chikaidestroyer | ∞ 72: Observing the white season [written/action]

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∞ 72: Observing the white season [written/action]

[written]

I don't suppose anyone has measured just how deep the snow is now? There haven't been long enough breaks in the weather to allow the snow to melt significantly.

It had been an early worry this season that some residents may be snowed in with the very cold weather we've had. Hopefully everyone is being careful about keeping an eye out for New Feathers and returning abductees.

[action]

[Albert has been spending less time in the house lately, for a variety of reasons -- exploring the new community building next to the house, taking care of his horse with the snowing continuing to pile up, and other things exposing him to the elements.

Today, Albert is in the bar, tucked in one of the booths with his journal and some wine. Perhaps he's hoping to get another Kanakan bottle from the bartender. Or he just needs the din of noise to help him think. Or perhaps he's waiting for something to happen.

Later, he'll arrive back at his house in the dark, in the early evening.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'd say from the looks of it you'd gotten further. And yes, I do.

[He shifts his weight a bit in his seat.] But you can't blame me for keeping an ear out, you're a useful contact.

[He raises a brow at the comment, though only for a moment.] If by 'further' you mean 'in another world entirely.' In which case I must agree.

A contact still beneficial to your interests under very different circumstances. How often does that happen?

I think you'd find a way to be useful in any situation. It's a rare gift. But I imagine your ambitions are greater than my interests.

Perhaps ambitions outside of this world. But as far as Luceti is concerned, the goal is to get out of here before being driven insane -- and, if circulating rumors contain any truth, before our worlds are affected.

But you have witnessed many horrors already. I doubt you're an easy man to drive to madness.

I'd heard some whispers about our own worlds, though. You probably know much more than I.

There are many here, and my basis of any power I have here is the power of suggestion. Even if I'm not driven insane through the experiments, a significant portion of the population affected in such a way ruins everything. It isn't as if bouts of chaos haven't happened already.

The talk about our worlds being affected is far too fleeting to place much emphasis on. We haven't heard much about it other than the letters that appeared in the village.

I didn't say you couldn't be driven mad, I said it would be difficult. [And he'll take a swig at that, and grimace.] But a good strategist works with what he is given, not the troops he wishes for.

It seems unlikely, given the discrepancy with the timelines. But no one's come from after 475. At least, not that I've found.

If the situation is allowed to continue that long, to degenerate into what happened to previous experiment subjects... Well. I won't have much choice but to work with the insane, will I? [Again.]

Not from any significant event beyond 475, no. And this previous year has seen many more from our world appear than in the year before. It's a peculiar piece of information to set aside.

This situation isn't really a matter of choice. But you already know that.

I don't suppose there's any connection. Between those of our world who've been brought here, I mean.

Neither would be the case of others disappearing back to our world while others remain here. Wishful thinking.

A girl I conversed with my first month here mentioned an obscure idea known as the Stars of Destiny, and a tablet inscribed with names. Apparently the three of us in Luceti at the time had that 'background' in common.

I've heard of the theory, yes. But there's no way to testing it, even if the Stars of Destiny really do exist. [Man, is our entire Suikocast comprised of Stars? Albert has to come from the game where the villains count.] It would make a certain amount of sense, though, considering the general trend.

There isn't a way to test it at this time, yes. I have my own doubts, considering one particular resident. But that may be because of my own lack of knowledge on the Stars of Destiny, besides 108 Stars of Heaven and Earth comprising them. [An entire Suikocast of Stars. I guess it helps that there just aren't that many major non-Stars in the games.]

So you've noticed a trend as well. Very quick on the uptake.

One particular resident? [This means I will just have to app Gizel or something.]

I'm not actually stupid, you know. How would I have reached this ripe old age if I weren't paying attention?

[He waves a gloved hand vaguely.] The one causing so much trouble. It's hard to believe someone not properly of our world could be counted as a Star. [Oh Suiko V and your many, many non-Stars.]

I just meant in comparison to others here. But your attentiveness must come with your age and experience; so many here are willing to let someone who isn't a leader take control in dangerous situations.

I've heard that his, hmmm, opposite number, served with the forces that triumphed in the Dunan Unification War. In any case, you can't say that he doesn't have an effect, regardless of his origins. [Many, many non-Stars. Whereas S3 has like none. Lulu? The dogs?]

I can't have started out smart. That just wouldn't do. But many are willing to follow in dire circumstances, who otherwise wouldn't be. Any port in a storm.

Is that so? What an odd variety of names for that tablet. [Sana, Lulu, and the dogs, I think. Wow.]

[And they're so much more willing to give up information on themselves during times of crisis.] A situation where many things factors can lead to disaster.

Do you really expect a piece of stone to have standards? [But Kogoro is Pesmerga! He barks with all vowels, so he can't be a normal dog. So clearly non-Star power is at an all time high.]

But it's the leader who takes the blame, you see. By following orders, you relinquish responsibility. Of course, any honest soldier knows that's not the case, but those are few and hard to come by.

I suppose not. Especially one I was told about by a strange girl. [And Kogoro's dancing is so notable that he gets a commercial! So amazing, non-Stars.]

How true. I wonder how those followers would respond if they heard your words? Waves of discontent and mild defensiveness.

There's no knowing, is there? [And here we are, regulated to the "oh crap, we forgot about those guys, stick them at the end of the intro for two seconds."]

That's why I'm telling you, not them. I wouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

There isn't. Now, whether these names appear on the tablet somehow or someone writes them there... [Ah speculation. And hey, it could be worse -- we could have ended up like Caesar with no place in the intro at all.]

Discomfort seems to be common enough in Luceti.

It's all the work of a lone historical vandal. Possibly that strange girl you were mentioning. [And he's the Tenki! What is up with that? They must not want to animate more Silverberg hair.]

But I'm not generally the cause of it. It'd ruin my chances with the ladies.

She seemed too absentminded to be an intentional vandal, really. [Clearly they went with the one who was better eye candy. Sorry, Caesar, you'll get through those awkward teen years soon enough.]

Your missus is here, Nash.

Do you really think you need to remind me? Sierra can speak well enough for herself.

This fact doesn't faze you at all?

Edited 2010-01-14 10:22 (UTC)

Albert Silverberg. Are you giving me advice on my marriage? Lecturing me about morality? [Shaking his head.] I didn't know you cared.