#plumcrazycat

[There is a hustle and bustle of people moving about spawn as they go about their daily tasks, shopping. Several figures loiter about spawn, waiting to see the Magician whose posters have littered the entrance for several days…]

[Viola scribbles in a book as she leans against a post. She turns to check the poster, hopefully she's here on time?]

[19:16:58] <[RP] Viola> Hmm. Well, it's Sunday. It's evening.

[A shadow falls over Viola as someone very tall reads the poster over her shoulder.]

[19:17:47] <[RP] Viola> Hmm?

[19:17:51] <[RP] Viola> Woah! Hey-

[19:18:00] <[RP] Viola> Can I help you?

[19:18:06] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... Apologies miss

[19:18:18] <[RP] Jadis> I was.. merely reading the poster

[19:18:49] <[RP] Viola> Oh, ah, of course.

[19:19:03] <[RP] Viola> There's supposed to be some sort of "Magician Consultant" here today.

[19:19:22] <[RP] Viola> I wanted to see if it's the real deal, or just like, a fancy party trick

[19:19:28] <[RP] Jadis> Yes... I am quite curious to see them as well

[19:20:15] <[RP] Viola> Oh, sure, sure.

[Viola sticks out her hand.]

[19:20:44] <[RP] Viola> I'm Viola

[Jadis accepts with their gloved hand, nails clearly quite long under the fabric]

[19:21:20] <[RP] Jadis> Jadis Degaré

[19:21:28] <[RP] Jadis> A pleasure, Miss Viola

[19:21:46] <[RP] Viola> Very nice to meet you as well. Are you new around here? I know most of the people who live here

[19:21:59] <[RP] Jadis> I have been here... quite some time

[19:22:35] <[RP] Viola> Oh! Just must've never crossed paths. I'm usually all over the world, so strange that it didn't happen

[19:22:49] <[RP] Viola> Well, happen sooner, I should say

[19:22:57] <[RP] Jadis> The world is large Miss Viola

[19:23:01] <[RP] Jadis> but I have… been around

[19:23:34] <[RP] Viola> Don't have to tell me twice, I've barely been out past the desert in the West, and people say that there are temples buried under the sand far further than there

[19:23:47] <[RP] Jadis> How... fascinating

[Magnolia stands next to Hal cautiously, waiting for something to happen- someone to appear.]

[19:18:21] <[RP] Magnolia> [quietly, to Hal:] don't suppose the clock was wrong. seems like there's a few folks at the poster...

[19:19:25] <[RP] Magnolia> just don't stray too far. it's busy out here today

[Hal looks down at Magnolia, smiling gently with a nod]

[19:19:40] <[RP] Hal> awright, lead the way

[Magnolia stamps his feet onto the planks below, frustrated by a wait time he's put onto himself alone. An ear flicks, and he stomps over to the posters with the same energy, not facing the two by them and trying to just read the poster again.]

[Hal mosies along gently behind his smaller friend.]

[19:24:33] <[RP] Magnolia> Doesn' it take little effort to be on time for somethin you planned yourself???

[19:24:57] <[RP] Hal> Aw, settle down, Nolia, hah

[Jadis turns to Magnolia and Hal.]

[19:24:52] <[RP] Jadis> Ah. Misters Candlewick and Copperboot

[19:24:54] <[RP] Viola> Woah, lots of people here today for this thing, huh

[19:25:05] <[RP] Viola> Candlewick and Copperboot...?

[19:25:07] <[RP] Magnolia> gggggh., Hello

[19:25:15] <[RP] Hal> howdy!

[19:25:32] <[RP] Hal> you must be, ummh...

[19:25:34] <[RP] Magnolia> Right. Howdy. I'm Magnolia. Candlewick's the last name

[Hal struggles to come up with a name for a new face.]

[19:25:47] <[RP] Magnolia> You uh. Seem kinda f'miliar

[19:26:09] <[RP] Magnolia> But I don't know you. I kinda.... know you? 

[Magnolia gestures to Jadis vaguely.]

[19:26:35] <[RP] Jadis> Yes. In passing

[19:26:30] <[RP] Viola> Where do I know you two...?

[Viola taps her fingers on the back of her book]

[19:26:58] <[RP] Magnolia> [Bristling:] Kindlewheat Farm. We bring much as we can to the market.

[19:27:14] <[RP] Magnolia> I 'magine it's prob'ly that

[19:27:38] <[RP] Jadis> Such... a lovely farm. I have seen it from town.

[19:27:50] <[RP] Hal> n'aww, thank ya kindly…

[Doc idly walks a little way away from the group, watching Ion skulk around above the people milling about spawn.]

[Viola snaps her fingers]

[19:28:03] <[RP] Viola> The Froglight Festival! It was maybe fifteen years ago, but you two were trying to see how many frogs you could catch by the old docks!

[19:28:15] <[RP] Hal> !

[19:28:25] <[RP] Hal> shucks, you remember somethin' like that?

[19:28:47] <[RP] Magnolia> Tha's prob'ly right.

[Viola taps her temple]

[19:28:55] <[RP] Viola> I've got the best memory of anyone I know

[19:29:49] <[RP] Jadis> A good memory... is quite a blessing

[19:29:09] <[RP] Hal> 'scuse me, can't say the same about m'self, hah!

[19:29:19] <[RP] Viola> Hmm?

[19:29:20] <[RP] Viola> Oh!

[19:29:24] <[RP] Viola> Viola. I'm Viola

[Hal extends a hand to Viola, for a firm handshake]

[19:29:49] <[RP] Hal> Hal Copperboot!

[Viola shakes Hal's hand firmly.]

[19:30:01] <[RP] Viola> Very nice to re-meet you

[19:29:53] <[RP] Magnolia> [in an unhappy tone:] Right happy to meet ya.

[Viola looks at Magnolia]

[19:30:11] <[RP] Viola> And you...

[19:30:15] <[RP] Viola> Did you have a sister?

[Magnolia stiffens for a moment before settling himself back down, realigning himself next to Hal.]

[19:30:52] <[RP] Magnolia> No, I didn't. Only child.

[19:30:57] <[RP] Viola> Oh...

[19:30:59] <[RP] Viola> Oh!

[19:31:07] <[RP] Viola> Very nice to re-meet you as well, then

[19:31:29] <[RP] Magnolia> Yeah, well... nice to meet you 'n all that

[Ion swoops down towards the group on elytra, appearing before them suddenly in a burst of fireworks.]

[19:31:40] <[RP] Viola> Woah!

[19:31:45] <[RP] Jadis> Oh…

[Magnolia scrambles backwards in surprise.]

[19:31:45] <[RP] Ion> hulloo future clients

[Hal startles just a bit from the loud sound, ears perking as he goes to grab for Magnolia protectively.]

[19:32:49] <[RP] Hal> Uhh! quite the entrance, there, hah!

[19:31:55] <[RP] Ion> apologies for my tardiness

[Doc follows Ion to the group.]

[19:31:58] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, so that's what you were doing up there.

[19:32:07] <[RP] Ion> hows it going folks?

[19:32:19] <[RP] Jadis> I am.. well

[Viola gives a little round of applause]

[19:32:35] <[RP] Ion> thank you thank you

[19:32:48] <[RP] Magnolia> You oughta be less tardy if you're wantin' to make good impressions!

[19:32:51] <[RP] Ion> i am the magician, ion by name

[19:33:11] <[RP] Ion> i will be your world's resident consultant

[19:33:17] <[RP] Ion> lucky folks

[19:33:22] <[RP] Magnolia> consultant?

[19:33:44] <[RP] Ion> specialising in potions, but with expertise in transport and animatus

[19:33:50] <[RP] Ion> speaking of which

[19:34:10] <[RP] Hal> ?

[19:34:16] <[RP] Ion> gifts of the trade

[Ion hands a sack to each person, the clink of gems and bottles can be heard]

[19:34:23] <[RP] Doc> What is this supposed to be, a gift bag?

[19:34:47] <[RP] Ion> providing modern magical technologies alongside an assortment of magical items

[Jadis peers into the bag it was handed. Inside is a potion, a cake, some amethyst & coal, a waystone, and a warp stone.]

[19:34:50] <[RP] Jadis> An array of items....

[19:35:07] <[RP] Viola> How interesting...

[19:35:30] <[RP] Ion> if you should have any questions, hesitate not. I am still setting up the establishment, but we should be fully functional in no time

[19:35:40] <[RP] Doc> Establishment?

[19:36:03] <[RP] Magnolia> Why would we want these 'magical technologies'?

[19:36:20] <[RP] Ion> for ease of transport mainly here

[19:37:00] <[RP] Magnolia> Ease of transport? We've got 'orses

[Hal takes a peek into the sack he was given.]

[19:35:51] <[RP] Hal> aw shoot, nolia! lookie here!

[19:36:06] <[RP] Magnolia> Huh?

[19:36:14] <[RP] Hal> there's some pretty little gems in here!

[19:36:22] <[RP] Doc> Ooh, gems?

[19:36:32] <[RP] Magnolia> Looks like amethyst... I think?

[Pekoe lands in a scrambled roll at spawn, elytra tucked in. He looks around and spots Doc.]

[19:36:36] <[RP] Jadis> Modern magicks?

[19:36:51] <[RP] Jadis> Would you.. elaborate miss?

[19:36:59] <[RP] Ion> of course

[19:37:06] <[RP] Viola> I'm also very, very curious about how this works

[19:37:06] <[RP] Ion> this seems an old world

[19:37:13] <[RP] Ion> old magics abound

[19:37:23] <[RP] Ion> but developments have been made

[19:37:41] <[RP] Ion> i hark from the central worlds, where magicians work on new technologies

[19:37:48] <[RP] Ion> like these warp stones

[19:38:01] <[RP] Ion> no longer do you need to travel to a special point

[19:38:05] <[RP] Viola> ...Woah, all the way from the core worlds?

[19:38:14] <[RP] Ion> they allow instantaneous transport

[19:38:23] <[RP] Ion> yes the core worlds exactly

[Pekoe quietly sneaks around to stand behind Doc, grabbing his leg.]

[Doc jolted for a moment, glancing down and seeing the child, he returned to the conversation.]

[19:38:29] <[RP] Doc> Oh, the core worlds? What does that mean?

[19:38:39] <[RP] Doc> Who are you? What's your name.

[19:38:46] <[RP] Ion> i go by ion

[19:39:01] <[RP] Ion> you may call me magician ion for now i suppose

[19:39:02] <[RP] Doc> Like the charged particle, ion?

[19:39:04] <[RP] Magnolia> core worlds're big-name worlds full'a loads of big folks who don't know simple ways.

[19:39:12] <[RP] Viola> Is it true that there are libraries there bigger than a mountain?

[19:39:37] <[RP] Doc> ...Wouldn't that depend on how big the mountain is?

[Ion focuses on Magnolia]

[19:39:41] <[RP] Ion> I object to that statement, I'm afraid I don't know your name, feline?

[19:39:54] <[RP] Magnolia> It's Magnolia Candlewick.

[19:40:00] <[RP] Magnolia> Don't call me that.

[19:40:13] <[RP] Ion> i see

[Hal scratches the back of his head awkwardly, with a nervous grin.]

[19:40:51] <[RP] Magnolia> I'm sayin' that core world folks are too high strung in their luxuries to enjoy a good pot roast. or Horses! a waystone, really?

[Viola begins to jot down notes in her book.]

[19:41:22] <[RP] Ion> a good folk like yourself, I suppose I will need to learn the lay of the land from you

[19:41:23] <[RP] Hal> they're just different from us folk, Nolia! don't mean they ain't good people, too!

[Magnolia shuffles in his spot.]

[19:41:51] <[RP] Magnolia> Fine, fine

[19:41:16] <[RP] Doc> What's a core world?

[19:42:09] <[RP] Magnolia> Can someone answer that question? I'm not good at explainin'

[19:42:20] <[RP] Viola> Oh, the core worlds?

[19:42:25] <[RP] Ion> a core world is an interconnected community of folks from many different worlds, but it's true I'm new here. there are all sorts of plants that i need to learn to incorporate in my daily magics after al

[19:43:09] <[RP] Viola> They're also filled with ancient knowledge, different spirits and gods, and SO MUCH forgotten lore

[19:43:14] <[RP] Viola> Oh to travel to a core world...

[Pekoe crawls on top of the waystone to see everyone, frustrated with having to duck around it to stare at Viola and Ion]

[19:43:30] <[RP] Doc> Everything is filled with spirits and gods

[19:43:46] <[RP] Viola> Sure, sure, but the core worlds have DIFFERENT ones

[19:43:49] <[RP] Viola> Can you imagine?

[19:44:02] <[RP] Magnolia> There's spirits 'n gods here. they're good'nough for me.

[19:44:13] <[RP] Viola> Oh yeah, this place is filled with lots of that stuff from wayyyy back in the day

[19:44:16] <[RP] Doc> No. Dead gods are still gods. All of them are the same everywhere and they all exist in all worlds

[19:43:14] <[RP] Jadis> There is... old witchcraft here.... you could perhaps reference

[Ion turns to Jadis]

[19:43:51] <[RP] Ion> old witchcraft you say?

[19:44:17] <[RP] Jadis> I am... a practicer myself

[Viola points at Jadis]

[19:44:38] <[RP] Viola> We're gonna have a conversation later

[19:44:34] <[RP] Pekoe> Does that make you a witchcrafter?

[19:44:37] <[RP] Ion> intriguing

[19:44:53] <[RP] Jadis> A witch. Young master wolf

[19:45:09] <[RP] Doc> And what quite does that entail?

[19:46:01] <[RP] Jadis> Depends on your... interests I suppose

[19:45:54] <[RP] Ion> this appears to be a group of people that can aid greatly in the magic development of this world. We should have tea sometime

[19:45:55] <[RP] Magnolia> a witch? like those folk that sacrifice animals to the nether rather than spirits?

[19:46:25] <[RP] Doc> You can sacrifice anything to anyone, that doesn't matter a tick

[19:46:43] <[RP] Magnolia> I s'pose... 

[Magnolia’s tail flicks]

[19:46:47] <[RP] Jadis> I have… no interest… in the nether beyond its sand

[19:47:02] <[RP] Doc> Everyone is some amount of dead, after all

[Ion glances at Doc, momentarily distracted.]

[19:47:52] <[RP] Pekoe> [whispered:] Doc, how many dead 'm I?

[19:48:11] <[RP] Doc> [whispers:] You're on the far not dead side of the scale.

[Pekoe nods gravely]

[19:48:20] <[RP] Ion> well, should you have questions of a magical nature, I am the one to which you can address those

[Hal scratches at his nose, placing a hand on his hip as he listens to these people talk about something he has no clue about.]

