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Post by River Hughes on May 7, 2020 0:17:11 GMT
GO BACK, LEFT
"Gosh darnit," River grumbled as she hit another dead end.
"Well you're sweet, so you needed some sweetness, I think. I don't feel awfully brave, just stubborn. I'm not ready to give up yet. And no, you didn't scare me off, per se. It's hard to explain. I got a little frustrated, that you can't seem to make up your mind, I'll admit. It's hard to feel important as one of six. Everyone just wants to be loved, Parker. And if you find someone, one of these girls, who's willing to give you their heart, that takes a lot of trust. So you've got to trust her too." She sighed. "I might not be making any sense right now, but I am trying to."
She took the turn a different way, walking slowly so she had time to talk. "Remember our first date, when we were talking, and you planned a whole trip in an instant, and it was all about us and the fun we were going to have together? That made me feel special, but it also seemed like the two of us would really enjoy each other's company. It's the reason I came back for the second date. But then yesterday, I started to wonder if I would be able to breathe while everything was so crazy and you were hopping all over the place and I was just holding on for dear life. I really wanted it to be a fit, but the more I thought about it the more that sounded exhausting. I can't live life at ninety miles per hour all the time. I'd burn out too quick."
"And then this morning, in my date with Pe--" She clapped her hands over her mouth. "Shoot. I was trying not to make a big deal out of it. I don't want to lord anything over you. That's just cruel." She sighed. "Too late now, I guess. Penn and I...everything is kind of falling together like it was meant to be that way. It scares me a little, how easy it is. And maybe I'm wrong, and maybe it'll blow up in my face...but maybe not. Maybe we'll be really happy. Maybe I don't have to be scared all the time."
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25Age
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Post by Parker Domino on May 7, 2020 3:16:07 GMT
MIDDLEParker sighed and listened, "I know." he said softly.
"It's my own fault I signed myself up for this. I've literally never had to make a quick decision or an unchangeable one before. Even when I thought I made an unchangeable choice, it changed. And when I really think about it, I've tried to slow down for someone before, way more than once and that didn't work. It's not that I don't want to, it's that I have no clue how. I get that my life isn't for everyone and that's been my forever alone fear ever since I started the crazy adventure. Maybe I need a change, maybe I don't, I just like to take things one step at a time"
Parker let his hand go from where it was grazing the wall and took the middle path.
"I've been feeling like such a selfish jerk for talking to so many people at once, and trust me I know I'm a jerk for it, I just don't know how to not want to try and hope it comes out for the best. I guess I'm just not used to having real consequences. I've been a lost boy in Neverland pretty much my entire adult life. I might have more duct tape than heart at this point so I don't even know what things are supposed to feel like."
"And for the record, you're amazing and I don't ever want you to feel scared, so if Penn is the guy that can make that happen, I'm happy for you, I really am. He's super lucky and I know he's a great person."
"I'm really sorry River, for everything."
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Post by The Producers on May 7, 2020 12:14:49 GMT
They would both soon find themselves in the same large open space. "You have reached the center of the maze. Now you must find the exit together." Said the automated voice.
Note: Feel free to take some time here, just tag me @ admin (together of course) when you're ready to move on <3
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Post by River Hughes on May 7, 2020 22:36:58 GMT
"Thank goodness," River sighed when she hit the middle. "Parker, where are you? You're not a terrible person, and if you keep beating up on yourself like that, I will knock some sense into you. Someone needs to." She spoke fiercely, although her voice was thick with emotion. "But first you clearly need a hug."
She walked forward with her arms out, gently moving them from side to side so that she could find Parker in the open area. "Ooh, I should probably warn you, I'm only 5'4. So uh, watch out for my face?"
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25Age
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Post by Parker Domino on May 8, 2020 1:31:17 GMT
Parker is about 5'9 with a lean but not scrawny body and nicely toned but not buff arms. He's wearing a t-shirt and shorts. His hair is medium length and mostly straight.
"I happen to be really into hugs," Parker said, finding her and giving her a tight hug. "I'm not sure anyone's ever told me I need one though," he said with a chuckle. "You made it, I'm proud of you," he said softly.
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Post by River Hughes on May 8, 2020 2:14:41 GMT
River hugged back just as tightly. Parker would be able to tell that she was of about average build, wearing an oversized sweater and leggings. Her hair was down about to her shoulder blades and loose, falling in waves around her face. She is wearing her favorite perfume, which really makes her smell like old books.
