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

[yuujyou]

No clue.

[He admits as much. He's not too sold on the idea, even if he can see the angle. It just doesn't quite fit yet.]

It's never a good idea when someone tries to do that. Merging worlds can be catastrophic.

[bindsthedead]

And yet, if things continue on their current path, there will be a war- one in which many people will perish. Can you really blame her, for trying to avoid it?

[yuujyou]

... What do you mean? Wasn't this war because of the rebellion?

[That was the impression he got from the people he talked to. Granted, the rebels were subdued, but if they were still planning on doing something from Sedorum's end, the army made sense. This Highest One seemed like the kind of person who would protect the status quo.

So, yeah, he sounds very surprised by that answer.]

[bindsthedead]

People in Sedorum are angry about how things are- they think it's unfair, that the rich can buy their way to Taeum, while minor sins like not paying rent can get you sent to Sedorum.

Entr'i wants to merge the worlds, but many in Sedorum will settle for just invading Taeum.

[yuujyou]

Both options sound like an all-out war is inevitable, but merging worlds is a different kind of dangerous. It could potentially destroy both.

[Which, he does have experience trying to prevent, because it wasn't the first time he's met people who wanted to do such a thing. Though, their reasons are usually much more nefarious, not... this.]

I don't get it, why didn't she just wish that in the first place? From what I'm understanding, she used the orb to block communications.

[bindsthedead]

But if it doesn't it could avoid the entire war, and create something better than what was there before.

[Because... the situation as it is will just lead to another rebellion, even if this one fails.]

Probably, because whatever the price was, she wasn't able to pay it immediately. Or the orb needs something more than just her wish to grant it? During the first mission... A woman made a wish, to try to save those who were infected by a plague. But while the Orb gave her the power to help with symptoms, a cure was only found by combining that power with magic and science.

[yuujyou]

That's not a guarantee. It doesn't change the people in both worlds.

[He points out, which is-- well, part of the problem. Corruption won't stop because two worlds are one, and while he's not normally a pessimist, the idealistic recklessness of the idea bothers him. It makes him uncomfortable, in the way that reminds him of Menoa. Though, he supposed at least people had the choice here.]

... It's possible something else is also preventing it. In any case, I don't think it's good to trust either side of this potential war, not without knowing more details.

[bindsthedead]

No. But if they're forced to share, if it's no longer possible to buy your way to a better afterlife... I think people might find a reason to change. Or at least be less awful.

[Because despite Sabriel's restrained demeanor, she is absolutely reckless- and willing to take drastic steps, to remedy what she feels is an unfair situation.]

Besides- we need to recover the orb, which means we're going to have to persuade Entr'i to give it up, one way or another. Stealing it isn't an option, so helping her achieve her goals is the obvious choice.

[yuujyou]

[He ponders on that. He doesn't know if he agrees, even if he understands her point. It isn't that he wouldn't want to hope that people would grudgingly learn to get along, and eventually make everything better... but it feels off. He's not sure why, but the pieces they don't know just seem so big that assuming that merging the worlds is the solution just feels incomplete.

Not wrong, but something is missing.]

This 'Highest One' that we heard of doesn't seem to be the type to let that happen so easily. Let's look at other options first.

I'm curious about 'He'. How is he related to Entr'i?

[bindsthedead]

Like persuading Taeum to let people in? Sedorum's not going to accept the status quo.

[Sabriel's tone is oddly bitter.]

And as far as I can tell... Well, they're on the same side, and Entr'i works for him- he's in charge of Sedorum, she just leads the army.

[yuujyou]

[Well, he's not going to argue that part. He doesn't think the situation is fair, after all. He decides to let her be for now, and focuses on the important details.]

You said that 'He' doesn't care that much about Sedorum. It feels like the opposite of Entr'i, so I'm surprised they're working together. What does he do as the guy in charge?

[bindsthedead]

Honestly, I'm not sure how much he does. V'Rizz is his chief of staff, but... I haven't seen him do much either, aside from help Entr'i recruit people.

[yuujyou]

Something isn't adding up...

[He frowns, thinking it over.]

The 'Highest One' wants to keep the status quo. Angrial seems to be the same. Entr'i wants to destroy it.

What does 'He' want? Because if he's not trying to improve Sedorum, then I don't know why he'd support invading Taeum in order to help those in Sedorum. Is that really his goal?

[bindsthedead]

I don't know. Perhaps he simply hates Taeum, and wants to smash it. Right now, he's the biggest mystery among those involved, and shows little interest in showing his face.

[yuujyou]

He could be tricking Entr'i, or working with the 'Highest One'. The fact that he's such a mystery is suspicious.

I don't trust the higher ups in Taeum, and they seem willing to force people to comply to their rules to keep things in place. It's possible they already have a plan to deal with the orb.