:::::[THE BIG 'D'] Good evening. :::::[HECATE] *****IDENT FAILURE-<UNTRANSLATABLE>***** :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Please use common English. My interface includes a real-time language translation and I'm afraid it cannot handle the old tongues. :::::[WORDSMYTH] What is the meaning of this?? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Bravo! Outfoxed by the Dark Wyrm! True Deviltry! :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I was not told others would be at our meeting, dragon... :::::[WORDSMYTH] Nor I. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] It seems we have all fallen victim to the same ruse. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Wondrous irony, that we who prefer to be at each other's throats should be tricked into meeting after all. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] The subterfuge seemed necessary to accomplish my ends. :::::[HECATE] Tell me your reason for this <UNTRANSLATABLE> or I will leave. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I want all of you to read something the humans call a compilation of files. This particular collection is about Aztlan. :::::>JUNGLE CAT SPITS :::::[WORDSMYTH] Is the Watcher attending to this? :::::[UMSONDO] I am here. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] And giving away nothing, as usual. In your honor I shall eschew any further humor or wit.>THE LAUGHING MAN SNIGGERS :::::[WORDSMYTH] What makes you think this compilation contains anything we don't already know? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Oh, I suspect he knows you know what we're going to see. He just doesn't think you've thought about what you know we'll see. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Ah, so the dragon knows you well, "Wordsmyth." :::::[WORDSMYTH] And what could have been the reason he chose to bring you here, "Lady of the Court?" :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Know three things, my friends. First: I am, by virtue of a friend of mine, your technological master here, in a manner of speaking-not that I wish to overstress this. Any of you are free to leave whenever you wish, but given the importance of what we are here to consider it may be slightly difficult for you to leave before we have exhausted the possibilities for discussion. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] A sly wyrm, isn't he? Well, I will not try to slip his bonds, if such they are. This may be amusing for a time. <chuckle> :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Second, each of you is here because of who you are and in most cases who you represent, be it country or other interests. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] ELVIS VOICE -> Uh, thank you very much. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Also curteousy of my technologically gifted friend, you checked your personal animosities at the-what is the word-"virtual gateway" when you entered. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Ah! Is Brightlight among us then? :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I think not. He has better taste than to cast his gifts carelessly at the feet of beasts. He has not come through the "virtual gateway" spoken of. :::::[HECATE] Leave him be. He has earned his arrogance. You have not. :::::>THE LAUGHING MAN TIPS HIS HAT TO HECATE :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Must I forever by compelled to associate with juveniles? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Put aside your will will. I will enforce civility between you if I absolutely must. It would be better if we behave like reasonable creatures wishing to survive and pursue our interests and pleasures. Could we please agree to this? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Who could disagree with such sweet reason? :::::[Wordsmyth] <sigh> "What does a ten-thousand-year-old dragon do?" :::::>HECATE GRINS :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] The Wordsmyth cracks a joke! Surely it is the Sixth World! :::::[JUNGLE CAT] I don't understand. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] He is paraphrasing an old joke about gorillas. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] I don't know that one. :::::[HECATE] ANYTHING HE WANTS! :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Answer->ANYTHING HE WANTS. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Ah. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I will tell you the third thing you must know when we finish reading this. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Wonderful. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I bet I know what it is! :::::[THE BIG 'D'] You will receive the full text of this "Aztlan" document simultaneously in real time. Comment freely on anything that strikes a chord. You may also find it illuminating to discuss what you read among yourselves. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Dun.. Big 'D', I have better things to do with my time. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I doubt it, Lady. I am confident you will agree with me when you read this. More important, I believe you will want to hear what the others have to say. :::::[HECATE] I will stay. :::::[WORDSMYTH] As will I, for now. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Count me in! :::::[JUNGLE CAT] If I may learn anything new about our ancient foe, then I will remain. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I suppose I must stay, too. :::::[UMSONDO] I remain and observe. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Then we shall begin. >>>>>CODE: FILE EXECUTE-AZTLAN BEGIN? [Y/N]> Y |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] Because their vile masters
pervert their magics so they cannot use it to heal the land. Paejaki! :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Watch your language, there are children present. They might not understand what you mean. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Oh, be quiet. :::::[UMSONDO] Cat is not so ill-advised to speak. Barrenness is fertility. Destruction sows the seed of vile growth. Why else are we hear to speak? |
:::::[HECATE] Pobre? Anyone we know? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] A lesser, by my reckoning. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Perhaps in form, but not in spirit. :::::[UMSONDO] Judgment in this instance is hampered by the power of mask and illusion. That which seems is not, and scrutiny reveals naught but deception and change. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] The Watcher cannot see! Our host is misguided and reproved. Are apologies in order? :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Laughing Man should hold his tongue if he has nothing worthy to say. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] In this instance I do not take offense. Let us continue. |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] Such simple distinctions,
yet important. |
:::::[HECATE] Truth or not? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Do we look stupid? |
:::::[Wordsmyth] Sounds too much like Utopia.
