The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[NameIess]

1 minute ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She shrugged and watched the travelers for a moment. I considered that, but that's easy to work around, so it didn't seem too important in the moment. So this was, what, a test of some sort? Why?

She tried to bring back the few that had died, if possible.

"Sort of." The monster swung an arm for the travelers, but before it could land Nameless was there. He caught the creatures arm, then flung it back, leaping up and punching the monster with such force that it shattered into a thousand pieces. The travelers returned to life, blinking in shock. "I just wanted to see how much experience you have as a Narrator."

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus smiled. “I’m glad rational, cooperative self interest prevails in at least one of my friends. The rabbits are effectively unreasonable - I believe continuous motivation is necessary as they have no sense of honor.” 

"Well, they are animals. Stands to reason that they wouldn't be easy to control."

6 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebel looked alarmed at the warp. “I am a merchant, though that’s mostly to finance my travels. I shouldn’t be much trouble - in fact, I may be able to resolve some of it.” 

"You think you can help us with the rifts?" The captain's voice held more than a touch of incredulity.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, NameIess said:

"Sort of." The monster swung an arm for the travelers, but before it could land Nameless was there. He caught the creatures arm, then flung it back, leaping up and punching the monster with such force that it shattered into a thousand pieces. The travelers returned to life, blinking in shock. "I just wanted to see how much experience you have as a Narrator."

Alright.

She brought those travelers to her, too, then took them all further away.

Why?

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

@Halcyon The Only 

Rose finds herself in a familiar place. It’s not any particular place, though it has features of many. 
@Through The Living Glass, we need you to advance the cavern plot. 

Just now, NameIess said:

"Well, they are animals. Stands to reason that they wouldn't be easy to control."

"You think you can help us with the rifts?" The captain's voice held more than a touch of incredulity.

“The one I encountered could speak, though not perfectly. I think I can either trick or legitimately bargain with them, but it needs to be immediate.” 
Rebel shrugged. “I don’t know - it depends what’s causing them. I can distort technological teleportation signals, and have the blueprints to scale that up.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

@Through The Living Glass, we need you to advance the cavern plot. 

We left off with the spider depositing them, right?

You want Utility to approach Rebus?

[NameIess]

3 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Alright.

She brought those travelers to her, too, then took them all further away.

Why?

Instead of answering her question, Nameless asked one of his own. "Why haven't you made any characters? You're more than experienced enough to."

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“The one I encountered could speak, though not perfectly. I think I can either trick or legitimately bargain with them, but it needs to be immediate.” 

"Well, good luck." Balitan started looking through his notes.

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebel shrugged. “I don’t know - it depends what’s causing them. I can distort technological teleportation signals, and have the blueprints to scale that up.” 

The guard snorted. "Technology? Useless stuff."

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, NameIess said:

Instead of answering her question, Nameless asked one of his own. "Why haven't you made any characters? You're more than experienced enough to."

She shifted uncomfortably.

Don't want to. Why are you asking?

[NameIess]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

She shifted uncomfortably.

Don't want to. Why are you asking?

"I'm curious about the new generation of Narrators. Why don't you want to?"

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, NameIess said:

"I'm curious about the new generation of Narrators. Why don't you want to?"

She sighed. So this was the Nameless she'd been thinking of.

It just . . . doesn't feel right, she said softly.

I did make one, but . . . he's more like a program than an actual character.

[NameIess]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

She sighed. So this was the Nameless she'd been thinking of.

It just . . . doesn't feel right, she said softly.

I did make one, but . . . he's more like a program than an actual character.

"Doesn't feel right? That makes so little sense to me. What's the point of being a Narrator if you don't create characters? To have all this power, and never use it for anything real?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 hours ago, KnightSkye said:

No problem. I like keeping track of things.

"Great birds that live forever? They live life until they are consumed in fire, then they begin life again in an egg in the ashes? My people have myths about such birds, that we called ffenics." he kept petting her wing. "my sister used to compare me to one."

“Yes! Those.” She tilted her head. “Why?”

4 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She nodded and hugged him back, vanishing the little crystal.

Probably smart. You're fine, though?

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

4 hours ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

"Aden. I couldn't get us to him quick enough."

Khione tipped her head slightly. "A-another person?"

“I hope she doesn’t,” she said softly. 

1 hour ago, NameIess said:

"Oh? You think a protagonist can't use violence to achieve his goals? When no other way will work? Smallminded of you." Nameless shook his head. "It matters not whether everyone in the Thread sees me as an aggressor. A protagonist often must face opposition from every which way. No matter how much I am hated, so long as my goal is just and my means necessary, I can be the protagonist.”

