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

GUNS...

[baltimores]

Hey.

[ There is something undeniably Zenith to Amos' communion presence now, cool and calm and collected. And pleasant, since he knows that here, in this space, he's among his people — willing and ready to embrace and protect all of them. Probably. ]

So, I came into a new spell not too long ago. Helps me build shit a little faster, as long as I got the materials for it. Which I usually do, considering my line of work and all — [ his repair/machine shop up north, knowledge of which could've easily been picked up through the grapevine — ] but when it comes to guns, they're a bit more difficult to obtain.

I can fix or build stuff for you guys if you need it, but the way I see it, guns are the best thing to target since they ain't exactly common here. [ A beat; a sigh. ] Them not being common also makes them more difficult to build, let alone accrue ammunition... but I've been working on it for a while now. [ Sometimes you are from a sci-fi canon and have interests. ] Still don't have anything up to the standards I'm used to, but the progress I've made ain't bad. Enough to give us an advantage.

Might take some time to put together, but if you want in let me know. Can probably set up a spot for target practice too. Make sure you get good at 'em before you go popping off, y'know? Not like you need to take your own eye out or blow your hand off first when you're in the middle of trying to kill the other guy.

[ Yes, he may be offering up advanced weaponry (by Kenos standards) at large here, but he is responsible, damn it. ]

[fursuit]

[ There's a sensation of Tezcatlipoca immediately sliding into Amos's Communion space as soon as he says "guns", but he at least patiently waits for him to finish... But it's with the vibe of a cat just staring at you waiting for food. ]

Now this is the kinda generous offer I like to hear, Big Bro! [ that's his nickname for now, yeah ] I adore guns. Got a good talent for makin' 'em myself too, actually. Just haven't been here long enough to dig into it, since like you said, they're disappointingly rare!

[ There's a grin, but it's excited and warm ]

You ever need help figuring out how to make some new hot shit, you let me know and I can break it down for ya. Just need one to be able figure it out so it can be replicated. Special talent of mine as a god of... Well, war adjacent, anyways. But in the meantime, if you're got anything like an AK or an Uzi sittin' around, I'd love one.

[baltimores]

[ Tezcatlipoca's staring earns the sensation of a quirked eyebrow in response — and when Amos is ready to directly acknowledge him a tilted head, because Big Bro? Yeah, alright. Kinda likes the sound of that, actually. Kinda likes the sound of Tezcatlipoca proclaiming his expertise a whole lot more, since 1. practicality is always appreciated and 2. a war god on his side who's excited about this? Awesome. ]

Sorry to burst your bubble, [ genuinely, ] but AK or Uzi might be aiming a little high at this stage. I've kinda topped out at an M97 since that's what I've had to work with, but with a bit more capacity. It ain't bad, but man... I was partial to a SCAR-L, back where I'm originally from.

[ hastily wikis shit as Amos sighs a little wistfully... because Set still has his. Pushing that thought aside, ]

You should come on by, though. I've been working at this solo for something like a year now. Another brain and pair of hands to help me out with it would be great.

[ Because of course, since Tezcatlipoca already knows so much, Amos is sure that means he's also good with guns. Right? Why wouldn't he be? ]

[fursuit]

[ Considering he's just happy to talk about guns, his bubble isn't burst too badly, at least. There's a flicker of disappointment, but it's quickly gone as the conversation continues. ]

Ah, nice, nice, M97's at least good still! I've got a special P38 myself, so I know about goin' old school. Kinda had to myself, but don't worry about that. [ it's dumb bullshit from his canon and even he knows it ] I got to try out a SCAR-L when a dealer swung by my place, and it was real nice! Ended up going with AK-47s and M134 Miniguns for my guys, but of course the latter was only really practical for the big, big guys.

[ He also sighs wistfully... just two guys, missing their guns, ]

But, yeah, if you don't mind, I'd love to see what you're cookin' up. Miss Tattoo Artist also told me that I'd be swingin' by your place too for some new ink, so! Sounds like your spot's the place to be.

