Looking Forward and Backward

Baroness Wake
Castle Eas

    In the fading rays of the day, the Baroness Wake stands amidst workers set to the task of repairing the long-lost outpost and the road that will lead from it to Castle Eas itself. Upon the rolling foothils to the north of the mountains, the sky darkens rather swiftly, for the peaks to the south stand almost like a wall, broken only by the slender pass that lies far above.

    Wake signals to the foreman to cease the labor of the day with a weary smile. It has been a long set of days and much remains to be done. While she and her fellow adventurers have started to push back against the orcs in the mountains, there remains much to do before the Castle is truly safe.
Uta
Castle Eas

Among the people who are helping with the repairing the outpost there is one Spriggan who is more than happy to drop the huge mallet she's been using to drive a series of short wooden poles into the ground, most likely to build some sort of fence. "Oh goodness me it's over...", she exhales, falling to her knees and panting. "Let's pray to the Goddesses that the planet is never turned into a Vampire, and we have to plant a wooden stake all the way to its core..."
Estelle
Castle Eas

"That problem would deal with itself. The sun always shine somewhere, after all." drifts over the voice of an amused kitsune, her tails swishing behind her impromptu seat - a barrel that no one's disturbed for a bit. It's filled with water, by the sound it makes when her heels impact it in the process of getting comfortable. Her arms are folded across her knees, and she grins at her acquaintaince and then looks skyward, studying the stars above them for a long moment, even with the clouds drifting between here and there.

"I'm sure your prayers have been noted, all the same." Her gaze drops back down, and turns instead to survey the outpost around them and the castle in the distance. "But! Good evening, Uta. You wanted to speak with me, in the wake of the discussion with Spatjahr. And so here I am, as requested." And her gaze flicks over towards the Baroness. "Good evening to you, as well. It seems the stars have aligned, some, for this meeting."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas


    The Baroness laughs softly at Uta's interesting line of the thinking. "If the world itself turns into a vampire it would be a dreadful inconvenience, certainly," she agrees. She hopes that the game doesn't get ideas from Uta.

    Wake turns to Estelle and bows her head. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips, though her eyes still look rather tired.

    "I should hope that the stars do align," Wake says. "Though perhaps I just grow too greedy. So much has gone well for me lately, I'm not certain I have the right to ask for more." She directs her attention to Uta, curious just what the topic of the evening shall be.
Uta
Castle Eas

"The stars have aligned indeed. Probably even more than I can handle," Uta continues, "in a manner similar to Wake's abundance of blessings." She grins at the Baroness, "...careful about admitting you have candies, the other kids will ask for some." She inhales. "Buuuut, the blessing come in the form of questions and tasks to undertake, so... there is potential work ahead."

She scratches her head while organizing her thoughts (which must be no small task), and eventually begins, to Estelle: "The first question is not directly related to what you seemed to know during our meeting with Spahtjahr, but rather, a different thing that someone brought up while there. I will get to the original one later." She moves to stand up, still unsteady because of the effort, and walks closer to Estelle. "Do you really think this could be Earth? The one we come from?" She looks up at the sky. "Could one of those be our original Moon? Do the... masses and orbits of the moons account for that, and the smaller size of the planet? Like... some sort of... impact or explosion that split off a second moon and left Earth smaller?" She scratches her head. "I've read somewhere that ballistics also lets you determine whether an exploded plane was shot down by a missile or blown up from the inside... so... maybe something like that can be done for planets?"
Estelle
Castle Eas

"Given the incoming Wave, there is always a bane to balance out the boon." The fox points out to the Baroness, lightly, as her ears give a little flick. "Take heed, and be careful, and I'm sure things will turn out for the better in the end." A beat, two. "Though that's more general advice - I haven't dared to turn my divinations upon the Wave. Without having something in place to help, it... seems an ill idea."

"And that is an insightful question, Uta. You're referring to Merek's theory, yes?" Estelle was there when he proposed it, at least, though it may have ceom second-hand. "I'm nearly certain that, no, it is not an impact like that as you've described. Not with the evidence currently at my disposal." One hand gestures upwards, towards one of the moons. "While I am still in the process of studying their orbits and details, what you're talking about would leave them with a far cruder shape without involving vast, cosmic timescales... and it merely being a breaking off of mass would have fundamental effects on the planet's gravity. Ones that we don't see, which means that there is something afoot."

