((4 exp, because I'm not really late, because I switched with End. Also, because of Celebi.))
Hey everyone... and Austin I guess. Finally getting a day to myself. Turns out providing disaster relief to both the living and the dead is pretty much a fulltime job. I'll get to that in a little bit, though. Need to address something important first. Uh, anyone other than Rick can just skip down a little bit.
Rick, I think we both know how close we've been over the years, especially after I died. You've always been there for me when I just wanted to relax, have some fun and not have to deal with the pressures in my life. You were one of the few people in my life who didn't judge me, and I loved you for it. It means a lot to me that you'd ask for permission before leaving me. Could've asked a little sooner, but... that was months ago. I'm over it now. What am I going to say, though? No, you have to be with me? Well, as much as I wish life was that easy, I'm not going to stand between you and happiness. Besides, it sounds like Amelia needs you more than I do right now.
Wow, that whole paragraph was disgustingly sappy. It's true though. Still, ew, glad I don't have anyone to act like that to anymore. I mean, not that I won't find someone eventually, but for now... I think I'll stick with less meaningful relationships. Oh, but I will try to get up to visit you, Ricky, when I get the chance. See if I can figure out that ghost problem for you. Not sure when I'll get that chance, but... I doubt I'll be cleaning up after disasters forever.
I guess I should get on with talking about that, huh. It's been going well enough. With the Union's help, the Dim Suns have been able to move in and take over relief efforts. Despite the damage, things apparently could've been much worse. From what I hear, a group of mages (dunno which one) managed to help contain the waves. Unfortunately, Mr. White thinks that the traces of magic left over are what's causing so much activity, like the increased number of shades hanging around in the Underworld I talked about before. We've had to deal with some of Japan's braver supernatural creatures, but we have the manpower that they don't. From Rick and Darrel's descriptions, I'm most worried about a whole pack of werewolves deciding they want access to whatever's out here. Do werewolves eat magic?
Anyways, I don't want to take up too much of your time with my worries. Despite everything, I think I might be happier than ever. There's nothing more fulfilling than helping a ghost pass on. Like, for that one moment, you can feel a bit of what's on the other side. It's not an incentive to die, though, as much as it might seem like it. It's what you get for living. If you aren't satisfied with your life, you'll be stuck here obsessing over it for eternity. As you can imagine, for this reason Undine hates the feeling. Not that she enjoys it any less than I do, but... it reminds her that she'll probably not be able to go there. It's kind of sad, actually. It's only made me more determined to find Ramira after all this is over, though, so she doesn't have to suffer like that.
Oh by the way, Cheiron's been pretty quiet lately. I think we've managed to scare them away for now. Unfortunately, that means that when we went to raid that other facility, it was already cleared out. There's definitely signs that point to them knowing about what caused the tsunami, but nothing we can use yet. The Union's been conducting their own investigation, and I managed to persuade Mr. White to get them to include me should they find anything. Which reminds me... Who the hell are you to tell me what I should do, Austin? I suppose next you'll want me back in the kitchen to make you a sandwich. I'm sorry if you don't like me doing my fucking job, but I'm not going to hide out in a library while I know I'm needed here. Besides, now that they've found me again, the Dim Suns will make sure I'm fine. Now that I know why they were protecting me, I'm not in any hurry to get away again. In fact... Nevermind, that's not important right now. The point is, I'm doing what I want, because for once, I'm actually doing something right.
Sorry, my emotions get the better of me sometimes. I feel a lot calmer than I did a month ago, though.
Now, Christian... I know you know more about magic than I do, but... Could you remind me why this vow is worth it again? I'm not gonna make the mistake of telling you it's wrong, but... I can't help worrying about you. I've been making Oferendas in your name, even though people tell me it doesn't work like that. Still, maybe some ghost will recognize it and be helpful to you. It's the only thing I can think of to return the sentiment of the gift you sent me (I don't blame you by the way; I don't think fate works like that). If I discover a better way to send you something, I'll be sure to do so.
I think I'm gonna finish this up. It's a pleasant evening and this is my only real day off for a couple weeks. I want to spend some time to myself on the beach. Not that I'm ever really by myself, but... you know what I mean. It's gonna feel so nice to just relax and enjoy the water on my skin. Can't wait!
Ja Ne! ♥
-Lizzie T. O'Conner
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Rick's Entry for April 2012
(( 4 pts. On time, subplot, progress, and mentioning pretty much everyone else. Except Darrel. His posts creep me out. <.< ))
Alright... where to start... well, I'm sure you will be all glad to know that I'm not half dead or about to die this month. For once, I'm writing this in the safety of my appartment... not in the best of circumstances, though. Amelia just left for the night, more on that later. There are more urgent matters to discuss than my relationship with the vixen.
Where to start... it has been a fairly calm month this time. I said I would try myself in less dangerous situations and I almost did. I was about to tell Amelia that we should be a little less adventurous, but then I got your message Lizzie and, since it was kind of a low blow to go out with someone else during our break without telling you, I figured I should at least make it up a bit and try to stay with Amelia for you. We didn't really have anywhere to look at though, so we spent the first half of the month just trying to get things nice and neat around here. By that, I mean that we tried to be more friendly with the wolves, working on our differences and dousing the fire between us. I think it worked for the most part, thanks to the help of Darrel's friend. We agreed to stay on our side of the city and they agreed to stay on their side. We're free to go on the enemy side if it's not to hunt or to participate in gatherings of our respective gangs.
I agree with you Austin that we should stop those gang wars, but it's easier said than done when you have those instincts telling you to grab a territory and defend it to death. If someone was to take something that's mine, like my apartment, my favorite fast food place, Amelia or Lizzie, I would fight to death for it. Of course, Lizzie isn't so much mine anymore... which... reminds me that I have something to ask you, Lizzie. The reason Amelia left tonight was because things got really... err... warm between us and we almost... did the you-know-what. I wanted to, but I didn't want to betray you. I still own you, and it wouldn't be fair to you while we're on a break to... yeah. So... I would like if... if I could drop my ownership of you. I want to focus fully on Amelia now. So... what I'm trying ro say is... that I hope you're not too mad if... I want us to break up. For good. I still want us to be good friends and play games and stuff if we ever have the time for it again, but... I don't want to feel tied to you anymore. So... it would be nice if you could give me your permission, because Mr. Pant is very sad tonight. Oh, and you should visit sometime! You could spend a day or two here, and maybe meet her, and maybe go check out those ghosts on the Lake. I'm sure you could be of help. If you want to. I mean, if travelling to Japan through the Underworld was so easy, I'm sure a short vacation to Toronto wouldn't be too hard on you. Heck, maybe you could make a detour by our town and get Austin too. I my best bud and I can't exactly pay for plane tickets.
What else... hmm... I have many things to tell Austin, but I think I will wait to see if he can visit before waisting this communication channel on it. So I'm gonna talk to Chris, instead. Man, you're really freaking me out with all your talk of secret stuff. You're like, in a secret world within a secret world within our secret world. It's inception to the cube. I dunno what's up with you, and by the look of it, it's probably not in our interest to know, but I'm sure you will be able to get through it. If anyone can do it, it's you, our not-so-official-and-slightly-insane-but-inspiring-leader.
