The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

On 12/28/2024 at 10:50 AM, Dragonheir said:

Rebus listens, absently trying to change the rhythm he reads with to match the Fresh Prince. If you want, I can read the actual posts myself, if you point me towards them. I’m sure I’ll have questions anyway, but that might save you some time if you know where they are. 

On 12/27/2024 at 10:02 PM, Through The Living Glass said:

It was a long story and never quite clear so I’ll just summarize

As the story continued Ryss’s hatred of his author became more clear. “So, these… specters, ghosts, they stole my narration. All of it, gone, just like that. And… I was left detached. No longer anchored to this world. Just to my author. So I… well I took that attachment and pushed it. Not sure exactly what happened, but I ended up in my author’s place, and he was left down here. It also involved a specific skill set of mine, I think, but that may not be necessary.” Ryss takes a deep breath. “And that’s how it happened.”

 

[NameIess]

6 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Oh… of course…” 

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

Another might have been concerned for Lady Bug, but Subversion had not created the traveler to have such worries. Instead, she looked at Gail. "Hey! Is there a reason you care about people?"

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

33 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

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. 

She made herself smaller and swam into a small opening in some nearby coral, leaning up against the side.

Then she sat there for a while, feeling depressed and not wanting to be bothered.

Edited December 30, 2024 by Through The Living Glass

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

19 minutes ago, NameIess said:

Another might have been concerned for Lady Bug, but Subversion had not created the traveler to have such worries. Instead, she looked at Gail. "Hey! Is there a reason you care about people?"

She blinked. “Uh… cuz they’re nice. And they’re nice to me? And they’re people?”

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

She made herself smaller and swam into a small opening in some nearby coral, leaning up against the side.

Then she sat there for a while, feeling depressed and not wanting to be bothered.

Not wanting to be bothered or “not wanting to be bothered”?

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour 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.

Rebus is intrigued by the bitterness. Although Tam had already left, he contacts her. I suspect we can help one another. If you ever need another Narrator, conjure a teleportation beacon to contact me. Especially if Ennullers are involved - although that would require foresight to prepare. 

1 hour ago, NameIess said:

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

“What would that mean? Is wanting to be a hero a problem?” Kion appears legitimately confused. 

1 hour ago, NameIess said:

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

That being exactly what Rebus expected, he sits back to watch the trial. 

22 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

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. 

Rebus sits down next to him. “There is more to know, if you want it. The shocking part is over; all that remains are details, some of which are interesting or useful. And if you want to continue the Nullite testing, I’d be willing to help. Ennullers are less frightening to me than to the other Narrators, but I still want to be prepared.” 

18 minutes ago, Ancient Elantrian said:

It was a long story and never quite clear so I’ll just summarize

As the story continued Ryss’s hatred of his author became more clear. “So, these… specters, ghosts, they stole my narration. All of it, gone, just like that. And… I was left detached. No longer anchored to this world. Just to my author. So I… well I took that attachment and pushed it. Not sure exactly what happened, but I ended up in my author’s place, and he was left down here. It also involved a specific skill set of mine, I think, but that may not be necessary.” Ryss takes a deep breath. “And that’s how it happened.”

 

Rebus considers the new information. “I came into this wanting to fight my Author, to make him listen. But Narration is too much a part of me to give it up for possibilities. I think there are other things I could do.” He stands there for a second, silent. “Do you need anything for your help?” 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

 

Rebus sits down next to him. “There is more to know, if you want it. The shocking part is over; all that remains are details, some of which are interesting or useful. And if you want to continue the Nullite testing, I’d be willing to help. Ennullers are less frightening to me than to the other Narrators, but I still want to be prepared.” 

 

“I’d like to know more.” He stared out at the reef. “D’you think Tam’s okay? Why did she leave?”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“I’d like to know more.” He stared out at the reef. “D’you think Tam’s okay? Why did she leave?”

Rebus makes one specific post fill the screen: 

2 hours 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.

“Tam is upset about her Author, I think. I know I’ve felt neglected and jealous, because I can tell time like my Author, and I can tell when he thinks about me. To have someone imagine me as I would act, then not allow me to act? It grates on me. Other than that, I do not know.” 

[NameIess]

4 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

She blinked. “Uh… cuz they’re nice. And they’re nice to me? And they’re people?”

"Interesting." The traveler files this information away mentally. "Thanks for the answer."

