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TDM #3
TDM #3
DREAMING (new characters)
At first, there is nothing. You are nothing. Whatever existed before ceases to be if for a moment. Then, bit by bit, you start to become aware. Where there was not even darkness now is a dim haze, gentle and almost mist-like. You have limbs again and beneath your feet lays a path of light reaching out like limbs of a great tree beneath you, twisting and climbing out into the horizon.You take a step forward for what else is there to do? As you walk you begin to remember what it was you were doing before the nothingness; maybe something as simple as chatting with a loved one or close friend. Maybe you were just beginning a great journey or facing off against an old foe. Whatever it was, you get the distinct feeling that wherever and whenever that was, it is not here. Not now.
The path of light twists off into different directions. When you look up you can see that it is not a sky above you but the sky of everything, a grand cosmic tapestry littered with not mere stars but galaxies and clusters of galaxies that gleam like crystals against the velvety backdrop of space. Admire it for a moment, if you will. You don't know how long you will drift here, but you are not alone. Other wanderers will come and go as you bask together in the vastness of creation.
It seems to you that there are two paths to walk in this place, the light and dark beckoning in turn.
❖ THE LIGHT AT THE CENTER
One leads you to the center, splintered fragments folding together and colliding until only one thing remains: a light that speaks to you with the voice of all there is and has ever been. It greets you simultaneously as an old friend and as a lost child, both rejoicing in and mourning your arrival. You remember it too, somehow, with a feeling of complex nostalgia, as if returning to a place recalled from your distant childhood.
You’ll feel the same of the other wanderers that join you in the light; you know their faces, their voices, and as you reflect upon the world of your birth, you may witness fragments of theirs as well. You feel a comradery, then, a synchronicity of thought and emotion. Are the lives of others truly so different from your own? Or are you simply two hands of the same, greater being? Though some individualistic part of you may resist, the longer you spend in the light, the more you will find yourself becoming one with it.
Despite this welcoming call, no matter how eagerly your pursue its embrace, before you can fully submerge yourself in this oneness you will find yourself being torn away. As if seized by the impossibly long, cold arm of a creature unseen, you are plucked from the edge of fulfillment. The last thing you will remember is the sensation of your world, and all the others your experienced here, collapsing into nothingness.
❖ THE DARK OUTSIDE (CW: deep despair, ego death)
The other leads towards the outside, where the splintering becomes so great that the vestiges of reality can do nothing but collapse back into the abyss at the end of everything. As you wander to these barren outskirts, your thoughts will not be drawn to familiarity and oneness, but instead to memories of discontent and waste. The darker the path becomes, the more you find yourself dwelling on life’s disappointments and injustices, of the things about yourself and your world you find wanting.
If you see others here, at first they will feel frightening or contemptible, as if representing to you the worst experiences in your life. Even if they are someone you’re certain you know, that familiarity and affection will be stripped away in the face of the great emptiness before you. In the end, you were all the same. In the end, none of this was worth it. If you approach the end together, you may even form a kind of kinship around this acknowledgment, as the need for paranoia and hatred fades.
Slowly, the darkness encroaches, and you can see it devouring all the things you once knew. Memories of your home, of those you loved, dissolve into nothing, and you can only reflect on the barren emptiness in your heart as you see it happen. In your final moments, though, you feel peace with it all, knowing that there was no other way. You step from the edge of the last dwindling fragment of being and are greeted by silence.
❖ THE END
No matter which way you go, you are left with a single impression: you feel the world you came from die. It's a realization that transcends logic or sense; it weighs on your heart and leaves the vestiges of dark memories dancing in your thoughts like motes of ash. It's a memory of your home crumbling away into nothing as if consumed from within by rot. Returned to the void, all that's left to you is to be reborn.
REBIRTH (new characters)
In a new time and place, you awaken. Stirring within a capsule of warmth and isolation your senses will slowly return, only to observe that you are trapped. Your body, as it wakes, is tangled in close, yours eyes unable to open, as if still within the womb. You are held tight in the embrace of something unyielding, so smothering that at first you only have the strength to struggle for moments at a time. Yet, as you persist, the pressure begins to relent in turn; it may take hours, but eventually you will find the purchase to push, to claw, to fight, and it will all give way.The chrysalis surrounding you bends like flesh and cracks like glass. It tears as you force your fingers through, finding liberation one inch at a time, until finally you have emerged. As if having undergone metamorphosis, you feel old and new all at once. You are weak, piteously so, but the markings and scars of your previous life remain. As you slump down upon the smooth cavern stone, you realize that you've just wrenched yourself free of gigantic crystal, though its hollow, shimmering form is now in pieces on account of your passing. Somewhere on your body, a shard of similar material remains embedded.
