Blue Lacuna — 471 of 475

Chapter - Epilogue A (Rume)

Section - Dream

ep-rume is a person with printed name "Rume". Understand "Rume" as ep-rume. The description is "Rume looks achingly familiar.".

EPLR is a thread [Epilogue - Like Rume] with escape clause eplr_escape. Instead of exhausting when last beat is in EPLR: force discuss eplr_escape. Instead of getting bored when last beat is in EPLR: force discuss eplr_escape. eplr_escape is a repeatable dogged ephemeral beat in EPLR with reaction "'Well,' [heshe] says, 'but there is more to say.'". eplr_escape enqueues eplr_intro.

eplr_intro is an exciting beat in EPLR with reaction "The moment you choose the dream-sea fades away, and you are left alone in a tenuous blackness-- no, not alone. A [if Rume is female]wo[end if]man is here, waiting for you. [o]Rume[x].". eplr_intro suggests eplr_samechoice. eplr_junction replaces eplr_intro.

eplr_diffchoice is a beat in EPLR with reaction "[CHeShe] smiles sadly. 'And now you choose [if second-choice-love is true]love,' [heshe] says, 'where before you chose your art[otherwise]art,' [heshe] says, 'where before you chose your love[end if]. Do you suppose that Lacuna has [eplr_changed] you? Or is it that the time for one has gone and the other [eplr_arrived]?' [CHeShe] pauses. 'Or has enough time [eplr_passed] that you no longer remember why you first chose the way you did, and there is nothing to be read into it at all?'".

eplr_samechoice is a beat in EPLR with reaction "[CHeShe] smiles sadly. 'And so a second time have you chosen [if second-choice-art is true]art[otherwise]love[end if],' [heshe] says, '[if second-choice-art is true]art over love[otherwise]love over art[end if]. Are your inner [eplr_convictions] strong enough that the choice is never a difficult one? Does it merely seem as [eplr_right] now as it did then?' [CHeShe] pauses. 'Or has enough time [eplr_passed] that you no longer remember why you first chose the way you did, and there is nothing to be read into it at all?'". eplr_samechoice suggests eplr_passed.

Understand "conviction/convictions" as eplr_convictions when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_convictions is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "convictions" and reaction "Rume nods as you respond, as if anticipating your answer. 'I think perhaps that is what drew me to you,' [heshe] says, 'the conviction, [if second-choice-love is true]the intensity of your love[otherwise]the dedication to your art[end if]. [if second-choice-love is true and The-Path-Of-Love has not happened]Perhaps that was why it hurt me so when you left[otherwise if second-choice-love is true]Perhaps that was why I knew I could convince you to stay, overcome the power of the Call[otherwise]Even though I knew from the moment we met that one day I would lose you to it[end if].'". eplr_convictions enqueues eplr_junction.

Understand "correct" as eplr_right when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_right is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "correct" and reaction "Rume breathes deeply of the non-air of the void, considering. 'You are alive for the moment,' [heshe] finally agrees, 'and take each decision as it comes to you. I think perhaps that is what drew me to you-- your spontaneity, your vivacity in whatever moment, whatever world you are in. [if The-Path-Of-Love has happened]Perhaps that is why I was so terrified that night in the Tumble, convinced I could never convince you to live for longer than the moment. To stay[otherwise]Perhaps that is why I knew I would lose you, that night in the Tumble, that nothing I could have said would have made you stay[end if].". eplr_right enqueues eplr_junction.

Understand "changed" as eplr_changed when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_changed is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "changed" and reaction "Rume brushes wrinkles from [hisher] robe, reflecting. 'You once told me it is impossible to be unchanged by The Call. It seems you were right.'". eplr_changed enqueues eplr_junction.

Understand "arrived" as eplr_arrived when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_arrived is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "arrived" and reaction "Rume rubs a hand absently against [hisher] shoulder, as if cold in the featureless void, and reflects. 'Some philosophers say that to live we must turn from art. Others say to make art we must turn from life.' Rume takes a breath. 'They are both wrong, my love.'". eplr_arrived enqueues eplr_junction.

