TUBA - The Underground Bakers' Association

[xinoehp512 he/him]

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Why not?

 

[Silva]

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Is it ever visible? Can it choose to be seen?

 

[kenod]

KanMien winced at the Stranger's ... passionate speech, and shook their head. They could understand where he was coming from, but it wasn't the right way to approach the situation. They agreed an alliance probably wouldn't work, but antagonizing them, especially at this point, wasn't going to be helpful either. Still, they didn't speak up, scared of what the Stranger would do to them if they made him angry at them.

[Voidus]

19 hours ago, Fatebreaker said:

The Stranger took in the assembled group with a glance,  but his eyes lingered on Sudiov. So this was the Fragment, the Rebellious Reflection that had been plaguing Voidus for these recent years. 

The similarities were striking, but that was to be expected. What was more interesting were the differences. Cognitive aspects divorced from their progenitors tended to warp, take on lives of their own. After a while it was hard to tell they had once been a near perfect Reflection of their originator. This held true for Sudiov, the Stranger noted. The follicle alterations, slight differences in posture and syntax, and last but not least, the lack of total dispassionate curiosity. The look that meant anything and anyones could be used as materials for an experiment. Sudiov was, weak. He lacked the resolve to seize the world and carve it open to gain the secrets it hid.

And it infuriated the Stranger. Voidus possessed an incredible Scientific mind. He was willing to go to any length to ensure that their understanding was increased and Science was furthered. He had been an inspiration to the Stranger, a role model, a partner, even a friend. And this Shadow, this warped Reflection had forsaken that very thing. He was a mockery of a great man, a waste of potential! An affront to Science!!!

The Stranger felt his grin become increasingly predatory, and the Cognitive Cloak began to unfurl. The images of people and creatures stretched out from his back and whispering filled both rooms, traversing the cognitive link.

"Is this the thing that has defied the Alleys, Voidus? It comes seeking our aid, after standing in direct opposition to us? It has allied with TUBA, for blood's sake! They are a mockery of baking, a degenerate group of spineless dimwits who couldn't tell the difference between quantitative and qualitative data!"

His voice was like a slow moving wave, rolling and terrible in its inevitability. 

"First some wet behind the ears group of morons with money decide to start messing with the Void, then the one guild directly opposed to us asks to join with our efforts to exert some measure of control while we restore order to the city? We made the PLANET. Who gives a rusting rivet what happens to portions of a city?"

The shadows behind him were writhing with increasing violence, causing the Stormlight projections to flicker and fuzz.

@Voidus

Sudiov stared back impassively, first at Voidus, and then at the Stranger as each of them rose to challenge TUBA. He'd known that the chances of this going well had been slim to start with, but now it seemed less likely than ever that they would be able to negotiate an alliance. But more importantly than that...

Sudiov's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the Stranger, Sudiov hadn't existed for a very long time but the power that he held had certain memories of its own, impressions of history. This was definitely someone who had left an impression.

"I suppose a 'welcome back' is in order?" Sudiov offered with a flat stare. "Though I think perhaps we were all better off when you were secluded away in your research. But since you've returned and since empathy and altruism are clearly concepts that lie beyond the grasp of what you can reason then let me attempt to explain this in a way that you'll understand."

Sudiov smiled politely and gave a small bow, on the surface the gesture seemed genuine and helpful, but the deadpan stare he was still giving to the figures of the DA showed his true feelings about this.

"If you're running an experiment and you find an anomalous result, something unexpected that is causing a different result than desired, do you simply destroy the whole experiment? Or do you conduct further testing to determine the root cause? Forgive me my rudeness but I would have thought that a man of science such as yourself would understand the need for precision rather than simply rampaging through the streets."

"Mishaps such as yourself have no standing to talk about precision." Voidus replied sharply, his gaze not showing any pretense of polite behaviour or civility. "We'll do what needs to be done without your help, if you're all so concerned with collateral damage then perhaps you should devote your efforts to saving those who aren't involved. Keep out of our way and we won't need to deal with you. Yet."

Voidus' gaze shifted meaningfully to Sudiov on that last note. His eyes containing the promise of unsettled business and a confidence that it would not continue unsettled for much longer.

