![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
If you run in a straight line for long enough, you'll eventually be running in circles.
[She sighed. Oh man, Maul did open a can of worms didn't he? When she phoned Wu, there was a trepidation to her tone.]
First of all, Wu... it's good to see that you're here. I hope you're well.
[Give her a minute, Wu. She'll get to why she called. She didn't have time to chat you up on the beach, and she wasn't going to be rude.]
First of all, Wu... it's good to see that you're here. I hope you're well.
[Give her a minute, Wu. She'll get to why she called. She didn't have time to chat you up on the beach, and she wasn't going to be rude.]
Oh, hi Vira Lorr! It’s great to see you too. Are you settling in okay?
[ Wu for his part isn’t dressed as nicely as she’s seen him before, wearing just a T-shirt and holding on to what looks like a broom. He’s in a big dim room, and smiles brightly at her through the phone.
He doesn’t mind the pleasantries at all. It’s good to see so many familiar faces, and Vira Lorr has always been a steady presence, offering him good advice and thoughts ]
Where did you end up? Fritter found us a great spot in Cellar Door!
[ Wu for his part isn’t dressed as nicely as she’s seen him before, wearing just a T-shirt and holding on to what looks like a broom. He’s in a big dim room, and smiles brightly at her through the phone.
He doesn’t mind the pleasantries at all. It’s good to see so many familiar faces, and Vira Lorr has always been a steady presence, offering him good advice and thoughts ]
Where did you end up? Fritter found us a great spot in Cellar Door!
[The view of her own home wasn't much different. She was still in the process of finding furniture and glad that she had a sleeping bag for the moment. The house would be furnished within a week or two, but it was a matter of roughing it for now. For the moment, she was in a plain looking ao dai like usual, relaxed in a chair with a cup of tea, the Omni set on a small end table. The house looked homey, but in need of everything. It was small but looked larger in its emptiness.]
Well enough, considering. I've settled into the Cellar Door as well. My home isn't far from the woods leading to Gaze. I can see the trees from the porch. It's a much smaller place than my last.
[She chuckled a little, dragging her fingers through her hair.]
Fritter. Your ... Omen, yes? Mine isn't quite so communicative, but she doesn't need to be.
Well enough, considering. I've settled into the Cellar Door as well. My home isn't far from the woods leading to Gaze. I can see the trees from the porch. It's a much smaller place than my last.
[She chuckled a little, dragging her fingers through her hair.]
Fritter. Your ... Omen, yes? Mine isn't quite so communicative, but she doesn't need to be.
We're neighbors!
[ He laughs delightedly. It's fun, moving in to a new place when the world isn't falling apart. Everything was so serious in Deerington as soon as he arrived, so having this space to just relax and have a bit of fun with it is very novel for him ]
Yeah, maybe! I'm not sure, I had her in Deerington too. Here--
[ He shifts the camera to show a small raccoon snoozing on one of many small tables in the space he's in. ]
But she did kind of sort of appear from my chest in a burst of smoke? Which she never did before. And she was never quite so understandable before either! But she is half magic raccoon, so I thought it could be that?
[ Fritter having changed too makes a lot more sense, thinking about it now.
He's not sure if Vira called just for small talk, they usually talked about pretty intense things before ]
So is everything okay?
[ He laughs delightedly. It's fun, moving in to a new place when the world isn't falling apart. Everything was so serious in Deerington as soon as he arrived, so having this space to just relax and have a bit of fun with it is very novel for him ]
Yeah, maybe! I'm not sure, I had her in Deerington too. Here--
[ He shifts the camera to show a small raccoon snoozing on one of many small tables in the space he's in. ]
But she did kind of sort of appear from my chest in a burst of smoke? Which she never did before. And she was never quite so understandable before either! But she is half magic raccoon, so I thought it could be that?
[ Fritter having changed too makes a lot more sense, thinking about it now.
He's not sure if Vira called just for small talk, they usually talked about pretty intense things before ]
So is everything okay?
Wow I never thought about that!!!! You'd have to run for a really long time. And through the ocean...... I don't know if that's really possible???
Are you okay Varian????
Are you okay Varian????
Something similar happened to the Absol I received, Sharona. She now serves as my omen and appears like that. I'm glad your friend could travel with you. Not all of mine did... but I think it's better that Susan returned home. My budget couldn't afford all the nuts.
[She laughed a little, turning her own camera to show the Absol lounging in a corner, idly watching the window. It wasn't agitated. No horrible things coming perhaps?]
I... am fine. But a mutual acquaintance of ours did decide to bring up a certain topic. It made me think of you, and some of the hopes you'd had.
