Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[Hel]

After awhile, Anya sat back down to listen to the other girls talk, she moved her close nearer so that they could speak. "Hey, You were from Naples? My cousins live down near Windstar, there, did you ever meet a guy named Rhaine Williams?" She called to Elena, then to Leia she asked, "So where are you from, then?"


Alex looked at the griffon, surprised that he actually came back to speak with him. 'Hello, Ward.' His voice appeared in Wards head a deep, rumbling voice. Alexander did not know how else to communicate when in his dragon form, besides, human speech is hard when your mouth is more of a long muzzle. 'I am Alexander, may I ask why you are heading out there if it is so dangerous?'

 

[DawnAntalios]

" I never considered them as a family. " she thought " Family does not try to murder you for just what you are... no, I would call them my kin or other ravens, but not family. Mother Moon was my only true family until now - now that I have a wonderful sibling I am even more happier. "


They flew silently for minutes, soaring through the night sky with swiftness.


" I am afraid, sister. " she thought, breaking the silence.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

She smiled again and responded. "She is part of our family, sister. I am glad you asked for her to bless me."


She hoped Mother Moon would grant her the request of allowing Nyr to forget the past.


"Why?"


She did not much like the idea of her sister being afraid. It sent chills down her spine.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" I am afraid of losing you. " she concluded " I know what lurks in the darkness of the forest, I have braved it enough times, but you..."


Her thoughts silenced as true fear emerged from her heart.


" I can not protect you there from everything. Demons and monsters I would slice up, spells I would deflect. But affliction which poisons the mind insidiously... I don't know what to do with it. "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"When you have lived in fear of the dark, thinking there is a beast lurking within it's depths, a beast you are all too familiar with...you know what the mind can do...my mind is not as easy to poison as one might think."


She exhaled and closed her eyes once again.


"You needn't fear losing me, my dear sister."

 

[SilverFlight]

"New Jersey." Leia said, her eyes were still firmly shut. "Really not much going on there. I've been there my whole life...my parents aren't really the traveling type. I've always wanted to do it though. See the world...get over my fear of flying." She added with a short laugh. Boy was she getting what she wished for or what? To be honest though, she was really happy. This was the most time she had spent outdoors with actual people. Mostly she would go alone, her family not really being those for any adventure that didn't come out of a DVD case. loneliness had been her near constant companion...but not anymore.


The air spirit appeared at her side, leaping in and out of the clouds above them like a dolphin, whistling like the wind through a dockyard. Leis looked up and watched it backflip. She smiled.


"Hey, maybe we wished for this? To get away?" She was thinking out loud now, but it could be what was linking them, couldn't it?


They began their decent, the horses angling their wings to take them lower. Leia couldn't help but take a peak at their destination. At the edge of a large plane was a large span of forest, it shone in the fading light as if it was made of crystal...no, mirrors, but something was off about it too. The shadows seemed too dark, as if they swallowed light. Leia felt a chill riding down her spine, remembering what the princess had told her. This used to be a nice place, but as they drew closer she saw that the trees were bare, their glass leaves shattered into dust on the forest floor.


They landed just at the edge of the clearing. The horses danced nervously, shying away from the entrance which was guarded by two stone statues of winged maidens holding mirrors.


Leia dismounted quickly...and then thought about getting back on the horse.


Ward had to fly a bit faster to keep abreast with the Dragon. "It is a pleasure Alexander. We are looking for someone in that forest. In all honesty we may need some help. Is that why you are following us?" He inquired with a tilt of his head. As he saw his charges decent so to did he, landing just a few paces away. The forest shadowed them from the last light of the setting sun. He grimaced at the trees. "This...looks awful." With a wave of one talon he conjured a small ball of golden flame to light their way.


"I suggest we stay close." He said gravely. "The forest used to show you things that would help you...now I fear its intent may be a bit more...dark."

