PLEROMA | FRIENDS LOST (END OF SOVISERI)

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien can be felt in the communion space, after having essentially gone missing during the final days of the mission. He's only just now returning to Greentruth in the company of friends. The tone of his psychic transmission is fraught with sorrow and anger in kind.]

Himeka and Abel have been taken by the Kenoma. They... are the Regent's prisoners.

[His presence becomes distant for a few beats after, like he has to steady himself.]

The creature of Innocence we found in Venera... its hold on me is far greater than I ever realized. I was drawn into a battle with the Kenoma, in the defense of other Pleroma, and when I found myself outnumbered and trapped... it came to my aid. Yet, 'twas at a cost I would not have willingly paid.

Angered by their broken "promise", it lashed out at those that bore its mark. 'Twas this moment of weakness that allowed them to be captured. It struck Ryunosuke and Alphinaud as well... Ryunosuke is safe. Alphinaud... has vanished somewhere I cannot reach.

[He's doing his best to give an objective account, something he became skilled in doing as a soldier. It's clear how much this is weighing on him, though.]

The... creature has been attempting to enthrall me. To change my body and steal my memories... it told me that Alphinaud was 'among the light', and that he had no further need for me. That Himeka and Abel had chosen to suffer in this world. I...

[And finally, the anger takes precedent, a fire wrought with misery.]

I will take them back. No matter what it demands of me. I... will bring them home.

Comments

[wolof]

[ A ripple of something... violent. The losses seemed to keep stacking up. They may have been victorious in some ways, but Akua was aware that there was a price to be had for that. ]

Do you have a plan yet?

[ No personal anecdotes here. Of course, Akua was...close to the both of them, hence the thread of violence, hotter than a flame and quick to lash out, but no, she wouldn't do so yet. They were friends, but that only meant they had to prioritize getting them out of there -- but not without a plan. ]

[coerthantorment]

I do not.

[He won't even pretend he does - or rather, he won't refuse the notion that one would be useful. He only knows that, even if he doesn't come up with any ideas, he's going to smash himself against the rocks rather than do nothing.]

I... to be effective is of more value than my pride. If there is anything... anything you can do...

[wolof]

[ A sharp exhale, a ripple of frustration. Not at Estinien, but at the...situation. ]

I can help -- will help, in a way that I can. I don't suppose we know anyone that has plans for Achamoth?

[ The problem is that they are unprepared. That they are in the dark, and the Regent has all of the cards, and that they need to pull each and every one from the Regent themselves. ]

I'll try to talk to some people, perhaps with our newfound... willing allies, someone will have traveled to the city, and we can get even a rough map. As much as going in as fast as we can is... preferable, I think that would have dire consequences.

[coerthantorment]

Meteion has come to our side. She... has memory of the Citadel's workings, as well as anyone can from having inhabited it. Unfortunately, this does not include the prisons themselves.

How much detail she will be able to provide I am yet uncertain, but... 'tis information, all the same.

[wolof]

That helps, at the very least. Do you think she would be willing to share it?

Even if it is to tell us where not to go, it will save us time, and allow for efficiency. One can learn a lot about a place if we know where the important spaces are, and where the dead ends lie.

[ A pause, then. ]

Do you think she will be willing to share? Perhaps by communion?

[coerthantorment]

Aye.

[Doing it by communion would be the smartest way, now that she brings it up. She wouldn't need to rely on words.]

Even the layout of the city would be of benefit. She flies, so 'tis possible she would have memory of it from a bird's eye view.

[wolof]

[ An appreciative note. ]

Most interesting.

Your...friend? They may be invaluable as we begin to prepare. Getting there will be difficult as well, but... moreso than that is finding out where our friends are held, and how to get them out short of throwing every last body we can at them.

[ She would, but. She was preeeeeetty sure Abel would tell her not to do that. She might do it anyway. ]

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien is struggling with the same problem. He is compelled to simply throw himself at it, prepared to make a sacrifice, but he has been informed that Abel and Himeka wouldn't appreciate that, and he knows the other Pleroma are right.]

...I struggle to imagine an outcome without further sacrifices. But then, are we not simply exchanging blood for blood...?

[wolof]

Is that not the way of war?

[ She says it, and it's true. She knows that there are those who don't want to sacrifice, would fight every step of the way to prevent tragedy, but...

This was going to invite it. She suspected Estinien knew that. Understood it. ]

We must harden ourselves to that possibility, but I think you know that. It does not, however, mean we cannot...attempt to mitigate sacrifice as best we can, yes?

[coerthantorment]

...Aye.

[It's a constant struggle for him to balance what the other Pleroma ask of him, and to do what he thinks needs to be done. In that sense, it was easier when he worked alone.]

And yet, I feel as if we are being implored to accomplish the impossible...

[They want to save them, but they won't accept Estinien risking himself for the cause. What is he meant to do?]

[wolof]

Indeed.

[ They were, weren't they? ]

Have you never accomplished the impossible before? Or perhaps they know that with our combined might, we might just pull it off?

[ It's said, with the sympathy of someone who also hates being held to that same standard. ]

Or, we could lose you, as well. Our numbers may continue to dwindle, if we are not cautious.