The Age and Country Hotel - Part III; Evolution from the Glitch | Forums

[Zander Nyrond]

"It's you who insists that penance is required," Zander says, as Jahura re-enters the hotel. He hunkers down with a creak and begins picking up the pieces. "I'm just saying," he goes on as soon as she reappears, "that if penance is required, my Writer fits the frame better than you do. Personally, I'd just as soon move on, but--" He snaps his fingers. This time, the water barely stirs. "We don't seem to have that option, and that is down either to you, your Writer, or your celestial former employers.

"Also, my Writer definitely put up a black using you as the magic reset button. Pure incompetence, that. Ordinarily I'd be happy for him to suffer in his own inimitable way, but obviously that isn't going to be enough here. So...what can he do?"

[T.O.O.O.]

Soon, TOOO and Carlota found themselves at the feet of the Emperor, not exactly by choice.
He looked down at TOOO. "So, after all this time, you dare to show your face around here. Oh, yes, we remember you."
He speaks English, now? TOOO was surprised. I wonder who taught him....
TOOO decided a bluff was called for. "My Lord Emperor, we came to warn you of an impending attack--"
"Oh, we already know," the Emperor replied. "You didn't think we would have spies in Cannaxia? We are more than ready." He turned to the curtain behind him. "You can come out, now."
A familiar figure pushed back the curtain and stepped forward. TOOO's shoulders slumped. "Oh, Michael - how could you?"
"You don't understand, TOOO," he answered. "I left Cannax over a year ago when I saw what she was becoming. I loved her just as much as you did - maybe more. But she's become obsessed, maybe even possessed. We both know she has to be stopped."
TOOO turned to the Emperor. "What are you going to do?"
"Her fleet will never arrive."
"You know," Carlota cut in, "it's a shame about this beautiful dress."
When TOOO realized what she meant, he turned to her. "Carlota, no!"
But it was too late. A bahro rose from the shreds of the satin dress, and emitted a high-pitched screech that had everyone clutching their ears in pain - TOOO, Michael, the Emperor, and all of his guards. With that distraction, she scooped up TOOO and flew out the balcony and into the sky.

[jahura]

Bast jumps up onto the railing and deftly rolls over onto her back.

"Come on, you two!" She mewls, "I haven't seen this much round-and-round since Sadat sat down with Begin. Only you're bickering over who gets to be sacrificed as opposed to who carries the blame into the streets and left to starve. If you ask me, neither seems to be a wise choice and certainly not a practical solution."

"What would you suggest?" Jahura asks her.

The cat rolls back onto her haunches and licks at her paw.
"I would suggest that since you - both of you - god-moded your way out and took away any choice from the others, that you give it back. Step back and let them decide their own fates and that of their environment. Write it off it divine intervention and then back off."

Jahura's countenance pales.
"But that would mean - "

"Waiting your turn?" Bast interrupts, "what's wrong with that?"

"That could take an interminably long time." Zander says with doubt in his tone.

"You're immortal." Bast retorts, "they're not. What the heck is a long time to you, really?"

[Zander Nyrond]

Zander and Jahura look at each other and shrug.

"Back to Avevale, then," Zander says.

"Out of people's way," Jahura agrees.

Before Tully can say anything, they both touch their Relto books and link out.

Tully gazes at the empty space for a while, then moves back towards the hotel as time resumes its steady forward progress and the waves unfreeze.

"Marae?"

[T.O.O.O.]

TOOO pointed. "Over there! I can see Cannax's fleet! We have to warn her! I said there would be a slaughter - but it never occurred to me who would be slaughtered!"
As they got closer to the fleet, TOOO pointed out the largest ship. "The largest ship must be hers! Hurry!"

Cannax looked up. "Hold your fire!" she told her archers. The were-bahro landed on the deck and released TOOO. "Cannax!" he told her. "You've got to turn back your fleet! You're sailing right into a trap!"
"A trap?" she cried. "How could they know we were coming? Did you tell them?"
He shook his head. "They already knew! Michael told them! Cannax, Michael betrayed you!"
She looked incredulous. "Michael? But why?"
TOOO sighed. "Because he saw what I saw. Cannax, you're obsessed, maybe even possessed. Cannax, please! Turn back your fleet before it's too late!"
"What kind of trap do they have?" she asked.
"I don't know!" he answered. He looked to Carlota. "We didn't stick around long enough to find out! Please, Cannax!"
She shook her head. "TOOO, I can't turn back now! Can't you see how important this is?"
"Oh, Cannax, Cannax! Why can't I get through to you?"
Something large and burning flew over the ship. They looked up. Cannax cried, "What was that?"

