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SEPTEMBER 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.
However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.
The welcoming party is in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly fading winter -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to an abundant harvest from Alenroux. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.
The mood in Springstar as a whole is jubilant, with not just a party at the seat of the tribune, but elsewhere, including the Psychagogía district. Parties line the streets, establishments that overflow with bodies, drink, and libations of all sorts. There is a sense of excitement in capturing the latest oracle, and the people seem to treat the shard-bearers of Meridian somewhat reverently, and new ones, they will pull aside and explain with excitement about how the Shard-Bearers captured the oracle (with varying degrees of accuracy) and how it is because of them that they will be seen to victory. Cyrus’s name, however, still comes with notes of disdain. It’s clear that the Tribune has not bought much good favor by their victory, and instead, if any ask, or follow the threads, they will hear the names Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen as likely successors to the Tribune. However if one asks how that happens… details become a bit more muddy. Apparently, the role of the Tribune is for life. And apparently, the denizens of Springstar trust the Shard-Bearers to see the oracles through, and still see Cyrus as a weak link in their chain.
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. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world.
The city itself is more muted than usual. The last dregs of Highstorm’s chill summer are coming to an end, and the cold is an opportunity for Highstorm’s denizens to batter in more frequently, and the chill may have something to do with the lost oracle. Though, if asked, they’ll say nothing of the sort, of course! In opposition to Springstar’s mixed jubilation and doubt, Highstorm’s denizens seem determined that lady Yima will see them through, and that one loss is no reason to fall into despair. Though they are still disappointed, and will say so. Though blame does not seem to have a target, mere disappointment filters through the city, as they start preparing for winter. The prices seem higher, whether one is looking for potions, supplies, or even small trinkets from the The Antiques & Baubles Market. Things seem… leaner in a sense. There’s nobody starving on the streets in Highstorm, but the control of Alenroux continues to lead to tense relations, even though a compromise seems to have been recently reached between the two factions.
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.
However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.
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.The welcoming party is in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly fading winter -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to an abundant harvest from Alenroux. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.
The mood in Springstar as a whole is jubilant, with not just a party at the seat of the tribune, but elsewhere, including the Psychagogía district. Parties line the streets, establishments that overflow with bodies, drink, and libations of all sorts. There is a sense of excitement in capturing the latest oracle, and the people seem to treat the shard-bearers of Meridian somewhat reverently, and new ones, they will pull aside and explain with excitement about how the Shard-Bearers captured the oracle (with varying degrees of accuracy) and how it is because of them that they will be seen to victory. Cyrus’s name, however, still comes with notes of disdain. It’s clear that the Tribune has not bought much good favor by their victory, and instead, if any ask, or follow the threads, they will hear the names Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen as likely successors to the Tribune. However if one asks how that happens… details become a bit more muddy. Apparently, the role of the Tribune is for life. And apparently, the denizens of Springstar trust the Shard-Bearers to see the oracles through, and still see Cyrus as a weak link in their chain.
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. Soft tunes filter over the courtyard, and if the sounds of them sound familiar – perhaps remind one of home? That’s because they are! Yima’s musicians seem to be able to pilfer strings and strands of music, and weave it all together expertly, to give both new arrivals and old friends reminders of their home.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. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world.
The city itself is more muted than usual. The last dregs of Highstorm’s chill summer are coming to an end, and the cold is an opportunity for Highstorm’s denizens to batter in more frequently, and the chill may have something to do with the lost oracle. Though, if asked, they’ll say nothing of the sort, of course! In opposition to Springstar’s mixed jubilation and doubt, Highstorm’s denizens seem determined that lady Yima will see them through, and that one loss is no reason to fall into despair. Though they are still disappointed, and will say so. Though blame does not seem to have a target, mere disappointment filters through the city, as they start preparing for winter. The prices seem higher, whether one is looking for potions, supplies, or even small trinkets from the The Antiques & Baubles Market. Things seem… leaner in a sense. There’s nobody starving on the streets in Highstorm, but the control of Alenroux continues to lead to tense relations, even though a compromise seems to have been recently reached between the two factions.
