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

[ tch, no fun ]

Well, yeah, that's the point. But now you know every time we hang I'm gonna bug you about it. Secrets might as well be catnip to me. The more unimportant, the better.

[ translation: he's fuckin nosy ]

Hmm. I'll have to see how long I can hang onto them, then.

[ His feelings about Yima he can probably safely let slip. Maybe the thing about Dimitri and Rin. That's assuming Tezcatlipoca successfully wears him down, of course, but one's got to at least try and plan for contingencies. ]

For the record, [ Matt adds, after a moment, ] I think about you too.

[ It feels obscurely rude to get caught fantasizing by someone you've also been intimate with. Not exactly "moaning someone else's name during sex," but rude. ]

[ He laughs, amused ]

Well, of course. As the god of beauty, I’d be insulted if you didn’t.

[ …His domains are truly diverse. But he’s mostly joking here. ]

But you ain’t hurtin’ my feelings if that’s the point here. Have as many lovers as you want, I don’t give a fuck.

[ Matt's feeling of faux pas is, he realizes, most closely aligned with how you shouldn't talk about a party in front of someone who isn't invited to it. It's a bit gauche. But he's pleased by the reassurance anyway, a feeling that comes through in a mental hmm. ]

Let me know if I can braid your hair again sometime, by the by. [ Listen, he started with "god of beauty" and this is where his associations led him. ] I wonder if I could put a spell in there ... in ribbons or clips or something.

[ There's a general feeling of acceptance, and "whenever you feel like it" is pretty clearly on the tip of his tongue, but the further offer is the surprise. ]

...Oh, yeah, I guess a mage could do that, huh. [ why did no one ever offer him this before wtf!! (because they knew he did not actually need it) ] I mean, sure, that sounds handy. Ribbon's gonna be more convenient, since I dunno if clips would stick around if I needed to put my armor on.

[ Too modern, essentially. ]

[ Matt grins sunnily. ]

Ribbons are easier for me anyway. I just need to make sure they'll accommodate symbols. But I like this, honestly--hair is such a powerful component in spellcasting. And I think the weaving aspect of braiding could have auspicious implications too.

Any effects in particular you think you might want?

[ Oh, this enthusiasm is... cute??? ]

Lesse... Anything to keep my mana reserves topped up is always gonna be an asset. Barely use any when I'm in casual mode, but depending on how serious I get, different story. Any healing too.

[ A beat. And then: ]

...Or improving my, uh, luck. That's actually the best one, probably.

Oh, that's great, [ Matt replies. ] I'd need to practice to be sure about mana, and healing's not historically a strong suit, but I've done a lot of luck spells with good results.

[ Offering magic to someone who actually wants it. Is there anything better? Matt knows his spells are small things, but he's proud of them. ]

Then, yeah, don't even worry about the others. Let's just try luck first, since my luck, is uh.

[ uh, ]

Well. It's bad. So, this works? You're becomin' my official hairdresser.

[ Interesting. Divinely bad luck could be a tough nut to crack, though Matt's more than willing to try. ]

You've got yourself a deal.

[ It's been way too long since he got to run through his braiding repertoire. KR would be proud.

Or, well.

Who knows what she'd be. ]

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