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Entry tags:
MARCH TDM + SETTING UPDATES
BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)
It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.And then, it goes wrong.
The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.
So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—
You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.
I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY
With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.
Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's warmer climate -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, a series of meze platters and souvlaki skewers have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is light, ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings.
However, those who have attended the forum in the past or simply have a sharp eye may notice: food doesn’t flow as freely in a feast-like setting as before. It’s more subdued in presentation and portion because as you may hear, the Blight (see below) is an affliction that’s been affecting the food stores of Springstar and Highstorm both. The Meri are nervous about this and blame it on the Zenites since they had won the Oracle on the Scorching Isles (January's event) and with it, punished the Meridian, even if unintentionally. As such, those who are notable Zenites or who wear their allegiance openly may not be treated as kindly. The military also seems to be more present at the forum. These two things are related, as it turns out, because only a few days after the new Shard-Bearers arrive, an invasion will begin.
There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands.
The mood of Highstorm is subdued as always, but still seems to be pleasant and joyous thanks to claiming the Oracle in the Scorching Isles. The Blight may be affecting the city and causing plants and the like to die, but there’s admittedly not much of it to be seen with Highstorm’s harsh winters. Maybe they’re not hit as badly as Springstar, or maybe they just haven’t noticed yet. Only time will tell. But regardless, notable Meri or those that wear their allegiance more openly will be treated politely, but perhaps with a little condescension. Highstorm is one step closer to winning than Springstar, after all.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.
SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος
In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds.Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's warmer climate -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, a series of meze platters and souvlaki skewers have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is light, ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings.
However, those who have attended the forum in the past or simply have a sharp eye may notice: food doesn’t flow as freely in a feast-like setting as before. It’s more subdued in presentation and portion because as you may hear, the Blight (see below) is an affliction that’s been affecting the food stores of Springstar and Highstorm both. The Meri are nervous about this and blame it on the Zenites since they had won the Oracle on the Scorching Isles (January's event) and with it, punished the Meridian, even if unintentionally. As such, those who are notable Zenites or who wear their allegiance openly may not be treated as kindly. The military also seems to be more present at the forum. These two things are related, as it turns out, because only a few days after the new Shard-Bearers arrive, an invasion will begin.
HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы
Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Formality is of utmost importance here, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface.There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands.
The mood of Highstorm is subdued as always, but still seems to be pleasant and joyous thanks to claiming the Oracle in the Scorching Isles. The Blight may be affecting the city and causing plants and the like to die, but there’s admittedly not much of it to be seen with Highstorm’s harsh winters. Maybe they’re not hit as badly as Springstar, or maybe they just haven’t noticed yet. Only time will tell. But regardless, notable Meri or those that wear their allegiance more openly will be treated politely, but perhaps with a little condescension. Highstorm is one step closer to winning than Springstar, after all.
para bellum (the occupation of alenroux)
A few days after new Shard-Bearers arrive, the word spreads quickly as the campaign begins: Meridian is invading Alenroux.
To those who have Harmonized with Meridian, they’ll be contacted by Cyrus through Communion 48 hours before the invasion begins. As he explains, Springstar is a city that depends on Alenroux far more than Highstorm (because of its much larger population), and with Alenroux currently under Zenite control, it’s imperative that they make sure that Zenith isn’t able to cut off access and cause a famine for Springstar. Zenith won’t be denied access to Alenroux or its bounty either, he makes that clear. This is just a matter of being proactive in their defense to protect their people. For the Meridian, their goals in supporting this effort are clear:
It takes some time for Yima to learn more about the events herself, but Zenith will also be contacted through Communion. With the air of a disappointed mother, she’ll explain that Meridian’s choice is regrettable since she thought they would be better than this. Yima explains that there’s no need to turn Alenroux into an open warzone and cut off both cities from their breadbasket. Instead, she lays out the following direction to gently break Meridian’s spirit first before turning to open hostilities:
To those who have Harmonized with Meridian, they’ll be contacted by Cyrus through Communion 48 hours before the invasion begins. As he explains, Springstar is a city that depends on Alenroux far more than Highstorm (because of its much larger population), and with Alenroux currently under Zenite control, it’s imperative that they make sure that Zenith isn’t able to cut off access and cause a famine for Springstar. Zenith won’t be denied access to Alenroux or its bounty either, he makes that clear. This is just a matter of being proactive in their defense to protect their people. For the Meridian, their goals in supporting this effort are clear:
- Create secure outposts. Well-built, defensible outposts are needed, so anyone who can assist with building efforts, and quickly are appreciated.
