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Post by Kully on Jul 11, 2004 15:38:32 GMT
*In the circle, the Old Man rolls his eyes*
Old Man: Did they really think I'd give them something that would aid them to escape? Ridiculous!
*suddenly he turns back to the viewing area, where he begins a conversation with someone who has just made contact*
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The Boy
Traveller
Help Me!
Posts: 13
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Post by The Boy on Jul 11, 2004 16:16:19 GMT
*From a nearby bush, there is a faint sound of rustling. Everyone hears it, but dismisses it as the wind or a small animal. A minute later, there is a piercing scream from the bush*
UWAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!
*A small boy comes crashing out of the bush, to the complete shock of everyone in attendance. He has a knapsack much like the others, which due to his small frame trails along the ground behind him. He stumbles and falls in the dirt, kicking away from the bush in terror*
C-cr-creepies! I HATE creepies!! Get away!!
*He is sobbing, blood seeping from a number of grazes on his face and legs. He is dressed in threadbare shorts and a cape, and is covered in leaves and twigs. His hysteria is about to subside when he looks up and notcies the black-eyed Fear and the monstrous Ogre towering over him, plus the prone form of the old man on the ground...*
...UWAAAAAAA!!!!!!
*The little boy's eyes widen in fright and he scrambles over to the base of a tree, covering his head with his hands, weeping uncontrollably.*
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Post by Lord Fear on Jul 11, 2004 17:02:02 GMT
"Will you quit weeping or I will give you something to wheep about" threated Lord Fear who was getting very annoyed at the Boy.
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The Boy
Traveller
Help Me!
Posts: 13
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Post by The Boy on Jul 11, 2004 17:07:18 GMT
*The small boy peeks out from under his hood at the bad man shouting at him, trembling in fright*
G-G-Get AWAY from me!!! You a nasty man! Don't like you!!!
Mmmmph...
*He scuttles behind the tree, peering round the trunk at the ragged crew, clutching his knapsack tightly for comfort and shaking with terror.*
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Post by Lord Fear on Jul 11, 2004 17:17:36 GMT
"Perhaps you don't know who I am, I am Lord Fear, the Leader of the Opposition" said Lord Fear advancing on the small boy.
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The Boy
Traveller
Help Me!
Posts: 13
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Post by The Boy on Jul 11, 2004 17:27:20 GMT
*Just one step forward from Lord Fear is all it takes to send the child into hysterics once more. His confusion, coupled with the frightening appearance of the surviving contestants and Lord Fear's animosity, is all too much for him.*
NO! Leave me alone!!! UWAAAAAH!!!
*His face a mask of terror, the boy turns tail and bolts through the forest, dragging his knapsack with him. His small form alows him to duck and dive through the undergrowth with ease, and by the time Fear and Grimwold have fought their way past the tree branches, his screams are a mere whisper in the distance.*
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Post by Young Grimwold on Jul 11, 2004 19:48:22 GMT
*Young Grimwold does not dislike children as such, he just has little experience in dealing with them. His parents would never let him meet any of the dungeoneers that dropped by in the old days.*
That was rather unexpected. Does this mean that there's a new contestant? So late on? Perhaps the Old One thinks that having a child running around will make this seem more of a funhouse - but to me, it remains a nightmare. [OOC: Sorry! ;D] Despite scaring him away, I suppose we should go after him. Even if it's a trap.
But first, there is Hordriss to attend to.
*YG returns to Hordriss, and waits for him to regain consciousness.*
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Post by Hordriss de Confuseur on Jul 11, 2004 19:51:04 GMT
*After some time, Hordriss opens his eyes. He has a headache, and is rather bruised. After having some water and food, he is able to speak.*
Needless to say, one found one's 'slide' rather painful; but one appreciates that it was not a deliberate act of malice on your part, Lord Fear.
My foremost animosity remains toward our captor. One finds his taunts to be most ill-conceived. 'Grimwold tried to steal your potions whilst you were sleeping': one hasn't been asleep since meeting up with you, thanks to our activities and the stimulants in our rations; one only has a single potion; and even that is a shared possession of the group. Do not worry, Master Grimwold, he will not goad me into impetuousity. And as for branding me 'incompetant in my old age'? Ha, how greatly ironic! I look forward to correcting his spelling.
