aionchat | to the pleroma (text)

[ it’s not an intentional attempt at anonymity. dextera just has no experience with this kind of broad communication, and to him, there’s little point in introducing himself anyway. those who have met him may be able to recognize the emotional “signature” attached to the words newly displayed in their minds, and may be able even to attach the soft sound of his breath or the perpetually-uncertain expression he wears to the message he knows is about to be contentious.

but, it’s been bothering him since the events in venera. perhaps the seed was planted even before that, from his very first experience with the kenoma and having the pleroma overtake it to save him in the end. ]

Are we wrong?

[ it’s… actually not what he wanted to open with, but the panic of broadcasting a message so publicly has him blurting things out even through what should be the most temperate of mediums. ]

The Regent said it was the Pleroma that caused the disease in Venera. That force wanted us to live forever in delusion. I don’t want to destroy the world. I don’t want to make a new one either. I was happy there. I would have been happy there.

The distilled Kenoma tried to manipulate our thoughts. Didn’t you all feel that power when we escaped? The Hope that allowed us to fight? Are we still being manipulated?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've found books while investigation the contagion in Venera.

[ she doesn't say where. she doesn't say how. but there's no reason for her to lie, anyway. ]

The books never clearly stated that the Regent has a hand in them, for obvious reasons. But it's implied that certain incidents that resemble anything like city-wide illnesses in the past had happened after certain cities would resist or stand against the empire, almost as if it's a form of disciplining or suppressing "unruly" individuals or groups.

The early days of Venera, especially, were rather chaotic, and the resistance had been punished brutally at the time.

Unfortunately, that's all I was able to find so far. I needed to leave quickly since it seemed that things were escalating at the time.

[ dextera fully believes her, and the information is much easier to take than the idea that the pleroma is responsible anyway. ]

Things are calmer now. Will you do more research with me?

I will. I'm planning on returning to Venera soon, so if you'd like to come along, I'd welcome the company.

[ because she also stole a few things and she needs to return them, aah ]

The city seems to value artistry and culture, so it wouldn't surprise me if they have more information about the Regent hidden in other forms of art than just books.

[ dextera has no idea she’s stolen anything and wouldn’t judge her for doing it anyway, so the offer is merely well-received. ]

I didn’t look very much. I should have.

[ he’s easing up with a goal set in front of him, evident even through text. there’s a little relief filtering through—his confidence is bolstered, by even just this small exchange. ]

Please let me come with you. I don’t know how much I can help, but I’ll try.

It can't be helped. Everyone's focus is on getting things cured, which was initially the reason why I was searching for past events similar to what happened.

[ and then stumbled upon books that made her ask far too many questions about this world, about the guy they're supposed to be fighting again. ]

How do you feel about, uh [ there's a long pause here, hm. ] Breaking into private property?

If there’s something we need in there, it can’t be helped.

[ dextera has done much worse than break into a place to get what’s inside, after all. ]

Just asking in case you're hesitant about potential criminal activity.

I'll ask around for the best way to get back to Venera without being detected. If the Regent was indeed spreading rumours about us, it would be best to arrive without amassing attention.

[ she'll also have to check if ryu is up for breaking and entering ... ]

…

[ there’s, surprisingly, a ghost of amusement at her ‘just asking.’ maybe he doesn’t physically react in any way, but with communion helping him along, it’s the closest thing he’s expressed to a positive emotion since he made this post. ]

You’re right. I don’t know how many people paid attention to our faces. But it’s better to be cautious.

Wait, you were actually able to find books with that sort of information?

[He sounds pretty surprised by this.]

Interesting that they would survive... I was told by some reliable locals that the Regent is not above wholesale destruction of any information that happens to be inconvenient to them.

[ she's surprised, too. you're not alone, ryu. ]

I suppose not directly accusing the Regent of wrongdoings might've saved those books. Who knows.

But it's clear in the texts that those incidents follow certain uprisings against the empire. As they say, once is chance, twice is a coincidence, thrice is a pattern. And it didn't seem like it's only happened three times in the years that the Regent has been in power.

[Ryunosuke turns the information over in his head for a few long moments, shuffling around his mental Court Record (so to speak) and comparing this new information against what he already knows.]

I suppose in the interest of fairness, we should acknowledge the possibility that the Regent didn't necessarily make an order of any sort... If these sicknesses are as similar as you say to the one we investigated in Venera, maybe they're like... An unintentional byproduct of the Regent's oppression? I mention it only because the entity that caused the contagion in Venera said that its arrival was directly related to the Veneran's desire for escape... Perhaps similarly wide-spread feelings among the public have caused similar issues in Horos in the past?

Not that I would put it past the Regent have a direct hand in it. But with a lack of evidence, it might be wise to avoid jumping to any conclusions just yet...

Edited 2022-06-10 19:46 (UTC)

[ if only the regent is generous and fair enough to avoid accusing them as well of propagating this contagion ... ]

If so, it wouldn't be the first I've heard of it. Emotions can be pretty strong, enough for them to fester and turn into curses or afflictions over time, even beyond death.

[ the dead gods in teyvat have sure proven that is more than possible. ]

Still, for such emotions to take root, it only means that whatever was inflicted on them must've been torturous that it goes past physical pain.

You're absolutely right. It would hardly absolve them of any guilt, that's for certain.

[Still damning, really. Just, in a slightly different way.]

Still... Even if the texts don't accuse them directly, it still feels noteworthy that the Regent would allow such evidence to exist. Unless...

[He trails off again, for another moment.]

...Did the sources you found provide any specific detail on what made the afflictions so similar? A list of symptoms perhaps, or a connection to one of the Legacies?

[He feels like he's on the edge of piecing something together but... He just needs more information first...]

The information I've found was very limited, unfortunately. Plus, with the chaos happening outside ...

[ the text seems to trail off like she's lost in thought. she didn't want to linger for too long in the library when people are suffering outside and might need her help. ]

Anyway, I'm planning on returning to Venera to see if there are other materials I can find. You're welcome to join if you'd like.

Returning to Venera...?

[There's a slight flicker of fear, but he pushes it aside, replacing it with determination and a thirst for answers instead.]

...I would be honored to accompany you, and take a look at the materials you found for myself. Do you have any idea when you intend to leave?

to the pleroma (text)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject