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#Post#: 679--------------------------------------------------
[Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Chance Date: January 6, 2025, 9:37 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/936b267f-ba0b-4a79-9fc7-d4f3176387dd.jpg[/img][/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
It's an evening in the fall sometime when one of the
front-of-house staff finds Graham and hour or so before opening,
at a time of night when there's no patrons at Tapestry, just
staff (and assorted mages and consors). They tell Graham that
there is a man looking to see him, someone named Lucien who
dropped the name of a noted Ecstatic, Ailey Huxley.
Ailey, a divya of the Sahajiya, has attended the club several
times with her Sidhe husband Finn over the past decade or so.
Ailey tends to keep contact with people, so she's sent holiday
cards and occasional chatty emails if they were welcome, and at
some point in recent days sent him an email saying she had a new
project in the works, and would be in touch soon about it
because she thought he might be interested.
What kind of project was not clear, because her last projects
were a sorta-religion of the nontraditional variety called the
Temple of Divine Joy, an organization similar to the Unitarian
Universalists in that they are multi-denominational and accept
anyone who's respectful to others, and her own new teaching
chantry in Sonoma, CA, called the House of Joy. Her chantry is
noteworthy in that it accepts Orphans and Disparates who are
willing to work with Traditions folk, and keeps a strict policy
on equity among the membership.
She keeps busy. Being able to co-locate helps.
In any case, the name mentioned was one she mentioned in her
earlier email, so Lucien is something of a known quantity.
In the foyer, a man awaits welcome. He is dressed in a dark
suit, charcoal-grey shirt, no tie, and looks like a money guy,
except for that strange something about him that screams out to
Dionysus. He doesn't feel like a god, per se... he feels like
something divine, though, and his smile is devilishly appealing.
#Post#: 680--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Tassy Crewse Date: January 6, 2025, 10:26 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://www.ceruleandreams.net/Pics/Graham/Graham5.jpg[/img][/float]
[center] Graham Alstan
But the dark roman wine in our bloodstreams
Makes the cold just a word, just a sound[/center]
Hollow One| Dionysus
[hr]
He had been working in his office when the person found him. Not
yet in his costume for the night he was dressed in a plain white
button up shirt with the first few buttons undone, and faded
jeans. his hair soft and lose around his shoulders. he had
actually been writing an Email back to Ailey telling her he was
excited to hear what her latest project would be, and that he
might make a trip out to California in the spring to see her own
chantry.
The fact that the visitor had no other name besides Lucien
intrigued him, as well as the fact that Ailey had mentioned
someone with that name. Picking up the wineglass that set on his
desk he stood and followed the greeter back out to the main part
of Tapestry.
Seeing the man he smiled and walked over holding out a hand.
"Welcome to Tapestry, are you the friend of Ailey's she
mentioned? Can i get you something to drink?"
Even dressed down as he was there was something about graham
that just screamed Dionysus, and brought thought to mind of
sweet wine and excess.
#Post#: 681--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Chance Date: January 6, 2025, 10:54 am
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max=45%]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lucien325-224x300.jpg[/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
Lucien extends a hand, taking Graham's in his own. The grip is
warm and firm but not crushing; comfortable. "I am!" He has a
hard-to-place accent mingled with his upper-crust-British
diction, but the overall effect is pleasing to the ear, almost
musical. "Ailey wanted me to meet you, since I'm the other head
of the project... it's sort of a sensitive matter, though, so
I'll save the details for your ears alone."
His gaze moves over Graham in a way that suggests he sees the
god as much as the man, and that he finds both pleasing to the
senses. Maybe another Ecstatic? Whoever he is, he has confidence
in spades.
"And I'll have one of whatever you're drinking. It's good to be
companionable, yes?"
Another grin, and a slight wink. He's certain of his charm, but
it stops just short of being a complete asshole. Just.
#Post#: 685--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Tassy Crewse Date: January 7, 2025, 8:17 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://www.ceruleandreams.net/Pics/Graham/Graham5.jpg[/img][/float]
[center] Graham Alstan
But the dark roman wine in our bloodstreams
Makes the cold just a word, just a sound[/center]
Hollow One| Dionysus
[hr]
Graham's handshake is firm, and confident but not testing. His
skin is warm and soft.
“I am very curious to hear about this project you and Ailey are
working on let's head back to my office and we can talk
privately there. “Graham's voice was smooth and deep, but
without any noticeable accent other than ‘American’ the benefits
of growing up in the midwest.
He didn’t mind the way Lucien looked him over in the slightest,
in fact, he took the presented opportunity to do the same.
Ailey had always said that he would have made a decent Escatic
if he hadn’t decided to be a Hollow One.
