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[ ooc; Be sure to mind the content warnings and feel free to tell him to go pound sand if you want because he sucks. ]

[ Not long after Harmonising to Zenith, an unfamiliar presence reaches out in Communion — but only to those souls who have made the same choice.

The undead Scourge upon Azeroth had once felt the same presence in what remained of their minds, sharp and painful in its abruptness like an icy lance to the back of the skull. His powers are diminished considerably in the absence of Frostmourne, so his voice no longer compels other souls to obey, but Arthas speaks as if issuing a command nonetheless. ]

Greetings, Zenites. I am Arthas, the Lich King; Death itself comes to aid you in this war. Know that I reserve my words for only those who have made the right choice, so let us speak now of the future.

[ It would be correct to assume there is an unspoken implication that something else is in store for those who have not made the right choice; he has other plans for an introduction to the enemy. ]

I understand the difficulty of delivering an inevitable but undesirable truth to those who would prefer to deny it. I know you must have the courage to do whatever it takes to protect what can be saved. Those of you who believe you have that courage, present yourselves to me.

[ An odd gentleness tinges his voice, brought about by sympathy for their shared burden. He understands. This is an old conflict he's fought before taking on a new form — Meridian and Zenith, Light and Shadow, Life and Death. ]

The rest of you should pray we never meet on the battlefield.

[ The iciness returns. Arthas has no room for weakness, and neither should Zenith, in his opinion, not that anyone asked.

Anyone who chooses to ignore him will experience nothing further once the chill recedes, but the Communion shifts for any who decide to respond, details forming out of dense fog until you find yourself standing upon the spire of ice known as the Frozen Throne. He had been so much a part of it once his mind recreates it easily. Every so often, the howling wind sounds more like tortured voices or frantic shrieks than a mimicry of the rush of air at a high altitude. Given what this place really is, it's probably fine.

Besides the eeriness of his undead state, Arthas sits upon his throne with a confidence that goes beyond arrogance — it is the surety of a man who knows he was born to rule over other men, still a king in his own mind, even if his world is dead and gone.

Every soul was gone, too. His father. Uther. Jaina, Arthas realises with a pang of painful sadness reserved only for her, buried too deep and distant to show on his face this time. All of them gone; all of them lost to Oblivion. Even the Holy Light hadn't saved them for all of their supposed righteousness. Something ugly inside him relishes the thought, and Arthas smiles unpleasantly, leering down at whoever has come to treat with him. He has never been one for subtlety, but he doesn't believe anything about a king should ever be subtle. ]

corvidant

[ Though the familiar red of his presence shines bright as ever, the heat of anger that usually follows is down to a low simmer, almost pleasant if one has an inclination for a continuous undercurrent of chaos. Fellow Iconoclasts might be able to feel it like a fever, just barely high enough to keep you restless through the night, a heartbeat too impatient and eager for relief, but on the outside, this is perhaps as close to calm as Akechi ever gets. ]

Something has been on my mind since our communion with Florence-san. Something of a high stakes gambit.

[ And it goes without saying that it should be high risk, as well, but he's fine with that. His entire past life was all about playing a rigged game with the odds stacked against him; whatever new world they create going forward would be meaningless without a fair fighting chance. ]

So, I'll be blunt: I'm not willing to sit pretty and simply wait for the enemy to make a move on us. Zenith continues to bleed, and since so many of you-- [ are so SPINELESS as to refuse to KILL ENEMIES IN A WAR-- okay, deep breaths, Iconoclasts please disregard these ~~careless~~ whispers ] --have qualms about trimming Meridian's numbers, I should hope that taking direct action to bolster our forces would be more... palatable.

As it stands, our best alternative would be focusing on the Oracles, though I don't intend to wait for trials, either.

[ Should he mention his experience with big heists and forcibly changing cognition? Maybe, when the moment is opportune. For now: ]

Whether it is creating a new world from scratch or [ scoff, big eye roll ] a deluded promise of restoration, the fact remains that neither side will accomplish their goals with only a portion of the Oracles in their hands. We have barely managed to scrape a win and even our numbers last time, and assuming we can claim the remaining two, at the end of the day it would all be futile effort without the six of them. If I work on the premise that Oracles are persuaded to joining a side just like Shardbearers, then it becomes logical that, like Shardbearers, so too can they shift allegiances.

