[selenia's quest.]

[dramatispersonae]

[wherever you are now, it's grey and half-lit; not quite day yet, but not too dark either.]

Comments

[glorious]

[SELENIA HAS ACQUIRED x1 COPPER POLE.]

[Taking one last look around to make sure there's nothing to be missed.]

[dramatispersonae]

[nothing else back here, for now!]

[glorious]

[...Suppose I must rush back across the pool and scratch myself up some more through the metal trees. Joy.]

[dramatispersonae]

[well, she did say it would be difficult.

you make it safely back to the path, albeit with more scratches.]

[glorious]

[I can't say I wasn't warned.]

[I'll be continuing down the path until I see an obvious end. No need to push through more metal trees just yet.]

[dramatispersonae]

[the path ends at another tree-hemmed clearing. there is a square stone pedestal in the middle about four feet high, with a star-shaped indent on top.

engraved on a copper plate on the pedestal's front: 'BRING FORTH LIGHT.'

there is also something fiery wiggling in one of the trees here.]

[glorious]

Bring forth light...

[...What is that wiggling thing?]

[dramatispersonae]

[LOOKS LIKE A SNAKE BUTT

it seems to be stuck up rather high in the tree.]

[glorious]

[. . .]

Do you need help?

[dramatispersonae]

[wiggle

wiggle]

[glorious]

[...That seems like a "yes".]

[Will try to climb up and help!]

[dramatispersonae]

[the metal needles are too thick and sharp. you are going to maim yourself if you climb.]

[glorious]

[...Can handle scratches but maiming is a bit much.]

[Maybe I can use the pole instead and poke it free...]

[dramatispersonae]

[you successfully dislodge the snake with the pole! it bounces to the ground along with a shiny silver coin.

...there's a second fire songbird stuck in its mouth, peeping. it's apparently too fat for the snake to eat.]

[glorious]

[picking up the coin first while I consider the most delicate course of action for saving the bird.]

[...suppose whacking the snake on the head with the pole will do.]

[dramatispersonae]

[THE SNAKE IS UNAFFECTED BY YOUR ATTEMPT AT ANIMAL ABUSE]

[glorious]

[...well this is awkward.]

You can't eat that. Drop it.

[dramatispersonae]

[YOUR AUTHORITATIVE VOICE DOESN'T WORK EITHER!

WHAT NOW, SELENIA GRANTS]

[glorious]

[...Oh no you didn't.]

[I am wrenching that bird out of your damn mouth even if it sears my hand.]

[dramatispersonae]

[that maneuver also fails

and now your hand is on fire . . .]

[glorious]

[insert a long list of every swear word Selenia can recall here]

[while frantically trying to un-set himself on fire.]

[dramatispersonae]

[you put the fire out quickly :|a

i hope that was the same hand that had the burned finger already]

[glorious]

[It was... conveniently my dominant right hand. which I seem intent on losing today.]

[VERY ANGRY LOOK AT THE SNAKE.]

You are going to choke to death. Spit it out.

[dramatispersonae]

[wiggle

neither it nor the bird seem particularly concerned :|a]

[glorious]

[...Fine. I give up.]

[I'll just...try to pick up the snake with the pole and guide him to the statue. Suicidal flaming birds and snakes are like light, right?]