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]

There is an oppressive cold here, and the mist is so thick that you can barely see anything in front of you. The exception is the Ring, which glows just enough that you can make out that it is only a few yards away. The soil beneath your feet turns to tile, so slippery it’s difficult to keep your balance. From somewhere in the mist you hear a threatening hisssssss.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

[still wielding the plastic sword, BUT DOING SO OFFENSIVELY!]

Hey! I'm not afraid of you!

[headed for the Ring!]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

Your progress is halted by a tall glass gate surrounding the Ring. Inside of it sits the Jabberwock, eying you and hissing. Beyond that you can make out a huge blurry shape on the other side of the Jabberwock's cage.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

What is that? Hey, open up! What do you think you're doing?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

You get no response, other than Jabberwock's hisssss.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

[HITS THE GLASS! with her plastic sword.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

Nothing happens.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

[trying to see if she can get around to see that shape, then . . . ]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

You can. The glass is hugging the outside of the Ring, giving you enough room to move around. The shape is a huge hourglass sitting right outside of the cage, but connected to the glass bars. The bottom half is filled with water, and a person is floating inside of it.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

No--! Stop it--Apple?!

[IS IT APPLE OH GOD]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

It is indeed Apple. She looks like she could be sleeping, except for the whole being underwater thing.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

Apple!

--Hey, Jabberwock!

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

[I HEARD THAT, coming up with his Innocence already activated and ready]

Sayaka--? What's--

[oh well 8|a]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

[isn't transformed, instead wearing her outfit from the play and carrying a plastic sword, but doing so now!]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Is this why there's so much mist? I should have guessed.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

Jabberwock does not respond.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Excuse us, we're not here to see you.

[WELP, I GUESS I AM APPROACHING STRAIGHT ON]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

[CAN WE GET IN AT ALL?]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

If you can break the glass, you can.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Sayaka, let's just break it.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

[swinging her sword at it!]

Hyaaaaaaaaaaah!

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The glass cage and the hourglass both shatter. Apple's body tumbles to the ground. As soon as the cage is gone the Jabberwock lunges for you both.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

[I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS, leaping to meet the Jabbewock's lunge, claws ready, aiming for exposed throat or belly]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[sirenes]

[going for Apple, then!]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The Jabberwock also has its claws ready. His throat is exposed, but the attack doesn't seem to faze him as he tries to tear right into your chest.

Apple's body is unmoving; you can easily pick it up.