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

[amiable]

[ She's impressed, confused, and maybe slightly terrified all at once. ]

Am I dreaming?

[whichwayyoulean]

I thought that when I first came here too, but nope, it's pretty real.

[amiable]

[ She crouches and holds out a hand, beckoning the hummingfish. What strange little guys, even if they are super cute looking.

So this is Once-ler's home, isn't it? It has to be, just the way he's acting about it all. He's really different himself. Uru finds he seems... happy? And not in that sarcastic way he forces himself to be at times. ]

Um... what do you do here, Once-ler?

[whichwayyoulean]

[One will scoot over to her, checking her hand and looking vaguely annoyed she hasn't got any food in it.

As for the Once-ler, he really is happy. It's the last time his memory records him as being truly, honestly content. Before his invention takes off, before his family arrive to cast their shadow over his life again.]

Well, I'm an inventor. I'm trying to sell my Thneed in the town buuuuut, people really aren't that interested yet. I'll get though, it'll just take a little more marketing.

Maybe a new jingle or something.

[amiable]

What does a... Thneed do? [ She frowns though, feeling kind of sad his invention isn't popular yet. ] If it's still new, you need to give it some time!

[whichwayyoulean]

Everything! [He says this excitedly, almost as if he's entering a sales pitch] I haven't even been able to count all the jobs it can do. It's revolutionary!

[Then...a sigh] I...yeaaah. I'm sure it'll get there eventually.

[amiable]

[ A baffled look; she's not really sure whatever this Thneed is. ]

If you work hard, you'll surely do well!

[whichwayyoulean]

[It's okay, Uru, almost no one does. Smile and nod]

I know I'll win 'em over soon. Any day now, in fact.

1/2

[amiable]

[ He's so... so...

Optimistic. ]

[amiable]

Are you feeling alright?

[whichwayyoulean]

[He casts her a confused look]

Sure, I've never been better, why?

[amiable]

Nothing! I think maybe... the air here is getting to me...

[whichwayyoulean]

The air? [He frowns, looking at the clean, bright blue sky] What's wrong with the air?

[amiable]

Nothing! I'm just... breathing too much of it?!

[whichwayyoulean]

...Because you can breathe too much air?

[amiable]

Exactly!

[whichwayyoulean]

...

[No gurl you're crazy]

How can you breathe too much air exactly?

[amiable]

T-The air here is so pure! I've never smelled fresh air like this before!

Maybe the altitude of where we are?!

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh, that's because of the Truffulas. [He nods over to them] They make the air super clear. It's called photosynthesis.

[amiable]

You must not have any pollution here, huh...

[whichwayyoulean]

What's pollution? [It's an honest question</>]

[amiable]

Eh? You don't-- [ HOW CAN HE NOT KNOW? ] It's like... dirt and bad air! And it damages the environment.

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh, that. [Said in the tones of someone who is only vaguely aware this is something that exists. Maybe something he read in a book a long time ago] There's nothing like that here. Just good, clean living.

[amiable]

... You really like it here, don't you? [ Then... what happened to make him so miserable? ]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Well, that's a weird question. The Once-ler gives a shrug]

Sure, there's very little to be unhappy about here. I mean, it'd be nice if I could sell my Thneed, but...this is a good place.