♙ 1

[howruthless]

[at first, there's silence.

The silence is then followed by gasps and sobs as Tess is forced into a sitting position like there's been a shock of adrenaline to her system. It takes a moment for her to catch her breath, and get herself oriented again, and when she does -- this isn't Metropolis Gen. In fact, this isn't even close]

What the hell?

[if you didn't know better, you might even say that there was a twinge of fear in her voice, but she'd never admit to it if she knew anyone was listening]

Is anyone there?

[a beat]

Chloe?

[it takes her a minute to get her legs under her, but she does, slowly and cautiously making her way to the door. She pulls it open, sees her name on the door, and slams it shut again.]

I repeat. What the hell.

Comments

[yeahihidmypants]

[he frowns, then stares at the journal, then exhales]

Tess?

[howruthless]

[blinks, because she hears the voice, but she doesn't see him. Is this ... some kind of Watchtower holding cell?]

Oliver?

[yeahihidmypants]

[He frowns, that was a quick turn-around.]

Do me a favor and head to your door, tell me the number outside of it.

[howruthless]

[there's the sound of the door opening again before]

1910.

[yeahihidmypants]

I'll be there shortly.

[and cut to a ten minute span of time passing and he's knocking on her door. It feels like he just did this.]

Tess, it's Oliver.

[howruthless]

[moves over and opens the door, and ... she actually looks rather terrible. Dying and coming back can do that to a girl. and she looks rather apprehensive of him.]

Oliver, what the hell is going on?

[yeahihidmypants]

[As good as it is to see her, he's upset that she doesn't remember. Not that they'd accomplished much in the time she was there, but they had found even ground and now it was going to be even more confusion.]

It's a sentient castle that has powers way above my pay grade and slightly to the left of what most people grow up believing is possible.

[howruthless]

Sentient castle.

[she says the words evenly, as though she doesn't quite believe him, and she's trying to process it all]

So ... why bring us here? What does it want?

[yeahihidmypants]

Want? It's... complicated. It wants us to stay, so it does things. It grants wishes, has ghosts to serve you, provides anything you might need.

This room, your room, it'll change over time to whatever it thinks you want. Without you asking.

[howruthless]

It kidnaps us and then wants us to be happy here?

[yeahihidmypants]

It does seem a bit backwards, but that's how it works.

[howruthless]

I'm not sure whether to feel welcome, or very creeped out.

[yeahihidmypants]

Yeah, it's a bit difficult to tell the difference sometimes.

The other thing is that you've been here before. [He makes a face, but it's one more of worry -- because this isn't always the easiest thing to explain.]

You wouldn't remember though.

[howruthless]

Kidnapping and brainwashing.

[no, Oliver. She wasn't comfortable with this at all]

This place just keeps getting better.

[yeahihidmypants]

Sorry. I don't really have better news. Lois is here, so is Clark. He's been here for a while.

[howruthless]

[nods]

And I've been here before.

[yeahihidmypants]

Yeah.

If it makes you feel better there were two of me here at one time and the other me had a goatee and was married to Dinah.

[howruthless]

[there's a half-laugh]

There's a recipe for disaster.

[from what she knew about her Oliver and her Dinah -- they'd kill each other before the week was out, but because she can't resist the urge to tease him]

Though I'm sure being married to Dinah is also ... an explosion waiting to happen, I don't really think you have the face for a goatee.

[yeahihidmypants]

You're telling me. I tried to grow one for Movember last year. It... didn't go so well. [read: at all.]

[howruthless]

[laughs]

At least you tried your hardest.

[yeahihidmypants]

Yeah... well, I think that'll be the least of your worries.

[howruthless]

Most likely, yes. But I am a little sorry I missed it.

[yeahihidmypants]

Tess, it is nice to see you.

[howruthless]

[a pause]

I have to admit -- that's a bit strange coming from you.

[yeahihidmypants]

I'm sure it is, but... you were here and I thought we were actually getting along - and then you were gone.

Having this chance is nice.