video | un: plushiesidequest (in which she talks about an NPC visitor)

[reincarnesiac]

( Oh look! It's that same person who melted a radio tower about two weeks ago? Alex waves to the camera, flashes a smile, then sits down on a plush chair in her apartment and leans forward, planting her elbows on her knees. )

Hey, everyone. I know more of you look at stuff here than comment, but think about doing some commenting this time, you know?

( She breathes in, then out in a sigh. )

So I sent out that signal a few weeks ago. I heard back this morning from a guy outside the barrier that goes by Scylla. He confirmed the multiverse is unraveling. He wasn't happy about it.

( Her hands lay over each other, one holding the other at her wrist. )

He also confirmed this pocket dimension of Echo's we're in has a lot of bubble cities trying to solve the problem through point based reality television style game-show setups. But Echo isn't the only one working to try and save the concept of existence. There are other people out there with other ideas. Scylla didn't know if any of them show any more promise than Echo's way, because no one's had confirmed results or failures based on attempts.

( She opens her hands, staring at the camera. )

He said he'll help us figure out how to close the tear after it's open, because that's when he can get in here. Shout out to Aurora for her work keeping us safe until Echo demands otherwise.

( Sitting back, she frowns at the camera. )

I can sum up what else we talked about if people ask, but this seemed important to get out first. He said I probably won't see him for a bit when he arrives, but anyone who does run into him, he's a guy... fairly handsome? Taller than I am, shorter than Gorgug. Paler than me too. Reddish-brown hair with waves that he wears neatly cut but not close shaven. He was scruffy. Had one of those friendly faces you know likes to tease people until he was getting more serious. I don't know, ( she sighs ) it's been a surreal morning.

Comments

voice; un: Odin

[odinpusrex]

He has confirmed little beyond that which was already verified—should one believe aught that escaped his lips.

[Well, save for Echo not acting alone, but that too could be inferred by being here long enough, by his measure.

Barnabas has experienced Moorecroft, and there is of course Solmara as well, so other bubble cities are known to him. Aphaia presented them with one such planet—universe, perhaps—that was in active decay. Its last fibers barely holding on as the world ran on gleeful and violent chaos to welcome their inevitable end...]

Have you reason to trust him?

[reincarnesiac]

Maybe for the folks here longer. Been kind of hard to know when you're newer, yeah?

( She's not arguing, considering she sighs again after saying this. The other city known, but the numbers was a question; no one told her about they dying world. )

His goals. The ones he was up front about. Echo has someone he loves in one of the bubble cities. That was believable, the way he talked about them. He wants answers much like we do, only he's not coming from inside one of these places. He's starting on the outside, wanting to know what's in here.

[odinpusrex]

All one must do is ask.

[He is making this her fault, somehow.]

Believe you that he will not bring ruin should the one he loves proves absent? One should be wary when welcoming a wanderer.

[If Echo is a kidnapper—which he is—why wouldn't this Scylla take any opportunity to strike back at him? Destroy his project and his efforts.]

[reincarnesiac]

What makes you think he believes that person is here? I said he's looking for them, but not that he thought they were in here with us. Pretty sure it'd be faster for him to pass along a name for that than break in with help and Aurora knowing he's coming.

[odinpusrex]

If that person is not here, there is scant reason for him to care what becomes of us. Do not be foolish to believe he means aught more than that which services him.

[It does not escape him that this unknown man is choosing to infiltrate while a mission that will debilitate them is happening.]

[reincarnesiac]

Yeah, of course he benefits. If he's on the inside, he learns something more about how it works. Or he can try to learn, and we can be on standby for Aurora if things deteriorate rapidly.

But if we assume malicious intent from everything, we're setting ourselves back every time. So I can't. I'm already aware how much people can suck. I'll just keep learning how each individual person sucks firsthand, I guess.

[odinpusrex]

You alone will not pay for your naivety.

[reincarnesiac]

Same for you and being stubbornly distrustful. Unfortunately, all our flaws have costs.

