[Log] Intervention, Part 3
Soze decides to recruit Nick to try and talk some sense into Jeff about this whole “my friend the Outer God” thing. Nick talks to Jeff, who tries to convince Nick that Hastur really isn’t such a bad guy, once you get to know him. That goes about as well as one would expect.

Nick then decides to get some advice from Njoki, who gives him a name.


* Nick_Wright enters the Sanctuary.
* Soze glances up. Wonderful. ....oh hey, he kind of needs to talk to him, actually.
Soze: Hello, Nick.
* Nick_Wright blinks. "Soze. Er... I heard from Jeff..."
* Soze watches him.
Nick_Wright: He says you're turning over a new leaf.
* Soze shrugs. "Yeah. Well. I'm trying."
* Nick_Wright nods. "If Jeff believes you, I'm going to believe you. As best I can, anyway. It's... not an easy transition."
Soze: ...No.
Nick_Wright: Um, is Jeff still LOLed, by the way?
Soze: Not anymore. Listen Nick, about Jeff... if you're busy right now that's okay, but there's something important I need to talk to you about.
Nick_Wright: Eh? Um, sure, go ahead.
Soze: In private, I meant.
Nick_Wright: Oh, er... a side room, perhaps?
Soze: If that's what you'd prefer. Shall we?
* Nick_Wright nods and leads the way to #asideroom .
* Soze follows.

Nick_Wright holds the door open. This room is becoming increasingly familiar to him...
Soze enters. "Thank you."
Nick_Wright closes the door. He tries not to look too nervous about being alone in a room with Soze. Old habits. "What's up?"
Soze: Has Jeff told you about the recent Eldritch influences in his life?
Soze tucks his hands in his pockets.
Nick_Wright: ? I... I know he's been having the dreams, and the temptation they've been presenting --
Nick_Wright: ...he didn't.
Soze: He did.
Soze: *casual* I don't think I deserve your help after everything, but you're at least Jeff's friend.
Nick_Wright: ...DAMN it, Jeff. *he puts his face in his hands, not even bothering to remove the glasses*
Nick_Wright: Gh... I'll talk to people, see what I can find out, but this is NOT good at all.
Soze: ...
Soze: Thank you, Nick.
Nick_Wright looks at Soze. "I wish I could say I'm doing it for you, but..."
Soze: I understand.
Soze 's expression hasn't changed.
Nick_Wright crosses his arms. "Having that guy in the Sanctuary is causing WAY too many problems. The Stranger, I mean."
Soze: Have there been others?
Nick_Wright crosses his arms. "There's been a guy here. Causing problems for my alternate, and I don't trust him much myself. Last time I crossed near him, I picked up a tinge of Eldritch."
Soze: There's a young woman having intimate relations.
Soze: That's a shame. And she seemed so smart, too.
Nick_Wright: ...Jesus Christ.
Nick_Wright sighs. "Otto has more experience with this stuff than I do. This is nuts lately."
Soze: Maybe we should find him, too.
Nick_Wright: Yeah. He might have some ideas. There's bound to be some other people we can talk to as well...
Soze: There's Njoki.
Nick_Wright: Yeah. Assuming she wants to touch any of this with a 10 foot pole. Still, she's pretty knowledgable.
Soze: She gave us warding items before.
Soze: Is there anything you think you can say to him?
Nick_Wright: I can try, but... how much luck did YOU have?
Soze: You're more of his friend.
Nick_Wright: ...I'll see what I can do.
Nick_Wright: Thanks for telling me.
Soze: Thank you for listening.
Soze: It probably took some courage, coming with me to an empty room.
* Nick_Wright rubs the back of his head. "...Like I said. If Jeff says you're making an effort, I'm inclined to believe him. You can't lie to him too well, I'd expect."
* Soze smiles. "Only as well as I lie to myself."
Nick_Wright: Eh heh... well, we might as well get back out.
Soze: ...Jeff's here now.
Nick_Wright: !
Soze: You can go out. I'll think about sticking around.
* Soze ,in other words, doesn't know if he feels like dealing with Jeff right now.
Nick_Wright: Uh, okay. I'll see you in a bit, then.
* Nick_Wright looks at him a bit warily, then heads out.
Soze: Maybe. Goodbye.
* Nick_Wright nods to him before he exits.
* Soze is... eh. He isn't running away from his problems. Out he goes!

