Who Made Who?
If you made them and they made you
Who picked up the bill, and who made who? ~ AC/DC
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Kruger stood on a balcony in the Tower of Earth, overlooking the grounds. He’d tested the railing several times before actually daring to lean the bulk of his weight against it. He held to the tower's key, studying the obsidian depths of it with the eyes of a professional smith. It was the same way he looked at anything that could be used in his chosen trade. It was also the reason for what he could only term as exasperation from the artifact. You are stubborn, and will be difficult to teach because of your tendency to try to put numbers to everything.
“I’ve always thought that wanting to fully understand a thing was a virtue. I won’t apologize for not being satisfied with this works because it is how it’s always worked. That’s never been good enough for me, and I doubt that you will manage to change my mind about it.” Objects were rising from the earth far below him. Golems moved among those objects, his son was down there too. Nikolai was testing the obstacles, doing tricks and vaults. The boy would look up to Kruger and direct him to move things either closer or further apart. It was hard to believe that the other earth keepers hadn’t thought to create a parkour course, especially knowing that some of them were avid free runners themselves. Kruger didn’t have much use for it, but he knew that Niko loved it. The grin the boy was wearing was proof enough of that, and touched a place inside Kruger that few would ever make it deep enough to reach. “For instance, I’m not an architect, so how can I confidently make these things? The answer to that is I can’t, which means you're doing it, and I hate that I don’t know the method.”
Everything can’t be weighed and measured despite what you might think. The objects were still rising, some of them multileveled, there was a place made entirely of metal poles and bars. It had started out as a stone rendition of them, but Kruger did understand some things quite well. In this case he’d known that stone was not ideal for swinging on, he’d converted the stone into steel at a thought. It was less dissatisfactory to him because at least he understood the method involved in making that change.
“I’m not so sure that I believe that. There’s a formula for everything. Somewhere down deep you know that too, but I would guess that most of the people who have held you will simply accept that because they have you, they can do these things.” Kruger raised a large pyramid in the center of a number of the multilevel obstacles, something different to peak Niko’s curiosity, something that he may have promised someone to create because they were obviously important.
Really? Tell me my obstinate holder, how much does a word weigh? Kruger ran callused fingers along the balcony railing, tracing the imperfections and knowing that he could make them disappear if he chose. He was quiet for a long time, his attention split between the massive obstacle course that was slowly encompassing the grounds around the tower. Stop that! I can almost hear you trying to come up with how to measure it in your head.
“I’ll admit that I never considered the question before, and yes solving the equation holds a certain amount of interest for me. You’re asking me to simply accept that this is how it is again, and trying to give me an example of a time that I’ve done it before. I will counter with, you’re right. I had simply accepted it before, but I know it is measurable. I’m just trying to determine if words are lighter or heavier than air.” The variables were a little fluid, they’d need to account for the force of the air, the tightness of the vocal cords doing the speaking, even the length of the word spoken. The puzzle had his mind twisting with possibilities. “You’re also correct in saying that the things I already know are holding me back from giving over to this. I know what it would take to make these things possible, but all I have to do is decide what I want and you make it happen. Clearly this has been the case for everyone who has had possession of you. That would indicate that you have the understanding of how to do it as well.”
I think you may be close to a breakthrough. Since you will only listen to half the things I say, just keep working it out in your head… or out loud. You seem to do that a lot, you need more friends, you’re obviously alone far too much. Kruger rolled his eyes and gave his head a little shake. The key wasn’t wrong, he did talk to himself a lot, did vocally work things out, and yes usually he was by himself. Let me ask you this, what makes you do the work, and is the one doing the work the one with the understanding?
“My will makes my body do the work. You’re suggesting that this is our relationship? I’m the will, and you’re the smith, the architect, and the mason?” Kruger’s mind must have been fully occupied, because he leaned down heavily on the railing with his elbows completely forgetting how high up he was. “You’re saying that you made them know that these things were possible, and they made you bring them to life.” Things started to fall into place for the stubborn minded key holder. Most of the things dropped in without incident.
You know, most of my holders just accept the power granted without question. It’s a rare occasion that I have to justify it. I am not sure if I like this yet or not. Is there some reason you need to justify having power?
Kruger exhaled slowly at the question. Of course there was a reason for him to justify having power. “I’m not sure this answer will satisfy you, but to have a thing with no cost invites abuse. I’ve struggled for every bit of knowledge I have, even when it costs me bodily. I don’t like how it feels to be granted a thing because I hold an artifact.”
You earned the right, you took me from my previous holder. Ah…you never expected to win. I’ve learned more about you.
“I have a question. You made them have the power, and they made you wield the power. If you made them and they made you…” Kruger seemed to realize the precariousness of his position over the ground and stepped back from the railing. ”Who made who?”
Foundations: On Solid Ground
Moderator: Staff
-
Kruger
- Seasoned Adventurer
- The Anvil
- Posts: 388
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:40 pm
- Location: Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather
Re: Foundations: On Solid Ground
Only God… Xanth Knows Why
So I think I'll keep a walkin'
With my head held high
I'll keep movin' on
And only God Xanth knows why ~ M. Shafer / J. Travis / R.j. Ritchie and Gnubs the Goblin
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kruger was deep in the lowest reaches of the Tower of Earth, his attention split between the veins of ore in the walls, and the open book on a pedestal next to him. He had been made aware of an ability which came with the key to be able to pass through the stone, but in true Kruger fashion he wanted to understand the how of it. He was pouring over a tome on atomic spacing in a solid, and trying to verify that the writer wasn’t completely out of his mind when movement caught his attention. He recognized the golem who was approaching at a fairly rapid pace. That was always dangerous, it was easier to start a rock rolling than to stop it. Igor Rockbottom was holding an envelope in his hand, Kruger watched it attempt to stop, and stepped out of the way as the golem went over and started to roll on by. He snatched the envelope from the out of control creature, but didn’t do anything to try helping. An Anvil could get hurt that way.
He looked at the face of the envelope noting that it was addressed in goblin script to Keeper The Anvil Allen. He had no idea why one of the goblins was writing to him, they’d all refused his generous offers of employment, claiming that they just didn’t want to work for someone like him. He opened it anyway, for all he knew this was some kind of keeper summons to a monthly meeting that didn’t appear on his calendar. His eyes moved across the page, deciphering the words where necessary.
“Is this for real?” He held it out in front of him and began to recite aloud. “Dear Mr. Keeper The Anvil. My name is Gnubs, and while I am not a fan, I actually kind of hate chu, I reelly need yer help. I have recently lost my job, and am feeling very hartbusted. I know things will got better, but I was hoping that chu would seeng the enclosed song from the top of yer tower. It would make this goblin’s hart mend a little. Thanks chu, Gnubs.” Kruger opened the envelope and pulled out a page that held the song, complete with musical annotations.
“This is just a Kid Rock song with a few words changed… But I like Kid Rock, he’s got the word *rock* right in his name.” Igor, having finally come to a complete stop, was walking his way back towards Kruger. Leaning down, the keeper put his hand on the golem and handed him the musical score. “Will you have Jimmy Slate, Jon Rockham and John Paul Stones meet me on the roof? Give them this.”
You’re going to do it then? Kruger didn’t know if the key talked to every keeper, or just him because of his specific affinities. It was annoying sometimes, not this time…but there were definitely times he could have done with silence.
He shrugged. “I dunno, I’ll think about it on the walk to the roof. Gnubs… He was the…”
Right, at the Tower of Air. I’m surprised you’ve heard of him.
“Hasn’t everyone? I didn’t know that he was let go.This feels like a trick.” Kruger wasn’t walking quickly, there were a lot of things that he would need to think about before committing. “It might make Xanth a little upset.”
It was something to do with a floor buffer, some floor wax, and a goat. A trick is a distinct possibility. And don’t forget he is a Mage Emeritus, and you’re just a…
“Sorcerer, I remember. That would mean making him upset could be dangerous. Still, I’m a keeper too. That has to mean something.” Kruger folded the letter in his hand and tapped it against his thigh as he walked. “Gnubs admitted he hates me, why the heck would he come to me with this?”
I believe that was on the back of the letter.
“Hmm?” Kruger unfolded the paper and flipped it over and read it.
P.S. I am asking chu because yer the only one stoopid brave enough to do it.
“It’s because he thinks I’m brave.” Kruger smiled at that thought, even though the key wouldn’t exactly be able to see it.
Sure…that’s what he thinks. Was that amusement laced in those last words?
“Even if I do this, nobody’s going to hear it from that height.” The keeper stayed on the wall side of the stairway leading all the way up to the top thinking that he ought to put a banister up at some point.
I can take care of that. You’re going to do it aren’t you?
“I am.” Decision made, he wouldn’t waffle over it.
Why? You have every reason not to.
“I’ll tell you, after I’m done.” He pointed upwards, he could already hear the golems starting into the song. Jon Rockham was killing it on the drums. When The Anvil stepped onto the tippy top of the tower, he grinned brightly at what he saw there. The walls had risen into an amphitheater’s half dome… and it was aimed right at the Tower of Air. It was highly doubtful that any of the other towers would fail to hear what was about to happen, as well as every creature above and below.
He let the rock trio run through the music a little more before moving over to a stone microphone stand, the top of which was an exact replica of the dome above him. Clearly he was meant to sing into that to get maximum effect from the key’s construct.
“I've been sittin' here tryin' to find myself.
I get behind myself, I need to rewind myself.
Lookin' for the payback, listen for the playback.
They say that every goblin bleeds just like me.”
He moved to the music being played, a back and forth sway and started his song soft and sweetly. He had his eyes closed, or he might have noticed the turning of heads, across the hills, valleys, and crevasses between the towers.
“And I feel like number one yet I'm last in line.
I watch my youngest son and it helps to pass the time.
I take too many pills that helps to ease the pain.
I made a couple dollar bills, still I feel the same.”
He opened his eyes, but he didn’t look at the audience below, his eyes were bright green-gold orbs shining with emotion. The Anvil, still singing softly, put his hands on the microphone… because when you were feeling it that way, it was necessary!
“Everybody knows my name.
They say it way out loud.
A lot of folks fuck with me.
It's hard to hang out in crowds.”
Goblins were gathering in disbelief at what was happening. As much as they wanted to do something to stop this, they could feel the subtle vibrations in the stones beneath their feet. Not to mention the song would likely be over well before they arrived at the top of the tower. Messengers were sent out to every other tower, perhaps to ask what to do… perhaps to ask for the Arch Mage to intervene and shut it off? There were many thoughts and opinions of what needed to happen. Was it possible to ban a keeper from the island?
“I guess that's the price you pay.
To be some big shot like I am.
Outstretched hands and one night stands.
Still I can't find love.”