He turned gesturing for Lucien to walk with him and lead him
downstairs into his office. It was a large space with darkly
painted walls. Most of the room was taken up by an antique oak
desk. Comfortable padded chairs set in front of that, and a long
overstuffed couch set along one wall. The other wall held a
full-length gilt mirror.
Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Walking over to a bar against the wall behind the desk he picked
up a wine glass, and filled it from an opened bottle before
holding it out to Lucien.
“Dark cherry chocolate. I own a winery that I let have a
creative license. This is one of their creations.” He sits down
on the couch stretching an arm across the back of it.
#Post#: 686--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Chance Date: January 7, 2025, 10:35 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lucien02.jpg[/img][/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
"Oh, I hope you'll like it," Lucien says warmly, already taking
a visible liking to the other man, responding with affable ease.
He follows Graham contentedly, the two dark-tall figures making
a handsome picture as they walk together.
He takes in the whole of the club as they walk, ot missing a
detail, pleased. "I can see why Ailey said the Ecstatics lost
out on not having you," he says as they come to the office.
"This place is clearly meant to ignite so much within the
spirit... and unique in this city, as far as I know. You don't
see much dinner theatre any more, which is a shame, because it's
such a wonderful way to overstimulate the senses."
Lucien considers the seating, and then picks a comfortable perch
on the sofa that allows him to talk to Graham wherever he
chooses to sit. He's left room to share the sofa as well, in
case that's his preference. Lucien is nothing if not indulgent,
it seems.
"Dark cherry chocolate, oh, that sounds sinful." He grins and
takes the glass, swirling it a touch to waft the scent to his
nose, and then sighs happily. "The bouquet is delightful." A
moment, and a sip, and more of that happy noise follows. "Oh,
this is truly lovely. This is dessert in itself, I think. For
seduction, or as a post-action treat. Or perhaps just instead of
a slice of cake."
He laughs and shakes his head. "Forgive me. I never turn up a
chance to experience something new."
He pauses, and then begins, "Well. I know you are aware of the
mess in the Horizon in the past decades, with so many places we
cherished becoming a part of history -- Doissetep, Marianna's
Pleasuredome, and so many more. Well. Once upon a time, about
thirty years ago, I had founded a Horizon-based bar for mages
and friends called the Nexus. I was working then with a Master
Virtual Adept named Taliesyn Morris, whose music may be familiar
if you listen to 80s and 90s alternative and electronica at all.
Taliesyn was a wonder; she was taking a break from music, and
she offered to help me with the project once I mentioned it to
her -- we were friends through another of her friends in the
industry. Anyway... she and I ran the place, with her as the
visible owner."
He takes another sip, inhaling, bracing himself. "Well, I'd done
this many times before with similar taverns and pubs, so I
thought there would be no issue. But we wound up with other
sorts of entities finding their ways there and causing issues,
to the point where the Technocratic Union came to see the place
as a hotbed of activity among what they call Reality Deviants.
So in 2004, the place was attacked, and we had to evacuate
everyone. Taliesyn died holding the portal open for everyone to
get out. So... I spent a lot of time thinking about how to do it
again, but safer, this time."
He blows out a breath of emotion. "Sorry. I still regret losing
Syn to this day. She was a dear friend, and a good soul, and a
hell of a Mage."
It takes him a moment to continue, but when he does, the
expression on his face is calmer, warm again. "I met Ailey a few
years ago when she was looking to found her chantry, and we hit
it off nicely. And I had spent the years since thinking of ways
to do it again, and make it safe. After I talked it through with
her, we came up with the Anywhere Cafe and Grill, which is more
of a gathering-place than purely a bar. We want to keep it to
Mages and those who are friendly to us, so I devised a means to
filter out unwanted people through the portals to the cafe."
He grins. "This is where you come in. We want to place portals
strategically with people we know and trust, and Ailey was
insistent that I meet you to discuss placing a portal to
Anywhere in this place, within the chantry proper. The idea is
to give Mages a way to be less isolated in their early years
especially, and connect with others, be able to travel to meet
other teachers, visit other chantries, and so on. Also, just to
be social.
"The question is, do you think that's something you'd be
interested in?"
#Post#: 694--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Tassy Crewse Date: January 8, 2025, 8:03 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://www.ceruleandreams.net/Pics/Graham/Graham5.jpg[/img][/float]
[center] Graham Alstan
But the dark roman wine in our bloodstreams
Makes the cold just a word, just a sound[/center]
Hollow One| Dionysus
[hr]
“If there is another dinner theater in Chicago, other than
Medieval Times which is actually a joke. I am unaware of it. “
He smiled, nothing to forgive. I am much the same way. Always
willing to try something new, and rarely turn down an
opportunity for something when it presents itself.”
