07.13l: Upon Garden Paths

The goings on of courts
Wyvern
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Re: 7.13l: Upon Garden Paths

Post by Wyvern »

"Context," Alys comments dryly, "in this case would mean admitting that something outside his creation is real.* Regardless, if you are intended to be able to play on the same field as the rest of the deck, there are certain basic topics you should be aware of."

She'll go on to elaborate, starting with the same brief summary offered in the first post of this topic (though using Krajk as an example instead of Lyra), and continuing with a summary of what shapeshifting can do (basic and advanced, though she'll also add that any really good shapeshifter - and Odin definitely is one - will have at least a few unique tricks of their own).

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* Alys is not being entirely fair to Dworkin here. Given Dworkin, I will not be surprised if he decides to turn up and object.
kitsunenotsume
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Re: 7.13l: Upon Garden Paths

Post by kitsunenotsume »

The man listens politely while Alys describes the cosmological field. The focus of his attention occasionally drifts off to the surroundings and visible individuals, but is rather clearly only superficially distracted. "Not an unanticipated situation. It is mildly reassuring to hear confirmation that the principles of thermodynamics still hold sway on the cosmic tier, and we've yet to reach the depths of the burrow where is hides cringing in a corner. It is somewhat less reassuring to learn that the tactics of our current specialist on the matter involves increasing distance and decreasing interaction.* Given the current demonstrations it is presumably not an unwarranted course of action, but puts limits on intelligence. "

"The limitations of discretion and distance appear more stark when a representative for one's antagonist approaches with diplomatic overture. The rest of the Courts** has had but a few days to consider their options and fluster in hasty meetings, but clearly to you, M'lady, the inevitable intersection would have been apparent; one does not light a lantern of Promethean fire and expect the moths and their predators to pay it no heed. In which case, as it would appear to be of mutual interest, what else might be expected, and how might we proceed?"
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*: This is a jab at Alys' earlier terse and abrupt departure from conversation.
**: Yes, Caelund does refer to the 'Courts of Amber' as a singular entity
Wyvern
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Re: 7.13l: Upon Garden Paths

Post by Wyvern »

Alys shrugs. "I am not here to offer you reassurances. And in the immediate term, I would expect more trouble from Hivers than Odin - though there is some evidence that some portion of Odin's retinue might be working for or co-opted by the former power."*

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* This is very definitely "power" with a lower case 'p'.
kitsunenotsume
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Re: 7.13l: Upon Garden Paths

Post by kitsunenotsume »

"And yet you succeed anyway; I applaud your versatility, Lady Sybaris." He briefly inclines his head in admiration. "You are here, presumably, to exchange in information and communicate, which you have also achieved."

"A point that merits inquest is whether the extent of information exchange has been reached, or it if you are willing to include further elaboration of these 'Hivers'. Given context, it seems dubitable that we refer to insect spirits, but probability has proven before to be a cheap mistress. Likewise, a choice number of parties could likely be approached about such topics, but discretion is pertinent when one confronts the shifting matter of mutable loyalties, and tipping one's hand a sub-optimal strategy. Barring your own insights on the matter, perhaps a recommendation of reliable assets would be appropriate."
Wyvern
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Re: 7.13l: Upon Garden Paths

Post by Wyvern »

"What it is, I cannot yet tell you. What I can tell you about are its demonstrated capabilities: it was able to, from outside the local shadow, mind control a small village, and empower half a dozen of those to a level where they could pose a significant physical threat. It is possible that this represented a prepared trap, but it is also possible it represented a spur of the moment attack against a target of opportunity."

She shrugs, then adds, "Oh, and it also appears to be the patron of Lane's church."

"For further details, I suggest talking to Asai for matters of metaphysics, and Cameron or Harrune for matters of scouting or policy."
kitsunenotsume
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Re: 7.13l: Upon Garden Paths

Post by kitsunenotsume »

The man once more listens patiently, only to raise an eyebrow when Father Lane is mentioned.

"A curious entity, certainly, and clearly one with agents in proximity of concern. If it has such sociable agents visibly embedded within the communal substrate of Amber, the intelligence discrepancy is all the more emphasized. If I may suggest: given your own recent discovery of my personal iconography, perhaps it would be reasonable to proceed as discretion as the better part of valor and keep the magnitude of my role in events suppressed?" *

"Meanwhile, we may focus on analysis of the entity. While the means are unusual, the tactic itself is hardly unfamiliar. After consulting with those whom you suggested, perhaps a suitable Ice** could be developed or Reed**." He pauses to ponder a moment. "Yes, quite resolutely a matter that merits further investigation. Unless you have any further input to include, Lady Sibaris, I shall thank you most graciously for your offering of intelligence, and proceed with further expansion." Presuming Alys consents, Caelund will more audibly thank Alys for her compliments and extend an offer to cater for Ht'gon is she deigns to request such.

He politely apologizes to Asai for the disruption, and will resume meandering and conversation, though discretely about the entity Alys brought up rather than simple business. Caelund readopts the more lighthearted server persona as they walk but his queries and insights are always relevant and incisive, approaching the issue from a number of angles and content to debate on the scholastic merit and support of various theories. Though he will deliberately recentre the discussion a time or two, once it has meandered far enough from the original discussion (as these things do) he will try to bring it to a close, thank Asai for the conversation, leaves her with her choice of the remaining pastries on his platter***, and excuse himself to other business.

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*: It would probably be rather clear to Asai (Psyche) and Alys (Paranoia) that Caelund has been wanting to suggest this since he saw his Trump, and is slightly less discomforted by the entire situation after weaving it into another topic.
**: phonetic pronunciations of IC (Internal Countermeasure) and R-E'ed (Reverse engineered)
***: It seems like a reasonable consolation to a cookie-eating cat being 'forced' into academic conversation. Asai's player has approved these events.
Last edited by kitsunenotsume on Tue Apr 19, 2016 2:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Wyvern
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Re: 7.13l: Upon Garden Paths

Post by Wyvern »

Alys has nothing more to add here, aside from her usual offer to answer at least some further questions about Chaos... at some later time. For now, she'll help herself to a pair of pastries and then excuse herself - shortly thereafter departing the party entirely.
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