Best to check it out while you are on the subject. What if half of you/Pillet/Aelsaw were or are secretly Aumstail at some point and as Aumstail you tortured yourself and ran both sides of the scheme as part of og Pillet's plans until Delli fucked it all up?

If its gonna hurt you should grab Delli and snuggle up with some chocolate and have him around for emotional/physical support while you face down the nasty memory stuff.

Sloppily removed or purposely sloppily removed to get the attention of an artificer? Better check it out

Maybe you should take a minute to cuddle your goat and re-center yourself a bit, yeah.

1/4 Pillet 2025/04/10(Thu)17:59 No. 1106087 ID: 04e6e3
File 174433316246.png - (303.62KB , 1200x1000 , 857.png )

>The facial juxtaposition is concerning. From what perspective was that second scene viewed from?
Glancing at the memory... yeah, this memory is definitely of me on the wheel. Let me make sure I've got my head on straight.

Aelsaw lived through this memory about 4,300 years ago. At some point, at least one of us got sealed inside. Two or three hundred years later, something went wrong and I got captured, put on the wheel, and interrogated. That's when Aelsaw's memory was removed from my head and put into this canister.

As for old-Pillet and Aumstail's face being similar there, I think I just got tripped up while I was delirious by noticing the similarity between their similar expressions and conflating Aelsaw's memory with what was then my present self. It sounds stupid but, again, delirious. I doubt Aumstail was secretly Pillet or anyone else.

>Her hiding out for this long only to ambush you seemingly just to give you a memory packet... that sounds like something old-Pillet would do in order to hand off secret information
I don't know if I'm Pillet but I still feel I just offended myself by thinking this.

This wheel memory doesn't belong with Aelsaw's memory anyway, so I separate it out before taking a look. I guess I do need to look. I must have changed a little if I'm afraid of getting hurt. Both old Pillet and Aelsaw acted like they were immune to the very concept of unbearable torment.

>Can viewing that part of the memory damage it in any way?
I can't fathom how. It would be a first if so. I've dissected it from Aelsaw's memory without any apparent issue.

>Trusting Aumstail entirely to decide which bits of memory to see or not doesn't seem ideal.
That's true, but there may not be a choice. If Aumstail decided she wanted me to only skim through some of Aelsaw's memory, I most likely skimmed. This part with me on the wheel is purely a side memory.

I can't be basing my decisions based on if it'll hurt.

"Delli, I'm going to look at something that's actually weird. If I look like I'm having a hard time, it's because I am but it's fine. Just stay in the room for me, alright?"
>"Uh yeah alright, if you say so."

2/4 Aelsaw/Pillet 2025/04/10(Thu)17:59 No. 1106088 ID: 04e6e3
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Approximately 4,000 Years Ago

[ I'm feeding a memory into Aumstail. I think that's part of why I was focused on her face, we're kind of intermingling. The feeling is more vivid than usual. Normally I'm not entirely upright, away from the fumes, but somewhere more horizontal or even upside down. She must have pulled me up, so I was able to think at all. ]

[ My time on the wheel could've been traumatic, but those same fumes that got obedience from me also dulled the pain simply by being in a state near or at blackout level. Being so high up like this diminishes both effects, so... ]

What the? Where am I? Oh, that's right. I'm not Aelsaw. Or am I? Whoever I am, Aumstail rotated me up and struck my cheek until I was roused. I'm more lucid than normal, but that's not saying much. I can sneak in a little memory in case a memory artificer sees this later.

>"Pillet! Are you awake yet?"
"Urf... yeah, stop hitting me."
>"For all that is decent, does Aelsaw's activity with these two twins have any sort of bearing on what we want to know?"
"I'm awake, Aums. All that's decent? You said you wanted everything."
>"Ugh. I think we've seen just about enough of it. I'm going to put you back down. This time, just stick to the important parts from here on out. Specifically, start skipping ahead to the part that reveals whether both Aelsaw and Pillet made it in here or if it's just you."

I move, but my arms are numb. They barely move me enough for Aumstail to notice, and she's been paying close attention to me without fail.

>"I didn't pull you back up so you could act like this. Did you forget that I told you I'm going to nail your limbs to the wood if you try to escape any more?"
"I did forget. Sort of like you forgot how I don't care if you do. I'm high on your cocktail, what's your excuse?"

She grumbles. It would take a huge miracle for me to escape on my own, but that's still a smaller miracle than getting rescued in the short time I have left.

This is the last true memory in my possession that I can live through moment by moment, and she's going to deny me Aelsaw's week vacation? Once I excise it for her, she'll have me destroy what factual scraps I can still remember, then I'll be killed. How did it come to this? Something went wrong. I think even Paporron turned on me. After I resurrect, they'll keep killing me until my psyche is dust.

Aumstail thinks I'm Pillet, not Aelsaw. I don't remember why, but I think she's right. Between Aelsaw and me, only I would have a small, stupid part of myself hope that the dumbass goat I've gotten attached to would try and save me.

