003 - Besides, by and large she was having a very good time.

[una_persson]

[AUDIO, public. Una sounds as composed and friendly as ever, her cut-glass accent as reassuring as a BBC news anchor's.]

To those of you I've not met before—hello. My name's Una Persson. I'd like to canvass the foreigner population here with just a brief question—who here is familiar with time travel, in the world from which they come? I'll be quite transparent: it's something with which I'm very familiar, and I'm curious to know who else is as well. Should you prefer to discuss this face-to-face, I live in the Wood sector. [A pause.] And if you're familiar with the technology behind it, I'd be especially interested in hearing from you.

---

[TEXT, separate messages sent privately to Bruce Wayne and Dorian Gray, basic encryption. Subsequent to her conversation with Iorveth, after his fail!private post.]

You may recall that there was a name in my notes that I showed you. Do not speak it out loud and be very careful with whom you share it.

Comments

Re: [text | private]

[una_persson]

Let's meet at the palace. I think that might actually be safer, from what I've been told.

[text | private]

[depicted]

I'll be there in half an hour.

[text | private] -> action

[una_persson]

See you then.

[And Dorian will find her there, sitting on the same bench where she'd met Iorveth. She actually is doodling in her notebook—an approximate floorplan of the parts of the Palace that have had reproducible navigational results.]

action

[depicted]

[When Dorian arrives, he hails Una with a lifted hand before stepping over to sit at her side.]

More art?

action

[una_persson]

[A lopsided half-smile.]

A map, at least. Not very artistic. Just trying to keep track of where things are in this place.

[She clicks the back end of the biro and puts it away.]

You saw that post, I'm guessing.

action

[depicted]

I did. [He glances briefly at the map, and it will be burned in his mind forever.] And I saw that you'd be speaking to him. [So he waited. Una would bargain with what she had, and he would see what she got. The information Dorian had came from Steve and from Una, and he would not trade it away.]

action

[una_persson]

[She nods, pausing a moment to get her thoughts in order.]

The Empress told Iorveth what this thing is—this Malicant. [Her voice drops a little on the name.] The name is not to be spoken outside the palace—some kind of ward protects one here, apparently, but I gather to do so outside would be as good as to invoke it. We're ... cannon fodder. [She grimaces.] It's ancient, unkillable. It can change shape and kill with a thought or a word, and—my favourite part—can "turn the air in your lungs to acid".

Charming, no?

action

[depicted]

[The were right in identifying the Malicant, then. And the cannon fodder, well. That's not too hard to guess.

For the rest, all he can think is that he needs to find somewhere truly safe for his portrait.]

Very. Nicely specific on that last one, I always love it when they throw in particulars.

[He remembers what the Emperor said once. That threat she made to the winter spirit boy.]

If we're the cannon fodder, is it the kedan we're dying for? Or is it her?

action

[una_persson]

It could be the Emperor—but it might well be Tu Vishan. Or possibly even this world—it's older than this world, for one thing. And, obviously, it's been here before.

[She frowns.]

Of course, the fact that we've all been brought here from across Time and Space ... I can't help wondering if that has implications for the Multiverse as a whole. I've been wondering since I got here, you know, if what's happening here is connected to other events and anomalies in the Multiverse, across the megaflow. [She pauses, thinks a moment, shakes her head.] Not enough data yet. I can't form a proper theory without more information. All I have is enough to be worried.

[She does look worried, but she also looks oddly energised.]

action

[depicted]

[He recognizes that look. He has seen it, now and again over the years. During wars and catastrophes and great personal crises. Sometimes, he has even seen it in his own reflection.

She's enjoying this, isn't she?]

Did you have any particular events or anomalies in mind?

Re: action

[una_persson]

The Conjunction of the Million Spheres. As with so many things temporal, it has happened, is happening, and will happen—no human language invented can quite define the moment, as it were. Time becomes porous, the Multiverse itself may be re-ordered; Law and Chaos fight for supremacy and the Balance is in peril. Perhaps this is just one more battle in the war.

[She laughs, not entirely humourlessly.]

If so, then I really can't get away from my work anywhere I go, apparently.

[depicted]

Congratulations on your holiday, Buswoman Una.

[It's an interesting idea. And in a way, even though he knows little of her world, he can see how it fits.]

Have you ever dealt with anything like this being, in your journeys through the wars.

[una_persson]

Not one that combines so many delightful qualities into one package. I always felt that even the most ordinary of people were more than capable of causing trouble on their own. [She snorts softly, shakes her head.] Can't even say the thing's bloody name. What is this, a fairy story?

[depicted]

Sounds like one, doesn't it? That or modern fantasy. All we need is to rename Tu Vishan as the Turtle Who Lived and we're on our way to a best seller.

Of course, in fairy stories, there is always one weakness, one part of the legend that tells a clever hero just how to slay the monsters. So far, I haven't noticed anything.

[una_persson]

[Her laughter at that is genuine.] I'll be sure to suggest that to my friend Michael when I go 'round to his place for tea and stories. He'll spin a brilliant novel out of that.

As to the monster's weakness, though ... perhaps we're just not there yet. We just have to keep digging.

[depicted]

[His smile echoes her, but he nods to what she said. They can't stop yet. They need to find the solution to this.]

And I intend to. Thank you, Una. Is there anything else?

[una_persson]

[She reaches over and gives his hand a squeeze.]

Just be careful. You know, the usual. If you learn anything new and need to meet, you know where to find me.

[depicted]

I'll be about as careful as you are.

[Despite the retort, he squeezes her hand back.]

And I will find you if I do.

[una_persson]

[She snorts, amused.]

I hope you do better than that. We'll talk soon, anyway.