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 AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Since the Blight’s conclusion, both cities have undergone a fair bit of effort to reconstruct the districts and buildings that were destroyed in the Blight, though Springstar seems a touch further along than Highstorm, due to Shard-bearer efforts. The unusual weather pockets present previously have very nearly all disappeared, though there are some patches still present, lingering in the areas still somewhat ravaged by the Blight. The pockets seem to be losing their effects now, and if one finds themself within, will experience a mild slowing down or speeding up of time. Visions still appear within the small bubbles, reflections of dear ones or important events, though they seem to be only memory, though anyone within the bubble can bear witness.FURTHER DETAILS
OOCly, characters can still stumble into small bubbles of time, though they are fewer and far between than they were 3 months ago! These time bubbles still have some time-warping energy, and will continue to allow characters to either speed up or slow down, depending on player preference! In addition, the time bubbles are no longer bringing back remnants of Kenosians past, but there is still the chance of some memory reflections to briefly manifest in the bubble. They will come from player characters as a whole, and are purely up to whatever is fun for you! Think of it as brief flickers of memory sharing, they can be as brief or as distorted as you like! Think of this as the last gasp of the Blight, as it withers away thanks to the concentrated efforts of all shard bearers!
CHECKS AND BALANCES
Alenroux continues to improve, and with the new balance between both Springstar and Highstorm, the separate island is safer than ever! The tensions between both factions seem to have reduced over the island, thanks to the efforts of several shard bearers, and the populace seems to be warming to both factions once again.FURTHER DETAILS
After the resolution of the first Kenos Ambassador agreement, the balance of power in Alenroux is already starting to shift. The island already has a much more evenly-matched number of military forces from both Springstar and Highstorm, the number of troops in the area has reduced significantly. The number of monsters does not seem to have increased at this time, which bodes well for the area. The uptick of Highstorm locals has certainly led to more food flowing into Highstorm than had before, and the people seem pleased with the arrangement – for the moment! The small murmurs of discontent and unrest seem to have alleviated at this time. Though some still seem uncomfortable with the amount of troops, they seem less willing to say that out loud. Though nights in Alenroux will possibly never be wholly safe, the threats seem more manageable, though nobody will ever turn down Shard-Bearer assistance in a pinch!
TO INFINITY – AND BEYOND
Rumbling about temples being erected in the Beyond, which lies outside of Highstorm’s city limits, close to another that had been erected previously. Not one shrine out there, but two it seems. It shines like the sun when the moonlight catches it just right, and it’s visible over the line of trees that marks the edge of the Beyond. The more brave and curious of Highstorm’s denizens have started making more treks into the Beyond for both shrines, and the fact that most come back unharmed seems to encourage others to follow. And for those that may not be able to make the trek safely, there's an opportunity to make a bit of money by leading the way to the shrines and offering the curious pilgrims protection from the Beyond's dangers. There’s rumbling amongst them – Quetzalcoatl – Set – the names of gods of worlds long past, and though there are not many that will stray from Highstorm’s resident deified figure – Lady Yima – there are enough that it’s easy to catch pilgrimages out to the temple, and to visit them yourselves, as well!FURTHER DETAILS
Quetzalcoatl erected a bright and gigantic temple right next to Set's in the Beyond! Right next to Highstorm! I'm sure that's fine and will not have any diplomatic consequences in the future! Both gods have been drawing in new curious individuals – some who may be worshippers with time – and it's drawn the curiosity of many.
