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

[alliterating]

Wow, we're being lied to? How could you even think that?

[ Heavy on the sarcasm there. ]

I was just saying to myself the other day, "Wow, Herrscher of Sentience, it's a good thing everyone here is so trustworthy!" But you've completely changed my outlook! Congratulations!

[cyfaredd]

[ Ah, more sarcasm. How tiresome. Not that Howl wasn't expecting some negative responses, but he'd thought people might have something more to say about it than just deflecting. ]

So you agree with me? You can just say that.

[alliterating]

Just pointing out you're not the first person to think this all sounds kinda strange. We're not stupid.

Well, most of us aren't.

[cyfaredd]

Aren't you?

[ He says it airily, not to be rude, but to express his doubt at how flippantly she's dismissing his questions. ]

For such a self-professed group of skeptics, most of you are just going along with it all anyway. Why is that?

[alliterating]

Because I haven't figured out a way to get my powers back otherwise.

[ At least she's honest? ]

[cyfaredd]

And that's all? What about the war, the cities, the Oracles... do you ignore it all, or do you involve yourself?

[alliterating]

I don't have much choice to be involved. The Oracles call to us... or something.

[ She huffs. ]

The cities are neat, fun to explore. Don't know if I'd call myself real involved with them, though.

[cyfaredd]

[ At this, Howl lets out his own little huff of exasperation. ]

Then what, madam, do you do with yourself here? Not convinced of the story we're told, I understand. But you're in another world, and you're not even making the most of it either?

Tell me — what's the best restaurant in Highstorm? You must at least have something to say about that?

[alliterating]

Explore. Didn't I just say that? There's two whole cities. Three if you count the underground Kowloon place!

[ There's the sensation of laughter. ]

There's a pretty good noodle stall in Highstorm. Little hole in the wall place. Reminds me a bit of home.