Characters present: Cinder, Wizard
Date: 2/19/24
Season: 3

[Cinder climbs the stairs up to the Wizard’s apartment in the Sheriff’s Office. The Wizard himself is sitting at the dining table, fiddling with a small device in his hands. He looks up as Cinder approaches.]

[18:08:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Cinder, afternoon! Glad to see you got my letter

[18:09:22] <✦[rp] cinder> Hey! Yeah, thanks for sending it. How're things going for you?

[18:09:41] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Better these days

[The Wizard holds up the device in his hands.]

[18:09:49] <✦[rp] The Wizard> And I managed to retrieve Null!

[18:09:59] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Though it did take some...more work than I was expecting

[18:10:13] <✦[rp] cinder> Sounds like there's a story there

[18:10:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> A story and a half to be frank

[18:10:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> When I went over to Ollie's, I found neither Faulkner nor Ollie, but instead Ion and Prince!

[18:11:00] <✦[rp] cinder> Oh! That must have been awkward since last we saw them was the festival

[18:11:10] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It was...something for certain

[18:10:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They were attempting to steal it to use to find something called Redstonemethyst

[18:12:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I helped them out with finding it, and then left Ollie a note saying I'd be borrowing Null for a few days

[18:11:08] <✦[rp] cinder> Is that.. A real thing?

[18:11:13] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Indeed it is!

[18:11:19] <✦[rp] cinder> It sounds made up, I'm gonna be honest

[18:11:41] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Knowing Prince, there was about a half chance it could've been

[18:11:31] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, but yes redstone infused with amethyst

[18:11:57] <✦[rp] cinder> What did they want with it? Did they say?

[18:12:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh they did!

[18:12:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Something called, uh, Tom?

[18:12:17] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They didn't explain further

[18:12:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I think Prince would've probably made something up

[18:12:34] <✦[rp] cinder> That honestly leaves me with more questions than answers

[18:12:46] <✦[rp] The Wizard> If I were to sum up Prince as a whole, that would be what I'd say

[18:12:40] <✦[rp] cinder> Do you think they're planning anything bad?

[18:12:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Maybe? Who's to say

[18:13:08] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Though if it were something bad, I feel like Prince would do a better job at hiding it

[18:13:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Or maybe not...

[The Wizard mutters under his breath.]

[18:13:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Maybe I should look into that....

[18:13:23] <✦[rp] cinder> I can never really tell with him.

[18:13:34] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He's an enigma to be certain

[18:13:43] <✦[rp] cinder> Prince.... Confuses me. I almost feel bad for him?

[18:13:58] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I share that same sentiment

[18:14:27] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He's a complex person, but he's also a bit of an asshole, but he's also hiding depths to himself I don't think anyone can fathom

[18:14:58] <✦[rp] cinder> The sculk stuff feels like the tip of a really confusing iceberg, to be honest

[The Wizard nods in agreement.]

[18:15:42] <✦[rp] cinder> It kind of... Okay, this might sound really weird. But you told me I still have something bad inside me last time we talked. I sort of feel like... Prince and I have something in common there?

[18:16:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh?

[18:16:11] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Maybe in a way- but eh

[18:16:17] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'd be careful getting involved with him

[18:16:54] <✦[rp] cinder> Yeah. It was fucked, what he did to Doc and Punk. And now Ion too I guess

[18:17:06] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It was

[18:17:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Though, I think Ion chose it for themself-

[18:17:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Actually, speaking of

[The Wizard walks into a side room.]

[18:17:49] <✦[rp] The Wizard> When I saw Prince and Ion, I asked Ion if they were alright, if the sculk was making them do anything they didn't want to do

[18:17:55] <✦[rp] The Wizard> If it was making them hurt themself or others-

[18:18:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They didn't say anything in particular

[18:18:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But they did give me this

[The Wizard steps out of the side room, holding a long slim blade. Ion’s sword, Rapiere.]

[18:18:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Asked me to keep an eye on it

[18:18:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Said they didn't want to hurt anyone anymore

[Cinder scans the sword with curiosity.]

