The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[xinoehp512 he/him]

4 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Bacon! Are you kidding me? Why?

 

2 minutes ago, Sequence said:

"The machine?" Sequence looked thoughtful. "I... I do not recall... But certainly there must be some way to repair it! Or even just free those trapped there." She seemed very eager to help. "What happens to somebody when they attempt to enter unreal space, now that the time has stopped flowing there?"

"It resists, but if they break through... they'll be trapped there with all the other inhabitants. I have sent several rovers in and have been unable to recover any of them."

7 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Bacon! Are you kidding me? Why?

"People want to know!"

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, xinoehp512 said:

 

"It resists, but if they break through... they'll be trapped there with all the other inhabitants. I have sent several rovers in and have been unable to recover any of them."

was . . .

was there no response . . . 

was that purposeful . . .

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

was . . .

was there no response . . . 

was that purposeful . . .

Lol I forgot to write it, fixed 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"People want to know!"

Who?! Why?!

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

1 minute ago, xinoehp512 said:

"It resists, but if they break through... they'll be trapped there with all the other inhabitants. I have sent several rovers in and have been unable to recover any of them."

Sequence scratched her chin thoughtfully. "Would it be possible to perhaps make a new machine, activate it, and send it through in the same manner as your 'rovers'? Or maybe leave the machine in real space, and have it deliver the stream of time into unreal space?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Who?! Why?!

“If the crazy bacon child wants to do a podcast, let the crazy bacon child do a podcast. I don’t blame him.”

Im aware he’s an adult here btw

[Immortal Platypus]

2 hours ago, NameIess said:

"I do. And I shall keep that secret, for now. But the secret of the Blade's identity may soon come to an end." The Dreamsmith sighed. "Platypus, do you understand the real danger of these Plotblades? The trial Omen gave you, that was a possible future in which only one of the Blades were found. Holding one of those Plotblades, anything is possible. No laws will bind you." The glow of the Dreamsmith's eyes brightened, then dimmed, and a wistful expression formed on his face. "You could achieve your heart's greatest desire, and perhaps... perhaps you could even put it down afterwards."

"I can already accomplish my heart's greatest desire. I just don't deserve it yet. I could Create worlds in the void between worlds, give peace to all who live there. I could finally have peace. But I can't."

He paused, then sighed despondently. 

"Dreamsmith, what is there to be done? I can't claim the Blades, much as I might want to. I probably can't destroy them, I'm not strong enough to stop all the people that could claim them from claiming them... I need something more. Or all could be lost. But I don't know what more I could have. Vengeance, the Once-Author's computer, my Luxblade... Could anything else help me solve these problems?"

Quote

The Brave Adventurer pulled out his iridescent watch and began polishing it. "I... was not aware that there was any particular secret in my predecessor's identity. Would you be so kind as to share this secret?"

"I'm afraid that I cannot. It is not my secret to share. I thought the Valiant One might have known it, but I am not sure. You could ask him.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Who?! Why?!

"Other Narrators, of course!"

2 minutes ago, Sequence said:

Sequence scratched her chin thoughtfully. "Would it be possible to perhaps make a new machine, activate it, and send it through in the same manner as your 'rovers'? Or maybe leave the machine in real space, and have it deliver the stream of time into unreal space?"

"The real problem is that I don't know how to synthesize time. Secondarily, I'm not sure how to deliver it- the core of the world's existence is tied to Onyx, and he's not available at the moment."

1 minute ago, The Halcyon Girl said:

“If the crazy bacon child wants to do a podcast, let the crazy bacon child do a podcast. I don’t blame him.”

Im aware he’s an adult here btw

"Thank you!"

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

1 minute ago, xinoehp512 said:

"The real problem is that I don't know how to synthesize time. Secondarily, I'm not sure how to deliver it- the core of the world's existence is tied to Onyx, and he's not available at the moment."

"Is he trapped in the timeless unreal space as well?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

3 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Other Narrators, of course!"

"The real problem is that I don't know how to synthesize time. Secondarily, I'm not sure how to deliver it- the core of the world's existence is tied to Onyx, and he's not available at the moment."

"Thank you!"

“You’re welcome. Hey, I want some jerky.”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 minutes ago, The Halcyon Girl said:

“If the crazy bacon child wants to do a podcast, let the crazy bacon child do a podcast. I don’t blame him.”

