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  • #1186

    Arona was fretting.

    “Now, what is this all about? Can someone explain me? The purple sand is pretty, the green sky too, however it looks just like an insane dream from a deranged mind having abused smoke of robjane leaves.”

    Framing Irtak —who was having a funny pout on his face— the dragons Heckle and Jeckle were too busy considering with an amused attention the new form and energy field that their progenitor had taken.

    No words were spoken to answer Arona’s plea for answers, but answers were starting to come to them in the form of a bundle of energy which would be difficult to translate in a linear manner.

    They started to understand a few things. That for one, N’meôrl the Nirgual was not here by chance, at this place and time. Again, they had travelled far in the past of the history of their dimension, and events of great importance were in motion, that they were given to witness.

    At first, the flow of information they were having was like a stream they thought they had no control of, but as questions were forming they noticed that it was altering the flow which was then encompassing the answers to those questions.

    Like when Jeckle wondered if he and his twin had big birdies counterparts like this one to merge with, and got the following answer “No. For you are quite new essences fragments, and thus do not yet hold focuses in similar extent to your progenitor.”

    Arona was quite pleased by this new mode of getting answers, especially as she could visibly get the answers she was genuinely looking for, not those coming from questions she was only remotely interested in.

    N’meôrl was showing them also, that unlike him, they were not quite physically focused into that environment, and were not noticed by the small surrounding creatures like the little red scrabs crawling in the sand. They were mainly there to observe and draw their own conclusions, as soon some events would occur.

    As they’d finished absorbing the information, they started to notice a feeling of expectation in the air. N’meôrl conveyed to them that they would have to stay quiet in his peripheral awareness for “they” were coming, and he was on a delicate mission.

    :fleuron:

    Footsteps on the beach.
    A man approaching. He looks like Irtak and Arona, as if he had just come into this alien world from the same door they had taken. But he fails to notice them.

    He stays, facing the deep green waters of the ocean brushing the shore, as if expecting someone.

    A strange buzz starts to fill the space. A point of focused light the size of a pinhole appears in front of him, expands quickly with an elastic quality, and pops with a soft sound, revealing an improbably tall figure under a cloak.

    The man greets the new-comer with deference
    “Master Sinadron”
    “Jarvis, my good friend.”

    They start to walk on the beach at the unspoken invitation of the one with the smooth voice named Sinadron.

    “So, I’ve been told our little matter is going very well.”
    “Yes, very well, Master; I am deeply grateful for your intervention; without your help I’ve been told, my dear would not have been allowed to…”
    “Let’s not talk of such things any longer; it was such a delight to help two sweet young souls so deeply in love”

    Somehow, despite the words of kindness which are slithering with ease, the invisible witness got the uncanny feeling that they are but a deceptive fragment of the truth.

    “Now. Tell me”, the one named Sinadron continues in a mellifluous voice “Why have you called me for?”
    “The settlement you have suggested us to start on this land…”
    “Yes, I am aware, please go to the point instead of labouring things I am well aware of.” The voice had sharpened a bit.
    “I am sorry Master.”
    “Continue”
    “There is a growing dissent that…”
    “And from who that shall come?”
    “Err… I hear Pelorus has spoken to the Zentauras…”
    “Pelorus is but a nuisance.” The voice wasn’t asking for contradiction, though an imperceptible grin was floating on the half-hidden face.
    He continued “But I shall help you, once again
    “Master, you are too generous…”
    “Let me finish. I will provide you with more men and women, willing to start a new life under your command, to help you grow your settlement. There are a few slaves on the Duane, that place from where you come who will do great.”
    “Master…”
    “They will be there in an hexade. Make sure you stand your ground until then, even if that means confronting those nasty Zentauras.”

    And without waiting for the confused thanks, he disappeared, grinning widely.

    #1181

    “I told you, you shouldn’t have told them”
    “Shut up! You’re not even real, none of this is real…”
    “Well, I don’t know for you, but I feel real enough to be able to annoy you”

    Akita wasn’t sure if those hallucinations were due to the shock of the freezing temperatures of the Antarctica base, or to the medications they’d given them since the military troops had landed on the shores of that island to place it under strict quarantine. All of that was a bit fuzzy afterwards.

    He barely remembered how he’d been brought here. Someone had probably noticed the high energy vortexes occurring on the island, or perhaps someone in high places had been tipped about all the weird stuff that had occurred there. He couldn’t tell for sure.
    However, something strange had occurred. He had started to be able to see Kay, his spirit dog, reappear soon after.
    And that’s when everything started to go in a hellish downward spiral.
    Perhaps he shouldn’t have tried to convince the medics in the first place. Now he wasn’t so sure the dog wasn’t all but a figment of his imagination, which was all fine for him, but he had to know.

    “Has this… err… dog that you see speaking to you, has it ever told you anything you couldn’t have known yourself?” the medic had been asking him.
    That’s what had the doubts start to creep. Perhaps he was just another traumatized war veteran, like a few others, creating funny speaking critters in his mind to cope with the amount of trauma he went through. That would be quite possible.

