Outta touch Outta time
Log Info
- Title: Outta Touch Outta Time
- Emitter: Whirlpool
- Characters: Mikilos, Halani, Cryosanthia, Tenoc, Merek, Shara, Stjepan
- Place: A02: Lower Trades District
- Time: Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 9:41 PM
- Summary: The resurrectionist Griva has been in hiding, with Mikilos and Halani watching over her. Cryo, with her own guard in the form of Tenoc, seeks her out to deliver Varba's message from the other night. She does so, only to be interrupted by Merek, who is told off by Griva. A discussion follows, regarding the nature of time and the possibility that the Animus Shard has some strange influence, or might be 'eternally present' with its past and future changed by actions directed at it. Less bizarre possibilities are considered, like a void demon or its magical nature, somehow preventing the scrying. It's still a concern. Shara the Bard, then Stjepan arrive, and listen to the conversation. Everyone has tea, and Griva departs.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A02: Lower Trades District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The Lower Trades District is the home of the working man of Alexandria. The Lower Trades is divided, unofficially, into two parts: that controlled by the gobbers, and that controlled by the khazad. The two areas stand in contrast, one with a strong, almost formal architecture and a predilection for blacksmiths, the other a mixture of propped-up rubble and gunpowder. The latter's started to grow however, and take form with the aid of the more structured Arvek Nar. Still, the two stand as uneasy neighbors, though the oruch more easily work both sides, often in the spirit of a friendly, if competitive, warriors' competition that's unique to Alexandria, itself.
Here, the "khazad section" boasts a number of blacksmiths, glass smiths, artifice shops, and basic taverns, as well as any number of trades shops and eateries. The sweet tinge of oil, iron, and spiced BBQ is everywhere. Shrines to Reos, or marks of the same, are found over most doorways, in homage to the khazad Mountain Father and World Smith.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mikilos 6'8" 180 Lb Dawn Elf Male Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. Halani 5'4" 120 Lb Human/Xian Female Shortish, dusky skinned woman with almond shaped eyes. Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Tenoc 7'0" 280 Lb Sith-Makar Male Tall, green-scaled Sith'Makar hunter Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. Shara 5'2" 120 Lb Dawn Elf Female Red haired Elf w/green eyes Stjepan 8'0" 534 Lb Giantborn Male Big, blonde jotun. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-= Important NPC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Griva Female Resurrectionist -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Whirlpool Otyugh I am stinky! -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
"Fascinating. So you believe that the Sea will respond accordingly?"
The magical theory conversation between Mikilos and Griva has been going for some time. Griva's whereabouts are a hard thing to find. In addition to heavy use of non-detection, she tends to keep a low profile despite her high stature. They're at one of the many cafes that dot the city, enjoying an outdoor meal together, it'd appear. Halani is seated nearby, having been nudged by the Guild to provide protective services to the Resurrectionist.
Just in case, you see.
Mikilos frowns mildly and shrugs. "My research suggests that it might, but at this point it's all just theory. Any sort of test that would impact the Sea directly, well, not the sort of experiment to be taken lightly." The wizard isn't exactly high profile, but then, he doesn't quite 'blend' with the average crowd.
Magical theory. Halani is familiar with the concept. Or at least, she thought she was. Mere minutes into the conversation between Grima and Mikilos had her literally go cross-eyed, however, and for the sake of her own sanity she mentally detached herself from it to try and focus on any trouble that might be coming. So she is currently leaning back on her chair, balancing it on its two back legs with her arms behind her head.
Cryosanthia has been looking for Griva. This has proved difficult. Her fallback effort was to visit Mikilos, except he wasn't in. Thus an axious search gave way to a casual one as she trails sightings of him.
With her is a green-scaled sith'makar Hunter, whom she has been in conversation with. "So, I'll ask if there are other clutch-mothers that can help you out." The whitescale says, as she looks around.
It's Lily, or Little Fang, her kobold founding that is riding on her shoulders which spots the mage. She points at him, identifying his location in a high pitched tradespeack, "Mikssosss!"
