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Through the Living Heir

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  1. Through the Living Heir
    "Most futuristic technology is impossible, of course, but utility fog - given the thermodynamics, computation complexity, and intensive nanotechnology - is one of the most so." One of those utility fog walls appeared, the system making an educated guess as to where it should go. - Rebus followed, lifted himself to the deck with utility fog. "How does the ship sail?" he asked, hovering next to Eli. - "Yes, but my goals remain the same - reminding the Authors of my situational ruthlessness. I suspect I could manage said crime syndicate, but if you wish I shall teach you the art of manipulation." He smiled. "The secret to much of my success lies in a situation known as the AI box test. This scenario is a thought experiment, in which a superintelligence is placed within a closed system and allowed only to write text on a screen. This is an attempt to control the superintelligence - an entity trapped within a 'box' cannot take over the world, but can still communicate plans that would improve it. Unfortunately, when simulated in real life - one human, with none of the enhanced capacity a true superintelligence would have, writing text to another who plays the researcher - it is overwhelmingly clear that the simulated AI can talk the researcher into letting it out, even when actual money is at stake." "This is done in two ways. The first is bribery - within the test, anything can be offered by the superintelligence, since it is after all a superintelligence - from incredible technology to simple wisdom. The second is that the simulated researcher only has to agree once - the AI has plenty of time to argue, and merely one moment of weakness is enough to let it out." Rebus grinned, eyes sparkling. "Sound familiar?"
  2. Through the Living Heir
    Rebus thought this development was interesting, though the subsequent events might be less interesting than Ryna seemed to think. "I am literally cheating - every bit of this technology would fall apart if anything resembling normal physics were applied." A ball, as requested, materialized from the air in front of him. - Rebus nodded, managing to put satisfaction, acknowledgement, and permission into the motion. - "Ah. I could simply kill them for you - Eli is less expendable than I'd expected, though clearly not whole." He shrugged. Rebus cocked his head. "Why would I want to be?" he asked, attempting the overhead swing a second time. "A soldier is one of many, and that is a dangerous position."
  3. Through the Living Heir
    "Utility fog is a preexisting concept - I adapted it, brought it into being. 'Omnions' are technically responsible for the technology, but it was Narration - both summoning items and causing events to happen - that enabled it." "Alright," came a quite voice, the text boxes disappearing. It sounded vaguely like Rebus, but clearly wasn't. "You said you wanted a ball?" - "Of course." Rebus said, smiling. "I take it from your reaction that Elinore was truthful." - "I can indeed. Do you have someone in mind you want convinced of something, or would you like general advice?"
  4. Through the Living Heir
    "That is good to hear." Rebus smiled. Voice commands are an option, if that is comfortable for you. - Rebus nodded, then waved a hand. Utility fog crashed into Eli, throwing her perhaps ten feet backwards. - "Of course you may," Rebus said.
  5. Through the Living Heir
    A new wall sprang up, as he presumably intended, and the ball indeed bounced off of it. That was intended to be text - I should use italics instead. There is nothing to fear. A new box read. How do you wish to interact with this system? - "If Elinor really is telling the truth, killing her would be physiologically bad for Altas." Rebus nodded slowly. "And I may not lie, so creative wording and misdirection shall be needed." - "My experience is different than that - enjoy, I suppose."
  6. Through the Living Heir
    Rebus turned sideways, the sword slicing his whirling coat. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he let out a breath as he waited for Cricket to come at him. It seemed like a normal rubber ball - dark green, around the size of his fist. Rebus bounced that off a utility fog wall, and has given him the ball so Dax can try to do the same. A new box sprang up in front of him: "Recommended interface: spatially consistent augmented reality. Prompts are projected, but hold a fixed location in space - a perfect introduction to heads-up-displays." - Rebus nodded. "How does mysteriously disappearing sound? I will unfreeze Atlas to say goodbye, of course." I was assuming that meant you - interesting... - "If you wish; you'll return to oblivion, but perhaps you do not mind." Cosplay, you say? This shall be very good.
