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

SEBASTIAN

[wolof]

Shall I start us off with one of the most dangerous threats Zenith has at their disposal? Sebastian is a powerful demon who has a wealth of powers at his disposal.

I've fought him once in combat, and while I am a sorceress of some great capability, he erred on the side of physical confrontation. An interesting thing to note, but that was some time ago. I do not doubt that he is far more dangerous than simply that.

Do not confront him if you are not prepared for it. In fact, should you find yourself cornered, I recommend myself or Set to extract you from danger.

[ She communes. Sipping tea. With Sebastian next to her. 😇 Good thing nobody who didn't know is at her house. ]

[warmare]

[Hayame has locked down everything as best as she is able in order to enevitably have this conversation, to discuss that demon without baring her own weakness. But an Iconoclast will be able to feel some of it.

The painful, burning rage that has not much abated since the night an eye was implanted in her head. (Actually... is it hotter?)]

And I recommend myself.

[wolof]

[ SHE DOES... Hayame please... ]

I know you do, dear heart. However, I am not speaking on recommending an altercation. I am speaking on extraction.

You would be quite the foe for him, but it is not for his death that I am speaking, but of ensuring that our allies survive, hm?

[warmare]

[What? This place doesn't have therapy and she hasn't been able to do anything to avenge herself???]

And while I am fighting him, that ally would be able to flee if need be.

[wolof]

And if he draws allies?

If you wish to hunt him down, and fight him, be my guest, of course. [ She says, looking Sebastian right in the eye ]

However, I would suggest to our allies that if they were to call you, to bring someone else along. Hayame, my heart, you are single-minded when it comes to the demon. I only wish for someone to come along that is not solely focused on him.

1/2

[warmare]

What, that rat master of his? Fine. I killed him once, I can kill him again.

[Never mind the demon's whore had been there when she'd done that. Not important.]

[warmare]

[What is important... She wishes she could think of it charitably. She truly does.]

I am not solely focused on him. But if you wish to be the one to handle it so badly, then you be my guest. Perhaps that demon will change tactics if it is not me, and unpack a little lunch for you all instead.

not here

[cutlery]

[ and WHO MADE THAT TEA, AKUA??? Sebastian is decidedly Not Participating in this entire post, but Akua does gets a mildly withering look irl ]

[wolof]

[ And it is excellent tea! Don't you want to know what others are saying about you?? ]

[leicesters]

This goes without saying, but I'd count him in the 'hungry for revenge' squad, too. Whoever tampered with his pet Shard [Sebastian already said it wasn't a pet, he's just being obnoxious smh] needs to be careful.

Then again, it doesn't matter if none of us were responsible -- what matters is his perception, not the truth. Make sure you don't end up on the wrong side of him.

[wolof]

Do we know who did it?

[ She asks, innocently. ] That it was one of ours?

[ She can say this with Sebastian next to her, because she is Praesi, and what are lies to the people of the deserts and gods below? ]

All we have are guesses, at this time. Perhaps we should not jump on such an incident, until we know more.

[leicesters]

All I'm saying is that if he thinks one of us did it, we need to watch our backs.

[wolof]

I disagree. If he had, would he not have sought revenge already? Tore his way through us? I think Sebastian is a careful creature, and would not extend himself if he does not know whom it is.

There are far too many amongst us, and he is not foolish, nor is he mindlessly revenge-driven.

He will not take that step until he is certain, he is too careful.

If one of us did, of course, I would offer them the advice that I offer most foolish Praesi whom have over-extended themselves, and made a grave enemy: Do not give him any indication of whom or what you have done, lest he is set upon that path.

[ Looking Liem directly in the eyes tbh 💖 ]

+ more Sebastian

[warmare]

As disgusted as I to need continue saying this-- I will. Whether I must speak to those with disloyal hearts or simple ignorance in their newness, allow me to provide you with more... actionable information.

That demon goes by the name Sebastian Michaelis now, but that is no guarantee that he will not skulk under some other disguise. He has gone by at least two others before, and who knows how many he might have in reserve, either to spy upon us or serve that rat thing in Kowloon.