The Anvil kept up his crooning, unaware that there were factions seeking a way to take steps to shut him down. That was perhaps something he hadn’t considered before making his decision, and it might have changed his mind had he considered it. It wouldn't have, and in the back of his mind he could feel the immense amusement of the key, the tower, the stones and every earth elemental on the island. He wasn’t sure why they were encouraging him, because he really didn’t need any of that.
“And when your walls come tumblin' down.
I will always be around, yeah.
The Anvil stopped singing to let the band have their moment. They worked too hard not to be allowed a little time in the sun.
And when your walls come tumblin' down.
I will always be around.”
Things may have gone a little further out than he’d intended, this was just supposed to be a song to a former employer from an employee who obviously was trying to earn a second chance. It shouldn’t be so funny. The Anvil was actually feeling bad for poor Gnubs.
“Goblins don't know 'bout the things I say and do.
They don't understand 'bout the shit that I've been through.
It's been so long since I've been home.
I've been gone, I've been gone for way too long.”
There was another group down there besides the goblins, made up of a myriad of other races. They’d actually paired off and were slow dancing. Soft conversations which asked things like, do you think he’ll put on these random dance songs a lot before someone takes the key from him?
“Maybe I forgot all the things I miss.
Oh, somehow I know there's more to life than this.
I said it too many times and I still stand firm.
You get what you put in! And goblins get what they deserve!”
With every impassioned plea from employee and underling, there comes a point where the passion absolutely has to show. The Anvil’s grip tightened on the microphone, the music beginning its rise slowly but steadily.
“Still I ain't seen mine!
No, I ain't seen mine!
I've been givin', just ain't been gettin'!
I've been walkin' that there line!”
Body still swaying to the tune, The Anvil could feel the need to intensify his plea on behalf of Gnubs. He freed the microphone from the stand and started to move forward towards the edge of his tower, eyes locked pleadingly on the Tower of Air.
“So I think I'll keep a walkin'!
With my head held high!
I'll keep movin' on!
And only Xanth knows why!”
The Anvil halted well short of the edge of his tower, but way out in front of the trio that played behind him, and raised his voice as only The Anvil could! He unloaded everything that he was into the microphone!
“Only Xanth, only Xanth!
Only Xanth knows why!
Only Xanth knows why, why, why!
Only Xanth knows why!”
Where once the ground had been slightly trembling beneath the goblins feet, now it was visibly shuddering as the earth keeper belted out lyrics that bordered on heresy so far as the goblins were concerned! How dare this…this…just how dare he! All except one who was holding up a hand with the middle and ring finger curled and covered by its thumb.
“Take me to the river, hey!
Won't you take me to the river, hey, hey, yeah!”
The crescendo dropped off just that quickly and The Anvil walked off the top of his tower letting the Rock Band trio finish out the tune. He was humming the song to himself as he made his way down the stairs intent to pick up his work where he’d left off.
You never said why you decided to sing the song for Gnubs. Kruger couldn’t help the way the corners of his mouth kept trying to twitch their way into a smile at the depth of the key’s curiosity over the matter. Did you really believe so strongly that he should get his job back?
Kruger gave the guiltiest of shrugs, and mischief rolled its way right into his eyes. “It’s simple really. I needed to remind Xanth that I still have a bigger fanbase than he does.”
I had no idea you were so compassionate. It always seemed to end with sarcasm in his conversations with the key.
So I think I'll keep a walkin'
With my head held high
I'll keep movin' on
And only God Xanth knows why ~ M. Shafer / J. Travis / R.j. Ritchie and Gnubs the Goblin
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kruger was deep in the lowest reaches of the Tower of Earth, his attention split between the veins of ore in the walls, and the open book on a pedestal next to him. He had been made aware of an ability which came with the key to be able to pass through the stone, but in true Kruger fashion he wanted to understand the how of it. He was pouring over a tome on atomic spacing in a solid, and trying to verify that the writer wasn’t completely out of his mind when movement caught his attention. He recognized the golem who was approaching at a fairly rapid pace. That was always dangerous, it was easier to start a rock rolling than to stop it. Igor Rockbottom was holding an envelope in his hand, Kruger watched it attempt to stop, and stepped out of the way as the golem went over and started to roll on by. He snatched the envelope from the out of control creature, but didn’t do anything to try helping. An Anvil could get hurt that way.
He looked at the face of the envelope noting that it was addressed in goblin script to Keeper The Anvil Allen. He had no idea why one of the goblins was writing to him, they’d all refused his generous offers of employment, claiming that they just didn’t want to work for someone like him. He opened it anyway, for all he knew this was some kind of keeper summons to a monthly meeting that didn’t appear on his calendar. His eyes moved across the page, deciphering the words where necessary.
“Is this for real?” He held it out in front of him and began to recite aloud. “Dear Mr. Keeper The Anvil. My name is Gnubs, and while I am not a fan, I actually kind of hate chu, I reelly need yer help. I have recently lost my job, and am feeling very hartbusted. I know things will got better, but I was hoping that chu would seeng the enclosed song from the top of yer tower. It would make this goblin’s hart mend a little. Thanks chu, Gnubs.” Kruger opened the envelope and pulled out a page that held the song, complete with musical annotations.
“This is just a Kid Rock song with a few words changed… But I like Kid Rock, he’s got the word *rock* right in his name.” Igor, having finally come to a complete stop, was walking his way back towards Kruger. Leaning down, the keeper put his hand on the golem and handed him the musical score. “Will you have Jimmy Slate, Jon Rockham and John Paul Stones meet me on the roof? Give them this.”
You’re going to do it then? Kruger didn’t know if the key talked to every keeper, or just him because of his specific affinities. It was annoying sometimes, not this time…but there were definitely times he could have done with silence.
He shrugged. “I dunno, I’ll think about it on the walk to the roof. Gnubs… He was the…”
Right, at the Tower of Air. I’m surprised you’ve heard of him.
“Hasn’t everyone? I didn’t know that he was let go.This feels like a trick.” Kruger wasn’t walking quickly, there were a lot of things that he would need to think about before committing. “It might make Xanth a little upset.”
It was something to do with a floor buffer, some floor wax, and a goat. A trick is a distinct possibility. And don’t forget he is a Mage Emeritus, and you’re just a…
“Sorcerer, I remember. That would mean making him upset could be dangerous. Still, I’m a keeper too. That has to mean something.” Kruger folded the letter in his hand and tapped it against his thigh as he walked. “Gnubs admitted he hates me, why the heck would he come to me with this?”
I believe that was on the back of the letter.
“Hmm?” Kruger unfolded the paper and flipped it over and read it.
P.S. I am asking chu because yer the only one stoopid brave enough to do it.
“It’s because he thinks I’m brave.” Kruger smiled at that thought, even though the key wouldn’t exactly be able to see it.
Sure…that’s what he thinks. Was that amusement laced in those last words?
“Even if I do this, nobody’s going to hear it from that height.” The keeper stayed on the wall side of the stairway leading all the way up to the top thinking that he ought to put a banister up at some point.
I can take care of that. You’re going to do it aren’t you?
“I am.” Decision made, he wouldn’t waffle over it.
Why? You have every reason not to.
“I’ll tell you, after I’m done.” He pointed upwards, he could already hear the golems starting into the song. Jon Rockham was killing it on the drums. When The Anvil stepped onto the tippy top of the tower, he grinned brightly at what he saw there. The walls had risen into an amphitheater’s half dome… and it was aimed right at the Tower of Air. It was highly doubtful that any of the other towers would fail to hear what was about to happen, as well as every creature above and below.
He let the rock trio run through the music a little more before moving over to a stone microphone stand, the top of which was an exact replica of the dome above him. Clearly he was meant to sing into that to get maximum effect from the key’s construct.
“I've been sittin' here tryin' to find myself.
I get behind myself, I need to rewind myself.
Lookin' for the payback, listen for the playback.
They say that every goblin bleeds just like me.”
He moved to the music being played, a back and forth sway and started his song soft and sweetly. He had his eyes closed, or he might have noticed the turning of heads, across the hills, valleys, and crevasses between the towers.
“And I feel like number one yet I'm last in line.
I watch my youngest son and it helps to pass the time.
I take too many pills that helps to ease the pain.
I made a couple dollar bills, still I feel the same.”
He opened his eyes, but he didn’t look at the audience below, his eyes were bright green-gold orbs shining with emotion. The Anvil, still singing softly, put his hands on the microphone… because when you were feeling it that way, it was necessary!
“Everybody knows my name.
They say it way out loud.
A lot of folks fuck with me.
It's hard to hang out in crowds.”
Goblins were gathering in disbelief at what was happening. As much as they wanted to do something to stop this, they could feel the subtle vibrations in the stones beneath their feet. Not to mention the song would likely be over well before they arrived at the top of the tower. Messengers were sent out to every other tower, perhaps to ask what to do… perhaps to ask for the Arch Mage to intervene and shut it off? There were many thoughts and opinions of what needed to happen. Was it possible to ban a keeper from the island?
“I guess that's the price you pay.
To be some big shot like I am.
Outstretched hands and one night stands.
Still I can't find love.”
The Anvil kept up his crooning, unaware that there were factions seeking a way to take steps to shut him down. That was perhaps something he hadn’t considered before making his decision, and it might have changed his mind had he considered it. It wouldn't have, and in the back of his mind he could feel the immense amusement of the key, the tower, the stones and every earth elemental on the island. He wasn’t sure why they were encouraging him, because he really didn’t need any of that.
“And when your walls come tumblin' down.
I will always be around, yeah.
The Anvil stopped singing to let the band have their moment. They worked too hard not to be allowed a little time in the sun.
And when your walls come tumblin' down.
I will always be around.”
Things may have gone a little further out than he’d intended, this was just supposed to be a song to a former employer from an employee who obviously was trying to earn a second chance. It shouldn’t be so funny. The Anvil was actually feeling bad for poor Gnubs.
“Goblins don't know 'bout the things I say and do.
They don't understand 'bout the shit that I've been through.
It's been so long since I've been home.
I've been gone, I've been gone for way too long.”
There was another group down there besides the goblins, made up of a myriad of other races. They’d actually paired off and were slow dancing. Soft conversations which asked things like, do you think he’ll put on these random dance songs a lot before someone takes the key from him?
“Maybe I forgot all the things I miss.
Oh, somehow I know there's more to life than this.
I said it too many times and I still stand firm.
You get what you put in! And goblins get what they deserve!”
With every impassioned plea from employee and underling, there comes a point where the passion absolutely has to show. The Anvil’s grip tightened on the microphone, the music beginning its rise slowly but steadily.
“Still I ain't seen mine!
No, I ain't seen mine!
I've been givin', just ain't been gettin'!
I've been walkin' that there line!”
Body still swaying to the tune, The Anvil could feel the need to intensify his plea on behalf of Gnubs. He freed the microphone from the stand and started to move forward towards the edge of his tower, eyes locked pleadingly on the Tower of Air.
