August catch-all (open)

[emet_sulk]

Who: Emet-Selch and anyone!
Where: Aldrip and nearby outskirts
What:
- Emet-Selch attempts to do some actual work for once at the clinic, healing people's hurts (shock, horror).
- He takes the device he found around for walkies, finds other hot new single users in his area!
- Encounters a morbol in the wild and it tries to follow him home. Or take him home. Hard to tell with these smelly things.

Warnings: None, will update or list in comment headers if necessary

(Will match tag format, action brackets are fine)


1. The Ascian will see you now

Having returned from the desert, it's business as usual at the clinic. Emet-Selch doesn't really like working but he did make a deal with that young woman to put in the time here. Besides, the pay is going towards the weapon he is commissioning from a local blacksmith - one eager enough for the challenge of an unfamiliar weapon and understanding enough to accept payment in installations.

So the Ascian puts aside his ennui and dons the more agreeable veneer of Solus zos Galvus as he attends to those still recovering from the hurts of the past two months. Being one of the Chosen, he's usually also first to be called on to look at other Chosen who walk in.

a) Greeting walk-in patients:
The smile on his face almost resembles a smirk as he walks up to you. "And what trouble have you gotten yourself into, hmm?"

b) Interrupting him whilst he's busy:
He glances up, from whatever or whoever he's working on with a frown. "Do you need something?" he asks, tempering his impatience with effort.

2. Tindr? More like Findr

After putting out a request for help and cobbling together some semblance of a working device, Emet-Selch can be found trying to access some of its other features - to not so very great success. Having noticed that it seems to randomly react to something, he takes the thing outside and tries to locate the source.

Which is how he comes across someone else with another device.

Emet-Selch looks at you, looks at the device in his hands. Frowns.

"Why is this reacting to you?" he asks irritably.

3. Friends Forevermor-bol

Further afield, outside of town - or even perhaps closer to the forest's edge - Emet-Selch has come across a familiar creature.

Or perhaps, rather, it finds him.

The creature in question is a towering mass of thick, vine-like tentacles and a gaping, putrid maw. Like an upright land octopus that is at least as tall as a man. Emet-Selch, surprised to come across something from his homestar, is too stunned to move before the seedkin notices him and starts to undulate over.

"No," he says emphatically, jabbing a finger at it. "Stay."

As if this creature can be trained like a dog. He remembers that gift sent by one of the provinces and how it terrorised the imperial gardens before somehow escaping out into the snowy tundra. Morbols and their ilk simply do as they please.

--and this one attempts to reach out and grab him.

He vanishes into a rift, materialising a distance away. But the morbol advances relentlessly, vines reaching for him.

"Of all the creatures to make their way here from our star, why this one?!"

4. Wildcard

For closed threads or custom scenarios etc., feel free to hit me up on the CR meme to plot.

Comments

[emet_sulk]

"I watched Eulmore take back the Oracle, and the Crystarium make ready to steal her back. Quite the riveting drama - even if it did cause the indolent Vauthry to finally stir upon his throne."

He shoots her an annoyed look. "You always have to interfere in matters which don't concern you."

[likethestars]

"Sorry, 'tis part of my nature." Something she wonders if that happens to be a trait etched into her soul thanks to Azem or some earlier incarnation of her soul.

"That is quite some time back..." If she's remembering correctly. She had hoped that he was from a little further on.

"Well, we knocked out the Eulmoran army with dream powder before Ran'jit stepped in. We managed to escape and fled to Il Mheg. There we made some deals with the fae and defeated the second Lightwarden. After that, you revealed yourself to us and offered to work together. Naturally, we were all rather hesitant to trust you."

No one ever said she was good at telling stories, but at least she's getting to facts as quickly as possible.

"You followed us to the Raktika Greatwood only to disappear the moment things looked troublesome." It didn't help that she said something stupid and riled up the inhabitant of the woods. "It took us some time to locate the third Lightwarden. We had to deal with the Eulmorans again, make friendly with the Viis that had been living there in isolation. Dig around a temple for clues as to where the Lightwarden could be.

