[closed] cross-faction talks

[inutilis]

Who: Emet-Selch, Liem, Howl, Misa, Abel, Ernesto, Alphinaud, Hiccup
What: Cross-faction therapy talks
Where: Sovereign Shrine
When: July 6th(ish), mid-afternoon
Warnings: None anticipated? Will update if necessary!

It is an unremarkable afternoon in Horos; the sun is shining, the breeze is breezing, and among the quiet reverie of the Sovereign’s Shrine… a slow trickle of Aion begin to congregate.

Emet-Selch and Abel bid you welcome to the day’s endeavors, laying out the only rules of the land: this is a place for discussion, and violence is absolutely not permitted. Everyone here has agreed to be on their best behavior and if talks are getting heated - there’s plenty of room to cool one’s head beyond the Shrine’s entranceway beneath the calming sunlight where one might take in the sight of the surrounding mountains’ peaks.

After the events in Venera, tensions may be running high between certain parties and the escalation between sects seems inevitable. Whether you’ve come here to discuss the possibility of diffusing those tensions or are looking to stoke the flames all the hotter… speak your piece. No one knows if you’ll get a second chance in such a setting, after all. Who’s to say what the future holds…?

[ ooc notes: please use the OPEN DISCUSSION thread as a network-style free for all! We’re expecting dialogue-heavy, introspection lite boomeranging here to keep the conversation moving since there are a lot of parties involved. Threadjacking is encouraged! If there’s anything you’d like to take to a 1 on 1 or smaller group, hit up the CLOSED DISCUSSION thread for a deeper dive in a quieter setting. OPEN MIC is the spot for you to bring up whatever you’ve been dying to ask everyone. Or to stir the pot. You do you. ]

Comments

QUESTIONS

[inutilis]

OPEN DISCUSSION

[inutilis]

Once all parties have gathered, a simple ice-breaker to get the conversation started is posed to all present.

Abel spreads his hands, sending a glance across the way to Emet-Selch standing with his fellow Kenoma.

“...Well, I suppose the burning question on everyone’s minds would be why you’re here, exactly. Not just here, today, but where you stand - with the Pleroma, with the Kenoma… within yourself. We’ve all made a choice, right?”

The question is: why?

[galdorleod]

Howl recognizes each of the Pleroma Aions who showed up for this thing today — yes, even the short silver-haired elf-like boy, who is unmistakably the same child he saw in Estinien's memories months ago. They all look good, better than Howl would expect them to if they were living out in the woods somewhere, but as hot as his curiosity is burning he knows that none of them are going to let slip where they're hiding.

So the wizard crosses his arms, looks among the faces of those gathered — except Emet-Selch, who he seems to be distinctly ignoring — and lets out a soft little sigh.

"Alright. I'll go first, then. I'm most interested in hearing about why you're still on the side you're on after Venera."

His eyes drift for a moment to Abel. Howl knows that he's one of the people especially involved in what happened with the Innocence being, so if he's interested in anyone's response it's his — but the attitudes of all Pleroma are relevant here.

"The Regent told us that thing was the Pleroma itself — or a manifestation of it, something like that. I can only assume that you deny that claim if you continue to align yourselves as you do."

Okay, yes, this has nothing to do with why Howl has been a Kenoma since the beginning, but let's not focus on the details here.

[sageguidance]

Alphinaud listens, hands folded behind his back; once Howl is finished, he nods once.

"From what I understand, the Regent has explained that this being, born from Innocence, was our doing," Alphinaud says. "Of course, this is only secondhand information—pray, correct me if there is aught wrong there. However, none of the Pleroma that stand with us now understand whence it came, nor has any one person confessed to being the cause of its existence."

If there is anyone, understandably, they have kept quite silent about it, but Alphinaud would like to think there isn't such a person.

"However," he continues, before that answer sits for too long. "we can surmise it is an Aion, yet not one we currently present would be familiar with. 'Tis my theory, then, that ere its... transformation, it were aligned with the Pleroma, hence the Regent's claims."

