sticksandbones | surely it's not hard to build a door to another realm of existence?

surely it's not hard to build a door to another realm of existence?

Who: The Entire Grove
What: Portal Shenanigans
When: Throughout the entire month and beyond if needed?
Where: The Grove
Warnings: portal crimes?? possible snake attacks. possible snack attacks.

Clive has never actually made a portal to some demi-realm before, so he has no idea where to start. Except he guesses if it's going to be a door, he can craft a doorframe? It's... well, it sure is! And it's right in the middle of the Grove the best he can, so everyone can access it who needs to access it. It just needs a door or a portal or whatever, he doesn't know.

He does know that he's not a carpenter, and that the benefits of having a stone hand is you don't feel it when you inevitably knock your borrowed hammer into said hand. But he does his best to get it started so those with the experience for these things have some sort of framework for which to build on.

And other than that, he's mostly on patrol with Torgal for any snakes that may be trying to sneak in to interrupt things.

Welcome to a Mingle, Investigation, Joint Build-a-Thon? This will run for however long it needs to run for until everyone either blows themselves up, or we succeed! Collab with your fellow nerds, watch others, sabotage.

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[ He sighs softly to that, thoughtful, his finger stroking lightly against his chin, his voice a low thoughtful mumble as he speaks mostly to himself. ]

God's are beholden to no rules but their own. Even the laws of the Universe must bend. It is, inherently, what makes them a God. Yet is it another space of existence, or merely reaching into the same plane from a different locale.

[ Teleportation versus actually folding space into itself to create a pocket. "Comprehension" sort of sucks, because Pure Vanilla never had to think thoughts like this before when he was just a Healer walking the path of Truth. He huffs softly and focuses on Joshua, beaming. ]

It is a smooth spread made of what nuts are available in the Inn at its time of creation, and boiled down raspberries that are then mashed and created into a jam!

[ Congratulations, Joshua, on your very first peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and juice box, after a long hard day of working that brain! ]

It is a delightful combination of sweet and salty, and I do hope you enjoy it!

[ Pure Vanilla's mumble is still just a bit audible considering their proximity, and Joshua tips his head thoughtfully in consideration. Considering it like that... It's possible that Ultima had placed them somewhere far out of the reach of the world they're used to, but still the same world. Like the vast Apodytery beneath Phoenix Gate. Founder only knows how many exist in Valisthea that may lay undiscovered.

But Pure Vanilla seems to move on from the subject and into explaining the sandwich, so Joshua won't linger on it. He redirects his attention to the sandwich before him, smiling as he sets down his tea and picks up a triangle. ]

Nuts and berries... We once made small cakes of nuts, seeds, and fruits for our soldiers, when Rosaria still stood. I've had them from time to time.

[ Mostly on the road with Jote. They made a decent enough traveling meal, when they were between cities. He lifts the triangle to his lips, taking a small bite from one corner.

And it's somehow similar and not at all the same. The bread is soft and sweet on its own, and the paste made from the nuts blends with the sweetness of the raspberry jam for a delightful burst of flavor on his tongue. His eyebrows lift, and he politely chews the bite before speaking. ]

Oh, this is lovely...!

Oh, that sounds delicious! Almost like a cupcake? Or more dense?

[ Or, if it's for soldiers, maybe something like a ration bar? He highly doubts it's the fruit cake, though a christmas pudding might be up there. Hm, maybe he will see a bout making oat bars.... ]

But it does not surprise me, there does seem to be a common link between certain things of our worlds.

[ And with Joshua liking it, that makes Peepaw beam and begin to put things away, making sure his tea is near at hand, as he's going to find he's going to need the liquid to wash away the remaining nut butter. A cold glass of milk would do wonders here, but alas, he didn't think to bring milk. ]

I am glad you like it, my dear! [ And he hopes you're not allergic, who knew that's a thing! ] It is a good mix of protein and sugars, and should help with your energy. Have you discovered anything of note in your research?

Oh, no. Much more dense, and stuck together with... something sticky, and slightly sweet. Honey, perhaps? Though, the ingredients are not as easy to find these days as they used to be. The nuts and seeds are supplemented with meal, the berries are few, and the binding has turned to more easily obtainable animal fats.

