01-22-2016, 11:17 PM
About ten minutes later, the Chariot touched down on the dew soaked grass on the embankment of a modest river bend lake. The dark waters rolled somberly off to the west to feed the ancient mills of Darkshire. Yes, choosing a location up stream from the down trodden city would stymie the conveyance of raw materials, but it was more tactically sound in the long run, and the Gorons were nothing if not enduring. Baleful eyes gazed at the eldritch vehicle with reproachful disgust, and even as the wizard disembarked, he knew that this place was just as magical and perilous as those same woods that stretched for miles behin Hogwarts proper.
There was indeed a hill, as had been promised, but the only problem was that, aside from the first hundred feet from the shoreline, the area was quite heavily forested. Tom continued to survey the landscape as Nealaphh oozed out from the inner workings of the machine in the form of a black smog which recongealed into its preferred enrobed form.
"Less than perfect, but a good candidate for improvement." Tom said in a voice that only vaguely suggested approval. There was no need to try and hide his true feelings from the God-Mind; it was more than apparent that, the more time he spent around Nealaphh, the easier it was for the Enigma to read him. Of course, this also worked both ways. The shadowy figure simply nodded slightly and began to reabsorb the strange transport back into its body.
Nealaphh had no intention of going anywhere anytime soon, and if absolutely necessary, it could always travel to Darkshire in the guise of a crow. Doubtless, Tom would be busy getting the details of his beloved castle just right, and thanks to an incoming report from Klee and Shen, it was apparent that the first shipments of copper and nickel ore were already on their way.
It was early dusk in the Pale Moors, and the dog-like barks of bog toads mixed rhythmically with the persistent droning of crickets. Mosquitos and other pests buzzed about, completelt ignoring the two Primes, since neither had any blood to offer. For the first time in a long time, Nealaphh actually felt relaxed. It almost considered making the Pale Moors its choice for the Institute headquarters, but the Ashen Steppes were crucial towards making the statement about the power of mutualism and infrastructure...not that Nealaphh actually believed in such things. Everything was just a means to an ultimate end that very few would come to know before its juncture.
The darkening blue sky was no hindrance to Nealaphh's ability to see, but it was not so sure that Tom benefitted from nocturnal vision. As such, the God-Mind took the liberty to conjure a phosphorescent orb to cast near daylight on the immediate area. Mr. Riddle himself was posessed with reviewing the planned architecture he had so furiously been working on during their trip here.
The shadow was tempted to give its own input into the construction of the facility to be, but in the interest of a sustaines partnership, Nealaphh decided that such feedback might be considered overbearing. Anyone else and the God-Mind would have no compunctions advising them on their work, but, as always, Tom was different. He would have made a good Enigma, if it wasn't for the fact that so many of his aspirations hinged ona civilized world. It was entirely possible that this might be a point of contention between them in the future, but Tom was not a simpleton. Nealaphh was sure it could convince Tom of the wisdoms of freedom in due time.
For now, however, there was a simple task; clear the trees from the hill. In a fleeting moment of honesty, Nealaphh considered simply burning them to the ground, but the lumber might be useful for building supplies. As such Nealaphh took the liberty of summoning six more Aspects, each a unique polygonal shape and made from an alien obsidian, to assist.
"...and how exactly will these Aspects of yours help with the clearing of the forest?" Tom asked with more a peppering of challenge lacing his tone. Nealaphh turned and nodded to the assorted prisms and each moved towards the tree line, beginning to spin rapidly.
You are familiar with the conversion of mass into energy, correct? Nealaphh said as the internal lights of each Aspect began to flare into brilliance.
"...Indeed I am..." Tom said, watching with a raised eyebrow. In the next instant, there came a brilliant scintillation of raw radiance from each of the Aspects. Tom needed to shield his eyes for a moment, but once they had adjusted, he has to admit that the sight was rather impressive. It seemed that each of these entities was now blasting through the ancient black trunks with a razor thin beam of intense energy. The cacophany was unequaled in its timbre as the heavy oaks and yews crashed to the ground all around them.