Sudiov glanced towards Deteca, giving her a small apologetic shrug. He didn't wish to sabotage this meeting if it was truly the best solution, but the DA had not exactly given him confidence that any alliance would function well, even if they could agree.

[kenod]

KanMien sighed. They could see this wasn't going to work out, and the longer Voidus and Sudiov kept talking the worse it would get. Slowly they stood up. They took a deep breath to calm themselves and started talking.
"I'm sorry for the interruption," they said, "but I have a proposition." They waited a few seconds until they were sure people were listening. "As everyone can likely see an alliance won't work. We simply don't trust each other enough to work together, for good reason, given the hostilities there are between our groups. Still, both of our groups agree that the current situation is extremely dangerous and should be resolved as soon as possible, preferably in a way that doesn't destroy the city. So, I propose a temporary ceasefire between TUBA and the DA. For the duration of the crisis we won't attack each other, instead focusing on resolving the current crisis. If individual members want to work together they can, but if they feel they aren't able to do so they aren't forced to work together either. At the same time, the DA will not send in the Abominations unless we feel there is no other option, and if we do we will inform TUBA first so they can evacuate as many citizens as possible, if there are still any left at that point."

They fell silent, trying to judge the reactions from both groups, and silently prayed nobody would disintegrate them in the next ten seconds.

[+Ark1002]

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19 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

 

Because it is of the variety of spren that chooses when it is visible

 

[Fatebreaker he/him]

The Stranger mentally chastised himself. That had not been professional, he really had been in the lab a long time. He had only served to exacerbate the situation, and that was not what the DA needed right now. What was needed was cold, clear rationalism. The spirits around him vanished and he regained his composure.

“This isn’t a matter of discarding an experiment, we’d simply be disposing of a dissatisfactory end product. We’d be able to start a new trial, with perhaps better results and more efficient methods.

 But perhaps I was being a bit excitable, please forgive my lapse of control. When creating worlds, one tends to forget how trying it is to interact with those who lack the big picture. I suppose I must try to look at things from another point of view. Many Denizens have voiced their concern for the city, and so for the sake of the DA I shall restrain myself. I will limit abomination usage, and try not to level too many city blocks.

But you had best stay out of my way. I won’t seek out your people, but don’t expect me to give them special treatment. After all, the greatest abomination in the Alleys,”

His grin stretched to horrible proportions, his eyespike glowing with a faint luminescence. A single image floated next to him: a man weeping with despair in his eyes. The Stranger turned towards the silent figure and inhaled deeply through his nose. The figure slowly dissolved into a stream of light that was sucked in with a ghostly wail. The Stranger turned back to Sudiov and spoke softly,

“is me.”

Edited May 15, 2019 by Fatebreaker

[+Ark1002]

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Ah yes, this is getting good

 

[Voidus]

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Glad I don't need to write any more agitating remarks here, insulting the Stranger made me feel really uncomfortable given how much I like him.
The things we do for our characters.

Sudiov stood watching as KanMien and the Stranger spoke, he continued to wear the same polite smile that never touched his eyes as he listened, giving no other indication of what he was thinking. And then the Strangers shadows and spirits all vanished, Sudiov leaned forward, tensed and ready to act if needed. Right up until he stared in the Strangers solitary eye, he stared into that endless pit of secrets and pain and a flicker of fear crossed his face.

Then the Stranger leaned back and it was gone, his eye was just an eye. Sudiov wiped the expression from his face as soon as he noticed but spared the Stranger another glance.

That does not bode well.

"I suppose that is the best that could be expected." Sudiov replied calmly.

He sent a questioning look towards Deteca. Will that suffice? I'm not sure that I'd trust them to do anything more.

"Perhaps we should keep each other informed of our locations though." Sudiov added.

Voidus gave him a withering stare in return before replying.
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Voidus watched as Sudiov flinched back slightly from the Stranger. It wasn't much, barely noticeable in truth, but still it felt good to see a little fear enter that smug face. Perhaps the Stranger was right, he could settle for this for the time being and leave TUBA to their own devices. If they ended up helping then it would mean less expenditure of effort for the DA, if they didn't end up helping then he could still just wait until this was settled before dealing with them.

"Perhaps we should keep each other informed of our locations though." Sudiov said, returning to his usual irritating smile.

Voidus stared back at him, idly wondering how much effort it would take to try and Voidmake him from here.