    “Oh, come on Akita, you know I’m real, and everything we’ve gone through was real. Those friggin’ drugs they’ve given to you ain’t helpin’ you know”.

    Kay was right about that. He was slurring his words, and could barely stand on his own. They had to escape from here; real, unreal, it didn’t really matter; but he was sure of one thing; it wasn’t feeling good. Not feeling good in the least.

    “Kay?”
    “What?”
    “I suppose you got a plan, you sly dog?”

    #2030

    In reply to: Scrying the Word Cloud

    ÉricÉric
    Keymaster

      Some selected bits from one tag cumulo-cloud:

      — “Matter (is) dimensional energies realized”
      — “Expect Hector (to) surface, Rafaela!”
      — “Leonora gets (to) keep saying ‘play attention!’”
      — “Close rain, friend magic, hope water seeing”
      — “Far within thinking, Arona sort days, (her) hold gives human comments great meaning”
      — “Soon blue seconds, call straight (at the) door, met surely physical; notice move (of) essence (in) fat huge dreams”
      — “Universe appear (in) book story”
      — “Malvina line although familiar answered busy funny heading”
      — “Tina looked love taking lots question indeed”
      — “Word usually working (in) short shifting pooh adventure”
      — “Seems Armelle starting soft reason; strange perhaps (in the) middle (of) rolling help (one may) spot dragons’ truth past spider times”
      — “‘Tell inside reality’: three words step (to) creating”
      — “Becky, allow yourself finding single beautiful playing light, dear”
      — “Cloud impulse shall house explain surprised black connection”
      — “Cool trust(ed) friends, portal plane”
      — “Aliens coincidence next talking”
      — “Walking arms seem flight silence; stone creature sound already entered field (of) aware(ness); scene trip apparently given reading”
      — “Beyond rolled Theresa, lately cave telling unusual morning”
      — “Wortex large, merely Glo”

      #1158
      TracyTracy
      Participant

        Mademoiselle Mongoose was the Director of Public Relations at the Z.O.O. (short for Zoological Organization of Outcasts) which was no easy task. Her job entailed ensuring that the members remained Outcasts whilst endeavouring to foster an attitude of Acceptance from the general public. The dilemma was that oftentimes, once an Outcast was Accepted, he no longer qualified as an Outcast and according to the rules, was no longer eligible to remain at the Z.O.O.

        Mlle Mongoose couldn’t find the new Outcast anywhere. The enormous Anaconda, affectionately nicknamed Nana Croissant, was Absent Presumed Escaped Soft, which was one of Mlle Mongoose’s biggest headaches at the Z.O.O. There seemed to be a disproportionate number of A.P.E.S. at the Z.O.O.


        Mlle Mongoose sighed. If Nana Croissant couldn’t be located, Mlle Mongoose would have to report the disappearance to her superior, Sir Raphael Cabra-Chevre. Thankfully the Z.O.O. also had a disproportionately high population of R.A.B.B.I.T.S. (Rare Intermediate ‘Best Bait In Town’ Stars), to cover for the erratic and unpredictable behaviour of the A.P.E.S., ensuring that there was plenty going on for the General Public at all times. (It may be noted by the S.W.A.N.S. ~ Sumafi Workers Affiliated Normal Society ~ that R.I.B.B.I.T.S. would be more technically accurate, however they were generally accepted as R.A.B.B.I.T.S. to Those In The Show ~ otherwise known as T.I.T.S.)

        Mlle Mongoose decided to enlist the help of the C.A.M.E.L.S. (Central Agency for Missing, Escaped & Lost Softs) before alerting Sir Raphael Cabra-Chevre.

        The Case of The Disappearing Aardvark was another matter, though. Mlle Mongoose decided to call in the M.E.E.R.C.A.T.S. (Missing Entities & Essences Roll Call and Time Share)

        #1152

        Angela Wing was getting impatient. It had taken the fat white goose many months to reach a state of impatience, being such an accepting sort of creature, but really, she was wondering if she would ever have even so much as a walk in part in the Reality Play. Sure, she was a player behind the scenes, often appearing in the dreams of the players, but heck, a little bit of limelight would be nice occasionally.

        She preened her brilliant white feathers, thinking how well they would show up under the lights, as it were. It was all very well lurking in the shadows of the ill remembered dreams all the time, but Angela felt the time was ripe for more exposure.

        :fleuron:

        Becky yawned. Where on earth did that come from? she wondered, as she tried to rouse herself from her long nap. I wasn’t even dreaming about Angela Wing! All I can remember dreaming about is a book cover, something to do with eights…

        #1136
        TracyTracy
        Participant

          The interior of the Fly-boat was a bit like a Tardis, in that it was very much bigger on the inside than it appeared from the outside, and quite a different shape, too. While the exterior of the fly-boat resembled a cross between a duck and a bee, the interior was circular. There was a high point in the centre of the ceiling, and richly embroidered tapestries draping down to the floor in sumptuous folds, looking for all the world like a yurt.

          Yukailli Airlines has a decidedly exotic and oriental air, Dory thought as she perused the in flight magazine, which was written in a charming but indecipherable script resembling the Voynich Papers.

