The MetaDeep verse fades, and the memories grow dim.  And dreams, or memories, of the intervening years in the Real World ebb and flow before you, and through you, and behind you, strangely mixed, strangely experienced, yet experienced nonetheless.

Until... now.

Awareness returns slowly.

You smell fresh air, and feel a cooling breeze contrast with a warmth that feels like sunlight.

You are lying on something firm yet soft, and slightly itchy.  Perhaps some type of grass.

You sense nearby movement, and feel a drop of moisture fall upon your lips... and another.  It tastes like cold water...

I open my eyes and attempt to sit up and look around.

Upon opening your eyes, you have a strange and curious sensation for just a moment, as if you had caught a glimpse of your own face, through a glass, darkly.

That glimpse, however, rapidly resolves instead into a familiar face...



As you sit up, the raven hops to the ground.  The remaining water droplets on his beak fall to the ground.

You are sitting up in grass.  There is a river near by, and rolling green hills with grass and trees surrounding you.  The sunlight filters through the trees, and other birds chirp from their branches.  It is a peaceful pastoral scene.

I look at the raven quizzically. "Hmm... That raven couldn't have been drinking water from my mouth. It must have been trying to give me water. I wonder why." I think to myself. "Hmm... Korax? Is that you?" I ask the bird out loud.

The raven returns your quizzical look.

However, when you speak, he inclines his head, and hops gently onto your hand...
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Sat 06 July 2019.

"I'll take that as a 'Yes'." I pat him on the head. "I wonder where the heck we are."

I take another, slower, look around and try to look for any evidence of sapient beings.

I then look down at myself to determine if I am still au natural. I then use my Scriff sense.

You feel Korax gently snuggle against your hand as it touches his head.

You do not immediately see any sapient beings, although you see what might be a flock of sheep in the distance.

You are still wearing an amount of clothing similar to your avian companion, albeit with fewer feathers.

Your scriff sense detects a number of possessions scattered around you.  You can spot one or two from your current vantage point, partially hidden in the grass, once you know where to look...

Your scriff sense also includes a vector pointing directly toward the raven...
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:46, Sat 06 July 2019.

I stand up and move Korax near my shoulder. "Hop on."

The raven willingly hops onto your shoulder, and gently leans his head against yours.

You hear the merest whisper upon the wind...

^{_{:: Together... again... ::}}

"Hmm... This could come in handy, and I could use the company." I begin gathering my stuff and thinking out loud. "Clearly, there is a lot about my current lot in life that I don't understand. In all honesty, I should have died in that explosion, or at least, lost my legs. Come to think of it, I probably should have died in that plane crash as I was heading toward the Incredibles. I wonder if this will happen every time I experience fatal trauma. Additionally, I can sense my stuff. However, I sensed a lot of things that weren't my stuff in MetaDeep's place. Maybe there was something messing with my sense, or maybe there is something specific that my stuff and the mystery items have in common." I turn slightly toward Korax. "Also, why can I sense you? So many mysteries."

After I gather my stuff, I settle down with it. "First things first."

I put on any clothes that I find and begin mentally inventorying.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Sat 06 July 2019.

You put on your clothes, and eventually find all of the belongings you had with you in the Incredibles verse, except for the exploded boots.

Korax helps point out stuff that is hidden by the grass.

One of the things he finds for you is a very familiar looking book.

As you approach, he looks intently at an open page, his beak almost touching the letters...

I look at Korax quizzically. "Are you familiar with the Bible? Are you sapient?"

He gently leans his head against yours once again, and you hear the merest whisper upon the wind...

^{_{:: We are... melded...  You are sapient... so we are also...  You are familiar... so we are also... ::}}

"Oh! That explains it."

I pack all my remaining stuff into my two bags and consider my next course of action.

"Hmm... Korax, we need more information about our surroundings. Could you do something for me? Starting in the direction of those sheep, fly around this general area and take note of any signs of sapient life, living or dead. Try to get a closer look at any signs of living beings, but be very careful. Come back and report your findings. I will be walking roughly in a straight line toward those sheep."

He gently leans his head against yours once again, and you hear the merest whisper upon the wind...

^{_{:: My mind speaks only softly...  Your voice speaks only words...  Can we share thoughts again, as we did before?... ::}}

I try to contact Korax with my telepathy. :: Like this? ::

He stirs, and shifts his head away from yours experimentally.

:: Ah, yes...  Much better...  Thoughts via sounds are so limited, and so isolated... ::

:: Yes, I can scout from the sky... and perhaps remain in thought contact as I do so, if your mind can share thoughts at such range...::

He inclines his head, and takes wing...

I wait until Korax hits what seems to be his cruising altitude and attempt to contact him again.

:: Testing. Testing. Can you hear me? I mean, can you receive my words? ::

:: Yes, I can still hear your thoughts. ::

:: I see a flock of sheep.  I see a clothed figure with a long crooked staff.  I see a hut... ::
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:27, Sat 06 July 2019.

::I will be heading toward the shepherd. See you in a bit.::

I begin walking toward the flock of sheep.

Every now and then, I attempt to recontact Korax to ascertain the approximate range of our connection.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:06, Sat 06 July 2019.

You make your way toward the sheep as you maintain contact with Korax.

:: There is a sheepdog as well.  The shepherd is carrying a lamb... ::

Once you get to the rise of this hill, you and the shepherd should be visible to one another...

:: Korax, continue scouting in this general area. Look for evidence of other sapient beings. ::

I wave at him if I can get his attention.

I call out to him when I come into earshot. "Hello Sir!"

His attention is upon his charges until the sound of your voice reaches him.

He looks up with a smile, and then blinks in utter shock as he gazes upon you.

He leans heavily upon his staff, trembling slightly.

"Welcome to our world, Christopher Chosen."

I stop in surprise before answering, "Christopher... Chosen? 'Chosen' is most certainly not my last name. May I ask what the meaning of that title is?"

The older man blinks in amazement, and shakes his head, still trembling slightly.

"You truly do not know?  I see that it is so, but it is so hard to conceive of such a blind seer."

"You cannot perceive what is obvious to us, and yet you can perceive what no one else can."

"Yea, that very gift is a curse that utterly terrifies, even if it must be our means of deliverance..."

I scratch my chin a bit. "Hmm... A seer, eh?" I let my protagonist syndrome take over a little bit, and I walk over near him and sit down. "Like I said to myself earlier today, there is a lot that I don't understand about my new lot in life. If it is not too much trouble, please explain 'this world's' current situation to me. I know nothing about seers, this world, what you need deliverance from, or how you know who I am."

The older man eases himself down next to you.  His sheepdog gives him a reassuring nuzzle, and heads off to keep an eye on the sheep.  The lamb in his arms drifts off toward sleep.

He regards you quietly for several moments, and takes a shaky breath, gathering courage.

"It is a challenge to understand what you understand, and to know how to bring you from where you have been to where you are now."

"It seems that your perceptions, and those of the societies of your previous acquaintance, are rooted in the present."

"Imagine if you can a world where everyone strongly possesses what you might call postcognition.  We look upon one another, and perceive not only the here and now, but each other's pasts as well, in every detail."

"At a glance, a parent knows if a child ate their vegetables instead of feeding them to the dog, a wife knows if her husband overslept, a shepherd knows if his neighbor stole a sheep."

"Strangers here are not what you have experienced."

"You look upon me, and know only what your senses tell you now.  You know that I am tending sheep, and that I have just met you, and that I have sat down to talk with you.  But you have no direct knowledge of what I was doing this morning, or yesterday, or ten years ago."

"Meanwhile, I look upon you, and see everything that you have done, in every detail, all of your life long.  That is how I know who you are."

"Imagine if you can such a world.  All that we have ever done is known to anyone who looks at us.  All the acts of our lives are an open book... with one exception."

"We can perceive only the outside.  All of our past external actions are an open book to others, but our inner thoughts and feelings are ours alone.  They are the only refuge of privacy that remains."

"It may make you quite uncomfortable to ponder that everyone you meet here can perceive every single thing that you have ever done at a glance.  We as a society are used to it, but it may be rather a shock to you."

"Imagine then if you can how profoundly terrifying it is to encounter someone with the ability to directly perceive our very inner thoughts and feelings.  For good or ill, every last secret from within can be discovered.  Many will be extremely uncomfortable that you are present in this world.  Some may be terrified enough to remove such a potential threat, by any means."

"I have shared much.  Do you understand thus far?"

I nod. "Yes. I think that I understand. To be honest, although you might be able to guess this already if you possess such knowledge, I am far less unsettled about this sort of scenario than most of my kind would be. I care very little about personal privacy." A thought occurs to me. "Are you afraid of me? You have been trembling since I got here. Furthermore, why do I have the title of 'Chosen'? As far as I know, I haven't had that title in the past, and yet your postcognition picked up on it somehow."