Once it was dealt with we found murals that depicted the Final Days as well as the Sundering. We didn't know what it was until you told us."

She wonders if she should pause there in case he has any questions. So much happened and she knows she's skipping over some stuff to get to the point. She does end up waiting long enough for him to either ask a question or tell her to continue before she does.

"Ahm Arang was next. We didn't know where to look so I went with Ryne," a short pause, "That is Minfilia to meet with, um, herself?" That sounds weird now that she really thinks about it. "Anyroad, they spoke, Minfilia gave her the power to locate the Lightwardens and she broke the cycle, I guess. Minfilia was renamed Ryne by Thancred and helped some people so we could get the trolley working so we could reach the Lightwarden. Again, it was dealt with and all that was left was the final one which turned out to be Vauthry."

She pauses once more because this is where things took a turn. "I... I failed to contain the light after defeating Vauthry. Failed your little test and you decided we weren't worth it, that Zodiark was the only way. The Crystal Exarch tried to steal the light from me so the he could take into the Rift and, I guess, die with it." Her mouth twists into a frown.

"You shot him and took him with you to your recreated Amaurot. You told me I could join you there so that I might transform away from prying eyes. I'm sure you can guess how that all ended."

[emet_sulk]

[ He stares at the message icon. Cautiously taps to open it. ]

...A peer to peer communicator? Does that not defeat the whole purpose of the convenience of a portable device?

[ His tone is scornful. Heaving a sigh, he tries to tap other areas of the screen. It seems there are...games? Even worse: they're co-op. ]

[emet_sulk]

He listens without comment and gestures impatiently for her to continue when she stops. It's not a surprise to hear the Final Days depicted on some cave walls - by context, he assumes in a Ronkan ruin. It is more of a surprise to hear that such a depiction survived all the centuries the First has seen.

But what truly throws him is the conclusion: where she fails his expectations. He remembers harbouring some hope of the Warrior being strong enough to hold the immense burden of Light. It had been a plan in its infancy, not yet solidified as he had watched the conflict between Eulmore and the Crystarium play out - to no end now, he supposes.

And to think that he would invite her down there... To his recreation of a dead city. His home...

"...Well," he says finally. He can't decide if he's upset or angry or resigned. "Well, at least I died in a familiar place."

Bitter. He's bitter.

[likethestars]

Oh, if he's thrown by that, just wait until he hears the rest.

"It doesn't end there, however. Despite my failing to contain the light, there was a shard of... myself that had been following me around since my arrival. I don't know if you met him in life, his name was Ardbert. Elidibus had brought him and his friends over to the Source a while back in an attempt to cause more problems and speed up a rejoining, I guess." She shrugs.

"Anyroad, when I was the verge of turning he offer me the strength to continue." One hand goes over her heart as she says this, a small smile forming on her lips. "It was only thanks to him I was able to contain the Light and then use it as a weapon against you."

She takes another pause, licking her lips and realizing how dry her mouth has become from all the speaking she's been doing. She's never been one to say so many words in so short a time.

"Could I trouble you for a glass of water before I continue?" A pause before she adds, "Please?"

[emet_sulk]

He silently rises from the bed to fetch a cup, filling it from a jug. He leaves both within easy reach for Yuja on her bedside table before retaking his seat on the bed.

It is very difficult to read his expression. Even now, his thoughts are whirling, plotting, revising plans. He knows not if there is any point to doing so but he cannot help himself.

"And whose idea was it to use all of that Light bleeding out of you as a weapon against me? Such an inspired move cannot have been improvised."

[emet_sulk]

[ He barely acknowledges Elidibus as he walks past. A flicker of a glance at most. He doesn't stop the younger man from following either. ]

She's fine.

[ --is his terse, interim reply. Emet-Selch still has work to do in the clinic but he heads outside instead for some fresh air, rounding the corner of the building so that they can have some semblance of privacy for their inevitable talk.

