The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[xinoehp512 he/him]

2 hours ago, Hawks said:

"rescue me from what?" she says tipping her head to the side.

"Sheer, unrelenting boredom," said Bacon. "Say, have you ever ridden a roller coaster?"

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

“Were you aware of the homicidical, dangerous despot who has laid claim to the entire Thread and whose subject you now are?” 

She frowned again. “Let’s find an underling, then.” 

“Were you aware of the homicidical, dangerous despot who has laid claim to the entire Thread and whose subject you now are?” @coderdragoscuddit won’t let me ping &nbsp

“I don’t care! Let me GO!”  She kicked the wall. 

He bowed. “My name is Xanther, and I offer you a path to victory unparalleled by anything you could imagine. The Tah-Kahal, or whatever they are called, could be mere specks before your power.” 

"Not until you are well."

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

20 minutes ago, Ashkaloda said:

"Oh, Rebus. That seems fine." 

Taeidin nudges Cep. 

"He was the one who introduced us to the concept of the Thread, remember?" 

To Xanther, he continues. 

"How long has Rebus held this position?" 

"Ohh yeahhh, now ah remember. Why's that so bad?"

@Bird Furious

[Keke They/he]

2 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

Sheer, unrelenting boredom," said Bacon. "Say, have you ever ridden a roller coaster?"

She stood confused. "Im not bored? I have Dot. And what is that?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

53 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

"Um, no?"

"Ohh, that's where ah know yeh from!"

“All you need to do is accept his rule and pay tribute, and I will leave you in peace. For now.” He grinned. 

34 minutes ago, Ashkaloda said:

"Oh, Rebus. That seems fine." 

Taeidin nudges Cep. 

"He was the one who introduced us to the concept of the Thread, remember?" 

To Xanther, he continues. 

"How long has Rebus held this position?" 

“About three pages.” 

16 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Sheer, unrelenting boredom," said Bacon. "Say, have you ever ridden a roller coaster?"

"Not until you are well."

“I am well,” she promised. “I am!” 

Also, she used Narration; did she lose her powers? 

14 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

"Ohh yeahhh, now ah remember. Why's that so bad?"

@Bird Furious

He laughed. “It need not be. All the crown requires is a little bit of tribute.” 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

1 minute ago, Bird Furious said:

“All you need to do is accept his rule and pay tribute, and I will leave you in peace. For now.” He grinned. 

“About three pages.” 

“I am well,” she promised. “I am!” 

Also, she used Narration; did she lose her powers? 

He laughed. “It need not be. All the crown requires is a little bit of tribute.” 

"Ah don' like this very much...whatcha think, Taeidin?" ( @Ashkaloda )

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 minute ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

"Ah don' like this very much...whatcha think, Taeidin?" ( @Ashkaloda )

“Oh, the tribute isn’t much,” Xanther assured them. “Merely a token of your loyalty; an assurance that you will, if called upon, serve the Crown.”

Dudes I’m having so much fun rn with Xanther—

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

3 hours ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Sure! Idrk about Rebus, I'll just kinda follow along (which I guess I would anyway)

Rebus - wearing grey, futuristic armor and a darkly glowing, wickedly pointed crown - teleported to the teleporter man with a thunderclap of displaced air. 

3 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Not quite. She stood up. “I didn’t expect to see any other people here,” she mumbled. 

Xanther scoffed. “You insult me, dear man. I do not wish to waste time when I could merely create planets for you to subjugate. They will serve as time wasters for you and for others. As for me, I have better things to be about that should serve to further your aims in a satisfactory fashion.” He vanished in a cloud of purple smoke. 

Mr. Whitlock was working quite hard. He’d found a very reliable method of stabilizing the core and three executions of said method. He’d also moved on to experimenting with creating it—- that was probably why the couch and floor were pretty badly scorched—- and there were some smaller gadgets splayed out on the table. At the moment, Mr. Whitlock was playing with some Nullite and a strange kind of energy field. 

He folded his arms. “I thought she was shy. But apparently she hates me, hmph. I don’t have a clue why— it’s not like I killed her parents or anything.”

