coming clean (starplot)

[reallymean]

I'm sure some of you have already discovered the reason for Liminal Space's current shape, but for those who haven't, Star is one of the living Arcana once more. Their restoration wasn't my work alone, but it was my idea to make the attempt, and my plan that we followed. The resurrection, and any consequences it might have on the Jaunt or Jaunts to follow is my responsibility. Not my team's, not the result of some plot by the Arcana or any outside forces. Mine.

Before anyone asks, I don't have any intention of resurrecting the rest of the fallen Arcana. I don't think it could even be done the same way a second time. With one exception, we don't know enough about how and where they died - and I suspect even making the attempt would be so against the idiom of that exception as to guarantee failure.

Comments

[fearinahandfulof]

[This answers some of Cassandra's questions. How she feels about it... that's harder to answer right now.]

Why did you do it?

[reallymean]

Not for one single reason. But the main reason? Star is hope, and we need that. We need a force at the proverbial table that doesn't just believe that there's the possibility of a better outcome, but that that's the one worth fighting for. Some of the Arcana might be willing to try if there's enough incentive - they showed that much by pausing the Jaunt and rescuing the people of Fallenheart - but that's a part of what Star embodies all the time.

[thornsofmalkav]

I don't know why Allura did it. But with me... well. It turned out that, uh, some of the theories I'd come up with and talked with different people about, well... they were almost certainly used by the Murder Idiots to do what they did. So, like, I felt really shitty about that. So I kinda, well, jumped at the chance to undo what I contributed to. Like I was that dude who just wanted to make pretty yellow dye and instead created TNT.

So that's why I did it.

Also, for science and to see if I could.

[thornsofmalkav]

[Thorne's mental voice sounds... a little manic. Maybe a lot manic. Possibly like she's one second away from cackling with triumphant laughter.]

Hi! Yeah, okay, if Allura's fessing up, so am I. So if you guys remember that big group meeting and salon that me and Claudia and Sento hosted, that's when Allura came up to me in my capacity as a scientist and, like, basically asked if I thought bringing Star back to life based on the plan she told me was, well, possible. Since, like, you all basically know by now that Liminal Space and the Arcana are, like, my entire field of study. I've got papers uploaded onto the network and everything.

And while I wasn't sure, I'd basically had a good working theory how Tower had died at that point given all the data I'd been given by parties that will remain anonymous, so I was like, I don't know if it'll work but I really fucking want to try! Because holy shit, raising the dead? That's the mad scientist's dream.

And, well, with my theories backing Allura's plan and, like, with some other dudes helping that I am not going to narc on, we fucking did it, you guys! I a going to be writing such a paper about this, you best fucking believe it.

Also, new Star is a good kid and any clowns try to kill them again after we went to all that hard work resurrecting them, I'm gonna be pissed.

[reallymean]

The College of Alchemy would have loved you.

Private | Protected

Be careful. I don't think Star's the only one with a target on their back.

[bite_the_hand]

I should've guessed you were involved in this somehow.

[His thoughts come across as amused and fond.]

I like them. You did good, Sis.

Private - Protected

[levelthreehooligan]

For what it’s worth, I don’t think any of us are heartless enough to kill someone who has just been brought back.

Especially not the Avatar of Hope.

[waitatick]

I do not know what "pissed" means, but I believe I can gather. I simply wished to say that I quite like her and shall protect her as well.

Them, if it is preferred, she simply felt like a "she" to me. Any offense with pronoun usage is unintended.

I am no scientist, but I greatly enjoy research. I would be honored to read this paper.

[amadine]

You reanimated a dead horror to test a theory?

[waitatick]

Ah, so she is your doing. I should have suspected as much. Just when I think I can't be any more amazed at your abilities, you do something that surpasses everything previously imagined.

You are truly a lifegiver. The Sages of Oriande should be proud to court you among their number.

Private

Have you need of quintessence? I have a great deal to spare and you are always free to take whatever is necessary to aid in your recovery.

[reallymean]

I'm an alchemist. That's what we're for.

Private
I'm fine, Lotor. I don't need your quintessence.

[desperate_times_right]

Wow. I guess they really can do whatever they'd like to us, huh.

[reallymean]

What.

[No, really. What.]

[vrepit_no]

Allura and Thorne aren't the only ones who had a hand in this. Star is hope and inspiration, opportunities and a reprieve after a rough period. We need that as much as the Arcana do.

[reallymean]

You didn't have to do this, Shiro. I was willing to shoulder the blame for all of us.

[tookashirototheknee]

I love you and I'm proud of you.

As private as he can make it, which really isn't very

[waitatick]

I apologize for listening in on your conversation with the Princess, but I am worried as well. I offered my own quintessence, but she has refused. However, after a depletion such as this, the danger exists of growing to need energy that cannot be derived from sustenance. I am unaware of the Jaunt proceedings, but the witch often used such things as punishments.

(A pause).

If you would bring her sustenance, that which is closest to nature will be of the most immediate benefit. Quintessence is simply life force, thus teas and juices would be the most prudent places to begin. She will likely be able to handle them more easily. As her strength improves, items based on fruits will be beneficial, as well as grains - but they should be kept as free of processing as is possible.

[failgoyle]

Y'all WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

[vrepit_no]

[ohdearstarshismentalearswhythis]

Jules!

[insidegalra]

[It isn't very long after the announcement at all, just enough time to get his thoughts in order, really, that Thace speaks up too.]

I also assisted. My siblings and I fought and sacrificed for those things that Star represents at home, so how could I do any less here, when my Bondmates asked it of me?

[Faith and love goes out through the Bond at that.]

That wasn't my only reason. The Arcana have not seen us as equals, if they've seen us as sentient beings at all, but now that we've achieved something they could not, they will at least have to acknowledge it. I believe it will give us more leverage and freedom as the end approaches.

[thornsofmalkav]

Yeah, that's another one of my reasons too. We did what they couldn't. They have to admit we're people now.

[vrepit_no]

[Strength, support, love. They are together.]

Private to Starplot folks | Protected

[reallymean]

On that note, we need to talk. Preferably in person.

[theflyingone]

[ He thought he'd feel furious about another Arcana in the mix. He's definitely not happy, but like Death and Fortune, Altaïr had always been ambivalent about Star. An enemy to him, like all the Arcana, but one he didn't need to kill. (Probably a less annoying enemy than Beatrice, come to think of it.) He takes into account that, now, the Emperor won't be as angry and impossible to talk to as he once was, maybe... This could work to his advantage...

Still, there are immediate concerns. He is Very Concerned. ]

Do you have a team in place actively studying the aftereffects? This is unprecedented. You may have unintended consequences. We may gauge what effect it may have on us Travelers by studying Star's idiom, and ourselves, but what about the Arcana? ...Don't answer that, actually; they have enough power already. I only need to know that you're working on following through and keeping an eye out, and not just you alone. Because this was done in secret, with methods that should remain so, your team is the best-equipped to do it.

[ He doesn't have to like entrusting his safety from the Arcana to people who brought one back, but it's what he's prepared to do. ]

[reallymean]

Yes, we're keeping an eye on how the situation develops.

[comebewe]

You brought Star back?

How do you even do that?

[reallymean]

With a lot of work, and not inconsiderable personal risk.