The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

13 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“You - Bat, actually - mentioned Narrators having different power levels and specialties. My capabilities  specifically are diluted, and I have to capacity to do something like reconstruct someone’s body without Narration, which would be important if Nullite ink does something like bleed into transformed materials.” Don’t worry. The other two options are tell him normally and take the problems, and don’t tell him and leave him mad. Although I could probably think of others… But I believe he should choose, not you. There are some Thread aware people who are completely stable, you know. 

Rebus looks back, his eyes impossibly deep and knowledgeable (because of metamaterials and holograms, but Bat doesn’t know that). “Even if I explained it, you would have difficulty understanding completely. I can try regardless, if you would like. You may make your own choices, and if you wish to know all the truth besides that which would destroy you, I do have answers. Tam was an ordinary person who was somehow granted Narration, if I recall correctly. She - at least in my opinion - is as human as you. Me, though? I’m very far from being human.” 

So she was human. That was quite a relief. 

He glanced at Tam nervously. “I… uh… want to know, I think. Might as well, you know.”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

So she was human. That was quite a relief. 

He glanced at Tam nervously. “I… uh… want to know, I think. Might as well, you know.”

She looked away.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

3 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She looked away.

He didn’t understand what meant this much to her. But if it did mean this much for him to not know, he probably should, particularly if it would cause problems later… 

it didn’t seem to be personal, since Rebus knew about it… 

“Is it dangerous?”

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

6 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He didn’t understand what meant this much to her. But if it did mean this much for him to not know, he probably should, particularly if it would cause problems later… 

it didn’t seem to be personal, since Rebus knew about it… 

“Is it dangerous?”

She snorted.

"It can be . . . eventually," she said sadly, sitting down.

"But- well, no. I suppose it's not inherently dangerous."

Edited December 29, 2024 by Through The Living Glass

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

3 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She snorted.

"It can be . . . eventually," she said sadly, sitting down.

"But- well, no. I suppose it's not inherently dangerous."

“You don’t have to worry, then.” He sat next to her. “I’m probably the least dangerous person in the entire world…” He nudged the dive mask, which he'd taken off earlier, with his foot. Belatedly, he smiled. 

world I meant world I swear

Edited December 29, 2024 by Halcyon The Only

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

20 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“You don’t have to worry, then.” He sat next to her. “I’m probably the least dangerous person in the entire thread…” He nudged the dive mask, which he'd taken off earlier, with his foot. Belatedly, he smiled. 

She chuckled darkly, pulling her legs to her chest and staring down at the platform.

"That's not what I'm worried about."

Edited December 29, 2024 by Through The Living Glass

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

30 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She snorted.

"It can be . . . eventually," she said sadly, sitting down.

"But- well, no. I suppose it's not inherently dangerous."

14 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“You don’t have to worry, then.” He sat next to her. “I’m probably the least dangerous person in the entire thread…” He nudged the dive mask, which he'd taken off earlier, with his foot. Belatedly, he smiled. 

Rebus sits down as well, nearly half of his body off the platform. “The danger of understanding this is the way it influences your decisions. Some people take the knowledge fine, but others have identity crises or develop god complexes. Even if you are a less dangerous person on the Thread - the true least, I believe, is an immobile but self-aware mailbox - we do not wish for you to sink into despair or lash out at others.” 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

7 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She chuckled darkly, pulling her legs to her chest and staring down at the platform.

"That's not what I'm worried about."

He frowned. “What… do you mean?”

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus sits down as well, nearly half of his body off the platform. “The danger of understanding this is the way it influences your decisions. Some people take the knowledge fine, but others have identity crises or develop god complexes. Even if you are a less dangerous person on the Thread - the true least, I believe, is an immobile but self-aware mailbox - we do not wish for you to sink into despair or lash out at others.” 

His eyes widened. “D- despair? Lash out? People do that? No, that’s a dumb question… knowing what the thread is makes them do that?”

Edited December 29, 2024 by Halcyon The Only

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He frowned. “What… do you mean?”

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

His eyes widened. “D- despair? Lash out? People do that? No, that’s a dumb question… knowing what the thread is makes them do that?”

She buried her face in her arms.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She buried her face in her arms.

“Tam…” he hesitated, then rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry— I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ll… I’ll leave it alone for now, if you really want me to. ”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

His eyes widened. “D- despair? Lash out? People do that?”

“They do; Tam’s desire for you to not learn this is valid. That being said, most of the examples I’ve seen have been Narrators. They have their own problems to deal with, on top of the awareness. You’re afraid of our potential - rightly so - but imagine you had the powers you fear. With the same ease a Narrator could turn a person to stone, they can turn a stone to a person. With enough magic, everything is transient, and any endeavor you could attempt could also be done with the wave of your hand. It makes things matter less, if you let it.” 

3 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She buried her face in her arms.

