to the pleroma (text)

[passio]

[ 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?

Comments

[locumstudentesquire]

Um... Sorry to ask this so pointedly, but. Are you alright?

[dragonmount]

[ he's also a little off-balance, these days, about what he thinks of the kenoma. a little seed of doubt, if one he'd never admit to having. there are a lot of things he could say to this, but he chooses the point that feels the most practical. ]

We weren't all there when the Regent's forces had you. Some of us came later, willingly. Would you call that manipulation?

[ it'd be nice to say that he 'said' that calmly. but the communion means that the faint undercurrent of his anger is a palpable thing, even if it isn't actually directed at dextera. ]

[passio]

[ does it sound like he’s all right ]

No. I’m frightened.

[aquaveiled]

You think that we're still under the control of the Kenoma?

[ Being tempered by a more powerful being? More likely than you'd think. ]

[passio]

[ dextera is the sort of person to assume it’s all directed his way nonetheless, but a small mercy is that his present mindset allows him to take it all as it comes. ]

Haven’t you ever done something you only thought was your own choice?

[passio]

No. I think we’re tools of the Pleroma.

[ his first pass at that answer is forceful, in the way that some people are prone to violence when afraid, but he calms himself down and tries again. ]

These powers are unnatural. These bodies aren’t ours. Either way, we’re…

[locumstudentesquire]

[Oh... :(

Ryunosuke is surprised by how quickly the admission comes, which in turn also makes it all the more worrying.]

Ah... Well I can certainly understand that... There are a lot of things to be frightened of in our situation.

Is there something in particular that's upset you in this case?

[aquaveiled]

[ The response on her end of the communion is calm despite the grave implications he's laying out. ]

Existing in a world the only way we know how right now.

Either way...you may be right.

[ That's not helping, sorry Dex. ]

But in my experience when you're tempered you're not usually questioning it.

[coerthantorment]

[In some ways, a message like this may have been primed to enrage Estinien, as strained as he already is. Yet, as he reads it, his own lived experience tells him that it's not actually bad to question these kinds of elemental forces and what they represent. At least as it's phrased here, Dextera's worries don't seem unreasonable.]

Any elemental force brought about in excess is harmful.

[He's facing the consequences of that right now, after all. Whatever that Innocence creature was, it was too much, and the balance of his aether has been thrown off in a way he still isn't sure is recoverable.]

Yet, I feel we arrived at our conclusions despite manipulation rather than because of it. The Regent did their best to force our decisions, to enslave us to their side, and yet we overcame. I care not for the Pleroma as more than a means to the end... and my end is unchanging. I would not see my home sacrificed for someone else's ambition.

[dragonmount]

[ some days, he thinks the last time he had a real choice was before he ever left two rivers. some days, not always the same ones, he thinks he'll never have a real choice again. dextera can't possibly know he's rubbing salt in a wound, but that's exactly what he's done.

which is why there's a flare of anger and bitterness before he can tamp it back down, and — replaces his shard. no, he's not doing this right now, actually.

✔ read at xx:xx ]

[passio]

[ dextera is far from accustomed to people worrying about him, and ryunosuke’s gentle concern goes remarkably far in getting him to calm down from his frenzy. it takes him a moment, but he gives an answer that looks less panicked than before. ]

I’m afraid of being used. I don’t think the Regent is right. But maybe we’re not right either.

[passio]

[ it’s not helping, no, but at least her response gives him something to question. ]

Tempered?

[passio]

[ dextera can’t quite explain what it is about estinien’s manner, but something in the way he conducts himself makes him instantly want to bow his head and apologize for one thing or another. at least at the moment, he’s too occupied by his very real feelings of panic and guilt to succumb to ones with no purpose.

and, in fact, estinien’s response is collected enough that dextera answers well to his tone. ]

Can we really choose a side without losing ourselves to it?

[ he asks the question only because he more or less agrees with everything else estinien has said; the emotion behind the text suggests anxious curiosity, not debate. ]

[coerthantorment]

I don't know.

[The response comes at a delay, Estinien clearly giving it some thought beforehand. He's not ashamed to say it, really - it would be arrogant to claim he knows one way or the other. Despite any similarities to the elements of his world, this is a different land.]

I only know... that if the Pleroma lies in opposition to the Regent's goals, if seeking refuge in it could save my people... I must try.

