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[Amelia just. Grunts. It's very graceful of her as she loosens her grip on Gale's hand and arm and regains her footing.]

That could have been better.

[Is she aware of how close they are? Well, that's for her to know and for us to not find out!

(She's aware).

Amelia is the first to pull away from Gale and uses her hands to straighten out her skirt and wipe away invisible dust.]

It's going to be cumbersome at this rate. I might as well cast some magic for the really hard-to-reach areas.

[He lets her pull away easily, suddenly smoothing out the front of his robes if only for a sudden need for something to do with his hands that he is, admittedly, painfully aware of as he collects himself.

Right. Exploration. The joy of the journey! He'll focus on that, and hopefully help Amelia to rediscover it along the way. Fortunately, she makes a suggestion that immediately lends itself to that very venture.]

Is that so? I'm quite eager to see what you have up your sleeve— what did you have in mind?

[That excitement has found its way to his eyes once more, even as he takes a few steps further to look at the course ahead.]

I'd considered temporary flight, but it almost takes all the fun out of it. Still... we may not know what's the furthest corners otherwise...

[He trails off in a leading sort of way, as if to imply that would be a terrible shame— and his smile pulls cheekily to one side as he looks back at her. Whatever she's thinking of, he's onboard.]

I think I could just Envision a bridge, or stairs, or just use the materials we already have around us.

[Several giant dominoes lazily hover above them. Amelia decides to experiment right then and there and begins tracing a block of runes in the air. The magic script breaks away from its rigid lines and attaches to the dominoes that begin to move at her will.

In no time at all, she's created some stairs out of the toys that are ascending.]

There. That should work for this path.

[He watches the entire process with keen interest, rather more enchanted than clinical and academic— for despite his scholarly pursuits and and accomplishments, magic has always spoken to him in such a way. This display is equal parts resourceful and lovely, and he waits until she's through to step forward and test his boot against the first step.]

Quite clever. I imagine that's barely a taste of what you can do, of course.

[He gestures forward to the stairwell, then makes a motion as though ushering her over the threshold.]

Shall we, then?

[Amelia nods and walks up the stairs.

It's apparent by now that their late-night walk has turned into a full-on hike. Not only do they walk up and down, but the witch and the wizard jump up and down on various cliff ledges, domino platforms, and mushrooms, following the sound of running water, knowing that they're getting closer as the bubbling becomes louder. This floor is beautiful and dreamlike, with its lush greenery and flowers, and unusual wildlife. Several times, they'll be able to spot giant insects that linger next to the blue butterflies and unusual creatures that look like half-cow and half-pigs with wings.

As time passes and they move further into the glade, Amelia's physical distance from Gale has lessened. In fact, whenever he happens to offer his hand out to her, she barely notices that she's accepted it with less hesitation and reluctance. When she isn't admiring the scenery around them, the idle part of her mind thinks how this would be a much slower trip had she been exploring by herself. Meanwhile, with Gale, they've covered plenty of ground and their commentary about their surroundings bounces off of each other more naturally.

Even she had to admit to herself that this wasn't so bad. It was pleasant, taking a walk like this with someone else instead of by herself as a lone guest.

Soon, they finally come upon the source of the waterfall. Situated in between is an enormous statue of a crying girl with closed eyes, clutching her cheeks. The water gushes through her eyelids creating a melancholic but wondrous sight.

Amelia makes a softer landing into the grass as they approach and her eyes look up at falls in true wonderment and awe.]

This is... Wow. I don't think I have a proper adjective for it all but...

[She turns to Gale and for the first time since he's met her, Amelia actually allows herself to smile in front of it.]

I'd call this a success.

[More than once as they make their way through, Gale is glad he'd encouraged Amelia to join him in his late-night explorations— this floor is a world all its own, fantastic and surreal, even to those for whom magic is an everyday phenomenon. The company only grows easier as they go; he offers his aid when he thinks it may be needed, whether it's a hand up or a simple Feather Fall, and appreciates his companion's displays of witchcraft just as much as he does the scenery.

Their efforts are athletic enough that he finds himself feeling grateful for all the hiking he'd done up and down the Sword Coast these last several weeks, and when they reach the waterfall's source, he exhales as he looks up at the giant statue awaiting them, a smile spreading across his face once more as he draws up to his full height.

