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[Meanwhile, back in the Ovon, there were rewards]. |
Night Gardens: Nook
Not far from the heart of the Night Gardens, a curving row of trees surrounds an alcove in the sloping wall. Long, mossy tendrils hang from their slender black branches, absorbing the sounds from outside to create a secluded and tranquil space within. Around its edge, a soft blue glow emanates from several broad stone slabs. Their surfaces are covered by a soft, thick carpet of moss, making them quite comfortable for sitting or reclining.
Along the side of the alcove, water trickles from high up on the wall, running down to feed a chain of small, glimmering pools. A stone path leads <out> and away through the underbrush.
Contents:
Untitled
Laelys
Laelys allows some of the bitterness to show on his face; you may feel free to consider this openness a gift of trust. "Oh, she truly did, without a doubt. I cannot place exactly the moment when she was... taken," he says, tactfully. "But it is also doubtful that 'that much darkness' was in her from the very beginning. She's changed. Maybe not even on her own. I should have moved faster. It could probably have been averted."
Th'thsthn awakens, turning slightly to watch the intruders.
Untitled seems about to answer the dragon, but stops himself as his eyespheres catch the wheel bug's motion.
Laelys shuts up at once. He gives a faint nod of greetings, an icy cold politeness.
Th'thsthn begins placing her footsteps along the wall, making her carefully analyzed way out. "I thank you for the information." So many questions, so much partial data to collate.
Xi leaves.
You have seen xir small observance of William's release.
Xi moves Downward.
DownWarp
You stand on a platform of corrugated metal the size of a city block
adorned with hazard stripes, rivets, and glass shards. Sagging pipes
and bundles of black wire criscross the platform between crumbling
buildings of dirty concrete and rusted metal, and broken machines,
some the size of houses, are scattered randomly. Looming above you is
a massive skeleton of steel girders with half-completed walls and
floors. Everything is covered with graffiti, but the designs are
artful -- even civic-minded. A constant ripe gust rustles the trash
under your feet, swirling paper chad, leaflets, and food wrappers over
sleeping bodies covered in dingy tarps. Looks like there was a party
last night.
Or maybe it's still night. The sky is orange-grey and impenetrable.
The only lights come from sodium lamps and neon overhead; a distant
thump and clack of machinery comes from there as well.
The closest building is an office <tower> of perhaps 120 stories, with
two pyramid-shaped peaks. Its walls of gold-tinted glass are broken
and stained.
A few meters away across the rusted plain, there's a big, battered
cargo container that seems to have been converted into a bar. Loud
music and multicolored light spills from its open <hatch>.
Some distance away, there seems to be an elevated highway running across the
metal plain. A rusty <stairway> leads up to it.
A few hundred meters away, orange-white steam billows from a <hole> in
the asphalt, surrounded by decrepit buildings.
Nearby, surrounded by the rubble that was a building, is a <red door>.
A flattened ovoid blob of liquid <mirror> floats here, lazily oozing
in midair.
Contents:
Trilogee
Trilogee is playing on an electric guitar, plugged into... Well, it's hard to see. But she plays, chords wailing like a broken heart, rhythm paced like a runner on something very, very energetic.
Th'thsthn enters in a patient way, observing and listening. She listens to the guitar, among many other noises.
Trilogee holds her guitar strangely, resting it in her lap, neck high. One long, strained note, and the barrage of shrieking strings continues.
Th'thsthn makes a sound, a single click among the distorted strings, timed to be clearly heard within the audio barrage.
Trilogee halts, lifting her head from her guitar, panting slightly. "Oh. Hello."
Th'thsthn says, "I greet you."
Trilogee nods softly, setting her guitar to the side. "I greet you as well. Have we met?"
Th'thsthn says, "No."
Trilogee stands, then, and bows lightly. "I am Trilogee."
Th'thsthn waves her front legs in a formal circle. "I am Th'thsthn."
Trilogee smiles softly, flicking an antenna. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
Th'thsthn's antennae remain steady. "It pleases me to meet you, as well. Your music touches my curiosity."
Trilogee chortles softly, gesturing to the guitar. "I was experimenting with sounds. This is an instrument I found bits and stories of on the datasphere, and I decided to build it and play it."
