The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

17 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

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. 

Cep stares in shock.

"Well now," the teleporter replies. "That depends on what you're willing to pay. For example, this one here"—he gestures at Cep—"traded memories. Though he gave me more than he bargained for."

Cep turns quickly. "Yeh what?!" He lunges at the teleporter. "You-!"

 @Ashkaloda do you mind if I have him teleport us? I have a plan

[xinoehp512 he/him]

4 hours ago, Hawks said:

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

"Oh ho ho!" said Bacon. "It's a great time, is what it is! Come on."

He threw back a curtain on the wall, revealing a roller coaster car. "Hop in!"

4 hours 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.” 

She would find it temporarily restricted.

"If I let you go, what would you do?"

2 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

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?” 

The wind whispered softly.

"Find the page. Ensure that it is used."

 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

6 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Xanther grinned. “You would, eh? Very well. On behalf of Rebus the Ruthless, first of his name and ruler of The Longest Thread, I claim you as subject to the empire.” 

"Mmmmm, No." Lezterp says.

5 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

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!? 

Uhhhh.

Yeah?

Why?

Do you kn-Oooooohh yeah hes they guy who hired me to (steal? kidnap? weapon-nap?) take you.

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

9 hours 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? 

"I am not willing to swear loyalty to any. I would make another deal, but not that." 

7 hours 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."

Taeidin puts a hand on Cep's shoulder. 

"This is not a good idea." 

Yeah, you can teleport them, although Rebus will likely just follow. 

[Through the Living Wrath he/him]

On 6/17/2025 at 12:40 PM, Dragonheir said:

Rebel smiled back, and teleported Rose to them. And then frowned, because it didn't work. "Ah, the Nullite tattoos." 

Would you like to do something different? 

The crossbow did not turn into a hot cross bun. Instead, frost crept up Bacon's musical instrument - whichever one it was - and it began to crumble. 

Rebus frowned. The Authors were being frustratingly busy this summer. 

Rebus's mind was not a nice place to experience. Branching strands of mental connections reached to other places: Zoomslug, a mind-numbing number of machines surrounding Zoomslug, more minds identical to Rebus, a faint link to something vaguely recognizable as a conscience, and an otherworldly mind - somehow both human and incomprehensible - linked fully and completely to Rebus. His personality was a terrible ball of pain, fear, and longing wrapped with cold callousness and brilliant plans -  the edges covered in a mask of kindness, curiosity, and happiness far to thin to be healthy. 

Rebus took in the entire scene: the woods, the stars, Symbol's expression. Then he started shivering, and realized how cold he was. "We should find shelter - or make it." 

The air around his neck solidified, the utility fog dragging him backwards and pinning him to the wall. "No," Rebus said, walking towards Bat with fury in his eyes. "You will not." 

Well this one was back!

In Black!

In the back of a Cadillac!

 

Sorry.

What were we talking about?

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

45 minutes ago, Ashkaloda said:

"I am not willing to swear loyalty to any. I would make another deal, but not that." 

Taeidin puts a hand on Cep's shoulder. 

"This is not a good idea." 

Yeah, you can teleport them, although Rebus will likely just follow. 

Fair, I forgot he could do that

The teleporter spares only a glance for Cep. "Even aside from these two, I would be happy to serve you in any way I may," he continues. (@Dragonheir)

"What do we do?" Cep whispers to Taeidin. "Any ideas how to get away from him?"

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

25 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Fair, I forgot he could do that

The teleporter spares only a glance for Cep. "Even aside from these two, I would be happy to serve you in any way I may," he continues. (@Dragonheir)

"What do we do?" Cep whispers to Taeidin. "Any ideas how to get away from him?"

I'm gonna hold a response until I see Rebus' reaction. 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

11 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

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?” 

"Thank you, that would be nice."

"Apologies, I have been distracted."

9 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Oh, wow."

Switch blinked.

Huh.

"Remember anything here, Switch?"

[___ He/Him]

12 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

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. 