"So I'm not discounting the possibility that this /is/ our Earth, somewhere distant on a scale of time. But there is no evidence in my field that leads it to being so. Not without vast arcane changes to how the planet itself functions that... well, wouldn't need such an impact."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas


    The topic is a bit of a surprise for Wake, though in the dwindling light there's likely little to note of the subtle changes in her expression. She settles herself on a box, after carefully ensuring that it's safe to do so. Even in such a situation as this, she holds her back straight, wrapping about her the steely grace of a queen on her throne.

    "I have seen some odd things on similar philosophical topics," murmurs Wake. "It has been weighing heavily on my mind, for I find certain nuances of my own existence to be dubious at best. For if I am who I think I was, then surely I'd have been either rescued or sacrificed by now."

    The Baroness shakes her head, focusing back on Uta and Estelle. "When all that we are now is understood to be a hallucination that we share, it makes it most difficult to tell what the underlying truths might be. If you have anything you are willing to teach concerning this, though, I would be a willing pupil."
Uta
Castle Eas

Uta nods at Wake. "There are many theories, indeed. Merek recently brought up one whereby we're still on Earth, but far in the future. That would account for the stars having pretty much remained the same." She scratches her head. "Although I'm not sure about the planets. Haven't thought about that...", she trails off. "So, uh, also, neither of the moons, neither the Green nor the Red one, bear the markings of the original Moon?" Another moment of silence. "Well, there's also the part where it's always nighttime in Alne, but..." She shakes her head. "Anyway. That answers my first question. The second would be about that story about the Accursed Monkey assaulting on the Great Visitor's Fortress." She frowns in concentration. "Pardon me if I seem confused by everything, but if I've put two plus two together... you seem to know in rather good detail about an event which hasn't happened yet, since Spahtjahr mentioned it was in progress when she was displaced?"
Estelle
Castle Eas

"That's another point against it, yes. The timescale for the moons and planet to even out after an impact would have caused significant stellar drift. Thank you for the reminder." The fox adds, after Uta's commentary on it. Then she tips her head to Wake, though her ears cant to remain pointed skyward. "And another point to consider, yes; how have some of us not vanished as power, connectivity, or other things failed, like friends and family trying to pull the Gear off?" One of her hands waggles, lightly. "It's a strong point of evidence that, somehow, our minds have been disconnected from our bodies."

But there's a sly grin, at Uta's second point. "I expected that, yes. I've actually discussed the matter with the Baroness already, but let me provide a bit more detail." She plucks a spyglass out of her inventory, holding it up. "This is the Monkey's Spyglass. Take a moment and Inspect it, to confirm, but I'll read the flavour text aloud as well."

"'The Spyglass will be used by the accursed Monkey to plan his devious assault on the Great Visitor' Fortress. When peered through, people can more easily make out the features of the land, though it fails to display the various people, beasts and monsters of the land that might hide in it.'"

"I'd been researching it, of course, as a side project. Which lead me to learn that Visitor and Traveler are two titles for the same group. Combine that with Spatjahr's habit of referring to humans as Monkeys..."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas


    "I can't imagine how complex the tide calculations would have to be with more than one moon at play," Wake murmurs, perhaps to herself. "I wonder if it would also cause increased volcanism, as well. We have so much science to restore. But one thing at a time, certainly. Or, more likely, ten, as things are going."

    Wake's attention doesn't long drift from the topic. Her own musings can wait. It's not as if they aren't frequently indulged (to frustratingly little satisfaction at this point). She wrinkles her nose at the mention of humans as 'monkeys'. Not only racist, but inaccurate.

    "I'm no talent at ascertaining the properties of items such at this, so I will rely on your judgment of the matter." She has questions, but holds them in check for now, trusting that greater questions will come to her when more is revealed.
Uta
Castle Eas

Uta flicks her menu open, taps a few points in the air, stares in concentration, and sighs. "Taking it on trust is what I'll have to do as well. I'm a nurse, Estelle, not a glassmaker!", she jests, to lighten the double failure on her and Wake's side. "But yes, that's what I'm becoming increasingly convinced of as well. This is getting more and more real each passing day."