The older man considers.

"I am old, and do not fear much for myself.  But your presence here may be... disruptive... to our society."

"However, it is plain that you have been Chosen to be here at just such a time as this."

"You are not the first.  In the past, the Sovereign One has raised up Chosen in time of compelling need."

"What is the need now?  I am isolated, and know little of what is passing elsewhere in the world.  But I tremble at your presence, and for what urgent cause you have been Chosen to come here."

"You have journeyed from other worlds, and even through death, to come to us.  You may face many dangers, and many foes.  But you are acquainted with the musica mystica.  Your feathered companion hovers near.  And you journey under the wings of the Sovereign One Himself."

"It is well to remind myself of such things, and to recall the Shepherd watching over us, and to fear no evil."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:52, Mon 08 July 2019.

"Musica mystica? Mystic music? What is that?"

The older man blinks, and regards you again.

"Ah.  Perhaps I should have said that you are acquainted with music, which is not altogether the same thing in your previous worlds."

"But the gift of music is rare in this world, and those who know how to wield it can be formidable.  Most dare not risk making music, for accessing such power without knowledge or control can be quite... dangerous."

"Hmm... So I can read people's minds, and I can wield some sort of power that is associated with music. Do I have postcognition too? Also, I am not sure if you are the one to ask, but do you know how I can utilize these powers? Do any other sorts of powers exist?"

The old man shakes his head.

"The Chosen usually come to us with unusual strengths... and weaknesses.  If you cannot see my life's path as you gaze upon me, then you lack what is common to possess here.  If you can see the inner thoughts and feelings of others, as you were taught during your journey through water and air two worlds ago, then you know far more than anyone here about such mysteries."

"As for what other powers may exist here, I am but a humble shepherd.  I know the power of the Shepherd, of course, as do you.  But what other mysteries may exist in this wide world?  I know not, Christopher Chosen."

"I see." I stroke my chin in thought. "I know that you said that you were isolated, but you still have, no doubt, have some basic knowledge of this world's geography, politics, economy, et cetera. Would you mind giving me a basic rundown of such things?"

The old man considers.

"From what I know, the clans are somewhat widely scattered, preferring not to let outsiders observe their life paths too easily.  That may well be one reason why their tongues are so strange and incomprehensible."

"I suspect that each clan that has survived has some type of power to aid them, but I do not know this for sure.  Still, one who can master music would have a versatile means of countering whatever may be encountered."

"Hmm... Fascinating. Good Sir, I have another question. You have already taught me so much, but I understand that I still know very little about this world or how to survive in it. I also think that, if I really am here to deliver this world from something, I had better learn about the kind of help that the world needs from the perspective of an 'everyman'. Would you be willing to teach me how to live out here and be a shepherd? I believe that that might be the easiest way to facilitate such learning." I try to speak in an "un-presumptuous" way.

The older man nods thoughtfully, and smiles.

"I am not worthy, but then again, who is?"

"The Sovereign One has raised you up for just such a time as this, and I would exhort you to serve Him as best as you are able.  How then could I do any less?"

"Beyond such a high calling, just having a companion for whatever brief season is a blessing, particularly one who is young and strong and willing and teachable.  I am not as young as I once was..."

"You are welcome here, Christopher Chosen."

I smile back. "Thank you for your generosity. What is your name?"

The older man blinks, and nods.

"I am Chasah. 'Peace be unto you.'  Of course, I forget that you would not know that by simply looking at me."

"Such strangeness may take a bit of getting used to.  I suspect we will learn much from each other, Christopher Chosen."

"I look forward to it."

I try my telepathy link to Korax. :: Are you doing alright Korax? Where are you, approximately, in relation to the shepherd? :: I do this while turning to look out over the sheep to make it a little more subtle.

After Korax's answer, I turn to Chasah. "This is a very basic question. How do you shepherd sheep? You probably already know that I haven't had much first-hand exposure to this kind of work."

You hear a flutter of wings, and Korax lands upon your shoulder.

:: I am here. ::

The older man watches the landing with interest, and nods to the new arrival.

"Welcome to our world, Korax, companion of Christopher Chosen.  'Peace be unto you.' "

"As to your question, you have already answered it.  Are you ready for some first-hand exposure?"

"Absolutely!" I wait for his instructions to finish before telepathically asking Korax the below question.

:: Anything interesting Korax? ::

The older man stands, and leads you up to the top of the nearest hill.  It is a rather small hill, but it gives you a modest view of the nearby area.

"Behold, a flock of sheep!  Let us begin with hands-on experience.  Suppose that I suddenly fell asleep, and that you could not awaken me for some days.  Stranger things have happened.  And here you are, with a flock of sheep.  Tell me what you would do, and why..."

At a suitable moment, Korax replies...

:: I have glimpsed creatures that make me wonder.  Small, but with more human features.  As instructed, I was very careful, but that care prevented me from getting a closer look.  I believe that at least one has departed, and at least one is still near... ::

While thinking about Chasah's question, I contact Korax. :: You did well Korax. Could you keep a lookout for us while staying roughly in this location. Feel free to take care of your physical needs as needed. ::

I then answer Chasah. "Hmm... I would sit in an elevated location so that I would be better able to see the sheep and predators. I would periodically count the sheep in order to make sure that none have gone missing. I would also get up occasionally to bring any sheep that have wandered too far from the flock." I move my hand to my chin while thinking further. "I am not sure that I would recognize the signs that indicate the timing for this, but I suspect that I would have to herd the sheep to slightly different feeding locations to prevent overgrazing, and I would have to bring them to water sources daily. I don't know how to assist ewes with births. I also believe that I would have to bring the sheep into a fold at night and guard the entrance."

:: Yes.  Listen for any warning I may need to give... ::

Korax flies off...  Meanwhile, the older man listens, and nods approvingly.

"A fair start, young man.  There will be time enough to speak of milking, worming, combing, washing, shearing, etc.  But the first thing to learn is how to delegate.  Observe..."

With a series of whistles accompanied by voice commands, he directs the sheepdog in an impressive display of herding.  You get the feeling that the voice commands are actually for your benefit, as the sheepdog is able to anticipate the voice command immediately after hearing the corresponding whistle...

OOC: It will take you awhile to wrap your brain around all of these, but your grasp of the concepts will grow in time:
https://www.herding-dog-traini...heepdog-terminology/
https://www.thebordercollie.co...dog-whistle-commands

I put on an exaggerated crestfallen look. "Too bad that I don'tknow how to whistle. I then brighten up. "Oh well. No time like the present, I suppose" I start blowing air through my pursed lips while moving my tongue back and forth to try and find the elusive sweet spot.

Your first attempt is... not entirely impressive.

The older man chuckles kindly.

"Look closely, young man, and put your mouth and tongue like this..."

He demonstrates while you look closely, and then you try again, with slightly better sound.

He nods approvingly.

"Practice makes perfect, and you will have plenty of time to practice.  Thankfully, the sheepdog also knows the voice commands..."

"What are you telling the sheepdog to do? What is your current objective?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Wed 24 July 2019.

"We need to move them to another pasture."

"You now know the commands that the sheepdog knows.  If you were the shepherd, how would you do it?"

To GM:

What are the spatial relationships of all parties? Where are the sheep, the pasture, the river, and the dog in relation to me? How spread out are the sheep?

The sheep are all visible from the top of the hill you are standing upon, and all within about fifty meters of you in random directions.  They are all on your side of the river, which is at the bottom of one side of the hill.  You are with the dog and the shepherd on the top of the hill.

I take the situation in and scratch my head for a second before moving my hand to my chin. "Do you have any particular pasture in mind, or will any new grassy area do?"

"Let's move them over to the next hill downstream."

I look at the positioning of all relevant parties and scratch my head as I take much longer than is strictly necessary to figure out the correct sequence of commands.

Finally, I enact my foolproof master plan. I think to myself: "Operation Fluff-Ball is a go." I then address the dog. "Walk up!" I wait for the dog to get close to the sheep and shout "Come by!" to get it to circle the sheep. After the sheep are gathered, I wait for the dog to circle until the sheep are on a direct line between the dog and the desired hill and shout "Walk up!". When the sheep are in position, I shout "That'll do!"

Your efforts (and those of the sheepdog) look very promising... except for one sheep that manages to elude for longer than most.

And just as that troublesome sheep is brought back, that delay is just enough for another sheep to break away...

:: I don't think those sheep are escaping on their own.  I get occasional glimpses of at least one of those small creatures with human features nearby... ::
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:56, Sat 26 Oct 2019.

Can I see the humanoid creatures with my own eyes?

I turn to Chasah. "My crow tells me that the sheep are behaving unruly because of the presence of small human-like creatures. What are those? Are they dangerous?"

