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

[He will deny he's a gentleman forever. He follows and nods]

Yeah. I think I'm supposed to stay alone here. [Watch the people he cares about leave. Over and over again]

What? [She twirls around to face you.] But that's horrible!!

It's no less than what I deserve, Jane.

[She wants to fire back immediately, say "No it's not!", even if he continues to deny it, even if he says the things she's trying not to provoke him to say, because she considers the Once-ler her friend, and she can't bear the idea of her friends deserving anything but happiness. But she doesn't.

Jane looks towards the door again, remembering all she saw as she walked, lingering on the loneliness and failure she can still feel in the air. This kind of situation is difficult, it can't be solved with just words, but words are pretty much the only thing she has right now.]

That doesn't make it fair.

[The Once-ler rolls his shoulders into a shrug as he steps inside the Lerkim, leaving the door open for her to follow him]

Actually, it's very fair. I expected a lot worse way to pay for what I did.

[She briskly walks inside, taking in the bleak surroundings with a sad, thoughtful expression.]

So you're just going to sit in here and accept it? Something is WRONG, and it doesn't concern what you've done in the past, at least not now.

[She pauses, worrying her bottom lip.] This - this isn't what you have to go back to, is it? If the castle ships you home? Because if it is, then you shouldn't have to go through this. No one should.

[The Once-ler takes a moment to respond to her, staring at one of the boarded up windows]

Yeah. This is what I come home to. And I do have to go through it. [He gestures towards the door] All that? Out there? I did that. This used to be a beautiful place, and I destroyed it, because it made me rich and powerful. I betrayed my friends, starved them out, took away the only home they ever knew.

[He lets his arm drop, looking to the floor] So yes. I'm going to accept it. It's the price I have to pay, and it'll be like this for a long time.

[Welp, he said it! Cats out of the bag now. Jane stiffens, because that's a pretty hefty list of wrongdoings. No wonder he's down on himself all the time.]

I meant now! Whatever this is, right now, whatever is going on - you shouldn't be subjected to it! Don't you think it's odd that you've come back now, of all times, and the others keep floating in only to be taken away again?

[He kind of hopes no one will remember anything after this...madness is over]

Of course I find it odd, but there's nothing for miles, other than the town. So there's not a whole lot I can do about it.

[We can only keep our fingers crossed.]

You can be angry, at the very least!

Why? [It's an honest question] The only person I can be angry at is myself, and trust me, I do that enough already.

Because this isn't right, having people traipse through - I don't even know what to call it! Your personal nightmares? I don't know! Whatever it is, you shouldn't stand for it!

[Oops, she got a little too worked up, and now she's coughing again. At least it's not as bad as it was outside.]

Take it easy.

And what can I do about it? Ask the castle to stop? I don't think it'll listen.

[The coughs are slowing now, and there's a tenseness leaving Jane's face. She nods to acknowledge the first part, but as for the rest...]

Well...no. But you still have a right to be angry.

[He's glad the coughs are slowing, he really is]

No, Jane. I don't.

[With one last cough, she sighs, and rubs at her eyes.]

Well, I am. I'll just be angry for the both of us, then.

Sure, go ahead if it makes you feel better. [He's pulling down a blanket, using it to block the space under the door. He knows it won't work, but it;s better than nothing]

[She narrows her eyes at that, and kneels down to inspect just what' he's doing.] Is that to keep the smog out?

It probably won't work, it never has with anyone else, but it's the best I can do.

...What do you mean, "anyone else"? Once-ler, what is it for?

To block the smog. [And he's right, it's not working, it's beginning to seep through the door regardless. Not that will matter to Jane for much longer, she's starting to fade away]

[She gasps.] Oh no! Maybe you need another one-

[And she just noticed she's fading away. Jane squeaks and looks up at the Once-ler.] What's going on?!

[He turns and doesn't even seem surprised]

I told you, everyone vanishes eventually. I guess this is where you get to leave.

[Jane's face falls, sad and shocked.]

What? But, but you shouldn't be alone!

Yeah, Jane. I should. It's how it's supposed to go.

[More of her is fading, now, it's happening faster now he's seen her]

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cyan_maid - 2012-10-09 22:43 (UTC) - Expand

whichwayyoulean - 2012-10-09 23:20 (UTC) - Expand