His smile faded a bit as Lucien mentioned the trouble in
Horizon. “Most of that had happened already by the time I awoke.
I can only imagine what those places would have been like, and I
am saddened that I will never get to experience them.”
“I do listen to 80’s alternative. I was not both until 1986 so
some of it is older than I am, but still enjoyable.” his
expression grew curious as Lucien visibly braced himself for
what he was about to say.
“I Vuagly remember hearing about that. I awakened in 2004, and I
remember it being one of the biggest topics. I am so very sorry
for the loss of your friend.” His sounded genuine.
He looked very curious as Lucien explained about the Anywhere
café and the portal system. “Are the portal keyed to only allow
those with unhostile intention in?” I think this is a wonderful
idea, and I knowa few of the young mages I have here would love
the opportunity to explore new places, make new friends, and
maybe even find a mentor.”
He chuckled. “To more directly answer your question, I would
very much welcome having one of these portals in Tapestry.”
#Post#: 695--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Chance Date: January 8, 2025, 9:22 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lucien02.jpg[/img][/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
Medieval Times... that makes him laugh and shake his head. "Not
my choice for a fun evening. But then, I've seen the real jousts
once upon a time. Or at least, part of me did." He grins;
perhaps his Avatar shares more than most.
Nothing to forgive -- of course. Lucien must have missed out on
who he was talking to. The talk of the Horizon is serious and
sorrowful, but he adds, "You would have liked the Pleasuredome,
I think. Marianna of Balador was an inspiration. Both for her
work as a mage and her nature as a woman. I was fortunate enough
to have met her, and consider myself lucky for it."
He mms. A pause, and then, "So much of what was lost in the
Horizon seemed like it was going to destroy the future of
Ascension. A lot of the mages who survived were just lost for a
long time, afraid they'd never find the heights of their
predecessors. But Many of them have risen to the challenge."
The knowledge that Graham might know and remember Syn at least
as a musician seems to please Lucien greatly; there was clearly
a close bond between them. "Thank you," he says with warmth and
sincerity. "I like to think I'll meet her again, or at least her
next life, someday." He reaches across, squeezes Graham's hand
lightly in thanks, and then lets go. His skin is even a little
warmer than normal.
And then the talk turns to the portal, and the future. "Yes, the
portals are keyed to intention, and to identity, too. At the
outset, unless I specifically identify someone through the
portal somehow and approve them, or Ailey does, they will need a
token to enter." He fishes in his pocket, and pulls out a golden
coin about the size of a silver dollar, offering it over to
Graham with a smile.
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/anywhere-cafe-token-300x285.jpg
"This token, to be precise. Some people will get access directly
from me, but they won't be going through chantry portals, if
that is the case, just to protect your safety and security. Your
portal will only be useful in the ways you allow; we can key
each of them differently. Ailey and I worked out some very
detailed conditionals for them. Your personal access coin will
control access through your portal, and the ones I give each of
your members will allow them full access."
He stops to take a long sip of the wine and his eyelids lower,
his expression blissful once more. He lets that moment linger,
and then grins back at Graham again, mellow and pleased.
"So far we have the House of Joy in Sonoma, California, the
Tammany Hall Chantry in New York City, and now you here in
Chicago. We have others on the list to ask in paces ranging from
Germany to England to Japan, but the most important thing is
that they be friendly, with a good reputation among other mages.
I expect to eventually wind up with a good number of chantries.
But they can also be used for travel just for whatever reason
for mages who find a mentor somewhere they don't live, too. The
nice thing about it being in the Horizon is that the space is
very flexible. SO there's crash space, as well, if a Mage needs
to hide outside the Tellurian for a while."
He just grins. "So what I am thinking is that I can get Noel,
who is our sorcerer portalcrafter, here to put in the basic
portal wherever you like. He's Ailey's brother and consor, I
don't know if you've met him."
Graham likely would have met Noel at least once -- a tall,
dirty-blond Englishman in his early thirties at a guess, broad
and muscular, and somewhat shy, but pleasant enough. His gaydar
would have beeped at Noel, for sure, because he was clearly at
least balanced more toward the male part of the spectrum of
sexuality. Definitely at least bi, maybe gay.
"He's doing all the basic portals, so we avoid Ailey taking on
more Paradox than she needs to. Then she and I do all the
refinements, conditionals, and connect it to the network. All of
the portals will be accessible through a specific code in a
booth at the Anywhere Cafe at our end, and through the portal
itself here. It can look pretty much however you'd like it to,
in order to match the decor."
