The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

6 minutes ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

That day. That god-cursed day.

Um, sure . . . if you want?

[TwinStorm He/Him]

6 minutes ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

Um, sure . . . if you want?

I just need to... get it all off my back. It's been haunting me for two years, now, and I need to share it, before I go mad. he said, laughing shakily. Here. he said, sending her a memory. 

(spoilered for length)

Spoiler

Cricket sighed, exhausted, falling back from Ferick. The monk circled him, staring at him, with that intense gaze. 

“Your virtues are numerous, Chaisler.” he said. “but lacking. You have strength, courage, devotion, passion, all good, in moderation. But, you lack patience, fortitude. Peace.” he said. 

Cricket groaned mentally. It was Ferick’s usual monologue, about virtue, which he wasn’t sure how it related to hand-to-hand combat. 

“Strike me. Again.” Ferick said, putting up his fists. Cricket attacked again, feinting several times, before striking. Ferick blocked all of them, dodging expertly and bringing up a fist into Cricket’s shoulder.

Cricket fell, getting up slowly.  “Up.” said Ferick. “Again.” Cricket got up, lunging at Ferick, who sidestepped, tripping him. “Up. Again.” Cricket shouted, sending a fist at Ferick, which was blocked and returned with equal force.

He staggered backwards, hand to his jaw. “Why, Ferick?” he said. “Why do we do this? To test my patience?”

Ferick frowned. “So you have not learned your lesson. Very well. Again.” Cricket cursed, teleporting behind Ferick and slamming a foot into his back, sending him stumbling. “Happy?” he said. 

Ferick got up slowly, not looking at him. Then he spoke. “Telse is sick, then?” 

Cricket paused, for a moment, then responded. “Yes. She’s been sick for some time.”

“Funny, how much your emotions are influenced by another’s welfare.”

Cricket growled, backing away. “I’ll be back in a minute, just… give me some time.” He opened a portal, turning away. Ferick stood silent, as Cricket strode into it.

He appeared in a woody meadow, a common place where he had taken refuge in darker times. He settled against a rock, and closed his eyes. Fael was sick. Winds take him, could he function without her for a single day? He just wanted her to be okay.

He sighed, pulling a piece of parchment out of his pocket, staring at it. It was a sketch of him and Telse, drawn by a street artist. Funny, the fact that they had dated for eight months now.

He reached into his pocket again, digging out a ring. It was for Telse.

He wished… It was her birthday in two weeks. She was turning nineteen, the traditional age for marriage betrothals among girls on Welderan. That day, he would ask her to marry him, in eighteen months, as was tradition. 

Was he ready, though? He still had a year to train with the monks, and then he needed to learn a trade. Farming was attractive, a peaceful life, but monotonous. So was carpentry. Several of the local carpenters had offered to train him.

He sighed, folding the paper and tucking carefully into his pocket, standing up. He should go back and apologize to Ferick. That was what Telse would have wanted him to do.

He made a portal back to the monastery, striding through it, only to freeze as soon as he came there. The monastery was burning. He raced through it, sprinting around the twisting burning hallways, seeing dead bodies, back to the room where he and Ferick had been training. Ferick was dead, impaled to the floor by a spear.

He stared in shock and horror. The monks were powerful warriors, only to be destroyed in a couple minutes, who had left. Anger burned in him. Who could’ve done this… he froze. Winds. They had burned the monastery. What was stopping them from the village itself? What was stopping them from attacking Telse’ family?

He created a portal, staggering forward into it. He appeared in a nightmare. The monks had all been dead, but here… here they had left them to die.

Screams greeted his ears, as all around him houses crumbled and burned. Several figures in black stalked through the distance, searching among the ruins. For him, he realized, in horror. 

He raced through the village, unheeding of any hunters, tearing towards the mayor’s house. It had been completely destroyed. Crumbling. In front of it, lay a single body, with an arrow in her back.. Telse. 

He screamed in pain, falling to his knees in front of her, cradling her head, weeping. She looked up at him, coughing. She was still sick. “Cr—Cricket.” she sighed, looking up at him, adoringly. “I’m— sorry.”

“No! No! Please, no!” he cried softly, into her shoulder. 

“Cricket, it’s—it’s okay.” she said, lifting a hand with some effort, touching his face. “Don’t—don’t let this break you. Move on.”

He looked down at her. “Telse, we’ll find a Narrator! Someone can heal you! Please!”