[galdorleod]

Ah, so the boy is going to answer first? Howl sends one more curious glance at Abel before shifting his attention to the child.

"You're saying that thing used to be a Pleroma Aion?" he asks in disbelief. Mostly because of how matter-of-factly the boy explained their working theory. Doesn't that have some pretty horrible implications for what the Pleroma's influence could do to them??

[sterngaze]

Liem is unfamiliar with most of the Pleroma who arrive to meet with them. His cautious greeting is respectful, but he’s reserving judgment on the trustworthiness of the meeting’s Pleroma participants—even the priest who rescued him from an unknown fate crumpled on Venera’s streets.

Howl raises an interesting point about the nature of the entity that plagued Horos during the Innocent’s month, but it doesn’t fully answer the topic Abel led with. In the spirit of honest discourse, Liem volunteers his own viewpoint once the other discussion seems to be subsiding.

“My own induction into the Kenoma sect was… fraught at best. I’m also aware that those of you who arrived in Horos before I did were similarly coerced by those loyal to the Regent, though ultimately unsuccessfully. I’m sure this hasn’t endeared you toward our cause.”

He pauses briefly, wondering how best to word what he wants to say. He’d like to avoid baldly speaking ill of the Regent in the hearing of other members of the Kenoma, but a perceived loyalty to them would doubtlessly generate further mistrust from even the most charitably minded Pleroma member.

“I’m here because, regardless of the Regent’s methods, I believe in the inevitability and the rightness of what the Kenoma represents. All things end—and must be allowed to end. I think we’ve all seen evidence that the end of Creation is at hand, and I think we owe it to all those in this existence and the next to ensure the transition goes well.”

[goldendeceiver]

Ernesto watches Liem carefully, smiling quirking up on one side as he hears just how careful Liem is being with the wording in all of this. It's true that the Regent didn't do a whole lot to endear themselves to the Pleroma, especially the first rounders, though he would think that should be true of the Kenoma as well.

Ah well, different strokes for different folks, right? And sounds like some of them are more on the impatient side.

"If it's happening anyways thanks to some kind of cosmic balance at play, is there a lot of point in speeding up the process? Sounds like it's already happening as it should, and meddling with the process leaves a lot of room for making things worse."

[galdorleod]

"Stars above — that's rather merciless, for the side of Goodness and Hope," Howl interjects with a smile. "Haven't you ever heard of putting the suffering out of their misery? There's nothing holy about a 'natural' process if there's a need for intervention."

[dragon_rider]

Hiccup's quiet for a long moment as he listens to the others. Arms folded against his chest as he tilts his head between the group and then downwards. Of course, there are some things that make sense, that will always make sense. He's never been keen on fighting in a war they don't fully understand either side about, Venera only proved it further. He also thirsts for change and peace, something that the Kenoma had tried to sink itself into all those months back.

Why. He made the choice, though, is a question that's inevitably easy: When you carry this axe, you carry all of us with you.

"I couldn't just give up on Berk," Hiccup's remark is even, though left with an exhale of a breath, "maybe that's stupid, we all felt the same thing when we arrive here — But my people believe that our final resting place is in Valhalla. Maybe we're wrong, but I have to believe there's still a chance we can be reunited."

It's the thing he clings to more — An intangible out there. One he's keenly aware that the probability of existing is negligible and, yet, there are people from the same world here. He shrugs his shoulders open and to his sides after a moment, mouth forming a line as he shakes his head. "I don't think anyone's going to disagree there's bad in this world, in any world," he adds after a moment, "or that people don't suffer or lose things. And when the time comes we'll all die. Even Valhalla exists for that reason but... Simply destroying everything and not allowing people the possibility to change, that's something I can't agree with."

OPEN MIC

[inutilis]

Have a topic you would like to bring up for the group to discuss? Toss it in the subject line and go at it! Again, no particular comment order needs to be followed and threadjacking is encouraged.

the worlds they've come from

[lifespanned]

Um... I'd like to talk about something, too.

