networkinthenight | [text] @kingofwei; OPEN

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[text] @kingofwei; OPEN

good day. I apologize for the delay in this message but, well, it seems we've had a number of developments since the meeting. some time to digest them is warranted.

Doctor Ingram's message about the World Eaters has not changed my goal of getting this community to work together, more or less smoothly, because he pointed out repeatedly that in spite of unknown gigantic possibly demonic horrors that want to feed off our light, our purpose here is to 'fix' the world. if it involves facing or dealing with the World Eaters somehow, so be it, but if there is a chance we can discover a solution to all of our problems in the time frame before they find us, then it will render them less of a threat.

that said, I have come to provide a brief summary of the meeting, to have it on record, and a call to action.

we discussed leadership, the need for organization, and security. it was proposed that the burden fall on a council rather than a single individual, and if enough people volunteer there shall be a vote to determine who joins it.

there was talk of rebuilding the run-down structures in the square and the village. a young man named Remington was put forward as the most capable who can instruct others in the craft.

both Inspector Javert and Commander Rosinante brought up protection, both for the town itself and for exploration parties. suggestions were made to use the Invincible and the library as emergency locations for people to gather in safety. I believe both would be helpful for devising additional protective measures, against both outside threats and the possibility of inside threats. the damage to the church is proof that we must guard against both.

a young man named Jason also offered assistance in training, protection, and organization. Lord Eliot likewise brought up tactics but also emergency stockpiles of supplies and so on. all of these ideas can be brought to fruition with some help.

there were a number of other ideas as well: communicating with the spirits, a welcome message on the tablets, someone to greet new arrivals at the ferry, certain experiments with magic, and so forth. Mary has something of a tally of ideas and support for them. some of those discussions ended with no real decisions but by offering the ideas, perhaps someone in the community can take them and run with them. and, there is ultimately our need to learn as much as we can about this world, the darkness, how it all came to be, but there is much groundwork to be laid before some groups will feel safe enough to explore further.

that said, here is my call to action. whoever you are, wherever you come from, your skills are needed to make any of this happen. what good are ideas or even a council and defense structure if no one is willing to act? I have put myself up for the council, willingly. if there are others who would join me, I would like to know. if there are others who want to help train, or defend, or build, or explore, or work on information or the tablets or anything else, speak up. I have faith that we can work together, regardless of personal feelings. and, as both Ingram and the Keeper have intimated, if we do not work together, we are more likely to end up reset.

I do not wish to be reset. the puzzle here is almost too large to unravel alone, but I enjoy puzzles. I would like to see us be the group that finally succeeds at...whatever it means to fix the world. restore sunlight? defeat World Eaters? something as yet undiscovered? we shall see. but it begins with others standing up to volunteer.

[and with that he sits back to hope that people do.]

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if you wish. I'm sure I can freeze a tree or two without frightening too many spirits

[not sarcasm this time, sob]

Cryomancy. That's actually pretty impressive.

[Also, no sarcasm but so much side-eye it's beginning to be a bit painful.]

is that an official term? I've always simply thought it ice abilities and left it at that.

of oourse you'll have to meet me to see it, else I could simply find some ice and leave it for you with no proof that I created it.

Where I'm from it is.

You could find some ice? [God, this was just. The worst. Like finding ice here wouldn't close to equally impressive.] I don't have anything to do tomorrow afternoon? Meet me at the treeline past the rec center around five.

[probably not but shh don't call him out on his flawed plan. It would work in theory if this place had...things like that laying around. Or if he knew where to look for a working fridge.]

vry well. I will find the place.

[rec center? eh it's got to be somewhere in the village over the bridge. He'll find it more or less on time, even if it takes going to the library and attempting to get directions from the Librarian.]

[Quentin hadn't really had anything to do, except read more useless books and get in the way of Eliot when he was trying to do stuff around the cabin or practice magic, but there was no way he was going to make himself more available than he absolutely had to with this guy.

King, my ass.

Quentin strolls slowly through the park and heads towards the rec center and the foul-smelling pool water, and beyond that, the dark trees and the edge of what counts as a village in this strange place.

