wakey wakey [ @all ]

[kenosnpcs]

This is a post where you'll find a header in the comments for Aetós, Agapitos Voreen, and Florence Deshayes respectively.

As a reminder from our course correction, your OOC understanding of their places in their factions should not influence IC reactions, especially to Agapitos and Florence. Aggressive threats and demands are likely to be ignored, because this would be very out of the blue to them! ( You can be mean to Aetós, though. They're a dick, and they just won't respond. )

Timewise, Agapitos and Florence's posts are shortly after Shard-Bearers awake after the repose (roughly a day to give people a chance to get their bearings/go get a haircut/etc), and Aetós's portion is later in the month.


Please note, new tag-ins will not be responded to after April 23rd. However, tagging each other throughout this post is welcome. Threadjack to your heart's content!

Comments

aetós

[kenosnpcs]

[ A mind reaches out to yours, and for some of you, it's familiar. The connection comes with a sense of color, of teal, but also of a void. The emotional resonance you might have also come to expect is absent. But the voice is clear and calm. It too feels more like an absence. ]

Hello again, Generation Sessu.

It has been some time since we last spoke. At least, by my perception. Your sleep must have been restful.

As you can see, a century’s time has changed things. Elevated things. Pruned others. These are not strictly relevant, depending on your view. Meridian and Zenith still fight on, but you are unlike the previous Generations. You are the one that is meant to be complete.

It is why I have continued my research in your absence. Both for my personal goal and for understanding Oblivion. I have found some success. More failures. But I desire volunteers. Lessa and Xiao provided some answers. But their connection was too tenuous.

So. Let us begin.

[escardos]

Volunteers for?

[semicharmed]

[ Okay, this is interesting.

It's several minutes before Matt answers. There's a meditative routine he now undertakes before fraught communion conversations, just to make sure he doesn't let someone else's secrets slip, and that takes him a few moments. But he also goes through his technically-century-old notes for references to experiments, or anyone named "Lessa" or "Xiao."

He comes up blank, which is no reason not to engage. In his book, at least. ]

Volunteers?

What do you need them to be connected to?

[bakedapple]

[ Aetós' mental voice is met with a sharp, reactive anger. Link would think they'd recognize him — but then again, considering how callous they are, maybe not. Maybe they've already forgotten what they did to him and what Link vowed to do last time they spoke.

...but. Noticeably, Link's anger is not quite so biting as it was before. It arose as an involuntary response to sensing them in his mind once again, but it is pointedly less merciless and vindictive as before. ]

You're asking for volunteers now?

[ A rhetorical question, asked numbly and flatly, before he continues on. ]

I saw a vision after the Oracle's trial was over. It was another version of myself... one that I saw before, in the Timestream. And he was in Kenos.

What do you make of that?

[holonethero]

You're researching to understand Oblivion? For what purpose?

[Anakin's thoughts are somewhat hurried, rushed, like this is a topic he's genuinely interested in. He's not sure he should trust the individual speaking given their unfamiliarity, but he's at least hit on a point of interest.]

[damnpire]

[There is still a great deal of bizarre, dark, sensual energy rattling around unfettered in the sidelines of his Communion because of the thirst; however, there is still an overlay in the front of the imposed restraint, the stoicism, the dam.]

How thoroughly have you researched the Oblivion?

[sheezit]

Volunteers for your soul research, huh? Your... experiments.

[ There's a pause at that word, more hesitant than it is accusatory. He remembers feeling concerned for Lessa at the time, and the guy's disappearance not long after that whole ordeal is still reason for suspicion, but-- ]

In that case, how about you start by sharing some answers, y'know, as a sign of good faith and all? Like, how much do you know so far about this Oblivion deal, and what are you planning to do with the extra knowledge?

[kaientai]

I wasn't around to know the specifics, but it sounds like you're not winning any popularity contests.

[ He says it jokingly because, at this point, he hasn't formed his own opinion. ]

In any case, I figure it's my duty to try and keep something like Oblivion from happening as best I can, and I get the feeling we don't have the luxury of being too picky these days.

[ Honestly, Ryouma doesn't have any reason to object to volunteering himself, and he considers the possibility of getting an answer to the question of what his weird Zenith symbol is all about if he did, but first, he has a more pressing question. ]

You say our Generation is meant to be "complete", but you don't mean one side winning the Oracles, do you?

[ He's been sceptical of the Oracles this entire time, so it would not surprise him. ]

slides in last minute oop...

[warmare]

[Again-- Again, she must listen to idiots leap to all but volunteer for this freak or try to find some way to forgive what he does? What he has done? Hayame's voice is like a whip crack, burning and unforgiving.

