Staunton Bluffs Episode I: To the Borderstone

[CapN]

So, if you'll be unavailable, no problem. - I'll take care of Nathan...

There's no need. It's Carnaval this week, which means no classes.

[kintire]

Shana leaps up onto the fount rim, then pauses, eyes narrowing as she sees the coals change under Avra

"Me, deceived by an illusion... how embarrassing!"

She steps confidently down, looking a little more confident. Illusions are familiar territory...

[Boccaccio Barbarossa]

Avra does not notice, either the pain or the abscence of it for a few moments... he continues to breathe slowly and take slow, measured step. After a few moments, when he finally feels the pain no longer, he opens his eyes and looks around at the others.

"Gather your enegry to you - pain cannot affect a mind that refuses to be affected." It is only a moment later that he notices the grass at his feet. He looks almost dissapointed. "Or perhaps Shana is right and there is in fact something else... But you look changed. Perhaps... I am also correct and our thoughts have more power here than even I would imagine..."

[kintire]

Shana looks respectfully at him

"I am not entirely sure what is going on... but we should not be too credulous here. We need to take some control of this situation; we've been blown along like leaves in a wind too long"

[Tavian]

Thinking of nothing but the incredible burning sensation of his feet, Tavian runs and jumps into the fountain. Then, realizing that it may have just been an illusion, he gets angry at himself for not seeing through it.

"Damnit! Now I'm all wet!" he exclaims.[/i]

[Le Noir Faineant]

[Important info: The coal under your feet is no illusion. You're currently trapped in a dream of... someone. This works basically like *The Matrix* whatever you want to be will be. - Of course, your new world-shaping powers are nothing compared to the dreamer's influence on his or her subconscious vision.]

Tavian realizes that he isn't standing in water but in a kind of... sugar liquid.

Shana and the others, your pain continues...

[BigBadQDaddy]

Alain begins to become distracted by the voice of the woman, forgetting the pain in his feet as he approaches the south door where the voice seems to be coming from.
Once he reaches the doorway, he opens it.

[kintire]

Shana grits her teeth at the pain, but tries to focus on walking on...a...smooth...cool...stone....floor....


She follows Alain to the door, watching over Alain's shoulder, a couple of feet behind him

[DamienJ]

Seeing the others act so calm, Nicolas almost stops dancing from foot to foot. Then he sees the child.

"How can you feel nothing?" He nearly screams at her, "Quick, get off your feet, before they are burned!"

In his mind's eye, he can see her standing on a grassy field, far from this misery. Oddly, the image in his head appears to flicker momentarily across the burning embers, almost canceling them out...

[Tavian]

"Sugar?" Tavian says.

He looks down at the pool of flavored water and thinks to himself, "I haven't had anything to eat or drink in hours."

He then reaches down, cupping his hands to capture some of the sugar water and tries to bring it up to his mouth.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Once he reaches the doorway, he opens it.

When Alain reaches the door and touches the doorknob, a mouth appears in the wood - a real mouth, with big, sharp teeth and long tongue, like from an animal.

"Who dares to disturb my slumber?"

Avoice you would identify with a old fat man demands to know. - Politely, but in a very direct manner.

He then reaches down, cupping his hands to capture some of the sugar water and tries to bring it up to his mouth.

As far as you can trust your senses, you would say that this is quality sugar.

In his mind's eye, he can see her standing on a grassy field, far from this misery. Oddly, the image in his head appears to flicker momentarily across the burning embers, almost canceling them out...

The girl, looking unchanged, points at the door the mouth has just appeared on.

Shana grits her teeth at the pain, but tries to focus on walking on...a...smooth...cool...stone....floor....

Shana's pain suddenly stops.

[Tavian]

Noticing the faces of his companions becoming devoid of pain and at once tasting the rich sugar taste in his mouth, Tavian sees in his mind's eye a floor made of soft, marshmallowy goodness, slightly moist from the warmth of the previous fire. He steps down from the fountain, his eyes glazed over and his mouth slightly salivating.

[DamienJ]

Startled by the voice, Nicolas looks over towards the door. He walks gingerly towards it, saying in the meantime, "Please excuse us, but we have no ill intent. We are simple travelers seeking shelter from the rain..."

[kintire]

I nod, supporting Nicolas's line, looking as un threatening as possible!

[BigBadQDaddy]

When Alain reaches the door and touches the doorknob, a mouth appears in the wood - a real mouth, with big, sharp teeth and long tongue, like from an animal.

"Who dares to disturb my slumber?"

Avoice you would identify with a old fat man demands to know. - Politely, but in a very direct manner.

Alain is startled by the face appearing in the doorway and steps back.
"...Wha?!" he exlaims.
"...A...a talking door?"