IC Inbox | Sticks and Bones
Jun. 22nd, 2024 08:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ephemeralflow[Did you think she would be nice enough to leave a page for you to contact her? Nope. Anyone who wants to seek her out is going to have to try it themselves. But she's fond of checking her notebook, and if it's interesting enough, she'll probably reply...]
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Date: 2024-09-22 11:34 pm (UTC)[Yes, of course they'd both been equally fretted over. She'd be a fool to expect anything else of Pure Vanilla.]
Better enough. I am told it will take time to fully heal - and here I am unable to simply steal some and have it done with. Quite boring, to have to wait. But I cannot say I did not meet my goal in the process, so it will have to do.
[Despite everything, she's glad to have succeeded in saving Loop, in other words. Even if Loop might have had to save her in turn.
But then her smile twitches into a smirk, and her eye narrows mischievously.]
My, you're not here just to ask after my health, are you, flashlight?
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Date: 2024-09-23 01:44 am (UTC)[...
They should thank her, too. For saving them. Even when they didn't want to be saved. Even though they made it difficult, almost got her killed in the process.
... but it's hard. Are they reading too much into it? Maybe she doesn't care at all, and they're just imagining kindness where it doesn't belong. They don't want to risk disappointment, so it's easier to just... exist, in whatever this relationship might be. An unspoken truce, of sorts. That can be good enough for them.
They pick up their smile, hoping it didn't falter for too long. No time for soliloquies.]
Well! It's good to know you're not quite so "all-powerful" as you pretend to be. I guess even Timecrafters like yourself need to take a break sometimes!
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Date: 2024-09-23 02:02 am (UTC)[Mercifully, she sounds amused, not angry. She's too tired to be angry, really. And what would be the point of it anyway, when she went to all the trouble to make sure Loop didn't die?]
It is certainly my goal to keep growing stronger, after all. [There's still someone she needs to surpass. There are also new timelines she needs to see that were once beyond her, if the Grove has taught her anything.] If this place is to be my next challenge, I shall rise to it with everything I have.
[She lifts a hand, tapping her chin curiously. With the short sleeved shirt she's wearing now, something else has come to light - she's kind of. Got muscles. Actually. That sure is a well-defined bicep and shoulder. Little wonder she could carry Loop so effortlessly.]
...What about you?
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Date: 2024-09-23 03:27 am (UTC)She's met with a blank stare when she asks about them, though. Uhh.]
What about... what? [Did they zone out? They don't think they did...]
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Date: 2024-09-24 12:02 am (UTC)[As she repeats it, her eye narrows, her lips pull thin, a mask slips back into her expression.]
You were going to succumb back there, at the tree, were you not? Faced with a way out, you tried to insist on oblivion. Do you find yourself that meaningless? Or are you willing to exist, despite everything?
[If her voice gets a little bit quiet, a little bit shaky towards the end of those words, Loop isn't imagining it. She spent all too much of last month in that state of mind, and perhaps it's not entirely Loop she's speaking to, in this moment.]
🚨 ISAT spoilers zone 🚨 suicidal thoughts zone 🚨
Date: 2024-09-24 02:17 am (UTC)... Would it be rude to laugh? That's a pretty heavy topic to bring up so soon. They don't really want to answer, to show that much of themselves to someone else. It's not something that's easy to explain. How could anyone understand what it's like, to become a side character in your own life? To watch everyone move on without you, with a replacement, not even knowing that you existed?
But... Timekeeper said as much herself, didn't she? They still can't help but wonder... what is it that she wanted to change so badly? What was worth giving up her own life to achieve? Did she know the cost?
Loop sighs, after a long silence. Their gaze wanders down to the floor.]
It's not the first time I've tried to give up. That's how I ended up like this, you know.
I just wanted it to be over... but instead, the Universe replaced me. Gave me a new role. And once the show is over, who knows? Maybe then my wish will come true.
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Date: 2024-09-24 02:59 am (UTC)[But that's... not entirely correct. Timekeeper had also given up, in a way. Given up finding a sane way to assuage her fears, given in to an all-consuming certainty that unless she could control everything, she would be trapped in a nightmare of a life. She'd gotten her control. And lost things she hadn't realized she would, hadn't realized meant so much.
(But at least she wasn't bored.)
Her eye flicks down towards the sheets for a moment, searching.]
Well, that was quite rude of it. [She looks back up.] So you think that role carries on, even here, then? Were I in your shoes, I think I would seek to break it.
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Date: 2024-09-24 04:26 am (UTC)Still, they can only shrug.] I still have some abilities granted to fulfil my duties, but not all of them. I haven't been needed for much lately, either. Stardust has been doing well on his own.