Not just of him.]

You have a lot of fucking nerve showing yourself like this again.

Are you making it a practice to thank those you torture now, in the hopes that will get more idiots clambering to volunteer?

[She will start a list. The Meridians on it, well...]

tribune agapitos voreen

[kenosnpcs]

[ Vibrant Red, the sight of a new dawn rising after a long, chill night. Like a too-warm sun, burning off the chill. It is like waking in the dawn, with the earthy smell of dew dissipating into a summer's morning, with unspeakable potential and promise the only thing before you. It is looking toward the future, Agapitos very clearly feels the youngest amongst the group, but also the sharpest and the most... active. He is no child, but in Communion, he feels something like it, compared to two timeless creatures. ]

Ah, bearers, I'm afraid we did not have much opportunity to talk before everything went south before your repose. I am Agapitos Voreeen, and I am very happy you all have woken up and returned to us. I am sure that it is a surprise to see this world so changed, but I think you will find that Skysong is far more prepared for an eventual Zenith attack once more. We are grateful that we were able to find the way to do so, but now that you are here, we may not have such desperate a need, huh? You bearers are the light that shines our way to victory, so of course, if you find that there are unsavory elements, well. You have my blessing to do what you think necessary, to ensure Meridian marches its way to victory.

I know we have not had the time to know each other, but I promise you this: I will never allow Zenith to so thoroughly step onto our streets with such confidence as they have done before. They coordinated a lucky strike, but I lost far too many friends and loved ones that day to allow them to ever do so again. I am sure you all felt losses as well, and perhaps learning what deceptive creatures the Zenites are will remind you that they see no hope before them, no possible chance for life. They believe that everything that is lost is forgone, and I refuse to accept that. I fight for you all, as I have fought alongside you in the past.

[ A flash of memory sent to the bearers, of Agapitos alongside his long-time bodyguard Delyphyne squaring up against one of the drugged monsters that had invaded Springstar's streets. A coordinated attack that left the creature beheaded and bloodied in the street. ]

I will continue to do so, as long as we look toward our future, and your future, in your worlds. May Meridian's Light illuminate your path toward victory, and eradicate Zenith's darkness from the corners of this, and all, worlds.

That being said, I am a pragmatic man, and I am sure that you have questions. Please, if I can answer them, I will do so.

[a_noble_flame]

Skysong is quite prepared, yes, but what of Old Springstar?

[A simple question, not meanly spoken. She simply sounds curious, her own communion not half as warm as Voreen's own. It's a welcoming hearth to all after a long, cold night. The Repose didn't change that about her at least.]

[cyfaredd]

Ah! You! Yes, I've been waiting for a chance to speak with you!

[ The wizard sounds upset about something. Huh! Is someone about to confront Voreen for Answers™️?! ]

You're rather well-connected to the Emporio District, aren't you? I woke up after a hundred years to find that my likeness is being used to sell handbags and cologne!

[ ...nope, sorry. ]

Now, I'm quite happy to know that I was appropriately appreciated while I was gone, but I can count on receiving some of the proceeds extracted from the populace using my image, correct?

[hauntedking]

I... have a few questions. Forgive me, this whole affair has been rather disorienting.

First, I understand you've aligned yourself with Aetos; he's something of a madman as I understand it. Why deal with him?

[ Which is perhaps putting it mildly, considering what he's heard. ]

Second, what problems do you foresee in your immediate future, at least in Skysong? Old Springstar seems to have quite a few of them at a glance. I'm a little dismayed to see so many people essentially left behind to fend for themselves...

[baltimores]

[ It's too bright and too hot; it's unpleasant. Like Amos is in dire need of an umbrella and cooling towel both.

But still, the voice is in his head, and so he listens. There's the twist of a frown, a mixture of discomfort and antipathy to Voreen's sentiments. Get a load of this guy, essentially, but — ]

Sorry.

[ — delivered plainly and dispassionately, but not dishonestly. A meagre apology, because what's done is done and the past is in the past — but though necessary, it hadn't actually been a good day. So, you know. Sorry about that. ]

meridian locked

[warmare]

... Tribune.

[It took Hayame longer than she would like to acknowledge to respond to this. It takes longer than she would have thought to say that title again to a man she does not know at all beyond glimpses of him at rallies she had observed from the background, her only visible eye narrowed in a glare. In the first months of her presence here in Kenos, she had fought with Cyrus more than once, but over time-

And now nothing makes sense anymore. Too much has happened, everything is different, one hundred and fourteen fucking years?]

You say we are blessed.

