[ Cracks open that Savant connection like it's nothing. :) ]
I want to take you out to my temple, to show you from where we will be firing the weapon. Your insight, along with Akua and her side of things, will be pivotal.
[ Every time they talk, he gets BULLIED!!! (deserved), so Fane's reception isn't exactly thrilled... But he doesn't hang up, nor does the displeasure have any real teeth to it. Per usual, he's just a bit surly at a default. ]
...But, yes. That sounds wise. I've been working with her on the theory, and it is about time that we switched to the practical. [ A thoughtful noise follows, and at least like any good Savant, the flicker of irritation is quelled by the prospect of an interesting problem to be dug into. ] Now, I assume?
There is never a better time than the present. I will come fetch you, and show you to my temple.
[ not the shrine, but his TEMPLE ]
We have begun transporting supplies out to the location, based on the theorem developed, so I hope you will be satisfied with what we have to begin with. And will let me know what more you need. No matter what it is, I will find it or something to replace it.
Very well. I'm still residing in Heliopolis since it's convenient, so I'll be ready when you get here. I look forward to seeing the progress so far.
[ A pause, as Fane clearly is considering whether to trust Set with something or not... But he decides that there's perhaps no one better to ask that an apparent god. Probably. He doesn't completely know how it works, but he doubts he'll be judged, at least. ]
...There is a personal matter that I'd like to ask about. It gets people all riled up for some reason when I've asked in the past, but perhaps you can be of assistance in obtaining what I need. It's not strictly related to this, but it'd be an asset, I assure you.
[ He almost says it now, but, no. With a sigh, he adds: ]
—No, I'll just ask when you get here. It's at least a brief query.
[ The moment that Fane had expressed that he would be amenable to joining Set, the god had gone on the move. Heliopolis wasn't far from where he and Akua lived, so it would take him no time at all to get there. In the meanwhile, he could still chat while rapidly approaching the man's location. ]
Oh, people always get riled up about the most inconsequential of things! "Set, stop picking fights with your allies!" "Set, stop making deals for our benefit with our enemies — let us be friendly with them with no purpose, instead!" Blah, blah blah!
[ Soon, he is at Fane's door. Knocking briskly, calling his name. ]
Fane! Let me in, before I show you how poor the security here is ~!
[ He realizes that Set’s expectations for what Fane is going to ask him might be a little skewed in this moment, but he still doesn’t think it’ll be a problem. ]
Hmph… But what sort of deals do you mean? Dealing with our enemies does seem like a poor idea, but it all depends on the conditions. What did we gain?
[ Since that’s kind of all that matters to Fane. He’s truly a “ends justify the means” guy, which is precisely how he gets in trouble, and he has no self-awareness to realize it. Though at the very least, he doesn’t immediately criticize Set.
…For that, at least. Once he’s at the door and being annoying, Fane huffs out a noise of annoyance, but he’s quick to open it. The remnants of magic flutter off his form, as he’d quickly cast Disguise Self before opening the door. It’s not for Set, naturally. It’s more because he prefers to not be stared at in the busy Springstar streets. ]
[ Having a relationship with Silco, whom literally everyone hates, means that he's not completely off the grid and unaccounted for. Set's deal with him ( and thus Sebastian ), during the Iconoclast had not precisely shaken out in favor of Meridian — so, the situation regarding repayment had shifted a little. Set was biding his time to reclaim the second half of his bargain, for what he had offered in exchange; then again, the relationship he had with Silco was, in and of itself, a very strange reward. ]
Depending on our endgame, perhaps even someone who could tear down Zenith from the inside out.
[ HM!
And then Fane's opening the door, and Set's a little disappointed that he didn't get to show him his fun party trick. He squeezes past the sorcerer, and hikes his hands onto his hips expectantly. Even as his nose wrinkles a little at not being able to see Fane's real face. It's a bit silly to him, but he is literally a man, an animal and a storm all in one. Going around in weird shapes and with bits of himself as entire other things is normal. ]
[ HM INDEED… That’s a curious note to end on, which is why Fane gives him an expectant look at first to finish that thought, but naturally, Fane is expecting too much. Set pushes his way inside, and though Fane sighs at the intrusion, he doesn’t stop him. There’s not much to see, after all. Fane’s quarters are almost completely undecorated from the way they come by standard. There are books and papers that neatly sit on a desk, and an unusual, floating chest near it.
Oh, and there’s a young chicken. It’s completely pitch black, almost like another bird that Set knows, and it peeps happily as it threads between Set and Fane’s feet. It also has atrocious vibes. ]
Agh, Peeper—
[ Fane sighs in exasperation, then leans down to pick the chicken up and take him further into the quarters so they can at least leave, lest it follow them as a third party member, ]
And don’t give me that look. I grow tired of being stared at every time I step out of this place. It’s as if no one has seen someone without skin before!
[ The chicken has HORRIBLE VIBES, yes. Set still, immediately, emits the most eerie, animalistic little coo upon seeing it. Since he's not into eating meat, the chicken does not clock to him as a meal at all, but a cute little pet. Also, he's a big fan of birds — Horus, Sebastian, and now Peeper, all are creatures he wants to hold in his arms and aggressively pet. Cats and dogs are great, but you can't top the brilliance of birds! ]
Oh, let it come! Fane, it is so cute and horrible!
[ He takes a nice look around Fane's place, wanting so badly to pry into all his notes and sniff around the chest — but, another time. Instead, he sweeps back to Fane's side and loops his arm boldly through the scholar-sorcerer's, as if they are bosom companions and not a horrible cat and one of his ( other ) favorite chew-toys. ]
Honestly, considering the non-human entities I have seen here, you would think that Kenos would be a little more used to the unique among us. There is nothing strange about you, tch!
[ At least Peeper is happy for the attention! Fane, alas, does not have the “Pet Pal” talent, so he doesn’t get to enjoy the extremely cute peeps of him going “Mama” at Fane repeatedly. A for effort, Peeper. ]
No, absolutely not. If he dies, it becomes a whole problem.
[ He sets Peeper down in what’s clearly a repurposed cat bed, but he at least happily cheeps in the nest that Fane has set up for him. Apparently Fane has a bit of a soft spot for birds too! Or, at the very least, a responsibility to make sure this one doesn’t turn into an endless, extremely annoying Voidwoken spawn point.
It’s as he walks back that Set loops their arms together, and it immediately shows the limitations of the spell that Fane uses. Set’s arm passes through the illusion of Fane’s, and it’s clearly raw bone that fills out the flowing robes that he wears. He makes a slightly indignant sound, and it’s clear that he’s about to tell Set off, but it also quickly quiets at that last comment. There’s a softer feeling in their connection, but he’s quick to try and push it away with a sigh. ]
…Well, they’re better than Rivellon, that much is certain. They stare, but they do not chase me down with pitchforks and torches and force me to immolate them in turn.
[ Does he sound or feel guilty about that? Nope! Not even a little!
He doesn’t try and free himself from Set’s grasp (perhaps he knows better at this point), but instead just leans over to grab a messenger-style bag that he’d filled up already. ]
Well, let’s go, before Peeper thinks better of staying put.
[ Set immediately begins to wail because he wants Peeper to come with them AND go nuclear on Kenos, that would be FUN. No jk, he doesn't do that at all. He just looks at where Fane has placed the chicken with a distinct expression of disappointment, as if all the fun has just been stolen out of his life. He then presses his fingertips to his mouth and blows a little kiss to the cheeping bird, automatically fond over a cute, deadly creature.
And then he has Fane in arm, and he can feel the bony press of him below the spellwork. There's no issue that he takes, though, with the sensation. Again, he is a divine entity — his mother is the night sky, his father the soil of the earth. He speaks with crocodiles and has, in Kenos, lain with the shadows themselves ( sighs ) — it's not something that strikes him as odd, nor alarming. If anything, he treats Fane like any other being! ]
If they did, I would not be one to admonish you for defending yourself as necessary.
[ He sniffs, derisive of Rivellon's close-mindedness ( ugh mortals! ) and waits for Fane to snag his bag before promptly swinging him out the door and into the street. They'll be heading for Springstar's main Cornerstone, and out into the depths of the Beyond via it. He'd like for Fane to see the place where the weapon was being designed and assembled, more than the staging grounds he's made of his shrine and Quetzalcoatl's temple. At this point, he isn't hiding as much as he once did, because the theorem only needed to match the technological level of Kenos for it to function. He has the bullet and the power, it's just the "gun" and "target" he needs. ]
The location is protected, needless to say. Spellwork on it has a targeted psychological bomb devoted to Zenites who might find the location, which we might switch over to a strict ban if they determine where the Cornerstone itself is. For now, we expect them to forge the perils of the Beyond moreso than visually confirm a teleportation target.