“It’s too late now, for me at least.” she said, coughing, then reached to her neck. She wore a silver locket. “This— was my mother’s. She gave it to me. Keep it.” she said, taking it off and dropping it to him. “I—I love you.” she said softly, smiling. Then she fell silent, as her breathing slowed, to a halt.

He stared in horror, then screamed, as rage, earth-shattering rage, overwhelmed him completely. An arrow streaked over his head, and he turned, vision tinged in red. He teleported behind the archer, knifing him in the back, kicking him savagely. The hunter dead, he ran back to Telse, lifting her body up gently.

He gasped, and teleported them both away, to another planet.

Memories filled his head, happy memories, memories of a better time, now bitter to him. Telse had brought him here once, to show him what Welderan looked like from a distance, from another planet. A shining star, fueled by the Core, the heart of Welderan.

He looked where she had shown him, towards the star that was Welderan. It was gone, silent, dead. No light emanating from it. 

He continued sobbing, hating the Thread, and everything in it, sobbing over Telse’s body, sobbing till he collapsed from exhaustion there.

(it's unedited and kinda bad, but I think it works, to show how his memory of it)

Edited December 14, 2024 by Ookla the Irreplaceable

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

32 minutes ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

I just need to... get it all off my back. It's been haunting me for two years, now, and I need to share it, before I go mad. he said, laughing shakily. Here. he said, sending her a memory. 

(spoilered for length)

  Hide contents

Cricket sighed, exhausted, falling back from Ferick. The monk circled him, staring at him, with that intense gaze. 

“Your virtues are numerous, Chaisler.” he said. “but lacking. You have strength, courage, devotion, passion, all good, in moderation. But, you lack patience, fortitude. Peace.” he said. 

Cricket groaned mentally. It was Ferick’s usual monologue, about virtue, which he wasn’t sure how it related to hand-to-hand combat. 

“Strike me. Again.” Ferick said, putting up his fists. Cricket attacked again, feinting several times, before striking. Ferick blocked all of them, dodging expertly and bringing up a fist into Cricket’s shoulder.

Cricket fell, getting up slowly.  “Up.” said Ferick. “Again.” Cricket got up, lunging at Ferick, who sidestepped, tripping him. “Up. Again.” Cricket shouted, sending a fist at Ferick, which was blocked and returned with equal force.

He staggered backwards, hand to his jaw. “Why, Ferick?” he said. “Why do we do this? To test my patience?”

Ferick frowned. “So you have not learned your lesson. Very well. Again.” Cricket cursed, teleporting behind Ferick and slamming a foot into his back, sending him stumbling. “Happy?” he said. 

Ferick got up slowly, not looking at him. Then he spoke. “Telse is sick, then?” 

Cricket paused, for a moment, then responded. “Yes. She’s been sick for some time.”

“Funny, how much your emotions are influenced by another’s welfare.”

Cricket growled, backing away. “I’ll be back in a minute, just… give me some time.” He opened a portal, turning away. Ferick stood silent, as Cricket strode into it.

He appeared in a woody meadow, a common place where he had taken refuge in darker times. He settled against a rock, and closed his eyes. Fael was sick. Winds take him, could he function without her for a single day? He just wanted her to be okay.

He sighed, pulling a piece of parchment out of his pocket, staring at it. It was a sketch of him and Telse, drawn by a street artist. Funny, the fact that they had dated for eight months now.

He reached into his pocket again, digging out a ring. It was for Telse.

He wished… It was her birthday in two weeks. She was turning nineteen, the traditional age for marriage betrothals among girls on Welderan. That day, he would ask her to marry him, in eighteen months, as was tradition. 

Was he ready, though? He still had a year to train with the monks, and then he needed to learn a trade. Farming was attractive, a peaceful life, but monotonous. So was carpentry. Several of the local carpenters had offered to train him.

He sighed, folding the paper and tucking carefully into his pocket, standing up. He should go back and apologize to Ferick. That was what Telse would have wanted him to do.

He made a portal back to the monastery, striding through it, only to freeze as soon as he came there. The monastery was burning. He raced through it, sprinting around the twisting burning hallways, seeing dead bodies, back to the room where he and Ferick had been training. Ferick was dead, impaled to the floor by a spear.

