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

[a_noble_flame]

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.]

[hauntedking]

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.

[a_noble_flame]

[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.

[annmorous]

Wow, that actually sounded pretty cool...

[hi ann has no brain to mouth brain filter]

[a_noble_flame]

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

Cool? Ah ... thank you.

[annmorous]

Yeah, like, badass! "My justice is impartial, evildoers!"

[that last addition isn't impartial at all but ok]

[a_noble_flame]

... That does sound like something out of a book, doesn't it.

[Then she laughs gently.]

That's not precisely how I said it but I do appreciate how nice you've made it sound. You're not a writer by chance?

[hauntedking]

I welcome it. And I wish you luck.