Alone on a wide wide sea.

[abidinglaw]

[For some time now one node on the Journal network has been broadcasting an anonymous patch of sky broken only occasionally by the pacing back and forth of a quaking, sea-soaked man. His hair is matted and bedraggled, his arms are wrapped around his shoulders to conserve what little warmth he has. Occasionally there are sounds of a voice straining

Comments

[voice]

[thedicearecast]

[It's less the man that catches Amelia's attention first, and more the sounds coming from that journal entry. As someone from a desert who has never seen or heard the ocean, the sound of water moving like that is fascinating. But nice though it is, whoever the man is keeps speaking, in what largely comes off as nonsense. Amelia figures out pretty quickly that this is a new person--not that it's hard to tell.

When he actually speaks to the journal (and by extension, the network), she lets out a sigh. Might as well not leave him lost any longer.]

It's ridiculous, but it's not fantasy. Everything that's happening is real.

[abidinglaw]

That .. goes without saying.

[For all the certainty of his words, his tone is doubtful. He is, after all, talking to a book.]

[thedicearecast]

If you just believe me like that, you really might be crazy.

[Amelia's tone is rather flat as she says this.]

People I trust completely told me about where I was when I first got here, and I still had trouble accepting it. I'm a complete stranger to you.

[abidinglaw]

You mistake me, madam.

[Since the voice that he is hearing is female the gendered word comes naturally to his lips. Old habits.]

For something to happen, it must surely be real. Likewise for something to be real it must necessarily be happening.

My apologies, what exactly is going on?

[thedicearecast]

[Given most of the men she meets, "madam" doesn't even come close to the list of things that annoy Amelia to be called.]

I guess that's one way of looking at the wings on your back.

It sounded like you were reading from the guide earlier. It sums up the situation pretty well. Right now, your best bet would be to find your way to the village somehow.

[abidinglaw]

[The wings again. He'll have to examine them once he finds shelter.]

The village. Is it far from the beach?

[thedicearecast]

That depends. What's a beach?

[abidinglaw]

[Perhaps it's a problem with his pronunciation. He'll try to rephrase himself.]

A point where the land meets the sea. Is the village far from the ocean?

[thedicearecast]

[Sea, ocean. Amelia thinks she's heard of those terms, but it's hard to be sure.] Those have something to do with water, right?

[It would explain all the sounds she's hearing.]

[abidinglaw]

Something, yes.

[It is becoming rapidly obvious that pronunciation is not the issue here.]

How long have you... 'been' here?

[People keep asking him that - as though it is relevant. Perhaps, in this case, it will be.]

[thedicearecast]

Then you probably aren't close. I know there are rivers and lakes nearby, but I haven't heard of an ocean. Can you see a forest or mountains from where you are?

[Amelia is hoping for woods, herself. At least that would put him closer.]

[Then he asks her something Amelia really hasn't considered. She pauses, only to sound less than pleased about the answer.] ...Two months today. It feels like longer.

[abidinglaw]

There are not enough trees to constitute a forest, but you are quite right about the mountains. I have heard there is a path through them - if only I could locate it.

[thedicearecast]

Those might be the same mountains I'm thinking of. If you're lucky. [Which, given how this man's day is going so far? Is pretty doubtful.] On the other side will be woods, and through there, the village where everyone stays.

I don't know of a path, but I've never tried going through the mountains. Someone else might have an idea.

[abidinglaw]

[Someone like Jack Sparrow - though he'll be damned if he'll go crawling back to that man again.]

I appreciate your assistance, regardless. You have been most kind.

[thedicearecast]

Right. Good luck getting here. If you still need help then-- [Amelia hesitates, considering her situation. But she can't stay cooped up in Vash's apartment forever.]

I'm Amelia. I can show you around if you can't find anyone else to.