He stops near a low wall, hip propped up against it and his tablet out to look over his notes and the latest news from everyone else here, lantern at his feet and hair tied up in a messy bun at the base of his skull. Dressed in all black, t-thirt, hoodie with the zipper zipped all the way up to his chin and his black slacks, Quentin pretty much blends in with the darkness of the forest behind him. This is not on purpose.]

[At least the tablets give off enough of a glow. Cao Pi knows he's slightly late but he really wasn't sure exactly where he was going at first - he hasn't been to the village much and would rather be in the library but...

Armored up just in case with his paired swords at his hip, the lantern dangles from the sheath as usual - best hands-free maintenance of his crucial tie to this life. Aha, there's his detractor.]

One might think you didn't want to be seen with me.

[low, suave, and teasing. He really does think so much of himself]

Holy shit!

[Quentin startles, almost falling over except for his grip on the wall and his tablet goes flying through the air to plonk down a few feet away.]

Fuck, you scared the-- crap.

[Scowling, Quentin gets his tablet, dusting it off with en edge of his t-shirt and turns to look at Cao Pi. Tall, taller than Quentin himself and well-dressed. Swords or some shit like that at his hips and that's about as far as he gets before looking back up, trying and probably failing to keep the frown off of his face. He stuffs his tablet in to his pocket and crosses his arms over his chest.]

That's not even-- I'm. What? Wait, no. I thought you wanted privacy? And trees? So. This is the only place that I've found that has both?

[oh that was too good. He's going to be smirking about that all day. Thanks Q.]

I didn't necessarily require privacy, but I suppose, that's a clever idea worth rewarding. I don't usually care to show off my fighting skills, like some people.

[no one here, really...he hasn't yet seen anyone flaunting their muscles enough to throw shade on them. Zihuan draws one of the swords, looking around for a good target. It would be nice if one of those dangerous spirits came at them from out of the darkness but in a pinch, a thicket of trees will do.]

At least, I haven't used this technique much, here. I should have enough stamina to go ahead and do it.

[Scowling at Cao Pi's smirking face, Quentin waves a hand at the nearest trees. Like, go ahead.]

I haven't been flaunting my fighting skills? I don't think I've been fighting at all since I got here, but--

[He tilts his head and stuffs his hands in to his pockets, smiling a little.] If you don't think you can do it, that's fine. You've got nothing to prove here, it's just information anyway. And I won't say anything if your stamina isn't up for it. It happens to everyone.

[MHM SO YOU SAY while privately Cao Pi is mentally sizing this guy up as a potential...ally? What do you call people who can give as good as they get and match his level of sarcasm so delightfully?

Anyway, here in the present, he focuses on the tree as pointed out and slips the second blade out of its sheath at the same time. Whatever this ability is, he's used it a certain way so many times that it's basically instinct. Sweeping the blades out and around in a circular gesture, he manages to - somehow?? - conjure a floating batch of ice crystals above his head, brilliant and beautiful shards that don't look like much in the darkness. A point of the blade-tip toward the tree, and the shards follow his movement to fly straight at the target, hammering branches and piercing the trunk. Half the tree is demolished, the other half slowly freezes over for a brief moment, lingering longer perhaps because it's a little chilly in this September air.

That's it, though. That's all he's got, and Zihuan stands down, breathing softly. He won't be able to do it a second time until he regains some focus.]

Well. It does seem to work as I remember it.

[Quentin can't help looking at the ice shards as they pierce the air, whooshing past him and half the tree just explodes on impact, while the ice shards continue on to freeze the rest. Impressive. And when he turns around, his eyebrows are raised and his hands are out.]

That was-- hey, that was pretty cool. And also, I like the swords. [He does, they look sharp and dangerous and more like something Margo would choose, but they look cool.] And. How well does that go against magic?

[Twisting his hands together through the Sumerian Shield Charm tuts, Quentin rubs his hands together, twists his fingers and stops with his fingers pointing at the treeline. A shield shoots out from a central point, covering about four trees in a shimmering web of magic and Quentin holds his stance, fingers pointing and calls over his shoulder.]

