Session XXII

*

Avarie mutters. "Okay, so this is the dream realm, huh? I didn't expect it to be quite so dark. We could definately use a light if anyone has anything of that nature."
<Gilphon> there at least five of us around here
<Gilphon> probably more, but only five spoke
<Useless> "It...might not be the dream realm.  That is an assumption, particularly since we were after access to the Mind instead."
<Nicholas> I would agree...
* Donto_M reaches into his pouch looking for something to help illuminate.
<Avarie> Ah, I see.  Still, a mind should not be quite so empty, I would think.
<Gilphon> so this is Diviara's Mind?
<Iggy> "flare flare wheres the flare."
* Iggy searches his pockets
<Dale> Dark.. and bleak. Expected.
* Useless continues to glance about in curiosity. "He is dying, it is possible that plays a role in it." After a few moments, he calls out in normal tonality. "Zephyr?"
* Damsel has joined #epic
<LordBarrius> I don't like this one bit.
* Avarie has left #epic
<Iggy> "What is it?!?!"
* DavidViara sets mode: +v Damsel
* Damsel appears and Avarie vanishes
* Damsel blinks in the sudden darkness. "What..?"
<Nicholas> Neither do I...
* Useless glances at Damsel, then breaks into a huge grin, rushing over to embrace her momentarily.
<Gilphon> What's wrong, Avarie?
* Nicholas shakes his head slowly. "I recognize that voice."
<Gilphon> wait, that's not Avarie...
* Damsel gasps at the sudden embrace, then realizes what has happend and returns it fiercely. "Oh!" is all she can manage.
* LordBarrius frowns slightly and tilts his head in confusion. "What just happened precisely....?"
* ZLOK stands once more.
<Gilphon> who are you?
* Dale stops to watch the two embrace, shedding a tear or two.
* Useless lets go, still grinning broadly. "You came, love? I am....vastly surprised, but I do not think it is the time for tales just yet." <script></script>

<Donto_M> I can't find anything. If we're in his mind, wouldn't it be dangerous to use fire or anything?
* Nicholas smiles faintly. "That's nice and all... But we need to focus on the current task."
* Damsel nods, though her eyes don't leave what little she can make out of his face.
* Useless slips one of his hands into hers, then looks about for Zephyr again. "I had expected Zephyr to be here as well...hmm."
<Nicholas> I wonder... if we're in his mind maybe I thoughts should be able to affect it somehow.
<Gilphon> does anyone have any kind of light?
* Damsel squeezes his hand briefly, then tries to make out what she can.
<Iggy> "wait are we in total darkness?"
* Iggy continues searching for a flare.
<Ryuusei> Welcome to my trap
<Nicholas> Trap?!
<Donto_M> What the!
* Gilphon jumps back in surprise and horror
* Damsel grips Useless' hand tightly.
<Iggy> "I hate traps above all else."
* LordBarrius scowls as he hears Ryuusei's voice and glances around, searching for the source.
* Useless growls low in his throat at the sound of Ryuusei's voice, pulling Damsel behind him slightly.
<Ryuusei> "Houw tender and touching...."
* ZLOK faces the voice.
* Dale remains silent.
<Ryuusei> "Pinnochio is a real boy..."
<Ryuusei> "And just in time for his lover to arrive"
* Ryuusei turns to Dale
<Nicholas> Don't you dare harm them!
<Ryuusei> "I know what you have promised to Falerin...."
<Ryuusei> "I have been instructed to kill you by none less then The'Galin himself"
<Donto_M> Ugh, we need some light. Stupid glowing orb, where'd I leave you?
<Ryuusei> "Treachery.... is Forfeiture"
*

Damsel trembles slightly, but she squares her shoulders as she steps to stand next to Useless, attempting to prepare herself for what might come. <script></script>

<Iggy> "kill a minion of yours? how cruel?"
<Ryuusei> "Why Iggy... its nothing less then what he promised Falerin he would do to me"
* Useless blinks and attempts to summon a snake-like streamer of flame in front of him to illuminate the darkness.
<Ryuusei> "Isn't that right Dale...."
<Iggy> "which was?"
<Dale> I.. I..
<>Ambiance<> A small sun appears in reaction to Useless' effort
* Nicholas walks inbetween Dale and Ryuusei, trying to protect Dale if possible.
<Dale> I will not do it, I would never harm you. 
* ZLOK crouches at the sudden appearance of light, ready to lounge on anything that is hostile.
<>Ambiance<>