*Hordriss appears to be in uncharacteristically blithe spirits. Amazing what a bump on the head and impending death can do. He becomes more sombre, though, when YG explains about the recent incident with the boy.*
Oh dear. One hesitates to attempt to fathom the twists and turns of the Old One's cruelty. No doubt it is a trap; but then again, this entire arena is a trap. One seems to spend one's entire life dealing with errant children - as do you, Lord Fear. If you would help me to my feet, Master Grimwold...
*Hordriss holds onto YG, who helps him stand up slowly. Although he attempts to walk unaided, he has become too weak, and requires the ogre's help to proceed, groaning occasionally as he goes.*
One assumes that if the child is injured, it is leaving a trail of blood. If the recent scroll is not lying, then time is short. Shall we attempt to follow it?
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Post by Lord Fear on Jul 11, 2004 21:25:02 GMT
*Lord Fear doesn't speak he turns and follows the path the Boy went, determind to take his Knapsack away from him*
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Post by Young Grimwold on Jul 11, 2004 22:09:12 GMT
*YG, supporting Hordriss, follows at a slightly slower pace, keeping his eye out for the trail made by the boy's bleeding wounds and the dragged knapsack. He wonders whether calling out is a good idea - it might just scare the boy even more. But he decides to risk it.*
Hello? We won't hurt you. We're as scared as you are...
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The Boy
Traveller
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Posts: 13
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Post by The Boy on Jul 11, 2004 22:22:22 GMT
GO AWAY!!
*The boy's terrified scream comes from quite a distance away, and appears to originate from a higher elevation than the one they are currently on. It echoes through the trees like the crowing of ravens.*
You're not going to trick me!!! D-D-don't come up h.... don't come any closer!!
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Post by Young Grimwold on Jul 11, 2004 23:22:17 GMT
*YG notes that the boy has downgraded from 'go away' to 'don't come any closer', and it seems important to him not to scare the boy any further. It is a delicate situation, and having an infanticidal overlord around is potentially unhelpful.*
*Whispers to Lord Fear* Please, don't threaten the boy. It won't achieve anything. Let me try talking to him.
*Calling out* Alright, we won't come any closer. You can stay up there if that's what you want. Give us the chance to help you - talk to us until you're sure you can trust us. We're trapped here like you, and we have no reason to lie.
*YG gets out Hands' mirror, and tilts it in various directions, hoping to catch a reflection of the lad in his treetop hiding place, and keen to spot whether or not he is wearing a thread necklace.*
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The Boy
Traveller
Help Me!
Posts: 13
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Post by The Boy on Jul 11, 2004 23:43:42 GMT
*After a few minutes' tilting, the ogre spots the boy. He is about ten feet up in a treetop, squeezed in between two branches. Grimwold is inwardly shocked at how young the boy looks, seven or eight years old at the most. His face is covered with dirt and blood, which mingles with the never-ending stream of tears from his saucer-like eyes. He has one arm wrapped tightly round his knapsack as if for security. The child's hunched, scared posture makes it impossible to see if he has anything round his neck.*
*The boy looks into the mirror, as if it offered him some small comfort. While still obviously scared stiff, he has calmed down somewhat, though continue to weep and sniff as he tries to ascertain their position.*
Y-Y-you WILL hurt me! I know you will! You look like bad people! My mum said to keep away from bad people! M-Mum... where IS she...?
...go HOME....
*As if at the thought, he breaks down in floods of tears. The wind is beginning to pick up, and the height of his perch makes his situation somewhat precarious.*
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Post by Young Grimwold on Jul 11, 2004 23:54:10 GMT
*YG is worried by the boy's reaction. He wonders if anything he can say will make a difference. He doesn't want to come across as creepy. But he has to raise his voice to be heard over the crying and the wind.*
We certainly can't hurt you while you're up in that tree. And why would we want to? We may look like bad people, but we won't act that way.
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The Boy
Traveller
Help Me!
Posts: 13
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Post by The Boy on Jul 12, 2004 0:00:25 GMT
Y-Y-you REALLY won't hurt me...?
*Grimwold appears to be earning the boy's trust, but he still seems to shrink from Fear and his open hostility. The boy's weeping dies down slightly, but his frightened face tells all.*
Maybe you're not a bad man....mmph....I'm scared of high places....don't like it up here....
*The boy continues to mumble and whimper, frozen to the spot.*
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