•• Bored •• What is that ••   The facsimile looks perplexed at first, until Dworkin explains, "He means that you have an endless supply of new experiences.  New things happening constantly, so your mind is always stimulated.  So you never experience a lack of things to see, or to learn."

•• Interesting •• We have never yet become bored • no •• When we have nothing new to experience • we simply try to change something • to make it different ••

Then the not-Luke smiles again, and this time the expression is more realistic.

•• But we know that there will eventually come a point when there will be nothing new to experience • and nothing we can change to create something new ••

•• Having other entities here • these Archons • for example • would delay that event •• Their independence would add variety to this Space-Time ••

"Thank you," Luke murmured as an aside to Dworkin.  Right now, caught between two entities of vast power, it seemed prudent to remain polite.

"I had a feeling that was the case," he remarked to the universal consciousness before him.  "But yes, having...independent beings around would provide something to study, to observe."  He quirked a small smile.  "One hopes you would leave them alone, or interact with them in a benign fashion.  Though given the outlook of the other part of you I have met, I suspect that would be the case."

"I'm quite glad to see there's something beneficial in this for you, as well.  One-sided benefits aren't conducive to a long-term relationship."

If only the old bastard had realized that.

Or had he? Luke wondered.  There was so much of Berd's plans he had never known.  So much he would now never know.

The conversation continues for some time, Luke and not-Luke exchanging information regarding the potential benefits to come from giving the Archons a place to live.  Most of the discussion is, of course, one-sided - not-Luke has little to say on the matter, apart from a stream of questions which Luke answers, to the best of his not-inconsiderable ability.

Still, things seem to be going well.  And then...

•• Are any of these entities Archons ••

An image appears at the interface between the realms - Malkia, James, and a group of Archons.  All moving swiftly through a hailstorm.

•• This one is part of us • as is this one • and this ••  A hand reaches out to indicate some of the Archons, which seem to be made of stained glass, leaves, pebbles, and similar non-Archon materials.  •• But what of the rest ••

Luke cocked an eyebrow, amused at the forms taken on by the various aspects of Banglen-Yp.  "So, you're on your way here," he mused, pursing his lips.  "Yes," he continued, raising his voice to address the universal being before him.  "The other rings - those of fire, metal, electromagnetic forces and ice.  Those are the beings who name themselves 'Archons'.  The others?"  His eyes narrow.  "I don't know the large quadruped.  The biped atop it is James, an individual of the many races of beings spread throughout the Myriad Worlds of our reality."

Information flowed between he and his father with unbelievable speed.

"Another such being - Cyan - rides within one of the Archons.  With her is Berd, a different sort of creature -" tremendous understatement "- and another of yourself."

•• Interesting ••

Luke's facsimile observes the race across Shadow for several moments.

•• More interesting that part of us chose to copy their overall form • but significantly altered the details ••  The image starts to revolve on its axis, affording views from all possible angles.  •• This is not something we would normally do ••

•• There are balls of frozen water falling all about them • which is also interesting ••

"Balls of frozen water?"  Luke cocked an eyebrow. "Meteorological phenomenon?  Or something else?  I wish I could see...though from the sound of it, the 'rest' of you will be here shortly."

His eyes narrowed.  "So you would not alter details.  Why not?  You are the sum total of your universe.  Why would you not change something you copied from here?  Is it something that you have merely never considered in the past?  If so, this indicates an alteration of your 'rest'.  A change, thanks to its experiences here."

He pursed his lips. "Growth, one might say."

•• Like this ••

The facsimile reaches out a hand, which changes and becomes something else, and Luke finds himself in the middle of a hail storm, which fades away to nothing in a matter of moments..

•• But more persistent ••

Luke's other question also receives an answer, •• We had not considered it before • but now some of us are now trying variations on themes •• There are already worlds made entirely of ice • water • and living flesh ••

•• It seems that the part of us which was torn away has learned from the experience •• Growth indeed ••

"Hm."  The hail passes through Luke - he's not actually then when it hits, though it appears so.  "Meteorological phenomena; in other words, natural for the world they're in.  Weather, so to speak."

