The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Such a simple wish?" the wind whispered, laughing. "You hardly need me for that."

Rebus waves a dismissive hand. “To travel to an ordinary place, no. But to Onyx’s Realm… I suspect Narratively teleporting there could be unpleasant. Or do you ask for my higher goal - the ends for which this is the means?” 

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat smiled at him. 

54 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Um . . . Template?

Hello.

Rebus broadly smiles back, arrogance mixed with curiosity mixed with genuine welcome. His thin platform of glinting foam drifts closer, and he stands up and steps to Tam’s in one fluid motion. 
Hello, Tam. He responds, receiving her messages. Template is gone, but should be fine, considering how proud my Author is of them. But their disappearance, however temporary, does have benefits. Me, for instance. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

57 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He nodded, swallowed, and took a deep breath. “Turn me into glass. No, metal.”

"What?!" she exclaimed, "No! Something smaller, more simple than that!"

14 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus waves a dismissive hand. “To travel to an ordinary place, no. But to Onyx’s Realm… I suspect Narratively teleporting there could be unpleasant. Or do you ask for my higher goal - the ends for which this is the means?” 

Rebus broadly smiles back, arrogance mixed with curiosity mixed with genuine welcome. His thin platform of glinting foam drifts closer, and he stands up and steps to Tam’s in one fluid motion. 
Hello, Tam. He responds, receiving her messages. Template is gone, but should be fine, considering how proud my Author is of them. But their disappearance, however temporary, does have benefits. Me, for instance. 

She raised an eyebrow. Okay. Who are you?

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

11 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"What?!" she exclaimed, "No! Something smaller, more simple than that!"

She raised an eyebrow. Okay. Who are you?

Rebus speaks out load and in her head. “I could repair Bat physically, if that makes you more willing to try that.” I am Rebus. Perhaps Bat had a point earlier, judging from this. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus speaks out load and in her head. “I could repair Bat physically, if that makes you more willing to try that.” I am Rebus. Perhaps Bat had a point earlier, judging from this. 

"Well it's not that . . . he simply had an . . . odd reaction to my Narration earlier. So I want to be careful." And it's nice to meet you, Rebus.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

5 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

Bacon inspected the scene. @NameIess

Once again, said the doctor, might I suggest therapy?

The wind swirled around Rebus.

"What do you wish?" it asked.

Nogard sighed. "Well, you aren't alone in that feeling, I suppose."

“Some wounds never heal, not while I’m being actively reminded of him. He’s been silent for too long, after such a big defeat. He’s planning something, and my friends are in danger. Unless I stop him, Tam… and Fael, and Bat, of course, could die.”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

40 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Well it's not that . . . he simply had an . . . odd reaction to my Narration earlier. So I want to be careful." And it's nice to meet you, Rebus.

Rebus nods to both comments. “I know. But unlike many of our kind, I don’t rely wholly on Narration to do things. Thread-awareness, however, is one thing I do use extensively.” He pauses, breaking his quasi-monologue for several reasons. “You as well, if you understand this the way I expect. You hold more cards, and can see some others cannot. It is likely for the best, as panic attacks are problematic.” Rebus nearly claps Bat on the shoulder, then remembers how skittish he can be. Assuming Bat flinches at the movement, (@Halcyon The Only) he grins. “Case in point.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

38 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus nods to both comments. “I know. But unlike many of our kind, I don’t rely wholly on Narration to do things. Thread-awareness, however, is one thing I do use extensively.” He pauses, breaking his quasi-monologue for several reasons. “You as well, if you understand this the way I expect. You hold more cards, and can see some others cannot. It is likely for the best, as panic attacks are problematic.” Rebus nearly claps Bat on the shoulder, then remembers how skittish he can be. Assuming Bat flinches at the movement, (@Halcyon The Only) he grins. “Case in point.” 

"I'm . . . not sure I know what you mean," she said rather uncomfortably.

Edited December 28, 2024 by Through The Living Glass

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"What?!" she exclaimed, "No! Something smaller, more simple than that!"

She raised an eyebrow. Okay. Who are you?

“Oh,” Bat said, eyeing Rebus. He didn’t know why, but Rebus put him on edge. “Turn me blue, then?”

44 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus nods to both comments. “I know. But unlike many of our kind, I don’t rely wholly on Narration to do things. Thread-awareness, however, is one thing I do use extensively.” He pauses, breaking his quasi-monologue for several reasons. “You as well, if you understand this the way I expect. You hold more cards, and can see some others cannot. It is likely for the best, as panic attacks are problematic.” Rebus nearly claps Bat on the shoulder, then remembers how skittish he can be. Assuming Bat flinches at the movement, (@Halcyon The Only) he grins. “Case in point.” 

