SubAccount: Jael Sherem

[[Knock Knock Door]]

[Labyrinth - Door]

With the door obviously not happy and the number of voices, the door finally shouted for everyone to leave him alone.  That ended up shutting up the group, with Lahr being the last voice talking to the Captain.  Nevir looked around him, and then nodded.

"I... I think I understand.  Let me try this..." he said, walking up and knocking twice on the door.

"Who's there?!" the face on the door stated, now clearly annoyed.

"Nevir." the Captain answer, and the door gave a look of disgust.  With an exasperated sigh, the door shook his head.

"Fine.. fine... Nevir who?" it responded, clearly unimpressed.

The Captain gave a small sigh and a smile.  "Nevir mind who. We're expected inside."

The door looked at him weirdly, and then snorted.  "Thats at least a new one, I will give you that." it stated, as a click was heard and the door opened.

The Captain lead the way torch first into the room, where it opened to a straw filed room with beds and an ancient spinning wheel currently in the process of spinning straw into gold wire.  And in each of the beds laid a Romulan crewman, poised with a bouquet of flowers in their hands like a princess from a fairy tale.

"Well... I think we found the missing crewmen..." the Captain said, as he surveyed the room.

NPC Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar and PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Knock Knock Door]

When the Captain answered the 'Who's there?' question with his given name Nevir... Lahr dropped his head and facepalmed, thinking the Bajoran Captain hadn't understood the concept like he thought he had.

But then the Discovery's Captain responded back to the 'Nevir who?' so perfectly, that Lahr's head lifted displaying a wide smile.  He laughed, appreciating the pun all the more for it's unexpectedness.

Then it was Ruths' turn....

Lahr gave an little head up-nod towards Ruth when she looked at him and declared her love.

"Olive you too."

There were still several people left so Lahr continued to wait.  Seeing Helga approach the door and direct Lek on what to say, Lahr listened in.

"When it asks Who's there.. you're gonna answer 'Khan'..."
Helga paused a moment there, watching - waiting for indication that Lek had a clue where this pun was going.  "Khan sounds like 'Can'... so when the door replies back 'Khan who?'... You'll respond back with a question of your own beginning with Khan...  makes sense?"

What Helga didn't realize, was that while she was explaining the process of the knock knock joke, her trollish features were fading from her.

"Give it a go."

Only after Lek had made it safely across would Helga approach the door herself and knock twice.

She answered "Dora" in answer to its 'Who's there?' query.

Helga grinned toothily when it asked 'Dora who?'  and responded "Dora better open, or I'll-a open it myself" with a bit of an Italian thug accent.

The door chuckled.  "Your pun is terrible but you made up for it with the accent." and the door opened for her.

...
Once across, Helga followed closely after the Captain keeping alert watch for any potential danger.   At the sight of the Romulans, Helga immediately moved in front of the Captain to act as his shield... but that selfless action seemed unnecessary when it appeared that the Romulans were asleep.

She glanced about a moment.. grimacing at the realization that she and the Commander were the only females in the bunch.  "I hope you're not expecting us to kiss them awake?"

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

Jael had to snicker at Captain Tekin's choice of joke. She began to wonder if he had been given those puns before in the past. Nevir say never, etcetera...

And they were in a room with a spinning wheel and a bunch of sleeping Romulans. Considering the mythical elements of the labyrinth so far, Jael stared ponderously at the spinning wheel. She was roused by the Orion/Klingon hybrid's suggestion and she approached her.

"I don't think it's that easy," said Jael. "Besides, look at that spinning wheel. I do recall an Earth fairy tale about an imp who did something what that wheel is doing now: spinning gold. He was helping a poor captive girl, but he did demand a price, until she exploited a loophole by revealing his name: Rumpelstiltskin. It certainly reminded me of one of the old Bajoran legends, it was about a Pah-Wraith fooling a poor greedy man by conjuring gold around him...when in fact, there wasn't, and it took a Prophet to shatter the illusion. Another favorite bedtime story."

Indeed, the fairy tales from Earth and Bajor were coming back and she looked back at the spinner.

"So this begs the question: Does the spinner have anything to do with this, or what are the other options we have to wake these Romulans...besides the True Love Kiss?"

[[Knock Knock Door]]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Knock Knock Door]

Lahr grinned over to Ruth.  "I'm just warming up." he assured her, yet hung back, continuing to play the rearguard and keep look out for anything approaching.   He figured he'd be that last through the door.

At the double knock from Jael, the mouth animated and asked "Who's there?".  Jael's response of Annie, prompted the question "Annie who?"

Lahr found it amusing to see a hopeful and expectant expression on the wooden door's face.
.
.
.

Lek's answer to the door's question of who is there, was apparently not the one expected.  The face frowned at the explanation - whether that was because of the name drop of King Daegan or just because the response wasn't in the form of a Knock Knock joke wasn't clear, but the door face blew a wet raspberry toward the jester dressed Ferengi, getting spittle on those in the vicinity.
.
.
.

Helga, being half-human and raised on Earth, was well aware of Knock-knock jokes... she just wasn't fond of them, or of this door.   That first impression didn't improve then Lek got raspberried.  "Are you sure you don't want me to just kick the door down?" she asked looking between the Captain, the Commander and Lek.

The wood carved face began to guffaw and the door lock gave an audible 'clunk' as the door unlocked and moments later swung open for Wynters.

[Knock Knock Door]

Ruth groaned in appreciation of Wynters joke.  Like most of this particular genre of humour, it was more groansome than funny, but it would do the trick!  "Nice one Wynters!" she said with a grin.

"Don't I know it!" she grinned back.  "It's also the reason I didn't offer you a joke... you have enough mirth for the lot of us!..and more to spare!"

The Commander waited... she wasn't quite sure where the 'Annie' bit was going but the door looked interested so that was promising.

"Ugh, door spittle was not what I wanted as face cream!" she exclaimed and took a few steps back hoping that it would be enough to be out of range.

"Trust me, Crewman, at the moment that is a very tempting offer, but I think, given it's reaction to Mr. Lek, I dread to think what it might hurl at us if you did, and..."

"...well that about proves it.  I was going to say that we have to play by its rules and that violence isn't always the answer so... give it your best Knock Knock and we'll all get thru safely."

She gave a look to Lahr, who had seemingly decided he was being the rearguard on this whole episode, well if he was waiting she was waiting with him.

[Labyrinth]

Lek stared open mouthed at the door's refusal to let them pass and was even more dumbfounded that Wynter's 'joke' worked. Especially as Lek was struggling to find how this sort of humor was considered funny. He shook his head and simply said.

"Hyoomons."

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

Jael smiled and could see it working. "Annie way you can let me in?" And to her surprise, she was admitted in. Gid made a similar one ("Lettuce in, please") and was admitted similarly. Fortunately, one of the humans, Wynters, was with them.

Jael could hear the Ferengi's reply and called to him, "Hey, given my brother and I lived on Earth for a long time, we know plenty of human jokes. And understand them as well."