- Defend the outposts and the Meri soldiers at large. Alenroux is still dangerous because of the monsters, and soldiers will be staying overnight. Fighting off monsters is something that will also eventually make Alenroux inhabitable.
- Prevent Zenith interference. Highstorm surely won’t be happy about this, so make sure that the soldiers and the outposts are protected from Zenites just as much as from the monsters that roam the lands.
It takes some time for Yima to learn more about the events herself, but Zenith will also be contacted through Communion. With the air of a disappointed mother, she’ll explain that Meridian’s choice is regrettable since she thought they would be better than this. Yima explains that there’s no need to turn Alenroux into an open warzone and cut off both cities from their breadbasket. Instead, she lays out the following direction to gently break Meridian’s spirit first before turning to open hostilities:
- Collect information. Where are the outposts, how many soldiers are assigned to them, and what are their general movements. Scouting and spying will be valuable. Learning more about the Meri Shard-Bearers’ capabilities while they’re fighting creatures rather than Zenites is also useful.
- Create dissent. The people that work and visit Alenroux regularly have mixed feelings about the occupation unless they’re Meridian loyalists. Making the campaign unpopular with the people can push Meridian back without needing to raise a finger.
- Sabotage. But don’t get caught doing it, at least for now. Whether breaking defenses or leading more powerful monsters to the encampments, it’s best to break morale before needing to fight back openly.
SETTING UPDATES
In both locations, information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once the meet-and-greet has concluded, twin missives from both faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond. As Shard-Bearers new and old take in their cities, they'll all see it change throughout the month...
OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.
OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.
THE BLIGHT
During the events of the Scorching Isles, Shard-Bearers encountered an affliction upon the island and unintentionally brought it back to Highstorm and Springstar with them. Known simply as “the Blight,” this condition steals time from the things it infects. It most frequently infects inanimate objects and will cause them to rot or degrade rapidly (such as a piece of metal rusting within hours) but is able to infect living things as well. Most notably, the Blight is infecting plants and animals in the two cities. Plants both decorative and necessary will wither and die, and small animals grow sick and die seemingly of old age. This has been seen in small amounts throughout the past month OOC but is greatly increased in frequency in March and beyond.FURTHER DETAILS
- Within the NPC populace, there’s a low-grade fear of the Blight intensifying and being able to infect larger animals/the people. There’s no evidence of this yet, but Shard-Bearers that were on the Scorching Isles will know this is possible.
- Some characters will be aware that the rare, blue flowers that grow in the barren portions of World’s End (February’s event location) seem to reduce the effects of the detrimental effects of the Oracle and the Blight. Because of some drops of characters that knew this information, you can assume that characters are able to learn this information if they’re interested enough to dig into it.
- Dr. Julia Melnik of Springstar is openly researching cures for the Blight and will recruit anyone interested to be research assistants to test formulations of cures on afflicted plants/creatures. You can handwave these interactions and use them for prompt(s), if you’d like!
- Finally, if curing the Blight is something your character would specifically be interested in, please note it in your Character Survey so that the Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.
THE OCCUPATION OF ALENROUX
As mentioned above, Meridian has launched a surprise invasion and occupation of Alenroux. Because Meridian was able to successfully keep their efforts a secret throughout the months (!) they’ve been planning this, Zenith will not be able to repel their advances… Immediately, at least. After roughly a week OOC from this log’s posting, the Meridian outposts in Alenroux will be stable and will change the island in the following ways:If Zenith would like to repel these advances, this is a response that will be purely in player hands (but will be assisted by Zenite NPCs, of course!). If they want to reclaim Alenroux, they can, or they can simply let Meridian continue. It’s up to you! This is something that Zenite players should discuss both IC and OOC, and if this plot develops further, Loremasters will help facilitate the ongoing conflict as a part of our changing game environment.FURTHER DETAILS
- Outposts have been established in well-chosen, defensible locations throughout the island of Alenroux. They’re clustered more heavily closer to the Cornerstone and are non-existent in the more dangerous Northern portion of the island where little farming is done anyways.
