WillGM: Last scene last game, everyone was together at Nicole's house in Sacramento. At the moment, the only hard future plan that has been made is that Liriel needs to go into San Francisco to meet with a friend at the Golden Gate Park Tether to Flowers. It's about two weeks to Christmas. WillGM: Any intentions for further on this evening? WillGM: -------------------- Game Start ----------------------- Ellis: Since I don't know what happened at the end of last sesh... WillGM: Basically, the gang has flown to Sacramento, since that's apparently where Liriel's instincts led him to begin. They're nominally here to collect Liriel and keep him from being a pain to Nicole's parents. Ellis: Okee. WillGM: Liriel stands. "I wish to thank you for your hospitality, Mr. and Mrs. Hollister, Nicole. It is probably best if I leave with those of my friends who have arrived to my aid." Nicole nods, and watches her folks. WillGM: "It was our pleasure. Stop by again if you ever need to." "Yes, your performance last night was beautiful. It's been wonderful to have you." Nicole grins. WillGM: "I know that the holiday is a long-awaited opportunity to see your daughter... but I was wondering if she might accompany us to San Francisco tomorrow. I would be honored and perhaps aided by her presence." WillGM: "... Nicole? Do you want to go?" Nicole: "If you guys wouldn't mind, Mom. I'll be back for Christmas, I know that's important." WillGM: "Oh! So we're talking about a week or two, rather than a day trip?" Nicole: "I don't think it'll be that long..." Ellis glances at Liriel. "We should be able to check back tomorrow with firm plans for what we're doing..." Nicole: "But it might be a few days." WillGM: "Well... you can go where you want to, honey. We'll miss you terribly, of course, but we do all the rest of the year." He smiles wryly. "If you're home for Christmas and New Year's, that would be great." Nicole: "That was part of the plan all along." WillGM: "I would not want to part someone from their family during the holidays. Some truths are more important than others." Nicole grins. "Being home for Christmas, I mean." WillGM: "I guess we can be by to pick you up tomorrow, then." Edward smiles and nods at appropriate moments and doesn't currently feel a need to enter the conversation. Nicole: "Okay. You guys have my cell number, and I'll ring you when I get there." WillGM: Nicole: that addressed to your parents? Nicole: Da. WillGM: Everybody nods in general agreement, and makes ready to go. Liriel exchanges stiff politenesses with Nicole's parents, and in saying good evening to Nicole, leans over and whispers in her ear, "Do not fear parting overlong. The Grail Quest does not give up on someone before they give up on the Quest." WillGM: The camera follows the group exiting Nicole's house for the night. At a random point on the way back to lodgings, Ed's cellphone rings. Edward: (number recognized?) WillGM: Yes, Fulmeniel's. Edward: (that's programmed into my cell anyways. :)) Edward: "Nanu nanu?" WillGM: "... Right. Mr. Wong?" Edward: "One and the same. How's life?" WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 8. WillGM: "I am well, thank you. I have good news. My report on your usage of the Role Analyzer has made its way through the testing system. Orc, Angel of Networks, sends his personal congratulations on your performance, and asks you to convey these to your fellows." Edward: "High praise indeed. I'll pass it on." WillGM: "Higher praise awaits. He has also seen my report of your apparent development of Symphonic Awareness, and has requested that you be moved from Disturbance monitor to one of his own underlings. The Archangel has approved the request, if you agree." Edward blinks. "That's an interesting offer. Sounds cool. I'm not near Philly at the moment, though, and it may be some time before I'm back in town... Unless he can meet me in SF." WillGM: "Yes, Marmarath had told me you were on the other side of the country. What you suggest is in fact possible, if you have the time for a short detour. I would prefer not to explicitly state the location over the phone, but if you have an opportunity to log in to Lightningnet you will find the closest Tether. I will make arrangements for the necessary meeting." Edward nods. "I can do that." WillGM: "Essentially, the meeting will consist of two components. The Archangel will scan the Tether from afar; his presence will not be required, he merely wishes to confirm that your Force is not Infernal. Orc will be personally present. He will discuss the formalities." Edward nods. "Sounds simple enough." WillGM: "I will email you any necessary details. Allow me to add my personal congratulations, and remind you that I will be available should you need to contact me for any help." Edward: "Much appreciated, and I will." WillGM: "Very well then." *click* WillGM: You are emailed shortly thereafter. It is from Fulmeniel, is titled merely "Time," and has the body "Noon." Edward closes his cell. "That was Fulmeniel. Orc, the Angel of Networks, wants to congratulate us on the work with that role analyser." Edward