And two minor quests come to an end. Mikilos located! Griva located! Cryosanthia approaches, "Peace on your nests."
The whitescale was explaining she'd happily sit on eggs, but she's afraid she's too cold for most of them, even her own, so it would be better to find someone warmer. She's concerned even her eggs can't handle the cold, but hopes her white dragon heritage would help with that. The greenscale is still gobsmacked at the idea that his tribe might *survive*.
For himself, Tenoc rumbles in quiet pleasure at the words of their conversation. "It is still..." His words trail off as he casts about with half an eye. Duty providing focus-- but even the occasional glower at menace (?) is half-hearted. Thoughts dragged aside from Possibilities! "....so much to consider," he admits, tail quivering. 'So much'-- understatement!
Refocused. He strides just behind the Speaker, halting as she does. Softskins-- he eyes carefully, watchful. Deep within Selmolik-- the Great Mound of Softskins. Sssk.
"Hm," says Griva. The arrival of the Sith-Makar does not go unnoticed by her at all, of course, and her attention turns towards Cryosanthia and then to Tenoc as well.
"Peace upon you and your's. I hope safe journeys have delivered you to us today."
Mikilos smiles, rasing a hand in greeting to Cryo and Fang, nodding politely to Tenoc. "Peace unto your nest. How are each of you this day?" The elf take up his tea, neglected during magical musings.
Cryosanthia has been through a lot with Mikilos. Deadly adventures, dancing. She wrote him as a lead in a few stories submitted to the Crimson Pen, he's made some magic items for her, and very patiently explained some magic theory. Instruction where she very much feels the immature and ignorant student. She's made him celebrate his birthday, a personal softskin holiday that seems a little inverted. She's very comfortable around him, her scents relaxed and friendly.
Enough to overpower her feelings around Griva, which tend towards duty, obligation, and danger. Fortunately, these betraying cues aren't as obvious to humans as to the people.
The whitescale clasps her hands together, making a small bow, "Our journey has been uneventful. Thank you for the wishes of safe passage. This one is good, Lily also. Thank you Mikilos. This one has news, some is widely known, other aspects not." Her formality is ruined by the pink youngling standing on her shoulders, holding onto a horn so she can lean out to look at Griva and Mikilos. And wave. Lily waves.
The whitescale continues, "it is safe to speak and share here? This one does not see any eavesdroppers."
Or a phalanx of Alexandrian and Charnese guards.
Tenoc glances from Griva to Mikilos, nostrils subtly quivering. Unspoken questions, answered-- he rumbles with a slow chuff, dipping his head to the small gathering as he rumbles. "This one is well," he answers Griva in (somewhat better) Tradespeak, heavily accented still. But better than it was!
He moves to one side, longspear planted on the ground as he turns his gaze around. Phalanx of guards, legion of Charnese, army of demonic infidel sheep-- the Greenscale will dare them all if needed! And meanwhile, keep certain watch-- glancing off and on towards Halani. Magething?
Halani eye-balls the two Sith-makar. The white one, of course, she recognizes... the monk puts two fingers to her own forehead, then flicks them outwards towards Cryo in something of a lazy salute. Tenoc gets a few more moments of scrutiny, but with the lack of anyone appearing defensive... he must be an alright sort, right? So she offers him a toothy smile.
"We can be," says Griva to Cryosanthia.
"What's this in regards to?" she asks, leaning forward towards the Sith. A glance towards Mikilos. Curious to hear what the Sith has to say. She places a small bead on the table.
"There. This should secure us from magical eavesdropping generally, and no one is seated close enough to hear should we whisper." Her eyes flash briefly, a flicker of azure fire over them. "Yes, we're not observed."
Mikilos glances around idly, taking in more details than most would expect, and shrugs. "Not the most secure of locations, but hardly the worst." The elf quirks a brow as Griva does her thing, and shrugs again. "I expect that covers all practical concerns. Just what is this all about? If really need it, can move to someplace off plane."
Merek walks along and into the place, with his dark attire on along with the potion belt. He walks along to see about what Griva would be up to while taking the time to walk along with that rod in hand which he begins to adjust with the glove and looks to people.