Th'thsthn says, "I see. Does it play well?"
Trilogee nods, grinning. "Oh, yes, it does... It's beautiful."
Th'thsthn dips her antennae toward it. "Music, even music made at another's desire, comes from the heart of the maker. It tells secrets."
Trilogee smiles softly, strumming briefly. "I agree."
Th'thsthn's speech shifts into the insectine labyrinth of Neke: "Play well, musician/maker/priestess."
The insect moves to return to the mirror from whence she entered.
Trilogee bows, smiling softly. "I will see you again."
"At that time, we will speak further."
Xi leaves once again, to observe in a neutral space.
Transit Nexus
Blinding whiteness resolves into a field of gleaming, ice-white
hexagonal tiles, their tesselation seemingly perfect to the micron.
The tiling entirely covers the walls and ceiling of this stark,
hexagonal room, except for the rectangles of rippling liquid mirror,
each a different color, placed equidistant along the walls, and the
hexagonal glow-panels in the ceiling that bathe the room in cool
bluish-white radiance.
A single word is printed above each mirror-pool in sans-serif text:
BLUE: Upwarp GOLD: Topwarp PURPLE: Charmwarp
GRAY: Downwarp PINK: Bottomwarp RED: Strangewarp
In the center of the room, there's a <lift> that carries sentients up to
Puzzle Park, and a <green> mirror-blob that leads to the Sentient
Storage Facility.
Frostbyte has arrived.
You say, "Good hour."
Stat Name____________________ Gender_____ Species___________________________
Frostbyte Male Hedgehog of the Old
Th'thsthn fem Wheel Bug
---( PuzzleBox )---------------------------------------( 2/2 Transit Nexus )---
Frostbyte says, "Hello there."
Th'thsthn stands quietly on the ceiling, just watching the room.
Frostbyte says, "You must not have any place to be."
Th'thsthn says, "Not until resources have been established."
Frostbyte says, "What do you mean?"
Th'thsthn says, "I mean as I say. I have a place, but it must be prepared before I may inhabit it for myself."
Frostbyte says, "Specialized tastes, hmm?"
Frostbyte says, "Suit yourself. I'm moving on - hope your house works out."
Frostbyte calls the lift and ascends into Puzzlepark.
Frostbyte has left.
You say, "Your well-wishes are heard."
Xi waits.
The gold mirror-blob swells into a pregnant sphere and then bursts to release shinsei.
Xi returns to Topwarp.
TopWarp
You stand within the open gates of a beautiful shady courtyard. The
view is completely dominated by plant life: ankle-deep grass of navy
blue and dark gold in an endless checkerboard; towering leopard-spotted
purple sundews that tamely cradle guests in their fronds; bundles of
flowering vines skillfully cultivated to mimic animal and humanoid
forms. Leaves rustle constantly overhead, casting jewels of warm
sunlight onto every surface. The air is dizzyingly fragrant, almost
intoxicating. Every color, shape, and scent is in perfect symbiosis
with every other; they even seem to adjust slightly when new visitors
arrive, accommodating them into the sensory perfection.
At the center of the courtyard, ringed and shaded by trees, there's a
sculptural fountain glowing with light. Through an intricate screen
of foliage, you can see the gleaming green chitin of biotecture,
sculpted into bulbous, flowing towers that surround the courtyard.
Looking up, a sharp eye can see the membranous streamlined tubes of
walkways stretched taut between the buildings.
From here, there are a number of places to go: A slate-gray street
extends between two buildings and stops at a <dock> on a placid
river, where black <boat>s and a great <steamship> are moored; At
the far end of the courtyard, a <road> flanked on either side by
a stately column oftrees leads off towards a glittering dome in
the near distance. A particularly bulbous and ornate building
nearby bears the logo of <Interpron> studios. And a flattened ovoid
blob of liquid <mirror> floats here, lazily oozing in midair.
Contents:
ojou
ojou rests on the grass, hands behind his head, staring at the sky.
Th'thsthn walks on ground oth familiar and strange to her.
ojou runs his hands through the grass, staring skyward. Nearby is a small patch of grass, roughly human-shaped, but smaller, that is just a little longer.
