![[previous]](gu-prev.gif){kind=small}
![[next]](gu-next.gif){kind=small}
Back to the index.
Zack, Arielle, Aramek (currently appearing to be about three years old and calling himself Fred), and Auricle are in the White Dragon, a travelling breakfast bistro. Minmea is in the back.
Arielle introduces Zack to (her) Julian, who replies with, "Good to meet you, my friend" This Julian looks a lot like a male Ivy.
Next she introduces Zack to Mason, a man who looks like Steven Segall. She introduces another person as Julian, as well.
They anguish over breakfast. It's terrible.
The Julian here is actually effected by the coffee, whereas Zack is not, even though this Julian seems to be Real.
Some of the members of the "breakfast club" say that they left to "rescue" Arielle, and are returning to Omega before class. Since she just walked right in, they can easily return in time for homeroom. Arielle worries about missing homeroom, but says that the others should return to Amber. Oops - They've reached Omega by now.
Arielle: "You can't just walk around here, because if they catch you, they'll sentence you".
Zack: "They'll have to catch me, first".
Arielle: "They caught us. All of us"
Julian: "...and they caught me, too, and I is... was... pretty powerful. ...I was a bit rude".
Arielle: "...regardless, if you're caught, you'll be sentenced, and then you won't be able to leave".
They discuss sentences. It seems that most of them received three-year sentences.
Zack: "If a day here is a week in Amber, then I'd rather not be here for three years."
Trumps work within Omega, but not to places outside Omega.
Benedict, Random, and his wife are here as well. Benedict is an instructor, so he has special privileges. However, he can't leave, either.
They consider having Benedict write Zack a pass. Julian pulls out a trump of Benedict, concentrates briefly, and says that Benedict is willing to write Zack a pass for the day.
Arielle: "If you don't have a pass, and you're a student, you get punished. If you don't have a pass, and you aren't a student, you get sentenced. If you have a pass, and you aren't a student, you can go to class."
Cthulu teaches sorcery here. His class is full.
Aramek: "Just what kind of classes are taught here?"
Arielle: "What do you want to learn?"
Arielle lists a wide variety of subjects that are taught here.
Zack mentions that a course in psionics sounds useful.
Aramek asks what other Amberites exist, and Julian gets slightly pissy. Not pissy at all for our Julian, but somewhat pissy.
Aramek and Zack seem interested in staying here for a bit and attending class. Aramek is interested in acquiring a year-long pass. Julian trumps Benedict, and pulls a few one-day passes through.
Aramek: "What was that?"
Arielle: "A trump."
Aramek: "They're communication _and_ transport?"
Aramek is uncertain about being sentenced to being here, but seems interested in learning a bit before leaving.
Minmea comes out, shooes everyone out for classes.
Arielle asks Minmea for a uniform, Zack conjures one for her, then conjures a tiny one with footies for Aramek.
Aramek thanks Arielle for her "tender minstrations"
The door bursts open, and Sledgehammer comes in, waving his gun.
Arielle: "Everyone duck!"
Sledgehammer: "I heard that you have unauthorized power in here! You'll be late for class! And the two of you (glaring at Zack and Auricle) aren't in uniform!"
Zack brings up an illusion of uniforms for Auricle and himself.
Sledgehammer: "Much better! Hey - do I smell breakfast?"
They cross a well-groomed campus, enter the building as the bell rings. The homeroom teacher puts them all on report as they enter for being late. There's a smear on the wall with a frame around it. Arielle mutters that they shouldn't look at it, and that the smear used to be alive.
Zack sees someone called Vinnie talking to two large humans in the back. Vinnie refers to them as "the boys". There is an odd assortment of people here - lots of non-ape based humaniform, and a large number of cartoons and japanime. Everyone is fairly young here, about fifteen or so.
Theraat, Cathryn, Flora, and Benedict are standing in the center of the Pattern.
Cathryn asks Flora if the Pattern can send her to where she belongs. Flora says that that was her idea. Benedict asks about his daughter - Flora says, "In time, dear. Why don't you ask the Pattern to send you there?" Benedict concentrates, there is a flash of translocation, and the four are in the middle of a city. There are many different races living here, wearing widely varying clothing styles. They seem to get along well, with no tinge of fear or wonderment, which would imply that they're used to working together.
Cathryn notices a tension in the air that doesn't fit into the architecture. Benedict's sword becomes a dagger, and he tucks it into his shirt, concealing it well, and rolls up the sleeves of his shirt. Flora and Benedict have a low-voiced conversation while walking towards the mall, and their clothing changes as they walk. Flora is complaining about Benedict taking them with him, and Benedict protests his ignorance.
