KENOMA // voice+memory

[devilmancrybaby]

[ This takes place the evening after the first event described in the Event Wrap Up post, the entity having withdrawn its influence from Venera.

Binghe is in a bit of a bad mood, having had to haul Makoto's unconscious body out of the street when he would have preferred to drop him in the ocean, and as things are currently he can't really be bothered to pretend that he's not. There's some attempt to be polite, but mostly he sounds kind of tired and cranky. ]

My apologies for the interruption. I am Luo Binghe. No doubt many of you have heard at least a little of what has happened lately in Venera. I was there for the event at the heart of it, so I thought perhaps it would be of some use to share a few of the details.

I am sure it will not come as any great shock to learn it seems to have been the fault of that dog Estinien Wyrmblood. The spirit that seems to have been responsible for what has been happening was so angered by his death that it appeared to smite anyone who tried to keep it from... I don't know, I think it wanted his shard. I don't know what it would have done with it. Kept him as a pet, perhaps, in one of its illusions.

If I am honest, whatever this thing was it seemed rather simple, like the ghost of a child, but it clearly possessed immense power. The Aions of Pleroma who were there, their unconvincing promises about—taking care of him in its stead, that kind of thing. That was enough to convince it to retreat.

I think it did something to them, though. I'll show you.

[ He shares his memory of this moment, when the mass of wings demanded that those gathered keep their promise, grasping onto those closest to it with its ethereal hands.

The image fades and Binghe's voice resumes: ]

So the problem has been solved, but only temporarily. The spirit was not destroyed, and it seems if these Aions fail to fulfil its whims it may return with something worse. It might not be so easy to persuade next time.

Comments

[hundredpower]

Some kind of barrier, perhaps?

There could be a way to overpower such a thing if more force were applied, if that's the case. Bullets are only small projectiles.

[subsist]

It might be possible, but it didn't seem worth it to experiment at the time.

[hundredpower]

Of course. It doesn't seem wise to experiment with an enemy that powerful in general, but it's an option if our hands are forced.

[subsist]

[ an option, huh... ]

Could it be your volunteering yourself?

[hundredpower]

Yes. Powers like mine should be able to answer definitively whether we can defeat it with brute force. If that fails, we'll have to think more creatively.

[subsist]

You know what. You're right— it can't hurt to try.

The only problem is we have no way of drawing the entity back out, but I suppose that's what we'll have to look into for now.

[hundredpower]

If what Mr Luo said is correct, I think the fastest way to lure it out would be using those Pleroma who made the agreement with it.

That's easier said than done without waiting for them to come to us, so we may simply have to bide our time for now.

[subsist]

[ that gives kaeya an idea. an awful idea, but there it is nonetheless. ]

... Two of them would make for good targets if we're able to isolate them from the rest. As far as I'm aware, they don't have any means to fight back.

[ hm. ]

I'm sure an opportunity will arise sooner or later.

[hundredpower]

[Barnaby can't stop his uncomfortable feelings of distaste leaking over at that suggestion -- he has an idea of which individuals Kaeya is alluding to -- but the rational part of him knows it's sound logic.]

Right. For now we'll just have to prepare for when that happens. If the Pleroma are always this eager to protect their own, even targeting one of them should be enough to force out the others.

[subsist]

[ sorry, bunny. kaeya is just going to ignore your discomfort because he is used to playing dirty. ]

Target both and we'll have double the chances to test your theory out. We could try different things too.

[galdorleod]

[ Howl has been paying careful attention to this conversation, the presence of his mind being noticeable to anyone paying attention, but this is the point where he feels compelled to actually pipe in. ]

You can't rely on an Aion having the same abilities and limitations from encounter to encounter.

[ Both Kaeya and Barnaby were new, fresh Aions at the time Howl learned that lesson. He isn't in a hurry to retell it if he doesn't have to. ]

[devilmancrybaby]

It's true. All the same, even with improved abilities, some people's demeanours simply make them easier to subdue.

[hundredpower]

And the strongest powers on Horos won't make up for a lack of experience in battle. Increased powers are an obstacle, but not an insurmountable one.

[galdorleod]

[ Howl's mild annoyance in response to the last two comments comes through just before he responds. ]

Kaeya specifically said that the two Aions he was thinking of have no means to fight back. Defenseless, in other words.

What I'm trying to say is that you can't rely on that to be the case the next time we see them.

And I don't think it's wise to assume we know all there is to know about their "demeanors" or "lack of experience" either.

[ How well do any of us know any of the Pleroma, much less the newest ones? ]

[hundredpower]

I appreciate your concerns. But while I can't speak for Kaeya, I'm used to dealing with unknowns, or going on assumptions, in my line of work.

An abundance of caution is helpful, but sometimes acting quickly is better than worrying about having all the necessary intelligence to plan things to the letter. We can't predict everything, but it shouldn't stop us from taking action. This entire plan is premised on an experiment to begin with, after all.

[the very smart and well-thought out plan of 'barnaby wants to kick god™']

[galdorleod]

You're right... assuming any of this is as urgent as you're treating it.

[ in any event, Howl certainly isn't going to stop any sort of plan they may come up with. But he remembers being like this, being a fresh new Aion with big plans. He can't help but feel anxious about the way they're talking about all this. ]

[devilmancrybaby]

Surely, if we ought to be concerned about new abilities, it would be best to act as quickly as possible, to reduce the chance anything like that will present a problem?

[hundredpower]

Yes. Besides which, anyone who has had dealings with this Estinien Wyrmblood will be able to attest to its urgency better than I could. If he's as ruthless as Eustace said, it could only take one more conflict for him to be endangered enough for that being to return to 'save' him.

Whether it happens sooner or later, it's like a ticking time bomb. I'm open to debate, but I'd prefer it to be dealt with sooner.

[galdorleod]

[ Howl's extensive dealings with Estinien don't provide that much extra persuasion. It's the execution of this plan that concerns him, not whether the goals are worthwhile. ]

The fact that the creature could take Estinien out for us — along with the rest of those affected — makes this the opposite of urgent.

But, please, if you and the others feel the risk is worth the reward, by all means. I'm certainly not telling you not to.

[subsist]

Your warning is duly noted, Howl. I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

As it is my proposal, I wouldn't want others to risk themselves for it.

[ uncharacteristic of him given his usual mindset, but there are too many unknowns in this equation. better to figure out the logistics with as few variables as possible so he's crazy enough to attempt this on his own. ]