Realm of Reflection

xD As you may have read in the title, this isn't the actually story yet, it's actually just the idea.

The title may change, but for now, it's called Realm of Reflection.

The main character is a young boy named Dominic Parker. He's always been the serious one, the obedient one, the logical one. He's never broken a rule in his life and is beginning to see the world in black and white, until a family from New York moves into the house next door.

Avaline Connelie, the polar opposite of Dominic, is a girl with an unsatisfied curiosity and a habit of getting herself into trouble while adventuring. She likes to think of herself as a detective and even has a trusty sidekick, a basset hound named Captain Goldstream the Courageous, Captain Goldie for short

(name courtesy bondgirl007 and the fish-naming commity)

Avaline gets on Dominic's badside since she's usually watching detective movies at high volumes (the ear-piercing shrills get on his nerves), sneaking around the neighborhood, and is able to make friends with everyone using her outgoing, friendly personality. Dominic thinks Avaline is still a complete lunatic and plots revenge against her for stealing his "friends" by beating her academically. The spelling bee would be a great way to claim victory in front of the public.

To his surprise, Avaline isn't just she's street smart, she's book smart too. Dominic's plan backfires and he ends up being the one humilated. A few days later, Dominic's parents leave for a business trip and leave Dominic at home with an archaic babysitter, or so they think. The Parker family's babysitter's daughter is giving birth and calls in later to cancel.

So now Dominic is home alone, in charge of his house and keeping it spick and span. Avaline's dog, Captain Goldstream the Courageoust, smells the burgers Dominic is grilling at his house, and ends up wrecking the house. While Avaline and Dominic argue outside, Avaline notices there's something strange about the reflection in the puddle (it's around October). The shapes seem to be the same, but the the world looks completely different. Avaline and Dominic's houses look like run-down old shacks with beat up windows and peeling paint. Translucent figures float around the area, cackling, while figures cloaked in shadow sneak around. Winged creatues with leathery, orange skin and crescent eyes soar through the sky, some sort of cow-like animals dangling from their feet. Worst of all, Avaline has wispy white hair and red eyes while Dominic has scaly skin and claws in his reflection.

Avaline decides she should investigate and ditches Dominic. Dominic, however, is still outraged about what her dog's done to his house and follows her to the forest. The two find themselves deep in the forest, at the foot of Cassius Lake.

In the water, the two see a mirror world that's nothing like their own.
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So, that's basically the idea. The two of them don't end up going to the Realm of Reflection the first time they visit Cassius lake, but the second time when Dominic's parents are gone in November/December. The lake is frozen during that time of year and Avaline jumps around on the frozen surface. It ends up breaking, her dog and Dominic go after her, and they find their way to the Realm of Reflection. Avaline's not scared of what she sees and thinks the Realm of Reflection might have the answer to why there has been an increase in missing people and why their town has been robbed and vandalized. Dominic, however, wants to find a way out. Fast.

The problem is, entering the Realm of Reflection is much easier then getting out. The lake portals are one way while the Lake Gates only open during rare instances. None of the inhabitants of the Realm of Reflection seem to know how to leave, either. And on top of all that, the Realm of Reflection is having a change in government, going from peaceful democracy to a form of dictatorship.

The reason? Food and shelter is becoming scarce in their world, the forests diminishing in size and the lakes drying up. The townspeople blame the humans because whatever happens in the Real World is reflected in theirs.

The person who's taking over, a dictator-type of character, claims that rebellion against the humans is what'll fix the mess.

Tell me your thoughts on this idea xD I'm still not sure how to begin or what this world would be like.

-Shina

[spoiler] A quick scene:

Dominic: You have a dog named Captain Goldstream the Courageous?

Avaline: Yeah, I once had a dog named Bandit, but he was stolen.[/spoiler]

Hey Shina, it's me:) I really liked your idea for a story, it sounds intriguing. I know it's kind of cliche' but maybe you could start your prologue out from a character from the Realm, perhaps the dictator himself. I think it's awesome about getting the name for your dog from chat (the name's awesome too to be quite frank:) I mean I can't tell you too much other than I liked the plot, because well you don't have a story to critique yet. Anyways, after reading your style of writing and reading your idea, I have a feeling your story will be great.
~Dakota

Hi angels~

I think this idea is really interesting! The lake part reminds me of the part in The Magician's Nephew (C.S. Lewis) where the main character found himself in a wood among pools of water and if they jumped on it (while wearing the ring), they would be transported to a different world.

Just a few questions though: Why would Avaline wait until November/December to jump into the lake? And if the lake was frozen, wouldn't Avaline not jump? If it were me, and even if I was adventurous and outgoing and etc, I still wouldn't jump into a pool of ice because I'd think that I'd die or end up being severely injured. Does she see something in the lake that prompts her jump? like images still? Also, why would Dominic jump after her? I thought he hated her? Will something happen in between the time they found the pool to the time they jump? Another thing, when she saw their reflections in the puddle and decided to investigate on it, why would she go to the forest? Does she see something move, or something?

I think those are the only questions I have... I'm sorry if I asked too many things and if some of the questions are stupid... I hope to see the chapters around the site soon~ I hope this post helped you~

Hello, Shina!! it's Pudin
intresting idea, I read it today (obviously, I always read things late. lol) I like the idea because it's so very clear and I would like to see it like a full story.
I think it would be interesting if you began by the thoughts of someone from the realm or explaining the situation of the realm through the thoughts of someone. Then, you could begin with the characters.

Sorry about reading this late, but I really liked it and I hoped this helped at least a bit.

Pudin