[T.O.O.O.]

OT: I really hate to double post, but I really want to put this story to bed....

---

Another burning mass slammed into the sail of one of the smaller ships, setting it ablaze and creating choking clouds of smoke, as the sailors struggled to put the fires out.
"They've got catapults!" TOOO cried. "We're sitting ducks, here! Cannax, you've got to call for Retreat!"
Another volley slammed into Cannax's ship, knocking everyone off their feet. Cannax's head crashed into the mast, creating a bloody smear as she slid down.
TOOO knelt by her, patting her cheeks. "Cannax! Wake up! Please, stay with me, here!"
Her eyes half-opened. "TOOO?" she mumbled, spitting blood. "I'm so sorry. It's just so important to me… Goodbye, TOOO…." Her head slumped to one side.
"Oh, no, you don't!" TOOO told her. "Carlota! Get her out of here! Take her to the A&C or… or that Infirmary Age of yours!"
Carlota ran over, put her arms, then her wings around the lifeless Cannax, then both vanished.
TOOO jumped to his feet. "FULL RETREAT!" he yelled. "FULL RETREAT!! GET US OUT OF HERE! DO IT, NOW!! FULL RETREAT!!"
Without their Queen to guide them, they had no choice but to obey. The volleys of fire kept coming, occasionally inflicting damage, but they were soon out of range. Now, rescue operations could begin.
Exhausted, TOOO sat on the deck. The sailors gathered around him, awaiting further orders. "See to the wounded," he told them. "Set sail for Cannaxia."
One of the sailors approached. "What will happen to our Queen?" he asked. "Are you our King, now?"
He smiled and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you will never see your Queen again. She may survive, but…" He shook his head again. "It's very complicated."
He faced the other sailors who were approaching. "Michael will be your King, now - I don't really think I'm fit for the job. Someone will have to get word to him in Nova Romae. I can't stay here. I'm sorry. Goodbye."
He opened his Relto book, and linked out.


But he never made it to Relto. Instead, he found himself in some kind of lush garden with a pavilion, similar to that in the Eder gardens. Inside, Cannax was sleeping on the bench, while Yeesha and Carlota - back in human form and wearing a simple brown robe - watched over her.
"Yeesha!" he called. "How is she? Is this Releeshahn?"
"I tried to warn you," another voice spoke. They all turned to face Jojo. "Events had to unfold as they did." Then, she smiled. "But, yes, Cannax will make a full recovery."
"Thank you, Jojo," he told her. "Thank you, Yeesha." He knelt down in front of his sleeping friend, gently brushing her hair out of her face. "I need to take her home."
Yeesha shook her head, and gently said, "No."
TOOO looked to her. "What? Why not?"
"She stays with me, now." she explained. "She still has much to learn, as do you. That is all I can tell you."
Cannax awoke. "TOOO?" she asked. "Where am I? How did I get here?"
He gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "I'm sure Yeesha will explain everything to you."
Cannax looked to her. "Yeesha?"
He turned to Jojo. "Will Michael be a good King?"
The goddess smiled. "I'll make sure of it!"
Yeesha turned to him. "Goodbye, TOOO. Goodbye, Carlota."
"Goodbye, Yeesha," he told her. "Goodbye, Cannax."
"Goodbye, TOOO," Cannax said.


TOOO and Carlota found themselves standing in the lobby of the Age & Country Hotel. The others gathered around them, bombarding them with questions. "Where have you been?" "Are you alright?" "What happened to you?"
Carlota held up a hand. "Please. Maybe later. He needs to get some sleep."
As the others watched, she helped him up the stairs to his room. She helped him into his bed, where he fell sound asleep.
Her robe dropped to the floor as she climbed into bed with him, stroking his hair. "It's going to be alright. Everything is going to be alright…."

[T.O.O.O.]

OT: Have we given up on the A&C? Well, if I have to do it alone....

---

After a good night's rest, TOOO dug out an old orange-striped pair of swim trunks and headed out to the beach, towel in hand. He sat on the towel, watching the waves come and go. It was actually very soothing and therapeutic for him, until he got splashed.
"Hey!"
Murinna was half out of the water, her arms spread wide. "Hi!" she called.
"Oh," he mumbled. "Oh, hi, Murinna."
She scowled, hands on hips. "Honestly, TOOO. Aren't you happy to see me? Aren't you even surprised to see me?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, sorry," he said. "I just have a lot on my mind, right now."
The little blonde mermaid rolled her eyes and swam over to him.


