kenoscomm | locked to zenith

[ 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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ This is supremely unhelpful but -- ]

Silco-san?

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

[ 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!! ]

[ Don't be insensitive, he's allergic to respecting his elders. ]

Yeah? How's that bootsole taste? I'm sure it'll be worth it.

[ Then perish!! Preferably with Set, the other allergies guy. ]

Better than the taste of defeat, I'm sure. And it would seem Zenith has had far more than mere sampling so far, under our past and current forces. [ Y'know. Like Gen. ]

That alone should make a case for changing our methods. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the very definition of insanity.

'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.

[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.]

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

[ 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.

It was gonna come out either way. No real point in hiding it, you know?

[ Said with the air of someone thoroughly unbothered by the whole thing. It happened, it’s over with. No real point in splitting hairs now, is there? ]

[ SIGH. Amos, he likes you well enough, but if you could be just a tad more careful... ]

We could still have used it to our advantage for however long he could mask the truth. Turn ally against ally, friend against friend, and some of those Meridian bonds could have been broken irreparably...

Think you might be overthinking things some there, [ brief pause. There was the temptation to nickname Akechi pancakes, but that seems like a bad idea.

Moving on. ]

Might’ve worked for a bit, but don’t know how much would’ve been accomplished, especially when it eventually came out anyway. Probably not a great return on investment, you know?

[ A beat. ]

Besides, it opens the door for the rest of you guys to get up to whatever you want. I can take anything Meridian wants to throw my way. [ Thanks for the belated inspiration, Set. ] And if I keep it on the down low next time? They’ll never see it coming from me, since I’m already established as someone who ain’t gonna lie.

[ Until he wants to, that is. ]

[ Yeah, okay, he really doesn't think taking inspiration from SET of all people is a great idea here but........ ]

Very well. [ Sigh!! ] I suppose there's no use in dwelling on hypotheticals now that concrete action has already been taken. The best we can do is deal with the aftermath.

I would advise you exercise some prudence next time, however. While I don't doubt your skill, Zenith couldn't afford to lose one of our most valuable players.

[ That's like. Code for Akechi care. Half a care? Shh, do not perceive him. ]

[ Exactly! There's no use in dwelling on things that cannot and will not come to pass. That's the spirit!

Though Amos' presence does soften a touch at Akechi's warning, because there are a lot of things he isn't adept at — but on occasion, spotting the hidden meaning behind words is one. (That this is communion helps, too.) ]

Ah, I'll be alright. [ Says the guy who very nearly got killed by Cyrus in turn, but... nope, he'd survived that. Maybe there is some unearned confidence there. Or worse yet, maybe it's earned. ] I hear you, and I can be more prudent next time. But Zenith's not gonna let me go that easily.

[ And for as delusional as that might sound — he does, unfortunately, mean it wholeheartedly. ]

[ Good, just don't call him out on his (half!!) caring and they'll be fine, no reason to make a big deal out of it.

However, what Amos says next does give him pause. ]

Zenith won't let you go that easily.

[ It bears repeating, like Akechi is offering him another go at his own words. Even in Communion, it's hard to pinpoint the exact intention behind that phrasing, but if Amos meant to reassure him, well-- ]

You almost make it sound as though Zenith will have you hostage, Amos-san. A lapse in your choice of words, I should hope?

[ Because otherwise... that's more reason for Concern. ]

[ Definitely no reason to make a big deal out of it.

Or out of what Akechi says next, which takes Amos by surprise. He'd just been relaying a fact, something simple. An intrinsic truth. That it would strike Akechi in that way... ]

No. No, not a lapse in my words. I mean like... [ It's suddenly kind of difficult to figure out how to put this, not wanting to word it wrong, but the experience of being fully bonded to a force is so specific it's hard to describe. ] It doesn't want to lose me, so if it can shield me in some way... keep me from dying... it will. I think. That make sense?

[ But along with the explanation, a realization: even if Zenith did have him a hostage in some way, he doesn't want to leave. He'd surrendered himself over fully, with no intention of ever going back. This is who he is now, inseparable and all the better for it. ]

[ Link quietly making soft, warm sparkly eyes at Gen for saying the kind of things he can't (or, can't bring himself to). Get him!!! Get his ass!!! ]

locked to zenith

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