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[freedom_engineer]

Just a heads up everyone. After last month, I figure it bears being said.

The Queen and Ozuma both seem to operate on observable cycles.

We can probably expect some new arrivals in the next couple of days.

And likewise, we may ALSO want to keep our guard up. Sleep with a weapon, wear comfortable, warm clothes, that sort of thing.

I don't want to see people get pulled into another death trap in their pajamas if we know the possibility is coming.

Comments

[lonewolflion]

Way ahead of you there.

Thanks for the heads up for the people who haven't been here long.

[freedom_engineer]

An ounce of prevention, and all that.

Glad to hear that you're on the ball, though.

[lonewolflion]

Kind of used to it. I always have a knife with me.

[ Even before he got his bayard. ]

[freedom_engineer]

Keeping a knife on you is one of those things you have to learn to do. But yes, I've always got a knife. And a hammer. And... a few other good tools for self defense.

[lonewolflion]

A knife and a hammer.

And other tools?

Huh, guess you're always prepared then, huh?

[ Color him impressed, he love his team but sometimes he has to wonder how some of them(Lance mainly) even get out of bed in the morning without hurting themselves. ]

[freedom_engineer]

I'm paranoid. Ridiculously so. And I'm an engineer, so... yeah, I basically sleep in my toolbelt.

[lonewolflion]

Ah, yeah that makes sense.

[incendiarize]

Apparently we need to sleep with our fone things too. Turns out getting caught without them sucks.

I'm trying to figure out how to make cold less of a problem even in pajamas.

[freedom_engineer]

Slippers, mittens or gloves, and a fluffy hat. Useful for a variety of reasons.

But yes, keep your comm with you pretty much all the time. It's just safer that way.

[incendiarize]

I was thinking more like a fire formula, but not as explody. Lower heat and a sustained burn, that kind of thing.

I'm not making that mistake again.

[freedom_engineer]

Formulas and concoctions are very useful, but don't forget about the mundane. A good pair of gloves can save your hands.

[incendiarize]

Yeah, got it.

Extra layers don't help if they get soaked, though.

[freedom_engineer]

Perhaps work on a formula for water-proofing or drying, in that case?

... Boy, I just talked myself in a circle, didn't I?

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[oldschoolghostbuster]

I am a weapon, so I have that covered. It's nice of you to give everyone else a reminder though, you know?

Totally understand.

[freedom_engineer]

The more we're ready for what may come after us, the better we can respond. I figure after last month, we need a little extra preparation.

text.

[confligo]

It's hard to argue with sound advice.

Is this "observable cycle" you mention something that happens every month? Two months is hardly enough time to confirm my own suspicions.

[freedom_engineer]

It doesn't happen with enough regularity to set your watch by it reliably, but roughly every thirty days or so Ozuma gets a new crop of assistants. And the Queen is usually up to something not long after.

Or during, as last month proved.

[confligo]

I've both heard and seen a few of the tricks she's pulled but no one's really offered anything past what she's capable of - timing, the average length of her... tantrums, things of that nature.

This is good information to have on hand. Thank you.

[freedom_engineer]

All right, let me bring you up to date then.

We're not being told everything. Whether through ignorance or obfuscation, the story we've got is only part of what's going. That said, like Ozzie said... the Queen's the servant of a dark god, just as Ozzie's a servant of a light one.

And she's packing some serious firepower. She can snatch people even out of the safe zones, and she has on several occasions. Attempts to be diplomatic have ended... poorly. As in "They've been turned to stone" poorly. She's also definitely in control of the shadow realm, and the denizens within. However much control ANYONE can claim to exert, anyway.

What she can't do, however, is maintain a constant surge of power. That's why I'm keeping track of the time between these occurrences. I think she and Ozzie BOTH have to gather divine power for a few weeks before they can make their big moves.

At least, that's my guess based on observations.

[confligo]

It sounds like a safe assumption.

How long have you been keeping a record of all of this?

[freedom_engineer]

A day shy of a terran year. Not long enough for completely accurate observations, but long enough to make educated hypothesis for further testing.

[dragonsorcsandwolves]

[Rob hadn't realized that it had been a month already. Time flies when you're... sleeping more than usual and trying to distract yourself into some semblance of normal functionality.]

guess i'm sleeping with my bag of holding tonight

maybe i should sleep with it every night while i'm here

[freedom_engineer]

That is almost certainly a good idea, yes.

[dragonsorcsandwolves]

any tips for making it a comfortable sleeping arrangement?

[freedom_engineer]

Practice, mostly.

A few weeks of mindly annoying sleep will adapt your nerves to the sensation.

I've been comfortably sleeping in my tool belt and shoulder holster for decades.