Carlota pushed back the curtain and watched out the window, as Murinna gave TOOO a comforting hug. Why, Carlota Staralla: is that a pang of jealousy I feel?
She shook her head. He's old enough to be her father. He couldn't possibly take an interest.


She let the curtain drop and headed back to the bar. Could he?

[T.O.O.O.]

KI to KI
The Spread Eagle to TOOO


TOOO,


Are you receiving this?


Spread


KI to KI
TOOO to The Spread Eagle


Spread,


Loud and clear! Are you still on Omallos? What happened to you out there?


TOOO


KI to KI
The Spread Eagle to TOOO


TOOO,


We've been trying to get through for the past few days! There's been some kind of interference on the KIs. Is everything alright out there?


The Spread Eagle


KI to KI
TOOO to The Spread Eagle


Spread,


You wouldn't believe what we've been through….

[T.O.O.O.]

OT: I'm just going to throw out this suggestion. It may or may not result in a story - either is fine by me. But it'll give us something to go with.
BOT:

---

When TOOO awoke the next morning, he was surprised to find a little black cat with golden eyes sitting on the bed, next to him, washing its paws.
"Well, hello, there, kittycat," he said. "Where'd you come from?"
The cat eyed him suspiciously. "Do you know who I am?"
"Well, you're a talking cat," he replied. "Which is not that unusual around here."
Annoyed, the cat vanished, and was replaced by a tall, Egyptian-looking woman, but with a cat's head. "Do you know me now?"
He sat up in the bed. "Well, if I remember my Egyptian mythology, you must be Bast, correct? The cat goddess?"
"I prefer Bastet."
He shrugged. "Bastet, then. What can I do for you, your Holiness?"
"I'm doing a little bit of investigation," she told him. "When Jahura returned the hotel and all its occupants, only you and Cannax were unaccounted for. Come to think of it, she's still unaccounted for. Where were you?"
Uh, oh, I'm not sure I like where this is going. He shrugged. "Not here."
She crossed her arms, tapping her fingernails against her arm. "Do you really want to risk impeding an official investigation?"
"Am I being charged with something? What kind of authority do you have here?"
"None, yet." she replied. "But it could easily become official."
She's bluffing. I think. Oh, well, what the heek. "I was in a pocket universe, trying to rescue a friend."
"Oh, really. How did you get there? And how did you get back?"
Could she have found out about Jojo? This is starting to look like some kind of fishing expedition. "Do I need a lawyer?"

[marae]

"Penny for your thoughts, love?" Marae sets down her coffee mug and looks at Tully, who seems to have fallen into a perpetual brown study ever since their return from Now Here. Outside the window, Duke grazes pensively in the A&C's back yard; beyond him and out of their field of view, waves lap the shore, Viking longboats bob peacefully on the water, golden sunlight dapples the pool of the Shrine, and the path winds lazily towards the Gate to Faerie.

Marae wonders idly why she is thinking about the Gate.

Tully looks up from his plate of eggs and bacon. "Nothing much, probably not worth the coin, anyway," he says with a smile. But behind the twinkle in his brown eyes, she can see he is still brooding. She crooks a smile of her own.

"Something's up, I can tell, you know. And if it's all those unanswered questions from our last little adventure, well, I think I probably have most of the same ones you do."

Tully sighs, the kind of sigh that says, "You caught me out, and I'm actually kind of glad."

"There are a few of those, aren't there? Unanswered questions, I mean."

"Yep." She swirls the last of her coffee and drains the cup. "Enough that I think it warrants a walk. Are you still eating, or just teasing your food?"

The eggs on the plate vanish rapidly, followed in short order by the bacon.

A few minutes later they are standing at the Shrine. Duke has ambled over to join them.

"I keep thinking about this," says Marae, idly stroking her horse's neck as she gazes at their reflection in the water. "And the Gate. I don't know why. And that bothers me. I didn't say anything sooner because I kept thinking it was just it's part of home, and I'm glad we're all back here... but it isn't going away, and that isn't so easily explained. I keep thinking there must be something I need to do, or something, but I don't have a clue what."

"Does it have anything to do with Now Here?" asks Duke.

There is a pause. "I don't know."

The three of them stand in a pool of sunlight on the green bank of the pool. Wisdom surfaces briefly, then disappears into the depths of the water. A green leaf falls and floats tentatively on the surface.

Okay, Marae thinks, we're here. I'm not sure why, but we're here.

She thinks there's probably no good reason for this, and wonders how long she should wait before giving up and going home.