[Eventually, the loud noises stop, and there's nothing. A faint rustling here and there, maybe something that sounds like footsteps padding against soil. Hard to tell when there's no visual to accompany it.
But then, finally, after what seems like far too long, Dimitri's voice pierces the veil.]
Er- hello?
[Is his compass on? How long as it been like that? Is that.. Orchid?]
[ Only that she needed to know he's safe. She has plenty of people outside of the maze to keep her company and a magically-imbued doll to prevent her from harm. She is perfectly fine. ]
I see nothing but foliage and maze. It has been that way for a while yet. I have... found something, though. It is armor, but I do not know to whom it belongs to.
[But Dimitri, ever not wanting to focus on himself even in questionable circumstances, is quick to flip it right back around on her.]
What have you been doing? Are you not in the maze, as well?
[The echoing question reveals that Dimitri honestly doesn’t know. He was compelled to pick it up, and so he did — he works on impulse half the time, and this was no exception to the rule.
Leaving it there, however, merely felt out of the question.]
What have you found out? And what does... the woods feel like to you?
There is... an artifact located in Caph. It's what holds Temperance's tie to this world. We are... having difficulty finding a way to seek entry to that place. I wonder if what you found is... something similar.
[ But for a different god. ]
The woods are... off-center. It's been that way since the maze appeared. Two powers conflicting, fighting for control.
[ It's unsettling, so of course she's deeply concerned for him and the others braving the maze. She checks almost every other day, to monitor for any change. She's certainly expecting some sort of change if they reach the end or depending on the progress of the ritual. ]
Two powers... the Branded and the Death, perhaps, trying to regain control of the Gods Wood?
[It's only a guess, and the best one he can offer. But Dimitri knows that he might be flat-out wrong, too. There's no way to verify anything that's happening, especially now that he's cut off from everyone else.]
These artifacts are totems, are they not? [He only knows this based on what Bigby has told him; what he has seen from Strength's shrine.] This armor-- I do not know if it is that. It is hard to say, but I feel as if it is leading me somewhere.
...I feel like I should be able to recognize Death's presence, yet I find nothing when I try.
[ Certain key figures she's unable to sense for some reason, such as the Emperor. Too much noise could be a factor or they're simply just that powerful to conceal their presence. Who knows. ]
And I suspect you're... planning to see where that armor leads you. [ It's tempting, but she shouldn't have to remind him to stay safe a second time. ] We won't be able to figure out anything, otherwise.
[ Of course, she doesn't sound the least bit happy about that. It could be a trap or anything. It doesn't help that she had to contact him when his group from earlier was yelling in the maze... ]
Sometimes I rush into dangerous places, even when I'm afraid... because I just know it's something I must do. I've no room to talk.
[ It's typically a risky subject to talk about her Astral powers, but she doesn't think she should be concerned about it too much here, except for the fact that it might seem a little weird. ]
...This power has been with me since I was born. Their presence, emotions, whether they're waking or sleeping. Sometimes I can hear a voice.
Do not be so certain. This maze is filled with far more than purely physical dangers. I have heard tell of troublesome riddles, too, that plague the Otherworlders who try to navigate it.
Surely better than I. You seem to have a thoughtful, contemplative head on your shoulders, Orchid. I am of a mind you do not give yourself enough credit.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
assuming this is during the downtime that eventually happens! it hasn't played out yet LOL
But then, finally, after what seems like far too long, Dimitri's voice pierces the veil.]
Er- hello?
[Is his compass on? How long as it been like that? Is that.. Orchid?]
Orchid?
happy to assume he's still alive by then!!
...
Were you hurt?
c:
[It is Orchid. How long has she been an active feed on his compass?]
I am fine. I was with a group, but the maze shifted and now I am alone. But not in danger, currently.
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[ Not at all assured hearing that. She had a feeling the maze was bad news, just from sensing the woods from outside on the tree line. ]
The noises I heard earlier... I was... scared for you. Please, stay safe.
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[Alone, isolated, the maze is eerily quiet compared to before. ]
Forgive me, Orchid. Was there something you needed? Are you well?
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[ Only that she needed to know he's safe. She has plenty of people outside of the maze to keep her company and a magically-imbued doll to prevent her from harm. She is perfectly fine. ]
Do you know where you are? What do you see?
no subject
[But Dimitri, ever not wanting to focus on himself even in questionable circumstances, is quick to flip it right back around on her.]
What have you been doing? Are you not in the maze, as well?
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[ Just a guess, since she's been trying to look into it along with a few others. As for whose, she doesn't know. ]
I've... been trying to research. I've not set foot in the maze... but I can feel the state of the woods from the outside.
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[The echoing question reveals that Dimitri honestly doesn’t know. He was compelled to pick it up, and so he did — he works on impulse half the time, and this was no exception to the rule.
Leaving it there, however, merely felt out of the question.]
What have you found out? And what does... the woods feel like to you?
no subject
[ But for a different god. ]
The woods are... off-center. It's been that way since the maze appeared. Two powers conflicting, fighting for control.
[ It's unsettling, so of course she's deeply concerned for him and the others braving the maze. She checks almost every other day, to monitor for any change. She's certainly expecting some sort of change if they reach the end or depending on the progress of the ritual. ]
no subject
[It's only a guess, and the best one he can offer. But Dimitri knows that he might be flat-out wrong, too. There's no way to verify anything that's happening, especially now that he's cut off from everyone else.]
These artifacts are totems, are they not? [He only knows this based on what Bigby has told him; what he has seen from Strength's shrine.] This armor-- I do not know if it is that. It is hard to say, but I feel as if it is leading me somewhere.
no subject
[ Certain key figures she's unable to sense for some reason, such as the Emperor. Too much noise could be a factor or they're simply just that powerful to conceal their presence. Who knows. ]
And I suspect you're... planning to see where that armor leads you. [ It's tempting, but she shouldn't have to remind him to stay safe a second time. ] We won't be able to figure out anything, otherwise.
[ Of course, she doesn't sound the least bit happy about that. It could be a trap or anything. It doesn't help that she had to contact him when his group from earlier was yelling in the maze... ]
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You do not sound terribly happy about my discovery — but you are correct, regardless. There is not much else which I can do at the moment.
Have you always been able to sense the presence of the... well. Of the divine, or otherwise unusual?
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[ It's typically a risky subject to talk about her Astral powers, but she doesn't think she should be concerned about it too much here, except for the fact that it might seem a little weird. ]
...This power has been with me since I was born. Their presence, emotions, whether they're waking or sleeping. Sometimes I can hear a voice.
no subject
[A moment of silence, his steps bending dry grass beneath.]
Perhaps you would have had more success navigating this maze than I.
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yetor run fast though... ]I would slow others down. I know I can be... a liability.
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I... I don't know if I can be much help with that either.
[ WHAT IF SHE GETS THEM WRONG? SORRY, she doesn't really think much of herself, especially when she doesn't have her guardian with her. ]
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[ She reluctantly admits, still with reservations about herself. Staying behind would be for the best she believed. ]
I'm sorry I can't be there now, to help you. To help everyone.