[ Not at all surprising in a world suffering from the Blight. They do what they can with what they have.

He takes another bite of the sandwich, then follows it with a sip of his own cup of tea. It is quite sticky in his mouth, and the tea does much to clear that away. But it's delicious. Oh, maybe he could bring one to Clive... ]

Everyone here would do well to have one, then. The Founder only knows when any of us properly take care of ourselves. [ Himself included, he knows. He's allowed to poke at himself. ] Nothing of note yet... which may have contributed to my exhaustion, but I am nothing if not persistent. I do not doubt we will find a strong lead.

Ah! Pemmican!

[ Or something similar at any rate. Vanilla wasn't too fond of it before hand, due to the meat part, but he's far more agreeable with it now. It is a good source on the go! Moving himself around, he settles down into a spot to sit himself, curling his ankles together, laughing to that. ]

Ah, is that not the scholar life? For someone else with their head not full of books to come in and declare we're fading faster than our candles and we should rest, or be hauled off and put to.

[ Vanillas smile is wry, because he's very well aware they're all like this, and his sigh is fond and full of affection for them all. ]

Mm, I have thought so. My main concern will be with stabilization. [ After all, a certain old man ages ago figured out how to make a door... ] Time and space itself warp here, and attempting to keep the gate from crumbling under itself will prove problematic...

Pemmican? Is that what it is called?

[ He honestly hasn't heard it called anything but "rations". But if it has a name, he will make a note of it. It's interesting that other worlds have it, but maybe not so strange! Plenty of places would have need of an easily-made, portable food source. ]

Ah, yes. That is typically my brother's job. [ He glances fondly over to where Clive stands. ] I have often found myself waking to a blanket being draped on my shoulders, or a kind nudge if he is concerned enough to make me lay down.

[ He lifts the sandwich triangle to his lips, taking another bite. It really is good. ]

If only we had supports to hold it open... I have heard that some are in possession of crystals, or stones. Will has one. Might those be able to do something?

It may be different in your world, but I believe so!

[ Heh, Vanilla beams as he watches Joshua glance over to his brother. Said man is trying to look like he understands what's going on, but. Well. As much as he's a tactician, magical portals are beyond him. He catches his brother's look and gives him a hopeless smile in return before returning to what he was doing. ]

You are lucky to have him. We all need someone to lean on, and who understands us more than we do ourselves.

[ He's pleased to see Joshua eating all of the sandwiches too. Good. The poor lad is too skinny (says the pole). With a soft hum, he settles himself back comfortable, gathering his hair into his lap to begin to idly braid it as he thinks. ]

A viable idea... I would hate to place strain on the Goddess' by asking for stones, but the alternative is using ourselves...

[ He trails off, thoughtful. Small pieces of themselves, maybe? Everyone contributing a little energy. Hmmm.... ]

[ That hopeless smile gets a bigger one in return. Joshua knows that Clive is simply wandering around doing what he can to help, but honestly, he would have it no other way. Someone to fill that role is incredibly useful. ]

I certainly am. --ah, Pure Vanilla Cookie, might I request a sandwich for Clive, as well? It would do him some good, I think.

[ He is allowed to look out for his brother just as much as his brother looks out for him, after all.

But something about what Pure Vanilla says makes him think. Using themselves... No single one of them would be able to hold the portal indefinitely. Rather, he's sure that they could hold it for a significant amount of time, but that isn't a feasible solution.

And, like Pure Vanilla, his mind is wandering in a similar direction. He thinks back to Clive's quest for Luca. ]

... what if several of us were to imbue something with a fragment of our power? A little from many. Do you think that would be able to hold it?

Of course!

[ In the blink of an eye out comes everything to make more sandwiches. Extra helping of nut butter, he thinks. And he hums softly, pleased, when Joshua comes to the same conclusion as him, nodding gently. ]

I was thinking the exact same. Rather than using ourselves as batteries, we simply act as chargers. We grant portions of our energy to something that acts like a power source, and as needed, we can refresh it.

[ He ponders as he makes sandwiches. Joshua only asked for one but Clive looks like a man who needs a ton of food to maintain. ]

This means, as well, the door is not constantly openable, which may add to security.