[18:18:45] <✦[rp] cinder> Did they mean there's something wrong with the sword? Or

[18:18:54] <✦[rp] cinder> Did she think she would use it on someone?

[18:19:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I can't be certain, but I assume it was to keep himself from using it

[18:19:55] <✦[rp] cinder> Huh. I know Ion chose it for themself, but... It really does seem like the sculk is dangerous, if they're so worried

[18:20:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That seems like an astute deduction

[18:20:33] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But the sculk-

[The Wizard shakes his head.]

[18:20:45] <✦[rp] The Wizard> There's more and more I feel as if I don't understand about it

[18:20:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Is the sculk itself dangerous? Or is it the wielder?

[18:21:02] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That still isn't clear to me

[18:21:28] <✦[rp] cinder> I mean, maybe a combination? A tool is useless without a hand to wield it, but the tool is still necessary?

[18:21:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That seems right, but here's the thing too, Prince sees himself as a tool, in many ways he describes the sculk as the hand

[18:21:50] <✦[rp] cinder> I don't really get it myself. I haven't been too close to it, thankfully

[18:22:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I haven't either, its smell is...somewhat off putting

[18:22:18] <✦[rp] cinder> Huh. That's... Unsettling. I don't like that at all

[18:22:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Every conversation I have with him he seems to tell me something new while contradicting everything else he's said before

[18:23:07] <✦[rp] The Wizard> At this point I don't know where he ends and the sculk begins

[18:23:10] <✦[rp] cinder> Is it on purpose? Or does he just not know himself?

[18:23:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Prince is...complicated

[18:23:31] <✦[rp] The Wizard> He's a shard of a clone, which is confusing to begin with

[18:23:46] <✦[rp] cinder> Yeah. Seeing the multiple versions at the festival was... Off putting.

[18:24:31] <✦[rp] The Wizard> At this point I don't know how many of them there are

[18:24:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Seems a new one appears every week

[18:23:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> There's an original being known as Cidrich, Prince was one of his individuals clones, then an accident caused his model to be spread throughout the universe

[18:24:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> These Princes apparently search desperately for servitude because they are coded to want it more desperately than living

[18:24:42] <✦[rp] cinder> That's sad. Really, really sad

[18:24:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It really is

[18:25:17] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I want to help him, but I have no idea how. He seems to want to push me away at the same time he gets as close to me as he can

[18:26:09] <✦[rp] cinder> He doesn't seem like an easy person to help. Hey, Wiz, if... If the sculk is the hand to Prince, does that mean it... Wants something? It's alive, or cognizant, or something?

[18:26:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I honestly don't know, especially with how it seems to have reacted to Ion-

[18:26:40] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It seemed to feed on her desires for revenge, and try to provide her with it

[18:26:55] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Which doesn't make sense for Prince, someone who can't seem to, or doesn't want to, think for himself

[18:27:51] <✦[rp] cinder> It kind of sounds similar to the Void

[18:27:59] <✦[rp] cinder> How it was for me, at least

[The Wizard cocks his head, interested.]

[18:28:22] <✦[rp] cinder> Taking what's there and... Twisting it. Like Ion's desire for revenge. Providing the means to get it done

[18:29:01] <✦[rp] cinder> Back in my home server. When I just wanted everything to be over, and it gave me the option. When I- When the world was destroyed.

[18:29:30] <✦[rp] cinder> It's kind of a nothing thought. I don't know enough about the sculk to know if it's at all alike. But... Just hearing you say that felt familiar.

[The Wizard settles back in his chair.]

[18:29:52] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Now I'm saying this cautiously

[18:29:58] <✦[rp] The Wizard> As a curious person myself

[18:30:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But maybe you should go seek out Prince

[18:30:23] <✦[rp] cinder> Hmm. You think?

[18:30:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Perhaps-

[18:30:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I must say though, this satiates my own morbid curiosity about the sculk in general

[18:30:59] <✦[rp] cinder> Well I appreciate the honesty

[18:31:07] <✦[rp] cinder> Hey, maybe i should get sculked, just to see what it does?

[The Wizard’s eyes widen.]

[18:31:13] <✦[rp] cinder> I'm kidding!