“So I think I'll keep a walkin'!
With my head held high!
I'll keep movin' on!
And only Xanth knows why!”
The Anvil halted well short of the edge of his tower, but way out in front of the trio that played behind him, and raised his voice as only The Anvil could! He unloaded everything that he was into the microphone!
“Only Xanth, only Xanth!
Only Xanth knows why!
Only Xanth knows why, why, why!
Only Xanth knows why!”
Where once the ground had been slightly trembling beneath the goblins feet, now it was visibly shuddering as the earth keeper belted out lyrics that bordered on heresy so far as the goblins were concerned! How dare this…this…just how dare he! All except one who was holding up a hand with the middle and ring finger curled and covered by its thumb.
“Take me to the river, hey!
Won't you take me to the river, hey, hey, yeah!”
The crescendo dropped off just that quickly and The Anvil walked off the top of his tower letting the Rock Band trio finish out the tune. He was humming the song to himself as he made his way down the stairs intent to pick up his work where he’d left off.
You never said why you decided to sing the song for Gnubs. Kruger couldn’t help the way the corners of his mouth kept trying to twitch their way into a smile at the depth of the key’s curiosity over the matter. Did you really believe so strongly that he should get his job back?
Kruger gave the guiltiest of shrugs, and mischief rolled its way right into his eyes. “It’s simple really. I needed to remind Xanth that I still have a bigger fanbase than he does.”
I had no idea you were so compassionate. It always seemed to end with sarcasm in his conversations with the key.
-
XanthVanBokkelen
- Seasoned Adventurer
- Posts: 420
- Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:40 pm
- Location: Currently Unknown
Re: Foundations: On Solid Ground
And Xanth Knows Why
Xanth stomped back to the Tower of Air after the loss by King's Gambit in the Semifinals of IFL 2022. He found
a library or two to sulk and generally vent his frustrations in while he calmed down. After a few hours his goblin
henchman Varseen came in, leading a goat on a rope.
"Uh . . . Lord Xanth, sir, the goat you wanted is ready."
Why the hell would I want a goat.
"One of your experiments, sir. Instilling super intelligence, magical properties, and spontaneous combustion into
barnyard animals for nefarious purposes. You invested a pretty penny into it. Ten thousand nobles or something like that."
The goat turned its head to look at Xanth, lazily chewing its cud.
Ten thousand nobles? Oh very well, just get it away from me for now. Tie it over there in the corner.
As Varseen moved to complete his chore, another goblin entered, wearing sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap.
In one hand he had a boombox playing Kid Rock annoyingly loud, and in the other he was pushing a floor buffer. "Yo,
Gnubs reporting for duty! I gotcher floor waxing machine fired up and ready for action!"
Just hurry up and keep it away from me. Xanth growled, not looking up from a magical tome he was reading.
"Chu got it, Lord Xanth! Yer reelly number one in my book!" He started buffing the floor and bobbing his head
up and down while Kid Rock's 'Only God Knows Why' blared loudly enough to finally attract Xanth's attention.
What the hell is that noise coming out of that contraption? Turn it off at once! He bellowed.
Gnubs looked hurt, but let go of the floor buffer to comply. "Breaks my hart, but yer the boss . . . " The floor
buffer suddenly shot forward, having been loosed from Gnubs grip, and flew straight towards the tied up goat.
"Baaa . . is this not a calamitous predicament!" The goat exclaimed. The floor buffer collided with the goat,
causing the aforementioned spontaneous combustion, taking out most of the library with it.
#$%@$!@#%@!#!!!! MY TEN THOUSAND NOBLE GOAT! MY LIBRARY! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY TOWER! NEVER COME BACK OR
I WILL LIGHT YOU ON FIRE . . . PERMANENTLY!! Taking Gnubs by the scruff of the neck, he marched to the Tower
entrance and pitched him out unceremoniously.
Several days later, Xanth heard a din of noise, the same song that had caused the catastrophe in his library.
His ruby glare intensified as he stomped over to the window to listen to Kruger's serenade. He crossed his arms and
tightened them gradually until the song reached its inevitable end.
So the gauntlet has been thrown, Keeper of Earth. It is unfortunate that I did not meet you in combat
during this recent IFL season. In the future, however, you had better pray you do not hear these words
from me . . . . YOU'RE NEXT! He finishes by pointing his finger imperiously down at Kruger.
Xanth stomped back to the Tower of Air after the loss by King's Gambit in the Semifinals of IFL 2022. He found
a library or two to sulk and generally vent his frustrations in while he calmed down. After a few hours his goblin
henchman Varseen came in, leading a goat on a rope.
"Uh . . . Lord Xanth, sir, the goat you wanted is ready."
Why the hell would I want a goat.
"One of your experiments, sir. Instilling super intelligence, magical properties, and spontaneous combustion into
barnyard animals for nefarious purposes. You invested a pretty penny into it. Ten thousand nobles or something like that."
The goat turned its head to look at Xanth, lazily chewing its cud.
Ten thousand nobles? Oh very well, just get it away from me for now. Tie it over there in the corner.
As Varseen moved to complete his chore, another goblin entered, wearing sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap.
In one hand he had a boombox playing Kid Rock annoyingly loud, and in the other he was pushing a floor buffer. "Yo,
Gnubs reporting for duty! I gotcher floor waxing machine fired up and ready for action!"
Just hurry up and keep it away from me. Xanth growled, not looking up from a magical tome he was reading.
"Chu got it, Lord Xanth! Yer reelly number one in my book!" He started buffing the floor and bobbing his head
up and down while Kid Rock's 'Only God Knows Why' blared loudly enough to finally attract Xanth's attention.
What the hell is that noise coming out of that contraption? Turn it off at once! He bellowed.
Gnubs looked hurt, but let go of the floor buffer to comply. "Breaks my hart, but yer the boss . . . " The floor
buffer suddenly shot forward, having been loosed from Gnubs grip, and flew straight towards the tied up goat.
"Baaa . . is this not a calamitous predicament!" The goat exclaimed. The floor buffer collided with the goat,
causing the aforementioned spontaneous combustion, taking out most of the library with it.
#$%@$!@#%@!#!!!! MY TEN THOUSAND NOBLE GOAT! MY LIBRARY! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY TOWER! NEVER COME BACK OR
I WILL LIGHT YOU ON FIRE . . . PERMANENTLY!! Taking Gnubs by the scruff of the neck, he marched to the Tower
entrance and pitched him out unceremoniously.
Several days later, Xanth heard a din of noise, the same song that had caused the catastrophe in his library.
His ruby glare intensified as he stomped over to the window to listen to Kruger's serenade. He crossed his arms and
tightened them gradually until the song reached its inevitable end.
So the gauntlet has been thrown, Keeper of Earth. It is unfortunate that I did not meet you in combat
during this recent IFL season. In the future, however, you had better pray you do not hear these words
from me . . . . YOU'RE NEXT! He finishes by pointing his finger imperiously down at Kruger.
-
Partly Cloudy
- Seasoned Adventurer
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2020 5:40 pm
- Location: Matadero
Re: Foundations: On Solid Ground
December 26, 2022
Concerts, Confusion, and Aborted Interventions
He did not notice the first tremor, though it ran through the clean marble floors and disturbed the pool he sat beside. The lush vegetation bordering the pool nodded and swayed, but he did not feel the leaves brushing against his skin, trying to get his attention. He was too far inside himself.
The fourth tremor garnered a twitch of a clawed finger, but still, he remained submerged. It was only when foreign words began to make their way into his subconscious mind that he began to surface.
… find myself …
A more familiar voice said, Come back, little one. Something is happening.
… rewind myself …
“What?” He gasped the word, surfacing from his stillness like a man drowning. His hands curled in upon themselves, claw tips pressing into his palms to hasten his ascent from the depths.
… bleeds just like me …
He opened his eyes and found himself staring into distant galaxies. Breath on his face made his nose twitch. Then the giant, spectral tiger standing over him blinked its star-filled eyes and withdrew a step, giving him room to sit up. Gatito braced himself on stinging palms.
He could feel the vibrations shaking through the foundations of the Citadel then.
“What is that?”
Music, said the tiger. I think.
“Music?”
Mm. Either that or one of our cousins is being murdered.
Gatito huffed out a sound that might have been a laugh at any other time. His tongue felt thick in his mouth. His brain was still mired in memory and ancient wonder, but his next thought came to him quickly: “Kruger.”
Probably. Earth has been quite active recently.
The tiger padded past him. The tip of its tail brushed across the back of his hand with a clarifying crackle. Gatito pushed himself up off the floor and turned to follow, stretching out his wings as he went. More of the foliage swayed as he passed. Leaf and blossom reached out to touch a feather or the hem of his robe, and he obliged some of them with fleeting caresses.
It became easier to hear the music as he and the tiger emerged into the perpetual twilight of the Isle. Not just the rhythm of the song but the voice singing—and the words being sung. It also became easier to see the amphitheater that had sprouted up around Kruger on top of the Tower of Earth. Gatito's brow furrowed as he noticed that the amphitheater was angled toward the Tower of Air.
A smaller spectral tiger climbed up over the side of the Citadel's platform, leaving a shimmer of stardust in its wake. It brushed against the first tiger in greeting and was absorbed into its translucent body. Now whole again, the tiger turned and looked at Gatito.
The goblins want you to intervene.
Gatito stepped closer to the edge and looked down at the goblin messenger far below. “Intervene,” he repeated.
Yes. They want you to make him stop singing.
"Am I the fun police now?" he said.
You are the Archmage.
“Oui, but is it my place to tell a Keeper what he can do within his Tower?” He looked aside to the tiger. "He doesn't seem to be hurting anyone.”
After a moment’s pause to feel what he could of the Citadel and the Isle at large, he added, “Or doing permanent damage.”
I would like to remind you that he's broadcasting to everyone within earshot.
“It’s loud,” he agreed, “and it's probably annoying some people. Maybe Xanth, especially.” Gatito glanced toward the Tower of Air. "But it'll be over soon. All songs end."
He could feel the tiger’s steady regard. He looked away from Air, caught sight of the people who had paired off to dance in the sand, and gestured in their direction. “Besides, some seem to be enjoying the impromptu concert.”
The tiger huffed. It sounded amused and somehow indulgent.
Gatito caught the goblin messenger's eye and shook his head. They scowled at him and stomped away. He sighed and sat carefully down upon the edge of the bedrock. His wings rustled as he tried to arrange them around himself where they might catch the song and amplify it. It was awkward, even when he used his hands to help.
The tiger came to sit alongside him once he had settled. He reached over to scratch the back of its neck while they listened to the song. He could feel the great cat’s rumble echo through the bedrock, distinct from the shivers of the music.
“This is a sad song.”
Mm. The tiger yawned, flashing its fangs and curling its tongue, and blinked slowly.
