Not completely sure what to do, Scarlet began to speak to Eloise through the door. “Eloise? It’s Scarlet…Well, this is a nice home you have, El. All of this red in the hallway is a bit frightening though, even for me…Uhh…You don’t have to worry about my mom anymore, by the way. I shot her with a frost ray. If I’ve calculated everything correctly, she’s going to be on ice for a few years. She won’t be able to hurt anyone else for a long time.”
Scarlet was led around so many corners that she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to find her way back to the canals. Once they came to a long hallway decorated with red wallpaper and carpet, Juliet stopped in front of a dark brown door with gold accents. “This is her room,” she said. “We’ll give you some privacy.“
“Just call my name when you’re ready to go,” said Nixie.
“Alright, thank you,” said Scarlet.
Just when Scarlet thought she could swim no further and began to worry if she might drown, she and Nixie had finally arrived at their destination. Scarlet looked up and she could not tell if there was a ceiling. All she saw was a strange blue and purple swirling light. Juliet was standing at a dock connected to a black-bricked mansion. It was as if Juliet had been waiting there for them. “Hello, Nixie! What brings you here?” she asked
“I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion. This is Scarlet Spark and she seeks to speak with your daughter.”
“Ahhh, so this is Scarlet. Eloise had told me so much about you when you were both younger. I’m so glad you came. After what had happened, I thought I’d never get to meet you.”
“I have to be honest, I thought you would be mad when I showed up here. You’re not angry with me?”
“Why would you think that I would be angry? My husband saw what happened and he knows you did not hurt our daughter.”
“I did though, in a way. Didn’t he see how I did nothing to stop my mother or help Eloise? I’m just as guilty.”
“No. We hold no grudge against you. You do not get to choose your biological family, after all.” Scarlet smiled a little. “Please, follow me to Eloise’s room, won’t you?” Juliet requested.
The Lady of the Lake slipped into the water and beckoned Scarlet to follow. They dove underwater and Scarlet found that she could swim much faster than before. The two continued swimming until they came to an underwater tunnel. The tunnel led them to a cave in which there was dry ground. Scarlet was surprised that she was able to breathe there. Nixie then led her through a series of dark caves, which eventually led to a manmade canal filled with dark plum water which forced them to begin swimming once more. The canal to the Underworld was long, dark, and winding. With every stroke, Scarlet felt as if she was being watched. It was almost as if the gargoyles on the stone walls were not mere statues.
After waiting several minutes, Scarlet heard a melodic voice call out to her. “Hello! Is that you, Scarlet Spark?”
Scarlet turned towards the voice. “Uh, yeah!” she said, running over.
“My name is Nixie Cascade.”
“Uh, Nixie! Right! Hi! Um, I hope this isn’t too weird–the Sun Goddess’ daughter asking for help from the Lady of the Lake, I mean.”
Nixie laughed. “It is a bit strange, I will admit. I think your mother has always been too afraid come here, honestly. I’ve always wondered if she thinks I will drag her into the water to try and put her flames out.”
Scarlet smirked, “Water and ice are her weaknesses and she does tend to be a bit paranoid. Your assumption is probably not too far off from the truth.”
Nixie smiled, but it quickly turned into a frown, “So, you were calling out for my help?”
“Oh yes, that’s right. I heard that you’re the one who tended to Eloise Azura the day she was hurt.”
“Yes.”
“I need you to take me to her. I’ve heard that you know the only safe way to enter without becoming undead.”
“Yes, this is also true. However, there’s no guarantee that she’d want to speak with you. My son Neil has tried numerous times, but he only gets silence.“
“I want to at least give it a try. I owe it to her.”
“If we are going to do this, I will need your full cooperation. You will stay close to me and do exactly as I say. You must also be prepared to leave the Underworld when I tell you to.”
“I understand.”
“We’ll leave now, then.”
After traveling all day and all night, Scarlet had finally arrived on the shores of the great lake. “Uh…Miss Lady of the Lake? I’m sorry, I don’t know your name. I–I could really use your help right now. I think you’re my only hope for helping Eloise. I’ve heard–even after all this time–that she’s still hasn’t recovered from what happened. She hasn’t spoken to anyone in years, she locked herself in her room and never leaves, and it’s all my fault. I don’t know if she’ll ever speak to me again, but I want to set things right.”
Scarlet sighed, looking upon her frozen mother, “I really didn’t want to have to do this, you know…I knew it’d be up to me to stop you. No one else can seem to.” She paused for a moment, sighing again. “Unlike that temper you have, this is only temporary. You should defrost in a year or two, depending on how well I’ve built this,” she said, giving her ray gun a pat.
“Well, as much as I’m enjoying the silence, I’ve gotta run. There’s a cute damsel I’ve got to check up on and I have to recruit someone to help me. See you in a couple of years, mother.” And with that, Scarlet went off running towards the home of the Lady in the Lake.
Scarlet grinned, “Well, of course I’m going to shoot you!”
“Scarlet, no!” Phyra pleaded.
“I’m going to put you on ice for a while so you can cool off and think about the horrible things you’ve done.”
“N-n-no!”
It had taken her several years of preparation, but Scarlet was finally ready to confront her mother. With the help of her new ice ray, she froze the door barring her escape from the sun palace and smashed it into pieces. She had already memorized her mother’s weekly schedule, so she knew exactly where Phyra would be. Scarlet was able to find her within minutes of her escape. “Hello, mother,” she said with an icy glare.
Phyra looked more angry than surprised. “Scarlet! How did you get out of the palace?”
“It was pretty easy once I finally got this baby in my hands!”
“I hope you’re not honestly thinking about shooting me with that ridiculous contraption.”
I’m experimenting with Noodles’ glossy eyes right now. It’s a great collection of default replacements, two-tones, and easy-to-use heterochromia. I highly recommend it!
I’m not completely sold on the red for the Iristra twins just yet, but I’m going to give it some time. Worst case, I might have to give them their old red eyes back even though they’ll look out of place with everyone else’s new eyes.
Sugary Virtual Simblr 