Scene Archives

Luĉja has given up on attempting some gnosis work after watching Ĉasid jump through their fifth attempt at recreating a small Samudran style ward. Perhaps when Archie comes back out he could help. No matter. In between rounds of training for Ĉasid, they wonder about the two voices that are not simply voices. “Have you returned? Or is it still just the one I do not know?”

: “The Little Hunter has made it his mission to interrupt my study of wards with his whiskers. It will be resumed when he tires himself out from chasing the small fiend I have crafted. He’s getting much better at trapping it. I am glad you are back, Friend-Narrator. I have questions both for you and your counterpart, if you might spare me the time?”

: “It is quite a welcome development. I thought I was losing my mind at first.” They remember the cold, heartless stone halls they awoke to. “Do you remember what you saw before you saw us in the Sanctuary?”

: “You can participate in the Rites? Most fascinating, Friend-Narrator. Well, then we shall add your memories to the list of those to recover as well.”

: “So it does, indeed.” Luĉja ponders for a moment. “Can you move your viewpoint, once you start seeing one of us?”

: “You…see me currently, yes?”

: “Is your view of me…static? Can you move around to see from different angles? If I were to hold a number of fingers behind my back…would you be able to sneak around and always see it?” They move their left hand behind their back, as an example.

laughs and laughs. They move their hand back, index finger held aloft. “Most interesting!”

: “I simply must see what you participating in a Rite looks like someday.” They pause. “But someday when the coeurl is on his leash. Is your counterpart also present? Or do you two take turns? I am unsure of the arrangement.”

I assume you mean me.

: “Yes! The one whose voice sparkles with truth.”

: “Do you not work together?”

: “I apologize for my mistake.”

: “I, too, am unaware of any deals.” Luĉja would smile at their joke, if they could. “Are you also willing to share your time and answers? You need not be, if we are not yet friends.”

My time, certainly. My answers, as I feel is appropriate and will not cause harm.

: “Then I am much obliged. I have taken to visualizing the Rites as a type of card game. More complex than the usual sort, but I find that I am able to…view things differently when I do so. Is that you, speaking to me during Rites?”

I couldn’t possibly confirm or deny that. But it sounds as though you have demanded truth of Creation with your eyes opened wide, and I must, in principle, commend you for that.

: “Fascinating. I suppose then, that you can neither confirm nor deny that you know whose words I have heard?”

I should be precise. I could confirm or deny that statement. I choose not to.

: “Ahhhh, I appreciate your clarification. Your voice is truth-sounding. Can you lie?”

Can a person defecate messily into their own village well?

: “I would not know, but my experiences with the humans tell me ‘No.’ I apologize if you took offense. I do not take you for a liar. I merely wish to know the shape of things when possible.”

: “When I speak as you do, it feels that I should not lie. Not that I generally have the reason to do so.”

I did not take offense. I was just seeking to illustrate – if I undermine Truth while speaking in a voice indicative of Truth, my words, and everything they touched, would eat away at the world they’re written upon. The delineation would lose all meaning. This is not within my volition.

nods. “Thank you for your time and answers. If we are friends, how would I call you? If we are not, it is not to worry.”

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

: “Then I will do so, Friend-Glory. Thank you for helping us.”

Although, some of you have taken to calling me ‘the editor’, and I don’t dislike that sobriquet. In any event, I’m glad I could satisfy at least some of your curiosity. It is, after all, a virtue.

chuckles. “I am quite good with that Virtue. Less good with some of the latter.” Having seen the little hunter demolish the last of the practice fiends, they bend down to offer him a treat. “You mentioned that you spent time with Archie, Friend-Narrator. He is somewhat recovered, then?”

: “Oh good. I am glad to hear it.” Luĉja stands up once more, Ĉasid perched upon their shoulder. “It would be rude to not offer my time to you as well. Is there anything you would speak of, or ask me?”

: “I am excited to return home. I am also not excited to return home. I miss the heat, after that ordeal on the Sepentrione. I miss my dog and would find them swiftly. I will be happy and sad to be back in time to visit Aidas, as is my custom. I will be somewhat entertained and likely in need of a wax and repairs once we arrive in Queenstown. I can only assume the Scorpion Queen will fight all of us (and then perhaps me again, as a special treat for her) as soon as she learns of our arrival.”

: “I worry for what has come to pass there, but know that there is no avoiding it. We must run at our problems, not away.”

: “Over all, I am quite concerned that Aurelius’ pamphlet appears to show almost half of the Beast’s moons missing. HOW DOES ONE HIDE AN ENTIRE MOON?” Luĉja’s voice rises, not in anger, but in complete incomprehension.

: “One hopes. Perhaps does not expect, but one hopes that this could simply be…creative liberties.”

: “Indeed. We will see what has changed and what we will change. Together.”

: “I will always be happy to speak, Friend-Narrator. Thank you for your compliments. It was a great joy to share with my friends.”