  7. Through the Living Heir
    Alright, I'm back. Honestly got more sleep in the last two days than I have in any three of the last two weeks. Rebus stepped smoothly backwards, the first strike falling short. As Cricket got closer, Rebus batted away the next two strikes, then suddenly stepped forwards and swung his sword down from overhead. "Oh, I am perfectly aware of that. I do like what you've done with the place - the evil volcanoes are a nice touch." "Yes." Rebus said simply. "I do." - Rebus thought, throwing out utility fog projections of various plotlines. "The fairest option would be the newcomers - preferably before they get a plot going. Lyric and Jack would be a good choice, as perhaps would be the former companions of Sequence, the High Notblades and those they are interacting with, the group seeking Plot Significance, or Eli and Ryna." - Jack followed, jumping clean over the Sage. He did a roll as he landed, springing back to his feet next to Lyric. "That man seems mad. Both kinds of mad." Rebus tossed the ball to him. The words blinked, and Rebus raised an eyebrow at his Author for causing such a thing. - Rebus grinned - that dragon seemed to match his old aesthetic. "Ah - would you prefer Eli to remain blinded to the realities of this world?" - "The quote-unquote 'summonee' has already stopped the situation, so you needn't be worried. Except because of me, of course." Rebus smiled sweetly. It might be quote-on-quote, actually... I am now, though it took me two days to sleep it off. I'll get around to checking my messages tomorrow... Yeah! Much good Rebus fanart! Rebus cocked his head. "An ordinary person granted near omnipotence could indeed have anything they want." He smiled, eyes glittering. "But it's all just words. I could be have all the luxury in the world, and it would be just the same to me as being tortured." This level of inexplicablity was indeed suited to the task. "Good. Now then - there is a man within a cave, formed of vapor. If you search for him, you will find that cave, regardless of where you are. He is the gatekeeper to a smith of great skill, and you may attempt his test if you wish, but he is not the one you want - for around this cave there should be strange happenings. Follow them, and you will find the quarry." The first man is Omen, who is played by NameIess.
  8. Through the Living Heir
    Rebus advanced, pivoting his sword through a series of slashes to push Cricket back. His smile matched Cricket's, though perhaps for different reasons. I need to research sword words, y'all. I also need to sleep; you shall hear from me tomorrow.
  9. Through the Living Heir
    Rebus smiled, and a ball was constructed in a flurry of utility fog. He caught it, then tossed it forwards - a solid wall of light (or, rather, an invisible wall represented by light) locking together just before the ball bounced off of it. "Immobile, solid objects are what I would practice first - though of course the interface prevents even grievous mistakes from, say, tearing someone's arm off." - Rebus laughed. "I have quite concrete proof of what I say." A whirl of Chaotic Light formed around his hand, shimmering with color. "This would, for a moment, show you the world as it is." - "That happened some time ago," Rebus noted. "What exactly is your objective here?" I need to be able to function tomorrow, since the last day of the semester (and hence due date for everything) is tomorrow. Ergo, I am going to sleep. We do? Excuse me, what?
  10. Through the Living Heir
    Assuming he’d selected the relevant control option (and hence allowed Rebus’s technology to read his mind), lines of light spiraled around him at the force of a strong wind. - Atlas is an old character and has clear feelings, implying method acting and hence some measure of autonomy. Eli is quite new, and has less of a personality. Hence, Rebus considers only Atlas to be a person. “You aren’t real. Nobody you’ve ever met has been real - and most of them even less than you.” - “Please refrain from interrupting my extortion.” Rebus smiled politely, Antagonist humming from atop his head. “Do you want Conflict both intact and unused?” Rebus had, in fact, been attempting to bring Ivisyre to him. Or threatening to, at least - he’d very deliberately insured he could be interrupted. Still, visiting Ivisyre was worthwhile. One of his copies materialized there, smiling politely and fully prepared for something to vaporize him. Rebus lashed out with his blade, lunging and swinging in one fluid movement.
  11. Through the Living Heir
    “I did, though magic was of course involved.” - Of course - Atlas is real. “Alive and living are different things. You and Atlas would cease to exist if you left together.”
  12. Through the Living Heir
    The drawing is very good. - Other people’s command over utility fog was visible now, lines of light representing the actions of the nanomachines. There was the construction of objects, of course, but it also nudged errant frisbees back towards their throwers, caught dropped objects, and occasionally lifted people to the terraces above. - “You don’t have lives.” Rebus said softly. “Very well,” Rebus said. “Ivisy-“ he began to say, the tone making the nature of the magical summons quite clear. @NameIess
  13. Through the Living Heir
    Words - a heads-up display - shimmered into view as the two became citizens of Rebus’s empire. It seemed designed for unobtrusiveness, except a central menu with three choices: “utility fog display”, “mental interface”, and “other”. “You now have permissions allowing nanomachine control, among other things.” Rebus explained. “The most flexible method would be mental control, but that makes people uncomfortable for a number of reasons. What you see now is the default method - if even that is discomforting, a physical device can be provided.” - “You may be telling the truth. You may be a liar, and you may merely be a hypocrite. Why should I believe you, and why should I care?” Rebus watched Ryna lead Atlas off to the side, but made no comment - the Chronicler was likely better suited for counseling. “It is my pleasure.” Rebus smiled. “If you would, dispatch a servant of yours - Mischief would be well suited to the quarry, though perhaps not the task - to bring the man I seek to me, alive. I can provide help, of course, but some interactions are difficult for metaphysical reasons.” Rebus smiled, eyes glittering. “Your stake could perhaps be a portion of the fruit of your plots; credit for the actions taken and the fealty of those corrupted. Another Plotblade is of little direct benefit to me.” - Jack hit the ground with the distinct sound of clockwork winding, surprisingly graceful considering his performance in combat. Acting on a whim, he threw a can of oil - from the party and still perhaps a quarter full - at the Sage. - Rebus nodded - he had made changes of his own, though he’d offered no explanation as to what they were. - “Is that so? I understand your grief, and your anger, but I believe I can allow you entrance to Sequence’s world. The graves may very well be intact - Ivisyre seems likely to maintain them as a trophy.” “Fate… I presume you know the terms.” Rebus shifted into a proper stance - he stood like a fencer, though he held the sword in two hands. “Let us begin.”