- Meridian soldiers will be always staying in the camps and outposts. For now, they’re a more supervisory force that are protecting the farmlands of Alenroux. During the day cycle, the military will respond with hostility to anyone that threatens the farms. If your character would antagonize or outright fight Meridian military, please contact a Loremaster, since this will have repercussions! Otherwise, the soldiers will assist workers and visitors to Alenroux in a professional manner.
- During the night cycle, the military will defend their outposts from monsters and make occasional offensive excursions to reduce the threat of monsters. The secondary goal of the Meridian military is also to make Alenroux a place that people can live, though this is a longer term effort.
- Meridian Shard-Bearers will be strongly encouraged to assist with the effort. “Assist” is purposefully defined broadly so that characters can help in whatever way suits them. Scouting, building, monster killing, or just morale improving are all valid ways that will gain favor with their faction and may lead to further opportunity. For now, abstaining will not have consequences, but may in the future.
- Zenith Shard-Bearers will be treated with suspicion in Alenroux and are not allowed to approach any of the Meridian outposts, or at least not without triggering a fight. The military will not outright attack Zenites (unless provoked) and essentially encouraged to move along. However, they may wish to gather information about the outposts and Meridian forces to attempt to push back against the occupation.
- Unharmonized Shard-Bearers are not treated with hostility, but similar to Zeniths will not be allowed to enter any of the encampments.
- If your character has an interest in continuing or stopping the occupation, please note it in your Character Survey so that Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.
SMALLER CHANGES
HIGHSTORM: GREENWOOD YARDS
Considering the affliction that threatens the well-being of flora and small fauna alike, the greenhouses are far more discerning with those who are permitted inside its gates, afraid of the contagion affecting the precious, invaluable greenery of long-dead worlds. After the occupation of Alenroux, Meridian will be outright turned away, and while Zenith possesses no formal military or police, the greenskeepers appear to be prepared to defend their property with physical force should it come to that. Unharmonized are still allowed inside. The rest of the Yard beyond the greenhouses are still open to all factions.
And though it may seem an odd place for such a gathering, the indoor bathhouse at the far end of the Yards appears to be gaining popularity for mysterious reasons; if asked, none of the locals will explain the abrupt uptick in visitation. But should you investigate yourself, the reason why becomes apparent through experience: the tea served by the attendants here has changed properties. Should you be a Zenite, you will be served a cup that decreases your body's natural need for food and drink for 24 hours - an effort to test a concoction to relieve the need to deplete resources and lessen the city's reliance on Alenroux. Should you be a Meridian, the tea you're served will increase your appetite a considerable degree even if you normally do not require sustenance, and you will find yourself unfulfilled even if you are unwise and eat yourself to the point of illness; this lasts for 24 hours. The Unharmonized will find the tea might make them vaguely woozy, and either cause mild increase or decrease in appetite.
KOWLOON: DRAUMAHOL (cw: drugs)
Those that frequent Kowloon may have heard about the sudden disappearance of the former owner and operator of the drug den Draumahol, though it was only really noted because of the business being closed for a few days. Practically unheard of, since the desperate of Highstorm and Springstar come to Draumahol for their various fixes that are a little more taboo on the surface. But, never fear. After a brief closure, Draumahol reopens.
While it may not be obvious early in the month, it'll be increasingly so that Draumahol is under new management. Those that frequent the business enough will be able to figure out that the new owner is Silco (or, if you personally know him, it's fairly obvious). If you would like to plot anything regarding Draumahol, we encourage reaching out to Silco's player, Jill!
SPRINGSTAR: THE CHURCH
After the loss of the first Oracle, the Church of Heliopolis has been busy tending to its flock as the numbers coming to seek comfort swell. The gatherings aren't formal "services" so much as they're chances for people to come together and inspire each other with their homes and dreams of home. One formal process that does stick out though is that with each "service" one member will tap into the world shown in their sunbeam and open their minds to Communion. Anyone that wishes to can also experience this member's home, see their friends, loved ones, and the sights. It's a intimate bonding activity, but seems to be very cathartic for those that partake.
