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.

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.

[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.

[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?"

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh bitch go away]

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

[endless_destruction]

That doesn't bode well for any of us, but time will tell.

[He muses for a moment. Many people ask him his name, but he rarely ever actually introduces himself.]

I've had many over the years, but for the sake of simplicity, you can call me Joe.

[Wheatley should get the impression that Joe is decidedly not the man's name.]

[builds]

Sounds like something you'd hear at a poetry reading, really. Which isn't saying much, those are pretty much universally bad.

[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.

[endless_destruction]

Not bad. Not bad at all. Perhaps my specialty isn't poetry. Ah well, at least I can say I tried.

What's your name?

[builds]

Changes
Come when we least expect
Try as we may
We cannot reject

[endless_destruction]

Now I just feel as though you're both trying to make me look bad.

[He chuckles.]

Not that it's a bad thing, mind you. A man can use a lesson in humility every now and again.

[builds]

I'm afraid I must have missed that lesson.

[endless_destruction]

It's a hard pill to swallow, but it's medicine good for the soul. You sound like you could use it yourself, no offense.

[builds]

Maybe. But I'm afraid I'm not one for medicine.

[wheatdos]

"..."

[Narrowy eyes.]

"Joe huh?"

[Suspiciousssssssssssssssss]

"...Joe what, exactly?"

[endless_destruction]

Ahh, stubborn too. I used to be like you, once upon a time. I can admire that in a man though. Stubbornness I mean, it means you'll see things through to their absolute end, even when most would run.

[endless_destruction]

Just Joe for now. Maybe someday I'll tell you what they called me in Ancient Greece.

[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.

[whichwayyoulean]

The trying is/i> the important thing.

I'm The Once-ler. So, you're new?

[endless_destruction]

Indeed. You can't say that you've succeeded or failed, until you've given the effort to try, first.

I am, so it seems. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Once-ler.

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh right. Usually filled with beatniks and hipsters.

[dictated FOREVER]

[not_like_the_rest]

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