Log:Rift Crisis II, Scene 19

Rift Crisis II 2019/08/09 Allison Artemis Blok Copycat Eleanora Griffin Grimm Lorelei Maybri Moonshadow Nohrbor Radical Spirit Bahar Beindor Gorrar Herrud Hirion Kattag Korak Naggag Nidik Reddip Vanasse Zogen

19

With the Earth-D's Dr Destroyer's deadline approaching, no decision or solution seems to have been reached. Those members of EarthGov who know about it are locked in heated debate, but no one wants either the destruction of the Earth or to bow the knee to Destroyer. Heroes have been doing their bit dealing with the Rift Crisis, but the larger problem is still looming. And so, a council has been called for those parties in the know, at the Undermoon Embassy - it seems Undermoon has taken an interest in the matter.

Blok says, "Blok thinks this started with dwarves in park."

As it turns out, the council has been called by Undermoon royalty: no less a person that Princess Stephanie of Undermoon, the former superhero Lorelei, is chairing it - as beautiful as ever or more so in her exquisite fae robes.

After being busy closing smaller rifts, Grimm has come as one of the Starguard Gamma representatives. The Mistress of Tenebration and dimensional exploration stays near the Earth delegations for starters, arms folded over her chest.

Called upon by way of hearing about the crisis from the discussion of others, Maybri Mason makes her way to the embassy to see how she might contribute to the resistance efforts. She wears an image of Swarmer in place of where a name tag would be, for the sake of convenience and recognition, to be better understood if she wants to speak in some capacity, and everything is just easier to take in from the perspective of a giant. A five and a half foot giant.

EarthGov is represented by a small delegation - anything larger would have drawn public attention. Unsurprisingly, several other fae make up the Undermoon delegation. Two factions of Dwarves are here - the so-called Seven Dwarves /and/ the Dwarves from Guk-Madduk, whose interdimensional tunnel caused this mess. They glower at each other from across the room.

Dorian is here in a formal capacity as the local Starguard Gamma commander, and as such, he's actually in full uniform today. His connections to the princess and his leadership in helping to deal with the Overlord situation meant he was a good choice to lead the delegation.

Radical was invited indirectly by Amelia, as he's one of the local experts on dimensions and dimensional travel. He's effectively here as an independent hero, though.

The SuperSoldier Sentinel remembers those dwarves in the park all too well. He frowns at the mention of the dwarves & the greedy, haphazard construction of a transdimensional portal that led to this mess.

"Those were the dwarves I told you about." He whispers to Kat.

Quite naturally he makes a point not to look at Gabrielle Grimm, a woman he's encountered in a couple of incarnations across the multiverse. He doesn't care for her in many of them- but this Earth's gives him the creeps. And why not? She's a scary lady when she wants to be.

Kat is nonethewiser as she gazes up at Griffin. "Oh wow. I remember that. I can't believe that caused all this." She replies.

Griffin nods to Commander Parrault and clicks him a greeting along the electromagnetic band. "Afternoon Commander. Glad to see you."

Lorelei makes introductions. Among the fae delegates are Beindor, the embassy postmaster, and an unusually worn and weathered-looking fae, Grand Master Worldwalker Hirion.

Artemis is standing with Nohrbor, looking more like she's standing on guard than really particulating in the arguments. Her brother in battle, Nohrbor, has just discovered the benefits of Fae wine and has been indulging during the deliberations. Artemis leans over to Nohrbor and asks, "I know not why we are negotation here. Is it for safetly? I hear word that these fae aren't quite part of this dimension, and are not under threat. Are the dwarves part of their kingdom?" she asks Norhbor as he's mid-sip of who knows how many glasses of fae wine.

Dorian nods to Griffin with a smile and responds in kind with a direct electronic message. << Good to see you too. >>

Blok has accompanied Commander Dorian, having been present when the Guk-Madduk dwarves opened their tunnel to Earth.

Titan is standing off to the side, really just here because he was involved in the fight with Ettinbrand. Well, and he's kind of a bridge between the embassy and the city, as a member of the Princess Guard. But if the problem doesn't require punching, he won't be much use in solving the problem.

The Guk-Madduk dwarves are standing particularly defiantly in the face of a lot of hostility from many directions - their heads as high as they can go and their beards bristling forth like porcupines.

Maybri ends up near Artemis and Nohrbor, greeting the former with a cheery smile and bob of head and the latter with a "Fine seeing you again," and indicating her photo tag to help alleviate confusion that might arise.

