dramatispersonae

RUBY

Dark stone makes up the walls of this small cool room, and they tremble faintly as if afflicted with some terrible noise or nearby conflict.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Two small stone sculptures again appear on the floor, the same as before: one of a book, and one of a rose. They are a little bigger this time. ]

You think they mean the same thing this time?

I would imagine so. Will you make the same decision, knowing that?

I donno, I mean on one hand, you could share a memory. On the other hand, I'm kinda curious on what the book does.

I think it's your call, amigo.

I have no preference, save that if it is indeed the rose, I shall share as well, that I do not force you to shoulder the burden alone.

Well, yeah, you'd be kind of a dick if you expected me to share twice.

I'm serious, though, if you don't wanna share we can see what the book does. No skin off my back.

I am fine with either. You may choose as you wish, though I have not many of my world that are both short and pleasant.

[he sounds amused.]

Book!!!

[ The book suddenly breaks free of the stone; it is now made of paper and cloth binding. Only one page shows any words, however. ]

I follow war and lead you home;
You'll need me if you seek to roam.
Come or go, arrive or depart--
Should you stray, I'm where you start.

I follow war and lead you home, is it?

I guess it's something that follows people, but also stays if you leave it? The fuck does that mean?

After war is an ending, peace… but-- ah. "Path," perhaps, as warpath; a path leads us home, and is needed to wander, and a path is strayed from.

Path makes sense with the rest of it, but not so much on the first line. Unless that's like, shit, what's it called... figurative, yeah, that's it.

It would hardly be a riddle if the meaning were not couched in some sort of veil. But is there another answer you would give?

It's better than any answer I'd come up with, though the peace thing kinda makes me wonder... but Peace doesn't really fit in with the last line of it either.

[he hangs his head.]

Yes; unfortunately, peace is rarely a constant. Then I shall answer path for this riddle.

We shall give the answer "path," for path follows war and leads us home, and is needed if one seeks to roam. And should one stray, the path is departed from, and is therefore the start.

[ the book flutters its pages in an oddly warm and approving fashion; for a brief moment a pathway seems to be outlined against the cold floor. Then the book shuts and turns to stone once more. ]

[he would grin triumphantly if he had a mouth.

as it is he quacks in victory and then looks very startled.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

RUBY

ROUND TWO

DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

CHOICE

Re: CHOICE

CHALLENGE

DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

Re: DISCUSSION

ANSWER THE RIDDLE

Re: ANSWER THE RIDDLE

Re: ANSWER THE RIDDLE

Re: ANSWER THE RIDDLE