So they waited for the rest of the troupe to come up with knock-knock jokes of their own, because it's obvious that it was the way to get in. Jael hoped they could figure jokes of their own to get in. The Klingon/Orion hybrid was certainly not helping things with threats.

[[Inside the Labyrinth - The 'Knock Twice' Door]]

[OOC - Apologies for skipping tags, I've been as we call it here 'proper poorly' so I'm just trying to jump in and get on track.]

[Inside the Labyrinth - The 'Knock Twice' Door]

Ruth was muttering to herself under her breath various knock knock jokes and wondered how many of the non-Earth personnel there would get them.  Jael maybe, Lahr almost certainly because he'd heard most of her jokes before, and probably Captain Tekin because for all that Hrafn was a Trill, she was also half human and spent a lot of time on Earth.  For once she thought it was more fitting for a senior officer not to offer the jokes unless as a last resort to try and get through the door.

Before she knew it more things to do with knocking came into her brain.  Most notably from the Earthen Christian bible.

"I wonder,...'Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye. shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.'  It's from the Earth Christian faith's doctrine...  I think that might be more appropriate than the earworm I have... 'Knock Three Times on the ceiling if you're wanting me...' First we don't have a ceiling and second...that was about activities that wouldn't be appropriate here!"

The Commander winked at Lahr and gave him a grin.

"Besides the bible quote... that ties into what I was saying about belief too..." she shrugged in a 'well it might work!' sort of way.

The door was there, they just had to find a way to get through it now.

"If it comes down to Knock Knock jokes Jael... I've got you covered!" she said with a smile.  "They are a rather base form of comic amusement on Earth but I know a lot."

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Inside the Labyrinth - The 'Knock Twice' Door]

The face on the door blandly looked from Gid to the Captain before tsking.

"That's what you consider worthy of a Nobel prize?"  As it spoke it turned it's gaze to address Gid, not the Captain. tsking again before it blew a raspberry.  Then in a booming voice, declared. "You shall not pass!!"

Lahr, in the back couldn't contain his outburst of laughter.  "Was wondering when one of them would quote that movie"  He was surprised to note that instead of getting heavier, the log at his back felt a bit lighter.

He looked to Ruth having caught her words to Jael earlier.   "I think you're onto something with that Knock Knock joke idea..  Speaking of which."  Lahr grinned, at a thought.  "Did you know that William Shakespeare is accredited with having written the first Knock-Knock scene? In MacBeth.   Can you guess what award that scene won?....  A No Bell prize."

Despite his attempt, the punchline of the joke was a little forced, so Lahr doubted anyone would laugh. But he was trying to get folks into the right mood to get passed this challenge.  This one at least he understood.

Helga scowled at the door after it raspberried the Bajoran Captain. "Try that again, Door, and I'll rip you off your hinges." she threatened with a huff.

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

Jael was quite surprised that the door reacting the way it did. Though she turned to make a reassurance to the Orion/Klingon hybrid. "Don't worry, I don't think it'll hurt us...at least not yet," she said.

Jael then looked at Ruth...she wondered if she saw the exchange of glances between her and Gid and correctly interpreted their body language...then she began thinking...and hearing Lahr's logical deduction...

"I think you are on to something, you two," she said. "Looks like we definitely need a knock-knock joke to get through this door."

With that, she knocked exactly twice and when she got the question, she replied, "Annie." She decided to try something simple, something that will prompt the door to end with "Who?" In any case, the "Annie" Knock-Knock joke she and Gid often used, or variations of it, chiefly since they were often locked out of their dormitories or study halls at the Academy and had to answer Knock-Knock jokes. That was how they learned about Knock-Knock jokes, though it was both a bullying way of tormenting them, being Cardassian-based, and at the same time, a way of testing their humor. Both siblings, the first time, not knowing about Knock-Knock jokes, were forced to sleep outside the dormitory halls and the ones who locked them out received a reprimand, but the Knock-Knock jokes persisted, though to take a more humorous light rather than in a spiteful approach, but Jael and Gid were on to them, suspecting the jokes will continue despite the administration, and so they practiced Knock-Knock jokes on each other before they were faced by the "doormen."

And here they were again, only the doorman took the form of an actual door. She hoped it would begin to work...and she also wondered if it was going to be a test of humor on the troupe, particularly on Tekin and the Ferengi.

[[Inside the Labyrinth - The 'Knock Twice' Door]]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Inside the Labyrinth - The 'Knock Twice' Door]

While Lahr kept watch behind them, the others had their attention focused forward towards the stone doorway with its wooden door with a large carved face upon it.   Lahr briefly glanced towards it as well, thinking that there was no way that the door was going to be just an ordinary door... not in this sort of place.

There was a sense of tension in the air as Gid approached the door and those around - Helga and Wynters - tensed, ready for some manner of trap or attack to be sprung.  Even Gid seemed ready to jump back.  Lahr continued to keep watch behind.

Immediately following the double knock, the carved face animated.   It's eyes opened and looked towards Gid, who had knocked.  "Who's there?" it spoke.

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

Naturally, those closest to the door - Gid, who knocked, and Jael, who was directly behind him - flinched at the sight of the door that immediately came to life.

Suddenly, it began to occur to Jael, once she recovered...two knocks, and the door answers "Who's There?" This better not be a knock-knock joke come to life, Jael thought to herself, setting her jaw.

Jael looked at Gid; after all, he did the knocking, he will be the one to answer, but then Captain Tekin beat him to the punch. Simultaneously, they shrugged; after all, their leader was the one to do the talking, especially now that there was no chance of a trap. They had to grimace a tad at his words, both given that they were more technologically sound, not at all likely to the taste of the realm, and, at the same time, they were both thinking the same thing: The likelihood of the door repeating everything Tekin said and then finishing with "who?" in the typical fashion of a knock-knock joke.

As they awaited an answer, the two adopted siblings flanked Tekin from behind, again, like they were actually two prylars escorting a vedek.

"Pardon for going first, Captain," Gid whispered to him apologetically, "but somebody had to knock, especially just in case it was a trap."

"Well, neither of us may be Security," Jael replied in an equally quiet whisper, "but we all can, at the very least, guarantee your safety."

They especially knew all about away mission protocol, and why it's generally the First Officer who went down, especially for potentially dangerous circumstances. Even then, if it was the Captain joining such an away mission, they...typically thinking in a great-minds-think-alike thing...they were sure that at the very least, the team ought to guarantee the Captain's safety.

[[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]]

[Entering the Labyrinth]

The one thing he never expected was to see Lek acting so... confident... in a non-engineering situation, but before he knew it, the Ferengi was through.  Even more so when the Ferengi announced that there was no mechanical opening, but feeling required.  Believe.  It was starting to make sense.  Nevir started to think more as others made their way through, starting to realize that the key was belief.  The one thing that helped this alien race, and the one thing that was contrary to their standard thinking.  Finally, it was his turn, and the Bajoran actually smiled.  He looked at his staff, unsure of what to do with it, when we saw what looked like vines emanating from it, and before he knew it he was able to hold the staff on his back.  He looked at the hedge, thinking clearly of his goal, and dashed through.  The hedge seemed to open up gently for him, and even help him through completely, before Nevir ended up inside with everyone else.  He held the torch in front of him as he moved to the front of the group, looking at the different paths.

