Cleau: Wonderful! Now that we’re all on the same page, you lot may as well follow me, I’ve already been circling this place for a few hours.
Seller: You look quite rejuvenated for being lost.
Cleau: Hah! Can’t say that same appearance shines on your face. To be honest though, the reason I say I’ve been here for a few hours is because of just that, I haven’t felt tired since I’ve got here.
Seller: Is there further reason to that?
Cleau: Reason? Whatever that may mean in this strange place we’re in, I’m not so sure… It just means I may have already been here for many days, or maybe not. Maybe you all will start feeling it eventually, and can bother to tell me if I really have gone crazy. Oh, I also haven’t felt hungry, or thirsty, since I can last remember, if that is of any help.
Greenwood: Well we don’t plan to stick around long enough to feel any effects ourselves, if there are any. I’m all for adventure, but we’d appreciate if you could lead us a clue on where to escape this place.
Cleau: Yes, yes! Of course. Ahem… I do recommend something first.
Seller: Hm?
Cleau: That is, step aside.
LEOPARD! [There is a flash of a distorted colorful hologram, shortly before Cleau moves forward effortlessly]
Crumble… BANG [The wall behind where Seller and Greenwood once stood was torn down, almost as if by a bulldozer]
Greenwood: What was that?!
Cleau: Oh you know, just a thrust here and there with a perfectly timed strike in the right place, and voila! Blah blah, just some simple martial arts!
Seller: More than what, why didn’t you do it earlier?
Cleau: Ah, you mean while I was here exploring? I was aware, but never genuinely considered it until now. It is some neat architecture after all, and I’d feel like an animal to tear it down without thought.
Seller: Like an animal?
Cleau: Yes, I arrived here and thought, if I am at fault for getting stuck here, I can also be at fault for finding a way out. Behaving uncivilly? No, no, I must uphold the same standards I set in my research. That’s how the creator of this place would want us to find the exit. Oh, we never were on the same page when it came to how we got here!
Seller: I’m all for playing fair, but sometimes it takes a larger animal to scare the dangerous ones away. If I were in your position earlier, I’d not feel an ounce of hesitance to use any tool at my disposal, including your Plate’s power.
Cleau: Is that so? You do seem panicked, but maybe you wouldn’t feel the same way if you got here like I did, through a sweet dream…
Seller: A sw-
Greenwood: Listen, not to be mean or anything, but what I meant was, what was the glitchy stuff around your Plate? They don’t usually do that… do they?
Cleau: About that… I’m not so sure, sorry.
[There is a small pause]
Seller: So, Cleau, is it? That’s the first time you’ve used your Plate since arriving, am I right?
Cleau: That is right.
Seller: And you didn’t so much as try prior to just now?
Cleau: Not that I can remember wanting to.
Seller: Then you may have been correct in your assessment, as unintentional as it was, to explore this place calmly.
Greenwood: Woah, woah, Seller. Why do you say that? Couldn’t she just have done this any moment?
Seller: Under usual circumstances, yes. I’m hoping it’s just me, but I need you to try something.
Greenwood: Yeah?
Seller: Try using your Plate for a moment.
Greenwood: Alright, sure thing.
KING OF LIMBS! [An awkward silence takes over Greenwood’s shoulder as the absence of what should usually be there, isn’t.] [Greenwood chuckles to himself in defeat as he looks around]
Greenwood: It… it won’t work. Nothing to be nervous of, it’s just like lifting up your hand to adjust your glasses and finding you don’t have them on in the first place, but you can still see just fine… Then you realize something’s missing and you can’t understand anything of what you are seeing despite seeing clearly, and then… you remember you never wore glasses in the first place.
Seller: That’s… one way to put it. Since we arrived at the same time, after Cleau, I’m assuming the only reason her Plate is working, albeit with a slight error, is due to the amount of time she’s spent here.
Greenwood: So we’re gonna have to wait it out? Then again we’re not-
Seller: Under usual circumstances.
Greenwood: Right… we have to hurry.
Seller: The only way to do that would be to follow Cleau’s lead, and find an escape together. However, we just met. Cleau, how can we be certain you’re trustworthy?
Greenwood: Sorry for speaking on her behalf, but in nature you’d observe defenseless creatures being preyed upon instantly by any predator who could take advantage of it. And considering we’re essentially unarmed right now, despite me not knowing Cleau’s intentions or motivations outside of looking for an escape like us, we’d be a symbiotic relationship at worst.
Seller: Symbiotic, huh? And how do you suppose we’re providing help back?
Greenwood: I believe I know a way out of here.
Cleau: Ahem, well then gentlemen. If you don’t mind, tell me where to go or what to do and I’ll be happy to break some walls!
Greenwood: Alright, that’s the ghost!
Seller: Spirit.
{END OF SECTION} | Next Page >> 1.3 - 3-1-12