pulls out his PDA and logs into L-Net to find the location of the nearest Tether. Ellis: "... the Angel of Networks is named Orc?" Edward nods. "Yup." WillGM: As suggested earlier, conveniently Berzerkeley. :^) The Mathematical Science Research Institute to be precise, a gorgeous building set slightly away from the rest of campus, with stunning bay views, dedicated to the pure art. Edward hmms. "How do you folks feel about doing a slight detour tomorrow?" Nicole: on the hill above campus, IIRC. WillGM: Nic: I've heard raves about that building for its serenity and beauty. %^) Nicole: :) WillGM: "I don't mind, I guess. Anywhere's as good as anywhere right now. Detour where?" Edward: "Berkeley. There's a beautiful Tether to Lightning there we might be interested in seeing." WillGM: Frizz brightens slightly. Ellis: "Sounds fine to me." Ellis: brb WillGM: "As long as we make Golden Gate Park sometime that day." Edward: "I've got an appointment at noon. Other than that..." WillGM: You arrive at lodging and the night passes uneventfully. Err... how long is the drive from Sacramento to SF/GoldenGate/Berkeley? Edward: I've no idea. WillGM: Cali people? Ellis: b Ellis: Oh, geez, three hours? Nicole: it's roughly 90 minutes from Davis to Berkeley. Ellis: Oh, well, you'd know better. Nicole: and Davis is 15 minutes or so out of Sacramento. Ellis: It depends on traffic. Nicole: It does. Ellis: It's three hours from *my* place. ;) Ellis: Keep forgetting my geography. Nicole: Yeah, we do the Davis/Berkeley run a lot in my family these days. WillGM: Okay, call it two hours. What do you want to hit first, Golden Gate in the morning or MSRI at noon and Golden Gate in the afternoon? Ellis: I vote for MSRI first. Nicole: Yeah, I would as well. WillGM: Bruce and Frizz are split, and Liriel abstains. Edward: Well, if Liriel's sure whatever we need to be doing at GG will take less than an hour or two, we could go in the morning, but I'd prefer going there after MSRI WillGM: Okay, you pull in to Berkely and drive up the hill to MSRI shortly before noon. Nicole: Will: Berkeley's on 80, so it's just a slight diversion, and then back on the road again. WillGM: The building that stands before you is a beauty in wood and glass, with open, well-lit spaces and people hanging around and walking in the nearby green spaces. WillGM: Bruce, Frizz, Liriel, and Ed all hear the distinctive sound of a Tether, in this case a sort of electric hum that moves up and down the scale, softly but quickly. A hearer begins to suspect that the tone is following a (mathematical, of course) pattern, but one that slips away as one tries to pin it down. WillGM: Liriel begins whistling along with it. WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 12. WillGM: Missing occasionally, but keeping recognizeable accompaniment. :^) Edward listens Edward walks on in WillGM: A pair of slightly balding men pass by you in the hallway talking in Japanese... WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 14. Edward listens idly WillGM: It's about graph theory on surfaces of large genus. Edward: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for Edward (3d6) and gets 15. Edward: .o(.... right. Out of my league.) Edward continues on his way WillGM: One of them listens to Liriel whistling, says he'll meet the other guy later, and turns to the group. WillGM: *in English* "Good morning. Welcome to the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute. Can I help you with anything?" Ellis looks over at Edward. His show. Edward nods. "Yes, actually. My name's Edward Wong; I was told to meet someone here." Nicole hangs back with Greg. WillGM: (I should probably confirm that ya'll picked up Nicole that morning, as agreed.) Edward: (yes, we did) Nicole: (just was making sure.) WillGM: Figured. Carry on. WillGM: "Mine's Arkady." *offers hand* WillGM: (to Ed) Edward shakes. WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 11. WillGM: He smiles. "Ah yes, I've been expecting you. Please, come to my office." He looks over the group. "I'm afraid I won't be able to fit everyone, but the common area is just down that hall -- " he points -- "and it's quite comfortable." Ellis glances over at Nicole. Ellis: "You going to be good, Ed?" Edward nods. "I'm fairly sure." WillGM: "Have you seen the Lord of the Rings trailer yet? I hear the Orcs are going to be quite realistic." WillGM: He waggles his eyebrows at Ed. Nicole looks back at Greg and smiles quietly. Edward nods. "Yeah. Scuttlebut has it they coded up an entire strategy engine to make the army behave realistically as well. Must've been some blazing good coders." Ellis smirks. "All right, just don't start talking about network configuration and forget what you're here for." WillGM: "Please, follow me." He turns and heads down a hall. Edward follows WillGM: Once you're out of earshot, Arkady sighs. "Oy gevalt. L'verfluchter contortions de encontre..." *muttermutter, shifting languages every third wrd or so, basically about the bother with security in public places when online is so much easier to Resonate one's way through* Edward