Blok asks, "If Earth is tied to dwarves' world and Earth get smashed, what happens to dwarves' world?"

Nohrbor smiles. Though he's generally in a festive mood these days. He finishes his sip of fae wine as he shrugs to his Bloodbound Sister. "I wish I knew. It would appear even the Ageless of this Realm love to deliberate. Thoough, I suppose if I had casks of this ambrosia on hand I'd probably have preferred discourse to a more... 'dynamic negotiating style'." He means punching things.

"Still, they cannot talk forever. Eventually one of these will take us to face the Physician of Devastation." He says calmly as he takes notice of a particularly fetching outfit worn by one of the Fae.

His noble robles slide and shift on his body to something similar though in his preferred crimsons, blacks & golds.

Nohrbor smiles and nods to Maybri/Swarmer, lifting his cup to her. "Hail Small-One. Tis good to see you again."

Grimm gives a nod to the commander and strides over to him. She's wearing her unofficial monochromatic Starguard uniform. Black, of course. "Hey, Commander. Any word on what the higher ups are thinking on this?"

Artemis' eyes light up at Maybri. "My friend, what brings you here?"

The introductions of the delegates are hardly done when arguments break out. The 'seven dwarves' start blaming the other dwarves for the problem, saying that they should make reparations. Guk-madduk counters by saying they had every right to make contact with Earth, and if not for the fae and the Seven Dwarves and their monopolistic practices, they would have been able to survey Earth more thoroughly before building the tunnel. Shouting starts practically before the meeting has - despite the excellent food and drink available.

Kat leans over to whisper to Griffin, "Did they just say...the Physician of Devastation?"

Dorian shakes his head and says to Grimm, "Afraid not. But I do have an update on at least one of the avenues we've been looking into to deal with it." As voices rise across the room, he speaks up, "Excuse me! Ladies and Gentlemen...placing blame can wait until after the problem is fixed!"

"I heard needs were had, and I've some ability, perhaps enough to be of help," Maybri informs Nohrbor and Artemis.

Artemis beams at Maybri. "Indeed there will be need of all of us if it comes to battle." Dorian gets her attention and she nods towards him. "Ah, the Lord Commander is here," she comments and quiets to listen.

Dorian actually grabs everyone's attention - the whole group falling quiet for a moment.

Lorelei nods. "We are not hear to lay blame, but to share information and find a solution. Let there be no fighting here." She doesn't seem to have trouble holding attention. "So let as proceed. What have we learned?" She turns to Dorian, since he settled things down. "Is there anything from Starguard?"

Dorian nods to Lorelei, "Thank you, Princess." He turns to the group as a whole, "I have a couple of things. First...I have made contact with our dimension's Dr. Destroyer, albeit indirectly." He waits for a moment to let any murmurs cease. "He doesn't want this dimension destroyed any more than we do. He is working on the problem, but he doesn't have hte equipment he needs right on hand...and cannot guarantee a solution in time."

Griffin nods as he whispers to Kat. "I thought I was crazy, but yeah- you heard what I heard." He smirks at that. "Maybe they're not from our Earth?" He shrugs again. His attention is locked on the discourse being had by the assembled parties.

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx smiles to Maybri. "Aye. My sister tells true. There is always room in battle for one with a noble heart." He says. "We do not fear your gifts, Winged-One."

Dorian continues, "One additional thing: Johnathan Vasilikos, Titan, helped to acquire a book from a sage...that gives us some hints to a solution. I've had SG look at it, but also it's been shown to the folks here at the embassy. I have my suspicions about what it implies, but I did release the details on HeroNet as to hte contents."

Titan remains quiet, but waves to those assembled as his name is mentioned.

"If I may?" says the Grand Master Worldwalker.

Dorian nods to the Grand Master, "Of course. I didn't have anything further."

Moonshadow arrived with Radical. Still recovering from her recent ordeal, she looks haggard and weak.

Hirion gets to his feet when Dorian gives permission. "I see no value in that book. Yes, it would seem to track all the movements of the world, albeit in rather metaphorical terms, but there is nothing their that one such as I could not divine, and express with greater precision. I can't imagine what purpose the Sages might have had in sending that book. But then the Sages are ever mysterious." He sits down again, evidently certain in his own judgement.

One of the embassy staff, Marchioness Vanasse, does not let that lie, however. "It is said, Grand Master, that the Sages do nothing without purpose, and if we do not see it then it is only through our own blindness."

Hirion says nothing. Evidently he is furious at his judgement being question, but given who did so, he bites his tongue.

Lorelei says softly, "The has anyone any idea what that purpose may have been?" She looks about hopefully.

Dorian speaks up again, "Based on what the SG folks were saying, it seemed to imply that we have too much 'momentum'? If we break ties with the Dwarven realm, we'll still strike another dimension. Just perhaps not Dr. Destroyer's world. It seemed to indicate that we can use our contact with his world to slow us down."

Moonshadow says, "Could we create a "net" to catch us, or a "parachute" to slow us down?"

Radical speaks up. "I know the librarian of the Great Library. She might be able to help us interpret the book. Her facility with such is quite impressive."

Hirion looks gobsmacked. "You know the Librarian?!"

"Aye- we Bloodlit have encountered the Great Librarian as well. She is a kind being." Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says. "I can see the value in gleaming her understanding."

Lorelei says, "I don't know this librarian - can you get in contact with her?"

Radical chuckles and looks at Hirion, "Why are you surprised? You're looking at a former Cartesian who currently travels dimensions with the help of technology. I needed to do the research for that...someplace. The Library was one of those places." He turns to Lorelei and nods. "I can. I might be able to bring her here in a few minutes, assuming she's at the library now."

Lorelei nods. "Then please, do so, if she might be as useful as you say!"

You know, for someone who always knows exactly what time it is, and exactly what she should be doing, it is amazing how often Allison ends up late for things. Mostly because she refuses to leave some project that ran over or that she could still learn something from. But the rifts are something she really wants to learn about, and she only made Julius remind her four times before she stepped outside, extruded her drive-field pods and whooshes to the summit. She's not SG personnel, but she's worked with them enough that they trust her to a degree. So landing, she picks up a guest badge and strides inside, "Sorry I'm late. What did I miss?" she asks.

Radical nods and stands. "If you'll excuse me, then..." He takes a second...and then abruptly disappears from sight.

Silently absorbing the reports and data of everything Allison nods her head, communes with Julius and then speaks. "I presume the idea of -pretending- to bow down before Destroyer and then taking him down afterwards is not an option?" She asks. "Either way, I'd -love- to get to view such a library."

It seems Allison is not the only one who would like to see the library, to judge by hushed whispers among the fae.

Dorian nods to Allison, "I think...that it's unlikely we'll get people here to bow down. I'm pretty sure that's off the table at the outset."

Shaking her head, Allison shrugs, "I mean, it's a workable tactic. Fake it until you make it. Sucker punch at the right moment and it's on. If the options are... die, or -maybe- die, I vote maybe die."

Griffin nodsa to the newcomer- Allison and smiles before returning back to the conversation at hand. He's no magician so he's abit out of his depth, but he figures when ther eis an opportunity to contribute he'll make do.

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx frowns at pretending to take the knee. "Surely we can just break this Destroyer. Have him bow before us! We have seen this Physician of Devestation. There is no fear in the hearts of Godflora. If ye all so scared--" He lifts his cup into the air. "--then let us face him! Bring us Destroyer! And more wine!"

The Guk-Madduk dwarves say, "We do not bow. And if you need to fight this Destroyer, will will help!"

Titan speaks up from where he's standing in the corner. "Even if we defeat him, it doesn't solve the problem. It merely delays it. I'd like to punch him as well...but we need a permanent solution to the worlds colliding."

"Hence the fakery. If he fixes the problem, then it's fixed. Yes?" asks Allison. "But this library -may- contain some answers. We should totally plumbs its depths."

"Can you divert the collision?" Maybri asks, speaking up enough to be heard. "Worlds sound really hard to stop outright from going where they are going."

Radical reappears a few minutes later, seemingly appearing in the room from out of nowhere. Only this time, he has Eleanora the Librarian with him.

Eleanora curtseys when she sees what august company she's in.

"Hail Keeper of the Tomes of Hobbit and such!" The Ascendant Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says cheerfully despite the dreary circumstance that's brought them all together.

Lorelei has no idea what Nohrbor is going on about, but says, "Please rise. Librarian - I am told you might have knowledge to help in the matter of the Rift Crisis?"

Turning her human-looking face and eyes to regard the librarian, Allison lifts her brows. . . o o O O (Wonder what the requirements for this... Librarian job might be. Could be interesting down the road.) she thinks to Julius who responds, "(Ms. Temple, I believe that there is magic involved..... er, I apologize, abstract science that has no been quantified yet.) he replies inside her head. "Your knowledge is of interest to us all." says Allison out loud.

Eleanora says, "I can't rightly say, your royal highness. I am told there is a book to be examined?"

