From eec50ea88a5de73a58571fdaf083194d75b50f8a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Christopher P. Brown" Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2023 21:58:46 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] 71 --- basement.order | 1 + src/epistolary/00071.md | 108 +++ www/index.html | 92 ++- www/rss.xml | 1405 +++++++++++++++++++++------------------ www/spoilers.html | 92 ++- 5 files changed, 1042 insertions(+), 656 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/epistolary/00071.md diff --git a/basement.order b/basement.order index 95ce5ac..3512ca4 100644 --- a/basement.order +++ b/basement.order @@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ src/epistolary/00067.md src/epistolary/00068.md src/epistolary/00069.md src/epistolary/00070.md +src/epistolary/00071.md src/notes.md src/acknowledgements.md src/afterword.md diff --git a/src/epistolary/00071.md b/src/epistolary/00071.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c81318d --- /dev/null +++ b/src/epistolary/00071.md @@ -0,0 +1,108 @@ +--- +title: 00071 +created: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:05:50 -0700 +updated: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:05:50 -0700 +public: yes +syndicated: yes +--- +### 00071 {#00071} + +Neddas loves mortals. Possibly more than they love themself. It's why +they've diminished their own divinity over the eons by freely giving +parts of themself away---gifting tiny aspects of themself to the +mortals. Part of their constant delight in doing so is that even with +their divine wisdom they can never quite be sure what any mortal or +mortals will actually do with a sliver of godhood, with a divine +spark. Consequently they have a lot of experience with giving what +they thought is a perfect gift only for it to be misused, or for it +to backfire in some unexpected way. + +The Sword of Y'aml is a prime example. Justice without Wisom turned +out to be a cruel weapon, seeing evil everywhere and smiting it on +sight. And Wisdom itself proved as impotent as Justice was +overzealous: it became as cold and as cruel in its own way, locked +away in ivory towers, refusing to intervene, made lame by theory and +academia. + +So now, in this moment, Neddas watches closely to see if they finally +got it right. Does this mortal have not only the Wisdom to know what +to do, but also the Courage to do it in the name of Justice? + +> Alex rushes to Marvelo's side and quickly begins to administer +> medicine to him. "Sorry old friend, it's not much considering the +> wound, but it should help you at least stay lucid" Alex says as he +> administers the medicine Inky gave him. He takes quick stock of +> Marvelo's wound, most of his teeth are gone, his jaw is horribly +> disfigured, it's doubtful if it'll heal properly. At best he'll need +> prostethics, potentially a full mechanical jaw. It is essentially a +> death knell in this kind of work, the perfect normality Marvelo had +> always strove for would be forever marred by his sudden abnormality. +> Alex shakes his head, "It's fine Marv, I'm positive we can get this +> fixed, no worse than at wound Agent 3 took in Cosovo, remember that +> one? Hell of a thing that" Alex grins grimly, casting a glance over +> his shoulder. "Alright, you should be set old friend, best I can do +> for now." Alex hands him back his blaster and sits him up against the +> wall, the bleeding staunched, but the magled jaw not much better. +> +> Alex stands, reloads his pistol, and turns to face the malevolent +> apparition. +> +> "I don't know who the fuck you think you are, or what the fuck you +> think you're doing. But nobody, and I mean nobody, messes with my +> agents, my friends." Alex approaches the apparition, pistol gripped +> in one hand, and the crystal pendant Neddas gave him held tight in +> the other. "Alright Neddas, you said you'd give me something I could +> protect my friends with. Don't think I believe in it much, but I'd of +> said until about 15 minutes ago that candles don't produce macabre +> dentists either." Alex stands before the apparition, daring it to +> move, come and try me if you dare. + +Alex faces down the howling apparition---pistol in one hand, amulet +in the other---daring and defiant. + +The wind engulfs him, swirls around him, wraps him in its embrace, +and presses him to its bosom. + +> While Master Alex faces the screaming presence overhead, Inky steps +> over to where Marvelo is slumped against the wall. Working quickly, +> they wipe the blood on the agent's face with a clean kerchief and +> antiseptic, then gently realign the shattered jaw, wrapping bandages +> around his head to hold it in place. They pull a blanket laying on +> the ground nearby over his body before getting to their feet again. +> +> At the mention of Neddas, they tense minutely before turning away to +> stand in a corner, gloved hands in their coat pockets, a quiet +> witness to the ensuing confrontation. + +Inky continues to patch up Marvelo and watches as the nightmare +chooses its new vessel. + +Flesh and bone start to materialize around Alex as the Nyxmaer tries +to encase him in its ribcage and grow a new body. + +The creature starts to take shape, but falters at the threshold of +creation. It appears to you as though through a smoky haze, or from +the bottom of a murky well. Something is holding it back from +materializing. + +It thrashes and redoubles its efforts, desperate to be born. Alex +stands still in the eye of its storm. You see the Nyxmaer's tiny face +take shape in the small cyclone. It roars as Alex lifts the amulet, +and fires his pistol. + +The demon's pinched face wails as the wind no longer presses in on +Alex from all sides but is suddenly *yanked* toward him. The +struggling body collapses and folds in on itself. The wind goes out +of the room as the amulet inhales the Nyxmaer and all its fury. + +And then all is quiet. + +Marvelo looks up at Inky and whimpers. + +A heavy paper envelope, disturbed by the wind, settles to the ground. +It was torn open in the commotion, and two tickets spill out: "The +bearer of this ticket is entitled to an all expenses paid trip to the +moon." It is signed by Blavin Blandfoot and bears the seal of the +Benefactor. + +WHAT DO YOU DO diff --git a/www/index.html b/www/index.html index 8f1acbb..5df6e88 100644 --- a/www/index.html +++ b/www/index.html @@ -298,6 +298,7 @@
  • 00068
  • 00069
  • 00070
    • +
  • 00071
  • Afterword
  • current story arc.

    you can subscribe to the rss feed.

    Stats

    -

    Total length: 90664 words / 387 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

    Total length: 91533 words / 391 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not just the story.)

    -

    There have been 243 messages posted over 238 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.

    +

    There have been 247 messages posted over 239 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.

    Chapter 1

    This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.

    Jump to: 1 2

    A malevolent force rides the still howling wind and hovers screaming up near the ceiling of the fish market.

    WHAT DO YOU DO?

    +

    00071

    +

    Neddas loves mortals. Possibly more than they love themself. It’s why +they’ve diminished their own divinity over the eons by freely giving +parts of themself away—gifting tiny aspects of themself to the mortals. +Part of their constant delight in doing so is that even with their +divine wisdom they can never quite be sure what any mortal or mortals +will actually do with a sliver of godhood, with a divine spark. +Consequently they have a lot of experience with giving what they thought +is a perfect gift only for it to be misused, or for it to backfire in +some unexpected way.

    +

    The Sword of Y’aml is a prime example. Justice without Wisom turned +out to be a cruel weapon, seeing evil everywhere and smiting it on +sight. And Wisdom itself proved as impotent as Justice was overzealous: +it became as cold and as cruel in its own way, locked away in ivory +towers, refusing to intervene, made lame by theory and academia.

    +

    So now, in this moment, Neddas watches closely to see if they finally +got it right. Does this mortal have not only the Wisdom to know what to +do, but also the Courage to do it in the name of Justice?

    +
    +

    Alex rushes to Marvelo’s side and quickly begins to administer +medicine to him. “Sorry old friend, it’s not much considering the wound, +but it should help you at least stay lucid” Alex says as he administers +the medicine Inky gave him. He takes quick stock of Marvelo’s wound, +most of his teeth are gone, his jaw is horribly disfigured, it’s +doubtful if it’ll heal properly. At best he’ll need prostethics, +potentially a full mechanical jaw. It is essentially a death knell in +this kind of work, the perfect normality Marvelo had always strove for +would be forever marred by his sudden abnormality. Alex shakes his head, +“It’s fine Marv, I’m positive we can get this fixed, no worse than at +wound Agent 3 took in Cosovo, remember that one? Hell of a thing that” +Alex grins grimly, casting a glance over his shoulder. “Alright, you +should be set old friend, best I can do for now.” Alex hands him back +his blaster and sits him up against the wall, the bleeding staunched, +but the magled jaw not much better.

    +

    Alex stands, reloads his pistol, and turns to face the malevolent +apparition.

    +

    “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, or what the fuck you +think you’re doing. But nobody, and I mean nobody, messes with my +agents, my friends.” Alex approaches the apparition, pistol gripped in +one hand, and the crystal pendant Neddas gave him held tight in the +other. “Alright Neddas, you said you’d give me something I could protect +my friends with. Don’t think I believe in it much, but I’d of said until +about 15 minutes ago that candles don’t produce macabre dentists +either.” Alex stands before the apparition, daring it to move, come and +try me if you dare.

    +
    +

    Alex faces down the howling apparition—pistol in one hand, amulet in +the other—daring and defiant.

    +

    The wind engulfs him, swirls around him, wraps him in its embrace, +and presses him to its bosom.

    +
    +

    While Master Alex faces the screaming presence overhead, Inky steps +over to where Marvelo is slumped against the wall. Working quickly, they +wipe the blood on the agent’s face with a clean kerchief and antiseptic, +then gently realign the shattered jaw, wrapping bandages around his head +to hold it in place. They pull a blanket laying on the ground nearby +over his body before getting to their feet again.

    +

    At the mention of Neddas, they tense minutely before turning away to +stand in a corner, gloved hands in their coat pockets, a quiet witness +to the ensuing confrontation.

    +
    +

    Inky continues to patch up Marvelo and watches as the nightmare +chooses its new vessel.

    +

    Flesh and bone start to materialize around Alex as the Nyxmaer tries +to encase him in its ribcage and grow a new body.

    +

    The creature starts to take shape, but falters at the threshold of +creation. It appears to you as though through a smoky haze, or from the +bottom of a murky well. Something is holding it back from +materializing.

    +

    It thrashes and redoubles its efforts, desperate to be born. Alex +stands still in the eye of its storm. You see the Nyxmaer’s tiny face +take shape in the small cyclone. It roars as Alex lifts the amulet, and +fires his pistol.

    +

    The demon’s pinched face wails as the wind no longer presses in on +Alex from all sides but is suddenly yanked toward him. The +struggling body collapses and folds in on itself. The wind goes out of +the room as the amulet inhales the Nyxmaer and all its fury.

    +

    And then all is quiet.

    +

    Marvelo looks up at Inky and whimpers.

    +

    A heavy paper envelope, disturbed by the wind, settles to the ground. +It was torn open in the commotion, and two tickets spill out: “The +bearer of this ticket is entitled to an all expenses paid trip to the +moon.” It is signed by Blavin Blandfoot and bears the seal of the +Benefactor.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    Afterword

    I don’t know what I’m going to put here, but I didn’t want this document to just abruptly end. So here you go: a kind farewell and a diff --git a/www/rss.xml b/www/rss.xml index 8d926a3..fa3987c 100644 --- a/www/rss.xml +++ b/www/rss.xml @@ -297,123 +297,97 @@ And Fortune said it shou'd be you. Puu." - 63 + 68 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 63 - Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:53 + 68 - Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:14:47 -0700 - Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:54 -0700 + Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:14:47 -0700 00063 +

    00068

    +

    The fingertips of the Nyxmaer graze the eye and an eldritch + wind begins to howl inside the fish market.

    +

    It whips around and around inside the ritual circle, + flipping blankets and tossing pillows. The dreamers also toss + and turn in their sleep, but still do not wake. The foul wind + tugs at their hair and at their clothing.

    +

    The small candles around the edge of the circle go out, + plunging the room into near darkness. The dark flame of the + demon candle sputters.

    +

    The wind screams as it pushes through the small smudged gap + in the circle and out onto the floor of the market. It coils + around Rind’s feet and teases at the hem of the child’s dress. + It ruffles the duck’s feathers.

    +

    The fingertips flick over the eye, caress it, draw it + close. And finally its fist closes tightly around it.

    +

    The last candle goes out, plunging the room into darkness. + The wind and the sirens stop all at once, and in the silence + all that can be heard is the steady rain outside.

    -

    “Greetings, Great One.” Inky bows, back parallel to the - ground while they stand on the branch, now a humanoid child in - a black uniform and matching bookbag hanging under one arm. - The banana boat is nowhere in sight. Fuko follows her errant - charge and the cloaked figure from a nearby branch.

    -

    “This lowly one wonders if they may be permitted to seek - the Great Spirit’s insight, whose wisdom endures before and - beyond.” Inky begins, staring down the blurry reflection of - silver boughs overhead on the polished toes of their black - shoes. They notice idly they do not see themselves in the - reflection.

    -

    Straightening from the bow, they look up at the figure and - hold out a plate of taiyaki. After a moment, the child asks - haltingly, “There may come a day when this one will be asked - to choose between the chance to protect many and that which - they desire to protect most. Should this one choose equally? - Will the choice matter if both paths eventually lead to - destruction? Could destruction and salvation be two sides of - the same coin?”

    +

    “Look Trine or not, I need a little more than this. I ain’t + nobodies errand boy, and insofar as I can tell either the Gods + are dead, or they haven’t given a rats ass about me or anyone + else. What’s more, you’re claiming to be some sort of + divinity, yet you can only manifest here amongst my + nightmares, the same ones I learned years ago to shut out. You + never forget the face of your first mark, but what they don’t + tell you is it doesn’t have to haunt you either.” Alex looks + directly at the apparition.

    +

    “But I’m reasonable too. Give me some proof you say what + you are. You say you have power to share? Well power I need. I + have people to protect, and an unclue to rescue. I’ll be + damned if I let anything happen to them. Yet here I am, stuck + in this god firsaken place chittering away with my own + subconcious getting attacked by freaking mushrooms + people.”

    +

    “Just give it to me straight Neddas, what assistance are + you offering, and what must I give in return? If you an + guarantee me a way to protect those close to me, I don’t give + a rats ass about the rest.”

    -

    You and the Dude are sitting in small upholstered chairs, - across a small half table from each other. There is a large - sticky bun on a white lacy doily on the table. Next to you is - a small portal-sized window, and outside you can see green - rolling hills and small copses of trees fly by. The other - seats on the small train car are all empty. The two of you are - alone.

    -

    “I cannot give you advice,” the Dude says. “But I can offer - you experience.”

    -

    They raise a hand and hold a loosely closed fist out over - the table. The walls of the train become fuzzy and blurry, - then translucent, and finally transparent. They disappear and - you have the sensation of rocketing through space at dizzying - speeds.

    -

    The track splits ahead you. To one side, bound to one track - is that which you desire to protect most. Bound to the other - are the many.

    -

    “You can choose safely here. It’s just a dream, after all.” - The Dude opens their fist. The Twenty-one Fiver coin rests in - their palm. “Heads, you steer the train into the many, sparing - that which you love most. Tails, the opposite. You spare the - many, and sacrifice that which you hold dear.” They hold the - coin out to you.

    -

    The train barrels toward the fork. “But choose quickly, - lest the choice be made for you.”

    +

    Neddas silently holds your gaze for a long moment.

    +

    “What you ask of me is fair, since I am asking so much of + you.”

    +

    They hold out their hands and present you with a stone + amulet. It slightly resembles the Ginnarak Crystals. Much + smaller. And more almond shaped than melon shaped. But it is + the same shade of blue, with the same veins of slightly + pulsating gold throughout. It hangs from a fine chain of small + silver links.

    +

    “As long as this stone is in your possession, you will find + you have the courage to do what you think is right. Be aware + that it is a piece of me. And those who know about it will try + to take it from you.”

    +

    In the distance you can hear alarms and terrible moans + carried on a howling wind.

    +

    ~

    +

    Corraidhín impatiently flips over the first three tumbrot + cards in front of Inky:

    +
      +

    1. A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and + shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in + his left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. + The Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left + side.

      2. +

    2. Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more + especially those of the fantastic spirit.

      3. +

    3. A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the + further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the + freight is light, it may be noted that the work is not beyond + his strength.

      4. +
    +

    Felixe the Cat passes the two six-sided tumbrot dice to + Inky and recites a small pome for the inkling:

    -

    Alex scrambles from the wreckage of his mech, or what - remained from the gore portal he’d just experienced. The - thought of what had occurred made him grimace, which was an - unusual state of affairs for an octopus, that is until Alex - realized he seemed to be back in his own body.

    -

    “Sunset, or perhaps rise? It’s hard to tell. Pretty - though.. could be prettier without the creepy knife dude.” - Alex mutters to himself while he rummages through the - destroyed cockpit of the mech. He makes quick work, detaches a - side panel, pulls a couple of wires, and a compartment in the - back opens revealing the smooth dark blue metal and wood grain - of an ak74u sub machine gun. Amused Alex pulls the weapon from - the compartment and notices a distinct lack of additional - magazines, just the one large drum attached to the weapon with - large red letters emblazoned on it [INFINITE AMMO]. - “Neat.”

    -

    Alex pulls himself from the wreck, and jumps down behind - one of the fallen tentacles taking a firing position behind - cover, ak74u aimed down range at the faceless figure.

    -

    “I don’t know who you are, but I don’t trust anyone who - approaches with a weapon. Let’s both stand down and talk this - through! I’m not supposed to be here, and I reckon you don’t - want me here either. I’d be happy to oblige and skidaddle if - you’d be so kind as to point the way out!” Alex pauses waiting - for a reply.

    + 
    In the superior world it is
+A young man, leaning on his
+to indicate therein. It is
+speaking, to the traditional
+red standard has been
    -

    The tall figure halts a short distance away. It raises a - hand and waves. In greeting? Surrender? In a fluid motion it - continues to lift the same hand and grabs a hold of its trunk, - a little less than a foot from the tip. It squeezes its fist - tightly and the tip begins to swell. It raises its other hand, - and the knife, and starts to saw into the flesh of the trunk - behind its fist. The blade cuts cleanly as though through a - loaf of bread. There is no blood or gore.

    -

    When the creature lowers its hand, you can see that the - center of the trunk is a solid, bright pink fleshy material - like a grapefruit, in the center of which are two pin-prick - eyes and a wide thin gash of a mouth.

    -

    It still holds the tip of its severed trunk in its hand, a - thin stalk and a bulging cap looking for all the world like a - large white button mushroom. Peering up from the stem of the - mushroom, an identical pink face regards you stoically.

    -

    Both faces speak at the exact same time, one high pitched - and one a deep baritone. “Welcome, Dreamer, to Ousia, the Sea - of Dreams. We are Kasutva.”