"I'm starting to think that doesn't really matter, Ensign." he responded to Jael, looking at the paths.  He turned to look at her and the rest of the group.

"Its not about which path we choose.  If we try to logic our way out of this we will only serve to block ourselves and hurt our captors.  This is the challenge... Lek said it best.  Its about belief.  We need to accept what we see as real, and trust in that reality.  We obviously look like this for a reason, which means we were changed into something that defies reason.  I noticed that this staff I have seemed.. alive, kind of." he stated, pulling it from his back.

"Like its not a dead piece of tree.  And I swear I heard the hedge respond.  So if I can turn off that scientist in me..." he said, looking back at the paths.  He glanced from each one, listening, for anything.

"That one... we go this way." he stated, picking a direction and walking off.

Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar and PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

When it was his time to actually make the attempt at the jumping through the hole in the hedge, Lahr was a bit hesitant.   His speed and mobility were being drastically impacted by the weight of the log at his back.  But if Helga could make it through with her being twice his size currently, then even he should be able to fit.   Or so he hoped.

Lahr backed a few steps, giving himself some space and then charged the hole.   Unlike Lek he didn't need to jump, all he needed to do was dive through - if nothing else momentum alone given the weight of the log (Lahr figured it was closed to a 100 lbs by now) would see him through - and it did.

Unfortunately, the hedge - much like Fae - didn't seem to like his personality and as he dove through, the vines took the opportunity to lash out at him.  The Starfleet uniform that he wore offered little protection against the thorns.  Lahr emerged on the other side of the hedge sporting several bleeding scratches - all of which itched and burned painfully.

Once all were across, the Discovery's Captain made some rather deep comment about the nature of this quest they were on before selecting a direction.   Maybe if Lahr wasn't in so much pain from the thorn scratches, the Andorian would have made more of an effort to pay attention- but then again maybe not, Lahr didn't have the best of attention spans.

As the troupe started out, following after Captain Tekin this time, Lahr hung back to continue his task of rear guard - while discreetly scratching at his minor wounds.

Helga joined the Captain at the head of the troupe, keeping alert for any possible trap or ambush.  There was no way she'd let harm come to the Captain while she was present.

The troupe moved through the Labyrinth unimpeded, following the direction provided by the Captain until they came to stone archway and wooden door that block the path.   Engraved onto the door was a large face with closed eyes.  From the moment the door was in sight, Helga was on high alert.   She was the first to notice the small plaque set to the side of the door that read:  PLEASE KNOCK TWICE.

She pointed this out to the Captain, but urged him to let someone else Knock first.   "Sir, you are far too important to risk if that door is trapped."

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

They had gotten past, and so they all followed their leader. Jael and Gid flanked Captain Tekin, almost like they were two prylars escorting a vedek.

Jael got a good look at Captain Tekin as she did so. He seemed more taciturn...no, more stern than Captain Galloway. Then again, maybe the difference between him and Galloway was, aside from their planets of origin, Galloway seemed to have more the sense of adventure, despite his responsibility as a commanding officer. Tekin, meanwhile, seemed a tad cold, maybe calculative...any more than that, and he'd be comparable to Jael's own father, Nehor Sherem, who had quite a reputation as a cunning killer, rivaled only by Krell Moset...small wonder that Sherem was appointed head of the Cardassian Intelligence Bureau, least of all followed the lead of Gul Dukat...

Everybody stopped at the door. Jael was quite surprised at the sight of the door. Now that was quite a detailed face carved in stone...

The Orion/Klingon hybrid began urging Captain Tekin not to knock. Jael had to scoff. "Trapped? Well, I can understand concern for our leader's safety, but then again, it's not impossible..."

She at first thought that it would be quite comparable to a typical Cardassian soldier to presume it was trapped, but on the other hand, considering the vines outside the maze, she'd be a fool not to consider it would be trapped.

"Knock twice," she said, reading the message.

Gid looked at Jael and said, "Only one way to find out. I'll do the knocking." And with that, he knocked on the door twice. Of course, he was ready to move fast in case of a trap...

[[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]]

[The Labyrinth Hedge]

He only wished he could have taken credit for the torch reveal, but the truth was it was completely accidental.  But... as he was the torchbearer, maybe thats what had to happen.  He kept his composure, starting to find it easier to believe.

"Let's hope, Mr. Wynters, that I don't have to face a Minotaur in there.  I'm a scientist, not a... traveler, I guess?" he stated, looking down at his outfit again.  Earthy colors and a natural wooden staff. He had no idea himself.

At the suggestion of Mr. Lek going through the gap that was formed, he knew immediately the Chief Engineer was not going to like it one bit.  But they were low on options, and if they wanted to get back to Discovery, they would have to honestly play along.

"Mr. Lek, if you would, please.  I agree... its interesting that a labyrinth is hard to get into, but if it is because its protecting something, it would make sense.  There was an ancient Bajoran Temple where the trial was to get into the temple before you can even begin to find your way out.  It represented the the start of your journey to find the path of the Prophets before you can be tested to stay on that path.  Ancient Vedeks were required to make it through that maze before they would be ordained."

[Labyrinth]

Lek grimaced at the idea that he go through the menacing hedge first. "I'm an engineer not a gardener dammit!" he thought. However, when the captain backed Lahr's idea, he knew he didn't have a choice.

"Aye Sir."

He said with a tone of resignation as he sized up the opening and his options. It was usually the case that Lek was the smallest person in any activity, so he knew his size actually was a benefit for this task. Knowing that waiting would only make acting more difficult, he steeled himself and ran at the opening with as much speed as he could muster within the short run up distance available. Lek, while annoyed beyond words at Lahr, he did take his suggestion to tumble to heart and executed a pretty decent forward combat roll.

Some of the thorny branches did lash out at him, but his speed and small size made them miss and Lek found himself through the hedge. He rolled to his feet and looked around before calling back to the others.

"No levers or anything mechanical on this side. I think, the trick to making it through is a mix of those torches and simply believing you will be safe. You have to remember that the laws of physics are different in this pocket universe."

Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar and PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

After Lek, Jael and her brother went through.

Lahr looked at the opening in the hedge skeptically and then turned to Helga.  "Ladies first."

Helga gave Lahr a bit of a snarl (Lahr found it amusing that her Questing persona matched her real one so perfectly).  "There's no way I'll fit through that hole in the hedge.  I'll get stuck halfway through!" the Klingon turned Troll stated.

"Haven't you heard a word Commander Sigurdsdottir has been saying?" Lahr questioned half teasingly.  "You'll only get stuck if you believe you'll get stuck, " he pointed out.  Lahr didn't believe that for a moment but figured it saying it might convince Helga to give going through the hedge a try.   He figured with her temper, when she did get stuck she'd thrash about enough and hack her way through... opening up the way for the rest.  However to get to that point he needed to convince her to give it a go.  "Don't worry, if you do get stuck, I promise I'll push you through to the other side, Ok?"