4 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“What would that mean? Is wanting to be a hero a problem?” Kion appears legitimately confused. 

Moni shook her head quickly. "It's not that. Aspiring to heroism is a good thing. Some Narrators convince themselves that they're heroes despite only rarely doing anything resembling heroic." She frowned, fingering the dagger at her side. "Any Narrator wholly convinced of a thing like that is dangerous."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, NameIess said:

Moni shook her head quickly. "It's not that. Aspiring to heroism is a good thing. Some Narrators convince themselves that they're heroes despite only rarely doing anything resembling heroic." She frowned, fingering the dagger at her side. "Any Narrator wholly convinced of a thing like that is dangerous."

Kion nods. “Ah. I’ve know mages like that. They spend all their time trying to survive, but demand room and board all the same. Faunus does not seem like that.” 
The dagger she’s fiddling with being the immensely powerful Plotblade of Endings? That seems safe.  

[NameIess]

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

Kion nods. “Ah. I’ve know mages like that. They spend all their time trying to survive, but demand room and board all the same. Faunus does not seem like that.” 
The dagger she’s fiddling with being the immensely powerful Plotblade of Endings? That seems safe.  

"Good. Hate to be travelling with one of the worse Narrators. This Faunus might actually be alright, as long as she doesn't turn out to be one of the weird ones." As she spoke, Moni's voice raised perhaps just a little bit too much, in such a way that her last words might catch the attention of a Narrator who wasn't paying much attention.

@LessName

No need to worry, she only loses control of it on rare occasions.

[LessName]

Just now, NameIess said:

"Good. Hate to be travelling with one of the worse Narrators. This Faunus might actually be alright, as long as she doesn't turn out to be one of the weird ones." As she spoke, Moni's voice raised perhaps just a little bit too much, in such a way that her last words might catch the attention of a Narrator who wasn't paying much attention.

@LessName

No need to worry, she only loses control of it on rare occasions.

Faunus blinked suddenly, her author being coaxed by an extremely attractive boyfriend to bring life back to her character to annoy Moni. She then turned her attention towards the group, and smiled slightly. “I’m back, for who knows how long. . .” Then she raised an eyebrow at Moni, “What counts as one of the ‘weird ones’?”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

12 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Not wanting to be bothered or “not wanting to be bothered”?

The first. She genuinely wants to be left alone for a little while. 

12 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus is intrigued by the bitterness. Although Tam had already left, he contacts her. I suspect we can help one another. If you ever need another Narrator, conjure a teleportation beacon to contact me. Especially if Ennullers are involved - although that would require foresight to prepare. 

. . . Alright. Thank you.

[NameIess]

3 minutes ago, LessName said:

Faunus blinked suddenly, her author being coaxed by an extremely attractive boyfriend to bring life back to her character to annoy Moni. She then turned her attention towards the group, and smiled slightly. “I’m back, for who knows how long. . .” Then she raised an eyebrow at Moni, “What counts as one of the ‘weird ones’?”

Moni narrowed her eyes at Faunus. "The kind who do weird stuff, obviously. Do you have a backstory?"

[LessName]

3 minutes ago, NameIess said:

Moni narrowed her eyes at Faunus. "The kind who do weird stuff, obviously. Do you have a backstory?"

“Yes, but define weird. Is there a good and a bad weird? Or are both negative?” Faunus tilted her head to the side, brow furrowing slightly. “Honestly, I can’t remember really anything before Subversion found me in the desert. So it’s either your classic case of amnesia, or my author has neglected to but actual thought into my backstory. . . You?”

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

42 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus considers the new information. “I came into this wanting to fight my Author, to make him listen. But Narration is too much a part of me to give it up for possibilities. I think there are other things I could do.” He stands there for a second, silent. “Do you need anything for your help?” 

“I’d very much like to not be dead.”

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

40 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus makes one specific post fill the screen: 

“Tam is upset about her Author, I think. I know I’ve felt neglected and jealous, because I can tell time like my Author, and I can tell when he thinks about me. To have someone imagine me as I would act, then not allow me to act? It grates on me. Other than that, I do not know.” 

“Oh…” He frowned. “So she’s mad at her Author for responding to… never mind. So is it like… whenever I’m just in the background listening and thinking about random things, my Author isn’t paying attention to me?”

38 minutes ago, NameIess said:

"Interesting." The traveler files this information away mentally. "Thanks for the answer."

“Yeah, sure… is that an okay answer?”

