Estinien has always struggled to remain idle, especially when there are things weighing on his mind. A combination of shame and paranoia had kept him hidden out at one of Greentruth's outposts, but as the days pass, the threat of his affliction causing harm has lessened, as has his list of things to occupy himself with. Continuing to hide away, at this point, would just be cowardly.
And so, he eases himself back into being around others by occasionally passing through Greentruth when his work demands it. He's been making an effort to map out the landmarks of the surrounding forest, which means his pale visage is occasionally spotted lurking around the main settlement, still largely colourless, but doing his best to hide it with a cloak and hood. Strands of glowing hair still fall free, illuminating the spaces beneath the dark fabric.
This time, he's pausing for some food. He sneaks around the area where daily meals are prepared, hoping to snatch up a few morsels before moving on. With any luck, no one will inspect him too closely...
Yuya may have come to Horos with exactly zero life skills, but he's slowly picking things up from helping around the settlement. These people have given them so much, so it feels only right to give back.
He's handling smaller tasks preparing for the next meal, which means he's around the scraps and recently cut vegetables as Estinien tries to slip in for a snack.
A tall hooded figure isn't exactly subtle, so of curse Yuya's attention is drawn from tearing apart leafy greens to... whoever that is. "Are you looking for somethi--Estinien?"
Unfortunately for Estinien, being short means he can see right up into that illuminated hood.
Estinien freezes with his hand on one of the leaf-wrapped rice rolls they are sending out with the hunters for the day. He shouldn't really be surprised that one of the other Aions was around. He's a bit surprised to be called out on it so suddenly, though.
It takes him a moment to think of what to say, otherwise just stares at Yuya with pale silver eyes in a moment of quiet bafflement. He tugs down his hood.
"...Aye," he says, taking the roll, and seemingly is attempting to just abruptly walk away from the situation.
"... W-wait!" Yuya shoves the greens aside as he briskly pursues Estinien. The lack of pigmentation is... a little. Alarming? "Are you back or are you leaving again?"
Estinien pauses mid-step. He keeps his face turned from Yuya, his shoulders slightly rigid, this situation a clearly awkward for him. Yet, he can realize how futile and foolish making this a big ordeal is.
"...I was getting lunch," he says. "My plans for the afternoon are yet undecided."
"Oh," Well, that seems obvious enough. Yuya leans on his feet, also awkward about not really having a better excuse to be pursuing him--but also not wanting him to just run off.
"Are you still feeling the effects of... you know." He means dying, not being completely privy to the details that lead up to that. He had, of course, been incapacitated in his own way.
Estinien could just blow him off entirely... but he is trying to be better about that sort of thing. He turns just enough to cast Yuya a glance, frowning. He'll try to give him a chance, at least.
"...If we are to speak of such things, I would rather it not be in the kitchens of all places."
"Oh, right." They can fly and probably normally do go other places in the forest. Yuya was just sort of... imagining them as Estinien's pets.
Yuya dusts his hands off, a little unnecessary, before he falls into step beside Estinien. At least, from this angle, he isn't too tempted to stare up at Estinien's pale glow. "So you were staying at an outpost? Alone?"
Some of them are making their best effort at being his 'pets' in the sense that they follow him around for food and what probably constitutes snuggles. Estinien keeps those moments to himself, though.
"Not alone. Himeka remained with me," he says. The place he was staying isn't far from here - just one of the hollows in the main tree. "I had... concerns about what these changes could mean for me. For other people." He looks downward. "I've seen the like before, and for most of history, 'twas a death sentence."
"You have?" He straightens up a little, curious. If Estinien has come back, then he's sure that means he's safe. So the revelation doesn't leave him any more worried than he was before. "Do you mean that whole illness or just the... uh, the glowing thing?"
"To be changed by a force that intended to make a puppet of you," he clarifies grimly. "The way its essence washed over me... 'twas much like a phenomenon we called tempering, in which a soul is contorted to more closely resemble the being that corrupted it, and filled with naught but the desires that had been inflicted upon them by that touch."
He's not completely certain, even now, but he would do not good for the rest of the Pleroma were he to hide away forever.
"Those with physical changes were the furthest gone."
"Oh." Yuya rubs the back his neck, not sure what to say for a moment. Or rather, not sure where to start.
