Thirty Five Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler has been surviving the loss of the people he loves by burying himself into his work. By hiding away and ignoring everyone. Remaining in his nice, safe tower, away from the residents, away from everything.

But now he's standing in the hallway of floor five, staring at his new room. He knows it's his room, not only because he woke up in it, but because of that horrible, dreadful phrase in place of his name. He remembers that conversation only too well. It haunts him even now, after over a year of living in this place. Which way does a tree fall? The way it leans. Be careful which way you lean. The Once-ler hadn't been careful. And he'd fallen completely the wrong way, and taken everything else with him in the process.

He's already tried the tower, of course. It's empty, gutted, his safe haven completely wrenched away from him. He exhales, staring at that phrase again, his little UNLESSES already carving their way into the wood beside it, making matters worse. He knows one thing is clear, he can't stay here. Not like this. So, he picks up his journal, moving to sit just inside the doorway, his long legs curled up in front of him as he rests the book on his knees]

Anyone know if the town has any empty rooms right now?

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

You haven't been back here yet?

People got their rooms switched around. To make it worse, our names aren't even on our doors any more, they're all [he glares at his own] something else.

[bezazzled]

Eh, who needs 'em. You should build your own tower. It'll be just how you want it and like ten times greater than any smelly castle tower. And it'll never kick you out!

[the_effect_she_has]

I've been... avoiding it. [Avoiding all the empty rooms, all those missing friends.]

Well, isn't that just fitting? [A sigh and a grumble.]

[findatree]

Do I get to have my own booby traps?

[lucre]

[ The only one who might bother him then is Joshua, who's not much for seeking company either. Cass might stop by ]

None at all. You must see half the house before rebuilding the other half, hm?

[fantasies]

[Henry looks at this page for a while.]

... Will you tell us your address, when you go?

[shortishandbossy]

[He's really not up for face-to-face conversation right now, and he's sure the Once-ler isn't either. He speaks quietly over the journal]

You planning on moving?

[cant_breathe_no_heir]

Regardless, an alternate method of moving our possessions would have sufficed.

Perhaps by telling us first.

[whistles_the_blues]

Can't say I know of any off the top of my head.

...Let me guess, you don't like the view your new room has?

[ofhope]

[ LUCREZIA WHAT ARE YOU DOING. ]

[lucre]

[ HIRING A LIVE-IN HANDYMAN. ]

[ofhope]

[ MAD ABOUT THIS. ]

[lucre]

[ JOSH, DO YOU WANT HALF YOUR MANSION BACK OR NOT? really though, he can kick him out the moment he arrives :') ]

[ofhope]

[ M I G H T. We'll find out. ]

[ensorceler]

Had I the power I once did, I would give a grand house [ aka castle ] all to you and yours. Had I anything to offer.

[whichwayyoulean]

[That brings a soft smile to his face, even if she can't see it. People still cared about him, even when he still wholly believes they shouldn't. It was comforting as much as it was surprising]

That's really good of you, you know. Probably more than I'd deserve anyway.

[whichwayyoulean]

...You know, that's not actually a bad idea. I could make my own tower.

[whichwayyoulean]

Good idea, I wish I'd thought of it.

Isn't it just? I mean, wasn't nearly getting us all killed enough? Why does it have to mess with our names like this, too?

[ensorceler]

What you build within the city's borders will forever change the lives of those who may have otherwise known nothing but loss and death from starvation or cold. And you will go onto create more, not because I will see to it, but because it is what you truly desire and I see this.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Guys stahp]

Well, that'd be an offer hard to say no to.

[whichwayyoulean]

I...

Yeah, sure, if you want to make some, why not?

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh kiddo :(]

Of course I will, and you can visit whenever you want to.

[whichwayyoulean]

You're hoping. The castle doesn't tell us anything before trying to ruin our lives.

[whichwayyoulean]

I don't like anything my new room has.

[whichwayyoulean]

[That would be a very accurate assessment. The Once-ler even winces at his voice a little, making the words on the door all the more prominent]

I sure can't stay here.