The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

"You should... probably contact them... Aw, Shoe's gonna be so mad. I'm screwed." 

"It'll be fine, she reassured him."

Then she set up a connection between her and Shoe.

Shoe? she asked.

Tam? TAM! Are okay?! Are you hurt?! Where did you go?! What happened?!

She grimaced. Sorry about leaving like that . . . I'm okay though, don't worry. We had to go fight someone who was after Cricket and then . . .

She didn't really want to tell him what'd happened.

. . . Stuff kind of just happened. We're fine, though! she reassured him.

You had to fight someone? Did you get hurt? he asked.

She sighed. I mean, yeah . . .

WHAT?!

It's okay though! she said quickly, then added Bat into the conversation. @Halcyon The Only

Bat healed me.

Shoe paused.

He . . . healed you.

Edited January 8, 2025 by Through The Living Glass

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

He raises an eyebrow. “You pressed all the buttons and made my firework display explode; you have either an imposter or an alter ego who started a storyline and then ignored it, but when I told uoy you didn’t believe me; and you refused to work with me or even consider it in the future when I offered.” 

“You never told me not to press all the buttons,” she muttered. “The second one is probably my Author’s fault.”

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

"It'll be fine, she reassured him."

Then she set up a connection between her and Shoe.

Shoe? she asked.

Tam? TAM! Are okay?! Are you hurt?! Where did you go?! What happened?!

She grimaced. Sorry about leaving like that . . . I'm okay though, don't worry. We had to go fight someone who was after Cricket and then . . .

She didn't really want to tell him what'd happened.

. . . Stuff kind of just happened. We're fine, though! she reassured him.

You had to fight someone? Did you get hurt? he asked.

She sighed. I mean, yeah . . .

WHAT?!

It's okay though! she said quickly.

She added Bat into the conversation. @Halcyon The Only

Bat healed me.

Shoe paused.

He . . . healed you.

Bat didn’t really wanna be part of this conversation. I did what I could, he promised. There’s some kind of a… mental block or something… but I think she’s okay for now. I’m sorry— I should have reminded her to let you know, but Love showed up and set off this nuclear blast and Cricket got poisoned and we all got hungry… 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“You never told me not to press all the buttons,” she muttered. “The second one is probably my Author’s fault.”

He nods. “Yes. Everything is your Author’s fault, so I do not think it is much of an excuse. And I did offer to do something about that.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

10 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“You never told me not to press all the buttons,” she muttered. “The second one is probably my Author’s fault.”

Bat didn’t really wanna be part of this conversation. I did what I could, he promised. There’s some kind of a… mental block or something… but I think she’s okay for now. I’m sorry— I should have reminded her to let you know, but Love showed up and set off this nuclear blast and Cricket got poisoned and we all got hungry… 

Well, Tam thought it would be good for both of them. So there.

-

Shoe tried to process all that for a moment.

He saved my life, Tam said softly.

Her brother remained quiet.

. . . This is the second time, actually, she added.

He was silent for a moment more before he sighing through the connection. Can I talk to Bat for a second?

@Halcyon The Only

Edited January 8, 2025 by Through The Living Glass

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

8 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

He nods. “Yes. Everything is your Author’s fault, so I do not think it is much of an excuse. And I did offer to do something about that.” 

“I don’t remember that.” She frowns. “And yes it is an excuse! It’s not my fault I’m a mere puppet.”

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Well, Tam thought it would be good for both of them. So there.

-

Shoe tried to process all that for a moment.

He saved my life, Tam said softly.

Her brother remained quiet.

. . . This is the second time, actually, she added.

He was silent for a moment more before he sighing through the connection. Can I talk to Bat for a second?

@Halcyon The Only

Bat felt an irrational spike of fear. Uh, I’m here, yeah… 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat felt an irrational spike of fear. Uh, I’m here, yeah… 

Tam grinned and gave him two thumbs up before walking away and setting up a private connection for the two of them.

Shoe assumed she had done as much and so kept talking.

You really did that for her?

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 minute ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Tam grinned and gave him two thumbs up before walking away and setting up a private connection for the two of them.

Shoe assumed she had done as much and so kept talking.

You really did that for her?

I… yeah, of course. What else was I gonna do, let her die? 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

4 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“I don’t remember that.” She frowns. “And yes it is an excuse! It’s not my fault I’m a mere puppet.”

Rebus holds up a finger. “Ah, but it is. If you establish a personality that your Author knows intimately and at least partially roots for, you can come more alive. I offered to help you.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

I… yeah, of course. What else was I gonna do, let her die? 

