6- The Lake

[chippedcup]

...How are you guys doing here? [They'd only been in the Castle less than two weeks and there was already a world change. It had to be pretty overwhelming.]

[With that done, Belle walks her way towards the lake, her journal still open at her side. There was no way she was following her 'schedule', as it were. If this castle thinks it can control her it has another thing coming. Not after Mirror World. She stops by the edge of the lake, looking out over it and says quietly mostly to herself, though her journal still catches it.] ...Hopefully there's nothing that lives in this lake that's going to eat me.

Comments

[onlyanapple]

[He's just strollin' a stroll. Hi Belle]

That's just tempting fate.

[chippedcup]

Probably. Though... what's the worst that could come after me? [She peers into the water.]

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley looks into the water, considering this]

A giant shark.

[chippedcup]

...Like those could really come out of the water at me. [She gives him a look.]

So how are you enjoying our cabin and wonderful cabin mates?

[ Belle ]

[fantasies]

I'm great!

[WELP.]

[ Henry ]

[chippedcup]

[She laughs.] Well, I'm glad to hear that at least. Been keeping busy?

[ Belle ]

[fantasies]

Yeah! Camp is awesome. I'm going canoeing next.

[ Henry ]

[chippedcup]

Are you? I'm actually down by the lake right now.

[onlyanapple]

Like you could never be trapped in a mirror world and attacked by an ink monster?

Aside from the horrifically tacky décor, I'm enjoying it. The abilities it gives are pretty much my own, anyway. How about you?

[chippedcup]

...Point. I promise I shall not get eaten by any sharks, though.

Hm. I haven't even tried them yet. And I'm fine, other than I think there's some awful catch to this.

[fistfullofmagic]

If there is, I have not seen it.

[Oh look, it's the only male water nymph in the lake. Hi Belle, Dhaos remembers you from the Mirror World incident.

...It might just be best to ignore the fact that he's eating a fish raw.]

[onlyanapple]

Good girl, that's what I like to know.

That much is without a doubt. Its the nature of Paradisa, after all.

[chippedcup]

I thought it was wise to reassure you that I don't actually go looking for trouble. Usually.

It's the nature of this place to play some sort of incredible practical jokes on you. [Yeah, Castle? The three people from her world within hours of each other is not actually funny.]

[chippedcup]

Well, that's good. So when something comes after us, it won't be coming from the lake.

[onlyanapple]

Only usually? Because you did very well in finding it.

Of course it is. Eventually, you just learn to roll with it.

[fistfullofmagic]

The most likely candidates at the moment appear to be the harpies, although outside invasion is always possible.

[Or the castle could surprise them and not try to kill them all. Dhaos isn't holding his breath for that one though.]

[chippedcup]

It was not my choice to be kidnapped by a magic castle, I hope you know. I allowed myself to be kidnapped once, and actually, it wasn't even a kidnapping. [So there, Crowley.]

[chippedcup]

I thought the forest was supposed to be filled with monsters that are mysteriously not there right now. [Like that isn't suspicious.]

[fistfullofmagic]

At least a few of them are transformed residents of the castle, or so I've been told. I personally know at least one of those that became nymphs of the wood.

...Of course, they may simply be the first in the line of fire if this is the case.

[No, the glass isn't half-empty. Life just has a tendency to chuck the glass at his face.]

[onlyanapple]

[So amused] What was it, then? If it wasn't a kidnapping?

[chippedcup]

It was a deal. In return for my town's safety in a war, I went with a sorcerer forever. He wanted me to take care of his estate and castle. [As in a glorified housemaid.]

[chippedcup]

...Well, I would hope not, but one never knows.

[ Belle ]

[fantasies]

Oh, cool! Maybe I'll see you.

[ Henry ]

[chippedcup]

Well, I'll be here for a while. If you come down soon you might.

[fistfullofmagic]

Indeed. All we can do for now is remain on our guard.