[She laughed a little, turning her own camera to show the Absol lounging in a corner, idly watching the window. It wasn't agitated. No horrible things coming perhaps?]
I... am fine. But a mutual acquaintance of ours did decide to bring up a certain topic. It made me think of you, and some of the hopes you'd had.
So they're called omens? That's really good to know! I was wondering if it was similar to the squid thing.
[ Which he's finally somewhat accepted, despite not wanting to think too hard about it. He coos at the Absol with a bright smile ]
She's adorable! Ah,
[ There it is, the meat of what she called him for. He nods his head, thinking that he knows what this is about ]
Do you mean Maul wanting to colonize Trench? It's a bit rich, really, when his actions were the reason we were calling for a government in the first place! Not that his views shouldn't have a place, but that's a bit more complex--
[ How does Wu feel about criminals in government? He's not sure. Technically Maul isn't a criminal, either, since there was no government to convict him. It all makes his head hurt to think about ]
I don't know if you saw what he and I talked about, but I don't agree with him about this. We just got here! We don't know what this place is going to be like, or what we're going to need, or much of anything about the people here and the lives they lead.
What do you think about it?
[ Which he's finally somewhat accepted, despite not wanting to think too hard about it. He coos at the Absol with a bright smile ]
She's adorable! Ah,
[ There it is, the meat of what she called him for. He nods his head, thinking that he knows what this is about ]
Do you mean Maul wanting to colonize Trench? It's a bit rich, really, when his actions were the reason we were calling for a government in the first place! Not that his views shouldn't have a place, but that's a bit more complex--
[ How does Wu feel about criminals in government? He's not sure. Technically Maul isn't a criminal, either, since there was no government to convict him. It all makes his head hurt to think about ]
I don't know if you saw what he and I talked about, but I don't agree with him about this. We just got here! We don't know what this place is going to be like, or what we're going to need, or much of anything about the people here and the lives they lead.
What do you think about it?
mmm. Yes, Maul's conversation would be the starting point, though we both know that Ironwood's previous conversation was in large part why we even had this discussion the previous time. For all that Maul's ...
[Pause. no. She'd promised not to actually say anything about why Maul attacked Glitch, or why it wasn't quite so one-sided as it seemed on the surface, even if Maul had been way beyond the limit.]
Let's not deal with Maul today. In truth? I think both you and I know his totalitarian method won't fly with any of us, much less the locals outside of a small population. I certainly have little interest in bowing to a single primarch, no matter how enlightened...
[she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.]
I didn't listen in, but I saw that you replied, which is why I contacted you. You were the most sensible of those speaking in favor of governing ourselves. I think you're right. I think we have to wait at least a short time, get a feel for the people of this world, settle ourselves, see how it is governed, if it is governed.
And after that, if something is established? It has to be something that stays stable even if we aren't here, and it has to be something the locals approve of as much as us. I want to assume these are people, not Julia's imaginings of what her people were like.
[Pause. no. She'd promised not to actually say anything about why Maul attacked Glitch, or why it wasn't quite so one-sided as it seemed on the surface, even if Maul had been way beyond the limit.]
Let's not deal with Maul today. In truth? I think both you and I know his totalitarian method won't fly with any of us, much less the locals outside of a small population. I certainly have little interest in bowing to a single primarch, no matter how enlightened...
[she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.]
I didn't listen in, but I saw that you replied, which is why I contacted you. You were the most sensible of those speaking in favor of governing ourselves. I think you're right. I think we have to wait at least a short time, get a feel for the people of this world, settle ourselves, see how it is governed, if it is governed.
And after that, if something is established? It has to be something that stays stable even if we aren't here, and it has to be something the locals approve of as much as us. I want to assume these are people, not Julia's imaginings of what her people were like.
[ Wu nods along as she talks, feeling pride in the fact that she thinks that he was the most sensible one there. Maybe he has learned, since his first attempt at making a decision, with Kuvira last year (or more? He's not sure how to count Deerington time).
The idea of helping set something up, set up a governing body of any sort, makes his stomach roil. He just got away from it, but if the alternative is people like Ironwood and Maul, with voices like Vira-Lorr's not as represented, well. That wouldn't sit right with him. He works for the people, back home. He wants to here, too, but in a different capacity. ]
Thank you, for saying that. I was trying-- I have to say, that wasn't a terribly comfortable experience.
[ He bites his lip, trying to figure out what happens next ]
I agree, it should be sustainable. No one person can even come close to representing all Sleepers. We're so incredibly diverse, what with coming from different worlds. It wouldn't be right.