At that point he finally pivots around to face Elidibus, fists clenched by his side, posture stiff. ]

What would you like me to say, Elidibus? I have just learnt of my supposed fate from her and she did not have the air of a liar. Despite that, I am keeping to my promise not to harm her. Is my current forbearance not enough?

[likethestars]

She watches him as he moves, hoping she can glean something from him. Alas, he's difficult to read like this. She doesn't doubt his mind is a whirlwind, she images her's would be as well if someone was dumping her future on her.

"Thank you." She takes a long few gulps from the glass, nearly draining it in one go before continuing.

"It was no longer bleeding out of me thanks to Ardbert rejoining with me." She suspects she could have arrived here right after rejoining with Ardbert and not be at risk of changing. "But to answer your question, a weapon made of pure aether was how we defeated Ascians in the past. So creating a weapon of Light came naturally."

She shifts, wincing a little to refill the glass, holding onto it to give her hands something to do.

"After, we began looking for a way to return the Scions back to the Source. Though Elidibus had his own plans and tried to start tipping the First back toward Light. He was dealt with, though not like everyone else. His soul was trapped within the Crystal Tower before it had a chance to go anywhere." A fact that would be important later.

"Shortly after, I returned to the Source with crystals that held everyone's essence and they soon awoke. Things didn't remain calm for long after that, however." Why would they? She feels as if she's destined to never know quiet days.

"During our absence from the Source, Zenos had cut down the Emporer and plunged Garlemald into chaos. Alongside him was Fandaniel who was set on restarting the Final Days. All he needed was the aether to free Zodiark and kill him." She lowers her head and stares at the glass in her hand. "I unwittingly helped him with that. I think originally he'd planned to have Zenos become one with Zodiark so he could fight me but Fandaniel threw himself into the prison instead. As you can imagine, it didn't take long for the hells themselves to erupt on the Star."

She takes a sip. She's skipping a lot, but it doesn't seem all that important to the recounting. If he wants to know the details he can ask. "The answer to the Final Days obviously lay in the past, but the only clue we had was a flower. One known as an Elpis flower. So I returned to the First, to the Crystal Tower, what remained of Elidibus was able to use the Tower to send me to the Elpis of your day. And my timing couldn't have been better as you and Hythlodaeus were visiting to recruit Hermes to the seat of Fandaniel."

She smiles a little. It'd been nice to see some of the past in a peaceful state, what she wouldn't give to see more of the old Etheirys. The smile doesn't last, however, as she continues.

"I'm not sure how much to say of my visit, I know you don't remember any of it because of Hermes. But the gist of it is that the Final Days was due to a creation of his. Meteion, a group of bird-like creations that he'd made to be thin of aether so that they could interact with another energy, dynamis. An energy driven by emotion, something we of the future are able to interact with much more easily thanks to our thin aether. He wanted to know why others lived, what kept them looking forward to the next day. He felt that answer couldn't be found on Ehteirys so he sent the Meteia out into the universe to find the answer.

Do you know what they found?" She looks up at him as she waits for his response.

[heartofsalvation]

[And he does follow, unwilling to just let things lie, even though he knows this is not going to be a pleasant conversation. But then, when they reach the side of the building, he says that, and Elidibus can only open his mouth and close it again. He tries once more to speak.]

Even so, I worry for your well-being.

[To him, living won't be any more than survival until Amaurot is restored. To say the temptation to join hands with him once again and try anew wasn't tempting would be a lie, but he values his friendships more, even those made across time. It has always been his way, and he cannot bear to forsake one over the other. It'd be like deciding one has more of a right to live than the other -- something he was so sure of before, but can't possibly be now.]

I always have. Even when true concern beside the scope of my duty was beyond me. Isn't it you who always delighted in calling me a worrier?

[If Emet-Selch dies, he ensures Elidibus's death in turn, and unknowingly brings things full circle for all of them. It seems like a cruel status quo to try and preserve, especially if that is akin to what Hydaelyn had done all along, but...]