grins. Edward responds in japanese, "Perhaps, but not everyone knows how to ride the Lightning..." WillGM: "As you've doubtless guessed, I'm Orc, Angel of Networks. I've heard good things about your early work." He passes by an office labeled "Arkady Tempelmann" and continues on to a cove in the side overlooking the hill. The theme is stronger here. Edward nods and follows on. Edward grins. "I've heard good things about your early works, as well." WillGM: He quirks an eyebrow. "Good, I was hoping you'd be enthused." He stops. "This is the locus." He checks his watch. "Glad you're on time, Jean hates tardiness. If he keeps to pattern -- and he often does -- there'll be a flash of light, maybe a whiff of ozone, and then we can talk business once he's confirmed you're not Hellsworn." Edward nods. WillGM: There is a brief crackle, and electricity arcs for a moment about some of the metal fixtures in the room. Orc nods and relaxes. "Good, you're not a pile of ashes. That's a pass, then." He sits down. "Please." Edward grins. Edward sits down. Edward twitches only a little at the 'pile of ashes' remark. WillGM: "Once you're working for me, your security rating will be upgraded and you'll have access to some more information on our network. You'll be expected to take orders on a more regular basis, though. I have some pretty wide-ranging responsibilities, but what I can use a staff member at a University for is a few specifics." Edward: "Such as?" WillGM: "One is academics. It's not easy to keep up with fluorishing research in a complete field. I know you're not a doctor, but you have the technical know-how to synopsize a journal series and report in as it comes out. I use these to keep an eye on the state of the art. A second is keeping an eye on your own university's research into underlying technologies." Edward nods. "Shouldn't be a problem." WillGM: "Then there are the slightly shadier parts. Sometimes I need bandwidth, and fast. Penn is on I2. Someone who knows where the cracks in the records are is very useful when I need to use that. In the future, it will probably move commercial, but right now we're still in the research phase, and the logs do get perused." He eyes you. "Are you okay with providing cover when it's needed?" Edward nods. "I can deal with that. Preferably with at least some advance warning, and if I'm cleared for it, the specifics why." WillGM: Orc nods. "I do when I can. If you're good with that, anything else will probably be okay and we can deal with it on the fly. Now, to formalize things I usually hand out a Rite. However, Fulmeniel didn't mention that you'd received any training in Essence Control yet?" Edward: "Not so far, no. I've been busy." WillGM: "Then it'll *really* be a formality. But it might help with training." He closes his eyes and focuses for a moment, then reaches out to touch your hand. "Think about the Penn network. Think about its structure. Visualize it in your mind. Picture yourself taking care of it. Protecting it. Improving it. Think of the fulfilled feeling you get when you've done this well." Edward smiles. Not a hard thing to imagine. Ellis: "Pretend you're a tree." "Okay, I'm pretending." "No, you're not. You're pretending to pretend because you think it'll get me to stop asking you to do stupid things. It won't." WillGM: ... Interesting. Is that a quote? Ellis: Yeah, from something I wrote a few years back. Edward: Yes, but I can't place it right away... WillGM: It sounds almost exactly like I'd think of an elder mage teaching a younger one mental discipline... or maybe a pair of actors. Edward takes a breath, then relaxes, mind flowing almost instantly into sysadmin mode... Ellis: Will: It's a Californian mage teaching an uptight FBI agent how to ground and center. ;) WillGM: He pauses a moment, and opens his eyes. "It's done. If you deliberately engage in such work -- on any network, though, not just the Penn network -- with the intent of engaging in a ritual intended to reinvigorate your spirit, after two hours of this activity you will receive a measure of Essence. This is my Rite. Congratulations, you're official." Edward comes back to himself again. "Thanks.² WillGM: Orc blinks and yawns. "Ouph. Not an easy thing to do. Easier when I'm holding an angel's Heart in my hand..." He sees a passing prof and cuts off. "Well. I'll get in touch with you via your contact information in the personnel database the next time I need you." Edward grins. "My pager number's in there. I'll look forward to it." WillGM: He nods, and hurries off to catch up to the passing doctor, chatting with him in English about the fellow's latest paper on twisted Huffman coding. Edward heads back to the group. Nicole looks up at Ed. "How'd it go?" Edward: "Pretty well." Ellis: "So nothing to worry about?" Edward: "Nothing new, at least." WillGM: Frizz looks up from intently studying a quail on the ground outside through the glass. "Golden Gate, then?" Edward: "Sounds good." Ellis: "Sure." WillGM: As you begin heading out, Orc comes up to Ed. "One more thing before you go. It was so odd it nearly slipped