Can you get through that?

Thank you.

[what a delightful shift in attitude. Cao Pi preens a little, subtly, and spins one blade on his wrist before bringing the two together and joining them at the pommels to form one single weapon - easier to tote around, and wield. He waits until Quentin sets things up before answering, his expression souring slightly.]

Doubtful. At best I've canceled out another magical attack, I'm not sure I could actively combat...that.

[he knows he can't just whip out another ice attack on the spot, he needs to work up to it, so he charges with the double-ended blade, whirling it from shoulder to shoulder and hacking at the barrier with plain old human strength. Pure Havoc just bounces right off it, it's clear this sort of attack is useless. Zihuan focuses on rebuilding his ice powers, one hit at a time, until he can finally twist and flick the blade up to send a brief burst of ice snaking along the ground until it reaches the barrier.

Nope, no dice. Musou powers might be capable of killing demons but dispelling magic seems to be outside the realm of possible.]

...hm.

Okay. [Letting the shield drop, Quentin shakes his fingers out and rubs a hand over his forehead. Head ache. Enough to make it a little uncomfortable to look directly at the lanterns, but luckily everything else is pitch black, so.

Shield down, he turns back to Cao Pi.]

Do you think you could get through, if it was your first shot? I mean, if you had your stamina up? [Just this side of snide and sarcastic, but really, those are some very nice swords.]

[keep that kind of subtle sarcasm up and you're going to have a new friend, Quentin]

I suppose anything is possible. I've never really tested it against magic from another world before. I wouldn't hold out hope but that leaves us a chance to be pleasantly surprised, doesn't it?

[he pulls the swords apart and sheaths them separately, double-checking his lantern out of instinct.]

I see your own power isn't exactly without its consequences, hm?

[Right, just what Quentin needs in his life - more sarcastic, snobby kings.]

Okay. Okay, I get that. I was just wondering.If. You know, if you could. But shooting ice at things would be very handy if we're ever attacked again. Also, freezing them? Could you freeze someone without all the - [Quentin makes whooshing sounds and motions with his hands. It's the arrows, okay?]- without those? Like, just freeze someone to where they're standing?

[He watches the frozen trees, slowly defrosting in the cool evening air, hand on hip and his lip caught between his teeth as he thinks, absentmindedly rubbing his head.]

Can you do it, but without it killing anyone? Oh. I-- yeah, it's harder here. Much, much harder here. I don't know why, but it's like-- it's like I'm pushing against something? Or, like something is holding me back. And it always gives me a headache.

[Unless it's cooperative magic, but he's not going to disclose that right now.]

Edited 2019-09-29 17:07 (UTC)

[Cao Pi lets him think out loud, patiently waiting to respond in his own cool way]

No. It is the one drawback of such abilities, but then, if we could all simply haul off and magic each other where we stand, the empire would be in far more chaos than it already is. Merely stabbing each other is effective enough.

[so much sarcasm, even if it's true]

I've heard others say their powers don't work correctly here, I assume your headache may be related? [which also explains why he's always pleasantly surprised when his musou works fine]

You went around and-- wait, so. Just what kind of king are you? Stabbing people? Just like that? Or, a lot of-- was this a war?

[Jesus. Sure, Fillory had seen war and so had earth, but. Not a way that he'd ever describe as just stabbing people.]

No, wait. [Quentin waves a hand at-- well, nothing and everything all at once.] You really don't have to answer that if you don't want to. It's just-- jesus, stabbing people with those?

[they're still cool, though. Even if they might be murder weapons. He eyes Cao Pi again, who isn't half the asshole yet that Quentin was expecting him to be.]

Mmm yeah. I've heard that, too. And I think it is, I think that if I use it too much I might actually magic myself in to an aneurysm. Whether or not that actually means anything anymore, though? I have no idea. Does your cryomancy work as it used to?

[this time he has to pause for a literal deadpan, like bro, do you even sword? Takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly.]