After completing the battle preparations, the King, before riding out to battle, walks down into the dungeons. He walks past all the cells, and goes in a door at the end. He moves to the far wall, and knocks 5 times in specific spots with a small hammer he keeps in his pocket. There is a loud rumbling, and the wall shifts. The King steps inside. The doorway closes behind him. In the room, there is a pedestal with arcane runes on it. In the center is a strangely shaped indentation. The King pulls a pendant from his neck, and places it in the indentation, where it fits perfectly. Instantly red smoke starts flowing from the pedestal, and the King drops to one knee.

"Master. It is time. Rebus has come." 

In the smoke, a face coalesces, missing one eye and the remaining one glowing bright red. It smiles a crooked, pretty messed up smile.

At last, all is coming together. *Breaks out cackling*

It is time for us to return to POWER

The room shakes.

"Master, the Tah-kahal are infighting", the King says. "If we can retrieve the artifact, this will be perfect timing to regain control of the entire empire. All the systems. Rebus will fall." 

Yes. The time has come. Take the blade.

Out of the smoke floats a glowing red sword. It is wicked sharp, with points at the end of the cross guard and runes twisting up the blade.

The King reaches out and grabs the hilt. 

Power explodes out and the entire castle shakes. Red light travels up and down the King's armor, and his eyes begin glowing.

TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE

Cackling ensues.

The King rises, takes the pendant and hangs it back around his neck, his armor and eyes still glowing. The smoke dissipates. The King walks back outside to the army, and every soldier falls to their knees. 

"IT IS TIME", the King roars. "TO TAKE BACK THE EMPIRE."  

 

Dang that was a lot

Edited June 21, 2025 by sneak spooky spook guy

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

7 minutes ago, sneak spooky spook guy said:

After completing the battle preparations, the King, before riding out to battle, walks down into the dungeons. He walks past all the cells, and goes in a door at the end. He moves to the far wall, and knocks 5 times in specific spots with a small hammer he keeps in his pocket. There is a loud rumbling, and the wall shifts. The King steps inside. The doorway closes behind him. In the room, there is a pedestal with arcane runes on it. In the center is a strangely shaped indentation. The King pulls a pendant from his neck, and places it in the indentation, where it fits perfectly. Instantly red smoke starts flowing from the pedestal, and the King drops to one knee.

"Master. It is time. Rebus has come." 

In the smoke, a face coalesces, missing one eye and the remaining one glowing bright red. It smiles a crooked, pretty messed up smile.

At last, all is coming together. *Breaks out cackling*

It is time for us to return to POWER

The room shakes.

"Master, the Tah-kahal are infighting", the King says. "If we can retrieve the artifact, this will be perfect timing to regain control of the entire empire. All the systems. Rebus will fall." 

Yes. The time has come. Take the blade.

Out of the smoke floats a glowing red sword. It is wicked sharp, with points at the end of the cross guard and runes twisting up the blade.

The King reaches out and grabs the hilt. 

Power explodes out and the entire castle shakes. Red light travels up and down the King's armor, and his eyes begin glowing.

TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE

Cackling ensues.

The King rises, takes the pendant and hangs it back around his neck, his armor and eyes still glowing. The smoke dissipates. The King walks back outside to the army, and every soldier falls to their knees. 

"IT IS TIME", the King roars. "TO TAKE BACK THE EMPIRE."  

 

Dang that was a lot

That was fun to read. Very dramatic. 

[___ He/Him]

Just now, Ashkaloda said:

That was fun to read. Very dramatic. 

Tanks

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

"Remember anything here, Switch?"

They shook their head.

"Nothing."

[TwinStorm He/Him]

6 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

They shook their head.

"Nothing."

"Maybe if we get you somewhere where you used to be, it could trigger memories."

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

12 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"Maybe if we get you somewhere where you used to be, it could trigger memories."

They tilted their head.

"I don't think you understand . . . I had no life before this. I existed only briefly before the Absence."

[TwinStorm He/Him]

3 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

They tilted their head.

"I don't think you understand . . . I had no life before this. I existed only briefly before the Absence."

"What? What's the Absence?"

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

8 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"What? What's the Absence?"

"It's where we just were."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

17 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

"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." 

She laughed bitterly, hugging herself. "Yeah, no kidding. I don't suppose you have any Prismite." 

