L

[wilder]

[Zelos has known about Raine's departure for a few days now, he always kept up with the castle maps and she was someone he kept track of. It was a loss to the castle that frustrated him. Not only because she was his friend, but because she wanted to stay. More than that, she was pretty much his only link to any sort of Paradisa or World exploration things. Meaning if he wanted to keep searching for that way home? He was going to have to do it by talking to brainy people himself.]

[Ugh. He hated talking to brainy people.]

[But after a few days to collect thoughts and procrastination, he knew it was time to get it over with. It was unfair to let all the notices fall to the other people from home. As Raine pointed out, after herself he was the oldest member of their group- and he was expected to fill her shoes and be the adult if she were to ever leave.]

[Ugh. He hated being the adult.]

[But oh well, nothing he can do about that right now. So here comes a dictation done in a calm manner]

It seems Professor Raine Sage has returned home.

The Professor was a huge asset to the search of information about the castle and the world. I hope there are still copies of her work...somewhere around here, but we'll see if the castle feels benevolent.

Until then, if there's any questions you'd have liked to ask the Professor you can field them to me. I was her assistant so I...I had to read a lot.

[....]

Well, unless it's detailed questions about ruins or her personal life. I really can't help you there.

[An awkward pause, like he knows he's supposed to say something else but it's on the tip of his tongue-]

Oh- uh yeah-

Sorry to anyone who knew her. Sure she'd miss you all if she could.

[Ugh. He hated this already.]

Comments

[wilder]

Not really.

Oh I'm sure there's some overeager brainy person out there, but I don't trust them and I want to get home.

[whichwayyoulean]

And you really think all that research will help that happen?

[wilder]

Sure, why not?

[whichwayyoulean]

I don't know man. If there was a way out of here, I'm pretty sure the castle would have covered it up really well. You don't give prisoners the map showing them the secret passage out.

[wilder]

Well if people expected the way out to be a giant secret passage with a sign saying "EXIT" above it, then it's no wonder no one's found a way out yet.

[whichwayyoulean]

I wouldn't be surprised if some people here actually believe that.

[wilder]

Oh probably.

Anyway, the research is having progress, it's just slow going. I myself just need one more thing before I can confirm something that might change the nature of finding a way out.

[whichwayyoulean]

And what would this mysterious thing be?

[wilder]

...I'd tell you, but you might panic.

[whichwayyoulean]

I'd probably panic anyway. Might was well get it over with now, than surprise it with me later. I'm feeling pretty stable right now. No risk of heart attack.

[wilder]

Alright, don't say I didn't warn you...

My current theory's that the castle feeds off our emotions by having some sort of connection to our souls. And I'm not convinced the connection closes if you live out in the Dead Zone or even get sent home.

Whiiich means if we do something stupid and the castle gets destroyed or starve, it could potentially kill all of us, the first gens in the Dead Zone and anyone back in their worlds that've been here.

Of course, I still need that last piece of evidence to confirm this!

1/2

[whichwayyoulean]

Give him a moment to digest all of that.

It would be okay to imagine elevator music right now.

Nearly there...]

2/2

[whichwayyoulean]

Do you like...lie in bed at night thinking about this sort of stuff?

[Just gonna get nightmares from that forever, thanks bro]

And that last piece of evidence is...what? Some corpse from one of the other castles? The destroyed ones?

[PAUSE] Zelos. Please tell me you're not looking for corpses while we're on expeditions.

[wilder]

Only sometimes! Usually when I can't think of a beautiful woman to focus on instead, haha.

[He knew you'd panic]

And please, Once-ler! I already have found plenty of corpses to support the evidence. I'm actually hoping to find survivors from the other castles.

...Or at least, proof that someone from Libet survived until after the castle's fall.

[whichwayyoulean]

Yeah. Silly me. Ahahahaha.

[Oh god what] You've actually been looking for corpses. I really, really wish I could say I'm even a little bit surprised. But I'm not.

So that's why you keep going adventuring and by extension dragging me along with you.

Thanks for that, by the way. Always swell to be included.

[wilder]

I'm not just looking for corpses, Once-ler. Stop being so dramatic.

Most people don't know my theory yet anyway. I rather not cause a panic if it turns out to be false, you know?

[whichwayyoulean]

I wouldn't put it past you. Not for a second.

I guess. The whole 'hey, you could die if the magical castle that has kidnapped and regularly tortures you is destroyed' thing wouldn't go down well.

[wilder]

That's because you're dramatic.

Haha, not really. So it's best to wait until revealing it at large. [Also find a way to reveal it without his name on it, that'd be cool]

[whichwayyoulean]

No, Zelos. Not wanting anything at all to do with corpses, especially corpses of those killed via magical castle disasters is a pretty normal reaction.

Alright, I won't mention a thing. [Weirdo]

[wilder]

Didn't I just say it's not just corpses?

Thanks.

[whichwayyoulean]

I don't believe you.

[wilder]

[a mock gasp]

Where's the love!

[whichwayyoulean]

It's hidden in a deep seated cynicism. You know, like most of my positive feelings.

[wilder]

Oh right, I forgot about that. You make even me, the corpse searcher, sound optimistic.

[whichwayyoulean]

....Is this the part where I say 'you're welcome'?