Nineteenth Gate

[forsometimenow]

Since things appear to be relatively back to normal and everyone presumably has their memories back... I should mention that yesterday marked one year since I came to Paradisa.

I'm still not 100% thrilled about the "being kept apart from my loved ones" part, and I've been the only person from my world here a while... but still. I belong here, and after a lifetime of searching for a place where I could belong and being taken from the first place I did, it means a lot to me personally to feel that way.

Comments

[mal_addict]

Happy anniversary of being captured by a sentient castle all the same.

[forsometimenow]

Cheers. Wanna get coffee later?

[mal_addict]

Sure, sounds like a great way to ring it in to me.

[forsometimenow]

Can't think of a better way to spend it than with a friend, myself.

[mal_addict]

Great, I like that line of thinking. Where shall we meet?

[forsometimenow]

I'm at my usual spot in the town clinic, so I'm game for whatever.

[mal_addict]

Okay, I'll meet you there.

[forsometimenow]

[When Maladict arrives, she'll be greeted by a sheepdog- and a Pokemon. Blissey delightedly claps her hands and pushes open the door for her. Upon hearing it open, Jennifer's voice calls from the back-]

Be out in a second! I really need to get someone to come by to clean more often...

[mal_addict]

[Oh hose wacky pokemon]

Hey, don't mention it, compared to some of the places I've stayed in, this is a palace.

[forsometimenow]

Kind of you to say so.

[Jennifer finally emerges, looking tired, but gives her friend a smile.]

It seems like my staff keeps disappearing, so it's getting harder to keep on top of everything.

[mal_addict]

Sounds like you need to get on with some re-hiring.

[forsometimenow]

[She nods, then pats Blissey on the head, giving her a soft instruction to keep an eye on the place for a bit and begins walking out the door.]

I do. I've been putting off asking for help... [Because she keeps half hoping Carson will come back and make it not her problem any more, but she'd feel very pathetic admitting that aloud.] Doesn't look like I can avoid it any longer, though. Simon and I can only do so much.

[mal_addict]

Very true, you're only two people. I'd put an advert in the journal, if I were you. People are always looking for ways to stave off the boredom.

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer nods, stopping again just outside the door to pat Blue and tell him to stay as well.]

I'll have to swallow my pride and do it. It seems like I have no time to enjoy myself any more... and if I try to make some, I feel guilty for leaving the clinic. It's not much of a life.

[mal_addict]

Then you certainly need the help. I know it's a bit of a crappy life, being stuck in a magical castle and all, but you're still entitled to it.

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer laughs at that.]

Yeah, I was brought to the magic wishing castle and can't even enjoy it. Where's the fun in that, eh?

[mal_addict]

It's almost crule sometimes. [She chuckles]

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer's laugh continues, before she becomes quiet and pensive again.]

One whole year... and I still don't know if I'm ever going home. I miss it sometimes... a lot. Despite the uncertainty. Oh, it's uncertain here, sure, but it's a different kind. This was at least a little more predictable.

[mal_addict]

You could at least be sure of the sort of idiots you'd have to deal with, right?

[forsometimenow]

Exactly. [She smirks.] I had the odd hypochondriac here or there, and weird injuries and parasites every now and then, but that was easy to deal with. Now I have dinosaurs and sudden world changes.

[mal_addict]

And random holiday shenanigans, don't forget

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And random holiday shenanigans, don't forget <I<those</i>.

[the_effect_she_has]

...You're more settled than I'll ever be. I envy you that.

[forsometimenow]

I'm not sure it's a good thing or a bad thing to settle, if you want to know the truth.

[the_effect_she_has]

Maybe it's both. Maybe it has it's good and bad points.

[forsometimenow]

Yeah, that's true. I don't want to make it seem like I don't miss home- I do- but it hasn't been so bad here, either.

[the_effect_she_has]

I don't miss home at all - at least - not where I last left it. [She was quiet.] I miss the Seam though. I wish ...I wish I could have seen it one last time, before ... well. Makes no difference. I'm stuck here now.

[forsometimenow]

And we have to try and make the best of it. That's what I've always thought, anyway.

[the_effect_she_has]

So ... as you've been here longer than me, how do you advise I make the best of it?

[forsometimenow]

I've found something to occupy my time- and made friends despite myself. I have a routine I try to stick to every day, too, though that's obviously not always possible.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She nodded her head slowly, before playing with her hair.] Do you ... let go? Have fun?

[forsometimenow]

Sure- I find ways to, even though I've never been terribly social. It helps knowing people that will drag me out of my shell, of course.

[the_effect_she_has]

...Yeah, I guess so. Most people leave me be. [She thought about it, gnawing on her bottom lip.] Maybe people are scared of me.

[forsometimenow]

Well, you also seem to keep to yourself a lot- maybe people just assume you don't want company?

[the_effect_she_has]

[She shrugged, feeling uncomfortable again.] ... not used to people being upfront about help. Back home, we all helped from the back door, where the Peacekeepers couldn't catch us.

[forsometimenow]

So you're used to being hidden. It's a hard habit to break, I guess...

[the_effect_she_has]

It is ... so I'm not sure what I should do. To, ah, loosen up.

[forsometimenow]

You still have friends, though, right?

[the_effect_she_has]

Much to my surprise, yes.

[forsometimenow]

Then you're not as closed off as you thought.

[the_effect_she_has]

I ... suppose not.

[forsometimenow]

Just keep that in mind- you're never alone here, no matter how you might feel like it sometimes.

[the_effect_she_has]

Thank you, Jennifer. I ... didn't realize how much I needed to hear that, until now.

[forsometimenow]

You're welcome. Happy I could help.