caughtinanetwork | [Video/action] Wherein she visits the library

Entry tags:

[Video/action] Wherein she visits the library

[She had heard rumors of this place, she was pretty sure that someone had even told her about it earlier, back when she was less acclimated to this undersea world. She had been walking, still growing used to being around a large group of people, when her nose had caught scent, of all things, paper; large quantities too. Having spoken to the librarian and finding out exactly the place was, she decides to call Signless in a bout of giddiness. Still not that adept with the comm, she manages to send it broadcast instead.]

[Disciples excited face appears in the video, clearly something very good has happened by the smile on her face. Finally finding words, she speaks.]

SIGNLESS! THIS PLACE HAS BOOKS! FOR FREE!

[She is immediately hushed by someone off-screen. Looking in direction of the voice she apologizes, but continues at a slightly quieter tone.]

They said I could borrow some to read, and then can return for more later! Isn't that amazing!?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh. I guess I could have made a guess then, mm? [She smiles.]

I'm sorry to have interrupted your private conversation, then.

Oh! Do not worry, it is not like you heard something awkward, think nothing of it. In my excitement, I forgot to specify a recipient.

On the plus side, I inadvertently got to meet new people... Like you!

[She smiles a big goofy grin.]

They call me the Disciple, it is a pleasure to meet you.

You guys have some very interesting names. [And look odd, but she's not 100% surprised, since they're underwater and everything (and she's still not sure this isn't the afterlife).]

It's nice to meet you too. I'm Minako Arisato. And you're right, I'm definitely "new people" here. Hopefully I'll learn what's a name and what isn't soon.

Some trolls are given titles for their actions. Disciple use to be such a title. I had a birthing name, once, but I seem to have forgotten it over the years. Disciple works better, its how most other trolls know me, anyways. [It isn't really normal for one to forget, but then again isolation can make one forget many things.]

It is a Pleasure, Minako Arisato. Do you just go by Minako, or the full title?

I see. Just Minako is fine.

So you're a different kind of creature called a troll? Are you native to Vatheon? And how'd you get that name?

Minako it is, then.

My people are called trolls, yes, but we are from another world. It is called Alternia. Disciple is simply a title. Adult trolls are given titles based on their actions. I was the chosen disciple of my eventual matesprit Signless. So it became what I was referred to by most others. It has been that way for a long time. You get called by something else long enough and it sort of ingrains itself into you. It has been so long, I do not even really remember what my birthing name was.

[That doesn't upset as much as she thinks it should.]

Well, Minako, have you had the basics of why we are here explained to you?

Edited 2012-08-01 08:55 (UTC)

Mm, I think so. We're all stuck in here and we have to touch the coral. [She smiles.]

More importantly, it's all these people from different worlds and we can all communicate, huh? It's pretty impressive, this place. It's really interesting to hear about your world, Disciple.

So do you know of the Curses? Or of the comas people can fall into? There is also invasions. There is apparently a lot more to this place that meets the eye, as well. Hidden truths about what the coral really is.

Thank you. Alternia, for all its faults, is still a beautiful place. part of me misses it, but I do not think I ever want to go back, considering what is waiting for me when or if I do.

Comas? I hadn't heard anything about that. Or what the hidden truths are, for that matter, though I guess it's clear there must be some.

[Although she has plenty of home experience with people and comas, and that's enough to make her tone distinctly worried this time.]

Um-- So what's waiting for you there?

I hate to be the one to break this to you, but it is important you know. Part of the downside to living here, under the bubble, occasionally one of us outsiders may fall into a coma. Nobody really is sure why, but it is assumed to be the scientists' doing. When someone falls into a coma, it will last a couple days at least. Some may last as long as a couple weeks or even a month.

[Then a sigh, for she was getting to the bad part.]

Sometimes those that fall into a coma, never wake up. They disappear to light-knows-where. We assume they get brought back home, but there are too many unanswered questions to be sure. Occasionally, the missing person may come back from a different point on their timeline. There isn't even a guarantee that they will remember their previous time here.

I had a friend do that recently, he disappeared after we thought he was dead. He came back many sweeps... uhh... many years down the line from where he had left a week before, during his disappearance.

What is waiting for me when I go back...

[Her voice drops, turning almost monotone. During her speaking, her eyes go distant, recalling what once was. Her talking is just as much for herself as her friend here. She was reaffirming to herself what little she had to go back to.]

...nothing. I'll admit, I guess its better then those that I know that going back will mean their almost immediate deaths. For me, though, going back will mean arriving back in the wilds, becoming what I became on my world. In the sweeps after I lost all those dear to me, I lived in forced isolation. Were I to be discovered by the highbloods or their flunkies, I would surely be dead. Being alone, in the wilds for that long... I lost who I was; I became little more then a savage beast. I would be going back to that time, Not remembering my time here. I will live in the wilds until I die of old age, or am discovered and executed for treason.

