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]

[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.]