First Poem

[endless_destruction]

[Those in the lobby today will be treated to a strange sight. Where previously there wasn't, there is now a large, red-headed man with his journal open across his lap, sitting on a couch, looking none to bothered by this development. Propped up next to him is a bindle with a polka-dotted handkerchief hanging from it. He looks lost in thought, a pencil in his hand tapping his chin, before he writes.]

Changes
Come when we least expect them
Try as we may
We can't prevent them
Adapt
Or be swept away
in the
Changes

[The pencil taps on the page a few times, before a deep voice filters over it.]

Well, this is certainly a surprise. Would anyone be so kind as to tell me just where I am? Normally I wouldn't need to ask, but I seem to have lost my bearings. I could consult this handy journal for what I need, but I think I'd rather hear it firsthand.

Comments

Dictated!

[wheatdos]

[Here,Have a very stuttery british accent dictating to you.]

"Ah...ah, right... you, uh must be new here, mate!
This... you are in Paradisa. At least that's what I've been told that's it's name."

[He clears his throat.]

"Imagine...alright, imagine a vast castle, that collects up people from different universes and just... keeps them here. Suddenly. No warning. If-- I'll be honest, I don't know what it is it wants from us, but whatever it is, it hasn't made it obvious. T-takes a precious thing from us too."

[He's not very good at the explaining portion...]

[endless_destruction]

Hmm...like the Milton poem. Paradise Lost.

[He's picturing it, and he can feel all of the souls from all realities and walks of life intersecting, though having something "precious" taken from him gives him a moment of pause.]

So, if I'm understanding you right, I've been taken hostage by a castle, no doubt intelligent, and something's been taken from me?

[He checks his bindle. Both his scrying mirror and sigil are safe. What else did he have?]

It's ironic. I've spent so long wandering, avoiding what I've sown, to be held in such a place.

[wheatdos]

[There is a long pause. He speaks slowly, almost thoughtfully.]

"Y-yes. I suppose it's exactly like the poem."

[Especially since he's been here for quite a while...]

"...S-say, what's your name, mate?"

Dictated forever

[whichwayyoulean]

It was better before you got rid of the rhyme. Now it just looks pretentious.

[Yes that's all he's going to offer you, Destruction]

[builds]

Oncie, I don't think it's actually a rhyme if it's the same word used twice.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh bitch go away]

It's still better than that...what is it even? Is it a half-haiku?

[endless_destruction]

[What will greet the Once-ler in response is a deep, from-the-gut peal of laughter.]

Everyone's a critic. Perhaps you're right though. I couldn't think of anything off the top of my head that rhymed with "them" that would have made any sense. It's a work in progress.

[whichwayyoulean]

Changes
Come when we least expect them
Try as we may
Their speedy flow we can't stem

There. I fixed it. You're welcome.

[dictated]

[not_like_the_rest]

Welcome to crazy town. I agree on the little diddy thing you wrote.

[dictated]

[endless_destruction]

Thank you.

And yes. Change is the one unavoidable constant in existence. Even here, it seems, where so many have been brought from so many places.

[dictated FOREVER]

[not_like_the_rest]

Yep. [That's all she's got to say about that.]

Dictation!

[cyan_maid]

[Well, it's not the best poem, but considering what she's been through lately, it strikes something in her. She's not too keen on reliving what's eating her, though, so let's focus on you.]

This is Paradisa, sir.

Dictation Forever!

[endless_destruction]

[Hey! At least he can say he tried, and sort of succeeded in moving someone with his poetry!]

So I've gathered. I can't say I'm familiar with the place, which is strange enough by itself. This must be some sort of alternate universe, but it's not one I've ever paid a visit to before. Is there anything more I should know? Someone mentioned a "price" of sorts, but the poor fellow seemed a bit too scatterbrained to go into much detail.

Yes!

[cyan_maid]

You...visit universes, sir? [Well, she can't say she's ever encountered anyone who did, even here.]

Oh - yes. That would be a...a loss. The castle takes something from you when you come here. It can take most anything.

[heloise]

[ She circles him from afar, watching him curiously and spiraling closer and waiting for him to notice. ]

[endless_destruction]

[Of course, Destruction could feel Lucrezia's's presence long before she'd taken note of his, and was watching her as she cautiously approached him.]

Are you going to dance about me all day, or are you going to sit down so we might have a talk?

[Currently, he's drawing a pencil sketch of Lucrezia in his journal. It looks decent enough, but won't hold up very well under close scrutiny. His anatomy's off, and he doesn't have a very good sense of lighting or movement. Basically, he tried, but didn't quite hit where he was aiming, artistically.]

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia laughs when he speaks to her, though she circles closer instead of walking straight toward him, giggling some more when she catches sight of what might be herself. ]

Do you mean to paint me?

[ Pinturicchio's sketches were worse when he began, or so she believes. ]

[transferedfate]

[aaaaah, she was just passing by and can't help but feel a little uncomfortable at the idea of a guy just.... painting here]

It's, uh... a castle called Paradisa. Apparently it's magical.

[endless_destruction]

[He nods to the young lady, ceasing his sketching for a moment.]

So I've gathered. It must be quite magical, in fact, to keep so many from so many worlds and times captive all at once.

[transferedfate]

Yeah. You seem awfully calm about it... but I guess that's better than rampaging through the halls. [l-lol....]

[action]

[fatherandsun]

[Because Konzen seems to be in the lobby often these days.]

I'm relatively new to this confusing place as well. As far as I can tell, it's a castle filled with magic.

[He's sitting on a bench, a book open in his hands.]

Apparently, we can't leave.

[action]

[endless_destruction]

[Destruction nods to the other man in acknowledgement.]

Castles seem to be filled with little else, I've found. One wonders why architects ever abandoned the style?

[He'd found that much out for himself, as the Endless can't be truly bound to any place they don't choose to be. Apparently, the castle's magic is such that it could even bind an immortal conceept in place.]

That's distressing. People can't grow unless they can move about, expand their horizons.

[action]

[fatherandsun]

I agree. Coming from a place where things never changed, it was a shock to me when I encountered things that finally did... it's been a struggle to keep up.

[And his nightmares are getting worse. He hasn't mentioned them to anyone, but they're there and they're bad.]

I am Konzen Douji. Might I know your name?

[fishy_go_byebye]

[Del was hesitant. Scared, even, to speak to her big brother.

He was going to be mad, she just knew he was, and she hovered around a corner, blue-and-silver-specked eye watching him not-so-discreetly as bright red hair and a pale face revealed her hiding spot.]

That html fail didn't happen. You saw nothing >_>

[endless_destruction]

[Considering that, before coming here, he'd been looking after Del at the behest of Dream, Destruction is actually quite happy to see his sister. He'd known she was here all along, and had been patiently waiting for her to make her appearance. He beckons her with a hand to join him.]

You know, even in a place such as this you tend to stand out, Del. Why don't you come over here so I can have a look at you?