kenoscomm | LOCKED TO MERIDIAN

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LOCKED TO MERIDIAN

[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.

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Matt spoke at length on the shadow problems earlier this month. If you wish to learn more about them I would recommend speaking to him

[That said she adds:]

I haven't experienced them quite as much as you have so far. I did see the face of one of my colleagues that disappeared shortly after I noticed him and that seems to be connected to them as well.

Matt did mention the Church in Heliopolis might have more information that could be helpful in understanding what might have led to these Shadows but would need a high-ranking Meridian to be able to access them.

[Ann's not at all surprised a shadow might take on a familiar face; that's at least one similarity they have with the Shadows of her world, even if the similarities end there.]

I just got here, so I'm definitely not high-ranking. I'll look out for this Matt person, though.

He is unfortunately on the Zenith side so ...

[Alice has no compulsions about talking to a Zenite. Others might think differently of course.]

I just arrived myself as well. I'm sorry you've been pulled into something like this.

[It does make her more cautious, and something in the communion wavers; Ann was already guarded around adults she doesn't trust, and adding this war into the mix only makes that so much worse. Maybe she'll consider giving him a chance if he seems helpful, but that's a consideration for another time.]

I'm sorry you're in this mess, too. You sound like you're used to fighting, but that can't make losing your home any easier.

[... Oh gosh, Ann. The moment her communion wavers is when Alice's warmth strengthens.]

I do admit the thought of it being entirely gone is a troubling one. However I take heart in knowing if it is truly gone then I have yourself and everyone else here to build a new world with. As long as we all have our wills and fighting spirits then we will find a way to make this work.

[Does that sound stupidly optimistic? Perhaps. Does she waver? No.]

I don't want a new world. If I did, I'd have joined Zenith... I haven't given up on restoring my home just yet.

Nor have I. I apologize, I should have worded my words of encouragement better.

[Ahem. Let her give this a second shot here.]

While I do believe in restoring our old worlds I also believe it's important that we look towards this one and our current lives as well. Supporting one another is a big step towards restoring our own worlds after all. No matter how temporary this may be I believe we can make this a good home for now.

Well... we do have several high ranking Meridian available, don't we?

[ Haha, gotta laugh sometimes. ]

I assume so, yes. Many of you have certainly been here far longer than myself at least.

[There is a faint laugh over Alice's communion.]

I was interested in more documentation of the history of this world, from the past Zenith-Meridian conflicts to Oracles' origins and so on. At home I knew the lay of the land and the countries so I could better understand those I came up again. Here of course I have none of that and I am realizing the weight of that loss of knowledge.

We don't have a great deal of information on the past, unfortunately - but that's something I would like to do as well. More information can only help us.

Agreed. I speak from only my own experiences at home but to go against those on the opposing side it helps to know why they are there. I wish to understand why Zenith and Yima are as they are and what began all of this if I can.

... I do admit I would prefer working in cooperation to figure out what these shadows are and the things Matt spoke of as ready to devour us. However cooperation must be on both sides -- I won't sacrifice others for that sort of goal.

[None of this will stop her from offering her hand to a Zenite who might wish to change sides or need help. She won't hesitate to do what she must though.]

Agreed on that count. I would not be against working with Matt to figure out these shadows and how we can deal with them. It's a problem for all of us, after all. Not just Meridian.

[Alice's somewhat vague mental image nods a little. This has been brewing for a bit now since butting heads with Gen, Hayame and others. Perhaps more with Gen to be honest, he had chilled her in a way few others did.]

I will also say this, not simply to Dimitri but anyone else in this communion. If you find my ways and ideals suspect then you are welcome to challenge me on them, whether through word or weapons. I will hold no anger or animosity toward you. My justice is impartial and I strive to use my blade and abilities impartially as well.

Wow, that actually sounded pretty cool...

[hi ann has no brain to ~~mouth~~ brain filter]

[The noise of slight surprise Alice makes has to be at least a little funny.]

Cool? Ah ... thank you.

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annmorous - 2024-03-09 00:46 (UTC) - Expand

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a_noble_flame - 2024-03-12 19:56 (UTC) - Expand

I welcome it. And I wish you luck.

No high-ranking Meridian should access them to give that information to a Zenite.

Perhaps not but it is a good bit of information for us, isn't it?

As long as it stays with us.

Will it?

If it belongs to the Meridian side then I have no interest in compromising it. There are things that must remain confidential in the Army as well.

However if you fear my loose lips so much you're welcome to come put me down yourself should you see the need. Let your justice lead you where you think it should, Hayame of Echigo.

You may find me overly suspicious, second lieutenant. But you are new here. I make these accusations because I have seen it happen time and again- people who claim to fight for Meridian giving Zenites succor, sparing them, sharing information with them.

I would hope my justice were never to be aimed at my own allies.

But unfortunately, it has been. And I am willing to do it again.

... Do you believe you are bothering me with your suspicions?

[Whether Hayame cares if she is isn't the question.]

I am not inclined to speculate on whether my allies are bothered or not.

[Because she’s wrong half the time.]

If you are, make it clear.

[Whether she will change her behavior or not based on that, though…]

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a_noble_flame - 2024-03-09 03:57 (UTC) - Expand

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warmare - 2024-03-09 13:37 (UTC) - Expand

[ raising his hand

he is both high ranking AND a known member of the Church! ]

I cannot promise I will not protect important intel from those who could flinch and flee, but I could be convinced to assist such an endeavor.

That would be very kind of you. For myself I simply wish to understand this world and the two factions better if possible.

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