001: dictated

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

[It starts with a thump, a groan, and a muffled curse, probably nothing too out of the ordinary.] --the hell?

[Then two beats of silence, and the voice on the other end sounds almost awed.] ...Whoa. What is this place?

[There's some more silence, while on the other end, Kanji is peering around at the lobby, quite clueless and confused. As far as he's concerned the only explanation is one that should make no sense whatsoever, so he's starting to get frustrated and muttering.]

...can't be. If the damn bear--

[And then he raises his voice, sounding more mildly annoyed and lost than actually angry.] You hear me? If this is your fault, you're gonna get a swift kick in the ass! Come out, dammit!

Comments

Dictated

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

He knows I wouldn't reall-- Who's there? Who said that?

[He hasn't realized about the journals at all and there are some sounds like someone's spinning around.]

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

Through the journal. [ No, he's not answering the "who" part. ]

It sounds as if it is on the floor, if that aids.

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

The--?

[Then he sees it.] How's a book relaying voice...?

[But his voice is suddenly coming from much closer as he picks it up.] ...Huh. It's got my name on it but I don't remember havin' a journal or nothin...

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

I assume magic, but I cannot find any discernible traces of it to prove that theory. It simply does. It also reads text aloud, if one tires of reading things. [ Or can't read. Like him. But he won't mention that. ]

The castle provides it upon ones arrival, just as it takes something from those it brings.

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

[The magic part doesn't even phase him, considering that he doesn't ask any questions about it.]

Huh, useful book, I guess. But what the hell is this castle and what do you mean "takes something?"

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

Paradisa. As I say. [ Such helpful answers. He'll elaborate on the second. ]
Something of value, be it a sense, memory, object, ability. There are those rendered without speech, without sight, who cannot remember people important to them, have lost a precious item, the ability to do things once very much part of their existence. The castle takes it, it seems, as a toll for bringing one here.

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

Takes--shit. Shit!

[It took something? What?] I didn't want to come here, dammit.

...It didn't take my senses, I guess.

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

It does not care whether one wished to come or not, simply that one has.

Senses are usually rather clearly missing. I would not know how to tell if something else was missing, other than to check through one's pockets, attempt activities one enjoys, thoroughly scour one's memory. If the last would even work. [ He wouldn't know. ]

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

Shit. I dunno where to start.

[But there's some rustling--apparently he took the 'look through the pockets' advice seriously]

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

[ He didn't think that would actually happen. Um. Just a moment of silence and listening. ]

The castle provides things other than the journal. You will find that there is a room with your name upon the door on some floor, or in some tower. If one vocalizes ones wishes, they occur. I do not know the limits of such things yet.

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

My Sewin' kit's still here, so it wasn't that...

[Then he actually speaks up again.] No way of knowin' where? Guess I've got a lot of ground to cover.

[A beat] But like hell I'm gonna make wishes. That's just askin' for trouble.

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

Not that I am aware. There are currently seven floors, and I am not familiar with all of the towers. [ Someone else who mends their own clothing? ]

As you will.

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

Huge place. Man, this is gonna take a long while. Uh, are there any floors where there aren't rooms or something?

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

Last I walked the halls, paying attention to rooms, most floors were filled. There are levels within the towers that are empty, only to find one last room claimed upon the top. [ A pause. ]

There is an... elevator... for the main floors of the castle. It makes the search through that section... involve less stairs. The towers, as far as I am aware, have no such convenience.

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

Stairs aren't really a problem; it'd just help if I didn't have to search the whole thing. With my luck this room is at the way top of one of the towers or something.

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

... I would not be of much aid in a search, however I can check the doors of the rooms in the tower named Satis. It would simply take me longer than you would yourself. [ Because he has to walk to each door, feel it for the name, move to the other, and be careful with stairs. ]

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

You don't gotta, but if you wanna I'm not gonna stop you or nothin'. It'd be a big help.

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

.... Have little else to do. [ That would sound like someone getting up, and walking rather carefully. ]

What would I be seeking?

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

My name's Tatsumi Kanji; what's yours?

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

... Duke.... Pantarei. [ Yes, that is a title. And yes, it is also his first name. Sounds of careful movement come through the journal, a door opening and closing. ]

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

Nice to meet you, Pantarei-san. Thanks for the help.

[He thinks that's the best way to go about addressing him, anyway.]

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

Hmmn. [ Don't worry, Duke will just use his full name, the way Kanji said it. ]

No need for thanks. [ And then he'll just fall silent and Kanji can listen to him walk, if he wants. Up to doors, up stairs, repeat. He's not one for small talk. ]

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

[Kanji listens for a while, but he gets distracted by other conversations quickly.]

[radiantwinged1.livejournal.com]

[ It takes some time, and there might have been some occasional muttering of names, but Duke speaks again. ]

The Satis tower holds no room with your name upon it.

[punk-emperor.livejournal.com]

That's good. One tower down! Thanks.