The truth doesn't quite match the telling, eh, Jungle Cat? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] I will admit there is intolerance, but we do not carve the hearts out of our brothers to power our arts. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Much... :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Not funny. |
:::::[HECATE] Truth or not? :::::[WORDSMYTH] I suppose that's to me. We are not unsympathetic to the plight of the rebels. :::::[HECATE] And you, Lady of the Court? :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I'm afraid I'm in no position to comment on our political dealings. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Yeah, right. Are Watchful eyes et in this direction? :::::[UMSONDO] My gaze is cast in all directions. Laughing Man knows assistance is subtle and indirect when given. I follow the Lady's wisdom. |
:::::[HECATE] Truth or not? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] I do not know. :::::[WORDSMYTH] This tells me much. Cat should know and if he says he does not then my suspicions are roused. :::::>JUNGLE CAT SPITS :::::[UMSONDO] Wait. This suspicion is logical. But Wordsmyth does not consider that some may be unhappy revealing that they do not know what others feel they should. Few are content to reveal uncertainty. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] How can one be in doubt about such a matter? :::::[UMSONDO] This is foolishness. Such death crafts a mask around a scene. It is hard to discriminate the mask from the true face of desecration when there are many who have an interest in sustaining the appearance. Hecate cannot be given a true judgment here. |
:::::[Wordsmyth] Such ignorance... :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Part of my point. How are they to know, except by slowly discovering for themselves? And by then, it is too late. |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] The obvious is such a potent
weapon. |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] And the concept of a proto-culture
never occurs to them? I sometimes sympathize with The Big'D's (I feel
so silly writing that...) desire to tell the truth, but most of the time
I look at the short-sightedness and willful ignorance of the people of this
era and cringe. Telling them, I fear, would not help them. :::::[HECATE] I'm amused by the reference to 8000 B.C.E. and the fact that the people of the area were the first to begin cultivating squash by then. Very funny. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Indeed. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] It is also interesting that so many of the cultural trappings they've chosen come from a culture that is a mere 600 years old. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Yes, always best to reach back to the really ancient Celtic tradition. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] You are pushing me. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Yup. <chuckle> |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Do any of you possess
information on the New Jesuits? :::::[WORDSMYTH] My Lady, I'd have thought you'd know more about this than the rest of us. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Perhaps I do. |
:::::[THE BIG 'D'] Interesting, how quiet most
of you were during this part. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Of course. Those of us who cared to listen at the time remember it so clearly. :::::[UMSONDO] Some had matters of graver import to observe. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] <sigh> Shall we proceed? |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] The dragon theory has
been around for some time, hasn't it? It's never been proven, correct? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Correct. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] And yet it persists. :::::[HECATE] I would have thought you of all being would know whether or not a Great was in charge here. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Even we do not know who of us survived your down-cycle "hunting," my dear. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Well, I- :::::[THE BIG 'D'] And if we knew for certain who was responsible, we might not be having so pleasant a conversation. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Of course, some of us have Greats as sworn enemies. :::::[UMSONDO] The Rain Queen is not all of her kind. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Well, I can speak with a clear conscience, and I can also say that I have seen no direct evidence of dragon magic. None. I've seen and felt a great many "odd" magics, but nothing dragon. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I take it then that you could not recognize the style or form? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] No, I could not. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] How odd. Why
would they do that when it would be so simple just to create a simulacrum
or surrogate of some kind? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Personal experience again? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Atzcapotzalco has always been something of an enigma, even when he was still a public figure. We've received clear reports that he is magically capable and quite proficient; yet when I was in Aztlan on business ten years ago (in my "guise") I actually managed to get close to him for a short time. I felt a palpable sense of power about him, and yet no effluence of an easily discernible aura. I thought perhaps it was a double, but all other evidence indicated otherwise. :::::[WORDSMYTH] I've met him as well, a little less than eight years ago (after Mr. "Rat Dancer" says he "cacked off"). We...had words about certain Aztechnology practices and efforts with regard o the Tir. He was not amused. I was not amused. He is a man of great power, mystic power. I would have taken him for one of us, but to all cursory examinations he appears simply human. Inexplicable. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Never dealt with the man, or whatever. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Could he have some artifact or object? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Possible, especially considering the area. Cat, you said that Amazonia has a Locus. COuld Aztechnology have one as well? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Then why the blood rites? :::::[WORDSMYTH] True. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Theirs could be corrupt. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] A curse on that thought! :::::[THE BIG 'D'] YOU HAVE GONE OFF THE TRACK HERE. We shall return to this. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I'm really surprised
