And the wind smells slow and sour when it blows

[whichwayyoulean]

Who: The Once-ler and YOU!
What: Nightmares
When: Friday
Where: HIS MIND
Rating: Uh PG/PG13.


[You'd be forgiven for thinking you've entered a pleasant dream, rather than a horrific nightmare here. You've arrived in Truffula Valley, a peaceful, wonderful place that almost puts Paradisa's created beauty to shame. Forest creatures are scurrying about, singing and playing and generally going about their business.

The sky is bright blue, the sun is shining and the waters of the nearby river and pond are crystal clear. And most importantly there are miles upon miles upon miles of Truffula trees. For anyone the Once-ler described these trees to, he wasn't kidding. The touch of their tufts really is softer than silk and that comforting, wonderful smell? Fresh butterfly milk baby.

Nothing good lasts forever, and there's a general unease about the place. A disjointed sort of feel, like someone's putting on a play and you've already been told everyone dies at the end]

[[ooc: Sections: Pretty Valley | Dying Valley | Dead Valley ]]

Comments

Then oh baby oh how my business did grow

[whichwayyoulean]

[It's like a scene changing, which strictly speaking in the scope of the memory-nightmare it is. That nice peaceful hillock now houses a an intimidating looking factory, which is spewing out smoke into the sky and black sludge into the water. The animals have taken to running and hiding, trying to find shelter in the very few trees left. Thneed. Inc is well and truly in control now. Oh and by the way, there are axe machines of doom heading your way. Might be an idea to get out of the way or those things will mow you down.

One of them eventually stops and a familiar green-suited beanpole of a man climbs out. The Once-ler doesn't look happy you're here, and just like before, there's not a hint that he recognises any of you]

Okay, seriously, what am I paying security for if they can't even keep the bottom feeders off my land? [He waves his arms in a general southwards direction] Hey crazy people, you need to move, like now. You're in the way of progress here. Go. Home.

[kalinda]

[Big smoggy factory. That's nice. Remind her of home...

Oh, yeah. Those machines? Definitely sidestepping those jerks as she tips her sunglasses low enough to get a better glance of those things. Because that's not straight off one of those bloody horror movies or anything.

But, whose voice is this? That... certainly is ostentatious. And turning? Yeah, the outfit matches. Let's juts put two and two together, shall we?]

I'm here for the tour.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Did people honestly think he just had all day to lounge about and play games with them? Did they not understand he had quotas to meet? The Once-ler arches a brow, seemingly not amused by that smart remark at all]

You're hilarious. That was a real side-splitter. And if you're done with your comedy act, you can vacate the premises [he points] thataway. Unless you'd rather me get security on you, I hear they have new tasers they;re just dying to try out.

[kalinda]

[There's a smirk.]

Don't worry, there's more where that came from. [And she'll fold her arms.]

I thought your security was lax?

[whichwayyoulean]

Not if I call them and they want to keep their jobs they won't be.

[He gives her another look, a little more critical this time, before pulling a cigar out of his pocket, placing it in his mouth]

So why are you really here? You don't look like one of the activists.

[kalinda]

Let's see what comes of that.

[In the meantime...]

I'm not. I'm far from an activist.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

[Rapunzel barely has time to take in the factory before she notices the axe machines, and finds herself frozen to the spot, despite her brain screaming for her to run. Dreams, huh? At least it gives her a chance to take in the smoggy sky, leaving her coughing hard.

At first, her blank staring is redirected to the man, and then she realizes how familiar he sounds...]

Once-ler?

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler doesn't recognise her, and her knowing his name doesn't surprise him at all. After all, he's growing into one of the most powerful men in the world. He's a household name, there's not a soul who doesn't know who he is]

Yeah, congrats. You found me. Now get out, you're getting in the way of the axe-hackers.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

[She pauses at that. Maybe he doesn't know her voice yet, but why is he being a jerk? Not in the usual, difficult way, but really just... A jerk.]

What are you doing with them, anyway?

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler gives her an incredulous sort of look]

What do you mean? I'm using them to cut down the trees. [He gestures at the little grove of Truffulas that she is, indeed, blocking his way to] Everyone knows that's where Thneeds come from, seesh.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Actually, I didn't, but...

[She frowns and looks around, then back at Once-ler with a bit more frustration in her expression.] You're really messing this place up.