For what other purpose would someone carry a sword? Of course it was war. I have known it my entire life. Are you suggesting that your kingdom never had to defend itself against invaders or coups?

[he doesn't think so, of course, but...dude]

Hm. Well, no one would want you to do that. My powers are as they should be, if they have limitations it's simply how they are naturally.

All the time? When it wasn't starvation or drought or the fields being overrun by vermin. But, I wasn't... acting? King at that point. I left that for Eliot and Margo. They were better at it, anyway.

[Quentin shrugs, he didn't really want to be king. Or, he did, but ruling and the reality of dealing with the local population stopped being fun and adventurous after he had to mediate between the first four cases of mistaking talking animals for game, or who took who's water and did anyone really own the stream? So many petty arguments and so little fun.]

I didn't plan on doing it, but. Thanks? So, your powers haven't been affected by this- whatever this is. Do you think it's because it's ice? Every fire spell I know, even the small ones that just make fireworks, are failing or coming out wrong.

[Small smile]

I didn't actually think that's you be any good with those? But you are. When your stamina's up. [That is never going to stop being funny, because Quentin is also just a twelve year old at heart sometimes.] Are they heavy?

[the name gives him pause, he genuinely holds still for a moment while putting two and two together.]

...you're from the same world as him. And the reason he is king, now? Well. Was.

[sounds like something he's going to have to sniff around some more, he's curious how their succession works and all that - since this young man couldn't be Eliot's father or anything, he thinks]

Having seen the patterns in those who have trouble and those who don't, yes, I'm starting to suspect it has something to do with alternate sources of light. It would make sense, if the darkness swallows all light except that of our lanterns and the very particular bonfire.

[HA HA no actually that's just how musou works, nobody questions it. Cao Pi manages a wry look.] ...I am more than passable at swordsmanship, powers or no powers. My blades? They're no more or less than any standard sword. Certainly not as hefty as a broadaxe or mace.

Uhm, you mean Eliot? Yeah, we. He was High King and I was just-- [as if there's ever anything 'just' about ruling a magical, mythical kingdom] a regular king? But yeah, we're from the same world.

[Figures Cao Pi noticed Eliot at the meeting, since Eliot had actually been the one to open his mouth and say something, and Quentin had been the one in the back, watching people and taking notes. He tilts his head.]

I can do a black hole spell, but I don't think would help anyone with anything. Not-- unless we were attacked by something really big. My friend Margo has these ice axes? She calls them-- she called them Sorrow and Sorrow because that's what they brought. They were-- pretty fucking cool axes.

[he nods in acknowledgment; he definitely talked to Eliot and liked what he had to say, but Cao Pi is always up for feeling out people through their relationships. Quentin may still be a little irritating but he's warming up quickly to the idea of at least getting along]

Ice axes...made of ice, or capable of conjuring ice? It seems those of us with similar abilities are doing just fine - the Grandmaster also uses ice powers, and he hasn't reported any problems with his.

[Shaking his head, Quentin smiles softly. Margo had been over the moon about those axes, and they had been pretty cool and the story of how she got them was interesting and heart-wrenching. The first time. It started getting a little repetitive the fifth time she told it.]

They were made of sand? Uh, a special kind of sand that you can only find in the Wandering Dunes in Fillory? But-- but she made them herself, picked the grains out of the regular sand and made her axes. They-- I never saw them do anything ice-related, so they might just be ice axes because they were Margo's? She was-- very good with ice. [Shaking his head, trying to let go of his last memory of Margo, crouched on the forest floor, hands pressed to Eliot's gushing stomach wound and crying a little, and Quentin looks back up.]

What's a Grandmaster?

[oh, well...

There's something there that Cao Pi doesn't want to intrude on. If he were a more altruistic man, it would be for Quentin's sake, but he's not, so it's mostly because he doesn't care enough to pry]

A title, apparently, among warriors from some future version of my country. Grandmaster Kuai Liang, I don't know if you've met him. It isn't important, aside from the fact that we have similar powers.

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-> action!

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