005; audio;

[aloadeddie]

[With Ariadne most definitely gone - awake, presumably, though Arthur still can't figure out how she could've woken up but he still can't - Arthur is now alone in this place.

In some ways, being alone opens up certain possibilities that he wouldn't have considered available as long as others were here that he needed to protect. It's just him, and he knows how to look after himself, and he doesn't have to worry about keeping stories straight or anything like that.

Besides, the dream hasn't collapsed yet; what's a few more projections knowing some things?]

I want to get in touch with anyone who had knowledge of those archways in Sinbrilee. [He still disdains the whole idea of magic, but it's clearly a delusion he'll have to work with for the time being.] Especially the dreaming ones.

There are some, ah, tests that I'd like to run.

Comments

[dustonmyfeet]

[Have a girl in a twisty chair, idly shifting back and forth with her foot. But she makes a face at the request.]

Can probably make you one if you want. But probably going to have to question your sanity.

video; encrypted 90%

[aloadeddie]

[Arthur switches to video but encrypts it. It's sort of force of habit - he's not going to be that completely reckless with what he has.]

I don't necessarily need an archway built. I have access to a drug that lets me do basically the same thing, in much more controlled conditions. Though if you did build one, I'd be interested in seeing how it reacts with my tech.

video; encrypted 90%

[dustonmyfeet]

[Have a skeptical face over here, Arthur. Still doubting your sanity.]

. . . Why would you want to?

I'm not going to build one just to build one. Seems like the last thing anyone needs is more people stumbling through them by mistake. But sure, if you'd like to try sometime, I can put them up and tear them down pretty easy.

video; encrypted 90%

[aloadeddie]

Why would you want to spend time in dreams, building and manipulating worlds based on your own imagination?

Why not? [Seems like a no-brainer to him. But then, he loves the dreaming. It's why he does what he does.]

Anyway, I'm thinking if anyone else is interested and has the knowledge, we could run some tests, see if we can get a more stable, two-way connection to Asti, for starters. I have limited amounts of the somnacin, but I'm working on getting more. If I can get a steady supply, there are lots of potential uses. Maybe ways to get more information on what we're supposed to be fighting.

audio;

[constants]

[ Even though it's only audio, the Archive is both unquestionably a young girl and completely stoic. She doesn't sound bored, just... not much of anything. ]

Depending on what you plan to use it for, I may be able to help you.

audio;

[aloadeddie]

[It would figure that he gets responses from kids. However, bad as he considers himself with them (he's actually not as bad as he thinks he is, but whatever), he'll deal with anyone who seems somewhat reasonable.

It's just a matter of keeping his sarcasm in check, because really? She thinks he needs help? Hah!]

I'm less asking for help and more wondering if anyone is interested in a collaboration. [He's perfectly capable of dreaming on his own, thanks.] I have tech, you have... magical archways, or whatever. What I'm wondering is if anyone's interested in seeing if we can make them work together somehow. Maybe dig up some more information. The Emperor claims her information is incomplete. Dreaming might enable us to fill in some of the blanks.

audio;

[constants]

I know how to reconstruct the arches, and I have studied that magic some. However, I can only offer my assistance should I determine that I would not violate my neutrality. As the Archive I am bound to neutrality such that I cannot aid any one side in favor of another.

[ Still completely emotionless. She should probably mention this to Bruce since he's doing similar research. ]

audio;

[bereavements]

A friend ran into Death. We had to get him out. What kind of tests?

audio;

[aloadeddie]

[Screw encryptions. He gets a feeling if he keeps using them, he'll just have to explain himself a dozen times over.]

Don't know anything about Death, and I'm not sure what the difference even is. I want to run dream tests.

audio;

[bereavements]

There was the Death arch and the Dream arch. I think the Death arch brought out our worst fears. I never made it into the Dream one. Dream tests? How do you do that?