Well, that's only my working hypothesis, anyway. It would be easier to figure out a potential pattern had I been present for past successes and failures, so this is why I reach out to you today: for details regarding past trials. With few leads to follow, even hearsay and rumors about the nature of Oracles would be appreciated.

[ A beat, and as he hesitates, his constant simmering rises to a near boil: ] Unless anyone else would be interested in coming along to investigate?

[ What is this? Teamwork?! UGH. The things he does for Zenith...!! ]

tresemme

I’ve been thinking [ wow ] about all those worlds we saw.

[ it sounds as if he’s gearing up to gloat about the zenith victory, as if that isn’t old news compared to the upheavals they’ve all experienced since awakening, but that’s actually not what’s on his mind today. ]

Space is massive. I know those were dreams, but there’s no reason that some of those places couldn’t exist in fragments like the hunks of rock we’re stuck on now. It’s just that if you went looking for one, you’d never come back.

[ the vibes in the communion are unusually placid for the contention he’s previously presented. he even briefly seems yearning, with that last bit—but he quickly shakes himself out of it, eager not to seem too in his feelings on the psychic broadcast. ]

…anyway, I wanted to offer seeing the world from above. I don’t care what side you’re on. I can take you to look at the stars, and you’ll be able to breathe as long as you’re with me, so… just ask.

[ pause. ]

Oh, but if you’re annoying, I’m leaving you there.

wolfish

[ For Yuri, opening Communion has always been like cautiously cracking a door open on a stormy day. He's never wholly prepared for what may come in, but if he doesn't open that door to begin with, they'll get nowhere.

And now that the research they'd worked to hunt down is in his hands, there's the small matter of what to do with it. Coalbrand had cautioned him against attempting to release the information publicly. Sain-Breq had died trying. He'd also suggested leveraging this knowledge against those in power. Against those who have kept them in the dark, used them... And if the dreams are truly memories as the research suggests, they've spent and broken them too.

It begins with opening the door. ]

I've alluded to a certain pursuit with some of you, carried it out with others... Some, I can't reach anymore.

[ Cid, Sentience, Midna... He drifts off for a moment, the lingering question of what became of them giving him pause. Then he spurs himself to proceed. ]

We've got it now: Sain-Breq's research. There's just the one copy, so now that my guest has taken his leave, I'll go over that with you.

[ The others will have to forgive the little extra nudge of Yuri's mind, like a playful elbow to the side, before he shares a first-person view of the documents, page by page. It's a slow process, allowing for differences in reading speeds, before at last they reach the end. ]

So, that's...a lot to take in, I realize. And a little bird tells me Shardbearers stopped being capable of dreams long ago, so those visions we saw after our power-nap? They'd be explained by all this. The cycles that preceded this one... And the content of mine, more than the warning that came with these documents, is why I'm starting with all of you.

[ There's a pause, and the distinct sense of him gathering himself. For his fellow Harbingers, it comes with the air of a shaky sigh. ]

This information was threat enough to those in power to kill. If my dream wasn't a dream at all, they'll bend and break us for less. Shave away what makes us who we are until what remains is so brittle it snaps one day. I have reason to suspect the higher we harmonize, the easier that is to achieve.

[ Hence notable high-harmonization exclusions he does typically trust. It could make things harder or more dangerous for them... In all this time, it's the most he has ever spoken of his terrible dream. ]

We need to play our cards right on this. It can be leveraged against those in power and our people deserve to know. Damned if I know the best way, given our position — so I want to open a discussion. How we use this, how we avoid making anyone a convenient target for them. Between us, I know we're capable.

[ He leaves it at that, another mental nudge suggesting the metaphorical floor is wide open for any takers. ]

[ ooc: This Communion is open to those involved in the Wheel of Fortune questline: Shez, ~~rip Joshua~~, Byleth, and Gavial as well as Ryouma, Dimitri, Claude, and Jade. Please feel free to assume Yuri failed to reach your character if you want to opt out, the list is just who he tried to reach out to for this initial discussion. Thread hop/jack and respond to one another as desired! ]

holonethero

[Anakin has taken his time in reaching out to others, partially because he doesn't really like the idea of communion and partially because of his desire to remain detached, but he knows that isn't feasible. He's heard all of the warnings about the war coming to an end soon, and about the need for action...but committing to that is not something he's willing to do just yet. However he still wants to be of some help, and in a sudden, snap decision he just...does it.

