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[npc-excolo.livejournal.com]

Time has little meaning here, though your body back home may disagree.

Dream.

A forest.

A forest of the oldest sort, thick with brambles, trees snarled with centuries of life. It stretches for miles, many of them very dark, because the trees grow so close that it is hard to see. From a high vantage point, on one of the hills of the forest, one may glimpse a tower at the heart of the forest, a great graceful column of grey stone. Here and there there are clearings, bright with sunlight, and streams running with clear water. But mostly there is dark.

In the distance, the howl of a wolf.

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[danashee.livejournal.com]

I am packing things up and getting ready to leave when two persons arrive at my location. One is carrying a sword and I am wary of it just because of the iron in it. A cat dressed as a man, walking upright as they do. He sweeps his hat off his head, and bows to me as well as speaking. His companion is kneeling at the stream and it is not until she stands to bow her own greeting that I realize she is missing her hands.

A wave of anger comes over me at the sight. Who has done this to her? They should not have done THAT. Not to her. I wonder briefly why I care so about it but tuck the anger down inside. I will not show it to them. I am not angry with them. I smile at the two of them. "Well met, fellow travelers. Have you journeyed long?"

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

I keep one eye on the fae and one on my companion, but they seem more fascinated with each other than likely to cause trouble, though I know that the fae is unlikely to trust me much with my iron sword. She greets us politely enough. Well met, fellow travelers. Have you journeyed long?

"Long enough," I answer.

[silence-excolo.livejournal.com]

She seems to look us over, with so many secrets sparkling behind her eyes. Something about her is just that - sparkling & golden. She does not seem to fear us, but a slight motion of her neck makes me think she is wary of my traveling companion.

Perhaps she is wise to be, but I shall not treat him ill for it.

Her voice is light & without care as she asks if we have journeyed long & Master Cat replies "Long enough." He, as usual, seems observant & amused by all. "My companion here is on an adventure to the tower at the center of the woods," I say as an explanation. "Are you on an adventure as well?" Although as soon as the question leave my lips it sounds... awkward. As if it is not what should be asked here. I am puzzled by this, certainly, but I continue.

"Perhaps we might travel together if you are, for there are thi-"

And there is a terrible sound, like a crack of porcelain from far away, but strange & clear. It distracts me. Things are moving in the woods, always, but this seems important somehow. In the back of my mind I think I am missing something- or someone? My shoulders are stiff. Did I truly hear it?

And the scent I thought was gone seems to linger...

But then I look back to my surroundings, Master Cat & the golden woman & things seem better somehow. For though I am making my own path, I am not, for the moment, alone.

What was I saying? Ah yes. "There are things in the woods, & traveling together is often wise."

[danashee.livejournal.com]

The woman has more to say on this, telling me they seek the Tower and asking me if I too seek something Here in these woods. She then suggests that we could travel together but gets distracted by something, some sound or scent from elsewhere. There is a flash of Power in the distance, not too near but still uncomfortably close by. No Hands looks away in it's direction and then back to us, to complete her suggestion about my joining them.

"Traveling by ones self in dangerous places is often unwise," I allow. I look them over once more considering the offer. If I am to find my sister and win her free it could go easier if I have help. And the easiest way to win some help is to help another. That decided I nod to them both.

"Very well, I shall join you for a time." I consider again how weary the travelers look. "You both look as if you could do with a rest. Shall we stay here for a bit or would you prefer to ride so that we may move on immediately?"

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

I am a little irked that after I have gone to some trouble to conceal our plans and the direction of our journey my companion tells the fae, but no matter. Done is done. And since the fae is joining us for a time as she puts it, it really does not matter. At least not while she is traveling with us, because I can keep an eye on her and I have my sword if she betrays us. I know she knows this as well. And if she and I watch each and nothing else happens then that is fine, it is good to be cautious of new met companions but not to let paranoia get in the way.

You both look as if you could do with a rest. Shall we stay here for a bit or would you prefer to ride so that we may move on immediately? The fae woman offers and I look to my handless companion to see what she would to do, for myself I could use a rest but if needs be I could continue on.

[silence-excolo.livejournal.com]

Master Cat seems oddly quiet in front of this woman, which compared to his previous chattiness is odd indeed. I wonder if he does not trust her. Something in me tells that she can be, though. Trusted. But like Master Cat, the golden woman might be tricky.

I truly want her to travel with us. I don't really know why, but I feel she is... meant to. And when she agrees I smile. But still Master Cat says nothing, just looks to me when she asks if we would rest or ride. He does look tired & we have walked a long way. The river is clear & cool...

"I could do with a rest, if you don't mind," I offer, kneeling once more by the river. "I do not know about riding, however, as I've never ridden a horse before." Or if I have I do not remember (he remembers you).

