cyclists | audience: shess

[there's an open hand to encourage shess to sit with them, and then they'll wordlessly begin to fill the third sake cup and push it toward him]

Ookurikara... went through quite the ordeal. It was interesting, to watch the shift in his demeanor, though worrying all the same. I wonder if he will turn that anger he feels into a need to protect what comrades he has remaining...

Axel was motivated by his own type of kindness, driven from a need to look over others. Milla, her sword guided by perhaps the exact same.

Hisoka appears to do what entertains him... I wonder how tightly he'll clutch onto that desire to stave off boredom, and how much he truly was affected by the loss of his partner.

[ . . . ]

It's difficult, is it not? To be surrounded by so many different types of people, who are so very emotional, and for the most part, well-intentioned.

I wonder if they will come to realize that they desire many of the same things in time.

[he'll slide into the seat, then.]

Everyone acts according to their own justice. If they so easily aligned, the universe would have far less conflicts than it does.

[nice. that sake cup is now for shess.]

I did not think it would be easy, but I do believe that the relationships that beings make amongst one another are far more powerful than some might give credit for.

Is harmony not worth striving for?

Of course. But if it was that simple, I would be on holiday a lot more often.

[just saying.]

[sagenods]

Mm, I believe we all deserve a long vacation after this.

I will have a word with your higher-ups to try to retrieve one for you.

I don't think that's going to happen.

[his world is kind of on the verge of destruction??]

More importantly, the corruption. What can you say about it?

That I would like to see it eradicated from this world.

[that is said very quickly and calmly.]

... however, it would appear that the way it chooses to manifest is sporadic, and it is difficult to locate the source. Of course... just because it is difficult that does not mean we will not try.

The changing of the scroll at the end of today.... The universe conveys its messages to the young one and I often via scroll, in a place that none of you are able to reach.

We will likely spend tonight trying to decipher more answers for the coming week, and see if we can, at the very least, limit further danger to you all.

How likely is it that Mary's case will happen again? The idea of being possessed and compelled to kill is alarming.

It's certainly a possibility.

I would not discount the chance of it happening again next week, though everyone did well in removing it this week.

Darkness attracts darkness - allowing someone corrupted to remain would likely only add to the instability of this place.

[yeah, that's why shess doesn't feel super guilty about mary's removal, beyond the acknowledgment that it's a shame.]

And is there nothing we can do to protect ourselves from this?

At this time, we haven't found anything.

Of course, we are looking.

[there is a soft sigh]

The darkness that falls on Thursdays makes it troublesome even for us....

I don't necessarily blame you or Sol, but that has been your constant answer for any question. People are already discontent with it, and that will only grow stronger.

That is to be anticipated, and I am aware that it's difficult to ask for patience without being able to provide more certainty. A week might be nothing to you and I, but to humans it is a long time to wait. Even the young one grows restless as time passes.

But at the same time, I cannot help but feel as though we have only just truly begun, and the steps we're meant to take are unfolding before us.

To be honest, given the possibility that I may suddenly be brainwashed and possibly sentenced to death for it, even I'm feeling a little impatient. Fighting off an enemy would be one thing, but...

Mm. How is that the fates would find such a thing fair... is it? As if setting us all up for a losing battle...

I do not wish for that harm to befall any of you - but I understand that words are but words, and damage has already come to pass.

[but at the very least - ]

A talisman to protect against corruption, is it? Such arts are normally not within my power... but I will see what I can arrange, even if perhaps by force.

Anything else you would like me to search for?

It's not as if I haven't been hit by this sort of thing before, but I doubt the resistance I've built up means anything here.

[which sucks, for the record.]

I'm guessing my original abilities are beyond your control.

[another nod. sol at least can manage to sound frustrated about everything, whereas lune just sounds gently tired]

That is correct. We had no control over the state in which you arrived.

Is there something that you miss?

[a beat.]

Everything?

[a smile creeps back into lune's voice]

And if you were to pick the top three abilities?

I suppose that in the event I'm possessed, it'd be better that I don't have access to my sura form or offensive transcendentals...

[so.]

My regeneration, my healing transcendental, and my original physical capabilities.

Understood.

I imagine that it will not be something that I will be able to grant you freely... but at the very least, it shouldn't be impossible.

[...]

What would be the price?

Is there something too great for you to pay?

I'm not the sort to do anything for power.

[a brief laugh]

Then tell me your limitations, and perhaps I will be able to accommodate.

You do not wish to harm another, yes?

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject