I'm afraid not, no. But I've had people from home come to visit me before, so it's really not so bad as you might think. I do still get to see my family at times, when they can manage to get through to see me.
It is, mostly. But every so often we'll have a curse where a whole crowd of visitors seems to get through for a day or two to see us, and they come from all over--sometimes our own worlds, and sometimes others. It's really great fun to see, when they all arrive.
Er, but if you don't mind my asking--are you new here, then?
I'm afraid so. They usually come about once a season, though, so now that it's fall, they'll likely be back to pay a visit anytime now. I remember last year they came for Halloween, and we all had a lovely party together.
Well, it's very nice to meet you, Arthur! I'm Rosella. Have you been settling in well? I know the past few days have been rather awful, but it's usually not nearly so, er, busy around here, really.
And then they disappear the very next day. Pretty cruel, when you think about it.
Nice to meet you, too, Rosella. I've been settling in pretty well, despite the recent flood. It was an interesting way to pass the week, that's for sure. That was just one of the crazier curses?
Well, it all depends on how you look at it, I think. That's why I try to think of them as visitors and guests. That way, I'll always remember that they can't stay for long, so I ought to enjoy the time I have with them while it lasts.
That was one of the odder ones. And certainly one of the worse ones, what with the ship sinking and everyone landing in the ocean and all. Normally the curses only last one day, midnight to midnight, and they're usually more inconvenient than dangerous.
I can't help but wonder if it's some kind of elaborate trick. If people from outside can come here and interact with us, they'd naturally want to find their way back here somehow, wouldn't they? Unless they're made to forget everything as soon as they leave.
So I've heard. 'Weird' doesn't even begin to describe this city.
It's a little of both, I think. I've talked to people before that have said they've tried to find their way through for a long time, and only just managed it on that day, and I've also talked to people that have said they haven't noticed any time passing at all while we're gone. And that's how everyone says it works here, too--that so long as we're here, time doesn't move back home. Which is why they can't find their way back on their own, perhaps, since nothing's moving until we come back ourselves, anyway.
It is rather odd, isn't it? And the clock certainly doesn't make things any easier.
I think it's convenient, really. That way no one is missing us while we're gone, so we don't have to worry about anyone getting upset and concerned when they find out we've disappeared.
It is, yes. And they say it runs on misery, too, which is supposedly the reason behind the curses at all.
It's always better to look on the bright side of things that way, I think.
That's how one of the stories goes, anyway. But I'm afraid no one is really sure. One idea says that it only runs on misery, while another says it'll take any strong emotion, and I'm sure there are others that say different things entirely.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Er, but if you don't mind my asking--are you new here, then?
Reply
I've been here a little over a week, now, so yes. My name's Arthur.
Reply
Well, it's very nice to meet you, Arthur! I'm Rosella. Have you been settling in well? I know the past few days have been rather awful, but it's usually not nearly so, er, busy around here, really.
Reply
Nice to meet you, too, Rosella. I've been settling in pretty well, despite the recent flood. It was an interesting way to pass the week, that's for sure. That was just one of the crazier curses?
Reply
That was one of the odder ones. And certainly one of the worse ones, what with the ship sinking and everyone landing in the ocean and all. Normally the curses only last one day, midnight to midnight, and they're usually more inconvenient than dangerous.
Reply
So I've heard. 'Weird' doesn't even begin to describe this city.
Reply
It is rather odd, isn't it? And the clock certainly doesn't make things any easier.
Reply
That's what generates the ticking, isn't it?
Reply
It is, yes. And they say it runs on misery, too, which is supposedly the reason behind the curses at all.
Reply
So then the purpose of the curses is to cause us misery in order to power this clock?
Reply
That's how one of the stories goes, anyway. But I'm afraid no one is really sure. One idea says that it only runs on misery, while another says it'll take any strong emotion, and I'm sure there are others that say different things entirely.
Reply
Leave a comment