Herrud the dwarf snorts. "Books. A would-be conqueror calls for action, not reading!"

"May call for both," Maybri suggests with a smile. "One can inform the next!"

Lorelei says, "Show the Librarian the book."

Eleanora looks through the book as soon as she has it, flipping through the pages as fast as she can. She smiles.

"Do I understand that this 'Dance of the Worlds' represents the very movements of the worlds themselves?" asks Eleanora.

Hirion nods. "In metaphorical form - it does."

"Do you have some sort of.... listing or index for the library? I'd love to at least get a peek at the titles and subjects within it." asks Allison. In her head, Julius sighs, yes, the AI Sighs audibly, but only to her. . . o o O O (Ms. Temple. It is not considered polite to try to sneak a peek at something this.... important.)

And for some reason, Allison waves a hand as if dismissing somethinh or someone.

Eleanora nods. "Then I believe I can help - with the assistance of some of those present. Though I fancy, should they take this approach, the challenge may be unlike those they are accustomed to."

Artemis looks about at the others. "This Destroyer has the solution, so there is one. If you think we can not make him bend to our might to give the solution for free, perhaps your spies can obtain the answer. Have heart, for a solution to Urth's collision is out there already."

Copycat leans over and chuckles, "If only we could just go up and ask that Dr. Destroyer to...oh." Kat's face falls at the realization and looks up at Griffin.

Herrud says, "What is this Destroyer's solution? Can we seize it from him and use it ourselves?"

Moonshadow says, "We don't know his solution."

"He has kept it secret," Artemis says to Herrud. "He will not give it willingly, so I say we take it!"

Lorelei says, "It's bound to be technological, though."

Maybri steps forward. "aye! You have whatever I can provide."

Eleanora turns to Radical. "You see now, don't you? This is a metaphor - a metaphor in narrative form."

"I am far more likely to function well with a technological solution. Tech is something of my speciality." (Yes, she pronounced that, complete with accent, just like Obi-Wan Kenobi.). She beams a smile and offers, "I could turn Julius loose in his computers and see if we could hijack the system."

Radical raises a brow and says to Eleanora, "Well, yes. I know that much. But in terms of what to do...what action to take...that seemed less clear."

Copycat pipes up, "What about a telepath?"

Grimm rolls her neck to loosen it up. "Nobody thought there was a literally dance happening."

Eleanora says, "Why - enter the narrative. We may not have the might to move worlds (with or without levers!), but we might be able to help the worlds too sort themselves out. Were we to meet them at a social event."

Grimm adds, "I imagine cutting the cloth refers to the tunnel the dwarves made? But how do we slow a whole dimension? Or even speed one up?" Grimm's face falls and she tilts her head at Eleanora's suggestion. "You want to...ask the worlds out to a cocktail party?"

"That sounds magnificent!" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx announces.

Eleanora smiles. "No - I suggest we gatecrash their ball."

Griffin raises and eyebrow to Kat, wondering what - or who she's thinking about.

Copycat glances at Griffin and shrugs, saying quietly, "I could know what that Dr. Destroyer knows if I could get a look at him. And might even be able to use his inventions."

Radical rubs his temple. "Enter the metaphor itself? Can we actually have an impact, so to speak, on what's going on there?"

Artemis glances at Nohrbor. "I knew not such a thing were possible."

Dorian is speechless. This idea sounds totally bonkers to him. He just looks confused, more than anything.

"If this is a true account of the worlds, then yes, indeed - no less than you could influence events in the hobbit," says Eleanora.

"Wow. Just a look now?" Griffin asks impressed. "It sounds like that is something we could pull off." He says as his tactical mind gets to spinning out possibilities.

Nohrbor takes a swig of his wine. "Nor I, but I look forward to the opportunity." He says, imagining what worlds might drink and dine upon. Whtever it is, he cannot wait to find out.

Radical blinks, considering hte implications. Write a story about someone. Then enter the story and modify the other person's actions for a lasting effect? That could be...problematic.

"If this is a true account of our reality, and not another one. But the sage-monks, so I understand, observe the movements of the world so."

Artemis suggests, "If we can do that, perhaps we can stop the crisis from ever happening." She looks to Nohrbor with sudden revelation. "We could write it so we never were abandoned in this dimension!"

Ascendant coughs on the fae wine he was in the middle of drinking. "What?! Really?!"

Maybri grins, "It all sounds like madness to me but madness I've known well. Whatever I can do, I will. I may need a hint or two as to what that is exactly."

