Characters present: Dan, Wizard
Date: 11/27/23
Season: 3

[The Wizard flies down from the train path, veering to fly down to the entrance of Dan’s home in the clocktower. He shouts up into the clocktower.]

[18:08:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Dan? Dan, are you around?

[18:08:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I've got a hell of some news

[The Wizard notices the sculk in the pond base of Dan’s home.]

[18:09:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh Void, I see what Finch means about the sculk...

[Above, Dan sits on the top of the clocktower. He snaps out of his thoughts when he hears noises downstairs.]

[18:09:00] <✦[rp] DAN> ..what?? is that you wiz?

[The Wizard looks up.]

[18:09:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh Dan!

[18:09:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, I'm down here!

[Dan flies down from above, and lands on the ground ungracefully.]

[18:09:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Woah, there

[18:09:30] <✦[rp] DAN> oh hey there

[18:09:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Good to see you, afraid it's not on the best terms...

[18:09:45] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I uh

[18:09:50] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know where the egg is

[18:09:52] <✦[rp] DAN> what

[18:10:01] <✦[rp] DAN> well where is it?????

[18:10:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It was with the last person I expected-

[18:10:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Faulkner has it

[18:10:34] <✦[rp] DAN> what the fuck

[18:10:13] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That dragon creature who lives with Ollie

[18:10:29] <✦[rp] DAN> ah

[18:10:26] <✦[rp] DAN> .... with ollie?

[18:10:41] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I doubt he knows, I feel like he'd have done something, told someone

[18:10:45] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Faulkner was...defensive

[18:11:05] <✦[rp] The Wizard> So I came to you, ask judgment and whatnot

[18:10:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I don't think he'd give it up without a fight

[18:11:05] <✦[rp] DAN> oh ill bring him a fight

[18:11:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I figured

[The Wizard crosses his arms.]

[18:11:21] <✦[rp] The Wizard> What do you want to do?

[18:11:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Even with your might I doubt you could take him on your own

[18:11:46] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'd be willing to come with, but I doubt I'm much help with combat

[Dan looks stressed, considering the repercussions of what he wants to do would have on Ollie.]

[18:12:09] <✦[rp] DAN> ah thats alright

[18:12:11] <✦[rp] DAN> i uh

[18:12:17] <✦[rp] DAN> oh my god...

[18:13:14] <✦[rp] DAN> why of all places does it have to be with faulkner. with ollie. fuck

[18:13:28] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know, they were the last people I would've suspected

[18:14:17] <✦[rp] DAN> i cant just. fucking. unleash hell on their doorstep

[18:14:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know, I know

[18:14:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's not like if someone like Prince had it

[18:14:40] <✦[rp] The Wizard> There'd be no holding back

[18:14:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They're good people

[The Wizard speaks gently.]

[18:15:13] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know things have been tough recently

[18:15:33] <✦[rp] The Wizard> This just makes it all worse, I'm sure, but after we get it back, things can finally go back to normal

[Dan tenses slightly, he was just barely able to pull himself back together after the recent events.]

[18:16:02] <✦[rp] DAN> ah yeah

[18:16:25] <✦[rp] DAN> i just dont know how much more of this shit i can take

[The Wizard nods.]

[18:16:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I did want to say that I'm sorry about what happened with Punk, I for one am hoping he's doing better

[18:17:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> What...happened with him and Prince?

[18:17:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You and Finch went over there, right?

[18:17:09] <✦[rp] DAN> ..yeah

[18:17:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'm assuming it wasn't good...

[18:17:21] <✦[rp] DAN> it was.. uh. pretty bad

[18:17:32] <✦[rp] DAN> prince was weird

[18:17:38] <✦[rp] DAN> more weird than normal

[18:17:40] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He's always damn weird-

[18:17:43] <✦[rp] The Wizard> What do you mean?

[18:17:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He's not doing more ritual shit, is he?

[18:18:01] <✦[rp] DAN> i dont know how much i can tell you to be honest

[18:18:13] <✦[rp] The Wizard> ...What do you mean by that?

[18:18:15] <✦[rp] DAN> hes got some weird fuckin tether to punk

[18:18:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh.

[18:18:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I see

[18:18:35] <✦[rp] The Wizard> And he told you if you act out, he'll snap that tether?

[18:18:44] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah. if i step out of line or say the wrong shit then he might... prince might hurt punk again.

[18:19:00] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I see. We can move on then, best not to test it, especially with him

[18:19:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> We've seen what's happened with Doc

[Dan cringes.]

[18:19:14] <✦[rp] DAN> ..yeah

[18:19:23] <✦[rp] DAN> thanks for understanding, wiz

[The Wizard presses his lips together, trying to look reassuring.]

[18:19:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Of course

[18:19:36] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Anyway, back to more pressing matter-

[Dan chuckles dryly.]

[18:19:49] <✦[rp] The Wizard> How do you want to go about getting it back?

[18:19:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I figured you wanted to

[18:19:55] <✦[rp] DAN> yes

[18:20:01] <✦[rp] DAN> i just

[18:20:14] <✦[rp] DAN> i dont want to hurt ollie more

[18:20:27] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Can I ask....what happened between you two?

[18:20:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That made it so bad?

[18:21:33] <✦[rp] DAN> i uh. i just... havent been there when he needed it…

[Dan stumbles over his words, he coughs. The topic is sensitive. It’s also not just his business, it’s Ollie’s as well. The Wizard just nods.]

[18:22:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I understand

[18:22:13] <✦[rp] DAN> hes been through enough

[18:22:28] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Seems so, I know so little about him, but it seems like he's been through so much

[18:22:45] <✦[rp] The Wizard> His husband dying, all of the stuff with the Void…

[The Wizard pauses. His expression is hard to read.]

[18:22:52] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Children are a difficult thing

[18:22:58] <✦[rp] DAN> heh, yeah

[18:23:07] <✦[rp] DAN> god damn, i really thought the egg would help bring everyone closer together again...

[18:23:25] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I did too, seems I thought it would do the work we all should've done

[The Wizard furrows his brow.]

[18:23:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Faulkner said something, actually

[18:23:44] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah?

[18:23:43] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He said the egg was alive

[Dan looks up suddenly.]

[18:23:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Do you think that could be possible?

[18:23:58] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's rare, extremely so

[18:24:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But occasionally...it's viable

[18:23:59] <✦[rp] DAN> i mean

[18:24:07] <✦[rp] DAN> i never treated it like it wasnt

[18:24:10] <✦[rp] DAN> alive, i mean

[18:24:14] <✦[rp] DAN> it could be

[18:24:35] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You seem to have a strong connection with it...dragons are...powerful creatures

[Dan rubs his face as it begins to darken, threatening rain again.]

[18:24:43] <✦[rp] DAN> god. of course i even fuck that up. did i really leave an unhatched egg to the elements..?

[18:25:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Dragon mothers leave their eggs to the coldness of the Void while they hunt

[18:25:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I feel like you probably didn't do much different

[18:25:18] <✦[rp] DAN> thats fair…

[Frustration crosses Dan’s face. He seems more frustrated with himself than anyone else.]

[18:25:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But still, yes, we did all leave it

[18:25:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I might run some tests when we do get it back, just to see

[18:25:55] <✦[rp] DAN> ...yeah

[18:25:59] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Now Dan, the chances that it is alive are slim

[18:26:02] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Incredibly so

[18:26:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Like, one of point light in the void against all the others

[18:26:30] <✦[rp] DAN> i mean, we've had some pretty slim chances ourselves in the past

[The Wizard laughs.]

[18:26:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's true, it is

[18:26:39] <✦[rp] DAN> i'd do everything i can to make that chance happen

[18:26:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Alright then

[18:27:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I can gather forces, I know all of Corroded will be behind you on this

[Dan cracks a small, genuine smile, in what feels like the first time in ages.]

