kenoscomm | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ PUBLIC SPEAKING NO!!!!!!!! It never gets easy... ]

Um, hello. My name is Gray... I'm a gravekeeper.

[ Should she say more? Probably. But she's really just relieved she got past that much without stuttering. ]

... Gray.

[ahem]

I would advise you add something more about your abilities. Perhaps your talents with weaponry, for example...

Hm? M-My abilites...

[ NO SHE STUTTERED!!!!!!!! But Hayame is correct, and the bit of guidance is a nice little puff in her sails. ]

Right. Y-Yes, I can use all kinds of weaponry. Like, um, spears, axes, the bow and arrow... I'm actually best with a scythe, b-but I'm not sure anyone wants to learn that. [ like why would they ] I'd be happy to teach anyone who wants to learn something new. Or if you'd just like someone to practice with, I can do that too.

[ Why wouldn't everybody want to take up fighting with a meek-sounding teenaged girl, I ask you. ]

But, ah, my speciality is actually... spirits. So, um, if anyone is trying to find or destroy a ghost... I can do that.

[The stutter is fine, just get the info out! Good!! ... Well, better!]

Focusing on your aptitude with so many styles of weaponry is wise, yes. There are some newly arrived among us who need disciplining in those matters.

And your ability to seek out ghosts is unique.

It isn't very often that we encounter ghosts. At least, not in a way that most people would consider them an obstacle.

[ A small pause as she considers whether she should air something that she would consider a weakness, but which some people might consider useful. ]

Actually, I've also been called a Sibyl. That is, I'm sensitive enough to spirits that I can sometimes see visions of their pasts when I'm unconscious.

[ the niche is getting deeper ]

But if we do, I doubt there are many capable of handling it. I certainly do not know how to fight a ghost.

[So there is value! Come on, Gray!]

I have not heard this term before. "Sibyl". You mean you could... commune with the deceased and find out what is preventing them from moving on? Rad their grudges?

In short, yes. Their motivations... the fixations they had in life. The stronger the spirit is, the clearer the visions seem to be. It isn't something I've tried to develop on purpose... but it isn't something I can prevent, either.

I wonder if you might be able to detect that Yima's thoughts. If she were truly dead.

... or the shadows that are presenting, now.

If she were truly dead. And if her spirit were still bound to the earth in some way... then yes, I should be able to interact with her. It isn't a common thing, but I suppose she's an uncommon person.

[ Cyrus has been full of surprises as is, and he seemed normal on the surface. ]

The shadows... I'm afraid I haven't felt anything unusual about them yet. Other than that they're a bit creepy.

Well, I cannot claim to understand the methods, but.

If you sense anything, or dream it, or... such a thing. I look forward to hearing word.

[Well then. Jade was going to respond to the whole graveskeeper bit, but that's more interesting.]

Is destroying ghosts your main thing, or can you do anything else with it?

[Asking because of reasons.]

Do...? Um, I know there are some ways to transport spirits, but I'm not practiced at them. Was there something specific you wanted to do?

Wh... No, no. I'm just curious. Souls are kinda my biggest area as well.

[Comisceration and all that junk.]

Oh! I see. Um, unfortunately, my job was a bit specific, so I only got rid of ghosts in order to maintain the cemetery. My weapon can eat them for energy, but that's only a temporary use...

[ She is but a humble ghostbuster. ]

Being able to work with souls sounds a bit more useful.

Well, that's pretty useful when you've got hostile spirits to deal with as well. I know of a potion that makes fighting them easier, since, y'know... Can't bind every one of them.

[She probably would if she could.]

Is there really a potion that can do that?

[ Magic truly knows no bounds... ]

There are potions for a lot of things. Undead and dangerous spirits aren't uncommon where I'm from, so I guess it'd make sense for Arcanists to find ways to combat that problem.

[ absolutely unprompted: ]

And my friend! Back at home we were classmates! Please treat her kindly!

[ this is the equivalent of a high school freshman popping up to emotionally support a high school senior ]

Flat! That's... um. Thank you for your support!

LOCKED TO MERIDIAN

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regretfully yours, public

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