that none can confirm or disprove this dragon rumor. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] That would involve facts, my Lady. We are, if nothing else, simply a bunch of rumormongers. :::::[WORDSMYTH] I for one am beginning to believe, Lady, that your statement may not be entirely true. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] What, that I am surprised? I resent the- :::::[WORDSMYTH] No, that no one here knows the truth. |
:::::[HECATE] An elf? Is he gifted? :::::[WORDSMYTH] I don't believe the right evaluations have ever been carried out. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] His behavior says he ought to be. Another Watcher? :::::[UMSONDO] No. :::::[HECATE] Laughing Man insults us! :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Must I always keep order among my children? Let us proceed... |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Cat? Would this
explain the strange magics? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] No. There are plenty of spirits in Amazonia. I recognize their taste, as it were. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Yes, I'm sure "as it were." Indeed. <chuckle> :::::[UMSONDO] With all due respect, perhaps Hecate has not observed for a sufficient length of time to draw the correct conclusions. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] What? We are all wrong and you ar right? :::::[UMSONDO] I merely caution against conclusions based on to few observations. I say no more of the matter. :::::[WORDSMYTH] That was sufficient. We will do well to think more on this. Perhaps, after all, this meeting has some reward to add to its irritations. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] At last, I receive some thanks. I accept them in the spirit of generosity in which they were offered. :::::> THE LAUGHING MAN CHUCKLES |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] Possible? :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] No. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Hardly. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Perhaps, depending... :::::[HECATE] Depending on where and how the sacrifice took place. If the ritual were conducted in a area that maintained its potency, then yes, I believe it is possible. Likely? No. |
:::::[HECATE] A computer? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Technically possible, but not likely under current conditions. There are rumors, of course. Renraku, Fuchi and Saeder-Krupp are all supposed to have one or more AIs in development. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] The Denver Nexus is said to have or be one. :::::[HECATE] I must admit technology is my weak spot. It is possible? :::::[WORDSMYTH] As I said, not under current conditions. Possible, that one can make a machine "smart" and "fast" enough to convince a human that it is alive... :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Ah yes, the Turing Test. :::::[HECATE] The what? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] A test by which one can supposedly determine if a machine is sentient. If in a blind test the tester cannot differentiate between the machine and another human being, the machine is sentient. :::::[HECATE] Preposterous! :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Indeed. I would ask, who needs to be convinced? Anyone? The test depends on the use of a communication channel sufficiently degraded in content and context that the discrimination becomes impossible. The Turing Test is as much a mere sleight of hand as any trivial children's party trick. I possess an interesting paper debunking it by one Dr. Antonio Vieri of the University of Milano, though I think we might find that the good Doctor did not exist. As such. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Indeed. Why would Brightlight have chosen Milan? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Well, he'd done Florence and Venice, after all. <chuckle> He bores easily. :::::[WORDSMYTH] The point is moot, as we can now use magic to test. And I do not believe we will see genuine artificial sentience until we have true techn-organic machines. An expert system smart enough to fool a human? Certainly, but it won't be alive. |
:::::[HECATE] There is your "techno-organic"
computer, word-player. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Possible, but I think the task is far beyond current expertise. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Some people say that there are "entities" in the Matrix. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Ah, the techno-shamanic cults. Yes, they do say that. Should we believe them? No. They're among the loonier people I know. :::::[WORDSMYTH] There is always Brightlight... :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Would he associate with these fools? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Point taken. :::::[HECATE] Agreement between you! The moon will rise and set a hundred thousand times before that happens again. |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] He saw this on a vision quest??