"Me too - I thought I might freeze to death alone." 

"I could create generic planets myself. I was thinking something a bit more personal..." Rebus trailed off, his Author having left for a while. "That was about what I would have asked you to do, though I feel the epithet could use work. If you recall, I cannot tell a literal falsehood, and as I've shown mercy before I cannot call myself Ruthless." 

Rebus approved of the progress, and was preemptively disappointed at what would soon happen. "Hello, Mr. Whitlock." 

"You have a lot to learn about people, I see." 

3 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

"Alright." she nodded.

"Follow me," Rebus said, opening a portal to one of his many backup laboratories. 

2 hours ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Oh boy

Well, that answers my question.

Yup! When Xanther began talking, though, Cursed Treasure made a choked splutter in his head. Did he say Rebus is the emperor of the Thread!? 

2 hours ago, sneak spooky spook guy said:

The King looks up. "We must take advantage of this!" He looks at his head general standing at attention.

"Mobilize the armies! Prepare for a surprise attack! Armorers, prepare my armor!" For this king was one who fought with his people. He looks back to the messenger. "Get me more information on their troop movements and conflicts, we attack as soon as possible." 

The messenger saluted, then ran out the door and dissolved back into nanomachines as soon as he was out of sight. 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

2 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

 

"I don't know," said the voice tersely. "All I know is that I'm supposed to keep anyone from hurting you."

"Worth a shot, I suppose! Give it a try."

When they opened their eyes, they were where Stone had pictured at the Eternal Mountains.

 

"Nope! We're here to rescue you."

Stone got up, rubbing his forehead. "Don't know how to get to Rebus, but I'm sure I'll find a way. Rebus!" he shouted.

@Through The Living Glass

2 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

“Were you aware of the homicidical, dangerous despot who has laid claim to the entire Thread and whose subject you now are?” 

She frowned again. “Let’s find an underling, then.” 

“Were you aware of the homicidical, dangerous despot who has laid claim to the entire Thread and whose subject you now are?” @coderdragoscuddit won’t let me ping &nbsp

“I don’t care! Let me GO!”  She kicked the wall. 

He bowed. “My name is Xanther, and I offer you a path to victory unparalleled by anything you could imagine. The Tah-Kahal, or whatever they are called, could be mere specks before your power.” 

"Alright, shouldn't be too hard to lure one out."

3 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus - wearing grey, futuristic armor and a darkly glowing, wickedly pointed crown - teleported to the teleporter man with a thunderclap of displaced air. 

"Me too - I thought I might freeze to death alone." 

"I could create generic planets myself. I was thinking something a bit more personal..." Rebus trailed off, his Author having left for a while. "That was about what I would have asked you to do, though I feel the epithet could use work. If you recall, I cannot tell a literal falsehood, and as I've shown mercy before I cannot call myself Ruthless." 

Rebus approved of the progress, and was preemptively disappointed at what would soon happen. "Hello, Mr. Whitlock." 

"You have a lot to learn about people, I see." 

"Follow me," Rebus said, opening a portal to one of his many backup laboratories. 

Yup! When Xanther began talking, though, Cursed Treasure made a choked splutter in his head. Did he say Rebus is the emperor of the Thread!? 

The messenger saluted, then ran out the door and dissolved back into nanomachines as soon as he was out of sight. 

Fael followed, feeling unsure and nervous.

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

29 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

“Oh, the tribute isn’t much,” Xanther assured them. “Merely a token of your loyalty; an assurance that you will, if called upon, serve the Crown.”

Dudes I’m having so much fun rn with Xanther—

"Ah'm not sure how ah feel about that..."

5 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus - wearing grey, futuristic armor and a darkly glowing, wickedly pointed crown - teleported to the teleporter man with a thunderclap of displaced air. 

"Me too - I thought I might freeze to death alone." 

"I could create generic planets myself. I was thinking something a bit more personal..." Rebus trailed off, his Author having left for a while. "That was about what I would have asked you to do, though I feel the epithet could use work. If you recall, I cannot tell a literal falsehood, and as I've shown mercy before I cannot call myself Ruthless." 

