[ 002: The Forest ]

[trojansister]

[ Don't mind Elraine. She's standing, hood back, with the staff she picked up as a walking aide, and is temporarily awestruck on the hill. ]

I don't think I've ever seen this many trees turning color! Or maybe I have. I don't remember the last time I even noticed the colors of the leaves.

Comments

[canniballistic]

It's kind of shocking to take it all in at once, isn't it?

[trojansister]

Yes. [ She cracks a smile. ] If I can't be where I'm needed, I should at least stop to see what's around me where I am. Right?

[canniballistic]

Now, that's always good advice. You shouldn't let yourself get lost or sidetracked. Especially out there! But... Sometimes it's all right just to enjoy the scenery, too.

[trojansister]

[ Elraine leans on her staff, tilting her head back to look up through the branches at snatches of sky. ]

I hadn't thought about that... for a few years, at least. [ She shakes her head, looking at the sphere curiously. ] I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Si-- Elraine. Just Elraine, here.

[canniballistic]

[He waves at the sphere cheerfully.] My name is Abel Nightroad. It's a pleasure to meet you, Elraine.

I certainly hope you find more time to stop and smell the roses in this place, if nothing else. Life must be enjoyed properly to be truly beautiful.

[trojansister]

A pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Nightroad.

[ Ignoring the fact this idea does, indeed, seem novel to her - her face tends to tell what she's thinking - she nods. ]

Thank you.

[canniballistic]

Oh, no! I've done nothing worth thanks!

Ah, but have you seen anything stranger than so much red, out there? I haven't done much exploring, myself.

[trojansister]

I don't really know about stranger, but I have seen a few wooden statues. I found this stick near one of them. It looked more neglected, but still works as a decent walking stick.

Other than those, I'm not sure. The path does seem to go on for a while... though for paths, that's not unusual.

[canniballistic]

[He laughs.] True enough! But I suppose I'm just a little wary of all that, the way things look from here.

Even that city wasn't as pleasant as this surprise appears to be. I'm positive there's a catch.

[trojansister]

How can this even happen? It was hard enough to believe I was in -- er, above -- the sky a few hours ago, but now there's this? And not to mention, that strange black and white city I got lost in before finding myself here.

[ Elraine looks back at Abel, clearly concerned. ] What kind of catch? There are catches? What happens on this ship?

[canniballistic]

I'm sorry. Even after all this time, I still can't account for it, myself. There is something very powerful at work, here, and at best, it really doesn't seem to like us.

Right now, though, the only thing that's happening on this ship is our tracking down the Captain. It's been going well this time, so- I don't think there's anything big to worry about, okay?

[trojansister]

I guess I've started to see that.

Thank you, Mr. Nightroad. If people are trying to track down the Captain... I'll try and help however I can. I don't know if that will mean much, but I don't have much anything else to do.

[ A sort of deprecating smile. ]