backdated to fiddlesticks 24, morning

[blue_ice]

I need to address what happened last night. If you're tired of hearing about it, I promise I'll be fast and avoid detail.

[ He looks like he hasn't slept much. He's giving the crew a very somber expression. ]

First, Xue Yang isn't dead. The spirit going by the name of Wester put him in a penalty coma, where he's being forced to karmically experience the sensation of death. I know this because an incarnation of the same spirit dealt me the same punishment for a somewhat lesser crime, and I'm still standing.

Wester's spirit has certain abilities to uncover the past. The image they conjured was likely the truth, but it shouldn't have been shown to you all with such little warning. And I promise we're working on tracking them down to be dealt with, because however well-intentioned, it wasn't their place to be sole judge, jury, and executioner. You all shouldn't have to be afraid that every minor sin will bring wrath on your heads.

I'll try to answer any questions you have.

And...Wester, if you're listening, I still believe in you. We're both sinners, for better or worse, and you won't turn me away that easily. But we have to deal with this, delaying will only make it worse.

Comments

[so_dark_a_road]

I did search for Wester and didn't have any success. I'm going to leave that to others.

I'm an Elvish psychic, and though my skills are somewhat specialized, I would like to see what I can do. If I can cast a vision into the mind of another, I can probably break through a vision that is already in a person's mind and not created by me.

[mtsilver_conquor]

-Cast a vision? What do you mean by that?

[So here have a very curious baby sister.]

[so_dark_a_road]

It's my specialty. I create a vision in my own mind, complete with emotional depth and sometimes a realistic or a fantastic sensory environment. When I've got it right, I project it outside of my own mind into the minds of others. I did that when we were fighting the Empire of Stars, to keep their soldiers from activating that mega-weapon they had hidden in the shipyard and to scare the crap out of them. I used an image I borrowed from you, of that monster pokemon that looked like a water dragon but rolled through the air.

But not all my visions are negative, in fact, these days, they're usually positive. I could try crafting a vision for Xue Yang and use it to shatter the terrible vision Wester put in his mind to create the penalty coma. Then he'd be free to wake up, and even if he didn't awaken immediately, I'd probably be able to tell what was going on in his mind underneath the karmic death vision, and maybe what he was thinking and remembering before that.

I can't guarantee any of this, but I'd be happy to try.

[ Your adopted younger brother is pleased by your curiosity. ]

Do we want to head towards a wrap?

[mtsilver_conquor]

[Eva nods, face thoughtful as she turns the information over in her head.]

It's worth a try at least, but even then, I'd worry about doing more harm than good.

I'd say this is a wrap!

[so_dark_a_road]

If we went with this option, I'd craft a vision of peace and tranquility and light to oppose and replace the dark vision Xue Yang is currently subject to. I think I have enough experience to pull it off without harming him.

But in any case, I'm not the only one on the train who has skills that are related to breaking a spell. There well may be others who would be able to use their magic to free him.

[ Which is to say, he's not expecting to be asked to take on this task. ]

Yep!

[mtsilver_conquor]

The only way you'd know is to try, but you're right: there could be others on the train that could do it as well.

Still, it doesn't hurt to have the offer out there. Anyway, I'm off to have another look for Wester.

[Because Eva doesn't know she won't find them.]

And it's a wrap!

[so_dark_a_road]

Good luck in your search for Wester!