(no subject)

[haremtrap]

So this whole "jaunt" thing is very weird.

SAGE said I shouldn't act until I've got a better picture of what's going on and honestly, that doesn't sound like bad advice.

So I got a job. I am now a scribe at the Temple of Apollo. There's lots of important people talking to each other here, and they don't pay attention to scribes. Even if they did, they don't think scribes can overhear their important but private conversations about politics and stuff from fifty feet away.

I have really good hearing.

If I find out anything interesting, I'll pass it along here. If you all have anything you want me to keep an ear out for, lemme know.

Comments

[neverfeltthatway]

That sounds like a good plan.

If you have any questions about the world or blending in, you can ask me - I know a lot about it, and a fair amount about the current situation, from my overlay.

[haremtrap]

Overlay?

[neverfeltthatway]

Ah - overlay is a term that refers to the person you're infiltrating as. Because that's basically what infiltrating is - our consciousness is overlaid with that of a native from the world we're visiting.

In most cases, the overlay is in control of your collective actions. Their consciousness remains in the forefront of the bond, and only after the jaunt can you reflect upon what happened and what you did as yourself.

There are some of us, a very few, who are skilled enough with the telepathic network that we can reverse the balance of power in the overlay. So that our consciousness is in the forefront instead of theirs, and we remain in control.

[haremtrap]

Oh, neat.

I got some weird looks before I figured out the offering thing at meals, but I think I'm good for now.

[all_onis_are_true]

Ah, that does sound rather useful. I look forward to hearing what you find out.

[haremtrap]

I look forwards to hanging out somewhere where no one is gonna try and kill me. This is holy ground, you know.

[all_onis_are_true]

...

Has this happened frequently?

[haremtrap]

It's happened before, at least.

[all_onis_are_true]

That is only MILDLY concerning.

[haremtrap]

Yeah, it was with another traveler who got...infiltrated, I guess the word is? I recognized him from Liminal Space, but he didn't recognize me and seemed to think he was from this world. He started a fight with me because he wanted to see what I could do.

[butthemiracleneverhappen]

Oh, well done. That's going to be supremely useful.

I will pass information on where I can. While I can fight, the woman I replaced cannot. Best for me to keep that in reserve.

[haremtrap]

Yeah, I'd rather avoid fighting if I can. A scribe wearing a sword wouldn't fly, so I've got mine hidden for now.

[butthemiracleneverhappen]

I am fortunate in that I keep my scythe Elsewhere. It's a useful knack to have.

[haremtrap]

I'm getting bombarded by so many weird ideas it's wearing out my brain. What do you mean "Elsewhere"?

[butthemiracleneverhappen]

I call a similarly mutable liminal space my home. I need not store my weapons on my person, and can call them at need. They are not here, so I say they are Elsewhere.

...if even the young Rose Washburn can shape this space, I wonder if it's a teachable skill, here, the act of sheathing things Elsewhere.

[fridgeninja]

It takes some getting used to. But that's good advice from SAGE-san, as expected.

It seems like there's something here everyone's avoiding discussing, but I'm not sure what it is.

[haremtrap]

I noticed that too. Everyone's acting like they've got a doctor's appointment or something that they don't want to go to, and they're trying to pretend like they've got nothing to do today for as long as they can.

[fridgeninja]

If they're that way even in a Temple, then it's probably something about the gods...

[haremtrap]

I think traditionally they tended to make things worse rather than better, but Greek mythology isn't my strong point. And, I mean, if anyone could fix the world going crazy like this, it'd be a bunch of gods.

[fridgeninja]

They could just as easily be responsible for the problem in the first place. If they won't listen to reason...

[givetheslip]

If you witness any conversations that are rapidly taken to private quarters, report what was said before they felt the need to make sure no one else could overhear. That will be worth knowing.

[haremtrap]

It probably wouldn't be that hard to hear them in private quarters either, to be honest. At least for a minute or two.

[givetheslip]

Don't endanger yourself, but I imagine the more sensitive the topic, the more valuable it could be.

[haremtrap]

I bet a lot of it is just gossip about who's banging who. But hearing about that kind of garbage is just the sacrifice I have to make for my mission.

I'll be careful.

[givetheslip]

[She laughs.]

Isn't it always? I suppose it's reassuring to know that some things don't change in any world.

Still, that's good—and good luck to you.