That alarms me more than anything else. :::::[WORDSMYTH] The source is questionable, Cat, despite what you might believe. But...black and blank patches in his aura that writhed?? That sounds like something of which this person should have no knowledge... :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Is it what I think it is? :::::[HECATE] You are too young to have experienced it personally, my dear, but yes. Is sounds like Corruption. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] You would know, my dear. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] QUIET! We are at the heart of the matter! :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I thought we might be, old wyrm. And I'll admit this requires further investigation-but additional supposition here is pointless. We're treading on deep dark secrets I suspect we'd rather not bring up in mixed company. The wounds, for some, are too fresh...Oh, dear, now I'm sounding like the wordster. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Remarkably, I must again agree with my painted friend. This sounds potentially dangerous; the implications are frightening. But if we are only going to wander into territory that causes dissent, we should stop, acquire more information, and then speak again. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Words! Words! How much more time will slip past? The cycles repeat themselves truly, do they not? You would all stand idly by while this horror continues until you can "research" it more and "discuss" it further? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I for one will not be inactive, my friend. Fate has already dragged me into this, I will continue my fight. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Oh, please... |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] A situation that could easily
be manipulated to one's benefit. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Very true. |
:::::[THE BIG 'D'] Quiet? Very well... |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] Interesting and interesting. :::::[HECATE] We all knew it was only a matter of time before that tradition was revived among the less insightful. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] And it isn't as if we haven't done it already and given them something to emulate. :::::[WORDSMYTH] I know. I'm just beginning to see an interesting trend that I had not expected to see. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Of what? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Awareness. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] <sigh> Okay, dragon, maybe this was necessary... |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] Hence the reduction of religious
shackles in the rest of the enlightened world. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Faith, as corrupt as the human hand may have made it, is one of those rare things that lets a person see the world not as a place of random chaos and indiscriminate loss, but one that through the heartache and grief has a purpose beyond the tragedy of the here and now. The decline of faith has stolen hope from the human race. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I am surprised by those words coming from you. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] We, all of us here and others, have striven to weaken the hold of faith on the human heart for generations, so that when magic returned they might be more open to it and embrace it more quickly. I believe we have made a terrible mistake. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I don't understand. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Their loss of faith has let them see the world as a cold place built on manipulable formulae and devoid of Meaning. They are no longer afraid of the universe. :::::[UMSONDO] Their loss of faith and a sense of purpose on the one hand with religious belief on the other. This is an elementary stupidity. You do well to mention fear, wyrm. It has too often been the weapon of those who had the hold on the human heart that you speak of-and used that hold to shrivel, weaken, and pervert courage and curiosity, strength and valor, all the better to maintain their own authority and position. There are always growing pains; without pains there will be no growth. I am proud of where I Walk. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] So the increased
potential of the area is being managed-it's not natural? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] As I feared. It explains much. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Preposterous. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Really? It has been done before. :::::[WORDSMYTH] By those far more powerful in an environment far more conductive to such behavior. Here? Now? Spare me. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] You denied the danger of the Spike Point. |
:::::[HECATE] A deliberate connection to
the Tir na nOg Paths, perhaps. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] If so, it is a corruption. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Could there be a connection? :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Not unless one of us is over there showing them how to do things. I think we know how unlikely that is. :::::[HECATE] True. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] But something of knowledge is at work here. I've sensed it. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] You are perceptive. |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] Finally, some insight. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] You are ignoring what is important. :::::[HECATE] That the Aztlaners are conducting rituals in their temples?? Isn't that what they're for?? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Have you ever assensed one of their teocalli? The degree in power of some of them is astounding. :::::[HECATE] So they're conducting blood rites and figured out the right way to do it. We have no worries for some time. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] You said that before the Great Ghost Dance. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] That event should not have caused us problems. It should not have happened to begin with. We should find out from Coleman who taught him. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] There are two possibilities-they are being taught the ancient blood rites, or they are figuring them out for themselves. Is either less frightening? |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] I had not realized the implications
