Long ago, there were two villages that sat on opposite sides of a river. In each resided a brilliant mind. In the northern village, there lived an inventor. Or at least, that’s what she called herself. In truth, she simply liked to tinker, finding old bits of broken machinery and putting them together to make toys which clicked and whirred.
In the southern village, there lived an artist. He saw beauty in the world around him. He used to make paints and dyes out of plants and dried up stones, and never went anywhere without at least a scrap of parchment in case he saw something that sparked his inspiration.
Every evening, the two would set out along the river. She would head east, to where the river met the sea, while he headed west into the hills. He would sit under the stars and paint or embroider the view from the hill, while she combed the beach looking for treasures.
Sometimes, if he was feeling particularly tired, he would simply lie on his back with his hand outstretched gazing up in wonder at the celestial bodies. He didn’t know what they were, or why they were there, but as a bat flitted by, barely visible, he wondered if one day he would be able to fly among them.
While this was happening, she would walk up and down the beach, picking up anything that caught her eye and placing it into a small leather pouch she carried with her. Sometimes she only found shells, but she occasionally found something… odd. Parts of devices crafted from strange metals in shapes that should have been impossible for any living smith, flat boards with strange patterns on them, or small gemstones that seemed to glow with an inner light of their own. She didn’t know what they were or where they came from, but as she gazed out at the ocean, a feeling would grip her heart, telling her that the truth was hidden in the depths.
When they returned home for the night, they would both dream of darkness dusted with motes of light. He would dream of the sky, dotted with stars, while she imagined sinking to the ocean’s depths, where glittering treasure awaited.
Sadly, neither one of them would realise their dreams. For although the inspiration was there, they lacked the means. But they still dreamed. And these dreams lived on in their descendants.
Somewhere unknown, a once rusted wheel began to turn once more, one click at a time, as a pendulum began to swing.
It has been many years since then. The two villages are now a single, sprawling town with a river running through the centre.
The ocean bore fruit before the sky. Perhaps to be expected. The people of the time had an affinity for seacraft and exploration, and while the depths seemed like an inscrutable chasm, they were much closer than the stars. Even so, it was many centuries until they could safely travel the depths of the ocean. But when they did, the secrets they uncovered in there would change the world forever. Nobody could explain the strange technology they found there. It was like nothing they had ever seen.
Integrating it into their own had taken even more time, and further expeditions were made to find anything they could, desperate to improve their understanding. Each returned with a new and exciting find, but they were also fraught with peril. Great storms on the ocean threatened to tear apart many a vessel, and while the seafloor had more than its fair share of treasures, it was not unknown for expeditions to return with most of the crew sick, or even perished, by some unknown poison.
But if the people of Pendulum were anything, they were both intuitive and steadfast. These hardships forced them to grow and develop technologies in new ways, ones that the relics of the depths could not provide. When someone thought to bring a sample of toxic water to a travelling alchemist who was passing through, the liquid metal extracted from the sample drove that particular art forward in bounds.
But it was not only the oceans that the people wished to explore. No. While all this was going on, dreamers were still gazing at the stars, imagining what it would be like to travel among them.
Soon they would not have to wait. The first expedition to the stars only went as far as the world’s moon. And there they learned secrets involving the cyclical nature of the world. From day and night, to high tide and low, to prosperity and peril.
It would be further centuries still until they reached another star. But the strange relics from the ocean, the advances in alchemy, and sheer drive and inspiration, eventually pulled them through.
Which brings us to now. Surely there are greater things to come? Progress has been slowing lately. There are dangers in the abyss that people fear to rouse, and they have grown complacent with their small number of worlds.
What we really need is something to kickstart us again. Maybe something new to inspire us.
Sue isn’t used to this body. It’s been a while since she’s walked among the mortals. After her shenanigans with the Philosophic Mercury ended up poisoning most viable food sources in her favourite fishing village, Nelly had declared that she needed space for a bit, and had left for the mortal realm, taking a case full of paperwork with her.
