Welcome to Gaia! ::

[part one]

Andrew returned, not because he was really looking for the notes, but because he wanted to find something. But he wasn't even sure he knew the answer. Instead of going to the caves, he went to the bells, and examined them.

Mr. P had been securely tied where he wouldn't get in anyone's way and where he wouldn't get set free somehow. That was Sibyl's priority. Now? Now she could do what she'd promised, and that was help X get his notes. She wandered into the forest with no fear or hesitation, stopping only when she felt like she was being watched. Eh? When she looked she found no one to be there, though she did hear her name. Gabriel? No..he'd stayed back. Weird.

Oh well! Must not be important.

She searched all around for any papers or notes or clues, finding only a forked path. Which way, which way...

The glade smelled so nice! She headed in that direction with a happy hum.

To the Glade! PART THREE: The Bells

X merely chuckled to himself at Andrew's uncomfortable nature. He snatched at the amulet given to him, pocketing it with a grim demeanour.

He vanished briefly from his booth, gone into the shadows, to assist two students with their escapade in the forest.

To Millie, the demon merely nodded politely. "No offences intended, sweet ghoul. The forest is a treacherous place to be, is it not?"

To the draconic boil, X merely laid his hand upon AJ's shoulder, and gently squeezed. "Do not trouble yourself, child. You may assist me by delivering that."

Back at the booth, a student brought news of a delivery. "What wondrous news," he crooned, slinking around Molan, resting his long, pointed fingers against the base of the kitsune's neck. "It is simply a pity she does not appreciate my genius. Your attempt is much appreciated regardless."

Later, the draconic student appeared again, much to the demon's delight. He pulled the boil into a hug, his grip too tight to be comfortable. "Oh, you have brought me mirthful news, have you not?" He vanished into shadows, pooling into a dark, inky blob on the ground at AJ's feet, a tentacle raising to curl around his ankle. "This calls for a celebration, does it not?"






[ prizes to here! ]

((Entering))

It was a different kind of Selene that walked, without tripping, towards X's booth for the first time since the festival had begun. She had promised herself she'd stay as far away as she could, but then all the notes started.. and now, she had the only thing that was keeping her from turning tail and running screaming away.

She had her pride.

No wait, that wasn't it. She had an adorable minipet in her arms. That was the only thing keeping her strong.

Selene toddled up, just in time to hear X praise all the little boils and ghouls who had been following her around and tormenting her with pretty words and notes. She scritched Avery's head nervously, visibly shaking as she got closer, but she didn't stop until she'd reached the man who'd made her second guess everything today.

"Your genius?" She piped out, her voice cracking as she tried to sound intimidating, and only managed 'scared out of her wits.' "Is that what all this is about? Because if you just wanted me to know you love the literary word as much as I do, you didn't have to.. to.. to pick all the.. the.. you know!" She ducked her head, half-hiding behind Avery to hide the blush that flooded her entire face. "Mr. Scritchyscruffins does not approve of your actions, Mister X." She muffled out from behind the grumpy pet.

Andrew groaned as he woke up behind x's booth again. What happened? oh right, vines. Maybe he shouldn't mess with those anymore. But he had though he saw something inside them.

Wait was that Selene? And she still had that poor mini from earlier. Has she stolen it? Likely...

She seemed to be talking to Mr. X. Why didn't he have popcorn?

All of her bravery fled her in a heartbeat when X stood at his full height, stretching out in front of her. She looked up, and up, and the tiniest of squeaks left her before she buried her face into Avery's fur and tried not to cry. She tried to be strong, she had to be strong for Mr Scritchyscruffins. She had to keep him safe!

Her head popped back up in a gasp of surprise when she heard X say her pets name, and she almost pulled him away when that hand came forward, but she found herself rooted to the floor. Frozen in fear, she watched as X pet Avery, showing no signs of aggression. Was he just.. petting him nicely? Did X like her pet?

Selene stared up at the featureless face, and for the first time since she'd met him, she didn't recoil in fear. She just tilted her head, and stared.

Then it all came crashing back. The notes, the words, the ~feelings~. He said his genius was praising her. She wasn't mentally equipped to handle that kind of praise, and her face turned red as a beet all over again and buried itself into Avery's fur. "I don't know what you think praise is. Those notes were talking about.. you know. Stuff. Stuff that isn't praise. Stuff that you should never say to someone unless you mean it." Her bravery was back, fueled by that tiny little spark of anger that lit when she felt like she was being played for a fool. She looked up at him, and pouted thickly. "You must be careful with your words, Mister X. Hearts are fragile things."

After watching the teachers a while, Andrew decided to go back to the woods. despite X's warning of only being able to go once. That was a while ago, and well, it was already pretty dangerous. he found himself at the tree again.

This... didn't seem like something he should butt in or be a part of. Rather it seemed like it should be a bit private. Molan would have liked to leave at that point, but alas... the teachers were... sort of between him and the exit. Which meant he only had a path to wander down. Giving one last glance betweent he two, he edged away toward the woods, hoping at least, his pride would allow him to get out without another shameful look. Or bothering the teacher for once.

He backed up slowly before turning as they seemed to vanish out of sight shortly after reaching the cobblestone path. It was dreadfully quiet as per usual. Seeming to suck away the world itself and create just the path as he walked along. It wasn't long before the now familiar smell of of sweetness started to waft from afar. Right, the grove would be ahead. And that tree...

Well hopefully things would go better this time. He was aware by now it was the only way out, since he certainly didn't like the idea of a cave.

...he should start avoiding this place. He really should.