Understand "passed" as eplr_passed when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_passed is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "passed" and reaction "A smile tickles the corner of Rume's mouth as [heshe] gazes at you across the void. 'There is a bedtime story for mountain children,' [heshe] says, 'about a pilgrim and the wisest man in the world. To every question asked about why the world was the way it was, the wise man would only reply, [']Because it is.['] Well. Perhaps the why is not important. Now you choose [if second-choice-art is true]art[otherwise]love[end if], and it is.'". eplr_passed enqueues eplr_junction.

eplr_junction is a beat. eplr_junction enqueues eplr_trees. eplr_somenium replaces eplr_junction.

eplr_trees is a beat in EPLR with reaction "'And tell me, wayfarer,' Rume continues. 'Was it [if second-choice-love is true][eplr_loveartcause] for the beautiful word of the Windsigh[otherwise]the living [eplr_loveartcause] that was the Heart[end if] that caused you to choose the windsigh's empire over the chaos and uncertainty of City? Were you swayed by the [eplr_logic] of the Philosopher's argument, the truth of that merged society? Was it just gut [eplr_instinct] that led you to decide? Or something [eplr_else] I haven't guessed at?'". eplr_trees suggests eplr_else.

eplr_rebels is a beat in EPLR with reaction "'And tell me, wayfarer,' Rume continues. 'Was it [if second-choice-love is true]your [eplr_loveartcause] for the brave spirit of City and its stumbling, struggling ideals[otherwise]that brave, stumbling, idealistic [eplr_loveartcause] by the people of City[end if] that caused you to choose them over the scripted order and stage-managed peace of the Forest? Were you convinced by the [eplr_logic] of Leader Tall's argument, the evidence of his streets? Was it simply gut [eplr_instinct] that led you to decide? Or something [eplr_else] I haven't guessed at?'". eplr_rebels suggests eplr_else.

eplr_abstain is a beat in EPLR with reaction "'And tell me, wayfarer,' Rume continues. 'Was it [if second-choice-love is true]your [eplr_lovecauseProgue] for [else]out of [eplr_lovecauseProgue] for [end if]Progue that led you to force the decision of which side to choose onto him? Did you feel that no choice should be made without proper time for [eplr_reflection]? Or did you [eplr_humility] the choice outright, out of humility or fear of choosing poorly?'". [aar]

Understand "thought" as eplr_reflection when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_reflection is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "thought" and reaction "'But there is never enough time,' Rume says sadly, 'never enough information to make a decision. In the end even the most well-researched decision comes down to a moment of choice.'". eplr_reflection enqueues eplr_somenium.

eplr_neitherlove is a beat in EPLR with reaction "'And tell me, wayfarer,' Rume continues. 'Did love drive you to destroy the seiver on the mountaintop, and if so, love for who?'". eplr_neitherlove summons eplr_lovecauseProgue, eplr_lovecauseRume, eplr_lovecauseTrees, eplr_lovecauseRebels, eplr_else. eplr_neitherlove cancels eplr_changed, eplr_arrived. eplr_neitherlove suggests eplr_else.

eplr_neitherart is a beat in EPLR with reaction "'And tell me, wayfarer,' Rume continues. 'Was it for some artistic point, some dramatic ideal that you destroyed the seiver on the mountaintop? Can you tell me what it was?'". eplr_neitherart summons eplr_justice, eplr_closure, eplr_humility. eplr_neitherart cancels eplr_changed, eplr_arrived. eplr_neitherart suggests eplr_else.

Understand "love/art" as eplr_loveartcause when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_loveartcause is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "[if second-choice-love is true]love[otherwise]art" and reaction "[CHeShe] nods. '[if eplr_diffchoice is spoken]You truly have changed, then,' [heshe] says. 'I do not think you would have reached that decision that night in the Lodge. You are not the same. Nothing is immobile[otherwise]Then you have remained unchanged,' [heshe] says. 'Across worlds and through lives, your heart alone remains constant. Perhaps each wayfarer is the center of a universe, the rock around which all else and all others whirl in chaos[end if].'". eplr_loveartcause enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "logic" as eplr_logic when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_logic is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "logic" and reaction "Rume nods. 'You are a complex [if player is female]wo[end if]man,' [heshe] says, 'there is not a single passion that drives you. In my village as a [if Rume is male]boy[otherwise]girl[end if] we had a word for those whose heart and mind were not at war, but united. We called them chieftains.'". eplr_logic enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "instinct" as eplr_instinct when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_instinct is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "instinct" and reaction "Rume nods. 'And I think it is the same choice I would have made,' [heshe] says. '[if end-rebels]Perhaps the Forest would be a better fate for life on Lacuna, but perhaps not a better fate for men and women. They are something greater than mere men, perhaps, but that simple fact means they are no longer men. Yes, I would have chosen City, too, my love. With all its flaws and faults, the people of City are us.[otherwise]To choose City would be to choose war over peace, destruction over construction. Perhaps people like them born free might have survived, but they were too dominated by their torn-away halves, the shadow of the Forest having as much influence over their lives in negative as it did to the symbionts in positive. Yes, I would have chosen the Forest, too, my love. They are two beautiful races, stronger because they are together, and lost apart.[end if]'". eplr_instinct enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "else/no" as eplr_else when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_else is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "[if last beat is eplr_trees or last beat is eplr_rebels]else[otherwise]no" and reaction "Rume smiles. 'Apologies, my love,' [heshe] says. 'Always unkind it is to put words in the mouth of another. Please, explain yourself and I will listen.'

