communion (ota)

[cyfaredd]

[ Howl's Communion opens in mid-afternoon, entering your brain like a blast of cold air scented with several heavily-applied perfumes. The sensation is so strong that you may actually smell it for real, like an olfactory hallucination, dominated by the scent of hyacinths but tinged with something smoky and earthy, reminiscent of a wood-burning fireplace.

The presence of the person himself is just as loud as the smell. He hasn't opened a connection with everyone so much as he's thrown the door open and allowed his own self-manufactured radiance to command everyone's attention. The mental voice that follows is youthful, confident and flows with a strong Welsh accent. ]

Good afternoon. My name is Howl. Wizard Howl.

I already know what some of you are thinking when you hear that, and no — whoever it was that was once in this world with the same name, I am not him returned. And I don't know anything about that man either, so please, don't hold anything he did against me.

Anyway, now that it's been a few weeks, I've an important matter that I wish to raise with you all. That being: how many of you actually believe what we've been told about how we got here and what we're meant to do with ourselves?

[ The question is punctuated by the impression of Howl leaning back in a plush armchair, crossing his legs and folding his hands together in his lap. ]

If you ask me, we're quite obviously being lied to. None of it adds up, and half of the "proof" is in the form of dreams, which are easily manipulated by someone with the right knowledge, skill and power. I could do it myself if I wanted.

But I already know what I think. I want to know how the rest of you are taking it.

[ He throws up one hand in a shrug. ]

And for the more indoctrinated among you... well, if there's something I'm missing, please! Inform me. I'm all ears.

Comments

ok it's not hostility bc this is funnier

[redsoil]

Oh, gee! Really, Mister Wizard Howl? The last version of you was so much more genteel and charming and handsome, but I really like the way you condescend to us all about something we NEVERRRRR considered before!

[ The massive presence of a Certain God slams down before him, bright eyed and mocking and pretending to have a valley girl accent. He even twirls his hair between his fingers, ]

Like! I'm so glad you came here, gosh! Without your brains and ability to state the obvious, we all would still be stumbling around like silly idiots! You're such a herooooo ~!

[cyfaredd]

[ There's something like a squint in response to this, like Howl is just barely maintaining his calm and collected affect. And also because you kinda need to metaphorically squint when Communing with Set. ]

Oh? So you've considered this very obvious problem, and have chosen to participate anyway? In that case, you must have figured out something I haven't, or know something you've chosen not to share. Won't you educate me?

[redsoil]

Well, ch'yeah!

[ it's the mullet

down with mullets ]

Come on, Mister Wizard Howl. You are waaaay smarter than the rest of us, ob-vo. You gotta' be able to puzzle out a good answer, if you came up with that genius original take to begin with!

[ what the hELL books has he been reading in his spare time, lmfao ]

I mean, my answer for me is that would rather fight for what I believe in, while simultaneously questioning my surroundings and situation. After all, we can do both. On the off chance this is real... do you really want to risk not having the opportunity to be the deciding factor in how the story goes?

[ SMILE ]

1/?

[cyfaredd]

[ ... ]

[cyfaredd]

[ ...Oh? That's it. Wait, was he serious? ]

end

[cyfaredd]

...Ah, excuse me for going silent. I didn't realize you were being serious. Is that really what it comes down to for you? Hm.

You must have almost nothing to lose, then, if it does end up all being a lie.

[redsoil]

I figured as inane a question as you asked deserved an equally inane answer.

[ Finally, he drops the charade and retorts coolly. ]

You are not the first person to think this is a lie. Nor will you be the first to participate in the "lie", regardless. The Oracles are real. The loss of our power is real. The power we receive in return for service is, unfortunately, real. The evidence that generations of Shard-bearers before us have fought, won, and found no end to their battle is real. The presence of my kin in this land is real, ergo I am the highest authority on what is real and what is not, in Kenos.

[ Besides Yima, and Aetos, maybe. They're older than him. Here from the start. He's just part(?) of the world(??) itself (???). ]

Besides, as the god of war, I get everything I want in the end. Whatever truth you find, or create. That is the point in the end: which truth will you pick, and make real.

[cyfaredd]

[ The overwhelming floral scent emanating off of Howl's mind gets even stronger, to the point that if it were real, it would likely be stinging one's eyes and throat. ]

The highest authority? Incredible.

[ In the literal sense. As in, not credible. ]

I made it through two different welcoming ceremonies, and not once was a "god of war" ever mentioned. How curious that you never came up. If I'd known I was speaking to the very arbiter of truth himself, why, I would have shown more respect from the beginning.

[redsoil]

Do you really think a brand new, untested soul is going to get anything of actual import from a bunch of people trying to sell you on their Factional pitch? Goodness, for a man who thinks of himself as enlightened, you should be questioning them more!

[ And now, Set's burgeoning hostility is entirely gone, along with the coldness. Instead, his tone has taken on a curling lilt, a bright sort of mania. Howl hasn't buckled, which means — this has become fun. He's bullying Howl, the way one might parry and jab at a bitchy old companion. ]

You are new and full of hot air where you should be austere about how you speak to your seniors, so I can forgive you for not listening to the people who sing my name. What kind of proof would satisfy you, anyways? You will find something that you will sell yourself for, in the end. Everyone does.

[ He laughs, throwing his head back as he sniffs at the scent of Howl's soul. His own is dry, stifling-so. He kills life that tries to grow, after all; that red, arid desert of mercilessness and bleached-white bones that he is. ]

[cyfaredd]

[ Set might be trying to bully him, but Howl certainly doesn't feel bullied. He's mostly just listening to him blather on, like a smiling Gene Wilder propping his chin on one hand. ]

Of course, of course. You're right. Answers to completely fair and obvious questions really are within the providence of only the most decrepit of our seniors. I'll remember to throw myself in front of the arrows without question next time.

[ Arguing with someone like this is a waste of time, so the best Set is going to get out of him is passive-aggressive agreement. ]

What kind of proof, you ask? Something more than cantrips that my own fifteen year old apprentice can already do, for starters. Why don't you tell me, Arbiter of Truth?