In Front of a House
A white picket fence encloses a small cottage standing in the middle of
the void. A well-trimmed lawn grows in front of the house. A solitary
tombstone is in the middle of the lawn.

(] Exits: [north] south [)
A gigantic vehicle of treetrunks, tubers, and scrap metal is here.
Sunflash is here.
Casey is sitting here.
(Pink Aura) Kolem is here.
Torval is riding in the rabite's vessel.
Gatts is here.
Dusk is here.
Zeth is riding in the rabite's vessel.
Lenai is here.
Emoman is here.

Lenai pokes you in the ribs.

Lenai says ' This looks like a very nice house!'

Emoman stands up.

You say 'We did what we could.'

You say 'The most difficult part was finding materials.'

Sunflash looks at the rabite's vessel.

Casey talks to you.

Lenai says ' Did you return to the normal world to get them?'

You shake your head.

Sunflash is a ninja. Sometimes. "Where'd you find something out /here/?"

You say 'Our duty is to stay here.'

You say 'You saw the edges of other worlds that we passed on our way here.'

Lenai says ' So you stole them from the edges?'

Lenai says ' I'm sorry, collected!'

You nod.

Lenai says ' That sounds much less dastardly.'

Kolem says ' I see...'

You say 'Some wood here, some fiberoptics there.'

Kolem says ' It's very impressive, for what you had to go through.'

Lenai says ' What about the grass?'

Lenai says ' Where does it get the sunlight to grow?'

Lenai says ' How does it stay cut?'

Dusk listens to the others approach and leaves his hiding place from behind the house. "What took you all so long? I mowed the grass out of sheer boredom."

Kolem says ' After the island of lava, nothing surprises me....'

Sunflash waves his fingers in a wiggly motion. "Maaaaaaagic"

> point dusk
You point at it accusingly.

Lenai says ' Dusk is a sun?'

You say 'How did you get here? Where have you been?!'

Dusk grins evilly.

Casey strokes his chin, silently pondering the mysteries of Dusk.

Dusk says 'I was fascinated at the ah..complexities of the void around us.'

Sunflash thinks about repeating himself, but decides that'd be too obvious.

Lenai THWAPS Dusk for being a moron.

Dusk says 'I simply could not help myself and just ran ahead to see it all! And not in any way trying to find another rift to mark on my path of destruction.'

Lenai says ' How did you get through without one of these?'

Lenai looks at a dimensional marlinspike in her inventory.

Dusk says 'Silly girl. You ask too many questions.'

Lenai says ' Questions promote answers, and answers are very important!'

Gatts steps out of the house, yawning.

Gatts says 'Come on Dusk, don't be so mysterious all the time.'

Dusk says 'I agree! Answers are great! So, what's with the house?'

Gatts looks at a dimensional marlinspike in his inventory.

Lenai points at Gatts accusingly.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

> point gatts
You point at him accusingly.

Lenai says ' Where did YOU come from?'

You say 'What? How? What were you doing in there?'

Imbibobot is getting kind of flustered.

Lenai pats you on your back.

You say 'You didn't wreck the place, did you?'

You open the door.

> north

A House - Living Room
This is the multipurpose living quarters of this cottage. A bed lies in
the center of the room, flanked by a rejuvenation machine in one corner and
a dining table in another. Scattered sprockets and solenoids decorate the
floor.

(] Exits: [east] south west [)
Lenai has arrived from the south.

Sunflash flies in from the south.

Torval has arrived from the south.

Gatts has arrived from the south.

Dusk flies in from the south.

Emoman has arrived from the south.

Casey has arrived from the south.

Torval leaves west.

Sunflash peers intently about the area, looking for thieves no doubt.

Lenai says ' It looks very unwrecked to me!'

Zeth has arrived from the south.

Gatts says 'I got sucked into this void a while back..didn't you notice me missing? '
Torval has arrived from the west.

Gatts sighs.

Lenai thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Lenai peers intently west.

Sunflash looks all around.

Lenai peers intently east.

Torval shrugs helplessly.

Lenai looks all around.

Kolem flies in from the south.

Emoman leaves south.

Gatts says 'I found Dusk trying to explore the area, and this marlinspike was in my inventory. We managed to find this place and we've been waiting for you guys since. '

Emoman has arrived from the south.

You Hmmmm out loud.

Lenai thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Sunflash says ' Typical idea, I suppose. "How did I end up here? Oh well, better look around."'

Sunflash mutters distractedly.

Casey says 'Did you find anything interesting on your excursion?'

Lenai says ' This is a very nice place, Imbi!'

Kolem says ' Regardless of any of that...'

Gatts says 'Ask Dusk, he's the curious one. '

Kolem looks at you.

Casey looks at Dusk.

Gatts says 'And between you and me, he's kind of an obsessive cleaner.'

Kolem says ' You need help.'

Lenai says ' It looks like it has everything a man and his robot could need!'

Gatts says 'Seriously, mowing someone else's lawn? '

Gatts shakes his head in Dusk's direction.

Sunflash says ' Gotta earn your keep somehow, right?'

Dusk says 'What can I say? I like to 'trim corners'.'

Lenai scowls angrily at Dusk.

Sunflash rolls his eyes at Dusk.

Emoman shakes its head in Dusk's direction.

You say 'I suppose everything's the way I left it.'

You say 'I should offer to let you all make yourselves at home.'

Kolem says ' I see...'

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Dusk says 'I don't suppose you have any devices capable of altering reality as we know it lying around anywhere, huh?'

Sunflash peers at Dusk quizzically.

Gatts sighs at Dusk.

Sunflash says ' No, that was the grass.'

Korryn grats 'forte on not being exactly uber'

You Hmmmm out loud.