[19:48:41] <[RP] Hal> That's, uhh

[19:48:45] <[RP] Hal> Nice n' all!

[19:48:52] <[RP] Doc> What if I do not want to do that.

[19:48:55] <[RP] Jadis> I will... be sure to take you up on your offer... of tea sometime

[19:49:02] <[RP] Ion> fantastic

[19:49:08] <[RP] Hal> I think this is a lotta stuff for a simple feller like me, I'm good how I am!

[19:49:17] <[RP] Hal> Thank ya kindly, though!

[Viola finishes scribbling in her book]

[19:49:21] <[RP] Viola> Oh I have SO many questions

[19:49:21] <[RP] Ion> my good sir, doc? is it? It appears your son is curious at least

[19:49:36] <[RP] Doc> My what?

[19:49:45] <[RP] Ion> your ... child?

[Viola points at Pekoe]

[19:50:08] <[RP] Viola> The little guy on the stone

[Pekoe stares at Doc. He doesn't remember what son means.]

[19:50:39] <[RP] Doc> This is a sentient wolf.

[19:50:48] <[RP] Doc> Go on, introduce yourself

[19:50:56] <[RP] Pekoe> My name is Pekoe! My mama and papa are wolves

[19:51:02] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm a wolves!

[19:51:23] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc's my.... aunt?

[19:51:28] <[RP] Ion> oh, my apologies for the error, we see all sorts of families on core worlds you see

[19:51:36] <[RP] Ion> aunt, got it

[19:51:38] <[RP] Doc> Sure. Close enough

[Pekoe grins proudly. He still has baby teeth to lose]

[19:51:20] <[RP] Jadis> A pleasure, young Master Pekoe

[Pekoe stares at Jadis. Jadis stares back]

[19:52:22] <[RP] Pekoe> You have hunter eyes

[19:52:42] <[RP] Jadis> My thanks? For the... compliment

[Pekoe blinks. Jadis does not.]

[19:52:35] <[RP] Doc> I do not bring my children with me when I travel.

[19:52:53] <[RP] Doc> Not when I do not know the content of the world

[19:53:15] <[RP] Ion> ah, a fellow traveller, good good

[Pekoe's tail wags, and he hops down from the waystone]

[19:53:39] <[RP] Doc> Why is that good.

[19:54:06] <[RP] Pekoe> 're you gonna sacrifices Doc?

[19:54:09] <[RP] Ion> just nice to have folk on the same page here, is all

[19:54:20] <[RP] Doc> No, I worship no god.

[19:54:36] <[RP] Pekoe> No, no, is . [points at Ion] That guy gonna sacrifices YOU

[19:55:04] <[RP] Doc> Oh! Well, they wouldn't be the first to try. But no. No one is going to sacrifice me.

[Pekoe nods, and starts staring at Hal. It’s never seen someone so big.]

[19:54:42] <[RP] Magnolia> y'want folk on the same page so you can spread about your magic, I assume?

[19:55:00] <[RP] Magnolia> I won't have any quarrel with ya unless you're hurtin' people or ruinin' the land

[Hal nods, agreeing with Magnolia]

[19:55:05] <[RP] Ion> I would like to help out in what way I can, yes

[19:55:05] <[RP] Magnolia> That's all I ask

[19:55:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Well....... alright.

[19:55:49] <[RP] Ion> i would never want quarrel with the honest folk of this world

[19:55:44] <[RP] Viola> Then welcome to the world Magician Ion!

[19:55:57] <[RP] Ion> thank you kindly for that

[19:56:45] <[RP] Magnolia> Well... yeah, welcome

[Hal notices there's a tiny set of eyes on him, glancing over]

[19:56:20] <[RP] Hal> [smiling warmly:] Hey, lil' bud..!

[Pekoe big ol' autism stare, jumps at the acknowledgement]

[19:56:47] <[RP] Pekoe> H-hi!

[Hal gives an endeared chuckle.]

[19:57:05] <[RP] Magnolia> if you're goin' hungry you're free to barter with us farm folk. We've got plenty.

[19:57:40] <[RP] Pekoe> My Unc'a Netty has farms, too

[Hal gives a friendly grin. He has a missing tooth and his smile is a little crooked.]

[19:58:04] <[RP] Hal> No kiddin'?

[19:58:07] <[RP] Magnolia> Lots'a folk've got farms.

[19:58:19] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!! And he let me make em bigger!!!

[19:58:26] <[RP] Pekoe> They're SO bigger!

[19:58:29] <[RP] Magnolia> You?

[19:58:42] <[RP] Pekoe> Me!

[Pekoe looks very proud of this, tail wagging.]

[19:59:17] <[RP] Hal> N'aww! I bet you're gettin' real strong doin' a lotta that work, huh?

[19:59:26] <[RP] Magnolia> [Awkwardly:] That's a lotta work.

[Pekoe nods vigorously, practically vibrating with excitement.]

[19:59:46] <[RP] Hal> I bet you'll be just as big as me, one day!

[Hal puffs out his chest with a wink at Pekoe, who giggles]

[20:00:15] <[RP] Pekoe> You're really big!

[Hal grins again, with a soft, fond chuckle.]

[20:00:30] <[RP] Hal> Yup!

[20:00:49] <[RP] Hal> I got this big doin' lots of work on the farm n' eatin' all my veggies!

[Pekoe looks at Magnolia]

[20:00:38] <[RP] Pekoe> You're me-sized

[20:00:44] <[RP] Pekoe> How big're you gonna get?

[Magnolia’s tail flicks]

[20:01:08] <[RP] Magnolia> Not any bigger, I'm stuck like this.

[20:01:24] <[RP] Hal> Well, you're still strong too, Nolia!

[20:01:39] <[RP] Magnolia> I'd be stronger if I wasn't the size of a tomato.

[20:02:06] <[RP] Pekoe> You're like... 5 tomatoes

[20:01:53] <[RP] Pekoe> Did you forget to cook the veggies before eating 'em? Doc says I have to cook half of 'em or else I don't get all the nutrents

[Hal puts a comforting hand on Magnolia's shoulder]

[20:02:23] <[RP] Magnolia> I cook all my food! I'm a very good cook

[20:02:31] <[RP] Pekoe> Hmmmm

[20:02:33] <[RP] Hal> Even if ya ain't as big as me, you've still gotta ton of stuff i ain't got!

[20:02:46] <[RP] Pekoe> Not a better cook than Unc'a Netty, I bet

[20:02:48] <[RP] Hal> ya run a whole inn!

[20:03:19] <[RP] Magnolia> I run an inn with a whole breakfast assortment. I'm a pretty dang good cook.

[20:03:28] <[RP] Pekoe> Hmmmmm

[20:03:55] <[RP] Pekoe> Unc'a Netty's got the best food

[20:04:07] <[RP] Magnolia> [in a dry doubtful tone:] I'm sure.

[While Pekoe talks to the farmers the others continue talking about more magical topics:]

[19:57:10] <[RP] Doc> You [he points at Jadis] Tell me about your interest in the nether sands.

[19:57:46] <[RP] Jadis> Ghosts and.... souls. Are an area of interest.... for me

[Ion also intrigues before getting distracted by Viola]

[19:58:33] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, delightful. We may have to converse at a later time.

[19:58:46] <[RP] Jadis> Of course..... good Doctor

[Doc cracks a.. weird smile.]

[19:59:21] <[RP] Jadis> How rude of me... I have not... introduced myself to you

[19:59:31] <[RP] Doc> And not I to you

[19:59:37] <[RP] Jadis> Jadis Degaré

[20:00:38] <[RP] Doc> A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Doctor Krayn, though most choose to use the nickname

[Neither offers their hand to shake. The two simply observe each other.]

[20:01:14] <[RP] Jadis> An honorable profession.... Doctor Krayn

[20:02:15] <[RP] Doc> Well, I'm glad you think so.

[Jadis stiffly nods in acknowledgement.]

[Doc turns to watch Pekoe talk to Magnolia and Hal. Jadis turns to watch Viola and Ion.]

[19:58:53] <[RP] Viola> Magician Ion, you have to tell me all about the core world you came from

[19:59:10] <[RP] Ion> oh, thats a long story, far too long for right now i fear

[19:59:27] <[RP] Viola> Oh, really? Dang, that's too bad

[19:59:53] <[RP] Viola> If you ever need to learn anything about our world, or have any books you want to trade, I run the library system! I'm always...somewhere in the world

[19:59:53] <[RP] Ion> but tell me about you my lady, I believe you are a local here?

[20:00:08] <[RP] Viola> I am indeed

[20:01:01] <[RP] Viola> Born and raised here, and now I work to keep the library stocked, and go out to the temples and shrines to find more research about the world

[20:01:09] <[RP] Viola> There's a lot here, it's a pretty old place

[20:01:41] <[RP] Ion> fascinating, this library, i will have to visit at some point

[20:01:57] <[RP] Viola> PLEASE you're the most interesting thing to blow into town in a while

[20:03:42] <[RP] Ion> that's quite the compliment

[Ion glances at a nearby clock]

[20:03:53] <[RP] Ion> oh i would love to chat more

[20:04:02] <[RP] Ion> but i must keep track of the time

[20:04:15] <[RP] Viola> Oh, of course. Can't keep a busy magician!

[20:04:18] <[RP] Ion> i have a personal project to attend to, i'm afraid

[20:04:32] <[RP] Ion> but lets chat sometime soon, my good lady

[20:04:39] <[RP] Viola> Aw, well it was great to meet you, and thank you for the gift

[20:04:49] <[RP] Viola> I'm so looking forward to it

[20:05:03] <[RP] Jadis> Farewell, Miss Ion

[20:05:06] <[RP] Ion> and for all you folks, i am happy to serve as your humble magician consultant

[20:05:13] <[RP] Ion> fare thee well for now

[A burst of fireworks light at Ion’s feet and they disappear in the puff of smoke]

[20:05:47] <[RP] Viola> Woah! Just disappeared

[20:05:53] <[RP] Viola> That Magician is something else…

[Hal startles from the loud sound]

[20:05:54] <[RP] Hal> shoo-wee!

[20:06:04] <[RP] Magnolia> Don't they know some'f us have sensitive ears???

[20:06:14] <[RP] Doc> Magician, what a title for yourself. Sounds like a gimmick

[20:06:20] <[RP] Jadis> An intriguing sort...

[20:06:30] <[RP] Viola> I mean, coolest thing to happen here in a while

[Hal places a hand over his chest, taking a breath.]

[20:06:30] <[RP] Magnolia> You'kay, Hallie?

[Hal smiles at Magnolia, with a nod]

[20:06:49] <[RP] Hal> i'm good! i'm good…

[Magnolia relaxes slightly]

[20:07:01] <[RP] Magnolia> Okay...

[Viola notices Jadis silently observing everyone.]

[20:06:47] <[RP] Viola> Oh, Jadis, right?

[Jadis’ head slowly turns to look at Viola]

[20:06:53] <[RP] Jadis> Yes...

[20:06:54] <[RP] Viola> You said something earlier about witchcraft?

[20:07:00] <[RP] Viola> You're really a witch?

[20:07:09] <[RP] Jadis> I... am

[20:07:23] <[RP] Viola> This day just keeps getting better!

[20:07:32] <[RP] Viola> Maybe this letter will finally get them to come visit...

[20:07:41] <[RP] Jadis> I have been practicing... for a long as I ... can remember

[20:07:54] <[RP] Viola> Oh my gods, what sort of practice do you do?

[20:08:06] <[RP] Viola> Do you have tomes? A grimoire?

[20:08:20] <[RP] Viola> Something even cooler???

[20:08:26] <[RP] Jadis> Books are a useful.... resource, yes

[Viola beams]

[20:08:40] <[RP] Jadis> I also... deal in cards

[20:08:44] <[RP] Viola> Cards?

[20:08:48] <[RP] Viola> Like playing cards?

[20:08:55] <[RP] Jadis> In... a way

[20:09:17] <[RP] Viola> Oh wow, even playing cards could be used for witchcraft...

[20:09:32] <[RP] Jadis> They can be... quite useful

[20:09:58] <[RP] Viola> Super, super cool

[20:10:00] <[RP] Jadis> They provide... information... usually

[20:10:36] <[RP] Viola> Have you always had your materials? Where do you get them? Do you make them yourself??

[20:10:51] <[RP] Jadis> Some... are found... some... were made

[20:11:14] <[RP] Viola> Woah. Woah! I've gotta be writing this down

[Viola flips open her books and begins writing.]

[20:11:51] <[RP] Jadis> You have an interest... in magicks... Miss Viola?

[Viola laughs almost awkwardly, pushing up her glasses.]

[20:12:09] <[RP] Viola> I have an interest in everything

[20:12:27] <[RP] Jadis> How lovely... to be passionate about so much

[20:12:47] <[RP] Viola> I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have some sort of passion

[20:13:55] <[RP] Viola> Would you ever be able to show me some of your books?

[20:14:08] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... possibly...

[20:14:22] <[RP] Jadis> I am afraid I am rather... disorganized

[Viola laughs almost too loudly]

[20:14:40] <[RP] Viola> Oh girl, you haven't seen my office

[20:14:51] <[RP] Viola> I'm under the definition of disorganized

[Jadis tilts their head sharply... Did Viola hear a crack? Viola furrows her brow slightly, but her smile doesn't falter.]

[20:17:16] <[RP] Jadis> Ah.. then perhaps... you would find something.... in the mess

[20:17:37] <[RP] Viola> Yeah....Yeah! I'm super good at finding things

[Jadis' head returns upright as sharply as it tilted]

[20:18:34] <[RP] Jadis> What.... do you do... Miss Viola?

[Viola pauses for a moment too long before responding]

[20:19:09] <[RP] Viola> Uh...oh! I'm the librarian. Or well I'm A librarian

[20:19:33] <[RP] Viola> I have different libraries around the world I travel to, and I keep books there from certain regions

[20:19:51] <[RP] Viola> It helps me keep in touch with the farther flung locals too

[20:19:46] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... no wonder you are so.... ravenous... for information

[20:19:56] <[RP] Viola> Yeah seriously!

[20:20:04] <[RP] Viola> I'm always looking for more stuff

[20:20:30] <[RP] Jadis> Well... you are free... to drop by sometime... and peruse my books

[20:20:38] <[RP] Viola> I would so so absolutely love that

[Viola scratches down something on a piece of paper]

[Jadis glances at the paper but says nothing. The paper is mostly half written notes and questions, the last thing Viola appears to have written is "lead for Asha?"]

