< The Rising Smoke | Logs | Of Faeries And Tyrants >
alsoquin The Rock of Ages is in quite a disastrous state, so Elora has declared picnic-debriefing and dragged the other Sidereals to one of the elegant gardens in the nearby neighborhood.
Elora She gestures helpfully to Den Bao, insisting that he explain the results of the party.
jade{A} sits quietly near Autumn, wary but attempting to be helpful.
Serpent twirls a few large leaves into cups and, arranging flowering branches in them, sets them on the picnic blanket.
Autumn{v} eats sunbread with slices of heavenly deer and fluffy fire bear sugar
Autumn{v} makes little sugar goalposts for the ants, watching them marshall their armies. Such cute little armors, if only he understood godant heraldry!
Den Bao rubs his chin (somewhat stubbled, as is his head---looks like someone shaves intentionally) before calmly stabbing a finger in the middle of the art battle, before drawing a few curious sigils with his nail that likely only make sense to him. After a second, it becomes obvious that he's making trenches and bulwarks for the ants.
Autumn{v} offers a bite to Jade. "Hmmm, your first official... wait, is she official? Convention meeting! Should we sing? Should we dance? I always wanted to make the briefings come in dances!"
Den Bao In any event, I suppose it's time for me to put fact to madness.
Den Bao ("")
Elora "Please do!"
jade{A} "I think maybe we should just listen." She takes a bite of the sunbread
Den Bao "The will of Yu-Shan... its true Essence." Den, using the marching ants, traces more furrows and such, until it starts to take on a rough shape similar to Creation. "It flows at the ants move. This has been observed, recorded, and re-recorded, and not even the encroachment of the Wyld changes this, as Wyld Essence is a part of the equation, since that plane is an endless sea of raw power. However..."
Elora looks mournfully at her flask for a moment before reaching for a cup of water.
Den Bao blows on the 'map' enough to erase most of the trenches, and starts redrawing them. "The numerous spies that have managed to not die in the realm of the Dead have determined that the flow of the tainted Essence there is as... such. Notice the flow eventually focuses on the center, and some is removed from the equation, even as slightly less than what is lost is regenerated."
Elora nods awkwardly.
Den Bao "This is where my findings make this known fact a bit unsettling."
Elora "Uh... huh."
jade{A} studies the diagram thoughtfully
Den Bao casually redraws the inner trenches so that they curve back out, allowing the ants to keep moving. "Even in the microcosm of our own party and through the fog of those wonderously glowing drinks, I learned much. The nature of Yu-Shan's Essence, its Will, its Life... is surprisingly similar to the Essence flow of the Underworld, give or take the removal part."
Elora blinks.
Elora "That's... bad."
Den Bao "Perhaps this does occur, but at a rate so small that we can't observe it."
Den Bao raises a finger. "Not neccessarily bad. Thought-provoking, yes."
Elora "Well, what... thoughts has it provoked, exactly?"
Den Bao "Since this means that Creation is a thing all its own and Above and Beneath are too similar for it to be a coincidence."
Elora "Hrm."
Den Bao "And then... there are the statues."
Elora bristles a bit at the emntion of the creepy statues.
jade{A} "What about the Sea of Mind?"
Den Bao looks over, and scowls somewhat. He nonetheless rubs his chin and mulls that over.
Autumn{v} "But the Underworld is... static, dull, bland, dead. Heaven is nothing like it."
Den Bao "And Heaven is not static and dull?"
Den Bao smirks a little.
Elora "Not when WE get our hands on it!" Elora says brightly.
Den Bao "But yes, the Sea of Mind. Maybe the nature of Creation is what allows such an... abberant experiment to be so successful. Anything that drew Essence in a similar manner here or Below would likely be crushed to nothing in days."
Autumn{v} "Sid, please. Didn't you see the party?" He grins. "Making it not-dull is my job description."
Elora "But.... Acacia told us that the Sea of Mind is an alternate plane, like Yu-Shan."
Den Bao "... I am not one to automatically accept that at face value. I would prefer more than word of mouth, but... for now, let's assume it is as she has stated."
Den Bao raises a finger. "The biggest question about the Sea of Mind is 'why'? Everything that one imagines needs to be made is available in the sections of reality that we know, good or bad."
Den Bao "... unless someone decided that they could do a better job than the gods, which isn't a terribly difficult thing to imagine." Den snorts softly.
jade{A} "Creation is a harsh place. Most people can't get to Yu Shan, and they don't want to go to the Underworld."
Serpent hrms.
Serpent "I remember something of the dry land. It isn't as dead as it would like us to think.
Den Bao "Then... this raises a another question, miss... Jade." Den eyes Jade for a moment.
