OTA: Second World Series Game

[awondrousplace]

I know we all have bigger and better things on our minds at the moment, but one question for everyone.

How long do portals usually stay open? I realized that I have kept one open for about three hours while I was a bit caught up in a book.

It... does not seem to be of much importance, but it was certainly curious.

Comments

[claudiometer]

...You'll have to ask someone who does portals more often, but that may be a new one.

What were you even reading that kept you preoccupied that long?

[awondrousplace]

One of my successors, actually. A man by the name of Adams. He is quite the author.

Ah. Well, if I have discovered something, that is fantastic.

[Helena seems very proud of herself.]

[claudiometer]

Ah. I see you found my library salvage. He's one of my favorites - how far in did you get?

[The salvage in question is a six-volume edition. Claudia's damn glad he got the chance to properly close the series out somewhere.]

Wouldn't be surprised if you did, Miss Pioneer.

[awondrousplace]

I did not think you would mind if I raided your bookshelf. You do seem to know the better ones of my successors.

The second, I believe. About the restaurant at the end of the universe. Come to think of it, there is a door in the back of the Warehouse that has 'Milliways' written over it.

I am pleased. I will have to test and see what the limits of this are.

[comebewe]

Usually? Ten seconds. But we had wondered if keeping one open for longer might be possible.

...Maybe not three hours longer, but you know.

[Private...mainly from Maria, who has too many terrifying portal skills already]

How'd you manage it?

[awondrousplace]

Interesting. I had a feeling it was quite a lot longer than normal, but I was not necessarily aware how long it typically was.

[Private]

To be frank, darling, I am uncertain how I discovered it. It simply stayed open.

Private forever

[comebewe]

Think you could manage trying it again? You might be able to see what exactly you're doing, once you're paying attention.

[awondrousplace]

Oh, certainly! It would not be any use to anyone if I were to keep this to myself.

Are you on the side with those who have been Marked or those who have not? I can find my way to your side if you are not Marked.

[awitchdidit]

I don't believe that's normal, Ms. Wells, but it's the kind of abnormal I find more impressive than worrisome. Like the warnings on those drug commercials...

[awondrousplace]

Drug commercials? Why are people advertising such things? That sounds problematic.

[She pauses, and goes on.]

However, it is quite pleasing to know that I have discovered something without meaning to.

[awitchdidit]

I did something similar when I had to contain Matthew's spiritual buddies, but that was still an intentional effort.

[awondrousplace]

Now I am wondering what I could discover if I actually put my mind to it.

Action because I can

[leftbehindagain]

It's disconcerting, having Kanji off the network. Sure, they know what's happening now, and he's hoping Kanji gets some answers (or, failing that, some catharsis), but that doesn't really make it any better. Add to that whatever crawled up Satonaka's butt in the last few weeks, and... well, let's just say Naoki's glad he has someone he can go to at the moment.

For the most part he's been content to sit in silence, going through some of his own bone-library salvages. It's helping him get his thoughts in order. Eventually, though, he does speak up.

"How do you make it up to someone you've pissed off when you talk through problems and they're more inclined to just go and do something?"

[awondrousplace]

Even though she would not admit it, Helena has been very happy to have him around the past few days, even if all he does is read in silence.

She looks up when he speaks, thoughtful. "It is always a struggle when you have a different communication method from someone you care about. Perhaps something in the middle? You could find a way to do something with that person."

[leftbehindagain]

Naoki sighs. "That'd be easier if it was Kanji, but he was at least good with me apologising. Satonaka's main interests are kicking things and meat."

He'd try to talk to her now, but... well, last he saw, she was In A State. Even if that's on account of whatever's been making people act weird this time out, he knows better than to approach when she's feeling that destructive. Nothing would get done, especially after the last couple times they talked.

[Prose action - backdated to day 2 of Round 1]

[willyousee]

Bare feet make little noise, and with Helena thoroughly engrossed in her work she might not notice the slender young woman in the deep forest green gown until Alcuin speaks up. "I beg your pardon, Lady Helena. Are you too busy for company? Ought I to return later?"

[awondrousplace]

Helena looks up, blinking a couple times at the woman in front of her. "Alcuin? Oh, dear. Whatever has happened, darling?"

Beside her, Ares stands up from the pillow he was relaxing on and burbles worriedly.

[willyousee]

Alcuin startles at the tiny saucer robot creature thing. "Helena? You appear to have a sort of metal spider in your room." Sorry, this is more important than her current shape change.

[neverfeltthatway]

I haven't heard of that before. Have you tried to see if you could replicate what you did?

[awondrousplace]

I did. It did seem to work. I believe that as long as I can see the portal I made, I would be able to keep it open.

Bloody useful, if you ask me.

[neverfeltthatway]

That sounds extremely useful. Did you do anything different than you usually do with this portal - maybe something you didn't realize at the time? Do you think you could teach someone else how to do it?

[One person with the ability is useful, but only if they're on the right side of both the investigator/ infiltrator and jaunt/ walkabout divides. Two or three people - or five, or ten - are much more likely to be around when the skill is needed.]

More action because I still can

[fruitknife]

Shinji's glad he wasn't separated from his nice warm bedroom for too long, obstacle course bullshit aside. Temperature-wise, things haven't been as bad as that damn fridge, but that's beside the point.

He's still having some trouble with this 'edible food' business, though, as evidenced by the lovely Still Life with Partially Eaten Wax Fruit bowl shaping up on the dresser.

[awondrousplace]

A few days after they have found themselves in the new place, there's a knock on his door.

"Shinjiro? I have a few things for you, if you would not mind the intrusion."

[fruitknife]

"Sure, come in."

Why Helena insisted on giving him a room he's still not sure, but that doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate it. He's just not used to people going out of their way for him, if it's not Aki or Minako or sometimes Mitsuru.

[happyhalloween]

I want to learn!

[Maria sounds very excited about this.]