the stone forest

Dex ♫ - 04/21/2018
There are many dangerous places around the world, some proven to be trecherous, and some only in myth. The Stone Forest, in particular, seething with legend and mystery. Most say a dangerous beast dweels deep within the dark, winding passages of trees and stone statues portruding in the forest. Although, not many are brave enough to find out, for fear of turning into one of the figures.
But it was not as it seemed. A beast did live there, yes, but she was no more dangerous than one of the stones itself.
There was a Gorgon, holed up in a house contructed from rock. She despised the myths surrounding her forest, but couldn't lie that it helped her live a peaceful life, free of wanderers attempting to take her head as a trophy. She used most of her time to sew and create lovely clothing, especially dresses. At the moment, she was hunched over a spindle, humming away as she created something new.

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April 22, 2018
lesbianfiction - 04/22/2018
Driven by wanderlust, a lone adventurer navigates through the misty forest using a switch from a tree. Her hand gently glides it across the forest floor, to and fro; as her way of watching out for obstacles in her path. The darkness doesn't impede her; for she has no eyes. Zoe carelessly wanders about, in search of... Something. Or perhaps nothing. The Fetchling bores easily, and only wants to have some fun!

As she dawdles carelessly, her switch collides with something made of stone in her path. Instinctively, she walks around it; however she is quickly met with another stone. And another, and another. That's weird... Why are there so many rocks outta nowhere? She bends down to feel the stone with her hands; and quickly realizes the peculiar shape. "This isn't a rock! It's a statue!" she shouts openly to the forest. Are they all statues? She excitedly searches for more statues on the forest floor, and makes a game of guessing what they're of. A rabbit! A deer! A... person...?

This is certainly not normal. she ponders. First of all, who would put all these statues way out here? Second of all, they're really good statues! They're all life-sized and feel so realistic. There's gotta be a hermit sculptor living in these woods or something... Then, she notices the humming. Very faint and distant; but her acute hearing can distinctly pick up a woman's pleasant humming. What's more, it's echoing out of a building. "Bingo!" she exclaims before eagerly trekking towards the voice.
"Ouch!" She, however, immediately stubs her toe on another statue. Oh, right. I have a stick for this. With that, she makes her way (safely) to the disembodied humming. As she draws nearer, the humming stands out as... Very beautiful. It's one of the most amazing singing voices Zoe has ever heard. Wow, I really gotta meet her! Maybe she can sing for me! Finally, she discovers the stone wall of the Gorgon's abode; and scans it with her fingers to find the door.

Just as she's about to knock, she notices the faint hissing. Does this girl have a pet snake? Or... A dozen pet snakes? she wonders. With a shrug, she knocks firmly on the wooden door and waits patiently for an answer. Her gut tingles anxiously. Someone with such a beautiful voice must also be very beautiful. Oh! I don't want to scare her! she remembers, and closes her eyelids as to hide the black, empty sockets.

@Dex ♫
Dex ♫ - 04/22/2018
Her wordless song was halted as she heard the knock on the door, her yellow eyes glancing towards it. Visitors always made her nervous, for fear of hurting them or them hurting her, but she knew she had a way out if they attempted to harm her. So what could go wrong? The Gorgon rose from her project, quietly stepping over to the entrance.
"Er, who is it?", she asked in a sweet, anxious tone. If there was anyone to worry about at her door, at least she could ask about them. "I am simply a kind, old seamstress, not a monster or anything!" She gripped the handle, awaiting a response from the other side.

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lesbianfiction - 04/22/2018
Zoe furrows her brow at the seamstress's declaration. "Who ever called you a monster?" she shouts back. "You brought it up, not me. Anyways, I'm uh..." she trails off for a moment. Who is she? "I'm uhh... A suitor! Yeah, that's right! I heard your humming just now. It was so beautiful, I couldn't help myself from getting a look at your face!" She snickers under her breath. She twiddles her fingers around her switch anxiously, ever eager to meet the woman on the other side of the door.

@Dex ♫(edited)
April 23, 2018
Dex ♫ - 04/23/2018
At the person's statement, her eyes widen in surprise. "Oh! Er,  I just wanted to let you know that I wasn't one! A monster, that is! But, um, I think you might be mistaken.", the Gorgon said, the snakes that made up her hair hissing irritably. They were just starting to sleep, and the loss of her humming and the start of the yelling caused them to start getting annoyed. "I really don't think you would like to see my face. I'm....very old, and very...uh, wrinkly!", , she responded, hoping this would ward off the visitor.(edited)
lesbianfiction - 04/23/2018
"You can't fool me!" Zoe shouts enthusiastically back through the door. "There's no way a wrinkly old hag could sound so good! Don't be so modest. Your light shines brightest when you.... Uh... When you're confident!" Zoe ruffles her own hair bashfully over her failed proverb. This is why she doesn't write lyrics. "Listen, the point is-" she removes the case off of her back; and from within, produces her trusty acoustic guitar. "- I want you to sing for me while I play my guitar!" She gently strums a chord, to show she actually meant her words. "You really do have an amazing voice!"

@Dex ♫
Dex ♫ - 04/23/2018
When the stranger strummed the guitar, the woman let out a soft sigh. The person sounded awfully sincere, and she was honestly tempting by the thought of singing along to some music. So the Gorgon mustered up a bit of courage, and spoke back, "I...really? I can- I think I'll open the door now, okay? I'll comply, I suppose.", she replied, her tone unsure, even though she was really quite excited. Then, she finally, slowly opened the door and peeked out.

