Apple's Heart

[dramatispersonae]

Your arrival is marked by the feel of sand under your feet, with the sound and smell of the ocean wafting in from behind you. A dampness hangs in the air and the sky is overcast. Directly in front of you the sand fades into a grassy hill, on top of which a white castle rests. To the left, a little ways off, you can see tall sandstone cliffs. Off to the right is a large field of sunflowers that stretches out into the distance. There are no paths or signs anywhere to be seen.

((#applecore))

Comments

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"That's her!"

The second guard pulls a face. "Can we have your name please?"

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

Dragonfly.

[pauses]

Or Hitachiin Hikaru. Both work.

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

The first guard nudges his friend.

"Yes, we were told you expect you. You can go on in."

The gates open for you.

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[holds out a tiny piece of paper with a name scribbled on it to the grumpy guard]

That's my name. You can call me whenever you need a fashion designer.

[looks up and down]

Any time.

Seriously.

[WALKS THROUGH lalalala~♪]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

You enter a sprawling garden with an assortment of flowers, and a tall fountain in the center of it all. A stone walkway leads straight towards the big double doors of the castle, which are wide open. You can faintly see a smattering of bright colors inside. There is also a small path branching off to the right that leads around the side of the castle.

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[TO THE BRIGHT COLORS]

[WHO NEEDS AN INVITE, NOT ME 8U]

What a decent-sized place. Kind of quaint actually.

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

You enter the grand foyer! It is bustling with activity. There are nearly two dozen maids and guards about; all of them are busy, whether it’s cleaning, patrolling, or chatting with one another. Half of the maids are wearing Wonderland Outfit 2, while the others are wearing this outfit. Similarly, some of the guards are wearing Wonderland Outfit 1, while others are wearing an outfit exactly the same as the gatekeepers.

The floor and walls are a cream-colored marble, but are decorated with multi-colored flower mosaics. The wall to the right has a tall dark wood door, and off to the left there is a smaller, lighter wood door. A grand staircase sweeps up to the second floor; just underneath it is a long hallway that goes further into the castle.

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[thinks]

I rate this palace at least an 8.

[quickly going up the staircase]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

The stairs lead you to a large circular floor. At the center is a huge white column decorated with a vine design. Curving off to each side are rows of doors that go all the way around. There are maids and guards on this floor too, going in and out of rooms.

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[totally approaching a maid, an origami flower in hand]

Dear lady, would you be so kind to assist me?

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

She blushes.

"Oh...what did you need?"

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[a gentlemanly bow!]

A little bit of your attention wouldn't hurt, would it?

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"Well, I'm a little busy--but if I can help, I would be glad to."

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[taking the origami flower and placing it in her hair]

I'm looking for someone named Apple. Would you know where I could find her?

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"Apple? No, I don't think--Uhm, you might try one of the rooms."

She's blushing so hard. Another maid, this one in a Wonderland outfit, comes over to stand near her. "Is something wrong?"

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[twirls the new maid around~8]

I was only asking the lovely lady for a little bit of assistance.

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

This maid is Unimpressed with your antics.

"Well? Tell us what you need then. We have work to do."

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[Oh you're boring]

Where's Apple in this big place?

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"Apple? I don't know. Ah, let me ask..."

She wanders off around the column, looking for someone. The other maid is still blushing and fiddling with the origami flower.

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[I'm bored so I'm gonna go back to the first maid and start braiding her hair]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"I...should get back to work."

She doesn't look like she wants to.

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

I'm not done yet.

[cute hairstyle time]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"Oh, you shouldn't have! Everyone else is going to be so jealous."

Indeed, it seems several of the maids have stopped to watch. And the guards. You have an audience.

Re: THE CASTLE

[pitching]

[shrug]

I've got time until the other one comes back.

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

The other one comes back, with a guard. He pulls a face.

"Oi, oi, what's all this about..."