[20:22:18] <[RP] Viola> Awesome, awesome, awesome

[20:22:49] <[RP] Viola> Thanks for indulging me, it will absolutely happen again

[20:22:57] <[RP] Jadis> Of course, Miss Viola

[Viola checks her watch.]

[20:23:09] <[RP] Viola> Oh shit! I'm gonna be late for dinner

[20:23:18] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... farewell then

[Viola waves goodbye as she puts her book into a sidebag]

[20:23:33] <[RP] Viola> Bye Jadis, awesome to meet you!!

[20:23:40] <[RP] Jadis> A pleasure to meet you

[Viola runs off further into the wayships. Jadis turns to the others after Viola disappears from sight. Silently observing.....]

[After Ion left Pekoe had gone back to asking Hal and Magnolia questions:]

[20:04:17] <[RP] Pekoe> Are your mama and papa the savanna cows? Netty showed me some of 'em, you've got horns like 'em

[Hal glances away, caught off guard by the little one's question.]

[20:05:02] <[RP] Hal> uhh!

[Magnolia looks to Hal very hurriedly to look for his reaction.]

[20:05:11] <[RP] Hal> y'know? uhh.

[Hal struggles to find the right words.]

[20:05:33] <[RP] Magnolia> They're just like him! Not cows!

[Pekoe cocks his oversized puppy head]

[20:05:55] <[RP] Pekoe> not cow?

[20:06:33] <[RP] Doc> Pekoe, sometimes horns are inherited, and sometimes not.

[20:06:43] <[RP] Pekoe> Like yours?

[20:06:50] <[RP] Doc> Mine are not inherited

[Pekoe nods]

[20:07:26] <[RP] Doc> Does that make sense.

[20:07:27] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc, they have a farm like we do!

[20:07:36] <[RP] Pekoe> And the tiny one likes to cook! Like Netty!

[Hal begins to hang back just slightly, letting conversation unfold without him for a spell.]

[20:07:47] <[RP] Magnolia> >:(

[20:07:53] <[RP] Doc> ... Yes. I heard something about that

[20:08:15] <[RP] Pekoe> OH

[20:08:20] <[RP] Pekoe> Do y'all grow 'em all?

[20:08:28] <[RP] Magnolia> Like, crops?

[20:08:38] <[RP] Pekoe> We grow 'em all 'cept pump'ins and melons

[20:08:49] <[RP] Pekoe> Mhm! Crops!

[20:08:50] <[RP] Magnolia> We grow em all, we've got the space for it

[20:09:06] <[RP] Pekoe> Even pump'ins and melons?

[20:09:21] <[RP] Magnolia> we're a lil low on pumpkins 'n melons, considerin' a recent festival, but yeah.

[20:09:34] <[RP] Pekoe> Wowee

[20:09:40] <[RP] Pekoe> That's so cool!!!

[20:09:51] <[RP] Doc> Do you want pumpkins and melons?

[20:09:57] <[RP] Magnolia> we also raise a bit 'a livestock. They're good eat'n.

[20:10:05] <[RP] Magnolia> uhhh, me?

[20:10:12] <[RP] Magnolia> Or the lil one?

[20:10:13] <[RP] Pekoe> I don' like harvesting them. They're too big

[20:10:29] <[RP] Doc> Him, and very well.

[Pekoe nods]

[20:10:26] <[RP] Magnolia> Hal harvests 'em

[Hal joins the conversation again once mentioned:]

[20:10:36] <[RP] Hal> yessir, i do!

[20:10:59] <[RP] Pekoe> I like the pigs, they're fun eating

[Magnolia nods.]

[20:11:09] <[RP] Magnolia> Pigs're my favourite

[20:11:18] <[RP] Magnolia> both as animals and as eat'n

[20:11:35] <[RP] Pekoe> Do you have cows? We have cows

[20:11:44] <[RP] Magnolia> we've got plen'y of cows

[Pekoe side-eyes Hal about that]

[20:11:58] <[RP] Pekoe> For.. eatin'?

[Hal glances back with an unknowing smile.]

[20:12:25] <[RP] Magnolia> [sigh:] Yes, for eat'n.

[20:12:32] <[RP] Pekoe> Hmm

[20:12:35] <[RP] Doc> Farms can serve many purposes

[20:12:42] <[RP] Magnolia> We also have wolves like you

[20:12:45] <[RP] Magnolia> 'n cats.

[20:12:50] <[RP] Pekoe> :O

[20:13:14] <[RP] Pekoe> My pack lives in my den, 'n we have some other wolves for protecting the aminals

[20:13:36] <[RP] Hal> Wolves make mighty good protectors!

[20:13:36] <[RP] Pekoe> Do your pack live in your den?

[20:13:48] <[RP] Magnolia> aint got a den, got a barn

[20:13:57] <[RP] Magnolia> they sleep there or with me 'n the farmhouse.

[20:14:25] <[RP] Pekoe> Barns're for aminals, yeah?

[20:14:32] <[RP] Pekoe> 'n not people?

[20:14:40] <[RP] Pekoe> But? He's not a cow?

[20:14:41] <[RP] Magnolia> Animals 'n produce 'n hay

[20:14:53] <[RP] Doc> People can live in many different places.

[20:14:54] <[RP] Hal> Who, me?

[20:15:08] <[RP] Magnolia> Hal lives in the barn, still

[20:15:14] <[RP] Hal> Yeah, Imma cow! Differn't sort, though.

[20:15:27] <[RP] Pekoe> That one said you weren't a cow, though!

[20:15:30] <[RP] Magnolia> diff'rent sort.

[20:15:54] <[RP] Hal> Well, uh, I ain't the same kinda cow as the ones ya milk n' eat!

[Pekoe nods]

[20:16:14] <[RP] Pekoe> Like Netty couldn't collar me!

[20:16:31] <[RP] Hal> Yeah, we're all a lil' differn't!

[20:16:36] <[RP] Pekoe> :D

[Pekoe nods]

[20:17:01] <[RP] Pekoe> Fun world

[20:17:07] <[RP] Hal> Yup!

[20:17:15] <[RP] Pekoe> Cow 'n Kitty

[20:17:21] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm Pekoe

[20:17:35] <[RP] Hal> [With a welcoming grin:] Nice to meetcha! I'm Hal!

[20:17:38] <[RP] Magnolia> Int'restin' name. Did you pick it?

[20:17:46] <[RP] Pekoe> Nope!

[20:17:56] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc has fun tea names

[20:17:58] <[RP] Magnolia> Me neither. Name's Magnolia.

[20:18:09] <[RP] Magnolia> Doc?

[Pekoe points at Doc]

[20:18:19] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc

[20:18:24] <[RP] Doc> He knocked the canister off the counter. I said the name and he responded to it.

[20:18:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Ah.

[20:18:27] <[RP] Hal> Howdy, Doc!

[20:18:34] <[RP] Doc> Hello.

[Hal extends a hand to shake Doc's, country style.]

[Doc does shake his hand, staring at him.]

[Hal gives a firm handshake, and a grin, before stepping back.]

[20:19:06] <[RP] Pekoe> Hal-olia

[20:19:20] <[RP] Magnolia> Hal-olia?

[Pekoe nods.]

[20:19:29] <[RP] Pekoe> Halolia

[20:19:45] <[RP] Magnolia> Are you just combinin' our names?

[20:19:45] <[RP] Hal> wuzzat mean, lil' bud?

[20:19:49] <[RP] Doc> He likes to combine names.

[20:20:00] <[RP] Pekoe> Noc <3

[20:20:05] <[RP] Magnolia> Kids're strange. Makes sense.

[20:20:10] <[RP] Hal> heheh, you're a silly guy, huh?

[20:20:14] <[RP] Pekoe> Noc 'n Halolia 'n Mapa 'n

[20:20:45] <[RP] Pekoe> Mama says I'm weird

[20:20:48] <[RP] Hal> halolia soun's like some kinda soup!

[20:21:06] <[RP] Doc> Everyone is some variety of weird.

[20:21:13] <[RP] Pekoe> 'n Doc says that when I tell him

[20:21:23] <[RP] Doc> Because it is correct

[20:21:31] <[RP] Pekoe> He says that a lot, too

[20:21:45] <[RP] Hal> Well y'ain't wrong!

[20:21:52] <[RP] Magnolia> I see kids sometimes at the inn. They're all weird 'n their own ways, like you

[20:22:07] <[RP] Pekoe> :D

[Hal tilts his head towards Magnolia:]

[20:22:13] <[RP] Hal> we're weird too, you n' me!

[20:22:26] <[RP] Magnolia> I guess so

[20:22:16] <[RP] Doc> I am seldom wrong

[20:22:24] <[RP] Pekoe> All the other pups growed up an' left the pack

[20:22:36] <[RP] Hal> Yea?

[20:22:40] <[RP] Magnolia> Do ya grow like a wolf or like a person?

[20:23:24] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc says person, 'cause I'm still a pup 'n everyone else growed

[20:23:36] <[RP] Doc> Yes, and you walk on two legs.

[20:23:41] <[RP] Doc> And talk.

[20:23:41] <[RP] Hal> musta gotten mighty lonely, huh?

[20:23:51] <[RP] Pekoe> Mama talks, you just don't listen

[20:24:11] <[RP] Doc> Perhaps she just does not talk to me.

[20:24:27] <[RP] Pekoe> She calls you mean things

[Doc nodded, sighing.]

[20:22:42] <[RP] Doc> Pekoe, would you like to visit their inn at some later time?

[20:23:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Inn's always open for guests.

[20:23:37] <[RP] Magnolia> Speakin' of... we should get back'ta the farm, shouldn't we?

[20:23:51] <[RP] Hal> !

[20:24:08] <[RP] Hal> yeah, guess we oughtta

[20:24:18] <[RP] Magnolia> Well... our farm is, uh,

[20:24:34] <[RP] Magnolia> East and a lil south 'o here

[20:24:49] <[RP] Pekoe> Wha's it called?

[Doc pulls out a small map and pen]

[20:24:51] <[RP] Doc> I'll mark it.

[20:24:52] <[RP] Pekoe> Your farm?

[20:24:55] <[RP] Magnolia> Kindlewheat

[20:25:00] <[RP] Pekoe> Like fire?

[Magnolia stiffens very suddenly.]

[20:25:13] <[RP] Magnolia> I guess.

[Hal steps back a bit more.]

[20:25:35] <[RP] Hal> Y'know, I think, uh.

[Pekoe nods, oblivious to the sudden tenseness he’s caused]

[20:25:38] <[RP] Pekoe> Our farm doesn't have a name I think

[Doc’s takes notice of their reactions, staring intensely.]

[20:25:50] <[RP] Magnolia> We should be goin', it's plen'y late

[20:26:05] <[RP] Magnolia> I've got dinner to cook 'n animals to tend

[20:26:23] <[RP] Magnolia> You two have a save ride home, however ya got here

[20:26:34] <[RP] Hal> yup! yup.

[20:26:36] <[RP] Pekoe> I flew in! Like Netty does!

[20:26:47] <[RP] Magnolia> Right.

[Hal offers one last, albeit forced, smile to Pekoe]

[20:27:18] <[RP] Hal> You keep eatin' good, y'hear?

[20:27:22] <[RP] Pekoe> Yessir!

[20:27:26] <[RP] Hal> heheheh

[20:27:26] <[RP] Magnolia> G'bye, y'all

[Magnolia and Hal begin heading for a nearby nether portal]

[Pekoe smiles bigly and waves at the other two, then zeroes in on Doc]

[Doc waved goodbye as well]

[20:27:37] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc would you harvest pump'ns for me

[20:28:02] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I will get some melons and pumpkins growing. I need some anyway for potions.

[20:28:08] <[RP] Pekoe> :D

[Pekoe begins trying to move through the spawn, tugging on Doc’s hand.]

[20:28:57] <[RP] Doc> Hold on a moment, I need to speak to the witch

[They both turn and look at Jadis, who had been inspecting the things given to them by Ion, but looks up at the mention of its name.]

[20:29:39] <[RP] Jadis> You wish... to speak?

[20:29:56] <[RP] Doc> That's correct..

[Pekoe nods and runs away to stare at fish in the water]

[20:30:28] <[RP] Jadis> Then... my time is yours... good doctor

[20:31:06] <[RP] Doc> There is a soul in you, yes?

[20:31:23] <[RP] Jadis> Yes, I believe...

[20:31:56] <[RP] Doc> I can see it, your soul, I mean.

[20:32:03] <[RP] Jadis> Ah....

[20:32:12] <[RP] Jadis> How... reassuring

[20:32:24] <[RP] Doc> I have never been accused of being such.

[20:32:33] <[RP] Jadis> My... apologies

[20:32:48] <[RP] Doc> Not to worry. Have you ever seen your own soul?

[20:33:02] <[RP] Jadis> I have not

[20:33:12] <[RP] Doc> [In a slightly manic tone:] WOuld you like to?

[Jadis tilts their head, and steeples their fingers.]

[20:34:38] <[RP] Jadis> What does it... entail

[20:35:36] <[RP] Doc> We have several options. I can create a sculpture, or a gemstone.

[20:35:55] <[RP] Jadis> I will... simply be seeing it?

[20:36:15] <[RP] Doc> Yes. If you cannot see souls normally, I will not attempt to shift this.

[20:36:35] <[RP] Jadis> I cannot... see yours

[20:36:47] <[RP] Doc> That is not a good benchmark. Mine is not in my body.

[20:37:03] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... how... interesting

[20:37:36] <[RP] Doc> I keep it elsewhere.

[20:37:50] <[RP] Jadis> I have... no preference... to how I see my soul

[20:38:39] <[RP] Doc> Very well. I will construct a replica

[20:39:18] <[RP] Jadis> Such an… intriguing proposition.... for someone you just met

[20:39:43] <[RP] Doc> I have removed souls in people I have known for briefer. I enjoy the poppy in your hat.

[20:39:52] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... my thanks

[20:40:14] <[RP] Doc> They grow often on battlefields and corpses.

[20:40:19] <[RP] Jadis> Yes they do

[20:40:40] <[RP] Jadis> Quite.... a lovely flower

[20:41:00] <[RP] Doc> Have you ever seen a battlefield filled with poppies? After the battle?

[20:41:12] <[RP] Jadis> Not that I... recall

[20:41:39] <[RP] Doc> I suppose it would be difficult for others to see. Especially now.

[20:42:20] <[RP] Jadis> I'm not sure that I am unfamiliar... with battles

[20:42:43] <[RP] Doc> That is fortunate for you.

[20:43:08] <[RP] Doc> Your pupils are very small.

[20:43:35] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... Are they?

