beaconkeeper | IN THE NIGHT IC INBOX

Keeper Robin:

I am one of the more recent arrivals, and having spoken with the Hint Machine provided at the Night Market by Pluto and with residents who have been here for months, I have some questions as to the nature of the fire-snatchers.

When I asked the machine if we were the only sentient beings on this planet, I was told know and given an image created through symbols of two masks. We have reason to believe these are to represent theatre, either as an institution or as a physical location. However, we have a theory that these masks represent the fire-snatchers.

Have you had difficulty with this faction with previous groups? Would there be any other spirits that are known to wear special masks?

Signed,
Minimus Ambus

[He attaches a copy of the photograph of the computer readout.]

UGH the stupid "fire snatchers"... They're JERKS. That's just what the forest spirits call 'em, though. They call themselves the Wild Hunt. I'll be honest, I don't know much about them? They're reeeeeeeally good at covering their tracks.

All I know is that they have a habit of trying to steal lanterns, Idk why.

In b4 "why didn't you tell us!!!" I don't even know if they're still a thing? They haven't popped up in a while and I have nooooo clue how many there could even be left. They're the same level of danger as any forest spirit, so like, you guys already know to watch yourselves in the woods. I didn't want to get everybody all worried.

Maybe the hinty thing was talking about the Wild Hunt? It could also just mean the forest spirits or maybe even the World Eaters. The forest spirits all wear masks, after all. They were the first thing I thought of when I saw the pic. /shrug!

PS - hi Minimus!! :O! nice to meet you!!!

[What's with this message? B4? Multiple exclamation points? Literally writing the word "shrug"? Uncapitalized sentences? An emoticon in a long form letter? (Thankfully Verity explained what those are when she lived with him.)

He has half a mind to walk over to the lighthouse and explain the rules of grammar to her, but as it is, he's forced to take a deep breath and ignore that message by typing in a different program before responding.]

Keeper Robin:

Thank you for your prompt response. I wonder how much carries over between each reset. If they are a constant, then there is something about Beacon and its fire that they covet or despise. Have they cause major problems in the past to lead the other spirits to warn us of them, or is their repertoire limited to petty crime?

Some of our number found that there is a danger in the mines, both in their visions of the past and as a warning from the hint machine that the Wild Hunt resides there currently. We were worried that they may prove a significant threat.

Otherwise, if your theory that the masks refer to all spirits, then is Beacon inhabited by fully sentient beings? Are we not trespassing on their home by being here?

Signed,
Minimus Ambus

Omg it's super cute that you're writing lil letters to me but you can just talk normal! :P "Keeper Robin" though... I love it!! It sounds so official!

Well, I don't think I'd call stealing lanterns "petty crime", more like murder, but yeah that's all they're really known for doing. They like to dress up like forest spirits to try to blend in and keep a low profile, so that's probably why the forest spirits have built up some kinda lore around them. They love a good story.

Ohh damn, it would make TOTAL sense if they're holed up in the mines... I always figured they hid up in the mountains, but the mines are way more convenient and they'd be safer, I bet. I'm no Bear Grylls but like, that sounds right?

Uhhhhh as far as the ethical question goes, Idk about trespassing? Maridel's the only person left from Beacon before it went dark, and the rest of us just kind of inherited the place, I guess. The forest spirits, too.

Written correspondence is more considerate of others' time.

I would also note that I would talk "normally", not "normal." [No one uses adverbs and it pains him.]

Thank you for your help. I will share this information with the others at the next meeting.

One more question: Is there anyplace outside of the Beacon-affiliated area that we are able to explore, or is this the only inhabited town on this planet?

[The "Beacon" the Hint-O-Matic interpreted could mean only the residential areas or the entire space between the lake and the mountains.]

I'm pretty sure this is it, in terms of settlements left on the planet. There haven't been any recorded hints at life outside of Beacon since, like, ever, and that would be BIG news. Pretty sure it's just us if it's been like a billion years with no signs of life.

Exploring past the boundaries of town is REALLY dangerous... I've never heard of anything good coming from it, so I wouldn't, if I were you. Stay out of the mountains.

Never? Why was there only one settlement on this planet, and why would it even be colonized if it were so hostile as not to support life outside of this area?

Oh! Sorry! I meant like, since the world went dark!

I think this planet used to be, like, pretty normal? With a bunch of people and cities and stuff, but then like, the World Eaters came and the apocalypse happened... Ever since liiiiiike a few years before the world went dark maybe, there hasn't been any contact with anyone outside of Beacon.