So it's a minute of quiet between them before Yuya looks up at Estinien again. "Well, it didn't want to... exactly puppet anyone. I mean, the... thing that was spreading that whole thing."
He waves his hands vaguely. "More like... drawing everyone into it?"
They are just entering Estinien and Himeka's hut when Yuya says this, causing Estinien to stop in his tracks. He seems to go entirely still as he processes what Yuya said, turning back to look at him.
"You had a close experience with it, then?" he asks.
"Uh, yeah." He rubs the back of his neck, glancing aside as he leans in the doorway. "Kind of like I was becoming part of it, but I didn't go anywhere after all. And I guess it left and all of that stopped."
Totally normal and reasonable things, and not at all kind of alarming in hindsight. But he's fine! He thinks. "It really wanted to share peace."
"That creature doesn't know the meaning of peace."
His infection had been a state of unending torment that followed him beyond the destruction of his body. To feel his mind slip away, his control leaving him, had been absolute hell. Nevermind the physical pain it caused.
He still wakes at night thinking of it, sometimes.
[Ryu makes it all the way back to his quarters in Greentruth before inspiration hits. Going over in his head everything he knows about Entity, everything from the effects its powers seem to have to the various run-ins they've had with it.
The entity had... Touched Estinien's shard directly, really. But Estinien isn't the only one who'd fallen into its embrace, speaking more broadly. There's another Pleroma who they've been foolishly overlooking this entire time.
Maybe he shouldn't risk dragging the poor kid into this. Maybe this is a dead end, even. But... He's worried.
He tries reaching out by Communion first.]
...Sakaki-kun? Do you have a moment? I... I was hoping to ask you a question or two.
[Reflexively, Ryunosuke almost asks if he's okay. But, no... Of course he's not. None of them are.]
Forgive me, I hope you won't think this too odd... But I was wondering if. Since your illness in Venera... [How should he put this...] Have you heard from that entity again at all?
[Ryunosuke seems taken aback for a moment, but then he... Genuinely laughs, in a sort of self-deprecating way. Letting some of the tension about.]
Yes, that... That would be appreciated. But. Um. [He's about to make a really bad joke, but he's so tired, from everything; his filter for saying impulsive shit is just straight up worn out.] If you do I, uh, promise not to kick you this time...?
....Not exactly. It didn't actually say much of use, I suppose, ultimately. It objected to Estinien going to Achamoth, and when I spoke to it it was... Despondent, I guess is how I'd describe it?
Huh. [Well, he supposes he can see why it doesn't want Estinien to go to Achamoth. But:] There's no choice as long as the Regent has Mr. Nightroad and Himeka.
[...No. Maybe he should stop calling the entity, whoever or whatever she is, 'it'. There'd been a distinct, single voice at the end there. And he must needs change his perspective on their interactions, if he's going to get through to her.]
I don't think she sees their retrieval as vital. Or... Or even possible, at this stage...
[She'd told him he was the last of the Promised left.]
I agree! Wholeheartedly. And I did try to impress that upon her, that they weren't a lost cause, but... Then she 'impressed' upon me a rather heavy history of her struggles...
[He's trying to avoid dumping the full deets of the endless cycle of struggle and death and suffering the entity had conveyed to him, but. Woof.]
Between you and me... Her power could be a great boon to the rescue effort. But I fear for what that might mean for Ser Estinien, if she were to take hold of him once more. That's largely why I'd hoped to speak to her further.
I don't know for certain, but that seems to be the case. It's difficult for me to get any straight answers out of her; I think at least in part because she's... Displeased with me, for not upholding the promise we struck, I suppose...
I guess that makes sense. But if we want her to help, I don't know if 'back off' is going to do any good. [Even if she SHOULD.] When I was... completely infected, it didn't mess with my memories any. So maybe that's something that she can refrain from?
Right... Yet she hasn't punished or rebuked you at all since then...
[Maybe because unlike Estinien, Yuya has managed to stay out of trouble...?]
...I wonder if perhaps she might be more amenable to discussion with someone other than Estinien or myself. She seems to be a bit emotionally charged, when it comes to the two of us.
[Well. Mostly when it comes to Estinien. And Ryunosuke bringing up the effect she has on Estinien.]
[He's rueful about it, but in an amused way. Realistically it probably hasn't been THAT many times that he's attempted to talk to it-- HER-- but it sure feels like a lot, and it seems like he's left with more questions than he'd started with, each time he does.]