Cryo notices the direction of Tenoc's gaze. She lays a hand on his forearm. "She's a friend also, she's been through unspeakable things. She's here to help." Catching the salute, she returns the same two fingered gesture and dips her head. Mikilos and Halani, in the whitescale's opinion Griva has some of the best protection possible.
Facing Griva once more, she explains, "This one was present when the Resurrectionist's House burned. Tenoc also. The fire seemed a result of a failed divination, according to Seer Merek."
The whitescale leans closer, the weight of the youngling on her head taking her a bit further than intended. She continues, whispering, "Varba was doing the scrying. She kept saying "There's nothing there."
Tenoc assumes firm form now. Guard. Watchful. Protective. A study in silent statueness save for flicking eyes, turning head. Guarding the mages, the Sith, rumbling quietly a steamy breath into the air. Chuff!
"Yes, I'm aware of the fire," says Griva, sadly, "Sometimes, magic can carry risks. They've been in isolation due to the nature of the burns, so I haven't had a chance to speak to them yet."
She pinches the briudge of her nose. Then the 'nothing there' words land and she doubletakes at Cryo. "Wait, you're sure of that ?"
GAME: Merek rolls will: (14)+19: 33
Merek takes up that rod to place upon the hip. While he walks to Griva, it looks like the angel within seems to begin to shift his energy, while he speaks. "GRIVA! Your actions endanger the city and your own people. I want an explanation for what your people were doing. With your 'are you sure' magic can carry..." The man waves to the woman.
"You," says Griva to Merek, "will be silent."
There is a quiet, smoldering rage there. "My actions have endangered no one, and I will not be lectured by the likes of *you*."
There is seething and immediate rage at Merek before she simmers it down.
"You do not know what you're speaking of, and it would behoove you, greatly, to avoid making a fool of yourself."
Halani's eyes widen a bit.. the front two legs of her chair promptly 'thunk' down to the floor as she rights it; a moment later she is off of her butt and on to her feet as she steps forward, but falls short of interposing herself at Griva's response to Merek. She looks between the two, shrugs, then offers to Merek, "Heya. You should try the tea here, yeah? It's really quite soothing."
Mikilos frowns at the interactions, but nods to Halani. "They make a very good chai, but I'd recommend the citris blend. I don't think you need anything stimulating."
Cryosanthia plucks Lily off her head and holds her towards Mikilos, in case he wants a parka-ized kobold youngling to entertain. Lily makes happy squealing noises, holding out her small hands towards the Mage. He always has interesting things in his pockets and she wants to find them all.
She's interrupted, and there is a response. She waits a moment longer, tucking Lily against her side and ready to raise her up. She squirms, Mikilos could still take her, but even the youngling is sensing now may not be the time.
The whitescale has no expression as the Seer interrupts. She glances Halani's way, then tells him, "The tea is good." Addressing Griva once more, she elaborates as best she can, "Yes. Varba was gasping even as she was pulled from the smoke, that 'there was nothing' and trying to get the other acolytes to listen. They instructed us to get the message to you. This one has tried to be timely."
She turns to Merek, "This one hoped you could supply more details on what you saw."
Tenoc glances to Merek, watching carefully. He rumbles a soft breath, glancing aside as he idly sketches on the air.
Ward against evil spirits, and promising apology to all the Ancestors for being arrogantly overweening. *All* of them.
...except maybe being ready for the onslaught of Evil Infernal Demon Sheep. He is confident he can be ready for them.
Merek lifts up both hands, while he takes a tea if one is offered, "Thank you, it's been a while, you are doing well?" he asks Halani. He then looks to Griva, "... I apologize, I have the gods servants telling me quite a few things about your adventure. Including the angel on the shoulder," he notes, then he speaks, "Yes, the fire which came upon them came into existence, likely in extraplanar way, they said it came with no source, there were injuries. We were fortunate to rescue everyone. Anyway, there were traces of Divination magic, the performance brought attention to the people that were doing the magic. And aye, what Cryosanthia already mentioned. About the 'it was not there' and to tell you."
