[Garden of No Return] Fountains and Berries (Open)

[Vizyous Aconitum]

27th of Winter, 510 AV The hedges before him had been intimidating and massive, spanning far and wide across the area within Alvadas that seemed solely dedicated to this hedge maze. The green that most likely would have been bright and enchanting in the sunlight was muted, Syna long gone and Leth high in the sky. The God's gaze was strong and his appearance full, casting enough light upon the maze to show that within it were not only hedges and paths but far off trees. Running water could faintly be heard, but Vizyous wondered if perhaps that was trickery to lure in those thirsty only to trap them in greenery. The Symenestra was no fool-- he had brought his bag with him, which contained most importantly food and a full flask of water. These hedges weren't like any other in Mizahar, they made up a maze within a city that was already a maze. Without a doubt, the illusion and trickery Ionu worked would also be active here. Pack on his shoulder, Vizyous stepped through the entrance nearest to him and gave a quick and silent prayer to Viratas that he would make it out alive.

[Yanessavhanet]

Vhanet was unsure how long she had been wandering the maze of hedges and plants. Long enough at least that the day had faded into night. It wasn't that she was lost, but it was somewhat similar. She didn't know where she was, or how to get out of the maze, but she didn't care at the moment. It had been several days since she entered Alvadas, and she had come to the Garden of No Return as soon as she heard of it and could find her way. Not only did its chaotic nature appeal to her, but it also sounded like the perfect place to hunt for prey. In a place where people could disappear for days at a time a tasty meal would not be missed by others until long after the fact.

While the silence and solitude made it tempting to shift to her Dhani or Serpent form for the hunt she was staying as a human for the moment. She knew her strengths and weaknesses, and it would be much easier to catch a target off guard if she appeared to be nothing more than a helpless woman last in the Garden.

Hearing a soft sound sent a thrill up her spine, and Vhanet gave a shiver of anticipation. Glancing down at her clothes she gave a small satisfied nod. She was a little dirty, but not enough to be off putting, and her blouse gave just a tiny glimpse of the skin below her neck. She could only hope it was a man she heard out there. Giving her voice the slight tremor of nervousness she called out, "Hello? Is someone else there?"

[Vizyous Aconitum]

As soon as Vizyous had stepped into the maze, Ionu turned on him. The entrance behind him closed and in the passing of the blink of an eye, the Symenestra found himself in a completely different pathway, making his mouth fall open at the sudden relocation. He was still surrounded by tall hedges and trees in full bloom that seemed oblivious to the fact that it was Winter, but now he felt slightly nervous. The God had something planned for him, no doubt, and Vizyous had a feeling it wasn't something too pleasant.

"Hello? Is someone else there?" The female voice sounded to be close by but Vizyous couldn't pin point from where it came. For all he knew, it could have been ten feet away or simply on the other side of one of the hedges he stood near. Most importantly though, the female, whoever she was, sounded nervous. Had she wandered into the hedges and become lost?

Wary of Ionu's tricks and sense of humor, Vizyous first studied his surroundings before answering. The water he'd first heard sounded closer now, perhaps he should head towards it... but then, there was the girl to be curious about. "Yes," the Symenestra would have called out to ask who she was but he focused on the more important question, "where are you?" His voice was loud but cautious, a hint of doubt in his mind making him wonder if perhaps Ionu was playing a trick on him and trying to lure him into a trap within the maze. Or, perhaps, the girl really did need saving.

[Yanessavhanet]

When the masculine voice responded to Vhanet’s call she had to bite her lip to keep from letting out a delighted laugh. There would be time for celebrations later. Now she had to lure the prey closer, and then then game would begin. From the sound of the man’s voice he sounded a little cautious. She would have to be careful then.

“I don’t know where I am, but can you hear the water?” she called out, her voice less nervous than before, “I’m next to a fountain. I walked into the maze for only a moment, but then the path moved and I could not find my way back out,” as she finished speaking she moved the short distance to the fountain and took a seat on the edge. Putting on a expression that held both nervousness and hope she started looking around the various paths that led to the area in the hope of seeing the man soon.