“… And a little weird. Did he just say that goblins get what they deserve?”
I believe those were the words. The tiger’s ears flicked.
“Well. I guess I understand now why they’re a little upset over this.”
The tiger huff-huff-huffed a noise that sounded like a quiet laugh. Gatito gave its ruff a gentle tug and bit his lip to quell his urge to laugh, too.
But that line was just the beginning. The crux of the song was still coming. When it hit, Gatito covered his mouth with his hand. "Oh.”
… Only Xanth knows why …
“I take back what I said about him not hurting anyone.” A laugh finally broke free. Gatito lowered his hand. “Kruger may have just put himself on Xanth’s kill list.”
Xanth has a list?
“I don’t know. Maybe. Lots of people around here do, don’t they?” Gatito looked aside at the tiger.
People like you, maybe. The tiger squinted at him, its eyes glimmering with amusement.
Gatito snorted and picked at the edge of his robe. “I wonder what Xanth did to make Kruger write a song about him.”
I do not know, said the tiger, but I suspect we now have a rivalry building between the Keepers.
“Yeah. You’re probably right about that.”
Look there. The tiger extended its head toward the Tower of Air.
Even from this distance, Gatito could see Xanth in the Tower’s window, pointing toward Kruger and the Tower of Earth.
You’re next, he says. The tiger echoed the lich lord’s words to Gatito.
“Oh, boy. This ought to be interesting.”
Indeed.
Concerts, Confusion, and Aborted Interventions
He did not notice the first tremor, though it ran through the clean marble floors and disturbed the pool he sat beside. The lush vegetation bordering the pool nodded and swayed, but he did not feel the leaves brushing against his skin, trying to get his attention. He was too far inside himself.
The fourth tremor garnered a twitch of a clawed finger, but still, he remained submerged. It was only when foreign words began to make their way into his subconscious mind that he began to surface.
… find myself …
A more familiar voice said, Come back, little one. Something is happening.
… rewind myself …
“What?” He gasped the word, surfacing from his stillness like a man drowning. His hands curled in upon themselves, claw tips pressing into his palms to hasten his ascent from the depths.
… bleeds just like me …
He opened his eyes and found himself staring into distant galaxies. Breath on his face made his nose twitch. Then the giant, spectral tiger standing over him blinked its star-filled eyes and withdrew a step, giving him room to sit up. Gatito braced himself on stinging palms.
He could feel the vibrations shaking through the foundations of the Citadel then.
“What is that?”
Music, said the tiger. I think.
“Music?”
Mm. Either that or one of our cousins is being murdered.
Gatito huffed out a sound that might have been a laugh at any other time. His tongue felt thick in his mouth. His brain was still mired in memory and ancient wonder, but his next thought came to him quickly: “Kruger.”
Probably. Earth has been quite active recently.
The tiger padded past him. The tip of its tail brushed across the back of his hand with a clarifying crackle. Gatito pushed himself up off the floor and turned to follow, stretching out his wings as he went. More of the foliage swayed as he passed. Leaf and blossom reached out to touch a feather or the hem of his robe, and he obliged some of them with fleeting caresses.
It became easier to hear the music as he and the tiger emerged into the perpetual twilight of the Isle. Not just the rhythm of the song but the voice singing—and the words being sung. It also became easier to see the amphitheater that had sprouted up around Kruger on top of the Tower of Earth. Gatito's brow furrowed as he noticed that the amphitheater was angled toward the Tower of Air.
A smaller spectral tiger climbed up over the side of the Citadel's platform, leaving a shimmer of stardust in its wake. It brushed against the first tiger in greeting and was absorbed into its translucent body. Now whole again, the tiger turned and looked at Gatito.
The goblins want you to intervene.
Gatito stepped closer to the edge and looked down at the goblin messenger far below. “Intervene,” he repeated.
Yes. They want you to make him stop singing.
"Am I the fun police now?" he said.
You are the Archmage.
“Oui, but is it my place to tell a Keeper what he can do within his Tower?” He looked aside to the tiger. "He doesn't seem to be hurting anyone.”
After a moment’s pause to feel what he could of the Citadel and the Isle at large, he added, “Or doing permanent damage.”
I would like to remind you that he's broadcasting to everyone within earshot.
“It’s loud,” he agreed, “and it's probably annoying some people. Maybe Xanth, especially.” Gatito glanced toward the Tower of Air. "But it'll be over soon. All songs end."
He could feel the tiger’s steady regard. He looked away from Air, caught sight of the people who had paired off to dance in the sand, and gestured in their direction. “Besides, some seem to be enjoying the impromptu concert.”
The tiger huffed. It sounded amused and somehow indulgent.
Gatito caught the goblin messenger's eye and shook his head. They scowled at him and stomped away. He sighed and sat carefully down upon the edge of the bedrock. His wings rustled as he tried to arrange them around himself where they might catch the song and amplify it. It was awkward, even when he used his hands to help.
The tiger came to sit alongside him once he had settled. He reached over to scratch the back of its neck while they listened to the song. He could feel the great cat’s rumble echo through the bedrock, distinct from the shivers of the music.
“This is a sad song.”
Mm. The tiger yawned, flashing its fangs and curling its tongue, and blinked slowly.
“… And a little weird. Did he just say that goblins get what they deserve?”
I believe those were the words. The tiger’s ears flicked.
“Well. I guess I understand now why they’re a little upset over this.”
The tiger huff-huff-huffed a noise that sounded like a quiet laugh. Gatito gave its ruff a gentle tug and bit his lip to quell his urge to laugh, too.
But that line was just the beginning. The crux of the song was still coming. When it hit, Gatito covered his mouth with his hand. "Oh.”
… Only Xanth knows why …
“I take back what I said about him not hurting anyone.” A laugh finally broke free. Gatito lowered his hand. “Kruger may have just put himself on Xanth’s kill list.”
Xanth has a list?
“I don’t know. Maybe. Lots of people around here do, don’t they?” Gatito looked aside at the tiger.
People like you, maybe. The tiger squinted at him, its eyes glimmering with amusement.
Gatito snorted and picked at the edge of his robe. “I wonder what Xanth did to make Kruger write a song about him.”
I do not know, said the tiger, but I suspect we now have a rivalry building between the Keepers.
“Yeah. You’re probably right about that.”
Look there. The tiger extended its head toward the Tower of Air.
Even from this distance, Gatito could see Xanth in the Tower’s window, pointing toward Kruger and the Tower of Earth.
You’re next, he says. The tiger echoed the lich lord’s words to Gatito.
“Oh, boy. This ought to be interesting.”
Indeed.
-
Kruger
- Seasoned Adventurer
- The Anvil
- Posts: 388
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:40 pm
- Location: Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather
Re: Foundations: On Solid Ground
Making Love,
Out of Nothing at All
And I know the night is fading
And I know the time's gonna fly
And I'm never gonna tell you
Everything I gotta tell you
But I know I gotta give it a try ~ Air Supply
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have the score. It wasn’t a question from the key, it was stated too matter of factly. Its intent was to put an end to the excuses that Kruger was throwing up as a reason not to proceed. Unless, do you doubt your calculations?
“Of course I don’t doubt them. The math is solid, it’s always solid.” Kruger understood that he was being goaded by the question, and he knew that he should have simply ignored it. His pride wouldn’t allow it. He knew it was a flaw in his character, what he didn’t know was how to compensate for it. It was probably a good thing that other people didn’t know how easily they could get under his skin. “It’s just…this one is… It implies things that I don’t want anyone thinking, ‘cause I would never do this.”
You did the math, you matched the score up. You’ve already put all the tools in place. Seems a waste to scrap it all now. Maybe it was, but despite what he was being told, Kruger wasn’t afraid of a little work. For that matter he wasn’t afraid of a lot of work either. WWTAD?
“Well, that’s not a fair question. We all know what The Anvil would do.” The Anvil would throw on a pair of gaudy spandex and put on a show. “I wouldn’t use him as a source of wisdom though, and I am him.” Kruger fingered the green opal in his pocket as though trying to poke some life into it. “You’ve been awfully quiet on this matter.”
The timing is right. Kruger’s half lidded gaze fell on one of the free roaming stone golems. When it caught his expression it hurried its pace to get out of visual range, just in case that look was meant for it.
“You’re no help. You’re also biased.” Not to him at least, the thing seemed to be falling on the side of the key. Even as he was arguing with both key and opal, his footsteps took him ever upwards. “It’s really easy for you two to feel nothing about this. Everyone’s going to just blame me for it.” It wasn’t too late to say no, he could always say no.
You asked the question. You worked out the method. You don’t like us doing things for you. We’re beginning to doubt your commitment to this…venture. Kruger emitted a low growl from his chest, because even though PathFinder hadn’t said the words, he could feel the agreement from the opal.
“Fine… but you guys can deal with the repercussions this time. Did we at least warn everyone, the other keepers, the staff over at the rings, the residents in the gloaming district?” Kruger stepped out onto the top of the Tower of Earth into a newly planted garden of Daffodils and Tulips in every color of the rainbow. They grew in a circle along the outer edge of the tower’s roof. The sight of them made him smile every time he saw them. Those musical rock golems were up there, instruments strapped into place. He was affectionately calling them The Elementals. There was a new addition to the band. Sitting at a piano which had been made out of stone from the tower itself was Chloe Black Bat Flower. She really was a flower, and had only come out to audition after he’d gained PathFinder. The boys in the band seemed to like her, especially the drummer Jon Rockham, whose mossy beard and mustache were now neatly trimmed. He’d have to keep an eye on those two, percussionists required constant vigilance.
Notices were sent out. That seemed pretty noncommittal from the key. It didn’t really indicate that anyone had gotten the notice.
Kruger looked out across Twilight Island, turning in a slow circle. The entire Tower was surrounded by what appeared to be massive stone nautiluses. “What are those? Speakers? They’re massive, and weird looking.” He was a pretty good judge of distance, and despite how far away they were he could tell that the structures were only about three hundred meters away from the tower. A number of them were offshore to the west of his tower.
Uhm… He started, and quickly gave up counting them. There’s only as much required to get the necessary equal pressure to penetrate the stone. You did the math!
Kruger sighed and rolled his eyes. “I’m going to get so many phone calls about this.” Kruger put his fingertips to his temples as though he could rub away everything in the circular motion they’d taken up. “Why is there a camera?”
The camera is to get a recording of the experiment. It sounded like a logical argument, there was just one small problem.
“It’s pointed at us, shouldn’t it be out there?” He pointed out away from the tower to the east. Most things were east of his tower.
You’re wasting time. Just pretend that you’re singing to that female assistant of yours. PathFinder, while trying to be helpful, sounded like it was trying not to laugh. The joke was going to be on Kruger this time.
“I don’t think she’d approve. I can already hear her saying Eww in my head.” Kruger looked at the band, they were being utterly silent, and still, with the exception of shudders from Chloe who could have been shifting with the breeze, though it looked like she was excited for her first performance. Kruger stepped over to the microphone stand, looked at the pianist, held up a hand and counted off the beats. Chloe’s many limbs started to press out notes on the piano while Jon’s drumstick played a symbol lightly in the time that Kruger had been counting. Sound rolled in from all directions at the same time. The sound waves collided into each other at the speed of sound, rising upwards towards The Tower of Earth. They reached a pinnacle and fell outwards to form a dome of sound that encompassed the entire western end of the island. The moment the waves touched back down atop the speakers the camera came to life in front of The Elementals and projected their image across the eastern end of the dome the camera moved in from above over Chloe to track her many limbs as they pressed down on the keys. Six measures in, Kruger had resigned himself to doing this and started to softly sing the opening lines of the song.
“I know just how to whisper.
And I know just how to cry.
I know just where to find the answers.
And I know just how to lie.”
“I know just how to fake it.
And I know just how to scheme.
I know just when to face the truth.
And then I know just when to dream.”
“And I know just where to touch you.
And I know just what to prove.
I know when to pull you closer.
And I know when to let you loose.”
It would be difficult for anyone who was standing outside to say that they couldn’t see the projection. It rose into the air high enough that the Celestial Tower was at its eye level. From a certain angle it looked like the microphone stand was the tower. This hadn’t been the plan, and the fault all belonged with Kruger. He didn’t let himself be seen except in the smallest bits. He’d gained, and rightfully so, a reputation as a poser. There was more than enough evidence to convict on that charge. He’d gladly pay the fine, because in truth he liked the cheers, the music, and the pyrotechnics that surrounded the persona. But mostly he enjoyed the posing.
He shouldn’t have expected anything differently. He’d left the public details to other parties. It had never been in his nature to give advance notice of what might be coming. He just donned the spandex uniform and came in and made his own rules. It was entirely possible that both The Key and PathFinder were picking up this habit of his, and showing him in the most shocking way possible exactly what it felt like. That was fine, he could put on The Anvil again for this, despite knowing there was more to it than just the shock value that came with it.
There had been something happening to him in the past few months. Its evidence was there for everyone to see, if they took the time to look. He told everything while he said nothing out loud. It wouldn’t take much effort at all to backtrack the change in his attire. Pinpoint where that anarchy symbol disappeared, and something else rose out of the void left behind. Identify that new piece, and it became obvious that somewhere he’d found his own feelings again. PathFinder had said it, and Kruger had made his open denials, but he did indeed close his eyes and pretend.
The flowers atop the roof of the tower started to move, stepping out of their soil and gathering around to offer backup vocals to Kruger. This probably should have been an indicator that quiet time was almost at an end. A flower petal rainbow encircled the performers, moving as one they made a slow progression around The Elementals.
It was also the moment that changes began to become evident on that end of the island. It began small, at the exact point where the roof of the tower attached to the building. The camera pulled back from the tower, resting in the air upon nothing. It zoomed in on the image of a crack splitting the face of the stone. The breach circled the outerwall in a counter spiral to the movement of the flowers atop the roof. The question of whether this was simple surface damage was soon answered as the western twilight could be seen coming through the wall.
“And I know the night is fading!
And I know the time's gonna fly!
And I'm never gonna tell you everything I gotta tell you!
But I know I gotta give it a try!”
“And I know the roads to riches!
And I know the ways to fame!
I know all the rules!
And then I know how to break 'em!
And I always know the name of the game!”
The camera pulled back from the tower to show light through the gap increasing as the Tower of Earth’s roof slowly ascended into the air. It began to rotate clockwise slowly, and the edges of it started to expand outwards. It wouldn’t be long before that had become evident without the aid of the camera. The image cut away from the tower, and focused back on the musicians and their closed eyed singer who was moving his hands perhaps counting time to the players with him. The backup singer flowers began to do more than just vocalize, they picked up on part of the chorus, singing out words with Kruger in perfect harmony.
“But I don't know how to leave you.
And I'll never let you fall.
And I don't know how you do it.
Making love out of nothing at all.”
Making love,”Out of nothing at all."
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
As the stage ascended, and rotated, the camera did not move in orbit around it. For those on this island more practiced in the arts of sorcery there would be hints as to what was actually happening. That subtle vibration arising from the earth beneath their feet was more than the result of the music coming from those immense speakers. There was power being gathered for whatever it was that the singer was trying to accomplish. If they paid close enough attention to those hand movements Kruger was making, they’d see more than simple beat measuring. There were intricate arcane symbols being performed, and a purpose behind every one of them. The words were making their own demands on the stone, fractures formed and reformed churning rock into soil from which sprouted more flowers. They stayed in that color wheel order, and curved gracefully outward in widening pathways. Between the growing fields rose trees, small but growing their branches grasping at the air above them. Rows of saplings budded and formed leaves, still the singer’s eyes remained closed despite the command in his voice to the life which was growing out of nothing at all.
“Every time I see you, all the rays of the sun are streaming through the waves in your hair!
And every star in the sky is taking aim at your eyes like a spotlight!
The beating of my heart is a drum and it's lost, and it's looking for a rhythm like you!
You can take the darkness from the pit of the night! And turn into a beacon burning endlessly bright!
I've gotta follow it! 'Cause everything I know well, it's nothing 'til I give it to you!”
Kruger stopped singing and let The Elementals show their precision in an interlude. There were hints and more than hints which were only visible in a space beyond sight and sound. It would take an understanding of how to see beyond what the eyes and ears could pick up. Something in the nature of the show which needed to be viewed through more mystic means. The musical score was being written in the air between him and the players. It was the same song, written in notes appropriate for the different instruments. The notes appearing six measures ahead of what was being played would, if those who could see them overlaid atop one another, form the sigils required to enact this event. The formula was there, to make the stone lighter than air, and raise the garden in the precise dimensions which had formed. The one thing that couldn’t be gleaned would be why.
“I can make the runner stumble!
I can make the final block!
And I can make every tackle at the sound of the whistle!
I can make all the stadiums rock!”
“And I can make tonight forever!
Or I can make it disappear by the dawn!
And I can make you every promise that has ever been made!
And I can make all your demons be gone!”
“But I'm never gonna make it without you.
Do you really wanna see me crawl?
And I'm never gonna make it like you do.
Making love out of nothing at all.”
The island had seen more than its share of magical experimentation, by elemental keepers and masters alike. If there had been one like this before, Kruger wasn’t aware of it. He believed that the majority of those experiments had been kept to the shadows, and worked in secret. That was not how he chose to work. There had been a time when he’d hated being The Anvil. The persona was too publicly brash, far too showy and the opposite of everything that was Kruger. It was so easy in the other sports to turn The Anvil into an idiot, to make him irrelevant. He had tried to do the same in the magical venue, but the contradiction was too great to be sustainable. The things accomplished were too delicate, too intricate to be performed by any idiot. If he couldn’t hide himself behind the comfortable narcissism of the show, then he’d reveal all in the show. People would love or hate it as the spectacle touched these brief moments of their day.
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love…Love!
“Out of nothing at all!” Making love
“Out of nothing at all!" Making love
“Out of nothing at all!”
The song rose into a crescendo, an extended note by the singer locking the aerial arboretum and botanical garden into place high above the tower of earth. The entire event had lasted less than six minutes, but Kruger was visibly exhausted from the efforts. The closing lines raised a portal placed at the center of the skyland garden whose mate appeared on the outer edges of Twilight Islands dueling rings. Why do a thing and not allow it to be shared by those either brave or curious enough to step through the gateway.
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
With his part completed, Kruger moved towards one of the pathways and sat down on an anvil shaped stone bench which had risen sometime through the middle of his performance. The Elementals still played, the backup flowers still sang, but he just sat there and breathed in the commingled scents filling the air all about him. A daffodil climbed onto the bench next to him, and stretched up to its full height. It leaned in close as though it were going to say something into his ear, but instead it planted a petal delicate kiss on his cheek before scurrying away leaving a laughing Terra Master, Kruger, The Anvil, Allen in its wake.
Making love
Making love
Making love
A sealed envelope was delivered to the keepers of all the towers by very exhausted little forget-me-nots. Those weren’t the only ones delivered, similar envelopes went to every resident in every district on the island. The messages inside were almost exactly the same, save for the opening salutation which would be personalized to the recipients. The message wasn’t long, and it was doubtful that it would ease any feelings of annoyance which had arisen.
Forgive me. This may be the only act I am able to perform as Terra Master. Please come to the challenge for PathFinder next Thursday.
Kruger
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 2, 6:00 P.M.
Kruger made one final visit to the floating garden to ensure that everyone had vacated it's path's and places. Once he'd verified it was free of people, he stepped through the portal. When he appeared at the islands dueling rings, the portal disappeared, and the hanging gardens started to fade from view. The flora would appear in and around The Outback, a brief hiatus for the evening's event before moving on to their final destination in the deep wilds. He gave himself an appraising look, both approving and regretting his appearance. He gave the unfamiliar jacket's hem a stiff tug before stepping through the portal which led to the Red Dragon Inn.
Out of Nothing at All
And I know the night is fading
And I know the time's gonna fly
And I'm never gonna tell you
Everything I gotta tell you
But I know I gotta give it a try ~ Air Supply
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have the score. It wasn’t a question from the key, it was stated too matter of factly. Its intent was to put an end to the excuses that Kruger was throwing up as a reason not to proceed. Unless, do you doubt your calculations?
“Of course I don’t doubt them. The math is solid, it’s always solid.” Kruger understood that he was being goaded by the question, and he knew that he should have simply ignored it. His pride wouldn’t allow it. He knew it was a flaw in his character, what he didn’t know was how to compensate for it. It was probably a good thing that other people didn’t know how easily they could get under his skin. “It’s just…this one is… It implies things that I don’t want anyone thinking, ‘cause I would never do this.”
You did the math, you matched the score up. You’ve already put all the tools in place. Seems a waste to scrap it all now. Maybe it was, but despite what he was being told, Kruger wasn’t afraid of a little work. For that matter he wasn’t afraid of a lot of work either. WWTAD?
“Well, that’s not a fair question. We all know what The Anvil would do.” The Anvil would throw on a pair of gaudy spandex and put on a show. “I wouldn’t use him as a source of wisdom though, and I am him.” Kruger fingered the green opal in his pocket as though trying to poke some life into it. “You’ve been awfully quiet on this matter.”
The timing is right. Kruger’s half lidded gaze fell on one of the free roaming stone golems. When it caught his expression it hurried its pace to get out of visual range, just in case that look was meant for it.
“You’re no help. You’re also biased.” Not to him at least, the thing seemed to be falling on the side of the key. Even as he was arguing with both key and opal, his footsteps took him ever upwards. “It’s really easy for you two to feel nothing about this. Everyone’s going to just blame me for it.” It wasn’t too late to say no, he could always say no.