Cathryn interrupts them and asks how she is supposed to get home. Benedict says that she can walk through shadow, and Cathryn interrupts with, "No, to my Chaos".
Benedict: "Well, someone else can just walk the Pattern, and we can try it again".
Cathryn: "You Amberites seem to walk the Pattern every other day".
Benedict: "It's not that trivial of an undertaking."
Cathryn: "Is there a problem?"
Benedict: "There appears to be".
It's a very strange mall. There are things here that appear to be beyond the tech level of the inhabitants. This is unusual.
Lots of people are eating lunch here. Theraat suggests getting some food.
Cathryn's Trumps are cold, unlike before the time warp. No Logrus here. She tells Benedict that she cannot bring up the Logrus here and he responds that he can shift to the extent of changing his clothing, but that's about it. He hopes that some food will help him recharge.
They head to food.
Malachai and Serena finish their foray. They go to get food, and head to that Chinese restaurant. It's gone.
Serena: "So, that means we need to find them to take them home?"
Malachai: "They seemed to think that they were already home."
Serena: "That bush looks comfortable."
Malachai tries Zack's trump, it's blocked. They take advantage of the bush again, and when Serena is asleep afterwards, Malachai looks around.
Morgan notices Arielle arrive, along with three others that he doesn't recognize, one of whom is a three year old in a uniform with little footies.
Morgan walks over towards Aramek and asks Arielle if it's safe - if the administration notices the kid, they'll send him to Omega kindergarden.
Arielle: "He has a pass."
Morgan: "Good. Have you eaten yet?"
Arielle: "No."
Morgan materializes food for Arielle, then Aramak. Aramek's food is the still-living innards of something.
The boys here are in shorts, shirts, and string ties. The girls are in blouses, and short versions of japanimation-skirts - effectively pleated belts. Arielle is the only female here with a slightly longer than standard skirt.
They kids pick on each other; someone rips someone else's arm off in retaliation for an attempted shooting; they both go on report and are sent to the principal's office. People comment on how quiet homeroom is today.
Classes happen.
They all go to lunch at the White Dragon. However, the doors are shut, and Sledgehammer is sitting out in front and writing passes for people. Sledge says that the White Dragon is closed - a professor closed it when he shot something... He's writing passes so people can go to the mall in Omega city for lunch.
They head to the mall for lunch.
Nina takes off with her gold card, Jubilee takes off, Nick is babysitting, Caine and Penny are heading to the music video store. John and Julian are around Arielle.
Zack spots Cathryn, Flora, and a Benedict with a silver arm eating at a nearby table.
Zack tries to sit away from the other Amberite party, but Julian suggests they eat with the others, so Aramek can meet some other Amberites. Zack says that he doesn't want to meet the others. Zack and Arielle trade trumps. Zack asks Auricle and "Fred" if they want to join him or stay here. Aramek decides to stay here for a bit, and Auricle wants to go shopping in a bit to replenish her lab.
Zack does his farewells. Aramek salutes Zack, and it looks familiar to Zack, and he chains together the past several Aramek-shapes.
Cathryn and Theraat notice a somewhat dangerous-looking pack of people moving towards them.
Cathryn recognizes a slightly-different Julian in the front of the mob -- there's no cockiness in his walk, and there's a favor at his belt. The blonde one looks competant and somewhat introspectively-mystical. The indian fellow looks physically dangerous, and is carrying a big gun. There are bits of blonde hair flashing from the middle of the mob, and there's a little kid tottling along as well. The person in the center seems to be in tactical command.
Cathryn looks at Benedict, and he raises his eyebrow and says, "I'll ask my brother when he arrives." Flora talks to the people around them, and they leave, clearing up several tables around them.
Arielle greets Flora, and Flora responds politely. This Flora doesn't recognize her - she's just being friendly.
Julian says to Arielle, "Maybe they're Shadows"
Julian introduces the mob. Julian is familiar with House Jesby. Benedict is still evaluating the situation. He seems somewhat put-off, especially since this Julian is actually being nice to Cathryn.
Julian: "Ah. You must know one of my less-well-cut Shadows."
Theraat: "Shadows?"
Cathryn: "I am acquainted with alternate yous, not Shadows."
Julian hits on Cathryn. Cathryn asks if she can take him home with her.
Julian: "This is a prison. I'm For what crime? Being indecent - indecently in love."
Theraat: "Sir - may I ask what control you have over Shadows?"
Cathryn says that she just walked the pattern, has some strange ideas about Shadows. Julian tries to explain about the power that Amberites have over Shadows.
Theraat stands up and draws her weapon, a big staff.
Cathryn and Julian try to convince Theraat that she is acting precipitously.
Theraat: "Flora - could you advise me?"
