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Tree branch: check. Assorted lightweight seed-bearing fruits and nuts: check. Other seeds: check. Water bottle, for when she has to veer away from the river: check.
Better not linger in her starting place too much longer. Yellow's faster than her and may have already come home to a wreck. Thorn might have a habit of checking up on the place, even, just in case. She's invisible, inaudible, unsmellable - that won't help if he sends someone thorough. Or comes in person.
She sets out.
She's been flying for about thirty minutes after her shopping trip when she falls through a tear and squeaks inaudibly and lands in the middle of -
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imeanforever
imeanforever
When the distance shifts, Promise tries making a fairylight -
She thinks she sees it flicker into existence before it vanishes, shredded by whatever about this place does that.
The force field is interesting.
She thinks she sees it flicker into existence before it vanishes, shredded by whatever about this place does that.
The force field is interesting.
wormcan
Vista notices her looking at the field. "It's Tinker-made. More just for showing off how we have a force field than for keeping things out, of course.
Elevator's this way. Stalker called ahead; the Director's expecting us."
Elevator's this way. Stalker called ahead; the Director's expecting us."
imeanforever
"Oh, by the way, if there's anyone around who doesn't use nicknames they should probably start."
wormcan
"Most people are non-capes. Director P– the Director is one. Anyone who isn't wearing a costume is probably using their real name."
So far, Promise has seen a total of two costumes.
So far, Promise has seen a total of two costumes.
imeanforever
"Well, I'll just avoid those people, then, I guess. And if you meet any other winged people just introduce yourself as Vista."
wormcan
"Why, what happens if I don't? They claim my identity and impersonate me while I fall apart?"
Shadow Stalker might make fun of her for it, but she doesn't have to be a stereotypical thirteen-year-old to have read Maggie Holt.
Shadow Stalker might make fun of her for it, but she doesn't have to be a stereotypical thirteen-year-old to have read Maggie Holt.
imeanforever
"Well, if you're lucky they don't do anything, but names let fairies do things. ...With that having been duly warned I don't think I want to completely explain fairies right now. I wasn't expecting the mortal world to be this full of unfamiliar magic and people aiming weapons at me."
wormcan
"You were an unfamiliar cape who, for all I knew, had been overseeing a crime in progress. Damn right I'm going to be keeping my guard up."
The elevator does exactly what the name implies, and opens on a floor full of offices. The capes lead her into the open door of one.
A plate by the door reads "Emily Piggot."
The elevator does exactly what the name implies, and opens on a floor full of offices. The capes lead her into the open door of one.
A plate by the door reads "Emily Piggot."
imeanforever
Promise doesn't enter the building expecting to need to read the walls, and it's a bit above eye-level, and metal plates with words on them are frankly less attention-getting than the coffee machine over there. She actually doesn't see it.
wormcan
Upon entering, Vista immediately says "This is Promise, ma'am. Aside from what Stalker reported, it's important that you not tell her your name."
The Director is a fat woman with gray eyes and a blue suit. She pauses for a second or two and then says "Very well. Dismissed." The capes leave, and Director Piggot addresses Promise. "You may call me Director, or ma'am. What is the significance of this restriction?
The Director is a fat woman with gray eyes and a blue suit. She pauses for a second or two and then says "Very well. Dismissed." The capes leave, and Director Piggot addresses Promise. "You may call me Director, or ma'am. What is the significance of this restriction?
imeanforever
"I'd sooner not explain. I don't have any names or any wish to acquire them and I warned you not to let them slip, and what I would like to do next is figure out how to get sorcery working long enough for me to go back to Fairyland."
wormcan
"Promise, if this is something that endangers my people I have little tolerance for games. Our precautions might be insufficient, or if we succeed in getting you back to Fairyland some other fairy might come here, or any number of failures. That holds even if you yourself are both completely trustworthy and never slip once. In such a case, I should at least like to know what the danger is."
imeanforever
Sigh. "Apparently there are a lot of Earths and I didn't even gate here, so if you haven't had a lot of fairies visiting in the past it's unlikely to start happening, but I suppose that's reasonable. When a fairy has a person's name then that person is the fairy's vassal until the name is forgotten; vassals must obey orders from their masters and can't harm them. But you already have this policy of the people with the non-sorcery magic powers using nicknames, which are safe."
wormcan
"Capes use code names to protect their civilian identities. This is a rather more literal case than usual.
What are the limits on what orders can be given, or on what happens if the vassal does not? Does the harm have to be intended to cause serious injury, or does accidental inconvenience count?"
What are the limits on what orders can be given, or on what happens if the vassal does not? Does the harm have to be intended to cause serious injury, or does accidental inconvenience count?"
imeanforever
"Nothing happens if the vassal does not because the vassal does. It's not a choice. Literally impossible orders don't apply, though, if a fairy ordered a mortal - who couldn't fly - to fly then this wouldn't constrain them in any way. Vassals can still, say, stumble and step on their master's feet, but can't plan and then actually take actions that will hurt their master, and self-deception can work around some badly phrased orders but won't help with harm."
wormcan
"So there is a civilization any member of which is potentially one of the more frightening individuals here. Your willingness to volunteer the warning about names does you credit, and I'd like to apologize in advance for this."
Her fist crashes against Promise's arm.
Her fist crashes against Promise's arm.
imeanforever
Promise staggers into a bookshelf and then slips onto the floor; one of her wings bends in a way that looks quite uncomfortable. She shrieks and flings her arms over her head.
wormcan
"Promise?" This was unexpected, but at least it's better than the more likely bad outcome. "I needed to make sure you hadn't heard my name anywhere. I'm not going to do anything of the kind again. Can I help you up?"
imeanforever
"Don't touch me."
This order is non-binding but delivered with some venom.
Promise sits up. She reaches behind herself and straightens out her wing, gritting her teeth.
"You could have asked. I would have let you try to pinch me."
This order is non-binding but delivered with some venom.
Promise sits up. She reaches behind herself and straightens out her wing, gritting her teeth.
"You could have asked. I would have let you try to pinch me."
wormcan
"I did not know what would count as harm, and allowing you to choose the degree would reduce the probative value. I apologize for the necessity, but wanted to take as few chances as possible.
Are you recovered enough to discuss returning you to Fairyland? If the wing is likely to take more time, I can ask for a healer and Panacea can probably be here in a matter of minutes."
Are you recovered enough to discuss returning you to Fairyland? If the wing is likely to take more time, I can ask for a healer and Panacea can probably be here in a matter of minutes."
imeanforever
"I could fly like this if I have to. I could heal myself if sorcery worked, which," she checks, "it isn't. It seems like it works a little bit when Vista is doing the space warping thing. Maybe not well enough to let a gate stabilize, but I don't know yet."