[BLUEBELL]

[crittersheep]

[you find yourself whisked away to. . . a small clearing in the midst of a misty wooded area. it is the dead of night, with the moon and stars shining brightly above you. the shadows between the trees broil at you menacingly– it's a different kind of threat than the mist in the woods of the pasture]

[also: you are now dressed as little red riding hood, only in your team colors. yes, this applies to everyone. you also have a cute little wicker basket with (fake) food in it. Enjoy!]

[the new Weed's voice echoes above, as though spoken through a P.A. system]

The night was dark. . . and in the sky, the moon glimmered brightly, like a silver eye watching the world below slumber peacefully.

And yet, at this hour, Little Blue Bluebell-- a young adventurer residing with their siblings on the edge of the Great Woods– found themselves lost between the trees. For you see, earlier that day Little Blue Bluebell had received notice that their grandmother was very, very ill. Fearful for their grandmother's well being, Little Blue Bluebell packed up a basket of food and donned their signature cloak, ready to venture into the darkness to care for their beloved matriarch.

But the path to grandmother's house is fraught with danger. Because lurking in these woods, ready to pounce upon the first sign of prey, are creatures of indescribable horribleness. . .

And Little Blue Bluebell's adventure is only just beginning.

Comments

[ROUND ONE]

[crittersheep]

A low rumble echoes throughout the clearing, and the sound sends Little Blue Bluebells's heart pounding in their ears. After a few moments, the rumble transitions into a silky smooth voice, echoing from the branches above.

"My my. . . it seems someone is out quite late, hmm?"

Little Blue Bluebell's gaze flickers up, just to see the dashing Daffodil Sphinx lounging in the trees above! Poised as though ready to pounce, the sphinx's claws are sharp, and their smile gleams like daggers in the light of the moon.

"You should not be here, child. However. . . my stomach rumbles. If you give me a small snack from your basket, I might be inclined to guide you to freedom."

Little Blue Bluebell remembers they have a hand ax tucked away in their cloak, and it seems. . . they have a choice.

Do they TRUST the sphinx's offer, or do they BETRAY the sphinx and attempt to cut them down?

[a wooden Daffodil-colored sphinx hangs from the tree branches, swaying slightly in the wind. it's a prop]

[TALK IT OUT]

[crittersheep]

Re: [TALK IT OUT]

[arrowace]

Trust.

[ takes a bite of fruit ]

Re: [TALK IT OUT]

[chasseurdebeaute]

[Look, he understands that they are being put through a morally reprehensible dilemma, but he is very dazzled by the setup]

Re: [TALK IT OUT]

[noarchitact]

Trust. [ without hesitation. ]

[ even though he's not that fond of the premise of the game this is all elaborate and he kind of loves it. ]

Re: [TALK IT OUT]

[featherduster]

[ Nodding. He loves Bluebell so fucking much. ]

I agree. Trust.

[ NO HESITATION OR THINKING ABOUT IT ]

Re: [TALK IT OUT]

[axingnicely]

Trust....

[ she looks nervous but ]

[MAKE A CHOICE]

[crittersheep]

Re: [MAKE A CHOICE]

[arrowace]

Trust.

[ takes the wax fruit they bit into and gently bonks it into the sphinx’s face.

Don’t be hunger. Have treat. ]

[RESULTS]

[crittersheep]

And thus, Little Blue Bluebell stays their hand, tucking away their axe as they address the Daffodil Sphinx with pleading eyes and an apple tucked in their palm. "Please," they say, "I must make it to my grandmother's house, for I fear she may pass before I have the chance to say goodbye. . ."

The Sphinx bows its head, before pouncing from the tree and landing delicately next to Little Blue Bluebell below. In one large gulp, it swallows the apple whole, licking its chops with smacking and clacking teeth.

"This way, child," says the Sphinx. Their fear abated, Little Blue Bluebell follows the creature into the woods.

Both the Sphinx and Little Blue Bluebell have decided to TRUST each other! Together, they navigate the dangerous woods. But although they are now allies, that does nots protect them from the other dangers that lurk within. . .

[PUNISHMENTS]

[crittersheep]

CRESCENDO feels a sharp, very painful burning sensation on his lower back! A jester's hat has been branded onto his skin, and it burns and burns and burns and burns. Nothing can alleviate the pain, and nothing will stop the constant bleeding.

FANTASIA finds that he suddenly can't remember ONE member of Bluebell. No matter how hard he stares at their face, they seem like a complete stranger to him! Whomever this member is is PLAYER'S CHOICE.

MINUET suddenly feels his entire body stiffen involuntarily, as though someone has tied each of his limbs to a set of strings. The sensation lasts only a moment, but he now finds that he is unable to disobey any direct order. No matter from whom it comes!