The cave itself looks almost like the inside of a geode, the walls and ceiling bedazzled with greyish crystal that shines with all the colors of the rainbow. While they vary wildly in size and shape, only a few have grown large enough to hold a form like yours, and you can see the one you just escaped isn't the only one bearing a passenger within. They may have already hatched, or they may still be lingering in stasis. Either way, there's enough time that you may have a chance to speak to yours unexpected peers, or to perhaps to struggle to find something to cover your naked body with. You feel the chill of the open air against your moisture laden skin, a distant light trickling in through the cavern's opening.
Make the most of this time. It won't be long before you're interrupted.
[Mod Note: If you don't want to deal with your character being naked in front of the others at that location, feel free to assume they emerge at a different time than the others of their legacy. Characters will be 'hatching' over a period of several hours.]
DREAMING (OLD CHARACTERS)
For those already in Horos, they will find themselves in the same dreamscape as the new arrivals, only, this time, it's familiar. You'll feel more cognizant of your surroundings as you reawaken in this psychedelic realm, more in control of your emotions. What's more, you recognize that light at the center and the darkness at the edge: it's the Pleroma and Kenoma respectively. The one you are attuned to will call our to your soul, and though you are technically free to wander as you please, the closer you get to the force of your opposite sect, the more it will grate against you spiritually. Pleroma attuned nearing the Kenoma will feel as if its presence is desperately trying to tear them apart, and Kenoma attuned nearing the Pleroma will feel as if its light is burning them from the inside out.
More importantly, you notice that entirely new souls are wandering here with faces you didn't see in the cavern. It gradually becomes clear that they are Aions in the same state you were prior to your rebirth, lost and wandering this stretch of the cosmos with no idea what's to come. Maybe this is your chance to ease the confusion of their arrival, or maybe you'd simply like to scope out what kind of people are on their way. It's also possible for you to run into Aions already in Horos, wandering just like you are. Unfortunately, things are a lot less neutral than they are the last time you shared this realm.
No matter what you do, eventually the cosmos above will begin to burn out, just as it did the first time you were here. As darkness swallows reality itself, you will wake with the visceral memory of your world corrupting and breaking apart.
More importantly, you notice that entirely new souls are wandering here with faces you didn't see in the cavern. It gradually becomes clear that they are Aions in the same state you were prior to your rebirth, lost and wandering this stretch of the cosmos with no idea what's to come. Maybe this is your chance to ease the confusion of their arrival, or maybe you'd simply like to scope out what kind of people are on their way. It's also possible for you to run into Aions already in Horos, wandering just like you are. Unfortunately, things are a lot less neutral than they are the last time you shared this realm.
No matter what you do, eventually the cosmos above will begin to burn out, just as it did the first time you were here. As darkness swallows reality itself, you will wake with the visceral memory of your world corrupting and breaking apart.
SEARCHING (OLD CHARACTERS)
Soon after the dreams begin, it will become clear that the Aion NPCs of either sect are also aware of what's happening. For those in Achamoth and Greentruth, the imminent arrival of new Aions will become a matter of official discussion. All able Aions will be called upon for their aid, in whatever way they can offer. Getting to the shrines themselves will be easily accomplished via teleportation. What's would be more complicated is ferrying any new arrivals back to a secure location. Thankfully, this is something both sects have already prepared for. All characters will have the opportunity to acquire a 'returning stone' if they don't already have one. In all cases, this will amount to an amulet made of the same shimmering material as the shrine monuments, though the stylization differs between the Pleroma and the Kenoma. While regular Aion teleportation can bring you to any of the shrines you know the sigil and location of, a returning stone is magically programmed to bring its wearer back to a specific destination to which it is attuned. Normally, these stones will only be able to store enough energy for one 'return' a month, but it turns out that the ambient power created by the shrines being active will temporarily super charge them. Though it's not guaranteed, this means they may generate enough energy to perform multiple returns for TDM purposes. More information about returning stones can be found on the powers page.
Spare returning stones will be issued to all Aions so that they can be used to bring back anyone they collect, as it's possible to bring someone alongside you if they are also wearing a returning stone. Where your stone leads will depend on your sect.
❖ PLEROMA
Tehri will be the one to supply returning stones, based out of Greentruth. She will not travel to Godsblood to deliver returning stones to those that have not visited Greentruth, but it can be assumed that Greentruth's visitors can pass them along to anyone who has been staying in the city. The returning stones are set to bring them to a secure location beneath the water of Godsblood's coast. From there, new arrivals will have to be allowed to rest and then brought up into the city when they're ready.
