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]

Ever think that they're lying? or are people too scared to go look?

That seems to be a lot of the problem; a lot of people are always too scared to do things, and to find out the truth for themselves.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

It's not that easy to go look. And you talk about doing it, they'll stop you - for your own safety, of course. But I'm sure someone could find a way if they wanted.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Authority always tries to tell you that they think they know what's best for you, instead of letting you decide for yourself. Maybe this should've been a big glass dome so we could see what it was like.

I still think there's a big monster out there. Something big and hairy with claws. Or maybe they thought they could keep the Dust away, but they can't.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Don't think they could make glass thick enough, not that would keep us safe if there really was danger. You see those panels up close, you realise they're tougher than the hull of the hardiest liveship. But one day I'll see for myself.

How old are you? I don't mean to be rude, you're just very intelligent for someone who seems quite young.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

A ship? are you a gyptian?

Or do you ride an airship, like an aeronaut?

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

I'm a pirate. Of the seas, though I have recently been spending more time near the sky since ocean is fairly scarce here.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

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

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Every day.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

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

[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]

Never mind, you answered it above.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Did your world have dragons?

[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?

[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.

[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]

Also, I hope you don't mind my eavesdropping a little; æ

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Thank you, now I can write it correctly.

Dæmon.

[notwalking]

You got authority issues in the world you come from, too?

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Every world usually has problems with it.

What was the authority in your world?

[notwalking]

Yeah. Not everyone does something about it.

Oppressive. Yours?

[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.

[notwalking]

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

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

It's nice to meet you, Charlie.

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

[notwalking]

You too. Wish I had stories to tell you like the Captain's.

Well, anything's possible.