Th'thsthn seems to recall passing the human to which that outline belongs. "Good hour."
ojou waves, grinning. His voice is deep and rumbling, but warm. "Hey there."
Th'thsthn says, "Is there a reason you obstruct the grass?"
ojou raises an eyebrow. "Not particularly. Seemed more out-of-the-way and comfy than the street, and I like starin' at the sky."
Th'thsthn says, "Reason enough, I suppose."
ojou finishes, "Seemed it to me. Wanna' stare at the sky with me? Plenty more room..."
You say, "I have no need to watch the sky here. It is as well regulated as any other part of the environment."
ojou snickers softly, and gestures up. "May just be. But it's still kinda' nice."
Th'thsthn finally decides that an answer is appropriate. "Your aesthetics are not mine."
ojou nods. "Works for me."
Th'thsthn moves on at her sedate travelling speed.
ojou just settles back into the grass lazily.
Xi moves a short distance away, and waits.
Road to the Hives
Flanked by rows of conjoined shade trees, the road winds gently through the countryside of Top and forks here, near the homes of two ancient Chitin clans.
The Neke-Ovon, known to locals as the Palace, looms to the right, its glittering, domed bulk rising like some giant protozoa from the mirror-smooth surface of its hexagonal moat. Its surface is a glassy swirl adorned in arcing tracery and elegantly tapering spines. From the top of the dome, some thirty meters up, one of these spines extends skyward, thickening at points as though strung with beads, this spire nearly half as tall again as the rest of the structure.
A wide bridge leads across the moat of the <Ovon>, and extends inward through a grand, elliptical portal.
To the left, some distance away, is a massive tree atop a hill, where the <Chmee> brood make their hive. In the other direction, the road leads <m>irrorwards, toward the heart of Topwarp.
okyno emerges from the Palace.
okyno has arrived.
okyno drifts out of the neke-ovon, trailed by a trio of dark, heavy insectoids. the lady's steps are measured, her nearly-expressionless face serene.
Th'thsthn stands quietly, her presence all that is needed to make a statement.
okyno sweeps past, regal and almost silent but for the skitter of her many unseen feet on the ground and the soft tread of her escort. a soft chitter of high neke breaks the silence, some sort of order: one of the escort breaks off towards the chmee hive, while the queen of the ovon travels onward towards the center of the mess.
okyno heads down the road toward the centre of Topwarp.
okyno has left.
There is deliberation...
Now at the heart are:
okyno
Houm
GrayZero
ojou
William
Th'thsthn walks with observant care, having decided what to observe.
William says in bewildered shock "My faith is in...the...the..." He's staring at okyno. Blankly.
Amanita comes down the road from the direction of the dome.
Amanita has arrived.
ojou massages his temples. "Might... Wanna' find someplace else."
[OOC] okyno says, "retcon: as well as an escort of bulky insectile guards, okyno has arrived with amanita on a leash. *grin*"
[OOC] Amanita slips in as if she was always there. Hee.
GrayZero hrms. "Yes, a place of more peace would be advisable..."
ojou stands, ground shaking slightly under him. "Mind... If I join you?"
William stays where he is. Although, after a moment, his lips can be seen to be moving, faint words "Mother of God. Mother of God..." He looks very, very young suddenly.
The mirror-blob swells into a pregnant sphere and then bursts to release System.
GrayZero spares only the briefest of glances for okyno. In that glance, though, seems to be a small message of you-really-do-not-want-to-interfere-here. Ever so subtly, of course.
okyno sits near the fountain, watching its play. the lady's antennae twitch; she strokes the antenna-decorated head of her pet. her intentions are unknown, her stake in this argument little.
System bows as (he) enters. "Greetings, everybody." (He) frowns quietly as (he) notes Okyno and Amanita, but turns to William. "Greetings, William. Do you wish any assistance?"
GrayZero returns her attention to ojou. "I would not object..."
Th'thsthn is a small insect, smaller than the drone guards surrounding okyno.
Houm stares at System openly. "System is not joining these ones."
ojou glances around, scratching his head. "Aw, hell..."
William is not speaking or doing anything. He closes his eyes and puts his hands over his ears, giving something which might be a sob. Apparently the company present is simply too much for him.
