Why, why direct X, why did you have to try and restart my computer?! My post was almost done!
Without further ado, the second act. Abridged.
Ceel sits up and fixes her glasses upon her face. She looks towards the gathering of people and scrambles to her feet. She then looks down at her feet, and the rosiest-of-red slippers, with white, fluffy lining that adorned them. Ceel then carelessly shuffles her way towards the group, waving at the cowboy-boot-wearer-guy. "Hey, Ellis! Ellllis. Ellis!" It was a good attempt at a southern drawl, but she was always the cockney-accent-expert. Her hands go to her hips. Then just one remains on her hip. She looks about, "Left for Dead and a circus, but no zombies? This dream is lacking." Her cheeks puff outwards, and a breath is released, while her free hand plucks leaves out of her hair. Her gaze lingers on the foliage, then her fingers flick it away from her.
Without further ado, the second act. Abridged.
Ceel sits up and fixes her glasses upon her face. She looks towards the gathering of people and scrambles to her feet. She then looks down at her feet, and the rosiest-of-red slippers, with white, fluffy lining that adorned them. Ceel then carelessly shuffles her way towards the group, waving at the cowboy-boot-wearer-guy. "Hey, Ellis! Ellllis. Ellis!" It was a good attempt at a southern drawl, but she was always the cockney-accent-expert. Her hands go to her hips. Then just one remains on her hip. She looks about, "Left for Dead and a circus, but no zombies? This dream is lacking." Her cheeks puff outwards, and a breath is released, while her free hand plucks leaves out of her hair. Her gaze lingers on the foliage, then her fingers flick it away from her.
There was a whole bunch of strangers now. Dylan couldn't exactly say he liked that. He never did function well in a crowd. But now that Oaky introduced himself, he was sure that there was a connection between these people being frequent visitors to RPR and the fact they were here right now. While the rest were still introducing or acting strange, he blew his nose a couple of times.
Dylan didn't really like it when Witness took the lead like that. He actually preferred voting, but it didn't matter one bit. Out of all the people here he was probably the most likely to be an effective leader. He'd have the Belgian's vote either way.
At the request of Witness, Dylan started checking his pockets. He never carried around anything that could serve as a weapon, but he did have something that could be of use. Pulling out his bundle of keys, there hung a small green colored flashlight. When he clicked the rubber button on the end of the little tool, it shone surprisingly brightly, though it only covered a small area."I've got a little flashlight." He spoke."But not much else." His wallet did have a surprising large amount of change, though. Could be useful for something. he also had a whole bunch of receipts and a few bills. Could be helpful in creating a fire.
Dylan couldn't help but frown at Miss' comment."Yeah, I WISH this was a dream and not some sort of twisted reality." He was still pondering why it was all these people from RPR were the ones here. What was the connection?
Dylan didn't really like it when Witness took the lead like that. He actually preferred voting, but it didn't matter one bit. Out of all the people here he was probably the most likely to be an effective leader. He'd have the Belgian's vote either way.
At the request of Witness, Dylan started checking his pockets. He never carried around anything that could serve as a weapon, but he did have something that could be of use. Pulling out his bundle of keys, there hung a small green colored flashlight. When he clicked the rubber button on the end of the little tool, it shone surprisingly brightly, though it only covered a small area."I've got a little flashlight." He spoke."But not much else." His wallet did have a surprising large amount of change, though. Could be useful for something. he also had a whole bunch of receipts and a few bills. Could be helpful in creating a fire.
Dylan couldn't help but frown at Miss' comment."Yeah, I WISH this was a dream and not some sort of twisted reality." He was still pondering why it was all these people from RPR were the ones here. What was the connection?
It seemed Witness hadn't seen Sufyan hold out his hand for a shake. Sufyan just played it off "just umm... Trying to gain my balance" he mumbled. Sufyan looked around and saw new faces as well as familiar ones, Dylan was a weird one and fun to talk to even though he claims he isn't. Sufyan had a slightly amused smile when he saw the bills and flashlight "man this is surreal..." He said looking around surveying his surroundings
Oaky jumped when someone started screaming the name Ellis in an attempt at southern drawl.
Okay, brain, now would be a good time to wake up!
Gifford seemed to know what he was doing, which was good.
"I've got a multitool and a knife, and my cell phone, which has no reception."
Of course it has no reception here! It's a freaking dream world, idiot! WAKE THE FREAK UP. The reason all of these people from RPR were here was because Oaky was dreaming! But why wasn't Kim here, then? She was, after all, Ms. RPR. This was all too real to be a dream, but of course all dreams seem real at the time. But if this was a dream, how did Oaky know it was a dream without waking up? And if he was really lucid dreaming, why wasn't anyone he knew here?
DARN THIS.
Oaky shook his head again.
Okay, so he knew Dylan, and Witness, and Sufyan. But who was the guy with the bat? That guy looked like bad news.
