Gandalf the White (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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towerofanimus2013-05-20 01:41 am
the_white_rider) wrote in towerofanimus2013-05-20 01:41 am
[06] || [Rumors] || [Open]
Characters: Gandalf the White and You.
Setting: Dormitory Floors, Cafeteria, Library and Meadow.
Format: Action or Prose, as you prefer.
Summary: The "rumor has it" event starts and Gandalf investigates the weird writings on the walls. There will be two prompts for the first day of the event (Dormitories and Cafeteria), a prompt for any other day during the event (Library) and a prompt backdatted to before the event (Meadow).
Warnings: Nothing for now, will update if something comes up.
• Dormitory Floors (Morning, First day of the Event)
This morning could have been the beginning of a pleasant day-- Or at the very least a less unpleasant day; depending on your viewpoint and mood. Yes it could have been, if only it had not been the obvious start of yet another game designed by the administrators. Damaging the walls of the tower was an impossible task for any of the residents, that much the wizard was certain of-- So when the he spotted a marking inscribed onto the very wall saying: 'Amagi Challenge? What Amagi Challenge? Wasn't a problem at all for Ryoji Mochizuki. Though it seems to have escalated a little quickly, if you know what we mean. Little fast, don't you think, Yuki-chan?', it was fairly obvious it could be naught but the work of the tower.
The White Wizard frowned upon seeing this and studied the markings-- Not that it made much sense, the names spoken here were not familiar to him. Was it saying an event that came to pass, that would come to pass? Were those mere words with no sense? Somehow he doubted this would have no effect, and took note of it on a yellowed paper. If this was the premise of yet another game, or experiment, they should be ready to deal with its consequences.
• Cafeteria (Afternoon, First day of the Event)
By the time Gandalf reached the Cafeteria, he would have caught up with the rumor process and the inner workings of this 'event', more or less. Dangerous game that the administrators were playing, and whilst he was certain that they had set some failsafe meant to protect the administrative levels from the potential of rumors backfiring, it was no less of a danger for the residents.
No matter, he would eat his usual meal all while pondering about this and looking at the rumor in the Cafeteria from a certain distance: 'Someone is going through your trunk while you sleep'. In any other situation, this could have been funny. As he ate, he spotted someone striking out this rumor only to inscribe a new one: 'Everyone can hear what you're thinking'. Not so long after, he spotted yet another person edit the rumor in a no less questionable form: 'Everyone can hear what you're thinking and now they don't like you'.
So much he had hoped the people in this tower had changed and grown. That the trials they had gone through would have elevated them beyond such petty things and prepared them for the battles to come. So great the disappointment was. He sighed and pushed his meal aside, walking to the rumor in order to inspect it and see if anything unusual happened now that two people had edited it.
• Library (Floor 19 - Any day during the event)
In the library, you could find Gandalf maintaining a list of the ongoing rumors in the tower-- Or at least the rumors he had caught sight of, which probably omitted a lot of them. The list was divided between the dangerous, helpful and harmless rumors. Thankfully the tower's residents seemed good enough at keeping the harmful rumors from ever coming true.
Otherwise, Gandalf would be inspecting the restored missing sections of the library. This was without a doubt the most positive aspect to have come from these rumors, yet at the same time the most disappointing. Most of the books turned into dust upon being touched, even when he tried to take them using magic. And what books were not ruined, were impossible to read due to the ink. Sometimes he would be pointing his staff on one of the inked pages to try and have it become readable, to no avail.
Disappointing was on understatement. So long he had hoped to find the missing books and now that they were there, they were of no use. If they were the real missing books for that matter-- Yet he felt that yes and that someone purposefully ruined them, but in no way could he be certain of that.
• Meadow (Evening - Backdatted to before the Event)
Even though Gandalf spent most of his of time working on his theories and helping the 'resistance' movements, on rare occasions he took time to spend with his companion, Shadowfax-- His horse and old friend whom he 'regained' following the events that had transpired during October. The lord of all horses was sometimes running around, disappearing and reappearing once in a while.
Meanwhile, Gandalf was working on some fireworks of his own making. Celebratory events were scarce and rare in this tower, but when they happened they were occasions for people to keep their spirits up and his fireworks generally proved to be great distractions, especially for children.
From times to times, he would set elf-fountains off, emitting showers of multi-color sparks, or small rockets producing beautiful and shining greens trees with trunks of dark smoke. He would do that only once or twice though, to make certain his fireworks were still working correctly.
Setting: Dormitory Floors, Cafeteria, Library and Meadow.
Format: Action or Prose, as you prefer.
Summary: The "rumor has it" event starts and Gandalf investigates the weird writings on the walls. There will be two prompts for the first day of the event (Dormitories and Cafeteria), a prompt for any other day during the event (Library) and a prompt backdatted to before the event (Meadow).
Warnings: Nothing for now, will update if something comes up.
• Dormitory Floors (Morning, First day of the Event)
This morning could have been the beginning of a pleasant day-- Or at the very least a less unpleasant day; depending on your viewpoint and mood. Yes it could have been, if only it had not been the obvious start of yet another game designed by the administrators. Damaging the walls of the tower was an impossible task for any of the residents, that much the wizard was certain of-- So when the he spotted a marking inscribed onto the very wall saying: 'Amagi Challenge? What Amagi Challenge? Wasn't a problem at all for Ryoji Mochizuki. Though it seems to have escalated a little quickly, if you know what we mean. Little fast, don't you think, Yuki-chan?', it was fairly obvious it could be naught but the work of the tower.
The White Wizard frowned upon seeing this and studied the markings-- Not that it made much sense, the names spoken here were not familiar to him. Was it saying an event that came to pass, that would come to pass? Were those mere words with no sense? Somehow he doubted this would have no effect, and took note of it on a yellowed paper. If this was the premise of yet another game, or experiment, they should be ready to deal with its consequences.
• Cafeteria (Afternoon, First day of the Event)
By the time Gandalf reached the Cafeteria, he would have caught up with the rumor process and the inner workings of this 'event', more or less. Dangerous game that the administrators were playing, and whilst he was certain that they had set some failsafe meant to protect the administrative levels from the potential of rumors backfiring, it was no less of a danger for the residents.
No matter, he would eat his usual meal all while pondering about this and looking at the rumor in the Cafeteria from a certain distance: 'Someone is going through your trunk while you sleep'. In any other situation, this could have been funny. As he ate, he spotted someone striking out this rumor only to inscribe a new one: 'Everyone can hear what you're thinking'. Not so long after, he spotted yet another person edit the rumor in a no less questionable form: 'Everyone can hear what you're thinking and now they don't like you'.
So much he had hoped the people in this tower had changed and grown. That the trials they had gone through would have elevated them beyond such petty things and prepared them for the battles to come. So great the disappointment was. He sighed and pushed his meal aside, walking to the rumor in order to inspect it and see if anything unusual happened now that two people had edited it.
• Library (Floor 19 - Any day during the event)
In the library, you could find Gandalf maintaining a list of the ongoing rumors in the tower-- Or at least the rumors he had caught sight of, which probably omitted a lot of them. The list was divided between the dangerous, helpful and harmless rumors. Thankfully the tower's residents seemed good enough at keeping the harmful rumors from ever coming true.
Otherwise, Gandalf would be inspecting the restored missing sections of the library. This was without a doubt the most positive aspect to have come from these rumors, yet at the same time the most disappointing. Most of the books turned into dust upon being touched, even when he tried to take them using magic. And what books were not ruined, were impossible to read due to the ink. Sometimes he would be pointing his staff on one of the inked pages to try and have it become readable, to no avail.
Disappointing was on understatement. So long he had hoped to find the missing books and now that they were there, they were of no use. If they were the real missing books for that matter-- Yet he felt that yes and that someone purposefully ruined them, but in no way could he be certain of that.
