@DONQUIXOT3, video (free for all, really)

[icanfixer]

[ let those wounds heal and come clean--to everyone, angela had told her.

well. the wounds won't heal for some time, as many as there are, but she fears they never will 'til she does the latter. but it's hard, it's difficult, and there are many more who have not even thought about it... such a possibility is ever in the back of one's mind, of disappearing as althea had done, as gregor and roland and gebura, as the young ken amada and so many more--

but no one really stops to think about it until it happens. their population has dwindled, month by month, without a word.



the background is colorful and a myriad of various crafts, not her own room at home (home, what a funny concept it is to call such here, and yet--) but at the host club of which she works. don quixote is not here to advertise her space nor is she here to show off some new craft, and everything from the oversized sweater she wears to the attempt at a bright smile despite the darkness under her eyes speaks to those even who may have met her once that something isn't quite right today. she's always a cheerful, upbeat girl to any she meets, any she passes or knows,

just not today. ]

Ahem! Kehm. Good day to thee all, new faces and old. I am Don Quixote, holder of several positions and jobs both here and in the world I hail from; it is alright if we have yet to meet, but prithee do not retire just yet! I have something I wish to speak to thee about... something that is quite important, and shall perhaps change the way thy time here is spent.

[ ... huuuuf. okay. ]

Some months ago, perhaps four hence, I found myself upon the train as if I had died -- and I can assure thee, as one who has died purposefully before, it was the same but different. With my return, I found I had gained many new memories and experiences... as if I had gone back to my world and lived it, from the very moment I had left. Those who were here still appeared and acted as they ought there, without a word about this city, this world, and... in truth--

I did not recall this city whatsoever when I was gone from it and remembered my time only once I had returned.

[ shot out, without a pause save the stumble before, and don holds the gaze of her device a moment before exhaling. ]

To those whom I lied to, I am sorry. It was not my intention to hurt thee, nor to give false hope unduly, but I did not want any to think their time here meaningless simply because one does not remember it. I am certain there must be a way that we may-- we may keep them, or to leave our mark upon the world in hopes of jogging our memories should we find ourselves in the same circumstance, just as others have left theirs with pictures, with scratches in tables and walls, and-- and so on! But... I do not know, so I only wished to be honest and frank. For it is only once we are armed with knowledge that may we be able to solve a problem, or so I am told.

[ ... and she wanted to come clean, too. for herself. it's a lot easier like this than doing it one on one, she finds, not having to worry about the other's reaction so soon, though she shrinks a little all the same. ]

I am not the only one who has experienced this coming and going, that I know for certain, but I understand if it may sound unbelievable, or that one may wish to deny it. Do what comforts thee best, but know that what I say is true -- and allow this space to be one in which we may exchange ideas to ensure that these memories of ours last beyond our time spent here.

[ and,

as tempting as it is just to close off completely and throw herself back into her work without further replies, she'll still very much be around. for better or worse. ]

Comments

video, un: Hat Guy

[featheradrift]

[ The Wanderer looks very unimpressed and slightly irritated, actually. The irritation is not because of her, promise. He just has some things on his plate. But, the unimpressed part is for her. ]

Don't tell me you're dumb enough to fall for the oldest trick in the book. You really think they'd let you go home happily like nothing happened and then yank you back because they suddenly realized, 'Oh, she was actually an important test subject, we need her!'? Please. Give me a good reason they'd let you go home and maybe I'll actually give this stupid idea some real consideration.

[icanfixer]

It is like dangling a carrot before the nose of a donkey, Don Sombrero, to get his hooves moving. It serves only to remind one of what awaits them, perhaps, for I have things that must be done there that cannot be done here.

[ very important things, some of which she cannot and will not say. ]

If it would mean I could return with all that I know intact, there is nothing I wouldn't try -- be it our observer's whims or another's. I am only telling thee what I have experienced myself, and I shan't ask any to believe me if they cannot.

1/2

[featheradrift]

[ This is meant to be a serious discussion, but— ]

Don Sombrero??

[ He does in fact sound indignant. Look, just because he's accepted Hat Guy doesn't mean he's about to accept another stupid sounding name— ]

2/2

[featheradrift]

[ Okay, whatever, it's fine, he won't get so worked up about it. He won't. ]

It's a manipulation tactic, plain and simple. Once you realize what you've built here won't go with you once you leave, you'll think maybe it's better not to leave. They want us to be docile, obedient little lab rats.

Or maybe they just want us to think we have a chance of returning home. Hah. I'd believe that only when I see our captors' dead bodies in front of me.

[icanfixer]

I should like to see them too, if only to know they exist.

[ since they don't feel like they do, even with the mounting evidence of it. she plays with the sleeves hiding her hands. ]

This city is far better than mine in every way, but I cannot remain. If they are offering it as reward for the success of their endeavor, then many would think it worthy to go along -- it is not unimaginable for it to act as bait, in a word. Correct?

[featheradrift]

[ Now there's a thought. That their captors are actually just a concept planted into their minds through these documents that they find. But no, he can't follow that train of thought to its conclusion, because if he does, he'll lose faith in all the information they've gathered so far.

