Welcome to Gaia! ::

Mechanical Voice-Kun
Group Date Theme

"Destiny is a winding path with many perils. To reach the end, one must dodge these traps and pitfalls with great dedication, all in search of a new ending. Even more so when one walks a forbidden road."

Just as the voice said so, a like, foot deep pitfall opened in front of Cassim. If he didn't notice in time and tripped, he could definitely scrape his knee from this! Ouch. Maybe challenging the voice's authority wasn't a great idea after all...but then again, it was just a recording! How could it be actively fighting back? Ah ha...ha.

The shortcuts meanwhile made an easy road to the third door, and coming forth, Cassim heard a musical jingle to welcome and begin.

"Which would you rather wear; a glass shoe, or a metal shoe?"

Mechanical Voice-Kun
Group Date Theme

The doors opened, and the beautiful fountain and garden was left behind. Ahead of them were more of the styrofoam spikes, as well as heart-shaped boxes that presumably had chocolate inside, corridors filled with blessed pink designs, and of course...another door. On this one, the two figures were now turned inwards, and their hands were pressed against the crease in the center of the double door. Just a little nudge more and they would at last welcome the one they care about into their hearts, and their lives. Much like the Stray Sheep who'd wandered so far down the path of live by now.

"The final path stretches before you. It is said that reaching one's true desires requires an unfaltering heart, and unwavering determination. You may have that...or not. Continue along after your previous question, and you will be welcomed in the loving embrace of your destined ones, or you may find a different path entirely. And now, without further adieu, I ask the Stray Sheep question number 8."

Boudica Tlalli

Mechanical Voice-Kun
Group Date Theme

"You may now choose to proceed, or you could choose not to. There are snacks ahead, which I can not share with you. ..."

An awkward silence followed, as if the voice were asking them not to take a break and snack without him, that they quickly move on to the next room so he wouldn't be left alone. B-but, it was just a voice! What were they thinking? Ahead of them were a set of stairs, adorned with roses along the edge of the pathway, but before that there was a table covered in a lacey white cloth, with a hot tea kettle and cups already prepared for the guests. If they wished to stop before proceeding, it was apparently possible, and snacks were set beside the fresh drinks in order to provide a relaxing stop for anyone who wished to contemplate their answers so far.

But when they climbed the rose-lined stairs and passed over the petal-covered floors, they found that what lay further beyond the destined path was not simply their destined partners, but also the kind, Mechanical Voice who was there to guide them along on their journey. He would only assist them, and hopefully, one day they could all be friends. Or not.

“Some people believe that love is a self-fulfilling wish. Because you wish to meet your destined partner, you find them. But if you don't look for them, you might also find them. That is thanks to the help of those closest to you." ...he was clearly speaking about himself. "Now then, let us hasten towards Question Number 4."

Mechanical Voice-Kun
Group Date Theme

"It is at this point I am to remind you that our cookies are made with 100% real laxatives." The doors opened for Cassim, who had now vowed to apologize to every woman he upset ever, and his abbreviated version of this romantic walk across the stars to find re-destined love continued.

Something seemed slightly different from here on though. There were now heart shaped pendulums swinging back and forth in the hallways, though their edges were obviously rounded and rubbery, and at the end of the first long hallway there was this out of place, super-happy doll of a girl sitting there. Staring at him. Staaaare. But as he proceeded forward, he'd find that it didn't move or do anything suspicious, so he could continue towards the -what was that sound!? Turning around later on would reveal a similar doll at the beginning of the hall he'd passed, staring at his back...similar, not the same one. Right? R-right? Japan was the land of horrors...

Mechanical Voice-Kun
Group Date Theme

The doors opened, and jingle sounded in celebration, small party poppers going off around them to shower confetti. The lovers on the door as well, once looking away from each other, were now turned towards the center as if nearing the end of their journey to find love. The two had hands outstretched, and amidst the vibrant decoration on the solid double doors it seemed hard to imagination anything could go wrong. But they would have to be parted for a little while longer it seemed, as the guest pushed the door open and entered into the ninth room.

“Having reached this far, you can’t help but let sighs fall from your mouths. Just a little more and you will discover your destined partner. Well then, here comes question number 9 to fire up your resolve.”

Mechanical Voice-Kun
Group Date Theme

The door opened, and what was behind it must have surprised...some people. It was a string! A red one! And a sign that clearly stated that they should 'grab here'! As they followed the string they passed through the corridors, which seemed more complex than before, the sweet smell of flowers and perfume drifted through the place. Presents were stacked up along the sides as they neared the end, like wedding gifts, and at the end of the long string was the last of the large white and pink doors...and there it was, on the front! The two white outlines of lovers had met at last, lips touching at the center of the door frame as the long journey finally brought them to an end. And so too had it brought the Stray Sheep to the end of their journey, as they opened the door to find a large golden archway sealed shut. Around it the walls were painted in the imagine of rolling green field covered in flowers, with a beautiful blue sky above! Perfect weather for deciding who would walk with one, hand-in-hand, for eternity.

"With a sense of peace, you feel tears in your eyes. There is just one more question to go, and then you will meet your destined partner. I, too, would cry in celebration.

...

...Yay. Now then, here comes the Final Question. You can choose to answer it, or not."

Mechanical Voice-Kun
Group Date Theme

As the final answer came, the room went dark. "Now then, it is time to decide your destined partner. But before we do, allow me to go over the previous questions. ... on second thought, you can do that. They are all in your previous posts. Your destined partner is..." A drumroll began in the darkness, and suddenly a spotlight appeared in the grand final hall. The spotlight moved around the large heavenly garden and passed over many faces...men...women...dogs...beardogs...barracudas...a demon...Tala was in there somewhere...until it finally stopped on...

Boudica Tlalli's Destined Partner - Kuzaku Martillo

Suddenly the floor gave out under them, the final question answered; the little lambs went tumbling down onto the Walk of Fate, and on to the path to marital happiness!

"This is the Walk of Fate. Here is where you will be united with your destined partner, sharing love and hardship, until you pass happily into eternal bliss. You are free to step forth hand-in-hand, curiosity and fear in your hearts, or you can refrain. Suddenly, all in attendance hear an announcement. Up ahead, they see a bride and groom’s joyous commemorative photograph of love. They confer between them whether to look at it, or ignore it.”"

Now that the two noticed it, their hands were bound together by some inexplicable force! And asking if you could refrain only led to the line repeating. It seemed the only answer was to proceed forward...but what awaited them at the end of this path? Eternal bliss, apparently.