Gerhard, Wanderer of the Infinite Staircase
Jul 16, 2022 0:31:56 GMT
Velania Kalugina, Derthaad, and 3 more like this
Post by Gerhard on Jul 16, 2022 0:31:56 GMT
Part 1: A New World 
- Gerhard -
What The Water Gave
I know why I had to go. I knew as soon as I stepped foot into that world and the first chord was played. And I think, now, I know why you stayed.
- Gerhard -
Strange Magic
I regret that I did draw my bow on one, though it is a blessing that I did not loose an arrow.
I regret that not all of my party felt the same.
- Gerhard -
The First Hurdle
Who knows what else may be in store?
- Gerhard -
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Losing someone close to you, or having them taken from you.. it lingers, the everlasting thought of "what ifs" and "maybes" that if one thing had changed, the family would be whole.
Part 2: The Infinite Staircase
- Gerhard -
Keep The Light
There's a rift ahead of me, shrinking with the dying of the light. Henri is there, too, the tear in space a window to another world that he cannot break through.
- Gerhard -
Moonlit Travels
"I may have seen him before, yes."
- Gerhard & Anåbæl -
As Far North As North Goes
"Henri. I'm looking for Henri, and I am closer now than I have ever been."
"Ah. He is part of your tribe? A lost one of your herd?"
"Yes, I suppose you could say that."
Part 3: Mister
- Gerhard -
The Call of The Wild
"Please, just... just make sure they get home safe, okay? These are my friends, and I put them through a lot today. I promised that they would be able to go home."
- Gerhard -
Back To Work
With the dawn of the third day, the dread turned to guilt: I was free, and Henri was not. The fourth day was spent pleading that The Call would hum once more, and that I could be taken away from here forever.
- Gerhard & Jaezred -
Grasping At Moonbeams
At the mention of The Staircase, Gerhard freezes. He looks Jaezred in the eye, measuring his words carefully. “If this were anyone else, I would turn you away for asking such a thing. But you were the reason I met Sarin, and so I owe you a debt.
- Gerhard -
Heeding The Call
My notes from the planes copied and filed away into the stacks at Daring Academy, I set my sights on my next task: The Call, and the schematics on my arm.
- Gerhard -
Heeding The Call (II)
I'm speaking, now, in a language that I do not understand. The words slide over my tongue as if I have been speaking them all my life, but I do not know what it is I say.
- Gerhard & Mister -
A Late Night Call
"Oh this is very real dearie"
- Gerhard, Sorrel, & Silvia -
Catching Up
"Found him, yes. But also found what was keeping him. Have you heard of The Infinite Staircase?"
- Gerhard -
The Stonecutters
But I write this with the conviction that you will be able to read it one day.
Part 4: Heaven Sent
- Gerhard -
Beneath The Surface
I figured that the party would be more like the old days. Some folks from the museum, for instance. Or maybe some sages, looking to learn from the secrets of the past. Orianna Èirigh was the closest to that, I think.
- Orianna -
Beneath The Surface
I wonder if I'll get a chance to speak to him properly...
- Gerhard -
A Lunar Calling
Gentleman. That is what Andromeda called him, the swirling gunmetal liquid within the box of diamond.
Father.
- Gerhard & Gentleman -
Good Morning, Gentleman
You can feel Gentleman drift away for a second lost in thought and then snaps back. "Oh, what to call us. Stewards is probably more of a title than a name. Most refer to us as The Infinite."
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Where Does My Heart Call, Does It Call For You?
"I'm afraid, Orianna." His eyes stay locked with hers, his vision beginning to swim as tears of his own start to brim. "I'm afraid about what will come next."
- Orianna -
Crystal Clear Vision
Why does he continue to avoid me? Did I do something wrong?...
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Under the Yew Tree
"I don't know what this is yet, but I want to find out." His voice is low, tentative but with a hint of the will that opens doors to worlds unknown.
- Gerhard & Orianna -
A Thousand and One Summer Nights
A promise that the chosen of the Infinite would choose a single moment, a single breath, as the only thing he will ever need.
Part 5: Hell Bent
- Gerhard -
A Matter of Price
A wish that they had not run out of time, had not missed their moment?
- Orianna -
A Matter of Price
There was a moment as the bull elephant charged at me. I saw his face. The fear and the desperation. The helplessness in his eyes.
