Erika heart

[dramatispersonae]

You get the sense that you pass through a door, but it shuts immediately behind you. However, when you look back, there is nothing but a dead end wall behind you. There is carpet is lush beneath your feet, and the corners are free of dust. Except for the lack of any actual entrance, it could easily be the entranceway of a lavish mansion.

Any magical or otherwise supernatural abilities you have are disabled.

♫ the great detective knows

((please join #thegreatdetective))

Comments

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

You can't tell me it's not true that you won't let yourself rely on anyone, though. Your pride won't accept that either.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

No, that's true. That should be obvious, though.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

But upstairs, they were all waiting for a guest. You're not entirely content with things as they are, as much as you would like to cover your tracks. Perhaps your independence is born not only from your character, but from necessity.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Hmm... I'll accept it like that.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

...As for myself, I can't cut my emotions out even if I try. It's not like it's always convenient to have them. Even if I start to feel sympathy and pity for you after this, it's not like you'll feel the same for me... It's just an exercise in futility. I've suffered more from feeling attached to people and being jerked around on that chain than I've ever suffered from mutual antagonism.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

[She just smiles vaguely at that.]

Very good. You can proceed.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

[...proceeding, reaching to pick up one of the pieces on the way]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[dramatispersonae]

As you get closer to Erika, you can see that her looks are somewhat in the uncanny valley. She seems almost like a doll, and you can almost make out joints at her wrists... Are those marionette strings, just barely catching the light? But it's hard to notice unless you're paying close attention.

You pick up a small, rough-hewn chunk, and you feel a vague sense of disconnection, a lack of purpose, frustrated effort without an expected result.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

[...sets the piece back down, and tries looking up above them]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[dramatispersonae]

You can see the glint of strings, but it's too dark above you to see where they go.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

[approaching Erika again]

Is there something preventing you from leaving, then?

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

I need to be here.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

Well, hopefully you're entertaining yourself.

[bending to pick up another piece]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[dramatispersonae]

You pick up a large queen—surprisingly light for its size—and see a flash of your own face, and a rush of feelings: anger, contempt conflicting with respect, confusion, and a small amount of jealousy.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

[smiling a little...]

Have you actually ever managed to fit something through the net?

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

No.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

Well, I can't really complain if you keep them around.

[trying to set them upright and more organized at least]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[dramatispersonae]

You can do that. I'm too tired to get you more descriptions but as you touch them you feel all the feelings about people from the other threads as well as a couple more less intense ones and more vague insecurities and such.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[boxupallthebutterflies]

[WORKS FOR ME. ...sitting down if possible. man I'm in a cavern deep within Erika's heart. what should I even be doing now]

Hah...