She turns to Wake. "So much science to restore. And so much lore to unearth. Or... unalba?", she looks up with a little frown, having confused herself.

"The point remains...", she continues, once she manages to un-deadlock herself, "...that research proceeds at the speed of lethargic chamomile-tea flavoured molasses. And you knwo what the main problem is? There are zero public libraries in this world. I know. I counted." She sighs, deeply. "I don't know how you managed to carry out yours, Estelle, but I myself am a bit of a bookwork. That's how I've been carrying out mine..." She turn sto Wake again, "...as nice as Nobles have been, you have to spread the amount of favours you ask over time. And their generosity is not guarranteed." She inhales, considers her words carefully, then continues, "Wouldn't it be great if we had a truely /public/ library in this world, like we used to? Not owned by a single person, but somehow set up to always be available to Landers and Adventurers alik-"

Uta's expression takes an abrupt turn for the perplexed, and she snaps back to face Estelle. "Wait, does that text mean that you don't see /hidden/ people and monsters... or that you don't see them /at all/?" She points at her nose. "Like, if you point it at my face, do you see right through me?"
Estelle
Castle Eas

"Jazz has indicated that, for some reason, the tides are... mostly normal. Though I haven't put in any time to study them for myself, yet - it'd be helpful to have some idea of the moons' motions to compare against the oceans's." comes the vixen's ready response to the Baroness, on that subject. "Though I don't know enough about volcanism to comment on that side of things, if it is having an effect we're likely to feel it. Japan accounted for 10% of active volcanoes worldwide." One hand makes a wide, sweping gesture towards the horizon, there.

"And it's still unearth. The word uses the context of 'earth' as soil and ground. Not earth as in /Earth/." Her tails flick at the rest of it, though, both the talk of research troubles and public libraries. And then the abrupt, sudden change in direction. "In order; I do have access to some private libraries to trawl through, and I used those and my own stock of books." One finger rises. "A public library would be a wonderful project, though it'd be one with a lot of effort. It is something I'd contribute towards, however. Perhaps name it after Alexandria?" There's a sorrowful nostalgia attached to the name, there. And a third finger. "And, yes, it would look right through you. It's certainly a magic effect, though I don't know how it would interact with things that count as both creatures and structures."

"... did you have something particular in mind for that function, or?"
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas


    "Learning is the ultimate purpose of life, and for every day we do not record all that was once worth knowing, more of it is lost. And yet here in this world, who can say which of the things we know are right? Regardless, experiments could be done to capture many a thing that would prove useful."

    Wake's releases a soft sigh. "Still, a university and a library are both things I will set in motion for the Castle Eas. But in time. Though, I will say that I already have the first book of it, and I look now to assist others in writing still more. All good works draw my attention, if I am but made aware of them."

    But the coming of the stars and the many hours that Wake has already put in this day are telling. She rises smoothly and slides into a curtsey. "My friends, I fear it is time I sought my rest. Please do not hesitate to let me know how I might aid you. There are still yet hours in the day, and while I do need rest, I think there is more I can do. May you both find clarity and peace this evening."
Uta
Castle Eas

Uta goes DEAD SERIOUS at the Fox's naming suggestion. "Estelle," the Spriggan begins, in a deadpan that's... still warm and caring, but still deadpan. "If there is one thing I have learnt, is that naming a library anything with 'Alexandria' even close to its name is the library naming equivalent of invading Russia in winter. They tried twice. Look at what happened." She shakes her head, her tone returning to nromal. "The function of looking through people? No... I more like worry if..." She gives Estelle a worried glance. "...what if we aren't really here, we're just... ghosts, or shadows, or holograms or something, and that glass..." She shakes her head. "No, no, now you're going down the conspiracy theory bun-bun hole. Stop that."

    UTa bites her lip at Wake. "See, that's the whole point. If it was /Castle Eas/'s library... and were to, say, go insane or fall under an evil spell or what have you... you would be a single person who can order the closure of the library. The whole point of /this/ library would be to be /safe/ against single points of failure. It shouldn't be a generous grant of one person who can take it away after a change of mind." She takes a fist to her chest. "I'm not asking you to lead the project, I'm willing to do it all by myself. But it's going to be a significant political and mercantile project, and I'm going to need help and support... from politically skilled and trade-oriented people."
Estelle
Castle Eas

"... Alexandria was my second love." The vixen grumbles, wrapping her arms around herself. "The name has ill-fortune, but is it truly wrong to want to pay it homage in some way?" Her tails flick mutinously behind her, before she smooths things over and fixes her posture. "And if the glass ignores such phantasms, it considers the vast majority of things living her such. Banish the thought, and don't let it linger; people have been wondering about the existentialism of our world for a long time. Don't let a magic item that's either tied to prophecy or temporally displaced steal your sleep."

She reaches out with one hand, resting it on Uta's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. "But. A public library, available to all and sundry, would be a boon for scholars and would-be scholars everywhere. Perhaps Shibuya might serve as a good location for it? The New World Alliance is sinking resources into renewing the city, for both Adventurers and Landers, and there are already preperations for a school of defensive tactics underway... It can be another of the many pubic works being raised there? And if people of both alliances chipped in, I'm sure you could get your trade- and politics-oriented helpers. There are already negotiations underway with Lander merchants, I believe, and," a beat, where she realizes she's never learned its name, "... Merek's company, as well."
Uta
Castle Eas

Uta twists her mouth a bit, pensive. "...It is not wrong to pay homage to your love, no. I mean, I'm still mad about the /first/ one... and I wasn't even around to experience it." She grumbles. "Actually, probably exactly because of that." She scratches her head. "I suppose the name is negotiable, but the public and non-single-owned or -controlled nature of the library are not."

Uta shrugs at the rest. "The library could be built anywhere, provided it's not too close to the sea. My first choice would have been Carmina Gadelica Marina, near the Academy and the Peko Ranch, but... you know? Port city. The air there would degrade books far too quickly. It'd be a maintenance nightmare. And books are by far the hardest and most expensive and tricky resource to acquire. Merek's help will be invaluable there, yes."

To lighten the tension a bit, Uta looks at where her shoulder was squeezed, and makes a little rubber ducky noise.
Estelle
Castle Eas

"Ah. Admittedly, it is an active port. It has a waterfront. Though, I can't help but wonder if there are new ways to protect books in this world... though it probably wouldn't be economical on an individual basis. Maybe the library itelf...?" There's a soft, thoughtful noise - even as the rubber ducky noises get a couple more squeezes, and a roll of those silver eyes. "But. I think wards are still being investigated by multiple parties, so we'll see what we can figure out on that front. It'd be an interesting magical project, though."

She pulls her hand back, and adjusts her position on the barrel. It really doesn't make the best seat. "Otherwise, I'm afraid I have no suggestions. I haven't kept up with news on various cities, aside from the obvious and major pieces. I'm only aware of Shibuya because of the chimlink and alliance discussions."
Uta
Castle Eas

Uta pulls the corner of her mouth in a slight smirk. "Don't worry about that. As said, the location is the last of my problems. Literally anywhere not directly on the sea works." While her fingers drum on her chin, she remarks, "I have thought about water or air magic, but, as we've all mentioned at some point, we already have too much on our hands at the moment. Let's try to avoid problems in the first place instead of thinking that we can just throw resources at them... and then finding out we don't have enough resources to throw at all the problems."

She yawns and stretches. After she's done clicking her tongue, she resumes, "Anyway... I'm rather tired tonight, and I'm in need of some sleep. I wish we could discuss more about Visitors, or Travelers, or how you've found out about them... but right now it's too late. I suppose we will have things to discuss next time we meet, right?"
Estelle
Castle Eas

"Mmm... It's still research I intend to do, at one point. There are a number of things I wish to pry into, but dare not without some form of backup or reassurance." She ticks off figners again. "The Waves, Aincrad, the current Undead threat..." There's a shake of Estelle's head. "All dangerous topics I daren't touch yet."

"But, I'm sure we will. Right now, you know as much as I do about Travelers, though. What Spatjahr said about them. I'm turning up dead end after dead end so far... though I'm turning my attention towards the name Artosh, from the fortress, and seeing where that leads." The vixen hops to her feet, and gives a stretch of her own - though no yawn. She's obviously used to late nights. "But. If you need help with the library, or with any other porjects, reach out. I'll do what I can to help."