And who the heck kept screaming Ellis? That was freaking the poor kid out. The only reason Oaky didn't run the other way was because of Witness' leadership. Then he noticed Sufyan's awkwardness.
"Hey, Sufyan! It's good to meet you. I'm Austin." He held out his hand to shake with a genuine smile.
Okay, brain, now would be a good time to wake up!
Gifford seemed to know what he was doing, which was good.
"I've got a multitool and a knife, and my cell phone, which has no reception."
Of course it has no reception here! It's a freaking dream world, idiot! WAKE THE FREAK UP. The reason all of these people from RPR were here was because Oaky was dreaming! But why wasn't Kim here, then? She was, after all, Ms. RPR. This was all too real to be a dream, but of course all dreams seem real at the time. But if this was a dream, how did Oaky know it was a dream without waking up? And if he was really lucid dreaming, why wasn't anyone he knew here?
DARN THIS.
Oaky shook his head again.
Okay, so he knew Dylan, and Witness, and Sufyan. But who was the guy with the bat? That guy looked like bad news.
And who the heck kept screaming Ellis? That was freaking the poor kid out. The only reason Oaky didn't run the other way was because of Witness' leadership. Then he noticed Sufyan's awkwardness.
"Hey, Sufyan! It's good to meet you. I'm Austin." He held out his hand to shake with a genuine smile.
Similar thoughts ran through Sanne's head. It had to be a dream. But she knew what it felt like to realize she was in a dream. And her dreams were never this... detailed. She knew a tree's bark had a certain definition to it, but in her dreams it would never be this sharp and intricate.
Could it really be? All her life she spent with her nose in books, imagining what it was like to be in a magical world with people from far away. Secretly she'd hoped, if not believed, that it was possible somehow, even when common sense told her it was absurd thinking and would never happen! She'd almost believed that too, but here she was.
The others talked about weapons, defense, anything on their person to help out. Of course she had nothing but her glasses on her face and some stupid heeled shoes that were no good for this terrain! She folded her arms in front of her chest and sighed, collected herself and straightened her shoulders.
No longer trying to be quiet, the very tall woman stepped out from behind the tree into plain sight and casually approached the group, as if on a Sunday afternoon stroll. "Hi." She sounded a bit unsure with an expression to match. Would anyone even recognize her?
Could it really be? All her life she spent with her nose in books, imagining what it was like to be in a magical world with people from far away. Secretly she'd hoped, if not believed, that it was possible somehow, even when common sense told her it was absurd thinking and would never happen! She'd almost believed that too, but here she was.
The others talked about weapons, defense, anything on their person to help out. Of course she had nothing but her glasses on her face and some stupid heeled shoes that were no good for this terrain! She folded her arms in front of her chest and sighed, collected herself and straightened her shoulders.
No longer trying to be quiet, the very tall woman stepped out from behind the tree into plain sight and casually approached the group, as if on a Sunday afternoon stroll. "Hi." She sounded a bit unsure with an expression to match. Would anyone even recognize her?
The look on Jay's face sharpened without warning as the girl proceeded to be ridiculous. With a lazy, predatory crawl, he brought his gaze to rest on her, taking in her appearance for a moment before a smile came to his lips, though this expression carried with it a darker sort of mirth than the previous one, like something with sharp teeth staring from the night.
"If you don't shut your yap and quit actin' like a spaz, I'm going to hit you with my bat. Then you'll start cryin' and yellin' and screamin', which will only piss me off further and prompt me to hit you with my bat until you stop."
Pausing to take a drink of his beer and to lift bat up to his shoulder as if for emphasis, Jay continued onward, using the fingers of his bat holding hand to count out his points.
"At which point, one of four things is likely to happen. First, you find out that no one likes you enough to come to your rescue and I beat you into submission. Second, there are a few verbal protests but everyone's too afraid to stop me, so they watch on in abject horror. Third, somebody actually tries to stop me, forcing me to use my fists and my knife, so one of these nice young men dies as a direct result of my temper and your being an idiot. Four? MIRACLE!"
The Texan accompanied the word 'miracle' with a flourish of his hands, then took a step towards the girl before Sanne stepped out, giving him pause and a moment to push the sleeves of his hoodie up to his elbows. "Sanne, you look amazing as always. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm probably going to murder this little tw-... Ilight loving ReRe."
"If you don't shut your yap and quit actin' like a spaz, I'm going to hit you with my bat. Then you'll start cryin' and yellin' and screamin', which will only piss me off further and prompt me to hit you with my bat until you stop."
Pausing to take a drink of his beer and to lift bat up to his shoulder as if for emphasis, Jay continued onward, using the fingers of his bat holding hand to count out his points.
"At which point, one of four things is likely to happen. First, you find out that no one likes you enough to come to your rescue and I beat you into submission. Second, there are a few verbal protests but everyone's too afraid to stop me, so they watch on in abject horror. Third, somebody actually tries to stop me, forcing me to use my fists and my knife, so one of these nice young men dies as a direct result of my temper and your being an idiot. Four? MIRACLE!"
