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[closed] cross-faction talks
Who: Emet-Selch, Liem, Howl, Misa, Abel, Ernesto, Alphinaud, Hiccup
What: Cross-factiontherapy 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. ]
What: Cross-faction
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. ]
no subject
Emet-Selch lifts a hand and rakes his fingers through his hair. No, there is a more deliberate reason why he hadn't said anything. A selfish reason he isn't sure he wants to divulge, but perhaps keeping that to himself would do more harm than food at this juncture.
So he explains himself. "There is an uneasy peace before war consumes the world. It is a time when all prepare the best that they may. Their spirits soar from speeches filled with honeyed words by their superiors, They dream of naught else but glory and the thrill of battle, and the realities of war are far from their mind. They think not of the countless battles or the allies whom they will have to hold while they bleed." They had gotten a small taste of it but this would inevitably get so, so much worse.
"Now we are in the throws of this wars beginning. That I must suffer this conflict in a world far from my own is nigh insufferable." The glimmer of Amaurot seems farther away with each day that passes.
His voice turns sincere. "Was it so wrong of me to want one night where I might enjoy the company of another?" As much as he could, anyway. They had still covered many points of contention during their conversation. They had several moments of contention on the training field prior.
He had not rested since arriving. There was training to devise, Horos to learn about, maps, strategies, healing, politics, and on it on it goes. He had no one moment's true rest since arriving. But in this one moment, as in Venera, the cracks start to show. The grief, the exhaustion, and the desperate need for something to hold onto are all there under the surface. And within him the Kenoma writhes.
Emet-Selch sighs and collects himself with a simple glance away, pulling the facade over the broken face once more.
no subject
But, no. From how Emet-Selch continues on with an unusually honest and solemn tone of voice, that clearly is not the full explanation. Howl watches him as he speaks, taking in his body language, the aversion of his gaze, the vulnerable look on his face...
By the end of it all, his anger has completely disappeared. The young wizard is ultimately a gentle soul, trapped with the softness of a child's perspective as a result of his heart being gone for as long as it has. He cannot look upon a stranger being so earnest without feeling sympathy for them, much less someone he considers a friend, or a confident... or even a bit of a mentor at this point. Howl remembers the hurt and pain on the Ascian's face when he received the news of his son's death, how he looked upon Howl an instant later as if he were that same son...
No, what justification does he have to hold on to his anger? Howl has never really cared about the pasts of others. While it isn't wholly irrelevant — who someone was in the past can often tell you exactly who they are right now — what's always mattered to him is who they are now, and the decisions they are making today. It would not surprise him if Emet-Selch did many objectionable, or even unforgivable, things while ruling as an emperor, but... the man has lived for so long, and in so much misery. How could that not be the case? And that is all an entire world away from where they are right now. Here, speaking as comrades. Not as a ruler and his subject.
Howl is not entirely sure what to say. He looks down at the grass and leaves around his feet for a moment before stepping forward to close some of the distance between them.
"...You've really got the oddest way of showing that you're having fun, you know."
The crunch of his footsteps stops and he smiles. "From what I can recall, you were too busy acting annoyed at the waitress trying to take you home that night."
There's so much to address, contemplate, unpack about all that Emet-Selch has just said, but none of it precludes the first friendly, teasing thing that comes to Howl's mind.
no subject
Emet-Selch clenches his fist tightly. Not out of anger or frustration, but pain. He knew this path all too well. Of welcoming someone's company, enjoying conversation with them, breaking bread with them, only to have them taken away. He knew it and here he is walking that same path again. Gods, how he wished that he were as infallible as Howl had thought him to be.
His expression seems to noticeably settle as he looks up and past Howl, focusing on something (perhaps someone?) that approached.
"You have the right of it, friend." A large figure hooded in black crouches down at Howl's side. They are tall enough that crouching down is necessary to meet both of them at eye level, and when they speak, it is a mixture of unfamiliar and winding words that can somehow be understood by those who speak it. "The most eminent Emet-Selch has always been able to enjoy the wonders of the world with a frown on his face. It's certainly the most perplexing show of enjoyment."
no subject
He spins around, following the line of Emet-Selch's gaze behind him, only to be met with... a very large pair of robed knees. Whoever this is, they are shockingly large and kneeling far too close. Howl stumbles backwards, blinking in shock at the wholly unexpected figure that appeared out of nowhere behind him. That formless face and unnerving owl-like mask, the way he somehow manages to understand the muddled noises it makes... what the hell is going on?