Additionally, those that come by the Church frequently enough to be known faces at the "services" may also be approached by priests and priestesses and invited to join in smaller ceremonies. Always taking place during Springstar's dawn or dusk, these ceremonies have a markedly different vibe and are lead by Hieropoios Natalia herself. Attending these ceremonies is an exclusive honor that will reduce attendees' Discord and has a subtly addictive quality that will encourage them to return. Hm!
OOC NOTES
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kenoslogs.
Veyle | Fire Emblem Engage | Zenith Exalt
[Veyle dreams. She dreams that darkness finally took Elyos, that her father had his wish, and that she was gone along with everything else. In the end, it's almost a relief.
But not quite. She awakes with a start and a gasp for air, and a strange amethyst-like stone suspended above her that looks... almost like it could be a fragment of her own dragonstone. She's afraid of it for a moment, but it also doesn't seem right to leave it, so she gingerly takes it.
Is it the right thing to do? Maybe it would stay buried down here, with her. But she can hear movement or a voice, muffled nearby. Another survivor, maybe...? She tentatively pushes the dirt aside and pulls herself up and out of the earth, clutching the Shard to her chest. She's a slight girl dressed in a (slightly dirty) white dress, barefoot, with broken chains around her ankles. She locks eyes with another survivor, newly arrived like her or not, and the selfish relief passes into a realisation of the gravity of what happened. This person lost their home, too. She seems to be in a state of shock, or else on the verge of bursting into tears.]
I-I didn't... I never meant... [Then she blurts it out quickly, like a confession:] I think... this is my fault.
II. TWO CITIES - HIGHSTORM
[Though Veyle is instinctively afraid of large gatherings, Kathova nonetheless manages to coax her into attending the meeting at Highstorm. She acquires a new white dress and some small heels (though no one in the manor yet has been able to coax her to take off the chains around her ankles). While changing helps her feel a little better -- and fit in a little more for the occasion -- she's still too spooked to approach anyone for information.
Eventually, it's hunger that lures her over to the buffet table, and she piles a few meats and cheeses onto her plate to nibble on between the important business of... lurking. She's reaching for some crackers when she realises someone has the same idea as her, and she withdraws her hand, trying to sound a little less nervous than she feels.]
Oh, sorry! You can have them.
III. TWO CITIES - MERIDIAN
[Veyle also attends the gathering in Springstar. Though she's leaning towards Zenith and the kindness Yima had showed her, she wondered what it was about Meridian that meant people there just... hadn't given up. Shouldn't they? It seems so much easier not to fight what had already come to pass. The heavy military presence here makes this place more daunting than Highstorm, but so far, no one has been unkind to her, though that's perhaps because she hasn't harmonised yet.
Also unlike Highstorm, she has more confidence to approach strangers this time, only wringing her hands slightly as she stops beside someone and speaks up to get their attention. They might be Meridian, Zenith or neither; she has no real way of telling.]
Hello... Um, can I ask you a few questions?
IV. WILDCARD
[hit me up with something else! my plurk is
III
Hm? [He looked up... then down to see a young girl.] Me? You can, but I don't promise to know the answers to them.
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Maybe it was just a coincidence...? She decides to set the thought aside for now.]
I just... wanted to know why you're here. Um, aside from the food. [She offers a sheepish smile.] I hope that's not a strange thing to ask.
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[Beat.]
But I'm here for the food. It's free, so I'm stockpiling while I can.
[And this magical contraption called a 'freezer' meant even things like cooked meats could keep for a while! Amazing (also Byleth's invincible digestive system helped). He neatly closed his satchel (which was full to near bursting) and shifted his attention fully onto her.]
Why are you here? Did the food lure you in as well?
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[Should she maybe tell him to leave some for everyone else...? It looks like he can't carry any more anyway, so maybe it's fine.]
