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 SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The sunflowers clear, and you find yourself at the back of the castle. There is a crop garden, training grounds where a handful of guards are practicing, and a large greenhouse. There is also a pathway leading around to the front.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

Ah, wonderful!

[opening the seed bottle and looking for a clear spot in the crop garden]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

There is a spot near the end that looks ready for planting.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[takes out the seed and plants it]

There you are. You can grow more comfortably now.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The seeds are successfully planted. The spot glows a little.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

That's better.

[...lets see the greenhouse now.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

Inside is, if possible, even larger than outside. Every kind of plant imaginable is here; hanging from the ceiling, in planters and pots, in tall shelves and niches. There are small waterways flowing throughout, bringing all of the plants water. A woman with light hair and a lab coat is there, a playful smile on her face even as she checks on the plants.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[oh gosh, so many things!; waving to the woman]

Oh, hello!

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

She looks up.

"My, I've got so many visitors today. Hello, how can I help you?"

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

I'm a little lost...Can you tell me where I am?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"You're at the castle, of course. Is there someplace you're trying to get to?"

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

...I don't know. I just found myself at the beach and wandered a little. Is there a place I should go?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"Everyone seems to be asking...if you're looking, I'd say go up."

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

Up...How do I go up?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

She points to the top of the castle.

"Take the stairs, I'd think."

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[smiles and curtsies]

Thank you. I'll go there.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"Take care then."

Are you heading back out to the path, then?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[That's right! And then to the castle!]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The path takes you around the front. 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.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[...colors! are they recognizable colors?]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

They look like they could be team colors, but mostly they're just a large variety of very bright colors.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[Well, lets take a look at that fountain first.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The water is clear and clean; there are little waterways branching out from the bottom, going to all of the plants in the garden.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

So pretty...

[...but I can't drink any so, heading inside to the castle.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

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.