一 ; yī

[getsomesleep]

[New handwriting today, and it's quite beautiful. Those who read the original Chinese characters might appreciate the skill behind the expert strokes: flawless calligraphy, itself poetry of sorts, yet not slow and cautious but decisive, the writing emerging complete and without hesitation. Those who get a translation miss out on some of the finer points of the art, perhaps, but the effect is the same in every language.]

Warmest greetings to the residents of Edensphere.

This humble servant, the lowest of souls, begs leave to dwell among you and hereby be known, in lieu of a more appropriate name, by the character ‘Huo'.

Although I do not yet know my own measure, and indeed expect that it be the very image of mediocrity, it is my outmost desire to be of some use in the undertakings of the city. I will take up whatever profession is required, and toil in that capacity to the very best of my ability.

Sincerely, I offer my prayers of good neighborhood in the hope that they be accepted in the same spirit in which they were made.

-- 火

Comments

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

The words one speaks when still dazed from dreaming and waking, before the conscious mind has reared up to cast its armor about the inner self, may be deeply meaningful and indicative. It is not, to my mind, a bad method.

My apologies for pressing with my questions, yet I had thought that everyone here comes from the same place; that is, the Hall of Beginnings.

[crimson-seeker.livejournal.com]

That's a thought. I don't think I've met enough people yet to say if their names seem to suit them more often than not. But it gives us something to call each other, and that's something.

You have that right, but you'll see soon enough. Sure we all arrive in the Hatchery, but most people who've been here longer remember lives before Edensphere.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

Merely a theory, something to chew on. I have not yet met a great many people myself.

[A brief pause. Wondering, how to phrase the question? Huo isn't the type to just blurt things out, even when he is very curious.]

The child who greeted me upon my 'birth' had claimed that my dream was a memory. But she was very young, even discounting the pink hair.

[crimson-seeker.livejournal.com]

It's as good as any I've heard. If you're given to philosophy, this place might well hand you more than you can think through in a lifetime.

I know her by sight. She's one of the Greeters, and they're very valued here in Edensphere. Looks can be deceiving. The dream tells you something of your former life. Mine was more a series of fragmented images, from different places and times, I now believe. But you can also remember things while you're here.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

I hope to find that I am, then. It is healthy for the mind to keep occupied.

Yachiru. She was very kind and helpful; it is easy to imagine that she is more than she appears. We then know that our dreams contain memories, because we might recall such scenes later, in a clearer form?

[crimson-seeker.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about that, in fact. I think my dream consisted of memories since they were scenes that could well have happened in reality. But I haven't heard anyone speak of theirs in detail, so I don't really have a comparison.

I understand the memories we get here are something a little different. You'll find out in time.

And a word of warning, or advice: be a little wary of the journals. They're a good venue for staying in contact, but important things should only be talked about in person.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

There is a great deal to be learned. I think I may have to start keeping notes.

Is it considered ill form to speak of one's dream? It is understandable that it should be the most private of matters. One who does not wish to cause offense must be cautious.

You raise a good point regarding the journals. Certainly such a marvel has its risks, as well as its uses.

[crimson-seeker.livejournal.com]

Afraid I don't know the exact protocol, but don't expect people to share what they dreamed too easily. You're free to tell others of your own if you wish, but it seems to me to be a matter for private conversation.

It does, even beyond that it'll share your secrets with the population at large. I've understood there are others listening, too, in case one gets too curious.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

We are in agreement on the matter, then. The dream is, after all, all one has that is truly one's own.

In others, you mean ones who do not belong to the 'population at large'.

[crimson-seeker.livejournal.com]

Exactly, my eloquent friend.

Yeah. I don't know much about them, but sometimes, there's writing in the journal in many colours of ink, laid out like a riddle. And the rest of this conversation, or any like it, is best had in person. Fewer listening ears that way.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

With your agreement, then, it is a conversation I should like to have.

[crimson-seeker.livejournal.com]

I'll share what I can. You may have more luck with more senior residents, if you can gain the trust of one.

But I agree we should meet, for more reasons than warnings and sentiments about the Sphere, perhaps.