          “This is your captain speaking” a disembodied voice boomed. “Welcome aboard! My name is Ignoratio Elenchi, and I trust that you will have a most enjoyable flight with Yukailli AirBoats. There will be no obligation to fasten your seatbelts and you may smoke all through the flight. Our cabin crew will be preparing Vedic Stew over an open fire in the central area of the craft at 11:11. For your in-flight entertainment, up on the open air flight deck there will be a continuous light show by Aurora Borealis. If you want us to stop the flyboat at any point to take snapshots” continued Ignoratio, “Please don’t hesitate to ask.”

          #1135

          — “Dory?”
          — “What, hon’?” a distracted Dory answered to young Becky
          — “You’d better remove the magnets from the iron, or you’ll ruin another one…”
          — “What are you talking about?!” Dory was perplexed, trying to find her way through the airport to Gate 57-¾, but only to find nothing but benches in between Gate 57 and 58.
          — “Oh, never mind… It’s only a dream and you probably won’t remember it anyway.”

          “There!” the suspicious bag lady of the Heathrow terminal had reappeared briefly just for Dory to spot her entering the restrooms.
          Becky was already rolling the heavy bumper-stickers patched suitcase to follow her without question.

          — “But why are you taking the suitcase to go to the bathroom, Beck’?”
          — “What are you talking about Dory!” Becky was sometimes losing patience. “Can’t you see it’s the entrance for Gate 57-¾?!”
          — “Uh?” A moment of clueless mystery on Dory’s face. “Oh…” Another mini-black hole on her face.

          “Oh. Okay then. Let’s go…”

          If there was something that her exotic life had taught Dory, it was to never question the moment. If the circumstances are here, if the impulse is there, then go for it. Explanations will follow. And in case they don’t, make them up as you roll and rock!

          Becky meanwhile was rather surprised at how people, even her own step-mother, as tuned in ghostly stuff as she was, most of the time failed to see the things for what they really are. And if these big painted letters on the door “GATE 57 ¾” weren’t obvious enough, and people preferred to interpret them as restrooms, then… what else could be done? She sighed.
          Later on, she would learn that it was a common, well documented trait in human consciousness; that people were sometimes psychologically (but not physically) blind to stuff outside of their current focus of attention, or simply blind to things too far off their beliefs; in other terms, it was a matter of energy reconfiguration. As long as it worked…

          “Oh look at that… Yukailli Airlines counter is here! What bloody stupid idea to put a closet door at the entrance…”

          After having made the departure arrangements at the counter, Dory came back to Becky who was looking outside at the planes.

          — “Ain’t them beautiful?”
          — “Yeah, and I suppose you’re seeing planes, aren’t you?”
          — “Err, yes of course, what else, silly… Though now you ask me, they seem a bit weird… foggy or something”.

          In fact, what Becky was seeing wasn’t conventional planes. It was more like “fly-boats”. Some sorts of hybrid ships made to fly with huge wings transparent and shiny like those of flies.

          — “I hope they have crunchy coleslaw for meal, I’m starving” a contented and tired Dory said, when she collapsed into the comfortable seats.

          #1127

          It may have been the sudden change of environment, but Leörmn had great difficulty at staying focused.
          By staying focused, he meant more than just focusing his attention and thoughts. Actually, not much more, as nothing more than his thoughts and his attention were creating of everything —his body included. When he failed to focus as he was now, usually he simply started to disappear from other’s awareness, even though he could be aware that he was still present in their proximity. For most of his activity was happening in the Unseen, and his body was unnecessary for him to manipulate that environment.

          The twin dragons, Heckle and Jeckle were equally disturbed, but to a lesser extent, perhaps because their communicating together made their de-focusing less of a concern.

          The place where they had been guided to was really unusual. Unusual for dragons at least. Even possibly hostile.

          It was like crossing that door had made them turn the physical reality inside-out, and though it was very similar on the surface, the exterior was significantly different.

          Apart from the twins, Leörmn was feeling energies, strong energies focused nearby. They were possibly as strong as dragons’ energies, though their configuration was unfamiliar.
          Where were they? What was this place?

          Leörmn was feeling so powerful undercurrents that it was very disturbing. In his discomfort, he tried to reach for a familiar energy.

          :fleuron:

          In the pool, Salome was feeling the disturbance, as it was already making the cave wobble slightly ever since Leörmn had taken off.

          Georges was having fun shape-shifting his skin to get more dolphin-like slickness, and was trying to bring her into his games, but she was caught by the demanding feeling and couldn’t concentrate on the game.

          She made a foam bubble around herself to lift her up above the surface of the water. “There… I’ve always felt better in the air.” As a matter of fact, be it only the slight gain of altitude, but her thoughts felt clearer already.

          “Oh, my… They are on the Murtuane… Georges, you knew that?!”

          Georges was having too much fun to actually physically answer, but Salome knew he was more than vaguely aware of that.

          She went deeper into herself, trying to see what was the issue… As far as she knew, the Murtuane was very closely tied to the Duane, and actions made into one of the planet had repercussions onto the other. They were close counterparts for each element, and perhaps it was the drawing closer of these which had created an imbalance of some kind.
          “Yes…” she smiled. She was seeing how it could be made easier.

