[The Never-Ending Story] - [Act 3]

[badbulletshield]

[ooc: Because I'm indecisive, two separate dreams to choose from! He's skipped back about ten years for both.]

Comments

Dream B: Garden! - and timeskip wayyy backward to Princess Mercury

[waterfell]

[It's a beautiful garden. She's drawn to like it immediately. Mercury is easily recognizable as the Ami who's met Abel before, but wearing a regal long gown (mistakable for robes at a distance) and with the sigil of her planet plain on her forehead. She lingers through the pleasant scent of the flowers and smiles softly.

She startles and almost flinches as soon as soon as she hears the shouting, but when she realizes the situation, she can't help a small, pleasant laugh.]

I'll help you find him, if you want.

[She calls out her offer loud enough to be heard.

[waterfell]

Is that really alright? If wear the clothes of a priestess?

[It seems a bit disrespectful, somehow, to the people who serve- whatever god the temple here may honor, she does not know yet.]

[badbulletshield]

Huh? Uh, you mean-- You're not a servant of the Church?

[ This realization gives him pause (and further reason to be so embarrassed). No, on second thought, she looks a lot more like a visiting dignitary -- and here he's been making an ass of himself this whole time. ]

Oh goodness, oh, I'm so sorry if I've offended you! You should have said something-- But I'd just assumed... No, no, it's perfectly all right! Why wouldn't it be?

[waterfell]

[Oh, they're definitely having a misunderstanding, aren't they? Mercury glances aside, but there no distraction or help on the horizon. She looks uncomfortably back to Abel, then squares her shoulders and musters her dignity to answer.]

Please allow me to introduce myself. From the Silver Millenium, I am Princess Mercury.

[badbulletshield]

Oh, um-- [ He sketches a shoddy bow, one self-conscious hand at the back of his head as he tries not to laugh too anxiously. ]

My sincerest apologies. I wasn't aware there was royalty with us, today.

[waterfell]

It was unexpected for me, too. The truth is, I came here by accident.

[badbulletshield]

Ah? You're not in trouble, I hope?

[waterfell]

No. A little lost, perhaps. But with some maps and assistance, I should be able to find the way.

[She doubts it, privately; if she has no means of returning, Earth surely doesn't, either.]

[badbulletshield]

I see, I see. But rest assured, we'll see that you're safely back on your way in no time at all!

[ To him, the issue seems rather cut and dry, a simple enough fix. Royalty getting a bit out of the way on tour was hardly unheard of, after all. ]

[waterfell]

Thank you for your assistance. [Unfailingly polite, even in this strange situation.]

Shall we continue, then?

[badbulletshield]

Oh- Yes! Right this way. [ He's just about to start leading the way, once more, when he realizes he's completely lost track of the dog -- the dog that has been sitting patiently by his side since he forgot it in his momentary startle. ]

...Ah, now you choose to behave?

[waterfell]

[She can only shake her head. Of course the dog behaves now. But it's humorous in its way; she'd probably be laughing if she were simply at home and not among strangers whose first impression would now be this dirty gown, if they didn't find a way to get it cleaned without seeing anyone.]

Shall we go inside?