(open) you're looking at me like you don't know who i am

[entreats]

Who: Ange, Ruby, Break, and anyone who knows any of them.
What: Corruption turned Ange into a true Umineko witch who decided the best way to keep the people she loves safe from this town is to drag them into a pocket dimension.
When: For a while in March.
Where: Ange and Ruby's house-turned-small-pocket-dimension.

Content Warnings: Potential violence if anyone acts particularly antagonistic. Potential talk of violence or gore. Other warnings will be added when things pop up.



Perhaps you have seen Ruby's odd network post and decided to check things out. Or maybe you're just wandering around Trench and notice that Ange and Ruby's house suddenly looks.. different.

The house has been completely overgrown by way oversized roses, big thorns growing out of all the stems, completely obscuring the structure that's supposed to be underneath it. If you get close enough to the cluster of roses, you may feel your connection to any of the three people inside suddenly pull you in. (Please note: only people who know either Ange, Ruby or Break will be able to enter the pocket dimension because of this!)

If you give in to the sensation, everything around you might go black, and when the light returns, you seem to find yourself in.. a hedge maze. A rather odd one, though. As you stumble through it, you may suddenly find yourself in random rooms, and then back out of them into the hedge maze once more. The Moss King's wild plants seem to have even invaded corners of this place, so you might want to watch out you avoid having those snap at you. Retracing your steps through the labyrinth feels impossible, like the way is changing up behind you with every step. Some rooms make perfect sense - like a neat and elaborate kitchen, or a library - and others seem to consist of nonsense with stairs leading upside down or to nowhere, or gravity not working in a specific room at all.

Flying throughout the entire maze are golden butterflies. They seem to fly with direction, and if you follow them, you might find them leading you to one of the people you were looking for..

Comments

Ruby Rose (OTA)

[onekindsoul]

Gardening/On Patrol

[Ruby is actually fairly easy to find out of the three in the pocket dimension. Her desire has always been to protect those closest to her and that's been dialed up to eleven here. She can be found floating idly by through through the pocket dimension guiding those who need it with a smile.

If any carnivorous plants appear she'll be quick to engage them with the wicked scythe she appeared with in the network video.

Or maybe she approaches with an overly cheerful smile and a wave.]

Hello~! Welcome to the Golden Land. Can I take your coat? Would you like a snack?

Be our guest. (A little more hostile)

[For any who enter the realm with clear intent to disrupt what's going on or bring one of the residents of this pocket dimension back to Trench. Ruby will still be as friendly as can be, but there'll be a certain chill in the air. A definite sign that the welcome matt is no longer at the door.

If they don't see her right away there might be the hint of a giggle from behind a bush in the maze. Or they could swear you hear the screeching of a blade against the stone pavement from nearby.

Nothing comes of that until the traveler feels a poke on their shoulder as Ruby suddenly appears at their side. A smile that doesn't quite reach her lips is on her face.]

For the safety of the Golden Witch and all who dwell here, I'm going to have to politely ask you to leave.

Should you refuse to cooperate I can either have you removed by force, or you may stay in a guest room until morning and we can reassess the situation then.

Gardening

[terriblepurpose]

[ This is far from the first time Paul has ended up in a different place than he expected to end up when he passed a threshold. He's developed a set of responses and rules to handle them.

Most of them are an extension of the first sets of rules his mother and father instilled in him. Rules for entering another person's home, rules for stepping into unknown territory. Rules for swimming in strange waters.

The garden-maze is beautiful. It reminds him of other gardens, other mazes. He is contemplating an arrangement of rose bushes at the corner of one turn peacefully when Ruby approaches, his dark coat folded over his arm and no sign of anything in his expression beyond mild curiosity. ]

Hello, Lady Rose. [ He smiles back at her, a little, old joke in the too-formal naming. ] I'm all right. I only stopped by to say hello. See how things were.

This is a very beautiful place. The Omni didn't do it justice.

[onekindsoul]

[Ruby returned Paul's smile back with one of her own and a polite little bow. Much more prim and proper than anything Ruby could really manage on a normal day.]

Paul of House Atreides. I'm honored that you'd grace us with your presence today.

[She takes a moment to step back and enjoy the beauty of the garden herself.]

Pictures often pale in comparison to the real thing, don't they?

