Thieves

[beshackled]

Sender: Erichthonios
To: Everyone
Subject: Avaricious harriers

Pray tell, has anyone else been having trouble with small creatures attempting to make off with your belongings?

They are getting to be remarkably b----

[The b terminates in a long, curved line, as though the writer was startled in the middle of writing.

Sometime later...]

brazen.

Comments

sender: ereshkigal

[queenofkur]

I have yet to encounter such entities.

If they exist however, they must be dealt with immediately.

[beshackled]

They are but minor annoyances, although I admit persistent ones in my case. When they did not succeed the first time, they simply tried again.

One could almost admire their diligence in working, were it not directed towards taking that which does not belong to them.

Sender: G'raha

[crystalized_hope]

I'm managing, but I think I should ask you if you need assistance. Is everything okay?

[beshackled]

Each time I feel a tug there are yet more of them. T'would seem they are bound and determined to have the crystal my father gave me, though for what reason, they have been disinclined to tell.

[crystalized_hope]

They have become quite the pests, haven't they? I wonder how much stuff we'll discover when we find them and their stash. Surely there must be a reason for it.

[beshackled]

I agree. Else they would have moved on by now. Fortunately, I do not walk about without the crystal secured to me.

[crystalized_hope]

It does seem very important. It would be good to keep an eye on it, lest they wander off with it. How have you been fairing otherwise? Nothing amiss, I hope.

1/2

[queenofkur]

Why would anyone do that? As this is a dream realm, no physical possessions are of any importance here.

A moment please, I'm hearing something.

2/2

[queenofkur]

[ After a five minutes delay: ]

Someone ran away with my cage!

I tried sending an attack at them but they avoided it.

Why would anyone do that?

Sender: Naoya

[crouching_sin]

Yes, I have. Fortunately what they stole from me isn't the most urgent of matters, but I do wonder what's gotten them in the thieving mood.

[beshackled]

Unofrtunately, I do not know. They were not forthcoming with answers when I asked.

Was anything contained within the cage?

[beshackled]

Other than a small misunderstanding resulting in temporary inebriation some weeks ago, I am well. I have been more careful since then.

And what of yourself? I have not seen you since the storyeater's attack. How have you fared since then?

Re: Sender: Naoya

[beshackled]

As do I, though I am sorry to learn that you have lost something to them.

Mayhap it can be retrieved once their hiding place has been discovered.

[crouching_sin]

I'll retrieve it. Or I'll send my cousin, who has a way with such creatures - at least in our home world. I'm not certain if it'll work here.

Either way, I'm not too bothered about it, but I would like to recover it before any damage comes to it. If you see where they're hiding, it would be good to let people know.

[crystalized_hope]

This place will teach you to be a bit more cautious at times.

[Even though he wrote this, he couldn't help but chuckle a little on his end.]

I have been well enough. I

[The writing stopped for a moment. Perhaps out of hesitance to admit it.]

may have pushed my limits too hard during the battle. So as not to incur the wrath of my wife, I took some time to recover my dreamotion.

[But to be fair, it was for an important cause, so he definitely did not regret it.]

[beshackled]

I am in much the same situation.

Well, aside from having a wife to incur the wrath of. There is a good fellow here who has been kind enough to linger a while when I am not at my best, though I admit, 'tis a bit embarrassing to need the looking after.

Are there ways of replenishing dreamotion other than dreaming? I sleep so much I miss out on a great deal of what goes on, and there are little ones and mayhaps one or two others I would like to look in on.

Yourself included, if you ever find yourself wanting for visitors.

[beshackled]

Does this mean you have mended your relationship with your family?

[He remembers that little note about difficult decisions and family being involved from their prior exchange.]

[crystalized_hope]

[He couldn't help but chuckle upon reading the first sentence.]

It's probably for the better. I'm not the best at taking care of myself sometimes, so she ensures I am well enough. Sometimes, when I would like otherwise. I know it's because she cares.

[Sorry, he can go on and on about Madhuri. But at least he's getting back to the point.]

Sleep is an excellent way to recover your dreamotion, but not using it as frequently until you're good to go is likely the best way to feel better. You're always welcome to come over when you'd like. All you have to do is ask.

[crouching_sin]

Somewhat. It's a bit complicated, but the him here is not the same one I know. It's as if there are different timelines - one where he followed my ideas, and one where he did not.

So yes in that sense. No in the sense that it's not the same one. But he's close enough to still nag me about eating properly.

[beshackled]

How unusual! I have met another from the same star as I am from, but a different time from my own, but none that I can confirm to be from a parallel timeline!

Still, you should take heart. That your family from one timeline has mended things with you is surely a sign that your relationship is reparable in your own.

[crouching_sin]

It would be nice if that were the case. I suppose we will find out eventually, once I wake up.

I'd like him to see sense, I really would.

[queenofkur]

Mana. I store a little bit of mana every day in the cage, until it is full. Then I can use it as an energy source or a massive attack should the need arise.

It was full.

[beshackled]

[That... sounds like it could cause trouble, if not a great amount of harm in uncareful hands. The next is hastily written, as he is already rising from his seat.]

We must find it quickly.

[queenofkur]

I have lost sight of the thief. However, please do not worry. The lock should hold.

My cages are designed to hold the souls of the dead. I have designed multiple security measures to prevent unwanted intrusion from the inside or outside. Likewise the cages are very resistant, as their integrity is fundamental of the stored souls. The stolen cage shared the same design even if used for a different purpose.

all the encouragement here

[beshackled]

And yet you care for him even though he yet does not in your eyes.

[At least, that is how Erichthonios interprets the words thus far exchanged between them.]

The foundation is there. All that remains is to build upon it.