But what do you think is necessary.

[damnpire]

[A polite, but very icily reserved presence sort of just sits at the edge and listens. Someone quiet, though not indifferent.]

What are you plans for the future besides Meridian victory? Do you intend to be more aggressive in its pursuit?

[wolfish]

Well now, since this is something like a meet-and-greet... I think you know well enough this is some dramatic change to wake to, seeing as it was just a nap for guys like me.

[ With that preface, he'll get right to it. ]

How has this last century or so treated you? The people? If you're game to answer that sort of thing.

[fishfearme]

[After quietly observing the first round of public questioning from his fellow Meridians, Byleth finally weighs in. Not with any questions of Meridian's future or Voreen's intentions - for Skysong or them - but something that most would likely consider minor or irrelevant:]

Does Cetina still serve as an aide to the Meridian administration?

florence deshayes

[kenosnpcs]

[ Within all, the scent of acrid fire and old stonework, of damp caverns and the bitter green of murderous dresses and paints. The voice that speaks is feminine and droll, the casual carelessness of the powerful and elegant paints her approach with daring and brevity. The timeless quality to her mind is not effortless, like Yima's, but built upon hard labor. ]

I suppose there is a long-overdue conversation for us all to have, hm. Dear Shard-Bearers, though you feel you've lost time, I assure you that Kenos has never been as ripe as it is in this moment for you to shape the true path. Zenith's path.

Lady Yima has ceded her responsibilities to me, for the time being. She prepares herself for our victory, and for the next steps we will take toward securing the future for all. I am Countess Florence Deshayes, leader of the Waru and current overseer of Zenith's own — there is still time to come into the fold. Don't dally, though.

Oh! And before I forget — Meridian's Bearers... let Tribune Agapitos and dear Aetós know that I offer them a place in Zenith as well. We shan't be remiss in forgetting ang legacies and faithful service to Kenos. We do not need all of you to be effective in the creation of the future world, but for now you will be welcome. Make no mistake, though — your cruelty and callous resistance ought to make all of Zenith examine how proper a fit you could be for any world. Even the one you once hailed from.

Hm, I suppose I can answer queries, now. If you even have any that will be conducive to our immediate needs and goals.

[semicharmed]

[ **MATT JAMISON has entered the chat.**
**MATT JAMISON has left the chat.**

That's kind of what it feels like, anyway. Before Matt interacts with Florence, he needs to clear his mind of various inconvenient truths. You know, just the usual: Sebastian's collar, Silco's female relative, his feelings about a shadowy group that may or may not be pulling the strings around here.

He won't shy away from the contact entirely, however, because he has a very important question. ]

Um. No rush, but whenever you have a minute.

How's Sveinn?

[bakedapple]

[ This isn't the green that Link prefers. It's cold and gravely like cratered stone; dusty and dry like peeling wallpaper. In contrast, Link's mind is a vibrant, eternal green: the bounty of nature, forever cycling and recycling, illuminated by the neon glow of ancient holy magic. ]

Ma'am. It's an honor to finally be able to speak with you.

[holonethero]

[Anakin is...not fond of voices in his head, but he does need to get information, and he can't be surly all the time. Probably.]

I hate to be underinformed, but I've only just arrived. What makes this time special? Is it simply the reawakening?

[spellcollect]

What does the path forward look like in your eyes?

[ She is calm and smooth; a pond under blue skies. ]

I'm new to this place, so understanding what I'm volunteering for is paramount. [ Although she's already made her choice. ]

[ghostmoder]

[There's a powerful instinct on his end to lean away here. For a second he does, the cityscape-like background hum of his mind retreating... and then after a moment, reconnecting.

He has to engage with her at some point if he's being serious about seeing any of this through, so. Here he is.]

And is Lady Yima [there's a slight, disrespectful weight on "Lady" here, like a kid who knows he's supposed to say it but by golly he's gonna be a twerp about it] planning a conference call or something at some point, or are you the only one with her direct line?

[The inconsistency of the language he's been hearing is weirding him out. Is she dead, is she not dead, did she "cede responsibilities" or did she leave a power vacuum behind...]

[corvidant]

So, Yima-san has been found safely, I take it. That's good news.

[ The feeling of relief he shares over communion is genuine, from an Yima stan to (seemingly) another. There's even a subtle sense of warmth, a rare treat coming from Akechi, but that fondness is quickly (if momentarily) cast aside for the sake of a more business-like approach: ]

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Florence-san, and I look forward to cooperating with you. While I admit I have yet to get my bearings proper, I suppose there are no more pressing questions other than what, exactly, our immediate needs and goals would be.