Helga grumbled what everyone else might assume was a negative response, Lahr however, grinned recognizing it as her 'reluctant agreement' mood.  "Alright then, let's get to it."

Helga let out a deep sigh. "This is such a bad idea." she muttered to herself.  She called out to Lek.  "I'm going to try going through next - be ready to grab my hands and pull."

Helga sheathed her blades and lined herself up with the hole.

Think positive!  You can do this! she told herself silently then ran and jumped into hole....

... and surprisingly just as her shoulders were about to graze thorns and wedge her in the far too small opening, it enlarged and Helga passed through.  Unlike Lek she hadn't expected to fit through so hadn't prepared to tuck and roll and instead she skidded across the ground and almost bowled over Lek and the others.  Her tough Troll hide kept her from getting any cuts or scrapes.

She looked up at Lek with a huge grin.  "I made it!" then called back through the opening.   "Lahr, you're next!"

Given this new bit of information... getting across was a breeze for the rest of the group.

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

"Ooh, I know that temple!" said Jael when Captain Tekin mentioned a certain temple. "My mother went through that, one of her many ways to spite her husband, my father. Very enjoyable bedtime story when I was younger."

Naturally, both believed that they could get into the maze, literally, had the confidence to do so, and they were in, just like that. All they had to do now was wait for the rest to get in and determine which way to go.

"Okay, Captain, which way do you think would be a good way to go, once everybody's in, of course?" she asked Captain Tekin.

[[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]]

[The Labyrinth]

The Captain was honestly.. and for the first time in a long time... at a complete loss.  The always thinking Bajoran found it more and more difficult to not try to think about explanations and to just... accept things.  Believe in them.  But how was it that he found his faith easier to accept than his current predicament?  The Federation classified his gods as non-linear non-corporeal entities; highly advanced aliens.  And while they no longer believed in the Prophets having a direct hand in the affairs of Bajor, there was clear enough evidence to support thei beliefs, right?  Wasn't it the Federation Emissary who confirmed that they did work to protect Bajor?  Even a highly secular society like the Federation had to begrudgingly accept that the Bajoran faith was not misplaced, and though it seems backwards to worship a race of being as gods despite the advancement of their own technology, no one really questioned it.

So why, when faced with something that is almost completely similar, did he find it difficult to turn off that part of his brain that seeks the truth?

As the group with him worked on their first issue, he stood leaning with his staff and holding the torch loosely. Cutting through it didnt seem to work, and it seemed accepted that the hedge was somehow sentient. Now they wanted to communicate with it.  The Captain was a bit frustrated as his inability to think of solutions without worrying about the effects on the alien race that held them there.  His first thought went to the torch in his hand... if they can't cut their way, maybe they can burn through it?  But that thought he tried to dismiss.  Clearly their torch was for a special purpose, and this was after all a test.  He almost scoffed at the idea of communicating, but when Challenger's counselor wanted to give it a try, he found himself hard pressed to disagree.

With a sigh, he let go of his thoughts, and moved over to where the shrub was.  There was something weird, or peculiar, about this hedge, and as he reached out and touched it he felt... something.  Something unfamiliar, almost like the hedge itself found someone it could look to.  He closed his eyes and turned to Jael as she spoke, unsure of how to describe what he was feeling.

Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Lek's supportive smile was deceiving, and it took a moment for Helga to realize he wasn't agreeing with her.   She scowled towards him before accepting that his words made sense.

"Whatever... " she groused under her breath and stepped away from the hedge moving to the back of the troupe allowing for the Bajoran woman in her priestly robes to speak directly to the hedge without any further interruption.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Jael's remark about her lack of diplomatic skills with the Nori, earned a slight non-committal shrug.  He hadn't agreed with her 'hate-on' for the Nori at the time, and certainly wasn't going to comment on the topic now.

Lahr watched alertly for any sort of reaction to Jael's rather simple words.  The Andorian couldn't tell if the lack of any further attacks from the hedge were a result of Jael's speech or more that Helga moved away and hadn't provoked it with an attack first.  He did notice something odd when Captain Tekin moved up to the hedge and touched it -  the vines in proximity to the torch's blue flame seemed to shrink away

"Uh, sir.  I think your torch is the key."

This created a 3-ft diameter opening in the hedge.  Some of the smaller individuals in the troupe might be able to dive through and tuck 'n' roll on the other side... but there was no way Helga or those in armor where making it through that way.

[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Wynters was glad the pulling on it, the fighting against the vines had freed the person that had been captured. Lives saved, a small victory, a small win for the team. He took a deep breath and nodded softly. When the torch opened the pathway, he couldn't help but smile a bit under his helmet. It was akin to many stories in history. Ancient Earth had a story about a man with magic sting was it? Something akin to that at least. It allowed him to find his way through the Labyrinth, and the idea was the spark that pulled the name back to his mind. It also caused a wonder in the back of his mind that made him speak up.

"It appears our Captain is now Theseus, and the torch is now our string." He commented, wondering who would even understand. He probably couldn't go through the hole, but it didn't matter, they could find another way in if it came down to it. His eyes did follow the way the flame caused things to shrink back, and push back the nightmare that was around them in places. His eyes moved up, looking around the edges of the Labyrinth Hedge, trying to find a place to climb over if he could as well.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

The hedge for all its thickness was not very strong structurally.   It's thorny branches were slender and pliable. Never would they hold up the weight of an average man, much less one wearing platemail armor.

It was clear from Lahr's perplexed look that he had no idea who Theseus was, nor how the Captain's torch could be compared to a string.

"Well Captain Tekin? Do we split up and hope there's a clue or mechanism on the other side to help get the others through... or do we keep checking around?"

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

Jael looked at Captain Tekin extending his torch and making an opening. She smiled at the sight. Maybe her diplomatic skill plus the torch made an opening? She would've expected something, like a guardian or something to respond to permit entrance, but none came...

"Nice one, Captain," she said. And with that, they were in.

Jael had noted Wynters' comment about Theseus and the string, and she remembered the myth from Ancient Earth mythology - it was easy to be a student of mythology when being a convert to a Bajoran religion with deeply rooted mythology of its own.

"Interesting analogy," she said, and once the whole troupe was over, she turned to Captain Tekin on which way to go.

[[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Lahr having remained in the back of the group - fulfilling his role of 'rear-guard' - watched in alarm as the hedge seemed to come alive after a green skinned Helga slashed at it with her sword.  The thorny vines not only attacked the Troll looking Klingon, but Ruth as well.

"Hey! Let go of her!" the Andorian shouted as he leapt forward to grab onto Ruth's waist, pulling against the force of the vines which were beginning to drag her towards the hedge.  Lahr wasn't armored so the thorns dug into his arms where he held Ruth.  Each scratched burned fiercely, but Lahr refused to let go.  However, even with his pulling, the pair were slowly being dragged towards the wall of thorns.

"Need some help here!  I can't pull her back alone!"  he called out looking around, but so many others were either helping Helga or fighting the wall that Lahr didn't have much hope of aid getting to the fast enough.  Roohz! What could he do to save Ruth?  Unlike others, he didn't have a weapon - all he had was some stupid log that weighed him down.