    -

    Big Kasutva stoops down to set the small mushroom Kasutva - down on the ground. If they’re both Kasutva, that is. If - that’s the way their biology and sense of self actually works. - Mushroom Kasutva wobbles side to side a little bit and waggles - its stalk as it looks around. Big Kasutva places its knife - back in its satchel and takes a few small steps closer to - you.

    -

    “We did not mean to offend you,” the two say, still - perfectly in sync. “As for the way out, that depends only - somewhat on your destination. Whatever the answer, we can - assure you that it lies across the sea.” Large Kasutva - gestures broadly toward the expanse of ocean. Small Kasutva - lacks any limbs and cannot gesture, but smiles softly at - you.

    -

    “But tell us what it is you seek. Perhaps we can be of - help.”

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    You can suddenly hear an ominous wind whistling outside the + club and battering at the windows.

    +

    “Well?” Balvin prompts. “What do you do?”

    ]]> @@ -615,101 +589,6 @@ Agent 5 found the melon vendor dead in a back alley, strangled to death, not imm ]]> - - 68 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 68 - Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:14:47 --0700 - Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:14:47 -0700 - - 00068 -

    The fingertips of the Nyxmaer graze the eye and an eldritch - wind begins to howl inside the fish market.

    -

    It whips around and around inside the ritual circle, - flipping blankets and tossing pillows. The dreamers also toss - and turn in their sleep, but still do not wake. The foul wind - tugs at their hair and at their clothing.

    -

    The small candles around the edge of the circle go out, - plunging the room into near darkness. The dark flame of the - demon candle sputters.

    -

    The wind screams as it pushes through the small smudged gap - in the circle and out onto the floor of the market. It coils - around Rind’s feet and teases at the hem of the child’s dress. - It ruffles the duck’s feathers.

    -

    The fingertips flick over the eye, caress it, draw it - close. And finally its fist closes tightly around it.

    -

    The last candle goes out, plunging the room into darkness. - The wind and the sirens stop all at once, and in the silence - all that can be heard is the steady rain outside.

    -
    -

    “Look Trine or not, I need a little more than this. I ain’t - nobodies errand boy, and insofar as I can tell either the Gods - are dead, or they haven’t given a rats ass about me or anyone - else. What’s more, you’re claiming to be some sort of - divinity, yet you can only manifest here amongst my - nightmares, the same ones I learned years ago to shut out. You - never forget the face of your first mark, but what they don’t - tell you is it doesn’t have to haunt you either.” Alex looks - directly at the apparition.

    -

    “But I’m reasonable too. Give me some proof you say what - you are. You say you have power to share? Well power I need. I - have people to protect, and an unclue to rescue. I’ll be - damned if I let anything happen to them. Yet here I am, stuck - in this god firsaken place chittering away with my own - subconcious getting attacked by freaking mushrooms - people.”

    -

    “Just give it to me straight Neddas, what assistance are - you offering, and what must I give in return? If you an - guarantee me a way to protect those close to me, I don’t give - a rats ass about the rest.”

    -
    -

    Neddas silently holds your gaze for a long moment.

    -

    “What you ask of me is fair, since I am asking so much of - you.”

    -

    They hold out their hands and present you with a stone - amulet. It slightly resembles the Ginnarak Crystals. Much - smaller. And more almond shaped than melon shaped. But it is - the same shade of blue, with the same veins of slightly - pulsating gold throughout. It hangs from a fine chain of small - silver links.

    -

    “As long as this stone is in your possession, you will find - you have the courage to do what you think is right. Be aware - that it is a piece of me. And those who know about it will try - to take it from you.”

    -

    In the distance you can hear alarms and terrible moans - carried on a howling wind.

    -

    ~

    -

    Corraidhín impatiently flips over the first three tumbrot - cards in front of Inky:

    -
      -

    1. A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and - shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in - his left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. - The Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left - side.

      2. -

    2. Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more - especially those of the fantastic spirit.

      3. -

    3. A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the - further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the - freight is light, it may be noted that the work is not beyond - his strength.

      4. -
    -

    Felixe the Cat passes the two six-sided tumbrot dice to - Inky and recites a small pome for the inkling:

    -
    - 
    In the superior world it is
-A young man, leaning on his
-to indicate therein. It is
-speaking, to the traditional
-red standard has been
    -
    -

    You can suddenly hear an ominous wind whistling outside the - club and battering at the windows.

    -

    “Well?” Balvin prompts. “What do you do?”

    - ]]> -     -     67 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -914,6 +793,170 @@ red standard has been ]]> + + 69 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 69 - Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:16:46 +-0700 + Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:16:46 -0700 + + 00069 +
    +

    Inky offers the cat person a bemused half-smile, then turns + to the sysorcerer. “We hope you are well. Young Master Alex + has been searching for you. He had planned on coming, but had + to attend to an urgent matter on short notice.”

    +

    A pause, then Inky slides an open envelope — a plain affair + with a grid of tiny blue dots, and a single sheet of a similar + pattern inside — across the table towards the wizard. They + continue, “If there is anything you wish to tell him, you can + write it in a language only you two understand and seal the + envelope. This one will do their best to pass on the message.” + They wave another identical envelope, indicating the message + will be copied once sealed before pocketing it again.

    +

    “If you do decide to write, please do it promptly. This one + will be departing shortly, and the envelope in front of you + will disappear,” they inform the sysorcerer with an apologetic + look and a tinge of sadness.

    +

    To the self-proclaimed double agent, Inky replies, “Thanks + for the information. Master Alex will be positively ecstatic + with the news.” They send the hobbit a lopsided smile. + “Nevertheless, you will understand if the party would like to + consider your proposal further before providing an answer. + Haste makes waste, as proverbs say. Perhaps your pirate + captain would agree. My condolences.”

    +

    Ignoring the proffered dice, Inky bids the group at the + table good evening and exits the club by the same route with + which they had entered, trying to stave off the growing unease + at the back of their mind.

    +

    ~

    +

    Three corridors later, one with a high vaulted ceiling away + from the din of the gambling club, Inky slows their brisk trot + and hands Fuko the envelope. The owl grips the item, dives + down and drops it onto the thick carpet. She places the back + of one feet lightly over a corner of the envelope, deftly + slicing open the top layer along one edge with a claw. Working + quickly, she pulls out the contents with her beak, smoothing + out the sheet with a brush of her wings. Next, she flies in a + slow circle above the papers a few times before descending + again upon the papers and dragging them into a cake tin. + Finally, the bird pops the lid over the container, where the + paper within turns into dry compost.

    +

    “It’s confidential. Please do not decode.” Inky says as a + reminder from their spot near the end of the corridor.

    +

    Fuko levels an unimpressed look at her companion, as if to + say, Yes, for the twenty-fourth time. Inky smiles + back at her and asks, “Is your boss satisfied now?” + The smile widens briefly at the indignant screech and clicks + in response, then vanish as the events of the past few moments + caught up to them again. Here in a hallway brightly lit by + glow lamps away from any windows, the howling winds are a + distant echo, but it did not stop Inky from wondering.

    +

    It had been a risk, dallying around longer to give the + elder wizard time to say his piece in writing. No one could + have missed the disappointment written clearly on his face + when he realised his nephew hadn’t come. Now, from Fuko’s + sparse recount of what their tails had found, the candle had + burned down, releasing something somewhere, yet none of the + others had woken up. It would appear that Master Alex had not + left the Dreaming at all, but was in another area doing + Neddas-only-knows-what.

    +

    They stare up at the large central chandelier in the next + room with thousands of crystal beads that gleam like tiny + droplets suspended in the air. Orange shirt and blue shorts + have since been replaced with a red brimmed hat and blue + duffel coat, the drawstring pouch tied below the collar, and + running shoes with red rain boots. The mess of ginger hair is + trimmed to a caramel crop.

    +

    When the owl settles again on their shoulder, stirring Inky + from their thoughts, they collect the cake tin, remove the lid + and look inside. From a pocket of their coat, they pull out + three seeds and nudge them with two fingers into the soil. + Descending a flight of stairs, Inky sets the dousojin, grown + to the size of a boulder, and the tin on a side table. They + pour seaweed tea into the tin from a glass bottle, then refill + the bottle with small fish-shaped crackers, corking and + placing it beside the tin.

    +

    “Thank you, Great Spirit. This useless one will take their + leave now, and apologises if they have accidentally ‘left the + door open’ for something to blow in that should not be here.” + Inky says.

    +

    They turn to the great horned owl. “Impeccable as ever, + both of you. Thanks for coming along tonight. You may go, + Fuko. When you wake yourself or with Futa’s help, please get + into the carrier as quickly as you can, activate the + connection and leave immediately. Sever it as soon as you + arrive safely. Forget about pulling off the patch under my + forearm, it can be delivered later, or he can have the body + sent over eventually. Leave and don’t look back.” Then, more + airily, “Should we meet again, Inky the Insolent shall bring + you a large ‘rat at two eels’. How’s that for a handsome + reward?”

    +
    +

    ~

    +
    +

    Alex takes the amulet solemnly “Alright, now that’s + something I can believe in.” he says as he turns the locket + over in his hand. The golden veins shimmer and pulse inside of + the pale blue. Alex dons the necklace, noting that the stone + is warm, almost exactly body temperature. “Alright Neddas, + you’ve got yourself a deal. I’ll finish assembling the + crystals, we’ll haul you back out to Basementaria. And it + sounds like we’re cracking a few eggs along the way thanks to + this”.

