(IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Peter says the messages will have to wait unless he wants to reduce it to a much more manageable list, he is going home for a few days on holiday. He would rather they focus on the other initiatives... and Peter has come a long way since the first round of discussions if Kyridias is in need of convincing.

Kyridias will grudgingly pare down the list.

He's waiting on Americans to come back through the portals, or for Peter to bring word of who to contact when they get through, rather than going out and contacting them directly.

Basically Peter needs to get the americans in on it... all the americans in on the plan are in a goverment compound where they are not allowed to leave.

Unless you have a specific plan you think the Thuromans should be doing.

Peter has pulled off quite a bit more than a jailbreak in Thuroma!

Agreed.

"I haven't had access to a lot of school books, but when I do I study as much as I can, and my memory is pretty good, so I work on stuff in my head sometimes when I'm walking or doing other stuff."

His father still goes over things. The memory tricks are helping with some subjects quite a lot, and as the English curriculum switches from grammar to writing and rhetoric his apparent skill improves. His math seems to be flagging just a bit.... a subject he did well in before.

(He's in 8th grade, right?)

"I come and go with my dog, so I think it's safe to say I'm just a runaway at this point... it's what I honestly am unless you say I can go. I can control it well enough that when I do vanish I can probably get back within a few days, but the places I go always seem to have people who need my help."

They sadly agree. And hope for the day when he can stay.

"I'm not running through any gunfire if I can help it, thank you very much, but it can't hurt to use it while I run away!"

Father: "Have you been shot at?"

Peter is open with them and tells them of the tales of what he's been through in the last few weeks (Peter was last home last on Nov 29, so not quite a month).

And now I'm trying to remember if he's been shot at. I think he hasn't. Its been the beast and some cat and mouse with Slick's goons.

He provides the full details, but in the end, the abridged version is that in that time he gotten the rest of the Broken World Prisoners released, Emancipated a Cat-girl, Helped a cursed beast be a man again and saved a few lives in the process, and rescued wounded and bedraggled soldiers to the salvation of thousands of men in their homeland besieged in a fort..

"How can I stay home and play video games and do my homework when I can see these things happen when I go to bed and close my eyes. When I know I can help. AND I CAN Dad. I can. I help!"

Up until this moment, Peter has been very mature. Very mater-of-fact and stoic as he 'gave his report' and 'debriefed his family. But his demeanor flipped. There was a crack in the boy's armor and the weight of what the universe was asking of him shook him. The emotions flowed out like a seal had burst and tears start streaming down Peter's face. Here in front of his family, Peter suddenly felt the weight of all the isolation and loneliness he felt while he was away. He wanted to be home. he wanted to stay. But what would the Thuromans do? What would happen to the people in Peter's next vision of hardship?

Peter isn't sure if he is explaining himself or making a plea.
"I HAVE to help, don't I? If I can help them and I don't what kind of person am I? What should I do dad? What would you do?"

Peter will have a good cry with his parents.

His father looked like he was ready for a serious talk, but instead he's there with Peter while to boy cries. When the tears clear up, he has some words

Dad: "You don't have to help. If there was a real war going on, and it looks like there is, I'd tell you to focus on growing up until you were 18. Its good to help, but no one will blame you for not risking your life in somebody else's war. If you're doing this because you think your a terrible person if you don't, stop doing it. People got hurt before this started happening to you."

"But that doesn't mean you have to stop either. If you want to be a hero, be one. Just remember the costs and be willing to pay them. And try to come home."

"I love you guys, this is amazing.I can't go shopping or take presents with me when I go again. Let's just bake cookies, drink egg nog and sing songs."
Peter will enjoy his parents as much as possible while he is home, and find some time to review some school work.

And so they do that.

He will get on his computer and dump all his book thoughts in, updating the stuff he's written and kept in memory and cataloging his adventures... interspaces with anecdotal sidebars and survival tips.

In book 1, "Riders", Peter tries to get the complexities of the political intrigue he experienced on the page, but much like he had to, the reader would have to use their imagination for the full scope. But the ideas of trust, cooperation, non-violent resolution and using the system to get justice are there, and the tips on survival tried and true and laced with Peter's humor.

Can Dad help him get a publisher? He will need a pseudonym...

His Dad says they'll look into a publisher when its done... when Peter either doesn't come back or when he comes back for good.

He lifts some weights and plays with the guitar as well.

you've only got four days!