He stared in shock and horror. The monks were powerful warriors, only to be destroyed in a couple minutes, who had left. Anger burned in him. Who could’ve done this… he froze. Winds. They had burned the monastery. What was stopping them from the village itself? What was stopping them from attacking Telse’ family?

He created a portal, staggering forward into it. He appeared in a nightmare. The monks had all been dead, but here… here they had left them to die.

Screams greeted his ears, as all around him houses crumbled and burned. Several figures in black stalked through the distance, searching among the ruins. For him, he realized, in horror. 

He raced through the village, unheeding of any hunters, tearing towards the mayor’s house. It had been completely destroyed. Crumbling. In front of it, lay a single body, with an arrow in her back.. Telse. 

He screamed in pain, falling to his knees in front of her, cradling her head, weeping. She looked up at him, coughing. She was still sick. “Cr—Cricket.” she sighed, looking up at him, adoringly. “I’m— sorry.”

“No! No! Please, no!” he cried softly, into her shoulder. 

“Cricket, it’s—it’s okay.” she said, lifting a hand with some effort, touching his face. “Don’t—don’t let this break you. Move on.”

He looked down at her. “Telse, we’ll find a Narrator! Someone can heal you! Please!”

“It’s too late now, for me at least.” she said, coughing, then reached to her neck. She wore a silver locket. “This— was my mother’s. She gave it to me. Keep it.” she said, taking it off and dropping it to him. “I—I love you.” she said softly, smiling. Then she fell silent, as her breathing slowed, to a halt.

He stared in horror, then screamed, as rage, earth-shattering rage, overwhelmed him completely. An arrow streaked over his head, and he turned, vision tinged in red. He teleported behind the archer, knifing him in the back, kicking him savagely. The hunter dead, he ran back to Telse, lifting her body up gently.

He gasped, and teleported them both away, to another planet.

Memories filled his head, happy memories, memories of a better time, now bitter to him. Telse had brought him here once, to show him what Welderan looked like from a distance, from another planet. A shining star, fueled by the Core, the heart of Welderan.

He looked where she had shown him, towards the star that was Welderan. It was gone, silent, dead. No light emanating from it. 

He continued sobbing, hating the Thread, and everything in it, sobbing over Telse’s body, sobbing till he collapsed from exhaustion there.

(it's unedited and kinda bad, but I think it works, to show how his memory of it)

Dude, what're you talking about that was so good.

Tam was quiet for a long while after that.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

Just now, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

Dude, what're you talking about that was so good.

Tam was quiet for a long while after that.

really? thanks!   I just wrote it cause the early parts of his backstory weren't clicking so I needed to do something else.

You see it now, don't you? How brutal they were, how destructive. My anger, and rage. I try to control it, but... I'm a ticking bomb. Sooner or later, I'm going to let loose. I'm not excited for what comes next.

[NameIess]

On 12/12/2024 at 11:10 PM, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

"I have no idea," Tam replied, poking her more rapidly.

The traveler bears the maltreatment with annoyance. “So do you have any ideas to help me?”

On 12/13/2024 at 10:27 AM, Ookla the Cookie Collector said:

The Emperor fights to show no distress as he draws his bastard sword, forged by the Gods of Celestia. He swings it with excellent precision. The blade passes through the enemy's neck like a ghost through a wall, and as it does, the head goes cold and the enemy's eyes roll back into its head and it falls, dead before it's body touches the ground.

As the enemy’s body collapses, the Emperor feels a force tugging on his soul. A voice seems to whisper to him.

”These are the forces of those you face. The forces of the Maelstrom.”

The tugging intensified and an insight appeared within the Emperor’s mind, perhaps placed there by Omen, perhaps simply his own intuition. This world did not know what his enemies looked like. It needed the Emperor’s mind, his memories and knowledge to fill out their form.

22 hours ago, Ookla the Bacon said:

You are in a safe place, said the doctor in a soothing voice. What do you remember?

"Sandy?" suggested Bacon.

Limits on how and when you can use your Narration, mostly.

The doctor frowned. Hmm. That's not good. The corruption has spread into the core.

“Fine, fine. Will those restrictions be in the form of oaths or a contract? Or will you be physically restricting my powers?”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 hour ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

really? thanks!   I just wrote it cause the early parts of his backstory weren't clicking so I needed to do something else.

You see it now, don't you? How brutal they were, how destructive. My anger, and rage. I try to control it, but... I'm a ticking bomb. Sooner or later, I'm going to let loose. I'm not excited for what comes next.

