appears somewhere on the white clothing.

[cirquedesang]

[So they're being watched.

They've been watched in every palace so far.

Given the facade of perfection here and that he knows she's been suffering under, he ignores the monitoring and walks faster down the path, whether or not anyone keeps up with him.]

[beathollow]

He can't progress to stage two without the others, but a few maids seem to be attending to the garden at the doors.

The princess is so wise, isn't she?

She's so humble and sweet, too!

[beautifulknight]

...Miss Mafuyu...

[ Argenti had been worried before and now they know the identity that concern increases exponentially.

So the few paths lead to the castle, but what do they look like? Also he is very conscientious of his stepping so he does Not step on flowers. ]

[beathollow]

The main path is a paved road, easy to walk on and wide enough for carriages... not that there's any here. All other paths are dirt paths weaving into the apple orchard, and that is where whispering and gleeful gossip is happening.

[emptyself]

[ if soujuurou focuses, can he tell what the whispers are saying? ]

[beathollow]

A little! There's multiple conversations happening in different areas. Does he want to try and pick a random path to listen in more?

[supherb]

Mafuyu…

[The only thing keeping Arven from panicking over what he just witnessed is that he knew this happened. Not the details, but that Mafuyu had felt this low.

But before he can think about it for too long, something catches his attention. His head whips around, scanning the treeline.]

…something’s out there.

Stick close to me, Mabosstiff.

[Both Trainer and Pokemon stick to the path.]

[strawsandals]

Is something here?

[ sorry Arven Yoon rolled a 2 so you know he doesn't sense shit ]

[finalmix]

[ ...... ah.

pretend joshua was here the entire time and I didn't walk into here late with coffee (no)

but when the memory fades, joshua gets an almost contemplative look on his face, and it's murmured softly enough that only those standing close enough to him can hear it: ] ... at least you had someone who tried to save you.

[ anyway watchitis strikes again!! he feels those eyes on him and he does not like this!! so. lightly, offhandedly. ]

I think we have company.

[ and then he'll wander off towards a path that no one has picked yet and try to casually listen in on some of the whispers while attempting to be discreet! I rolled a 4 what does that get me ]

[beathollow]

... A whole lot of nothing- the talks are happening in the forest, after all! Get a bit closer!

[idealitas]

[ Pretend this is all in white.

Mafuyu... She probably doesn't want to feel pity, but. Can he examine the flowers before he moves ahead? They're pretty, but the color scheme is pretty melancholy... No, he's not gonna touch... just yet. ]

[beathollow]

He can! They're very well cared for... at a glance.

The closer they get to the shadows, the more wilted they seem.

[cleansewithfire]

[ Oh, apples. She thinks Mafuyu would probably like their texture, and in any case, it's probably better to have some in case someone gets hungry later. She will pick an apple, taking off her shawl to use it as a sling to carry it in. ]

[beathollow]

A smudge of dirt shows up on her arm.

[townmusician]

[Haruka watches the scene unfold with a frown, arms crossed over his chest. In some small part, he feels bad for Mafuyu. He doesn't really know her, but who wouldn't be moved by a display like that? Of seeing someone so empty and hopeless.

On the other hand, he doesn't feel much sympathy for someone who refuses to see hope and spits in the faces of those trying to help them. If someone is reaching out a hand to you, you might as well take it and spite those who have made you feel so miserable and empty. That's how ZOOL worked out in the end, so it's... complicated! It's a complicated, delicate situation and he knows he can't really judge, but...

He hopes that girl managed to compose something for Mafuyu and knocked some sense into her. That Mafuyu managed to find some hope. (If only Minami could be that nice instead of bullying Haruka all the time, though...)

Anyways. Haruka is going to walk down the paths, looking at the flowers, but he doesn't know shit about flowers. They're just the most colorful thing here asides from the apples, but even they're not that vibrant. He's more concerned with the whispers on the wind, and he strains to make out what the whispers are saying.]

[beathollow]

There's multiple conversation happening, but he's in luck-

The princess is such a dutiful daughter. The queen must be so proud.

And the princess in turn! Her mother is such a wise ruler- and so busy, too. I hope she knows what a good family she has.

It wouldn't do to disappoint them.

now in the right place

[idealies]

[ Troubled by Mafuyu's memory, Ai is lost in thought as she proceeds down one of the paths, following the sound of whispers and bracing herself for what she might hear. ]

pats you gently

[beathollow]

More maids are gossiping as they help tend to the paths.

The princess is such a good girl, isn't she?

Yes, yes! She's devoted to the kingdom. She'll never waver.

Why would she? It's her dream to be the best ruler she can be. And so prestigious!

Exactly! She must remain perfect.