He didn't reply for a moment.

Thank you.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus holds up a finger. “Ah, but it is. If you establish a personality that your Author knows intimately and at least partially roots for, you can come more alive. I offered to help you.” 

“Hmph. I’m sure I have plenty of personality.”

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

He didn't reply for a moment.

Thank you.

Uh… you’re welcome. No problem. 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

“Hmph. I’m sure I have plenty of personality.”

“Then you’re not a puppet. You need your Author to truly get you in order for you to come alive.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

Uh… you’re welcome. No problem. 

I really didn't get her back that long ago- I don't know what'd I do if I lost her again.

He wasn't sure why he'd said that. It felt like a given, but . . .

Are you two . . . friends, now?

[xinoehp512 he/him]

1 hour ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus nods. “That is likely true. I shall endeavor for personal growth rather than take shortcuts. I have one question, but you may explain as you begin.” He too turns to the forge, interested in watching the process. “Should I duplicate myself, will the weapon duplicate as well? A copy of myself sharing my soul, as I occupy two locations at once, not the imitations currently responsible for my business and machinations.” 

“I was unaware that your podcast was monetized, but it gave a summary of the recent happenings here each episode. Usually it is about every fifty pages, but it has now been over two hundred fifty since the last. My Author can create Meat the Minstrel or some such nonsense to assist with the backlog.” 

Rebus shakes his head. “No. It is like saying that a safe is reinforced against being beaten in by a hammer, melted to slag by fire, removed from the small holes in the room, or damaged by pliers. If you take those things and forge yourself lockpicks, then you can break the safe open.” 

 

The ennuller shook his head. To a Narrator, a safe made of magically-reinforced metal and one made of paper provide exactly the same amount of protection; none at all. Narrators can write and unwrite magic systems, after all. Of course, a safe made out of Nullite would not be vulnerable in the same way- or one being actively reinforced by another Narrator- but that is because  such a thing is on the same fundamental level as Narration. Things on that level are the only things that Narration cannot define.

1 hour ago, Dragonheir said:

The Rebus clone that had been talking to the wind scowls at the now-immobile air, then pulls up screens to try to determine what the wind had been. 

It had just been wind.

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Lady Bug pursed her lips, but pursued the topic no further. 

“No need,” Lady Bug sang. “The next episode is currently in production. I have a team of butterflies on it. We wouldn’t want to overwhelm dear Bacon, after all.”

"Oh!" said Bacon. "It is?"

1 hour ago, NameIess said:

"What do you mean 'you too'? It's the truth!" Subversion snapped. "You think that whatever reality warping took place could affect a Narrator like me?"

 

Well, we have high confidence that 655 did not, in fact exist. We also have records of those with a similar affliction to Ms. 656- hallucinations of individuals that likewise do not exist.

1 hour ago, NameIess said:

The rabbit raised its nose into the air, sniffing tentatively. The wind wasn't speaking to the soulless one anymore. It was time to strike while he was distracted by his screens.

And yet...

Something deep within the rabbit's ravenous soul stirred. It had been awakened by the taste of a Narrator's blood, and now... That name. the rabbit thought. the Witherlord can return?

The Dreamsmith nodded, taking a careful look at Rebus's soul. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait a moment before I can begin. My Author is in typing this up on a five-minute class break. But the weapon I have in mind for you should be able to be in two places at once."

"Done!" Malevolence said, standing eagerly. "I will spread my evil influence to the ends of the earth."

"No," whispered the wind, "and yes."

35 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"What did Onyx do?"

"So . . . could I simply Narrate your memories back?"

"Oh, yeah . . . the podcast."

"I don't know if it's so much a thing that Onyx did as a way that Onyx is. I suppose you could, but in all likelihood they would be only as you created them."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Then you’re not a puppet. You need your Author to truly get you in order for you to come alive.” 

“I’m plenty alive. I think. Are you?”

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

I really didn't get her back that long ago- I don't know what'd I do if I lost her again.

He wasn't sure why he'd said that. It felt like a given, but . . .

Are you two . . . friends, now?

Yeah! He suddenly felt very happy. We are. I’m friends with Cricket, too! 

Just now, xinoehp512 said:

“Oh!" said Bacon. "It is?"

“It is! Though… er… my team is relatively inexperienced. Perhaps you’d consider reading over my script once we finish it.”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, xinoehp512 said:

The ennuller shook his head. To a Narrator, a safe made of magically-reinforced metal and one made of paper provide exactly the same amount of protection; none at all. Narrators can write and unwrite magic systems, after all. Of course, a safe made out of Nullite would not be vulnerable in the same way- or one being actively reinforced by another Narrator- but that is because  such a thing is on the same fundamental level as Narration. Things on that level are the only things that Narration cannot define.

