Book 1, Chapter 1: This Isn't Like Jordan

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

I get this now, press the letters and something anbaric makes them show up on this photogram. Like a projection, only it's a little screen. I saw something like this once, I haven't used one before, but it isn't so hard. The last one I saw was a lot bigger than this one. And this here, they called it a network and said it was for talking to the other people in this big metal dome.

I've been to a lot of places, but never one like this before. They said there was lots of others from different worlds, that right? I haven't really looked around yet, but nobody around here has a daemon, I saw that much. That's not so strange, I've seen people without them. Anyone know how we get here? I'd really like to find out, see, there's still something else that I have to do; and to do it, I really need to know how people can pass through worlds like this. All that stuff about being fake? I don't believe a word of it. People been telling me things all my life and en't half of it's been true.

All the worlds I've been too have been to have been open, and this one's all closed off like something scary's outside. I think something went on in here too.

Comments

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Not that I remember, only large polar bears with heavy armor. They make it themselves, you know! one of my dearest friends was Iorek Byrnison, who was the King of the Bears. There weren't any dragons, though. Unless I s'pose someone's dæmon could be a dragon.

Did you have dragons in yours?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

You're a pirate! do you miss the ocean?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Every world usually has problems with it.

What was the authority in your world?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Found it.

æ

[notwalking]

Yeah. Not everyone does something about it.

Oppressive. Yours?

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Once my world had many dragons, but my ancestors took their eggs before they could hatch and carved them into ships; great sleek ships who would awaken when fed blood and memories, colour infusing the figurehead, the eyes opening, each ship it's own person and each attuned to the Captain's every thought, wish command.

In my time, there were only the ships and one, great, beautiful she-dragon. When I finally had a ship of my own, we brought her a tangle of sea serpents to breed with and start her race anew.

I've never seen a polar bear.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Every day.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

I think I understand ...

The Deaths were I come from were always nice. When you asked for them, they came to you with a soft smile, and they took your hand.

[postits]

Yes, that's how it was for us as well. Remains to be seen if it's like that here. Do you miss your world?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

When you get your ship back, will you take me for a ride?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

I like that story. Stories are always better when you witness things, and you can see them and remember them. There's a colour to them then. One day, I'll see a dragon.

The polar bears took sanctuary beneath the Aurora, and they were great warriors with heavy armor. They worked metal and made palaces and armor. Someone told me once that there's no better companion than a polar bear, and en't ever heard truer words.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Of course.

Are you afraid of heights?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Nope, I used to go flying with an aeronaut.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

My current 'ship' takes me up the side of the Dome, so close you hold out your hand and touch it. You're small enough I could sneak you for a ride on that, too, if you wanted.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

They used to take children and rip them in half because of Dust. It was sick, and I felt awful whenever I saw a child in two pieces; but they said they thought they knew what was the best for us, and that to stop us from sinning that they had to do that.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

It would be a pleasure.

[notwalking]

That's some messed up shit, Lyra. I'm Charlie. Authority very rarely knows what's best for us.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Of course I do, but sometimes it's worth staying in another world. Do people get sick here if they stay too long?

[postits]

That remains to be seen as well.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

How long have people from other worlds been coming here?

[postits]

I've been here a few months now. There are others who have been here much longer.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Do you know who they are?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

It's nice to meet you, Charlie.

I'm sure it en't true that we're all fake.

[postits]

You ask a lot of questions.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

It's the best way to find out what you want to know.