[ A content sigh, and he bumps his strong hip into Fane's side. A devil's smirk spreading across his sharp teeth. ]
— however, before we discuss mechanics and theory... you had something you wanted to ask of me?
[ Set’s acceptance of Fane—both in very casually latching onto him and in approving of his methods for dealing with those that do not—is something that Fane quietly appreciates. Outwardly, it’s given little more than a thoughtful sound, but Fane’s mind is no secret to another Savant. He’s deeply appreciative in a way that makes it clear that despite his posturing, his skeletal state is something he hates. He’s also just awkward about expressing it. For fair reasons, he’d contest with sarcasm, since thanking someone for not treating him like a monster seems like an incredibly low bar, but.
It's not something he ends up speaking to, and he instead allows himself to be swept up in Set’s energetic carrying on instead. He may not be totally comfortable with being touched, but at least Lohse was as clingy as Set seems to be, so he’s used to it, more or less. Bless Lohse for domesticating this rude nerd a little. ]
You may as well ban them from the start. There’s no good that would come of them approaching, is there? But I suppose it is fair enough that it is protected enough just by the inconvenience of getting through the woods themselves. I don’t imagine it’s easy for most.
[ He responds with all business, and he's reverted to normal once they're away from Springstar, but makes a little noise as Set bumps into him and makes him stumble just a bit. He looks to Set, expressionless as always, but just from his posture it’s easy to imagine the huffy grimace at being bullied… But his tone is lighter than that. ]
Ah, yes. I’m in need of something— [ Fane waves his hand in a circle as he tries to think of a good word, but it’s clear from his tone when he finds it that he disagrees with the assessment ] —”unethical”, and you seemed like a good person to ask.
[ What does that say about Set? Don’t worry about it! At least Fane’s logic is simply that a god of war would have plenty of knowledge or access to what he needs. ]
I’m able to make a mask that gives me more of a solid disguise than that paltry Disguise Self spell can offer, but one of the ingredients is troubling to the lesser races, apparently. I need a face, so therefore, a corpse. I already have a tool with which to remove it, so that’s no concern, but from my understanding, Kenos doesn’t simply leave them lying about like they do in Rivellon.
Yes, I may as well! However, this way they will writhe in abject terror and present wonderful targets of themselves for me to take potshots at in a place where they have no easy escape. And did you know? Yima herself pointed this location out to me!
[ get wrekt yima?????? Set has considered the meaning of her granting him such direction and wisdom, often and always since she first gave him such a terrible vision of his son burning in Meridian's light after he'd asked for knowledge of the world. And he had received the knowledge. The fact that his kin must have existed in the world — either because it was his world, or because they had been among the first generation to settle it, he did not know. All he knew was that it had bothered him for months afterwards, and bothered him still: the thought that he could be taking the wrong path, if what he wanted the most was to save his child.
Yima was the same, after all. But, to see her... to see her, whom was said to know so much, see so far, know how best to give to her loyalists, embracing his own brother? That had been enough to send him spiraling into revulsion. There could be no Zenith for him, if she was there. He'd never be able to stomach a love that embraced all, at the expense of others who needed a leader who would protect them.
Anyways, he's maudlin over it. Enough's enough, and the weapon being assembled will be a firm statement from Meridian. Whomever wanted to admit to their part in the aftermath could, but he was the one willing to rise up as the proverbial villain before all of Zenith. It was, after all, his destiny to be the bad guy. <3 Which is why Fane saying that he's a good person to ask because the matter is "unethical" does not give him pause. Well, not much pause. The steps he take do briefly slow, his eyelashes fluttering in a moment's understanding of the impact of his cultivated image has truly made. ]
You would be correct.
[ Though he feels a simmering sickness in his belly over it, he lifts his chin and plows ahead callously. ]
— you need a corpse? Just any old corpse? That is easy! I would rather not slaughter a Springstar citizen for you, but since we are on our way to the island of Highstorm, I can always hop into the city-proper and make one for you. Do you want someone big and strong? Maybe cute and endearing? Oh! Oh! How about sensual, if you would like to honeypot a foe. Or maybe... ah, a child?
[ That last one comes out, a little falteringly. Set's not entirely willing to just murder a child ( anymore ), but he has before. He will again, if it's for Meridian's betterment. Still, his eyes shift to the side for a moment, and land upon the dark ring of shadowy-beads upon his left wrist; a curse, burning dark and hateful upon him, binding him to a world that no longer existed, but was waiting for him. What would... what would dipping back into his old ways truly cost, if there was no world ( yet ) to weigh them again?
It's a bit like being in moratorium from his atonement, isn't it? ]
Oh. [ It’s an “oh” of recognition that the idea is tactically sound. ] Well, that makes sense, in that case. The other Godwoken and I had a variety of methods to slow our other foes to make them easier targets. I miss some of their spellwork, in fact…
[ What he wouldn’t do for little tomes of Geomancy and Pyromancy to really turn the tables of battlefields here… And he does miss them, he supposes. He’s still (tsundere) a bit conflicted on how he feels about them.
Though he does make a little noise of disapproval at how Yima apparently gave him this location, Fane doesn’t get the time to ask about that before they get to his question. Someone more empathetic might notice those slowed steps, Fane surely doesn’t. He first makes a sound like he would have been clicking his tongue if he had one, since if it’s just making a corpse, he could have done that himself, but he at least lets Set go on. At least until that last suggestion. ]
Absolutely not.
[ Fane’s voice is firm in rejecting children, and it’s as quickly as Set makes the suggestion. Fane may be morally dubious, that much is obvious, but he has clear, strong convictions. Children seems to be one of them. It’s nothing that he’s particularly secretive about (he’d told all of Kenos about it, by his measure), so he also doesn’t think it needs explaining. Of course a father would have a line in the sand about murdering children. ]
…I did not mean murdering them, necessarily, but all the rest are fine. It’s somewhat irrelevant, since I only need their face.
[ At least rather than just leave it at that, ominous and mysterious, he does explain further. ]
I am working on a trinket that allows me to be more flesh and blood. By combining an orb of pure Source with a face, I can magically mold it to an enchanted mask. The process is trivial. But the crafting material is… more complicated. I had hoped you might know where they dispose of corpses around here, since I could just take someone that has already died, but if murder is the only recourse, then so be it.
[ As a fellow Savant, Fane will undoubtedly be able to feel the relief ( and guilt ) that swims within Set when the man rejects the idea of utilizing a child. He'd rather not fall that far, again. Maintaining his vow to his own son was integral to everything he did, and to return home and be forced to admit the things he had to do on Meridian's behalf was — already a topic he was hesitant to broach. Ma'at would know, though. If not her, than Thoth with his all-seeing gaze. And if they knew, it would get out eventually, with the new volume of sins and crimes reaching the ears of his diminutive, cursed son ( — no, his grown, divine son whom could not even remember him — )...
He doesn't want Anubis to regret giving him another chance. Hurting his son once was enough. And the lingering, somber pain affiliated with the thought of a child might hum within Fane, flowing inescapably from Set himself. #Fathercore. He hums in his throat, thoughtful as he rouses from the relief that Fane would never want him to target a child for such uses. Murder, or maiming. ]
I would assume most people would be distressed if we simply took their faces, so a corpse it will have to be. They complain less, and your enchanted mask will not become the talk of the town if there is no one around to spoil the magic it takes to create it.
[ He does think, though. ]
Springstar immolates their own. Few corpses survive beyond a perfunctory handful of days it takes to attend them, put their affairs in order, and return them to the Church for the next Sending. I could ask my contacts there, but it depends on how quickly you need the face. If it is soon, murder is the best route. You would not have to worry about someone recognizing the dead, and raising alarm that they had begun living once more, that way.
[ Fane may be terrible when it comes to reading body language or tone, but the connection of Savant to Savant at least does a lot of work in bridging that gap. The combination of guilt and relief gets Fane to look Set’s way, and his expression would be quizzical if he had it. But the somber pain— Ah, that he knows.
He looks ahead again, considering how to bring it up, but it’s something that moves to the back of his mind for now. There’s the practical, macabre matter at hand instead. ]
Yes, they are. The cretin I stole the design from used it on someone who was not dead yet, and needless to say, he didn’t enjoy it and he died quickly. But so did the cretin.
[ ♥ happy ending ♥ ]
…Regardless. I’d prefer it sooner rather than later.
