Once Upon A Time...

[persNickety]

Once Upon A Time, Misscris and Pipp found themselves walking through a forest one sunny day. Now this wasn't a normal forest, it was said that an enchantress The Dutchess Aimee often would walk through the forest searching for her lost love. As result, Misscris told Pipp that she would like to go back home especially since it was beginning to look like it was going to Raine. "Grace-like-Rain", Miscris exclaimed, but Pipp was a curious girl who often got herself into trouble, and managed to convince Misscris to continue on the path. As it began to Raine, the girls ran into deep into the forest for shelter under a large tree. Suddenly there was a noise in the bush, the girls jumped up to see an old man, with a long gray beard and staff. "W-who are you?", Misscris asked. "My name is TinTin, but many folks in these parts call me The Cat Herder, on account that I herd cats"."Makes sense", Pipp replied. Misscris spoke, "We have lost our way from the path when we sought refuge under this tree, can you tell us the way back to the path?". The Cat Herder grumbled, "I am afraid I do not know the way, you see, I cannot find my cats, have you seen any by chance?" MissCris glanced at Pipp puzzled, "But aren't you suppose to show them the way, being a herder and all?" The Cat Herder grumbled again, "Hmm yes", grumble "I suppose the nickname is quite misleading", and then began to walk off into the forest away from the ladies. "Great we're lost Pipp and its all your fault" Misscris sighed.

Next time: Chapter 2- The GypsyGirl at The Edge of Rachel

 

[Raine]

Lo-ove it! Can't wait for chapter 2 ^-^

 

[Raine]

I wonder what Rachel will be... A forest? A lake? A city? A person? Hmm... Seems interesting.

 

[Pipp]

Oohhh! you've peeked my interest...

 

[rachelsedge]

I wonder what Rachel will be... A forest? A lake? A city? A person? Hmm... Seems interesting.

It's probably a field of cats... Or a river of milk.

 

[CatHerder]

Is the idea that we continue the story? I'm not sure the rules, but here goes:



“It is most certainly NOT my fault!” Pipp retaliated. The two argued about who was at fault, then they argued about going back to the tree or following the handsome Herder of Cats. Pipp made a few steps toward the tree, thought better of leaving MissChris behind, and turned in her direction. She was nowhere to be seen. “MissCriss! MissCriss!” she shouted.

“I am not MissCriss, but the Roh_Chris” came a strange, masculine voice, seemingly from the air itself, for Pipp could not tell from where the voice came. “Oh please, sir! Help me find my friend, for we are lost in the woods, and now she has separated from me!”

Meanwhile, MissChris, who had tried to follow the mysterious but dashing Cat Herder, was in despair because she had lost him as well as her friend. Just when she was about to give up, she heard strange and beautiful music. She followed the sound to its source: the ViolaCat. “Your music is beautiful! Are you one of Cat Herder’s (that Adonis!) lost cats?” “I am no one’s cat but my own!” came the angry retort. “But, since you found my music beautiful, I will help you find your way out of the forest – yes I know of your plight…and that of your friend.”

The Roh_Chris and the ViolaCat gave Pipp and MissCris, respectively, the same advice, which was to continue through the forest to find the mysterious GypsyGirl at the Edge of Rachel. “Only the GypsyGirl can guide you over the Seventy-Seventh Mist. Without her, you will never reach Still Waters, where you will find answers.” Pipp scoffed at this. “What makes this Gypsy Chick so special?” The Roh_Chris answered “Her magic boots, you doof!” in a loud thundering crash that sent Pipp tumbling down the hill into MissChris.

“Good! You two are reunited!” beamed ViolaCat. “Now go find the GypsyGirl before the Seventy-Seventh Mist ends!”


Next: Part the Third – Missing Cats, Gypsies, and Turbulence

 

[wisebeardman]

when do we get to the part with the Klingons?

 

[persNickety]

No rules really, I wrote it open to others continuing. I guess the only rule is to stick to the general story/scene/main characters as much as possible. Using forum names in creative ways. If anyone feels to contribute to the storyline, by all means.

 

[persNickety]

So far:
Misscris and Pipp are main characters in a forest.
Aimee: enchantress said to be living in the woods
The Cat Herder: Gray bearded and dashingly handsome fellow who has lost his cats
ViolaCat: Cat that plays beautiful music
Roh_chris: Guide along with The ViolaCat have advice to the girls

 

[CatHerder]

so no Klingons, then?

 

[persNickety]

so no Klingons, then?

Yeeeeup, No Klingons.

 

[persNickety]

MissCris and Pipp continued on their journey as advised by The Viola Cat and Roh_chris The Guide. Until they came to an edge of a cliff below were turbulent waves, white caps rushing down the river. To fall would be your demise. "The Edge of Rachel is on the other side, but how are we to cross?? There is no bridge!!", exclaimed MissCris. Posted on a tree near the cliff, was inscription of a riddle: To Pass this Abyss, answer correct tho must: What is it that never fails? "Wouldn't Viola Cat and Roh_chris of told us the answer, surely there would have known about this!!", Pipp said in frustration. The girls pondered what the answer could be, "I got it!", yelled MissCris, "its Love! LoveNeverFails". Just as those words left her lips, a bridge began to appear in front of their very eyes. They ladies crossed the bridge and rested under a tree near by. "We reached it, we finally are at the Edge of Rachel. Now where to find The Gypsy Girl? Surely she will be the one to guide us back home?"

Chapter 4: The Dark Forest of Thoughts and the Ghost of Arwen83 Past

 

[tourist]

Once Upon A Time, Misscris and Pipp found themselves walking through a forest one sunny day. Now this wasn't a normal forest, it was said that an enchantress The Dutchess Aimee often would walk through the forest searching for her lost love. As result, Misscris told Pipp that she would like to go back home especially since it was beginning to look like it was going to Raine. "Grace-like-Rain", Miscris exclaimed, but Pipp was a curious girl who often got herself into trouble, and managed to convince Misscris to continue on the path. As it began to Raine, the girls ran into deep into the forest for shelter under a large tree. Suddenly there was a noise in the bush, the girls jumped up to see an old man, with a long gray beard and staff. "W-who are you?", Misscris asked. "My name is TinTin, but many folks in these parts call me The Cat Herder, on account that I herd cats"."Makes sense", Pipp replied. Misscris spoke, "We have lost our way from the path when we sought refuge under this tree, can you tell us the way back to the path?". The Cat Herder grumbled, "I am afraid I do not know the way, you see, I cannot find my cats, have you seen any by chance?" MissCris glanced at Pipp puzzled, "But aren't you suppose to show them the way, being a herder and all?" The Cat Herder grumbled again, "Hmm yes", grumble "I suppose the nickname is quite misleading", and then began to walk off into the forest away from the ladies. "Great we're lost Pipp and its all your fault" Misscris sighed.

Next time: Chapter 2- The GypsyGirl at The Edge of Rachel

This was a delightful story and I am looking forward to the next chapter. Perhaps Pipp will be found, assuming that she wants to be found. In my travels I have never been to the Edge of Rachel. Probably never will, either.

 

[Roh_Chris]

As MissCris sat under the tree wondering how to find The Gypsy Girl, Pipp was off to find some food. Since the time they had left home she had been hungry and now it was too much to bear. She had to find some food, and she must do it before MissCris realizes that she is missing. "Hmm, I wonder if the tree we sat under has any good fruit to eat", Pipp wondered. Picking up a long stick to knock down some fruit she made her way back to the tree.

She was just reaching for the fruits on the lowest branch when she heard a booming voice right behind her. "Get off my lawn you brat!", said the man with a long flowing beard and a staff in his right hand. "Oh sir, I am terribly sorry but I am really hungry", said Pipp who was now ashamed of what she had done. MissCris quickly joined her friend and was having a look of worry. "Who are you? Where do you come from?" asked the man. "Sir, I am MissCriss and this is my friend Pipp. We got lost while walking in the forest and now we have nowhere to go. 'Twas told to us that The Gypsy Girl would help us find our way back home so we are searching for her", said MissCris who was now shaking from head to toe. "You don't think you can find The Gypsy Girl by just stealing my fruits, do you?" said the man. No sooner had he said that, his countenance changed and a smile broke across his face.

"I am the wisebeardman and this is my home. You two will be my guests for the evening. Come in to my home, feed and rest yourselves for tomorrow will be a long day."
"Thank you very much sir! You are very kind" said the two girls in unison.

Wisebeardman turned around and started walking towards his home. The sun was setting and the last few golden rays were streaming across the horizon. "What a long day this has been!" exclaimed Pipp, whose hunger has now returned with a double-fold vengeance. "I hope he offers us good food and lots of cupcakes! I would do anything for just one of those yummy cupcakes I had baked yesterday", she said with a deep sigh. MissCris was not in the mood to listen to her friend, after all she had abandoned her while going hunting for food. Nevertheless she could not help but secretly hope that they did get some good food at the wisebeardman's home. "Eeek!! Watch out!!", Pipp shrieked as a pair of paws swung wildly at her hair and missed. Wisebeardman whirled around and shook his staff at the tree above them. "Get off the branches and come down this very instant!" he thundered at the leaves above him.

A soft meow was followed by a rustle in the leaves.


​Chapter 5: Gypsies and a Ghost.

 

[violakat]

The meow was made by a beautiful ghost colored cat called Arwen83. She was the Gypsy's cat, and was sent to wait for the girls, as the GypsyGirl new they would be there.

"I am to take you in the morning to the edge of the Seventy-Seventh mist. There my mistress will meet you and show you the way."

"Why can we not go now", cried MissCris.

"Because the way is to dark and dangerous." Replied the Wisebeardman. "It is said, that unless the Duchess is with you, one's Soul will be searched and unless there is zero turbulence in your heart, you will never make it. Now come inside and we will eat. I have a a wonderful spread layed out. Arwen83, stir up the cinders so we will have a roaring fire for this chilly night that is to come."

So the Wisebeardman, the girls, and the cat all sat down for supper, while a flute played by a crimson lark could be heard through the house. They sat and talk for hours, and soon the girls were fast asleep, lolled by the good food, warm fire, and sweet music.

Chapter 6: The Journey's Beginning.

 

[MissCris]

Early the next morning, before the sun was properly up and before the stars had gone to bed, the Wisebeardman shook the sleeping girls urgently, telling them it was time, they must get up and be on their way.

"I dunwannaeat meeeatloaf!" Pipp mumbled, rolling over. MissCris sat up, rubbing her eyes, and said, "Got any coffee?"

After much yawning and dragging of feet, the Wisebeardman managed to get the girls out the door and into the cool morning air. The three of them turned their steps southward and began their journey into the dark forest.

Before long, they ran into a huge, gnarled tree that somehow hadn't been there before.

"Watch it!" The tree barked. "Can't you see I'm rooted here?"

"Oh! We're sorry, um...Mister Tree...? We were just...hey, how is it you can talk, anyway?" Pipp asked, staring up into the branches.

The tree grunted, and the three travelers watched in fascination as a face appeared in the twisted bark. "I am Ugly," the tree began, "Once a man, I trained to be a knight for the king. I was sent on a Quest. I failed. I was caught off guard by a mischievous, persNickety elf who turned me into a tree. The enchantment can only be lifted by the one known as the GypsyGirl. I hear she is somewhere beyond the seventy-seventh mist, but I cannot go myself."

"But that's where we're going!" MissCris cried. "We could tell her-"

"Quiet!" The Wisebeardman interrupted. "Don't you know better than to tell strangers your business?"

MissCris only managed to look slightly ashamed of herself. Pipp turned to the tree called Ugly and said "Well, since the cat's already out of the bag, we'll see what can be done to help you."

As the travelers set off once more, MissCris wondered aloud, "Why does this adventure involve so many cats?! I hate cats!"

They walked in silence much of the day, until finally they came to a stop on the bank of a roaring river.

Chapter 7- The Elves and the Fork in the Road

 

[violakat]

Um, you forgot about Arwen83. What did you do with her MissCriss?

 

[MissCris]

Um, you forgot about Arwen83. What did you do with her MissCriss?

Oh no! Um...she uh...dang. Quick, someone write her back in!

 

[blue_ladybug]

hmmm, I think this story needs a blue ladybug in it!! LOL.

 

[kenthomas27]

When MissCris got to the edge of the river, she leaned down and cupped her hands and took a little drink. She stood up amazed.

"Why this river water tastes just like coffee! Good coffee too, just the way I like it!"

Pipp stood up and said "no it doesn't! with water all over her face "It tastes like cupcakes to me"

After she said that both MissCris and Pipp looked for Wisebeardman and found him swimming in it! He was all the way in soaking in it and floating on his back blowing the good tasting water out his mouth! Then both Pipp and MissCriss started laughing hysterically and leaned down to drink some more.

"Better not drink from that river" said a voice. This hardly got any of the girls attention and Wisebeardman was standing on his head by then with just his feet sticking out the surface.

"Uhhh - Ahem I SAID, YOU BETTER NOT DRINK THAT RIVER WATER", said the voice again.

Pipp was the first to look up, still giggling a little.

"What'd you say?" Pipp said.
"That river water ain't good for you. It ain't real." said the voice
"Who are you anyway" Pipp was looking around for whatever was talking and could find anyone. This got MissCris attention and she stood up all wide-eyed and frantic from all the coffee and said "whaddaya mean it's not real. Whaddaya mean?".

"River water ain't real. It makes you think it's something it ain't. Dat bein said, you might wanna get yer horizontal friend there more vertical less he drowns"

They both looked over and Wisebeardman was floating face down in the river so they ran out and fetched him and turned him over and slapped his mean ole red cheeks to revive him.

"cough cough, hack "who's that on my lawn?" Wisebeardman finally came to and blew a big gulp of water onto his matted beard.

Y'all drink from that river and you think it's anything you want, and it ain't. It ain't the real thing" "You go on down dis here road. Dat's the road you oughta be takin. Stay away from dis river. It's too wide and it's goin de wrong way.

Pipp finally focused in on where the voice was coming from. It was a little blue dot on a leaf. In fact, it was a lady bug!

Chapter 8 The Blue Ladybug goes along for the ride.