SMALLER CHANGES
GRAND LARCENY
An uptick in crime between both Springstar and Highstorm has both the Legion and Yima’s own private guard scrambling as they struggle to find rhyme or reason behind the latest crime spree taken up in both cities. Though there doesn’t seem to be a specific source, local chatter suggests that it might be coming from a mysterious underground, though most can’t say where... there’s vague gestures, and remarks about Below, without any concrete details. Those who are familiar with – or find out about – Kowloon, may find plenty of stolen items within Kowloon’s markets, though if asked, the keeper will simply shrug and say they retrieved it from a reputable source. Who? Well, they don’t know, they don’t remember their face. I’m sure this is fine and won’t lead to trouble later down the line!
Completely unrelated, those who are known to be or obviously affiliated with Springstar continue to encounter difficulty in Kowloon. It’s become a touch more brazen – more pickpocketing, even higher prices, or even some outright derisiveness from some businesses, although they seem to be centered more around Draumahol, and the further one gets from the business in the underground city (or as far as one can get) the more willing businesses seem to engage with those from Springstar, and the more… apologetic they are about higher prices, though they do still seem to be across the board.
FAE MISCHEIF
It’s not just the underground that seems to be reeling from a spike of theft, though this one seems more obvious – and innocuous! Faeries from the Greenwood Yard seem to still be reeling from recent Shard-Bearer intrusions, so bearers new and old may find small items of varying importance are missing. They’ll generally come with a calling card; a small note that is part threat and part invitation for a game, to come find them within the Greenwood Yards. After hearing about the issue, a certain potion shop owner sets up a small stall by the yards, and will offer to help the shard bearer with their predicament – for a price, of course! Better have a few gold coins on you!
The owner will offer bearers a round-trip to tiny town yet again, to retrieve whatever was stolen, though this time it comes with no visions, and generally the fairies will consider things to be even, if bearers come to retrieve it with politeness and a request for it to be returned. If a bearer threatens them… well. Let’s hope you brought a friend along to help with this fae threat, then!
OOC NOTES
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kenoslogs.
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He regards the other god without the sunglasses, icy blue eyes meeting fiery red, and toothy smile meeting toothy smile. His teeth are distinctly feline. Of course. ]
Calling it his pantheon is irritating, but I’ll let it go since he was here first, apparently.
[ Just as Set leans in to sniff at what makes up Tezcatlipoca, he does the same, though more stoically. Tezcatlipoca is darkness and smoke that bears the earthy scent of copal, but his divinity is also vast once Set immerses himself in it. It’s not necessarily power, but Tezcatlipoca is simply more--He is four divinities in one, and though three had sloughed off to make unique gods of their own, they were still a part of him. He’ll even find the fragments of Quetzalcoatl herself in there, though her piece is certainly the weakest so far as what remains in this god. And that’s what he smells lingering on Set too. ]
Smells like the bird brain got his hands on you, too. Gotta hope that you’re giving my brother a hard time, then.
[ But that’s all he’ll say about Quetzalcoatl, at least to start. As much as he might be curious what his opposite has been up to here, that’s secondary to the rest of the more interesting things that Set says. He pulls back from taking his measure of Set’s soul, then gives a lazy, sloping shrug. ]
Sounds like you and me are on the same page. I ain’t in the habit of accepting those who aren’t warriors, so if Zenith is full of a bunch of lazy fuckers, sounds like I’ve got my work cut out for me. They fight with all they’ve got, or they die. Even sounds like with these Shards that I’ll get to kill ‘em a few times over until they get the lesson.
[ It’s so brutally stated that it would be shocking for anyone else to hear, surely, but it might as well be a pleasant conversation for two war gods. Or, close enough in Tezcatlipoca’s case. ]
‘Course, I’ll be siccing them on your people, from the sounds of it. How’s Meridian’s side of things? They got anyone worth respecting?
no subject
[ He taps his chin, thoughtful and glad for the frank conversation all at once. It's the kind of chatter he shares with Sebastian at times, but on an entirely different level — one built on the intrinsic, brutal understanding of the divinity that flows through them. Beings like himself and Tezcatlipoca speak in absolutes because they were made in absolutes, an opinion from them is practically reality-defining ( in Kenos, thankfully, they have limits! ). It has been a long time since anyone felt close to Set's mind, his understanding of things.