[NameIess]

26 minutes ago, LessName said:

“Yes, but define weird. Is there a good and a bad weird? Or are both negative?” Faunus tilted her head to the side, brow furrowing slightly. “Honestly, I can’t remember really anything before Subversion found me in the desert. So it’s either your classic case of amnesia, or my author has neglected to but actual thought into my backstory. . . You?”

Moni grimaced. "Not a traditional one." She said vaguely. "Amnesia? Sounds traumatic." She said a little too quickly, rubbing her left shoulder awkwardly.

36 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Yeah, sure… is that an okay answer?”

The traveler shrugs. "Sure. As good as any answer can be."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

13 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The traveler shrugs. "Sure. As good as any answer can be."

She nodded. “Okay. Glad I could help, I think.”

[TwinStorm He/Him]

7 hours 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."

And one of them… bothered enough to create me and make my life miserable?

4 hours ago, NameIess said:

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

... 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."

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

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

"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."

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."

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

 

"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."

“Good.” Perseus said. “We’re going to have to make camp, but move out within the hour. It’s more dangerous for us to stay in one place than be one the move.”

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

50 minutes ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

And one of them… bothered enough to create me and make my life miserable?

Just you wait, Lady Bug spat into his mind. I’m sure it only gets worse for you. It only gets worse! 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

3 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Just you wait, Lady Bug spat into his mind. I’m sure it only gets worse for you. It only gets worse! 

Cricket sighed. Thanks for the confidence.

and yeah, it does 

Spoiler

Spoiler

But then it gets better! 

Spoiler

Maybe

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

11 hours ago, NameIess said:

"Good. Hate to be travelling with one of the worse Narrators. This Faunus might actually be alright, as long as she doesn't turn out to be one of the weird ones." As she spoke, Moni's voice raised perhaps just a little bit too much, in such a way that her last words might catch the attention of a Narrator who wasn't paying much attention.

@LessName

No need to worry, she only loses control of it on rare occasions.

Kion nods and goes off to set up a fire pit. 
Has Endings ever been dropped on-screen, so to speak? 

10 hours ago, Ancient Elantrian said:

“I’d very much like to not be dead.”

“I as well.” Rebus says. “Being ignored means death, so let’s find something for us to do.” 

10 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Oh…” He frowned. “So she’s mad at her Author for responding to… never mind. So is it like… whenever I’m just in the background listening and thinking about random things, my Author isn’t paying attention to me?”

“Yeah, sure… is that an okay answer?”

“Yes, that is exactly how it works. You’re understanding this well.” Rebus would have spoken up to continue the conversation himself, but then he noticed something that distracted him. 

7 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Just you wait, Lady Bug spat into his mind. I’m sure it only gets worse for you. It only gets worse! 

Rebus catches the anger with his Thread awareness, and sends a thought to Lady Bug. Are the Authors failing you?  

8 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

“Good.” Perseus said. “We’re going to have to make camp, but move out within the hour. It’s more dangerous for us to stay in one place than be one the move.”

“Understood. I will watch for danger while others rest, unless one of you does not need rest.” Kion places himself somewhere he can see the whole cave entrance. 

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

22 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“I as well.” Rebus says. “Being ignored means death, so let’s find something for us to do.” 

“Anything world ending going on?”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour ago, Ancient Elantrian said:

“Anything world ending going on?”

“Almost.” Rebus laughs bitterly. “An apocalypse, waiting for a Dreamsmith trial to give someone the tools to fight it. A trial, something to do with Brave Adventures and Plotblades. And foreshadowing, lots of it.” He frowns. “But it is slow, and sputtering. Long ago, Plot died, I hear. But now plot is dying, and that is much worse.” 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

10 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Cricket sighed. Thanks for the confidence.

and yeah, it does 

  Reveal hidden contents

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But then it gets better! 

  Hide contents

Maybe

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There was no response. The link was severed. 

2 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

“Yes, that is exactly how it works. You’re understanding this well.” Rebus would have spoken up to continue the conversation himself, but then he noticed something that distracted him. 

Rebus catches the anger with his Thread awareness, and sends a thought to Lady Bug. Are the Authors failing you?  

“Thanks,” Bat said. “I’m also guessing I was born— uh, made at some point, right?”

Something like a bitter laugh came through. The Author? Oh, of course. All the problems are her fault. No, you idiot! That Author doesn’t even realize what’s happening right under their nose!