locked to zenith

[bakedapple]

[ Link's mental space feels like being outside, so depending on where you are, you might not realize that someone has started Communion with you. Since joining the Zenith, the landscape of Link's mind has gone from idyllic, sunny forests to icy, overcast mountains. A frigid wind blows against your face, carrying the scent of firewood and meat roasting over an open flame. The diminutive Hylian is not sitting by the fire, but standing at the edge of a rocky ledge, his back turned. ]

There's going to be another Oracle soon. I can feel it. The rest of you can feel it too, right? That... pulling feeling.

[ He sighs. ]

If we lose this one, it's over. The Meridian isn't going to go easy on us. I know them... I know how badly they want to win. To them, the stakes couldn't be higher.

So let's talk. About what we're going to be up against, and... well, planning ahead isn't really something we can do, but at least we can warn each other of the dangers that individual Meri pose.

And I... I want to say something, too.

[ He sits down where he stands, his feet hanging off the cliff. There's a sense that he knows this isn't going to go over well, but it's important enough to him to say it anyway. ]

Killing the other guy before they kill you is what war is. That's normal. But Kenos is different. Death doesn't work the way it should here. We don't die permanently. You can neutralize someone threatening you by just dissipating them. There's nothing to gain by destroying their soul after you're no longer in danger.

So, I don't think any of us should shatter anyone ever again.

If you claim someone's Shard, you should protect it. If you feel that you can't do that, give it to someone else.

...I'm not stupid. I know a lot of you aren't gonna agree to this. And the Meris probably won't either. I'm sure they want revenge for what happened to Quetzalcoatl, and those of you who lost the Shards Yima gave you probably aren't feeling very merciful right now either...

But if we don't come to some kinda agreement now, that's going to become normal. Things are gonna get really bad. I don't want that. So... can we talk about it, at least?

Comments

[fursuit]

[ That's... ??? ]

...Huh. I guess I should be congratulatin' you, then? Sounds, uh. Positive, anyways.

[ Like, he's a big supporter of personal growth! ]

But, damn. Must've been one hell of an ass kicking for that kind of self-reflection.

[alliterating]

Yeah, uh, Kiana's really good at those...

[ Grumble. ]

I spent way too long feelin' sorry for myself, anyway. So I figured I oughta do something besides mope anyway.

[semicharmed]

That depends on what your end goal is.

[ Siiiigh. Fine, he'll do wargames stuff with you. But it's clear from Matt's psychic presence that he doesn't find this nearly as fun as flirting. ]

Let's say some enterprising Zenith person shatters every last Meridian Shard. Great, no more competition, very tactical. And then say they're ready to create a new world, only there's a huge ravening void in the way, and the only or most effective way to defeat it is with Zenith and Meridian's combined energies.

[kinaesthesia]

I guess that'd be a smart plan...

[There is something distinctly there in her tone that's saying, "but it'd be less fun that way."]

With as feisty as she is combined with her hatred of Zenites, I think it'd be best to keep everyone apprised of any sightings of her when we're in the thick of things.

[fursuit]

[ oh. oh matt, ]

Ha! You're on "speaker", lover boy!

[ Sure, Communion is barely like a phone but bear with him for the analogy. He wants to make the modern world references when he can. It's cool (citation extremely needed) ]

[semicharmed]

[ HELLO GAVIAL, enjoy the psychic sensation of the person you're talking to flushing a bright, irredeemable scarlet. He must be the color of the Communist Manifesto! ]

Oh ... I ...

Fuck.

Wow, I'm so sorry, I thought I was getting better at uh--keeping the inner monologue inner.

[ Is this how he dies? Can this be how he dies? ]

[punkisntdead]

What, like a purse dog??

[Because that is the impression she's getting from the miming sensation.]

[fursuit]

Easy. Someone offers up their life to become the sun, duh.

[ He's joking and playing with his own mythology/truth, but there's a feeling of "point taken" in Communion despite his joking around. ]

People are short-sighted, especially with uncertainty. If there's a concrete way forward, that's what people are going to take. S'why this war is more appealing than looking at that darkness. There's a concrete goal and way to achieve it. So, the tactics of that battle don't always help out what you might need for the next one.

You think combining their energies is the way to do it?

[fursuit]

And? What'd you decide to do? Givin' up the villain thing, sure, but what'd you want after that?