MUTE also stiffens, before COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY PASSING OUT. They remain that way, unconscious, for like. . . five seconds before they come to. Mute will find that they will spontaneously pass out any time they experience a powerful emotion.

MELODY similarly suddenly feels his entire body stiffen involuntarily, as though someone has tied each of her limbs to a set of strings. The sensation lasts only a moment, but she now finds that she is unable to disobey any direct order. No matter from whom it comes!

ROOK feels something painful searing through his eyes! The next time he opens them, he finds that he has gone blind. There's also a magical seal-- the symbol of a jester's hat-- where the pupils should be. He will remain blind until a specific action has been completed, to be decided by the player!

[ROUND 2]

[crittersheep]

Hiss. . . hiss. . . hisssssssss. . . something sinister is suddenly moving through the underbrush. Little Blue Bluebell jumps at the noise, gaze whipping towards the brush, a cold sweat covering their forehead. Are they no longer alone in this dreadful clearing?

From the grass emerges the head of a many-horned snake, its tongue darting into the air as it stares at the adventurer with a piercing, yellow gaze that practically glows in the moonlight. It grins, its venomous fangs protruding from its lips. The Clover Basilisk is said to carry the deadliest poison in all of the land, with a single drop being more than enough to kill fifty men. Nobody knows what a powerful bite would do to a single person.

"Hmmm? It ssssssseems someone hasssss wandered onto my territory. Ssssshall I see you out to sssssafety? It is dangeroussssss in these woods."

Little Blue Bluebell remembers they have a mace tucked away in their cloak, and it seems. . . they have a choice.

Do they TRUST the basilisk to guide them home, or do they BETRAY the snake and crush their head on the spot?

[a cute cardboard basilik is hanging by a rope from the trees. hiss hiss hiss!!]

[DECISION]

[crittersheep]

Re: [DECISION]

[axingnicely]

Trust!

[ no concerns at all here ]

Re: [DECISION]

[noarchitact]

Trust. [ that's his boyfriend and his kids. ]

Re: [DECISION]

[arrowace]

[ already trying to cut the basilisk down. Mine now. ]

Trust.

Re: [DECISION]

[featherduster]

[ BLUEBELL HAS SPOKEN. TRUST. ]

Re: [DECISION]

[chasseurdebeaute]

Trust.

Re: [DECISION]

[heavyliesthecrown]

Naturally, it shall be trust of course.

[ His teeth might be grit, but he manages a smile despite it.]

[DISCUSSION]

[crittersheep]

[RESULTS]

[crittersheep]

Little Blue Bluebell stays their hand, moving it out from their cloak to clutch their basket of treats tightly. The basilisk's fangs shine brightly in the moonlight; they bow their head, grateful and demure.

"Thank you, kind snake," they say, "If this is your territory, then please, guide me to freedom. I must make it to grandmother's house as soon as possible."

The basilisk chuckles, the sound interspersed with hiss after hiss. And then. . . it glides through the grass, towards the trees, using the end of its tail to beckon Little Blue Bluebell to follow. "Thissssss way."

The basilisk and Little Blue Bluebell have chosen to TRUST each other. But although they are companions, this does not save them from the other dangers of the woods. . .

[ROUND THREE]

[crittersheep]

A sudden burst of light illuminates the darkness, a rush of heat blowing past Little Blue Bluebell's cheeks! The sensations send dread piercing through their heart, their entire body growing cold and clammy. And from the shadows emerges the grandiose Lily Dragon, with shimmering silver scales that reflect the beautiful moonlight.

Legend says the dragon kidnaps young men and women from the nearby villages, spiriting them away into its lair and keeping them as servants until it devours them in a single crunch of flesh and bones.

"The darkness is deep, little one," the dragon booms, "I can illuminate a path through the woods for you. Will you allow me to be your torch?"

Little Blue Bluebell remembers they have a sword tucked away in their cloak, and it seems. . . they have a choice.

Do they TRUST the dragon, or do they BETRAY the creature and pierce their heart with their blade?

[also there's a cardboard Lily-colored dragon hanging by a rope from the branches now. rawr!1!]

[DISCUSSION]

[crittersheep]

[DECISION]

[crittersheep]

[RESULTS]

[crittersheep]

Little Blue Bluebell lets out a sharp breath before moving their hand away from their weapon. The lift their chin at the weapon, eyes determined. "Please. . . illuminate the night for me. I left my lantern at home, and cannot see the way."

The dragon puffs out a deep laugh, smoke billowing from its nostrils. "As you say, little one! Come. . . let us light up a path between the two of us!"

The lumbering dragon spins around to saunter into the woods, bending trees and brush as it goes. It's fiery breath easily lights up the area, and Little Blue Bluebell manages to find their path.

The dragon and Little Blue Bluebell have chosen to TRUST each other. But although they are companions, they are not protected by all of the dangers of the forest. . .