🌹 OPEN

[recluserose]

WHO: Amelia Steinbeck (recluserose) and Others
WHERE: Throughout the hotel.
WHEN: October 25th-26this, varying times of the day.
WHAT: Acclimating to the hotel and floor explorations.
WARNINGS: N/A for now, also prompts in comments.



(X)

Comments

[netherese]

[Not a bad memory— it speaks to the type of loss she must have experienced, and he feels something in his chest squeeze even tighter. He is glad that she doesn't pull away, even if she looks down to compose herself, and when she clasps her hands together, he reaches into the pocket tucked beneath the flap of his robe and pulls out a handkerchief from where it rests snugly against his pouch of reagents, offering it to her.]

Here. Take as long as you need.

[He wonders if maybe, for now, they've seen enough of the Vale of Tears for awhile. He, too, had felt the threat of them upon hearing his own memory, upon being reminded of just what had set him down this doomed path of his, but he's glad that he had not given in— if only because he doesn't know how much comfort he could be if he had.]

It didn't seem like a bad memory. That does not make it any less powerful.

[recluserose]

[Amelia accepts his offering and grasps the handkerchief in one fist. She unfurls it slightly to dab at the corners of her eyes and no more.]

... It's supposed to be late, isn't it? We should go back.

[Though they had gotten this far, returning to an elevator would probably give them no trouble. It would be something to focus on instead of lingering in the voices of their respective pasts.]

[netherese]

That it is— and I pulled you away from your work, at that.

[He won't ask her anything further about the memory, just as she had not pressed about his. Better to let her collect herself, to keep what is private her own, and perhaps to give this place a wide berth for a short bit.

The fact remains, however, that they had found something quite special, coming here. Unwelcome memories and voices would not change that.]

I remember the way back well enough, or could simply port us somewhere closer to the elevator, though— we're still quite small, I'm afraid.

[recluserose]

... In the book, Alice ate some biscuits that said, "Eat Me." It had the opposite effect and made her grow large.

[And just like that, her refuge in stories saves her once again.]

I don't think we should waste time looking for biscuits but I just... Wanted to let you know about it.

[It's a little awkward, but sincere. Something inconsequential to share.]

Let's "port" to the elevator and we'll figure out how to reverse the effects from there.

[netherese]

[Inconsequential, perhaps, but the sincerity of her offering shines through. He smiles, though once more it does not reach his eyes as it usually would— heavier thoughts caused by both of their experiences have put just a bit of a damper on his usual cheer.]

I'm glad to know her little problem was remedied.

[Clearly, he's not feeling so out of sorts that he can't make puns.]

This will take but a moment.

[He puts his hand atop her shoulder to maintain a connection between them, raising the other to trace an arcane shape in the air. Beneath their feet, a circle of light appears and glows bright for the space of a heartbeat before they'll both feel the sensation of being pulled. In the blink of an eye, they reappear in an identical circle just a few yards from the elevator, and that first corridor of mushrooms they had initially ventured through.]

All in one piece, yes?

[There's no real risk with such a spell, but it never hurts to ask.]

[recluserose]

[It's a similar sensation when she uses her magic to teleport. There's no discomfort on her end except for whatever's been leftover from the fragments they experienced. When they reappear near the elevator, the witch lets out a sigh.

Her tears are gone and her face has returned to the plain and neutral expression. Not entirely devoid of feeling but she's regained her calm. At Gale's question, she nods.]

Not a hair out of place.

[netherese]

[If he hadn't known better, it would almost appear as though nothing had happened in the Vale at all— Amelia is back to her collected self, as if she had left all of those feelings behind when they'd ported away. Of course, he knows from experience it isn't that easy— his own heart remains heavy, but the bit of physical distance that now stands between the depths of the vale and themselves does feel as though it makes a difference.]

Quite glad I am to hear it. Now, shall we see about finding our way out?

[Better to focus on a way forward than what has been.]