Open to All | Communion

[envoyoftwilight]

[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.]

Comments

[lockedon]

[ Girl, you live in Highstorm now???? ]

Are you keeping your Discord under control?

[ They may not be friends but also he doesn't hate Midna enough to wish the misery of high Discord on her. ]

[envoyoftwilight]

[Yes to the first and no the second. No, she's not. Midna's skills at handling her discord are undeniably poor, but—]

As if a little thing like that would possibly affect me.
But how adorable of you to worry.

[bakedapple]

Highstorm...? You're living in Highstorm?

[ Link doesn't need to ask why — that part will be obvious to anyone aware of Midna's intolerance to sunlight. Really, moving house might even be a bit overdue, considering how hostile Springstar's eternal sunlight is to her biology. But it still catches him somewhat off guard, and his mind immediately needs more information. ]

When did you move? Has everyone been treating you well? Can I come see you?

Is... is your Discord okay?

[lockedon]

[ He is so unimpressed that it colors the entirety of their Communion. ]

You're not invincible. Unless you want to find yourself dissipated, I suggest you find some way to take care of it.

[envoyoftwilight]

That I am. I imagine I should have said something sooner, however, there were some complications that prevented me from doing so.

[That is, the dying thing was not great and Midna was not interested in seeing anyone and she wasn't interested in anyone seeing her.]

I've been here since a bit after the whole Harbinger labyrinth nonsense. You're welcome to pay me visit, but it won't be anything fanciful. At least, not the way someone like me deserves.

[And she's not even going to bother answering the discord thing. If he comes to see her, he'll likely see for himself.]

[envoyoftwilight]

[She deserves that.]

Visiting Springstar will do that well enough. [Or so she suspects.] I am not as irresponsible as you seem to think I am. [Although he has every reason to think she is... absolutely irresponsible since that is the kind of person she's portrayed herself to be.]

[lockedon]

Aren't you?

[ Don't mind him as he just casually calls her out on that. ]

If you're living in Highstorm, you should have some Zenith contacts willing to help you out in case of an emergency.

[ Or so he hopes?? Truthfully given how strained things are between the two sides, he'd also fully believe she's just fending for herself over there. ]

[envoyoftwilight]

Ah, I didn't say I wasn't, only that I'm not as much as it might seem. Technicalities.

[And even that might not be completely true. Midna's considerably more responsible than it seems, but it seems keeping that to herself is wiser. In this world, she can't ever be sure what might be interpreted as a weakness.]

I do have some here that I would consider myself to be on friendly terms with. Or at least, those, perhaps, who may owe me something if I wanted to collect. A shame that a simple move turns out to be so troublesome, however. All because I wanted some shade.

[lockedon]

[ Well, he can't fault her there. How many times has he daydreamed about moving to Highstorm to escape the constant sunlight of Springstar? More times than he can count.

His voice turns a little wry. ]

The curtains weren't enough for you?

[envoyoftwilight]

Unfortunately not. My circumstances are a bit unique. Not to say that I couldn't have survived. I could and I was, but it wasn't living.

[She could only temporarily tolerate going out and doing things. She wasn't miserable, but she was in a constant state of discomfort.]

For all of the setbacks between Meridian and Zenith, Highstorm is better for me. In heart. In soul. In mind.

[lockedon]

And yet you still want to stay a Meridian.

[ It's not so much an accusatory criticism as it is mere statement of fact. (Unless she's planning to switch over? It's not like he talks to her much on a regular basis.) ]

Do you really think that'll be tenable in the long run?

[envoyoftwilight]

Because I still believe in my people and I still believe they exist.

[She gives some time to think before she responds. Not because of what she intends to say, but rather how she wants to put it.]

There are a great many things I would do for my people. But in order for me to do that, I need to be able to take care of myself. The inconvenience from discord is more manageable than putting myself in a place that I'm not physically compatible with.

[lockedon]

[ If there's one thing he can't judge people on it's their reasons for wanting to support Meridian, especially when his own reasoning is as weak as it is. His own personal experience with high Discord has left him with no small amount of trepidation on the matter, but if she says that she can handle it then he has no choice but to believe her in that.

Though it's strange that she phrases life in Springstar that way. ]

Does sunlight actively harm you?

[kinaesthesia]

Oh damn, I didn't realize you've been hanging out over here in Highstorm!

[Girl, why didn't we trade places?? Gavial is dying for more sun.]

Guess I'll have to swing by. Bring a house-warming gift and all.

[youngprodigy]

Highstorm is lovely, isn't it?

It reminds me of my homeland, near perpetual dark included. During the winter months there would be days when there was hardly any daylight at all.

