cyan_maid | IC Inbox

Oh! Hi, Dirk! So you're okay, that's good - and yes, I'm fine, thank goodness! What exactly did you hear?

The 'yellow glitter road', huh? And what might that be, exactly?

It was a glowing trail of glittering light, one of the gods of Vanaheim made it. One end at the city gates, the other to an encampment of people living it rough.

When sky got a hole in it and flashes of light headed for the city, I knew some shit was happening. Other than that I haven't exactly checked the network just yet.

Uh-huh. Certainly sounds like a spot more of fun than we had. What did you do out there?

It was a bit more than just 'some shit'. It was quite serious! There were murderous monsters that stole everyone's voices, put them in boxes, and then proceeded to go around ripping peoples' hearts out!

[What.] I'm guessing you weren't among the murdered. [He really hopes not. Death sucks.] Did you figure out where they came from?

and we did fuck all. Hunted, fished, etc. The things you'd do while camping but we were stuck with hippies. [He's not sure if he should bring up the tea and seeing glowing animals.]

No, thankfully not. But someone was murdered in Sigyn's Welcome Hall, around when it all started. [Yeah, that hadn't been fun to come and see.]

Oh wow! That definitely sounds great! [A pause, and then,] So they were hippies...did they do anything...hippie-ish?

[Welp.] They gave us this tea they said was a, 'blessing from the gods'. Yes I drank it. In my defense I did it for science.

[He sounds just a little bit lighter toned. Jane not dying? Best news ever.]

If you don't mind my asking, who else bought it?

Oh? And what about the tea did you discover 'for science'?

[Yes, and let's keep it that way.]

His name's Makoto Naegi. I met him the first day I was here.

He revive during the situation, or after it?

[There's a rustle and a scratching sound. He sighs.]

The tea made us see glowing spirit animals. I'm still not entirely sure what the fuck that was about. What I think was a grey wolf followed me around. He wasn't too bad.

After it. It was...really shocking to see him alive again.

Glowing spirit animals? Hmmm. Do tell me you investigated them for science as well, you have me intrigued.

Of course I did. There isn't much I could gather and the hippies kept quiet about them. They could only touch each other and followed specific people. Mister feathers, [He pauses to grin at the nickname.] my bro had a snow leopard.

Some guy had a baby giraffe as his. I'd love to know what the fuck that was about.

[He pauses, knowing the topic of death is tricky and he'll have to navigate around his own.]

Death isn't forever here. [It wasn't at home either.] In a day or two or however long till shit settles, people come back. It feels really awkward at first. Especially for the dead guy coming back. [Don't pick up on what he's not saying Jane. He really doesn't want to admit he died.]

Hoo hoo! A snow leopard, huh? I wouldn't have guessed it. Now I really wish I had gone! I'd have liked to know what my glowing animal would have been, though I think I would be a little wary to drink hippie tea.

So I've learned. [And really, Dirk, you should know that Jane is good at sniffing these things out. She pauses for a moment to let his words settle, and decides to...test the waters.] Exactly how awkward is it when someone comes back? Are we talking physical awkwardness or the kind between people?

The kind between people. I guess some physical awkwardness too, yeah. [He seems to realize that Jane is sniffing on the trail and adds.] Are you so sure you'd be wary of tea from hippies? They said it was a 'blessing', Jane. Rude to refresh those.

For goodness' sake, Dirk! It's better to err on the side of caution when dealing with things like that. And why is it not surprising that they'd consider a hallucinogenic a blessing...

[She realizes this, and it only piques her curiosity, but there's not much of an avenue to pursue it at the moment. She'll just place it snugly in the back of her mind.]

The question is, was it hallucinogenic or was it did it show us something? You never know with this place. It could have been like the cursing toads.

...you've seen them down by the lake, right? Fuckin hilarious little dudes know swears in every language.

It could have been both, perhaps? There are people who believe the things they see to be of vast importance when they're high as a kite. I've never been, so I can't say that funny visions might not have some value in them. I can, however, have strong doubt in it until proven otherwise.

I don't think I've been down by the lake, so no. Are they native to Asgard? They'd surely seem out of place...

They're not. [He knows if anyone will get the implications of his worries, Jane will. He has only had Davesprite to discuss it with.] That's one thing I wanted to talk to you about.

Things from other universes have begun appearing in this world. I'm gathering exactly why but I'm certain it got worse when this place was flooded with people. Featherbro and I believe reality is tearing.

Oh! Oh, my. That's a pretty heavy hypothesis, Mister Strider.

[As weird as it sounds, the implications certainly aren't lost on Jane at all. Reality is sort of important, they need it.]

And exactly how are you researching this? Have you collected the toads for samples, or something?

Samples is a good idea, but no I haven't went that far yet.

Here's a riddle for you to ponder.

If you were an important location for this world. Why would you have a barrier that keeps all native elements out and allows those from other worlds through?

Hmmmm...

Well...to keep native elements out, that's an easy one - Asgard's at war, isn't it? It makes sense to take precaution against the things you know can hurt you. But letting things from other worlds through...maybe it helps keep us here? We're not native. Other things could end up slipping through on accident, too.

This is all a wild, ridiculous guess of course.

Or maybe it's asking us for help because the native elements have a prophecy that dooms it to destruction. Something is nagging me about it. The place I'm talking about is essentially where the world speaks to you.

We should go there again sometime.

We? Pardon me, but I've never been there. Unless you mean to round up the usual gang of suspects for a trip, that is, and you've been there, wherever it might be.

You got it. I've been there and I'm suggesting you come with me and anyone interested in finding shit out for real.

Oh! Well in that case I'd be delighted to come and see it for myself.

Sooo...what's it like?

We had to swim down pretty fuckin deep to get to it.

Picture a long winding tunnel. It was smooth, almost impossibly so. Nature and man can't make that kind of slick perfection I witnessed.

Did you have equipment to go down there with? Or is there some kind of magic to diving?

Mm-hm. So it winds and winds, but where does it end? What's that like?

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[Voice | Day of return from the hippie trip] *to refuse those

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