[Not everyone can become a living lie detector. Sometimes he has to remind himself of this.]
Our task is to find our missing people hiding among the fae. In this particular instance, the native population being so insular may be to our advantage. There will likely be a few signs to look out for.
The trick is escorting them to safety without drawing the fae's notice. On this, I may have a few ideas. Hopefully none of my ideas will be necessary and the mission will go smoothly..
[If this were audio, his voice would have a heavy note to it suggesting he does not, in fact, expect things to go smoothly.]
Being unable to use my powers for the sake of my cover is less of a concern than my inability to lie for the mission's duration.
Aurora's choice of token brings up some possibilities. Would it be worthwhile baiting our missing people? Some visible representation of Castor, Pollux or Gemini might catch their attention.
[He saw it advised on the network to change usernames for the mission too, as an extra layer of safety from the Fae, so relying on voice for recognition:]
[Sunday, too, has changed his handle for the mission. Though his pick isn't much more creative than his original one.
His voice, when he speaks, is wary.]
The "Pets". Yes, this is a problem... They clearly are not native fae. I doubt they are even native to this world at all.
Once the fae grow bored with them, they'll have nowhere to go. The decent thing to do would be to take them with us back to Etraya, but... We have no such authority. And Aurora only gave us so many tokens to hand out.
There has to be some way to help them... [The last few words rush out in a single, strained breath.]
With the festivities ending, don't we have an opportunity to coordinate over the forum? If only seventeen tokens are needed for the Polluxians, we can disperse the rest amongst the newcomers. By leaving us here without any line of communication they've already ceded to our best judgement.
[He does care that deeply, but doesn't want to mention it. Sometimes, people mistake caring for weakness.]
The forum should be an effective tool at this point, yes. However, I would be reluctant to put our compatriots, such as they are, further into harm's way. Distributing the tokens among the Polluxians was risky enough. This time, we are attempting to steal the fae's new favorite toys directly out from under them. Even in their inebriated state, they will be dangerous.
If it were possible for me to gather the remaining tokens and distribute them myself, I would do it. [So that others are not harmed, and because he doesn't trust anyone else to succeed.] How many tokens do you have? This may be a time your great speed could prove useful, my friend.
[My friend. It's just a turn of phrase, and yet... he swallows.]
...Seven. [One handkerchief for each day of the week— as in, easy to explain away if they were found by natives. He's had no luck in unearthing the Polluxians thus far.] What would you have me do?
The Petrushka are, mercifully, much easier to identify than the Lost Vestiges. Once the fae have drunk themselves into a stupor, it should be simple enough to find the Petrushka left unattended. Or, at least, less attended.
At which point, quickly passing them a token will be possible.
It is not, I admit, the most complex plan, but simple plans often work better. Let us hope we won't need any contingencies.
[Said in the weary voice of someone already thinking up several contingency plans. ]
...I will play a piano solo at their talent show. The Aesti blessing should make my music captivating to the audience. This would be a good opportunity to deliver however many tokens you can.
I don't think the usual tells will be a problem for us. Not if the crowds are magically captivated and inebriated to the point of carelessness, anyway.
[Sunday says, addressing what he feels is the more important topic first. Then, after a pause.]
[E-Soul makes a wordless noise of acknowledgement in his throat.
With that settled, there's no further reason to draw this out: he's knows what to do, when to do it, and while the risk is far smaller now, contact isn't entirely safe. Yet... knowing that he's pushing his luck:]
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choirmaster) wrote2025-10-23 03:27 pm
un: e-soul | text
un: Sunday | Text
Did you have concerns?
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[Not everyone can become a living lie detector. Sometimes he has to remind himself of this.]
Our task is to find our missing people hiding among the fae. In this particular instance, the native population being so insular may be to our advantage. There will likely be a few signs to look out for.
The trick is escorting them to safety without drawing the fae's notice. On this, I may have a few ideas. Hopefully none of my ideas will be necessary and the mission will go smoothly..
[If this were audio, his voice would have a heavy note to it suggesting he does not, in fact, expect things to go smoothly.]
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However, most of the risk is mine to bear. And I will bear it, if need be.
[A pause of a minute or so, then, in a second text...]
Mr.E-Soul, is stealth one of your skills?
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Aurora's choice of token brings up some possibilities. Would it be worthwhile baiting our missing people? Some visible representation of Castor, Pollux or Gemini might catch their attention.
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However, the names "Castor","Pollux", and "Gemini" are still useful. Mention them in conversation. A cousin named Castor, perhaps.
If the other person has a reaction, proceed cautiously from there. Understand?
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How experienced are you in this kind of work? You said that you're the saviour of your world, but I failed to ask the full story.
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After this ordeal is over, you may ask me again for my story. It is a conversation best had in person.
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un: xiezhi | audio
These 'Petrushka'... what's the plan?
un: penacony | audio
His voice, when he speaks, is wary.]
The "Pets". Yes, this is a problem... They clearly are not native fae. I doubt they are even native to this world at all.
Once the fae grow bored with them, they'll have nowhere to go. The decent thing to do would be to take them with us back to Etraya, but... We have no such authority. And Aurora only gave us so many tokens to hand out.
There has to be some way to help them... [The last few words rush out in a single, strained breath.]
no subject
[a pause, then:]
With the festivities ending, don't we have an opportunity to coordinate over the forum? If only seventeen tokens are needed for the Polluxians, we can disperse the rest amongst the newcomers. By leaving us here without any line of communication they've already ceded to our best judgement.
no subject
The forum should be an effective tool at this point, yes. However, I would be reluctant to put our compatriots, such as they are, further into harm's way. Distributing the tokens among the Polluxians was risky enough. This time, we are attempting to steal the fae's new favorite toys directly out from under them. Even in their inebriated state, they will be dangerous.
If it were possible for me to gather the remaining tokens and distribute them myself, I would do it. [So that others are not harmed, and because he doesn't trust anyone else to succeed.] How many tokens do you have? This may be a time your great speed could prove useful, my friend.
no subject
...Seven. [One handkerchief for each day of the week— as in, easy to explain away if they were found by natives. He's had no luck in unearthing the Polluxians thus far.] What would you have me do?
Sorry for the wait! Holiday workloads.
At which point, quickly passing them a token will be possible.
It is not, I admit, the most complex plan, but simple plans often work better. Let us hope we won't need any contingencies.
[Said in the weary voice of someone already thinking up several contingency plans. ]
...I will play a piano solo at their talent show. The Aesti blessing should make my music captivating to the audience. This would be a good opportunity to deliver however many tokens you can.
no subject
[Then, with a touch of the unavoidable honesty that's been plaguing him since they got here:]
I can disguise the visual tells with illusion magic, but there's little I can do about the charge in the air.
[He doesn't sound very concerned though; it's not significant.]
...You're a musician, then?
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[Sunday says, addressing what he feels is the more important topic first. Then, after a pause.]
I was a musician when I was younger, yes.
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With that settled, there's no further reason to draw this out: he's knows what to do, when to do it, and while the risk is far smaller now, contact isn't entirely safe. Yet... knowing that he's pushing his luck:]
But... no longer?
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[Like seeking happiness through artistic self-expression.]
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You have questions about me, Mister Xiezhi! Understandably.
Please ask me again at a later time.
[Saying anything that could out him as non-fae feels too dangerous.]
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[And he'll hang up without fanfare; as he's being reminded, they both have work to do.]