Peter EXPLORES this vision for more clues! Who's office might this be? he looks for other stationary, envelopes, placards, a phone with a visible number or display... anything with another name or address. Are there windows?


(What's the skill for Vision forensics? Search?)

Yeah, Search is the right skill.

There is a stack of news paper clippings, but they seem to be from all over the world, though mostly in English and other roman scripts... all about missing persons. There are also what look like police reports from all over the place, also about missing persons cases.

Peter checks the office door: a plaque reads Rachel Carlin.

There is a window: the place is in a busy city. He finds an envelope:

Rachel Carlin
746 Lincoln Dr.
South San Francisco, CA 94080

(Yes, this address is invalid)


He also finds a deck of business cards... but can't read the bottom for the phone number or the company: just her name and address, and the title "international search specialist"

[the_matrix_walker]

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Kyridias will grudgingly pare down the list.

He's waiting on Americans to come back through the portals, or for Peter to bring word of who to contact when they get through, rather than going out and contacting them directly.

Basically Peter needs to get the americans in on it... all the americans in on the plan are in a goverment compound where they are not allowed to leave.

Unless you have a specific plan you think the Thuromans should be doing.

The Thuromans have superior intelligence on Earth than the other way around, and the ability to manipulate the portals. What Peter wants them doing is coming up with ideas for what they may have to offer in exchange for the aid they need, that they feel their security will allow, and what they want... Requirements for an exchange of embassy's, etc.

The Thuromans don't have phones or radios, so they need to be at or cross a portal to communicate, and that puts more of the contact onus on them.

Electronics don't work in the Clockwork world, but they don't degrade either, is that correct? So we could get them radios to make contact when they open a portal and stick the radio through?

Peter did get the ball rolling with the American Government over there as well, in his emails with the officials when they contracted him to locate and close portals. With the military resources they are putting toward this concern, pacifying it with shipments of food and relief should be a happy bargain.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

His father still goes over things. The memory tricks are helping with some subjects quite a lot, and as the English curriculum switches from grammar to writing and rhetoric his apparent skill improves. His math seems to be flagging just a bit.... a subject he did well in before.

(He's in 8th grade, right?)

If he started his travels in May, 2014, he has missed the last month of 8th grade at Marshall Simon's Middle School, maybe just the last few weeks. They may have just passed him. He should now be in 9th grade at Burlington High School, but he's missed the first few months.

I think the plan will be to set him up with online homeschooling and report that Peter came home and left again and is not an abductee but a (now chronic) runaway.

Originally Posted by ericthered

Father: "Have you been shot at?"

Peter shrugs...
"A few arrows and spears here and there. I tend to NOPE out of burning skulls and gunfire."

Peter's not sure if anyone aimed and missed him at Karaka, but why bring it up? He likewise doesn't make mention of his shooting Mr. Pundel in the leg.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

There is a stack of news paper clippings, but they seem to be from all over the world, though mostly in English and other roman scripts... all about missing persons. There are also what look like police reports from all over the place, also about missing persons cases.

Peter checks the office door: a plaque reads Rachel Carlin.

There is a window: the place is in a busy city. He finds an envelope:

Rachel Carlin
746 Lincoln Dr.
South San Francisco, CA 94080

(Yes, this address is invalid)


He also finds a deck of business cards... but can't read the bottom for the phone number or the company: just her name and address, and the title "international search specialist"

Peter almost reaches out for the envelope and remembers what happened when he tried to grab that girl, he jumped! And naked in and investigator's office when they are looking for you? Probably not a great move...
Peter memorizes the scene and thinks,
Rachel Carlin
746 Lincoln Dr., San Fran
"International Search Specialist"

Are you looking for me? I wonder why? A missing persons case from across the country? And why is it setting off my Scooby-sense?

Peter concentrates... he focuses on the name and tries to shift his perception.
Rachel Carlin... Where are you?
Come out come out wherever you are... Okay PTB*, show her to me!

*PTB="Powers That Be"

If Peter is unable to gather any more intel, he will let his dreams drift to other things and google this stuff in the morning. He will share his dream and findings with Mom and Dad.

[ericthered]

The Thuromans have superior intelligence on Earth than the other way around, and the ability to manipulate the portals. What Peter wants them doing is coming up with ideas for what they may have to offer in exchange for the aid they need, that they feel their security will allow, and what they want... Requirements for an exchange of embassy's, etc.

