It's About Time, part 2.5: Journey to Tartarus

[no_vampires_plz]

As the three humans, one Hyrulian, one unicorn, and one demon-dog press forward, the character of the woods around them changes. The undergrowth gets denser, the canopy above lets in less light, and the flora in general is much more... exotic than what one usually sees in the woods by the lake.

"Now, I know that the pathway to Tartarus starts somewhere in this general area," says Twilight. "But I don't know of its exact location. It's not something that ponies really want to advertise."

Comments

[fiss84]

As she flies over to Moon Shadow, 84 calls out "Harness or hands?" at him.

"Miss, can you give Twilight a ride on your carpet? Link, I can carry you as well or you can crowd on the carpet. Maybe?"

She doesn't mean to take charge but lately it's just been happening.

[OOC-And I will have to beg slow until tomorrow.]

[no_vampires_plz]

Twilight, meanwhile, is desperately trying to cast a barrier spell in front of Cerberus to slow him down. It's not working. She's never been that great at running and spellcasting at the same time.

[gorgonfondness]

Mia stops her pursuit once it's apparent it's useless to go on foot. She looks over both Link and Twilight.

"I can likely fit both. But it's going to take some concentration to fly with multiple passengers."

She pulls the carpet from her bag, which looks too small to hold it. She unfurls it quick and takes a seat at the front. It'd be a bit tight but both boy and unicorn can fit with her.

"Draco and I really need to invest in a second carpet," she comments. "Family's getting too big for just one."

[sky_child]

"I can go with Julie," he says. He's not doubting Mia's capabilities, but the last thing any of them need is for someone to be slightly distracted while carrying two passengers.

[basic_powers]

"Harness, thank you, 84."

That way his hands are free.

[fiss84]

84 swoops in and carefully grabs a handful of harness before lifting off and heading to Link. She doesn't see a good support harness so calls out, "Take my hand, unless that belt is strong than it looks."

[no_vampires_plz]

Twilight is, for the moment, too far ahead of the rest of the group to hear what they're saying.

"Come on come on come on--"

[gorgonfondness]

Mia catches up alongside her on the carpet.

"Twilight, hop on before you get exhausted," she calls to her. "We can keep up better in the air."

[sky_child]

Given that his belt is little more than a string keeping the sash around his waist, he immediately reaches out for Julie's hand.

He's not entirely foreign to the sensation of being carried in flight, for reasons he'd...rather not get in to. But being carried by a human--well. This'll be interesting.

[basic_powers]

He's just going to go slightly limp when 84 lifts him up by the harness, it'll be easier on her if he isn't struggling or moving.

"...dangit...we're going to need to catch up..."

[fiss84]

"Cool," is all 84 says as she pours on the speed. Hope you boys are good at ducking and dodging cause while 84 does her best to watch out for branches, she's not perfect. "You guys see that dog?"

[no_vampires_plz]

Twilight doesn't have to be told twice; she leaps up onto the carpet, only mildly surprised at how readily it supports her weight.

"I think I see him," she calls, squinting into the distance.

[gorgonfondness]

Mia doesn't reply at first, concentrating on the carpet as it adapts to the unfamiliar passenger. The carpet holds firm but they lose a little speed during the adjustment.

"We'll catch up soon," she assures the unicorn when she can. "Keep lookout while I fly."

And the Guildmaster stays quiet, focusing as they soar through the skies.

[sky_child]

It's a lot to keep track of--watching out for branches, looking out for the dog, and keeping an eye on Twilight after she calls out--but he manages to get a good idea of where she's looking, and peers in the same direction.

[basic_powers]

..There's something to be said for having had so much practice at dodging things coming at him at high speeds. Most of the leaves and twigs don't hit him, and he certainly doesn't get caught on the branches.

Granted, Moon Shadow's pulling maneuvers out of the 'muppet in a red devil mixer' school of acrobatics, but it works. It's enough that he tries letting out a howl to get into contact with Cerebus.

"AwrrrooOOOOOooooOOooooo..."

[no_vampires_plz]

There's no response.

That's unlikely to be a good thing.

[ooc: pausing for the night due to thunderstorm.]

[fiss84]

84 is thanking all the flight practice with wiggling bodies Coach Rockslide put her through as Link and Moon Shadow's dodging would be trouble other wise. She's just about to Mia and the Twilight now and calls out, "Try calling again Moon Shadow!"

[no_vampires_plz]

No need. Cerberus is standing a few dozen yards ahead at the edge of a small clearing. Near the center of said clearing is a single plant--a low-lying bush with broad green leaves surrounding a single cluster of little purple flowers. But those flowers are giving off an overpowering, intoxicating scent. Accompanying that scent is a near-irresistible temptation to draw closer and pick the delicate blossoms for yourself. Even Cerberus himself seems profoundly ambivalent, with one of his heads struggling to hold back the other two.

"So good--no, bad, stay away--but so good--"

[gorgonfondness]

It's about here that Mia can multitask enough to really see what's going on.

"What's in that clearing? It's got Cerberus acting strange."

But as soon as she asks, she picks up the scent. It's dulled a bit by her protective trinkets but still draws her lower.

"It's..." she starts, covering her mouth and nose. "Whatever that is will charm you."

Her concentration wavers and the carpet alternates rising and descending as she fights to resist.

[sky_child]

Link isn't so well-protected, nor is he at all knowledgeable about charms. His grip around Julie's hand loosens, his gaze fixated on the flowers. If Julie lets him go, he won't have a hard time diving towards them...

[basic_powers]

There's a startled glance to Mia before Moon Shadow looks up to Julie and shouts. "Hold your breath!"

-click- -shhnnt-

His helmet just sealed shut to the armor with a faint glow. He's not sure if doing either of these will help anyone out, much less him and Julie. It might not have been fast enough though, he caught some of that scent himself.

[fiss84]

And it's a good thing Moon Shadow calls that as she was just beginning to think those flowers were really pretty and she wanted one for her mom. Instead she holds her breath as Mia's words dawn comprehension and she tightens her grip on Link.

Only problem is, now she doesn't know what to do and has no way to ask. Hoping for the best she pull sup so Moon Shadow has a good view of things and is hopefully in range for his powers.

[no_vampires_plz]

Twilight wobbles on her perch on the carpet, visibly fighting the urge to leap down and dash over to the plant.

"I... I've seen that," she murmurs. "In a book... it was..." She can't remember. The scent in the air makes it all but impossible to think straight.

[gorgonfondness]

It'll be good if she doesn't, as Mia has managed to pull up again.

She figures she's got about one spell in addition to flying the carpet. She has items that can dispel the charm but they're in her bag and require searching and distribution. They'll have to do something about the plant itself.

"I'm going to try something," she says.

And the carpet gently descends again, though there doesn't seem to be a struggle to go up again as Mia casts a new spell.

Out of nowhere, a rumbling can be heard. Soon there's a rush of snow blanketing the clearing and, hopefully, muffling the enticing aroma.

[no_vampires_plz]

It works. Cerberus blinks and shakes all three of his heads sharply, looking much more alert than he did a moment ago.