Already she was dreaming of the coming game, and of the fun that came after. The delicate dance of seducing without coming across as too eager was always fun, regardless if she won or not, and there was always plenty of pain to go around with it all. Though she did hope for a good meal as she was on the hungry side.

[Vizyous Aconitum]

When the girl, or woman as Vizyous couldn't tell yet, told him to head towards the water, the Symenestra did just that. He looked around to pin point the direction from which he heard it flowing, and then began a slow but steady walk towards it, his strides long. It was a few strangely tense moments of focusing on the sounds of water before he finally was near enough to see the source.

A clearing was beginning to come into view directly in front of him. Grass and flowers were along the ground as it was throughout the whole maze, no stone in sight aside from that which made up a unique looking fountain of constantly flowing water. He stepped closer towards it, not seeing the girl.

Unsure of whether or not he was losing his mind further, Vizyous finally entered into the clearing, words about to leave his lips but halting he when traveled to the opposite side of the tall fountain. She sat along the stone edge of the refreshing water, not a girl but most definitely a woman. Her skin was tanned, looking remarkably darker compared to his own pale skin, what looked like a fur cloak draping around her to keep her warm.

Vizyous wasn't sure what to expect when he looked into her eyes, but he found darkness framed by equally dark hair-- he found something familiar, yet the Symenestra couldn't quite place it. Words didn't come to mind, so he simply stared at her in curiosity. "How long have you been here? Do you need help?"

[Yanessavhanet]

As the silence dragged on Vhanet found herself growing anxious, and starting to wonder if perhaps the voice had simply been an illusion. The roaming of her dark eyes back and forth grew more anxious as more time passed, but then the man stepped into the clearing. For a moment she simply stared with eyes that widened slightly in genuine surprise. He was far from what she had expected, with his great height and pale skin, and his appearance gave the hint of something much more interesting than the game or a meal. She could not be sure yet, but he looked to be one of the spider-like Symenestra.

Hesitating just the length of a breath longer Vhanet slowly stood up, her eyes fixed on the man, "You are real," she said softly before taking several small steps towards him, "I... I've been in here for a little over a day. I am not hurt or anything, but," she glanced around a little nervously, taking several more steps closer to the man, "I am growing a little frightened about finding my way back out again. Maybe," she looked hopefully up at the man's unusual Amethyst eyes as she moved within a few steps of him, just outside of what she guessed was his reach, "You would permit me to travel with you in the maze?"

[Vizyous Aconitum]

The relief she felt for him being real was echoed, Vizyous finding at least a little comfort in having a partner within the maze. He wasn't sure if there was anything dangerous about the maze itself, any pitfalls or traps, but he didn't want to be stuck alone without any help if there were. At the same time, he was looking forward to exploring alone.

The woman's movements seemed faster than usual, her steps towards him surprising him. Not many women, especially those alone and scared within a eternally changing hedge maze, were brave enough to put themselves within reach of a Symenestra male. "A day within the maze, sounds fun." He smiled at the woman, although it wasn't clear for what reason. "What's your name?" He asked suddenly, looking into the woman's dark eyes. "I can not travel with someone whose name I don't know!"

His voice seemed to have a tone of jest to it, but Vizyous wasn't joking at all. A name could explain everything you need to know about an individual, it had always been the one thing he learned about a stranger before parting with them. Vizyous's eyes carefully portrayed obliviousness to the personal nature of his question, showing instead curiosity and interest.

If only his father were there, he would be ashamed that his son hadn't jumped at such an easy opportunity to take a mother for his child. She seemed to ooze naivety, oblivious to the dangers of a Symenestra male. If anyone was a perfect target for kidnapping, it seemed to be the woman in front of him, looking into his eyes with blind hope.