[baltimores]

[ This is maybe the best conversation he's had in Kenos. Shit, maybe in his life, since for as much as he loved his time on the Roci it wasn't like his crewmates were down for gun talk. That was Baltimore-era shit, and physically at least, he's been a long way from Baltimore for most of his life.

So yeah, Amos is absolutely vibing right now. Cool and collected, but there's an undercurrent of Tezcatlipoca's excitement reflected right back at him. ]

You should bring that P38 on by if you got it here too, in that case. Would love to take a look at it. Maybe even when you're getting inked, if we wanna kill two birds with one stone. Been a really long fuckin' time since I've had the chance to look at different models, but that can only help.

[fursuit]

No worries there, it's essentially always with me 'cause of the wild magic shit I've got goin' on. So, don't be too judgemental either if it's not what you're expecting.

[ Tezcatlipoca says it with a good-natured, joking kind of laugh, but. No, Amos will absolutely judge and he's right to do it. It's a really stupid gun. ]

But, hell, even if it's just talkin' shop, should have plenty of knowledge to give. I set up manufacturing for the two I mentioned, so I know the ins and outs of those especially. Was just missing the way to, y'know, make 'em, practically.

[punkisntdead]

[Okay abrupt pivot from her flippant comment above—]

Dude you have GOT to hook me up with some firepower.

[PLEASE.]

[baltimores]

[ Girl who'd talked about maybe getting shot before wanting a gun of her own—

Yeah that makes perfect sense to Amos, and so his response is bright and happy in return. ]

Sure thing. [ Just like that! He's so easy! ] You ever shoot before?

[punkisntdead]

[See, Amos Gets It!!]

Yeah, I have. Total pro.

[She's shot empty beer bottles in a junkyard.]

[baltimores]

[ Well, why would she be lying? He's happy to keep chatting along. ]

What'd you shoot? I'm mostly working with M97s here. You can pop on over for some target practice if you want.

[eightfoldfiend]

You can make guns?

[There is something like a gust of wind across Yuber's presence. He's impressed.

Where he's from guns belonged only to a secretive guild operating out of Holy Harmonia. They claimed their guns chose them, that only the best could ever bond with such a weapon.]

That sounds like a valuable skill...

[baltimores]

A little slow-going, but yeah. I know how they work, how to take them apart and put them back together, all that jazz. Problem's getting the materials. And the manufacturing once you do got 'em — magic helps out, but it's still kinda taxing. Not to mention the ammunition problem, so every bullet here really does count.

[ Still, there's a pleased little air to him as he answers Yuber, because it's good that this is so well-received. Nevermind that the guy had been ready to burn down the entire Beyond at the drop of a hat — these are guns! He likes guns, so he's happy to talk about them just about always. ]

Would be more valuable if I could make more, or knew how to build the ones I'm used to from my original universe. But it's been a long as fuck dry spell before I could get to this point, so I ain't complaining.

[eightfoldfiend]

I may be interested in learning how to use a gun.

[There is a cool pause as he considers this, then...]

Actually, if you can make a gun, could you make me a weapon that can slay a god?

[baltimores]

[ A momentary pause for thought. ]

Depends on the god. If they got a physical body then yeah, I don't see why not. Probably gonna need more power behind it than normal, which might require a magical boost — [ since they're talking gods here — ] which I might need some help on, but the weapon itself? Give me some time, and I bet I could do that.

Can still teach you how to shoot with what I've got in the meantime, though. God-slaying gun's probably gonna weigh different, but we can get you familiar with the basics if you really don't know how to use one just yet.

[eightfoldfiend]

The god is the one they call "Set".

[He nearly purrs.]

Not only did he attack us, but I hear he claims dominion over war and chaos. Tch! I intend to test if he is worthy of such claims!

For now, a good pair of swords should suffice! A weapon that works too well might rob me of my fun.

[semicharmed]

Hey, Amos.