Rebus almost puts a comforting arm around her, but then realizes they’ve just met and it would be awkward. Bat had done it already, regardless. 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

“They do; Tam’s desire for you to not learn this is valid. That being said, most of the examples I’ve seen have been Narrators. They have their own problems to deal with, on top of the awareness. You’re afraid of our potential - rightly so - but imagine you had the powers you fear. With the same ease a Narrator could turn a person to stone, they can turn a stone to a person. With enough magic, everything is transient, and any endeavor you could attempt could also be done with the wave of your hand. It makes things matter less, if you let it.” 

Rebus almost puts a comforting arm around her, but then realizes they’ve just met and it would be awkward. Bat had done it already, regardless. 

If Rebus had, Bat would have felt suspicious and aggressive for no reason and he’d spend the rest of the day confused. Thankfully, that did not happen. 

He bit his lip. “I know what Narrators can do when they want to. That… must be hard, actually.” He hugged Tam. “I’m sorry.” 

@Through The Living Glass

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“They do; Tam’s desire for you to not learn this is valid. That being said, most of the examples I’ve seen have been Narrators. They have their own problems to deal with, on top of the awareness. You’re afraid of our potential - rightly so - but imagine you had the powers you fear. With the same ease a Narrator could turn a person to stone, they can turn a stone to a person. With enough magic, everything is transient, and any endeavor you could attempt could also be done with the wave of your hand. It makes things matter less, if you let it.” 

Tam sighed. "I'm just trying . . . not to let it. Not to let them matter less."

Is that so wrong? she thought sadly.

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Tam…” he hesitated, then rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry— I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ll… I’ll leave it alone for now, if you really want me to. ”

She shook her head. "No, Rebus is right. It should be your choice."

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

If Rebus had, Bat would have felt suspicious and aggressive for no reason and he’d spend the rest of the day confused. Thankfully, that did not happen. 

He bit his lip. “I know what Narrators can do when they want to. That… must be hard, actually.” He hugged Tam. “I’m sorry.” 

@Through The Living Glass

She let him, a little surprised.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Tam sighed. "I'm just trying . . . not to let it. Not to let them matter less."

Is that so wrong? she thought sadly.

She shook her head. "No, Rebus is right. It should be your choice."

She let him, a little surprised.

Bat thought. 

If other people had… gotten so angry, who was he to think he wouldn’t be the same? 

But at the same time, he didn’t want it hanging over his head. Or Tam’s head, assuming she continued to care about him in the future. Maybe if he didn’t succumb to emotion, he could help her. 

“I think I wanna know.”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

16 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

If Rebus had, Bat would have felt suspicious and aggressive for no reason and he’d spend the rest of the day confused. Thankfully, that did not happen. 

He bit his lip. “I know what Narrators can do when they want to. That… must be hard, actually.” He hugged Tam. “I’m sorry.” 

@Through The Living Glass

Rebus watches the two hug, glad he’d been able to do more for them than simply test some Nullite. Empathy and personal connects were much more valuable than such a scientific experiment, especially considering how inconsistent magic usually is. He’d also fixed some of his mannerisms, which was nice. 

15 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Tam sighed. "I'm just trying . . . not to let it. Not to let them matter less."

Is that so wrong? she thought sadly.

She shook her head. "No, Rebus is right. It should be your choice."

Rebus smiles at her. “Effort and choice are both admirable. I can’t promise what I think will be helpful, but I would be willing to give my thoughts whenever you need them.” 

7 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Bat thought. 

If other people had… gotten so angry, who was he to think he wouldn’t be the same? 

But at the same time, he didn’t want it hanging over his head. Or Tam’s head, assuming she continued to care about him in the future. Maybe if he didn’t succumb to emotion, he could help her. 

“I think I wanna know.”

Rebus smiles broader, proud of the bravery Bat is showing. “Then we will tell you. Do you have an idea of how much you want to learn, or what?” 
I have to sleep now, unfortunately. I’m fine with you two doing the explanation without me - if you do, I’ll read it and have Rebus chime in. 

Edited December 29, 2024 by Dragonheir

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

31 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus watches the two hug, glad he’d been able to do more for them than simply test some Nullite. Empathy and personal connects were much more valuable than such a scientific experiment, especially considering how inconsistent magic usually is. He’d also fixed some of his mannerisms, which was nice. 

Rebus smiles at her. “Effort and choice are both admirable. I can’t promise what I think will be helpful, but I would be willing to give my thoughts whenever you need them.” 

Rebus smiles broader, proud of the bravery Bat is showing. “Then we will tell you. Do you have an idea of how much you want to learn, or what?” 
I have to sleep now, unfortunately. I’m fine with you two doing the explanation without me - if you do, I’ll read it and have Rebus chime in. 

“I… everything, I think.”