 

[Jecklyn]

In a clearing, a chipmunk ran in circles, chasing a beetle. It stopped when the shiny bug had been lost from sight, it stood on its hind legs, sniffing at the air above just as a group of brass, flying horses flew overhead. The beetle grew to the size of a person, scaring the chipmunk away. As soon as all eyes were off her, Banba changed to her usual lizard self, sitting crossed legged in the grass, watching the group fly into the distance. She started running, her body elongating into a shape of a deer, bounding through the forest at breakneck speeds, following the flying troops. Looking up once again she saw a raven join their midst, and the gryphon she had not noticed fall back towards a dragon. Her mouth broke into a hideous grin, human like and unfit for the deer's face she currently had.


Banba followed the flying group until they landed on the edge of a forest, one made of mirrored trees. The creature slowed, but only a little, barreling past the group to hit a tree. When she stopped completely, she was resting upside down on her shoulders, tail dangling in front of her face. She was back to lizard form, grinning dopily around the group.


"Travelers, tell me, have you ever eaten a mulderberry?" She said it to no one in particular, rolling forwards until she was sitting in he middle of the gathered beings.


((Sorry for the late reply, I waited until the best opportunity arrived to introduce my character.))


Just keep swimming!

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena heard New Jersey and was going to reply but than saw the destination. It was honestly perfect at the first glance, then she felt it. A dark and ominous aura. The flying horse even reacted slightly.


"Hey Leia.. I think we should stay close.. Alright? I guess all of us should stay close."


The book in her pocket grew warm as sphere ached to retrieve it. Out from her favorite page she retrieved the picture of the sword with the plant life growing from it. The sword slid out as she horse landed and she kept its new ability dormant. It was too flashy and wasted every when active. She figured that out from the fight with the giant. The more energy and practice, the more effective.


She nodded apprehensively to Ward.


"Just creepy illusions? I don't have any fears to exploit.." She said quietly, disregarding her less conventional fears.

 

[Hel]

"You're fear of flying?" Anya asked, she knew people had that fear, but hadn't ever really met someone with it. She mostly hung out with other pilots. "I couldn't imagine how awful it would be to have that fear.... and no, I don't think that could be what links all of us. I was happy back home, everything was going well. I mean, I was wishing I was back home when I came here, I suppose." She mused. As they landed she sighed, apparently the fun part was over. She noted Ward's warning and wondered what trials awaited further ahead.


Alexander looked at Ward, and nodded. 'I followed to watch, if the need arose I intended to help. Who is it you are looking for?' He asked ward as he, too landed.

 

[SilverFlight]

"We search for the prince of Branbern." Ward explained. Then, transforming into his human form and pulling strands of blond hair out of his face he started into the forest...Or would have, had a young deer not barreled into their midst, through their midst and stopped only when it hit a tree. The shape-shifter revealed herself as such soon after.


"Good heavens! Are you all right?" Ward asked, genuine concern etched on his face. The flame danced in his palm and illuminated her new form; a young lizard-girl, with dark hair and a goofy grin.


"Its far too dangerous to play here, this place is part of the ShadowWood now," he tried to explain, casting a worried glance at the trees.


Carefully he stepped past the stone guardians and felt a wave of cold wash over him as the dark place began to lap at his very existence.


"We must find the prince quickly." He said with no small amount of urgency. "The ShadowWood...it eats away at the people of FableWood, if we don't find the prince soon...he could disappear forever."


"Oh! No pressure then." Leia exclaimed, throwing up her hands. Upon Elena's advice to stay close she linked the other girl's arm in hers.


"Close is good." She started to follow the gryphon (well, man now), seeing him shiver as he stepped into the darkness.


"You can feel the ShadowWood's effect." He explained. Leia waited for a sensation to hit her...but nothing did.


She pondered what Anya had told her. "Oh its fine being afraid of flying. All I have to do is avoid it." Something that seemed all too hard to do around here.


She looked at the lizard-girl, still sitting upside down under the tree. "What's a mul-der-berry?"