[ It’s something he would have taken his time with only a day ago, but now that he’d promised to help Liem, he needed it sooner. He does leave his wording without the insistence that implies a time crunch, since he and Liem had discussed this and decided secrecy was best. Worst comes to worst, he’ll make “material” himself, no need to involve Set. ]
I… suppose someone that would not be missed? It wasn’t something I had to consider when making them in Rivellon… All the Masks I made just came from people littering the Joy, so…
[ He gets sucked into his own contemplation for a moment, but it’s not mysterious what Fane is considering from their connection. Also just his personality in general. He’s not experienced in being the subterfuge type. ]
Edited (whoops, wrong word aGH) 2024-02-07 22:07 (UTC)
[When one has a dirty deed to accomplish for Meridian’s benefit, and most of the Meris one knows have at least some lines they’d rather not cross, the pickings for potential useful allies become somewhat slim. Some people he won’t involve on principle—Gray, for instance—and others he thinks may simply not be suited to the job. He recalls, though, a certain strange-eyed man (or skeleton, really) making his position clear on this subject. Personally, I do not think any tactic is underhanded when it is the very fate of infinite worlds on the line.
So when he goes hunting for assistance… he starts here.]
Please pardon my intrusion, Fane.
[Says the man politely knocking at Fane’s mental door, like a shadow behind frosted glass. (Glances at the thread directly above this one.)]
I have been given charge of discreetly carrying out a certain task for the Heiropoios, and I wonder if you might assist me.
[ Yeah, unlike SOMEONE, Liem’s “approach” is much better in Fane’s book! There’s light surprise at being contacted, but the politeness easily melts away that surliness. He’d only spoken a little to Liem in the context of larger Communion posts, but he at least recognizes him, even if he doesn’t know his name. ]
Not at all. I’m simply working, so I can take a break.
[ Plus, with what Liem is “here” to ask, it’s important. Most people would probably have a moment of self-reflection at being approached for this and for Set’s grand plans, but not Fane. Self-reflection isn’t his strong suit. ]
Especially as this sounds important… I will help in whatever way I can. [ That easy, huh? When it’s a task for Meridian, yep, that easy. ] What is this task?
[Don’t worry about why Liem is approaching you for this even though you don’t even know him, Fane. It definitely doesn’t imply anything questionable about you as a person.]
Essentially, I have been entrusted with some items that need to be delivered to Highstorm.
[The word “delivered” is doing a lot of heavy lifting, here.]
One—a spell focus, to be placed in an important area within the city.
Two—a few shards, like those Yima gifts her followers, to be delivered to the people connected with them.
The former I would hope to do in such a way as to avoid Zenith notice altogether. The shards, however, must end up in Zenite hands; just, ideally, not in such a way that they will know where they came from.
Ah, so Meridian is getting up to subterfuge now? Good.
[ At least Liem won't have to worry about how Fane feels about this particular task, clearly... ]
Well, you've asked at the right time, actually. I've been working on a bit of a project since I arrived to do better work than that paltry "Disguise Self" spell— [ There's a dismissive little huff after he names it ] And I've just about finished. This task seems an ideal way to put it to work beyond my own convenience.
[ Since even if he still hated the Masks compared to how he could present himself here in Communion, they were more physical. It wasn't an illusion that could be broken or have a hand waved through. It would make him into flesh and blood properly, though it was only useful to him as a way of blending in. ]
The spell focus I understand, but I'm curious about the Shard. Why gift them to the Zenites? I assume it's not out of kindness.
Then it sounds as though I have come to the right person.
[Liem wasn’t especially worried about Fane backing out because of concerns over the underhanded nature of this mission, but the reaction the other man has to even his preliminary explanation certainly massages away any lingering concerns he might have fostered. He doesn’t want to involve anyone in this venture who might end up regretting the methods they use, so Fane does indeed seem to be a good choice.]
As far as I know, the shards are just as real as those that Yima gifts her followers. [Are those shards real? He doesn’t actually know, but that’s not the point, and he’s not going to think too hard about it right now.] But they are also… tainted. Any other gifted shards in the possession of those they are delivered to will be damaged by their proximity. Possibly destroyed.
[Considering this will probably make whoever delivered the tainted shards to these people Enemy Number 1 to them, he doesn’t want the trail to lead back to him (or anyone else in Meridian, frankly).]
Ah. I see why there’s a need of subtlety, then. Yes, a Mask will be of great use for this.
[ With how he says it, it’s fairly clear that it’s a proper noun, but he also doesn’t explain. It’s more just not feeling a need to than any subterfuge on his part, though.
He does feel a small twinge of doubt, if only because he’s not so far gone that he doesn’t see the damage of what he’d be doing. However, it’s the same sort of twinge he’d felt and then quelled when Amadia taught him how to take Source by force. Practically speaking… It’s not that different. So, the rationale is similar too. He has to be decisive with his people at stake. ]
Who are they supposed to be delivered to? I have no qualms either way, but I’d at least hope they’d go to a wretch instead of someone half-decent.
[Liem has already gone through the full range of emotions about the ethics of what he’s proposing they do, and has settled firmly on the side of “needs must.” Besides, perhaps the danger Oblivion presents even to the souls pulled from its jaws will persuade those on the Zenite side to think better of just shutting the door on the old reality and making a new one, as though Oblivion won’t likely just follow straight after them.]
It varies.
[Liem does not sound thrilled about this, but he is resigned to see the mission through even so.]
One shard is to go to Sebastian Michaelis.
[Liem doesn’t even know if he has a gift shard, but if he does, Liem can’t imagine he has any gentle plans for it. Probably exploding into fragments would be a mercy in this case.]
One is to be delivered to Rin Tohsaka.
[He doesn’t love this. He doesn’t know the girl at all, but she seems like a normal teenager from what he’s gathered. Just one more black deed on a list of things he’d rather not spend time remembering.]
The third is for the shapechanger, Kiritsubo.
[This is just a big ????? to him. Everything he’s seen about her in the papers was triple-X rated, so he knows essentially nothing else about her.]
[ At least they’re of completely the same mind and level of information, though they don’t know it. Sebastian’s name comes with a flare of displeasure and it’s easy to hear the scowl in his voice as he responds to that first. ]
Yes, the demon. It couldn’t happen to a better creature, at least. I hope his explodes along with it.
[ Fane is a HATER!! He has his own biases here against demons, but he’s also heard Hayame’s story in part and had to deal with Silco, so Sebastian is pretty solidly on his personal shitlist. However, for the other two, his tone isn’t as acerbic. ]
I don’t know anything about the other two other than what was in the papers, but any of those options are fine with me. [ A pause, and then, ] I’d prefer to not deliver Rin’s, but I’ll do it if needs must.
[The demon, yes. At least there is one name in this lineup that no one will have to feel guilty about including, although Sebastian is also probably the most likely to make trouble for them if he figures out who is behind the interference. Liem thinks briefly of Hayame’s ocular surgery and grimaces, just a little.]
There is no reason I couldn’t deliver Miss Tohsaka’s shard.
[He doesn’t want to, but to a certain extent, Liem feels like any obligation to take less pleasant aspects of this job falls to him, as the primary person responsible for the mission’s success.]
If possible, though, I would like to avoid a scenario where Mister Michaelis and I must directly cross paths, even if it’s while I’m disguised. He is familiar enough with me that it’s possible he may discern my identity.
[Sebastian seems pretty sharp. Ideally, they could just sneak into his house and leave the shard where he’ll find it, without ever running into him face to face. Perhaps a heist is in order? It depends on the resources available to them, and the difficulty of the job. They’ll figure something out.]
I’m planning to source Lady Sahelian’s assistance as well, if she is amenable.
Then I’ll volunteer to deliver that creature’s. I’ve never met him, only that “master” of his, so he wouldn’t recognize me if we cross paths. Besides, I’ve slayed demons in the past. I’m not concerned about him.
[ That’s not completely true, since demons in Rivellon were formidable in their own right too, but it’s true that he’s killed several at this point. He’s merely willing to take the one that he imagines to be “difficult”, especially since he does have the advantage of being less known than Akua or Liem, presumably. Which— ]
I imagine Akua will help, I will say. I’ve been working with her lately over magical theory, so she seems committed enough to Meridian’s goals to help.
Ideally, we could just deliver it to his home without ever having to encounter him.
[Liem has the address, since he was invited there for dinner some time ago. Unfortunate now that he didn’t go, because it means he’s never been inside, but it’s not the worst starting point to go off.
In any case—they can iron out the details as they go.]
I don’t doubt her dedication—I only know she is already quite busy. But we will see.
