Welcome to Gaia! ::

The discovery of the new species of mushroom had Naeria practically buzzing, and while she was doing what research she could on specimens of those that she'd collected, she was also spending plenty of time back out in the field, seeing what other things she might be able to find under these strange and possibly seasonal conditions.

So far, however, the mushrooms were by far the highlight of what she'd found. There were rumors on the human's news databases and media sites that strange things were happening. All Naeria had seen, though, were several ripe and ceremonially carved pumpkins.

Another set of eyes might help, she' though, and so she'd come out with Rhysi, who thankfully was not trying to speak with her.

She'd decided to come back near the mushroom cave, and that was when she saw it, in a crack in the sidewalk where she'd been hoping to find something growing. It was a small cube, human-made, and she reached down to touch it-

And then, suddenly everything around them was shifting.

ooops double posted

SQUARE 5

Trying to follow Naeria proved to be fruitless. The invisible wall was still very there for her. Considering for a moment, she thought back to the other's actions. Touch the wall a certain way. Nothing. Jump. Nothing. Drop the possible key...and yes! The wall was gone and too could move forward now.

As Rhysi passed Naeria to inspect further ahead, she thought she could hear laughing of some kind. She gave a frowning glance over, it was uncharacteristic for that loud sort of mirth to come from her companion. When she reached another invisible wall, Rhysi looked behind her and counted. Five squares.

It corresponded with the five dots on the side of the key that had been facing up. It appeared this space had rules based on chance. But before she had time to think further on that, she was surrounded by the sound of something large. It barked and howl with clear violence in its intent.

But Rhysi didn't see any beast to match such a disturbing noise.

Could it be this and the laughter were...?

"Audio hallucinations?"

But if so, what was the intent?

Space 8

It appeared Naeria, moving one square ahead of her own path, was experiencing something new. Possibly intensified? Curiosity had Rhysi tossing the key once again.

When the snakes appeared, they certainly didn't not feel hallucinatory. Especially when one bit her leg as she shifted. There was, indeed, blood. Aggressively, she threw the key down again, wanting to get away from them as quickly as possible. Drawing her short bow, she made sure to shoot the offender before trying to dash out of the square.

"They draw blood."

Was that the intent behind this space?

"Feeding off blood?" Or even, "Emotions?"

Space 14

An end? So it was limited, with progress determined by chance. But possibly also one's own ability to move past unpleasant distractions and very tangible dangers. This time her own roll was the maximum number of dots the key could provide. Very cool.

The ground turned unpleasantly sticky, every step something of a struggle against what reminded her very much of the webbing that belonged to the multitudes of spiders that pervaded the scrapyard. Very like the creations of those tiny foes, indicating a not so tiny counter within this space.

"A test for us?" Even as she asked she was holding out her weapon, something skittering just out of view.

Square 20

Walking forward, short bow at the ready, Rhysi inspected the long stretch of squares and found...nothing of particular interest. She tried turning back after a minute, realizing that it may be interesting to have samples on hand, at least of the webbing and snakes. But it appeared the only way was forward.

Noting the color bit of aura that held the distinct feeling of freedom, Rhysi assumed it was the exit. Turning to gesture at Naeria, she announced, "Two more squares."

With the occasional glance for her partner, most of Rhysi's attention was on the key in her hand. While there were definite random elements to this space, she firmly believed there was a purpose behind it. Perhaps it no longer truly served that purpose, but such a creation must have intent beyond what they'd observed.

Once they were out, Rhysi asked if she could have Naeria's cube.