As Related by Sir Lorcan Fearghus, Chevalier Noir of the Arbor
I can’t believe that I was too stupid to think of that before. 98% of Driscoll’s so-called “self-portraits” are of other emanations.
The truth is, I had no idea what I was doing.
So now, finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for…
“Malachi del Eden’d, Personal Interpreter for Her Eminence the Matriarch of Skarsia. 31st to emanate, 101 in the color scale, resonates to 547. 1.675 meters tall, cock size 15.87 cm when erect, apparent age 29. Magician. Totem is Brugmansia suaveolens, Angel’s trumpet, fixed star is Cornu, the horn, also called Brachium, the arm. Esoteric symbol is the Minchiate trump L’Angelo or Le Trombe, the Angel’s Trumpet. Dessert is blue moth mushroom gelato. Function is creative gravity, proto-conscious tendency is verbalization, designated Articulate. Blazon is argent, on a fret Skarsian twilight a blue moth mushroom, proper.”
« Malachi! Whose proto-conscious tendency is verbalization, designated Articulate. We’ve been waiting for you to tell us what the fuck has been going on. »
« It’s obvious, » says Davy.
« How, how, how have you managed to last 29 years without anyone choking the living compost out of you? »
« Twenty-nine, » Davy sighs. « I look my age. It’s depressing. »
« It will be much better when you get to be like Daniel, 62 going on 19, » Dermot consoles.
« I assume you don’t want a discussion of the state of Combine politics or speculation on how the SongLuminants located Venahalee and Nan-Zee in the first place, » Malachi says. « I assume that you want a clarification of internal matters. »
« Do tell. »
« Evolution, » says Malachi. « A leap as startling and dramatic as the specialization of cells within animal organs. What you saw in the cenote was a Cu’enashti. An enormous Cu’enashti, but otherwise typical of the species. Its component elements were connected through a synchronization of frequency, but it had no structure. The Mover has created a structure. He has chosen a pattern – the lotus – which has a symbolic significance to both humans and trees, and a paradigm, an order of courtly knights, which contains an implied code of ethics: bravery, chivalry, noblesse oblige, brotherhood, and above all, devotion to Our Lady. »
« Then it’s clear, » says Ailann. « We have to dedicate ourselves to completing the quest achievements as soon as possible, so that each star can be raised to its place in the heavens. »
« But how much should the recognized ones interfere? » asks Balin. « The quests should be earned. »
« Driscoll says you have to be kidding, » says Ross. « He says that people were getting achievements for singing a song, or picking mushrooms. Now all the easy achievements are done. »
« Not all. Aran’s still working on that collage. The guys who are really going to get screwed will be the last to join Ophion. By then, there will be nothing left but finding the sangraal. »
« Do the achievements really mean anything? » asks Dermot. « I’d assume they have to, but some of them seem so random. »
« There’s a purpose, » says Malachi. « But it’s the dream-logic of trees. Maybe the one to ask is Suibhne. There’s something else. Your theory about our thoughts originating in the interference pattern between the sparks is correct. One obvious way through which this happens is our conversations, which generate ideas both conscious and non-conscious. But the most effective way to exchange energies is through sexual contact. »
And that’s a lead in to checking up on the relationship drama. I step over to the bar, between Solomon and Dermot, placing one hand on each of their shoulders. « How’s it going? »
« I’m on number 45, » Solomon says.
« That isn’t exactly what I meant. »
« After every few beers, he has something to eat, or walks around New Merenis, » says Dermot. « He’s wise. He was the right emanation to assign to this task. »
« I mean how are you doing? »
« I, well…»
« O-kaaaay. There’s a solution for this. A time-honored solution called a go-between. Hey, Solomon, my friend Dermot would like to spend some quality time with you. »
« Barkeep, make that two of the Holepuncher Hyperbocks, » he says.
« Three. And you guys had better get moving. I’ll expect to see you at Sloane’s for the major pollination action which is heading our way. »
« Pollination? » asks Solomon, somewhat dazed.
« Ross is emanated. He’s the golden boy du jour. Put it together and get it together. Now, let’s snoop on Ari and Tommy. »
« What? » says Ari.
« Please go away, » says Tommy.
« You’re losing your nerve now? »
« That was the most humiliating moment of my life, » says Tommy.
« You’re lying. The most humiliating moment of your life is when you brought that hooker home from Tom O’Bedlam’s, and you couldn’t get it up. »
« Let me die, » says Tommy.
« How could you do something like that? » asks Ari. « It’s a complete violation of n’aashet n’aaverti. »
« I was desperate, » Tommy replies miserably. « Don’t you know what it’s like to be sexually frustrated? »
« No, » says Ari.
« That explains a lot. Tommy, knowing something about Ari’s essential nature, he’s always had synchronization problems. On the other hand, you’re a very good dancer. It’s up to you. You’ll have to be direct. »
« I told him I wanted him to fuck me. That isn’t direct? »
« I never got a chance to answer, » says Ari. « I think it’s okay. »
« You do? » says Tommy.
« I know I’ve got issues, » says Ari. « I’m trying to get over them, but I need some patience. If you’re willing to work through it with me, then I accept. »
« Well then, I’ll expect to see the two of you up at Sloane’s later. I’m going to make some good time with Beat, since Harsh has a date with Ailann. »