You stand on a landscape of nothingness a flat barren void. the only distinction is a ball of light in the distant "horizion"
<Dale> I doubt even if I tried my hardest, I could do naught but annoy you..
* Gilphon sheilds his eyes from the sudden light
<Iggy> "someone tell me what it looks like?"
<Ryuusei> "Yet you offered...."
<Ryuusei> "Meaning you are morally weak"
<Ryuusei> "Pliable"
<Donto_M> What is the land we are in?
* Dale covers his eyes, temporarily blinded by the outburst of light.
<Ryuusei> "I should have known you were to easily gained"
<Dale> No. You are wrong.
<Useless> "Have strength, Dale..."
* Damsel shields her eyes briefly with her free hand for a brief second in surprise.
<Ryuusei> "I am am I"
<Ryuusei> "Very well here is your test"
<Ryuusei> "Kill the Female"
* Gilphon eyes ajust to the light
<Dale> Which?
* Ryuusei tosses Dale a dagger
* LordBarrius scowls.
<Useless> "...faith of a kind has been placed in you."
* Ryuusei gestures at Damsel
<Ryuusei> "The new arrival" <script></script>

<Ryuusei> "Kill her"
<Gilphon> there is only one with us
<LordBarrius> Do not lay a hand on her.
<Ryuusei> "Or try to turn it on me...."
<Iggy> "touch Damsel and we will kill you."
<Ryuusei> "That is your selection Dale"
* Dale in surprise, drops the dagger before picking it up.
* Useless attempts to split off part of the sun into one hand in order to protect Damsel from any threat.
* Gilphon frowns
* Nicholas turns to Dale. "Dale... I won't make your choice for you. Do what you feel is right."
* Donto_M sees the gesture and his fists clench. "Don't do it."
<Ryuusei> Am the sun changes shape taking on the shape a of a "bird?" on the distant horizon
* Damsel watches Dale carefully, unblinkingly facing him.
* Dale turns to Damsel.
<>Ambiance<> the sun changes shape taking on the shape a of a "bird?" on the distant horizon
* Useless growls low in his throat. "Dale..."
<Dale> I am sorry... I must...
<Nicholas> Why?
* Damsel shakes her head, her eyes on his. "You must do nothing. You are still yourself."
* ZLOK places himself behind Damsel.
<Donto_M> No, I finally made another friend, Dale, please don't. You don't have to do anything.
<Nicholas> Why must you Dale?
* Gilphon steps towards Damsel
<LordBarrius> Don't do it.
<Ryuusei> "Failure to select is treachery"
<Ryuusei> "Select"
<Ryuusei> "NOW"
* Damsel stares into his eyes. "You had enough nerve to defy him before. Where has that gone?"
<Useless> "Falerin told you what he did for a reason, Dale..."
<Dale> I am rejected by the TruthSeekers...
<Iggy> "no your are not."
<Nicholas> You can harm one who wishes others harm or you can harm one who wishes the best for people.

<script></script>

<Iggy> "you are rejected by yourself."
<Dale> Now, I am sorry Damsel.
<Nicholas> You aren't rejected, Dale.
<Ryuusei> 10
<LordBarrius> You are rejected by no one....
<Ryuusei> 9
<Ryuusei> 8
* Dale moves towards Damsel
<Ryuusei> 7
<Ryuusei> 6
<Ryuusei> 5
<Nicholas> Dale, my friend...
<Ryuusei> 4
<Ryuusei> 3
<Donto_M> No Dale, you helped. You do not have a companion, but neither do I! Friend, please!
<Ryuusei> 2
* Gilphon shakes his head
* Damsel takes a step backwards. "You are still welcome, you know."
* Useless clenches his fist and attempts again to pull some of the flame to him.
* Dale , running, shoves the dagger outwards
* Damsel does what she can do avoid, having expected the lunge.
* Iggy runs infrotn of the dagger.
* Useless also invokes any telekinetics to block the dagger.
* Dale vanishes
* Donto_M throws an orb in the way.
* Dale has left #epic
<Donto_M> What the...
* LordBarrius frowns.
* Gilphon looks around
<Gilphon> huh?
<Iggy> that was close
* Nicholas shakes his head. "What did you do, Ryuusei?"
* Useless glances back towards where Ryuusei's voice emanated.
* Damsel looks about her, searching for anything that might still be a threat.
<Donto_M> Damsel, are you okay?
* Damsel nods, her eyes still searching. "Yes, I'm fine. He never made it to me."
<Gilphon> where did he go?
<Ryuusei> "Loyalty and Disloyalty are one and the same when you serve two masters"
*

