thehometree | 002 | Amber | Celena Schezar

[Evan's been quietly keeping one eye on the amber while he's been experimenting with the beginnings of plant dyes. In the absence of that fabulous ubiquitous distraction, the internet, he's been relying on peoples' amber broadcasts for his intermittent distractionary needs.

Besides, keeping an ear to the ground lets him know when interesting problems crop up. Celena's a familiar face, albeit one he's still not entirely sure what to make of, but here she is, offering exactly that: an interesting problem.]

Crystals can sometimes be broken if you can find their resonance frequency. It would be difficult to pull off without some sort of amplifier, and you'd have to find the frequency first, but it's possible.

[He puts down the cup he had been stirring to look into the amber more seriously.]

Now, I'm curious as to why you're so sure that's a person stuck behind there. It does sound like Chime, but have you communicated with it beyond simple mimicry?

Why don't you get Chime to come up and see if it makes any sense to her?

[Jo, listening too from a nest she had made near the water to escape the heat, can't help but actually listen to Evan's response. Usually when people are chattering she crams her amber slice back in her bag, mostly because their talks of quests and magic put her in a foul mood. Resonance frequencies, by comparison, sounds downright comforting.]

Or, you know, make some kind of oscillator to resonate the voice down to her. None of those rocks is loose at all?

[That they are lodged into the inside of the tree at all is baffling, but Jo's made a point to avoid going anywhere near the center of the trunk. She'd rather ask than check.]

[Celena glances between the pair of them in alarm]

Are you demons insane!? If you resonate the crystals to explosion they'll blow the tree in half! I want to save this person, not kill her and myself! Why do clever people always come up with the stupidest, deadliest solutions?

[She scowls at the pair of them]

Evan, I know the difference between something echoing at me and a voice I can't quite make out. I've been speaking to her through the crystals for the last fifteen minutes as I've tried to find a way through them. Jo, no, I've flitted about and tugged on everything I could get a grip on, but nothing is loose.

[Evan startled when Jo showed up on the amber, and then almost did again when she talked sense about oscillators. He had gotten used to seeing her bruised face out of doors and sort of feral, not talking shop.

But then, Celena's indignant shock cut in.]

Well, pardon me. If you did it correctly you could simply fracture the crystals, not send them shattering. That might be enough to allow for other, more precise methods of breaking them up.

Jo, that's not a terrible idea, setting up an oscillator. If we had some wire... but I've seen barely any metal here at all, much less anything that could transmit with any clarity.

[He frowned, thinking of radios and wireless signals, considering his way around the edge of the problem... until something absurd occurred to him.]

Hmmph. I wonder if we could simply get Chime to, er, speak into one of our amber slices. Hold another up against the crystal upstairs? Do these things even put out enough noise to carry?

[Jolene gave a cackle at that solution.] You ever seen that thing in the amber? Everyone I ever talked to about Chime said she shows up once in a while and she's got a big old mysterious 'shop' that she folds out for a single day and then she hides everything up again. What makes you think she's gonna put in for experiments?

[But she's got her hand on her chin, ragged fingernails chewing into flesh as she thinks.] Celena, you want to hold your chip up? Is it saying anything? [She can see the strange crystals behind the other woman and she's a little relieved that the inherent discomfort of being close to the life beam doesn't translate across the amber along with sound and sight. If she can hear any faint noises from Celena's attempts to hold the amber slice close to the crystals, she'll do an initial attempt to mimic the chiming noises much like Celena had been doing; of course, what they'll hear is a lot more hoarse than Celena's enviable voice... but Jolene's had the benefit of actually returning to Chime on more than one occasion to drop off what she's eventually discovered are flowers, so she's had a lot of exposure to very silly bell-like chatter.]

[She fixes Evan with the same stern, demanding look she wore in her interrogation as she answers him.]

I want to see proof that your oscillator won't cause an explosive reaction before I allow you to set it up by these large deposits.

[With one last glare to make sure he realises that's not a mere suggestion, she flicks her attention back to Jo]

She's still speaking. Can you hear her?