Den Bao "If this alternate plane exists, and one assumes that whoever forged it wishes to bring in more to 'enjoy' it, how long until this snarls Fate, or until gods begin to notice their offerings growing smaller? Either will provoke a fierce reaction."
jade{A} shrugs a little, "I didn't even know fate could get snarled til I met you people. I thought it just happened."
Elora "Yeah, that could be a problem."
Serpent "I propose that our employers, praise be to their unspeakable names, are not as observant as our colleagues."
Serpent "But if it causes problems with Fate, that might be worth a look."
Serpent "I worry most that someone will notice the Sea and try to use it in a way it was not designed for."
jade{A} "like...what?"
Elora "Like... hiding... something...................bad."
jade{A} "Can you put things there?"
Elora "Well. If you can use Essence, and you enter it, and get yourself killed in Creation.... maybe there's a way the still-alive you can get back out of the Sea again. Maybe."
Serpent "Even if you can't..."
Serpent "Imagine a warlord you can't kill."
jade{A} "I thought they said only shiny happy things could happen there, though."
Autumn{v} "Deled walked around after being beaten, right? That must have been some sort of Essence... so couldn't the Essence possess something, given the right Magic or Artifact? Or create a body out of Creation's Essence like Spiritual beings do?"
Elora "Shiny for THEM, maybe." Elora sips water with a visible expression of disgust.
Autumn{v} "You didn't find it shiny?"
Den Bao "... that could be extremely problematic."
Elora "But none of this explains how this relates to Yu-Shan, anyway."
jade{A} thinks for a few minutes, then disappears off in some direction.
Elora "Heywaitaminitwhereyagoinheyhey HEY?!"
Den Bao "It may well not relate at all, and that's the worrisome part."
Elora stops yelling at Jade, and blinks.
Autumn{v} "Relax, she's like a cat. She'll come back for more petting."
Elora "Well what the BALLS is going on, then?"
Den Bao "Heh, you would know.
Autumn{v} "Though. I might buy her a bell. She keeps sneaking on and off nowdays."
Serpent "Well, the statues, right?"
Autumn{v} "What about them?"
Serpent "I haven't done readings, but what they look like to me is the beginning of a geomantic rite, and if I'm not crazy, that rite is an effort to reshape the nature of Heaven and possibly alter the behaviors of Fate and the Loom."
Elora "To do... what?"
Den Bao "... well, if that doesn't beat all."
jade{A} returns, and when she is noticeable again, she is unsettlingly close to Elora.
Autumn{v} "... are Gods part of Yu-Shan?"
Elora "Aaaaah!" Elora spills water all over herself. "Cuntwhistles!"
Autumn{v} "If you change Yu-Shan, you think the Incarna would too?"
Autumn{v} "... see, told you, bell. Cowbell or Kittenbell, Vee?"
jade{A} offers her a bottle of whiskey.
Serpent holds up a celery stalk as though to declaim something dramatic.
Serpent "To do... something bad!"
Den Bao "That's not much of a surprise, really, but one has to wonder what in particular. Also, this would explain why it's hard to get direct answers."
jade{A} raises a brow at Autumn, and shakes her hair. It chimes softly. "Something bad?"
Elora looks at it for a second, then cluches it with glee. "Why, thank you!"
jade{A} "You're welcome." she smiles.
Elora pours a little into her now-empty cup and takes an exploratory sip. "Mmmmmmmm."
Autumn{v} "Nobody will answer my question about gods? You sucky geomancers."
Elora thinks back to the actual topic at hand. "So. Why would Sidereals want to screw with the geomancy of Yu-Shan?" She shoots a glare at Autumn.
Den Bao "Are gods a part of Yu-Shan? Well, likely so now, but remember who Yu-Shan was made for initially."
Serpent "I can think of more than zero reasons."
Elora "Do tell."
Autumn{v} "The Primordials?"
Serpent "Uh, I was mostly thinking...upheaval."
Serpent "In the literal sense."
Serpent "Shake things up a bit."
jade{A} "I wonder what would happen if you made a Sea from Yu Shan."
Den Bao "Aside from utter chaos?"
Den Bao pauses. Thinks. "... no, nothing but utter chaos."
Elora "That's a... weird idea."
Autumn{v} "..."
Autumn{v} slaps her wrist. "Bad Solar. BAD."
Elora "Okay! So." Elora takes another swig. "What's our next move?"
jade{A} "Ow! What'd you do that for? I was just guessing what the statues were for."
Den Bao "Our next move is, unfortunately, damage control."
Elora "Ah, yes." She thinks for a second. "We should also talk to Acacia."
Serpent "Yes."
Serpent "She seems upset."
Elora "That reminds me. We need to have a little chat, Autumn."
Autumn{v} "Well, yeah, I ruined her relationship and made her fuck a very violent little godling. I would be upset if she was all sweet and roses." He smiles, then looks up... "Yes, mom?"
jade{A} idly wonders if elora really is autumn's mom
Elora points far to one side with a little finger-extendy motion.