Flora: "Try the pepperoni, the onions will give you gas."
Aramek: "Kill him."
Arielle covers Aramek's mouth.
Julian: "There is no Amber here, that's part of the problem."
Cathryn turns to Benedict and says, "You took us to a prison realm?" Benedict turns to Flora and says, "You're in charge", and walks off with Julian to talk.
Flora turns to Cathryn, and says that they'll just have to wait until they return. However, she doesn't appear very happy with the prospect of just waiting, either.
Zack tries to trump Malachai and fails this shadow is blocked against external trump contacts. Zack tries to open a Faerie gate and succeeds. The Faerie gate sets off an alarm and mall guards start converging on him. He goes through the gate and closes it behind him, and the guards collide.
Zack is in a small, maybe new-englandish town.
Zack tries to open a Faerie gate to Amber, decides that he can't really do it from here. He starts walking, hears howls from behind him - werebeasts charging towards him. Zack shifts shape and joins the mob. There are few creatures of Faerie in the mob, most are humans, shadow-people. Zack works his way to the back of the crowd and one of the werebeasts moves back with him. "Ah, Prince Wry. I haven't seen you in a long time". They chat. The queen is not well, and is feeling sorry for herself. Zack asks, "What's going on here?" "We're doing a mob scene - they're going to kill someone". "The vacations didn't work out?" "The town was going mad, so we moved it here so they could trash it without destroying the town." "Why?" "I don't understand the ways of mortals."
They mob is going to tear apart seven kids. Zack catches back up with the mob, moves to the front of the mob. There are seven, fairly scruffy-looking kids running for their lives in front of the mob. One is being carried by another. Zack creates an illusion of himself tearing one of the kids to shreds, grabs him, and ducks aside. The other kids get torn apart, and the mob then turns on itself. Zack throws the kid over his shoulder and heads down an alley out of town.
Malachai has rested a bit, wakes Serena. She stretches, grins, and then stretches some more since Malachai was watching her first stretch appreciatively. They chain the extra horses together and head out across Shadow to a place to bathe. When they get out of the pool, they notice Dapple sleeping on the saddle of the front horse. Serena and Dapple have an enthusiastic reunion. They head to a nice place to leave the horses. They travel on to Tazik's.
Tazik is trying to pry open a green cage with a series of linked levers and failing. She asks if Malachai has notched his sword again, and he responds that he's here to repay a debt for Ingold. "Ah, the obnoxious one." She prepares to leave, closing up her forge and shop, and leaves a neatly calligraphied note stating that she is on vacation and that visitors should not wait for her to return.
Tazik is unfamiliar with the concept of using horses as mounts. Malachai tries to explain, and introduces Tazik to Bucephalus.
Malachai: "Where do you want to go?"
Tazik: "Let's start with a place where water doesn't have to be pumped from underground."
Malachai: "Let's go to an ocean"
Tazik: "What is ocean?"
Malachai: "It's better seen than described."
Tazik is startled at the visible changes during the first shadow-shift. Malachai explains the basics of shadow and shifting shadow, and demonstrates by heading back to where her shop would be in her home shadow, and Tazik pokes around a bit determining that it isn't there.
Malachai shifts over a dune, and they are overlooking an ocean. Tazik charges off into the ocean and starts playing with the water. When she removes her clothes, it becomes apparent that she isn't quite human.
Malachai sets up camp; they rest there. The next morning, Tazik mentions that she isn't quite comfortable with the concept of vacation. "Let's explore..." Malachai takes her to different places.
Arielle asks Theraat if she is a member of the Amberite royal family. Theraat says that she will defer to Flora's judgement on that matter, and Cathryn answers affirmatively, summarizing the dagger-throwing scene when Theraat was recognized during the recent formal court.
Cathryn, Arielle, and Theraat have a discussion about shadows. They try to straighten her out. Blonde Julian sets up an illusion and tries to visually describe Shadows, calling them dimensions, and explains that they are referring to a dimensions as Shadows, whereas she is referring to creatures as Shadows. They discuss the natures of Shadow, and start discussing the Mathematics of Shadow 101.
Arielle and Cathryn chat about Omega.
Blonde Julian briefly explains sorcery and magic to Theraat
Penny and Caine (a big guy that looks like Gerard with a hangover, wearing a big hat), approach the group. They subtly bother Theraat, and she moves to interpose herself between Caine and Penny, and Cathryn and "the math geek". Cathryn and Arielle try to convince Theraat to not start a fight with her friends. Theraat is really, really bothered by Penny on a fundamental level.
Arielle introduces Penny and Caine to Cathryn. Cathryn shakes Caine's hand, and decides not only that she couldn't take him, but that he might even be able to take out Benedict.
