Video // un; E.A Poe

[quotetheraven]

[The video feed cuts to a rather pensive looking man, somewhere in his forties. He could be heard mumbling about odd machines, and something about not really expecting the afterlife to look like this. Quite a few people should instantly recognize him.

And without any warning he starts mutter a poem to himself.]

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow —
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand —
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep — while I weep!
O God! Can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

Bah, whatever. Greetings to all of... whatever you all are. I am Edgar Allan Poe. Here to join you all in this fever dream.

Comments

video | un: claudiometer

[claudiometer]

[Claudia's applause isn't sarcastic in the slightest. Sure beats her attempts at poetry. (Just please don't tell her if you have a reality-altering pen with you, buddy, that was... not a fun case.)]

Too bad Helena's not here. You could start a chronodisplaced-authors club.

[quotetheraven]

I can't say I know what that is, or who that is. But a writing club would certainly be most preferred over sitting on my hands. Though I certainly can't say this was how I was expecting to spend my time in the afterlife.

[Hey, since she seemed to like the poem he'll go ahead and rein in his bite a bit.]

[claudiometer]

This isn't the same kind of 'out of time experience' as she's up against, but I think the principle's similar enough to count. Anyway, you wouldn't have heard of her regardless, she's after your time. [And did most of her writing well before Claudia's.]

There might be other writers here, for all I know, but I'm definitely not one of 'em. Still, that poem will probably bring them out of the woodwork.

[quotetheraven]

[You know he's just going to drop the whole thing for now, because if he doesn't then he'll probably call her insane or some such thing. He's had his fill of crazy for a lifetime thanks.]

Oh there are writers everywhere, or so called writers in any case. Some are better than others, but I've yet to meet a person who was incapable of writing in some form or another.

[In other words, girl you be sellin' yourself short, girl. Probably, she's most likely better than most of everyone else he's read or listened to.]

But I'm not interested in them as of yet. I'm more interested in learning about everyone here in general. So that I might better understand what manner of madhouse I've found myself in.

[claudiometer]

Being able to put words on paper doesn't mean they're any good when they get there. I know where my strengths are.

[Now, if you want her to write computer code, she could work magic with that before she got here. It just wasn't literal magic at that point.]

Anyway, hi, I'm Claudia. And this is, thank everything, not an actual madhouse or I don't think I would've stopped panicking yet.

video; UN: firstfallen

[corruptedsave]

[Have a red eyed child, looking awed.]

No way, like the real Edgar Allen Poe? And this place is too dumb to be a fever dream, sir.

Re: video; UN: firstfallen

[quotetheraven]

Indeed, I am the real Edgar Allan Poe. At your service my good child!

[Congrats Chara, you got on his good side.]

Nonsense on this place being "too dumb" to be a fever dream. I've had plenty that were far more ridiculous than this.

[corruptedsave]

[Golly, they're actually excited to meet a human here.]

Cool, and yeah actually this place is pretty dumb. Like they had a thing where we got tested by some really silly tests, one even killed you.

[quotetheraven]

[A normal-ish human at that!]

Really? And what might those tests be, and should they concern me at all?

[Either way he certainly wouldn't take part in them!]

[corruptedsave]

[They like the man's work.]

It was months ago, so no not really. Unless they decide to test us again, but the dying one was like you got trapped on a beach with another person and two glasses. One of them had poison in it, and so one of the two had to drink it to be able to leave.

[Just leaving out the fact that it didn't really kill you, just made it look like you died.]

Video; UN: Songbird

[song_princess]

[That... She never heard of that ballad before.]

Greetings my lord Edgar Allan Poe... What song were you reciting if I may be so bold to inquire?

[quotetheraven]

[Well it is probably one of his least known works, and one of his last as well. Besides not many here probably recognize him, or that was his original thought. But so far even here, wherever here is, people still recognize his name at least. The thought pleases Poe to no end, and so he was placated... for now at least.]

It's titled "A Dream Within a Dream", young lady. Oh, and do drop the "lord" bit. Such titles are best left to those European noble tyrants that continue to haunt the world. Mr. Poe is more than enough to suffice for me.

video

[flewfromthecage]

[On the other end, Garnet smiles, reminded a little bit of home even though the poem does not ring in memory like it seems to with others.]

You are... a poet, sir? That was quite good.

[quotetheraven]

I am a poet, a writer, a critic... it is as I've said. I am the Great Edgar Allan Poe!

["Great" he says.... He does give a small tilt of his head. At the very least he was in a good mood right now!]

At your service my dear.

GOD I'm sorry this is so late

[flewfromthecage]

Well, if that poem is anything to go by, I'm sure you're just as great with the written word as you claim.

Ah, forgive me for having heard you mumbling a little before you began the recital, but... you mentioned the afterlife? You have already passed?

[quotetheraven]

[Ah heck; someone else that recognizes genius when they see it!]

Hm, yes. I'm quite dead. Or perhaps near death. It's all fuzzy, but I know for certain that I am dead.

[flewfromthecage]

Do you... not recall it happening?

[How curious. From what she has heard, there are some here that do remember the events leading up to their death. Is he simply assuming that this must be death based upon the circumstances?]

Video; UN: Wildflower

[madcuriosity]

That was splendid, Mr. Poe!

[quotetheraven]

Ah, Miss Liddell, I'm glad you enjoyed it! It seemed somewhat apropos given the current situation.

Tell me, are you still well since we last spoke?

[madcuriosity]

Oh, ah, yes sir! I'm very well. You've caught me at a much safer month. I wouldn't be able to say the same only a few weeks prior.

[quotetheraven]

What happened a few weeks prior?

video; un: lilmonix3

[peninhand]

Edgar Allan Poe?

[ Wait, what? Really? After Beowulf they get a legendary poet? ]

The Edgar Allan Poe? Oh my gosh...!

[quotetheraven]

[Gasp! Even more people recognize him! Oh what a happy day it is to be a Poe!]

Indeed, I am The Great Edgar Allan Poe.

[Great, he says.... But excuse him as he dips his head a little.]

I must admit, I'm quite thrilled to know just how many young people here are well read enough to know me.

[peninhand]

[ That felt so surreal! She'd known Avalon sometimes brought historical figure, but even so... ]

Um, ahaha..! I was President of a Literature Club back home and I host a Literature channel here. [Wait, did that mean she could theoretically invite Edgar Allan Poe as a guest on her "youtube" channel? Gosh, the click-bait title wrote itself!] It's a real honor to speak to someone of your talent and skill.

[quotetheraven]

[She could make a whole series on it. Maybe like a mystery murder game or whatever.]

A literature club? Ha, how wonderful; and to continue it here. To think I've met yet another love of the written word. [She's totally hitting all the right notes!]

I would certainly say that the honor is all mine, young lady. Tell me, is there anything that you'd wish to ask of me?