Besides the obvious of what we've already discussed, I have to admit I just... Find myself curious. Who or what is she, really?
[He sighs.]
I know it's... It's silly of me to wonder these things, when we have much larger problems at hand, but. For as much trouble as she's caused... Ugh, you mustn't tell Estinien this, please, but. I think... She may very well have saved both our lives. And while I don't approve of her using him the way she did...
[...]
...I just feel I owe her some kind of understanding, at the very least.
[It's obvious that she's suffering greatly, and who knows for how long she's had to deal with that on her own...]
... I don't know if she'll talk to me--[He doesn't see himself as having a very strong connection to her, all in all.] But if you think someone else with you might calm things down...
[At least, by forcing Ryunosuke to have a cooler head and not upset her again.]
[Ryu's surprised by the suggestion, but then falls quiet.]
I... That's not a terrible idea, actually, but... It could prove dangerous. I'm not sure I could ask you in good conscience to put yourself at risk like that...
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hippocarnival) wrote2022-03-02 05:45 pm
action (mid visoseri)
And so, he eases himself back into being around others by occasionally passing through Greentruth when his work demands it. He's been making an effort to map out the landmarks of the surrounding forest, which means his pale visage is occasionally spotted lurking around the main settlement, still largely colourless, but doing his best to hide it with a cloak and hood. Strands of glowing hair still fall free, illuminating the spaces beneath the dark fabric.
This time, he's pausing for some food. He sneaks around the area where daily meals are prepared, hoping to snatch up a few morsels before moving on. With any luck, no one will inspect him too closely...
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He's handling smaller tasks preparing for the next meal, which means he's around the scraps and recently cut vegetables as Estinien tries to slip in for a snack.
A tall hooded figure isn't exactly subtle, so of curse Yuya's attention is drawn from tearing apart leafy greens to... whoever that is. "Are you looking for somethi--Estinien?"
Unfortunately for Estinien, being short means he can see right up into that illuminated hood.
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It takes him a moment to think of what to say, otherwise just stares at Yuya with pale silver eyes in a moment of quiet bafflement. He tugs down his hood.
"...Aye," he says, taking the roll, and seemingly is attempting to just abruptly walk away from the situation.
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"...I was getting lunch," he says. "My plans for the afternoon are yet undecided."
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"Are you still feeling the effects of... you know." He means dying, not being completely privy to the details that lead up to that. He had, of course, been incapacitated in his own way.
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"...If we are to speak of such things, I would rather it not be in the kitchens of all places."
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"I have," he says. "Some eventually found me at the outpost, regardless..." He shrugs a shoulder and then gestures for Yuya to follow him. "Come."
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Yuya dusts his hands off, a little unnecessary, before he falls into step beside Estinien. At least, from this angle, he isn't too tempted to stare up at Estinien's pale glow. "So you were staying at an outpost? Alone?"
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"Not alone. Himeka remained with me," he says. The place he was staying isn't far from here - just one of the hollows in the main tree. "I had... concerns about what these changes could mean for me. For other people." He looks downward. "I've seen the like before, and for most of history, 'twas a death sentence."
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He's not completely certain, even now, but he would do not good for the rest of the Pleroma were he to hide away forever.
"Those with physical changes were the furthest gone."
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So it's a minute of quiet between them before Yuya looks up at Estinien again. "Well, it didn't want to... exactly puppet anyone. I mean, the... thing that was spreading that whole thing."
He waves his hands vaguely. "More like... drawing everyone into it?"
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"You had a close experience with it, then?" he asks.
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Totally normal and reasonable things, and not at all kind of alarming in hindsight. But he's fine! He thinks. "It really wanted to share peace."
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"That creature doesn't know the meaning of peace."
His infection had been a state of unending torment that followed him beyond the destruction of his body. To feel his mind slip away, his control leaving him, had been absolute hell. Nevermind the physical pain it caused.
He still wakes at night thinking of it, sometimes.
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"I don't really know why it left, though. It was just like... waking up? When the infection stopped."
Voice, late Soviseri I guess? After Estinien's network post
The entity had... Touched Estinien's shard directly, really. But Estinien isn't the only one who'd fallen into its embrace, speaking more broadly. There's another Pleroma who they've been foolishly overlooking this entire time.
