rabbitrabbitrabbit | [The Rabbits' Portrait]

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.]

[with a keenly distancing smile, cold and leached of anything resembling a sense of kinship or empathy.] Don't act like we're anything alike.

[walking along beside her down the path anyway.]

Perhaps we are not anymore... There is something to be said for circumstances and upbringing. Regardless, I feel that which I feel and nothing more.

Hn.

[lapsing into silence, after that, simply walking.]

[You head south.

West or east from there? Both paths look about equidistant, and it's difficult to tell whether one or both eventually turn.]

West again?

West it is. [A nod.]

[You head west.

This path doesn't turn at all before eventually coming to a halt at the end. Another dead end, it would seem.

There are more tiny golden glimmers in the hedges over here, if you want to check them out.]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]

Re: [Hedge Maze Clock Part Quest]