Casey says 'Granted, he did alter the reality of the grass.'

Forte grats '...?'

Dusk blinks at Casey in confusion.

Forte grats 'What the hell are you talking about Kor?'

You say 'Yes, in fact. We have a matter transmutater.'

Dusk says 'You..are absolutely correct! Genius!'

> west

A House - Kitchen
This little room has a quaint little stove and a quaint little
refrigerator, both with quaint little radioactivity warning labels stuck to
them. Everything's a few shades greyer than it probably ought to be, due to
the accumulation of possibly years of dust.

(] Exits: east [)
Lenai is here.

Dusk flies in from the east.

Emoman has arrived from the east.

Casey has arrived from the east.

Sunflash flies in from the east.

Torval has arrived from the east.

Gatts has arrived from the east.

Zeth has arrived from the east.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Imbibobot walks over the stove and wipes off some dust.

Sunflash laughs.

You say 'This can transmute raw eggs into fried eggs.'

Sunflash says ' Genius.'

Gatts says 'Even Dusk wouldn't touch this place. '

Casey sits down and thinks deeply.

Sunflash coughs loudly.

Emoman looks at the radioactive warning labels.

Dusk says 'Glorius! Now to find a way to turn things into raw eggs..'

Casey puts a peanut cheese bar onto the stove

Casey drops a peanut cheese bar.

Sunflash says ' Well first you'd have to find a chicken.'

Kolem flies in from the east.

Torval frowns.

Gatts says 'But you need an egg to get a chicken.'

Sunflash says ' Possibly a rooster too, I'd suspect.'

Casey beams a smile at Gatts.

You say 'I wodner if it still works!'

Imbibobot turns on one of the burners.

Dusk grabs his notepad and begins to copy down the various advice.

The peanut cheese bar starts to sizzle.

Kolem peers around.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

You say 'This would probably work better with a pot or a pan. Oh well!'

Casey grins at the sizzling peanut cheese bar.
Sunflash raises an eyebrow. "Well it didn't explode, at any rate."

Gatts backs away from the sizzling candy bar slowly.

Kolem says ' As it happens...'

The peanut cheese bar starts to smoke and sputter.

Gatts says 'I wouldn't write off exploding just yet.'

Imbibobot turns off the burner.

You get an extra-crispy, extra-goopy peanut cheese bar.

You give an extra-crispy, extra-goopy peanut cheese bar to Casey.

Gatts says 'Oh. Well. '

Casey eats an extra-crispy, extra-goopy peanut cheese bar.

Casey says 'Deeelicious!'

Kolem says ' I still have this, from the other day. It's not food, but.. maybe it can lighten up the place a little?'

Kolem gives you a floral throw rug.

Sunflash says ' Are you sure you're not a Mr. Saturn in disguise?'

You say 'Ah. I see what you're suggesting.'

Imbibobot puts the floral throw rug on the stove.

Sunflash says ' Wait.'

Imbibobot turns on the burner.

Kolem says ' What, NO--'

You say 'Hmm?'

Casey says 'Alas, there is only more koopa under this shell. I may have picked up some of their habits in my time with them, though.'

FOOM

Dusk says 'Well that's one way to 'light'en up the place.'
Sunflash ducks behind Kolem.

Casey cowers in the corner from claustrophobia.

The floral throw rug bursts into flame!

Kolem says ' ----ow. My face...'

Dusk says 'A most excellent suggestion, Sir Kolem!'

Gatts sighs.

There is a brilliant flash of light, and the area brightens significantly.

Casey ducks behind Sunflash.

Gatts says 'And to think I was beginning to miss you guys.'

The burning throw rug brightens the kitchen significantly.

Emoman pulls out a water bottle.

Emoman inverts a super bottle, spilling water all over the ground.

Kolem says ' Ah--b--uh'

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Emoman dumps water on the rug.

Gatts gives a can of generic beer to Kolem.

Kolem says ' ....'

Gatts says 'You might need this.'

Kolem looks at Banjo's Backpack in its inventory.

Kolem looks at a large battered suitcase in its inventory.

Kolem says ' I.. don't believe it. No, I do. oof.'

Torval sighs.

Kolem looks at a Golden Sun-shaped box in its inventory.

Sunflash peeks over Kolem's shoulder. "Try again?"

Kolem says ' I meant to... oh, never mind.'

Emoman pulls out a piece of roly meat. "What about this?"

You say 'Oh, there it goes.'

Dusk says 'I think it looks very pretty.'

Kolem drinks water from the kitchen sink.

Dusk says 'You certainly have impeccable taste.'

The water dumped on the rug extinguishes the flames.

Gatts says 'Maybe I should've made Dusk drink the beer...'

The extra light in the room fades away.

Kolem says ' ...In any event, it's very homey, isn't it?'

Kolem looks at the kitchen sink in its inventory.

Emoman drops some roly meat.

Torval gives you a glass of red wine.

Sunflash says ' Quite so. Didn't we have a goal in mind whe we showed up here?'

Gatts recites an identify scroll.

Gatts recites an identify scroll.

You say 'Indeed.'

Dusk says 'Yes! How do we go about finding more rifts to tea--I mean, save from collapsing?'

You say 'Our goal here is to serve maintenance on the seams and edges holding together the disparate realities of the Cleft.'

Gatts says 'that sounds like a pretty long term job'

Dusk says 'So it does. It would be a shame if one were to 'cut loose' on the job.'

Dusk grins evilly.

You say 'Yes... very.'

Kolem says ' ...given human lifetimes, I would argue long-term is too short a term.'

You say 'It is an unending job, and cutting loose or slacking can have disastrous results.'

Gatts says 'Well I definitely don't intend to stick around here for the rest of my life serving as a dimensional tailor.'