Amanita smiles wryly and nods a quiet greeting.
Houm simply scoops up William, rippling warm and tender. "Safe, you are."
GrayZero glances to Houm, doesn't appear to say anything.
System shakes (his) head. "Houm, I have a similar interest in observing William adjust well now that he is healed to you. I may lack the initial connections, but I have no intent whatsoever to harm him. And you should know well that this is the truth."
Houm glares at System, finally humanoid again. "System is too harsh. System will not be joining us until Billy is mended more."
The mirror-blob swells into a pregnant sphere and then bursts to release Ataxia.
GrayZero glances towards System. Briefly.
The mirror-blob swells into a pregnant sphere and then bursts to release Roque.
okyno looks at william, head tilted slightly. antennae splay in curiosity. she mutters something, soft clicks of insect sounds.
William shakes his head at Houm. Clearly he's sensed some offer, but he seems at a form of mental blank. He does not move. He does nothing. He is in shock.
System pauses, then nods briskly, turning towards Okyno and Amanita. "Greetings, Okyno. I require data."
Roque wheels herself in from the mirror, slumping rather heavily in her chair. "Hello, all." Even her voice is weary.
Houm picks up William with no further ado. "Billy comes with Houm."
Th'thsthn speaks: "Malus sonorum." Her words are soft, but audible if listened for.
okyno trails a claw over amanita's silvered skull. “we are pleased to hear that you have requirements, system-kt'c^htt-system.” long lashes flick over her dark eyes. “it is the way of much of life and ritual to require things.”
Even in her not-quite-awake state, Roque can't help but find that funny, and she chuckles, covering her muzzle with one paw.
Ataxia walks along with System quietly, regardless, back from some odd errand.
William goes limp. It seems that even though he shares little other link with Jeremy, he's managed to get fainting down. His eyes are still open, but there's no comprehension in them. Even Th'thsthn's words, which might otherwise mean something to him, cause no reaction.
System smiles marginally, speaking in a calm, polite voice. "Allow me to state that I unequivocally have no interest whatsoever in what is relevant to your pointless rituals, Okyno, but I nonetheless require data. What has been done with Amanita and Twin, and have their wills been tampered with?"
ojou is lost in the flow of things, dizzied and confused. "Wha' th'...?"
System straightens (his) tie, smiling calmly.
Houm wanders down towards the dock.
Houm takes William with Hmr.
GrayZero glances around at everyone. There's something that could, if you were being creative, possibly be interpreted as annoyance, but... no, couldn't be. Certainly not from her.
Th'thsthn's location seems to be graduating over time toward Ojou's. Or is it that the Wheel Queen is moving without seeming to move?
ojou is baffled. Pure and simple.
GrayZero nods to ojou. "The island. Follow if you feel it would be appropriate."
GrayZero wanders down towards the dock.
GrayZero has left.
Amanita wriggles slightly, and eyes both Okyno and System with cool amusement. She keeps quiet.
Roque flicks an ear towards GrayZero, watching her depart, but then turning back to focus on the scene unfolding in front of her.
ojou finishes, "I'm gonna' go help fix a kid."
ojou wanders down towards the dock.
ojou has left.
Ataxia quietly looks between the pair the probi seems interested in. The massive void sticks out like a sore thumb. But, she doesn't speak, as her voice is otherwise.. too much for delicacy.
"So be it," benedicts the small importance.
The scene is set in full. Xi is there to play xir part.
okyno lifts up a small crop with a feather-tuft upon it, which is put to use trailing lightly down the shoulders and back-of-neck of her shiny servant. “n'dte-kxiaatcn-okyn'tt and twin-kxi'tzz'chrt-atcin'tt have been granted that which they desired, {sir}. discipline, ritual, and guidance.” a scent of leather and new-mown grass drifts from the lady. “they have accepted theit new positions of their own free desire.”
okyno looks down at her toy. “you may speak freely if questioned this eve, sparrow.”
System states quietly, "If that is the case, then I would urgently request to be granted a period of time to speak with them while free of any chemical, memetic, or technical influences over their thought processes, so I may confirm that this is indeed the truth."
Amanita squirms, biting her lip. Her ears pinken ever so slightly, and she nods. "Yes, ma'am."
okyno looks at the probe for a moment. the lady's wings buzz behind her in mild irritation; her guards step a little closer.
System waits patiently, looking towards Okyno.
Roque glances first at System, then at Amanita, and finally to okyno, her eyes filled at this last with apology and sympathy, but little else. She doesn't speak; this isn't her conversation to have.
okyno tickles amanita, watching her squirm. clearly, this amuses the insect.
Ataxia rests close to System, as if she were a body guard of sorts, too. She's imposing enough on her own.
Amanita wriggles more, her brow furrowing in mild annoyance, but she seems amused enough. Her ears flit.
System states quietly, "I can only verify if they were willing if they are free of outside influences when I speak to them, Lady Okyno."
“you may not, probe,” okyno says, “the neke owe you no favors, and your manner is overly demanding and impolite.” a lower hand cuts through the air in a brief gesture of dismissal. “they are beautiful, and they are of the neke now, as they always desired.”
System smiles quietly. "I know my manner is not easily compatible with yours, Okyno. Nonetheless, I have my requirements. If they are met, I can make an effort to offer a gift expressive of my appreciation, in understanding of how your patience must have been tried by the directness I engage in."
Ataxia looks a little to System.. and considers. A wave of her hand, and out from nowhere, her blackboard appears. For a moment, she draws. There's a picture of herself, standing besides oknyo, like a guard. Below, it reads, ~Present?~
Th'thsthn says, "Swallowtails."
okyno says, “both are under certain disciplines and the first of their changes, as they grow into their new roles.” the lady strokes the back of nde's head. “they are being granted their desires by our grace and practiced hands.”
System nods briskly. "A project for us, if we will. A piece of artistry to properly thank Okyno for her patience with an extremely direct probe."
Amanita swallows quietly and averts her eyes. She relaxes into Okyno's touch.
System chuckles quietly, as (he) hears Okyno's response, and the refusal implicit in it. "Very well, then. If that is your response, I shall not press further at this time." (His) nod is curt. "Do consider that some gifts are less pleasant than others."
Ataxia taps on her board, and it disappears behind her. She thought she'd make a good enough rent a guard.
okyno's tickling crop trails down nde's body, touching bare inner thighs with infinite tease. “your disapproval of our ways is clear from the histories, system. as is your impoliteness. you come to us demanding these favors with only the smallest hint of a token gesture in return.” a scent of burnt almonds fills the air. “please, detail your threats. we have not heard tales of imagination in some time. perhaps we will have our sparrow compose a song about them, if they amuse us sufficiently.”
System smiles quietly. "You may have the song composed when you have directly observed the material on which it shall be based."
okyno blinks slowly.
Th'thsthn reacts not with non-sequiturs, but with motion. Xir wings spread, then flap once, re-testing muscles used thousands of times.
System straightens (his) tie, a faint gleam of blue light shimmering around (him).
Roque touches the transit mirror and vanishes.
okyno's tiny mouth twitches in a slight smile. “you may ask amanita all the questions you like, system.” she lifts her pet from her kneeling position with a soft touch to the chin, bending over to kiss her delicately. “answer as you desire, tiux-chl*zzp.”
Amanita sits up a little, and raises her voice at last. "System. I realize that I am not the most... trustworthy of witnesses in your eyes." Her tone is courtly and formal. "But what Okyno says is true. It was I who took her collar."
Ataxia's tongue lolls out over her nose. She watches with a mild dispassion, from sheer unfamiliarity.
System nods very slightly. "She has clearly stated that she has initiated behavior and cognitive modifications on you. Is it your assessment that, in the absence of these modifications, you would choose to remain in your subordinate position to Okyno?"
Th'thsthn's wings tremble ever so slightly, prepared for action.
System continues to shimmer, a faint aura of surrounding light.
okyno is serene and quiet, an island of self-discipline in this growing river of tension.
Ataxia's a pleasant void, and a fish out of water, but curious about the interplay.
Amanita laughs, and blushes again, eyes lowered as she considers. "I believe I would," she says at length. "She has taught me much. It is not a path I would have chosen on my own. I was too proud for that. But it has... rewards." She glances back up at System with a quiet, knowing smile.