His eyes widen in surprise, and then he nods in thoughtful understanding, and answers softly.

"There must be wee folk nearby.  It is said that the fae hide themselves from human eyes to keep their ways secret.  Some are no more dangerous than kind-hearted mischief makers.  Others are... less kind-hearted.  But one would not be wise to make an enemy of them needlessly."

"However, it seems that they don't feel the need to hide themselves from your avian companion.  They haven't realized that he is sharing his observations with you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:13, Sat 26 Oct 2019.

I lower my voice in concern. "Should we do something? Can they see my past too?"

He considers thoughtfully.

"I know not.  Still, whenever interacting with another, I dare say that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

"'Live peaceably with all men', I suppose. Given that they are currently disrupting our herding activities. Should we try to engage them, peaceably?"

"I have heard stories, but I have never engaged with one myself.  What is your plan?"

"As basic as this sounds, I hope to walk up to them and... speak to them." I upswing the last part of my sentence to communicate some uncertainty. "Maybe some degree of flattery will work? Old stories from my world suggest that fae might like that. Do you think that that might work?"

"Perhaps... but a path built upon lies cannot abide under the gaze of the Sovereign One.  The words you choose may be flattering, but they must also be true."

"Agreed. Shall I try it?"

He considers thoughtfully.

"How exactly are you going to 'walk up to them' if you can't see them?  Even with your companion's observations and descriptions, you won't know exactly where to look, and you won't be able to track them quickly if they move around..."

"I may not have to know where they are in order to speak to them. Speaking out into the open might work. If I can make myself intriguing enough, they may want to make contact with me. Alternatively, I could try singing to them. If music has power, maybe a suitably friendly song could summon them."

He nods thoughtfully.

"I know not what path is best, but the Sovereign One has brought you here for just such a time as this."

"Walk prayerfully, and may He guard and guide your steps."

I offer a short prayer to God for wisdom in this situation, and spend a few minutes attempting to rewrite a song for the purposes of befriending fae. I eventually decide on a short retooling of the "Welcome Song" from My Little Pony.

I then consult Korax as to the faes' location and follow his directions. ::Please let me know where they are and what they are doing, but do so surreptitiously.::

After leaving my gun where I was sitting (in case the fae are intimidated by its appearance), I walk to a position approximately 20 feet from the fae, using Korax to let me know when I have reached such a position, or if the fae look like they want to bolt. As I walk, I remove a quarter from my stash of change and keep it in my hand. Not that I think that they will immediately be able to tell that they are my targets; after all, they believe themselves to be hidden from my eyes.

I then call out to them in a voice that I try to make as friendly as possible: "Hello there! How might you be doing this fine day? My name is Christopher and I am a friend. I would very much like to meet you, and perhaps chat a bit. Who knows?" I then hold my quarter up. "Maybe we can trade more than words if such an arrangement would be pleasing to you."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Sun 21 June 2020.

OOC: Have you already sung the song you composed, or did you compose it to keep in readiness for singing later?  O_o

Composed it in readiness. I wanted it as a backup.

RPoL Dice Roller:

23:56, Today: GM, on behalf of Christopher, rolled 18 using 3d10.  GE Fae Intro.

You continue to hear only the sounds of wind and water, birds and sheep.

:: A swift departure.  There are now none to be seen. ::

I click my tongue with frustration. "Might as well try singing." I think to myself.

I spend a couple of seconds running through the improvised retooling of the "Welcome Song". Thankfully, the original was very short, and mostly applicable.

I clear my throat, and begin singing in a loud and, hopefully, jolly tone.

"Greetings! Greetings! Greetings! Some fine greetings to you!
Greetings! Greetings! Greetings! I say: how do you do?
Greetings! Greetings! Greetings! I say: hip! Hip! Hooray!
Greetings! Greetings! Greetings! I'd like to meet you fae!"

I try to strike a friendly gesture by reaching my hand out like I want a handshake.

RPoL Dice Roller:

22:44, Today: GM, on behalf of Christopher, rolled 11 using 3d10.  GE Welcome Song.

Several heartbeats later...

:: They are coming back, but they look wary... ::

Several more heartbeats later...

"Who are you, laddie?  And how did you know we were here?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:22, Fri 28 May 2021.

A thought quickly crosses my mind: "If they are wary, especially when their cover is blown, openness may be the best move."

I try and speak in a calming voice. "I am called Christopher. You have no need to be concerned about me, for I want nothing more than to speak with you as a potential friend. I am what might be called a 'student of culture' from a far away land, and interaction with others is beloved by me. As a sign of good faith, I will tell you how I am able to see you. Korax, come forth. I send a telepathic command, just in case he can't hear my voice.

When Korax is visible, I hold out my hand to receive him. After he lands, I speak. "This is my faithful friend and companion." I say while petting him. "His eyes are far sharper than mine, and it is with his help that I was able to 'see' you." I pet him a little bit more.

"What say you, good fae? Would you be willing to at least speak with me for bit? There is no need to unveil yourself, if it makes you uncomfortable."

At the border between the grassy clearing you are standing in and the nearest trees, you see a small figure step out from behind a tree, though the deep shade makes it difficult to discern many details.

"Do you want to take a walk with me then, son of Adam?"

Next to the speaker, you see a path stretching from the edge of your grassy clearing into the nearby trees...
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:22, Fri 28 May 2021.

I think to myself: "If folktales are any indication, it may not be the wisest idea to, for want of a better phrase, enter the faelands. At the same time, since I've gone through all the trouble of making contact, I'd better be prepared to interact on their terms."

I answer: "I would be honored to accompany you. Would you be willing to allow me to inform my friend of my absence. I do not believe that it would do to simply leave him without saying a word."

GM Question: What can I tell about the fae creature's appearance? Is the voice masculine or feminine?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Sun 21 June 2020.

The creature steps further out from the deep shade, and nods.  She has the appearance and voice of a female child, reminding you somewhat of Chibi-style anime, though something in the eyes also hints of an age far older.

"It is well.  Do you speak of the man, or the dog, or both?"

Her fae nature and 'botanical' appearance cause a thought to cross my mind. "It would probably be best to show a greater affinity for nature."


"I, of course, mean both." I say with a smile.

I then go back to Chasah and his dog. "I have managed to make contact with one of the fae. She wishes for me to take a walk with her. I believe that doing so may be the best way to resolve this situation peacefully. I just wanted to let you know, so that it doesn't look like I just decided to abandon you."

The older man considers quietly, and nods.

"Such walks can be... perilous... but we are in the hands of the Sovereign One.  This may be the start of the path that you were Chosen for.  I will pray for you, Christopher Chosen."

He embraces you, and the sheepdog gives you a single bark with a wagging tail...

"Thank you for the warning. I will keep that in mind."

Did I learn the dog's name? If I didn't I ask for it.

I then say: "Take good care of your master, <insert dog's name here>."

Keleb barks again, and gives you an enthusiastic lick...

"Good boy." I say as I pet the dog.

"See you later, Chasah."

I then walk back to the fae. "Thank you for waiting. Shall we be off?"

She looks approvingly at your interactions with both Korax and Keleb, and nods at your query.

"The raven, the sheepdog, the sheep, and the shepherd all seem to think well of you.  It is well.  Let us walk together, Christopher Chosen..."

She turns to walk the path with you, her eyes regarding you thoughtfully as she speaks your name.

After a few steps, she speaks again.

"You spoke of interaction, but you also spoke of trading more than words.  What do you seek, Christopher Chosen?  And what do you offer in return?"

I nod and think to myself. "Too bad I suck at haggling. I guess that I have to hope that this, no doubt, much older being known for her cunning. Doesn't try to take me for a ride."

"Well, at first, I simply wished to request that you and your friends refrain from bothering the sheep that we were trying to herd. However, I later became curious as about you and your kind. Perhaps the extra effort required to make contact with you piqued my interest. So, I suppose, first, may I ask what the going rate of 'not bothering the sheep' is?"

She grins as her eyes sparkle in merriment.

"'Bothering'?  Dear me, it is not so, Christopher Chosen.  Our playtime with the sheep and with the sheepdog was all in good fun, and they found it as entertaining as we did."

"'Tis true that it made you work a bit harder, but that was all to the good as well.  Did you not get more practice in a skill that you seek to master?  And did it not lead to an interaction that you desired?"

"But you spoke of 'first', so I perceive there are other matters you wish to trade.  And, perhaps, they are yet closer to your heart?  Be not shy to share them with me, Christopher Chosen, for we can scarcely trade well if we know not what is sought..."

I think to myself: "Yes, of course she would talk like this. I don't know what I was expecting. We barely know each other and she wants me to show my entire hand immediately. I better watch myself, or she might claim my soul or something."