[But that being said, it's obvious there's a twinge of worry about her. There's a reason he doesn't often travel to Springstar, after all.

Nothing outright stated, but obvious all the same.]

Have you been to the markets? There's an astounding variety of baubles and trinkets being sold there.

[envoyoftwilight]

I came from a realm of darkness. My people weren't able to withstand the light. That I can is temporary at best and not without considerable discomfort.

[That is to say, direct exposure to light damn near killed her. It's an experience she's not keen to relive. And perhaps, to some degree, she is a touch traumatised by it, though she would never say so. The Light Spirits, of course, gave unto her a gift, that ability to endure the light she so coveted and longed for, but again, it is all a temporary thing.]

I wouldn't much care to see myself directly exposed to it or what effects that might have on me.

[Although that she's so willing to be honest about this must be saying a lot for her current condition.]

[envoyoftwilight]

I didn't exactly announce it, though I'm beginning to think I should have. Who knows how many Springstar residents have gone looking for me only to find me absent. It's very possible I've caused a touch more concern than I meant to.

[But Gavial is good company and she likes the idea of having some companionship. That is, she feels like she's in a place where she's ready for it.]

If you don't mind it looking a little barren, you're welcome. If you bring me anything, let's make sure it's not something I might kill. So I can keep it and maybe liven this place up a bit.

[envoyoftwilight]

It is. [Stunning, is how Midna might describe it.] It reminds me of my home as well. I wasn't aware you came from a place that was so dark. [But it's not as though she's pried terribly much into or about him. In truth, she's been feeling her way around many of the people here, Cid included. Yet perhaps they have more in common than she's thought.]

I've passed through the markets, done perhaps a little shopping here and there, but nothing extensive. It seemed wiser to see what the locals recommended. You and some of the others have been here longer than I have, after all. I'm not afraid to defer to better judgement when it's available to me.

[bakedapple]

[ He's not about to complain about Midna not telling him — people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Link hasn't spoken to her either, not since that day during the Oracle, and for similar reasons. Similar "complications." He's heard about what happened to her from the broadcast and news coverage... but presumably, she's heard about what happened to him too. ]

...I can't come right now. I'm... tied up at the moment.

[ He's Communing with her from some distant part of the Beyond, far to the north of Highstorm, as he and Drizzt search for wherever the Meridian are constructing their weapon. Nobody knows they are doing this, and that is intentional... but for the first time, he considers telling Midna. Can he trust her not to tell the other Meris what they're doing? Is it even fair to ask that of her? ]

...

[envoyoftwilight]

[She... has heard a great many things. And she's aware that some of her exploits during the Harbinger misadventure became public knowledge. What exactly that entails and how public remains to be seen, but she has largely decided to ignore it. At least until someone comes to her personally to ask questions or confront or anything else that one might find necessary.

It's not the most responsible way to handle the situation, but she hardly sees the harm. What more can go wrong after all of that? All the better she got out of Springstar when she did before she starts being labelled a Zenith sympathiser.

That said—]

Are you all right? You don't have to tell me, of course, but surely it's evident enough that I would help you if you needed it. Of course, if you mean a different kind of tying, then you don't really need my help there.

[Midna.]

[corvidant]

Likening "a bit of chaos and murder" to an Oracle trial... As a newcomer, I must say you have me fairly concerned.

[ Concerned that he's been missing out on all this fun, that is. ]

[envoyoftwilight]

The two things aren't so similar. Well, they could be. It's all a bunch of obstacles and things that usually aren't particularly fun or enjoyable, but a decent amount of manual labour.

[Ah, but some people seem to enjoy that.]

If you've not experienced it just yet, you can decide how the two compare. I find there's plenty of chaos in both. Wonderful for one who needs engagement and loves to keep their hands busy.

1/2

[bakedapple]

[ ...A different kind of tying...?

oh. well, ]

[bakedapple]

[ at least Midna teasing him like that makes all of this feel normal in a way? ]

— N-no! I mean — yes. I'm alright.

[ pro save. ]

I'm just... busy. I'm not in Highstorm. I decided not to live in the city. I've been spending most of my time in the Beyond. That's where I am right now.

Getting back to the city is difficult from where I am... but I'll be back eventually.

[ There. He's told her the truth, technically. ]

[corvidant]

I don't mind chaos per se. If anything, I am rather drawn to it.

[ And since this is Communion, he can spare some honesty. Cracks in his mask might be more easily detectable this way. ]

Regardless, these trials are reason for concern. From what I gather, there were several casualties the last time. I would rather not be one of them, myself.