kenoscomm | Open to All

[Communion begins and despite the source, it's strained. At least, in a way that perhaps it shouldn't be, especially considering that it involves Midna, who seems like one of the most nonchalant individuals in this world. She hasn't, in truth, addressed much of anything or anyone since the Harbinger incident, her death, her relocation to Highstorm, and that is beginning to bite her in the Twili backside.

Of course, if she were less prideful, she might actually address that. But maybe it all comes across in something about her, or what feels like wavering conviction, an otherwise kind of weakness she wouldn't ever intentionally display.]

Poor Springstar. There couldn't have been a better time for me to get out of there.

[Never mind that the discord a Meridian experiences in opposing atmosphere is a real contender. Perhaps Midna will turn as monstrous as those attacking the city of infinite light, except to her understanding, they aren't real monsters. No. Her discord is already manifesting in its own way.]

That said, surely we're keeping it all under control, no? The lot of us perfectly capable. If these little obstacles we go through for the Oracles don't hinder us, I find it hard to believe that a bit of chaos and murder is going to stop us. Well, those of us eager to throw ourselves into the fray that is.

[...So... people who aren't her?]

I'm sure I'll be making a little visit over there eventually, but that's not why I'm here now. Since I've made Highstorm my darling little home, I'd like to learn a bit more about it. It's beautiful, there are some nice places to eat, but I'm afraid I just don't know the area well enough. And I've been asked if I'll be decorating my home. I don't suppose there's a nice place to go shopping or some decorative ideas. Much as I'd love to fill my place with paintings, I've discerning taste.

I promise if I can get a little self-indulgence out of the way, I'll certainly be more helpful to my fellow Meridians.

[Which she may, or may not be. Either way, she thinks she's doing a great job pretending to be... well. Herself. But she's probably laying it on too thick this time.]

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[ He narrows right in on the strained nature of her broadcast, cutting through everything else she says.

Because they share an aspect, it's not as though Amos' emotions can be hidden from her either — not that he'd consider trying to hide them even if they didn't. They're relatively muted because of the way he is, but they flit across their shared mindspace regardless: surprise at hearing that she's chosen to live in Highstorm despite remaining Meridian, followed by immediate concern. That she's asking for someone to help show her the city goes as unremarked upon as does the fact that Springstar is suffering from random and vicious attacks — the latter being completely irrelevant to him, while the former pales in comparison to the other problem he foresees. ]

I take it your discord's holding up okay, [ since he hasn't heard of any monster attacks in Highstorm itself, ] but call me when it gets to be too much. I got magic that can fix it. Doesn't matter that we're both Exalts.

[ And he's already put down one shard-bearer whose discord got out of hand in his city. He's not letting it happen again, hence the single-minded focus with which he approaches her. Doesn't matter the terms they last parted on, nor that he's increasingly unsure what to make of her — he remembers Midna to be practical so here he is, being practical in return. ]

[In truth, she has almost expected that any future contact with Amos would result in him holding a great deal of hostility against her. If he did, she'd understand. Since the Harbinger Oracle, she's realised that there are some in this world with whom she has a strangely closer connection. Despite the amount of trust she has in Link, there is something she feels and experiences with Amos that she can't quite explain. She feels it again in this communion. And perhaps he feels it as well.

He cuts right to the heart of the matter and his offer is... surprising. But not unwelcome. She's done nothing to deserve that. He has no benefit to making such an offer.]

I wasn't aware there was magic that could be used for such a thing. But then, I have to admit that until my move into Highstorm, discord was not something I had to keep too much in consideration.

[Usually because she has unintentionally kept herself relatively balanced between light and dark.]

It's a high-level spell. You can learn it when your connection to Zenith or Meridian is a lot stronger.

[ So, not Midna and the way she insists on remaining Meridian, even though she's... choosing to live in Highstorm.

His answer is level, simply relaying facts. He doesn't want to feel all that much around her, so he simply chooses not to — or at least, he thinks he does. Amos is practised at burying his emotions, but that comes with a side effect of not being able to recognize them when he is feeling something.