As you answer Rume's question, [heshe] watches you closely, listening in the achingly familiar way [heshe] always used to, walking through pine-thick trails or holding each other under farm furs. When at last you have explained yourself, [heshe] thinks for a long while before nodding, and saying 'Thank you. Your reasons are sound, and I think I would have made the same choice.'". eplr_else enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "love/Progue/respect" as eplr_lovecauseProgue when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_lovecauseProgue is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "[if last beat is eplr_abstain and second-choice-love is true]love[else if last beat is eplr_abstain]respect[else]Progue" and reaction "Rume nods slowly. 'Then it was his story, after all,' [heshe] says, 'and you were the one called to help him finish it. Good. A hard lesson to learn, love. But to know when to be a hero and when to help the truly heroic... that is a real gift.'". eplr_lovecauseProgue enqueues eplr_somenium. [aar]

Understand "you" as eplr_lovecauseRume when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_lovecauseRume is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "you" and reaction "'[if last beat is eplr_humility]Rume nods slowly. 'It was too great a decision to be forced on anyone,' [heshe] says. 'By terrible accident one is often asked to decide the fate of millions, but it does not make it right[otherwise]Because it's what I would have told you to do,' [heshe] says, nodding even before you've finished, clearly moved. 'Because I would have warned you against pride and power, and false choices[end if].' [CHeShe] gently touches the side of [hisher] forefinger to each eye, breathing deeply. 'Because neither you nor Progue could have made that choice, love, between mastery of a galaxy for one and genocide for the other. They must decide for themselves, fight or talk or chance it out. You and Progue were both strangers to that universe. It was not yours. It was theirs, and theirs alone.'". eplr_lovecauseRume enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "forest" as eplr_lovecauseForest when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_lovecauseForest is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "Forest" and reaction "Rume looks puzzled at first, then nods in greater and greater understanding as you explain. 'Of course,' [heshe] says. ". eplr_lovecauseForest enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "city" as eplr_lovecauseCity when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_lovecauseCity is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "City" and reaction "Rume nods as you explain. 'Of course,' [heshe] says. 'the Greeneyes. If you had helped one side over the other it would only have perpetuated their inner conflict. You never met the Greeneyes; you knew nothing about whether they were a better or worse choice than those in City. And on a larger scale, you only saw what the Forest wanted you to see; how could you truly judge a whole civilization based on the tiny fragments you saw of each?' [CHeShe] smiles sadly. 'If City is to survive it will not be because another moralizing power arrived to help them,' [heshe] adds. 'They must solve their problems on their own.'". eplr_lovecauseCity enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "closure" as eplr_closure when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_closure is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "closure" and reaction "Rume nods. 'It was the decision that destroyed Progue,' [heshe] agrees. 'After all he'd been through, being asked to make that terrible choice, between mastery of a galaxy for one people and genocide for another, that finally drove him into madness, drove his children away from him, robbed him of his greatest gift. Destroying the choice was the only way you could think of to save him.' [CHeShe] rubs [hisher] shoulder, as if cold in that immense blackness. 'I understand,' [heshe] says finally.". eplr_closure enqueues eplr_somenium.

Understand "humility/reject" as eplr_humility when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_humility is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "[if last beat is eplr_neitherart]humility[else]reject" and reaction "'You felt such a choice was not yours to make,' Rume says, nodding. 'Yes, I remember that about you. Your choice is wise. Now it will be up to them to decide their fate, without an unexpected force giving either side an advantage. Yes. It is good.'". eplr_humility enqueues eplr_lovecauseRume.

