Palace Game 6/5

[fujimaru]

The Dreamer In The Grand Temple
Humanity Foundation Value: ????

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Comments

[messianic]

[ omg kaine

he's so amused, but he's just kind of watching this all happen ]

[fujimaru]

"Contrary to what people might think, I was not particularly given to any sort of headwear in my life," he says. "That was a later affectation, as my friend's stories about our exploits spread."

[messianic]

It's nice to meet you, Holmes-san.

[ ... ]

Do you know anything about this ring Kaine-san found?

[fujimaru]

"I'll return that question," he says. "How familiar are you with the legends of King Solomon?"

[markofkaine]

That's Old Testament, isn't it? Wasn't he the guy who bluffed about cutting a baby in half?

[fujimaru]

"Correct, among other things." Holmes taps out his pipe. "He was also considered the true father of magecraft, at least in the world from which we and Miss Fujimaru hail. But another story, perhaps lesser known, is that in his request for wisdom, he was gifted ten separate rings by his god. And, in time, he returned those rings to the Heavens, which signified the end of his life and his reign."

He gives Kaine a pretty significant look.

[markofkaine]

...We have to find TEN RINGS?

[THAT'S SO MANY RINGS]

[messianic]

[ quietly: ]

I wonder if this ring symbolizes all of them, or something like that.

[ and to Holmes: ]

Is this one... will this one help us get to Ritsuka?

[fujimaru]

"Indeed!" He seems pleased. "Nine of those rings were given to the Beast that walked in his body after his death. What of the tenth, then?"

[markofkaine]

[this isn't like shang chi and the ten rings at all

Kaine looks at the ring in his hand.]

Then... this is the tenth? Being sat on by a tentacle?

[messianic]

[ it's symbolic. ]

I guess so. If we can use this to get to Ritsuka, then...

[ well, how do you use a ring? ]

Does one of us have to put it on?

[fujimaru]

"Usually, that is the sort of thing one does with a ring." Holmes raises an eyebrow. "I can't say much about tentacles, though. But if it appeared to be a pillar with many eyes, it almost certainly is the correct ring."

[markofkaine]

[Looks at Minato]

You've got more experience with doing magic than I do.

[messianic]

[ Minato just shrugs a little, and holds out his hand for the ring. He'll wear it, that's fine! ]

Okay. We'll give this a try. Thanks for the guidance, Holmes-san.

[ And presuming Kaine hands it over, he slips it on. ]

[fujimaru]

For a moment, nothing happens.

But then Minato can feel a gentle sort of tugging, trying to lead him back up the stairs again.

[messianic]

[ ahaaaa. Minato blinks at his finger, and then nods towards the stairs. ]

This way, Kaine-san. It's guiding us to where we need to go, I think.

[markofkaine]

All right. Lead the way, magic ring finger.

[messianic]

[ OFF THEY GO THEN following where the magic ring guides them!! ]

[fujimaru]

It's somehow familiar?

...Though, with the ring on, there is now a visible outline on the far wall, a doorway that was not there before.

[messianic]

[ ................. they were in the right place at the very start. of course they were. ]

... Ready to go deal with more magic shenanigans, Kaine-san?

[markofkaine]

Ready as I'll ever be.

[magic door magic door~~~]

[fujimaru]

What fun and magical places we can go!

[messianic]

regretti for minato and kaine