Xanther's grin widened. "You don't have to, my dear emperor. I will do it for you." 

He looked up, then beamed. "Ah, Doctor Rebus! Welcome back! I..." He trailed off. "Good gracious, I forgot the reports, didn't I? Ah, well, let me show you what I have!" He stood up. 

Nemesis scowled. "Whatever. Do you know where any girls are?" 

17 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

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

Xanther appeared. "No, dear boy, not that hard at all." He grinned. "Though I would advise against fighting me." 

17 hours 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' "

"Indeed he is," Xanther clarified. 

17 hours 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." 

17 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?" 

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." 

 

"Oh, I'm not naive. I don't believe you need it--- but the Thread needs you to need it. By messing with the characters, you'll make an upheaval and create a great spectacle. Is that not what you desire?" 

17 hours 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." 

16 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

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.” 

He was being watched. 

16 hours 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. 

16 hours 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."

Xanther tossed back his head and laughed heartily. "Oh, you dear man. I admire your tenacity." 

16 hours 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...

 

Xanther appeared in the enemy camp, before the enemy leader, and bowed. "Good day." 

13 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

She would find it temporarily restricted.

"If I let you go, what would you do?"

"Find Rebus!" 

12 hours ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

"Mmmmm, No." Lezterp says.

"No?" 

2 hours ago, sneak spooky spook guy said:

After completing the battle preparations, the King, before riding out to battle, walks down into the dungeons. He walks past all the cells, and goes in a door at the end. He moves to the far wall, and knocks 5 times in specific spots with a small hammer he keeps in his pocket. There is a loud rumbling, and the wall shifts. The King steps inside. The doorway closes behind him. In the room, there is a pedestal with arcane runes on it. In the center is a strangely shaped indentation. The King pulls a pendant from his neck, and places it in the indentation, where it fits perfectly. Instantly red smoke starts flowing from the pedestal, and the King drops to one knee.

"Master. It is time. Rebus has come." 

In the smoke, a face coalesces, missing one eye and the remaining one glowing bright red. It smiles a crooked, pretty messed up smile.

At last, all is coming together. *Breaks out cackling*

It is time for us to return to POWER

The room shakes.

"Master, the Tah-kahal are infighting", the King says. "If we can retrieve the artifact, this will be perfect timing to regain control of the entire empire. All the systems. Rebus will fall." 

Yes. The time has come. Take the blade.

Out of the smoke floats a glowing red sword. It is wicked sharp, with points at the end of the cross guard and runes twisting up the blade.

The King reaches out and grabs the hilt. 

Power explodes out and the entire castle shakes. Red light travels up and down the King's armor, and his eyes begin glowing.

TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE

Cackling ensues.

The King rises, takes the pendant and hangs it back around his neck, his armor and eyes still glowing. The smoke dissipates. The King walks back outside to the army, and every soldier falls to their knees. 

"IT IS TIME", the King roars. "TO TAKE BACK THE EMPIRE."  

 

Dang that was a lot

Xanther yawned, waiting for the King's enemies to respond. I don't remember what they were called--- tah kahal or something 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

3 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

"No?" 

"I decline. Generous offer, thank you, really, but its just... not for me. I'm not into the whole 'total subjugation' thing, so..." Lezterp replies. "The exit is over there."

He points to the exit.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

8 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

"I decline. Generous offer, thank you, really, but its just... not for me. I'm not into the whole 'total subjugation' thing, so..." Lezterp replies. "The exit is over there."

He points to the exit.

He laughed. "Let me tell you something," he said. "By resisting, you open yourself to be made a scapegoat. Do you really wish that fate?" 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

14 hours ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Cep stares in shock.

"Well now," the teleporter replies. "That depends on what you're willing to pay. For example, this one here"—he gestures at Cep—"traded memories. Though he gave me more than he bargained for."

Cep turns quickly. "Yeh what?!" He lunges at the teleporter. "You-!"

 @Ashkaloda do you mind if I have him teleport us? I have a plan

Rebus smiled, having pulled the same sort of trade before. Actually, he’d been running a teleportation network when he’d done it - great minds thought alike, he supposed. “I have plenty of things of that sort, though few were originally mine.” 