  14. Through the Living Heir
    "Yes." Rebus smiled, and Dax felt a brief rush of magic as the contract was certified. "Yes, it is." - Rebus smiled broadly, circling around Elinore. "You represent a unique opportunity to me. You are, as a matter of fact, absolutely insignificant. You are almost certainly a terrible person, and you haven't existed long enough to have any feelings at all." He grinned, eyes sparkling. "That means I can kill you." Well, it would be time, except there's no way we're finishing this tonight. Slow burn/modicum of self-care. You, on the other hand, are most certainly significant. You may have heard that Honesty is my middle name - what I have said is true, as is what you have just ascertained. Rebus calmly hung Antagonist on Redemption's hilt, the crown throwing off feedback where it touched the sword. "I do understand you, Cricket. Perhaps that is part of why you hate me." And Rebus swept his hand to the side, a simple longsword coalescing within his grasp. "I accept those terms."
  15. Through the Living Heir
    Rebus smiled as he walked through the portal, shoulder to shoulder with the man who hated him.
  16. Through the Living Heir
    Layke watch the supernova approach with no small amount of dread. This would wreck all the interesting things his planet was doing! Except... perhaps new interesting things would occur. The power liked that - watching the leylines cross was interesting, but the activity the supernova would spur was more than sufficient to replace it. And so Invention waited expectantly for the wall of Investiture to crash into his system.
  17. Through the Living Heir
    It said something along the lines of "I hereby signify I possess the authority to authenticate this contract. I place [honestly have forgotten] laboratories and the associated nation-state within the command and protection of Rebus's empire." - Rebus turned around, a slow smiled spreading over his face. "My name is Dr. Rebus Honesty Clarke. I am the Antagonist." - Just for the duel - armor is cheating, you see. I do.
  18. Through the Living Heir
    And then Heir finally showed up. Rebus smiled, and a pen and paper materialized in front of him. "Welcome to my empire, then." - Rebus is pretty sure he's given up most chances at love - he doesn't regret it, but still wishes there had been some other way Rebus laughed, grinning. "Alright." "Instrumental convergence, Malevolence. Existing is the prerequisite to almost any goal." Rebus smiled. "A reward... The highest stakes would be that of the Witherlord Mantle, followed by the Lost Page required to acquire it. I suspect you - rightly - would agree to neither. Fealty would likely be cut short by betrayal, though a favor could serve as a reward. If my plans progress as intended, I shall have up to five excess Plotblades - should you have an item of similar worth that could be my wager." - Jack glanced at him, then jumped. He easily crested the husks, spring-loaded heels propelling him a dozen feet into the air. Whether that would be sufficient distraction remained to be seen. - Rebus nodded. "Good. In addition to remaining here, I'll procure the last element required." Rebus's smile lessened, changing from unnerving grin to something more sane and civil. "I suspect I can be of use. I respected Sequence - she deserves the burial she would want. I only ask one thing in return." Rebus looked directly toward Eli, but his Author hadn't followed this plot well enough to know what else he should do. "That agreement is acceptable - welcome to my empire, Vengeance." Rebus snapped into being with a sonic boom, longcoat rippling. Antagonist hummed on his brow, a smile on his face. "Yes, Cricket. Let's."
  19. Through the Living Heir
    “I shall be available.” Then, Rebus turned to Malevolence, awaiting his reply. “The war? It depends upon the factors in play - some things can be changed easily, while others remain the status quo even when they shouldn’t.” Rebus shrugged, beginning to lead them down the street. Civilian responses to him were mixed - some smiled and waved, while others stood at attention or bowed. A dog ran up to him at a fairly significant speed and enthusiastically rammed into Rebus’s leg as the rather sheepish owner caught up to them. “But this place - and the many like it across the empire - would be available to you.” - Rebus watched the exchange with a wistful smile. Rebus watched from afar, a faint smile on his face. Welcome back - I look forward to hearing of your plan. Even after dying, Bat is still tormented by random animals.