[She holds her chip as instruction. Once Jo's voice dies down, the voice from behind the crystal trills and bells out an extended answer.]

Jo! She heard you!

[Evan had leaned in with fascination -- and then frustration, as the amber cut between both Jo and Celena without his agency. It was hard to keep proper track of both the conversation and the thread of activity, and so, putting down the cup he'd been experimenting with the contents of, Evan stood up.]

I'm coming up there. I want to see this for myself.

[Carrying the amber with him, he went to fetch his shard and head out of the room he'd laid claim to.]

Yeah, I heard that!

[Jo, finding this whole experiment fascinating, was happy to allow Evan to cut in; the swapping back and forth overlapped almost in time with a regular conversation--and even better, she didn't have to be close to either of them or that damned life stream. She was actually grinning, even if it made her face hurt.]

One of you two should pay a visit to Chime, or have you met her yet? I bet she'd have something to say about all this shit.

[Celena looks away, suddenly uncomfortable. She's embarrassed to admit that she's not been completely proactive in all regards.]

I've seen her around, but I admit I have yet to approach her directly. I was hoping to find someone who could speak her tongue so that I wouldn't be tripped over by a miscommunication.

Evan? Are you there? Go finds Chime! [She realises his face has vanished and huffs] I'll have to wait until he here to send him down again.

You've been here longer than me and you haven't talked to her yet?

[Jo finds that strange enough to pull a face. The heat of the day is baking her into her stream-side nest, but fear of incompetence is a powerful force. She rustles a little, combating the somnolence of being slowly baked to a thin crisp.]

I guess if I go up there I can put my slice out for Chime and either of you can use yours. Makes more sense for Evan though, unless he's a complete dumbass hidden behind that smart fox-face.

[She looks a little ashamed at that]

I had intended to learn more about her from the other people here before contacting her directly, just in case I offended her without realising, but I realise now that I've left myself unprepared. Thank you, Jo, for covering for my deficiency.

[Evan has swapped from his button-up shirt to the leaf tunic to allow for the great moth-wings he's ended up with, but rather than wear it dress-style like the garment seemed to be intended he's tucked it into his jeans and wears it like some gaudy tank top.

His flutter is somewhat awkward: he seems to be making an effort to stay as far away from the blue lifestream as possible as he emerges from the lower floor. He has to extend an arm to keep himself from running into the edge of the aperture between floors, but he's done this maneuver enough times at least that he doesn't crash.

He lands for a moment on the floor, looking around for Celena. When he spots her hovering near the crystal, he huffs exasperation to himself: he hadn't gotten half used enough to flying for that. Still, he launches himself up again gamely enough, great scaled wings carrying him with their startling ease up into the air, spiraling up to join the winged woman above.]

This is where she's, er, singing? [He comes to a somewhat clumsy hover, craning to look at her amber.]

[Celena's mastered hovering well enough that she's able to keep her palms on the crystals. She looks down at Evan as he flutters about, her manner and expression far less assured than it had been during their first meeting]

Listen.

[She sang a short, wordless snippet of a song in a strong soprano. Moments later a muffled, unmistakably organic chiming came through the crystals]

Do you believe me now that this isn't just as echo? Come and sing too if you need further proof.

[While the two are chatting, Jo has been resolutely buzzing her way back to the tree. Slapping into the bark near Chime's floor, she skitters in through the stable door and swipes her amber slice from her pocket.]

I'm in.

[That would have sounded more accomplished if she weren't also panting and visibly sweating from the effort of hauling herself through the soup of what felt like boiling air.]

Chime, are you around?

[Because she's left her hand on the amber, the two and anyone else bothering to watch will see Jo's view of the mount rental stalls swing around. Catching Chime out into the open is something that Jolene always expects to fail, mostly because the spirit is so strange to her!]

[Like a little explosion of light and glitter, a certain spirit appears in front of Jo. Blinking with large shiny eyes, she smiles at the woman, but doesn't go to hug or cheer.

Looks like she can learn!]