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lesbianfiction - 04/23/2018
As the door creaks open, Zoe's closed-eyed smile beams back at Khepri. "You're just as pretty as I thought!" she exclaims gleefully. "Just kidding. I can't see at all. But, I really did mean it about your voice..."

@Dex ♫
Dex ♫ - 04/23/2018
Once Khepri catches a glimpse of the others wide smile, she couldn't help but do the same. Even if she was a little confused. "Oh my, I- I am flattered but...might I ask why your eyes are closed? Because, er, that would explain why you can't see, I think.", the woman pointed out.

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lesbianfiction - 04/23/2018
"I just didn't want to scare you. Most people are spooked by how my face looks." Zoe explains with a chuckle. It's true, her somewhat ghastly complexion combined with her empty eye sockets is enough to startle most. "Do you mind if I come in?"

@Dex ♫
Dex ♫ - 04/23/2018
"Oh, it's alright. I can relate, I'd say.", Khepri told her, chuckling bashfully. Its not like there was anyone who ever lived after seeing her face, so she could understand the others predicament. "But oh! of course, of course! Right this way.", the Gorgon told her, gesturing inside of her house.

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April 24, 2018
lesbianfiction - 04/24/2018
Zoe lifts up her guitar case and attempts to squeeze through the doorway; after all she has no idea how big it is. "Watch out." Once inside, she takes note of the different cadence from the outdoors. "It's cozy in here! Is there anywhere I can set this down?" she asks, gesturing with her guitar case.

@Dex ♫
April 25, 2018
Dex ♫ - 04/25/2018
Khepri makes sure to make room for the visitor, standing politely to the side. After she enters, the door is softly closed behind her. "Oh, anywhere is fine! In fact, here, could I handle it?", she asked, making sure it was okay before moving around the woman's equipment.

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April 27, 2018
lesbianfiction - 04/27/2018
"Sure." she replies calmly; holding the case up in the direction of Khepri's voice. Zoe stands in the middle of the room with her head turned towards the floor. She's no idea of the layout of furniture inside, and would rather be safe than sorry; although her legs ache from wandering through the woods so long.

"So... You said you're a seamstress?" she asks innocently.

@Dex ♫
May 2, 2018
Dex ♫ - 05/02/2018
The Gorgon took a seat on a wooden chair near her spindle, smiling calmly. She was a bit concerned by the stranger standing idly in the center of her home, not relaxing or anything, but she didn't seem to  say anything about it.

"Yes, I am!", Khepri told her excitably. "My favorite things to make are dresses, if I'm being honest. The materials, the patterns, the freedom!", she enthused. "What's not to like?"

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May 8, 2018
lesbianfiction - 05/08/2018
"Huh..." Zoe replies, accidentally allowing her eyelids to slowly peak open. "Seems like a lonely hobby."

With that, she lifts her right hand straight up into the air. "I like music.." And it comes cascading downward, strumming all six strings in a resonant chord; lingering and reverberating for several moments. "Because of its energy!" Her fingers finally follow up the chord with a soft tune; methodically plucking the strings with cheer. Her foot taps along to the rhythm. "Everyone can get involved in a song! The way that someone plays or sings tell you more about them than even words can. And, well... I'm not so good with words anyways."

She's not singing, but her words almost play along with her melody. Her entire being is swept up in the sounds of her guitar; and it carries her in a way so that she can express herself easier. "And since I can't see people's faces, their voices are what stand out to me. To hear someone's singing voice is almost like seeing someone naked, I guess." Her lips stretch into an uncanny smile as she chuckles at her analogy. "So, I guess what I'm saying is... Will you let me see you naked?" Her smiling face finally looks up in Khepri's direction, pitch-black sockets staring expectantly at the Gorgon.

@Dex ♫
Dex ♫ - 05/08/2018
Khepri couldn't decide what surprised her more: the odd analogy or the deep sockets of darkness that looked back at her. Well, this seemed to explain a lot, she thought. And this thought soon brought hope into her heart, realizing that if she couldn't see, then the Gorgon couldn't turn her into stone. It was a great revelation, making her smile widely, albeit nervously. She could finally have the opportunity to make a friend who wouldn't end up as a stone obelisk in the woods.

"Oh...well, I don't know.", the seamstress said, even though she was definitely considering the notion. "My singing isn't that spectacular or anything." She was definitely being humble. Khepri quite liked to sing when she was busy, and could be as loud as she wanted due to the emptiness of the forest. She had never been confident, though. This was another possible chance that she was willing to take.

Khepri pretended to think it over for a few more seconds, until responding cheerily, "You know what? Why not! Is there anything...specific I could sing? Because if you don't know anything, I do have some old songs in my native tongue I'd be happy to recite!"

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May 15, 2018
lesbianfiction - 05/15/2018
Zoe mutes her strings with her thin, pale fingers. Her face is overcome by a faint grey flush as her lips stretch into a giddy grin. "You start!" she shouts boisterously, "And I'll follow suit!"

She lowers her sightless gaze to the floor; allowing her eyelids to shut gently as she waits for Khepri's queue.

@Dex ♫
June 12, 2018
Dex ♫ - 06/12/2018
"Err, alright. This is something my mother used to sing a...pretty long time ago.", Khepri started nervously, taking a small breath beforehand. "Here we go.", the gorgon said, beginning to sing in an awkward and quiet tone. Khepri tried to remember the words, stumbling along occasionally. Apart of that, the song was comforting and nostalgic, at least to her. It began to flow more smoothly, the tune coming to memory a lot easier with the help of the melody.
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