Im aware he’s an adult here btw

But- but no. He sighed.

Can . . . we listen to it? I'm curious.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

1 minute ago, Sequence said:

"Is he trapped in the timeless unreal space as well?"

"No, but he's holed up in his castle and given instructions that he doesn't want to be bothered. He's still living - otherwise I wouldn't be - but he hasn't interacted with anyone for a long time."

2 minutes ago, The Halcyon Girl said:

“You’re welcome. Hey, I want some jerky.”

"How about a BLT sandwich?" Bacon offered. "The castle is made of them."

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

But- but no. He sighed.

Can . . . we listen to it? I'm curious.

"Sure, if you want, but it's in a language not comprehensible to non-Narrators."

 

Meanwhile, Tomato sulked.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Sure, if you want, but it's in a language not comprehensible to non-Narrators."

 

. . . Why?

"I want to listen to it!" Tam said excitedly.

1 minute ago, xinoehp512 said:

Meanwhile, Tomato sulked.

Oh, sorry, Tomato. Shoe patted the tarantula lightly on the head, not sure how to comfort a tarantula.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

. . . Why?

 

"Security."

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

"I want to listen to it!" Tam said excitedly.

 

"Well, I'm still working on the most recent episode, but I guess you can listen to the most recent one."

He pulled a tape from his pocket and tossed it to her.

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

Oh, sorry, Tomato. Shoe patted the tarantula lightly on the head, not sure how to comfort a tarantula.

Tomato eyed Shoe's muffin bag.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"No, but he's holed up in his castle and given instructions that he doesn't want to be bothered. He's still living - otherwise I wouldn't be - but he hasn't interacted with anyone for a long time."

"How about a BLT sandwich?" Bacon offered. "The castle is made of them."

"Sure, if you want, but it's in a language not comprehensible to non-Narrators."

 

Meanwhile, Tomato sulked.

“How about just jerky?”

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

. . . Why?

"I want to listen to it!" Tam said excitedly.

Oh, sorry, Tomato. Shoe patted the tarantula lightly on the head, not sure how to comfort a tarantula.

“Maybe Tam can translate for you,” she offered.

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

5 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"No, but he's holed up in his castle and given instructions that he doesn't want to be bothered. He's still living - otherwise I wouldn't be - but he hasn't interacted with anyone for a long time."

Sequence thought for a moment more. "... Perhaps it may be time to bother him then. I believe he'd agree that this is an important enough circumstance, don't you?"

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, The Halcyon Girl said:

“Maybe Tam can translate for you,” she offered.

"Sure," Tam said, catching the tape. "You do want to listen too?" she offered to Beosta.

2 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

Tomato eyed Shoe's muffin bag.

He pulled out a muffin and gave it to her.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Sure," Tam said, catching the tape. "You do want to listen too?" she offered to Beosta.

He pulled out a muffin and gave it to her.

“Please.@

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, The Halcyon Girl said:

“Please.@

"Not sure what the @ symbol is for but okay."

She put the tape into a tape-player she had, and listened to it through some headphones.

@xinoehp512 what page was the last one?

[xinoehp512 he/him]

2 minutes ago, The Halcyon Girl said:

“How about just jerky?”

“Maybe Tam can translate for you,” she offered.

Bacon sighed. "The pantry is three doors down, take a left, drop down the chute and then pull the book labeled "A Complete History of Bacontopia."

2 minutes ago, Sequence said:

Sequence thought for a moment more. "... Perhaps it may be time to bother him then. I believe he'd agree that this is an important enough circumstance, don't you?"

"I can't say... I don't know anything about him, really. Perhaps I did, once... but those memories are gone."

On 10/28/2024 at 8:46 PM, xinoehp512 said:

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I'm gonna not link to the actual last post this time so it won't break. Hopefully.

The radio broke the silence once again.

"Hello all, and welcome back to The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! As always, my name is Bacon the Bard, here to fill you in on all the plots, tangents, and absolute nonsense that you missed out on!

There's been a conspicuous absence among the Authors since my last episode (circa pg. 2788): @NameIess, the one behind the mysterious twin Plotblades and the misguided guild of Brave Adventurers, has vanished! Dear viewers, we at TLT-M™ productions have been praying for his safe return and dying of suspense regarding the fate of the Bravest Expeditioners- and we're sure you have been too!

