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]

No worries there, it's essentially always with me 'cause of the wild magic shit I've got goin' on. So, don't be too judgemental either if it's not what you're expecting.

[ Tezcatlipoca says it with a good-natured, joking kind of laugh, but. No, Amos will absolutely judge and he's right to do it. It's a really stupid gun. ]

But, hell, even if it's just talkin' shop, should have plenty of knowledge to give. I set up manufacturing for the two I mentioned, so I know the ins and outs of those especially. Was just missing the way to, y'know, make 'em, practically.

[fursuit]

[ the most average guy may unfortunately be shinji :/ ]

...And being dumb as a fuckin' rock. [ is this just a petty dig? yes ] But, yeah, yeah, we both got our roles in the universe. Quetzalcoatl's was hero, mine is trickster, that's just how it pans out.

[picketship]

I prefer to avoid them myself, but that's sounding a lot like a "yes" to me. Good luck getting the other side to sign on with a pitch like that.

[If he were in Meridian, he'd not be terribly impressed by an "I'm willing to try." It doesn't exactly promise either commitment or capability.]

Equally out of curiosity, which master's house are you entertaining the idea of dismantling? Meridian's already had a go at one, but surely Yima's isn't the one you're meaning.

[That would be seditious, wouldn't it?]

[fursuit]

Love that you're there one bringin' this to table, Mr. Moral Constraints.

[ He's still workshopping a nickname, but this will work for now and is very relevant! ]

But I wanna turn the question back on you for a sec, since you've gotta have an interesting opinion as a warship. What do you think? Is it worth takin' responsibility? Stakes bein' what they are, and all.

[semicharmed]

[ That is ... a fair point. Matt bristles a little bit--he's just thinking out loud! he wouldn't pitch it like "do you want a maybe agreement"!--but he can't really fight Demeisen on the fact that it doesn't sound appetizing right now. ]

It's not a literal house.

[ He points out, even though he's 65% sure he's fucking with him. ]

It's a warning about replicating the tactics that got you to where you are in the first place. Basically, it doesn't seem--sound, to me--to try and build a new world off the ashes of the same old crimes.

[settingup]

[ ... Actually in a very morbid way, Atsumu could kind of appreciate that. No civilians getting dragged in would have been nice. One very reluctant point (would have gone) to the serial killer for that. ]

At the part where we do a preemptive offense and start killin' before waitin' to see what they do. They haven't done in any of our own permanently so far. That one is entirely on us right now.

[zauneyete]

[ A flicker of a laugh, mean and sarcastic. ]

I am all too used to people attempting to drown me.

[ Said so flippantly, it's almost funny. ]

They can try, and see where it gets them, I suppose. I would suggest they ask the last person who tried, but...

[ He's dead, is the obvious answer there. Even if he doesn't say it. ]

You're correct, in that there is no changing this path regardless. They may spend time wringing their hands over their choices, but I shall not. We live with the choices of others all the time, and if they choose to dislike mine, then they will need to seek out their own methods, and action upon them.

[ It goes without being said: he has no problem being the one to push the war further. If anyone would have, it would be him. ]

[zauneyete]

It is not something with emotions or purpose is perhaps a more accurate term, since you seem to think you can wave your hand and change the seasons.

[ Said with all the derision of: some of us live on a normal plane of reality, matt!! ]

Going to war with it is as if you are an ant struggling against being stepped upon. It is not a war, it simply is.

So no, I do not think we are fighting a war. We are seeking refuge from it, and the fact that it is finding ways in is something to guard against, not fight.

[bakedapple]

Responsibility in whose eyes?

[ Link crosses his arms. ]

Pretty sure that if they decide to go all out because of what Silco did, that we're all already gonna be held responsible for it.

[zauneyete]

Is that not what we all want, as members of Zenith?

Is that not the goal of what we have signed onto? It is easy for me to say, because it is what we are. Those who refuse to accept this are trying to change the very nature of what we are building.

[fursuit]

[ Oh, Silco. Never change. Not that he expects him to literally in the slightest, considering. But he does chuckle with approval. ]

Then I've said my piece.

[ To himself, he thinks it'll be surprising if Silco makes it to the end of this war. People are going to want his head, and it's not just going to be Meri at this rate. ]

But, hey, try not to get killed too fast. Gonna be bummed if my first acolyte in Kenos bites the dust right after I get here. Granted, that's pretty much a positive, considerin' you're my acolyte for conflict... But still!

[erbe]

It's clear you're not the only one who feels that way. Meridians may want to equate us all to Silco, as if he's some mascot of ours, but that doesn't make them right.

[erbe]

[There's a little spark of amusement on her end when he makes that little jab. Satisfaction.]

Very well. I look forward to learning more about you through your actions, Tezcatlipoca.

[alliterating]

No, it doesn't.

[ There's the sort of mental equivalent of folding her arms. ]

He sure likes to act like he's speakin' for all of us, though, doesn't he?

[eightfoldfiend]

Crush what you want.

Souls don't matter to me.

As long as I can witness the chaos Zenith creates I am happy to help.

[Not the whole story. He's already admitted to Silco that his own world was dying and he'd rather see a new one.]

[punkisntdead]

[See, Amos Gets It!!]

Yeah, I have. Total pro.

[She's shot empty beer bottles in a junkyard.]

[punkisntdead]

[What the fuck is a raccoon dog.]

Ooookay. [She laughs.] You're fucking with me, right?

[punkisntdead]

[Brief sensation of narrowing eyes for just a moment, because Ms. Persecution Complex here doesn't know what to do with a genuine response of sympathy. The question, though, at least is something much easier to tackle. Sorta.]

If I was being smart, I'd stay the hell away. [A beat, and the wavering of a shrug.] But like... I want us to win this shit, you know? I'm not gonna be the dead weight screwing us out of a new world, so I want to be able to kick some ass when the time comes.

[punkisntdead]

[bark bark]

[kinaesthesia]

Yeah, but where's the fun in that?

[Yeah she's got beef, but she's gonna have fun about it!!]

Guess we'll have to have a back alley brawl. Everyone goes away happy.

[ :) ]

[kinaesthesia]

Yeah, might be a good skill to work on.

[Teasing, but it's light.]

But there's nothing wrong with wanting a little stress relief.

[Okay, maybe broadcasting it like that into everyone's heads isn't the way to go, though.]

[punkisntdead]

Wow, someone sure thinks highly of himself.

[Mentally making the jerk-off motion.]

[settingup]

They're definitely pretty noisy when they wanna start goin', that's for sure. And I guess to be fair there's some of us here that ain't necessarily kill happy, but'll do it if they think they gotta. I just don't think we gotta all that often, you know?

[kinaesthesia]

Promise I'll leave him intact for you.

[Can't have all the fun herself.]

[settingup]

It's gonna be an even bigger problem if it's people from our side that wanna go and off him.