I address her with a nod and friendly smile. "Fair enough, I suppose. What must I trade to learn more about you and your people? I know that your kind enjoy play and that you are generally invisible to humans but, aside from that, I am distressingly ignorant."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Fri 28 May 2021.

Her eyes dance playfully.

"You would know about us?"

"Well, you have observed a little, and deduced a little, but is that the best you can do?"

"There are yet more kernels to be gleaned in the field you seek to harvest from."

"Consider well... and then tell me what else you know about us..."

"Hmm... Well, I believe that you are capable of choosing whom or what you hide from. You don't seem generally to fancy humans being able to observe your ways. You seem to have regard for animals and some desire to play with them. My guess is that you are older than you look. You seem to either be made of or, at least, wearing plants. You seem to be able to observe people at reasonably long distances. And you seem to know that I am Chosen. I would like to know what your culture is like, however, as I only seem to be able to glean from the surface. For that matter, what is your name? If I am not getting too personal, that is. I do not wish to offend."

I think: "You also seem to like to give people the runaround when answering questions."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Fri 28 May 2021.

Her slightly teasing expression softens.

"That is a fair question, as I do know your name, and as I exhorted you not to be shy.  It is well."

A dimple appears as she smiles and curtsies.

"I am Khabatstsehleth, but you may call me Rose.  Well met, Christopher Chosen."

She resumes walking, looking slightly more thoughtful.

"You seek knowledge of us, and that can certainly be from friendliness, 'tis true.  But knowledge is power, Christopher Chosen.  There are many dangers in this world, so we are careful about what we share and who we share it with."

She looks into your eyes, regarding you with an appraising gaze.

"You spoke of friendship more than once, Christopher Chosen.  'Twas a passing fancy?  Or did you speak in earnest?  Why would you seek to be a faerie friend?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:43, Fri 28 May 2021.

I answer in the most friendly way that I can think of: "You are quite wise to not wear everything on your sleeve, Rose. After all, as you said, there are quite a number of dangers in this world. Not to mention, as a Chosen, I have heard that I am likely to be associated with large-scale changes. However, I do speak in earnest when I say that I would like to be a faerie friend. As for the reason, I suppose that it is because I find your kind fascinating. I may not know much about you, but I have never seen anything like you before. That alone would be enough to make me interested in befriending you. I want to learn as much as I can about you. Such an experience would be quite enriching. Furthermore, perhaps befriending your kind would help me to gain a more complete perspective about this world and what my place is in it."

Her dimple flashes when you say that you find her kind fascinating, but she looks thoughtful as you talk of befriending, and of learning as much as you can about her.

Her gaze moves to Korax.

"You spoke of Korax as your faithful friend and companion.  Tell me of your friendship, and of how it came about, and of what such friendship means to you."

"And you spoke of his help, yet I did not hear you converse with him.  Tell me of how you and your faithful friend help one another..."

I think to myself: "Given that other humans are able to tell what I have said before just by looking at me, I had hoped to keep the nature of our bond a little more secret. However, I suppose that I am not losing too much of an advantage by divulging this. Furthermore, I need to show a willingness to be open about some things, if I want to befriend the fae."

I answer openly: "Fair enough. It would be appropriate to set a bit of context. As far as I am able to gather, although the process or meaning are unknown to me, I seem to travel between different worlds. Though, as I said, I have no idea why this happens, nor do I have a clear idea as to how it happens. In one such world, the previous one, actually, I was in a strange state of my mind being separate from my body. In that state, I encountered Korax and my mind took control of his body. At the time, I did not know about his separate identity. I thought that his body had simply become my body, and I didn't realize that I was sharing it with a someone else. We later became forcibly separated when my original body was somehow... er... for want of a better phrase 'woken up' and my mind was thrown back to my original body. What happened next is unclear to me, but I believe that an explosion that, honestly, should have killed me happened. The next thing I knew, I was here, in this world, and Korax was with me. He has since explained to me that our minds are, on some level, shared. Because of this, we are able to speak with each other without words. It is through our shared minds that he has gained the ability to think as a human can. As for the nature of our friendship..."

I stroke Korax's head. "Even though we have not known each other for long, I believe that I have found myself on a very long journey. Who knows how long I will be traveling for or how many worlds I will pass through. I believe the presence of another being will go a long way to keeping me sane and stable. Furthermore, Korax has proven himself very helpful to my journey in this world already."

Another thought crosses my mind, and I smile inwardly at the PR boon that has accidentally been handed to me. I address Korax: "On a bit of a tangent, Korax. I don't believe that I ever actually apologized to you. When I was in your body, I experimented with various ways of developing certain powers. At the time, I didn't realize that you were also present in that body and I believe that I caused you pain in ignorance. For that, I am sorry." I am sincere as I apologize. However, it is true that this could be a great PR boon for my dealings with Rose.

Korax inclines his head, and nuzzles your shoulder.

Meanwhile, the eyes of Rose widen slightly as she listens to your words, almost as if startled, before her expression grows more thoughtful, even with a sense of solemn wonder.

"Would you then seek such a bond with me, Christopher Chosen?  Would you seek to share minds with me?  Would you seek to gain the ability to think as a faerie can, and to give me the ability to think as a human can?"

"I would assume that shared minds would strip away pretense?  I would know your trustworthiness, and you would know mine?  I would know your secrets, and you would know mine?"

"Would you then seek the company of our faithful friendship on your long journey through many worlds?"

"You speak of solemn things, Christopher Chosen.  'Twas a passing fancy?  Or did you speak in earnest?"

I can hardly contain myself. "This is even better than I could have hoped for!" I think to myself. One last thought enters my mind before I answer. "Do I really want to know what is in her mind? Who knows what's in there." I then answer myself in my head. "Curse my rampant xenophilia! Of course I want this!"

I smile warmly and answer: "I speak in earnest. I would very much like to share minds with you. However, I must confess that I am not sure how I did it the first time. I would be willing to experiment in order to achieve it, if you would allow me to. Furthermore, I would be honored if you would be willing accompany me as I try to figure out how to share our minds."

She listens solemnly, her eyes looking deeply into yours, and weighs your words.

Then her gaze moves to Korax.

"If we share minds, and you and Korax share minds, then how would that affect Korax?  Would we all share minds together?"

"You have expressed an earnest desire to share minds with me.  Do you speak for him as well?"

"Ah. A very timely reminder. I must apologize again, Korax. I have not yet become accustomed to sharing my mind with you. What is your input on this matter? Do you have concerns? What is your position on this matter? I highly suspect that a shared mind would be a three-way street."

Korax looks from you to Rose and back, and makes a gentle croak.

From the meld, you can tell that he said something roughly along the lines of 'Flock together.'

Within the meld, he elaborates.

"You desire to flock together... therefore, so do we."

Interestingly, Rose listens to the gentle croak, and gives a comprehending nod and warm smile in return.

Then she turns to you.

"Suppose then that we were to share minds.  How would you propose to proceed, Christopher Chosen?"

"Interesting. So, you're able to talk to animals too."

I put my hand to my chin. "Hmm... Good question. How did I do it the last time? I suppose what happened was that my mind jumped out of my body and entered Korax's. Though, I wonder why the deer that I first entered by mistake didn't come with us. Maybe it's because Korax was the last thing that my mind entered before I possibly suffered fatal trauma. However, I don't really fancy testing that part of the theory out. I suppose we'll try having me throw my mind out of my body and into your body first. After we do that, I will jump back to my human body. Though, I'm not sure whether or not that power was a byproduct of technology, or something. Are you ready for me to try it? Be prepared, there is a possibility that I will briefly end up in control of your body."

She blinks in some confusion as you think aloud, but solemnly nods at your query.

"I am ready, Christopher Chosen."

OOC: What exactly are you trying to do, and how exactly are you trying to do it?  :)

I first lie down on the ground: just in case my body goes limp, I don't want to hit my head. I also advise Rose to lie down just in case her body goes limp, as well.

I then attempt to send my mind out of my body in the same way that I left the deer when I was in MetaDeep's world. Assuming I was successful, I move my mind straight to Rose. I keep moving until I feel the magnet-like sensation.

OOC: Please describe your positions in detail, relative to one another, to Korax, to the path, to the trees, to the sun and/or shade, etc... :)

OOC: I smell an encounter. However, I will do my best to roleplay as if I don't.

Given that I assumed the forest path would not look frequently-used, I was intending to just lie down flat on my back where I stood. Rose would presumably do the same. This would probably result in us lying down, positioned foot-to-foot, in the middle of the path. I would have assumed that Korax would hop off my shoulder and take up a position near my head. I am not sure where the trees and sun/shade would be in relation to us in this position, given that I am not sure how dense the foliage is surrounding the path.

You lie down, and attempt to make your consciousness roam from your own body.

You focus...

Awareness of your own body slowly fades...

All is darkness...

...

You feel an awareness of... something... an image... fading into view...


