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Part 12: The plot... thickens? =========================================================== This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:24, Sun 06 July 2003. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Ares ----------------------------------------------------------- Ares glances at Lazarus, "I agree, it's pointless to decide what to do about the plight of these people until we have asked them what they want. Cyan pointed out to me not so very long ago that I should not just interfere in the lives of others, merely because they are Shadow-dwellers. While I don't agree with her in the case of altering the ming of a brigand, I concede she may be right when it comes to changing the life of an entire race." "As for where we could take them, well Shadow is infinite. I can find them a world that suits their needs easily enough, if they but tell me what they require. And I can ensure that nobody else lives there to dispute their claim." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- “Of course you are right, the first order of business is to talk to Veldoma and the others.” Jack eyes Ares and Lazarus, it’s easy to see that he is mentally weighing everything, his face hard Jack thinks to himself weighing the situation "Just how much of this quest is mine that I have to abide by them? Are either Aaron or I subject to the Prince of Ambers whim? " He glances at Kalika, remembering the image of the triad and his face softens looking at her Amber eyes and silver locks. He knows that the quest is his as much as it is hers now. He is as deep in this as anyone else and He is subject to the whim of the one that set her on this quest and somehow thankful. He gives a bow to Ares, “I will abide Lord Ares.” the look on Jacks face says that he means it. He stands, turns and bows to Kali a mischievous smile plays across his lips. “Countess Wolfblade, may I have the honor of escorting you back to the buildings?” As he held his arm out for her, part of him could imagine the looks of Cyan and Ares behind him. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan cocks an eyebrow at Aaron's display of his weapon and the shimmering design on it she does not recognize, but her thoughts are more on what the three men are discussing. She glances at Kalika with a faint shrug. "I had thought to leave this in the hands of those better able to judge success or not - if Jack is to be our...weapon? I suspect it will be he who has his 'brains pureed', and none other," she notes. "All of us will likely find it necessary if we choose to attack the Gatherer. Which, I might suggest, would be a poor idea." She gets a wry expression on her face. "I thought myself to be the most likely to charge into a situation without a thought, but now...." "Point one. The Gatherer exists to feed on primal energies as well as physical substance. Observe the name. It GATHERS. For what? Itself, and now this sphere. Look at the size. How much physical energies has it absorbed to become so enormous? Does its mental growth match or even come close to its physical growth? For the amount of energy this sphere is siphoning could not match the amount it is 'gathering'...and Cylla only passed through here recently, placing the device." She pauses, then continues. "Point Two. We already know it is strong, mentally. Far stronger than you-" pointing to Jack, "or you-" to Aaron, "seem to suspect. How do we know this? Simple. Without any particularly special means of contact with myself or Ares, it was capable of partially preventing a gateway from being formed between us. A gateway using MY palanquet, created by MY hand, within the same world." She looks around at the others. "THINK. How may of you could do this? You great and mighty sorcerers, with your awesome mental powers. NOT A SINGLE ONE. Not, I wager, all of you together - not without the proper training, and I sensed nothing of that in the Gatherer. And yet the Gatherer DID interrupt the contact, and it took THREE of you to restore the NATURE flow of things!" Cyan narrows obsidian eyes. "If this does not give you pause, then you are greater fools than I thought. Your emotions are running wild, and making you hastier than myself! You, Aaron, consider fighting something vast as a mountain range with a toothpick. You, Jack, offer the suggestion of attacking a creature stealing the energy of an entire world with your mind. Think of what you are suggesting!" she says, clearly, in her Bard's voice. "I will assist, of course," she continues in a more 'reasonable' tone, "in whatever the more learned of you consider appropriate. But falling back on first principles, that is 'the art of conflict', as it is known throughout the myriad worlds, to attack an enemy in his strength is a path to defeat. Breaking the sphere, comparatively speaking, is something to be done BEFORE your plan, in my humble, young and foolish opinion!" She does not even consider Jack's witty comment to Kalika - her thoughts are elsewhere. "For now, as stated, I am with the idea of speaking to our hosts." Cyan quickly walks back towards the building. Berd stares at Jack cooly, his eyes dull. For an instant they sparkle, narrowed, and flicker to Kalika. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- The statements made regarding their current possibilities set Aaron's eyes slightly wider than he had anticipated. Cyan's comments did nothing to sway his own personal feelings, but they did make him pause. For quite a length of time. "Keep in mind that I wasn't privy to your previous encounter with the Gatherer, my dear Cyan. Also, Jack's idea was... interesting to me." Ah yes, and his own answer had been equally interesting, if also slightly stupid. Now the Amberite was laughing at himself. However, he had, he supposed, wished to rush this to a swift end. Most assuredly, now with Cyan's statements to the opposite, that swift end would probably have been his own. Jack had played Aaron's ego like an experienced percussionist, and he ground his teeth at that fact. Ah well. Not much I can do yet, is there? With a shrug and a sigh, he backs slightly out of the conversation, but does state one other thing. "So yes, as was mentioned previously, we're all pretty much agreed that we need to speak to Veldoma about the state of his species. Let's do that first and foremeost, and then make plans around that." Oh yes, he had been one of those who had jumped to conclusions, trying to find the easy way out. Aaron shook his head, and silently told himself to use his mind this time around. For what it was mean to be used as. But, he thought, what else was there to this? Jack spoke to him as if he was his better, or at least his equal, Aaron didn't really care which, but he spoke to Ares as if he was of considerable station. And Ares' description of himself being able to take Veldoma wherever he wished to go sounded an awful lot like Pattern manipulation... then again, Aaron didn't know how the Logrus went about being used, either. A second, quieter sigh followed the previous one. So many questions. So little attention span. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack watched Cyan passively and he even seemed to relax a bit as she talked. As she turned to walk off he said “Good, I was starting to sweat that one.” He leaned down to the drake “No Berd, I would not risk her or even Aaron’s life.” He gave the Drake and winked conspiratorially. “You notice she is not talking about hitting a massive power transformer with a sword any more, which is only slight more intelligent than a direct attack on the Gatherer. And was a small price for me to pay, looking the fool in her eyes. Between you and me Berd, I don’t know what I would have done if everyone would have jumped on the bandwagon.” Jack stood up smiling a wicked smile, looking between everyone. “Shall we all go back and talk to our host about relocation now? After that I’d like to seriously speak about finding where this energy is being sent.” He looked after Cyan and said “I do have to say, that was about the best, No! Don’t medal in things man was not meant to know speech I have ever heard. She’s good!” A mischievous glint rested in his eye. Part of him hated to do that, though part of him enjoyed it as well. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan turns slowly and stares at Jack. For an instant, her eyes glitter like diamonds. For the moment, she sets Aaron's comments aside - after all, they weren't inflammatory. "Jack," she says quietly, without a trace of threat, "if you are simply attempting to cover a bad choice, you are doing a poor job. If you are telling the truth..." Here she glance at Kalika a moment, then back to Jack. This is between her and him - not Kalika. "If you are telling the truth, I prefer Lazarus' sarcasm to manipulation," she continues shortly. "At least it is direct, and makes no bones about his opinion of my...clearly moronic ideas. I did say I would be willing to try the globe...once we have dealt with the problem of our hosts, and came to a decision. I was not planning on drawing my blade and having at it right here, right now." Tired of being treated like a child, tired of the constant doubletalk, veiled insults, jockeying for position, and outright manipulation, the normally happy Cyan is at the end of her rope. "But as you will. I am not your mother, to teach you manners, nor am I your lover, to teach you humility, nor your social equal, to teach you respect." And she bows to him, then. Berd easily hangs onto the silk shirt. It occurs to her that, since meeting Kendall, she has fairly constantly been in a poor mood. What is it about these Lords of Order and Chaos that...no, even Jack is doing the same now. Perhaps, she considers, it merely comes with Royalty. Whatever the reason, I am very, very glad I was born a peasant, and hold no titles now! Jack's little game now stings worse than Lazarus' sarcasm or Aaron's obfuscation...partly due to the fact that people have been misconstruing her suggestions in the worst way for several minutes now, or outright not listening to her, partly because...she expected better of him. Berd stares at Jack blandly for a moment, then curls up on Cyan's shoulder with a puff of aqua smoke. The message, from his 'expression', is clear: 'Leave me out of this, I'm going to sleep.' Cyan, frustrated, furious, and ready to strangle, turns and quickly strides back to the building. Her body fairly vibrates with annoyance, radiating 'don't touch me' in a language anyone can read. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack nods with a thoughtful look, thinking this may be a better opportunity for Cyan than he had initially hoped. He strides up behind her and places a hand on her shoulder ready for what is to come. Still he had to keep her talking and finish giving her what she needed to think about, if that meant him taking a couple of lumpsit was worth it, if he finshed the job. Then he would not resist. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan adroitly slips to the side as Jack's hand touches her shoulder, almost melting out from under his fingers, spinning in the dry, black sand to face him. Her ruby eyes stare into his, then the colour slowly bleeds from them, leaving them crystal clear - diamonds reflecting the light in a rainbow. On her shoulder, Berd chimes in warning, pushing off and slowly rising up into the air, eyes narrowed slits as he surveys the situation. It's blatently obvious he isn't planning anything. It's also blatently obvious he's becoming more than a little miffed. Cyan went beyond miffed a ways back. The sword, however, is still hanging on her shoulder by the red, braided, cord, and she makes no hostile moves towards Jack. Slowly her eyes fix on his hand, where he had been about to grip her shoulder. "Jack," she says quietly, her voice flat, "friends ask. Friends do not grab." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- “I was under the impression that there is a difference between placing a hand on someone’s shoulder and grabbing them. Perhaps I was mistaken.” Jack says easily meeting her look. He breathes a sigh and looks out across the sands looking tired “A student was traveling abroad and spent the night at a temple. That night he enjoyed kind treatment and respect from the Master. The student complained to the master of his own masters poor treatment of him. The Temple master told him when next he saw his master he should than him for his grandfatherly kindness.” Jack says somewhat enigmatically “I apologies for my methods, but I felt the need to both get your attention and get you thinking and Aaron thinking. Take the time to examine your own choices and options, all of them. Take the time to examine what you do and who you do it for. Are your Amber lords intensions just? Are Cylla’s? I don’t know. ” “However I do know if we do anything to interrupt that energy flow, whoever is behind this shall know we are here and following the trail. Either way, destroy the orb or even if we could destroy the Gatherer. Then they will know someone is onto them, making the job harder. We don’t even know what the orb is here for as of yet. It may be the only thing holding the Gatherer back by draining it’s energy. If your anger is the price I must pay to get both you and Aaron thinking so be it. You do not have to deal with or speak to me.” Still he looks out into the desert Jack looks at her again, “Now if you will excuse me I will catch up with you all in a bit, I need a moment alone. . . .” He moves out into the desert a ways, heading towards the far side of the buildings, cutting off by himself. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Platitudes and lessons. More arrogance. More assumption that she isn't thinking. Obviously it takes manipulation, rather than straight talk, to get me to act like an adult. This is even worse. It's obvious Jack hasn't been listening to her at all. Or, rather, just the parts he wanted or expected to hear. And, again, he has treated her much as one would a child. This is not how he acted before...but then, he hadn't 'woken up' to who he was, had he? I spoke in haste, before, I think. This is not the Jack I knew a day ago. Another painful thought occurs to her. Face facts, Cyan. Compared to everyone here, you ARE a child. The inner voice is bitter, angry, and speaks the truth. They know far more than she does about this. They are Lords of Order, and Chaos, and things In-Between, in Jack's case. She is out of her league. Frankly put. Berd settles back on her shoulder, chirping faintly, but she waves him away from her face. The little dragon shoots an enigmatic look of his own after Jack as Cyan heads back silently towards the buildings. Extremely tired, the Bard walks to where she can find Velona'antazaclania'antiacla'an. "Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an," Cyan calls out as she approaches the People's Speaker. "I have questions. How many of your people remain? And would they stay here, or go to another world where they might be safe from the Gatherer? It is possible we may be able to stop it, but I find that unlikely...and even if we could, your world is ruined." She says these things flatly, straight out, studying him for a reaction. "But we may be able to take you away from it," the Bard notes. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Tempers badly frayed, the group heads back to th cluster of strange buildings, where a number of the natives are inspecting the structures in the wake of the Gatherer's passage. One of them breaks away from the rest and approaches, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an again. "All well is? A bright flash there was, and a noise... " its face is still expressionless, but the voice is edged with concern. After the explosion is explained, and reassurances offered that no harm has been done, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an considers Cyan's own questions."Destroyed all the Gatherer has. Nothing for us here remains. Travelled here from a place distant we did, of this the history tells. To move again best would be think I, but the people must I consult. Of others in this world I know not." Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an pauses, hands still for a moment, "This journey make we really could?" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Outside Jack wanders far enough off to find a private spot outside one of the buildings to tuck himself into. “That went over like a ton of bricks.” He said to himself frustrated. He had been trying to help in his own way, it looked like he had bungled it badly, though perhaps she would understand. But what was the cost to him? Cyan’s respect? Cyan’s Friendship? What of the others? What of Kalika? He though back to simpler days spent alone, hunting on Mount Faust. He had found it so easy just to set the courts and life aside after the attack. Loosing himself in the forest of the snow covered peaks. Perhaps he was not ready to for this all. . . “Well this isn’t getting any thing done. Time to go to work!” He invoked the lens of the dark well and examined the world around him. “The world was wailing like a living being before in the Gatherer’s Path, I wonder.” =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan slowly nods. "It would take time, but...if necessary, I could bring you, or the others. Once I have been to the place you wish to go, I can construct a gateway of sorts, and bring ALL of you through. Again, it would take time, but then..." She smiles, glad to see that at least their group could bring hope to these beleaguered people. Her sapphire eyes glow softly as she considers this. I may know nothing about these arcane matters...but in the end, it is saving these people that is the true importance. THEN dealing with the problem. "You had best decide what sort of world you would want, as well. We would like to do this quickly, of course..." She glances nervously at the dark horizon. Others in this world. We need to find out! "Berd?" Berd glances at her, then shrugs. He concentrates, slightly, wondering if he is capable of sensing the presence of other life on this world. Probably not, but it's worth a try. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Lazarus ----------------------------------------------------------- Lazarus trails quietly behind Cyan and those members of the group that head back to the residences of the natives, a thoughtful look on his face. Moronic? The only moronic idea here was attacking the Gatherer, and fortunately Cyan beat me to the punch on that one. Probably more diplomatically than I would have been too. Why Jack would even suggest that... he shrugs. Whatever, no worries about that now. Standing off to the side, Lazarus listens to the exchange between Cyan and Veldoma. Edging a bit closer to the bard (though not too close, no need to get his head snapped off), "Care for a hand in searching for Veldoma's people? This is the sort of thing that Logrus is good for." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan slowly turns to Lazarus. Given that he is offering simple assistance in helping these people, she firmly puts the past into a small box (for now), and nods to him. "Thank you, Lazarus," she says quietly, and sighs with a bit of concern. "I have been most concerned since it has been brought to my attention that this may not be the ONLY people on this world. If you could...search this world? We might be capable of contacting others." Nodding to him politely, she feels a sudden rush of relief. This could actually work. NOW the only problem was finding a WORLD. Imagine. The power to search a world. Jack using this...mysterious Broken Pattern. Aaron a master of the use of the Pattern itself. Lazarus and his Logrus. Ares...a Worldwalker in his own right, with his own power behind him (she knew enough to keep it a secret, the nature of that power). I have stepped into a song of mages, myself and Kallika, she wondered, waiting for Lazarus and Veldoma. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Lazarus ----------------------------------------------------------- "You're welcome, and that is a concern," Lazarus replies a wry smile growing on his lips, "If Veldoma's ancestors could find this place then so could others of his kind, or other species as well." "Anyway, this could take a while so I'm going to find a quiet place inside to sit down," he says as he stumps off towards the dwelling. After a few steps he stops though and turns back towards Cyan and her scaley friend. "For what it's worth, I never thought your ideas were moronic." With a small shrug, he turns back towards the building and continues on his way. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- True. You think I'm a child. There IS a difference - the one is better than the other, I suppose. Cyan shrugs - she's happy to be able to speak to Lazarus without snapping at him. This mood she's been in is beginning to get her down. Then again, when she started this little quest, the lives of thousands, perhaps much more, did not weigh on her. Now that she has little else to do, Cyan finds herself full of nervous energy, with nothing to do with it. Glancing around, she gives Ares and Kallika a strained smile, then slowly sits down against the building, pulling out Jack's palanquet. She DID say she would complete the thing for him. The expression on her face DOES admit to not being adverse to a disturbance. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- As Jack searches to find this worlds Psyche, he begins to sing Evanessence’s Wake me up inside. Singing softly to himself as he works. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Ares ----------------------------------------------------------- "If you can tell me what you want, I can find a place for you, one where nobody else lives." Ares says, addressing their host. "It'll be a long walk, but it will be worth it in the end I think." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Berd ----------------------------------------------------------- Berd, realizing that someone else is now dealing with the entire 'figure out if anything else lives on this mudball' thing, examines his findings to date. If he discovers anything interesting, it is passed on to Cyan. Then he promptly goes back to sleep. There isn't any food...he's bored...time for a nap. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an turns away with a small bow to Ares and the others, and gives a high-pitched ullulating call. The Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an start to move towards their leader, moving almost as if they are under water, the gauzy strips which comprise their clothing wafting around them in the breeze. When all are gathered, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an starts to speak in the same strange language, speaking for a long time, while the strangers perform inexplicable processes to seek out others of its race. It finishes speaking, and the other Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an begin to answer in short clipped phrases. None of the nutritional caste are present. Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an turns back to the visitors, "A new land will the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an go to. Our belongings we gather now." Behind him the people are moving back to the buildings, at what is, for them, a hurried pace. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "Don't forget, tell us what sort of world you would like to find!" Cyan calls after the man happily, emerald eyes shining. This could take a while...but if I can go there with Ares, we can use the palanquetto return here. If I had one of someone! Pausing, she looks at Berd. Good thing I do! Looking up, she smiles gratefully at Ares. "Thank you, Ares." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack got up and walked back to the main building, as he entered he simply said “A world gone mad.” And walked to a quiet corner then curled up to go to sleep, knowing that he would feel better in the morning. It had been the most trying day of his life and was best to lay it to rest. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Lazarus ----------------------------------------------------------- A few hours after entering the dwelling to search for others like Veldoma, Lazarus returns from the dark structure a bit bleary eyed. "There are more Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an here," he says, his voice somewhat gravelly. "I've found two more colonies, both some thousand miles from here, each with about three hundred people in them." He pauses and runs a shaky hand through his hair. "This place truly is a wasteland. Apart from these people, there is nothing here is nothing but the Gatherer and black sand." Sighing, he shrugs and continues, "In any case, I know how to get to those settlements, but the travelling will take sometime. We need some quicker way to gather these people together." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack lifts his head from where he lays and asks Lazarus “How quickly can you travel to where these people are? Walking speed only?” Jack continues on after a moment or two of silence still laying there. “Isn’t one of the sides of the cube a palanquet of this place? Couldn’t it be used to help the others cross to here before leaving this place for a new home, if we could get a couple of people to the others survivors with the cube in hand?” Jack sits up and looks over at Cyan, “Also Cyan, I apologize to you yet again. It was wrong of me to take that tact in getting your attention.” He gives he a small bow from where he sits before laying back down. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- My my. Things have split up pretty fast here. Cyan on one side, Jack on the other. I wonder... is this still a "group" I've stumbled upon? With a chuckle and a shrug, he turned and walked off on his own. However, as he did, he tried to hide the shock that had hit him when he had seen the look Cyan had given Jack, after he had touched her. His teeth clenched at the memory. Damn you, Jadus. And... damn you, Melanie. A thousand Chaos-created hells for the both of you! He saw Jack walk off by himself, and Aaron moved in the opposite direction, eventually setting himself away from the group, slightly out of sight beside the building in which they had rested themselves previously. That curse had been truthful, though he reminded himself that one of the two people he was going to suggest to Jack had been his half-brother... and the possibility still interested him, even against his better judgement. IF he was going to get into a nasty scrape, it was going to be either Jadus, or the other man, that he would escape to. He hoped. He didn't yet entirely trust this group, and he'd had hundreds of years of experience behind himself, his brother, and their one true friend. Now he sat himself down in the dark sand, and once more cleared his mind. Lazarus and Cyan were on the job of getting Veldoma and the rest of them out of here. Jack was inquiring about it as well. If they needed him, they could find him. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "We need to contact them, Lazarus," Cyan replies to the man when he returns, looking up from her card. "Either that...is it possible...." Standing, Cyan becomes more animated. "If we could bring one group...we have several Worldwalkers here. Could each of us not take one group, and LEAD them to the place where the first arrives? Is that not possible? Difficult, but...." She turns towards Jack with ruby eyes. "Your suggestion regarding the cube has merit, Jack. I BELIEVE it could lead here. If I could reach them, I could bring them here, instantly, using the cube, assuming it works. I would have to attempt this, first." Pausing, she looks Jack up and down. "Of which tact are you speaking, Jack? Touching my shoulder, of course, is permitted. I must apologize for my reaction - it was foolish, and rude." The reaction of a child. She gives Jack a strained smile. This man is not the one you thought you knew, Cyan. Remember that. He has changed - how could he not? With his memories returned, he now has confidence. With confidence comes a return of the person he was. Quietly Cyan draws out the cube and studies it briefly. Then she attempts to determine if it could be used as a palanquet, to arrive at their destination point - the gateway. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an looks at Lazarus with it's strange eyes, "More of my people there are? For this news give you thanks I do. Alone we long have thought ourselves," The creature's expressionless face somehow manages to convey profound joy. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Lazarus ----------------------------------------------------------- Leaning against the doorway of the dwelling, Lazarus' shadow briefly falls on Jack as he turns to reply to Jack's question, "I've a form or two that could probably make the trip in about a day and a half. Or, I might be able to find a short cut walking between shadows. Either way would take time. I like Cyan's suggestion, if we could transport some of us to each of the colonies, we could move them relatively quickly." "If you can get that cube to open portals to the separate settlements," he continues looking back towards Cyan, "then we might want to include on or two of Veldoma's people in each group. That might help convince the other colonies that we're telling the truth and we mean to help them." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Lazarus ----------------------------------------------------------- "You're more than welcome Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an," Lazarus replies, brushing a few stray strands of hair out of his face. "I should have thought of this earlier. Let me know if there are any supplies you are lacking for you move. I should be able to get those for you as well." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "I cannot help you getting there," Cyan says, a slow smile building on her face, "but I can DEFINITELY use the cube to come back here!" She grins, almost crazily, and stands up. "If you can bring me to the colonies, I can use the cube to bring whoever is there to the gateway, just out in the sands! Then we can all head out from here together!" Her amythest eyes gleam happily as she slowly calms herself down, Berd chirping indignantly on her shoulder, disturbed by her sudden rising. "There! We have the answer - we only need to get YOU to the colony, and another," Cyan says, pointing to Lazarus, "and then you can use MY palanqeut to bring me there, and I can use the cube to bring us all back!" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- Mulling over his current possibilities, and the abilities presented to him, Aaron sighs in rememberance of what he had told himself when he had met Jack. These people need me here. It feels good to be needed. Despite the fact that I've had to give away a few choice secrets, they haven't done me much harm yet. There isn't much I can do about that anyway, but, well... I suppose there's something to be said of this group's plans. Perhaps they honestly mean to accept me... and my talents... into their fold. I guess it's time to sell myself. With a nod and a half-smile to himself, Aaron rises from his seated position and beins making his way back to the group. Spotting Cyan in a much better mood, he steps across the sands until he makes it to her. Adjusting his cloak slightly, he brushes the dust off of his trousers and clears his throat. "Ahh. I'm pleased to see you in a lighter state of affairs, Cyan. Tell me. What is our situation now? Can you use my assistance in any way?" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- “Sounds like a plan, I myself can not lead them, if I did they would die as surly as if the Gatherer had gotten them.” Jack says getting up and walking over to Cyan looking like death warmed over. He looked at there host for a second, “I knew they would not only be able to help you, but also that they had the heart not to turn their backs on your plight.” He turned back to Cyan “No, not for putting my hand on your shoulder, for the whole incident. It was an unkind way to treat a friend, your friendship is undeserved.” Jack bows to her looking at the ground, “I have shamed myself and do not expect forgiveness. If I did not have the obligation and my own tie to this quest I would simply away and remove myself from your presence.” He looked up and met her eyes with his blue ones. “I am deeply sorry for having mistreated a friend.” With that he turned and walked back to his sleeping bag to lay down and try to sleep. Thinking that right now he would kill for sleep, a good hot bath and a good meal. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan looks over at Aaron as he moves up to her. "We are planning on having Lazarus go with a representative to the other groups of their people, and bringing my palanquet with him." She waves towards Lazarus. “Once there, he will contact me, and I will go there, then bring everyone here using the cube.” Now Cyan happily waves the small device in one hand, emerald eyes gleaming with hope. “THEN Ares, having determined exactly what sort of world they desire, will lead them to it, ridding them of the Gatherer forever.” Her face falls, somewhat. “Then we have to find some way to deal with both the Gatherer, and our problem.” She frowns, thoughtfully, then tenses as Jack walks over. Quietly Cyan listens to his words, curious as to what he means. When he finally finishes, she stares at him with hard eyes as he walks away. Then, glancing around, the fiery-haired woman sighs. “A moment, if you would.” Quietly Cyan follows Jack, and crouches down next to him. “Jack. People make mistakes. I ask you – please let this drop.” There is nothing in her eyes but earnest appeal. Whether Jack is truthfully sincere or not could be open to interpretation by an Elder of Amber – but Cyan feels he is. He seems to be truthful in his remorse, and that is enough for her. “We are, all of us, under a great deal of pressure here. Can we not take that as the reason? Truthfully? I know I have not behaved in a good manner, either. I have been rude, uncooperative, and childish.” She rubs her face in her palms. “I am sorry, in my turn. There – now we have both apologized. Is this not enough? You have whatever forgiveness I can give, Jack.” Cyan looks him square in the eyes. “Only remember that I deal with people plainly, and we shall never have this uncomfortable feeling hanging in the air again.” Perhaps she was completely in error, Cyan considers. After all, they ARE all under stress. And if Jack, Lazarus, and Aaron all have been treating her like a child…the thought turns her stomach. Then they must be right. The fault, here, does not lie with Jack, fully. “Please. Accept my apology as well.” Berd merely makes a disgusted noise in his ‘sleep’. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack looked at her with an odd far away look “I’ll let it drop, but no I will not accept your apology because you have nothing to apologize for. If you would, do me the favor of waking me when we are ready to move.” He looked up at her waiting for anything else she might choose to add. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- "Hmm." So that's our plan, eh? Interesting. Watching as she went off with Jack, he gazed at them both and pondered their particular situation. He didn't wish to choose sides, but he toyed with a few assumptions regarding such a possibility, just for amusement's sake. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- "Gathering their belongings the people are. When ready you are, leave all can." Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an says, approaching the companions once more. It tilts its head to one side and regards Lazarus, "You have I seen, I believe, objects bring distant places from. The others our kind of, could you bring here not?" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "You're wrong, Jack, I fear. I do. But if you will not recognize that, I am afraid there is little I can do." Disappointed, Cyan sits back on her heels and nods to him, amber eyes disconsolate. She nods. "I will wake you when things change. I promise." Then she heads back to listen to the goings on with the group, and their hosts. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack reached out and took Cyan’s hand for a moment before she went back to the group . “Cyan. . .Thanks, I owe you yet another one.” He said to her before letting go of her hand and rolling over. Just an hour or two of sleep and life would be good again for him, just an hour or two. After the exchange with Cyan Jack quickly slips into a nightmare haunted sleep. Beads of perspiration stand out on his boyish face. A face witch it’s self quickly became a worried mask of concentration as he tossed and turned restlessly. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- Feeling slightly unnecessarry, Aaron took a walk, and soon found Jack in a fitful sleep. He wondered, yet again, just how he had met the man. Standing slightly off to Jack's right, Aaron watched him, dark eyes pondering. Jack's recent fight with Cyan had shown a side of the man that Aaron hadn't anticipated. He also figured that when he had shown Jack the mental image of the Pattern, and given him the instructions to walk it, that he had triggered the effect resulting in the return of his memories. This was most assuredly the case. But still, he wondered. What would have happened if Jack's Broken Pattern bond had reacted with Aaron's own Pattern? Would the meeting have resulted in both of their destructions? Watching the man in his rough slumber, Aaron thought more and more. And for a moment, he thought at Jack. Hard. I'm here to help you, Jack. But I'm here to help everyone else as well. Don't try to pull my strings. And with that, he turned and walked back. Out to the sands, where Cyan may have need of his particular skills. "Cyan!" he yells across the desert. "I've been wondering. Maybe I can use the Pattern to help with the transportation." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan, still waiting to see what will be going on with Lazarus and his attempts to reach the others, waves Aaron over, amber eyes curious. Berd wakes, looks Aaron up and down, then goes back to sleep. "Please do not mind Berd," she says quietly, "he does that to everyone. How might you assist, Aaron? We seem to have some time for explanations." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- After Aaron sent the thought Jacks sleep became increasingly more troubled and suddenly He sat up with an intense whispered “Angel! No!” on his lips, his eyes swimming into focus He looked around wildly half drawing his sword “Kali!?!” he says after a moment of looking around “Where’s Kali!!!” Already he is casting his Psyche out searching the Shadow around him for his love before he is even standing all of the way. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- "I.." Aaron began, before he paused and cocked his head to the side. Someone was certainly probing the surrounding area. It felt like Jack. He was awake, it seemed. He shrugged it off and returned his attention to Cyan. "I understand that we're going to gather Veldoma's group together, and then transport the whole lot through Shadow, to somewhere new and slightly more inviting than here." Glancing around, he found that he was already tired of the landscape, and he had been here for a far shorter time than the rest of the group. He ran a hand through his hair, finding a considerable bit of sand within. God, he was tired. And hungry. "I believe I could transport all of us, even Veldoma's species, to wherever we need to go. I've a certain handling of the Pattern. I'm sure others have mentioned their own ways of getting there, such as using the cube. In light of that fact, I wanted you to know that I could more than likely take us all through Shadow, should we wish it, or have need." His eyes met hers, and a slight smile met the corners of his mouth. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Ares ----------------------------------------------------------- "I have also offered to use the Pattern in this matter Aaron, though it might be that you may be somewhat faster than I." He glances at Cyan, "Working together we may be faster still, since we'll be able to take turns at the work and it won't be so tiring for us." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- The Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an are emerging from the dwellings, carrying their few belongings, they have even remembered to bring the nutritional caste up from their underground corrals to share the journey to a new land. Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an bows its head to Ares and Aaron. "Happy would we be any place where was not the Gatherer. If choice we have, then green must the place be, with a sun, warm, that in the sky moves. Nutritional creatures must there be." "Not always did we the nutritional caste have. When first came the Gatherer and destroyed was our food, fungi the only thing to eat was, but of the people many were made ill and could not eat. Made a decision was, our race to save. Those who the fungi could not eat must those who could feed upon. This our great shame is, that our own kind we must for food breed, the race to save." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- A wave a relief washed over Jack as he found them, walked out the front door without saying a word to anyone. As soon as he was out the door he moved to the building where he felt them at and searched for the entrance. Going inside he followed the feel of them searching to the wolf and woman, His strides long and his steps quick just in case. Letting his mind lead him to them. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan nods to both men, her ruby eyes glancing from one to the other. “You two should work it out between the two of you,” she says to Ares and Aaron. “And our host as well.” She smiles sadly at the man. “Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an, things will change now. These men will find the place for you, and we will bring you there.” They didn’t have a choice…what else could they do, Cyan? They could have died, of course. But…. Silently Cyan turns as Jack suddenly rises and heads out the door. But the expression on his face is one of relief, so she does not follow. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Ares ----------------------------------------------------------- Ares stands in silence for a moment, considering the terrible thing that had driven these people to a course of action so shameful to them. So traumatic that they were still ashamed of it all this time afterwards. All he can say is, "I'm sure we can find you such a place for your people." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- Frowning slightly at the story of their hosts' misfortunes, he nods to Cyan. "Yes. We should do anything we can to alter this situation." Clapping Ares on the shoulder, he moves a bit closer, making an attempt to gather the man's attention, as well as his thoughts. "Ares, it seems that we have volunteered to use our particular powers. Before I make any statements however, I was wondering if you had anything in mind, Shadow-wise, to where we could take this species. If you don't, I'm sure we both could work something out between the two of us." He clears his throat slightly. "As for the journey in itself, I believe we could take turns, with myself starting off, and you continuing on at about midpoint through Shadow. That is, if you believe that to be adequate. As I said, I'd prefer to hear what you think should be done, before I suggest anything concrete." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Kalika Wolfblade ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack rounds a corner in the building and finds Kali and Hunter. Kali is seated with her back erect against a wall, her eyes closed and a troubled look on her face. Her hair has been unbraided and flows in a torrent of sparkling silver down her seated body. Hunter lies in front of her, a bored look on his face... until his eyes focus on Jack. His nostrils flare and he growls softly. Kali's eyes snap open and their deep purple depths take a few seconds to focus. "Wh... Jack!" she cries before her eyes are focused enough to see him. She rises with the fluid grace of a trained fighter and embraces him. She breathes his scent in deeply and sighs contentedly. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack flows into the embrace and lingers there, making it a warm embrace of mind as well as body. “Yes, I’m here Kali.” He said softly. His life is turmoil trying to find balance again since he found himself, they are in a world of madness, he is exhausted and hungry. For the moment though all is well in his little world and there was no place he’d rather be. Finally he pulled far enough to look into her amber eyes with his own deep eyes “Something was troubling you Lalai?” He looked at her questioningly =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Lazarus ----------------------------------------------------------- (NPC'd + maimed) Lazarus looks to Cyan, "It is decided then? I will use the Logrus to move myself to the nearest village, then use your palanquet to bring you through with the cube. Can you bring Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an with you? It might be easier if he was to explain the situation to the people in the villages. Less chance of a misunderstanding." He holds out his hand for Cyan's palanquet and prepares to send a Logrus tendril out across the wastes... =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan nods, handing over her Palanquet and turning to Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an. "Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an, would you like to come with us? I can bring you to Lazarus, and you can talk with your people - explain the situation to them, so that they trust us." She smiles, her sapphire eyes shining happily. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Kalika Wolfblade ----------------------------------------------------------- Kali's mind is open to the embrace, but a part is closed off, unavailable, as she steps back. Surprise fills her and her eyes widen as she picks up a feeling from him. "You... your memories!" she cries, elated for him. She takes a step back, and smiles apologetically "Before I left I wasn't in a very stable state. I just remember you giving me a piece of paper..." she trails off and her cheeks flush hotly "but I can't read" she admits. Kali forces her gaze up and curiosity and fear are mingling in her eyes "So, who are you Jack?" she asks, her voice unsteady. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack studies her with a speculative look for a second, there is worry in his eyes “I was born,” he starts “Antoine Dominique Lavonte Prince of Andar. As for who I am, I don’t know quite yet, but I believe you and the part of me known as Jack have done much in helping me find myself again. Like I said down below, you have all helped me learn and grow. After this afternoon I can see I still have much to learn.” He looked away for a moment to the floor. He looked back up into her wolves eye “I will tell you anything about myself you desire, indeed I will open my mind and soul and share it with you if you wish, bearing it for you to see. As for the letter, I have given you lands and a title in my world, free and clear, no strings attached. Also I have offered a place in my world for you as a emissary of the Chunchee people. It is my thanks and pleasure, none of which come with any ties.” He gave her a small bow “We can discuss that later.” Jack hesitates for a studying her again, worry and concern deepening on his face. Again he looked away nervously. “Something. . .Something bothers you. . .There is something bitter behind the sweet. . . The triad won’t work now will it?” There is a note of both hope and worry behind his voice. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- With its head inclined to one side, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an approaches Cyan. "This travel we will make how? Magic is it?" Lazarus takes the palanquet from Cyan and walks away into the desert a hundred yards or so. Then he sits down on the sand, and a few minutes later is gone entirely. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "In a way," Cyan says quietly, carefully, sapphire eyes staring into Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an's. "My friend will use the card I just handed to him in order to contact me. Once he does, you and I will hold hands. I will reach for him with my other hand, he will touch it through the power of the card, and we will be there." She smiles hopefully at the being. Berd opens his eyes, stares at Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an, and slowly gives a toothless, reassuring smile. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Kalika Wolfblade ----------------------------------------------------------- Kali's eyes widen as Jack.. Antoine shares his past. His words, separating himself from the man she had come to love so quickly, cause a deep pain. A hollow smiles sits on her face lopsidely and she chuckles, a lost sound. Hunter whines and rubs his head against her leg, but she ignores him, eyes focused on some spot on the floor. Hunter licks her, eyes boring holes into her side. Her shoulders stiffen and she looks up, eyes unfeeling, expression bland. "A Prince, eh? Congradulations" she bows to him formally, the manners taught to her as bodyguard clamping into place "I may be in need of a lot of things Jac-" she catches herself "Antoine" she pronounces the foreign name flawlessly (for once) "but a prince's charity is not one of them, although I do thank you for the thought. As for the triad, I don't think you realize what it would entail, and I doubt you would want to now, given your position, I mean who would want to be tied to a seamstresses' warrior trained daughter and her lai?" and then the tears come, pouring down her cheeks, her sobs mingled with the awful hollow laughter. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- “Call me Jack, please. In my eyes I will always be just plain Jack to you.” he says looking at her. Jack steps up reaching out and tenderly strokes Kali’s cheek brushing away a tear. “Not Prince Antoine, not anything else Lalai.” Jack gently embraced her “It’s is a curse, not congratulations if it so means I lose you. It is not princely charity, it is a gift of love, so that you may have your future with your people, even if you do not choose me.” He gently lifted her chin with a finger so he could look in her eyes. “I am willing to do whatever it may entail Lalai. If you want me. . . If you’ll have me, I will renounce my claim to the thrown if that is what it takes. I want to be tied to you. . . In my eyes you are more truly royalty and nobility than I could ever hope to aspire to. With a nobility of spirit that shames me, because I am not so noble as you. You are. . .” Jack looked as if he were lost in those amber eyes for a long moment and like he wanted to be lost there forever “I would be getting the much better deal if you accept me, than you will with myself.” He leaned in close to her and spoke softly “I come to you, not as a Prince, not as a adept of the broken pattern, but as a man. Hours ago on the training field, you could have hurt me at any point you chose. I tell you now that the choice is yours, you can hurt me more grievously with a mere word than any blow you could have deblt me out there. The choice is your, if you want to be with me or not. I only want you to be happy, I can accept you for who and what you are, and that is good enough for me. Yes or no, can you do the same for me?” Jack leaned in to tenderly kiss Kalika on the lips before she could answer, but left he room for Kali to pull away if she chooses to. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Time passes slowly amid the black sand wastes of the nameless, and soon to be dead, Shadow, almost an hour by Cyan's reckoning... Then she feels it, the familiar sensation of somebody standing just out of sight, watching her. She opens her mind a little, after all the Gatherer might still be able to attack her, but finds Lazarus there instead, reaching for her through a rainbow-shaded halo. She takes Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an's hand, finding it oddly hot, as if the creature had been holding it near a flame, then grasps Lazarus' hand. A slight tug and she is standing with both Lazarus and Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an in a new place, there is only a single dwelling here, but there are the shattered stumps of two others, and she is reminded that they had been told that sometimes the structures failed. Lazarus walks off and vanishes again, on his way to the next, and final, village. Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an starts to address somebody who appears to be the leader of this group. Leaving Cyan to prepare the cube for their transport. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "Berd," Cyan notes, her eyes burning like rubies as she pulls out the cube, "can I bring so many people through one of these? I hope so." Berd gives a slight cheep of encouragement, waking up and looking more interested. Cyan holds the cube in her hand, thoughtfully, then reaches forth, attempting to see if she can open trump contact (but not actually go through) with the standing stones in the desert. Once satisfied that she can, the Bard sits down and considers. She knows that if they all hold hands, she might be able to draw them through. But that is more than a little difficult. Pondering the matter further, Cyan recalls the gate effect that Kendall created, time past. I doubt I could do the same...but could the cube produce a similar effect? Cyan will CAREFULLY probe the cube, attempting to determine if it can produce a gate, without actually DOING so. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Kalika Wolfblade ----------------------------------------------------------- Kali watches the man she loves carefully as he addresses her wanting to believe what he is telling her. It is only when he touches her, that she gasps a bit in surprise, but does not pull away. She returns his kiss, but breaks it early, staring up at him and chuckles again, this time with more feeling. It is not the empty laugh of a lost person. "You never cease to amaze me lalai" she says in a feeling choked whisper. She is content to rest in his arms, relishing the feeling of both holding and being held, letting the surprise and amazement wash away and allowing her tumlultuous feelings settle. Once she has accepted the full impact of Jack's words and mulled over the choices before her, she has little trouble making a selection. Of course this all takes some time, after which she mumbles into his shoulder. "Jack, Antoine... you cannot continue as two different men. I would never ask you to give up your heritage; your past, but you cannot be two people. Eventually one will win out" she adjusts her head so that she is staring up at him "You can be Antoine and still keep the lessons learned from Jack just as easily as you an be Jack and call upon the memories and experiences of Antoine. But to try to exist as two... one with us and one with your people" she shakes her head sadly "I don't think any good would come of that" she smiles faintly at him "once you have decided which path to take then we will discuss a triad, until then you shall be Jaciu in name only, for my heart will always know you for who you truly are. Regardless of which man you want to be, you will still be a man... and a man that I love. Although I admit, I don't like the prospect of being a princess" she screws her face up in a comial look of disgust, the expression paired with the ludicris mental picture of a woman smothered in face paints in a huge, gaudy dress adorned with large garish bows and yards of lace trimmings with a prim and proper air about her. Kali locks eyes with Jack, shows the image, and then burst into laughter. Hunter sits besides them with a heavy sigh. Things may have gotten a little harder for him, but it was nothing he wasn't afraid he could over come. Once the triad was established... well that had the potential to change everything in the wolf's eyes. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- After some discussion the local Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an start walking towards the dwelling, whie Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an approaches Cyan accompanied by their leader. With a small nod of its head, and much slow gesturing of the arms, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an speaks to the bard, "As well as I could the plan I have explained to Grexapalatnatl'ana'ak and its people. Failed did two of their dwellings when last this way passed the Gatherer. Dead are many. With us they will go, when their belongings gathered they have." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "I am ready," Cyan states. She smiles, topaz eyes glittering under the light of the sun. "This will work - I have examined this device, and it will make matters even more simply. Please, hurry your people. I have misgivings about waiting a great length of time." Turning, she stares out over the desert quietly. Berd, sitting on her shoulders, eyes the cube thoughtfully. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Grexapalatnatl'ana'ak goes to hurry its people, and before long all (including the nutritional caste) are gathered on the sand near Cyan. Their possessions are pitifully few. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan stares sadly at the small group of people, and suddenly her eyes are like shimmering opals. Tears build in them as she removes her gloves, and holds the cube in her hands. "I'm sorry," she says quietly. A single sob wracks her body as Berd hums soothingly in her ears. "I'm sorry we did not come sooner." Please, lords of time and space, let this work. Let us get them HOME. Slowly she opens the gate. "Go - take refuge with the others of your kind - you will see their buildings, there!" Her voice now rings like crystal in the air. She points across the black desert towards the distant buildings. "Go there, and wait - soon we will be bringing the third group of you there, and then it will be away, to a place where you can live in peace!" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- The portal opens, a shimmering ring of prismatic light hanging in the air and expanding until the bottom edge of it touches the sand. Within the ring is more desert appearing little different from the place where Cyan stands. She instructs the creatures waiting patiently for her to save them from oblivion, and Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an translates her words so there is less chance of error. The people file through in twos and threes, and a few look back at their old home as they pass through into their unknown and unknowable future. The only thing they know for sure is that they don't want to be here any longer. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack he had reveled in the warmth and closeness of Kali, though left wishing that he had not worn his armor. Still he relaxed as the wall fell again between them and laughed at Kali’s image of a princess holding her eyes fixed in his own, a look filled with affection. “I would never visit those horrors on you or ask you to be anything other than that which you are Kali. Some things are better wild, free and simply as they are.” Then he smiles a delightfully mischievous smile, “I hope that I never do cease to amaze you.” Jack screws up his face as if smelling something that’s a little off then relaxed it again with slight sigh of frustration. He reached up and stroked her silver hair and smiled “Kali, I do not know how to explain this to you without taking the time. I have so very much I must explain to you and so little time at the moment. Right now they are preparing to go get the other natives of this world before Aaron or Ares lead them to a new world. They could probably use our help.” Jack kissed Kali on the forehead not wanting pull away. “I am going to share my memories with you, but you must prepare your mind because it will be a lot of information coming fast. Let me know when you are ready. So that you might truly know me.” When Kali give him the go ahead Jack he started sending “My world.” He said showing her a view of a massive world from space, a feeling of rushing in and a View dragons flying in the same sky as Jets (She knows from his mind what the Jets are.) Giants treading across the same land as complex superhighways. A mixture of high tech and magic as people bustle about in busy 20th century cites next to all kinds of strang and exotic beings. Then the rush of changing scenes again to a secluded wilderness area with a mountain in the middle of it. Permafrost covers the highest peaks. “Though I am a prince I am king of the mountain.” Kali knows from him that the surrounding wilderness is the wilderness preserve of Avignon and are quite extensive. They are the lands he has offered to her along with the title of Countess of Avignon her acceptance of the lands and title guarantee that no one of his world will question their relationship. She knows that she can be herself and hold the title, his people do extensive trading through magic gates and are very accepting of cultural differences. She also knows that he is willing to have someone set up a gate so that she can have both worlds freely. The rush of change and she can seethe place he spends most of his time and feels most at home. A small cabin built on his mountain, simple and secluded where a man can be himself in peace. She knows that the cabin is built over the