    +

    The howling interrupts, growing louder, becoming a + cacaphony of tormented banshee wails. The gray expanse of sand + fills with a vile wind, a thick almost physical wall of dark + black smog closes in. Neddas, is nowhere to be found.

    +

    Alex dips down and scoops up the little Katsuva, tucking + him into the ruck sack at his side. “Hang tight little guy, I + think the ride out of here’s going to get bumpy..”

    +

    In a single swift motion Alex pulls back the bolt on his + AK74u and levels it at the smog, letting loose a sustained + volley of gunfire. Bullets whiz with a defeaning RATATATAT. + While laying down suppressing fire, he pulls the little + console back up to his side with a short wave of the hand. A + single command is all he needs here.

    +
    +

    When Alex pulls up his terminal he sees a notification + blinking in the corner of the screen. A message from + Corraidhín?

    +

    The howling wind abruptly stops and the smog quickly + dissipates.

    +

    ~

    +

    In the fish market, Alex and Inky both wake with a start, + gasping for breath as though drowning.

    +

    It is dark. The lights are all out but it looks as through + Marvelo has dropped some flairs on the ground. They fill the + room with an eerie, crackling red glow.

    +

    It is not quiet. The antiques dealer / spymaster has a + couple of cords of rope and a couple loose blankets coiled + around his arms and legs. He is shaking them off while + screaming obscenities and repeatedly firing a blaster pistol + at a large, roaring abomination standing in the center of the + room.

    +

    The nightmare has an almost fetal-looking head with a long, + bulbous skull that looks far too large for its body. A single + eye glares malevolently from the center of its small face. + Oily feathers drip from a thin, sagging membrane that runs + from wrist to ankle. Its leathery skin cracks and oozes from + repeated shots to the torso from Marvelo’s blaster, but it + seems unbothered by the attack.

    +

    It screeches and lunges forward and swings one massive arm + at Marvelo. Its leathery, feathery wing slices through the air + like a billowing cape behind its claws. Marvelo jumps to the + side at the last moment, firing another shot right into the + creature’s chest while in midair, and lands on the ground.

    +

    Now prone and helpless on the floor, he looks up as the + beast looms over him. It screeches and falls on top of him, + shoving its slender hands into his mouth. Marvelo’s muffled + screams become pitiful whimpers as the creature pulls out + teeth by the handful and crams them into its own mouth.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO?

    + ]]> +     +     58 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -1495,298 +1538,122 @@ trap sleep INT EXIT - 69 + 63 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 69 - Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:16:46 + 63 - Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:53 -0700 - Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:16:46 -0700 + Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:54 -0700 00069 +

    00063

    -

    Inky offers the cat person a bemused half-smile, then turns - to the sysorcerer. “We hope you are well. Young Master Alex - has been searching for you. He had planned on coming, but had - to attend to an urgent matter on short notice.”

    -

    A pause, then Inky slides an open envelope — a plain affair - with a grid of tiny blue dots, and a single sheet of a similar - pattern inside — across the table towards the wizard. They - continue, “If there is anything you wish to tell him, you can - write it in a language only you two understand and seal the - envelope. This one will do their best to pass on the message.” - They wave another identical envelope, indicating the message - will be copied once sealed before pocketing it again.

    -

    “If you do decide to write, please do it promptly. This one - will be departing shortly, and the envelope in front of you - will disappear,” they inform the sysorcerer with an apologetic - look and a tinge of sadness.

    -

    To the self-proclaimed double agent, Inky replies, “Thanks - for the information. Master Alex will be positively ecstatic - with the news.” They send the hobbit a lopsided smile. - “Nevertheless, you will understand if the party would like to - consider your proposal further before providing an answer. - Haste makes waste, as proverbs say. Perhaps your pirate - captain would agree. My condolences.”

    -

    Ignoring the proffered dice, Inky bids the group at the - table good evening and exits the club by the same route with - which they had entered, trying to stave off the growing unease - at the back of their mind.

    -

    ~

    -

    Three corridors later, one with a high vaulted ceiling away - from the din of the gambling club, Inky slows their brisk trot - and hands Fuko the envelope. The owl grips the item, dives - down and drops it onto the thick carpet. She places the back - of one feet lightly over a corner of the envelope, deftly - slicing open the top layer along one edge with a claw. Working - quickly, she pulls out the contents with her beak, smoothing - out the sheet with a brush of her wings. Next, she flies in a - slow circle above the papers a few times before descending - again upon the papers and dragging them into a cake tin. - Finally, the bird pops the lid over the container, where the - paper within turns into dry compost.

    -

    “It’s confidential. Please do not decode.” Inky says as a - reminder from their spot near the end of the corridor.

    -

    Fuko levels an unimpressed look at her companion, as if to - say, Yes, for the twenty-fourth time. Inky smiles - back at her and asks, “Is your boss satisfied now?” - The smile widens briefly at the indignant screech and clicks - in response, then vanish as the events of the past few moments - caught up to them again. Here in a hallway brightly lit by - glow lamps away from any windows, the howling winds are a - distant echo, but it did not stop Inky from wondering.

    -

    It had been a risk, dallying around longer to give the - elder wizard time to say his piece in writing. No one could - have missed the disappointment written clearly on his face - when he realised his nephew hadn’t come. Now, from Fuko’s - sparse recount of what their tails had found, the candle had - burned down, releasing something somewhere, yet none of the - others had woken up. It would appear that Master Alex had not - left the Dreaming at all, but was in another area doing - Neddas-only-knows-what.

    -

    They stare up at the large central chandelier in the next - room with thousands of crystal beads that gleam like tiny - droplets suspended in the air. Orange shirt and blue shorts - have since been replaced with a red brimmed hat and blue - duffel coat, the drawstring pouch tied below the collar, and - running shoes with red rain boots. The mess of ginger hair is - trimmed to a caramel crop.

    -

    When the owl settles again on their shoulder, stirring Inky - from their thoughts, they collect the cake tin, remove the lid - and look inside. From a pocket of their coat, they pull out - three seeds and nudge them with two fingers into the soil. - Descending a flight of stairs, Inky sets the dousojin, grown - to the size of a boulder, and the tin on a side table. They - pour seaweed tea into the tin from a glass bottle, then refill - the bottle with small fish-shaped crackers, corking and - placing it beside the tin.

    -

    “Thank you, Great Spirit. This useless one will take their - leave now, and apologises if they have accidentally ‘left the - door open’ for something to blow in that should not be here.” - Inky says.

    -

    They turn to the great horned owl. “Impeccable as ever, - both of you. Thanks for coming along tonight. You may go, - Fuko. When you wake yourself or with Futa’s help, please get - into the carrier as quickly as you can, activate the - connection and leave immediately. Sever it as soon as you - arrive safely. Forget about pulling off the patch under my - forearm, it can be delivered later, or he can have the body - sent over eventually. Leave and don’t look back.” Then, more - airily, “Should we meet again, Inky the Insolent shall bring - you a large ‘rat at two eels’. How’s that for a handsome - reward?”

    +

    “Greetings, Great One.” Inky bows, back parallel to the + ground while they stand on the branch, now a humanoid child in + a black uniform and matching bookbag hanging under one arm. + The banana boat is nowhere in sight. Fuko follows her errant + charge and the cloaked figure from a nearby branch.

    +

    “This lowly one wonders if they may be permitted to seek + the Great Spirit’s insight, whose wisdom endures before and + beyond.” Inky begins, staring down the blurry reflection of + silver boughs overhead on the polished toes of their black + shoes. They notice idly they do not see themselves in the + reflection.

    +

    Straightening from the bow, they look up at the figure and + hold out a plate of taiyaki. After a moment, the child asks + haltingly, “There may come a day when this one will be asked + to choose between the chance to protect many and that which + they desire to protect most. Should this one choose equally? + Will the choice matter if both paths eventually lead to + destruction? Could destruction and salvation be two sides of + the same coin?”

    -

    ~

    +

    You and the Dude are sitting in small upholstered chairs, + across a small half table from each other. There is a large + sticky bun on a white lacy doily on the table. Next to you is + a small portal-sized window, and outside you can see green + rolling hills and small copses of trees fly by. The other + seats on the small train car are all empty. The two of you are + alone.

    +

    “I cannot give you advice,” the Dude says. “But I can offer + you experience.”

    +

    They raise a hand and hold a loosely closed fist out over + the table. The walls of the train become fuzzy and blurry, + then translucent, and finally transparent. They disappear and + you have the sensation of rocketing through space at dizzying + speeds.

    +

    The track splits ahead you. To one side, bound to one track + is that which you desire to protect most. Bound to the other + are the many.

    +

    “You can choose safely here. It’s just a dream, after all.” + The Dude opens their fist. The Twenty-one Fiver coin rests in + their palm. “Heads, you steer the train into the many, sparing + that which you love most. Tails, the opposite. You spare the + many, and sacrifice that which you hold dear.” They hold the + coin out to you.

    +

    The train barrels toward the fork. “But choose quickly, + lest the choice be made for you.”

    -

    Alex takes the amulet solemnly “Alright, now that’s - something I can believe in.” he says as he turns the locket - over in his hand. The golden veins shimmer and pulse inside of - the pale blue. Alex dons the necklace, noting that the stone - is warm, almost exactly body temperature. “Alright Neddas, - you’ve got yourself a deal. I’ll finish assembling the - crystals, we’ll haul you back out to Basementaria. And it - sounds like we’re cracking a few eggs along the way thanks to - this”.