Greentruth is limited in its resources, but it will attempt to send troops to the Innocent, Seeker, Wanderer, and Firebrand shrines, all of which are close to the forest. Compared to the last attempt, these troops are a bit better armored. Meanwhile, bolstered by recent events in Godsblood, bands of Resistance members and guerrilla fighters will turn up at the Artisan and Sovereign shrines. The Resistance members will work willingly alongside with the Pleroma Aions, but the guerrilla fighters seem to have their own priorities and that is mostly that they have a beef with the Achamites. These reinforcements will struggle against powered Aions, but they might be able to delay any troops sent by Achamoth or Hylici.
❖ KENOMA
Xishen will be handing out returning stones to all Kenoma the day after the dreams begin for the Aions that don't already have one. She'll explain how to use them, and state that the Regent expects for them to head to the shrines once they become fully active. The Kenoma will have whatever mundane weapons or supplies they need at their disposal for this mission, along with minimal Achamite reinforcements. Due to injuries and death in both Godsblood and Venera, many are in recovery or on their return to Achamoth. She'll reiterate not to rely too heavily on them; after all, only the Aions are able to quickly move between the shrines and at the Citadel. The regular troops will have to be deployed by river or by land, and mobilizing them will take time. They will feasible be able to reach all of the shrines to some degree or another, but will more easily populate the shrines of the Martyr, Celebrant, Lover, Champion, Visionary, Sovereign, and Firebrand.
The Hylicians will be called to fill in the ranks of the diminished Achamite troops. They follow the orders that they are given but are very standoffish otherwise, even more than usual for them. Xishen herself says she will be traveling to the shrines and the Kenoma will be expected to communicate their movements to her as they work. Dionys remains in Achamoth to 'keep watch'. All Kenoma Aions will be given a familiar vial of black sludge, and are instructed to feed it to any Aions they capture at the shrines. It will cause the same effects it did in the cavern, though it will resolve in a few days rather than a week.
RETURNED (ALL CHARACTERS)
New characters that are found a the shrines will be brought back to one of two lodestones, depending on which sect they are taken by. This will be accomplished by their escort putting a 'returning stone' around their neck that will enable them to be teleported to a secure area in their sect's territory. It is advised for your character to be taken by whichever sect you'd like them to end up in.
❖ TO THE PLEROMA
In a dazzling flash of psychedelic light, you will find yourself brought to the Pleroma's lodestone: a monolithic rock set in the center of temple-like ruins. The entire cavern is hidden away beneath the ocean waves, just outside of Godsblood, and the ceiling itself is comprised of nothing but a barrier of water, as if held back from filling the space by some unknown force. The waters surrounding the lodestone are exactly body temperature, with swarms of tiny, violently iridescent fish darting through it. Crabs that look as if they're made of pure, clear crystal wander the sparkling, sandy shores.
There isn't much here in the way of accommodations, but it's comfortable enough that the new arrivals brought in by the Pleroma can take a moment to catch their breath. Some relatively plain but assorted new clothing will have been brought to the cavern to make sure they are actually clothed, as well as blankets and basic food items. It's a good time to ask your questions, or if you are an established Pleroma, to help out your freshly arrived peers. After all, their welcome at the shrine may have been a confusing one.
New arrivals will be permitted to leave the lodestone's temple when they are ready. Unfortunately, the only ways out of these place are through your choice of either swimming through pockets of water that eventually lead to the surface, or by spelunking through a series of tunnels to make your way the cliff faces near the city of Godsblood. More information about the city itself can be found on the setting page, though it would be preferable to keep TDM interactions to the lodestone area. As characters emerging from the shrines will start our as Untouched (more info about attunements here) they will not be permitted entry into Greentruth until they have attuned to Pleroma.
❖ TO THE KENOMA
As your returning stone activates, you will feel yourself thrust into a suffocating void, only to emerge just as quickly somewhere else. The most pressing thing on the minds of anyone taken by the Kenoma will be the vial of pitch black sludge they are forced to drink, whether it is before or after their arrival. Maybe their 'escort' from the shrine gave it to them, or perhaps another Kenoma does soon after they arrive. If not, one of the Achamite cultists wandering around definitely will. Dedicated servants to the Regent's will as they are, they are not afraid to gang up on the vulnerable new arrivals and force it down their throats.
Once in your mouth, the potion will slither down your throat as if it's a living thing. The effect takes hold quickly: as this darkness creeps through your insides, it will embolden your darkest and most despair inducing emotions, plaguing your thoughts with the worst sorrows of your life. What's worst, it simultaneously seems to awaken some form of enhanced psychic empathy within you, both projecting your thoughts for others to hear, and allowing you to receive those of the others around you in kind. Black ooze will begin to seep from orifices, or the space around your shard. The effects of this contamination bring out your worst, and its recipients will be forced to live with these effects until they accept the force corrupting them into their souls.