I kinda forget that's a thing sometimes, though? It feels so far off.

It has only been roughty 50 years. That's a short amount of time to my species, even if plenty can happen in that period of time.

[But to Robin, what is that, almost a lifetime?]

Events such as the total ruination of a planet, for example.

You sure? I think it's been longer... but 50 years is still a really long time to me!! That's longer than I've even existed.

And like, I've been up here for about 20 years, which is even longer than I was alive! So, yeah, still feels like a loooooong time ago to me.

Are you physically unable to leave that building? How did you communicate with the Night Market in the past without the network?

[That's over half of her existence spent alone, and a smaller solitude-to-lifespan ratio changed Wheelie when he was rescued.]

Yeah, the lighthouse light is my lantern. I can get uhhh up to about the treeline before passing out. x.x

I have a telegraph line connecting me to the Helix station! Pluto and I can chat that way.

I am curious about the Helix station. Have they been safe from the World Eaters and malevolent spirits thus far? Is the lake truly the safest location on this planet?

I apologize for my questions. This is all very unfamiliar, and I do prefer to have as much information as possible before making a plan. Wars aren't fought with spur-of-the-moment decisions.

Uhhh Idk about on this planet but it's about as safe as town, I guess? Just, like, a little safer. It's not THAT far out in the lake!! I think like a couple miles? The lake keeps them safe from the forest spirits I have influence over, but that's about it.

You don't gotta apologize!!! Answering questions is like, part of why I'm here! The only way we're gonna get out of this is if we're all on the same page.

If anything, they are a resource for a future event, being people who are most familiar with Beacon.

Fortunately, it seems that you do have some immediate mode of communication regardless of network status. Is Pluto providing enough supplies to sustain you? Are you well? I could send needed supplies if you are wanting.

[He knows from experience human teenagers need a lot of things to keep them healthy and happy. Lots of space, privacy, and a soft place on which to sleep. What if Robin isn't doing well? What if she's run out of food?]

Yeah! They're a real good resource. Them and Dr. Solis are like the only reasons we can get anything done around here longterm. It'd be hell if we really had to start from the very beginning with each reset!! We wouldn't stand a chance.

Omg you're sweet but I'm just fine up here! I order all my own stuff off the ferry and the lighthouse has like a TON of overstock for in case I get cut off from deliveries or something. I have everything I need up here. :) but thank you!!!

You guys are OK on the ground, right? Do you need stuff??

[Dr. Solis is in Beacon? Interesting.]

We are well. The ferry provides enough food and energon for a month, and we can fortify our stocks with the local stores.

What does Dr. Solis do? I have not heard of her at all during my stay here, apart from her role in the history of the last days of the planet.

Good!!

Oh, she does a bunch of stuff! Most of her time is spent studying the portal and trying to come up with a way to get us all out of this mess I think, but she also invented the lanterns. Whenever someone in town dies, she's the one that fixes their lantern up to revive them.

I should thank the doctor is we are ever to meet in person.

I have not died in Beacon yet, but I would assume it it not an uncommon occurrence.

She'll turn up eventually. Last I heard she was preparing to make her BIG DEBUT so maybe soon??

Buuuut yeah, death is pretty common around here... If you just stick to the explored parts of town and keep your head down, it's pretty safe? But that's the bummer part, you gotta risk your safety if you wanna explore the woods and make progress and stuff, you know?

I'm glad you haven't died tho!!!

Interesting. Thank you for the notice.

I hope not to die while exploring the forest, but to expect that not to happen is unrealistic. Even if I survived a heavy blow to my frame, we don't have a medic that specialized in mechanoids.

That said, do not worry for my safety. I have four million years of combat experience.

[That...might not sound too comforting. What's something human teenagers would find comforting?]

If you are worried, do not hesitate to check on us via text. Regular communication fosters stronger trust within a team. [that should work. Verity always wanted to talk with him every morning when she lived on his ship]

Oh wow, 4 million years is a way long time!! Sounds like you know what you're doing. That's good!

Yeah that's a good idea!!! That's why I really like doing the bulletin for you guys. O: It's like a little hello from me every week!

Pluuuus I hope it helps to, like, keep everyone on the same page and stuff. That's always good.

You're doing the right thing by sending out regular updates. We can all use a single source of discoveries and announcements when coordinating our moves. When Dr. Solis appears, would you be alright if I sent you notes? [He assumes she's show up in person.]

Thank you for your serious effort, Robin. Few recognize the importance of keeping notes and committing to a schedule.

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