I turn once more to the river & bend to drink. My hair slips forward again, but the water is sweet. I pull my face away & use my arms to sweep it back. The reflection in the water makes me pause - a pale, thin-faced woman with short, dark hair & intense eyes looks back at me. I raise my arm to touch it & she matches my movement with her hand. I blink & it's gone, my own reflection again... but she did look like me. Just a different me.

"I think I am forgetting someone," I whisper. The wind whistles it away.

Why do I head towards the tower? I am (pulled) making my own path, my own life, but why the tower? What truly draws me there? Just what am I meant to find?

I look to my companions, noticing their fine, sturdy clothing & their traveling gear. I have none of these. I have no preparation beyond myself. And yet I go into the woods because... because I know I am supposed to. I just don't know why.

Perhaps I shall find that 'why' at the tower?

I rise & walk back to Master Cat & kneel, resting on my heels. "I hope you do not mind, as I have not asked this of you yet, but I wish to know - why do you head for the tower?" Perhaps his 'why' will help me with mine.

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

My companion decides to rest and bends to the river for a drink. I think she may have seen something in the water as she pauses and stares for a bit but it does not seem to alarm her so I do not need to leap into action. She sits up and looks at both myself and the fae, then having reached some decision comes over to crouch beside me. I hope you do not mind, as I have not asked this of you yet, but I wish to know - why do you head for the tower? Ah so! This I should have expected. I do not want to give too much away so I shall only give her part of the answer. And look forward to hearing the stories of both of my companions of the road.

"Nah. I don't mind at that much, Doll. Just so long as you tell me as much when I'm done." I lay back and loosen my boots as we are having a rest break, it would be foolish not to take some advantage of it. "I'm travelling to Tower as part of my service to my Mistress. A lovely young woman, with brains as well as beauty but perhaps a bit short on cash. Though what nobility isn't?"

I pause to stretch out the kinks in my back from walking on my hind legs before I continue, "And well, there's something up in that Tower that she needs me to do for her." I look between the two of them noting how the fae is listening very intently to my story. She can tell that I'm leaving much space unfilled but so long as she doesn't challenge me on it we'll continue well enough.

"An' now it's some one else's turn. Why're you goin' to the Tower, Fair One?" I look right at the fae woman, Hope she decides to tell us something even if her story is as fulla holes as mine.

[danashee.livejournal.com]

Cat Man has an odd way of speaking but still I understand the words he says, and can guess at some of the ones he isn't. I would like to know more of what he means to do at the Tower but he didn't say and I get the impression that he would be very unhappy should I press him for it. He doesn't wish to tell and maybe his mistress would be unhappy if too many people knew what her business with the tower was.

I expect it when he asks me why I journey to that place and have already decided to share my purpose with them. I keep watch on both to gauge their reaction if I do not like what I see I shall escape under glamour but I do not think I shall need it.

"I go to rescue my sister, trapped behind those walls of bone and blood."

[silence-excolo.livejournal.com]

Master Cat stretches as he spins his tale; such a cat-like maneuver & he calls me 'Doll', which I find oddly endearing. A noble lady, smart & beautiful he calls her. But he never actually says what he is to do there. Well, I suppose I only asked him why, not what. The wording is important, after all. Noble, smart, beautiful... but not wealthy. So he does this for some other payment?

He then turns to the Golden Woman & prods her to tell her tale. He calls her 'Fair One', & suddenly I realize why I see her as I do - I can even feel it, briefly, like a shimmer - she is of the Fair Folk. And somehow Master Cat knew this.

And somehow I know this.

If she is aware of this, she does not show it, but draws herself up. She keeps us both in her steady gaze which has turned serious. "I go to rescue my sister, trapped behind those walls of bone and blood."

And my breath catches. Bone & blood (sacrifice). Out of old habit, my arms raise to bring my missing hands to my mouth. Trapped. Her sister. Sister- I was a- no, past is past & there it should stay. This is not my story.

But perhaps I am to play a part in theirs.

She does not elaborate, & they finally look to me to tell my tale. "I serve no mistress who is noble, fair & wise," I say to Master Cat. "Nor do I travel to save one trapped by lies," to the Fair One. "I have no great mission for the tower on high; I travel this path for to find my Why."

I stop, surprised at my own words. Can it really be that simple? And yet, it's not simple at all, is it?

Our rest is brief, & soon the Fair One is helping me onto her horse. She has me sit in front of her, so she might hold on to me & keep me from slipping. Master Cat chooses not to ride, claiming he is fast enough to keep up, but I think it is because of his sword; the metal must be dangerous to the Fair One.

Our paths, my path, the path; all roads lead... (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/405996.html)