[terriblepurpose]

[ If Paul was less well-mannered himself, the hair on the back of his neck might have the temerity to lift. He bows back in echo with those fine filaments still flat against his skin. ]

They do.

[ He thinks of a jewelled box, of fine clockwork mechanisms. He stops thinking of them. He thinks of flowers, their clustered complexity, innocuous and lovely. ]

It seems like quite a feat of creation. I hope it wasn't overly taxing.

Gardening

[justoscar]

[Oscar wasn't certain what he was going to do once he got to Ange and Ruby to find out what was happening-- that was a problem to answer later. The most important matter was making sure that his sister and her wife were safe and okay. He hadn't anticipated being pulled so deeply into the labyrinth the moment he touched the hedge.... but, worse things had happened before.

For the moment, he was merely trying to find his way around and following the golden butterflies that he knew were connected to Ange. He trusted his family, and he trusted their power to keep him safe.

The butterflies took him right to Ruby. For the first time since Ruby had made her post, Oscar heaved a sigh of relief.]

There you are! [ He called, ignoring the butterflies to rush over.] What happened to your house? I can't even find the front door!

[onekindsoul]

[Ruby finished ribbing her scythe out of a plant and quickly looked over to Oscar as he rushed to her side. Except she didn't make any gesture to show any sign of familiarity. No bright smile, no hug, not even a high five. Just a very business like and professional smile.]

Oscar.

The front door has been removed for the moment, as we're not occupying the house at the moment.

This garden is currently serving as our home.

[justoscar]

[--The stilted manner and polite, formal tone were as unlike Ruby as anything he had ever witnessed. Oscar stopped in his tracks, hazel eyes wide and uncertain for a moment before darting away. He studied the rose bushes instead, running his fingers over their fragile leaves while he listened to her words.]

...It's still wintertime, [He said with obvious concern and unease.] And, those weird creatures are everywhere again. Is the garden even safe to be your permanent home right now?

A lil Prunin

[threelayers]

No, this was definitely not normal. She'd finally investigated Ruby's place somewhere along the line after that creepy af message that she and the whole network had seen. This was kind of a serious situation, wasn't it? Of course, Neo had no intention of actually interfering if the two of them were safe, but she was feeling a lot of weirdness right now, and she wasn't sure if it was her paranoia or she was actually feeling it through the bond.

The fuck was up with this whole situation? She had just seen Ruby slice through a naughty little plant and was cocking her head when the snack was offered. Oh right. that expected a reply didn't it?

Sure, uh, you sure everything's ok?

[onekindsoul]

Part of Ruby was perhaps a little surprised that Neo had actually been able to travel to this world. But perhaps that was a sign of how things had truly changed between them.

She floats there unbothered by Neo's staring at first, then gives a little smile as she flicks her scythe to clean it of any left over plant juice.

"I'm doing just fine. A little bit of gardening.

I can't have anything cause any problems for Ange here. I'm sure you understand."

[threelayers]

The bond might have helped a little, but it probably did mean a lot that she'd been able to be drawn in here. Certainly she wasn't perceived at the moment by the world as a threat. She nodded at the gardening comment. That, at least, didn't seem so bad.

Yeah, naturally.
You're going to protect her, no matter what.
Along with your friends and family, right?

Good way to test things. she wasn't going to mention she'd talked to Penny, or tried to anyway, before getting here. She was a little worried.

gardening prompt, kind of

[entreats]

[ It's not like Ange hasn't been spending plenty of time with Ruby already in here. There's not really any time to miss your wife when you're spending so much time with her in your own little world..

But sometimes Ange can't help but want to see Ruby when they're not hanging out. It's one of those rare mometns where she leaves her little hiding space in the middle of the maze, instead moving around to find her wife. Sure, she could summon Ruby to her side right away, but where's the fun in that when she wants to see what the other girl is doing in their new little world? Ange just hopes she's having fun.

So when she spots Ruby whacking at the plants with her scythe.. well, it's not really a surprise. That is what Ruby likes to do, isn't it. If there's any concern in her voice, it's not for what Ruby is doing as much as it's just-- ]

Those things even made their way in here?

[ Ugh.

