Alice Liddell (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
makebelieveavenger) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
khuioduan2018-05-15 12:17 am
makebelieveavenger) wrote in khuioduan2018-05-15 12:17 am
[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.
----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.
[ Video ]
[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?
[ Video ]
[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?
[ Video ]
[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.
[ Video ]
'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.
[ Video ]
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?