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

[2/2]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Then she recognizes him. In a single, abrupt motion, the sword is lowered to be non-threatening.]

If you're here...

This is a dream?

[helpmeguideit]

It appears I'm in your dream. Imagine that.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Did you come to rescue me? [She says it entirely flippantly; despite that creeping worry in the back of her mind, she plays the part of confidence mostly well for now.]

[helpmeguideit]

I don't think you need me to rescue you, darling.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[It produces so many reactions at once. Two stand out: She does need someone to save her. He's saying he believes in her abilities.]

You're right. I can find my way through this place.

[helpmeguideit]

[ He moves to step towards her, at her side. ]

Can I walk with you, then?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She's not sure if he's offering companionship or asking for protection. Maybe it doesn't matter. After just a second's hesitation, she nods.]

Do what you like.

[helpmeguideit]

I like speaking with you. [ Falls in step beside her. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Do you fully understand the situation here? The entrance to this space has disappeared. Thus, so has the exit.

[helpmeguideit]

I fully understand that this is a dream and I will wake up.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Not every dream is a dream you'll wake up from on your own. [It's a warning left up to Charles to decide to heed or not. She knows enemies with the power to trap them here.]

[helpmeguideit]

It would be an interesting test of my skill, then.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She pauses. He doesn't seem to find the place oppressive like she does; and of course, it looks like nothing other than a quaint forest.

There is no need for her to feel anxious.]

Then shall we walk out of it together after all? [She paces herself to him, and starts ahead. This time, the way ahead seems to lead to something like a clearing.]

[helpmeguideit]

If we can find a way out. [ Smile, nod and looks up. ] So this is from your world?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

This is the forest of the Dark Kingdom, a separate subspace dimension. We need to find a place we can return to the human world from.

You should understand that. This isn't a place you can walk out of like walking to the store.

[helpmeguideit]

This place is also a dream.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Do you think a dream is a safe place? [She has enemies that have taught her quite the opposite, who've attacked in dreams and nightmares and almost ruined the world by them.]

[Not, of course, that she can't defeat these enemies.]

Don't let your guard down.

[helpmeguideit]

I think the mind is a safe place.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Someone like you should already know it isn't. If we affect the mind, we affect our selves. Our memories. Who we are. To be lost in a mind is to forget the rest, and eventually die.

[helpmeguideit]

I feel safe here. I'm not being foolish, but there is no danger here right now. Just me and you.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Realize your situation. We have no exit for the time being.

[He may think of that as simply as puzzle to be solved; she sees it as that and more: as a danger.]

[helpmeguideit]

[ And he does, he's comfortable in the mind. More-so than anywhere else. ]

For the time being.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Despite her complaints, despite herself, his comfortableness is reassuring.]

Then let's solve the puzzle first.

[Finally, she prepares herself to be ready to act instead of giving up, giving up being unthinkable to her anywhere but this place.]

[helpmeguideit]

[ Nods. ] Let's solve it.

[ He stays nearby, but his eyes are darting around and taking in the environment. He's staying mentally in tune. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She pauses. She should use the advantages given to her, as always.]

Can you tell if there's someone nearby?

[She says 'someone', leaving Charles to figure out for himself that if they're being pursued, the minds behind their pursuers won't be human.]