07.12b: A Light Walk Back

[Wyvern]

"More or less, yes. For a card of a location, like the Docks, you can simply go there; for cards of people, you can pull them to you, or they can pull you to them once you've established contact. Dworkin tends to include a card, the Hanged Man, for each person's shadow of origin - those are unique to each deck, though; I do not have a card, for, say, Aibne's original home."

If Alys' deck contains a card of her own home, that would have to be the one card she's avoided showing you; the ones she's paged through are all of the people and the Docks.

"I would not expect the politics to interfere over much. You will want to speak to Dworkin about your hunt, however; if your quarry has actually accomplished what he appears to have accomplished, following him will be... an interesting challenge."

[Chtalo]

Ch'talo chuckles softly. "I haven't had a good hunt in a long, long time. You say this like a challenge is something that I'd shirk from; no, this is exactly what I need. A challenge."

He doesn't ask about the special card - he wouldn't want anyone else to see his own home card either. His sanctum is his private space, after all, and he expects the same from others.

"And what exactly is it you think he has accomplished? I sensed something strange there, but it didn't feel familiar. And I have hunted plenty of demons and their ilk."

[Wyvern]

"What he appeared to have accomplished is calling up the Abyss; a manifestation of everything that does not exist. If that is correct, then following without yourself ceasing to be requires a very particular sort of mental discipline, that Dworkin - or perhaps Odin - would be much more qualified to discuss than I am."

[Chtalo]

Ch'talo considers this for a moment, tilting his head as he looks off into the distance for a while, before snapping back to attention.

"You were right, following him will be an interesting prospect. It sounds like Dworkin isn't very approachable. I'm suspecting seeing this Odin will more likely suit my needs." He nods sharply, then as we walk he reaches out to lash with his claws and cut a stave from a sapling along the path, starting to peel the bark and carve it, using nothing but his claws to do so.

[Wyvern]

"Of course, there is also the alternative: using Pattern to find the time and place where he will depart the Abyss - if, indeed, that is where he went, and if he has the means to restore his own existence. A hunter need not always follow their prey into its den."

[Chtalo]

"Pattern can be used as a scrying device? Most interesting... and useful." He laughs a little at the lair comment. "Agreed, though sometimes when you run prey to ground you don't really have a choice. Especially when there isn't an obvious exit to be guarded."

"I admit as well, I am curious this new power he seems to have acquired. That's what makes this hunt *interesting*... well, more interesting than it was already."

[Wyvern]

"And that is part of why I suggest speaking to Dworkin - new Powers seem to be something of a specialty of his. Of course, you may not get an answer, or an answer in terms that make any sense... but then, he is not entirely sane. The price of Logrus."

[Chtalo]

"Dworkin has access to both Powers? That's.. interesting to note. It could be a very interesting chat with him, though I expect it would sound pretty mad even if it wasn't." He fiddles with the stave/spear he's been carving while we talk, cutting the bark off in a single long strip, spiralled like peeling an apple, slowly wrapping the bark around one wrist as he works.

"It seems like the Power I have access to... well... judging from reactions, it's not the same as the Pattern that you've mentioned. I certainly hope this won't be an issue. It might complicate things, since like my spark, I don't believe it's something I can simply put down. Well, short of dying, which I don't intend to do for political gain."

[Wyvern]

Alys nods. "It is not. It seems to be... a shadow of the actual Pattern, perhaps? Dworkin has been heard to refer to what you have as 'harmless potential'; I would call it a lesser power and consider it anything but harmless. I would also advise not mentioning it to Odin; someone armed with such knowledge could pose a significant threat to Amber, and he has no particular cause to be our ally."

[Chtalo]

Ch'talo finishes "skinning" the branch and starts unfolding the strip, folding it back over itself 9 times, beginning to weave a braid from that, taking a small stone to press the base of the braid to the top of the staff.

"So complicated... but it's good to know who the players are before I fall into it. A court is much like a jungle - full of predators and things that are not what they seem. And every one of them has their own special little venom. So Odin will be a good source of information, but do not give him much in return."

"Do you know how long it will be before we get where we are going? I've never walked this way before. It is easier, but feels slower than the way I do it."