[18:27:25] <✦[rp] DAN> thanks wiz

[The Wizard returns the smile, as warm as it can be.]

[18:27:40] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Always

[18:28:07] <✦[rp] DAN> its felt like everyone i care about has been so far away. but i think this is the chance we need to fix some of this shit

[18:28:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I agree wholeheartedly

[18:28:49] <✦[rp] DAN> its the slimmest fuckin chance but god damn i dont think i can handle anymore shit if i dont grab onto that

[The Wizard chuckles softly.]

[18:29:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Do you think Finch is gonna like having another sibling?

[Dan rasps, half sarcastic, half real.]

[18:29:25] <✦[rp] DAN> if they manage to not eat the damn thing before it hatches

[18:29:27] <✦[rp] DAN> hopefully

[The Wizard laughs.]

[18:29:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I think they will, after a while

[18:29:50] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah

[18:29:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> After they realize they can have a partner in crime

[Dan laughs.]

[18:30:04] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah

[18:30:19] <✦[rp] DAN> god, having two mischievous troublemakers here

[18:30:26] <✦[rp] DAN> ones a handful already

[18:30:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Good Void, we'll all have to take turns keeping an eye on them

[18:30:46] <✦[rp] The Wizard> We'll have to build something safe for them both, a sanctuary in a sanctuary

[Dan’s smile widens, and he chuckles again.]

[18:31:07] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah

[They’re both quiet for a moment, and Dan grows pensive. Worry suddenly paints his face.]

[18:32:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Everything alright?

[Dan tips his head to the side.]

[18:32:50] <✦[rp] DAN> eh.. i just worry about finch

[18:32:59] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They're a handful, for sure

[18:33:11] <✦[rp] DAN> heh yeah, but they're also playing around with some serious shit, im sure you're aware by now

[18:33:19] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh, right-

[18:33:20] <✦[rp] DAN> the whole bringing the void back...

[18:33:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I can see why that would worry you

[18:33:33] <✦[rp] DAN> ..yeah

[The Wizard takes a deep breath.]

[18:33:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> In all honestly I don't think it's possible

[18:33:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I've sort of just humored the group the best I can, but from what we have available here-

[18:34:11] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You'd need the power of an Unknown, and Code used to infect the previous world in the first place

[18:34:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> As far as I know, we don't have either of those things

[18:34:35] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah. it doesnt seem like a possibility that they'd be successful

[18:34:54] <✦[rp] DAN> i just. its the way they talk about it.

[The Wizard nods, letting Dan continue.]

[18:35:30] <✦[rp] DAN> its kinda scary? they're just a kid, but they seem so serious about it

[18:35:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You want my honest opinion?

[18:36:05] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I think they're trying to be grown up, in a way

[18:36:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Trying to save everyone, to be like you

[Dan smiles a bit.]

[18:36:43] <✦[rp] DAN> theyre a good kid

[18:37:00] <✦[rp] DAN> the stuff theyve been through has forced them to grow up fast

[18:37:15] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'm sure

[18:37:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> How...did Finch end up here anyway?

[18:37:27] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They're just a kid

[18:37:47] <✦[rp] DAN> theyve talked to me about it a bit

[18:38:10] <✦[rp] DAN> theyre from some place called the ether??

[18:38:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh the Aether?

[18:38:29] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah. apparently cats fly all the time there

[18:38:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Huh, yeah that's uh, in certain worlds, they've got another dimension, similar to the End and the Nether here

[18:39:08] <✦[rp] DAN> interesting

[18:39:17] <✦[rp] The Wizard> So Finch is...interesting

[18:39:24] <✦[rp] DAN> hah, yes very

[18:39:59] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That's why their code looked like that, it was in a specific script I had to translate more carefully

[18:40:12] <✦[rp] DAN> wow

[18:40:24] <✦[rp] DAN> poor kids been through a lot

[18:40:46] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Seems so, they're not normally from a world like ours

[18:41:14] <✦[rp] DAN> i feel like that would.. hurt..? i dunno. being torn from a world so different.