His mental voice falters briefly, almost as though he's thinking better of it, but when he does speak up it's in a confident, clear tone. He's used to public speaking, at least, even if this is a little weird.]

Good afternoon. I have been remiss in introducing myself to the rest of you. My name is Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight and General of the Grand Army of the Galactic Republic. I've recently arrived and I've been slowly taking things in. I have a few questions, and an offer I'd like to put on the table.

[His thoughts slow, and are accompanied by images of a long stone room with a shallow, sandy floor. A training room.]

The offer first. I have trained many men and women in my unit in self-defense, and I've had an apprentice Jedi up until very recently. I've come to understand that many of you come from civilian backgrounds. If you would like to learn how to fight, or you'd like to brush up on things, particularly when it comes to swordsmanship, please seek me out.

[He pauses to let that sink in before going on.]

Secondly, the questions. I'm curious what made you choose Zenith to give your allegiance? And I would also ask what would make you change your mind? I am not intending to question anyone's loyalties or allegiances except possibly my own, I just would like to understand why you've made the choice you did. It may help me frame my own thoughts better.

Thank you for your time and your thoughts.

[His thoughts quiet then, waiting for responses.]

spellcollect

[ Frieren's mind opens up; as before, on the surface it's a calm, smooth pond. She's not quite used to this, so the connection (at first) is a touch tentative and then as she feels her way forward it opens more until she thinks she's finally ready. ]

I have a question for all of you. And you may consider it a simple matter of curiosity; I won't take offense at being ignored.

[ There's a pause, as if she's collecting her thoughts. ]

How many of you are long-lived species? Or long-lived by virtue of who you are? My kind are rare, even in my world, so I can't assume others will be particularly more common here, at the end of the universe.

[ It's an open question. ]

warmare

I have shaken off my sleep, but something I would have dismissed as a bad dream is apparently all too real.

Allow me to report to you now that the demon going by the name "Sebastian Michaelis", the one who viciously fought against us in the Oracle trials, who gladly schemed with that rat Silco to pollute Kowloon beneath Springstar's feet... That thing has left Zenith for Meridian.

Why, exactly? Apparently he will not be gracing us with those important details.

So for your sake... I will report something now that is no business of any of yours. If I do not, I can already imagine the brainless among you clambering to believe that demon is somehow capable of a change of heart. Do you think that smiles and a polite act are enough to overlook the consumption of souls? Or perhaps you will forgive his twisted violence under the false idea that he only employed it when an Oracle was at stake? Just because it clings to the fringes of Meridian's light in order to keep its power do not think that it is committed in any way to saving our worlds.

( content warnings: kidnapping, noncon surgery, eye gore, attempted suicide )

Now.

The people that were scouted on my behalf before to help remove that cursed eye are dead and gone now. So if any one of you listening can take it out cleanly, speak up. I will pay you if need be.

If its not out of me within the week I am ripping it out myself.

kenosnpcs

This is a post where you'll find a header in the comments for Aetós, Agapitos Voreen, and Florence Deshayes respectively.

As a reminder from our course correction, your OOC understanding of their places in their factions should not influence IC reactions, especially to Agapitos and Florence. Aggressive threats and demands are likely to be ignored, because this would be very out of the blue to them! ( You can be mean to Aetós, though. They're a dick, and they just won't respond. )

Timewise, Agapitos and Florence's posts are shortly after Shard-Bearers awake after the repose (roughly a day to give people a chance to get their bearings/go get a haircut/etc), and Aetós's portion is later in the month.

Please note, new tag-ins will not be responded to after April 23rd. However, tagging each other throughout this post is welcome. Threadjack to your heart's content!

escardos

I've been thinking.

[ the presence in the communion is like the expansive void, dark and lonesome. and yet, within that darkness, flat's chipper voice resonates clearly and innocently, though whether it's a blessing or a curse is unknown. ]

You know how we've apparently been asleep for a 114 years? Well, that means that I've missed about 114 birthdays. And that means that you guys have also missed 114 birthdays. That's horrible! There's nothing more important than the celebration of life.

[ he sounds horrified, but 'sounds' is as far as it gets. he continues, with an energy and cheer that is, perhaps, not befitting a place that is quickly rushing towards both war and oblivion. ]

Therefore, happy belated birthdays to everyone! Enjoy being alive for yet another year and that this world has not yet been consumed by the void!

bakedapple

Hey, everyone. It's... been quiet. I know it's sort of a complicated question, but... how is everyone?