#Post#: 729--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Tassy Crewse Date: January 13, 2025, 9:00 am
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://www.ceruleandreams.net/Pics/Graham/Graham5.jpg[/img][/float]
[center] Graham Alstan
But the dark roman wine in our bloodstreams
Makes the cold just a word, just a sound[/center]
Hollow One| Dionysus
[hr]
Reaching out, Graham took the coin that was offered, turning it
around and over in his long fingers, looking and feeling it with
more than touch alone. “Wonderfully done.” He wasn’t taking the
time to analyze the exact magic or how they were done, but he
could feel them just by touching the coin. He rolled the coin
between and around his fingers.
“Tapestry is thankfully a small Chantry I only have a handful of
members., and even then herding them is like trying to heard
cats. “He laughed. “I do trust all of them however and know that
none of them would cause trouble at a place like the one you are
talking about. “
He listened as Lucien listed off which Chantries were already
connected to the portal network and nodded. “Well, that will
make going and actually visiting Aliey in the spring much
easier.” He grinned. Might I suggest the Chantry of Halcyon near
London? It is owned and run by a friend named Mordaci, another
Hollow One. He actually bought one of the old ruined Castles, it
was rebuilt and modernized a bit. He allowed anyone from any
tradition, but like Tapestry it is a bit of a Quid pro quo sort
of place. It is up to you of course.”
He continued to twirl the coin through his fingers absently
“Mms Noel “ He purred and laughed. “I remember him he is sexy,
and delightfully shy. I thought about trying to take him to my
bed, but i didn’t know if Ailey would approve of me seducing her
brother. I was sorely tempted, and if he is going to be spending
him here constructing a portal i might not be able to help
myself. “ he smiled.
“We can start as soon as Noel is ready to do so. If at all
possible I would like it to look like a gilt edges antique
mirror. It in one of the themes of the place. There can be a
hidden slot for people to insert their coins for passage if you
think such a thing could work?”
#Post#: 730--------------------------------------------------
Re: [Backdated] Tapestry gets a portal!
By: Chance Date: January 13, 2025, 10:26 am
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Lucien grins at the praise. "Thank you," he replies with easy
sincerity. The magic in the coin speaks to travel, but also
seems to take an impression of the person who handles it,
becoming synergistically connected. "That particular coin is
entirely yours now; nobody else can connect through it. You'll
also find that it's hard to misplace."
A little smile plays about his lips; he seems to enjoy talking
about the work itself. The work is art, is joy, is pleasure like
so many other things, and the resonance of the coin quickly
starts to take on Graham's.
"Oh, from what I know of chantries, it's always like that. Mages
have big personalities and large wills and egos, simply by
design, and clashes tend to be bigger as a result. But honestly,
I didn't want to reward the big chantries for being big. I
wanted to give this to chantries that kept their shit together
and had a cohesive group of people involved. It's why I'm being
picky, and also making a point to spread them around among the
Traditions and the Disparates as well as Orphans. I'm looking
for orphan chantries to connect, too, because they are going to
need it most."
A pause. "You may also find that after this you have more people
seeking membership; if you need help with growing the size at
all, you can talk to us. Ailey told me you're fine financially,
but if that stops being the case, let us know. We can invest in
things where needed. We're really looking to build something
that isn't based wholly on power, but more on community."
Hrm. Lucien takes a moment to note down in his phone the
aforementioned London chantry, and then nods again. "I've heard
of them, but I've not been there. Perhaps it's time to pay a
visit. I do want to have a presence on every continent in the
long term. It'll save a lot of us a ton of money on airfare," he
jokes.
A long, hearty laugh follows. "Oh, yes, Noel is in dire need of
a vacation. I don't think he's taken a day off since the project
began! Between his enchanting work, his painting, and all of the
portals, he's never without something happening. And he is a
handsome fellow. I'd feel weird seducing Ailey's brother, given
she's a business partner, but I think she would be fine with
whatever happened so long as everyone was willing and eager. And
I think... at this rate? He really, really needs some down
time."
Another series of notes taken on his phone, and a quick sketch.
"It can absolutely look like a mirror, we could even copy the
existing ones. Whatever Noel comes up with will fit what you
have here, definitely. On the other side, though, they look like
TARDISes. He insisted. I was amused, so I didn't argue."
He pauses long enough to send a text to Noel: >>When can you be
at Tapestry to start work?<<
A reply comes back almost immediately. >>Are they still
nocturnal, mostly? I can pop over to Chicago tomorrow night, my
current project will be done tonight.<<
Lucien looks up. "He says if you're all still nocturnal, he can
come tomorrow night."
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