[In the meantime Evan's struck up a hover as best he can next to the crystals, helped by clinging with his fingertips to a ridge in the hard-edged structures. He's frowning fiercely at the crystals -- or at the creature behind them, it's hard to tell.]

That does sound remarkably like a call-and-response.

[He opens his mouth, thinking to try the same, but reddens a little and snaps it shut again. No, he's not going to make an ass of himself trying to sing.

Instead he cranes to peer at Celena's amber again, noting the swiveling view they're getting.] What's she doing? Jo, I mean?

She's going to speak to Chime to see if she'll come up to join us.

[Another face, that of Ivaera the elf, interrupts Jo's stream and Celena turns her focus onto that conversation. She's murmuring the same conversation she'd just had with Evan, until Ivaera says something to make her laugh in delight]

Evan! The questers are returning and they're bringing something that will break these crystals! She'll be free! Do you hear that? You'll be free soon!

[In the meantime, Jolene has been approaching Chime with the kind of careful stolid friendship of a neighbourhood cat whose decided the spirit is not a foe.]

Chime, [she holds up her amber slice the spirit's way,] some of the other people and me thought there might be another one of you a little further up the tree... but we can't get up there, there's too many rocks clogging up the hole. [She casts a cautious glance towards the center of the trunk, still blue-lit at this point by the sorrowful lifestream.]

Take a listen here, maybe you can tell it that we're trying to figure out a way to open the hole up?

[Curious, the small spirit leans in to look at the amber slice as Jo holds it up, looking quite concentrated as she listens. A few notes can be heard from above and she brightens up.

Chimes spill forth in a cacophony of jingles as the little spirit wiggles her hands in excitement, moving back from the amber slice to dance around in joy.

Pausing, she nods quickly at Jo before holding her little wispy hand over herself and then next to her, as if indicating another of herself.]

[At the moment, Jo is holding the slice towards the spirit, so with any luck, Evan and Celena will be getting the same show that Jo is, with all that wiggling and dancing!]

Well that proves we're not trying to pick away to get to your evil twin, I guess. You want me to keep this here so you can shout a few things up to them?

[This to Chime, as Jo's currently holding the amber slice up. Over the course of the last week she's come to like this weird little spirit nugget creature. Dragging flowers up, mangled stems or no, has given her something to do and an excuse to return to the tree. Even if she hasn't been socializing much, Jo doesn't feel quite like a rabid raccoon here anymore.]

Can you make out what it... she? is saying?

[Chime keeps jingling happily, floating to poke the amber slice and smiling brightly at Jo. She seems utterly excited to hear this other spirit, and her jingling sounds are soon replied to by little musical tones.

Hearing those, she seems even more amazed and even gasps, hugging herself. Apparently she has missed this other little spirit nugget.]

[Evan exclaims at the news that the questers have returned with a solution, surprised more than jubilant. He struggles with an unexpected feeling of disappointment: aside from idle speculation about perhaps constructing some sort of lift up the tree, this had been the first really fascinating problem he'd been offered a chance to sink his teeth into.

Still, listening to Chime, er, chime away at the other creature trapped behind the crystal is compelling enough that Evan stays hovering, even leaning in close to listen to the exchange, and to Jo's interjections]

Jo, can you understand this exchange? [The way the woman had been talking sort of made it sound that way, but Evan is skeptical!]

Well, I don't know if they're actually trapped... [ There's somewhat of a strain in her voice, sounding somewhat worried. ]

But maybe if another quest shows up, we'll be able to go up?

[Her attention snaps to the smaller girl]

Was Chime trapped in this way too?

I don't know if Chime was... it didn't look like Chime was trapped.

How did she look? Were you there? Tell me.

[She rattles out the questions like an interrogator]

W-Well, Chime-san doesn't ever seem to be trapped! I mean, I think she's more worried about the Lifestream... ever since it turned blue.

If this prisoner is not trapped, what do you believe her situation to be?

Hmm... I don't know. Maybe they just can't go down? I think they live up there, but they're not "trapped" like we are. I guess.

... I would have an easier time believing that if I hear another voice in there too. For now I'm forced to believe that she is alone.

But they can live alone, can't they? I mean... Chime's been here on her own.