This world is not good enough, a voice speaks to your through the Kenoma. This suffering you feel, the cruelty that has birthed this darkness in you... it is simply the rot that is consuming this existence. A better universe awaits, one forged by your own hand, and all you need do is first bring about this broken reality's end.
How long this goes on will depend on how long the characters is able to fight it. Acceptance of the Kenoma can come as quickly as immediately, if your character is inclined towards it, or it could be drawn out to take a few days. In the meantime, they will have to stay in the barren halls surrounding the Regent's lodestone, and will not be permitted to exit into the greater Citadel as the current Kenoma are. All that will immediately be offered to them down there are stone slabs that can be used as beds and formless white robes that reach down past their knees.
Of course, that doesn't mean the characters that are already of the Kenoma can't do something about that. If they desire it, they will be able to bring food or other supplies to those suffering with their Kenoma infections, and it will be equally within their power to try anything from bullying them into accepting to lovebombing them. Once a character accepts the Kenoma and attunes to it, they will be permitted to leave, but for the sake of the TDM interactions should be kept to the lodestone area.
❖ TO THE PLEROMAIn a dazzling flash of psychedelic light, you will find yourself brought to the Pleroma's lodestone: a monolithic rock set in the center of temple-like ruins. The entire cavern is hidden away beneath the ocean waves, just outside of Godsblood, and the ceiling itself is comprised of nothing but a barrier of water, as if held back from filling the space by some unknown force. The waters surrounding the lodestone are exactly body temperature, with swarms of tiny, violently iridescent fish darting through it. Crabs that look as if they're made of pure, clear crystal wander the sparkling, sandy shores.
There isn't much here in the way of accommodations, but it's comfortable enough that the new arrivals brought in by the Pleroma can take a moment to catch their breath. Some relatively plain but assorted new clothing will have been brought to the cavern to make sure they are actually clothed, as well as blankets and basic food items. It's a good time to ask your questions, or if you are an established Pleroma, to help out your freshly arrived peers. After all, their welcome at the shrine may have been a confusing one.
New arrivals will be permitted to leave the lodestone's temple when they are ready. Unfortunately, the only ways out of these place are through your choice of either swimming through pockets of water that eventually lead to the surface, or by spelunking through a series of tunnels to make your way the cliff faces near the city of Godsblood. More information about the city itself can be found on the setting page, though it would be preferable to keep TDM interactions to the lodestone area. As characters emerging from the shrines will start our as Untouched (more info about attunements here) they will not be permitted entry into Greentruth until they have attuned to Pleroma.
❖ TO THE KENOMAAs your returning stone activates, you will feel yourself thrust into a suffocating void, only to emerge just as quickly somewhere else. The most pressing thing on the minds of anyone taken by the Kenoma will be the vial of pitch black sludge they are forced to drink, whether it is before or after their arrival. Maybe their 'escort' from the shrine gave it to them, or perhaps another Kenoma does soon after they arrive. If not, one of the Achamite cultists wandering around definitely will. Dedicated servants to the Regent's will as they are, they are not afraid to gang up on the vulnerable new arrivals and force it down their throats.
Once in your mouth, the potion will slither down your throat as if it's a living thing. The effect takes hold quickly: as this darkness creeps through your insides, it will embolden your darkest and most despair inducing emotions, plaguing your thoughts with the worst sorrows of your life. What's worst, it simultaneously seems to awaken some form of enhanced psychic empathy within you, both projecting your thoughts for others to hear, and allowing you to receive those of the others around you in kind. Black ooze will begin to seep from orifices, or the space around your shard. The effects of this contamination bring out your worst, and its recipients will be forced to live with these effects until they accept the force corrupting them into their souls.
This world is not good enough, a voice speaks to your through the Kenoma. This suffering you feel, the cruelty that has birthed this darkness in you... it is simply the rot that is consuming this existence. A better universe awaits, one forged by your own hand, and all you need do is first bring about this broken reality's end.
How long this goes on will depend on how long the characters is able to fight it. Acceptance of the Kenoma can come as quickly as immediately, if your character is inclined towards it, or it could be drawn out to take a few days. In the meantime, they will have to stay in the barren halls surrounding the Regent's lodestone, and will not be permitted to exit into the greater Citadel as the current Kenoma are. All that will immediately be offered to them down there are stone slabs that can be used as beds and formless white robes that reach down past their knees.
Of course, that doesn't mean the characters that are already of the Kenoma can't do something about that. If they desire it, they will be able to bring food or other supplies to those suffering with their Kenoma infections, and it will be equally within their power to try anything from bullying them into accepting to lovebombing them. Once a character accepts the Kenoma and attunes to it, they will be permitted to leave, but for the sake of the TDM interactions should be kept to the lodestone area.