"@Through The Living Glass

She folded her arms, pursing her lips. “You’re misunderstanding me. Perhaps intentionally. A question, then— if the entire Thread views you as a threat, would the Plotblade truly accept you as Protagonist? You do not seem like one to me, nor do you speak that way. Or act like it, for that matter. Your vision is too wide for you to be the Protagonist. Maybe a protagonist, but never the Protagonist.” She shrugged. “Not that anything I say matters, not when you hold every working of the Thread in the palm of your hand already.“ 

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

I have plot with the townspeople, fyi, but it won't be relevant until later

so just yk nothing with what happened to the townspeople (or at least the majority of them), thanks 

Tam sighed.

Alright. Better go figure out what that is, then? Who are you, anyway?

@Halcyon The Only just for good measure

Coulda told me that, Symbol grumbled. 

18 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

@Halcyon The Only 

Rose finds herself in a familiar place. It’s not any particular place, though it has features of many. 
@Through The Living Glass, we need you to advance the cavern plot. 

“The one I encountered could speak, though not perfectly. I think I can either trick or legitimately bargain with them, but it needs to be immediate.” 
Rebel shrugged. “I don’t know - it depends what’s causing them. I can distort technological teleportation signals, and have the blueprints to scale that up.” 

It was a wide cave. Some mushrooms grew here and there, and some growing crystals. 

I’m guessing this is what you intended— a place familiar to Rose. Lemme know if I misinterpreted. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 minutes ago, NameIess said:

"Doesn't feel right? That makes so little sense to me. What's the point of being a Narrator if you don't create characters? To have all this power, and never use it for anything real?"

I've never wanted or needed to use it beyond with the people I care about. That's real enough for me.

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Coulda told me that, Symbol grumbled. 

Well, it seemed obvious at the time. 

Barren town? Tam's wondering where everyone went? I wonder . . . 

Just sayin'

Edited March 4, 2025 by Through The Living Glass

[Existential]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

“I hope she doesn’t,” she said softly. 

"I think I'm just... paranoid? I think that's the right word. I feel like it's my fault. I should've clocked Violet sooner"

[NameIess]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

She folded her arms, pursing her lips. “You’re misunderstanding me. Perhaps intentionally. A question, then— if the entire Thread views you as a threat, would the Plotblade truly accept you as Protagonist? You do not seem like one to me, nor do you speak that way. Or act like it, for that matter. Your vision is too wide for you to be the Protagonist. Maybe a protagonist, but never the Protagonist.” She shrugged. “Not that anything I say matters, not when you hold every working of the Thread in the palm of your hand already.“ 

"What the people of the Thread think does not matter. If anyone, it's the Author's opinions of me that matter. They can have a broader view than their characters" Nameless shrugged. "But as I said, I probably don't need Protagonist."

4 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

I've never wanted or needed to use it beyond with the people I care about. That's real enough for me.

Nameless cocked his head. "You really are more of a character than a Narrator."

--

"Alright, I think they're distracted enough. Let's move." Moni stood up and started running towards the edge of camp, in the direction opposite of the way that Palsu had gone.

@Dragonheir@LessName@TwinStorm

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, NameIess said:

Nameless cocked his head. "You really are more of a character than a Narrator."

I . . . yeah, I know.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

44 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

I've never wanted or needed to use it beyond with the people I care about. That's real enough for me.

Well, it seemed obvious at the time. 

Barren town? Tam's wondering where everyone went? I wonder . . . 

Just sayin'

Symbol was irritated with the Author. 

She tended to be so. 

43 minutes ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

"I think I'm just... paranoid? I think that's the right word. I feel like it's my fault. I should've clocked Violet sooner"

“No! No. No, it’s okay. It’s not your fault…”

37 minutes ago, NameIess said:

"What the people of the Thread think does not matter. If anyone, it's the Author's opinions of me that matter. They can have a broader view than their characters" Nameless shrugged. "But as I said, I probably don't need Protagonist."

@TwinStorm

“I would disagree, with all due respect. You contradict far too many of the stereotypes. But at least that particular Blade isn’t part of your plan, if you could call it a plan.”

[TwinStorm He/Him]

8 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He hugged her. “Do you still have some?”

“Yay!” She grinned and kept on course through the forest. An orange glow was faintly visible up ahead. 

Rose regarded him suspiciously. “Hear what?”

"A.. a voice. In my head."

7 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Hello?" Mist said quietly.

She nodded and pulled out the red crystal she'd gathered earlier.

It was- was only these two, she muttered, the pain fading.

"You've... been out in the wind?" the man said, words slurred.

2 hours ago, NameIess said:

  

Jacob nodded, swinging his pack of supplies around and pulling out medical supplies. "Alright. I'll get you patched up, then we can-"

Ah, there you are.

Reality flickered. Jacob, Lane, and all the rest of the hunters stood in a large room lined with pillars. They were surrounded by a ring of armed guards and bound in glowing bonds of pure white light. Before them sat a king on a simple throne carved from wood. He wore dark blue robes and a golden signet ring upon his hand, but what stood out the most was his brilliant crown. Forged from glowing crystal, the crown shone with a blindingly brilliant light. That light faded somewhat as the king stood and spoke in a booming, powerful voice.

