(no subject)

[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.

[OPEN TO ALL]

Comments

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Up (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/405098.html?thread=10297962#t10297962/) the path, there. I can see the horse first from the distance, then a flash of red hair. There's a cloaked highway-man, someone else keeping out of my eye-line and----

The grin splits my face wide. Even Rose stops fussing for a moment, sensing my excitement. Oh, I know that one, and I am feeling all the better for seeing him here.

"Great Ceaser's Ghost!" I call out, laughing. "They'll let anyone in this bloody place!"

And with that I am running up the path to tackle hug him the best I can with an infant on my shoulder.

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

Grin as Iago makes eyes at me. Memory hits me quick -flame jumping, lighting a cigarette, hands, knife spinning end over end, always laughing-

"We are on our own quest, however, you are welcome to join us if you wish."
Ares speaks again. I know the wrong one did, but his words don't matter to me. I see the way his weight shifts, and how Ares moves closer to me. Not only familiar, but wise. More defensive. About to speak when another woman comes running up to us, throws herself and her child against us -friend, fighter, dear to us, Wanda- and I do not know all of who I am, but I know what I am.

Wheel my steed around and lower my reins, putting Ares and Wanda behind me as I address the two men, "Iago, you are welcome to join us, but you- I remember you," If it was just us I might have let him come with us, if only to watch him. But now there is a child, and I can not let him near her, "You walk with the Living, but I know that you should not. I saw you climb the Gallow's Tree."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

A second redhead joins us, with a baby no less and it takes a moment for me to recognize them as Wanda and little Rose. Well, isn't it nice to see them in such an unexpected place. The first redhead's not introduced herself but it's not necessary. I've shifted a bit, moving closer to Wanda and from where I'm standing, the view of Mab's curves are clear. Ah, Mab...how could I ever forget you?

Mab looks first at me, saying, "Iago, you are welcome to join us." I'm about to thank her but she turns her gaze away and after looking Benedict over, continues, "but you- I remember you. You walk with the Living, but I know that you should not. I saw you climb the Gallow's Tree."

That's twice now that I've been invited to join them instead of them joining us. My choices fall to either staying with Benedict or traveling with two stunning redheads. It's quite clear which way the wind is blowing here and I grin at both women.

I take the last few steps that bring me next to Wanda and say, "Good to see you." I look to Rose, adding, "And you as well, little one." Turning to Benedict, I shrug in an easy manner and say, "I'm taking them up on their offer but no hard feelings, mate. Good luck on your journey."

[benedict-donner.livejournal.com]

And another woman, a child, and this is all becoming too crowded for my liking. Too many people with weapons, as well. True, I might bring enough down to heal my own wounds, but it would be a dear waste.

"Iago, you are welcome to join us, but you - I remember you," says the woman who arrived with the man, riding forward. "You walk with the Living, but I know that you should not. I saw you climb the Gallow's Tree."

Iago steps away, wishing me no hard feelings, and I smile back. "None taken." A carrion bird, calling to me. I look to the woman who thinks she knows me. "I fell off it like fruit," I tell her, "and so I must be alive. And if I'm not, well, doesn't hanging clean all sins?"

I step off the path, behind a tree, and leave quick and low, keeping such things in my new path that they cannot follow on horseback. Let's see what happens when night falls.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Ares is all smiles... and that's Mab! For a moment I don't think she knows me, but the light of recognition jumps into her eyes and she hugs me back. "You have no idea how glad I am to find both of you---"

Mab cuts me off in mid thought, placing herself and her horse between us and... "Iago, you are welcome to join us, but you - I remember you," Realizing she is addressing Benedict, I take a step back, holding Rose tighter to me while placing a hand on my sword hilt. "They will let anyone in here, won't they?" I mutter darkly to Ares, not taking my eyes off Benedict. I am more than a little relieved when Iago joins us greeting both me and Rose, and the dead man slinks off.

"Well, isn't this an interesting day?" I ask the assembled, arching an eyebrow at Ares, about to ask him if anyone else knows they are dreaming, but Rose whimpers again, high pitched and urgent, screwing up her eyes and balling her fists. "Oh, shhhh. shhh, love, I know. I know." I croon, wishing I could soothe her. Where the fuck is her father? How long have we been asleep? How long can a baby last without nourishment?

"We were heading towards the tower." I say miserably, nodding towards my bloodied footed companion. "Does anyone know how to get there?"

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

"I fell off it like fruit, and so I must be alive. And if I'm not, well, doesn't hanging clean all sins?"
Watch him slink away, until he's gone from the path, and I can't feel the wrongness of him anymore.
Once he is gone, I feel myself relax, and so I slide down from my horse, and turn to my new companions, "Its strange, I don't quite know who I am, but I know what I am supposed to do..." Wanda's baby starts to fuss, almost like she knows that this isn't a good place.

"We were heading towards the tower. Does anyone know how to get there?
I nod toward the path, "This way will lead us there eventually, I think. The Tower lies at the heart of the Forest," look at Wanda and then the state of her companion, "Would you two prefer to ride?" pat the horse's flank, "He's a strong beast and carry two easily. And I think it is best that we move on from this place."

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Mab slides off her horse, and admits she is a little befuddled as to who she is. "Trust your instincts here, I've found it usually serves me well." I comment, bouncing Rose on my shoulder and humming to try and distract her.

Looking up the path, it seems the natural way to head, it feels right at any rate.

"Would you two prefer to ride? He's a strong beast and carry two easily. And I think it is best that we move on from this place."

Look up the path, to my unnamed companion, then to Rose. "I think the quicker we get to the heart of this, the better. I am afraid for the health of my daughter."

I hand Rose to Iago as Ares helps me up, then take Rose back from him as the other woman is placed behind me. After just a moment's adjustment and making sure my baby is secure in her sling, we are off to the tower (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/405996.html?view=10326508#t10326508?/).