QUESTIONS
Is this TDM canon?
Mostly! It's part of an in-game event. However, only threads with new players that app and are accepted will be considered game canon. Threads between old characters will all be canon, but threads involving new characters that don't apply or aren't accepted will either need to be tweaked to remove their involvement or made non-canon. New characters will also be able to decide TDM threads aren't canon if they end up changing directions.
Who can toplevel on this post?
Anyone, whether they are a new character or a current one. However, we do ask for current players to do their best to tag new characters. If you are bringing in a new character and want a current character to bring them into your sect of choice, post your request here! ICly, current characters are fighting to claim new arrivals, but it's up to the player of new characters where they ultimately end up going.
When is this TDM taking place chronologically?
The beginning of August. The shrines will be active and forming Aions during that time. The dreams will start around the 29th of July. All current Aions will be able to sense when it's time for the new arrivals to start emerging.
What are the shrines like?
Every shrine is comprised of the crystal-filled cavern character emerge inside and then the massive statue symbolizing the relevant Legacy built on top. More information about each shrine can be found in the "Aion Shrine" section of the setting page.
Are everyone's homeworlds really gone?
That's a complicated issue, and while the fate of their world is not without hope, they may certainly get the impression its been destroyed from the dream they had. Alternatively, they may refuse to believe what they felt and attempt to dismiss it as only a vision. More about this situation will be revealed as the game goes on.
Can I only experience one end of the dream sequence prompt?
New characters may experience one ending, both endings, or neither. If they experience both they will struggle to recall which came first or which feels the most 'true' to them, as both will simultaneously be the thought they are reborn with. If your character refuses to pursue either path they can simply linger in the middle until the infinite worlds above them start being extinguished one by one, eventually expelling them into darkness in a similar style to the light prompt. Which dreams they experience will not dictate their initial sect affiliation.
Is it possible to pull another character back from the end of the light or darkness dreams?
Yes! If your character is able to resist the pull of either end, they will have the chance to try to pull another character back from the edge of the abyss or the edge of oneness. Whether or not they succeed is entirely up to the other character, though.
Do you come out of the chrysalis wet?
For most intents and purposes it's the same experience as hatching out of a real butterfly chrysalis, so yes, a bit.
How does attunement to the Pleroma or Kenoma work for new characters?
More information about sect attunements can be read on their dedicated info page, but in summary: when new characters are brought to Horos, they will be in the state of being "Untouched" meaning they are not attuned to either sect. By the end of their first month in game it is expected they will either attune to Pleroma or Kenoma, though for those taken by the Kenoma's forces, the transition will be forced within the first few days. If taken in by the Pleroma, it may take then some time to attune to Pleroma, depending on the strength of their spirit, but it could also happen almost instantly if they are allowed to. How quickly it happens will depend on how strongly they align with the Pleroma's traits. Characters who have been taken by the Pleroma but that remain Untouched will not be allowed into Greentruth until their attunement to Pleroma is complete.
Can a character taken by one side end up attuning to the sect of the opposite one?
This is theoretically possible, yes: a person taken by the Kenoma could potentially resist the Kenoma's call, and someone taken by the Pleroma could end up falling to the Kenoma while staying with them. Generally, though, we recommend that you have your character be taken by whichever sect you want to end up in, as doing a switcheroo will cause narrative complications that might bog their introduction down in plotting that will need to be done with the mods. It can happen, but it is not to be done lightly!
Mostly! It's part of an in-game event. However, only threads with new players that app and are accepted will be considered game canon. Threads between old characters will all be canon, but threads involving new characters that don't apply or aren't accepted will either need to be tweaked to remove their involvement or made non-canon. New characters will also be able to decide TDM threads aren't canon if they end up changing directions.
Who can toplevel on this post?
Anyone, whether they are a new character or a current one. However, we do ask for current players to do their best to tag new characters. If you are bringing in a new character and want a current character to bring them into your sect of choice, post your request here! ICly, current characters are fighting to claim new arrivals, but it's up to the player of new characters where they ultimately end up going.
When is this TDM taking place chronologically?
The beginning of August. The shrines will be active and forming Aions during that time. The dreams will start around the 29th of July. All current Aions will be able to sense when it's time for the new arrivals to start emerging.
What are the shrines like?
Every shrine is comprised of the crystal-filled cavern character emerge inside and then the massive statue symbolizing the relevant Legacy built on top. More information about each shrine can be found in the "Aion Shrine" section of the setting page.
Are everyone's homeworlds really gone?
That's a complicated issue, and while the fate of their world is not without hope, they may certainly get the impression its been destroyed from the dream they had. Alternatively, they may refuse to believe what they felt and attempt to dismiss it as only a vision. More about this situation will be revealed as the game goes on.