[alliterating]

Well, uh...

[ Hmm. ]

I helped some people out with a few little things - 'cause of course I did! And now... well. I wanted to see more of the world and the universe, I guess. Without having to worry about any of that other bullshit.

[semicharmed]

Sure, [ Matt says immediately, a hint of sheepishness permeating his mental presence. ] Yeah, that makes sense, given how much we don't know about this whole conflict in general.

[ Something he continues to view as deliberate, and potentially sinister. ]

I appreciate the pointers. Honestly, you're already saving me a lot of false starts.

[erbe]

If only.

[erbe]

Honestly? That's what it seems like. Even if you grab the physical representation, it might not choose your faction.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt replies something that feels a lot like UGGGGGGH!

In the physical world, he buries his face in his hands. This posture isn't literally transposed to the psychic plane as a visual, but something of the spirit shines through. ]

This is honestly not the worst way I could've slipped up, [ he mumbles. ]

[alliterating]

Not that easy, huh? What if we hand him over to the Meri instead? Solves our problem and theirs, right?

[fursuit]

[ there, there... If he were next to Matt, he'd at least give him a pat on the shoulder, but. The laugh persists. sorry bud ]

Oh, yeah? Well, now you gotta tell me what's worse! Askin' to get your back blown out for all to hear seems like it's pretty up there.

[semicharmed]

[ There's a beat of silence, on Matt's end. Soft dread.

He brightens a little at the term "engineer," though. It's a muted brightening, given the grim implications of what Cid's just shared, but warmth and recognition all the same. ]

Lots of engineers in the field I was studying for, [ he says. ] Most of them were more grounded than I am.

But I get that. I mean, I've been doing magic for a decade now, and a lot of this is beyond me too.

[semicharmed]

Oh, that is rich coming from you.

[corvidant]

[ What Akechi is hearing here is that Zenith leadership values ruthless action? He's interested. He's listening. Tell him more. But first: ]

They do have a point in claiming both your actions and Amos-san's may have painted a target on your backs, and I can't say that doesn't raise concerns for your safety. But what's done is done, and I trust the two of you will stay vigilant.

That aside, this so-called moral dilemma is pointless to me. Perhaps the thought that one can have a "rebirth" in this world has turned people complacent, taking comfort in the idea of being given second and third chances at life, but reality is as you say: death is death. Dissipation is only a temporary measure, and at one point either side would tire of playing god and resort to a more permanent solution.

Unless they're aiming for an equally temporary victory. Personally, I'm not settling for that.

[semicharmed]

I mean, I definitely didn't want to inflict that on everybody, [ Matt laughs, horrified. He gives the impression of shaking his head, then of casting a sweet smile Tezca's way. ] But I can't tell you the worst-case scenario, or it wouldn't be a secret anymore.

[fursuit]

[ tch, no fun ]

Well, yeah, that's the point. But now you know every time we hang I'm gonna bug you about it. Secrets might as well be catnip to me. The more unimportant, the better.

[ translation: he's fuckin nosy ]

[zauneyete]

Of course they do. It's consistent when it comes to war.

They don't understand what it is to be forced to escalate or be eradicated, I suppose. Those of us whom have experienced it before know what it is, to be trapped between principle, and success. There is no victory without compromise, no power without sacrifice or dogged pursuit.

[ Silco doesn't even really care about the new world, beyond the fact that it will be perfect for one thing, and one thing only. Jinx ]

If they choose to continue with this, then Zenith will continue to move on without them. It's as simple as that.

[zauneyete]

I at least do not broadcast my business.

[zauneyete]

My people solve problems by stabbing your enemy in a back alley when they aren't paying attention.

[ Huh. Wonder why Silco is the way he is. ]

So we'll simply have to find a more happy medium.

Or you will live with your discontent.

[semicharmed]

Hmm. I'll have to see how long I can hang onto them, then.

[ His feelings about Yima he can probably safely let slip. Maybe the thing about Dimitri and Rin. That's assuming Tezcatlipoca successfully wears him down, of course, but one's got to at least try and plan for contingencies. ]

For the record, [ Matt adds, after a moment, ] I think about you too.

[ It feels obscurely rude to get caught fantasizing by someone you've also been intimate with. Not exactly "moaning someone else's name during sex," but rude. ]