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:31, Tue 01 June 2021.

"Looks like I can disconnect my brain from my body. Though what exactly this is or how I am connected to it is a mystery. This looks like that 'iPaper's' logo that I found in the MetaDeep world. My guess is that the various weird brain functions that I might have are essentially accessed through the 'Full-Dive' equivalent of a smartphone. However, I hope that I didn't just bring MetaDeep's backup hard drive to this world."

I settle on my next course of action. "Main Menu." I think in a commanding tone.

After traveling through a tunnel, you emerge into some type of large chamber, with various icons floating around.  Some vaguely remind you of apps you have used, others are unfamiliar but potentially comprehensible, and others are not comprehensible...

The scene reminds you of the telepathic paper you interacted with in your previous world.  However, there are some differences in icons, and there aren't as many, and they are more widely spaced.  It reminds you a bit of the telepathic paper after you went into airplane mode.

One icon catches your eye:



There is also something that catches your eye on the wall of the chamber directly opposite the tunnel you used to enter:

I attempt to float my mind over to the weird portal thing.

As you approach, you can see that it shimmers within.

Your consciousness is now in front of the weird portal thing...

Well, this is probably the one time I've been glad to not have a WiFi connection. I think that I'll explore the other apps first, just in case this portal is an exit.

I float to the nearest non-portal icon and attempt to tap on it with my mind.

You mentally reach toward the nearest icon, and it bounces.

Text appears in the air in front of you...

"Hmm... looks like a log: not very useful right now. Main Menu."

After backing out, I memorize the app icon and systematically open each new app (in order of whichever is closest). If the app isn't something that immediately suggests something even remotely related to mind-melding, I back out to the main menu, memorize the icon, and move on to the next one. I continue this process until I find something that seems related to mind-melding.

As you back out toward the main menu, you faintly hear a brief snippet of a familiar mental voice...

_{^{:: ...-ou hear me?  Rose-... ::}}

The text fades, and you are in the main menu chamber.  The voice has faded away...

I look around for a source. "Rose? Are you in here? Can you hear me?" I shout at the top of my mental voice.

You do not hear any response.

However, the shimmer within the portal seems more than it was previously...

I think to myself: "Of course, I was barking up the wrong tree." I mentally sigh.

I float to the portal and tap on it.

You mentally reach out to tap the portal... and as you do so, you feel like a magnet that has reached out to tap a refrigerator.

You are sucked through the shimmering field.

-=-

Awareness comes slowly.

You feel somewhat dizzy and disoriented.

A scene comes into focus.

It looks... familiar.

You see sky in the background, and tree branches in the foreground.

The perspective looks rather similar to what you last saw before closing your eyes, but slightly higher...

"Ah! Finally!" I look for Rose and float over to her. If I don't get sucked into her body automatically, I try tapping on her.

Your perspective rotates from the upward-looking view down toward your feet.

As your feet shift into the edge of your view, you see... nothing, except for the ground of the path.

You see a slight Rose-sized indentation in the dirt of the path where she was when you saw her last.

Rose is no longer lying down by your feet...

"What the?" I look around for any indication of her. If I don't see her, I scan the area around the indentation: looking footprints.

As you continue to shift your perspective around, you find to your relief that Rose is standing next to your head, with Korax on her shoulder.  She is short enough that she was underneath your initial viewpoint.

They exchange concerned raven noises as they look down at your face...

"Phew. Well, calling out to her won't do any good. 行きましょう!"

I float over to her and try to enter her mind.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Tue 01 June 2021.

You approach Rose's head as she converses with Korax upon her shoulder.

When you get close, you feel like a magnet getting close to two adjoining refrigerators.

On the one hand, Rose has a stronger pull from her stronger mind.

On the other hand, Korax has a stronger pull from his existing bond with you.

You find yourself suspended at equilibrium between the two of them, and begin to feel somewhat dizzy and disoriented.

Judging from what you can track of them, they seem to feel somewhat dizzy and disoriented as well...

I attempt to add my extra phantom propulsive force to the pull in Rose's direction.

You manage to move toward Rose, but your efforts drag Korax's head toward you as well.

The dizziness increases.

As their heads get closer together, she loses her balance, and falls forward, dragging you and Korax along.

As you also approach your own head, it starts strongly pulling you toward it as well.

So it is that all three of your heads converge upon the ground, with your consciousness right in between them.

-=-

Awareness comes slowly.

You feel somewhat dizzy and disoriented.

A scene comes into focus.

It looks... familiar.

You open your eyes, and see familiar sky and tree branches, but your field of view is partially obscured by two big hairy boulders...

I move my hands up to the 'boulders' and attempt to move them off my face.

You move your wings to touch the boulders, but they are too heavy for you to shift.

However, they begin to move on their own.

You hear a soft groan from each of them...

I try to reach into my own mind. Last time I did that in Korax's body, I was able to find out his name. "Korax! Are you in here too? Or is this another cliched body swap story?"

You hear Rose's voice answer: "Yes, I am here too."

You hear your own voice say: "I... heard... something... inside my head!..."

"But... what is wrong with my voice?"

I first forget that my voice doesn't work and attempt to say: "Yo!" I presume that my cawing noise reminds me of the problem and I swap to telepathy.

:: Yo! Korax! Looks like you're in my body. Rose! Are you in Korax's body too? Or are you somewhere else? ::

You see Rose hold up her hand in front of her face, and wiggle her fingers experimentally.

"My wings...  Where are my wings?..."

Meanwhile, you see yourself hold up your hand in front of your face, and wiggle your fingers experimentally.

"My hands...  They are so huge!..."

:: Scratch that, Korax. You're in Rose's body. Yo! Rose! Looks like you're in mine. How does it feel? ::

"Cliched body swap story it is, then." I think to myself.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Tue 01 June 2021.

"I... hear your voice... inside my head!  Is this... what it means... to share minds?"

Interestingly enough, you don't think so.

With Korax, it feels like your minds are shared.

With Rose, however, it feels like when you are simply using telepathy to converse, as you did with Everseer and Ayyal...

:: Hmm... I don't think so, Rose. I think that we are merely conversing mind-to-mind rather than actually sharing minds, at the moment. My guess is that my hypothesis regarding the mind-sharing process was slightly off the mark. I think that we should try again. Last time, I simply exited my body and tried to enter yours. I saw a variety of different... er... powers when I was deep within my mind. Maybe one of them is what we were missing. ::

I check for vectors.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:59, Sun 06 June 2021.

In addition to your belongings, you sense a vector directly toward your own body.

"Was I... supposed... to end up in your body?...  This is... SO strange..."

She tries to stand up unsteadily in your body, and looks around somewhat dizzily.

"The view is SO high from up here!...  It is like climbing a tree..."

Meanwhile, Korax also tries to stand up in her body unsteadily.

"No wings, no beak, no claws, no caws, no feathers.  Hands and feet and voice.  I felt them through you, but the actual experience is indeed SO strange..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:10, Sun 06 June 2021.

I first address Rose: :: The body-swapping wasn't my intention. Like I said, I think I missed an important step. Be careful, losing your balance while standing at full height in my body could result in a dangerous injury. ::

I then address Korax: :: Be careful, Korax. Rose's center of gravity is probably significantly higher than you're used to. ::

Rose takes an experimental step in your body, loses her balance, and starts to fall forward toward her own body.

Korax lets out an involuntary squawk from her body, then jumps and starts flapping her arms to get out of the way.  However, for some strange reason, Rose's body does not take flight as he does so, and Rose's top-heavy body also loses balance...

I jump, and fly, if necessary, out of the way. I then land at a safe distance.

After they complete their falls, I bring one of my wings to my head in mild frustration.

:: Sigh. You tell them what to do and look what happens. Are you two okay? ::

You see both bodies on the ground, face down.  Each body appears to be shaking...

:: Are you two okay!? :: I do my best to shout with my mind.

Regardless of whether or not they answer, I flap over and attempt to assess the situation. First, I attempt to look at their faces.

In response to your mental query, they roll over, still shaking... with laughter.

Rose is laughing so hard that your body's eyes are watering, and she can't speak for a moment.

Korax is laughing hard enough to have momentarily forgotten how to physically talk in Rose's humanoid body.

She wipes the tears away, and looks at you with mock accusation.

"Are you sure that you didn't do this on purpose, after my sheep-herding playtime?"

I land and take the opportunity to swat her with my wing.

:: Don't scare me like that. I thought you were in trouble. Anyway, no; I didn't do this on purpose. I am glad that you two are enjoying yourselves, though. I don't imagine that you get much opportunity to try something like this. ::

Rose nods your head, your eyes dancing merrily.

"Little did I know what adventures awaited me this day."

She takes a breath, and ponders.

