video;

[bearshermark]

[A wide-eyed Elliott appears on video suddenly, hair tousled like he's been running his fingers through it a lot. His voice holds a note of urgency]

Guys.

I've been looking at my notes, and there's stuff about- about all this. Like I don't fully understand everything, but I just--

The stones are- the gods-

[He reaches back for something and reads off of it]

Even the altar. Like. They're all malachite?? Malachite is 'a gift from Nevedomost'. The priest's name is Neved?? 16 recesses. But there's only 8 stones listed.. Oh, he's- he's unbalanced.

Even- even the palace guard Uspor- Usporiadat? Zmat in the market. What kind of--

The King being sick or possessed after he went out there. Anthony could sense it- the deities battling in the hills?? Are there really?

[He glances around, possessed by a growing frenetic energy]

This is- I can't- I need to do.. something with all this.


Edit:

My notes. Add stuff if you want?

Elliott N. would like to share a document with you.

Comments

[bearshermark]

[His fingers curl around Clarence's arm]

I don't mind, if it makes you feel better. It's my fault you're worried, and I'm sorry about that. I'll be happy to do it if it'll help you.

[bearshermark]

Thanks! I'm sure there's stuff I'm missing; this is just what I've noted for myself so far. Happy to collaborate with anyone else interested. I'll update it if I find more stuff too, of course.

[bearshermark]

[He flashes a grin, a little sheepish]

Sorry. Just- Neved, I think. The altar, the malachite, the imbalance and the temple, his name.. I have suspicions.

[bearshermark]

[Pops back on as soon as he sees her message]

I'm doing better now, thanks! But what's helpful I think is just more information? Maybe looking into the unrest more- people might be possessed or corrupted- I don't know enough about it. Anthony could sense it but he didn't seem interested in sticking around.

..Of course, I don't want anyone to get hurt either, so. But really, anything you might have noticed or heard would be good.

[hardtoignore]

[Jeez, now he really felt like crying. To hide it he pressed his face against his arm, his forehead coming to rest against Elliott’s fingers.]

M’kay. I’d appreciate it.

[bearshermark]

[He doesn't quite know what to do. Clarence's words are muffled and he's not looking at him]

Hey... I really am sorry for dragging you into this kind of stuff lately. I promise I don't spend hours every day thinking about how to make my friends worry about me.

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence attempts to shake his head but it just seems like he’s rubbing his forehead against Elliott’s hand.]

I know, you’re not trying to upset me. I’m just—

[Clarence pushed away from the bed, wiping at his face and sniffling. Why did he have to be so stupid?]

I need to stop being a baby about this! Every little thing is bugging me lately, I hate it.

[not_as_i_do]

For what it's worth, they seem to have a pretty heavy focus on eggs. Have you found out if there's some particular meaning to these little stones they're giving out to people? I've got one, and a bunch of little wooden beads.

[bearshermark]

Just their blessings and the gods they're tied to like in the book passage there.

The altar in the temple has 16 slots shaped like them though, full of malachite. They might have a use there but I dunno exactly what that might be or if it would be safe to do even if we had access to it.

[bearshermark]

[Elliott lets him go with concerned eyes]

There's a lot happening. Did you want to talk about any of it..?

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence takes a deep breath, then reaches into his pocket to pull out of the stones: the agate he received his first day in the market. He swipes his thumb along the stone and he speaks, keeping his eyes down.]

I... I may have seen some people acting out, like what you said happened in the tavern. Now, I don’t really stick around to see what happens when I hear yelling or see someone bumbling down the street cursing. I make my way out of there as fast as I can.

But I have felt... irate at times. Like something is pushing against my skin. I thought maybe it was just the heat or... you know, being a grouch like I am. But you don’t think whatever is affecting the townspeople... they can’t just affect us, right?

