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

[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.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[going up the staircase, I suppose]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[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 SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

So many people working so hard...The castle can't be that messy, can it?

[can I check out a room to see how messy it is?]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The closest room has a bouquet of flowers at the doorstep, and the door is already 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 is some kind of green plant covering most of the ground, which several kittens are playing around in. In the corner there is an owl sleeping. Right next to the door there is a small niche with a single book inside, bound in an emerald green color.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[Kittens! And a book!]

[Lets look at that book first.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The book has lots of sketches of the kittens and the owl, and also of the plant covering the ground. At the bottom the word "Greenbrier" is scribbled.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

"Greenbrier"...

[putting the book back and going to pet a kitty.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The kitty purrs and rolls around onto its belly. Pet me more pet me more.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[of course! kitty gets all the pettin's]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

Kitty is the most spoiled and very pleased about it.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[Now that kitty is sufficiently pleased, it's time to go out and see the rest of castle.]

[...Though now I wonder, are there any pink doors?]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

All of the doors look like they're made of oak wood. They're all the same color. The only difference between them is that some are cracked open, some are closed, and a few have bouquet of flowers at the foot of the door.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[...lets take a look at one of those doors with the flowers.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The nearest door with a bouquet is three doors down the hall. The door is closed, and it takes a little to get it open. Inside there is an elegant dining room, but without any chairs. The table is set for tea; there is a fawn, a white puppy, a white cat, and a white rabbit sitting around it patiently. The curtains are drawn closed. Right next to the door there is a small niche with a single book inside, bound in a kunzite pink color.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[Book first, animal pettin's second.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

It has sketches of all the animals and this flower. At the bottom is scribbled the word "jasmine".

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[Oh, pretty.]

[Shelving the book and starts to head out (stopping to pet the puppy first of course), are there any stairs leading up that's visible from the hallway?]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

There isn't, no. But there's a guard leaning against the big column observing you.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

[blinks]

Oh um. Hello. Can you help me?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

He smiles. "Sure. Looking for someone?"

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[fullmoonblooms]

I think so...I was told to go to the top of the castle, and that that would be the best place to look.