The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Yeah," said Nogard. "Me neither. Unless..."

“Unless?”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

9 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Possess… characters?” Best ran a hand through his hair, thinking. “So they tell the story and possess characters… so I’m… I’m a character?”

Rebus nods again, glad Bat is understanding. “We all are. This is the realization that causes problems, but being a character doesn’t mean you’re not real. Especially you, Bat. Things like a landscape, a crowd, or an army aren’t particularly autonomous. In most cases, no Author controls them specifically. Take the ocean here, for instance. It’s acknowledged as existing, and if desired-“ a particularly strong wave laps against the platform, and Rebus points it out “-any Author can make it do something. The next step up is a communal character. These are mostly gone, it seems, but Authors would trade off control of them. This results in someone erratic with only shallow personality. Then, we have secondary characters. They only exist when things are happening near them, but they have histories and personalities. Beosta’s relatives, for instance, have histories, personalities, and perspectives, but they aren’t causing plot. A Narrator cannot notice them when they’re not interacting with people the Authors are describing, and in many cases, they don’t have interesting things happen to them on their own.” The screen has displayed each layer so far, and there’s a gap at the top. Rebus pauses, again waiting for Bat to figure it out on his own. 

12 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"I can grant you many things, for the right price," whispered the wind. "Merely ask."

Rebus smiles wolfishly. “Interesting… Can you protect the Thread - or someone in it- from stagnation? Dullness? Destruction?” 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus nods again, glad Bat is understanding. “We all are. This is the realization that causes problems, but being a character doesn’t mean you’re not real. Especially you, Bat. Things like a landscape, a crowd, or an army aren’t particularly autonomous. In most cases, no Author controls them specifically. Take the ocean here, for instance. It’s acknowledged as existing, and if desired-“ a particularly strong wave laps against the platform, and Rebus points it out “-any Author can make it do something. The next step up is a communal character. These are mostly gone, it seems, but Authors would trade off control of them. This results in someone erratic with only shallow personality. Then, we have secondary characters. They only exist when things are happening near them, but they have histories and personalities. Beosta’s relatives, for instance, have histories, personalities, and perspectives, but they aren’t causing plot. A Narrator cannot notice them when they’re not interacting with people the Authors are describing, and in many cases, they don’t have interesting things happen to them on their own.” The screen has displayed each layer so far, and there’s a gap at the top. Rebus pauses, again waiting for Bat to figure it out on his own. 

Rebus smiles wolfishly. “Interesting… Can you protect the Thread - or someone in it- from stagnation? Dullness? Destruction?” 

He looked up at the sky and stared at a cloud. 

“Weird…” he whispered. Then he looked down at himself. “And I’m… I’m a character? A… primary character?”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

8 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Cricket sighed, sitting down. Then, an eery silence came over him, and Malan’s voice echoed in his head CHILD OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS. SO YOU HIDE AMONG THE ENULLERS, COWARD THAT YOU ARE. MY GREATEST SERVANT IS COMING FOR YOUR FRIENDS. FIGHT HIM, IF YOU DARE. HE WILL KILL YOU. FOR NOW, THOUGH, I WILL GIVE YOU A GIFT. KNOWLEDGE.

The voice stopped and Cricket’s head pounded with a sudden knowledge. Awareness of the Thread filled him, and he knew the truth. 

He gasped, stunned at the implications and connected himself to Tam. Tam? he asked. You okay? I need to ask you a few questions.

@Through The Living Glass

Oh! Cricket! H-hey!

Scud, she didn't want to do this again . . .

Is . . . is something wrong? Are you alright?

24 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He looked up at the sky and stared at a cloud. 

“Weird…” he whispered. Then he looked down at himself. “And I’m… I’m a character? A… primary character?”

She sighed.

"Yes."

Edited December 29, 2024 by Through The Living Glass

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He looked up at the sky and stared at a cloud. 

“Weird…” he whispered. Then he looked down at himself. “And I’m… I’m a character? A… primary character?”