But more of me is glad he hasn't tried. We lost while we still at least could put up a fight. Now he'd just show up to get destroyed as bad as me. I doubt he'd grown a pragmatic braincell that's capable of understanding and acting on that knowledge, so I think that means he's dead, or he thinks that I'm either dead or laying low. Whatever the reason for his not showing up, thank fuck for it.

Sucks that he wasn't born in a better place, but he's too young to be throwing his life away like this. The idiot never comprehended what I said about how this universe hasn't seen true death in eons, but this subdimension has managed to make a cruel approximation of it.

I doubt I ever wanted to meet my end, but if I had to, this is one of the worst ways. Billions of years of memories and life, gone because I was done in by a few sloppy megalomaniacs who want to scrub my existence away.

3/4 Aelsaw/Pillet 2025/04/10(Thu)17:59 No. 1106089 ID: 04e6e3
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Ah, I'm rotating. My head's going to get back to the fumes, if not under the liquid itself. My neck can't even hold my head up above the fluid line. Not like it matters when one thing I remember is Aumstail kicking my resisting head back under. At least by the time I start drowning, I'm too blacked out to really notice.

I forget how I keep my composure in such a situation. Something tells me an end like this should be too much for the kind of person I've been reduced to. But I can't shake some remembered fact that gives me hope there might be a way out of this. Some way I'll be resurrected just fine. Did my counterpart have my memories tucked away in a vault? Ah, no, I can't be thinking about that. Just the idea of it would send Aumstail and the others on a wild hunt for such a thing.

I'm fading back into Aumstail's obedient little artificer. Maybe it's the fumes, but my last thoughts here are how I never reciprocated that goat's sudden declaration of love. I've never fallen for someone like that romantically before. Looks like I might never get the chance.

To whoever might someday read this memory, if Delli's around, tell him I would've enjoyed hanging out around him longer to see if the feeling would've become mutual.

Unless you're Aumstail or another founder, in which case I fucked this part up and go also go fuck yourself.

Or the Phenocosm in which case you can also fuck yourselves but slightly less so since you at least give the majority of people pretty decent okay lives and

but still not so great so it's good

not good
that is, bad




i would like to go home now

4/4 Pillet 2025/04/10(Thu)17:59 No. 1106090 ID: 04e6e3
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[ Present Day ]

It devolves for another few seconds, then cuts off. I'm out of the memory now, but my head's still fuzzy. Something's on my shoulder - shit, just Delli. He's rubbing it. Must've noticed me sweating.

That memory of the wheel was new and way more vivid than any of my own until now. Aelsaw's memories told me that I lost more than I could even fathom. That memory made me feel it. I think my personality was generally left intact, but that was the end result of watching myself wipe away all the knowledge, skills and memories of my life. And then it caps off with an intense longing for a home I can't remember anything about on my own, save for the small glimpse of what Pillet visualized for Aelsaw.

>"You okay?"

Hug Delli.

"Meh just got a vague glimpse at a lot of history ground to dust. Sorta shitty feeling knowing I might never get to see the rest of my story. But is also pretty freeing. Can always reconnect with any bits of either of my lives.... hmmm wait I am suddenly paranoid about where Pillet ended up now...."

"Well, a past version of me said to tell you she would have enjoyed hanging out with you more to find out if she loved you too. As she was dying. Like, losing all her memories and knowing it was happening as it happened. So that worked out at least. The rest... I think I'd like to cash in some of that boyfriend time about it."

>>1106090
Tell him you're glad he killed those fucks. Though now, you're not sure how he managed it. Apparently the power gap was too large... I wonder, did someone let Delli kill them to give him enough power to take on the rest? ...maybe Delli killed himself repeatedly to make him forget who it was, as part of the deal... or maybe Delli needed to forget that Pillet didn't love him back.

Well, deliver the message anyway. Then take a break before diving in and seeing if Aelsaw/Pillet really did skip to the end. From the memory it *seems* like it was only Pillet in that body, and that could make sense... ah, we can check. Did that memory feel like yours, the same way Aelsaw's memories did? If it still felt like yours, then Aelsaw was in there, but the content strongly suggests it was Pillet doing the talking/thinking. Is it possible they merged?

Accept snack, take a little break just relaxing with him. An hour at most.

"Huh...Turns out you were my true love after all."

Hug Delli.

oof

I wouldn't want to be Aumstail when you get your hands on her.

You know those memories might not be lost forever. There should still be backups outside. You just have to steal them back from the empire right?

Might be best to start over but if you and Delli want a long term goal...

Memories are overrated. You're here. You're now. They're still twisted fucks for destroying a priceless work of art to satisfy their petty egos, but that's all a memory really is: a work of art. You still have your paintbrush, the one thing they couldn't take away, and you can make some beautiful art with it.

Oh right old-Pillet probably has memory stashes outside of the subdimension. If I was that old, I would definitely have some allies holding onto memory backups.