To you, it must seem a betrayal. I know that. But I am simply trying to mediate as best I can.

[emet_sulk]

He shrugs irritably. "I couldn't begin to guess," he says tersely. "Allag made great strides towards venturing beyond the star's atmosphere but the Empire fell before they could find an energy source capable of long-term travel. That aside, I'm quite sure I remember that Hermes' pet project failed explosively. He accepted the seat of Fandaniel because of it."

How much could the Meteia have found, really, considering that?

"I suppose they found nothing of note."

There are so many more questions he wants to ask - particularly about her meeting him in Elpis - but she's clearly leading into some sort of revelation.

[likethestars]

"That's only because he erased your memory." She might as well get that out there now.

"As for what the Metia found, nothing is... close. They found dead worlds, worlds on the verge of dying. Worlds on the verge of destroying themselves through war. People crying out for death because they had found perfection and no longer had anything worth living for. And because of that, they decided that life wasn't worth living. That if there was only suffering to be found why would anyone want to continue living?"

She pauses to take another sip of water and let it sink in. "Hermes heard that and decided that he would test humanity. That if they were truly meant to survive they would find a way. So he used Kairos to erase your, Hythlodaeus, and his own memory of all that the Metia had found. However, I got away thanks to Venat."

She pauses, realizing she forgot to mention Venat had been there. "She was there as well, by the by. Because of her, I had to tell you, Hythloadues, and herself about the future that was to come. She recognized her blessing upon me the moment she laid eyes on me and deduced I was from the future. You didn't take too well hearing about your future, refused to believe it. Venat believed it."

Another pause as she sips her water. "It's because of what she heard and Meteion's control over dynamis that she decided to Sunder Etheirys. So that we might be able to interact with the same power and perhaps someday be strong enough to put an end to the Metia and prevent the Final Days.

We succeeded in that, after passing Venat's test. You and Hythlodaeus helped one last time in the end before returning to the Aetherial Sea. You said you would stay there because you refused to be reborn into the world that is now. And Hythlodaeus seemed happy to stay with you."

[emet_sulk]

[ He barks out a laugh. ]

Mediate? What is there to mediate? The conflict is over as far as all the rest of you are concerned. All you have to do is keep me from causing trouble and Hydaelyn will have her victory...and the star. But as you are of the 'future', none of you can stop me from acting differently to ensure our victory once I find a way out of this prison.

[ He crosses his arms and looks aside, staring at some point on the ground. ]

Do you have any idea how heavy the burden of duty lay upon my shoulders? To be the only one yet in possession of all his faculties, watching one man's mind unravel and another's memories fade away? To watch the shards of our brethren grow more and more unlike themselves with each ascension until, it seems, our very own Fandaniel decided he preferred death and took it upon himself to destroy the star and all life upon it?

[ A scoff. ]

You would render our labour of some ten thousand years meaningless.

[emet_sulk]

Emet-Selch does react this time, head whipping around sharply at the mention of Hythlodaeus. His narrowed eyes bore into her own, searching for any hint of falsehood. Finding none, he looks away again.

He doesn't know what to think or feel about...all of this. Should he be glad that the origin of the Final Days has been dealt with? Should he resent that his people and the star he once knew will never return? Zodiark: gone; Hydaelyn left to watch over in His place (Yuja has said naught of Her fate). Try as he may, he can feel nothing but smouldering anger towards Her for what She did. Her light ripped apart everything he once knew and scattered it to the winds.

"And here you are, once again - supposedly - telling me of my future and I say: I refuse to believe it. Fandaniel may be a little touched in the head these days but he would never try to bring about the star's demise. We Ascians serve Zodiark, and Zodiark was created to forestall the star's doom. Yet you would suggest that he and his errant creation were the culprits from the very beginning? Bah!"

There's enough truth that he cannot simply dismiss her entire story out of hand. But for Fandaniel's creation to be the reason the Final Days came about? Preposterous.