Ozpin and I talked about possibly creating a council of Sleepers. I think an option like that would be the most sustainable, and hopefully the most fair, especially if they are elected. Then someone like Maul or Ironwood couldn't simply declare themselves the leader. But I think the problem is, what power would they have? A lot of Sleepers seemed very against the idea of governing, so I believe the scope of their power would have to be pretty limited. Instead of governing, exactly, they could be a way to solve problems that plague all of us. Like, if a council like that had existed, then dealing with the eggs may have been less fraught.
I might be jumping too far ahead! But that's what I was thinking, before the dream really started breaking down. And, yes, we don't know what we'll need here. I really hope it's not as bad as Deerington, but no one seems to want to be optimistic?
[ He says it like he's hoping she'll agree that it might not be as bad, but even he knows he might be kidding himself. Even so, he can't let go of hope. ]
The idea of helping set something up, set up a governing body of any sort, makes his stomach roil. He just got away from it, but if the alternative is people like Ironwood and Maul, with voices like Vira-Lorr's not as represented, well. That wouldn't sit right with him. He works for the people, back home. He wants to here, too, but in a different capacity. ]
Thank you, for saying that. I was trying-- I have to say, that wasn't a terribly comfortable experience.
[ He bites his lip, trying to figure out what happens next ]
I agree, it should be sustainable. No one person can even come close to representing all Sleepers. We're so incredibly diverse, what with coming from different worlds. It wouldn't be right.
Ozpin and I talked about possibly creating a council of Sleepers. I think an option like that would be the most sustainable, and hopefully the most fair, especially if they are elected. Then someone like Maul or Ironwood couldn't simply declare themselves the leader. But I think the problem is, what power would they have? A lot of Sleepers seemed very against the idea of governing, so I believe the scope of their power would have to be pretty limited. Instead of governing, exactly, they could be a way to solve problems that plague all of us. Like, if a council like that had existed, then dealing with the eggs may have been less fraught.
I might be jumping too far ahead! But that's what I was thinking, before the dream really started breaking down. And, yes, we don't know what we'll need here. I really hope it's not as bad as Deerington, but no one seems to want to be optimistic?
[ He says it like he's hoping she'll agree that it might not be as bad, but even he knows he might be kidding himself. Even so, he can't let go of hope. ]
So... I don't think you're jumping too far ahead, because the General leaped into the ether, whether or not he is with us now. And after him, Ozpin began his own musings, which led us to this day and Maul's beginnings of a suggestion. The question has been asked.
But we don't have to act. We haven't been here a week even. Not yet... but you can think on it. A council, perhaps to help coordinate and advise the Sleepers as they set about their tasks, once we are sure what needs to be done. Coordination, not so much laws and governing.
I am one of those who is not entirely keen on being governed. Bad experiences. Long before I ever met Roderic. I think it would be unwise to move too fast. I am simply worried that they will move without guidance.
But we don't have to act. We haven't been here a week even. Not yet... but you can think on it. A council, perhaps to help coordinate and advise the Sleepers as they set about their tasks, once we are sure what needs to be done. Coordination, not so much laws and governing.
I am one of those who is not entirely keen on being governed. Bad experiences. Long before I ever met Roderic. I think it would be unwise to move too fast. I am simply worried that they will move without guidance.
I think you'd have to use a boat or an airship of some kind, but still go in a straight line- it should still be possible. Unless a mountain gets in the way?
Can't sleep. I don't know why. I'm sure it'll pass. Probably just some settling into the new world stuff.
[It is not. ]
Can't sleep. I don't know why. I'm sure it'll pass. Probably just some settling into the new world stuff.
[It is not. ]
Edited 2021-09-05 17:02 (UTC)
And you think I'm the one who should provide guidance..?
[ That's quite the vote of confidence, and Wu doesn't really know what to do with it.
But... ]
You know, I'm not really interested in governing, I'm actually pretty excited to not have to! One perk of not being able to stay back home, I suppose. But, ah, maybe I can help. If there are those who want to set something up, I could help them.
I'll pay attention, and if you see anyone who's, ah... perhaps taking things into their own hands, we can work together to try and stop that from happening!
[ That's quite the vote of confidence, and Wu doesn't really know what to do with it.
But... ]
You know, I'm not really interested in governing, I'm actually pretty excited to not have to! One perk of not being able to stay back home, I suppose. But, ah, maybe I can help. If there are those who want to set something up, I could help them.
I'll pay attention, and if you see anyone who's, ah... perhaps taking things into their own hands, we can work together to try and stop that from happening!
But then you aren't running! But I suppose you could run up a mountain.