Sunflash says ' I 'unno. I know a few humans that've lived pretttty long...'

You say 'Does anyone here... have an especially long lifespan?'

Imbibobot smiles weakly.

Casey scratches his shell.

Emoman clasps its hands behind its back.

Kolem says ' ...I'm afraid that you're probably the longest-lives of all.'

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Gatts suddenly looks very intrested in something to his left.

Torval shakes his head.

Sunflash says ' I'll probably last longer than most, but not long enough.'

Dusk says 'I suppose I could always possess another innocent scholar'

Dusk says 'Er, I mean, nope! Not really!'

Kolem says ' Presuming maintenance is done, I mean... would you ever die?'

Gatts says 'Is there anything we can do that would allow you to take care of this job yourself? '

Sunflash gives Dusk an amused look. "That'd be an odd person to possess, all things considered."

Emoman looks at Dusk.

Dusk says 'Possession? What nonsense are you speaking of?'

You Hmmmm out loud.

Casey looks at you.

Zeth has returned from the void.

Sunflash shrugs. "Just rambling aloud, I suppose."

You say 'The trouble with possession is that there are few people who come around here to possess.'

Kolem says ' He's got a point.'

You say 'Serving maintenance here is not a protection against death. Death will come.'

Casey says 'We could at the very least patch up some of that rust.'

> look self
Here staggers a robot who's seen better days. It creaks loudly whenever
it moves, and rust encrusts swaths of its body, especially around its mouth.
It's startlingly clean.

You say 'Oh, my.'

You say 'I've really let myself go. I should take care of that.'

> east

A House - Living Room
This is the multipurpose living quarters of this cottage. A bed lies in
the center of the room, flanked by a rejuvenation machine in one corner and
a dining table in another. Scattered sprockets and solenoids decorate the
floor.

(] Exits: [east] [south] west [)
Kolem flies in from the west.
Dusk flies in from the west.

Sunflash flies in from the west.

Casey has arrived from the west.

Sunflash now follows you.

Emoman has arrived from the west.

Sunflash looks all around.

Zeth has arrived from the west.

Dusk looks all around.

Dusk says 'Suppose for one moment that no one is here to maintain this area...what would ultimately happen, exactly?'

Casey cringes in terror!

Sunflash says ' We'd have to tear you apart and use you as a patch, probably.'

Gatts has arrived from the west.

Zeth says 'So many sprockets..'

Gatts says 'Home of an Inventor.'

You say 'It's... it's a good question. I wondered that myself, honestly.'

Dusk says 'I can't imagine others, particularly the one who could be called God, would ignore it.'

> nod dusk
You nod in agreement with it.

Torval looks at a brand new and sizzling electric guitar in his inventory.

Sunflash says ' Well no. I know a few that'd be rather unhappy about letting the place fall apart.'

You say 'New Inventors seem to come around a few times a century.'

You say 'But this place is vast. One is not enough, and, as you could see when we arrived, this region was beginning to fall apart.'

You say 'Honestly... well, hold on a minute.'

Imbibobot steps into the rejuvenation machine.

Kolem says ' ...The world is important, though. For the hundreds.. thousands, no, more... it falling apart is the worst possible thing.'

Gatts raises an eyebrow at you.

Kolem looks at you.

Sunflash decides to take another step back and behind the sturdy-shelled Kolem


> look self
Here staggers a pretty shiny robot. It creaks loudly whenever it moves,
but that must be a design feature because the rest of its body looks
swankily clean and polished.

Sunflash looks at you.

Imbibobot steps out of the rejuvenation machine.

Sunflash whistles at the sight of you.

Torval looks at you.

Emoman looks at you.

Casey looks at you.

Sunflash says ' Fancy.'

Gatts looks at you.
Zeth looks at you.

Emoman thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Casey smiles at you.

You say 'It's been a while.'

Dusk looks at you.

Sunflash says ' I'll have to get one of those for my arm someday.'

Gatts says 'Well, I guess maintenance isn't too much of an issue then.'

Emoman looks at the rejuvenation machine.

Kolem looks at you.

Kolem says ' Whoa.'

Sunflash says ' Personal maintenance, at any rate.'

Kolem says ' You look a lot better...'

You say 'Anyway, yes, the world is incredibly important. For everyone who lives in this interstice, this unsung maintenace is the most essential thing.'

Casey says 'It must get lonely, though.'
Zeth says 'Quite shiny.'

You say 'But... that's all very abstract.'

Lenai has arrived from the west.

Kolem says ' ..it is.'

Lenai coughs loudly.

You say 'I wondered what would happen, too.'

Lenai says ' I dozed off! Quite sorry.'

Lenai looks at you.

Emoman points at you accusingly.

Emoman says ' look.'

Dusk says 'Surely now you see the answer.'

Sunflash says ' The answer is the easy part. What's the question?'

You say 'That may be part of the reason I left.'

Dusk says 'It can't happen, can it?'

Dusk says 'Because THAT inventor willed us here.'

Dusk says 'Even if we all turn around and leave he'll just send in another replacement.'

Dusk says 'Right?'

Sunflash says ' Or drag you back in and use chains on you next time?'

Gatts says 'I thinkt he more important thing is..what does he intend by sending us all here.'

Gatts says 'He can't really expect us to work on this problem the rest of our lives. There must be a fundamental problem we can help solve. '

Lenai thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Dusk says 'Simple! Be the boring pawn, serve the cleft and repair its seams.'

Casey says 'There must be some lasting accomplishment we can bring about.'

Lenai says ' Maybe there's an inventor who's lost and needs finding!'

You say 'It seems the latest Inventor is now dead.'

Dusk says 'Not my fault'

Sunflash says ' Oh, well. There you go.'

Lenai says ' There's only ever one?'