my mind. Message from Mr. Rathwaite via Mr. Munroe. I trust you know both parties?" Edward nods. WillGM: "Good, then, though I haven't the foggiest idea what it means. The Vassal says that you might find what you seek if you seek in the deep places." Edward nods. WillGM: "Okay. Good luck." And he hurries off busily once more. Edward blinks. "oooh-kay. On to the bridge, I guess. We can debate and ponder that little oracular gem on the way." WillGM: Liriel looks up as you come out of the building. "The Park, actually. The whole park is a *major* Tether." Edward: "Golden Gate Park?" WillGM: "Yes. Since about 40 years ago, if I've kept count right." Nicole: "Yeah, it's SF's Central Park like area." WillGM: You're ensconced in the cars. For playability's sake, all the absents and NPCs are in Fearless' car: Fearless, Bruce, Frizz, and Liriel. That leaves Ed, Ellis, and Nicole in the second. Edward: "Okay, so what'd Rath mean with 'deep places' ?" Edward: "... Or at least, what do you *think* he meant?" WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 5. WillGM: Ooh, nice. Nicole, you clearly remember Annie saying something almost exactly the same, the night you met Liriel in the Marches. (Recall it?) Nicole: (not really) WillGM: ("You might find what you seek if you seek amongst dreams." And then she looked puzzled when asked about it.) Nicole: (ahh, okay...) Nicole frowns. Nicole looks at Ed. "That's the second time I've heard that or something similiar." Ellis: "Oh?" Nicole: "Yeah, the night I first met Liriel. Annie said something similiar, only instead of 'deep places', she said 'dreams'. Nicole: " Ellis: "Deep sleep?" WillGM drops a note into chan to toss a point at Aris for putting that together. %^D Nicole: "Could be." Ellis: "I mean, REM sleep is the deepest you can go." Nicole: "And that's where you dream." WillGM: 3 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3 3d6) and gets 10 10 11. Edward: "Unless you're talking about coma." Edward: "... Which humans generally don't get out of on their own." Nicole frowns s'more. Ellis: brb Nicole: "Doesn't Rath and company work for Stone, though?" Nicole: "'Cause Annie works for Dreams, and thus that's what she cares about..." Nicole frowns. Ellis: b... WillGM: Are people pondering, or should the conversation require a pep? Edward: pep Nicole: yeah, pep. WillGM: Okay. The trip ends with people thinking about this last one. You park in the lot at Golden Gate. Once again, the theme of the Tether surrounds you. This one has a New Age-ish drone feel to it. WillGM: Liriel comes up to Ed. "I didn't get a chance to ask you back at the Institute, Edward. What was this 'oracular gem' you mentioned?" Edward: "Rath suggested that we might 'find what we seek in the deep places'" WillGM: "That sounds very familiar..." WillGM: "... Ah yes! Eainéa said something very much like that, but two nights ago." Nicole: "Yeah, and about dreams." WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 9. Ellis: This is... winding, guys, and I'm not focusing... I think I'd better go. WillGM: Winding? WillGM: Whee, Fearless passes a Psych roll. WillGM: "Curious. Dreams aren't really deep... in fact, REM sleep is the shallowest stage of sleep. I wonder what deep places would have to do with dreams." Ellis: Will, you're wrong. Ellis: REM sleep *is* the deepest stage of sleep. Ellis: It just is. WillGM looks it up... Nicole: She's right, Will. Ellis: Anyway, tell me later. I'm going off now. *** Signoff: Ellis (Quit: Only the Polytron reduces an entire mouse to a soup-like homogenate in thirty seconds!) [ snip a few pastes of psych web sites ] WillGM: You know what? It's not that big. Nicole: it's confusing. WillGM: Fearless and Ellis have a brief dispute about this, then shrug it off for a later resolution if it ever matters. Nicole: there's some argument as to which is deeper, REM or delta (which is those stage three and four points.) Nicole frowns s'more. "Deep places don't have to be deep sleep, though. Caves are deep places." WillGM: "Are dreams much associated with caves? I mind me of Plato's Allegory, but that is about all..." Nicole: "I'm just thinking in terms of metaphors. I could be wrong, though." WillGM: *sniffing a bee on a flower* "What if they're both right, though?" WillGM: He looks up. "I mean, it'd be kind of weird to have to choose between two different clues from strange prophecies." WillGM: Liriel rolls his eyes. "Trust a Kyrio to come up with the 'both are true at once' hypothesis." Nicole shrugs. "I don't know, I just want to think about all the options." WillGM: He hastily adds, "Not that I'm complaining. You could be quite right." He blinks. "Besides, it's hard to argue here," he says wryly. WillGM: Ping? Nicole: spacy myself. sorry. WillGM: Shall we call it a night, then? Given what you've told me about two weeks from now and that the week after is Thanksgiving, maybe we could try for next week. Nicole nods. Nicole: might be worth a shot. WillGM: Allright. I'll send out an email about it, see if people are interested. WillGM: -------------------- Session End -----------------------