"Well. This will certainly speed things along. What else can they do?" Tom asked glancing over at his tenebrous cohort.
What do you need them to do?
There was indeed a hill, as had been promised, but the only problem was that, aside from the first hundred feet from the shoreline, the area was quite heavily forested. Tom continued to survey the landscape as Nealaphh oozed out from the inner workings of the machine in the form of a black smog which recongealed into its preferred enrobed form.
"Less than perfect, but a good candidate for improvement." Tom said in a voice that only vaguely suggested approval. There was no need to try and hide his true feelings from the God-Mind; it was more than apparent that, the more time he spent around Nealaphh, the easier it was for the Enigma to read him. Of course, this also worked both ways. The shadowy figure simply nodded slightly and began to reabsorb the strange transport back into its body.
Nealaphh had no intention of going anywhere anytime soon, and if absolutely necessary, it could always travel to Darkshire in the guise of a crow. Doubtless, Tom would be busy getting the details of his beloved castle just right, and thanks to an incoming report from Klee and Shen, it was apparent that the first shipments of copper and nickel ore were already on their way.
It was early dusk in the Pale Moors, and the dog-like barks of bog toads mixed rhythmically with the persistent droning of crickets. Mosquitos and other pests buzzed about, completelt ignoring the two Primes, since neither had any blood to offer. For the first time in a long time, Nealaphh actually felt relaxed. It almost considered making the Pale Moors its choice for the Institute headquarters, but the Ashen Steppes were crucial towards making the statement about the power of mutualism and infrastructure...not that Nealaphh actually believed in such things. Everything was just a means to an ultimate end that very few would come to know before its juncture.
The darkening blue sky was no hindrance to Nealaphh's ability to see, but it was not so sure that Tom benefitted from nocturnal vision. As such, the God-Mind took the liberty to conjure a phosphorescent orb to cast near daylight on the immediate area. Mr. Riddle himself was posessed with reviewing the planned architecture he had so furiously been working on during their trip here.
The shadow was tempted to give its own input into the construction of the facility to be, but in the interest of a sustaines partnership, Nealaphh decided that such feedback might be considered overbearing. Anyone else and the God-Mind would have no compunctions advising them on their work, but, as always, Tom was different. He would have made a good Enigma, if it wasn't for the fact that so many of his aspirations hinged ona civilized world. It was entirely possible that this might be a point of contention between them in the future, but Tom was not a simpleton. Nealaphh was sure it could convince Tom of the wisdoms of freedom in due time.
For now, however, there was a simple task; clear the trees from the hill. In a fleeting moment of honesty, Nealaphh considered simply burning them to the ground, but the lumber might be useful for building supplies. As such Nealaphh took the liberty of summoning six more Aspects, each a unique polygonal shape and made from an alien obsidian, to assist.
"...and how exactly will these Aspects of yours help with the clearing of the forest?" Tom asked with more a peppering of challenge lacing his tone. Nealaphh turned and nodded to the assorted prisms and each moved towards the tree line, beginning to spin rapidly.
You are familiar with the conversion of mass into energy, correct? Nealaphh said as the internal lights of each Aspect began to flare into brilliance.
"...Indeed I am..." Tom said, watching with a raised eyebrow. In the next instant, there came a brilliant scintillation of raw radiance from each of the Aspects. Tom needed to shield his eyes for a moment, but once they had adjusted, he has to admit that the sight was rather impressive. It seemed that each of these entities was now blasting through the ancient black trunks with a razor thin beam of intense energy. The cacophany was unequaled in its timbre as the heavy oaks and yews crashed to the ground all around them.
"Well. This will certainly speed things along. What else can they do?" Tom asked glancing over at his tenebrous cohort.
What do you need them to do?
And, we dream of home I dream of life out of here Their dreams are small My dreams don't know fear I got my heart full of hope I will change everything No matter what I'm told How impossible it seems We did it before And we'll do it again We're indestructible Even when we're tired And we've been here before Just you and I
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued