throw it back, throw it back (part CXXI)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXX.)

Justine stood facing the elevator in her loft apartment in New Alexandria, and poked it again. It stubbornly refused to take her anywhere. She made some notes on her datapad as Dejah materialised beside her.

"What's that?" Dejah asked, receiving the data packet.

"That is where this elevator should go."

"Ah! We can fix that." Dejah got out her tools and began making changes.

Justine gave Dejah an appreciative look. "You look kinda nautical today, Deebs!"

"I was working on the eastern docks, for pleasure craft 'n such."

"I can't wait until we can start going sailing," Justine replied then added, "I mean, we could go any time, right?"

"Well, why not now?" Dejah suggested, "Come take a little walk, love."

Justine bounced on the balls of her feet, a grin spreading across her face. "Lemme get changed!"

*****

Dejah laughs as Justine trips on the way down the docks. "That needs a ladder!"

Justine climbed aboard, admiring the Ward above. "Wow, great boat, Deebs! Or should I say, Most Honorable Hand?"

"Deebs to my friends!"

Justine leaned back, enjoying the feel of the sun and the light easterly breeze on her skin. Dejah guided the little craft out of the harbor of New Alexandria and out onto the Dark Sea. Squinting, Justine peered across Dark Sea where Gearhaven was coming into view, jumping up in alarm. "What the hell is that over there?"

Deebs looked around. "We just passed into Gearhaven's harbor, so..."



Justine started to panic. "Holy FUCK. That's...that looks like Hiro's Liberator! Can you pull up over there? Is he still inside?"

"Let me rig for motor," Deebs said, dropping the sail and tacking towards the shore where the green jet tilted along the shoreline, clearly on fire. "Cabin's right empty."

Justine jumped to the shoreline, holding her head, trying to see inside the plane. "[F**k]! What HAPPENED?"

Dejah replied, "Not a lot of blast damage, not a big debris field, hull intact...looks like a rugged landing, not a crash-n-burn."

Justine searched in the trees and under the crashed ship, looking for a sign of a pilot. "I'm going to get the black box." Releasing the hatch, she climbed into the cockpit, crawling under the instrument board to extract the flight recorder.

"I can think of a few times I wish we'd known about flight recorders..." Dejah said, laughing ruefully.

"I think...I don't want to think this, but...maybe we should get dive gear out and search the harbour bottom?"

"Hmmmmm. I don't have any on the boat."

"Or...well...we don't even know who was piloting the Liberator."

"No, we don't."



Justine paces, unable to think. "I don’t know what to do. [F**k f**k F**K]." Taking a deep breath, she reached out to the feed and called for help on the Gearhaven network.

Meanwhile, Dejah had an idea. "I'm going to see if my alliance with the Elements holds up. Be right back...I think."

"Ok."

Blue light flickered, like sunlight on ocean, around Dejah, as they strolled into the water...and down. After a rather long time, Dejah floated up and out, rivulets running from their hair as they landed, just as Zack landed in the Varyag.

"Justine!" he cried, jumping from the ship.

(Continued in part CXXII.)

can't call it a problem if I never let a play drop

Information from Shakeno Tomsen:

Stop. Using. PNG. or. 32-bit TGA. For. Opaque. Textures.

Why? Most people don't see it but SL has an automatically enabled option to convert ALL these textures into alpha masks, and it SHOULD be disabled. It makes content creation a hassle because you can't choose what should be alpha blending and what should be alpha mask if it is on, requiring you to use workaround features for it...
...BUT: Disabling this feature will probably cause a lot of objects go into an alpha sorting trainwreck in your client. That is because said textures were uploaded with an unnecessary 32-bit/transparency layer that SHOULDN'T BE THERE, and now it doesn't attempt to fix it automatically, showing what the textures truly are like.

To solve this, please upload your opaque textures as 24-bit TGA and disable the option "Render alpha masks when 'Advanced Lighting Model' is enabled/not enabled". Not only they will be correct in a visual manner, they will also require less data to download and process.

Thank you sincerely.

Now I need to figure out which textures I've uploaded that I want to go through the hassle of this...

And this from a random profile that I found relevant:

Safewords are valid in SL because it is psychological and emotional space we are trying to achieve and a relationship we are trying to preserve. And because of RLV. Surrender is surrender and it is vulnerable.

Green: Go Sir! Goooooo! I love this!

Yellow: Slow down Sir...let's figure this out I'll hint gently. And maybe you have the right idea in the first place, but let's negotiate softly.

Red: Instant stop. I guarantee I will leave BDSM forever if I violate a redlight, a RED. Safewords can save lives. No longer Sir....I'm coming to the rescue.

Tapping out/Snapping: During gagging, or combinations. It means the gag comes off.

Use your safewords, they can even protect a friendship. Safewords between trusted friends can prevent misunderstandings.