They fight with all they have, or they are not allowed to exist, in his opinion. To hear it shared by the other god makes an old ache within him wake, a furious thing that had been resigned to coaxing from afar beginning to rise again. ] Meridian's people are resilient and border on feral, I have found. They believe have so much more to lose, and are hungry for victories that give them everything they want, without compromise. I am not simply saying that because they are my chosen side, either. The respectable ones... Hayame, is the foremost. Her potential is staggering.
[ Quetzalcoatl is a given Powerhouse, but she's also Stupid. He loves her, in his own way, but disagrees on some of her methods. He definitely finds her abundant love for humanity gross! Yuck! ]
Your brother and I have found places where we align, and many more where we do not. She — her strength is useful. She keeps antagonizing my favorite Zenite, though. Silco, if you meet him. He is everything Zenith ought to be, the rotten little cuss.
[ ( Affectionate. ) ]
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[ He nods, since he’s also confident that Set feels the same way. Neither one of them has a stake in the goal so much as the path it takes to get there. Whatever either of them might feel about those promises is irrelevant in the face of the compulsion of their domains and divinity.
At this point, Tezcatlipoca withdraws his hand, and he looks at the little wounds idly as they evaporate into smoke. Here in Communion, he feels more like himself than when he’s stuck with the annoyances of a mortal body. Is what it is, though. Though he’s not exactly free of some of the more mortal compulsions that come with such a physical body. He clicks his tongue in light irritation at the urge, but with a shrug, he holds out the same hand and simply wills a cigarette into it. Nicotine addiction is a bitch. ]
But sounds like Meridian is good either way. I’ll have fun throwing my people against ‘em as much as I’d have leading ‘em.
[ There’s those absolutes again, the sort of arrogance that only gods can have. Tezcatlipoca has truly only just gotten here, but he still speaks of the people in the factions like he’s a king ruling over them or conquering them. It’s simply how he sees them, at least as a whole. As individuals, it might be different. That all depends on whether they’d end up at his campfire or not. ]
—Honestly, I was pitting myself and my resources against a group like Meridian before all this shit. They were kinda pathetic and clung too hard to trying to resolve things without making sacrifices. So. Here’s hoping that these guys are better. You know about my pantheon, so you know saving the world or destroying it is all the same shit to me. I just want to see whether these mortals have what it takes to seize their outcome.
[ He nods to his cigarette and it lights up again through will alone. He takes a puff with a little sigh, half because it’s stupid that he’s doing this, he knows, but also half because he sees Quetzalcoatl is up to the usual, as it turns out. ]
But yeah, that sounds about right for Birdie. You won’t find many gods in the world with more raw strength and power. But mentally— [ He raps on the side of his own head with a laugh ] Nothin’ going on upstairs. I’ll take a shot in the dark and guess that Quetzalcoatl has decided he knows what’s best for this Silco fella. Bad habit of his. He’s the kinda god that’s beloved by humanity, but he doesn’t really get ‘em.
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You have no idea how satisfying it is to hear you say that.
[ Placing a hand to his chest, Set sighs a content little sound, coiling within his mind like an indulgent snake after a satisfying meal, or a cat that's found a comfortable place in the sun or upon a textured surface that's pleasing. To hear another god, war-like in essence, decree that they would be at odds because that would create a suitable schism. To be understood in terms of domain and divinity, and not just as a creature capable of replicating human emotion and connection — it's reassuring, in a way that might cause others to be unhappy.
To think that their side would lose out on a god, for something as arbitrary as two divinities being incapable of being on the same side. ]
They are good, because I have helped shape them to be. I was thinking of converting to Zenith, simply to begin rallying them to the cause, but with your presence arriving to do just that — I can continue bolstering my chosen. I find Zenith dull and fainéant, but they are relying on a few solid players to drive their faction beyond simple acceptance of their fate. They do not all know they must defend what they want, wholeheartedly.
