024 - 4th wall

[blacklodged]

[AUDIO - and this isn't Cooper speaking. It's a strange, stilted voice you don't recognise.]

You are heere an thereis no place to g o ... BUT HOME!!

[After that, have some laughter. Again, not Cooper.]

[ACTION ANYWHERE: A lot of you know Cooper, but none of you know exactly how bizarre his life actually is. If you run into him today - anywhere,

Comments

action: red room

[cardinal_cage]

[ichabod inhales sharply as he takes in his new surroundings. he's... not in the hollow anymore, is he?]

[he swallows. what is this place?]

[reddrapes]

[They don't. They show the same room with the chairs and the flashing lights.]

[The tiny drops of blood are gone, though. Maybe they were never there. Maybe they were always in his hands.]

[cardinal_cage]

[he stands in the middle of the room. the lights are still making him feel uncomfortable, but nothing in particular seems to be happening. he looks down at his hands again]

[has he always been here? or was he never here at all?]

[reddrapes]

[That's a damn good question. He can stay there for as long as he likes and ponder it, but those lights are unsettling to stay in for too long.]

[There's down to the left if he wants to go back. Unless he wants to go forward again, but he probably knows what awaits him there.]

[cardinal_cage]

[is it the corridor with the statue, or is it the one without it? or was that the same corridor? he doesn't know. but he parts the curtains-- and suddenly, he is out?]

[blacklodged]

[Out and well! There's snow, a dirt road, some trees, and a man in a coat looking at a little man clad in red with a troubled expression as he laughs, uncontrollably, glances at Ichabod and disappears.]

[Cooper remains ... a blue and yellow dog is by his side, and he pets her distractedly before looking at the stranger.]

[cardinal_cage]

[ichabod stares at the spot where the little man stood just a second ago. that's... interesting]

[he looks quite shaken, the constable. and with all right probably]

[blacklodged]

[Yes, with all right. Coop looks a little shaken himself, but probably nowhere near as bad, and that's the reason he offers a few words - after a moment of quietly observing the other.]

Are you alright?

[cardinal_cage]

I-- yes [he presses, clearing his throat. he swallows] T-thank you [he then adds. for asking, that is]

[blacklodged]

[He nods, frowns a little at the other. Nervous guy. Very pale.]

Do you need help?

[cardinal_cage]

[nervous? oh, cooper, you have no idea]

Yes [he says, perhaps a bit too quickly] Where am I? Exactly? [he adds, shifting uncomfortably, his voice breaking]

[blacklodged]

I don't know. All we do know is that it a place called Johto and looks to be a different world.

[..yes, he is getting an idea. Very nervous. Everything practically screams nervous about him, so Coop tries to be gentle in breaking these news.]

[cardinal_cage]

[he visibly pales -- if that's actually possible]

Dif-- different world? [he chokes. this is absurd. what happened to america?]

[blacklodged]

Yes.

You should return to your own sooner rather than later.

[At least if things keep up the pattern they've had the last few times.]

[cardinal_cage]

[he frowns. he's silent for a while, thinking. then he looks at cooper again]

So I shall remain here... until then?[he asks]

[and what about that other place with the curtains...]

[blacklodged]

I don't think you have much of a choice.

[It's matter of fact, but with a gentle edge. This guy looks like he needs it - and he gives him a hint of a smile to go with his next few words.]

It's not a bad place, just a little strange.