[20:44:03] <[RP] Doc> Yes. They are. How familiar are you with battles, would you say?

[20:44:23] <[RP] Jadis> I do not know

[20:44:38] <[RP] Jadis> I know... very little.. about myself

[20:45:02] <[RP] Doc> How unfortunate. Perhaps I could assist with this issue.

[20:45:12] <[RP] Jadis> Ah...?

[20:46:05] <[RP] Doc> Is that where your interest in souls lies? Trying to reconnect your past?

[20:46:27] <[RP] Jadis> Yes.... in a way

[20:48:06] <[RP] Doc> Well, if you like my help, it is available.

[20:48:19] <[RP] Doc> if not, it does not change the availability of my assistance.

[20:48:26] <[RP] Jadis> A kind offer

[20:48:40] <[RP] Jadis> I will... take you up on it... someday

[20:49:03] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I presume you want to do some research on your own to begin with

[20:49:46] <[RP] Jadis> I appreciate... the consideration

[20:50:22] <[RP] Doc> I am here to do research on the souls of these worlds, it would be irresponsible to not offer my assistance.

[20:51:04] <[RP] Jadis> I would offer... my services... to you as well then

[20:51:21] <[RP] Jadis> if you are ever in need of.... assistance

[20:51:20] <[RP] Doc> And what are the services you provide?

[Doc raises an eyebrow.]

[20:52:00] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... things related to ghosts... or some spirits... divining....

[20:53:06] <[RP] Jadis> Magicks along those lines

[20:53:09] <[RP] Doc> Oh. I do not assume I will need assistance with such things. I am generally capable of handling such things on my own.

[20:53:44] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... forgive my... presumption... in offering.... help

[20:54:36] <[RP] Doc> It has been a necessity for me to learn due to my... unique circumstances

[Jadis nods in acknowledgement]

[20:56:38] <[RP] Doc> Do you know your age?

[20:56:45] <[RP] Jadis> I do not

[20:58:18] <[RP] Doc> Does this world have any historical records?

[20:58:50] <[RP] Jadis> I suppose.... if there was... Miss Viola would know

[20:59:11] <[RP] Doc> Mnm. That may be a good place to start.

[20:59:26] <[RP] Doc> I will speak to her

[21:02:04] <[RP] Jadis> Do you have... any other questions for me... Doctor Krayn

[21:02:41] <[RP] Doc> Not at the current moment. I will contact you if that changes

[21:03:13] <[RP] Jadis> Of course.... It was... good to meet you

[21:03:20] <[RP] Doc> Likewise

[Doc looks around to depart but doesn't see Pekoe through the bustle of spawn.]

[21:04:37] <[RP] Doc> Hm. I will need to find Pekoe before I depart

[21:05:01] <[RP] Jadis> I believe the young Master... went to the water

[21:05:09] <[RP] Doc> Why do you call him that?

[21:05:33] <[RP] Jadis> It is... only proper... to be... polite

[21:06:13] <[RP] Doc> It is not a phrase I hear often

[Doc looks in the direction Jadis indicated and sees Pekoe watching the water]

[21:06:34] <[RP] Doc> Ah, there he is. Have a safe trip home. Jadis.

[21:06:42] <[RP] Jadis> Too you.. as well

[Jadis fiddles with the warp stone from Ion, suddenly disappearing in a puff of purple particles.]

[Doc approaches Pekoe]

[21:07:21] <[RP] Doc> Have you caught anything

[21:07:26] <[RP] Pekoe> I saw a fish eat a fish

[21:07:34] <[RP] Doc> Did you enjoy that?

[21:07:41] <[RP] Pekoe> Ye

[21:07:54] <[RP] Doc> Would you like a fish?

[21:08:04] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!

[Doc grabs a knife from his bag before jumping into the ocean. He brings back a dead clownfish for Pekoe.]

[Doc rode his horse up to the weird tree. It had caught his eye from quite a bit away. The tree is old with branches barren of leaves but covered in streamers, bells, and pieces of paper. At the base of the trunk sits a stone shrine with a boat and chest. Candles, goblets full of liquid, and various offerings of valuable items sit around it.]

[13:13:12] <[RP] Doc> Oh, a shrine

[Doc followed the old broken path around the outer wall of the cemetery until he reached the house he was looking for. He stepped up onto the porch, knocking on the door.]

[Jadis goes to cautiously open the door. Its eyebrows raise slightly when it sees Doc.]

[13:15:51] <[RP] Doc> Hello.

[13:15:53] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... Hello...

[13:16:10] <[RP] Jadis> How unexpected

[13:16:30] <[RP] Doc> I brought you a pie.

[13:16:42] <[RP] Jadis> How... thoughtful

[13:16:47] <[RP] Jadis> Please do... come in

[Jadis closes the door behind Doc as he steps in. Jadis leads the way through one of the doorways covered in thick curtains. Doc’s horns get stuck on the curtains. Because of course they do.]

[13:17:32] <[RP] Doc> I seem to be stuck

[13:17:33] <[RP] Jadis> Oh dear....

[Jadis tries to help untangle the horns. Doc did his best to help, eventually pulling away. Maybe or maybe not taking some of the curtain with him.]

[13:18:43] <[RP] Jadis> My apologies... for the decor

[13:19:16] <[RP] Doc> It's no problem, I assure you it happens all the time.

[13:19:28] <[RP] Doc> Where would you like the pie?

[13:19:39] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... you may place it on the table

[13:19:51] <[RP] Jadis> Would you like... something to drink?

[13:20:36] <[RP] Doc> Ah, I was unsure about the pie. I didn't know if you ate or not. I'll have whatever you've got on hand

[13:21:34] <[RP] Jadis> I eat…

[13:22:35] <[RP] Doc> I was unsure if it was an appropriate question to ask in mixed company

[13:22:52] <[RP] Jadis> It is... a curious question

[13:21:03] <[RP] Jadis> I was... trying my hand at making cider

[13:22:13] <[RP] Doc> Oh, yes I'll try some of that then.

[13:23:05] <[RP] Jadis> I will... grab drinks

[Doc nodded, glancing around the room. Cobwebs hang from all corners of the ceiling. Books are haphazardly stacked around.]

[Jadis goes to the kitchen and returns with two glasses of cider.]

[13:23:37] <[RP] Doc> Ah, my thanks

[13:23:44] <[RP] Jadis> Of course

[Both take a seat facing each other, the table between them.]

[13:24:10] <[RP] Jadis> This is... my first time having a visitor

[13:24:31] <[RP] Doc> Yes... I can see that. Who is that shrine to, outside?

[13:25:07] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... The Ferryman... a spirit

[13:25:46] <[RP] Doc> Oh, a true spirit?

[13:26:06] <[RP] Jadis> Yes

[13:26:59] <[RP] Jadis> He is... hm

[13:27:00] <[RP] Doc> Oh, tell me more

[13:27:22] <[RP] Jadis> A sort of... psychopomp... for those that were buried

[13:28:40] <[RP] Jadis> There is no one new being buried... but he sticks around... for some reason

[Jadis doesn't sound very fond of the spirit.]

[13:29:20] <[RP] Doc> Well, he doesn't know anywhere else. He cannot ferry himself

[13:29:43] <[RP] Jadis> I have my... doubts about that

[13:29:56] <[RP] Jadis> The Ferryman... is a very old spirit

[13:30:00] <[RP] Doc> Oh? Do tell.

[13:30:49] <[RP] Jadis> A spirit of death... he can go anywhere things can die... is my guess

[13:31:20] <[RP] Jadis> He delights... in my discomfort... however

[13:32:14] <[RP] Doc> Sometimes, things that work closely with death cannot die in the way others can. Call it- mnm, an occupationary precaution.

[13:32:28] <[RP] Doc> And why do you say that? Is it because you have not 'died correctly' as it were?

[Jadis tilts their head.]

[13:32:40] <[RP] Jadis> ....Pardon

[13:32:57] <[RP] Doc> Hm?

[13:33:09] <[RP] Jadis> Not died correctly? I'm not sure... what you mean

[13:33:28] <[RP] Doc> Well you are undead, are you not?

[Jadis looks at its hands]

[13:33:48] <[RP] Jadis> Is it... that obvious...

[13:34:13] <[RP] Doc> Oh, my apologies- its not your physical form that reveals that to me

[13:36:00] <[RP] Jadis> Well... I did... die

[13:36:17] <[RP] Jadis> How... did you know?

[13:36:38] <[RP] Doc> Did I not tell you I could see souls?

[13:37:00] <[RP] Jadis> You did...

[13:37:18] <[RP] Doc> Ah. That is what tells me

[13:37:24] <[RP] Jadis> I see

[13:37:48] <[RP] Jadis> I died... very long ago... I only revived... recently

[13:38:02] <[RP] Doc> How recently?

[13:38:24] <[RP] Jadis> Perhaps... a month?

[13:38:47] <[RP] Doc> A month, fascinating... Do you mind if I ask you some questions about that?

[13:39:00] <[RP] Jadis> I suppose not

[Doc pulled a notebook from his coat.]

[13:40:08] <[RP] Doc> Do you know how you were revived?

[13:40:23] <[RP] Jadis> A ritual spell... I believe

[13:40:48] <[RP] Jadis> There were things... all around my grave... that points to it

[13:40:51] <[RP] Doc> Oh, performed by whom? And do you know which one?

[13:41:31] <[RP] Jadis> I don't... know who

[13:42:02] <[RP] Jadis> For the spell... I only have bits and pieces of it...

[13:42:27] <[RP] Jadis> When I awoke... there was no one

[13:42:53] <[RP] Doc> I see.. perhaps they believed it to be a failure and left.

[13:43:22] <[RP] Jadis> If so... why have we not run into eachother...

[13:44:06] <[RP] Jadis> I have been... to the nearby town many times... and recently worked up the courage to visit spawn... which you saw

[13:44:40] <[RP] Doc> Perhaps it is purposeful. Or perhaps they do not know what you look like

[13:45:00] <[RP] Doc> They saw your grave, but they do not know your face. How would they recognize you?

[13:45:39] <[RP] Jadis> ... I believe it was someone who cared for me

[13:46:00] <[RP] Jadis> That... resurrected me...

[13:46:34] <[RP] Doc> If that is the case, perhaps they wish to keep it secret.

[13:47:08] <[RP] Doc> if they believe it was a failure of any kind- perhaps they believe they have damaged you, as you are not who you were before

[13:47:16] <[RP] Doc> They- perhaps they know that.

[13:47:49] <[RP] Jadis> Perhaps... you are right... I do not remember my life before... death... afterall

[13:49:15] <[RP] Doc> How long- were you dead before you were brought back? Do you know?

[13:50:00] <[RP] Jadis> My grave... suggests I was dead for a little over 29 years

[13:51:33] <[RP] Doc> 29 years you say, well, you seem to be in remarkable condition for someone who has been in the ground that long. I do presume you were well loved in life

[13:52:03] <[RP] Jadis> ..."Dearly Beloved"... is what my grave says

[Jadis seems to hunch a bit, like all of this is a physical weight on their shoulders.]

[13:53:01] <[RP] Doc> Is your grave in the graveyard out there?

[13:53:07] <[RP] Jadis> It is...

[13:53:34] <[RP] Doc> Would you mind if I took a look at it? Doesn't have to be now, of course.

[13:53:53] <[RP] Jadis> I suppose... that would be alright

[13:54:47] <[RP] Doc> It may give some clues as to the ritual used and the person who performed it

[13:55:21] <[RP] Jadis> I have removed... any paper that was there... the water you see...

[13:55:29] <[RP] Jadis> But the rest.. is untouched

[13:56:02] <[RP] Jadis> I also... removed the cards

[13:56:08] <[RP] Doc> Paper you say- did it have incantations? Spells?

[13:56:33] <[RP] Jadis> It seemed.... more like a person's scribbled notes... than spell paper

[13:56:43] <[RP] Doc> And cards? What kind?

[13:56:59] <[RP] Jadis> The kind... for divination

[13:57:45] <[RP] Doc> Are they still out there?

[13:57:56] <[RP] Jadis> I keep them here...

[13:58:10] <[RP] Doc> How many were left?

[13:58:30] <[RP] Jadis> I have not... counted exactly

[13:58:40] <[RP] Jadis> But it is... quite a large deck

[13:58:53] <[RP] Doc> Could I see the cards?

[13:59:29] <[RP] Jadis> They are... upstairs currently... if you would like to see

[13:59:44] <[RP] Doc> I would, if that is a possible option

[13:59:45] <[RP] Jadis> But I would rather... you do not touch them...

[13:59:54] <[RP] Doc> Well, I don't have to.

[14:00:14] <[RP] Jadis> You may... follow me then

[Jadis leads the way to the stairs, Doc ducked under the curtains this time. They both go upstairs. Jadis enters a small room with a table and two chairs. The deck of cards lays on the table in a stack, except for three that were left face down. Jadis adds them back to the stack however.]

[14:00:56] <[RP] Jadis> I keep them here.... when at home

[14:01:16] <[RP] Doc> You seem to have an awful lot of timepieces here.

[14:01:46] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... yes

[14:02:18] <[RP] Jadis> I tend... to lose track of time... easily

[14:02:32] <[RP] Doc> Should I sit?

[14:02:42] <[RP] Jadis> You may

[They both sit at the table.]

[14:03:32] <[RP] Doc> You say the cards are in a large deck? Not just particular cards?

[Jadis nods and gestures to the stack to the side of them.]

[14:04:16] <[RP] Jadis> Some are... older than others

[14:04:22] <[RP] Doc> Of course.

[14:04:33] <[RP] Jadis> It was added to... over time... I believe

[14:05:22] <[RP] Doc> So, how would you like this to work?

[14:05:46] <[RP] Jadis> I could show you some of the cards... or....

[14:05:59] <[RP] Jadis> I could give you a reading... if you like

[14:06:24] <[RP] Doc> Hm, what would you prefer? A reading may tell me more information about this

[14:07:24] <[RP] Jadis> I would... prefer a reading... my apologies but... I am quite reluctant to show off these cards

[14:08:10] <[RP] Doc> That is fine, whichever you prefer

[14:08:20] <[RP] Doc> Any information is more than I had prior

[14:08:32] <[RP] Jadis> Do you have... a question to ask?

[14:08:39] <[RP] Jadis> For the cards

[14:10:20] <[RP] Doc> Do I need one?

[14:10:55] <[RP] Jadis> Well... it is divination...

[14:11:08] <[RP] Jadis> A question needs to be asked... for it to be answered

[14:12:07] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, very well. Can I ask a question about myself?

[14:12:12] <[RP] Jadis> Of course

[14:12:45] <[RP] Doc> Very well, what am I? That is my question

[Jadis nods, shuffling the deck and cutting it in half. Jadis lays out half of the cards they cut, face down.]

[14:21:31] <[RP] Jadis> Pick three please...

[Doc nodded, taking a moment before picking three cards from the half-deck he was given.]

[Jadis puts all others to the side, leaving only the three Doc chose in the center of the table.]

[14:23:20] <[RP] Doc> What now?

[14:23:53] <[RP] Jadis> I turn over the cards, and determine the answer or answers to your question

[14:24:09] <[RP] Doc> Oh, I see.

[Jadis flips over the first card. A pack of wolves in a den sleeping on top of each other. A single wolf is awake, watching over the others.]

[14:25:50] <[RP] Jadis> Family

[14:26:02] <[RP] Doc> Oh, how sweet is that

[14:26:18] <[RP] Jadis> You are... a caretaker of others

[14:26:56] <[RP] Jadis> Whether your literal family... or otherwise

[Doc nodded.]

[14:27:50] <[RP] Doc> That is accurate

[14:28:17] <[RP] Jadis> I will flip the next card then

[14:28:42] <[RP] Doc> Right

[Jadis flips the second card. A field of poppies, a knight leaning on their sword, and an eclipse overhead.]

[14:29:30] <[RP] Jadis> The Knight

[14:30:14] <[RP] Jadis> The battle-weary protector

[14:30:24] <[RP] Jadis> However... they keep standing

[14:30:45] <[RP] Doc> There are no other options, after all

[14:30:55] <[RP] Jadis> Of course...

[14:31:30] <[RP] Jadis> Once again... you are called a protector... though this time they affirm a more... forceful approach

[14:31:48] <[RP] Doc> That.. was not by my choice.

[14:32:05] <[RP] Jadis> But would you do so again?

[14:33:34] <[RP] Doc> Not in the same manner. The difference- one was by choice. For my family, the other, I was not fighting for anything of my own volition

[14:34:19] <[RP] Jadis> Knights are not always... the masters of themselves

[14:34:29] <[RP] Doc> If asked to do so, in the same manner as before, with the same consequences, I would say no. As any outcome would have been better than the one given, even death

[14:34:48] <[RP] Jadis> Which brings us to... the other possible meaning

[14:35:09] <[RP] Doc> Oh? There is another?

[14:35:13] <[RP] Jadis> I also think... the cards are saying you are someone that does not quit... a "rest when you are dead" type.. perhaps?

[14:35:50] <[RP] Doc> Perhaps I would enjoy some rest

[14:36:10] <[RP] Jadis> Perhaps you would... the poppies invite rest

[14:36:45] <[RP] Jadis> but in an eclipse... it can be hard to know day or night... and when to rest

[14:37:00] <[RP] Doc> They do, don't they. I've always liked those flowers. They decorate the battlefield well

[14:38:10] <[RP] Jadis> I have also drawn The Knight for myself before... if that is of any import

[14:38:18] <[RP] Doc> Recently?

[14:38:33] <[RP] Jadis> Always... when trying to remember who I am

[14:38:56] <[RP] Doc> Your rest was interrupted...

[Jadis nods.]

[14:40:13] <[RP] Jadis> The cards... are not always clear... it is hard to find the correct meaning... when one remembers nothing

[14:40:33] <[RP] Doc> And perhaps you were a soldier of some sort in life. Perhaps not a physical one albeit.

[14:41:01] <[RP] Jadis> It would... explain some things

[14:41:13] <[RP] Doc> Oh?

[Jadis fidgets with their mask.]

[14:41:49] <[RP] Jadis> perhaps.... I should finish first... your final card

[14:41:58] <[RP] Doc> Very well

[Jadis flips over the final card. A person with a bindle, flower in hand and foot over the cliff's edge.]

[14:43:07] <[RP] Jadis> The Fool

[14:43:45] <[RP] Doc> Ah, this. A jokester, are we today.

[Doc glanced at the deck.]

[14:44:17] <[RP] Jadis> I believe... the cards are not going to tell you anything about yourself... you don't already know

[Jadis seems amused.]

[14:44:44] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, they've made that clear.

[14:45:25] <[RP] Jadis> Still the Fool is not a negative. The Fool is open minded and curious

[14:46:37] <[RP] Jadis> A cliff's edge... is a leap of faith into the unknown

[14:47:22] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, of course

[14:47:50] <[RP] Jadis> Well... perhaps not helpful... but I hope you enjoyed your reading... at least

[14:48:24] <[RP] Doc> I can tell you your cards certainly have a mind.

[14:49:32] <[RP] Jadis> They do...

[14:49:44] <[RP] Doc> They're certainly straightforward, at that.

[14:50:08] <[RP] Jadis> When they are in the humor certainly...

[14:51:15] <[RP] Jadis> And they certainly had... humor... for you

[14:51:30] <[RP] Doc> Oh yes, I can see that well.

[14:52:13] <[RP] Doc> Not that I can say it was unexpected, from where I sit at least

[14:52:24] <[RP] Jadis> Oh?

[14:53:19] <[RP] Doc> Sometimes things related to this type of work act- like that, for lack of a better word.

[14:53:39] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... yes that makes sense

[14:54:29] <[RP] Doc> I see things related to spirits that most people don't. Sometimes things know that

[14:54:54] <[RP] Jadis> I see...

[14:55:03] <[RP] Doc> I don't know if that's something you've experienced before?

[14:55:26] <[RP] Jadis> They know I am... undead... certainly

[14:56:08] <[RP] Jadis> I know certain spirits... are not fond of the living

[14:56:56] <[RP] Doc> Yes, that is- common in all places. There are spirits that are not fond of the living for one reason or another

[14:57:13] <[RP] Jadis> The cards... are not fond of anyone but their holder... I believe

[Doc nodded.]

[14:57:59] <[RP] Doc> Of course. You said you had drawn the knight before, and you said it would explain some things

[14:58:08] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... yes...

[14:58:22] <[RP] Jadis> You saying I could've been a soldier...

[14:58:37] <[RP] Doc> I would like to know what exactly you think would be explained by that

[14:59:53] <[RP] Jadis> I have... scars...

[15:00:12] <[RP] Doc> In odd places? What kind of scars?

[Jadis shifts in their seat, and looks away.]

[15:00:50] <[RP] Jadis> Scars from blades... I would guess

[15:01:18] <[RP] Doc> The shape and location can tell you a lot, blades, you say? Like a sword? Or is it irregular, like a triangle bayonet?

[15:02:05] <[RP] Jadis> Mmmm

[15:02:39] <[RP] Doc> Bullet wounds can be irregular also, but are smaller and more circular in nature generally

[Jadis takes off their mask. Several scars are on their jaw line. A nasty scar is diagonal on their mouth, showing a peek of their teeth.]

[15:03:31] <[RP] Doc> A clean cut could have stitch marks around the scar as diagonal as well- mnm

[15:03:47] <[RP] Doc> Could I have a closer look? Can I come over there? I apologize, my eyesight is not great.

[15:03:56] <[RP] Jadis> Ahh.. yes you may

[He moved over to Jadis, adjusting his glasses to take a closer look at the scarring. The way they were cut, the way they healed. Jadis is stone still as Doc does so.]

[15:06:28] <[RP] Doc> Are there marks like this anywhere else on your body?

[15:06:58] <[RP] Jadis> yes.. littered about

[15:08:14] <[RP] Doc> It appears as though there was no medical intervention for these, which is why they healed this way, open like that. It's a miracle none of them got infected with how close they are to the mouth.

[15:08:37] <[RP] Doc> This may be a bit too personal, but do you know your cause of death?

[15:08:44] <[RP] Jadis> I do not…

[15:09:23] <[RP] Jadis> Just... another mystery about me

[15:09:19] <[RP] Doc> It does not say on your stone?

[15:09:56] <[RP] Jadis> It simply says... 'Dearly Beloved, Jadis Degaré' and my year of death

[15:10:45] <[RP] Doc> ...I see, that does make it difficult, doesn't it.

[Doc paused for a moment, thinking.]

[15:11:05] <[RP] Jadis> the cards... have not been helpful

[15:12:00] <[RP] Doc> The cuts are straight for the most part, so you are likely right about it being some type of blade, though not long enough to be a sword, and not internal enough to be a spear. I believe it was some sort of slicing weapon that made these

[15:12:09] <[RP] Doc> As opposed to a stabbing motion, that is

[Jadis nods.]

[15:13:05] <[RP] Jadis> I was... cut open for autopsy... I believe.. if that helps

[15:13:24] <[RP] Doc> ..I suppose it could have been a shortsword, though with how many there are that wouldn't make much sense... Oh, yes those scars are in a different spot though

[15:13:44] <[RP] Doc> A stitched Y shape across your chest and abdomen, I do believe?

[15:13:49] <[RP] Jadis> Yes...

[15:14:21] <[RP] Doc> Any large gashes that have quite a bit missing internally as well?

[15:14:46] <[RP] Jadis> Ahh... My side... fits that I believe

[15:15:31] <[RP] Doc> Below your ribcage? Or does the puncture go through your ribs?

[15:16:32] <[RP] Jadis> below the ribs... just above my hip

[15:17:09] <[RP] Doc> Depending on the angle of the puncture, that could easily be your cause of death. How large is the wound?

[15:17:48] <[RP] Jadis> not terribly... it seems like a missed hit because of it being on my side

[15:18:58] <[RP] Doc> If it was angled far enough upward from the strike, it could easily have punctured several vital organs. Is it a symmetrical wound? Circular? Straight?

[15:19:40] <[RP] Jadis> Straight... would it be more helpful just to show you?

[15:20:13] <[RP] Doc> Yes, it would be. I was unsure if it would have been appropriate to ask to see that, even if it was in a medical context.

[15:20:37] <[RP] Jadis> I'm afraid I am... bad at describing things

[15:21:05] <[RP] Jadis> Perhaps another room however... it is cramped in here

[Jadis and Doc exit the small room.]

[15:21:16] <[RP] Doc> That is alright, some of the questions I ask are quite complicated, I am used to dealing with corpses that do not speak, after all.

[15:21:28] <[RP] Jadis> ....ah

[15:21:37] <[RP] Doc> Though I do still speak to them

[15:21:49] <[RP] Jadis> I suppose... I am a strange case

[15:22:03] <[RP] Doc> Not the strangest I have seen, rest assured

[15:22:26] <[RP] Jadis> Is there... a preferred way for me to sit? there are the couches downstairs... or my bedroom is through that door

[15:23:01] <[RP] Doc> Whatever is most comfortable for you, I will work around it

[Jadis thinks about it for a moment.]

[15:23:31] <[RP] Jadis> I think I would prefer... not… to to be half dressed in my sitting room

[15:23:44] <[RP] Doc> Very well

[They enter Jadis’ bedroom.]

[15:24:21] <[RP] Doc> You can even be standing if you prefer it

[15:24:33] <[RP] Jadis> ...Alright

[15:24:54] <[RP] Jadis> I have not... interacted with a doctor... that I can remember

[15:25:17] <[RP] Jadis> so... I am... at a disadvantage... in knowing how this works

[15:25:39] <[RP] Doc> That is alright, I am familiar with unusual situations. Would you like me to explain what I intend to look at and look for?

[15:26:14] <[RP] Jadis> Please...

[15:27:27] <[RP] Doc> Usually when I attempt to discern a cause of death I will look for any wounds that are clearly recent. Anything that is not healed, stitched, or otherwise tended to.

[15:28:32] <[RP] Doc> I will examine the area outside of the body for anything that may give a clue to what caused the wound, if there is one that fits that description, and I will feel around the area in an attempt to discern from the outside how deep the wound goes

[Jadis is listening intently, nodding along.]

[15:29:14] <[RP] Doc> If it is a scrape of a clearly surface level wound, I will continue looking. If it is very deep, I usually cut it open to determine whether it hit anything of great importance, of course that I will not do on you

[15:29:29] <[RP] Jadis> My thanks

[15:30:35] <[RP] Doc> Of course. And I take a list of any previously healed wounds as well. If many of the wounds are similar or if the recent wound is similar to ones that have healed, it can give additional clues

[15:31:14] <[RP] Jadis> I see...

[15:31:49] <[RP] Doc> I can do as little or as much as you like

[15:32:13] <[RP] Jadis> Any clues... to my demise... could be helpful

[15:32:38] <[RP] Doc> I will do what I can

[15:32:49] <[RP] Doc> With the information available to me

[Jadis nods before taking off their gloves and then their shirt. Various scars are present; a large Y shaped scar on their torso, twin scars on either side of their chest, the mentioned scar on their side, and various smaller ones. Jadis’ hands have tattoos on them, butterflies that dance around small scars.]

[15:35:30] <[RP] Doc> Oh, I do like your tattoos. I could never have any

[15:35:57] <[RP] Jadis> Butterflies were a favorite I think... one was engraved on my headstone as well

[Doc notes the location, size, and shape of all the scars that were visible in his notebook.]

[15:36:26] <[RP] Doc> Oh, how nice. You are a bit like one, aren't you?

[15:36:48] <[RP] Jadis> I… suppose so…

[Doc took a moment, feeling around the scar on Jadis's side in an attempt to discern how deep it went. Jadis’ skin is cold to the touch.]

[15:38:49] <[RP] Doc> Hm, I'm having trouble figuring out exactly how deep that wound goes, unfortunately.

[15:39:21] <[RP] Jadis> How.. unlucky

[15:39:52] <[RP] Jadis> I don't suppose... any of the others... could have possibly been fatal?

[15:40:50] <[RP] Doc> These ones on your chest call into question, though there are two of them.

[He checked the twin scars for stitch marks.]

[15:41:36] <[RP] Doc> No, they appear to have healed while you were alive.

[15:42:03] <[RP] Jadis> Hm...

[15:42:29] <[RP] Doc> Sometimes, during an autopsy, the organs are removed. I am unsure if that was the case with you, but likely not.

[15:43:04] <[RP] Jadis> They certainly found... some cause... to cut into me

[15:44:00] <[RP] Doc> Yes, autopsies can be performed when the cause of death is uncertain. Since all those areas are scarred, it means they healed.

[15:44:27] <[RP] Doc> Which is likely why they felt an autopsy was necessary. I do wonder if the notes on that are still intact somewhere

[15:44:56] <[RP] Jadis> I had wondered.... if perhaps the magick that brought me back... healed my body in some way

[15:45:41] <[RP] Doc> That is possible. If so, if you had any internal damage it may be even more difficult to discern wound depth from the outside.

[15:46:14] <[RP] Jadis> Not much.... for clues then

[15:46:30] <[RP] Jadis> How... disappointing

[15:46:43] <[RP] Doc> Unfortunately not, and any substances would have been well out of your system by now

[15:46:53] <[RP] Doc> Tell me- do you still have blood?

[Jadis blinks.]

[15:47:11] <[RP] Jadis> I havent... tested it

[15:47:46] <[RP] Jadis> I don't have a heartbeat... though

[15:48:03] <[RP] Doc> I see, then likely not.

[15:49:17] <[RP] Doc> Well, I am sorry I wasn't more help

[15:49:30] <[RP] Jadis> It is... alright

[15:49:40] <[RP] Doc> At some point in the future, it may be beneficial for me to take a look at your gravestone. There is always a chance that plague killed you as well.

[15:49:52] <[RP] Jadis> Plague?

[15:50:25] <[RP] Doc> If that is the case, it may still be in you- yes, I have been informed of a plague that killed many people long ago.

[15:50:45] <[RP] Jadis> I see...

[15:50:54] <[RP] Doc> Depending on the year, if it matches up, it may be something to consider

[15:51:18] <[RP] Jadis> I had not... known that

[15:51:57] <[RP] Jadis> I do not... feel sick currently... if that was my demise

[15:52:15] <[RP] Doc> Well the cause- since you are not alive it would not be affecting you

[15:52:37] <[RP] Doc> Since your body is presumably not creating any more cells and does not have an immune system

[15:52:53] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... yes

[15:53:37] <[RP] Doc> And as I suspect the disease to be a prion, it would not affect you currently. As a prion is a protein misfolding

[15:53:52] <[RP] Doc> And if you died early in the process, it wouldn't have caused any brain damage

[15:54:20] <[RP] Jadis> It affected... the brain?

[15:55:29] <[RP] Doc> In late stages I was told it caused dementia-like symptoms.

[15:56:12] <[RP] Jadis> I see... a cause for my... amnesia?

[15:56:43] <[RP] Doc> Likely not

[15:56:59] <[RP] Doc> The amnesia is, I would say a common after effect of being brought back

[Jadis nods.]

[15:58:05] <[RP] Jadis> The one who brought me back however... perhaps they forgot they even did so...

[15:58:48] <[RP] Doc> That is possible.. if they had that disease and they did forget, it would have likely been at its end stages.

[15:58:56] <[RP] Doc> Which means they may not be with us anymore

[15:59:05] <[RP] Jadis> ....ah

[15:59:49] <[RP] Doc> Of course, that's not set in stone. Just a hypothesis

[16:00:09] <[RP] Jadis> Of course

[16:00:17] <[RP] Jadis> I can... merely hope

[16:01:00] <[RP] Doc> Yes

[Jadis suddenly becomes aware of their shirtless state again.]

[16:01:11] <[RP] Doc> Ah, any more questions or ideas?

[16:01:22] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... can I.. redress now?

[16:01:27] <[RP] Doc> Oh, of course

[16:01:34] <[RP] Jadis> Thank you

[Jadis turns to put their shirt back on, revealing a large tattoo on their back of a sword with a broken blade.]

[16:02:44] <[RP] Doc> Oh! You have a tattoo- on your back

[Jadis pauses.]

[16:03:00] <[RP] Jadis> I.... do?

[16:03:17] <[RP] Doc> A sword, but it's not intact, the blade is broken

[16:04:04] <[RP] Jadis> That... sounds familar.... but I cannot... remember

[16:04:29] <[RP] Doc> ...You may have been a soldier or a paladin. And then somewhere along the way something happened

[Jadis pulls their shirt down fully.]

[16:05:20] <[RP] Jadis> I almost... find myself.. with more questions than answers... today

[16:05:36] <[RP] Doc> Unfortunately, death tends to be like that

[16:06:02] <[RP] Jadis> As I... am learning

[16:06:05] <[RP] Doc> More information means more questions

[16:06:25] <[RP] Doc> I will draw a sketch of the tattoo for you, so you can see it at some point. Perhaps that will help

[16:06:34] <[RP] Jadis> My thanks

[16:07:18] <[RP] Doc> Of course. I do appreciate you answering my questions

[16:07:54] <[RP] Jadis> Glad to be... of service

[16:08:47] <[RP] Doc> I will do everything in my power to help you. If you need anything else from me, I can be reached by mail or you can visit.

[16:09:02] <[RP] Jadis> A kind offer...

[16:09:21] <[RP] Jadis> I will be sure... to take you up on it

[16:09:37] <[RP] Doc> Of course. I do what I can to help.

[16:10:28] <[RP] Jadis> As do I...

[16:10:47] <[RP] Jadis> Feel free to look... at the cemetary... any time

[16:11:03] <[RP] Doc> Ah, I appreciate that. I will take my leave now, with that.

[Jadis nods.]

[16:11:36] <[RP] Jadis> Good day.... Doctor Krayn... my thanks once again

[16:11:51] <[RP] Doc> Of course, it's been nice visiting with you

[Doc approaches the small cottage on the back of a skeleton horse. He leads the horse to peer in through the windows, trying simply to figure out who might live there. 

Inside, Asha hums to themself as they chop up vegetables for offerings. They don’t seem to notice the tall figure with large spiraling horns and a mask made out of a skull dismount the horse and walk to the window.]

[12:11:44] <[RP] Asha> Hmm hmm hmmmm

[12:11:32] * [RP] Doc ah, that's probably the person. Maybe

[Doc knocks on the window. Asha looks up, startled. Their eyes go wide as they stare into the pitted eyes of the skull mask. They dive immediately behind the kitchen counter for cover.]

[Whispered: ]

[12:12:20] <[RP] Asha> oh by the good gods

[12:12:21] <[RP] Doc> "Hello."

[12:12:26] <[RP] Doc> "Can you hear me?"

[Asha continues to hide, petrified with fear.]

[12:12:44] <[RP] Doc> "Are you Asha?"

[They open their mouth, surprised to hear that this strange figure know their name.]

[12:13:06] <[RP] Asha> Are you a Spirit?

[12:13:12] <[RP] Doc> "Great question!"

[Whispered: ]

[12:13:22] <[RP] Asha> oh dear

[12:13:42] <[RP] Doc> "Is there a door around here?"

[12:13:53] <[RP] Asha> Uh, um, uh

[12:13:57] <[RP] Asha> I'll uh-

[12:14:02] <[RP] Doc> I brought a Pie

[12:14:15] <[RP] Asha> You're not-

[12:14:20] <[RP] Asha> Why-

[12:14:22] <[RP] Asha> Hmm

[12:14:23] <[RP] Doc> It's an apple pie

[12:14:32] <[RP] Doc> I made it this morning. For you

[12:14:44] <[RP] Asha> How do you know who I am?

[12:14:50] <[RP] Doc> If you do not possess a door I can make one

[12:14:57] <[RP] Asha> Oh no, no, please don't

[12:15:03] <[RP] Doc> Very well

[12:15:06] <[RP] Asha> Go, uh, go around the side

[12:15:10] <[RP] Doc> Which side?

[Asha’s clawed hand pops up above the counter top and points to Doc’s right. Doc walks along the length of the house, following the direction. Asha scuttles along the floor, peering down into the hearth of the fireplace.]

[In a stage whisper: ]

[12:15:44] <[RP] Asha> CAULDER.

[12:15:52] <[RP] Asha> CAULDER WAKE UP

[12:16:08] <[RP] Asha> Someone's here

[There is no response from the hearth, but there is a muffled voice from outside of the front door.]

[12:16:05] <[RP] Doc> I believe I have found the aforementioned door

[12:16:17] <[RP] Asha> Ahaha, coming, coming

[Asha cracks open the door slightly, just enough to slip a hand through. The spirit outside is in fact not a spirit, but a tall, thin man with a severe looking face and a pair of slim circular glasses. He holds the skull in his left hand.]

[12:16:40] <[RP] Asha> Oh, the skull, that was a mask?

[12:16:46] <[RP] Doc> No that was Jeffery

[12:16:57] <[RP] Asha> Is that a spirit you- oh!

[The door is pushed further open as Doc hands Asha the pie. It’s warm in seer arms.]

[12:16:57] <[RP] Doc> I made you a pie.

[12:17:27] <[RP] Asha> Oh....um...thank you

[12:17:30] <[RP] Asha> This....

[A warm, sugary aroma rises from the pie.]

[12:17:34] <[RP] Asha> This actually smells very nice

[12:17:44] <[RP] Doc> I have been told I am a good cook

[12:17:51] <[RP] Asha> Oh. That's nice

[12:17:58] <[RP] Asha> Who are you?

[12:18:15] <[RP] Asha> How...did you find me...?

[12:18:05] <[RP] Doc> Oh! Yes, right. That.

[12:18:34] <[RP] Doc> I met someone last week who told me that she was talking with you through letters and you knew a lot about gods.

[Surprised: ]

[12:18:51] <[RP] Asha> You spoke with Viola?

[12:18:59] <[RP] Asha> She told you about me?

[12:19:06] <[RP] Doc> I asked where you were, and she didn't know. And I had too many things to put into a reasonably sized letter- oh my yes, she had many questions for me

[12:19:24] <[RP] Asha> ...She's quite verbose

[12:19:40] <[RP] Doc> And then she told me there may have been a reason you did not want to speak with people in person, so I brought a pie.

[12:19:54] <[RP] Asha> Oh. Yes, I see

[12:20:04] <[RP] Asha> I don't like visitors

[12:20:25] <[RP] Asha> ...I'm sorry...

[12:20:49] <[RP] Doc> That is alright. If you would like to we can go elsewhere so it does not constitute as a visit.

[12:21:05] <[RP] Asha> Oh no no no

[12:21:15] <[RP] Asha> I don't....like leaving the area much either

[12:21:27] <[RP] Asha> You seem a bit persistant...

[12:21:46] <[RP] Doc> I do have a fair few questions. Would you like me to write them down?

[12:22:22] <[RP] Asha> Hmmm. That might be nice

[A sudden burst of red hot embers rush down the hallway. In a flurry, it leaps onto Asha’s shoulder. It looks sort of like a cat.]

[12:22:10] <[RP] Asha> Woah, Caulder!

[12:22:15] <[RP] Asha> Uh...um...sorry

[The burning embers hiss.]

[12:22:54] <[RP] Doc> Do you have somewhere I can write them down? I seem to have left all my books at the spire

[12:23:03] <[RP] Asha> Oh...um...sure.

[The ember leaps down from Asha’s shoulder, standing in the doorway. Asha retreats into the house. Doc stares intently at the little creature. It stares intently back. Asha returns shortly, handing Doc a piece of paper through the doorway. The ember leaps back up to nestle into Asha’s fur. It narrows its tiny eyes at Doc.]

[12:25:26] <[RP] Doc> Very well, I will write questions on this- Most of the questions on gods Viola could not answer

[12:25:42] <[RP] Asha> Oh....I see…

[Asha pauses as she watches Doc write.]

[12:26:01] <[RP] Asha> ...What sort of questions were they...?

[12:26:12] <[RP] Doc> And I have a fair few questions on that topic- oh, yes

[12:26:33] <[RP] Doc> What gods are here, are any dead gods, what kind of things do they represent. That sort of thing.

[12:26:41] <[RP] Doc> You could say I'm- tracking one, as it were

[Asha nods slightly, interested in the question.]

[12:27:13] <[RP] Asha> There are a few of them that I know of

[12:27:21] <[RP] Asha> What sort are you looking for?

[12:28:13] <[RP] Doc> Well, that is why I ask. I am unsure what ruse they are trying this time around

[12:28:39] <[RP] Asha> Ruse? Whatever do you mean?

[12:29:04] <[RP] Doc> Well, there is a reason I am tracking it

[12:29:17] <[RP] Doc> And there is similarly, a reason it does not want me to find it

[Asha nods, furrowing their brow.]

[12:29:48] <[RP] Asha> Most of the Gods here are animalistic in nature

[12:29:59] <[RP] Doc> I do research on different gods and worlds anyhow, but this is a secondary quest if you will- nmn, in what sense?

[12:30:27] <[RP] Asha> The Frog, the Cat, the Dog

[12:30:41] <[RP] Asha> Those are the most primarily worshipped Gods here, or they were, I suppose

[12:30:49] <[RP] Asha> No one cleans their temples much anymore

[12:31:07] <[RP] Asha> There are a few more further out, but I have not visited them

[12:31:28] <[RP] Doc> So they have been here for a while then

[Asha nods.]

[12:31:49] <[RP] Asha> I was interested in this place...for many reasons. Primarily, their gods are quite old

[12:32:43] <[RP] Doc> All of them?

[12:32:53] <[RP] Asha> Not all, but many of them

[12:33:21] <[RP] Asha> Gods come and go, they wander in and out of worlds, but some stay if given the home to

[12:33:39] <[RP] Asha> Those particular ones stayed here for some time

[12:33:56] <[RP] Doc> Wander in and out, good, that's what I was looking for. What would you say the most recent addition is?

[12:34:31] <[RP] Asha> I can't be sure, I'm sorry to say

[12:34:50] <[RP] Asha> I came here following a Spirit, I just happen to tend to Gods as well

[12:35:10] <[RP] Doc> Oh, can you see spirits- and is it an actual spirit or an elemental?

[12:36:41] <[RP] Asha> A spirit of nature, though I have tended to the spirits of the dead before

[12:37:12] <[RP] Doc> I have been told they are quite rare here, spirits of the dead.

[12:37:59] <[RP] Asha> Yes, there must be something that tethers them to the world they died in

[12:38:36] <[RP] Asha> I believe, through my research, that there was something that released these spirits in the past

[12:38:45] <[RP] Doc> Yes, there is.. Though I have been told there was a plague here

[Asha backs into the house, seemingly on instinct alone.]

[12:39:21] <[RP] Asha> There was, some time ago

[Quieter: ]

[12:39:26] <[RP] Asha> Not good

[12:39:37] <[RP] Doc> Which would lead me to believe there would be more spirits of the dead. Do you know if something had released those spirits after the plague?

[Asha shakes their head. Whispered: ]

[12:40:02] <[RP] Asha> Fire, probably

[12:40:16] <[RP] Asha> Everything was burned

[12:41:12] <[RP] Doc> That's often used to cleanse the dead, sure. Clean them of the disease

[Asha nods.]

[12:43:18] <[RP] Doc> Of course, to me the disease sounded very close to a prion I'm familiar with. Viola stated there was a mass grave somewhere that I am going to visit soon and attempt to commune with the spirits that linger there.

