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]

[ Uru is not... sure... what's happening here. Is that Once-ler? This doesn't look anything like the forest near the castle. These trees are way too... too strange looking. Strange, albeit beautiful.

She makes her way forward anyway. ]

Once-ler?

[whichwayyoulean]

[He doesn't seem to recognise her, and looks surprised she even knows his name. Still, he offers her a warm smile as the Bar-ba-loot scuttles to hide behind his back]

...Hi? Are you from Greenville? [Oh hey! His smile turns hopeful] Did you come about the Thneed?

1/2

[amiable]

[ Is that a bear? ]

[amiable]

Uh... [ She just stares at him, entirely confused. ] Thneed?

[whichwayyoulean]

Yeah, you know, the thing I was trying to sell in town? You came to buy one right? [Please say you came to buy one and not just to throw tomatoes at him, because seriously he's had enough of that today

The Bar-ba-loot peeks out from behind the Once-ler, watching Uru carefully]

[amiable]

I don't understand what's going on. Where am I?

[whichwayyoulean]

You're in Truffula Valley. [He says this as if it's obvious]

...Did you just arrive or something?

[amiable]

Is that what this place is? [ It sounds like a type of food...

Her eyes wander, taking in the sight of the trees, the sky, the grass, the animals... did she just walk into some drug-induced fantasy? Or is this Once-ler's world? ]

Um... yeah!

[whichwayyoulean]

Yeah, it's named after the trees. [He'll point at one of the many, many trees dotting the landscape, their tufts blowing gently in the breeze]

Well, if you want town, it's about a mile thataway. [He jerks a thumb southwards]

[amiable]

[ She's captivated by the colours alone. They're so vibrant and they look... so soft. Like they were made of pastel crayons or something. Instead of taking Once-ler's directions on where the town is, she strides forward, gazing up at the trees curiously. ]

They're... so pretty! Are they real?

[whichwayyoulean]

Of course they're real. Reach out and touch one, they're softer than anything.

[amiable]

[ It looks way too high for her... but she'll be trying anyway. ]

They really do look soft! Is this your home, Once-ler?

[whichwayyoulean]

I really don't know how you know my name if you've never been into town. Ive gotta admit, it's kinda creepy.

[Still, he'll give a nod] It is right now anyway.

[amiable]

You don't recognize me? [ Her mouth drops open. ] It's Uru!

[whichwayyoulean]

[He pauses, really thinking, but his memory comes up short on her name]

Yeaaah sorry, I have no idea who you are at all.

[amiable]

He hit his head?!

[whichwayyoulean]

I...what? No I didn't hit my head.

[amiable]

You don't remember me! Old age?

[whichwayyoulean]

Old age? I'm twenty two! [Ironically even younger than when she meets him in the castle] Jeez.

And I've never met you before, seriously.

[amiable]

What? [ She definitely thought he was older than that. ]

But we did meet! In the castle?

surprise 2/2

[amiable]

Oh no, the castle did something for sure!

[whichwayyoulean]

I...what castle? I've never been to castle in my life.

[amiable]

Is Paradisa not familiar at all to you?

[whichwayyoulean]

Nope, sorry, never heard of anything like that. Maybe you have me confused with someone else.

[amiable]

[ Yeeeep. Paradisa is at work here.

She'll have to wait it out, huh? She sighs a bit. ]

I'm... sorry! It's been a long day.