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[al2955]

the pygmalion. . . ONLINE CAPTAIN'S LOG: WEEK (13)

saturday (10) survivors Something is different. You can feel it in the air: an ominous presence that weighs down the ship like it's underwater. Try as you might, you can't escape the feeling that you're being watched, the sensation of someone just out of view tailing you. Tensions are high, and paranoia grows with it. You feel it more than see it, and that's what warps your perception of the ship. Is it darker? Are the lights dimming? Who is it that calls out to you? Why is it so cold? Who can you trust? The distinct sensation of not knowing who your back is to wraps around you. There is one thing you can trust in, however; though you feel exposed, you are not alone. Mother is here for you. taken list profiles private conversations setting rulebook ENTER COMMAND_

Comments

[tevinteriscoming]

All right. I'll stay where I am, which is perfectly safe, but I'd like to try and help you. I think I might be able to help you get out from where I am. Is that all right with you?

[Technically true - he's going to get her out by convincing her it isn't real.]

Can you describe anything else about your surroundings?

[bloodbiter]

You should be farther from here then you are. Close enough that I can't hear you.

[deep breath.]

There's a dragon.

[tevinteriscoming]

A dragon! [He actually sounds sort of delighted.] Well, now. That is difficult, but as I recall, you've fought one before, haven't you? Have you your sword?

[bloodbiter]

[dorian, no.]

Not alone, I haven't. I don't have my sword, I can't see...

[tevinteriscoming]

[He's not a particular fan of fighting dragons himself, but he just finds it amusing - more dragons in illusions.]

No sword? All right, we'll just have to get you out of there with a spell. I'm going to talk you through it, all right?

[bloodbiter]

[but even trapped in this illusion, she's trying to be rational. she has no leverage here - nothing to barter with, nothing to save herself. she has no weapon and even her senses are failing her.

it won't work, she knows - humans in her world can't perform magic. it's a thing reserved for sorcerers and fairies. but maybe pretending for even a moment will provide some relief.]

What do I do?

[tevinteriscoming]

It's quite simple. You see, I happen to know that the place you're trapped in is a magical one. It only exists via magic. And because it's magic, it feels as though it's completely real.

In order to leave, you're going to need to understand that it isn't. You aren't trapped, Adelina. You can leave at any time.

[bloodbiter]

[there's a moment of silence after she listens to that before she laughs, amused in a way despite the circumstances.]

It would be nice if that were true, but no magic could do this.

[she's seen illusions and other strange magic, but none so complete and vivid as this. the way the stone shifted to scales under her touch, the heat and the smell of burnt gold - it's familiar and, to her, still too real to be ignored.]

[tevinteriscoming]

It is convincing, isn't it? The best illusions are - it only means you're in the grasp of some powerful sorcery.

But the key to such sorcery is that it only gets the power from you. It feeds on your fear and on your memory to make something realer and solider than it ought to be. If we can take away what gives it its strength, you'll be free. Let me show you something.

[He reaches out and, very slowly and carefully, clasps her hand.]

Do you feel that? Do you feel me reaching out to you?