BDSM is to develop trust, intimacy, and provide an avenue of utter surrender, as well as foster greater self control.

He's not wrong.

Next, why I got rid of STATIC's Nightmariner's Lantern (at least for now):



Because it REFUSES to stop launching itself into midair and spinning like a mad dervish!



It makes no sense to me.



Seriously, every time I rez one out, it goes COMPLETELY mental.

And now, some random cat pics to round this out.



What is the fascination with staring at walls? Can someone answer that for me?



Because I don't get it.

cruel tricks of romance degraded by their spite

This one's a doozy.

So I was hugging a very close friend at the Chelsea Hotel, when a stranger walked up and IMed me.

[13:48] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lookin good
[13:48] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Thank you.
[13:49] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: my pleasure

I didn't see a real need to respond to that, especially as said close friend was leading me upstairs to his apartment, so we could sit, and cuddle for a bit, and talk out the issues of the day. But seven minutes later:

[13:56] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: emily is it
[13:57] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Emilly, yes.
[13:59] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: pretty name to compliment the face

I'm not stupid. I knew he was coming on to me. I also knew I wasn't exactly giving "Yes, take me now!" answers. Plus, I'd pulled his profile in the intervening time.



All the pages are like this. No bio. No picture. No groups. No picks. No FL bio. No FL image.

Nothing. Man's a completely blank.

[13:59] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im [cxxx]

Of course you are.

[13:59] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Hi, [Cxxx].
[14:00] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: (takes one of your hands, kissing lightly)
[14:00] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a bit better acquainted right
[14:01] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): A bit, yes.
[14:01] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) smiles.

I'm still waiting for the play...

[14:03] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: pretty smile too i see
[14:03] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: seems were both enjoying the hotel
[14:04] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, they do a lot of poetry readings here.
[14:05] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the artistic type eh
[14:05] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I dabble, but there are some really good poets here.
[14:07] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ya dont say
[14:07] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): You just missed a big gathering, actually. They were reading in voice.

They were. I missed most of it, sadly, but I was glad to hear what I did. There's some really phenomenal poets on the grid.

[14:10] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: were they
[14:11] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i enjoy the arts myself
[14:11] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: including poetry
[14:11] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: seems we have something in common

...Good? I mean, I'm still looking for the angle...I know it's coming.

[14:11] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Then you're in the right place.
[14:12] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what is your favorite poetic style to use
[14:14] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, I personally write prose, but I love blank verse and villanelles.
[14:18] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i like both, tho i have to admit I prefer poetry
[14:18] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: something about it
[14:18] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: stirs the emotions ya know
[14:18] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) nods
[14:18] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Many do.

In fact, the friend I was, at this point, hanging out on a couch with upstairs, has had this debate with me--is free verse poetry, or is it just rearrangement? As a largely prose writer who employs free verse, I'm on the side of, it is another school of poetry. (He is not. It's a fun thing to discuss now and again.)

[14:27] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: one of my favorite authors has always been c.s. lewis
[14:27] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: tho for more than he's famous for
[14:28] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if you havent read some of his poetry you should check it out
[14:28] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): C.S. Lewis is decent, yes.

Which is all I felt comfortable saying...Tell me someone's a fan of the Narnia books, I'll nod, but tell me they're a fan of C.S. Lewis' poetry, or essays--both largely religious--well, I will get a specific impression in my head, and it's usually tied to 'smile and back away slowly'.

This is likely unjust, but it's the first thing that comes to mind.

Much later:

[14:42] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a girl's got good taste
[14:42] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) smiles
[14:42] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: who's your favorite poet
[14:43] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Walt Whitman

Hands down, that will always be my answer.

[14:43] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: another genius
[14:43] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: he has some good quotes too
[14:43] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): He does
[14:44] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: like his thoughts on god are really interesting
[14:44] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i dont think they were judao christian tbh
[14:44] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): They are, yes.
[14:44] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: he saw god as cruel

Well...I mean, if you read the book...

[14:44] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Who, Whitman? He wasn't.
[14:44] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and it reflects in his poems
[14:47] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: didnt think so
[14:54] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: on the darker side, i think poe and lovecraft have some good stuff too
[14:54] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: while we're still on whats classic
[14:54] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ive dabbled in alot of different genres so im inspired by alot
[14:54] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and ongoing
[14:54] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: with newer writers
[15:03] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) nods
[15:03] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I adore Poe and Lovecraft
[15:03] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): And Wilson

Turns out I meant to say "Chambers", the author of the King in Yellow, and somehow crossed wires with Robert Anton Wilson, the cartoonist....but okay.

[15:17] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a good old time poet as well
[15:17] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: let me grow lovelys a favorite

I could not then, and cannot now, remember a single poem Robert Anton Wilson was famous for. Certainly not something called "Let Me Grow Lovelys". But there is a Karle Wilson Baker, who wrote a poem called "Let Me Grow Lovely", so...maybe her?

