Freeport 10's "Sylvania Dome"

[Remnant]

The brown haired woman jumped slightly, quickly looking back at the newcomer.

"Don't sneak up on me like that.." Sighing, settling back down into the grass.

"Its all rather beautiful.. There are not many places around that I feel comfortable, but right away I find one of them.."

Glancing up. "Biodomes are never my favorite, but this was made very beautifully.." her eyes wandering around the area, finally settling on a specific black leopard.

"Hmmph.. Thats one way to scare everyone around here. So you were telling the truth.." Tilting her head, looking rather interested at the animal, starting to stand up back on her feet again.

She was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, as well as long jeans, almost showing none of her skin other than her face. A style she has adopted, feeling the most secure like this.

"I should stop by more often.."

[Enkidu]

"Rather tricky for one to admire the vista with you rudely rocking up and startling people, eh Robert?" Achille ribbed, pouncing into the conversation with a fluidity that had even the panther startled, leaning meditatively against the same, frighteningly nearby tree from which he had sprung. "Although, I must admit, it is quite a view. You realise this entire situation was modelled around the royal parklands, New Paris?" He queried, smiling genially, eyes quizzing the uncommunicative Susan.

"Forbid me for eavesdropping cheri, but I happened to be rather close-by." He chucked, as if his minor feat of espionage was merely a matter of convention, which for Achille, it possibly was.

"I agree cheri, the very fact that this was crafted by man does rob some of the splendour from the original. A copy, no matter how magnificently construed, is still a fake. Any forger would tell you that." His smile broke wider, his right hand delicately playing across the cracks, insect holes and tiny imperfections of the tree bark, as though it were a treasured possession, demanding a loving hand.

"Humanity has outdone nature, as we were destined to do. All of Sirius, mostly, is an illusion, an illusion crafted by the wonders of planetary terraforming. You took most of us, any of us, and placed us in a jungle without food, water, clothes, guns, ships, the neuralnet, any of those miniscule constructs with which we like to distract ourselves with, and we would perish. Our bodies, our minds, our cultures, can no longer cope with such conditioning. Sadly cheri, in a sense, none of us have ever seen 'the real thing', nor ever will".

"This biome is a more perfect illusion. If I, or..." He glanced minimalistically to his left, "...Robert, ordered it to rain, it would, and most spectacularly too". The day and night cycle; a mere magician's bluff involving the dome's external panelling. The atmospheric controls; essential. Without them the dome would consume all of it's internal carbon dioxide within a matter of weeks and the plants would perish. The only truly genuine entity is the sky; the hues you see above are the systems own, as are the stars..."

Achille descended on the bench to Susan's right, (he never 'sat' on anything), at a comfortable, conversationalist distance. Any escape from the dialogue was now irrevocably sabotaged.

"...And as we are, the Commonwealth. Cheri, we are humans, lawless, self-dependent humans at that; there is nothing more genuine than us. What is is the capitalists are always demanding? Wealth? Property? We possess both. The Coalition and the Communists? A sense of Comeradeship? We..." He twitched in Robert's general direction, "...Possess that too, at least in spirit. We rely, depend, upon our fraternal bonds. Isolate an animal from it's pack; it withers and dies, as does a grape when picked from the vine. But together? We have strength together cheri."

He crossed his legs.

"I have the honour of being a Burgundian cheri, but on my last sojourn up to Ill De France, I visited the aforementioned gardens and found myself... Immoderately demotivated. What we have here, is control. Compared with this, sole fundament, there is no greater truth."

Achille yawned, spreading his limbs.

"I'll believe you'll fit in well around here my dear. Wholeheartedly, welcome to the business."

---

THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

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(Links pending redevelopment).

[Remnant]

"Illusions, lies, secrecy, what would we be without this I suppose? Beings that actually get together? Its in our nature sadly.. Not that I approve, but there isn't much we can do about that. They can be looked down on such ways, but perhaps they may not be that way.. Two sides of a coin. One may be horrifying, the other may be angelic as a strong example.."

Repeating in a quiet smooth voice.

"Fit in.. I don't fit in. Its not for me. There are very few people who I can trust myself around, I don't trust the universe in general. These lies, and secrets.."

