audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

Right, that was enough excitement for one mission. Does anyone know why Viveca didn't teleport us out as soon as someone took the orb, like what happened last time? Or was it that Cheri- or Ruvia or whoever she really was- needed to give up ownership, and stealing it wasn't enough?

[If that's the case, they'll need to be ready to bargain and persuade on future missions, rather than hope that whoever they steal it from simply gives up hope of regaining the Orb.]

If anyone's injured- I know how to heal. You might need a few days of rest to make sure you don't disrupt the spells, but you'll mend more quickly than you would have otherwise. And if you're one of my students, feel free to come to the infirmary to help.

And- Apparently the Commander is real, and on the station. But what he said about the Orb growing vicious... are they shaped by the bargains they make, and the people that use them?

[It looked different from the Gyeonje Orb too, red instead of golden.]

Comments

audio; un: Star - Lord

[spacedisaster]

Things really turned interesting in the end, uh? And by interesting I meant, weird as hell. I don't know who surprised me more, if Cheri or Olexa. It was like fighting the final boss of a video game.

[ His shoulder is injured and so are his ribs, but both are not life-threatening injuries. He doesn't bring it up because he thinks it's better to keep the healing for those who need it more. ]

That's a good question about the orbs. I wasn't here for the first mission, and after what people told me about it, I also thought that once we touched the orb Viveca would be able to get us back safe at the station. It seemed like Cheri and Olexa had that orb for quite some time, maybe it grew attached to them? Or perhaps it wanted to make sure first that they would be fine once it was gone.

[bindsthedead]

I don't think that sort of caring is in the Orb's nature- it wants chaos after all.

But there's something from Gyeonje that makes me wonder- no one gave So-Yeon the orb, she stole it- but she made a bargain with it, and was able to relinquish it to us. So perhaps no matter how you lay hands on it, if you make a bargain with it, you're considered the owner?

[Something to keep in mind if they encounter someone reluctant to hand the Orb over... although given the prices the Orb can demand, Sabriel's not sure if it's fair to ask any of the crew to do such a thing.]

video; un: newt

[groupiedrifter]

[Tiredly, lying on the floor of somewhere that is not the infirmary and definitely just some hallway in the station:]

I could use a pick-me-up, Dr. Sabriel.

[It's accompanied by his hand being raised like she's the teacher.]

video;

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel's about to tell him she's not a doctor, but... well, he's hurt.]

Right, where are you and how are you hurt?

[Because between the Lionetta shooting and the Ti'shaaz throwing magic everywhere, he could be hurt in any manner of ways.]

( video | un: jaguar )

[scarcastically]

I can pitch in as backup if you need it.

video;

[bindsthedead]

I'd appreciate it if you could. Things didn't end peacefully this time- and well, if we end up with more crew, a lot of them arrived injured last time.

audio; un: kaspbrak

[respirations]

I mean this feels like totally 80s sci-fi movie to say but do you think the Orb forms some sort of parasitic relationship with its owner? Like it somehow feeds off their emotions or, like you said, takes shape based on the bargains the people make with it.

( It's all a lot to think about either way. ) But it's something to think about— the idea of ownership. Maybe it won't recognize someone new without having met its bargain with the previous owner or unless they give it up willingly.

audio;

[bindsthedead]

It certainly seemed to be feeding on So-Yeon, but I'm not sure if that was because of the particular bargain she struck with it, the Orb's nature, or just because she was keeping it within herself.

Perhaps, but- So-Yeon stole the orb, and was able to make a bargain with it anyway. But that might depend on what the orb sees as meeting a bargain.

[And some morbid part of Sabriel wonders- would the death of the current owner terminate said ownership?]

audio | un: silent

[callada]

I know at some point you mentioned your healing had limits. Think I might've cracked a rib, though. Hit a wall pretty hard. Do you think you can have a look?

audio

[bindsthedead]

That's well within my power to mend. Get to the infirmary, I'll do what I can.

audio | un: andy

[oiorpata]

You were up with Cheri, right? [ she thinks she recognizes the voice. ]

I wasn't here for the first orb. How was it different?

audio

[bindsthedead]

Yes- I was the one who tried to put her to sleep, and then shielded some of us from those ice shards.

