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

[whichwayyoulean]

I know, but it's still important. [It's hard to explain, how getting so much power and influence can change you. Can make you into someone you never wanted to be. He doesn't want that to happen to her, nothing good ever comes of it] It's easy to get...lost.

[ino]

[ ... well, she can't really imagine that happening -- mostly because they don't have THAT much power to actually, you know, take over anything ... and she isn't really interested in that, anyways. but to soothe his worries, she'll smile]

I'll keep it in mind, then.

[whichwayyoulean]

[That seems enough to ease his concerns, and he turns back to the door, trying to keep the smoke out. As soon as his back is turned, however, Ino will notice she's starting to fade away from existence.

The Once-ler is supposed to be alone, Ino. You're breaking the rules]

[ino]

[She's suddenly feeling a little shiver, and she rubs her arms, before ... looking down, and DUDE WHAT THE FUCK--

Okay, don't panic. Don't panic. He'd said other people had vanished before, right? So the same thing must be happening to her.

But still, that means he'll be alone in this awful place again, and that's the last thing she wants for him. She won't let that happen -- okay, more like she doesn't want to, but it seems she has no choice for now.

So for the time being, she'll stumble forward to give him another hug from behind while she still can]

[whichwayyoulean]

[The hug startles him, he isn't expecting it at all. He freezes for a second, unsure on how to react]

Uh...everything okay, Ino?

[He'll turn his head to look at her and...] Oh.

[ino]

I'm so sorry, I don't know how to stop it --

[But she's squeezing a little tighter]

But I'll see you soon, okay? I promise.

[whichwayyoulean]

It's okay. [He just sounds tired, and resigned] It's just...what happens.

[He's not sure, he's really not sure. Maybe this is just it, his goodbye from the castle and he'll face his life alone now. Waiting for Ted]

...Yeah.

[ino]

No, it's not okay! [She's glancing down again quickly -- shit, she's almost out of time -- so she'll grab him by the collar] I promised you you wouldn't be alone. I'll do everything I can to make sure that comes true, got it?!

[whichwayyoulean]

Ino. [His own hands come up to gently grip her wrists] If this is the castle sending me home, then you can't do anything about it. It's how it's supposed to be.

[ino]

Don't say that! Don't just give up!

[whichwayyoulean]

What else can I do? I already know my future, Ino. [His voice is surprisingly calm, really, given the subject matter] It's what I deserve, the price I've got to pay.

[ino]

Fuck that! Fuck all of that! I'll be back! I promise, I'll --

[... aaand she's gone]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Just like Ino to vanish somewhere full of rage, ready to fight it all. His hands drop, no longer holding onto anything. She was gone, and that was that.

...He'll miss her]