But fear not; new plotlines have bloomed in the interim, full of cathartic character moments and jam-packed with juicy lore! In this episode, we will follow Shoe and Beosta (accompanied by yours truly!) as they face a demon from Shoe's past. Dear listeners, today we will finally learn who it is responsible for the inexplicable silence of the Muffin Man. I hope that you are all prepared.

---

But before we get to the main event, we must touch on another simultaneous plotline. When we last left them, Tull had just finished reading the Book of Unwinding Thread, and had realized it contained Erif's backstory. Tull reveals this to Erif, who is stunned and agitated. The oracle remains unamused by Erif's frustration and refuses to elaborate further.

Upon closer examination of his backstory, Erif notices a detail that is new to him; a mention of a mysterious 'inspector' who was responsible for the creation of his world. Tull, having learned from the book that the inspector serves Onyx, warns Erif against seeking him out. Erif, of course, ignores this, and Tull reluctantly decides to assist him.

They meet with the guide, who informs them that they will have to find someone who has been to Onyx's realm before in order to journey there and find the inspector. She directs them to Sequence, who is happy to show them they way.

The group arrives at a circular platform with a strange symbol etched into it. It is noticeably absent of the soporific sand that was previously present to ease the transition into unreal space. The guide appears and welcomes them, warning them that Onyx's realm is dangerous (as if we needed any more reminders of that!)

Ista attempts to interrogate the guide for information. The guide is initially happy to oblige, but quickly becomes agitated when she realizes she is missing memories. Ista continues to press the guide, and causes her to crash when she realizes she can't remember her name. Because of this, the guide is unable to warn Tull about the perils inherent to using Narration in Onyx's realm, and so he Narrates a dream eater in order to help them cross into unreal space. Tull's Narration is therefore taken from him in accordance with Onyx's law, and the group falls asleep thanks to the dream eater.

---

The group comes to consciousness in what appears to be a doctor's waiting room overgrown with age. The group forces their way through a door overgrown with vines into a rusted examination room, beyond which they find the inspector.

Erif confronts the inspector sharply, demanding answers regarding his past and help fixing the curse that is affecting his home- a time loop. The inspector is apologetic, but explains that he has tried to help in the past and been unsuccessful.

Before he can elaborate further, however, the dream eater assaults Ista, taking the form of Berin-as-Wrath and attempting to subdue her with emotional damage. After Ista's own emotional attacks unsuccessful, she pushes positive emotion towards the creature. In response, it switches tactics, trapping Ista in a false happy dream. 

The inspector is able to break Ista out of her reverie and the two decide to experiment with different emotions. They try confusion and get back overwhelming sensory stimulation, then try hunger. With hunger, the dream eater eventually decides Ista isn't food any more and latches onto the inspector. A brief scene from the inspector's past plays, but he cuts off the signal (and destroys the dream eater) before too much is revealed.

The group reawakens in the real world.

---

And now, the story you've all been waiting for.

When we last left Shoe and Beosta, they were being escorted by a strange man through a series of winding corridors to face interrogation. When they arrive at their destination, they are faced with a room of white-skinned people and ordered not to speak aloud. Upon being informed of the captives' desire to find a heroic task to complete, the council promises to prepare such a task, and then returns them to their cell.

Back in their cell, however, Beosta suddenly vanishes. She is summoned for a meeting with her mentor Roth, who just so happens to be an Ennuller! (Why precisely the Ennullers have chosen to involve themselves in Beosta's place of education remains a mystery.) Roth informs her that having her bonded animal be a Narrator is strictly against the rules, and removes Livetha's Narrative abilities. (In my defense, nobody TOLD me that it was against the rules. Sorry, Beosta.) He reminds her of the consequences of her failure and returns her to her cell.

Beosta is rather distraught because of the meeting, and Shoe does his best to comfort her. Beosta reveals that if she fails her final assignment, she will forget everything that happened after joining- including her entire adventure so far. Shoe is distressed by this idea and offers to help Beosta complete her quest. They have a short conversation, during which Livetha is returned to them.

