First Case: The Letter

[unnaturalpause]

[Filtered away from First gens, people who would pass the information to them]

[This is all written, very legibly for all to see.]

During the latest expedition a letter was discovered, however with the world change and other, difficulties, I am only now sharing this with the castle at large. I do apologize for the delay.

Hello, travelers from a distant land,
We write out to you on behalf of Libet, home of many years
If these words are reaching you, we are already dead.

You see around you what the remains of a once grand and happy place.
On January 5th, our once-happy castle began to collapse.
It had grown tired of our need to grow beyond it.
It wanted to stay as it was, while we wanted progress.
It reminded us of our past experiences, and its history disgorged.
We long have feared that our paradise would die.
It seems so very weak these days.
It doesn't speak to us anymore.
We fear it soon will completely, collapse.

Though we wish it didn't have to come to this,
We are thankful for the time we've had.
May you still have many happy days ahead of you.

Love,
The Residents of Libet

((ooc: This is LONG overdue for information gained from the expedition. But with LJ being difficult as well as other things last month, I figured now would be a good time to share. Threadjacking/hopping/what have you is encouraged because, James really won't have much to say and wants to hear what you all think. Have at it!))

Comments

[unnaturalpause]

You and I may think so, but I do believe there are some who may, mostly from, things back home that this place, allows them to escape. Certain, expectations it allows them to escape.

[mal_addict]

Hmmm. I can understand that much. You don't have to answer to anyone here but yourself.

[unnaturalpause]

No you do not, and there are some here, who can experience life longer then what they have left back in there world here as well. It is, rather appealing to some because of that. [And there were times he was one of the latter too.]

[mal_addict]

Like you, you mean. The nice little stopper on death must be pleasant. [More than that. And she honestly worries for when he goes home. Not that she's going to admit that, noope]

[unnaturalpause]

[If he knew Mal he'd be so touched.] It can be yes, very much so. It can also be, very, frustrating, [There's a pause as he gets his voice under control before it goes soft and reveals he really hates this next part.] But seeing you all returned home is more important then that.

[mal_addict]

[Ugh no, don't say things like that and force her to admit she has a heart, James] Yeah...home.

Anyway, you should be looking after yourself old man. The rest of us are more than capable, you are entitled to a little self indulgence one in a while.

[unnaturalpause]

[You don't have to Mal really. He's just saying what's on his mind really.] Not everyone as an aversion to home, I know a few who would very much like to return.

Am I? One could say otherwise with my intelligence and experience in certain, things. [And it's not like him to sit on his hands and do nothing either.]

[mal_addict]

For the longest time, it was all I ever wanted. It's hard, living in a world so very different from your own.

Intelligence and experience don't stop you from putting your feet up once in a while.

[unnaturalpause]

For you I can imagine it is, at least Paradisa shares a passing resemblance, somewhat, to my own world, which I am grateful for.

But intelligence leads me to being bored, Maladict. Sitting and doing nothing, it is not entirely in me to do that. And the experience I have, leads to me knowing I should get involved and lend that to others. [But really he doesn't want to be bored, he hates it. And playing his violin only gets him so far.]

[mal_addict]

[A little grudgingly] Yes, Paradisa is so very fond of Earth.

Then get a hobby that you can sit down to do.

[unnaturalpause]

It is not so grand as you think, that fondness. Especially for someone such as myself who would dearly enjoy learning about more diverse worlds then an alternate Earth.

And I already do, thank you, Maladict. I play the violin, though even that at times is not what I like to do. What else would you recommend?

[mal_addict]

The maybe one day we'll get to visit somewhere more interesting.

[A thoughtful sound] I can teach you to play Thud. It's a little like your chess, only more violent and based on an actual war.

[unnaturalpause]

Indeed we just may, it would be an amazing thing really, to see somewhere else.

[Confused James is confused.] How do you, make chess violent?

[mal_addict]

Couldn't agree more.

By putting trolls and dwarves in it.

[unnaturalpause]

I take it then, that dwarves and trolls do not get along in your world?

[mal_addict]

Not even a little bit, they had a pretty bloody war. They haven't forgotten it, a lot of grudges are still held.

[unnaturalpause]

And this translates to the game of, Thud how exactly?

[mal_addict]

It's hard to explain, you have to experience it for yourself.

[unnaturalpause]

Do I dare ask how often bodily harm occurs and how often hospitalization is required after playing?

[mal_addict]

Oh, very, very rarely.

Unless you're a dwarf playing against a troll.

[unnaturalpause]

I see then. [Wow Mal, wow.] And the times that it does, happen, what is the cause of it?

[mal_addict]

Well...trolls are a lot bigger the dwarves...

[unnaturalpause]

I see. And, is the, cleaning up that I presume must occur afterwards, pay well? [Is it so bad he's assuming there's a job market for that in her world?]

[mal_addict]

...Probably? I don't think anyone...does that. Unless maybe the Igors do, you know, looking for scraps.

[unnaturalpause]

And what are Igors? Some sort of, carrion creature?