Day 3

[mirror_mod]

Eventually the group finds themselves in a new part of the city. The stone is cleaner, the air is brighter, and everything seems far better cared for. Whether this is illusion or truth, it’s hard to mistake the trickling sound of a fountain ahead, drawing you into view of a massive open courtyard. Rising out of the middle of it is a tall building with a strangely crooked spire, topped with a globe like a watchful eye.

Closer, it’s easy to read the carved sign above the doorway.

LIBRARY

Perhaps there are answers here.

LOWER STACKS | RESTRICTED SECTION | OBSERVATORY

Comments

[mirror_mod]

[In fact, Arya CAN see the city. It does out from some distance beyond the library and suddenly becomes a nearly blank expanse filled only with abstract shapes. Beyond that is a glimmer of light, as you may have glimpsed on the first day]

[persequor]

The city. But after it it doesn't look like there's anything. [ She moves aside. ] Here. See.

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

[He leans in to take a look, turning the spyglass to look over the expanse of the horizon. He frowns slightly when he sees that light, trying to focus in on it and figure out what it is]

I wonder what that light could be...

[persequor]

I saw it when I woke up here. But I've not seen it again until now.

[fistfullofmagic]

Hopefully not something dangerous.

[Yes, maybe it's a bit rude to sorta-accidently eavesdrop and enter the conversation a bit late, but Dhaos figures he can simply apologize if anyone takes offense.]

[persequor]

[ Arya glares at Dhaos, but doesn't immediately snap at him. ]

[mirror_mod]

[The light has a glittering, shifting quality like a piece of metal twisting in the sun. If he watches it long enough it fades away long enough to make out what looks like a strange white castle in the distance, bridged by a long meandering stairway to the land below.]

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

[Since he's been trying to figure what the hell it is he most certainly watches it for long enough to spot that thar castle. He squints, trying to make out details.]

Wait. It looks like the light's coming from something. It looks like some kind of castle. There are stairs heading up to it.

[persequor]

Like the one we were at? I want to see! [ She won't actually shove Flynn out of the way, but she might explode if the spyglass isn't given to her. ]

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

[He chuckles. Oh the enthusiasm of childhood. He steps to the side and points in the right direction]

Just watch the light. It looks like it's metal or something reflecting the light, when it moves and the light dims you can see the castle.

[persequor]

All right. [ She looks through, tongue peeking out between her lips as she focuses on the spot. When she sees it, she gasps. ] I see it! Do you think that's where we're supposed to go?

[fistfullofmagic]

It certainly merits closer investigation.

[persequor]

I'll tell the others. [ She rushes to the ledge and grabs on. She shouts down. ]

Hey! Come look at this! We found a castle!

[gevurah]

[ From nearby below!! She's on her way there. ]

Does it look like Cair Paradisa?

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

Not quite. It's white and has a long staircase leading up to it.

[fistfullofmagic]

Considering the nature of the place though, it is certainly possible that there is some sort of connection between the two.

[persequor]

[ Meanwhile, Arya claims the spyglass again in case she can spot something else. ]

[gevurah]

[ Somebody needs to tell Arya to stop running off in every direction unknown and potential enemy territory. Her frown disappears as she approaches them not too long after, eyes flickering over the spyglass. ]

Does it look like anyone's there?

[ On the grounds? Anything? ]

[mirror_mod]

[There is a conspicuous lack of much of anything between them and the strange castle]

[persequor]

[ Arya shakes her head. ]

Doesn't look like it. [ She stands aside in case anyone else wants a peek. ]

[fistfullofmagic]

[Dhaos quietly mutters a 'thank you' to her as he takes her place at the spyglass. Yep. That sure is a whole lot of nothing.]

Curious... One would think there would at least be signs of animal activity, or whatever serves as such here.

[He too backs off in case anyone else is curious.]

[gevurah]

I guess that's our next pit stop.

[ She'll take a look herself. ]

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

[He nods, looking around the room] Well there's only one way to find out what's out there, right? There's only so much you can see from a distance.

[Is that a little bit of regret in his voice? Maybe. He just might be speaking from experience, here]

[fistfullofmagic]

With any luck, the residents won't try to kill us.

[The flat tone might just be suggesting that the opposite is not an uncommon event for him at all.]