* Jeff_Levitt walks in, heading to the bar to fix himself some coffee. He glances over at the side room currently occupied by Soze, then shrugs. "Evening."
* Nick_Wright comes out of the sideroom and stops, noting where Jeff is in relation to the Stranger. If he hadn't just had that conversation with Soze, this might not mean so much. Oh dear.
* Soze follows Nick out a few moments later. No point hiding.
* Jeff_Levitt "Oh! Hello, Nick." He smiles at Nick. Nick would probably notice there's a slight Eldritch taint to his aura.
* Nick_Wright only notes it when he gets close. "Uh, Jeff? You... do something with your hair?"
* Jeff_Levitt blinks at Nick. "No, not recently."
Nick_Wright: ...Huh. Hey, uh, I wanted to talk to you about something, if that's okay. Somewhere private?
* Soze picks up his discarded coffee, silent.
* Jeff_Levitt gives Soze a tired look, but he nods. "Okay, sure. Where to?"
Nick_Wright: Uh, you choose the place?
* Soze doesn't look at Jeff.
* Jeff_Levitt nods to the door Nick and Soze just left. "There's fine."
* Jeff_Levitt stands up and enters #asideroom.
Nick_Wright: Right. *He heads to the same room*

* Nick_Wright enters and stands by the bed, tapping his foot nervously.
* Jeff_Levitt waits for Nick to enter and closes the door behind them, leaning against the wall. "What's up?" As if he doesn't know.
Nick_Wright: ...You gave in, didn't you?
Jeff_Levitt: I was losing my mind, Nick. And *fighting* him was what was causing it.
Nick_Wright: And you think giving in ISN'T going to cause it? Jeff, I can FEEL his influence on you when I get close.
* Jeff_Levitt raises his eyebrows. "Do I look insane, Nick? Am I acting insane?"
Nick_Wright: Jeff, it doesn't necessarily all come on at once.
* Nick_Wright purses his lips. "Do you know why we have to focus our vision when we look at things? Why we can't see things near and far at the same time?"
Jeff_Levitt: Because our brains can't process that much, right?
* Nick_Wright nods. "And the same goes for the Eldritch. I'd have thought you'd remember that. You read more of that stuff than I do..."
* Jeff_Levitt chuckles. "Have you read Lovecraft, Nick? He was good at what he did, one of the best. But he was a xenophobe. The unknown *terrified* him. Even something as mundane as someone from another country was a horrible, alien thing."
Nick_Wright: That's as maybe, but maybe in this case he had a good reason to fear.
Nick_Wright: Jeff, don't you know what happened to Otto when he got too close?
Jeff_Levitt: It's in our nature to fear the unknown, Nick, so I understand why you think I'm in danger. I understand why Soze's upset. But he hasn't harmed me, Nick. He's shown me the most *amazing* things.
Nick_Wright: And what's he asking in return?