[Which is... good, actually? They're glad he's doing well. It does make them feel a little bit more useless, though, when the one person they exist to help doesn't really ask for their help anymore. Lately it's been stardust checking up on them instead. Feels backwards.]
The Universe only made Itself known when I tried to shirk those duties. If stardust wanted help with something I didn't want him to do...
[they can still remember it clearly. like being dunked in ice-cold water, floating in their own body as something vast and unfathomable puppets them around. they shudder.]
I don't really want to test that, anyway. [it would make them so much worse if Siffrin could still override their free will, they don't want to know]
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Date: 2024-09-25 03:06 am (UTC)I see. Frankly, I think your will is worth more than that of this "Universe." Should it try to reach you here, I will tell it so myself.
[Her cadence is the same flippant meter as ever, but there's a venomous hiss hidden in her words.
The more she learns about Loop, the more similar they seem - and the more different. She sought, and changed, and brought fate to heel to her every whim. They stumbled, and changed, and became the tool of some higher entity. (They both lost something irretrievable in the process.) She tried to tempt an iteration of her past self to follow her path; they were forced to aid a self they maybe couldn't ever be. (They both had to watch their old selves build friendships lost to them.)
Yeah, she understands. She hasn't noticed the way her hands are gripping the sheets.]
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Date: 2024-09-25 04:35 am (UTC)They look at her hands instead, noticing the deathgrip. Between that, and her tone, she's clearly mad about this. It's kind of... touching? To make someone mad for their sake? Stars, they didn't think they'd ever be saying that about Timekeeper, of all people.
She's still a little scary, maybe, but it's not so bad when the fury is directed elsewhere.]
I've been good, so It probably won't! And it might not apply here? I'm on vacation, or something. [no timeloop!]
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Date: 2024-09-26 01:45 am (UTC)[You know. The almost dying and crazy shit happening regularly and everything. Inconvenient. Timekeeper takes the out of a topic shift without hesitation, forcing her hands to relax. Anger without a target is no good. She'll save it for another time.]
I certainly never thought I'd find myself so far removed from the timelines I am familiar with, and my duties with them. Or discovering far flung secrets in the process. But an interesting story is crucial, after all.
[She gives a hollow laugh, and the exhaustion starts to seep back into her face, her shoulders slackening.]
Meeting you and Siffrin has certainly been nostalgic. Perhaps I should expect to see Croissant Cookie here any day, now.
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Date: 2024-09-26 02:13 am (UTC)[But anyway, she says that last part and it would make sense to say something encouraging or supportive... but then they actually. process what she said, just now.
Timekeeper Cookie's... friend? Her "Siffrin"? Her... her??
They stare in confused shock for way too long, there's no blinding way that's actually her name, that is so— so—]
Croissant Cookie. Croissant as in the pastry?
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Date: 2024-09-26 02:27 am (UTC)[What a curious reaction. Her lips quirk a little, back into that curious smirk.]
Well, of course. That is still technically my main ingredient, even if I have otherwise changed.
[And she still smells very much like a fresh, buttery pastry. It probably fills this room by now, as tends to happen with the former Cookies.]
Whatever is so shocking about that?
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Date: 2024-09-26 02:47 am (UTC)[but they're laughing, so they're not upset... should they be upset?? They feel so detached from the original trauma that it's just really funny to them right now. The Universe is absolutely mocking them with this. A croissant???? Really??????
They struggle to contain the giggles, with moderate success. Might still be muttering a croissant! to themselves in disbelief every few minutes.]
Do not tell Siffrin that, he'd probably attack on sight if he knew.
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Date: 2024-09-26 02:56 am (UTC)My, is that so? I take it he does not much like them!
[Said with a glint in her eye that says she might just tell Siffrin the next she sees them anyway.]
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Date: 2024-09-26 03:11 am (UTC)Hahah... no, really. He's already put off enough, you don't need to make it worse. He'd probably never speak to you again.
[Kinda funny, that they care about this. But they've found an odd sort of camaraderie with Timekeeper... maybe it's not something stardust could understand, not in the same way Loop does, but they'd rather not make the hostilities worse. He could learn to get along first, maybe.]
Besides, that's not you anymore, right? Though I've never heard of a timekeeping cookie. [doesn't really fit! timepieces aren't baked goods, they're not even edible]
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Date: 2024-09-28 12:54 am (UTC)[She doesn't mind antagonizing Siffrin a little; it's fun! ...But she doesn't want to completely drive him away either. And, well, the weird little bit of bonding they're doing here is mutual. For now, she'd be hard pressed to ignore Loop's request. She knows what having that complicated sort of relationship with yourself is like, after all.
The chuckle she gives at that last comment is a lot more real than she usually sounds.]
