Tale as Old As Time [Finished]

[accalia]

"This one is not sure what it is you do, but it does sound like you are walking the astral plane."

Echo slowly sinks into one of the chairs at the kitchen table.

"Siegfried, if you would be so kind as to get the book that is sitting on the foot of this one's bed. this one would like something to read while you work and converse. One would be much obliged."

[yamikuronue]

"Of course." He jogs off to go get the book.

[accalia]

As Siegfried passes the door to his room on his way to Echo's room the wind from his passage dislodges Julie's note which flutters noisily to the floor. The note lands open so that the contents could be seen. It is a piece of stationary from Julie, bearing the letterhead of Schallen, Schreien and Hören.

the name Schreien is circled and a phone number written in careful block letters are the only addition to the letterhead.

The book on the foot of Echo's bed is volume 17 of the 1975 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. a rather odd choice of reading material. beside the giant volume is a smaller tome with a book mark in it about half way through. This book appears to be a murder mystery titled "Which butler did it?"

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried hesitates, looking at the books, having tucked the note into his pocket.

Gently, he reaches out to brush Echo's mind, trying to plant a question in his own voice, as though he had shouted it loud enough to be heard faintly in the kitchen: Which book did you want?

[accalia]

Siegfried's astral voice bounces off the smooth jade surface that feels like Echo, or at least feels like Echo's mind when Siegfried tries to see deeper than surface levels. Only an echo returns, but an oddly modulated one. Underneath Siegfreids's query is a feeling of a reply.

The feeling is faint, ephemeral, and feminine. The response seems to say: "Try the one he put the bookmark in dear, that's a better bet than that boring old encyclopaedia."

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried freezes, his mind grinding to a halt. Wait... what? He was pretty sure he'd want the novel, but this was...

He shook his head, picking up the novel. Too tired for this. Just... too tired. He stumbles back to the kitchen, rubbing at his head, and hands the book over to Echo. "The lady in your head suggested you wanted this one, but if it was the encyclopedia you were after, I can make another trip."

[accalia]

Echo takes the novel gratefully but looks very puzzled at Siegfried's comment

"This is indeed the book this one wanted, thank you. But what do you mean the lady in this one's head? This one is the only one in this one's head."

[yamikuronue]

"You're wrong, or lying. But you've repeatedly rebuffed my attempts to help, so, enjoy your book." Siegfried continues rubbing at his temples with his left hand, hoping to stave off what is very rapidly becoming a headache, as he fumbles with his right hand for the apron on the hook near the stove.

[accalia]

Echo looks rather hurt at Siegfried's harsh words.

"This one is never less than truthful, not ever. This one will admit one is not always correct, as is only human."

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried takes a deep breath, then lets it out. "...My apologies. I did not mean to accuse you, I am merely... overworked. When I attempted to ask for clarification, a female voice answered me from inside your mind. I believe this to be related to the phenomenon I mentioned before, in which you spoke without recalling that you had spoken."

[accalia]

"Most curious then. This one doesn't recall hearing you call. But then it has been... too long since this one was able even to sense anything on the astral plane."

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried nods. "You've got some sort of.... I'm really not sure how to describe it in words. But it's preventing me from reaching you properly. I suspect whatever aspect or entity answered me probably set it up."

[accalia]

"most interesting then. If you learn more in your wanderings this one would be most interested to hear about it... What are you making?"

[yamikuronue]

"I wanted to set up a roast to marinade, and since I had some beans soaking overnight, I figured I'd put them in the crockpot to ease the workload. Then I can throw together a fresh salad and call it a day." He cricks his neck. "Maybe some rolls," he adds, frowning. "Which I should probably get rising."

[accalia]

"sounds lovely, is there any assistance this one could be?"