[ Once they learn that, he feels that Zenith will rise to the occasion. They cannot simply believe that because the worlds are already gone, that their work is simply done — their wishes fulfilled and the next place awaiting them. They must defend their stance, and ensure all worlds remain dead and gone.
He thinks about it, about how suitable he'd be for Zenith even now, but agrees to Tezcatlipoca's deal. ]
It is the same to me. Creation and destruction are both within my power, as the only child of Ra here. What matters to me, is that the effort put into either victory is whole of heart and true of conviction. Anyone who lacks in drive and motivation does not deserve to ride the coattails of the hard-workers.
[ Well.
Lessa's here too, but their Ra's are not EXACTLY the same. And the note about Quetzalcoatl is one that Set takes to heart; she does seem a little, generous with her love, and he had been revolted by Yima's own affection — her open-armed embrace of Osiris in his vision had meant, to him, that there was no discerning factor, no consideration of someone over another. Only permission for them to do whatever to one another, so long as she was not required to intervene. He'd never accept that kind of love, nor protection. ]
You and I are alike, in our desires for the conflict. What about your personal desires, though? Even a god as mighty as you, or Ra, has them.
1/2......... why did you ask this question set
Ahh… Well, not sure if that’s good news because it means I got plenty of work ahead of me or bad news if I’m putting my lot in with a bunch of lazy fuckers.
[ He clicks his tongue in disappointment, but it’s clearly the exact same sort as Set’s. Tezcatlipoca couldn’t acknowledge anyone passive or who lacked drive. He’d more readily end their lives himself than allow them to squander what they’ve been given, but tempting though that may be, this isn’t Mictlan. He may be arrogant and unyielding, but he’s also not a fool. These aren’t his lands or even associated with them at all, so far as he can tell. It’s not his right to do so.
…Well, not seemingly arbitrarily, anyways. If they refuse to rise up to the occasion and falter before him, that’s a different story. ]
Well, doesn’t matter, I guess. Sounds like we’re on the same page, so that makes that part of things easy. I won’t get ahead of myself to speculate about anything else. At least not ‘till I get a more personal idea of what I’m working with. From the sounds of it, hope I can whip a few of them into shape. If not, well. [ He shrugs ] They’re not worthy to stand before me, so they’d better hope I’m not shaping the world is what I’ll say.
[ To even let in a few would seem odd when his purges were so absolute, but… Sure, if that’s how this works, he guesses a few who have proven themselves could make it to the next stage. ]
also spoilers for lostbelt 7 if there are any wayward souls reading this
Good question. Dunno.
[ It’s a disappointing answer, but an honest one. ]
Honestly, getting dragged here fucked up my plans real good. ‘Cause if Oblivion ate up my world, that’s fine with me. That’s what I was helping a guy with anyways, just called it a different name. A bigger end than anything even I could do, so no more Cycles at all—A definitive “the end.” So, I feel like I’m supposed to say that. But that’s a contradictory desire, even for me, considering it’s done. I guess I just wanted to see my guy pull it off is the difference.
[ Tezcatlipoca thinks of Daybit with the last sentence, and his expression does pull into a small frown. The emotion with it is brief, but complex. There’s admiration and nostalgia that’s warm and fond, but it’s tinged deeply with disappointment. That wouldn’t be surprising in itself—Tezcatlipoca had just explained that it was a goal left unfulfilled, so what could be more frustrating to gods as driven as the two of them? But it’s disappointment that’s more personal. Not grief necessarily (how would a god so strongly tied to destruction feel such a thing—), but certainly loss.
He taps out (unnecessary) ashes from the cigarette, and the pang is gone as quickly as it appears. ]
I’ll have to get back to you on that one.