Useless squeezes Damsel's hand in his, the same grasp he never intentionally let go, and continues scanning with animalistic instinct and speed.
<Ryuusei> "It is why certain ancient religious texts admonish that serving two is impossible"
* Nicholas nods, but says nothing.
<Ryuusei> "To be loyal to one is to betray the other" <script></script>

<Ryuusei> "
<Damsel> You knew that would be the result?
<Ryuusei> "He was a dangerous man.. he neeeded to be exposed...."
<Ryuusei> "He serves Ryuusei Cartwright... or falerin or Ryuusei"
<Ryuusei> "He flips at will"
<>Ambiance<> A small purple jay lands on Ryuusei's hand and he pats it slightly
* Ryuusei shudders
* Ryuusei transforms
* DavidViara is now known as Diviara
<Ryuusei> "Hello Little one"
<Diviara> (Echo) "Hello little one"
* Useless blinks in curiosity, the growl dying in his throat entirely. "Diviara? Is it really you, Uncle?"
<Diviara> "Uncle is it now?"
* Damsel glances at Useless, then at Diviara.
<Diviara> "I have only one brother and Hadin is not the man"
* Diviara collapses
<Useless> "I can think of no more appropriate term of endearment in my Memory, and so I would choose to call you Uncle."
* Nicholas shrugs. "It's not meant- ... What's wrong?"
* Damsel gasps but hesitates to go to his side in this world of odd, unexpected changes.
<Diviara> "I am dying"
<Nicholas> Well, I knew that...
* Useless moves to Diviara's side. "Is there naught anything I can do?"
<Diviara> "Mimicing Ryuusei's form even in this false world..."
<Diviara> "Took additional energy...."
* LordBarrius raises an eyebrow. "So that was you...."
*

Damsel follows after, unwilling to break the physical contact with Useless. "But why? From what I've been told even the best doctors are baffled."
<Diviara> "I do not really know where this is that I am imprisoned"
<Diviara> "But it is not a real world"
<Diviara> "It does not follow laws"
<Donto_M> What is this place?
<Diviara> "Except laws of excahnge" <script></script>

<Diviara> "I have been trapped here for what seems likes ages"
*

Useless ponders for a moment. "I am not totally sure, myself...but it worries me what this might symbolize." He glances at the light at the end of the tunnel. "Would trying to supply you fresh reserves of energy help, Uncle?"
<Nicholas> That's quite interesting...
<Diviara> "Decades ago I heard the voice of Hadin tell me that you were coming"
* Useless whimpers. "What have seemed decades to you probably have been naught but days or even hours to us, I am afraid to admit."
<Donto_M> Yes, Avarie switched with Damsel. Decades ago?
* Damsel glances at Useless and kneels beside Diviara. "We will do all we can to help, if you just have some idea of what that might be."
<Diviara> I have thought long and hard on that very topic
<Diviara> For me to live another must die
* Nicholas shudders at his thoughts. He mutters udner his breathe. "That's rather frightening. It could be possible the only way out of here is through an exhange with an analog."
<Donto_M> Exchange, a life for a life.
* Useless shudders at the thought.
* LordBarrius sighs. "I was afraid of this."
<Diviara> THe life must be linked and compatible and it must happen quickly
* Damsel closes her eyes and hangs her head. "As was I."
<Useless> "Linked and compatible?  So not any can do so, Diviara?"
<Diviara> Or I will die.... I grow weaker by the second
<Gilphon> There is only one we have here...
* Diviara falls silent his eyes closing
* Damsel raises her head and reguards Diviara. "What defines liked and compatable? Is an analog the only thing?"
<Gilphon> I think it is up to him, however
* Gilphon turns to Useless
<Gilphon> I think it must be you
* Damsel shakes her head in denial. "No... gods no."
<Gilphon> I don't like it either, but it's either him or Diviara <script></script>

