Verse 01 - Video

[poeticverses]

[The feed opens up on a...pretty beat up redhead. Dried blood, bruises starting to form, cuts and scrapes, everything short of bullet wounds, really.

Those were healed before he woke up.

It takes a second for him to realize that he got it to start recording and he blushes a bit. Not that you can tell with all the bruising and whatnot, but. He looks like any beat-up 19th century Frenchman: dirty, bloody shirt, bloody blue waistcoat...basically, he didn't bother to clean up before figuring out this console.

When he speaks, his voice is fairly soft and he's terribly awkward, and not just because he's talking into a box]

The gentleman who brought me here said I could use this...device to contact others in the city. Does...is anyone else here from Paris? If so, are you familiar with Les Amis de l'ABC? My name is Jehan--Jean, but I prefer Jehan--Prouvaire, and I need to know if I'm the only one of us here. If I am not, could you please direct me to my friends?

[Don't ask if he wants to be alone here or not. He couldn't tell you]

I also need a doctor, please. I don't think I am in any danger of dying now, but I would rather not risk it.

Ah...thank you.


[[ooc: for those of you not familiar with French, "Jehan" does has a different sound than "Jean"]]

Comments

[poeticverses]

[This comes some time later. Jehan looks a bit better. Cleaner, certainly]

Yes, Combeferre and Enjolras.

[thetyrant]

You appear to have settled somewhat. Do you have any questions of the place you're in? I can try to answer them.

[poeticverses]

I have a bit, yes, and just one question. Is this or is this not the afterlife? I've received conflicting answers.

[thetyrant]

It's a more complicated question than it would be in many places. I suppose the most accurate answer I can give is "maybe, but probably not quite."

[poeticverses]

[A pause]

I think I should stop asking that question, if that's the most accurate answer you can give.

[thetyrant]

[A rueful smile. He knows this feel, bro.] Perhaps so.

If an afterlife is defined as a spiritual realm that all people go, or are capable of going, after they die, then no, this is not the afterlife as far as I can tell. I believe it to be more like we were on the road to something -- an afterlife being one possible end to the road -- and got lost. [Wow he's actually really proud of himself for that explanation. Logan 1...wait, he doesn't have anyone to score against. Oh well. Logan 1!]

[poeticverses]

Lost on the way to the afterlife.

[That's terrible and kind of worthy of thought, once he can think better]

Those who aren't dead, what could they be on their way to?

[thetyrant]

Dreams. Another place in their own worlds. Potentially other spiritual planes.

[poeticverses]

[Yeah, he's defs getting something to write all his thoughts on this place down as soon as he can]

Fascinating. Confusing, but then most fascinating things are. Have you any idea why this world is on a turtle, by any chance?

[thetyrant]

That, I'm afraid, is a complete mystery to me. I can only say that turtles show up in the creation myths of a few cultures in my world. It may be the same in others.

[poeticverses]

It sounds as if everything about this city is a complete mystery to everyone, save this Emperor.

[Not too impressed by that, either, which is probably clear. He frowns and his face darkens]

[thetyrant]

More or less. [Sorry kid.]

[poeticverses]

[He sighs. Very well, they'll just have to search for answers. Lord knows Combeferre alone could get most of them]

That is unfortunate. Not as unfortunate as my manners, however. I don't believe I asked for your name, monsieur.

[thetyrant]

Logan. A pleasure. [until y'all find out you're basically the scorpion and the frog anyway]