Two Programming Wizards -- Backdated to earlier in the afternoon

[wizard_redfive]

[There’s a soft rustle as the journal opens, and Dairine’s excited voice can be heard, though somewhat muted as she is facing away.] Seriously. They need to hear about this.

[Then she clears her throat, and her voice comes in louder.]

Hello, my fellow Paradisians! Have you finally started dethawing yet? I hope so because I don’t know about you, but after spending the last week or so huddled around a wizard’s fire I’m ready for a little adventure! And I just so happen to have a brand new map of the Insolitus. Me and Alan are gonna check it out. Any other takers?

[Alan opens his own journal rather than moving to speak into Dairine’s.]

Those who are interested, we’ll be leaving the morning of the 27th. We’ll make it as far as we can before we return on the night of the 29th. That gives us three days.

A friend of mine [thank you, Gibson] thought that somehow the Castle’s magic came to the Castle through the Insolitus. There’s also the Lost Room to think about, not to mention what might be past it. Anyone who’s been on an expedition into the Insolitus before would be a big help, too. I’ve never gone farther in than a half hour’s walk.

[His voice is a little bit muffled as he looks to Dairine rather than the journal.]

Remember, we’re gonna need to do a little more research than just the map before we head out.

[Dairine makes a face and rolls her eyes.] Yeah, sure. Whatever gets us in there.

[Alan raises both eyebrows and his mouth stretches into a line as he gives her a stern, deadpan look. She might be extremely intelligent, but sometimes her youth trumped that. Alan looks back at his journal, taking in what’s been transcribed for a moment before speaking again.]

So. Anyone who wants to come with us should meet us in front of the Insolitus at nine on the morning of the 27th.

Be sure to come prepared! [Dairine pipes in.] The Insolitus can be a tricky place, and we’ll be in there awhile. Mustard and bologna sandwiches won't cut it.

Keep it light, too. We’ll be doing a lot of walking, and carrying your entire room on your back won’t be very conducive to traveling. Stick to the necessities.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them. Better to know what to expect than to come unprepared, especially because the Insolitus likes to change itself around.

Alan! Just scare them off, why don't ya.

[Alan’s expression remains stoic, but his pitch does rise just a little, a bit defensive. You sound way too much like Flynn, Dairine.]

I’m just making sure they know what they’re getting into.

[Dairine laughs.] I know, I know. [She’s only teasing, gosh.]

Right. [Alan rolls his eyes, but the slight smile that tugs at his lips even whilst he’s trying to appear stern shows it’s meant good-naturedly.] Well, we’ll see you then. In the meantime, have a happy holiday.

((Open invitation for those who would like to go Bit hunting exploring. Alan is blue and Dairine is green! Exploration log here!))

Comments

[cyan_maid]

The...Insolitus? What is that exactly? I feel like I might've seen it mentioned somewhere before, but I'm probably mistaken.

[is0latedthinker]

You might've seen it on one of the doors in the Castle, or mentioned somewhere in the journal.

It's... it's a maze of pathways that stretch deep into the Castle's heart.

[cyan_maid]

Oh wow! And you're going to explore it? That sounds amazing!

But if it's a maze, how are you sure you'll be able to get out by the 29th?

[is0latedthinker]

It'll definitely be interesting.

It shouldn't be too difficult. We'll mark the way we travel and turn back after a day and a half.

[cyan_maid]

I see! It certainly sounds interesting. What do you hope to find there?

[is0latedthinker]

I'm hoping we'll run into the Lost Room. But it's mostly curiosity.

[cyan_maid]

What's The Lost Room?

[is0latedthinker]

It's a room deep inside the Insolitus that's filled with, well, lost things. Some of them seem normal, but others' uses aren't exactly conventional.

[cyan_maid]

I see! Are you looking for anything in particular there?

[is0latedthinker]

Not particularly, no. But it'll be interesting to see it with my own eyes.

[cyan_maid]

I don't doubt that!

Hm...well, I am going to wish you luck in searching, okay?

[is0latedthinker]

Thank you.

[legacydeck]

I do believe I may be up for that. I can pack some food that'll keep well for a few days and not take up too much space.