Den Bao "Uh-oh."
Autumn{v} kissess venus and gets up, "If I'm not back in ten... call the Lions!" and then, he happilly picks Elora and dances in that direction!
Den Bao "He's fucked."
Den Bao smiles, idly rubbing his stubble.
jade{A} smiles a little. "Well at least she has whiskey."
Den Bao "True. You may have done him a favor. Anyway... Jade."
Den Bao glances over. "I am still keeping my eye on you, but understand that I actually trust you to some extent."
jade{A} raises a brow, and asks bluntly, "Why?"
Den Bao grins. "Secret."
Serpent "Your mom's a secret."
jade{A} laughs.
jade{A} "what about my dad?"
Serpent raises an eyebrow.
jade{A} shrugs a little. "oh, he's probably a secret."
Den Bao "I know a few things..."
Den Bao leans back, idly staring at the fake sky.
jade{A} "Like what?"
Den Bao "Now, now! It is my calling to know secrets, not to reveal them! You should know this by now."
jade{A} "What good are they if you don't tell anyone?"
Serpent "Maidens only know."
Den Bao "Some things... are best left unspoken."
jade{A} "You just like being mysterious don't you."
Serpent adjusts his flower arrangements. He squashes the disruptive ants, too.
Den Bao smirks, nodding a little.
Den Bao "There's a sort of fun to be had in mystery and intrigue."
jade{A} "It is exciting," she agrees.
Elora Elora walks back over, clearly looking a little flushed.
jade{A} looks at Elora, then back towards Autumn, and smirks a little.
Serpent takes a nice big bite of sandwich. "We should picnic-debrief more often."
Serpent "I'll start making a guest list for the next party."
Elora "Alright. Someone get Acacia on the horn and set up a meeting."
Autumn{v} returns with Elora, smiling. The smile of little kid who's content after having squicked girls.
Serpent "I'll get it."
Serpent scribbles a letter and flags down a passing messenger kitten.
Autumn{v} gives a peck on Jade's cheek, "Seems like I'll have to ~make~a~love~"
Den Bao "So, Elora."
jade{A} smiles and kisses Autumn back. "Make a love?"
Den Bao smirks. "How was he?"
Elora "Yyyyyeeesss?"
Serpent gives the kitten strict instructions to avoid anyone wearing blue, or looking like a child molester.
Elora slaps Den Bao.
Den Bao takes the slap with a broad smirk.
Elora "Don't sass me, sonny."
Den Bao "It was worth it, Elora."
Kerem The kitten gives Serpent a weird look, and idly saunters off, pausing to clean itself.
Elora mutters under her breath.
Autumn{v} "Make a love! A great reunification for Acacia and Sunipa! Fate-writing. What do you think I should place in their new love?" He grins. "Strawberries? Passion? Cheese? Kinks? Apple Sauce?"
Serpent slaps Autumn.
Serpent "Hey, that's fun."
Elora giggles.
jade{A} subtly distances herself from the slappers
Serpent "Here is my suggestion."
Serpent "I would like Acacia to be a friend of mine. Pursuant to this goal, you restore her and Sunipa's relationship, as close to unaltered as your abilities allow."
Elora "Seconded!"
Serpent "Should your restoration be found dissatisfactory by any of the parties involved (viz. Acacia, Sunipa, Serpent Ebb), we can always explain to them what happened, and recommend a romantic therapist."
Elora nods.
Den Bao "I have no objections."
Serpent "As an alternative, there are only one hundred and fifty-three verses to the Love Song of Night and Day."
Serpent "It was the author's opinion that no sufficiently interesting subjects remained, at that point."
Acacia A boat pulls up at the nearby canal and a familiar figure stumbles out, giving Serpent a confused eyebrow.
Elora "Oh. Hello, Acacia!" Elora waves eagerly.
Serpent shifts a bit to make a spot on the blanket. "Hello."
Den Bao "And so it begins."
Acacia "Uh, hi there. What's happening?"
Elora "Well." Elora smiles, while pouring a paper cup of whiskey. "I was hoping to ask you a little about... the planes. Whiskey?"
Autumn{v} "Picnic. We were just talking about you, too... I said I would ask Venus to bring your love back." He nods.
Acacia blinks a couple of times.
Acacia "I..."
Acacia "Okay. Thanks. Thank you."
Serpent "Pleasant weather we're having, isn't it?"
Acacia "Sure."
Acacia "What about the planes?"
Elora "Um." Elora thinks. "Tell... me... about them?"
Serpent whispers irritably, "Can we please remember to observe small talk before getting down to business, it surprises people!"
Acacia "Uh."
Acacia "I don't really know all that much about them. Kingfisher Jack is the person in our circle who's been studying them for the last couple centuries."
Elora "Who?"
