Intro Log: October

[faileas]

Intro Log: October

I. ARRIVAL Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the higher floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion, along with those which feel to resemble yourselves in a world-traversing sense: Mirrorbound, they're called. "There's always a right lot of you coming in, aren't there." The woman sets her hands on her hips, with her Bonded casting a glance at those looking confused - newly arrived - and those who may have followed them in to talk to the newest addition of their mirrorbound bunch. "About time for introductions though- this here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament and my Bonded, and I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven - but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds, winking. "The lot of you must be as tired and confused as the last batch - hullo to those who've joined us, too! - so just a moment, dearests, I'll set all you right up—" With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have - we will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." NOTE: If you wish to interact with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. You have the option of handwaving the IC interaction to OOCly ask what questions your character might have for them, for us to summarize an answer for, or you can request an IC thread. Simply specify in your comment's subject and we'll respond accordingly. For those that'd like a more player-based interaction, Aefenglom has its own Welcome Wagon under the same header! These are players who've volunteered for the role, and those that didn't sign up may assist as well if they'd feel their character would -- have fun, and make friends. Additionally, those with notable injuries or sickness will be attended to ASAP by Coven-based witches, and should anyone be curious about what they are - if they have magic potential, or if they swing a different way - then this can be done during this and the general hour or so the new arrivals are within the Coven's grounds. There are ongoing classes on magic, monsters, and Bonding as well, though they take place more during the day than at night - feel free to have your characters attend them at any time!

III. THE HAVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, it's time to make a trek to where you'll be staying while Nessie and Mhairi continue to search for a solution to the situation. As you're leaving with a few Bonded for guides, peculiar-looking devices - watches, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament - are passed around to all the new arrivals; they're given a quick rundown on their functions and bid to test them out when they can. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental-side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live - the Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in a program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra - like maids, chefs, and so on - they'll have to pay for them themselves with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services due to its roots as part of a district that already did. Much of the housing already has furnishing due to the speed at which homeowners were relocated; they were given enough time to collect their valuables, but standard furniture such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind for those moving in. Other houses appear the same, but the dust on the floors suggest these houses were left before the new arrivals even showed up - a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use it for - so long as the legality isn't questionable, on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses - and even some of the smaller ones, and the shared rooms in the barracks - the Witches put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It reads simply the information you've offered up yourself, or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