It's been a while since I've set off on an adventure, even a short one. This should be rather refreshing.

[is0latedthinker]

That sounds great. See you then.

[wizard_redfive]

[Ah! She knows that voice.]

We'd be glad to have you, cousin. This might not be a long trip, but it should be exciting.

[legacydeck]

Things that are exciting are always worthwhile.

[wizard_redfive]

If you say so.

[Dairine wouldn't go that far. Some of the castle's actions were, while admittedly exciting, not very worthwhile in her opinion.]

[psych0p0mps]

ooh me me im coming

[wizard_redfive]

[Yay, adventure buddy!]

Of course! We couldn't keep you away if we tried.

[psych0p0mps]

hehe you know me entirely too well
i will be sure to bring plenty of bolonga sandwiches and string

[wizard_redfive]

After being friends for over a year I'd expect to.

[Dairine laughs.] No, no, the bolonga sandwiches was a joke! Don't bring that!

[psych0p0mps]

too late i have just filled all the spare room in my sylladex with bologna sandwiches
you can smell them from the dead zone
nothing but bolonga until the end of time
which in itself doesnt even exist except as a figure of speech
so it would be more accurate to say infinite bologna
...
that was all a joke by the way ill bring real food ;)

[wizard_redfive]

[Dairine is cracking up.]

That's good. Because otherwise I'd have to rescind your invitation.

[psych0p0mps]

hey no take backs!

[wizard_redfive]

No bologna then!

[psych0p0mps]

what if i include extra mustard
give it a couple of bites and you wont taste the bologna at all
or anything else for that matter

[wizard_redfive]

Won't work. I've already had enough mustard to last me a lifetime.

[Yes, she's referencing one of her old mistakes. TAKE THAT HOW YOU WILL.]

[psych0p0mps]

nonsense there is no such thing as too much mustard

[wizard_redfive]

Oh, yes there is.

It's called packing the mustard container... but no knife.

[psych0p0mps]

what about a spoon
then you can just eat it right out of the jar

[wizard_redfive]

Ugh, no! Why would you even...?

[Not even she likes mustard that much.]

[psych0p0mps]

hehehehehe

[or that's how the journal transcribes the gigglefit that follows, anyway.]

i wouldnt
im just kidding dairine
that would be nasty!

dictated;

[lord_wizard]

For the record, I believe your friend may have been right.

Dictated

[is0latedthinker]

What do you know about it?

dictated;

[lord_wizard]

Back in my world I was...hm...exposed to the theory postulated by a scholar by the name of Ephreal Sand. He was obsessed with the idea of labyrinths. His core theory revolved around the idea that labryinths could be used to channel manar - I suppose you could generically label that 'magical energy' though I'm not sure it translates exactly.

The anomalous appearance of the Insolitus itself is enough to suggest that it may hold true here as well. Especially since no one has yet found what might be called the heart of the maze. I'd even be willing to bet that the castle shifts the layout in order to prevent anyone from succeeding.

Dictated

[is0latedthinker]

[Alan will definitely be adding that to his notes.]

Channeling might serve to make it more potent, too, than just hoping it will spread to the Castle. But how do our emotions get back to its heart? We're not exactly channeling them back.

Even with the changing layout, it's gotta be hard to find. I wonder if the Castle would ever change the layout of the Insolitus not just between visits but during them? It wouldn't surprise me, to be honest. The last expedition lasted a good five days and others have been stuck inside for a month or so before.

dictated;

[lord_wizard]

Oh, it definitely does make it more potent. I've felt the result myself. Even without magic, strong enough emotions can effect the environment. Especially negative one. Magic only makes this stronger. It doesn't take any effort on our part to channel these emotions. It's probably more likely the castle channels our emotions towards itself.

And that's why I haven't attempted to find the heart myself. There might be more secrets you can find there, though I agree locating that may not be in the cards, so to speak.

Dictated

[is0latedthinker]

Like a vortex sucking them in to who-knows-where deep inside the Insolitus.

I'm curious as to knowing just what's inside that's not the Lost Room or the potential heart of the Castle.