XXXII

[wilder]

[Private]

[There's some notes jotted down as he flips through old entries. Finding out Katara was gone, his first friend to ever leave, made him feel like maaaybe he should get some work done to serve as a distraction]

"The castle also seems to enact some kind of mental draw on residents who attempt to go beyond its borders too far: however Roy Harper claimed that eventually, anyone could learn to ignore it." (Lane, [Page #])

"... back in January of 4CRE, there was an attempt by the castle to manipulate many of the powerful residents into thinking that they should be townspeople. This was only stopped when the people who weren't affected... destroyed the castle. I think that repairing itself and keeping us under control was too much energy for it. Lente remarked that the townspeople did not exist when the first generation lived here, and that there were thousands of residents of the castle at the time....

Though I do not know any measurement on what the castle's energy is in any quantifiable way like electricity. But there is a limit." (Walker, [Page #])

"Wanderer's Yard: Northwest of the castle. Contains gravestone-like structures containing the names of all current residents, past and present. Current resident names are painted in red." (Lane, [Page #])

"[Flora] claimed to have bound her life to the tree in exchange for its assistance...Flora implied that the tree inside Mineas Well has magic that functions within the Dead Zone, but can only be accessed by one who has made a pact with it; in this case, Flora herself." (Lane, [Page #])

"[Six]'s had contact with a number of groups and individuals, including Flora. He feels that anyone he's run into who seems themselves as a 'native' here is likely simply delusional." (Lane, [Page #]).

"- [Libet] skeletons that appeared to be in the middle of every day events (such as eating a sandwich). Lakare brought back bone samples." (Lane, [Page #]) (Lakare's either a fake name or they were sent home).

"The primary source of power has always been the human soul and its wide range of emotions. Sudden pikes or changes in emotions generate greater power, and as such Cair Paradisa has become volatile in nature in order to produce more power for itself. This has been necessary since the Great Departure when The Five first departed from the castle, resulting in the creation of five additional smaller castles...." (Unknown [Page #])

"...named Libet, whose personality differed from that of Cair Paradisa. A more benevolent castle, it catered to the whims of its residents to the best of its ability. The result was castle that maintained a cycle of power. The love its inhabitants felt for it fueled the castle itself, and in turn it would reward the people by bestowing them with gifts. Often times the gifts were rather extravagant, requiring a great deal of energy.

It was not nearly as volatile as its predecessor, and as a result took in less power than it exerted. Though loved dearly by its inhabitants, Libet could not continue to sustain itself, which resulted in its untimely demise, and the demise of those who did not wish to flee in its final hours..." (Unknown, [Page #])

"You see around you what the remains of a once grand and happy place.
On January 5th, our once-happy castle began to collapse.
It had grown tired of our need to grow beyond it.
It wanted to stay as it was, while we wanted progress.
It reminded us of our past experiences, and its history disgorged.
We long have feared that our paradise would die.
It seems so very weak these days.
It doesn't speak to us anymore.
We fear it soon will completely, collapse." (Libet, [Page #] )

Speculations
- Residents are connected to their castles. Leaving to the Dead Zone doesn't alter this.
- Castles and other magic sources in this world draw from the energy of the soul and/or lifeforce. This is the connection.
- The further we are from the castle, it's probably harder for it to feed on us. That's why we feel that draw back in the Dead Zone.
- First Generations haven't found a way to sever it. It's possible they want us to stay here to keep the castle fed. [muttered] Assholes.
- The People of Libet died when Cair Libet died. [a pause] Very important to find out if there were survivors.
- It's possible this connection remains even after we leave, while our names are in the Wanderer's Yard. Maybe former residents are brought back when the castle needs more energy? Should check out Wanderer's Yard sometime.
- Find a way to cut the connection without killing us all. This is key.

[When he finishes writing it all down. He sighs and takes a long look at it. This is only the tip of the iceberg of problems- and he already was feeling tired of it all. His life back home was problematic enough. Just why did he seem so cursed to never get an easy life?]

[Survivors of Libet]

[He'll write this in plain handwriting, completely different from his regular over-fancy handwriting so it's pretty much anonymous but doesn't look like it's an attempt to be so]

Are any of you out there?