"Invaders of my realm. I would know your purpose in coming here. What master do you serve? Who is it that besets my city with the forces of the night?"

Cricket was enveloped with mist. Moments later he stood in a city square in the midst of a jeering crowd. Before him, Malevolence sat on a throne carved of onyx, a crown of darkness on his head. On the platform in front of him sat a guillotine, with a long line of chained men and women leading away from it. As Cricket watched, two armored men with dark eyes grabbed the man at the front of the line and shoved him forcefully into the guillotine.

Rose was transported to the test that Meat had prepared for her.

"Oh? You think a protagonist can't use violence to achieve his goals? When no other way will work? Smallminded of you." Nameless shook his head. "It matters not whether everyone in the Thread sees me as an aggressor. A protagonist often must face opposition from every which way. No matter how much I am hated, so long as my goal is just and my means necessary, I can be the protagonist."

"I'll remain." Balitan shrugged. "No one else is likely to offer me the resources and research opportunity that you are. I don't have much advice about Malevolence. Access to the rabbits would certainly help with my research, but I'm a researcher, not a hero. I have no idea how to go about it.

--

The guard returned, leading a guard with a red mark upon his breastplate. That man spoke sharply. "So you're the stranger eh? A merchant, you claim?" He inspected Rebel critically, a frown flickering across his face. "I don't like the look of you. You look like someone who causes trouble, and our city has enough trouble without more troublemakers like you." He narrowed his eyes. "Well? Wha-"

A ripple passed through Rebel. The walls of the guard room seemed to vibrate, a nearby barred window slightly. The guard captain glanced towards the other guard. "Another attack?" The guard shook his head. "There'd be an alarm." The captain scowled. "Go figure out what this is about. I'll deal with this intruder."

"That has to do with something I wanted to ask you." Malevolence sifted through the tea basket, taking a few bags out. "I understand you were once bonded to a withergeist. I must admit some curiosity about the process. How did you do it?"

--

Nameless blinked. "Sorry, I was just... thinking about the best way to go about this. I should've asked first, are you doing anything important? A quest, I suppose?"

@Halcyon The Only @Through The Living Glass

Simon growled. "We serve no man!" he shouted back.

--

Cricket gulped. Malevolence. Had he... he should've killed him when he had the chance. So he did the natural thing, and strode into the center of the clearing, facing Malevolence.

52 minutes ago, NameIess said:

"What the people of the Thread think does not matter. If anyone, it's the Author's opinions of me that matter. They can have a broader view than their characters" Nameless shrugged. "But as I said, I probably don't need Protagonist."

Nameless cocked his head. "You really are more of a character than a Narrator."

--

"Alright, I think they're distracted enough. Let's move." Moni stood up and started running towards the edge of camp, in the direction opposite of the way that Palsu had gone.

@Dragonheir@LessName@TwinStorm

Perseus nodded, unable to speak. How dare they kill Palsu! The monsters. It was just another name on the list of souls they had claimed.

Edited March 4, 2025 by TwinStorm

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Just now, TwinStorm said:

"A.. a voice. In my head."

"You've... been out in the wind?" the man said, words slurred.

Simon growled. "We serve no man!" he shouted back.

Perseus nodded, unable to speak. How dare they kill Palsu! The monsters. It was just another name on the list of souls they had claimed.

“What did it say?”

[Existential]

13 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“No! No. No, it’s okay. It’s not your fault…”

“But I can’t help but feel like it is, y’know?”

1 minute ago, TwinStorm said:

"You've... been out in the wind?" the man said, words slurred.

“W-wind?”

[TwinStorm He/Him]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“What did it say?”

"Someone dangerous is... watching me, I think."

1 minute ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

“But I can’t help but feel like it is, y’know?”

“W-wind?”

"Yeah. Blightwind? You must've noticed it."

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"You've... been out in the wind?" the man said, words slurred.

". . . Yeah?"

[TwinStorm He/Him]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

". . . Yeah?"

"Then you're dangered. Get... the wind kills."

[Existential]

3 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"Someone dangerous is... watching me, I think."

"Yeah. Blightwind? You must've noticed it."

 

1 minute ago, Through The Living Glass said:

". . . Yeah?"

 

Just now, TwinStorm said:

"Then you're dangered. Get... the wind kills."

“It didn’t feel… killy” she grumbled 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

Just now, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

 

 

“It didn’t feel… killy” she grumbled 

"It kills souls. Rubs away, leaving you people like... me. Half alive ghosts."

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"Then you're dangered. Get... the wind kills."

1 minute ago, TwinStorm said:

"It kills souls. Rubs away, leaving you people like... me. Half alive ghosts."

"Oh . . . how do we get out of here?"

[KnightSkye Reforged They/Them]

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Yes! Those.” She tilted her head. “Why?”

"Cause that's what it sounds like in my language. Honestly, I'm pretty fortunate that you speak the same draconic that I do. And I don't know why I can understand most of what Maddie and the others say."