|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Nov 30, 2022 19:26:55 GMT
Cody observes the power manifestation that Lorelei brings forth. "Impressive. I haven't seen this one before."
|
|
|
Post by Lorelei on Dec 1, 2022 8:39:21 GMT
"I can see you now," Lorelei says, the excitement showing through her concentration, "but I can't quite hear you. I imagine you are wondering what this is...," she gestures to the icon with a nod. "It has been just over a year since I saw you in my dream, and in that year I have found and traversed a Broken Pattern. This has given me the power to, among other things, move through Shadow on my own without drawing me into Amber's politics... I believe the tendrils can create a psychic link between us. Do I have your permission to try?" .
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Dec 1, 2022 13:20:24 GMT
Cody nods assent.
|
|
|
Post by Lorelei on Dec 1, 2022 21:05:13 GMT
With his assent, one of the immaterial tendrils extends and makes contact against his chest. Perhaps it is ironic that from Cody's perspective only he, the spider-silk, and this icon are the only solid things present. Through the physical contact he can feel the gentle pressure of her mind.
Lorelei mentally asks, "Is this working? Can you hear my thoughts?" .
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Dec 2, 2022 1:27:51 GMT
Hearing Lorelei's ~voice~ in his head reminds him of home on Station. Like being jacked into a Flux Ship, "Coms are up. Clear passage ahead."
Seeing Lorelei has matured slightly since he last saw her, "Time and turning's a funny thing isn't it? I pulled myself out of the Pit with all the treasures from the Kraken's Grotto, had some dinner and and fell asleep. Then, all of a sudden I'm back at your side."
"I haven't even had a chance to open that lock box you found."
"Looks like the silk has bound us together."
|
|
|
Post by Lorelei on Dec 2, 2022 21:18:21 GMT
Cody's affirmative is clear enough, but the minutia is odd in that 'of Shadow' way.
"A year here for a few hours there," Lorelei affirms, "but with the distance between and nature of the end-points the ratio could easily be reversed the next time we meet."
"I'm certain whatever is in the box was important to someone and likely valuable as well, otherwise why put a lock on it? I'm eager to hear what it is once you have had time to examine it."
"Now the silk... originally meant to bind physically, but with proper purification and weave can insulate magically and psychically in sufficient quantity... I've never seen anything quite like it before, not even our sea-silk..." .
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Dec 3, 2022 5:02:04 GMT
The ethereal quality of their meeting is reminiscent of visiting a friend on Station when they were in the Med-Lab Gen-Tank. Using the cyber-jacks to communicate while they were suspended in gel fluid.
"Yes. Time is completely subjective. I go into the Pit for what feels like several turnings and return just moments after I jumped in. Or sometimes it's the opposite. I'm in and out and several turnings have passed. So far, I haven't returned before leaving, but I've heard stories about others who have."
"I'm not worried about the lock box. Just curious. But not as curious as Old Bob."
Cody realizes that Lorelei has no idea who Bob is.
"Oh, I've been living with some Pit Demons. There's Old Bob, Young Bob and Joanna. They've kind of adopted me."
"Those aren't their actual names. It's just easier to say than $%^&5^^&^;^, *:"^/-%(&-*, and ^-[^^]__#^@(("*(*%*$&&#."
When Cody says their demonic names it sounds like an animal choaking to death on bone fragments and chewing on broken glass.
"I've never really examined the silk very closely. I know that it's super tough. It can be woven or knitted into armour, like chainmail. I get it from Arachniform webs in the Abyss. Really sticky stuff. It has to be soaked in ammonia for a while to clean it."
|
|
|
Post by Lorelei on Dec 7, 2022 17:36:25 GMT
"I'm glad you have someone caring for you..."
"Being trained in sorcery, one has a natural propensity to investigate the properties of anything unusual. Someday I hope to find time to learn conjuration."
Lorelei's ~words~ up to this point have been wistful but then shift toward melancholy.
"Having others make something I've requested... the items are often beautiful, but frequently I feel no invested in them... beautiful but ultimately disposable." .
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Dec 8, 2022 17:16:23 GMT
Cody isn't sure how to address Lorelei's wistful melancholia. Hesitantly, "Well, things are just things. I put more value on the stuff I've worked for, or made myself. But the really valuable stuff aren't things. They're people. Friends and family. Like you. You're family and you are my friend."
|
|
|
Post by Lorelei on Dec 14, 2022 7:33:49 GMT
"You have just put your finger on the problem," Lorelei says. "Being the Queen's daughter, everyone is always rushing to see my needs are met before I even know I have any. Aside from my studies and official duties and the, at times, stifling protection... " She sighs.
"My elder sister, Morganthe - Martin's mother - died from a broken heart when she only slightly older than I am now. Mother over-compensates for her only other child..." .
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Dec 14, 2022 19:26:35 GMT
"I understand having a protective M-Unit. But I had a lot more freedom, being raised out in Shadow. Ignorant of my heritage."
"Considering what happened with your sister... Or, what happened to your, er, nephew. My impression is that you aren't as, uh, vulnerable as that." Cody feels awkward mentioning Martin. "But I can certainly see how your M-Unit would want to protect you."
Cody considers Lorelei's situation. "This might be the worst advice in the Multi-verse but, maybe you have to become a rebel. Throw a few temper tantrums and push away some of that suffocating coddling in order to build some independence."
|
|
|
Post by Lorelei on Dec 15, 2022 20:29:57 GMT
"In a way, I already have," says Lorelei, "... between the sorcery and taking Broken Pattern. Training with the Royal Guard is both duty and rebellion... The Mirror Wrighting is a power in its own right and a useful, if rare, skill."
Out of a growing curiosity, she asks, "What do you do, have done, besides the Pit Diving?" .
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Dec 16, 2022 1:33:37 GMT
"What do I do? I spend a lot of time in the Sheltering Coils Temple and Mission House, or going out to other parts of the Courts to collect alms. So, charity work. I've got a workshop studio where I build or repair things, as well as create small objects out of the things I collect from the Abyss."
"I keep pretty busy, but it's not all work. I like to write and perform music with my friends in the local watering holes."
"Plus, I'm in the Seminary studying the ways of the Serpent."
"So, what is mirror writing? Spelling everything backwards?"
Cody smirks at his own little joke.
|
|
|
Post by Lorelei on Dec 16, 2022 11:53:33 GMT
"An over-simplified answer would be the crafting of magic-mirrors and their uses - scrying, Trump-like communication through reflective surfaces, recording and playback of anything in their field of view, and more, ultimately culminating in their use as portals...," Lorelei answers with a bit of a smile. .
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Dec 16, 2022 18:01:16 GMT
"Oh, that sounds neat. Like a crystal ball but you can polish up any shiny surface?"
Mischievously, "I wonder if it would work on someone's bald head..."
|
|