kenoscomm | communion (ota)

[ 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.

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Yes, I went to look at them myself. Little effigies, on display around their victor's Tree. So quaint. Like garden gnomes.

[ it is very obvious from the tone of Howl's voice that he was super not impressed with them. ]

What reason do you have to believe they're powerful entities? I know it may seem like a foolish question, but please remember, I've been here two weeks.

They're aware, they precede over the events that lead to their capture. The Oracles choose the victor. That they're passive now is... intriguing to put it mildly, but there's little in the way of information about this world put into writing.

[Which is absolutely a Problem, but not something anyone can do anything about.]

Yes! [ Cid having landed on the point, Howl throws his hands up excitedly. ] And that's precisely what I'm talking about about. If they are so sure, then why remain so mum about the details? What do they gain, by telling us so little?

I don't know.

[It's said honestly.]

The only options that have appeared before us are the ones we've been presented with. There aren't any others.

[Almost certainly by design.]

[ Ah, but there's always a third option, isn't there? The option of no. Of making yourself disappear and refusing to be part of any of it. It's a choice Howl has made many times before, for good reasons and bad, and it's one he intends to stick with in this place, too.

It seems most people here, who are not cowards to the same degree Howl is, feel that they cannot refuse to participate. Whether that's true, Howl will find out for himself, but it strikes him as rather sad anyway. And does nothing to make him want to be part of any of it. ]

I see.

What will happen, I wonder, when the curtain is inevitably pulled back.

[ From the stories he's heard, there might be a lot of people experiencing a lot of regret all at once. And this is paramount for Howl. ]

What indeed.

[He already has plenty of misgivings, but he'll not be broadcasting them openly]

There is a saying I'm familiar with. "History is written by the victors".

[It's an incredibly Garlean notion, but even now is one he thinks has merit.]

And even that is suspect, as all evidence points to the notion that no Shardbearer who fought in previous wars ever left Kenos. All that remains of them is fragments.

[ Well. That's bleak. Out of everything he's been told since arriving, that might be the one thing that's legitimately worrying. ]

So we're all doomed anyway, then. [ laugh. ] Even more a reason not to cooperate.

It doesn't change the fact that not picking a side isn't an option. Not in the long term, with the war heating up.

[And hey, maybe there's another explanation for the memories of the previous Shardbearers! He could just be cynical about the situation.]

The Oracles are real. Regardless of your thoughts on them, there will still be battles for the remaining three, and they'll still be claimed.

[It's obvious the notion bothers him, but it's also obvious that he's accepted that it can't be changed.]

[ Honestly? Being told all this just makes Howl want to cooperate even less. He still doesn't have a reason to believe his world is actually gone, nor does he have a reason to believe these Oracles will do what anyone says they do. The only real truths so far are that he's stuck here, and that a war is being fought for the Oracles anyway, even if under false pretenses — and that sucks. ]

Well. [ smiling, but humorlessly. ] I suppose I'll just have to look forward to seeing how Yima plans on forcing me to kill people for her, won't I?

[Cid scoffs.]

Suit yourself.

You're new; you have no stake in this war whatsoever.

What I will say is the following: without choosing a side, you are powerless. I don't mean that metaphorically; harmonization is the only way to access magicks.

[ Oh, this is tiresome. Howl rolls his eyes. ]

I am well aware. Why do you think I said Yima, and not Cyrus?

[Fair enough.]

...As I said, do what you will.

You're not the first nor the last to have questions. But there are more than enough loyalists from either side that open discussion is a terrible idea.

communion (ota)

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