The sunlight slowly becomes orange and the wind waves to the leaves of the tree and the grass on the ground
Tabias:(Whisper) P-peter...What should we do?
Peter:W-well...Uhmm..Okay, here's the plan
Peter put his arm around Tabias neck and slowly put him down, then started whispering about the plan on talking to the unknown-yet Princess
Princess:Uuhmm..I-
Peter:Huh?
???:...I was wondering if you know where I am, dear gentleman
Peter:Well, we found you just sleeping on that weird, white platform
The Princess tilts her head slightly, fingers still brushing the marble.
???: How strange… I don't feel tired at all.
Peter exchanges a quick glance with Tabias.
Peter: You… remember anything before falling asleep?
The Princess hesitates. Her brows knit together, not in fear — but in sadness.
???: I remember holding someone's hand.
A promise, I think.
Tabias's screen flickers faintly.
Tabias: A promise…?
???: Yes.
She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
To be loved honestly.
Peter feels his stomach tighten.
Peter: And after that?
The Princess looks down at her palms.
???: Nothing
A breeze passes through the clearing. The mascots hover closer, quiet now.
Tabias (softly): Do you know your name, miss?
She looks up, surprised — then nods.
???: Of course
Tabias looked at Peter and found his face to be a mixture of uncomfortable and awkwardness.He can tell Peter isn't really in the mood but is trying his best to calm the princess
???:My name is Princess Rosalind or Rosa for short
Her voice is so soft and calming, her face polite as the orange light began to dim in the forest
The mascots slowly stare at the duo, creating an atmosphere of unease and paranoia towards the two.The mascots eyes were lifeless as a corpse before immediately light up, making them alive once again
(All) Mascot:Show us the way!
Peter:Wha...Oh! Uhm..We-
Tabias:W-we will show you the way! Follow us, Princess Rosa
Rosalind slowly stands up from the smooth white marble platform, her hands slowly move to lift herself out of the platform
Rosalind: Please, Gentlemen — Lead the way
Rosalind follows the two, their shoes crushing the grass beneath them.The sky becomes darker, the leaves blow as cold wind covers the scene.The only light source is the full moon above them.The mascots follow the three, almost like rats follow hemlyn.A strange feeling of unease confuse the scene but strangly, only Rosalind isn't affected and so are the mascots
Speaking about the mascots, their eyes are uncanny.Black small eyes trying to be cute but failing miserably and the cartoonish bodies are...Cortoted.Not distorted enough to be scary but uncanny enough to be not normal
Tabias:P-peter.. About the "mascots"...
Peter:Mmmh?
Tabias:Did you forget about it?..
Peter:Forget wha-Oooh..The black fog, tentacle things?
Tabias:Yeah..
Peter:Well....We will be ready in case they act strange
Tabias:But Peter, I'm not sure...
Peter: Don't worry kid, we have Vaquero on our side.Things will be fine..I hope so
Rosalind:Two gentlemen, I haven't asked this before but may I know your names?
Peter:Well, my name is Peter and the kid over here
Tabias: Tabias — And Princess, or Rosa, can you tell us about-
Peter:Your life?
Tabias:....
Peter: Shot, sorry.I got a little..A-anyway
Rosalind:My life?.. Unfortunately, my memories are quite foggy to say the least but what I remembered was a luxury.My father, the king of the kingdom of dukedom that's known for its luxuriousness in my world!
Tabias:Ooh, that's cool...
Rosalind:And my love of my life, Orlendo~ We were childhood friends that eventually married each other.. Until..
Peter:Ooh boy...Until what?
Rosalind:The only thing I remember was.. Falling from a forest and..That's it
Peter: That's it?
Rosalind: Correct, although I hope to wish I remember more of my life
Mascot 1:Princess! We're almost there to the exit!
The trio looked around and Peter saw the gaping hole they previously came from, just a meter away although it looked a lot darker due to the night but a hint of illumination is in it from the moonlight
Peter:Look like they're right.We should get out of where and see Vaquero again
Rosalind:Va... Vaquero?
Tabias:Oh, we forget to mention him!
Peter:He's quite a friend that helps us to go other places
Rosalind:What does he look like then?
Peter:Uhm..You'll see when we get out of here
The three enter the gaping hole.The old, cranky wooden ladder emit a oddly sweet smell like old books and the dirt around it is the same unnatural saturation however a white flower seem to be at the wall that has not been there
Peter:Huh, that's strange.Tabias, had you see a blue flower when we enter this place previously?