[ Oh! Good! Pure Vanilla had the same thought, then. Joshua smiles around his bite of sandwich and inevitable sip of tea. ]

It sounds like a fantastic idea, then. Letting many share the weight without truly burdening anyone is a benefit enough, but with security added...

[ Oh, it's perfect. In theory, anyway. Hopefully in practice, as well, but... they will find out, he supposes. ]

A shame that we cannot simply open it whenever we please, though it would be far safer to require a complicated process. I should like to spend days in such a place...

Precisely!

[ Opening as they please though is a nice idea, however, Vanilla slicing those sandwiches up into triangles too. And off goes the crust! ]

Oh, my dear, you are not the only one who yearns. To imagine what we may learn in there, or the art we may find, or the stories...

[ He sighs softly, piling the sandwiches up onto a little place. ]

Perhaps keys...?

[ Off goes the crust! Joshua is delighted by this little detail. Maybe one day, he will ask. ]

Oh, you would have loved the Sagespire... I wanted nothing more than to go back in once we had dealt with the threat there, but I was kindly and subtly advised to not.

[ He still wants to. Perhaps one day, if they return home and he survives their encounter with Ultima. ]

Keys...? That might work. Would they need to be made of a special material, you think?

[ That makes him laugh lightly, oh no, Lily would love him. ]

If you wish, you may peruse the books I have brought from home. I shall be donating them to the Archives after this, so if you do not here you may there!

[ He raises his hand in a just a moment manner, and trots himself off with the sandwiches to Clive. Who looks bewildered but takes them, and then Pure Vanilla is back. Clive is looking down at the sandwiches and looks up at Joshua like ?? ]

I am not sure. Either of a certain make, or filled with a touch of our energy to react with our energy in the battery. But ah, that would reduce the security...

[ He settles himself back down, resting his chin in his hand as he thinks, studying the ground like it may offer insight. Soft mumbles. ]

Unless we ourselves were the keys?

Oh, truly? I would be very much interested. It isn't every day that one has the opportunity to learn of a different world.

[ But Joshua nods, as Pure Vanilla retreats with the sandwiches. He can see Clive's confusion from here, and he smiles, gesturing with a hand that holds a very similar sandwich. Eat them! ]

It would... I suppose that may not be the best option, then.

[ He frowns down at his own sandwich thoughtfully. Something that would be difficult to take... Idly, he thinks about the stolases back at home. Even if they are intercepted, the message cannot be picked up by anyone but the intended recipient.

And then his ears pick up on Pure Vanilla's soft mumbles. He glances up, watching the man for a moment. ]

Is there a way that we might attune our energies to the lock rather than needing a key, thus opening the door any time that one of us comes in contact with it?

Mm...

[ His hum is thoughtfully and he nods gently, turning his gaze from the ground to Joshua, hitting him with the Peepaw beam. ]

There might be a way, yes! If we all energize our conduit with portions of ourselves, we may key in a recognition so that only contributing energies can open the door. This cuts back on the amount of people who have access initially, as well as introduces a buddy system.

[ Just in case. ]

[ OUGH HE'S BEEN PEEPAW BEAM'D ]

Ah! Yes, that would work wonderfully.

[ It's always good for there to be a safeguard in effect. And requiring more than one to access it at a time means that none might fall victim to... well. Whatever may be in there. They do not yet know what awaits them on the other side of the portal, after all. Best to err on the side of caution. ]

It would also do well to have the portal in a central, highly visible location, I think. Perhaps the inn...? Or a dedicated shelter in the square?

I think your brother has picked a good spot to begin with.

[ Smack dab in the middle of the Grove, Pure Vanilla glancing over to the door frame, now bedecked with flowers. He ponders the door, then glances around the Grove, nodding. ]

If it cannot be moved once work begins in serious on it, we may need to build something around it. Though the forest does not come into the Grove itself-

[ It can corrupt people. ]

[ Pure Vanilla has hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what Joshua's biggest concern is, coming from experience. The thought that someone corrupted might be controlled into destroying the portal, or worse... ]

I suppose we will just have to see how portable it is. It can be handled if it ends up being a problem.

[ Hopefully, it won't. But it's always best to plan for any possibility. For now, they have a solid idea as far as security goes, and that goes a long way. ]

I have heard that the warming of the air typically brings the awakening of the fallen sun with it, but our attack on the temple may have accelerated the matter. If that is the case, we will have to be on alert even now.