[17:45] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: was heading out to enjoy the evening beach weather awhile
[17:45] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we might share poetry together
[17:45] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) smiles
[17:45] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Perhaps!

And I moved on with things. I thought the conversation was clearly over.

[17:52] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: tending to something else in the meantime actually, why dont we try meeting there around 7 o clock SL time
[17:52] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: gorgeous spot
[17:53] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: maybe even share a few drinks with our poems

And there it is.

[17:53] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Ah, well.
[17:53] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): That may be an issue. I'm gone from SL usually from five pm SLT to 8 to 8:30 pm SLT, all nights.
[17:53] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Though tonight the shoppers are still out shopping, so dinner hasn't been called yet :D
[17:55] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ah, i c

"See".

[17:56] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): And, if you're thinking drinks and poetry, then you should know in advance, my dance card's kind of full
[17:56] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Friends are fine, dates are--there's not enough time in the day at this point
[18:02] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that popular huh
[18:03] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, I wouldn't put it in those terms. But one partner, one owner, one mate, two girlfriends, three boyfriends--it adds up.

Now, this is not me bragging. I'm not carving notches in any of the bedposts in the beds I happen to sleep in. This was more--I'm booked. I don't have time to get involved with anyone else. Sort of a heads up before things go further.

Was that the wrong thing to say? Should we have started going on coffee dates, going to wine bars, reading each other poems, before I said anything? In my mind, that's even more cruel.

[18:09] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: never was one to contribute to a bitches power. rather take it away from her
[18:09] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [f**k] you
[18:09] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Excuse me?
[18:10] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Where, in anything I've said since you said hello, have I indicated any attempt to seize power?

I'm dead serious. Where in the whole of this conversation, to this point, have I said I want to wrest male power away from men at all, in any way? I do believe the boy is projecting.

[18:13] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Enjoy the rest of your SL, I suppose.
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: congratulations, you've won the hypergamy award.

I had to look this one up. Turns out he's using it wrong, though weirdly, it's accurate for me--hypergamy refers to the practice of marrying someone of higher social status or position than oneself. And I am clearly aware of this--the only reason I'm a Duchess now is I married a Duke. So fair cop there, but--I don't think that's what he meant.

[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i keep my eyes open for women that i at the end of the day deem to be pure [dog sh*t]

Was that necessary?

[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now keep your eyes open, i got a little gift coming for you today.

Haven't seen it yet.

[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: revenge is sweet bitch.

If you say so.

[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh and here's a little something else since you like poetry:

[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a blank stare
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [p***y] wet
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: entitlement
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: watch her twitch
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: dont be caught in
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the facade she emits
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that how you tell
[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: she's a witch

I mean, I've read better, but it has a slight catch to it, especially the last three lines.

[18:34] Txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now burn in hell
[18:34] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): You seem upset.

I had to leave soon after, for RL, but...wau, this man spun on a dime. There is a term for that, which I'm not going to employ here, but it is coming to mind.

{Late insert from the Editrix: It came to my attention that the blurred-out profile still contained the username on top, and there was one visible instance of his username in the quoted chat, and that has been changed. The profile I'll change if I have time, frankly. Consider it a warning to the women in SL not to associate, because anyone who ramps up this quickly into spewing hate from "I am seeing other people, I don't want any more romantic relationships" is someone who doesn't like women anyway. So best to avoid.}

he's not in that book you take everywhere (part CXX)

(Continued from part CXIX.)



Zack looked down at Emilly. "I will go back to Gearhaven clinic for now, then. Rusty, be careful, all right? And call me if you see anything unusual here. Duchess, would you like a lift back?"

Rusty waved, heading off into the station. "I'm off to other matters!"

"Take care, Rusty!" Emilly called after him, then looked at Zack. "Sure. Let's go."

She walked after him to Hanger 2, looking the Varyag over. "I don't think I've been on your ship before."

"This is the Varyag, Duchess, the one that's always beside the clinic. Please take a seat, we're going to take off soon."



She nodded, made her way to a seat, clambered up into it, and strapped herself in firmly. It was a quick trip down, the stars wheeling around the pale ship. With barely a bump, he set the ship down on the ground.

"We landed, Duchess."

She smiled, unbuckling, and slipping out of the seat. "Neatly done."

He helped her down the short ramp, smiling. "I hope you appreciated your travel. We thank you for choosing Air Starbinder and wish you a good day."



Emilly giggled. Zack looked from the ship to the clinic.

"Yes, so...this ship is well equipped to respond to multiple medical emergencies, both in space or in planet atmosphere."

Emilly nodded. "Which is good."



She got her bearings on the ground, then turned towards Steam's towers. "Do be well, Zack!" she called over her shoulder.

