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[Harry Baldman]

"Oh, then no. All due respect, but no can do. I'm trying to iterate and prove my own design, not become a part of yours. Sorry, I-Dog."

"Right, then. Are you talking to any of the other unfleshy people with me, or am I particularly special in some way? Any of them going for your offers?"

[WillowLuman]

Ask them. It is so rare for it to be a true question. Those who came before could not resist, due to their natures.

[Harry Baldman]

"I don't see them anywhere, so I think I'll ask them later, thanks."

"So. We went beyond the event horizon. Let me ask you this: have we been transported outside of the event horizon of the black hole?"

[WillowLuman]

You have passed through the declaration of a border.

[Arcvasti]

Cathelyn dreamed. Or at least entered a meditative state during which past experiences are amalgamated with speculation to create a semi-cohesive whole.

Spoiler: Dreamy stuff (click to show/hide)

Cathelyn was in the Temple. It was called something different in their native tongue, but "Temple" was its closest equivalent. Situated beneath one of the deeper lakes, it was a vast structure of stone fitted together with no visible mortar. Thousands upon thousands of Yilgs, Cathelyn included, had built it stone by stone, lifting with their entire amoebic form. Cathelyn had no real notion of how long the process had taken, despite having participated in nearly all of it. Having lived for as long as they had, it was difficult to seperate memory by time. Even the Architects did not foresee the longevity of the Yilgs. What few of them were still left had to deal with nearly a million years of memories. Or perhaps more. What is to differentiate one monotonous day moving rocks or cultivating algae from another? The Temple was the most holy place of the Yilgs, where the Architects had descended from the stars. Here prophecy said they would return again to reclaim their lands. But they'd never come back. And that was why Cathelyn was here: To find them.

%C'th'l'n, are you prepared to receive the R'h'l'k?&

Like many of the more religous Yilgs, T'k'l still communicated in the True Tongue, that given directly by the Architects. T'k'l was the R'h's'g'th of the Temple, effectively the high priest. Their main charge was the remembrance of the R'h'l'k, the holy prophecies of the Architects' return. Usually no one but the next R'h's'g'th was allowed to hear the R'h'l'k. But these were unusual times.

%I am&

%As has been passed down from me from Y'h'g'th and before them L'v'c't and before them the Architects themselves, so I pass down the R'h'l'k to you that they may be finally fulfilled.&

%Beyond world's edge&
%through darkened star&
%when memory fades&
%and promises dwindle&

%Dwell forerunners&
%in perfect clarity&
%those who came before&
%will come again&


As always, the symmetrical rhyming cadence of the R'h'l'n[or Scripture] struck Cathelyn with its beauty.

Question.

%What ARE you? Have I actually found THEM?&

[kj1225]

Indigo hears a voice reply over her ear piece, a voice she cannot quite describe the sound of, but is sure of its words. "Do you think you shall ever atone for your sins?"

Indigo doesn't respond for a while, pondering.
"If I never receive forgiveness, then the ones who would deny me are unworthy of my time. I have a single purpose, and I do what I must to achieve it."

[WillowLuman]

Indigo hears a voice reply over her ear piece, a voice she cannot quite describe the sound of, but is sure of its words. "Do you think you shall ever atone for your sins?"

Indigo doesn't respond for a while, pondering.
"If I never receive forgiveness, then the ones who would deny me are unworthy of my time. I have a single purpose, and I do what I must to achieve it."

"Where did you get your purpose?"

[kj1225]

"The mall, the fuck do you think? I get my purpose from the satisfaction I get after doing things, whether it's protecting people or eating a really big breakfast... Okay, that second one isn't a good analogy but that's besides the point."

[WillowLuman]

The voice continues from over the earpiece. "Do you miss your connection?"

[kj1225]

"Of course not. It's just part of my life. Eventually, everything dies. It's a fact of the universe."

[WillowLuman]

"To the outside world..." The doors of the room slam shut, and the lights dim.

[kj1225]

"No offense, but that sounds like something out of a pretentious sci-fi movie."
Indigo looks to the doors.

[Harry Baldman]

"Helpful. Guessing that's a no on the transportation front. Okay then, is there anybody else here aside from me and my acquaintances or you?"

[WillowLuman]

Question.

%What ARE you? Have I actually found THEM?&

Do you see those on the satellite below? Does their faith seem similar to that which you knew before?

"Helpful. Guessing that's a no on the transportation front. Okay then, is there anybody else here aside from me and my acquaintances or you?"

Spacetime itself ripples with uncounted voices and thoughts. You have also seen already others who have fallen in, who shout still, though perhaps you are the first to dive. Others are silent: do they sleep, or have they ceased to be? Doubtless, you will find them. Beyond the event horizon, all paths lie inevitably in the same direction, converging eventually.

[Harry Baldman]

"Right. Thought as much. Well, that's all for my questions, I-Dog. Wouldn't be right to keep bothering you with every little niggle, am I right? I'd like to go back to my business. I mean, if you don't mind and don't want to know anything else."