( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[transmit]

WHO: Elysium & friends(?)
WHAT: This is now just a catch-all for everything
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: 2024
WARNINGS: Blanket warning for possible explorations of dark themes in general, please tread at your own risk. I will, however, endeavour to include specifics in headers if applicable.

Comments

sorry for this essay

[frostfist]

[ your six month friendship plan vs bijou's five year romance plan, the contrast here is incredible

But with that small wiggle of his fingers, the dream ends....and another one begins! Though instead of one long dream, this one appears to be a collection of snippets, with Elysium tugged through them all one after another.

The scenery remains unchanged: the interior of some oversized building, flushed through with a pervasive dampness and the scent of the ocean. It almost looks like a poor designed factory, with too-big pipes serving as hallways and metal plating covering every inch - and Elysium wouldn't be wrong if he thought so, workers running past him with armfuls of gears and cogs.

He's got something in his arms too! A metal tray, with a few quickly cooling dishes on them, which he's been assigned to deliver to the new administrator in his office. Through the double-doors and up the steps, and then he'll be met by the sight of a man sprawled out at his desk, his head buried in folded arms. Around him stand mountains of paperwork. A (loud) clear of the throat is enough to wake the man, who jolts upright with wide eyes, bits of hair sticking every which way. A man Elysium probably recognizes, though there's less gray in his hair now and a lot more by way of dark circles under his eyes. The look of a man clearly exhausted, though he does his best to pull together a wan smile as he gestures for Elysium to set the tray down anywhere there's open space. (There isn't any on the desk, so he'll have to settle for the empty coffee table nearby.) It's followed by a quick word of thanks and then a joke - Interested in taking over for me? I might not run away like the last guy but I promise I won't give you any trouble. Haha, just kidding, I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

And then the scene is shifting again, to a collection of tables that passes for a cafeteria around these parts. Elysium sits at one of them, a dubious looking meal in front of him, and across from him sits Wriothesley, arms folded on the table and eyes bright with fascination. Over....? Well, over whatever it is Elysium happens to be saying, which apparently is a recounting of his time as a merchant in Inazuma and all the sights and sounds he had the pleasure of seeing while there. Unfortunately, he only makes it about ten minutes into his tale before Wriothesley is forced to withdraw, disappointment evident on his face. A meeting, he murmurs apologetically, with the Palais Mermonia. Though he tosses out one quick line before he leaves entirely: If you've got free time between your shifts next week, I wouldn't mind hearing more. (Though the real question is: will he have time?)

Once more the scene changes (last time, I promise!), this time to the infirmary, where a young woman (?) in a pink and blue outfit works tirelessly to bandage up the patient seated next to her. (It's Wriothesley, it's always Wriothesley.) You know, Your Grace, I really think you should take a vacation. Things are calm enough now that you don't need to be around all the time. Her tone is reproachful, a little sad. Instead of agreeing with her, he simply shakes his head. I get enough entertainment taking the afternoon off and swinging by the overworld a few times a month. Besides, all the places I'd really like to go...I can't afford to take off that much time. As if to prove his point, a uniformed man bursts in through the door, panting. Apparently there's a particularly nasty riot breaking out in the Upper Production Zone requiring immediate attention. Wriothesley grabs his coat, standing to follow the Garde out. You might want to prepare your medical kit for this one, Sigewinne. I suspect several new patients will be arriving soon.

And then, blessedly, the series of scenes end and Elysium is transported back to the waking world. Congrats on getting to see the inner workings of the Fortress of Meropide! And he didn't even need to commit any crimes to do it. ]