Inbox (Synflux)

[curingidiocy]

Dr. Ratio

"There's no rush."

Dr. Ratio

Greetings, I am Veritas Ratio.

Dr. Ratio

Knowledge should flow freely between people, and the same fate should befall truth. You can ask me about technical problems at any moment, and I shall do my utmost to give you a reply.

Dr. Ratio

But before you ask, remember to establish best practices for intense self-rumination, and remember that time is precious for everyone, as for me, so for you.

Dr. Ratio

code

action | text | voice | video | hologram | dataverse

Comments

@poker, while aventurine is kidnapped; messages that didn't go through

[stonehearts]

This isn't the first time I've woken up somewhere vastly different than where I went to sleep, alone and stripped, but I'd have hoped you'd have stuck around for the fun part, Doc!

[stonehearts]

C'mon, Ratio, it's not like you to leave me hanging. Especially since I don't think anyone here can get out.

[stonehearts]

No one can get in or out, so I'm going to guess that accounts for these messages, too. But just in case--

[stonehearts]

Take care of yourself, Veritas. I'll get out of here in one piece if you do.

after a day or two;

[stonehearts]

You know it's probably a good thing you're not stuck here with me, the amount of idiocy concentrated in this castle would be overwhelming. They're doing their best, whatever that amounts to, but everyone seems content to run around with their heads cut off.

[stonehearts]

We can't even agree on what, exactly, we're facing. A kaiju, but everyone has their own opinions about it. In case you get this while we're still trapped, here's what I've managed to put together. I don't particularly agree with some of the conclusions drawn by others, so if you get anything different from anyone else, you'll know that I couldn't help but put my two credits in where it counts.

1. There are two different entities at work here, though I'm not sure which one currently has the most power. There's a canine related one that seems to be the one the villagers are on the side of, and if I had to hazard a guess I'd say that maybe that one isn't actually a kaiju but something else (but it could well be, as breaking the skulls gives off the same feeling as Rift sickness). The other is referred to as Chiroptera. It figures that the spooky castle would have a bat kaiju, don't you think?
2. Most likely a deal was struck with the canine to protect against the bat. It requires sacrifices, so I'll leave you to guess who's up to bat (haha!) this year. Be careful trying to get us back -- either the canine or the bat might take offence to the disruption of things.
3. There were a few people who tried to escape before, though I'm not sure how long ago it was. I think the people here were punished after a 'failure', likely because at least one of the previous 'Chosen' managed to escape. That 'escape' might have been escaping the specific fate, not death.
4. Purple flowers protect against the Lord of the Forest somehow. Whatever flower it is, I'd bet it's poisonous.
5. Given the amount of bones and skulls of a canine around, I'm wondering if it died somehow and the desperation is born from the desire to revive it/continue using what meager power remains. I found some portraits that featured the dog before it vanished in them -- might have been around the time of the failure? Not sure.

That's all on my end, Doc.

[stonehearts]

Well not everything. I'm bored out of my mind here, Ratio. Do you think the cats are doing alright? It occurs to me that they might need a bit of stimulation and enrichment if it doesn't clash with your design style once the room is back. I've seen those fancy cat playgrounds mounted on walls advertised on Pier Point -- we could build something like that.

[stonehearts]

The Astral Express' resident exiled High Elder is obnoxiously stubborn. I can see now why you get along with him.

[stonehearts]

Nights aren't the same without you around. There's no one I have to tease to turn off the light and stop reading, for one. Or kick awake in the middle of it. On accident, of course!

[stonehearts]

If my luck somehow runs out and they do end up sacrificing me, say something nice at my memorial service, won't you? That I looked pretty and was a great lay and my ghost is going to haunt this castle until you drag it back to a body you've made from scratch, having entered your mad scientist era just for little old me.

lucky number 007; torture time

[stonehearts]

Ha. This planet is one novel experience after another.

[stonehearts]

The shackles aren't new, but the cutting into my flesh is. They didn't take me pointing that out very well, though.

[stonehearts]

Fuck.

[stonehearts]

Hah. If this is what being lucky counts for right now, I'd hate to see the other guys.

[stonehearts]

When you get here, and knowing you and that big brain of yours you're already mostly got this all figured out, don't worry about me.

[stonehearts]

Hey Doc? Why do you think they'd want my blood and my hair? I mean, besides the fact my hair is very enviable.

[stonehearts]

You know, you'd think I'd have learned my lesson about talking back by now. Never learned the first time around, though, so why should I start now?

[stonehearts]

Shame they won't shatter my wrists and hands, that's the best way to get out of shackles. You'd think my luck would at least make them break the bones where it's helpful.

[stonehearts]

Who would have known that I didn't need my legs, eh Doc? Guess you'll just have to carry me everywhere now.

[stonehearts]

( the last text, though ratio won't know that it is, comes quite a long time after the rest. almost as if he didn't mean to send it at all. )

veritas
it hurts

[curingidiocy]

[ He reads every single text that comes through delayed, but it isn't until this one that he breaks. If, on his next break, he holds onto Aventurine's hand tightly and keeps healing him despite the time being meant for his rest, well...

He can't help it. He knows he cannot protect Aventurine from every wound he suffers, and the torment that will inevitably come his way, but here, at least here, he can heal him and make sure he is whole and healthy again. ]