  20. Through the Living Heir
    “I lack sufficient knowledge of yours, so I shall serve my own interests - a subset of which presumably match those of both you and Atlas.” “I might agree - it was my previous weapon.” The city was utopian close up - not merely in sterile elegance (though that was certainly present in the futuristic architecture) or picturesque greenery (though that was present in the park visible a few blocks away and the trees thriving in rows along the street), but also in the authentic cheer visible on nearly every person walking the street. Multitudes of people, smiling and laughing - as though they had not a care in the world. And from the looks of it - close observation revealing that items occasionally materialized from the air, seemingly at the whim of those who proceeded to use them - they very well may not have. - Rebus laid a hand on Atlas’s shoulder, speaking softly. “I know someone who you can rely upon without fail. Someone who cares for you deeply. Someone who understands you, maybe even more than you understand yourself.” Rebus was holding some sort of cloth - red, with a white edge. He unfolded it, and carefully pulled the santa hat over Atlas’s head. “@Keke?”
  21. Through the Living Heir
    As they fell, the air itself began to change. Gradually, with a subtle firmness, it began to buoy them upwards. Jack was able to fly once more, but perhaps it wasn’t necessary - for Rebus, at least, had come to an almost perfect stop, landing on the ground as softly and deliberately as he might have stepped down a single stair. In Rebus’s opinion, it didn’t. “And that is exactly the point. When anything is possible, one must discern what is relevant.” Rebus snapped into existence. “Dark Cep. You are interesting to me, and I suspect I could learn a lot from you. That being said, regardless of what your goal is here you are almost certainly approaching it wrong.”
  22. Through the Living Heir
    Rebus raised an eyebrow as he calmly plummeted, and Jack suddenly lost all lift, wings beating against nothing. - Rebus swept out his hand, the illusions losing cohesion as the more senior Narrator siphoned off the power and pain. “Atlas! Existing is the most important thing you can do. None of this is real - none of it matters. Only you do - you, me, and the story the Authors want to tell. Your parents have never existed. They’re memories and ideas, nothing more. But you have a mind - thoughts and feelings made out of imagination and words. Do not throw that away, Atlas.” The sophon got halfway through the first “e” before colliding with the antimatter containment and having its shell annihilated by a stray antiproton. Rebus got the message regardless. “Of course. But you haven’t recognized the implications.”
  23. Through the Living Heir
    Of course not. That would make what he’s about to do far more difficult. That’s on purpose - but it also happens when I daydream about the Thread, so… Rebus spent a moment in silence. He was still grieving. He was still grinning.
  24. Through the Living Heir
    “There is proof I could show you, should you wish it. Your quest for magic is somewhat futile.” Off in the distance, someone looking closely could see clouds part to reveal a group of figures standing on air. “Falling here would cause no harm, Jack. Observe.” And then the ground dropped out from all three of them. “And that is the difference between us. Evil is a tool, an attitude towards the completion of one’s goals. It can be a personality trait, but to have it be an end in itself is not merely foolish but hypocritical. The advancement of ideals past what is practical is part of the trappings of good.” - Jack, frankly out of his depth, continued to push back the husks. They were getting ever closer, though - for each he could shove back, two more managed to advance. - “Symbolic fusion. I need a simulacrum of an idea - a reproduction of a person in enough detail and fidelity that it is as though they were really there.” Rebus threw some musings up onscreen, mostly detailing Abstract. “I have the tools, and materials are forthcoming - all I need is a procedure.” Rebus put his hand on Atlas’s shoulder. “They die because it hurts. That is what the Authors want - a plot, emotions and drama. But that doesn’t mean they have to.” Rebus stood silent, emotions crashing down on him. Sadness - Sequence has been a friend, in some ways. Gratitude - for the Thread, this would be good. Chills ran up his spine, and his eyes widened. The gem set into Antagonist pulsed. @NameIess @Shatter There was a thunderclap, and Rebus appeared beside Sequence’s body, head bowed. His eyes were mournful; there was a smile on his face.
  25. Through the Living Heir
    Ho ho ho. - “Incidentally, the world ended for around a week just now. You didn’t notice, of course, but it could have simply stayed that way forever.” Rebus looked out into the distance, speaking softly. “None of you would have even noticed…” Then he abruptly grinned, sweeping his arms wide. “Let the tour begin!” The endless horizon dissolved, leaving the three of them standing on air, high above a futuristic city. Buildings reached skyward towards a bright-but-overcast sky, the kind that comes before a summer thunderstorm. The buildings were silvery, or Rebus’s trademark black-and-white, but the landscape was by no means devoid of color. Terraces held trees and grassy fields, and off to the distance was a lake, a pristine blue out of a tropical paradise. The sails of boats could be seen, though from as high up as they were little detail could be picked out. “Our reality is in truth composed of neither. We’re words and thoughts - the world is only made from anything when it matters.”
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