[night] | [video]

[consultmybooks]

"Can't even shout, can't even cry
The Gentlemen are coming by
Looking in windows, knocking on doors
They need seven and they might take yours'.
Can't call Mum
Can't scream a word
You're going to die screaming and you won't be heard."

[That night, the strange, twisted little nursery rhyme sounds over the PORTAL network in the voice of an older British man

Comments

[snowwhitesoul]

You are in Promenade, the City of Dreams. It is nighttime and, through the mandate of the king, nobody may speak. Your voice shall return in the daytime, when you will have to wear the mask you undoubtedly have in your possession.

As for the Exile, we are not quite sure. It is a figure that is as nebulous as the riddles it leaves behind. You are also communicating through your PORTAL, which allows you to use the TENEKA function, which is what allows you to communicate at night.

It is a pleasure to meet you, Rupert Giles. I am Kuchiki Rukia.

[consultmybooks]

I do have a mask, actually. [Giles reaches out of sight of the screen before pulling his hand back, holding a half mask with a mirrored surface.] Stupid thing. Do I really have to wear it?

PORTAL? It looks like a...bastard child between a book and a computer. Nice that someone thought to plan for this...this ridiculousness that happens at night.

Kuchiki Ruka?

...Japanese, yes? Thank you, then, Kuchiki-san. That was all very helpful.

[snowwhitesoul]

Yes, unfortunately. It is the law, dictated by the Queen, that everyone wear masks during the day. She believes it makes everyone equal and the price for not doing so can be harsh. At the least, you will meet with severe disapproval from the populace, at the most you will attract the attention of Genero, the head of the Unnatural.

[Wonderful thing about TENEKA? It relays emotion remarkably well. Just Genero's name is laced with cold disdain and venom.]

Each PORTAL conforms to the user. There's a wide variety of shapes and forms used.

Yes, I am. It was no problem, Giles-san.

[consultmybooks]

...I assume that Genero is not someone I'd want to meet, then. Right. Appreciate the warning. [He can't laugh, not in this state, but the TENEKA does pick up an edge of black amusement.] I don't mind severe disapproval from the populace - I got that at home all the time. Sorry, I'm probably going to be doing this a lot - the "Unnatural"?

And does everyone know the Queen is mad, then, or just the newcomers to this place?

[snowwhitesoul]

He is a most unpleasant individual. He is also, as it seems, the administrator of the PORTAL system. He can see past any privacy lock you can create on this network.

[Oh yeah, that disdain is now close to revilement. Genero publicly tortured her best friend. She hates him about as much as she could hate anyone.]

The Unnatural is a section of the city where powers do not function. It is supposedly the housing of the most dangerous individuals in Promenade, kept under lock and key until they can be rehabilitated. One has escaped before and it was not pleasant.

The citizens adore the Queen and King, those of us that have been imported here are well aware of the insanity.

Aside from the ridiculous rules, there are other things you should be aware of. For one, we can dream up any sort of food or drink we desire. Any sort of clothing or luxury item can be produced on a whim.

[consultmybooks]

Well, I don't really have any powers to speak of, so that shouldn't be very much of a problem. I'll still give it a miss, though - thanks for the warning.

Oh, and since you mention...[He looks slightly away from Rukia.] Genero, if you come near me, mask or no mask, I will find a way to make the rest of your life miserable.

[And then he looks back.]

...the ones who have to live with insanity generally don't notice it, after a while. But it's always nice to know that madness isn't contagious.

So this is all a dream, then?

[snowwhitesoul]

[Oh Giles, if you only knew what you came in on the tail of.]

The city has the power to change us against our will at times. Or rather, encourage those who can change us to do so. We have several gods here, among them Aphrodite, whom have no qualms about visiting curses and spells upon the rest of us.

Yes, we are all dreaming. And so far, nobody has found a way to voluntarily escape.

[consultmybooks]

[He's not used to being the one having things explained.]

...Aphrodite?!

[snowwhitesoul]

Aphrodite. Fenrir. Lucifer, though I am told he is not technically a god. Loki and some others.

[consultmybooks]

In most sects of Christianity, Lucifer does not qualify as a deity, no.

...well, pity this is only a dream. They should be fascinating to meet in person.

[snowwhitesoul]

They are here, dreaming as well. There doesn't seem to be a reason to not meet with them if you are willing to risk it. I would not advise it, though.

[consultmybooks]

Any particular reason why not?

[snowwhitesoul]

They are...capricious. And have no qualms with manipulating others to their amusement. Aphrodite once curse the entire city to speak love poetry for three days before a party she threw.

[consultmybooks]

Most deities are capricious.

...but I am a bit rusty on my love poetry, I admit.

[snowwhitesoul]

She has not created such problems on a mass scale, but she is fond of injecting herself into personal affairs.

[consultmybooks]

As most gods are.

What about the other sort? Demons and the like?

((ooc: I'm so sorry, I could have sworn I answered this T_T.))