The Texan accompanied the word 'miracle' with a flourish of his hands, then took a step towards the girl before Sanne stepped out, giving him pause and a moment to push the sleeves of his hoodie up to his elbows. "Sanne, you look amazing as always. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm probably going to murder this little tw-... Ilight loving ReRe."
Maxim was about to follow Oaky's lead and start shaking hands to get the group members together and feeling included, but Jay's outburst caused the man to wheel around on the spot and glance over to the confrontation between him and the wandering girl. He quickly strode over to the pair and, shooting Jay a look, positioned himself at the side of both of them, warily watching the bat for signs of activity.
"Jay, just...calm down, really, I mean it; we can't start beating each other bloody before we've even started out."
This was not going well; he already had people getting into arguments, people still stuck in their own world, it seemed, and people still coming out of the trees. At Jay's comment, he turned to Sanne and waved, but kept his eye on Jay with a wary expression. The Mohawk-wearing southerner was giving him a bad vibe; he knew the guy from RPR, and he could be an excellent conversationalist, but this outburst was...troubling. That's when Maxim slowly took a few steps back from Jay's side, still watching the bat.
"Seriously, just, relax. Nobody needs to get hurt here," he said in as calm a voice as he could muster.
Then, not wishing to see third option with the fists and knife play out, he walked back to the rest of the group with knitted eyebrows. Oaky shaking hands was the last thing he had seen before turning his attention to the incident nearby, so he also extended his hand for a handshake with Sufyan, Oaky, and anyone else nearby who wanted one; he still watched the Texan closely, the knife in his waistband seeming all-too-apparent an option, but he wasn't sure he wanted to break it out at this point. Chaos would only lead to everyone scattering, getting hurt, or worse; less people meant less chances of getting home, and right now, he wanted to get home more than anything in the world.
"Jay, just...calm down, really, I mean it; we can't start beating each other bloody before we've even started out."
This was not going well; he already had people getting into arguments, people still stuck in their own world, it seemed, and people still coming out of the trees. At Jay's comment, he turned to Sanne and waved, but kept his eye on Jay with a wary expression. The Mohawk-wearing southerner was giving him a bad vibe; he knew the guy from RPR, and he could be an excellent conversationalist, but this outburst was...troubling. That's when Maxim slowly took a few steps back from Jay's side, still watching the bat.
"Seriously, just, relax. Nobody needs to get hurt here," he said in as calm a voice as he could muster.
Then, not wishing to see third option with the fists and knife play out, he walked back to the rest of the group with knitted eyebrows. Oaky shaking hands was the last thing he had seen before turning his attention to the incident nearby, so he also extended his hand for a handshake with Sufyan, Oaky, and anyone else nearby who wanted one; he still watched the Texan closely, the knife in his waistband seeming all-too-apparent an option, but he wasn't sure he wanted to break it out at this point. Chaos would only lead to everyone scattering, getting hurt, or worse; less people meant less chances of getting home, and right now, he wanted to get home more than anything in the world.
Holy crap, this Jay guy was aggressive. Dylan couldn't help but take a step back and hope this girl would keep her mouth shut. Sure she was being rather obnoxious, but that wasn't worth killing over it. If this guy threatens everyone who annoys him like that back where he came from, he would be right at home at the asylum, the Belgian figured, though he was smart enough not to say that out loud.
These were some rough threats, but they'd probably get results. Surely he wasn't planning on actually beating her skull in, was he? Then again, why should he care? He hardly knew most of these people. If they're so keen on killing each other for no apparent reason, why would that be his business? As long as they kept him out of it.
The sudden drop-in from Sanne got him distracted from the tense situation though. At first he didn't recognize her very well. Until her name was dropped. Dylan doubted she'd recognize him, though. It's not like he's been showing himself over the internet that often."Hey Sanne." He greeted her."Got stuck whatever the hell this place is too, huh."
"How many more people are going pop up? Should we keep waiting here or scout ahead?" He asked in general, though it was mainly meant to Witness.
These were some rough threats, but they'd probably get results. Surely he wasn't planning on actually beating her skull in, was he? Then again, why should he care? He hardly knew most of these people. If they're so keen on killing each other for no apparent reason, why would that be his business? As long as they kept him out of it.
The sudden drop-in from Sanne got him distracted from the tense situation though. At first he didn't recognize her very well. Until her name was dropped. Dylan doubted she'd recognize him, though. It's not like he's been showing himself over the internet that often."Hey Sanne." He greeted her."Got stuck whatever the hell this place is too, huh."
"How many more people are going pop up? Should we keep waiting here or scout ahead?" He asked in general, though it was mainly meant to Witness.
