[ At this point, Hua Cheng doesn't even react to his hand being taken - #growth. He just folds Ange's hand into his firmly, sighs heavily, and turns away from the foliage. With a glance thrown back in the direction they came, wolf growling low, he brings the new chain of teenage girls closer to Mob so they can add him to it. ]
I'm going to be honest, I don't trust either path. [ He and Izumo are of a same mind, on this one. The Realm sucks! He does not like this! ] But I can't argue that I'd rather be able to see what's trying to kill us. There's thorns on the other one that we'll have to pass through, it's dense enough that we'll have to force our way a bit, and it's unlit.
[ But with that ominous noise approaching, and him not wanting to stick around to see what it is, there's very little choice. He's watching the area behind them as they come to their decision - in case he can spot what's coming. ]
If you want to vote, now's the time to do it - we need to move. [ For narrative benefit, whatever one they pick at the end of the round - he'll lead them off. ]
[ HER MUSHROOM OF DIM LIGHT. but looks like both of her hands are going to be occupied, she'll just have to deal with it as she grabs mob's offered hand which is hopefully the hand that isn't being held by ange.
she'll frown at the whispers that are definitely telling them to do something, and after a sigh and a shake of her head, will just use her head to gesture towards the lit pathway. ]
I guess it's decided then?
[ lead the way hc? ...which will be followed by izumo (whose hands are tied up between mob and ange). ]
[ off they go holding hands, following the lit path of mushrooms into the forest. The rustling behind them doesn't stop immediately... but then it seems to keep going straight while they turned a side I've forgotten already because I'm bad at directions, so maybe that was a good choice?
Of course, it might not seem that way as they keep walking and the trees overhead grow denser, blocking out any natural light from the many moons, leaving only the dim light of the crystalized mushrooms around. It might not feel as eerie as it seems, though; something warm and comforting in that light despite the darkness. That does mean they won't be able to keep track of the light off in the forest distance, unfortunately.
The whispers pick up once again as they keep moving, unintelligible.
It takes a while for this path to lead them anywhere or with anything except More Mushrooms, but eventually they'll come upon a slightly more open area. It's still very much dark and only lit by mushrooms, but there's space here instead of being surrounded by trees and bushes. They should mostly be able to see in the dark by now, so they may notice a small cave opening lined with crystals that somewhat match the ones on the mushrooms. Perhaps more pressing, however, will be the odd creature in this mini clearing that almost blends into the darkness.
With six spiny looking legs and the size and the mass of a small rhino, this thing's three dull glowing blue eyes seem half-lidded as it stares at the quartet. ]
[hc may or may not be glad to know that he is less scary than the spooky woods.
Anyway, they progress, holding hands!! It's very cute. Ange gets more and more visibly nervous as they walk, though she stays quiet and so does her bird, nesting comfortably in her hair still. What a chill bird.
More importantly... they finally come upon that more open area and even though it almost blends into the darkness, those eyes are hard to miss and Ange freezes. She opens her mouth, and nothing comes out.
This is probably for the better! I don't know if it's noticed them yet! Either way she is definitely freezing in the middle of the path, don't mind her.]
[ hc is glad to know that so many teen girls feel like he's less scary than whatever strange new place they're walking into, this has happened more than once,
His wolf walks more in pace with the three of them than with him, flanking them on one side so that if something happens, then... well, at least two sides will be covered. Because of the situation, both eyes are open - the left blends almost completely with its black fur, but the right is a stark red, and it is looking Everywhere as they listen to the whispers start up again. Spoopy.
When he spots those blue eyes, and what he can make out of the huge, spiky shape, it's fine that Ange stops. He does, too, squeezing her hand and staring at it. After a beat, he folds his arm more behind him so that she can keep the hand, and steps just so, shifting. Ange at least will be hidden behind him, and in theory so will Mob and Izumo - it just depends on if they decide to peek out at what's gotten them to stop so suddenly.
The saber is raised in front of him, still, and he is not putting it away. The wolf's hackles are bristled higher and its tail is straight. He's pretty sure that the thing is looking at them. ]
[It hasn't tried to attack them yet, so Mob doesn't perceive this thing to be a threat? It's just a thing in the darkness, looking at them. He sees creepy things with glowing eyes in the darkness all the time.