>>1106090

Hug the goat.

Try not to cry.

Cry (a lot).

1/6 Pillet 2025/04/12(Sat)15:52 No. 1106164 ID: 04e6e3
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"I'm fine. I'm more glad you killed the founders. All that knowledge might've been lost, but it was a net positive."
>"That's what the memory's about? Makes sense."
"No that was a side thing, the normal memory is completely fine. I'll tell you about it later. Oh good you got more chocolate. Come on, roof time."

I've been at this awhile, and we're not in a hurry. It's time to take a break and hug and cuddle this guy.

"A past me, or some form of me, said she wished she hung out with you more to find out if she loved you. That was when I was on the wheel, dying, about to be remade into the post-wheel Pillet I am today."
>"Damn. Was I there?"
"No, least not yet. But check out this guy."

Aelsaw's memory was thorough. I remember her energy trick that let her draw something from memory on a piece of paper. I understand the fundamentals enough to replicate it pretty easily and draw a picture of that goat wizard fleet guy, Zanthe, and show Delli.

>"Whoa. Haha, it's grandpa."
"Wait, what?"
>"I'm kidding! Maybe. It's not like I remember my own parents. Hey, our goal's to not live forever and that means we're going to grow old, right? Maybe someday I'll get to don my wizard hat and robe."
"Oh. Uh..."
>"You can tell me I'd look stupid in it, you know. Damn, that really must've been a tough memory."
"No, it's not that. My body's immortal. If nothing's lost in translation when we leave, I won't age." That was explicitly stated for Pillet, but some background thoughts indicate that Aelsaw was also an immortal phenotype.
>"... Well that ain't fair."
"Yeah fuck that. We'll figure it out later, we still need to win the polling on getting out of here. One step at a time."

It takes awhile for those feelings from that memory to recede, and I feel less like puking knowing that I've got to work with Aumstail when we get out of here. And while I still can feel how much I lost, there's no way past me didn't have some kind of backup vault lying around. It'd be searching for an atom in a haystack, but the Phenocosm itself had vaults. That's if I even want it back. Speaking with relative amnesia, do I want to be some person obsessed with going home? If I knew it still existed, sure, but it's been what, billions of years? Even if they don't age, it's optimistic as hell to think my old family is both alive and remembers me.

It might just be best to take the reset and start over. But I've got to take my own advice and do it one step at a time. I don't need to decide any of that right now.


>Cry
The eyes maybe got a little wet, but it's not that bad. Well, it was, but it's just a memory. I'm here, now.

An hour passes as my thoughts thankfully settle down. Delli's started to pretend like he's not squirming around restlessly.

"I'm good now, thanks. Go fuck around for awhile, punch Aumstail for old time's sake or something. I'm going back to the better feeling normal memory."

I look up one last time to the sky, if I can call this fog bank that.

I have a feeling we're going to need some amazing shields around this city. Later. Now it's time to get back to the study and enter Aelsaw's memory again, where it picks back up.

2/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/12(Sat)15:52 No. 1106165 ID: 04e6e3
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[ Approximately 4,300 Years Ago ]

What a long trip. Two days of cramped quarters, and now that I have room to stretch, the scans I went through on my way in might have taken the longest they ever have! Pillet is quite nervous ever since she found those notes I hid on the train and deleted my memories of writing them so that she wouldn't notice. She scanned the train for hours leading up to our stop at Varther's!

>< Pleeeeease do not sound so proud of yourself. >
< Oh, no, I would only take pride in it if I managed to hide them successfully. Ah, but maybe I did? Imagine if one slipped through and as we speak, Shuzenza is reading my note talking about how I'm about to face my sister on the train! >

Why, she's so stressed out that she even forgot to tell me not to call her sister.

Nonetheless, while Pillet is letting me take the lead with my speech, behavior and movement, she is hard at work and showing intense focus to make sure she remains hidden inside of Reneil while simultaneously being careful to not blindly follow my lead lest I try to subtly tip a code off to someone that I have been compromised.

I've reunited with Pesh and Tesh, who no doubt underwent many scans themselves. We've been sent to a meeting hall, and when we enter, Shuzenza is already waiting. I also have little doubt that Pesh and Tesh have been briefed on how to address and behave around him. It really will not be necessary, as Shuzenza understands they are not here as staff members who have spent years in fleet culture. Their status is understood. Missteps and overly casual remarks will be easily forgiven.

The room is quite dark. Shuzenza has his back turned as we approach, stopping no less than 15 feet away from him. I believe he will be introducing himself in his stern manner, not unlike how he initially did with Milo.

>"My name is Upper Fleet Admiral Shuzenza, you may call me the same, or 'sir' for short. Welcome to Heaven's Jurisdiction. I understand you two have befriended Artificer Aelsaw?" His voice is level, and deep.
>"Yes, sir." Pesh says.

Tesh chokes on her words. Ah. She had her phone taken away from her for the time. The poor twin's energy senses are probably overloaded already, so this must be especially tough for her.

