LOCKED TO MERIDIAN

[leicesters]

[Claude's communion prescence has always been like a summer breeze; warm, easygoing, albeit difficult to read before it moves on. Now it has more of a brittle, bitter quality, like a looming dust-cloud he has to hold at a distance. There's no going back from this point when he knows things will only escalate from here, and so now seems like an important time to address his fellow Meri.]

The fight for the next Oracle will be on us soon. The Tribune may have been slain, but he entrusted the future of the worlds to us. Though he won't be able to help us see this through, we can still fight for him, and all the others we've lost along the way. We can fight for Springstar... and we can fight for Quetzalcoatl.

[There's a brief pause on this point. Her death deserves respect and acknowledgement, and she may not be the last to meet such a fate before the fighting is over.]

...We'll fight for your homes, too. After all, our worlds aren't that different, right? They might be flawed in their own ways, and there might even be some of you who would rather stay here when this is done. But every world and the life on it is precious, and it beats whatever phony world Yima and her followers come up with.

Speaking of Yima: I've discussed this with a few people already, but I suspect she's still alive. When the Blight almost destroyed Kenos, somehow she was still around. When I asked her about it, she said she wasn't bound by time like a normal person is. She can exist in different times and different places simultaneously; I don't know how it works, but maybe she even foresaw this attempt on her life before it even happened.

That said, it's just speculation, so we might as well play dumb and behave towards Zenith as if we're convinced she's dead for now. It'll be easier for us that way.

[Others have probably arrived at a similar conclusion, perhaps people among Zenith's ranks too, but it bears saying, particularly for those newly arrived to the conflict.]

Anyway, enough about her -- how about we use this opportunity for a little strategy get-together? We have a few new faces around, so feel free to introduce yourself and your capabilities.

For those of us who have been around longer, feel free to toss in an introduction too. More importantly, share what you know about Zenith and its current capabilities, in combat or otherwise. Any insight into their current thinking would be useful right now, too. What's their morale like? We know by now that some of them really hate our guts, and I wonder how much their desire for revenge is going to play into the next battle...

[He sounds casual, almost flippant, but there's a serious point in there he's sure he doesn't need to overstate: the more loyal Zenites are going to have some serious motivation in the next battle to get back at them, whether they believe Yima is gone or not.]

Let's not let our own judgement be clouded by revenge, even if we've sustained losses. We need to go into this with a clear head, looking toward the future.

Oh-- on that note, Hayame wants to speak with some of you about some further strategising either before or after the Oracle. Sorry that's a little vague, but I'm sure she'll talk to you about it properly when the time comes. For now, let's just focus on one thing at a time.

Comments

[warmare]

But they have still pitted us against each other, something life or death.

How are we to do that with writing? By paper cutting each other?

[kaientai]

Yes, that means no one — non-Bearers, Bearers, or gods — is safe.

[ They could probably argue this as long as either of them is willing to fight back, but Ryouma knows that's not very productive, and worse, it only breeds resentment. ]

What have you been fighting for all this time, Hayame? Is it for the satisfaction of crushing the Zenites, or is it to restore your world and go home?

Zenith didn't take your world; Oblivion did. We don't know what it is, but we know something out there is coming. You've felt it, too, haven't you? Didn't your Shard jump out of your body like everyone else's?

Zenith is an obstacle; it's not the real enemy.

[ He knows there is a good chance he will never change her mind, but at least he'll have tried. If he could look her in the eye right now to impress upon her how serious he's taking this, he would. Communion is good for that, at least when he's willing to be open. ]

What I'm trying to tell you is that you may accomplish one and lose the other forever. I acknowledge that I could be wrong. Maybe you're right, and shattering Shards is perfectly harmless in the great scheme of things and an easy win for us.

I, personally, would prefer to err on the side of caution when the stakes are this high.

I suppose it comes down to whether or not it's a gamble you're willing to take and if your victory is worth what you — and everyone — stand to lose if you're wrong.

LINK.

[redsoil]

The little one who lost his will — we share a connection, as Savant.

He and another long-eared individual were caught spying on us in the Beyond, and while handled, I heard the echoes of a warning he sent out to all of Zenith. And his thoughts of an individual he holds dear to him, but that is only as important as we decide it to be.

Anyone who still harbors hope that he will find his way back to us, dispense of it. He's chosen to place more importance on the well-being of a Faction that harbors individuals like the assassin, Amos Burton, the murderer, Silco and weak-willed naysayers who think they have the power, the fortitude or the ability to wield the Authority of a god. [ yawn, zenith is full of delusional fools ]

He has essentially said to me he only wants solutions, on his terms. Real, workable things — yet, had he asked any one of you for aid? No, I bet not. He simply closed his mouth, his eyes, and his heart to his world because he did not have a solution — and chose the path of instant gratification, as all Zenites do. He is small, deeply guilt-ridden and morose, and prone to shouldering things on his own. Make sure he finds no comfort in companionship, keep him isolated and confused and insecure by asking him difficult questions such as oh, say — why he chose to stay with the reprobates of Zenith, over his proven friends in Meridian, and he will be no threat to us.

ATSUMU MIYA.

[redsoil]

Another individual whom is devoted to Zenith, but has put no thought into anything he does. I asked how he would explain his role to his loved one, and he refused to answer. "I will figure it out when it comes to that point" is no answer we can allow, if Zenith truly believes in their path.