[12:43:36] <[RP] Doc> I presume they are simply more attached to their resting place than most worlds I have visited

[12:43:54] <[RP] Asha> You commune with the spirits of the dead?

[12:44:12] <[RP] Doc> Oh, all the time. Mostly against my own will. But it was what I was made for!

[12:44:23] <[RP] Asha> Oh...I see

[12:45:20] <[RP] Doc> DO you know if gods influence the patterns of spirits around here?

[12:45:45] <[RP] Asha> I hadn't considered that before...

[12:45:54] <[RP] Asha> I think it depends on the Spirit and God

[12:46:47] <[RP] Doc> That is why I wanted to inquire on gods, to see if there were any that could directly influence this

[12:47:05] <[RP] Asha> ...

[12:47:11] <[RP] Asha> There were whispers, back in the day

[12:47:24] <[RP] Doc> During the plague? Before? After?

[12:47:38] <[RP] Asha> Before the plague

[12:47:48] <[RP] Asha> It was of a God with oily black wings, somewhere to the South

[12:48:03] <[RP] Asha> I had meant to investigate, but the plague came on quickly

[12:48:09] <[RP] Asha> It became unsafe to leave my home

[12:48:37] <[RP] Doc> I see, the disease spread well between species?

[12:49:06] <[RP] Asha> Yes, it spread quite quickly

[12:49:36] <[RP] Doc> And has anyone found the source?

[12:50:14] <[RP] Asha> As far as I know, we have not

[12:50:26] <[RP] Asha> Viola is unsure if it's truly even gone

[12:50:56] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I got that impression.

[12:51:21] <[RP] Doc> I told her I would look into it. I am unsure if this made her reassured or unsettled.

[12:52:01] <[RP] Asha> Oh...you believe you could find it?

[12:53:59] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I am a doctor by trade and my abilities make it possible for me to collect information that would otherwise be inaccessible.

[12:54:25] <[RP] Asha> Would you be able to eradicate it for good if you found the source?

[12:54:52] <[RP] Doc> It would depend on what kind of disease it turned out to be, and what the source is or was

[12:55:43] <[RP] Asha> ...I see

[12:56:08] <[RP] Doc> If it is what I believe it to be, it could be a difficult undertaking as a prion is generally considered to be uncurable.

[12:56:18] <[RP] Asha> ......

[Asha nods.]

[12:56:27] <[RP] Doc> Though Viola told me there were survivors, so that does give a hint of hope

[12:56:44] <[RP] Doc> if it is bacterial, a vaccine should be relatively easy to create, though it would take time.

[Asha nods again, this time more hopeful.]

[12:57:11] <[RP] Asha> That would be a very nice assurance if you did

[12:58:25] <[RP] Doc> I have theories, though I need to look into it more. I believe this world is a dead end for my tracking, though that is not all that surprising. Regardless I have all the time in the world for that

[12:58:55] <[RP] Asha> Oh. All the time...?

[12:59:21] <[RP] Doc> I was going to switch my focuses to the plague as it seemed more interesting for the moment

[13:00:31] <[RP] Asha> That would be very nice if you did

[13:00:56] <[RP] Doc> It also may be more beneficial to the denizens here

[13:01:26] <[RP] Asha> Yes, yes it very much would

[13:02:36] <[RP] Asha> ...Thank you very much for the pie

[13:02:45] <[RP] Doc> Would you like me to send you a letter with my findings?

[13:02:54] <[RP] Asha> I would very much like that indeed

[13:03:37] <[RP] Doc> Very well, I shall keep you in mind as I make my records

[13:03:41] <[RP] Asha> ...Thank you

[13:03:52] <[RP] Asha> You may leave your paper with questions on the doorstep.

[13:04:01] <[RP] Asha> How might I return this to you with my answers?

[13:04:01] <[RP] Doc> You answered all my questions.

[13:04:07] <[RP] Asha> ....Oh

[13:04:08] <[RP] Asha> I see.

[13:04:29] <[RP] Doc> I have a mailbox, it is where I spoke to Viola

[13:04:58] <[RP] Asha> Should you ever leave me questions, then I will return the answers there

[13:06:10] <[RP] Doc> That sounds good. DO you have any questions for me before I leave?

[13:06:36] <[RP] Asha> I don't believe so

[13:07:10] <[RP] Doc> Very well, I shall take my leave. It was nice to meet you, Asha

[13:07:33] <[RP] Asha> Oh, alright. It was...this was a very nice conversation

[13:07:38] <[RP] Asha> Thank you again for the pie

[13:08:19] <[RP] Doc> Of course. I am glad you enjoyed the conversation

[Asha nods, eyes turned towards the ground.]

[13:08:50] <[RP] Doc> We shall meet again, I'm certain. Farewell for now

[13:09:00] <[RP] Asha> Travel safely

[13:09:05] <[RP] Doc> Thank you

[Viola digs through different mailboxes, gathering returned library books, and putting in tomes requested by different people]

[14:08:20] <[RP] Viola> Hmm hm hmmmmm, hmmm hmmm hmmmmmmm

[There is a faint rustling from the ship’s sails. Viola continues to hum to herself.]

[14:08:50] <[RP] Viola> Hmm, windy today

[Impossibly close to her ear.]

[14:09:11] <[RP] Doc> Hello.

[14:09:21] <[RP] Viola> OH BY THE CHORUS

[Viola jumps three feet into the air as she whips around to see Doc standing directly behind her. She holds her fists up in a defensive position, but relaxes as she realizes it’s someone she recognizes. Viola resets her askew glasses.]

[14:09:55] <[RP] Viola> Um, uh, hello?

[14:10:12] <[RP] Viola> Oh! You're the guy who was at the Magician's demonstration, with the little dog boy?

[14:10:19] <[RP] Viola> Can I......help you?

[14:10:37] <[RP] Doc> That is correct, and yes.

[14:10:54] <[RP] Doc> Though first I have some questions for you, if you don't mind

[14:11:08] <[RP] Viola> Yeah, of course! Love to help out, just give me a second to catch my breath

[14:11:13] <[RP] Viola> You scared me SO bad man

[14:11:18] <[RP] Viola> I startle like one of those goats

[14:11:23] <[RP] Viola> I'm surprised I didn't faint, actually

[14:11:30] <[RP] Viola> How are you so good at moving without sound???

[14:11:35] <[RP] Doc> I have been told I have that effect on people.

[14:11:45] <[RP] Doc> What effect that is, well I am not too sure. And I do not know

[14:11:57] <[RP] Doc> I just walked over to you

[14:12:10] <[RP] Viola> Must've been really into my sorting, I guess

[14:12:21] <[RP] Viola> Anywho, I'm Viola

[14:12:27] <[RP] Viola> How can I be of service?

[14:12:41] <[RP] Doc> Like I stated previously, I have questions.

[14:12:50] <[RP] Viola> Lay 'em on me champ

[14:13:03] <[RP] Doc> Are you from here?

[14:13:09] <[RP] Viola> I am! Born and raised

[14:13:15] <[RP] Doc> Raised by who?

[14:13:23] <[RP] Viola> Oh, um, my parents?

[14:13:35] <[RP] Doc> They do not accompany you here?

[14:13:43] <[RP] Doc> Where do they reside? Are they humans? Are you a human?

[A look washes over Viola’s face, but she tightens her jaw and smiles.]

[14:14:08] <[RP] Viola> I'm like 99% sure I'm human, I think?

[14:14:45] <[RP] Viola> My dad was the former librarian, but he-

[14:14:51] <[RP] Viola> How much do you know about this world?

[14:14:57] <[RP] Viola> I'm gonna assume you're not from here

[14:15:14] <[RP] Doc> I am unsure how much there is to know. I am not from here. In honesty, I am unsure I am from anywhere

[14:15:32] <[RP] Viola> A wanderer! Have you been to any of the core worlds?

[14:15:45] <[RP] Doc> No. I do not like places that have that many people

[14:15:54] <[RP] Viola> Aww dang

[14:15:57] <[RP] Viola> But you know what? Fair

[14:16:01] <[RP] Doc> I am not here to research people.

[Viola perks up.]

[14:16:13] <[RP] Viola> But you are here to research something?

[14:16:16] <[RP] Viola> Are you a researcher?

[14:16:20] <[RP] Viola> What do you study?

[14:16:41] <[RP] Doc> I indulge my own curiosity from time to time. I travel to many different worlds and universes

[14:16:53] <[RP] Doc> I observe the differences and similarities between them

[Viola’s face beams with delight. She looks like she’s going to explode from happiness.]

[14:17:10] <[RP] Viola> DO YOU HAVE ANY BOOKS FROM YOUR TRAVELS

[14:17:24] <[RP] Doc> Books? In what manner.

[14:17:28] <[RP] Viola> Sorry. I can be calm. So calm

[14:17:34] <[RP] Doc> ...Yes.

[14:17:36] <[RP] Viola> Any books, like anything? Anything at all not from here

[14:18:23] <[RP] Doc> Authored by others that are not myself?

[14:18:41] <[RP] Viola> YOU WRITE BOOKS- I said I'd be calm. I'm cool, I'm collected. You write books yourself?

[14:19:15] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I find books authored by others much too- mnm, what is the word- repetitive

[Viola nods vehemently]

[14:20:01] <[RP] Doc> The information is hidden in these strange word puzzles.

[14:20:11] <[RP] Viola> Word puzzles?

[14:20:15] <[RP] Doc> Not good for informational books.

[Viola furrows her brow.]

[14:20:27] <[RP] Viola> I see

[14:20:33] <[RP] Doc> Yes, too many 'if' statements. 'depending on'

[Viola nods.]

[14:21:43] <[RP] Doc> I do not like it.

[14:22:04] <[RP] Viola> So let me get this straight, when you write books, you write them as puzzles?

[14:22:10] <[RP] Viola> For people to figure out?

[14:22:12] <[RP] Viola> For themselves?

[14:22:14] <[RP] Doc> I take information from books and I condense it into my own. It makes finding anything much easier- mnm? No.

[14:22:25] <[RP] Viola> Oh! Like an encyclopedia?

[14:22:44] <[RP] Doc> In a sense, I suppose they could be referred to as such

[Viola begins to bite down on the inside of her cheek to keep herself calm. She steeples her fingers.]

[14:23:22] <[RP] Viola> I am very interested in getting copies for my collection

[14:23:21] <[RP] Doc> Plant life, wildlife. The mechanics of life

[14:23:32] <[RP] Viola> So. So very interested

[14:23:37] <[RP] Doc> ...Mnm.. is your collection private?

[14:24:01] <[RP] Viola> Public, actually! But if you wanted to keep it private, I would cherish them and hide them secretly where no one could find them

[14:24:12] <[RP] Viola> And read them only by candlelight on a new moon for utmost secrecy

[14:24:37] <[RP] Doc> You jest, I do know that, but some of the information is very- delicate.

[Viola shakes her head, staring Doc down.]

[14:25:01] <[RP] Viola> I take my reading very seriously

[14:25:07] <[RP] Viola> But delicate?

[14:25:11] <[RP] Viola> What sort of delicate?

[14:25:26] <[RP] Doc> Most worlds do not like to know when their civilization will collapse.

[14:25:36] <[RP] Viola> Tell me more about that immediately

[14:25:47] <[RP] Doc> You'll have to be more specific

[14:25:59] <[RP] Viola> Civilization collapse? You can predict that??

[14:26:12] <[RP] Viola> What metrics do you use? How can you tell? Is our civilization close??

[14:26:23] <[RP] Doc> And that, is why it is delicate

[14:26:35] <[RP] Viola> Right, I see

[Viola motions to zip her lips.]

[14:27:26] <[RP] Doc> People believe they can handle it, but they never handle it well

[14:27:38] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I can predict things like that. Not by my choice

[Viola raises a polite but intrusive eyebrow.]

[14:27:57] <[RP] Doc> So the books I would be able to give you are limited. No information on worlds you do not have access to

[14:28:08] <[RP] Doc> And no information on the deaths of entities or worlds

[14:28:15] <[RP] Doc> And definitely not on the worm

[14:28:21] <[RP] Viola> ...The worm?

[14:28:27] <[RP] Doc> Though I do suppose that's a separate matter entirely

[14:28:41] <[RP] Doc> And likely not relevant at all to civilization on this planet

[14:28:32] <[RP] Viola> I'm sorry the worm?

[14:28:35] <[RP] Viola> What's the worm

[14:28:39] <[RP] Viola> I need to know about the worm

[14:28:58] <[RP] Doc> And it has legs so it's not really a worm as it is a worm adjacent creature.

[14:29:10] <[RP] Viola> Huh.

[14:29:30] <[RP] Doc> Though it does absorb oxygen partially through its skin. But I suppose it is not close to worm skin.

[14:29:35] <[RP] Doc> If it could be called skin at all

[14:29:40] <[RP] Viola> Huh....

[14:29:42] <[RP] Doc> What was the question?

[14:29:58] <[RP] Viola> I think I've asked like five, so I don't even remember

[14:30:06] <[RP] Viola> If anything, I want whatever copies you're willing to give me

[14:30:14] <[RP] Viola> I love learning anything I can about the world outside this one

[14:30:15] <[RP] Viola> OH!

[14:30:19] <[RP] Viola> You asked about this world!

[14:30:31] <[RP] Viola> What did you ask again...?

[14:30:51] <[RP] Doc> This world, how many sentient inhabitants are there?

[14:31:14] <[RP] Viola> Hmm, if I were to guess, maybe about just under 500?

[14:31:27] <[RP] Doc> When do they gather?

[14:31:34] <[RP] Viola> Rarely, these days

[14:31:37] <[RP] Viola> Most of them live within the "inner circle" surrounding this place, the Wayships

[14:31:49] <[RP] Viola> There are a few that live wayyyy out past there, maybe about 100 or so?

[14:32:12] <[RP] Viola> You can sometimes get people to gather for events, like the Magician's

[14:32:18] <[RP] Viola> But there aren't really that many Festivals anymore

[14:32:22] <[RP] Viola> Not since the exodus

[14:32:25] <[RP] Doc> Magician, pah. What a cheap act.

[Viola raises her eyebrow at the Magician comment.]

[14:32:33] <[RP] Doc> Exodus, in the biblical sense?

[14:33:00] <[RP] Viola> Exodus, like a bunch of people left all at once

[14:33:09] <[RP] Viola> Most of them without saying goodbye

[14:33:16] <[RP] Viola> I was really young when it happened

[14:33:18] <[RP] Doc> Did something happen here to cause that?

