Manor on the Moors (I)
The strong wind causes the grass to ripple. The weather is cold, refreshingly so. You find yourself standing right in front of the mansion, already on its grounds. The building itself is three storeys high, looming over you with a foreboding presence. Ivy vines cover the trellises, reaching up the gray stone walls.
There doesn’t seem to be anyone around in the grounds. Moving closer to the mansion, you look through the window. There, to your surprise, you see Sophie in an elaborate, expensive-looking white dress. Her hair is tied up neatly and she is all dolled up, looking prettier than you have ever seen her. There appears to be a ball of some sort in the hall. There are people dancing, more food than you have ever seen, and servants are bustling to and fro, attending to the distinguished guests. You can even hear the faint strains of music coming in through the window.
Cheeks flushed red, Sophie is happily conversing with a crowd of tall, handsome gentlemen that look like they stepped right out of a romance novel. On the other hand, you also notice a group of girls staring jealously at Sophie, biting their handkerchiefs like rats gnawing away at wood. You cannot make out what any of them are saying from here, the distance and general clamor of the ball drowning out any distinguishable words.
It is a puzzling sight, for certain. Was this supposed to be the trial? It seemed... rather easy, compared to what you had encountered.
A vapid dream, but it would improve marginally if the suitors proceeded to slaughter each other for her attention. That hall would look particularly resplendent when coated with red.
For some reason, you can hear Uridimmu in your head. You ignore the voice; you probably just imagined it anyway. For now, you need to figure out what to do now that you are here, in Sophie’s dream.
***
A. You bang on the window to get Sophie's attention.
B. You launch yourself through the window, smashing your way in.
C. You try to quietly search for an entrance on the ground floor.
D. You climb up the wall and attempt to enter the mansion through the upper floors.
E. You decide to sit outside and wait until she is done.
) - 2
