Welcome to Gaia! ::

Results!

a. "We just found a mouse who had... perhaps too many adventures tonight." Correct answer.

b. "Just somebody who needed a friend!" Correct answer, plus bonus! "Tis the season!" The stallion says. "Did they not want to join us?"

The mare shook her head, smiling softly. "No," she said. "I think they found us a wee bit intimidating, but the were glad to have met us." Turning to you, she nods to the snowflake fur ornament you realize you are still holding. "Hang onto that for me for a bit. We might find it comes in useful again." You find a ticket wrapped around its prongs!

If you chose either answer, congratulations! You move on to the next round.

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3. 
   

Onward to the next choice...
Moving on, you follow your companions as they lead you around what appears to be a deep, dangerous crevasse on the other side of the boulders. As you reach the end of it, you hear a deep, thunderous boom, and feel a quaking beneath your feet. Fear-stricken, you:

Choices!
a. Leap to safety in whatever capacity you can manage.
b. Put your arms out and hold desperately still.

Wait to post your answer until after the GO! post!

Results!

a. "Is the North Star part of any constellations?" Correct answer!

b. You continue staring into space, losing yourself and your thoughts in the deep sky. Incorrect answer - lose a ticket. As you stare upward, your eyes begin to close. You're not sure if you're tired because you're coated in snow from your roll off the ice, or if you're just tired because it's really past your bedtime. --- Suddenly, you wake up - a gentle hoof has nudge your arm. Opening your eyes, you look around, and realize that you must have fully drifted off. Getting up, your sleepily brush the snow off yourself. As you get up, the mare nods to the star you were staring at. "That one has a story to tell." Your journey has not ended, but if you have an extra ticket, you drop one in the snow. (You can't have less than one ticket, so this does not affect you if you did not previously have an extra ticket.)

If you chose either answer, congratulations! You move on to the next round.







Onward to the next choice...
"The North Star is part of a constellation called the Little Bear," she murmured. As she spoke, the stallion used the bit of tree branch he carried with him to illustrate an outline of a small bear in the sky in the stars beneath the North Star. "It is said that the Big Bear, which is just a bit south of the little one, did something heroic and earned a place in the stars, where it could wander forever with its cub without ever feeling hungry or needing to hunt. But when the spirits went to throw them into the sky, they held onto their tails a bit too hard - and so they became long."

Enraptured, you hardly even notice that the mare and stallion have begun walking again. But as they turn to other tales, you look ahead. In the distance, you see a warm glow of light. You:

Choices!
a. Steer your companions toward it.
b. Advise your companions to steer clear of it.

Wait to post your answer until after the GO! post!

Warm Wind by ATh e a r t

On the other side of the snowbank before you, a majestic mare in muted blue hues dances around the fireplace, her jewelry jingling merrily. You carefully approach her, noticing that her eyes are closed, and clear your throat; though she pauses in her step, she does not open her eyes.

"We are friends," says your mare companion, "here to warm ourselves by your fire, if you are so inclined to share."

The winged mare nodded, gesturing with her wings toward the shimmering flames. You and your companions huddle together around them. On the other side of the fire, the mare raised her wings to better catch the radiating heat. "Are you observing the stars this evening?" she asked, inclining her head toward the sky.

"Yes," said the stallion. "We were hoping to find some friends on our journey to trade tales with. Did you have any you would like to share?"

Seemingly considering for a moment, the mare tilts her head. "You," she murmurs, "Quiet One."

Startled, you realize that she is addressing you. "Yes?"

"I will share my tale with you and your friends, but first, you must tell me a story. As I often only see the stars in my dreams, I would enjoy hearing a tale of your own dreams. Tell me - if you could contrive of your own legend about a constellation in the heavens, what would it be?"

Swallowing hard, you think for the next few minutes, while your companions wait for your tale in respectful silence.



You have ONE HOUR from the posting of this prompt to post your reply. Context relating to the story above is optional, but encouraged. This portion of the contest is judged, so only those who have played through the whole adventure themselves (not proxied for) may enter.

GO!