The Thuromans don't have phones or radios, so they need to be at or cross a portal to communicate, and that puts more of the contact onus on them.

Electronics don't work in the Clockwork world, but they don't degrade either, is that correct? So we could get them radios to make contact when they open a portal and stick the radio through?

This is an official GURPS setting, with official answers.... As far as you know, the radios don't degrade. So if you can get them a radio, or even a cell phone with someone paying the bill, they can make calls on the other side of the portal. They'll also need instructions on WHO to call, and they really don't want to go up to the local police station and take a chance.

Peter did get the ball rolling with the American Government over there as well, in his emails with the officials when they contracted him to locate and close portals. With the military resources they are putting toward this concern, pacifying it with shipments of food and relief should be a happy bargain.

You bought administration now, right? with that point should come the realization he still has a lot of work to do if that's actually going to happen.

If he started his travels in May, 2014, he has missed the last month of 8th grade at Marshall Simon's Middle School, maybe just the last few weeks. They may have just passed him. He should now be in 9th grade at Burlington High School, but he's missed the first few months.

Good to know. His mother probably has a scheme for him to graduate high school if he can start sticking around right now. And a scheme that will work out to the 22nd of January or some other overly specific date in the new year.

I think the plan will be to set him up with online homeschooling and report that Peter came home and left again and is not an abductee but a (now chronic) runaway.

I... actually don't know how that works, legally. (the chronic runnaway part, though I'm sure it complicates the homeschooling.)

"A few arrows and spears here and there. I tend to NOPE out of burning skulls and gunfire."

Peter's not sure if anyone aimed and missed him at Karaka, but why bring it up? He likewise doesn't make mention of his shooting Mr. Pundel in the leg.

This does not comfort his father as much as he might have hoped, and he emphasizes to try and come home uninjured, and not to take risks just because he can heal himself and deflect most "and I emphasize, most is not all!" bullets.


OCC: I will probably handle the dream on monday.

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

This is an official GURPS setting, with official answers.... As far as you know, the radios don't degrade. So if you can get them a radio, or even a cell phone with someone paying the bill, they can make calls on the other side of the portal. They'll also need instructions on WHO to call, and they really don't want to go up to the local police station and take a chance.

I don't own this one, and that's probably for the best that I get my impressions from you anyway...

You bought administration now, right? with that point should come the realization he still has a lot of work to do if that's actually going to happen.

Yes, Administration is confirmed added to the sheet along with all Yaka skills in the form of dabbler 1/2 points. (( Peter has 6 unspent points as of this moment. I am wrestling with Destiny (+ a point in Search or Thaumatology) or a skill bomb at the moment. ))

He needs other people to take the ball. He's been consistently pushing, but perhaps now he can get some traction. He's been steadily collecting the needed skills to pull it off.

If there was time on the day in Thuroma before coming home, and if not when he returns, Peter will go to one of the portals known to be guarded (the one he went through before if it is still there), and will shout through it to identify himself, call over a soldier and get them to get him a burner phone or radio to send over.

Good to know. His mother probably has a scheme for him to graduate high school if he can start sticking around right now. And a scheme that will work out to the 22nd of January or some other overly specific date in the new year.


I... actually don't know how that works, legally. (the chronic runnaway part, though I'm sure it complicates the homeschooling.)

They need to report that Peter returns, to avoid potential problems later.

Peter's new story is going to be that he is problem child and a die-hard survivalist, and he's been going into the new york wilderness to live rough and be with nature... or whatever. It's the only thing he can think of to explain his long absences without saying he's in a cult or something.

Parents can declare they are homeschooling their kids and I think there are some kind of periodic check ins, but I think most states just want some kind of token of evidence the kid is getting some education, and it would likely be a 6 months to a year before check in. An independent study program and GED test is probably the best way to finish his schooling on his schedule.

This does not comfort his father as much as he might have hoped, and he emphasizes to try and come home uninjured, and not to take risks just because he can heal himself and deflect most "and I emphasize, most is not all!" bullets.

Peter will try and reassure him that he does his best to stay out of the line of fire.

OCC: I will probably handle the dream on monday.

Okay!

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

I don't own this one, and that's probably for the best that I get my impressions from you anyway...

Indeed. At any rate, you are correct: they can use a radio or phone after they stick their head out of a portal. That will be useful once your allies aren't all stuck in a government compound.