"That 'test' of his for humanity is farcical as well. Man's measure cannot be taken fairly or impartially when fear rules their hearts."

[heartofsalvation]

Yet I have not seen you make an attempt on her life to solve the core problem. Why is that, I wonder?

[He really shouldn't test his luck, but he has to be certain. Why has Emet-Selch not gone after Yuja? He just had ample opportunity to kill her if he so chose, and yet here he is, treating her wounds instead. Elidibus keeps his composure despite the flurry of appeals to his guilt, hands still at his sides.]

When Zodiark could not speak for Himself, we had to interpret His will as best we could instead. You and Lahabrea both deferred to me when it came to that. Could it be that you still do?

Recall, then, what I told you earlier: your death assures mine. But what if I told you our deaths also assure Hydaelyn's?

[emet_sulk]

...What do you mean?

[ He warily eyes their Emissary. Emet-Selch has no answer as to why he doesn't simply murder Yuja out of hand. He has every reason to do so. And so, as has been his wont lately when faced with difficult questions he cannot answer, he chooses to ignore it entirely. ]

[likethestars]

How quickly he turns to look at her when she mentions Hythlodaeus does cause her to jump slightly. Though it's less out of fear and more out of reflex to react should he try to do something. Luckily, he only seems to be scrutinizing her.

"Fandaniel was a little more than simply touched. I'm sure aware that some aspects can be etched upon a soul, things that will follow them from one life to another. Like Azem's desire to help others and experience all there is to experience is etched upon my soul. That moment when Hermes' learned the truth was etched upon his. Possibly made worse by the fact he had then erased his memories. Even as Amon, he tried to find the answers that Hermes sought. It drove him crazy over time and I guess it... broke him. Without the Unsundered around he decided to finally put an end to everything. No more life, no more death, just oblivion."

She lets out a hum. "I won't disagree with you about his test. However, it's what he decided and there was nothing any of us could do to stop him."

She pauses again, brow furrowing as an idea comes to mind. Venat had helped her focus the Echo so that she could access memories in the ambient aether. She still didn't quite understand how it worked but perhaps she could share her memories with someone else if they were willing instead of being forced to experience another's memories.

"Emet-Selch, I could try to show you what I experienced with the Echo. If you'd like, that is."

[heartofsalvation]

It is something I heard from Yuja as well... but it makes sense, given what I do know.

[Athena would not have acted the way she did in the Aetherial Sea if Hydaelyn were still around to have any say in the matter. He'd been quite out of sorts at the time, so it's hard to tell from a perfectly clear perspective, but that much, he can be sure of.

Elidibus sets his jaw, almost sure he's got this situation figured out.]

...But I suppose you will still claim it a victory for Her, despite the fact She does not live to see the fruits of Her labors. You are yet in His thrall, Emet-Selch. Irrevocably so. You know this as well as I do. And as long as you remain that way, we won't come to an agreement on this matter anytime soon.

Know, however, that it will not stop me from worrying for your well-being all the same. I wouldn't let her harm you any more than I will let you harm her. You are my friend, my brother, and I won't give up on you, even if you have already given up on me.

[emet_sulk]

[ Gritting his teeth, he bristles. ]

Do you truly think so little of me? I have never given up on you! Even as you lost more and more pieces of yourself to time, I tried to urge you to keep your crystal close - until the last time that we spoke when you told me that if such memories were indeed so precious that I should not ask you to forget them twice.

[ The memory of it is still fresh in his mind. It had happened recently for him after all. He thinks that had been the moment when he had decided: after his death, Elidibus should not be left to perform his duty alone.

Who could have guessed how soon that moment would come for the both of them?

His fingers dig into his arms as he continues: ]

Now you stand before me, speaking and thinking with the clarity of purpose I remember. How could you possibly think that I would be anything other than relieved? I only hate that it took death to restore your sense of self.

[heartofsalvation]

[He was all prepared to walk away hardened until Emet-Selch brings that up, and surprise flashes across his face, recalling his own words. Recalling how utterly foolish he was, to think it wasn't worth bothering with what was already lost. What was he at all, without those memories?