IV. Samuin There's an odd sense of relief in the air, newly arrived may notice, and it's common talk to hear about the return of those from another city; Dorchacht, they gossip, must've been terrible for their dear Speaker, who'd felt to them more weathered than she'd been previously, not to mention to all the Mirrorbound that went with her. Right shame, it was, how they acted over on the west coast, those Dorchachtians. It'll be common talk for a while yet, with increasingly worse rumors spread about that city to the far northwest, but not all of them can be true... right? While the black market moves back beneath the city, weaker than they were coming up, the goblin market remains in their places in broad daylight, happy to parse their wares to newcomers and oldbies alike -- with Samuin coming up, there's all sorts of things necessary to have on one's person, they say, absolutely key to keep bad spirits at bay! They say the boundaries are weaker this time of year, after all, wouldn't want your new year to be cursed right off the bat! Though Samuin's still the month away (it's at the end of the month, anyone'd tell you), the people are eager to gather their parchment, write away their worries, and start Geardagas's year off right. a. Aristocratic District With Samuin bringing in the new year on Geardagas, the Coven is eager to be rid of old, outdated things and bringing in the new -- this means they're offering spots for magitech demonstrations, extracurricular class presentations to be added to the potential roster, and even recipes to be used. Not just in the cooking sense either; they're excited to see alchemical results as well, and won't shy from innovative, even unconventional uses of different schools of magic, runes, and botany. Witches have brought their own game to the front, putting on spectacular shows with how conjured blankets can offer the placebo of warmth for a time, new techs that enhance readability in the dark (and they shine like the stars! floating crystals in a lamp!), so on and so forth. Won't you join them? While the Coven is in higher spirits with their Speaker returned lately, Parliament seems to be taken a breather as well, and while their eyes have set on the city once more they seem a little more lenient with what constitutes as a performance -- at least during Samuin proper, though the building itself, for those who visit, is certainly less tense than it was previous. There's tight-lips as far as Dorchacht's concerned, for those who ask, so there won't be any information to be found about that here, but there's plenty of talk of "scum" found in their own city that have had judgement passed on them and found them guilty of immeasurable crimes, and also of finding the root of their operations so they won't end up having something akin to Dorchacht beneath their streets. The rich people who live still in the district, with their overly extra houses and colorful personalities, throw exuberant parties all across the month -- there's to be a grand fireworks display at the end of Samuin, but they're taking liberties as they do every year to put on their own, seeking Witches to entertain however they can and, surprisingly, offering the same to Monsters; they still look down on the lower born, there's nothing that can stop that or their stuffy attitudes in general, but it seems the city's in a bright mood thanks to one of the most important holidays of their year. b. Residential District Preparations for Samuin are well underway for both sides of the Residential District, separated by the River Temese. Octeuril is a month for celebrating the end of the year, and for remembering and honoring those who are no longer living. On both sides, humans and Monsters both are hard at work cleaning their homes and businesses, and getting rid of things they no longer need - porch sales pop up all through the month outside of homes, selling off whatever folks have decided to part with: a lot of antiques, hand-made items, old clothes, things that are worn but could possibly be useful to someone else after a good spit-shine or fixing up. On the Eastern side, some artisans or hobbyists are even selling brand new pieces - this is a time for weavers and textile artists especially to shine, selling elaborate and cozy woolen blankets, to cuddle under as you watch the fireworks shows at the end of the month, or fancy clothes and costumes they've made. A few have even laid simple enchantments on their wares, resulting in tapestries that tell a story as the little thread figures move about, or dresses that shimmer like the night sky. On the Western side, the porch sales are simpler and full of more practical items, and don't seem as celebratory of the wares, but they make up for it by holding small bonfires outside at night, taking turns telling ghost stories and old legends, or tales of ancestors long past. If you have a story to share, true or made up, most circles will welcome you, offering you a hot drink and a piece of heavy, fruit-laden spice cake in return. (Get the piece with the coin in it, and you're guaranteed good luck, they say!) One tradition they both share is the airing of grievances and making amends with one another, to start the coming new year off on a good foot. The bridge over the River Temese that separates the Eastern and Western sides of the District is decorated with hanging lanterns and paper flowers, and here is where humans and Monsters, rich and poor, come together to get it all out and forgive. Mostly these are heated discussions that end in hand-shakes and smiles, but occasionally a scuffle breaks out; it's fine, they're getting it out of their systems. c. Shopping District The Goblin Market is bustling with activity, lately, just a little more out in the open than they were before. The selection of vendors seem... maybe just a little less shady. Some are eager to whisper gossip about the change, telling curious Mirrorbound that oh, it's too dangerous lately to sell items that aren't above the board, so to speak. Why, some of those sellers, the ones with living wares, they've taken a huge hit to their coinpurses from merchandise disappearing! Seems fair and just, doesn't it? Would you like to look at some of their own fine products? All ethically sourced, of course, this shed Faun antler was purchased fair and square from a willing Monster! 'Ethically sourced' is a big trend this month for Goblin Market sellers, with similar phrases scrawled across stall signs and banners to indicate that their ingredients were sourced fairly, given freely. They carry a wide variety of Monster parts for re-sale, though most of it are parts that could have been obtained without harming the Monster, and Witch's blood, donated, they'll say. Potions and charms to temporarily mimic a Bond, talismans that supposedly keep a Monster from going feral, they offer all kinds of specialty items, though still none of it is sanctioned by the Coven. With Samuin coming up at the end of the month, the wares laid across tables become more colorful, and more... interesting. Talismans made of dyed Harpy feathers and papery shed Naga skin promise to ward off ill-intent going into the new year, and several vendors are hawking samples of a potion that, they claim, will allow you to speak to dead loved ones. To Mirrorbound, they may claim these magical concoctions will let them speak to loved ones beyond the glass - but these claims are patently false, and the potions have a wide array of side-effects, including hallucinations, paranoia, skin or hair changing colors, or a burning fever that only abates when the afflicted cuddles up to someone close. Luckily, these symptoms will wear off in just a few hours. You're liable to start a fight if you ask for your money back, though. d. Harbor District The Harbor District is lively this time of year. Besides the Samuin traditions the entirety of Aefenglom enjoy, the sailors have their own. During the day, many of them set up tables wherever they can find the space to help each other make bright, painted lanterns to hang on the sides of their ships, to ward off evil spirits and welcome the good spirits. If you have some time to spare, they'll say, you're welcome to paint a lantern to hang outside your door! Then, every evening, the parties start at dusk and last clear until dawn, often spilling out of the bars and taverns into the streets. Drunk revelers play shabby instruments and sing folk songs and sea shanties, and they lead each other in exuberant dances under hanging lanterns. If asked, any seaman will tell you that you have to get it all out of your system before the new year begins! One last hurrah of drunken fun! (Several of them will swear they're going to cut back their drinking and be more serious - they've been saying the same thing every Octeuril for years.) Even the children in the orphanges around the factories get in on the fun, in their own way, making paper masks of fanciful creatures, and going door to door, or even just from street to street, to ask for trinkets, money and food so that they can have a good Samuin at the end of the year. But if you don't give them anything, well. They consider a kick in the shins to be proper retribution. Children can be so mischievous. Despite having less than most, the people of the Harbor District and the sailors are quick to welcome new faces into their parties, happy to include any Mirrorbound, and the Monster refugees from Dorchacht, sharing drinks and conversation. "It's nuts, what's happening up there," the sailors say, eager to share the latest gossip from their trade routes. "It's not much in or out of Dorchacht right now, is it? After chaos broke out and all. Their Resistance seems to be holding strong, and good for them, aye! Maybe we'll see things improve up there yet!" They'll toast to good luck for the Resistance, and good luck for the refugees, and good luck for the Mirrorbound alike.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs; take the prompts offered and go wild, go crazy, go stupid, have fun. The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up now as well! While new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the October's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans, let the mods know and if you have any questions about the log, ask them here!