Bat stepped away. “Thread-awareness?”

5 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"I'm . . . not sure I know what you mean," she said rather uncomfortably.

“Yeah… me neither.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

8 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Oh,” Bat said, eyeing Rebus. He didn’t know why, but Rebus put him on edge. “Turn me blue, then?”

She sighed and nodded, turning him blue.

8 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat stepped away. “Thread-awareness?”

“Yeah… me neither.” 

She ignored those comments.

Edited December 28, 2024 by Through The Living Glass

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

30 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"I'm . . . not sure I know what you mean," she said rather uncomfortably.

24 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Oh,” Bat said, eyeing Rebus. He didn’t know why, but Rebus put him on edge. “Turn me blue, then?”

“I tend to do that. Cause edginess and confusion, not change colors. I seem to be doing it again, though it is not all my fault.” 

25 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat stepped away. “Thread-awareness?”

Rebus steps away as well, one foot going off the platform and seemingly standing on air. “As I said, this knowledge sometimes causes panic attacks. I wouldn’t want to unlearn it, and wouldn’t give up my power as a Narrator, but if I was neither I’m unsure I would want to know. The power derived from it - which I referred to - was the ability to know when important things happen. What makes those things important is what has a history of causing identity crises.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

7 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“I tend to do that. Cause edginess and confusion, not change colors. I seem to be doing it again, though it is not all my fault.” 

Rebus steps away as well, one foot going off the platform and seemingly standing on air. “As I said, this knowledge sometimes causes panic attacks. I wouldn’t want to unlearn it, and wouldn’t give up my power as a Narrator, but if I was neither I’m unsure I would want to know. The power derived from it - which I referred to - was the ability to know when important things happen. What makes those things important is what has a history of causing identity crises.” 

Tam narrowed her eyes.

Why are you here?

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

37 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She sighed and nodded, turning him blue.

She ignored those comments.

He very obligingly turned blue. The blue flickered for a moment, but solidified. 

14 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“I tend to do that. Cause edginess and confusion, not change colors. I seem to be doing it again, though it is not all my fault.” 

Rebus steps away as well, one foot going off the platform and seemingly standing on air. “As I said, this knowledge sometimes causes panic attacks. I wouldn’t want to unlearn it, and wouldn’t give up my power as a Narrator, but if I was neither I’m unsure I would want to know. The power derived from it - which I referred to - was the ability to know when important things happen. What makes those things important is what has a history of causing identity crises.” 

Bat’s eyes widened. “You… read my mind? —what knowledge? Tam? What’s he talking about?” 

@Through The Living Glass

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He very obligingly turned blue. The blue flickered for a moment, but solidified. 

Tam took note of that, then turned him back.

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat’s eyes widened. “You… read my mind? —what knowledge? Tam? What’s he talking about?” 

"Nothing, Bat. Just Narration."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

Tam took note of that, then turned him back.

"Nothing, Bat. Just Narration."

He frowned. “What’s the Thread, then? Why are you so secretive about it?”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He frowned. “What’s the Thread, then? Why are you so secretive about it?”

"It's nothing, Bat," she hissed, panicking slightly.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

8 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"It's nothing, Bat," she hissed, panicking slightly.

“Tam!” He stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders. “Take a breath. Calm down. It’s okay. Just tell me.”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Tam!” He stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders. “Take a breath. Calm down. It’s okay. Just tell me.”

"No!" she cried, shaking his hands off.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

7 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"No!" she cried, shaking his hands off.

“Tam…” 

Didn’t she trust him? 

“I won’t panic. I promise.”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Tam…” 

Didn’t she trust him? 

“I won’t panic. I promise.”

"Bat, no! I won't!" she growled, whirling on Rebus.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

@Dragonheir

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

4 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Bat, no! I won't!" she growled, whirling on Rebus.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

@Dragonheir

Bat looked hurt. He turned back toward the ocean and counted. Good— Gaioh was still around there somewhere. 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

57 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat’s eyes widened. “You… read my mind? —what knowledge? Tam? What’s he talking about?” 

@Through The Living Glass

“The ability to Narrate is associated with information which is generally kept secret, as it is detrimental to mental stability. The metaphysics involved are… problematic. They determine when I can read your mind, emotions, and even expressions. To be a Narrator is not the same as it is to be anyone else, even if such a person was a wizard with the same powers.” 