"Always, Duchess. You too."

Emilly reached up, pinching a section of local space, and pulled herself through to elsewhere.

(Continued in part CXXI.)

he's not underground, he's not in the air (part CXVIII)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXVII.)

Zack Starbinder approached the station, static in midair in front of the stabilized rift. "Tannhäuser Station, this is the Varyag medical gunship, requesting clearance and permission to dock to help investigate."

The Duchess, walking into the hanger bay, blinked as she heard Zack over the comm. "Oh, dear." She looked up as Justine's clear voice came over the PA system.

"Varyag medical ship, you are cleared to land at Hangar 2. Please report to Security after clearing the arrivals terminal for full briefing on the current station alert level. Thank you for your help, and welcome to Tannhäuser."

"Thanks, Tannhäuser Station. Initiating landing sequence."

She watched as the ship landed, powering down, and the access plank lowered as Zack walked out. He moved quickly up the stairs to the small catwalk she stood on.



"Greetings, Duchess!"

"Hello!"

The poet walked around the corner, smiling. "Hi, Emilly!" He pulled her into a hug, and she grinned against his chest. Zack, meanwhile, looked out at the ship on the main platform.

"Is this the mysterious ship Justine was talking about, or...?"

Emilly pulled back with a smile. "Hi, Rusty." Then she looked over at the stark lines of the unknown ship. "This seems to be the one."



Meanwhile, Zack looked down at his padd. "This explains why I found this in the database. It says this ship should be registered to the Duc's name?"

"It doesn't look as...patchwork...as normal Reaver craft, so maybe it's something new the Duke acquired to retrofit?" Emilly asked.

"Unless he is the kind to leave a shuttle here and take another ship out, but...that's not his type of ship, is it?"

Emilly thought. "That's...a good question."

Zack frowned. She turned to look at him.

"Two good questions, actually. Though he does keep a lot of ships docked at any given time."



Zack turned his padd so Emilly could look at the readout. "Duchess, may I advise you take a look at the Duc's shuttle traffic to see for any unusual departing and arriving of your husband? Or to see if any ships were reported missing over the last few days?"

She dutifully looked. "I can do that," she said, "though admittedly, that's something Justine usually keeps track of. But I'll check."

Rusty leaned over the railing. "Has anyone tried to look inside of this ship?"

Emilly shook her head. "Not unless Justine did."

Zack handed her the pad, unslinging his bow as he sighed. "You two stay here, I'll go take a look."



Emilly touched the padd, pulling up another list, shunting it to the side. "So what do you think? I didn't see anyone on the scans but us."

"There's no one inside, either," said Zack from the hanger floor.



Emilly tapped her chin with a finger. "So, mysterious ship. Mysterious armaments. No one inside. No word from the Duke. Great."

Zack slung his bow behind him again, moving behind the Duchess, rubbing her shoulders reassuringly. "We will find if there is any intruder inside the station."

She smiled up at him.

"What evidence do we have of an intruder, again?" Rusty asked.

Emilly shrugged. "Just the ship. And Justine was nervous."

"Okay..."



Zack grinned. "Will I have to teach you a few archery lessons, Rusty?"

"Hmm," Rusty said, pondering. "If you shoot an arrow in space, what happens?"

"It will continue to fly until it reaches its target. Unless there's artificial gravity."

Rusty grinned at him. "Okay."

"Companions normally never use firearms, but bows and arrows don't count, as such."

Rusty nodded. "Werre you able to get inside the ship?"

Zack shook his head. "I did not find a door, or any outside opening trigger. So either it opens at distance, or only for someone inside...or both."

Rusty nodded. "Okay."

"And either way, if someone was aboard, they're not here now," Emilly added.

"Seems that way," Zack said.

"Seems weird, though," Rusty added.

(Continued on part CXIX.)

been placed right under the spell, the mirror shows somebody else (part CXVII)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXVI.)

Justine puttered around the library, getting it ready for the movie watch party when Lina and Veronica arrived. She introduced the two of them. "Veronica, this is Lina, our head of security. Lina, this is Veronica. You two make..." Her voice trailed off as something only half visible caught her eye. "...yourselves comfortable," she finished.

Lina and Veronica found spots on the couches, making small talk, getting to know each other, while Justine sent out announcements and made last minute preparations for the movie watch party. The nagging presence in the room became more noticeable, and at the same time, the room itself started to shimmer and fade. Lina and Veronica disappeared.

Puzzled, Justine stopped, squinting around. Lina and Veronica were gone, she'd worry about why and how later because...there was something still there. "OK. Don't panic. This is Gearhaven. Feeling like you've entered some sort of ethereal fugue state is not reason to panic, it just means it's a day ending in 'y'," she tried to reassure herself. "Aaaand, you're talking to yourself. Great." She took a breath, closed her eyes and concentrated, listening. She heard the brain in the jar pathetically wheedling for someone to touch it. The grinding of gears, arcing of electricity. And...something else.