Lahr flinched when he saw Iron Man's lightning punch knock back the vines that had been surrounding the metal encased engineer.   The Andorian didn't have a clue what the engineer's almost poetic comment meant but he saw someone who could help.     "Yo! Iron Man!  Could use a little bit of help here!"

NPC Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge] (before the vine attack)

Helga, who was headed towards the hedge to try hacking her way through, smiled a tusked grin at Lek's words.  She loved that Lek was being open about their relationship with his peers despite the significant difference in their respective ranks, but even more so than that the Klingon in her loved his sense of honor.   'A deal was deal' and though Ferengi were slandered throughout the Federation as untrustworthy, she knew hers... she could trust with her life.

[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge] (during the vine attack)
The thorny vine surprised Helga initially and her grip on her blade loosened when the Troll/Klingon hit the ground - her sword sliding out of reach.  But before the vines could drag her into the hedge... as if self-prophesized by her own earlier thoughts, Lek grabbed hold of Helga by the shoulders and fought the pull of the help calling for additional help.  Helga chuckled, unafraid of the vines though each scratch of it's thorns burned painfully with some neuro-toxin.  "The King got your outfit completely wrong.  Who's the hero now? " she pointed out.

Maybe Lek could have pulled her completely to safety on his own, but he didn't seize the opportunity to find out.  Instead he called out for aid and Jael and her Bajoran brother lent a hand to Lek, holding him while he kept hold of her.   Helga tried reaching for her dropped blade.  If she could just reach it before the vines wound further up her body then she could cut herself loose.   Thankfully, the vines were kept at bay somewhat by the flailing of Jael's torch.

"That's it, Jael!  Keep the vines away from you and Lek... I'll free myself."

Like snakes the vines reared back from the flames giving Helga more time to stretch to her limit and with a single pad of her middle finger drag the pommel of the sword closer until she was able to wrap her palm about its grip.

Then with a feral shout, "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!" Helga swung the sword down towards her feet where the blade cut through several vines loosening their hold on her.  She was pulled free easily after that by Lek and the Sherem siblings, and the four tumbled away in a heap.   It was fortunate no one got skewered by Helga's sword.

Afterwards Helga got her feet quickly and offered a hand up to her mate and the others.  She seemed gleeful as she eyed the challenge of the writhing hedge.  "Shall we try that again?"

[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Ruth gave Lahr an understanding look then tried to fill her eyes with as much love as she could to convey her next words.

"Petty Officer, I appreciate the help, I just didn't want you pulled in too.  I saw a way to get free without risking another member of our party and well... " she put a hand up to her cheek which was still gently oozing blood.

"...I admit it wasn't the best plan but I'm free and mostly unharmed and importantly you are free too!"

She pulled a face that she hoped wouldn't be seen by anyone but Lahr but if they did it was one of puzzlement mixed with a sense of 'Ah well... I'm free what's next' but it wasn't something you expected to see on the face of a senior officer.

"Ouch, note to self, don't screw face up until cheek has been mended...Anyhow yes Petty Officer, we need to parly, or least try to.  The tendrils reacted to being hurt, like you or I would.  If I slapped you, you'd want to slap back or well if Crewman Tragnar went for you with her fists you'd duck I imagine... same idea!" the Commander said suddenly thinking that Lahr probably would stand there and take a hit from her because he'd not want to hurt her.

"Same goes for that hedge, Crewman Tragnar cut it, then I've cut it.  I'm not sure if it understands Federation Standard but I have a few languages we can try!"

She got close and whispered so the others couldn't hear.  "Thanks for being my blue knight, next time we do renaissance I'll make sure you're in shiny hero armour!  But I'll give my thanks properly later!"

"So... Mr Negotiator... fire away... use your skills on that hedge but don't get too close.  Believe in yourself if nothing else!"

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Lahr could understand Ruth wanting to protect the one she loved; but Lahr knew he was the type to prefer doing the protecting - even if he wasn't very good at it.  The Andorian watched Ruth put a hand up to her scratched creek. Ruth always seemed to get hurt - even when he was around to prevent it.

Seeing the seep of blood from her minor cut, Lahr wished he had a dermal regenerator or even an adhesive bandage to cover the wound.  But he had neither and could do nothing to help.   Of course, thinking those banal thoughts had the weight at his back grew more burdensome.     Really?!  He couldn't even want to help his girlfriend?

Helga, who was free by that point too, spoke up suggesting she go again with her sword.   Lahr couldn't keep silent on the subject.  "Hell no!  I think that sword of your has stirred up enough problems, Helga."  The scratches on his arms from the thorns still stung fiercely - leaving purplish welts on Andorian's light blue skin.

He looked back to Ruth, with a slight grimace he wondered if he should ask any one of the three Bajoran priests if they could help.   In the ship's roleplay community (of which Crewman Tim participated and often talked about) however, Lahr knew priests were supposed to be the party's healers.

"Any of you priests know how to do a Lay on Hands?"  Lahr had no clue that he was suggesting a Paladin's ability and not a Priest's spell to neutralize poison - it wasn't like he ever played and would know the difference.

While he was asking this, Ruth tried explaining why the hedge attacked.  Lahr wasn't too keen on being understanding about its actions but since that seemed to be what Ruth wanted, Lahr nodded.    He liked that she took a moment to quietly thank him for being her 'blue knight'.    Her promise of 'proper thanks later' made his efforts all the more worth it.

However, when she seemed to suggest he be the one to try negotiating with the hedge - Lahr shook his head, and the weight on his back increased.  "No offense, Commander.   But I'm not the right person for that task.  You and I both know it.  Why not ask one of the others?"

He looked about to see if anyone might volunteer and save him from being ordered to do it.

Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Helga was disappointed that there wasn't chorus of agreeing cheers in response to her suggestion to try again with cutting their way through.  She'd been hoping for a second chance at cutting through; instead she got shot down by the Andorian.

Helga looked to Lek.  He would back her.  Right?

[Ensign/Prylar Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth | The Dreaming]

Jael had to admit that things got hectic and confused for a bit while fighting, what with the Klingon/Orion hybrid encouraging her. Finally, they backed off a stance and took a breather.

As such, Jael looked at Gid and they studied each others' robes some more. Undoubtedly, they began to realize they were wearing Prylar robes, the lowest rank in the Bajoran religion. At least they knew what they were.

Jael perked up when it was decided to attempt to negotiate with the hedge, and that Lahr wasn't the right person for the job. It then occurred to her that this would be kind of where her counseling skills would be of use...for once.

"Then I'll do it," said Jael. "I would expect, as a counselor, to assist in diplomatic negotiations, even if the last time I did so I was so horrified by the Nori as a whole, but you would know what I mean, Lahr," she added, looking at the Andorian. "If this wall has some form of sentience, let's see how well it can communicate."

She then approached the wall, bold as one pleases, her torch held aloft and replied, "Hello? We are sent from the Shadow King. Will it be possible for you to let us pass, please?"

Even as she spoke, she realized how childish she sounded, but it was the best she could do, and truth be told, she never was in a negotiating stance before. Nonetheless, she strived to do her best.

