Conversation Space II.

[powersthatbe]

As Thorne shared with the network, Travelers who vanish find themselves alone in a small room. But it doesn’t look quite as described last time. Paper lanterns hang in the corners, and a lemniscate of live, spicily scented blue roses traces a figure eight on the floor. A little marble plinth sits beside the looping roses, with a champagne flute balanced on it, pink, fizzy liquid quietly effervescing within. In place of the throne that was there before, each half of the loop holds a brown leather sphere - a yoga meditation-ball chair. They’re a little tricky to balance on.


The walls, floors, and ceiling are tiled, a prismatic fade from one color to another, each tile unique, just slightly different in hue than those around it, each colored line giving a sense that it belongs to a bigger pattern, but never revealing enough to allow anyone certainty about what that pattern might be. It is only a glimpse of a larger world… in this small, quiet space.

Comments

[senpaidol]

"I think that's a deal I can work with," Rise says, nodding. Easier than contract negotiation, really, since this is more a mutual understanding that they're keeping an eye on each other.

"So what exactly do you need me to do?" she asks. "Keep everyone, uh, balanced? Is there gonna be like a briefing or something when it's your turn to play?"

[callmemeibe]

"Do not allow the weak to be undefended. Show mercy to your enemies if they surrender. Keep yourself calm in turbulent times. So in other words... exemplify my values."

Durga thinks on it for a second, then nods. "I will guide you when I play."

[senpaidol]

"Well, I tried to do that already," she says, nodding affirmitively. "I guess watching everyone almost make huge mistakes in Inaba prepared me for this journey, huh?"

"You've got yourself a deal, Durga-san."

[callmemeibe]

"Thank you. I will keep my promise, too. I wish you luck on your Journey."

She bows her head toward Rise, extending her eight arms elegantly, and in the next moment, she finds herself back in Liminal Space, as if nothing had ever happened.

Well. Save for a rose at her feet.

[senpaidol]

"Aw," Rise says, kneeling down to pick the flower up. "I like this new thoughtful kind of weird interdimensional conspiracy."