Homoventures Chapter 3, Part 13

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Summary

Ilphere's promised help arrives when Ruchard Rademacher presents himself to the group, and they discuss how to proceed in order to save the plane without it falling under the sway of Willem and his companions.

Session

Session date:

Diablotin date:

[Kalman] Did you wish to see this gentleman in private?

• Kalman inquires politely

[Xandhil] Ahh... that might be best, thank you

• Xandhil looks to see if he thinks Justen will be okay
• Justen shrugs and nods

[Justen] I mean, if we did need anything, you won't be far away, I assume?

• Kalman nods
• Xandhil frowns a little because he thinks Justen should still be lying down

[Kalman] you could meet with him in the library - I'll be in my study, if you do need anything [Xandhil] alright, thank you.

• Kalman nods
• Justen is working on pulling himself together

[Xandhil] we'll be there shortly [Kalman] Very well

• Kalman will give you your privacy, then

[Xandhil] are you sure you don't want to just lie down a little longer?

• Xandhil asks Justen once we're alone

[Justen] I'll be all right [Justen] we don't really have time [Justen] ... unless you don't want me to come? [Xandhil] That's not what I meant [Xandhil] :/

• Justen takes your hand

[Xandhil] I just worry when you get that upset [Justen] me too [Xandhil] okay

• Xandhil snuggles you close again for a moment

[Xandhil] when you're ready

• Justen nods
• Justen takes a few more deep breaths, holding you close

[Justen] I can deal with it more later [Xandhil] okay [Justen] right now there are other things to worry about [Xandhil] I love you [Justen] I love you too

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] lets go then [Justen] okay

• Justen wipes his face and straightens his hair a bit and is ready to go
• Xandhil will draw Justen up, and finish readjusting his own shirt :3
• Xandhil will kiss him, and then turn to go meet Ruchard :3

[Diablotin_Narrator] You head to Kalman's library, then

• Ruchard is waiting for you there. He's a relatively young-looking man, brown-haired, with a neatly-trimmed beard.

[Xandhil] hello [Ruchard] Hello - I trust you are Xandhil Orecalo and Justen Olivier? [Xandhil] Yes

• Justen nods

[Xandhil] And you are Ruchard rademacher? [Ruchard] That's correct. Princess Ilphere communicated to me that there were certain ... difficulties here. [Xandhil] yes [Xandhil] I don't know what she's told you [Xandhil] the short version is that the realm is collapsing

• Ruchard nods

[Xandhil] and there is a psychopathic murderer who is planning to make a new dreamer [Ruchard] I expected there would be changes since I was last here, but it's deteriorated much more seriously than I imagined. [Ruchard] Yes - that was the part she emphasized.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] At least some people here understand what is happening [Xandhil] but I don't know how widespread the knowledge is

• Ruchard nods

[Ruchard] She asked if I could stabilize the plane. [Xandhil] .. [Xandhil] could you? [Ruchard] Possibly, for a time. But as soon as I left again, it would begin to destabilize again. [Ruchard] It would be a temporary solution at best - but as bad as things are, it might be worthwhile to buy some time. I'm not sure.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] what would it take for a more permanent fix? [Ruchard] There are more permanent solutions. Some are better than others, though all of them have their drawbacks.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] we only have a vague idea what Willem is planning [Ruchard] It could be one of two things, I think, based on what Ilphere described. [Xandhil] oh? [Ruchard] or possibly some combination of the two, although I'm not sure how that would work... [Ruchard] The first possibility is to install a new dreamer. This would be a... complicated process. The dreamer must exist independently of the dream.

• Ruchard considers how to explain this better

[Ruchard] Like... blowing a bubble. The person blowing it couldn't be inside it - although their reflection could appear in it. [Xandhil] right... [Ruchard] does that make any sense? sorry. I don't talk to a lot of ... people. [Xandhil] it does [Ruchard] all right. [Xandhil] I'm a little worried about that [Ruchard] understandably so [Xandhil] that he might be trying to... coopt? or Supplant? Someone from our world. But, uh... it's a hunch and I don't have much evidence to support it as a valid concern :p [Ruchard] the beliefs and perceptions of the dreamer are what colour the entire world. [Xandhil] right [Xandhil] which is one reason I think that really... anyone associated with him would be a terrible choice

• Ruchard nods

[Ruchard] No one is a good choice for that type of power. [Xandhil] yes.... murderous psychopaths even less so :p [Justen] Yeah... I mean, I don't think I'd trust myself to be put in charge of an entire world. [Ruchard] There will be a specific location - the core of the dream. From there, wherever that is, someone could feasibly position themselves to take over the dreamer's role.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] I think they know where that is? [Xandhil] The bits of his text that we could figure out talked about a door, a key... the soul of the city... [Ruchard] Trying to take over the dream from another plane would be much more difficult - maybe impossible, I'm not sure. I don't know how you could guarantee that the dreamer wasn't creating an entire new plane instead of gaining control of this one. [Ruchard] And that we certainly don't want. Hopefully neither do they. [Ruchard] But speaking of other planes, the second option I mentioned.