System states quietly, "Under what circumstances was Twin subjected to Okyno? Do you believe she would answer similarly to you?"
okyno graces amanita with a smile, a gust of obscurely-scented pheremones, and a soft buzz of high neke.
On the signal, Th'thsthn lifts off with the rasp of a set of two-stroke engines, a sort of rattling buzz which might be heard for several miles. The breeze of flight follows. It is of course interruptive of conversation by most sounds or scents, but it does allow the smaller insect to achieve a position atop a nearby tree.
“though the singularity is of the neke now, (she) is not my particular charge, system,” okyno says, “(she) has the honor of being trained by the second lady to return from the Dormancy, neke atcinna.”
Th'thsthn slides her wings back into their usual position.
System nods slightly. "Understood. I thank you for clarifying my misconception, Lady Okyno."
okyno nods. “precision is valuable.”
Amanita's ears redden further at Okyno's whisper, but she smiles slightly. She nods to System. "Yes. (She) is... as hesitant as I was, of course."
Amanita smiles, knowing and confident. "But (she) will be persuaded," she declares quietly.
okyno trails a claw along the slave's spine, teasingly, as the lady's antennae brush the shiny's forehead. “does this satisfy your... requirements... system?” the slight pause in her voice makes it clear how little she thinks of what (he) requires.
System smiles humorlessly. "It is absolutely vital, in fact, in my assessment." (He) nods and sighs at Amanita's words, an annoyed expression passing across (his) face for a brief moment. "I apologise for my impoliteness, Queen Okyno. I have no further questions for Amanita at this time, and wish to state that my previous intent to seed the Ovon with multiple concealed chaotic noise generation devices has been withdrawn."
Amanita's ears cant slightly.
okyno places her upper hands together, fingers steepled. she bows slightly, from the waist. “we are glad your compulsion to act in such a foolish manner has passed before thoughts could become deeds. you would do well to study discipline, sir.”
okyno looks at that twitch of ears, and nods slightly.
okyno buzzes and chirps another untranslated burst of neke.
There is no need to provide translation. The intent is obvious.
Th'thsthn says, "Methods of discipline are truly important for the brash."
System smiles marginally. "I have my own reasons for my decisions. I am not sure they are quite the failure of reason you believe."
System lets the glow surrounding (him) fade.
okyno shakes her head slowly.
An addition to the gathering...
The mirror-blob swells into a pregnant sphere and then bursts to release Squeak.
Th'thsthn's head shifts positions by a tic. Bright colors, tempting patterns. Dinner?
Amanita chuckles softly. "Dear System," she murmurs. "I certainly appreciate your concern for my well-being. I have no wish to become a prize in a tug-of-war. That would serve no one." She studies her bound hands. "My situation is... embarrassing in some ways, yes. But I am - -we- are - safe and well cared for."
Squeak tumbles through the mirror and lands with a squeak! He gets up to his paws and looks around.
System nods slightly. "Greetings, Squeak. Very well, Amanita. I had no intent to act without evidence, and preliminary evidence at least suggests that I have no reason to act." (He) smiles marginally. "Perhaps, if you can forgive me at a later time, Okyno, I would be interested in observation and study of Neke practises."
okyno smiles. suddenly the feathered crop in her hand twists, raised up high and brought down upon amanita's half-bared rear with a ringing smack. “my sparrow is a valued servant, system. she is motivated, skilled, and appreciative of the honored ways of the neke.” she swats amanita again. “without her the neke-ovon would be in far worse condition than it is, given the over-long time of dormancy.”
Squeak bounds over to System and squeeaks? curiously.
Th'thsthn spreads wings once more, taking only moments to assure the target's unawareness. The flutering rasp is heard again, and then a stray n'P nymph is claimed. Its scream fades a moment later as its upper nervous system becomes soup. Dinner for one is served, along with a helping of discipline: do not stray from one's nurse while still vulnerable.
okyno caresses amanita's rear with a feather-light touch.
Amanita's ears catch the soft whistle of the crop through the air, and she yelps even before it makes contact, sitting up very straight indeed. She studies the grass in front of her, blushing furiously and trying not to wriggle too much.
