audio | un: spade + ishida

[pursuit]

[ The transmission starts with some crackling feedback - or something that sounds oddly like it. Whatever it was, it ceases after a few moments, after which Deuce's voice may be recognizable to those who have met that odd kid who usually sports a spade over one eye. ]

So guys, Matt thought we should ask around to see if the uh. Way things are around here's normal for them, right? And we found out a few things.

[ A quiet sigh follows, one that suggests a measure of patience being exercised before another speaker joins him. Yamato Ishida's voice comes through, calm and clear. ]

Right. This probably isn't a surprise to some, but apparently things haven't always been like this. For one, the military is a fairly new addition.

[ The odd feedback returns, and those with sharp ears may intuit that it is, in fact, the sound of crumpled paper being smoothed out. Deuce isn't the most organized among their number, nor is he used to presenting before the class so to speak, and so he prepared notes. ]

From what people said, it wasn't really a thing until the idea started catching on to merge Taeum and Sedorum into one place? I dunno how they'd do that, but apparently it got some traction...

[ Yamato doesn't miss a beat as he speaks up once more. ]

I mean, it makes sense. I don't really think the system is fair given what we've seen but...

[ He trails off into silence before he returns to the purpose of their transmission. ]

... Well, anyway, whoever thought it up started a rebellion. From the sounds of it, they wanted to take down someone called the Highest One.

[ At first, Deuce just makes an acknowledging sound, only to realize it's his turn with an abrupt oh, right! ]

Then the rebellion got curbstomped and they executed anyone involved... So I guess that means you can wind up double-dead? Whole thing seems terrible...

[ When it seems that Deuce has been absorbed in ruminative silence, Yamato picks back up on their subject. ]

Not exactly picture-perfect paradise, but seems like they're determined to keep things separate. We couldn't figure out who this Highest One is or if anyone from the rebellion is still around.

[ Which brings their fellow orbers up to speed. But the both of them have one question, and where Yamato has paused, Deuce ventures to ask- ]

So....any of you guys heard about some Highest whatever?

[ There follows another weary sigh. ]

Deuce...

[ ooc: Expect replies from Deuce, Yamato, or both! ]

Comments

[bindsthedead]

Well, I haven't heard much of the Highest One in Sedorum... but there is someone known only as Him that's in charge. But He doesn't have much interest in showing His face.

[pursuit]

[ He's relieved to hear Sabriel's voice, and it seeps into his tone. Being cut off from half the team on a mission has been unnerving. ]

Wonder what's up with that... Gotta be a reason somebody'd be that secretive about themselves, right?

[bindsthedead]

I don't know. All I know is that He's the one in charge... and either doesn't have a name, or doesn't want it known. Perhaps knowing it would grant some power over him?

[It would be optimistic to think so... but names do have power. It's why they're used in the bindings of some magical creatures.]

[pursuit]

Tough to imagine not having a name... But if He doesn't want people knowing about it, maybe you're right, and He's covering a weak spot. Without anonymity it'd be easier to find a guy, at least.

[ Among other things, maybe. Deuce wouldn't call himself the most innovative, but it's hard to hold one over on anybody without knowing who they even are. ]

[bindsthedead]

In your study of magic- have you ever come across any discussion about how names can hold power?

[Like how baptisms involve granting the child a name, and how knowing a Free magic or Dead creature's name can make it easier to control them, along with a number of more minor applications.]

I wonder if it's something along those lines.

[pursuit]

I'm still pretty new, but one of my seniors uses contracts that bind you to an agreement when you sign your name... So I think I get what you mean.

[ He can only wonder how many ways a name can hold sway over someone. If somebody powerful enough had a mind to, would the knowledge alone be usable like that? ]

If it is that way, it might help us if we could figure it out.

[bindsthedead]

I wonder what he'd say about the bargains people make with the orbs.

It's something to look into, at least. Although our main goal must be finding and recovering the orbs- which also means understanding any bargains struck with them.

[yuujyou]

Glad to see communications really are up. I hope everyone's been okay there.

This 'Him'... Is he from Taeum? It could be the same guy.

[bindsthedead]

I haven't heard anything about Him being from Taeum. Or... anything about him, beyond that he's in charge... and apparently doesn't care much about Sedorum, given the state of it.

[yuujyou]

Given the idea that people wanted the two places merged, I imagine part of it is because they already gave up on Sedorum.

[If he was the head honcho, that is. If not...]

What's it like there?

[bindsthedead]

Completely lawless. People do whatever they please, whether that's indulging themselves, or hurting other people. Also.... Everything's secondhand, like it's been passed on from somewhere else.

It's better than the last mission, though.

[yuujyou]

[The second hand thing isn't surprising, nor the lawlessness, but...]

Taeum's... not too different in some aspects. At the very least, there are some who can indulge in really disturbing things in secret.

I heard the last mission was really bad, but I don't know the full details. I do know enough to know that these orbs are bad news if we can't get them before they use them for something worse.

[bindsthedead]

Really? If that's the case, I'm not sure why they're so set on keeping people from Sedorum out then. It's not like they think sin is all that objectionable, if they let people pay their way in.

[It just... doesn't make sense. At all.]

This is my... fifth mission now. And every time, someone's made a wish on the orb before we arrived. The orbs cannot do much outside of bargains, but they do seem able to call out to people- to attract those desperate enough to make a deal.

Audio; un: belova

[laviny]

Yes. Entr’i once requested to assassinate the Highest One, but…He denied the request. I am not sure who He is, though.

[yuujyou]

[Huh. So a different person then. That makes it interesting.]

I wonder if this was during the same attempt. Did you find out why 'He' denied it?

[laviny]

Not yet, unfortunately. But I am curious.

[yuujyou]

It could be that it doesn't align with his plans. Killing the Highest One might even be detrimental to them.

[laviny]

Or the Highest One and Him are the same being and that’s why they’re so secretive about their identities. He wouldn’t be inclined to approve an assassination attempt on Himself.

[yuujyou]

Why keep the two worlds separate then? I can't imagine running two vastly opposing places has any merit, especially if he's egging on a rebellion against himself.

[laviny]

Profit? It is all about money, after all.

But I don't know for sure. It's only a theory and I don't know that it has much merit. The system is a mess, though.

[pursuit]

Sure seems weird to hide like that. And being in a position to call the shots, too.

Y'think one of those guys could have the orb or something?

[laviny]

It is kind of suspicious, isn’t it.

[And to his question she responds:]

Possibly. I am still catching up on what has gone on in Taeum, but people here seem pretty sure that Entr’i has an orb. So, we might be looking at two. Or one that was split.

[pursuit]

[ Shock permeates his tone when he responds. ]

Split... Can something like that get divided up?

[ He's associated orbs with magical energy up till now. But could they be more like the stones used in his own world, holding so much power, but breakable? ]

[laviny]

Well, it happened once before, right? The orbs were once all part of the same...I don't know...megaorb or something. But it split. And now they all want to be reunited.

It might be possible one could split again.

[pursuit]

Yeah, you've got a point.

[ But if these small ones are so powerful, a "megaorb" might outclass anything they know, right? Maybe... ]

If it's split, would the parts be weaker then?