khuioduan | [Video] A Warm(ish) Welcome

Entry tags:

[Video] A Warm(ish) Welcome

[A bright, green eye fills the screen for a moment before a young woman pulls back from the lens. She looks a several meals and a few nights sleep short of healthy, and she's decidedly disheveled. Her grey clothes, stained with soot look rather old fashioned as well.]

----this how it works? Ah, quite. I see the little light.

How remarkable - and no smelly chemicals? ...Papa would have been over the moon about this.

[There is a slight hint of regret or sadness in her tone at this, but she seems to settle, and the view from the camera steadies. She at least seems somewhat familiar with the concept of photography.]

The nice... ...er...

[She glances to the side of her at the Kin'nal who helped her, but he's already wandered off, clearly done with her many, many questions. She carries on, regardless.]

The nice lizard said that this is the best way to speak with other Dreamfolk. Isn't that a peculiar thing? We are Dreamfolk, but this isn't a dream. Or so he says. How would you even test if something's a dream or not if you're in the dream - a pinch would hardly do - you could just be dreaming the pain like anything else.

...The cat hasn't shown up with any of his cryptic nonsense though, so suppose there's that to be thankful for.

I find it hard to imagine there are people on the other side of this camera, but that is what I was told. It sounds like a rather elaborate ruse, but I am a Dreamfolk outside of a dream - perhaps common sense is also hung out to dry.

...Meeting others has... never really been my forte, but it couldn't hurt to try.

My name is Alice. Alice Liddell.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The first thing visible is a slender finger tapping the camera, lit only by the soft glow of the yimo. The camera is out of focus and struggles to adjust in the darkness, but a few seconds later eyes, a nose, and other features come into view. The figure is more like a porcelain doll than a human, down to the hairline fractures running across their face and the somber, unmoving expression. When they've got the camera working, they pull their knees to their chest.]

You aren't alone. Common sense has had no place in my life the last several days.

[They smooth their hair around their neck with a gloved hand, barely visible in this light.]

Pleasure to meet you, Alice. I am Rutile. What is this cat you're speaking of? Is it a concern for you?

[Alice has had more than her fill of porcelain dolls but Rutile hardly looks like something she would imagine - or worse things.]

I have to wonder if common sense has any place anywhere sometimes. It never seems applicable.

[Rutile - that's a really pretty name.]

It's nice to meet you as well, Rutile.

[Said a tad huffily but the hostility doesn't seem directed at Rutile. Rather she just seems exasperated with this cat, whatever or wherever it is] The cat is nothing to be concerned about. He's perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

[A deep breath. Careful Alice. You were doing so well.]

...So you're new here as well?

Edited (html fuckup) 2018-05-16 19:30 (UTC)

New, yes, but long enough for the novelty to have lost its luster.

[It's always been easier, more natural, to focus on others rather than themselves. That's part of why Rutile is exploring this new technology in the first place. They latch on to Alice's frustration, lifting their head higher as if it would help them better see her. Their voice takes on a curious, more clinical air.]

You sound frustrated. Are you well?

'Luster' might be the right word for this city. It's much cleaner than London.

[Luster might also be the right word for Rutile. Their hair is very shiny.]

That's a rather... complicated question. I didn't hurt myself coming here, but I'm not entirely sure 'here' is even real. What can one trust when even her own senses can mislead?

You must come from an awfully dirty place, then. Where I'm from, the space we occupy wouldn't even cover a city block.

[Rutile taps their chin, a soft clink coming through the speakers. The philosophy of Alice's dilemma is a little out of Rutile's league, but they can approach it practically. In Rutile's experience, it's not unheard of for gems to see and hear things that aren't present. They can't claim to know firsthand what it is like, but they've picked up some tricks that sometimes help.]

Without knowing the particulars of your situation, my advice might fall rather flat. That said, I don't suppose you can really trust anything, so you might as well trust what's there. If this place is real, then it's real, and if it isn't, then it won't do you any good to fight against how determined it is to be reality.

[That's the conclusion Rutile has come to, anyway. They smile, though the expression is somewhat somber.]

I've also found it helpful to take cues from others. It's hard to live contrary to everyone else's expectations.

[Here smile is more a grimace. London being a dirty place is a bit of an understatement.]

'We'? Is your world very small perhaps? Do you shrink to fit?

Your advice isn't bad - it's honestly how things have worked in the past. Usually to wake up, I have to accomplish a goal or figure something out. I didn't know if the rules had changed just because the place had.

...Contrary isn't always bad though.

[Rutile frowns, considering it for a minute, and subtly examines their hand.]

It's certainly possible, but I don't think I'd know if I did shrink. I don't feel any larger or heavier than I used to, but all that means is that my proportions are still accurate.

And yes, there are several others like me; we're quite a tightly knit community. Or, we used to be, anyway.

[They falter, recalling how divided the gems were after the events of Rutile's last several days. They hadn't intended to bring that up, but Alice is surprisingly easy to talk to. Perhaps it's because she's so calm?]

I didn't mean to suggest it was a bad thing to be contrary. I'm sure there is a time and a place where going against the grain is merited. It's a difficult rule to live by, though, particularly when under pressure from everyone around you. Perhaps it's easier here, where everyone's already so different?

[Normally Konoe liked to ignore the metal box thing that he'd been given, but he clearly just heard this Two Cane girl say the word cat. Whether it was out of desperation or curiousity, Konoe just frantically pushed at the buttons, trying to read the tiny text and find the buttons that he'd used before with that strange pirate man.