You say 'Maybe that means someone else will hear the call? I don't know.'

Kolem says ' Completely your fault.'

Dusk shifts his eyes back and forth.

Lenai points at you accusingly.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Gatts says 'It's PROBABLY Dusk's fault. '

Lenai says ' Maybe it's you!'

Gatts says 'But that's beside the point.'

Casey says 'Maybe we can find him with that.'

Torval nods in agreement to Lenai.

Casey points to the marlinspike.

You say 'Ah, yes, the marlinspike.'

Lenai looks at a dimensional marlinspike in her inventory.

Gatts wields a dimensional marlinspike in his hands.

You say 'I wonder how the inventory's held up.'

Torval says 'the bot does know the inventors job better than anyone else'

Gatts brandishes the marlinspike around a bit.

> open east
You open the door.

You say 'This way.'

Torval leaves east.

> east

A House - Vault
This room differs from the rest of the cottage by being constructed
entirely from steel. The reinforced ceiling robs the vault of a couple feet
of headroom, making the place a bit claustrophic. The only entrance is
through a solid-core deadbolted door, west.

(] Exits: west [)
( 4) A capacitive thimble is here, capacaitating.
( 7) A dimensional marlinspike lies here, spikily.
(Charmed) A round black beast tied to a chain is chomping away, connected to someone.
Torval is here.
Lenai has arrived from the west.
Sunflash flies in from the west.
Dusk flies in from the west.
Kolem flies in from the west.

Casey has arrived from the west.

Emoman has arrived from the west.

Zeth has arrived from the west.

Torval looks at a capacitive thimble.

Sunflash gets a dimensional marlinspike.

Sunflash gets a capacitive thimble.

Sunflash looks at a dimensional marlinspike.

Gatts has arrived from the west.

Sunflash looks at a capacitive thimble.

Emoman looks at a dimensional marlinspike.

Torval gets a dimensional marlinspike.

Emoman looks at a capacitive thimble.

Gatts looks at a capacitive thimble.
Torval stops using an unremarkable copper shortsword.
Torval wields a dimensional marlinspike in his hands.

Dusk says 'Nifty'

Casey gets a dimensional marlinspike.

Torval gets a capacitive thimble.

Lenai says ' Ooh, thimbles!'

Zeth gets a capacitive thimble.

Casey looks at a capacitive thimble.

Emoman gets a dimensional marlinspike.

Emoman gets a capacitive thimble.

Zeth gets a dimensional marlinspike.

Torval looks at a capacitive thimble in his inventory.

Emoman recites an identify scroll.

Sunflash looks at a dimensional marlinspike.

Emoman recites an identify scroll.

Casey stops using a long scythe, surrounded in darkness.
Casey wields a dimensional marlinspike in his hands.

Emoman recites an identify scroll.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Dusk says 'I do hope these aren't fragile devices capable of exploding at the touch of a finger.'

Emoman stops using a buster cannon.

Gatts says 'The marlinspikes seem stable. '
Sunflash says ' Doubtful.'

Dusk gets a dimensional marlinspike.
Emoman wields a dimensional marlinspike in its hands.

Dusk looks at a dimensional marlinspike.

Torval chuckles nervously

You say 'Oh, the marlinspikes? Those are extremely stable.'

Lenai tries to use a dimensional marlinspike, but is too inexperienced.

Gatts bangs it against the ground.

Zeth stops using the Boulder Badge.

Emoman looks at a capacitive thimble in its inventory.

Casey recites an identify scroll.

Dusk thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Torval sighs.

Zeth wields a dimensional marlinspike in his hands.

Casey gives an identify scroll to Emoman.

Lenai tries to use a dimensional marlinspike, but is too inexperienced.

Emoman recites an identify scroll.

Emoman stops using a dimensional marlinspike.

You say 'Or did you mean the thimble? Oh, yes!'

You laugh.
Torval gives a capacitive thimble to Lenai.

Dusk looks at the marlinspikes, then at Kolem's shell.

You say 'Yes, those tend to explode. Be careful!'

Gatts backs away from everyone carrying a thimble.

Emoman looks at a capacitive thimble in its inventory.

Lenai says ' Explosive thimbles?'

Emoman says ' A capacitor..?'

Zeth looks at a capacitive thimble in his inventory.

Torval is glad he just gave his away.

Dusk gets a tube of golden paint from a faberge box, covered by a bejeweled lid.

Sunflash looks at Dusk. "I've seen better ideas."

Lenai says ' That entirely defeats the purpose of safety!'

Dusk says 'Darts, anyone?'

Emoman wields a buster cannon in its hands.

Lenai rears back and slaps Dusk cruelly for its stupidity, sending it sprawling to the floor.

Emoman stops using a buster cannon.

Emoman wields a dimensional marlinspike in its hands.

Lenai says ' They're not a toy!'

You say 'They're perfectly safe so long as you only use insulating needles.'

Sunflash says ' Oh, so THAT's what these spikes are?'

Casey looks at the marlinespike and wonders if it is insulated

Lenai says ' But, aren't these dimensional marlinspikes, not insulating needles?'

Dusk puts a tube of golden paint in a faberge box, covered by a bejeweled lid.

Sunflash gives a capacitive thimble to Kolem.

Lenai boggles in complete incomprehension.

Sunflash gives a dimensional marlinspike to Kolem.

Sunflash gets a dimensional marlinspike.

You say 'Oh, no, they're quite conductive.'

Kolem looks at a capacitive thimble in its inventory.

Lenai says ' Where are the insulating needles?'

Lenai says ' Also; why so many tools and no thread?'

You say 'Don't have any!'

Dusk says 'Did he not mention the need for supplies?'

You say 'Although there are conditions where the thimbles are perfectly safe, I didn't say we operated under those conditions.'