"So if we are only conversing rather than sharing minds, regardless of where our minds have wandered off to, what happened?  What do you propose to do now?"

:: I must confess that I am not exactly sure what I did wrong that time, but I have a guess. I noticed that there were a number of different... powers hidden somewhere in my mind when I was looking through it. My guess is that one of those is the one that establishes a mind-sharing system. If you are ready, I can try again, but I would ask for patience. It might take a while for me to find the right power, since I would have to try to activate each one one-by-one. ::

She nods your head solemnly, eyes twinkling.

"It is well.  Shall we recline once again?"

"I am certain that Korax can entertain me with stories about you while we wait..."

As Korax smiles, the dimple flashes upon Rose's face...

:: Righty-ho. Yes, reclining would be preferable. Korax, could you stand somewhere over there. I don't really want a repeat performance of the body-swapping, at least not without some sort of plan. :: I gesture in to a nice-looking spot that seems to be a safe distance from the two of us.

After Rose reclines, I take up a position close to her head, sit down (my current avian form not being well-suited to reclining), and attempt to enter my iBrain interface.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 07:11, Sun 06 June 2021.

You sit down, and close your eyes, and attempt to enter your iBrain interface.

You focus...

Awareness of your own body slowly fades...

All is boring...

...

SO boring...

...

Hmmmmm...  This is taking a lot longer than last time...

...

SO... BORING...!...

...

I sigh inwardly. :: Sorry, Rose. It looks like I have to do it from within my body... :: It occurs to me that I have to activate the interface in order to make that happen. :: I wonder if it would be faster for me to try and walk you through the process or try to use my telepathy to use my body's brain directly. Do you have a preference, Rose? ::

"You speak of paths I have not trod.  You know more of them than I, so you must guide us forward,  Christopher Chosen."

:: I think that I should try using telepathy to reach my brain remotely. I am not sure how well communication would work in order to walk you through the process. Additionally, there is hope that my mind will have some connection to my body that will aid the endeavor. Are you ready? Reclining might be the best position again. ::

She nods, and reclines again...

I sit back down and start talking telepathically again :: Right. Since we are able to speak like this, there must be some sort of link between us. Maybe I can follow it in a more full way... :: I attempt to reach toward her mind in the same way that I reach when I use telepathy. I then attempt to increase the scope of this reach. Essentially, I am envisioning it like this: if telepathy is like talking with someone within earshot but out of reach, I am attempting to mentally get close enough to touch the other person.

RPoL Dice Roller:

21:34, Today: GM, on behalf of Christopher, rolled 13 using 3d10.  GE Deeper Telepathy Attempt.

You attempt to increase the scope of your telepathic conversation, and find with some experimentation that you are able to send and receive not just words but also sensory data and emotions!

However, though you have managed to upgrade the range of information you can send and receive via telepathy, it is still just an upgraded form of communication, rather than the type of melding you have with Korax...

:: Hmm... Well, that wasn't quite what I wanted, but it was close. Maybe, I should try pushing a little harder. ::

I try again but, this time, I use a different thought device. I imagine that, having been able to send more information, I must have gotten closer. However, something is holding me back: a wall. I imagine an unlocked door appearing in the wall, a door that will let me through the barrier and into my brain which currently houses Rose's mind.

You attempt to expand further, but soon realize that you have reached the limit of how far you can push the telepathy scope envelope from this angle...

:: Looks like I have pushed the telepathy as far as it will take us. I think that you're going to have to be an active participant Rose! :: I try to make the last sentence sound excited. :: I am going to try and walk you through the process of body-swapping with Korax, who is currently in your body. And then, I will walk Korax through the process of swapping bodies with me. Does this sound acceptable to you? ::

She considers, and nods your head.

"It is well.  Guide me forward, Christopher Chosen."

:: Thank you for your trust, Rose. Okay, I am going to break this down into three steps and give you all three steps at the beginning: that way, if communication is severed, you will still know what to do. Step 1: concentrate on trying to make this feeling happen. :: I then transmit all the sensory data that I can remember regarding entering the iBrain interface. :: You are essentially trying to make a set of mental pictures appear. When you see this image, you have succeeded. :: I transmit a picture of the MetaDeep logo. :: Step 2: mentally say: "Main Menu". When you see this... :: I transmit a picture of the Main Menu :: ... look for something that looks like this... ::  I transmit a picture of the portal. :: Mentally tap on it. :: :: If you have done everything correctly, you should see yourself as back in the forest but your mind will be free of my body. You will also be floating. Do not linger too long outside of a body; in my experience, the mind seems to become somewhat less stable if outside of a body for too long. Step 3: will yourself into floating over to your body. You should feel some kind of force pulling you toward it when you get close enough. If it works the way I think it will, Korax and you will swap places. Does this make sense? ::
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:59, Mon 07 June 2021.

Rose pays close attention to the instructions, and nods solemnly.

"It is well."

OOC: Please describe your positions in detail, relative to one another, to Korax, to the path, to the trees, to the sun and/or shade, etc... :)

:: Right. I am am going to stand over there. :: I gesture with a wing to a spot off the path and at around 12 to 20 feet away and roughly-speaking on the line coming from Rose's/my feet. :: Korax, carefully make your way over here and lie down approximately about 6 feet from Rose's/my head. ::

When we are in position, I say: :: Proceed when ready. ::

The basic idea is that Rose should be between us but closer to Korax.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Mon 07 June 2021.

You see your eyes close.

You wait...

...

...

...

...

After several minutes, you see Rose's body look slightly startled, and blink with a disoriented expression...

I call out telepathically. :: Is everyone alright? Who's in my body now? ::

Rose sits up, and looks at you.

"I am here.  Oh!  Is this what it is like to be melded?"

Korax replies telepathically.

:: Yes, we are melded, just as Christopher and I are melded... ::

Indeed, you can feel her presence within the meld, but it is not as... direct.  It is as if everything is getting passed via Korax, rather than a direct connection between you and Rose.

Meanwhile, your body is still motionless upon the ground...

My brain does a few calculations, and I realize our predicament: how are we supposed to switch bodies if my body was necessary and no one is in currently in it? I place my avian wing upon my head, as far as flexibility will allow. :: Hmm... that wasn't quite what I wanted. :: I speak over telepathy.

Suddenly, inspiration strikes me. :: Hang on, guys. I have another idea. :: I fly over to my body's head and press my avian head against it. I then attempt to telepathically reach into my body. Maybe I can remote control it in a way analogous to how Korax spoke with me before we made telepathy our mainstay.

As you press your avian head against your own head and telepathically reach toward the latter, you feel somewhat dizzy and disoriented, as if you were being pulled between two magnets.

The world spins, and fades to black...

After a few moments, you open your eyes, and see familiar-looking branches above your head.

You feel something soft on your shoulder, and something pointy against your neck...

"Ah-ha! Victory! Now we just have to get Korax back into his body. Korax. It seems that the way to switch bodies is to press your head against the desired body's head and then attempt to reach inside it: like how you initially communicated with me before we made telepathy our mainstay. Do you want to try it? I can bring your body over there, if you want?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:36, Fri 02 July 2021.

:: Yes, please... so are we all actually melded now? ::

:: I could hear that! ::

The connection to Rose seems less... direct, as if you only hear her thoughts because they are being relayed through Korax...?

:: To be honest, I am not quite sure. It seems that Rose's consciousness is being routed through Korax's, somehow. The melding might be real, or it might be because you two are in the same body. I think that the only way to tell for sure would be for Korax to jump back to his body, first. ::

I gently pick up Korax's body and bring it over to Rose/Korax. :: Go ahead, if you're ready. ::

Rose lays back and closes her eyes.

Her head sways slightly, as if she is dizzy.

After a few moments, Korax stirs, and opens his eyes.

:: I am here! ::

Rose also stirs, and opens her eyes.

:: I am also here! ::

Rose's connection still seems less... direct...

"Yipee! It worked!" I then swap to telepathy: :: It seems that we have successfully melded. The only difference is that Rose seems to be melded to Korax rather that directly me. If my hypothesis is correct, I should be able to make the connection more direct if I briefly jump into your body, Rose. Do you mind? ::

:: Yes, your thoughts do not seem as... direct... as the thoughts of Korax. ::

She glances thoughtfully toward Korax, and then toward you.

:: No, I do not mind, Christopher Chosen. ::

I touch my head to hers and attempt the mind-jump.

OOC: What exactly are you trying to do, and how exactly are you trying to do it, and what positions and locations are your bodies in, etc.?
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:58, Fri 02 July 2021.

I sit down cross-legged directly in front of her and lean forward until our heads touch. I then attempt to reach into her body in the same way that I just did with mine.

You feel... her head against yours.

After several moments, she stirs, and opens her eyes, and looks up at you questioningly...