By the time he fizzled on the screen, a few letters had been typed in the reply box and Konoe appeared sideways on the monitor.]

Cat? Did you say cat?

[That is a cat. With a person's face.]

[Alice stares for a moment - but just a moment. She's seen odd things before and Konoe doesn't look half as sinister.]

I did. He's a bit more cat than person than you are. And much skinnier.

[Emaciated, in fact.]

[The was true; Konoe was relatively healthier and fluffier than the Cheshire Cat, but he still managed to find fault with something Alice was saying.]

I thought you might know where my...companions are.

[He both looked and sounded crestfallen, his ears drooping on the side of his head. Why did he get his hopes up like that? This girl clearly wasn't a cat either.]

[Oh dear. ]

I'm afraid not.

What do they look like? In case I run into them.

They're cats, like me.

[Though he supposed she was trying to help and he shouldn't be that rude.]

Rai has an eyepatch; he has white hair and his tail is long and fluffy. And Asato..he's got dark skin and hair, and he's a black cat from Kira. You really haven't seen anyone like them?

[He didn't really want to ask about Bardo or the devils right now; he wasn't even sure if he wanted to see them.]

I'm afraid not - though Dinah had kittens that looked rather like you described.

[How she misses dear Dinah, Snowdrop and Kitty.]

Are all cats here person shaped? Or are there some of the regular kind?

I haven't seen any other cats! And no one recognizes me either and keeps giving me funny looks. So if there are cats here, they certainly don't look like me.

[He just gave a big sigh. He was really tired of not looking normal to people; he got enough of that from the other cats in Sisa when he was cursed. At least that wasn't apparent anymore.]

I shouldn't think they would- they're much smaller where I'm from. But it seems things are different here.

Not a bad sort of different. I wish cats could talk in my world.

They're the wierd ones to me-I've never seen people without ears or tails, but I've had enough at them gawking at me like I'm some sort of monster.

[It wasn't all that, and he partly knew it thanks to his empathy, but Konoe hated being stared at as different.]

[ Ilda's just mostly been lurking in the network the past few days, laying low after the whole paranoia fiasco. It's not something she's proud of. But she feels strangely compelled to reach out to this new girl... perhaps because she looks like she needs a friend? Alice did say she's not quite good at meeting others. ]

I never really understood that. You know, why they call us Dreamfolk. This feels like the dream to me.

Hi, Alice. I'm Ilda. I hope you're alright...?

Hello Ilda.

[Remember your manners, Alice.]

It's nice to meet you as well. I think I am alright, thank you.

[That's always a tricky question as her frame of reference for alright is rather unorthodox.]

It is a peculiar thing to call people - we're not dreams I don't think. And I've been repeatedly assured that neither is this city.

That's good to know. This place can be a little overwhelming... then again I'm from a small village with barely any magic or technology, so that might just be me, ha ha!

Have you found your room? I can show you around, if you need any help.

A small village would be a welcome sight. This city is bustling even compared to London.

I did find my room, yes, but I've not yet seen the sights.

[She hesitates a moment. This woman seems nice, but she's run into quite a few people who were very good at seeming. On the other hand it wouldn't hurt to try to make friends her own age. Her social circle had not been particularly broad back home.]

...Company would not be... unwelcome. If you'd like to join me, that is.

London? Is that your city? What’s it like?

[ Ilda brightens at the offer. She likes meeting new people and hearing their stories. But she really has to be more careful since she’s the type to run off and just meet up anyone. If anyone has to worry, it’s not you, Alice. ]

Do you already have a place in mind? The Turtle’s Head is a really cool spot!

Sooty mostly. Loud, crowded, smells of bird droppings and gin. It's...

...It's not a nice place. What is your village like? I always liked the countryside.

I don't really have anywhere in mind yet as I don't really know where anywhere is.

[Sorry she's like this.]

...I beg your pardon did you say the turtles head?

Yeah, that doesn't sound like a nice place at all.

I'm from Mellifera. It's a sleepy little fishing village -- it's so small, you'll know everyone by just being there for a day! It's peaceful and quiet most of the time. Sometimes the waves get rough and the skies gray, but when the weather's good, the sunsets are to die for.

[ She sighs dreamily. She loves sunsets. And sunrises, but that means getting up early. Just because she does it out of habit doesn't mean she enjoys it.

Alice's comment is lost in the sighing, and besides, she's usually too sunny to notice those things. ]

Yes! The city is literally on a turtle, can you believe it? It's so cool.

Alice? Nice. I'm Aly.

[She smiles.] Guess I'm not alone in dealing with cryptic animals, huh? And the dreaming-but-not-dreaming thing...uh, I guess it's easy to get used to? I was used to it already. And yeah. Common sense ain't easy to find around these parts.

Does everybody get one? Shows up out of the blue, grinning from ear to ear to tell you what you already knew only backwards?

[There's annoyance in her tone. But maybe also something resembling amusement.]

It's nice to meet you, Miss Aly. Are you also...?

[There is no good way to word this. And it's not the sort of thing you ask someone anyway, so Alice's question dies in her throat.]

...Never mind. I shouldn't think common sense is easy to find anywhere. For what it's called, it's rather rare.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video] A Warm(ish) Welcome

[ Video ]

[ Video ]

[ Video ]

[ Video ]

[ Video ]

[ Video ]

[ Video ]

(video) a cat shows up with cryptic nonsense

(video) he's more adorable than what she's used to

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[ video ]

[ video ]

Re: [ video ]

[ video ]

[ video ]

Re: [ video ]

[ video ]

video;

video;