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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.
feel free to timeskip the explanation if neededfnewnf
Sieglinde knows there's something wrong from the moment Sebastian says it. She is still, and everything else is falling away. The cold of the snow, the fall of it arrested by the umbrella, the handkerchief in her hand, the bruises forming on her bony knees, the throb of her feet, the wet soaking into her hastily pulled on dress...
Lady Yima. The voice... the woman's voice that had been in her head before she was reborn? Shards? Like the emerald stone she had found embedded in the skin in the back of her hand?]
No, I...
[Her voice feels so small, and she can't even resent it for how little it makes her, when all her life she had been raised to be a lord, a leader, a witch-]
When they brought me here, I... I must have fainted, I haven't...
[She only remembered bits and pieces of what she'd been told at the tree, hazy, feverish recollections of words and people's faces.]
I can only save one person... ?
ty lmao 🙏
At first, yes. There may be others, but they are only given as rewards, from my understanding…
[ And so, he explains. His explanation is to the point and professional, giving exactly the amount of information about Kenos and its troubles. It’s all truthful and fairly objective, but of course there’s a little push in how he frames things towards Zenith. It’s what he’s chosen, that Meridian may claim to return homes yet there’s no proof, all small, logical framings.]
bless
But now they are real, and in this moment... She has only Sebastian's word on how this world operates.
She trusts him, though. Why wouldn't she? Next to her ladies and Wolfram... there is only Sebastian.
Who tells her that he has seen the same vision, that they all have... that the Lady Yima plucks shards from the universe and is responsible for their rebirth here... that the shards are their souls given form, that there were powers here unlike she had ever imagined, that there was "Meridian" and "Zenith", that some still believed in the hope of their world's survival... So much. She has so many questions. But if she must ask just one to start...]
And you're sure...
[By what metrics could such a thing be measured? Was there a spell that could identify-]
You're sure that the shard you have is Ciel's... ?
[If she could only save one...]
no subject
[ With more certainty than she could know. Or at least at this point. He’ll have to tell her eventually since he’d much rather she heard the truth from him than someone else, but… In time. Just arriving was shocking enough, especially considering her isolation.
He offers her an arm this time to pull herself up as he continues speaking. He already has half a mind for her answer, after all. ]
…Would you like to see it for yourself to be certain? It is but a short walk to my home, if you would allow me to escort you.
[ Carry her, he means. But just as unbeknownst to her is that this offer is one that’s quite special. No one, not even Silco has seen Ciel’s Shard directly. Sebastian was intensely protective of it, if for poor reasons. ]
no subject
When she is offered a chance to inspect a shard for herself, though...]
Please.
[She'd learned to use that word far more in English since his instructions. Please. She just had to see for herself, she wanted to feel or know what it is he claimed.
Automatically, she lifts her arms to be picked up.]
no subject
Of course. It is a difficult thing to process, I understand.
[ Though it was only seen through others than by himself. It had been a simple exchange for him. But regardless, he starts to head in the direction of his home and now shields them both from the weather. At least on the way… He might as well prepare her for some things. He’ll start with the simplest. ]
…As a small matter. You are not allergic to cats by any chance, are you?
no subject
[It's such a sudden leap that if she were lesser mind it would have left her a bit bamboozled, but Sieglinde is smart, even in the midst of this pressure and confusion, and with only a moment of wonder-]
I... I do not know. Keeping animals would have been a distraction from researching the Ultimate Spell, so only the village women had them...
[He has... cats? It just seems like such an absurd thing to be thinking of here in the dawn of the end of the world. But... it wasn't the dawn for him, or the others she's met here... was it.]
no subject
[ He trails off thoughtfully as he considers it, but with a shake of his head, he at least elaborates on why he’s asking. ]
The young master was quite allergic, hence why I ask. I love cats rather dearly, but I was never allowed to keep them at the manor. So, Cesare and Farnese are my little darlings and my little indulgence.
[ It’s probably almost funny, how serious he still is while talking about cats so lovingly… It seems like even the perfect butler has interests and hobbies outside of work, though he’d never breathed a word of it at her manor. Granted, there was too much to do to ever get into it, but it will at least make it a bit clearer that the end of the world is less urgent than the matter that brought Sebastian and Ciel to her village, clearly. ]
no subject
And there are two cats named Cesare and Farnese where she is going. Darlings.]
I am sure I will be fine...
[What was the cat etiquette on this issue? Should she... ask about them? None of Sebastian's lessons had ever covered what to do with animal lovers...]
no subject
Here we are…
[ He steps up onto the stoop and with an excuse me closes the umbrella to free up his hand a bit. He reaches into his jacket to grab a small ring of keys, then unlocks and opens the door. The immediate view is a narrow hallway with stairs leading up, but after setting the umbrella by the door, he steps into the first doorway to lead to a parlor. The decor is decidedly dark and sumptuous, a stylish area with a several plus chairs and a small grand piano. It’s a perfect spot for entertaining, at least as a Victorian would consider it. He sets her at a chair and then starts to remove his own coat, ever proper. ]
First, would you like tea or other refreshments, Master Sullivan? Luckily there are quite a few people that unexpectedly drop in, so I keep my stocks of both quite fresh and pleasing to the palate.
no subject
But then they have arrived. Falling silent from the overwhelmed questions she'd at least managed to keep up with before, she stares at what is... a home. Sebastian has a home here, in Kenos. Their worlds are gone, and-
She comes back to herself when he places her down on a chair, summoning what remains of her authority to sit more properly, to make a throne of what she has.]
