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[rideofthefearlings]

[ The screen turns on to show nothing but an almost completely black room. If the viewer watches long enough, their eyes might adjust to see dull shapes of what could be furniture but it's hard to tell. Then something darker than the gloom, a black-on-black shadow, moves past the screen and a voice comes across. For some, it will be audible and some, perhaps not. ]

What a charming little city you all have here. So bright and colourful, so full of life.

[ A disembodied mouth appears against the blackness of the background, grinning a razor smile. It's followed shortly after by a pair of bright gold eyes, the voice low and amused and confident, ]

And yet like most things there is a touch of darkness to it. With that in mind I pose a riddle, for those of you who choose to play along: when is a captive not a captive and a cage not a cage?

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((OOC: Remember to check out his permissions post for whether your character can see/hear him. Thank you!))

Comments

[rideofthefearlings]

Both, to a degree. Soundly correct on the first part, at least.

[tangledintower]

Really? Yes, take that, riddle.

[Right, well then. With the riddle distraction out of the way, she can now focus fully on the fact that she's been talking to a disembodied mouth with eyes. Which is incredibly creepy.]

So, um. Is there more than just a mouth and eyes, or...

[rideofthefearlings]

There is.

[ Pitch moves so that more of the light falls on him, illuminating some of his features. It's wonderful to be not only heard but seen as well and already he can feel his power restoring-- not a moment too soon either, given how small a trickle it had been left ragged after the battle with the Guardians. ]

[tangledintower]

[It's a little easier to not be scared when the disembodied features at least go to some sort of face, so she relaxes a bit.]

Oh. Hello there! I'm Rapunzel.

[rideofthefearlings]

[ Unfortunately, the more of Pitch that is known, the greater hold over someone he can try to assert. ]

Hello Rapunzel. Do I take it you enjoy riddles?

[tangledintower]

[It's a good thing she's not fresh out of the tower, or he'd have a lot more to work with. As it stands, she's always shared a little bit too much as it was...]

I do. I had a friend who was really good at them.

[You remind her of him, vaguely. An older, more terrifying looking and sinister version of him, anyway.]

[rideofthefearlings]

It is an old skill that has sadly gone uncelebrated for many a long year.

[tangledintower]

Which is a shame. Riddles are fun, and smart.

[rideofthefearlings]

Should I come up with more of them for you?

[tangledintower]

Sure, if you've got any good ones, I wouldn't mind hearing them.

[rideofthefearlings]

A horse is tied to a fifteen-foot rope and there is a bale of hay twenty-five feet away from him. Yet the horse is able to eat from the bale of hay. How is this possible?

[tangledintower]

Uh.....hm...oh! The rope isn't tied to anything!!

[rideofthefearlings]

Correct again. Shall you make it a perfect three?

A natural state, I'm sought by all. Go without me, and you shall fall. You do me when you spend and use me when you eat to no end?

[tangledintower]

Oooh, good one...okay, okay, give me a second....

What do you do when you spend...go without me, and you shall fall...

...wait. Wait, I think I've got it! Is it balance?

[rideofthefearlings]

A stellar round.

[ He wasn't exactly pulling out the best ones he knew, but it's an interesting diversion nonetheless. ]

[tangledintower]

I got it right? Yes!!

[Hey, she's pleased with herself, and it is indeed an interesting diversion. Riddles can be fun.]

[rideofthefearlings]

[ Pitch would prefer she be scared but this, ultimately, would make for a better fright later on so he lets it slide. ]

That makes it your turn.

[tangledintower]

[Don't worry, Pitch. The fear will come later. She's far too trusting for her own good, after all.]

Oh, okay, I've got one. Under pressure is the only way I work, and by myself is the only way I'm hurt.

[rideofthefearlings]

[ his answer comes without hesitation: ] Diamond.

[tangledintower]

Correct! You're good at these! Okay, how bout this one? If it's information you seek, come and see me. If it's pairs of letters you need, I have consecutively three.

[rideofthefearlings]

[ Hmm, that one he wasn't quite as swift on, as English was not his native language. But he has it a moment later. ]

Bookkeeper.

[tangledintower]

[She grins and nods.]

Drat, I almost stumped you there, but you got it! Okay, one more. We hurt without moving, we poison without touching. We bear truth and lies, do not judge by our size.

[rideofthefearlings]

[ That one earns a smile, though not a kindly one. ]

Words. Though "secrets" could also work.

[tangledintower]

I'll accept both as an answer. I was thinking of words, though I think that secrets probably works better...

[rideofthefearlings]

[ a sly smile ]

They usually do.