"Everyone needs a hug sometimes. You've never just like...needed someone to hug you?" She asked, resting her cheek on his shoulder. "You've been so harsh to yourself about being scared...It seems to me like you need to be a little more gentle with yourself--and if you won't, then I'm going to. You're right, you can't keep running away, and being afraid of getting hurt isn't going to stop it from happening, but that doesn't make you a bad person. It just makes you human. I mean, c'mon, remember who you're talking to. I'm afraid of pretty much everything, all the time."
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25Age
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Post by Parker Domino on May 8, 2020 2:34:57 GMT
"Ooo you smell good, like a library!" Parker commented. Then he shrugged, "I don't know, not really. I've never really been scared of anything," he said, pretty casually, "I just make people smile and go do whatever idea pops into my head first, not really thinking about hugs or fear. And hugs kinda just... happen?"
"Heartbreak isn't really new to me ya know, I mean it sucks but that's a really small thing compared to how many good things happened right before," Parker told her. "I mean it sucks for what? Five minutes of getting dumped or a couple days or whatever after however many hours of smiles and fun? Sounds worth it to me."
"I mean there's still a chance that even if someone wants me now, they can leave at any moment, so I might as well just enjoy whatever magical moment is the present, like this one. It would just be really cool to have someone for those moments all the time."
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Post by River Hughes on May 10, 2020 7:57:56 GMT
River recoiled. She pulled herself from the hug and crossed her arms.
"Parker, I can't help feeling like you're lying to me--or maybe to yourself," she began, the hurt and confusion she was feeling evident in her voice. "I'm sorry if I'm wrong, but I feel like I'm getting whiplash. You keep going back and forth--first, you're afraid to love someone, in case they don't feel the same, but then you're saying that heartbreak isn't a big deal. You called yourself selfish and worried about hurting others, but you don't have the same concern for yourself. I understand that you try to take things as they come, but isn't it dangerous to keep avoiding this?"
Her worries had all come out in a rush and it took a moment for her to catch her breath. "I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have said any of that. I'm not even sure I should be here."
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25Age
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Post by Parker Domino on May 10, 2020 17:29:57 GMT
"River... I'm not lying to you, I'm not," Parker said flatly. "I don't even know how to explain it, but it's like if it's my heart that gets hurt over someone else's heart... if I love them I'd rather it be my heart. That's what love is, or at least what I know it's like. But then I still feel bad because then someone else gets hurt and I wonder if it would've been less hurt if they never met me, because I'm selfish and I still want to try, even if it's six different people at the same time."
"Everyone in here is confused as hell, but you found someone that you're not confused about. Love shouldn't be painful or confusing, it's safe and warm and I want you to have that River," Parker said softly. "Come on, let's get you out of here." he said, offering a hand. "My hand's out for you, ball's in your court if you want to take it or not and I won't be upset either way you choose."
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Post by River Hughes on May 10, 2020 19:04:43 GMT
River sighed. "Alright...I can understand that much at least. You're right, I'd always rather that I was hurt than someone else...but I hope that you'll look out for your own heart as well. You deserve that much." It took a bit of searching, but she found his hand and squeezed it lightly. "I'm sorry for reacting like that," she said quietly, "It just...it makes me sad, and a bit frustrated, to hear you be so casual about that. You deserve someone you're not confused about too, you know. I really hope you can find what you need."The Producers, I think we're ready. |
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Post by The Producers on May 10, 2020 19:21:01 GMT
A small pinprick of green light lit up and showed them which path they needed to go down. Once they followed it they would reach their first turn. LEFT, RIGHT, or MIDDLE?
Each round going forward will consist of 2 turns. So BOTH of you should pick a direction from the 3 available options. I have a predetermined order of correct turns you need to make in the correct order to get to the end. Good luck!
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25Age
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Post by Parker Domino on May 11, 2020 1:27:52 GMT
MIDDLE
"Don't worry, I will. I think I've got a few weddings I need to attend and people do say that weddings are a great place to meet people," Parker said with a laugh. "Casual is my way of life, I mean come on, I'm totally wearing flip flops right now."
"When I love someone, I want them to be as happy as possible and usually there's someone out there that can just do a better job than me."
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