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

[punkisntdead]

Blood on blades isn't that weird. Broadcasting to everyone that you're gonna be jerking it all over your weapons before every battle is!

[fursuit]

...I mean, I hope so.

[ Mumbled, and definitely with a pang of POUTING!! Because he'll actually be a little bit pissed if the Egyptian pantheon got a book (or multiple!) and his doesn't get shit! ]

If you wanna read 'em, be my guest. It's Quetzalcoatl's stories that are fuckin' embarrassing, not mine. [ unfortunately, he's right. she's the cringe god... ]

[eightfoldfiend]

Hm?

[It takes him a moment to understand the slang here.]

It is simply a means to an end. It may give us an edge in battle, right? Conquering the next Oracle is the only important part of all this.

[erbe]

Iconoclast Oracle: we were corralled beneath the great tree, decoupled from our powers, and forced to endure wavering convictions from one faction to the next.

Exalt Oracle: shard-bearers from both factions were minimized and taken into a garden where they had to collect effigies to bring to the Oracle.

Harbinger Oracle: a maze meant to split shard-bearers, and force them to confront their own vulnerabilities and overcome them through iron will.

Each Oracle has had its own relation to the Aspect which it represents. Fore example: most Exalts put value in companionship and loyalty. So the Exalt Oracle was focused on surviving together in the wilderness of the oversized garden and working together to collect all the effigies. Now, there are more details to each of those Oracles I've skimmed over, so this is just a basic over-view of our previous experiences. This means that whether we work alone or together is dependent on the type of challenge we're presented with next. Sometimes it's not about brute strength, but appeasing the Oracle by playing by its rules.

[erbe]

Or maybe you don't have the brain to. Lying is useful.

[corvidant]

[ Akechi's communion presence is extra R E D today, peering through the cracks of his surface calm. ]

What a bunch of sentimental fools.

[ And this is him being generous with his word choice. ]

Spare the lesser Meridians if you will-- I myself would give them the chance to see reason. [ Zenith reason, that is. ] But make no mistake: they are zealots floundering in their own despair, and many will not hesitate to destroy our Shards. In fact, I imagine Silco-san's public [ execution ] performance must have further riled them up.

We cannot afford to be merciful, least of all when we're outnumbered. I say we should even our odds, and target the strongest among them.

[erbe]

[She can't help it. That little pang just begets a light of amusement on her end. It seems like someone must have helped her a little with that discord issue.]

I'll take a look, just for you, I suppose. We can't have you in low spirits going into a challenge.

[tattooism]

I suppose it is not Suntory... ? Shame, in advance.

But I will take it~

[eightfoldfiend]

Certainly. But I've never found much use for it.

[Except for lies of omission. He's found that he is very good at those.]

[tattooism]

That is what I said, yes.

I can「see」it... and I will give it form.

[tattooism]

Fuck yeah~

NOT HERE

[redsoil]

[ yuber holy shit ]

[epiprocta]

[ This is supremely unhelpful but -- ]

Silco-san?

[ Said with the most exquisite derision because my man, the guy doesn't deserve that much respect??? ]

[erbe]

Suntory in a Solarium, on Highstorm's island? That would be too blasphemous.

[Bilingual pun? No?]

I have some blackberries, so maybe I'll make us cocktails.

[erbe]

You'll find that pretending to act like a friend will really mess with a lot of people here. Many of the more softhearted ones flock to such lies as if they were catnip.

[tattooism]

You will... ?

[Kiritsubo is not taking it like a joke.]

That will make certain preparations must faster. I will take it.

[And keep some for her own purposes, if she can... ? Of course!]

Since I have made my offer to Zenith this time, I will work in my Highstorm parlor. Near the bathhouses, there is a machine shop called Amos'. You will find my workplace within.

[bakedapple]

No.

[ Link was prepared for someone to say this. It's because he has already thought about what to say that the normally soft-spoken Hylian is able to respond so quickly and confidently. ]

It's only going to escalate things even further. They outnumber us... They can afford to have a few people shattered. We can't.

Shattering the Shards of those who get dissipated can't be the norm going forward. We can't let that happen.

[erbe]

I disagree. Sometimes it's best to take out the more middling threats to ensure your stronger targets don't have back up.

[fursuit]

[ no wait bring back the discord ]

It’s not low spirits. Not like you’re gonna find anything in there like a secret cum weakness.

[ Unfortunately. He will just say it. ]

What is it about mages that makes them go “oh, yeah, I’ll give this all powerful god a hard time”, seriously? Every single one of you that I’ve met is the same.

[tattooism]

[Kiritsubo laughs, gay and unbothered.]

The limited Yamazaki of course.

[For High... storm... Aha--]

Ah... This is why I chose Zenith~

[The drinks (and the dick) had been way better. (At least, she is content with people thinking that is why she chose Zenith.)]

[erbe]

Hm? You've not met any cowardly ones who will throw away their dignity and just kiss your feet?

[No Shinji types? Fr?]

Then perhaps you just attract a certain type of mage, Tezcatlipoca.

[eightfoldfiend]

How?

How do your tattoos work exactly?

[erbe]

Very well. When should I expect you?

[corvidant]

[ Yeah, he gets the Derision and immediately figures out this isn't a culture clash moment. ]

Yes. Whether you personally disagree with his methods or not, Silco-san is unquestionably an invaluable ally to our cause. He did rid us of one major threat, to say the least.

[ Respect your elders, punk!! ]

[tattooism]

Surely you do not expect a lady to just give up all her secrets right off the bat? A woman without mystery is not nearly as desired.

[the sensation in communion of said woman blowing a warm waft of smoke from her pipe into his "face"]

But I will tell you I have a certain... proprietary ink.