∞ 35: Reminiscence [written/action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Twenty more days.

That is what Faeren has told me. When Luceti was still at its most unknown and the time of day was the least of my concerns, she observed. October 27, by the calculations based off my calendar. As I think of it now, I imagine it will be a depressing day when it arrives. But the reality will likely be less stunning. Unless, of course, the Malnosso have set the day aside for an anniversary experiment.

Because that is what it will be: an anniversary.

There were 20 of us, in the beginning. Ironic how I write that on this day. Of those 20, there are only 3 of us who remain. The houses were occupied by one or two at most, and the only community housing building was largely empty. That first day was the only time I could reliably record the population of the Luceti for several months.

Then came the floods. Not the experiment, but the droves of people. Luceti fell into chaos; a cacophony of confused souls who couldn't wrap their minds around the situation. As quickly as the chaos settled in, the Malnosso made themselves known by sending the rains and stealing away individual test subjects.

It hasn't ceased since then. The kidnappings, the experiments. But the Malnosso have changed their tactics, ever so slightly. They do not speak or taunt anymore, as they did before every experiment in the past. They have developed a system for introducing new test subjects, which has since then been dubbed the New Feather cycle. They have been seen, and yet have not, by several inhabitants.

Some call Luceti home now. Some cannot imagine ever leaving it. Some live in a daze, comfortable in this peaceful anarchy. Some have given up entirely.

Twenty more days.

[action]

[Albert sits on a bench in the fountain plaza, his expression closed. He looks pale from his time spent indoors nowadays. In fact, he looks rather numb, just sitting there with his journal.]

Comments

[Private // Written]

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

Things tend to be less stunning when they arrive then when you're waiting on them. Same could be said of looking at things symbolically.

[Private // Written]

[chikaidestroyer]

That's the hope.

[Private // Written]

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

Heh... right.

[There's a pause for a moment. She doesn't touch on Ceasar, but in weighs in on her mind a little. Still, she shakes it, instead deciding to focus on this topic]

Who're the other 'lucky' two?

[Private // Written]

[chikaidestroyer]

Cless Alvein and Luke fon Fabre. Both fairly active in their own niches of the village.

[themoonuplifts.livejournal.com]

[Usagi, sneaking away from the clinic for a break, spots Albert on the bench. She does take note on how he looks, which to her anything not happy is sad, and decides he needs someone to cheer him up.]

Alllbberrrttt! Why so glum?

[chikaidestroyer]

[Oh Usagi. When have you ever seen this guy relatively happy? He looks up, raising a brow. Let's dodge that question!]

Not enough patients to keep you busy, Usagi?

[themoonuplifts.livejournal.com]

[Usagi frowns a little at that. No avoiding questions, mister!]

No, and I'm kind of thankful for that! Now, back to the question at hand: Why so glum?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He blinks slowly. Suffice it to say, he never fails to be surprised when others show concern -- though he's quite good at not showing it.]

The days are slow. It's not really a matter of being 'glum.'

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine ... is just going to stop when she notices him and give him a scary look. Even though he probably doesn't know she's there yet. SHe can wait. :|]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Whut. What is with this scary look? Albert doesn't seem to be focusing on much of anything.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[you'd be surprised by how long she can maintain a scary look, Albert]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Uh... Well. Oh dear.]

Professor Raine.

[filter]

[fortunefail]

Almost a year, and hardly any progress has been made. While I wasn't here for the start of it all, I can imagine that the lack of order is as great as it was in the beginning.

[filter]

[chikaidestroyer]

There have been small gains, here and there. The occasional study of the barrier, the bonds between inhabitants. Itsuki Koizumi's guide, Mark's construction projects, Caesar's patrols, Vyse's Blue Rogues. But they are minor victories, made bittersweet by our prolonged stay.

[filter]

[fortunefail]

I firmly believe a more definite 'victory' needs to be assured, in the form of a rule. Preferably democratic. Watari was on the right track with his idea of a council, but as usual, it was not pursued. Unless more people decide to take action, we will not get anywhere.

[filter]

[chikaidestroyer]

The idea has exchanged hands several times throughout our stay. Watari perhaps took the idea the most seriously. A good number of our population finds little reason to rise out of this dissonance, and only raise their voices to show their discontent.

Perhaps they need to feel just how destructive anarchy can really be before they realize their foolishness.

[Action]

[friendly-hero.livejournal.com]

[As Cless walked around the village, deciding to go off a little ways from his daily route he saw Albert. He'd seen the man many times but had only exchanged words with him a few times. Despite the time ago he remembered it, in their early days when they were first brought here.

Almost a year.

Cless approached the man quietly, taking in his numb appearance.]

...Albert?

[ooc: These two should have interacted more since they've been here so long but that's totally my fault >_>;;]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert looks up at the acknowledgment, blinking slowly at the familiar young man. They have spoken so infrequently that they are still virtually strangers, though the networking of the journals has helped him keep an eye on the other from afar.]

Cless. Good afternoon.

[ooc: Mutual fault! I haven't really made any effort to get these two to interact. x_X]

[Action]

[friendly-hero.livejournal.com]

-Oh, yes!

[Cless gives him a brief nod. However, he can't take his eyes off him because of how pale his skin looks.]

...Are you well?

[ooc: I was reading his entry and it reminded me that these two and Luke are the only ones and... Cless and Albert have had no direct contact xD;;;]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert can't help but raise a brow at the question. He must look pretty unwell to garner this kind of attention.]

I would say so. I'm alive, after all. [This may or may not be a reference to Cless' own death. 8|]

[ooc: It doesn't help that Albert's almost literally a hermit. XD;; He hasn't spoken to either Cless and Luke, and there's really no excuse for that besides ... ... being a hermit.]

[bene-elohim.livejournal.com]

The waiting game is never a pleasant one, Mr. Silverberg.

[chikaidestroyer]

Indeed, General. Weathering all that is thrown at us takes its toll, as well.

[corrinesbell]

And a week later the rest of us walked right on in, huh?

*trying to be darkly humorous. For his sake. Also, waaaay late. But I'm really trying!*

[chikaidestroyer]

That's correct. One would think us regular residents of this world.

[No problem! ♥ Dark humor is always fun.]

[corrinesbell]

...I've been trying not to think of how close I am to being here for a whole year.

[Filtered]

Figured I should tell you, if anything. ...I'm missing a whole chunk of memory of my time here. Was I gone?

[[ooc: The answer is 'no, not really']]