Kolem says ' ...I see.'

You say 'Leo kept up a reserve of supplies here in the house.'

Kolem says ' That's kind of a problem, isn't it.'

Lenai says ' He seems to be a very cautious man!'

You say 'He was especially cautious about one thing in particular.'

You say 'Day-to-day safety, that's not so important. But...'

Imbibobot walks over to the north wall.

Gatts says 'but? '

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Imbibobot presses his hand to a completely innocuous part of the wall.

Sunflash says ' With that rejuvnator back there, day-to-day repairs wouldn't be an issue anyway...'

You say 'There was a secret in this house that I only discovered years after his death.'

> open north
You open the door.

Casey now follows you.

You say 'This way.'

> north

A House - Vault's Vault
This room differs from the rest of the vault by being constructed
entirely from depleted uranium. The walls are only about six feet high and
it's awfully stuffy in here.

(] Exits: none [)
A gigantic vehicle of titanium, copper, and scrap leather is here.
Casey has arrived from the south.
Kolem flies in from the south.
Dusk flies in from the south.
Sunflash flies in from the south.
Lenai has arrived from the south.

Torval has arrived from the south.

Zeth has arrived from the south.

Gatts has arrived from the south.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Sunflash looks at Leo's vessel.

Dusk says 'Hello'

Dusk looks at Leo's vessel.

Gatts whistles appreciatively.

Kolem looks at Leo's vessel.

Casey looks at Leo's vessel.
Torval looks at Leo's vessel.

> look vessel
A mass of sheet metal and copper wire has been welded, soldered, and tied
together into something resembling a Delorean minus the wheels and minus the
style. There's plenty of room to sit inside.

Gatts says 'Nice. '

Kolem says ' ...holy cow.'

Emoman has arrived from the south.

Sunflash whistles appreciatively.

Torval sits in Leo's vessel.

Casey sits in Leo's vessel.

Gatts looks at Leo's vessel.
Kolem says ' ...Isn't this his...'

Emoman looks at Leo's vessel.

Kolem sits in Leo's vessel.

Torval slams face-first into the wall on his way east. WHAM!

Torval looks like he's about to go west, but suddenly stops short and looks confused.

Sunflash sits in Leo's vessel.

Zeth looks at Leo's vessel.

Emoman sits in Leo's vessel.

Dusk sits in Leo's vessel.

Sunflash says ' Shotgun!'

You nod in agreement with it.

You say 'Yes, it is.'
Lenai looks at Leo's vessel.

Torval grins evilly.

Lenai sits in Leo's vessel.

Lenai says ' WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!'

Zeth sits in Leo's vessel.

Sunflash says ' Stylin.'

Kolem says ' I can't believe it.'

Zeth says 'Comfy.'

Gatts sits in Leo's vessel.

Gatts says 'Big backseat.'

Torval says 'does this vessel have the tools the Rabite's lacked?'

Kolem says ' ...Each inventor, just like you said, builds their own.'

Emoman stops using a dimensional marlinspike.

Lenai says ' I still like the Rabite one, though...'

Gatts says 'I guess Leo predicted company. '

You say 'Yes, this is a completed vessel. We never used it for daily maintenance, though.'

Sunflash says ' Can't trust the work of another person who's mind you don't understand. makes sense to make your own.'

Kolem says ' ..if that's so, then what is its purpose?'

Torval says '...why not?'

Torval stands up.

You say 'The tools in the vault were sufficient. Alex claimed that the vessel had fallen into a lava pit.'

Torval sits in Leo's vessel.

Dusk says 'Does it have a name?'

Kolem says ' ...'

You say 'Which, given the nature of this place, was plausible.'

> point kolem
You point at it accusingly.

Kolem blinks in utter disbelief.

You say 'It has one unique purpose.'

Lenai says ' I name it, from henceforth, Johnnny!'

Kolem looks at you.

Gatts rolls his eyes.

Lenai says ' With three n's!'

Kolem says ' ...Yes?'

Emoman blinks in utter disbelief.

Torval says 'sure beats a washing machine...'

You say 'It lets us escape.'

Kolem says ' ...'

Gatts raises an eyebrow at you.

Dusk says 'All cool vehicles should have a name! Nothing lame like Highwind or Epoch or Enterprise or'

Kolem says ' That's a purpose I can get behind.'

Sunflash says ' Incase everything /does/ go south.'

Gatts says 'Oh THAT sounds pleasant.'

Kolem says ' The plan B.'

Casey pulls his head into his shell.

Lenai says ' I just hope we escape to somewhere safe!'

Emoman looks at Casey.

Sunflash raises an eyebrow at Lenai.

Kolem says ' It can't get much LESS safe, can it?'

Sunflash says ' He didn't mean right now, girly.'

Torval thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Sunflash frowns at what Kolem did.

Sunflash says ' Did you really just say that?'

Lenai says ' What if we escaped, to, say... The middle of some villan's headquarters?'

Gatts says 'You don't think? '

Sunflash says ' Really? Honestly?'

You say 'Years after Alex died, I found his original vessel hidden back here.'

Kolem says ' ...I retract it. Forever.'

Kolem says ' ...I see.'

You say 'I don't believe Inventors' vessels are normally capable of returning. It defeats the purpose.'

Kolem says ' He was planning on getting out, then.'

Sunflash says ' Delay the end as long as possible type situation?'

You say 'Maybe. Maybe he just wanted the option.'

You say 'Either way, he stayed at the job until the end.'

You say '...but I didn't.'

Sunflash thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Lenai hugs you. *squeeze*

Casey says 'But you're still here, working away.'

Lenai says ' You know, Imbi, I bet he didn't build that into it for him.'