There is a large difference between being able to live alone and being content living alone. Chime and this prisoner could be miserable without their own kind.

... Well, I wouldn't know; we'd have to actually ask them personally if that's the case.

[Hello, housemate. Ivaera's still not back yet, but that doesn't mean she's lost interest in the events of the Tree. Listening in silence, her brow furrows and she frowns in thought.]

Perhaps there is a more efficient way than chipping at the crystal, though I can't say I wouldn't have made the same attempt. Perhaps Chime might have a suggestion to offer? If she can understand the trapped being, it might be that they could provide us with the knowledge needed to free them. Or at the very least, additional clues which would aid us in gaining the full picture.

I am sure this poor prisoner and Chime would be able to speak to each other, but would Chime be able to communicate with us what we should do?

[She bites her lip, torn between flying off to find Chime right away and making sure the prisoner doesn't feel abandoned.]

I can't leave her by herself. Can you imagine how scared she must be behind there, all alone?

[Ivaera nods, not unsympathetic, but if Chime can provide them with a means to free the one trapped....]

Could someone fetch her for you, or stand here in your stead? If absolutely nothing else, I can attempt to keep them company through your amber slice, though I understand any reluctance to part with it. I've heard that some in the tree have a rapport with Chime, so perhaps they would be best suited to such a task, if they respond.

Would you be able to speak to Chime for me? Please, I've never spoken with her personally, and I wouldn't want to leave this poor prisoner with just my amber.

I have never spoken with her personally either, to be honest, but I'm willing to make the attempt. I hope she has an amber slice of her own, or it will be impossible for me at present.

Where are you right now?

I'm still outside the mist, on that mission for the tree. We're on our way back, but given how long it took us to reach our destination, I would guess that it will be two days.

[Her eyes widen in sudden hope]

Were you successful in your quest? Do you think you may have found a way to please the tree enough that we can leave?

[If only. Ivaera's expression is sympathetic, but she doesn't want to state such.]

The quest was to free a Servant of the Tree. Perhaps it's not enough on its own to send us back, but it could be a step. As for our success...yes, I believe we attained our goal, though given that three teams were needed, the full result will have to wait until we're assembled at the Tree once more.

[Though that doesn't answer the question she asked, her face lights up in joy]

Do you think that quest pertains to this prisoner?

[She turns to the crystal and calls through]

Do you hear that? The questers are coming to save you! You'll be free when they return!

[She can't help but smile softly at that, hoping to see the results firsthand soon.]

I believe the quest must pertain to the prisoner beyond, yes. Our path must take us beyond the crystal in order to continue helping the Tree, after all. I hope they can manage to endure a little longer, until we arrive and conclude this affair.

[Resolutely, she declares]

I will be here for her to provide what comfort I am able so she can endure until then.

[Then, smiling softly in return]

For her sake, I'm glad you were one of the ones who chose to embark on this quest, but for my own selfish sake, I'm glad you are returning. Our house is so very quiet.

I'm glad. Knowing that she's not alone will make all the difference to her, I have no doubt.

[Aw, Celena. Ivaera smiles fondly in turn, then chuckles at that last part.]

Oh, that will change soon enough. Garahel will be quite happy to return and see you and Nai again. At least he's gotten in a lot of walking, so he won't be so wound up when we return. Relatively-speaking.

[She laughs]

If he does need someone to chase around with despite all of his walking, I'll be happy to take him out and around. I could do with a focus for my exercise, as running is dull when there's no one to compete with.

On that, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to provide. Nothing perks him up like getting some attention, especially when it's a friendly face he hasn't seen in a bit.

002 | Amber | Celena Schezar

no subject

Three-way convo?

Three-way convo!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

amber;

Re: amber;

amber;

Re: amber;

amber;

amber;

amber;

Re: amber;

amber;

Re: amber;

amber;

Amber

Re: Amber

Re: Amber

Re: Amber

Amber

Amber

Amber

Re: Amber

Re: Amber

Re: Amber

Amber

Re: Amber

Amber

Re: Amber

Re: Amber