Comments

definite spoilers for Shadowbringers in the second, and probably throughout

[unsundered]

i. reflections
[Emet-Selch is one of the few people on his own along the bridge over the river Temese. While he'd originally only meant to cross, he lingered at the sight of various pairs coming and going- apparently to argue with one another. The pattern was consistent enough to have to have been deliberate, though he had little idea as to the why.

While most seemed to find some manner of reconciliation, a fistfight has broken out just a few feet away from where Emet-Selch is leaning against the side of the bridge, looking detached.]

Honestly... I'd have expected better from a presumably intact world.

[Yeah he's just talking to himself.]


ii. the fall of night

[Listening to people trading stories around a bonfire was a way of learning things that didn't take too much effort. Who knew whether many of the tales were true, but the kind of stories told was information in itself. But eventually attention turned towards him, the obvious expectation that he should add something of his own. And Emet-Selch considered refusing, finding some excuse or another; he owed the people of this world nothing, not even the truth.

But in the end, on some whim, he began--

The story of a dark and most wonderful god- as this was from a time before the Dark carried any sort of negative connotation. It was life and energy and and the warm embrace of night- and it was through this god's mercy that a world was restored.

And yet (because there's always a yet). Some few were jealous and fearful of the dark, and conspired in secret to destroy Him. Through their treachery, a goddess of light was born, and through Her aggression, the god of the dark was struck down. Yet not only Him, but the world itself was broken from Her assault- as unlike Her counterpart, the power of light was one of destruction, enervation, sterility. The world and all its people were torn into pieces, lost all memory of what had been- and in their new weakness, turned on one another like wild beasts.

