http://jakethetigerboy.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] jakethetigerboy.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] paixaorpg2010-09-02 05:53 pm
Entry tags:

The Entrance [Active/Open]

Character(s): Jake, and anyone else who may see him
Content: He arrives into the city, nervous and confused. His brain could be slightly fractured from the sudden changes in surroundings.
Setting: Around Vanaheim Gate, Week 24
Time: Noon (Back at his house, it was early morning… ^^;)
Warnings: Um... Lengthiness?



“Yeah, I have everything Mom,” Jake called to her from the living room, over his shoulder. He zipped up his backpack after stuffing his brand new notebook inside of it. “Gotta go!” His mother was cleaning off the kitchen counters as he headed toward the front door. He had to leave quickly, or else he would miss the school bus that stopped by the end of his home street.

A bark from Homer was heard from behind Jake. He turned around and bent down to his, scratching around his floppy ears and furry face in affection. “See you later boy,” he told his dog in a quieter voice. The hyperactive golden retriever in return lolled out his slobbery tongue, and grinned that big life-of-the-party idiot grin his owner was all too familiar with. Because he had become Homer more than once.

Jake stood back up and walked past Homer to turn the knob, his weary grin fading. As he stepped through, it became bright out. He was nearly blinded, having to blink several times to adjust his vision. What the—?! Why in the world was it so bright out? It was only a quarter after six A.M.

Warmth... Jake felt warm sunlight on his face and arms. He blinked some more and didn’t move until he could see again. Once he could, his mind at the same time thought that a huge nuclear bomb went off or something. This way of thinking stirred an unsettling memory. The sun couldn’t have suddenly rose to late morning or early afternoon otherwise, no way.

Suddenly, he wasn’t all that tired as he glanced ahead into what definitely didn’t look like his suburban neighborhood. There were people dressed in fancy clothes, costumes maybe. He stared disbelievingly at them, and at the elegant looking buildings too, with a whimsical quality to them. Some of the buildings were made of stone, some were made of bricks, and on of the taller buildings Jake saw had marble columns out in front. Others looked to be built out of two or all three of the same material, but nowhere near to looking alike.

Above them were very high and spacious looking domes of different patterns and paintings. One of the largest looked like a sky, with a bright yellow orb that shone brightly like a sun. Maybe that tome was glass in which the sun high above made the air so mildly warm.

It was as if he had walked right onto a movie set adapted from a Shakespearean play, or perhaps something similar to that. What could have made this line of thinking perfect sense would be seeing big bulky black cameras on wheels and a crane one. A man wearing a beret would be sitting in a folding chair yelling, “Cut! Who let this kid in here?!” Yet, he saw none of that. Not at all.

Jake believed it hard to comprehend as to how he left his house to here, to which all this stuff couldn’t be possibly be put altogether overnight. Everyone in his neighborhood would have been notified of something like—

“Good day to you, sir. What is your name?”

The man’s somewhat friendly voice startled him a little as he turned to his right. A portly guy who looked to be his late thirties or early forties was standing by what looked like a wooden booth, with a painted sign. The capital letters on the center of it read, “WELCOME TO PAIXAO”. Like the other people Jake saw, he was also dressed up in a Victorian-like fashion. And he was smiling a kind, almost grandfatherly smile. Just to the left of that booth was a tall tree that looked fake. Shiny plastic looking apples dangled from fabric leaved branches. Even the stalks of grass around it looked fake.

“Oh, uh, hi,” he replied, smiling nervously in return. He felt his stomach doing flip flops as he sounded a tad shaken. “I’m Jake.” Out of habit, he didn’t reveal his last name.

What is this? Some kind of Ellimist trick? No, that couldn’t be right. Even if that all powerful creature who liked to preserve life liked to show him things—time would stop first and he’d appear, right? ...Then again, he wouldn’t really know. He only met that guy once.

This place couldn’t be any sort of Yeerk trap. It sure didn’t seem like it, but did that necessarily mean that Controllers wouldn’t be nearby? Jake didn’t know for sure. He had been always very careful about keeping himself and the other Animorphs safe... Just as he was thinking of maybe asking Ax about this, he realized that his Andalite friend wasn’t with him. Neither were the rest of the group.

The man at the booth held out a small and light gray rectangular object toward him. “Welcome to Paixao.” The way he pronounced the word on the sign sounded like “pie-zow”.

Jake hesitated and stared at the thing cautiously. “...What is that?”

The both guy wearing that old gentleman’s smile. “A journal. Free of charge, and it’s all yours.”

Figuring to better believe the guy and not cause a scene, Jake took the object from him. “Um, thanks.” He smiled once more, when he was thoroughly confused. Underneath this display of courtesy, he was alert and thinking that something bad was going to happen.

Upon briefly inspecting the gray “journal”, if that’s what it really was, it looked like the object could be opened up like a book.

Look at it later. You need to find the others.

The man nodded and waved him off in gesture, as if to dismiss him.

“Thanks again for the gift...but I think I took a wrong turn.”

The friendly booth guy started to wave him off again, as if he was used to seeing strangers dressed not like himself come through here. “Off you go now. Go on.”

Jake took this reaction in mind. “Do you get visitors over here often? Like me?” Then, following that question, he had to add another. “In fact; have you seen a short girl with dark skin, a tall pretty blonde girl, and a short tanned Hispanic boy by any chance?” He could have mentioned Ax in his human form, but it was better to start asking for Cassie, Rachel, and Marco. Describing Ax would not only arise suspicion on the fact of him shares certain appearance traits from the rest. It would be too complicated for this guy to understand probably.

“I’m afraid I don’t know who you are talking about.” He didn’t bother to answer Jake’s other question.

Well, at least he tried. “So, where in the world is Paixao? Europe?” Europe was his best guess. Jake didn’t know why. It just came to him as he knew for certain that he wasn’t in America. But how is that possible? That doesn’t make any sense...

“You should move along, before you hold up the line.” The booth guy seemed to be getting impatient with him.

“A line?” Jake looked behind him to see past the fake trees, and saw no one. Just a wall. Weird. “I don’t see anybody else.” Okay, this guy was starting to weird him out a little.

”Doesn’t mean there won't be.”

Jake just nodded. “Alright. Sorry for taking up so much of your time.” He started to move toward the crowd of people, to hopefully obtain enough information to learn about whatever the heck was going on. He could only hope that the rest of his friends wouldn’t be too far away. Maybe they knew more than he did about this city with domed ceilings. Maybe they didn’t.

But what if I’m really by myself? Jake mentally shook that thought away as he continued on walking towards the nearest person.

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-05 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
The best way to learn more about this culture nowadays was to see how they reacted to those not a part of it. She herself had been a victim of that discrimination. Kida had thus perched herself so she could see the newcomers arrive and see how they reacted. On occasion she approached the greenhorns, but it usually only resulted in a brief exchange of information before the two went on their ways.

There truly were beings of every type and world entering through this place. But what caught Kida's eye was a youth not more than 4,700 years, or what the surface-equivalent age would be. Most people who entered were adults, or at least a little older. She watched as he made conversation with the man at the entrance. Questions, no doubt.

Kida made her way down and walked up beside the boy. "You are a newcomer here, are you not?"

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-05 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
It was clear her appearance had taken him aback. She had yet to understand why so many surface-dwellers blushed at her, but perhaps it was why she should have worn her new clothes today.

"I hope to," she began. "My name is Kidagakash." The woman gestured back to the entrance with words hushed so only Jake could hear. "The people who live here care not for questions. Many times I have wondered if they care not to think as well."

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-06 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
A hummed chuckle escaped Kida's throat. "It is good to meet you, Jake. And you may. Many people struggle with my name." Kida herself did not notice the omission of a last name. Even if someone pointed it out to her, she may have shrugged, since though even she had a last name, herself, no one in her culture referred to their lineage name.

Kida cocked her head at Jake ever so slightly. There was something about him that was interesting. It was as if she could see the cogs in his head turning ever so intricately, yet not knowing what any of it meant.

"Asking them to question the lives they lead results in similar reactions, regardless of who you ask." Her tone indicated she had been through this many times. "As for the others... There actually seems to be a growing dislike for those who are different, preferring newcomers conform to their ways."

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-07 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
Had Kida known Jake's plight, she would have understood how he held back. For all he could know, she, too, was a Controller.

Her typical half smile leisurely stretched across her cheek. "Even the one I am close to struggles with my full name."

"There are many outsiders who come to this place. We are one of countless people who file in like exiles. As for an escape, I know of none." She looked away with an expression somewhere between frustration and sadness. "But this place seems to be one of illusions. I understand not how it works, but they say this whole city is but a floor of an enchanted castle. I opened a door in a church far from here and found white stairs that led to an island paradise." A thoughtful expression crossed her face. "I know not if that is mere myth or if perhaps we are finding the links between various strange worlds."

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-08 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
With a sad expression Kida glanced to the ground. "No. But it means Milo is safe."

"It is strange," the woman reaffirmed. "If I did not read it so frequently on the journals, I would not believe it, either. ...I have often wondered if this is only a strange dream, but I see this world so clearly." She took a deep breath, no longer looking as if she were off in her own world. "In the meantime, I would like to know what magic or science is making this possible." Her tone lowered. "There are many who wish to return home."

When Jake initially described Rachel, Kida's eyes narrowed a moment in suspicion, but her face softened when he listed off names. "I once knew of a tall blonde woman, but she went not by any of those names and she may have been twice your age. ...I have met no one by that description here." She watched as the youth looked around. It was a lot to take in.

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-13 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps you can write something on the journal about your friends. Others could contact you if they have sighted them." She gave him a genuine look of concern, knowing many families and friends had been separated by the work of this castle.

