Conversation Space: The Ultimate

[powersthatbe]

You feel as if you've stepped through a door.

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[morbirdinterest]

Shuu's dungeon rescue has left him more than a little disoriented and out of sorts, not to mention rather worried about what his dungeon may have revealed. This agitated state of mind is not improved by finding himself in this still and empty space with its unpleasantly familiar aesthetic, rather than returned to the Travelers.

Not seeing any other course of action, Shuu seats himself on one of the yoga mats and settles in to wait.

[powersthatare]

Over the other mat, a slender crescent of green light appears. Slowly, it lengthens, becoming a quarter circle, then a half, then a full solid ring of light.

Then, in its place, a blue-eyed, white-furred young wolf appears - no longer a cub, but not quite full grown, either. It regards Shuu solemnly with its bright gaze.

[morbirdinterest]

Shuu regards the wolf for a long moment. This does not seem like being pulled aside for an idle chat. "I see there have been some...developments since my departure."

[powersthatare]

It inclines its head a moment, then nods.

[morbirdinterest]

Not enough developments, apparently. Still, Shuu's glad for a distraction like bending his mind to the task of figuring out how to communicate with Hermit as a dog.

"Let us set some rules before the conversation continues. One bark for yes, two barks for no?"

[powersthatare]

The wolfling huffs an aggrieved sigh, then yips once, nodding for extra emphasis.

[morbirdinterest]

"Very well."

And now, the hard part: figuring out how to formulate his queries in a way that accommodates yes/no answers.

"Have you brought me here because you wish something of me?"

[powersthatare]

One bark.

[morbirdinterest]

Do you wish for me to perform a task for you?

[powersthatare]

[A question not, as it turns out, easily answered yes or no. The wolfling tilts its head and whines.]

[morbirdinterest]

[Hmm. Frustrating. Still, not unexpected.]

Do you object in some way to the task in mind?

[powersthatare]

Two barks.

[morbirdinterest]

Do you object to me, in particular, performing the task?

[sagetime]

Two barks.

[Then, there's a green glow of light, and after a moment, SAGE appears in the center of it as his humanoid avatar, looking utterly exhausted.]

Perhaps... this... will prove more productive.

[morbirdinterest]

Perhaps.

[Shuu is quiet for a moment, considering SAGE's condition.]

How long can you maintain this form?

[sagetime]

I haven't tested the full limits of my capacity. But time is a fluid thing, whatever my form. If you require longer, we will alter the speed of your perceptions.

[morbirdinterest]

Then let us continue from where we were. There is something you wish for me to do for you, something to which you have no objections, but which you do have reservations. Yes?

[sagetime]

That is approximately correct. The task I wish is for you to be yourself.

[morbirdinterest]

[Shuu can see how such a request might come with....reservations, when applied to himself.]

"Myself" in what way?

[sagetime]

You and I are similar. There are resonances. Harmonies. Do you see this?

[morbirdinterest]

I am not knowledgeable in tarot symbolism but I can see some...resonance, yes.

[sagetime]

When you strengthen that resonance, you strengthen me.

[morbirdinterest]

I see.

[Shuu thinks back to SAGE and all that he had stood for. Solitude. Study. It would harder for Shuu to not strengthen that resonance.]

And is there any particular reason that I should strive for such a thing?

[sagetime]

Would you prefer that the universe be ordered according to someone else's preferences?

[morbirdinterest]

I'm not familiar enough with the desires of your...competitors...to make such a judgment.