[ Fane admits it with some reluctance, since he really is a bit more battle-ready than his erudite demeanor might imply, but Liem is right. Better to avoid a fight in the first place, especially with something quite strong. Still, he's quick to brighten again by a bit when Liem asks. His tone is still a bit dismissive, but his feelings make it a little clearer that he does enjoy explaining things like this. ]
Ah, little more than a toy to my people, really... It was a matter of survival for me in Rivellon, but here it's at least more a useful trinket than that.
[ As he continues, the image comes to mind of what's more accurately called a helmet that bears four faces at each side. ]
A Mask of the Shapeshifter is a rough translation from my tongue. It's not unlike "Disguise Self", but the effect of the magic is much more physical. It will make me flesh and blood, albeit somewhat imperfectly, but the limitations are more problems for me than the disguise itself. [ It gives him none of the senses he lacks, most disappointingly to him. ] I'll only start with one face, but perhaps eventually I'll fill it out to the full four.
[Liem follows Fane’s brief explanation with interest, a little bit intrigued at how ornate the helmet itself looks. The false face he uses is far flimsier in comparison—though of course, not only can it only contain a single disguise, it is limited in exactly the same way that a disguise self spell would be; that is, there is no physical transformation at all.
Naively, he doesn’t ask where the faces come from, assuming it’s just a matter of magical expertise and material expense, not actual faces from people.]
That does sound useful. I have limited access to disguise magic as well, but only of the illusory kind. And I have been using the one disguise I have to stay anonymous in Highstorm, so it would be inconvenient to have it associated with this mission.
[There is a pause as he thinks, his hum coming over communion as physical sensation, almost like a faint breeze.]
We will have to discuss further—with Lady Sahelian, if she has the time to join us. It would be good to lay out our means and a plan of action.
[Liem is definitely a plan sort of guy. He likes having something to follow.]
[ Luckily, this is something that they’re united on, albeit for likely different reasons… Fane and Liem are just orderly sorts of people, and then there’s Akua who just likes a good scheme. And good for her. ]
I agree. Considering the risks, it would be best to be unified in our plans of action.
[ There’s a sense of affirmation like Fane is nodding, but with a light ah, he does add: ]
And I assume that this is all secret even to Meri, correct? I imagine some of them wouldn’t be pleased at being proactive.
[ There’s a little bit of a derisive tone at the end there, so there’s no mystery how Fane feels about that. ]
Unlike Fane, Liem has no judgment at all for anyone who might not condone the kind of tactics they’re getting up to. That’s one of the reasons he’s willing to take the job: because he thinks it needs doing, and he knows not everyone in Meridian would be willing or able to complete it.]
Yes—I’m sure there are those on whose consciences it would weigh if they knew. It’s best the others don’t find out, lest they be tempted to warn someone in Zenith.
[He knows quite well some of the low-tier Meris can’t be trusted to keep things like this to Meridian only.]
There are certainly some outside the three of us who would approve, but in the interest of discretion, I would keep it between us until we’ve delivered everything we need to.
[Little does Liem know he’ll live to regret those words.]
[ The idea of people snitching makes Fane sniff derisively, and there’s a deeper pang of distaste that makes it clear that he has an idea of what to do with such people, but… He doesn’t say anything about it, surprisingly. His reflexive instinct might just to say that traitors should be executed, but that’s not exactly something he can advocate for. He’d been subject to his culture’s equivalent of it and wrongfully, so even if it’s deserved… It’s not a position he could advocate for anymore. ]
I understand. Then I shall not speak a word of it.
[ At this point, he’s assuming that he’ll be taking care of Sebastian, so he moves onto that. And hilariously, my characters gossip about each other, I guess, good for them. ]
What do you know of the demon that I should be aware of? I’ve heard some about him from Hayame, but that was more about his foul acts, not what he’s capable of.
[Ah, if Hayame has spoken to Fane about Sebastian, then no wonder the man has such a strong disdain for him. Plenty of people can’t muster any dislike for Sebastian at all, even though his true nature is no real secret.]
He is extremely fast and strong, for one thing. He can also transform—obviously into human shape, but also into animals, and into shadows as well. And he can give himself claws, of course. Personally, I would take pains to avoid a direct confrontation.
But as far as I know, he is also quite inexperienced when it comes to magic. At least, that was the case some months ago. He had no senses to detect it, and no experience with it from his own world.
[ Fane makes a light noise of discontent, but his mind is whirring a bit more than that. It sounds rather different from the demons of Rivellon, which isn’t much of a surprise, considering. But if he’s inexperienced with magic, that’s at least one advantage that Fane will have in spades, since that’s the entirety of his battle skill. Even so, he deeply wishes that he’d interrogated Jahan more about how he managed to fight and contain demons now… ]
Then magic it’ll be. Not that I have alternatives, exactly. Brutish strength isn’t exactly a strong point when one is missing their musculature.
[ Now, granted, you can totally build a skeleton as a tank in Divinity, which is hilarious. But you can also give them facial hair, so don’t think too much about it, ]
Not that I understand the mechanics of how it works, but simply to be sure… He cannot possess people, can he?
Not as far as I know. We are not from the same world, so all I know of his abilities comes from my experiences with him here, but I've never been given reason to think possession was one of his powers.
[It's not a guaranteed "no," but given the utility of a power like that, he'd think it would have come up by now. He hopes it would have.]
Hm, good. That’s something that demons from Rivellon could do, and it’s cowardly and inconvenient. An… ally and friend of mine, she was possessed by such a creature.
[ So, apparently not all of the distaste was from Hayame. He does hesitate on picking the words, but that’s because his relationship with the other Godwoken was complicated. He does feel like Lohse is a friend, but it also feels a bit wrong to call any of the Godwoken that when their plan eventually involved killing each other for their own convictions. It was simply a bridge they would cross when it came time, they’d all decided. ]
He looks human or whatever is why I ask. If he’d simply possessed a body, just killing the poor wretch he’d taken control of wouldn’t do a thing.
[ This is indeed a horrifying thing to contemplate, but at least, given Fane’s reasoning, Liem is satisfied he doesn’t have any specific insight into Sebastian’s nature that might be relevant in this case.]
Well, I feel confident in saying that his human shape is a form he adopted, rather than the body of another person. I knew Sebastian Michaelis before we were brought to this world, actually, and he looked the same then as well. I find it hard to believe he would arrive still possessing another person’s body, given it is the soul that is pulled here, not the physical form.
[ in actuality fane would be interested in the fact that they knew each other before but I’m smacking him with a rolled up newspaper so he doesn’t ask ]
Ah, good. Your reasoning makes sense as well.
[ There’s a brief pang of disappointment that Fane doesn’t elaborate on, since it amounts to a stray thought. Does that mean that his skeletal state is inscribed on his soul somehow? ]
In that case, it should be straightforward. I’ll try for subtle first, of course, but if that doesn’t work, I have plenty of spells to unleash on him. I already had the displeasure of meeting his “master” or whatever they’re supposed to be, so I might as well make it even. [ and just because he’s feeling bitchy, he adds: ] He tried to bite me, the idiot.
[For a moment, Liem wonders after the there-and-gone disappointment, the meaning escaping just beyond the reach of his fingers—but he is distracted by the notion of Silco trying to sink his nasty, bitter fangs into a skeleton.]
I hope you made him regret it.
[Who just up and bites people out of nowhere? Imagine being so uncouth. Because the Exalt Oracle wasn't broadcasted for everyone and their brother to see, Liem can convincingly say he would never do such a thing.]
[ Fane’s response is immediate and haughty. He’s perfectly self-confident in the annoyance and suffering he’d inflicted on Silco. At least until the Voidwoken showed up, but. He’s still wanting to call that a fluke rather than worry that it’s possible here too. ]
His want to kill me aside, it was rather funny, actually. I’d used the spell to make myself look, well, whole, so he thought he was going to make a meal of me. Fool.
[It is kind of funny to imagine Silco going in for a bite and getting nothing but air—or maybe nothing but musty old bone (sorry Fane). It is strange, though...]
I didn't know he had become a vampire. He wasn't one during the previous Oracle trial.
Yes, he did. I’m admittedly not the best judge of strength, since I was never athletic before and now, well, it’s considerably worse.
[ Skeletons aren’t physically strong? Shocker. There’s a feeling like he’s dismissing that thought with a wave of the hand. ]
I don’t know much of vampires though, I will admit. They’re not something we had in my culture, so it’s yet another thing that came about when the world went to shit after the Eternals disappeared. [ He sighs ] Not that it’s particularly relevant for me. It’s part of why I did not look into them much.