>"She also says yes, sir." Pesh answers for her.
>"Hmm. It is rare for Aelsaw to have casual conversation with others outside of a select circle. It is rare among those rare times for that to involve those not familiar with the Phenocosm. I am beyond curious about the interactions between you two and Artificer Aelsaw. No need to speak." He cuts Pesh off as she visibly confused that with a question she was about to answer. "As you know, she is able to store and extract memories. I will be using a memory visualizer to show me her point of view."
>"Okay, sir."

3/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/12(Sat)15:52 No. 1106166 ID: 04e6e3
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>"Terminal Aco-12." Shuzenza begins his voice command. "Display Aelsaw's most recent memory log at a random point in time that involves Pesh and Tesh."

The room lights up as the TV turns on.

It shows my point of view, staring at the pillow on the train. The gentle hum and slight rocking of the train can be heard and seen, but the klivanian technology is subtle enough that it does not block the sound happening behind me.

>pap pap pap pap pappap pappapapap

My point of view twists towards the noise, and we all watch as the large screen shows Tesh repeatedly slapping my buttocks.

>"Are you having fun?" I ask in the memory, to which Tesh nods and continues slapping me.

>"Memory Artificer Aelsaw." turns to me.
"Yes, admiral?"
>"What is this?"
"I believe I was told it is called 'playing bongos with fat ass.'"
>"I see. Pesh, Tesh, any words?"
>"I uh... no, no, it is exactly what it looks like there."
>"I see. Tell me, do you feel that this behavior is acceptable? I would like Tesh to answer, but you may pass her answer to me, Pesh, if she is unable to speak directly to me."

4/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/12(Sat)15:52 No. 1106167 ID: 04e6e3
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Tesh makes her clicks and other odd vocal noises to Pesh all while memory Tesh continues 'playing bongos'. Just when I think the answer is given, the memory visualizer swings my attention to the door. Pesh bursts inside, holding out an item.

>"Good news, Kara let me borrow a kitchen scale! Reneil, get on your side, we're going to see how much those boobs weigh!"

Tesh chokes a little. Pesh starts trying to answer quickly.

As the memory shows Pesh lifting a boob up and letting it drop onto the kitchen scale with a thud, she starts speaking for Tesh.

>"She says Reneil showed up with a butt triple the size from when we saw her as Ellie and that -

>"21 pounds?!" Memory Pesh shouts over present Pesh's answer. "Holy shit hahahaha what the hell how dense are these things?!"

>"And that her butt got twice as big and there was no way we were just going to ignore that!"

I sense Pillet's soul. She is laughing uncontrollably.

< Holy fuck 'random point in time' my buttocks! Your husband's an ass hahaha he's gonna give them a heart attack! >
< You seem to be enjoying this, sister. >
< Hell yeah it distracts me from my own stress of getting found out. >

>"And you, Pesh." Shuzenza says. "The same question."

5/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/12(Sat)15:52 No. 1106168 ID: 04e6e3
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Despite him asking questions, he does not pause the visualizer. Memory-Pesh continues speaking.

>"God Reneil, is your spine made out of super alien adamantium alloy?!"
>"No, no. It's mostly muscle support. Bone is adequate when given sufficient -- ahh!" Pesh dives in between my breasts and begins motorboating them.

>"You may answer during the video, Pesh."
>"Okay um -

>"phhbththth"
>"Ahhhh Pesh wait not there I'm ticklish!"

>"Your wife -

>"Ohhh a ticklish tummy you should not have told me that!
>"AHHHH hahahaha noooooo!

>"Your wife's really hot okay and she's good company! We haven't had fun with another person like that in forever!"
>"Aco-12." Shuzenza speaks. "Pause."

It is now very quiet even as Shuzenza's voice rumbles across the room.

>"Your behavior. If I told you you may never do things like that again, and you are not to see Aelsaw any longer, will you complain?"

That deflates them significantly. Pesh lowers her head and grumbles.

>"Disappointing. Look, we're happy we saw something like this and your spaceship is seriously cool, but... like, if that's the culture here, just make her make us forget all this and send us back to Klivania. Not worth it if it's going to be like that, damn. At least before we could imagine things were cool. Aelsaw, this isn't really what you made it soun - "

Shuzenza claps each of them on the shoulders and ends his grim front with a broad, pleasant smile. He turns on the lights and starts walking them back to the door.