I feel like I'm forgetting something.... oh! Yeah, animal spirits. We listened to your idea, partly because the Lake ghosts tried to kill me, partly because Amelia wanted to do more exploration and researches. So last weekend, we went in a trip in the wilderness. It was really awesome, especially that part where we hunted a rabbit and ate it raw. Err... too much information, right? Point is, even far away frown the city, I felt like something was following us. As if I, or maybe Amy, was a magnet for the supernatural. I've got this little theory that maybe, just maybe, everything supernatural is trying to get us killed. Those wolves, those ghosts, everything. We all gotta be careful, but all the same, the more we feel threatened, I think the closer to what THEY don't want us to know. Maybe it's something about their weakness, maybe something to make us stronger, I don't know... but we're definately on the right track. Lizzie, don't listen to Austin, you're fine where you are. I know it's dangerous, I know people are after us, but that's what we need to do. The more we do that, the more we get closer to the truth. And maybe that day, we will be able to all get together and kick that overgrown space octopus face. Then have a wild DnD session, like the good old time. Now that will be a fun celebration.
...yeah, the world totally has way too geeky saviors.
Alright... where to start... well, I'm sure you will be all glad to know that I'm not half dead or about to die this month. For once, I'm writing this in the safety of my appartment... not in the best of circumstances, though. Amelia just left for the night, more on that later. There are more urgent matters to discuss than my relationship with the vixen.
Where to start... it has been a fairly calm month this time. I said I would try myself in less dangerous situations and I almost did. I was about to tell Amelia that we should be a little less adventurous, but then I got your message Lizzie and, since it was kind of a low blow to go out with someone else during our break without telling you, I figured I should at least make it up a bit and try to stay with Amelia for you. We didn't really have anywhere to look at though, so we spent the first half of the month just trying to get things nice and neat around here. By that, I mean that we tried to be more friendly with the wolves, working on our differences and dousing the fire between us. I think it worked for the most part, thanks to the help of Darrel's friend. We agreed to stay on our side of the city and they agreed to stay on their side. We're free to go on the enemy side if it's not to hunt or to participate in gatherings of our respective gangs.
I agree with you Austin that we should stop those gang wars, but it's easier said than done when you have those instincts telling you to grab a territory and defend it to death. If someone was to take something that's mine, like my apartment, my favorite fast food place, Amelia or Lizzie, I would fight to death for it. Of course, Lizzie isn't so much mine anymore... which... reminds me that I have something to ask you, Lizzie. The reason Amelia left tonight was because things got really... err... warm between us and we almost... did the you-know-what. I wanted to, but I didn't want to betray you. I still own you, and it wouldn't be fair to you while we're on a break to... yeah. So... I would like if... if I could drop my ownership of you. I want to focus fully on Amelia now. So... what I'm trying ro say is... that I hope you're not too mad if... I want us to break up. For good. I still want us to be good friends and play games and stuff if we ever have the time for it again, but... I don't want to feel tied to you anymore. So... it would be nice if you could give me your permission, because Mr. Pant is very sad tonight. Oh, and you should visit sometime! You could spend a day or two here, and maybe meet her, and maybe go check out those ghosts on the Lake. I'm sure you could be of help. If you want to. I mean, if travelling to Japan through the Underworld was so easy, I'm sure a short vacation to Toronto wouldn't be too hard on you. Heck, maybe you could make a detour by our town and get Austin too. I my best bud and I can't exactly pay for plane tickets.
What else... hmm... I have many things to tell Austin, but I think I will wait to see if he can visit before waisting this communication channel on it. So I'm gonna talk to Chris, instead. Man, you're really freaking me out with all your talk of secret stuff. You're like, in a secret world within a secret world within our secret world. It's inception to the cube. I dunno what's up with you, and by the look of it, it's probably not in our interest to know, but I'm sure you will be able to get through it. If anyone can do it, it's you, our not-so-official-and-slightly-insane-but-inspiring-leader.
I feel like I'm forgetting something.... oh! Yeah, animal spirits. We listened to your idea, partly because the Lake ghosts tried to kill me, partly because Amelia wanted to do more exploration and researches. So last weekend, we went in a trip in the wilderness. It was really awesome, especially that part where we hunted a rabbit and ate it raw. Err... too much information, right? Point is, even far away frown the city, I felt like something was following us. As if I, or maybe Amy, was a magnet for the supernatural. I've got this little theory that maybe, just maybe, everything supernatural is trying to get us killed. Those wolves, those ghosts, everything. We all gotta be careful, but all the same, the more we feel threatened, I think the closer to what THEY don't want us to know. Maybe it's something about their weakness, maybe something to make us stronger, I don't know... but we're definately on the right track. Lizzie, don't listen to Austin, you're fine where you are. I know it's dangerous, I know people are after us, but that's what we need to do. The more we do that, the more we get closer to the truth. And maybe that day, we will be able to all get together and kick that overgrown space octopus face. Then have a wild DnD session, like the good old time. Now that will be a fun celebration.
...yeah, the world totally has way too geeky saviors.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Austin's Entry for April 2012
Ahhhhhhhhh! (punches self in face!) Sweet mother! Sweet mother! Send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear! Ohhhh... how wonderful it is that I think I know about exactly how you all are feeling right now. Ricky, Darrel... please, please, please... try to limit your participation in gang violence, please. I don't care of it's instinct, or tradition, it's a turf war, it's stupid and for the most part it HAS to be unnecessary, right? What you talk about sounds like the petty rivalries of medieval monarchs. Maybe you aren't human, but you aren't beasts either, you're something different. Of course... I'm not talking about everything... I mean... fighting a t-rex and stuff... I... I don't pretend to know what's going on there at all, but you both know what I mean. I don't want you guys to get hurt over something really dumb. Please try to keep thinking.
Chris, you're the one I'm most worried about right now. I take back what I said, what exactly have you gotten yourself into? I hope they aren't making you sacrifice anything fundamental to who you are. What could be more precious, and not just to you. We like you the way you are, Chris, or at least I do. I want you to become more like yourself. I think you're scared, and I think you're pretty obviously unhappy and you feel swept up. It might be tough, but for a moment you should try entertaining the idea that you aren't where you want to be right now, and you aren't following your own will. It sounds to me like you've just been convincing yourself to go along with it all so that you don't have to endure the knowledge that you've passed the point of no return. But I'm sure you haven’t, Chris, you're too smart for that. If you think you're in real trouble, get out. Run, or resist in whatever small way you can until an opportunity comes up. There's probably something that's safe to tell us; think real hard about it. If you can let us know indirectly where you are and what you're doing, we can help. I'm sure we all trust your wishes and your judgment but please, be brave and think really hard about this so you're sure what's the right choice.
And now a plea to Lizz. Lizzie? Lizz? Hello, you reading this? I've got two things to... insist of you, if I might. First, stay out of danger. Keep your head down. Come home, if you can. Remember, you aren't the one whose really in danger... when you're in danger. Everyone IN THE WORLD besides you is in danger... when you're danger. You're not gambling with your own life poking your nose around, you're gambling with the lives of about seven billion people. I'm begging you, don't risk their lives. Your place is to be a scholar, that should be obvious. You're not only fantastic at doing your research (it saved your life!) you have to accept it, you are a liability whenever you're out there “in the field”. We all know what happens to a mortally injured sin-eater. If a risk like that doesn't bother you, I... I don't even know who you are anymore. Come home, please. I'm starting to think it was dumb, dumb, dumb for us to split up so completely right now. It's so much easier for us to be picked off like this. If Darrel and Ricky could come back now that'd be excellent to. In case you didn't think more bad schiese couldn't possibly go down, I'm here to tell you, the schiese is goin' down. The reason I've been out of contact the last month is because... well I've sort of had to go into hiding. Not just me, a lot of us in the council, and especially in the Union.
