The Bookwyrm

Hello, win.

I just watched them. Granted, it was in a room full of small children who wouldn't be quiet, so I need to give them a re-watch. But from what I saw, they were very good, in the same way the Dune movie by Denis Villeneuve is good; it's willing to sacrifice perfect accuracy to the original text for a better story on-screen. And it does it well. Very fun, and I will definitely be watching the rest of it.

Calev finally noticed the barrier and Richard trying to break it. "Uh, Aster? What's Richard doing?" @Aeoryi @TheRavenHasLanded

"Hm," Calev nodded thoughtfully. "We'll have to figure out some other plan, then."

"I'd have to make eye contact." Calev frowned. "But if you have this information, shouldn't you be making the connection?"

"I don't think so...but if we get close I might be able to try again. Why?"

"She...she has herself convinced that she's justified in forming this false world. She's okay with feeding people a lie, because they're finding happiness in it."

Calev fell silent, simply sitting there.

Wait, are we having an insomnia party back here?

"Yeah. It happens a lot, if I'm not careful. Sometimes it can't be helped, like after a Jump, but usually I try to keep at least a little bit in reserve..." he trailed of, noticing Aster's shiver. "What?"

"It's possible they're related in some way..." Calev mused. "Maybe from the same source, and when the Lightwielders were founded as an organization they broke of from the rest of star magic..."

"I can heal myself with it, yes, but not others. It's a skill some Lightwielders have, but not me."

Calev blinked at the sudden topic change. "Uh, a lot. I can use it to enhance my physical capabilities, use it's energy offensively in combat, solidify it into Blueprints for weapons, and when I have enough of it, use it to planet-hop."

Calev gave her a flat look. "I meant how."

Calev opened his mouth as if to speak, then shut it again, unsure how to respond. "So now what?" he asked after a moment.

"That doesn't change the fact that I failed, Aster. And I don't know what's going to happen now..." Really, it felt like the only thing left to do was run. Leave this world and it's people behind. Find his sister... Though would he even be able to succeed in that?

He squeezed his eyes shut. "I couldn't convince her...she wouldn't see."

I...I can't do it, Calev realized. I can't convince her. Nothing I say will change her perspective. I'm sorry, he sent, one last mournful thought into Eddie's mind. Then he snapped awake. @Aeoryi

Eddie...those things all happen in the real world. People heal. People can have sure love. People can overcome loneliness. Would you really force these people into a world where their healing is a lie? Their love is a lie? Their connections are lies? Eddie, you've made them more alone.

650: Even if you have access to instant communications devices, chances are you're probably going to forget about them at a point where they would have made the plot much easier.

Calev witnessed the turmoil of emotion that was happening in her head. I...can't do anything, he thought. What do I say? After a moment's consideration, he changed tactics, and shared with Eddie several experiences from his own life. Just impressions. He wasn't willing to show anyone his full past. But impressions. He showed her pain, but how that pain came from love. He showed her the moments of light that broke through even in the darkness. The gentle nights surrounded by welcoming villagers willing to accept an alien traveller on a quest for what he'd lost. The determination of pushing through the darkness to find the light.