• Meadow (Evening - Backdatted to before the Event)
Even though Gandalf spent most of his of time working on his theories and helping the 'resistance' movements, on rare occasions he took time to spend with his companion, Shadowfax-- His horse and old friend whom he 'regained' following the events that had transpired during October. The lord of all horses was sometimes running around, disappearing and reappearing once in a while.
Meanwhile, Gandalf was working on some fireworks of his own making. Celebratory events were scarce and rare in this tower, but when they happened they were occasions for people to keep their spirits up and his fireworks generally proved to be great distractions, especially for children.
From times to times, he would set elf-fountains off, emitting showers of multi-color sparks, or small rockets producing beautiful and shining greens trees with trunks of dark smoke. He would do that only once or twice though, to make certain his fireworks were still working correctly.
Library
"...So it was true, but not nearly true enough."
He's a dismayed looking young man, wearing a helm and gloves to match, a spear strapped to his back.
no subject
With that said the White Wizard, who had been looking at the book he was holding so far, turned to face Kain. He recognized the expression of dismay on his face for he had seen it too often in this tower and his homeworld, but replied to it with a slight smile.
"But we shall pierce them, the time will come." the wizard said "Today is simply another time; for another task."
no subject
Something about the old man's smile was reassuring. The shock and dismay was fading from Kain fast. "And what task might that be?"
no subject
He then nodded at him.
"For the time being, our task is to take care of what is at hand, these rumors. Keeping them under check and warning people of their danger."
no subject
"An important task, I'd say. Who knows what else might start spreading? If you are in need of assistance, allow me to offer it."
Library (Floor 19 - 2nd day)
He had passed this rumor on the way down from the elevator to the 19th Floor Library and it again only really verified something he'd heard implied before. It really did seem as though the Tower were on a truth-revealing stint; though to think too much into that fact was a little nauseating itself.
There were some books he had seen on the 3rd Floor earlier, that had been restored where there were usually empty shelves in the history section, and useless as they had been; turning to dust at his very touch, it was imperative for him to check the other Library as well. This Library had many more missing sections - there had to be something and it would be unacceptable for Sephiroth to miss an opportunity.
"Too much to hope for." Would be the comment from across at another restored section of books as Sephiroth slammed shut a book of papers soaked in red ink. "Data expunged, indeed."
no subject
Of course, Gandalf had never interacted with Sephiroth before-- Or it would be more accurate to say he had never interacted with with this version of Sephiroth. The one he had spoken with a long time ago was pre-Nibelheim incident and had appeared to Gandalf as a good person with a seemingly good heart. For that matter, he had even been recruited into the first version of the resistance, when the movement was still open and less secretive.
Hence Gandalf at least had no reasons to be wary of this Sephiroth-- After all he has not yet caught wind of Sephiroth's doing in the tower. However he didn't mistake him for the other Sephiroth either, for he had seen the gravestone with his name was still there not so long ago.
"This tower certainly shall not reveal us its secrets that easilly." the white wizard commented at Sephiroth slamming shut a book, before returning his attention to a shelf "However, as disappointing as this result may be, none of this is pointless. There may be information to be learnt here."
no subject
Naturally, he was curious to the older man and his quite strange white attire; but perhaps moreso than any other random resident he might have encountered. This one appeared to be quite the stereotype for an old, wizened, elder type and so Sephiroth would need to determine for a fact if that was the case. Many people are not what they seem in the Tower, and assuming is dangerous.
"Nothing new there." He replied dryly. Though he might have argued that there really is no point to any of this, Sephiroth refrained from adding further comment. If nothing else, apparently there was information sensitive enough here to warrant it's destruction then, provided this was not just another elaborate way to make them think that. That didn't fit with the current theme of truths though.