of this. Is the Huey Tlatoani a ceremonial title, or does it carry real
power? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] We have seen no evidence that any of the presidents of Aztlan have been magically active or aware. I suspect it is simply ceremonial. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] But then who holds the real position? |
:::::[HECATE] Is this "Vicar General" the Huey
Tlatoani? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Unlikely. A few of these have been magically active, but even they have been far to o vulnerable to truly be the Emperor of the Sun. |
:::::[HECATE] So the spiritual leaders of the
path of the Sun bow to the powers of Aztechnology. I had thought the
corporation's control purely political and economic. |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] I always considered the
practice of petitioning to be a piece of sheer genius. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] We see your true stripes at last. |
:::::[HECATE] Fear this? Oh, please. I
hope this was not what you considered so all-Holy important, :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Pay attention, but remember. |
:::::[HECATE] A ritual execution. Again,
I fail to see the reason for concern. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Tzitzimine? This
subject is only briefly touched on in the material I have read. It seemed
to have little significance beyond the the usual for such things. Is
the calendar not common knowledge? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] No. I myself am only peripherally aware of it. But I can tell you that the earlier transitions in the calendar have no basis in truth. The ages changed based on the whim of priests, no on fact. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Fact is not what concerns me here. |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] An interesting connection,
but one that could be viewed simply as an omen. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Of course it could, but the "omen" has some basis in fact. One is the harbinger of the other. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] The time is far from right. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] You said that not too long ago, but I have seen otherwise. :::::[HECATE] So you say. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] So you have seen! |
:::::[HECATE] Was this a personal message, or
was there some deeper meaning? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Nearly as big as they come, but not for Atzcapotzalco... |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] This description sounds
like it comes from bad trid-vid. :::::[HECATE] Based on what was said earlier, it would seem you know better...? :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Yes, I know better. I'll leave you to find out the details for yourselves. They are not just a Catholic SWAT team. If that were so, there would be nothing to concern ourselves with. :::::[HECATE] So there is more? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] The Lady does not speak...even to tell us that many are magically active, which is mundane knowledge. <pun intended> Brightlight's absence is again unfortunate. It would be most interesting to know what he thinks about them. <chuckle> :::::[THE BIG 'D'] We might indeed find it interesting, if he were party to their activities here but I doubt this is so. Shall we proceed? |
:::::[HECATE] Nothing unexpected here. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] How confident you seem against what we are learning here. |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] What does that- :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Quiet. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] !!! |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Harl-Laughing
Man, is this what you told us you witnessed on your journey through the netherworlds
involving the Bridge? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I did not witness it, but others did. They visited a Place, a post-apcoalyptic world that may have been symbolic of our own, where blood magic much like this was practiced. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Could one of your surrogates from the journey have figured it out? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] No. We've heard rumors of this for some time, but we've never seen any proof. I find it hard to believe that if such acts are common, we would not have known of them. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] But you did know of them. You'd at least heard of them, if not seen them. Perhaps they were deliberately kept concealed from you? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Why? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Because Amazonia obviously has the backing of ancient powers. Their techniques might have been recognized... :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] This is dangerous. It implies an understanding of blood rites deeper than I'd suspected. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] And it means there could be things going on in the temples that are far more dangerous than we'd feared... :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Yes. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] No, this can't be! Such