You asked the question. You worked out the method. You don’t like us doing things for you. We’re beginning to doubt your commitment to this…venture. Kruger emitted a low growl from his chest, because even though PathFinder hadn’t said the words, he could feel the agreement from the opal.
“Fine… but you guys can deal with the repercussions this time. Did we at least warn everyone, the other keepers, the staff over at the rings, the residents in the gloaming district?” Kruger stepped out onto the top of the Tower of Earth into a newly planted garden of Daffodils and Tulips in every color of the rainbow. They grew in a circle along the outer edge of the tower’s roof. The sight of them made him smile every time he saw them. Those musical rock golems were up there, instruments strapped into place. He was affectionately calling them The Elementals. There was a new addition to the band. Sitting at a piano which had been made out of stone from the tower itself was Chloe Black Bat Flower. She really was a flower, and had only come out to audition after he’d gained PathFinder. The boys in the band seemed to like her, especially the drummer Jon Rockham, whose mossy beard and mustache were now neatly trimmed. He’d have to keep an eye on those two, percussionists required constant vigilance.
Notices were sent out. That seemed pretty noncommittal from the key. It didn’t really indicate that anyone had gotten the notice.
Kruger looked out across Twilight Island, turning in a slow circle. The entire Tower was surrounded by what appeared to be massive stone nautiluses. “What are those? Speakers? They’re massive, and weird looking.” He was a pretty good judge of distance, and despite how far away they were he could tell that the structures were only about three hundred meters away from the tower. A number of them were offshore to the west of his tower.
Uhm… He started, and quickly gave up counting them. There’s only as much required to get the necessary equal pressure to penetrate the stone. You did the math!
Kruger sighed and rolled his eyes. “I’m going to get so many phone calls about this.” Kruger put his fingertips to his temples as though he could rub away everything in the circular motion they’d taken up. “Why is there a camera?”
The camera is to get a recording of the experiment. It sounded like a logical argument, there was just one small problem.
“It’s pointed at us, shouldn’t it be out there?” He pointed out away from the tower to the east. Most things were east of his tower.
You’re wasting time. Just pretend that you’re singing to that female assistant of yours. PathFinder, while trying to be helpful, sounded like it was trying not to laugh. The joke was going to be on Kruger this time.
“I don’t think she’d approve. I can already hear her saying Eww in my head.” Kruger looked at the band, they were being utterly silent, and still, with the exception of shudders from Chloe who could have been shifting with the breeze, though it looked like she was excited for her first performance. Kruger stepped over to the microphone stand, looked at the pianist, held up a hand and counted off the beats. Chloe’s many limbs started to press out notes on the piano while Jon’s drumstick played a symbol lightly in the time that Kruger had been counting. Sound rolled in from all directions at the same time. The sound waves collided into each other at the speed of sound, rising upwards towards The Tower of Earth. They reached a pinnacle and fell outwards to form a dome of sound that encompassed the entire western end of the island. The moment the waves touched back down atop the speakers the camera came to life in front of The Elementals and projected their image across the eastern end of the dome the camera moved in from above over Chloe to track her many limbs as they pressed down on the keys. Six measures in, Kruger had resigned himself to doing this and started to softly sing the opening lines of the song.
“I know just how to whisper.
And I know just how to cry.
I know just where to find the answers.
And I know just how to lie.”
“I know just how to fake it.
And I know just how to scheme.
I know just when to face the truth.
And then I know just when to dream.”
“And I know just where to touch you.
And I know just what to prove.
I know when to pull you closer.
And I know when to let you loose.”
It would be difficult for anyone who was standing outside to say that they couldn’t see the projection. It rose into the air high enough that the Celestial Tower was at its eye level. From a certain angle it looked like the microphone stand was the tower. This hadn’t been the plan, and the fault all belonged with Kruger. He didn’t let himself be seen except in the smallest bits. He’d gained, and rightfully so, a reputation as a poser. There was more than enough evidence to convict on that charge. He’d gladly pay the fine, because in truth he liked the cheers, the music, and the pyrotechnics that surrounded the persona. But mostly he enjoyed the posing.
He shouldn’t have expected anything differently. He’d left the public details to other parties. It had never been in his nature to give advance notice of what might be coming. He just donned the spandex uniform and came in and made his own rules. It was entirely possible that both The Key and PathFinder were picking up this habit of his, and showing him in the most shocking way possible exactly what it felt like. That was fine, he could put on The Anvil again for this, despite knowing there was more to it than just the shock value that came with it.
There had been something happening to him in the past few months. Its evidence was there for everyone to see, if they took the time to look. He told everything while he said nothing out loud. It wouldn’t take much effort at all to backtrack the change in his attire. Pinpoint where that anarchy symbol disappeared, and something else rose out of the void left behind. Identify that new piece, and it became obvious that somewhere he’d found his own feelings again. PathFinder had said it, and Kruger had made his open denials, but he did indeed close his eyes and pretend.
The flowers atop the roof of the tower started to move, stepping out of their soil and gathering around to offer backup vocals to Kruger. This probably should have been an indicator that quiet time was almost at an end. A flower petal rainbow encircled the performers, moving as one they made a slow progression around The Elementals.
It was also the moment that changes began to become evident on that end of the island. It began small, at the exact point where the roof of the tower attached to the building. The camera pulled back from the tower, resting in the air upon nothing. It zoomed in on the image of a crack splitting the face of the stone. The breach circled the outerwall in a counter spiral to the movement of the flowers atop the roof. The question of whether this was simple surface damage was soon answered as the western twilight could be seen coming through the wall.
“And I know the night is fading!
And I know the time's gonna fly!
And I'm never gonna tell you everything I gotta tell you!
But I know I gotta give it a try!”
“And I know the roads to riches!
And I know the ways to fame!
I know all the rules!
And then I know how to break 'em!
And I always know the name of the game!”
The camera pulled back from the tower to show light through the gap increasing as the Tower of Earth’s roof slowly ascended into the air. It began to rotate clockwise slowly, and the edges of it started to expand outwards. It wouldn’t be long before that had become evident without the aid of the camera. The image cut away from the tower, and focused back on the musicians and their closed eyed singer who was moving his hands perhaps counting time to the players with him. The backup singer flowers began to do more than just vocalize, they picked up on part of the chorus, singing out words with Kruger in perfect harmony.
“But I don't know how to leave you.
And I'll never let you fall.
And I don't know how you do it.
Making love out of nothing at all.”
Making love,”Out of nothing at all."
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
As the stage ascended, and rotated, the camera did not move in orbit around it. For those on this island more practiced in the arts of sorcery there would be hints as to what was actually happening. That subtle vibration arising from the earth beneath their feet was more than the result of the music coming from those immense speakers. There was power being gathered for whatever it was that the singer was trying to accomplish. If they paid close enough attention to those hand movements Kruger was making, they’d see more than simple beat measuring. There were intricate arcane symbols being performed, and a purpose behind every one of them. The words were making their own demands on the stone, fractures formed and reformed churning rock into soil from which sprouted more flowers. They stayed in that color wheel order, and curved gracefully outward in widening pathways. Between the growing fields rose trees, small but growing their branches grasping at the air above them. Rows of saplings budded and formed leaves, still the singer’s eyes remained closed despite the command in his voice to the life which was growing out of nothing at all.
“Every time I see you, all the rays of the sun are streaming through the waves in your hair!
And every star in the sky is taking aim at your eyes like a spotlight!
The beating of my heart is a drum and it's lost, and it's looking for a rhythm like you!
You can take the darkness from the pit of the night! And turn into a beacon burning endlessly bright!
I've gotta follow it! 'Cause everything I know well, it's nothing 'til I give it to you!”
Kruger stopped singing and let The Elementals show their precision in an interlude. There were hints and more than hints which were only visible in a space beyond sight and sound. It would take an understanding of how to see beyond what the eyes and ears could pick up. Something in the nature of the show which needed to be viewed through more mystic means. The musical score was being written in the air between him and the players. It was the same song, written in notes appropriate for the different instruments. The notes appearing six measures ahead of what was being played would, if those who could see them overlaid atop one another, form the sigils required to enact this event. The formula was there, to make the stone lighter than air, and raise the garden in the precise dimensions which had formed. The one thing that couldn’t be gleaned would be why.
“I can make the runner stumble!
I can make the final block!
And I can make every tackle at the sound of the whistle!
I can make all the stadiums rock!”
“And I can make tonight forever!
Or I can make it disappear by the dawn!
And I can make you every promise that has ever been made!
And I can make all your demons be gone!”
“But I'm never gonna make it without you.
Do you really wanna see me crawl?
And I'm never gonna make it like you do.
Making love out of nothing at all.”
The island had seen more than its share of magical experimentation, by elemental keepers and masters alike. If there had been one like this before, Kruger wasn’t aware of it. He believed that the majority of those experiments had been kept to the shadows, and worked in secret. That was not how he chose to work. There had been a time when he’d hated being The Anvil. The persona was too publicly brash, far too showy and the opposite of everything that was Kruger. It was so easy in the other sports to turn The Anvil into an idiot, to make him irrelevant. He had tried to do the same in the magical venue, but the contradiction was too great to be sustainable. The things accomplished were too delicate, too intricate to be performed by any idiot. If he couldn’t hide himself behind the comfortable narcissism of the show, then he’d reveal all in the show. People would love or hate it as the spectacle touched these brief moments of their day.
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love…Love!
“Out of nothing at all!” Making love
“Out of nothing at all!" Making love
“Out of nothing at all!”
The song rose into a crescendo, an extended note by the singer locking the aerial arboretum and botanical garden into place high above the tower of earth. The entire event had lasted less than six minutes, but Kruger was visibly exhausted from the efforts. The closing lines raised a portal placed at the center of the skyland garden whose mate appeared on the outer edges of Twilight Islands dueling rings. Why do a thing and not allow it to be shared by those either brave or curious enough to step through the gateway.
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
Making love, “Out of nothing at all.”
With his part completed, Kruger moved towards one of the pathways and sat down on an anvil shaped stone bench which had risen sometime through the middle of his performance. The Elementals still played, the backup flowers still sang, but he just sat there and breathed in the commingled scents filling the air all about him. A daffodil climbed onto the bench next to him, and stretched up to its full height. It leaned in close as though it were going to say something into his ear, but instead it planted a petal delicate kiss on his cheek before scurrying away leaving a laughing Terra Master, Kruger, The Anvil, Allen in its wake.
Making love
Making love
Making love
A sealed envelope was delivered to the keepers of all the towers by very exhausted little forget-me-nots. Those weren’t the only ones delivered, similar envelopes went to every resident in every district on the island. The messages inside were almost exactly the same, save for the opening salutation which would be personalized to the recipients. The message wasn’t long, and it was doubtful that it would ease any feelings of annoyance which had arisen.