I can't say for sure whether anything specific has happened, but we know there are people in two of the big mage orders, the Mysterium and the “Guardians of the Veil”, who are making very serious accusations and threats against us, particularly the five of us. The way I've had it explained to me is there's this world, mundus, the supernal worlds which are the source of magic, aetherious and such, and between them is the awful gulf: the void. Any magic spell that isn't done right, or that gets witnessed by someone who isn't in the right mindset, widens the gulf. The trouble is apparently that these sorts of things are happening a lot now, a lot more than they used to. People like me who aren't ready for magic are dabbling in it like it was a hobby they could pick up, while a lot of mages feel like they can relax their standards and practice openly now that the cat's out of the bag. Frankly this all makes sense to me, it means despite everything we've seen the real disaster is that our world and the higher, purer worlds are rocketing apart, like two galaxies hurtling away from each other on opposite currents of space. I don't know how they can pin that all on us, though, or even the Union. What do I know, I don't know anything.
So... the Necronomicon is in Harvard. (looooong sigh) The only thing I think I know about Schrodinger's paradox is that it's all bollux. It's not a fair criticism of quantum mechanics, so I'm not sure what you're talking about, Chris. Is the book cursed or something? Is it enchanted to warp my soul or my mind? Or is just words and symbols on paper? I wouldn't be surprised either way. But competing truths, Chris? Come on, now let's be careful how we phrase things. Explain to me how two contradictory things can be true at the same time in the same reality. We've been learning about... something similar, something like that, but it's not really the same I don't think If you can't explain... well I simply don't buy it. It's not that I think I know everything or anything really, it's just I don't have any reason to believe that in particular. Maybe there's a lot in between us and the real fundamental nature of the world, but I don't know what else to expect other than something completely consistent and predictable. Otherwise who cares, right? We might as well welcome the dreadlord's nihilism, revel in it, celebrate it. The children of the elder god have come to tell us that nothing matters and nothing is true, that all life ought to be a party oozing with drink and sex and violence and babbling. Are they wrong or are they right?
Not to say I'm in any hurry to find or read that book. If you have a better idea of how we can learn about our enemy, pitch it. All I care about is knowing my foe, and my way seems like the only way to me right now. You mentioned something about a stone? I'm sorry, I'm exhausted, I really am. Maybe you could go into more detail about that. Not much to talk about on this end. Right now I'm living quite literally underground, in this beautiful old stone room like something out of an Elder Scroll's game. The ceiling is very high, sort of feels like an old chapel down here, and it's nice and cool. It's part of a pretty big network as far as I can tell, but they haven’t let us explore very far. And for once, though there are actually far fewer people coming and going... for once in a long time now I don't feel completely alone. There are two people I'm working with down here, neither of them exactly human. One is a very unique and friendly werewolf who has taken for himself the name of Logosh, which seems strangely familiar to me. I think he's someone both Darrel and Ricky could learn a lot from, and me too for that mater. He goes his own way, he doesn't run with anyone's pack, he fights for the Union. He seems to be in his bestial form very often, but it doesn't really prevent him from being delicate and patient. He also doesn't mind it when I scratch his head... which is good... because... that's a weakness of mine.
The girl is changeling, like your sister Chris, except she frightens me. She always wears a long purple cloak with a hood that mostly obscures her face. The texture of her skin when I catch a glimpse of it seems like sandpaper, rough and splotchy. She's thin, and... well in many ways I'd be tempted to call her a girl after my own heart, she's very polite and straight forward and motivated and serious and intelligent... once she looked me in the face, and it was like a skull. Though her movements and her posture are healthy and vigorous, she looks as if she's been dieing of starvation, and her eyes are filled with some murderous, unappeasable hatred for someone or something. I don't wanna' talk about it anymore more right now, I'm too tired. Her name is June, by the way, or it is now since she's a member of the summer court. Next time I'll talk about the research we're doing. We spend a lot of time with these awesome sort of... extra-planar telescopes... and what happens when you look through one can be really exhausting.
Chris, you're the one I'm most worried about right now. I take back what I said, what exactly have you gotten yourself into? I hope they aren't making you sacrifice anything fundamental to who you are. What could be more precious, and not just to you. We like you the way you are, Chris, or at least I do. I want you to become more like yourself. I think you're scared, and I think you're pretty obviously unhappy and you feel swept up. It might be tough, but for a moment you should try entertaining the idea that you aren't where you want to be right now, and you aren't following your own will. It sounds to me like you've just been convincing yourself to go along with it all so that you don't have to endure the knowledge that you've passed the point of no return. But I'm sure you haven’t, Chris, you're too smart for that. If you think you're in real trouble, get out. Run, or resist in whatever small way you can until an opportunity comes up. There's probably something that's safe to tell us; think real hard about it. If you can let us know indirectly where you are and what you're doing, we can help. I'm sure we all trust your wishes and your judgment but please, be brave and think really hard about this so you're sure what's the right choice.
And now a plea to Lizz. Lizzie? Lizz? Hello, you reading this? I've got two things to... insist of you, if I might. First, stay out of danger. Keep your head down. Come home, if you can. Remember, you aren't the one whose really in danger... when you're in danger. Everyone IN THE WORLD besides you is in danger... when you're danger. You're not gambling with your own life poking your nose around, you're gambling with the lives of about seven billion people. I'm begging you, don't risk their lives. Your place is to be a scholar, that should be obvious. You're not only fantastic at doing your research (it saved your life!) you have to accept it, you are a liability whenever you're out there “in the field”. We all know what happens to a mortally injured sin-eater. If a risk like that doesn't bother you, I... I don't even know who you are anymore. Come home, please. I'm starting to think it was dumb, dumb, dumb for us to split up so completely right now. It's so much easier for us to be picked off like this. If Darrel and Ricky could come back now that'd be excellent to. In case you didn't think more bad schiese couldn't possibly go down, I'm here to tell you, the schiese is goin' down. The reason I've been out of contact the last month is because... well I've sort of had to go into hiding. Not just me, a lot of us in the council, and especially in the Union.
I can't say for sure whether anything specific has happened, but we know there are people in two of the big mage orders, the Mysterium and the “Guardians of the Veil”, who are making very serious accusations and threats against us, particularly the five of us. The way I've had it explained to me is there's this world, mundus, the supernal worlds which are the source of magic, aetherious and such, and between them is the awful gulf: the void. Any magic spell that isn't done right, or that gets witnessed by someone who isn't in the right mindset, widens the gulf. The trouble is apparently that these sorts of things are happening a lot now, a lot more than they used to. People like me who aren't ready for magic are dabbling in it like it was a hobby they could pick up, while a lot of mages feel like they can relax their standards and practice openly now that the cat's out of the bag. Frankly this all makes sense to me, it means despite everything we've seen the real disaster is that our world and the higher, purer worlds are rocketing apart, like two galaxies hurtling away from each other on opposite currents of space. I don't know how they can pin that all on us, though, or even the Union. What do I know, I don't know anything.
So... the Necronomicon is in Harvard. (looooong sigh) The only thing I think I know about Schrodinger's paradox is that it's all bollux. It's not a fair criticism of quantum mechanics, so I'm not sure what you're talking about, Chris. Is the book cursed or something? Is it enchanted to warp my soul or my mind? Or is just words and symbols on paper? I wouldn't be surprised either way. But competing truths, Chris? Come on, now let's be careful how we phrase things. Explain to me how two contradictory things can be true at the same time in the same reality. We've been learning about... something similar, something like that, but it's not really the same I don't think If you can't explain... well I simply don't buy it. It's not that I think I know everything or anything really, it's just I don't have any reason to believe that in particular. Maybe there's a lot in between us and the real fundamental nature of the world, but I don't know what else to expect other than something completely consistent and predictable. Otherwise who cares, right? We might as well welcome the dreadlord's nihilism, revel in it, celebrate it. The children of the elder god have come to tell us that nothing matters and nothing is true, that all life ought to be a party oozing with drink and sex and violence and babbling. Are they wrong or are they right?