[ As usual, Link's presence in Communion is humble and mild. Where he would normally be accompanied by the smell of morning dew on grass or the sensation of cold wind pricking one's cheeks, today is different — it's warm, like you're sitting next to an indoor fireplace, and there's a strong scent of expresso mixed with a hint of dusty paper. ]

Something has been on my mind lately. If you don't want to talk, you can tune this out now. It's fine.

[ Link usually does not manifest a physical, visual image in Communion, but there's a slight, soft imprint of the ridges of his fingerprint scraping against the edge of a sheet of paper. ]

Have you heard of "fate" before? Um, I guess most of you probably have, but it was sort of new to me. Not something I ever really thought about until I came to Kenos.

It's this idea of... everything that has happened, was always going to happen. And everything that will happen in the future has already been decided on, and can't be changed.

Do you think it's real? And what about... "destiny"? Is it different from fate, or the same thing?

appeale

Hey.

[ even to those who have only encountered Rudbeckia's presence in passing via Communion, something is noticeably different. her mind has always been something warm and friendly, deliberately appealing to make others feel at ease; she herself would withdraw timidly from the touch of another's mind, always guarded and cautious while doing her best not to seem so.

now, the landscape that surrounds her is unwelcoming and barren. those red sands that used to warm her feet have turned cold. and most significantly, not a trace of fear remains in her – but it isn't courage, or strength, or confidence that has changed her.

the impression of her blank stare is that of someone who stands on a ledge uncaring of which way she might fall. ]

What the hell did you guys do in the Oracle trial?

twohand

[ In the midst of the Advocate's beginnings, perhaps a few world adventures in ( ignore pax's belated posting in that case ), there is a quiet presence that coalesces within the minds of all. An Advocate, dusk-skinned and thoughtful as he addresses all present. Even his voice is morose, a little saddened by what he has taken notice of — though that is mostly on behalf of Meridian. He cannot imagine what it must feel like, to look upon something familiar and have it not be exactly what they want. ]

They're dying. These worlds — they're already lost, they're torn up and left in pieces, they're dreams of what was; please don't make them suffer when you can bring them a gentle end. Even if you fight to restore them in the long run, choosing to save them now is torturous. It is asking someone with a terminal illness to fight on, when they ought to be given the ability to rest.

[ He sounds like he is pleading with the Meri, a call not to stand so firmly with their impossible desire to restore all that they make such a glaring mistake. ]

All things have a right to live, I agree. But, all those same things also should have a dignified end. I am only asking that you understand this, and choose to help us give what is left of these worlds the ending that I wish our worlds could have had.

This time, please... just this time. I am asking on their behalf, for all to choose a difficult thing — but, the thing that only we now have the power to do for them.

leicesters

[Claude's communion prescence has always been like a summer breeze; warm, easygoing, albeit difficult to read before it moves on. Now it has more of a brittle, bitter quality, like a looming dust-cloud he has to hold at a distance. There's no going back from this point when he knows things will only escalate from here, and so now seems like an important time to address his fellow Meri.]

The fight for the next Oracle will be on us soon. The Tribune may have been slain, but he entrusted the future of the worlds to us. Though he won't be able to help us see this through, we can still fight for him, and all the others we've lost along the way. We can fight for Springstar... and we can fight for Quetzalcoatl.

[There's a brief pause on this point. Her death deserves respect and acknowledgement, and she may not be the last to meet such a fate before the fighting is over.]

...We'll fight for your homes, too. After all, our worlds aren't that different, right? They might be flawed in their own ways, and there might even be some of you who would rather stay here when this is done. But every world and the life on it is precious, and it beats whatever phony world Yima and her followers come up with.

Speaking of Yima: I've discussed this with a few people already, but I suspect she's still alive. When the Blight almost destroyed Kenos, somehow she was still around. When I asked her about it, she said she wasn't bound by time like a normal person is. She can exist in different times and different places simultaneously; I don't know how it works, but maybe she even foresaw this attempt on her life before it even happened.

That said, it's just speculation, so we might as well play dumb and behave towards Zenith as if we're convinced she's dead for now. It'll be easier for us that way.

[Others have probably arrived at a similar conclusion, perhaps people among Zenith's ranks too, but it bears saying, particularly for those newly arrived to the conflict.]

