Enjolras Arrives

[antinouswild]

[Enjolras is shown on the screen examining the device for some time before he satisfies both his curiosity and his understanding that he is indeed on the network. Finally, he lifts his head and speaks. His voice is troubled in tone, but clear.]
My friends. Greetings. It’s been explained to me that we will are confined in this place, brought here with no consideration of our will and left here without the ability to leave. I do not choose to accept this, and I trust others feel the same. If you do, contact me and join me. We will gather as much additional information as we can, and see if we can’t take this upon ourselves to gain our freedom. Who is with me?
[He’s fierce as he speaks. His eyes and set of his jaw show his determination. He shuts off the device, again taking his time with it, and waits for a reply.]

Comments

[antinouswild]

I don't doubt that I suppose. I just need to get back. And I want to learn about this place. But tell me. If there are many universes, how come I didn't know about them until now?

[highprofilerichkid]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting back. Everybody goes back eventually, and time is stopped in your universe – or, technically, you get dropped back at the same point in your timestream that you left. Nobody at home will miss you. Problem is, when you go home, you don't remember Keeliai. That's what we're really trying to solve.

I'm not sure why you don't know about alternate universes. I don't think anybody is. Interdimensional events and the emergence of enhanced people definitely accelerated in the twentieth century, but we don't know why. I think the leading theory is that it has something to do with reaching a critical mass of population and technological development.

[antinouswild]

That's all very interesting and very illuminating. The thought of going back to the time I left with no one missing me is a comfort, but how does anyone know that's the case?

[highprofilerichkid]

Because people who disappear and then come back sometimes come back with new memories from their universe. Everybody who does says there's no time gap at home. That was how we were told the spell works – so far, it's been right.

[antinouswild]

So all we have to do is find a way to control it... To find a way to make it not random. Surely that can't be impossible. How long have you been here? Have you gone back?

[highprofilerichkid]

If you can figure that out, you will definitely be the biggest hero on the turtle.

The problem is, it's a legacy spell. Everyone who was involved in creating it or running it is dead, and nobody really knows what kind of magic they were using to begin with. But if you want to look into it, no one's going to stop you.

I've been here three years, plus the year we were all trapped in the Dreaming. Milyn has a way to show you some of your future back home, and I did that, but I haven't been zapped out yet.

[antinouswild]

I was facing my own firing squad when I left. I have no need to see my future. I know it. You may well ask why I'm anxious to get back, then. It isn't that I have a death wish. It's the fact that I have to get back for the sake of the people who fought by my side.

[highprofilerichkid]

[Tony thinks 'firing squad' is some sort of metaphor at first, and then he remembers his conversations with Other Enjolras and figures out that, no, he almost certainly meant it literally.]

Wow. Sorry, man. I didn't know... I mean, you told me you were dead— the other you, I mean, but, uh, I didn't know— he didn't tell me how.

[antinouswild]

[Enjolras shrugs, strangely nonplussed.] I made my choices and I died content. Well, I did not choose to die, but I knew the risk I was taking. I can only hope that my death inspired others. My regret isn't my own death, but the death of those around me.