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]

However, I look a little out of place here, like this.

[She smiles slyly and, with the full expectation of enjoying his reaction, she releases her transformation in a dark blue aura, and Ami stands in Mercury's place.]

I want to fit in well, after all!

[helpmeguideit]

What is the fun of fitting in?

[ His tone is honest and sincere. He always tended to enjoy standing out in a crowd. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[A careless shrug.] For the time being, it's easier. I don't feel like a fight with someone chasing me while I have a guest!

[Truth? Who knows.]

[helpmeguideit]

A fight? In the middle of a dream?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[He'll understand the first time he wakes up dead: The pain is the same. She knows it, all the more acutely each time. To die is not new to her, whether in waking or dreaming.]

Don't you understand yet? People use traps for their prey. You've become the 'prey' by helping me. I'd move quicker, if you want to avoid that.

[helpmeguideit]

I'm not going to get into a fight with your subconscious, Ami.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Then let's go. [She moves quickly, faster than a normal human could hope to do while seeming so casual; but it's possible to keep up with rapid footsteps or a light jog.]

[helpmeguideit]

[ Charles keeps his pace steady but face to keep up with her the best that he possibly can. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't let up until they're away from the building, across the campus, and out on a main road. The sound of traffic is remarkably loud here on the busy Juuban streets; the noise of the buses overpowers the other vehicles.]

I congratulate you!

[helpmeguideit]

What for? [ Gives her a curious look. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Making it through that forest isn't as easy as you think. You didn't do so bad, to get to the end.

You should wake up now.

[helpmeguideit]

Dreams never seem to last long.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She answers with a question.]

Have you ever been trapped in one?

[It seems to be a theme in this mind: the forest trap, trapped in dreams.]

[helpmeguideit]

No.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

There are people who can do that. I wonder if your powers would be a defense against them.

[helpmeguideit]

I have learned that telepaths do not read each others minds well. I imagine this wouldn't be too different.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

The people who use dreams, trapped in dreams themselves. It's poetic justice, don't you think?

[helpmeguideit]

I don't know that I could punish someone in such a way.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You're too easy on your enemies. They'll come back to be a nuisance to you again, at that rate.

[helpmeguideit]

That isn't my way. I aim to be the better man.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

The better man is the victor, the one who survives.

[helpmeguideit]

No, he is not.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Then the better man will end up defeated. His ideals become useless when that happens. They won't do anything.

[helpmeguideit]

You sound like someone I know.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She has to stop herself from saying she's glad; even as she is now, it strikes a chord in her to find similarities between herself and someone else. She's just stopped hoping, she tells herself, that the common ground would turn to friendship.

Instead, she makes it flippant, almost enough to be a joke with that slight toss of her head.]

Then they're wise!

Or maybe there's just no point being 'better' than I am.

[Why try to become tender, or caring, or good, or 'the better man', when all that's inside her is pettiness, spite, and anger? She knows herself for what she is.]