Return To Devokan

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Quinquifid Oddenfen
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Quinquifid Oddenfen »

Today I received notification that the final consignment of crates I ordered from Ms VirtualChristine's museum and emporium has been delivered. Ms Christine, together with others, specialises in researching and sourcing Ms Aley-Arcadia's splendid machines and structures to the wider metaverse.

The crates seem to have survived the necessarily complex journey through spacetime, but their labels have fallen off -- and there are more of them than I remember ordering. I have temporarily placed them on Touchstone's central square to facilitate sorting.
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Danko Whitfield »

In my Winterfell office, going through the morning correspondence. A telegram from Quin made me drop everything...

EXCITING NEWS! BREAKTHROUGH! SHOULD RESTRUCTURE OUR AGREEMENT RE AGES IN YOUR CARE. MUST MEET!

I couldn't begin to guess at what this breakthrough might be or why it would affect my work for The Trust but I was excited by Quin's telegram just the same.

I would go straight to meet him in... ????? Where exactly?

Hmmm.

I grabbed my coat and bag and headed for the door, nearly knocking over my assistant in the process.

"I'm off, Mr. Afterthought," I said as I brushed passed him.

"Where to, sir?" he called after me as I opened the door.

"Oh....Evergreen...Devokan...somewhere around then," I shouted.

I can imagine the look on his face.

I can imagine it because I've seen it before.

And that rolling of the eyes too.
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Quinquifid Oddenfen »

The invoice for some of the new equipment arrived today. I had better contact Ms Dot. It needs paying, and I am unsure whether current Trust funds will cover it.

I expect I will be treated to a lecture as a result. :roll:

Ms Dot has little conception of the importance of having the correct tools.
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Pip Zeplin »

It was Monday, the 7th. Was up and off early that morning as the first stop was at the far end of my route, Evergreen. It is a long journey but generally pleasant. Have been making this trip since the first of last year, twice a month, to care for the buildings and restock the supplies of the gentlemen working there, Mr. Whitfield and Mr. Oddenfen. They are not in residence often. I report to Mr. Whitfield. He comes in each month for a day or two, sometimes more but Mr. Oddenfen's visits are rare. Only met the gentleman, twice. They are both quite proper and friendly with me, a pleasure to work for.

Each trip is the same. Visit each of the four areas, the gentlemen refer to them as Ages, and make sure nothing is out of place. Replenish the supplies at Mr. Whitfield's office in the castle and at the two residences. There is much territory to cover including areas in the sky, so it takes several hours to complete my task. This trip was to be no different.

But in Mr. Oddenfen's house, his study-retreat, there was a note for me. First time ever. Mr. Whitfield often leaves a note, as I say, I report to him, but not Mr. Oddenfen. Was quite curious to read it but I completed my rounds first.

When done, sat on a bench on Garden Island and opened the envelope. Mr. Oddenfen directed me to pack up quite a number of his belongings, though not all. They were to be prepared for shipping though he did not say where. Must be he will make those arrangements himself.

Had to send word home not to hold dinner. There was a lot of packing to do, several hours worth, many boxes. At nearly midnight in the local time, decided to call it a day and spend the night. Finished the job by late morning. Wrote a note for Mr. Whitfield and was off by noon, wondering if all this would have any affect on my arrangement. Hope not. It's a long trip but the work is pleasant and the pay is quite good.
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Quinquifid Oddenfen »

I was grateful for Mr Zeplin's efforts -- he took great care, as Mr Whitfield had previously intimated.

It has taken time to arrange shipment, but that necessary chore is now complete.

I'm looking forward to this next stage of experimentation.

One possible difficulty: funding. Was it ever not thus?
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Re: Return To Devokan

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I have now read every book on the shelves of my retreat in Kamar. I had already brought all the paperwork up to date; corresponded with Mr. Zeplin; toured the Ages, toured them again; picked up the odd prim that I must have left there eons ago (I wanted to say "ages" ago but I've already used that joke more than once)...There was nothing else to do here.

