Wilford could not pay attention to the child's words, he was more worried about finding the best angle to include as much of the group as possible. He took a few slow and careful steps back, putting the heads of some of the group in with the shot of the forest being.

He checked his digital voice recorder, and selected the option to increase the quality on background noise in hopes of catching something similar to an EVP.

Then, something stabbed him in the mind. If the forest shows the desires of those in it, how much danger was he putting the group in? He sought spirits, vampires, werewolves, faeries, angels, demons and all other myths so he could capture evidence of their existence. What if he summoned Old Scratch to confront the group?

Beads of sweat formed on his brow, and he debated calling the whole thing off. He just couldn't find it within himself to go back, his nature urged him forward despite the danger. The people around him could defend themselves against all comers, or so he thought.

He began to kneel down on a small patch of twigs and leaves, creating a snapping rustle as he settled in for a different angle. The world outside his video screen stopped existing to him. He didn't know what this thing, this forest child was, but he had video to share with the rest of Network 0.

She looks at the human wizard who has deemed it necessary to get down to her level.

"If you are not looking for trouble, it might be best not to go with those who are.  Guilt by association is a common enough phrase in many worlds.  Are you familiar with it?"

She is not condescending in her tone.

"I would suggest that if it is adventure and excitement you seek, you go off to one of the worlds and try and find some there.  There is a very interesting world down that path."

With a flourish of her hand she points off down one of the trails.

Rafi laughed at the child's question, "Guilt by association? Blimey, I'm a bloody expert in it." He flashed a look at Gallus and Wilford, "You wouldn't believe the sort of things some people assume about me because I'm a mage." He shrugged and grinned lopsidedly, "But I've found that trouble often finds me, whomever I'm with." He stood up and brushed himself off slightly, stretching a little. While before the child had turned up he had been feeling - and looking - a little tired, now he was reinvigorated. He turned to Wilford and gave him a little mock salute,

"So what now, General?" He then looked around all of the others, focusing particularly on those bearing arms,

"I want you all to think happy thoughts. Bunnies. Unicorns. Chocolate sundaes. Hot co-eds." He winked at Scott and then muttered to the child,

"It's not going to work, is it?" His smile suggested he already knew the answer.

Does that mean that if I desire to see a girlfriend here, she will find her way to this nexus? Or that a simulacrum will appear in her stead? he asks the child-like representitive.

"My personal inclination is to seek threats and deal with them outside of this realm.  So the path you indicate seems rather inviting.  I wouldn't presume to ask any to follow."

He nods and replies evenly to the spirit, "It is also said that evil thrives when good people do nothing.  And I am not inclined to inaction in any case."  He spoke with a calm certainty rather than fiery conviction.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Wed 15 Apr 2009.

The child puts her hand down slowly and looked back to the wizard with a blank stare.

"I'm sorry if it offends you, but many times it is not plausible to separate those with different views and treat each on such an individual basis. But you choose the company you keep, so you are not entirely free of blame."

She turns her gaze over to the man in the long jacket.

"It has happened before, but the nexus can not interfere with the free will of those that it is trying to pull. You can have desire to see a subject, but it can not pull those unwilling."

Lastly she turned to the last one to speak.

"Your actions and thoughts seem hasty. I will not tell you what lies behind the threshold opens before you, but I will warn you that with every world and every place, threats and morals are not black and white. You are foreigners to the places you travel, and you will not know the truths of the land. Nearly everyone thinks they always work for the greater good. You wish to take action, and I will not stop you. Just know that even the best intentions could mean disaster."


The figure of the girl turns to the path.

"Your goals are ahead of you, if you wish to press on."

Wilford gave a hearty shrug. He had heard only bits and pieces amidst his filming, but the man recognized danger when he heard it. Twice, maybe more, the child mentioned the path.

To no one in particular he spoke while powering down his equipment. I'm not a fan of living forever, and only one person will miss me if this is a snare. F**k it, down the road I go. He gave a lasting look to Rafi and spoke once more. I think if we go down this road, nothing good will happen. I'm sure you and possibly the giant will survive, just keep my equipment for posterity and I won't have died in vain.

With that last thought, he stumbled towards the direction the spirit kept mentioning. He held such low expectations for survival, not from a personal dark view, but only because life was so harsh and unforgiving in his world. You could be a saint, but that offered no protection against the fiends of the night.

Have gun will travel read the card of a man. A knight without armor in a savage land... and so he continued his singing and tried thinking of flying co-eds with low standards. And vampires. And werewolves. And ghosts. And angels. And death. And love. And a million more thoughts, he felt like a child again unable to control the images and idea's flowing through his mind.

It's only death, besides I would like as much information as possible about this place before I go back to the commonwealth
Dave taps his head looking around
If I go down just bring my memory crystal or my head back to my universe

The girl’s words made sense.  You got what you looked for.  Wasn’t that the way of all things?  Following the conversation, Scott had pictured the things Rafi listed… Bunnies. Unicorns. Chocolate sundaes. Hot co-eds . . .  he started to flush, fully tinged pink when Rafi winked and Scott responded with a look that was half sheepish and half defiant.

