XI

[adamantlyardent]

There really was no guarantee that world-altering madness would cease upon the departure of the fate sisters, was there? In fact, perhaps leaving a seat of power open like that can entice other high powers and potent forces to come and see what they can do.

Despite that, it doesn't mean I'm going to ever grow fond of, let alone become used to being battered around by these things. Forces, circumstances, fates, fey...whatever you wish to categorize them as -- I'll just bucket them all in "Things with Greater Influence in the World(s) at Large than Most Mortals." Perhaps that label will satisfy most were I to use it? Not all, naturally.

In any case, who shall begin the mass-accounting of things amiss or askew THIS time around? In a neat list for easy perusal, I'd prefer.

Comments

text;

[detail]

A neat list could be challenging, but I could try my hand at it.

[adamantlyardent]

I'd find the effort commendable, for what it's worth; I lack the skill to maneuver through the varied personalities that come calling here to get what information I need without walking away with a migraine.

[detail]

I can imagine.
I'll give it a shot.
The first thing is ...well whatever happened.

[adamantlyardent]

The first being EVERYONE magically popping up in the same space together with no warning, yes?

[detail]

I mean. Yes?
Is that our starting point?

[eyediot]

'Entities' may fit as well if you get tired of such a long title.

[adamantlyardent]

I find compartmentalizing to a single term only opens up the gate to more earnest pedants to contest with "what about [concept]?"

Brevity may be the soul of wit, but it is no close friend of the contrarian.

[eyediot]

I'll agree to that.

[LORD he has read some longwinded Victorian letters amounting to 'yeah WELL'.]

I apologize as I'm recently arrived, but what did you mean the fate sisters?

[adamantlyardent]

[she's penned more than a couple in such a fashion and never sent them. she knows.]

Before I answer that: How recent do you mean? Only asking whether or not you, too, lost the entire month to oblivion.

[eyediot]

['Oblivion'. That's way to describe it.]

Going by the date on these comm devices... Five days recent.

[Private] Text | UN: Knuckledown

[looking_sharp]

I cannot provide a full accounting of things, but I can tell you of Cecelia, founder of the Olin Vale,

[adamantlyardent]

[after a delay:] I don't know of an Olin Vale. What is this all about?

[looking_sharp]

There was a world, like this one but different. Too many imPorts in one place could cause distortions in reality, but we needed to stay near Gates to not die a horrible, wasting death.

Gates already existed in some areas, were made in others. And one of them was the secret, very nature focused place called Olin Vale. You were in charge. You, but older. Your future I believe.

[adamantlyardent]

That couldn't have been me...I'm not a leader-type. Even if it WAS someone with my name, it wasn't me. Someone older than me can't be me, right? Because of the difference of age and experience.

[looking_sharp]

I do not believe you WISHED to lead. I believe you ended up in the position by accident. But it was you, Cecelia. You'll grow up very well, if she's any indication.

She remembered our meeting in the bookstore.

[monster_san]

That is a disturbingly likely notion. [in fact... you know what... that is what happened to cephiro. that really is like what happened to cephiro, only they were able to deal with the invaders through negotiation.] They did say that reality-warping events would happen as a result of restraining Lady Atropos.

I certainly would like to keep a record of it. I don't know if we'll figure out a way to prevent future happenings, but preparation seems attainable.

[adamantlyardent]

Is that even possible, considering how different circumstances tend to be?
Then again, perhaps a general guideline of best practices is in order...

[monster_san]

Yes, I think a "best practices" manual would be the way to go. We have earthquake safety plans, and here in Florida there are hurricane safety plans--there's no reason we shouldn't add an interdimensional-disruption safety plan too.

It takes a little more than getting to the room without windows, though.

[adamantlyardent]

How would one know what to add and what to leave out? Do we include a section on what to do when one's house grows legs and starts wandering around with you inside?

[monster_san]

I think that one is less the fault of dimensional distortions and more a standard housemate issue. We ought to apply to Miss Manners for the proper way to respond should it happen again--though I rather hope we won't have to.

[dragony]

I'd really rather it *not* be me this time, but getting what we want is pretty rare.

We're still missing our tattoos. That's the first thing I noticed.
I wonder, does this mean they're not tracking us anymore?
Or, perhaps, "always never have been" tracking us.

[adamantlyardent]

[after a delay:] They are gone, are they? On everyone?

[dragony]

I haven't seen them on anyone else. Housemates or visitors or on the Network. I can't guarantee it's *everyone*, but it's everyone I've seen.

Yours is gone too, right?

[adamantlyardent]

Yes.
Admittedly, that was the LAST thing I was concerned about in all of this...

[dragony]

It's a pretty small thing, compared to everything else.
The ImPorts of that other world didn't have the tattoos, either. Nobody to swear loyalty to, you know?
It was something I noticed there, and I tried to use that knowledge to find the others who remembered having them.
There weren't terribly many of us, though.