Valentina's posts

@raxton: "I would say the proof is all around you, if you care to look around," The Cat purred in amusement, "An entire deck of guards alone follows The Queen wherever she goes... And as you can see, at least a pair of cards at every door... It would seem foolish not to guard a sacred item as well, would it not?"

The Cat laughed as her body appeared again, leaning on the stand as she mused, "People also talk in Wonderland... It's nearly impossible to keep a secret here, that is, unless the truth is lost with your head."

@dipper: She laughs playfully, "The rascally rabbit is too wise to my tricks by now... He never falls for it the same way fresh meat does. While I was snaring his friend, he most likely used one of his many tunnels to bypass it, cowardly if you ask me. I suppose you could even say... Traitorous?" She grins.

@rainbowpanda: "You could call me something of the sort..." She laughs as her body disappears, leaving only her head behind, "Hm...
I very well could if I had the fancy, attempt it. But I've never felt the draw to a life of crime. I prefer mischief," She purred, "And I am not fast enough to travel back and forth from my maze to the castle in time to greet all my guests that day..."

A playful glint shines in her bright eyes, "Besides... If I had my hands on the sceptre, I would have much more fun than breaking it..."

@dipper: "People say I come and go in an instant, but I have nothing on the Rabbit. He comes attached with an on and off switch, when he's not napping he's as quick as lightning, you know... It makes me wonder what he gets up to when he's out of sight... As for white fluff, feather and fur aren't my specialty. That said, I hear The Hatter serves a special tea..." She purrs playfully.

@ashrae: "Hmm... Everyone knows how much the Queen values her sceptre. You would have to be foolish to try to steal it. I'm surprised anyone was able to, considering how heavily that room is guarded... You would need to have some way of sneaking in unseen, I would think...?" Valentina's eyes shift to Spark, "And I do remember someone being very sneaky when it comes to heights..."

As you regain your strength, Static sets you gently onto the ground. However, you both hear something... Curious.

[CONTINUE TO CHAPTER FIVE]

Is this really the end? Are you and Static going to die in some strange new world without him ever having seen his siblings again? No, you decide that's not an option. There's another way here, and you made it available.

Leaping from the Guardian's arms, you draw on what magical power you still possess from Voltra, and resign to fight! As you rear back for your attack, you blink in surprise. The vines rushing towards you seem to abruptly stop as if an invisible wall is holding them back. Amidst the bark of the twisting beast, you find glimmers of silk signifying that it's a little tied up at the moment. A tiny spider descends into view once more with a sign that reads, 'this is for trusting me, fufu. ;3c'

With a smile of your own, you unleash your spell on the immobilized threat. It lets out a feral cry as beams of light shoot from cracks beginning to form in its body. In a blinding flash, it is no more, and the wall behind Static unwinds to reveal the way out.

"Thank you," he says to you softly while gently carrying you once more. You're so tired and panting hard, but it was worth it to save a friend.

With determination, you chose a way.

You're held in Static's arms, staring back into the eyes of the roaring foe. The maze is crumbling around you as the rush of vines is rapidly gaining. "Oh no!" You hear from Static as you hit a dead end.

He turns to face the monster with determination.

Did you make the wrong choice?

Which way?

There is no way to choose.

(monster will throw you off your path)

You figure now's as good a time to go straight as any, and press on. The crunching of grass beneath your feet is a returning sensation, and indeed strange as grass usually does not crunch. It waves in the wind and may snap, but crunch?

You swallow and Static takes your hand with a smile as if to reassure you. Together, you walk the path until it seems to end abruptly. From the space before you, vines snake out of the hedges and slowly begin to mingle and intertwine. The scene is reminiscent of the wall that closed behind Static, and you have to wonder if this is good.

Unfortunately, you don't think so. As the vines converge into a towering figure, you start to really doubt it. As its eyes flash the same malevolent red as the beast from before, you start to sweat.

Yeah, this bark-like creature is not friendly, and it's time to run! Static swoops you off your feet and floats quickly through the maze, choosing to go right. The resulting path is long and filled with echoing laughter as the tops of the hedges seem to sag inwards to block out the sky. The creature seems to have become the vines that now flood the corridors behind you, and in the mess of spiraling bark is a pair of menacing red orbs.

You come up on the final choice.

Live or die?


Which way?

or

You decide that the right path must be a trap for how deathly quiet it is, and start to go left... but before you can move, your friend appears before you.

Spider-Chan descends from an unknown ceiling from in front of you, and gently sways there. The sign in its tiny hands has a very important message which reads, 'this way, friends, to get back on the path.'

You and Static look to one another as there is no path ahead, but it could be an illusory wall like before. Do you take a chance?


Yes or No?

You tread a familiar path that was near the beginning of this experience. You take a sharp turn to the right and a tiny bend to the left before you're greeted with a major intersection.

To the left you hear a flood of noises. The Bernards you saw some time ago are still having fun, apparently, but the right path is silent.


Which way?

or

(Congratulations! Cheshire Cat is now available in Joyful Jamboree! Reminder, you will be granted a free EI for participating in this event)

After that harrowing experience, you take the left path which was at one point a straight option. It seems normal at first and time for a good breather, but the hairs on the back of your neck stand up at the return of a piercing chill. Is this a bad idea? Is another monster waiting at the end of this path too?!

...

Nope! You find a colossal treasure chest at the end of this path, but sadly it's just painted onto the hedge. Who would do such a thing? You're about to leave when you notice a tiny box on the ground beneath the picture.

Now that's a treasure chest, and you work with Static to get it open. The loot's all yours.

Turning around, you walk back to where you entered this path and you're met with a choice.


Which way?

or

(running from the monster has displaced your path.)


You remember this is the spot where Spider-Chan warned you, but curiosity is strong. You take the left path and feel the atmosphere dip in temperature. A few rustling leaves fall from the hedges around you as you turn a corner...

Before you lies a skeleton, and a beast of large proportions. Its limbs are thick and its maw is massive. As it turns a lumbering head to face you, its eyes gleam red. It outstretches a claw with each nail flicking as if possessing a will of its own, and it grins.

You and Static run away, needless to say, and it takes off after you with each huge step shaking the area. It's gaining on you, but as you pass a familiar wall to your right, you hear a SHING and remember the spears.

Yeah, that monster probably isn't a threat anymore, but you're hesitant to turn back to see its remains.


Which way?

or

(Reminder: Consider first-person perspective! Which way would you be facing when you walk and turn?

Your original vote will be counted.)