[angermanaging]

[Bruce is the meticulous sort of person who had scrupulously copied down the symbols on the archways, which when copied would be able to lead another archway into Dreaming. He hasn't realized that yet, but he's still not about to hand them over frivolously.]

What kind of tests?

[aloadeddie]

[Well, Arthur had to know this would probably get somewhat repetitive. He also didn't expect anyone to offer to help without any kind of questions asked - it's how he operates, too. Everyone needs to be thoroughly vetted before being brought into the fold.

At this point, what he's saying is pretty much the truth. If the dream falls apart on him, well. He can handle that. If someone tries to come after him, he can probably handle that, too.]

I'd like to see what kind of compatibility there might be with the dream sharing tech I already have, and if it could be used to get any more information on that ridiculous thing we're not supposed to name.

encrypted 60%

[angermanaging]

I'm a little wary about using it for that, [he says cautiously,] but I did... take some notes on the archways when I was there. I might be able to help.

[Note that he isn't saying he will help. This is a total stranger; Bruce isn't about to hand over sensitive, dangerous information that's relevant to their overall struggle against Malicant. But he is considering it.]

text;

[wintershepherd]

you shouldn't mess around with those things.

text;

[aloadeddie]

Don't worry about me, I've been around the block a few times. Dreaming is what I do.

Re: text;

[wintershepherd]

you don't understand.
it gives you exactly what you want to see and hear and feel
even though it's not real you can't tell that it's not.

voice;

[inseine]

[What comes next is an abrupt, deep voice, one with a faintly detectable French accent. Southern French, to the well-practiced ear.]

You say you want to examine dreams. Pardon me, [though he doesn't quite sound like he is all that sorry to speak up, with that cold and hard tone,] I don't see the use of diving into intimate matters. So what do you want to learn from these tests?

voice;

[aloadeddie]

[The voice is a little off-putting. Not the accent, really, but the tone is very authoritative. The sort of tone that tends to put Arthur on the defensive. 'Problems with authority' could be his middle name.

Still, he keeps his own voice calm and soothing. He's not just a dream criminal, after all, he's also a con man of sorts - a decent actor when he needs to be.]

Information. The Emperor says she doesn't have all the information we need to fight this thing - dreams could be a way to fill in some of the blanks, if we can make it work.

voice;

[inseine]

I don't get your meaning, [says the man sharply.] There is never a time I can tell you that dreams make sense. They have a habit of adding more questions into the mix, not the reverse. And that is the shell you want to crack!

[A low breath on the line. It is not quite a sigh, though it is very near to one.]

But if it is the Turtle you are after -- [Oho, someone's been reading and listening in on the other public conversations] -- I notice he is receptive enough to direct questions. What do you need your volunteers for?

audio; encrypted 97%

[lostundercover]

You sure that's a good idea?

audio; encrypted 97%

[aloadeddie]

No, but sometimes, you gotta take a leap of faith.

audio; encrypted 97%

[lostundercover]

Who taught you that one?

video, private (backdated a tad)

[epigrammatical]

[This will be the first Arthur has seen or heard of Henry in a while. There's something a little more subdued in his manner, but whatever has brought that about hasn't taken the wind out of his sails entirely. Or perhaps it's that he's only just caught the wind again after being in the doldrums for a while.]

I passed through one of those archways in our time there. What is it you wish to know?

video, private (backdated a tad)

[aloadeddie]

[Oh hey there, Henry, long time no contact. Rough few weeks, Arthur can relate to that.

He's also incredibly good at avoiding those kinds of emotional things!]

I don't need to know anything in particular about your experiences with them - I had a few adventures of my own, actually. I'm mostly interested in running some tests to see if they can be used with the dream share tech I've got with me, or what kinds of reactions there might be between the two.

video, private

[epigrammatical]

I beg your pardon, dear fellow—I am afraid that you have lost me slightly. Dream share [speaking the word as if tasting an unfamiliar and not wholly pleasant food:] tech?