Luke grinned.  "As a matter of fact...let me think about it.  I have an idea, but I'm not sure he'll go for it." He snorted.  "Could be myself, as well.  I've no interest in personal gain - not any more, haven't in, oh, forever - but I'm not sure I have the stuff to manage it.  Whoever would need to be some kind of power, over and above anything I bring to the table."

Which, of course, comes back to Berd.

"The only issue would be keeping the old bastard awake," Luke muttered.  "And Cyan, I suppose.  She wouldn't be happy.  But that's life, I guess."  He looked up.  "But let me think about it.  There might be alternatives."

Now why did Harbonah's name float through his head?

•• We would require the ability to add our own input •• We will not accept just anybody for this post • it must be somebody we feel we can trust ••

A hand lifts and points towards Dworkin, •• That one • for example • we would never trust to do this ••

And the Banglen-Yp side of its face breaks into laughter.

•• It is a conundrum ••

"Crazy thought," Luke mused.  "What about yourself?  The Banglen-Yp here has a great deal of experience with this realm.  Perhaps she and another - I don't know who yet, maybe my first idea - would do to keep this bridge 'neutral territory'.  Or maybe 'safe' is a better term," he concludes.

"If not, there are Archons who might be trustworthy in this position.  It would be in their best interest to maintain the peace, and it is a...singular position.  Nothing like it in two Universes.  So it might be a place of pride."

He pursed his lips, finally nodding in agreement. "I don't much feel Dworkin there would be a good choice, no.  Sorry, Dworkin.  Much as I appreciate your help setting up this discussion, I think we're looking for someone a little more consistent."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Tue 20 Oct 2015.

The gestalt ponders Lukes suggestion in silence for long minutes.  And in the distance behind it there is activity.  The stars are moving, grouping into clusters, merging, dividing, their colours shifting through the spectrum.

Until finally... •• That idea has merit •• We would trust one of our own • while that individual has experience of dealing with your people •• We will put forward the proposition • and see if it is acceptable to that part of us ••

•• If it fails to perform adequately • it can be reabsorbed easily enough ••

Luke shrugged. "Your decision.  I'd personally prefer you leave it in its uniqueness - something different for everyone to observe - but if your choice would be to reabsorb it, and it concurs, then by all means."

His eyes sharpened.  "But if it would rather not be reabsorbed...what then?  What would be your decision?  Would you permit this shard of yourself its freedom?  Or otherwise?"

Smiling, the odd creature shakes its head at Luke •• Would you cut off a limb which failed to obey your wishes • and set if free to do as it willed •• This is as close to our situation as you can experience • an errant limb • determined to disobey the controlling mind ••

And then it pauses, and its expression grows thoughtful...

"If my limb actually had free will and wanted to keep such?  And remaining connected to me was libel to destroy that will, whereas being lopped off would allow it the freedom to do as it wished?"  Luke pursed his lips, finally nodding.  "Indeed I would cut it off.  I have spent too much of myself in the past arguing that very point."

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings," he continued.  "I have fought for that, stood for that, regardless of what others might think.  Some might feel differently, I understand.  I never will."

For a long moment, he studied the pensive being before him.

"What would it cost you to grant freedom to this part of you, should it so desire?"

•• The thought occurs that it would cost nothing to remain on friendly terms with just such an independent part of us • which could then • perhaps • teach us of new experiences •• Even if that part does not choose to remain at the gate between our worlds • it could still be of benefit to us •• but only if we do not reabsorb it ••

A pulse of energy expands from the creature, spreading across the space behind it, and the stars shift rapidly again, forming new constellations.

•• It is agreed ••

"A fine reason.  Both sides profit."  Luke would have rather seen the entity decide based on a grasp of the concept of freedom, and its importance, but...baby steps.  "This pleases me - you have my thanks.  I would have been displeased at the loss of my friend."

He didn't bother glancing over his shoulder in a metaphorical search - instead, he sought Berd's mind with his own, finding that of his father with some ease.  "Not far now," the dark man murmured.  Lacing his fingers together behind his back, he began to pace.  "I do admit to some fascination," Luke continued.  "I have never met an entity who encompassed the entirety of eternity itself.  In the past, my father...but it wasn't the same.  There was eternity and himself, an eternity within an eternity, so to speak.  And don't even try to work out which one was in the other."

Ceasing his pacing, he studied the creature directly.  "But you, you are everything.  How does this work?  How do you...function?"

•• We simply do • and we find it difficult to understand any other way of existing •• We are what we have always been • both part of our world • and the entirety of that world ••

Another shift, and the creature dissolves into many individual components - a central star, with planets and moons gyrating around it.

•• To us there is no difference between our previous form and this one ••  Its voice now comes from nowhere.  •• To become smaller we emit matter and energy • which other parts of us absorb to grow larger ••  There is balance ••

•• When a part of us was torn away • a portion of that energy and matter was lost to us • and the balance was lost temporarily •• We felt great discomfort at that time ••

"Interesting." Luke pondered this information. "And you had never before experienced such...'discomfort'?  It must have been a shock.  A novel experience, but not one of a good sort."