Forgive me. This may be the only act I am able to perform as Terra Master. Please come to the challenge for PathFinder next Thursday.
Kruger
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 2, 6:00 P.M.
Kruger made one final visit to the floating garden to ensure that everyone had vacated it's path's and places. Once he'd verified it was free of people, he stepped through the portal. When he appeared at the islands dueling rings, the portal disappeared, and the hanging gardens started to fade from view. The flora would appear in and around The Outback, a brief hiatus for the evening's event before moving on to their final destination in the deep wilds. He gave himself an appraising look, both approving and regretting his appearance. He gave the unfamiliar jacket's hem a stiff tug before stepping through the portal which led to the Red Dragon Inn.
-
Kruger
- Seasoned Adventurer
- The Anvil
- Posts: 388
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:40 pm
- Location: Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather
Re: Foundations: On Solid Ground
My Immortal
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone ~ Evanescence (Cover by CORVYX)
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tower was in front of Kruger. Once he would have thought that it loomed, and that was probably the truth in a way. The Tower of Earth hadn’t changed, sure there had been times where it had altered its appearance. That had been out of need, done for one reason and another after a great deal of cold calculation by Kruger. The tower was the same, always. That could only mean that the changes were his, in his thoughts and perceptions. He was coming under challenge again, and he wasn’t ready to leave yet. The choice might not be his to make, not if he failed to defend. He had to make as much use of the place as possible before that decision was finalized. If he remained the keeper of the key, there would be plenty of time to keep moving forward. Right now, he’d take what he knew he had and use it, perhaps more strongly than he’d ever done in the last six months.
It was late, already midnight when he’d entered the Dragon earlier. This interruption in his sleep wasn’t going away, and he’d been wandering the streets. It was only when he neared the inn that he understood that this was going to be his destination. Kruger barely noticed the distance as he took one step after another. He knew that he could have simply used the earth to travel across that space. He needed to think, and instantaneous transportation would never give him the time he needed to make his decision. There were, for him, advantages to taking the long way around.
He moved through the gateway like a ghost. The space felt empty, and considering the hour he hadn’t expected anything different. His bruised and battered visage scanned the rooms he slipped through with a very critical eye. It didn’t take a lot of thought for him to know that he wanted to stay, or to acknowledge that Michelle wanted to take up residence. Skill and honor, so many of his friends used these words before engaging in the fight. His skill would always be suspect, and he’d never felt any honor inside himself. Perhaps that was why he never returned the sentiment? Kruger put his hand to the wall, it hurt to fully extend his fingers enough to allow his palm to touch and slide along it as he ascended the ever upward winding staircase.
The tower’s roof spread out in front of him. There was nothing save a piano at its center to impede his view across the island of perpetual twilight. He’d used the knowledge gained from his time with the key to create it from solid crystal. The planes housing the strings were clearer than glass. Windows to the mechanisms within, it was something he wished he could accomplish within himself. There were just so many reasons to hide. There was no place for sheet music to rest on it tonight. Where that would normally sit rose the neck of a microphone stand, one of those held comfortably in its grip. He pulled back the bench far enough that he could sit comfortably in front of the keys. His eyes closed against the pain in his hands as he started to work his fingers. He laid them on the ivory keys and started to attempt to play that which he’d decided on during his walk from the portal to the tower. The melody came out haltingly, more than once his fingers didn’t want to do what he needed them to and he pulled his hands back and began again.
“You want I should play for you?” Chloe Flower’s voice nearly startled him into a defensive position on the bench. He hadn’t heard her approach, but in his defense, she was a flower and didn’t make much noise even when she was stomping.
Kruger considered her offer seriously. Chloe was a much better pianist than he’d ever be. For him, it was something he’d learned to do but it had never been his main focus. Not like it was for her. He hadn’t gotten all the details of her training. What he knew was that it was at the tutelage of a master musician, in a place that sounded like it was farther east than even Yazou. He turned to regard the black bat flower face giving her a small shake of his head.
“Not this time, Chloe. It has to be me.” The musician turned to leave at his words. “Will you stay? Maybe pick up some harmony now and again? Just us, we can let the boys sleep.” There are honestly no words to describe the way her grin lit up her face. She changed directions, crossing to the piano and taking a spot on the bench next to him.
Gingerly he dug a hand into his pocket, and extracted the obsidian key, and the black opal. These he placed on the top cover of the piano. “Let’s close the top. It’s late, and people are sleeping.” Even as he was saying the words, a dome, something found most often on buildings in the Cadentia desert, formed over the top of the tower.
”Do you want this broadcast?" The disembodied voice of the key snaked its way through his thoughts.
“Just to those places it needs to be.” Kruger understood that the key would already know where those places were. A car radio here, an almost empty diner there, perhaps even a video image on a television screen left on, always in the places that it was most needed. “Sid, will you drop the lights, just give me one right over the piano… something between indigo and violet.” It wasn’t really a secret that he liked that color best. He could tell that his last words had gone out over the connections that the key had created. He’d learned to expect that kind of thing out of it.
With a last stretch of stiff swollen fingers, Kruger placed them over the keys and started into the opening notes of his song. This would be far from painless for him, but he’d drink that in, close his eyes, and release it where it would work best.
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
The notes of the piano haunted their way through the enclosed dome, finding rounded surfaces and clinging to them even as the words coming from the singer seemed to push them into movement all along the inside curve. Waves of echo moving, colliding together and blending into something that could be felt by him. Chloe for her part, never took her eyes from his face, noting how he used the touch of the mic against his lips to keep himself in place. She lent her voice to support him through the chorus.
A childlike voice softly rang through the space between the here and there. ”What is he doing?”
”Ah, there you are my dear.” The voice of the Obsidian key greeted ShadoWeaver gently. He’s singing.
”Lot’s of energy in that song.” It was said by that child’s voice as though directing the key to it, just in case he wasn’t aware.
”Yes, he really wants to accomplish something.” The key didn’t sound offended by the obvious being pointed out to him.
”Pretty tune. Will it work?” She sounded of curiosity, intrigue, and doubt.
”Little one, I think it already has.” His tone was all age and amusement.
Kruger played his way all the way through the song, only daring to open his eyes well after he’d completed the last notes. Even that was done just because Chloe was tugging at him. He turned to look at her, but noticed that she was focused on the piano. The crystal clear planes of it had turned to a grayish purple haze that while still see through, definitely clouded things up.
“This, it mean she come?” Chloe’s accent was more difficult to understand when she was excited like this. He put a finger to his lips, although he was nodding to the little pianist.
He reached out and took both the key and the opal, one in each hand. “She needs rest.”
((Part two can be found Here))
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone ~ Evanescence (Cover by CORVYX)
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tower was in front of Kruger. Once he would have thought that it loomed, and that was probably the truth in a way. The Tower of Earth hadn’t changed, sure there had been times where it had altered its appearance. That had been out of need, done for one reason and another after a great deal of cold calculation by Kruger. The tower was the same, always. That could only mean that the changes were his, in his thoughts and perceptions. He was coming under challenge again, and he wasn’t ready to leave yet. The choice might not be his to make, not if he failed to defend. He had to make as much use of the place as possible before that decision was finalized. If he remained the keeper of the key, there would be plenty of time to keep moving forward. Right now, he’d take what he knew he had and use it, perhaps more strongly than he’d ever done in the last six months.
It was late, already midnight when he’d entered the Dragon earlier. This interruption in his sleep wasn’t going away, and he’d been wandering the streets. It was only when he neared the inn that he understood that this was going to be his destination. Kruger barely noticed the distance as he took one step after another. He knew that he could have simply used the earth to travel across that space. He needed to think, and instantaneous transportation would never give him the time he needed to make his decision. There were, for him, advantages to taking the long way around.
He moved through the gateway like a ghost. The space felt empty, and considering the hour he hadn’t expected anything different. His bruised and battered visage scanned the rooms he slipped through with a very critical eye. It didn’t take a lot of thought for him to know that he wanted to stay, or to acknowledge that Michelle wanted to take up residence. Skill and honor, so many of his friends used these words before engaging in the fight. His skill would always be suspect, and he’d never felt any honor inside himself. Perhaps that was why he never returned the sentiment? Kruger put his hand to the wall, it hurt to fully extend his fingers enough to allow his palm to touch and slide along it as he ascended the ever upward winding staircase.
The tower’s roof spread out in front of him. There was nothing save a piano at its center to impede his view across the island of perpetual twilight. He’d used the knowledge gained from his time with the key to create it from solid crystal. The planes housing the strings were clearer than glass. Windows to the mechanisms within, it was something he wished he could accomplish within himself. There were just so many reasons to hide. There was no place for sheet music to rest on it tonight. Where that would normally sit rose the neck of a microphone stand, one of those held comfortably in its grip. He pulled back the bench far enough that he could sit comfortably in front of the keys. His eyes closed against the pain in his hands as he started to work his fingers. He laid them on the ivory keys and started to attempt to play that which he’d decided on during his walk from the portal to the tower. The melody came out haltingly, more than once his fingers didn’t want to do what he needed them to and he pulled his hands back and began again.
“You want I should play for you?” Chloe Flower’s voice nearly startled him into a defensive position on the bench. He hadn’t heard her approach, but in his defense, she was a flower and didn’t make much noise even when she was stomping.
Kruger considered her offer seriously. Chloe was a much better pianist than he’d ever be. For him, it was something he’d learned to do but it had never been his main focus. Not like it was for her. He hadn’t gotten all the details of her training. What he knew was that it was at the tutelage of a master musician, in a place that sounded like it was farther east than even Yazou. He turned to regard the black bat flower face giving her a small shake of his head.
“Not this time, Chloe. It has to be me.” The musician turned to leave at his words. “Will you stay? Maybe pick up some harmony now and again? Just us, we can let the boys sleep.” There are honestly no words to describe the way her grin lit up her face. She changed directions, crossing to the piano and taking a spot on the bench next to him.
Gingerly he dug a hand into his pocket, and extracted the obsidian key, and the black opal. These he placed on the top cover of the piano. “Let’s close the top. It’s late, and people are sleeping.” Even as he was saying the words, a dome, something found most often on buildings in the Cadentia desert, formed over the top of the tower.
”Do you want this broadcast?" The disembodied voice of the key snaked its way through his thoughts.
“Just to those places it needs to be.” Kruger understood that the key would already know where those places were. A car radio here, an almost empty diner there, perhaps even a video image on a television screen left on, always in the places that it was most needed. “Sid, will you drop the lights, just give me one right over the piano… something between indigo and violet.” It wasn’t really a secret that he liked that color best. He could tell that his last words had gone out over the connections that the key had created. He’d learned to expect that kind of thing out of it.