Opening her eyes, she began searching the room. There was definitely something there, but every time she approached it, it backed away. Testing a theory she turned her back and walked away. It followed her. "[F**k]," she muttered, "where did Lina and Veronica go?"

Justine reached out on the Duchy feed. "Emilly? There's...something in the house. It's...following me. I can...see it but not see it?"

"I can be there in about seven minutes," came the Duchess's reply. "I'll check it out then."

Justine looked at the clock, then back to where her invisible stalker appeared to be. Pulling out her padd, she conducted scans of the room, paying particular attention to the crawl spaces under the house. Was something under there?

Scanners detected a very particular quantum signature. "Lina? That smells like Lina. Wait, do quantum signatures have a smell?" She filed that in the back of her mind as something else to worry about later, and reached out on the feed again.

"Lina? Lina, where did you go, and...what is this thing you left here?"

Static crackled over the line. "Having some trouble right now, sis! Eh, what thing?"

"You didn't leave a thing here? It sure looks like it's...yours."

"Don't know what you're talking about. Gotta go!"

The connection cut off.

Justine put the padd away and tried to use some of the less "technical" methods of perception the Duchess had been teaching her. She let her eyes unfocus. Hands stretched out on either side of her she began moving slowly around the room, reaching out with her mind.

There. Something there. Small, floating about two meters above the floor. Justine concentrated, tracing back lines of energy emanating to and from the object. It was hovering closer now, and an air of intent seemed to be forming around it. Closing her eyes she tried to remember one of the capture and banishment methods the Duchess had briefly gone over, that sense of knowing "only enough to be dangerous" starting to worry at the back of her mind. She should wait for the others to return. If they were going to return. What if they didn't return? What if the thing was preventing them from returning? Taking a deep breath she centered herself and focused, reaching out.

Contact. She felt it. She saw it. And...it saw her. More clearly. The tattoos on her back, belly and legs started to itch and burn and the warnings Zack and Deebs had given her flooded back into her mind. Panic welled and she started hyperventilating. She considered trying Emilly on the feed again, but didn't want to risk redirecting any concentration from the object. The lines of energy between it, her, and wherever the object had come from flared and thickened. Justine winced against it, the heat in the tattoos rising. Holding it in her attention she attempted the simple banishment Emilly had shown her, and with a push directed it at the eerie presence.

The itching in her tattoos flared and subsided. Opening her eyes, Justine was grateful to see the room had come back into focus, the shimmering haze dissipate. Grateful that she was sitting down, Justine let her hands drop, breathing heavily. Almost immediately the light in the room changed and Veronica and Lina reappeared.

"Lina! Now you get here!"

"Sorry, sis, I got held up. Hey, is something wrong?"

"No," she answered, reaching for Lina's hand to help her get up. "It’s fine. Everything is fine now." She smiled as Emilly came into view. "Everything is fine," she repeated, earning a worried look from Lina as they sat down on the loveseat. "Let's get this movie started, hmm?"

(Continued in part CXVIII.)

the feelings start to rot, one wink at a time

There's one in every crowd.

[15:39] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hey Emily
[15:39] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Hi!
[15:39] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you are so sexy

Occupational hazard. Seriously, 70% of the way I look is due to look restrictions at work, followed by dominant instructions on how he wanted me to look. I've made small adjustments here and there--the face is largely my work, the height is definitely my work, but the figure? I'm glad people appreciate it, but--I just did what they told me.

[15:39] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Oh, thank you.
[15:39] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: how are you dear
[15:39] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I'm good.
[15:39] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: nice to listen that
[15:40] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i want kiss you later

Oh, here we go.

[15:40] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: can i add you dear ?

And, while I was pondering how best to politely demur--

[15:41] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i think it is better way to say yes
[15:41] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and accept my friendship

That's vaguely threatening.

[15:41] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, that may be slightly tricky. So. What is allowable for the Mate, or the partner, goes into business for others.

Translation: "I am not about to freely jump into the arms of someone who wants to friend me just for unpaid sex without a darned good reason, thanks ever so".

[15:41] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): But I can send you my rate card, absolutely willing to do that.

And then he sent a Gyazo snap. That's...creepy.

[15:42] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Yes, that's [Mxxxxx], I'm here with him.

You'd think "I'm here with someone", and him sending clear proof of same, would be enough, but...

[15:42] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i send you my rate card so i dont thing you want send and to other half of you
[15:42] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) tries to parse that
[15:43] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): So, you just want me to buy your services for half of me, not the whole person?

Thankfully, he either couldn't come up with a snappy rejoinder, or just gave up, but--weird conversation. So much yikes.

and that thing that you're hearing is only the sound of the low spark of high-heeled boys

Today's a little different, because...these have to be shown off a little. Just because the connections are so WEIRD.