    -

    The howling interrupts, growing louder, becoming a - cacaphony of tormented banshee wails. The gray expanse of sand - fills with a vile wind, a thick almost physical wall of dark - black smog closes in. Neddas, is nowhere to be found.

    -

    Alex dips down and scoops up the little Katsuva, tucking - him into the ruck sack at his side. “Hang tight little guy, I - think the ride out of here’s going to get bumpy..”

    -

    In a single swift motion Alex pulls back the bolt on his - AK74u and levels it at the smog, letting loose a sustained - volley of gunfire. Bullets whiz with a defeaning RATATATAT. - While laying down suppressing fire, he pulls the little - console back up to his side with a short wave of the hand. A - single command is all he needs here.

    +

    Alex scrambles from the wreckage of his mech, or what + remained from the gore portal he’d just experienced. The + thought of what had occurred made him grimace, which was an + unusual state of affairs for an octopus, that is until Alex + realized he seemed to be back in his own body.

    +

    “Sunset, or perhaps rise? It’s hard to tell. Pretty + though.. could be prettier without the creepy knife dude.” + Alex mutters to himself while he rummages through the + destroyed cockpit of the mech. He makes quick work, detaches a + side panel, pulls a couple of wires, and a compartment in the + back opens revealing the smooth dark blue metal and wood grain + of an ak74u sub machine gun. Amused Alex pulls the weapon from + the compartment and notices a distinct lack of additional + magazines, just the one large drum attached to the weapon with + large red letters emblazoned on it [INFINITE AMMO]. + “Neat.”

    +

    Alex pulls himself from the wreck, and jumps down behind + one of the fallen tentacles taking a firing position behind + cover, ak74u aimed down range at the faceless figure.

    +

    “I don’t know who you are, but I don’t trust anyone who + approaches with a weapon. Let’s both stand down and talk this + through! I’m not supposed to be here, and I reckon you don’t + want me here either. I’d be happy to oblige and skidaddle if + you’d be so kind as to point the way out!” Alex pauses waiting + for a reply.

    -

    When Alex pulls up his terminal he sees a notification - blinking in the corner of the screen. A message from - Corraidhín?

    -

    The howling wind abruptly stops and the smog quickly - dissipates.

    -

    ~

    -

    In the fish market, Alex and Inky both wake with a start, - gasping for breath as though drowning.

    -

    It is dark. The lights are all out but it looks as through - Marvelo has dropped some flairs on the ground. They fill the - room with an eerie, crackling red glow.

    -

    It is not quiet. The antiques dealer / spymaster has a - couple of cords of rope and a couple loose blankets coiled - around his arms and legs. He is shaking them off while - screaming obscenities and repeatedly firing a blaster pistol - at a large, roaring abomination standing in the center of the - room.

    -

    The nightmare has an almost fetal-looking head with a long, - bulbous skull that looks far too large for its body. A single - eye glares malevolently from the center of its small face. - Oily feathers drip from a thin, sagging membrane that runs - from wrist to ankle. Its leathery skin cracks and oozes from - repeated shots to the torso from Marvelo’s blaster, but it - seems unbothered by the attack.

    -

    It screeches and lunges forward and swings one massive arm - at Marvelo. Its leathery, feathery wing slices through the air - like a billowing cape behind its claws. Marvelo jumps to the - side at the last moment, firing another shot right into the - creature’s chest while in midair, and lands on the ground.

    -

    Now prone and helpless on the floor, he looks up as the - beast looms over him. It screeches and falls on top of him, - shoving its slender hands into his mouth. Marvelo’s muffled - screams become pitiful whimpers as the creature pulls out - teeth by the handful and crams them into its own mouth.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO?

    - ]]> -     -     - - 61 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 61 - Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 --0700 - Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 -0700 - - 00061 -

    Alex the Octopus and Inky the Noogle stand on a tree branch - as wide a street in the heart of the great white upside-down - forest.

    -

    A cry of anguish and anger echoes through the forest, and - the branches below you sway and rustle as something rises up - from the depths. You keep catching a glimpse of scarlet - between the silvery white leaves.

    -

    The large black ravens perched below you scream in - agitation and fly up past you to the thicker branches up - above, where they hop side to side and loudly scold and - protest the disturbance. A single black feather the length of - your hand settles to the ground at your feet, knocked loose - during their flight.

    -

    You finally see the fearsome beast crashing through the - branches below you. Its crazed, yellow eyes as large and round - as dinner plates, a great eight-legged rodent leaps from - branch to branch as it swiftly ascends. It is a bloody, - crimson red. Its long tufted ears lay flat against its - elongated, grinning skull. Its ribbon-like tail twitches as it - trails along behind it like a river of blood. It cries out - again in anger, showing its overgrown incisors, and grinds and - gnashes its back teeth.

    -

    Its eyes bore into you with wild fury and blind madness as - it climbs.

    -

    “She’s not herself,” sighs the chipmunk, suddenly at your - side once more. When you look down at the chipmunk, however, - it has suddenly turned into a small featureless black turtle - with a sticky sweet roll instead of a shell. Its smooth little - head pokes timidly out of the roll.

    -

    “The Red Squirrel,” laments the turtle. “She’s being ridden - by a ghost. An angry ghost who isn’t from here. Somebody left - the door open, and it blew in on the breeze.” The turtle’s - voice trails off until its final words are barely a - whisper.

    -

    You can still feel two currents tugging at you and trying - to pull you under. One inward toward your host’s deep, core - memories. And the second pulling you outward toward the Sea of - Dreams.

    -

    You have but a moment before the Red Squirrel is upon +

    The tall figure halts a short distance away. It raises a + hand and waves. In greeting? Surrender? In a fluid motion it + continues to lift the same hand and grabs a hold of its trunk, + a little less than a foot from the tip. It squeezes its fist + tightly and the tip begins to swell. It raises its other hand, + and the knife, and starts to saw into the flesh of the trunk + behind its fist. The blade cuts cleanly as though through a + loaf of bread. There is no blood or gore.

    +

    When the creature lowers its hand, you can see that the + center of the trunk is a solid, bright pink fleshy material + like a grapefruit, in the center of which are two pin-prick + eyes and a wide thin gash of a mouth.

    +

    It still holds the tip of its severed trunk in its hand, a + thin stalk and a bulging cap looking for all the world like a + large white button mushroom. Peering up from the stem of the + mushroom, an identical pink face regards you stoically.

    +

    Both faces speak at the exact same time, one high pitched + and one a deep baritone. “Welcome, Dreamer, to Ousia, the Sea + of Dreams. We are Kasutva.”

    +

    Big Kasutva stoops down to set the small mushroom Kasutva + down on the ground. If they’re both Kasutva, that is. If + that’s the way their biology and sense of self actually works. + Mushroom Kasutva wobbles side to side a little bit and waggles + its stalk as it looks around. Big Kasutva places its knife + back in its satchel and takes a few small steps closer to you.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    - ]]> -     -     - - 60 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 60 - Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:47 --0700 - Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:48 -0700 - - 00060 -
    -

    Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is - definitely strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him - with his impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately - the same can’t be said for his roguish good looks, as he’s - found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he - remembers.

    -

    Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, - and he promptly moves on with assessing the situation.

    -

    “Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are - terrible at fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a - dreadfully important meeting across town.” turning to address - Inky, “We need to make a break for it, what’d the witch tell - you? Envision our goal or something? This is really a little - outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise.. - unless..”

    -

    Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a - terminal prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at - blinding speed at the digital window, a quick bypass there, a - root access escalation there.

    -

    “Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older - kernel, about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as - needed. Here I’m giving us sudo access, should we need - it.”

    -

    “Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”

    - 
    find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \
    -
    -

    It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he - corrects ‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to - the chipmunk instead of to the squirrel.

    -

    Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It - squeals in delight.

    -

    In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell - of what can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns - has just vanished.

    -

    The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts - scooping up acorns by the armful and shoving them into its - mouth by the dozen. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it - says around a mouthful of nuts. “Here…” It tosses you a large - square silver coin with a round hole drilled in the center. On - one side is the number twenty-one next to a picture of a - curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the number - five and a picture of a flail.

    -

    “A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all - I have,” it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide - its nuts. Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.

    -

    If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the - hole, you see the dreamscape before you as though looking - through a cloudy film. All the same stuff is there, but it’s - hazy and shadowy.

    -

    Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out - of hailing distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. - Dark shadows pool restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the - shadows leap up and take the form of demons the like of which - words cannot describe, before falling and returning to shadow - once more. The figure wears a large spherical helmet of - obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of a rainbow - of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet - like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel - sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels - a tug, a familiarity. Something about this character is - familiar to you, but you cannot place it.

    -

    When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape - both disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted - landscape reappears but the figure is gone.

    -

    You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather - intently from the branches below.

    +

    “We did not mean to offend you,” the two say, still + perfectly in sync. “As for the way out, that depends only + somewhat on your destination. Whatever the answer, we can + assure you that it lies across the sea.” Large Kasutva + gestures broadly toward the expanse of ocean. Small Kasutva + lacks any limbs and cannot gesture, but smiles softly at + you.

    +

    “But tell us what it is you seek. Perhaps we can be of + help.”

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    ]]>     @@ -1947,6 +1814,59 @@ trap sleep INT EXIT ]]>     + + 61 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 61 - Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 +-0700 + Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 -0700 + + 00061 +

    Alex the Octopus and Inky the Noogle stand on a tree branch + as wide a street in the heart of the great white upside-down + forest.

