Group 2: Relena, Ienzo, and Mercator ((Quest))

[Doogie]

A piece of paper appeared in front of Relena, Ienzo, and Mercator. Each piece of paper read:

If it is single letters you want, then come on over.
But beware, for make him angry and he might disappear.

They needed to group up, head out, and solve the riddles!

((Mkay, so, this is y'alls riddle. You need to figure it out (whether that be through PM's or whatever) and then you must make two posts each to be able to get to the place that is the answer to the riddle.

Note: The answer may be from the game, or the movie. It isn't restricted to either of the two.

Have fun! If you have any questions/concerns/random things that will keep you from posting, PM me!))

[Charme]

Ienzo picked up the peice of paper and smiled. Wonderland... Underland. The world down the rabbit hole. He had kept his Data up to date about this place. It interested him. He once believed it to be a World built out of Alice's very unstable mind. Yet it seemed he had been mistaken.

He turned to Relena and smiled. "Hey. We can win this thing." Holding up the piece of paper for them to see, he chuckled. "Single letters, huh? If my data's correct, Absolute will hold all the single letters we need. And believe me, if you fire up his temper, he'll vanish faster than I can."

[iuma]

Mercator took hold of the paper with the riddle and started to grin excitingly. The Mad Hatter always knew how to lift his spirits. This scavenge hunt would be a nice adventure for him to spend some time with. Perhaps it would lead him to parts of Wonderland that he hasn't mapped out yet.

But first there were other concerns as Mercator glanced over the table and the other participants in search of his group mates. Only Chinzo and Seed were familiar, and he found himself quite lucky not to be teamed up with them. But he had no idea who Relena and Ienzo were.
Strolling alongside the table he threw his cane up in his hand, now holding the bottom part as the top was sticking out above his head in the air. While loudly asking to everybody.
"Group 2! Where's group 2?
I'm looking for my group, it's the number 2. Relena and Ienzo are in it but for the rest i don't have a clue."

[sagefirefox]

Relena frowned at the smile Ienzo flashed her way. He had already solved the riddle, what a fun sucker. Ienzo never let her do anything. She held her piece of paper tightly and looked to this Mercator guy headed their way. He was calling out their names loudly and the Steel Blitzer was not happy about this one bit. "Hey, you!" she hollered at the other group member. Her eyes were locked onto Mercator, and no, not in a good way. She was furious that he would even begin to cause a commotion like that. Surely someone was bound to notice them. To be noticed was not a good thing either, the goal was to slip out without being noticed.

She turned her attention back to Ienzo and rolled her eyes to him. "Hey, Mercy guy, we're over here." Her gaze was then fixed onto the other Dark XII member. Relena cocked her head off to the side, signaling that they should probably slip away before someone notices that they have the answer. This Mercator was going to be a problem, he seemed already like the type you wouldn't bring along on a week-long vacation. Perhaps it was the fact that he gave off the impression of being a blabbermouth. Just the thing that Relena hated, blabbermouths.

[Charme]

Ienzo frowned as Relena shot him a look. It seemed that he was right. Every time he saw one of the Dark XII, their emotions reflected the Darkness they represented. He was beginning to feel not anger, but sorrow. Turning around, he waved ahead.

They moved at a brisk rate. Moving through Underland, Ienzo noted the mushrooms of the Lotus woods. Perhaps they held pollen? Medicinal herbs? The roses underfoot sung as they stayed on their path... He wondered what their purpose was in the abstract circle of life here.

Ienzo stopped and peered around a rather large mushroom. Claw marks coated one side of it... A bandersnatch. They needed to continue forward... He began to move until a bit of smoke drifted past his ear.

((Okay, I set us all up! Somebody talk to Absolute, the blue caterpillar, and then yell MAD HATTER, or something along those lines. We have to do it this turn or we lose.

The reason I chose the caterpillar was forementioned. Do we all agree that it is the caterpillar?))

[Doogie]

((Mod update! I am now putting a 360 word count rule in place. I will be copying and pasting each of your posts in a Word Document to see if it is 360 words. The first time after this rule starts, you'll get a warning, and need to edit it, and make it long enough. Second time, you'll get another warning. Enough repeats, and you will be disqualified from the event. So, from now on, 360 words please! ))

[iuma]

As Mercator was called over, he grinningly joined his two teammates. Eventhough his skin looked wrinkled and old, his eyes sparkled with youthfull energy and his movement was nimble and swift.
With a subtle bow he greeted Relena and Ienzo as he said:
"How pleasant to make your acquintance. I'm looking forward to our collaboration."

Relena's stare either went by unnoticed or was ignored by the elderly traveler. As he stepped up till besides her and addressed her personaly. Still smiling rogueshly and with confidence:
"Miss Relena, I assume. Truelly I'm lucky with the compangy of such a beautifull and sophisticated marble..."
Mercator then tossed his cane up and held it horizontally with his both hands as he leaned a bit closer and spoke with a tone of an lecturing teacher:
"... But the name is Mercator, do try to remember it."