Mark that when I say "demon", I am not speaking to that thing's sadistic and disgusting nature. I mean he comes from the pit of one of the sixteen hells and literally dines upon souls. For all of you who like to go on about the sanctity of these and how we should never shatter an enemy... You might turn your attention to the demon that devours them. Not only that- one who does so as an amusement to show to the sick-minded amongst our number who get off to such foulness and then turn up their rumps to be mounted.

He appears as a human, but he will move faster and strike with far more strength than a human should be capable of. He will heal from even grievous wounds almost instantaneously, so you must inflict injuries that cripple or kill before he can recover from them.

I would like to think that people are not so stupid as to be fooled just because he wears a handsome face and is "interesting" or polite, but I have been disappointed many times before.

I will kill him if I can, but if you are not confident that you can do so and you encounter him alone, then resign or flee.

[wolof]

I do not think his demonic nature is the fault, however. He is an enemy of Meridian by merit of being a Zenite, yes, but I employ devils and demons myself. I know that there are those amongst us who do as well.

That is not to say do not show caution, of course. [ An impression of a wave of her hand. ]

Merely that nature is not the crime here, it is the act, yes?

[warmare]

I do.

Would the devils and demons you [plural] "employ" be trustworthy or good-natured if not bound by whatever contract or magic that keeps them leashed?

[wolof]

One of them was a dear friend of mine's adopted father.

[ She says, simply. Fucking Praesi, man. ]

There is no contract that bound Tikoloshe.

[warmare]

And was that Tikoloshe good-natured? Trustworthy? Kind, to anyone but his adopted daughter and her dear friends?

[Or was he Praesi-approved (negative)?]

+ Sebastian info

[sterngaze]

To be sure, Sebastian is a dangerous foe to contend with in combat, but he is resourceful in other areas as well. The form he wears is not his own; he can become shadow itself, and I have reason to believe he can take the forms of beasts as well.

Be wary around unfamiliar animals, especially if they bear red eyes. He has admitted to that preference.

[wolof]

Ah, interesting. Perhaps we shall hold beasts down to inspect their eyes, then?

[ From another tongue, this would sound sarcastic, from Akua, completely serious. ]

I shall keep my eyes upon strangers, as well. Should he be able to transform, it may pay to show extreme caution.

[sterngaze]

[Akua, you deceitful bint...]

I would use discretion among those you don't know, yes. But I'm sure you were doing that already.

[Surely a Praesi woman like her did not conduct her business carelessly in front of others.]

In truth, I don't know that the eyes would necessarily give them away. Eyes were often one of the telltale details to give away shapeshifters where I came from, but perhaps Mr. Michaelis has no such limitation. After all, his eyes are usually not red at all.

[wolof]

[ She really is, but at least that works to Liem's advantage when it comes to uh. You know. The Thing. ]

Indeed. It is perhaps a point of pride, that they have an eye to match. A statement of his pride that he would not need to hide nearly as much as he suggests.

[ She's just spitballing. She could ask, but. ]

Though True Sight would be much more useful, I think. A bird, or a beast cannot attune, can it?

[warmare]

... Perhaps he can.

[She doesn't say aloud why, and she trusts Liem not to, either, because only five people in this entire world knew what happened to her that day, but...

How, she had asked. How could Sebastian have known her routes and schedule throughout the day so well as he had- ?]

Are there ways to strip shapeshifters of their "cloaks"?

[sterngaze]

To force them into their true shape? It can be done with magic, just as there are spells of true-seeing that allow one to see through such transformations.

Personally, I would be more concerned with detecting such shapechangers rather than returning them to their true shapes. My understanding of such magic is that he might be weaker in an animal's body, or at least less able. I doubt one would wish to fight in the body of a goat, or a rat, or a raven.

[warmare]

... A fair point.

If True Sight alone cannot work... I searched out an amulet that is purported to detect the demonic. Perhaps more can be [bought with AC tokens] found.