"Do you still feel this discomfort, I wonder?" he continued.  "Or have you regained the balance?  You said 'temporarily'.  So I take it the part of you we name Banglen-Yp is no longer necessary for said balance."

"There is a phrase." His fingers steepled together.  "It's not always true, but some people of this universe say 'Every dark cloud has a silver lining'." A wave of the hand followed.  "It's a specific metaphor that works out to mean 'even from unpleasant experiences some good may come.'  In this case, you experienced something new.  You discovered something new.  And, indeed, now you have regained balance...and there is a piece of you still out here, having more new experiences, and communicating those experiences back to you.  Silver lining, perhaps."

•• Temporarily • yes •• We were able to achieve a new balance •• The part you call Banglen-Yp • and the entity pauses, as if considering this piece of information, that a wayward part of itself could have its own name, • that part could be reabsorbed to restore the original balance • with no harm to us • or to the fragment ••

•• We have • however • already decided that it might be useful to allow that fragment to remain separate •• At least for the foreseeable future ••

"Banglen-Yp indeed," Luke mused.  "Another phrase - 'all's well that ends well'.  Though this situation has yet to end.  I admit, even I'm starting to feel positive, and I'm one of the least positive people you might encounter."  His smile flashed, brilliant in his shadowed face.  "Though you've caught me on a good day."

Another glance to Dworkin followed on the heels of that assessment. "You've been most silent through this, elder one.  Have you anything to add?  Colour me curious."

"I could see no benefit in interfering in your negotiations, when this creature has made it clear that it doesn't trust me, and doesn't want to talk to me." Dworkin replies, "You seem to have the situation well in hand, so I might just as well observe in silence and prepare to intervene should things appear to be going awry."

"I will say though, that you do seem to be making a treaty without consulting my grandchildren.  There is no guarantee that they will choose to honour it.  Some of them have shown a tendency to... obstinacy... in the past."

The Amberite laughs, clearly deriving some amusement from his remark.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Sun 17 Jan 2016.

"Then that's their problem," Luke commented, cocking an eyebrow.  "They're losing this war, to date, and certainly they've done nothing to protect the other worlds.  At this point, stopping the war is more important than catering to any bruised egos.  And this ends the war without any further losses on either side."

He laughed, a sharp bark of amusement.  "Last I checked, they didn't speak for the Myriad Worlds, either.  Neither do we, of course, but we're acting in their interest.  This ENDS the conflict.  And any bargains between myself and this being?"

A shrug followed.  "Someone needs to do so."

Dworkin gives Luke an odd look, his head tilted to one side and his lips twisted into something like the bastard offspring of a smile and a sneer. "If by 'Myriad Worlds', you mean all of Shadow... then, no, nobody speaks for them.  There are, however, powers which can wipe them from existence.  One of those powers sits beneath Kolvir, just a few steps from here, and my grandchildren have access to it.  Some of them would happily destroy a thing rather than allow somebody else to control it."

"They say I'm crazy, they think I haven't heard them, but I have.  And I know where the madness truly lies in this family."

The entity speaks up, something like worry tinging its voice, •• Are you saying that this bargain would not be acceptable to those who control this place ••

"No, I'm saying that there is no way for him to know without asking them, and making an assumption about their views on such matters is not a good idea."

"He's right," Luke noted.  "Though it's an open argument as to whether these beings control all of the myriad worlds.  Certainly they can take control of them, and can destroy them, but they neither rule them nor do they rule the beings upon them.  And the current war is NOT favouring them, from all accounts."

He shrugged. "We - rather, the group to which I have attached myself - were told to find a way to end the war.  This ends the war without further losses...on either side, and puts into place a lasting peace.  I cannot see how the actual authorities over Dworkin's grandchildren would not at least be willing to discuss this and - most likely - support it."

A wave of the hand followed, Luke walking in a circle.  "Of course, I could be dead wrong.  And Dworkin is most likely correct - there will be those in his 'family' who dislike this situation.  But by all accounts, their de facto leader is somewhat more open and fair-minded.  And without making the attempt, what can be gained?"

He indicated the entity.  "You have agreed to this.  The Archons have agreed to this.  You are master of your own domain, and the Archons will enter it.  I find it unlikely any will disagree with that.  As for the bridge between the realms?"

A grim smile.  "It's possible there will be disagreement there.  But again, without making the attempt, without bargaining, how will we know?  I am offering.  I believe I am offering in good faith.  And certainly this benefits the other inhabitants of....everywhere.  And if there is disagreement, perhaps by discourse - as we have had here - we can change disagreement into agreement."

He eyed Dworkin speculatively before speaking, and when he did, some of the edge had left his voice. "And I thank you.  I thank you for your assessment - which seems honest - and your warning." A bow followed, low enough for genuine respect. "It is appreciated, if that holds meaning for you." 