"I'll know." He said curtly before turning towards Deteca. "There you have it then, we'll try to avoid leveling the city and we won't kill any of your forces if we see them. If you want to work with anyone here then I won't stop you. Our Denizens are free to do as they wish."

With that he waved a hand and unceremoniously dismissed the Lightweaving, allowing both sets of images to collapse into Stormlight and dissipate.

[AonEne he/him]

2 hours ago, Voidus said:

"I'll know." He said curtly before turning towards Deteca. "There you have it then, we'll try to avoid leveling the city and we won't kill any of your forces if we see them. If you want to work with anyone here then I won't stop you. Our Denizens are free to do as they wish."

With that he waved a hand and unceremoniously dismissed the Lightweaving, allowing both sets of images to collapse into Stormlight and dissipate.

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...I missed everything.

Deteca waited to give anyone who wished a chance to speak, scowling deeply when the Stranger insulted her guild and nodding when one Denizen stepped forward to offer a more peaceful solution. She concealed a sigh at Voidus's ultimatum, but nodded to that as well, and watched the gathered Dark Alley members disappear.

She sighed again and turned to the surrounding TUBAists, most of whom had stayed quiet - possibly out of fear, possibly out of respect - throughout the exchange. "That's likely the best we'll get," she announced to them, "so adhere to it, okay? If you want to work with the DA, please do. If you're averse to the idea, as I'm sure many of you are, don't feel pressured, 'cause you're not." She tried to smile, wondering why it felt so unreal...and remembering the night before. Of course that had to happen right before a worldwide catastrophe.

As TUBAists began to trickle away, she checked her phone and winced. This had taken longer than she'd thought, and Tena was probably annoyed with her. She glanced around to see if anyone wanted a word while she was still here, [if anyone does, feel free, we can stick it in here for continuity], and walked out the door.

[Voidus]

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Sorry
I can delay that a little if Deteca would have responded in some way? Just didn't want to hold you up from gathering with other TUBA members.

 

[AonEne he/him]

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Eh, she probably would've kept trying to get the DA to help and then just made them mad. Or maybe convinced them, who knows...anyway, nothing I needed to say, so it's fine.

 

[Silva]

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Can we stick this in? 

A young man stood in the corner. He typically didn’t show up to meetings as he normally already knew what would be discussed.

But something had happened the previous night, something he had a feeling TUBA’s leadership would want to know about.

He sighed and walked over to Deteca. Most of the people had left the room already.

”I think our meeting was watched,” he told her in a low voice.

@AonEne

[AonEne he/him]

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Of course!

Deteca stopped just before heading out. "Why?"

[Silva]

“I have no firm evidence, but last night when I was going through some paperwork, that ceiling,” he pointed upwards, “found its way into my head. The only explanation I’ve got as to why that  was the part of the future I saw is that something was there, just not visible.”

He shrugged. “Nothing I see is set in stone and that also might not be what it was. Maybe my ability is starting to go haywire and showing me things that actually are useless. But I thought you should know. Just in case.”

[AonEne he/him]

She gave the area where he'd pointed a hard look. "Thank you. Maybe we won't use this room for a while."

[Silva]

He nodded. “Should anything else relevant come up, I’ll send you a text. What little I’ve seen hasn’t been looking good.” 

The young man waved then left the room. Now he just needed to wait and hope. And do paperwork while he was at it.

[AonEne he/him]

Deteca smiled and left after him, going a different way.

[+Ark1002]

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Hi guys, I'm @ApatheticTeenager

I joined a while back, could you add me to the PM?

@AonEne

Edited May 24, 2019 by ApatheticTeenager

[overlord stick]

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It's Ark, don't fall for it.

 

[AonEne he/him]

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Ark, you've gone by that before. We know who you are.

 

[+Ark1002]

On 10/31/2018 at 7:47 AM, ApatheticTeenager said:

Can I join TUBA?

On 10/31/2018 at 3:29 PM, Archer said:

Woo hoo! So many people want to join TUBA! Let me just ping my assistant to put you all in the PM.

 

 

[AonEne he/him]

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Oh, sorry, we appear to have made a mistake. I'll add you now!

 

[+Ark1002]

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Thank you!

 

[AonEne he/him]

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Anytime!