cooperation | Glowfic Constellation

imeanforever

"Yeah. I don't suppose defensive mental sorcery interacts usefully with what she does?"

infinitely-stranger

"I did not try it."

imeanforever

"And I've never studied it, since I never expected to be well-acquainted with anyone who wanted to attack me with mental sorcery. Bleah."

infinitely-stranger

"I concur."

imeanforever

"I don't suppose you know the theory well enough that I might be able to cast something just in case?"

infinitely-stranger

"I've studied it in passing."

And Arcane's idea of 'in passing' surpasses some people's idea of 'in depth'. He is able to explain the principles clearly - much better than he could if he were discussing things he'd invented himself, in fact.

imeanforever

Promise listens; she has nothing to take notes with but she listens very intently.

infinitely-stranger

Partway through his explanation, his voice abruptly goes silent. He cuts himself off mid-word and listens.

("Hello, Arcane. I am a representative of the local national government. You can call me Shrike.")

("Hello, Shrike,") he replies. ("Interesting method of communication you have.")

("It's called a whisper spell. Not everyone has access to arbitrary mind magic.")

("I would be somewhat better off if no one did,") Arcane says dryly.

("No comment. I've been told to assess the dangers and opportunities involved with your presence.")

("The danger is that the Queenscourt will eventually discover that your world exists, become terrified, and seek to conquer it, and without extensive countermeasures they will almost certainly succeed. The opportunity is that using local magic you can conquer them first.")

("Not much of an opportunity.")

("It's much better than you'd be getting if I hadn't managed to dodge my Queenscourt orders.")

imeanforever

Promise looks quizzically at Arcane.

infinitely-stranger

Arcane shrugs at Promise.

("While I'm sure that's true, it seems like you're focusing on this Queenscourt problem to the exclusion of all else,") says Shrike.

("I wonder why I might be doing that,") says Arcane.

("I'm sure it's because you consider it the most important concern right now.")

("Yes.")

("Would you like to explain to me why that is?")

("The fact that your world will be conquered if you don't do anything about it is not sufficient cause?")

("Be assured I am very concerned about my world being conquered. I'm just not sure why you are also very concerned.")

("Why wouldn't I be? An entire world full of unsuspecting mortals is about to be folded into the Queenscourt!")

("You were a member of this Queenscourt yourself, weren't you? What is it like?")

("It was comfortable for me in particular. It can be much less comfortable for other people. It's not the worst court out there, but given the opportunity I am happy to dismantle it. The fewer people there are eternally drowning in bowls of water, the better.")

("...I'm inclined to agree,") says Shrike. ("I'll whisper-spell you again shortly.")

"Well," says Arcane. "That was a... marginally more cooperative mortal."

imeanforever

"Your mouth was moving. Not telepathy?"

infinitely-stranger

"Not telepathy. It almost sounds like the telepathic one dumped the whole problem on someone else and fled. Just as well for us, I suppose, although I still wish she'd help because with her we might not have to mess around trying to feed the Queen."

imeanforever

"With a whole bunch of mortals who have magic of their own it's probably not terribly difficult to get the Queen fed. Dicey, but not insurmountable."

infinitely-stranger

"Yes. I'd rather minimize the dice involved, of course, but I do think it's possible to win this."

imeanforever

"If the mortals are competent. This one seems better? But not great, I assume?"

infinitely-stranger

"I might be jaded on local mortals just now. It was hard to tell how competent he was, but he did at least assure me he was very concerned about his world being conquered."

imeanforever

"If you want to send me to interface with mortals for you - ones who don't read minds - I don't mind."

infinitely-stranger

"I might want to do that, yes. Or at least bring you along to interface with the mortals while I listen and occasionally comment."

imeanforever

"Sure."

infinitely-stranger

"Thank you," he sighs. "I am beginning to regret ever talking to other people in the first place, and the main points in favour of that decision are sorcery and your friendship."

imeanforever

"I, uh, cannot share your regret. But I'll do my best to mitigate it."

infinitely-stranger

imeanforever

infinitely-stranger

Shrike whisper-spells him again.

("Hello. How fast can you fly?")

("Extremely. Why do you ask?")

("I would rather have subsequent parts of this conversation in person and on solid ground, and I can't teleport to your current location but I believe I could create a visible beacon for you to approach. How fast is extremely?")

("I believe the adverb speaks for itself. I could reach an edge of this ocean in fairly trivial time.")

("Then I will go create a beacon. I'll contact you again afterward to be sure you saw it.")

The spell ends.

"The marginally more cooperative mortal - he calls himself Shrike - has announced an intention to create a beacon on an edge of this ocean that I can approach with fast-flight, so he can talk to me 'in person and on solid ground'. Do you suppose I should tell him about you before we arrive? He said he would contact me again."

imeanforever