Should I just go home to Winterfell now? And then have to make the trip back later? That would be a wasted effort. So I just sit here. Damn! I'm a time traveller - a man on the go! I enjoy just sitting around doing nothing when that is my choice but sitting around doing nothing because one has no control over the situation is another matter entirely.

I mixed a G&T while I considered the options, such as they are.

I have been here every day for nearly a month. Well, not every day. I've had to travel back and forth to Winterfell a couple of times and to Dankoville too. And there were a couple of side trips here and there, now and then. But I have been here often. Doing what I have done so many times over the past four years...

Waiting for Quin.

(I've been threatening to write a song with that title. It would be something to sing or whistle while I wait.)

Waiting for Quin,
When has he been?
Waiting for Quin once again.

When will he be in?
Shall I pour more gin -
While I sing the same old refrain?...

Waiting for Quin....

I put down my G&T and picked up the telegram and read it again.

EXCITING NEWS! BREAKTHROUGH! SHOULD RESTRUCTURE OUR AGREEMENT RE AGES IN YOUR CARE. MUST MEET!

"Must meet!" Yeah, sounds urgent there Quin. Real urgent.

Waiting for Quin
When has he been?
Waiting for Quin once again...

(whistles)
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Dot Macchi »

This last batch of invoices of lab equipment Quin sent to me for payment was the final straw. He is using a new supplier -- VRsimility. Yes, the items are reasonably priced, and well made. But the quantities he has ordered are beyond reasonable -- and the total cost way beyond what is left in the Trust's bank account.

It was time to have a face-to-face discussion. Just where did he think he was going to find the money he was frittering away so frighteningly fast? I therefore made my way to Touchstone for the first time in many weeks.

The sun was just setting when I arrived. I went straight to the lab -- no Quin. Then to the tower study -- still no sign of him.

Finally, I glimpsed a light in one of the buildings on the main square. There he was, opening crates, checking their contents against a long list.

"Ah, Ms Dot. The final consignment has just arrived. I now have all I need for the next stage."

"That's all very well, Quin," I replied, "but the Trust has run out of funds. How do you propose paying for this work?"

"I am sorry, Ms Dot, but I cannot tell you at this point. Not until I have been able to discuss matters with my good friend, Mr Whitfield. Good day to you."

And with that he turned and walked determinedly towards his cottage.

I hope this meeting with Danko takes place soon. Quin doesn't have to deal with the missives from the bank.
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Danko Whitfield »

I took the boat from the house in Kamar down to Selenitica in the morning, just as I always do when I stay here. As I began to climb the hill to make my way to the castle and my makeshift office, I could smell wood burning. Quin! He's here!!

When I reached the top of the hill on Arrival Island, I could see the smoke coming from the chimney of Quin's retreat. Finally!!

Instead of turning right toward the castle, I headed left to cross the bridge to Garden Island and walked to the bridge to Quin's Island. As I passed through the gardens, I heard a voice calling.

"Mr. Whitfield -- good morning!"

"Hello Quin!" I shouted back.

He met me halfway along the bridge and we shook hands and exchanged further greetings and went inside where Quin had prepared coffee for the two of us. Apparently, he had expected me.

"I hope you won't mind, Mr. Whitfield, if I get straight to business? It is rather urgent," he said as we took seats in the observatory and looked out at the rock islands of Selenitica and beyond to the Sky Tree towering over the waters and swamps of Tao.

"Please do."

"Selenitica will return," he said.

I admit, I almost did a double take...as we were sitting right there in Selenitica when he said it. Once in awhile even a veteran time traveller like myself can lose track of time and forget when he is and have to take a moment to get his bearings but this was not one of those times. So I didn't do a double take. In fact, I didn't even do a single take. I just sat there, blankly listening...as if nothing odd had been said...and hoped I would be able to decipher what he was talking about.

"While some questions remain and our efforts must be accelerated," Quin went on, "there has been substantial progress."

"Excellent," I responded, figuring that was an appropriate response, substantial progress and all.

