paixaorpg | A Promising Start [complete]

Character(s): Xaldin, Blue
Content: Xaldin, at long last, makes his entry into the wonderful world of Paixao via Vanaheim. Blue meets him and tries to get answers to some gnawing questions.
Setting: Vanaheim area: gate and just beyond
Time: week 2 - afternoon
Warnings: None

As soon as he chose to arrive, Xaldin could see immediately that everything was moving smoothly. The line at the Vanaheim gate was a healthy length. No one was pushing, shoving, or making a scene. No line jumpers. Everyone seemed docile and passive. This was fine with him, of course. It was easier to navigate a quiet stream than an unruly river.

Though he hardly could have been more different – both physically and mentally – from the other entrants, Xaldin joined the line. He was patient enough to wait, and he did not want to make a scene in the very beginning. If he cut everyone off without even a protest from the gateman, some would grow suspicious and assume he had authority. He did not want rumors to spread, so he waited in line.

The other people glanced at him. They didn’t stare, of course, because Xaldin was an intimidating fellow. When he didn’t smile, he knew he appeared like he would break anyone clean in half if they so much as looked at him wrong. And that was good. Respect at an early stage showed promise.

He continued to observe the people in line. None were from other regions, not at the moment anyway. He was certain he’d observe an otherworlder before long. The other members had made that clear, of course. Some had even had very detailed adventures already. He wasn’t there for adventuring or mucking around, though. He had a very specific goal in mind, the same one he’d always had.

The line wasn’t held up, so the wait was not very long. The gatekeeper looked at him once and didn’t make eye contact again.

“Good afternoon, sir,” the gatekeeper spoke. “Welcome to Paixao. May I have your name?”

A little too respectful, but Xaldin couldn’t complain. “Three,” he replied simply, extending his hand for an electronic journal.

The gatekeeper didn’t have to look at Xaldin as he wrote the name down and handed over a journal. “Enjoy your stay!” he said pleasantly. “If I could have the next person!”

The journal, at last. Xaldin tucked it into his jacket and continued into the Vanaheim area of the domes. He passed through the throng at the brochure stand. He had no need for such things. He didn’t even have to push anyone aside, which was disappointing. The people in the area saw him coming, and moved out of the way appropriately. He could hardly stand out more in Paixao, but maybe there was some advantage to that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maybe there was an advantage to that indeed. Blue couldn't help but wander to the various other gates than the one she first stepped through. Maybe then she would be able to catch any of her friends if they happened to come in, or find someone that knew more about this city than she did. Like finding a tour guide! Yes, that would make much sense...

Tour guides were good at standing out, she would imagine. And so when she caught sight of a man standing around with others scampering away from him, she walked right up to him confidently, stared him up and down, and let a smile play across her face. "Oh, I think you could do. You look like a man full of knowledge."

Xaldin had been pondering which direction to go when a woman – his first outsider! – approached him. If the day hadn’t already been ripe with opportunity, this pushed things over into the exciting category.

He looked her over. She was of course smaller than him, with interesting dark hair, and clothing that proudly announced she was not from these parts. Vibrant eyes let him know she was far from stupid. An excellent opportunity, then, to study her.

“You’ve got me pegged,” Xaldin said, flattered by her assumption. “May I help you with something today?” He smiled, though his smiles always tended to look somewhat threatening. Being nice, though difficult at times, furthered his quest the most.

Ah, good, so she had his attention now. Definately not some mindless Paixao-ian-whatever-person. But he did look like he knew more than she did. It just... looked fitting.

Of course Blue was intelligent; she's watched humans from close by without them not even being noticeable. She blended in. They talked about all sorts of crazy things without caring what a simple pet dog heard. But she would've never guessed that she would be studied. She was completely oblivious.

But his smile didn't bother her. She had seen worse, and more intimidating ones. So she continued to smile. "Ah, well, I've been wondering about this whole Paixao... establishment. I've heard of a few ideas about this place and none really line up. It doesn't make any sense why I'm here, unless this place is Paradise... which I shouldn't have been even admitted to."

She sighed. That was a bit of a mouthful, really.

Xaldin didn’t think he looked anything like a tour guide. He certainly wasn’t amassing a group of people around him, preparing to lead them on a fun-filled tour through the city. He was having quite the opposite effect, actually. So why was this woman asking him all the typical newcomer questions? She must be new to the city. Everyone tended to ask the same things. Where am I? What is this place? How did I get here? How do I go home?