[14:33:39] <[RP] Viola> It's complicated, and people don't really like talking about it, but there was a large scale conflict of some sort

[14:33:44] <[RP] Viola> Then there was a plague

[14:33:52] <[RP] Viola> It's gone now, but a lot of people left

[14:34:00] <[RP] Doc> Ah, I see.

[Doc takes out a small notebook from his coat pocket. He scribbles information down into it.]

[14:34:29] <[RP] Viola> A lot of the people who did know what was going on are either dead or gone

[14:34:36] <[RP] Viola> So it's sort of lost to time

[14:34:40] <[RP] Doc> Dead, you say?

[14:35:13] <[RP] Viola> Yeah, either in the conflict, or in the plague

[14:34:48] <[RP] Doc> Where exactly do they lie?

[14:34:55] <[RP] Doc> Are there any mass graves of the sick?

[14:35:20] <[RP] Viola> Some are in the cemetery to the East

[14:35:31] <[RP] Viola> There are a few sites that were burned in the South, but people say they're haunted

[14:35:41] <[RP] Viola> Or that whatever remains of the plague is still there

[14:35:41] <[RP] Doc> Good, that is the idea

[14:36:14] <[RP] Viola> The plague was really, really bad. Those who did survive, they're not the same

[14:36:21] <[RP] Doc> Did this plague have a name? Do you know anything of the effects?

[Viola’s face falls slightly.]

[14:36:43] <[RP] Viola> Very, very well, actually

[14:36:56] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, your parents, i presume?

[14:37:02] <[RP] Viola> My dad

[14:37:09] <[RP] Viola> They call it the Fading, because you just fade away

[14:37:24] <[RP] Doc> In what sense?

[14:37:49] <[RP] Viola> The sickness comes on really slowly, it's hard to tell you even have it at first

[14:38:02] <[RP] Viola> It starts as a cold, and then soon you can barely get out of bed

[14:38:20] <[RP] Viola> If you survive the physical effects, then it comes for your mind

[14:38:26] <[RP] Doc> I see

[Doc writes down the words “chronic wasting disease” in his book.]

[14:38:51] <[RP] Viola> My dad used to be the librarian for this world before me, now I'm just happy when he recognizes me when I come in to bring him breakfast

[14:39:20] <[RP] Viola> Soooo yeah

[14:39:34] <[RP] Viola> A lot of people get really nervous whenever anyone gets sick around here

[14:40:02] <[RP] Doc> I'm a doctor by trade. Something like that is familiar to me

[14:40:22] <[RP] Viola> Really! You must be pretty familiar then

[14:40:33] <[RP] Viola> Did you ever see anything like that in your travels?

[14:41:14] <[RP] Doc> Yes, many similarities to what you've described. The mental decline seems adjacent to an idiopathic condition in elders known as dementia

[14:41:24] <[RP] Doc> Though obviously they do not share a pathology

[14:41:53] <[RP] Doc> And there is also wasting disease

[14:41:59] <[RP] Viola> Wasting disease?

[14:42:23] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, yes.

[Doc closes his notebook, tucking it back into his coat. He pulls out a second book, this one with a medical emblem on it. Viola tries not to salivate.]

[14:43:44] <[RP] Doc> It is an animal disease, though it has a human counterpart called Creutzfeldt–Jakob

[14:44:00] <[RP] Doc> A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy caused by a prion

[Viola nods.]

[14:44:46] <[RP] Doc> Later symptoms actually include the aforementioned dementia. At the start the symptoms are not so bad

[14:45:13] <[RP] Doc> Coordination issues, visual and auditory disturbances, mood and personality changes

[14:45:43] <[RP] Viola> Yeah that all tracks pretty consistently

[14:45:57] <[RP] Viola> I'm surprised we didn't have a doctor out here to study it sooner

[14:46:02] <[RP] Viola> Is that why you're here?

[14:46:27] <[RP] Doc> No, it was unknown to me before this conversation. Could you tell me what was done with those who succumbed to the illness?

[14:46:55] <[RP] Viola> Oh, uh, I don't really remember much, just what happened with my dad

[14:47:10] <[RP] Viola> He kept trying to do his job all throughout the plague

[14:47:28] <[RP] Viola> Wanted to make sure people weren't left behind, and were still connected to the world

[14:47:35] <[RP] Viola> Then he got sick, and kept trying to work

[14:47:58] <[RP] Doc> I see, I see

[14:48:01] <[RP] Viola> He collapsed on one of his route, and was taken to the places where they'd makeshifted hospitals

[14:48:39] <[RP] Viola> ...Some of the other people here were taking care of me at that point, so I don't remember much

[14:48:56] <[RP] Viola> Just that he went into the hospital, and then came out and was different

[14:49:03] <[RP] Viola> They said he was a fighter though

[14:49:16] <[RP] Viola> Not a lot of people survived the first stage

[14:49:28] <[RP] Viola> From what I know, a lot of bodies were burned

[14:49:50] <[RP] Viola> When they were able to manage it better, and found whatever the cause was, bodies were able to be buried normally

[14:49:58] <[RP] Viola> But there are a lot of empty graves in the cemeteries

[14:50:14] <[RP] Doc> Cenotaph

[14:50:20] <[RP] Viola> Oh, yeah that's the word

[14:50:59] <[RP] Doc> Interesting. Some similarities, and some differences

[14:51:52] <[RP] Doc> The one I mentioned is almost always fatal within two years

[14:52:44] <[RP] Viola> Damn, yeah the Fading was fatal for a lot of people, but I know some others who have survived ten or...wow...fifteen years now

[14:52:57] <[RP] Doc> Were they world natives?

[14:53:29] <[RP] Viola> Yeah, some, but back in the day there were a lot of transplants here

[14:54:07] <[RP] Viola> I don't think it was affecting world natives alone, if that's what you're curious about

[14:54:26] <[RP] Doc> No, though it may affect them a bit differently.

[14:54:31] <[RP] Doc> Of course that may not be visible

[14:54:38] <[RP] Viola> That's fair actually

[14:56:02] <[RP] Viola> But yeah, that's what I know

[14:56:26] <[RP] Doc> I see, thank you. I do appreciate the information about this

[14:56:40] <[RP] Viola> No problem, sorry I don't know more

[14:56:49] <[RP] Viola> It's like the one topic I don't know that much about

[14:56:57] <[RP] Doc> I will find out more regardless

[14:57:12] <[RP] Viola> I don't doubt that, haha

[Viola chews on her cheek again, this time staring off at the ocean out the window.]

[14:57:47] <[RP] Viola> Was there anything else you wanted to ask?

[14:58:03] <[RP] Doc> How much do you know of the spirits and gods here?

[Viola’s face brightens slightly as the topic changes.]

[14:58:23] <[RP] Viola> A lot, actually!

[14:58:35] <[RP] Viola> A friend of mine, Asha, is an expert on the spirits and gods of this world

[14:58:48] <[RP] Viola> Though she and I really only communicate through letters

[14:59:16] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, I see

[14:59:22] <[RP] Doc> Do you happen to know where to find her?

[14:59:32] <[RP] Viola> Hahaha oh, I wish I knew

[14:59:48] <[RP] Viola> She's pretty...secretive...? That's the wrong word

[14:59:51] <[RP] Viola> Kind of a hermit

[15:00:03] <[RP] Doc> Very well, I will find her

[15:00:12] <[RP] Viola> Uh what?

[15:00:20] <[RP] Doc> I will find her

[15:00:25] <[RP] Viola> Oh, man, I wouldn't recommend doing that

[15:00:28] <[RP] Doc> Why.

[15:00:43] <[RP] Viola> Asha's really nice, but also like, they don't want to be found for a reason, I'm assuming

[15:00:58] <[RP] Doc> Assuming?

[15:01:01] <[RP] Doc> I do not do that

[15:01:13] <[RP] Viola> I've been trying to get their coordinates for like 10 years

[15:01:16] <[RP] Doc> I could make an inference, though I do not have enough information to make an inference

[15:01:32] <[RP] Viola> Closest I've come is that they live somewhere in the mountains to the North

[15:01:40] <[RP] Viola> But also it's cold as shit up there and I'm not dealing with that mess

[15:02:21] <[RP] Doc> I will explore the mountains to the north of where I made a base

[15:02:48] <[RP] Viola> Well, good luck man, don't say I didn't warn you

[15:03:09] <[RP] Doc> I need questions answered

[15:03:29] <[RP] Doc> If when she is found, she does not want to answer my questions, I will look elsewhere

[15:03:36] <[RP] Doc> My questions will be answered regardless

[15:03:48] <[RP] Viola> ...What exactly are you looking for out here?

[15:04:01] <[RP] Doc> Nothing in particular, why?

[15:04:13] <[RP] Viola> You just seem really driven in a certain direction

[15:04:21] <[RP] Viola> What about the spirits and gods are you looking for?

[15:04:51] <[RP] Doc> Mostly if there are many spirits still in the physical world

[15:05:06] <[RP] Viola> I can tell you that one, there 100% are

[15:05:27] <[RP] Viola> That's how Asha gets her mail - she has a wind spirit...familiar? I don't really know what to call Luzia

[15:05:38] <[RP] Viola> Luzia comes by every few days and empties her mailbox

[15:05:55] <[RP] Doc> Oh, can everyone here see spirits?

[15:06:26] <[RP] Viola> Oh yeah, like breeze and blazes and stuff?

[15:06:36] <[RP] Doc> Those are spirits?

[15:06:49] <[RP] Doc> Eugh, something has occured

[15:06:54] <[RP] Viola> Oh?

[15:06:50] <[RP] Viola> ...What kind of spirits do you deal with?

[15:07:05] <[RP] Doc> Spirits? Like ghosts?

[15:07:35] <[RP] Viola> Yeah we don't have those kinds of spirits

[15:07:42] <[RP] Viola> At least, I don't think we do?

[15:07:45] <[RP] Viola> I've never seen a ghost

[15:07:58] <[RP] Viola> Spirits are like smaller gods, like naturalistic thingies

[15:07:56] <[RP] Doc> The spirits you have here are elementals then, I see.

[15:08:02] <[RP] Viola> Oh yeah, elementals

[15:08:10] <[RP] Doc> Or at least the ones visible to all

[15:08:46] <[RP] Viola> Most people can see spirits, I think

[15:08:56] <[RP] Doc> The ones here?

[15:09:05] <[RP] Viola> Yeah! They're not as common unless there's a shrine around though

[15:09:20] <[RP] Viola> Not sure if anyone keeps the shrines up here at spawn much anymore

[15:09:32] <[RP] Doc> Shrines?

[15:09:57] <[RP] Viola> Yeah, shrines to the spirits, you leave offerings, keep them clean

[15:10:11] <[RP] Viola> It means the spirits will make a home there, and usually bring good fortune

[15:10:14] <[RP] Viola> Or so Asha says

[15:10:12] <[RP] Doc> And you said there are some nearby?

[15:10:25] <[RP] Viola> I think there's a small one under the Wayships

[15:10:43] <[RP] Viola> Some small water spirit maybe?

[15:10:54] <[RP] Doc> A nymph?

[15:11:27] <[RP] Viola> I mean maybe? Asha knows more of the terminology about them than I do

[15:11:39] <[RP] Viola> There's some books I could lend you on them if you wanted to learn more

[15:11:52] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, I shall have to find her soon. And yes, I would like to borrow those

[Viola pulls a book out from her sidebag and writes something down.]

[15:12:38] <[RP] Viola> They'll be in your mailbox by tomorrow

[15:12:43] <[RP] Viola> Wait...Do you have a mailbox here?

[15:12:48] <[RP] Doc> Mailbox... I do not.

[15:12:53] <[RP] Doc> Am I supposed to?

[Viola gestures to the empty mailboxes beside her.]

[15:13:13] <[RP] Viola> Claim one if you want one, it's mostly for if you want people to send you stuff

[15:13:15] <[RP] Viola> Or want books

[15:13:28] <[RP] Doc> I do want books. I shall take this one

[15:13:51] <[RP] Viola> Awesome! Hobart will be happy that he doesn't have to sort through people's mail that's unclaimed

[15:13:53] <[RP] Viola> He hates that

[15:13:58] <[RP] Doc> Hobart?

[15:14:03] <[RP] Doc> Who is that

[Viola hooks a thumb over her shoulder at the empty office.]

[15:14:22] <[RP] Viola> He's the postmaster, stationmaster, and portalmaster, and a real piece of work

[15:14:28] <[RP] Viola> He's on lunch I think

[15:14:33] <[RP] Viola> ...He's usually on lunch

[15:14:43] <[RP] Viola> He doesn't really like people

[15:14:51] <[RP] Doc> Then why does he work there

[15:15:11] <[RP] Viola> Because he says "anyone else would do the job wrong"

[15:15:15] <[RP] Viola> Apparently

[15:15:28] <[RP] Doc> Perhaps anyone else would do the job

[15:15:28] <[RP] Viola> I think it's just that he doesn't want to retire

[15:15:36] <[RP] Doc> Is he older?

[15:15:51] <[RP] Viola> Yeah, he's a world transplant but he's been here since before my parents were married

[15:16:10] <[RP] Viola> He's like in his...well he's a frogkin so I don't know if they age differently

[15:16:17] <[RP] Viola> He looks 60

[15:16:19] <[RP] Viola> I'll say sixty

[15:16:19] <[RP] Doc> I see. Older people generally need something to occupy their time

[15:16:42] <[RP] Viola> I wouldn't be surprised if that's the answer

[15:17:15] <[RP] Doc> I see

[15:17:56] <[RP] Viola> Well perfect, your books will arrive tomorrow

[15:18:11] <[RP] Viola> If I have all of them. Oh no I think I need to go to the South to get one of them

[15:18:17] <[RP] Viola> I've been ignoring the state of my office there

[15:18:19] <[RP] Viola> It's fine

[15:18:21] <[RP] Viola> It'll get done

[15:18:25] <[RP] Doc> Well, I wish you luck on your quest

[15:18:33] <[RP] Viola> Haha, thank you kind...doctor

[15:18:36] <[RP] Viola> You never told me your name

[15:18:46] <[RP] Doc> That is correct

[15:18:53] <[RP] Doc> Perhaps you will learn in time

[15:18:57] <[RP] Viola> Huh

[15:19:02] <[RP] Viola> Okay Doc, whatever you say

[15:19:14] <[RP] Doc> Now, it was nice speaking with you, but I need to return to catalog my findings.

[15:19:30] <[RP] Viola> Good luck to you on your findings quest

[15:19:36] <[RP] Doc> Thank you

[15:19:50] <[RP] Doc> Likewise to you

[Viola gives a little wave, and goes back to sorting through mailboxes. Doc moves over to the waystone, warping off.]