The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

“Can you go to land?” 

"Land?"

It laughed a deep, hearty laugh.

"You'd be very lucky to find land in this ocean, little one."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

8 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

Cricket stood back, mouth open. "Get out of here." he breathed softly. "Go."

Xanther laughed, then vanished.

8 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"Land?"

It laughed a deep, hearty laugh.

"You'd be very lucky to find land in this ocean, little one."

“…oh…”

[TwinStorm He/Him]

35 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

Xanther laughed, then vanished.

“…oh…”

Cricket took a shuddering breath, and collapsed to one knee.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

48 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

Cricket took a shuddering breath, and collapsed to one knee.

Rose knelt next to him and gave him a hug. 

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

14 hours ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Asharak grins and bows. "Thank you, sir. Any I find that I believe may serve you in my recruitment, I'll be sure to send them your way."

-

 @Ashkaloda what are we doing? Or rather, what do you want to do?

Taeidin has been talking with Rebus - not sure if you've been following the conversation. I'm not really sure where the plot is going. We could theoretically pick up where we left off when Rebus is gone, or I could throw them a random plot hook. Or, there are plenty of other ways this could go. What do you think? 

Also, I'm going to be offline for all next week backpacking. 

14 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

I guess I’ll just do italics… Scared. And lonely. 

Rebus nodded at her, then sat back and enjoyed not freezing to death. 
Rebus thought that was fine - Heir was at camp and hence could use fewer conversations to do. 
Bat eyed the firefly suspiciously. “We have to find her, then.” 
Me too, honestly. 

Rebus opened a portal into a crowded square in a utopian metropolis. 

“Good, on both counts. It wouldn’t do for me to destroy my own plotline without the risk of you losing yours. You may suggest which side of those stakes shall be balanced.” 

“There are plenty of things I want citizens for. The particular use you shall be of has not fully been determined.” 

Rebus smiled at the slug. “If you want training, I can arrange it.” 

Rebus felt he should remind Bacon that he had antiteleportation fields covering the area. Invisibility, though, would work briefly, as would disintegrating a copy. (He could also see in all directions through his utility fog, so distractions would not work so well.) I hope you understand I can acquire the page elsewhere. I do not want to have to acquire it from outside the Thread, but I will. And that copy comes with a translation… 

"I'm good at finding things." 

Edited June 27, 2025 by Ashkaloda

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

“…oh…”

It rose up a little higher in the water so they could dry off.

"Do not worry. We will stumble across some eventually."

[TwinStorm He/Him]

6 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Rose knelt next to him and gave him a hug. 

"You're . . . you're . . . don't leave me. Please."

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

5 hours ago, Ashkaloda said:

Taeidin has been talking with Rebus - not sure if you've been following the conversation. I'm not really sure where the plot is going. We could theoretically pick up where we left off when Rebus is gone, or I could throw them a random plot hook. Or, there are plenty of other ways this could go. What do you think? 

Also, I'm going to be offline for all next week backpacking. 

"I'm good at finding things." 

Oh ok I lost track of that conversation somewhere. I think Cep's just sitting there trying to process what he's learned while y'all are talking, and when y'all are done I think we continue the way we're going for now—though I suspect we'll get pulled into this anyway at some point

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

22 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

She frowned. He was the Antagonist . . .  "what are you going to do?" she demanded.

“You are the one who shall act at the moment. That man there is listening to music using the public utility fog network. I have access to that - most people can’t access or hear other’s music unless that person wants them to - and I know that the next song is one he’s danced frequently in private or with friends. If the people around him happen to seem friendly, he might do a little dancing on his own. That person there is a dance instructor and has just decided to drink a little extra coffee this morning - if they’re nearby, they’re feeling energetic enough that that would join in. That guy there is bored and looking for something to do - his soccer game fell apart because a few people decided not to come. There are more people around, who’ll dance because it’s something to do, because everyone else is doing it, because they want to show off their moves, or because they want to try without magic what you are about to do.” Rebus smiled. “None of these people would dance unprompted. It’s the combination of people and factors that might do this; feedback loops that you now can tweak as you see fit. A Narrator could write a flash mob into being - you can now bring one about naturally, simply by tweaking the many factors that go into timing and amplifying the effect people have on each other’s willingness to do something.” 

22 hours ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

Asharak grins and bows. "Thank you, sir. Any I find that I believe may serve you in my recruitment, I'll be sure to send them your way."

-

 @Ashkaloda what are we doing? Or rather, what do you want to do?

“Excellent.” Rebus grinned. “I knew from when I first heard of you that you showed promise as a leader.” 

22 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Okie.

She looked back up at him.