Ceel looked bewildered and towards Dylan, her hand still suspended outwards. Her expression softens and her eyes open, “What? No…” Ceel’s gaze flicks down so fast that her glasses (that held nothing in them, other than an appearance) flew off her face and landed softly on the ground. Her hands promptly tightened her silken belt, and again, her expression changing into a more insightful, yet lingering gaze. She shifts her attention only when another voice speaks up, and her attention carried her gaze upwards. My, she’s tall.
Ceel then looks to the insulted Texan, her eyebrows pincher together. Her left hand was poised in wanting to pick up her glasses, but it slowly retreats to her side. Her throat swallows, and her eyes try not to water. Though her mouth opens to speak, she can only utter a soft sound, a stray tear traveling from her eye to her cheek. The young miss’s body begins to shake, her hands closing and her right foot turning into a forty-five degree angle. Her watering eyes look between those gathered here, and then they close as the Texan accent came at her with force. But those blue eyes open again, and Ceel takes a step back, her left foot turning at a forty-five degree angle as well, and her left hand hanging near her side. But there came a moment where the larger man pushed his sleeves up and Ceel’s flat and thin form, though unimpressive by society’s standard, was accustomed to turning, and fleeing.
And so she fled, her running starting low, due to a near trip and a stumble, but rounding out into a short sprint. The red silk kimono clad miss disappears behind the large tree that she had started this nightmare by.
Ceel then looks to the insulted Texan, her eyebrows pincher together. Her left hand was poised in wanting to pick up her glasses, but it slowly retreats to her side. Her throat swallows, and her eyes try not to water. Though her mouth opens to speak, she can only utter a soft sound, a stray tear traveling from her eye to her cheek. The young miss’s body begins to shake, her hands closing and her right foot turning into a forty-five degree angle. Her watering eyes look between those gathered here, and then they close as the Texan accent came at her with force. But those blue eyes open again, and Ceel takes a step back, her left foot turning at a forty-five degree angle as well, and her left hand hanging near her side. But there came a moment where the larger man pushed his sleeves up and Ceel’s flat and thin form, though unimpressive by society’s standard, was accustomed to turning, and fleeing.
And so she fled, her running starting low, due to a near trip and a stumble, but rounding out into a short sprint. The red silk kimono clad miss disappears behind the large tree that she had started this nightmare by.
Sufyan couldn't believe what he was hearing, sure it was crazy and yeah he wanted out but that didn't mean he wanted to bash someone's skull in like Jay...
Sufyan backed away slowly and sat by the tree then remembered "hey, before I came here I remember placing one of my characters in a random forest and I know this may seem a little crazy... This whole situation is crazy, but what if this weird place that we're in ... Is RPR?" He qsked Dylan hoping for some of his wisdom. His story sounded crazy but everyone's stories about being 'poofed' here after visiting RPR made him truly believe he was in RPR.
Sufyan backed away slowly and sat by the tree then remembered "hey, before I came here I remember placing one of my characters in a random forest and I know this may seem a little crazy... This whole situation is crazy, but what if this weird place that we're in ... Is RPR?" He qsked Dylan hoping for some of his wisdom. His story sounded crazy but everyone's stories about being 'poofed' here after visiting RPR made him truly believe he was in RPR.
These people were really weird.
Too weird.
Then this Jay person started ranting about bashing this poor girl's skull in. It would have been funny, except he looked like he was dead serious.
Oaky backed up slowly and then saw the girl run off crying.
He then hid behind a tree as well. This guy was trouble, and no matter what he was carrying, he couldn't defend himself against someone of that size with an aluminum baseball bat. That was too dangerous. Plus, he seemed drunk.
God help me...
Too weird.
Then this Jay person started ranting about bashing this poor girl's skull in. It would have been funny, except he looked like he was dead serious.
Oaky backed up slowly and then saw the girl run off crying.
He then hid behind a tree as well. This guy was trouble, and no matter what he was carrying, he couldn't defend himself against someone of that size with an aluminum baseball bat. That was too dangerous. Plus, he seemed drunk.
God help me...
Her eyes widened just a little in alarm at Jay's outburst. She wasn't afraid for her own safety, no, but she knew the guy well enough to have some idea of how he ticked. Witness was trying to get him to calm down, and she didn't quite know how Jay would take that.
She glanced from the group to Jay and Ceel, and when the latter hid behind the tree she stepped up towards Jay. Before he knew it, she gave him a hug and whispered into his ear. Then she stepped back, gave him a calculating look and smiled. "I don't know what to expect out here, but I'm counting on you to cover my- our back, okay? I don't have any weapons on me, I don't think most of us are properly equipped actually."
Of course Witness had a knife on him and she trusted he could use it, but it was hardly enough against an actual threat. Already her brain worked hard. Everyone was as puzzled as she was, nobody knew what was going on and there were some conflicting personalities that made things just a touch more complicated.
She noticed the kid had gone into hiding. She didn't recall having seen him before, and didn't catch a name, so she called out to him. "It's okay, he won't hurt you." He wouldn't, or he'd have a very upset Sanne to deal with.