[TwinStorm He/Him]

Cricket sighed, sitting down. Then, an eery silence came over him, and Malan’s voice echoed in his head CHILD OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS. SO YOU HIDE AMONG THE ENULLERS, COWARD THAT YOU ARE. MY GREATEST SERVANT IS COMING FOR YOUR FRIENDS. FIGHT HIM, IF YOU DARE. HE WILL KILL YOU. FOR NOW, THOUGH, I WILL GIVE YOU A GIFT. KNOWLEDGE.

The voice stopped and Cricket’s head pounded with a sudden knowledge. Awareness of the Thread filled him, and he knew the truth. 

He gasped, stunned at the implications and connected himself to Tam. Tam? he asked. You okay? I need to ask you a few questions.

@Through The Living Glass

Edited December 29, 2024 by Ookla the Irreplaceable

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

10 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“I… everything, I think.”

Rebus slowly nods. “I can tell you, for it seems Tam may have some other explaining to do.” He waves a hand, and nanomachines lock into a screen in front of them, which has Rebus’s points appear on it as he talks. “Have you wondered why some of the magics here - like Narration and Plotblades - are named around stories? The truth is that the Thread - our reality - is fundamentally a narrative.” 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

1 minute ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus slowly nods. “I can tell you, for it seems Tam may have some other explaining to do.” He waves a hand, and nanomachines lock into a screen in front of them, which has Rebus’s points appear on it as he talks. “Have you wondered why some of the magics here - like Narration and Plotblades - are named around stories? The truth is that the Thread - our reality - is fundamentally a narrative.” 

poor Bat gonna be very confused

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

4 minutes ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

poor Bat gonna be very confused

True. He’ll be less overwhelmed than Cricket, though; telepathy of worldview altering knowledge is presumably sudden.  And this way, I get to actually write the explanation, which I will enjoy. 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

Just now, Dragonheir said:

True. He’ll be less overwhelmed than Cricket, though; telepathy of worldview altering knowledge is presumably sudden.  And this way, I get to actually write the explanation, which I will enjoy. 

Plus Cricket views them more as gods overseeing the Thread than actually determining his choices, per se.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

31 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus slowly nods. “I can tell you, for it seems Tam may have some other explaining to do.” He waves a hand, and nanomachines lock into a screen in front of them, which has Rebus’s points appear on it as he talks. “Have you wondered why some of the magics here - like Narration and Plotblades - are named around stories? The truth is that the Thread - our reality - is fundamentally a narrative.” 

He tilted his head. “Narrative? Like a story told by Narrators? —sorry. You lost me.” He glanced at Tam. “So Narrators are, like, gods? Well, I already kinda knew that.”

Edited December 29, 2024 by Halcyon The Only

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 hour ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He tilted his head. “Narrative? Like a story told by Narrators? —sorry. You lost me.” He glanced at Tam. “So Narrators are, like, gods? Well, I already kinda knew that.”

“Narrators can change the story in small ways. But so can simple decisions. The tellers of the story - analogous to gods, here - are Authors. There are several, some more active than others, and they generally possess individual characters their descriptions follow.” Rebus waits for Bat to draw conclusions from the new information before continuing.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

12 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Narrators can change the story in small ways. But so can simple decisions. The tellers of the story - analogous to gods, here - are Authors. There are several, some more active than others, and they generally possess individual characters their descriptions follow.” Rebus waits for Bat to draw conclusions from the new information before continuing.

“Possess… characters?” Best ran a hand through his hair, thinking. “So they tell the story and possess characters… so I’m… I’m a character?”

[xinoehp512 he/him]

22 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“It’s okay.” He sat next to her. “Really, it’s okay. I should have asked you from the beginning, probably. I just… don’t wanna be different. And I wanna know how I feel.”

She shrugged and pet Qodi. “I… I’m trying. But I don’t think I’m much of a hero. And I don’t know why I’d be in the prophecy.”

Bat smiled at him. 

"Yeah," said Nogard. "Me neither. Unless..."

21 hours ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus waves a dismissive hand. “To travel to an ordinary place, no. But to Onyx’s Realm… I suspect Narratively teleporting there could be unpleasant. Or do you ask for my higher goal - the ends for which this is the means?” 

Rebus broadly smiles back, arrogance mixed with curiosity mixed with genuine welcome. His thin platform of glinting foam drifts closer, and he stands up and steps to Tam’s in one fluid motion. 
Hello, Tam. He responds, receiving her messages. Template is gone, but should be fine, considering how proud my Author is of them. But their disappearance, however temporary, does have benefits. Me, for instance. 

"I can grant you many things, for the right price," whispered the wind. "Merely ask."

20 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

“Some wounds never heal, not while I’m being actively reminded of him. He’s been silent for too long, after such a big defeat. He’s planning something, and my friends are in danger. Unless I stop him, Tam… and Fael, and Bat, of course, could die.”

If you try going after him alone, you might die.