Theraat moves to be on the opposite side of Caine from Penny, and Caine deals her into a hand of cards.
Theraat continues talking theoretical math with Blonde Julian.
At one point in the math conversation, Theraat mentions Suhuy's name.
Cathryn: "How do you know Suhuy? He's the Logrus-Master!"
Theraat: "He's my math teacher"
Theraat describes Cathryn's Suhuy. They argue briefly about the importance of math conversations. Theraat asks Cathryn to explain the Logrus.
Cathryn: "Suhuy taught you and he didn't mention the Logrus?"
Theraat: "So Logrus is a noun?"
Theraat asks Cathryn: "So, tell me more about this logrus-thing"
Flora: "Suhuy keeps it"
Theraat: "He keeps it chained up?"
Flora: "It keeps him chained up"
Cathryn: "No, no, no. She just walked the Pattern, we need to start with basics."
Theraat: "Oh, the thing with the lines?"
Flora gives a short summary of the poles of power. Theraat is confused, and appears to be having a moral dilemma reconciling her worldview of order v chaos with the interactions between Patten and Logrus creating Shadow. Cathryn tries to sum up. Pattern, Logrus, Ripples creating Shadow, Real vs Shadow.
Blonde Julian says that they should get back to class. Theraat says that she would like to stay in touch; Blonde Julian asks for a lock of her hair. She is about to give him one, but is then talked out of it by Cathryn and, finally, Blonde Julian himself.
Theraat asks what they were sentenced for. In unison, "Being indecent" "Then I know how to get in touch with you" "It's not worth it."
They toddle off to class.
Cathryn tries to explain Shadow to Theraat as they wait for Benedict to finish talking with Julian.
After hibernating for several months as a moss, Ilkandacian awakens. He shifts into a badger-like form and goes to find food. He feeds in a cafeteria-like area, where people are seated around a circular table where one piece of the circle is interrupted by the kitchen, from which plates covered with food is expelled and into which empty plates return.
After eating, Ilk wanders down to his host's magical lab. Work is being done there. There is a three-dimensional shadow gate open, overlapping multiple places. The badgers are using it for commerce.
Ilk wanders off, finds a place where he won't disturb anyone, shields it from magical interference or from causing magical interference, and starts twiddling magically, concentrating on meta-spell research.
His host shows up, and they chat briefly. Ilk asks his host if he knows anything about meta-spells, reverse lynchpins, or healing. He doesn't know meta-spells, but knows basic healing. He offers to teach Ilkandacian magical healing, but won't have enough time to do it right before the Gathering next week. He asks if Ilk is interested in a formal apprenticeship or just dabbling.
Ilkandacian offers his services to his host to express his gratitude for the hospitality. The host contemplates asking Ilk to help fry the birds that prey on his people when they go aboveground, but doesn't give in to temptation, on the grounds that if the Great Maker arrived, he might be upset. Ilk considers setting up a shield to prevent the birds from attacking the badgers, but concludes that it would take a month or so to complete, and decides to punt. His host asks him if he is interested in marriage and he declines, stating that he isn't interested in settling down and marrying for at least another few hundred years.
Ilk offers to take his host on a brief journey. His host initially declines, stating pressing duties, but finally agrees that he could spend ten minutes or so away. Ilk teleports them to a place with crystal hills where the sun heats the crystals asymmetrically and the temperature differentials can be magically tapped, and then to an asteroid in a high-tech shadow where a space battle is taking place. Ilk studies the tech in this place -- it's extremely advanced, and worth returning to examine in more detail at a later time. The asteroid only has a thin atmosphere, so Ilk leaves the gate open to supply oxygen for his host and shifts gills across the length of his body. His host stares at the battle, mouth agape, for the duration of their stay.
On their return, his host checks around with a few probing spells to make sure that everything is the same as before they left, then repeats his attempts more emphatically to convince Ilk to marry his daughter. Ilk declines again, and the host asks him how many generations from now he will be back in the area, and Ilk says that he cannot predict that accurately, since time rates vary in different places.
He introduces Ilkandacian to his daughter anyway, as a potential suitor for one of her decendents, and then excuses himself to prepare for the Gathering. She is convinced that Ilk is a suitor, until he demonstrates shapeshifting and explains the ramifications of variable timestreams and extreme longevity. He then takes her to the blue-crystal shadow, and she is thrilled - at the cross-shadow teleport, not the different shadow. She studies the spell, then teleports them back, with Ilk running override.
A week passes. Ilk teaches her cross-shadow magic, she teaches him basic healing and how to construct that three-dimensional shadow gate, and they learn together some other magical tidbits that are mostly irrelevant to a Logrus-sorcerer, such as drawing power from differential timerates.
Back to the index.