Entry 493; Day 872

[misterblackbird]

There's been more than a little talk on the Network of late of going down into the Underground to see to the Clock itself, whether it's stopped or whether it's silenced, or what might have become of it. I myself mean to go down there, if I can, along with a few others. And I know there's been plans made among some other acquaintances.

But, as I see it, one larger group is better than several smaller ones, especially considering the kinds of creatures known to live in the Underground.

If any of us means to try for it, we'd do well to combine our efforts. We'll be better able to keep one another safe and alive, and certainly more eyes on the Clock itself would be better, when we reach it.

We've always been told that the cessation of the Clock's ticking, the Clock's stopping, will signal the end of all worlds. In the past, the Clock's silence has led to destruction in the City itself. However, there's no destruction in the City and people are still being brought into the City anew, and some of them are even known to others in the City--both of which suggest that, while we can't hear the Clock, our worlds may not have been destroyed.

But, undeniably, something is quite wrong in the City. Creatures I've not seen before have been crawling up out of the Underground. And the Carousel itself has been going mad--and the Carousel, it is said, is tied to the Clock. It's still spinning, so perhaps the Clock still ticks, but something is amiss with both. I don't mean to be so glib about it, but the evidence--'IECENVDE'--is in front of us. So much in the City has gone backwards so quickly and so suddenly.

So it must be the Clock--at least as a starting point. Nothing else seems to loom so large in all of this. We'll have to see for ourselves what's going on with it, whether it still ticks and is silenced or whether it's been stopped. What we'll do then, I don't know. The Clock doesn't take kindly to visitors, I'm told. But we won't be able to decide what to do until we can see for ourselves what's going on. It all hinges on reaching the Clock itself.

So who means to try for the Clock? Speak to me here, and we'll organise ourselves into something that might actually help us to reach the Clock alive.

~C.

[ooc: Clock Expedition get? Seriously, there's been a lot of IC chatter about going to see what's up with the Clock lately, so c'mon, let's talk about it and maybe organize ourselves ICly, hey hey? C'mon, c'mon!]

Comments

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

Hi. Rosella mentioned I wanted to go, didn't she?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Yes, she did--will you? Go, I mean. And I think she said there were two or perhaps three others she meant to ask. So there could be four of us or there could be seven of us.

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

I...yeah, I think I will. And it'll be five or eight: I've a [and then the smallest hesitation] friend who wants to come as well.

[signatures]

It ought to consist of people who can actually handle themselves down there.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Another? Good--the more the better, I suppose, so long as we don't overload ourselves or something.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Then that would mean none of us could go at all.

[signatures]

Fair to say.

You said it doesn't take kindly to visitors? In what manner, exactly?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

From the stories I've heard on the Network of previous excursions, the Clock seems as able to defend itself as the Carousel. I'm told that, first, it has shields or barriers around it not unlike those around the City. And, if those are tampered with, the Clock itself might throw fire at its 'invaders', or shock them with lightning and electricity, or simply throw them back above ground and likely into the Fountain. I've heard of all three happening.

[sometimes-boe.livejournal.com]

Sorry to eavesdrop, but, I'd be interested in joining this group of yours.

I think you'd find I'd be a pretty good addition.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I made the entry to the Network so others could hear--it's hardly eavesdropping.

I think we'd be quite glad to have you.

Cain Hargreaves. A pleasure to meet you.

[sometimes-boe.livejournal.com]

Captain Jack Harkness, and you.

So, Mr. Hargreaves, when exactly were you thinking of executing this plan?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I'm not certain as yet. If I can, I should like to hear from some of the other bands and parties who seems set on going down to the Clock as well--more than that, I think I should like to hear if anyone knows anything more about all this than I do so far.

[sometimes-boe.livejournal.com]

Ah, smart move, knowledge is power. I wish I had more of it to offer, but I'm somewhat new here and only know that it exists and has stopped ticking.

There is someone who might know more, though; do you know the Doctor?

Private;

[wandbreaker]

Honestly, if you go, I don't care.

But if you take Rosella, you'll find I will.

[signatures]

So first we'd have to hope we don't run into any large group of creatures, Minotaurs or otherwise - then we'd have to find a way to make it close enough to the Clock itself to have a look.

Though, if it's no longer ticking, does that mean the barriers itself protecting it might be down as well?

Private;

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

To be perfectly honest, knowing her as I do, I would rather she not go.

I don't doubt her courage or her strength or her capacity to look after herself, but I've seen her grow very troubled in places that are a little less natural and a little more technological. I think that she may want to go or may force herself to go, but I have concerns over what this might do to her.

Regardless, if you, of your own accord, would like to join us, I could hardly object.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

It's been done before, though, and it could be done again.

It's entirely possible. What good would barriers do if the thing itself is stopped and useless? But I'm not entirely of the opinion that it has stopped.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

And here I've been here four years and still only know a little.

Which doctor? There's any number of people with that title.

--Wait, half a moment: you said 'the Doctor'. Was he the one acquainted with Miss Reinette--Madame de Pompadour? I don't know if you know who I mean, but perhaps we do mean the same person. If we do, I don't know him well, but I have heard of him.

Private;

[wandbreaker]

I told her that it was a foolish thing to do, and that she would suffer more than she would help.

I suppose you'll tell her something similar.

Private;

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I will, of course. Though I suspect she already has some idea that I will.

She's stubborn, so it may take more than a little convincing before she'll keep out of all this.

Private;

[wandbreaker]

I also told her that I wouldn't let her go.

Private;

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

So she's insisting on going, then.

Private;

[wandbreaker]

I think she'll change her mind, as long as she doesn't feel like it's become a challenge.

Private;

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

That may be a fair assessment of things.

She's the daughter of an adventurous king, so it's no surprise that she'd want to go, but perhaps she'll come to her senses about precisely how difficult it would be for her.

Private;

[wandbreaker]

I know why she wants to go, and I understand, but I wouldn't let my own sisters down there, and they've been through things like war.