They had made it not far onto the bridge before Jasper turned and rested their arms on the railing, seeming to be observing the downstream of the crossing. Disregarding Walker's first comment, since the response had minimal bearing on disposition and little other topical similarities to the proposed game of fake names. [color=00a99d]"I am sure they mean well. There are only infrequent reports of misconduct, and the work serves The Scab, well enough,"[/color] they replied to the second, though, taking a few pacing steps further on the bridge, dragging porcelain fingertips along the grains of the railing before stopping at another spot a few meters in. [color=00a99d]"An excellent observation, Captain Walker!"[/color] they mechanically and happily chirped, having not immediately looked up, but then continuing in the smoother more 'intentional' tone, [color=00746b]"...and a quaint metaphor, from the right perspective. Such idioms leave no credit to the means and men utilized for such endeavors, though."[/color]

[hider=Together][youtube]https://youtu.be/WCI9jo9exSM[/youtube][youtube]https://youtu.be/HiAX2QCzh-8[/youtube][/hider]
Jasper crossed one leg over the back of the other, taking on a casual stance. [color=00a99d]"Good afternoon, Miss V,"[/color] they automatically greeted when addressed, but leaned in to bridge their fingers and rest their chin on the folded digits while apparently listening in spite of their unmoving expression or gaze. There was a notable pause after Violet concluded her next line of questions before the construct spoke, about enough time it would take to sigh, illustrated by a slight tilting of his head, instead.
[color=00a99d]"These are difficult questions, but I will do my best to produce a satisfactory answer..."[/color] they hesitantly chirped before elaborating, [color=00a99d]"It is speculated that 'Kite' is...an [i]avatar[/i]...of sorts, thought to be at least a small portion of whatever The Spire drew its power from to wage this war. It is a theory similar to the 'Leyline' practice of magic, where a...[i]stream[/i]...of arcane catalyst is tapped into in order to shape reality by both temporarily upsetting the flow in an area, denaturing local reality, as well as redirecting this portion of arcane catalyst to assert a new will into the laws of physics. This process of cascading and manipulating 'leylines' to denature local reality for short periods of time is what many call 'magic'...but with how different worlds have shown to have their own definitions and processes of 'evocation', this constant from my world has become a matter of theory rather than a law of physics. The research to map out leylines in this space, between, has proven to be troublesome, as more 'otherwise' bleeds into this space, between. Not to discount the occasional troubles with local flora and fauna, Master Harper has frequently expressed her frustration in her endeavor to contain The Scab, itself, to best protect its citizens. Yes. This is where I intend to lead you."[/color]
They pause, blinking once, [color=00a99d]"Pardon the tangent I embarked on, but to properly answer your question, I needed to provide context, first,"[/color] they explained, sidling another step, only lifting their elbows to shift the distance. Somewhere somewhat close by in the river, a few salmon-like fish mingled by the coastal rocks before flapping and jumping their way into the river, proper.
[color=00a99d]"This aforementioned speculation supposes that this...[i]world[/i]...The Spire pulls its strength from, is one [i]aside[/i] from commonplace 'time'. The process of The Spire pulling life from this 'world' introduced this otherwise isolated instance to a concept of entropy. As The Spire is suspected to be primarily intended to consume the...[i]'essence'[/i]...of this titular world...and..[color=00746b]an...[/color]and I understand that th-this next part may b-[color=00746b]be[/color]-be-[color=00746b]be[/color] uncomfort[color=00746b]tttttt[/color]able to hear...[color=00746b]ear...[/color]"[/color] They started to explain, their head twitching from side to side and eyelids clicking as they fluttered, closed, and then opened once more, [color=00746b]"Whatever it is that-[color=00a99d]at[/color]...The Spire is consuming, it is capable of knowing it is being...[i]eaten[/i]...and it has chosen creatures more adapted to entropy to help...[i]carry[/i]...it back. Through this pact of...[i]want[/i]...it is assumed the entity assumes it has permission to 'share your time' in order to restore its preferred state. We are uncertain if this is harmful to the host, in the long run."[/color]

During the coming long pause, Kite sniffed, awkwardly, crossing their arms as they, too, wandered to the other side of the bridge to look upstream. They sighed and seemed like they were about to speak before Jasper started, once more. [color=00746b]"The Lord Madam, Kaath, as you know her, taught me how to hunt for aquatic sub-lucids, here..."[/color] their smooth tones sounding somehow longing behind the mechanical fluting of a voice which wouldn't seem much different from how he'd been speaking, before. [color=f6989d]"F..th...sh..."[/color] Kite sounded out, and Jasper nodded, [color=00746b]"Mmh, fish..."[/color] agreeing and then digressing, [color=00a99d]"Many people from the multiverse crossed the old bridge. It was thought to need to be made wider from its alleged humble beginnings. At first it was giants, titans, beasts of might that clashed where the elements met. This 'Battle Creek' was gouged deep from the sword of one of those entities, and another bridge was built of [color=00746b]beautifully painted[/color] cobblestone."[/color]
Jasper's brows seemed to lift into an amused expression, [color=00a99d]"And when that one blew up when 'Cart-Dragger' and 'Cart-Pusher' had their war, this one was built. Cart-Dragger licks their wounds, and Kedvin's men string up meshed, underneath to climb up behind the people the group across the bridge will confront. They will probably join him, be 'associated' in a misconduct report..."[/color] Jasper then lifted their head to look down the rest of the bridge, [color=00746b]"...or toss Kedvin's men into the river to let the sharks have at them."[/color]
There came no reply in spite of the suspicion being called out. After a short moment, Jasper returned his chin to the bridged, doll-like fingers. [color=00a99d]"To more directly answer your question, Miss V, you are who your Kite found on short notice, likely while being chased or while hiding. My apologies...there used to be more like The Lord Madam...[color=00746b]at least, how she was before her moods[/color]...but..."[/color] another short pause, [color=00a99d]"...many are dead. Most died highly uncomfortable and in undignified ways. Most, these days, are elderly, pooling their minds to the library in a way of better speculating what is on the other side of the gate...they need men like Kedvin to be a heavy hand against exterior threats."[/color] Jasper then stood back with a step to face the two, [color=00746b]"Kaath, a fighter..."[/color] a gesture to Walker, [color=00746b]"...Kedvin, a leader,"[/color] a gesture to Violet. [color=00a99d]"While it would be unkind of me to say there is nothing special about you two, as I understand humans prefer to rest moral stock in their...[i]uniqueness[/i]...by your definition, more 'special' selections have already been selected, and you are simply 'next'."[/color]

Kite flicked an ear, the two folding back as his state of mind was speculated on with him still within earshot, but Jasper was quick to add, "[color=00a99d]If it is any consolation, there are many others [i]less[/i] special that have come, before."[/color]