(no subject)

[claudiometer]

So, uh. Having poked my head out the door just now...

Doveresque cliff faces shouldn't mean we're heading back to Newport, right? Please tell me we're not heading back to Newport. I don't think any of us want to try to clean up that mess again.

[Also that would be the worst birthday present ever.]

Comments

[neverfeltthatway]

Not to a single place in one world, but we have visited a single world or universe three times or more. The Labyrinthine Shoals and the Bando Peninsula, which we found out was the same world when we returned for the third time. Or questing country and the worlds it comes from, escaping from Gehanna. And we visited the refugees from that place after they escaped twice now, I think, without even taking questing country into account.

[willyousee]

Ah, gods, no, you are right, of course. Where is my head today?

I admit, I often forget that Crownbreaker Isle and the Bando are of the same world. But perhaps that is my own experiences coloring the memories, along with the difference between infiltrating and investigating.

[neverfeltthatway]

So it... it doesn't eliminate Newport or Harrogate from consideration. [There's the slightest tremble to Armin's voice on the word Harrogate, small enough that most people might miss.] But also no reason to think it's likely to be them, unless we have more to corroborate it.

[willyousee]

Armin... There must be a way to send people away from a Jaunt in the same sort of way that they can be drawn in. You need not remain there.

[neverfeltthatway]

There's no reason to think it would mean a return to Harrogate. [He repeats the phrase, looking a little confused for a moment. Then his expression becomes more intense, as he takes a deep breath.] And if it is, we would still need people who understand things of an eldritch nature, and how to fight them.

[willyousee]

Then spread that knowledge. Let others choose to learn it if that is their wish.

[neverfeltthatway]

I've said I will teach it if any wish to learn. But I will not press, considering the vulnerability that comes with the knowledge.

[willyousee]

[Very seriously.]

Will you teach me?

[Alcuin is petrified of the Elder Gods, but he's always been adamant about learning this. Leonardo forbade him. Maybe it's time to break free of that promise.]

[neverfeltthatway]

...Yes.

[He doesn't want to. He wants to ask if Alcuin is sure. He wants to convince him not to. But he knows Alcuin knows the risks, and he knows Alcuin won't back down anyway. The last thing he wants is to put his friend into more danger from Eldritch Gods and corruption - but he can't deny him the chance to protect the people he cares about, either.

And it would be better to have someone else who knew how to fight them, someone who won't give up - Armin might not always be there, or be sane enough to help.]

[willyousee]

...Thank you, Armin. I'll come and see you later, if that is permissible. I would like to be as prepared as possible for whatever we might encounter, though I think it unlikely still that Harrogate is likely to be our destination.

[neverfeltthatway]

[He's quiet for a couple long moments, expression foreboding. When he finally speaks, his voice holds very little emotion.] All right. You know where to find me.