Lenai says ' I bet he built it in for you.'

Kolem says ' From what you described, the compulsion was mind-affecting. I can understand the need to get out...'

Kolem looks at you.

Emoman nods in agreement to Lenai.

You say 'It's possible that he built it for me. I don't know.'

Emoman stands up.

Emoman looks at Leo's vessel.

You say 'The fact of the matter is that leaving is a supremely selfish and dangerous choice.'

Gatts says 'I really don't want to say this.'

Gatts says 'But...'

Torval frowns.

Gatts says 'Maybe..he built it for us.'

Sunflash raises an eyebrow.

Lenai says ' ...Gatts... I doubt he could see the future!'

Torval says '...leaving would be selfish...'

Sunflash peers at Lenai quizzically.

Sunflash says ' You'd be surprised.'

Dusk says 'Why not? He helped us go into the past.'

Gatts says 'Maybe not so much us specifically'

Torval says '...but only until we find a new inventor'

Emoman sits in Leo's vessel.

Lenai says ' I didn't get to go to the past...'

Lenai pouts.

Gatts says 'But, he could've known that he would die, and that his work would go unfinished'

Gatts says 'And that someone would be called in '

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Lenai says ' Maybe we need to leave in order to find a new inventor?'

Torval looks at you.

Torval says 'well?'

Emoman sits on Leo's vessel.

You say 'If we leave, we won't be able to come back unless a new Inventor brings us back.'

Gatts says 'I think I'm fine with leaving. '

Casey peeks his head out of his shell a short ways

Lenai thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Torval frowns.

You say 'The trip is one-way. It's only by virtue of extremely strange circumstances that I've come to see this place again.'

Sunflash mutters distractedly.

Gatts says 'Speaking of leaving Imbi.'

Lenai says ' That sounds dangerous...'

Gatts says 'I notice that this hasn't been used before.'

Gatts says 'How did YOU leave?'

Emoman looks at you.

Torval nods in agreement to Gatts.

Lenai says ' Maybe one of us should stay with that Rabite vessel, and make sure everything's stable, until a new inventor is found?'

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

You say 'It's been used before. The vessel simply stays here.'

Emoman thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

> nod lenai
You nod in agreement with her.

You say 'That's one way about it.'

Lenai says ' Although, it may take a long time, and it would be very lonely...'

You say 'We each have a decision to make.'

Torval says 'so who would be the one to stay behind?'

You say 'To stay or to leave.'

Dusk says 'Oh, what a sacrificial choice! To stay here all alone in this dark place, trusted by the entire cleft to keep it safe!'

You say 'Yes. And the consequences of no one staying would be dire.'

Zeth says 'I... could stay.'

Lenai looks at Zeth.

Emoman looks at Zeth.

Torval looks at Zeth.

Gatts says 'Dusk, you know I won't leave let you stay here alone.'

Dusk says 'Nonsense! You all should run along. I can keep this place safe while I work on my research!'

Kolem looks at Zeth.

Kolem looks philisophical.

Emoman wields a dimensional marlinspike in its hands.

Lenai peers at Dusk quizzically.

Emoman stands up.

Kolem says ' Obviously it can't be Dusk.'

Lenai says ' You seem a little too excited...'

Kolem stares straight ahead.

Sunflash finds something interesting to look at on the windshield while he strokes his beardless chin. "Yes, quite obviously."

Torval says 'Imb, how would we find the inventor?'

You shrug.

Lenai says ' Hm...'

You say 'It's impossible to say. The call to invent seems to strike at random.'

Torval says 'so unless one of us feels this call...'

Dusk says 'I wouldn't do anything reckless like try to tear the place apart or anything! Only use it to threaten the Inventor who could be called God to come down here him/her/itself.'

Torval says 'we have no choice but to leave'

Lenai says ' Do cell phones get signal down here?'

Dusk says 'Er, I mean, I would be very diligent!'

Gatts says 'Dusk. '

Casey says 'What are the most common attributes of the past inventors? Is there anything that could help us find another?'

Gatts says 'Do you want me to pour beer down your throat or do you want to come with us? '

Sunflash says ' I'll hold him down.'

Sunflash smirks.

> peer lenai
You peer at her quizzically.

You say 'No cell phone towers or antennas. Walkie talkies are the best option.'

Zeth says 'I should be able to stay around as long as there is some mana. Probably.'

Emoman looks at Zeth.

Lenai says ' I mean for contacting thing outside of here!'

Sunflash says ' Who or what do you want to get ahold of?'

You shake your head in response to Lenai's question.

You say 'Not an option.'

Lenai says ' Someone smart, obviously..'

You say 'The past inventors... I'm not sure what unifies them.'

Lenai says ' Um, well, how exactly does the escape route work?'

Dusk says 'Wasn't Dr. Wily an inventor? I bet he'd be delighted to.'

Kolem says ' ...Who should stay... is someone best suited to the task...'

Gatts smacks his face down into his palms.

Sunflash smacks his face down into his palms.

Lenai points at Dusk accusingly.

Sunflash says ' .....Moving on......'

Emoman shakes its head in Dusk's direction.

Kolem says ' He'd never turn it down, for sure.'

Lenai says ' But then he would be even MORE angry!'

Kolem gives a qry smile.

Lenai thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Torval thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Dusk says 'We've already been acquainted with him, it'd be easy!'

Dusk says 'Whereas with other inventors we'd have to explain the fact that they'd be coming down here to die.'

Lenai says ' Dusk. He hates everyone but me!'

Lenai says ' And he might even hate me!'

Dusk says 'Which means you should ask!'

Sunflash reachs over and thumps Kolem in the side of his shell. "Spit it out.

Lenai says ' Didn't he try to get us arrested on a ridiculously low bounty?'