Not to say I'm in any hurry to find or read that book. If you have a better idea of how we can learn about our enemy, pitch it. All I care about is knowing my foe, and my way seems like the only way to me right now. You mentioned something about a stone? I'm sorry, I'm exhausted, I really am. Maybe you could go into more detail about that. Not much to talk about on this end. Right now I'm living quite literally underground, in this beautiful old stone room like something out of an Elder Scroll's game. The ceiling is very high, sort of feels like an old chapel down here, and it's nice and cool. It's part of a pretty big network as far as I can tell, but they haven’t let us explore very far. And for once, though there are actually far fewer people coming and going... for once in a long time now I don't feel completely alone. There are two people I'm working with down here, neither of them exactly human. One is a very unique and friendly werewolf who has taken for himself the name of Logosh, which seems strangely familiar to me. I think he's someone both Darrel and Ricky could learn a lot from, and me too for that mater. He goes his own way, he doesn't run with anyone's pack, he fights for the Union. He seems to be in his bestial form very often, but it doesn't really prevent him from being delicate and patient. He also doesn't mind it when I scratch his head... which is good... because... that's a weakness of mine.
The girl is changeling, like your sister Chris, except she frightens me. She always wears a long purple cloak with a hood that mostly obscures her face. The texture of her skin when I catch a glimpse of it seems like sandpaper, rough and splotchy. She's thin, and... well in many ways I'd be tempted to call her a girl after my own heart, she's very polite and straight forward and motivated and serious and intelligent... once she looked me in the face, and it was like a skull. Though her movements and her posture are healthy and vigorous, she looks as if she's been dieing of starvation, and her eyes are filled with some murderous, unappeasable hatred for someone or something. I don't wanna' talk about it anymore more right now, I'm too tired. Her name is June, by the way, or it is now since she's a member of the summer court. Next time I'll talk about the research we're doing. We spend a lot of time with these awesome sort of... extra-planar telescopes... and what happens when you look through one can be really exhausting.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Christian's Entry for April 2012
Lost. Dark. Alone. I am sorry if my message is either short or dark, because I feel an awful like both. I know I prepared for this, I know that none of this should phase me... but it does. The good new is that I’m apparently very good with languages. Dunno how that is, but... at least I can talk to people before they... nevermind. I don’t wanna think about my life right now, I really don’t. Suffice it to say it is... very difficult. So how the vow works is that you swear to give up stuff, and... you’re a different person. I can’t say when or what without breaking the vow, but... I don’t wanna be this person. And neither does anyone else, I don’t think. It sucks to be so... nope! No details, dangit! I can’t tell anything, except that... I’m not real anymore. Not like I used to be. Not like any of you are. I guess that’s how the masters who complete this process come back so differently than they left. I wonder who I’ll be when I finish this... who I am or who I used to be. The Order wouldn’t tell me, so... I don’t actually know. Guess what? When it’s wet and cold and lots of people are on the streets with you, they do what they want. None of my magic works. All that stuff I learned... it’s like heaven doesn’t want to acknowledge I even exist. But... enough about me.
Darrel, I’m glad you’ve got a pack. I don’t know much about much of anything, but what I know about werewolves indicates you shouldn’t really be /trying/ to live without one. Especially considering how difficult our goals are. It was stupid of us to try and take this enemy by ourselves, even if we are apparently important for some reason. Professor Armitage was right about that, though. I’ll never forget what we saw. Or... what happened to us. Although I guess it was mostly just you, Lizzie. I hope the magic I used to send that object to you didn’t have anything to do with you being captured and imprisoned by Cheiron, because... At least you can die less permanently than the rest of us. Whatever good that does you. I’m glad you made it out okay at least! Stay safe! There’s bound to be something to what’s going on... A method behind all the madness. Somewhere. Can you... it’s awful to imagine what you went through. What I did... Can you remember when we were just ordinary people? Back when we used to eat fast food and play video games and roleplay? Sometimes I think about that one with Ashton and Parker. I can just imagine how well they would do in conditions like this! Little fairies falling apart like wax paper. Let me know if the artifact... momento... works for you. Because I dunno if it does what it says it should.
Ricky, don’t get discouraged! That sounds scary... but it sounds to me like that fox is perfect for you. Someone to get you out and doing things. The world doesn’t need cowards right now... it needs people who get out and gets the stuff done that needs to get done. You will be successful... but that doesn’t mean you have to try and figure out a problem that isn’t your natural sphere. I mean... maybe you should avoid /human/ ghosts and focus on the animal world. Figure out the sort of stuff a fox and a cat can figure out.
As for me, I’ll keep on trudgin’ forward. It’s hard, but... I won’t give. There are lots of people out there... one of them is bound to know how to help me... be... alive again. Please... it might be one of you. Try to... be nice to... people... you... see... Stupid vow! -Dies.
((Oh, and score. 4 exp on time, subplot, progress, others.))
Darrel, I’m glad you’ve got a pack. I don’t know much about much of anything, but what I know about werewolves indicates you shouldn’t really be /trying/ to live without one. Especially considering how difficult our goals are. It was stupid of us to try and take this enemy by ourselves, even if we are apparently important for some reason. Professor Armitage was right about that, though. I’ll never forget what we saw. Or... what happened to us. Although I guess it was mostly just you, Lizzie. I hope the magic I used to send that object to you didn’t have anything to do with you being captured and imprisoned by Cheiron, because... At least you can die less permanently than the rest of us. Whatever good that does you. I’m glad you made it out okay at least! Stay safe! There’s bound to be something to what’s going on... A method behind all the madness. Somewhere. Can you... it’s awful to imagine what you went through. What I did... Can you remember when we were just ordinary people? Back when we used to eat fast food and play video games and roleplay? Sometimes I think about that one with Ashton and Parker. I can just imagine how well they would do in conditions like this! Little fairies falling apart like wax paper. Let me know if the artifact... momento... works for you. Because I dunno if it does what it says it should.
Ricky, don’t get discouraged! That sounds scary... but it sounds to me like that fox is perfect for you. Someone to get you out and doing things. The world doesn’t need cowards right now... it needs people who get out and gets the stuff done that needs to get done. You will be successful... but that doesn’t mean you have to try and figure out a problem that isn’t your natural sphere. I mean... maybe you should avoid /human/ ghosts and focus on the animal world. Figure out the sort of stuff a fox and a cat can figure out.
As for me, I’ll keep on trudgin’ forward. It’s hard, but... I won’t give. There are lots of people out there... one of them is bound to know how to help me... be... alive again. Please... it might be one of you. Try to... be nice to... people... you... see... Stupid vow! -Dies.
((Oh, and score. 4 exp on time, subplot, progress, others.))
Monday, March 19, 2012
Lizzie's Entry for March 2012
((So, 3 points, I think. 1 point off for being late.))
Hey, guys! Er... Sorry for not writing in... what? Two months? Damn, has it really been that long? No wonder I feel so miserable. Japan has not been kind to me. The tsunami, Cheiron... Sometimes I wonder if this world was even fucking worth dying for. Wherever it is I send those ghosts when they pass on, I can't believe it gives a shit about us down here on Earth.