[ Matt's attitude through Communion is warm, if somewhat removed. The remove feels more like physical distance than emotional wariness--a concern about whether he should derail Amos' current train of thought. The vibes are very "gently tossing a rock at Amos' bedroom window." ]

I was going to ask you something unrelated, actually. I know you have magical capabilities of your own, so I'm not sure if you need it, but I was thinking I could enchant something for you. I can do protection, good luck, invisibility ... a lot of things.

[ There's more to say--possibly a lot more. But for the moment, Matt stops at the elevator pitch. ]

[baltimores]

[ There's the sensation of Amos blinking in surprise as that metaphorical rock bounces off of his window, at the sound of Matt's voice. Especially when he would have expected emotional wariness, only to not really find it.

Or at least, he thinks it isn't there. Hard thing for him to tell sometimes. Plain words are easier, so that's what he chooses to focus on, because it's not like Matt would be saying something he doesn't mean. ]

Sure. [ The acceptance comes easily enough, but there's a sense of befuddlement behind it, like he doesn't really understand where this is coming from, or why. But still — acceptance. ] What kind of something?

[semicharmed]

[ Now Matt feels a little awkward. Which he supposes was inevitable--how was their next conversation after "I have to leave your home due to my discomfort over the assassination you did" going to go, realistically?

Still, he has a purpose here. And the bandaid had to come off eventually. He soldiers on, grateful for the solidity of the question. ]

Anything that's in regular contact with your skin. I usually go for jewelry, necklaces and bracelets and things, just because they're small and easy to customize. I've also done patches on clothes with pretty good results.

I can do another form factor. I'd just want to test it first.

[baltimores]

[ Matt's awkwardness makes Amos feel awkward in turn. He gets that he did something wrong the last time, but he hasn't done anything since then except try to help out the people of Highstorm. So he's pretty sure he hasn't done anything wrong since they last spoke, and yet...

But Matt's the one who reached out to him. The one who is offering him something. So he tries to shrug off that awkwardness, because surely there can't actually be any wrong. Why feel weird about things in that case?

He thinks it over, and at the mention of a necklace, brings a hand up to the familiar pendant around his neck that Quetzalcoatl gave him. ]

I could probably do a bracelet, as long as it isn't one of those ones that slides up and down your wrist. Since I work with my hands and all. [ And his wrists are free. ]

What do you mean by form factor?

[epiprocta]

[ After significant thought, just a quiet but blunt: ]

Count me in.

[ He sounds more put-together than the last time they spoke through Communion, Amos might note. Still exhausted, but at least now he's coherent and collected, at least enough to sound properly committed to this. ]

[baltimores]

[ He sits with this, for a moment. Because he knows how Gen has been since... everything, and he doesn't exactly feel good about it.

But things are getting more serious now, and he's never once doubted Gen's commitment. Hates that he has to have it, but has never doubted it, and so. ]

I'll show you how to shoot. Starting with blanks, so it ain't anything too bad. Get you used to the feel of it and all.

[ Not because he doubts Gen, but because he'd want to do this with any first-timer — and he's pretty sure this would be his first time. But there is the underlying sense of we can take it slow, only do what you're ready for, ever ready to look out for him in the few ways Amos knows how. ]

Re: GUNS...

[settingup]

If you need help gettin' all the raw stuff you need for 'em, I can probably help out.

[ It'd make him feel like he's staring to at least contribute in some way to Amos household. ]

[baltimores]

[ Oh... he's actually kinda touched by this. ]

Yeah? I'd appreciate that. I mostly scour the marketplace here, but might have to go someplace like World's Edge and see if there are more raw materials there. Been running kinda low since I got a couple put together already.

[ And manufacturing is more... Springstar's thing... whoops... ]

[settingup]

Got my leg fixed up by Gavial-chan, so I oughta be able to make that kinda trek no problem. Save yourself some time. I can go look if you tell me what I'm lookin' for.

[ Though he might whine and see if he can drag someone he deems less useful than Amos with him, because he's not sure he really wants to travel out there alone. ]

[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... ]