          She sent to Leörmn the clearest picture she could make, then popped her foam bubble, to gracefully dive into the pool, having changed her skin to that of a black and white killer whale.

          :fleuron:

          “Thank the Elder Gods,” Leörmn thought, as he just received the warm familiar energy of Salome from deep inside himself.

          So that was it… He had to find his counterparting Nirgual, and merge with her for the duration of their little excursion here.
          N’meôrl was the name. Salome had met her already a long time ago. She was a brilliant shade of abrigot (some orange smooth fruit).

          It would be quite easy actually. Like the Dragons, Nirguals were summoned by their true name, no matter the distance.
          Blessed be Salome…

          Popping back into focus, Leörmn pronounced loudly “N’meôrl, I hereby summon thy!

          When the huge bird appeared all the others who had started to assail the dragon with question were startled.

          Contrary to all appearances, Leörmn was not a dragon of many words, so very few needed to be actually exchanged. The two creatures both knew what had to be done to preserve the balance. And even if they had not known, the pressure on their energy fields was so intense that the merging was just like two magnets drawing closer naturally.

          And One again they were.

          #1113

          When he had heard the others discuss around the campfire the possibility to ask help from the owners of the island, Claude knew he had to focus back on his mission. He had finally managed to escape the clutches of that mad doctor and his witches, not to be sheepishly brought back to them again.

          And that little girl seemed to know better than stay here. Despite her tender age, Claude could tell she was well guided, and didn’t really need his being a bodyguard for her family.
          And Akita, well, he was a soldier, and knew how to take care of himself. Surely, the V girl wouldn’t be as tough as those giant spiders they fought on the parallel island.

          So, without more hesitation, in a move of preternatural swiftness and stealthiness, Claude disappeared again in the forest.
          He knew he had to find his contact on the island. The bee-man.

          :fleuron:

          — Mavis! About bloddy time!… Ooooh, look at that… went hunting, have you…
          — and kept that quiet too, little black ‘orse. Ye could do the introducing, can’t you?

          Sha and Glo, rendered a bit irritated by their itching were eying the stranger coming with Mavis with a curiosity drown in envy.

          #1112

          The island had never felt as populated as these past hours. Veranassesee didn’t know really which way to turn, really.

          “Gather your wits, V” she told herself.

          Obviously, it was a bit difficult, she had a terrible time to concentrate. The past few hours felt like they were stretching on forever in time, for no reason at all?

          Take that mmm… wanton memory of the night with Agent Gabriele ; it was still fresh on her mind, and yet, she could hardly tell whether Gabriele was still around in his bungalow, or whether he had left… Feelings of guilt on her part perhaps. Well, it had taken her no less than forty pages… what was she saying? It had taken her no less than forty minutes to come back to him and fall with blissful abandon in his hairy manly arms, and that could as well have been happening two, three months ago for all matter and purpose.

          Perhaps that was the work of evil aliens tampering with her mind and memories. Hardly an excuse, she had been trained for far worse occurrences. She had to list her priorities.
          Gabriele.
          Well, her mission of course. What were you thinking? Now that plan B seemed to have failed miserably, Operation Spider seemed likely to be a total fiasco.
          She had apparently lost the item in a purple blood trail, and there was that fishy Jarvis she had to take care of too.
          But somehow, if she could get that item back, perhaps she could redeem herself. Or else, dreary Fukitupi and Mahiliki would be waiting for her. Hardly a consolation.

          Of course, as if to add to the total disarray of her plans and desire to have things neatly organized, the Higloshama gang (that’s how she liked to call the three atomic divas — Mavis, Sharon and Gloria) had once again disappeared from their pods, probably to gaze at the moon in-between a few cyclones… Well, in any case, they would find a way to get back. If pigeons do, why not them?

          As for the other patients, the door was closed, and they probably were asleep. Oh, and in any case, ugly-faced as they were, they probably couldn’t get far without triggering a trail of fear howling. She had to admit, she was sourer than usual. Anyway… down the list of problems.

          Ah, the doctor of course. Well, he could go to hell, but that would be doing her too big a favour.

          The sound of the plane coming to the island drew her out of her calculations. As she was adjusting her holster to greet the untimely airborne visitors, she sent a brief mental note as a leitmotiv to herself so that she wouldn’t forget “find the bee-man, Jarvis, Jarvis, Jarvis…”

          And she did right.
          She almost lost her composure when she recognized Mahiliki on the plane.

          #1926
          TracyTracy
          Participant

            Q: Okay. What happens to things we create, like with
            characters? Are they merely thought-forms, being extensions of
            ourselves? Or do they … CAN they move on and become more?

            ELIAS: This is dependent upon your choices and how you are
            manipulating energy.

            Now; in this, let us view what you in physical focus term to be
            artistic expressions, in the area of musical composition and of
            painting expressions. These are two obvious examples within your
            physical creations that you may view certain qualities of the
            expressions.

            Now; in this, some expressions, within either musical compositions
            or expressions of illustrations or paintings, may appear to be
            merely an expression of the individual and hold the energy signature
            of that individual, but they appear or seem to not extend any
            farther, so to speak; this is figuratively speaking.

