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

[amarant]

[ Okay, now she's a bit on edge. Not because she's scared of the dark, but because it makes it that much harder to know what's out there and what's out there that might surprise her into doing something she'd regret. ]

...at least we know we'd be safe from rain, hm?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

You're not wrong... [glancing up at the leaves above their heads... he was ready to say something else, some small and mostly-useless bit of dialogue to fill the space, when a small laugh echoes softly between the trees.

his head snaps right towards the noise. it sounds like a girl, maybe a couple of them, but they fall silent a moment later. Robin has stopped walking. he looks... tense.]

[amarant]

...be careful.

[ As much for her sake as his; she doesn't want him running off and leaving her behind. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

...You could hear that?

[he looks down at her as another laugh flutters through the leaves above them. very warm, definitely more than one. he's only used to hearing that laugh in his dreams, or those few waking moments when he's barely present in himself--which makes Emblica hearing it kind of unsettling.]

[amarant]

I heard it...

[ And it probably isn't a good thing. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

...Don't worry, then.

[he starts moving again. his footsteps are casual but his expression is still tense.]

If it's what I think it is, I have no intention of leaving you.

[amarant]

...are you going to be alright?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he flashes her a bright smile.]

That's a good question.

[ah, there. up ahead, there are two girls--no, she is mostly one person, but two heads are functioning independently off of unusually wide shoulders. they're wearing a simple dress, with their golden hair braided down to their waist. the girls clasp their single set of hands together, both of them smiling sweetly. they might be Emblica's age, maybe a little older.

they're waiting, patiently.]

[amarant]

...how odd.

[ No one she's met here so far has looked quite like that... ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Hello, Robin. Who's your friend? [one of them asks, the other continues:] Would she like to come play with us too?

[Robin... puts a hand protectively on Emblica's shoulder, responding before anyone can get too far into this mess.]

We can't play anymore, Finch. I'm sorry.

[amarant]

[ She wasn't about to step forward, but she's pretty thankful for his being there, all the same. ]

...Robin?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Mm... [he doesn't really take his eyes off the girls, but...] Emblica, this is my sister, Finch.

[the girls manages something of a curtsy, but stay just off the edge of the path. both of them look confused, with one of them speaking out--]

Why? It's not because we're children, is it? You don't like us anymore, now that you're a grown up? [the one frowns, while the other asks:] Is it her? Is she your new sister?

No, no... [despite knowing fully well that they are an illusion, he sure seems to... forget, when they say things like that.] It's not that, I...

[amarant]

Nice to meet you.

[ An automatic response; she's not sure what to make of the girls.

And apparently, neither does Robin. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

It's been so long since we've seen you. She can come too, we don't mind...

[the girls do seem very friendly, very honest. if they're a trap, they're a very calm, patient one. maybe that's what makes it so dangerous. Robin finally squeezes Emblica's shoulder a little, nudging her forward... and walking forward himself.]

Goodbye, Finch.

[he seems pretty set on walking them both past the twins. before he changes his mind.]

[amarant]

[ She stumbles, very slightly, before falling into step with Robin once again. Maybe she should ask...maybe he wouldn't want that. She knows there are things she wouldn't want to have brought up.

Maybe when the girls are well behind them, when they aren't a threat. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[it'll take them a little bit. the girls call out to them a couple of times, perhaps to guilt Robin out of leaving. it doesn't work, but it sure succeeds in making him feel horrible about himself. he's very quiet, until their voices are far away, and even then... for maybe a little bit longer.

but he eventually, finally, stops holding Emblica's shoulder and sighs:] Sorry.

[amarant]

You haven't done anything to be sorry for.

[ A simple answer; asking nothing of him and trying to clear up some of that sadness. She likes him better when he's happy. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[...he tries to think of a way that it is his fault, but she's actually right. and that does make him feel better enough to send her a weak little smile.]

I thought it might do something like this... But I'd hoped we'd see the angry one, instead.

[amarant]

There's still time, isn't there?

[ Trying, likely unsuccessfully, to crack a light joke. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[whether or not it was actually funny, Robin laughs a little.]

Oh, don't say that. Ghosts like them should keep quiet, anyway...

[amarant]

They're dead?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he nods.]

And have been, for a long time...

[amarant]

I'm sorry...that's never easy.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he's quiet, for a moment, thinking about whether or not he should pry... but, you know, it's going to be a long walk, and he likes Emblica, and he just walked calmly away from one of his worst hauntings. there's a time and a place. this might be it.]

You're not really a little girl, are you?

[amarant]

[ She's quiet for a few moments. It's difficult to answer that, but she doesn't like to lie, so much as she prefers to be evasive. However, he's asked her directly, and she owes him for that. ]

No, I'm not... How did you know?