>"I said if. You will not be sent back to Klivania. You will keep my wife company over the coming days between your orientation into the Phenocosm, as I have not seen my wife act so candidly with others in a far longer forever than yours. You have my genuine thanks that you have befriended her, as she receives far too few opportunities to make friends organically. Otherwise, you will be treated well. Do not be afraid to report mistreatment, though except playful jabs about being children - this is not a family ship, the youngest on board are centuries old, highly trained staff and even they are jokingly referred to as fleet-babies. We will be glad to have some true youth around here, and I hope you maintain your sparks for as long as possible. Congratulations and welcome to the Phenocosm, Pesh and Tesh."
>"I - wait were you just yanking us around being all serious before?"
>"Yes!"
>"Oh my god you two really are married."
>"Yes we are. And speaking of my wife, I must speak to her alone. Leave this room, and an uplift facilitator shall begin your orientation starting with a fleshcrafter that will give you a much needed physical maintenance check, ranging from mild aches of the bones up all the way to your very mortality. There are duties you will be obliged to fulfill as citizens of the Phenocosm, but so too does the Phenocosm fulfill many obligations to its citizens. Now go, before I prattle on and do your facilitator's job for them."

6/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/12(Sat)15:52 No. 1106169 ID: 04e6e3
File 174449834725.png - (36.71KB , 1200x1000 , 866.png )

< Hmm, I'm almost surprised you have no snarky remarks about the Phenocosm, sister. >
>< You have no idea, but Pesh and Tesh looked happy. It's not the time. >

Shuzenza, however, has dropped the smile and begins pacing back towards me.

>"This is no good, Aelsaw."
"Is something wrong with them?"
>"No, not at all, I am happy you made a couple of friends and brought them here. It is about Pillet. My request for additional material for Pillet's vault was partially fulfilled yesterday. Alongside what we already have, I do not like where my thoughts have been taken."

He begins pacing.

>"'Status: Deceased' it says, and it is my place to trust such bold declarations. But such a thing can only be trusted as far as the Phenocosm's ability to perceive, and Pillet has been out of the Phenocosm's light for centuries. Do you know why a skill is restricted?"
"Because of the harm it can cause if misused?"
>"Only partially. If that were all, firing lasers off our fingers would be restricted. No. 90% of the reason is synergy. There are skills that, when combined with another skill, achieve abilities a hundred times beyond the sum of both parts. This is why we allow at most one skill per person, no exceptions. To have multiple is anathema to a core philosophy of the Phenocosm, namely the particulars of the Practice of a Calm Universe - ah, but that is a whole other tangent.
>"I am reminded that Pillet was on a centuries old subdimension team that included Paporron the rogue soul seer, and just yesterday also learned of their rogue fleshcrafter as well. Others as well, of course, but those are the concerning three. Soul seeing is already closely related to memory artificing. Fleshcrafting is heavily focused on memorization of techniques and biology, something memory artificers obviously excel at to say the least. To assume that Pillet never attempted to learn these things is willful blindness."

I don't think Pillet likes where this is going.

>"We thought she was killed too quickly to have learned these two skills, but if she managed? These three skills combined would allow her to change her body and fake a soul well enough to place a copy in the afterlife, making us think she is dead. Then she would have had the last few centuries to perfect her craft and become a near perfect shapeshifter. That philosophy I mentioned a moment ago? It has drawbacks, and that includes limiting our own abilities. She would be beyond our detection."

He looks at me studiously. It is grim, but not like the facade he puts on for Milo or Pesh and Tesh.

>"I have demonstrated willful ignorance to the idea that Pillet could be alive, as to assume the worst case scenario would require impractically defending against everything a wild imagination could come up with all at once. So I chose to act as though she were dead until any evidence presented itself to the contrary. The founder's initial test involving your resurrection was odd, but there could be various explanations. Gel, however! There are few explanations how he could have passed a memory artificing test alive and well while his own charred corpse lay in the basement. This is the evidence I never wished to receive, and cannot just shrug my shoulders at and say that not every mystery can be solved.
>"Now my thoughts wander, pondering the worst case scenarios. As a perfect shapeshifter, Pillet could make perfect copies of anyone in all of mind, body and soul. And not just in purely conventional ways. Could she digitize herself in the encephalon matrix? Could she integrate herself into Heaven's Jurisdiction's living network structure? Perhaps, but I think her biggest priority would be to involve herself with you, Aelsaw. And I have perhaps disastrously allowed you to go down to Klivania, alone. Now I am left wondering. Am I even speaking to my own wife?"

Yes, and then some.

If there's anyone in the phenocosm who should know (which I admit, is still a big "if"), it's him.
"If Pillet's word has any value, then it's both of us working against the Subdimension."
Should get the point across...
he should piece together that "both against the Subdimension" does not mean "both for the phenocosm".

>>1106169
Ah, I think I know how this is going to go. Pillet is going to make a deal-- if she successfully helps in destroying the subdimension then she'll get the phenocosm's help going home. Right now she has a good hostage to seal the deal- Aelsaw. So long as they're in the same body, Pillet can't be attacked.

Tell him from what you know of Pillet, she respects individuality too much to make clones. Why does he think Pillet would make a perfect copy of herself just so it could die? The Gel corpse was more likely a product of internal conflict in the subdimension group. Besides, can't they just check the afterlife to see if Gel is dead? If he is, then that'd confirm the currently alive Gel is an impostor. But since you supposedly confirmed he's real, then that means YOU could be an impostor, which would imply that you have been taken hostage as he fears. What will he do now, if he thinks Pillet has taken you hostage? If he thought that, shouldn't he have captured you the instant you came on board?

