CHOICE THREE
Feeling a bit silly, you turn and head down the path toward the magical lake. You don’t really believe the rumors, or so you tell yourself, but it couldn’t hurt to explore a little, could it? And if anyone asks, you can just say you wanted to go swimming. The sun has turned a bit hot now that late morning has set in, and a refreshing swim sounds like just the right thing to kick start your icon journey.
You nod to yourself, hesitant steps becoming more determined as you rationalize your choice. Of course you don’t believe in magical lakes. What a silly thought!
But you can’t stop the ball of anticipation that gather in the pit of your stomach. If the rumors did happen to be true then…
You get lost in your own thoughts, alternating between faint hope of the rumors being true and admonishing yourself for giving into the allure of fairy stories, and you don’t even notice how far you’ve walked or how tired your feet have become. The sun sinks lower in the sky, falling behind you and leaving your face to catch the cooler evening breeze. You blink out of your reverie with wonder at how far you’ve come, and that’s when you finally catch sight of it up ahead.
The lake stretches out far beyond where your eyes can see. It is large enough to make you believe it could be the ocean, but the lack of salty sea air keeps you grounded in reality. The sun sparkles off the crystal water, leaving you standing still in awe. If nothing else, it truly is one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen. More beautiful even than that icon--you know the one--that your favorite maker made. You thought nothing could be more beautiful than that. Clearly you were wrong.
You walk forward as though in a trance, the lake’s shimmer a siren call that has captured your brain.
You walk until you stand at the edge of the lake, and then you lift your foot, ready to take the first step into the inviting water.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The voice belongs to a man sitting in a small boat that doesn’t seem very water worthy at all if you’re any judge. It looks to be falling apart. The man standing inside of it, leaning against an oar and giving you a strange look, doesn’t come across much better. His hair is a grey, wet, ragged mess, and his long grey coat has seen far better days. But it’s his eyes that really draw your attention. They are heterochromatic: one grey like his battered coat, grizzled beard, and matted locks, and the other is crystal blue like the lake.
He leans closer to you, causing his boat to shift in the water precariously.
“Stay out of the water. If you want to cross, I’ll take you in my boat, but never, ever touch the water no matter how tempted you are.”
His voice is rough and low, and you are just a little bit afraid. You look at him and then back at the water. Of the two, the water certainly looks more inviting, but…
Maybe the man knows what he’s talking about. Appearances can be deceiving after all. Sometimes icons that look simple take the most work, or so the ancient icon proverb goes. You take cleansing breath and smile at the man.
“I am curious to see the other side,” you say. [JUMP LINK: ALL ABOARD!]
“But I’d rather not take my chances on your boat, sir. Sorry.”
You look away from him, turning your gaze back to the lake. Time to find out if the rumors are true. You chance a quick look back at the man who regards you sadly, but then place your foot into the water. [JUMP LINK: WHAT THE WATER GAVE YOU!]
THEME: HIDDEN
accordion | drtytrenchicons | raiindust | violateraindrop | lil_art
You nod to yourself, hesitant steps becoming more determined as you rationalize your choice. Of course you don’t believe in magical lakes. What a silly thought!
But you can’t stop the ball of anticipation that gather in the pit of your stomach. If the rumors did happen to be true then…
You get lost in your own thoughts, alternating between faint hope of the rumors being true and admonishing yourself for giving into the allure of fairy stories, and you don’t even notice how far you’ve walked or how tired your feet have become. The sun sinks lower in the sky, falling behind you and leaving your face to catch the cooler evening breeze. You blink out of your reverie with wonder at how far you’ve come, and that’s when you finally catch sight of it up ahead.
The lake stretches out far beyond where your eyes can see. It is large enough to make you believe it could be the ocean, but the lack of salty sea air keeps you grounded in reality. The sun sparkles off the crystal water, leaving you standing still in awe. If nothing else, it truly is one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen. More beautiful even than that icon--you know the one--that your favorite maker made. You thought nothing could be more beautiful than that. Clearly you were wrong.
You walk forward as though in a trance, the lake’s shimmer a siren call that has captured your brain.
You walk until you stand at the edge of the lake, and then you lift your foot, ready to take the first step into the inviting water.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The voice belongs to a man sitting in a small boat that doesn’t seem very water worthy at all if you’re any judge. It looks to be falling apart. The man standing inside of it, leaning against an oar and giving you a strange look, doesn’t come across much better. His hair is a grey, wet, ragged mess, and his long grey coat has seen far better days. But it’s his eyes that really draw your attention. They are heterochromatic: one grey like his battered coat, grizzled beard, and matted locks, and the other is crystal blue like the lake.
He leans closer to you, causing his boat to shift in the water precariously.
“Stay out of the water. If you want to cross, I’ll take you in my boat, but never, ever touch the water no matter how tempted you are.”
His voice is rough and low, and you are just a little bit afraid. You look at him and then back at the water. Of the two, the water certainly looks more inviting, but…
Maybe the man knows what he’s talking about. Appearances can be deceiving after all. Sometimes icons that look simple take the most work, or so the ancient icon proverb goes. You take cleansing breath and smile at the man.
“I am curious to see the other side,” you say. [JUMP LINK: ALL ABOARD!]
“But I’d rather not take my chances on your boat, sir. Sorry.”
You look away from him, turning your gaze back to the lake. Time to find out if the rumors are true. You chance a quick look back at the man who regards you sadly, but then place your foot into the water. [JUMP LINK: WHAT THE WATER GAVE YOU!]
THEME: HIDDEN
accordion | drtytrenchicons | raiindust | violateraindrop | lil_art