Case in point: there is an undercurrent of unease when talking to her. He knows she can't do anything to him over communion, but he still remembers what it felt like, as she asserted herself over him, pushed him into submission. Which normally he might not have minded, but in the midst of an Oracle—

He tries to push those thoughts aside. Maybe succeeds. ]

I already had to kill someone here once when their discord got out of control. I don't want to have to do it again. [ It could be a threat; it's not, just another statement of fact. Please don't make me kill you. ] Call me when it starts getting bad. I'll fix it for you.

[Ah. So something that will likely never apply to her because she's still not interested in investing herself in either side. Pride or foolishness, possibly both, it is what it is. It would seem habits are difficult to break.

Almost makes her wonder how Raphael's handling it considering the two of them are so alike.

Considering she's recently died, Midna doubts she wants to experience it again. Especially not so soon. She remembers when Link's discord was too much for him to endure. It's important that she not follow in those footsteps. At some point, she'll have to just swallow it all down and understand there are some things she just can't handle on her own.

She thinks about what she's experienced already—the length of her hair, which is no longer entirely under her control, nails that are almost more like claws, what feels like an unending need for... food, and the intense warmth from the shard that's housed beneath her collar. It's been—]

I may need that sooner than later. I haven't spent much time out since I came out here. [That is, she hasn't really spent any time out.] Entirely my doing, which I will admit to.

[All because she didn't want anyone to see her the way she was after dying the first time.]

I'll come over.

[ He lays it out, just like that: a conviction to his voice that indicates he will not only not be argued with but, judging by any background noise that seeps through, he is already on his way out the door. Amos is nothing if not straightforward and practical, and wasting time beating around the bush does nothing for her, nor does it do anything for him, nor does it do anything for Highstorm.

And so: he's coming over. ]

Show me where you are. This is your doing; you can undo it right now. Come up with a plan for how to manage this as long as you're here.

[ And, unspoken in words but communicated through stray thought and feeling: Or as long as you're not Zenith.

To Midna's credit in not wanting anyone to see her, it's not as though Amos is keen to discuss what last transpired between them. This is — it's simply, strictly practical, is all. No judgment. No nothing. Just setting her right before things get worse. ]

[She doesn't even really have the opportunity to turn him down. The words are right there. The protest. The refusal. But she has been a princess for so long, has been in a position of power for so long, that it is a very, very difficult thing for her to simply accept what someone else may tell her. She thinks, aside from Oracle nonsense, this exchange with Amos is the first time she has willingly allowed that.

Assuming 'willing' has anything to do with it. She feels that her alternatives are limited. Do or be crushed by the cog of reality as defined by this world.

It is a very, very bitter thing to swallow. She does allow him to see, however. As much as she might love a lavish palace to live in, her home is simple and dark, something easily passed by and likely not paid much attention to, but its interior seems more befitting. Past an open door, a painting of a wolf in dusk. Glowing flowers. A pot of dark flowers. The glow of the runes atop her skin, and the locks of orange and blonde that have passed her point of full control.]

Not one for coddling, are you. [She tries to seem more amused than she actually is.] You can let yourself in. I doubt I need to say it, but I would prefer you keep this between us.

[ Considering everything he knows about Midna so far — from early conversations about decorating her space onwards — he's surprised that her home is so nondescript. Like any other home he would walk by on the street and not think twice...

Actually, considering her harmonization, that's probably smart. That and when he gets a look inside he thinks, Oh, yeah. He thought it'd have been even fancier, but the painting alone pings a little sense of approval. He likes it.

As for her requests... ] Yeah. You got it. Figure it doesn't do anyone any favours if this gets out. As long as we keep it quiet, then that's best for all of us.

[ Because Midna has made it very, very clear she does not intend to actually fight for her faction, and so: there is no reason not to respect her wishes.

A beat, as he starts making his way over. ]

Wouldn't mind giving you a haircut, anyway.

[ There's a hint of humour in his own voice — that despite the last time he had experience with her hair, he's willing to tentatively joke about it. Maybe. If she accepts that. ]

Open to All | Communion

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