rabbitrabbitrabbit | [The Rabbits' Portrait]

Weirdo.

[turning, then - backtracking ... when they reach the last intersection, the one they took east this last time, she points north - being a bit condescending as of course Macaron doesn't need to be told which way they're going, and starts down.]

What was that about a history record?

Precisely as it sounded... [Following along without kicking up a fuss.]

The rabbits referred to a 'Lady' who was no linger around, a locked door in the center of the maze, and a key.

[Which reminds me...] oh, did you hear? A Sage and a Saffron managed to gain their wishes and leave.

[You return to the crossroad and head north.

As it appeared, it's no more than 40 feet to the end, but at the end it turns to the east. Shortly after turning east and going a short distance, there appears another intersection. You could continue east, or you could go south. The eastern path continues for some distance. The southern path is short, but immediately turns to the east and continues a distance itself.]

Huh. If we find the key, I wonder if we get a prize ...?

[Teal's joking, right?] Yeah, right. I'm sure it was worth it. Which way, east or south?

In that case we may already win. Regina gave me a skeleton key as a clock part earlier...

She was likewise able to confirm for me that the portraits have no idea what happened aside possibly Mary... Not even her informational network could discern where they went. Whatever happened, it was quite unlike the usual fare.

...east

Edited 2013-08-06 23:49 (UTC)

Here I thought the portraits were the ones in charge of all that wish-granting business.

Then east it is. Again. Maybe if we find the door you heard about, we'll give that key a shot.

[You head east.

This path goes for quite some time without coming to another fork. The east path eventually turns north, then briefly east before turning north again, then a distance further it turns to the west. After that, it has another brief turn to the north before continuing west, and then it turns south.

After the south turn, you come to a fork. One path continues south for a ways. The other turns to the east, but immediately heads south itself a short distance.]

I have suspected for some time that there is a third force at work here, which may supersede even the portraits.

Regina's reaction has certainly cemented this as likely... I do not think that she wants us here at all. Mary likewise does everything she can to let us leave quickly. I wonder what the rabbits think of our presence.

I believe it is your turn to choose.

Well. Whether they want us here or not, as far as our everyday problems are concerned they're in control. I'm not going to care about some unknowable force that only exists when I stay or when I go.

[she says that, but then she has a terrible turn, inside her head - and keeps it to herself. that's not the sort of thing she wants anyone else thinking about at all ... not anyone with one of those marks on their hands, ha ha.]

[there's just a bit of a pause before she files that away for later.]

Going straight forward keeps leading us to dead ends. Let's take the turn. East.

If you say so. I can only provide the information; what others do with it is up to them. [A small shrug, as she turns east.]

[You head east.

This is a winding path. It immediately heads south for a short distance as already noted, but then heads east again for a time. Then it turns south briefly and immediately turns west for a time, before heading south once more for a ways. Then it makes a turn to the west before abruptly heading north.

The path is a dead end. In the grass at the end, there is a simple wooden box.]

[... okay, this isn't a shiny thing and it's not a flower, so.]

[she gives Macaron a silent querying look, then moves forward to open the box.]

[Well if you weren't I was going to...]

[I'll just be on standby in case it explodes or something.]

[Inside the box, there is a fancy little key.]

[taking it out, holding it up, catching it between her thumb and forefinger and twisting it in the light.] ... hn.

[she thinks for a moment, then slides her hood back from her feathers, so she can slip the key chain around her neck, letting its weight fall against her chest.]

"We found a key", huh.

How serindipidous. Now if we should find our way barred by a door we will be able to open it without expenditure of effort.

Further, we know that the center of the labrynth will likely contain a door to enter into it. Shall we try the other path at the most recent fork, then?

Do you really have to ask. [which is to say: did you see any other way for them to go, hot shot?]

[she snorts.]

We're going to the center of this thing anyway. Might as well see where the door goes when we get there.

[You follow the turns back to the previous intersection and turn south this time.

It goes south for a ways, and then it turns to either the east or the west. The eastern path goes for some distance, while the western path immediately splits in two: one goes north quite some ways, while the other turns south before immediately turning to the east itself.]

Oh, now it's getting tricky. Don't suppose you remember which way we were going when we walked in here, do you?

I do not... [In hindsight I should have been making a map. Oh well. 20/20 and all that.]

West-South-East seems the most circuitous. Perhaps we should start there?

Well. Not like we know where we're going, now! So why not.

Then we are agreed.

...Besides, at least the company is pleasant should we be stuck in here for a short time.

[You head west, then south, at which point it curls around to the east.

It isn't too long a distance before another crossroads appears. You could continue east, or you could go south from here, a path which immediately splits into west or east branches.]

Speak for yourself. [then, huffing:] If we knew which way we'd started from ...

[sighs.]

[pointing southwards.] This way looks the most complicated. Want to keep doing that?

Myself is the only person I may speak for. Still, I am always happy to have something of a kindred spirit to speak with. [Then, a small nod.]

The 'most complicated' strategy seems to be working thus far. Southwards seems adequate. [Starting to walk that way.]

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