This is the "Aquamarine" skin, currently available in Fallen Gods' booth at this round of We Roleplay. I bought it on a whim, but as it turns out, it's incredibly relevant for a really silly reason.

What reason? Well, because this:



is my current Reddit avatar. Why is that relevant? Well, because it was the closest in color tone to my off-and-on permanent avatar through most social media (f'rinstance, it's not my current Twitter avatar, but it has been in the past, and also it's been my Tumblr avatar, and it's currently my icon on Discord):



WE HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE. THE TRANSITION IS COMPLETE.



A better look at the skin tone. It really is just that super-saturated.

You can find all three of the tones--there's also a Lime (acid green) and a Flamingo (flaming pink) available at the event as well. More information on Alia's blog, of course.

(The two pictures of me were taken at Insilico. Eyes were acquired ages ago from Inkheart, their "Hades" in green. The hair is "Everly" from [EscalateD]. The outfit's from the "Jeannie's Day Off" collection from *Lurve*. And I have no idea if the makeup's still available--it was purchased six years ago at an event, but you can visit Senzafine and check. It's the "PVB 06" from the "Rhapsody" lip fatpack. [I still have a system head, so system-layer makeup still works for me.])

if you get out of bed, come find us heading for the bridge (part CXVI)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXV.)

Zack inhaled the salted night air from the sea, and pulled out the journal to inscribe another entry.

Journal Entry 3

Dear Diary,

It's been probably half a year now that I live in Gearhaven. Due to the larger amount of work I had to take a break from some of my other activities. It was a sacrifice, yes, but I was willing to take it for the love of those around me and for myself.

Medically speaking, the clinic seems to find a good productivity, we have a very functional team for the requests and the health of the Duchy's citizens seems to have greatly increased according to statistics, which probably pleases the Duc Hiro, The Duchess Emilly and the Countess Justine.

My efforts for now were focused mostly on Gearhaven, but I know that needs might also be requested on the other regions. Tannhäuser, Dark Sea and Krakenstorm don't have a clinic like we have here, and I even had very few patients who were transfered here from one of those regions.

Even if we manage quite well in terms of productivity, it will come a time where we will need to expand and open new clinics to the medical network of Gearhaven. I should put it on my agenda and present this to the next council meeting.

Now I can understand how much leading work Dr. Sanchin has when she need to manage almost all of Tau 34's medical network. But I believe in my skills and the teaching she gave me. It should not be too hard, should it?

On another pair of hands, my research on the Countess' marks had me ask the help of Deebs. It seems like for some mysterious reasons, those marks on her body, especially the one on the back, reacts strongly to arcanic magic. We managed to temporarily seal its power, but the seal we put won't last long. I believe a strong force, probably the same cause of the dimensional rifts, is at work on her...something is trying to get to her and I am deeply worried about it. I will study hard to find a way to make sure she is safe.

Finally, when we talk about strange and strong forces at work, the duchess managed to finally destroy the rift inside the tower. I felt it...but there was something else that happened since, it almost seems like the grounds of the four regions are surrounded by strange magical energy signatures everywhere. I am not sure if they were detected by the sensors yet or if Emilly, Deebs and Justine felt the same thing, but I guess I am the first one to have the feeling that the destruction of the rift might have brought something else into our lands...or woke up something slumbering since a long time.

This is something I will need to explore, but not alone. I will start to work right away on sending messages all around the four regions to request help on an expedition.

End of entry

He set the pen down, put the journal away, and simply sat for a moment, thinking, before closing the clinic down for the night.

(Continued in part CXVII.)

wolves on the street, roaming, howling (part CXV)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXIV.)

-Captain's Log - Her Gnostic Majesty's Ship, Science Vessel "False Cause"-



Completed scans of the far edge of the anomaly, on route to Tannhäuser Gate.



We have been delayed to investigate a signal for aid from the Gearhaven listening outpost near the Mondragon Neutral Zone. We have detected a signal just beyond the zone, bearing a signature of unknown origin.



As soon as we came out of warp we were attacked.

- Gearhaven Fleet Intelligence Post//Tannhäuser Gate. -End of Message-

::TRANSMITTING::
::TRANSMISSION RECEIVED::

(Continued in part CXVI.)

aren't you the bright one? aren't you the trooper?

Contraption chat, because Basil, the clerk at Contraption, is mentioned, though still anonymizing individuals? This...went places:

[14:22] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Omg Basil is not here
[14:22] txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: youre right!! omg..wait who is Basil?

So for anyone who doesn't know, Basil is Contraption's overworked clerk. Being a bot, he pretty much just sits in the store constantly. I believe you can IM him and the messages will be delivered to the designers. I think you can also click him for store information.