"All of this," he continues with a wave to his surroundings, "is a new experience.  You have been all there is, until now.  Your self who came here, it had experiences with an environment and beings that were not itself, that were not under its control, that were autonomous.  Things with different ideas.  Things with different experiences.  Things from which your self could learn, and could, in turn, teach.  Growth comes more quickly in such circumstances."

Growth also comes more swiftly through adversity, but he's not about to talk about that.  Yet.

•• What you say makes sense ••

There is a brief pause, and Luke can see the constelations in the sky behind the facsimile start to move.  Individual stars shift position, changing the patterns in the sky, blending together to become brighter.

•• With nothing to provide an example • we had not realised this before ••

Behind Luke, Dworkin gives a snort of disapproval as a second figure takes shape, a duplicate of himself.

•• And now we have two new forms •• New shapes and ideas to experience •• Tell us a thing that two of us can do •• Some activity that one of us could not do alone ••

Luke shot a fast glance at Dworkin.  "Mind out of the gutter might be wise."  He turned back to the imagery. "There are many things two can do that one cannot.  The difficulty comes when the two is actually one.  Shall I provide an example?"

He gestured vaguely in the air. "One thing two can do is dance.  It is a form of entertainment, a courtship ritual, a way to pass the time...many things.  It is possible alone, but I speak of a form of dancing done with a partner.  It involves movements, together, to a rhythm, each person depending upon the other to do their part so that the two move as a whole...but differently.  Each side has a part to play, and the enjoyment of it in part comes from the attempt to mesh properly with the movements of the other person."

A wave of the hand created another Luke, from a minute hence, who picked things up where the first left off. "One might do this with oneself, of course, in two different bodies.  But there is no challenge."  He motioned to the first.  "I'll lead."

"Of course you will.  You've already done it, and know the steps."

The two briefly danced a waltz.  "But there is nothing here but a clever pattern," the future Luke commented.  "We know each other perfectly.  We ARE each other.  We are not meshing, we are not adapting to each other's idiosyncracies, because we are the same.  It is not fulfilling."

Past Luke abruptly vanished.

Future/current Luke turned back to the being.  "An oddly specific example.  But it leads into something more general.  You and I, right now, we exchange ideas.  You are receiving a viewpoint based on experiences outside of your own.  You are seeing the world through a different perspective as we speak, coloured through the lens of my own ideas and preconceptions.  This is something one absolutely cannot do with oneself, unless one walls off part of oneself and distances from it for a significant length of time, sufficient that the two separate halves actually have different experiences.  Preferably different experiences with other, different individuals.  Ideas can be exchanged, and we can learn from each other as you and I do now."

A small smile lit his sharp features.  "That is something one cannot do alone, subdivide as one might.  All aspects hold the same perspective."

He raised one hand toward the figures.  "You, yourself, noted this moments ago.  Without nothing to provide an example outside yourself, you had no other perspective."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Tue 09 June 2015.

The dancing seems to fascinate the Banglen-Yps, if these versions can truly be called that, having never adopted that particular form.

•• There is a precision to your movements • as if mathematical formulae govern them ••

More shapes appear, humanoid in general form, but lacking in detail.  Like unfinished golems.  They pair up, and start to dance.  Clumsily at first, with collisions, but soon developing their own patterns of movement which avoid the clashes.

•• Fascinating ••

•• And • as you say • the exchange of ideas needs more than one •• Though one alone can create new ideas • The process is facilitated by more participants •• This is helpful ••

"Mathematical?  To an extent.  One moves with the various beats and rhythms of the music - the sounds."  Luke pursed his lips.  "Getting into music, we begin to approach the idea of 'art'.  Art being an expression of ideas, emotions, and concepts in a less logical and straightforward fashion, aiming for metaphor, expression of one's own perspective, and other such things.  Art would be pointless without someone with whom to share it - not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it serves the purpose of putting across another perspective in a way that requires little to no overt explanation."