    +

    A cry of anguish and anger echoes through the forest, and + the branches below you sway and rustle as something rises up + from the depths. You keep catching a glimpse of scarlet + between the silvery white leaves.

    +

    The large black ravens perched below you scream in + agitation and fly up past you to the thicker branches up + above, where they hop side to side and loudly scold and + protest the disturbance. A single black feather the length of + your hand settles to the ground at your feet, knocked loose + during their flight.

    +

    You finally see the fearsome beast crashing through the + branches below you. Its crazed, yellow eyes as large and round + as dinner plates, a great eight-legged rodent leaps from + branch to branch as it swiftly ascends. It is a bloody, + crimson red. Its long tufted ears lay flat against its + elongated, grinning skull. Its ribbon-like tail twitches as it + trails along behind it like a river of blood. It cries out + again in anger, showing its overgrown incisors, and grinds and + gnashes its back teeth.

    +

    Its eyes bore into you with wild fury and blind madness as + it climbs.

    +

    “She’s not herself,” sighs the chipmunk, suddenly at your + side once more. When you look down at the chipmunk, however, + it has suddenly turned into a small featureless black turtle + with a sticky sweet roll instead of a shell. Its smooth little + head pokes timidly out of the roll.

    +

    “The Red Squirrel,” laments the turtle. “She’s being ridden + by a ghost. An angry ghost who isn’t from here. Somebody left + the door open, and it blew in on the breeze.” The turtle’s + voice trails off until its final words are barely a + whisper.

    +

    You can still feel two currents tugging at you and trying + to pull you under. One inward toward your host’s deep, core + memories. And the second pulling you outward toward the Sea of + Dreams.

    +

    You have but a moment before the Red Squirrel is upon + you.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     64 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -2111,169 +2031,6 @@ trap sleep INT EXIT ]]> - - 65 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 65 - Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 --0700 - Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 -0700 - - 00065 -

    Marvelo fetched a fluffy blanket from the piles of blankets - and pillows in the ritual room where the dreamers continue to - sleep. He has wrapped up the child and is drying them off. The - sound of rain continues to drum incessantly outside.

    -

    “Poor thing, you’re chilled to the bone. Don’t worry, Uncle - Marv will take care of you. There we go. Fix you right - up!”

    -

    The child is still and silent. It has not made a noise this - whole time. Nor has it acted on its own to actually do - anything besides stare up at Marvelo with wide, dark eyes.

    -

    “How did you end up outside by yourself in the rain, hmm? - No? That’s okay. What about your name? Have you got a - name?”

    -

    “Rind,” says a voice behind Marvelo. At the sound of its - name, the child’s eyes flick over Marvelo’s shoulder. The - mercenary starts to spin around even as the blanket writhes in - his hands, wrapping itself around his wrists and binding them - tightly together.

    -

    “Hungh!” he cries out wordlessly and tucks into a roll, - turning to face his assailant and—he hopes—dodging any - potential attack from behind. And also putting some distance - between himself and the child to get it out of harms way.

    -

    Marvelo tries to push up to his knees as cords of rope - snake their way out of the shadows and coil around his knees - and elbows. He struggles to pull free of them. A thicker rope - wraps around his waist, and another squeezes around his chest - and back. The ropes contract and pull Marvelo into a ball. He - groans and falls to his side. He looks up into the eyes of a - man wearing a bright red sash.

    -

    The child has tottled over to the man and reaches its arms - up. The man scoops the child up and holds it in the crook of - one arm. The child puts its arms around the man’s neck and - looks down at Marvelo while resting its cheek on the man’s - chest.

    -

    “His name is Rind,” the man smiles.

    -
    -

    Feeling bedraggled yet dry despite having been submerged - under water, Inky lays on the beach, staring up at the sky - before sitting up and looking around the landscape. They are - now attired in a hooded azure blue vest over red shirt and - shorts, and blue shoes over mismatched knee-high stockings. - Their auburn hair is tied back with the drawstrings from an - attached small pouch. A plush toy resembling a certain floofy - duck peeks out from the hood.

    -

    They sense a soft weight land on one shoulder, and smile as - Fuko nips at their ear, no doubt partly in reproach for - wandering off again without her, and maybe partly meant to be - reassuring. This is followed several moments later by a low - hiss and a series of light taps next to Inky’s ear with her - beak. Inky murmurs, “Is that so … we should call it a wrap - soon. Master Alex would probably be happy having Big Bother to - himself anyway, to grill as he likes.”

    -

    After a very long minute, Inky sighs and taking out a piece - of paper and pencil from their suitcase, scribbles a - “pome”:

    - 
    Island tower of towers
-Nowhere everywhere the sea
-Keep your apples and flowers
-Your suitor has come for thee
    -

    They roll up the paper and tuck it into a small and clear - glass bottle with a cork stopper. Murmuring the sysorcerer’s - name to the bottle, they lower it into the water and watch as - the bottle drifts into the distance.

    -

    Walking along the shoreline and stopping a short distance - from the lone figure, Inky says casually, “Good day, fellow - thing-finder.”

    -
    -

    The figure turns in your direction and lowers their hood - revealing a long, hooked, black beak and a face covered in - black feathers. Beady black eyes regard you without - blinking.

    -

    The feathers around its throat bristle when it speaks like - a thick bristling beard.

    -

    “Greetings, Dreamer, and welcome to Ephemeris, the Heart of - the Dreaming. What brings you to the Throne of Konsu?”

    -
    -

    Well Kasutva, I may as well trust you. I imagine if you - meant me harm there are more direct and interesting ways to - harm me than to misguide me. Give me a moment to collect - myself, I’ve never been much for swimming you see, learned - late and was always deathly afraid as a child. Dreadful stuff - really.

    -

    Alex steps away briefly to the edge of the pier and looks - into the Azure blue ocean, a swirl of unending blue depth. - Still not my thing, Alex mutters to himself. As he steels - himself he notices a bottle adrift, nearing the pier. As it - comes closer, he plucks it from the water, decorks it and - inspects the note inside.

    -

    “What does it say” the little Kasutva inquires.

    -

    “Oh nothing, just someone trying to get in contact about - our floating pirateships extended warranty” Alex replies - bruskly. This definitely must have come from Inky Alex thinks - to himself. They must have found the way.

    -

    “Look Kasutva, this has been great fun, but I really think - I ought to be going, not really sure that a sea of anyones - dreams is my sort of thing and all that. And I seem ot have - done not but create a mess of things” Alex says as he gestures - to the wreckage of the Mech. Alex gestures in the air before - him, a small split keyboard appears in front of him and he - types out a few short commands.

    -
    - 
    cat > /home/inky/messages/urgent <<EOF
-Got your message
-In a bit of a bind, wrapped up with some weird mushroom guy who wants to go for a swim.
-Not sure how to handle it, but I might have to dip back to the real world and let you finish here.
-I've made a write mess of things, but I trust you can finish this.
-
-Oh, see attached, if you get into a pinch just use this spell, it'll get you what you need.
-
-grep -A4 AID ~/messages/urgent | sed 's/AID//' | sh
-
-AID
-4b1af3fcf4ce005ef86d83c45713ba1a548b4e79da09a6d44632cdb6c5917489
-d7d500fa37b986d931b70e114b4e67375b10b373aa6649641e7132e8b3dc7d18
-ef6efe98ffd070f486c00b4f50d8bf1448414ef9c2fabe0cacd40bebafba8a02
-1d0d1bf0188b842d9ae08b9b37b0f266936ef38b8f07e5c90e4a9351bf018898
-EOF
    -
    -

    “Right!” Alex exclaims startling the little Kasutva - accidentally. “Time for me to head back to the real world. - Anything you need from me before I head out? Oh also, can I - take the ak74u? I think I might need it.”

    -
    -

    “Back … back to the waking world?” Mushroom Kasutva - stammers. “But…”

    -

    It looks out at the sea with a look of longing, confusion, - and frustration. “But we were finally going to see Ephemeris,” - they say almost wistfully.

    -

    “You were going to take us to Ephemeris!” they shout at - you, suddenly angry.

    -

    Mushroom Kasutva screws up its face and roars in rage as it - rushes at you and tries to shove you over the edge of the pier - into the waters below.

    -

    But Kasutva is less than a foot tall and quite ineffective - at shoving a human-sized person such as Alex.

    -

    Big Kasutva, on the otherhand, is roughly twelve feet tall - and quite capable of manhandling a human-sized person.

    -

    You look up in time to jerk back out of the way as they - swipe at your chest with their face-removing knife. It was all - a feint though. As soon as you are slightly off balance from - dodging their attack, they reach out with their other hand and - give you a shove.

    -

    You trip over Mushroom Kasutva, who has positioned themself - in just such a way to best tangle up your feet. You stumble - backwards a few steps until one of your feet steps out into - open air. You twist and and look behind you as Ousia rises up - to meet you.

    -

    Kasutva clings to your leg as you fall, crying. “We’re - sorry. We’re sorry,” they say over and over as you are pulled - below the waves.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    - ]]> -     -     54 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -2555,6 +2312,354 @@ NOTE GDB INDICATES SOME ANOMALY ]]> + + 65 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 65 - Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 +-0700 + Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 -0700 + + 00065 +

    Marvelo fetched a fluffy blanket from the piles of blankets + and pillows in the ritual room where the dreamers continue to + sleep. He has wrapped up the child and is drying them off. The + sound of rain continues to drum incessantly outside.

