VIDEO -> TEXT. UN: DAGNY.

[dagnyology]

[ Dagny's face appears on the network. Behind her are snowy plains, where small gnomes are jumping and playing. Her face is flushed from the cold, but she smiles. ]

Hello! I hope you're all doing well! The Timeline has finally computed your mission objective — sorry it took so long! Sometimes he gets a little slow. Now, I know he may seem— different, but he's always been correct! Just... ah, be careful when talking to him? He's a learning machine, and all he really knows is about missions, so sometimes he says some strange things when he goes off topic. But don't worry! He tries his best. I'll connect you to him now.

TIMELINE.EXE IS PROGRAMMED TO RELEASE MISSION PARAMETERS. MISSION OBSERVATION IS COMPLETE AND RESULTS FOR MISSION: Nalawi ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Hello World ( ﾟ▽ﾟ)/ Take the hassle and confusion out of the
Mission,
Try this One Weird Trick!

To help NALAWI, you will need to DEFEAT the GODDESS NALANNI so the energy can return to the world.* In doing so, the people of NALAWI will LOSE THEIR POWERS but the world will continue on. If this objective is not reached, NALAWI will BURN OUT PREMATURELY.

*NOTE FROM TIMELINE.EXE: Giant squid of the Sea, too
2 or 0 Not 1! Thank you

[OOC NOTE: This will serve as an IC discussion post. The OOC discussion post is here!]

Comments

[weirdologist]

I know. I know how you feel.

[But right now he doesn't want you anywhere near it because you might do something reckless. He doesn't say that in so many words though.]

But there's no telling what might happen. There's no reason to say you can't do anything to help from here. I just...I don't want you to get hurt.

[twinpeak]

... Whatever happens, I won't do anything that'll get me hurt. I promise!

[weirdologist]

I know you won't. I also know that if you're anything like me, you're going to do the exact opposite of what I ask, whatever that may be.

[Is he teasing? Maybe.]

[twinpeak]

[ Don't do this where everyone can see?!?! ]

H- hey, I'm not that bad!

tags you here instead

[strictdiscipline]

A lot of people here won't let him get hurt.

[Herself included. That said (and with probably a few incorrect assumptions):]

You did a good job raising him though.

oh my gods Riza

[weirdologist]

[He was going to say something but his brain just connected the dots to what she says. Ford blinks owlishly before a flustered look comes across his face and he waves a hand.]

Ah, I-I didn't raise him. That would be my niece and nephew who did that. Dipper is my great nephew.

8)

[strictdiscipline]

[Oh come on now.]

But he seems to look up to you a great deal. You must have had some positive impact on him.

best/worst assumption to make

[weirdologist]

[Just as awkward as his nephew, sry2say.]

Ah, well I suppose my work has had an impact on his life. So to speak.

yeah!! continues to ride this train

[strictdiscipline]

[It's endearing, at least.]

You wrote the journals he's so fond of, didn't you?

[She thinks she remembers Dipper mentioning that.]

#awkwardowls

[weirdologist]

[At the very least he's already had a similar conversation with Pearl, so he doesn't balk this time, only nodding.]

I did, yes. After college I decided to study anomalies for a living and, well, the journals were the results.

[strictdiscipline]

[This probably isn't the best time--well actually, there's probably no better time than while everyone else is freaking out about things.

And besides, for all she knows, "anomalies" could include deities.]

Were gods and goddesses ever part of those anomalies?

[weirdologist]

Not before I started traveling across the multiverse, no. I did study other cultures, but their religion was never really something that interested me.

[Bill does not count no matter how much he might say he does B|]

They're a pain to deal with though, I can tell you that much.

ugh sorry, i completely died 8(

[strictdiscipline]

[Ah. That's promising (not).]

Very unreasonable?

[Just taking a wild guess here.]

it's ok!!

[weirdologist]

Worse than unicorns.

[And that's an entire OTHER story.]

Of course, that's just my experience. Someone else's might be completely different.

[strictdiscipline]

[—Unicorns? She squirrels that thought away for a different day, electing instead to focus on the more important matter at hand.]

We're talking about a goddess who willingly destroyed an entire race because they dared threaten her. I don't think that indicates anyone willing to listen to reason.

[weirdologist]

[He inclines his head in agreement.]

Yes, I highly doubt at this rate she will be willing. Things have been going on for far too long and if she's desperate enough she might do the same to us.

[strictdiscipline]

[That's a harrowing thought, and not one she's willing to entertain and allow transformation into reality.]

What do you suggest we do? [And lest she come off as accusatory:] You have more experience with the supernatural than I ever will - I'm curious to hear what you think.

[weirdologist]

If we were home, I might be inclined to use the old unicorn-hair-and-moonstone protection spell, but sadly I'm fresh out of the ingredients in this dimension.

[Ford pinches the bridge of his nose, rubbing it for a moment under his glasses before he pulls his hand away.]

In any case, I'd suggest building our defenses first. There's going to be people who are either unwilling or unable to help in this fight, and if we aren't careful, we could get caught in the crossfire.

[He purses his lips together.]

Leave the goddesses to the heavy hitters and those with abilities. Nalanni first, then Ryba, if we must take out both of them. Take out the mastermind first and her whole plan for raising the Dakal will collapse in on itself.

[strictdiscipline]

[He's a man of great wisdom, to be sure, and she agrees with the course of action he's laid out 100% percent. However, there's something that has her train of thought screeching to a halt and tipping off the rails.

Which is—]

Unicorn-hair-and-moonstone?

[Is that even real?]

[weirdologist]

It works against interdimensional beings, I have no reason to disbelieve it wouldn't against gods.

[Meaning yes, that is a real thing.]

[strictdiscipline]

[How...interesting, for lack of a better word.]

Then it's a shame we have none of those materials within easy reach.

[But that seems pretty par the course for ALASTAIR, so she's really not that surprised and she's quick to move on]

But as you said, we should start setting up defenses for the Nalawi in the event things go wrong. If you have some time, I'd like to meet with you and discuss that in person.

[weirdologist]

Of course. Name a location and I'll meet you there.

[He has a lot of time on his hands now, sadly.]

[strictdiscipline]

[Most of them do, unfortunately. Might as well try and make the best of it.]

Let's meet at the inn in 15 minutes. We can move somewhere else once we meet up if need be.