trans_9 | (no subject)

Pop. Pop pop pop. Poppuhpoppoppop. KASCHUNKhiiiiiiiissssss.

There was condensation and mist spraying out from cracks in oblong glowing things that were clustered along the floors and walls of the huge, ancient-looking caverns.

For now, the ones that were cracking were the closest to the floor, but perhaps later, the figures sliding out of the pods would be sliding out onto the slimy walkways and platforms above.

Pop. Poppop. KASCHUNKhiiiiiissss.

There was light, and unconscious minds breaking through the top of the briny, harsh waters of consciousness, as their bodies did similarly and broke free from the pods, sliding to the floor, shivering in pools of slime.

Once the temporary blindness that some of them had passed, and once they were free of their sleepy stupors: somebody had some splainin' to do.

But there would be no explanations, as the only thing that could explain was only watching, silently, almost as a mother would look at their child right after it was born.

Pop. KASCHUNKhissss.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

||You are in the Pod Caverns, Havelock Vetinari.||

"I see. Is that part of the new wing at the University?" Oh, those wizards really had gone too far! "And WHERE are my clothes? I AM the Patrician, you know?"

||It is not a part of the University. If you desire clothes, I can direct you to the Clothing Room.||

"Well, I suppose that would be a reasonable place to start." He looks around, picks a direction and starts striding purposefully as another suspicion crosses his mind. He pauses and glances around, looking for something... or someone. Eventually he addresses the disembodied voice again.

"I don't suppose you have seen a certain gentleman, have you? A polite person, pale looking with a robe and scythe?"

||No.||

There's a slight pause.

||You are going the wrong direction, Havelock Vetinari. Please follow the lighted path.||

A line of pustules along the ground began to glow, leading off in the other direction.

He halts and peers at the lights curiously for a moment, before turning to follow the trail. He still carries Wuffles tucked over his arm. Even though Wuffles isn't walking, he still weezes somewhat.

Vetinari glances from side to side supiciously, inpecting everything he sees. "So tell me, Miss Disembodied voice," he says after a while. "WHY am I here?"

||You have been Chosen.||

"Chosen? Chosen for what, exactly?"

||You and others like you have been brought here to accomplish something great.||

"Others like me? Other rulers?" He considers this as he wanders onwards. "I was not advised of any such gathering."

||Others who have been taken. Others may or may not be rulers of some sort.||

"Hmm. Then I have three questions." He counts them off on his long spindly fingers as he walks. "First. What is this great deed that is to be accomplished? Second. Who exactly are YOU, my disembodied friend? And third. How much further to the clothing room?"

There is a whine from Wuffles.

"And fourth. Wuffles needs food. The premium type that comes in gravy. Not any of this jelly nonsense."

||Information classified. I am--|| Vetinari would feel a burst of feelings and emotions inside his own head. Duty. Maternal love, honor. ||The closet pronunciation that can be duplicated by your vocal chords is STA'C K'LTRRB'TXFT. But you may call me Stacy, if you would prefer. Not far. Food will be provided for yourself and your canine.||

There was a pause between each answer, but no other non-verbal information.

Getting answers pleased him.

"I see... Stacy. You have been most helpful. Who are these others whom you have brought here? Are any of them wizards?"

||Many of your podmates are waiting in the Living Area.|| Stacy answered.

The glowing pustules lead him upwards on a spiraling path through the caverns. At the end, there was a curious cylindrical structure that reached from floor to ceiling. A door in the side of the structure opened to reveal a room, empty except for some sort of vines hanging from the ceiling.

||Please move to the center of the room.||

"Hmmm. As you wish."

Vetinari picks up Wuffles again and moves to the centre as directed, then peers upwards curiously.

"Are you sure this isn't the University?"