So. . . he'll stay behind HC if that's where Izumo goes, but he's peeking at it fairly fearlessly, but he'll at least speak quietly.]
It's not doing anything. You shouldn't point your sword at something if it isn't doing anything, you might scare it.
[ it sure hasn't attacked them yet so that's something. though with all of the whispering that was taking place on their way here and with the forest being what it is, izumo can't be as easily settled with knowing that the creature isn't just as concerning or harmless. ...though it really doesn't come off as harmless. as far as positioning goes, the three of the teen can be behind hc but izumo is going to want to take a step more forward than the other two.
it's not like she'll be better at defending them but she probably has more experience going up against something like this? maybe? honestly who knows. we're all doing our best. which is also to say that the fennec fox at her feet will be aggressively digging at the ground in agitation. whatever they decide to do, it might have to be done quickly. she'll keep her attention on both hc and the creature to see who makes the first move.
....but also try to get a better idea of what's around them immediately to see what they're working with. ]
[ Despite some of the teens stepping forward and HC preparing his sword, the beast does not move. It is, in fact, completely still. Unnaturally so! But perhaps it's for the best.
Paying more attention to the area in general won't reveal much except that it's a small open area in the forest with a cave opening nearby... Although paying closer attention to the beast and what lies with it will reveal there's some kind of odd looking electronic tablet near its feet. It's a bit too big and blending in with the woods and the darkness to tell what is behind it if anything. The cave opening looks better lit than the clearing due to the presence of the shiny crystals, and they can probably press on deeper through the trees, but there's no more mushrooms to light their way over the rest of the forest that way, it looks like. ]
She's glad she's not getting attacked, but the unnatural stillness is nearly as bad. The other two teens are much braver, but Ange is content to stay mostly because HC, honestly.
This tense standoff...]
... What do we do? Should we try to sneak around it? Or, um... go into that cave?
[Though they still have to get around The Thing if they choose that path. There is a tablet looking thing but Ange doesn't know what to make of that so, uh. She doesn't even bring it up.]
[ Hua Cheng gives Mob a bit of a sideeye when he can see him and Izumo, because - no, he'll keep pointing his sword at it, thanks. His wolf shifts a little to cover their backs, keeping close and watching the area while he watches the spiky beast. It doesn't move, and he notices the tablet, but.
Technology like that is new to him. He has no idea what impact it could have on the beast, or the situation, or what it is that they might need to do with it. He doesn't bring it up either but he does see it. ]
Either we go further into the trees, where it's dark, or the cave, where we might hit a dead end. Either way, we might have to deal with it. [ both bad ] Ange, I'm letting go of your hand. Just for a moment. Grab onto the back of my robes. Do any of you know how to use a knife?
[ He at least squeezes her hand before he lets go. ]
I mean, Mob doesn't think this when the beast stays completely still because he's a nice boy, but I think this. Mob lets go of Izumo's hand for a moment (or not if she'll follow) to sort of wander over to it and try to grab that tablet. Cautious, in the sense that he's trying not to startle what looks like a creature and is therefore prepared to stop or go back if it wakes up, but not cautious like a person who knows how to be afraid of things other than stressful social situations. Is it even alive? Seems like maybe not, unless it's about to turn on right as he approaches because it's a robit.
Anyway.]
Mm. . . these mushrooms are leading us to the cave. But that might be a bad thing.
[ glad to know that mob has both let go of her hand and gone towards the tablet because if he didn't then she would have done the same. instead! izumo will gain one knife. just before she'll follow mob; guess she is going to keep a closer tab on him than she originally wanted. ...but that's probably fine, right? two teens with exorcism as part of their areas of expertise social distancing from the ghost. ]
I'll take it; I don't have any special training with knives but I'm not going to be afraid to use it if I have to.
[ gonna laugh about how this won't end terribly for her. ]
But—depending on what might go one here, maybe we won't have to worry about what's waiting for us inside of the cave.
[ Well, up until they get to the tablet, it goes great! Nothing moves! What a grand funtime they are having. Now that they're closer to the beast, Mob and/or Izumo may notice that it seems to be blocking off a path. There's also a regular non-glowing crystal near it, a bit further from the tablet.
The tablet is in reach and nothing is happening. It seems safe... for now. ]
[Obediently Ange lets go of HC's hand and snags onto the back of his robes instead!! She will let go if he has to do any flippy or stabby things, but for now she will hold on because sticking together or something.
