Interlude γ
Caroline watched the scene unfolding in front of her with growing horror. For the time being, she had taken a position above the stone archway that Richard had already passed through three times.
The Rules forbade her from directly interfering, but even beyond that Caroline realized that she had no idea what her powers as an Avatar actually entailed. What could she do to stop this monstrous creature that was chasing Richard and Kellie?
Some of her anxiety must have bled through the mental link shared by the Avatars (sometimes known as AOL — Avatars OnLine), and Caroline felt Melinda come mentally to her aid. Here, she sent quickly, Like this.
Melinda focused Caroline’s attention away from the monster, instead watching the illusion that had appeared to Richard and Kellie to be a very twisted city. Caroline could tell that there was no city there at all, but there was a force of some kind. And what it was doing was—speaking.
Stumbled a bit in commands to “track the girl”, Melinda said declaratively. Caroline looked at her in confusion. See, Melinda explained, these lower-level monsters always have a lower-level controller who manages them by Speech. By judging and noting the flaws in their technique you disrupt their control, until the monster will eventually vanish simply because no one actually believes what the controller is saying.
O…K… Caroline decided to accept the convoluted explanation.
Melinda’s presence began to fade away. Whoops, looks like the “Parli Rebellion” may be in for a spot of trouble, she sent before disappearing entirely and not completely reassuringly.
Caroline focused back on the monster and its malevolent controlling presence. Distracted when Kellie activated her talent, she noted, and the monster paused, confused.
But it wasn’t enough. Soon the monster would reach the clearing and—
It was only then that Caroline noticed the case held in Kellie’s hand. Prewritten responses, she realized. While not technically illegal, they were a controlled substance, at least at her tournament.
Still, the intricate case made Caroline suspect that these were no ordinary debate cards. She would have to keep an eye on Kellie and Richard in the future.
They had nearly reached the bottom of the hill, and Caroline abruptly refocused her attention on the chase. There was no way her simple critiques would be able to stop the monster in time. Later she would have to practice the technique, but now—
She cast about for an idea and suddenly felt a strong presence already heading for the clearing. It was surprisingly strong, in fact, for a mortal, and Caroline suspected that the woman must be a Platform speaker as well.
Caroline channelled her energy into the woman like the resonating winds of the Tacoma Narrows, and—