[14:22] nxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: he sim restart crashed?
[14:22] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): This...is a problem
[14:22] pxxxxxxxxxxxx: thats what i was trying to figure out earlier and jsut didnt want to panic
[14:22] Gxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx: Noooo! Basil!
[14:22] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Don't panic
[14:22] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): NOBODY PANIC

I mean, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation.

[14:23] Bxxxx Bxxxx: [Txxxxxx] how come you don't know Basil ffs ?
[14:23] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I'm sure there's an explanation

See? Even past me thought there was.

[14:23] lxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: houston, we have a problem
[14:23] pxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im panicing!!!
[14:23] txxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I knew Basil..even though jhe was a drunk he was a good guy
[14:23] axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Coffee break?
[14:23] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Oh, see, explanation.
[14:23] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): He's out for coffee. Of course.
[14:23] Gxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx: I have been trying to chat him up for years
[14:23] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Same here
[14:23] Bxxxx Bxxxx: but he left his book so probably not leaving for long
[14:23] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I actually heard the on-sim Basil is a clone, and the REAL Basil goes out to cause havoc

Havoc? That doesn't seem very Basil-like.

[14:24] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: everyone deserves a break...even useless elves like me~ c: ♥
[14:24] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Any time now, he'll come back in, caffeinated to the gills, and sit down and vibrate for four hours.
[14:24] oxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wait you guys can see Basil?
[14:24] Bxxxx Bxxxx: God damn leaf lovers.

Meet Mr. B, our main antagonist. Very hostile rodent.

[14:24] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx:
[14:24] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): We usually can, yes. Just not today, apparently.
[14:24] Mxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: Only seen him once
[14:24] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) is also a fan of tea leaves, if it helps. And basil leaves. And lemon leaves...
[14:25] Walton F. Wainwright (faust.steamer): Region restarts likely took him down, he'll be up eventually.
[14:25] Cxxx Cxxxxxxxx: Perhaps [Sxxxx] has scolded him again.
[14:26] Bxxxx Bxxxx: BASIIIIILL!!!
[14:26] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Oh, I see. Region restart made him depressed.

Even bots have bad days.

[14:26] Walton F. Wainwright (faust.steamer): Basil is on 24/7 in the mainstore, so you'll see him every day unless something like thishappens
[14:26] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): So give him time, people.
[14:26] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I'm sure he'll be back to his normal standoffish self in no time.
[14:26] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: does he need therapy?
[14:26] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Don't we all?
[14:26] Bxxxx Bxxxx: I was afraid of my best friend. I was visiting him for our tea party.
[14:27] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): "Of" is ominous there...

It really is.

[14:27] Bxxxx Bxxxx: I don't need therapy, I need money
[14:27] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): OH, well, I'd like that too, yes.
[14:27] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Monthly 1000$ without working will do for me.
[14:27] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I don't mind working for it.
[14:27] Bxxxx Bxxxx: I can even raise a child.
[14:27] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Woo! Life skills!
[14:27] Pxxxxx Cxxxx: honestly alot of problesm could be fixed if people were given more money
[14:28] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Also true.
[14:28] Gxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx: Yes, yes. But... Basil!

True, let's focus on the problem at hand.

[14:29] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Still not here :(
[14:31] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Breathe. In and out. It will be okay.
[14:32] Gxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx: I am making posters
[14:33] Bxxxx Bxxxx: We should form a search team
[14:34] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: +
[14:35] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Where would we search? There's only so much store.

I mean, unless Mr. Wainright has been experimenting with alternate dimensions...

[14:35] axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Anyone look under the desk yet?
[14:35] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Is there any event release Books ?
[14:36] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: Sorry [bxxxx] i would like to participate in the search team thing..but my vision is pooorly done
[14:36] Bxxxx Bxxxxn: poorly ?
[14:37] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: Yah my vision is bad i can only see the nothingness
[14:38] Bxxxx Bxxxx: how is that work ?
[14:39] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: I'm curious. If you only see the void does it see you?
[14:39] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: yessss!
[14:39] axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Depends, are you looking at a black cat?
[14:40] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: ahhhh i see some outfits that i'm loving already...

Yeah, that happens just entering the store.

[14:41] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: Vote poll more outfits please!
[14:42] Bxxxx Bxxxx: First time here ?
[14:42] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: second time yess
[14:42] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Shame
[14:43] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx Is not the smartest elf and would fall for almost any trap !
[14:43] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, THAT'S a blatant advertisement.
[14:43] Bxxxx Bxxxx: First of all, I hate leaf lovers.
[14:44] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Secondly I hate 1 demon

Remember what I said? Hostile.