Nothing moves but she's kind of in awe at the nonchalant way that Mob just waltzes on over to that thing???]
[ Dianxia. Apparently it's safe? He has no clue, but with Ange for sure in tow, Hua Cheng loosens one of his bracers so that he can slide his fingers beneath it and pull out - a knife!
This should come as no surprise, given the question. (The location is a little weird, sure, but still.) ]
Here, Izumo. [ She seems to be the one that can be trusted with it most, anyways, considering the conviction. So he'll pass it off - it's one of the inn's kitchen knives, funnily enough. Mob can have the tablet, he doesn't care as long as nothing is attacking them because of it. But he will come closer to the beasty, since it seems to be... what, inactive?
[ izumo has officially gained one (1) kitchen knife and she definitely knows her away around one of these. and now that mob is messing with the tablet, izumo is going to make her way towards the crystal. also for the sake of things, i'm saying it now that whatever izumo is wearing will have some sort of pouch along with it. ...which it should anyway because she needs to carry around her phs BUT she'll make a stabby hole in the pouch with the knife—for the moment. ]
[ The tablet turns on when Mob picks it up! It doesn't quite show a map, more like a generic space, but there is a black dot that indicates their current location and a few directional arrows pointing. One is pointing towards the cave, and the other seems to be pointing to the beast? Or perhaps the crystal. They are both in the same generic direction.
Speaking of the crystal, it's a red shard of ... something. Maybe it is just red crystal? It's decently sized, either way, almost as big as the kitchen knife she just picked up.
The beast still isn't moving, but since HC is looking at it closer, yes, it does seem to maybe be a robot? It looks weirdly organic despite clearly being made of metal, now that he's close and staring.
Ange can judge them all in the background, it's fine. ]
I can't promise that she will be any more helpful in the future but perhaps she will at least do something more interesting than "watches everyone from behind HC".
This is not that tag though, this tag is "she watches everyone from behind HC".
At least she's joining the group since she's basically attached to his robes right now.
Now that they're in the clearing, can she peer around the monster and also HC and see any more deets about that cave...]
[ Gonna be real, the temptation to knock on the robot to see if it goes clang clang is there, once he sees that it's. Made of metal. But Hua Cheng has a survival instinct, and thus doesn't touch it. He does decide to lead Ange away from it, a bit, even if he doesn't go far from Mob and Izumo so that they don't get separated.
Is the whispering still in the background? Are we rustling again? How's the rest of our surroundings look while the teenagers check out the miscellaneous things in the area. ]
[ red crystal.... i'm just imaging the ruby crystal from zelda now, but either way she'll do as mob suggests and walk herself with the crystal behind mob. but if this is a map then hella! ]
[ There's not much to see about the cave, although it seems well-lit thanks to the glowing crystals growing from the walls, and the path is wide enough that they should all fit in there comfortably. The whispering is still present in moments of dead silence, but there's no rustling behind them or anything, so that part is fine.
The good news is, the arrow on the tablet clearly points to the crystal when Izumo moves with it. The bad news is, you know who else moves? The robot beast.
Its eyes suddenly turn red as it stands up to full height (so, like, a rhino On Stilts) on all six of its very long, pointed limbs and it starts skittering towards Izumo at full tilt. Should robots have jaws that unhinge and let them roar as well as having obvious fangs? That doesn't seem natural. Anyway, uh. It will attempt to bite her! Yay. ]
Is the cave big enough for the monster too...? Because Ange is definitely immediately looking that way as an escape route if they can lose it in there.
She takes a few steps that way on automatic, away from the horrifying thing.]
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I'm going to be honest, I don't trust either path. [ He and Izumo are of a same mind, on this one. The Realm sucks! He does not like this! ] But I can't argue that I'd rather be able to see what's trying to kill us. There's thorns on the other one that we'll have to pass through, it's dense enough that we'll have to force our way a bit, and it's unlit.
[ But with that ominous noise approaching, and him not wanting to stick around to see what it is, there's very little choice. He's watching the area behind them as they come to their decision - in case he can spot what's coming. ]
If you want to vote, now's the time to do it - we need to move. [ For narrative benefit, whatever one they pick at the end of the round - he'll lead them off. ]
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Anyway Mob has no opinions either way, but it's been decided OOC to head towards the glowing thing in the forest, so he nods at Ange.]