"Blog-ging? On-line?" Kida cocked her head as she looked up at Jake. Still, she didn't so much as flinch at the word, "school." Though they had not been used in thousands of years, Atlantis once again was seeing teachers back at work. As for herself, Milo was her teacher, and she was as eager a student as he could hope for. Though she sometimes used the voice function to hear entries, she now often preferred to attempt to read them herself. However, those terms were new to her, and she wondered whether they had to do with the technology or if it was related to surface world culture. Or both.

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-14 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
"I would think not, " Kida said, giving him an encouraging smile. "I explore often in hopes of finding those I know, but it is impossible to watch this much land. This machine is the best way I know to find anyone."

"Whatever terms the people where would use apply not to me. I am an outsider. Perhaps, though, these people use an Inter-net, too." The queen paused a moment, trying to figure out how to word her response. Say the wrong thing and she would give away her origins, thereby endangering her people.

"My culture is quite different from yours, it appears, but Milo's may be closer. His culture has many machines to communicate." She cocked her hips and shoulders as she began to list. "There is one machine that is small with a cord that runs elsewhere. One piece you hold to your ear to listen, and another you speak into. It is called a telephone. There is another that sends signals though the air, called a radio. Another sends code to decipher. I believe that one is called a telegraph."

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-17 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
"Even with the use of these machines, there is no guarantee one can find someone. I have heard that as mysteriously as people appear, they may also vanish. As for the rest," Kida began with a little flick of her head, "you do learn where people live. The map on the device is invaluable."

The woman narrowed her eyes curiously at Jake. "You know of that technology as well? Perhaps... How many years in the past?"

And suddenly she craned her neck closer, likely invading the young man's personal space as she gazed up at him. It appeared a light had come on. "...What is your country of origin?"

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-21 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
"And what are e-mails?" Kida inquired quickly, giving him the oddest look.

She folded her arms. "I come not from the Americas, but I know many who are. Though I would argue I am not from the past." She gestured to the clothing of the people around her. "Though considered somewhat old-fashioned, I have seen these clothes in modern books."

Still, Kida cocked her head and hips, intrigued at the different manner of perspective between the two of them

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Kida casually took hold of the cloth of Jake's shirt. "Your fashion changed this much in ten years?' She raised an eyebrow, letting it go. "And your technology advanced much in that time. Much further than any that I have seen. I think it has not been a mere decade." She smiled slyly. "How could your technology ad--"

The woman paused, her lips parting and her eyes looking off into space. If they found technology greater than their own, it could advance very quickly!

With a look of desperate intensity, Kida looked back at Jake, her right hand poised somewhat behind her. "Tell me now. If you speak the truth, tell me how the technology of your year, 1928 is so advanced!" There was a distinct edge to her voice and more than a hint of suspicion.

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Kida tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. There was no hint of hesitation in the boys voice, or other indication to make him believe he was lying. And he truly did seem taken aback. There was no reason for her to think that America had stolen the Mother Crystal after all. Thus, she relaxed. Mostly. She at least no longer looked as if she may draw the dagger hidden in her clothing.

The woman paused a moment before answering. It would be difficult to explain. Her words were spoken with certainty and wisdom. "In history, those who try to conquer the world \are said to be stealers of weapons and technology. If your technology had advanced as swiftly as I had just believed, how can I not be on guard?"

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-10-08 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
"It would be intentions to dominate I would be more concerned about," Kida said, gesturing with her chin towards the surrounding buildings. "I am well-aware that technology does not advance so fast. Which is why I could not help but be wary."

She gave him a deep nod, perhaps a gesture of apology.

How ironic. Though to her the Heart of Atlantis was a deity from the heavens, a bestower of magic and technology, she would never know that Jake would consider this entity an alien.

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-10-15 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
Her smile broadened as he smiled. "Well, Jake, you do need accommodations, do you not?" It must have been quite a sight for a woman of such a slender build to grab hold of the wrist of someone that much taller and begin to lead him away. "I will lead you to a nearby hotel. Currency is strange here." She pulled him closer and dropped her volume. "Though I admit it is terrible to take advantage of the people who live here, the only way I know of to survive is to do so, since they are wary of outsiders in the first place. It would be difficult to find a job. But if you can convince someone something is valuable, then it shall be." She scooped her hand into a planter, pulling up "dirt." This dirt, however, seemed to be made of gold leaf and small gems.

*Faaaaaaaaaiiiiiils* Sorry!

[identity profile] crystalchamber.livejournal.com 2010-10-25 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
Kida raised an eyebrow, giving him a pained look as she stopped. She let him go. "I cannot get their currency. As I said, they are distrustful of outsiders. I cannot get a job, and I will not steal. This--" she said, holding up the fake foliage she'd just obtained, "--is the only form of payment I can play with here. You are welcome to it if you want it."