Yeah! I mean it!

Yeah, she muttered.

Then, to herself: Me neither.

19 minutes ago, Ookla the nostealnamepls said:

The traveler bears the maltreatment with annoyance. “So do you have any ideas to help me?”

"Nope!"

Edited December 15, 2024 by Ookla the Inconclusive

[TwinStorm He/Him]

33 minutes ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

Yeah! I mean it!

Yeah, she muttered.

Then, to herself: Me neither.

"Nope!"

He nodded, satisfied that he'd managed to show the truth adequately.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

21 minutes ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

He nodded, satisfied that he'd managed to show the truth adequately.

Okay, well . . . I need to go, she said slowly.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

22 minutes ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

Okay, well . . . I need to go, she said slowly.

Okay. I'll... keep in touch. Bye.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

5 minutes ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Okay. I'll... keep in touch. Bye.

Yep bye! she said hurriedly.

Then she sighed and laid on her back in the sand, feeling drained.

[Immortal Platypus]

8 hours ago, Ookla the Pancake said:

"Good day, sir," said Pancakes.

"Sounds indubitable," said Pancakes, who didn't know what "indubitable" meant.

"That's... not h-" Hacob started. "Actually, never mind. Let's go."

[xinoehp512 he/him]

21 hours ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

I can take us back to the beach if you'd like, Tam told Beosta.

She then floated over to Bat. What's that?

Mm. Sure! Why not.

*sigh* 'kay bye

"Well, nice to meet you, Parchment!"

13 hours ago, Ookla the Dragonslayer said:

Nononono! The Nullite does not cause chaos. The conflict is within them no matter what - all the Nullite did was end it, essentially. And besides, if one sees an Ennuler and runs in panic, did the Ennuler  cause that chaos? Oh, and, the attacks of the Strands are quite organized. Just, you know, evil. Killy stuff. The Nullite is making it more efficient and organized in its efforts, you see.

I see, said Charles thoughtfully. Tenth, what do you think?

11 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Thanks. I... I don't want to kill. I just need time to think. he said, gazing into the woods.

He's one who should not be. Two opposites, forged together.

 

Is this related to the rogue Ennuller who attacked your host? We have him in custody.

11 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Cricket gasped, startled. "She's a.... friend of mine."

Hmm. If you have need of therapy, we have several doctors who specialize in that field.

3 hours ago, Ookla the nostealnamepls said:

The traveler bears the maltreatment with annoyance. “So do you have any ideas to help me?”

As the enemy’s body collapses, the Emperor feels a force tugging on his soul. A voice seems to whisper to him.

”These are the forces of those you face. The forces of the Maelstrom.”

The tugging intensified and an insight appeared within the Emperor’s mind, perhaps placed there by Omen, perhaps simply his own intuition. This world did not know what his enemies looked like. It needed the Emperor’s mind, his memories and knowledge to fill out their form.

“Fine, fine. Will those restrictions be in the form of oaths or a contract? Or will you be physically restricting my powers?”

Yes.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Ookla the Bacon said:

"Well, nice to meet you, Parchment!"

Likewise, Bacon, she wrote, hopping off his head and cartwheeling through the air nearby.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

1 minute ago, Ookla the Bacon said:

"Well, nice to meet you, Parchment!"

I see, said Charles thoughtfully. Tenth, what do you think?

 

Is this related to the rogue Ennuller who attacked your host? We have him in custody.

Hmm. If you have need of therapy, we have several doctors who specialize in that field.

Yes.

Not... not Enuller. Not Narrator either. A mix. Unnatural. Dangerous.

Cricket turned. "What? I don't need therapy!" he caught himself suddenly. "I'm... not sure." he said slowly. "I'll have to think about it."

[Szeth Pancakes he/they]

13 minutes ago, Ookla the Arbiter said:

"That's... not h-" Hacob started. "Actually, never mind. Let's go."

"Are you going to lead? Or should I?"

[NameIess]

13 minutes ago, Ookla the Bacon said:

Yes.

Subversion nodded. "Sounds good. I presume I have to fill out more paperwork? Let's get that over with quickly."

[Immortal Platypus]

1 hour ago, Ookla the Pancake said:

"Are you going to lead? Or should I?"

"You can. This is your adventure, after all."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

11 hours ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

Then she sighed and laid on her back in the sand, feeling drained.