Pthumerians. And here Ange was trying so hard to keep them out of this. ]

[onekindsoul]

[Ruby was working quickly to dispatch all of the plants when she hears Ange's voice from behind her. She jumps with sudden surprise and turns in mid-air to face her wife.

She hadn't should have sensed her approach. Or done a better job cleaning up the Garden of imperfections. This was absolutely embarrassing.]

Unfortunately! The creatures who run the outside world seem determined to reach you.

But worry not, My Golden Witch.

I'll make sure none of them get close to harm a hair on your head. I promise.

[entreats]

Hmm, I'm not worried.

[ Her voice is very calm and even. It may not be the most gentle, but there's no rejection or even anything stern in it. Instead it just sounds like Ange is speaking the truth here.

A moment later she's extending a hand towards the other, beckoning Ruby closer. ]

I know you will protect me, no matter what. I just wanted to make sure you weren't working yourself too hard. [ Look, is Ruby Ange's furniture like this? Sure.

But this is also still her wife, and there's no way Ange isn't going to look out for her as well. It's why she bothered to come look for the other in the first place, after all, rather than staying in the middle of the maze. ]

gardening 🌹

[possessum]

( Per Ruby's instruction on that network post, Peter finds his way into the odd other-world, the realm to be found behind the house he once helped to rebuild. He's spoken to the golden-eyed Ange by now, and stumbled into Break's dreamscape teaparty, and he does mean to make contact with Ruby, as well. He wanders for a little while through bright green hedges, until she seems almost to find him, and the boy blinks before offering a smile and a wave in response to his friend's extremely cheerful one.

Yes, Peter's learned that all of this is... odd, and there is something to Ruby's smile that is a little unsettling (he's almost reminded of Paimon, trying to imitate the way laughing sounds, unable to quite reach it), but Peter isn't afraid. Not really. No, this is something created from Ange, and he trusts his friends, trusts their spirits. Worry does sit in his gut somewhere, but he's not here to convince anyone of anything. )

Hey, Ruby! Golden Land's a good name for it... ( He means it, smile warming a little, and then immediately perking up at that last bit, because of course it does. )

There's snacks here?

[onekindsoul]

[The feeling of joy at the sight of Peter is dulled compared to what it should be. Ruby's emotions just weren't all there for some reason. But she does feel her smile brighten just a touch.]

It is, isn't it? I wish I could say it was original, but if it's not broken there's no point in fixing it.

[She then steps aside and gestures for him to continue along the path.]

Of course there are snacks. It would be rude to host as many tea parties as we do and not offer something to eat.

Do you have any preferences?

[possessum]

( Peter moves to follow the direction, moving slowly along the pathway and glancing around at everything as he does. Really, it is beautiful.... and safe. He can see why Ange would create it, and want to stay. ...And Peter of all people knows what it is to tuck one's self in somewhere safe, away from everything. There's no judgment here. )

Hey, you know me — I'll eat anything.

( He grins, glancing back over at his friend. But, given teaparties: )

What kinds of cake do y'all have here?

gardening

[bolstafir]

[Qrow may have had some ... unfortunate experiences with the hedge maze and the Moss King's plants before he realized he needed to follow the butterflies to find anyone. He's looking a little bit more rumpled than he prefers to appear by the time Ruby shows up, because he definitely landed face first in the hedges a few times when the random rooms spit him out, or on particularly Unlucky (TM) occasions, nearly right into the snapping jaws of a carnivorous plant.

Even so, he's gotta make some effort not to let the whole situation appear to rattle him, and so when she approaches, he reaches out for a fistbump.]

Obviously. [Being a living garbage disposal runs in the family ofc.]

I brought some cookies myself, as a kinda housewarming gift but they might've uh...broken...on the way...

[He pulls out a package of butt-erscotch cookies that he thought were very funny, but alas, they are now a brokebutt mountain.]

Still probably tasty, though.

[onekindsoul]

[Ruby gives her uncle a slightly dubious look when he comes up looking the way that he did. There's no real warmth to her smile- but there's an attempt???? to look more personable.

When he goes in for the fist bump, she returns it by raising a hand as if she were going to shake it and instead ends up awkwardly cupping his hand for a second.]

Really though. We do have to get you cleaned up before you see the Golden Witch.

[Don't mind her as she slides over and slowly starts to dust off any stray twigs or leaves from his jacket.