...wait, ask Pillet how she faked her own death without killing a clone of herself.

1. Do we want to change our plan? Are we continuing to hide, or are we trying to negotiate or st? More to the point, what's Pillet's plan?
2. Is he asking seriously, or rhetorically? If we're continuing the front, frankly, you might as well not respond. "No" is a nonsense answer unless an impostor is dropping the disguise, and "yes" is the answer both an impostor and the real deal would give. He's not asking in order to get an answer, just to state the subject.

"Honey if you get that paranoid I am not sure what to say. If Pillet is that powerful and dangerous all I know is that she is still my sister. Not in blood but spirit. I would like to trust her motives wherever she is."

You're not really lying by saying yes, he is.

Might be best to converse with Pillet a bit here and see what she's thinking though. Shuzenza's on her trail and seems like a matter of time before the truth has to come out.

If she could imitate someone so cleanly, so undetectably, then surely she could have infiltrated the fleet at any time. Why start suspecting people now?
And if you where such a copy, would you even know? Or couldn't you perfectly lie?

Is there any answer to that question that could truly satisfy? It's getting a bit close to philosophy. How can you truly know anything?

But really, if he hasn't seen anything to make him think this is Pillet, then he shouldn't be chasing ghosts.

If Pillet is as dangerous and talented as he says then would you even know if you were compromised?

Another thing to consider: if Pillet never died, learned multiple skills, and we never found out until now, then whatever she's doing it doesn't seem to be very disruptive to the phenocosm.

...I don't konw what the correct course is, but there is a possibility that it is to be truthful, tell him to count the number of souls in this body, because it's not one, and see of you can't get him to send the two of you back down into the (sub-)sub-dimension to finish the job

Because at this point lying will be exponentially harder, now that he's going to be on the lookout for everything, since Pillet was using this blindness to hide and do... anything

Maybe "Do what you need to prove it, Shuzenza, I trust you." would be the most prudent answer right now.

He probably has way more Energy than Aelsaw, so trying to change his memories is out of the question.


As an aside and also as an open question to everyone, should we stop going through the memories and instead start making a plan on how to win more people over on the election?
We don't have to know the full backstory right now and, honestly? Pillet's life story is making me sad and I'd like to get back to her house-planet ASAP.

1/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106345 ID: 04e6e3
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"Is that rhetorical, dear?"
>"It is. I would like the topic discussed regardless."
"Then all I can is yes, you are," 'and then some.' Hm?

>< I'm not going to drop sly little hints about there being more than just you! >
< Sister, if anyone should know about you and is willing to work alongside you, it is Shuzenza. >
>< That's insane! He'll kill us both! >
< Oh? >
>< Think about it, him tossing you into the subdimension was only a backup plan! He's already told you if he gets the chance to blow it up without them sealing themselves inside first, he'll take it without a shred of hesitation about whether or not you're inside! If he finds out I'm in here, we're done! >
< How easily you panic. >
>< I told you I needed to ease back into this shit slowly! Damnit, he's onto me. >

"What happened with Gel is concerning, but it could also have been internal conflict with the founders or many other explanations, correct?"
>"I admit this is true. Paporron himself could easily have done something too, out of fear you would not be allowed back after the founders realize you escaped their surveillance."
"Nonetheless, is Gel's situation worth chasing ghosts over?"
>"On its own? Perhaps not, but know this. I will always believe in Aelsaw to do the correct choice given her strenuous circumstance. She is exceptionally measured in her thoughts, even by artificer standards. And it was Aelsaw herself who began to think Pillet herself may be back, and went on that train with Tegge. In that moment, Aelsaw thought the ghost was worth chasing. Now you come back, act like someone else, and are saying it is not?"
"... hm? What do you mean, acting like someone else?"

2/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106346 ID: 04e6e3
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I blink once. When I open my eyes again, I have been lifted off the ground by my neck.

>"You move like you're emulating someone else. You speak as though you are constantly double checking your words."
"Dear. I am under unprecedented circumstances far outside of my element. It is natural to act differently."
>"I know my wife, and you are not her! What have you done with Aelsaw, Pillet?"
"If you truly believe I am Pillet, then I know what you are obliged to do and there is nothing I can do about it. However, I am Aelsaw, and it will be a waste of both me and the backup plan. Unless you are confident you can destroy the subdimension without any recourse should they seal themselves off?"
>"Not confident, but I will have to try. I loathe what I must do just because my instincts tell me you are either Pillet or a compromised Aelsaw, but I have run the probabilities and reviewed the protocol. My personal feelings have no place here. If this is you in any way, Aelsaw, know that I cannot ask for your forgiveness, but that I will take care of Pesh and Tesh. I truly believe they were your friends before whatever happened came to pass."

Is he...?