Sorry, sorry. I don't get much sleep anymore and Undine's only gotten louder after what they did to us. After... I never saw her cry before... It doesn't make sense... Geists gave up true emotions. It's all instinct and... or was it Lizzie that was crying? She tried to stay strong, but... Damn, I need to focus. That was weeks ago, it's over. Dammit, I should... start from the beginning.
Alright, so, you all know I was planning a trip a Japan to investigate that tidal wave and get away from my Dim Sun bodyguards. Turns out they were being protective of me for a reason. Shit, does that mean they're doing this sort of crap outside of Japan too? The fucking... Sorry, we're getting ahead of ourselves again. I mean... myself... Anyways, it wasn't too difficult to get out of the country. I just used the same trick we used to get to Antartica. The hard part was just getting into the Underworld. After that, just walking the path was easy.
As I got closer to the exit, I noticed that the shades on the outside were getting more agitated, and more numerous. At that point, I was starting to regret going it alone. Maybe I never should've gone at all... Too bad I never got the chance to learn that time magic, so I'm stuck with the decisions I made. Like leaving Rick alone.
Speaking of which, you can't just leave Amelia, Rick! Do you really want to be that sort of person? It's bad enough you got together with her without telling me, but now you're thinking about leaving her, too? No, you make it work, or by the Pale Horseman, we'll make you regret it. Er... I mean... Forget it, I'm not thinking straight right now.
So, Japan was in pretty bad shape when I got there. The damage was worse than they were reporting on the news. Things were even worse than what happened back home. I've never seen so many ghosts at once. The chaos did make it easy enough to hide from my Krewe, but... It was horrible. I helped as many as I could, I tried, I really did! I even met up with a local Krewe that wasn't associated with the Dim Suns. Language was a bit of a problem, but they knew enough English to help me.
But... the amount of death and destruction wasn't even the worst of it. See, apparently the people who had been killed were becoming Sin-Eaters at an abnormally high ratio. It's like the geists knew this was going to happen. I couldn't get a straight answer from Undine about it. Maybe we didn't actually know... Either way, when the Krewe realized, we started searching these people out, do some recruiting and help them cope with the burdens of becoming a Sin-Eater in a disaster like this.
We weren't the only ones, though. I'm not sure how they even knew. I mean, I know the supernatural isn't a well-kept secret anymore, but... How could they /tell/? They went around collecting Sin-Eaters, and only Sin-Eaters. Not even people they suspected of being one; they knew with every person. Of course, they were friendly enough if you didn't resist. They thought I was just another victim of the tsunami, offered me a hot drink and told me they could make the voices in my head go away. Ha! Like it would be that easy to remove me from my body. Of course, I refused, but that's when they got... insistant... Turns out a pistol isn't much help against automatic weapons.
I didn't know where they were taking me at the time. I don't even remember the trip. All I do remember is waking up in what looked like a hospital room. They had patched me up, at least what was left to patch up. Then some doctor came out and explained how I'd been "possessed" and they were working on a cure. Yeah. Fucking. Right. Their idea of curing me was to steal my blood for the plasm and forcing me to use my caul manifestation for long periods of time. It got worse, but... I... We don't talk about it. Have you ever heard a geist scream? No? Lucky you. When they weren't using me as a lab rat, I was put into a warehouse with the rest of the Sin-Eaters they had collected. We got tiny cots and basic meals... Some people actually believed the bastards were helping us! It was... It was horrible... I...
So, clearly, I escaped. The Dim Suns found out and raided the facility. Turns out it was some sort of international company called the Cheiron Group. Have any of you heard of it before? They try to prophet off the supernatural. Who knows what they were trying to accomplish with Sin-Eaters. We found some evidence that they were working with someone else, but we're not entirely sure who. My leash with the Dim Suns has gotten a lot shorter, but I managed to convince them to take me when they raid the next facility. I'll let you guys know what I find.
Speaking of finding stuff, I got that momento you sent, Christian. Somehow Cheiron had managed to get their hands on it and were keeping it at the same facility I was at. Guess that fate magic works. Wish I didn't have to get kidnapped and tortured to get it, though. It should come in handy, at least, once I'm allowed out again to help ghosts. Until then, well, at least they're pretty good looking sunglasses.
Anyways, sorry again for not writing, but... as you can see, I didn't exactly get many chances to. I know things haven't exactly been easy for anyone else, either, though, so I'll do my best to keep in touch more often. Until then... stay safe, I guess. The world isn't in very good shape. Damn, and we're the ones people are expecting to fix it, too. Fucking great.
Hey, guys! Er... Sorry for not writing in... what? Two months? Damn, has it really been that long? No wonder I feel so miserable. Japan has not been kind to me. The tsunami, Cheiron... Sometimes I wonder if this world was even fucking worth dying for. Wherever it is I send those ghosts when they pass on, I can't believe it gives a shit about us down here on Earth.
Sorry, sorry. I don't get much sleep anymore and Undine's only gotten louder after what they did to us. After... I never saw her cry before... It doesn't make sense... Geists gave up true emotions. It's all instinct and... or was it Lizzie that was crying? She tried to stay strong, but... Damn, I need to focus. That was weeks ago, it's over. Dammit, I should... start from the beginning.
Alright, so, you all know I was planning a trip a Japan to investigate that tidal wave and get away from my Dim Sun bodyguards. Turns out they were being protective of me for a reason. Shit, does that mean they're doing this sort of crap outside of Japan too? The fucking... Sorry, we're getting ahead of ourselves again. I mean... myself... Anyways, it wasn't too difficult to get out of the country. I just used the same trick we used to get to Antartica. The hard part was just getting into the Underworld. After that, just walking the path was easy.
As I got closer to the exit, I noticed that the shades on the outside were getting more agitated, and more numerous. At that point, I was starting to regret going it alone. Maybe I never should've gone at all... Too bad I never got the chance to learn that time magic, so I'm stuck with the decisions I made. Like leaving Rick alone.
Speaking of which, you can't just leave Amelia, Rick! Do you really want to be that sort of person? It's bad enough you got together with her without telling me, but now you're thinking about leaving her, too? No, you make it work, or by the Pale Horseman, we'll make you regret it. Er... I mean... Forget it, I'm not thinking straight right now.
So, Japan was in pretty bad shape when I got there. The damage was worse than they were reporting on the news. Things were even worse than what happened back home. I've never seen so many ghosts at once. The chaos did make it easy enough to hide from my Krewe, but... It was horrible. I helped as many as I could, I tried, I really did! I even met up with a local Krewe that wasn't associated with the Dim Suns. Language was a bit of a problem, but they knew enough English to help me.
But... the amount of death and destruction wasn't even the worst of it. See, apparently the people who had been killed were becoming Sin-Eaters at an abnormally high ratio. It's like the geists knew this was going to happen. I couldn't get a straight answer from Undine about it. Maybe we didn't actually know... Either way, when the Krewe realized, we started searching these people out, do some recruiting and help them cope with the burdens of becoming a Sin-Eater in a disaster like this.
We weren't the only ones, though. I'm not sure how they even knew. I mean, I know the supernatural isn't a well-kept secret anymore, but... How could they /tell/? They went around collecting Sin-Eaters, and only Sin-Eaters. Not even people they suspected of being one; they knew with every person. Of course, they were friendly enough if you didn't resist. They thought I was just another victim of the tsunami, offered me a hot drink and told me they could make the voices in my head go away. Ha! Like it would be that easy to remove me from my body. Of course, I refused, but that's when they got... insistant... Turns out a pistol isn't much help against automatic weapons.
I didn't know where they were taking me at the time. I don't even remember the trip. All I do remember is waking up in what looked like a hospital room. They had patched me up, at least what was left to patch up. Then some doctor came out and explained how I'd been "possessed" and they were working on a cure. Yeah. Fucking. Right. Their idea of curing me was to steal my blood for the plasm and forcing me to use my caul manifestation for long periods of time. It got worse, but... I... We don't talk about it. Have you ever heard a geist scream? No? Lucky you. When they weren't using me as a lab rat, I was put into a warehouse with the rest of the Sin-Eaters they had collected. We got tiny cots and basic meals... Some people actually believed the bastards were helping us! It was... It was horrible... I...
So, clearly, I escaped. The Dim Suns found out and raided the facility. Turns out it was some sort of international company called the Cheiron Group. Have any of you heard of it before? They try to prophet off the supernatural. Who knows what they were trying to accomplish with Sin-Eaters. We found some evidence that they were working with someone else, but we're not entirely sure who. My leash with the Dim Suns has gotten a lot shorter, but I managed to convince them to take me when they raid the next facility. I'll let you guys know what I find.
Speaking of finding stuff, I got that momento you sent, Christian. Somehow Cheiron had managed to get their hands on it and were keeping it at the same facility I was at. Guess that fate magic works. Wish I didn't have to get kidnapped and tortured to get it, though. It should come in handy, at least, once I'm allowed out again to help ghosts. Until then, well, at least they're pretty good looking sunglasses.
Anyways, sorry again for not writing, but... as you can see, I didn't exactly get many chances to. I know things haven't exactly been easy for anyone else, either, though, so I'll do my best to keep in touch more often. Until then... stay safe, I guess. The world isn't in very good shape. Damn, and we're the ones people are expecting to fix it, too. Fucking great.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Rick's Entry for March 2012
(( 1 pt for on time. Yes, I know it was supposed to be yesterday, but since I was sick for a week, and since Kirb was supposed to post, and since Ka was supposed to post, then all things considered, I'm comparatively on time. Sue me. My precciiiiioous pt. 2pt for furthering both the plot and the subplot. And one more point for talking about the others. ))
Hola everyone. I'm taking this time of extreme danger to write to you. After all, what a better time than stuck on a boat possessed by spirits in the middle of the Great Lake when you're a cat creature to send a message to your friends using the magical internet thing? Apparently there's none, or else I would have chosen another one. I'm sure you're all wondering what the heck I got my feline behind in such trouble again, but because I've got no common sense, I will talk about other things first. Amelia's well. She's a little shaken right now and a bit confused about what I'm doing. Sorry about that by the way, I couldn't exactly hide it from her in here.
Where was I... oh right, how I got here. We. We got. Never said I. We got into this in a silly way. Remember how I was talking about reading, last time? Well, we learned a lot about the legends surrounding the Lake. Those spirits I saw on my camera are part of that lore. They attach themselves to the boat passengers and feed on part of their soul, for a purpose we didn't quiiiite understand yet. If our current predicament is any indication, they don't like to be bothered. Nope nope nope, they don't. Since we're likely gonna die, again, let me take a few moments to tell you that I like you all. To different levels of like. The buddy kind of likes. Buddies I may never see again. By the way, thanks for the help, Darril. Sending Jake over here for a quick diplomacy trip really helped things. Instead of being dead, we're not only simply on bad term with the werewolves. I mean, if we weren't about to die on a ship, I bet it would be great. Another thing I want to say is... good luck Lizzie. You've been very silent since I first talked about Amelia, so you're probably upset. At least, you should be happy to know what if I die here, she dies too. Yup. Yes, I'm
----
Hello? Hello? Does this thing work? I guess it does. Sorry for the lack of structure, got distracted. Good news, we're alive. Bad news, we've lost our targets. I guess it's time to tell you guys why I did all this. So, Amelia and I found out about those ghosts beings and because she's in... adventurous, we actually did go on a boat trip to investigate. I was joking when I said we should go, but apparently she doesn't take joke well. So while we were on that boat, those... things... tried to get at us. They didn't appreciate my anti-ghost stuff. Thanks Liz. Except you didn't tell me that it didn't only stop spirits, it angered them. They deigned show themselves to us and... I think I liked the werewolves more. Nope, the underworld and its creations definitely aren't for me, even if they're tasty fishes. Especially when they fricking try to kill you! They cornered us in the chamber. Things seemed to have calmed down, so I started writing what I thought would be my last message, ya know, so you would continue the fight. They didn't let me finish. The door, blew open, with all that... muddy water? I dunno, it didn't feel real. Actually, it wasn't real, Amelia told me. They tried to scare us into thinking we would drown. I totally didn't believe me and I totally wasn't saved by Amelia... again. Totally not. Nope. Although that totally didn't happen, and it shouldn't impact my choices given it's inexistent, I think I will go back to a low profile for the next few weeks. I've had enough fighting, visits to hospital and boat drama and hallucinations. Enough. I think they want to kill us. Kill us for looking for them. Kill us for being too nosey. Cthuluchu and his unspeakable name will get a break from me. And the werewolves. And the foxes! While Amelia isn't looking, I want to write that I may reconsider choosing her. Redhead may be as much my thing as yours, but adventures and mysteries aren't for me. I'm a cowardly kitty. There, I said it. Back to my kitty nap. And I would suggest you guys do the same too. We need to be alive to defeat them.
Hola everyone. I'm taking this time of extreme danger to write to you. After all, what a better time than stuck on a boat possessed by spirits in the middle of the Great Lake when you're a cat creature to send a message to your friends using the magical internet thing? Apparently there's none, or else I would have chosen another one. I'm sure you're all wondering what the heck I got my feline behind in such trouble again, but because I've got no common sense, I will talk about other things first. Amelia's well. She's a little shaken right now and a bit confused about what I'm doing. Sorry about that by the way, I couldn't exactly hide it from her in here.
Where was I... oh right, how I got here. We. We got. Never said I. We got into this in a silly way. Remember how I was talking about reading, last time? Well, we learned a lot about the legends surrounding the Lake. Those spirits I saw on my camera are part of that lore. They attach themselves to the boat passengers and feed on part of their soul, for a purpose we didn't quiiiite understand yet. If our current predicament is any indication, they don't like to be bothered. Nope nope nope, they don't. Since we're likely gonna die, again, let me take a few moments to tell you that I like you all. To different levels of like. The buddy kind of likes. Buddies I may never see again. By the way, thanks for the help, Darril. Sending Jake over here for a quick diplomacy trip really helped things. Instead of being dead, we're not only simply on bad term with the werewolves. I mean, if we weren't about to die on a ship, I bet it would be great. Another thing I want to say is... good luck Lizzie. You've been very silent since I first talked about Amelia, so you're probably upset. At least, you should be happy to know what if I die here, she dies too. Yup. Yes, I'm
----
Hello? Hello? Does this thing work? I guess it does. Sorry for the lack of structure, got distracted. Good news, we're alive. Bad news, we've lost our targets. I guess it's time to tell you guys why I did all this. So, Amelia and I found out about those ghosts beings and because she's in... adventurous, we actually did go on a boat trip to investigate. I was joking when I said we should go, but apparently she doesn't take joke well. So while we were on that boat, those... things... tried to get at us. They didn't appreciate my anti-ghost stuff. Thanks Liz. Except you didn't tell me that it didn't only stop spirits, it angered them. They deigned show themselves to us and... I think I liked the werewolves more. Nope, the underworld and its creations definitely aren't for me, even if they're tasty fishes. Especially when they fricking try to kill you! They cornered us in the chamber. Things seemed to have calmed down, so I started writing what I thought would be my last message, ya know, so you would continue the fight. They didn't let me finish. The door, blew open, with all that... muddy water? I dunno, it didn't feel real. Actually, it wasn't real, Amelia told me. They tried to scare us into thinking we would drown. I totally didn't believe me and I totally wasn't saved by Amelia... again. Totally not. Nope. Although that totally didn't happen, and it shouldn't impact my choices given it's inexistent, I think I will go back to a low profile for the next few weeks. I've had enough fighting, visits to hospital and boat drama and hallucinations. Enough. I think they want to kill us. Kill us for looking for them. Kill us for being too nosey. Cthuluchu and his unspeakable name will get a break from me. And the werewolves. And the foxes! While Amelia isn't looking, I want to write that I may reconsider choosing her. Redhead may be as much my thing as yours, but adventures and mysteries aren't for me. I'm a cowardly kitty. There, I said it. Back to my kitty nap. And I would suggest you guys do the same too. We need to be alive to defeat them.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Christian's Entry for March 2012
((Exp: 1 for on time, 1 for subplot, 1 progress on main story, 1 relates to other people = 4))
Hello friends! It’s been a long time... crazy to think a whole month has gone by. I understand there has been a little difficulty with my message getting out. So much for magic being perfect. But it got out eventually, and that’s what counts. Sorry if something similar happens this time. Whoever’s listening anyway. I... it’s good to know the big three are still alive, come fire, sleet, or Elder Gods. It’s good to hear you two are still marchin’ on. Distance is an illusion says Austin. I don’t understand space magic, but I trust you. Your insight is very valuable. Perhaps I can help. If the universe is holographic, then separation is an illusion too, /but/ matter can occupy the same space as other matter. But there is no distinctiveness, and... I try to think of the universe as /not/ being holographic, because that prospect is terrifying. To illustrate this concept, allow me to explain your other computer question, Rick will doubtless agree with me. From within a computer, from within a “simulation” ones and zeros have no size, because from within the simulation they don’t exist. From the perspective of a user on the outside, however, ones and zeros have a size defined by the system they’re composed on. A WWII era “supercomputer” had ones and zeros stored on vacuum tubes the size of my arm. On modern systems, a one or a zero is microscopic, but it does have a finite size depending on the size of the computer running the program.
But I digress. There’s one more detail you need to know... or that you talked about, I guess. The Necronomicon. Please don’t tell anyone in my Order I’m talking to you about that, as I have no doubt I would be deeply reproved. Painfully, no less. But here’s what I know. There /is/ an English version, written by one “Dr. Dee” in response to the religious reformation. There were only 1000 printed, and this edition was published in 1643. As a result, almost all the copies that exist have simply withered away. Still, I’ve got access to an awesome library here. I found a reference here that indicates a copy of this English version is in storage in Harvard’s library. Good luck getting access, but there you go. Now comes the part you don’t want to hear. Do Not Read That Book. Knowledge is power, but it’s more than that. To know these things is to change yourself to make them true. Think of yourself as a subatomic particle. Like Schrodinger’s box. There are two conflicting pictures of the universe, mine and the one in that book. If you /know/ your version of the universe, then the one where we aren’t fleas on the face of some strange god is not real for you. Only what you know exists. If that isn’t a good reason not to read, I don’t know what is.
In much happier news, I’m glad you and Amelia are doing well. I did ask you to /save/ her for me, since redheads are more my thing... but short girls are yours, so I suppose there’s a bit of a split. As to foxes... I really think those are more my territory. Wait! I know you’re the one who’s part animal. I know your animal is from the same habitat as hers, buuhhut... wild cats compete with foxes. Unlike me, who never competed with or hurt a fox for anything. Plus, as already demonstrated, redheads are way my thing. FURTHER: I’ve only been an animal once, and I was a fox. I’ve been a fox, and you haven’t! ^^ I... know what it’s like. Or... it might’ve only been for a few hours... but I still remember! I’m gonna talk to Master Harps about experiencing it again, one last time... I guess I could talk about that a little, since Rick hasn’t talked about it. And even if he did... I’m sure you guys want a /human/ perspective. Rick’s got some way awesome powers... but as Rick would tell us, he’s not human like... well... like Austin and me are. The rest of you are... other things too.
So here’s what happened... a few weeks ago, all the different orders sent their Masters. There were ten in all... and they talked to all of us preparing to take the vow. Each of us would get to claim one gift from /one/ of the Masters. But before we did, each of them stood up to demonstrate what the magic they mastered could do. It was all /amazing/. Like... I wish I had the time to talk about it all. It was all amazing, but when Master Harps stood up and said he would change one of us into an animal, everyone was terrified. Everyone but me. I volunteered, which earned me some major points with the rest of the order.
The spell... I didn’t really see it, which was okay. Next moment... it was bizarre. Ever used laughing gas before? It felt a little like that. Like... only what’s in front of me is important. Ever felt like that Rick? Instinct... it’s like... I knew what to do without thinking about it. It was relaxing, in a way. For once I wasn’t afraid, wasn’t worried about a thing. My vow at the end of March? No problem. Being away from the “real” world? Didn’t matter. I just wanted... well, I can’t really explain what I wanted. It was /way/ cool. I wish I wasn’t trying to save the world, so I could study life magic. Forget this dumb vow... I’ll study with Master Harps. Look him up, Austin, he’s fromt eh Free Council. Tell him you’re my friend! He’d probably be willing to help you with stuff. But... I don’t have that kind of time, as much as I want to. Still being a fox is a lot of fun, and I’d love to be able to do that all the time. I won’t say if it was Master Harps I asked the help from... but it was probably my favorite thing I’ve done since I got here.
Where was I going with this? I... uh... your friend Amelia! If you two don’t work out, let me know. I love redheads, and being a fox only earns her more points. Did you tell her my wizardry was the very strongest? Cuz it isn’t. I was really worried when I read you’d been attacked by werewolves, Rick! Werewolves are dangerous! Darrel, help him out! And... Rick, keep some silver handy. But... about silver... does that hurt you too? You’re sort of a were-thing, aren’t you? If you are, I hope you heal fast... you need to be out in the world. Doing... somethin’. Learning. I dunno how you want to help the fight with the Old Ones, Rick, but as long as you’re doing /something/, you’re probably helping us.
So what’s the story with you, Lizzie? I was worried about you. How’s Japan? Is the Ghibli museum still open with those floods? Let me know how you’re doing... how’s the dead side of Japan? I bet there’s lots of ghosts after a major disaster. Is Cthulu or anything like that involved? Hope you haven’t died again...
Darrel, don’t die. I don’t worry about you. Werewolves seem to be very good about taking care of themselves. Too bad you weren’t with Rick. That fight would have gone way better if you’d been on his side.
Now... I suppose I should talk about how things are going for me. Remember how I was gonna leave this month? Well... I decided to stay one more month. Don’t judge me! It totally sucks here, but I’m learning /so/ much! The amount I change in just a few days... I thought getting a whole bunch more would leave me that much more prepared. I feel more confident every day. More ready I guess.
So far as what I’ve learned this month, like Austin, I have discovered my own source of knowledge. “And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in this world of darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.” The stone of Gazelem is the key. If it even exists... the Masters sure think it does... they think it has another name, but it has been known in Arabia during the 9th century, I think. Abdul Al Hazred... do you think there’s some connection there? The writer of the Necronomicon... holy crap holy crap... do you think it wasn’t the mind-altering substances that helped him see into the secrets of the universe? That’s terrifying. Stupid contradictions! The power of God, god isn’t real. Elder gods. Maybe I’ll see one of you out in the world, maybe not. I hope you see me, though. I’m looking for someone... anyone. That’s how the Vow ends: end up treated like a human being. None of you will recognize me, but I’ll recognize you. I’m not afraid: you guys are great people, and I know you’ll help me return to the Order in victory. If I can... I could unite all five of the Orders. Imagine! The awakened nation! What we could accomplish... together.