            In other terms, you may encounter other types of musical
            compositions or illustrated or painted compositions, and they appear
            quite differently. They appear not merely to hold the energy
            signature of the individual that has created them, but they also
            seem to hold an energy of their own, as if they have been created
            into an entity of their own.

            Now; the reason that you connect with this recognition of these
            types of expressions is that the composition does hold the energy
            signature of the individual that has created it, but what it also
            may hold is an aspect of that individual focus which has been
            allowed to be projected outwardly and has been allowed to continue
            independently of the focus.

            This is a similar action to fragmentation, but in very physical,
            figurative terms, a much, much smaller scale.

            This would be likened to any individual, any focus, any essence
            projecting an aspect of itself into any other element within its
            physical creation – a creature, a plant, a rock. It matters not. You
            hold the ability within essence to be projecting an aspect of
            essence or of a particular focus into any of these elements to be
            experiencing the creations of that element of your reality, such as
            a creature or any vegetation, an ocean, a mountain, a rock. It
            matters not.

            In similar manner, you may project an aspect of yourself into one of
            your creations or all of your creations or several of your
            creations, and in this, not merely you shall recognize that this
            creation appears to take on, so to speak, a life of its own, in your
            terms, but other individuals shall recognize this quality also, for
            you have allowed yourself to project an aspect of yourself into your
            physical creation, therefore breathing into it its own
            manifestation, allowing it to be continuing within its own element,
            so to speak, within its own right, in a manner of speaking. Are you
            understanding?

            Therefore, this be your choice of how you shall be creating
            within your creativity and what you shall project within it. Appear
            it not strange to you that certain individuals may be deemed as
            great masters and they shall be revered for their creations and
            their creations shall be enduring throughout your linear physical
            time, and other individuals may be creating and their expressions of
            creativity do not hold this quality? This is the reason…”

            #1078
            TracyTracy
            Participant

              T’Eggy jumped and quickly shoved the mysterious watermelon rind into her pocket as Finnley’s silouette appeared in the doorway.

              “Lady T’Egg, Sir Coon sends his apologies and wishes to inform you that he has been called unexpectedly away and will no longer be able to join you for dinner this evening” the butler ceremoniously announced. T’Eggy noticed Finnley’s eyes on her bulging pocket, somewhat inappropriately, she thought. Her previous butler, Harring, had been much more discrete. There was something fishy about Finnley. T’Eggy couldn’t put her finger on it — Finnley appeared to be the perfect butler ~ his credentials were impeccable — but there was more to him than met the eye, of that she was sure.

              “Would M’Lady like dinner brought out to the… ahem… Potting Shed?” asked Finnley, raising an eyebrow disdainfully.

              “Don’t be silly” snapped T’Eggy. “When I’m done here with Phlynn the gamekeeper, I’ll come in for dinner.”

              #1072

              This door is influenced by the energy you irradiate.

              You have to trust your energy in order for it to lead you to the most fulfilling place.

              Irtak drew his hand closer to the rippling surface of the door. Its aspect was so changing that it was like he was seeing all the tiniest elements that composed the matter, whatever it was. Hesitating, he asked Leormn.

              — Are you trying one of your tricks on me? It’s like I’m hypnotized.

              He’s not trying to lure you in… said Jeckle.
              The vibration you are currently feeling is the resonance of your energy with the one filtering through that door. said Heckle. I suspect it comes from another realm…
              But it is close to this one, Jeckle added. His muzzle quivered with excitement. I feel a friendly energy filtering from the other side.

              The waves of curiosity emitted by his friends were compelling, and Leormn could feel it. He himself was very interested by what he could feel was some kind of counterpart of himself. He was familiar with the energy but it was somewhat different from his own.

              Our strong desire is maintaining the door open. We can go safely through it and return in no time… he suggested in a soft persuasive tone.

              Arona, who was feeling a bit forgotten, grunted and added a tad dubious :
              — I’m not sure we should do it. We should tell the others… Where are they by the way?

              Apparently, the dragons and the boy were more fascinated by what was leaking out of her drawing. She’d been a bit surprised that one of her creations… if one could call the few brushstrokes a creation… that it could produce such an odd reaction. She couldn’t help but notice that the two words were anagrams.

              Leormn looked at her with a renewed interest.

              I’m feeling you are connected to that other realm, dear Arona. We all are in a way, but it’s like your lineage came from that… gate. Would you dare find out about your origin?

              She looked at him dubiously. His gaze was so intense that one moment…

              — Are you serious? she asked.

              He grinned… Who knows… if you don’t go you may never find out ;)) and I’m sure the others can take care of themselves when we are gone.

              Saying that he jumped on the other side like he was acting on a whim.

              The twins looked at each other and followed him… and Irtak was next…
              What was she to do?
              It was almost as if the door was staring at her. Challenging her… and she didn’t really like to be alone in these dark corridors.
              She jumped in and felt completely stretched out for what seemed a few seconds. She almost lost sense of who she was when an image started to form in her mind.