[Yanessavhanet]

Vhanet paused for a moment as the man asked for her name. Normally she saw little reason to hide her name from those she hunted, the dead could not spread her name and fear along with it, but if this man was truly a Symenestra then she was not sure she wanted to eat him. Though she supposed if he did become a problem she could still eat him after all. Biting her lip lightly for a moment to give the appearance of indecisiveness she glanced away, and then bowed her head as she gave a curtsey, “I am Vhanet, and I am happy to meet you.”

After a moment she brought her head back up and stood upright. Her gaze returned up to him, holding a hint of nervousness now, and she spoke softly, “I would be grateful if I could travel with you until we are out of the maze. I do not know if I have anything you would value that I could offer in return, but maybe we can come to an agreement if you would like?” There was a hint of pleading, of desperation, in her voice as she spoke. Hopefully not enough to get the man to think he could have whatever he wished for, but enough to spur his imagination and tempt who would take advantage of a solitary woman.

[Vizyous Aconitum]

Vizyous found a sly smile that almost appeared a smirk coming to his face, eyes narrowing from amusement at the situation. "Yes, my dear, you can certainly travel with me." He assured her, the spider in him reacting to her curious charm and taking control, making his speech more elegant and handsome. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Vhanet. I'm Dinvidus, a weaver and artist." At least, his brother was. Anyone that reminded him of himself was likely not a good person to tell information to, however she didn't seem to pose any threat at the moment, so he would bring her along with him.

"Come, we can figure out an arrangement later," He gave Vhanet a reassuring smile and began walking towards a path from the fountain, not even sure if it was the one he'd come from, "for now let's focus on reaching an exit." Vizyous had just entered the maze and truthfully wasn't desperate enough to find an exit yet, however if they reached one before his curiosity was satisfied he would return another day.

His movements had become more fluid, eyes more intense and speech more affected by his Symenos accent than usual. Vizyous had adopted the mannerism's of his younger brother easily, having grown up with him and watch him turn from a bratty child into an alluring and confident Symenestra male. Easily adapted as the changes were, Vizyous made sure to keep his thoughts in the right places, trying to ignore the tempting opportunity Vhanet presented to him. "What brought you to this maze, and alone as well?"

[Yanessavhanet]

“Oh thank you,” Vhanet exhaled as relief washed over her face. She stepped forward and brought her arms up as if to embrace the man, but paused and slightly awkwardly tried to pass off the movement as another curtsy. The change of Dinvidus’ voice was not lost on her, and the hint of what that could mean brought out a pleasant shiver of anticipation. Could it be that this man also played the game? Trying to pass the shiver off as due to the cold she rubbed her arms a little as she bowed her read in response to his introduction.

As Dinvidus turned and started to make his way along a path Vhanet moved to walk next to him, keeping a little less space than a length of her arm between them, and gave a small nod of her head showing agreement with what he said. She opened her mouth as if to speak, closed it, softly bit her lip nervously, and then finally said, “I am very thankful for your help,” she gave him a warm smile.

When he asked what had brought her to the maze she looked to the side, feigning embarrassment, “I... I arrived in town not long ago, and when I heard of the maze I became a bit enamoured with it. I thought that if I only went in for a moment then I could leave without problem. When I turned around though the opening had gone!” she gave a soft sigh and shook her head, ”I tried to find my way back out, but the more I walked the more everything changed, and I quickly tired out. I found the fountain thankfully to drink from, and hoped that maybe by being near it I would find another traveler in the maze,” she gave a smile up at Dinvidus, “And then you came.”

Remaining silent for a few steps after her explanation she gave a hesitant glance up at Dinvidus before she looked back to the ground and speaking softly, “Do you mind telling me... are you a Symenestra?” it was hard to keep her hissing accent hidden when she spoke the spider race's name, it felt better to drag out the s, but doing so might give away her race, and it was so much easier to hunt and play if she was thought human, “Only if you do not mind,” she hastened to add.