Can I only experience one end of the dream sequence prompt?
New characters may experience one ending, both endings, or neither. If they experience both they will struggle to recall which came first or which feels the most 'true' to them, as both will simultaneously be the thought they are reborn with. If your character refuses to pursue either path they can simply linger in the middle until the infinite worlds above them start being extinguished one by one, eventually expelling them into darkness in a similar style to the light prompt. Which dreams they experience will not dictate their initial sect affiliation.
Is it possible to pull another character back from the end of the light or darkness dreams?
Yes! If your character is able to resist the pull of either end, they will have the chance to try to pull another character back from the edge of the abyss or the edge of oneness. Whether or not they succeed is entirely up to the other character, though.
Do you come out of the chrysalis wet?
For most intents and purposes it's the same experience as hatching out of a real butterfly chrysalis, so yes, a bit.
How does attunement to the Pleroma or Kenoma work for new characters?
More information about sect attunements can be read on their dedicated info page, but in summary: when new characters are brought to Horos, they will be in the state of being "Untouched" meaning they are not attuned to either sect. By the end of their first month in game it is expected they will either attune to Pleroma or Kenoma, though for those taken by the Kenoma's forces, the transition will be forced within the first few days. If taken in by the Pleroma, it may take then some time to attune to Pleroma, depending on the strength of their spirit, but it could also happen almost instantly if they are allowed to. How quickly it happens will depend on how strongly they align with the Pleroma's traits. Characters who have been taken by the Pleroma but that remain Untouched will not be allowed into Greentruth until their attunement to Pleroma is complete.
Can a character taken by one side end up attuning to the sect of the opposite one?
This is theoretically possible, yes: a person taken by the Kenoma could potentially resist the Kenoma's call, and someone taken by the Pleroma could end up falling to the Kenoma while staying with them. Generally, though, we recommend that you have your character be taken by whichever sect you want to end up in, as doing a switcheroo will cause narrative complications that might bog their introduction down in plotting that will need to be done with the mods. It can happen, but it is not to be done lightly!
Rebirth (8
He found himself looking upon one of the new arrivals, wet and naked as they all had been, and Silco almost dismissed him outright. He was small, shorter than even Silco if he could guess correctly from his hunched frame. There's something that bags at him though. Perhaps it's the hunched slump in his shoulders, or perhaps it's the fact that he's so sad looking, but Silco does stop, and crouch down. ]
Hello there.
It's quite the shock, isn't it?
here silco comes to bully a poor sad man wow
It's. It. [ It was what, exactly? He couldn't think of exactly what the worst part of the ordeal was without feeling another series of sobs clawing their way up his throat from deep in his chest and he buried his face in his arms again to struggle through them, bear them out, and the words that came after were riddle with attempts to speak through more tears that threatened. ] I should have. I should have seen it. Seen it coming. Before it. Before it happened. Why? Why didn't... why didn't I?
you know he had to do it to him
But Silco got mad, and furious, and then he wanted to burn the world down, not simply sit here and cry.
His lip curled, just slightly. ]
Yes, it is difficult to predict the outright destruction of the world. [ He says, not understanding that this may be personal for Bruno. ]
However, that doesn't mean one must be stuck in their grief. There... is a way. To make it better, in the end. Soothe the wound.
no subject
Easy for you to say, you aren't... you aren't meant to see the future. What was the point of all that? Making me suffer through that. That gift. If it didn't help?
[ It might still mean nothing to Silco. It might come off as simply more inane rambling of a deeply bereaved man, struggling to accept this new reality. Whatever Silco thought, it meant very little to Bruno. ]
Ha, make it better. [ Another hollow sound, laughter devoid of any joy or happiness. He shifted his head, turning it enough to squint at Silco once again through the long locks of thick black hair. ] How? How do you make... any of this? Any of this better?
no subject
He sounded deranged, but Silco didn't discount it. In fact... he wondered if that could be used. He didn't say that out loud, of course, he wasn't a complete fool, but he did tap a finger against his elbow, considering. ]
It's difficult, yes.
We cannot simply...save homes that are well and truly gone. We can...remake them, with time. Make them better -- without the flaws that led to...this.
[ He swept his hand outward, to the crystals about. Lonely. Cold. ]
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You can't. [ He started, then stopped, pausing to swallow back another series of sobs. Once that was done, tried again, quietly stating, ] You can't... can't remake a family...
[ They were gone. Cruelly, unjustly, suddenly swept out of existence along with everything else. Had they been here, rebuilding, remaking things for the better would feel possible, but without? An empty declaration to offer Bruno, that was all it was. ]
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Silco, someone who has not had to confront the fact that he would give up Zaun for his daughter, thinks that's terribly trite and unimportant.