Indeed it is not - time does have a way of changing things, and one is not always born with their name. Well! I have heard of a guiding star before, though perhaps not one so full of sass.
[The fond, teasing tone is there, if you know to listen for it, to watch the way her eye crinkles.]
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Date: 2024-09-28 02:22 am (UTC)Awww, I try my best! [to be full of sass. they wink.] I did promise you some new material, didn't I? Timecrafter is stating to get a bit old anyway. I'll workshop it~
[it'll be........ a surprise!!!]
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Date: 2024-09-28 02:56 am (UTC)[She pauses, tapping her chin as if debating for a moment.]
...There is a favor I'd like to ask.
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Date: 2024-09-28 03:05 am (UTC)That depends on the favor.
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Date: 2024-09-28 03:23 am (UTC)...for a second, her smile drops. She takes a moment to rearrange herself on the bed, brushing the sheet aside and turning to sit on the edge of the mattress, crossing her legs and facing Loop properly now. The small smile returns as she clasps her hands in her lap, but those few seconds without it make it clear enough how serious she is.]
Much as I hate to admit it, these past few months have made it excruciatingly clear that with my chronokinesis limited by the state of the Grove's time, I have entirely too few options when I need to face an opponent - and that whether I need to face danger head on is no longer something I can decide for myself. It is infuriating. Yet, you were able to deal an impressive blow, Loop.
Your Craft. Can it be taught?
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Date: 2024-09-28 03:29 am (UTC)[... they seem a bit worried, but only for as long as it takes them to figure out what she's actually asking. Ah. Not, like, their Craft, the forbidden and dangerous kind that comes from their country, but—]
You mean Piercing Craft? [Holding up their hand in a scissors shape, this one?? She does seem like a fit for scissors...] Well... probably?? I'm not really a teacher, though. The Researcher would be the better person to ask.
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Date: 2024-09-28 04:03 am (UTC)[Which isn't to say she's not still insatiably curious about it. But clearly, whatever timecrafting Loop is capable of is not entirely under their control. Obviously, that would be a subject to study, not to be taught! And anything else... she's simply not aware of yet.]
By which you mean Odile, yes? Hm, I thought her still wary of me. [But, well, Pure Vanilla Cookie had very much blabbed that it had been Odile of all people to drag the both of them to the clinic, which Timekeeper had been somewhat surprised to learn.
Her eye flicks to the side for a second.] I'd rather learn from you anyway, in all truth.
[Because she doesn't want to feel vulnerable in front of any more people if she can help it. Maybe it's a moot point by now anyway, with all that's happened, especially with Odile having already hauled her around half dead. But that doesn't mean it doesn't still twist her stomach, the thought of having to admit a weakness to yet another person.
She fought so hard to be this strong. Lost so much. It was supposed to be so that nothing was ever wrong again. Can't she keep that comforting mask up, keep pretending everything's under control, wherever she can? Hasn't she earned that much? Loop is an exception, a loophole (heh) who understands on a level she's sure no one else could. Timekeeper so desperately wants them to be the only one to hear this plea.]
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Date: 2024-09-28 05:15 am (UTC)But they can also understand Timekeeper's own unspoken wariness, that desire to keep up an act of competence. Asking for help is hard. And she asked them, instead of anyone else... if they refused now, and this little truce of theirs fell apart over it...
They sigh, folding their arms. They really don't know if they'd be any good of a teacher, but]
I can try? I've never taught anyone before, [... that was stardust, not them, maybe they can use that as a template?] but I guess if it's regular combat Crafts, it shouldn't be that hard?
Once I'm cleared by the Healer, anyway! [Craft Exhaustion! No crafting allowed!]
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Date: 2024-09-29 01:31 am (UTC)I'm a quick study, it should be no trouble.
[Really, if there's one thing in the world that Timekeeper can coast on, it's her own brains. She's confident that she doesn't need the best teacher possible, only one willing to explain the basics. It will be fascinating regardless, to learn how the magic analogue of another timeline works! Not to mention quite the sneaky little trick up her sleeve. No Cookie would ever expect it, certainly.
Loop blurts out that addendum, and she can only laugh quietly, her own smile turning tired once more.]
Once we both are, that is. Should we rush off now, Pure Vanilla Cookie would surely hunt us down and drag us back to bed!
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Date: 2024-09-30 02:54 am (UTC)...
...
...
okay, but] Well... we could try a little Crafting. Just to see if you can! What Pure Vanilla doesn't know won't hurt him. [this is definitely a good idea]
Are you familiar with Rock, Paper, Scissors?
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Date: 2024-09-30 04:11 am (UTC)[There's a mischievous flash in her eye, because, well, Timekeeper likes breaking the rules very much. But still...]