Acacia "Kingfisher Jack. He's our Chosen of Secrets."
Elora "Oh. Is he... busy?"
Acacia "I'd set you up with him, but, uh, I'm not sure he'd actually be willing to help you out. All the other Sidereals seem to hate you guys, for what are basically pretty good reasons."
Acacia "I'm actually supposed to be spying on you right now, just so you know."
Elora "What?!" Elora is legitimately shocked and appalled.
jade{A} coughs.
Serpent "So is our Solar friend."
Elora "Why would... anyone... hate.... us? WHY?"
Acacia "Oh, yeah, your...Solar. How's...that going?"
Serpent pats Elora. "I suspect it has to do with your infinite compassion."
Den Bao "They hate us?"
Elora "But... but..." Elora makes a sad, sad face.
Acacia counts on her fingers. "Well, Serpent killed another Sidereal and hangs out with the fae, Autumn's completely insane even by our standards, Den Bao is just way too dedicated to his job...isn't the Bishop of Strife in your Circle too?" She shudders.
Acacia "I actually don't really know that much about you, Elora."
Serpent "It comes with the genius, El."
Acacia screws up her face a bit.
Den Bao eyes Acacia. "I'm shocked. Really. Totally stunned. AND I AM NOT TOO DEDICATED!" Den suddenly leaps to his feet and is in Acacia's face.
jade{A} "You mean, they're not all like this?"
Serpent "The Bishop comes and goes."
Acacia "In fact, I really don't know anything about you at ALL."
Acacia "That's weird."
Acacia takes one smooth step back and produces her trusty goremaul. "Easy there, sparky."
Den Bao "Others simply are not dedicated enough. Almost as lazy as the gods themselves." Oh, his stare.
Den Bao "It's sad that you seem to view inaction as duty... but I won't convince anyone immediately."
Acacia leans around Den Bao and gives the rest of the crowd a look, jerking her thumb at Den.
Serpent "Den, we appreciate your dedication. Please don't hit our spy."
Serpent pats the ground. "And please sit down, you're making me so nervous."
Elora is still upset!
Den Bao "... I will have nothing to do with this conversation. Let me know when you come to a conclusion." And with that, he turns to leave.
Acacia "Hey, listen, I didn't mean to upset you. She ASKED. I thought you KNEW that that was how people felt."
Serpent "I thought they knew too, to telling you the...to tell you the truth (stupid fey accents). Guess not."
Den Bao looks back at Acacia one last time. "I know what others think. And I do not care. I will see that my mission is completed. In the end, you will all see." And off he goes, fists balled up. "You will all see."
Serpent "He worries me sometimes."
Acacia looks a little crestfallen. "Uh, sorry about that."
Serpent "Might do something rash, like...file a report."
Serpent "Anyway, the obvious solution is to spy on Kingfisher Jack."
Acacia "Well, what exactly did you want to know?"
Serpent looks at Elora. "Well, er..."
Elora "We want to know, um, about how Yu-Shan and the Underworld and the Sea of Mind all relate to one another. And to Creation."
Elora pauses.
Elora "They just mean everyone else, right? Not me...."
Serpent rolls eyes. "Yes...they...do..."
Acacia "Well, uh...probably. I could answer that, but I don't know anything about you."
Elora "Oh. Well. Um."
Elora "We should... remedy that."
Elora "Maybe we could all go out for drinks. Let everyone else in your circle see that we're not so bad."
Acacia "Yeah, uh...I guess we could do that."
Acacia "Yu-Shan and the Underworld and the Sea of Mind are all parallel planes, right?"
Acacia "That's my understanding, at least."
Elora "What exactly does that mean, 'parallel plane'?"
Acacia "Well, it means that they have the same geography as Creation, and exist concurrently to it."
Acacia "I know the Sea is different from the others in a lot of ways, but I don't really know how that works."
Acacia "That's why I wanted...to talk to Sunipa."
Elora "Ah. Well, um. Why don't we ALL get together?" She looks at Acacia happily. "For drinks!"
jade{A} slips off to find Den Bao
Acacia "Uh...I mean. Now might not be the best time. Until Autumn does his fix-up job."
Serpent "Sunipa and Acacia's convention and all?"
Serpent "..yeah."
Autumn{v} returns with another mask, a harlequin's. "But we are so bad, El. It's part of our charm."
Elora pouts.
Autumn{v} "Anyways, fix-up job? What fix-up job?" He asks innocently
Acacia blinks. "Didn't you just say you were going to ask Venus to...bring my love back?"
jade{A} returns, as if on cue.
Autumn{v} "Oh, that." He nods, "Guaranteed in a week or your money back."
Acacia looks askance at him, then nods.
Elora "Oh, so. What were you wondering about the Sea?"
Acacia "I guess, yeah."
Serpent "..."
jade{A} "So..what are you guys talking about now?"
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