Conversation Space I.

[powersthatbe]

The room is small, intimate. You are alone. There is no sign of a way in or out. Ping-pong balls crunch underfoot, and empty giftboxes, meticulously wrapped and ribboned, are lined up against one wall, while a humming wall of server blades are racked on the opposite wall. A high-backed, gilt chair with red velvet cushions faces an ornate, full-length mirror, and beside the chair is a mug of steaming hot chocolate on a tiny side table, steaming invitingly from beneath a layer of fifteen half-melted marshmallows.

What do you do?

Comments

[powersthatare]

"I will send you all back to where you began," Don says, nodding. "As for penalties... if you oppose me, you oppose advancement, openness, and new beginnings. I do not think you oppose these things. Do you?"

[wholeheaded]

"...no, I can't say I do."

He glances to the ceiling with a frown.

"Where I began... Traveling? Or further back?"

[powersthatare]

"The moment you were taken from your world."

[wholeheaded]

He tries to remember what that was. His last memory was... a town in Gillikin and all it's shades of purple, a half-finished report for the Queen to go back to Central via courier. Letters for Cain and DG and Helene to go by post. A comfortable inn but he'd been restless, debating going back downstairs to the bar for stew and a night cap.

A turn on a landing, a lazy misstep, and Liminal Space.

"And this journey will be...gone? For nothing?"

[powersthatare]

"All for nothing," Don intones with solemn satisfaction. "All its troubles left behind. A fresh start."

[wholeheaded]

For a moment or so Ambrose sits and breathes silently, but then he clambers to his feet.

"Melted like lemon drops, right? All the troubles. and all the good things too? I'm going to forget Daneel, and Nigel and Asa and Alcuin and Mia and Lila and the truth I've learned about Elphaba, right? Just... go traipsing on down the road all oblivious. That's what you want."

[powersthatare]

"Forget?" the Don rasps, surprised. "Did I speak of forgetfulness? No. The journey is everything. I will set you back on le road, but what you carry with you - that will change, indeed."

[wholeheaded]

Oh gods what.

"What will change about what I carry with me?"

[powersthatare]

"Who can say? Putting you in the place you began, with the knowledge you gained on your journey - how will that change the future you would have had?"

[wholeheaded]

...what.

"I can't even begin to imagine. With what I've learned, what I can do... I could be a new Wizard, a-and not a charlatan."

[powersthatare]

"Then perhaps you will."