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 ~!

[youngprodigy]

You certainly have opinions, don't you?

[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?

[cyfaredd]

Of course. Do you have no opinions on the war you've been drafted into fighting? The pitch you were given when you arrived is the same one I received, wasn't it?

[youngprodigy]

More or less, aye.

The Oracles are very real. What powers they possess isn't so clear, but I have no reason to believe they aren't powerful entities.

[cutlery]

[ As soon as Sebastian hears Howl’s familiar voice, he stops what he’s doing (watering his plants, thank you) with a mildly pained expression. He’s encountered much worse in the way of the shared Communion since Howl in terms of the bleed of emotions, but still. Howl does stand out for being very uniquely the first, and it’s what sends a little ripple of dread across Communion.

…And, yet. While Sebastian had essentially flinched in anticipation, nothing comes.

It’s explained as Sebastian listens, naturally. This is Howl, but also is not Howl, so apparently, his Aspect had changed too…? Whatever deity there is to be thanked, Sebastian feels a bit of that sentiment for the moment. For a lack of options, he just goes with Set. ]

…Do pardon me. [ He at least starts off polite, but he has to make 100%, absolutely sure, ] This is a bit off-topic from your questions, which I shall return to, but I hope you will permit me one of my own first, Mr. Howl. What is your Aspect, if I may?

[cyfaredd]

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.

[youngprodigy]

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.]

[cyfaredd]

[ The question is polite enough, but considering how different of a response this was to the two he's received so far... it feels weirdly suspicious. ]

From what I understand, I fall under "Iconoclast." Quite a poor fit, judging by the name alone, but I never did see myself as much of an Aquarius, either. [ mental shrug. ] Why do you ask?

[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 ]

[redsoil]

[ "he just goes with set"

thanks boo, your prayer has been logged ]

[escardos]

Wow, talk about trolling!

[ flat has nothing helpful to say, as per usual. ]

That won’t make you very popular, I think. Unpopular wizards tend to end up getting locked in towers, you know.

[cutlery]

[ thank you set or whatever

By which I mean, the relief is truly palpable, and there's a little sigh to match it. Again, it's not as if Howl was that bad compared to, say, Ruby, but still... ]

Oh, just a bit of personal confirmation, really. When you were last here, we shared an Aspect, and for some other circumstances, we were the only ones to do so. I mean no offense by saying so, but it was... A bit noisy, so to speak.

[ He laughs a little sheepishly ]

Though I am sure that seemed an odd question out of the blue, so thank you for indulging me. The shared Aspects are simply something I find rather personally troubling.

[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?

[appeale]

[ tiredly: ]

Does it really matter if I believe it or not...? I mean—what else would I do?

[kaientai]

[ ryouma brings a sudden gust of wind with him, too, although it's more like salt air blowing in off the sea rather than the cloying perfume howl's carries.

perhaps more notable is the sense of something monstrous and draconic wrapped around him despite his otherwise bright and friendly presence. two Shards means he brings oryou into the Communion as well, but things manifest strangely in this space. ]

Well, sure, it's all pretty sketchy.

[ the mental equivalent of a shrug. ]

But it's also pretty obvious that it can't be helped, so you try and make the best choices with what you have. That's how most things are in life.

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]

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?

[youngprodigy]

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.]

[cyfaredd]

[ At this, Howl groans. ]

Didn't I already say that I have nothing to do with that other person named "Howl"? From what I've gathered, he left quite a horrible reputation in his wake — and not the sort one could consider respectable in a certain light. I introduced myself to a fine lady the other day, and she slapped me the second she heard my name!

[ This is 100% the same kind of consequences that Howl can and will create for himself too, just give him time ]

[cyfaredd]

Popular wizards tend to have people knocking on their doors asking for important favors, too.

[ No, thank you! What a bother! Also he has no idea what "trolling" is, ]

You've got to know what you're worth! And I'm worth a proper explanation.

[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.