paradisa | (no subject)

Entry tags:

!intro,
clementine

(no subject)

[There's a little girl standing outside the castle in skirt and red hoodie, looking around frantically. Maybe this wouldn't be too strange if she wasn't thoroughly caked with blood, front and back.]

--Lee? Lee!

[She's about ready to bolt, but her feet seem glued to the spot. It looks like she's not sure what to start towards--the giant castle, the city in the distance, or whatever trees are around?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, isn't that a bitter pill to swallow? How do you fix a situation that's only going to occur once one is already away from here?

At the small step back, he'll just crouch down until he's more her level, and not towering over her, trying to appear less intimidating. That would be a soft smile your way]

I do. This place is called Paradisa, the castle and the world both. It brought you here, or so many believe.

[Getting on her level helps, as well as the smile. She visibly relaxes, after another nervous glance around.]

World? I don't get it.

[She looks from this person to the castle.]

I've never seen a real castle before...

It isn't the world you are used to. Which is Earth, I presume? Admittedly, the details are something I have trouble grasping myself. The science is...

[Bullshit. In his frank opinion, in no way is his time frame just not advanced enough for this] Most simply say it is the result of magic.

[Here he looks a little amused, and glances over his shoulder at the castle] No? Then perhaps you are in luck. It is after all, where you are meant to be staying, for the near future.

Magic?

[Clem still believes in the tooth fairy and Santa. After seeing the dead come back to life, magic is pretty easy to buy.]

Is there a king and a queen in there? And a prince and princess?

[She asks partly out of childish curiosity, and partly because they'd have to be able to help her... right?]

Yes. If you...Wish for things, it shall appear before you. I do not recommend it, however.

[Noooot a magic fan, sorry Clem! There's a pause where he considers the question] There is royalty, yes, but the castle does not belong to any of them. Everyone who resides in the castle was pulled here, just like you were.

Why not? Is it bad?

[She looks contemplative, fiddling with her sleeves. Her messy, sticky sleeves.]

Then--what do I do?

In a manner of speaking. It comes with a price, of course.

[He'll hold out his hand, slowly, so as not to spook her] First, you should locate your room here, and get cleaned up. Perhaps eat something, if you are hungry. I can help you look.

My name is Arthur, Arthur Pendragon.

I won't make any wishes. [No, she'll have to try it at least once. A lot of this initial information will slip her mind.

The mention of a room and food makes her remember how tired and hungry she is. She nods.

And then

She gasps and stares at Arthur.]

Good, I am glad to hear it.

[He frowns slightly. THAT'S....not the reaction he was expecting. Mostly, because at times it's weird to remember that people can recognize him for reasons other than him being there before]

Is something the matter? We can try and look for... [Ah hell, he can't remember the name she was saying] The person looking after you, as well.

You're... him.

[Clem likes her fantasy stories, and she knows the whole Sword in the Stone business. It makes sense to her that this princely looking person would definitely be royalty, and he must be THAT Arthur because he's trying to help her.

Despite everything that's happened, Clem smiles and manages a tiny excited hop.]

I'm Clementine. Please, can you help me look for Lee? Do you think he's in the castle, in a room?

You've heard of me, then.

[He's already figured that out, but...You know, in this case? Probably not a bad thing. Because the stories, they're all fond of him, speak of his greatness. In this instance, he supposes, it's fortunate they were correct on that end]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Clementine. And yes, I can. If he was pulled to the world with you, he will have a room with his name upon the door, so if he is not there...At least you'll have a place to wait for him to return.

If he isn't here...Is there someone else to look after you?

Mhmm! You pulled the sword out of the stone.

[She nods, liking the sound of what Arthur's saying.]

No, but I'm okay on my own.

I did, yes.

[He offers his hand again, as he starts to stand. He tries to keep most of the amusement out of his voice]

I'm very certain that's true. You seem like quite the intelligent girl. However, this place can...It is not the safest of places. You should not be on your own.

[Clem takes his hand.]

Are you going to look after me?

[He'll head them in the direction of the castle and lets a silence settle between them. It's not exactly what he intended by comment. There were certainly people better prepared for such a thing, like some that actually had children within the castle.

On the other hand, he doesn't know everyone, and like the castle with it's glamorous outsides...There are plenty who may appear nice, logical, or full of maternal instinct and yet be capable of great acts of evil. If he isn't certain, he can't exactly recommend she enters their care.

...Neutral response, for now]

Would you like me to?

Yes. [An almost immediate response. But she's quick to tack on:] If that's okay. I don't want to bug you.

[...He looks a little surprised, and he's inwardly a little alarmed. That certainly was a snap decisions, and while he's by no means a liar, Clem didn't even bother trying to force him to prove he was who he claimed to be.

By his understanding, most people assume he never existed at all. And she simply...He squeezes her hand lightly, and affects a bright smile]

Don't be ridiculous, you would not be a bother at all. If we cannot find your friend, I would be honoured to. Though, I do not live in the castle, and I have plenty of pets.

[There's a castle. That's proof enough, for her.]

Where do you live? What kind of pets do you have?

[Oh my god, child. He's going to screen everyone you meet. For serious]

In a house, within the city. It has more than enough room for you. [He'll just jerk a thumb over his shoulder, in the direction of the city, in case she didn't actually notice it when she first arrived]

All sorts. I have a dog, an infant lion, a snake, and...Several other creatures I cannot identify.

[She gapes.]

You have a baby lion?

Yes, he's rather well behaved for one. His name is Elyan.

[And if he ever figures out who thought naming it after his once, near brother-in-law, was a good idea...He's going to hurt them]

I've only seen lions at the zoo. They were all asleep, though.

[With her parents. The thought makes her go quiet.]

What is a zoo?

[Welp, accidentally hitting awkward conversations. Off to a great start already!]

It's where animals live. They have lions, elephants, tigers, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, and all kinds of other animals there that people can see.

...I have not heard of most of those. And no such thing exists in my time, they simply...All live within the wild.

[A beat] But you may show me one, if the world ever changes to accomodate you.