Looking back over at the Leopard a little off. "Animals on the other hand.. They don't have the capacity to lie on the level we do.. Its a feeling of innocence, sometimes I think they are better than us.. being advanced is a burden to us all."

Glancing down at the ground, covering her face with her hands for a few seconds.

"Im sorry.. I tend to ramble, a bad habit I was never able to give up.. I don't talk, but when I do.." trailing off slowly.

[Eduard]

Robert was surprised at Susan's remark, he wasn't intending to sneak up on her, though he understood her shy nature and decided to let it pass.

His attention glided through Susan's words as if he came personally to greet her.

" Oui, madame. I possess the fortunate luck of being followed by this companion of I " he said, crouching down towards his leopard, stroking it gently on its back.

The leopard answered with trust and docility, it calmly let itself to be stroked upon.

" You definetly should, cheri " he said

" I was certain you'd enjoy this little corner of paradise " he intonated, turning his attention back at his conversation partner: Susan

Before he could add anything else, he witnessed Achille's sudden appearance into the conversation. Robert imagined him as possessing a devious charm that'd wither even the most resistant of flowers making their life in the lowest and murkiest of cesspools.

But he didn't interrupt his speech, or add any ironic remark over it. Robert admitted, in his own mind, that Achille's words reeked of truth, especially about his dearest Commonwealth.

A well known rarity for him to admit such blasphemy, but entirely existant.

Instead, Robert decided to detach himself from the conversation, and transferred his attention to his little, furry companion.

It was only a matter of an eye blink, though, until his attention was forcibly re-attached back to the conversation, by Susan's words.

" Susan cheri, I'd dare say we relate to one another. Very much actually. " he said raising his stance back up and fixing his hat's position

" We are self-exiled individuals. Our distrust for the outside world and the idea that our prosperity can be more easily achieved on our own lead us to abandon society. It is only our common interests and ideologies that gathered us together. And in time, we learned to trust and rely on each other, like a family "

" Perhaps this is also where our similarity ends " he said, trying to emphasize on the shy and reclusive nature Susan possessed, in contrast with the amount of trust the other Commonwealth members had for each other.

" Perfectly understandable. And you shouldn't excuse yourself for granting exquisite levels of precaution. " he further added, so as not to worry Susan

" Back to the subject. Disband the Commonwealth and what do you have? I dare say you will end up with exiles unable to fit in any community. I at least, personally refuse to have myself associated with the common genetic strain of society and the cesspool it came to be " he said, his disappointment and discontent for society, especially the society engulfing the Houses, was obvious.

Robert temporary turned his back on his conversation partners, only to allow his footsteps to drag himself away from them. It only took five precise and exact footsteps before he suddenly turned himself back in a hasty manner, focusing his entire attention on them and outbursting a calmer, serene tone

" But, worry not of your ramblings, cheri. We are a family, if you ever feel to vent of your pain. You shall always find a shoulder to weep on " he muttered on a radically calmer tone

---

King Eduard is the greatest

[Remnant]

Susan calmly listened to Robert speak, keeping herself from commenting until he was completely finished.

"Now, now.. No need to think of bad case scenarios, I have noticed you have had the decency to keep this group of people; the Commonwealth, a little open.. You accept those who are looking for a place to go, everyone isn't perfect. Being open is one of the better things you can do in any situation.. Rather smart I can say."

Sighing, glancing back at the ground.

"Relating through self-preservance.. Perhaps.. distrust is a natural thing, if you look at how people act, you can immediately say that they cannot be trusted. There is always a black heart somewhere with humanity. I don't trust myself, I don't trust my family, I don't even trust the things I learn. Its a hell of a way to live, it starts to eat at you. But when there is nothing else to eat? Its not a pretty thing. I must thank you for allowing me of all people to be within the presence of this Commonwealth still. It.. helps.. Its not every day I hear of people who genuinely care about something, or someone else, its just not like that in this world.."

Slowly looking up, focusing on him once more.

"Disbanding this place is impossible. Everyone has fear, and misplacement. You gave them a place to be, a place to fit into, they will never leave. You disband, they will force something else to be with each other. You can't tear people away from their kin."

Sighing.

"If only.. I can dream I suppose."