Honestly, she’d rather give her a little longer if she needs it, but needs must. Things are getting out of balance, and she needs help to get things back in order, much as she hates to admit it.
It doesn’t help that it’s raining. While she doesn’t have her natural form’s aversion to water, it still feels unpleasant on her skin. She idly remembers a time at Emporium sheltering under Nelly’s wings, before shaking her head to clear it.
Her destination is a temple not far outside the aforementioned fishing village. Well, it’s more of a shrine, really, built on a raised dais in the middle of a pool of water. Say what she will about Nelly, Sue at least appreciates that she left a note (albeit curtly worded) saying where to find her in emergencies.
She’s about to head into the shrine, when she notices a tavern on the road leading to the shrine. She wouldn’t… yeah, she totally would. Diverting her path, she makes her way into the tavern and out of the rain.
Looking around, Sue spies an empty table in the corner, drawing her travelling cloak around her and, making sure nobody was looking, lighting a candle which had gone out at some point with a gesture.
A somewhat fruitless gesture, given the tiny clawed paw which reaches out a second later to grab the candle and pull it into the folds of her cloak. Munching sounds are soon heard.
The tavern is definitely cosy. The candles and fireplace paint the room a soft orange, and the sound of rain is still audible as it patters on the roof. She could imagine staying here and simply forgetting the rest of the world exists. Speaking of…
She notices the tavern's proprietress flitting between tables, taking food and drink orders and talking with guests about things she can’t hear and doesn’t care to. Many of them seem weary from travel, and those that aren’t definitely look like they’ve had better days. Still, it seems a kind ear and a hot meal go a long way to relieving some of these pains (if only temporarily), if the grateful smiles are anything to go by.
For an instant, her eyes meet Sue’s, and while she already suspected, now Sue knows who she is, as she does Sue. Still, she continues working.
Sue can see why this pace appeals to Nelly. A spot to just be with the people and pretend for a moment that nothing exists outside. Nelly often comes to spots like this whenever she needs space.
Still, eventually the patrons start to shuffle off to bed, and it isn’t long before the two are left alone. Nelly is cleaning dishes and glasses behind the bar, and seems content to do so, not in any hurry to start a conversation. Great.
“I’m glad I found you. Sorry if it’s a bad time.”
Nelly lets out a laugh. “You’re apologising to me? Are you okay? I’ll listen if there’s something troubling you.”
Sue scowls, “You know full well…” she bites her tongue. She’d almost forgotten how passive aggressive Nelly can be at times. Still, if she’s going to be like that… “I have a great many troubles, most of them because you’ve decided to hide away in some bar instead of doing your job.”
Nelly doesn’t seem phased, continuing to clean glasses, nodding to herself. “I suppose it has been a while. Still, you saw them, right? They need this. They were hit really hard this time. Most of them have lost friends or family, and I just want to help them get back on their feet.”
Sue nods, understanding, if not agreeing. “Still, you can’t just abandon the rest of your duties. Even if you’re working here, we need you back at the office.”
Nelly sighs, and doesn’t reply for a while. Eventually, she finishes, and starts rummaging around under the counter. When she resurfaces, she’s holding a key in her hand. It’s a bulky pewter thing, with a wooden block acting as some kind of tag. She tosses it to Sue, who catches it deftly.
“What’s this?”
Nelly’s deadpan response of “What do you think? It’s a key,” is met with a glare from Sue, so she elaborates. “Look at the tag.”
She does so. Her name is written on it. Not “Sue” but her full name, in letters that no mortal eye has ever seen and no mortal mind can ever comprehend. “This is mine?”
“Yeah.” Nelly’s voice is softer now. “I put a room aside when I first got here. There’s a fireplace and a nice desk.”
Sue gets it. “You want me to work from here?”