You say 'Who is Dr. Wily?'

Lenai says ' A man who pretended to have built you, I think...'

Dusk says 'A brilliant scientist we met in Shrike while we were trying to repair you!'

Kolem says ' ...Doctor Wily?'

Gatts says 'Well its not like you guys did anything illegal. You were lucky to get a bounty at all. '

Dusk says 'The jerk turned down his original offer to trade you for a Snake Man.'

Kolem says ' Oh, I should tell you about that, huh.'

Lenai says ' I beat him with my fists!'

Gatts says 'Hearsay.'

Torval shrugs helplessly.

Lenai says ' And then I passed out.'

Torval says 'we could hold a vote'

Zeth shrugs and sits, not feeling adequate for the task.

Sunflash says ' A vote? To see who gets to punch Dusk first? I'm for it!'

You say 'I guess it doesn't matter.'

Dusk says 'Think about it! Dr. Wily was placed in our path, the same path that brought us here.'

You say 'What's a more important point is how this works.'

> nod lenai
You nod in agreement with her.

Lenai says ' Imbi, I honestly don't think any of us are qualified for the task...'

Dusk says 'It's fate, being controlled by the Inventor of Inventors!'

Gatts says 'This place has been abandoned so far. A little longer shouldn't hurt. '

Torval says 'except imbi himself, who has some experience in repairs'

You say 'To make the journey back, simply sit in the vessel.'

Kolem says ' ...Mm.'

Gatts says 'If we're really meant to help, we'll find someone to help, and some way to get back.'

Sunflash stands up.

Lenai stands up.

You say 'I will activate once you have decided.'

Kolem stands up.

Lenai thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Zeth stands up.

Torval frowns.

Torval stands up.

Kolem says ' ...'

Dusk stands up.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Lenai says ' Imbi, could we still return any time with the vessel?'

Lenai says ' Or is it a one time only transport?'

Emoman says ' It's one way, remember?'

Sunflash drums his fingers across the hilt of his sword. "He said you can't. The vessel stays here."

Kolem says ' If none of us stay, the Cleft is in serious danger. We can't return without a proper Inventor.'

Dusk says 'What if we jump into that giant hole in the rabite forest?'

Gatts says 'If we don't find an inventor, the Cleft won't survive anyway'

Torval frowns.

Kolem says ' ..but none of us are Inventors, and..'

Gatts says 'We're gonna need all the help we can get'
Lenai boggles in complete incomprehension.

Torval says 'as far as we know'

Kolem says ' There's only so much we can do.'

Sunflash points at you accusingly.

Casey looks at Imbibobot.

Sunflash says ' What are your plans.'

Torval says 'Imb, will you be staying?'

You say 'I doubt the hole drilled by the rabite's vessel still goes all the way here.'

Kolem says ' What's more... we lack needed equipment. We couldn't fix that stray weave, the frayed bit...'

Dusk says 'If we do venture out to find an Inventor..we'll need some way to convince them that this is the truth.'

Gatts blinks at Dusk in confusion.

Gatts says 'That's...actually a valid point. '

Torval looks at Dusk.

Lenai says ' But it's an inventor, they'll already believe it's the truth!'

Torval nods in agreement to Lenai.

Torval says 'the call would be enough, I would think'

Lenai says ' If we do all leave at once, we'll have to move really fast all around the Cleft to find someone to take on the job...'

Imbibobot repeats, under his breath, 'Will I be staying?' and ignores the question.

Torval says '...though if that were true, we wouldnt need to seek them out'

Sunflash says ' The last one ended sooner than usual, right?'

Lenai boggles in complete incomprehension.

Torval wonders if he's overthinking this whole thing.

Gatts says 'Well I'm going. '

Gatts doesn't bother moving from his spot in the vessel.

Lenai says ' Imbi, will the vessel still be able to send someone back after everyonewho wants to leaves leaves?'

Kolem peers at Imbibobot.

Dusk says 'I suppose if these 'inventors' are chosen, they'll develop their own vessels somehow to get here.'

You say 'Yes, indeed. The vessel would stay operable, here. Unless something were to happen to it.'

Casey says 'I think the best course is to find an inventor and return. Getting back here will be easy with the right mind.'

Torval looks at a dimensional marlinspike in his inventory.

Lenai thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

Torval shrugs helplessly.

Lenai sits in Leo's vessel.

Torval sits in Leo's vessel.

Sunflash says ' Logic suggests the koopa is correct.'

Kolem says ' ...you're alone, aren't you.'

Lenai says ' I think I'll go back and try to find an inventor as soon as possible...'

Casey says 'Is it possible to...'

Casey sits down and thinks deeply.

Casey says 'Could we create an inventor?'

Torval stands up.

Torval paces around the room with an agitated expression.

Lenai says ' ...'

Lenai says ' Create?'

Gatts says 'Casey'

Lenai says ' We would need so many parts!'

Gatts says 'We would need an inventor to create an inventor.'

Gatts THWAPS Casey for being a moron.

Sunflash says ' Would you?'

Torval shrugs helplessly.

Torval paces around the room with an agitated expression.

You say 'While James Leo created me, I am not nearly an Inventor.'

Casey says 'If we started with a disabled reploid, we could download schematics and behaviors.'

Lenai says ' We need a necromancer!'

Casey says 'Or a Nu...'

Lenai says ' They could revive one of the two inventors we know of who are dead!'

Torval says 'we're wasting time!'

Lenai says ' Or both!'

Casey spaces out, staring off in the distance

Gatts says 'Have you ever seen a Necromancer work Lenai? '

Lenai says ' Isn't the rabite inventor in the normal world?'

Gatts says 'Their slaves don't exactly come back whole. '

Torval says 'the more time we spend arguing about who will stay behind, the less time we have to find the inventor'

Dusk says 'If the butcher still has its body.'