A quick glance shows him that Amelia has indeed regained her spark, and as much as he wants to admire the sight they've come so far to see, he finds his gaze lingering on her, instead, realizing that it's the first time he's seen her truly smile. She's been pleasant, surely, but this is different.

The hike has been well worth it, in more ways than one.]

I quite agree.

[He realizes that he's not even looking at the statue as he says so— quickly enough, he hopes, that he can avert his gaze before she notices, looking up at the stonework, eyes coming to rest on the water's source.]

I've never seen anything like it, even in all my travels.

[Thankfully(?) Amelia does not catch on that Gale's gaze was focused on her for those few seconds. Her sense of adventuring takes priority and she continues to study the statue from afar.]

I'm going to take a closer look at the water. It's hard to tell from here but there's a sheen on its surface and I can't tell if it's from the falls or somewhere separate.

[She doesn't waste another second and takes a leap off of the cliffside. The witch floats down and down until she lands in front of the pool of water. Her eyes have a better look at the water now and she calls up to Gale.]

Gale! It looks a little purple! I think it's coming from a different source!

[He almost says he'll join her, but she's already made her leap before he can do so, leaving him to chuckle softly in her wake. Far be it from him to hold her back from such enthusiasm; it's good to see her adventuring spirit in full swing, the excitement she'd shown upon their arrival seeming to have returned in full.

In the meantime, he begins to examine the statue from different angles, preparing to pull his journal from his satchel so that he can make notes on his observations, but Amelia's voice calls to him and grabs his attention instead, and his notebook remains untouched as he makes his way towards the edge she'd leapt from just a few moments before.]

This, I simply must see!

[He takes a leap of his own, using a spell to slow his own descent and landing soundly beside her, one knee bent as he catches himself with a hand against the ground before returning to his full height and proceeding to join her.]

A different source... more and more curious as we go along, isn't it?

[If only he knew that he sounds like a certain young heroine when he says such things...]

Excellent eye, Amelia. Let's see— [He surveys the immediate area, noting where the sheen is a bit more concentrated, and points it out before walking along the edge of the pool.] There, I'd like to examine that more closely.

[As they follow the violet-colored water to its source, Amelia remarks as she keeps glancing around.]

It's funny... I feel like this is something I should know even though I've never been here before. Like something I might have dreamt or read about.

[And unlike their trek to the waterfall, they find their next destination even sooner. Instead of a waterfall, the source of the violet water comes pouring out of a giant bottle. More importantly, it feels magically concentrated. The giant label hangs around the neck of the bottle with pretty clear directions:]

"DRINK ME"

[Amelia snaps her fingers triumphantly.]

I understand now!

[Another breathtaking sight, though strange; it's certainly the largest potion bottle Gale has ever seen, but while it means nothing to him on sight, it does seem to mean something to Amelia. He gives her a curious look, questioning.]

You recognize it, then? I can't place it, admittedly, beyond being a potion of some sort, but that tone of yours tells me there's greater significance here.

This potion, this... This whole place. [Amelia makes a wide sweeping gesture with her arms and she energetically gives the short explanation to Gale.]

It's a reference to a very beloved story in my world; I'm quite certain of it. It's called, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The story is about a young girl, Alice who stumbles into a world unlike her own and it's what some call surreal and fantastical. Many of its motifs and imagery are so iconic that it gets referenced in other pieces of literature.

Motifs such as our potion here. I think I know what will happen if we drink or soak in it.

A world unlike her own— quite fitting that we should find such a place here, where the rest of us are all quite far from home.

[Her explanation very much helps to put things into context, and his attention moves to the giant bottle once more, thoughtful.]

Well, given that you're the expert of the two of us, I will gladly follow your lead. What do you believe will happen?

Simple really. We're going to shrink.

[That sounds concerning, but she follows up with something quite logical.]

You noticed all of those key-shaped holes on the sides of the ledges and hidden behind some of the shrubbery, right? They were too small for us to even slip an arm into. But if we can shrink, we're likely to uncover even more hidden areas that we can't reach otherwise.

[Amelia puts one foot forward into the purple water. It's very fizzy and the sound of bubbles pop and gurgle around her.]

I'll test it first. I can reverse any adverse effects if this happens to not be the case but I'm confident in my conjecture.

Fascinating.

[It's not as though the practice of making oneself smaller to fit into otherwise unreachable places is unheard of to him, but they tend to be naturally occurring holes or crevices, animal-made tunnels and the like.]

Then this entire place was designed with that in mind! So much as anything here was deliberately designed, though this makes me think that there must be intelligent purpose behind what we've found in this hotel.

[He prepares to take a step back, nodding in agreement with her plan.]

I've no doubt that should anything go awry, I'll be able to aid, as well. Whenever you're ready, Amelia.

[Well, here goes nothing! Amelia lets herself get fully soaked by the purple concoction. Without really having to actually drink it, the effects are immediate.]

Oh—!

[And there she goes, shrinking in size. Small purple bubbles hover over her and the shrinking stops when she's no bigger than right below Gale's knee. It's disorienting now that everything is ten times more giant and sounds much louder. But besides that, Amelia notes with relief that there are no other adverse effects. She calls out to call.]

It's safe!

[She snaps her fingers just to test—Yup, green sparks fly emit. Her magic is in tact.]

Do you want to try it out?

[He's seen similar effects achieved with a reduction spell more times than he can count, but there's something about the actual process of it and how whimsical it is that makes him laugh warmly as her prediction comes true.]

Well, it would appear you were right! And as it seems to be safe—

[Rather than answer her, he, too, steps into the water and allows himself to become soaked. Within moments, he shrinks down to the same size as her, looking quite pleased with the novelty of the situation as he, too, raises a hand and traces an arcane symbol into the air, causing an orb of light to hover just above his fingertips in order to test his own magic.]

Everything intact, only in miniature! Marvelous, really.

[As long as it's a temporary state, Amelia's pleased with the results. It's like she's Alice in Wonderland and it makes her...

Well, surprisingly she audibly chuckles.]

I... In all my years, I didn't think I'd be having an experience akin to a book I read when I was a little girl.

[She sounds wistful. But now that they're shrunk, there's more exploring to attend to. And in their new miniature state, there are more secrets that have been revealed such as the glowing purple arrows in the grass and along the sides of the rocks.]

Oh. Well, would you look at that? We wouldn't have been able to see those without shrinking.

It would seem opportunities abound on this vacation of ours, hm? I can think of a number of books I would love to experience in this way— but I'm rather enjoying visiting this story of yours, myself.

[The direction marked by the arrows is plain enough, and Gale approaches the first marking to lean over and examine it closely with a hand against his chin before he proceeds to follow the path that's been laid out for them, shooting another smile in her direction.]

Their message is plain enough. Let's see where they lead.

[The number of arrows they find leading them through the grass is far greater than he might have expected, directing them to duck between stones and head past a fallen log. They don't have to go terribly far before something else catches his attention, but where he's been filled with eager enthusiasm up until now, his smile finally falters, brow furrowed.

There, resting against a stone, a glowing seven-pointed star can be seen, a symbol that matches the earring dangling from his left ear, the light bright against its surroundings. It looks solid enough to reach out and touch, but he only frowns as they approach, troubled.]

That's the symbol of Mystra. Strange, finding it here.

[They may have no white rabbit to follow but the arrows that they can now see are good in serving them a purpose for giving literal direction in their exploration. What will they find? A treasure? Another clue to lead them to a different room? It could be anything...

... But she wasn't expecting the projection of light, that matched the earring Gale wore.]

Mystra?

[She repeats the name in a questioning tone. Her eyes move from the symbol to Gale.]

A deity of importance from your world I'm assuming? You'd be right about it being out of place here.

... Unless it was specifically for you.

Goddess of all magic.

[His gaze remains fixed on the symbol, his frown pulling a bit deeper.

Unless it was specifically for you. Yes, he imagines it likely was.]

No doubt it is here for me. Mystra was more than a goddess— she was my teacher, my muse. [Among other things.] I served as her Chosen for a number of years.

[He takes a few more steps forward, kneeling down in front of the symbol to reach out to it with one hand, stopping just short of touching it. He closes his eyes, dropping his head to one side. If they'd never shrunken down, he might have missed this entirely, but it must be here for good reason.]

Be on your guard, I suppose. No telling what could happen once I touch it.

[Goddess of all magic... So his world did have a central figure of worship where it was concerned. It implies so much history and it's so different from the Witch King who himself, was a creature who brought magic to the world, and yet beyond that, she knows very little.

The way Gale describes her role in his life says so much. And he wears her symbol so her significance can't be taken lightly.

All Amelia can do is nod and take a step back to give him room.]

I'll be right here. If anything happens, I can act quickly.

[He glances back at Amelia just long enough to give a nod of confirmation, his expression somber before he turns his gaze back to the symbol. He braces himself for anything, prepared to react quickly should it be necessary, and reaches out to touch the symbol with gloved fingers— for a moment, it had almost felt as though it had been calling to him, and it glows just a touch brighter at his touch.

Nothing else in their surroundings change, but a voice sounds— his own, unmistakable, followed by one he'll never forget. It's a woman's voice, but there is an otherworldly quality to it, a faint echo as well as a gravity to her words that set it apart.

"Mystra, I beseech you, my actions were but a labor of love—"

"I will not be swayed. Even your actions have consequences, my love. For your defiance, you are exiled from Elysium, and shall no longer serve as my Chosen."

There is nothing more that follows, but Gale's grip on the symbol tightens. After a few moments of silence, he stands, and his expression has shifted from somber to something far softer— grief, perhaps, if one had to put a name to it.]

... I suppose there's no longer any question as to whether or not that was for me.

[. . .]

... Emphermal voices... Echoes of the past... It is a fragment then.

[Amelia murmurs intertwining her fingers and fiddling with them. What else can she do but contemplate what she just heard with the objective mind of a scholar? There was so much to unpack from those few words alone.

Gale had just said that this Mystra was his teacher, his muse, and her Chosen. Though she doesn't comprehend what the last part meant, she had called him her 'love.'

She's well-read on various pantheons of different cultures. It would appear that gods and goddesses of other worlds would also use mortals for their own purposes, for better or for worse and it does not sit right with her. After a few seconds, the witch steps closer to Gale, uncertain of what else to say.

(What would Briar do? He was better at consoling than she ever was.)]

Are you alright?

Edited 2023-11-20 08:01 (UTC)

A fragment... so it would seem.

[His brow remains furrowed, but even as she steps forward to ask after his well-being, he's already well on his way to schooling his expression into something more presentable. He's never been terribly good at veiling his emotions, most often wearing them on his sleeve, but that the ache in his heart is still so strong upon simply hearing Mystra's voice again, even after what he had asked—

It seems wrong. He should be angry, he has been angry, at times, and yet in this moment, all he can feel is the absence of the favor he had become so accustomed to, and the loss of all he had worked so hard to achieve.

He musters a faint smile as he looks to his adventuring companion, forced.]

I'm fine, thank you— or I will be. A bit embarrassing, having that laid out in the open in such a way, but it is nothing I haven't become accustomed to sharing. When one loses the favor of a goddess, there is often explaining to be done. It is a memory, and nothing more.

[Mystra herself isn't here. He's more glad of that than he would have been even a few weeks prior.]

[... Magic and pain are a given everywhere, she supposes. The latter doesn't suit Gale who had begun this small adventure with Amelia with optimism that drew even her out. He didn't deserve to have this shame laid bare for her to hear, not when his emotions were so clear that even a stunted woman like her could see what it was doing to him internally.

The issue with the goddess having a mortal lover aside, it was the stark rejection that rings in her ears and makes Amelia sympathize with Gale. No matter what the witch's opinion was, he loved and had been loved by a being so central to his life only for that to disappear for whatever reason.

It was like and unlike what happened to herself. But where Gale somehow managed to be someone good, it had taken her years to pick herself up to be just a little functional.

Amelia closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She opens them again and looks directly at him unflinchingly.]

If you would like to talk about it, then let me know. Not now, of course, but I can listen. Just like with your other afflictions, it sounds like you've been carrying a lot, Gale.

[She glances down at the ground, feeling especially odd about extending such a courtesy.]

All magickind carries a weight. No matter where we end up or what form we take seems.

Edited 2023-11-20 08:51 (UTC)

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