[odinpusrex]

Wisdom is such a stranger you cannot identify it. To what end will his invasion serve us?

[reincarnesiac]

Information and crosschecked sources. Something we're definitely lacking.

[odinpusrex]

You have little proof he knows aught more than we. Were you made aware of the betrayal of Solmara?

[That's what he's calling it, apparently...]

[reincarnesiac]

You likewise have little proof that he doesn't. And you mean the place Robert came from, right? Where the people inside took over, made it into a dictatorship, and kept Aurora's brother from doing his job so that they could rule over a tiny empire with horror and fear?

[odinpusrex]

So, you are then aware we have faced infiltration once before with the intent to spell our ruin.

[This is all said in a tone that edges towards condescension and scolding, though he holds it tightly measured otherwise.]

Just as he [Robert, he doesn't care to say his name—] chose to benefit himself by remaining within our number, consigning those he left behind to their fate; this Scylla is likewise wont to act in favor of himself alone. However, the former is a fool and ineffectual, his subsequent betrayal and presence courts not our destruction. The latter's abilities are unknown, the veracity of his motives questionable.

You would take such a gamble?

[reincarnesiac]

Yep.

( THAT'S IT LMFAO )

I have more faith in our collective, competing feral cat colony approach to making sure no one ends up getting away with being a dictator than I do in one singular person's ability to take a group of us fully informed of his approaching presence by surprise.

[odinpusrex]

Foolish girl. Do you truly think it so simple?

[Not that Barnabas isn't up for the challenge if he needs to put this invader in his place, but given the timing...]

[reincarnesiac]

You apparently think his ability to take over would be. Come on, even if we're not all crazy overpowered, do you really think this group of people wouldn't throw down to win anyway?

[odinpusrex]

Ere my arrival to this realm, there were none save one who could shackle me thus. Yet, soon I face my second autumn, still fettered. It is wise to learn your measure, lest you tempt destruction as your bedfellow, foolishly believing it hope.

[reincarnesiac]

At least I'd have a good time before the end, I suppose.

( Barnabas, some of us have always known we're not undefeatable. Hope is a choice, even in the face of hopelessness. )

I'm not saying caution like you advise isn't important. I am saying choosing to not engage at all, for an excess of caution? Isn't helping. We're already isolated. We don't need to actively make that worse.

[odinpusrex]

...

[Choice is a delusion for the hopeful, when in truth there is no choice at all. Hope is a lie to lure the misguided to their destruction, for hope blinds fools of the precipice's edge which they gladly march towards.]

One maintaining order through disallowing hungering wolves to tread amongst one's number worsens not their isolation, it is mere preservation. The village survives refusing peril within.

[reincarnesiac]

Mm, pretty sure the moment everyone outside the village is treated as a wolf, you stop remembering groups figured out how to fight off wolves slipping in centuries ago, and you start believing that nothing can keep you safe except being in your own stronghold. Literal or metaphoric.

( A pause for a beat: )

So... I kind of hope you find a way to step outside yours, too, one of these days. The universe isn't safe, and it's not some kind and fair place, but the people you find out there can help make it better, including when you face down life's wolves.

Because we all do, sooner or later.

[odinpusrex]

[It almost seems like he isn't going to reply. Maybe it would be better if he didn't. After all, her kind words are not ones he hasn't heard before, and the sentiment has been given to him time and again, though different ways. Yet, his heart stays unmoved, a vessel lost upon motionless waters and windless seas.]

Enough. The proof will be put to the test, and what you have wrought will be your burden to bear.

[If she refuses to see reason, there is little else to do.]

Have care to become not one of Etraya's wolves.

[reincarnesiac]

I'll keep my claws trimmed, just in case.

( Not... even dismissive. It's a genuine statement. Alex is fully aware that she is, unfairly, a glass canon that could take out the city under the wrong circumstances. From her perspective, Etraya is already full of wolves.

Most days they're lucky the wolves aren't interested in anything other than playing nice. And that no one's big into territory disputes between packs. There sure are a lot of little ones. )