[18:31:16] <✦[rp] cinder> Bad joke.

[The Wizard clutches his chest.]

[18:31:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> By the Void

[Cinder waves aer hands in front of aer face.]

[18:31:24] <✦[rp] cinder> Very bad joke. Sorry

[The Wizard laughs.]

[18:31:25] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You're just like Joco!

[18:31:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Scaring me like that!!

[18:31:48] <✦[rp] cinder> They're a bad influence, clearly

[18:31:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Very, very bad

[18:31:58] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They've made you reckless!

[18:32:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But maybe you were already

[18:32:31] <✦[rp] cinder> I summoned an Unknown and made a deal with them for their power. I don't think it's Joco's fault

[The Wizard shakes his head.]

[18:32:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> No, no, definitely not

[18:32:48] <✦[rp] cinder> Why do you think I should talk with Prince?

[The Wizard considers this for a moment.]

[18:31:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I understand the search for meaning

[18:33:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I think you're looking for someone like you, who understands what you're going through

[18:33:19] <✦[rp] The Wizard> In a way, Prince could provide that

[18:33:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You're curious about him, and curious about how things move and change

[18:33:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'm the first person to tell someone to explore their curiosity

[18:34:07] <✦[rp] The Wizard> And of course...any chance to learn more about the sculk

[18:34:17] <✦[rp] cinder> I guess you're right. On both counts

[18:34:41] <✦[rp] cinder> I'm scared about the sculk, to be honest. Joco Finch and I had this plan, with the void holes. and it seems like it's going nowhere

[18:34:51] <✦[rp] cinder> Nothing's really happened except for me getting worse

[18:35:04] <✦[rp] cinder> I don't know what other plan we really have

[The Wizard looks down at Null in his hands.]

[18:35:17] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I feel like that's my fault, I never should've encouraged you three about that when I knew it wasn't going to work

[18:35:47] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You need two fundamental things in order to summon something like that, a mite of Corrupted Void and the power of an Unknown, both of which we don't have

[18:36:21] <✦[rp] The Wizard> The Void Roses...that was something fascinating, but they're a pixel compared to the massive size of the true Void

[Cinder pulls a rose from their pocket.]

[18:36:48] <✦[rp] cinder> Yeah. I've been carrying one with me, but it doesn't seem to do too much

[18:37:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It would probably prevent sculk infection, which is a good measure

[18:37:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But besides that, you'd probably need a neutron star's worth of density of Void Roses to create something akin to the true Void

[18:38:00] <✦[rp] cinder> But... If this world doesn't have anything like that, why have my wings been getting worse suddenly? Why now?

[18:38:27] <✦[rp] cinder> I've seen plenty of empty voids when I moved between servers. Nothing was changed

[18:40:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I really don't know Cinder, I wish I could tell you

[18:40:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It could be-

[18:40:45] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well it could be Ollie

[18:41:06] <✦[rp] cinder> Huh. That would be interesting

[Cinder looks away.]

[18:41:41] <✦[rp] cinder> I still feel bad for how my last conversation with Ollie ended. I really fucked that one up

[The Wizard sucks air in through his teeth.]

[18:41:58] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh yes, I remember you telling me about that

[18:40:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know his relationship with the Void is complicated to say the least

[18:41:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> As far as I know, I don't think this world's Void has caused him any problems, but maybe it's waiting for him somehow?

[18:41:36] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Kept at bay by something?

[18:42:04] <✦[rp] cinder> Hmm. That's... Weird. That something could be stopping it from affecting him

[18:42:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well, the protections on the server are stronger this world than they were in the last, as far as I know

[18:42:38] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It could partially be that as well

[18:43:54] <✦[rp] cinder> God, it gives me a headache just trying to understand everything going on in this server

[18:44:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> The interior politics are...difficult to be certain

[18:44:00] <✦[rp] cinder> How do you keep up with it all?

[18:44:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well, mostly that I enjoy having a chat with most folks here

[18:44:31] <✦[rp] The Wizard> People love to spread gossip, or just make conversation

[18:44:35] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You pick things up from there

[18:45:39] <✦[rp] cinder> Well, that seems a bit beyond me. I suppose I'm lucky I can just make you give me a summary!