"Any information other than to be reminded of our Hosts' penchant for vandalism, that is." Sephiroth then fully turned and approached the same set of shelves Gandalf was stood by, using the opportunity again to take in as many details about the older man as he could in the few steps between them. He peered up onto a shelf just past his head height, trying to tell in advance if the next one he touched might dissolve or simply be illegible.
no subject
"And yet you are assuming our hosts did this." Gandalf rose his eyebrows as he took another book "When those guilty of this crime are possibly long gone."
And they probably were not if Gandalf's deductions were correct, at the notable exception of Ruana of course, but he would say no more words. He had theories about this and tried to see beyond the destruction to see the symbolism; but he just would not share them that easilly.
no subject
"Possible. Though it would be completely unjustified to leave them free from accusation. They have kept these volumes from us, until now." Sephiroth allowed his gaze to drop from the bookshelf as that nagging thought over the why now? crossed his mind again. After all this time, why this month would they decide to let some truths be known, to drop a veil or two and finally allow for them to see?
He, for one has certainly given them no reason to grant such rewards.
Sephiroth hooked a leathered finger over the top of the spine for the next book but the moment he exerted the force needed to draw it from the shelf that finger went through it; as that book crumbled to dust under his touch and he was left brushing it's remains from his fingers.
"Hmph, typical."
no subject
"Unjustified until a justification is found and the clues are laid bare before our eyes."
He looked at the book Sephiroth grabbed and shook his head before turning back to the shelves.
"Falling to dust. It must have happened hundreds if not thousands years ago."
And the administrators were most likely not born back then, hence leaving them free of accusation. Well, save for one administrator that is: Ruana. If the notes Princess Zelda had shown him was to believed, she was a thousand years old.
no subject
"Or so we are led to believe."
Sephiroth knows of the suspicion that Ruana is a thousand years old but only by hearsay; where actually was the proof, or indeed the proof of how time passes in this realm. Sure their lives are regulated by monthly cycles but that could be but another tool with which they control everyone.
The leather clad man stepped back from the shelf and surveyed the whole set of shelves once more. Staring at them wasn't going to answer his questions, and in pursuit of his curiosity regarding the wizened older man Sephiroth could at least attempt to gain the others' insight with which to put his own together.
"What do you suppose, one could take away from their sudden appearance?"
Meadow
"Gandalf. I did not know you were in possession of such a fine beast." Thorin's eyes drifted over to the fine stallion next to them. "Are you planning on making some fireworks for the tower's inhabitants? I thought only the hobbits appreciated such displays." He teased slightly.
no subject
With that he rose his eyebrows at Thorin with a slight smile before turning back to the fireworks
"I am." he nodded and took a rocket on the ground "Hobbits are far from being the only ones in this tower or for that matter in Middle-Earth to appreciate my expertise in this domain, and for this I am thankful."
no subject
"Were you pulled from our quest by the tower like I was? Or another time and place?" He let his eyes grace over Shadowfax once more. "Why would the king of Rohan give you his mount?"
no subject
He sighed. His curiosity was to be expected, yet there were some things that he would have to keep from the Dwarf. Knowing too much about your own future was never a good thing.
"I come from what you would call the future. Many years after the completion of the quest." he said "Or more accurately, I come from a possible future, for your journey has yet to be completed and your destiny to be written."
no subject
"You are trying to tell me, that you come from the future? What witchcraft is this?" He had confusion in his voice and also annoyance. How could he just believe that? Those sort of ideas did not exist. At least, he thought not.
"After the quest, you say? How far after?"
no subject
Gandalf then coughed at his question on how far after. The questions on the future he had feared, but this one was fairly harmless.
"Oh... Some eighty years after the quest if my memories serve me right."
no subject
"I do not care of the business of wizards, yet something major but have happened for you to change your image."
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"This is correct. I was Gandalf the Grey." he said "I am now Gandalf the White. If you truly want to know, I shall only say that the head of my order revealed his true colors and the task was cast upon me to be what he should have been."