Anyway, enough about her -- how about we use this opportunity for a little strategy get-together? We have a few new faces around, so feel free to introduce yourself and your capabilities.

For those of us who have been around longer, feel free to toss in an introduction too. More importantly, share what you know about Zenith and its current capabilities, in combat or otherwise. Any insight into their current thinking would be useful right now, too. What's their morale like? We know by now that some of them really hate our guts, and I wonder how much their desire for revenge is going to play into the next battle...

[He sounds casual, almost flippant, but there's a serious point in there he's sure he doesn't need to overstate: the more loyal Zenites are going to have some serious motivation in the next battle to get back at them, whether they believe Yima is gone or not.]

Let's not let our own judgement be clouded by revenge, even if we've sustained losses. We need to go into this with a clear head, looking toward the future.

Oh-- on that note, Hayame wants to speak with some of you about some further strategising either before or after the Oracle. Sorry that's a little vague, but I'm sure she'll talk to you about it properly when the time comes. For now, let's just focus on one thing at a time.

bakedapple

[ Link's mental space feels like being outside, so depending on where you are, you might not realize that someone has started Communion with you. Since joining the Zenith, the landscape of Link's mind has gone from idyllic, sunny forests to icy, overcast mountains. A frigid wind blows against your face, carrying the scent of firewood and meat roasting over an open flame. The diminutive Hylian is not sitting by the fire, but standing at the edge of a rocky ledge, his back turned. ]

There's going to be another Oracle soon. I can feel it. The rest of you can feel it too, right? That... pulling feeling.

[ He sighs. ]

If we lose this one, it's over. The Meridian isn't going to go easy on us. I know them... I know how badly they want to win. To them, the stakes couldn't be higher.

So let's talk. About what we're going to be up against, and... well, planning ahead isn't really something we can do, but at least we can warn each other of the dangers that individual Meri pose.

And I... I want to say something, too.

[ He sits down where he stands, his feet hanging off the cliff. There's a sense that he knows this isn't going to go over well, but it's important enough to him to say it anyway. ]

Killing the other guy before they kill you is what war is. That's normal. But Kenos is different. Death doesn't work the way it should here. We don't die permanently. You can neutralize someone threatening you by just dissipating them. There's nothing to gain by destroying their soul after you're no longer in danger.

So, I don't think any of us should shatter anyone ever again.

If you claim someone's Shard, you should protect it. If you feel that you can't do that, give it to someone else.

...I'm not stupid. I know a lot of you aren't gonna agree to this. And the Meris probably won't either. I'm sure they want revenge for what happened to Quetzalcoatl, and those of you who lost the Shards Yima gave you probably aren't feeling very merciful right now either...

But if we don't come to some kinda agreement now, that's going to become normal. Things are gonna get really bad. I don't want that. So... can we talk about it, at least?

a_noble_flame

[What comes first through the flung open door of Alice's communion is warmth. To some a warm spring day, to others an inviting hearth banked to a low, slow fire. Or maybe it's a campfire, a ring of bright light against the encroaching darkness. However it is viewed it's inviting, calling for rest and calm.

She's nudged her way into several communions by now but she's never opened herself up at large and it shows. Or maybe it's just that Alice is never one to hide much save the emotions she keeps buried away beyond the light of her fire and warmth.

Alice herself ... well, her image of herself is fuzzy. Ever present fire eats at her heels and in times of passion might silhouette her. She herself though is only as sharp as her mental image of herself and she's obviously not that great at conjuring it up.

At least she still feels warm though? And her tone of voice is the same even if her words are quite business-like.]

I apologize if I'm doing this wrong in some way.

[Apology given, she dives in.]

I would like to find someone to commission a sword from. I wish to be prepared for future fighting and in order to do so I really do need to keep up my training with my other weapons as well. My current weaponry can only offer so much in terms of weight and distance.

[... Should she give an example of what she wants to commission? She's drawn up something by hand, exact specifications given from memory and years of handling this particular weapon of hers.

Amusingly -- or maybe not -- Alice's mental image of the Mähne is much clearer than her mental image of herself. It's a good six foot in length, two longswords butted end to end with grips between them.]

I have saved up some for this and am willing to work off the extra should what I have not cover the cost fully.

[... How do you close these out? Just ... leave it open for communication? There's a sweep of heat as Alice flusters just a touch.]

Th-thank you. I appreciate any assistance that can be offered.

dreamflowers

[Is it cold in here all of a sudden? No, that's just Jade's first attempt at opening a line of Communion to the people of Springstar. Instead, it ends up going out to whoever is willing to listen as she's still trying to get a handle on this method of communication.

[Her presence is like freezing saltwaters, with the scent of sea and earth.]

Blazes. It still blows my mind that you people use Psionics to talk to each other here.

[As someone who's pretty adept in Psionics herself, it should be normal, but not like this.]

Anyways, in light of the absolute shit timing of my arrival... I need an outlet. By now I think I've learned the streets of this city well enough to navigate my way around. Buuut I'm looking for some obscure, holes-in-the-wall kinda places or favorite establishments to get a drink at and relax.

Don't think I need to explain why.

Also any tips on how to procure a home would be nice. Think I'm starting to get on the nerves of some of the folks living in the barracks... thing.

[Hi Meridian. Sorry you're stuck with this natural disaster of a woman.]

semicharmed

[ Yep, this is going to everyone–Matt couldn't think of a way to filter to "only folks who might be interested." Written out in full, it takes up multiple pages of the notebook, so he'll parcel it as needed. ]

Apologies for the long message.

This is twofold: I wanted to share the results of surveying native Kenosians re: which Faction's goal they support, and also share some less organized notes on issues that affect all of us.

[ First up, a section entitled SURVEY, with "special thanks to Gavial, Dimitri, and Ryouma for their contributions." The main points are:

Purpose of the survey, which is to see if residents of Kenos express a clear preference for one Faction's goal or the other.

Limitations, which include timespan (a week), number of respondents, and possible biases due to lack of cultural familiarity with Kenos and lack of trust.

A summary of the survey questions, which include things like I enjoy change in my life, the bigger the better and I often think about regrets I have or things/people I've lost.

Results: Answers track perfectly, with city of origin being the determining factor for alignment with Meridian or Zenith. This held true across Alenroux as well, in contrast to Matt's hypothesis that there might be more variance due to geographic dispersal from centers of Faction power. In a direct vote, Meridian would sweep through population of Springstar alone.

Final notes include the following: The divide in answers is so clean that it represents either serious methodological error or an unusually homogeneous population. On earth we referred to a phenomenon of "political polarization" to indicate deep divides. In this case, I would call the polarization more like that of protons and elections–two forces that repel each other on the level of cells and molecules. ]

( now for the tricky part )

[ ooc: BLESS YOU IF YOU READ THIS WHOLE THING. Feel free to comment with questions, brainstorming, dragging Matt, whatever. Or equally, feel free to just have your character know the things in here, if you want them to! ]

tattooism

Good evening, Kenos...

[The sense of Communion is less of a solid thing, an actual face or clear voice, and more of a sensation of smoke curling in the air, seeping into your senses late at night with a husky rumble and a fluffy(?), warm embrace.]

You must forgive me for calling during such a, hmm, fraught time... I take it to understand some VIPs have been killed... ? And then there was that dreadful light beam thing... Goodness, I've had so many tattoo clients the last few weeks I've barely managed to leave my studios to sate my hungers, let alone keep up with politics. I am an artist, you see, first and foremost.

Well, as an honorary Zenite I suppose I should at least be concerned that some wayward Meridian ruffian is going to sneak into my home and poison the poor Shard in my safekeeping to make it explode, like what happened to poor Mr. Michaelis'? I did see that...

[👁]

But I have something a little more personal to ask you.

Despite my long and adventurous life, you see, I have never been blessed with children of my own... So perhaps my maternal instincts are somewhat lacking? I am a little unsure as to how to handle the situation I find myself unwittingly embroiled in, so...

What does one do to gently encourage three young men with questionable hygiene practices to stop squatting in a small guest room with insufficient mattress numbers and become respectable and enterprisingly self-sufficient citizens of Highstorm?

I would appreciate any and all input on this pressing matter. Thank you~ ❤️

[A moment later, as if she had remembered this very important detail, she returns to Communion to add, (filtered away from a Certain Zenite Air BNB Host and His Three Tenants):]

Oh- And, apparently sex is off the table, so. Solutions that are not that, please! 💋

baltimores

[ This isn't exactly something he does. Not on this scale, at least.

This communion's presence is akin to stepping off into the vacuum of space, cold and dark and empty. A void without feeling, submersed into nothingness — but deep enough there's also the faint pulse of a drowned, hurting heart. And even though it's coming from Amos, there's the sense of him curiously poking at it like an open wound.