              It expanded until she was surrounded by a warm sensation of well being and lightness. She was completely safe in this place.
              A sudden woosh and a sensation of cold. She fell on the floor, her members suddenly failing her. The light was completely different and she couldn’t hear anything. Panic began to overwhelm her and she realized she couldn’t emit any sound either.

              As suddenly as it was gone, her sense of hearing reappeared.

              Who was shouting like that?

              Arona… Arona!

              The directedness in the tone was enough to make her recover her balance. She stopped shouting and began to notice her other senses… nothing particular at first, but she had the weird impression that it was different. Looking around her, she saw that the dragons were sniffing around like puppies and Irtak was following them like one of them.

              — Where are we? she asked Leormn.
              The sound of her voice was lower-pitched than usual, and Leormn started to laugh at her look of dismay.

              Hahaha! I don’t know yet… but we have all the time to discover.

              — Can’t we come back to the cave now? I don’t feel comfortable here… look at the sand, it’s purple… maybe it’s some kind of bacteria or something, maybe it’s contagious…

              He gave her one of those irritating wink. She was about to retort bluntly when she realized there was no way back.
              The door had disappeared.

              #1063
              Jib
              Participant

                The creaking sound of the door reminded her of a young lampürnok during the mating season on the Duane. Loads of lamprunki (plural for lampürnok) near Mount Elok’ram in her little village.

                The pock-marked face of Pavel appeared at the door.

                — Pheeeebe! I am sooo glaad we meet again.

                He entered and sat on what was supposed to be a bed.

                — I can’t say I’m glad, Pavel.

                She snorted.

                — Last time I saw you, you were running away with one of my possessions. And by the Elder gods! Couldn’t you do something about your monstrous face with all that I taught you? Well, Georges was always better than you could be… I wonder where he is currently…

                She had said that more to herself than to get any answer from him. He didn’t depart from his smile and his apparently joyous mood.

                — Well, at least I saved you from a cerrrrtain death. And I know how grateful you arrre inside yourrrrself.

                That horrid accent of his. It had always made her shudder. But she had to cope with it… for now. She needed to know where she was and why he seemed so sure he would find her there at that very moment. What was he looking for, and how was the Baron involved in all this.

                — You know that I never liked small-talk. Why don’t you tell me what you want and stop pretending to be what you can’t be? All you can do is work for someone else. You’re too stupid and too coward to take any initiative. You’re too numb to use your imagination…

                She didn’t like the quavering quality of her voice. She had to be dead tired that she was loosing her temper like that.
                She cowered back in her chair as he started to move closer, his face suddenly twisted in anger. It was obvious he wouldn’t touch her, he still feared her, she could see it in his eyes… but he also knew that she was quite powerless at the moment. She’d almost drowned in that mass of water, it had changed her in a way she couldn’t fathom yet, and she could feel a small ball of anguish deep inside. She thought for a moment he would beat her. Though he managed to compose his fake joyful expression again.

                — Listen Pheeeebee, I’m not the impulsive lad you knew. And though I’m not as good as the Dandy I can still impress you, I’m sure of it. But we’re not here to speak about parlor tricks or measure our prowess.

                She couldn’t help but notice that he had lost his accent.

                — The Baron… yes I work for him now… another old friend of yours… I wonder how old you are

                As she was frowning he continued.

                — Nonetheless, he needs your help in Hawaii.

                A dim light in her mind. So he was after the skulls too. She had to be more cautious about what she could blurt out, especially in her condition.

                #1062

                Were are we Anu? , the mother asked her young daughter trotting in front of her. My, it’s awfully dark in there… Are you sure we’ll find the others here?
                — Yes Mum. Anu answered in a soft voice.
                — Don’t be so anxious, Lily dear; trust our little girl; after all, she did so bravely well on her own after that plane crash.
                — You’re right Aaron, but this place is so… I don’t know, it gives me the creeps. It’s like… I couldn’t tell why, but it’s like we’re not remotely close to the Miami… or even the Sarcastic Sea where we’re supposed to be stranded…
                — It’s because we’re not, muttered Anita, more to herself than to her mother. But we’ll be soon enough, she added.
                — Sometimes I wonder how can Anu know so well were we are when we’re so lost, her mother mumbled…

                Balbina was following the little group as it was heading to the cave where one of the portal’s entrances was located. She could see the entrance clearly, glowing and sending ripples of energy coils, but that was only because she was travelling in her dream-body. While Anita, who was quite tuned into those things, wasn’t appearing to be lost, the parents seemed more than a little in the dark, and not only figuratively speaking…

                Balbina turned to the rabbit who was keeping her company.
                — And do you know were they’re going to?
                And do you like the things that life is showing you? giggled Yuki. Well, more seriously, it depends on what they’re choosing. And it could lead them to a place much more different than the one they expect to go to.

                A funny idea crossed the mind of Balbina, so much so that the elderly lady, who was looking rather youngish in her dreamlike appearance couldn’t help but express it.

