[GAME 38] CARNELIAN

[dramatispersonae]

[You find yourself on a circular island of grass. Though night has fallen, the island is surprisingly well-illuminated by a stone lantern at its center. The lantern's light reaches far enough to reveal that the island is surrounded by water -- a pond? The water's glassy, greenish surface is only broken by the stems of huge white lotuses. Each lotus flower seems to glow ever so slightly, providing just a bit more light to the scene. The air is full of the scent of flowers and greenery, and the sound of crickets is almost deafening at first. It doesn't seem a stretch to assume that you're in some sort of garden.

Four ornamental wooden bridges, painted red, stretch over the pond in opposite directions. You can't tell where they lead. For the moment, the entrance to each bridge is blocked by a thickly-woven rope with zigzags of white paper hanging from them.

There is no moon in the sky, and the stars are only dim points of light.]

Comments

[IRIS]

[dramatispersonae]

[Clumps of iris plants surround the edges of the island, as well as the base of the lantern. They seem to favor whites and cool blues and purples. Behind the lantern is a rack on which countless ema boards have been tied. They are too faded to read, but as you approach, they clatter as though stirred by an invisible breeze. In front of the lantern is a stone step on which three cards have been placed.



Upon seeing the cards, you instantly know the task associated with each.

✿ iris with bridge: one person must let the others view/experience one of their greatest desires (10 points)
✿ solid red tanzaku: each person must admit to the others one of their greatest desires (5 points)
✿ plain iris: one person must admit to the others one of their greatest desires (1 point)

Which will you choose?]

Re: [IRIS]

[springtime]

Desire...

Re: [IRIS]

[badmedicine]

. . . ah.

Re: [IRIS]

[myninjaway]

Not this kinda thing again...

Re: [IRIS]

[bestest]

...Desires sound nice.

Re: [IRIS]

[fighting_alena]

This is easy! I'll do this one.

Re: [IRIS]

[playdead]

Yes, please do.

Re: [IRIS]

[badmedicine]

[ drapes on ] I wouldn't mind doing this one . . .

Re: [IRIS]

[playdead]

Alena's won't scare the children, if you are intent on sharing we can quest for a way so you can show me.

Re: [IRIS]

[ambibalance]

...

[DESIRE PARTY]

[fighting_alena]

[Alena stands in the middle of a dusty Colosseum. There's evidence (broken weapons, pieces of armor and such) that intense fighting has taken place here. Crowds of people sit in audience in the stands, they're cheering wildly.

Alena herself is bloodied and bruised, but still quite conscious and looking pleased with herself. Suddenly, the cheering dies down. A voice announces: "And the winner of the tournament, is... Princess Alena of Santeem!"

The crowd cheers again as Alena takes a bow.]

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[dramatispersonae]

[The card you have earned remains on the step, while the other two disappear. You have four cards. Which will you discard?]

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[bestest]

...

Do we need this card...? This was pretty easy...

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[badmedicine]

. . . clover.

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[bestest]

[...yaaaaay]

Congratulations! ...Oh, that was just a desire.

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[fighting_alena]

Someday, it won't be!

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[bestest]

Right, you'll definitely win!

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[playdead]

[heh, so cute]

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[fighting_alena]

[Just a little cute bruiser over here!]

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[myninjaway]

[A++ WOULD SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL]

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[fighting_alena]

[+1 THUMBS UP!]

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[ambibalance]

Heeeh.

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[fighting_alena]

It's the best, right!? I can't think of anything better!

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[springtime]

[ I FEEL ALL WARM AND GLOWY ]

Re: [DESIRE PARTY]

[fighting_alena]

[can you feel it? Can you feel the joy of this victory?]