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

[superbshot]

Nobody is perfect. Don't be hard on yourself because you're not omniscient.

[Nobody was. Her voice is a little sharper, but still not harsh.]

Can you communicate with the entity? Tell it to back off, some?

[locumstudentesquire]

He did try that.

[It's Ryunosuke's voice cutting in now. He sounds... Very tired.]

It didn't take it particularly well.

[superbshot]

...Are you okay?

[locumstudentesquire]

[There is, for a second, a small flare of surprise at the question. And for a moment he considers brushing it off, and might have done if this were a face to face conversation.

But there's no point in lying about feelings over Communion, is there?

There's especially no point in lying to Caitlyn.]

...In all honesty? No. But I'd say how I'm faring is the least of our worries at the moment, all things considered...

[superbshot]

It does, because if we're going to attack Achamoth, we need everyone at the top of their game.

[There's no point in lying, no, but she's being bluntly honest.]

[locumstudentesquire]

.......

[Devoid of all formality and propriety comes the miserable, naked admission:]

...I'm not sure if even the 'top of my game' is good enough for that.

[superbshot]

Have hope, Ryunosuke.

[She's smiling.]

And have faith. We'll get through this.

[coerthantorment]

[There is a feeling of agreement to what Ryunosuke said above. He almost comes across as embarrassed about it.]

...I attempted to parley with it at its shrine... I demanded its contrition, its aid, and it imprisoned me there.

[superbshot]

Bloody hell.

[She is...surprised by this. And now more worried.]

I take it Ryunosuke is the one that got you free?