[[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]]

NPC Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar and PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Lahr didn't know what to make of Ruth's statements about how she got here.  He wanted to say he believed her; but the fact was, he thought maybe there had been something in the food that the others had been eating and it was messing with their minds.  And with that skeptical thought,  the weight of the log on his back noticeably got heavier.

Still if Ruth told him to walk through a magical doorway, Lahr would most certainly try.   While he didn't trust the Fae and their King, his trust in Ruth was absolute!  That thought not only seemed to lighten his burden for the moment, it also seemed to be the precursor to a moment of privacy.

While the others were focused on Wynters offering to take point with Helga, Ruth greeted Lahr with kiss as brief and light as a butterfly.   Woohoo!  That kiss made all this kinda worthwhile.

Lahr listened while Ruth tried to explain her arrival, and magick; and still Lahr struggled with the concept.

...

Helga was in a foul mood given what she'd heard from Lek.  The arrival of the boisterous and talkative Commander  didn't improve her mood any - especially when the Commander, when the woman thought no one was paying attention to her arrival, snuck in a kiss to Lahr.   Was that really necessary?!

Helga gave a sour grunt at the display, and glanced to Lek in his jester's costume.  No, she would not follow that example. There were proper times and places for that type of greeting.  This was not one of them.

Anticipating an affirmative nod from the Captain regarding Wynters' working point with her, Helga motioned Wynters to follow her towards the hedge wall.  While Commander Siggurdsdottir, gave the troupe a lengthy explanation - that Helga in her current troll form didn't have the patience to stand there and listen to much less decipher - Helga took a test swing at the hedge to see how well her blade would actually cut through the branches.

The blade cut through the hedge like it was butter.   Yet before she could take another long stroke to clear a path, Helga found herself with her feet pulled out from under her.  She landed hard on the gravel path, her feet entangled in a thorny vine.

Wynters and any within 5 ft of the hedge would find themselves being attacked by vine whips.

[Labyrinth]

Lek smiled wanly at Ruth, but kept his reply to a short.

"I made a deal on behalf of my Par'Mach'kai, and according to the 16th Rule of Acquisition, a deal is a deal."

[Labyrinth]

Not long after Ruth went through her long dissertation, which Lek had to accept he didn't understand in the slightest, the hedge grabbed Helga, and despite being unarmed, Lek leapt forward and grabbed her shoulders and began pulling with all of his surprisingly stronger than he looked strength, to keep her from being dragged into the hedge.

"Help me save her!"

He shouted to no one in particular as he held on for dear life.

[Ensign Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth]

Jael and Gid smiled at the sight of varied reunions, but the chatter was cut short. They reached a point where they were unexpectedly attacked.

"HOLY PROPHETS!" shouted Jael. Together, with their free hands, Jael and Gid hung on to the Ferengi with dear life. With her other hand, Jael swung the torch at the vines.

"Back!" she snarled, waving the torch with instinctive defensiveness. "Get back!" She wasn't sure if the vines would respond, but the fact that they move and attack meant they had to be sentient in some way.

["Hi, what in the world were you singing? I'm guessing then that the story I was thinking about took 'The Heart's Door' a little too literally! My heart's door took me to you! And the um... Troll I was talking about and an Ogre..."]

[The Dreaming]

To say the Captain was shocked was an understatement.  By his feeling, they had been down here no more than an hour at the very most, and even that felt too long.  But two months?  The Captain looked at the equal officer in shock, but this so called King didn't much care to let him whallow in the shock... and disbelief.  The disbelief!

Now that he was told that somehow his mental state of mind gave off an enegy that was harming these people, he squinted his eyes shut, pushing that thought out of his mind.  It was harder than he expected... how to push away an intrusive thought like disbelief without it coming back and stronger.  Nevir had to go to the one place where his science gave way... the Prophets.  He did his best, telling himself mentally over and over that this is the path of the Prophets.  There was no disbelief if it was the Prophet's path, it was just a part of the journey.  A part of the journey.

He opened his eyes and felt better as the 'quest' was revealed.  He had to think back to his briefings, specifically the ones about the Q continuum.  If there was ever a force in this universe that proved disbelief incorrect, it was the Q.  The stories of Picard, Janeway, Sisko, and other captains were both legendary and cautionary.  It was possible that this was just another Q trick; perhaps it was his turn to be the plaything for the Q's so-called expert on humanity.  Or maybe it was not.  But there was one truth in every lesson; play along until you find an out.  Regardless of who these beings were, anything that can snap individuals out of existence were an impossible threat.

For a moment he was about to utter the typical phrase every Captain has had to say at one point 'Alright, we'll play your game', but he stopped himself.  Clearly these people were angry, and they were not here to play a game.  No, instead he ended up taking a page from the book of his crew, and followed them in accepting.

Play along....

[Troupe Two - The Labyrinth]

Another flash and suddenly he found himself with some of his crew... and some of Ian's.  He looked out to his surroundings as he got his bearings. It was then he realized his clothes felt looser.  Not like he was smaller, but that his uniform wasn't secured....

His uniform was gone.

He realized he was wearing padded cloth, loosely tied.  His red uniform was now cloths of greens and browns, and while one hand he held a torch, in the other the Bajoran had a walking staff.  And the staff felt alive.  Or was it the wood?  He felt his eyes burn a bit and blinked, suddenly he was able to see more, as if it got lighter. His face felt thicker, so he reached up to it.  His ridges were still there but, they felt a bit scaly.  His mind fought him, saying it wasn't real, none of this was real, and he had to counter with the Prophets again, and his rationalization of the Q continuum.  The torch seemed to flicker, but then returned to normal.

"I know it goes without saying at this point, but seeing must be believing.  Somehow our thoughts can hurt these people, and I'd rather not anger them.  Let's do this, but look out for the Romulans.  I am not going to leave without them."

[Outside the Labyrinth Wall]

Ruth landed, unceremoniously, knocking into Lahr and falling over herself, in a most undignified lump at his feet.

"Hi, what in the world were you singing?  I'm guessing then that the story I was thinking about took 'The Heart's Door' a little too literally! My heart's door took me to you!  And the um...  Troll I was talking about and an Ogre..." she whispered the last bit hoping the Ferengi's big ears didn't pick up what she said.  She'd have a lot of apologising to do if she did.

"Long story, I'll tell you when we have some free time and I can explain.  Suffice to say my first encounters with Vulcans and other species had me drawing on what I knew... Scandi fairy tales.  Is that Helga?  I'd recognise Lek any which way.  But are you trying to get thru that?  You have to imagine a way in and believe.  I believed in the 'Heart's Door' a story from my childhood.  It did create the Heart's Door, at least to my eyes and created an opening but my yearning for you apparently was stronger so I got yanked here.  Given that you were singing something from Lord of the Rings maybe we should 'Speak, Friend, and Enter?'  Or would that be 'Mellon'?!"

Helga 'the Troll' Tragnar
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

The fact that Lek had promised such a thing for her, both warmed Helga's heart and made her even more incensed that the situation had called for such a promise.   "When I see him next, I'm going to rip his damn wings off!"

