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[Being from a world that still communicates primarily through hand-written, hand-delivered letters makes the consoles of Tu Vishan particularly odd for Yelena. The idea talking to so many people at once, discussing things largely as a group is still strange. She understands the usefulness of the network of course, but it's been hard for her to remember that it's there to utilize until now.

Having spent the last few days in the palace as a guest of the Emperor while waiting for her poison situation to be remedied, she's kept busy in other ways. To be specific, she's been browsing through the palace library for information about well, just about everything that catches her interest. It's what she finds in the history books that finally prompts her to sit at her guestroom console.]

[Locked to Annabeth // 30% Unhackable]

Have been in palace for three days as guest since Emperor agreed to assist with a personal problem. Am safe and have access to the library.

[Public]

I've been doing some reading. Has anyone heard the kedan talk about what Tu Vishan is?

[Because guess who learned it's apparently a giant turtle?]

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[AUGH TEXTING. Her least favorite form of communication here. But she reads it all carefully, several times over, refusing to make the same mistake she did last time she tried to read someone's message. But good, Yelena's still safe.]

[And when she replies, it's in audio. She tried typing first, but it was too frustrating.]

Library? Can anyone access it?

[Then a pause, because she saw the public message, too] I've just assumed it was an island -- well, a special sort of island, I suppose. I've heard some rumors, but I haven't been able to confirm anything yet. Did you find something?

Edited (all the changes ALL THE EDITS because i can't make up my mind) 2012-08-23 06:36 (UTC)

[No typing. No time for typing.]

Yes, and I've considered the possibility and probability of what they are saying to be factual and not some sort of mockery of my intelligence and I have concluded that, after multiple conversations -

[aka threatening at De-Gun point-]

...That they are telling the truth.

WE, MISS - are on a gigantic Chelonioidea commonly known as--

[STAGE WHISPER.]

A sea turtle.

Edited 2012-08-23 05:19 (UTC)

[Yelena shakes her head before she remembers that Annabeth can't see her.]

I don't think everyone can. It's only because I'm here and I'm waiting for them to help...

[She trails off.]

I went through some of their history books. The island isn't just special. It not an island but instead a giant turtle that used to be...joined with more giant turtles. According to their books.

[Do you hear her disbelief?]

[Shock. So much shock. She thought this was a huge revelation and instead other people already know about it?]

Where did you hear about it? I only just read it in a book--

[Pause.]

Conversations with who exactly?

[He sounds a little surprised at this female’s response.]

Why, with the kedan, of course. [He mangles the hell out of the word ‘kedan’.] Did you just accept what you were told upon arrival?

[Because he didn’t. He pushed and pushed and pushed and demanded more information than the name of the blasted city and in general? Made a damn nuisance of himself until they caved.]

Honestly, didn’t anyone ask more questions?

Of course I didn't just accept it, but there were some things they would not talk about.

[Hmph.]

Besides it isn't like this is something that would be possible in my world so how would I know to ask about it?

You know, possible and probable are two very different things. You see, there is much in the world that one would think entirely impossible but are, in fact, improbable. There is a difference there, you see?

[GET IT?]

Theoretically, it’s entirely possible we have fallen into some sort of…Mmm.

[Here he pauses, gesticulates, even though she can’t see it-]

A hypothetical ah…aperture, if you please, that would be, essentially, a…shortcut. [Cough.]

Through space and time. Think wormhole.

Therefore it is entirely probable that this is, as they have said, a place in between.

...Oh and a turtle, yes. That too.

Edited 2012-08-23 21:51 (UTC)

[She mutters a curse under her breath, then sighs. But she's already trying to formulate a way to get access.] If you find anything else you think is useful, please share. That kind of source is invaluable.

[Then she draws in her breath] So it is true. It's actually a giant turtle. [She doesn't sound quite as disbelieving, only a bit distanced, as if she's thinking about what this means. Which is exactly what she's already doing -- analyzing the confirmation.] Did you say it was attached to other turtles?

Yikes. Was that supposed to be encrypted? How'd you land in with the Emperor, anyway?

[Yelena's been educated. She can read and write and understand complex subjects of course. She's smart. But discussing the finer nuances between two different words is not a specialty.

The science is completely out of her depth.]

What do worms have to do with the time and giant turtles?

[Sob.]

[This is why Yelena is contacting Annabeth. News! Information! Things that could be useful? Not that she'd know how to utilize it yet...]

Yes. It sounds like...like just a story but it's in with a lot of other things that seem entirely possible. Apparently this turtle used to be part of a series of other interlocking turtles. It's like we're a moving island and all of the other turtles are the mainland. I don't know why it disconnected though, or why it's swimming around. Every time I get to a point for things to explain there's water damage in the books or blurred ink or something.

[Staring at you with all the surprise.

Yelena checks her conversation with Annabeth to see that she selected the option to keep it private...yep.]

How did you read that? That conversation isn't public.

[SOB how do technology?

Also, ignoring your question about the Emperor if possible.]

I live in the 21^st century, babe. It's not hard.

[She makes a thoughtful noise, kind of hum, and though unseen, bites the edge of her thumb.]

Whatever the reason is, and I'm sure there is one, someone on Keeliai wants it to be kept a secret. Water damage can be accidental, but if the information is lost that consistently it's not a coincidence.

[Since it's the Emperor's library, she suspects the Emperor is involved. But she'll bring that part up to Yelena later, when the other girl isn't in the palace.]

didn't anyone tell you it's a turtle?

honestly i'm just glad it's a water turtle and not a floating-in-space turtle

Maybe for you but we don't have anything like these...[She gestures to the console in front of her.] these things where I'm from.

This was common knowledge?

[Why didn't the kedan just tell them this on that hours long cart ride to the city? Hhhhh.]

Is there a floating-in-space turtle somewhere?

[Guess who doesn't get tone of voice through text and thinks you're talking about another variation of giant turtles with cities on their back?]

the kedan all knew, one of them mentioned it to me when i asked how big the city was.

a few cultures and religions where i'm from had mythology about the world being carried on the back of a turtle. considering the fact we travelled dimensions/universes/something, i wouldn't have been all that surprised if it turned out to be a turtle like that.

[Steph how do you even know about World Turtles]

[Yelena stares at that text for a minute because turtles with cities are a thing?? What.

No really, what?]

What else do you know about these myths? Anything linked to the turtle here?

[She has been doing some reading and wants to see if there are similarities to what she's found...]

not a whole lot, really. it's just one of those things i picked up from class.

i think one of them is a god, in hindu mythology, but i can't remember if it had a name or anything.

I agree.

[Yelena pauses. Annabeth might hear the sound of her hitting keys, and then Yelena swearing under her breath.]

We should talk about this more in person, in private.

[SOMEONE IS LISTENING IN FUUUUU.]

...so is -this- turtle a god? Or at least worshipped as one?

i didn't think to ask the kedan, but they'd probably be able to tell us.

it seems unlikely? this is just a REALLY BIG normal turtle, it's still a part of the world like the kedan, rather than being the base for it or anything.

Hmm. It not being a god does seem more reasonable considering.

[Considering what she read in the books.]

Did they mention anything about other turtles to you?

i asked but they got kind of weird about it, so i dunno. they were cagey about a lot of things.

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