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

[eightfoldfiend]

[There is a sense of something vast, ancient, and grotesque turning an impossible gaze upon the Communion. A human-like twinge of annoyance quickly follows this.

Somehow, Howl's message had felt...intrusive. Like having someone throw open the blinds to let sunlight shine on a once comfortably dark room.]

What purpose would anyone have to lie to us?

[cyfaredd]

[ Oh, yikes. This guy's vibes are dreadful. When they said that this Communion thing can be sent out to everyone, they really meant everyone, didn't they. ]

That's precisely what I want to know. Since the lie is obviously, at least in my opinion, the question becomes why.

[eightfoldfiend]

To convince us to capture the Oracles for them, don't you think? Then they can use all that power for whatever they want.

[A thoughtful pause.]

It doesn't matter anyway.

If they are lying then we'll find out soon enough. Nobody can't keep lies that big a secret for long.

Then we'll kill them all.

[cyfaredd]

[ ]

...I would not go so far, but I wouldn't bet against many others here having the same impulse.

[eightfoldfiend]

Oh?

[Amusement sparks across the connection.]

What would you do, then?

If this all is an elaborate lie, what would you do about it?

[cyfaredd]

[ Thanks to their shared Aspect, that sense of amusement transfers as easily as any spoken word. When mixed with that perpetual dark malice blasting against Howl's mind the longer he talks to this person, it all feels especially... unpleasant. ]

Find a way to go home, and go home. What else? I wouldn't go on a killing spree for being inconvenienced.

[ Which is what this is, for someone as accustomed to world-hopping as Howl. ]

[eightfoldfiend]

What about everyone else?

Would you leave your friends trapped here?

[cyfaredd]

Friends? I've been here a week. [ he laughs. ] I may be charming, but I'm not that charming.

But if you're asking for a ride... Once I figure out why my attempts to return home using my own power aren't working, it probably won't be much more difficult to help everyone else get back.

[eightfoldfiend]

[The amusement swells, sparks becoming flickering cold fire.]

You think I would need your power to leave, little wizard? How...cute.

Of course, this conversation is pointless. We're both trapped here, aren't we?

Even if they are lying, keeping their Shardbearers close must be very important to them.

[cyfaredd]

Oh? Have you formulated a method of getting home, then?

[ Hah, of course he hasn't. But if he does manage to find a way, Howl will be right there in line with everyone else to get back. He doesn't care how he gets back, and in fact, if someone is willing to do all the work for him, that's even better. ]

Yes, I'm sure they aren't going to let their chess pieces dash off the board so easily. Whoever "they" are. It won't stop me from trying to fling myself off the table anyway.

[eightfoldfiend]

What if "they" are the Oracles? Maybe the Oracles orchestrated all of this!

Maybe by waking them up and bringing them together, we're doing exactly what they want.

[It's certainly a True Rune thing to do, he thinks.

There is no comment about getting home. He doesn't have a way to do it either and he doubts there is a home to go back to even if he did.]

[cyfaredd]

Maybe. Who knows? It seems our guesses are just as good as those who've been here for months or longer.

[ And being confrontational about it hadn't gotten him any new information. Darn it.

It was worth a try. ]