Quin went on to explain what he was referring to. In great detail. I know others complain he is usually rather light on the details, making it hard to figure out just what he is doing most of the time and why. But sometimes I'd like to change places with those people. It's hard to get Quin to stay put for very long but when I have had the pleasure, he certainly has not been shy about giving me the details of whatever he is working on at the time. We seem to have a special bond, always have. So - when I can get Quin's attention - I get more than my share of details.

But with Quin, the devil is in understanding the details.

A lot of it went right over my head. I'm just a simple explorer and time traveller, not a scientist nor a genius. But I listened closely, just the same. Anyway, Quin knew what he was talking about and that is all that really matters.

".....So of course, you can clearly see our only option is to make some changes in this instance of Selenitica," he concluded.

I nodded in agreement. I didn't grasp what he meant but it didn't really seem like there was a choice, so I just nodded. He kept talking and I kept nodding.

He kept referring to this instance of Selenitica and some other instance of it and -- in what I hoped would be taken for the little joke that it was -- the next time he referred to changes "in this instance of Selenitica," I responded by saying, "For instance?"

Well, I thought it was funny. Not fall over and die funny, just lightly funny. Something to bring a little smile at approximately 7:30 in the morning while still on the first coffee. (Not to imply that I ever know what time it is here, just a guess.) But Quin took it as a straight question and went right on to answer it, "Well, the name for one," he said.

"The name?"

"We certainly can't have two Seleniticas at the same time, Mr. Whitfield!" he laughed as if I had made a joke. (I had but he was laughing at my second question rather than the first.)

"No," I said, "we certainly can't have that."

"So you can see the problem?" he said.

Well no, not exactly. Actually I have no idea what we're talking about. But I wasn't going to say that.

"Yes," I said. He smiled. I could see he was relieved.

I had to think fast to come up with something to say that would not only make sense to Quin but also help me find out what was going on here.

"What would you have me do?" I ventured.

"Oh, sir, it would not be appropriate for me to decide. It is really up to you."

Great.

"But may I suggest?..."

"Oh, please do," I interrupted, "feel free. I would be interested in your advice on this matter."

He smiled. "You might consider not only renaming Selenitica itself but this entire world, Evergreen, as a whole." He paused. I nodded. "And use the new name for both."

I nodded still again. It was becoming clearer now. If I have the gist of it, Quin has figured a way to "reconstitute" a previous incarnation of Selenitica...or some facsimile thereof, I think. Something truer to the original Selenitica - after which this one was named - or maybe it is the original...or a derivative...or...

Look, it doesn't really matter whether I "get it" or not. There is going to be another place known as Selenitica and Quin apparently wants me to select a new name for this one. Okay, I can do that.

"I will begin thinking about a name today," I said. He smiled. "How long are you here?" I asked.

"I must leave tomorrow," he said

"Well, due to the urgent nature of this matter, I will have a new name for you by the end of the day," I said, smiling and thinking our discussion had ended successfully.

But Quin's smile was replaced by a more serious face. "Proper naming is quite important, Mr. Whitfield but the urgency in this case is in regard to something else," he said.

"Oh." This had the feeling of one of those "good news/bad news" conversations. Apparently, the name changing was the good news.

"There is the financial aspect, of course," he said, trying to smile.

"Of course," I said as I remembered the phrase from his telegram: '...SHOULD RESTRUCTURE OUR AGREEMENT RE AGES IN YOUR CARE..."

"In order to pursue my efforts to return Selenitica fully," he went on, "I find myself, sadly, once again in need of funds. Substantial funds, I'm afraid."

Uh-huh.

"And that is where I come in?" I asked.

"I do hate to ask for a...handout...especially when you have been so generous to The Trust all this time..." Quin said, "and so I will not ask."

I looked at him, again blankly. I had no idea where he was going with this.

"Rather than asking you to sponsor these Ages, as you have been so kind to do for these past eighteen months....I was wondering..." he paused for the longest time,"...if you would like to...purchase them?"

"The Ages?"

"Yes." He nodded.