18 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Bat, no! I won't!" she growled, whirling on Rebus.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

@Dragonheir

Rebus stands where he is, unperturbed. “I came here because this is the only place significant - or, rather, relevant - things are happening. I truly only intended to watch the Nullite demonstration, and help if needed. Unfortunately, I believed that Bat’s employment of Nullite indicated at least a slight understanding of metaphysics, which meant I was more candid than I likely should have been.” I have a potential solution. If Bat continues to insist, we offer to tell him in a revocable manner. Either we clone him and tell one copy, or we erase his memories afterwards if he wants to go back to blissful ignorance. Both approaches - all four, actually - have problems, but these two are perhaps better. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

55 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus stands where he is, unperturbed. “I came here because this is the only place significant - or, rather, relevant - things are happening. I truly only intended to watch the Nullite demonstration, and help if needed. Unfortunately, I believed that Bat’s employment of Nullite indicated at least a slight understanding of metaphysics, which meant I was more candid than I likely should have been.” I have a potential solution. If Bat continues to insist, we offer to tell him in a revocable manner. Either we clone him and tell one copy, or we erase his memories afterwards if he wants to go back to blissful ignorance. Both approaches - all four, actually - have problems, but these two are perhaps better. 

"We don't need your help, thank you. But for the love, we're not-!" She glanced at Bat.

We're not doing any of that, she told Rebus, not wanting to know what the other two options were.

Edited December 29, 2024 by Through The Living Glass

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 hour ago, Dragonheir said:

“The ability to Narrate is associated with information which is generally kept secret, as it is detrimental to mental stability. The metaphysics involved are… problematic. They determine when I can read your mind, emotions, and even expressions. To be a Narrator is not the same as it is to be anyone else, even if such a person was a wizard with the same powers.” 

Rebus stands where he is, unperturbed. “I came here because this is the only place significant - or, rather, relevant - things are happening. I truly only intended to watch the Nullite demonstration, and help if needed. Unfortunately, I believed that Bat’s employment of Nullite indicated at least a slight understanding of metaphysics, which meant I was more candid than I likely should have been.” I have a potential solution. If Bat continues to insist, we offer to tell him in a revocable manner. Either we clone him and tell one copy, or we erase his memories afterwards if he wants to go back to blissful ignorance. Both approaches - all four, actually - have problems, but these two are perhaps better. 

Bat stared at him. “Uh… I don’t understand.” 

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"We don't need your help, thank you. But for the love, we're not-!" She glanced at Bat.

We're not doing any of that, she told Rebus, not wanting to know what the other two options were.

Bat looked away, focusing on the animals in the water.To be a Narrator is not the same as it is to be anyone else… 

Did that mean Tam wasn’t really human? Or did it mean… something else?

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"We don't need your help, thank you. But for the love, we're not-!" She glanced at Bat.

We're not doing any of that, she told Rebus, not wanting to know what the other two options were.

“You - Bat, actually - mentioned Narrators having different power levels and specialties. My capabilities  specifically are diluted, and I have to capacity to do something like reconstruct someone’s body without Narration, which would be important if Nullite ink does something like bleed into transformed materials.” Don’t worry. The other two options are tell him normally and take the problems, and don’t tell him and leave him mad. Although I could probably think of others… But I believe he should choose, not you. There are some Thread aware people who are completely stable, you know. 

37 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat stared at him. “Uh… I don’t understand.” 

Bat looked away, focusing on the animals in the water.To be a Narrator is not the same as it is to be anyone else… 

Did that mean Tam wasn’t really human? Or did it mean… something else?

Rebus looks back, his eyes impossibly deep and knowledgeable (because of metamaterials and holograms, but Bat doesn’t know that). “Even if I explained it, you would have difficulty understanding completely. I can try regardless, if you would like. You may make your own choices, and if you wish to know all the truth besides that which would destroy you, I do have answers. Tam was an ordinary person who was somehow granted Narration, if I recall correctly. She - at least in my opinion - is as human as you. Me, though? I’m very far from being human.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

3 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“You - Bat, actually - mentioned Narrators having different power levels and specialties. My capabilities  specifically are diluted, and I have to capacity to do something like reconstruct someone’s body without Narration, which would be important if Nullite ink does something like bleed into transformed materials.” Don’t worry. The other two options are tell him normally and take the problems, and don’t tell him and leave him mad. Although I could probably think of others… But I believe he should choose, not you. There are some Thread aware people who are completely stable, you know. 

She didn't disagree, necessarily,

But . . .

3 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus looks back, his eyes impossibly deep and knowledgeable (because of metamaterials and holograms, but Bat doesn’t know that). “Even if I explained it, you would have difficulty understanding completely. I can try regardless, if you would like. You may make your own choices, and if you wish to know all the truth besides that which would destroy you, I do have answers. Tam was an ordinary person who was somehow granted Narration, if I recall correctly. She - at least in my opinion - is as human as you. Me, though? I’m very far from being human.” 

"Not . . . exactly, but sure," she muttered, worried.