Characters present: Faulkner, Wizard
Date: 1/22/24
Season: 3

[Faulkner knocks loudly on the front door to the Sheriff’s Office. Upstairs, the Wizard looks up from what he was working on.]

[18:07:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Now who could that be?

[The Wizard heads down the stairs, eyes on the ground as he mutters out loud: ]

[18:07:15] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Joco I've told you a hundred times to just come in-

[He wrenches the door open.]

[18:07:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh-

[And finds Faulkner standing outside.]

[18:07:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You are not Joco

[18:07:28] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I am not

[The Wizard stands awkwardly in the doorway.]

[18:07:31] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Uh, hiya Faulkner

[18:07:35] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Can I help you with something?

[18:07:49] <✦Faulkner [rp]> You can

[The Wizard nods to himself, he steps back into the cool darkness of the Office, somewhat awkwardly gesturing towards the interior.]

[18:08:03] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I see, uh, would you...like to come in?

[18:08:20] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I'll get to the point. I'm here about the egg

[Faulkner’s ear flicks.]

[18:08:31] <✦Faulkner [rp]> and no, I'd rather discuss things out here

[18:08:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well then

[The Wizard crosses his arms.]

[18:08:51] <✦[rp] The Wizard> What do you want to know?

[Faulkner waves a paw in the air.]

[18:09:48] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I'd just like to know what you all are doing with it

[18:10:02] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Ah, well I don't feel too badly telling you about that

[18:10:11] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Dan's keeping good care of it

[18:10:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I've sent him some literature I read up on

[Faulkner perks up.]

[18:10:37] <✦Faulkner [rp]> oh?

[18:10:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> So I think he’s planning to keep it somewhere where we can all have a chance to interact with it

[18:11:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yeah! Ender Dragons are actually well fascinating once you've gotten the chance to read up on em

[18:11:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They're a remnant from wayyy back in the creation of worlds

[18:11:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Powerful manifestations of the Code

[18:12:02] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Hm

[18:12:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It seems you might be more familiar with End Dragons, though

[18:12:10] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Based on your husbandry of it

[18:12:17] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Which was, to be fair, perfect for an End Dragon

[Faulkner scowls.]

[18:13:29] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Excuse me?

[18:14:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well, as far as I've read, the egg might've not been best suited out there alone in the End

[18:14:36] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I was actually curious as to why you placed it out there in the first place

[Faulkner growls lowly.]

[18:15:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Hey now, you came to me. No need for that

[18:15:41] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Its not like I left it out there by itself all the time. I don't like what you're trying to imply

[18:16:13] <✦Faulkner [rp]> and I will growl if I please

[The Wizard holds up his hands.]

[18:16:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I didn't mean to imply anything, simply stating my observations, sorry.

[18:17:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's just, in my readings, it seems that if these eggs hatch, the dragon within does best when surrounded by specific things

[18:17:28] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Community, most prominently

[18:18:00] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I won't argue with you on that

[18:17:47] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Hm

[Faulkner looks like he wants to say something, but keeps his mouth shut.]

[The Wizard raises his eyebrows.]

[18:17:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Did you mean to say something?

[18:18:03] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I did not

[18:18:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Alright, then

[They confess: ]

[18:18:16] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I am trying to take some advice I was given

[18:18:27] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Ah, what advice were you given?

[Faulkner gestures vaguely.]

[18:19:07] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Talk to people. Communicate or whatever. Be nice

[18:19:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh I see! In general, not about the egg

[18:19:32] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Yes

[18:19:36] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, I do find that talking with folk is the best way to get to know em

[Faulkner sighs.]

[18:21:33] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Listen I'm not stupid enough to expect the egg to be returned to me or anything, but I would like to be involved somewhat. Informed. Not knowing anything has me restless

[18:21:38] <✦Faulkner [rp]> It's important to me

[18:21:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh, of course

[18:22:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I mean, I'm probably not the best person to talk to that about....

[18:22:03] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But-

[18:22:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I understand that Dan is more likely to be hostile towards you about coming anywhere near him or the egg

[18:22:31] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Obviously

[18:22:45] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Most here probably would be

[18:23:02] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I agree with your conclusion about the egg Faulkner, while I might not have agreed with your methods, your insight about the egg in the first place was paramount

[18:23:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I feel like I never acknowledged that, so I will now

[18:23:23] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Oh-

[Faulkner shifts around.]

[18:23:42] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Thanks, I guess

[The Wizard holds up a hand, shaking his head slightly.]

[18:23:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> No need, just something I felt like needed saying

[18:24:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know where you come from is a land of dragons, and you do know much more about their husbandry than most

[18:24:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I think anymore insight you might have would be invaluable

[18:24:34] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But emotions-

[18:24:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They tend to get in the way of progress and communication

[18:24:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Which is how we got into this mess in the first place

[18:25:43] <✦Faulkner [rp]> It's nothing that can't be fixed

[18:25:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Very true

[18:25:51] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'll talk to Dan, maybe we can chat about it all together during the Festival

[18:26:37] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Oh right. That

[18:26:53] <✦Faulkner [rp]> When is it exactly? I think I left before it was said

[18:27:11] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Coming up in a few days actually! It's at the end of the week

[18:27:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> If you're meaning to mend fences, I will personally extend an invitation

[18:28:21] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh! And feel free to bring Ollie as well!

