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

[tattooism]

General requests... ?

Yes, that is what I am saying ♡

[diegeticmusic]

[Alright so that was... a lot.]

...Not to burst your bubble on this one but afterlives are real places. In fact I'm still not entirely convinced this isn't one of them.

[Transitory states of existence are real bro.]

And wars don't last forever. Eventually they end. You need to be ready for what happens after. And you need people to still be here, after.

[Even the ones that were your enemies.

Why is she even trying to reason with this guy, though... Betting on losing dogs over here.]

[diegeticmusic]

You know, it's when you start to underestimate people that they surprise you.

[Humans can do a lot, even to people who are strong. Especially when there are a lot of them.]

[diegeticmusic]

So we... what, set up our own military police?

[She says this sardonically but actually it's not... the worst idea ever, maybe?]

Actually, does this place even have a justice system?

[youngprodigy]

It relies on shadows, yes. It would... stand out a bit too much in a place with so much light. A problem, if you're concerned with stealth.

It's also not completely invisible. Someone with sufficient magical knowledge could spot it.

[baltimores]

[ Kind of? No he's extremely touched right now. Which for Amos mostly manifests in a warm, affectionate feeling; the sensation of a smile, a clap on the back, something effortlessly happy. ]

Iron's the main thing, though carbon'd be good to get too. And lead, if you can find it... I can put together a proper list for you. Not a hundred percent sure what's out there, but pretty sure there's some useful stuff.

Something rustic about working with raw materials, but hey. Good way to learn the foundations.

[ And if Atsumu isn't careful he's going to end up in a full-blown apprenticeship... ]

[baltimores]

[ He doesn't know guilt; expects uncertainty; accepts resentment.

Enjoys the warmth of happiness, though. He feels easier among it. More relaxed. ]

Bracelet's alright. I dunno if you need to measure my wrist or anything, but you can do that.

[ A beat, thinking things over. ]

I got kinds of protection and invisibility already. Not sure how good luck would work exactly, but if that's the kind of thing you know how to do... figure I wouldn't say no to it.

[ re: I trust you. A simple equation: If Matt figures it would help, then it probably will. ]

[eightfoldfiend]

I'm going in prepared.

All I need now is a weapon.

So... Can you make swords?

[The shark-like grin can be felt across the Communion.]

[eightfoldfiend]

Maybe what I want is more effective if it's a secret too.

How would I reach out to you?

[He still isn't used to controlling Communion.]

Private

[tattooism]

Maybe it is~

[And, as per his question...]

Like this ♡

[There is the sensation of being wrapped in something warm, something soft, perhaps something like fur... ? But when the sensation falls away, he will find himself in a dark place, alone with Kiritsubo. At least, the sense of her, less distinct figure and more just the sense of Woman wreathed in pipe smoke with eyes that are blacker than night. She... is quite good at Communion.]

You can speak freely here.

[semicharmed]

[ This is a surprisingly difficult question to answer. Their connection as Stargazers may reveal something of how difficult: Matt's doubts about how defensible it is to clear away a still-occupied world, his preoccupation with shadows and the hands that move behind them, his sense that somebody with experience channeling magic and a conscience needs to stick it out on the Zenith side. The image of Set's face.

But when he replies in words, Demeisen may also be able to sense the truth of it: ]

It's what I want.

I mean, all other things being morally neutral.

[bakedapple]

[ It's clear from the ambience of Link's Communion that he has an exhausted, numb, and mostly hopeless attitude about their situation in Kenos, but hearing this, he smiles weakly at Matt. ]

I'm glad. I'm not very good at figuring out stuff like that... I'm not good with magic, or dealing with people... but I wanna support the people who are. You're our only hope if we want to try to crack those mysteries.

[bakedapple]

[ Link is quiet for a long moment. He's deep in thought, evaluating the answer Silco gave, pondering the tone of his voice and the potential meaning behind his deflection.

That Sebastian would completely ignore a pre-Oracle discussion like this does not strike him as plausible. ]

I see.

Good luck, then.

[ He isn't interested in arguing with Silco. It won't accomplish anything. ]

[bakedapple]

[ There's a tiny pang of panic, followed by mild regret, as if Link had just dropped a plate and watched it shatter on the floor. Ah. He got too comfortable and said too much. ]

...It's just stuff from my world. That's all. [ answered gently. ]

It's a really long story.

[ He isn't terribly eager to recount his full sob story right after bragging about how great of a shot he is. It's not exactly the kind of thing that's going to inspire others to put their faith in him, Link bitterly thinks to himself. ]

[bakedapple]

[ Link hums a thoughtful note. ]

...Okay. I'll do it.

[ Really, it doesn't matter how big the tattoo is. Or how painful it's going to be. Those things don't matter if it's going to keep him alive. ]

[bakedapple]

...