:: Rimbly-grimbly-bim. I guess that I was wrong and I have to jump out of my body and jump back, using my mental interface. Do you mind if I try that, Rose? ::

Assuming that she all right with that, I ask Korax to stand about 10 feet away, I ask Rose to lie down about 5 feet away, I lie down, use the MetaDeep interface to jump out of my body, I float over to her body, let the pressure take me in, we then crawl Rose's body over to mine, and I then do the head-touch-mind-jump thing to get into my body.

You lie down, and attempt to make your consciousness roam from your own body.

You focus...

Awareness of your own body slowly fades...

All is darkness...

...

You feel an awareness of... something... an image... fading into view...



After traveling through a tunnel, you emerge into some type of large chamber, with various icons floating around.

You make your way toward the wall of the chamber directly opposite the tunnel you used to enter:



You mentally reach out to tap the portal... and as you do so, you feel like a magnet that has reached out to tap a refrigerator.

You are sucked through the shimmering field.

-=-

Awareness comes slowly.

You feel somewhat dizzy and disoriented.

A scene comes into focus.

It looks... familiar.

You see sky in the background, and tree branches in the foreground.

The perspective looks rather similar to what you last saw before closing your eyes, but slightly higher...

Your perspective rotates from the upward-looking view down toward Rose.



As you approach Rose's head, you feel like a magnet getting close to a refrigerator...

The world spins, and goes dark...

-=-

After several moments, you open your eyes.

As you sit up, you notice that this body feels... different.  Smaller than your own, yet bigger than Korax.  There are differences in senses.  There are differences in thoughts.  Just as when you first shared a body with Korax, your mind is flooded with these sensations.  The xenophile within you is gorging himself right now...

:: Christopher Chosen, is that you? ::

I pause a bit from the sheer variety of new sensations. :: Yep. Dear me. I forgot how intense direct connection is. How are you feeling, Rose? It looks like we finally have the formula down. ::

You feel her sense of solemn wonder as she also experiences so many sensations new to her.

After a moment, however, you feel the equivalent of a giggle welling up inside of her, as she latches onto a random thought running through your mind.

:: All these new senses, all these new thoughts... and you wonder if I have fingers?  So this is what it means to think like a human... ::

She finds this quite amusing...

GM Question: what sort of thoughts/feelings am I getting from her? I would think that my outlook should be a little different at this point.

OOC: Still sorting it all out.  Just like you don't immediately absorb or understand everything when you first arrive in a new verse, you also don't immediately absorb or understand everything when you first meld with a new mind...

However, you do get a sense of solemn wonder from her.

You perceive that some of her motivation to link with you was to potentially gain knowledge and/or power and/or influence with a Chosen.  For whatever changes may be heralded by your arrival, being able to observe and influence you as you navigate the challenges before you and make choices that may alter the path of this world was a strategic risk even worth revealing any secrets of the fae.

However, you perceive that there is more than that.  There is also something of the xenophile within her.  To be able to meld with you and with Korax, and to travel to other worlds... such a solemn commitment to befriending... is significant to her...

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:55, Fri 02 July 2021.

I think to myself, not that it matters, at this point, if she overhears me: "We Chosen must generally be incredibly powerful if people can be so keen to court our favor. After all, why else would revealing fae secrets be a strategic advantage if it meant gaining influence over me. Not that I mind, of course. I remember a ton of anime that have this exact setup, and those generally had interesting story lines. This could be a ton of fun."

:: So, Rose, I had better try getting back into my body, just in case some issue arises. ::

I try to crawl our body over to my primary body. However, upon reaching it, I take about ten seconds to check for breathing and for a carotid pulse. While checking the latter, I take the liberty of seeing if I am physically capable of pointing with two fingers; otherwise, I just use my 'mitten'.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Fri 02 July 2021.

:: What... is... 'anime'?... ::

Your body is still breathing and beating, as your tiny fingers are able to verify...

I smile inwardly. "Only the best form of entertainment that my kind ever invented! At least, in my opinion. It's a little difficult to describe without... hang on a second! I can just show it to you!"

I pick the scene where All Might fights the Nomu and try to send as a vivid a recreation of the scene (audio and visual) as I can to her. I am under no illusion that I can accurately recreate the sound of the Japanese dialogue.

You sense... confusion.

:: Your people have such powers, and use them to fight one another for entertainment? ::

:: Ah. Not quite, but I understand the confusion. My people had a medium of storytelling called 'animation'. To cut a long story short, it was basically a method of drawing a series of pictures in such a way as to make them appear to move. These 'moving pictures' could then be paired with the appropriate sounds, which were sourced through a method called 'recording' which allowed us to reproduce sounds perfectly without access to the original source of the sound. The moving pictures which were paired with sounds would then be viewed through a device called a 'television'. :: I display a mental image of our television with the previous anime scene playing on it. :: Although the images may look real, to some degree, they are no more real than the descriptions that a storyteller might give or the events described in a book. In other words, anime is just another method of storytelling. ::
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:51, Thu 22 July 2021.

You sense... more confusion, although it decreases slightly as she glosses over to your concluding sentence...

:: Your ways are... strange... and sharing my mind and body is even stranger. ::

:: I saw you use my fingers.  Is it strange to you as well? ::

:: Yes, it is quite strange. It's been a while since I had a body this small, and I am certain that I never had a head that was larger than my abdomen. However, I suppose that I don't find it as strange I might. My kind had many stories, all fictional, of course, about these kinds scenarios, and I have a very active imagination. :: I smile inwardly.

She shakes her head in wonder, considering the flood of recent new experiences.

:: The three step path you sent me through...  What does it signify?  Why was your body required? ::

:: Ah yes. The three-step journey was my attempt to simplify the usage of one of my powers. In my world, we have devices call "smartphones" which can do... theoretically anything that is within the scope of human ingenuity, provided that the proper devices are connected to them. These smartphones have an interface which is analogous to what you saw in the three-step journey. I had to explain the interface in terms of the three-step journey because, without the context of smartphones, the journey would have been too confusing. ::

:: But why was your body required, rather than you using the body you were in? ::

:: That... I don't know for sure. My guess is that my body has the necessary element for this power which neither Korax's nor your bodies have. I think that this element is probably some sort of technology implanted in my brain. :: A slight sense of dread comes over me. :: I sincerely hope that MetaDeep, the computer that had somehow conquered the Earth in my previous, isn't able to take over this one. The technology might not exist, but it might simply have not been developed yet. I don't know what it might do if it gets the chance. ::

You sense her mulling over your words, and can almost feel a jolt of realization from her.

:: Computer... technology...  Wait, wait, wait... ::

She looks at you with wide eyes.

:: You... are a technomancer? ::

I blink in surprise. :: A technomancer? What is that? I mean, I guess that it has something to do with technology and magic, but what is it?::

She considers the query with a thoughtful expression.

:: The peoples of this world dwell largely apart from one another, and our knowledge of other groups is limited.  What can be observed externally from afar is also limited. ::

:: But the technomancers can control technology at will.  Whether they do so by thought, as you taught me to use during the three step journey, or by some other type of power or magic, I know not. ::

:: As far as I know, they are nomads, traveling the skies using their airships... ::

:: Huh. Well, I don't have an airship, but I think I get the idea. So, 'technomancer' is a catchall term for a person who uses advanced technology of some sort? Why do technomancers seem to have a monopoly on long-range travel? Are communities just that far away or are there other reasons for that? ::

:: What motivates any people group to prefer one path over another? ::

:: One can speculate from afar, but 'tis only speculation... ::

I mentally nod. :: Alright, time to jump back into my body. :: I try cast my consciousness out of Rose's body and into mine: the reverse of what I did to get into hers.

OOC: More detail, please.  What exactly are you doing to attempt this?  :)

I move about 6 feet away from my body and away from Korax. I sit down in her body and focus on opening my MetaDeep menu. If successful, I exit through the portal and float to my body.

If that doesn't work, I press her head against my head and attempt the same.

You feel...

...

...

... bored...

...

...

... so very bored...

...

...
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Fri 05 Aug 2022.

I get confused.

Can I 'roll an Insight Check' for this?
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Fri 05 Aug 2022.

As you think back, you realize that you have only been able to roam freely to and from your own body when it was not occupied by someone else...
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:43, Fri 05 Aug 2022.

My metaphorical blood goes cold. :: Rose, something or someone might be in my body.::

I attempt to rouse my body. I shove it and shout for it to wake up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:43, Fri 05 Aug 2022.

OOC: Oops, I forgot who was in what body.  Please disregard msg #199 through msg #202.  :o

Now resuming the action in response to your msg #198...

The first method... does not work.

The second method... works!  Placed head-to-head, you feel the magnetic pull of your own body, and after a moment of dizzying disorientation...

You open your eyes, back in your own body.  :)

I blink my eyes and feel myself from my head down to my legs.