techniques are forbidden! :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Forbidden to whom? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Forbidden to anyone with any sense. This is dangerous. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Hecate, if I may call you that...You are being awfully quiet. |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] Dragon, can you speak
to this?? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I know of no losses of any of my kind to this perversion. I believe, however, that it has been attempted with lesser forms. With what success, I do not know. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Such corruption was possible before...but now? So soon? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Remember, they need a certain environment to be summoned, but they do not need it to endure. |
:::::[WORDSMYTH] Distressing. Very Distressing. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I say again, Hecate you are being very quiet. :::::[HECATE] What would you have me ay? That I find such practices abhorrent? There, I've said it. Pleased? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] No, not really. You have a history of consorting with the abhorrent. :::::[WORDSMYTH] ENOUGH! Do not have it out here! We are agreed! We are compacted! The past is the past! :::::[THE BIG 'D'] The past is never behind us. We carry it with us always. The question is whether we remember all of it, or choose to remember only part. |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] The Aztlaners know better than
to contest Bogota. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Still, I'd keep my eye on that border if I were you. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] You know something? |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Cat, do you get much
grief from the Corporate Court? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Yes. I suspect for the same reasons you do. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Indeed. |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] Is this true?? Is Ares Macrotechnology
nuclear capable?? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Yes. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Was theirs the weapon in Chicago? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Yes. :::::[HECATE] How many of these megacorporations have nuclear weapons?? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] The capability, or a stockpile? :::::[HECATE] Both. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Most have nuclear weapons. Few, excepting Ares, Saeder-Krupp, and Mitsuhama, have more than a token assortment. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Lofwyr has nuclear weapons? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Of course. Wonderful irony, isn't it? |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Occidental dragons?? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I believe the author is referring to what the humans call "western" dragons. Or perhaps simply non-"Oriental." |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Do they truly not understand
what's going on in their own world? I am continually amazed. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I do not seem to remember reading any publication revealing the reality behind your nation and her magic, my Lady. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] Touché. |
:::::[HECATE] This should be interesting... |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] I will pre-empt everyone's obvious
question: no, we are not using one of the Great Rituals to empower the forest. :::::[WORDSMYTH] You have a Locus point, do you not? Intact? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Yes. :::::[HECATE] <UNTRANSLATEABLE> :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Ironic, yes, that the near-death of us all brings new life to the world? :::::[HECATE] That was always the intent. :::::[WORDSMYTH] I will not dignify that with a response. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] This seems to imply you
are using at least third or fourth stage Lesser Rituals. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Things are not easy. Even with the Locus we must supplement the forces. We are, however, being very careful. Laughing Man, you will not have to repeat your actions because of us. :::::>THE LAUGHING MAN TIPS HIS HAT :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I still say we should have killed Coleman. :::::[WORDSMYTH] I do not seem to remember you being part of, or even caring about, such things then. Besides, the outcome was required. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] But it did not need to happen that way. :::::[WORDSMYTH] True. |
:::::[HECATE] What is an "Awakened jaguar"?? :::::[JUNGLE CAT] That would be me. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] <chuckle> :::::[UMSONDO] And he is hardly alone. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Ah, our leonine friends. perhaps I should take a closer interest in such matters. :::::[UMSONDO] Perhaps you should. |
:::::[JUNGLE CAT] The presence of this kind of
information here disturbs me. :::::[WORDSMYTH] You get used to it, and invest more money in computer security. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] I'll be sure to alert
my broker. |
:::::[LADY OF THE COURT] So is this civil war
a Mayan versus Aztec cultural clash? This says most of the people in
the Yucatan are of Mayan descent. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] It is not a cultural war, though I have seen undertones of those feelings at times. |
:::::[HECATE] Springtime in Tenochtitlan.