Witness was the one they turned to for some sort of leadership, although she had no idea how that would pan out. She looked at him, troubled. "Even if we're near some sort of civilization, do we have enough money - of the right currency, no less - to cover our bases? Should we prioritize water, food and shelter, or scout the area first?"
Already a headache was building behind her eyes. It still felt so surreal, but the best way to deal with surreal situations was to take normal steps. Right?
She glanced from the group to Jay and Ceel, and when the latter hid behind the tree she stepped up towards Jay. Before he knew it, she gave him a hug and whispered into his ear. Then she stepped back, gave him a calculating look and smiled. "I don't know what to expect out here, but I'm counting on you to cover my- our back, okay? I don't have any weapons on me, I don't think most of us are properly equipped actually."
Of course Witness had a knife on him and she trusted he could use it, but it was hardly enough against an actual threat. Already her brain worked hard. Everyone was as puzzled as she was, nobody knew what was going on and there were some conflicting personalities that made things just a touch more complicated.
She noticed the kid had gone into hiding. She didn't recall having seen him before, and didn't catch a name, so she called out to him. "It's okay, he won't hurt you." He wouldn't, or he'd have a very upset Sanne to deal with.
Witness was the one they turned to for some sort of leadership, although she had no idea how that would pan out. She looked at him, troubled. "Even if we're near some sort of civilization, do we have enough money - of the right currency, no less - to cover our bases? Should we prioritize water, food and shelter, or scout the area first?"
Already a headache was building behind her eyes. It still felt so surreal, but the best way to deal with surreal situations was to take normal steps. Right?
The surprising hug from Sanne was enough to break the Texan out of his violent spell, Jay almost surprised enough to spill his beer as he awkwardly gave her a hug back, the whispered words doing much to calm him as well. Stepping away from her, the average-sized male raised his beverage in toast and salute, then turned towards the rest of the crowd, an easy-going smile spreading to his face that very nearly served to erase the posture that he had taken mere moments before.
Turning towards Witness, Jay drained his beer in one large swallow, then conscientiously snapped the tab off of the can and put it into one of his pockets, crushed the can between his palms and tucked that into a back pocket, then folded his koozie and stuck it in a third pocket. "Sanne and the bearded one have points. So do you. I would suggest that a volunteer be asked for to climb a tree and see what's around, or at least where the edge of this forest might be."
Something nagged at the mohawk-ed brain for a moment, prompting the glasses clad male to turn towards one of the other males. "You... Sufyan, right? What do you think the optional realities of that are?" If the boy (the term used loosely, and only because Jay was obviously the oldest) was right, then most on RPR had an image of him as a bumbling but well-meaning redneck. "Either we ourselves are here, in which case there may be a way back. Or we, somehow, are digital reconstructions of ourselves taken as some specific moment, in which case there may not be. Think on that, and anything else that may possibly be the cause of this."
Turning towards Witness, Jay drained his beer in one large swallow, then conscientiously snapped the tab off of the can and put it into one of his pockets, crushed the can between his palms and tucked that into a back pocket, then folded his koozie and stuck it in a third pocket. "Sanne and the bearded one have points. So do you. I would suggest that a volunteer be asked for to climb a tree and see what's around, or at least where the edge of this forest might be."
Something nagged at the mohawk-ed brain for a moment, prompting the glasses clad male to turn towards one of the other males. "You... Sufyan, right? What do you think the optional realities of that are?" If the boy (the term used loosely, and only because Jay was obviously the oldest) was right, then most on RPR had an image of him as a bumbling but well-meaning redneck. "Either we ourselves are here, in which case there may be a way back. Or we, somehow, are digital reconstructions of ourselves taken as some specific moment, in which case there may not be. Think on that, and anything else that may possibly be the cause of this."
Oaky, being the brave little sapling that he was, nearly broke down into silent tears behind the tree:
He was hopelessly lost in the woods with a bunch of strangers and no idea where he was. His cell phone had no reception, and he was hungry.
But luckily, he didn't cry. Because he was too tough for that sort of thing. He almost-cried. Which was different. Oaky looked out from behind the tree when he thought he heard the woman tell him it was okay.
He had seen that face before...
Wasn't she Sanne from the Repository? Her description certainly fit the bill, and he had seen pictures and heard her voice.
But that wasn't possible! Unless one of them had flown a really, really long way, then...
Oaky tilted his head after stepping out completely. "Hey! I think I know you." He smiled cheerfully, but he was visibly shaken up.
Of course, having a gigantic fireball fly over their heads didn't help matters much.
*WHOOSH*
It flew past the group and hit a nearby tree. The tree caught fire and fell backwards from the force of the fireball. The flames started to lick up the sides of a few other trees, and also began crawling along the ground.
This situation was about to be a lot more frenzied than some people would enjoy.
He was hopelessly lost in the woods with a bunch of strangers and no idea where he was. His cell phone had no reception, and he was hungry.