Rebus approved of the progress, and was preemptively disappointed at what would soon happen. "Hello, Mr. Whitlock." 

"You have a lot to learn about people, I see." 

"Follow me," Rebus said, opening a portal to one of his many backup laboratories. 

Yup! When Xanther began talking, though, Cursed Treasure made a choked splutter in his head. Did he say Rebus is the emperor of the Thread!? 

The messenger saluted, then ran out the door and dissolved back into nanomachines as soon as he was out of sight. 

"OH, wait. YEH'RE the one this fella's been talkin' 'bout. The "emperor o' the Thread' "

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

22 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

“Oh, the tribute isn’t much,” Xanther assured them. “Merely a token of your loyalty; an assurance that you will, if called upon, serve the Crown.”

Dudes I’m having so much fun rn with Xanther—

24 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

"Ah don' like this very much...whatcha think, Taeidin?" ( @Ashkaloda )

"I can accept him as ruler of the Thread. But what do I get out of paying him tribute?" 

I can tell. 

4 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus - wearing grey, futuristic armor and a darkly glowing, wickedly pointed crown - teleported to the teleporter man with a thunderclap of displaced air. 

"Me too - I thought I might freeze to death alone." 

"I could create generic planets myself. I was thinking something a bit more personal..." Rebus trailed off, his Author having left for a while. "That was about what I would have asked you to do, though I feel the epithet could use work. If you recall, I cannot tell a literal falsehood, and as I've shown mercy before I cannot call myself Ruthless." 

Rebus approved of the progress, and was preemptively disappointed at what would soon happen. "Hello, Mr. Whitlock." 

"You have a lot to learn about people, I see." 

"Follow me," Rebus said, opening a portal to one of his many backup laboratories. 

Yup! When Xanther began talking, though, Cursed Treasure made a choked splutter in his head. Did he say Rebus is the emperor of the Thread!? 

The messenger saluted, then ran out the door and dissolved back into nanomachines as soon as he was out of sight. 

Not sure if you were paying attention to this, but Cep, Taeidin, and Xanther are currently with the teleporter guy. 

Taeidin is startled by the thunder but calms when he sees it was simply Rebus appearing. 

"Oh, hello Rebus. We were just discussing you." 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, TwinStorm said:

Stone got up, rubbing his forehead. "Don't know how to get to Rebus, but I'm sure I'll find a way. Rebus!" he shouted.

@Through The Living Glass

"Alright, shouldn't be too hard to lure one out."

Fael followed, feeling unsure and nervous.

"You were pretty close to me already-" Rebus appeared in front of him, smiling, then pointed at a section of the Eternal Mountains which appeared to have melted and caved in. "What do you require?" 

2 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

"Ah'm not sure how ah feel about that..."

"OH, wait. YEH'RE the one this fella's been talkin' 'bout. The "emperor o' the Thread' "

1 minute ago, Ashkaloda said:

"I can accept him as ruler of the Thread. But what do I get out of paying him tribute?" 

I can tell. 

Not sure if you were paying attention to this, but Cep, Taeidin, and Xanther are currently with the teleporter guy. 

Taeidin is startled by the thunder but calms when he sees it was simply Rebus appearing. 

"Oh, hello Rebus. We were just discussing you." 

In my defense, when I wrote that this had not yet happened. 

"I am the ruler of much of it, though the Thread is infinite." Rebus had a crown of darkly glowing metal that came to wicked points. "That being said, I am unsure what tribute Xanther believes I need." 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

9 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

"You were pretty close to me already-" Rebus appeared in front of him, smiling, then pointed at a section of the Eternal Mountains which appeared to have melted and caved in. "What do you require?" 

In my defense, when I wrote that this had not yet happened. 

"I am the ruler of much of it, though the Thread is infinite." Rebus had a crown of darkly glowing metal that came to wicked points. "That being said, I am unsure what tribute Xanther believes I need." 

"So what exactly is it yeh're gonna do, and why d'yeh want our service?"

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

3 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

"You were pretty close to me already-" Rebus appeared in front of him, smiling, then pointed at a section of the Eternal Mountains which appeared to have melted and caved in. "What do you require?" 