Understand "justice" as eplr_justice when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_justice is a beat in EPLR with keyword name "justice" and reaction "Rume is puzzled at first, but then begins to nod as you explain. 'Perhaps it was what both sides deserved, at that,' [heshe] says. 'Each offering you a stark and impossible choice: mastery of the galaxy for us, and genocide for our enemies. Neither allowing you or Progue another alternative. But there are always other alternatives, my love. You taught me that, and I remember. And now the Forest and City know it too.'". eplr_justice enqueues eplr_somenium.

eplr_somenium is an insistent beat in EPLR with reaction "'Well,' [heshe] continues, after a long, pensive pause. 'You made your decision, and Progue made his, and soon I think it will be time for you to move on. But there is something important you should realize before you go.'

'Somenium. The bluerock.' Rume smiles. 'It was the key to so much. Progue's madness and the fate of two civilizations. Yet it seemed so unimportant at first, just a minor detail of the scenery. The Philosopher, on the Heart of Forest, said something important about it. Something about a link between wayfaring and somenium. Do you remember, remember what it is they have in common?'". eplr_somenium summons eplr_transportation, eplr_dreams, eplr_scarcity, eplr_connections. The no-beat of eplr_somenium is eplr-somno. eplr_somenium suggests eplr_connections. eplr_connections replaces eplr_somenium.

Understand "transportation" as eplr_transportation when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_transportation is a dogged beat in EPLR with fuse 9 and keyword name "transportation" and reaction "'Not exactly,' Rume says, shaking [hisher] head, 'since the bluerock moves nothing; it only allows minds to connect. But it was close to that.'".

Understand "dreams" as eplr_dreams when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_dreams is a dogged beat in EPLR with fuse 9 and keyword name "dreams" and reaction "'True,' Rume says, biting a lip, 'dreams allowed them to reach you through the somenium in the seiver, and perhaps the Call is a sort of waking dream. But no, that wasn't it.'".

Understand "scarcity" as eplr_scarcity when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_scarcity is a dogged beat in EPLR with fuse 9 and keyword name "scarcity" and reaction "'Interesting,' says Rume, 'both impossibly rare. That's not quite it, but it was related.'".

eplr-somno is a dogged beat in EPLR with fuse 9 and reaction "'Then think harder,' Rume says, the familiar look of exasperation when [heshe] expects better from you. 'It's important.'".

Understand "connection/connections" as eplr_connections when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_connections is a beat in EPLR with fuse 9 and keyword name "connections" and reaction "'Yes, that was it!' Rume says, 'both wayfaring and somenium make connections between people regardless of distances. What is it he said? All bluerock touches all bluerock, no matter how far. Like when you hear the Call...' [CHeShe] trails off and turns to stare at you, sea-blue eyes piercing yours. 'What do you think, my love,' [heshe] finally whispers. 'Is it [eplr_coincidence]? Or perhaps...' [heshe] swallows, afraid to breathe, afraid to break the suddenly huge stillness of the black void.[paragraph break]'Perhaps,' Rume whispers, 'there is an [eplr_another], a third choice we never saw, hidden yet there all along.'". eplr_another replaces eplr_connections. eplr_connections suggests eplr_another.

Understand "coincidence" as eplr_coincidence when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_coincidence is a terminal beat in EPLR with keyword name "coincidence" and reaction "Rume lowers [hisher] eyes. 'Yes,' [heshe] finally says, 'you must be right. It is you who understands the rules of wayfaring. And I am only a dream. One that perhaps will not come again.'[paragraph break]The void begins to fade, a dull red-orange dimness and the muffled sounds of seagulls seeping through, and Rume begins to dissolve with it. 'Wake now, wayfarer,' [heshe] says in a voice seeping into sleep. 'It is time to move on.'[paragraph break]And you are awake.".

Understand "alternative" as eplr_another when last beat is in EPLR. eplr_another is a terminal beat in EPLR with keyword name "alternative" and reaction "'What if I did have the power to Call you back to me, wayfarer? What if these dreams we share have not been yours alone?' A red-orange dullness and the muffled sound of seagulls begin to seep into the void, and Rume begins to fade, but you clutch [himher] tightly. 'What if my alpine world has bluerock, too,' [heshe] says quickly, 'in the dust, in the air, in each living thing? In the sweat of my body, the moisture of my lips...'

[CHeShe] steps forward, touching a hand to your cheek even as [heshe] fades nearly to invisibility behind the onrushing intrusion of waking reality, searching you with sea-blue eyes that alone remain real and visible, deep as oceans, indigo flecks and imperfections sparkling in their depths...

'In my eyes,' [heshe] whispers, and you are awake.".