dogventure take 2

[dramatispersonae]

[You're standing in the middle of a crossroads in a misty forest with low lighting. It looks... basically like the Black Woods that you just left! You can hear a faint, helpless sound of crying from somewhere — a child? but you can't tell what direction it's coming from.

The paths around you lead in four opposite directions, which we may as well call North/East/South/West/Dennis. What now...?]

Comments

[putitdown]

[ no response... the crying doesn't change in any way. ]

[alltherightmoves]

Tell me where you are!

[putitdown]

[ same result, sadly... ]

[alltherightmoves]

[ sigh ]

Maybe I'll go west.

[putitdown]

[ he could... the trail beckons. ]

[alltherightmoves]

[ going down the trail, calling out to the child ]

Hellooo?

[putitdown]

[ the path gets more damp in this direction. along with the crying (which does not respond), he can hear a muffled call in the distance. the trees themselves seem to stretch up more and spread out less, letting a little more air movement and light in. ]

[alltherightmoves]

Hm? I wonder what that is.

[ keeps going ]

[putitdown]

[ he keeps going! till there is... AN EXPLOSION OF WHITE WINGS IN HIS FACE, like something just took off in front of him! ]

[alltherightmoves]

Aaaah!

[putitdown]

[ there's an impression of something winging away, but there's nothing left except for a few grey feathers on the ground. ]

[alltherightmoves]

What was that all about?!

[putitdown]

[ probably some weird fairy tale bs to be honest... ]

[alltherightmoves]

Hmm.

[ still calling out for that child though!! ]

[putitdown]

[ still no response...

is he moving on down the path? ]

[alltherightmoves]

[ moving on, still calling out ]

[putitdown]

[ no change!

after a few more steps the ground grows marshier, though, and the trail opens up into a wide clearing with a lake in it. there are thick patches of cattails near the water, with some nettles further back. the surface of the lake is glassily still and very blue, with four round raised stones out in the center. ]

[alltherightmoves]

Surely she cannot be here . . .

[ looking around ]

[putitdown]

[ you can see your reflection in the water, and it's very and peaceful here, aside from the sound of crying. ]

[alltherightmoves]

[ treading water a little ]

Hello? Where are you? Let me help!

[putitdown]

[ YOU ARE VERY PESISTENT... it's still not responding, though :( ]

[alltherightmoves]

Please say something! I'm here to help!

[putitdown]

[ maybe whatever it is can't hear you?

the sun glints a bit off of the four stones in the center of the lake. ]

[alltherightmoves]

[ going further into the lake ]

[putitdown]

[ he can swim over there easily, insofar as he can swim! the water is cool and inviting.

the rocks are deep glinting gemstone colors, though none of them correspond with a team! one is red, one is blue, one is green, and the other is yellow. ]