In my defense, when I wrote that this had not yet happened. 

"I am the ruler of much of it, though the Thread is infinite." Rebus had a crown of darkly glowing metal that came to wicked points. "That being said, I am unsure what tribute Xanther believes I need." 

"He asked for loyalty to you. Actually, to whomever has that Crown you are wearing. Interesting, but yet, I am not interested." 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

12 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

"You were pretty close to me already-" Rebus appeared in front of him, smiling, then pointed at a section of the Eternal Mountains which appeared to have melted and caved in. "What do you require?" 

In my defense, when I wrote that this had not yet happened. 

"I am the ruler of much of it, though the Thread is infinite." Rebus had a crown of darkly glowing metal that came to wicked points. "That being said, I am unsure what tribute Xanther believes I need." 

"You're Rebus? I'm here to deliver a message. The Author has the Lost Page."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

8 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

"So what exactly is it yeh're gonna do, and why d'yeh want our service?"

“I am going to take over the world - this one, and many others. I don’t plan to be a despot, though I will by definition be a tyrant - in fact, I already rule over an arguable utopia.” He smiled, then continued. “You, specifically, sound as though you have the skills and tendencies to take over some of my already existing responsibilities. I can invest you with the power to make magical contracts and grant you access to my teleportation network in addition to what you possess already.” 

8 minutes ago, Ashkaloda said:

"He asked for loyalty to you. Actually, to whomever has that Crown you are wearing. Interesting, but yet, I am not interested." 

“So you throw your lot with what remains of the protagonists?” Rebus asked, the crown glowing darker. “Bystanders, I predict, will be mere collateral damage to both sides.” 

5 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"You're Rebus? I'm here to deliver a message. The Author has the Lost Page."

Isn’t the message that Bacon has the lost page? 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

Just now, Dragonheir said:

“I am going to take over the world - this one, and many others. I don’t plan to be a despot, though I will by definition be a tyrant - in fact, I already rule over an arguable utopia.” He smiled, then continued. “You, specifically, sound as though you have the skills and tendencies to take over some of my already existing responsibilities. I can invest you with the power to make magical contracts and grant you access to my teleportation network in addition to what you possess already.” 

“So you throw your lot with what remains of the protagonists?” Rebus asked, the crown glowing darker. “Bystanders, I predict, will be mere collateral damage to both sides.” 

Isn’t the message that Bacon has the lost page? 

oh shoot my bad

The message was fixed. And Rebus had never heard a thing.

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 minute ago, TwinStorm said:

oh shoot my bad

The message was fixed. And Rebus had never heard a thing.

It’s fine - I had to check in order to remember. 
Rebus nodded. “Thank you, Stone. I can send you on the next leg of your journey, if you wish.” 
Rebus - somewhere else, so as to avoid Stone realizing how much trouble the message he had just delivered would cause - spoke to the wind. “Fate? Is this the task you give me, @xinoehp512? I do note that a portion of the deal requires it not cause the death of that specific copy of me - the one with a conscience. And I suppose even Onyx’s Realm is not fully safe.” 
In another place, Rebus spoke to another Author. “Storm, have you forgotten you were speaking to me?” 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

20 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“I am going to take over the world - this one, and many others. I don’t plan to be a despot, though I will by definition be a tyrant - in fact, I already rule over an arguable utopia.” He smiled, then continued. “You, specifically, sound as though you have the skills and tendencies to take over some of my already existing responsibilities. I can invest you with the power to make magical contracts and grant you access to my teleportation network in addition to what you possess already.” 

“So you throw your lot with what remains of the protagonists?” Rebus asked, the crown glowing darker. “Bystanders, I predict, will be mere collateral damage to both sides.” 

Isn’t the message that Bacon has the lost page? 

For reference, Cep doesn't actually teleport, he just uses the services of somebody who does. All he can do is hide in his head

"Ah think ah'll side with them protagonists, thank yeh very much...and may ah point out, we aren't exactly bystanders—or at least ah'm not now, 'cause ah don' much like tyrants."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

For reference, Cep doesn't actually teleport, he just uses the services of somebody who does. All he can do is hide in his head

"Ah think ah'll side with them protagonists, thank yeh very much...and may ah point out, we aren't exactly bystanders—or at least ah'm not now, 'cause ah don' much like tyrants."