>< Oh, fuck. He's going to blow up every damn molecule in this room! >

"May I think for a moment?"
>"You have 5 seconds."

3/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106347 ID: 04e6e3
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Pillet and I focus between ourselves, rapidly exchanging our thoughts while the seconds pass.

>"Shit, shit, shit! I knew it's not like I'd have perfect mannerisms on the microscopic level, but this is too much! Did I fuck up, did the scanners actually catch something? Fuck, no, I shouldn't have followed your lead, that causes little hiccups considering I had to doublecheck everything you did or said, and that mucked it up!"
"Calm yourself, Pillet. It's too late to change the past."

Four seconds.

"Don't fret over your performance. The scanners are made to supply information, as their judgement can only be so good with factory standard settings. You called us walking conflicts of interests, but it was because of our closeness that Shuzenza was able to tell something was off."
>"Okay fine whatever but..."

Pillet's rapidly trying to scan my memories for knowledge on Shuzenza and how she may get out of this.

Three seconds. I must interject.

"Tell him the truth. That it is both of us in here."
>"So he can kill us both?!"
"Do you believe he is currently bluffing?"

Two seconds. She gets a few ideas, though I am not entirely privy to the details.

>"Dear sister of mine, we know your current thoughts are going nowhere of use. But I sense that one of your thoughts is true: If you do not tell the truth, we are going to die anyway. If you wish to take your chances, at least answer one last question: How did you hide a soul in the afterlife anyway?"
"There was a person who wanted to die permanently at the same time I needed a soul, but now's seriously not the time to elaborate!"

Though he has tipped his head to block sight of his face, I can see the hope in Shuzenza that I will have some miraculous statement that changes his mind. Thankfully, the truth is best here.

>"You are smart, but you know you are panicking. Trust in me and how well I knew Shuzenza. If nothing else, it should give him pause."

One second remains.

4/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106348 ID: 04e6e3
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"Both of us are in here!" Pillet chokes out from Shuzenza's grasp.

0 seconds remain.

We remain alive for the moment, and Pillet has Reneil continue.

"I've got Aelsaw in here. I hid my soul under hers, so you could only detect one soul in Reneil. She's fine, alright?!"
>"So that is your technique? Then you can hop into bodies, correct?"
"Yes." Pillet does not test Shuzenza's patience with hesitation.
>"Aco-12. Locate Ruflaka's Golem, P-82, and send it here."

We're held in this position while Shuzenza's energy remains hot. Although Pillet heaves a sigh of relief that time has been bought, neither of us are under the illusion that Shuzenza has fully decided not to kill us, or at least Pillet. I must be careful not to misspeak, and Pillet simply has to be very cautious about what she says.

>"Pillet. That's a soulless body. Enter it, and leave Aelsaw in Reneil's body."

Pillet believes that this is just him trying to isolate her so that he can kill her and spare me, but what could she do? It is a common misconception of the public that a memory artificer would be a high value hostage, but Pillet is well aware that the practical value is zero. To prevent anyone from getting ideas, no quarter or negotiation is given to anyone who would take an artificer hostage. Pillet received an unneeded reminder of that with how quickly Shuzenza was willing to kill both of us.

She has no interest in taking me down with her, so she quickly relents.

"Okay."

5/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106349 ID: 04e6e3
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Pillet's golem body is brought to us, and I am soon left alone with no sense of my own soul again. How quickly I got used to sharing mental space with Pillet, as I find it rather lonely now.

>"Aelsaw?" Shuzenza speaks to me.
"I am here, Shuzenza."

He looks me over.

Just as quickly as I had found my neck grabbed, I am suddenly in his tight embrace.

>"I cannot know for sure whether or not you are compromised by Pillet, but at least you are Aelsaw. My relief is beyond words."
"Now, now. I have been prepared to die for this mission, ever since I accepted it, and your sense of duty is unmatched."
>"It pleases me to hear that. I cannot allow you free reign of the ship any longer, but I have decided nothing beyond that for the moment. I will hear out any additional information you two want to bring. It would be easy, of course, if Aelsaw tells me that Pillet needs to die."
"Nothing about this mission has been easy, Shuzenza, and it remains that way. I believe in Pillet."
>"You 'believe' in her?"
"I believe in her motives. She only wishes to return home in an old universe."
>"Old universe?"
"She is far older than us two. I know that there is a chance I am compromised and I could be defending her far more than I normally would, but please consider the following. We've established that before I could have been compromised, I was already chasing Pillet with an EL of 1,200, who I knew could outclass me, and Tegge gave me a strong energy canister. It is highly unlikely that I would have been accosted and compromised without damaging the train in the struggle. That is because she convinced me with her words, not her talents."
>"Would it not have been your duty to fight her? You let her words convince you?"
"I fear your mission for me in the subdimension may be beyond my grasp normally. Pillet has no intention of letting the subdimension subsume this universe. Her help would be invaluable, especially while the founders believe there is only one Pillet."
>"I will factor this. Pillet. Start explaining, beginning with this talk of an old universe."

