{Twenty-three} &diams The Shades of darkness filled her life

[burntorangesky]

[The words are shaky and a little sloppy, written rather hastily.]

Assistance would be greatly appreciated; I am lost in the Wilderness, currently in [small pause] some sort of swamp. It is quite eerie, but a little better than the areas with lava and fire.

It is not the least bit pleasant, especially with all these [long pause] I really don't

Comments

[moe_rapier]

You're not exaggerating!

I've been here all night helping people find the elevator. I'll come get you. Sit tight, stick with your journal (I don't even know if fauna can live here, but it's best to assume there might be), and let me know if anything happens.

[burntorangesky]

Thank you very much, and I will do those things.

[burntorangesky]

[Added after her conversation with Rogue.]

Rogue is coming to find me, so you needn't worry about finding me yourself. Thank you for your efforts on my behalf.

[man_genius]

Why did I let you guys drag me out?!

A swamp? I don't see a swamp. All I see is FIRE, BRIMSTONE AND DEATH!

[burntorangesky]

We did not realize it would turn so quickly, or into something so horrible!

The swamp is quite a bit farther away from what seems to be the main part of the Wilderness; I only found myself here because Aven ran away and I had to go after him.

pifth i fail

[man_genius]

This is why I don't go out! NEVER AGAIN! I'm just gonna go to work and that's it!

[lol somebody's agoraphobia has just been fully activated.]

Fred, there's someone bleeding all over me, I think she fell and tripped over the massively jagged and sharp as knives ROCKS that pass for decoration around here. Are you gonna be ok?

This is why I don't keep pets!

<3

[burntorangesky]

But that's boring [pause as she thinks about that a bit] Even with the Wilderness' current horrific status, I would still find it tedious to stay home all the time.

I will be fine, don't worry about me; if someone is bleeding, perhaps you should be binding their injury rather than writing in the journal.

It is not Aven's fault that he was scared.

[desig_survivor]

Didn't know there was a swamp in this mess.

Can you see the tower or the volcano, or is the ash hiding them? Maybe we can triangulate where you are.

[burntorangesky]

I had to chase my dog for quite a ways before he let me pick him up, and I found myself here.

No. I suppose I could start walking back in that direction? Although I would hate to make things more difficult for the people who are trying to find me.

[desig_survivor]

Hmm.

The sky's so dark that I can hardly tell where the sun is, and I don't know if it's morning or afternoon, but we'll call the direction where the clouds are slightly lighter "east". When you were chasing your animal, was "east" behind, before, or to the side?

Wikipedia says the Dead Marshes are to the north-west, so assuming that really is the east...

[burntorangesky]

I believe it was nearly directly behind me, so... northwest, I think?

[grinninggrifter]

There's lava too?

Christ. One minute I'm watching a movie, next minute I'm waist deep in slime. Have you been helped already?

[burntorangesky]

One person described it as 'hell'; I think that is an acceptable working definition for this place, since we don't know its true name.

Several people seem to be trying to find me. If you can leave, I suggest you do so as soon as possible.

[grinninggrifter]

Hell sounds about right.

Yeah, I'll be getting out of here soon enough. I think I'll be having another look around first. I'm here, so might as well.

[burntorangesky]

Whatever you think is best, of course.

If you are in the swampy area [pen taps] mind the lights above the water. This might sound silly, but [pause] I do not trust them.

[godsmajesty]

The Wilderness?

... Fred, are you still okay?

[burntorangesky]

[Shortly after Rogue and Fred have left the Wilderness.
There are grey smears of ash accompanying the writing now.]

I would suggest you do not go there, Stigmata; it has turned into a little piece of Hell.

I am fine, and well away from there now; the only thing that would make this perfect is a hot shower to wash this ash off.

[godsmajesty]

Do you still need help?

[burntorangesky]

Thank you, but I think I will only have a problem if my house is still denying me entry; I have not quite reached my door yet.

[The writing for this comment and her last one is somewhat sloppy and uneven, as if she's writing and walking at the same time.]