Network, backdated to the 10th

[crystalmaster]

Radley rarely posts, even though he comments a lot to others. When the video comes on, he looks badly shaken and worried.

"I came out this morning and the place was like a ghost town!" he exclaims. "What's going on?! Did almost everyone get sent back at once?!"

And why would he be left behind? He looks frightened, even terrified by the thought. When he speaks again, his voice is quieter but wobbly.

"Please ... someone answer...."

Comments

[stitch_witch]

Yes please.

[The Agrii haven't blocked her from it before.]

[crystalmaster]

[Radley isn't sure how determined they are to keep the captured from being found.]

Coming right up.

[He smiles and goes to get the porridge. He comes back with two bowls and some various toppings Lark can choose from.]

[stitch_witch]

[Honestly, neither is Lark.]

Oh you're such a dear. That smells so good. Here, let me just...

[She grabs the honey pot and pours some into the porridge. And of course the dried fruit bits.]

The quality of the cooking has markedly improved since you joined us, Radley. No shame given to young Thomas, but thank you.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley smiles, definitely pleased.]

Why, thank you. I do my best.

[He adds a few things to his own bowl and starts to eat.]

[stitch_witch]

[Lark focuses on her own meal quite seriously, intending to get through it with speed in addition to delicate grace. The map is important. Once the bowl is finished she takes a deep breath, pulls out the spools of thread, and puts them between her and the frame.]

Time to start. Thank you very much for the meal.

[crystalmaster]

Sure.

[Radley smiles and leans back, curious to see how this works.]

[stitch_witch]

[Lark does not even start with magic. She just strings the loom, prepares her shuttle, and works. And once she gets going her fingers are practically flying. There's no magic involved in this, just skill and experience. She doesn't even have to look.]

Do people still do this by hand in your time?"

[crystalmaster]

[Radley is fascinated.]

Yeah, they do. My grandmother does it sometimes.

[stitch_witch]

Oh? What does she like to make?

[She smiles and continues working.]

This is so much easier with a full loom, but maps are better smaller.

[crystalmaster]

Blankets, usually. Sometimes shawls.

[He chuckles.]

Yeah, a blanket-sized map is probably a bad idea.

[To say the least.]

[stitch_witch]

Oh it would be.

[She laughs and stops for a moment to stretch her fingers.]

Would you like one? A shawl?

[crystalmaster]

A shawl?

[He ponders. He hadn't ever thought of having one, but ...]

That would be pretty nice in cooler weather.

[stitch_witch]

Then I'll see that one is made for you. But not until we get toward fall.

[She returns to her weaving, which is already more than half done.]

[crystalmaster]

That'd be nice. Thanks.

[Radley studies the weaving, still fascinated by the quick pace.]

[stitch_witch]

Another ten minutes of focused work and Lark takes a deep breath before tying off her threads. She lifts the cloth from the loom and stretches her fingers again before laying the cloth on the table]

And here's the magical part.

[She places her hands above the cloth, closes her eyes, and delves into her power. And a point of color appears in the middle of the map and then flows out from there like water color paint. And it's very detailed, like the city itself, or the maps on their comm devices. Or a part of it. A dot of several colors rests in the middle.]

We should compare this to the comm map. It will tell us where.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley watches in definite fascination.]

Wow.

... Oh right.

[He takes out his communicator and brings up the map.]

[stitch_witch]

[And Lark watches him make the comparisons. The map would of course point to where the tunnel down to calibrations was.]

At least they are all together?

[crystalmaster]

Yeah, that's good. I guess if they can't get out, I probably can't get in. Or if I do, I'll just be caught too.

[He grimaces.]

But I'll try anyway. Thanks a lot.

[He smiles.]

[stitch_witch]

Perhaps.

[She looks tired now. And so she yawns.]

I would join you in searching but I think I need to rest.

[crystalmaster]

Yeah, you should. If you don't hear from me again, I guess you can figure I found them.

[stitch_witch]

Oh dear. That's horrible to hear, but I do wish you luck.

[She does offer him a smile.]

Might I beg some tea?

[crystalmaster]

Thanks.

[It's definitely an unsettling prospect. Radley feels he has to look for them at least once, but part of him hopes he won't find the way in if he can't help them anyway.]

Sure. Any particular kind?

[stitch_witch]

Green if you have it. And thank you, Radley. You have been so wonderfully helpful.

[crystalmaster]

Sure.

[Radley smiles and gets up to get the tea. He's thinking hard now. He doesn't know how many are here, but he's pretty sure it's not many. If he can't help the others anyway and just gets caught too, that certainly won't do any good. He's relieved to know they are indeed together, and he'll likely go see what the area is like, but ... now he's thinking more and more that his place is here. He could actually do good here. It would be foolish to throw that away.

He soon comes back with the tea.]

Here it is.

[stitch_witch]

Thank you very much. And my dear, be careful with this information. It would be horrible if you were caught too.