Rebus smiles. “You are. One Author follows you with descriptions. Not only that, but your Author is one of the most active. The core of your group - split between two Authors - is effectively half of the Thread.” The screen shows a graphic of the most recent several pages. The Authors who posted and their primary characters are written in, and it’s clear much of the posts are Bat’s Author. “You are important, Bat. Much more so than you’d believed.” 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She sighed.

"Yes."

Just now, Dragonheir said:

Rebus smiles. “You are. One Author follows you with descriptions. Not only that, but your Author is one of the most active. The core of your group - split between two Authors - is effectively half of the Thread.” The screen shows a graphic of the most recent several pages. The Authors who posted and their primary characters are written in, and it’s clear much of the posts are Bat’s Author. “You are important, Bat. Much more so than you’d believed.” 

His eyes widened. He moved to touch the screen, but paused. 

“I’m important,” he whispered. His face split into a huge grin and he turned to Tam. “I’m intentional.”

[xinoehp512 he/him]

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Unless?”

"What is we're the villains?" worried Nogard.

1 hour ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus nods again, glad Bat is understanding. “We all are. This is the realization that causes problems, but being a character doesn’t mean you’re not real. Especially you, Bat. Things like a landscape, a crowd, or an army aren’t particularly autonomous. In most cases, no Author controls them specifically. Take the ocean here, for instance. It’s acknowledged as existing, and if desired-“ a particularly strong wave laps against the platform, and Rebus points it out “-any Author can make it do something. The next step up is a communal character. These are mostly gone, it seems, but Authors would trade off control of them. This results in someone erratic with only shallow personality. Then, we have secondary characters. They only exist when things are happening near them, but they have histories and personalities. Beosta’s relatives, for instance, have histories, personalities, and perspectives, but they aren’t causing plot. A Narrator cannot notice them when they’re not interacting with people the Authors are describing, and in many cases, they don’t have interesting things happen to them on their own.” The screen has displayed each layer so far, and there’s a gap at the top. Rebus pauses, again waiting for Bat to figure it out on his own. 

Rebus smiles wolfishly. “Interesting… Can you protect the Thread - or someone in it- from stagnation? Dullness? Destruction?” 

"Of course. I can write a wonderful future for you, if you so desire."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Just now, xinoehp512 said:

"What is we're the villains?" worried Nogard.

“V- villains?” Her eyebrows scrunched together. “I… don’t want to be a villain…” 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

His eyes widened. He moved to touch the screen, but paused. 

“I’m important,” he whispered. His face split into a huge grin and he turned to Tam. “I’m intentional.”

Rebus smiles once again. He files away the repetition as something to address, but doesn’t say anything more. The description appears at the bottom of the screen, which has been updating with new posts. 

52 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Of course. I can write a wonderful future for you, if you so desire."

Rebus raises an eyebrow. “I could write my own future. What I cannot do is create an ongoing present here. The Authors are failing, and I would like to succeed. I need to stop my own oblivion, in any form it might take - stagnation of the plot and characters, being forgotten or irrevocably altered, or my own death. The Thread itself needs to stay alive for me to do so, and it is flickering, held up by a thread.” He quashes a chuckle at the pun. “I need all the allies and all the resources I can get. Real resources and allies, not my own creations or fickle patrons whose Authors simply forget me.” 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

3 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Yeah," said Nogard. "Me neither. Unless..."

"I can grant you many things, for the right price," whispered the wind. "Merely ask."

If you try going after him alone, you might die.

“No, I won’t. I’ll survive. My friends need me.” he said quietly.

2 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Oh! Cricket! H-hey!

Scud, she didn't want to do this again . . .

Is . . . is something wrong? Are you alright?

She sighed.

"Yes."

I’m…. fine. Listen, Malan threatened you, said you’re being hunted. Stay safe and let me know if anything happens. Besides that, well, these… Authors, they run the Thread?