14 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

The wind whispered softly.

"Find the page. Ensure that it is used."

Rebus used his nanomachines to check Bacon’s pockets and hat, though he had already seen the Lost Page before. 

13 hours ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Uhhhh.

Yeah?

Why?

Do you kn-Oooooohh yeah hes they guy who hired me to (steal? kidnap? weapon-nap?) take you.

Yup. If he’s declared himself emperor, something big has happened. 

8 hours ago, Ashkaloda said:

"I am not willing to swear loyalty to any. I would make another deal, but not that." 

“Total loyalty is not my goal at the moment. I can end disease, hunger, and scarcity, and that gains far more loyalty than any threat. Except the threat of bringing it back, of course.” 

7 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

Well this one was back!

In Black!

In the back of a Cadillac!

 

Sorry.

What were we talking about?

Rebus grinned at the Author (assuming it was the Author, that is - Heir was pretty sure the Scribe was italicized). “I’ve succeeded.” 

7 hours ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Fair, I forgot he could do that

The teleporter spares only a glance for Cep. "Even aside from these two, I would be happy to serve you in any way I may," he continues. (@Dragonheir)

"What do we do?" Cep whispers to Taeidin. "Any ideas how to get away from him?"

“Would you desire expanding your business? I have antiteleportation fields, which would grant you a near-monopoly.” 
Rebus’s hearing was technologically enhanced, and even if it wasn’t he could read the posts. 

5 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

"Thank you, that would be nice."

"Apologies, I have been distracted."

Rebus led her through the portal, the lab reconfiguring as he walked. “Now, would you rather be conscious or sedated for this?” 
“That is quite understandable - the number of things I myself am doing is large.” 

3 hours ago, sneak spooky spook guy said:

After completing the battle preparations, the King, before riding out to battle, walks down into the dungeons. He walks past all the cells, and goes in a door at the end. He moves to the far wall, and knocks 5 times in specific spots with a small hammer he keeps in his pocket. There is a loud rumbling, and the wall shifts. The King steps inside. The doorway closes behind him. In the room, there is a pedestal with arcane runes on it. In the center is a strangely shaped indentation. The King pulls a pendant from his neck, and places it in the indentation, where it fits perfectly. Instantly red smoke starts flowing from the pedestal, and the King drops to one knee.

"Master. It is time. Rebus has come." 

In the smoke, a face coalesces, missing one eye and the remaining one glowing bright red. It smiles a crooked, pretty messed up smile.

At last, all is coming together. *Breaks out cackling*

It is time for us to return to POWER

The room shakes.

"Master, the Tah-kahal are infighting", the King says. "If we can retrieve the artifact, this will be perfect timing to regain control of the entire empire. All the systems. Rebus will fall." 

Yes. The time has come. Take the blade.

Out of the smoke floats a glowing red sword. It is wicked sharp, with points at the end of the cross guard and runes twisting up the blade.

The King reaches out and grabs the hilt. 

Power explodes out and the entire castle shakes. Red light travels up and down the King's armor, and his eyes begin glowing.

TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE

Cackling ensues.

The King rises, takes the pendant and hangs it back around his neck, his armor and eyes still glowing. The smoke dissipates. The King walks back outside to the army, and every soldier falls to their knees. 

"IT IS TIME", the King roars. "TO TAKE BACK THE EMPIRE."  

 

Dang that was a lot

Rebus, though he had thought exaggerating the infighting would be enough to succeed, decided further measures would be necessary. The tide all over the planet changed as a massive geodesic dome of nanomachines appeared in the sky, glowing with purple lines. Rebus had arrived. 

17 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

She laughed bitterly, hugging herself. "Yeah, no kidding. I don't suppose you have any Prismite." 

Xanther's grin widened. "You don't have to, my dear emperor. I will do it for you." 

He looked up, then beamed. "Ah, Doctor Rebus! Welcome back! I..." He trailed off. "Good gracious, I forgot the reports, didn't I? Ah, well, let me show you what I have!" He stood up. 

