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[truerevival]

[Kazuma is obviously in the Archives. The looming shelves, claustrophobic framing, and dim lighting is more than enough to give that away. There are open tomes around him, but he isn't reading any of them; instead, he's considering the camera with a quizzical look, chin in his hand as he leans on the table he's at.]

Before the patrons of this place decide to plague us with more of the same, I have a mundane question for all of you.

We have many places we can choose to make our homes here. I am currently in Crenshaw, previously in Willful Machine...I moved with someone I know well. The point being, there are reasons we choose these places, correct?

What drew you to yours? What merits does it have to have others consider it? Is it because of people you know, or something else?

[He sighs and drums his fingers on the tabletop.] I just never really gave my own lodging much thought...I am wondering if most of us settle where it is convenient, or if we find other reasons to gravitate to where we end up.

Comments

[truerevival]

You would think with the time I spend there, I'd know Gaze's charms rather well. But I haven't explored it much. I go where I'm needed and that's...that.

[Kazuma please]

Having ones privacy is novel. Though...why not look for something close to the shop?

[thisislife]

It's amazing. Even though I think Cassie would be way better off here. But she could have her own bedroom too and things would work out. And if Rue and Jules came, too they could have their own room, too. And Gaze is equal parts fascinating and dreary. I keep expecting to run into Cthulhu.

I chose the house first. I couldn't resist one which looked like a lemon cake with strawberry frosting. Then I found a good place for the shop.

[truerevival]

It sounds as though it gives you several options, should you wish to have more people with you.

[...] What, exactly, is Cthulhu?

Ah. So it's also a matter of aesthetics?

[thisislife]

I keep hoping to find her on the shore one month or another. She'd hate it here at first, but I think I can convince her of how much better she'd be doing here.

Oh, um, an Old God out of Lovecraft's writings? Lovecraft was more than a little of a racist, but his concepts survive. Especially Cthulhu, kind of a tentacle-god.

And, yeah. As soon as I saw it, I had to have it.

[truerevival]

It's always possible she might. I doubt you were expecting to wake on the shore, or that any of us were.

...Either Lovecraft does not exist where I'm from or he's from after my time. Though it does sound like a concept people would keep around, racist origins or not. [People were fond of their gods and god-like figures after all.]

I don't blame you if it's something that suits your tastes.

(CW: racism)

[thisislife]

To say that I wasn't expecting it would be putting it mildly. It was a near total shock. That's why I'm hoping that Cassie might still show up.

Yeah, his writings have lasted for a hundred years when I'm from. Everybody knows the racist thing, but he was great at writing horror. So most nerds I know are willing to focus on that part or be like, yeah. Total prick. Which I acknowledge and accept while at the same time admitting that he can write horror unlike anyone else.

It's perfect. And I've decorated it in a macromilism style, so it kind of screams me at this point.

[truerevival]

When I arrived, it was winter. Coming here is a shock enough. Being trapped under ice only served to make it so much worse.

I see. An instance where the work is influential and strong enough to stand on its own. It's not often that work and its author can be so readily separated from each other. Though with that length of time, I imagine it's easier once the creator has passed.

If you've put in such efforts to decorate it to suit you, I can see why you wish to remain there.

[thisislife]

Yeah, me too. But holy crap, you were trapped under ice when you arrived? That had to have been scary!

One of those, definitely. And people have been trying to...I don't know the best word for it, but take his general themes and use them in their own, 100% less racist ways. Which is good.

Yeah, it's perfectly me. Back home, everything was pink and frilly because I share a room with my older sister and that's what she wanted, but I like intense colors much better.

[truerevival]

It was...panic-inducing; to put it lightly. It's an experience I don't wish to repeat.

A work can grow beyond its creator based on public opinion and reception. Interpretation and the intent behind particular readings or adaptations can lend to an evolution. I'm curious if I can find anything with those influences here...It wouldn't hurt to expand my genres of reading.

[thisislife]

Jeez, I can't blame you! I can't imagine what that must've been like!

[she grins playfully] Well, that's where I can help you at my bookstore! I'm hoping to do a soft opening by the end of August, then a hard opening in September.