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

[kinaesthesia]

"The ends justify the means" is the kind of nonsense idiots like to spout off when they're too thick-skulled to think about consequences.

[She knows, because she's been that kind of idiot before.]

If we go into this with that kind of attitude, any new world we build up will turn out exactly like all our old homes. Tell me what the point of that would be?

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's feeling a hint of I'm tagged in this photo here. At the same time, he does agree that Silco (derogatory)'s general conduct doesn't help any of their chances at survival.

Come to think, Amos might be in some added danger too. ]

I don't think of my position as sentimental. [ It definitely is. But he also has logic behind it! ] You said it yourself, Mr. Silco's behavior singlehandedly made things worse for us. I don't really want to engage in a race to the bottom of sentient depravity just because we're in a conflict.

And I think the thing that killed our worlds is the real enemy here.

[kinaesthesia]

[Ohh, that's a nice feisty side of Drizzt to see there. A sense of passing approval and agreement comes from Gavial. Y'know, a little bit of 👀]

[punkisntdead]

Look, if you want to make sweet love to your weapons or whatever, go for it. He's all yours to fight.

If I need to go borrowing a weapon, it's not gonna be from the guy who's gonna hand me a jizz-sword is all I'm saying.

[epiprocta]

'Cause you've done sooo much for Zenith so far, hm? Easy to talk shit when you showed up late to the party, isn't it.

[ Said with the psychic equivalent of a click of the tongue; a little blip of condescension and irritation. That aside -- ]

Before you get me wrong, I ain't even opposed to going after shards, in some cases. But you really think Silco-san's genius move of making a movie villain speech to the whole city while doing that shit helped anything? Getting the other side so riled up's done nothing good for us. Pick a better backside to cram your tongue into.

[fursuit]

You won't hear a complaint from me on that. It's the smart thing to do, especially since I can tell you from personal experience that he's someone that a human would have a hard time surviving.

[ rude fucker broke his spine immediately... ]

So, just keep that information and spread it to anyone who's feelin' a little reckless. It'd be a risk worth takin' if it's a smart one. Taking a war god out of play will take away their heaviest hitter, or so I assume.

[eightfoldfiend]

Let us hope you do not run into Set during an open battle then, hm?

[corvidant]

The very fact that you refuse to acknowledge such hypotheticals tells me enough.

[ His mental tone is his usual cold, but not deliberately cruel. No one who's gone as far as asking Yima for a special Shard would be indifferent to the thought of seeing it crushed. Even Akechi isn't, as much as he hates to admit. ]

In any event, and until we can gather more conclusive evidence otherwise, Meridians are the most likely culprits behind the targeted destruction of our gifted Shards. It was their choice to further this conflict beyond the realm of trials. Consort with the enemy all you like, but don't expect them to extend any of their [ ew ] unity and [ eww ] teamwork to one of us when their precious light of Meridian is extinguished.

Least of all... to a traitor of their cause.

[ It takes a special kind of idiot to forgive traitors, after all. Akechi just happens to be acquainted with... a few of them, but only one of which is currently in Meridian. ]

[erbe]

[Just a little 'hm' barely even there as she's rubbernecking this conversation. She agrees with Gen, but... bro those insults are getting a bit specific.]

[epiprocta]

[ He called an asskisser an asskisser (with bad taste), he didn't say anything wrong!!! ]

[corvidant]

[ Oh, oh are we talking chess metaphors now, finally someone is speaking his language. ]

So I've heard. And when the time comes, I'll be ready to do whatever it takes to claim victory. [ Even, ew, teamwork. ]

Nevertheless, I object to this idea that we should always spare the enemy's Shard. There's no checkmate without losing a few pieces.

[corvidant]

In that case, your resolve is not strong enough. A rather pathetic addition to our cause, so you'd do well not to hinder those of us willing to take decisive action.

[youngprodigy]

It's so... specific.

[And gross.]