[ Misa has remained relatively more subdued than she usually might— managing not to speak out of turn, but she eventually pipes up, when there's a lull in the conversation. They're supposed to be understanding what sets the two sides apart, right? From her eyes, she thinks there's really only one factor that sways the decision of each Aion: what they left behind when they were brought to Horos. Her impression is that the Pleroma must be content with leaving things as they are from their place of origin: ]

I want to know about the world you came from before. If it was peaceful, or if there were a lot of problems... that kind of thing. You know? That was what I thought of first when I decided back in that cavern. Kind of an obvious factor, but I feel like someone's gotta say it....

[inutilis]

Abel is, unhelpfully, choosing to remain mum on the subject of his homeworld - but he is sending Misa an encouraging little smile as she pipes up across their gathering. It's a fair topic to bring to bear, even if he can imagine why she might be choosing this one in particular...

But he's curious to hear those around him give their answers. Including Misa.

[galdorleod]

Howl does not pipe up to answer Misa's question either. His world, and its demise, is still a sensitive and upsetting topic for the wizard, and he is not interested in the discomfort that would come from discussing it with their enemies.

But, as the others talk, he can't help but notice that Abel is being as silent as he is. The matter of his affliction is still weighing on his mind; it hasn't escaped his notice that nobody has brought it up yet. With arms loosely crossed, he openly watches the priest while only half-listening to the conversation on the others' worlds.

[sageguidance]

[ An obvious factor, yeah. Thus, Alphinaud has no qualms with giving his own answer: ]

I dare say there is no one world out there that knows true, absolute peace; where there are people, there shall always be conflict. Where life thrives, there will be those who suffer its existence. That is simply the way of the world... Nay, all our worlds.

But for all the terrible and unfairness that exists, there is still hope and beauty to be found in the world. 'Tis naught I wish to give up because of its imperfections.

[lifespanned]

There's always conflict, sure... but there could be less. At least, I think so.

[ Her smile is easy, meeting his willingness to talk casually. ]

I believe the world can be made to be much kinder than it is now. It's not like I want to give up on it. But when it comes down to it, I don't want the world to go back to the way it was— I want it to be better.

[goldendeceiver]

[ Ernesto is quiet for a moment, mulling over just how much information he wants to give away. He doesn't really enjoy talking about himself and what he's been through, but the state of his world goes so far beyond him that it's easier to depersonalize the experience.

Besides, thanks to the event in Venera some of those more personal aspects aren't fully secret anymore either.

So after some deliberation and ceding the floor to others, he'll answer truthfully. ]

Some of it depended on the country you came from, though my understanding is all of them have their own problems one way or another. There are definitely places where people can still live pretty cushy lives despite the threat of Catastrophes striking, and if you lived in a Nomadic City the whole place could roll out of danger long before a disaster hit.

But that was only if you had the fortune of being born in a Nomadic City, and even then if you didn't have money it could get rough for a lot of people out there.

[ He learned that lesson well living in Dossoles. ]

Then there's the issue of Oripathy.

[ His expression remains calm, but anyone watching closely can notice his smile tightens slightly. ]

That one also kinda depends where you live though. Some countries are willing to overlook the Infected, but a lot of them round them up an exploit them in pretty nasty ways. Some of them will even kill them off when the infection gets too serious.

[ And before anyone starts suspecting anything here-- ]

Not that it personally affected me much. The Infected weren't treated that way in Bolívar, where I'm from, and I don't have Oripathy anyway.

[ His smile relaxes again. ]

But I figured I'd mention it since you asked about worlds as a whole.

[lifespanned]

Oripathy is some kind of illness? Uhh, that sounds scary...

[ The whole world, exposed to some kind of terrible disease, with some people taking advantaged of some of those that were infected? Misa does nothing to mask being creeped out by the notion, brows furrowing and raising a hand to her mouth. ]

I mean... would you get rid of it if you could? Or, I guess you said it doesn't affect you, so maybe not...