Silco doesn't know the meaning of sacrifice, here. Not true sacrifice. So family is...meaningless. ]
I see. [ The two-toned eyes are bored, though. Clearly, he doesn't. ]
Perhaps that would not be possible, but... you can build a world, in which it will not happen to others.
[ He seemed the hopeful sort. Perhaps there was a... better way to spin this. ] It's better to be productive, lest one falls into despair.
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His family was gone, which meant he desperately wished to be gone, too, but would they agree with that? He balked at pursuing the line of thought further. He knew he would begin crying all over again. He could feel that all too familiar tightness in his chest. ]
How?
[ He asked after that long, silent span of time. There wasn't any real interest or hope in the simple question. It sounded hollow. He hadn't anything to lose by asking but, in that same vein, he wasn't yet sure if he cared to build a world of any kind. ]
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Well, if we are to remake a world, would that not mean you could prevent others from suffering such a fate?
Perhaps this is a world where families do not need to be separated, or forced apart, or left with one alone, while the rest are destroyed.
[ A wave of his hand. ] It is up to you, to determine how you can make this world better.
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[ How would some imaginary world he made survive what ended Earth? That made no sense. Everything Silco said was nonsense, every word. That he had to sit here and be put through someone telling him he can make a better world where families aren't destroyed in the wake of his own loss was, well, it was enraging, actually.
He hadn't explained how. Telling him he should do a thing didn't answer how. Bruno was miserable and mired in despair and this man came to him with absolute mierda tier advice and who did he even think he was? ]
Are you. What is wrong with you?
[ Bruno stopped short of asking Silco if he was an idiot but he did straighten up and turn again to stare with his own lip curled and brows furrowed, full offense taken. ]
That doesn't. It doesn't answer anything! Some. Some make-believe nonsense doesn't. It doesn't bring anyone back! Don't you get it? Everyone is gone! Gone! [ His voice had been on the rise, trembling with anger as he ranted on. ] Why would I want to make a world? Without them? What, do you want to make a world? Then go! Go and... do that!
[ He gestured wildly off to the side, into some empty space, as if Silco's proposed world would appear out of thin air. It did not, of course. ]
Because I don't care if you want to make a world! My family is dead! They shouldn't be! They never even had a chance!
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None of our worlds did. [ He said, with a sharp bark, after a moment. Maybe a little more forceful, but hey. He had a family -- or rather a daughter -- too. Silco, of course, would rather take it all down in revenge, but, he was probably not the most healthy of men. ] I woke up just like you did, a mere few months ago. I've merely had time to... let the wound heal over, as it were.
[ When he'd arrived, there had been nobody to stop, and explain things, only soldiers, with their mind-controlling whips, and their need to push them to a gathering, where they would all stay, for a long while, until the "ceremony". It had been... harrowing. Silco still bore the mark of the Visionary on his wrist. ]
If you want to deny the reality of it, you'll be stuck here heaving for hours, miserable. Or, you can take that misery and do something with it. I chose not to dwell. That's what's wrong with me.
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...dios. [ He breathed out the word, shocked that he could be so weak he couldn't even get to his feet, regardless of if it made sense or not. ] W-well I haven't had. Had time.
[ He doubted any amount of time would be enough. ]
If. If something is destroying every. Everyone's worlds. Why aren't we. Why aren't we stopping it?
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[ Silco had no clue what had taken his world. If it had been the Regent, then they would have taken this one as well, but they haven't. No, Silco did not think it was the force that he'd taken in -- if it had, then he would be plotting the Regent's downfall.
No, Silco didn't believe that, and therefore... ]
I'm not some simpering acolyte like the rest of those in my sect -- many of them will tell you that the new world will be free of such loss, or suffering. [ Implied is: that he did not believe that. No, Silco didn't believe in a world without loss or suffering, because. Well. He grew up in the mines!!! ]
You'll have to come to terms with it eventually, you know, and make a choice. [ Although, if Silco gets his choice, he will just haul this sobbing man in, and see what happens. ]
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he had to walk uphill both ways to his childhood job IN THE MIIIINESNone of that made any sense, Silco. It was impossible not to stare at Silco as though he must be off his rocker here. ]
Sect? Choice? What are. What are you talking about?
[ Look, man, he just had to push his way out of a crystal egg thing and drown in the knowledge that everything and everyone he loved is gone, forever, and now this guy was here talking down to him and rambling about, what, exactly? No, absolutely not. A decision was made by Bruno right there and then to struggle his way to his feet and get some space between this man and himself.
If he was going to mourn, he would do so in peace, and so he did just that. It took an effort to stand but, this time, he made it, and took a few staggering steps, turning away from Silco and reaching out to steady himself against one of the crystals. ]
Y'know. Y'know what, can you maybe, maybe just leave me alone? This is. This is all a lot.
