The Fortress of Many Turnings [open]

[applesaucemod]

Welcome to Caerdroia. Though at first glance this world seems calm, even idyllic, closer inspection will reveal a startling lack of linearity. A doorway in one place can suddenly lead to another entirely, the locals going about their business seem totally unaware of your presence, and you may find reminders of home that are less than welcome -- and less than safe.

The countryside seems almost designed to set one at one's ease. Gentle, rolling hills overlook a town in the near distance, and herds of friendly cows cluster here and there (with unknown intent).

The Garden of Curiosities is a walled-off park. Inside, streams and paths wind through beautiful landscaping, and animals can be found on the loose everywhere. For the most part, these creatures are friendly (or at least indifferent) toward visitors, though their appearance might perturb. One might see an animal one has never encountered before, or one might find the garden inhabited by creatures from one's own world that are somehow changed, whether in size, color, or behavior. And, of course, one might find something rather more predatory has taken up residence….

The town hall never seems to be in the same place twice. Finding your way through the streets to any one particular building is an exercise in frustration, as the town seems to shift and change whenever part of it is out of your sight. The hall itself isn't much better once you get inside; stairwells have a habit of appearing on the ceiling, hallways turn into dead ends while your back is turned, and floors are liable to open up into fathomless pits.

The Labyrinth is where many journeys seem destined to end. The way out is, more often than not, the way in. Try to leave one part of Caerdroia, and the doorway might very well open into the labyrinth. And, like any good labyrinth, this one is home to a Minotaur. And, like any good Minotaur, this one would be more than happy to tear you to pieces.

[OOC: Once again, the shared dream is open to all characters, including those not currently in the game and those belonging to players who are not currently members. Once again, too, players are free to choose whether their characters see the dream for what it is, whether they are forced to abide by its rules, and whether they will remember this in the morning.]

Comments

[modern_alpha]

Biffy nods and, thinking this will have to do, also scratches out Coat?

[bluesuit_handy]

"Biffy Coat?" Andrew's brow furrows. "Odd sort of name for a wolf."

Give him a second. Gears turn in his head, and a look of understanding dawns. "Oh! A coat. You want a coat? You've sort of got one, if you hadn't noticed...."

[modern_alpha]

It's amazing how well a longsuffering expression translates to a lupine face. All this scratching will do terrible things to his hands once he's shifted back.

Please?

[bluesuit_handy]

It really is. Even Andrew can't misinterpret that expression. He can't quite keep from chuckling, either, as he shucks off his jacket and crouches to get on the wolf's level and hold it out. "Want me to help get your paws through the sleeves?" he asks with a grin. Hey, wolf that wants a coat. He's just going to go with it.

[modern_alpha]

Rather than answer (and admit that, yes, this whole scene is rather comical), Biffy steps out of the direct sunlight so as not to be burned. Then he succumbs to the bonebreaking pain and indignity that turns him back into a naked man.

"It would have torn if I'd put it on before the shift."

[bluesuit_handy]

"What, all that --" starts Andrew indignantly when the wolf apparently turns to leave sans jacket. Seeing him stop in the shade and start to change, though, he cuts off mid-sentence.

"...Right," he says faintly, staring at the naked man and forgetting to hold out the jacket again. "Lycanthropy. Should have guessed."

[modern_alpha]

Biffy tries not to act as if he's cursed with animalistic urges and a permanent state of indecorous nudity. He reaches forward and takes the coat, wrapping it around himself to conceal his form.

"I do apologize. Biffy." He bows, "Of the London Pack."

[bluesuit_handy]

"Andrew," supplies Andrew. "Of Manhattan, at the moment. Is this, ah...usual where you come from?"

[modern_alpha]

"Being forced to shift back without an available cloakroom?" Biffy asks. "Yes, terribly common."

[bluesuit_handy]

Not what he meant, but it sort of answers the question. Unless that was sarcastic, of course. Andrew nods and gives him a sympathetic smile. "Inconveniences of the modern world, eh?"

[modern_alpha]

"Quite." Then he tilts his head, still slightly lupine even in human form. "Manhattan? But you don't sound...American."

[bluesuit_handy]

"Only most recently," admits Andrew. "It's...complicated."

[modern_alpha]

"Complicated how?" Biffy asks, always curious at the gathering of information and playing of the game.

[bluesuit_handy]

There's a game? Andrew would be interested to know that he's playing. "I'm not really from anywhere," he says with a shrug. "I'm from Gallifrey and Chiswick as much as anywhere."