He snorted.  "It's difficult to describe.  The old...my father does a better job, and fortunately is on his way.  He once taught an Archon to comprehend and appreciate art, something they also had never considered.  I expect it was then he decided there could be room for co-existence."

At the being's observation, he continued.  "Sometimes it's nice to get some time alone, and some people PREFER to be alone...much of the time.  It's not always that groups or societies are 'better'.  But certainly having the option is an improvement, in my opinion.  It can, as you note, facilitate growth in ideas and in people, both." He raised an eyebrow, cocking his head.  "I am...curious to see how you find your other self, who has spent a great deal of time among independent beings and has, no doubt, experienced change." 

And then the dance stops - in one instant the creatures are moving, and in the next... they are not.  Some seem frozen in mid step, balanced on one leg, for a moment, but then they all move, turning towards Luke.

•• Something has happened •• The part of us which approaches • the part you say you know • is concerned ••

The group of strange creatures start to move again, this time closer together, blending to form larger versions of themselves.  Eventually only the Luke facsimile remains, grown to become a giant which towers over the original Luke.

•• We shall observe for a time • and attempt to determine what has caused this ••

Information flowed back and forth, now.  Luke had a direct line to his father, and continued to use it.  "The Gatherer," he mused.  "Before my time.  A monstrous creature, intent on devouring all creatures of a world.  It grew, larger and large, until it threatened all the life of that world.  But those coming here with your other saved some of the remaining civilization upon that world, if not all of the life."

His hands behind his back, he rocked on his feet, pondering. "Possibly the beast would have gained sufficient power to somehow moved between worlds, which would have been a calamity...honestly, I expected to some day discover it had consumed itself.  But it appears something has slain it."

The facsimile freezes for a moment, then muses, •• This entity sounds very powerful •• Almost like a part of us ••

And a thoughtful expression settles onto its features.  •• Could that be it • that this was a portion of the part which was torn from us •• Driven to madness and rage by the pain and separation ••

Luke mused for a long moment. "I suppose it's possible.  I find it unlikely, based on what I've seen of 'you'.  The Gatherer showed preference in its consumption.  It ate live beings.  It did not, for all I could determine, consume structures or minerals or other non-living matter.  That, to me, suggests a very different being..."

He waved toward the creature before him.  "But then, you take on many forms.  Who is to say that in madness, a part of you might not have taken on a form that would choose to consume only living beings?"  A shrug followed.  "It's a conundrum.  And one unlikely to be answered, as the beast is dead...though, disturbingly, we have no idea what might have slain it."

The dark man paced in a circle.  "Powerful.  With the energies the Gatherer had absorbed, it was titanic, and in a way beyond its mere physical size.  Which was, comparatively speaking, appallingly vast.  Who could have destroyed it?  Who would have destroyed it?" His eyes narrowed. "I'm sensing another hand in the mix."  He shot a speculative glance at Dworkin.  "You don't have anything to do with this, do you?"

Dworkin shakes his head.  "Not I.  There are a vast number of powerful forces between here and the Courts who could have done this." he says, testily.  "Even the very least of my grand-children could probably have mustered enough allies to destroy any beast, if they couldn't have done it alone."

"And there are others - Lords of Chaos, the Shiloch Hegemony, the Farsil Society, others.  Many others.  I've seen a great many groups, and not a few individuals, out there in Shadow that could have done this, given a push in the right direction."

"Thank you.  And good to know it wasn't you." Luke frowned.  "I think.  Maybe would have been better if it was.  But if there are that many beings of power capable of dealing with the Gatherer, then...it's not quite so much of a concern."

He began to pace.  "It means that yes, it's possible there's some new force, or some new thing behind all of this that's finally making its movie.  But it's more likely that any one of a number of tremendously potent beings took notice of this...creature...rampaging around a world and consuming everything it found, and destroyed it.  Possibly out of some sense of self-preservation, possibly out of altruism.  Who knows?"