A dragon appeared behind her, for one moment she thought it may have been...no.


"This is Alexander" Ward explained.


"Oh, nice to meet you." Leia said, trying not to sound disappointed that it wasn't her friend. "I think we could use a dragon in this situation, don't you Elena?"


The light of Ward's flame bounced from tree to tree, reflecting their likenesses all about the forest. The effect was eerie. It was also dead silent, adding to the sinister atmosphere. The only sound that could be heard was the crunch of the broken glass-leaves underfoot.


"Oooh this is beyond creepy." Leia said quietly, holding tighter to Elena...and putting her hand on her hunting bow too.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr landed carefully with grace, so that Mira could dismount her easily. When she did she transformed back to her human guise and looked at the menacing forest. Dark memories lingered in her mind as she looked at the shadowy, ever shifting woods with determination.


She then looked at her little sister with worry. She said that she was not afraid, but she herself still was. She knew Mira was brave but she could not possibly know what was in here.


She clutched her close as she continued looking at the woods.

 

[zCrookedz]

The winds rustled the trees much as it always did in the late evening. The last rays of the sun searching for whole in the canopy to light the forest floor. The forests tiny lighted bugs had already begun their dance in mid air, calling forth nights embrace. To most, the forest was a place they did not enter. Tales of the darkness in the world had spread to the forest kept most individuals out. But there were some, not afraid of the darkness, who still called the forest home. The soft steps of a large creature moving through the forest was dwarfed by the landing of the travelers who had arrived on the strange winds. With his good eye, the large Panthera watched as they landed in the clearing. He was uncertain of them until he noticed the humans atop their mounts. With a deep hum, he began to make his way his way towards them. Suddenly he heard the crashing of the deer like creature rushing through the woods and bolting past him towards the group. Once the creature had made her mid air collision into the tree and revealed her other form, Leo relaxed as they were not in any immediate danger. He continued his path walking towards the group, using he war ax to push down trees and vines so he did not trip. Once he reached the clearing, he ducked hi head of a branch and entered, using his good eye to examine each other group members one by one. With a low and mighty voice he greeted them "Good evening travelers, welcome to The Forest of Reflection."

 

[Jecklyn]

"A mulderberry!" Banba said, matter-of-factly, "is a berry made of Mulders. And you are not halfway through the ground, so you must have not tasted a Mulderberry." Her bottom half suddenly dissapeared, her torso landing heavily on the ground. She looked around at the group as they stared into the forest before turning her own gaze to the trees. She didn't know, or particularly care if she were the first one to spot the towering lion man among the foliage. Once he had arrived and introduced himself, however, the girl raised herself on her hands, legs still missing, and walked like that to his feet. She grinned unnaturally wide at him, lizard tongue flicking through pointed teeth.


"They are not from here. Thy do not know the danger. They do not know the tradition. They do not know the majesty."


Just keep swimming!

 

[SilverFlight]

(( I should mention, the trees in the Forest of Reflection are made entirely of mirrors, the leaves have all fallen and shattered on the ground, and the entire forest has been swallowed by the ShadowWood, which makes the good creatures of FableWood vanish if they stay in it for too long. Its all in the overview and/or updates, but you may not have had time to read through everything yet.))


 
Leia raised an eyebrow at the lizard-girl with an amused smile, "I think she's a few pieces short of a chess set." She said quietly to Anya and Elena.


Leia nearly jumped out of her skin at the booming voice behind her. Instead of drawing her bow she squeaked and nearly fell back.


"Um..hi." She managed weakly.


"Ah the guardian of the forest." Ward said, slightly relieved. If he had been in his gryphon form his hair would have been standing on end. As it was, he bowed respectfully.