Rebus was talking to that person, not Cep. 
“What do you expect to be able to do, Cep?” Rebus grinned, and his crown grew darker still. 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

4 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus was talking to that person, not Cep. 
“What do you expect to be able to do, Cep?” Rebus grinned, and his crown grew darker still. 

Oops. In my defense, I've been doing camp all day and can't keep track.

There is a pop and Cep holds up a small knife. It appears to glow, and various duplicates of Cep appear around Rebus. As one, they speak.

"Please don' mess with me. Ah don' wanna have ta do anything messy."

[___ He/Him]

3 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

The guards turned to dust. Xanther raised his hand and swept it across the room. The dust swirled around him, then settled before him in a sealed glass jar. 

“It is good to know where you stand,” Xanther told the king. “I shall now confer with the Tah-kahal and see whether they share your disgust. For the sake of your planet, I would hope they do not.” He grinned evilly, but hesitated, giving the king a chance to reconsider his stance. 

"Get out of my sight", spits the King.

The King has the slightest of smiles as Xanther disappears.

1 hour ago, Dragonheir said:

The messenger saluted, then ran out the door and dissolved back into nanomachines as soon as he was out of sight. 

The King smiles just a little wider.

He gets off his throne, strides to his armorers, and starts equipping himself.

I've always hated war, the King thinks, continuing to smile,

just...

a...

bit...

 

Edited June 21, 2025 by sneak spooky spook guy

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

57 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Oops. In my defense, I've been doing camp all day and can't keep track.

There is a pop and Cep holds up a small knife. It appears to glow, and various duplicates of Cep appear around Rebus. As one, they speak.

"Please don' mess with me. Ah don' wanna have ta do anything messy."

It’s alright, though I’d like his reaction. 
Rebus raised an eyebrow. “I would say the same to you, though perhaps in different words. You are outclassed.” 

33 minutes ago, sneak spooky spook guy said:

"Get out of my sight", spits the King.

The King has the slightest of smiles as Xanther disappears.

The King smiles just a little wider.

He gets off his throne, strides to his armorers, and starts equipping himself.

I've always hated war, the King thinks, continuing to smile,

just...

a...

bit...

 

Rebus knew the value of a smile to disconcert others - evidently this man knew what he was doing. Or was simply weirdly happy about going into battle. 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

12 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

It’s alright, though I’d like his reaction. 
Rebus raised an eyebrow. “I would say the same to you, though perhaps in different words. You are outclassed.” 

Rebus knew the value of a smile to disconcert others - evidently this man knew what he was doing. Or was simply weirdly happy about going into battle. 

Cep just stares him down as all the Ceps brandish their knives.

"If I may interject," says the teleporter, "I am but a humble servant of the Thread, and serve whoever claims control over it. Would you like me to deal with these pesky nuisances for you? I can send them off to any corner of the Thread at your command. For a price, of course. You understand."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

28 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Cep just stares him down as all the Ceps brandish their knives.

"If I may interject," says the teleporter, "I am but a humble servant of the Thread, and serve whoever claims control over it. Would you like me to deal with these pesky nuisances for you? I can send them off to any corner of the Thread at your command. For a price, of course. You understand."

Rebus raised his eyebrow higher and teleported one of the Ceps into a magnetar, which results in instantaneous failure of chemistry for several simultaneous reasons. “I do like your business sense, though I need no help in this case - what manner of pay do you desire?” 
Alright, I’m going to sleep. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

6 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

When they opened their eyes, they were where Stone had pictured at the Eternal Mountains.

"Oh, wow."

3 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

Stone got up, rubbing his forehead. "Don't know how to get to Rebus, but I'm sure I'll find a way. Rebus!" he shouted.

@Through The Living Glass

3 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

"You were pretty close to me already-" Rebus appeared in front of him, smiling, then pointed at a section of the Eternal Mountains which appeared to have melted and caved in. "What do you require?" 

Switch blinked.

Huh.