"Withergeist?"

Whan shivered, the cloud of blackness they caused expanding. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds scary.” 

21 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Keys got bored and played with snow. 

Mr. Whitlock was still uncertain about a couple things. But he nodded anyway. 

Rebus would have joined in, but he was too worried about Symbol and what Fate would request of him. 
Unable to find his compass, Bat pulled out the teleporter from Rebus. “I’ll come back, once I find her - don’t worry.” Then he disappeared, beginning his unknowingly futile search. 

8 hours ago, Ashkaloda said:

"I'm good at finding things." 

If Rebus had his way, you’d be fully working for him at this point - this will likely not occur. Have fun, by the way. 
Rebus smiled. “That is a talent I can use… Tell you what - if you bring me any papers you find with somehow incomprehensible writing, I’ll pay you with one or more favors totaling to the approximate amount of effort you spent. You don’t have to bring me the original copy, as long as the writing is equivalent - if there is anything else you think I might be interested in, bring it and I shall work out payment with you.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

Whan shivered, the cloud of blackness they caused expanding. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds scary.” 

"What do you call yourself, then? What are you?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

20 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

It rose up a little higher in the water so they could dry off.

"Do not worry. We will stumble across some eventually."

Eepy sighed. “Okayyyyy.” 
@KnightSkye

16 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

"You're . . . you're . . . don't leave me. Please."

“I won’t. I don’t want to.” She hugged him tighter. 

But unless Cricket could convince the higher powers not to kill her, her fate was sealed. 

11 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

“Rebus would have joined in, but he was too worried about Symbol and what Fate would request of him. 
Unable to find his compass, Bat pulled out the teleporter from Rebus. “I’ll come back, once I find her - don’t worry.” Then he disappeared, beginning his unknowingly futile search. 

This was fair. But then they were attacked by ninjas. 

Mr. Whitlock stared, still not sure how he felt about it his fake son. 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

12 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

“You are the one who shall act at the moment. That man there is listening to music using the public utility fog network. I have access to that - most people can’t access or hear other’s music unless that person wants them to - and I know that the next song is one he’s danced frequently in private or with friends. If the people around him happen to seem friendly, he might do a little dancing on his own. That person there is a dance instructor and has just decided to drink a little extra coffee this morning - if they’re nearby, they’re feeling energetic enough that that would join in. That guy there is bored and looking for something to do - his soccer game fell apart because a few people decided not to come. There are more people around, who’ll dance because it’s something to do, because everyone else is doing it, because they want to show off their moves, or because they want to try without magic what you are about to do.” Rebus smiled. “None of these people would dance unprompted. It’s the combination of people and factors that might do this; feedback loops that you now can tweak as you see fit. A Narrator could write a flash mob into being - you can now bring one about naturally, simply by tweaking the many factors that go into timing and amplifying the effect people have on each other’s willingness to do something.” 

“Excellent.” Rebus grinned. “I knew from when I first heard of you that you showed promise as a leader.” 

Whan shivered, the cloud of blackness they caused expanding. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds scary.” 

Rebus would have joined in, but he was too worried about Symbol and what Fate would request of him. 
Unable to find his compass, Bat pulled out the teleporter from Rebus. “I’ll come back, once I find her - don’t worry.” Then he disappeared, beginning his unknowingly futile search. 

If Rebus had his way, you’d be fully working for him at this point - this will likely not occur. Have fun, by the way. 
Rebus smiled. “That is a talent I can use… Tell you what - if you bring me any papers you find with somehow incomprehensible writing, I’ll pay you with one or more favors totaling to the approximate amount of effort you spent. You don’t have to bring me the original copy, as long as the writing is equivalent - if there is anything else you think I might be interested in, bring it and I shall work out payment with you.” 

Fael nodded slowly. "So I can . . . manipulate these factors?"

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

10 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"What do you call yourself, then? What are you?"

Someone named me Whan - he was nice. I don’t know what I am - the others called me an abomination, said I already existed. They know how to use their magic - I don’t. 

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

This was fair. But then they were attacked by ninjas. 

Mr. Whitlock stared, still not sure how he felt about it his fake son. 

Rebus was very surprised, but snatched a burning branch from the fire and held it in with quite good form for a short spear. “What do you want?” 
Rebus smiled at him, somewhere between satisfied and sheepish. “I would consider him to be a version of Bat, though my relationship with physical bodies is fairly fluid. He still trusts me at this point - it was fairly recent that he decided to oppose me, slightly after his powers came in at full force - so he’s sure you’ll be safe and focused his worry on Tam.” 

4 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

Fael nodded slowly. "So I can . . . manipulate these factors?"