Okay then, this wasn't the bad news part. It was certainly from out of left field. Buy the Ages? Really? There's a lot to consider there, for sure...but it's not the bad news. Not by a long shot. Noooooo. The bad news part wouldn't involve me at all, fortunately.

"What does Ms. Macchi think of this proposal?" I asked.

"I have not shared this yet with Miss Dot," he answered quietly.

Yeah, I'll bet. There's your bad news right there, folks. And that is Quin's problem.

Unless, of course, I see Dot first. Then it'll be my problem. Or more correctly, it'll be Quin's problem that I will have to deal with.

Uh-uh. No way.

"Well, Quin, there is quite a bit to think about here," I said as he nodded and sat quietly, waiting for me to continue, "but I will think on it - all of it - over the course of the day. And if you meet with me for supper tonight, I will have your answer ready by then."

"Shouldn't we discuss the financial aspect now?" he asked, a bit nervously.

"I don't think that is necessary," I said. "I'm sure we can work that out. My decision will not be based on that aspect but on the question of what is right for these Ages and whether I can fit that into my life at this time. That is what I must seriously consider."

"Certainly sir, I understand. Six-thirty for supper? I shall make us a very nice stew."

***

That evening over supper, I agreed to take ownership of the grouping of Ages that up to now was known as Evergreen -- not ownership of the Ages themselves, I made this clear to Quin, for I would not be comfortable with that concept, but of the grouping, the collection. He understood and welcomed this approach.

I further agreed to rename the grouping and it's prime region under one shared title. I submitted to Quin the name, Aquaetas.

When I said it aloud, Quin's reaction was to look to his left and down for a moment as he thought it over. Then he nodded his head slightly as he stated, "From the Latin words for water and time...as in period of time or Age." He smiled.

I had spent the day in my office in the castle and later at my house in Kamar, going through the small collection of reference books I have in each place. I wanted to find a name that I liked but that would have meaning for Quin as well, as his study-retreat will still be here - I insisted - even if he does not visit as often.

"I hoped you would like it," I smiled as well. "I guess there must be some paperwork involved?" I said as I wanted to wrap up our evening and catch some sleep before timejumping back home in the morning.

"Nothing can be finalized until we speak with Miss Dot," Quin said.

I looked at him with raised eyebrows. "I'll be off to Winterfell in the morning," I said.

He just nodded. I smiled. "Good luck with that," I said.

***
Aquaetas
http://www.kitely.com/virtual-world/Dan ... d/Aquaetas
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Dot Macchi »

I've been struggling with this decision for a whole week now.

I've come to an end of what I'm willing to do for the Trust: the expectations and requirements placed on me by its founder, Quinquifid Oddenfen; the lack of communication; the "little surprises" Quin drops on me in the form of unaccounted-for expenses and invoices; his patronising attitude.

Yes, he may have come up with a solution for one set of Ages, but yet again it relies on the goodwill of others.

There are other Ages. Core Ages for the Trust: Waysmeet, Deepwater, Skysong. Those under my care. The Ages require resources to maintain. The larger the Age, the greater the resource.

I no longer have the internal resources or strength to care for them and for the Trust itself.

Over the years since my time (and subsequent disappointment) in the revival of the Guild of Maintainers, I have picked up a thing or two about the underlying Descriptive Books and the Art of Writing -- albeit in a different context from the original D'ni one, and one that would not and did not meet with approval from the purists in the Writers' Guild. The concepts are similar, reflecting a common reality underpinning the different interpretation and implementation.

The merging of Descriptive Books is possible. It requires careful editing, intense concentration, but it is possible.

And when I have merged Waysmeet, Deepwater and Skysong to make a retreat-home for myself and my close friends, the letter of resignation gets sent.

Perhaps I have more in common with Quin than I would care to admit. :?
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Re: Return To Devokan

Post by Quinquifid Oddenfen »

Today I received a letter from Ms Macchi. She has resigned her position with the Trust forthwith.

I am relieved. Dealing with the woman was becoming a burden.
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