Eleanora shakes her head at Artemis. "That is another matter from changing the ending to this narrative -" she indicates the book - "which is not yet fully written."

Copycat nods to Griffin. "It'd have to be a good look. Not from super far away, but...yeah."

Radical takes a deep breath and nods. Time Travel. Dimension Hopping. And Stories. Sure...why not? He says to Eleanora, "I'm willing to give it a shot. I realize that it would be like...working without a safety net, but we don't have many options."

"Not the ending. The beginning," Artemis says, and looks to Nohrbor. "Imagine, back in the Tau Spring. Never being prisoners to Dalux the Cruel," she says in some excitement at the potential that it could be true.

Lorelei clears her throat. "So - as I understand it two ideas have been suggested - a mystic approach and an approach of seizing Dr Destroyer's machines from him and stopping the collision with those. Are there any other ideas?"

Maybri lifts her hand. "I said something about diverting before, I'm not sure if it was heeded or if it would work."

Grimm doesn't quite seem sold yet, but she's a bit more cautionary. "All those combined sound like the potential for making a worse disaster."

Hirion nods. "Diversion could work, if you have the power to achieve it. But it would likely cause further collision with yet other worlds."

Dorian nods to Grimm. "Every option is bad, I'm afraid. Even if this thing about 'altering a story to get real world results' thing...works. Which I'm dubious about."

"Take care when you aim to write a new past," Maybri mentions to the Mighty Pair. "What you know now came about from that past."

Eleanora smiles to Dorian. "Had I not seen Mistsea myself, I too would doubt - and even so, I cannot say that my suggestion will work with certainty."

"I would give almost anything to be freed from Duod's evil mechanations & the cycles of servitude we endured." Nohrbor says, sitting up now. He's invested now, not realizing what might be required for such a thing to be made real.

Griffin nods. "Alright. Well I'll back your play but that leaves me with one question." The SuperSoldier says to Kat before clears his throat and asks the assembled party. "What is our Doc Destroyer doing? Does he have no plan to deal with the situation?"

Dorian nods. "My science knowledge is more...energy-focused, shall we say? I'm going to have to take your word for it about dimensions and collisions. I think...I'm inclined to personally focus on what feels like a more solid option, though it's arguably more dangerous: Dealing with our interloping Dr. Destroyer and get his means of stopping the collision." He looks around at hte group, "I'm not saying we shouldn't try this...other option too. But there are enough of us here that we can split up and try both. Perhaps try this...story solution first, and if it doesn't work, go with the alternative?" He looks over toward Griffin, "You missed my report about that earlier. Our Destroyer is working on a solution, but might not have it ready in time."

Griffin nods to Dorian. "Ah. I see." He says simply.

Lorelei nods to Dorian. "These are very different approaches. I don't see why we can't try both."

Artemis frowns at Maybri's point and rubs her chin. "Aye, there's the issue." She looks quite disappointed. Even moreso than when she's missed out on a fight.

Radical looks to Eleanora, "So...I guess we'll try the book-related option first? When do you want to do this?"

"I think the Commander's plan is our best bet to get you eyes on with Doc Destroyer." Griffin says to Copycat.

Grimm nods to Dorian. "Doing the less dangerous option first would be best. Lives could be lost against Dr. Destroyer."

Radical shakes his head, "It won't be without danger. We'd be moving metaphorical works around. That could have...dire consequences."

Moonshadow says, "What if something were to gently move D-World out of the way?"

Artemis recovers from her disappointment quickly. "There is still a world to save. I shall have to find a dance partner for this ball of celestial bodies," she chimes in. It's almost as if Radical inspired her when he said dire consequences.

Eleanora nods. "It will be a challenge, certainly. But if we can keep the worlds from injury, that at least should be an improvement."

Moonshadow says, "Radical, you may require a partner also. Perhaps a certain redhead?"

"Bring on the danger, I say," Maybri says. "And the challenge."

"Aye, that's the spirit!" Artemis cheers Maybri.

Copycat looks up to Griffin with a nervous smile. "If we have to try and steal Dr. Destroyer's knowledge, you'll be there to keep my head on straight, right?"

Radical says to Moonshadow, "I think...complicating things further would be a mistake."

Nohrbor lifts his cup. "Here here, Lady of the Swarm!" He says.

Griffin nods. "Of course I will. But if you think we're biting off too much then we pull it off the table. You don't need ot do anything you aren't comfortable with. We can find another way- a Plan C. Well- B. Or D? It doesn't matter. Another way."