There is a red haired elf that happened to stop and listened to part of the conversation as it got a little heated. "You guys realize you can be heard a few stalls away, right?" She says to the group, and wanders a little closer.
Mikilos shifts focus, running a quick finger over a few choice pockets before accepting the offered youngling, offering one hand for support, as the other draws a shiny coin. The metal glints in the light, rolling across nimble fingers. Gotta do something to keep in practice for those somatic components.
"You have far less knowledge than you think you do, *child*. Come at me again when you've learned to control yourself. I'm aware of your history of shenanigans and ill-thought-out behavior, and I'll remind you that I've been doing this work since before you were a passing thought of your mother's ovaries."
Griva sips her tea.
Shara's approach, at the shouting from Merek, earns her a sigh. "Yes, the device only can hide so much. Still, if we keep our voices low, it will make us indistinguishable from the surrounding conversation. To anyone who listens, it will sound as if we're having a conversation about the latest gladiatorial games in Abyss'a."
Tea sip.
"The answer, however, is impossible." She looks at Cryo.
"I understand you've an awareness of the nature of time." A glance towards Shara. She apparently recognizes her. "Please, take a seat."
Shara smiles at the offer. "Only if someone makes me a cup of that lovely smelling tea. it's been a long time since I've smelled a tea with that wonderful of an aroma." She says looking to Griva. "An 'awareness'....yes. But I'm unsure of what you mean."
Lily takes the coin. She bites it. It is metal, not chocolate. Either is acceptable. She watches the finger-rolling demonstrate then attempts to copy it. The coin is dropped on the table several times, although she manages the exercise.
Cryo turns to the second interruption. She glances at the bead on the table.
Cryosanthia gestures to Tenoc then finds herself a chair which is turned around so she doesn't have to deal with threading her tail through the back support. "This one has experienced some strange flows of time, knows of paradoxes that should have happened, but didn't, and suspected more than once my experiences have been erased and supplanted."
"Any day not dead is a day that's well, yeah?" Halani offers Merek, then she settles back again.. Griva's acceptance of Shara being enough to set the monk at ease. Instead of resuming her seat in her chair, however, she steps outside of the privacy bubble. In part to go collect some servings of tea.. she did start it, after all. But also to get a better feel for anyone taking interest in the growingly diverse group.
Tenoc's subtle stillness eases as the situation calms, resolves. Quiet rumble, gaze wanderig, roaming, raking-- circling back and then out again, a roaming survey.
....so QUIET.
Mikilos frowns mildly. "....now I want to know how Kergar's Gauntlet match went. I'm hardly a gladiator geek, but they were promoteing that pretty heavy..." The coin is swapped out for another, slightly larger, slightly heavier, still not chocolate. But just a little change can make for differences in nimble movements. The elf nods to Cryo. "I've some small experience with time loops, but am no expert."
GAME: Merek rolls will: (10)+19: 29
There's not a lot that Merek would be able to take. He places with a hand along the tea, a light inhale while he tries his best to keep calm. He does not answer as all the willpower needed within was placed into practice. With what his past involves, that seems like the one thing to actually upset him. Even his face seems to draw back in expression, while he looks to Cryosanthia, Halani, and eventually it finds Lily. Perhaps it is the presence of that one that seems to relax him, and also friends.
Griva has another sip of tea, now comfortable and calm once more.
"Then you know that the past is a *place* and that it can be witnessed, or visited, in the right conditions. They're vanishingly rare, the flow of time being a self-correcting thing under the guidance of Navos, its Lord, or at least so says the Holy Order of Ea."
"... and she was trying to use a scrying rite to 'peer' into the past, a particular moment. No, not *that* one," she says, assuming that they might guess a particular given the nature of the Resurrectionists. "Rather, we knew where a Shard has been. It was thought that by looking into the past, we mighjt be able to deduce its whereabouts *now*, but you tell me she says she saw 'nothing'. Nothing at all. That seems ... unlikely."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/the planes: (8)+7: 15
Cryo listens, both to Mikilos and Griva.
