kenoscomm | locked to zenith

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[ 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

Perhaps you can consider it fate, oh omniscient and almighty god.

[Another joke, but it's one that's thrown out with little bite. Tossed into the pot, but she moves onto the next ingredient.]

In any case, I'll have been around almost a year now, so as long as it's not someone new I could probably tell you quite a bit about most people.

[ THIS PUNK... But whatever annoyance he feels is easily tempered by an offer of information, even if it comes with a grumble first. ]

...Well. I asked Set about it, and he recommended Claude, Dimitri, and Yuri to me. So anything you know about them I'd be interested in.

[ A pause, and then: ]

Also Rudbeckia.

How interesting that he mentioned three people from seemingly the same world — if their shared goddess is anything to go by. I know little about Claude other than his connection to Hayame [thanks Post Harby Oracle Papers] and his involvement in some of these communion posts. He comes off playfully aloof, but I spoke with him once on why the world I come from doesn't deserve to be brought back. In that moment he was sensitive, and sober. My conclusion is that he's simply smart enough to keep his business private. I have no information on his abilities or temperament otherwise.

Dimitri has a heart so soft that it's easily broken. He once attempted to kill me in a fit of rage. He has inhuman strength and an overly forgiving nature — as long as it is taken advantage of before he snaps. I'd venture to guess he'd only go so far as to kill others as a last resort. He's insensitive to magic, and because of that I was able to spy on him for some time.

Yuri is a fellow Harbinger. Closed off, secretive, and clever. I know little about his abilities but the fact that he shares an Aspect speaks volumes, in my opinion. Though he too has a soft spot for those who show him any amount of humanity. Most Meridians seem to have this trait. He assisted me in the Harbinger Oracle when he should have left me be.

Rudbeckia is... trickier. I don't see much of her, though I had tried nurturing her to Zenith in the past. She seems to cling to Set for protection, and insists she's a noncombatant. If anything I'd consider her less of an enemy and more a liability. If she's ignored, whatever non-violent activities she commits during the Oracle could still count in Meridian's favor. If she's targeted, one would probably incite the wrath of Set — and Meridian as a whole — for picking off such a "helpless" individual.

[ Tezcatlipoca listens, and as it quickly becomes clear that she’ll indeed provide useful information rather than just give him a hard time, his feelings cool to quiet, serious analysis. It’s partway through her explanation of Dimitri that it warms a little, though. It’s approval. It’s obvious that she had a sharp mind from their first conversation, but he’s getting a better sense of how here. ]

Nothing particularly noteworthy about them being from the same world, I can say. Wouldn’t go far as to say it’s total coincidence, but at least here, yeah. Set mentioned that all three of ‘em are leaders in their world, so I have my own interests in really pushing people like that. Doesn’t matter who wins. There’s no place in either their world or ours for weak leaders.

[ It’s harsh, but it’s explained smoothly and with just a little bit more formality than he seems to speak with generally. It’s one expression of his more divine aspects. ]

Which, thanks for the info, in that case. Gives me a better idea of how to push ‘em. Sounds like they all have a soft underbelly.

[ Though Tezcatlipoca isn’t as conniving as Set, that doesn’t mean it’s totally absent. His motivations behind it are simply different. Which, speaking of— ]

As for her, you’re right. Set told me as much, more or less. Said if she caught my interest that he’d take the Trials in her stead. But I ain’t gonna do that. [ sorry lil bro you have to be put through your trials too ] She’s his priestess and the one spreading tale of his divinity in Meridian. Don’t have to kill her. But you want to fuck with Set, capture her. He’ll be a small nightmare to deal with, but he’s the kinda guy that’s weakest when he’s mad.

In all honesty I wouldn't want to deal with Set. Staying out of his hair has worked well enough for me, and I don't find particular glory in felling a god over anyone else in this place. I've never not known him to be anything but a headache, and that's not even thinking about how much power he may have. After all, I am the kind of person who doesn't take on challenges I know I cannot win.

[A lie. Perhaps that's what she'd like herself to be. A creature of logic and thought only. But that is not what she is. To be that she must tear herself to pieces and compartmentalize them all. Sectioned off and vacuum sealed.]

I will keep your assessment of him in mind if there comes a time to strategize against him specifically.

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.

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.]

Good to hear. If I learn anything else juicy, I'll just pass it on to you. Seems like you got a good mind for it!

[ And that's an element of warfare he'd rather pass off to someone else... It's not his preferred style is all it amounts to. ]

I still don't know everyone in Meridian, of course, so I'll just generally ask if there's anyone you think I should keep my eyes peeled for. If we've got especially tough enemies, those are the ones I'm more keen to throw myself at.

I will give you a gentle heads-up that there are two people from our world on Meridian. Flat, and Gray. I won't share much more than that, because as a god I'm certain you can handle yourself.

[Actually she'd love to see him slip and fall on his face, but for completely selfish reasons. Sometimes you want someone powerful to eat shit. Anyway-]

I look forward to working with you this upcoming Oracle.

Ah, yeah, met Flat. Kid's got a screw loose, to put it mildly.