He grimaces and looks aside, ashamed.]

I was mistaken. I'll fully admit it. What were we doing at all, if not desperately clinging to what precious little any of us had left? How foolish of me, to think what I'd already lost didn't matter...

[His fingers clench, stopping just short of curling into fists. Elidibus swallows, then looks back up, trying hard to mask the growing remorse.]

My memories will never be what they once were. There's much I do not recall about the Etheirys before Zodiark and Hydaelyn, even now. But that which I do remember, I hold close to my heart. And I will continue to do so until the day I am made to fade away once more.

I would still ask you to consider leaving it be while we remain somewhere with more pressing concerns, like our survival... but whether you can or will comply, I cannot say. I work only to prevent the worst case scenario now.

[emet_sulk]

[ He closes his eyes and bows his head, exhaling noisily. After a few moments, he uncrosses his arms and digs into a pocket that clinks ever so faintly. Whatever he withdraws is hidden in his fist, which he keeps by his side as he fixes Elidibus with a piercing look. ]

I will consider it if you look at your crystal again. I am not going to lose more than I already have or will.

[heartofsalvation]

Emet-Selch...

[I have, he wants to say. Many a time. But the memories, when he reaches for them, are absent like they were never there, like they've been plucked directly out of time and thrown into a bottomless void called Zodiark. He doesn't remember recording the message, nor any of the specific circumstances that led up to the idea.

Even so, he glances up and holds out his hand, slowly mustering a smile.]

All right. I am of the same mind.

[emet_sulk]

[ Now he lifts his own hand. His fist opens and the pale crystal of the Emissary drops into Elidibus' waiting hand. With its departure go the familiar whispers of its owner - now unneeded, he supposes. Emet-Selch's arm quickly drops back to his side before he can change his mind. ]

[heartofsalvation]

[A pause as he savors the slight weight of the crystal in his palm, curling his fingers around it protectively.]

If you don't mind, please continue to tend to Yuja's wounds... I'm afraid I am not experienced enough in the healing arts to help anywhere near as effectively. I know it's hardly your favorite thing to do, but I will entrust it to you nonetheless.

[Elidibus smiles, and it's a brilliant sight not seen since long, long ago for Emet-Selch.]

Thank you. Truly.

[emet_sulk]

[ The smile seems to entrance him a bit. But he quickly looks away again and crosses his arms defensively. Don't think he'll always be so easily swayed, Elidibus!! ]

Hmph... If she injures herself attempting to climb out of bed again before she is fully healed then it shall not be my problem. She is not the only patient in the clinic, you know.

[emet_sulk]

"The Echo."

He repeats it flatly. It's a good idea on her part, admittedly. There is no way to truly lie with it. He can even help her manifest it if she's serious about showing him her memories.

Does he want to know? That is the question here. Everything that she has said has been a lot to take in already. His mind is whirling. It's all he can do to focus on some singular points of her story and digest them. Fandaniel: the agent of the star's destruction from the very beginning. Hythlodaeus: reunited with him in the aetherial sea. Venat... Venat knowing this entire time and sharing nothing of it with anyone. She let their people die.

He feels another surge of anger towards her - towards Hydaelyn - and takes a deep breath to calm himself, closing his eyes.

"What difference would it make?" he mutters. "If the root cause lies in the past, with Fandaniel, as you claim, then nothing I have done for this star matters. Its destruction was assured long ago and we were only prolonging its death. There...is...no...point."

He doesn't want to believe her. It's easier to think that she's lying to him, that he still has some agency in how events play out. But say he manages to change the future to one he desires - according to her, the star will remain in peril from Fandaniel's creation. They will be trapped, forever fearing that which lies without.

If instead he chooses to let his future play out as-is then it means giving up on his long-held duty. He can't do that. He can't fail his people.

He stands abruptly. "I'm going to step outside," he says stiffly, not really looking at her. "Is there anything else I should know?"