There is a certain irony when he says 'colors', but he shall say no more words on that matter.
no subject
"Tis good to see you again, Gandalf. No matter what colours you bare, you are still welcome on the quest. As long as you do not question my motives and orders I give to the other dwarves." He remembered the incident at the burned out house. Gandalf sought company elsewhere and Thorin threw a dwarven tantrum.
Cafeteria
"Say, Uncle.. You okay? Aren't ya' hungry? You're not feeling sick, are you?"
no subject
With that said, Gandalf turned back to the wall, inspecting the writings once more before continuing.
"As for you worries you may be happy to hear none of them seemingly apply to me, for I am no longer hungry nor am I affected by any diseases, a state which I hope shall persist." the wizard said before adding with smile "Furthermore I am no uncle, least of all yours."
no subject
Luffy takes a few steps forward, standing next to the older man as he faced the wall. He returned a bright grin as Gandalf finished, laughing between his clenched teeth.
"I don't think I could ever not be hungry, but that's pretty neat to hear! Probably for the best you're not my Uncle, too. Though you look a lot more like my Grandpa than an "uncle". What'cha' lookin' at on the wall here?"
no subject
"The writings." Gandalf replied, pointing at the rumor written on the wall "But I would be cautious with them if I were you, for nothing good will come from these."
no subject
"It's probably a good thing that I can't read very well, then. Thanks for the warning!"
[Not being fully aware of whether or not his staring would be impolite, Luffy looks Gandalf up and down as he examined the stature of his new aquaintance.]
"You remind me of someone, Mister.."
no subject
Gandalf said this with a bit of gravity-- The tower was nothing to be light and careless about, it was impossible to say whether these words would have an effect or not even with a lack of reading comprehension, though Gandalf figured it may work in his favor.
He lost his air of gravity at the next question though and rose his eyebrows. Now only to hope he doesn't remind him of someone too old.
"Do I now? Another elderly figure?"
no subject
Plus, he had really cool armor! But you guys both look a lot alike. I'm sure you're just as caring and strong as he was! Ha! I can see it in your eyes!"
[His child-like grin becomes larger, reminiscing over his time in the land of Skypiea and his time spent with he wise protector Gan Fall.]
Cafeteria
So he was looking for Frodo, but hobbits were easy to misplace in a place this big, even though Sam spent most of his time glued to Frodo's side.
He was looking around the cafeteria when he saw someone else he had misplaced. He had been told that Gandalf was alive, and in the tower no less but somehow had never been able to find him.
"Gandalf... it is true."
no subject
When he heard the familiar voice Gandalf suddenly stopped his inspection of the wall and turned to the gardener. Whether the White Wizard did or not know that Sam was in the tower thanks to the names by the dormitories was unknown, but he looked at the Hobbit with a it of surprise.
"Bless my beard, Samwise Gamgee." he said and smiled "Well well, true? If you are speaking of my presence between these walls, it certainly is no rumor and has been true for a long time."
no subject
Not that he had doubted mister Frodo or Legolas' words but knowing was different than seeing after all.
no subject
"So you come to us from a time when the quest of Mount Doom has yet to be completed."
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"No it was completed, right that moment, Mount Doom was raining fire and I woke up here. Hard to remember it wasn't a dream."
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"It was no dream indeed. Would time have been allowed to follow its course, you would have awakened on a bed in the land of Ithilien." Gandalf said "Now it is only a matter of freeing time from this tower."
no subject
Library
For once, she wanted her retrieval unit to leave her alone for the day, so she had done a lot of running around before coming into the library to read, semi-mourn, and fume to herself. However, when she saw Gandalf, those plans changed, and she sighed to herself.
"This really is a tragedy. It seems like they're just toying with us and teasing us now."
no subject
"It seems like it." Gandalf nodded and paused before putting his book down "Yet the rumor was without a doubt started by a resident. It is possible this is legitimately all the tower could do to make the rumor a reality."