    +

    “Poor thing, you’re chilled to the bone. Don’t worry, Uncle + Marv will take care of you. There we go. Fix you right + up!”

    +

    The child is still and silent. It has not made a noise this + whole time. Nor has it acted on its own to actually do + anything besides stare up at Marvelo with wide, dark eyes.

    +

    “How did you end up outside by yourself in the rain, hmm? + No? That’s okay. What about your name? Have you got a + name?”

    +

    “Rind,” says a voice behind Marvelo. At the sound of its + name, the child’s eyes flick over Marvelo’s shoulder. The + mercenary starts to spin around even as the blanket writhes in + his hands, wrapping itself around his wrists and binding them + tightly together.

    +

    “Hungh!” he cries out wordlessly and tucks into a roll, + turning to face his assailant and—he hopes—dodging any + potential attack from behind. And also putting some distance + between himself and the child to get it out of harms way.

    +

    Marvelo tries to push up to his knees as cords of rope + snake their way out of the shadows and coil around his knees + and elbows. He struggles to pull free of them. A thicker rope + wraps around his waist, and another squeezes around his chest + and back. The ropes contract and pull Marvelo into a ball. He + groans and falls to his side. He looks up into the eyes of a + man wearing a bright red sash.

    +

    The child has tottled over to the man and reaches its arms + up. The man scoops the child up and holds it in the crook of + one arm. The child puts its arms around the man’s neck and + looks down at Marvelo while resting its cheek on the man’s + chest.

    +

    “His name is Rind,” the man smiles.

    +
    +

    Feeling bedraggled yet dry despite having been submerged + under water, Inky lays on the beach, staring up at the sky + before sitting up and looking around the landscape. They are + now attired in a hooded azure blue vest over red shirt and + shorts, and blue shoes over mismatched knee-high stockings. + Their auburn hair is tied back with the drawstrings from an + attached small pouch. A plush toy resembling a certain floofy + duck peeks out from the hood.

    +

    They sense a soft weight land on one shoulder, and smile as + Fuko nips at their ear, no doubt partly in reproach for + wandering off again without her, and maybe partly meant to be + reassuring. This is followed several moments later by a low + hiss and a series of light taps next to Inky’s ear with her + beak. Inky murmurs, “Is that so … we should call it a wrap + soon. Master Alex would probably be happy having Big Bother to + himself anyway, to grill as he likes.”

    +

    After a very long minute, Inky sighs and taking out a piece + of paper and pencil from their suitcase, scribbles a + “pome”:

    + 
    Island tower of towers
+Nowhere everywhere the sea
+Keep your apples and flowers
+Your suitor has come for thee
    +

    They roll up the paper and tuck it into a small and clear + glass bottle with a cork stopper. Murmuring the sysorcerer’s + name to the bottle, they lower it into the water and watch as + the bottle drifts into the distance.

    +

    Walking along the shoreline and stopping a short distance + from the lone figure, Inky says casually, “Good day, fellow + thing-finder.”

    +
    +

    The figure turns in your direction and lowers their hood + revealing a long, hooked, black beak and a face covered in + black feathers. Beady black eyes regard you without + blinking.

    +

    The feathers around its throat bristle when it speaks like + a thick bristling beard.

    +

    “Greetings, Dreamer, and welcome to Ephemeris, the Heart of + the Dreaming. What brings you to the Throne of Konsu?”

    +
    +

    Well Kasutva, I may as well trust you. I imagine if you + meant me harm there are more direct and interesting ways to + harm me than to misguide me. Give me a moment to collect + myself, I’ve never been much for swimming you see, learned + late and was always deathly afraid as a child. Dreadful stuff + really.

    +

    Alex steps away briefly to the edge of the pier and looks + into the Azure blue ocean, a swirl of unending blue depth. + Still not my thing, Alex mutters to himself. As he steels + himself he notices a bottle adrift, nearing the pier. As it + comes closer, he plucks it from the water, decorks it and + inspects the note inside.

    +

    “What does it say” the little Kasutva inquires.

    +

    “Oh nothing, just someone trying to get in contact about + our floating pirateships extended warranty” Alex replies + bruskly. This definitely must have come from Inky Alex thinks + to himself. They must have found the way.

    +

    “Look Kasutva, this has been great fun, but I really think + I ought to be going, not really sure that a sea of anyones + dreams is my sort of thing and all that. And I seem ot have + done not but create a mess of things” Alex says as he gestures + to the wreckage of the Mech. Alex gestures in the air before + him, a small split keyboard appears in front of him and he + types out a few short commands.

    +
    + 
    cat > /home/inky/messages/urgent <<EOF
+Got your message
+In a bit of a bind, wrapped up with some weird mushroom guy who wants to go for a swim.
+Not sure how to handle it, but I might have to dip back to the real world and let you finish here.
+I've made a write mess of things, but I trust you can finish this.
+
+Oh, see attached, if you get into a pinch just use this spell, it'll get you what you need.
+
+grep -A4 AID ~/messages/urgent | sed 's/AID//' | sh
+
+AID
+4b1af3fcf4ce005ef86d83c45713ba1a548b4e79da09a6d44632cdb6c5917489
+d7d500fa37b986d931b70e114b4e67375b10b373aa6649641e7132e8b3dc7d18
+ef6efe98ffd070f486c00b4f50d8bf1448414ef9c2fabe0cacd40bebafba8a02
+1d0d1bf0188b842d9ae08b9b37b0f266936ef38b8f07e5c90e4a9351bf018898
+EOF
    +
    +

    “Right!” Alex exclaims startling the little Kasutva + accidentally. “Time for me to head back to the real world. + Anything you need from me before I head out? Oh also, can I + take the ak74u? I think I might need it.”

    +
    +

    “Back … back to the waking world?” Mushroom Kasutva + stammers. “But…”

    +

    It looks out at the sea with a look of longing, confusion, + and frustration. “But we were finally going to see Ephemeris,” + they say almost wistfully.

    +

    “You were going to take us to Ephemeris!” they shout at + you, suddenly angry.

    +

    Mushroom Kasutva screws up its face and roars in rage as it + rushes at you and tries to shove you over the edge of the pier + into the waters below.

    +

    But Kasutva is less than a foot tall and quite ineffective + at shoving a human-sized person such as Alex.

    +

    Big Kasutva, on the otherhand, is roughly twelve feet tall + and quite capable of manhandling a human-sized person.

    +

    You look up in time to jerk back out of the way as they + swipe at your chest with their face-removing knife. It was all + a feint though. As soon as you are slightly off balance from + dodging their attack, they reach out with their other hand and + give you a shove.

    +

    You trip over Mushroom Kasutva, who has positioned themself + in just such a way to best tangle up your feet. You stumble + backwards a few steps until one of your feet steps out into + open air. You twist and and look behind you as Ousia rises up + to meet you.

    +

    Kasutva clings to your leg as you fall, crying. “We’re + sorry. We’re sorry,” they say over and over as you are pulled + below the waves.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     + + 71 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 71 - Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:05:50 +-0700 + Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:05:50 -0700 + + 00071 +

    Neddas loves mortals. Possibly more than they love + themself. It’s why they’ve diminished their own divinity over + the eons by freely giving parts of themself away—gifting tiny + aspects of themself to the mortals. Part of their constant + delight in doing so is that even with their divine wisdom they + can never quite be sure what any mortal or mortals will + actually do with a sliver of godhood, with a divine spark. + Consequently they have a lot of experience with giving what + they thought is a perfect gift only for it to be misused, or + for it to backfire in some unexpected way.

    +

    The Sword of Y’aml is a prime example. Justice without + Wisom turned out to be a cruel weapon, seeing evil everywhere + and smiting it on sight. And Wisdom itself proved as impotent + as Justice was overzealous: it became as cold and as cruel in + its own way, locked away in ivory towers, refusing to + intervene, made lame by theory and academia.

    +

    So now, in this moment, Neddas watches closely to see if + they finally got it right. Does this mortal have not only the + Wisdom to know what to do, but also the Courage to do it in + the name of Justice?

    +
    +

    Alex rushes to Marvelo’s side and quickly begins to + administer medicine to him. “Sorry old friend, it’s not much + considering the wound, but it should help you at least stay + lucid” Alex says as he administers the medicine Inky gave him. + He takes quick stock of Marvelo’s wound, most of his teeth are + gone, his jaw is horribly disfigured, it’s doubtful if it’ll + heal properly. At best he’ll need prostethics, potentially a + full mechanical jaw. It is essentially a death knell in this + kind of work, the perfect normality Marvelo had always strove + for would be forever marred by his sudden abnormality. Alex + shakes his head, “It’s fine Marv, I’m positive we can get this + fixed, no worse than at wound Agent 3 took in Cosovo, remember + that one? Hell of a thing that” Alex grins grimly, casting a + glance over his shoulder. “Alright, you should be set old + friend, best I can do for now.” Alex hands him back his + blaster and sits him up against the wall, the bleeding + staunched, but the magled jaw not much better.

    +

    Alex stands, reloads his pistol, and turns to face the + malevolent apparition.