Nemesis scowled. "Whatever. Do you know where any girls are?" 

"Oh, I'm not naive. I don't believe you need it--- but the Thread needs you to need it. By messing with the characters, you'll make an upheaval and create a great spectacle. Is that not what you desire?" 

“Actually, if I had a lab I could make it. I’m a metaphysicist, among other things.” 
“I do thank you for your help - other than that final plotline with Bacon, I believe we have interacted with them all.” And man is it giving me a lot of notifications. 
Rebus smiled back at him, following the man and taking not of what had been done. 
“I do, but you won’t succeed in what you’re trying to do by simply demanding someone court you. I would find someone with a common interest, spend a little time together doing that, and then ask.” 
“It is one of my goals, yes, but asking for tribute without knowing what tribute is needed is a good way to end up in a metaphorical corner.” 

[Keke They/he]

14 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

Oh ho ho!" said Bacon. "It's a great time, is what it is! Come on."

He threw back a curtain on the wall, revealing a roller coaster car. "Hop in!"

she looks few nervous steps back. "Uh I dont think Dot would like that"

[TwinStorm He/Him]

1 hour ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"It's where we just were."

"Oh. So you just . . . were created there?"

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

She laughed bitterly, hugging herself. "Yeah, no kidding. I don't suppose you have any Prismite." 

Xanther's grin widened. "You don't have to, my dear emperor. I will do it for you." 

He looked up, then beamed. "Ah, Doctor Rebus! Welcome back! I..." He trailed off. "Good gracious, I forgot the reports, didn't I? Ah, well, let me show you what I have!" He stood up. 

Nemesis scowled. "Whatever. Do you know where any girls are?" 

Xanther appeared. "No, dear boy, not that hard at all." He grinned. "Though I would advise against fighting me." 

"Indeed he is," Xanther clarified. 

"Oh, I'm not naive. I don't believe you need it--- but the Thread needs you to need it. By messing with the characters, you'll make an upheaval and create a great spectacle. Is that not what you desire?" 

He was being watched. 

Xanther tossed back his head and laughed heartily. "Oh, you dear man. I admire your tenacity." 

Xanther appeared in the enemy camp, before the enemy leader, and bowed. "Good day." 

"Find Rebus!" 

"No?" 

Xanther yawned, waiting for the King's enemies to respond. I don't remember what they were called--- tah kahal or something 

Cricket sighed, looking at Rose. "You ready?" he said, and attacked, setting in place an Enulling field as he lunged with his knives.

35 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus smiled, having pulled the same sort of trade before. Actually, he’d been running a teleportation network when he’d done it - great minds thought alike, he supposed. “I have plenty of things of that sort, though few were originally mine.” 

Rebus used his nanomachines to check Bacon’s pockets and hat, though he had already seen the Lost Page before. 

Yup. If he’s declared himself emperor, something big has happened. 

“Total loyalty is not my goal at the moment. I can end disease, hunger, and scarcity, and that gains far more loyalty than any threat. Except the threat of bringing it back, of course.” 

Rebus grinned at the Author (assuming it was the Author, that is - Heir was pretty sure the Scribe was italicized). “I’ve succeeded.” 

“Would you desire expanding your business? I have antiteleportation fields, which would grant you a near-monopoly.” 
Rebus’s hearing was technologically enhanced, and even if it wasn’t he could read the posts. 

Rebus led her through the portal, the lab reconfiguring as he walked. “Now, would you rather be conscious or sedated for this?” 
“That is quite understandable - the number of things I myself am doing is large.” 

Rebus, though he had thought exaggerating the infighting would be enough to succeed, decided further measures would be necessary. The tide all over the planet changed as a massive geodesic dome of nanomachines appeared in the sky, glowing with purple lines. Rebus had arrived. 

“Actually, if I had a lab I could make it. I’m a metaphysicist, among other things.” 
“I do thank you for your help - other than that final plotline with Bacon, I believe we have interacted with them all.” And man is it giving me a lot of notifications. 
Rebus smiled back at him, following the man and taking not of what had been done. 
“I do, but you won’t succeed in what you’re trying to do by simply demanding someone court you. I would find someone with a common interest, spend a little time together doing that, and then ask.” 
“It is one of my goals, yes, but asking for tribute without knowing what tribute is needed is a good way to end up in a metaphorical corner.” 