Edited December 29, 2024 by Ookla the Irreplaceable

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

8 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus smiles once again. He files away the repetition as something to address, but doesn’t say anything more. The description appears at the bottom of the screen, which has been updating with new posts. 

Rebus raises an eyebrow. “I could write my own future. What I cannot do is create an ongoing present here. The Authors are failing, and I would like to succeed. I need to stop my own oblivion, in any form it might take - stagnation of the plot and characters, being forgotten or irrevocably altered, or my own death. The Thread itself needs to stay alive for me to do so, and it is flickering, held up by a thread.” He quashes a chuckle at the pun. “I need all the allies and all the resources I can get. Real resources and allies, not my own creations or fickle patrons whose Authors simply forget me.” 

Bat tilted his head at the screen. “And you Narrators see all this?” He narrowed his eyes. “Huh. So I’m being written right now…? Everything I’m saying, and all my thoughts?” 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat tilted his head at the screen. “And you Narrators see all this?” He narrowed his eyes. “Huh. So I’m being written right now…? Everything I’m saying, and all my thoughts?” 

“Yes, this is how we - or, I, I don’t know about the others - experience the world. Not all your thoughts are written - only ones your Author believes the others need to know. And many people can shield them, with practice.” Rebus had some thoughts, but they didn’t get described. “See?” It’s interesting, actually, which get described. Rebus thinks.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

12 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Yes, this is how we - or, I, I don’t know about the others - experience the world. Not all your thoughts are written - only ones your Author believes the others need to know. And many people can shield them, with practice.” Rebus had some thoughts, but they didn’t get described. “See?” It’s interesting, actually, which get described. Rebus thinks.

“Woah.” 

Then he had a thought. 

“My Author… can hear all my— no, wait. My author knows all my thoughts because my thoughts come from my Author, and the Nullite doesn’t do anything…” 

He rubbed his temples. This was kind of dizzying. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

His eyes widened. He moved to touch the screen, but paused. 

“I’m important,” he whispered. His face split into a huge grin and he turned to Tam. “I’m intentional.”

She stared at him blankly.

Maybe . . . maybe telling him wasn't such a bad thing.

1 hour ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

I’m…. fine. Listen, Malan threatened you, said you’re being hunted. Stay safe and let me know if anything happens. Besides that, well, these… Authors, they run the Thread?

Okay, I will.

And . . . yeah. Yes

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat tilted his head at the screen. “And you Narrators see all this?” He narrowed his eyes. “Huh. So I’m being written right now…? Everything I’m saying, and all my thoughts?” 

"Sort of . . ." She took a deep breath.

"It . . . depends, sometimes. Depends on the current plot . . ."

59 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Woah.” 

Then he had a thought. 

“My Author… can hear all my— no, wait. My author knows all my thoughts because my thoughts come from my Author, and the Nullite doesn’t do anything…” 

He rubbed his temples. This was kind of dizzying. 

She nodded.

"You're . . . having a better reaction to this than I expected, Bat."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She stared at him blankly.

Maybe . . . maybe telling him wasn't such a bad thing.

Okay, I will.

And . . . yeah. Yes

"Sort of . . ." She took a deep breath.

"It . . . depends, sometimes. Depends on the current plot . . ."

She nodded.

"You're . . . having a better reaction to this than I expected, Bat."

He grinned hugely. “Are you kidding? This whole time I thought I was some kind of idiot fluke. But I’m intentional! I… I mean something to somebody. Enough for them to create me, at least.”

Edited December 29, 2024 by Halcyon The Only

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

12 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He grinned hugely. “Are you kidding? This whole time I thought I was some kind of idiot fluke. But I’m intentional! I… I mean something to somebody. Enough for them to create me, at least.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Well . . . I'm glad."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

2 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Woah.” 

Then he had a thought. 

“My Author… can hear all my— no, wait. My author knows all my thoughts because my thoughts come from my Author, and the Nullite doesn’t do anything…” 

He rubbed his temples. This was kind of dizzying. 