[And how familiar it sounds, as he says it. After all, it was the same logic he took when subjecting himself to Nidhogg's influence. If it was a power that could save Ishgard, he was willing to risk losing himself to it.]

As it stands, the Kenoma seems to be the force being unnaturally encouraged. The Regent all but rules this land, and the power it contains.

[aquaveiled]

As in under the influence of a powerful being, whatever that being may actually be.

[goldendeceiver]

I'm not sure it's a great idea to trust any words that came from the Regent personally. The disease was hitting hardest in a city none of us had ever been to, so it doesn't make much sense to heap the responsibility onto us.

As for if we're still being manipulated or not...

[ This one takes a bit of an uncomfortable ponder to mull over. ]

There's probably no way to say for sure we aren't, but if nothing else this one doesn't come with the messy strings of a dictator attached to it. Not that it makes the idea of potentially being manipulated any better. Haha.

Honestly, I don't really want to be part of any of this either. There are more capable people from my world that should have ended up in my shoes instead, but none of us got much say in the matter. I don't think anyone from this side will fault you too much if you decide you're done with it and refuse to fight, but you might still have to do some running to avoid the Kenoma.

[salvageable]

[ Ah, Dokja recognizes who it is that's sent this communion, and he's left a bit unbalanced by the weight of such a message. He's no stranger to being manipulated, so while he can relate in some ways...

The right words, comforting words, have always failed him and so he knows they'll fail him again here. ]

What's up with such a gloomy message? You're not holed up in a corner somewhere, are you?

[passio]

[ ‘influence’ could be anywhere from physically to spiritually influenced, but in the end, it’s all the same. ]

Maybe we’re just still new to it. Or maybe it’s because we’re not from this world.

[inutilis]

...Dextera?

[ Abel's voice carries the probing, prickling sensation of a worry behind it, the niggle of concern underlaid by a quieter uneasiness. his friend's distress is clear as day to see, but beyond that - there is validity in doubting and fearing such things Abel would feel wrong to outright refute.

one thing at a time, he supposes. ]

Where are you, right now?

[passio]

[ the answer here is relaxed and friendly, and dextera promptly feels a little sorry that he believes his one and only interaction with ernesto has been him promptly shutting off communication between them. he’s had a few opportunities to make amends and never has, but it doesn’t look like any grudge is being held.

all is well, and there’s even a lack of judgment for the content of his message in the first place. ]

Why are you fighting if you don’t want to be a part of it?

[passio]

[ that is exactly what he’s doing. the curtains in his little room in godsblood are drawn, and so even if there is light outside, he can’t see it. he’s merely holding his shard and imagining all the worst scenarios that could come to pass, far from a comfortable situation for anyone to be in.

there’s a long pause, and then: ]

I’m not in a corner.

[locumstudentesquire]

Used by the Pleroma... I see.

[He doesn't say anything for a moment, but his presence can still be felt; he's thinking it over.]

Admittedly, I'm still rather new to this world... And I'm sure I still have much to learn of how things work here. But the Kenoma and the Pleroma-- not the Aions that are aligned with them, but the forces themselves... That is how I've heard them described by locals: as 'forces'. Like the sea, or the wind, or gravity. I don't think they're capable of such complex manipulation on their own. The Kenoma just happens to have the Regent to direct and abuse its power... While the Pleroma doesn't have anyone equivalent, at least as far as I'm aware. Unless that's your worry...?

[passio]

[ the concern from a familiar voice causes an immediate sting behind his eyes and his breath to run rough in his throat. abel speaks with a voice, and while dextera would normally return the favor, he can’t really muster that effort now. he answers in the same text he’s been using, but even the lines seem a little shakier than before. ]

In Godsblood.

[ the short answer doesn’t really give any indication of how long he’s just been sitting in his room driving himself insane. ]

[snakeandfangs]

I don't know if we're not wrong, but I know that I'm not wrong.

[ whether dextera's lack of confidence is bolstering toge's... ]

It's easy to cast blame on someone else when you don't have all the information. I can't say I know everything myself, but delusion is a harsh word.

What it wanted... I think was the only thing it believed was right.

[aquaveiled]

Maybe. Or maybe because we're not from this world we're actually resistant to it.

We don't really know, but I would take anything the Regent says with a barrel of salt. Even if there is some truth to their words, they aren't saying it for our benefit.