[18:28:25] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Actually, speaking of-

[18:28:40] <✦Faulkner [rp]> ...?

[The Wizard disappears into the Sheriff’s Office, heading up the stairs to retrieve something from inside. As he steps out, he holds a small object in his hands.]

[18:28:51] <✦Faulkner [rp]> What is That

[18:28:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Here, this is Ollie's Linter, Null

[18:29:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I've had it for a while, and never returned it

[18:29:10] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Figured he's probably been missing it

[18:29:07] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Ollie's what

[18:29:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh! It's a called a Linter

[He holds it up, displaying the small object in his hands.]

[18:29:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's used to edit and manipulate Code

[18:29:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He uses it to keep us safe

[18:29:36] <✦Faulkner [rp]> ...right

[The Wizard hands it to Faulkner, who takes it carefully, examining it.]

[18:30:17] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'm sure he could teach you about it if you asked

[18:30:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's deeply fascinating

[Faulkner pulls Null close to their face.]

[18:30:35] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Is it alive?

[The Wizard considers this.]

[18:30:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> In a way?

[18:30:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> If you consider a machine to be alive

[18:31:07] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It has some sapience, but nothing compared to a Player

[Faulkner puts Null up to its ear.]

[18:31:22] <✦Faulkner [rp]> ...right

[18:31:48] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I'll be sure it gets back to Ollie safely

[18:31:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Fantastic

[18:32:08] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Let him know I'm sorry I kept it so long

[18:32:10] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Time's just-

[The Wizard mimes sand slipping through his fingers.]

[18:32:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You never seem to have enough of it

[18:32:38] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Understandable. It is a very odd concept

[18:32:42] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Especially here

[18:32:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Indeed, was it different for you back home?

[Faulkner nods.]

[18:33:07] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Like most things

[18:33:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Fascinating...

[18:33:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Have you...felt anything since we talked last?

[18:33:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Wayyy back before the wedding, I mean

[Muttered almost under his breath: ]

[18:34:00] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Void, that was a while ago now-

[18:34:15] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Oh uhm

[Faulkner holds out his arm, flexing his paw. The claws are painted red, and dark fur zips up its arm, obscuring the skin below. The Wizard marvels at this display.]

[18:36:04] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I would say this certainly counts

[18:36:11] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Certainly

[18:36:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> This is recent?

[18:37:52] <✦Faulkner [rp]> No more recent then when we spoke before... the incident. However it has been getting easier to do. I've been able to shift more and more

[18:37:59] <✦Faulkner [rp]> It's... nice

[18:38:05] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I missed it

[18:38:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh, I'm sure

[18:38:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> What I wouldn't give for a taste of the power I had before

[The Wizard thinks to himself for a moment.]

[18:38:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I can't help but be curious about it

[Faulkner tilts his head.]

[18:39:02] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Obviously, it's you getting used to a new form

[18:39:13] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But part of me always worries about cracks in the facade-

[18:39:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> In the server I mean

[18:39:27] <✦[rp] The Wizard> If something had opened to let you access more of yourself

[18:39:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But it can't be that, so I shouldn't worry

[Faulkner scoffs.]

[18:40:03] <✦Faulkner [rp]> If its anything, its nothing truly new

[18:40:13] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That's good then.

[18:40:31] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I could do it before, now I can do it again

[18:40:54] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Maybe one day I'll be able to go all the way again...

[18:41:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> ...All the way?

[The Wizard’s face lights up.]

[18:41:05] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Completely draconic?!

[18:41:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That would be incredible!

[Faulkner laughs, surprised by the reaction.]

[18:41:40] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Well yes. I'm a dragon

[18:42:10] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I suppose, but it's something different, I guess

[18:42:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That what I've gotten used to

[He gazes off into the distance, before looking back at Faulkner.]

[18:42:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Marvels seem so much more interesting now

[18:42:39] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I consider myself more dragon than... player. Or whatever word you all like to use

[18:42:52] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, and I'm the opposite, more Player than dragon

[18:43:14] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I've noticed

[The Wizard nods softly, eyes narrowed in quiet realization.]

[18:43:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I don't think I had until I met you

[Faulkner moves closer, somewhat inspecting the Wizard.]

[18:44:32] <✦Faulkner [rp]> In your defense I suppose its not outwardly obvious. But a lot of small things about you are truly odd

[18:44:40] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Compared to what you would expect of a dragon

[The Wizard laughs heartily.]

[18:44:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, I guess I would be pretty odd

[18:45:03] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Not quite a Player, not quite a Dragon

[18:45:19] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Whatever I was meant to be is still quite a mystery to me

[18:46:34] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Unfortunate, but not the worst

[18:46:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> No, indeed

[18:46:48] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Maybe one day you will figure it out

[18:46:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> One can only hope for that

[Faulkner sighs, wisps of reddish smoke leaks from the corners of his mouth.]

[18:49:36] <✦Faulkner [rp]> I should get going

[18:49:40] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Right-

[18:49:46] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'll talk with Dan

[Faulkner nods.]

[18:50:09] <✦Faulkner [rp]> Thank you

[18:50:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Of course!

[18:50:46] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Have a safe travel back to Wisteria, now

[Faulkner leaves, a tail manifesting as he does.]

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