⌛ - video/action | this too shall pass

[whosthere]

[ There's a young man shuffling around outside, presumably talking to himself since he has no idea the recorder is on. His hair and clothes are disheveled, only carrying with him a small candle whose flame flickers in the darkness. His tone of voice is meek, exhausted, and slightly confused. ]

These weren't here before. It's changed.

And which way did I come from? I don't remember. I could have come from either path.

Comments

action;

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji's out in the garden and hears the sound of someone shuffling along one of the walkways. He heads in the direction of the noise and comes upon the Lodger with his candle. He doesn't want to surprise him, so he makes sure that his footsteps can be heard before he speaks.]

Hello.

action;

[whosthere]

[ He stops and goes silent when he hears footsteps. The Lodger's posture straightens. Someone's here? Then, this has to be a dream. There was no one for miles around his home. ]

I'm asleep now. I understand.

[ He peers cautiously at Soji. ]

What is this place?

action;

[eatsyourscience]

It's called Wonderland.

[Souji comes a bit closer.]

But I don't think you're asleep.

action;

[whosthere]

[ ..and he moves a bit further away, shrinking back. ]

..I'm definitely asleep.

What else could it be?

action;

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji takes the hint and keeps his distance.]

...I don't think I'm a dream.

action;

[whosthere]

Dreams don't think they are dreams.

[ He turns and looks at something in the distance. Nothing's there. His expression shifts to a concerned and frightened one. ]

..It's cold and it's here. We should go inside.

action;

[eatsyourscience]

Alright.

[Souji notices the shift in the Lodger's expression and though he's concerned, he doesn't ask for now.]

The Mansion is this way. I can show you around, if you want.

action;

[whosthere]

[ The Lodger nods briefly, but soon after jerks away in surprise at an auditory hallucination. ]

Please..

[ His voice trembles. He moves a bit closer to Souji, spooked by something. ]

action;

[eatsyourscience]

[Surprised, Souji puts a hand out to steady the Lodger. This is really very concerning.]

...Let's get inside.

[He gives a gentle tug on the sleeve of the Lodger's shirt.]

action;

[whosthere]

[ Okay, good. Inside. The voice was telling him to go inside, hence his anxiety. He'll follow Souji with a somewhat delayed reaction once he starts moving. ]

action;

[eatsyourscience]

[They aren't too far from the Mansion, fortunately. Souji leads the Lodger toward the front door, walking quietly. It isn't until he's pulling it open to let the Lodger inside that he says anything.]

My name's Souji. What should I call you?

action;

[whosthere]

[ What's in a name, anyway? His name, like almost everything else, had been willingly repressed. He doesn't even want to try to remember it. He denies that a question has even been asked. ]

Is this home your's?

action;

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji's not sure if he's being ignored or if the Lodger just didn't hear the question. He lets it be for now though, letting the door close behind them once they're inside.]

No. It doesn't belong to any of us who live here.

[action

[builditstrong]

[Kid knows a thing or two about wandering in the dark, lost. So when he spots the guy by his candle from a distance, he makes his way toward him. He's got his hammer and is wary enough, since you never can tell these days who's a total psycho, but he gives a pleasant nod in greeting.]

H'lo. Ya lost?

[ action ]

[whosthere]

[ The pleasant nod is met with a wary, anxious gaze. ]

No. I'm asleep.

[ wait wat ]

[ action ]

[builditstrong]

[...]

Ya sleepwalkin' 'r somethin'?

[ action ]

[whosthere]

Dreaming, but it'll be a nightmare, soon, until dawn.

[ He peers behind Kid and his expression grows concerned. His tone lowers to a nervous whisper. ]

It's behind you. Don't look.

[ There's nothing there. The Lodger may not be a psycho, but he is a few pieces short of a chess set, so to speak. ]

[ action ]

[builditstrong]

[Kid, however, had quite enough of nightmares in the bog, and he's not one to close his eyes and ignore them. He hefts his hammer and turns, only half-expecting to see anything there. And of course there's nothing. He turns back to the Lodger with a faint frown.]

Ain't nothin' there... [He sighs. So many crazy people around, but at least this guy seems...mostly...harmless?] Ya know I'm real, righ'? This ain't a dream. This's Wonderland.

[ action ]

[whosthere]

[ He rubs the bags under his eyes with his free hand. ]

Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[ pause. ]

It's a dream, it has to be. Or, am I really awake? Hallucinations, somnolence, maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.

[ He has a brief moment of clarity, as he often does, but goes off the deep end again and stares at something in the distance. ]

[ action ]

[builditstrong]

Yeah, I know.

[He's quiet a moment.]

...Ya know yer in Wonderland, righ'? Ain't seen ya 'round...maybe yer new. That case, kin see why ya'd think this's all a dream.

[ action ]

[whosthere]

[ He blankly stares at Kid. ]

Wonderland? There..was a story about Wonderland. I remember it.

[ action ]

[builditstrong]

Yeah. Ya been transferred here, kinna. All'a us got snatched from our home worl's and ended up 'ere. Ya musta jus' arrived.

[ action ]

[whosthere]

Then it is a dream. Multiple worlds are highly unlikely.

[ but so are floating candles and beds attacking him, but those things happened.. ]

..I'm grateful for this brief rest that isn't filled with terror and looming danger.

[ action ]

[builditstrong]

Thought so too, till I landed 'ere.

[He considers the other guy for a moment and decides not to tell him about the events just yet.] Yeah. S'peaceful 'round 'ere most th' time.

...Wha's yer name? I'm Kid.

[ action ]

[whosthere]

[ He barely responds to anything Kid says. ]

I do still hear them, but..the situation isn't serious. If I ignore them, they'll go away.

[ His name? Time to dodge the question! ]