Mm...

[ That makes Vanilla frown, rubbing his cheek lightly, staring at his little picnic basket of items before pulling out the thermos and another cup for himself. ]

Yes... he is supposed to be asleep during the Winter, yet this one he was not. He is already changing the formula that has been shared before with us. Even if we had awakened him during our attack, he was almost expectant.

[ Prepared, might not be the word for it, but he did seem to be waiting for them. He closes his thermos and sticks it aside to sip his tea, hming. ]

I was not here last Winter, but I did arrive during the Spring. His antics were more childish then, as were his temper tantrum in Summer. I can only assume we may see more of the same. He is able to reach into the Grove in a manner, to pluck us up and deposit us elsewhere, but not his creatures other than his corrupted. And I believe we are all free of that now....

[ That is... a concerning thought. Joshua frowns, his brow furrowing as he lifts a hand to his mouth. ]

So we cannot rely on consistency, at least in terms of yearly sleep schedule. But I highly doubt his behavior will change, so yes, more of these... tantrums will likely happen.

[ If only they could predict them. Ugh. Best to be on guard at all times, then. ]

My corruption was cleansed, as was Fern's. Who else had been corrupted? Can we be certain that there are none left?

As was mine.

[ Can they be certain? He looks around slowly, a certain light glimmering in his eye. Of those gathered... he nods to Thorns. ]

That young man is, and I will escort him away here shortly. I don't think he understands the dire situation he's in.

[ He studies him for a moment or two, then turns his gaze back to Joshua, eyes flicking up and down. No corruption, the Phoenix is as healthy as can be, and he sees the curse has been chipped away at. Good. ]

[ Joshua follows Pure Vanilla's eyes, watching who he looks at. He trusts Pure Vanilla's judgment - he knows how well the man can see others, having been on the other end of it himself. ]

As it was with Fern... I had to coax him into visiting Zahliya.

[ But, one person is at least manageable. Not as preferable as none, but better than many.

It's then that he realizes Pure Vanilla is giving him a once-over. He smiles, a little questioning, tipping his head. ]

Is everything all right?

The Corrupted have a natural aversion to seeing those that can cure them. It's the subtle influence of him whispering in their mind, even if they don't hear him audibly.

[ The question makes him beam and nod, looking pleased. ]

Forgive me, I was merely checking up on your own conditions. I'm glad to see the Corruption has left no lingering affects on your body, your energy is doing well, and you're healthier than you were!

[ It's not much, but the gentle erosion shows. The medicine he's prepared should help reduce the damage caused by coughing... and with his sight... hm. He knows Will has been aiding them, if he offers to join forces, they may be able to ... Ah, back on topic. ]

How are you feeling?

[ To that, Joshua nods. ]

I recall feeling the same aversion... Clive had to go with me to ensure it happened.

[ But it did! And now he gladly wears Beiwe's mark instead of his.

The assessment makes him brighten, though. He's aware from Will's own assessment that their treatment worked, just a little bit, but to know that Pure Vanilla can see so much...! ]

Oh, truly? You can see all of that?

[ It's a good feeling. One that makes him smile. Clive will be glad to hear it... and thus might not be too angry about it if he does have to use his healing. It's small, but it is a success! ]

I am feeling just fine, actually. The snakes have left me a little worn down, but it is nothing a bit of sleep cannot fix.

[ Pure Vanilla won't mention how his own cleansing went.... Lily had to drag him to Zahliya and the moment she let go, he took off bleating and Zahliya had to mutton his ass on the run....

The question makes him nod slightly, smiling still. ]

My ability to discern the Truth of things has returned now that I have my Soul Jam back, which means I am able to see how your curse has progressed.

[ He sees it did damage to the stomach.... Hmmm... His smile ratchets up to hear Joshua feels fine. ]

Excellent! Has the medicine helped any for the coughing?

[ Snakes makes him glance again, quickly. No bites. Good. Quick glance to Clive. None over there either. GOOD. ]

Indeed, do make sure you are getting plenty of that, dear. Pushing yourself too much with enough hands around is a recipe for disaster.

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