Template lays down on the sand as well, not knowing about the telepathic conversation. “This is comfortable. Where do you think sand comes from?” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 hour ago, Ookla the Inquisitive said:

Template lays down on the sand as well, not knowing about the telepathic conversation. “This is comfortable. Where do you think sand comes from?” 

Rocks tumbled in the ocean, I think, she replies, still invisible.

[Szeth Pancakes he/they]

10 hours ago, Ookla the Arbiter said:

"You can. This is your adventure, after all."

"Mine?" Pancakes seemed delighted by this. "Alrighty then," he said, leading the way towards the rock at a brisk pace.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

11 hours ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

Likewise, Bacon, she wrote, hopping off his head and cartwheeling through the air nearby.

Bacon sighed, then frowned. "What were we talking about again?"

11 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Not... not Enuller. Not Narrator either. A mix. Unnatural. Dangerous.

Do you know the name of this entity, or your own name? Any identifying information you could convey about what you were doing could help us find who you were and what did this to you.

11 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Cricket turned. "What? I don't need therapy!" he caught himself suddenly. "I'm... not sure." he said slowly. "I'll have to think about it."

Please do. Especially if you think you will be a danger to others, as you have expressed.

11 hours ago, Ookla the nostealnamepls said:

Subversion nodded. "Sounds good. I presume I have to fill out more paperwork? Let's get that over with quickly."

The Ennuller handed her a sheaf of paperwork. You'll need to fill this out with Narration, to bind your essence to it.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

On 12/14/2024 at 8:41 AM, Ookla the Inquisitive said:

Template flickers back to being Owen for a moment. “I was - but someone made me Owen. My real name is apparently Template.” 

"That's...... weird." 

22 hours ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

You sure? Seems like something to me.

He shoved it into his pocket. He didn't feel like trying to talk over the lump in his throat. 

21 hours ago, Ookla the Dragonslayer said:

*pout*
Well, I can always give it to someone else.

(Besides. I’m a Narrator. You expect me to keep track of time well? Our duelish thing was just a few posts ago!)

@oOklA thE shInyYyy

Here’s another one! This one causes pain in whoever you stabby stab.

Bat blinked at it, then smiled a little and took it. 

21 hours ago, Ookla the Dragonslayer said:

Um… I know the location of some… and that they scare me…

Also, no, you cannot have any of my Notblades. I only have made three, and the third one is not for sale ‘tall.

And, yes, I gave Bat the other two. I like Bat.

This maketh me happieth.

13 hours ago, Ookla the Inconclusive said:

Yep bye! she said hurriedly.

Then she sighed and laid on her back in the sand, feeling drained.

Bat sat down near her. "You look tired. When did you last sleep?" 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

20 minutes ago, Ookla the Bacon said:

Bacon sighed, then frowned. "What were we talking about again?"

Do you know the name of this entity, or your own name? Any identifying information you could convey about what you were doing could help us find who you were and what did this to you.

Please do. Especially if you think you will be a danger to others, as you have expressed.

The Ennuller handed her a sheaf of paperwork. You'll need to fill this out with Narration, to bind your essence to it.

He is... he is.... beyond all powers you could muster. Dangerous. I.... I was once... I am Prisoner. That was forced upon me.

"Fine. I'll do it for them." he said.

[NameIess]

1 hour ago, Ookla the Bacon said:

The Ennuller handed her a sheaf of paperwork. You'll need to fill this out with Narration, to bind your essence to it.

Subversion snapped her fingers and the paperwork was filled out. “Done! Now, where are the students?”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 hours ago, Ookla the Bacon said:

Bacon sighed, then frowned. "What were we talking about again?"

Answers.

1 hour ago, oOklA thE shInyYyy said:

He shoved it into his pocket. He didn't feel like trying to talk over the lump in his throat. 

That worried her a little.

1 hour ago, oOklA thE shInyYyy said:

Bat sat down near her. "You look tired. When did you last sleep?" 

She made herself visible again and sighed, not caring if Template saw.

"Yesterday, I guess. It wasn't for very long- but I shouldn't even need to sleep. I mean-" she waved her hand at everyone else on the beach, "-did you notice that no one in the group actually sleeps? Ever?"

She shrugged. "I'm fine physically, I just . . ." she paused, sighing again, and rested her arm over her eyes.

Edited December 15, 2024 by Ookla the Inconclusive