With a last stretch of stiff swollen fingers, Kruger placed them over the keys and started into the opening notes of his song. This would be far from painless for him, but he’d drink that in, close his eyes, and release it where it would work best.
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
The notes of the piano haunted their way through the enclosed dome, finding rounded surfaces and clinging to them even as the words coming from the singer seemed to push them into movement all along the inside curve. Waves of echo moving, colliding together and blending into something that could be felt by him. Chloe for her part, never took her eyes from his face, noting how he used the touch of the mic against his lips to keep himself in place. She lent her voice to support him through the chorus.
A childlike voice softly rang through the space between the here and there. ”What is he doing?”
”Ah, there you are my dear.” The voice of the Obsidian key greeted ShadoWeaver gently. He’s singing.
”Lot’s of energy in that song.” It was said by that child’s voice as though directing the key to it, just in case he wasn’t aware.
”Yes, he really wants to accomplish something.” The key didn’t sound offended by the obvious being pointed out to him.
”Pretty tune. Will it work?” She sounded of curiosity, intrigue, and doubt.
”Little one, I think it already has.” His tone was all age and amusement.
Kruger played his way all the way through the song, only daring to open his eyes well after he’d completed the last notes. Even that was done just because Chloe was tugging at him. He turned to look at her, but noticed that she was focused on the piano. The crystal clear planes of it had turned to a grayish purple haze that while still see through, definitely clouded things up.
“This, it mean she come?” Chloe’s accent was more difficult to understand when she was excited like this. He put a finger to his lips, although he was nodding to the little pianist.
He reached out and took both the key and the opal, one in each hand. “She needs rest.”
((Part two can be found Here))
-
Kruger
- Seasoned Adventurer
- The Anvil
- Posts: 388
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:40 pm
- Location: Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather
Re: Foundations: On Solid Ground - A Farewell to Earth
A Farewell to Earth
Back at One
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I start back at one ~ Brian Mcknight
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 1st, 2023 - 10:00 P.M.
There was a silent solemnity over the earth golems which worked to keep the Tower of Earth clean and whole. Kruger could feel their eyes follow him as he moved from room to room. The Elementals moved along with him. They too were uncharacteristically quiet. Normally after a successful rehearsal the group would banter back and forth, each taking good natured jabs at one another over a missed note, or key change. Today there was just a silence broken only by the sound of their feet on the stone floors that made up the tower’s interior. He held his own understanding, the knowledge that this could be his final walkthrough as keeper. The thought had him just as silent.
Kruger hadn’t made arrangements for his belongings to be magically whisked away as he’d seen other keepers do. Instead he made his way through the entirety of the tower, touching each addition he’d brought to the place. It wouldn’t be difficult to know where he’d made those. There wasn’t a room in the place that didn’t have at least one musical instrument, and oddly enough not all of them were the normal rock band accoutrement. He paid as much attention to the violins, flutes, saxophones, and trumpets, as he did with every acoustic guitar, keyboard, and drum set. It had taken time, but somehow he’d managed to bond with the place and all the entities within.
He was already attired in the outfit he’d put together for tonight’s challenge, so there was nothing holding the six of them back from exiting the tower. The raised stone pathway they stepped on extended all the way from the tower gate to the sands of the dueling zone. “Obviously if I win, nothing changes.” He was talking to Sid, the name he’d assigned to the entity which belonged to the obsidian tower key. “But, how long will I have if you pass on to Michelle?”
Fortunately, Sid picked up on the thread of his thoughts, and there was no reason it shouldn’t considering it was a continuation of previous conversations. ”Hard to say, the protections will begin to bleed away almost immediately. I’d say you’ll still have a day before things start to move far more rapidly. I’ve given you everything I can.”
“Time to start back at one, I suppose.” Kruger nodded at the information, letting his attention drift and turning his head back to take a last look at the tower. “We did some things, didn’t we?” He was far from an authority on the tower’s history, but he’d never heard of anyone using it in quite the same way he had. He thought that if he were displaced there would be mixed reactions from those people who chose the island as their main residence. Relief that they wouldn’t need to keep those sound dampening wards up perhaps, but there was the other side of things as well. Life might just become somewhat more mundane for them.
The melancholy faces of The Elementals caught his attention, and snagged at his feelings too. Kruger pushed a grin onto his face for them. “Hey now, it’s not even started and we’re acting like somebody died. Michelle’s a good and reasonable person, and I’m sure she’ll be happy to keep the band together.” He turned and began making progress down that pathway once more. “Besides, her son will be here too at least occasionally. He and Nikolai are friends, you’ll get sick of seeing me.”
An undeniable rhythm to their steps on the stone hit Kruger in the ears, it demanded his full attention with every insistent footfall. Fortunately for him, this group was well acquainted with the eccentricities which made him up. It was this, in fact, which had brought them all together. He’d found them, or they’d found him during one of his breaks from internalizing the music of the world.
”It's undeniable
That we should be together
It's unbelievable
How I used to say, that I'd fall never”
It would be far less intrusive on Twilight Island than so many of his other performances were. But it wasn’t meant for everyone this time. It was for those who strode these paths with him. It was possible that Kruger was deluding himself, but he could swear as they moved along the path through the trees that even nature paid homage when he was joined through the chorus by the five unlikely musicians.
”Four, repeat steps one through three
Five, make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I'll start back at one”
There were cheers to be heard, as they descended the stairs that led to the rings where this challenge would be fought. They weren’t for the group, or the song despite how near to the end of it the sounds had come. Some of the vendors were moving through the crowds, amping them up as they blasted t-shirts over their heads. It was still very early, but sometimes for the fans it paid to be early. He thought he spotted a football being blasted from the t-shirt gun. He still wasn’t sure why this had become associated with him.
The Elementals broke away from him, heading towards their equipment and instruments to ensure that everything was set up properly. They’d do some warming up and give the growing crowd something else to heighten their enthusiasm. Kruger, however, moved in the direction of Sal letting that solemn silence fill him once more. He would have felt a silly, strange relief if this wasn’t his last couple hours with the key. It was a thing he’d never admit to anyone if it happened. It was a thing that only felt well placed when the key fell away from him and flew to Michelle.
”Remember Anvil, you have a day, maybe two…” Kruger could feel the seeping away of the wardings the key had placed over Weaver immediately, like droplets through a cracked glass. He hoped he was ready for what would surely be coming.
“One…you’re like a…”
~fin~
Back at One
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I start back at one ~ Brian Mcknight
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 1st, 2023 - 10:00 P.M.
There was a silent solemnity over the earth golems which worked to keep the Tower of Earth clean and whole. Kruger could feel their eyes follow him as he moved from room to room. The Elementals moved along with him. They too were uncharacteristically quiet. Normally after a successful rehearsal the group would banter back and forth, each taking good natured jabs at one another over a missed note, or key change. Today there was just a silence broken only by the sound of their feet on the stone floors that made up the tower’s interior. He held his own understanding, the knowledge that this could be his final walkthrough as keeper. The thought had him just as silent.
Kruger hadn’t made arrangements for his belongings to be magically whisked away as he’d seen other keepers do. Instead he made his way through the entirety of the tower, touching each addition he’d brought to the place. It wouldn’t be difficult to know where he’d made those. There wasn’t a room in the place that didn’t have at least one musical instrument, and oddly enough not all of them were the normal rock band accoutrement. He paid as much attention to the violins, flutes, saxophones, and trumpets, as he did with every acoustic guitar, keyboard, and drum set. It had taken time, but somehow he’d managed to bond with the place and all the entities within.
He was already attired in the outfit he’d put together for tonight’s challenge, so there was nothing holding the six of them back from exiting the tower. The raised stone pathway they stepped on extended all the way from the tower gate to the sands of the dueling zone. “Obviously if I win, nothing changes.” He was talking to Sid, the name he’d assigned to the entity which belonged to the obsidian tower key. “But, how long will I have if you pass on to Michelle?”
Fortunately, Sid picked up on the thread of his thoughts, and there was no reason it shouldn’t considering it was a continuation of previous conversations. ”Hard to say, the protections will begin to bleed away almost immediately. I’d say you’ll still have a day before things start to move far more rapidly. I’ve given you everything I can.”
“Time to start back at one, I suppose.” Kruger nodded at the information, letting his attention drift and turning his head back to take a last look at the tower. “We did some things, didn’t we?” He was far from an authority on the tower’s history, but he’d never heard of anyone using it in quite the same way he had. He thought that if he were displaced there would be mixed reactions from those people who chose the island as their main residence. Relief that they wouldn’t need to keep those sound dampening wards up perhaps, but there was the other side of things as well. Life might just become somewhat more mundane for them.
The melancholy faces of The Elementals caught his attention, and snagged at his feelings too. Kruger pushed a grin onto his face for them. “Hey now, it’s not even started and we’re acting like somebody died. Michelle’s a good and reasonable person, and I’m sure she’ll be happy to keep the band together.” He turned and began making progress down that pathway once more. “Besides, her son will be here too at least occasionally. He and Nikolai are friends, you’ll get sick of seeing me.”
An undeniable rhythm to their steps on the stone hit Kruger in the ears, it demanded his full attention with every insistent footfall. Fortunately for him, this group was well acquainted with the eccentricities which made him up. It was this, in fact, which had brought them all together. He’d found them, or they’d found him during one of his breaks from internalizing the music of the world.
”It's undeniable
That we should be together
It's unbelievable
How I used to say, that I'd fall never”
It would be far less intrusive on Twilight Island than so many of his other performances were. But it wasn’t meant for everyone this time. It was for those who strode these paths with him. It was possible that Kruger was deluding himself, but he could swear as they moved along the path through the trees that even nature paid homage when he was joined through the chorus by the five unlikely musicians.
”Four, repeat steps one through three
Five, make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I'll start back at one”
There were cheers to be heard, as they descended the stairs that led to the rings where this challenge would be fought. They weren’t for the group, or the song despite how near to the end of it the sounds had come. Some of the vendors were moving through the crowds, amping them up as they blasted t-shirts over their heads. It was still very early, but sometimes for the fans it paid to be early. He thought he spotted a football being blasted from the t-shirt gun. He still wasn’t sure why this had become associated with him.
The Elementals broke away from him, heading towards their equipment and instruments to ensure that everything was set up properly. They’d do some warming up and give the growing crowd something else to heighten their enthusiasm. Kruger, however, moved in the direction of Sal letting that solemn silence fill him once more. He would have felt a silly, strange relief if this wasn’t his last couple hours with the key. It was a thing he’d never admit to anyone if it happened. It was a thing that only felt well placed when the key fell away from him and flew to Michelle.
”Remember Anvil, you have a day, maybe two…” Kruger could feel the seeping away of the wardings the key had placed over Weaver immediately, like droplets through a cracked glass. He hoped he was ready for what would surely be coming.
“One…you’re like a…”
~fin~
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