Turning back to Ienzo he pulled out a map out of one of his many bags and unfolded it before him. On the parchment was a map of all of wonderland. And notes and symbols indicating short cuts. There was also a field of mushrooms portraited on it. With one big yellow mushroom and a blue caterpillar on top of it.

"Well then, lets be off before..."
But Mercator's sentence was cut short as he noticed how Ienzo was already moving through the underworld. The man looked stunned for a moment and then spoke:
"Seems like Mister Ienzo is already on his way..."
He then doublechecked his map and continued:
"And in the right direction no less."

The wanderer rolled op his map and travelled with Ienzo through the gigantic vegetation of Wonderland. Having no problems with the huge grass and pebbles the size of boulders. Moving with such ease like the man was brought up in this enviroment.

Mercator yournied along untill he also was caught by a whiff of smoke. More were floating by coming from the same direction. Aswel as a soft voice could be heard. Spelling out letters of the alphabet.
Using his cane to push some of the large grasssprites at the side, the view of a small valley could be seen. A large blue caterpillar smoking a waterpipe was laying on a large yellow mushroom. And everytime he exhaled, he spoke a letter, and the smoke leaving his mouth took the shape of that letter.
"Excellent deduction, my dear mister Ienzo." Mercator said quietly to him. While smiling with an expression that seemed to resemble pride.

"We have arrived." Mercator said softly. While his eyes were locked on his destination. Leaving the observation spot the elder walked down till the base of the mushroom.
Mercator hided underneath the hanging canopy of the mushroom. So as the caterpillar would not see him. Sneaking over wasn't much of a challenge as the large insect was clearly distracted and occupied with other matters.

Standing underneath Absolute's home, he awaited for Ienzo and Relena to join in. Mercator had no intention of starting a conversation with the caterpillar himself. And awaited the rest of the group to see how to proceed.
Also the riddle was to go someplace. Interaction with residents were not mentioned.
After Relena would arrive, Mercator would softly say:
"Miss Relena, I do believe you deserve the honor of calling our mad friend to see if we solved his riddle correctly. I do think he would appreciate it if somebody with your charm would appeal to him then an old veteran like myself."
Mercator finished by keeping that slightly enthousiast smile on his face as his sparkling eyes awaited the outcome with great anticipation.

[sagefirefox]

((360? Damn.))

Smartass. This Mercator guy was getting on her nerves. He was trying to flatter her but it only ticked her off more. Flattery would get him nowhere, Relena wasn't an idiot. She wouldn't be falling for his useless tricks. She was a Heartless, not a human, and she would not be won over so quickly. Her eyes followed the new comer as he pulled a map out of a bag of his. Ha! This guy actually needed a map to find his way around Wonderland? Of course Number 12 wouldn’t ever admit to anyone that she too sometimes needed help finding her way around. Ienzo seemed to already have found the way to go, as he started walking before Mercator even had his map ready.

Relena followed behind them carefully. The last thing she needed was to get lost in a place like this, with these two people. Wonderland was a place of odd creatures and giant scenery, making it easy to get lost in. She certainly didn’t want to find herself face-to-face with a bandersnatch. Those creatures always made her sigh with frustration. They put up a fight when disturbed and were a nuisance to kill off. She narrowed her eyes at the smell of smoke. Obviously the caterpillar would be up ahead.

When the mushroom came into view, a large yellow one surrounded by blue smoke, she planted her feet and stared at Mercator. "Miss Relena, I do believe you deserve the honor of calling our mad friend to see if we solved his riddle correctly. I do think he would appreciate it if somebody with your charm would appeal to him then an old veteran like myself." She snorted at this comment, what charm? Nevertheless, they had to get moving before another team won this competition. Sure Relena had joined just for fun, but it didn’t mean that she didn’t want to win. ”Hello Absolute, I hope you don’t mind our company.” For once, the Heartless seemed to be showing respect, but it was only because she didn’t want to deal with the caterpillar. ”Mad Hatter? I think we’ve solved your riddle!”

((*Snickers* 360 exact.))

[Doogie]

"Mad Hatter? I think we've solved your riddle!"[/i]

"Why yes, yes you have my dear!" said a voice that floated toward the group of "people". "You have solved my riddle, and now, you will receive an item for later use, and another riddle! Isn't this just fun?!" Said the voice.

In front of the group materialized a "Card decorated with Hearts", which was small enough to fit in someone's pocket, and on top of the card was another slip of paper that read,

Be careful where you step,
if you need some help seeing, then we got that covered
If that doesn't work, then just listen to some very good advice!

[Doogie]

((Mod update!! Word requirement has been changed to 300 words. I realized just how many words 360 were. So, I changed it to 300. Make sure you have 300 words please!))