The engineer's offer to work point with her earned a toothy grin from the now tusked Helga.  The guy honestly thought his being in a tin can was gonna help him.  Helga gave a shrug. Whatever.  She looked to the Captain, waiting to see what he would say to the man's offer.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret (aka DJ Lahr)
[Outside the Labyrinth Hedge]

Despite actually keeping alert while he was singing, Lahr wasn't prepared for the sudden appearance of a door right in front of him, out of which tumbled a woman in an archaic white dressing, bumping into him.  He didn't have time to react to dodge much less try and grab her; instead she landed on her butt at his feet.  It was only as she started talking that Lahr realized who the ginger at his feet was.  "Ruth? Babe!  It is you!"

Lahr reached out at hand and helped her to her feet as he tried to make sense of her ramblings about Heart's Door, Trolls and Orges.  Though her words seemed random, his antenna perked when she commented that imagining might be the way to get through the hedge wall into the actual labyrinth.  "That's easier said than done, babe.... I mean Commander." he corrected himself - belated recognizing that this situation probably counted as an away mission and not personal time.

[Within the Labyrinth]

Being called after an ancient Terran Superhero made him chuckle in the armor. "Wasn't his partner in blue and silver?" He asked as a retort, not really sure of the colors of the old school heroes, but it hardly mattered at this point. He was going to need to test his powers and abilities out, but right now he had enough space to do what he needed with it, as well as plea the case that he had for his idea.

Seeing Helga had transformed into something closer to the fairytales made him smile a bit. It was close to the the style of the legends of the 'Cavern Crawlers' as they had been nicknamed. She offered to take point, and Wynters raised his hand free hand. "I suspect there is more to this than we think. I would also like to join you on point, if I am allowed. Overall right now, I am the least important crewmember, and I am not nearly as defenseless as I might look. Even without a blade, I have a weapon. This log isn't really heavy, and I did some hand to hand training while in the academy, and took some boxing classes on the side."

He realized he was rambling a bit and adjusted himself, pushing the feelings of insecurity and worry, causing the gauntlets he wore to spark some, like electrical currents dancing along the metal. He steadied his emotions before speaking once more. "I lost myself for a moment sir. With permission, I would like to scout forward, with others running a defensive circle around the officers, with the Captain in the center, as he holds the torch we need. Based on the armor I wear, combined with the feeling I have in my heart and hands, I suspect I am most suited for the forward position, or nearly there. I have the heaviest armor of the group, and that should make me nearly immune to most attacks. Once more, with your permission sir." He had been holding the log over his shoulder as if it was little more than a stick, glad for his own biological blessings, but also the fact that in his heart, this was real, as real as the ship floating in space, as real the bite that had been healed on his hand.

He had grown up with fairytales, even with all the advanced science around him, it was part of him. He wasn't religious by any means, but he was willing to accept a lot more than many others. Accepting this was to complete their mission, was to make it so they could go home, so accept it with his whole heart he would.

[Ensign Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth]

Jael balked in surprise at the new arrivals. She and Gid were especially perplexed at the robes on Tekin. "Looks like you're also right at home in those robes, Captain," she said. "Although with all that red, you'd look like someone who worships the Pah-Wraiths rather than the Prophets."

She saw Ruth appear out of nowhere, almost like if Lahr wished her to be at her side. And then there was the Ferengi and...Holy Prophets, what was THAT?!?

But she was further perplexed that the huge green woman...was she half Klingon and half Orion...? ...seemed to have an intimate pairing with the Ferengi. Finally, one more human...so it was her, Gid, Litt, Lahr and Ruth from the Challenger. The rest seemed to come from the Discovery.

"Well, I guess we're all present and accounted for, Captain Tekin," she said. "We're ready when you are."

[[The Dreaming - Fae Hall]]

NPC Shadow King Daegan ap Oberon
[The Dreaming - Fae Hall] (before the Troupes left)

Daegan looked to the two who introduced themselves together as brother and sister.  He was mildly amused as they looked nothing alike.  They also named themselves acolytes of some unfamiliar prophets.  This was both welcome and unwelcome.  Though the two obviously held enough belief to effect a transformation and would be less of a drain on the Fae Realm Glamour, their belief was not in the Fae but their own religion.

It had been the Romans, with their Catholic religion, that had driven the Fae out of Avalon.  Religious belief was not a friend to the Fae.  He was tempted to hand both a log and had even motioned for the goblins to do so, but a stirring of wind blew through the Hall.  Perhaps unnoticed by the mortals but to the winged Fae, the air current was very noticeable and it swirled momentarily around the female before him.  A sign.   Handing back the second heart log to the goblin, Daegan summoned for a torch and handed this to the woman, Jael.  "The Fatesss sssmile upon you."  The brother received a heart log.  "May thisss not weigh on you greatly."

Standing in line to volunteer there was an initial spur of Glamour from the ancient listener.   But excitement alone was not enough and a while Gohun attempted a transformation, his own image of himself was seemingly confused - thinking of being an archer yet calling out for an ax.   It was no wonder the magick mixed the two.

From that misfired transformation, the man's disbelief grew, making it harder for his Glamour to be sensed or tapped into.

When the would-be axman stepped forward, little Glamour could be sensed though he did have a bow in hand.  Which was something - but not enough for a torch.  Besides the man sealed Daegan's decision when he misnamed him after that damned mortal movie!

The brief surge of Glamour felt during the mid-1980's didn't make up for how the mortal's collective imagination had managed to physically change his father's form - into one of teased out hair and tight spandex. Daegan shuddered and with a slight scowl handed the man a log.

"Gohun the Archer, trussst me when I sssay - I want you gone assss well."

[The Dreaming - Fae Hall] (after the Troupes left)

Daegan was surprised to see that one of the mortals seemed immune to his sleep magick... but then perhaps it made sense since the man seemed almost goblin in form.   The Shadow King then strode down from his dias to approach the angry little man.  He looked over the woman.   The two had opportunity to volunteer earlier but hadn't, so Daegan was disinclined to wake the woman.  Yet as before... just when he was about to turn, the wind picked up and drawing his attention back to the little man and his woman and it swirled about the two.

The Shadow King couldn't afford to ignore portents.  "Very well, I shall grant you this request."

He shuffled his deck, whispering under his breath and withdrew two cards which he flicked towards the female warrior and her jester mate.  The pair were swallowed by shadows in an instant.

Daegan then looked skyward.  "I heed the wisssdom of the Fates.  Sshow to me thossse othersss that you have blessed."

The wind once more blew through the Hall, this time strong enough to lift sleeping bodies.  The Caitian, now transformed in armor was lifted from his table before being consumed by shadow and teleported away towards the Labyrinth.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Troupe 2 - Outside the Labyrinth]

Volunteering had been a huge mistake!  The quest had barely begun, there was only a handful of the volunteers here with them, Ruth was nowhere in sight and already the weight of the hearth log had increased from a mere 5 lbs to over 20 lbs in the space of what.. 5 minutes?   He could handle it right now, but yeah... it was quick becoming a given that somewhere along the way he would be unable to lift it at this rate of increase.  Roohz!

