who stole your heart and the key?

[steelmyself]

In the dark, you taste something sweet and tart on your tongue, almost like apple but not quite: pomegranate juice, out of nowhere. A hint of something metallic accompanies it.

You fall down.

« Join channel #swordhell on Slack if you can. This heart will involve violent imagery and possible uncomfortable sexual imagery; it also contains the possibility of corruption for your characters. »

Comments

THE THORNS

[steelmyself]

A thin chill clings to the air here, and the scene that greets your vision is no more promising than the cold air. The ground is hard and rocky, but still there are things growing from it--for certain values of "growing."

Blocking your way through the narrow valley are a series of eight gnarled, thorny trees. Walking slowly amidst them, watering them with a pitcher of something that doesn't appear to be water, is a small blonde woman with distant eyes.

Re: THE THORNS

[unaffective]

[She could walk through those, she feels like. It wouldn't be pretty, it'd hurt and they'd cut at her skin but it'd regrow sooner or later.

After that last one she's starting to get the impression these are puzzles, though. She approaches the woman as close as she can with the trees.]

Miss?

Re: THE THORNS

[steelmyself]

Shackles bind her ankles, which accounts for why she's moving so slowly as she waters the trees.

The liquid in her pitcher is distinctly red. She glances at you as you approach, but just shakes her head and doesn't respond.

Re: THE THORNS

[unaffective]

[That'd explain some things. Everybody knows trees need water.]

Miss, is that blood? I don't intend to interrupt, but the water content of blood is hardly suitable to the nourishment of plant life!

Re: THE THORNS

[steelmyself]

She tilts her head, then shakes it and gives a rather meaningful look to the trees--obviously, they're not normal plant life!

Re: THE THORNS

[unaffective]

Then it may be advisable to use more than what is available to you through that pitcher. Although you look to have very little blood to spare, and I'm the same...

[Well. If her magic works the rest is probably intact too. She could try it.

Tentatively, she moves to prick a fingertip on a thorn.]

Re: THE THORNS

[steelmyself]

The blood flows down the branches and seeps into the ground...

The tree recoils a little bit, but it seems to have some affection for her?

Re: THE THORNS

[unaffective]

[Huh.

What does she have to lose? She takes her arm out of coat and presses the length of it against the thorns.]

Re: THE THORNS

[steelmyself]

The blonde woman holds up a hand in protest, although she says nothing.

But the tree draws back, giving her a small path through.

Re: THE THORNS

[unaffective]

[She winces, then begins to draw her arm back into the sleeve - it's already starting to bruise black and tarlike.

Before she turns onto the path, she looks at the woman.]

Is it that you're unable to speak, or would you rather not speak to me?

Re: THE THORNS

[steelmyself]

She points at her mouth, but does not open it. Her eyes are sad.

Re: THE THORNS

[unaffective]

I see. I'm sorry. Be well, Miss.

[It's a little sad she can't sit and chat with a pretty girl. Not that she would've known what to say, but that doesn't occur to her; she waves goodbye and continues on the path.]

Re: THE THORNS

[steelmyself]

The walls of the valley open up beyond the trees, leading you forward...