Well, I won't object to hearing the basics now, so long as you do not overdo it. A dip into magical theory never hurt anyone! Although... naturally I know what those things are individually, but I have not heard them as a collective phrase before.
[In other words, no. Fun fact: cookies do not have fingers.]
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Date: 2024-09-30 05:50 am (UTC)Really! Maybe it's because your world doesn't have Craft? [so no need to come up with a kid's game to teach type effectiveness, or something] But that's fine, let me think...
[They pause, breathing in, and out. It's a simple enough script to remember. They quickly get into character, mimicking the tutorial kid's high energy without even thinking about it.]
I'll teach you then! It's a simple game. We're gonna yell "Rock Paper Scissors", and at "Scissors" we throw our hands like this! [doing a little demonstration at the same time, landing on] This one with your fist closed, that's Rock! This one with your hand flat is Paper! And this one with your index and middle fingers up is Scissors! [showing each of them as they go, of course!]
Rock beats Scissors because rocks break scissors! Scissors beats Paper because you cut paper with scissors! Paper beats Rock just because!
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Date: 2024-10-02 12:04 am (UTC)I see! A simple cycle of strengths, albeit not the perfect illustration of one. ["Just because" indeed.] And this represents the different types of Craft, I imagine?
[She hadn't been able to see Loop using Craft behind them as they ran, but she hadn't missed the "scissors" sign they made a minute ago either.]
How funny that one is scissors! That one would suit me quite well, I think. Though, speaking of, I have noticed my Sonic Embroider has not made it back to the clinic with us. What a pain, to need to find both halves now... well, hopefully they do not fall into the wrong hands in the meantime.
[If she sounds less concerned than she probably should be... yeah, she wouldn't mind if someone screwed up trying to use one of the halves and caused a bit of chaos, honestly. The temporal distortion would clue her in to its location, at least!]
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Date: 2024-10-03 04:53 am (UTC)[It's pretty basic stuff to explain, at least. The topic briefly veers to something else, though, when Timekeeper brings up her Sonic Embroider... and Loop's expression noticeably falls, realizing they completely forgot about that thing, wow, isn't that kind of important?? If this happened a week ago they'd have been fine with it, but now that they've suddenly decided to maybe try getting along with TK...
Yeah, her total lack of concern is going over Loop's head. Augh, you idiot!! Trying to make peace when they can't even remember to pick up one blinding little important thing!! Isn't that their job, remembering what things they have to pick up????]
I could check? If you want? It might still be there. [they had a nap so like it's fine if they walk right back out into the danger zone at the forest's edge, right, they'll only be gone for a couple minutes]
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Date: 2024-10-06 02:17 am (UTC)[She clips the words simply, matter-of-factly, snipping them out of the air and letting them fall on Loop's head.]
However important you are thinking that old thing is, it is... not.
[If she halfway sounds like she's trying to convince herself of that, haha no she's not.]
I will find it again one way or another once we are both recovered, and the monsters gone. Or else build a new one, I suppose. It has been quite a while, and the design could do with an update or two! Particularly now that I am more familiar with the Grove's time. For the moment, however... how does one learn what affinity they have? Assuming mine may not be the obvious choice, that is.
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Date: 2024-10-07 03:10 am (UTC)But they're not that worried anymore. It's fine.
They turn the cheer back up, acting as if the conversation never strayed at all. Back to what they're best at! Tutorials!!]
Hmm! Well, there are a few ways... I could simply hit you with a few different Craft types and see what hurts the most. If you have an affinity for one, the other types will be weaker or stronger to match. But that might get messy, and our sweet healer friend would definitely have words to share if we did that in here~ [so, not that one]
The next simplest way... you could just try some? You've never Crafted before, so whichever one you can figure out first is probably the safest bet. We don't even have to use combat crafts for that one.
[... not that they know many non-combat Crafts. they don't think they ever used much before, aside from Wish Craft.]
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Date: 2024-10-08 11:34 pm (UTC)...anyway, Craft!]
He certainly would! Hmm... it would be quite funny... but I am in no mood for more bruises.
[And Loop shouldn't be using a bunch of Craft either. So, definitely not that one.]
We may as well start with the Scissors type, then. What does a non-combat Craft of that sort entail?
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Date: 2024-10-14 03:56 pm (UTC)I used to do wood carvings, but I didn't usually Craft them that much. I just wanted them to look nice! Animating something solid takes a lot of practise to make it look good, but getting something to move at all isn't that hard. We could try that? But it might be easier if it's something you already know how to do.
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Date: 2024-10-14 11:35 pm (UTC)[She pauses a moment, tapping her chin, glancing down towards her lap, though her expression is a focused blank.]
Since Craft requires a tool as a focus, we shall have to use something else.