He is a normal child, unused to the moral quandries and difficulty of war, battle and strife. Make him uncomfortable, focus on isolating him. He will also be of no consequence. [ set is offering info now because, well,

he's a little deeper in the merisauce, and these are some people he wants to see CHALLENGED ]

[fishfearme]

Poetry battle.

[wolfish]

...I'm glad you do.

[ Dimitri is so much all of the time. So Yuri thinks at least, because he's certainly overwhelmed by all of that directed at him, but still... There's a certain warmth about it he quietly appreciates for a time before he thinks of anything further to say. ]

So let me know when you need something, yeah? Even if it's a reminder that you've got a lot to offer.

[redsoil]

[ you love managing a chaotic household, you masochist ]

[wolfish]

Right... My little foray with the others was to get our hands on it. We did our part, so it's just a waiting game at the moment.

[ He's quiet for a few moments, followed by the impression of a sigh. ]

Can't say I'm fond of those, especially given the present state of affairs, but here we are.

[warmare]

I cannot-

[How can she say it? That rather than grow used to the eye in her head over time, that each day she grows more hateful and resentful? That she is beginning to think... that it is poisoning her hearts? That she is-

That she is in love, and it is killing her to be so afraid of betraying that precious feeling to some unknown enemy that she can never look at that man with two eyes? Or even one, without anxiety over the threat of the other?]

I cannot be like this any more.

I know it is a difficult thing I asked of you, but-

You may lower the standards.

I do not care if it is someone less skilled, or riskier, or experimental. I just...

I want the eye out. I know there may not be enough time before this Oracle, but-

I need it out.

[redsoil]

Small, and capable of pulling from a distance. I was close to it when he deployed the ability, so I cannot speak to range.

[ It was fast, though. Amos wasted no time, and Set knows to hit him hard from now on ( he always knew it, but fucking with Amos was a passion of his because he HATED him ); now, it's respect that leads him to want to hit him fast, hard, and without wasting time.

But, uh. ]

We spoke about ourselves. We had come to decide long ago that we knew all we cared to about one another, and it put us on a collision course that would lead to mutually assured destruction. [ which is not good, in set's book; he likes one-sided destruction ]

It does not change anything about either of our desires, notably. I am more faithful to Meridian's path than ever, actually.

RIN TOHSAKA.

[redsoil]

I know little about her. She is a magic-user, she is full of herself, and her pride could be used against her.

[ Aka, let him know more about her, please. ]

The less I know about someone, the more I wish to target them to discern who they are, what they can do, and how to handle them — if anyone deals with her during the Oracle, inform me. I wish to engage her directly, this time.

[warmare]

... I will be wary, then.

[She thinks she can feel it coming. A confrontation that she and Amos Burton will enter... and one of them will not leave. They have clashed time and again throughout the Oracles... But Amos had taken it outside of the trials. Now, she would have to do what she should have done when Set demanded it during the Iconoclast.]

...

What did he say? That made you hold him in esteem rather than disgust?

[warmare]

I said "life or death"... Not "life or embarrassment at court".

[cyfaredd]

Oh? You are welcome to stop by anytime, Yuri. Always.

[ Uh oh. He seems to think this is a date now. Anyway! :) ]

We'll trade some training for my consultation. How about it?

[ex_fend346]

[ Subaru weighs that proposition. It's a familiar strategy, so he adds a suggestion to it. ]

It may be safest to have two or more then. If they're quick and can attack at a range, that could either keep him too occupied to notice someone else closing distance or wear down whatever reserve of power he has.

[ He and Kamui have had to use similar tactics, just without the use of magic. Being quick and evasive could effectively exhaust a threat. ]

[hauntedking]

It can be very hard to just wait... but sometimes it's what's necessary.

[ He sighs. ]

But that's our lot, I suppose.

[warmare]

Because most of the Zenites are mad, Dimitri. That, or they are willing to embrace that level of filth just to play god.

[She's been SAYING IT...]

[hauntedking]

I'll be the first to let you know, as long as you return the favor.

[ He simply can't be the one relying on others without people relying on him, too! ]

[cyfaredd]

[ He clicks his tongue and sighs. ]

And here I was, thinking I could rely on you to take your devotion to its extreme. What's there to lose by slaughtering them all, hm? Whether they're "standing" or not? Whether it's a Zenite in your way or someone on your own side? You should really just clean this place up yourself, shouldn't you?

[hauntedking]

Madness? Most people aren't mad, even if fighting for a cause we think mad, Hayame. They have their reasons. And I feel as if understanding some of those reasons will help us defeat them, in the end.

[warmare]

Then you go understand them.

I have no interest in it. And thankfully, I am strong enough to prevail without resorting to.

[hauntedking]

You have your way, Hayame. I have mine. Even so, we work together towards our greater goal.

[warmare]

Like I wish to be relied upon by a man who cannot even be relied on to shuck beans properly. Whether it is a Zenite or a Meridian, if they stand between me and returning to my world, I will eliminate them. That has not changed.

And my devotion is already as deep as one can possibly tether, so your little words do nothing to change that, either.

[ex_fend346]

I'm given to think there will always be hunters.

[ One followed him and his brother across dimensions, after all. The dogged pursuit may have been a surprise, but the existence of hunters is not.

Which is to say: she's not wrong. ]

There is that difference, yes, but also... I guess you could say our metabolisms are different. Born vampires don't need to feed nearly so often as ones who were changed.

[warmare]

It may be wise to take him on in groups, yes.

If need be though... I will deal with him. I refuse to let myself be killed by that man.