It has been a couple of weeks since he killed Cyrus, a fact he has not bothered to hide. A couple of weeks since he has been forced to contend with the responsibility he bears for the deaths of innocents in Springstar, and so — ]

Hey.

[ When he speaks his voice is soft, and gentle, and something that could maybe even be called repentant. Or at least trying to be, the concept being a very, very, very new one for him. ]

So, I've been doing some thinking. There was this time I got caught up in a mass casualty event. Lady I knew then was a nurse, so she was doing what she could, because it had to be done. She also took the time to spend time with the dead. All of them, I think. I didn't really get it then, but I think maybe now...

[ He trails off, fumbling with his words. That pulse maybe grows a little stronger, and then he's back. ]

I dunno how feasible it is, but we should be collecting the names of everyone who died during all of this. When we make the new world — [ because there is no doubt in his mind that Zenith is going to succeed, and their new world will be made — ] we can build some kind of monument. Put everyone's names on it. Give people a space to take their moments with them, even if they ain't here anymore.

I know this don't exactly fix anything, but it's a start. I can keep track of the names. [ There's another pause, and when Amos speaks again, he's much more sure of himself. ] I won't forget them.

warmare

[Hayame had plenty to say about this disgraceful farce the moment she had regained consciousness... But she waited. She waited, so that her emotions would be as locked down and as under control as she could manage. Until only harsh anger and the burn of judgement come through- at least, for now.

First, she addresses only Meridian.]

I hope you are proud of yourself.

Those of you who have been too weak to commit properly to this cause, content to let those with drive and will do the winning of Oracles on your and your world's behalf.

Those of you who claim allegiance to Meridian but have been content to play "neutral" and hide like a weak little bug in the shadow of those more powerful than you.

Those of you who could not draw a single line in the sand and loved playing friend or whore too much to break off relations with people working to ensure that the lives of everyone in your world are snuffed out permanently.

Those of you who have refused to shatter the shards of our enemies, whining about the sanctity of a soul, even though that is the only way to kill someone properly in this twisted world.

Mourn that sun goddess for the power she possessed that our faction has lost. Mourn the kindness she showed you, if you so wish. But I will impart a lesson unto you- If someone is kind to everyone, then their kindness means absolutely nothing. That empty-headed fool of a woman had her shard shattered by the very man whose shard she protected, after I and another killed him in the labyrinth of the Harbinger Oracle trial. If she had given that foul thing back to us so that I might crush it beneath my hoof, then she would be alive today.

That is what kindness of that nature will reap you. A disgraceful public execution at the hands of a wizened, corpse-gnawing gaki barely managing the veneer of a man.

If you wish to dedicate yourself further to the actual cause you claim to serve, or if you wish to train and empower yourself, I will gladly help you. It would be my honor.

But if your plan is to continue living the sort of shameful existence that helped allow for the assassination of Springstar's Tribune at his own godsdamned home, then either purge yourself of that treacherous weakness... or I will try to find the time in my days to do it for you.

[Maybe this is where she could stop, take a breath... But she does not. The rest, cold and hateful and roiling with anger, is said to everyone, Zenite and Unharmonized alike.]

To all those who still claim allegiance to Zenith... I will not waste breath trying to convince you of anything at all, let alone now, after what your faction has wrought upon countless innocents. Whether you are a poor thing who would abandon every life in your world simply because you were treated badly, whether you are a pathetic thing who cannot muster the will to hope for anything but that sacred bitch on high and a committee of degenerates making a new world for you to exist in, or whether you are a sick thing who delights in watching worlds burn and people die... I, Hayame of Echigo, do not care, and I will not show mercy to one any more than the other.

Unlike, it seems, the many dishonorable among you, I say this to you plainly and clearly.

I will disable you if I see you step foot in Springstar.

I will hunt down your cornerstones and smash them to pieces.

And I will kill you if you put yourself between me and the possibility of returning to my world and my duty.

... Ah, yes. To those of you who have still not chosen a side, even after seeing what has occurred this moon... My advice to you is to stay Unharmonized, to pick up a hoe, and to go tend crops in Alenroux. You obviously lack the determination required for this conflict... and the people require food. Go on.

If you need a recommendation for a farmer looking for labor, I know plenty. Do you fancy turnips, or buckwheat?

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