Lahr looked over toward the Cardassian and Bajoran siblings as they greeted the Captain of the Discovery and then gave him advice on how to carry the piece of wood he'd been told to carry.   A pack huh?   The Andorian Ops petty officer hadn't transformed like some others had.   All he was wearing currently was his standard Starfleet uniform - he didn't even have the luxury of a tricorder, or phaser.  And while showing off his ripped abs in front of Ruth - like the Vulcan had done earlier - sounded appealing, doing so in front of others without Ruth there - not so much.  But as he stood there puzzling out the problem, it felt like another 5 lbs had been added - and here they hadn't even started on the damn quest.   This sucked!

"Screw it.." he grumbled.  This was gonna chafe.  With one hand he tugged hard at the back collar of his uniform shirt, then with the other hand tried to stick the log down the back of his shirt.   It was an awkward maneuver to do with a 25 lbs, 2 ft firelog.   Nah there was no way he was gonna be able to manage it on his own.

"Can I get a hand here?" he called out to whoever was near.

[Ensign Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth]

Jael double-taked at her log...it seemed to thin to be a log, let alone a hearth log...then she saw the flame attached to it and realized she was given a torch. She remembered then that the King mentioned that the Fates were smiling upon her...in a way, this bolstered her spirits. It was quite interesting and fitting, that a Cardassian had a torch amid a party including a Bajoran Captain. Perhaps it was a way to represent the Cardassians in making up for the Occupation?

But then, Lahr called out for help. Jael looked at Gid. "Can you manage?" she asked.

"It's no problem," he replied, "This log feels like I'm carrying a big hasparat. As long as I believe, Fates and Prophets willing..."

And with that, he went over and grabbed one end of Lahr's log in a bid to help him.

Jael, meanwhile, looked around for the others. She noticed another man whom she did not recognize - he, too, must be from Discovery. There was plenty of people from the Discovery. Speaking softly, she did a little tally.

"Litt? Captain Tekin?" she asked. "And...what happened to the Ferengi?"

[Ensign Jael Sherem | Troupe Two | The Labyrinth]

Jael and Gid looked at each other. Their priestly robes made them look regal, but the effect was a little ruined by the fact that they both held logs, but all the same, they couldn't help but smile at each other.

"This is amazing," Jael said. "If it wasn't for the setting, I'd say we'd be escorting a procession of Vedeks."

"Oh, indeed," replied Gid. "If we were taking them to begin stoking the meditational flames as we carry along fuel wood."

They then turned around and saw Lahr, hoisting his heavy log in hand...well, it certainly looked heavy; Jael saw a tad bit of sweat, and she thought of Lahr's homeworld of Andor and it took little imagination to picture an antennaed ice cube melting.

"Are you going to be okay with that, Mister Lahr?" Jael asked. "It could be a good idea to make a pack to carry that so your hands can be free."

She looked around at the rest of the troupe...

[Ensign Jael Sherem | Fae Hall | The Dreaming]

Jael took in enough to know that her mind was blown, but then everybody...she corrected herself, she could see a good deal of people gathering around the girl with the horns...that must be Torra, she about her, that she was Commander Addams' wife. Jael could see a significant person taking her side was Nira, but it took her and Gid a while to agree to jump in to whatever messed-up reality this was.

The two adopted siblings stood up and replied simultaneously, "We're in. We volunteer, too."

[[The Dreaming - Fae Hall]]

NPC Shadow King Daegan ap Oberon
[The Dreaming - Fae Hall]

The King once more was shuffling his deck of cards with a look of concentration.  He looked over towards Captain Tekin briefly.  "It is posssible it all dependsss on your path taken."

Once more the King began to whisper in his sibilant voice that same phrase from before, repeating several times.

"Anal nathrach, orth' bhais's bethad, do che'l de'nmha. Anal nathrach, orth' bhais's bethad, do che'l de'nmha. Anal nathrach, orth' bhais's bethad, do che'l de'nmha." (*translation: Serpent's breath, charm of death and life, thy omen of making.)

After the third time uttering the phrase.  The lights around the room dimmed and suddenly there were extra bodies appearing in the center of the around the central stage (which was vacant at the moment).  Hundreds more bodies (the crew of the Challenger) appeared joining the 175 already present crewmembers of Discovery and the two hundred or more creatures of lore such as goblins, elves, trolls and fairies in the Fae Hall.

However, before CatalÁ¡n could respond to the Captain's order, the Bridge, in fact the entire ship was swathed in an intense bright light.  It was so bright all that Lahr could see was white for a heartbeat before he was suddenly plunged into near darkness.

The entire crew of the Challenger finds themselves struggling to see in this near darkness as their eyes adjust, but what they can immediately tell by sound is that they are not alone.

A hissing whispered voice that oddly can be heard by all greets them as their eyes grow accustomed to the dimness of what seems to be a large circular hall filled with tables of people.

"Welcome to the Realm of the Fae.  I am Ssshadow King Daegan.  I require the attendanccce of Challenger's Captain and his.  Your crew may mingle while we talk."

[Ensign Jael Sherem | Quasi-Darkened Hall | What in Prophets?!?]

...amidst the darkness, she thought she had interesting timing, and momentarily wondered if the Prophets were screwing with her with a trick door...then, she reflected, the Prophets never dabbled in darkness, that was what the Pah-Wraiths would do, though odds are, the Pah-Wraiths would follow-up the darkness with demonic flames...though Jael reflected that Pah-Wraiths would feel at home in this dismal place...

Fortunately, her eyes adjusted to the darkness faster than the rest; after all, Cardassians liked the heat and the darkness, and she rarely had both when she lived on Earth, given how cold it could get in the Saharan deserts, though there were plenty of nights that often got warm. And as she adjusted, she tried to make out the crowds around them...then she realized there was a percentage of people in Starfleet uniforms...and her suspicions were confirmed when one approached them and she recognized her immediately.

Nira Said.

It was the crew of the Discovery.

She addressed three names that sounded undoubtedly familiar to her as Jael had been in being with them particularly on Seku IV. But Jael drew first and nodded in recognition.

"Hello, Nira," she said. "It's...been a long time."

"That's her?" asked Gid, drawing up and awestruck. Of course he'd draw up in interest; he heard so much about Nira from Jael after they joined forces after Jael blew her cover on a pirate ship that answered to their father, and Nira had been among a Klingon boarding party while she was in an Officer Exchange Program. But Gid's voice was something Jael knew all too well.

"She's...beautiful."

But then a Vulcan officer drew up and scowled...which surprised Jael and Gid both, in that they never met a Vulcan that scowled. He even placed a hand on Gid's shoulder; anywhere closer to the neck and Gid would've dropped under the Nerve Pinch. He shook his head, indicating she was taken. Gid nodded and backed off.

Jael was a little perplexed at the couple, but much as she wanted to ask what happened to Commander Grippen, and why they weren't together, she drew her focus away and to their surroundings.

"What's this, anyway? Where is...here? Is the nebula some kind of dimensional gateway?"