Nelly nods. “Look, I’m not in a good place right now, and being here is good for me. And them.” She nods towards the stairs. “But yeah, I know we can’t just stop talking because things aren’t going so well. And… well, I’ve still missed you. So I set this one aside for you.”
“Ah. Well, thanks,” Sue replies. “Is…” she pauses, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Nelly shakes her head. “I just need a bit more time away from the office. Don’t worry, I’ll be okay. And if you need anything, my room’s down the hall from yours.”
Sue bows her head. “Thank you. Oh, and Nelly… It’s good to see you.”
“Likewise.” Nelly’s smile looks a touch more genuine than when Sue had first arrived. “It’s good to see you too. It’s strange. After what happened, it was… too difficult to be around you for a bit, but I’ve also missed you. Is that weird?”
“Not at all,” Sue replies, shaking her head.
“I’m glad.” Nelly takes a seat opposite Sue at her table. “Hey, I know I’m not always the easiest to work with, but… I don’t know. I guess, I just want you to know that even when I go off like this, I’ll always come back. You know that, right?”
“I know.” And Sue does know. She reaches across the table, and Nelly takes her hand. “Trust me, you can be a right pain sometimes, but I’ve never doubted you on that. And likewise, I’ll always be there. You’ll have to do a lot more than this to be rid of me.”
Nelly chuckles. “I don’t know, I thought the rain was a nice touch.”
“Wait, that’s on you!?” Nelly just smiles guiltily at Sue’s outburst. “Right first things first, if I’m going to be staying here, that’s got to go…”
The rest of the evening is spent on frivolous talk. In the morning, it will be time to work, but for now, they’re just content to enjoy each other’s company.
“I don’t see why we need to bother ourselves with all this,” a smooth, silver-scaled Chimera grouches as he waits in line. “It’s not like our worlds are short on resources, Jenna.”
“It is not about resources, Argent” replies the primly dressed Implement, her observatory-head fixed on some unknown point in the far distance. “You can throw all the money and materials you want at a problem, but if the will is not there, no change will happen. Something I thought even you could wrap your head around.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Argent sighs with a dismissive wave of a clawed hand, “I just don’t get why I have to be stuck on this trip with you of all people. Every time we try to work together, things get screwy. It seems counterproductive.”
“Last time was your fault, as I recall. That incident with the space sharks…” Jenna is quickly interrupted.
“I will hear nothing against them. I will not apologise for art.”
Jenna’s observatory head swivels, almost as if rolling a giant eye. “If hordes of mix-and match creatures is what you call art, this little endeavour is doomed before it’s even begun.”
“See, even you think it’s pointless!” Argent rebukes her.
“Only because they let an imbecilic reptile like you in on it!”
The argument carries on back and forth for several hours. The other customers waiting in line look distinctly uncomfortable as it shows no sign of abating any time soon.
Meanwhile, back in a shared Balance/Counterbalance office:
“Do you think those two will be alright?” Nelly’s voice is calm, but Sue can tell she’s fretting nonetheless. “They’re not exactly on the same page.”
“That’s kind of the point,” Sue sighs absently as she scratches her kerbie behind its ears, causing it to coo happily. “You do remember what we were like back then, right?”
“Were?” Nelly asks with a raised eyebrow. Stella, her Star-Kerbie, is floating behind her head, mimicking her disbelieving face.
“Ouch,” Sue's voice is mirthful, despite the barb. “You wound me, you really do. But still, all going well, this will be a good learning experience for both of them. It will be good for them to see how different worlds work.”
“That and it buys us some time to deal with the shark issue.”
“RAWR!” The Kerbie gnashes its teeth in excitement. Sue doesn't know when Nelly introduced the small creature to the concept of sharks, but it has apparently viewed them as something of a role model since. “ME BITE SHARKY!” Or not. Still…
“I mean, if we need a predator that can take them on, we do have some Kerbie colonies we can relocate…”
For a minute, the two contemplate the idea of Space Kerbies.
“Maybe as a last resort.”
“Yeah.”