'Assuming everything is false leads to just as much ignorance as assuming everything is true. All information should be considered carefully when determining its accuracy.' That's what Alhaitham said, in the Discovery Centre. He's kept that in mind ever since, because it's far too easy to let the schemer in him run wild and imagine all sorts of conspiracies. A Haravatat scholar once posited that other things being equal, simpler explanations are generally better than more complex ones. It would be far simpler to consider the documents to be truthful and extrapolate from there. It doesn't always work, he knows, but it provides a baseline to start at. ]

It'd take a lot of work to falsify the documents we're seeing, and for what purpose? They exist, and we'll find them. To give up beforehand is foolish.

[ Not that he can blame her for doubting. This place has done a good job unsettling all of the residents, and altering their state of mind. ]

Exactly. We ought to be wary of any attempts to manipulate our emotions, whether it be forced, or through petty tactics like this. We already know the power they hold over us.

If nothing else, think about utterly destroying them for what they've done to all of us. [ wait, is that really what you should be advocating— ] Everything else comes after. With that system of theirs under our control, anything is possible.

[icanfixer]

[ oh....... she's tired. maybe it was a mistake to open this can of worms. what has being honest gotten her. nothing but a growing headache. it's not don sombrero's fault, just in general. and the lack of sleep. she'll be happy to have soup and a nap. ]

If I may be frank, it is not so bad -- or rather, mine is perhaps skewed, for the city I hail from inflicts far worse. It is manageable, and in many cases it has given me chances to bond with those around me... I know I may be in the minority of that case, though, and I do not condone their misuse of power nor of their taking of us in the first place, and I shall deal out punishment as fit for it, but I should also like to thank them, perhaps, for all this as well.

[ be kinda weird huh. thanking them and then destroying their asses. but that's just another tuesday in the city (projmoon). ]

I am quite curious to hear of this system thee speak on. It would be quite difficult to obtain, no? Not impossible, for there is naught that is impossible so long as one believes it to be possible, but I cannot imagine it is ever far from their hands, and we do not know where their hands are.

[featheradrift]

[ If he were a human who could understand fatigue and headaches, he would have recommended she eat and sleep before tackling this thought again, but, well, he's not. Sorry Don. ]

So that's why you're so attached to this city. [ Well, he can't fault her for that. ] Well, as long as they get their just desserts, I suppose you could thank them all you want. Won't stop me from tearing them into pieces anyway.

If we can reach our captors, then taking control of their system shouldn't be out of the realm of possibility, that's all I'm saying. Who knows, maybe we might even find out a way to establish travel between our worlds. Wouldn't that be lovely?

[ Said with a derisive tone, because he doesn't necessarily believe that is possible, but hey, why not throw it out there anyway? He's just more than a little annoyed that Don, for as little as he's interacted with her, isn't as peppy as he remembers her to be right now. ]

[icanfixer]

[ apology appreciated. she's learning herself she should have done that, but it's too late now. she'll deal with it. it's now everyone else's problem. ]

... It would be.

[ very nice, very lovely. don lowers her eyes to her covered hands, a small smile working its way forward at the thought, and she grins a little brighter at the other when she lifts her face again. ]

It very much would be! I think it possible too, for if the train is what brings us here, surely it can be used to take us away -- here, there, anywhere we may imagine so long as we are at the helm! Even if it is only, ehm, a... "loading screen" as one may call it, I should very much like to hope it possible.

[ because remembering them would be great, but being able to visit? absolutely the best. even if she couldn't all the time... dropping by every now and then shouldn't be too terrible. ]

Mephistopheles has doors which act as portals in a way, so it is not altogether impossible that one such could connect worlds similarly.

[featheradrift]

[ Ah, there's the pep he remembers Don having. Subdued, but there. She'll be fine, he thinks. Hope is hard to cling onto, but it's also one of the most important emotions mortals have. With hope, they can persevere through a lot more than one would think they could handle. He's seen it many times before in his centuries of wandering. ]

Exactly. Even if it's far-fetched right now, if it exists, then our chances of obtaining it aren't zero. If the worst result is death or losing our memories, then you better fight as hard as you can for that miniscule chance you could turn it all around. Giving up is only a guarantee you'll never remember anyone here once it's all said and done.

[ He's... really here giving Don a pep talk, huh. This is some real goody-two shoe bullshit the Traveler would do, he thinks. So much for not being one of them. He averts his eyes and his expression changes subtly to one of slight embarrassment. He's really not used to saying these kinds of things, okay!! ]

[icanfixer]

I thank thee for reminding me of that which is important, Don Sombrero. It is sometimes hard to remember when one is absorbed in their own pain.

[ which, frankly. she knows she is. she hurt others, she hurt herself, it's hard to see in the dark. but wanderer is a bit of light she can catch onto for her own candle, small and flickering as it may be for now. others' voices will help.

still. very sweet of him, and don beams a little more. ]

But I will fine now! And if not right now, then in time. Thou'rt a kind soul, and I am glad to know it.

[featheradrift]

[ Don Sombrero............ He's not over it yet. Not yet.

Anyway, he averts his eyes and tilts his hat over his face when Don calls him kind. What is with people and calling him kind? He is not. He... can't be kind. That's just not who he is. ]

It just annoyed me to hear you be so defeatist over the network, that's all. We won't be able to make progress if people give up. I was just trying to shut you up before you spread your gloom.

[ His words are rude, but in honesty Don has read him correctly. He was genuinely trying to help her. ]