In the woods with no one around...

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[The forest is dense enough to inhibit light, leaving a dappled pattern of shadow on the ground as the thin sun filters through the leaves. There are no obvious landmarks, but Mercury walks purposefully, as if she knows the way.

For all her bravado, the distant sound of a waterfall grows no closer; and when she comes to a small pile of rocks, she stops short.

She was here just a moment ago.

Cautiously now, Mercury keeps a wary eye on her surroundings and stays alert to every noise and rustle. To be sure of herself, she slips off one glove and lays it beside the rocks.

Straightening, the senshi moves forward again. But although she seems to make progress, ultimately she finds herself back at the pile yet again - and the glove remains exactly where she left it. She is lost.

Or trapped.]

Comments

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[The noise is hardly subtle and Mercury turns sharply, sword leading.]

Who's there?

[She lowers the weapon only when she recognizes Vanille.

... Vanille? Then this is...?]

[pulsingrainbow.livejournal.com]

[She sees Mercury and bounds over to her]

What a scary dream!

Are you okay?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[A dream. Of course. It can't be real. She's been nothing but loyal (she chases away the thought of Jadeite saying exactly the same, still caught up in Beryl's schemes at his expense). She isn't being hunted here. For as long as she and Kunzite have the same goals, their interests coincide and she is safe.

Which means it's only her own mind still thinking about this. She shakes off her thoughts and makes herself focus on Vanille.]

I'm fine. This forest should have an entrance somewhere. We need to find that.

[pulsingrainbow.livejournal.com]

[She nods at the notion]

This is your dream...

It might be up to you to get us out.

But I can try to help! Just tell me what to do!

[She pumps her fist in front of her]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

We move forward.

[She suspects this will result in the circle... again... but it's all she has for now. Once she confirms it, she'll know this is a trap and she can start looking for the real exit.

Besides, it what she knows: to keep moving forward.]

[pulsingrainbow.livejournal.com]

Right! [She bounces up]

And I'll be right here with you!

[And in a Vanille fashion, she walks whimsically forward, looking around here and there at all of the trees and plants that are shaded from the sun.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Mercury reaches out to grab Vanille's arm and pull her back.]

Don't go so recklessly here.

[pulsingrainbow.livejournal.com]

[Yoinked!]

Oh...!

[She gives an abashed smile and laughs lightly]

All right.

So...is this a forest from somewhere you know or are you lost?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Vanille has a disturbing way of putting her finger right on the pulse of the situation in a way that makes Mercury decidedly uncomfortable.]

I know it.

[The admission comes somewhat grudgingly.]

However, you can't just walk out of this place right now.

[She's known for a long time that the forest is controlled. She's known that there's an exit. She even knows that in some unthinkable other world, she was trapped here because she betrayed the Dark Kingdom.

What she doesn't know is where that exit is. And as they continue, moving forward...

only brings them back to the rocks and the glove. This time, when she reaches it, Mercury simply sits down on the ground, as though tired.]