[Dan sighs.]

[18:41:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Based on talking to Doc, it's something for sure

[18:41:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> More like getting scrambled, and then put back together

[18:41:41] <✦[rp] The Wizard> "Translated"

[18:42:02] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He's not a perfect example, but close enough

[18:42:05] <✦[rp] DAN> god... theyre just a kid... i mean, they'll always be a kid to me. but thats so much for a kid to have to go through.

[18:42:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It is hard, it's unimaginable

[18:42:41] <✦[rp] The Wizard> All we can do now is support them the best we can

[Dan nods.]

[18:42:55] <✦[rp] The Wizard> And you're doing a good job, Finch is a good kid

[18:43:03] <✦[rp] DAN> thanks wiz

[18:43:15] <✦[rp] DAN> i hope they dont get too disappointed about the void

[18:43:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well...They'll be sad for a bit, but then they'll find something else, and move on

[Quietly.]

[18:43:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> My uh-

[18:43:45] <✦[rp] The Wizard> My sister was just like that

[Dan rambles.]

[18:43:53] <✦[rp] DAN> its just. dangerous. i dont want to tell them they cant, and they're so invested and are so excited about the possibility about it.

[He pauses, registering what the Wizard said.]

[18:44:16] <✦[rp] DAN> oh...!! your sister

[The Wizard laughs.]

[18:44:36] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes indeed, I think she and Finch would get along

[Dan smiles again.]

[18:44:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Or they'd enable each other and raze the ground of the server

[18:44:54] <✦[rp] DAN> hah

[18:45:01] <✦[rp] DAN> i could see both of those possibilities, knowing finch

[18:45:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Indeed.

[18:45:41] <✦[rp] The Wizard> On your worries; it's hard to let go. It's important to be there, but sometimes it’s also necessary to take a step back

[18:45:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's important to let those we're mentoring, or raising, fall, because eventually they fly

[18:46:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> And when they don't, you're there to pick them up

[18:46:25] <✦[rp] DAN> those are some wise words, wizard

[18:46:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well, thank you

[Chuckling: ]

[18:46:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I try!

[He shrugs.]

[18:47:11] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But what do I know, I only raised apprentices, not kids

[The Wizard twists the ring on his finger absentmindedly.]

[18:47:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know it's different, in a way

[18:47:52] <✦[rp] DAN> its different, but still similar

[The Wizard smiles gently.]

[18:48:05] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I suppose it is

[18:48:17] <✦[rp] DAN> i think i needed that reminder though, its still okay for small shit to go wrong

[18:48:37] <✦[rp] DAN> important life experiences ‘n all that

[18:48:41] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It is! In the long run, we forget the small stuff

[18:49:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> What matters is that you're there for Finch when they need you the most

[18:50:01] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah

[18:50:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Sometimes it's hard to judge when that is, but you'll know

[18:50:17] <✦[rp] DAN> m doin my best to do just that

[18:50:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Then you're doing great

[18:50:49] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Seems Finch is still warming up to Punk, though

[18:51:15] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But if the most recent meeting they called is any indication, things are going well between them

[Dan lets out a big breath that rattles the room like a gust of wind. He feels some of his worries finally relax.]

[18:51:43] <✦[rp] DAN> oh yeah, how did that go..? i was a little. um... preoccupied here. sorry i couldnt make it

[18:51:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I absolutely understand, and it was good

[18:52:08] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'm sure you spoke to Punk before he left, so you probably know the most of it

[18:52:50] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Issues with Princes, plans for the future, possibly getting Ceph to take care of the Prince problem

[18:53:15] <✦[rp] DAN> never ending prince issues

[18:53:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'll raise one to that...

[18:52:54] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah, gotta admit i was really worried that he was wandering off into the snowy abyss, but he wouldnt let me come with him.