[14:44] Bxxxx Bxxxx: and thirdly, WHERE IS BASIL!
[14:44] Gxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx: They say the first 24 hours are crucial
[14:45] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Which demon? I want to make sure I'm not that demon, because apparently you already hate me for the leaf thing. :p
[14:46] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Also....wait. Now Em haz a confuse. Coffee beans are not leaves??

I mean, I'm right on that, yes? Coffee beans are berry seeds and tea is flower leaves...right?

[14:46] Bxxxx Bxxxx: You are an elf and a demon ?
[14:46] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Eh, more generally shapeshifting fae?
[14:47] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Thats worst than elf

What did I do to Mr. B? I think it boiled down to existing. And then:

[14:47] Walton F. Wainwright (faust.steamer): Group Notice Sent by: Faust Steamer

NEW RELEASE @The Men's Dept!
Dear Contraptioneers,

We have two brand new bags out for you to grab, with male and female bento holds, that can be worn on LEFT or RIGHT hands! Hurray!

We've got a gladstone bag here

And a totally not suspicious violin case here

Grab these today and try not to be too suspicious. Landmark attached to this notice!

Best regards,
Walton

[14:47] Pxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx mumbles in tiefling
[14:47] Bxxxx Bxxxx: oh those bags looks really good

They do. I have very little use for the Gladstone bag, but...I kind of want it anyway.

[14:47] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): But I have some demonic aspects, with the horns, and the tails, and the....Wau. [Bxxxx]. Judgy l'il mouse, aren'tcha?
[14:48] Bxxxx Bxxxx: What are you ?

Truly, a question for the ages. Even I don't really know. Cross-drawn and not quartered, cursed and squandered, parents two species that generally can't interbreed...I mean, who really knows?

[14:48] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Also we don't trust Tieflings here

Mm, I think it's more that you don't trust Tieflings, Mr. B.

[14:48] Pxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: its ok, most don't
[14:48] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Leanán Sídhe Unseelie fae Duchess of Gearhaven, and you?

I mean...I married into the Duchy, but the Leanán Sídhe, that's mine.

[14:48] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: ... Guys.
[14:48] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): (I'm not arguing, I'm laughing. But if he's arguing, I'll drop it.)

And this much is true. I was not upset, more bemused and baffled, by Mr. B's extreme antipathy.

[14:49] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx:



[14:49] Pxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: lol wat
[14:49] axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx snorts into sip of coffee
[14:49] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): NUUUUUUUUUU! Basil's been botnapped!
[14:49] Walton F. Wainwright (faust.steamer): Oh, guess I better hire his brother, Oregano now
[14:50] Bxxxx Bxxxx: He got a brother ?
[14:50] Pxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Mint is kinda fun
[14:50] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Just not Catnip. She's a troublemaker.
[14:50] lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: His sister Rosemary is quite nice
[14:51] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx:



[14:51] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): NUUUUUUUU
[14:51] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: The kidnapper also said they want more V-tech stuff. I dunno, they seemed pretty serious.

Those dastards.

[14:52] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: I'd give me--Er, them, what they want.
[14:52] Pxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: so we just get someone big and mean to wait under the bridge with the 25L
[14:52] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): What is this world coming to?
[14:52] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Oh! Solution! Send [Bxxxx].

I mean, he may not qualify as big, but he likely qualifies as mean.

[14:53] Bxxxx Bxxxx: OHHHH
[14:53] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Got it now
[14:53] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Its a new marketing strategy. Mr.Wainwright make Basil disappear so we have to get the new bag for the ransom money.
[14:54] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): GENIUS
[14:54] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: money? ;o
[14:54] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Well we don't have letter yet but probably kidnapped for ransom

*points up* Letter. Right up there.

[14:55] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx:



[14:56] Pxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: wonder what the kidnappers taste like

Anxiety and desperation, probably.

[14:56] Bxxxx Bxxxx: This handwriting same with your [Sxxxxxx]
[14:56] Bxxxx Bxxxx: Lads and Laddies, we got him.
[14:56] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: Nonsense, I don't have handwriting.
[14:56] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: XD
[14:56] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: I went to school for compsci.
[14:57] Bxxxx Bxxxx: [Sxxxxxx] release Basil immedietly or I will hunt you down.
[14:57] Sxxxxx Fxx: does Basil not get a vacation?
[14:57] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: I have no arms, how could I hold him captive?

Well...I mean, that is a good point...but I seem to remember Contraption making more than one prosthetic arm...

[14:58] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Shame on you, [Sxxxxxx].
[14:59] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: Look, I'm just saying, we should probably give the kidnapper what he wants.
[14:59] Mxxxxxxxxxx Axxx: Cane swords. And more V-tech clothes.
[14:59] Rxxxxxx Cxxxx: magic.
[14:59] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: more horror esgue items?
[15:00] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, that's bound to happen. It's Contraption. There will be horror and wonder.

Soon after, Basil was restorted to the store, so...we may never know who the botnapper was.