gooseberryhigh | at the oak

~~It's suic~~

[There's a troubled expression on Ennis's face as he scribbles that out. It's even more awkward when he can see them seeing him scribble it out.]

How do we know they're not Mimics repeating the same thing the other one said?

Edited 2018-06-30 20:24 (UTC)

I mean, I guess we don't. But Jade had a piece of Brother with her when the night started. I feel like it would've identified a mimic.

It could have stolen her journal.

Even if it's the truth [...] she's been buried in flowers in memory. It's the best they could have done for her out here. Gwen wouldn't want us to risk our lives for this. If she's dead then the only single chance we have to bring her back is to help Brother first. If we don't find those pieces then we'll all die in here.

Edited 2018-06-30 20:42 (UTC)

[...] I can't argue with any of that. About the danger. About Aris' thoughtfulness. About the importance of Brother. You and Lachlan should keep looking for the pieces. I just need to make a stop and then I can meet up with you after.

Webster, you're can't hear anyone or anything approaching. You're not used to being deaf. We can go together after we check on the clues.

I know I can't hear.

Edited 2018-06-30 21:08 (UTC)

I know you know you can't hear, but I wanted to remind you of the reality of the situation and the possible results before you make your choice.

I know. [...] I appreciate it.

You're going to Coppertale?

Edited 2018-06-30 21:23 (UTC)

I'm going to Coppertale. My own path leads to Brother and I need to keep following it, but I'm not trying to take away your free will.

Edited 2018-06-30 21:30 (UTC)

That is the right thing to do. Brother needs us.

But I'm going to go to Gwen. [...] I understand the risks. [...] I'll be quick.

Be safe. Be brave.

Lachlan, do you want to go with him?

What? You and Lachlan should stick together.

The woods are more dangerous than the open fields.

Also [...] if you find her [...] and what they say is true [...] please don't tell me. I don't want to know while I'm out there alone. Just let me keep believing she's alive. Hope is the only way I can make it until the end.

[...] You can't make informed decisions if you choose to be ignorant, Ennis.

It's not helpful to know in this situation. It would just add to the grief and the pain. They're going to enjoy every minute of it.

Do not tell me until we've all made it back to the oak.

~~I'm not promising that.~~ Knowing is always better than not knowing.

I love her with all of my heart. She is like a sister to me. Would you want to know that your sister is dead right now? Left out on a trail? Wouldn't you play mind games with yourself, thinking of all the things you could have done differently?

I'm not going down that path. I'm going down a different one.

Please don't add to my suffering when I'm asking you not to. I saved you and now this is me asking you to return the favor.

I'm going now.

I felt the same way. When that mimic told us she was dead, I chose to believe it was a lie. Because I couldn't deal with the alternative. But I can't play dumb anymore. I have to know for myself. [...] And if it is true, then I need to say goodbye. I'd like to keep assuming she's here and not think about it, but I cannot.

I understand if you can. And that you need to believe it's untrue. And I'll respect your wishes.

Good luck.

Edited 2018-07-01 01:15 (UTC)

Thank you. I'd rather stay in Limbo for now than venture into Hell. I can honor her in my way by continuing the search for the pieces. Brother can save us if we save him. ~~We have to believe~~ I believe in him.

Good luck.

~~Don't bring Maisie into~~ [......] Aye. I'd want to know. If someone hurt my sister or my mates I'd want to know.

But you can make your own choices.

[...]

Be safe.

[......] Mate. [...] ~~I know you~~ ~~I know she~~ There's nothing you can do for her now.

[...] I know. But maybe I can move her. Maybe I can get her somewhere the mimics can't go. Somewhere she can be safe.

Ari transfigured her. Do you think they'd still [...] take her?

I don't know what magic they can and can't do. But they can read the journals, so they know what Ari did ~~to her body~~ and maybe they could find her.

[...] I know it ~~is poi~~ might be pointless. But I can't stand the thought of her being alone.

~~But she's~~ ~~Would they even need~~

[....]

It's awful. What happened to her. I just don't want something to happen to you.

I figure something could happen to me no matter where I go, right? [...] And I'm not saying at the Oak. I decided that the last time we were here.

I know. But. There's some safety in numbers, at least. And Ennis said he's still going to Coppertale.

I don't like splitting up either. But I can't justify bringing you along and taking you away from what we need to be doing.

[......] My decision, isn't it?

I mean... yeah. But if you got hurt or had to do one of those sacrifices because you came along to keep me safe... I couldn't have that.

[......] Better one for each of us than two for you, don't you think?

Better for me

I'll be alright on my own if you want to help Webster find Gwen.

But either way the party splits, we can't let anyone know we're not all three together. We can't risk letting the mimics know somebody is out there alone. We can't give away anyone's location. We can't trust other people we come across unless we're at the Oak or at the Stables. Those are the only safe spots on campus that we know of.

Be brave.

Edited 2018-06-30 23:42 (UTC)

The two of us aren't as prepared for this as you are. If anyone has to go alone, I think that makes sense. But I think it would be better if we could all just stay together. It wouldn't take that long to get to the Grotto first.

Are you sure you won't come with us?

[...]

I'm not brave, Ennis.

I'm sure. I don't want to go.

Webster's brave. You'll find it in you too.

Ennis-- you do what you need to do. I will see you back here. Safe.

Lachlan-- you don't have to come with me. I know it's dangerous. And reckless. I don't know what's in it for you besides looking out for me. Which I can't ask you to do, but I can't stop you from doing. Whatever you choose, know that you are brave.

[...] I'm going with you.

~~I'm not b~~

Let's get to it?

at the oak

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