Quoted By:
To the left you go, you and Richard, up the winding, swerving, humpbacked path, through a field of dormant roses (a handful are budding), through a dingy peasant village, and a glorious castle with— you insist on stopping to check— a thrashing, spitting snake pit, through a bit that's all underwater, like entering a fish tank, and up some more— straight up, corkscrewing, and you complain enough that Richard offers to carry you over his shoulder. You abruptly regain your strength and speed past him, clambering, even crawling, up the steepest bits, until the way becomes spongy, velvety, rich dark pink, and you aren't certain whether you've shrunk, or whether you really are standing on the lip of a ginormous flower. The smell is overpowering. Richard, unpeturbed, ushers you down through the petals, which spiral down into darkness. You hold your breath and slip through.
Have you been here before? The room is dim and crimson red and softly curved and throbbing, and the ground here is even spongier than outside. Dark tunnels lead out in all directions. Also, there's a mattress here, and a discarded cup and flask, and a few scattered papers. Claudia is curled up on the mattress, unmoving.
You hasten up to her, shaking her shoulder, and are rewarded when she cracks an eye open. "Whuh?"
"Are you tied up?" you say. "Invisibly?"
"...No? I just... oh, it's <span class="mu-i">you.</span>" She rolls onto her back. "Gods. <span class="mu-i">Sorry</span> I got a little worn out. I didn't think your mind would be so damn big."
"Me neither," you say, and look up at Richard. "Can I get you out of here?"
"Long as it doesn't take more <span class="mu-i">walking.</span>"
"It won't," Richard says, and twists the air. The crimson room is gone. You are in your scarlet manse.
Claudia scrambles up. "Oh. That easy, huh? Is it gonna be that easy to get a body?"
"Um, not exactly. But it will be easy!" You just need Us' permission and Pat's help. "I'll need a couple more days, though."
"Whatever you say." Claudia plops down on the lip of the font.
Richard gestures you aside. "Lottie, while we're here—"
"What?" you say, irritated.
"No need to take that tone with me. This is in <span class="mu-i">our</span> best interests. I thought we might work on improving some of your, er..." He waves his hand around.
"Powers."
"...Talents. Or I could attempt to teach you something new, if you'd cooperate. What say you?"
(Choices next.)