[Liem suspects that Fane would not have found Silco particularly strong when he was still human, even if physical power is not his strong suit, so he suspects he must have become more powerful as a result of his transformation. That, at least, is good to know for future.]
I was familiar enough with them in my own country.
[Partly because of his own fearful lack of understanding about his own body, and partly because of a more recent desire to hunt down and exterminate his father.]
They were known to be quite dangerous, but I suppose you’ve demonstrated that you can handle Mr. Silco quite capably. Besides, I get the impression he’s unlikely to be involved in his servant’s personal business.
...Hm. If you don't mind, I might ask you about them in more detail another time. It would be a good addition to my notes on the various... sorts of people in Kenos. But in this case, it's more relevant to just keeping that Silco creature more in line.
[ He truly is a Creature, good assessment for once, Fane. ]
Though on a related note, if you happen to know any tutors in more offensive magic, I would appreciate recommendations. I was traveling with a group in Rivellon and picking up the magic there, but ended up focusing my studies on support and the like since I'm ill-suited to being at the front of a fight if it's anything much more than magic. It seems to be a rarity so far, so I feel a need to supplement my repertoire further.
Offensive magic is unfortunately not my strength, but if I come across any who might share their knowledge with you, [other than Akua, whom he obviously already knows] I will certainly recommend you to them.
Anything I know about vampires, however, I'd be happy to share with you.
[Both because Fane is his ally, and because Liem still manages to be of the opinion that the only good vampire is a dead vampire. Sorry to the actual good vampires in Kenos, whose name Silco is now besmirching.]
Perhaps we can meet to discuss at some point after we've concluded this business.
[ Something suddenly presses against your mind. It is not someone reaching out to you with Communion, but not entirely unlike it either — perhaps more akin to the wake of a large ship tossing smaller boats around as it turns into larger and larger waves. After a few seconds, it starts to sting and burn, unpleasant but possibly familiar. Have you died before, whether at home or as a Shard-Bearer? Then you might recognize this feeling: the panicked terror of being cornered, of looking certain death in the eyes and knowing you have nowhere left to run. A horrible, piercing pain, like being stabbed, and the realization of failure.
And something more than that, too. A hand that is not yours touches the side of your chest to clutch at a small pouch that isn't there, with determined desperation and a deep sadness. The image of a young woman flashes through your mind, but this is not an imprint of whatever this unlucky person is facing down in this moment — this is who he's thinking of, who he's clutching at, as he dies. Big green eyes, hair the color of dandelions, and a warm trusting smile.
...and then, it's gone. The echo fades almost as quickly as it reached you, and your mind is still again, back to whatever baseline it was at before this imprint pressed in. ]
As you dream, bearer, after the last world has passed, and after you have seen the terrible visage of Oblivion looming before you, darkness comes for you, a deep sleep. For most, it is dreamless, but for those whom have preserved their own shards through this long (long) trial, your sleep is not dreamless. There is a connection between you and this shard, and it radiates with a soft, comfortable sensation. It is inert, but it is a soul – a piece of a soul. As you dream, you commune, and within it you see…a different you, with different choices, but just as present in Kenos as you are now.
You have always been motivated by the same thing, haven’t you Fane? No matter the world, no matter what, it is the resurrection of your people that you pursue. Your family, and in every reality, that is what drives your bony steps – or in the case of this version of yourself, your very feet. You are… whole, and welcomed among the mages and wizards of Springstar openly, and sought after by many, including the wizard of the fourth tribune, who frequently taps you for insight or to bounce ideas off of one another.
You feel… supported, and perhaps valued, in a way that you never had. The wizard listens to your input, asks in-depth questions, and above all: listens. There are few Eternals that would have done half as much about your many theories or ideas, was there? It is no surprise when they ask you to invest with them in trying to tap into something deeper – into the timestream itself. After many months of working together, you unlock the way, and you stare into a realm of infinite possibilities. “Now,” you say, looking into it. “How do we use it against them?” Aetós begins to tell you a part of their plan.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Cracks open that Savant connection like it's nothing. :) ]
I want to take you out to my temple, to show you from where we will be firing the weapon. Your insight, along with Akua and her side of things, will be pivotal.
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[ Every time they talk, he gets BULLIED!!! (deserved), so Fane's reception isn't exactly thrilled... But he doesn't hang up, nor does the displeasure have any real teeth to it. Per usual, he's just a bit surly at a default. ]
...But, yes. That sounds wise. I've been working with her on the theory, and it is about time that we switched to the practical. [ A thoughtful noise follows, and at least like any good Savant, the flicker of irritation is quelled by the prospect of an interesting problem to be dug into. ] Now, I assume?
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There is never a better time than the present. I will come fetch you, and show you to my temple.
[ not the shrine, but his TEMPLE ]
We have begun transporting supplies out to the location, based on the theorem developed, so I hope you will be satisfied with what we have to begin with. And will let me know what more you need. No matter what it is, I will find it or something to replace it.
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Very well. I'm still residing in Heliopolis since it's convenient, so I'll be ready when you get here. I look forward to seeing the progress so far.
[ A pause, as Fane clearly is considering whether to trust Set with something or not... But he decides that there's perhaps no one better to ask that an apparent god. Probably. He doesn't completely know how it works, but he doubts he'll be judged, at least. ]
...There is a personal matter that I'd like to ask about. It gets people all riled up for some reason when I've asked in the past, but perhaps you can be of assistance in obtaining what I need. It's not strictly related to this, but it'd be an asset, I assure you.
[ He almost says it now, but, no. With a sigh, he adds: ]
—No, I'll just ask when you get here. It's at least a brief query.
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Hm?
[ The moment that Fane had expressed that he would be amenable to joining Set, the god had gone on the move. Heliopolis wasn't far from where he and Akua lived, so it would take him no time at all to get there. In the meanwhile, he could still chat while rapidly approaching the man's location. ]
Oh, people always get riled up about the most inconsequential of things! "Set, stop picking fights with your allies!" "Set, stop making deals for our benefit with our enemies — let us be friendly with them with no purpose, instead!" Blah, blah blah!
[ Soon, he is at Fane's door. Knocking briskly, calling his name. ]
Fane! Let me in, before I show you how poor the security here is ~!
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[ He realizes that Set’s expectations for what Fane is going to ask him might be a little skewed in this moment, but he still doesn’t think it’ll be a problem. ]
Hmph… But what sort of deals do you mean? Dealing with our enemies does seem like a poor idea, but it all depends on the conditions. What did we gain?
[ Since that’s kind of all that matters to Fane. He’s truly a “ends justify the means” guy, which is precisely how he gets in trouble, and he has no self-awareness to realize it. Though at the very least, he doesn’t immediately criticize Set.
…For that, at least. Once he’s at the door and being annoying, Fane huffs out a noise of annoyance, but he’s quick to open it. The remnants of magic flutter off his form, as he’d quickly cast Disguise Self before opening the door. It’s not for Set, naturally. It’s more because he prefers to not be stared at in the busy Springstar streets. ]
I’ve no need for a demonstration, thank you.
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[ Having a relationship with Silco, whom literally everyone hates, means that he's not completely off the grid and unaccounted for. Set's deal with him ( and thus Sebastian ), during the Iconoclast had not precisely shaken out in favor of Meridian — so, the situation regarding repayment had shifted a little. Set was biding his time to reclaim the second half of his bargain, for what he had offered in exchange; then again, the relationship he had with Silco was, in and of itself, a very strange reward. ]
Depending on our endgame, perhaps even someone who could tear down Zenith from the inside out.
[ HM!
And then Fane's opening the door, and Set's a little disappointed that he didn't get to show him his fun party trick. He squeezes past the sorcerer, and hikes his hands onto his hips expectantly. Even as his nose wrinkles a little at not being able to see Fane's real face. It's a bit silly to him, but he is literally a man, an animal and a storm all in one. Going around in weird shapes and with bits of himself as entire other things is normal. ]
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Oh, and there’s a young chicken. It’s completely pitch black, almost like another bird that Set knows, and it peeps happily as it threads between Set and Fane’s feet. It also has atrocious vibes. ]
Agh, Peeper—
[ Fane sighs in exasperation, then leans down to pick the chicken up and take him further into the quarters so they can at least leave, lest it follow them as a third party member, ]
And don’t give me that look. I grow tired of being stared at every time I step out of this place. It’s as if no one has seen someone without skin before!
[ fane, they haven’t, ]
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Oh, let it come! Fane, it is so cute and horrible!
[ He takes a nice look around Fane's place, wanting so badly to pry into all his notes and sniff around the chest — but, another time. Instead, he sweeps back to Fane's side and loops his arm boldly through the scholar-sorcerer's, as if they are bosom companions and not a horrible cat and one of his ( other ) favorite chew-toys. ]
Honestly, considering the non-human entities I have seen here, you would think that Kenos would be a little more used to the unique among us. There is nothing strange about you, tch!
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No, absolutely not. If he dies, it becomes a whole problem.
[ He sets Peeper down in what’s clearly a repurposed cat bed, but he at least happily cheeps in the nest that Fane has set up for him. Apparently Fane has a bit of a soft spot for birds too! Or, at the very least, a responsibility to make sure this one doesn’t turn into an endless, extremely annoying Voidwoken spawn point.
It’s as he walks back that Set loops their arms together, and it immediately shows the limitations of the spell that Fane uses. Set’s arm passes through the illusion of Fane’s, and it’s clearly raw bone that fills out the flowing robes that he wears. He makes a slightly indignant sound, and it’s clear that he’s about to tell Set off, but it also quickly quiets at that last comment. There’s a softer feeling in their connection, but he’s quick to try and push it away with a sigh. ]
…Well, they’re better than Rivellon, that much is certain. They stare, but they do not chase me down with pitchforks and torches and force me to immolate them in turn.
[ Does he sound or feel guilty about that? Nope! Not even a little!
He doesn’t try and free himself from Set’s grasp (perhaps he knows better at this point), but instead just leans over to grab a messenger-style bag that he’d filled up already. ]
Well, let’s go, before Peeper thinks better of staying put.
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And then he has Fane in arm, and he can feel the bony press of him below the spellwork. There's no issue that he takes, though, with the sensation. Again, he is a divine entity — his mother is the night sky, his father the soil of the earth. He speaks with crocodiles and has, in Kenos, lain with the shadows themselves ( sighs ) — it's not something that strikes him as odd, nor alarming. If anything, he treats Fane like any other being! ]
If they did, I would not be one to admonish you for defending yourself as necessary.
[ He sniffs, derisive of Rivellon's close-mindedness ( ugh mortals! ) and waits for Fane to snag his bag before promptly swinging him out the door and into the street. They'll be heading for Springstar's main Cornerstone, and out into the depths of the Beyond via it. He'd like for Fane to see the place where the weapon was being designed and assembled, more than the staging grounds he's made of his shrine and Quetzalcoatl's temple. At this point, he isn't hiding as much as he once did, because the theorem only needed to match the technological level of Kenos for it to function. He has the bullet and the power, it's just the "gun" and "target" he needs. ]
The location is protected, needless to say. Spellwork on it has a targeted psychological bomb devoted to Zenites who might find the location, which we might switch over to a strict ban if they determine where the Cornerstone itself is. For now, we expect them to forge the perils of the Beyond moreso than visually confirm a teleportation target.
[ A content sigh, and he bumps his strong hip into Fane's side. A devil's smirk spreading across his sharp teeth. ]
— however, before we discuss mechanics and theory... you had something you wanted to ask of me?
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[ Set’s acceptance of Fane—both in very casually latching onto him and in approving of his methods for dealing with those that do not—is something that Fane quietly appreciates. Outwardly, it’s given little more than a thoughtful sound, but Fane’s mind is no secret to another Savant. He’s deeply appreciative in a way that makes it clear that despite his posturing, his skeletal state is something he hates. He’s also just awkward about expressing it. For fair reasons, he’d contest with sarcasm, since thanking someone for not treating him like a monster seems like an incredibly low bar, but.
It's not something he ends up speaking to, and he instead allows himself to be swept up in Set’s energetic carrying on instead. He may not be totally comfortable with being touched, but at least Lohse was as clingy as Set seems to be, so he’s used to it, more or less. Bless Lohse for domesticating this rude nerd a little. ]
You may as well ban them from the start. There’s no good that would come of them approaching, is there? But I suppose it is fair enough that it is protected enough just by the inconvenience of getting through the woods themselves. I don’t imagine it’s easy for most.
[ He responds with all business, and he's reverted to normal once they're away from Springstar, but makes a little noise as Set bumps into him and makes him stumble just a bit. He looks to Set, expressionless as always, but just from his posture it’s easy to imagine the huffy grimace at being bullied… But his tone is lighter than that. ]
Ah, yes. I’m in need of something— [ Fane waves his hand in a circle as he tries to think of a good word, but it’s clear from his tone when he finds it that he disagrees with the assessment ] —”unethical”, and you seemed like a good person to ask.
[ What does that say about Set? Don’t worry about it! At least Fane’s logic is simply that a god of war would have plenty of knowledge or access to what he needs. ]
I’m able to make a mask that gives me more of a solid disguise than that paltry Disguise Self spell can offer, but one of the ingredients is troubling to the lesser races, apparently. I need a face, so therefore, a corpse. I already have a tool with which to remove it, so that’s no concern, but from my understanding, Kenos doesn’t simply leave them lying about like they do in Rivellon.
cw child murder mention
[ get wrekt yima?????? Set has considered the meaning of her granting him such direction and wisdom, often and always since she first gave him such a terrible vision of his son burning in Meridian's light after he'd asked for knowledge of the world. And he had received the knowledge. The fact that his kin must have existed in the world — either because it was his world, or because they had been among the first generation to settle it, he did not know. All he knew was that it had bothered him for months afterwards, and bothered him still: the thought that he could be taking the wrong path, if what he wanted the most was to save his child.
Yima was the same, after all. But, to see her... to see her, whom was said to know so much, see so far, know how best to give to her loyalists, embracing his own brother? That had been enough to send him spiraling into revulsion. There could be no Zenith for him, if she was there. He'd never be able to stomach a love that embraced all, at the expense of others who needed a leader who would protect them.
Anyways, he's maudlin over it. Enough's enough, and the weapon being assembled will be a firm statement from Meridian. Whomever wanted to admit to their part in the aftermath could, but he was the one willing to rise up as the proverbial villain before all of Zenith. It was, after all, his destiny to be the bad guy. <3 Which is why Fane saying that he's a good person to ask because the matter is "unethical" does not give him pause. Well, not much pause. The steps he take do briefly slow, his eyelashes fluttering in a moment's understanding of the impact of his cultivated image has truly made. ]
You would be correct.
[ Though he feels a simmering sickness in his belly over it, he lifts his chin and plows ahead callously. ]
— you need a corpse? Just any old corpse? That is easy! I would rather not slaughter a Springstar citizen for you, but since we are on our way to the island of Highstorm, I can always hop into the city-proper and make one for you. Do you want someone big and strong? Maybe cute and endearing? Oh! Oh! How about sensual, if you would like to honeypot a foe. Or maybe... ah, a child?
[ That last one comes out, a little falteringly. Set's not entirely willing to just murder a child ( anymore ), but he has before. He will again, if it's for Meridian's betterment. Still, his eyes shift to the side for a moment, and land upon the dark ring of shadowy-beads upon his left wrist; a curse, burning dark and hateful upon him, binding him to a world that no longer existed, but was waiting for him. What would... what would dipping back into his old ways truly cost, if there was no world ( yet ) to weigh them again?
It's a bit like being in moratorium from his atonement, isn't it? ]
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[ What he wouldn’t do for little tomes of Geomancy and Pyromancy to really turn the tables of battlefields here… And he does miss them, he supposes. He’s still (tsundere) a bit conflicted on how he feels about them.
Though he does make a little noise of disapproval at how Yima apparently gave him this location, Fane doesn’t get the time to ask about that before they get to his question. Someone more empathetic might notice those slowed steps, Fane surely doesn’t. He first makes a sound like he would have been clicking his tongue if he had one, since if it’s just making a corpse, he could have done that himself, but he at least lets Set go on. At least until that last suggestion. ]
Absolutely not.
[ Fane’s voice is firm in rejecting children, and it’s as quickly as Set makes the suggestion. Fane may be morally dubious, that much is obvious, but he has clear, strong convictions. Children seems to be one of them. It’s nothing that he’s particularly secretive about (he’d told all of Kenos about it, by his measure), so he also doesn’t think it needs explaining. Of course a father would have a line in the sand about murdering children. ]
…I did not mean murdering them, necessarily, but all the rest are fine. It’s somewhat irrelevant, since I only need their face.
[ At least rather than just leave it at that, ominous and mysterious, he does explain further. ]
I am working on a trinket that allows me to be more flesh and blood. By combining an orb of pure Source with a face, I can magically mold it to an enchanted mask. The process is trivial. But the crafting material is… more complicated. I had hoped you might know where they dispose of corpses around here, since I could just take someone that has already died, but if murder is the only recourse, then so be it.
