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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

As the sun glimmers on the horizon, April looks out over the plains below her. She stands on the edge of deeper forest, leading up and around the shrouded hills and along misty valley paths.

"Okay," she says, rolling her shoulders to loosen and test them. "Time to find some fairies."

She trots into the darkening wood, following her intuition, hunting for creatures that have hidden themselves from the world.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:08 am Post subject:

April's shoulders feel better. She can feel the aches of Shark's bite and the tough travels up the pit, but with a proper nap and food, her metabolism has already done wonders. Though she feels a sting, she can move normally, to her full potential.

Her way into the dense parts of these woods is quick and the forest feels dark and oppressive. The trees are tall and fragrant and the strong winds can be heard up above, swaying the massive pine tops. She hears the sounds of woodland creatures running in the distance, deers perhaps. Birds go quiet as she approaches.

Five minutes in and it feels very much like she is being watched.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

She smiles in a secretive little way, and slows gradually to a saunter. She comes upon a little glade in the forest, at the edge of a brook that runs chuckling over fallen rocks. She settles in, her back against a tree, and lets the night settle around her. Details gradually emerge as her eyes adjust to the deepening darkness.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

April's strategy is dead on and pays off within minutes: the curiosity of these creatures is too strong, even in these difficult times.

First she sees something glow, like a group of fireflies gathering behind a tree. Then April sees her, stepping closer from behind a tree. A graceful young woman with golden skin, long curling locks of shimmering golden hair, flowers hanging in her curling locks. She is a true beauty and wears nothing but her curious and dainty air.

She approaches very slowly and carefully until she is about thirty feet away, smiling at April and maintaining eye contact.

April finds herself strangely entranced by this lovely creature.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April can't quite suppress a soft wry chuckle at the curious entrancement that the creature projects. She falls back into a gentle defensive, unconsciously sorting information in her mind. Things worth knowing ("April of Amber," "Looking for allies," "Little bit nervous," and so on) weigh on the surface of her thoughts, while other items that aren't worth her curious friends time sink into unattended obscurity.

"Hello," April says eventually. "I've been waiting for you."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

Her smile widens and her eyes glisten. She continues to approach April gracefully, finally speaking in a soft voice that resonates in her head as well, "You have been waiting... for me?" After a moment she says "April of Amber..." slowly, and for some reason April feels a strange chill go through her as the name is uttered, still in that graceful voice.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April levers herself back up to her feet, and dusts the detritus of the forest off her shorts. "War is coming to Windborne. I figure you folks are exactly the people who will be getting a first offer from outside, to act as their pawns here and now."

"I'm sure that any deal would sound good after what you've been through," April says, "but it would put you all on the losing side. Again. I'm here to make a better offer."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:53 am Post subject:

The lovely creature before April blinks three times fast and her smile fades a bit. "An offer?" she asks as if April were the trickster. "What sort of offer?... And what sort of war?"
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"They're fascinating questions, aren't they?" April agrees, "but time is pressing, and I can't repeat the whole story over and over for each new batch of listeners. So unless you happen to be someone who can make deals for a good chunk of your people your best bet on hearing the answers is the whole 'take me to your leader' routine."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject:

She looks rightly upset and offended, but quickly contains herself. "Well, why don't you follow me then, April of Amber."

She begins walking away from her at a much brisker pace. She turns around to make sure April follows.

April witnesses something strange that reminds her of the Shadow trap she fell into as the forest's trees sway between worlds for a moment, but the hues are deeper, the shadows darker and the fair folk of Windborne appear to her.

She is quickly surrounded by well-endowed men with hooves and horns and women growing flowers and leaves and feathers like soft scales. They don't seem to be hostile, but rather are extremely curious.

The woman she first saw turns aroundto make sure that April is following and says, "Come now. I will take you to Oberon."
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April makes a little incohate sound of surprise, quickly suppressed. "Oh, right," she says, shaking her head in chagrin. "Of course."

She proceeds along, noting the frank and curious gazes.

"So," she says to her guide, "You must be a daring one, to continue to explore the forest beyond this veil. Things seem much cozier here. Why take the risk?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:16 am Post subject:

She looks at April for a moment, her eyes narrowing a little, continuing to walk without watching where she goes, going around a thin tree trunk in her way.

The creatures touch April's arms as she passes and smile. A caress. A sort of greeting it seems.

"To keep the people away..." she answers after a time, choosing her words carefully.

...

She turns back to her path, leading them to a glowing hill of gold and green. The trees here are larger, stronger and reflect light strangely, leaves of green or gold, depending on the angles one views them, most seem to be oaks.

Woodland creatures drink from a nearby stream and in the distance, there is some sort of hunt or contest going on. Insects here are also very colorful and appealing, but their wings are sharp and their bite have the potential to be ferocious.

They ascend the hill and walk among trees that part as they approach, like a curtain to a stage. And a stage it appears to be: golden leaves tarnished by dirt, soft pine needle and flowers carpet the entire area, a sixty foot wide grove; to one end, backed by black rocks resembling those of Windborne's mountain range, and a waterfall that pools in several places, there is a massive tree, twisted and gnarled, offering sitting places, steps and balconies for the fair folk that attend Oberon's court.

And what a King he is, this Oberon. A spitting image of April's grandfather, attractive and younger and horned and crowned by golden oak leaves and bright ruby berries. His legs have roots that shoot down and connect with the tree. He wears a short toga and a short curved sword hangs at his belt, along with a set of keys and two leathery pouches. He stares at April when she approaches with the woman. "Here", the woman says. "You can riddle him as you have wished." She then turns and whispers to a thin creature who appears more plant than man and the thing swirls promptly to the king. Things grow quieter and activity slows down.

Oberon continues to stare at April but he does not try the trick that the woman had back in the forests of Windborne. He simply looks on, waiting for April to approach.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April lets out a nervous little breath. She manages a curtsey. "Your majesty," she says haltingly. "I am April of Amber. I've come to Windborne to try to strengthen it against a coming war. There are many powers here, and they all seem prone to fighting each other without reason. To my way of thinking, these groups are more naturally careful allies than reckless enemies."

"Of course," she says with a gesture around the court, "Only a fool would consider bringing potentates together without recognizing your vital place among them."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:04 pm Post subject:

The Fair Oberon is smiling at April politely. He stands up, roots ripping from his legs, and with each step he takes to cross the distance between them, the roots enter and leave the earth, sprouts shooting up briefly.

He continues to smile as he moves forward into April's space to hug her.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

As the King approaches, April takes a smooth step just outside the range of the long, bark-covered arms. She raises a gloved hand between the two of them.

"Careful allies," she repeats intently, trying hard not to hiss the words in surprised anger.