Lily is resistant to the coin swap, she wants both! "Pleasss." She accepts the trade for larger though, and does continue the practice. Few drops, a heavier thunk when it does. Lily waves at Merek when he looks her way, then returns to 'practice with coin'!
The whitescale thinks about things, exhaling slowly, "This one knows of at least one Paradox. Kira and others talked Kol out of joining Salina in the past, but it did not change our experiences with him. The Vast also has ways of breaking... what makes sense. It would not be my first guess, that it is time related, but... could the shards be 'eternally present' and exist out of time somehow? If time didn't apply to them, what would that mean?" She looks at Mikilos for help.
Tenoc is stoic. Stoic! Hiding the potentially vast, cosmic knowledge he....
...keeps watch on the street. The environs. Faint scent of fruit juices and fresh bread. Rumble.
GAME: Merek rolls knowledge/arcana: (20)+15: 35
Merek begins to piece it all together, then he seems to realize a thing. The man nods to Griva, "... That magic is pretty powerful, that must mean that all of your Magi which were practicing it did the deep ritual magic. Which would mean... What is your position in Rune?" he asks. "Anyway, that magic is beyond even me, Cryosanthia. It is something no adventurer I've ever even met would know. These are secrets well beyond our ken. That means that something powerful would need to be used to manipulate time in a way to take a shard."
Merek does wave to Lily, and gives the kobold a platinum coin.
Mikilos considers several moments. "What if the Shard was held, or perhaps was merely near, a Void Demon? Their presence can stain the mana of a place, I would not be surprised to find it impact attempts of scrying." he looks to Cryo, and frowns, thinking. "Outside of time... if... a thing were to happen outside of time... it would have always been, and yet always still to be. If the Shards hold an aspect of that... concepts like 'time and place' that one might be get... soft. To look for something that... doesn't hold still... in a specific place at a specific time... very possible nothing was there."
"Wouldn't that be in the purview of Eluna, Navos and Vardama? Fate, History and Prophecy, respectively." Shara says before keeping quiet. Seems there's is talk here that could be a fairly good story......"
Halani returns balancing a platter with three separate pots of tea on one hand and several cups for those who remain tragically tea-less cradled with her other arm. The platter gets slid on to the 'main' table, each small cup following in short order, spinning into place. Just in time to start catching snippets of space and time conversation. Inevitably her eyes begin to cross again, at least until she knuckles her forehead twice. "I see a time and place.. here, in the not so distant future.. where this tea gets cold if no one drinks it, yeah?"
Thump goes the tail. Absently. Innocently. Tenoc stoics. STOICS.
Shara definitely takes a cup of tea. better than booze at the best of times....
"These are all possibilities, valid, yes. But speculation, you see, all the same. We won't be able to find out more until they're out of isolation, I'm afraid, and there's an excellent chance that the 'isolation' is a pretext for them being spoken to by Alexandria's own investigators about the doings of my friends and I -- nothing more than what I'd expect and we have nothing to hide, beyond a general respect for discretion. I trust you'll all be discrete," she says, notably not looking at anyone in particular.
"Discrete doesn't mean 'not concerned', of course."
Griva nods towards Cryosanthia and then Mikilos.
"Fruitful speculation, of course, but it does concern me that she found a 'nothing', however."
Cryo watches Mikilos intently, listening carefully to his words and wishing they would make her hunch explode into something obvious and clear. Except they don't. Another chuff of an exhale, "It may be as you say, a Void Demon, or the Shards are too powerful to scry and attempting to do so caused that explosion that burned them."
A glance to Griva, "Ah, that kind of Isolation. This one thought there might be something more to their injuries. It may not be important, but did they have a cat?" Any minor thing might be important.
She takes a cup of tea and sets it where Lily can ignore it. The little kobold does so until she fumbles the coin into the cup. Tea sipping commences.
Cryo takes a cup for herself, holding it carefully so it doesn't cool too quickly. She gestures towards Merek as answer to Shara, "The Seer follows the Dreaming Dragon, and has been asking things of her."