You waste our time. We could have easily given this a miss. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] You have missed what mattered. You grasped at tangents but you missed the core of the matter. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Then direct our attention. Show us the way to truth, O master. <chuckle> :::::[UMSONDO] I kept my counsel at the moment of suggested return, wyrm. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I noticed that. :::::[UMSONDO] It is a question of construct or substance, is it not? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] It is. :::::[WORDSMYTH] I trust we shall be enlightened regarding this enigmatic exchange. For my part I already see steps must be taken. I have underestimated Aztechnology. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] You will note that, from the information here, it does not appear that Lofwyr has made that mistake. I am surprised he has not told you more of his plans. :::::[WORDSMYTH] He and I don't talk as much as you'd think. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] <chuckles> :::::[THE BIG 'D'] We will come back to a certain something shortly. :::::[HECATE] You mean beyond sending them a polite little warning about being careful what hey call up? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I suspect you are being facetious, but such a warning would be all the more appropriate coming from you. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Hey, now who's being pointed? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] My apologies. :::::[HECATE] Accepted. :::::[LADY OF THE COURT] There are others I should tell of this. I'd like to go, if you please. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] If you believe that you have heard all that will be said, then go, and we shall meet again. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] As will we all, and sooner than some of us suspect. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Perhaps. I have instructed my assistant to release the isolation locks. You are free to depart when you chose. :::::>LADY OF THE COURT HAS LOGGED OFF :::::[HECATE] This does not frighten me as it does some others. These days are tame compared to the last age. :::::>HECATE HAS LOGGED OFF :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Bitch. She has no right to be speaking with us. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Ah, but the Compact! The Grand Deal! The "If We Don't Stop Yelling At Each Other We'll All Be Dead" Agreement! :::::[JUNGLE CAT] I never signed it. :::::[UMSONDO] Nor I. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] No one ever needed you to, Watcher. :::::[JUNGLE CAT] Thank you, dragon. My eyes did not need opening, but I have seen more today. You will be hearing from me. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Goodbye. :::::>JUNGLE CAT HAS LOGGED OFF :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Perhaps it is time my best friend and I followed the rest, mine host. <chuckle> But for one thing. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Many have concluded that our little conclave is at an end, painted one. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] But the Watcher remains. :::::[UMSONDO] I always do. Is that not the way of the Watcher? :::::[THE LAUGHING ONE] I have not forgotten that there was something to return to. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Nor I. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] I can't see the importance of it, however. It is not unusual-ailing men have often been "preserved" one way or another. The Chinese have based their government on that principle. <chuckle> :::::[UMSONDO] It is a matter of appearance or substance. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] That is not what you first said. :::::[UMSONDO] I never use words imprecisely. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Is this a matter for a game of words? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Ha! >THE LAUGHING MAN TIPS HIS HAT TO UMSONDO< Magnificent! My friend complains of wordplay! :::::[WORDSMYTH] Construct or substance. Are you absolutely precise regarding the term "construct"? :::::[UMSONDO] Did I not say? :::::[WORDSMYTH] Then you imply that something has been created, not preserved, if we deal with construct. This, I suspect, is the illusion. The reality is substance. You do not mean the substance of bodies and blood, do you? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] What?? Impossible! There is no Locus! :::::[UMSONDO] Did Jungle Cat say so? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] He did not...It cannot be. It could not sustain... :::::[WORDSMYTH] This is the point of the temples and sacrifices, wyrm. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] I am glad that those who remained have the foresight and intelligence to perceive what I had hoped they might. :::::[WORDSMYTH] Even if your traveling tales were half true, buffoon, they would pale in significance compared to this. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Among us and cocooned with such power? I cannot...Watcher, Truth or Not? :::::[UMSONDO] I Watch and do not judge. :::::>UMSONDO HAS LOGGED OFF :::::[WORDSMYTH] This changes everything. We must speak to many others. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Brightlight. Brightlight knows, does he not? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] Was there ever anything of substance he did not know if he chose to? :::::[WORDSMYTH] He will not have dealings outside of his own concerns. I shall deal with those who will. I must go at once. You will need no deceptions or subtle coercion to speak with us again, wyrm. :::::>WORDSMYTH HAS LOGGED OFF :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Well, I'm impressed. I didn't think I'd ever see that again. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] The tension was almost palpable at times. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] But the conversation light. <chuckle> Did you choose only my friend and I to present the gift of that last revelation? :::::[THE BIG 'D'] No. As is happened, those too hasty to leave will have to find out from better informed sources. :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Your gift to my friend and I. Sly, sly wyrm. I have to say I am against our telling the mortals too much-and nothing of what you have just let us know. They are far too untrustworthy and likely to misuse what we tell them. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] And your kind has given a better accounting of itself? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Touché. I should go. :::::[THE BIG 'D'] You have never told our most recent guest about his daughter? :::::[THE LAUGHING MAN] Nope. Grand, neh? Adios. :::::>CARRIER LOST: THE LAUGHING MAN :::::>THE BIG 'D' HAS LOGGED OFF :::::<Well?> :::::<Our Channels were beyond the dragon's decker. He never felt or suspected my Presence.> :::::<What did you learn?> :::::<Nothing we did not suspect.> :::::<Was the file capture complete?> :::::<Yes.> :::::<Then amend the Shadowland file with their conversations.> :::::<They will be furious and blame the dragon.> :::::<Then lkeave our conversation in, but delete the Names. Let them wonder.> |