And under light's guidance, grew to hate and fear the dark.

Emet-Selch's manner of storytelling is evidently quite compelling, judging from the reactions of the listening natives- giving the appropriate murmurs of dismay at the fall of night, and disapproving head-shakes at light's cruelty.

When it's over, the mood around the bonfire is a little melancholy. Still, it's soon enough that conversation restarts, and the stories move on- and Emet-Selch is able to slip back towards the outskirts of the group. Though he doesn't yet leave, he remains on the fringes, contemplative.]


iii.
[Wildcard, choose your own adventure, etc.]

iii vague area

[fordola]

[ ...

...


......

Fordola froze. Her expressions shifting more then she thought they could - from confusion, to shock, to wariness. Her skills of observation were sharp, as always - perhaps sharper, with her new bird-like eyes.

But that was-- well, she had only seen paintings of him in his prime, but-- it had to be. She stood firm, straight, as she approached - giving him a firm Imperial Salute, stopping the mandated distance away from... from her Emperor. (Well, Varis was hers currently, but ssh. That had only been from the vague time between 2.whatever and 4.0.) ]

Your Radiance.

[unsundered]

[Hm. Now that was a title Emet-Selch hadn't heard for a few years. And the familiar salute further confirmed that he wasn't mistaken. Pausing in his tracks, he turns towards the woman standing back from him, resolute as a statue. An obvious soldier.

Ah- and an Ala Mhigan? Crossed with a- whatever, he would've guessed ixal if he hadn't heard about people becoming monsters in this place. But apparently one of those Ala Mhigans who'd thrown their lot in with their conquerors. Why else would she have approached?

That was... interesting. His smile is passably friendly as he waves her off.]

Come now. Be at ease. This is hardly the place for such titles.

[As casual as his tone is, his attention is fixed on her reactions.]

There's no Garlemald here.

[fordola]

[ As he gave - to her - his command, she swiftly dropped her salute. But she stood firm, not letting her guard drop. Her wings holding firmer behind her back as if she tried to hide them, her Ananta-like tail curled around one of her legs. (Shame. She felt so much shame that she couldn't hide it more.) ]

While there may not be, my Lord, that does not mean I would not show respect.

[unsundered]

Hm? So no thoughts of revenge? Sure, like as not nothing would come of it back home, but that doesn't mean you couldn't take your satisfaction.

[He approaches her then, idly, practically sidling up. And then- leaning in, inspecting those wings, gaze trailing down to that tail.]

--what are you, anyway?

[fordola]

[ ...He might not have known of what Gaius had done with some children of Ala Mhigo. Nor may he know of what happened later, if he was in his youth - did he know of any of this? ]

--A beast. [ She hissed, looking at herself. ] A... griffin, most likely - even if they call me a chimera. [ The sign of Ala Mhigo? Her? She still doesn't believe it. ] Happens to those who've been taken here - those who aren't witches. [ Oh, there's that hatred boiling in her tongue. She could tell him how much she hated it - but that was not her place.

Instead, she had to answer his earlier queries. ] I am a Tribunus Militum, my lord. However, I was captured by a combination of the Eorzean Alliance and the Ala Mhigan Resistance, shortly before my arrival here. I do not hate Garlemald, even if I sound like I should. [ Her accent, in other words - and her appearance. ]

[unsundered]

[It was true that Emet-Selch didn't remember all of the detail when it came to actually running his empire's territories. Delegation was a wondrous thing, especially when one didn't care overly much for ideas like 'long-term stability.']

Some small irony, eh? The Eorzian reduced to fang and claw, and the Garlean given magic.

[..but ah yes, his Garlemald had distilled a certain distaste for beast tribes and their ilk in its people. The more false divisions between societies, the more conflict, and every last one of them was more than eager to turn on anything that happened to be even the tiniest bit different.

Small wonder she was so dismayed with her fate.]

