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IC INBOX ( KENOS ).
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โ To Commune with Set is to stand barefoot in an endless, scorching desert. The sun illuminates all, scalding the shadows themselves out from underneath whomever enters his dominion; the arch of gentle, distant, waves of sand mask the precarious chasms, towering dunes akin to mountains. The sense of vastness, timelessness, is of particular notice, lending itself to the alien, eldritch quality of his mind. There is a dark storm in the distance, and you know intimately that this divine being is far from benign. You cannot bargain with a force of nature. You can only survive it. |
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Until now, there has never been reason to. Her bitter fear hits the back of his throat, unbidden as an unwanted memory, and he resists the urge to rub his fingers down his neck in reality. This is not something she wanted to tell anyone, it seems. ]
I could think of no one more useful in this endeavor than you, then. Ruby, in this moment, you may be one of the most vital individuals who could join us in Alenroux. My greatest concern went to the longevity of plan, after all. Alenroux is known for monsters, and we have not the might nor number of forces to subjugate them all. With you, we may be able to change that. Open communication with the beasts instead of wasting time and energy fighting them.
[ Set's mind is โ
it is a nightmare to behold, the sudden explosion of light and thread that fills the atmosphere. The connections he begins to draw, spreading across a canvas he has bound to a mental surface and filled with ancient, penned notes, covered with hovering orbs of energy. Different colors, some stable and some shooting off anxious flares like the sun itself.
His war table. The mental map of all things relating to Kenos: people, psychology, positions, power. In one brief moment, it is there. For a moment, he is more than just the persnickety, hedonistic god he presents himself to be. And then he slides it aside, wafting it away like smoke. Drawing towards her in Communion, until he has crept so close that he can place his touch โ light โ upon the ends of her fingers. ]
But, do you want to do this? If you do not, I will protect that choice. If you do, I will protect you in the field. Either way, I know the value of secrets and I will not betray yours.
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Liar. ]
I want to. This is the only thing I can do, so... I-I want to help.
[ it's not as though she feels any obligation to protect creatures that she's never met. the reason she was so fond of Popo was that it protected her gently, when nobody had ever done so before. that was a miracle; she doesn't expect anything will ever be that kind to her again.
this is about survival. if she does this, she can give Set a reason to keep her. ]
Cetina gave me a list of people she thinks I should take with me, but you're the only one I really know. [ in the Communion space, she shows him the list: Akua Sahelian, Vander, Byleth Eisner, Claude von Riegan, Dimitri Blaiddyd, Liem Talbott. ] It's probably troublesome to be wholly responsible for my safety, so if you think we should bring more people...
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Then, I will help you accomplish this. Afterwards, you will not be allowed to say you are useless or unhelpful, however.
[ Because it will be a bold lie, instead of one of Ruby's secret ones; she'll become known for it, and that is what also makes him think. Set has always prepared for long-term situations, despite being good at focusing on the hedonistic immediacy of his desires and violences. Ruby will become known for this ability, which means. Eyes will be on her, from that moment forth; not just Meridian and Zenith eyes, but the eyes of the others in Kenos. Like Aetรณs. ]
They could all be useful to you. Akua Sahelian is a bombshell, in more ways than beauty; she spoke to me of her abilities in the isles, the ability to manipulate around her. She was nearly on the level of a god in her world, and is driven to support Meridian without fail. Claude is a clever tactician, and he and Dimitri both prioritize the sanctity of life and the protection of the vulnerable and weak. Liem Talbott has the personality of stale bread, but a retinue of useful abilities and a heart that skews towards goodness as well. If anyone, I would recommend you stick with Claude or Dimitri, as they seem more likely to have the manners and mindset to defend a young woman with a vital ability.
That is, if and when I am not around for you to follow. Otherwise, I am the naturally your best choice. We may be able to meet with them all, if you like. Or target the ones you feel would be most useful to you.
cw abuse. you did not see my phone misclick
... This ability isn't as useful as you'd think. It's not like there's a guarantee that a creature will listen to me, not any more than a human would.
[ there is a definite feeling that Ruby wishes to be unclear about this next part. the words stick to her, and she peels them off with trembling fingers; the instant they leave her grasp, she feels sick with fear, and desperately wants to take them back. she's being too bold, too honest, too demanding, too vulnerable— ]
I know that this isn't something I can expect to keep entirely secret. But, if I can... I don't want it to be well-known either. People will expect more than I'm capable of, and I don't want to disappoint them...
[ there is a wordless addition, too, that she allows to escape her stranglehold and cross the Communion: she won't protest being treated as a tool, but she does not want to be a weapon. if someone ever demands her to command these monsters like an army, she will take the inevitable beating a hundred times over instead. ]
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[ He wonders it, even as his brain begins to churn out methods, thoughts, machinations. He is a wicked, tricky thing and has no issues planning out ways for Ruby to continue to fly under the radar, hidden behind his influence. That, due to her obedience and her weakness, ought to be his duty as both a man and a god. She is โ entrusting him first, with this information. Not entirely willingly, but she has chosen him.
The cacophony of her resolution, her conviction to be willing to bear the pain she has struggled to avoid? That seals the deal, as far as he is concerned. Conviction has always been a thing he is fueled by, pushed into action by. ]
There must be a way to obfuscate your ability, regardless of whether it proves helpful or not.
Would you want to devise a lie with me?
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Um... Maybe? I-If you think it's a good idea?
[ she nearly said but I'm not a very good liar, except she's worried Set won't let that slide. ]
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If you do not wish to be a target, perhaps we could say that the power is derived from one of the spells that Cetina mentors us in. I noticed a few that related to communication and summoning. If others believe it is simply a creative application of spellcraft, rather than an ability unique unto you... they may leave well enough alone, and not dig beyond that.
Preserving your truth, and ensuring you are no more special than anyone else who might learn the spell.
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[ it doesn't sound like much, but it's plain that this is no small comfort to her. she'd rather not be marked by the reputation of being a witch or a demon, not when her only blessing in Kenos is that she's able to start with a blank slate. ]
But it doesn't change my utility... Just because it's something that can be learnt by others doesn't make me any less of a useful tool. The kinds of people that would have expectations and try to pressure me into using my ability in certain ways wouldn't back off because of that excuse.
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[ It disorients him a little, to hear that Rudbeckia is concerned with what is thought of her power. She has always been a mousy thing, quick to cringe and scamper and kowtow, and Set has not truly thought twice of it before now. Now, as she voices the word 'monster', he begins to wonder. She is - among Shard-bearers, many of whom have wild, fantastical powers to begin with. They are not viewed as monsters. Although, there is an atmosphere that follows them all: some Kenos-natives fear what they represent, some glorify them.
He can guess Ruby's concern has to do with that, maybe? ]
With the origin disguised, we simply then need to make your utility as restricted as possible. Not hidden away. Restricted, as though your power comes with a high cost to you and those who might seek to use you. Anyone who would want to use you would look elsewhere for similar abilities, if the price is exceedingly high and the 'rules' you adhere to use the ability are dense.
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[ or executed, a fear which looms much larger even as it goes unspoken. ]
... But, that's a good idea. If I say that it's unreliable, too, that isn't even a lie. It's not like I can make commands, or promise anything will listen to me. To most people, it won't be worth the trouble. It'll be something just for you and me.
[ as though she really trusts him not to exploit her. ]