"Well, this one is trying to think of other ways the past can have changed. The Shard Tower had a teleport circle that would take one Anywhen, it's not impossible there are other artifacts. For sure, Varba had the correct time and place?"
Stjepan must have heard, because he shows up, looking for familiar faces. It's hard to be subtle when you're eight feet tall -- so he doesn't try too hard. He just converges on Griva and the faces around her.
Merek takes a sip from the tea, "You know, this is about the time a demon comes by, to try killing everyone. I like that it's quiet," he notes, while he seems to think on it. "Yes, the servants of the Dreaming Dragon do indeed offer a lot."
Mikilos nods in agreement. "Concerning, but we should clarify before panicing. 'Nothing' of useful relivance, or 'nothing' at all, strictly an empty void?" He frowns mildy at Merek. "Don't jinx it."
Fred walks by just then. Well, he goes by Fred, but that's not his real name. And while he -is- trying to kill everyone, it's a long term plan, with nothing drastic happening for another 32 years. Today he just happens to be out for a walk. Doesn't even wave as he passes.
Stjepan slides into the bubble like he belongs there. He offers nods around, then goes to pour himself a tea in the largest mug he can find.
"Ah, good to see you again, Stjepan," says Griva, warmly, to him. Seems she's well disposed towards him. She eyes Merek a moment, "No, no I don't think there will be any demons."
Cryosanthia stares at Merek. There is a subtle shift of her weight in her chair, closer to Lily, better to bolt. A glance in Tenoc's direction, in case the change in her scents and posture didn't alert the other sith'makar. "Not funny, this one has had to run and seen too many friends killed by demons."
She's not running yet, however, so further questionning stares at Griva and Mikilos. "You talked about shockwaves, that some of the wildness now was a result of Animus' death. Would there be aftershocks, forwards and backwards in time? Could events be flexible on the crests of them, several possibilities true at once? It remade the world in obvious ways, like Witches exist, perhaps there are subtle gaps, holes, we're just finding?"
Stjepan nods politely to Griva, "Griva, how are you faring?" He looks around, the same look on his face. "How's everyone faring?" A glance at Merek. "No demons." He grunts towards Cryosanthia. "It would make sense, wouldn't it.
"Oh, well enough," says Griva to Stjepan. She has a tea sip. Then answers Cryosanthia: "Perhaps. I believe that the chaos is a manifestation of the damage wrought by Taara. And Mikilos, you're in luck on that Gauntlet..."
"It *is* possible, I suppose, that the damage could have begun 'before' the act of deicide from our perspective, but we're getting into unknowables at the moment."
"It might not be, but it seems to be something that keeps on," Merek notes, while he nods. "Apologies." There's a look about the place. He seems to think that it is a realistic, to wonder about. "I don't trust all of this, the servants of the gods don't even trust it. What will you do if successful, if Animus comes back."
"They seem to be talking about things that are beyond my understanding at the moment. I just weave songs." Shara says to Stjepan as he enters the bubble. "So I've to just listen. I may run into it in the future."
Halani sits back with the green scaled lizard, to watch and guard.
Stjepan nods towards Shara. "You might be in its future, too." He pours some tea, looking down at the bard. "You shouldn't give yourself away like that -- nobody 'just' does anything inside a magical bubble like this." He thinks, "When it happened might not be so meaningful, anyhow. If the gods are free of some of the strictures of the rules of the world, then why be bound by time?" Sip.
Mikilos nods. "Trouble with ineffable concepts. We have a word for them, but can't really understand them. That's what the word means. But we try to understand them anyway."
Cryo blinks in acknowledgement to Stjepan. "Yes. We are brainstorming, how a scrying of an object at a time and place it was known to be, could find nothing."
She flips a hand over, looking at Griva, "Perhaps a less out there idea: the magic rebelled looking at a piece of itself. If the Shard had consciousness, it didn't want to be seen. Or, Taara's methods left some damage around it, like a void, that blocked it. That it may be too powerful to be seen, too big?"
Lily shows off to Mikilos, she seems to have mastered the coinflip. She walks it along the backs of her scaley digits, flipping it at the end.