[circleoflife]

[Wow, okay... this is a nightmare indeed. His own homeland would be relatively safe-- there were so few trees to chop down, it surely wasn't even worth it-- but none the less, seeing such a blatant disregard for nature, tearing down trees and dislodging animals from their homes with abandon and without discrimination is easily enough to make Mufasa's blood boil.

So, yeah. The person you're getting sassy with right now, Once-ler? Is a lion. And he looks none too pleased.]

And what, exactly, is this progress you're speaking of?

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler doesn't seem that bothered by having a lion talk to him. After all, most of his life is dogged by an orange furry forest deity. This is nothing new. So, he rolls his eyes]

The progress of Thneed. Inc, duh. What else could I mean? You one of his buddies? Let me guess, you Speak for the Trees in the Jungle of Nool.

[circleoflife]

[I'll agree the mustache could be pretty terrifying, Once, but the Lorax didn't have claws, or sharp teeth, or easily a few hundred pounds on the man.]

Where I come from and who I am associated with is completely irrelevant. You are destroying these lands. For what purpose, I cannot imagine, but I do not doubt it to be malicious.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Whatever bro, you're still an animal. Shoo]


It's not malicious. Can you hear me having an evil cackle here? No. It's just business, nothing more. Can you get out of the way now? You're in the way of my aforementioned business.

[circleoflife]

Business?

[The word that comes out is a full-on growl. Even his tail lashes behind him.]

And what business have you ruining the lives of innocent creatures? Do you not see what you've done?

[wizard_redfive]

[Oooh, creepy factory. How terrifying.

Dairine was just passing through, hoping to escape from her own nightmare for a while, when a GIANT axe machine stops in front of her. Dude, overcompensation much? Dairine was planning on getting out of the way when Once-ler starts insulting her.

Uh, yeah. No way she's moving now.]

You call this progress?

[whichwayyoulean]

[How do punkass kids even get onto the forest floor, that's what he wants to know. Why can't they be content in the town? It's not like he hasn't made sure Thneedville has everything a kid would ever want to distract their tiny attention spans]

Uh yeah. You know why? Because it is. Now you run along and go melt your mind with donkey kongs or something.

[wizard_redfive]

[By walking, duh. Dairine crosses her arms and looks waaaaay up at him like he needs to get his brain checked.]

That is the most circular logic I have ever heard. [And also wrong.] No thanks. I like my mind just the way it is.

[whichwayyoulean]

It's the only logic you're getting. Seriously, kid, I've got a business to run here, scram.

[wizard_redfive]

[UH OH. You used the "k"-word. Now you're gonna get it.]

You mean that's the only logic you have. How flimsy. I sure hope your "business" doesn't require critical thinking.

[mom_to_us_all]

[Hadn't she left her new two friends behind, the landscape blurred on her as if the flow of time had started moving forward in a vertiginous speed. When it stops though, she can't believe what's around her. Was this the same place? It had to be, there were some of the bizarre looking trees around.

The sound of the contraptions snaps her out of her surprise, and her eyes widen at the view. The trees were being chopped. CHOPPED! The goddess' heart shrinks in pain. She knows humans need wood, and they use the trees for that purpose and it is alright, it's life, but at this rate there weren't going to be any left!

She refuses to move away when one of the machines heads to her way, or more likely, to the trees behind her. She's gotta stops this!

This has to be a joke, right? Wasn't that guy yelling at her her friend? What was he doing up there?!

She can only growl at him, there is no words from her to express her disgust.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler seems not to remember her, either form the castle or from earlier in the dream. He does pause, however, looking t her curiously]

What the heck is a wolf doing in the Valley? [When none of the workers near him offer any explanation, he sighs, shaking his head] Well, we've got to get rid of it somehow, it's in the way.

[mom_to_us_all]

[She's definitely not going to move, but at least the contraption stopped and that's good enough for her right now. In fact, she sits down, trying to get her point across.

Maybe she can get rid of the machine; with a swift movement of her tail, she uses her Power Slash technique on it. It should have at least scratched the surface! But nothing happens.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He has no idea what is happening, but he can take a wild guess. He looks distinctly unimpressed]

So, Moustache finally brought in some backup. Are you a magic fraud too, wolf?