It looked different- golden, instead of red, and we were teleported out as soon as we got the Orb. Although...

We gained it by the previous owner giving it up willingly. So perhaps that's it.

audio (un: major.yzak.jule)

[coordination]

I'll be there. I'm fine so I can lend a hand when you need a break.

As for your questions, we can ask Viveca herself once we're done with this and rested some. It'd be helpful to know what to expect, if there's some sort of rhyme or reason to how it works.

audio

[bindsthedead]

Good. And lets hope our next retrieval doesn't end with a fight.

We probably should- if the orb needs to be given willingly, that means the best approach is to win over whoever has it.

audio; un: renfri

[retributioning]

Can you heal without the spells?

[ renfri's voice filters through, and she's speaking through gritted teeth — not badly wounded, but enough from her fighting that she probably needs some help getting to them all, especially the ones on her back. ]

[bindsthedead]

I'm familiar with first aid, yes. Do you need me to help you bandage something?

Audio | UN: Syrlya

[chronosynthesis]

They seem capable of handling multiple bargains. Does it choose not to leave so long as it has an unfulfilled bargain? [So-Yeon managed to steal and use it, but it's hard to say if it considered its deal with the royals completed or not. And where does that put their bargain to put it all together?]

Let's... say it's some sort of pure magical power. [And not debate on whether it actually is magic.] If its core ability it to alter reality, and the power to do so is its form, perhaps it needs to change itself to be able to exert the right energy.

[bindsthedead]

From what Peter and Mr. Kovacs recorded, the Orb seemed rather willing to leave with us. But it might not be able to end a bargain on its own.

Hm... That's possible. That would mean it's shaped by what people ask it to do, in addition to its own nature.

voice;

[hatejakku]

Viveca told me that Cheri had to give up the Orb willingly first.

[ Among other things. ]

I kind of think the Orbs each have a mind of their own... Maybe- You think it's possible we can communicate with one? On the next mission, maybe?

voice;

[bindsthedead]

Well, So-Yeon said that the orb she had spoke to her- and apparently the latest one spoke to Cheri. And they have to offer terms when people make bargains. So I think it's worth a try, at least. Just... Don't make a bargain with it.

video; un: trashmouth

[longoverdue]

I'm fine, I was at the party the whole time, but holy shit, Cheri was Ruvia this whole time? Fuck. [Rubbing at his forehead and letting out a sigh.] I thought we were taking a little longer than before, when that post hit the network.

[A brief silence. Then:] Maybe? It's only been two missions so far. But if that's really the case, then the next time we gotta steal an orb, we're gonna need to be a lot more convincing than we were this last round.

video;

[bindsthedead]

Well, this time, we thought simply taking the Orb would be enough. Now, we know we need to be persuasive.

un: zee | voice

[directrix]

I'm not one of your students, of course, but I'm willing to lend a hand if you need it.

[ She wouldn't say she's growing attached to these people quite yet, but she doesn't dislike them. And they are a team after all. ]

Perhaps the people are shaped by the orbs. There's clearly a symbiotic element to the connection.

[bindsthedead]

I'll take any help I can get.

That wouldn't surprise me. Some kinds of magic- not Charter magic though- can... warp the user, twisting their nature to become more like that of the magic they wield. Especially if they use it regularly, or draw deeply on it.

[It was part of what made Free magic so dangerous- even used with good intentions, it twisted people.]

But... So-Yeon seemed like very different person from the Lord, and they both used the same orb.

voice; un: clarke

[romancekiller]

Those are all good questions. I don't think I have an answer for that but maybe it's something Viveca would have a better idea about?

I was just on my way to the infirmary though so I can give you a hand with patching people up.