[Raine]

[It was a good hour of debating if he should say anything to anyone. He definitely won't make it public, he doesn't want his name connected to anything at all. His trust issues are far too great to deal with that. But hey...there is one academic-minded person he can trust. So finally, after a long time, he'll open that long private filter to Raine, then there's a moment where he contemplates saying something. Some sort of complaint? A flirtation? Some note to add?]

[...Nah. He rather pretend he didn't do all this work by not acknowledging it at all. He'll let her say something if she has something she wishes to say.]

[Katara]

...

Don't come back, okay?

[/Filters]

[Finally many many hours later, he's done with having distractions and oh yeah, it's probably time to actually say something. Feels weird, it's his first time too. He'll dictate in his casual tone]

Sorry to say, but it looks like Katara's gone home.

[And yep. That's about all he has to say about that]

Comments

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[impetuous]

Friend of yours?

holds your place forever!!

[wilder]

Yeeeep.

You better!

[impetuous]

I'm sorry.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Fake sister :(]

...Oh. Well, she was missing home, so I guess that got fixed for her.

[wilder]

[Once ;;]

Yeah. Home sounded pretty nice for her.

[whichwayyoulean]

Even with the weird animals and knowing a part of her future already.

Zelos

[ruin_mania]

[written]

"Lakare" is the nickname of the Fifth Doctor, as opposed to Zivilyn, the Eleventh who was here for some time. I believe it is simply "Doctor" in another language.

Reno Browne is likely from Libet, while Lente was originally from this castle. Possibly Whip Wilson was also from Libet. Library records indicate John Hammond at least left books here, if he did not dwell here himself.

If there were five other castles, we know of two: this castle, and the one marked on the far northeast corner of the map. "Six", who is a young man known to visit Flora, has said that he feels a force pushing him away whenever he moves in that direction, near where the castle marking on the map is.

The Wanderer's Yard should now be inside the boundaries of the "live zone", if you'd like to visit some time.

[dictated] Excellent analysis. You've been paying attention, I see. Would that I could say the same of others.

Raine

[wilder]

That guy, huh? Has he mentioned anything about the bones to you? And what makes you think Reno and Whip were from Libet?

[he makes a hm noise as he contemplates] I think I will visit it. I seriously need to stretch my legs.

[Finally an awkward pause at the last part] Eh, it's nothing. Sure many people have already reached the same conclusion.

Zelos

[ruin_mania]

No, not particularly. There's still very much I haven't learned about Libet. However, I do think I heard someone mention Reno had said she came from Libet. I may be remembering incorrectly, though. As for Whip, he was an old friend of hers. How old, is the question?

That's not a bad idea, as we still haven't heard of a departure date from Aradia.

I wouldn't be so certain. There are far too many who seem content to ignore the World Beyond entirely, not to mention the actual mechanics of the castle itself.

[heal_theworld]

...Katara's gone? [She sighs.] Home is probably better for her. She seemed so sad when I met her.

[wilder]

Yeah. She missed her friends and family a lot.

[heal_theworld]

Well, I hope she's really happy there. [Pause.] What have you been doing lately? [Translation: How have you been?]?

{Dictated}

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Well, that was fast. She'd seemed so happy to see Jade when he'd arrived.]

I see, thank you for the news.

{Dictated}

[wilder]

Not a problem!

[mom_to_us_all]

You don't need a hug, do you? [Because she could give him one! But better ask you know... plus arms... not quite there at the moment. Oh, and she might be teasing him a little.]

[wilder]

A hug? Why would I need that?

[mom_to_us_all]

Friends leaving and all that.

dictated

[polar]

[When Korra finally speaks, her voice is muffled.]

I know.

dictated

[wilder]

[Oh man, and this is the person he legit feels bad about. ]

Sorry.

dictated

[polar]

Don't.

[heliotroping]

[WELP Rin's going to kill him if she finds out he never got around to getting lunch with Katara

Feeling impending doom, he can't coherently form thoughts and dumb things just come out of his mouth]

....oh.

[wilder]

...Oh?

[heliotroping]

I... never got to treat her out to lunch.

[cricketycricket]

She has? Oh, dear. ... Well ... I hope she's happy there. She did seem to miss it quite a great deal.

[btw, his ears are ringing, dude]

[wilder]

From the sound of it, she's in for a good long life there.

[LAKARE!! ]