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]

He laughs.

"Finally, a good response. Well, I'm Shirayuki's friend. You can call me Zen."

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

[...]

Nevermind, I shouldn't have asked.

[FINE, WE'RE GOING DOWN THE HALLWAY, SURELY THERE WILL BE STAIRS SOMEWHERE]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

The second floor is circular. Unless you want to go back downstairs.

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

[... PICKS A RANDOM DOOR?]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

Random generator says you've picked a door that's already open. Inside is a room that looks almost exactly like the cabin from Three’s realm, with a few differences. There are no beds; instead there are little rectangle trampolines. There is a bouquet of flowers on the kitchen table and garlic hanging from the ceiling. A small white tiger is valiantly trying to climb up the walls to get to the garlic, and two owls are perched in the kitchen. Flopped on one of the trampolines is a white baby seal. Right next to the door there is a small niche with a single book inside, bound in a turquoise blue color.

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

[... new random door]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

The door is wide open. Inside is a room that looks almost exactly like the cabin from Three’s realm, with a few differences. There is only a single bed in the corner, piled high with bright orange flowers and mint leaves. Where the rest of the beds would have been are sleeping kittens. A window in the kitchen area shows you a nice view of a beach covered in sandcastles, and there is a bouquet of flowers on the table. There is a collie dog wagging its tail and barking out the window, and a cat on its head. A greyhound is sleeping under the kitchen table. Right next to the door there is a small niche with a single book inside, bound in a citrine orange color.

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

[... fuck it, if these are teams, I'm looking for Peridot.]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

You'll find it near where you came up. There is a bouquet of flowers at the foot of the door, and the door is cracked open a bit. Inside is less of a room and more of a courtyard, with the ceiling opening up into the overcast sky. There are dandelions covering most of the ground, along with grass and a small pond that is just slightly murky. In the corner there is a birdbath where three birds are cleaning themselves. On the far side of the room there is a pot with a vibrant green plant growing in it. Right next to the door there is a small niche with a single book inside, bound in a peridot green color.

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

[DON'T JUDGE ME GUARD BRO. Just... taking out the book. and flipping through it.]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

Guard bro says nothing, and is actually keeping quiet. The book has lots of sketches of the birds, of the dandelions, and the plant in the pot. One page says "Dandelions, Aloe vera."

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

[he stares at the book and then at the pot, his frown deepening. He tosses the book aside and slams the door shut behind him, stalking to find the first door with a hint of stairs]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

Guard bro follows you. "There aren't any stairs that way."

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

Then where are they?!

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

He points to the column. "The most obvious place. But you can't get to them yet."

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

... Why?

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"If I had to say...you need a good reason to get to them. What's your reason?"

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

I want to leave. I don't want anything to do with her.

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"Going to see her isn't really going to solve that..."

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

Then what is?

[DID YOU LIE TO ME...]

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

He sighs.

"I mean, she can tell you how to get out of here. But if you go to see her, that's having something to do with her, isn't it? Either way it's not like you can ignore her."

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

... I can't ignore her because Emil likes her. Even though I won't forgive her.

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

"She did something so unforgivable that you won't have anything to do with her?"

Re: THE CASTLE

[squirreledaway]

She tried to kill me!

Re: THE CASTLE

[appleofhiseye]

He scratches the back of his head.

"I know about that. But I also know...she isn't that kind of person. What happened wasn't her. And if you try to reach her thinking that's who she is...well, you won't get to her."