Terre Haute

[paradisamods]

[Today, our intrepid explorers have finally made it to Terre Haute. It’s mostly grassland, and on the outskirts small spotted lions, about the size of leopards prowl around. They seem to be more interested in the strange antelope running around than in any people, however. Towards the edge, lies a cliff face, looking out to sea, on occasion giant whales can be seen breaching the water.

Of the weird thing they came to look for, in the distance is a cylindrical shape, lying on its side. But between them and it is a strange village. One made up of excessively tall wooden huts, all of which have electric lights, turned on, though how they’re creating such power is a mystery, they are still very much inside the dead zone.

The residents of this off little village are wandering around, going about their buisess. The residents being a group of bemused looking giraffes. Perhaps you will even see some familiar non-giraffe faces milling about.

Welcome to Terre Haute]

[[GRASSLANDS AND CLIFFS | TOWN SQUARE | JUICE BAR | DANCE HALL | THE ESCALATOR | MIRROR CONTROL ROOM ]]

Comments

[theabjectauthor]

Yes.... A distraction, like the horse the Greeks put into play during the battle of Troy. A wooden structure erected as to appear pleasant and useful, but hiding sinister content within.

[luxe_can_kill]

Hm. It is plausible. Why would anyone wish to distract us? Could there be something in that crash site?

[theabjectauthor]

It's entirely plausible, yes ... Considering we can find the crash site itself.... Maybe they've already covered it somehow....

[he begins to back up a bit to get a better look, not bothering to look behind him]

[last_rat_standing]

[James had been standing nearby, eyes darting around as he takes in the bizarre surroundings he's found himself in. What he fails to notice, however, is the fact that there's a man backing towards him... until said man backs straight into him, of course.

He takes a step, recovering nicely as he turns, raising a disapproving eyebrow]

I'm sorry, am I in your way?

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru just looked at them for a second. She recognized James, though]

[theabjectauthor]

OH! [Lemony stumbled away, flailing slightly] Sir, I'm terribly sorry, I didn't see you there.... I was simply trying to get a broader perspective of the situation.... Are you alright?

[last_rat_standing]

[A broader perspective. Right. He gives the man a quick once over]

Indeed. [Of course he's alright. How could he be otherwise. It was only a bump, after all. His eyes raise and he sees Mitsuru behind the strange man. He gives her a nod in greeting]

Mitsuru.

[luxe_can_kill]

Oh hello again, James. [She nods in response]

[theabjectauthor]

I see you two already know one another. [he looks pretty unassuming, Bond, right down to the nice suit, the well-worn leather messenger bag over his shoulder, and the notebook - not journal - and pen in his hands. and now that he has his bearings, he'll go back to trying to look past the escalator site]

It's difficult to tell if they could be covering up the crash site, from here. We'll either need a higher vantage point, or ...

[he looks as though he's not sure what to make of his options - which is the more impossible, that is] Or get closer.

[last_rat_standing]

[Ignoring the stating of the obvious, Bond raises an eyebrow. His eyes turn to the escalator site]

You believe this to be over the crash?

[Well that certainly seems reasonable. He'd just about come to that conclusion, himself, seeing as there were no other likely places for it.

Returning his gaze to the yet unnamed man he smirks]

I believe I could be of some assistance.

[climbing heights or getting past weird giraffes? Piece of cake]

[theabjectauthor]

Assistance would be most welcome, sir, thank you for volunteering. My name is Lemony Snicket.... I came along in hopes of adding to the knowledge we have of this world, and of assisting the other travelers whenever possible. Unfortunately, while I am skilled in mountaineering, I am unsure of how effectively I might be able to unobtrusively bypass a herd of productive giraffes. .... It's mostly the sneaking around their legs that concerns me.

[last_rat_standing]

A pleasure, Mr. Snicket.

[He lets his bag slip off his shoulder, setting it on the ground. He stands silently for a moment, watching the giraffes work. There's ALWAYS a window. He can't say he's ever had to sneak through a herd of giraffe but there's always a first time. And if he can maneuver his way into the heart of an embassy without being detected he has all confidence that he can do this.

Finally he nods]

Stay here.

[With that he heads off, walking purposefully, yet cautiously, towards the escalator. He stays near any construction materials as he moves, keeping a wary eye on the giraffes. It takes him a few minutes of maneuvering and dodging around those legs before he makes it to the escalator. Sparing a glance back at the others he sets to work circling the base and looking over the ground the escalator is being built on.]

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru just stood there listening. Lemony Snicket? Why does that sound familiar. Anyway, as James walked off toward the escalator, she just stood beside Lemony and watched the giraffes, to see if they notice James approaching. None of them did. They were either really focused on the escalator or James is really light on his feet]

[theabjectauthor]

[he's signed his name in the journal a few times. or maybe she found one of his ridiculously depressing and horrible books in the library. it's possible.

anyway, he watches James wind his way through the herd, he turns to Mitsuru, keeping his voice low]

Quite a resourceful fellow. How do you know him?

[last_rat_standing]

[Said resourceful fellow has finished circling the escalator and is currently working his way up the SIDE of the thing.

What? Just walking up the stairs would be too easy and conspicuous.]

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru kept observing the giraffes to see if they're going to notice James. They still don't, and he's already working his way up at the side. Lemony's question distracted her though]

Hm? Oh, I met him when he first arrived in the castle. Initially, I thought he fell on the pond by accident. Apparently that is where the castle first brought him. He and I haven't spoken much after that.

[theabjectauthor]

I see. Quite an unorthodox way to arrive, if I do say so myself, but.... He seems very capable of handling himself. I hope he's able to see something from there. This place makes me terribly uneasy.

[luxe_can_kill]

Indeed.

I do not know anything about Mr. Bond, but I assume he was former military, so he might be able to find something.