dramatispersonae | Apple's Heart

Entry tags:

~hearts

Apple's Heart

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))

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The guard with you steps forward and has a hushed conversation with them. One of them looks you up and down.

"What's your name?"

Night...

"Oh, you can go on in. You're expected."

The gates swing open for you.

[Blinks...]

Oh hey! Thanks.

[Heading in!]

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.

[First, checking to see if any of those flowers are included in the notebook. :|a]

They aren't. They're mostly carnations and roses, general decorative flowers.

[Taking the side path real quick...]

The path takes you around the side and through more of the garden. There are a few maids walking down the path, a guard, and a man with blueish hair and a dark coat who is hurrying by.

[Snagging the man.]

Hey, what's going on?

He spins around.

"Oh--nothing, I just lost someone. Are you a guest? There's no need to be concerned."

Yeah, I'm a guest. What do they look like?

He pulls on a smile. "It's fine, I'm sure he's just hiding. He'll show up. Were you looking for someone?"

Ahh, I'm not sure. The guards said I was expected.

He gives you a look over.

"In that case, maybe head upstairs."

Ehh, sure.

[Heading in that direction...]

Inside the castle, then.

You enter the grand foyer, which 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.

[Guess I'm taking the staircase.]

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.

[Checking out that column. :|a]

It looks like a very big column. There's a guard leaning against it.

"Can I help you?"

Ahh, one of the guys downstairs suggested I check up here. Since someone's expecting me or something.

"Jeez, it's just one after another, isn't it..." He scratches the back of his head. "I'm not going to let you. Sorry."

Haaaah, I guess I need some proof or something, huh?

"Something like that. You don't even know who you're here to see. Why should I let you see them?"

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