Let's do that.
[So. They do?]
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she'll frown at the whispers that are definitely telling them to do something, and after a sigh and a shake of her head, will just use her head to gesture towards the lit pathway. ]
I guess it's decided then?
[ lead the way hc? ...which will be followed by izumo (whose hands are tied up between mob and ange). ]
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Of course, it might not seem that way as they keep walking and the trees overhead grow denser, blocking out any natural light from the many moons, leaving only the dim light of the crystalized mushrooms around. It might not feel as eerie as it seems, though; something warm and comforting in that light despite the darkness. That does mean they won't be able to keep track of the light off in the forest distance, unfortunately.
The whispers pick up once again as they keep moving, unintelligible.
It takes a while for this path to lead them anywhere or with anything except More Mushrooms, but eventually they'll come upon a slightly more open area. It's still very much dark and only lit by mushrooms, but there's space here instead of being surrounded by trees and bushes. They should mostly be able to see in the dark by now, so they may notice a small cave opening lined with crystals that somewhat match the ones on the mushrooms. Perhaps more pressing, however, will be the odd creature in this mini clearing that almost blends into the darkness.
With six spiny looking legs and the size and the mass of a small rhino, this thing's three dull glowing blue eyes seem half-lidded as it stares at the quartet. ]
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Anyway, they progress, holding hands!! It's very cute. Ange gets more and more visibly nervous as they walk, though she stays quiet and so does her bird, nesting comfortably in her hair still. What a chill bird.
More importantly... they finally come upon that more open area and even though it almost blends into the darkness, those eyes are hard to miss and Ange freezes. She opens her mouth, and nothing comes out.
This is probably for the better! I don't know if it's noticed them yet! Either way she is definitely freezing in the middle of the path, don't mind her.]
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His wolf walks more in pace with the three of them than with him, flanking them on one side so that if something happens, then... well, at least two sides will be covered. Because of the situation, both eyes are open - the left blends almost completely with its black fur, but the right is a stark red, and it is looking Everywhere as they listen to the whispers start up again. Spoopy.
When he spots those blue eyes, and what he can make out of the huge, spiky shape, it's fine that Ange stops. He does, too, squeezing her hand and staring at it. After a beat, he folds his arm more behind him so that she can keep the hand, and steps just so, shifting. Ange at least will be hidden behind him, and in theory so will Mob and Izumo - it just depends on if they decide to peek out at what's gotten them to stop so suddenly.
The saber is raised in front of him, still, and he is not putting it away. The wolf's hackles are bristled higher and its tail is straight. He's pretty sure that the thing is looking at them. ]
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So. . . he'll stay behind HC if that's where Izumo goes, but he's peeking at it fairly fearlessly, but he'll at least speak quietly.]
It's not doing anything. You shouldn't point your sword at something if it isn't doing anything, you might scare it.
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it's not like she'll be better at defending them but she probably has more experience going up against something like this? maybe? honestly who knows. we're all doing our best. which is also to say that the fennec fox at her feet will be aggressively digging at the ground in agitation. whatever they decide to do, it might have to be done quickly. she'll keep her attention on both hc and the creature to see who makes the first move.
....but also try to get a better idea of what's around them immediately to see what they're working with. ]
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Paying more attention to the area in general won't reveal much except that it's a small open area in the forest with a cave opening nearby... Although paying closer attention to the beast and what lies with it will reveal there's some kind of odd looking electronic tablet near its feet. It's a bit too big and blending in with the woods and the darkness to tell what is behind it if anything. The cave opening looks better lit than the clearing due to the presence of the shiny crystals, and they can probably press on deeper through the trees, but there's no more mushrooms to light their way over the rest of the forest that way, it looks like. ]
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She's glad she's not getting attacked, but the unnatural stillness is nearly as bad. The other two teens are much braver, but Ange is content to stay mostly because HC, honestly.
This tense standoff...]
... What do we do? Should we try to sneak around it? Or, um... go into that cave?
[Though they still have to get around The Thing if they choose that path. There is a tablet looking thing but Ange doesn't know what to make of that so, uh. She doesn't even bring it up.]