Jeff_Levitt: He wants to watch where this takes me. That's it.
* Jeff_Levitt blinks. "I didn't know about Otto."
Nick_Wright: Jeff, Otto lost his SOUL when he got too close. Became a puppet of the King in Yellow.
Jeff_Levitt: ...
Jeff_Levitt: He doesn't want my soul.
Nick_Wright: How do you KNOW that, Jeff? Do you really trust him so much that you don't think he has an ulterior motive underlying all this?
* Jeff_Levitt crosses his arms. "I don't," he admits. "But I don't presume to understand the motivations of an Outer God."
Jeff_Levitt: And besides, Nick, what do you suggest I do?
Nick_Wright: I don't know! There's bound to be someone out there who can help you. Otherwise I'm sure that feeling I'm getting off you is only going to grow.
Jeff_Levitt: You're afraid of it because you don't *understand* it, Nick. Not that I'm claiming to, but at least I'm not assuming it's evil. Do you have *any* idea how much beauty there is in the universe, Nick? I've seen things that would humble the greatest artists in the world. I've seen colors that I didn't know *existed.* I've...I've...I've seen the cities of the Old Ones under Antarctica. I've *spoken* to them. God, Nick, if we knew even a *fraction* of what they do...
Nick_Wright: Jeff, what if I could FIND other people who can tell you a fraction of what they do? Would you listen to me then?
* Jeff_Levitt sighs. "If it'll make you feel better, go ahead."
Jeff_Levitt: I appreciate your concern, Nick. I really do. But he's not hurting me.
Nick_Wright: YET.
Jeff_Levitt: Oh honestly. If I avoided everyone just because they *might* hurt me, I'd be a shut-in. Come on.
Nick_Wright: Jeff, he knows all too well how much damage he can do with the knowledge he can show people. He's USED IT AGAINST PEOPLE already.
Jeff_Levitt: What, insanity? You know, by my world's definition, just being *here* makes me insane.
Nick_Wright: There's a difference between this sort of insanity and the type where you're completely out of contact with the rest of the world!
Nick_Wright: Damnit, you're in really deep, aren't you? He's got you good!
* Jeff_Levitt looks exasperated. "Nick, I'm *right here!* I'm not *going* anywhere."
Nick_Wright: Yeah, tell me that when you're going to wherever Otto went. Look, all I can tell you is that I sincerely doubt the benevolence of this guy. I think he may have already handed power to a madman.
* Jeff_Levitt pushes off the wall and stands back up. "If that happens, I will," he says calmly. "Are we done here?"
Nick_Wright: ...
Jeff_Levitt: Good.
Nick_Wright: Don't think I'm giving up on this.
* Jeff_Levitt opens the door and leaves.
* Nick_Wright grabs the hair on either side of his head in frustration.

Later, Nick asks to speak with Njoki privately in the Loft.

