victory_road | ANOMALY DETECTED

"It hasn't been used as a castle--or even a fort--in decades." Geddoe shrugs. The worn down remains of the walls are pretty telling. "I'm not sure the main building is even the original."

He nods at the structure in question. While it certainly matches the architecture of the other wooden buildings on the grounds, and is sorely in need or repair itself, there isn't the same level of sheer neglect as the old walls.

"It's mostly just a trade outpost now, anyway."

Do you live here then?

[Lucius turns to face Geddoe properly.]

As fortune would have it, I'm actually an architect. If the people here are looking to rebuild I could always take some time and draw-up some designs. Given that all the original foundations seem to be present I'm sure I could deduce something close to the original defenses.

"No. It was just used as a headquarters for our army for a while."

So he did stay here for a time, but it's definitely not a place he'd call home. He just happens to know about its history for... reasons. Let's just chalk it up to picking up some things while staying here, or something.

"You'd have to talk to the castle's master about that, but he doesn't seem to be here. Or anyone else."

How fascinating. I had never thought about what military here might be like. As wildly inconsistent as the things I've seen of this land have been I really have no idea what kind of force it would be.

[Lucius reaches the top of the initial landing and looks around his surroundings.]

Were you a soldier then, and did you say there's nobody here? How in the world did I end up coming to this place then if it's been left derelict?

Geddoe blinks at that.

"What do you mean by 'here', exactly?"

Is he still under the misconception that everything is the same world? Either way, Geddoe needs to confirm what he knows before explaining the weird weekends...

[Lucius looks around confusedly for a second before answering.]

Uh... this land, wherever it happens to be. All I've seen are towns and villages so far, so it's just surprising to encounter somewhere that used to be a military installation.

Alright, that explains a few things...

"This castle is from the world I'm from, not the world of the Pokémon. It doesn't exist there, just like Pokémon don't exist in my world. I don't know why it's here, but it seems like this is one of the weekends where strange things can happen."

There's definitely a lot more he could say, but he's going to keep it simple to start with.

[Lucius takes a deep breath, and then lets out a tired sigh.]

So I've found my way to another land then? I swear...

[He puts his Pokégear back into his bag, resigning himself to the fact that it would be useless in his current setting.]

...I can't leave a town in this place without something bizarre or ill-fated happening.

".... No one told you about the weird weekends, huh?"

Apparently Geddoe's going to get to explain it, then.

[Lucius stands silent for a moment, racking his brain.]

What's a weekend?

Oh boy, this lack of understanding goes deeper than he'd thought.

"Certain days of the week here are designated for most people to have off work. The shops might still be open and close on another day, but other kinds of work aren't done. Those days are called the weekend."

It hadn't really been much of a concept in his world, either, but it had been easy enough to pick up.

Huh. Rather... literally named isn't it. We have special days called Feriae dedicated to special occasions and holidays for the Gods. Each of those are days celebrated in particular ways and honoring particular things, so they serve to give people time days of rest much like these weekends. It seems they've rather commercialized the concept though, but I admit having so many free days does sound appetizing.

Geddoe shrugs a bit.

"They have holidays too--special days at certain times of year to celebrate various things--but I guess they figure it's important that everyone gets a regular break."

Or something.

"Anyway, a couple times of year there's a weekend where things get... weirder than usual. People who had magic in their own worlds can use it again, unusual things happen, and so on. Looks like this time it's having places from other worlds show up."

That is most... odd. I knew the people of this land were accustomed to visitors coming in from other times and places, but the notion that they're simply resigned to regular periods of time where bizarre occurrences is something else entirely. What manner of land sees people blow-in from across space and time without batting an eye, let alone entire locations?

[Lucius sighs.]

So, then, are you from one of these places that has arrived in this land?

"I'm not from here, but this place is from the same world I came from."

Hence why he's so familiar with its history.

Most interesting. Did you come into this world together, then, or did one of you follow the other into this place? Regardless, I seem to have neglected my manners.

[He extends his hand.]

My name is Lucius Modestus. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

"No, I've been here almost a year. This is new."

Like, just today new, as far as he can tell. And sadly lacking in the other people who normally could be found here.

"Geddoe."

No surname here, though he does take that handshake.

Good to meet you Geddoe.

[Lucius smiles as he shakes his hand.]

What a strange coincidence it must be for a place from your own land to appear here seemingly out of the blue. Do you know if places from other people's homes have appeared here as well?

"Dunno, but probably. Don't see why I'd be the only one."

He's pretty sure he's not that special.

"You might as well look around if you want, since you're here. Some of it's pretty run down though."

Well, seeing as how I seem to have ended up at this castle instead of my intended destination it's likely best if I camp here tonight.

[Lucius looks around at the various buildings in an effort to figure out what would be the best choice for a temporary lodging.]

Though it would seem I have my choice of the buildings here I'd imagine it's best to stay modest in my selection. Luxury may be welcome, but night comes with a wicked chill in this land and smaller spaces heat better.

[He looks back over towards Geddoe.]

Are you staying here tonight as well? You're welcome to share in what accommodations and provisions I can prepare.

While certainly a... pragmatic approach, Geddoe can clearly see this guy hasn't been around here long. Not to mention that last bit is, well, downright funny, considering that he's actually stayed here before in his own world.

"Assuming you don't wind up somewhere else before then," he points out, then tilts his head in the direction of part of the main castle building. "The kitchen's that way, by the way."

In case he's forgotten Geddoe's already familiar with this place.

Wait, are you saying that all the items and supplies from this place are still here?!

[Lucius assumed the place must have been abandoned, but if there's still supplies ready-for-use that's infinitely preferable.]

I would have thought everything would have bene cleaned-out when the residents left, so I was prepared to just pitch camp in one of the buildings. Is it really ok for us to help ourselves to what they've left?

"It's just like it was when I last saw it."

Geddoe just shrugs. He mentioned the castle has a master, didn't he? It's certainly not abandoned as of the time he found himself in Johto, even if it's strangely devoid of its usual occupants now.

"If it's a problem I'm sure I'll just hear about it whenever I'm back in my world again."

Worst case scenario he owes Thomas for some food and drink. Though given how much the place had been stocked up recently, and how with the war ending it's suddenly hosting a lot fewer people, Geddoe rather doubts it'd really be missed. Probably chalked up to one of the residents getting a midnight snack or something.

[[My apologies for the delay in tags. I've been working to get the Journal Pages for Lucius and Joey actually presentable and that's been far more demanding than I expected. For Lucius at least, the end is in sight though so his Journal is finally looking good.]]

Well that's certainly preferable to what I had envisioned. After having to scramble around in the woods last month I was not looking forward to the idea of roughing-it again. Cold as it's gotten the past few weeks a warm hearth and a hot meal sound like quite a welcome notion.

[Lucius reaches into his Tunica and produces a pouch.]

I can provide reimbursement for any provisions we use should it be needed.

((It's fine! I expect tags to get erratic around the holidays even when there's NOT a new pokemon game release...))

"Unless you've got potch in there, it might not make much difference."

Especially if it's the Pokémon world's currency. That would definitely have no value here. Assuming that 'here' is really in Geddoe's world which, well, let's just say he has some doubts about.

In any case, rather than just stand around talking about it, he's going to start heading over to the main 'castle', if it can be called such, and towards the side building that contains the tavern. And the kitchen, but you have to pass through the tavern to get there.

"Besides, something's... off about this. Could be that this is just some kind of illusion."

It really is exactly how he remembers it, except without any people. Which is odd for a whole number of reasons.

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