Tabias:No, sir..
Peter cover his chin with his hand, trying to think the potential hazards with his overthinking before reaching a conclusion
Peter: I mean, we shouldn't overthink over a simple white Lily.Righr guys?
Tabias:Y-yes..
Rosalind:But why were you suspicious at the first place? It's not like a white Lily not gonna harm you in such drastic ways!
Mascot 7:Yes, police officer! You're being paranoid!
Peter:Wha- (Sigh) And that's exactly the POINT I was making.Your sorta right of me being paranoid of a white Lily but you haven't seen our other enocuners at the surface-
Rosalind:(Raise her hand) Does that mean the surface is dangerous?
Peter:....N-no..What I mean...Uhh
Tabias:H-he meant we only specifically encounter bizzare things that wouldn't like happen to other people.Yea!
Peter looked at Tabias with a..Mixed of surprise and even a tiny hint of frustration before shifting his attention to the Rosalind
Peter:Tabias is correct, the surface is actually safe It's only that we had a surprisingly coincidental encounters...
Rosalind turn her head in confusions and unease.A feeling those strangers nah be lying but she continue to trust them with all her heart
Rosalind:Okay, I believe in you
Mascot 9:Are you sure, Princess?
Rosalind: Yes..For now
Peter was the first one who climb the ladder.His hands grabbed on the stick and push his leg upward while Tabias help Rosalind by her hand and the two begun to climb with Rosalind being behind Tabias
The three climb the sturdy ladder with the scent of the ladder offering a off peaceful atmosphere.As the envoriment get darker and darker as they climb higher, by how the light slowly dimmed out until darkness remained.Tabias light up his TV screen, the screen flickering before becoming a beam of light that provide visibility
Rosalind:Oh my! —— You were able to do that?
Tabias:W-well...Yeah —, Peter you didn't tell her?
Peter:Uuh..Nope —— Look, we're at exit.I can see the light!
Rosalind:I just noticed.. Where's the spirit of the forest?
Tabias looked down.His tv screen lighting behind Rosalind and the blinding light caused Rosalind to cover her eyes for a second
Tabias: They.. Aren't here
Peter:They probably stay behind
Tabias:But Peter, I have..A bad feeling about this..
Peter:Don't worry, we have Vaquero at our side.Hes the biggest in our group, kay?
Tabias:...Yes
The three continue to climb and the light of the entrance continue to get brhghter and brighter and eventually.Peter was the first one who poked his head.The smell of the white lilies, the air that wave the grass, it's refreshing to finally exit out the Disney world
He got up from the hole and Tabias picked his tv head.His TV screen light flicker and turn off as it isn't needed anymore and Peter lend a hand for Tabias to grab in.Rosalind poked his head with emerald hair and the two lend a hand to helped her
Rosalind:My, my what a wonderful garden!
Tabias:It's actually a..
Peter: Greenhouse
Tabias m:Yes, Greenhouse
Rosalind:What's a greenhouse?
Peter:Well, a greenhouse is a place where you..Uhm..Put plants in it to regulate them
Rosalind:Ooh.What a wonderfuul....
Rosalind face seem to be a expression of wonder and confusion.The two are confused and turn at the same direction
Rosalind: What's..That?
Tabias:Oh, that's Vaquero!
Rosalind:Is that the friend you mentioned? I..Didn't expect for him to be like that.Why didn't you tell me?
Peter:Because.. (He scratch the back of his head) We don't wanna..Left you confused or something like that
Rosalind:Oh, then I don't mind that
Vaquero face at the trio inside ethe greenhouse
Vaquero:Wait, you're already out? A-and who's that..Lady, mate?
Tabias: She's Rosalind! Rosalind, can you maybe.. Introuced yourself?
Rosalind: Gladly (she bowed, she grabbed her white dress as a way of respect), my name is Princess Rosalind Russell or short, Rosa (she return t her normal standing position)
Vaquero:Ooh, hi.. Rosa..
Vaquero face seem to be paranoid.His eyes are constantly scanning to the area almost as if they're is a threat
Peter: Vaquero, what's the big deal?
Vaquero:Uhm..Guys..I think..Well..I need to tell you something-
A single hand emerged from the hole.It seem to be exposed with flesh, it's distorted and paper to Bea cartoonish animal limb.It slowly and silently unraveling into a black, foggy tentacle and then hive above the trio
Vaquero:SHI-