Then frowned as the others spoke.

Ah guys?  What the…?   Alright granted,  this was information from some  ‘woodsey tart’ He snorted at his own fractured reference to things these guys no doubt didn’t know, But, she just gave universal good advice. Don’t go looking and expecting trouble and you won’t get any.    He shook his head in disgust.

Listening to you guys is like listening to stupid,  punk gang members, that have to go kill each other to prove themselves.  If you just want to die, why be so selfish?  Just off your self.  As he thought about it, he was getting angry.

Ya know, you’re supposed to be all ‘older’ and ‘wiser’ and ‘experienced’ and all that crap.  You’re a bunch of cowardly old men who don’t have the balls to put yourself out of your misery and think if you force somebody else's hand to do it, you’ll be a hero.  You guys are pathetic.  He shook his head, deciding he wanted to explore the forest now more then ever, but whatever way those blood thirsty jerks were going, he was going the opposite.  If Rafi felt he needed to go with them, then he hoped the guy’s magic was strong.

Gallus, silent before, during and after battle, had simply been a spectator. However, when the man started to insult most of the people there, he took it upon himself to rectify the situation. He reach the man, grabbing him by the throat, but not so that it would choke him. "Boy, you have insulted me, my honor, my companions, and this spirit. If you thought that this was a suicide mission, why come? We have our reasons, its time you reflected on yours. Remember that not all of us are as forgiving as the mage, so watch your tongue in the future." He dropped the man, but stood tall in front of him.

Scott snorted at the beast.  There was no point in fighting him, he couldn't win against him.  However, not that he bought into all that new age spiritual stuff, but he was a firm believer that people got what they put forth. I wouldn't have thought you'd be so insecure as to let what I say bother you. So I guess you must know that you insult your own honor. He sneered.

Starting to walk in the opposite direction, he called back, And I'll happily let the spirit decide who she thinks is insulting. I'm here out of peace and curiosity.  I expect to find something amazingly wonderful that maybe I can learn from. ... Oh and maybe your dead body. He shook his head and kept going, noting, like he did back home, direction and significant plant structures that he could find his way back.

Her expression doesn't change as the conflict around her starts.

"Excuse me, fat man.  It would be best if I escorted you and you went as a group.  Otherwise, you might well be separated.  As far as you go, young man, if you wait, I can escort you as well."

Rafi shrugged to the child, "Oh, I'm not taking offense at all. I take full responsibility for the people I associate with." He paused as the situation began to devolve. Boone at least seemed not to want to run into danger but the General? He shook his head. The child was right. Who were they to judge right and wrong, good and evil? He had known enough people who wanted to kill him because they thought he was evil, who believed they were the "good guys". He shook his head and seemed about to say something when Scott spoke up. The young man was clearly frustrated but he flinched as Scott continued. He was touching nerves. Even so, he didn't expect Gallus' reaction. Words were one thing, but to put his hands on Scott?

"Keep your hands off him." Rafael said to the space marine, his voice controlled but clearly angry, "You do not put your hands on anyone in this group." He looked beyond Gallus to Wilford, shaking his head,

"Wilford, the child and Scott are right. I will follow you and protect you if you wish to investigate and discover, but I will not walk alongside those who use violence as the first resort, who use it against their companions or who seek violence." He waited, and hoped that Scott would wait, for Wilford's response.

Wilford stopped, confused. He turned around with a bemused expression. Me? A violent man? I shot something once, or at least at it. No, I'm just too curious for my own good. But here's the rub, if the giant wants to come who is going to stop him? I know I couldn't, nor would I try- not worth the trouble. When a man gets something in his mind and heart, only time and tide can turn him away.

But, I guess we should let the little tike guide us. She'd do a damn sight better job than me. I'm just jacked up, fired up and ready to go. If you know what I mean. In a place like this, there is no time to waste- so much to see.

Scott had paused, he would listen to the forest.  After all, it, she, whatever, was the place. Or was magical or  whatever.  His attention shifting to Rafi briefly with mixed emotions.  On the one hand, he was pleased to have someone stick up for him.  On the other, he didn't need anyone's help.

Problem is, I don't want to go anywhere with those warmongers. He sounded petulent.  But it was true. I don't care if they are a danger to themselves. They get what they deserve. But I don't want to be in a position to be harmed by them or worse, feel I have to help their sorry butts.  His arms folded across his chest.

Rafi shook his head at Wilford. The explorer seemed so intent on his quest that he didn't fully appreciate the problem.