sight that holds his pattern. For the past two years he has lived here as a veritable hermit. Every since. . . The rush of change His life as a prince was based on not ruling, he never wanted the crown only to explore the world and worlds around him. “Please bare with me, I am ashamed of this part of my past. If you do not want me after this I shall understand.” Jack spoke and continued He was a explorer and hunter by nature no where near as good as Kali, A high powered rifle was his weapon of choice. In his younger years he was a trophy hunter trying to prove himself to his father. Later he grew and became as much or more of a conservationalist as a hunter, finding the balance. Finally in the end he had wound up in the cabin only hunting for food as needed. She can feel his shame burn brightly at the waste he had caused in his youth. The rush of change: His father a normal man, his mother one of the Fae. . His own name in the Fae courts Sir Moribue “Sir Half-breed , rough translation.” He is Moribue as much as Antoine or Jack, then his true name, his secret name, the name of power his mother gave him on his birth before he was named. Iroeyieru, the name that holds sway over him yet the name he hold the least affinity to. She knows that this name in the wrong hands could harm him. His chums that he pals around with called him Dom or Dominique. She knows with all of the names he is still just who he is, not separate individuals. She knows that no matter what he is the man she has know over the past two days as Jack. His name does not define him, nor does his title. He is the man that wants to be with her. She knows that he likes it when she calls him Jack. . .but he knows he can not get the people of his home to change what they call him. He can be how he wishes and who he wishes, he can go where he likes and choose who he likes. Still to them he is Prince Antoine or Dominique. To him Kali is his love and his equal, he is just plain Jack to her and for her and his friends to call him that pleases him. He is just Jack to them. Not special for anything other than himself. He is Jack, Jack o the mountain. The rush of change: Two years spent on his mountain as a recluse, Two years of pain and mourning. He looked at the broken pattern, his pattern. He walked it with intent. To find happiness and to find himself. In the center he focused on these and awoke without memory of who he was, looking into the amber eyes of a silver haired woman whom he has fallen in love with in two days. He had been finding himself far beyond what he could have in his world. He is Jack and he is in love with a seamstress daughter bodyguard who is ever bit his equal. Her quest is his, and he hoped her world is his whatever that may be. But when he goes back home for anything he shall be Prince Antoine to them and if she is with him, she will have to be the Countess Avignon and hopefully princess Kalika Wolfblade. He sent her a vision of her and him sitting around a grand table, her dressed as she is now. Under the eyes discriminating eyes of the lords and ladies. Kali smiling showing her fangs. Jack chuckled, diplomacy of the wild. Jack stopped sending flood of thoughts and memories had only taken less than a minuet. He had held her in his arms the whole time. Just in case it was to much for her. “Whoever I am I want to be with you. But I can tell you now I am Jack. Jack is the core of who I was when all of the other garbage was not in the way. Though I am a traveler between worlds. So I must be ready to act in that world by their rules when I do go back. Can you still accept me for who I am?” He asked searching her eyes. “Can you call me Jack? That’s all I really want to be. It is who I am, it’s the heart of me?” =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Ares ----------------------------------------------------------- Ares shades his eyes as he looks out across the desert, more to protect them from sand than from the faded sun. There is a flicker of light and movement out there, and he hopes it's not the Gatherer returning. Finally he is able to make out more detail. "They're coming!" he yells, "The others are coming!" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- Staring in the direction in which Ares looks, he nods. "Hmm. Indeed they are. I suppose we should assist them." And thusly, Aaron begins moving towards the group. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- At the village the newcomers make their way across the sand from the site of the portal, which has winked out of existence behind them. They mingle with the residents, and soon the air is filled with their high-pitched whistling language. These are people who have never met, until a couple of hours ago none of them had any inkling that there were even any more of their kind on this world. They have much to talk about. Cyan sits on the sand at the now deserted settlement, with only Berd and Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an for company. It has been twenty minutes since she closed the portal behind the last of the evacuees and now the only sound other than that of herself and her companions is the hissing of a thin, cold wind. The only movement small dust devils and streamers of wind-blown sand. This world might just as well be dead already. Then there comes that familiar touch of Trump, and once more Lazarus is there, reaching for her. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "We come," Cyan whispers, drying her sapphire eyes and reaching out, taking Lazarus' hand. Berd sits on her shoulders, staring out into the emptiness, something...oddly vulnerable in his glittering eyes for a moment. Then the little dragon sighs, and relaxes. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Kalika Wolfblade ----------------------------------------------------------- Kali prepares herself for the onslaught of memories and images as much as she can. Still she is not used to these things and easily overwhelmed. She sags into Jack, her mouth open in a wordless cry. After the quick sharing is over, she takes a few minutes, breathing hard, to regain her composure. "That.. was overwhelming" she gasped with a weak smile "Jack it is then" she kisses him vigorously "You mentioned the others... we should get going if we are to join them. The triad will come later, I promise" a mischeviously grin lights her face. She begins to walk towards the exit, twining her arm with Jack's. "So... what is this broken pattern?" she asks curiously as they head towards the others. Hunter pads along behind them, faithful in his duty as ever. He and his mistress, they would have words about duty later. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Hand in hand they move towards the exit “I know it was overwhelming, I was hit by all of my memories at once earlier today.” Jack gave her hand a comforting squeeze “As for the triad,” He shrugs “Whenever I only wanted you to know who I am, and know that I know who I am. You had mentioned it originally so we will cross that bridge only when you are ready and we have time.” Jack bit his lip and frowned “My, you do ask the difficult questions Lalai, I am only beginning to understand this myself with the information I gained from Aaron. The Pattern is the pattern of the worlds, the pattern of the universe, both metaphorically and literally. My pattern has gaps in it, flaws, cracks in reality where all of the nasty garbage of the universe collects. I slip between words by traveling these flawed cracks in reality. If I came upon a flower while traveling these breaks in the universe you can bet that it would either try to eat me or have poisons spores or something. I- I travel the worst areas of the universe. He glanced over at her before they stepped out the door. “Do you understand?” Looking back up he sees the natives out there and can feel the excitement in the air. “Oh my, it looks like they have the first of them here.” Jack leaned over and kissed Kali’s cheek “Let’s go see what’s going on wild flower.” He raised an arm, waved and called out “Aaron! Ares! How’s it going so far, any trouble?” =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Another settlement, only two dwellings, and one of them little bigger than a cottage. Had somebody said that the dwellings grow? Perhaps this is a young one? There are too many people here for the living quarters availabe, Cyan and Lazarus follow Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an and the local leader, whose name she never caught, down into the caves below the structure. Many of the tunnels are blocked with rubble, and the people are overcrowded in the remaining shelter. There is much talk in the almost bird-like language, and then Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an speaks to Cyan, "All will come not. The Gatherer a test is, many believe. This place to leave wrong is, they say. Come some will, others come will not." A startlingly human shrug, then, "Their home is this." About half of the people present start collecting their paltry possessions. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "No," Cyan says, shocked and horrified. "No. We cannot leave them," she states flatly, stepping forwards. There's an instant's pause, then she turns to Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an. "Get everyone else through the gate." Her thoughts reach out, twisting the cube through the spiritual motions necessary, and the gate opens behind her. "I'll have to speak to them." With eyes like burning agates, Cyan quickly strides forwards to the spokesperson of this group of people. "Sir, a word with you?" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- The creature turns towards Cyan, it's unblinking eyes regarding her fro a face like a mask of impassivity, "You wish what of me?" Behind her, those who are to leave are stepping into the portal... =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- "Please, Sir," Cyan says quietly, putting forth her utmost sincerity. "I have seen the Gatherer. It is no test - it is death. Death for this world, and for those who stay upon it. Please, your people need to leave. This cannot be your home any more - there is an animal within your walls, and it is mad, and will not stop until all is consumed. It is your choice, of course," and her voice quavers on those words, for Berd has the power to remove such choice from them, one by one, "but I ask...no, I BEG you. Please, please, leave this place. Your people - many more of them - are going. Why not join them?" Her amythest eyes sparkle with unshed tears. Berd stares at the man impassively, waiting to see his reaction. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- "With you I agree, but my people they are. Leave I will not while any remain." It pauses for a moment, before its hands start circling, looping and gesturing once more, Their faith it is that here keeps them. As strongly not all believe. Left the others did, these though do not the will of the Creator believe it to be that they move on should. Try I shall once more though." It turns away and addresses the people again, at considerable length, pointing to the gate, and to individuals in the crowd. It speaks for about half an hour, and when it finishes... Ares, Aaron, Jack and Kalika guide the second batch out of the portal, and find that Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an is with them, but that Cyan and Lazarus have stayed behind, apparently trying to persuade a last few of these people to come through. ... about half of the remaining people rise and move towards the portal, many of them not even pausing to gather their things, as if they want to get away before they have a chance to change their minds. The remaining group, perhaps thirty five individuals turn their backs, and sit facing away from the gateway. The leader faces Cyan and Lazarus, "Tried I did, but move these will not." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- “Excuse me love.” Jack leans over and says to giving her hand a squeeze “I think I’m going to nip over and see what’s the hold up with Cyan and Lazarus. You are more than welcome to come if you like.” Jack smiles at her then walks over and steps through the portal. Once on the others side he looks around for a second then walked up to Cyan and the lead native. He looks between them stopping to study Cyan’s upset state. “Here now what’s the hold up?” He asks lightly with a smile. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Surprised, Cyan glances at Jack, then back to the spokesman. "They will not leave," she says, desperately. "It has to do with their religion, Jack." The crimson-haired woman frowns at him, ruby eyes flickering with fear. "I shall have to try myself." She turns to the spokesman. "Will they understand me if I speak?" Berd wraps his tail around her neck, grinning slightly. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- "Understand the ancient tongue they can, speak most can not. Difficult the sounds to make are." it says, gesturing in a manner which clearly indicates that Cyan is welcome to try. "If questions there are, translate I shall." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack favors Cyan with his best smile, it’s obvious that he is in a better mood. “This is your show Cyan and I would not dream of interfering. However if I may be so bold as to make a couple of suggestions. Try having him translate as you speak. I think that would work best to not loose impact.” Jack leaned in and whispered to Cyan for a moment, Jack pulled back from her and nodded with a smile. “We are behind you all of the way and will back you up no matter what Cyan." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan slowly nods to Jack. “It is a good suggestion, Jack. I will do my best with what I have.” She turns to the spokesman. “If you could translate my words for them – I will speak in short phrases, making it easy for you to do so.” She sighs, once. So many lives. Thirty-five souls. Too many, and yet. Still, she cannot lie. They have a RIGHT. A right to choose, a right to determine their own fate. I cannot...I will not cheapen that. But there are things she MIGHT say. Things that very well could be truthful. “People!” Her voice, her Bard’s voice rings out clearly, echoing slightly but not distorting. “Listen to me, a moment. If your faith is strong, what might you lose by hearing my words?” Cyan pauses after each sentence, waiting for the translator to keep up. Nevertheless, she continues to keep her volume high – it is important that they HEAR her. “You say that this Gatherer is a test of your faith. This may be true – I cannot speak for your faith. But tell me this – look around you, look at the world you have here. Would your faith ask for your children to grow in this world? For many of them to die in this world? IS this still a home?” She pauses again, collecting her thoughts. “Or perhaps the test has come to you another way. Perhaps the true test is this – what are you willing to set aside, that your people may survive?” She waves a hand around to the sand. “This, this is only a place! Your spirits – your souls – they are what are important! Wherever you choose to rest, that will be your home, and a home for your children as well! Is it not possible that the test here is to discover if you have the courage to pick up, start anew elsewhere? Outside the reach of this devil that plagues you, that consumes your lands, your peoples? That forces you to take the most terrible measures to save your race? Would your faith demand this to continue?” She breathes in deeply, staring at them with shimmering, opal eyes. “Or, with you having lasted, against all odds to this point, might your faith now offer succor?” Now her voice changes – from questioning, offering, to beseeching. “Please – think of your families! Think of your children! What sacrifice would your faith demand? Have you not sacrificed enough already? ALL tests must have an end – might not this be it? Might the suffering END, now?” The Bard’s voice clears, from begging to calling to the thirty-five. “Stand up – make a choice for the light! Choose to deny this Gatherer its hold over you, trapping you here in this world. Choose to take the path to a new life – the path of a new choice, a brave choice! Choose to have faith that your god love you, would have you save yourselves, and your families!” Cyan’s voice trails off, and her hands slowly fall. “I beg you,” she whispers, and somehow it carries. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- For minutes there is silence, stillness among Cyan's audience. Long minutes trailing away into the past. The echoes of Cyan's words fade away, like stones dropping into a deep well, never to be seen again. Then, from the blackness of the well, there is a splash, and the ripples spread. A handful of the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an stand and walk away to pick up their belongings, then three more here, four there, five scattered throughout the group. As each makes the decision it becomes easier for it's fellows to decide too. Eventually twenty of them are walking towards the gate, and twelve more stand, almost as one, and move to follow. The remaining few hold out as long as possible, none of them wanting to give up before the others, but as the last of their friends (maybe even family, who knows how the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an reckon such things?) steps through the gate, even they seem to realise the futility of remaining here. They climb to their feet and trudge across the sand. Their leader gives a small bow in Cyan's direction and, although no tears of joy flow down its alien face, they are present in its posture and tone of voice, "To you I give thanks. The nutritional caste all gone are, survived they could not have without food." It turns away from her, picks up a small bundle of possessions, from which a strange flute-like instrument projects, and almost runs through the portal. OOC - Nice speech. Almost made me want to move house myself. :p =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan stands, staring, her eyes still opalescent, tears making dusty tracks down her face. She bows to them as they walk by her. "Thank you," she whispers. "Thank you." We do not leave any behind. Thank you, lords of this world. She bows more deeply to their leader. "And thank you...for having the courage to stay with them, and for helping me." When the last of them passes through the gate, she gives a choked sob, once, and then nods, blinking her clearing topaz eyes and staring up into the sky. "Well." Berd hums a brief approval in her ear, a brief, genuine approval. Slowly he rises on her shoulder and flexes his wings for a moment, then lets out a clear, chiming call into the empty land, eyes glittering with challange. Wiping her face, Cyan turns towards Jack. "Well," she repeats. "I think we should go, then." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Dworkin (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Into the portal and discontinuity out into the settlement where their friends, and the entire population of this place, except for the Gatherer and the ghosts, are now assembled. After the silence of the evacuated villages, the noise here is almost painful. These people have much to discuss with their long unsuspected neighbours. Even the nutritional caste are talking among themselves and with their former consumers. In a place with more food, the nutritional caste will become obsolete, at least in their current role. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- After they pass back through the portal Jack looked over at Cyan with a smile, he studies her for a second. Yes he has a lot to learn from her and Kalika, so much to learn from them. “You did good Madam Bard, real good. I think the songs should be written about you.” There is a friendly note of admiration and respect in his voice. He looked around, “Well let’s make certain we have everyone, no one gets left behind! I don’t want to come back to this place. Ares! Aaron! Lazarus! Kali! Hunter! Are you ready to move out?” =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan blushes slightly at Jack's compliment, and ducks her head. "I did no more than any would do," she says, glad she could find the words to reach the people. She watches silently with her sapphire eyes as Jack takes charge - her part is done. The rest will be up to the Worldwalkers. Quickly she makes certain the gate is closed behind them. Turning to Lazarus, she smiles faintly. "Thank you, Lazarus. I am glad we could do this for them." Then she sighs, faintly, feeling a sudden rush of weariness - it comes from the tension leaving her. Whatever happens now, Cyan thinks, this is better than what they had before. Berd fans the air with his wings, glaring about at the noise, hustle and bustle, and settles down, his spine ridges flared in annoyance. "Shhhh," Cyan says, rubbing his head, and he pushes it against her hand. "We'll be done this soon, I hope. And thank you, too." Berd grins, then closes his eyes. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- “No Cyan,” Jack says not letting her off the hook so easily “anyone might try to do it. Yet you did it with more style and flare than anyone I have known. What’s more is you did it with the truth. You inspired them to make a wise choice, not manipulated them as I would have.” Jack bows to her formally and solemnly . “ I would have done the wrong thing for the right reasons, you did the right thing for the right reasons, and you did it well. I would have not had faith in myself with their lives at stake to be so honest as you.” =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan shakes her head. "But...I did NOT have faith in myself. Or, rather, not unshakable faith. I truly hoped they would all come, but..." She trails off helplessly, waving her hands in the air for a moment, searching for words. "I fear I would do poorly in the Kingdom of Amber, Jack," she finally says. "I am no politician, and I understand that to understand such things you need a modicum of world-wisdom, and knowledge of the ways of manipulations. Perhaps not to harm, or to control, but to UNDERSTAND. This..." Cyan shakes her head, emerald eyes dulling to jade. "I have little skill there. I can try to understand, but complex plots and machinations are beyond me. They make my head hurt," she states flatly, with a little smile. "I have been trained to speak," Cyan notes after a moment. "It is what I do, and I thank the Lords of the Universe that this assisted here. You have been trained to rule, something for which I have no talent. Ruling requires a subtle hand, and yes, sometimes doing the wrong things for the right reasons. It is not a fault, though it is an ugly weight for a ruler to bear." She stares at Jack, the prince, and suddenly that title echoes in her head. The Prince. There was a book by that name. She read it, once, in a distant world. A shiver passes over her. "Sometimes you MUST do the wrong things for the right reasons, I think, for the majority to prosper. But it is not in me to do so. I have never, ever been capable of choosing for 'the greater good'." Berd's eyes focus on her for a moment, and a shadow crosses his reptilian features. There and gone, then he's settling in to sleep. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- “Do not sell yourself short Cyan, you had more faith in yourself than I would have I would not have even tried honesty to save them.” Jack smiled comfortingly at her, “I do not know about this Kingdom of Amber Cyan, but with the way you speak, watching Ares and Aaron I don’t think I’d like it much. It sounds to much like my brothers and I do not like them for the most part.” “Ruler? Politics?” Jacks smile became odd. “I am no ruler. In my youth I was a spoiled rich kid, my heart was in the right place but I still was only what I was raised to be. I have been irresponsible and self centered. I have lost loved ones due to politics and If I had not walked my worlds pattern and bound my self to my home world I would not think twice about walking away from it for good. Unfortunately because I am bound to it I must ensure that a good ruler sets on the throne. I myself have chosen my path with Kalika and did not truly wish to rule any way. “ He looks at Kali and smiles warmly “I guess I am still self-centered and irresponsible to this day, but I’m happy. I will make certain that Andara has a good ruler when the time comes, but it will not be me. Here and now, in the company of friends. I’m Jack, man amongst equals. If it comes down to it on our quest,” It’s the first time he has said our quest. “yes I shall manipulate and do whatever is needed for the cause. However, I respect yours and Kalika’s straightforward honesty more than I respect any leadership or decision making skills I may have.” He took his eyes off Kali and looked back into the Bards eyes with a smile. “Take the compliment in good grace Cyan. You have more than earned it a hundred fold in my eyes, with your honesty kindness and friendship.” =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Kalika Wolfblade ----------------------------------------------------------- Kali stays behind as Jack pursues Cyan through the portal, giving him a silent farewell before he steps through. She looks around, taking in everything that was happening. Jack had mentioned moving the people of this land to another world, but she didn't realize that there were so many of them... or that they were located across the world. She shudders and shrinks back into herself, wrapping her arms around herself. Hunter leans against her, lending his counsel, but it does nothing to soothe her fears or her thoughts. Everyone was contributing, doing this thing. Sure it was a good thing, but what did it have to do with their quest? How was this helping them unravel the plot they were hired to do? Kali sighs, know that the frustration welling in her was pointless and also tinged by the fact that she felt totally worthless. She had no skills that would aid in this move... in fact it seemed that everyone had a special set of other worldly skills was making her feel even more useless. She looked down at Hunter and smiles softly. In their world on few gifted people wielded the otherworldly power. The ulez were revered and respected and it was ingrained in her to treat those who exibited their powers as such. Then again she was never really good at following the Chunchee traditions. Jack's call brings her back to the here and now. She smiles, glad to see him returning ok. She looks from Cyan to Jack again and wonders what happened on the other side of the portal, but doesn't ask that question. "Where exactly are we going now?" she queries, her mind also silently questioning how this was relevant to their mission. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack breaks from Cyan coming over to Kali he casually wraps an arm around her waist. As he does so he glances at her and his smile turns into a small worried frown. “Ares or Aaron shall lead us to a new world for these people. I do not know where exactly. . .Once we and they are safe we shall discuss the next step of the quest.” He hesitates a moment, the frown stays on his face. Something was bothering her but it was not his to truly press the matter. She should know he would always listen to anything she had to say. Still it was best to ask, He leaned close and asked. “Is something the matter Lalai?” he gave her a brief comforting squeeze as he asked. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Ares ----------------------------------------------------------- Ares looks about at the crowd of people gathered (no, not gathered, that word should never be used to describe these people, collected is better), at the crowd of people collected around him. "Cyan, I can lead this group easily enough, although slowly. Where it becomes difficult is the first steps. This place is too much the same, no features to measure progress against." "I suggest using the cube to take us back where we came from, we have mounts there, and riding will be less tiring for myself and Aaron as we make the road for these people to walk. The less tired we are, the easier the way will be for them as they follow." He glances at the others, "Is this logical? It also means that they are away from the thing that has haunted their lives that bit more quickly." =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Kalika Wolfblade ----------------------------------------------------------- Kali looks up at Jack, some of her fears melting away at the sight of him. "Silly things... thoughts worthy of a tuli... a child" she explains, and then opens her mind to his, know it would explain better than she ever could. Jack saw everything as Kali saw them. Cyan and Lazarus employing powers behind her comprehension... powers of the few revered magic users of her people as if it was nothing. Ares, searching for a world for them, Jack speaking of a power in his house that allows him to travel worlds... a slight connection is made there, for Hunter can track through other worlds, but these abilities to pull something from nothing, paint a picture that will allow someone to come to you instantly. They reminded her of her last group of friends, only with them she still contributed, she still had a place. Here, there is nothing for her to do. Her skills are mundane and useless in the situations they were getting themselves in. Situations that had nothing to do with their mission. They were syupposed to be tracking someone... somone who already had a hard trail to follow. She knew personally that the longer you let a trail sit the harder it was to find and follow. These frustrations run strong in her, but subside after she shares them. They are quickly mastered and put aside. It all came down to differences in point of view and in how they all honored their word. "I apologize" she whispers up to Jack "I just do not understand not working towards something you agreed to do when it has yet to be accomplished" =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Cyan ----------------------------------------------------------- Cyan pauses to consider Jack's words, but her thoughts are broken by the expression of unease on Kallika's face. Misinterpreting it, Cyan moves slightly away from Jack. It's then that Ares catches her attention. "I think it makes good sense," Cyan says, slowly. "The only thing I fear is meeting up with those men on horseback again - the last thing we wish is for them to believe that they are being invaded. Is there no way to change things from here?" She looks at the cube. "Also, I am concerned with using this too often. We know little about it, little at all. I fear we may trigger something catastrophic...but if there is no other way, then we should do it." The flame-haired woman offers Ares an apologetic smile, then glances over at Kallika and Jack with some worry. Something odd going on between the two of them...I wonder... Hopefully it isn't HER. That would be a disastrous misunderstanding on Kallika's part. But after a moment, Cyan becomes convinced that is not this issue, and breathes a sigh of relief. I wonder what the trouble is, then. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Jack ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack smiled at her warmly “Do not apologies Kali, all thoughts are worthy, every view has merit. Never discount yourself or your view Lalai. You are worth more than you may ever know and your perspective in any matter is not only important to us all but cherished by me.” As he speaks she can feel the reassuring presence of his mind. “I hope you are not upset or disappointed with me, this is *my* fault.” Jack did much the same opening his mind so she could see the world through his eyes. He looked at himself, Kali and Hunter as the triad, though it was not true yet. Each of them making up for the others weakness, looking out for the other balancing the others faults and flaws. Though he had the suspicion that Hunter was cross with himself, (That was a different matter.) He saw their little questing group as a looser version of the same thing, they were essentially a pack. Each filling a role without always having something to do, much as Jack was only able to stand uselessly and watch them fight the dragon. The success of the group was the success of the whole group, he had learned that from Kali and took it to heart because he knew she had wisdom by her own right. She was using that wisdom now by keeping an eye on their goal. When they had come up to the city and the natives greeted them, Jack had read their minds. They showed no sign of deceit or malice, truly altruistic beings. They had taken them in and shared food when they had none. They had given them a place to stay protected from the Gatherer. They had freely shared information, giving what they could without hesitation, including a major clue in our quest. All of that coupled with the fact that their race was dieing out and would be gone in a generation or two. Once Jack had found that out he had to inform the group and suggest moving the natives. The natives were being devoured by the Gatherer which was having it’s energy siphoned off by the people who the Questing group was hunting. Moving the natives was not only a nice thing to do in repayment. It was also a blow against their enemies over the long haul because the Gatherer would not have as much energy to feed on. Jack had an idea about how to pick up the trail after this and it should not grow cold, so he was not that worried. However Jack looked a little worried that she would be cross with him for being the root of this production. “Lalai, I love the fact that you see things I do not, and I love the way you see things. You are right to worry about the quest. I am sorry if I have let you down by worrying with these people, but I would not be me if I didn’t. How about a compromise, they should not need all of us to move these people through the worlds. Why don’t we propose to the group that some of us continue on so we do not loose time. The others should be able to catch up once they have found a place for these people.” As he spoke his hand rubbed her back idly. =========================================================== Re: Part 12 - The plot... thickens? by Aaron ----------------------------------------------------------- "It's about time we got the hell out of here." Aaron finally states. He had been somewhat of an observer for the past few hours, and aside from his upcoming role with transporting this group through Shadow (something he hoped he could accomplish with little difficulty), he had remained a relative fly-on-the-wall. However, he had not been without observations. Jack and Kalika, for instance, seemed both to be maturing, but something also seemed to be happening between them. They were discovering their differences, especially considering Jack's recent recovery in his memory. Aaron hadn't been with the group long enough to know how they had faired previous to his own entrance, but that mattered little with the current state of affairs. Thankfully, Jack's attention had been upon the woman, rather than Aaron. He was sure Jack has felt his mental communication during his sleep. Kalika, however, remained mostly a stranger to Aaron. Cyan seemed to actually rise to the role of leadership, despite her probable thoughts to the contrary. He wondered how she had convinced this many of these Shadow-dwellers to actually leave their ancestral home. Quite interesting indeed. And Lazarus, well, Aaron now knew for sure that he was a Chaosite, what with open communication regarding the Logrus. That particular power was not beneath Aaron's notice, nor experience. He would keep an interested eye on that one. Ares, being also one who could use the Pattern, he assumed, interested him as well, though from a standpoint of comparisons. It was simply an assumption as to the fact that he could use the Pattern, as Shadows could be traversed in any number of ways. From what Aaron knew of traveling through Shadows, he would be watching Ares carefully for any corrolations. And in the mix of all of that, he had his own thoughts to contend with. There had been too many instances of past thoughts interrupting his current ones recently. He hoped they didn't portend a few unexpected visits from any friends-slash-family that he didn't desire. Now, placing himself within the group once more, he clears his throat. "I agree with Ares that we should use the cube to transport ourselves initially, but I also feel with Cyan's caution. We should be wary." "It's been one big mass of occurences recently. I suggest we even everything out right now, and lay out our current plans. Who's doing what, how, when, why, etc etc. I work much better with an even mind." Though he mentally thanked Ares for the idea of using the horses upon their next move. He figured that walking through Shadows would put at least a little strain on him. He only hoped the animals didn't scare easilly at the sudden transition between realms. Aaron sighed and let it go. Whatever would be, little or big, would be. ===========================================================
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