Eventually her eyes turn toward the cookies. There wasn't a laugh, a giggle, not even a snort. She just eyed the pile with professional courtesy.

...It was like she worked in the Schnee manor or something.]

I'm sure she'll be charmed either way.

[bolstafir]

...Heh. I dunno, I think it kinda suits my whole 'dashing rogue' vibe, don't you? Ange might be shocked if she sees me looking too put together.

[It's a little stilted, though, like he's distracted. The fumbling response to the fistbump--which would've have been charming on anyone else--is yet another fraying thread in his confidence with this whole situation being on the up and up, but he isn't truly alarmed until she shows no reaction to the cookies.

Something has gone wrong here, and he does not know what or why or if there's even anything to do beyond simply ride it out, like so many of the town's curses. Once again, he's powerless to do anything. It happens so often, these days. The vision of Break dying of poison, Ange the sole line of defense keeping him alive, is still fresh behind his eyelids, settling in alongside the nightmares he still has on occasion of the fall of Atlas.

Any trace of a grin, even an awkward one, fades from his features, resisting his efforts to bring it back up.]

Ruby...

[He trails off, but a moment later he rallies and tries again.]

Has anything--weird happened at your place, lately? Before you guys came here, I mean.

Gardening

[frogfear]

[Willow sets off for the pocket dimension immediately after the conversation over the network. She's not entirely sure what she expected to find, but the atmosphere is nothing short of disconcerting, as is Ruby's appearance.]

Uh... no, no snacks or anything needed, thanks, Ruby. So, um, Golden Land, huh?

[onekindsoul]

[Ruby had been expecting Willow and was doing her best way clearing out the entrance when she saw her finally come in.

The amount of plants that came through here was... concerning.]

If you say so.

[She says professionally as the magic scythe disappears from her hands.]

This is the Golden Land, yes.

The video doesn't really do it justice, does it?

hedge maze for bastard grandpas

[clocktowers]

[ It is not a terribly welcoming garden. When Ozpin enters, he finds himself physically struggling to push through a rosebush, the thorns catching at his clothes. It takes a moment to extricate himself, less elegantly than he'd prefer.

But he does insist, and so now here he stands: leaves in his hair, his weapon in hand, frowning out at the seemingly endless tangle of hedges. Every time he steps forward, he seems to meet another dead end. ]

[onekindsoul]

[Under any other circumstance Ruby would have been content to bar the path of anyone her and Ange didn't see fit to enter their golden land. But- the scattered fragments of Ruby's soul had ached when Ozpin had approached the portal. The part of her that was Ange's furniture knew that had caused her grief too. She didn't normally go out looking for a fight, but she thought it was only fitting to make it clear that he wasn't welcome here.

As Ozpin navigates through the maze the bright colours seem to dull, the golden butterflies actively retreat from his touch, and the rose bushes seem to carry more thorns than they did for anyone else. When he comes across the next dead end, the light sound of heels clicking against the path can be heard. And a moment later Ruby Rose will lightly skip into view before coming to a stop. Garbed in an outfit befitting her station as furniture to the Golden Witch.]

Professor Ozpin.

I shouldn't be surprised you're sticking your nose in where you clearly aren't welcome.

[There's a lack of emotion to her tone. Like she's simply stating a well known fact.]

Why?

gardening

[toteninsel]

[ Oh, she's even friendlier in person than she was over the network. Ariane meets Ruby's smile with a more subdued version of her own, and nods appreciatively. ]

I'm not especially hungry, but thank you. You've got a beautiful garden here.

[ A shame about the carnivorous planta, but it's not Ariane's place to criticize. ]

Would you be able to guide me to the house? It might be nice to find a place to sit down.

[onekindsoul]

[If Ariane thought she was friendly now, then she'll get a kick out of her when her soul isn't partially sucked out and fragmented.

Her smile remains professional and she gives a little nod.]

Of course. I can only take a little bit of the credit. My witch is the one who created it, I simply make sure it's free of weeds.

[As any good furniture would.]

Of course. Do try to stay on the path. The deadly plants have a harder time reaching there.

[Not that she'd let any of them touch a precious guest, but still.

She touches off the ground and gently floats down along the path. Continuing on through the maze.]

I take it you didn't have any trouble getting through the portal?