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

[helpmeguideit]

Not what I'm suggesting, Ami.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Everything about him invites her to smile; as tired as she is, as serious as she knows their situation to be.

She doesn't quite smile, but she seems to relax a little.]

We'll leave before that. Hurry up, or I'll consider leaving you behind.

[helpmeguideit]

[ Keeps up with her easily. ]

You wouldn't.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[You're not supposed to know that, not supposed to realize that, Charles.]

Says who?

[helpmeguideit]

I just don't think you would.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

If you want it to be true, keep up for yourself.

[helpmeguideit]

I have legs and can move quickly with them. I can keep up without a problem.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She actually grins at that, quick and sly.]

Then let's go!

[She's off at a startlingly quick pace, heading through the trees as though she knows she way. Of course, she does: The waterfall should be this direction.]

[helpmeguideit]

[ He keeps up, speed-walking and if need be - jogging to stay near Ami. He follows her, staying close so that he doesn't get lost or left behind. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She's quick; but not so much that she can't be paced, right now. She thinks to ask it as they go:]

Can you fight?

[helpmeguideit]

...Can I? Yes. I can.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Good. Because, you may have to here. [But not humans; she doubts they'll meet another human at all. This forest, however, is often home to youma, monsters.]

[helpmeguideit]

...Oh, well, then. [ He could at least make himself disappear, if needed. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Don't worry. Anything here is weak next to me. [Boasting. She does a lot of it now that she's getting her balance back.]

[helpmeguideit]

I'm not worried, I can disappear.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Disappear? Invisibility?

[helpmeguideit]

More like...changing what they see.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

That's right. You're a mentalist. [She does not explain how 'Mercury' knows this when 'Ami' had learned it.]

[helpmeguideit]

Right - [ gives her a very careful look. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Then if we run into enemies, make sure they don't interfere with us.

[helpmeguideit]

I can certainly do that.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She continues walking, still swiftly but still possible to keep up. She goes awhile in silence, before she stops short. She motions towards some broken remains of a statue.]

We were here before.

[helpmeguideit]

We were. Must go a different direction, then.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

That isn't it. We've gone in circles while going straight.

[helpmeguideit]

It is a dream.