“It is a lot - even I have trouble understanding my Author. But Nullite only blocks Narration, not narration. Otherwise it would be impossible for it to exist. Even Morditite leaves description intact, through strange forms of chaotic darkness might not.” 

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She stared at him blankly.

Maybe . . . maybe telling him wasn't such a bad thing.

Okay, I will.

And . . . yeah. Yes

"Sort of . . ." She took a deep breath.

"It . . . depends, sometimes. Depends on the current plot . . ."

She nodded.

"You're . . . having a better reaction to this than I expected, Bat."

Rebus smiles. “I wasn’t sure what his specific reaction would be, but I think we worry too much. Hiding things from people shouldn’t be the default.” 

10 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He grinned hugely. “Are you kidding? This whole time I thought I was some kind of idiot fluke. But I’m intentional! I… I mean something to somebody. Enough for them to create me, at least.”

“Not just create you. You’re maintained and focused upon continually. And other Author are fond of you as well.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

9 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus smiles. “I wasn’t sure what his specific reaction would be, but I think we worry too much. Hiding things from people shouldn’t be the default.” 

"I was just . . . worried, is all."

9 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Not just create you. You’re maintained and focused upon continually. And other Author are fond of you as well.” 

True.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

48 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“It is a lot - even I have trouble understanding my Author. But Nullite only blocks Narration, not narration. Otherwise it would be impossible for it to exist. Even Morditite leaves description intact, through strange forms of chaotic darkness might not.” 

Rebus smiles. “I wasn’t sure what his specific reaction would be, but I think we worry too much. Hiding things from people shouldn’t be the default.” 

“Not just create you. You’re maintained and focused upon continually. And other Author are fond of you as well.” 

He looked down at his feet and smiled, blushing bashfully. 

36 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"I was just . . . worried, is all."

True.

54 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Well . . . I'm glad."

“Me too.” He looked up at her. “So we’re from different Authors…? Huh. I couldn’t tell. Though I guess there wasn’t a reason to try.” Why was he babbling? He looked up at the sky and glared at his Author. But he couldn’t really be mad at his Author, because he existed. 

 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

3 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Me too.” He looked up at her. “So we’re from different Authors…? Huh. I couldn’t tell. Though I guess there wasn’t a reason to try.” Why was he babbling? He looked up at the sky and glared at his Author. But he couldn’t really be mad at his Author, because he existed. 

She . . . definitely disagreed with that last part. Not about Bat, but about herself.

At least he seemed happy.

"Yeah, we have different Authors," she confirmed, slightly salty that her Author had responded to Rebus' comment about Bat.

[NameIess]

On 12/23/2024 at 8:50 AM, Dragonheir said:

Kion continues whispering, although he’s pretty sure a Narrator can hear him anyway. “Ah, you meant personality. Faunus is new, I believe. She’s more serious than the other couple Narrators than I encountered, and seems as unselfish as someone with seemingly unlimited power can be without using it fully.” 

"Good." Moni continued whispering as well, although she was certain Faunus could hear them. "No hero complex?"

On 12/23/2024 at 10:11 AM, xinoehp512 said:

Selppaenip glanced at ...

... glanced back, for a moment to shaken to answer. "Tell them we're arguing not guilty of murder, conspiracy to claim the Plotblades, and conspiracy against the Order. But guilty of spying on the Order and resisting arrest." He paused, then continued. "It's not technically a crime to conceal things from the council and act independently, so long as it's not done with ill intent."

On 12/23/2024 at 10:11 AM, xinoehp512 said:

The ennuller muttered something about reading the contract before you signed and filled out the proper form.

Subversion affected not to hear as she walked back to the guest room.

On 12/23/2024 at 10:11 AM, xinoehp512 said:

"So he does exist," whispered 656. "I knew it. They all say I'm crazy, but they're wrong."

"Who said you were crazy?" Subversion sat down in a comfy chair and pulled out a book and quill.

On 12/23/2024 at 11:46 AM, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

“You’re in Ragnorok, now. You’re in constant danger. Always be careful.”