    +

    “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, or what the + fuck you think you’re doing. But nobody, and I mean nobody, + messes with my agents, my friends.” Alex approaches the + apparition, pistol gripped in one hand, and the crystal + pendant Neddas gave him held tight in the other. “Alright + Neddas, you said you’d give me something I could protect my + friends with. Don’t think I believe in it much, but I’d of + said until about 15 minutes ago that candles don’t produce + macabre dentists either.” Alex stands before the apparition, + daring it to move, come and try me if you dare.

    +
    +

    Alex faces down the howling apparition—pistol in one hand, + amulet in the other—daring and defiant.

    +

    The wind engulfs him, swirls around him, wraps him in its + embrace, and presses him to its bosom.

    +
    +

    While Master Alex faces the screaming presence overhead, + Inky steps over to where Marvelo is slumped against the wall. + Working quickly, they wipe the blood on the agent’s face with + a clean kerchief and antiseptic, then gently realign the + shattered jaw, wrapping bandages around his head to hold it in + place. They pull a blanket laying on the ground nearby over + his body before getting to their feet again.

    +

    At the mention of Neddas, they tense minutely before + turning away to stand in a corner, gloved hands in their coat + pockets, a quiet witness to the ensuing confrontation.

    +
    +

    Inky continues to patch up Marvelo and watches as the + nightmare chooses its new vessel.

    +

    Flesh and bone start to materialize around Alex as the + Nyxmaer tries to encase him in its ribcage and grow a new + body.

    +

    The creature starts to take shape, but falters at the + threshold of creation. It appears to you as though through a + smoky haze, or from the bottom of a murky well. Something is + holding it back from materializing.

    +

    It thrashes and redoubles its efforts, desperate to be + born. Alex stands still in the eye of its storm. You see the + Nyxmaer’s tiny face take shape in the small cyclone. It roars + as Alex lifts the amulet, and fires his pistol.

    +

    The demon’s pinched face wails as the wind no longer + presses in on Alex from all sides but is suddenly + yanked toward him. The struggling body collapses and + folds in on itself. The wind goes out of the room as the + amulet inhales the Nyxmaer and all its fury.

    +

    And then all is quiet.

    +

    Marvelo looks up at Inky and whimpers.

    +

    A heavy paper envelope, disturbed by the wind, settles to + the ground. It was torn open in the commotion, and two tickets + spill out: “The bearer of this ticket is entitled to an all + expenses paid trip to the moon.” It is signed by Blavin + Blandfoot and bears the seal of the Benefactor.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     + + 60 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 60 - Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:47 +-0700 + Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:48 -0700 + + 00060 +
    +

    Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is + definitely strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him + with his impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately + the same can’t be said for his roguish good looks, as he’s + found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he + remembers.

    +

    Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, + and he promptly moves on with assessing the situation.

    +

    “Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are + terrible at fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a + dreadfully important meeting across town.” turning to address + Inky, “We need to make a break for it, what’d the witch tell + you? Envision our goal or something? This is really a little + outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise.. + unless..”

    +

    Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a + terminal prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at + blinding speed at the digital window, a quick bypass there, a + root access escalation there.

    +

    “Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older + kernel, about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as + needed. Here I’m giving us sudo access, should we need + it.”

    +

    “Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”

    + 
    find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \
    +
    +

    It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he + corrects ‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to + the chipmunk instead of to the squirrel.

    +

    Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It + squeals in delight.

    +

    In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell + of what can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns + has just vanished.

    +

    The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts + scooping up acorns by the armful and shoving them into its + mouth by the dozen. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it + says around a mouthful of nuts. “Here…” It tosses you a large + square silver coin with a round hole drilled in the center. On + one side is the number twenty-one next to a picture of a + curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the number + five and a picture of a flail.

    +

    “A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all + I have,” it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide + its nuts. Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.

    +

    If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the + hole, you see the dreamscape before you as though looking + through a cloudy film. All the same stuff is there, but it’s + hazy and shadowy.

    +

    Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out + of hailing distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. + Dark shadows pool restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the + shadows leap up and take the form of demons the like of which + words cannot describe, before falling and returning to shadow + once more. The figure wears a large spherical helmet of + obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of a rainbow + of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet + like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel + sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels + a tug, a familiarity. Something about this character is + familiar to you, but you cannot place it.

    +

    When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape + both disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted + landscape reappears but the figure is gone.

    +

    You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather + intently from the branches below.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     55 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) diff --git a/www/spoilers.html b/www/spoilers.html index 6eff0a6..713494b 100644 --- a/www/spoilers.html +++ b/www/spoilers.html @@ -298,6 +298,7 @@
  • 00068
  • 00069
  • 00070
    • +
  • 00071
  • Spoilers
  • current story arc.

    you can subscribe to the rss feed.

    Stats

    -

    Total length: 90664 words / 387 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

    Total length: 91533 words / 391 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not just the story.)

    -

    There have been 243 messages posted over 238 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.

    +

    There have been 247 messages posted over 239 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.

    Chapter 1

    This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.

    Jump to: 1 2

    A malevolent force rides the still howling wind and hovers screaming up near the ceiling of the fish market.

    WHAT DO YOU DO?

    +

    00071

    +

    Neddas loves mortals. Possibly more than they love themself. It’s why +they’ve diminished their own divinity over the eons by freely giving +parts of themself away—gifting tiny aspects of themself to the mortals. +Part of their constant delight in doing so is that even with their +divine wisdom they can never quite be sure what any mortal or mortals +will actually do with a sliver of godhood, with a divine spark. +Consequently they have a lot of experience with giving what they thought +is a perfect gift only for it to be misused, or for it to backfire in +some unexpected way.

    +

    The Sword of Y’aml is a prime example. Justice without Wisom turned +out to be a cruel weapon, seeing evil everywhere and smiting it on +sight. And Wisdom itself proved as impotent as Justice was overzealous: +it became as cold and as cruel in its own way, locked away in ivory +towers, refusing to intervene, made lame by theory and academia.

    +

    So now, in this moment, Neddas watches closely to see if they finally +got it right. Does this mortal have not only the Wisdom to know what to +do, but also the Courage to do it in the name of Justice?

    +
    +

    Alex rushes to Marvelo’s side and quickly begins to administer +medicine to him. “Sorry old friend, it’s not much considering the wound, +but it should help you at least stay lucid” Alex says as he administers +the medicine Inky gave him. He takes quick stock of Marvelo’s wound, +most of his teeth are gone, his jaw is horribly disfigured, it’s +doubtful if it’ll heal properly. At best he’ll need prostethics, +potentially a full mechanical jaw. It is essentially a death knell in +this kind of work, the perfect normality Marvelo had always strove for +would be forever marred by his sudden abnormality. Alex shakes his head, +“It’s fine Marv, I’m positive we can get this fixed, no worse than at +wound Agent 3 took in Cosovo, remember that one? Hell of a thing that” +Alex grins grimly, casting a glance over his shoulder. “Alright, you +should be set old friend, best I can do for now.” Alex hands him back +his blaster and sits him up against the wall, the bleeding staunched, +but the magled jaw not much better.

    +

    Alex stands, reloads his pistol, and turns to face the malevolent +apparition.

    +

    “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, or what the fuck you +think you’re doing. But nobody, and I mean nobody, messes with my +agents, my friends.” Alex approaches the apparition, pistol gripped in +one hand, and the crystal pendant Neddas gave him held tight in the +other. “Alright Neddas, you said you’d give me something I could protect +my friends with. Don’t think I believe in it much, but I’d of said until +about 15 minutes ago that candles don’t produce macabre dentists +either.” Alex stands before the apparition, daring it to move, come and +try me if you dare.

    +
    +

    Alex faces down the howling apparition—pistol in one hand, amulet in +the other—daring and defiant.

    +

    The wind engulfs him, swirls around him, wraps him in its embrace, +and presses him to its bosom.

    +
    +

    While Master Alex faces the screaming presence overhead, Inky steps +over to where Marvelo is slumped against the wall. Working quickly, they +wipe the blood on the agent’s face with a clean kerchief and antiseptic, +then gently realign the shattered jaw, wrapping bandages around his head +to hold it in place. They pull a blanket laying on the ground nearby +over his body before getting to their feet again.

    +

    At the mention of Neddas, they tense minutely before turning away to +stand in a corner, gloved hands in their coat pockets, a quiet witness +to the ensuing confrontation.

    +
    +

    Inky continues to patch up Marvelo and watches as the nightmare +chooses its new vessel.

    +

    Flesh and bone start to materialize around Alex as the Nyxmaer tries +to encase him in its ribcage and grow a new body.

    +

    The creature starts to take shape, but falters at the threshold of +creation. It appears to you as though through a smoky haze, or from the +bottom of a murky well. Something is holding it back from +materializing.

    +

    It thrashes and redoubles its efforts, desperate to be born. Alex +stands still in the eye of its storm. You see the Nyxmaer’s tiny face +take shape in the small cyclone. It roars as Alex lifts the amulet, and +fires his pistol.

    +

    The demon’s pinched face wails as the wind no longer presses in on +Alex from all sides but is suddenly yanked toward him. The +struggling body collapses and folds in on itself. The wind goes out of +the room as the amulet inhales the Nyxmaer and all its fury.

    +

    And then all is quiet.

    +

    Marvelo looks up at Inky and whimpers.

    +

    A heavy paper envelope, disturbed by the wind, settles to the ground. +It was torn open in the commotion, and two tickets spill out: “The +bearer of this ticket is entitled to an all expenses paid trip to the +moon.” It is signed by Blavin Blandfoot and bears the seal of the +Benefactor.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    Spoilers