Well, if you're so willing to resume your service even here, I suppose I can overlook certain... changes.

[Not that he cared one whit that she was some monstrous chimera. If anything it was an advantage; if monsters were a part of this world, having one available that he could study could be a boon. Much better than her being just another witch.]

What's your name, Tribunus?

i-blanket ShB spoiler warning just in case

[inlikethebrume]

Whoa!

[That is certainly a yelp as she jumped out of the way from another pair throwing punches and now are rolling on the ground. This is one thing even out of her element and all she can do is just try to cross without getting hit by something. Mira tries to focus more on the decorations on the bridge instead but as she does, something catches her eye. Rather someone. It's hard not to miss that style of clothing even from a distance and she's hoping it's just a figment of her imagination.

Which means she has to move closer to get a better look. Surely it is only a trick, yes? Will curiosity kill the dark knight? Hope not.]

Is that...?

[unsundered]

[Glancing up at the new voice, Emet-Selch spots the other lone soul on the bridge. He doesn't recognize Mira, of course; none of the Warriors of Light looked quite the same as he remembered. So her words get a half-shrug.]

Is that a shameful display by the local population? Yes, and whatever they have, I hope it's not catching.

[Though he grumbles as he has to dodge a carelessly swept leg from one of the two combatants, retreating a safe distance- and incidentally closer to her.]

[inlikethebrume]

[She's a little grateful for the fighters because it only confirms her suspicions. That voice and getting a closer look at him...it sure is a very familiar ascian. Mira stops as her eyes widen as for a moment, her mouth goes on auto-pilot.]

It is you-!

[Finding the enemy in the same place as you? More than a little awkward in her mind.]

[unsundered]

I can hardly be anyone else.

[Form and specific task may change, but Emet-Selch yet remained the same. But who was he to this person, to elicit that sort of reaction?]

...Don't tell me you're- [Another Warrior of Light? Were they having a convention?

--Unless she was someone from the empire, that was possible. That was technically rather more likely, but he had the weirdest feeling that wasn't what was going on. He frowns, changing his question.]

Who do you think I am?

[inlikethebrume]

[Her first thought consists of pondering if ascians are capable of forgetting things such as memories and she begins to open her mouth in reply. But then he questions again and that leaves Mira much more confused. What did he assume she was?]

Well, when you came to us in the Crystarium, you first introduced yourself as Solus zos Galvus. A moment later you then gave another: Emet-Selch.

[That first meeting sticks out most of all because not only the impact but the glorious fit he threw afterwards.]

[unsundered]

[There was no satisfaction in his guess having been correct. She only gets an exasperated sigh from him.]

My apologies, but there are several of you running around, and I didn't want to assume you were yet another.

[What had he ever done to deserve so many good friends turning up at once? Better that they were in a place that he could keep an eye on them, he supposed....]

ii

[darkcharge]

[ To be fair, Vanitas had intended on just passing through. He doesn't have stories to share and he doesn't care to hear anyone else's either. But the story of a god? A dark god that was apparently some savior to an entire world? Vanitas could be vaguely interested in that. Especially when this goddess of Light is nothing short than a villain in this tale.

Vanitas almost laughs. Almost. This story has to be a lie because surely he never met anyone of the Light that was destructive and while Vanitas himself is born of Darkness, he's never witnessed Darkness do anything but take. Though there is one point of commonality - people bickering over Light and Darkness and tearing themselves apart. Light hating the Dark is also nothing new.

He keeps his eyes on the man telling the story. Vanitas couldn't care less how it is received. Now he could turn and walk away, but well. Vanitas is curious so making an off hand comment? Well when speaking of beings of pure Darkness and pure Light he just can't quite help himself. ]

Points for creativity, if nothing else.

[unsundered]

[Being addressed breaks Emet-Selch out of his small reverie, glancing sideways in the direction of the voice. He hums low in his throat before replying.]

I admit I have a small bias, but it's entirely true.

[Having one's soul indelibly stained by said god would influence certain outlooks, Emet-Selch was well aware. But that didn't change the facts. He was biased, not delusional.]

