( o49 )

[gevurah]

[ steve & nudge ]

[ The following is written: ]

Monday 1PM-3PM -- Nudge
Tuesday 1PM-3PM -- Steve
Thursday 12PM-2PM -- Nudge / 2:30PM-4:30PM -- Steve

You don't need to have your own guitar. The music room supplies that.


[ renee ]

[ Where to even start... ]

We should talk.


[ filter ]

Should have said this weeks ago, but thanks.


[ Eh, so what if it's mid-winter and cold outside? It's always warm in the castle, no matter how many windows are kept open or the doors to the outside keep opening and closing. Magic, obviously. Kind of creepy, but it doesn't deter Kate from taking some time today to enjoy a nice swim in the pool. She has it all to herself right now, which is even nicer.

As usual, the journal is open at the side. ]

Seems after returning from Paris, any others who were brought here don't have any recollection of ever being in Paradisa. [ Only one, possibly. ] Doesn't make sense, but that's probably redundant.

It does seem like a shame though, when you've been here a while and then get sent home, only to be dragged back after some time. There's no guarantee on returning with your memories, so you could forget everything you've been taught or taught yourself. [ A beat. ] What would you miss?

Comments

[gevurah]

If there was actually a way to pass it. [ It'd give most people a goal, maybe... ]

Otherwise, it's not fun thinking we might be manipulated by some unseen force.

[supes]

It really isn't.

Lois and I were talking about it the other day. If it does rig everything to manipulate us, how much of a right do we have to criticize it when we accept its room and board? We didn't ask to come here, nor to stay, and we don't have anything to offer in return, but I can see why Paradisa doesn't care about our feelings sometimes, in that respect.

[gevurah]

Not sure if moving out into the city is a better alternative. How do we know that's not all smoke and mirrors? Only less obvious about being fake.

[supes]

That's what I said. If the castle controls the city's resources, then you can work, make money and pay for it... and all you get is the satisfaction that you put in effort for it.

[gevurah]

How many people actually do work in the city? Or have their own businesses?

[supes]

I could probably count them on one hand. Most of the old resident-run businesses are closed.

[gevurah]

And an economy is non-existent here, so nobody's affected. I think most people who do have jobs work in coffee shops or bars. [ Which is... odd! Because there's definitely a lot more out there to choose from. ]

[supes]

Right –– no one's going to "earn their keep" in Paradisa's eyes by selling pastries or anything.

[gevurah]

[ URU SAYS FUCK YOU CLARK. B( ]

You can go mad in this place.

[supes]

[luv u 2 bb girl]

You really can.

[pause]

I know it sounds a little... permissive, I guess, but I find it hard to be frustrated with people here, because of it. Some people act out for selfish reasons, sure, but everyone has a legitimate reason to feel stressed, or pent up, or just helpless.

[gevurah]

[ If only she had his patience. She just stays buttmad at most things. ]

It doesn't always excuse someone's behavior.

[supes]

No, it doesn't, and if they harm others, it's unacceptable. But I can understand why they get to that point.

[gevurah]

You must be the most empathetic person here.

[supes]

So I've heard.

[gevurah]

It's not a bad thing. [ pause. ] Not enough people like that.

[supes]

It is easier than judging everyone, I can promise that.

[gevurah]

[ welp. ]

We've got enough judgmental people here anyway.

[supes]

I just hope that next time Paradisa pulls in a big batch of new residents, it picks nice, friendly normal people, and it skips over the mind-bending, transforming-demon lot entirely.

[gevurah]

The normal ones don't fare well. [ Or they eventually break. ] Though I could do without that lot, too. Or the ones who cite religious passages.

[supes]

Normal in the sense that they aren't prone to kidnappings and impersonations, I suppose.

Are there many religious people here? I don't run into them often.

[gevurah]

Father Abel comes to mind. Whoever else tends to the church?

Otherwise, it's hardly scary when you see quotes from the Bible in the journal. I noticed some crazies used to do it a lot.

[supes]

I can't say I go often enough to see.

[Pause, considering.]

Did you meet "God", when he was here?

[gevurah]

I'd heard something about a resident claiming to be God.

[supes]

I met him once. It was a little unsettling... and frustrating.

[gevurah]

[ A pause. It's kind of weird and... awkward to acknowledge this. ]

In... person, you mean? Religion tends to affirm God is incorporeal. You know, part of the whole omnipresence thing.