He needs other people to take the ball. He's been consistently pushing, but perhaps now he can get some traction. He's been steadily collecting the needed skills to pull it off.

If there was time on the day in Thuroma before coming home, and if not when he returns, Peter will go to one of the portals known to be guarded (the one he went through before if it is still there), and will shout through it to identify himself, call over a soldier and get them to get him a burner phone or radio to send over.

Lets do that afterwards... you've got a good chance of people arrested, and that would really change the flow of things from how we've described it.

They need to report that Peter returns, to avoid potential problems later.

Peter's new story is going to be that he is problem child and a die-hard survivalist, and he's been going into the new york wilderness to live rough and be with nature... or whatever. It's the only thing he can think of to explain his long absences without saying he's in a cult or something.

And they'll need to report that after christmas, of course.

Parents can declare they are homeschooling their kids and I think there are some kind of periodic check ins, but I think most states just want some kind of token of evidence the kid is getting some education, and it would likely be a 6 months to a year before check in. An independent study program and GED test is probably the best way to finish his schooling on his schedule.

Just checked. As I suspected, Massachusetts is fairly involved... but its things his parents can do. The biggest requirement is that they give him tests and report on the tests to the state. It probably won't matter until a few months later.

Peter will try and reassure him that he does his best to stay out of the line of fire.

Its somewhat comforting that Peter tries to avoid the "Front Lines"

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Peter almost reaches out for the envelope and remembers what happened when he tried to grab that girl, he jumped! And naked in and investigator's office when they are looking for you? Probably not a great move...
Peter memorizes the scene and thinks,
Rachel Carlin
746 Lincoln Dr., San Fran
"International Search Specialist"

Are you looking for me? I wonder why? A missing persons case from across the country? And why is it setting off my Scooby-sense?

Peter concentrates... he focuses on the name and tries to shift his perception.
Rachel Carlin... Where are you?
Come out come out wherever you are... Okay PTB*, show her to me!

*PTB="Powers That Be"

If Peter is unable to gather any more intel, he will let his dreams drift to other things and google this stuff in the morning. He will share his dream and findings with Mom and Dad.

He doesn't see Rachel. Instead he gets an ambulance parked by a warehouse. The warehouse has no markings, but he gets the name "City Side Storage Lmt."


Dad: "We did hire an agency to look into your disappearance, of course. We stopped paying a few months ago though."

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

He doesn't see Rachel. Instead he gets an ambulance parked by a warehouse. The warehouse has no markings, but he gets the name "City Side Storage Lmt."

Are there any people? Street signs? does it look like San Francisco? Are the lights on the ambulance? Any city, hospital info? Licence plates? He will look inside the vehicle if he can, and examine the area around both to see what might be drawing his attention here and to identify the physical location.

Let's officially put that point into: Search (13) [1]

Leaving Peter with 5 unspent points.

Originally Posted by ericthered

Dad: "We did hire an agency to look into your disappearance, of course. We stopped paying a few months ago though."

"hmn, Why are the PTB showing them to me? and warehouses too. And an ambulance just parked out by a warehouse is hella weird too."

"I wonder if our government knows about this stuff and keeps it quiet."

Suggestion: If so, Serendipity could present a extended family member or family friend with enough security clearance to be the right person to ask...

____________________

Peter will put together a homemade photo album for his parents from family pictures he found so they do have something to open from him on Christmas morning.

____________________

If otherwise uneventful and no further compelling info comes out of his dream, Peter will have a nice holiday with his family.

Spoiler:  

If Christmas Day is uneventful beyond family revels, before bed Peter let's them know he is likely to travel.

"Well, I got to go see some gods about some stuff, so I can strongarm some feudal-steampunk-ass-bags to play nice with other-earthlings and treat their own population with basic human decency. I also want to ask them if I can change a walking dead guy from essentially running on diesel to solar... but I'm afraid that one might be about as practical as it sounds. I love you, and I will do my best to stay safe out there."

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Are there any people? Street signs? does it look like San Francisco? Are the lights on the ambulance? Any city, hospital info? Licence plates? He will look inside the vehicle if he can, and examine the area around both to see what might be drawing his attention here and to identify the physical location.

Let's officially put that point into: Search (13) [1]

Leaving Peter with 5 unspent points.

please update the sheet!


There are no people he can find. The Ambulance has its lights, but they are not on. The plates are Massachusetts. The city doesn't look like San Fransisco... he doesn't recognize the city, but the local weeds look like New England. His "presence" wanders far enough that he The ambulance is stocked with medical gear... he doesn't know enough about it to say more than that.