Okay, I’m sounding like a motivational speaker, I think it’s time to shut up. Next month I’m gonna be out on the streets, somewhere. Somewhere. Please be nice to... people. And foxes too, but that’s another story. Peace out.
Hello friends! It’s been a long time... crazy to think a whole month has gone by. I understand there has been a little difficulty with my message getting out. So much for magic being perfect. But it got out eventually, and that’s what counts. Sorry if something similar happens this time. Whoever’s listening anyway. I... it’s good to know the big three are still alive, come fire, sleet, or Elder Gods. It’s good to hear you two are still marchin’ on. Distance is an illusion says Austin. I don’t understand space magic, but I trust you. Your insight is very valuable. Perhaps I can help. If the universe is holographic, then separation is an illusion too, /but/ matter can occupy the same space as other matter. But there is no distinctiveness, and... I try to think of the universe as /not/ being holographic, because that prospect is terrifying. To illustrate this concept, allow me to explain your other computer question, Rick will doubtless agree with me. From within a computer, from within a “simulation” ones and zeros have no size, because from within the simulation they don’t exist. From the perspective of a user on the outside, however, ones and zeros have a size defined by the system they’re composed on. A WWII era “supercomputer” had ones and zeros stored on vacuum tubes the size of my arm. On modern systems, a one or a zero is microscopic, but it does have a finite size depending on the size of the computer running the program.
But I digress. There’s one more detail you need to know... or that you talked about, I guess. The Necronomicon. Please don’t tell anyone in my Order I’m talking to you about that, as I have no doubt I would be deeply reproved. Painfully, no less. But here’s what I know. There /is/ an English version, written by one “Dr. Dee” in response to the religious reformation. There were only 1000 printed, and this edition was published in 1643. As a result, almost all the copies that exist have simply withered away. Still, I’ve got access to an awesome library here. I found a reference here that indicates a copy of this English version is in storage in Harvard’s library. Good luck getting access, but there you go. Now comes the part you don’t want to hear. Do Not Read That Book. Knowledge is power, but it’s more than that. To know these things is to change yourself to make them true. Think of yourself as a subatomic particle. Like Schrodinger’s box. There are two conflicting pictures of the universe, mine and the one in that book. If you /know/ your version of the universe, then the one where we aren’t fleas on the face of some strange god is not real for you. Only what you know exists. If that isn’t a good reason not to read, I don’t know what is.
In much happier news, I’m glad you and Amelia are doing well. I did ask you to /save/ her for me, since redheads are more my thing... but short girls are yours, so I suppose there’s a bit of a split. As to foxes... I really think those are more my territory. Wait! I know you’re the one who’s part animal. I know your animal is from the same habitat as hers, buuhhut... wild cats compete with foxes. Unlike me, who never competed with or hurt a fox for anything. Plus, as already demonstrated, redheads are way my thing. FURTHER: I’ve only been an animal once, and I was a fox. I’ve been a fox, and you haven’t! ^^ I... know what it’s like. Or... it might’ve only been for a few hours... but I still remember! I’m gonna talk to Master Harps about experiencing it again, one last time... I guess I could talk about that a little, since Rick hasn’t talked about it. And even if he did... I’m sure you guys want a /human/ perspective. Rick’s got some way awesome powers... but as Rick would tell us, he’s not human like... well... like Austin and me are. The rest of you are... other things too.
So here’s what happened... a few weeks ago, all the different orders sent their Masters. There were ten in all... and they talked to all of us preparing to take the vow. Each of us would get to claim one gift from /one/ of the Masters. But before we did, each of them stood up to demonstrate what the magic they mastered could do. It was all /amazing/. Like... I wish I had the time to talk about it all. It was all amazing, but when Master Harps stood up and said he would change one of us into an animal, everyone was terrified. Everyone but me. I volunteered, which earned me some major points with the rest of the order.
The spell... I didn’t really see it, which was okay. Next moment... it was bizarre. Ever used laughing gas before? It felt a little like that. Like... only what’s in front of me is important. Ever felt like that Rick? Instinct... it’s like... I knew what to do without thinking about it. It was relaxing, in a way. For once I wasn’t afraid, wasn’t worried about a thing. My vow at the end of March? No problem. Being away from the “real” world? Didn’t matter. I just wanted... well, I can’t really explain what I wanted. It was /way/ cool. I wish I wasn’t trying to save the world, so I could study life magic. Forget this dumb vow... I’ll study with Master Harps. Look him up, Austin, he’s fromt eh Free Council. Tell him you’re my friend! He’d probably be willing to help you with stuff. But... I don’t have that kind of time, as much as I want to. Still being a fox is a lot of fun, and I’d love to be able to do that all the time. I won’t say if it was Master Harps I asked the help from... but it was probably my favorite thing I’ve done since I got here.
Where was I going with this? I... uh... your friend Amelia! If you two don’t work out, let me know. I love redheads, and being a fox only earns her more points. Did you tell her my wizardry was the very strongest? Cuz it isn’t. I was really worried when I read you’d been attacked by werewolves, Rick! Werewolves are dangerous! Darrel, help him out! And... Rick, keep some silver handy. But... about silver... does that hurt you too? You’re sort of a were-thing, aren’t you? If you are, I hope you heal fast... you need to be out in the world. Doing... somethin’. Learning. I dunno how you want to help the fight with the Old Ones, Rick, but as long as you’re doing /something/, you’re probably helping us.
So what’s the story with you, Lizzie? I was worried about you. How’s Japan? Is the Ghibli museum still open with those floods? Let me know how you’re doing... how’s the dead side of Japan? I bet there’s lots of ghosts after a major disaster. Is Cthulu or anything like that involved? Hope you haven’t died again...
Darrel, don’t die. I don’t worry about you. Werewolves seem to be very good about taking care of themselves. Too bad you weren’t with Rick. That fight would have gone way better if you’d been on his side.
Now... I suppose I should talk about how things are going for me. Remember how I was gonna leave this month? Well... I decided to stay one more month. Don’t judge me! It totally sucks here, but I’m learning /so/ much! The amount I change in just a few days... I thought getting a whole bunch more would leave me that much more prepared. I feel more confident every day. More ready I guess.
So far as what I’ve learned this month, like Austin, I have discovered my own source of knowledge. “And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in this world of darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.” The stone of Gazelem is the key. If it even exists... the Masters sure think it does... they think it has another name, but it has been known in Arabia during the 9th century, I think. Abdul Al Hazred... do you think there’s some connection there? The writer of the Necronomicon... holy crap holy crap... do you think it wasn’t the mind-altering substances that helped him see into the secrets of the universe? That’s terrifying. Stupid contradictions! The power of God, god isn’t real. Elder gods. Maybe I’ll see one of you out in the world, maybe not. I hope you see me, though. I’m looking for someone... anyone. That’s how the Vow ends: end up treated like a human being. None of you will recognize me, but I’ll recognize you. I’m not afraid: you guys are great people, and I know you’ll help me return to the Order in victory. If I can... I could unite all five of the Orders. Imagine! The awakened nation! What we could accomplish... together.
Okay, I’m sounding like a motivational speaker, I think it’s time to shut up. Next month I’m gonna be out on the streets, somewhere. Somewhere. Please be nice to... people. And foxes too, but that’s another story. Peace out.
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