The Library, Part 43
Walking up the rather large hill on which the stone wall sits, the Private Eye takes one look back at the grassy valley they now leave behind. The scenery is very similar to that he first experienced on arrival on this strange world, and the more vibrant nature of things bothers him.
The Private Eye says to Estua, "There is a lot more life, and the light is much softer here than where we landed."
Estua responds, "You are in the same location where you first arrived. What you see here is not visible to those with dense bodies such as the one you once had. What you now see and experience is the true life under the Central Sun."
Cresting over the top of the hill, the Private Eye sees a shocking sight, a whole town laid out in the neighboring valley below, just on the other side of the hill where Leonie's portal dropped everyone. The town is awash in color, with low slung boxy buildings packed closely together.
Richard Roberts IV stares in wonder while the Private Eye comments, "It's quite beautiful. Reminds me of a job I had in the Mediterranean once."
Estua smiles, "Well, we are not in the Mediterranean, we are in the Atlantic. The town is called Ciúine."
"Atlantic? We are most definitely not on Earth." Says the Private Eye.
"Not as you know it, no, but it is the Earth . . . after a sort."
After a sort. There are plenty of old books in the Academy's collection that contains references to various ideas that can fit to explain this, but nothing definitive. More information is needed. The Private Eye decides not to push any hard line of questioning for the time being.
Estua leads her two guests into the town, which the Private Eye notes lack any external defenses. Estua's classical dress has the Private Eye decide to be on the lookout for the general development of this other Earth. Passing by a few buildings, little in the way of technology is present.
Richard Roberts IV attempts to cover herself as she walks through the town streets despite their being empty where they've so far walked. Estua sees the embarrassment and says, "Don't worry, it's nothing that hasn't been seen before. Besides, today is a holiday and everyone is in the town square."
"Holiday? What's the occasion?" The Private Eye asks.
"The arrival of two new sisters." Estua answers.
"That seems a strange coincidence." Says Richard.
"She means us." Responds the Private Eye.
Estua's continued smile betrays no affirmation for the Private Eye's words, and the three continue to walk through the town down one street and another until they come to a tan stucco building, no different from the others so far passed, at least from the outside.
Estua opens the simple wooden door for the Private Eye and Richard, and the two enter into a foyer with turquoise mosaic tile laid into the floor. Estua leads the two through into a courtyard which contains a small garden, one with abundant flowering plants.
The arrivals are quickly lead to the other side and through another door, and through a room to another place buried in the back of this large home. Estua leads her guests to a collection of clothing, all of a similar style to what she herself wears.
"Please, help yourselves. I will be right here if you need my help." Estua tells the other two.
Richard carefully picks up pieces of clothing and examines each piece with awe as the Private Eye gets himself dressed without fanfare. After a moment of staring, Richard feels the Private Eye's gaze and makes their choices, getting fully dressed and taking a place next to the Private Eye.
Estua glows, "You both look lovely. Please, let me get you both something to eat, I'm sure it's been awhile and the transition process upon arrival under the Central Sun can be a traumatic one."
Richard eagerly follows Estua out of the dressing room while the Private Eye lingers for a moment. He did not see a single piece of technology in sight inside or out. Not wanting to linger too long and draw negative attention, the Private Eye leaves the room and catches up to the other two.
The food provided is plentiful, with fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, all of it identical to that found on Earth. Nothing is unfamiliar. Estua describes the local produce to a rapt Richard and the Private Eye contemplates a long term plan.
"How do we get off this world and back to our version of Earth." The Private Eye thinks to himself.
"We are all hoping you will stay with us from now on," Estua responds out loud to the Private Eye's thoughts, "My clan is more than happy to take the both of you in."
Richard's face lights up at the suggestion and the Private Eye clears his mind save for one thought, there is no hiding anything under the Central Sun.
"The Panopticon, that's a dead on fact." Thinks the Private Eye.
Estua chats with Richard but gives a sly shine to the Private Eye with one eye.
The Private Eye says to Estua, "There is a lot more life, and the light is much softer here than where we landed."
Estua responds, "You are in the same location where you first arrived. What you see here is not visible to those with dense bodies such as the one you once had. What you now see and experience is the true life under the Central Sun."
Cresting over the top of the hill, the Private Eye sees a shocking sight, a whole town laid out in the neighboring valley below, just on the other side of the hill where Leonie's portal dropped everyone. The town is awash in color, with low slung boxy buildings packed closely together.
Richard Roberts IV stares in wonder while the Private Eye comments, "It's quite beautiful. Reminds me of a job I had in the Mediterranean once."
Estua smiles, "Well, we are not in the Mediterranean, we are in the Atlantic. The town is called Ciúine."
"Atlantic? We are most definitely not on Earth." Says the Private Eye.
"Not as you know it, no, but it is the Earth . . . after a sort."
After a sort. There are plenty of old books in the Academy's collection that contains references to various ideas that can fit to explain this, but nothing definitive. More information is needed. The Private Eye decides not to push any hard line of questioning for the time being.
Estua leads her two guests into the town, which the Private Eye notes lack any external defenses. Estua's classical dress has the Private Eye decide to be on the lookout for the general development of this other Earth. Passing by a few buildings, little in the way of technology is present.
Richard Roberts IV attempts to cover herself as she walks through the town streets despite their being empty where they've so far walked. Estua sees the embarrassment and says, "Don't worry, it's nothing that hasn't been seen before. Besides, today is a holiday and everyone is in the town square."
"Holiday? What's the occasion?" The Private Eye asks.
"The arrival of two new sisters." Estua answers.
"That seems a strange coincidence." Says Richard.
"She means us." Responds the Private Eye.
Estua's continued smile betrays no affirmation for the Private Eye's words, and the three continue to walk through the town down one street and another until they come to a tan stucco building, no different from the others so far passed, at least from the outside.
Estua opens the simple wooden door for the Private Eye and Richard, and the two enter into a foyer with turquoise mosaic tile laid into the floor. Estua leads the two through into a courtyard which contains a small garden, one with abundant flowering plants.
The arrivals are quickly lead to the other side and through another door, and through a room to another place buried in the back of this large home. Estua leads her guests to a collection of clothing, all of a similar style to what she herself wears.
"Please, help yourselves. I will be right here if you need my help." Estua tells the other two.
Richard carefully picks up pieces of clothing and examines each piece with awe as the Private Eye gets himself dressed without fanfare. After a moment of staring, Richard feels the Private Eye's gaze and makes their choices, getting fully dressed and taking a place next to the Private Eye.
Estua glows, "You both look lovely. Please, let me get you both something to eat, I'm sure it's been awhile and the transition process upon arrival under the Central Sun can be a traumatic one."
Richard eagerly follows Estua out of the dressing room while the Private Eye lingers for a moment. He did not see a single piece of technology in sight inside or out. Not wanting to linger too long and draw negative attention, the Private Eye leaves the room and catches up to the other two.
The food provided is plentiful, with fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, all of it identical to that found on Earth. Nothing is unfamiliar. Estua describes the local produce to a rapt Richard and the Private Eye contemplates a long term plan.
"How do we get off this world and back to our version of Earth." The Private Eye thinks to himself.
"We are all hoping you will stay with us from now on," Estua responds out loud to the Private Eye's thoughts, "My clan is more than happy to take the both of you in."
Richard's face lights up at the suggestion and the Private Eye clears his mind save for one thought, there is no hiding anything under the Central Sun.
"The Panopticon, that's a dead on fact." Thinks the Private Eye.
Estua chats with Richard but gives a sly shine to the Private Eye with one eye.