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And Silco was, above all, interested in the cause. ]
Leave you all alone? By yourself? [ He almost looked aghast -- fake though it was. ] You do understand, that at least, we are here to collect people like you. Make sure you're not simply left alone in a cave?
[ It would be easy, but Silco didn't do things easy. He could just grab him, and teleport him back, but where was the fun? This man could be convinced, if he just breathed normally for a bit, and calmed down. ]
Instead, why don't you ask questions? I can assure you, I have answers. [ See? He's even reasonable, Bruno. ]
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To what end, Bruno hadn't thought that far. To lay here listlessly until something came along to end him, he supposed. In any case, he remained where he was, for the time being, relying on the crystal he'd grabbed ahold of to keep himself up on his own two feet. ]
Questions? Questions about what? You already answered what I needed to. To know. No one knows what destroyed our homes. There's nothing to do. Nothing... [ What else could there even be to ask? Aside from, well, he did glance back over his shoulder to eye Silco once more. ] Why are you collecting people?
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Well, remember that choice, that I mentioned? The one that got you all...up in arms, about the fact that you didn't understand it? We're picking up the fresh new aions who choose to come with us. Lucky you, that I found you, instead of someone more violent.
[ Well, Silco may be more violent than most, but he is more impotent than the others, in terms of power. To be fair, Silco doesn't have to make people choose to bring them in, but... he's been ferreting out those who defect. He doesn't want any other defectors. ]
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Picking up... people who choose to... [ He scoffed, although the end of the scoff became a laugh. He couldn't believe this guy. Looking away again, he managed another step away from Silco, though not without stumbling and grasping for another crystal to lean his weight against. ] Geez, you, hehe, really gotta work on that, uh, sale's pitch for your cult. Thing. Like maybe start with, hey, Bruno, you look cold, here's something to wear, wanna talk about all this somewhere warmer, maybe... maybe actually explain what the heck is going on?
[ He waved his free hand vaguely in the air as if to punctuate some of the words he rambled on with. ]
But no, you're all here's a bunch of words that make no sense and. Yadda yadda yadda. It's. Wow, just. Wow. Awful.
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[ Lord help him from another sassy old man who's actually shorter than him? He tipped his head, and spread his arms. ]
I'm afraid I'm all out of blankets. However, I can take you someplace warmer, if you want a proper explanation.
[ A place warmer where he'll be force-fed the same bottle of goo that Silco had been forced to consume on that first encounter, but hey, at least he won't be tortured or harangued by soldiers. Bruno might be the luckier one here. ]
But, only if you want. There are even nice people, who might pat you on the back, and tell you it's alright.
[ Would it be? No, of course it wouldn't, but that's why Silco wasn't making false promises. ]
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Did he even have the energy left to be embarrassed? No, not really, but uncomfortable, certainly. Somewhere warmer... somewhere warmer, with maybe some pants, where he could resume feeling sorry for himself... ]
Anyone who tells me this is alright needs their head checked.
[ Bruno muttered, though still loud enough for Silco to hear. He didn't want to be told it'll be fine. It won't be. It'll never be. He looked back over a shoulder towards Silco again, wary, brows furrowed, lips pursed into a thin frown. ]
Yeah? So where is this someplace warmer? Better than here?
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Everything got taken away, after all. ]
Yes, of course it's better than here. It's not Achamoth, but... [ A pause. ] Achamoth is a city, by the way. Just in case you accuse me of not providing enough information again. You'll find that it's warmer than here, some clothing is provided, at least until they're ready to take you to the Citadel.
[ Not mentioned: the distilled Kenoma, that he'll have to drink. Oops. ]
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S-see? Already getting better at this. [ Not by a lot but hey. ] Uh, is it... close by or... how do we...?
[ How do they get there? He still had no idea where they were. Somewhere terrible, that was all he could think. He wasn't sure wherever else there was could be any better but if it was warmer, if it had clothes? At least Bruno no longer seemed inclined to keep walking one shaky step after another away from Silco. That was interest, interest in not being here anymore. ]
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We're going to teleport.
[ He says, like it's normal.
What, like your world doesn't have a pair of wunderkind inventors harnessing the power of magic and technology ]
I understand that may also sound ridiculous to some, but I can assure you, I did not walk half the continent and climb into a crater to find you.
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It... no, no, it doesn't sound as ridiculous as you, uh, think.
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Excellent.
[ He held out a hand -- a gloved hand, both of them were covered entirely. ]
Then, if you wish to make it to where there's a bit of warmth, and even clothing, you can just take my hand.
[ The only time Bruno will ever hear that. ]
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