[Her eyes drift back to the present. She felt sorry for dumping that on the lap of her friend here, but it was something she had been holding back. She hated admitting that there was nothing to go back to, it was her former home. But for all she cared, Vatheon was her home now. And would fight to protect it.]

Sorry... I... The hidden truths... There is more to this place then meets the eye. I can tell you more, but you must be assured that you might be better off not knowing. Before I continue in that regard, Do you enjoy your stay here? Or do you wish to go home? I will not ruin it for you if you like it here.

[She hated knowing what she did, the gilded bars of her prison revealed to her. Part of her wished she could go back to not knowing, and just enjoying the peace of this place.]

[Silently, she observes to herself that first off, that's a lot to tell a stranger, and secondly, that sounds a lot like what might be her state at home. She's had enough of comas, hasn't she?]

That must be hard for you... But it must mean that this place is also kind of precious to you, in a way, right? It's good to have another chance.

As for me, I've never turned away from knowing something just because it might not make me happy. I think it's better to know. [Eliding the issue of whether she can stay or go, though.]

[She feels a little silly for venting like that. She barely knew this human and she basically just gushed her sad story. Smooth move, Disciple, way to make a wonderful first impression.]

Yes. This place is an indescribable gift. To have most of what was taken from me given back by the scientists in this damned place. Even seeing the gilded bars of the cage, I couldn't care less. I would fight to keep what they have given me.

Very well then. There is still a lot we don't know yet, but, here is what we know. To start, The coral is not a god. It is some sort of elaborate device that the scientists that run this place manipulated the locals into worshiping as a god. The scientists bring us here for a reason that we still do not fully know. They frequently test us with Curses, invasions, and other issues they like to throw at us. They are some sort of experiments they are running, we don't know what they are testing, or why.

[She pauses a bit, trying to sort the bits and pieces she had heard into useful information.]

We do not know what is behind the barrier, but we assume it is powered by the 'coral'. It is also assumed that the coral is the device that brings everyone from their world to here. It is partially why you have to touch it at least once every human month to keep yourself refreshed. I found that one out the hard way.

Most of this has come from some papers that were discovered two years ago. I mean, we don't know much about the scientists, apparently there has only even been actual contact with one of them. Another troll met with her. That is how he learned they were behind the Coral, the natives, all of Vatheon, really.

[Another break, it was a lot to take in.]

So that is where we are pretty much. We are in this gilded cage, as lab rats. Yet, I would not trade it for anything.

[It's okay, Disciple. Minako is here to Listen.]

I wouldn't either, at the moment. Not when so many of my friends are here.

Thank you for telling me all of that, Disciple. So we don't really know what else we can do here, if anything, huh?

Not really, unfortunately. There is still many pieces to the puzzle missing, but at least now you know the score now and can react accordingly if something happens with the coral or those controlling it. My suggestion, try not to think about it and enjoy your time here. But on your guard for anything suspicious.

At the very least take solace in the fact that even if something terrible happens, the coral can fix you up, good as new. All it takes is five days if you die, then you reappear near the coral.

[Huh. That should be reassuring, but it's kind of creepy in several ways, too. Of course, her being here is proof that "dead" people -- or at least kind of dead people -- can return. There aren't, as far as she knows yet, anyone who's really, really dead here.

But given that, there's really no reason to doubt that there could be. And that means there's really no escaping voluntarily. It's just what it is. And if there are enemies, will they be brought back too...?]

That's amazing. It's not some kind of medical care...? Well, I guess it's not the only crazy thing around here.

In the meantime, I'll take your advice, Disciple.

[It terrified disciple every time she tried really thinking about it. Most of the time she tried not to dwell on it.]

It is strange yes. It seems the work of magic, but we know it to be science. Strange powers are at work here, in this place, it is at least beneficial.

Thank you. I hope I did not ruin the place for you. All things considered it is still tantamount to a paradise for me. Enjoy it, your time here. Maybe find time to do something you never thought you would back home. Books for me, I look forward to having the time to settle down and read.

You definitely didn't. The more I know, the better.

What kind of things do you like to read?

I guess I do not know. I look forward to finding out. I have had numerous suggestions. 'Mystery', 'Adventure' were suggested and my matesprit recommended something called the 'holy bible'. If you have anything you would suggest, I would love to hear it.

Eheh... Well, as far as I know, the Bible is pretty serious reading. Mystery and adventure not so much. Personally, I'd try a bunch of things and see what you like best.

I will do that, then. A little bit of everything to get the taste of this place. I look forward to it. I suppose I should get to it then. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Minako. If you have any more questions, or need a troll's insight, do not hesitate to call.

Thanks so much for telling me all of that, Disciple. I'll be sure to call in if I need anything else, but I owe you one already.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video/action] Wherein she visits the library

video;

Re: video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;