Rebus scoffs. “I cannot Narrate a Nullite safe, but I could break it using something I Narrated into existence. Likewise, I was able to remove this poison with tools I created; I think it is chaotic-darkness derived, though I’ll have to test it further.” 
Rebus tries to determine if wind has worked for the Witherlord before. 

4 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“I’m plenty alive. I think. Are you?”

“The real me is. It’s funny, actually. My Author is worried about what I will do, but too intrigued to kill me off. Because I can break the fourth wall, I’m one of the most emergent characters he’s ever written.” 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“The real me is. It’s funny, actually. My Author is worried about what I will do, but too intrigued to kill me off. Because I can break the fourth wall, I’m one of the most emergent characters he’s ever written.”

“Fancy,” she said, fascinated. “Do you plan on doing anything specific?”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Fancy,” she said, fascinated. “Do you plan on doing anything specific?”

“Many things,” he says, “though most of my machinations are currently surprises. I do want to get ahold of a specific Plotblade and to establish a permanent location or feature of the Thread.” 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Many things,” he says, “though most of my machinations are currently surprises. I do want to get ahold of a specific Plotblade and to establish a permanent location or feature of the Thread.” 

"Of course, of course. A permanent location would be fantastic! I've been looking into those as well." She frowned. "Or I thought I had. I guess I must still be undecided." 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

9 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"I don't know if it's so much a thing that Onyx did as a way that Onyx is. I suppose you could, but in all likelihood they would be only as you created them."

". . . What's that supposed to mean? And are your memories truly disappearing or just being hidden?"

9 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Yeah! He suddenly felt very happy. We are. I’m friends with Cricket, too! 

Cricket's still there, huh? He never answered my question when he came to get you. Left me kinda panicked. He's a good guy, though. A good friend.

Maybe . . .

He sighed.

Bat, look. I know I haven't exactly paid a whole lot of attention to you, but it's been a few months now, and . . . I guess I can understand why you did what you did.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

". . . What's that supposed to mean? And are your memories truly disappearing or just being hidden?"

Cricket's still there, huh? He never answered my question when he came to get you. Left me kinda panicked. He's a good guy, though. A good friend.

Maybe . . .

He sighed.

Bat, look. I know I haven't exactly paid a whole lot of attention to you, but it's been a few months now, and . . . I guess I can understand why you did what you did.

Bat scuffed his feet on the dirt. I… thanks. And… I am really sorry. I just thought maybe if I fixed something for once… I dunno. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat scuffed his feet on the dirt. I… thanks. And… I am really sorry. I just thought maybe if I fixed something for once… I dunno. 

It's okay. Like I said, it's been a few months already, and . . . I guess I've mostly come to terms with it.

So, yeah. Thanks. For saving Tam, I mean.

Edited January 8, 2025 by Through The Living Glass

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 minute ago, Through The Living Glass said:

It's okay. Like I said, it's been a few months already, and . . . I guess I've mostly come to terms with it.

So, yeah. Thanks. For saving Tam, I mean.

You’re welcome. I’ll try and keep her safe.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

You’re welcome. I’ll try and keep her safe.

Shoe chuckled softly. Alright.

That's all I wanted to say.

Tell Cricket he's a moron, by the way. A nice moron, but still a moron.

Bye.

Then he said something to Tam that Bat couldn't quite make out, and the connection was severed.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Shoe chuckled softly. Alright.

That's all I wanted to say.

Tell Cricket he's a moron, by the way. A nice moron, but still a moron.

Bye.

Then he said something to Tam that Bat couldn't quite make out, and the connection was severed.

Bat frowned. He didn’t think Cricket was a moron. 

“That went well,” he said. “I think.”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat frowned. He didn’t think Cricket was a moron. 

“That went well,” he said. “I think.”

Good thing Shoe said it in a lighthearted, joking tone.

Tam nodded and held up a finger, evidently finishing talking to Shoe.

When they were done, she grinned and turned back to Bat.

"Well, he's pissed that I don't want him to come along with us, but Fael turned them back into people a little while ago, which is good."

@Ookla the Irreplaceable I hope you don't mind sorry 

"Anyway. It went well, you said?"

 

Opening my recommended YouTube page and it's just like:

Spoiler

I think Rebus would be interested

(but no, I haven't actually watched it)