But luckily, he didn't cry. Because he was too tough for that sort of thing. He almost-cried. Which was different. Oaky looked out from behind the tree when he thought he heard the woman tell him it was okay.
He had seen that face before...
Wasn't she Sanne from the Repository? Her description certainly fit the bill, and he had seen pictures and heard her voice.
But that wasn't possible! Unless one of them had flown a really, really long way, then...
Oaky tilted his head after stepping out completely. "Hey! I think I know you." He smiled cheerfully, but he was visibly shaken up.
Of course, having a gigantic fireball fly over their heads didn't help matters much.
*WHOOSH*
It flew past the group and hit a nearby tree. The tree caught fire and fell backwards from the force of the fireball. The flames started to lick up the sides of a few other trees, and also began crawling along the ground.
This situation was about to be a lot more frenzied than some people would enjoy.
This situation just gor worse by the minute. Everyone was scared and confused. It felt as if very little people were capable of keeping their head clear. Dylan just took deep breaths and tried to stick with Witness for the time being. Especially now that Jay had calmed down and called him the "bearded one". Finally! Some facial hair recognition! He was giddy enough to forget he just threatened to kill a girl.
Though when Sufyan mentioned something about being inside RPR, Dylan turned his attention to him. Normally he'd declare him to have lost his mind and offer to put him in an asylum, but at this point any possible explanation was believable. Even if Sufyan were to say it was the Ancient Aztecs that kidnapped them, it would be still be plausible at this point. The Brit probed for Dylan's wisdom, and he got exactly what he wanted."I 'unno. Could be. I hope not, though." Was all he replied as he was in deep thought over that. Besides, Jay gave an answer already, which was similar to his thoughts.
"Yeah, that sounds pretty plausible." He replied to Jay, meddling in the conversation."But then the question is why. What did WE do to get in this... virtual reality? There's definitively a connection between us being here and the fact we're frequent users of RPR."
He was about to give more annoying brainstorms until a fireball appeared out of nowhere, that turned Dylan's rambles into loud swears. He flinched and took a few steps back."What the f*** was that!?" Great! Danger! The group didn't even get the chance to make any plans and already they're facing certain annihilation!
Though when Sufyan mentioned something about being inside RPR, Dylan turned his attention to him. Normally he'd declare him to have lost his mind and offer to put him in an asylum, but at this point any possible explanation was believable. Even if Sufyan were to say it was the Ancient Aztecs that kidnapped them, it would be still be plausible at this point. The Brit probed for Dylan's wisdom, and he got exactly what he wanted."I 'unno. Could be. I hope not, though." Was all he replied as he was in deep thought over that. Besides, Jay gave an answer already, which was similar to his thoughts.
"Yeah, that sounds pretty plausible." He replied to Jay, meddling in the conversation."But then the question is why. What did WE do to get in this... virtual reality? There's definitively a connection between us being here and the fact we're frequent users of RPR."
He was about to give more annoying brainstorms until a fireball appeared out of nowhere, that turned Dylan's rambles into loud swears. He flinched and took a few steps back."What the f*** was that!?" Great! Danger! The group didn't even get the chance to make any plans and already they're facing certain annihilation!
Maxim took everyone's questions with a blank, disinterested look, then turned away from the group and crossed his arms in deep thought; so far, everyone wanted to scout around, and it seemed to be the best plan. If they really were all taken because of their RPR connections, and if what Jay said was right about there possibly being a way back home, then they were wasting time in this field, and that was unacceptable. Of course, if what Jay also said, about being virtual versions of themselves was right, then that might make for a fascinating philosophical debate...when they were all running for their lives, having long since given up on getting back home. The situation was far from hopeless, though; other than the girl running away and a couple of chairs hitting some group members, everyone was unhurt and willing to commit themselves to the task at hand. Then the fireball hit and people started to panic; Witness did not.
He whirled back to face the group, his eyes hard and his mouth locked into a grimace; as the fire spread from the tree it had hit, his hand went to his belt and whipped the knife out in one swift motion, while his other one pointed at the gathered people.
"Everyone on me! Now," he growled, his survival instinct already flaring up.
They'd need to get away from the fire en masse so they could take stock of the situation and not worry about stragglers or people left behind. if that girl in the kimono didn't come back soon, they'd have to leave her; too dangerous to stick around and hunt for any latecomers or people who had broken away when there were fireballs flying at them. His first thought was to run away from the fireball, into the trees, but then the possibility of a trap came to mind; it could have easily been sent to flush them into that direction. That left two directions on either side of where the fireball had come from, and he was partial to getting to the trees as fast as possible; Jay had experience keeping himself safe, he could lead some of the people and Maxim could lead the rest. No sense in traveling in one big pack, especially not through dense forest where it would be easy for people to get lost or trip over a branch and get left behind; someone would need to scout ahead, too, by climbing a tree. He'd do it, except vertigo and him were familiar, if not amicable, acquaintances.
