riverview | audio ☂ un:liches.get.stitches

[Good morning Riverview. America's favourite wizard is here with an announcement.

America's favourite wizard is also doing his first audio only post, because he looks like shit and he's out of spell slots to cast Disguise Self.]

So, uh, what's up, my dudes? I'm gonna cut to the chase here, cause most of you aren't complete idiots and have probably noticed that some weird shit is happening and that weird shit, while not my fault, is thanks to some fucko in my world messing with magical items, so now we're dealing with the consequences.

[That fucko is Magnus, who he's throwing under the bus on this, although not by name at least.

There's a very audible sigh from Taako's end of things.]

Here's the skinny: an item with control over time has gotten its shit messed up in the portal, and that's why people are suddenly like, babies or whatever, and the folks here don't really, uh, well they don't know how to fix it. They don't know enough about the chalice, and I don't know enough about the portal, so... so we're asking for help. I'd put money on arcane knowledge getting us the furthest, but at this point I'm willing to take input from anyone who knows their science shit, too, as long as you're not gonna try to tell me that magic doesn't exist. I can guaran-fucking-tee that I'm not in the mood.

[Someone hasn't slept in two days because he's been trying to figure this out, worried about both the chalice itself and the potential that a part of the light existing in this universe could lead the Hunger to it.]

The big thing is that it needs to go back, we bring that shit all the way in here and it's gonna break pretty bad for a lot of people and this stupid cup has given me enough grief that I'm super ready to never see it again in my entire life. Anyone who wants to help should get in touch with the dudes running the portal, but if you got questions I can field 'em. Heads up, you'll get better answers if you promise me coffee.

[He's doing his Good Deed of the week, he could at least get some caffeine out of it.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Actually: hi Líadan.

She's the first person to use video that he actually knows and likes (Clark and Jon both stuck to text), so he's willing to switch to match her. This is the first time she's seen his face without the magic he usually wears to cover up the beauty he lost in Wonderland, but the screens are small enough that he's hoping it'll be passed off as exhaustion.]

Long story short, there's this thing called the light of creation, that we think the gods used to make the universes, unfortunately some asshole has been trying to get his hands on it to like, destroy those universes. ["Consume" is more accurate than "destroy" but it's also more complicated to explain.] We tried to hide it from him by breaking it into seven pieces, one of which is the chalice but we didn't...

[There's a hesitation here and Taako sighs before continuing.]

We didn't expect it to go as badly as it did. The items we made were sentient, kinda, and they were so desperate to be used that anyone who got close would be pulled under their thrall. The chalice has power over temporal magic, it can stop, slow, speed up, or alter time, all at the behest of whoever the fuck has their hands on it. When a person is wielding it, that's bad fucking news, but now the portal's got it and no one really knows how to fix it. This thing can't be destroyed, and I sure as hell don't want it on this side of the portal, so we're trying to send it back.

[ Lí certainly brightens a bit seeing Taako's face. Video communication isn't anywhere near as good as speaking in person, but it's close enough and she's glad to be matched. He does look pretty tired, but she attributes that to the entirety of the situation at hand. Less beautiful? Not in this lady's opinion, not at all. ]

I'm beginning to wish Vafþrúðnir had imparted more of his people's tales of the gods to me.

[ She doubts creation would be an identical tale between realities, but who can really say? Folding her arms, she turns his words over in her head, thankful for the plain speak. It's easy enough for her to follow. Makes perfect sense to her, even, that creation would be opposed by a destructive force. That the implements of creation might also be used for destruction isn't all that surprising either for her own experience. This situation, though -- ]

I should be able to help. I cannot say I have much experience in dealing with items of power, but I should be able to get a better sense of what is occurring between the portal and the chalice and report upon any changes as we attempt to send it back through.

[ She taps an ear with that. Remember her hearing, Taako? ]

If the chalice is sentient, I might even be able to communicate with it. I've an idea about how to move it myself without getting handsy, too, but... I suppose the most concerning point is the interaction between the chalice and the portal, correct? It has never exhibited similar behavior on this scale, has it?

[He's worried about letting people he actually likes get close; the perimeter guard are disposable, to be honest, and if one of them falls under the thrall of the chalice Taako won't hesitate to stop them. But he'd rather not have to fight a friend.

But he can't do this alone, and he has to use the resources available.]

Nothing I've read so far has anything like this happening, probably because there's nothing like the light. [At least in most universes, it's a complete unknowable, as much as they tried to to study and understand it.] The portal used to be alive, I dunno if I ever told you that? I found out a while ago but it didn't seem all that important to share around.

[But it might help, now.]

If you wanna take a look at it I'm not gonna turn down the help, I'm back at the apartment right now cause I'm fucking wiped, but I can tag along.

[Mostly so he can keep an eye on things.]

[ She nods, following him until that mention about the portal, at which point she blinks rapidly with widening eyes. ]

You didn't tell me that. It was alive...?

[ And if it was alive, it was born at some point and... died? Despite its continued presence in Quarantine. She's... not entirely sure that makes sense. It's a somewhat strange thought to attribute life to the portal in Líadan's mind despite her beliefs if only because portals aren't something that have come into play on the Isle. Her experience with them is nil with the exception of Riverview's own, at which she's beginning to think she should have taken a closer look sooner. Now's as good a time as is available, though. ]

I would like to take a look at it. If you'd like, we can stop for coffee on the way.

Yup, and now the moon supports it? Don't ask me how that fucking works, I only know cause of a spell.

[And the details he got didn't really go beyond the basics; he's tried to look into it a little, but without much luck.]

Are you at the communal housing still, bubbale?

[Since they're going to need to coordinate themselves to get to the portal.]

The moon supports it as in it powers it or houses it or...? Regardless, it sounds to me like we're missing a good bit of story that would be good to have.

[ She offers a shake in response to his question, still pondering this whole portal business. ]

I'm by the river, but not so far dwn that I can't be there in five minutes. Shall we meet there?

[All he can offer is a shrug, because the only thing he has are theories without any concrete proof, and those aren't particularly helpful in this situation.]

Uh, I'm like ten minutes away and all outta spells, I was gonna get a taxi so we can swing by wherever and pick you up, if ya want.

[Not being able to teleport is hard.]

[ And she's pushing herself from atop her perch with a flourish. ]

I'll meet you at communal housing, then.

[ And, as an after thought and just to be sure -- ] A taxi is one of those horseless metal carriages, isn't it?

Got it in one.

[He still isn't a huge fan of them, honestly, but they serve the purpose.]

I'll see you soon, Lí.

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