"Concious. I wanna stay alive. Don't poison me or anything."

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

37 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus smiled, having pulled the same sort of trade before. Actually, he’d been running a teleportation network when he’d done it - great minds thought alike, he supposed. “I have plenty of things of that sort, though few were originally mine.” 

Rebus used his nanomachines to check Bacon’s pockets and hat, though he had already seen the Lost Page before. 

Yup. If he’s declared himself emperor, something big has happened. 

“Total loyalty is not my goal at the moment. I can end disease, hunger, and scarcity, and that gains far more loyalty than any threat. Except the threat of bringing it back, of course.” 

Rebus grinned at the Author (assuming it was the Author, that is - Heir was pretty sure the Scribe was italicized). “I’ve succeeded.” 

“Would you desire expanding your business? I have antiteleportation fields, which would grant you a near-monopoly.” 
Rebus’s hearing was technologically enhanced, and even if it wasn’t he could read the posts. 

Rebus led her through the portal, the lab reconfiguring as he walked. “Now, would you rather be conscious or sedated for this?” 
“That is quite understandable - the number of things I myself am doing is large.” 

Rebus, though he had thought exaggerating the infighting would be enough to succeed, decided further measures would be necessary. The tide all over the planet changed as a massive geodesic dome of nanomachines appeared in the sky, glowing with purple lines. Rebus had arrived. 

“Actually, if I had a lab I could make it. I’m a metaphysicist, among other things.” 
“I do thank you for your help - other than that final plotline with Bacon, I believe we have interacted with them all.” And man is it giving me a lot of notifications. 
Rebus smiled back at him, following the man and taking not of what had been done. 
“I do, but you won’t succeed in what you’re trying to do by simply demanding someone court you. I would find someone with a common interest, spend a little time together doing that, and then ask.” 
“It is one of my goals, yes, but asking for tribute without knowing what tribute is needed is a good way to end up in a metaphorical corner.” 

The teleporter grinned. "Well now. A near monopoly sounds very nice to me. And what all would you want in exchange, may I ask?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

30 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Actually, if I had a lab I could make it. I’m a metaphysicist, among other things.” 
“I do thank you for your help - other than that final plotline with Bacon, I believe we have interacted with them all.” And man is it giving me a lot of notifications. 
Rebus smiled back at him, following the man and taking not of what had been done. 
“I do, but you won’t succeed in what you’re trying to do by simply demanding someone court you. I would find someone with a common interest, spend a little time together doing that, and then ask.” 
“It is one of my goals, yes, but asking for tribute without knowing what tribute is needed is a good way to end up in a metaphorical corner.” 

"No lab." She folded her arms and glared at the snow. "What about fire? Do you have fire? We could set this tree on fire." 

Xanther gave a deep bow. "Of course, my dear man. Now, if I may ask a reward, I would like a well characterized pair of gloves, if you please." 

He described each in detail. He pointed at the core, which he'd placed in a contraption of silver wire that pulsed with blueish energy every once in a while--- the same blue color as the faint field it emitted around the core. "I've managed to completely stop the decay using a technique of the Lower Caverns that involves time-slowing fields. I perfected the technology to completely freeze time within a bubble." He pointed to a larger contraption, about the size of a refrigerator, of wires and metal plating that seemed to have previously fit the core. "Once that was done, I worked on a way to make it more portable." He pointed to the next one, which was not very large--- maybe a couple of feet, and more of a capsule design. "Ah, but then I had a breakthrough." He picked up the core, which floated in the middle of the far smaller wire contraption. The wires connected to a black and silver hub on either side. "Now, as long as the cage remains undamaged, the core is completely safe." He beamed. 

He scowled. "That sounds hard," he grumbled. 

"Ah, the exact kinds of corners my Author is well practiced at getting out of." 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

6 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"Oh. So you just . . . were created there?"

"No. I was created here."

Edited June 21, 2025 by Through The Living Glass