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

[thinkoutsidethebox]

What sort of gift?

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

[holds up a wine bottle :')]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Hmm. Well, if you insist, you can leave it there.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

Ah, really...? And here I was hoping for an after-dinner party.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Unfortunately, I'm busy. Unless you'd like to come over here.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

[laughs a little]

I'll come, but it must be an even exchange. I'll give you your truths, and you'll... accept a wish as well.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

If you like.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

For you. . . there are people from whom you have wanted validation and respect, and your failures — either in fields you value, such as your perfect deduction, or fields you do not, such as humanity — have held you back from that.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

...Good. That's accurate.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

As for me, I'm more willing than I like to admit to throw away everything else for my family and the people who are important to me. . . does that satisfy?

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

That's good enough. You can proceed.

[The lattice supports your weight now, but you get the strong feeling that if you lie while on it, you'll fall.

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.]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

Hmmm... what counts as a lie, to you?

[taking out a sheet of origami paper and folding a crane, once she's over there]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

What sort of question is that?

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

I think you've told incomplete truths often enough to guess the answer to that...

[holds out a crane to her on the palm of her hand]

Instead of telling that if you make a thousand of these, your wish will come true, I'll simply say that that's a legend. . . but I beg you accept it anyway. It's a pleasant symbol to recieve earnestly from someone else, perhaps, even if you see no value in it. There's no harm in accepting it; that's a truth.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

I don't place much worth in symbols, you know. But I won't refuse your gift.

[takes it]

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

What appears valueless to one person can have more value than they guess to another. That's another truth.

[offers her the wine bottle]

Would you have a pleasant drink with me till this game ends, Miss Erika?

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Certainly.

Re: THE INNER CAVERN

[sightunseen]

[THE CURTAIN CLOSES............]