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He doesn't want Anubis to regret giving him another chance. Hurting his son once was enough. And the lingering, somber pain affiliated with the thought of a child might hum within Fane, flowing inescapably from Set himself. #Fathercore. He hums in his throat, thoughtful as he rouses from the relief that Fane would never want him to target a child for such uses. Murder, or maiming. ]
I would assume most people would be distressed if we simply took their faces, so a corpse it will have to be. They complain less, and your enchanted mask will not become the talk of the town if there is no one around to spoil the magic it takes to create it.
[ He does think, though. ]
Springstar immolates their own. Few corpses survive beyond a perfunctory handful of days it takes to attend them, put their affairs in order, and return them to the Church for the next Sending. I could ask my contacts there, but it depends on how quickly you need the face. If it is soon, murder is the best route. You would not have to worry about someone recognizing the dead, and raising alarm that they had begun living once more, that way.
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He looks ahead again, considering how to bring it up, but it’s something that moves to the back of his mind for now. There’s the practical, macabre matter at hand instead. ]
Yes, they are. The cretin I stole the design from used it on someone who was not dead yet, and needless to say, he didn’t enjoy it and he died quickly. But so did the cretin.
[ ♥ happy ending ♥ ]
…Regardless. I’d prefer it sooner rather than later.
[ It’s something he would have taken his time with only a day ago, but now that he’d promised to help Liem, he needed it sooner. He does leave his wording without the insistence that implies a time crunch, since he and Liem had discussed this and decided secrecy was best. Worst comes to worst, he’ll make “material” himself, no need to involve Set. ]
I… suppose someone that would not be missed? It wasn’t something I had to consider when making them in Rivellon… All the Masks I made just came from people littering the Joy, so…
[ He gets sucked into his own contemplation for a moment, but it’s not mysterious what Fane is considering from their connection. Also just his personality in general. He’s not experienced in being the subterfuge type. ]
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So when he goes hunting for assistance… he starts here.]
Please pardon my intrusion, Fane.
[Says the man politely knocking at Fane’s mental door, like a shadow behind frosted glass. (Glances at the thread directly above this one.)]
I have been given charge of discreetly carrying out a certain task for the Heiropoios, and I wonder if you might assist me.
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Not at all. I’m simply working, so I can take a break.
[ Plus, with what Liem is “here” to ask, it’s important. Most people would probably have a moment of self-reflection at being approached for this and for Set’s grand plans, but not Fane. Self-reflection isn’t his strong suit. ]
Especially as this sounds important… I will help in whatever way I can. [ That easy, huh? When it’s a task for Meridian, yep, that easy. ] What is this task?
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Essentially, I have been entrusted with some items that need to be delivered to Highstorm.
[The word “delivered” is doing a lot of heavy lifting, here.]
One—a spell focus, to be placed in an important area within the city.
Two—a few shards, like those Yima gifts her followers, to be delivered to the people connected with them.
The former I would hope to do in such a way as to avoid Zenith notice altogether. The shards, however, must end up in Zenite hands; just, ideally, not in such a way that they will know where they came from.
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Ah, so Meridian is getting up to subterfuge now? Good.
[ At least Liem won't have to worry about how Fane feels about this particular task, clearly... ]
Well, you've asked at the right time, actually. I've been working on a bit of a project since I arrived to do better work than that paltry "Disguise Self" spell— [ There's a dismissive little huff after he names it ] And I've just about finished. This task seems an ideal way to put it to work beyond my own convenience.
[ Since even if he still hated the Masks compared to how he could present himself here in Communion, they were more physical. It wasn't an illusion that could be broken or have a hand waved through. It would make him into flesh and blood properly, though it was only useful to him as a way of blending in. ]
The spell focus I understand, but I'm curious about the Shard. Why gift them to the Zenites? I assume it's not out of kindness.
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[Liem wasn’t especially worried about Fane backing out because of concerns over the underhanded nature of this mission, but the reaction the other man has to even his preliminary explanation certainly massages away any lingering concerns he might have fostered. He doesn’t want to involve anyone in this venture who might end up regretting the methods they use, so Fane does indeed seem to be a good choice.]
As far as I know, the shards are just as real as those that Yima gifts her followers. [Are those shards real? He doesn’t actually know, but that’s not the point, and he’s not going to think too hard about it right now.] But they are also… tainted. Any other gifted shards in the possession of those they are delivered to will be damaged by their proximity. Possibly destroyed.
[Considering this will probably make whoever delivered the tainted shards to these people Enemy Number 1 to them, he doesn’t want the trail to lead back to him (or anyone else in Meridian, frankly).]
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[ With how he says it, it’s fairly clear that it’s a proper noun, but he also doesn’t explain. It’s more just not feeling a need to than any subterfuge on his part, though.
He does feel a small twinge of doubt, if only because he’s not so far gone that he doesn’t see the damage of what he’d be doing. However, it’s the same sort of twinge he’d felt and then quelled when Amadia taught him how to take Source by force. Practically speaking… It’s not that different. So, the rationale is similar too. He has to be decisive with his people at stake. ]
Who are they supposed to be delivered to? I have no qualms either way, but I’d at least hope they’d go to a wretch instead of someone half-decent.
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It varies.
[Liem does not sound thrilled about this, but he is resigned to see the mission through even so.]
One shard is to go to Sebastian Michaelis.
[Liem doesn’t even know if he has a gift shard, but if he does, Liem can’t imagine he has any gentle plans for it. Probably exploding into fragments would be a mercy in this case.]
One is to be delivered to Rin Tohsaka.
[He doesn’t love this. He doesn’t know the girl at all, but she seems like a normal teenager from what he’s gathered. Just one more black deed on a list of things he’d rather not spend time remembering.]
The third is for the shapechanger, Kiritsubo.
[This is just a big ????? to him. Everything he’s seen about her in the papers was triple-X rated, so he knows essentially nothing else about her.]
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Yes, the demon. It couldn’t happen to a better creature, at least. I hope his explodes along with it.
[ Fane is a HATER!! He has his own biases here against demons, but he’s also heard Hayame’s story in part and had to deal with Silco, so Sebastian is pretty solidly on his personal shitlist. However, for the other two, his tone isn’t as acerbic. ]
I don’t know anything about the other two other than what was in the papers, but any of those options are fine with me. [ A pause, and then, ] I’d prefer to not deliver Rin’s, but I’ll do it if needs must.
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There is no reason I couldn’t deliver Miss Tohsaka’s shard.
[He doesn’t want to, but to a certain extent, Liem feels like any obligation to take less pleasant aspects of this job falls to him, as the primary person responsible for the mission’s success.]
If possible, though, I would like to avoid a scenario where Mister Michaelis and I must directly cross paths, even if it’s while I’m disguised. He is familiar enough with me that it’s possible he may discern my identity.
[Sebastian seems pretty sharp. Ideally, they could just sneak into his house and leave the shard where he’ll find it, without ever running into him face to face. Perhaps a heist is in order? It depends on the resources available to them, and the difficulty of the job. They’ll figure something out.]
I’m planning to source Lady Sahelian’s assistance as well, if she is amenable.
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[ That’s not completely true, since demons in Rivellon were formidable in their own right too, but it’s true that he’s killed several at this point. He’s merely willing to take the one that he imagines to be “difficult”, especially since he does have the advantage of being less known than Akua or Liem, presumably. Which— ]
I imagine Akua will help, I will say. I’ve been working with her lately over magical theory, so she seems committed enough to Meridian’s goals to help.
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[Liem has the address, since he was invited there for dinner some time ago. Unfortunate now that he didn’t go, because it means he’s never been inside, but it’s not the worst starting point to go off.
In any case—they can iron out the details as they go.]
I don’t doubt her dedication—I only know she is already quite busy. But we will see.
What is that Mask that you’ve been working on?
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[ Fane admits it with some reluctance, since he really is a bit more battle-ready than his erudite demeanor might imply, but Liem is right. Better to avoid a fight in the first place, especially with something quite strong. Still, he's quick to brighten again by a bit when Liem asks. His tone is still a bit dismissive, but his feelings make it a little clearer that he does enjoy explaining things like this. ]
Ah, little more than a toy to my people, really... It was a matter of survival for me in Rivellon, but here it's at least more a useful trinket than that.