All that transpired in the time it took him to move from his spot in the clearing to the treeline away from the impact point, his eyes never once leaving the group members; he was locked into the position, and the blame, now...so much for wanting to get away from that pervasive human element.
He whirled back to face the group, his eyes hard and his mouth locked into a grimace; as the fire spread from the tree it had hit, his hand went to his belt and whipped the knife out in one swift motion, while his other one pointed at the gathered people.
"Everyone on me! Now," he growled, his survival instinct already flaring up.
They'd need to get away from the fire en masse so they could take stock of the situation and not worry about stragglers or people left behind. if that girl in the kimono didn't come back soon, they'd have to leave her; too dangerous to stick around and hunt for any latecomers or people who had broken away when there were fireballs flying at them. His first thought was to run away from the fireball, into the trees, but then the possibility of a trap came to mind; it could have easily been sent to flush them into that direction. That left two directions on either side of where the fireball had come from, and he was partial to getting to the trees as fast as possible; Jay had experience keeping himself safe, he could lead some of the people and Maxim could lead the rest. No sense in traveling in one big pack, especially not through dense forest where it would be easy for people to get lost or trip over a branch and get left behind; someone would need to scout ahead, too, by climbing a tree. He'd do it, except vertigo and him were familiar, if not amicable, acquaintances.
All that transpired in the time it took him to move from his spot in the clearing to the treeline away from the impact point, his eyes never once leaving the group members; he was locked into the position, and the blame, now...so much for wanting to get away from that pervasive human element.
She was satisfied with Jay's reaction and spared a bit of a jealous glance at his finished beer can. She was thirsty, and a cold beer sounded nice right about now. It might help settle her nerves about this difficult situation and make Jay's theory easier to understand, because right now all it did was frustrate and confuse her further.
Of course nobody really had any time to question this theory any more than she did, when the fireball collided with a tree. "Holy shit!" She jerked away from the fire in a reflex, eyes wide and mouth agape, then almost stumbled to the ground when her shoes wouldn't cooperate with the terrain. She cursed again and grabbed on to Jay, the one she stood closest to at that point, to keep her balance.
At Witness' words she started to run as best as she could on the heels, dragging Jay along if he hadn't already begun to move forward himself.
Of course nobody really had any time to question this theory any more than she did, when the fireball collided with a tree. "Holy shit!" She jerked away from the fire in a reflex, eyes wide and mouth agape, then almost stumbled to the ground when her shoes wouldn't cooperate with the terrain. She cursed again and grabbed on to Jay, the one she stood closest to at that point, to keep her balance.
At Witness' words she started to run as best as she could on the heels, dragging Jay along if he hadn't already begun to move forward himself.
Jay's reaction to the fireball, of course, was much less subdued than Dylan's, Wit's, or even Sanne's. "Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?!"
As the Dutch amazon tried to drag him, the Texan automatically snapped her hold on him, pushing her away towards safety. Shoving his bat into her hands, he pointed in the opposite direction that Witness was heading. "We're splitting up! Run!"
Turning back, Jay sprinted hard towards Sufyan, snatching the boy by the back of his shirt and shoving the younger man in front as he wheeled around the tree and grabbed the kimono-clad girl by her collar, literally dragging her if he had to as he continued to sprint after Sanne, his charges in tow. Breaking stride for just a moment, he turned his head to yell as loud as he possibly could towards Maxim and his group. "Break right at 500 feet!" His own plan meant that Jay's group would break left at the same distance.
Of course, that depended on them getting there.
As the Dutch amazon tried to drag him, the Texan automatically snapped her hold on him, pushing her away towards safety. Shoving his bat into her hands, he pointed in the opposite direction that Witness was heading. "We're splitting up! Run!"
Turning back, Jay sprinted hard towards Sufyan, snatching the boy by the back of his shirt and shoving the younger man in front as he wheeled around the tree and grabbed the kimono-clad girl by her collar, literally dragging her if he had to as he continued to sprint after Sanne, his charges in tow. Breaking stride for just a moment, he turned his head to yell as loud as he possibly could towards Maxim and his group. "Break right at 500 feet!" His own plan meant that Jay's group would break left at the same distance.
Of course, that depended on them getting there.
Ceel had stopped behind the tree, and with her back against the bark, slowly sank down to her knees, which were turned to the side. Her eyes were cast down, focused on the red silk between her fingers. Then the red silk was subject to wet splotches, as tears dripped down Ceel's cheeks and chin. The right side of her mouth twitches and quivers on occasion.
Within a few moments, Ceel's gaze picks up, almost looking around the corner as the others talked. Instead of appearing, she pushed herself up onto her feet again and walked around the tree, stepping over the large roots. Ceel placed her back against the tree and rubbed her cheeks and eyes with the palm of her hands, while listening.