[The Wizard laughs.]

[18:45:50] <✦[rp] The Wizard> And I'm happy to do so

[18:46:19] <✦[rp] cinder> Should we... Take a look at my code?

[18:46:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, I suppose we've had enough preamble, haven't we!

[18:46:32] <✦[rp] cinder> I don't actually know how that stuff works, but you seem an expert

[The Wizard stands from the table, and begins to fiddle with Null. He puts it into scanning mode, and starts to input data into the device. He aims it at Cinder, and begins the scan. Cinder stands starkly still, eyes wide like a deer in headlights. Ae has no clue what’s going on. The Wizard pulls Null back as it lets out a beep.]

[18:47:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> And there we go!

[18:48:10] <✦[rp] cinder> Is that... Everything?

[18:48:25] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Should be, I've just gotta read over it quickly to get it checked over

[18:49:00] <✦[rp] cinder> Sounds good

[18:48:39] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'll probably focus on the Code making up your wings, as that's most likely where whatever this is resides

[18:48:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Let's see-

[The Wizard spends a few minutes scanning through the Code, squinting at the dash.]

[18:49:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Hmm

[18:49:21] <✦[rp] The Wizard> My eyes-

[He blinks, looking away and then back.]

[18:49:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They really aren't what they used to be

[18:49:42] <✦[rp] cinder> Ha, old man

[18:49:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Joco really has rubbed off on you, haven't they

[18:50:09] <✦[rp] cinder> Like I said, bad influence!

[18:50:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Truly

[18:49:36] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But here!

[18:50:24] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Ohhkay

[18:50:28] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's like we were worried about

[18:50:52] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Here, nestled in between your wings, there's a bundle of corrupted Void Code

[18:50:55] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Right below-

[18:50:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Oh, of course

[18:51:00] <✦[rp] cinder> Fuck

[18:51:04] <✦[rp] cinder> Of course?

[18:51:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's right below your Player_Name

[18:51:18] <✦[rp] cinder> My... Player name?

[18:51:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Ah, right, you might not be as familiar with that concept

[18:51:59] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Your Player name is a small string of Code embedded somewhere important within your internal Code, so the stuff that makes up your body and being

[18:52:10] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's always "Player" and then followed by a single word

[18:52:19] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's fundamental to a Player's existence

[18:52:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Without your Player_Name you cease to be a Player, you become a shell of whatever you were before

[18:52:48] <✦[rp] cinder> Right. So, what's mine?

[18:52:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You wanna know?

[18:53:08] <✦[rp] cinder> I mean, why wouldn't I?

[18:53:32] <✦[rp] cinder> It's like. The most important part of me or something. I don't see why I wouldn't want to know it

[18:53:16] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Some want to, some don't

[18:53:28] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I still haven't learned mine yet, though I have some theories

[18:53:40] <✦[rp] cinder> Wait, how come you don't know yours?

[18:53:45] <✦[rp] cinder> Can you not just scan yourself?

[The Wizard looks away sheepishly.]

[18:53:59] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I never wanted to

[18:54:05] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It was sort of a thing where I come from

[18:54:27] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Maybe someday, but not now

[18:54:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Anyway, did you wanna know?

[18:54:38] <✦[rp] cinder> Huh. Fair enough, I guess

[18:54:43] <✦[rp] cinder> Is there any harm to knowing?

[18:54:49] <✦[rp] The Wizard> None, really

[18:54:57] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It might give you a deeper knowledge of yourself though

[18:55:13] <✦[rp] cinder> Yeah. I want to know

[18:55:32] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well then, it's "Player_Pyrrhic"

[18:55:51] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Does "pyrrhic" have meaning to you?

[18:56:12] <✦[rp] cinder> The word's familiar, I probably read it once in a book?

[18:56:19] <✦[rp] cinder> But I don't actually know what it means

[The Wizard squints.]

[18:56:28] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I think it might have to do with victory

[18:56:40] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's an archaic term though, and Player Names can mean a lot of things

[18:56:43] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They're vague for a reason

[18:57:04] <✦[rp] cinder> Should I know it? Is it bad that I don't?

