Can't See the Forest [Blue]

[Lucca]

Eldy finally managed to decide on something that looked good and placed her order at the same time her table mate did. That settled, she sat back, smiling at Kaleb and waiting for his question. Of course...she hadn't quite anticipated -that- question. One might almost call it The Question, if you were a Torque, and it actually surprised Eldy to think that even with all the places she'd seen and Cards she'd met, he was the first one to ask it.

"Ahhhhh..." She frowned thoughtfully, glancing down at her metal ball as if for inspiration on how best to word it. "All right, well, the land of Torquehelm is...cursed. It's a very dismal place, very dark even in the daylight, and not much grows there that doesn't look about as sad as possible. We who come from Torquehelm, even if we weren't actually born there, are all bound, so that we might work to lift the curse on our land. It's something in which all of us must suffer, because in doing so we're working to help both Torquehelm and ourselves, because the curse is also placed on all born Torquehelms. It's what makes a lot of them so...down all the time." She shrugged, and then looked to see what Kaleb's response would be. She knew a lot of other Cards thought the idea of the Curse was ridiculous and stupid, including her very own sister, who was a 'free' Torquehelm.

[Blue]

Kaleb watched as Eldy furrowed her brow in thought. He knew it must have some significant meaning, but he wasn't sure if he was prepared for her answer.

The badger listened carefully as the one-eared feline spoke of her realm, taking it all in. So, the land and the people of Torquehelm were cursed. He understood everything she was telling him, but that didn't make it any easier to comprehend. Kaleb did feel a connection on some level, as he thought of the tree on his back. Keeping a secret like his was difficult, to say the least. It must be equally as hard to try and lift a curse...right? He sat back in his chair, trying to relax while the information sunk in.

"I...I do understand everything you've just told me, Eldy. It explains a lot, actually. That's probably the reason why you're the first Torque I've ever met." It was true. No one saw Torques running around Avington, that's for sure. But he had to wonder..."Why are you cursed? Do you know how that came about? I guess that's the only part of all this that I just can't grasp. No other realm is like this...so why are you?"

He hoped she wouldn't take offense to him asking more questions. He was only curious, after all.

[Lucca]

When Kaleb seemed to actually believe her, and didn't just immediately dismiss the notion of the Curse, Eldy relaxed marginally. It was so good to have the first person she'd had to explain this to take it so well...and, of course, she wasn't offended by the fact he had more questions. It was only reasonable, after all. A wry smile actually slipped back onto her face.

"I'm actually not sure," she admitted, with a shrug. "I think it has something to do with how close Torquehelm is to Tulgey Woods." A slight shiver ran down her back. She had more reason to fear the Wood than most, since her family history was wrapped up in it. Bits and pieces she knew, though her mother was always reluctant to talk about her brother and his fate. But when Eldy had promised her mom she'd never set foot in the Tulgey...she hadn't quite realized just how glad she'd be about that promise. But having seen the Wood herself now, even from a distance, and sensed the danger that both attracted and frightened her...well.

She could believe well enough that Tulgey was the source of the Curse.