In the same area is a black van, seemingly empty.

"hmn, Why are the PTB showing them to me? and warehouses too. And an ambulance just parked out by a warehouse is hella weird too."

Dad: "We don't know why you see what you see. Do you think someone is in trouble here?"

"I wonder if our government knows about this stuff and keeps it quiet."

Suggestion: If so, Serendipity could present a extended family member or family friend with enough security clearance to be the right person to ask...

Mom: "I can ask my Uncle Rob if he's heard of anything. Its hard to imagine though."

Peter will put together a homemade photo album for his parents from family pictures he found so they do have something to open from him on Christmas morning.

If otherwise uneventful and no further compelling info comes out of his dream, Peter will have a nice holiday with his family.

Did further compelling info come out?

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

please update the sheet!

My google sheet is updated!

There are no people he can find. The Ambulance has its lights, but they are not on. The plates are Massachusetts. The city doesn't look like San Fransisco... he doesn't recognize the city, but the local weeds look like New England. His "presence" wanders far enough that he The ambulance is stocked with medical gear... he doesn't know enough about it to say more than that.


In the same area is a black van, seemingly empty.

Can he see in to the van or otherwise determine any more details of interest? Peter will try and remember the plates, then realize he has no way to look them up anyway...

He will google the storage facility and see if he can get a location. He also does searches for Rachel Carlin and the San Francisco address.

Dad: "We don't know why you see what you see. Do you think someone is in trouble here?"

"That's usually how it works!"

Mom: "I can ask my Uncle Rob if he's heard of anything. Its hard to imagine though."

He will badger her to call him and while she is trying to tiptoe up to it somehow, Peter comes up in the background and says:
"Hey Grunkle Rob! Do you know what to do if your panachronic conveyor breaks down on a rough quanta with no interdimensional portals? Oh, and Merry Christmas!"
((OOC: I'm fairly certain Peter encountered all of those terms with the Miracle Workers))

Did further compelling info come out?

Nothing to interfere with a lovely holiday it would seem!


_

[ericthered]

My google sheet is updated!

Awesome!

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Can he see in to the van or otherwise determine any more details of interest? Peter will try and remember the plates, then realize he has no way to look them up anyway...

He is able to look in the van: its very dark, and very clean. It only has five seats, the back 10 have been taken out. A chest is bolted to the floor on the back left side.

He will google the storage facility and see if he can get a location. He also does searches for Rachel Carlin and the San Francisco address.

The storage facility is in Boston, within an hour of his home.


He finds the San Fransisco address, but not Rachel. The building doesn't have a clear identifier, but he does find a list of four different companies in the office building. All four of them are "Research Firms", mostly doing market research on all sorts of things.

"That's usually how it works!"

Dad: "Who then? Its not you, is it?"

He will badger her to call him and while she is trying to tiptoe up to it somehow, Peter comes up in the background and says:
"Hey Grunkle Rob! Do you know what to do if your panachronic conveyor breaks down on a rough quanta with no interdimensional portals? Oh, and Merry Christmas!"
((OOC: I'm fairly certain Peter encountered all of those terms with the Miracle Workers))

Grunkle Bob: "What? I couldn't understand what you are saying. Chronic what?"


He seems unfamiliar with the term "parachronic".



Mom is somewhat embarassed. She was planning on talking about the disappearing aspect, not parachronics.

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

He is able to look in the van: its very dark, and very clean. It only has five seats, the back 10 have been taken out. A chest is bolted to the floor on the back left side.



The storage facility is in Boston, within an hour of his home.

Dad: "Who then? Its not you, is it?"

"Sometimes I kind of see a place where I'm going, and sometimes it shows me why I'm going there, or why I am there, but it doesn't always make sense. Wanna take a ride to Boston and check out a suspicious ambulance and van at a storage joint? Having Goliath on my adventures has been nice, but it I wish I could take you with me!"

Grunkle Bob: "What? I couldn't understand what you are saying. Chronic what?"


He seems unfamiliar with the term "parachronic".



Mom is somewhat embarassed. She was planning on talking about the disappearing aspect, not parachronics.

Peter (impulsive) impatiently blurted out some buzz words hoping there would be recognition (Guessing Grunkle Rob/Bob is pretty high ranked to be considered...).

Peter will back off and let the grown ups talk.