[ Wu, don't take it so literally ]
Maybe! Are you getting enough exercise? Eating right? Do you have a good place to stay??? I'm sleeping okay but I know Mako's having trouble too.
[ Wu, don't take it so literally ]
Maybe! Are you getting enough exercise? Eating right? Do you have a good place to stay??? I'm sleeping okay but I know Mako's having trouble too.
...Oh wow, you're right. Though if you're moving fast you could say you're running FROM something right? Maybe there's someone chasing you or you're running from something in your past? Then I think whatever you use it would still count as running.
[Wu you opened a rabbit hole, why would you do that?]
Yeah, my housemates are making sure I'm doing all of that, and our house from Deerington showed up- all intact. So I've got all the basics for a good night's sleep. My brain just won't shut off. It's like...I don't know. Like dread or something.
[Wu you opened a rabbit hole, why would you do that?]
Yeah, my housemates are making sure I'm doing all of that, and our house from Deerington showed up- all intact. So I've got all the basics for a good night's sleep. My brain just won't shut off. It's like...I don't know. Like dread or something.
That makes two of us, Wu. After F.E.A.R... I want nothing to do with being in charge of anything. Not unless standing aside would mean something awful for everyone. I'd like to think I'm retiring to a nice little business of mystical advisor and fortune teller.
[Though she laughed, there was a tinge of obvious sadness there. Vira-Lorr felt she'd failed in FEAR, that they'd screwed up a lot of things, even if they'd done good. She was ready to not have the weight of responsibility on her shoulders for anything more than a few people, thank you.]
Yes. I think the latter is a good idea. We can watch. I doubt Maul will really make headway, but if the General returned? People actually did listen to him a little. We should be mindful of others.
[Though she laughed, there was a tinge of obvious sadness there. Vira-Lorr felt she'd failed in FEAR, that they'd screwed up a lot of things, even if they'd done good. She was ready to not have the weight of responsibility on her shoulders for anything more than a few people, thank you.]
Yes. I think the latter is a good idea. We can watch. I doubt Maul will really make headway, but if the General returned? People actually did listen to him a little. We should be mindful of others.
I guess it would but then it's metaphorical running instead of literal running and I don't know if you can say that you're running in circles unless they're metaphorical circles!
[ Because he has his own version of anxiety and can't help himself, sorry Varian ]
Oh wow that's really nice that you got your house!!!! I got my sauna but not my whole house which is probably good it was way too big.
Have you tried getting a massage? That puts me right to sleep! And helps with feeling a sense of dread! Trust me on that one.
[ Because he has his own version of anxiety and can't help himself, sorry Varian ]
Oh wow that's really nice that you got your house!!!! I got my sauna but not my whole house which is probably good it was way too big.
Have you tried getting a massage? That puts me right to sleep! And helps with feeling a sense of dread! Trust me on that one.
Oh, you can tell the future?
[ That's the important thing here! He hears her sadness, but barrels past it with his own enthusiasm. At least his empathetic abilities don't move through the Omni, not yet. ]
Wow, that's so cool! I'd love to come by. And maybe get mythical advice too? What sort of advice is that? Because I've been feeling all kinds of weird since I showed up here!
You worked a lot harder than I did, but I'm sure ready to retire from politics, too! I'm starting a theater here. Or, trying to.
[ He nods, smile softening ]
Right. We'll be mindful, keep our ears out, and make sure things don't get out of hand. Maybe we can be advisors or something! Something so that we know that they aren't, ah, going off the deep end into something really bad.
[ That's the important thing here! He hears her sadness, but barrels past it with his own enthusiasm. At least his empathetic abilities don't move through the Omni, not yet. ]
Wow, that's so cool! I'd love to come by. And maybe get mythical advice too? What sort of advice is that? Because I've been feeling all kinds of weird since I showed up here!
You worked a lot harder than I did, but I'm sure ready to retire from politics, too! I'm starting a theater here. Or, trying to.
[ He nods, smile softening ]
Right. We'll be mindful, keep our ears out, and make sure things don't get out of hand. Maybe we can be advisors or something! Something so that we know that they aren't, ah, going off the deep end into something really bad.
It would appear that my second sight has returned. The visions, however, are vague. Not detailed at times, so it's not something to rely on too closely. But it is there and may help.
You are more than welcome to stop by anytime. My advise will be about the kinds of strange things we find here. I'll be collecting records, studying them, trying to determine the magic behind them. There's enough strangeness that if we can get a few of us to collect the knowledge we might be better prepared this time around, yes?
As for the theater idea? They seem to like a certain amount of entertainment here, more than I expected. I think there will be a call for it. I'll certainly attend a show or two.
