Between Beyond

Izzy carefully pushes the pins into the poster in the order of the selected songs, trying to do as little damage as possible. When she places the last one, nothing seems to happen, but Nancy looks over her shoulder and studies the shape.

"Looks like an eight," she observes. The others look it over and agree, and Larianne exchanges a meaningful look with Tanaka. He quickly grabs her hand and pulls her out into the streets of Ellak City.

"It has to be the bistro," Tanaka tells her. "It's number 8, and it has meaning for us."

"Yes, but it's almost midnight, and I don't know the pass-knock," she says.

"Nor do I. I was only there with Master."

"Can we make it?"

"If we run. Come on, Girlie!"

Hand in hand, they head down the winding streets to the coffee bistro. It's a breathless dash, and the clock on the city tower is sounding ten chimes when they arrive at the open door. They go inside, while the final two chimes sound and the doors slide closed behind them. All the lights suddenly go out, and then, in a moment, return, this time a softer glow.

The whole bistro appears cast in a soft blue, and there, at the corner table, is Master. They make their way to him and sit down.

"I see you have found what is really important," he smiles. "And I have a gift for you."

He slides a small cloth case across the table. Larianne carefully opens it and sees the last shard gleaming in the light.

"Titanium."

Master nods and orders coffees for each of them. "It may have cost Princess her life to send this to me, but I have faith in Sinhae's healers. Still, it is a greater cost than I would have wished. Guard it well. And find the book at all costs! It must be destroyed!"

Later, back at the Wayward Squirrel with the Protectors, they match the shards to the drawing. Each is a perfect fit, but there is still the central opening to be filled, if it needs to be. And, of course, there is no book.

"As to that," Irella says, "I think I might have a clue, but we will need to consult Sir Wall."

Sir Wall welcomes everyone back and gives a personal greeting to Ertrude, who has been visiting a few times before. He studies the shards carefully.

"It's an ancient design, created by a lost people," he tells them. "I thought such items were lost forever, but these shards are very real. With much study, I believe I could open a passage to Between Beyond, but that would take you out of your own time. You will want to travel to the past, and you would need great care not to disturb the timeline, or you might never return home.

"Great preparations must be made. For now, I suggest the Protectors return to their homes and lives while those here ready themselves for the journey. You are all very brave to venture into peril, but I believe the rewards will be worth it."

The Squirrel is merry that night, hosting a farewell feast for the Protectors as they return home to await the next summoning. Those remaining speak of their good fortune in having each other, including Behli and Pugsy who are, as Izzy puts it, "disgusting cute."

And so a brief period of peace descends to provide a respite until the preparations for the next journey when all will be ready for Wayward Squirrel 7.

OOC: And so this installment ends, my friends. Thank you all so much for playing Wayward Squirrel. Prize shop is open! Happy Holidays, on and off Subeta!!

Thank you for another wonderful but infuriating WS but it would not be WS if it was not. I am sure that I speak for all players and my team especially when I say you do a fantastic job and the effort and time you and the judges put in is really appreciated.

thank you so much for another WS <3 Also your ha is lovely! <3

@ GreenRowan

OOC Thank you from me and my team Galactic Thylacines for a wonderful game! We had so much fun :)

Wishing to stay, Willow sighs knowing she must return home and catch up on family along with her responsibilities. Happily celebrating with the rest, there is a sad look occasionally when eyeing her team knowing she will miss them greatly until the next time. Giving everyone a hug, amidst wiping a tear or two from under her now steaming glasses she toasts with everyone else at the Squirrel.. "To the Protectors, Behli, Pugsy, Izzy, Sir Wall and all our friends!"

ooc: Thanks for another wonderful treat given to us !

Dhara was enjoying the feast, but she was also tired. Her exhaustion vanished, however, when Kassiri nudged her and pointed to the door of the inn, where a young troll was looking around in confusion.

"Farrat!" she called out, waving wildly. "Come here and meet everyone!"

Farrat stepped into the throng, a little gingerly at first, and then ran up to her and hugged her. "Good news," he said after she got done nuzzling his face. "I ran into the Doctors Pines in a marketplace here. Apparently Queen Valiska visits some couturiers on this world on a regular basis. Someone named Esmeralda, for one? I don't know, I don't know much about that..." He shrugged, scratching his head. Apparently he was one of the few Space players who didn't much care about fashion. "Anyhow, we're going back to Pennarion, all of us--but we can also come back whenever we want! Now that I know the pathworking."

He glanced around. "In case you want to come back. I rather got the impression that you had made friends...?"

