paradisalogs | And the wind smells slow and sour when it blows

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 ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[NO Zelos, that's cheating. The Once-ler's frown deepens]

I don't know. If the people in Thneedville had to buy their air supply, it must have been pretty darn bad for them. And they're just regular humans. I don't know what effect the smog would even have on you.

[That's his roundabout way of saying there's a slight chance you might die out here, Zelos. But he doesn't want to say that out loud, in case he makes it true. He doesn't want to lose anyone friend though his own stupid, careless actions]

[....]

I do breath air like a human, Onceler! I'm not that different!

[yes, that's what matters in this situation]

I know that, Zelos. But the smogulous smog has a weird chemical compound. You might breathe like a human, but it might treat your cells differently.

Like the swans. [Don't ask him what happened to the swans, dear god don't ask him what happened to the swans. You won't like it]

[Ugh right okay maybe that's a valid point. But you know what onceler? HE"S ASKING]

Like the swans? What happened to them?

[Zelos you shouldn't have asked about the swans]

It stopped them from singing. The Lorax said something about the smog being stuck in their throats, and it stayed there.

[Then there's a pause because this is a delicate subject with Zelos and he knows there's a high chance he'll freak out]

And it made all their feathers drop out.

[ -- y.e.p. in fact he'll even blurt out before he has a real chance to think about it]

Seriously!? This stuff could make me lose my voice and feathers?!

[Oh right. The wing thing. He'd forgotten about that. The Once-ler winces]

I don't know, maybe. I mean, you're not a Swomee Swan, so you might luck out?

[He sees that wince and instantly feels bad. He tries to calm down, habitually taking a deep breath- which causes him to have another coughing fit. ]

-- Whatever. Don't worry about it.

[That doesn't ease the Once-ler's fears at all]

Uh, no. I will worry about it thank you, I'll worry about it a lot.

Please, people don't worry about the great Zelos Wilder.

And maybe we'll get out of here before that happens.

Yeah well this person worries about the Great Zelos Wilder.

I really hope so. [His guilty burden is big enough thanks]

[a snort]

Whatever, I'd worry about yourself more if my hair starts falling out too.

You can join the queue if you want to do the angry mob thing. [Sadly he seems quite serious in that statement]

Please, I'm too cool for angry mobs.

I'm not sure if that's supposed to be comforting or worrying.

That's for you to decide!

[Though at least his smile seems friendly and joking? ]

Oh gee. Thanks, Zelos. You're a real pal.

[At least his tone doesn't hold any real malice of any sort in it]

[he grins]

Hey anytime!

Now comes the question of how long we have to stay here before...something happens.

[Which is kind of funny given how Zelos might notice he's beginning to fade]

[oh, he definitely notices. His eyes widen a little bit as he looks at his hand- What the hell? Maybe he should mention something---]

[Nah. Let's not freak him out]

Heh, good question...

[Yes, let's not. The Once-ler is busy trying to find a way to block the door, to try and keep the smoke from getting in. Meanwhile, yep, you're definitely vanishing more Zelos]

Maybe I can stop it coming in somehow...

[Zelos isn't even listening to what Once-ler is saying, what with the vanishing and all. Most people would probably be freaked out if they started vanishing, what with it meaning you might cease to exist and all. Though for Zelos? That fear doesn't bother him in the slightest. Ceasing to exist is hardly a terrible thing to him. He would even wish it on bad days.]

[What makes him worried is if he vanishes, Once-ler will be left here for who knows how long- just like he will be at home. Left alone in this hellish wasteland that he made, to sit and stew about all his faults and thinking he's got no one in the world.]

[Yeah. That seems much worse than vanishing to be nothing, if that's what's happening]

Hey Once-ler?

We're friends, okay?

[The Once-ler is of course resigned to such a fate. Ted told him as much and well...what must be must be. Zelos' statement is enough to make him frown in confusion, turning his head to look at him]

Of course we're... what's happening to you?

[Drat. He looked. But he'll keep up his usual smile as he gives a slight shrug]

Looks like I'm vanishing. Probably some other Paradisa thing.

[Then the look softens a little to be a bit more...apologetic? At least a touch of it]

Sorry...I was hoping to stay longer, moulting or not.

[The Once-ler watches for a moment, before taking a breath and glaring at the floor]

Yeah. I figured. I guess this is just how it's supposed to be.

(no subject)

wilder - 2012-10-08 02:45 (UTC) - Expand

whichwayyoulean - 2012-10-08 03:04 (UTC) - Expand