I-- um, I wanted to understand people better. Everyone must have different reasons for uniting under Meridian's goals. If you're with Meridian, could you tell me yours? Unless you also signed up in the first place for free food. [She giggles slightly at the thought.]
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[But what a question to be posed with! Byleth hadn't really sorted through his thoughts and feelings on the factions - he sided with Meridian because they were the closest to what he wanted, but he trusted them about as much as he could throw a Demonic Beast. That is to say: not at all.]
But I joined Meridian out of simple pragmatism. There're perks that the unharmonised do not have, and out of the two factions Meridian appealed to me the most. Zenith is giving up on your world, and that's something I cannot abide. My father and his mercenary company still remain in my realm, and I refuse to have him be lost to oblivion.
[His tone is calm, and his expression placid, but there is an intensity to his voice that hints at something far less so. Though he won't consciously think it or admit it, he'll burn Highstorm to the ground if it meant Jeralt's survival (but hopefully it won't come to that! Hopefully...)]
Aside from that, I have no other reason. I don't particularly trust Meridian or Zenith.
no subject
But for people who had caring families... Don't they deserve to see them again? She knows she's horrible for thinking the way she does, so she just bites her lip and says instead:]
I'm sorry you miss him. But, someone told me that Lady Yima can help you get your loved ones back. Maybe you could ask?
no subject
...that implies he's already lost. He isn't. Our worlds remain salvageable, and thus, there's no need to summon my father from oblivion, as he's not yet there.
[Ah. He's still deep in the denial stage.]
I'll keep it in mind should we fail to return to our worlds, though.
no subject
Even if it hurts.]
Um... Right. I shouldn't have assumed... I'm sorry.
[She means that sincerely. If he still has hope, she shouldn't take away. In fact, it's the kind of mindset she admires.]
Whatever happens, with the oracles or anything else... I hope you get to see him again.
no subject
[Some of the agitated intensity that had seeped into Byleth's frame eased, and he briefly looked away, his expression smoothing out once more.]
Thank you and... I'm sorry. My tone was sharper than it needed to be.
[It was something he found himself grappling with recently: the thought of Jeralt being gone had something restless and unpleasant vibrating through his bone marrow, that made him want to claw up the walls and tear them down at the same time. It was wholly irrational, yet the sheer strength behind the emotion unnerved him - so he just stuffed it into a figurative box and kicked it under the bed, hoping it would just resolve itself in the background somehow.]
Jeralt is very dear to me, so... I become defensive regarding his mortality. What of yourself? Are you of Zenith?
[Since she mentioned Yima and all.]
no subject
[Yima seems kind, motherly, the kind of person she can lean on without Zephia here. Meanwhile, Springstar shines too brightly for a fell dragon who prefers dark places, and the military scare her. She wants to be a good dragon now, not one who hurts people. Would she have to fight in Cyrus's army if she went along with him? Fight all the people who had been kind to her in Highstorm? The thought frightens her, and she bites her lip.]
I want to do the right thing. But no one can agree on what the right thing is, so they fight. It's sad...
no subject
[More than once Byleth had ruminated on the possibility of a pacifistic life, and every time he realised that it was a futile endeavour, so long as suffering and human evil existed in the world. Aside from the monsters that prowled the wilderness, one had to contend with bandits and criminals, knights with over-inflated egos, and the wars waged between leaders who existed so far above the commoners they may as well sit amongst the heavens - to be truly pacifistic was impossible. He had accepted that long ago.]
What's 'right' is a matter of perspective - yours. Whether that's Zenith or Meridian, so long as you can make that decision with little to no regret, then it'll be the correct one.
[...]
I'll give you an example of what I mean. My father once told me that we all must take lives to prolong our own. That was his way of rationalising the harsh life he led, one that required him to fight for coin not only for his sake, but for mine. Was it right? Some would say no, but to Jeralt, it was, and that was all that mattered to him. What is 'right' is a very personal concept.
no subject
[Maybe their fathers are not that different, when she puts it like that, but a human with that kind of mindset and someone as powerful as Sombron are very, very different. She looks down, twisting her hands together at all the painful memories.]
I don't want to be like that. But I don't want to stand by and do nothing when I can help, too.