[corvidant]

You're assuming you could take my hands without a fight. And from the sound of it, it would seem someone else has claimed you as their personal prey.

[ He can respect a good ol' archnemesis relationship and stay out of the way! ]

In any case, you do realize I'm not advocating for a full extermination, do you not? Whether or not they wish to live in the world we aim to create is indifferent to me, but there will be no victory without force. If blood must be shed, then I should hope it will be theirs.

[youngprodigy]

I don't believe there's been anything to learn about them. Not really.

They have enough awareness to pass judgement, to decide who "wins" in their eyes. Each Oracle so far has been tied to an Aspect, so I'd be surprised if there are any that aren't.

Unless something changes, it's wisest to assume learning more about them is impossible.

[And after hesitation long enough to indicate he's quite uncomfortable.]

...and I agree. About destroying Shards. It's a bad idea for many, many reasons. We can't stoop to that.

[Again.]

[corvidant]

[ GET HIS ASS, TEZCA!!]

[erbe]

Just remember they continue to keep their numbers because they can dress Meridian up in a little bow and call themselves, "the good guys". Most people delude themselves into believing 'good' or 'bad' has a place in conflict like this, and the more ammo we give them to call us 'bad' the more new shard-bearers will shy away from our goal.

[youngprodigy]

We do not have the numbers on our side. Aggression at this point in time is reckless and amounts to pointless posturing, instead of what's actually important: claiming the Oracle.

Are you stating you'll be taking initiative on this?

The way I see it, you'll not be creating converts with this nonsense.

Not really here

[zauneyete]

[ oh he is going to ADOPT this lol guy ]

[zauneyete]

At least someone has enough of a functioning mind to see the truth of the matter.

[erbe]

Actually, [she begins with the spirit of raising a hand to interrupt a classroom of complaining students griping about the specifics of how to complete an assignment.]

If I could make a formal request for fellow Zenites to stop inciting Meridian to kill them, I think that would do us well. We already have a smaller number of shard-bearers and painting a target on your back by instigating the other side is just asking for all your hard work to be wasted.

[SHE'S LOOKING AT YOU, ZENI DEATH COUNT POST HARBY ORACLE!!! Mostly because she could actually count it thanks to the papers. Otherwise she wouldn't know well enough to give a shit.]

Sure there are unavoidable exceptions, but we don't need to add to those by being smart-mouthed.

[erbe]

I know a big guy with a grudge that might be able to pull it off. I'll mention it to him.

[Amos may even already know. Amos might not want to get Ruby involved. But it's still better to be aware.]

[eightfoldfiend]

Reason? I wonder how many Meri could be swayed to our side if only they knew their worlds were destroyed.

A pity we cannot show them the destruction, eh?

Unless any of you happen to know how to give someone dreams.

[corvidant]

[ There's the psychic equivalent of a LOUD ROLLING OF EYES, complete with an equally condescending sigh. ]

If you [ pulled your head out of your own ass and ] cared to show any half decent cognitive skill [ or: if you weren't bloody stupid ] then you would've listened and realized I don't condone Silco-san's choice to make a public performance out of it. Likewise, I personally advised Amos-san against taking credit for Cyrus's downfall. It is the opposite of my usual MO, but I wouldn't expect them to listen to a newly arrived and harmonized Zenith.

Evidently, you couldn't do anything to dissuade them, either, regardless of whatever trust you should have earned by now, with all your vast experience in your Zenith tenure. [ yes, his adding a lil dramatic flair to his PA-ness. ] Such a proficient silvertongue yet so little reach.

[corvidant]

That, I can agree with. Both Silco-san's and Amos-san's choices to take public responsibility for the Meridian lives they took was ill-advised. My own approach to it would be far different.

[ Or: he would rather chalk the blame on another Meri and watch the girls catfight, but alas. ]

That said, I have to acknowledge the efficiency of their results. And until "the thing that killed our worlds" makes itself known, my only concern is to ensure Zenith will claim definitive victory in the end, nothing more.