chloe 003 - forest and miscreant behavior

[ghostly_stutter]

I heard a group of you went into the forest and discovered something there. Something I may be able to help with. Please contact me here, or arrange for a meeting place so we can talk. I would like to know more.

Also, Jack? Alex? I heard you went into the tunnels too. Did you both make it out in one piece?

Did you find anything?

Comments

[Text]

[heroinwait]

[It's this girl. She'd mentioned the tunnels before, as well.]

What do you know about the forest? Or the tunnels, for that matter.

[Text]

[ghostly_stutter]

...Is this a test?

I know there are living plants that attack you. And deer with fangs.

As for the tunnels, I only know what I have experienced.

[Text]

[heroinwait]

[That catches Riku by surprise. He's so used to speaking bluntly with DiZ that he hadn't thought about how his words could have sounded like a challenge.]

It's no test.

I want to know what to expect when I go in there.

[He'll get back to the tunnels. One step at a time.]

[Text]

[ghostly_stutter]

You're going into the forest to explore, then?

Wait. You're not going alone, are you?

[Text]

[heroinwait]

Maybe. There are a few other places I might check out first.

As for going alone, I guess that depends on if there's anything there I should be watching out for.

[Text]

[ghostly_stutter]

There are many things you should watch out for. This place isn't what it seems. There's some kind of...of magic here. It's as much of a maze as anything.

I-if you are determined to go into the forest, please let me know. You really shouldn't go alone. I can tell you what I know, but what I know may not be enough.

I'm Chloe Saunders. May I ask your name?

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[heroinwait]

I'm not surprised.

I plan to find out whatever I can about this place. If that means going into the forest, then that's what I'll do. [Do you see this determination?]

It's Riku.

[Text]

[ghostly_stutter]

It's good to meet you, Riku. We need to stick together here. We may be each others' only chance at help in finding answers.

At least take me with you. Maybe a few others.

[Text]

[heroinwait]

That's right. Keeping information from each other isn't going to help anybody.

I'll keep you in mind.

[Text]

[ghostly_stutter]

Exactly. I wish there was a way to keep everyone up-dated. Hmm...

Please do. No one should bye alone in this--especially if things go wrong.

[Text]

[heroinwait]

These journals seem to be the only way to reach everybody at once. [And he's not sure how much he trusts them--how do they know the staff or Deior aren't reading everything they write, sealed or not?] Maybe we ought to meet up at some point to see if we can't come up with something else.

[As for being alone...] I'm used to working on my own.

[Text]

[ghostly_stutter]

I don't mind meeting up somewhere. I'm not busy right now. Do you have a place in mind?

Even if you're used to it, you get farther by working with others. It's more beneficial when trouble comes, too.

[Text]

[heroinwait]

[He has to think about it for a few minutes.]

How about near the lake? [The sounds of the water might help at least in part to mask their voices.

He's not responding to that bit about working with other people. He's kind of got mixed feelings about working with other people.]

[Text]

[ghostly_stutter]

Sure. I'll meet you there, then.

...Do you like apples?

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[heroinwait]

Apples? [That's odd.] Yeah, they're all right.

[Question answered, Riku's headed out to the lake. When Chloe shows up, he'll be standing near the water's edge, looking out over it.

Doesn't he cut an interesting figure on the shore there?]

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[ghostly_stutter]

I'll grab you one, then.

[Chloe heads to the kitchen, grabbing two apples on her way to the lake. She sees a figure standing there and cautiously walks toward him, not sure what to make of him, yet.]

H-hey. Riku, right?

[She edges closer still, holding both apples up slightly for him to view--as if a peace offering of some sort. Riku could really smile more.]