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II. Two Cities - Highstorm
Know what? I'll give them to you.
[ He flattens his palm and gives Veyle's back a cheeky pap. Dark puts his plate down somewhere on the table and shovels up some meat that he'd hogged (it seems that meat dishes are presently unavailable and are presently being re-prepped by the staff because of him). He forks a couple of duck wings her way. ]
You can have some of this too.
( i apologize............ )
never be sorry i love him already
Oh, um, thank you. [She seems tense, but she does smile up at him in gratitude.] You're very kind.
[Even though he was hogging all the meat in the first place. Sharing is nice!]
no subject
Right? I'm sweeter than sugar, definitely the nicest and hottest guy you'll ever meet!
[ For all 400 years and more he's lived, Dark Schneider has literally never been called kind. Hot-headed, selfish, horny, showboaty, and rude? Yes, those words almost come daily. But never kind. This is a first for him.
Proud of the new adjective he's earned, he twirls his fingers in the back of Veyle's hair with a wolfish smirk worn on his lips. ]
So how about a reward then?
( VEYLE IS TOO SWEET AND DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE HARRASSED SDLKFJDG )
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She sets her plate down, checking the small pockets of her dress, but she really doesn't have much besides the keys to her accomodation at the manor.]
Um... I don't have anything to give you in return. I'm sorry. Maybe there's something I could do for you?
[An errand, maybe, or some other kind of favour...?]
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A couple of blinks later, Dark leans in and gives Veyle a suspicious sniff around the neck, as if he'll be able to figure it out through scent alone. ]
Are you a virgin?
[ The timing of asking this is terrible. ]
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Y-yes, I, um, never had a mate before, so...
[Aaand she's so flustered she said something decidedly not human-sounding. Maybe she should cut her losses and leave before she embarasses herself any further...]
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Don't worry, I'm not gonna ask for your virginity.
[ He says it reassuringly. Pulling his nose away from her and letting Veyle's hair slip through his fingers, he tips her chin up instead. ]
How about your name? I'd ask for a kiss, but it'd risk me changing back.
[ Dark does not give his own name, because he's accidentally in a habit of assuming everyone already knows him. Similar to Veyle, he also provides no explanation for the latter half of his phrasing. For all she knows he could be a frog prince. ]
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Change you back? Are you cursed?
[It sounds like a Firenese fairytale. Or at least she hopes it is, and not the old Elusian kinds that tended to have dark endings.]
I'm Veyle.
veyle.... i cry 🥺
[ Maybe the world she comes from isn't too different than his own if she can speak of curses so easily. ]
A seal's the better way to put it, but given the crybaby I'm stuck with, it's not wrong to call it a curse either.
[ Oh? Is she worried? Dark thinks that's cute! It's fanning his insufferable ego and everything. ]
You know about magic, or was it just a lucky guess?
🥺 shes fine
I do know magic. I don't know how to lift seals like that, though.
[Fell dragon magic is purely destructive, it can't heal or help people in that way.]
There's someone who could help you, but... she isn't here. [And whether Zephia would help if there's nothing in it for her... she's not so sure.] Maybe Lady Yima knows someone who can help? She seems kind.
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Your theory is a cute one, but our souls are literally fused together. Can't help but think something really fucked up might happen if anyone tried to separate and reconstruct us apart with magic at this point. If I could've undone that old man's seal and made a new other half or something without it messing up who either of us are, I'd have done it myself by now...
[ That's whatever, though. Dark has accepted the fact that he's a reincarnation of himself by this point.]
I have more important stuff to worry about if I'm gonna try asking favors from that MILF Yima.
[ What a headache. He's got to harmonize with one of the factions to get his powers back and he doesn't like that a bit. ]
I didn't think a little lady like you would practice magic. What's your specialty?
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[Fortunately for her, she's distracted by his own question, so she doesn't dwell on it for long.]
I use dark magic. I only try to use it to help people, though... [And it's not something she likes to talk about at length, if the guilt and sadness in her expression is any indication, so she prefers to focus on him instead.] What happened to you to get your soul fused with someone else's? You said an old man did it to you...?
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😭😭😭 ............................. noooooo!!!!!
she's a great judge of character
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