Mikilos returns his focus to the kobold kinder, nodding approval. Searching his pockets a moment, the wizard offers an alchemic project he's been working on. A resin compound shaped into a ring, with a fair bit of elasticity. Useful in holding small bundels, this rubbery band.
Cryosanthia closes her eyes. She holds up her hands, and inhales deeply. She listens to her heartbeat and feels herself, horns to tailtip. Eyes are immediate, smell is more like time. This strange new sense she's developed of people around her giving a similar kind of insight. What would it mean to be in the eternal present?
People moving leave scent trails, like a tunnel, or a worm. All the paths would braid together. An eternally present thing would be a constant line, except, if it moved, it would be a constant line somewhere else. Would it cut the other paths?
Lily, meanwhile, ponders the deep mysteries of the rubbery band. She gets her fingers hooked in it, pulls them apart, laughs and claps as it pulls them back together. She doubles it up, discovers she can't spread her hands as wide. Another loop, and nothing is going anywhere. She becomes stuck. A few more struggles later, she's holding her hands up to Mikilos to sort out.
Cryo glances their way, decides she won't do the metaphoric equivalent and will try to explain her thoughts. Hopefully clearer than Baz explained how everything is star dust. "I'm thinking again, what it might mean if it was 'eternally present'. The shard could be trapped in the moment of Animus' death, at all times it is interacted with. It might only be changeable, like, it doesn't fall. Or it could act like a knife slicing up bits of time around it, or stirring them. Maybe anything that affects time, somehow ties back to it."
She opens her eyes and gazes at Griva, "Why did you think my experiences with Strange Time would help? Other than, something changed in the past and shouldn't possibly have been able to?"
"Perspective," says Griva to Cryosanthia, having listened herself. A nod towards Mikilos, though, and then finishes her tea.
"These are interesting thoughts. We need more of the shards to verify. Please, continue hunting. I know it's not easy to say. I know you might not trust me or my intentions, but you *have* to keep looking. They can not be allowed to fall in to the wrong hands, and perhaps they will let us bring balance back to our world. IF not..." She spreads her hands, "it won't be for lack of hope for a better world." And with that, she's going to get up and depart.
Stjepan nods, agreeing. "In some ways, it's more important to keep them out of other hands." He distracts himself with more tea, because his voice was distressingly grim.
Merek seems to think to himself, while he nods to Griva. "Alright, you take care." Then he offers to Cryosanthia, "I can use the full resurrection, and well... I have a lot of power if you need it for anything. I can bring potatoes maybe," he notes. "If anyone wants to regenerate limbs, anything." The man nods to people.
Mikilos gave Little Fang something safe, she couldn't possibly get into trouble with. Seconds later, she did anyway. Mikilos is less surprised than he might be.
"This one will keep doing things... yes..." Cryo looks around cautiously, concerned she's being marked by half a dozen, her, her foundling and her people. She stands, to make a small formal bow to Griva. This was an 'official' Speaker visit, she must close properly, "This one is sorry she did not bring better news. Peace on your nest. Do not forget your device." She gestures at the privacy object, does not add, or my little one with pocket it.
"Thank you Merek, this one does not need potatoes or new limbs right now, but will keep it in mind."
"Miksos," Lily says, now trying to hug him with rubbery bound hands. This is more like a choking attempt as her hands get hung up on his neck. She is not strong enough to be deadly yet, so it's cute.
"Lily, be careful. Untangle yourself and finish your tea. We shall have to go soon also." The whitescale takes her seat again, and her teacup.
GAME: Merek casts Sanctuary. Caster Level: 13 DC: 15
Merek notices then that Cryosanthia seems to be looking around after the meeting. He nods a bit, "I trust Griva's magical ability." Then he takes a moment to place the Sanctuary magic along the sith'makar as well as the kobold. He does watch while Lily explores the new device that Mikilos would offer. "That should keep the two of you safe on your way from the place."
"It's one use each time," calls Griva over to Cryosanthia.
And then she's gone!
One use or not, Lily pockets it later.
Stjepan folds his arms across his chest. "Anyone going to finish the tea?"
