EMERALD

[dramatispersonae]

You're standing together on what seems to be the main street of a small village, paved with cobblestones, with low buildings standing silent on either side. If you look in any of them, you'll find them dark and empty.

In contrast to the Ring, it's rather chilly. The sky is slate-grey, and it seems like there's snow falling, blanketing you and the village in pure white. On closer inspection, the snow turns out to be ash – but the bleaching is literal. Even when you brush it off, your skin, your hair, your clothes, and your keys remain ash-coloured.

A single, feeble light flickers further down the street.

Comments

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

It's just for this game, so...

[reaches to pick up the knife]

Re: room

[dramatispersonae]

. . . well, that's terribly disorienting. What's happening what happened who are you what makes you -- you're Battler -- you're -- you've got to get it together but it's so hard . . .

The pit closes up, and the knife falls apart into useless, tarnished flakes. Another match appears.

When you strike it, the little flame-girl steadies up. She straightens, more solid, less wispy-looking. Her basket is now one-third full.

She steps towards the back wall -- which crumbles, revealing a path yet deeper into the village – and walks outside, beckoning you once more.

Re: room

[twilight_boy]

[striking the match]

[to Battler] You okay?

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

[still holding his head from the headache and looking confused]

I...I think so?

Re: room

[existentiallychallenged]

It's gonna be all right...

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

[stares a little, frowning at the feeling of not-quite-recognition]

...If you say so...

Re: room

[existentiallychallenged]

I know so!

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

Well, that's more than I know right now...

Re: room

[existentiallychallenged]

[...clapping a hand on his shoulder]

You can ask anything you want.

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

...I'm supposed to remember everything again soon, right? So there wouldn't be much point...

[also there are so many questions I wouldn't know where to start]

Re: room

[existentiallychallenged]

Just thought I'd offer.

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

Re: room

[twilight_boy]

It's gonna be okay. Just hang in there.

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

I don't really...what were we doing?

Re: room

[twilight_boy]

It's a game. You're going to remember everything again, once we're done.

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

...Right. I remember. ...Kind of.

[except it's just slipping out of reach again]

Re: room

[twilight_boy]

[reaches out to squeeze his shoulder]

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

[looks a little uncomfortable with it, but doesn't say anything]

Re: room

[twilight_boy]

[lets go; it's kinda easy to sense discomfort when touching someone]

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

Sorry, it's just...

[I don't really remember who you are]

Re: room

[twilight_boy]

Nah, it's cool.

Re: room

[itsalluseless]

Okay. Well, it'll be better later, when I can actually remember things.

Re: room

[twilight_boy]

Yeah, that really helps.