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Technology like that is new to him. He has no idea what impact it could have on the beast, or the situation, or what it is that they might need to do with it. He doesn't bring it up either but he does see it. ]
Either we go further into the trees, where it's dark, or the cave, where we might hit a dead end. Either way, we might have to deal with it. [ both bad ] Ange, I'm letting go of your hand. Just for a moment. Grab onto the back of my robes. Do any of you know how to use a knife?
[ He at least squeezes her hand before he lets go. ]
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I mean, Mob doesn't think this when the beast stays completely still because he's a nice boy, but I think this. Mob lets go of Izumo's hand for a moment (or not if she'll follow) to sort of wander over to it and try to grab that tablet. Cautious, in the sense that he's trying not to startle what looks like a creature and is therefore prepared to stop or go back if it wakes up, but not cautious like a person who knows how to be afraid of things other than stressful social situations. Is it even alive? Seems like maybe not, unless it's about to turn on right as he approaches because it's a robit.
Anyway.]
Mm. . . these mushrooms are leading us to the cave. But that might be a bad thing.
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I'll take it; I don't have any special training with knives but I'm not going to be afraid to use it if I have to.
[ gonna laugh about how this won't end terribly for her. ]
But—depending on what might go one here, maybe we won't have to worry about what's waiting for us inside of the cave.
[ she's referring to mob and the tablet. ]
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The tablet is in reach and nothing is happening. It seems safe... for now. ]
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Nothing moves but she's kind of in awe at the nonchalant way that Mob just waltzes on over to that thing???]
Please be careful, you two... [#helping!!]
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This should come as no surprise, given the question. (The location is a little weird, sure, but still.) ]
Here, Izumo. [ She seems to be the one that can be trusted with it most, anyways, considering the conviction. So he'll pass it off - it's one of the inn's kitchen knives, funnily enough. Mob can have the tablet, he doesn't care as long as nothing is attacking them because of it. But he will come closer to the beasty, since it seems to be... what, inactive?
He hates technology. ]
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There's a crystal on the ground, too. . .
[Maybe that's related?]
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[ izumo has officially gained one (1) kitchen knife and she definitely knows her away around one of these. and now that mob is messing with the tablet, izumo is going to make her way towards the crystal. also for the sake of things, i'm saying it now that whatever izumo is wearing will have some sort of pouch along with it. ...which it should anyway because she needs to carry around her phs BUT she'll make a stabby hole in the pouch with the knife—for the moment. ]
Now, what's this?
[ she will look at it before picking it up. ]
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Speaking of the crystal, it's a red shard of ... something. Maybe it is just red crystal? It's decently sized, either way, almost as big as the kitchen knife she just picked up.
The beast still isn't moving, but since HC is looking at it closer, yes, it does seem to maybe be a robot? It looks weirdly organic despite clearly being made of metal, now that he's close and staring.
Ange can judge them all in the background, it's fine. ]
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I can't promise that she will be any more helpful in the future but perhaps she will at least do something more interesting than "watches everyone from behind HC".
This is not that tag though, this tag is "she watches everyone from behind HC".
At least she's joining the group since she's basically attached to his robes right now.
Now that they're in the clearing, can she peer around the monster and also HC and see any more deets about that cave...]
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Is the whispering still in the background? Are we rustling again? How's the rest of our surroundings look while the teenagers check out the miscellaneous things in the area. ]
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Um. . . Kamiki-san, could you carry the crystal behind me?
[He wants to see if the arrow continues to point to the beast if she does that, or if it changes to point at the crystal. Otherwise. . . ]
It points into the cave, so. . . maybe we should see where it leads.
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[ red crystal.... i'm just imaging the ruby crystal from zelda now, but either way she'll do as mob suggests and walk herself with the crystal behind mob. but if this is a map then hella! ]
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The good news is, the arrow on the tablet clearly points to the crystal when Izumo moves with it. The bad news is, you know who else moves? The robot beast.
Its eyes suddenly turn red as it stands up to full height (so, like, a rhino On Stilts) on all six of its very long, pointed limbs and it starts skittering towards Izumo at full tilt. Should robots have jaws that unhinge and let them roar as well as having obvious fangs? That doesn't seem natural. Anyway, uh. It will attempt to bite her! Yay. ]
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Is the cave big enough for the monster too...? Because Ange is definitely immediately looking that way as an escape route if they can lose it in there.
She takes a few steps that way on automatic, away from the horrifying thing.]
Miss Izumo!
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