[18:53:50] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I haven't heard from Punk since he left, so I don't know what he found out

[18:54:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Hopefully something good though, Void knows we could use some good news

[18:56:14] <✦[rp] DAN> he didnt go into much detail about it, i didnt want to press him about it

[The Wizard nods.]

[18:56:41] <✦[rp] DAN> but i wouldnt be surprised if he didnt return with the best of news

[18:56:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Makes sense...he didn't seem optimistic about the plan

[18:57:02] <✦[rp] DAN> ..yeah

[18:57:33] <✦[rp] DAN> i hope ceph is okay. i hope they have a plan or something, it cant be great being alone in the woods.

[18:57:51] <✦[rp] The Wizard> No, isolating yourself like that, never means anything good

[18:58:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They left so abruptly at the wedding, I don't know if it was the tension, or Prince, or what

[18:58:22] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah

[18:58:50] <✦[rp] DAN> i mean, i dont think either of them wanted to get married. but i dont know whats been going on with ceph

[18:59:09] <✦[rp] DAN> ... it kinda really sucks being so far away from everyone

[18:59:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's no good for the mind, for sure

[18:59:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Maybe you and Punk can visit them together, I know Ceph likes you as much as they like Punk

[19:00:05] <✦[rp] DAN> heeh, yeah

[19:00:21] <✦[rp] DAN> that'd be a good idea i think

[19:07:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Seems like it would be

[19:07:34] <✦[rp] DAN> i want to try to encourage them to come back but

[19:07:46] <✦[rp] DAN> whatever drove them off must be serious if they havent come back already

[19:08:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's strange, Ceph seems so....confident

[19:08:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'm surprised anything at all could scare them off

[19:08:25] <✦[rp] DAN> theyre complicated

[19:08:34] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Seems it

[19:08:34] <✦[rp] DAN> to say the least

[Dan laughs a little.]

[19:09:04] <✦[rp] DAN> i think at the beginning, they were scared of everyone. including me

[Taken aback: ]

[19:09:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Really?!

[19:09:14] <✦[rp] DAN> i didnt really see much of them

[19:09:28] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Something clearly changed

[19:09:39] <✦[rp] DAN> at the very beginning none of us really interacted at all. its funny looking back

[19:09:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Huh! Takes a bit to build a community, I suppose

[19:10:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Especially when most people are strangers

[19:10:12] <✦[rp] DAN> yea, we've all come a long way since then

[19:10:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'm sure

[19:10:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You've all been here a lot longer than I have

[19:11:32] <✦[rp] DAN> it never really feels like it, you and all the others fit right in

[19:11:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well, I'm glad to hear that

[19:13:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Void, we got sidetracked

[19:13:27] <✦[rp] DAN> hah, yeah we really did

[19:13:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Good to talk though

[19:13:37] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah. thank you for chatting wiz

[19:13:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Of course, I'm always a friendly ear to bend!

[19:13:55] <✦[rp] DAN> it helped to talk about shit with all thats going on

[19:14:09] <✦[rp] DAN> and thank you for telling me about the egg. we'll get it back.

[19:14:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yeah, no worries

[19:14:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I can go find Joco and Cinder, I'm sure they're around

[19:14:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You'll probably have an easy time finding Finch

[19:15:00] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I can try to scrounge together anyone else

[Dan smiles.]

[19:15:03] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah, im sure i'll be seeing them soon

[19:15:08] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Maybe Punk would wanna come?

[19:15:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I don't know, but we'll do it soon

[19:15:23] <✦[rp] DAN> yeah. soon.

[19:15:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Just let me know, I'll keep my eyes on my communicator

[Dan nods.]

[19:16:08] <✦[rp] DAN> i will

[19:16:34] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well then, I'll leave you to it Dan, I'm gonna head out Joco's way, and then back to Verdigris

[19:16:45] <✦[rp] DAN> alrighty, see you around wiz

[19:16:50] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Farewell

[Dan lifts his hand to wave as the Wizard flies off.]

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