"I know." Palsu's looked down, brushing tears from his eyes under pretense of shifting his light blond hair out of his face. "I'll try to be on guard."

On 12/23/2024 at 11:53 AM, The Sly Cookie said:

The Emperor stutters, but then finally stops, turning his face back to a stern look. "No. My quest is to protect my subjects, not use them." He says. "I seek the Dreamsmith and no other. I will only go as far as to sacrifice myself. If it is the will of the Dreamsith, I will only sacrifice myself."

The Emperor's surroundings melt away into mist, the cloaked woman and her dread blade vanishing.

"A noble answer."  The clanging of hammer on anvil fills the Emperor's ears, resonating with the metallic tone of the voice that now speaks. "You seek to defeat evil with morals intact. A worthy goal. Now, tell me about these inhabitants of the Maelstrom."

On 12/23/2024 at 9:32 PM, Dragonheir said:

Rebus, though, is more active than any of them. He sharpens, almost coming into focus, and builds hives-minded duplicates so he can do everything he needs to. Quietly removing the hidden drone, he enters the court through legal means, and proposes a motion for the fate of the two Plotblades: that they be broken into less threatening fragments and safeguarded by many different people and organizations. Assuming there is no dramatic heist or prophecy fulfillment, of course.

The motion is acknowledged, but the reply is postponed to the end of the trial.

5 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

"What is we're the villains?" worried Nogard.

 

5 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“V- villains?” Her eyebrows scrunched together. “I… don’t want to be a villain…” 

"Hey Haly, do you have an answer for me yet?" The traveler pops her head up next to Nogard and Haly, blue eyes downcast. "Oh, hello Nogard. Didn't see you there."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

58 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She . . . definitely disagreed with that last part. Not about Bat, but about herself.

At least he seemed happy.

"Yeah, we have different Authors," she confirmed, slightly salty that her Author had responded to Rebus' comment about Bat.

“Hmm.” 

He wondered what that meant, and glanced around for Gaioh again. He knew he was being kind of paranoid, but Bat really didn’t want Gaioh to die. 

17 minutes ago, NameIess said:

"Hey Haly, do you have an answer for me yet?" The traveler pops her head up next to Nogard and Haly, blue eyes downcast. "Oh, hello Nogard. Didn't see you there."

Gail stared at her. “…I’m sorry, who?” 

Lady Bug appeared with bags under her eyes and frazzled hair. She Narrated all that away and flashed a huge smile. “Me! I believe you’re looking for me. Answer… answer…” she trailed off. “Hm? —Answer to what?”

[NameIess]

3 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Gail stared at her. “…I’m sorry, who?” 

Lady Bug appeared with bags under her eyes and frazzled hair. She Narrated all that away and flashed a huge smile. “Me! I believe you’re looking for me. Answer… answer…” she trailed off. “Hm? —Answer to what?”

"No actually, although I did get confused there about who I was talking to. Could you send me back? Nogard might come up with an answer if I tell him the truth."

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

12 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Hmm.” 

He wondered what that meant, and glanced around for Gaioh again. He knew he was being kind of paranoid, but Bat really didn’t want Gaioh to die. 

"Well, uh . . ." she looked away awkwardly. "I'll just be . . . I'm going to go see what everyone else is up to."

Then she hopped back into the water and swam away.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

24 minutes ago, NameIess said:

"No actually, although I did get confused there about who I was talking to. Could you send me back? Nogard might come up with an answer if I tell him the truth."

“Oh… of course…” 

She did so, vanishing. The smile dropped off her face a split second before that, revealing something tired and haggard. 

3 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Well, uh . . ." she looked away awkwardly. "I'll just be . . . I'm going to go see what everyone else is up to."

Then she hopped back into the water and swam away.

Bat sat down on the platform and watched her swim away. She was… really, really nice. 

He wondered if he was supposed to pray to his Author or something. He figured probably not, so he messed with the buckle on his satchel instead.