"We search for the prince. We suspect his scouting party was attacked. We think he was taken in there." He pointed to the cursed forest.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo bowed respecfully to the group as he was taught to when meeting fellow travelers. When the lizard girl began walk his way on her hands, Leo looked down with a smile. He had not officially met the Lizard, but he had seen her from time to time. "Well, thats what we are here for." He looked up at the griffon as he spoke. With composure he spoke to the group "I am aware of the prince's recent venture into the forest. However, he disapeared into the heart only a few day ago. I was going to go there myself and try to track him down, but the forest told me to wait for help." He seemed ashamed having to admit that he had lost track of the prince. "I will help you track him down, as is my duty as gaurdian. Im sure that you have been warned of the dangers of the forest correct? Its not the same forest it once was."

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena held herself close to Leia and Anya, quiet and watching. In her own mind, she could see hazy memories of broken bottles and empty pill capsules moving along the broken glass. Nobody else saw a thing and once more aware, they disappeared from her sight so it must have been her imagination. She shivvered involuntarily, not noticing enough when Ward spoke of a dragon.


Elena then noticed the lizard girl remove herself from the shadows and ask of mulderberries? She chuckled airily at Leias comment and nodded in agreement.


"Hello there.. i have never had a mulderberry." She said, going along with it. She saw it again, the reflections moving into a familiar scene for a half moment.


Stepping towards Ward, she asked, "Hey.. is it possible for this place to um.. since it seems like it was taken over by what the Princess said, is it possible for me to see things in the mirrors? Im not crazy.. right?" She all but whispered.

 

[Archangel]

Saer let out a quiet sigh of irritation as he learnt that they would be travelling again. But, at least he knew why. Running over such long distances got pretty dull, pretty quickly. And they only just got here, too.. Yet, when he heard that they meant for them to travel to the Forest of Reflection, his mood swung from vaguely annoyed to shock, then swiftly on to disbelief. He had visited the Forest once before; it had been such a terribly long time ago he couldn't say accurately if he tried. But, that one time was one time too many. He had never been there again. However, seeing what was happening there at the moment, it was only going to be worse.


He took a moment to question whether the princess had a screw loose or not. What in FableWood is she thinking? No matter how powerful the group may be, who knows what might happen to the humans if they go there, especially seeing as how recently some of them arrived in FableWood alone...? Who knows what kind of state the forest is in right now.


He had no desire to return to the Forest of Reflection. The very thought of it made him shudder in disgust. In fact, he had a distinct aversion to going anywhere near that accursed place. Yet, he knew that he must if he wanted to keep up with the group. Either way, he often had some kind of problem with anything enchanted, magical barriers, for instance, the Forest included. Whether it was just damn awful luck or something else entirely, he didn't know. But all he could do was hope that he wouldn't end up smashing any more of those mirrors.


He trailed them all the way to the Forest, always staying out of sight. All the hiding and sneaking he had been getting up to lately was really getting on his nerves. One of the humans had discovered his presence, yes, but she probably thought that he was still at Branbern. At least, he hoped so.


The closer he came, the more apprehensive he got; his skin prickled as it came into sight. It seemed darker, more shadowy than last time. More sinister. He had been so distracted by the forest that he only just noticed the other dragon arriving. He wasn't even going to ask as to how another dragon had joined them. Add a deer, no, lizard in there for fun. What in the world..


Yet a leonine being stepped from between the shimmering trunks, immediately catching his attention. A new guardian? He couldn't remember who, or what the one he met was. All he remembered that he wasn't best pleased with him. To put it mildly, at least.

 

[Flutterby]

The oppressive silence of the woods made the white mare hesitate to enter it. Something was there that sent chills over its slippery coat, the same thing that had driven her from her peaceful glen. Be that as it may, the horse pranced along the edge of the shattered Forest of Reflection, telling herself she was looking for the best place to enter. With a toss of her mane that sent droplets flying, Quincy dropped her head and trotted onward, snorting softly. After one of those snorts, the air she drew in carried the scent of others, creatures she couldnt identify. Curiosity got the best of her, as always, and her pace quickened, causing the quiver and bow strapped around her withers to bounce lightly on her side.


