aionchat | PLEROMA | FRIENDS LOST (END OF SOVISERI)

[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.

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[Thoma is one of the very few that actually saw what became of him when the entity took over, and so he has to take his words with some amount of weight. Even so...]

We haven't the time, Thoma. Every day is another day they are within the Regent clutches, another day that might steal them from us forever.

I won't allow it.

I know, I know, but if you take other Pleromas out, the Regent will keep capturing them as well. Then it might not be just Abel and Himeka under threat. There should be a failsafe just in case you lose control.

[ If he were stronger, he'd offer to be that himself, but the fact that Kaeya couldn't handle him probably means Thoma won't even be able to scratch him, on top of Thoma just not having the stomach to hurt a friend or ally. ]

...What made you come to your senses last time?

[What is he supposed to do, he wants to yell. Do nothing? Leave them to their fates, for fear of doing more harm than good? It would be the cruelest outcome imaginable to him, as it stands.]

...When the danger had passed... it had no need to remain.

We can't rely on simply waiting for it to go away. If we send someone who could conceivably trap you or knock you out, it'd be better than leaving everything to fate. I wonder if Hayame can manage it with a good enough shot.

[ She's got more of a stomach for these things and seems like the most likely person not to hold back. ]

[Thoma isn't completely without grounds here, but Estinien is in no mood to hear it. He lashes out:]

If it is of such concern to you, why not eliminate the threat I represent now? Mayhap you would all be better off without such variables to account for.

Because it'd be cruel, and you're our ally! I don't want to have to hurt you if we can find a better way to prevent it, even if it's just a matter of temporary restraint. We have to think about reducing as many risks as possible before going into the heart of Achamoth.

[ In battle, the aim is always to reduce as much loss as possible, but he's well aware he's kind of isolated in this way of thinking. Accepting total carnage doesn't come easy to him. ]

[He knows that Thoma has a point, but the stress of everything that has happened to him lately has him wanting to be angry rather than lost or despairing. His options seem to dwindle before his eyes, every obstacle making presented making him more hopeless and trapped.

He knows that his reaction is bordering on hysterical, but he finds himself desperately attacking regardless.]

The creature was capable of nullifying a Kenoma's strength with a single blow. In the moon of its power, it could strike even the Pleroma blind or lame with a thought. How else am I meant to be restrained, if it sees fit to take me?

[That's the hardest part for him. He doesn't want to dwell on how little control he really has. It's easier to view giving himself over to the creature as an active choice rather than something that will happen to him regardless of what he does.]

I wish I knew.

[ Striking him down somehow might be the only possibility if they can't put a cage of some sort around him. It would also help if Thoma could even temporarily freeze him, but he's clearly not built for that.

He knows Estinien is adamant about going because he feels personally responsible, and Thoma wants to find a good solution for him, but he's far from being a strategic mastermind. ]

Between our homegrown powers and the newly acquired ones from attunement, there has to be someone who can at least temporarily bind you in a pinch. I know it's difficult to think about it, but will you please consider it before you go?

...If one could bind it... It may be preferable over force.

[He's reluctant, but he's trying to be reasonable about this. He really doesn't want to hurt his comrades, when it comes down to it.]

It craves peace most of all. A more gentle method of slowing it may agree with its nature.

Alright, we'll look for a– [ He catches Rand volunteering and nods to himself resolutely. ] This could work. I trust Rand, and I know you'd be in good hands if he can do it.

[ slowly, ]

I might be able to do something. I won't pretend to be as powerful as that thing is, but if I can buy you even a moment — I'm willing to try.

[Estinien might have been surprised, but that was before Rand let it loose at the Regent.]

...You mean to strike at it, then? During its past summonings, no amount of violence seemed equipped to stop it.

[ LISTEN, ]

Not that. I can make a cage, [ probably, in theory, he's pretty sure, ] out of Air. It might restrain you, if that's needed.

PLEROMA | FRIENDS LOST (END OF SOVISERI)

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