realmofstories | ( open ) most intriguing

Characters: Cyrus Albright [Sherlock Holmes] & you!
Campaign: Break
Format: [ brackets! ]
Open
Summary: January sidestory shenanigans and some general open prompts!

🖋️ i. journal

Salutations,

I find myself curious as to how other Aspects have found themselves changed by their Essences in the time they've been here. No doubt we all found ourselves altered in some respects, marked by both losses and gains, but as time has gone on, how have you acclimated to whatever gifts the Storyteller has bestowed upon you? Have your new abilities perhaps developed further since your initial arrival, or have you discovered new and unexpected talents? Any related discussion would be more than welcome, not only for curiosity's sake, but in a continued effort to learn more about this world we've pledged our aid to and its inner workings.

Sincerely,
Professor Cyrus Albright (Sherlock Holmes)

📖 ii. library

[It wouldn't be entirely inaccurate to say that Cyrus has spent more time in the Index's library than he has in his own home since his arrival. How could he possibly stay away from such a collection, with so many volumes offering windows into both this and other worlds? He's become a regular there, with a favored table that the library staff have learned to leave unoccupied for him, where he's made a habit of spending countless hours reading, researching and taking scribbled notes that likely mean very little to anyone but him at first glance. He's come to feel quite at home there— perhaps too much so.

This particular evening finds him at his usual table, though not necessarily working— he's been at it so long that he's fallen quite asleep atop his work, face-down in an open book with tomes of various sizes stacked haphazardly across the table and towering over him. His quill has fallen from his hand mid-sentence, with a cup of tea that's positioned precariously close to the table's edge and in very real danger of being knocked over if he so much as shifts.

The situation is a disaster waiting to happen, really.]

🛏️ iii. a towering puzzle

[Cyrus never could resist a puzzle or mystery, long before becoming an Aspect, and so when it comes time to restore this particular tale, it's no surprise where his unparalleled focus is drawn. He stands before the revolving tower of beds, his finger crooked just beneath his chin as he regards the tower as a whole, thoughtful.]

The matching should be simple enough, but there must be more to this.

[He has yet to see an Eraser, but he has no doubt they'll make themselves known before long.]

Indeed, some of these seem to be trapped— a hazard for anyone aiming to climb. We must be on our guard so that our Princess may reach their goal!

[Hey, you— yes, you. You've just been conscripted to help him solve this, whether you like it or not. Maybe you're interested in the puzzle itself, or you can offer your services by keeping the Erasers at bay while Cyrus works? Either way, Professor ~~Layton~~ Albright welcomes your assistance.]

🍭 iv. rotten forest

[Whatever has brought you to the forest of decaying sweets, you're in good company. Cyrus' Essence makes him an excellent partner when it comes to scouting for those white pebbles, and he also seems to have a knack for spotting Erasers that might be hiding among the candy cane trees and gumdrop bushes. He's actually looking forward to confrontation here— he may not have his magic in its purest form, but he's worked out a few new tricks with his pipe that he's eager to put into practice.

For the time being, however, he's quite interested in the forest itself, and he approaches a tree that looks like it was meant to be a lollipop in order to examine it more closely.]

These truly are remarkable, even crumbling as they are— do you think they grow naturally?

[Or did the witch who owns the cottage further in put them here?]

I have to wonder what one would plant to grow such a tree. Given this world's magic, I imagine anything is possible. There's no scientific law here that would prevent a planted lollipop from growing into something far greater. Truly, this world's possibilities are endless.

[He's gushing. Apologies to whoever has wound up working with him— unfortunately, he's just like this.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I guess so. It's actually pretty nice to swim through the lake. I've never really gone swimming before.

I have, yeah. It's not the worst thing to get used to.

Not having gone swimming in the past, was it difficult to learn, or instinctual?

A little?

I mean, just learning to use a tail instead of my legs was kind of hard, but

[And here, Roxas's writing pauses as he takes some time to really think about it. Truthfully, he had never really gone swimming, but... but he had memories of swimming. Memories that weren't his own, but he had access to, through his connection through Sora. He had never swam before, but Sora had. He'd never visited a world where he turned into a merman, but Sora had.]

I guess it's a little of both

An interesting contrast, in that case. I thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, this has been most illuminating.
It seems the range of possibilities in this world is truly enough to test the limits of even the most vibrant imagination.

No problem. Glad I could help in some way.

So, are you going to keep track of everyone's essence abilities?

Perhaps not a detailed directory, but I'll be making notes, yes. Mostly to sate my own curiosity, but it may very well come in handy sooner rather than later! One never knows what tasks might be demanded of us as we attempt to restore future drafts.

That's a pretty big job you're taking up.

But I think it would be cool, seeing how many essences are out there and who has what.

It will undoubtedly be a daunting task, but one well worth doing, in my opinion. Besides, I would be remiss to overlook such an opportunity to further my own knowledge of this world!

Well, good luck with that. That's something I think I'd like to read once it's done!

My thanks for your support. Should the project progress in a meaningful way, I'll be certain to let you know!

( open ) most intriguing

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