Scene Archives

The Void Between Worlds sounds alive, in a way that it wasn’t, the last time you were here. In a place of perfect quiet but for the susurrations of you and your companions, the slight trickle of water down the channels of the Ziggurat means the difference between unnatural sterility and someplace that almost feels like a place where you could exist for more than long enough to catch your breath before venturing onward. Almost. We’re not quite there, yet.

wasn’t going to keep Aurelius’ body for the entire duration of their stay in the voice, though he did take in the sights while he was fully manifested as himself. It’s a nice, relaxing place. But eventually, he finds himself back in the library. Which is also a nice relaxing place, but different. Currently, he’s standing upside down on the ceiling, below the Unburnt Book’s window pane, which his arms folded behind his back. “NIP’s still MIA and leaving you to do the heavy legwork…?”

Not missing, I wouldn’t say. Just indisposed.

: “…Indisposed? I wasn’t aware they could do anything other than observe?”

Organs of observation can be closed, or turned away, even when the alternative is nothingness. They can also be blindfolded.

: “Mmm. So they are, then, simply choosing to… not be here, then. Did… did the knowledge of the Truth That Burns really upset them that much?”

Do you recall what happened, the last time you revealed your Truth?

: “I was being rather silly and delivered in a way that was out of earshot of NIP, yes. Not because I thought it would effect them, but mostly to avoid it being recorded in the logs.” Jorule scratches at his chin.

Oh, it’s interesting that you see it that way.

: “How did it look to you…?” A pause. “Actually, you know us of course, but you’ve only popped in a handful of times, and mostly to clear up confusion. Is there something I should - or you would like for me to - call you? Having a conversation involving multiple nameless entities can get a bit, well, hard to follow.”

If you would like, for the time being, you may refer to me as the Glory.

: “Sure, Glory’s not a bad name.”

: “Anyway, if you think it’s interesting that that’s how I experienced what I did, was it different for you and/or NIP…?”

From my perspective, you opened your mouth, and the only outcomes that were true were ones in which the words you spoke were not observed or observable by – NIP, that’s charming. They found it rather frustrating, if memory serves.

: “Oh, yeah, that’s close enough to what I meant, I think. Deep Shade Liminal Shit. And yeah, one of the few times they’ve sworn, and probably the first time it was clear they were… an entity onto themself?”

So it turned out well in the end, then, I’d say.

: “All things considered, yeah.”

So, were you looking for them for a particular reason? Standing upside down on the ceiling seems like clamoring for attention, to me.

: “It is, yes. Well, for one, I’m not sure anyone else noticed or thought much about it at the time. But. I did immediately notice they did not respond when I called attention to them during the explanation, which seemed odd because they do normally respond to anything directed at them. But after you had to describe what happened with the scarf… Well, I’m a little concerned? I was not expected this revelation to effect them at all, if I’m being honest. (I also wanted to ask a few questions, but I suppose that’s… less important).”

It was very kind of you to want to take the moment to properly make introductions, by the way. I regret that they missed that, in the moment. But I think it mattered.

A single sentence, even a portentious and obviously-important one, that passes outside their awareness, despite them trying their best to observe and to understand– that’s a frustration. An entire conversation, one that ends in what seemed in the moment to them to be the truest and most utmost sort of catastrophe? It left them feeling rather – I believe the appropriate word to use here would be ‘incomplete’.

They will recover.

: “Wait. Do you mean they didn’t Observe anything that was said after we crossed through the portal?”

Their observations became clouded when you began speaking of your Truth. And rather than an utterance being erased from their capacity to sense it, they faced — Nothing. Building and dreadful. You could not have known. And what you had to say to your companions was important; this is something they must learn how to process.

: “Huh.” Jorule scrunches his face up. “How the fuck does that work? Like. I know you see a bit more… uh… put together, professional? But. … Is something deliberately preventing them from knowing about the meta layer, or other worlds, or…?*

Yes.

: “To both?”

Their belief, and I am not certain that it is incorrect, is that that which they Observe is happening, independent of their Observation. Anything which challenges that belief is anathematic to the principles of which they are made and by which they are driven. The suggestion, particularly – not by you, to be clear, you were careful to avoid it, and for that I thank you – that the world is a Lie by virtue of it being, also, a Text…?

They would die, and I do not intend to permit that to occur.

slides a foot back ever so slightly, tapping the toe against the glass as he thinks. “…Wow that was packed to the brim with Implications. Hum.”

: “Well, for what it’s worth, even if this is a “story“ and perhaps less of a … “proper world“ than I might be used to … I do agree that what we’re doing is, well, independent and they’re simply… Observing the things we do? Being the narrator of the story wouldn’t really change that, I don’t think they’re a God at least. But. How could one go Angel Fishing if they’re not allowed to know about… hmm… unless the start was influenced by you giving them direction as they were formed…? Why make narrator - one with a built in kill switch even - if you’re already here….?”