• Xandhil listens

[Ruchard] It would be theoretically possible to connect this plane to another, or others, in a more permanent fashion. The Arch, in its many forms, ensures that such a link is possible, at least. [Xandhil] right [Xandhil] what would that mean? [Ruchard] It probably wouldn't save this world from collapsing, but people could get out at least. [Ruchard] it would mean they're not doomed. [Ruchard] what it would mean to wherever they would end up, I couldn't even begin to guess. [Xandhil] Channel.. [Xandhil] I don't know. [Xandhil] I was assuming he was aiming for option one

• Ruchard nods

[Xandhil] I'm pretty he sure he knows about our world [Xandhil] well, I am sure. He definitely does. [Xandhil] I don't know what would happen, if he tried to take people there [Xandhil] I don't know what the other options are... I know they're out there

• Ruchard nods

[Ruchard] Some would be less hospitable than this place.

• Ruchard thinks for a moment

[Ruchard] There is a third option. In theory. It's not something that I'm aware of anyone attempting before.

• Xandhil listens

[Ruchard] It would require a great deal of power. Maybe something only a deity could achieve. [Ruchard] To expand and solidify this realm until it is a fully-fledged plane in its own right. [Ruchard] No dreamer, no edges. [Xandhil] that would be nice [Ruchard] Yes... if I had any idea how to achieve it. [Xandhil] :/ [Ruchard] In the dream-core, I could take control - expand the plane again, rebuild its weak areas. But like a bubble, it would start to shrink again when I relinquished that control. Unless there was some way to make it self-sustaining. [Xandhil] just make everyone their own dreamer. I'm sure that would be fine ].] [Justen] You said a god could do that? [Ruchard] Perhaps. [Ruchard] Or an entity of similar power. [Justen] Well, I don't know any gods... personally.

• Xandhil eyes him

[Ruchard] I think it would be the best option - but possibly also the least feasible. [Xandhil] yeah... [Ruchard] For now, perhaps our course of action should be to locate and secure the dream-core. If you think that's where they will aim, at least we can try to defend it from them. [Xandhil] if they don't already have it, yes

• Ruchard nods

[Xandhil] but I suppose in that case, we try and take it @_@ [Justen] Yeah... [Xandhil] so then... how do we find it? [Xandhil] Is it going to be the same as the arch here? [Ruchard] It will be the first place that formed in the dream. [Ruchard] We have an advantage in that department. I know the original dreamer, rather well. [Xandhil] okay [Ruchard] It's not safe to bring her back here, but based on what she's told me, I should be able to locate it.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] well... we're here to help [Xandhil] There are people here I would trust too [Xandhil] our host, at least

• Ruchard nods

[Ruchard] Good - we may need their help. [Ruchard] Especially if, as you say, others may have gotten there first. [Xandhil] really, I think they have a right to be involved - they live here :p

• Ruchard nods

[Ruchard] Whatever the outcome, though, a small group of people will be determining the fate of the thousands who live here. [Xandhil] yeah.... [Ruchard] The best we can hope for is that, once we're finished, those people will be free to determine their own fates from that point onwards. [Xandhil] i actually think I'm okay with that

• Xandhil nods

[Ruchard] So - concerning the dream-core. Imraen was a young woman, a princess, sheltered and protected by her guardians because her people were under siege.

• Xandhil nods

[Ruchard] She dreamed first of what she knew. Her rooms in the palace. [Xandhil] that makes sense

• Xandhil frowns

[Xandhil] and now I wonder where the ir'redein took Willem. [Xandhil] I didn't have a chance to ask Kalman about it [Xandhil] maybe we should do that now [Ruchard] all right.

• Xandhil will slip out to Kalman's study then
• Kalman looks up as you enter; you have the feeling he was waiting for you, not actually reading the book that's open on his lap

[Xandhil] so... [Kalman] yes? [Xandhil] Ruchard thinks that he can at least stabilize the plane a little, temporarily

• Kalman nods, listening

[Xandhil] but we need to go to the center of it [Kalman] Where is that? [Xandhil] somewhere in the palace [Xandhil] which brings me to another question - we learned that the council did take willem away - do you have any idea where they may have taken him? [Kalman] all right... [Kalman] that would depend on who specifically took him.