[ Link is quiet, considering her answer, but then his gaze lifts to that frown. ]

What's wrong?

[ Is she just frowning at their powerlessness to control their allies, or is it something else? Link hesitates. ]

Are you worried?

[bakedapple]

[ Link shakes his head. ]

When a horse has a serious leg injury and can't walk anymore, they're as good as dead. Not simply because they can't flee from danger anymore, but even in the long term, too. Their bodies are too heavy to allow the leg to recover. And if Hayame is like the similar creatures that I've fought in the past, she'd be just as vulnerable to leg injuries.

[ Spoken like someone with a lot of experience with horses and centaurs alike. ]

But even if we immobilize her, I don't think she'll just give up on the spot. I've seen how good she is with a bow. She's certain to keep fighting until the end.

[semicharmed]

Oh, cool, [ Matt enthuses. He's relieved that Amos has had some additional protections in place all this time. But given how things are escalating, he doesn't think it's a bad thing to add more--as long as they don't interfere with the spells already in place. ] Yeah, the way my luck spells have worked in the past is they're pretty gentle? Just a tilt in the odds, or like ... when I used one last, I was trying to find someone in Springstar in a part of town I didn't know. And I found her. So it's that kind of thing, where when you need something to break your way, it often will.

I think next steps would be ... measure your wrist, for sure. And maybe if I could get a look at the other magic you have going? I don't want to accidentally interfere with them.

[semicharmed]

... That might be the case for mine too, [ Matt considers, thinking of Flat. ] I'll have to check on that. But once I get that settled, uh ... I'll make you something.

[ There's a pleasant sense of centeredness at this last thought. Bright uptick. Matt loves casting spells, and he loves tinkering with them to make them better, and he loves being able to offer people something useful. ]

[semicharmed]

[ Matt feels the tiredness; the numb nothing; the lack. And his heart cracks a little for it. He slowly comes into "view," appearing within the mind's eye like an image emerging from a photographer's bath: twiggy guy, messy hair, wearing the t-shirt and jeans that were destroyed (presumably) when everything else was. ]

I want to support people too. Who can do the things I can't. [ A faint smile, as he aims for a lighter tone. ] For example, before Springstar, I had literally never been in a fight in my life. It turns out I'm not totally hopeless, but ... there's significant room for improvement.

[ There's a sense of searing pain, of guilt and self-recrimination. The flicker of flames. Contextually, it would make sense to think the memories are from the attack on Springstar, even though they aren't. ]

[bakedapple]

[ It's okay. He's used to having to crane his neck up to talk to everyone, even in Communion space. :') But the questions Demisen is posing are good ones, which makes Link look down towards the ground thoughtfully for a moment. ]

What would holding our own members accountable look like to you? Whatever it is you're thinking, are you saying that would be enough to satisfy the Meris?

[ Maybe he shouldn't say what he's about to say, but... he takes a deep breath and decides to just say it. ]

I don't think we'd all agree on what to do about Silco. But... I'll bet you the Meris already have.

[fursuit]

Ha! Now I’m gonna change my mind and say be careful, but it’s because when you make boasts like that, I wanna put you to the test.

[ It’s basically a challenge to him, after all! He takes it in a friendly way, but with their more intense connection of a shared Aspect, the tenor of it is clear. There’s a vicious, bloodthirsty shadow to that friendly tone. He will take it seriously, because at the very least, Tezcatlipoca gives anyone that he faces his respect. For better or for worse, they’re all treated as someone who’s perfectly capable of going toe to toe with the great god of the Aztecs. ]

Not that I’m raring to go or anything, though. Seems like if I were to go after ya, some people might be mad. Might even call it kill-stealing.

[fursuit]

[ ...He wishes he could blame the axe. Maybe he will, when Amos inevitably learns that his love is very much, uh. One-sided. But then he'll just get handed another, less ridiculous gun and be just as bad, so. ]

Yeah. Sounds great. Think she's gonna try and fit me in before this Oracle stuff, so maybe the next few days? However long it takes her to get the inks, I guess.

[ Going into an Oracle with a fresh tattoo... Brave/stupid of him... ]

[fursuit]

[ The panic is obvious, and he doesn’t push as a result. His excitement does relax, but it’s just to a comfortable, cool neutral. ]

Yeah, no worries. [ It really isn’t, since he accepts it easily. ] But if you ever feel like sharin’, I’ll listen. Believe it or not, I’m a scribe and a poet, so I like a story. Even a long one.

[ …And he feels his role is to be a listening ear for people to unburden their troubles. That’s more what’s at play here, but it’s more causal to just let it be a case of storytelling. ]

[corvidant]

[ What Drizzt gets in response is a full, unabashed laugh. Not quite Unhinged Villain levels, but a step in the right(?) direction. ]

"Nobody is to be exterminated," and yet you are happy to hurl death threats at one of our own. Such interesting double-standards you have.