khuioduan | Video | Closed to all Dreamfolk

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Video | Closed to all Dreamfolk

[There are books and papers all over the table, clearly Valds has been doing some research on what they've seen in the visions. She doesn't look tired, though she certainly feels it. Just because she didn't need to sleep, didn't mean it isn't better for her than drawing on soul energy. She's spent days just going over everything she could find, cross referencing every mention, careful to avoid certain parties who might demand she take some breaks every now and then]

I've been combing over the histories and legends for information on what I've seen. The shadows and monster I saw aren't in any of them, thought mentions exist in incidents related to the Dreaming. There's at least one mention of a dark pyramid, but I'm not well versed enough to really figure out what it means.

[Not mentioned: The involvement of the Death Plane]

There's several references to scientific papers by people at the Aisling Tower, and I've found a few of the texts that might prove helpful but haven't gone over them in depth yet. I could use some help if anyone has time.

[Hopefully someone does, she would really like to feel as if she were actually getting somewhere.]

I've also had another vision. Nerrin again, except he's older than before. There's also some kind of beast...I think. He was examining claw marks in their temporary shelter.

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I’ll help.

[ Of course she’ll help, it’s Valdis who’s asking. But she’s not as enthusiastic as she normally is. Which might be good? She can at least focus this way. And not be as annoying to everyone else. ]

[Ilda seemed quite subdued right now, which left Valdis with some amount of concern. But they had all been confused over these dreams.]

Thank you, Ilda.

[ Ilda nods, then gives Valdis a small, sheepish smile. She doesn't know exactly what scientific papers mean. ]

I'm not really sure how, though.

... I can do errands? If you need someone to get people, or get you something you need?

That would be lovely, Ilda.

[Perhaps the girl could also run interference if needed.]

Perhaps you can take notes on what I tell you. It would be helpful to not have to stop every few moments to write things down.

About Nerrin... He was there for years, it seemed like. Must've been something bad to freak him out.

[Which, ah...probably isn't that helpful.] Uh, are the papers... Are they easy to understand? [Not an academic type, this one.]

They are quite scientific in nature, so no.

[It was impossible to know how time moved wherever those in the visions had ended up, and it had been disturbing on several levels.]

The roaring...I'm not quite sure what it was.

[Sheepish.] Then...sorry, 'fraid I can't help with the papers.

[~~He probably couldn't have helped with them even if they weren't scientific, honestly.~~]

I didn't recognize the roaring. [But then, he wouldn't.] ...If he survived that long, then he's probably alright. [If he says it, it might come true, right?]

That's alright, not everyone is a scholar.

[She hummed for a few moments]

I'm sure there are many creatures, both native and not that we haven't encountered yet. Perhaps someone else has.

I can read bestiaries, if that helps.

[But he hadn't been able to identify the roaring sound or the oily shadows that had attacked the ship in the first vision, either. And he doesn't even know what the many eyes could have been, other than "pretty creepy."]

Where have you been finding the legends and stuff? Library?

That may be helpful. I've found plenty in the library.

[ Rutile's previous encounters with Valdis have been unfortunate at best, but you wouldn't know it to look at them: their expression is as smooth and placid as ever. They sit in a common room at the Dreaming Bridge with the hydroponic garden in the background, the sun glinting off the back of their hair. ]

It may be best to call in an expert to consult on the papers, ideally someone who wrote them. I don't mean to make assumptions, but I assume that as Dreamfolk, we are hardly justified in commenting on the physics of this land.

[ They reach into their pocket and pull out a pencil and notebook. ]

If you can give me the names of some of the investigators, as well as their papers, I'm happy to go down and interface with them.

[Valdis was unused to the recent hostilities from those who disliked the Sentry, but at least Rutile didn't seem incredibly offended this round. She arched a brow, not really understanding why people kept assuming she wasn't aware of certain intricacies of being on a world not her own. It may have been over five hundred years since she had last been on Konryu, but the nerve of some people...]

You 'don't mean to make assumptions' and yet you assume in the same breath.

[ Rutile blinks, brief annoyance flickering across their face. ]

Of course, how thoughtless of me. I should have spoken with more certainty. It seems there are definitely people unqualified to comment on the strange occurrences lately, given their petulance.

[That annoyance is quickly noted and, being a creature born from chaos, Valdis is perfectly willing to play with it.]

Oh, I agree, and it's simply amazing how many people come out simply to judge the intelligence of others without offering their own qualifications to counter.

[ Oh, it has been too long since Rutile had a good battle of wits, and longer since they've had any partner but Jade. They snap back, ]

I find that several thousand years of medical practice has quite qualified me to know when someone is letting their crankiness get in the way of good judgment. Let me remind you that you asked for help.

