△ First. [ Dictated ]

[explodium]

[There is a slight bit of rustling as the journal is picked up and the pages are briskly flipped through.]

Hmm. Tell me, how many of you are writing in this book?

[As his words form upon the page, Kimblee takes note of their presence with idle curiosity.]

Or speaking, as it may well be. I would suspect at least a hundred, judging by the most recent pages, but perhaps one of you could humor me?

[There's a very slight pause, as he examines his surroundings better.]

The architecture of this building is not Amestrian. In fact, it isn't like anything I've ever seen before. This entire place feels off.

... I would like to know where I am.

Comments

dictated

[heirofficium]

You're in Paradisa. Dunno how many of us are here, though.

[ Ohoho have a jaunty Londoner yakkin' at you, Zolfypoo. ]

Where's Amestria? Not on Earth, I imagine.

Dictated

[explodium]

Paradisa. That's the name of the castle, then?

[That's what he gathers, at least, since Sirius said "in". He chuckles darkly.]

If you haven't heard of Amestris, then I must be farther from home than I thought.

Re: Dictated

[heirofficium]

The formal name is Cair Paradisa, but generally one forgets the 'Cair' when they're complaining about this Merlin-forsaken brick heap.

[ Yes yes, you are very smart, Mister Kimblee. :> ]

I'm told it's a world all its own. Just the castle, and there's a pretty big town outside the gate.

Dictated

[explodium]

A completely different world...

Interesting. Could you tell me how I got here, then?

[whistles_the_blues]

A pocket dimension called Paradisa, castle goes by the same name.

[explodium]

I guess it's common knowledge. Another person already answered that question.

But I'd like to hear more about this, so please, go on. What is this Paradisa like?

[whistles_the_blues]

Kind of like any other place for the most part. Though the castle is sentient to a degree and likes to mess around with the people it pulls in.

[explodium]

Could you expand on that? Tell me what, exactly, it does, if you would.

[cyan_maid]

How many people use the journals? Gosh, I wouldn't know.

[Huh. She's never thought of that before. That's a good question though!]

Well, for starters, this is a castle called Paradisa.

[explodium]

Right now, I'm looking for answers. If you don't know, you don't need to say anything.

I've already been told that it's a castle, as well. Maybe there's something else you could tell me about it?

[cyan_maid]

Well you don't have to act like that. Not everybody knows everything, sir.

I can certainly try, though I don't know what you've been told. The castle feeds off of people's souls and makes them miserable by throwing them into awful, frustrating situations. How's that?

[explodium]

[Well he definitely hasn't heard THAT one yet. His voice sounds bemused, but there's a hint of anger beneath the surface.]

Really now. And it forces us to pay a price for that kind of treatment? That doesn't sound very reasonable at all.

[ofhope]

You want a head count?

[explodium]

If you could, yes. I'm curious.

[ofhope]

I wasn't offering.

[explodium]

[Well now, that's not very polite.]

Then why would you ask?

Dictated

[wizard_redfive]

The number was around 200 last I checked. It's difficult to keep track of though, with everyone coming and going so frequently.

Amestrian...?

Dictated

[explodium]

Then it is possible to leave. Good.

[That alone pleases him to hear; he hasn't exactly been hearing much good news so far about this place.]

Amestris is the country I come from. It doesn't seem to be part of the same world as this castle.

Dictated

[wizard_redfive]

Completely possible. We have yet to figure out how to leave on our terms though. Usually the castle decides who stays and who goes.

It would not surprise me. None of the castle residents are native to this world.

Written

[jimfromit]

Very meticulous.

Written

[explodium]

[This is the first time Kimblee's seen a response in the journal that isn't vocalized-- but he replies in kind, his handwriting an elegant script.]

Why, thank you. I have a few questions, that's all-- but I prefer to be thorough.

Written

[jimfromit]

It's better then running around like a headless chicken.

And far less messy.

Written

[rose_of_battle]

[Surprise, have another one writing to you in a script that may look faintly Japanese in style--for those familiar with that land on Earth.]

The journal is used by almost everyone brought here--whether they live in the castle or not, so it's kind of hard to figure things out.

Written

[explodium]

I have heard that it's possible to live outside the castle, yes. It's fine if you can't give me a concrete number; I mostly just wanted a rough estimate.

Written (and sorry! Work kills me at times. :( )

[rose_of_battle]

Yep! It's possible! In fact, I live in a house one of my friends built.

[A Pause.]

But why did you want to know how many people use it? To get an idea of how big the castle is?