[bearshermark]

[Elliott falters. If it's true- and Goddess Above, he hopes it isn't- it's a far more serious issue than even he thought. They definitely can't afford to sit on the sidelines for something like this]

I- I don't know. I think you'd have to ask Anthony to see if it felt the same. And if it gets worse, maybe stop visiting until it settles? I- I'll definitely try to find more information.

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence grimaces. He definitely doesn’t want to talk to Anthony, not if it means dealing with someone who potentially drinks. Clarence has been in the tavern and ordered juice and tea to have with his food, but he doubts many adults have self restraint when it comes to vices...]

Maybe....

I like the place. The culture, the people, the food oh heavens, the food.... but maybe that is a better idea. I dunno. Maybe I’ll try to do a little more trading with the merchants then...

[What? Just give up on them? Who knew how long they would have to see that place, or what kind of stuff might happen if the people who could do something just left?]

If I stay... what could I possibly do to help?

[bearshermark]

[Elliott chews his lip, not sure what he could offer if it came to that, but..

His eyes did catch on his tattoo. Expression clearing, he reached out to Clarence with it]

Actually, I think I might be able to help you.

[If it works.

He tries to remember how he felt then- the fear, the desperate will for calm, and the tranquil center he found in it.

The tattoo lights up, and as before, Elliott concentrates on that tranquil feeling, of radiating that calm and peace outward in hopes it might reach his friend as it may have reached the people in the tavern]

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence looks up, seeing Elliott reaching for him, his tattoo glowing. He watches, curious and wary, unsure what’s going to happen but he doesn’t feel threatened.]

[It happens quite suddenly, a strange relaxation spreading warm throughout his body, relaxing his shoulders and the weight on his minds lifts, like before he had slowly been suffocating and now he could breathe. He swallows and takes a deep breath, then his eyes are suddenly awash with tears falling steadily but it doesn’t hurt. If anything, it’s an immense feeling of just... relief.]

Oh.

[He reaches up and wipes some of the wetness from his face, then looks back at Elliott in awe.]

What was that?

[smilingarmor]

I may stop in and speak to her as well, then.

After all, if we're going to be a 'Different Detective Agency', it would pay to follow what leads we have.

[bearshermark]

[The only problem, he thinks, is it seems like he has to focus on it to keep it going. As his concentration wavers, so too does the power of it. But it seems like it worked anyway, so he lets it go and lowers his hand as the glow fades to focus on Clarence's question]

I dunno. I used it by accident in the tavern, willing everyone to calm down. It feels very.. zen, I guess.

[bearshermark]

That sounds like a great plan.

[not_as_i_do]

... Interesting. So logic dictates malachite might be tied to one of those gods, at least from one angle. Forgive me if I'm getting involved too fast for someone so new to all of this: I admit I enjoy a good puzzle. Keeps the brain sharp for other things!

[traceofeffort]

Sure you are. But yeah, I'm trying to see what I can find out. It's just taking time... a lot of time. I'm curious about that corruption, but I don't have any way to tell that if I can't see if from looking.

Still feel like we shouldn't interfere?

[bearshermark]

[Grimaces]

Maybe before, but... Clarence is worried he might be affected. If it does affect us, then we need to find out all we can about it.

[bearshermark]

It seems that way. According to the passages from the library, malachite is the stone of intuition and said to be a gift from Nevedomosť.

And.. the high priest's name is Neved.

[traceofeffort]

I'm feeling fine still, I think? If it does affect us, though, I'll dive headfirst into whatever research I can do. We have enough problems without borrowing more from other worlds.

[A beat.] I don't think I'm ever gonna get used to that, in a not-abstract sense.

[darkforcerising]

You think Neved is behind...

What do you think he's behind?

[hardtoignore]

That’s... wow.

[Sure, fireballs were cool. Healing someone was great. But this ability, whatever it was, had to Clarence’s favorite so far, and for reasons he can’t quite articulate.]

Yeah, that’s definitely the feeling I got. [He wipes the last of the wetness from his face.] Still don’t know what I’m gonna do to help out. Guess I can try to just... talk. See if I can get more information out of some people.