• Xandhil tries to remember what we were told

[Xandhil] Du Champ

• Kalman looks somewhat more concerned at that

[Kalman] Then I would guess he would have taken him to his tower. [Xandhil] where is that? [Xandhil] and yeah, it was a little concerning [Kalman] The idea of them talking is concerning. [Xandhil] yes [Kalman] His tower is part of the palace complex. [Xandhil] of course... [Kalman] But it's a large complex - it may not be near the... the core you speak of, I don't know. [Xandhil] can we get in to the tower? [Xandhil] err [Xandhil] the palace [Kalman] Since the queen's ... absence, it is rather easier than it used to be. [Kalman] I should be able to gain access for us. [Xandhil] okay [Xandhil] Ruchard will hopefully be able to find the right place

• Kalman nods

[Kalman] Do you want to leave immediately? Cesar still hasn't returned... [Xandhil] from the arena?

• Kalman nods

[Xandhil] hrm [Xandhil] Time is of the essence, but on the other hand, I'm worried that Willem might have people there already [Xandhil] and Cesar would be really handy to have around if there was any trouble ].] [Xandhil] I'll see what the other think - I can at least make better introductions [Kalman] All right. I'd prefer to have him there too, if possible.

• Xandhil nods
• Xandhil will head back over to the library with kalman, then
• Kalman goes with you
• Ruchard and Justen are making awkward small talk.
• Xandhil will make slightly more formal introductions then, introducing Ruchard as an expert in dream magic and dream travel
• Justen gives you a 'can we get out of here for a minute' look

[Xandhil] ah... Excuse us for a minute, sorry ].]

• Kalman and Ruchard can chat for a bit
• Xandhil will draw Justen back out
• Justen waits until you two are out in the hall, but he looks sort of ... wide-eyed/excited/also terrified

[Xandhil] are you alright?

• Xandhil takes his hands

[Justen] Yeah, I guess... but I was thinking about what he said. about a god, or something like a god, could fix this place for good. [Xandhil] un huh...

• Xandhil has suspicious about where this is going

[Xandhil] but how? [Justen] well... what about my father. what about ... the mother. What about them? [Xandhil] Granny Em? :p [Justen] sure. [Xandhil] they could, I'm sure [Xandhil] it crossed my mind too [Xandhil] but I don't know how we would ask [Justen] ... the thing at the arena said it knew my father. [Xandhil] yes... [Justen] I mean, I don't trust it. It could be lying, or whatever. [Justen] like you said

• Xandhil nods

[Justen] I don't know where I'm going with this. Maybe there are other ... entities, things here, that can get on and off the plane, that know more about... them, whatever they are. [Xandhil] there certainly could be [Justen] Was your dad here? Or, something like him? [Xandhil] yes [Xandhil] he promised someone he would help them if they set him free [Xandhil] and when they did... he didn't follow through, shockingly enough [Justen] :/ [Xandhil] Ardent's mother :p [Justen] maybe he came back and helped her later

• Justen says without much hope

[Xandhil] I don't know if he continued to exist independantly after he left? [Xandhil] I think whatever left just... went back to being my dad [Justen] Oh. I don't know how that works. [Xandhil] me either, but it was kind of a special case all around [Justen] Like they merged? Like the people did when they came here? [Xandhil] maybe, yeah [Xandhil] this was when the queen was still here [Xandhil] anyway, I wouldn't trust any demons here [Xandhil] or really anywhere :p [Xandhil] half ones are okay though :) [Justen] well... thanks ;)

• Xandhil squeezes your hand

[Xandhil] some more than others ^-^ [Justen] I just feel like... maybe I can use this thing, this part of me that I don't even want, to do something good for once.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] I guess you could try... praying?

• Justen nods

[Justen] I can try. I don't have much practice at it. [Xandhil] I dont know that there is really all that much to it [Xandhil] I can try it too? [Justen] okay [Justen] I mean, we should still do the other stuff too. [Justen] In case the praying doesn't help. [Xandhil] yes [Xandhil] well [Xandhil] the gods help those who help themselves, and all :p

• Justen nods

[Justen] we.. we can go back now, I just wanted to talk to you about that, not in front of them. [Xandhil] okay [Xandhil] when did you want to do it, then? [Xandhil] I think we're waiting for Cesar? [Xandhil] I think we *should* wait for Cesar, anyway [Justen] Okay. [Justen] Yeah, we should, in case anything goes wrong it would be better to have him. [Justen] And maybe his sister might come back with some more information, that would be helpful too. Even if she *is* creepy as fuck. [Xandhil] yeah. [Xandhil] okay [Xandhil] well [Xandhil] maybe we can find some praying downtime in there, anyway :p

• Xandhil kisses you

[Xandhil] lets go back in

• Justen kisses back, seeming a little calmer now