Nick_Wright: ...I don't know if you felt it or not... but Jeff gave in.
Njoki: "To what?"
Nick_Wright: He's been having dreams courtesy of our resident Eldritch houseguest. He's... let him in further.
* Njoki -snarls-. Clearly, this is not the day for this news.
Njoki: "Well, fuck-me-twice."
Nick_Wright: I don't know what to do. He won't listen to me, and he's definitely tainted now.
Njoki: "And what should I do? He won't listen to me. I could force Gabriel to let him go, but not Jeff."
Nick_Wright: Urgh. There's gotta be something we can do, or someone we can talk to, or... I don't want to just give up Jeff without a fight!
Njoki: "He gave himself over to it." She shrugs. "That's how these things work."
Nick_Wright: So you're saying there's nothing to it? He's just... gone? That's it? But there's gotta be some people who made it out!
Njoki: "I don't know, Nick. He's not dead, is he? I work with the dead and I do my very best to keep well away from anything Eldritch."
Nick_Wright: Do you know anybody who DOES work with the Eldritch?
Njoki: "I already spoke to Randy, but he can't do any more." She's getting pissed off -- lots of pacing -- really, let's be honest, it's a predatory stalk.
* Nick_Wright closes his eyes. "...So that's it then."
Njoki: "Try calling Randy's alt. Go find Randolph Carter."
* Njoki is constantly growling.
Nick_Wright: Randolph Carter... Do you know how to contact him?
* Nick_Wright feels a little antsy. Is he pissing her off? But he can't stop worrying. Argh.
Njoki: "No. I don't. Go ask the Nexus."
Nick_Wright: O... okay.
Nick_Wright: Um... thanks.
* Njoki is getting pissed off. She's sick and tired of being called in to help people when she has no talent for it. "Really, it's nothing."
* Nick_Wright feels awkward. "...sorry."
* Njoki sighs and rolls her shoulders -- not a single crackle. "It's not your fault. It's Jeff. Who should know better. Who, if you're right, just went along. Y'know, really, if it's what he wants, let each man go to hell in his own way."
Nick_Wright: ...
* Njoki is having a bit of a day. Sorry. "It's that damn stranger. He keeps trying to take people in and until he goes, everything you do is a waste."
Njoki: "You 'free' Jeff, and he'll come back, and take him again."
Nick_Wright: Tell me about it. He's already lured in at least two other people, and one of them is someone I wouldn't have wanted to have those powers. Ever.
Njoki: "Then go find someone to stop him. I'm happy to just keep under the radar."
Nick_Wright: ...I can see I'm just upsetting you...
* Njoki stops and counts to ten. "Is there anything else?"
Nick_Wright: ...No, I suppose not.
Njoki: "Right. You've a name. Good luck."
Nick_Wright: Um, thanks.
* Njoki flops down on a couch, "What did you think I could do?"
Nick_Wright: I thought maybe you might know someone, mostly.
* Njoki leans her head back and closes her eyes. "Sorry. 'm all keyed up from Gabriel being a shit."
Nick_Wright: Hmm?
Njoki: "The vampire. The Stranger got to him too."
Nick_Wright: Jesus Christ, is he going to get to EVERYBODY?
Njoki: "Not me. I'd head out into the desert long before that happens."
Nick_Wright: He won't get to me either.
Nick_Wright: [Which isn't to say he didn't dangle a carrot in front of me. Good thing I smartened up.]
* Njoki stands, stretches, and dusts off. "Right. Let's go be sociable with that damn creature."
* Nick_Wright nods. "This is a nightmare..."
Nick_Wright: [Apollo... you'd better damn well have the sense not to listen to him yourself.]
* Njoki heads downstairs.
* Nick_Wright stays up here for a bit, thinking.

Meanwhile, back in the Sanctuary, Jeff has a mental conversation with the Stranger.

Jeff_Levitt: In that case, there'd probably be a mental nudge right about now.
Jeff_Levitt: [They're trying to stop this.]
PaleStranger: [Unsurprising. Who is 'they?']
Jeff_Levitt: [My friends. I understand their concern, I was just as afraid as they are. I've tried to tell them, but they won't believe me.]
PaleStranger: [What are they doing to try to stop it?]
Jeff_Levitt: [They're just trying to convince me to get you to stop.]
PaleStranger: [*softly, after a pause* They're simply afraid. You will not come to any harm, I'm sure you understand that.]
Jeff_Levitt: [I do. And I've tried to tell them this, but they don't believe me.]
PaleStranger: [Apparently I had an alternate who was ... less than discreet....]
Jeff_Levitt: [Was he the one that took Otto's soul?]
PaleStranger: [Yes.]
Jeff_Levitt: [Ah, I understand now. My friends were worried that you would do the same to me.]
PaleStranger: [I have no interest in souls.]
* Jeff_Levitt gives a mental sigh. [I know. I tried to tell them that, too. They won't listen.]
PaleStranger: [They are overly cautious. And refuse to further widen their perspectives for fear of what they might learn.]
Jeff_Levitt: [Yeah. I tried showing them what I've written, what I've seen...they won't even look at it.]
* Jeff_Levitt 's mental voice sounds genuinely hurt.
PaleStranger: [They will see, and learn what you know, or they will not, and they will miss something profound.]
Jeff_Levitt: [I know, I know. I just wish they wouldn't treat me like I've sold my soul to the devil.]
PaleStranger: [*softly* For that, I am sorry. There is nothing I can do.]
Jeff_Levitt: [It's all right.]