TO: EVERYONE [mid-event #20]

[aquaveiled]

[ This message is sent for all Summoned to see about a week after the dreams and Heralds made their presence known. ]

Hello everyone. I know we're all dealing with a lot right now, but I thought this was worth the surprise eyeball-script.

The Heralds of War likely need no introduction at this point, but some of us still remember when they first arrived a few years ago after a poorly performed ritual in Solvunn. During that time, I'd managed to make contact with Koth and have tried to maintain some communication.

[ Not necessarily advised--Himeka did this of her own accord and curiosity. Those who are aware of her tree-form may have noticed that some of the limbs have been wilting and rotting the more time she's spent reaching out to Koth. But that's neither here nor there. ]

She's not always easy to understand, but when we spoke when they first appeared, one word came through:

"Mission"

For years my friends and I have been wondering what this meant. Now that she's back, I sought clarity. Or...I guess confirmation.

I understand her more easily these days so I reached out to her earlier today and she did confirm that this is that mission. What's happening right now in all of our communities. I'm not sure if war itself is inevitable...but she seems to believe that what she's doing will help there to be peace afterwards.

I know many here have seen war in their own lives and on their own stars before this place. If you'd like to share your stories, I would welcome them. I don't think peace is ever as simple as we want it to be, but as for if this is the only path forward...

I'm rambling a bit. This may not be a grand revelation, but I thought it important to share that what is happening now may have been building for the last few years and mayhaps some time before that as well. Only now, we may have a part to play.

Please take care,

水


[ ooc; This is Himeka's interpretation! So it may not be 100% accurate. Based on the mod response here. ]

Comments

[princessvegas]

Some people want it to happen. Usually they believe that they'll be saved and live forever in paradise with God. Some people think it'll happen in the far-off future. Some people think it's more of a symbolic thing than literal, like there will be a downfall of men, but not literal horses or angels or bowls. Lots of people don't believe in it at all. Like any religious teaching, I guess.

I don't think I've heard anything like that about numbers here. But they were real important in a lot of cultures and beliefs back where I'm from. Sometimes they were tied to superstitions, too. 13 is unlucky, bad things happen in 3s, that kinda stuff.

[ushiri]

I want to believe that too.

[ That there is some choice to the lives they live here. That he can be the one to make better choices, in this timeline. ]

I'll keep those words with me.

Thank you.

[aquaveiled]

Even if you hadn't explained, I would have believed you. I had a feeling you've been through a lot, but I had no idea it would be that.

You're a very strong person, Nebula.

The Endsinger thought something similar, although she wanted to end all life as we know it to save us from the pain of existence.

[archiholic]

I have, he's been a wonderful conversation partner and guide when it comes to understanding the basics of art here.

No, they are. They just-- don't keep themselves separated from the rest of us. Though that would be interesting, I wonder what they'd teach at a school for divinity...

[divinityfrompain]

We would definitely notice, he has a unique flair.

I think you can ask, but yeah, my guess is they're all of the same mind. Not interfering with each other might be why the gods themselves don't fight. We don't want a war between the gods too.

[furibund]

[ "You're a very strong person, Nebula," Himeka says and she wants to laugh. Some part of her, that deliberate and angry side of her says of course I'm strong. It's the side that knows better, that blames herself for every thing that happened - for every wrong doing she committed - that disagrees. If she was strong then she'd have been able to withstand it (and what? die? that, she knew, would have always been the result of defying their father). And he would have succeeded without her. ]

[ She ignores it, because if she doesn't ignore it she'll say something wrong. Though neither does she feel she earns Himeka's belief. ]

The pain of existence.

[ She repeats it, half-scoffing in realtime. ]

It's always something like that.
Like they know best in their greatness.

[princeofruin]

[He may have already made a grave mistake in speaking the name aloud. Fate did not waste its time.]

I suppose if Bahamut is who you seek, then it is me.

[krakened]

Yeah, me, too, brother. Sometimes when I take a bath, the tentacles just sort of pop on out.

[krakened]

Well, nothing says we can't make it a big circle.
Orb, like, yeah?

[princeofruin]

I'm sorry? The tentacles... you have them, even now?

Forgive my asking, but... do you not find that disturbing?

[If only he could say he asks Edward for himself, not for the kraken's sake; he should like to think there may be a moment where seeing his scaled, clawed hands does not disturb him.]