No thank you, Sebastian. Please... allow me to inspect Ciel's shard forthwith.
[It is important.]
no subject
[ Calling the Shard “him” instead of “it” is a choice of word that’s intentional, thought not heartfelt. It’s just a little twist of phrase to solidify the idea of what Yima can do, and therefore to encourage her to do the same. He gives a small bow of his head, then heads upstairs to get it from the small study that he’s designated as his personal quarters.
(…Though he does also stop by on the way to tell Sveinn to be both a good boy and to be very quiet while they have guests. He’ll have to get in contact with Silco to see if he finds keeping Sveinn down in Kowloon acceptable until Sieglinde has adjusted to the point that she can meet him. Eventually.)
It doesn’t take long, but in that time, there is a very fluffy orange cat with a very cute collar and bell that peers curiously into the parlor to see who’s visiting. But it doesn’t take long before he ambles over to Sieglinde to say hello. If she’s able to inspect his collar, she’ll find a nametag that identifies this very well-groomed cat as “Farnese”. Footsteps down the stairs signal Sebastian’s return, and with that, Farnese will trot over to a window overlooking the street instead to people-watch.
He returns with a small mahogany lockbox, which he sets on the table in front of her with a small nod. ]
It is already unlocked, so go ahead. Do be careful, though.
[ And indeed, inside the box is a crystalline rock of brilliant blue, though flecked with black at its edges. That couldn’t possibly mean anything, nope. Like all Shards that Yima gives, actually interacting with it through Communion isn’t possible, but picking it up still gives the immediate recognition. There’s no doubt about it: this is the young man who had been in her care. ]
no subject
And there is a cat. If this were her own manor or another day she might excitedly try to get it to approach her, intent on exploring the softness of its fur or seeing how it acted, but now…
Sebastian returns, and the cat trots amiably away.
Instead, she has a box. One she hesitated a moment to open unsure if she was afraid to find nothing or something within… but she has to open it eventually. She shard is beautiful, it sparkles in the light, but in her hands.
It feels like Ciel.
She doesn’t know how to explain why. She doesn’t know why tears spring ready to her eyes as she stares down at it, her fingers curling anxiously around the rock that had once been her patient, the rare visitor from the outside world who had taught her so much. As only a girl completely deprived of childhood and friendship could she had latched on rather quickly to the boy, but…]
How is it I can be so sure it is him… ?
[Her voice is small, directed more at the shard than anywhere else.]
It could be… It could easily be a spell or trick, and yet I am so sure he is there…
no subject
However, as tears come to her eyes, it’s easy to push that reflexive feeling away. Sebastian dips down onto one knee next to her chair so that he’s not towering over her so much. It’s a gesture meant to provide comfort, as well as to convey a sympathy and seriousness that he doesn’t completely feel. ]
...It is strange, is it not?
[ He responds with a rhetorical question to her own, and that’s at least honest. He had doubted what Yima had promised him until he had held it in his own hands and laid eyes on it. He has a certainty that she can’t have, after all. By looking at it with his real eyes… He knew. This was his little master, reduced to nothing more than a rock. ]
I cannot explain how it is possible, but I suppose it is little stranger than our own souls becoming such a thing, apparently. These are just… inert in a way that ours are not, apparently. It is why they do not manifest with a body as we do.
[ Sebastian reaches out to first brush his gloved fingers lightly against the Shard, but then to settle over Sieglinde’s small hand more firmly. ]
It is not the same, obviously. But it is a comfort to know his soul was at least saved.
no subject
[Sebastian's hand comes to rest over Sieglinde's, and her fingers curl reflexively over Ciel's brilliant blue shard, holding it tight and warm in her palm, still ever careful with the patient that she had cared for so diligently. Her first... the first time she'd ever met someone near to her own age, her first "friend"...
A comfort. It was, and yet-
She may not know everything yet that there was to know about this place, but she'd heard whispers from the room, on her way through the halls on the little crutches she'd been provided with. After a long silence filled only with sniffling attempts to keep her tears in her eyes, Sieglinde's voice finally slips out once more.]
And the one who brought us all here... she will save one for me, too?
no subject
She will. In return, she only asks that you work with Zenith. In my experience, Lady Yima rewards those who work hard on her behalf.
[ He gives her hand a small squeeze that’s also meant to be reassuring. ]
The Shard she gives is a promise of her own dedication, I think. But I know that she can grant more as well.
no subject
Needs them to be.]
Then if I work hard enough... I might one day be able to save the shards of all the villagers?
[It's more a question to the air than it is to him, like she's already decided that must be how it has to be. If she could only save Wolfram, and not the women whose safety she had been tasked with... ?]
Sebastian... You must tell me everything I need to know about this place.
no subject
[ He wouldn’t be that surprised, considering his own limitations here in Kenos, but obviously he doesn’t mention that. That’s a conversation for later, but it also would give her a twinge of doubt that he doesn’t want her to have. ]
But more than just one, yes. I am certain of that.
[ He stands from her side, since her demand is reasonable, but it’s also a long explanation. He might as well get more comfortable. He grabs the chair from the opposite side of the small table and pulls it to her side so that he can at least stay comfortingly close while he explains. ]
So, indeed. There is much to explain. Please, just interrupt if you have questions, Master Sullivan—
[ And with that, Sieglinde will get the Sebastian Info Dump™, hooray for her ]