System nods slightly. "I understand, then, that she is a valuable asset to you."
okyno nods. her caresses stray across other parts of the shiny, tight-clothed and naked flesh alike. “system, is there any other data that you... require? or may we return to our enjoyment of the fountain, and our pet's grace in training?”
Amanita shivers.
System nods slightly. "There is no data I require, Okyno, although any data freely granted shall be appreciated as the gift it is. I do not desire to trouble you further, after already distressing you as much as I have with my conduct so contrary to proper protocol."
System leans against the lurking shadow of a jackal, (his) eyes brightening as (he) does so.
Ataxia can only pose that she stands in place so many times. But this is a welcomed diversion from that. Her tail slowly coils around System, the seemingly mute void of light watching on with her dull, dull eyes.
Squeak makes his way over near System and watches around with wide eyes.
System watches patiently, smiling as Ataxia wraps her tail around (him).
Th'thsthn adjusts balance carefully, front claws lifting the emptied husk before her, so that she may walk just far enough to find a hungry protein scavenger behind a row of protective flowers. The yips of joy are muffled by sounds of teeth and destruction. A new reason for strangers to avoid the lawns.
okyno gestures her pet to a respectful kneel beside her again, and strokes the shiny's ears. she flicks her antennae a little.
Amanita shuffles over and sits back on her heels, her hands, with their decorative insect talons, folded in her lap.
System takes in the events, eyes narrow and bright, hand stroking against the shadowy jackal.
Ataxia stretches up to a good twelve feet.. then bends back down, her hands slowly brushing along System's backside.
There is a violet flower among the blue.
[OOC] Th'thsthn smiles. It's interesting, getting into the mindset of a mastermind type... everything is observed, secrets laid bare by no more than a hint. That part of me needs its exercise.
System shivers slightly, narrowing (his) eyes.
Th'thsthn stands peacefully on the verge of verdant blades, observing the area and its motion.
okyno stands, tugging gently on her pet's leash. “it is time for the evening's rituals,” the lady says softly. “fare well, visitors.”
Amanita nibbles her lip nervously. "Yes, ma'am," she says quietly, and rises to follow Okyno. She gives a respectful nod to all present.
okyno brushes amanita's ears with a lower-hand. “and it is time for the rewards promised, as well.” she smiles at system. “she should be glad of your questioning, for her replies earned her more, tonight.”
Amanita grins a little at that, her ears perking. Her eyes dart to System, and her ears lower in mild embarrassment.
System bows politely.
okyno tsks softly as she glides off into the heart of top, okyno's guards falling into step behind the lady and her pet. “we really must train that embarassment out of you, little sparrow,” she is heard to say. “although it is most charming.”
Ataxia waves to the couple. She remains only vaguely aware of who they are. She met 'nita once, and, well.. that's it, nothing to say about it. She quietly watches, simply.
System sighs, leaning against Ataxia, face mildly troubled, although only one who knew (him) well could tell it.
a ringing swat and a mammalian 'yipe' is heard as okyno and her entourage vanish into the distance. a cloud of cinnamon-spicy pheremones drift back, a moment later.
okyno heads down the road towards the dome that is hazily seen in the distance.
Amanita heads down the road towards the dome that is hazily seen in the distance.
okyno and Amanita have left.
Only those of pure faith may continue to observe this recording. All else must avert. You have been ordered by Th'thsthn Mistress, Assassin of the Wheel.
Th'thsthn says, "Chilling devourer of information, I/Th'thsthn address you."
System nods slightly. "Yes, Th'thsthn?"
Th'thsthn says, "It may seem that I agree with Neke Okyno in some things. What is your evaluation of the testimony given you by the plaything/fallen/slave?" Her accent.. this isn't low Neke as it first seems she is speaking, it's a related dialect of a *different* insectile language.
System shakes (his) head and sighs. "It is my assessment that the testimony provided is not reliable, and in fact suggests that Okyno's behavior was in at least moderate probability an unacceptable violation of the will of Amanita and Twin. Unfortunately, evidence is insufficient at this time to take conclusive action, and cooperation of Amanita and Twin appears as if it shall be uncertain. I do not intend to open hostilities until I do have conclusive evidence to reclassify Okyno from a suspected state to a threat state."
