1. Gravity/Is working against me

[pompous_today]

[Simon has been exploring for a while before finally deciding to settle down and contact others. His writing is neat and precise.]

I have been walking around for a while, but I have to admit that I am feeling confused and lost. I am unclear on how or why I was brought here, or even where I am, really, though this journal is a fascinating way to communicate with others- if others can, indeed, read what I am writing.

My name is Simon. I am looking for my sister, River Tam, though if anybody else recognizes me, I would be more than happy to see you. There appear to be plenty of other residents here, however, so I would be grateful for any information any of you might have.

Comments

dictated;

[gottaknockhard]

[... Huh.]

Your sister?

[pompous_today]

Yes. Do you know her?

[gottaknockhard]

Yeah. [Pausing, since... well, he doesn't exactly sound related.] I didn't know she had a brother.

[pompous_today]

Really? She hasn't mentioned me?

[gottaknockhard]

We don't talk that often. [More like he doesn't always understand what she's saying.] I spent more time with her friends.

[pompous_today]

I understand. I am happy to know that she is here, at least.

[gottaknockhard]

[He's taking this well.]

Last I checked.

/dictated

[cricketycricket]

Ah, Dr. Tam. [the voice that drifts out of the pages is warm, if not familiar] Welcome to Paradisa. If River's not found you yet, I assure you, she will soon enough.

[pompous_today]

So she is here? That is good- she does have a tendency to find me fairly quickly.

[cricketycricket]

She is, yes. I'm afraid you just missed Zoe by a few weeks' time, though. And I'm forgetting my manners, terribly sorry. I'm the Doctor. How much have you read, so far, or been told?

[pompous_today]

Thank you, Doctor. Is that your whole name?

I have not been told much. How did Zoe leave here? Not that I quite understand how I got here in the first place, of course.

[cricketycricket]

Well, it's more an honorarium - my given name's a bit ... tedious and difficult, so it's easier, here.

And she left the same way we all arrive and depart - quite mysteriously, though not for lack of investigation.

[pompous_today]

I see. I will remember that, then.

So they simply vanish? Without any warning?

[heloise]

We call this place Paradisa. It is the castle that gathers us here, it will provide as well. You need only wish.

[pompous_today]

Paradisa. That is good to know, thank you.

Not to sound cynical, but is there some sort of catch to that?

[heloise]

A catch?

I was told the castle takes something from us when we arrive.

[pompous_today]

... That is strange. I do not appear to be missing anything.

[heloise]

I have not found what I lost, either.

[pompous_today]

Knowing my luck, I will figure it out soon enough.

[withmymind]

Simon?

[ The voice sounds a little distant at first, as if River isn't close to the journal. Spoiler: she isn't. She was laid on the other side of the room, holding one of Kaylee's shirts. It still smelt like her after all this time, and River did miss the other girl

Her head tips to the side, looking at her journal after hearing Simon speak before she slowly moves towards it. The castle had dictated his writing to her, her leaving the journal open to listen

She hadn't expected this. Everyone had been leaving, as they should have... but Simon coming? She didn't know if this was good, not with the castle

But she had missed him ]

Simon!

[ Her voice is louder now, now that she's looking right at the journal ]

Here. Not lost.

[pompous_today]

[Handwritten, since Simon has yet to quite work out how the journal functions.]

River! Of course you are not lost. I am, in fact.

[withmymind]

Could find you. It's a castle, easy to work around. [ Unless you're in the library, or the Season's Room, then you could be lost foreveeeer ]

[pompous_today]

I would like that. I do not want to accidentally go somewhere I'm not supposed to.

[withmymind]

There's no wrong places. It's open. [ Pause, and River gets up, picking her journal up ] Go to the door.

[pompous_today]

That is good to know.

... which door?