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]

[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.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She frowns at her own thoughts, her own worries.]

It's the nature of this place even in waking life.

[helpmeguideit]

Even then, there would be an end. We'll mark our trail.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't know whether to be irritated, or impressed. She wants to use his courage as her own; she wants to make him afraid if she must be afraid. The two urges pull at her.]

That was already a marker. [She nods towards the remains of some marble statue, almost hidden by the growth.]

This place is within a magical barrier.

[helpmeguideit]

Fantastic. [ Looks around ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

There should still be an exit. [But in the dream, is there? And where?]

Can you sense that sort of thing as well, or only other minds?

[helpmeguideit]

I'm a telepath. Minds only.

and he is so free to actually find it, too XD serve her right.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

It's a pity. [But a useful ability nonetheless. Just not relevant at the moment.]

Then if you're so sure of finding a way out anyway, maybe you should lead? [A smirk.]

;D

[helpmeguideit]

Alright, I'll take the lead.

[ He moves off in a similar direction, but veers off to the left. ]

not -my- fault sometimes people need help ;)

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[The words had been spoken in slight irritation; but she follows him without complaint. The same confines seem to be at play, but once they approach the closest point to the entrance, it may occur to him that it also serves as the exit.]