@xuanyu.mo ( dec 25 )

[laozu]

Happy Solstice-month to all! And excellent work to everyone, now that we've had some time to adjust after the Zerzura business, I wanted to say that no matter the "side" you were on, you did what your heart thought you should - what that means, though, is for you to weigh. In the meanwhile, how about a few things for housekeeping? We had a lot of things happening before, I want to know where we are on them now.

[ the text sounds matter of fact, but the only fact is that he's cackling with glee behind the scenes ]

I died! It's not the first time that it happened, but I know for a fact that I did. Yet, I'm still here and for that, you should all be so grateful. ✧⁺⸜(●′▾‵●)⸝⁺✧ Yes, in fact I have dedicated myself to your well-being in the hopes that someone will take this back off my hands one day, and soon. I'm really not cut out for rallying the troops and all that sort of thing. Ahem. Anyways, here goes:

1) [Bad username or site: clarke @ griffin] mentioned that she and a few others met with a gentleman referred to as "Ball" who mentioned something about godhood and gates. He had coffee to offer, which is exceptional -- are we going to contact him again? Should we divide our forces and seek the gates, or pursue them one at a time? Is this of any interest to any of you in particular?

2) Myself and my countrymen are dreaming in a more, ah. Together-ly fashion. We're very close, though - if anyone else is affected by intimate sharing of dreams and, mm, memories - you are welcome to reach out to me. Mister Johnny and I were discussing training the subconscious before he disappeared. I miss him very much, he had a lot of good ideas! I'd like to argue that because we're all susceptible on a psychological level to dreams and changes -- Zerzura being the case in point -- we should work on shoring up mental defenses! I'm able to help with this, I hope! [Bad username or site: wangji @ lan] and [Bad username or site: wanyin @ jiang] are, too!

3) The humidity suuuuuuuuucks, but I'm glad things are greener now! Any idea if we should set up conservation committees to propose better, like, legislation to anyone we can reach? A whole 'green you' campaign? I know in Zerzura I was very much into green deaths, but reusing the dead is kind of a thing for me. I hear plumbers are making good money too, if anyone has lost their jobs. I did -- I'm stuck volunteering for grief counseling now, how unlucky. (´;︵;`)

4) Speaking of the dead: Kurt Fischer. The UNA. I don't like them at all, they killed my partner. He got better, but are we going to dig into this in any fashion? Should we focus more on dividing Morningstar from ourselves?

5) Has anybody heard from our strange friend, Cassius?

I think there's a lot more that we were all doing on an individual level, but those are the main things I could remember being discussed on the network. Whatever I've missed, please let everyone know - I think we need this, it's been a long time since we talked. Hello again, where are your opinions? I'm bored and it's Christmas!

[ why yes, he does think in exactly the same way that he talks: excessively ]

Comments

@clarke.griffin

[strove]

Thanks for this. I'd like to bring up two things.

First: I've tried planning a trip for all of us to Oslo, but I'm not from a world like this one. Even if I've aged considerably since I first arrived, we don't have travel sanctions and most of the traveling I've done here has been accidental. I think dividing our numbers for each location is a good idea, especially since the locations are almost purposefully vague. Since they're located in or near megacities, my thought is that it's going to be very hard. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Second: [Bad username or site: katelin @ phillips] and I have tossed around the idea to do further testing on our body's physiology when we use our powers. While I'm of the belief that our powers likely come from a supernatural source now, I think it's good to know what changes are occurring, and whether they're permanent.

Both of us need some help scientifically in this department. I'm better at medical knowledge. Taking blood and samples is easy. Knowing how to read them is harder. If you have knowledge in this area, please let us know.

Some ideas we've tossed around include testing the body while the empathy bond is active, as well as some of the biological changes when a power is active.

If you think you can help with this, please let us know.

@roxas.sky

[recompleted]

i'm not sure my heart led me the right this time. but thanks for saying so.

i don't like the sound of the UNA people but i don't know about morningstar either.
sure they help us when we show up but we've got powers they can use.
that's enough of a reason for them to try and get us on their good side.

[TRUST NO1.]

do you know WHY the dream stuff is happening?

@wangji.lan

[wangxian]

1. All should consider carefully the pros and cons of divided efforts. Coordination, regardless of our choices, is essential.
2. If there is interest, but difficulty with the use of one method, we are able to provide unique approaches between us.
3. I will talk with my superiors. It may be possible to advocate for supportive installations. [ of course, he would have mentioned this to wei wuxian already. that and the potentiality for playing on particular nights for gallery functions. ]
4. As we are now aware of their capabilities, any decision made should also be conservative.

[ there's a small pause. in part for the word partner and in part for the fact he also wishes to offer this: ]

I can summarize, at the end. You have done enough work for us all.

