Stimulating Camus the Cocoon, Hallifaxian Edition

Daraius

Daraius is pretty thoroughly agnostic, meaning he's not one to really care at all about anything god-related. Still, I try not to just flat out refuse RP opportunities, so this happened. Since half of it was telepathic, I didn't bother editing the perspective.

Sheikh tells you, "Greetings."

Sheikh tells you, "Aha, it worked. I am speaking with the Hallifaxian ambassador, yes?"

You tell Whelp Sheikh, "Correct.

Sheikh tells you, "Excellent. I am contacting you to offer you a rare opportunity. My friend cocoon 

requests to speak to those of other cultures -- and Hallifax is one of those. It would please my 

friend cocoon greatly if you would come and deliver your ideals to him."

Sheikh tells you, "It will help shape his development."

Sheikh tells you, "May I escort you to the Eternal Flame?"

You tell Whelp Sheikh, "It is an unusual request. I take it your friend is not a mortal being."

Sheikh tells you, "That is correct."

You tell Whelp Sheikh, "I will need assurance that I will not be assaulted or molested in any way by 

your friend or your fellow citizens."

Chirbo tells you, "You will be fine, if any bother you please let me know and I will have them dealt 

with."

Sheikh tells you, "You have my word as a Templar that I will try to stave off any unwanted contact."

[to the Flame]

Camus:

He is a radiant immortal and is enveloped in a hot semi-hard pulsating cocoon. With each pulse, a 

magma-like substance is pumped out into his veins, which illuminates the shell in a manner 

strikingly similar to the Eternal Flame, and reveals the slumbering creature within the cocoon. Soon 

after, the intravenous magma and light fades again. Each pulse is accompanied by a small wave of 

heat, and the sound of a heartbeat. He is wearing a chitinous shell.

Whelp Sheikh says to Camus, "I have brought you an outsider."

Camus pulses excitedly, spreading heat in the area, at your approach.

Whelp Sheikh says to Camus, "He wishes to be untouched, but I understand that you only communicate 

telepathically. So that should not be an issue."

Daraius Shevat assesses Camus with careful scrutiny, dipping his muzzle slightly in 

acknowledgement.

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Hallifaxian."

Camus pulses somewhat more somberly, for a few moments.

You ask, "What is it you wished you know about my city?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I am of the Flame. A spark in the eye of 

my Once-Body, Alary. I was pulled from the socket by the Lord and Lady."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "One told me of Hallifax. Twice three 

others spoke. Hallifax. Shining city in the sky. Of glass and bound Truth. Piercing insight and 

piercing spear through multitude of perspectives."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "What is it, Hallifaxian? What is the 

spear. What is the city?"

Daraius Shevat's ears swivel attentively towards Camus, though he guardedly watches 

the others gathered.

Camus pulses somewhat excitedly for a few moments.

Synkarin enters from the up, emanating an aura of immense power.

Farlaris bows respectfully to Camus.

Synkarin says to Camus, "Here is another you can speak with."

Ixion doffs a visored darksteel greathelm to Camus.

Kalas Ixion, The Devouring Blade says to Camus, "Hello once more, Cocoon."

Synkarin says, "Ah, you've already met, excellent."

Ixion nods his head emphatically.

You say to Camus, "The city is the Beacon of Harmony, so called because ours is a society of order, 

balance, and truth."

You say to Camus, "Guided by law, and structured by our castes, we uphold and facilitate the noble 

work of our artists and scholars. Theirs is the pursuit of truth, and ours is to support them."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Yes. Your truth is true. It is the Beacon.

 A shining light, maybe. A piercing light. I am half-wake, and half-understand. I am dreaming, but 

ever do I tire. I am of manifold paradigms and many are illusions, maybe. But Hallifax. There is 

Hallifax. Other thoughts come, and go. But Hallifax, the Idea, the Image, refuses to blend, to fade.

"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "It disturbs me, Hallifaxian."

Daraius's whiskers twitch subtly.

You ask Camus, "Permanence disturbs you?"

Whelp Sheikh says to you, "As I understand it, Camus was once something else. A Cinderfly? Now he is 

a friend cocoon."

Kalas Ixion, The Devouring Blade says to Camus, "Do You know what will occur once You emerge from 

the Cocoon? Will that even happen?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Everything is shifting. Everything at its 

root. Truth is subjective. But the truth of Hallifax is that truth is permanence. This is a 

disturbing thing. It is not merely a difference of opinion, Hallifaxian. It is an existential threat.

 Do you see?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "It is not flights of fancy, it is not 

mere triflings. Hallifax knows that truth can be Found. That it lies permanent. Gaudiguch, my City, 

knows that truth is impermanent. It can be Interpreted. It is two things, that can not Be."

Daraius Shevat's eyes dim and his ears fall back against his head as he regards 

Camus, a subtle growl in his chest.

Camus pulses, and twitches, excitedly.

Turning up his paws in a benign kind of shrug, silver script visible across his palms, you say, "It 

is not the Hallifaxian perspective that is wrong."

Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame rolls her eyes heavily.

Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame says, "Bunch of boring crystal freaks, I tell ya. All 

cold and emotionless - probably not a heart that beats in the whole damn city."

"Shhh!" Synkarin hisses softly at Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame.

Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame sniffs at the air and perks up slightly, as if she can 

smell the faintest waft of alcohol in the air.

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I do not know. I am half-dreaming. I do 

not know if you are wrong. I do not know if Gaudiguch is."

Synkarin says to Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame, "Lets not offend delicate 

sensibilities."

Camus grows somewhat more somber, as an ember.

Daraius

The body of Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin appears in a flash and her soul 

descends to fill it, causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin says, "Woah."

Daraius Shevat dips his muzzle in acknowledgement to Camus.

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin looks confused and says, "Am...am I still 

asleep?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I know that it can not Be. For Hallifax, 

it is one or the other. But you must know, that for Gaudiguch, it can be true both. One thing can Be,

 and not Be. Do you see how this is disturbing?"

Chirbo, the Beloved Painter says, "No."

Chirbo, the Beloved Painter says, "He's really here."

Whelp Sheikh says, "No. I have successfully escorted a Hallifaxian diplomat to the Eternal Flame."

Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame rolls her eyes heavily.

Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame says, "Bunch of boring crystal freaks, I tell ya. All 

cold and emotionless - probably not a heart that beats in the whole damn city."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I do not understand you. I can not. My 

being is not made to understand you."

Whelp Sheikh says, "He is stimulating Camus."

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin whispers to Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the 

Eternal Flame, "You're not supposed to say that when one's standing right there."

Chirbo, the Beloved Painter says to Iari, "He's requested we don't molest him."

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin says, "Stimulate? Molest? What is even going on 

here!"

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin frowns and says to Camus, "Are you alright, 

friend-Camus?"

Synkarin says to Iari, "Camus is growing."

A small huff of a growl escapes Daraius Shevat's chest, his ears twitching at the 

conversation around him as his gaze remains fixed on Camus.

Synkarin says to Iari, "By listening to others."

Ayossa says, "Stimulation, molestation and growing."

Ayossa says, "Is happening."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "What is Hallifax? Glass and permanence. 

And crystals. And sky. And cold, and lies. And Truths in stone and Truths in books. What is 

Gaudiguch? Impermanence and shifts and changes. For Hallifax A is A, for Gaudiguch all things are 

One, and all things are both True and False."

Camus pulses, almost frenzied, very excitedly.

Iari Damascene leans closer to peer more intently at Camus.

You say to Camus, "We are not made to understand each other, perhaps."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "If we are right your city can not exist, 

your ideals are wrong. If you are right we are merely pretending to understand, but we are fooling 

ourselves. Do you know?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "In another world, maybe, we could be 

dearest friends. Hallifaxian. But we are fundamentally Unlike. What is the point of searching for 

objective Truth and Beauty if Truth and Beauty are subjective?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "What is the point of searching for an 

understanding of Manifold Paradigms, if all things are permanent? If Truth exists outside of our 

perception?"

Daraius's tail flicks briefly behind him, either in agitation or excitement.

Camus buzzes like a bee. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

You say to Camus, "That is the question you must answer for yourself. The correct perspective is 

clear enough for me."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I know why we are unlike, I think. I half-

dream, and half-know."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Will you hear my thought, Hallifaxian?"

Gesturing acquiescence, you say to Camus, "I did agree to come here."

A dove comes flying into the room, deposits an arctic wolf origami into your hands, warbles 

cheerfully, and flies away.

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Your city is built on the understanding 

that we can find Real Truth, outside of any subjective experience. That Truth is something we can 

measure, if we had the perfect tools and instruments. If we divorced ourselves entirely from the 

situation. My city is built on the understanding that truth is an illusion, of sorts. Or a multitude.

 Real Truth, outside of our subjective experiences, do not, and Can Not exist. We can not divorce 

objectivity from subjective evaluation of the world."

Daraius tucks the origami discreetly in his briefcase, a subtle sparkle manifesting 

in his eyes.

Camus almost visibly seems to grow underneath the cocoon.

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "This opposition stimulates me. It makes 

me feel Alive. It makes me Grow. I can not accept Hallifax, for it is all that I am Not."

Ponderously, Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin says to Camus, "Have you decided 

what you want to be, yet?"

His whiskers twitching, you say to Camus, "If you cannot see the absurdity of that view, you may be 

correct."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I want to believe that in some manner I 

can understand. Grasp. But I might be fooling myself. Do you believe, you can understand, 

Hallifaxian?"

A dove comes flying into the room, deposits a polar bear origami into your hands, warbles cheerfully,

 and flies away.

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Maybe we are locked in one grand equation,

 and our cities are philosophical concepts that oppose and require each other. Maybe, that is wrong. 

Maybe one or the other can exist, without the other. Maybe it should."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "But I am full of maybes. My city is full 

of maybes. Your city, is full of certainties. Are you certain? I hope you are."

You nod your head at Camus.

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Good."

Distantly, Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin says to Camus, "Perhaps. Is there 

anything I can do to help you along?"