Eventually, the council gets back to them on the heroic deed that needs doing. As it happens, their land is threatened by a mysterious being known as Famine, and food has been scarce. Due to a strange quirk of local metaphysics, however, the entire land is particularly suggestible, even for non-Narrators- though only to outsiders. Thus, Beosta is pressed into service growing plants. The townsfolk are pleased by Beosta's success, and ask if she could defeat Famine. Beosta agrees, and she and Shoe set off to the cavern where the fearsome being resides.

While on the way, the talk turns to Shoe's homeland. He reveals he's from a small town in a valley, where he lived with his younger sister after his parents passed away. He reminisces about the good times, but seems saddened by the memories. (The listener can imply that something happened to his sister; but what? Perhaps we shall see...) Beosta also talks briefly about her home, though it seems there may be some unpleasant memories associated with it.

Eventually, the pair reach Famine's cave and encounter a suspicious-looking (and hungry) young boy. After being fed muffins, the boy becomes demanding and violent. He transforms into a large reptilian creature, and Shoe and Beosta Narrate the walls of the cavern to crush and defeat the monster.

It is at that point, with both of them spattered with gore, that I reintroduce myself into the story.

---

My appearance is brief; I attempt a bit of Narration to heal Shoe and Beosta, but due to the suggestible nature of local reality I accidentally resurrect the monster. I make a prompt exit before I can do any more damage. The monster roughs Beosta up, but she and Shoe are able to encase it in solid iron and solid rock respectively. The pair then Narrate horses to help Beosta get back to town (and the hospital.) They discuss whether or not their actions are suitably heroic to qualify for Beosta's final project, and she reveals that her instructor will check in on her regarding the topic.

After wrestling with myself for a while, I decide to take the risk and disguise myself as a fly to listen in on the conversation. Ennullers are freaky, but they also have a tendency to show up in interesting places and times. While waiting, however, I reveal to Shoe that Beosta's instructor is an Ennuller. He is shocked by this information, evidently familiar with the term, and immediately seeks out Beosta.

Beosta, meanwhile, is not having much success convincing her instructor to accept their quest. Roth explains to her that she needs to work together with Livetha in order to succeed, using their combined Gift as a tool in whatever quest she chooses.

As they talk, Shoe bursts in and begs Roth for his help. He reveals that his sister has been taken by an Ennuller and that he needs the help of another Ennuller to get her back. Unfortunately, Roth does not take Shoe's plight seriously, and refuses to offer assistance. He departs (rather rudely, I might add), leaving Shoe and Beosta alone together (with me!)

Once Beosta learns what Shoe needs help with, she offers to assist him but Shoe rejects the idea. He claims that it is too dangerous, and likely impossible without the assistance of an Ennuller. He reveals that his sister was a Narrator, and that the Ennuller who captured her - named Ciara- was working alone.

I suggest going to the other Ennullers for help, so we call up the guide. Unfortunately, she isn't terribly helpful, going insane halfway through our conversation. She does let us into Ennuller HQ, but all that we find there is a desk-person that has us file a report. He reveals that Ciara is considered dead, and doesn't seem to fully believe Shoe's report, which will undoubtedly be forever lost in the harrowing realm of bureaucracy. (We do learn Shoe's last name, however: It's Lennox!)

While there, however, Shoe and Beosta share an emotional moment. We also re-encounter Yrank and meet up with a new person: Cricket, the portaler! I introduce myself to him in disguise, as to not reveal my presence within Ennuller HQ. Cricket proves to be terrible at keeping secrets and reveals quite a bit about his backstory (including a planet explosion!) Yrank also reveals that he has bad blood with the Ennullers (which will perhaps be explored in a later episode.)

The Ennuller concludes that we have no further business and ejects us unceremoniously.

---

We land in a peaceful city park and begin to discuss plans moving forwards. In the absence of an easily recruitable Ennuller, I suggest creating RC body doubles and infiltrating Ciara's hideout to gather intel. (While doing this, Livetha opens a mental connection between Shoe and Beosta so we don't have to use quite so much paper. Hooray for saving the environment! Also hooray for cute interactions. (Don't tell Beosta I said that, or she'll turn redder than Tomato the Tarantula.)) After some discussion on the form the doubles should take, we settle on pigeons. I create pigeon forms for everyone, but it turns out the others are not natural flyers. Fortunately, a Narrator named Natsu in the form of a pigeon shows up and imparts the relevant information onto us. (Cricket also randomly appears and I turn him into a pigeon, so he doesn't feel left out.)

Thus we take to the skies, prepared to investigate Ciara's base. Will what we find be of any use? Find out after the break!

---

*an ad for bacon donuts plays*

---

Welcome back, listeners! Where we last left off, our valiant heroes (including me!) were making our way towards Ciara the Ennullers stronghold with the intention of infiltration. Shoe leads the way through a multiversal travel hub, and we emerge in his home universe. Shoe is momentarily overcome with memories, but leads us to Ciara's entrance portal. We enter without incident and explore some very creepy hallways. We run into a eerie armor-sentry being, and even encounter Ciara at one point, but our tiny disguise forms enable us to hide without being spotted.

While we are there, we hear Shoe's sister's voice and decide to attempt to make contact. After a few minutes of wandering through creepy hallways, we find her! Her name is revealed to be Tam, and she is overjoyed to make contact with Shoe once again (even if he is in the form of a pigeon.) Tam confirms that an Ennuller is required in order to counteract Ciara if they wish to effect her escape. 

Natsu reveals that he knows an Ennuller that might be able to help, for a price. Thus the group says their goodbyes to Tam for now (including a very tearful Shoe) and we depart. (I do leave a copy of myself with Tam, however. Just in case.)

---

Once we have recovered our bodies, Natsu takes the lead. In order to get to Quagmire, who is located on Braize, he takes us through light-conversion transportation crystals. (There are no mishaps on the journey.) Before we leave, however, Beosta buys an odd glass globe from a strange woman who claims to be selling souls. (I'm sure that's not ominous at all.)

We arrive at the location, but Quagmire takes a bit to show up, so we just chill for a bit. We learn a little bit more about Cricket (apparently you can tell the kind of portaler Cricket is by their eye color) and he reveals that he is being hunted by a dark entity. I make some plants grow and show up Shoe at castle building. Beosta talks about the pretty stars of her homeworld and vehemently objects to us traveling there, and Shoe makes some absolutely TERRIBLE puns. Beosta thinks that they are hilarious; incontrovertible evidence that she is hopelessly in love with him. (There's no other explanation.)

At last, Quagmire shows up and offers Shoe a deal. He must complete a Trial of Truth and he must help Quagmire with a favor at some point in the future. Shoe agrees, and the Trial of Truth begins.

---

And thus our episode ends with Shoe on the cusp of winning a valuable ally. We have discovered so much, and yet are still so blind to the things directly in front of us. Will Shoe be able to complete the Trial of Truth, win Quagmires assistance, and rescue his sister? Will he regain his voice? Will he realize Beosta's true feelings towards him? Find answers to all these questions- and more! Will @NameIess return from his hiatus? What is Falvan planning, and will his machinations come to light? Find answers to all these questions and more in the next episode of The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! Thank you all for listening, and have a good night.

Please direct any and all concerns to @xinoehp512.

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2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Not sure what the @ symbol is for but okay."

She put the tape into a tape-player she had, and listened to it through some headphones.

@xinoehp512 what page was the last one?

Here ya go.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

12 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

Bacon sighed. "The pantry is three doors down, take a left, drop down the chute and then pull the book labeled "A Complete History of Bacontopia."

"I can't say... I don't know anything about him, really. Perhaps I did, once... but those memories are gone."

 

Here ya go.

“Okay.” 

She returned several minutes later with a large bag of jerky. “Thanks.”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

10 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

Bacon sighed. "The pantry is three doors down, take a left, drop down the chute and then pull the book labeled "A Complete History of Bacontopia."

"I can't say... I don't know anything about him, really. Perhaps I did, once... but those memories are gone."

 

Here ya go.

Ah, even better. Thanks!

Tab listened through the podcast once.

"Aww, Shoe," she gave him a hug.

What?

"You're the sweetest." She looked to Beosta, "I don't think you guys want to listen to this anyway."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Ah, even better. Thanks!

Tab listened through the podcast once.

"Aww, Shoe," she gave him a hug.

What?

"You're the sweetest." She looked to Beosta, "I don't think you guys want to listen to this anyway."

“…why not?”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, The Halcyon Girl said:

“…why not?”

"Uhhh . . ." she scratched her head. "It's basically just a recounting of what you did with some Bacon-esk twists, so . . . y'know."

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Tomato finished her muffin. "So will you tell me what Ennullers look like?"