[ Though she trails off, leaving it open for him to tell her what's what. ]

[dragon_rider]

[ To be honest, he hadn't thought much about the worlds them coming from may have an effect on their choice. The things they went through, certainly, or how they felt about themselves - wasn't that what he struggled with? - but otherwise he'd thought on a personal scope. It doesn't take much for him to respond to this, even if he notes others silence. Life on Berk wasn't perfect, it was simply life: ]

Berk wasn't always peaceful. Ever since I was little you could be woken up to your house on fire and your lives dangling over a cliff — maybe sometimes it was dragons and other times it was Outcasts getting rowdy. Our lives were dangerous, most people didn't live past their I'd say... thirties? There's a reason I'm missing a leg after all — But we're Vikings, after all, and there's something said in stubbornness and angry vikings.

Even so. We learned to get along. We worked with and befriended the dragons. We managed to make an alliance with the Outcasts and the Berserkers, and do you know how hard that is? We were able to find peace because we could come together and overcome our difference, of which there are many. Sure, there were still dangers, and a lot of them — Still are. And there are still people out there who'd destroy everything for power, but we tried to stand for peace.

[lifespanned]

[ Fire? Dragons? Vikings????? The more he goes on, the more fantastical it seems, and her look of disbelief is plain on her face. ]

Gosh, I don't know if I could live like that. I guess you're really tough and stubborn, huh? Sounds like you were able to sort things out... most of the way, anyway.

[ Which she isn't about to talk down and say isn't a feat - it certainly is! Though she still has a lingering question. ]

Did you lose things on the way? —Oh, not just your leg, I mean! [ She waves her hands frantically. ] I'm just saying, you said it was hard to make the alliance, right? So that means there were probably conflicts...

The Regent's Promise

[goldendeceiver]

[ He's been contemplating this one for awhile, but it seems worth asking. He's careful with his tone to make sure he sounds curious, not skeptical, and keeps his expression mostly pleasantly neutral, with a small, bland smile in place. ]

What is it that sold everyone here on the idea that the Regent's plan for the future is going to work out the way it was pitched?

[galdorleod]

Howl cocks his head, considering the question with an air of surprised curiosity. Then he asks:

"What, in your opinion, was the 'pitch'?"

[goldendeceiver]

There's a wide sweep of Ernesto's tail as Howl asks that question, but...

"Answer my question first based on your idea of it, and I'll answer yours."

CLOSED DISCUSSIONS

[inutilis]

Please feel free to use this thread as a chance to dip off for a smaller, 1-on-1 or small group conversation away from the whole. Did someone bring up something juicy you’d like to discuss with someone personally? Are you ready to gossip about the ribbons on Emet-Selch’s butt? Talk about it here and toss the characters involved in the subject line if you please!

After

[lachtara]

Once the Pleroma have gone and their comrades have started their way home, Emet-Selch lingers on the fringes of where they met with his arms folded. There is much to consider about what was discussed.

As expected, Howl passes him without so much as a word. Not that he was expecting to be openly engaged, but it makes the sentimentality all the more glaring.

"Howl." He begins calmly. "A word."

[galdorleod]

With the meeting officially adjourned, Howl turns to leave the Shrine with Misa and Liem, having every intention to use his teleportation stone once they're a cautious distance away and consider the entire outing finished from there. But through it all, he had not forgotten about Emet-Selch or the conflict between them; it has hung over his head today more than any other day since Venera. The kind of dreary, demanding worry that taxes your energy reserves the more you try to ignore it — until you can't anymore, and then the stress only gets worse.

When Emet-Selch calls out to him, Howl is hardly surprised, but that doesn't make it any easier to turn and answer him. His footsteps do stop, however, and he says nothing as he watches the silhouettes of their companions ahead disappear among the trees.

The spike in conflicted anxiety within his mind is so great that the other Aion will be able to sense it, even without their Legacies overlapping. He is too much of a coward to turn and look at him just yet.