enchanted forest . mingle

[misconceived]

WHO Forest planet occupants!
BROADCAST N/A
ACTION Enchanted Forest / Spa Time
WHEN Upon reaching the system (Jan. 4) to leaving it (Jan. 31)

[ It's another day, another planet for the Drift Fleet to explore. Whether it be relaxing in the landing field, checking out the spa (and subsequently getting urged to enter the woods), or taking on the Enchanted Forest's game, there's enough to do for stir-crazy Fleet members.

Just remember one thing: make it look good. ]

Comments

forest;

[merchantprince]

Why am I about to go into another creepy forest? Varric, look at your life. Look at your choices.

[At least he has a weapon this time. That won't jam. Probably.]

If there's a dragon, I'm getting the hell out of here.

[hearsthesea]

There might be something here that's worth going inside. We just have to be careful.

[As she says that Shirley's searching the area for something, eventually picking up a thin stick about the length of her hand. It's not the same as the quill she's lost, but if they encounter trouble it should do. Never bad to be prepared, right?]

[misconceived]

If there's a dragon, I'm getting all of us out of there.

[ With a shake of his head, he watches Shirley take her stick with a confused tilt of his head. ]

Safety in numbers and all that. There's this sign, too... Something about a quest?

[merchantprince]

The last time I went into a foreboding forest was for a quest, too. If I wasn't being paid for this, I wouldn't even consider it.

[He sighs, and eyes Shirley's choice of weapon.]

Besides, you kids need a chaperone.

[hearsthesea]

[She sees those looks. Haven't you guys heard of spellcasters before? One of you is one, gosh.]

You don't have to do that. I can take care of myself, really.

[To prove her point she casts a quick eres, and a couple of purple-tinted ice spikes erupt next to a nearby rock.]

See?

[misconceived]

[ That isn't a spell or power he's seen before, but it does suddenly click what she's doing with the stick and it shows on his face. He nods to himself and turns to regard Varric instead. ]

That's not exactly what I meant, Doc. We can watch each others' backs. [ He looks to Shirley. ] Right?

[merchantprince]

Yeah, all right.

[Though he maintains he really doesn't need two mages watching his back, if he happens to fall on a big sharp rock he knows he'll be singing a different tune.

He glances at Chris specifically though.]

-- Doc?

[He's never been given a nickname outside of 'dwarf' though, and he laughs.]

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley giggles too - are they all giving each other nicknames now? It sounds like fun, and it reminds her a little of home. Maybe she ought to start thinking of some...but they are here for a reason.]

Of course I will. Is everyone ready?

[misconceived]

[ That is exactly what they're doing. Well. Chris is doing it to Varric, anyway. The nicknamer must also be nicknamed. ]

Yeah. Doc. Problem with it?

[ Yes, he realizes Varric won't get the reference. Probably for the better. Turning to Shirley, he motions for everyone to go ahead. ]

Sure, let's get going. We can walk and talk.

[merchantprince]

Just as long as you remember you're the medic. [He's still rather unsure about this forest business, but he walks forward anyway.

It's really not a bad-looking place.]

This is either a great place for a picnic... or an ambush. I'm not sure which.

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley doesn't say anything to that, but she does clench her stick a little harder as they go.]

Let's be sure to keep track of each other, and stay on the path like the automaton said. We should be much safer that way.

[misconceived]

Medic. Right. One second.

[ He shimmers away, only to return about thirty seconds later with a medkit. He looks a bit smug, since they aren't that unwieldy and he might as well pretend that he likes his assigned job if it sticks it to Varric somehow. ]

Now we're good to go. Safer, but who knows what's in there. I mean, it's the whole planet. Want me to go in the lead?

[ He makes half of a motion toward the entrance, but begins to walk to the front anyway. He's used to going ahead because most of the time he has to force people to follow and acting reckless tends to get the desired result. ]

[merchantprince]

Don't run off for anything. Probably a monster or something in the ditch.

[Varric rolls his eyes a little at Chris.] You can go first, since you can pull weapons out of unsavory places.

I'll cover you. [He nods the rifle a tad.]

[hearsthesea]

Then I'll take the rear.

[She's used to that anyway. Crystal erens don't make great frontline fighters.]

I'll keep a lookout behind us too, just in case.

[misconceived]

[ Chris grins at Varric over his shoulder. ]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say I really was the captain of this motley crew right now.

[ But no, he knows they wouldn't listen to him in a crisis. No one ever does. s-sob ]

[merchantprince]

You say you know better but I'm having serious doubts right now.

[He shuffles after the ship captain.]

Maker's blessed break-wind, this forest is thick.

[hearsthesea]

It seemed like the forest covers most of this planet. Natural or not, it must be very important here.

[Shirley steps over a stray branch on the path, glancing behind them as she does to make sure there aren't any surprises.]

The path ahead is still clear enough to go on, right?

[misconceived]

Which is what I was just about to say. Of course it's going to be thick.

[ Chris turns around, doesn't hesitate but there's a bit of a confused pause. Despite the wild growth of the planetwide forest, the path is perfectly pristine and definitely there. ]

Yeah, uh... plenty of path up here. Looks like we're just going straight for a while.

[merchantprince]

Straight is good. Straight and flat. Best kind of traveling.

[Boring as hell, but Varric really really really hates hiking. And good luck trying to get him to climb over a tree.]

Let me know if you see anything else, Prickly.

[hearsthesea]

That makes it easier to navigate than the last forest I was in.

[And hopefully it turns out better than her visit there too! With that optimistic thought, Shirley looks around as they walk on. It'd be pretty if there weren't (rightfully) so much concern over what might happen here.]

It feels strange here...I wonder what the source of this power is.

[misconceived]

[ What about a root? There's a pretty big one breaking through the path, but Chris just kind of pulls himself over it and turns to see how the others will fare. Seeing as Shirley's commenting on the feel of the magic, he feels pretty safe in continuing that line of conversation. ]

Considering how powerful it is? I'd say... maybe the planet itself, or something pretty big further in. I've never felt anything like this before, though.

[merchantprince]

[Varric rubs at the back of his neck.]

Great. I don't feel a thing. Which means whatever you're sensing is probably going to try to eat me first.

[hearsthesea]

Don't worry, you're in between me and Chris. We can look out for any danger.

[That's probably not going to help him feel any better, but give the girl points for trying.]

[misconceived]

Unless it comes from underground.

[ NOT HELPING, CHRIS. ]

But, no. Trust me, this isn't evil. Whatever it is, it's not that. I mean, it's not good either... but if anything is going to happen, it probably won't be malicious.

[merchantprince]

That's the idea. You spot it, I'll shoot it.

[No it really doesn't make him feel better, but thank you for trying, Shirley.]

Probably, he says.

Let's keep going.