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Emotion 365: The Land of Competitive, the Gate Control

Competitive’s steep slopes and rushing rivers challenge its denizens and visitors. Many fly aircraft over Competitive, jumping from them to land in the mountains. The cities have tall towers with many large meeting and conference rooms. In them, people debate and argue the future of the land. Competitive builds and manufactures many things. It seeks to export more of them than any other land. Visitors to Competitive ask to have their idea or artwork manufactured. 

“This is certainly the place for that,” says the Guide. “But often factory owners are busy with their own projects.” 

The gate at Control bars the way to Competitive. The well-guarded and usually closed gate is the only way in for those unwilling to scale cliffs, ride the rapids, or parachute in to Competitive. The Gatekeepers pass messages to the denizens of Competitive. They decide when the gate will open and for how long. They have complicated processes and procedures surrounding the gate. They ask special questions of supplicants but their acceptance or refusal seems arbitrary. Jewels cover the gates and walls. 

The Gatekeepers wear long elaborate braids and tiaras. They have no eyes or ears in their wide faces, but loud harsh voices which they use to express many strong opinions. They have long arms and short legs. When they peer at a supplicant from over the wall, they look ominous. Only when a supplicant enters Control and sees the Gatekeepers up close do they see their true forms. 

“I was no longer jealous of their position,” said the Guide.

Only Gatekeepers live in Control and no other beings. 

“It is a lonely place,” says Miss Emeline Traveler.

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