Maybe he shouldn't risk dragging the poor kid into this. Maybe this is a dead end, even. But... He's worried.
He tries reaching out by Communion first.]
...Sakaki-kun? Do you have a moment? I... I was hoping to ask you a question or two.
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But he does, at least, respond through the communion.] What is it?
[It's... something to take his mind off of how helpless he feels, anyway.]
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Forgive me, I hope you won't think this too odd... But I was wondering if. Since your illness in Venera... [How should he put this...] Have you heard from that entity again at all?
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No, not since it left. I didn't expect it was going to come after Estinien like that... because he was in trouble?
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[But it hasn't contacted Yuya, then? He pauses to think a moment, turning the facts over in his head.
Maybe this was a dead end...]
Well I'm glad to hear it hasn't bothered you, at least... I can vouch that the side effects are deeply unpleasant.
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Sorry, I... I really shouldn't bother you with all this.
[He's just... Hitting a wall over what to do.]
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Yes, that... That would be appreciated. But. Um. [He's about to make a really bad joke, but he's so tired, from everything; his filter for saying impulsive shit is just straight up worn out.] If you do I, uh, promise not to kick you this time...?
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... Have you heard from it since we went to Venera the first time?
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[The emotions here are complex, but consist mostly shame and embarrassment. He really thought you were dying! Sorry!!!!]
...Yes, I have. A-actually... I just spoke to it. Or attempted to, anyway...
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[...No. Maybe he should stop calling the entity, whoever or whatever she is, 'it'. There'd been a distinct, single voice at the end there. And he must needs change his perspective on their interactions, if he's going to get through to her.]
I don't think she sees their retrieval as vital. Or... Or even possible, at this stage...
[She'd told him he was the last of the Promised left.]
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Well, we're never going to agree on that. I know Estinien is the same. We can't leave them to die there.
[Or worse.]
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[He's trying to avoid dumping the full deets of the endless cycle of struggle and death and suffering the entity had conveyed to him, but. Woof.]
Between you and me... Her power could be a great boon to the rescue effort. But I fear for what that might mean for Ser Estinien, if she were to take hold of him once more. That's largely why I'd hoped to speak to her further.
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I guess she can't appear by herself right now? It has to be through Estinien?
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I don't know if 'displeased' is entirely accurate for the way she treats Estinien... Or at least, she's not displeased with us in the same way.
She's. She almost seems more like an overprotective mother to him...? Whereas the rest of us have been designated his caretakers.
[To be screamed at if they let her baby boy get hurt.]
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[He's surprised by that. Glad, but... Surprised.]
Remind me, did she speak to you at all, when you were in that state?
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[Maybe because unlike Estinien, Yuya has managed to stay out of trouble...?]
...I wonder if perhaps she might be more amenable to discussion with someone other than Estinien or myself. She seems to be a bit emotionally charged, when it comes to the two of us.
[Well. Mostly when it comes to Estinien. And Ryunosuke bringing up the effect she has on Estinien.]
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... What do you want to ask her?
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[He's rueful about it, but in an amused way. Realistically it probably hasn't been THAT many times that he's attempted to talk to it-- HER-- but it sure feels like a lot, and it seems like he's left with more questions than he'd started with, each time he does.]
Besides the obvious of what we've already discussed, I have to admit I just... Find myself curious. Who or what is she, really?
[He sighs.]
I know it's... It's silly of me to wonder these things, when we have much larger problems at hand, but. For as much trouble as she's caused... Ugh, you mustn't tell Estinien this, please, but. I think... She may very well have saved both our lives. And while I don't approve of her using him the way she did...
[...]
...I just feel I owe her some kind of understanding, at the very least.
[It's obvious that she's suffering greatly, and who knows for how long she's had to deal with that on her own...]
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[At least, by forcing Ryunosuke to have a cooler head and not upset her again.]
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I... That's not a terrible idea, actually, but... It could prove dangerous. I'm not sure I could ask you in good conscience to put yourself at risk like that...
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[Yeah he's worried about Yuya getting statued again :/]
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But you got him out of it, right?
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[No, he doesn't know how, and he's not going to ask her, either.]
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I guess if you need any help, you can let me know. I'm willing to try?
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...I do appreciate that. Let me... Let me think on it a bit. If we do go, we should probably go in with a plan...