[ and the fact he's slightly more succinct than wei wuxian doesn't harm. ]

@yalena.yardeen

[motivation]

you knew johnny

[ hashtag priorities ]

@katelin.philips

[covertness]

that has gotten lost by the wayside a little in the business of, well, everything, hasn't it

but i still think this has the potential to teach us a lot

@katelin.philips

[covertness]

thank you for this. it's easy to get lost in the day to day and dealing with what this place throws at us instead of thinking about how to be proactive

[ all right, let her gather her thoughts for a moment. dying and the whole emotional mess of zerzura and its fall-out and the dreams have distracted her, too. ]

1. all claims about godhood aside, i think there's a lot to be said for following up about the gates. we've been travelling between worlds - when coming here, when going to zerzura and returning, whenever someone goes home or comes back. we don't know how we were brought here (or ended up here, at any rate) but i think in connection to gates between worlds, we should think about the spears, but also ourselves.

maybe the scientific inquiries [Bad username or site: clarke @ griffin] mentioned here can help with that. it's worth a try.

[ she has thoughts on the rest, too, but katelin philips is a civilian, not a spy constantly looking to the bigger picture, analysing angles. katelin philips would focus on this, since it's where she can act.

god, bobbi misses action. ]

@wanyin.jiang

[sandu]

You talk way too much. People would rather haul garbage than to spend time on this spiel.

[laozu]

[ he knows how to travel, but being from a time that doesn't have international transit that isn't caravan, horseback, boat or walking means he's a little put off by the concept of leaving the Displaced for any length of time. ]

I'm willing to travel, yet I'm also happy to volunteer my body to further the work you two have been performing. I know more of metaphysical limitations and surpassing them, training the body to limits further than the average human, mostly for the pursuit of immortality -- I can offer knowledge from a traditional angle, in that regard, if any of it would be of service.

[laozu]

I'm not sure there was a "right" or a "wrong" way to be lead, young Roxas. Only the way you thought was truest to yourself. I don't think any of us can be faulted for that.

The UNA framed us for the death of a soldier. They managed to kill Lan Zhan and Mister Doctor Strange at the same time, and injured me. I'm a little more hesitant to ally with Morningstar as well, but that's my own personality. Organizations will always present a hard line their followers aren't meant to cross, and I'm all for crossing lines.

[ but the main thing is: ]

No. But, I want to find out. I've wanted to since we first dreamt together and changed the world around us. If we have such power, we need to learn why it exists and how we are able to use it. I have ideas, but no basis to support them. Miss Griffin met with a man who referred to us as "gods", shrines have been built with symbols relating to us - I believe I have that correct.

What do you think? Your gut feelings on it, I'm not looking for something brainy.

[laozu]

I did and I do. He is a clever and easy-to-adore man. We did some work together in New Tokyo and spoke about dreams. He was interested in exploring them.

Is he one of your loved ones? [ people are always priorities ]

WOW

[laozu]

You should instead be praising me, I put a lot of work and thought into this!

🙏

[sandu]

If you want praises you already have Hanguang-Jun, don't be greedy.

[motivation]

he's my partner

[ did you have to use the word "love"? ugh ]

family

[laozu]

It's difficult to take action, when mourning and heartsick. The matter of Zerzura was -- difficult for everyone, in many unique ways. Should you need someone to speak with, my messages are always open. You needn't ask for a response, sometimes... you simply need to say something.

[ #priorities ]

[laozu]

I'll be as greedy as I want, Jiang Cheng! I want praise from you as well, why won't you praise me!

[sandu]

I'm amazed that one person could say so much without ever being prompted or encouraged to. You're really incredible.

[laozu]

Lan Zhan, you and Jiang Cheng should write some beautiful pieces about the new greenery and have them published! I think people would benefit greatly if they were reminded about the majesty of the natural world, and who better than two great poets?

[ wow stop volunteering your partners for tasks ]

[laozu]

Now you're just playing hard to get.

[laozu]

You must be feeling the worst about his disappearance, then.

[ he'd feel abysmal, without his partner(s) ]

Has any investigation gone into... finding the ones that have vanished? I know there are some people I'm concerned for along with Mister Johnny - Mister Cain, Mister Abel. Mister Heine, as well. We didn't find them at that research station with the funny beasts, correct?

[sandu]

Wouldn't dream of it.

[motivation]

he wasn't there
no idea about the others but johnny wasn't

[ let her just ignore everything else he said ]

[laozu]

You shouldn't be so cute in public spaces, I'll get jealous.

But, importantly - what do you think of any of this? I know you have occupational responsibilities and wouldn't be able to travel far, but the dreams. Would you help me explore them?

(1 | 2)

[sandu]

Who the hell is being cute???? Say that again and I will slap you.

[laozu]

Of course we wouldn't be so lucky... (◞‸◟)

I'd like to help you find him. We can go over what we know about people when they vanish or return after vanishing and see if we are able to attribute it to any other situations we're looking into. I feel it may be linked somewhere, but have no proof yet.

[ he's aware he's stretching himself thin, but people are important ]

[sandu]

[ ugh ]

Will you go?