“Yes - the factors exist already, and you can ensure they combine in the right way.” 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

32 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Someone named me Whan - he was nice. I don’t know what I am - the others called me an abomination, said I already existed. They know how to use their magic - I don’t. 

Rebus was very surprised, but snatched a burning branch from the fire and held it in with quite good form for a short spear. “What do you want?” 
Rebus smiled at him, somewhere between satisfied and sheepish. “I would consider him to be a version of Bat, though my relationship with physical bodies is fairly fluid. He still trusts me at this point - it was fairly recent that he decided to oppose me, slightly after his powers came in at full force - so he’s sure you’ll be safe and focused his worry on Tam.” 

“Yes - the factors exist already, and you can ensure they combine in the right way.” 

"Alright. Should we test it?"

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

Just now, TwinStorm said:

"Alright. Should we test it?"

“Yes - that’s why I brought you here.” 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

“Yes - that’s why I brought you here.” 

"Okay." she closed her eyes, and felt an onslaught of feelings. People's memories, their lives, slammed into her thoughts. Combine the factors. she thought, and slowly she began to feel each person's life, trying to bring certain emotions to the forefront. 

After some time, she opened her eyes. Staring at her and Rebus, the crowd stood stock-still, emotionless. Completely under her control.

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

6 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"Okay." she closed her eyes, and felt an onslaught of feelings. People's memories, their lives, slammed into her thoughts. Combine the factors. she thought, and slowly she began to feel each person's life, trying to bring certain emotions to the forefront. 

After some time, she opened her eyes. Staring at her and Rebus, the crowd stood stock-still, emotionless. Completely under her control.

Rebus frowned, honestly baffled. “What did you do? I suppose I can see some of it - did you amplify despair?”
I do think that works, though it is much harder than a flash mob or riot, which can occur normally. Soulcrushingness can be kinda contagious too. 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

4 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus frowned, honestly baffled. “What did you do? I suppose I can see some of it - did you amplify despair?”
I do think that works, though it is much harder than a flash mob or riot, which can occur normally. Soulcrushingness can be kinda contagious too. 

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just touched their emotions and . . . tapped into the darkest parts of them. Felt natural, I guess."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

6 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just touched their emotions and . . . tapped into the darkest parts of them. Felt natural, I guess."

Rebus suddenly smiled. “My guess is that you used the power on yourself. You took a part of you and a part of the magic and put them together to make something new - that’s the other part of emergence.” 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

55 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus suddenly smiled. “My guess is that you used the power on yourself. You took a part of you and a part of the magic and put them together to make something new - that’s the other part of emergence.” 

Fael nodded. She focused, and the silence broke. The people milled about, going about their day as if nothing happened.

this is essential Soothing and Rioting right?

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

On 6/26/2025 at 8:37 PM, Dragonheir said:

I guess I’ll just do italics… Scared. And lonely. 

Rebus nodded at her, then sat back and enjoyed not freezing to death. 
Rebus thought that was fine - Heir was at camp and hence could use fewer conversations to do. 
Bat eyed the firefly suspiciously. “We have to find her, then.” 
Me too, honestly. 

Rebus opened a portal into a crowded square in a utopian metropolis. 

“Good, on both counts. It wouldn’t do for me to destroy my own plotline without the risk of you losing yours. You may suggest which side of those stakes shall be balanced.” 

“There are plenty of things I want citizens for. The particular use you shall be of has not fully been determined.” 

Rebus smiled at the slug. “If you want training, I can arrange it.” 

Rebus felt he should remind Bacon that he had antiteleportation fields covering the area. Invisibility, though, would work briefly, as would disintegrating a copy. (He could also see in all directions through his utility fog, so distractions would not work so well.) I hope you understand I can acquire the page elsewhere. I do not want to have to acquire it from outside the Thread, but I will. And that copy comes with a translation… 

The Scribe deliberated, then sighed grimly. “Mine. This will replace my earlier stakes on loss: If I lose, I die. I take Parasite to my grave, however. No stealing it. And again, you swear to follow this agreement by the spirit with which it was sworn, instead of the letter which may be exploited.”

Dragonheir only:

Spoiler

Spoiler

The um…

the interesting thing is that he knows my thoughts.

Soooo…

 

 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

2 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

Fael nodded. She focused, and the silence broke. The people milled about, going about their day as if nothing happened.

this is essential Soothing and Rioting right?