                — Could they come to my place? They seem so charming people, and they seem to come from the same time as I do…
                — I thought you would never ask, Yuki smiled at her mischievously.
                — Oh, why?
                — Don’t you think it’s a funny coincidence that you are to meet them here and now?
                — Well… It’s just a dream, isn’t it?
                — And what if you could make that dream reality? Prove to yourself that it’s as real as anything else…
                — That sounds exciting indeed.

                “Here!” Anita was pointing a strange shaped bush of brambles.

                Rafaela was standing next to the bushes with Armelle on a tree nearby. “I’ve thought it would be more practical for them than the rock pool”
                “Good thinking dear” Yuki answered the goat.

                — And now? Balbina asked
                — I think it’s up to you and Anita, said Yuki.

                “And where are we going from there?” asked Lily to her daughter.
                “Not far from here, to a friend’s home, in Venezuela .” answered Anita with a wink which seemed lost to her parents, but not to the beaming Balbina.

                #1056
                Jib
                Participant

                  Sam wanted to see by himself. He had suddenly remembered what Becky had told them once about a pet shop with a nine-tailed glowing fox. He hadn’t paid attention at the moment, but this was somewhat reappearing in his dreams lately. One of his focuses was the link, and he was seeing his face more and more looking directly at him.
                  He usually wasn’t speaking with his other selves, he was rather directly exchanging energy with them. At first it had been a bit awkward, practicing with telepathy and conversing with his friends was his main focus of interest. But once he was aware of how he could do that more easily and more efficiently, his attention wandered to other means of communication.
                  Eschraiel was currently nudging him, and his animal form was quite intriguing. Especially since there were those kind of animals living now!
                  He had arrived at the shop without really paying attention. He was following his guts to lead him exactly where he wanted.
                  Being soft, in the kind of mode of processing he was in currently, the people around were like objects around merged with his environment, nothing standing out. Except maybe that woman in front of the big parrot cage… no, not the woman but the color of her gown, a deep indigo, vibrant and shiny. She turned her smiling face in his direction, but it was like Eschraiel’s energy superimposed on hers. He smiled back at her and continued to the rear of the shop.

                  The creatures were in a dark room, their fur glowing with rusty and fiery shades. Apparently very engrossed in chasing each others tails… they had quite a lot to keep them busy. The little ones especially were jumping heartily on the older ones. Challenging them to retaliate… but getting apparently no response from them except a few grunts.

                  :fleuron:

                  No particular feeling at first.

                  :fleuron:

                  One of the little ones, maybe…

                  :fleuron:

                  This one. One of the older ones. A male. He was looking at him now, as aware of Sam’s energy as Sam was aware of his.
                  He yelped a few times, standing like an Egyptian Sphinx.

                  :fleuron:

                  In no time, Sam was out with his nine-tailed glowing fox…
                  He’s so still, thought Sam.
                  How would I name you? he thought, directing the energy to the creature.

                  He opened his mouth and let his tongue out in such a way, it was like he was grinning and challenging him. Sam laughed and thought to the fox : So I have to play the impression game with you then.
                  Maybe… I can call you Sam actually :))
                  One bark was enough of an answer.
                  So Sam it is!
                  Another bark.
                  I have to introduce you to my friends now… I don’t know why, but I have the feeling Al will love you

                  #2154

                  In reply to: The Story So Far

                  ÉricÉric
                  Keymaster

                    The Main Guardians (Alienor)

                    To better follow some of the threads involving Alienor history, and particularly the Guardians involvement, here are some sketches of the main Guardians.


                    Some references:

                    • (Samira appearance) ID1338
                    • (Sinadron, Noraam, Keliom) ID1344
                    • (Sinadron, Nareena, Noraam) ID1521
                    • (Shu-Lum alt. spelling of Shu Lom) ID1561 ( IIIIII )
                    #1055

                    As she was sinking to the bottom of the raging sea, Madame Chesterhope first felt like a boiling rage inside her, at all the thwarted attempts, all the unfulfilled promises.
                    Not a solid thing on which to carve a few runes or symbols to get herself out, not a single living being to use at her profit, she was alone, at the mercy of gravity.
                    Not unexpectedly, flashes of her life, of her many lives, flickered like incoherent pieces of an unfinished mosaic in her mind.

                    When did it went wrong? she thought… When did she lose touch with her magic.
                    Not the mundane magic, not the one she used for these parlor tricks devoid of meaning, like that beautiful flying motorbike which was drowning even faster than her… She was speaking of her inner magic, her sense of connection with the elements, with herself, Phoebe.

                    What had become of the frail grey-haired lady the apparency of whom she was so fond of taking years ago?
                    She was tempted to blame many things; the twenty-first century of her own dimension, for one, which had made her rough and tough, out of need perhaps, and perhaps a bit out of laziness. It was out of tiredness mostly, tiredness to have to constantly justify her appearance to others, that she had chosen a more convenient one; that of the crone with more rotund forms, of whom one would only expect austerity and strength.
                    You can see where it had led you. she was thinking.

                    A few more miles further down, and perhaps she would meet the mermaids, like the guy said in that Big Blue motion picture
                    Maybe there was some purity left in her heart, that would make the inhabitants of the depths greet her wretched soul. Or perhaps they all died before her, from the pollution of this strange world mutating in pangs and spasms of a painful childbirth.