Medical practice? Tell me, have you ever examined the races of this world, or just your own? What makes you an expert in the physiollogies of those here?

[This could end up being quite fun, as such, her tone is pleasant, her eyes sparkling.]

Death is the same no matter what world you are on. Dreams and souls functions very similarly as well. What knowledge do you have of those?

Edited 2018-07-10 02:01 (UTC)

[ Rutile is definitely more outwardly annoyed than Valdis, their mouth turned down in a frown and their eyes narrowed, but their words are quick, confident, and loud. ]

Nothing, which is why I suggested an expert. I am not so arrogant as to think that my knowledge supercedes a native's, though you seem to have no such qualms. Please, enlighten me. What is the relevance of death and souls to a discussion of physical things like monsters and pyramids?

Again with the assumptions. I would have thought a medical scientist such as yourself would know better than to do such a thing.

[They're getting irritated, which is quite entertaining. Her history as a lawyer had always come in handy. Especially when paired with her natural inclination towards devil's advocate.]

As for the relevance, Death and Souls are tied to this place more strongly than you might believe. What we experienced in the visions. The emotions, feelings, sights and senses, the soul is where these things manifest.

And if you know anything about the current state of Konryu, then you'd know that this world is at the center of a collision between the Life, Death and Dreaming planes. There's a history to this, one you might find in the Library concerning the archipelago and the origin of the Turtles whose backs we reside upon.

[A smile]

I am far from ignorant in these matters, something which you would easily find if you would suspend your impulsive judgments and actually engage in a pleasant conversation.

[ The last time Rutile heard so much talk about souls, it was Phos spouting some ocean bullshit. It all came back to fucking Phosphophyllite, didn't it? They mock a yawn as Valdis is speaking, and cock an eyebrow at their last statement. ]

I've made no assumptions since my initial one. It's you who's insinuated that your intellect is so superior to the rest of ours. I find it healthier to let the delusional live their truths.

[ But despite her recalcitrance, Valdis has given Rutile some useful information. ]

You gave up the chance for a pleasant conversation the minute you so graciously declined my help. It's clear, however, that you don't need it. Please, enjoy your foray into the plane of Death with my blessing. You won't be missed.

Yet another assumption. I have not stated or thought that my intellect is superior to yours. As you pointed out, I asked for aid. But you passed the first judgement, Rutile, the moment we met.

[She is aware of the information she has given and how it might be helpful, but there's a sharpness to her gaze at his last.]

And I would not disrespect the Death Plane in such a manner, it has a tendency to bite.

[She knew that only too well.]

I recall nothing of our first meeting except that I was perfectly polite to you, as long as it was merited. Search your memory and point out the moment my behavior was no longer justified - you may find your own recollection more worthwhile than my words.

[ She's clearly more interested in her own version of events than the truth. This is hardly worth the effort anymore. ]

The Death Plane can bite where it will. Its teeth have not touched me so far.

[ Death is kind of a meaningless concept to Rutile - the closest brush with it they've had was the centuries of Padparadscha's coma. But even Padparadscha was returned to them, and they feel rather fearless. ]

[She was unwilling to admit her empathetic abilities over the network, but it didn't seem to matter since the effects of the past week were catching up to her. Valdis arched a bow, her irises bright scarlet in the next blink, an almost satisfied smirk on her fair face.]

The plants, the trees, the earth. Anything that moves with life can die...even gods. We know this firsthand.

[She released a sharp breath, shaking her head and holding a palm to her forehead as if in pain, then the video goes black as she turns off the feed.]

The scarlet irises are a surprise, but even those are more insignificant than the smirk Valdis plasters across her face in the tiny video screen. When the image cuts out, a little flashing icon and CALL ENDED message are reflected in Rutile's hair, eyes, and outraged expression.

"Good thing I'm not fucking alive," Rutile mutters, and shoves the yimo into their pocket. The chair scrapes on the floor as they hastily rise, and the last thing heard is the heavy thud of their footsteps across the common room floor.

These visions are utterly relentless. Is there no escape from these hallucinations at all?

[Her tone is annoyed, though that doesn't seem directed at Valdis, rather than just briefly venting about the visions themselves.]

At least everyone is seeing similar things and not...

[She trails off, shaking her head.]

I can help if you like. I was quite good at organizing the books at the opera house, I'm sure I could find my way around a library.

Any help searching and organizing would be marvelous.

[Valdis agrees that the visions have gone on longer than she would like. It should have ended with the first one.]

These things, there must be more information somewhere.

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