Assuming everything seems in place, I say out loud: "Alright, is everyone back in their respective bodies?"

Rose nods, her dimple flashing.

"I am here, Christopher Chosen.  It is well, but it seems... slower... to speak aloud."

Korax tilts his head slightly, and caws affirmatively.  Interestingly, you can understand the meaning via your link to Korax, and you can also understand the meaning via your link to Rose (since she speaks his language)...

I change to telepathy. :: Would you prefer telepathy? ::

She considers, and nods.

:: I already know how to talk, but my telepathy could use some practice... ::

Korax tilts his head as well.

:: My cawing is more limited, and my telepathy could also use some practice... ::

:: Alright then. :: I get up and stand.

:: Shall we continue our walk? ::

She meets your gaze meaningfully, and solemnly nods.

Then she stands and smiles, her dimple flashing.

:: It is well, Christopher Chosen.  Lead on.  We now truly share this path together... ::

Korax stretches his wings, and lands upon your shoulder.

:: Yes... now we flock together... ::

A quote from my favorite movie flashes through my mind. :: "Apes together strong. That is a quote from my favorite movie. A 'movie', by the way, is a form of entertainment similar to an anime. The only difference is that the images were generally captured... er... created directly from the source rather than drawn. Additionally, movies were generally longer than anime. By the way, why am I leading? If we're in the faelands, shouldn't you be leading? :: I refer to Rose in the last sentence.

Her eyes dance merrily.

:: Where does a path lead, Christopher Chosen?  In human lands, the answer is fixed before the first step is taken.  In faerie lands, the answer depends upon who leads the way.  Are you not the Chosen? ::

My own eyes sparkle at this. :: Reeeeaaallly? :: I draw out the syllables to demonstrate interest. :: In that case... :: I close my eyes and begin pointing in random direction. :: Eeny meeny miney... That way! :: I point in a random direction.

As we begin to walk, I pose another question. :: I have been meaning to ask this Rose: what is it that you and the other fae hope to gain from a Chosen? It might help me get a feel for the general state of the world from the fae perspective. ::

To GM: I thought that I had asked this question already, but I couldn't find the answer or the question despite combing through the previous posts.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:55, Fri 10 June 2022.

She considers thoughtfully.

:: Those who are Chosen are often heralds of great change, and have a hand in shaping that change. ::

:: It is well for us to have earlier knowledge of what these changes may be, and to have greater influence in how it is shaped. ::

As you walk, you notice that the colors around you seem slightly more vibrant than before...

:: Hmm... So the fae are mostly interested in 'seeing what happens'? ::

I then notice the vibrancy of the colors. :: What's happening to the colors? ::

:: Not just seeing, but shaping.  We know not what change a given Chosen heralds, but we know that change must be upon us if a Chosen has come.  It is well to have eyes and ears and voice where and when choices are chosen... ::

Her dimple flashes as you comment upon the colors.

:: Ah, you already see the colors of the faerie lands, even with so few steps upon the path thus far.  Perhaps our bond attunes you more quickly.  It is well... ::

:: Colors of the faerie lands? What do they mean? Do they mean anything? ::

She considers thoughtfully.

:: I perceive glimpses of your memories of the path that brought you to this world.  The transitions were... abrupt, and the changes were drastic. ::

:: As you traverse into faerie lands, the transition is much more gradual, and the veil separating faerie lands from human lands is thinner than the veil separating this world from your previous world, for example. ::

:: You perceive the gradual changes in colors, so you are aware that the path you walk is gradually leading you to a different place altogether... ::

I look in the direction that the path is leading us to.

The path soon forks.  The path to the left looks a bit sandier, with the trees starting to thin.  The path to the right looks greener, bringing you deeper into the forest...

"Hmm... I'm sensing a visual metaphor here. Any idea what it means, Rose?" Does the sandy path give me the sense of barrenness or does it seem simply like a different biome? To a scientist like me, a sandy area may not seem barren, but who knows what it may look like to an average person or to a fae.

Her dimple flashes as her eyes dance merrily.

"These are the choices before you on the path you have chosen, Christopher Chosen.  What destination do you seek?"

It looks like a choice between biomes...

"Hmm..." I contemplate my options. There isn't anything that makes me overwhelmingly favor one over the other. As a result, I begin guessing and second guessing my choices. On the one hand, the forest path might be more ingratiating to fae, but how would I actually know that? On the other hand, I do generally prefer having less obstructed field of view with a bit more warmth and light.

With all this in mind, I choose the sandier path. "Let's go that way." I say while pointing in the direction of the sandier path.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Sun 28 Aug 2022.

She nods, following as you lead the way down the sandier path.

"This is your chosen path, Christopher Chosen, so you are the one to answer that question.  Any idea what it means?"

"Answer that question? I have a feeling that this choice is some sort of visual metaphor for something. As for what that is... I don't know. I did choose it because I prefer more warmth, light, and an unobstructed view, but I am not sure if that is relevant."

"Everything is relevant in your chosen path, Christopher Chosen."

The trees are more sparse as you progress, walking slightly uphill.

The path begins to climb more steeply.  Although the ground is sandier, the breeze isn't as hot or dry as you might have expected...

"Hmm... I must confess that I have not figured out what that is supposed to mean yet."

As we walk, I look around and try to take in my surroundings in greater detail. As we climb higher, I pay special attention to what the areas below and behind us look like. Perhaps some clues will reveal themselves from a higher vantage point.

You press on, thankful for your stair-running stamina as you ascend on the trail.

When you look back, the trail behind you fades into mist after some distance, preventing a panoramic view.

But when you get to the top of the trail before you, you have an impressive view indeed.

You are at the top of a cliff, with a panoramic view of the sea below.

At some distance further along the top of the cliff, you see some type of city or town.

Approaching the town from high above the water is an airship of some kind...
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:58, Sat 22 July 2023.

I marvel at the interesting scenery and, upon seeing the town and airship, I ask Rose, "Rose, what is that town over there? Do the fae have airships? What do they use them for?"

She stops suddenly as she gazes upon the scene before them, then turns with wide-eyed wonder to you.

"So your chosen path has brought us to the technomancers..."

Korax stirs, looking with interest at the brisk updrafts wafting from the cliff...

Several pieces fall into place to create a hypothesis, and my eyes grow wide at the possibilities.

"Rose! Are we in a different world or is this some sort realm within the fae lands?" I ask with excitement.

She considers your query thoughtfully for a few moments.

"Your experiences give your words a variety of possible meanings."

"You did not have to die to arrive here."

"You have traversed a path through fae lands to arrive here, but that was the journey, not the destination."

"Then again, is the fae realm a part of this world, or is this world a part of the fae realm, or something else entirely?"

"Few are they that truly understand such matters."

Korax takes flight, catching an updraft from the cliff...

I ponder what she says. "Hmm... So... I guess that means that all I can say for sure, is that we went from one place to another. Are we in the same wo... Umm... How should I phrase this? Is it theoretically possible, even if not practical, to travel from where we are now to where we started from without going through the fae lands?"

She considers for a few moments.

"I know not.  I have not been here before.  You led the way by the path you chose."

"Are all fae as 'go with the flow' as you are, Rose?" I smile teasingly.

Her dimple flashes as she smiles, eyes dancing, before turning more serious.

"We usually lead the way.  But I believe in you, Christopher Chosen."

I smile. "In that case, what do you say we head to that town?" I start off before stopping when I remember something: I know nothing about technomancers. I address Rose, "Umm... Are technomancers friendly? For that matter, what do you know about them?"

She considers the query with a thoughtful expression.

"The peoples of this world dwell largely apart from one another, and our knowledge of other groups is limited.  What can be observed externally from afar is also limited."

"But the technomancers can control technology at will.  Whether they do so by thought, as you taught me to use during the three step journey, or by some other type of power or magic, I know not."

"As far as I know, they are nomads, traveling the skies using their airships."

"This is what I have heard about them.  But this is the first time that I have actually seen them with my own eyes."

"Well then, time to find out what they're like for ourselves, I suppose. They sound like an interesting bunch." I start off in the direction of the town while looking around for Korax. "I really hope that I don't accidentally insult someone's mom just by strolling in." I remark wryly.

Regardless of whether or not I manage to spot Korax directly, I contact him via telepathy, :: Hey, Korax. Could you do some scouting of the way ahead and the town? Stay within telepathy range, though. And make sure that you keep yourself safe. ::
This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Sun 23 July 2023.

When you make telepathic contact with Korax, you feel a momentary twinge of dizziness as your eyes observe him gliding upward via a sudden updraft, and an echo of his exhilaration.

:: Yes, I would be happy to scout ahead.  These air currents are lovely... ::

You walk toward the town as the airship approaches.  At this rate, you estimate that you will arrive at the town around the same time as the airship...