"I didn't say you were violent, Wilford but ... " he bowed slightly to the child "... as the lady says, we are judged by the company we keep. And this company..." He turned slightly to Gallus,

"I can't begin to conceive what you experienced to make you as you are, and I was prepared to give you a chance based on the regret you showed to Wilford over the earlier incident. But, whatever you say, you have no respect for humanity, for people. You resort to violence too easily and while I have no doubt that you could survive anything thrown at you, no-one else is so invulnerable." He shrugged and turned back to Wilford,

"I know that you are keen to continue, Wilford, and you want us to stay together ..." He glanced to the child, "This group must part ways. I am happy to escort people on or back, but..." He shrugged and concluded with a regretful smile, "Only the fluffy bunny and unicorn people."

"So, it is evil to protect others?  If so, I am the darkest of spirits and regret it not one iota."

He gazed down the path.

In his mind he knew of great evils that had slipped through his grasp in the past.  He didn't relish facing them but if he could meet them again on his terms, as the aggressor, they might be overcome.  To encourage them to manipulate, destroy, corrupt and kill through inaction would be unacceptable.

"So, does this path remain in this realm where the forces are shaped or does ones will shape the path that leads to someplace where they can be found."

The subtle distinction was vitally important to him.

Turning to Gallus Boone says I agree with Rafi, leave the members of this group alone. Even the most invulnerable of opponents can be brought down by someone highly-enough skilled. And even your armor has weak points that can be exploited he points out 3 such spots on Gallus' armor. But I don't want to get into a pissing match with you. I'm ready to accompany Wilford, because I too am filled with curiousity about the unknown. All I ask is that you leave your egos and your anger behind. he says to the group.

Scott remained motionless feeling defensive.  He was sure half of these people thought him unable to take care of himself and in need of overseeing and the other half thinking him inferior and wanting to hurt him.  Both annoyed him greatly.  And he certainly didn't need a bunch of old guys looking after him.  He had a dad, that was well enough. He snorted a bit.

Though, he had to admit, it was nice of Boone to point out Gallus's weaknesses.  He wouldn't have known them and given the beast, it might be information that could come in handy.... and it WAS pretty funny to hear the same man guy who seemed to know everything talk about leaving ego's behind.  People were funny.

And it was funny to hear Rafi talking about bunnies and unicorns... and to think of Wilford as a bunny person.... If he wanted to find supermodels in the forest, would they be there?  Maybe hurt...nothing serious of course, just like a twisted ankle, so that they needed a little help...

The little girl steps out of the group and onto the side of the path.  She calmly watches to see how the group will divide up.  In response to Drake's question, she just shrugs.

OOC - Just waiting to see what is going to happen, who is going with whom.

Yeah...Um...Guys...This my just be my opinion but isn't this pretty stupid place to have a really stupid argument?

He looks at both Gallus and Garrett then nods in the direction of the inn

It looks like Rafi and Mr. Boon here have got this under control. Lets go back to the inn and get a few beers

Rafi looked at Drake and shook his head, "Of course it isn't wrong to protect others from evil. The issue is what constitutes evil when we go into an unknown situation such as the one possible here. Initial appearances can often be deceptive." He shrugged slightly: the General seemed so sincere and well-intentioned but too often in his life, the mage had seem good intentions translate into disaster.

When Boone spoke, Rafi nodded his head slightly. As the hero concluded, he grinned at Scott and then to Boone and seemed about to say something the shook his head slightly. Now wasn't the time to be flippant... or more flippant. He just knew that he wasn't going to be probing Gallus' tender points any time soon. He shrugged at Dave's suggestion,

"I don't mind whether I go back or go on but can we make a decision?" In particular, he looked at Wilford, sorrowful that he was spoiling the other man's party but keen to move on nevertheless, and at Gallus.

"I'm not convinced that this path leads somewhere.  It appears that it is more likely just a creation."

He shrugs and turns back from the path and takes two steps back vaguely toward the inn.

"Without a concrete idea of threat or even if it is a reality it isn't reasonable to pursue.  But I still want to see what we can learn about this place."

He touches his sword and his eyes begin to glow red as he observes the magical auras around him.  More than just auras this time he digs deeper into the mysticism around him.  With concentration he sees that which is disguised and hidden, mystical layers shrouding reality peel away.

He noted with a chuckle the hiding holes of the small squirrels and birds nests as he began to pan his vision around.  Not much for real threats so far.  He didn't want to test the will of the child to protect her secrets and avoided looking in her direction.  He might learn what she really was but it didn't particularly matter to him since she hadn't acted as an active threat.

Interupted from his little fantasy, Scott rolled his eyes and let out a sigh.  He shifted his weight as he stood and waited for the next ...show.  He really didn't see why the productions needed to be.

Wilford just smiles to Rafi, shrugs and starts heading down the path at a brisk jog. Frankly he wanted Rafi the most to come, but, one can not control the actions of others.

He would be damned if he was turning back now. If they came with him, great. If not, then he hoped the Lord would have mercy on his soul.

He never looked back, just urged forward.