IC INBOX ( KENOS ).

[redsoil]

█ 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. COMPATIBLE WITH: Exalt, Iconoclast REPELLED BY: Advocate

♠

Comments

cw abuse. you did not see my phone misclick

[appeale]

[ she listens to his assessment of the other Meri, but her mind lingers on the first declaration. she won't have to declare herself useless; people will realise it themselves, in time. but still... ]

... 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. ]

[redsoil]

Nor do I want you to be well-known to anyone.

[ 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 — 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?

[appeale]

[ a pause. ]

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. ]

[redsoil]

[ He's THINKING. ]

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.

[appeale]

... That might disguise the origin of my ability—no one would think I'm a monster, at least.

[ 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.

[redsoil]

Why would anyone think you are a monster?

[ 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.

[appeale]

Because I can talk to monsters. Because they seem to like me, for some reason. If anyone had ever found out about this ability back home, they would have called me a witch and I might have been imprisoned.

[ 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. ]