                    And what would you do now, if you have the choice? that sweet voice, like that of a thin grey-haired mermaid, was it her own, testing herself?
                    The quest for magical artifacts seemed so far away at this moment. It had begun a long time ago, led her to discover new other-dimensional places… new tricks, all of them for what? To gain control over the elements, the others, everything that could threaten her, force her to change. How ironic. That the fear of change made her change so drastically.
                    She wanted to make peace with all of that. The mermaids weren’t coming, but her own voice was still there for her. Perhaps she could muster the strength. To continue…

                    Mustering all her force, she forcibly expressed the most propelling “prout” she’d ever made. Of course, she’d been learning a few tricks from the legendary Fartiste back in her youth when she went to Paris to perform at the Moulin Rouge… Sweetest time of her life, she had to admit…

                    :fleuron:

                    On the surface of the waters, bubbles started to form.

                    #2153

                    In reply to: The Story So Far

                    ÉricÉric
                    Keymaster

                      The Crystal Skulls So Far… :crystal-skull:

                      The crystal skulls first appeared in the Far West saga, where it’s hinted that around the 1850s, some crystal skulls are found/smuggled by Aldous McGaughran. Their origin is not told.

                      It seems that (at least) one of his crystal skulls are passed down to Claudio in Spain through his grand-father’s acquaintance of Cillian Mc Gaughran (one of Wrick’s ancestors) — ref.
                      That skull is auctioned and a lady in salmon (the fake viscountess who is in reality an agent of the Mad Baron) gets it. This skull finishes its trip in the Baron’s lair (at around our time ~2007)… The Baron’s mansion will become (in the 2030s?) the home of the twins, and Wrick family.

                      Some of the crystal skulls are also found in the past (1950s?) around the mysterious figure of Mrs Chesterhope who is already hunting for them in (Brunei?) sultanate, using Georges to do so.
                      Later (around 2008) she locates one on the island of Tikfijikoo, and she sends a gang of magpies to find them, but their efforts are thwarted and she needs to get there in person (and motorcycle).

                      The Confregation is an organization which seems to know some things about them and are the origin of the one lent to the Dr Bronkelhampton on Tikfijikoo (retrieved from Crusaders a long time ago).

                      Beattie and Leonora Fletcher, a couple of batty Brit ladies seems to have found some of them too , and have a network of their own…

                      Later (2030s?), near the Indian Ocean, one is found by Gayesh’s family too

                      #1043
                      ÉricÉric
                      Keymaster

                        Serendib Facility, Sri Lanka ~ (2036)

                        Becky had been strangely shaken when she saw appearing in the last word cloud “dead becky” in huge letters.
                        Surely she was not scared by death, as dead was only a different term for a different life, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to croak so young!

                        Perhaps she died in childbirth; after all, it wouldn’t be so surprising because then the Serendib Facility looked very much like an eerie transitioning place. She tried to remember… When was the last time people had surprised her; done something unexpected, something she couldn’t have calculated. She thought Tina perhaps… Well, on the holographic visiophone, Becky had seen her with utmost details rolling her eyes, thrice even, at the mention of the ménage à trois… But of course,… that hardly counted as a surprise.

                        She was starting to freak out. Gayesh! GAYESH! she called out running in the corridors of the facility barely managing to get a bewildered look from the nurses apparently now accustomed to her antics.

                        A few moments later, she was comfortably seated in Gayesh’s office, with a warm cup of coffee in her hands. Aaaah, she loved that scent, the warmth that goes right to her heart. She felt comforted. At least if she was dead, the coffee seemed real enough.

                        Gayesh had taken an undecipherable look once she had told him of her… premonition. She intuitively felt that there was something he wasn’t telling.

                        She almost gurgled her last coffee sip uttering to the doctor “If I’m dead, then spit it now!”

                        The laugh from Gayesh came as a surprise to her. “Ahaha,” she couldn’t help but notice, “a surprise !”

                        Looking straight into her eyes, he told her “Well, perhaps your premonition has some deep meaning Becky dear, but you look quite alive to me, and with a constitution like yours, likely to live till 157 years old, if you ask me.”

                        Becky was greatly relieved, even though she still had the hunch that the mysterious handsome doctor wasn’t telling her all the truth. “I think that idle life is making me insane… I need to see some real dusty rocky stuff; all those projections won’t do for the rest of my life. All the more since I’m supposed to live that long!”

                        Gayesh was looking more and more preoccupied.

                        “What is it, dear?” Becky asked, starting to feel the pangs of angst coming back at her. (she whispered to herself some of her favourite mantras: stand behind the short wall, breathe, breathe, yes, YES, it’s not your energy…)

                        “You see Becky dear,” Gayesh answered after a minute of silence, “there is still some issue with the cloning process; until we find some advanced way of doing it, the clones need some of your cells regularly to be kept in good health, otherwise, I can’t really promise Becky Tooh (that was how the clone#2 was nicknamed) a life as good as yours. That’s why I’m a bit reluctant at letting you go on some errands…”

                        Well, if she’d wanted some surprise to see that she was alive, there she got more than enough, Becky thought.

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