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Falling Awake
A knock on the door, waking you from your slumber; a longing, a kiss, a promise to come home.
- Gerhard -
Silent Hill
The fiend nudges the wanderer, pointing to the sky. Look at how many places I have left to see!
The wanderer smiles, a shrug. Once this is over, you will have to show me.
- Gerhard -
Ex Astris
Not yet.
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Wait It Out
But I will come find you. I promise.
- Gerhard & Kavel -
So Different Yet… So Similar?
"Do you ever look up at the stars and wish you could be among them? That's how she makes me feel, Kavel. She's a star, and I'm starstruck."
Part 6: The Hard Way
- Gerhard -
Just Breathe
It will be okay, I promise.
- Orianna -
Just Breathe
I'll find you, imi-ib! So long as there are stars in the sky, our hearts will find-
- Gerhard & Andromeda -
Emergency Contact
Tell me when you find her.
- Gerhard, Laurel, Derthaad, & Beets -
What Just Happened?
What remains is a husk, burned out from grief and guilt and the knowledge nothing he can do.
- Gerhard -
Today Is Your Birthday
No.
No, no, no, no.
No, no, NO, NO.
NO.
- Orianna & Mister -
Infinities Unknown, Part 1
"You are the one who has been hurting him. You are the one who has Henri. You're the reason Gerhard is-"
- Gerhard & Ilthuryn -
The Messenger
"I do care about her. Greatly. I promise I will see that she makes it home."
- Orianna & Mister -
Infinities Unknown, Part 2
"You have done excellent work and now for your reward."
Part 7: Recall
- Gerhard -
I Want To Tell You Something
If I tell you my story, if you see me, really and truly see me... then maybe I will not have left, not really.
- Gerhard -
Are You Listening?
Gerhard nods once. "Yes, sir."
- Gerhard -
Maybe I Was Nothing To You
Except for one.
- Gerhard -
But You Let Me In
Promise me, Gerhard. Promise me you'll take care of your mother.
- Gerhard -
We Had Each Others' Backs
"Henri! Come back!"
"Henri!"
- Gerhard -
We Were Partners
"Promise me you’ll keep taking good care of my boy?"
- Gerhard -
You Had My Heart
It's a bard's tale. An old one, told in dim taverns and town squares alike.
- Gerhard -
You Saved My Life
"Henri.. what we have, the jobs we take... that's enough for me. That's... all I need. You... you're..."
- Gerhard -
And Then You Left
But there is no reply, as Henri steps through the shimmering silver and out of sight.
- Gerhard -
Now I Must Find You
"I made a promise, sir. I promised to keep your boy safe."
- Gerhard -
No Matter How Far I Must Go
He could come home. He chooses not to.
- Gerhard -
But Do You Want To Be Found?
The shaky, weary hands adjust the forget-me-nots carefully, making sure that not a single petal falls.
Part 8: Miles To Go Before I Sleep
- Gerhard & Derthaad -
The Morning Star
"Is a single star worth the inky void of the Cosmos?"
- Gerhard, Orianna, & Mister -
Infinities Unknown, Part 3
"I love you too, imi-ib."
- Gerhard -
The Call of Infinite Possibilities, Part 1
"Ah. You’re awake. Good. We know where she is."
- Orianna -
Interlude
Then came a day where someone did listen. A boy. He was Chosen, but of a different kind.
- Gerhard -
The Call of Infinite Possibilities, Part 2
"I'm here, it's okay, you're safe, it's okay... I made a promise. It's time to go home."
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Home // Sometimes, A Promise Is All It Takes
"Yes. For you, anything."
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Night // Let Us Ward Away the Sun, and Look Upon the Stars
"I may have to step away, for a day or two or many. But I will never leave."
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Dusk // Hold Me Tight and Banish My Shadows
"I want to know it all. About your fathers, about Nim. About your home."
- Gerhard & Henri -
You // Forgive Me For My Transgressions
"My home is here now. With her. And I intend to make the most of every moment I can."
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Us // Hold My Hand and Remind Me of Better Days
"They just… they remind me of us. Our story. The silver metal and the blue undertones, how they balance each other out, make each other… better."
- Gerhard & Orianna -
Call // For What Is a Day In the Face of Eternity?
A single story’s end, the chapter complete, the book set aside.