Turning up his paws again, you say, "I am certain that all will turn to the Beacon of Harmony, 

perhaps not in my lifetime or yours."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "In my dreams I saw a massive set. And all 

went their own way, in a multitude of directions. I saw one, and it Refused."

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin looks thoughtful and says to Camus, "I'm afraid 

I don't know him very well. I could guess, if you'd like."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Refused the Chaos, the beautiful whole. 

Tethered itself, against all hope. Made permanence."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Swallow, and regiment, and Perfect."

Daraius Shevat swivels one ear attentively towards Camus, but the other lies back 

flat against his head.

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "But to me it seemed like destruction."

Iari nods her head sagely at Camus.

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin smiles and says to Camus, "I'll return with 

something suitable."

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin looks thoughtful and says, "Let me see."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "How do you refuse? How can you at once be 

of the set, but apart from it. Everything refuses regimentation, but you refuse regimentation of the 

Chaotic whole, by regimenting, codifying reality. An the more you codify, the more you swallow of 

our eternal anomie. An anomaly that refuses anomalies, that locks everything in patterns. Crystals 

and glass and sky, and time."

Camus pulses, somewhat agitated.

You say to Camus, "You are speaking of mere dreams."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Yes. That is what I am."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I have learned much from you, Hallifaxian.

"

Chirbo suddenly inhales deeply.

Alpha Xaldrin Somnius, the Dreameater says, "Mere dreams?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I have learned what I am not."

You nod your head at Camus, showing your acceptance.

With a pleased smile Iari Damascene returns with a bottle in hand, which is promptly presented to 

you.

You ask, "But not what you are?"

Iari gives a bottle to you.

Cheerily, Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin says to you, "A gift, from Camus."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "I am that I am not you. I am that I am 

shifting, changing, malleable."

Daraius Shevat dips his muzzle in acknowledgement to Iari, asking, "Is it poison?"

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "You are, in part, that I am not you. I am 

that I am Gaudiguch. As all who are touched by it are."

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin looks skeptical and says to you, "I should hope 

not. That would be very embarrassing."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Flesh and blood and Flame and growth and 

change. Endless potential that never comes to full bloom. I am that I am not perfection, stagnant, 

and forever locked."

A low growl rises in Daraius's chest, but his stance and expression remain placid.

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin says to you, "Ahem. To be more clear, no. It's 

tea. Do you like tea?"

Iari creases her brow in a frown.

Camus shifts inside his cocoon, uneasily.

Muffin Princess Iari Damascene, of Saffron and Satin looks skeptical and says, "I thought tea would 

be a more Hallifaxian thing than whiskey."

Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame rolls her eyes heavily.

Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame says, "Bunch of boring crystal freaks, I tell ya. All 

cold and emotionless - probably not a heart that beats in the whole damn city."

You say, "Be what you will, as long as it is not a threat to the Collective."

Masqued Marshal Ilthilior n'Lochli, The Queen's Own Torturer looks skeptical and says, "I'll take a 

shot of whiskey if we're serving."

He-Who-Avenges-Kittens Malarious, Winner of Bar Fights says, "You can always poor a bit of whiskey 

in your tea."

Indicating Camus with a tilt of his muzzle, you say to Iari, "It is occupying my attention."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Our existence threaten each other. Not 

just culturally. Not just militarily."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "Existentially. Philosophically."

The Divine voice of Camus the Cocoon echoes in your head, "But that is just. My dreams. My idle 

thoughts. It was good to talk with you, Hallifaxian. That is All."

Whelp Sheikh says to you, "I will escort you to the Aetherplex, Ambassadog."

Whelp Sheikh says, "Ambassador."

Daraius Shevat nods briefly to Camus, his fur bristling subtly before serenity 

reclaims his features.

You say, "I will see myself home."

Daraius executes a curt bow.

Shonjir

This is all awesome, but this bit in particular.

Daraius said:

Whelp Sheikh says to you, "I will escort you to the Aetherplex, Ambassadog."

Aeldra

Thanks for sharing! Always nice to interesting and well done roleplay interactions, divine or not. :-)

Reminds mt that Celest's elders don't seem to ever wake when I am playing, though =((

Daraius

Shonjir said:

This is all awesome, but this bit in particular.

Daraius said:

Whelp Sheikh says to you, "I will escort you to the Aetherplex, Ambassadog."

I've come to regret unleashing that moniker on the world.  :-<

Sylandra

So pleased my origami spam showed up, but I cannot believe you censored FTells.

Including but not limited to:

(House Shevat): You say, "Dearest, I don't mean to pry, but why are you at the Eternal Flame?"

Tridemon

Yeah, I noticed that, too. I checked his honours to make sure he hadn't moved away from home!

Vivet

This was pretty cool, thanks for sharing!

Luce

Another conversation between Camus and a Shevat shall be found here.

Adding rather than making my own thread, because this felt like a continuation of the Ambassadog's conversation

Tylwyth

I talked to him. THen I heard he hatched?

I assumed they were pulling my leg, not sure?