6. [Text]

[brodakota]

Has anyone mapped out the tunnels in Twilight Town yet? 

Just wondering because it's a maze down here.

Comments

North and Theta

[brodakota]

They'd been walking for a while.

The tunnels were one of the places they'd glossed over with Xion, so North was interested in exploring them again. He hadn't really expected that they'd all look the same, and it became clear very quickly, that getting out was going to be a bit harder than going in.

After about an hour of wandering and fighting nightmares, North had found a place to sit and figure things out. As much as he hated to admit it, he was lost. And when you were lost, it helped to stay in one place. Not that anyone was looking for him at the moment.

Theta had activated the shield, just in case any more nightmares showed up. Cactus sat inside while Winnie stood guard outside. It would be easy enough to adjust the situation if a fight broke out.

"We'll find a way out," Theta said finally, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, we will. I'm just trying to retrace our steps. Any chance you could bring up a map?"

"I could try, but you'd have to give me a minute."

"Go ahead, Theta."

There was a bit of a silence as Theta got thinking about their route and how to put together the map. North could feel the AI at work in the back of his head. It was both odd and comforting. He was still getting used to it.

"Hey, North?"

"Yeah?"

"What's gonna happen if we go home? I mean, I tried to find out more, but Delta and Epsilon didn't wanna say anything thing."

"I'm still figuring that out, Theta. We do have a few clues, so I'm getting an idea, and if Delta says we can trust Texas, that's what I'm going to do. After that, it's mostly just try and find the points where things go wrong, and try and fix them."

Theta nodded, eagerly, before looking down at the floor. North looked at him, quizzically.

"What is it, Theta?"

"You don't really think you die, do you North?"

North shook his head sadly.

"If Wash really doesn't want to tell me about what happens, I have to figure it's something really bad, and that's about the worst thing I think of happening to me."

Theta dimmed. It was disheartening to see his AI, which was usually so bright and colourful fade.

"Don't worry Theta, keeping myself alive if the top priority. Because if I'm not, I won't be of any help to anyone."

"I guess not." Theta was quiet for a moment, "I'll make sure that doesn't happen. I promise."

"I know you won't, Theta. I never planned on doing this alone, and I'm going to need all the help I can get," North nodded. A part of him was worried about Theta, but then he remembered that as timid as the AI was, he was still an AI.

"Promise?" Theta echoed, "That you won't do this alone.

"I promise. We're in this together."

Just as soon as we stop being lost.

[unrecovered]

Wait. Are you lost?

[brodakota]

Not entirely. Theta's working on a map. We should be out soon.

[Read: no we're lost.]

[unrecovered]

[Oh hey that sounds like the excuses he gives.]

You're totally lost, aren't you.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

I can't say that we have. How lost are you?

Do you require our assistance in escaping the tunnels?

[brodakota]

On a scale of one to that time we lost Wash in the woods, I'd say about a five.

We've been down here a few hours. Do you know where there's an exit, Delta?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

We can try to work this one out with less panicking and tears, then. I haven't been down in the tunnels but I can have D map our turns as we go so we can find our way back out if you want.

I will request that if you accept our assistance for you to stay at your current location. Wandering aimlessly would complicate the search.

[shadearchivist]

North, Theta, if you need someone to find you, I can offer you my help. You may also want to take a look around; are there any particular landmarks or differences from the other tunnels you have been through? They double back on themselves, which tends to make them more confusing.

[brodakota]

They all look the same to me, but then, I haven't really been paying that much attention. I'll try again and take a closer look.

If I'm not out in an hour check with Wash. I've asked him to send a search party.

[shadearchivist]

Best of luck to you, then. I will contact Agent Washington in case you're unable to make it out yourself.

[skysmirror]

I haven't, but I can find my way around them pretty well. What part of them are you in now?

[brodakota]

I'm not really sure. There's some stairs.

[That's about all he's got right now.]

[skysmirror]

Okay, do they go up or down?

[Yes, this does make a difference.]

[frostyfuntimes]

Not much of a tunnel guy.

[brodakota]

I admit I'm starting to change my mind about them.

[frostyfuntimes]

So you're lost then right? Have you tried just taking left turns? Or is it right turns...that's supposed to be a trick for getting out of a maze...I think.

[video]

[alwaysfaithful]

[Oh, hey armored Freelancer guy. Chris recognizes you from before.]

How lost are you? And do you need any help getting out of the tunnels?

[video]

[brodakota]

[Always good to see a friendly face.]

Surprisingly, pretty lost.

But I have some friends working on a search party.

[video]

[alwaysfaithful]

Would you or they mind if I helped?

[vide]

[raisethemoon]

Hast thou lost thy way?

[video]

[brodakota]

Looks like it. I've been down here for a while now.

INSERT SEARCH PARTY HERE

[unrecovered]

[Wash had contacted everyone who'd replied to North's post and had them meet him at the entrance to the tunnels. Honestly, he wasn't sure if this was hilarious or just embarrassing.]

When the tunnels start splitting, we'll split off in pairs. Keep track of which turns you make - draw a map, write them down, I don't care what you do, just remember them. I don't want to have to get another party together because someone else got lost. Got it?

BEST SEARCH PARTY

[skysmirror]

[Xion is ready to go find her bro.]

Got it.

[Her drawing skills are nil and her writing skills are only just starting to improve, but her feet always seem to remember a path they've walked. With a good partners, she'll be fine.]

I guess we can use the communicators to let everyone else know if we find him?

Wash and Ienzo

[unrecovered]

[They'd been the first two to split off. Wash wasn't entirely certain he liked the situation, but it was probably better than sending Ienzo off with pretty much anyone else in the group. He tried not to sigh too much, getting a good look at the tunnel they'd branched into.]

You said you could sense him, right? Which direction?

[shadearchivist]

[Ienzo looked around and pointed straight down the tunnel. It was a pity he hadn't been paired with Xion, but Wash seemed to be efficient, at least.]

That general direction. It's not likely to be a straight path to get to him, unfortunately.