PLEROMA | VOICE, ALSO FORWARD DATED TO AROUND THEN

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien still isn't sure how he feels about this method of communication, but now that it seems like something may be on the horizon, he'll sacrifice his mental well-being to get it done. He pushes inexpertly into the psychic realm, reaching out to all of those touched by the Pleroma.

It comes through roughly like his voice, but with a persistent sense of wary anticipation tinging it.]

Hail. This is Estinien Wyrmblood... with any luck, I have been able to reach you.

My dreams have been plagued by queer echoes of the selfsame vision we all had upon our arrival. It feels as if the shrines are once again stirring, and that more lost souls have fallen within their hold. If so, we can be sure that the Regent and their new thralls will one more move to claim the victims as prisoners.

We cannot allow this to happen. This time, I plan to meet the Kenoma's forces head-on, challenging them for the strategic positions around the shrines they took for granted last time. I know that not all of us have the training or abilities required to fight against such odds, but for those that do, I implore you to join me. 'Tis possible that we can spare these new arrivals the same dire fate.

Regardless of whether you join me on the field, I would find great value in knowing everything you can offer concerning the nature of the Kenoma's Aion forces. I fought a handful of them in the caverns, but many more escaped my focus.

For those that will lend their strength, but who have gone to the city... it is now within our power to guide you to our more secure location. There are those we can confer here that will help us plan our best way forward.

[At this point, he will let his message drift. Compiling information and threadjacking are very much welcomed! We are shamelessly ripping off the Kenoma here.]

Comments

[inutilis]

It's good to hear your voice, my friend...! Are you doing well?

[ ah, it's reassuring to hear those that had gone into the woods had found good fortune. it had been a bit worrisome, parting as they did - but it seemed to have borne fruit. ]

Mm, how long does it take you to put up your warding? Um-- like the sort you managed in the cavern? Is it very taxing?

[bearshermark]

Very well, yes.

[His voice warms, glad to hear from one of those they'd parted company with]

It isn't taxing and only takes as long as I do to focus on it properly, but maintaining it takes all of my concentration.

[inutilis]

That's a relief to hear...! Then, is there a shrine you'll be heading toward in particular? Maybe if you accompanied someone with more offensive abilities, the two of you could manage to stall off our wayward friends long enough to get the new arrivals out?

[bearshermark]

I thought I might go to the one I was- that I'd been reborn to, but if there's elsewhere I'd be more suited..

[inutilis]

As long as you aren't alone? I encourage you to go wherever your heart takes you, mm?

[ the shrine of the Martyr was... busy; maybe it will be so again. ]

It's all the easier to protect things you feel for, right? But if someone else has need of a good warder, I'll be sure to let them know you're here for the talking-to.

[bearshermark]

['A good warder']

Yes. I think that could work well.

Thank you- for helping me then, too.

[inutilis]

[ yes... please do not judge Abel and his magical ignorance. it's just pretty colors to him (you can judge tbh) ]

No, no... please don't thank me-- if anything, we helped one another. And let's see that it isn't the last time, though I hope for much better circumstances from now on.

[ no more Kenoma-sludge incidents for either of them, thank you...! ]

[bearshermark]

[Nah it's okay. This bean soaks up small bits of praise like a starving sponge]

I'm glad if I helped at all. I'd also like it to be under better circumstances in the future.

How is it over where you are?

[inutilis]

[ oh... OH... Eleven you're the BEST WARDER. Abel's suddenly a professional. ]

Oh-- it's quite exciting over here! There's a festival and the city is rather-- um.

[ ... ]

Raucous?

[ saucy... ]

I-it's been quite a trip, I'll admit! I'll have to bring you some mementos, mm? --But please, how are things over in the woods? Did you find the resistance...?

[bearshermark]

[Shh. His frail pride won't allow him to claim such lofty things]

Ah.. don't trouble yourself.

But Greentruth is beautiful. There's a settlement high up in the trees. Even the plants have spirits and I can feel them when I listen. I've taken to helping the other smiths repair weapons used by hunters and the like. I like it here.

[inutilis]

Please, it's no trouble~! But you'll have to tell me what sort of souvenir you'd like-- are you a foodie? There's some delicious food stalls here, or maybe you'd like some clothing? A little trinket from the locals?

[ let him spoil you, bro. ]

...Ah, that-- that sounds... [ surreal? amazing... ]

The world that I'm from doesn't have anything quite like any of this, Mr. Eleven. But just hearing you speak about it-- it sounds almost like you've found a piece of your world here.

[bearshermark]

..Echoes of it, I guess you could say. I could commune with Yggdrasil's roots in Erdrea, but here, ever since that drink at the festival, I've been able to listen to all of them.

[And it's clear by how he speaks of it that that connection has soothed something in him. Though he hesitates, a feeling of being on the brink of saying something, then letting it go]

Ah, but- I don't really know about souvenirs. If you'd really like, I'd enjoy sharing a meal and a drink sometime.

[inutilis]

[ it is times like these Abel feels small and humble (in a good way); reminders his world and everything he knows is such a small piece of the over-arching puzzle puts things into perspective in a big way. ]

Ah-- so, hold on just a moment... you are able to commune with the spirits in the forest?

[bearshermark]

..The spirits of trees and plants within it, yes.

[inutilis]

Really! That... that's amazing, Mr. Eleven-- I had no idea such a thing were even possible...!

[ it's straight out of a fairy tale, honestly. he's fanboying a little, ]

...What is it that they say?

[bearshermark]

[There's a rush of (pleased) self-consciousness going on suddenly]

A-ah, well, it isn't as though I've had a chance to commune with every plant in the forest, but I've tried many of the trees. The ancient ones and their emotions are difficult to parse, but what I do know is that the forest seems healthy and it all breathes contentment.

[inutilis]

It sounds... peaceful.

[ communing with something ancient, a force of nature-- it definitely sounds like a unique and calming experience. it fits Eleven, Abel thinks. ]

Does it feel much different than it had at home? Using your abilities?

[bearshermark]

It's different. Yggdrasil would show me visions when I communed with Her roots. It wasn't like this really.

[inutilis]

It seems like all of us have a lot of getting used to, but... I didn't think about things like this.

Is it strange, how different it is?

[bearshermark]

Somewhat. It feels like I've been ignorant of such things up until now.

[inutilis]

It's a learning curve for everyone, and I feel we've only touched the surface!

[ it's a bit overwhelming sometimes, isn't it? ]

But I'm really impressed... being able to talk to the woods-- that really is something else, Mr. Eleven. I wonder if you might be able to hone this skill with time? There is probably no more patient an observer than nature, and it could tell you a great deal, I bet!

[bearshermark]

[It's a strange thing, but he's pleased someone sees value in it]

You're likely right. I may make a habit of it in the mornings.

[inutilis]

Let me know how it goes, alright? We're all in this for the long haul it seems, and we should stick together as much as we can... maybe you can tell me about it over something delicious! Tell me, do you have a sweet tooth?

[bearshermark]

[Eleven laughs shortly. The last person this adamant to befriend him had been Sylvando]

Not as much as some, though I used to. Still, I appreciate them well enough.

[inutilis]

Hm, hm... more of a savory sort of person? I'll have to keep this in mind when I go looking for something that'll hold up long enough to make it to Greentruth...

[ yes, it's vitally important that he feed his buddy here. IMPERATIVE. ]

--Ah, but... could you do me a favor if it isn't too much trouble?