 

[Enkidu]

"Admittedly the actualisation of such an order can be... frantic." Achille shrugged, staring peaceably at the river, as though searching for his words within it's recesses. "Divilitae et Unitas; not a simplistic concept to maintain. It's intriguing what you say about the irrationality of people cheri; if you look at our fraternity, you will find maniacs, egotists, geniuses all (in our own ways); possessors of property and affluence to varying degrees. Yet our intentions are ever conflicting..." His smile danced unfathomably, "...As it is between us, Robert."

"In division, there is unity. Often, the Commonwealth will only collaborate fully to work on a project which is seen as mutually benign, or grabs the common interest and skill sets. Our personal assets remain separate, true, but we find parity in our common differences. Logic reasons we should destroy each other, but no matter how hard - myself and my incurably incorrigible friend over here as an example - may struggle to destroy each other, we somehow (just) succeed in surviving each other, perhaps even growing from our pairings. By all reasoning we should distrust each other, and we do, but it's the necessities of existence which draw us close."

He sighed dimly, flicking a small stone into the waters, watching it skim boisterously over the waves before suddenly plopping out of sight, or any visible existance.

"As with all things, our flight in life is finite. Might as well milk it for all it's worth then, eh?"

---

THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

Information | Recruitment | Message Dump |
Feedback | Diplomatic channel

(Links pending redevelopment).

[Remnant]

To be surviving with people that should not be possible, and to be getting along.. That sounds rather dangerous just to take that as granted, but really.. I guess its just instinct to us all.

Throughout the entire time, if one paid enough attention, they should see the girl slowly becoming more and more nervous as the talking went along,

"I.. don't know if this place is either insane, or surviving against all odds, perhaps a combination of both.. Yet it works nevertheless, not to mention that the Commonwealth follows the Zoner way.. It is baffling in a way. But your words have some truth in them, we only have so long until we lay on the ground lifeless, what else can you do other than take advantage of these facts.."

 

[Eduard]

Robert listened and pondered over this entire spectacle of colourful clash of philosophies.

His interest in this subject, however, started to diminish slowly as he felt that the discussion was centered around the same meticulous subject, exerting a rotation which, to his mind, would prevent any other fruitful satisfactions from this conversation they were having.

" As much as I enjoy to delectate myself by dabbling into the most precarious philosophical discussions concerning the very fundamentals of our existence and, through analogy: everything. I would find it very appealing if we would all enjoy into a more trivial subjects, s'il vous plait. " He said, sighing.

Allowing those words to gush out of his mouth, Robert took a quick glance at his glass, sustained by his left hand. The presence of a few additional drops of wine waiting to be sipped reminded him of something:

" Speaking of which, mes amis, I had the pleasure of meeting a new personality today. This person was originated from Kusari and I will have you know, mes amis, he made me aware of the fact that they can produce wine from the rice they have. " he said, not bothering to hide and surprise or joy from the depths of his tone.

" Being confronted with such a meticulous discovery, I couldn't help but ask the unsuspected monsieur to deliver us a batch of this wine he spoke of. "

" So, I am wondering: Have any of you had the benevolent pleasure of tasting rice wine? " he inquired

---

King Eduard is the greatest

[Remnant]

She collapses down, laying flat on her back, looking up at the ceiling of the bio-dome. "Philosophy huh.. Just how I think, I could care less about how the world works in a philosophical sense.. All that matters is what is physical."

Rubbing her eyes, sitting up once more. "I don't drink.. Ive seen the effects, and I am stubborn enough to not try it.. Sorry.."

She was alone, and now all this talking.. Ugh.. Such a hassle.

 

[Eduard]

" Cheri, I dare believe that it is philosophy itself which allows us to comprehend the more metaphysical entrails of our physical embodiments " Robert said in an indifferent tone, glancing upon Susan as her body hit the ground.

Robert took a second of his time to glare at the small river, drenching into the soft soil inhabiting the biodome. His thoughts derailed towards a more primordial subject.

" Have any of you ever been to planet Harris? " he inquired to both of his conversation partners: Susan and Achille.

" And I am talking about the virgin, wild parts, open for any daring explorer but yet again uninhabited and free from the shackles and exploitation of humanity " he added as his view turned back to them, to Susan, and Achille, consecutively

" I must admit I've never been there " he said with a mild regret and disappointment, obliviously left to trample the air alongside his words

---

King Eduard is the greatest