[sagefirefox]

Relena looked around and took in the blank expressions on her team mates' faces. They didn't know the riddle? Sure she didn't know her way around here, but there were signs hanging in certain parts of the world. Once, she had gotten lost (as much as she hated to admit it) and found a sign pointing toward a darker part of the forest. The sign had read 'UGLY WOODS' or something like that; she couldn't quite remember the name. It for sure started with a 'T', but reminded her of the word ugly. Tulgae Woods? Talgay Wood? Why couldn't she remember? That day when she had come across the sign, she read it aloud because it looked so funny. The name almost seemed made up; surely she couldn't forget such an odd name.

She turned to Ienzo, who seemed to know every part of Wonderland, and wondered that maybe if she gave him close enough of a name he could get it and take them there. "Ienzo?" she started, to get his attention, "Do you know of a woods by the name of Tulgae or Talgey?" The name was right on the tip of her tongue, hopefully Ienzo could help her with it. They'd probably question her about the woods, as to how it was connected with the riddle and they'd expect some answer from her, but there was none. She wasn't exactly clueless like her teammates (unless they were just good at hiding their emotions), but she wasn't exactly certain. There was just something pulling her toward those woods. Her teammates were just going to have to trust her on this one. Either that or they could give up and face the consequences. But Relena had never given up, and it would stay that way.

((300 words exact :3))

[iuma]

(ooc: ienzo asked me to wait with posting untill he had heard from you, didn't you get his pm?)

Mercator was remaining silent while his eyes shifted back and forth between Relena and Ienzo. Waiting to see who would respond first. It was only proper to give them a chance to solve the riddle before inmediatly telling the answer. It would be good for their brains.
Overhearing Relena's answer he raised his eyebrows and started to smile.

Walking over to the floating "Card decorated with hearts" Mercator snatched it out of the air and tugged it away into one of his many pockets. His many pockets and bags filled with maps and other paperworks.

Finaly turning to Relena while smiling enthousiasticly he spoke in an amused tone:
"My my, beauty and wits. The riddle is obviously referring to a certain resident feline most often found in the Tugley woods. Don't you agree Mister Ienzo? Very good Miss Relena. "
Mercator locked his cane under his upper arm to have his both hands free and then started clapping gently towards Relena. Patting his hands in a slow rythme.

Afterwards he pulled out his map of Wonderland and looked to see where the Tugley woods were located. It looked to be quite a long walk. But as he very well knew, distances in Wonderland were all a matter of knowing how to take them. This could be a long haul or a short trip. It would depend on wether these two group mates would try to take off on their own again or listen to him.

But first he folded his map so that he could look at their current location better, more importantly the mushroom of Absolute they were standing next to. Bringing the parchement close to his eyes he mumbled softly to himself.
"Now lets see, wich side of the mushroom made you bigger and wich side smalller."
Glancing back and forth to the mushroom he walked alongside the stem and finaly stopped. Using his hand he plucked off a piece and also buried it deeply into one of his bag.

Returning to the two others he gave his enigmatic smile again and cheerfully asked:
"Well if you're all set then we'll be off. The Tugley Woods is a difficult place to reach, unless you know the shortcuts like I do."

[sagefirefox]

((I did not get his PM. Don't worry about it though, it should be good. P.S. Doogie, does this count as my second post? :3))

[Doogie]

(( ...*shoots you* =3= No it doesn't! Now, get back to work! *cracks the whip* xDD *huggles* I lurve you? xD))

[Charme]

Ienzo chuckled as Merc spoke. Even that mere laugh held something in it.

He began to walk with Relena as they entered the Darkness of the Tugley Wood. The trees passed by them, each getting more contorted, until only the outlines of the shrubs could be seen among their bodies.

Turning to Mercator, he shook his head. "No use of a map in here. In order to find this riddle's end, we have to do as we're told... Get lost in darkness." He smirked and continued walking, feeling the shadows thicken around him.

His silver eyes seemed to shine slightly in the dull light of the woods as he turned to Relena. She seemed to know where she was walking. "No, I have never heard of those woods..." The signs seemed contorted too, just like the woods around them. Odd. Ienzo pulled his sleeve back and there was a flash of shadows, almost unseeable in the dull light. A ghost clung to his figure, peering around with one eye... A bulbous yellow eye.

"Sin has an eye or two that can help us out," Ienzo replied, letting the ethereal, transparent being look around. Ienzo laughed... He had never shown Sin before. Luckily, it was quite dark. Ienzo’s hair rippled around as he looked to his teammates. This Mercator seemed to know a bit too much about this place. A damned map… How odd. He had never heard of that before. Meanwhile, Relena was drifting with purpose. It was as if she was following something. He had to say, he trusted her.


Ienzo stopped. They had gone too far… It was almost completely dark, without moon or star overhead. The eyes that peered at them from the bushes said nothing but the fact that they were at a dead end. But Ienzo had hope that they could get out.
All they needed was a little advice.

((Kay, me and Merc thought it was the Tugley Woods. Relena, it looks as if you agree, so we continue?))