Rebus nodded to himself, satisfied that the powers function properly. 
Sort of. It’s changing whether or not people react to each other, rather than manipulating any emotions directly. The power could also take a spark and make it light other fuel, but without a spark it couldn’t. It’s the coincidence thing - using feedback loops and cascading effects to get what you want to happen to happen. 
The other application is to create things that are a lot like Resonances - it can be used to combine powers and attributes that wouldn’t otherwise interact. 
Finally, there’s some tangential stuff like awareness of bonds, fractal and cellular automata motifs, and the catalyzing of Nullite and Prismite to make more Chaotic Order (this works through the second application). 

1 hour ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

The Scribe deliberated, then sighed grimly. “Mine. This will replace my earlier stakes on loss: If I lose, I die. I take Parasite to my grave, however. No stealing it. And again, you swear to follow this agreement by the spirit with which it was sworn, instead of the letter which may be exploited.”

Dragonheir only:

  Reveal hidden contents

  Reveal hidden contents

The um…

the interesting thing is that he knows my thoughts.

Soooo…

 

 

Rebus nodded gravely, with a slight smile. “I agree, then. If I win, I shall put in place measures to protect Parasite, should it continue to exist. If you kill this body completely, you win - I warn you, this shall be difficult.” 
Wrath only: 

Spoiler

Spoiler

So does Rebus. 

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

15 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus nodded to himself, satisfied that the powers function properly. 
Sort of. It’s changing whether or not people react to each other, rather than manipulating any emotions directly. The power could also take a spark and make it light other fuel, but without a spark it couldn’t. It’s the coincidence thing - using feedback loops and cascading effects to get what you want to happen to happen. 
The other application is to create things that are a lot like Resonances - it can be used to combine powers and attributes that wouldn’t otherwise interact. 
Finally, there’s some tangential stuff like awareness of bonds, fractal and cellular automata motifs, and the catalyzing of Nullite and Prismite to make more Chaotic Order (this works through the second application). 

Rebus nodded gravely, with a slight smile. “I agree, then. If I win, I shall put in place measures to protect Parasite, should it continue to exist. If you kill this body completely, you win - I warn you, this shall be difficult.” 
Wrath only: 

  Hide contents

  Hide contents

So does Rebus. 

He nodded. “It is set, then.”

Aeon got ready to fight, pointing the Notblade.

@Bird Furious only

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Stakes have changed ever so slightly.

 

 

 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

45 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus nodded to himself, satisfied that the powers function properly. 
Sort of. It’s changing whether or not people react to each other, rather than manipulating any emotions directly. The power could also take a spark and make it light other fuel, but without a spark it couldn’t. It’s the coincidence thing - using feedback loops and cascading effects to get what you want to happen to happen. 
The other application is to create things that are a lot like Resonances - it can be used to combine powers and attributes that wouldn’t otherwise interact. 
Finally, there’s some tangential stuff like awareness of bonds, fractal and cellular automata motifs, and the catalyzing of Nullite and Prismite to make more Chaotic Order (this works through the second application). 

Rebus nodded gravely, with a slight smile. “I agree, then. If I win, I shall put in place measures to protect Parasite, should it continue to exist. If you kill this body completely, you win - I warn you, this shall be difficult.” 
Wrath only: 

  Reveal hidden contents

  Reveal hidden contents

So does Rebus. 

Fael glanced at him. The right factors . . . the power was niche, to be true, but it had powerful applications if used correctly. She glanced at two pedestrians, and read their souls, tapping into their paranoia, suspicion, anger. They hated this life.

The two men attacked each other suddenly, grappling in the middle of the street. Fael watched impassibly as one of them put the other in a headlock. 

"This power . . . it's incredible." she breathed to Rebus. "Thank you."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

3 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

He nodded. “It is set, then.”

Aeon got ready to fight, pointing the Notblade.

@Bird Furious only

  Reveal hidden contents

  Reveal hidden contents

  Reveal hidden contents

Stakes have changed ever so slightly.

 

 

 

Rebus summoned Antagonist, not as a crown but as a wicked halberd. “Let us begin,” he said, smiling under his helmet. 

2 hours ago, TwinStorm said:

Fael glanced at him. The right factors . . . the power was niche, to be true, but it had powerful applications if used correctly. She glanced at two pedestrians, and read their souls, tapping into their paranoia, suspicion, anger. They hated this life.

The two men attacked each other suddenly, grappling in the middle of the street. Fael watched impassibly as one of them put the other in a headlock. 

"This power . . . it's incredible." she breathed to Rebus. "Thank you."

Rebus smiled. He didn’t think he could do this specific skill, even once he gave himself the same powers, but a part of him was giddy nonetheless at Fael’s destructive potential. “I’m glad you enjoy it.” 
Niche but powerful was the exact area I was going for - in contrast to Narration.