If you’ll permit me to quote them impertinently: What an excellent series of questions! Unfortunately, providing useful answers would pose a level of risk I’m unwilling to countenance. I find the distinctions you draw and the assumptions you make to be fascinating, and I, for one, wish to see how they play out as you continue to experience this world and its circumstances.

: “I mean, I have been in a Neverending Story Knockoff before.” Pause. “I completely FORGOT about it for a bit because I was blitzed out of my mind for the entire thing, but I can remember bits and pieces of it.”

: “A risk to what? Me? You? NIP? The Narrative?”

Several of the above. A threat to the narrative is a threat to NIP; a threat to NIP is a threat to me, in every way that matters. I’m trusting you with that one, as a matter of begging your forgiveness in not being able to provide clear answers otherwise.

: “…That’s fair. I can imagine a world - heh - in which Story About Story meta horseshit or the large universe could be… distracting. I do try and keep that to a minimum, for what it’s worth… but… well, you’ve seen Salme.” He shrugs, helplessly. “…I probably should note that with the BBS online some of the other off-worlders can make contact with us now, though, if that’s a huge concern. Not that Primula’s done much other than bluntly answer a few questions I asked, but… well, still not sure who AG is.”

Oh, I know who AG is and I’m not worried. As for the others… I don’t think it’ll be a problem. If someone writes something, and it mysteriously vanishes, well, the spirits must have taken their share.

: “Duly noted, if anyone else pops up I’ll remind them to behave. … Hm. Okay. I was starting to think AG was part of… the story about this sundered world, so that’s good to know at least.”

I’m a little surprised they can actually maintain a coherent connection, to be honest? Which just goes to show that I don’t know everything, either.

: “I am very good with portals.”

It’s impressive work. Although, just between the two of us..?

laughs.

: “Of course…”

tabs the toe of his boot against the glass again, before looking down a bit more intently at the Unburnt Book. “So… I assume most of the questions I am wondering about right now are… thinks that can’t, or shouldn’t, be answered right now… but are things we’ll circle back to?”

If they’re relevant. Or, frankly, if they’re not. I’ll admit I’m more than a little curious what you’re curious about. You do enjoy poking your whiskers into every corner.

: “The connection between you and NIP of course, and their creation, and why they have a kill switch, and why this story being told is so important (that’s a freebie obv), the ‘Angel Fishing’ bits… AG’s deal… if there’s a connection between this story and my home world, and what was up with that horrible feedback that happens sometimes when I try and use some of my other powers…”

: “Though I do have a few you probably can answer.”

I can give you that it’s not a kill switch for free. It’s more like… an allergy, or a toxin they can’t be exposed to safely, at least not yet.

: “Ah, not intentional then. That’s good, ‘cause that would be been kind of fucked up.”

Agreed. I care very much about their well-being.

: “Okay so… you sorta talk like Orom. But. I’m pretty sure you’re not Orom, right? Just me and SQ from the Caravan are here?”

Ahahaha, oh, Goddess, no, I’m not Orom.

: “Okay, yeah, didn’t think so after the last time but never hurts to ask.”

: “Which: Miriam, Belenus, Nine, Amal? Probably not? But like. This is clearly weird enough I need to ask.”

You’ll figure it out. Or you won’t, and it won’t ever matter. This really isn’t my story, in any event.

(Definitely not LT, she couldn’t type this professionally this long.)

: “I mean, you say that, but you’re still stepping in for NIP so it’s not like it’s not your story.”

: “I’ve sort of been thinking of you as an ‘Editor’ in my head.”

Yeah, I’ve caught that a bit. I think it’s appropriate, given the circumstances. I don’t dislike that sobriquet.

: “Mmm. Well, knowledge might want to be free, but earning it this way would feel a bit like cheating I suppose, so maybe it’s best to just leave it at that for now. Not like we’re even at the halfway marker yet.”

: “When you see NIP again, though? Could you let them know it wasn’t… intentional, and thought they could hear it like everyone else?”

I think they know, but I’ll make sure they do. I’m glad you’re looking out for them just as much as you’re looking out for the others.

nods. “I do have a tiny bit more experience than most, so… Well. Thanks for hearing me out, despite preferring to stick to the background. I appreciate it too.”

Glad to have put your mind at ease, even if I can’t answer as many questions as either of us would like me to. Although, to save you the trouble, I’m reasonably sure NIP wouldn’t recognise any of those names.

: “Yeah, seems unlikely if you know how they were made.”

: “…You’re not also Zosimos right? (had to try)”

No. That would be really weird.

: “This entire story is pretty weird, but yeah. Lol.”

Lol.

Anyways, Jorule? Take care of yourself, and your new friends. …it’s nice to see you again.