[krakened]

Wellll...the first time it happened, it was mildly upsetting.

[ He screamed. ]

But I dunno, they only come out when I'm in the water.

Also, we have a massive shark on legs walking around, so I don't think the locals are super freaked out by a few tentacles or anything.

[aquaveiled]

I suppose that's true. A lifetime to make mistakes and learn from them.

I don't believe Solvunn will find much need to intervene, beholden to the gods as they are. But this could also be the push they need? It's hard to say. What do you think the Free Cities will do?

I promise I won't unless I have to.

[aquaveiled]

Oh.

I'm imagining it.

I don't like what I'm seeing.

[princeofruin]

Mildly.

[He thinks of the gouges in the walls of his room left by his claws, his torn sheets. The face Carmy made when he walked into their room to see it changed, but how he did not question it. Nor the gloves Dion now wears.]

So they are not so strange in comparison. I see. I'm... glad for you. That you have acclimated.

[aquaveiled]

If you believe it, then you can make it happen.

Of course. And if there's aught I can do, now or later, I'm here.

[cointosser]

I'm taking that as a compliment, as you clearly meant it to be one. Thank you! I think. I probably shouldn't mention I had to... you know what? Nevermind. It hasn't happened, anyway.

You're sweet, Himeka. Perhaps far too much so.

What do you mean, they wouldn't respect it? You're a beautiful dragon, my sweet! Any man in his right man should tremble in your presence. And while my experience with dragons is somewhat limited, you're absolutely my favorite one.

[cryptsleeper]

I truly don't know what the Free Cities will do at this point. I'm loathe to guess as I expect I'll be proven wrong no matter what. I don't have a good grasp on the inner machinations of government aside from being constantly wary of it.

[judgmentbolts]

Your friend punched a god? Remind me to buy him a drink as well, if we ever see each other in the lifestream.

The Ramuh with the sylphs? Did you fight him too?

But I'm getting distracted, aren't I? Much as I'd like to tell the lot of them to fuck off in no uncertain terms... I'm in agreement with you. If our little glimpse of divinity is anything to go by, the gods must have different desires and agendas, just like us. It would be good to have allies among them who might be willing to assist their kin with learning the fine art of minding their business.

We'll not shy from it, but I think you and I both prefer to avoid direct conflict with the gods until we find ourselves with no other option.

[funbreaker]

War being the only path to peace does often feel like a flawed mindset, doesn't it? Yet it is one that men — and gods, it seems — fall into time after time.

Heralds aside, however, I cannot say I see a way to douse the flames of war at this point.

[ancunin]

Is your world afflicted with hobgoblins as well? Bugbears? Gnolls?

[aquaveiled]

[ As a Dragoon he shall, too, know the fear of someone much smaller than him hunting him down across nations. Affectionately. ]

You gave Thancred a run for his money. But that's all under the bridge now, as they say.

When things settle down, I have a new recipe for you.

[princeofruin]

I--

[Forgive him the pause. It is a new thing to feel shame attached to Bahamut's name in such a distinctly personal manner. Actions he still struggles to accept as his own, actually, when they are so separated by time and humanity.]

I should like it if you do not hold those actions against me. They were not mine. Not... as I am now.

I would be honoured to try your cuisine once more, my lady, should you find my company acceptable.

[After he almost killed your friend. Not that Dion blames Thancred for being quite wary of him still.]

[sophos]

Given our experience with forgetting ourselves, it's probably not like they could tell us even if we asked.

I'm open to it too. It was like that at home - my pantheon has a mix of gods that came into existence as deities as well as those who were elevated to the status by the former.

It can definitely be competitive between them, even for petty reasons, but it's more like they have sway over their specific domains in ways the other gods don't. Like, a war god wouldn't necessarily invite a harvest god to assist them unless their specific skill-set was required. They're inviting us into their 'mission' but it's not like we have a specific element to offer. That's different, from what I'm used to.

[aquaveiled]

He is, isn't he? He's a man of many talents. I'm glad that you have connected!

[ He can also turn into bats. That's pretty neat. ]

Something like that would have been helpful a few months ago.

This is the first I've heard of gods living amongst mortals. Everyone can see and talk to them too?

[aquaveiled]

Sure! I like orbs. A lot of wonderful things are round.