•• This is all very strange to us •• Here we do not have such differences of opinion  • sharing one gestalt mind •• It will require time for us to grow accustomed to it ••

A small bird flies into the cave from somewhere, and flutters down to land on Luke's shoulder, chirping frantically.

•• Which is where that one comes into it •• Hello that which was part of us • but is now an individual •• Welcome home ••

The bird flies down to the ground, where it starts pecking at the earth.  It seems to be growing larger as Luke watches, but that could be just a trick of the light...

"Banglen-Yp, I presume?" Luke inquired dryly, one thin eyebrow rising. "Rhetorical.  Of course it is.  Where else would a sparrow come from, down here?" He let out a sigh of relief; there had been a slight concern that Yp's former self had prevaricated, but her welcome put paid to that worry. "Your timing is exquisite.  Shall I assume you have already shared your experiences with...yourself...or is that still proceeding?"

He indicated Dworkin.  "Please don't mind our host; regardless of past issues, he is not an enemy."

Nor would I wish him so.  Mad Dworkin was difficult enough to predict, and could become dangerous.  Angry, threatened, mad Dworkin?  A nightmare waiting to happen.

"Hopefully not only 'her' experiences will assist you," he continues.  "As you say, perhaps her differing perspectives and dissimilar growth will allow for a close, but alternate viewpoint of matters to begin your adjustment to the existence of such." His lips thin.  "It is an important idea to hold onto in the coming days.  There may be...resistance to this idea, as Dworkin has pointed out.  I ask you to remember that the acts and attitudes of one - including myself - do not represent the universe itself."

The bird, definitely bigger now, tilts its head to one side, opens its beak and chirps.  And half way through, it's voice changes, •• -s Banglen-Yp •• We are exchanging information •• It appears to go well • there is much interest in what we have told them ••

•• Cyan • James • and Berd are coming •• They are close ••

Luke rubbed his forehead, slumping slightly.  "Oh, that's good news.  I'm killing myself trying to be diplomatic.  This isn't easy."  He waved a hand to the two 'separate' beings.  "By all means.  Continue.  I'm going to relax a little."

Running a hand through his dark hair, Luke wandered to stand close to Dworkin.  "So.  Crisis perhaps averted.  You mentioned earlier that some of your relations might have problems?"  He grinned. "Thought of any names?  Normally I wouldn't ask family members to rat people out, but this is the universe."

Dworkin smiles at Luke, and there is something of madness in his eyes.  "You should, perhaps, know them better than I, Brand.  None of them can be trusted, and none of them will trust an outsider who brings them a solution.  To anything."

He nods towards Banglen-Yp, now shifted into human form, naked and only two feet tall, a kitten playing around her legs.

"That is the one I captured, is it not?  The one that escaped."

The madness fades, and his expression grows crafty.  Sly.  "If you will help me recapture her, I will see that you are well rewarded.  How would your own kingdom suit you?"

Aaaaand...he's off again.  "I'm sorry," Luke quietly replied.  "There will be no recapturing of this being.  For starters, I have a sneaking suspicion it will seriously undermine our truce.  The truce we need for everything - everything - to continue."

Something glittered in his eyes.  "And I'm a little partial to the concept of freedom, myself."

Fully turning, Luke faced the hunchback squarely.  "I realize that you eclipse me in strength, ancient one.  And I have no wish for conflict between us.  But if you attempt to take this being again, I will fight you.  And I will not fight you alone."

The dark man did not remain idle as he spoke; slowly, Luke gathered the reins of power around him.  There was precious little to work with - the accursed Pattern solidified this reality too strongly - but he had never before allowed such details to daunt him.

Why start now?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Tue 23 Feb 2016.

Dworkin scowls, "Forget it then.  Some days, Brand, you can be quite annoying."

Banglen-Yp is growing taller now, and floating in the air in the centre of a rapidly growing area of brightly polished smooth stone.  Pulsating strands of light connect her to her otherworldly kin.  And still she finds the time to speak to Luke.

•• They are above us now • in the castle ••

Luke offered a small bow en lieu of apology.  "While I'm not Brand, I've been told often enough that I'm an irritation...at the least.  I strive to disappoint, I suppose."

Still keeping a metaphorical eye upon the elder being, he turned to regard Banglen-Yp's transformation.  Now that, that was an irritation...to him.  Her cursed shielding prevented him from seeing within her, from sensing her makeup...from discerning anything about her outside of her mundane form.  And that malleable shape was only the tip of the iceberg.

But...an ally.  And an important one.

"Good to hear.  Of course, with them having to travel through a palace, they'll probably find time to talk to important people, have dinner, perhaps a dance or five..."  He toed a non-existent pebble in exasperation. "Could take longer for them to make the last leg of this trip than to make the rest of it combined.  Like a Microsoft progress bar."

And hadn't THAT been a good idea of his, back when such things had been important...