01/01. an arrival.

[icingkills]

[ voice ]

[There's the sound of running water close by, along with the rustle of leaves. Someone is posting from within Xanadu.]

I know plenty of people had the motive to kidnap me, but I didn't think any of them would actually go through with it. Or that they'd take me somewhere so pleasant. Should I thank someone?

[It's a new voice. A beat.

Comments

[knaveswitness]

If only this was a kidnapping!

[icingkills]

I'm afraid kidnappers don't usually have such nice gardens. And they do terrible things like put you in the boots of cars.

Or so I'm told. This doesn't seem to be that sort of place, at any rate.

1/2

[knaveswitness]

Or hold you for ransom! Or drug you!

So I'm told.

[knaveswitness]

No, no, nothing like that~

A place like this only keeps you. And then puts you through the wringer every few days!

Voice

[eagleofautozam]

You are in the ‘City’…

People are bought to this place against their will and keep here by the barrier that surrounds this area.

[A friendly unseen smile. ]

I am Eagle Vision from a planet called Autozam.
What is your name? Did you come from ‘Earth’ like so many others have?

Voice

[icingkills]

Then I suppose it's just a very unconventional kidnapping. They certainly don't usually involve people claiming to be from other planets.

That would be a yes. I'm from Earth. My name is Jack Simon. I don't suppose you'd care to explain more than that?

Voice 1/2

[eagleofautozam]

A kidnapping for unknown reasons… with an unknown purpose, much more… interesting than a conventional kidnapping.

[eagleofautozam]

There are creatures here that call themselves deities… that may or may not be in charge of this ‘City’. Curses that are unleashed on the populace at regular intervals, monsters in the woods and a ticking clock that is said to drive people mad if they stay alone for too long.

[All of this is said matter-of-factly…
This city’s quarks are becoming almost normal to Eagle. ]

Do you have some way of defending yourself? You may need that skill here.

[soulofocean]

Well, that's a first. Not everyone arrives here in the mood to joke around, let me tell you.

Least of all about getting kidnapped!

[icingkills]

A first? I'm honored.

I like to think humor helps.

[soulofocean]

You shouldn't be! You should be more like worried.

No kidnapping experience can possibly get you close to this unless your world's weirder than this place. Which I kinda doubt.

[icingkills]

My world can be a little strange, but I'd never heard of real curses until I came here. I think it's safe to say this place is stranger.

[milkboned]

... It won't make sense.

[icingkills]

I've noticed.