Gatts says 'I agree with Torval.'

Lenai points at Torval accusingly.

You say 'An interesting idea.'

Gatts says 'Shit or get off the pot, make your decisions people.'

Kolem says ' True.'

Casey frowns at the floor of the vehicle.

> point torval
You point at him accusingly.

Casey says 'I'm going.'

Kolem says ' ..Imbibobot...'

You say 'He has a good point, too.'

Kolem says ' Whether you stay, or go...'

Kolem says ' I intend to stay with you.'

Sunflash shakes his head.

> look

A House - Vault's Vault
This room differs from the rest of the vault by being constructed
entirely from depleted uranium. The walls are only about six feet high and
it's awfully stuffy in here.

(] Exits: none [)
A gigantic vehicle of titanium, copper, and scrap leather is here.
Emoman is here.
Gatts is riding in Leo's vessel.
Zeth is here.
(Charmed) a Chain Chomp is standing in Leo's vessel.
Torval is here.
Lenai is riding in Leo's vessel.
Sunflash is here.
Dusk is here.
(Pink Aura) Kolem is here.
Casey is riding in Leo's vessel.

Kolem says ' ...You've been left alone too long.'

Emoman stays standing.

Lenai says ' Everyone who's going to look for an inventor, sit on the vessel now! Everyone who's staying to keep everything safe, get off of it and stay!'

Lenai says ' ...Kolem...'

Torval says 'Imb, if you have no clue how to find an inventor, you might as well be the one to stay behind'

Sunflash says ' And how else do you expect us to find the damn'd inventor without someone as experienced as you.'

Torval sits in Leo's vessel.

Gatts groans at the sight of Kolem.

Lenai boggles in complete incomprehension.

You say 'That's very thoughtful of you.'

Imbibobot smiles weakly.

Torval says 'you are, after all, the best seamster'

You say 'But, there's something I've had to grapple with, being a constructed entity.'

Kolem says ' What's that?'

Sunflash crosses his arms, waiting.

Lenai says ' What was your purpose of being built?'

You say 'And that is that, sometimes, choice is an illusion.'

Imbibobot pulls his hands out from behind his back, revealing each finger capped with a capacitive thimble.

Gatts says '...'

You say 'These are highly explosive, you know.'

Casey cowers in the corner from claustrophobia.

Torval blinks in utter disbelief.

Casey cowers in the corner at the sight of you.

Zeth has returned from the void.

You say 'Now get on the vessel. All of you. I'm staying here.'

Gatts says 'Uhm.'

Emoman looks at you.

Kolem says ' ....'

Lenai says ' All of us?'

Gatts says 'I think we should listen to the crazy robot.'

Kolem says ' ...Imbibobot.'

You say 'I won't have anyone else resigned to this place.'

Lenai says ' ...Imbi, if you're staying...'

Lenai gives you a dimensional marlinspike.

Kolem says ' ...I'll never, ever, ever forget you.'

You wield a dimensional marlinspike in your hands.

Lenai says ' At least keep this; it was Dr. Leo's, after all.'

Gatts says 'Kolem.'

Kolem gives you a capacitive thimble.

Dusk says 'Well then'

Gatts says 'Don't leave the man without a beer.'

Kolem sits in Leo's vessel.

Gatts says 'I know you still have it.'

Kolem says ' ...'

Torval gives you a glass of red wine.

Dusk says 'I guess we'll have to bring a lot of alcohol when we come back.'

Lenai says ' I wish you luck. You'll be free soon!'

Sunflash pats you on your back.

Dusk sits in Leo's vessel.

Sunflash sits in Leo's vessel.

Lenai says ' I promise to find an inventor as soon as possible'

Sunflash says ' All aboard.'

Lenai hugs you. *squeeze*

Emoman sits in Leo's vessel.

>look

A House - Vault's Vault
This room differs from the rest of the vault by being constructed
entirely from depleted uranium. The walls are only about six feet high and
it's awfully stuffy in here.

(] Exits: none [)
A gigantic vehicle of titanium, copper, and scrap leather is here.
Zeth is here.
Emoman is riding in Leo's vessel.
Gatts is riding in Leo's vessel.
Torval is riding in Leo's vessel.
Lenai is riding in Leo's vessel.
Sunflash is riding in Leo's vessel.
Dusk is riding in Leo's vessel.
(Pink Aura) Kolem is riding in Leo's vessel.
Casey is riding in Leo's vessel.

Zeth says '..as you wish Imbibobot.'

Zeth sits in Leo's vessel.

Emoman waves at Imbibobot.

You say 'Fine then... I appreciate it. Cheers.'

Imbibobot gracefully drinks some wine without use of his hands.

You drink red wine from a glass of red wine.
Empty, a glass of red wine magically recycles itself into thin air.

You say 'Now, farewell!'

Dusk says 'Be sure to keep this place safe for me so I can come back and destroy it later!'

Imbibobot smacks a panel on the side of the vessel with his foot.

Dusk says 'Er, I mean, so we can see you later!'

Kolem says ' ...You'll be free soo--'

Casey waves farewell.

Gatts rears back and slaps Dusk cruelly for its stupidity, sending it sprawling to the floor.

Lenai says ' By, my good friend!'

Torval waves goodbye to you. Have a good journey.

Sunflash absently reaches back to smack Dusk.

Casey says 'We won't fail you!'

Torval looks at Dusk.

BZZT

VROOOOOOOOOM

Kolem braces himself!

Pssssssschoo!

Sunflash says ' Someone lock the speedometer at 88mph, please.'

Lenai says ' WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!'

Casey pulls all his extremeties into his shell, which then clatters to the floor of the vehicle.