[18:57:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> No, no, not bad at all

[18:57:33] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It makes sense, almost

[18:57:45] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's a regal word, where you came from, and it means-

[18:58:03] <✦[rp] cinder> Hm?

[18:58:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Void, where's the bookworm with the dictionary brain when you need him

[18:59:12] <✦[rp] cinder> I'm sure I can ask around if you can't recall it

[19:00:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, I'm sure you will be able to

[19:00:35] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Perhaps in the library up on the hill

[19:01:05] <✦[rp] cinder> So, the void code you talked about is definitely there, huh?

[19:01:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, it seems so

[19:00:58] <✦[rp] The Wizard> From here we have a few options

[19:01:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I don't know why it seems to be agitated by the Void as much as it has been

[19:01:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But it seems best to get it out of you as soon as possible

[19:01:59] <✦[rp] cinder> You can just do that? Remove code from inside me?

[19:02:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well-

[19:02:10] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's a little more complicated than that

[19:02:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> If I still had the abilities I used to, it would be as simple as putting a few commands into Null

[19:02:42] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Hell, I've pulled blocks out of Doc before

[19:02:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But with this being so close to your Player_Name

[19:03:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's a dangerous gamble

[19:03:23] <✦[rp] cinder> Huh. So if you pulled it out, you could pull out the part that makes me ME?

[The Wizard nods, grim.]

[19:03:40] <✦[rp] cinder> Yeah, not so keen on that

[19:04:00] <✦[rp] The Wizard> The only thing I can think of is something I believe I mentioned last time we spoke

[19:04:15] <✦[rp] cinder> Rituals, right? I looked at some of the books you gave me

[19:04:19] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Exactly

[19:04:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> There are certain rituals bent on summoning the Void

[19:04:31] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Usually it's drawing it in certain locations, namely, into worlds

[19:04:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> However, I theorize that perhaps we could draw it OUT of you using a reversed ritual

[Teasingly: ]

[19:04:55] <✦[rp] cinder> Did you keep those hidden from Joco Finch and I for any particular reason?

[The Wizard chuckles.]

[19:05:09] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Namely Finch

[19:05:39] <✦[rp] cinder> They do seem quite hellbent on seeing their... friend again.

[19:05:56] <✦[rp] The Wizard> They really do, don't they

[19:05:25] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Joco I think would understand the serious nature of what it means to summon the Void before it was too late

[19:06:43] <✦[rp] cinder> So if we reversed one of the rituals, we could maybe get it out of me entirely? How would we even go about that?

[19:06:53] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That's the plan in theory

[19:07:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> As far as I know, you need a few things

[19:07:22] <✦[rp] The Wizard> You need a location close to the Void, the Void holes, a group of people to perform the ritual, and a focal point

[19:08:16] <✦[rp] cinder> I suppose we know some people who would be willing to help. What do you mean by a focal point, though?

[19:08:46] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Well, in many ways you could be the focal point

[19:08:50] <✦[rp] The Wizard> The "Singer" of the Void

[19:09:00] <✦[rp] The Wizard> The person trying to draw it out in the first place

[19:09:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I know the idea of a "ritual" sounds somewhat frightening, but in reality they were how Players were able to harness Code bending powers without the help of Unknown

[Cinder shuffles in their seat, uncomfortable.]

[19:09:37] <✦[rp] cinder> I mean, it does sound like our best bet...

[19:09:55] <✦[rp] cinder> What happens if it goes wrong, though?

[19:10:08] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I...don't know

[19:10:11] <✦[rp] The Wizard> That's the gamble

[19:10:23] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It could get rid of what remains in you, or it could make it worse

[19:10:25] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Much worse

[19:10:45] <✦[rp] cinder> What would happen if it got worse?

[The Wizard pauses, considering.]