As she neared where the group had gathered, she veered away from the forest's edge to loop around. From a distance behind them, Quincy surveyed the party. What a strange bunch, she mused, ear pricked toward them. She could only readily identify a griffon, dragon, and humans. The other creatures were beyond her limited knowledge. They had a look about them, however, much like what she saw in her own face when she played in the waters that she could find. They are on a quest, she decided. The long-legged horse took a few cautious strides forward, an involuntary, curious nicker leaving her.

 

[SilverFlight]

[QUOTE="Bea Delaine]
Stepping towards Ward, she asked, "Hey.. is it possible for this place to um.. since it seems like it was taken over by what the Princess said, is it possible for me to see things in the mirrors? Im not crazy.. right?" She all but whispered.

[/QUOTE]
"It is most definitely the magic of the forest." Ward reassured her. "I think it best if you try not to pay attention to what it is showing you." Ward eyed the trees warily, his own reflection staring accusingly back at him. It made him feel uncomfortable.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena nodded slowly and took a firmer grasp on her sword. Now tattered sneakers pushed through the fallen leaf like shards. Her eyes watched the corners with apprehension. Most she saw was of her mother, and she felt herself chewing a hole in her own lip with anxiety. It was nothing new.. nothing too shocking. That was the worst part. Hours before the bridge she experienced it all.. and nomatter how strong she was becoming here, this was a truth that wouldnt disappear.


She tensed signifigantly, the sight of a strong looking wild cat man lost to her.


"I dont think i can do this.. i really dont.."


She said, thinking herself unable to ignore it. She would take another giant.. no a hoard of spiders and giants before returning home. The more Elena thought of it and looked, the more vivid.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched as the young girl battled with the visions of the trees. Slowly he approached the young girl and knelt down in front of her. In his low and comforting voice he spoke to her "If you will permit it my lady, i can comfort your mind to make the journey more bearable for you." Being the guardian of the forest was a privilege in his clan, and one of the first things taught to guardian trainees is how to resist the forests reflection. It took many years to meditate the mind to resist the tree's powers, but for those who do not have the time to meditate the ability, the guardians are taught how to use hte forests energy to comfort the mind and make it less susceptible to its influences.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena rose her gaze to the guardian who joined. Nolonger startled by colorful people or characters, the man of whom she heard was called by Leo seemed a lot more friendly than she might have thought when she first arrived. She became quickly embarrassed by the fact he was trying to help. Rubbing her temple while hiding one of the offending mirrors from her line of sight, Elena shook her head.


"I appreciate the offer... but.." she looked downward, almost ashamed. "The groups physical wellbeing is more important than my mental one... and its all an illusion, not as bad as when the events actually happened.. I'll get used to it."

 

[Barbas]

In a cave within the forest of reflection, a vile creature with an unending hunger prepares for night to begin, waiting to go out and find it's new victim to fill it's monstrous appetite.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo smiled at the young girl. Such bravery and determination, along with putting the well being of others before herself. "You have a strong heart little one, the heart of a Guardian." He lifted himself from his crouch. Suddenly a whisper, inaudible to all of the other members of the group begane to hum in his head. He closed his one good eye, concentrating he listened to the voice of the forest as it talked to him. HE opened his eye once again and sighed as the voice left him behind. He looked into the sky, in the direction the group had just come from. Something had followed the group, but he could not quite see it as the nights approached. Leo turned his attention away from the sky and back towards the group. "The night is quickly approaching, when will we be heading out?"

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba did a back flip from her position on her hands, shifting mid air into a pony, not taller than a human's waist. At once she galloped to the other, tall horse that had whinnied. She reared back on her hind legs, letting out an excited noise that was vaguely similar to a horse's cry. She continued to run in circles around the newcomer, letting out snuffing noises now and then. She suddenly stopped, however, changing to a child sized version of her lizard self, jumping to the horse's back.


"Names are fickle things, and they range from 'little creature' to 'dork.' But most often 'Banba.'" She stated, patting the damp fur of the horse creature.