Squeak crowds closer to System, his ears perking up and wiggling as he tries to follow the conversation.
System reaches down, absently ruffling at the kitten's ears.
Th'thsthn says, "Scan the child/grub/nymph's neural structure. Recall what you have seen: pleasure, pain, constant attention. You witnessed the manipulation of her testimony even as you held converse with her."
System nods slightly. "What interest do you have in the matter?"
Th'thsthn says, "The toy/failure was spoken to make new song. This makes her musician/priestess/holy. That which is pure must not be manipulated."
System nods briskly. "I shall act to gather more data. When I have gathered sufficient data to prove this matter, I shall then act."
Squeak looks back and forth between System and Th'thsthn.
Th'thsthn says, "Be circumspect. Take enough time to have surety. Above all, study, as I recommended, the methods of discipline in patience. [//',///!|/] do not deserve great respect, but must be shown respect; this aids in maintaining the appearance of obeying their rules."
Th'thsthn says, "There is other advice which you do not need to be told; you know it already."
System sighs in irritation. "What is true is that I desire further data about their methods. I shall approach Okyno and ask to observe, although even the appearance of deception annoys me."
System states quietly, "Still, my desire to learn is not false."
Th'thsthn says, "Nor should it be made so. Your desire to learn can be admired. Do not let it damage by over-enthusiasm what fragile acquaintance you have begun... There were many texts in Upwarp whose topic involved the manipulation of ego, when last my antennae sampled open spaces."
System shakes (his) head. "Forgive my irritation. It is not directed at you."
Th'thsthn says, "I do not forgive what is of no consequence in the first place."
System nods slightly. "I also wish to thank you. I had been tempted to succumb to cynicism about the willingness of Topwarpers to either submit others to them or willingly submit themselves to others, squandering the blessing of will. Your behavior in this regard restores a certain amount of faith on my part in the Warp."
Th'thsthn says, "Only those who have not been corrupted may come to the True Heaven."
System arches (his) eyebrows. "The True Heaven? May I ask you what that is?"
Squeak lifts his head up high as if he's suddenly all proud of himself.
System smiles quietly, rubbing down the kitten's back.
Th'thsthn turns toward the mirror entrance, head lifting slightly so that she may look at System while she walks. "It is where the faithful will find their rest."
System nods slightly. "The faithful in what sense?"
Th'thsthn clicks softly, perhaps a chuckle. "You are intelligent." And that is all she will say for now.
System whispers, "OOCly, I'm not sure whether Th'thsthn is respectful or contemptuous of System. O_o;" to you.
You whisper, "Th'thsthn OOCly grins. The hashishim has planned xir words in that way." to System.
System bows slightly. "That answers little, but it is clear you desire to offer no more data at this time."
System whispers, "One wonders what the attitude actually is. :)" to you.
You whisper, "The attitude that everything has its use. You are being given yours in her eyes. :)" to System.
System whispers, "The question, then, is whether 'You are intelligent' is a true statement in Th'thsthn's eyes. :)" to you.
You whisper, "Has she yet lied? ;)" to System.
System whispers, "Not traceably. :)" to you.
You whisper, "Mostly, what she has done is left things unsaid." to System.
System whispers, "Somehow, I suspected as much. Less likely to get an extremely angry probe on her back, for one thing. :)" to you.
You whisper, "Or any other dominating opponent. :) Though why you'd want to be on the toothed back of a wheel bug is a different question altogether. ;)" to System.
System whispers, "System chuckles." to you.
Ataxia's head cants to the side lightly as she regards Th'thsthn. But she remains respectfully mute. She considers shifting down. She'd be an obscenity, here, just in being.
System states quietly, "Do you wish to excuse yourself?"
"Why would I need an excuse?" The wheel bug steps into the mirror.
System laughs as the bug leaves.
System smiles. "Come on, Squeak, do you want to visit some people elsewhere?"
Ataxia quietly tail lashes..
System states quietly, "You too, of course, Ataxia."
Squeak squeeaks?
System smiles, rubbing at Squeak's back.
Now you have seen. May you achieve True Heaven.