[19:11:04] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It could hurt you, most likely

[19:11:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It could possibly cause corruption to areas of the Void

[19:11:44] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It could also do nothing

[19:12:14] <✦[rp] The Wizard> We'd be performing an untested ritual for the first time, the only people who will know for certain what will happen will be the selves we are after the ritual is complete

[19:12:29] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Cinder, really it's up to you

[19:12:11] <✦[rp] cinder> I mean... I guess it's already hurting me now

[19:12:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> This is true

[19:12:44] <✦[rp] cinder> How much worse could things get?

[19:12:55] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Worse

[19:13:05] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Your whole body could be corrupted

[19:13:03] <✦[rp] cinder> I just... We need to be careful. I don't want any of you guys getting hurt in helping me with this

[19:13:38] <✦[rp] cinder> If we ignore it now, that could just happen anyway. It really seems like this is our only option

[19:13:56] <✦[rp] cinder> We don't know it'll stop at my wings. Joco said that once, and I haven't stopped thinking about it.

19:14:15] <✦[rp] cinder> We can't just do nothing. So maybe we have to do this.

[The Wizard nods.]

[19:14:08] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes. I agree with both those sentiments

[19:13:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Whatever we create or decide to do will make sure the least amount of harm happens to anyone, including yourself

[19:14:30] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I'll support whatever choice you make

[19:14:33] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's your Code after all

[19:14:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> So you wanna do this?

[19:15:13] <✦[rp] cinder> I think I have to. But I just-

[Cinder’s voice breaks. For a moment, they sound like a child.]

[19:15:13] <✦[rp] cinder> I'm really scared, Wiz.

[The Wizard opens his mouth, his voice softening.]

[19:16:12] <✦[rp] The Wizard> If you weren't scared, I'd be worried

[19:16:18] <✦[rp] The Wizard> It's going to be okay

[19:16:33] <✦[rp] The Wizard> We're all going to help you with this, no matter what it takes

[Cinder’s lower lip trembles.]

[19:16:58] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Cinder, do you want a hug?

[19:17:07] <✦[rp] cinder> Please.

[The Wizard sets down Null and crosses the room, wrapping Cinder in a massive hug. She speaks quietly to him.]

[19:17:58] <✦[rp] cinder> I haven't had any family in a long time. I'm scared I'm gonna lose you guys too

[19:18:35] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I can't promise you won't lose us. But I can promise we will fight to stay by your side as far as we can, and as long as we have to

[He pauses.]

[19:18:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Family is a good word for it, isn't it?

[So quietly Cinder barely hears it.]

[19:19:40] <✦[rp] The Wizard> ....For a very long time I'd thought I'd lost that forever

[Distracted: ]

[19:19:52] <✦[rp] cinder> You're like a grandfather. You know a lot and you're old and you make good pancakes

[The Wizard pulls away, laughing hard at that. He wipes his eyes.]

[19:20:20] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I do know a lot, I am old, and by the Void do I make some good pancakes

[19:21:10] <✦[rp] cinder> I think we can do it. The ritual. I think... We have to try.

[19:21:37] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Okay. Then I'll get started on working out the details

[19:21:49] <✦[rp] The Wizard> But Cinder, if it starts going too far, I'm going to pull you out of there, okay?

[19:21:54] <✦[rp] The Wizard> We don't want to lose you either

[19:22:11] <✦[rp] cinder> Okay. That sounds good

[19:22:21] <✦[rp] cinder> I trust you. I know you'll keep me safe

[19:22:25] <✦[rp] The Wizard> I will.

[19:23:00] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Now, I know it's nearly dinner time, but do some pancakes sound good? I can make some while we work on preparing the ritual

[19:23:37] <✦[rp] cinder> Pancakes sound perfect. Maybe we need to plan dangerous rituals more often if pancakes are involved

[19:23:48] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Yes, yes, I'd agree with that

[19:24:01] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Dangerous plans and pancakes pair as well as strawberries and cream

[19:24:18] <✦[rp] cinder> Have you considered putting strawberries and cream on the pancakes?

[The Wizard stares at Cinder, mouth agape.]

[19:24:25] <✦[rp] cinder> i think I'm onto something here

[The Wizard grins, the corners up his eyes wrinkling into crow’s feet.]

[19:24:26] <✦[rp] The Wizard> Cinder my dear I think you're a genius

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