[ As he continues, the image comes to mind of what's more accurately called a helmet that bears four faces at each side. ]
A Mask of the Shapeshifter is a rough translation from my tongue. It's not unlike "Disguise Self", but the effect of the magic is much more physical. It will make me flesh and blood, albeit somewhat imperfectly, but the limitations are more problems for me than the disguise itself. [ It gives him none of the senses he lacks, most disappointingly to him. ] I'll only start with one face, but perhaps eventually I'll fill it out to the full four.
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Naively, he doesn’t ask where the faces come from, assuming it’s just a matter of magical expertise and material expense, not actual faces from people.]
That does sound useful. I have limited access to disguise magic as well, but only of the illusory kind. And I have been using the one disguise I have to stay anonymous in Highstorm, so it would be inconvenient to have it associated with this mission.
[There is a pause as he thinks, his hum coming over communion as physical sensation, almost like a faint breeze.]
We will have to discuss further—with Lady Sahelian, if she has the time to join us. It would be good to lay out our means and a plan of action.
[Liem is definitely a plan sort of guy. He likes having something to follow.]
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I agree. Considering the risks, it would be best to be unified in our plans of action.
[ There’s a sense of affirmation like Fane is nodding, but with a light ah, he does add: ]
And I assume that this is all secret even to Meri, correct? I imagine some of them wouldn’t be pleased at being proactive.
[ There’s a little bit of a derisive tone at the end there, so there’s no mystery how Fane feels about that. ]
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Unlike Fane, Liem has no judgment at all for anyone who might not condone the kind of tactics they’re getting up to. That’s one of the reasons he’s willing to take the job: because he thinks it needs doing, and he knows not everyone in Meridian would be willing or able to complete it.]
Yes—I’m sure there are those on whose consciences it would weigh if they knew. It’s best the others don’t find out, lest they be tempted to warn someone in Zenith.
[He knows quite well some of the low-tier Meris can’t be trusted to keep things like this to Meridian only.]
There are certainly some outside the three of us who would approve, but in the interest of discretion, I would keep it between us until we’ve delivered everything we need to.
[Little does Liem know he’ll live to regret those words.]
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I understand. Then I shall not speak a word of it.
[ At this point, he’s assuming that he’ll be taking care of Sebastian, so he moves onto that. And hilariously, my characters gossip about each other, I guess, good for them. ]
What do you know of the demon that I should be aware of? I’ve heard some about him from Hayame, but that was more about his foul acts, not what he’s capable of.
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He is extremely fast and strong, for one thing. He can also transform—obviously into human shape, but also into animals, and into shadows as well. And he can give himself claws, of course. Personally, I would take pains to avoid a direct confrontation.
But as far as I know, he is also quite inexperienced when it comes to magic. At least, that was the case some months ago. He had no senses to detect it, and no experience with it from his own world.
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Then magic it’ll be. Not that I have alternatives, exactly. Brutish strength isn’t exactly a strong point when one is missing their musculature.
[ Now, granted, you can totally build a skeleton as a tank in Divinity, which is hilarious. But you can also give them facial hair, so don’t think too much about it, ]
Not that I understand the mechanics of how it works, but simply to be sure… He cannot possess people, can he?
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Not as far as I know. We are not from the same world, so all I know of his abilities comes from my experiences with him here, but I've never been given reason to think possession was one of his powers.
[It's not a guaranteed "no," but given the utility of a power like that, he'd think it would have come up by now. He hopes it would have.]
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Hm, good. That’s something that demons from Rivellon could do, and it’s cowardly and inconvenient. An… ally and friend of mine, she was possessed by such a creature.
[ So, apparently not all of the distaste was from Hayame. He does hesitate on picking the words, but that’s because his relationship with the other Godwoken was complicated. He does feel like Lohse is a friend, but it also feels a bit wrong to call any of the Godwoken that when their plan eventually involved killing each other for their own convictions. It was simply a bridge they would cross when it came time, they’d all decided. ]
He looks human or whatever is why I ask. If he’d simply possessed a body, just killing the poor wretch he’d taken control of wouldn’t do a thing.
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[ This is indeed a horrifying thing to contemplate, but at least, given Fane’s reasoning, Liem is satisfied he doesn’t have any specific insight into Sebastian’s nature that might be relevant in this case.]
Well, I feel confident in saying that his human shape is a form he adopted, rather than the body of another person. I knew Sebastian Michaelis before we were brought to this world, actually, and he looked the same then as well. I find it hard to believe he would arrive still possessing another person’s body, given it is the soul that is pulled here, not the physical form.
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Ah, good. Your reasoning makes sense as well.
[ There’s a brief pang of disappointment that Fane doesn’t elaborate on, since it amounts to a stray thought. Does that mean that his skeletal state is inscribed on his soul somehow? ]
In that case, it should be straightforward. I’ll try for subtle first, of course, but if that doesn’t work, I have plenty of spells to unleash on him. I already had the displeasure of meeting his “master” or whatever they’re supposed to be, so I might as well make it even. [ and just because he’s feeling bitchy, he adds: ] He tried to bite me, the idiot.
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I hope you made him regret it.
[Who just up and bites people out of nowhere? Imagine being so uncouth. Because the Exalt Oracle wasn't broadcasted for everyone and their brother to see, Liem can convincingly say he would never do such a thing.]
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[ Fane’s response is immediate and haughty. He’s perfectly self-confident in the annoyance and suffering he’d inflicted on Silco. At least until the Voidwoken showed up, but. He’s still wanting to call that a fluke rather than worry that it’s possible here too. ]
His want to kill me aside, it was rather funny, actually. I’d used the spell to make myself look, well, whole, so he thought he was going to make a meal of me. Fool.
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I didn't know he had become a vampire. He wasn't one during the previous Oracle trial.
[Liem should know.]
Did he seem strong, physically?
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Yes, he did. I’m admittedly not the best judge of strength, since I was never athletic before and now, well, it’s considerably worse.
[ Skeletons aren’t physically strong? Shocker. There’s a feeling like he’s dismissing that thought with a wave of the hand. ]
I don’t know much of vampires though, I will admit. They’re not something we had in my culture, so it’s yet another thing that came about when the world went to shit after the Eternals disappeared. [ He sighs ] Not that it’s particularly relevant for me. It’s part of why I did not look into them much.
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I was familiar enough with them in my own country.
[Partly because of his own fearful lack of understanding about his own body, and partly because of a more recent desire to hunt down and exterminate his father.]
They were known to be quite dangerous, but I suppose you’ve demonstrated that you can handle Mr. Silco quite capably. Besides, I get the impression he’s unlikely to be involved in his servant’s personal business.
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[ He truly is a Creature, good assessment for once, Fane. ]
Though on a related note, if you happen to know any tutors in more offensive magic, I would appreciate recommendations. I was traveling with a group in Rivellon and picking up the magic there, but ended up focusing my studies on support and the like since I'm ill-suited to being at the front of a fight if it's anything much more than magic. It seems to be a rarity so far, so I feel a need to supplement my repertoire further.
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Anything I know about vampires, however, I'd be happy to share with you.
[Both because Fane is his ally, and because Liem still manages to be of the opinion that the only good vampire is a dead vampire. Sorry to the actual good vampires in Kenos, whose name Silco is now besmirching.]
Perhaps we can meet to discuss at some point after we've concluded this business.
two days before Cyrus' assassination
And something more than that, too. A hand that is not yours touches the side of your chest to clutch at a small pouch that isn't there, with determined desperation and a deep sadness. The image of a young woman flashes through your mind, but this is not an imprint of whatever this unlucky person is facing down in this moment — this is who he's thinking of, who he's clutching at, as he dies. Big green eyes, hair the color of dandelions, and a warm trusting smile.
...and then, it's gone. The echo fades almost as quickly as it reached you, and your mind is still again, back to whatever baseline it was at before this imprint pressed in. ]
A surprise!
You have always been motivated by the same thing, haven’t you Fane? No matter the world, no matter what, it is the resurrection of your people that you pursue. Your family, and in every reality, that is what drives your bony steps – or in the case of this version of yourself, your very feet. You are… whole, and welcomed among the mages and wizards of Springstar openly, and sought after by many, including the wizard of the fourth tribune, who frequently taps you for insight or to bounce ideas off of one another.
You feel… supported, and perhaps valued, in a way that you never had. The wizard listens to your input, asks in-depth questions, and above all: listens. There are few Eternals that would have done half as much about your many theories or ideas, was there? It is no surprise when they ask you to invest with them in trying to tap into something deeper – into the timestream itself. After many months of working together, you unlock the way, and you stare into a realm of infinite possibilities. “Now,” you say, looking into it. “How do we use it against them?” Aetós begins to tell you a part of their plan.