6/6 Aelsaw 2025/04/15(Tue)19:40 No. 1106350 ID: 04e6e3
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What begins is a lengthy interrogation. The energy surrounding him calms down, but never fully goes away.

I can only describe the hour that follows as a series of logic sinkholes, philosophical quandaries, and argumentative circles. I cannot tell if Shuzenza has made up his mind one way or the other, but we continue to try to convince him that Pillet means no harm.

Given the Phenocosm's rigid, 0 tolerance for her existence, I believe Pillet is surprised that she is still alive. Every instant here could be her last, and she remains on edge.

As the second hour begins, that edge dulls, and they speak of past events in the Phenocosm. They speak on whether or not the Phenocosm is as righteous as they would like, if there are glaring faults, and a glorified callousness as exemplified by just how rapidly Shuzenza was about to kill us under the mere suspicion Pillet would be taken down.

I find myself defending both Pillet and the Phenocosm. I do not believe either is in the wrong here, exactly, it is just a matter of different perspectives that have clashed. Shuzenza admits he loathes how protocol and training demanded such an act, but he reiterates that his personal feelings have no place here.

More hours pass. I find that Pillet and Shuzenza are able to make endless, deep conversation regarding the Phenocosm and its history. Pillet even gives lectures on the history of the Phenocosm, and though Shuzenza does not take anything she says at face value, he listens intently for later verification. Finally, Shuzenza tilts his head in a tell that predictably signals he would like to wrap the meeting up.

>"You know as well as I do that protocol dictates I should kill you, but the verifiable facts you and Aelsaw have presented to me has at least convinced me that protocol does not apply to this situation clearly. And while I could continue speaking like this for days, it seems that my free time is up."
>"This was your free time?" Pillet asks, having become more casual by this hour. "You workaholics..."
>"No, Memory Artificer Pillet, I had managed with great effort to get authorization of free time so that I may spend time with my wife upon her return. Instead, I very nearly killed her."
>"Ah."
>"This interrogation will have to continue, but I must tend to the bridge first. I have not yet decided whether or not to reveal Pillet's presence to the ship, so for now I will not. This means I cannot imprison Pillet properly, as it would reveal her to the brig. Nor will I leave her unattended for obvious reasons, nor do I want to have one of Ruflaka's Pillet prototypes running around without explanation. Aelsaw. I cannot believe I am asking this, but is it acceptable for Pillet to go back into your body?"

ok lol

Pat your chest and nod yes with a grin. "I have plenty of room in here."

>>1106350
Yes, but he should know that she will be in charge, you can't override her control only give suggestions. Also... she wants to see something on the ship, but she didn't say what exactly. Ask her if it's some kind of research on a method of getting home. Suggest that if it's something super secret, you can have the memory of it being viewed extracted and kept in the Phenocosm's possession until the mission is complete. That way there's no risk of the secret being revealed to the subdimension. In fact, any confidential information discussed here should be extracted like that, though if you two get captured and examined then you're already exposed, so any memories such as this one can and should be left in to maintain both of your understanding of the uh, let's call it a peace treaty. The extracted memory of whatever Pillet is looking for could be extra motivation for her to cooperate, if he wants to justify it that way.

>Hours and hours of Pillet, Aelsaw and Shuzenza expounding and debating the entire backstory.
Eh, why not? I have the time.


To answer the question: dunno, maybe leaving them both locked in a cell under a trusted aide's survelliance would be more fitting?

>>1106350

Things seemed to work out before, and we've reached an accord about things.

Just ... advise the crew that if we seem a bit off, it's just from the stress of the last several days?

Coming from you, Shuzenza, it would do a lot to quell potential rumors and suspicions.

Sure but Pillet has to accept having fat tits and ass again. Plus more you leading while up here. To avoid questions.

Pillet told you why there are multiple restrictions on accessing alternate universes. It's understandable to be afraid of a whole universe of psychopaths who don't see your empire as anything but raw meat. But Shuzenza, do you really think those soul-roasted bastards will just leave their dead universe alone?
Even though there is a major risk of The Invaders finding out what happened to their graveyard and trying to 'repossess' it, there's also an even greater risk of them deciding to outright decide to use their old universe as a test chamber 'for ^&*(s and giggles'. You need to spy on them, we need to know what they're up to. Worst-case scenario? They're doing what the subdimensionalists are doing, on a multiversal scale.
Maybe not Pillet herself. Just a few drones with obscure code that only her family will understand, saying goodbye.

...hmm, there is some merit in letting Pillet go in alone, but with Aelsaw's memories for reference. Or for them to "agree" that Pillet should go in alone, and edit out the fact that they changed their minds afterwards, to fool anyone reading their memories. Pillet's done that sort of thing before, easy enough to do now.

Question is, will Aumstail realize she wasted her time and she has no way of truly knowing if she caught the only spy?