Still.  Very disturbing.

•• The part which was torn from us is close now • almost here  •• So close that we can feel it • and hear its thoughts ••

The facsimile laughs, and in that moment it sounds more like Banglen-Yp than Luke, •• Oh • this is good •• It is returning to us • though it expresses a desire to spend more time in your world •• To explore •• And it confirms that your words are the truth ••

Luke cocked an eyebrow.  "Glad to hear we've made a good impression...doubly glad that your other you has confirmed the truth in my words."  He makes a show of shaking out his hands.  "It has been a long time since I've had a tense discussion with a godlike being that could erase me; I'd forgotten how stressful it can make me."

He studied the face for a long moment.  "Has the exchange of information already begun?  You sounded like 'her'.  The 'other' you, for a moment."  Turning slightly, he checked to ensure Dworkin still stood behind them.  "And would there be a problem with that other you remaining?  If she enjoys things here?  Perhaps we can set up some kind of...bridge between the two places.  A bridge that can be guarded."

•• Yes • we are exchaning information  •• And there is much of it that is interesting ••

There is a flicker of movement, and Luke is suddenly facing a larger version of Banglen-Yp's familiar form.   •• This is what our other part looks like •• It is similar to your form • and yet not so identical  as we had first thought •• Interesting indeed ••

Another movement, and the left side of the outsider's face now resembles Lukes, while the right is Banglen-Yp's.  When it speaks again, it does so with two voices, in harmony...

•• Your proposal of a guarded passage between our worlds is a fascinating one •• Are you able to do this ••

Luke blinked, set off his pace by the juxtaposed faces.  "Me?  Guard...the passage?"  He frowned, deep in consideration. "I...could.  Nothing prevents me from so doing.  I am not, however, the strongest being here.  Nor could I withstand a concentrated attack by a group of powerful beings."

Frowning, he again began his circular pacing. "There would be risks, of course.  No defence is perfect, no guardian can be ever-vigilant.  There would need to be a  group, with more than one guardian active at all times.  We would need to accept that with enough power, an enemy COULD break through."

His eyes shot a glimmering glance at the faces before him.  "However.  The gains might well outweigh the risks.  Opportunity for the Archons to learn of other ways without the pressure of their need to control this space.  Opportunity for those of the Myriad Worlds to learn from them.  Opportunity for yourself to enjoy the chance to explore the Myriad Worlds, as the 'part' of you already has."


Raising himself up, he made a shrug eloquent in its unvoiced conclusion.  "I believe such gains are worth the risks; nothing of value has ever come without effort or danger."

•• We too see much that could be gained from this arrangement  ••

The creature seems lost in thought for a moment   •• Ah • that is fascinating •• Are you familiar with the concept of trade •• A fair exchange of items and information of like value ••

The creature laughs, still sounding like two different people.

•• Perhaps that could work •• Your people could trade information for goods or services provided by us ••

"I...don't see a problem with that arrangement," Luke began.  Slowly, he extended his senses to the hole before him.  Not through it, no, but to it, to better understand (or attempt to understand) the hows and whys of its function.  It seemed to be a useful trick, and more useful to understand fully.  How to open one, himself.  How to close one, if need be.

"Of course, any bridge between your universe and ours should have some kind of protection, and that protection could also stand as fair judge of a trade.  Not of its worth," he corrected himself immediately. "That would be determined by both parties.  But of its danger.  Again, we are not unity here.  Sometimes we harm one another for personal gain.  It is not...well-looked upon, but it happens."

"What would you think of that?"

•• Somebody must stand watch ••

And the composite creature lowers its head, as if in thought, •• The watcher would guard the way and see that no attack could pass from either direction • act as this fair judge • and serve to reduce misunderstandings between our people ••

Then it lifts its head.

•• Do you know of one who could do this ••