Othar Tryggvassen

Gentleman Adventurer and Professional Hero. My sworn mission is the destruction of all of the World's Sparks--including, eventually, myself.

He/Him

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

Even a Spark such as I can apparently have trouble downloading my archive. Ah, the tribulation.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

I am told I must record something here or else I risk having this troublesome mechanism implode, as I've been reticent to record of late. That's on me. I must find a middle ground.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

The Shrike effortlessly deflects any questions about herself. I find that trying to explain the whole "I lived with a Geister for thirty-some-odd years and then returned from a blighted future" thing tends to be a conversation stopper- so I just say I rescued Eotain from Paris.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

Her companions (who merely watched our fight) bring in refreshments and see themselves out. I examine the Shrike closely. From her abilities, I'd say she must be a construct of some kind, but I see no stitching, no devices, nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever. Interesting.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

I stumble, and The Shrike's blade aims for my throat. At the last second, Eotain leaps between me and certain death! With superhuman control, the sword stops millimeters from Eotain's heart. The Shrike looks surprised…and lowers her blade. "Perhaps," she says, "we should talk."

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

The fight that follows is surprising. The Shrike manages to keep me jumping while fighting Eotain. Geisters are amazing sword fighters, but it still takes the two of us working together just to keep from being defeated. I'm beginning to think the Shrike is not human. Intriguing.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

I explain that Eotain will not be killed, as she is under my protection. The Shrike draws a sword and asks whose protection I am under. (I had thought it was hers. One of those silly bits of miscommunication that I will laugh about later) Here's a chance to practice my diplomacy

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

We now come to the Geister In The Room. The Shrike asks me if she really is my sister- plausible, as no one has seen a male Geister, and few have seen my eyes behind my goggles. I remove them now, and explain how I rescued Eotain from Paris. The Shrike nods and says she must die.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

"The Steel Shrike, if I'm not mistaken!" She rolls her eyes. Apparently almost every adjective to be found in the dictionary has been appended to the name Shrike, and she has decided to just "roll with it". She says she'll pick which adjective to use if she lives long enough.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

When we awaken, we are in a darkened room. Before us is a woman at a table. She's backlit, but she has the regal bearing that is taught to royalty from a very young age. She is flanked by several overly large persons who are trying to look intimidating. Eotain's goggles are gone.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

Once there, we found an old lady who offered us cookies and launched into an incredibly long and rambling set of instructions, with directions, passwords, signs and countersigns Suddenly realize we're about to pass out. Are the cookies drugged? Or is this woman incredibly boring?

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

Eotian and I were on our way back to the train, when I discovered that someone had slipped a note into my sweater, which I had set aside while we were training. Nicely done. We were given directions to an isolated spot after dark. A trap? Better than a late night cordial, says I!

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

Finally! A chance to relax and actually update this journal. It has been a tumultuous few days in Holfung-Borzoi, and everyone is glad that we are on a train back to Paris. Eotain is asleep within the crook of my arm. I must record what happened for posterity- and tax purposes.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

I am told that the word has already gone out, and that The Resistance will contact me. Hopefully before all the good restaurants are burned down. Eotain and I spend the rest of the day in combat practice. She is recovered, and there's nothing like combat to get one back in shape.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

Dammit, another fine restaurant burned to the ground. Those monsters! On the other hand, I never was presented with a bill. Eotain says she had a fine time, and really liked the waffles. We return to the train station. I ask the monks how I can contact the resistance or whatever.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

I will freely admit that I've had better plans, but there is no denying that cherry cream waffles taste better after a protracted battle. The tentacles of the Other run pretty deep here. It's kind of refreshing to not have to worry about "innocent bystanders"… There aren't any.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

I've talked to the monks, but now we'll assess for ourselves how badly things are "on the ground". To the monks horror, I tell them to let us out the front door. We shall find the nearest bistro, and see how easy it is to dine in public without getting blood on our cherry waffels

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

The Geisters appreciate straight talk. Eotain proves no exception. She does not laugh at my threat, but does not seem offended either. She assures me that after the massacre in Paris, The Other no longer commands her loyalty. I choose to believe her, but of course, we shall see.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

Time for plain speaking. I tell Eotain I plan on fighting The Other. I will kill her if I can. If Eotain has any objection to this, I will leave her with the train monks. She will be safe. If she comes with me, I have to be able to trust her. If she betrays me, I will kill her.

[Othar Tryggvassen @Othar]

We test the disguise out and everyone we meet is totally fooled. Although I must admit that the sudden concept that "There are TWO of you?" Seems to drive any other critical thought from their heads. No doubt they are stuck by the realization that they are now Twice As Safe.