* Useless looks from Damsel to Diviara and back again. "My love...I..."
<Gilphon> but it's his choice to make
* Nicholas sighs. "Anothers life for mine. I don't have the right to that decision."
<Donto_M> If Diviara and Useless are exchanged, what will occur?
*

Damsel 's eyes flood with tears as she sobs softly. With great effort she gathers her voice, "Do what you will. It is yours to make."
* Useless is obviously and evidently very, very troubled by the possibility at hand, and wishes with quite a bit of willpower for his father's presence...or his aid...
* Diviara is now known as DavidViara
<Infinity> Recohering Reality Wave
<>Ambiance<> The darkness is suddently much brighter as the ceiling light rushes in
<Zephyr> They have returned.
* Donto_M is blinded by the rush of light. "Now where are we?"
* Gilphon looks around
* Damsel glances about her, suddenly afraid a chance was missed.
* Nicholas places his hand infront of his eyes.
* Useless wheels on Zephyr. "I cannot accept that the only way to save Diviara is a life for a life!"
<Ryuusei> "Just outside of DC"
<DavidViara> "Just outside of DC"
<DavidViara> "My estate"
<Gilphon> I doubt will missed our chance
<Donto_M> I'm not so sure, he said we had to act quick.
<LordBarrius> Indeed.
* ZLOK shudders.
<Gilphon> well, at least now we know what we have to do...
* Useless looks both angry and immensely distraught at the current turn of events.
<Nicholas> "I wish there was something I could do." He frowns sorrowfully. "Sadly his fate lays in the hands of others."
<Iggy> "wha?"
* Damsel grips Useless' hand as firmly, her eyes amix with emotion. "Perhaps... I shouldn't have come. If I caused you to hesitate..." Her voice hitches and trails off.
<Gilphon> I have no Idea what the moral thing to do, however <script></script>

* Daniel has joined #epic
* DavidViara sets mode: +v Daniel
<Daniel> Where am I?
* DavidViara whirls
<DavidViara> This is getting ridiculous
* Gilphon looks at Daniel in surprise
<Daniel> Damsel, what's going on?
* Nicholas turns to Daniel. "Welcome."
<LordBarrius> I'm inclined to agree.
* Useless 's eyes begin to tear up regardless of his anger, but he is still adamantly pursuing an answer from Zephyr.
<Daniel> Hello Nicholas.
* Zephyr "There is only one other alternative and it is no different"
<Useless> "Then...am I the only one?"
<Zephyr> "No...."
<Donto_M> So it isn't too late?
<LordBarrius> Who else could help?
* Nicholas rolls his eyes. "David Varia perhaps?"
* ZLOK sighs heavily and looks around to regard the envoiroment.
<Zephyr> "The alternative would be Recoherence"
<Zephyr> "A merging...."
<Zephyr> "What Falerin did to Falerin"
* Damsel 's breath hitches, relieved as a renewed flood of tears trace lines down her face.
<Zephyr> "DavidViara would have to do to Diviara"
<Zephyr> "But then Diviara would be absorbed by David"
<Zephyr> "He would cease as an independent being"
* Useless grits his teeth. "So it is either a sacrifice or a recoherence...and am I the only viable such sacrifice?"
<Zephyr> "Negative"
<Zephyr> "David is a valid alternative too..."
<Useless> "And no others?"
<Daniel> Is he the only other viable sacrifice?
<Zephyr> "the effect would be much the same as the alternative.... only it would be absorbed the other way"
* Damsel 's free hand, shaking, goes to cover her mouth.
<DavidViara> "A blood relative"
<Zephyr> "... yes.. perhaps"
* Useless sighs and begins to cry softly. "Blood relative..."