You are more than welcome to stop by anytime. My advise will be about the kinds of strange things we find here. I'll be collecting records, studying them, trying to determine the magic behind them. There's enough strangeness that if we can get a few of us to collect the knowledge we might be better prepared this time around, yes?
As for the theater idea? They seem to like a certain amount of entertainment here, more than I expected. I think there will be a call for it. I'll certainly attend a show or two.
You don't think so? Methaproical circles are still circles, right? It's not like they're metaphorical squares.
[That makes COMPLETE sense, obviously.]
Yeah! My lab's in here so I'd have been really upset if I lost it. [Also his Waste-Dad's grave but he ain't talkin' about that. ] I'm glad you've got your house too! It makes settling in a lot easier, huh?
I don't know, I've never had one before. I guess that might be worth a shot. I can keep my shirt on for one of those, right? Like being shirtless isn't a prerequisite?
[Because someone got some pretty gnarly scars from his time in Deerington and he consistently refuses to process those properly. ]
[That makes COMPLETE sense, obviously.]
Yeah! My lab's in here so I'd have been really upset if I lost it. [Also his Waste-Dad's grave but he ain't talkin' about that. ] I'm glad you've got your house too! It makes settling in a lot easier, huh?
I don't know, I've never had one before. I guess that might be worth a shot. I can keep my shirt on for one of those, right? Like being shirtless isn't a prerequisite?
[Because someone got some pretty gnarly scars from his time in Deerington and he consistently refuses to process those properly. ]
I just might! I don't really understand what I can do now, and any guidance would be appreciated. I'm glad you're doing that, it would certainly be nice to get it all under control earlier than not.
I'd love to have you! It's a lot of work, getting it all ready, but I think it's going to be amazing! If any of your friends want to perform, send them my way.
I'd love to have you! It's a lot of work, getting it all ready, but I think it's going to be amazing! If any of your friends want to perform, send them my way.
Aren't there? There could be metaphorical squares! Like when you call someone a square, they aren't actually a square!
[ b o y s ]
That's so great!!!! I didn't get my whole house, just the sauna, but that's really the most important part. I don't know what I'd do without my morning steam!!!!!
I guess you could? I don't know if it would feel as good though. You could find someone you trust, so you're more okay with being shirtless with them. Mako doesn't like massages either, and I think that's part of it. He's too modest. 🙈
[ Well, Wu's seen them. So he kind of gets it. But, consider: massages ]
[ b o y s ]
That's so great!!!! I didn't get my whole house, just the sauna, but that's really the most important part. I don't know what I'd do without my morning steam!!!!!
I guess you could? I don't know if it would feel as good though. You could find someone you trust, so you're more okay with being shirtless with them. Mako doesn't like massages either, and I think that's part of it. He's too modest. 🙈
[ Well, Wu's seen them. So he kind of gets it. But, consider: massages ]
well start to anyway. There will always be something new, something more to deal with, won't there? It never really ends.
I will definitely keep that in mind actually. [Minako came to mind. She'd have to remember that.] I might find one or two performers interested. And certainly they'll need a place to work.
Just knowing that they can, rather than what happened in the dream, might be nice.
I will definitely keep that in mind actually. [Minako came to mind. She'd have to remember that.] I might find one or two performers interested. And certainly they'll need a place to work.
Just knowing that they can, rather than what happened in the dream, might be nice.
Oh man, I KNOW right? I never get that. Why being a square is considered lame. Like, a square is a pretty structurally sound shape! You can't go wrong with a square!
[B O Y S]
Oh, well. That's something, I know you liked that a lot.
Yeah, call it modesty. I guess I could ask Fern? Maybe. Though we haven't really got to the being shirtless around each other part yet. Do you think a massage would really help?
[So many people have seen the scars now and Varian is deeply uncomfortable with it. Those weren't for other people to see!!!]
[B O Y S]
Oh, well. That's something, I know you liked that a lot.
Yeah, call it modesty. I guess I could ask Fern? Maybe. Though we haven't really got to the being shirtless around each other part yet. Do you think a massage would really help?
[So many people have seen the scars now and Varian is deeply uncomfortable with it. Those weren't for other people to see!!!]
Edited 2021-09-08 22:31 (UTC)
It seems not. I was really hoping this place would be different, but... well, people are people I guess!
Thanks, Vira-Lorr! And thanks for the advice. I'm glad to know that we can have each other's backs here. Definitely let me know if I can ever help out.
Thanks, Vira-Lorr! And thanks for the advice. I'm glad to know that we can have each other's backs here. Definitely let me know if I can ever help out.
Page 1 of 25