Is it so unbelievable?

[darkcharge]

Light and Darkness are always at odds with one another. In worlds where the Light holds fast, life continues on as it always has. When Darkness wins out, it consumes the world and its inhabitants and it's as if they never existed at all.

[ Of course some seem to defy such a fate. Still, that's why it's hard for Vanitas to think that an entity of Darkness could save anything. Not without a price. ]

I've never witnessed anything comprised of Darkness ever be benevolent.

[unsundered]

Is that from personal experience, or...? Because those are the sort of lies I'd expect to hear spread by the Light.

[Not that darkness in itself couldn't also turn destructive; the Thirteenth shard collapsed into a useless void was proof of that, but that was the one outlier.]

But yes, the Dark that I know is entirely benevolent.

[darkcharge]

I wouldn't bother asking about your little bedtime story if I didn't have "personal experience" telling me otherwise.

[ He is snippy. Being unable to shed his Irritation is not doing him any favors. However... It sounds like to Vanitas that this guy's entire world is an outlier. Either way it's not just a story from the sounds of it. ]

So why did they turn on this deity. You said they feared it. Fear doesn't usually happen without some reason.

[unsundered]

[He's not offended by the snappishness, at least, tone remaining mild, even polite.]

Other stars operate by different rules, I'd hazard. Perhaps your darkness is the villain it's claimed to be, or perhaps it is yet misunderstood.

[A world where dark was cruel, rather than simply chaotic? How strange.]

They feared Him because of His power. He carries the very will of our star itself- but not everyone is going to be satisfied with that. They wanted someone to 'balance' Him, though their idea of balance was... excessive.

[Of course there was more to it than that. Of course. The lives they'd offered to Zodiark for His salvation. The further lives they were going to sacrifice to bring the earlier ones back.

The cost may have increased exponentially after Hydaelyn's interference, but the goal remained. The price would be paid.]

ii

[atouts]

[ Childermass has taken to lingering similarly at the back of the bonfire groups. Just close enough to listen in on stories being told but far enough away to not get dragged into telling another one himself. It's comfortable, at least, to sit in the background and idly smoke away on his pipe but when Emet-Selch slips away to lurk at the back as well, he'll turn towards him with mild curiosity. ]

Not the tale one often expects to hear when it comes to light against dark.

[ He doesn't sound judgemental about that, either, by any stretch. It isn't his story and certainly not from his own world, so how could he judge? He can't, so it's merely an interesting twist to him and little more. ]

[unsundered]

[The words get a half-shrug of acknowledgment.]

I've begun to get that impression.

[That other worlds seemed to share in a tyranny of light neither surprised nor concerned him. Anything that didn't influence his world was irrelevant, after all. But he did find it slightly curious that it would be so consistent. What universal constant had placed light on top, again and again?]

Assuming there's any number of unique stars out there, you would think that at least one would view the dark in a more positive light. --So to speak.

[atouts]

Based on how varied the mirrorbound seem to be, I can only imagine there must be worlds like that out there. Whether you'll find anyone from them here...

[ Well, that's up to luck, isn't it? So he just shrugs similarly. ]

But mankind isn't terribly inclined towards lurking in the dark. If there were less things willing to eat them out there in it, maybe it would be different.

[unsundered]

There's just as many dangers lurking under daylight. Perhaps more, even.

[Or maybe it just seemed that way because he was less comfortable in it. Hm.]

At least the dark will hide the approach of one's grisly demise.

[atouts]

Different dangers, I'll concede that. They often don't look like dangers at all, at least until it's too late.

[ Until they open their mouth, anyway, but whether Emet-Selch means the more political sort of danger or something a tad more literal, he wouldn't be able to say. Different worlds, after all. ]

[unsundered]

What violent worlds we live in, for that to be taken as a given.

[One of the more persistently disappointing aspects. And there was a whole list of 'em.]

But I suppose the idea of something better is impossible for most people.