<script></script>

<Gilphon> I... don't know what to say
<>Ambiance<> A Large clock appears in channel counting down
<>Ambiance<> 40
<DavidViara> What int he world?
* limewirelord|homework is now known as LWL|food
* Damsel 's eyes search Useless' face, trying to get some clue as to what he is thinking.
<>Ambiance<> 30
* LordBarrius frowns.
* Zoe has quit IRC (Distracted: Zoe�)
<Nicholas> Strange...
<>Ambiance<> 20
<DavidViara> What is that clock
<Gilphon> what the?
<Donto_M> What is this?
<>Ambiance<> 15
<Useless> "If it were possible, I'd ask Hadin to make such a sacrifice...dearest, forgive me."
<Nicholas> This reminds me of Falerin...
<>Ambiance<> 10
<>Ambiance<> 9
<>Ambiance<> 8
<>Ambiance<> 7
<Donto_M> Do we have to make a choice?
<>Ambiance<> 6
* Damsel hesitates her voice raw with emotion. "Falerin?"
<>Ambiance<> 5
<Gilphon> brace your selves
<>Ambiance<> 4
<>Ambiance<> 3
<>Ambiance<> 2
<>Ambiance<> 1
<>Ambiance<> The timer vanishes
* Useless takes his hand away from Damsel and turns to Zephyr. "I'll do it."
* #755 Falerin appears
<Gilphon> Wha?
<Falerin> "No you shall not"
* Damsel winces and she closes her eyes.
<DavidViara> "I have far to much vested in you Talo"
<Falerin> "I have far to much vested in you Talo"
<ZLOK> Then take me.
<ZLOK> If possible.
* Useless turns to Falerin, tears still running down his eyes. "Then what then?! I can't just let him die..."
<Gilphon> what can we do!?
<Falerin> "Your host? Or your occupant? Or both?"
<ZLOK> I do not wish for it to be so, but my companions seem completely frozen in choice.

<script></script>

<Falerin> "Neother is a particularly compatible entity"
* ZLOK sighs.
<DavidViara> "No on the contrary"
<Falerin> "No on the contrary"
* DavidViara looks at David peculiarly
* Damsel opens her eyes, swallowing with some difficulty.
* DavidViara looks at Falerin and then David peculiarly
<DavidViara> "What is this"
<DavidViara> "Why do I know what you are going to say"
* Useless grasps Damsel's hand in his again.
<Falerin> "A loop hole"
<Falerin>

"I am not your LoreMaster actually... though I appear like him at the moment.... that has to do with the power required to send me hence"
* Falerin gestures
<TheTraveller> Ah.. better
<Donto_M> Who are you then?
* Damsel grips Useless' hand tightly, almost painfully, still unsure of what the conclusion to these evens will be.
<Donto_M> Ah, long time.
<Gilphon> Ahh... hello, Traveller
<Daniel> Hello Traveller.
* TheTraveller You attempted to take my life once.... I in fact appeared to have died and would have been trully dead were it not for the intervention of my deity
* Nicholas remains quiet, paying attention to the events around him.
<TheTraveller> "This time....."
<Useless> "Yet...but...why..."  His confusion is not quite obvious, but refers to the statement made of investing time, energy, and power into him made by 'Falerin'.
<TheTraveller> "I go willingly"
<TheTraveller> "I complete my assignment my lord"
<LordBarrius> What?
<TheTraveller> gasps and collapses
* TheTraveller gasps and collapses
* Donto_M looks at TheTraveller stunned.
* Damsel gasps as she is struck with understanding.
* Gilphon looks down
<DavidViara> "Remind him of the debt he owes at every possible opp...."
* Useless sobs vocally again, most assuredly not used to experiencing death firsthand at all... <script></script>

<TheTravller> "Remind him of the debt he owes at every possible opp...."
* TheTraveller dies
* ZLOK shakes his head in disbelief.
* LordBarrius sighs and stares down at TheTraveller with a helpless gaze.
* Daniel begins to loose coherence having lacked an appropriate substitution to maintain solidity
* Daniel vanishes
* Nicholas frowns and shakes his head sorrowfully.
* Donto_M trembles. "No way...it can't be."
* Daniel has left #epic
* Damsel shakes her head in disbelief, then turns with great relief to Useless, holding him to her fiercely.
* Gilphon turns towards Diviara
* Diviara opens his eyes
* Nicholas turns to Diviara, slightly relieved.
<Gilphon> he's awake!
*