Dhara started laughing. "A few," she said. "A few. But I'm glad. I want the kits to grow up in a world where there are more Talassani than there are here, and I'm sure Kaz wants the joeys to grow up where there are more thylacines around. And I know you want to continue with Doctor Stanford as your mentor--I can't call him Doctor Pines, not when that also could mean Queen Valiska or their lover Severin..."

Farrat laughed. "Professor Ford doesn't care what you call him, as long as he's called when Oneira makes coffee. So. Do I get to meet these friends of yours?"

Dhara laughed along with him. "Absolutely," she said. "Galaxia! Nicsy! Elethia! Aodh--do you want to meet my boyfriend?"

((, , , ))

Thanks once again to GR for yet another awesome adventure. You never cease to amaze me.

Congrats to all the teams, you rock!

Hoping right up to the last minute that I could stay longer and party with all of my friends, old and new, I sigh deeply and accept the fact that I have no choice but to go home and rejoin family, play catch up with all of the work I have missed and get ready for the Holidays to come. Putting on a smile that I don't feel much like wearing, I celebrate with the crowd of adventurers and now, friends. Still, there is a sad longing look as I eye my team, , knowing how much I will miss them until we are called again to our next adventure. Hugs all around and even some group hugs, while wiping a tear or two from my drippy eyes, I raise my glass with everyone else at the Squirrel... "To the Travelers! The best team here! And a huge THANK YOU to Behli, Pugsy, Izzy, Sir Wall and all our friends!"

You did it again. I never doubted you would. Handing our author and role model a glass of the bubbly, I call out to one of my favorite people, "Cheers, Love...here's to health and happiness until we meet again!"

Nicsy was napping with her head tucked under her wing, but she looked up when she heard Dhara calling her name, and flew over to perch nearby.

"Yes! Hello, Dhara's boyfriend." She turns her head this way and that so she can look at him with both eyes in turn. He looks more three-dimensional that way. Bird vision is great for flying, but it isn't especially good for learning to recognize new people. "I'm Videnicse. But that's hard to say, so call me Nicsy. I'm a shapeshifter! So if you see me again, I might not be a bird next time."

Farrat laughed. "It's good to meet you, Nicsy. I'm Farrat Noctua. You're a bird!" He realised how dumb that sounded, and quickly followed it up with: "That's cool. I was raised by an owl--Owldad still lives with us, actually. Are you usually a bird?"

"I'm a bird a lot of the time, because it's the only form I have that can talk but doesn't have to wear clothes." Nicsy preened. "But I'm a fox really, and when I have to be a person I'm an elf."

She didn't like the sound of "usually" which implied she ought to choose one form and stick to it. She had no intent of doing that. Maybe she ought to spend less time in mynah form.... but it was so convenient.

Having met the boyfriend, she flew up to the rafters to let others have a turn meeting him. It would be rude to take too much of his time when Dhara was making introductions.

(ooc: going to sleep.. don't expect more till tomorrow)

THANK YOU ! :D as usual, you made one AWESOME adventure! :D

Thank you for another lovely Wayward Squirrels event!

Galaxia had been watching Farrat speak with Dhara and greet Nicsy, her expression mostly neutral. A corner of her mouth downturned slightly when Dhara mentions the shortcomings of this dimension versus her home, but she didn't look surprised. "It's hard to stay in one place when you've traveled to so many others," she commented. "The decision makes sense. I'm Galaxia," she continued, holding out a hand to Farrat (the handshake, if taken, would be a little firmer than is strictly polite; Galaxia was more warrior than diplomat in courtesies). "Even if you both are leaving soon, we can share drinks." She snagged a fresh bowl of peanuts or other snack from the barkeep, and passed some to Nicsy.

"Is it?" Dhara smiled. "There's a lot of dimensional travelling in our futures, but right now we're raising my kits and finishing our educations. And my mother is with us--she'll be glad to get back to her job as block support in Parkati. She's at fours and sevens here with no work. But this means we can visit--provided of course that the people we'd visit are here!"

Farrat didn't really notice how firm the handshake was, being a troll, except on the subconscious level where he didn't feel the need to hold back himself. "It's great to meet you. I'm sure we'll be back. And if you're an interdimensional traveller, you should come to Pennarion in Dimension 52. My advisor would probably love to share stories with you too. He's been all over the multiversal plenum." He sighed. "But I've missed my moirail. I'm also concerned about her. Lungaana can get into trouble anywhere and I am usually the one who gets her out of it."

Kassiri nosed Galaxia, as if to reassure her that they'd definitely be back. The thylacine was sure they would be back.