[ And yet, there's a sense of fondness when he says that? Don't worry about it, because as is Harbinger tradition, he immediately clamps down on that feeling to repress it. ♥ ]

Noted on Gray, though. And if you haven't met him, Ryouma's another Servant. Was thinkin' about lettin' everyone know, but couldn't actually tell you much about him. Servants of Japan are too far from my domain to know much about 'em, but Ryouma's interesting because he didn't say it explicitly, but I'm pretty damn sure he's a Counter Guardian.

[...Counter Guardian. This pretty much confirms her fears, doesn't it? That if she were to see that red Archer again they would not see eye-to-eye. She will continue to be alone and against anyone she holds dear that comes from her world.

But that's okay. She stuck her flag in the ground about a year ago, and since then she's only pressed it deeper into the dirt. While her biggest concern has been her talk with D about the possibility of a larger threat, she still will angle for Zenith's win. Because if a side has to win, she prefers it to be this one. Even if it makes her the villain.]

If that's the case I have a guess to what his full name could be, but I suppose his skills would be dependent on class.

[And knowing her Archer, whose memories she absorbed and whose identity was confirmed when the graft of that arm to Shirou's body took successfully, there's no guarantee that a samurai would be a Saber.]

…Yeah, can’t help ya there. The way Classes get assigned is total bullshit.

[ With his Phenomenal Cosmic Power, he also has the knowledge to be able to criticize it ]

For example. I told ya I’m a three in one, but that’s because I have Authority to change my Saint Graph as I please. [ which is a whole level of HUH? on its own but ] But take a guess. What’s my “main” class, you think?

I'm not playing this silly game to make you feel cool.

[Though he'll probably be able to feel that even if she "says" that, Rin is still puzzling an answer in the back of her head. Because that stupid brain of hers never stops.]

That’s not my point!

[ There’s exasperation in his voice, just like every time Rin is smart back to him, lmao. Why are mages like this, he wonders, also having her words about the type of person he attracts haunting him. ]

It feels fuckin’ arbitrary sometimes is all I mean, tch. [ TCH!!! ] ‘Specially since he’s got another soul hanging out with him, and that one ain’t human.

[Another soul? Not human? Hm. That's interesting, but if anything she wants to avoid Servants from the other side. Quetzalcoatl felt like a weird fluke, because if Mordred had truly defected then she's sure she would have avoided the infamous Knight of Treachery. Her main strategy is, and has been, to do as much as she can and simply stay alive.

In the Iconoclast Oracle she helped some people stay with Zenith, and avoided dying. In the Exalt Oracle she played a support role for her fellow faction-mates. And in the Harbinger Oracle she did all she could... She should probably try harder this time. Be more involved. However in the end she needs to remember: stay alive.]

Either way I think I'll keep my distance. What does he look like? After all, Servants should be the ones taking on each other.

[TRADITIONALLY THIS IS THE WAY! She doesn't care what Kirei said to rattle poor Emiya's brain. Servants should fight Servants and Masters should fight Masters.]

[ The space of Communion lights up slightly with Tezcatlipoca’s campfire, and sitting on one log already is a perfect image of Ryouma. But also present is that same feeling of something large, something unseen in the dark, and it’s watching over him protectively. He feels it’s important to give both, because he might not know what that presence is, but he’s more wary of it than Ryouma, honestly. ]

Don’t disagree. But for what it’s worth, he seems like a nice guy. Gentle heart, ironically.

[ He was working with Chaldea and was happy to have time where he and Tezcatlipoca weren’t foes, after all. ]

He and I are essentially enemies before we even got here, but I don’t think he’s the sorta guy that would make a first strike on you.

[Hm. She doesn't like that. She also doesn't like hearing, "gentle heart" and "won't make the first strike". It simply frustrates her all over again how The World takes advantage of people like Emiya.

Another reason for it to wither away and be only a memory.]

Thank you. Since we share the same Aspect I'm sure you'll be able to find me if you need anything.

[She couldn't block him out if she wanted to. Fucking Harbingers.]

I mean, same goes for me, but I’m gettin’ the impression that you might rather get dissipated before askin’ for my help.

[ maybe he won’t even come huh!! Because you are being MEAN TO HIM!!! ]

Hoh? I've only ever been dissipated once, by a surprise attack. I'll have you know I'm much more durable than your average mage.

[Wouldn't that just mean he'd be dying to come to her aid so he could be smug about it? Hmmmm]

…Considerin’ the ones I’ve met or even heard about, I don’t know if I even know what that metric even means anymore.

[ Daybit is his first example, of course, and he’d go tangle with Deinos with nothing more than a gun… Certified freak. Peperoncino he only met for five minutes and was a freak. The Chaldean mage is DEFINITELY a freak (if only for their absurd luck).

Anyways. Not really the point here. ]

If you’ve got yourself handled, I ain’t gonna complain. Not exactly a hero type, if that wasn’t obvious.

[Yeah Nasu if none of your mages are ever fucking "average" how tf is anyone supposed to know there's a discrepancy.]

True, being impressively gallant and committing swoon-worthy heroics was more of Quetzalcoatl's style. Wasn't it?

[ 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.

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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