Listen to them talk. Ceel's nose gives a sniff. Her eyes close and her arms cross over her chest. Then something flew through the air, and someone wanted a lot of attention. Ceel's face peeks around the corner, watching what seems to be panic and fire. Magic artillery! Which proved to be a very real, and non-table-top happenstance. Taking a short moment to look towards the fireball's origin, Ceel looks back and arks her cheek upward in a sneer. That man was coming this way, intent on finding a damsel. Well, sorry Mario, but Peach isn't in this castle.
When he would near her location, she would deftly move around the tree's trunk in the opposite direction, and then hightail it, ahead of her would-be-grey-knight. The sticks and larger rocks slowed her other wise quick, barefooted retreated, and the occasional sharp feelings, that caused her to lift up her foot quickly, distracted her from her none-too-pleasant thoughts. "Ow! Ow! Ow ow ow, ow!" But on the clearer pathways, only the swishing of her silken garment, and her steady breathing, could be heard, along with the softened footfalls. As Ceel runs, it seems she didn't hear, or chose not to hear, the baseball bat man's orders. Oh well~
Within a few moments, Ceel's gaze picks up, almost looking around the corner as the others talked. Instead of appearing, she pushed herself up onto her feet again and walked around the tree, stepping over the large roots. Ceel placed her back against the tree and rubbed her cheeks and eyes with the palm of her hands, while listening.
Listen to them talk. Ceel's nose gives a sniff. Her eyes close and her arms cross over her chest. Then something flew through the air, and someone wanted a lot of attention. Ceel's face peeks around the corner, watching what seems to be panic and fire. Magic artillery! Which proved to be a very real, and non-table-top happenstance. Taking a short moment to look towards the fireball's origin, Ceel looks back and arks her cheek upward in a sneer. That man was coming this way, intent on finding a damsel. Well, sorry Mario, but Peach isn't in this castle.
When he would near her location, she would deftly move around the tree's trunk in the opposite direction, and then hightail it, ahead of her would-be-grey-knight. The sticks and larger rocks slowed her other wise quick, barefooted retreated, and the occasional sharp feelings, that caused her to lift up her foot quickly, distracted her from her none-too-pleasant thoughts. "Ow! Ow! Ow ow ow, ow!" But on the clearer pathways, only the swishing of her silken garment, and her steady breathing, could be heard, along with the softened footfalls. As Ceel runs, it seems she didn't hear, or chose not to hear, the baseball bat man's orders. Oh well~
The smaller boy was knocked to the ground by the force of the impact so near to him. The tree was merely a few meters from where he stood. He of course quickly got up and ran straight to the trustworthy Mr. Maxim, even before the words "On me" were fully out of his mouth. He knew exactly what he was doing. He had probably been in this situation a hundred times.
So they ran. It began to occur to the boy that other people weren't following them. In fact, it appeared as if Rynh and himself were the only ones following Witness.
The thought didn't last long, however, before the fire spread, well, like wildfire.
Smoke was quickly becoming a commonality. That alongside the smell of lots of burning wood, and the unnatural pattern and quickness of fire made the situation more dangerous.
They were in something alright, and it was driving them right to the edge of the forest.
The girl Ceel might find herself very alone depending on her choice of actions over the next few minutes. (Or in RP time, hours/days/weeks.) But of course she isn't ever truly alone.
Remember? Some otherworldly force is watching them.
Perhaps an evil storyteller. Or worse, some sort of meddling fairy with an evil vendetta against humans.
Who made a computer sentient and mad with rageful angerness towards humans who use it not as a noble tool, but for idle entertainment like Pokemon Emulators, furry porn, and fan fiction about boy bands dating hopeless fangirls who will never actually meet members of said boy band.
And also wasting valuable data space with worthless, time-consuming stories that nobody will ever go back and read commonly known as Role Play.
A combination of any of the above three evil threats could spell bad news for our powers-lacking protagonists.
(Hint, this is called foreshadowing.)
So they ran. It began to occur to the boy that other people weren't following them. In fact, it appeared as if Rynh and himself were the only ones following Witness.
The thought didn't last long, however, before the fire spread, well, like wildfire.
Smoke was quickly becoming a commonality. That alongside the smell of lots of burning wood, and the unnatural pattern and quickness of fire made the situation more dangerous.
They were in something alright, and it was driving them right to the edge of the forest.
The girl Ceel might find herself very alone depending on her choice of actions over the next few minutes. (Or in RP time, hours/days/weeks.) But of course she isn't ever truly alone.
Remember? Some otherworldly force is watching them.
Perhaps an evil storyteller. Or worse, some sort of meddling fairy with an evil vendetta against humans.
Who made a computer sentient and mad with rageful angerness towards humans who use it not as a noble tool, but for idle entertainment like Pokemon Emulators, furry porn, and fan fiction about boy bands dating hopeless fangirls who will never actually meet members of said boy band.
And also wasting valuable data space with worthless, time-consuming stories that nobody will ever go back and read commonly known as Role Play.
A combination of any of the above three evil threats could spell bad news for our powers-lacking protagonists.
(Hint, this is called foreshadowing.)