Which would imply the administrators are, for once, innocent. Mostly at least, Ruana certainly bore her share of the guilt.
no subject
"That's possible..or the Administrators started pulling out the first ones and, as the residents altered them, made them come true, in their own ways, for better or worse."
no subject
Riki was without a doubt the most difficult administrator to figure out. The other four had all been quite typical in a sense, each openly displaying their qualities and default (more often defaults). Even Gandalf was unsure of his true motives.
"He has shown little concern with protecting the tower's secret in the past. His interest appears to lie firmly with the walls of this tower and keeping himself safe from Ruana's wrath." he said "But of course, this is only what I suppose."
no subject
"I know that Riki is in charge this month. While he's a quiet person, he's not above harming us if Ruana orders him to. This whole thing could have been one of her inventions that she passed onto him, and since he seems to care about his neck, he did what she told him to do. I'm not sure exactly what motives or goals he has..but he doesn't seem disinterested in helping us, as long as it ensures that he'll live as well. After all, if he didn't care about us, why would he build a mourning floor for Dax after his murder or give us good food?"
Library, just like the good ol' days
[Zelda muses as she picks up one of the inked papers near the astral projection section. Ever since she woke up in this Goddess-forsaken Tower, the missing sections of the library on the nineteenth floor have been a point to puzzle over - an unspoken question with a jealously guarded answer. What don't they want us to know? And she had tried, with varying amounts of success, to learn the things these shelves might have held, even going so far as to ask about astral projection and the like on the network.
Given current circumstances, it hadn't been a puzzle she had thought on for some time. That is, until she stepped onto the nineteenth floor to see the mess that's been made of it. She's not exactly surprised that none of the texts are readable - nothing in the Tower comes that easy, but it is interesting to note, nonetheless.]
Who would want to destroy this kind of information, I wonder.
no subject
[ The white wizard turned to Zelda when she heard him speak, still with a ravaged book in hand. ]
There are many possible explanations, yet more than one may be true. As disappointing as these results are, I believe they are very informative.
[ Gandalf carefully laid out two books before him-- One that was on the verge of crumbling and falling to dust and one that still stood but had been violently torn apart. Next to them he laid down one of the page dipped in black in and one of those dipped in red ink with the Data Expunged note. ]
no subject
[She strides towards Gandalf's table, setting the inked piece of paper down across from him.]
Ruana does not like being reminded of the things the Tower's previous researchers did to her - or what she did to them - and reacts violently when pressed on the matter. It does not seem like much of a stretch to me that such a troubled person would obliterate any reminder of those events if they could.
[Bracing herself with the heels of her palms, Zelda leans against the table, staring down intently at the collection of decaying texts before her.]
The question then becomes: what did they do? [And then a glance back towards the astral projection section.] What were they trying to accomplish with her?
no subject
[ He points at one of the violently torn apart books as he said that. ]
However-- [He then pointed at the inked piece of paper the set on the table] This method of destruction is different. It is a method of cold logic, opposite to the outburst of emotions and more characteristic of individuals similar to Jason and Riki. Ruana did ravage the books, but I believe someone or something may have preceded her to it.
[ He took quite a couple seconds before replying, lost in thoughts at her question. ]
All we know is that their work most likely focused on the concept of souls and probably involved other worlds, in one way or another. Then they made her the monster she is today and possibly unleashed what destroys our worlds. Either what they tried to accomplish went wrong, either there has been a greater evil at work behind Ruana.
no subject
... She - or whoever was on the network that one time - said whatever they were trying to do "worked." She was picked for her psionic strength, and they were trying to do... something with the Tower...
[Stream of consciousness thinking. It's all she can try to do with so many questions unanswered.]
I doubt the researchers wanted to die, so I think it is more likely something they did not plan happened. It sounded like they could not handle Ruana's powers, from that recording a few months ago.
Cafeteria
Link was affected, yet not himself, no matter how long he stared unintentionally. Things in this tower were strange.
no subject
"It is not and I I am hopeful it will stay that way." he nodded at his words "Indeed, I have seen the writings in the dormitories. I am worried what will happen if they are left unchecked."
no subject