"Who are you??"
no subject
Even if their face is an expressionless blank slate, something about his next few words seem particularly welcoming. "You must be Howl, yes? Emet-Selch has told me of all of the 'frustrations' you have wrought upon him." They put a hand to their mouth as if to stifle amusement. "I suspect you have made quite the favorable impression. He doesn't speak with such ardor about those whom he disfavors."
Emet-Selch heaves a loud and theatrical sigh. Not only to show his displeasure but to purposefully make a show of his displeasure. He's exasperated and they both need to know it and see it. "You do realize I am standing right here?"
no subject
Sensing that he isn't going to get any answers directly from the old mage's mouth, Howl turns back to face the shade.
"I... am pleased to make your acquaintance, then, I suppose." Howl places a hand to his chest to give Hythlodaeus a proper half-bow. "Where did you come out from? Have you been here this entire time?"
no subject
Emet-Selch's response is more firm and objective. "I have not been able to summon him in any predictable way. He seems to come and go on his own whims." A slight huff escapes him. "Quite like Hythlodaeus to be so unruly." Emet-Selch gripes.
Hythlodaeus perks up in amusement and lets out a winding noise that is akin to subdued laughter.
Emet-Selch, in turn, quietly looks in the direction of his 'friend'. The look he gives is not a typical scowl of disapproval as one might expect to follow his dour remark, no, the harsh crease of his brow eases. There is a look in his eyes that sparkles with fondness as he looks on.
And just like that, all the pain, frustration, and sadness from before seems to have melted away.
no subject
But as he watches Emet-Selch's demeanor soften, he starts to suspect that there is something even deeper to what he's seeing. Ah... so, perhaps, this is why he'd been so uninterested in the waitress that night. And his departed friend, the Shade had said...
Howl's curious expression settles into calm understanding. Again, his heart goes out to his friend. How selfish Howl had been to be as upset as he was. Emet-Selch is someone who needs others too, who needs people to care about and people who will care about him in return, just like anyone else. He may try to pretend otherwise, wish otherwise, but the Ascian is more human than he lets on.
Smiling, Howl looks back up at Hythlodaeus.
"...You've come at an odd time indeed," Howl says. "Emet-Selch and I have been bickering lately, you see. Or, ah, perhaps you already know. But, I fear quite a lot more blame rests on my shoulders for it than I realized." Pausing, Howl glances towards Emet-Selch, a smile still playing on his lips. "Do you think he forgives me?"
no subject
"Of that, I have no doubt." Hythlodaeus leans down and his winding words turn low like he is sharing the most provocative secret with his new wizard friend. "Why, he even purchased the most thoughtful apology gift for you but was concerned for its perceived sincerity. I, for one, was truly moved."
That seems to coax Emet-Selch into interjecting with a start. The last thing he needs is the two of them to become co-conspirators. "Yes, yes, we've all had much to consider in our own actions." He makes an effort to steer the conversation away from focusing on him. He clears his throat. "Perhaps we have tarried here long enough and should make for Achamoth."
no subject
"Yes, let us return," he says, more interested in getting back than asking further questions about this gift. "Thank you for your help and advice, Hythlodaeus. I suppose I will be... seeing you around, sometimes?"
no subject
Hythlodaeus looks after at first, before turning his attention to Howl again. "I certainly hope so." There is an implied smile in his words.
That 'smile' quickly fades as he seeks to confide a few more words into his newest friend. "I worry for him." Thoughtful and considerate words provided in light of several past conversations. "The weight he bears has only become heavier since arriving. I fear it will —" And their words cut off as Hythlodaeus fades into a billowed wisp of smoke. Gone without so much as a trace.
It leaves Howl standing by himself in the woods with nothing but the quiet of the Shrine for company.