It was pretty high-handed and risky for this stranger to simply approach him and lay out her curiosities as it was. What made her think that he knew any of the answers? Well, he did know some, but he wasn’t inclined to share. “Share some of the city theories you’ve heard, if you would. I’d like to know what others think,” Xaldin said. Were there conspiracy theories flying? Did people think they were being watched? Did they think this was a prison or holding cell? He wanted to know. It would be fun to share with the others. They’d all have a great laugh about it.

“As for your other statement, I can assure you this place isn’t Paradise,” Xaldin continued. He had read theories on such a place. It was an interesting concept. “It’s pretty close, though. Everyone is happy here, once they get used to it. It may take a few days to adjust, but it’s a lovely city.”

It wasn't quite that she blatantly saw him as a tour guide, but something about him (and not just because he chased everyone else away) made him stand out with his very presence. Maybe that was what made Blue approach him.

But she did hear his questions, wanting to know about theories, and all that left her brain the moment he said this wasn't Paradise. She just stared at him, a bit blank, a bit confused, and a very slight sliver of I want to kill you.

"That can't be possible. It... it just really can't. Are you dead? Or are you just some herder of the dead? Because really that's the only other explaination left. So there's one of those theories you wanted: all the humans think this place is some sort of life-after-death city. I'm about ready to agree."

Xaldin noticed the drastic change in the woman’s expression when she heard she wasn’t in Paradise. Perhaps she was expecting to be brought there on a winged golden chariot but instead found herself in a very mundane place, with many questions and no answers. Xaldin would be upset too if he ended up here instead of there. Anyone would be.

But that was her lot, and she couldn’t expect him to change it for her.

Also of note was how she spoke. ‘All the humans’ implied that she was not one herself, despite all outward appearances. Then she was similar to him in that respect. Therefore he wouldn’t dismiss all her concerns outright.

“Madam,” Xaldin replied, “I am quite alive, as are you. Neither of us is dead. I’m not a gatherer of souls. That isn’t my line of work, I’m afraid.” He paused, considering. “It does seem logical, though, that many of the visitors would think that they had died. I’m sure this city is a lot better than some of the existences they used to lead.”

He looked around some, appreciating the hard work that had gone into every detail of the city. “Unfortunately, like you, I don’t know what exactly this place is. Maybe it is a limbo or a space between dimensions. I cannot say.”

Limbo. That could be right. It was a good thought, anyway. She nodded, slowly, as if to accept his answers. She really had to get herself past the whole 'but I'm supposed to be dead' thing. It was really messing with her head more than she should have been letting it.

Blue stared up towards the domes, thoughtfully. "I do suppose this is better than my old home, the last I saw of it. I'm sure it's better now. He wouldn't have failed," she mumbled the last part more to herself. "I still wish I knew more about here though. I'm sorry," she smiled, "you just seemed like someone who knew more than... a lot of these people. I mean, not everyone coming through the gates can be here for their first time?"

“I won’t hold the mistake against you, madam,” Xaldin replied. “I’m sure you could find out more about this city through other channels. Maybe the city has a library.” He shrugged. “And maybe there are people who have been in and out on multiple occasions.” He knew that didn’t seem likely, just by the landscape outside the domes, which she had to have seen on her way in. “You’ll just have to do a little research. You have plenty of time to explore, either way. Besides, you might meet someone you know here.”

To her comment on knowing more than the others, he let it slip by without acknowledging it. She truly did have a keen instinct on that count.

Blue looked away from him. She hadn't made a strong attempt in finding any of the others, but surely she would have caught wind of their scent? Or they would have smelled her out.

The thought of research, or a... library... never came to her. It just wasn't something she was use to, really. Just like actually being a human, versus the illusion of one. It was a bit disturbing. "I suppose you're probably right... there is plenty of time, after all." She smiled at him once more and then turned away.

Xaldin watched the woman turn away. Certainly not enough material to study, but her reactions spoke enough about the confusion the incomers were feeling. It was enough to build on, and he could use what he learned in conversation with any others he might meet. He let her walk away and turned to head deeper into the Vanaheim area.

A Promising Start [complete]

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