synopsychic | Week 2

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Week 2

[Shortly after the Travelers' nightmares appear, and are at least contained enough to take a mental break, Thace comes on the network, sounding grim.]

I have insights on Conductors from my current status as an Oracle, and from Analytics.

First, in cases where a Conductor does not consciously choose to become a Conductor, no one's choice is involved in that creation. Except once. Some outside force chose Leah. I haven't been able to get any more on that yet.

My understanding, which may be incomplete, from this and from reports of the Hecatite Oracle almost going Conductor taken together is that being a Conductor can be spread through close contact with them, even when there is no choice made on anyone's part to do so.

However, there are some who are going Conductor without close contact. This is what Analytics gave me: Every spontaneous Conductor who did not have close social contact with the Conductors became a Conductor in the Waking World.

Given these things, and the rest that we've learned, how do we want to proceed?

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[He nods and pours the coffee for Thace, setting it down on the counter for him.]

Probably a nap. I... know he's a mage but I don't know how the things he does work. And I've only seen a few of them.

Also he was the second one of them that tried to shoot me, but thankfully the vest Armin gave me helps.

[He lifts his shirt up a bit to reveal a slightly bulky vest - and it's apparent that he is, in fact, significantly scrawnier without the vest making him look bigger.]

I... almost never take it off.

[Thace nods along quietly.]

Do you want to know, or think it would help?

[His look is soft and the understanding is even stronger.]

It was a long time, years, before I was comfortable walking around in liminal or a jaunt without my armor. I could do it, but it wasn't comfortable.

I don't want to know what he can do. I almost never wish death on anyone, but he... well. My mother will probably be amused to see him. I don't know if I'm quite mean enough to want to have his soul just utterly destroyed, but it's... close. I never want to see him again.

[He leans against Thace gently.]

Gunshot noises scare me. Lasers don't, arrows don't, but gunshot noises are a - uh. Shit, what are they called? A trigger.

[Thace wraps an arm around him.]

Because they summon the memories?

[It's less a full question and more seeking confirmation that he's right.]

The smell of burnt fur or the noise that the shock apparatus would make when it was charging up to deliver does that for me. I've managed to overcome some of the others, but not those.

Mhm.

[It's not like he doesn't have nightmares about it anyway, but at least he can usually avoid the noise in his waking life.]

I'll try to make sure I don't have either of those happen when you're around. But if you ever need it, there's extra rooms here. And you can always message me if you need to talk.

Thank you, Casper. Know that you can do the same.

[A pause and Thace might be blushing a little.]

I'll make sure to inform you ahead of time. It's probably a good idea for you to do the same.

... Yeah, given everything, that's probably true. Laughs sleeps with me in my bed sometimes, so I'm usually okay. It's part of why I keep my room cold. Wolf fur on top of you can get kind of hot.

[He snickers.]

And not in the sexy way.

[Thace just blushes harder, and has to clear his throat.]

I won't be alone either, so... Yes.

Oh?

[He grins at Thace, slinging his arm around his friend's shoulders.]

Do tell. ... If you're okay with it, I mean.

[On one hand, Thace wants to bury his face in his hands. On the other Casper seems a little smug right now.]

My partner was very fond of my fur. And after all the time apart, we'll probably be spending significant time reassuring ourselves that we're both here and not leaving anytime soon.

[He could just leave it there. He could.]

A marble cock isn't nearly as satisfying as the real thing.

[Thace manages to say that straight faced, and even keep the expression after, but the blush creeps further and brighter.

You -

[He snorts into his arm.]

You know there are other sex toy options if you want, right? N-now tell me who it is.

Steven.

[Thace's voice goes softer, and he puts his hand on the scarf.]

I've been able to talk to him in his dungeon thanks to Anafiel. And Thorne made this for me so I could feel like he's near. Waiting is difficult even with all the help.

Steven - oh.

[He obviously never met the guy, but he's heard a little bit about him from Thorne. Not much.]

You'll find him again soon. I'm sure of it.

I know.

[Thace sighs.]

I'm being impatient. We have to take care of the jaunt first.

[The but is unsaid.]

I think you will like him once you get a chance to meet.

Well, he's Thorne's brother, right? And we're friends, so if he's anything like her then I probably will.

And you miss him. I was a mess internally when Laughs was gone... it's natural.

[He turns and gives Thace a gentle hug.]

[Thace hugs back. He's getting better about accepting contact and really being able to relax into it.]

I'm sorry you had to go through the same thing. And thank you.

Hey, at least it's a more normal kind of fucked up. As sad as it is, I kind of look forward to the normal.

[He lets go and gestures to the kitchen.]

It's part of why I have this, and a normal bedroom setup, and a lounge for watching movies... we're surrounded by so much insanity that we sometimes need to stop and reset and deal with something that's not weird and supernatural for a bit.

[Thace smiles.]

Wise decision. It is nice in here. Comfortable.

[A little self deprecation slides into his voice.]

I've never had any skill at decorating. It wasn't encouraged in the fleet or among the Blades.

Perhaps, you would be interested in giving advice, so I can create someplace good for us when Steven gets back?

I can do my best. The exterior part of it and the main hall I initially based off of my mother's. With some... adjustments.

Like making it cleaner and not having a river of goat pee. I don't... I don't know why that's a thing. Even as a kid of the gods lemme tell you - mythology makes no fucking sense sometimes.

Mythology is strange. I'm sure the ancients had a better idea of the symbolism involved than we do.

[Thace smiles.]

I can create a space easily enough, based on any of hundreds of buildings and worlds I've visited. What I'm not sure I can accomplish is making it feel like a home.

I can help with that. I...

[Oh. He pauses as he feels some information hit him.]

Right. Okay. Whatever changed her... I don't know what it is, it's different from anything I've felt. But if I felt it again I'd be able to recognize it.

[He goes quiet for a few moments, letting go to start pacing around the kitchen island as he thinks.]

[Fuck it. He closes his eyes and lets out a deep breath, sitting down on one of the stools as he reaches out psychically.]

[And stays silent for a while, before snapping his eyes open.]

We need to find Thorne's overlay and move. We've got a meeting.

[And he's already pulling some Liminal matter together to form some... plushies? Probably nothing to be concerned about. Into the Hammerspace they go.]

[Thace goes quiet while Casper paces, although his expression turns to a frown at the continued silence. He sighs.]

You bridged their network to talk to them.

[It's not a question. He's already getting up and doing a quick change from his newly prefered robes to his Blade armor (nanites are awesome; it takes but a few seconds). He turns to Casper and raises an eyebrow at the plushies.]

Do you feel any different? I'd thought about the same, but given the available information, there was a high likelihood of going Conductor.

No, I don't. Still feel the same as I did before. I wonder if it's because of my psychic defenses? They're pretty okay.

[He stretches and Bob flutters down to his shoulder from where he'd been lurking in the rafters.]

[After a moment he makes a container of hot poutine and shoves it into his Hammerspace before it can get cold.]

Ready? Let's go.

[As they walk he loses the long robe, back in his comfortable hoodie and jeans getup.]

I'll close the door on the way out - normally I like keeping it open, but I don't want Nightmares hiding in here. Thorne's meeting us where the Liminal Space islands meet the meadow.

That's good information to have. I wonder if they could learn some defense and use it to decrease the spread?

[There isn't time to ponder that fully right now, but it's worth holding on to for later. Thace falls in beside Casper.]

Do you want me to clear the path of nightmares?

Planning on it. And...

[In answer, Casper grabs his baseball bat.]

We'll clear it out together.

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insidegalra - 2020-09-14 01:22 (UTC) - Expand

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